Tag: Relationships

FULFILLMENT ACCORDING TO MAC 👈

Today’s post will feature a deep dive into an answer to a question I posed to several friends and associates. The question was, “What, in your opinion, makes for a truly fulfilling life?” We will take a deeper dive into the answer featured in today’s post. This includes looking at how we can implement their ideas for fulfillment into our own life. This will allow all of us to wake up with a greater sense of inner peace and joy. If these answers inspire you, and you would like to share your own feeling on what makes life fulfilling, feel free to do so in the comments below. You could be featured in a future post or in my next book! Now let us take a look at today’s answer!

Today’s answer comes courtesy of Mac. He is a gentleman I connected with because we both share a health challenge. After much conversation, it appears we share much more. Our general attitude towards life and our place in it is also rather similar. I look forward to getting to know this man better and continue to learn from him. Even our thoughts about a fulfilling life resonate with each other. His answer also reflects who he is as a man. Without further build up, let us look at what Mac thinks makes a fulfilling life.

“To wake up beside my wife each day and to work together throughout the day to accomplish our goals as a team”

Both Mac and I certainly find fulfillment in waking up next to the beautiful lady we love. What this highlights is the importance and benefit of, not only loving and seeing the beauty in your spouse, but finding fulfillment in that. All too often familiarity can breed contempt or at the very least, taking your partner for granted. Mac understands both parties benefit when the appreciation for each other never stops.

There is one more thing you might have missed in Mac’s answer. Although his answer highlights his deep love for the woman in his life, it reflects something even bigger. Throughout my conversations with Mac about my upcoming book, as well as our health, he focus has always been on one thing – gratitude.

Mac has expressed gratitude for many things in his life. This has ranged from a simple cup of great coffee, to walking in nature and feeding squirrels. Two more things we have in common. Mac reminds us that the more we are grateful for things that we do have in our lives, the more fulfillment we experience.

How about you? Are you grateful for waking up next to your spouse, or have you started to take them for granted? Even if you don’t have a spouse, are you grateful for the great many simple pleasures in your life? What are they? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.

FULFILLMENT ACCORDING TO TERRY 🇺🇸

Today’s post will feature a deep dive into an answer to a question I posed to several friends and associates. The question was, “What, in your opinion, makes for a truly fulfilling life?” We will take a deeper dive into the answer featured in today’s post. This includes looking at how we can implement their ideas for fulfillment into our own life. This will allow all of us to wake up with a greater sense of inner peace and joy. If these answers inspire you, and you would like to share your own feeling on what makes life fulfilling, feel free to do so in the comments below. You could be featured in a future post or in my next book! Now let us take a look at today’s answer!

Today’s answer, or should I say answers, comes from my friend Terry. I have know him since we were 5 years old. Give or take a few years. That speaks to what an amazing man, and friend Terry is. He is retired military and works tirelessly to help those both in the military and those who have left the military. He also works to help his friends, community and the people and causes he cares about. As you can tell, Terry is one amazing gentleman. He posted 2 answers to the question about what makes life fulfilling. They were both so good I want to touch on them both.

“To make anything and everything we do better.”

“Giving back to the people that have given to us. Being retired military it’s about the veterans that gave their lives to have what we have here today.”

The Japanese philosophy of ‘Kaizen’ or never-ending improvement. When thinking of never-ending improvement, many people have expressed to me a sense of futility. If we can never achieve perfection, and our work is never done, what is the point? This is looking about it all wrong. Instead of leading to a feeling of a defeated life, it can actually give us a sense of fulfillment. Terry understands this, let us take a look into it. The fact that no matter how good anything is, it can always be better should excite us. Work really hard to create a marriage that is loving and kind? There is a whole level of intimacy that is waiting for you. Work hard in your career to get where you are? Great! There is still even more to be accomplished and celebrated. The point of this is that every time we improve on our best, we can feel fulfilled. Even the progressive realization of a worthy ideal, which was the definition of success as given by Earl Nightingale, is fulfillment. When we know we are working to be better, that should give us a sense of fulfillment.

As for giving back to those who gave to us, I am sure how you can see where that would give you a sense of fulfillment. As I am typing this, my mother comes to mind. Margie often says she volunteers to help everyone. That is just this side of being accurate. My mother has a lot of beliefs and causes she is passionate about. Instead of just talking or writing a check, she volunteers and takes action. When I get a chance to take her out for dinner or coffee, or even just do something nice for her, I feel a sense of fulfillment. She helps so many others, it is a joy to help her.

Terry gives another great example, that of the military. These are men and women who serve their country. They put their lives on the line to protect people they do not know, and may very well never know. The stress and impact this has on their lives can often be devastating. Knowing this in advance, they still sign up to serve. If you can ever do anything to help veterans, you should. While war is something none of us want to see, those men and women who are sent to battle deserve our utmost respect and compassion.

From first responders, doctors, nurses and volunteers, there are so many amazing souls that we could help. Helping those who serve others is not only fulfilling, it makes the world a much brighter place. It is often those who give the most that ask for the least. How many people do you know that give their all to others only to be suffering in silence. When you have such a giving nature, it can be difficult to admit you might need help, much less ask for it. Be like Terry and find your fulfillment in giving back to those who give to others.

What group of people can you think of that would give you a sense of fulfillment to help? There are so many worthwhile individuals. Please mention yours in the comments below as it will help others find people and groups deserving our attention and assistance. Also, ask yourself how you view a life of never-ending improvement. Can you see how this would lead to a life of fulfillment? Can you see the excitement knowing that no matter how amazing your life is, there is always a way to make it better? Please share in the comments below.

FULFILLMENT ACCORDING TO EDUARDO 🇮🇹

Today’s post will feature a deep dive into an answer to a question I posed to several friends and associates. The question was, “What, in your opinion, makes for a truly fulfilling life?” We will take a deeper dive into the answer featured in today’s post. This includes looking at how we can implement their ideas for fulfillment into our own life. This will allow all of us to wake up with a greater sense of inner peace and joy. If these answers inspire you, and you would like to share your own feeling on what makes life fulfilling, feel free to do so in the comments below. You could be featured in a future post or in my next book! Now let us take a look at today’s answer!

Today’s answer comes from a follower of this very blog. Eduardo in the great country of Italy. Eduardo does me the great honor of providing feedback on several of my blogs. In addition, he has a passion for hiking and exploring. He shares videos, and amazing photos, of his adventures at different locations. He is married to a Filipina, the love of his life. He shares what makes their marriage, and love, so successful. He also shares some amazing culinary creations. Viewing Eduardo’s social media is like experiencing a cultural adventure! All this being said, let us take a look at what he thinks makes life fulfilling. I will tell you it is as simple as it is profound.

it’s contributing: there is no way around it.

We touched on this last post with Jason’s answer. Eduardo broadens the category for us a little more. It is about adding to the world. What are we contributing? It reminds me of people who say they just want to win the lottery and sit on the beach. I must confess, on certain days I am one of those people. The truth is, we could only be happy doing this for so long. If we were of no use to anyone, or anything, how long would we be happy? We must feel that our life has a purpose. To have a purpose, we must find ways to contribute. As Eduardo so correctly reminds us, “There is no way around it.”

This is not to say that you should live your life solely for others. Take time for yourself when you need to recharge. What we must understand, and what Eduardo’s answer so succinctly states, is that in order to live a life that is fulfilling, it must also contribute to the greater good. This can be done in so many ways. My beautiful lady and her daughter contribute to the joy of others with the delicious baked goods they create. Last post we looked at how Jason contributes with his music, raising his daughter and loving his wife. Above we looked at the multitude of ways that Eduardo himself follows his own philosophy of contribution. It is through these actions that all of them get a feeling of contribution.

How about you? How do you contribute to the world? Have you thought about how this contribution brings a sense of fulfillment? Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a great friend or an amazing spouse, the world is full of ways in which you can contribute. I would love to hear some of yours and how they make you feel like you are living a fulfilling life in the comments below.

FULFILLMENT ACCORDING TO JASON 🎸

Today’s post will feature a deep dive into an answer to a question I posed to several friends and associates. The question was, “What, in your opinion, makes for a truly fulfilling life?” We will take a deeper dive into the answer featured in today’s post. This includes looking at how we can implement their ideas for fulfillment into our own life. This will allow all of us to wake up with a greater sense of inner peace and joy. If these answers inspire you, and you would like to share your own feeling on what makes life fulfilling, feel free to do so in the comments below. You could be featured in a future post or in my next book! Now let us take a look at today’s answer!

Today’s answer comes from my good friend Jason. He is not only an amazing guitar player, but an even better father. Speaking of fathers, I actually knew Jason’s father before I met him. It was only later that we discovered this. Jason and I hosted a weekly radio program for a while that was damn entertaining, if I must say so myself.  Let us shift from taking a look at the man to taking a look at his answer.

“For me, a fulfilling life would mean that I lived it in such a way that is was inspiring to others. I really do feel that our sole purpose in life is to help others.”

