Make the Ordinary Come Alive

Do not ask your children

to strive for extraordinary lives.

Such striving may seem admirable,

 but it is a way of foolishness.

Help them instead to find the wonder

and the marvel of an ordinary life.

Show them the joy of tasting  tomatoes,

apples and pears.

Show them how to cry

 when pets and people die.

Show them the infinite pleasure

 in the touch of a hand.

And make the ordinary come alive for them.

The extraordinary will take care of itself.....

  

You will have to constantly contend with the pressure for ever more, and ever bigger,that culture seeks to impose on your children and you.It takes courage and discipline to go slow, live simply, and see clearly.But the rewards are great.What ordinary thing can you do together today?

Source: ” The Parent’s Tao Te Ching: A New Interpretation:Ancient Advice for Modern Parents “  by William Martin

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One Small Step …

One small step at a time is  about the big idea of “Kaizen”, which is Japanese for “taking small steps to continual improvement.”

Kaizen is an ancient philosophy captured in this powerful statement from the Tao Te Ching: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Though it is rooted in ancient philosophy, it is just as practical and effective when applied to our hectic modern lives. Japanese corporations have long used the gentle technique of kaizen to achieve their business goals and maintain excellence. Now this elegant strategy can help you realize your personal dreams.

Kaizen has two definitions:

a) using very small steps to improve a habit, a process, or product.

b) using very small moments to inspire new products and inventions.

This philosophy of small steps toward improvement was introduced to Japan after the war, when General Douglas MacArthur’s occupation forces began to rebuild that devastated country.

“When you improve a little each day, eventually big things occur. When you improve conditioning a little each day, eventually you have a big improvement in conditioning. Not tomorrow, not the next day, but eventually a big gain is made. Don’t look for the big, quick improvement. Seek the small improvement one day at a time. That’s the only way it happens—and when it happens, it lasts.” 

—John Wooden, one of the most successful coaches in the history of college basketball

Just take one small step at a time for everlasting result ....

Source : “One Small Step Can Change Your Life” by  ROBERT MAURER

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