A Bit of Inspiration

Are you looking for something that sparks your interest or ignites a fire in you? Perhaps an idea, a thought, or a book that fuels your passion?

I offer you a Bit of Inspiration. These “bits” matter to me and to people I work with. Perhaps something here will stir your curiosity, motivate you to leap forward, or help you find your way.

Thursday Thoughts are reflections on life’s blessings, challenges, and everything in between. They grow out of what I read, listen to, observe, or experience along the way. I publish them on Thursdays. Usually.

In addition to Thursday Thoughts, I return each year to a simple One Word practice that helps me focus my energy and growth. If that idea resonates, you might enjoy learning more about it.

My Thursday Thoughts began as text messages to my family. I wanted to get my voice out into the world, and they were “willing” participants. A friend said, “I want my Thursday Thoughts, too!” and my mother (yay for our moms!) wanted to receive hers as well. When I launched my website, I expanded the audience by posting here and sending them by email. You can sign up to receive yours below.

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Humility
Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve

Humility

"When we feel humiliated, the best reaction is humility." - Simon Sinek

How often have I reacted less favorably than this when feeling humiliated?! Can I count that high?!

This resonates with me because I often react from a perspective of "I'm right" and that separates me from myself and others.

I do not have to be right. When I react with humility, I give power to the relationship. I see the possibilities that arrive with another perspective.

What possibilities might exist when you react with humility?

Create your life.

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Your Strengths
Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve

Your Strengths

The better part of my life has been spent seeking perfection. I often focus on what I did not do well or areas where I could improve. The pursuit is exhausting.

As a recovering perfectionist, it's hard to not notice the chinks in the armor. However, during the last few years, I have tried to shift my focus toward what I do well.

Let's choose to focus on our strengths, not our weaknesses. It's a conscious choice.

Choose to amplify your strengths.

Create your life.

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Be Thankful
Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve

Be Thankful

I am grateful for family and friends, health, smiles, laughter, sunshine, and family gatherings (even when they are virtual).

Take a moment today and reflect. 

We have much for which to be thankful.

Create your life.

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Choose Love
Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve

Choose Love

The opposite of fear is love.

What becomes available to you when you say no to fear?

What happens to your world if you say yes to love?

Fear is a choice.

Leave fear behind.

Choose love.

Create your life.

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Spread Kindness
Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve

Spread Kindness

World Kindness Day 2020 is Friday, November 13.

Large or small, all acts of kindness make a difference. How does seeing, receiving, or giving kindness make you feel? Notice the ripple effect that occurs. The world is full of kind people. If you can't find one, be one. :-)

What will you do to spread kindness?

Need inspiration? Visit https://inspirekindness.com/

Create your life.

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Choose Life Giving
Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve

Choose Life Giving

We all lead busy lives. Really busy lives.

Ask yourself, is what I am doing, life giving or life diminishing?

I started participating in a men's group a couple of months ago, partly for my own personal growth and partly as research.

In the process, it became clear this group was not for me, not right now at least.

I decided to stop participating. It's not what I wanted.

While I feel grateful for what I discovered, the experience was life diminishing. I did not look forward to the meetings. I left the (long) meetings feeling unfulfilled.

What might you need to stop doing because it's life diminishing?

Choose life giving.

Create your life.

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Catch Yourself Winning
Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve

Catch Yourself Winning

Doing things day after day can get tiring.

Take a moment to consider, what are you doing well?

It's important to keep an eye on your wins, successes, and lessons learned.

Do not let losses or failures distract you.

Look how far you've come!

Notice what you've achieved and catch yourself winning.

Create your life.

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Victim or Creator
Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve

Victim or Creator

Are you a victim or creator?

Do you feel as if other people or situations are acting upon you?

Do you feel out of control, powerless, helpless, hopeless, and at the mercy of unseen forces?

Do you place your focus on what you don't want?

Do you say "poor me" and feel sorry for yourself?

Or

Do you focus your attention on outcomes instead of problems?

Do you focus on those things in your life that hold meaning and purpose?

Do you focus on what you do want?

Do you take action to bring into being the outcomes you envision?

What is your choice, victim or creator?

Create your life.

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Being Positive
Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve

Being Positive

Focus on what's going right in your life instead of focusing on what's wrong.

Accept that you are going to have bad days because you're not perfect.

Focus on what you can control rather than letting situations control you.

Remember to smile.

Create your life.

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Go For It
Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve

Go For It

What dream do you have? How excited are you to reach it?

You might have everything going in your direction or you might feel like the odds are against you.

Do not play it safe.

Do not hold back.

Go for it!

Create your life.

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Your Role
Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve

Your Role

"No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. But normally he doesn't know it." 

-- The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

What is your role in this world? How are you making a difference?

Create your life.

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Inspiration
Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve

Inspiration

I find inspiration in a good book, fiction and non-fiction.

I find inspiration in a quote or a podcast.

I find inspiration in those closest to me - my wife, son, and daughter.

I find inspiration in the hope shown by other people.

Where do you find inspiration? What or who moves you to do something or take action?

Create your life.

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Start with Gratitude
Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve Thursday Thoughts Mark Staelgraeve

Start with Gratitude

I have much for which to be thankful! Even while spending my days at home, I find gratitude for my life, my health, my wife, my son, my daughter, my friends, flowers beginning to bloom, rain, sunshine, being able to go outside for a walk, having food to eat, ice cream, and so much more.

For what are you grateful? We wrestle with challenges, loss, and pain almost every day. What possibilities arise when you start with gratitude?

Create your life.

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