Putting Our Best Hand and Foot Forward

We've always heard we should put our best foot forward.  Many things come in pairs. Perhaps we should add "hand"to that conventional wisdom of making a good impression.  Putting our best hand forward can have many positive connotations including:

• friendly - wave
• supportive - pat on the back
• attentive to detail - well manicured
• helpful - helping hand
• confident - professional handshake
• handy - tactically adept problem solver
• trustworthy - seal the deal handshake
• uniqueness - fingerprints

Do-Overs

How many times during the Olympics have we wished that an athlete had an opportunity for a do-over?  Though the Olympic athletes aren't allowed the chance to recreate their best performance on the world stage, the rest of us have many opportunities to try to ultimately get it right.  However, as with the Olympic athletes, we only have one best shot for each audience.  And just like the Olympians, we should always give important opportunities our best performance.  Unlike the Olympic athletes, we have many audiences.  Do-overs work when we take the chance to address many audiences.  Here's to gold medal performances!

Flying or Falling?

One would think that we could easily tell the difference between flying and falling.  As with many things, our ability to determine the trajectory depends on our perspective.  The Olympic ski jump events beautifully illustrate this.  When watching any of these incredible athletes compete, one has the image of them flying through the air.  Reality reveals that they are actually falling toward the bottom of the mountain.

It's the same sensation as we observe colleagues and competitors from a distance.  We don't actually know if they are soaring to new heights or about to descend.

When we compare ourselves with others, without knowing the facts, conditions and objectives, we may set unrealistic expectations. Though competition generally keeps us sharp, the only way we can ensure that we're moving in the right direction is to continually aim for our personal best.

Live the Life You Have!

I always benefit when I attend our Sunday church service, and this week was no exception.  The lesson conveyed from the Gospel applies to all of us regardless of beliefs - "Live the life you have with integrity."

We can all wish for, dream about, anticipate or prepare for another reality.  But, we all have the hand that we were most currently dealt.  Those of us who choose to love the life we have can positively impact ourselves, our families and those with whom we interact.

Regardless of our jobs, we should do them to the best of our abilities.