As an avid reader of two books a month, I read “Limitless” by Jim Kwik four years ago.  Today, I continue to be limitless in writing five things down each day to be grateful for and not taking specific things in my life for granted.

 

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When you look at the symbol for limitless or infinity, it resembles a sideways figure eight.  “Infinity is boundless, endless, or larger than any natural number. The infinity symbol often denotes it.”

 

Unraveling the Infinity Symbol: Its Origins and Impact on Mathematics — Curiosmos

 

Jim Kwik inspired me to write those five things down as many of us four years ago were trying to understand COVID-19 and how the pandemic changed the world.

 

However, I put his words into action and have journaled ever since.

 

As I celebrate my fourth year of journaling, the experience is rewarding as I can look back in time.  I’ve also learned through the process that I should never take things for granted, specifically my health.

 

The days of me being 30 and bulletproof are long gone.

 

As I hit my internal reset button this month, I quickly realized that April showed up with actions items I had planned on doing a few months ago.

 

In a Golfer’s world, the word “Mulligan” or a free shot is sometimes given to a golfer in informal play when the previous shot was poorly played.

 

Mulligan Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster

 

What free shots do you need in 2024?

 

Earlier this week, as I was meditating, I thought about various things to be grateful for, such as the three numbers “7-5-7” and how far I have been.

 

For those wondering, 7-5-7 is the area code where I grew up in Newport News, Virginia.

 

I’ve never forgotten my roots, and at this point, it’s hard not to.

 

On my wall I have the words “Don’t forget where you came from, but never lose sight of where you are going.”

 

Growing up with three military bases around me, in the early to mid-70s, many people found employment at the Shipyard as a source of income and retired from there. I did not.

 

• HII   Newport News Shipbuilding – Wikipedia

 

“The shipyard is a major employer, not only for the lower Virginia Peninsula, but also portions of Hampton Roads south of the James River and the harbor, portions of the Middle Peninsula region, and even some northeastern counties of North Carolina.”

 

Then, after my last duty assignment from the military, I spent 18 combined years in Augusta, GA.

 

Just like the Shipyard in Newport News, VA, many of the people I knew worked at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions or SRS, I did not.

 

SRNS – Our Location (savannahrivernuclearsolutions.com)

 

When I think about leaving the 7-5-7 area at 17 and not looking back, I’m grateful that I joined the military.

 

I’m grateful that I realized I didn’t need to do what others did in the local area.

 

I’ve written many entries in my gratitude journal, including my education, having both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, and various certifications with attendance at various prestigious colleges.

 

I say this not in a braggadocio matter; however, knowing how God has blessed me and continues to bless me is worth being grateful.

 

Also, having lived near and growing up in the projects and seeing them every day I travel to Mass on the other side of town, there is a sense of empathy for the people that walk the streets daily.

 

Sometimes, and most often even on my trips back and forth to Birmingham, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa, seeing the haves and have-nots makes me even more grateful for what I have and the current journey that I’m on now.

 

This month is a reminder that we can do more in 2024.  It’s how we set our priorities and gratitude for living each day.

 

I’m so glad that my past has not decided my future and that my thoughts do not sabotage me.

 

Don’t Allow Your Past to Control Your Future | Psychology Today   

 

In addition, I’m grateful for being part of the community in 2024 rooted in Positive Intelligence (PQ) with Shirzad Chamine.

 

This is one area in which I continue to grow my PQ.

 

“The past doesn’t define you; your present does. It’s okay to create a vision of the future because it affects your behavior in the “now,” but don’t dwell on past mistakes. Learn from them and focus on those lessons in the moment. That’s where change can really happen.”

— Jillian Michaels

 

Therefore, don’t give your past the power to define your future.

 

Today, it’s about being grateful and not taking anything for granted.

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/limitless/

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First, I must tell you what a difference a week makes.

No one would have ever expected that a city as large as Huntsville, AL, would be shut down for almost a week due to weather.

 

City of Huntsville, City of Madison and Madison County will close on Tuesday, Jan. 16  – City of Huntsville (huntsvilleal.gov)

 

As life returned to normal, I thought about “Turning Obstacles into Opportunity” because that was what it was for me.

 

For five days, from January 15, 2024, to January 19, 2024, I remained sheltered in place due to freezing temperatures and Icy roads.

 

According to HPD, there have been 162 weather-related accidents this week and more than 20 that involved injuries.

 

Officials urge caution on Huntsville roads as crews work, traffic accidents more than doubled this week | WHNT.com

 

Drivers heating up over icy road conditions in Huntsville (waff.com)

 

It was apparent this past Friday, January 26, 2024, after listening to individuals during my rescheduled Doctor’s appointment.  I was one of many that had to cancel during the storm.  When a facility is closed for a week, you adjust.  I also learned many didn’t take the storm as an opportunity to refocus.

 

Many who live in the Huntsville area have never witnessed being out of work, getting paid, and having nowhere to go based on road conditions.

 

I asked one young lady as I waited for the Doctor when was the last time, she witnessed weather like this?  Her response was that “she grew up here and had never witnessed it so badly; however, she remembered it as an elementary student staying home, but not for a week.”

 

You and I know that history often repeats itself.  I’m always amazed at how quickly we forget things, such as how the pandemic had us sheltering in place, yet people had to go out into the weather knowing the conditions were unsafe.

 

So that you know what Saturday (January 20, 2024) looked like from my home to traveling to Mass in Huntsville, the roads were 90% dry and clear.  However, my Church parking lot was an ice staking rink with the asphalt covered with a sheet of ice with a temperature below freezing.

 

My Rosary partner told me she hadn’t been to the 7 AM morning Mass all week and decided to take a chance for the 5 PM Saturday Vigil Mass.

 

Ironically, we had a great crowd at Mass that took a chance; however, others were still stuck at home based on icy roads and slick driveways that had not been defrosted by Saturday evening.

 

I tell you this story because, for the most part, “The Rocket City” of Huntsville, Alabama, was an obstacle that many did not take the opportunity to use wisely based on weather conditions.

 

Being a Scout means being prepared, and those seven years as a Scout Leader taught me various lessons that I imparted to the youth I trained.

 

It’s one of those traits where I practiced and taught preparedness in young people.

 

Through various communication mediums, everyone in the area was told before the storm hit to be prepared and get their necessities before Sunday night.

 

I took that seriously and had enough to last the required time; others did not.

 

As always, you and I know the first things that go off the shelf are bread, milk, and eggs, which, listening to those who did not plan, witnessed the short supply during the storm.

 

I now have a deeper appreciation for the individuals living in the North as I made phone calls hearing that they were already two or three storms into it.

 

Sometimes, life throws minor inconveniences that we must overcome and take with a grain of salt, which was also required for the driveways.

 

Maybe there is a lesson to be learned for some to pay more attention to the weather and become more resilient in the process.

 

Either way, turning obstacles into opportunities is what I have learned by being prepared and using my time wisely.

 

What obstacles in your life have you turned into opportunities lately?

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/turning-obstacles-into-opportunity/

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