Dr. Earl R. Smith II

By Dr. Earl R. Smith II
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
www.Dr-Smith.com

I always take a few minutes at the end of each day to journal. I have found this time is always well spent. First I re-read the entries from the prior week or so - it helps keep things in perspective - to connect with what some Native Americans call the ‘long view’. Then I turn my attention to the day. I think about each thing that I did - the people I met - experiences I had - things that I learned - and how it felt to live through the day.

The last part of my reflection on the day is dedicated to thinking about the effects that I have had on the lives of others. It has seemed to me that making a difference in the lives of others is one of the best reasons for living. The very thought of being able to give these gifts is rewarding. Contributions such as these always seem to bring a triple reward - the first from the doing and a second from the knowing that my ‘gift’ has been received, honored and appreciated. But it is the third reward that I have been thinking about lately. You see the life of the gift extends beyond the acting of giving. That anticipation within that last thought always makes any day recently past more special.

When I am re-reading prior entries in the journal, the ‘gifts’ of past days stand out in relief. I wonder how the ‘gift’ is doing - has it grown into something unanticipated? And then comes the urge to check up on the ‘off-springs’. You might think that all I want to receive yet another ‘thanks’ - but nothing could be further from the truth. You see, gifts have a life of their own after the giving of them. Many times I’ve had trouble recognizing the very thing I contributed to someone else’s life. A simple observation or suggestion seems to have grown into something much more than what came to light within my mind. It now is the product of two minds - or more. And when it is given back to me I receive much more that I gave in the first place.

As so who was it that made a contribution to whose life?

When I was younger I used to ask three paragraph questions - only allowing for one sentence answers. But lately I tend towards one sentence questions that may yield a lifetime of responses.

Dr. Smith is a proven senior executive, successful entrepreneur, published author and public speaker. He serves on boards of directors and advisory boards or as a strategic advisor to CEOs. Dr. Smith specializes in leadership development and advising management on leadership styles which make them more effective leaders. He also works as an executive and/or life coach in the areas of personal growth and spirituality.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 14th, 2008 at 9:32 am and is filed under personal growth. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.