Gratitude is more than saying “thank you” when someone gives you something, states Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD.

Gratitude, in Kushner’s view, is a mindset and a way of looking at the world so that you recognize the things in your life as gifts you might just as easily not have been given. It encourages you to see the “givens” in your life – your looks, your talents, your family – as gifts, and even if you might have wished for a fancier or more expensive gift, it is selfish not to express appreciation for the gifts you have, states Kushner in an interview.

“When the psalmist, a man who has known the “valley of the shadow,” writes “my cup runneth over,” he is saying that he has learned to be grateful for what he has rather than lamenting what he may have lost or missed out on,” says Rabbi Kushner.

“I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going. And I have trained myself to love it. Because it is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight, that we force our wings to unravel and alas begin our flight.
And as we fly, we still may not know where we are going to. But the miracle is in the unfolding of the wings. You may not know where you’re going, but you know that so long as you spread your wings, the winds will carry you.”~ Dr Maya Angelou

In that space of not having all the answers, you will discover something extraordinary: the freedom to let go and trust the process.

It is only when you are suspended in mid-air, without a clear destination, that you can summon the courage to spread your wings.

In that unfolding, you begin to soar—not because you know where you’ll land, but because you’ve found the strength to rise.

The beauty lies in the flight itself, in trusting that the winds, coupled with God’s goodness, grace and mercy, will guide you to where you need to be.

It is in that surrender to the unknown and living in faith that you truly begin to live, carried by faith in the journey rather than the certainty of the outcome.

“What you focus on grows, what you think about expands, and what you dwell upon determines your destiny.” – Robin Sharma

“What you focus on expands” suggests that the things you give your attention to—whether positive or negative—tend to grow in significance and impact in your life.

Your brain is wired to filter out distractions, allowing you to focus on what you deem important. This means that when you concentrate on specific thoughts, feelings, or experiences, you enhance their presence in your life.

Additionally, by focusing on certain aspects of your lives, you become more aware of them. This heightened awareness can lead to increased opportunities and experiences related to those focal points.

When you concentrate on positive aspects—such as gratitude, goals, or strengths—you often find more reasons to feel good and motivated. This can lead to improved mental health and greater success.

Conversely, if you dwell on negative thoughts or challenges, those feelings can amplify, leading to stress, anxiety, or a sense of helplessness.

“What you focus on expands” is not just a motivational saying; it’s a principle rooted in psychological research that highlights the importance of intentional focus in shaping your experiences and outcomes.

By consciously directing your attention towards positivity, growth, and gratitude, you create a more fulfilling and enriched life.

Each day, you should note things you appreciate in a gratitude journal; this shifts your focus to positivity and increases feelings of gratitude in your life.

Source:  https://ninaamir.com/prove-what-focus-on-expands/

Doing both aerobic and strength training exercises reduce risk of dying 41% to 47% compared with people who did no exercise. ~ Harvard Health

Doing both aerobic exercise and strength training exercise are extremely beneficial for individuals above the age of sixty, according to a study published in the November 2022 issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Researchers found that weight lifting alone was linked to a 9% to 22% lower risk of dying.

Moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise appeared to lower risk by 24% to 34%.

But the greatest longevity gains were among people who did both types of exercise; their risk of dying during the follow-up period was 41% to 47% lower compared with people who did no exercise.

Studies attest that strength training, as well as aerobic exercise, can help you manage and sometimes prevent conditions as varied as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and osteoporosis.

One of the best ways to stay fit and healthy as you age is by doing strength and power training exercises. You may know that starting in our thirties, we all begin to lose muscle mass. This loss actually contributes to achy joints, increased risk of injury, and the “middle-age spread” we all dread. What’s more, the older we get, the faster muscle mass disappears. That means that eventually, simple tasks like getting out of a chair and climbing stairs can become more difficult.

Strength training can help you build muscle, make you strong, increase your endurance and make everyday activities easier. By combining strength and power training exercises you’ll not only get stronger, you’ll build speed and improve your reaction time. That’s critical as you age, because it can help prevent falls.

Source:  Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter, Adding weight lifting to workouts may boost longevity, Harvard Health Publishing, January 1, 2023.

and,

Strength and Power Training for All Ages, Harvard Health Publishing

“Success demands singleness of purpose.” – Vince Lombardi

“Starve your distractions, feed your focus.” – Focus Quote

Recently, there was a story circulating on social media in which Bill Gates and Warren Buffett were asked the question, “what would you say is the most important skill for success?”

Both men answered “focus”. Focus, in their opinion, is the most important requirement for success and great achievement.

With focus, you can do anything. And without focus, you can do nothing.  Focus is the key to success.

