The Seed of Perspective

Can you re-frame?

Denis Waitley closes his book, Seeds of Greatness, with his tenth and final seed – perspective. Perspective is how you see life from within. The seeds of greatness are all about developing responses and attitudes that help you see the world in a more positive way. When you see things from the positive side, you grow more self-esteem, you see yourself as more valuable. Your imagination creates and soars.

I like the use of the term 're-frame', as a way of always looking to 'frame' the situation to the positive. Even the most difficult of times can be re-framed to find something good. Have the courage to adapt and to change your perspective in all situations, especially when times are tough.

The Ten Seeds of Greatness: 

1. Self Esteem
2. Creativity
3. Responsibility
4. Wisdom 

5. Purpose

6. Communication

7. Faith

8. Adaptability

9. Perseverance

10. Perspective

It has been fun for me to go back through my notes from a book I read over 20 years ago. I hope you have enjoyed these thoughts on the Seeds of Greatness. 

The Seed of Perserverance

The ninth Seed of Greatness, from Denis Waitley's famous Ten Seeds of Greatness, is perseverance.

This quote from Calvin Coolidge says it all:

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." -- Calvin Coolidge (30th President of the US)

Press on!

1. Self Esteem
2. Creativity
3. Responsibility
4. Wisdom 

5. Purpose

6. Communication

7. Faith

8. Adaptability

9. Perseverance

USA into World Cup Final

Speaking of self esteem, creativity, purpose, and adaptability how about our USA Women's Soccer squad and their 3-1 win over France today. That puts our girls in the finals against the winner of the Japan vs. Sweden game. The championship match is scheduled for Sunday afternoon (2:45 PM EST) according to ESPN. Here is a great interview from our leading goal scorer Abby Wambach, where she speaks of her childhood, her love (and participation) in many different sports, and then her focus on soccer once she realized she had a special gift. http://es.pn/oiiE62

These girls are fun to watch and are doing our country proud with their humility, work ethic, and never-give-up attitude.

The Seed of Adaptability

Most people play up how awful things are today as an excuse to why they don't achieve. This current economic downturn (one of the worst in history) is a time when being adaptable can really come in handy. Waitley teaches that stumbling blocks are actually stepping stones to the stars. Not sure who said this, but I found it in some old notes: 

"I am adaptable, flexible, versatile, and ambitious. I am confident that I can do it all. Just give me a chance and you will see."

Crisis = opportunity.

1. Self Esteem
2. Creativity
3. Responsibility
4. Wisdom 

5. Purpose
6. Communication
7. Faith

8. Adaptability

The Seed of Faith

Fly with the eagles

Moving on in our study of Denis Waitley's Seeds of Greatness, we have our sixth seed, faith. Waitley describes faith as the realization of the things hoped for and unseen. He says that the mind can not distinguish between what is real and what is imagined.

Here are some action steps to more optimism and faith:

1. fly with the eagles;
2. hang out with kids;
3. listen to upbeat music; and
4. change your vocabulary. 

What the mind harbors, the body manifest. In scientific terms, I believe positive thoughts and actions produce endorphins - much like a good workout can give you that feeling referred to as a "runners high".

1. Self-esteem
2. Creativity
3. Responsibility
4. Wisdom
5. Purpose
6. Communication
7. Faith

The Seed of Communication

Continuing with Denis Waitley's Seeds of Greatness, the sixth seed is communication. There is much to be said on this topic, but today I want to focus on the word kindness, as in the often quoted Bible verse from 1 Corinthians 13:4 – Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud. Here are some nice thoughts on kindness from Mark Roberts, who writes a daily devotional for The High Calling.

Waitley gives these five simple tips on being kind when communicating with others: (1) get in touch with strangers, (2) extend your hand first, (3) eye contact, (4) smile, and (5) volunteer your name first.

He also provides a list of words to strive to eliminate from our vocabulary, followed by the suggested replacement word or phrase:

• I can't – I can
• I'll try – I will
• I have to – I want to
• should have – will do
• could have – my goal
• someday – today
• if only – next time
• Yes, but – I understand
• problem – opportunity
• difficult – challenging
• stressed – motivated
• worried – interested
• impossible – possible
• hate – love

Happy Birthday America and let us be kind to all we encounter this holiday weekend.