jeff noel.org

How Many Regrets Are Buried Here?

No one really likes to think about death.

Why?

It’s not like it’s not going to happen.

Here’s a little exercise to get your cranium thinking. Which would you pick and why, if given the choice between these two:

1. You have six months left to live
2. You have ten years left to live

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What's Missing From This Picture?

Listen to the sound of these words as you say Live (and pause), (then slowly and deliberately) before you die.

Ok, now try it again:

Live, before you die.

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College Friend Visited A Few Days Ago

Drinking everyday actually.  However, this drinking is a good drinking.

Drinking in the small, daily moments of joy.

They are often fleeting moments. Often unnoticed moments.

Do you catch a handful of these? Everyday, I mean?

Is it?

Is today the day you do the thing you’ve been wanting to do, but haven’t found the courage?

Do what you fear and the death of that fear is certain.

If not today, when?

Seriously.  Carpe diem.

“It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are, the more gentle and quiet we become toward the defect of others”. — Francois Fenelon

Wow.  Humbling to realize that in my imperfection, I am prone to complain about other’s defects, when in fact, I need only go to the mirror to get a closer look.

Carpe diem, jeff noel

Child earns money on Internet Business.

I recently have been challenging our son to find a way(s) to earn money on the Internet.

You know, set up a lemonade stand out by the road.

Except, those days are simply a fond memory.  In today’s world, why not the Internet?  Why not as a child?

What’s holding me back from thinking this is possible?

Nothing.

Because I think it’s completely possible, guess who else thinks it’s completely possible?

Exactly!

Anything holding you back?

Carpe diem, jeff noel

Happy Birthday, Chapin.

Nine!  Wow!

Last night at dinner in Indiana, my client asked me to describe our son, but only using one-word descriptors.

I wish the one-words would have rolled off my tongue.  As I thought about it, words came to mind:

• Honest
• Techie
• Compassionate
• Brave
• Smart
• Athletic
• Strong
• Healthy
• Spiritual
• Helpful
• Friendly
• Nice
• Courteous
• Courageous
• Funny
• Understanding

Long ago, I asked our son a question, “If I lined up all the boys in the entire world, know which one would be my favorite”?

He thought for a a few moments, “Me”?

“Yes”!

Now when I ask him, I get to about the fourth word in the question and he exclaims in no uncertain terms, “Me”!

Ba-da-ba-ba-ba, I’m luvin’ it!  Carpe diem, jeff noel

God is great!

How do I know?

Because I listen.

To what?

I have a few aches and pain that are currently keeping me, and have kept me, from peak performance, as I head into the final days before the Master’s World Championships in Lahti, Finland.

“And your point is what”?

Even in adversity, there is God’s grace and mercy, as well as his never-ending Love.

Just ask Nick Vujicic:  (I’m betting most of you will not have the guts to watch the entire 4-minute video – what a waste, in my humble opinion)

Ask Nick if God is Great.

Ask yourself.  Carpe diem, jeff noel

“How do you do it, Jeff”?

“Do what”?, I ask back.

“All of it”!

“Not sure exactly”, are the words that come out of my mouth.

“Then why do you do it”?

“Ah, that I can explain“, as I smile with a ready answer.

“Because as a teacher, I believe it’s absolutely critical to practice what I preach.  Period.  End of story”.

My friend gives me a funny look – part surprise, part frustration and disappointment – from my answer.

Remember the tag line at www.Lane8.org ?

“If your goal isn’t impossible, you’re not reaching high enough”! –   jeff noel

Carpe diem, and reach for the sky! jeff

I miss Randy Pausch.

Why?

Because he inspired me, and countless others, to rethink the way we live our daily lives.

His battle with Pancreatic cancer ended one year ago today.  He was 47 when he said goodbye to his wife and three children, all under six years old.

He was fully aware he was going to die, and he used that, I believe, to find an elevated reason to live.

Wanna know a secret about this whole scenario?

We are all dying.

The challenge for most of us?  We don’t use this fact to find an elevated reason to live.

Carpe diem, jeff noel