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By Casey Grey
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We all think we can multitask better than we actually do.
I can see a significant difference when I focus on one thing at a time versus trying to get multiple things done at once. I get the task done better and faster. I also remember it much more clearly. Even writing... (Sorry, just got interrupted by my son needing help with his lego.) Even writing this blog is an example. If I sit down and just start typing and get through the first draft without interruption, I get it done much quicker and I feel much better about the post. Sometimes life happens and you need to multitask. I get it. Especially as a parent. But we have more control than we think. We just need to commit to focusing. P.S. This post took much longer than you think... And I don't feel that great about it... Two things that humans strive for.
"I'll be happy when I achieve X." "I'll be successful once I have X amount of dollars." (Or clients, or projects, etc...) What if we stopped pursuing success and happiness? What if we started looking inwards instead of outwards? Success and Happiness are not destinations. They are feelings. I am Successful and Happy right now. I had a fantastic meeting with a couple who are interested in building an eco-friendly home.
As we got to know each other and I started to understand their needs and wants, they said something that stuck with me. "We know building our little eco-friendly home won't have a huge impact on the environment, but we still want to do it." I have found that this is common thinking. We believe that our "little" acts do not amount to anything significant. In reality, everything that is significant is made of many seemingly insignificant parts. Alone they may not be much, but together they are a masterpiece. Everything we do (or don't do) will have an impact on something or someone. This home for this couple will be an example of what's possible. Even if it only inspires two other people to build better, it's now two more homes that would have not been built. And if those people then inspire two more, then those people each inspire two more, all of sudden momentum starts to pick up. Essentially it gets doubled with every home. It is exponential growth. Here's how the numbers would look:
Before we know it, we have over a million new homes built or renovated to a standard that works with the environment instead of against it. How's that for impact!?!? To add to the good news, they lit up when I said we could do a show of their project and inspire even more people :) Alex asked me an interesting question this morning at Gymnastics.
"Casey, what do you do with your free time?" I know he was asking sarcastically but it got me thinking... What is free time? The first thought that comes to mind is that it's all free time. Time is the one thing that is the same for everybody. We all get 24 hours in a day. We don't all live to the same age but day in and day out it's the same. I write, I meditate, I eat, I sleep, I hang out with friends, I spend time with family, I work, I camp, I bike, I do gymnastics, I watch movies, I read, I meet new people and so forth. That's what I do with my time. Whether or not it's free is up for debate. But if it's not "free", what is the cost? And how do we value it? There are dozens, if not hundreds, of forces pulling at me every day. There is always something or somebody trying to get my attention.
Calming the mind is the only way I can make sense of the world around me. It's easy to find peace in a quiet room all by myself or in the middle of the forrest with the birds. But that's not life. Life is chaotic. Life is unpredictable. Life is a rollercoaster. "It's about finding the peace within the chaos." That's a quote which has really stuck with me. It's impossible to control everything. Actually, almost everything is out of my control. I can't even control my mind. There are thousands of thoughts running through my head every day which I have no control over. I can only control which thoughts I choose to attach to. The picture below is the most amazing thing to me right now.
When I'm building lego, I'm always looking for the perfect piece. I'm looking to use the pieces as they were intended. I'm obviously missing a whole world of possibility. My wife and my son don't have the experience that I have but is that a strength or a weakness? They've created something beyond me. What if we combined their creativity with my experience? Never underestimate the power of a fresh mind and new perspective. I find that people are becoming more and more afraid of the "C" word.
Commitment. What does it mean to be committed? To me, it's doing whatever it takes to make it happen. Whatever "it" is. I'm committed to writing this blog every day for 365 days in a row. That means I will write it no matter what. Today, I'm writing it at 8:00pm instead of 6:00am. But I'm still doing it. I'm committed to my wife. I will do everything in my power to make sure our relationship stands the test of time. We will be with each other to the end. I am committed to my son. I will be the best father I can possibly be. There's always room to be better. I'm committed to The Conscious Builder. I will do whatever it takes to make it a great company. A commitment is more than a goal. It's a way of life. I just realized something... Those are some big commitments... And I will stay true to them. I'm a big believer in starting my day off right. Focusing on things that put me in state to take on all the inevitable curve balls that will come my way throughout the day.
Equally as important is how I end my day. When I take care of myself, I'm better able to take care of others. When I'm in the right mindset, I can accomplish anything. This morning we started the day off with a dance party at the request of Sullivan. It's not in my current routine but I think he may be onto something... How do you explain the unexplainable?
You don't (and I don't bother trying). You experience it. Crystal Bowl Meditations are one of those unexplainable things you need to experience. Something I'm sure I said many times when I was a child and something I hear from my son now.
As I write this from my Airbnb in St. Catherines, that same thought is going through my mind. I'm here for a funeral but not for somebody who has lived a long life. At 39, my cousin, Karen, has moved on much too soon for friends and family. Being diagnosed with Lupus at the age of 18, she has not lived an easy life but was somehow one of the most positive people I have ever come across. I am happy to say that I had a chance to see her only a few weeks ago. She was looking good. Her and her husband, Derek, were excited for the year ahead. They were planning renovations and trips. They were very positive about the upcoming months. Everything was looking bright. It's not fair that this happened so unexpectedly. It's not "fair" that Karen was diagnosed with Lupus. It's not fair that my uncle and aunt have outlived their daughter. It's not fair that Derek has lost the love of his life. It's not fair... But what is fair? I watched well over 200 people walk through the visitation last night and understand that more than that came during the afternoon. This family has an abundance of family and friends. They are surrounded by love. I don't know what is fair and what is not or who the judge is but I do know one thing... Karen did not care. Fair has nothing to do with it. She did the most with what she was given in life and this is very evident by seeing all the lives she has touched. Karen, this world is a better place because of you. Your love of life will continue on. I am happy that you are no longer in pain and I know you will always be with us. Rest In Peace. Love, Casey |
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