Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieve it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

- Dylan Thomas - 

#LifeIsPrecious #AMomentInTime #Mindfulness

Thought For The Day

Image Credit: Joanna Watala

A powerful, emotionally provocative photograph of two beautiful women with similar body image issues; they simply handled their emotional baggage differently.

If our eyes saw souls instead of bodies, what would we actually define as being beautiful? Would there be as many people craving the unachievable ‘perfect’ look?

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there is no such thing as perfect.

More of Joanna Watala's images can be found on Instagram.

#BlackAndWhite #Beauty #LifeIsPrecious

New Beginnings in 2020

I have been told I am courageous, but I feel scared. 

I have been told I am brave, but I feel anxious. 

I have been told I am sweet, but I feel bitter. 

I have been told I am wonderful, but I simply wonder. 

2020 is a new decade for this century. 

It will soon be a new decade for me.

2020 will also be a new beginning for me. The magic comes from my friends and loved ones whom I trust when they say ‘it will be okay’.

#LifeIsPrecious #NewBeginnings #ReflectivePractice

Reflecting On Happiness

For many people, December can often be a big month for reflection. What goals have you achieved in 2018? What can you do at the close of the year that you couldn’t do at the start of it? How have you made a difference to others? Have you been happy in your work and your life?

Here are four suggestions for enjoying a little more happiness at the end of the year and into 2019:

1. Let go of the rules you have for happiness and success.

You don’t have to be perfect, work hard, go it alone or suffer to earn happiness or be successful. Happiness does not come wrapped in a box, it comes when you enjoy the gift inside every moment.

2. Fuel your passion and do what inspires and delights you.

Ask yourself “when am I at my happiest?” and do more of those things you enjoy. Start by being kind to yourself and indulge in your personal version of happiness, success, and joy.

3. Enjoy the simple pleasures.

Laughter, fun, and dancing to your favorite music costs nothing, yet can be priceless. Play a game, read a book, or go for a walk and try and spot all the colors of a rainbow. What is on your list of simple pleasures?

4. Make time for love and friendship. 

Don’t be so busy with others that you neglect your most important relationships at work and in your life. Who would you like to spend more time with, be more loving with, and have more fun with?

Go to: Nathaniel Branden

#LifeIsPrecious #Reflections #Mindfulness

Leadership Development - Nurturing a Growth Mindset

Scholars are deeply gratified when their ideas catch on. And they are even more gratified when their ideas make a difference (Carol Dweck, 2016). The growth mindset concept is spreading and being embraced in a number of sectors as part of their curriculum.

But popularity has a price and people begin to distort ideas, and therefore fail to reap their benefits (Carol Dweck, 2016). For instance, some believe a growth mindset is just about praising and rewarding effort. This isn’t true for students in schools, and it’s not true for employees in organizations. In both settings, outcomes matter.

Furthermore, some organizations espouse an ambitious "adopt a growth mindset, and good things will happen" philosophy. Such mission statements are wonderful things, aren't they? You can’t argue with lofty values like growth, empowerment, or innovation. But what do they mean to employees if the company doesn’t implement policies that make them real and attainable?

Organizations that embody a growth mindset encourage appropriate risk-taking, knowing that some risks won’t work out (Carol Dweck, 2016). They reward employees for important and useful lessons learned, even if a project does not meet its original goals.

However, the following infographic serves a purpose in that it emphasizes a relational dynamic between the individual and the growth mindset concept (Steve Wood, 2018). In that, no matter what stage of your career you are in, nurturing and preserving your own growth is absolutely essential, rather than devolve that responsibility to the organization you are part of. In that way, you are more likely to be an agent of change as a leader as well as be better invested as an active follower within your team.

Such are my thoughts on the matter, for now...

#Leadership #GrowthMindset #Development