As part of our larger community we have an obligation to help it and nurture
it to an ever better place.  But we also need to be mindful of the balance
in our lives—if not for ourselves, then for those who depend upon us.

I recently had the opportunity to whittle down my “must read” stack of books on the end of my desk. This week I finished one from the stack: The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy.  The short message in Hardy’s book is simple enough:  Our life is made up of little choices we make each day of our lives. While each choice on its own may appear small, they add up—they compound over time to create who we are.

I enjoyed Hardy’s book for a number of reasons not the least of which is that it reaffirmed my writings and teachings.  In Choices for College Success (2^nd edition, Pearson Education, 2011) I make the point that it’s great to have dreams but without action the dreams become fantasies. The old adage holds: What you are doing speaks louder than what you are saying.

Hardy makes his points with poignant metaphors.  He reminded me of a strategy I have used during speaking engagements and in classroom settings.  I ask the people in front of me to:

• Visualize your most favorite spot in your home; the place where you are able to relax, unwind, and recharge.  Perhaps it is a comfortable chair; maybe it’s your bed.
• Now visualize that I walk into your home and go directly to that prized location of yours. Once there, I dump the largest, slimiest, and most putrefied pile of garbage you can imagine. Right on your favorite spot!
• How do like that?

Well, predictably, they are not pleased with that visual. They are bothered that someone would despoil something so personal and meaningful to them.

I then ask them why they would consider dumping garbage into their minds. I ask, “If you would not allow me to place garbage and unhealthy items on a thing (your favorite chair in this instance), why would you put those things into your mind?”   The point is made.

Hardy addressed a similar point in his chapter titled “Influences.” He used the metaphor of two glasses of water: one clean and clear; the other dirty and murky.  The clean one represents our minds fed with wholesome, positive, good, and uplifting information. This could come from “good” news, “good” books, “good” acquaintances, and “good” habits.  However, when we fill our minds with gossip, mean-spirited talk, ranting radio/television shows, or the evening news filled with chaos and mayhem the result is anything but a clean drink of water. The result: a dirty glass.  And now, with nothing but dirt as the filter, that is how we will tend to view the world. It can have an adverse impact on our relationships, our creativity, or physical healthy, and our emotional wellbeing.  We may end up being more fearful than hopeful; more scared and closed to the world than optimistic and open to possibilities.

Video recommendation for the week:

See the video below for a demonstration—a metaphor—that may help you visualize this situation-and what you can do about it.

As the video shows, you can apply an antidote by diluting—and eventually removing—the dirt we encounter with inspirational and positive stories and relationships. No, I’m not saying it is easy. And I am not minimizing the crud that is around us–and even happens to good people. But if you cannot avoid the bombardment of the dirtballs hurled in your direction, do what you can to add more clean water to your glass. Add enough and the dirt will be flushed away.  Make it a goal; craft a strategy; and enjoy clear thinking—not “stinkin’ thinkin’.”

Whether you have to limit your news intake, pass on the water cooler gossip, replace the tabloid with a solid piece of literature, and/or have a positive conversation with someone you love, make it a point in 2012 to search for the positive, focus on the positive, and lead a more positive life. This does not mean we should turn away from the problems of our world.  As part of our larger community we have an obligation to help it and nurture it to an ever better place.  But we also need to be mindful of the balance needed in our lives—if not for ourselves, then for those who depend upon us.

Your small choices will create your larger life.

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.  Please pass it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You can also follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli) and click on the “LIKE” button.  Also, if you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment.  Have a wonderful week!

© 2012. Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog.