Daily BFO - Blinding Flash of the Obvious

In the midst of struggle and turmoil it is hard to see any light. On Sunday the sermon at Watermark Community Church rang very true to me. Our college minister Adam Turnow gave the following important points: In a crisis 1. Remind yourself that this is to be expected - John 16:33 2. Remind yourself this is not a punishment  3. Remind yourself of God's promise - Deuteronomy 31:6 To help you remember His promise: Hold up your hand with fingers out and point to each one and say God (pointing to finger 1), Will (2), Never (3), Leave (4), You (5) John 16:33 New International Version (NIV) 33  "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. A )" style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;">  In this world you will have trouble. B )" style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;"> But take heart! I have overcome C )" style="line-height: 22px; vertical-align: top;">  the world." Duet 31:6 Be strong and cou...

Short week this week so this might be my only blog as the kids are out of school and Family is already in town. I am thankful for all of you who have found this blog and I hope my experience can help guide you on your personal journey. I am thankful for my beautiful wife of 8 Years, my wonderful and curious children, my family all around the world, my church - Watermark Community Church in Dallas, my health and that of my family, for my curious and friendly nature, for life and fellowship, and for God loving me enough even though I don't deserve it. I am thankful for grace. May you all have a fun filled and thankful thanksgiving and His Grace for you, In Blissfully Healthy love and grace, Tom DailyBFO.com

I am finding that the darkness is creeping into the front ground of my life. Kids, wife, in-law, holiday, grief for missing family, and on and on. It feels almost impossible to breath at times. I remember, it is easier to see the stars in the sky when the earth and where I am at is darkest. This is where I need to focus...on things I am grateful for even if it seems far away and out of reach I can see the light. Darkness then seems to not be so dark, just like star gazing. My eyes adjust to the little amount of light and more light comes into my preview. It was always there I am just now able to see it with a little more perspective. I won't give in to the darkness but rather change my viewing angle. May your view always be filled with amazing light and Blissfully Healthy perspective. Happy thanksgiving. I hope to post some next week but I must focus on my priorities...my family (beautiful shining stars!) Found this photo to represent the visual feeling. Enjoy https://stat...

This really says it all. Focus on what you do to become excellent and keep doing it. Wise words from a shampoo bottle: Wash, rinse, repeat. Wishing you a repeatedly Blissfully Healthy day, Tom DailyBFO.com

Today I had lunch with a friend, Frank, who I met through Watermark's Careers In Motion. We continued to stay in touch Even after he found a job. So at lunch today we reviewed what has been happening in our lives and catching up. During the conversation we both realize there are things we want to do in our lives both personal and professional and it is just a matter of setting it as a priority. We agreed to use our friendship to hold each other accountable for what we say is important to us. It's a great way to help you focus outside of oneself and get things accomplished. I committed to get Frank a list of tasks and dates so he can start asking me about them and hold me accountable for my word. Thanks Frank. To your accountable and Blissfully Healthy life, Tom DailyBFO.com

Found a great quote today: "Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try." - Gail Devers No matter where I am on this journey I must keep trying or as this states I won't have accomplished anything worthy of me. Have a very trying and Blissfully Healthy day, Tom DailyBFO.com

In dealing with one of my children, I am reminded the term consequences means neither bad nor good. It just means what is to follow a choice or action. It is fair to help remind them of good consequences - aka praise - and also bad consequences - aka get an ouchie if you touch something hot. I have to remind myself of that also throughout my day as I continue on my journey for improvement one step at a time. All our choices have consequences, I just hope mine are more positive than negative. Here's hoping for a positive consequential Blissfully Healthy day for you, Tom DailyBFO.com

One of my kids is sick today and talk about difficult to get anything done. It goes to show, all the best planning for a to-do productive today and be wiped away with an upset tummy. Our health is critical to our family and something we invest considerable resources on. No one is usually out of commission that they can't go to school or work but not today. The little bugs can get the best of any of us so we must stay vigilant on being healthy. I have heard many kids and adult get this type of bug and are days out. We focus on a diet of fresh made ingredients and no products containing preservatives or artificial anything. We get movement in everyday and look at natural supplements for areas our diet is weak. We practice gluten free as we all show signs of sensitivity. We try to keep sugar down to a minimum but my sweet tooth gets me into trouble sometimes. Even on a gluten free diet there are yummy sugary goodies available. We are not perfect and we continue to work on ...

