Five Years - Ralph Waldo Emerson

FIVE YEARS
There will be an agreement in whatever variety of actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

What would you say to the person you were five years ago? What will you say to the person you’ll be in five years?

My response:
To the man I was five years ago, I'd say, "Prepare for a great journey in a new town and a new district. Remember that you are moving closer to family to spend more time with them. As your personal family grows, remember to maintain the bonds with your external family. They will provide you with guidance and support during difficult times and joy always. They are never more important than the work you do."

To the man I will be in five years, I'd say, "I hope you have grown as a husband, a father, and an educator. Those are the most important roles in your life. Remember that as you work so hard to develop your skills and grow in importance, it will be your four children that can best be your legacy, will best be your legacy. Make sure you are taking the time to nurture them and to laugh with them."

Dare to Be Bold - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dare to be bold by Matt Cheuvront
Our arts, our occupations, our marriages, our religion, we have not chosen, but society has chosen for us. We are parlour soldiers. We shun the rugged battle of fate, where strength is born. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Next to Resistance, rational thought is the artist or entrepreneurs worst enemy. Bad things happen when we employ rational thought, because rational thought comes from the ego. Instead, we want to work from the Self, that is, from instinct and intuition, from the unconscious.

A child has no trouble believing the unbelievable, nor does the genius or the madman. Its only you and I, with our big brains and our tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate.” - Steven Pressfield, Do the Work

The idea of “being realistic” holds all of us back. From starting a business or quitting a job to dating someone who may not be our type or moving to a new place – getting “real” often means putting your dreams on hold.

Today, let’s take a step away from rational thought and dare to be bold. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to accomplish but have been afraid to pursue? Write it down. Also write down the obstacles in your way of reaching your goal. Finally, write down a tangible plan to overcome each obstacle.

The only thing left is to, you know, actually go make it happen. What are you waiting for?

My response:
I've always wanted to be a great writer, a prolific writer. I've wanted my words to be read and cherished by millions. I've always thought it would be great to go to a bookstore and see my name on the cover and my face on the inside of the book jacket. Alas, I have not made the time. I think my plan for becoming a great writer is simply to write, practice writing, and write some more. I think it is making the time to write, listen to the words rumbling in my head and put them down on paper, and silencing the censor within me. If I wrote freely and often, I might meet my goal. (I do know that these prompts have got my juices flowing.)

Come Alive - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Life wastes itself while we are preparing to live. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you had one week left to live, would you still be doing what you’re doing now? In what areas of your life are you preparing to live? Take them off your To Do list and add them to a To Stop list. Resolve to only do what makes you come alive.

Bonus: How can your goals improve the present and not keep you in a perpetual “always something better” spiral?

My response:

I would certainly spend my time with my family. I love them and they make me smile and laugh. I would want that in my end. I don't know that I'd eat a lot of ice cream or indulgence in a lot of other 'guilty pleasures' though key lime pie does come to mind as I write this. I am living a good life, so I have no regrets currently. Yes, I work too much according to some, but I also see the good I create and I enjoy the work. If life is about living, then I am. There can certainly be more, but I also know there could have been less if I had not worked so hard. I am where I am, have what I have, because of the choices I've made. I am not sure what I would stop, and striving for more is living to me. Preparing for life is still living.

Biggest Challenge - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Friday's prompt (I forgot to post it):

That which each can do best, none but his Maker can teach him. Where is the master who could have taught Shakespeare? Where is the master who could have instructed Franklin, or Washington, or Bacon, or Newton? . . . Shakespeare will never be made by the study of Shakespeare. Do that which is assigned you, and you cannot hope too much or dare too much. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Identify one of your biggest challenges at the moment (ie I don’t feel passionate about my work) and turn it into a question (ie How can I do work I’m passionate about?) Write it on a post-it and put it up on your bathroom mirror or the back of your front door. After 48-hours, journal what answers came up for you and be sure to evaluate them.

My response:

Biggest challenge - writing my doctoral dissertation. As a question - "how do I share the experiences and lessons learned in my first year as a superintendent for my dissertation, while working full-time to still learn how to be a good superintendent?"

I know I just need to start, even 50 words a day will add up over time. In fact, 50 words for the last year would have produced 15,000 words (or 60 more pages). I think I am afraid to be that honest and get that involved. I know once I start I will want to immerse myself until it is done. All this at the expense of time with my family? I have done this many times before, so I am concerned not to repeat my behavior, but not sure how to change it yet. Maybe start writing the dissertation when done with this post?

Travel - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Saturday's prompt:

If we live truly, we shall see truly. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Not everyone wants to travel the world, but most people can identify at least one place in the world they’d like to visit before they die. Where is that place for you, and what will you do to make sure you get there?

My response:

Turkey. I am fascinated by the country - its history and current struggle. I think it has great potential as a modern Muslim country. I have a cousin that lives there, but I admit to being afraid to ask yet as I am not sure I want to see Turkey yet. In the meantime, I can continue to read about Turkey and put money aside from from current salary.

One Strong Belief - Ralph Waldo Emerson Challenge

Today's Prompt:
It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

The world is powered by passionate people, powerful ideas, and fearless action. What’s one strong belief you possess that isn’t shared by your closest friends or family? What inspires this belief, and what have you done to actively live it?

My Response:
I think I have great ambition and drive, and the belief that I can do everything if I put my mind to it. I know my family does not share this belief, only because they recognize there are trade-offs in life. I must now balance my work with my family. (And I am not great at that balancing act - yet). I still possess the "can do (everything)" belief, and I use it to push myself. Now, though, I also take time to make sure my family is on the journey with me.

Ralph Waldo Emerson and Seth Godin

I am an avid follower of Seth Godin, including his emails. I received one yesterday calling for a 30-day Ralph Waldo Emerson writing experience. We commit to writing a response based on a prompt we receive via email for the next thirty days. Today's prompt asks us to describe today in one sentence. Here is my entry for the world:

“Today is filled with opportunity and obstacle, but I am not sure how much of each.”