FRICTION

We have a big inflatable water slide for the girls. They love to slide down and to splash around in the pool of water at the bottom. Of course, they can slide on it at any time, but if there is no water flowing, the friction on the skin makes the sliding tough (and the skin sticky). Water works as a great lubricant, making the trip down a lot more pleasant, even fun.

We take a lot of trips every day. Sometimes it is worth doing things the hard way, when we can see measurable benefits to ourselves and to people we love. But so often we choose to do things the hard way, especially if you have a stubborn streak as I do. Why? Why? Why? So often there is just no need to create all that extra friction. It just creates extra stress.

When the friction brings no benefits, why not just throw some water in your path and slide?

YOU

"Please place the oxygen mask over your own face before helping your seat mates with theirs." If you fly frequently, this note or something similar will sound very familiar. The basic principle is that you can best help save other people's lives if you don't let yourself die part-way through the process. It's not about being self-centered or selfish; it's common sense about being effective.

It's not just up in the air that we have to take care of ourselves first. Your friend might need your help, your guidance, your understanding, but if you are an emotional wreck, you won't have very much to give. At least, not very much useful.

To do good friend-help, first do good self-help. The best way to make other people happy is to be happy. The best way to make someone else smile is to smile. So help yourself to a better you.

Opportunities

"The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself. It is not in your environment, it is not in luck or chance, or the help of others; it is in yourself alone."

- Orison Swett Marden -