One of the most popular motivational sayings these days is “Work smarter, not harder.” It always seems that the more I try and the harder I worked towards a goal, the tougher it was to attain. I never quite understood how this could happen until I really took a close look at the “Work smarter, not harder” philosophy. Remember my secret…and my love affair with my TR6? Well, I have a lot more to share with you as an example of how “Smart Work” can lead you right where you belong without you even realizing it.
As a Mom, my successes are often secondary to those of my children. While I am proud of myself and my own accomplishments, there’s just no way to explain the overwhelming sense of pride when one of your children takes what you have taught them and applies that to their own life to attain their dreams. One such success that I recently celebrated was my daughter’s graduation from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.
While her graduating from university isn’t surprising in the
least, how she ended up at Missouri State as a Canadian is interesting. With safety and recreation in mind, we began her swimming at a very early age, having no idea just how far this would eventually take her. By early high school, she was a top elite swimmer with the Ottawa Swim Club. This led to her setting a goal (without our knowledge) to apply for an athletic scholarship at a Division 1 University Swim Team. As parents, we did nothing more than guide her, and she did the rest. She was accepted on a Division 1 Team, is an honour student, and in her fourth year, is the Captain of the Swim Team. Stacey set the goal, but aligned it with her purpose and values. By working smarter, not harder, her success came naturally, as did ours as parents!
Wishing you a great year of ease and success for 2010!
11 Comments
Hi Deborah,
You must be so proud of her! I know I would be!
We guide are children in this world and hope they make the right decessions. She is a special child in the universe. Wishing you both an amazing year for 2010…wonderful story…thank you for sharing!
Sincerely,
Cathy
Thank you for sharing your daughter’s story on your blog. Very inspiring! Congratulations to both of you!
I love the new website/blog look Deborah – you are truly an inspiration….constantly innovating. (I like the story about Stacey too….)
Lynn
Hi Deb,
It is a belief that which you write about would be most beneficial to all aspects or the human journey. When one flows with the natural path of the experiences, crossing one’s journey, little energy is expended in “trying” to make something happen so we can get what we want. We come to accept that which is given by the choices we make. With awareness we allow the current to gently take us to the experience we wish to have, and if it is not meant to be, we are not so attached to it that it would become a burden. In essence, we understand, to let go of that which does not happen synergistically, may be that which we were to actually learn from the experience. The goal is secondary if you will, each moment of the journey primary. The past is gone, the future is a million variables away, we only truly have the moment we live right here, right now, today. If it is thought about, when we try to force getting what we want, we may achieve our goal, yet usually we will find there is consequences to face that may not be in our best interest. Feelings of being overwhelmed, mental anguish, physical fatigue etc. This do not just become our issue. The people around us are affected consciously or unconsciously by the energy we emit. When happenings occur in alignment with who we are, truly, deep inside, our struggles, goals and achievements become joyous events and bring us to the next step of the journey. After all, the journey is that which brings us to growth and higher awareness of who we are, beyond the physical.
Enjoy your blogs.
Happy New Year
May you create a great moment in every moment
That is one incredible daughter you and Jeff have raised…I’d be boasting with pride!!! Congratulations to Stacey and I wish her a lifetime of optimal health and true happiness.
Lynne
Cathy – thank you for sharing your comments – its amazing what we can all do with our lives! All the best to you for 2010 and beyond!
Renate – so good to hear that you were inspired by the story of my daughter. Thank you for commenting and all the best to you for this fantastic new year ahead!
Lynn – thank you for letting me know your thoughts! And, yes, I love to innovate! It’s great to know that stories like this can positively impact others!
Mark – Love your perspective on this topic – thank you so much for sharing and I absolutely agree in creating great moments in every moment! All the best for 2010 and beyond!
Lynne – I appreciate your wonderful comments and yes, we’re are very proud! Grad pics are on Facebook, when you get a minute! I will pass on your best wishes to Stacey! Thanks so much!