Thoughts of the Day...from your Pardner and Pal, Holly

Howdy Pardners.

Good morning to ya'all.  How is the weather in your neck of the woods?  Here, it feels like a heat wave, as it is now 34 degrees F. at 7.05am.  Compared to -10 degrees on the thermometer on Monday morning...we are practically sweating.  Okay, not really...but it was a nice thought.

The thought for today is 'mediocrity' vs. 'excellence.'   What is mediocrity?  Most people already know, but I will define it here.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mediocrity?vm=r&s=1

me·di·oc·ri·ty

"noun \ˌmē-dē-ˈä-krə-tē\

: the quality of something that is not very good : the quality or state of being mediocre

: a person who does not have the special ability to do something well."

Mediocrity. The state of being average...I've heard it said that it's, "The top of the bottom, and the bottom of the top." Not very exciting, huh?  It's so EASY to be average isn't it?  Just do a little, 'just enough to get by...'  

But when we just "squeak by" in our relationships or on our job or our business, it's not very satisfying, is it?  We know we can do more, try harder, have a more significant life if we try.  Why don't we? Well, I think the main reason, is that we are comfortable where we are.

Have you ever heard of the "comfort zone?"  For most of us, it is comfortable to be in the same spot we've always been in...or at least it could be known as our "familiar zone."  We are familiar with debt on a house, debt on the cars, perhaps bad relationships where we don't talk to our loved ones, or conversations are lean.  What we need to do is take the hard road, or be intentional with different areas of our lives.

Don't like your bad or mediocre marriage?  Then determine to do something in the next 7 days that would make it better.  Surprise your wife with a date at the coffee shop or dessert at a nice place.  It really could cost less than five bucks, but will go far in letting her know that you care about her and give her some quality time.  Perhaps she is an acts of service type gal.  She might really appreciate it if you took out the trash or gave the kids a bath, if applicable. :) These ideas are from a book called, "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman.   It's the small things that make a difference.  And, if you determine what love language your spouse or child speaks, then you really can strengthen your relationship, and add "gas" to the 'love tank,' as Gary Chapman says.  Book review coming soon!

Here is a definition on Excellence.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excellence?vm=r&s=1

ex·cel·lence

"noun \ˈek-s(ə-)lən(t)s\

: extremely high quality

1 the quality of being excellent

2 an excellent or valuable quality :  virtue"

So today, what can you be excellent in today?  When you play 'Boggle' with your ten year old son, do you give him your full attention?! Or do you text and talk on the phone at the same time? When your teenaged daughter wants to talk to you, and she goes on and on, do you tend to drift with your thoughts, or do you catch yourself, and reset your mind and eyes to pay attention to her?!  Hey, this is a great reminder to me to to be Excellent in the moment.   

After all, what is life.... 

but a bunch of moments strung together like a necklace of beautiful glowing pearls...glowing moments of our lives.  Don't miss it and...

Choose to be Excellent today! 

Your Pardner, 

 Holly