Thanks for this insightful commentary on list and how to make yourself better. It reminded me of one of my best stories that I tell people often and I’m about to tell you.
As a young man, I was thrust into running our family insurance business when my father died way too early. So I had to do a lot of things and a lot of thinking in order to compete in this world and I started keeping a diary and also made lots of lists one time I sat down and said I’m gonna list the 10 things I don’t have now that I would like to have in the future so that I will remember to work towards the things I actually want.
I made the list and I read it every night before going to bed. It became a ritual. I don’t really remember how long I did it but at least for six months or more until I sort of skipped a few days then a few weeks and then I didn’t get back to it. About 30 years later when I was leaving my family home for the last time and moving into a downtown loft department. I was 60 years old and had a lot of stuff to go through to move from a 4000 square-foot home that I was the only one living in at that time to a 1200 square-foot apartment.
I threw a lot of things away, but some boxes of things I would go through before I would throw them away, I had forgotten about that list of 10 things long ago, but there it was in one of those boxes, and I pulled it out and remembered that I had written it. I opened up the book and read the list and was floored. I sat there stunned. I had accomplished all 10 of those things
This is quite the story, Jim. Evidence, perhaps, of our ability to guide ourselves even with the wisp of an intention, buried deep in a lost memory.The influence of having read them daily, even for only that first six months, obviously had a deep impact. Congratulations on achieving each of those ten things, intentionally or subliminally!
Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for letting me know this was meaningful. A process of self-reflection, my hope is always that my writing will encourage others to see and peer into places within themselves and their histories which it resonates. Thank you.
Thank you, Mustafa. It has been challenging to watch the choices humanity makes as it moves into the future. If, individually, we can carefully and intentionally choose what is good for not only ourselves but humanity, and life on the planet, imagine the positive difference we could make.
Cost what it may, gretta, you are a light in the world. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Louise
Thank you, Louise, for reminding me of those deeply meaningful words.
Thanks for this insightful commentary on list and how to make yourself better. It reminded me of one of my best stories that I tell people often and I’m about to tell you.
As a young man, I was thrust into running our family insurance business when my father died way too early. So I had to do a lot of things and a lot of thinking in order to compete in this world and I started keeping a diary and also made lots of lists one time I sat down and said I’m gonna list the 10 things I don’t have now that I would like to have in the future so that I will remember to work towards the things I actually want.
I made the list and I read it every night before going to bed. It became a ritual. I don’t really remember how long I did it but at least for six months or more until I sort of skipped a few days then a few weeks and then I didn’t get back to it. About 30 years later when I was leaving my family home for the last time and moving into a downtown loft department. I was 60 years old and had a lot of stuff to go through to move from a 4000 square-foot home that I was the only one living in at that time to a 1200 square-foot apartment.
I threw a lot of things away, but some boxes of things I would go through before I would throw them away, I had forgotten about that list of 10 things long ago, but there it was in one of those boxes, and I pulled it out and remembered that I had written it. I opened up the book and read the list and was floored. I sat there stunned. I had accomplished all 10 of those things
Thank you for this wonderful memory, Greta.
This is quite the story, Jim. Evidence, perhaps, of our ability to guide ourselves even with the wisp of an intention, buried deep in a lost memory.The influence of having read them daily, even for only that first six months, obviously had a deep impact. Congratulations on achieving each of those ten things, intentionally or subliminally!
I so love reading what you write about Greta. It touched my soul deeply. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for letting me know this was meaningful. A process of self-reflection, my hope is always that my writing will encourage others to see and peer into places within themselves and their histories which it resonates. Thank you.
Thank you Gretta for choosing a perfect title “we are what we allow ourselves to become”! It says it all.
Thank you, Mustafa. It has been challenging to watch the choices humanity makes as it moves into the future. If, individually, we can carefully and intentionally choose what is good for not only ourselves but humanity, and life on the planet, imagine the positive difference we could make.