“Whenever you want to achieve something, keep your eyes open, concentrate and make sure you know exactly what it is you want. No one can hit their target with their eyes closed.” – Paulo Coelho

Thus, it’s important to focus on the one or two things in your professional career or personal life that you can do right now that will have the greatest positive impact or return on you investment of time, talent and treasure.

Because, everything else you do has a lesser impact and return, or no impact or return, on your life.  Focus is the key to success.

“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” – Jack Canfield

Most people live distracted by technology, specifically their cell phones and social media.  They are addicted to distraction, the tiny screens in their hands, in which they’re hooked to social media.

To achieve great success and sustainable high performance, you must break free of addiction to distraction. Instead, you must focus on the most important and impactful things and activities in your life to achieve great success.

The ability to control your focus and attention is the most important key to success. Thus, you should focus on the one to three key things or variables that are most critical to the success of your business, relationships and life.

Learning and becoming skilled at meditation is very helpful practice to strengthen your focus muscle. Focus is simply choosing the right thought among the hundreds of competing and distracting thoughts.

“Don’t dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer.” – Denis Waitley

Personal mission statements reflect the values, passions, goals and the impact individuals aim to have on the world.

Below are several personal mission statements:

• Oprah Winfrey: “To be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be”.
• Maya Angelou: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style”.
• Elon Musk: “If something is important enough you should try, even if the probable outcome is failure”.
• Richard Branson: “To have fun in [my] journey through life and learn from [my] mistakes”2.
• Serena Williams: “To be the best version of myself on and off the court, inspiring others to pursue their goals with passion and perseverance”.
• Jane Goodall: “To foster a greater understanding and compassion for the natural world and inspire action to protect all living beings”.

Crafting a personal mission statement can provide you with clarity and direction in your life. Here are some steps to help you create one:

• Reflect on Your Values: Think about what is most important to you. What principles guide your decisions and actions?
• Identify Your Passions: Consider what activities or causes you are passionate about. What brings you joy and fulfillment?
• Define Your Goals: Outline your long-term goals. What do you want to achieve in your personal and professional life?
• Consider Your Strengths: Recognize your unique strengths and talents. How can you use them to make a positive impact?
• Think About Your Legacy: Reflect on how you want to be remembered. What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
• Draft Your Statement: Combine these elements into a concise statement that captures your purpose and aspirations.

Here’s a template to get you started:

“My mission is to [action/verb] [what you want to achieve] by [how you will achieve it], so that [the impact you want to have].”
For example:

“My mission is to inspire and empower others by sharing knowledge and fostering a supportive community, so that everyone can achieve their full potential.”

Here are five inspiring personal mission statements that you can adapt to your own goals and values:

• To live a life of significance by making a positive impact on others and striving for continuous growth.” This statement emphasizes the importance of contributing to the world while also focusing on personal development.
• To embrace challenges, learn from failures, and persevere in the pursuit of my dreams.” This statement highlights the importance of resilience and a growth mindset.
• To inspire and empower others to reach their full potential through acts of kindness, compassion, and understanding.” This statement focuses on helping others and making a difference in the world.
• To live a balanced life of purpose, passion, and joy, cherishing relationships and making the most of every moment.” This statement emphasizes the importance of work-life balance and personal fulfillment.
• To be a lifelong learner, always seeking knowledge and wisdom, and using my skills to create a better future for myself and others.” This statement highlights the importance of continuous learning and using one’s talents to make a positive impact.

The best personal mission statements are the ones that resonates with you personally and inspires you to take action. It should be concise, clear, and meaningful.

“There’s a reason why players that have multiple championships have multiple championships. There’s a certain characteristic and an understanding and knowledge and that’s not something that’s easily taught. You kind of have to go through it and it kind of has to be part of your DNA from the beginning.” – Kobe Bryant, NBA legend and Hall of Fame inductee

“The hunger [to succeed] is the same, no matter what it is that you’re doing. It’s like an unquenchable thirst to learn more, or to feel like you could have done more, and to be brutally honest and self critical, which is very hard to do. It’s easy, and human nature is to just blame somebody else. It’s very, very hard to self assess.” ~ Kobe Bryant

Here’s a recommended list of financial and life topics to cover with your family meeting.

Adult family members might be encouraged to review it before an initial conversation, and then use each item as a platform for discussion. Think of it as a conversation starter:

1. Do you have an updated will. Attorneys usually recommend that all adults have one, not just senior family members.)
2. Are there specific family heirlooms you would like to give to specific family members, or is there something special you would like to receive some day? These decisions can be included in a will.
3. Do you have guardians for minor children?
4. Do you have a durable power of attorney?
5. Do you have a living will and/or a medical power of attorney? You have a legal right to specify the level of care you wish to receive if you are incapacitated. Most importantly, you can designate the individuals responsible for making such decisions.
6. Are your life insurance, pension, IRA, and annuity beneficiary designations current?
7. Are all your important documents in one place, such as a safe deposit box? Are designated family members’ names on the signature card?
8. Do you have an available list of important information? This might include bank accounts, retirement accounts, other financial accounts, life insurance policies, and other assets, as well as the names and contact information of your attorney, accountant, New York Life agent, and other professionals.
9. Do you need to contact your attorney to update your will, or do you need to contact your life insurance agent or financial advisor to review your life insurance and other financial concerns?

