7 Minutes Today, Make a Difference in Your Lifetime

Estimate: I'm guessing it'll take no more than 7 minutes to read and to do everything within this post. Preface: This post is about a serious topic, and I take it seriously. (I hope that you do not necessarily equate seriousness with sadness or tedium, although I admit that you will likely experience some of that in this post.) Cancer has affected many loved ones and people to whom I am superficially connected already in my 28 years -- triumph and survival to losing loved ones. Undoubtedly, cancer has affected you, either directly or through a loved one. I'm no 'expert' when it comes to cancer, but I feel that I am educated enough in its affects on me and the impacts it can have on lives -- positive and negative. Here's to finding a cure, and to supporting these incredible efforts and the people affected by cancer.

Settle into that video-watching position in your fave, comfy spot that affords you the peace and quiet you deserve to give yourself each day. Silence all (or as many) disturbances (as you can) around you. Grab the good ear buds or turn on the good speakers. Then, watch this slightly-over-4-minutes video (then come back here):


Rachel's Birthday Video from Kristian Anderson on Vimeo. Featuring "Marry Me" by Train.  (Viewers: tissues recommended) 

Don't know about you, but I keep seeing Kristian, his face and the sign "I need you like I need a cure for cancer" in my mind. Want to do something about it? (I do.)

Okay. Let's do something together...

Mark Friday, September 10 at 8:00pm EDT (7:00pm CT) in your calendar -- Stand Up to Cancer. You get to park it in front of your TV for a good bit of time to watch great entertainment for a wonderful cause! (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Bio, Current TV, Discovery Health, E!, G4, HBO, HBO Latino, MLB Network, mun2, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, The Style Network, TV One and VH1) Want to know what you can do to help? Ideas here.

Then, the best part: If you're feeling the urge to get active and/or to give more, visit this site to help change lives: American Cancer Society - The Official Sponsor of Birthdays.

I promise the lecture is over. To each his or her own, so I'll let you decide what, if anything, you'll do. Regardless of your choices, thank you for reading and for the consideration.

Wisdom in the World

You may want some music while reading this post. Try this.

 

Seeking self-improvement guidance?

Think you've got 'it' all figured out and don't need a new perspective or new insight? (no offense, but you're wrong)

Simply want to learn something new but aren't sure what it is?

Stop here. I mean, I've got it. At least today's dose. Well, two "its" actually. I offer them to you in chronological, reverse-difficulty order.

 

1. Brain Gasp: Several days ago, someone asked me what remains to be one of the best (clever, insightful, stump-worthy in a super healthy way) and one of my fave questions that I've ever been asked. Yep. It's a show-stopper. Brace yourself for the duplicitous simplistic yet complex-in-nature question. 

 

What mis-perceptions do you believe others often have of you?

(yeah, it's a goodie, huh?) 

 

Now, take your time. There's no hurry in answering it. (It took the question and many thoughts rolling around in the middle to the back of my mind over the course of 3 days to come up with one measly yet honest answer. May not be proud of this fact, but I can drop pride for this one. I'm willing to at least.) You're not in a race, and no one else is judging you. Introspection 101, people. It's good for you.

 

2. Oh! Oh! I want it: I found this one about 30 minutes ago. If you need some help with time and to-do task/project management like I do, you will find this other blog post helpful. It's changing the way that I do things. Be sure to check out both Parts I and II (link for Part II at bottom of page) for all of the writer's insights.

 

It's worth the few minutes of reading. Trust me. I can't promise it will change your life for forever (awfully grant, don't ya think?), but I assure you it will improve your ability to get through your day, whatever it entails. (Important Note: This doesn't work through osmosis or telepathy. Action and implementation are key.) This can only make you happier and more productive, right?