Yesterday, I blew my fuse with my 14, soon to be 15 year old. It was about, get this, a familiar setting, a soccer practice. I went to watch him play and his involvement in the work out was, at best, in my opinion, lukewarm.

The state of the economy is making life more stressful for everyone, to say the least! Of course we’re all worried about our jobs, our financial futures, and those of our families and friends. In times like these the issue that is most pressing for our anxiety is the outward gaze. Our attention is being drawn to the bad things happening out there. Interconnectedness allows us to be confronted with those difficulties that lie ahead and those through which we are currently wading.

This morning I felt the need to get my car washed. I do not know about you but when my car is not super clean, I feel uneasy and not disorganized. The same is true when my house or office is not clean.

After I got my car cleaned, I took my wife's car for cleaning. She is a super busy lady! My little contribution to The Power of Giving!

My friend Nadir Mohamed, CEO of Rogers was interviewed by Globe where he was asked about his leadership style.

His response included that he ensures that people know what success looks like and allows the team to get the results they want. If they run into a problem it allows them to discuss what needs to change so that they reach their goals.

What success look like may sound simple to some. However, this is profound! If you start your week, your day, your month or year knowing what success looks like you will be focused and channel your energy to your desired end.

Firstly, a big thank you to all of you who have become fans of The Power of Giving on Facebook.  The power of your support means everything to us and does not go unnoticed!

Secondly, Azim will be touring and spreading the message of the power of giving.  Here are his upcoming tour details:

Southern New Hampshire - Azim Jamal co-author of The Power of Giving Book Tour Oct 4 to Oct 7, 2009

Sunday October 4

9:00am:  Azim to speak at worship service @ Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church, Salem, NH

Don't play catch up, instead Start Fresh!

I was playing catch up on my blogging last week and found that I could not get going.

As soon as I decided to worry only about the blog for the day, I got it done. I also had the energy to catch up on previous shortfalls.

The lesson I learned was to start fresh and worry about today's tasks.  Once you are on top of that, you create energy to attend previous shortfalls.

How about you? Do you always play catch up?
 

My daughter, Sahar, left early today for Barcelona for four months as part of her exchange program at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.

As she was departing, I was contemplating about her. I realized that the once tiny Sahar has now become a confident, fun loving person with a mind of her own. She is brilliant, decisive and will not take any nonsense from anyone including her dad. I looked at her in awe as I pondered on her fearless qualities and courage in everything she does.

I went for my usual brisk walk the other morning and after a few minutes it started raining heavily. In fairness, I got a strong warning before it came as the birds started to flea from the park. It seems they were aware of the coming of the rain! I decided to continue walking in the rain, however, choosing for the most part to walk under the trees which are situated in the park. I still got wet.. but only a little.

In a short period of time, I had a close encounter, this morning, with the birds, the trees and the rain.  It was an amazing experience of oneness with nature.

Today, I had a client call me to book me for a week's work. Great! However, most of the days the client wanted were taken.

Instead of getting upset, I said thank you for this problem realizing that it is better for clients to compete with each other for your services instead of a having no work for a week!

Once you express gratitude, the Universe begins to become your partner. Solutions began to appear bit by bit. Competing clients begin to have a higher sense of urgency and place a higher value on your work

Why are you here?

We were observing a whole night of prayers yesterday as part of our month of fasting. This is the night when we believe the Holy Prophet (may peace of God be upon him) received the revelation. It is supposed to be a very powerful night.

During a reflection moment, I thought: If I was born with no material goods and I will die without taking material goods with me, then what is the purpose of my life? My goal was to get a response to this question during the night.