This is an answer of a truly enlightened person. Jason might not exactly refer to himself as such, but this answer would prove that he has every right to. Having a purpose greater than ourselves gives our life not only direction, but resilience. If your life is just about you and what you can get out of it, eventually you will come up against something that is stronger than you. If your purpose involves that greater good, such as this altruistic example above, you will be able to persevere. Some of the greatest minds of the last century knew this wisdom.

Albert Einstein, one of the smartest men in history, knew what our friend Jason knows. This was his answer when asked why we are here. Think of your own life. If you accomplish great things, and they only benefit you, will you truly be happy? One of the greatest joys in life is to know that you have made someone else’s life better. I can tell you that as an author, I am coming close to having sold 10,000 books. Certainly something to be proud of. That alone would not keep me going. What really keeps me motivated to continue to write is when I hear the difference it has made in the lives of others. I am sure Jason would say the same about his music. Even more importantly, as a parent Jason understands the importance of living your life for the benefit of someone else.

Going to sleep at night knowing you have inspired and made someone else’s life better is a sense of contentment, and yes fulfillment, that can’t be beat. What do you think of Jason and Albert Einstein’s answer that to live a truly fulfilling life, we must benefit more than ourselves? How have you felt fulfillment from lending a hand, or a sense of hope, to another fellow human? Please share your answers below and help us help each other.

FULFILLMENT ACCORDING TO NICCI 👩‍🎨

Today’s post will feature a deep dive into an answer to a question I posed to several friends and associates. The question was, “What, in your opinion, makes for a truly fulfilling life?” We will take a deeper dive into the answer featured in today’s post. This includes looking at how we can implement their ideas for fulfillment into our own life. This will allow all of us to wake up with a greater sense of inner peace and joy. If these answers inspire you, and you would like to share your own feeling on what makes life fulfilling, feel free to do so in the comments below. You could be featured in a future post or in my next book! Now let us take a look at today’s answer!

Today’s answer comes from a great friend of Margie and myself. Nicci is an art teacher, a dedicated and loving mother to 2 very talented daughters and a great singer. With all that she has on her plate, it is vital for Nicci to be able to know what gives her a sense of life fulfillment. Nicci’s answer was as follows.

A network of genuine friends who inspire, encourage, and support you no matter what makes life worthwhile. I love my people so much and they are the biggest blessing in my life. This of course includes you and Margie.

There are so many things we can gain from looking at Nicci’s answer. It is important to note that she places the word ‘genuine’ in front of friends. In a world that can see our connections limited to superficial ones, especially after Covid, having friends that are genuine and know the real us is priceless. Her definition of genuine friends is also included in her answer. “People who inspire, encourage and support you…” Fair weather friends can be a source of stress and not one of fulfillment. Fostering genuine friendships require a little work and often a willingness to be open and vulnerable. This can, understandably, be scary for some. The reward is a support system that can catch you when you fall in life. It can be those to encourage you when you feel like you can’t go on. They can bring you that source of inspiration when your life is caught in a rut. All of these will lead to a life that is certainly more fulfilling.

How do we establish and grow genuine friendships? Ironically, this is a skill we are actually better at as children than adults. If you look at the quote above, it states true friendship involves being understood and understanding. The first quality is to understand that life is both give and take. To gain a genuine friend is to be one. We must not enter a friendship thinking only what we can gain, but what we can give as well. As mentioned earlier, we must also be open to being vulnerable. This can be scary at first. Sharing our inner most thoughts and feelings. What if this person chooses to use them against us? What if they laugh, or think us crazy? This is why it is easier for children to make friends. They don’t really seem all that concerned about this happening. The truth is, neither should you. Yes, some people may hurt you and use things you tell them against you. That speaks more about them than about you at all. It is also a good way to weed out who is worth being a genuine friend and who is best left with a surface relation. A safe way is to share a little at a time. Slowly deepening the friendship.

Why do you think genuine friendship can lead to a fulfilling life? It certainly can. We have only touched on but a few of the benefits. What are the benefits of friendship that mean the most to you? How do you go about creating genuine friendships along with keeping the ones you have? Feel free to share all of your answers and ideas in the comments below. We would love to hear them!

FULFILLMENT ACCORDING TO YOU! 👈

We have some very exciting and empowering things coming up in the next few days. My fourth book should be out this summer. Inside it, you will find the tools and strategies to live a rich and fulfilling life. In short, how to go from striving to thriving. You may be asking yourself how there can be a manual on how to live a fulfilling life when the definition of that is different for everyone. That is a very intelligent and thought-provoking question. The answer is, at once, simple yet complex. While it is true that each one of us has their own definition of ‘fulfilling’, there are some common threads that will make any life more fulfilling when put into practice.

