John Milton, Albert Einstein, Dr. Seuss, and U.N. Known
(Or, speaking up, ships that never leave the dock and playing against you and hunting for big game.)
So…I went on a walk with J. Milton and was intrigued by a quote from Paradise Lost. I stumbled over another guy who lived over 200 years later, (A. Einstein) who was in a nautical frame of mind. Then delivered a Career Navigator week-long class and found myself quoting Dr. Seuss. (The big DR.) Then, since I’m throwing names around, I was perusing the very prolific U.N. Known (I’m sure you too know UNK, as his intimates call him.).
I’ll share their thinking with you so that you too can string them together.
The very sober J. Milton, said “The mind is it’s own place and in itself can make a heaven of hell and a hell of heaven.” Ponder that with your morning coffee…then start your day…seeing hell or seeking heaven. (Please consider those who work with you in making your choice.)
And, then came Big Al, the guy known for asking and answering his own questions. He observed that “a ship is always safe at shore; but tied to a dock is not what it was made for.” As you start your day ask yourself this question: “Will your ship have a rudder today (you)? And are you daring enough to take your crew out to sea?
But, now just a bit of caution from that scary guy Dr. Seuss. “Sometimes (when you dare to compete), you will win; but sometimes you’ll lose.” Is it possible that sometimes winning is harder because you’ll play against you? It’s true that sometimes “raising the bar” means making demands of yourself. (But winning then is all the sweeter, isn’t it?)
I ended the day with my old buddy UNK images. He offered three observations to end my day (and to dream on for tomorrow). First, he observed that there would be times when I fell down. He said, “Cry as hard as you want; but make sure that when you stop crying, you never cry again for the same reason.” Next, he said, “Starting today (tomorrow morning), you need to forget what’s gone, appreciate what still remains and look forward to what’s coming next.” Before he went on his way, he left me one final thought: “Did You know you are on a hunting trip. You are hunting for who you have yet to become.”
I challenge you to keep these thoughts in the front of your mind and for the good of the people you lead.
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