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If someone were to ask me what book I most highly recommend for people working on self development and personal growth, I'd struggle deciding which of about 50 books jump to my mind. I've read a ton of them, and felt like every one of them provided a profound message at the exact time I needed "that message" most. Isn't it crazy how that works?! Kind of like when that song you needed to hear most, randomly comes on the radio.
I hope to highlight several books, authors and speakers, even products in upcoming blog posts, and plan to develop a running list for your easy access on my FREE CONTENT page. For today, I'd like to share the book that introduced me to a whole new concept about the way we live life.
About five years ago, I was one in a group of managers trying to flip the negative morale in our organization. Our then-Director knew of someone who was involved in leading organizations on the very journey we needed to embark on. She invited Dr. Jay LaGuardia to sit down with our small group to get a better idea of what our challenges were and explain how he might be able to help us. That is where we were all introduced to the concept of creating more balance in our lives, and the basic ripple effect that can have on every thing and every one around us. Dr. Jay shared with us about a book called Oola, written by Dr. Dave Braun (the Oola Seeker) and Dr. Troy Amdahl (the Oola Guru), who actually came to meet us at our organization a few weeks later!
Now I do not recommend you go Google the definition of Oola (trust me: don't do it.) but essentially for the purpose of the Oola movement, it is basically short for the word "oo-la-la"........ you know, a way to describe that most joyous zen moment, like a bite of your favorite dessert, or how a toddler must feel snuggled into his daddy's shoulder. The basic concept (without spoiling the entire thing) explains how life--and all the things happening in it--are like the plate spinner at a circus. If she focuses too much on just one or two of the plates, the other 4 or 5 plates will stop spinning and start falling off their stick. Think about how closely that correlates to all the things you are juggling in life. The book does a beautiful job providing examples of things that help (accelerators) and hinder (blockers) our ability to create & maintain balance within the key areas of life. (The Oola philosophy builds on 7 key areas: Faith, Family, Friends, Fun, Fitness, Finance, Field--or your career.) I can honestly say this book STARTED my journey to thinking differently about life and how I did it. Highly recommend!
Links:
The Book: Oola: Find Balance in an Unbalanced World
The Book: Oola: Find Balance in an Unbalanced World
**I am not currently an Oola Ambassador or Oola certified life coach, though that IS on my bucket list to achieve some day!**
I think we've all said it, and I'm even more sure we've all heard it:
"Boy, talk about getting out on the wrong side of the bed today."
But have you ever thought about it as..... a choice? And then something you focus on all day long?
A few years ago my employer hosted an event that included a workshop--- lots of positive, motivational, team-building talk. Of course, I eat that stuff up like my aunt's homemade red velvet cake so I was in my glory! But when you take away things that still stick with you three years later, allllllll the people deserve to hear that! Particularly moving for me was Cornell Thomas's interesting perspective on the subject of Choice, and Focus. My brain was like "holy crap, he's so right!" While it would be much more exciting to just have Cornell come and talk in person, he is just outside my budget still, so I am going to give it my best shot and share my interpretation of his perspective with you here.
Now unless there's a wall right up next to one side of the bed, to where you can't pick which side of the bed you physically plant your feet, that has nothing to do with your mood. Whether you swung your legs over the left side of the bed or the right side of the bed, does not determine what kind of day you're going to have. You get to CHOOSE that! And then it's up to YOU to decide whether your brain triggers Team Positive or Team Negative into action for the day. (The story of those two teams is a blog post for another day!)
So let's talk a little bit about the things you decide to FOCUS on. Similar to the ever popular glass-half-empty-glass-half-full question, how about when you stub your toe? If you get out of bed (either side) and stub your toe on the leg of the bed frame (did your toes curl just now, thinking about that pain?!)....... are you irritated for hours and really believe you are having a terrible day because you stubbed that one toe?
Guess what?
WHO CARES!! You have 9 other toes you DIDN'T stub. What if you focus on the 9 and maybe less on the one, and see if you have a better day. I bet it would feel less like the world was conspiring against you.
I can't wait to hear which side of the bed you choose to get out of tomorrow :D
Your anchor in support & friendship,
Momma Wegs
