by john c ashworth
produced by john c ashworth
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-John
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from john c ashworth
I didn’t get anything up on Saturday or Sunday. I was feeling a little under the weather. Here’s a little something to keep you going until this weekend…
You can think of the ash flash as your own personal mastermind group right here online. That’s really what all my work here is all about – helping you accomplish far more than you ever thought possible and providing you the ingredients for cultivation of the slight edge 🙂
–John
How to thrive during turbulent times
written by john c ashworth
There are moments in our culture like the one we find ourselves in now where in order to thrive, there are a few important things to remember …
Even when nothing is happening, something is happening…
Stillness is a form of action, an element in advancement, evolution, and all forward motion…
Silence is a form of speech, and an element of dialogue…
…and, we must not mistake busyness for effectiveness. There has never been a more important time for all of us to work smarter and think different.
Happy Sunday to you!
I’ll be publishing a few more ideas, thoughts and insights throughout the day. There is ample time for writing and creation right now 🙂
–John
YOU have something powerful to bring to the world
written by john c ashworth
This morning I spent some time looking through notable deaths for 2019 inside the New York Times obituary section of the newspaper. I do this kind of thing a lot more now because I’m getting a little older myself, I lost someone very close to me in December of 2019, and I work as a salesman for a fast-growing technology company that serves funeral homes and funeral directors with their software and technology applications.
I’ve heard varying statistics about how often someone dies.
Every three seconds.
Every eight seconds.
Let’s just say it’s every 10 seconds.
On the other side of that hidden reality are all of the babies being born equally as often.
Death is happening almost constantly. Which makes making the list of notable deaths in any given year quite an accomplishment; and quite humbling to an average guy like me.
Thinking about all of this this this morning, especially in light of present circumstances surrounding the covid-19 outbreak, left me pondering the two things I think about a lot more often now.
First, what might I still be able to accomplish in my lifetime that would place me on this list? Make me famous or notable enough to be invited into the notable death club. That feels important to me. I feel like no matter how much time I might have left, much of it would be wasted if I just gave up on my pursuit of such notoriety. Maybe I can get there as a writer…
Second, and a lot more important is that this perspective is important because it cultivates presence, mindfulness, and the love and kindness each of us has the opportunity to multiply in every human and living connection we make each day. These are the moments that matter. The only moments that matter. If you’ve lost someone close, you know exactly what I’m talking about. And in light of everything happening right now, it’s important to be prepared and then to take this thing on one day at a time.
Because when you’re gone, and all you have left is some random photograph, a one-liner about your life, and the age you achieved at your death, there will still be many many people left behind you that you somehow inspired in a way that will remain meaningful and important to them until their own deaths and maybe even beyond.
Take note of that idea today if you would, and see what you might be able to do to put your own life and the connections you foster each day into a more meaningful and inspiring perspective. Someday, you and those you love will be glad you did.
–John
PS Here’s a quote I found this morning during my dive into the abyss of knowledge and wisdom, for which there is no clear end anywhere in sight…something that will remind you how every interaction and human connection in your life counts. Every single one.
“The affect of un-calculated kindness is as deep as the universe. When you feel stuck, stymied, depressed or full of self-loathing, try and remember this universal truth. It might just set you and its recipient free…” –John C Ashworth
I wrote an entire post on this topic that will be published on April 18th, 2020. If we’re not there yet, be sure to subscribe for regular updates so that you don’t miss it. -John
written by john c ashworth
I discovered this tips for success list at a garage sale in more than 15 years ago and have had it hanging in my office ever since.
H. Jackson Brown Jr, author of the famous “Life’s little instruction book”, compiled this beautiful little list with the same kind of wisdom in his book. The kee kind of perceptions that we can all cultivate for more success in life and business.
If you’re not familiar with the book, I suggest you pick-up a copy and keep it lying around in a place where you can go to it when you need some simple life inspiration. It’s chock full of golden nuggets sure to give you a boost and a new perspective when you need it.
#1 on the list I’m sharing with you today is so incredibly true for me. Laura and I have been married twenty-five years now 🙂
I discovered the framed pictured below at the Westmorland garage sale here in Madison. That was our old neighborhood.
Currently, as you can see, it hangs in the ash flash workshop on the still unfinished wall out here where it’s a little colder and a lot more rustic; and prone to inspiring creative boosts of energy especially on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
This is a terrific list full of good reminders and simple advice on how to get the most out of your life.
Here are your 21 suggestions for success by H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“Godspeed to you, my friend. Thanks for being a reader of the ash flash!” -John
written by john c ashworth
Usually, by this point in the year, most have abandoned their new years resolutions.
Why?
Ideas are the easy part.
Most people don’t understand that in order to make changes that last, YOU also have to shake yourself out of the bad habits too.
This effort takes a combination of mental, emotional, and physical ACTIONS committed to and adhered to for as long as it takes.
If you’re faltering or you’ve already lost your mojo, the real question is whether or not you were on the right track in the first place. If the answer is no, then it’s time to re-configure your goals and aspirations for the year.
If you’re on the right track and simply stuck, it’s time to find out why.
The only way forward is to be present with yourself long enough and consistently enough to discover the answers so that you can take the right action and keep moving forward. You can’t do that when you’re too busy being busy.
Stop. Reflect. Write down your thoughts long-hand and then commit yourself to getting back to work. When it comes to your own personal success there is no such thing as ‘auto-pilot.
-John
written by john c ashworth
The work of change is excruciatingly slow for those who really want it
Real change that lasts often comes in very small increments that are hard to see.
On an idle Friday afternoon halfway into November, you can either check-out for the day, or find a way to focus on something that will keep your own personal desired change moving forward.
What’s it gonna be?
-John
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