After coming off a rainy day yesterday my motivation is lacking. To improve this I am following the simple idea of: Do one thing; now do one more - philosophy. Another way to think about it is that of walking a mile requires one step then another and keep repeating. Here's to a Blissfully Healthy and productive day, Tom DailyBFO.com

Every professional was once an amateur - difference is putting in the work to practice, gain experience and improve performance - just showing up and taking action each time.  This is a great lesson for life as I want my life to be about 80+ unique years not just the same.  Here's to showing up and practicing everyday towards a Blissfully Healthy life, Tom DailyBFO.com

Today at Watermark CIM someone said “A to-do” list is not a plan.  I am very adverse to to-do lists as when I create one I always have the feeling of never getting the list accomplished. The list just seems to keep on growing and just shows how much more I have to do.  As in the statement, to-do’s is not a plan but rather a list of activities and/or tasks to be preformed. My list also contains the occasional project which usually requires multiple task to complete.  My improvement to the to-do list is to create a daily must complete task list. In order to make this list I must have the following information: 1. Do I have the necessary information to complete the task? 2. Do I have the skills to complete it? 3. Do I know how long the task will take? 4. What is the value of this task being completed for me/My Family/whomever? 5. What will happen if this task does not get completed today? Now I am a step closer to getting something accomplished as I ...

When I was coaching I studied a great acronym for fear. False Expectations Appearing Real I am reminded of this as I go about my day to get some things accomplished. I look at why I am not moving forward on some projects. I have fear and this is keeping me from my accomplishments. If I examine the facts as they are rather than what I project them to be then my fear can be managed. I hope you can put your fears in check and see what you are projecting and what is true right now. Here's to a Blissfully Healthy fear free day, Tom DailyBFO.com

Today my inspiration was a poster I saw while shopping at Michael's for my kids. Attached is a picture but I will describe it in case you don't get the attachment. The poster shows a guy with paper and pen sitting in a chair like we would think of a psychiatrist. On the couch is a Unicorn lying down. The caption above the guy says "You need to believe in yourself".

Customer service is really just about listening and then coming up with a way to reply effectively to that what you've heard. Today I had the experience of calling Spectrum customer service for a billing problem. I was told the excuse that is the way our system works. I mentioned a possible workarounds they said yes that could work as other customers have done that. So this leaves me to my thought for today, listening. Where in my life am I not listening effectively: with my kids, my wife or people I interact with? I should listen more and respond with understand even if the answer is no or I can't do that. I need to give them a reply to be helpful that shows I acknowledge them that I at least listened and have tried to help. Here's to an improvement in my listening. May you find your Blissfully Healthy life, Tom DailyBFO.com

A friend, Sally Binnix, from Watermark CIM ministry has a saying H.O.P.E. -Help One Person Everyday. Today was my day to give someone hope. I wrote this not for credit but to be humble as I hope someone will give me Hope when I need it. It requires very little of me except for my experience and time. T. was going in for an interview and was completely nervous as the recruiter had sent him an email about their behavioral questions based interview process. They expected the interviewee to reply with Situation, Action taken and Results achieved format. I felted blessed to share my experiences with T. and to ask him questions and learn about him. I truly believe he is ready for this interview and will be successful...if he puts his situation aside just for the few hours during the interview process and stands tall and speaks with confidence. I am praying for you and have hope T. I will update you all tomorrow on his progress. What did I learn from this? No matter where I am at (phy...