If you have read any of my previous 3 books, you will know that each of the tools and strategies I present are not only universal, but can be customized to work for the individual and their life circumstances. To further illustrate this point, I implored the followers of this blog, as well as friends and associates, to share their definition of a fulfilling life. We are going to highlight some of their answers and take a little deeper dive into them. We will also add ways in which we can put their ideas into practice in our own life to wake up with a greater sense of fulfillment.

The book, and this question, is far from over. If reading some of these answers and they inspire you, feel free to add your definition of what makes life fulfilling in the comments below. Your answer could be featured in our next post, or maybe even in my fourth book! 

THE BITTER COLD CONTINUES 🥶

Yes, this is a funny little meme. Yes, it is also the honest truth for me when it comes to winter. It is also a great suggestion for appreciating different aspects of what the cold weather brings. I mentioned a few posts ago that where I live the weather is dangerously cold. The news is recommending people do not leave their house unless they have to. Makes you wonder why I am not on vacation writing to you from the tropics. As you read this, there is a great chance that I am doing just what the photo above states. Sitting inside enjoying a good cup of coffee. Chances are that I am doing so with some wonderful company as well.

As much as I dislike the cold, there is something wonderful to be said about being inside looking out at it. Enjoying coffee with Margie, my mother or some other wonderful person becomes so much more of a blessing. The fact that we have the freedom and ability to do so is something we are all grateful for. While it is true that you can do this in the warm weather, it has a different feel when the temperature plummets below freezing.

Wherever you are, and no matter what the weather is like, may you enjoy the blessing of sharing a great cup of coffee with some wonderful company. Make sure you take time to be grateful for the ability to do so. In a world where things can change in an instant, it is fully enjoying the present that makes all of the difference.

CLIFFSNOTES ARE GREAT, READ THE BOOK (THIS ISN’T ABOUT BOOKS)

As an author, you may be tempted to think this is a ploy to get to you buy more books. Certainly, if you would like to go on Amazon and search ‘Neil Panosian’, feel free to order away. In truth, this post has nothing to do with books at all. It has to do with people. The people in your life. Friends, loved ones and even just the people you enjoy spending time with.

In my own life, I have recently lost two people. My grandmother, who was 96 years old, and my friend Billy Spaulding, who we wrote about last post. These two are not only two entirely different people, they will serve as a great example of what we wish to discuss here today. We often have two types of relationships with people. The book version, or the CliffsNotes version. With Billy I had the book, with my grandmother, the CliffsNotes.

Above you see some very smart people with great taste in books. I hope they had the pleasure of reading the entire thing from cover to cover. When it comes to relationships, do we read from cover to cover? Here is what I mean. When we lose someone, we lose more than just that person’s physical presence in our life. We lose stories we share. We lose jokes that maybe we are the only ones to understand, or find funny. Having these to appreciate takes reading the whole book cover to cover. What is the difference and how do we go about reading these books? Let’s take a look.

My grandmother, my dad’s mother, recently passed away at the age of 96. Sadly, I can’t really share much about her as we did not spend a great deal of time together. For several years she even thought my name was Nick. Margie thought the same thing, but that is a different story. I knew her name. Spent a few moments with her and even have a few comical memories of things she did. In other words, the CliffsNotes version. Did I know her favorite flower? No. Did I know what made her laugh? Not at all.

On the opposite side of the spectrum was my friend Billy. We had spent hours discussing life and our place in it. We shared jokes, laughter and quite a few cocktails. Last post goes into this in greater detail. There is even a video of the two of us on our YouTube channel. That is reading the book version of getting to know someone. As I was laying awake unable to sleep thinking of this blog and what I was going to write, another thing occurred to me – technology. It is vital that we share with each other on as many levels as we can.

Cellphones can be linked to the decline of personal communication. They can, however, help us establish the ‘whole book’ way of remembering someone. Above are pictures of my late uncle, my cousin who passed away at the age of 22, Margie’s mom (whose birthday we celebrate today) and I, my great uncle and my grandfather. All of these people are no longer here. Many passed before cell phones were really a thing. Therefore, there is little or no audio and video of them. As I thought about people I would like to still be able to speak with, my grandfather popped into my head. My mind even strained to remember the sound of his voice. It seems unreal that there was never a video made, but you just didn’t think of those things. That is why it is important to get to know each other on the deepest level. When my young cousin passed away in a tragic accident, we were scheduled to get together and shoot a video for my YouTube channel the very next week.

The point of all of this is to create the memories now. Do not settle for surface knowledge of someone. Really get to know them. You never know when it may be your last chance to do so. If it is, do you want to be left with CliffsNotes or do you want to say you have read the whole book?

