Successful Blog

Change the World: Decide

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The Universe Will Not Be Thwarted

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Once upon a time, I had the coolest job in the world. I worked with the most incredible people. They were smart and their hearts were in it. No one was looking for the negative. We were building a special little company. The little company was soaring. It’s customers were smiling. Then the owners decided to sell it.

The new owners were playing Monopoly. Our little company was one more property on a board game. The new owners couldn’t see what made the little special. They made decisions that hurt the little company. They starved the goose and the golden eggs stopped.

When I realized that the little company would never be again, I recognized the feeling. I told a friend, “I don’t want a new puppy. I want the puppy that died.”

He said, “Mourn if you like, but not forever. I’ve been to the mountain, and I know this: The universe will not be thwarted. Commit to a new path and it will take you where you want to be. ”

Well, that poor universe, for the longest time, it didn’t get any help from me. I went off in some direction, but my heart wasn’t fully with me. think I was still wishing for that poor long-gone situation.

But my friend’s sentence never left me. “The universe will not be thwarted.”

Himalayan explorer W.H. Murray said the same thing.

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.

I decided to change the world. I quit hedging my bets to protect myself.

Things happened that same week — happy accidents and offers. The universe opened a road to my dream.

They’re still happening.

Living in the past is not the way to a future.

Commitment is.

We can change the world — just like that.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

Plan Bs, Worse Case Scenarios and Positive Realities

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Can we Talk about

being prepared for the worst?

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I’m not sure what brought this up. Maybe it’s that life is so good.

I’ve been looking back at the things that haven’t worked out so well, and I realize what a contribution they’ve made to where I am now.

I made an accounting of every major diplomatic incident, dire catastrophe, and house that fell on me. I reviewed it twice, the same way that Santa Claus reviews his list. The conclusion I landed on is stunning.

When I look at what life has handed me, I don’t really need any more Plan Bs and Worse Case Scenarios. I can just pick from the ones in my history . . . I have plenty.

I’m free to concentrate on building the positive realities.

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Personal Integrity: Leadership and Taking Turns

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I've been thinking . . .

about taking turns.

It doesn’t take much experience to know that to be heard, you have to listen. Leaders know that. So do teammates and people who understand human nature. Relationships are an ebb and flow, a “give and get” kind of thing.

From childhood, I learned to take turns at being first, at choosing, at having the lead.

Now, I’m grown up and I’ve been thinking about that “taking turns” rule. It’s automatic. I take my turn and I step back for someone else to move forward. When I don’t I feel the world look at me. Is that best way?

I’ve been wondering for weeks now . . . should a leader stop leading because it’s supposed to be someone else’s turn?

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Dots that Change the World

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On this very blog, Liz’s open invitation is for you to join her to Change the World. We often think we have to be presidents, rich or influential to do that. We somehow believe that often we’re too ordinary or too insignificant to be agents of changes.

Consider this… if the net effect of one man donating $5 million dollars is the same as 5 million people donating a single dollar, why should we feel our donation of a dollar be worth any less in thought or deed?

We can be everyday heroes.

All it takes is an act of kindness…

Is it a coincidence that two of Liz’s call to actions are together we can change the world and be nice? I think not!

Make it personal.

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Mary says it’s the little things that make a difference. Perhaps, in this hustle-bustle world filled with impersonal information, it is the personal attention, the personal contact, the personal encouragement that means the most.

Make time to acknowledge and encourage.

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Robyn relates an inspiring story of choice and explains why …naming specifics makes a difference when you recognize brilliance in action… and ..helps people to become more of who they’re meant to be.

The best place to start is within.

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Bob shares with us that any change, planned or random, involves a few key elements among them questions, fear and risk.. Those questions, fear and risk often leads to procrastination. I often have to remind myself, the question is not “what if I did”, but “what if I didn’t”… There is no change without action.

We are the ones we have been waiting for.

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Matthew shared with us a speech from Queen Rania of Jordan. There is no better call to action for us to change the world. In a shrinking world, we cannot afford to ration our compassion. More than ever, our fates are intertwined – and our friendship must know no boundaries…we are the ones we have been waiting for

May the dots be with you!

Vern, The Idea Dude

It's About Real Life

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Yes, And He Had a Son

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So you’ve probably figured out. That my husband and I don’t live some high falutin’ city life style. I like to look out my window and see a lake that goes on forever. Yeah, that’s true enough. Whoa. But the rest, it’s about being alive, isn’t it?

The reason I love Chicago is because it’s all heart and soul. It’s all neighborhoods.

So last night when we went to dinner we met a young man, not young to you, young to us — ’cause we’re old. [I’m so smiling to think on it.]

Wow! It was real life. His son is three. He’s living to see his son grow.

How much more can there be?

Every color of the rainbow lives in the eyes of a father talking about his son, in the eyes of a mother talking about her daughter . . .

It reminds me of a song . . . the song is dated and old, the sentiments are timeless.

I hope the Russians love their children too. They do. I know. I know. Go ahead listen.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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Can You See the Future?

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I've been thinking . . .

about the future.

I can see the future. I know where I will be.

It’s not some magic or hocus pocus. It’s knowing who I am and who I will be.

With decades of data on situations I’ve gotten myself into and choice I’ve made, how hard could it be? As time goes by, seeing the future gets easier. Hardly any new decisions come my way. Each new fork in the road looks a lot like one that I’ve stood at some time ago. I’ve got the experience to know which part of the fork is good for me and which part of the fork I will probably take.

So these days I choose my future rather than letting it happen to me. I declare my direction and set off to make my declaration a reality.

I know the bits of myself that make accidents happen. I’ve decided they don’t figure into my future plans. No arguing on that point. They “ain’t” going to happen. It’s my level of commitment that I’m using as my predictor.

Can you see the future? Sure you can. See it. Try it on. Find one that fits your dreams. Then make it happen.

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