Happy 3-Minute Thursday!

You are busy, so let's make this quick. No fluff, no filler, no spamming. Just three minutes each week could change everything.

Minute 1 - A new idea on focus.

Instead of clinching your fists when stuck in traffic or standing in a long line at the grocery store, focus on the fact that you are there. That’s not a guarantee. What would the people who’s lives were cut short give to be in that line with you?

At the end of the day, life is all about perspective. Instead of focusing on what you don't have or what you wish could be different, focus on what you do have and what you can be grateful for. Remember that every moment is a gift, and that you have the power to choose how you experience it. Restore your ability to focus.

Minute 2 - A quote on the persistence of rivers.

Farmer and writer, Wendell Berry, on the persistence of rivers:

"To a river, as to any natural force, an obstruction is merely an opportunity. For the river's nature is to flow; it is not just spatial in dimension, but temporal as well. All things must yield to the impulse of the water in time, if not today then tomorrow or in a thousand years. If its way is obstructed then it goes around the obstruction or under it or over it and, flowing past it, wears it away. Men may dam it and say that they have made a lake, but it will still be a river. It will keep its nature and bide its time, like a caged wild animal alert for the slightest opening. In time it will have its way; the dam like the ancient cliffs will be carried away piecemeal in the currents."

This thought emphasizes the importance of natural forces, their resilience, and the folly of attempting to control them. It serves as a timely reminder that nature always finds a way to reestablish its equilibrium, regardless of how formidable our human constructs may seem.

Minute 3 - A reflection about courage to change.

This thing that I am unhappy about... is it actually hard to change or is it simply hard to have the courage to change it?

Here are three things about change to think about:

1. Some problems cannot simply be fixed. For example, if you have a chronic illness, you might not be able to "fix" the problem. In these situations, it's important to be kind to ourselves and think about what we can do and let go of the rest.
2. The thing we fear the most is the unknown. Steven Spielberg's film "Jaws" demonstrates the power of fear of the unknown. The main source of fear for the characters is not just the shark itself, but the unpredictability of its actions. This fear of the unknown is a powerful force that paralyzes many of us. Identify the source of the fear and identify what you do know.
3. Your thoughts will have the largest affect on change. It's important to know how much our thoughts affect our ability to change. If we think it's too hard or impossible to change something, we might not even try. But if we have a growth mindset and believe in our own ability to change, we are more likely to take action and move forward.

Want to share this issue of 3MN via text, social media, or email? Just copy and paste this link: www.paytonminz.com/3mn-march-23-2023/

Until next week,

Payton Minzenmayer

p.s. A podcast on purpose