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Stu-Pendous Blog - Archives for June 2009

These are the thoughts of speaker, author and camp director Stu Saunders.
For Stu’s original blog, you may still access his archives here.

  • Hallmark happiness

    Jun 21, 2009

    Here I sit on my deck on a beautiful sunny Sunday, I reflect on my good fortune. I have three children. All amazing and unique in their own ways.

    I am a single father and don’t get to see my kids nearly as much as I would like or probably should.

    Today is also Father’s day. The holiday was started in 1910 and became an official holiday in 1972 after president Nixon signed a congressional resolution. It’s mostly celebrated in North America. The day really became big when the Hallmark greeting card company realized there was plenty of money to be made. More money is made on Mother’s day then Father’s day but there were no shortage of people lined up yesterday buying a card at the last minute.

    Please don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the idea of a day dedicated to recognizing the role of a father in a child’s life. Their role has been downplayed for most of history, their rights have been pushed aside in most custody cases. I am all for a one day “special” high five, a nice hand made card and a cup of tea made for me. I think though that we NEED to celebrate our loved ones; family, friends and colleagues every single day. It’s not in a card on a specific day that has great impact, it’s the phone call when you least expect it or the hand written note that arrives in October for no reason. Those are the moments that I would cherish much, much more.

    So today celebrate your dad, grandfather or friend who works hard to raise his children. The real challenge and gift is to do it again some other day, not on a calendar but in your heart.

    Please follow me on Twitter. I will be sending out a FREE Twitter Cast called “Breaking from the heard” on Friday for all those that are following me in Twitter.

    https://twitter.com/ylccstu


    Posted by Stu Saunders in Family Life Learning and Growing Motivation on Jun 21, 2009 at 12:06 pm | Permanent Link | Comments (2)

  • Clarity

    Jun 17, 2009

    I miss journalling. I Journal. I should journal more. There’s so much to journal about! What do you journal about? Journal… is that a diary?

    So many of us live our lives like we drive cars. Sometimes it’s smooth and then sometimes we find ourselves spinning in a snow bank or deep mud. We are in a car (living a life), we are going somewhere (we have a job, family, car, vacation in the distant future), we are pressing down the gas (moving forward slowly), spinning and spitting up dirt and snow (making mistakes whilst moving in some direction). Eventually without persistence and dedication we give up, call a tow truck to pull us out (turn to quitting, drinking, sleeping, depression or plain anger). If we are lucky a car will stop and people will help push you out (teachers, friends, colleagues, coaches, ministers or parents).

    Why is it that some people never seem to get stuck in the “mud”? Why do some people drive 10 times more then we do and yet never seem to use their CAA/AAA card?

    Simple, they have more clarity. They have a clear and precise destination in mind. They have taken methodical steps to achieve their goals one at a time. Each time they get a little stuck they pull out their journal and reflect on the path they started from, the achievements that got them to where they are now. They look at the goal (end destination) and see if a course correction is needed. They ask the tough questions. They realize that to succeed in any part of life the more time you take to plan (journal, ask questions, adjust the course, become problem solvers rather then life blamers), the better the journey will be. What are the steps you take each day/week/month/year to take responsibility for your life?

    If the answer is none, not many or this sounds like stuff for chicks, you may want to reconsider the next thing you do or step you take. It can start now. Get more clarity.

    Get a journal, write the date and this statement… “At the end of my life I want to have accomplished these ten things…”

    Write the list, if more then ten, great! If less then ten keep asking yourself for more. This could be the first step in a beautiful adventure. Start now!


    Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Jun 17, 2009 at 12:16 pm | Permanent Link | Comments (3)

  • Silence IS golden

    Jun 7, 2009

    I am away at a wonderful retreat just North of Toronto. Leaders from 15 nations have gathered to spend an intensive weekend with Robin Sharma. I strongly encourage you to visit his website to see all the amazing tools and resources that are available to you.

    We spent some time in silence yesterday. For some it was very hard to sit in absolute quiet, others embraced it.

    I haven’t written in so long. The longest I have gone in almost 4 years. Why? I think it’s because I had nothing really to say. I was so busy. Busy figuring out how not to be busy. Don’t we all do that sometimes?

    Spending time at this retreat, although I am a facilitator it is a rejuvination of my spirit. My 5 week absence has been 5 weeks of silence in a way. Time to think, reflect and focus.

    Take sometime today and sit in pure silence. Think about all the aspects of your life, everything. Write out what you are “busy” doing. Sometimes we find in the end that we don’t have to be. You can be quiet, it’s ok.


    Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Jun 7, 2009 at 9:28 am | Permanent Link | Comments (4)

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