TRIBUTE TO A TRUE HILL-BILLY

Recently, we lost my good friend Billy Spaulding. Professionally, Billy was a musician. I recall my first introduction was at Scotty’s Tavern where Margie had taken me to see him perform. He sang many great classic country songs with a host of guest performers including his late sister June. What would not appear on his business card, if he had one, was things like stand-up comedian, philosopher, matchmaker, and storyteller. The unique thing about Billy is that he was all of these roles, and he was them to his core. One of the most authentic people I have ever met.

Billy seemed to be a man of paradox, but the more you got to know him, the more they seemed to fit together. One evening I had the honor of introducing him before he performed. After I gave what I felt was a glowing introduction, Billy stepped up to the microphone. His response is still very clear in my mind. He looked at me and this is what he said, “Young man, if bullsh*t were an instrument, you would be a brass band.” Which was his way of saying thank you. I would share the very first thing he ever said to me that referenced the two religions he was raised with, but that might not be fit to print here.

Before you think Billy was just another off-color musician, let me share another fact about him. He read, studied and passionately believed his bible. He knew more about the good book than many preachers I have spoke with. One evening, during a break at a show, he put his arm around me and said, “Neil, you just have to love people like Jesus did. Thank guy knew what he was talking about.” After a brief pause to let me appreciate what he just told me, he added, “Sometimes I think you do to.” That was Billy, never letting the moment be serious for too long. He pushed for Margie and I to be together and was one of our biggest fans once we did. It will be a shame he will not be at our weddings.

My personal favorite thing about Billy was his ability to, and pure joy in, telling a story. I feature a brief summary of his life in the back of my second book, Living the Dream, for which Margie had him over for dinner. I assumed this interview would last a few minutes. Anyone who knows Billy in the slightest, knows what a foolish thought this was. There was about 20 minutes of video captured on my YouTube channel. I will share the link at the end of this post. That was only a small fraction of what was hours long discussion of his life, his thoughts on the world and countless jokes. If there was one thing that was apparent, it was that Billy loved his life and those in it.

Even at the darkest times, Billy knew how to use that unfailing sense of humor. When I had the great honor of being asked to give the eulogy for our dear friend Mr. Whelan, I was determined to do the best I could. Nervous as I was, it was important to give the man, and his family, the respect they deserved. After I had finished reading what I had written, I was overcome with emotion. Sensing my struggle, Billy left his seat, came up to me, shook my hand and said, “That was great! Now start working on mine.” Well Billy, I hope this does you justice.

I want to share my final memory with Billy. He came to see Margie and I at one of our shows. During a break, we were sitting at the bar sharing a cocktail and he had a faraway look in his eyes. Still looking into the distance he said to me, “Neil, you know I have shared the stage, and life, with some of the really great ones.” After a second, I put my hand on his shoulder and told him, “Billy, you are one of the great ones.” He looked at me with wide eyes and a big smile and yelled out, “And don’t I know it!” That was Billy, never letting the moment be serious for too long. Feel free to checkout the YouTube Video of our interview below. May it help his memory live on.

THE INTERVIEW WITH BILLY AND I

THE GREATEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE 🎁

Who doesn’t love giving a great gift? I know I do. Seeing the joy on the face of others when they open a gift you have carefully thought of and selected is a better feeling than any gift you could receive. At least that’s how I feel. I’m sure many of you would agree.

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to give a gift like that every time you see someone? To see someone’s face light up with joy everytime the two of you connect? There is such a gift. It does require careful thoughts and actions daily, but as you can see, the rewards are priceless.

The gift we are talking about us becoming the best version of yourself. This may seem counterintuitive, but if you think about it is not. Of course the ultimate beneficiary of self-improvement is… well.. yourself. Still, think of how nice it is to spend time with someone who is at peace, filled with joy and has their life reasonably together.

This is not to say that you should fake being happy all of the time. We all have struggles and sometimes sharing them with a friend helps a great deal and makes our friend feel like the valuable person they are in our life. Showing up with peace in our hearts, an attitude of gratitude and excitement about the future can brighten anyone’s day.

The more you learn about improving your own life, the better you can be of service to those you care about. Learning to be a better listener? Think of who that benefits. How about developing the ability to give genuine and uplifting compliments? You know that will certainly encourage your friends and family. One of the best things I have learned is to stay calm in the face of challenges. You not only inspire others, but can be in a better position to see solutions their panicking mind may not be able to.

This year, let us all work on becoming the best version of ourselves. Not only will we improve, but so will our relationships with those we care about. Just remember that self-improvement is a life-long journey. You can take a daily step right here at secret2anamazinglife.com!