Managing family financial information
Sometimes it’s difficult to have the answers to these questions right at your fingertips. But it’s important to know your loved ones can find your life insurance policy or will, should something come up. So, we have come up with something to help.

Your ability to communicate persuasively determines whether your opinion is actively sought out or you have to fight to get your voice heard.

The ability to influence others can set you up for career and personal success.

The most powerful communicators are thoughtful professionals who’ve learned to leverage their perceptiveness strategically. They understand psychology: how people think, what drives their choices, and how to present ideas to get seen, heard, and paid.

Persuasive communication is a learnable skill. Here are three strategies to get started.

1. Lead with your bottom line

Decision-makers are busy and overwhelmed. When you take too long to get to your point, you risk losing their attention, and you may inadvertently signal that you don’t have a good handle on your own message.

Contrast this with someone who can articulate their key point in a few crisp sentences. That level of clarity suggests expertise and confidence.

To be more persuasive, start with your conclusion, request, or recommendation, then follow with supporting evidence as needed. This might sound like:

• “I recommend pushing the product launch to September. The three factors driving this are ….”
• “We need to consider redesigning our app’s navigation by Q3 to stop losing users. The data shows ….”
• “Can you review this report by Thursday? I need your input specifically on X and Y.”
• Before your next meeting, write down your main “take-home” message in one to two clear sentences. That constraint forces you to filter out the fluff and focus on the information that matters.

2. Sell your idea as a way to solve specific problems
Persuasive communicators have mastered the art of translation. They reframe their messages through the lens of their audience’s needs.

People in power don’t just want clever solutions. They want good ideas that speak directly to their pressures, pain points, and priorities. Make that connection and you’ll gain a competitive edge.

To be more persuasive, start with your conclusion, request, or recommendation, then follow with supporting evidence as needed.

For example, instead of saying, “This new system will improve data processing efficiency by 40%,” you might say, “This solution will help you deliver quarterly reports three days faster, giving you more time to prepare for board meetings.”

Even when you need to defer or push back, the same principle applies. Jazz up a simple “I’ll get back to you,” by saying instead, “I want to make sure I give you the most useful answer for your quarterly planning. Can I have until Friday to gather the specific data you’ll need?”

3. Speak with authority

Small shifts in your word choice can dramatically change how your message lands, especially with senior stakeholders.

Consider the difference between saying “I think we should …” versus “In my experience …” One signals uncertainty, the other expertise.

Or how about “I’m trying to …” versus “We’re implementing …”? The first suggests struggle, the second implies purposeful action.

Look for opportunities to swap weak verbs with more powerful ones. For example:

• “Had to” can become “decided to,” “chose to,” or “opted to”
• “Helped” could be replaced with “guided,” “directed,” “led,” “advised,” or “oversaw”
• Don’t get caught up in fancy words or corporate jargon. This is about choosing more precise language that reflects the scale and scope of your actions.

Melody Wilding, LMSW, is an executive coach, human behavior professor, and author of ”Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge.”

Source:  https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/10/how-to-influence-people-and-succeed-at-work-executive-coach.html

No one on their deathbed has ever looked back on their life and said, “I wish I had just spent more time at the office.”

But people do look back and say, “I wish I had pursued my dreams.” Or, “I wish I had spent more time with my family.” Or, “I wished I had traveled and experienced the world.”

Only you know what matters to you and what you value the most; and only you know your dreams, ambitions and goals  — just make sure that’s what you’re pursuing and devoting your time, talents and treasure towards.

However, you might be thinking, “Easier said than done!” And yes, you’d be absolutely right. But the things worth doing and pursuing, the treasures worth finding and the things worth doing, are always the most challenging to do.

But, the reward is embedded in the process and journey.

“Success in life comes from holding a good hand, but in playing a poor hand well.” — Denis Waitley

Not all hands in life are dealt fairly or evenly. Yes, some people are born on third base and think they’ve hit a triple, while others are born on the outside of the ballpark and have seemingly insurmountable challenges to even get in the game. But the wonderful thing about life is that you’re able to change your circumstances.

So if you don’t hold the perfect hand, focus on the strategies you can play well right now to get you through to the next round. You can set ambitious goals, maintain a positive attitude and mindset, take responsibility for your choices and responses to circumstances, develop productive habits, and always be grateful. Eventually, you’ll succeed and win the whole damn thing.