Keeping Your Eyes Wide Open: A Letter to a Grandson

One day, a young man was cleaning out his late grandfather's belongings when he came across a bright red envelope. Written on the front were the words, "To my grandson." Recognizing his grandfather's writing, the boy opened the envelope. A letter inside read: Dear Grandson,

Years ago you came to me for help. You said, "Grandpa, how is it that you've accomplished so much in your life? You're still full of energy, and I'm already tired of struggling. How can I get that same enthusiasm that you've got?"

I didn't know what to say to you then. But knowing my days are numbered, I figure that I owe you an answer. So here is what I believe.

I think a lot of it has to do with how a person looks at things. I call it 'keeping your eyes wide open.'

First, realize that life is filled with surprises, but many are good ones. If you don't keep watching for them, you'll miss half the excitement. Expect to be thrilled once in a while, and you will be.

When you meet up with challenges, welcome them. They'll leave you wiser, stronger, and more capable than you were the day before. When you make a mistake, be grateful for the things it taught you. Resolve to use that lesson to help you reach your goals.

And always follow the rules - even the little ones. When you follow the rules, life works. If you think you ever really get by with breaking the rules, you're only fooling yourself.

It's also important to decide exactly what you want. Then keep your mind focused on it, and be prepared to receive it.

But be ready to end up in some new places too. As you grow with the years, you'll be given bigger shoes to fill. So be ready for endings as well as challenging beginnings.

Sometimes we have to be brave enough to move from the familiar to the unfamiliar. Life isn't just reaching peaks. Part of it is moving from one peak to the next. If you rest too long in between, you might be tempted to quit. Leave the past in the past. Climb the next mountain and enjoy the view.

Dump things that weigh you down emotionally and spiritually. When an old resentment, belief or attitude becomes heavy, lighten your load. Shed those hurtful attitudes that slow you down and drain your energy.

Remember that your choices will create your successes and your failures. So consider all the pathways ahead and decide which ones to follow. Then believe in yourself, get up, and get going.

And be sure to take breaks once in a while. They'll give you a renewed commitment to your dreams and a cheerful, healthy perception of the things that matter the most to you.

Most important of all, never give up on yourself. The person who ends up a winner is the one who resolves to win. Give life everything you've got, and life will give it's best back to you.

Love always, Grandpa

© Copyright by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com

---

Mindfulness and Birthdays: Surprising Moments

The first week of May is a big birthday time... Read More

Hold That Elevator!

As Prince, or whatever his name is now put it... Read More

The Greatest Secret To Producing Real SOLID Excellence!

One fact stubbornly stays true: while everyone desires to succeed,... Read More

Why You Should Write Your Obituary Today

Writing your own obituary sounds and feels a little strange,... Read More

How to Stay Motivated Until You Get What You Want

And somehow you knew how to stay motivated...Goals are mysterious... Read More

Are You A Procrastinator?

What is the dictionary definition of a procrastinator? It is... Read More

Growing Out of Your Comfort Zone

It has been said that "if you are not growing,... Read More

Rules To Live Life By

How often have we heard ourselves complaining about how unlucky... Read More

Speed Reading Technique

Four Brilliant Tips to Speed Read Faster than EverMany people,... Read More

Were Good at the Things We Like

Read that again. It doesn't say "We like the things... Read More

Courage Is A Gift

"It is not what happens to you, but how you... Read More

Overcoming Procrastination

What are the reasons that YOU procrastinate?Are you a perfectionist?Do... Read More

Practice, Practice, Practice

It may sound silly but the key to self-confidence and... Read More

Thinking for Success - The Same Method Does Not Work For Everyone

I am always concerned that there are so many books... Read More

Cure Your Burnout!

Do you ever get those Sunday night blues? Dreading the... Read More

Prime That Pump! Part 3

How healthy is your vision of yourself? How does your... Read More

Change - The Skill Of Adapting To The Inevitable

Change your thoughts and you change your world. -Norman Vincent... Read More

Its Not Enough

Whatever you are doing in your life at the present... Read More

Living Outside the Lines of Normal and Reasonable

Elizabeth Tull is a Professional Excellence Coach who lives with... Read More

The Secret Motivation Strategy That Never Fails

No matter how much you want to make your dreams... Read More

What is your Altitude?

It is something that everyone ? and I do mean... Read More

Our Future

I'm back from Hawaii; it was ten days of physical... Read More

Taking Responsibility

Taking action about our current station in life involves taking... Read More

A Burning Desire

"Mommy, he's doing it again." I yelled as I came... Read More

Turn your Dreaming into Doing

The first of January and September, as well as our... Read More

Dont Let Failure Go To Your Head

I watched as an 8-year-old All-Star slid dramatically into second... Read More

Persistence

Persistence will carve you as a leader in your industry.... Read More

7 Key Steps to Unshakable Confidence

Do you remember that day? Perhaps it was your first... Read More

Step Out

Living your successful life requires you to step out. I... Read More

How Self-Made Millionaires Overcome Procrastination

Do you want to know how the super successful overcome... Read More

It Is Up To You

One of the first things successful people realize is the... Read More

The Road Less Traveled

Can someone please tell me why it is that men... Read More

Words Have Power

How many times have you heard or read that words... Read More