Monthly Archives: December 2021

21

Being Better

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Develop habits that make you better!! Loose those that make you worse.

There are certain habits a person can participate in, which will make them better in all aspects of their lives. Certain practices, entertained thoroughly, are potent to the value of life because they are not only positive for the body, mind, and spirit, but they also lead to other behaviors that improve one’s life. In this short writing, I will speak of three such habits, taken seriously by a person, which will lead one to be healthier, happier, and wiser for the practice of the thing and for the other benefits each brings into your life.

As you consider adding these things to your life, deep contemplation of one fact should rise to the forefront of the mind. How will being better help me? Well, my friend, in so many ways. It is impossible to rise to your highest level of achievement unless a person is willing to be the best version of themselves in all areas of life. These simple habits are choices a person must make each day, and the practice of the three will lead to overall greater depth and enjoyment of life and the quality of experiencing it.

Read Like Your Life Depends On It

In all of my life, there has never been another force as powerful as reading has been. It has opened up the world to me and a plethora of new ideas with it.  Each original thought led to other recent reviews; each expanded my mind. Whether I liked it or not. Once an account is opened, it can’t go back to its shape before. There is simply no way so that the expansion will also cause other changes.

We can read the opportunity to build the curriculum for our education. Not a plan dictated by institutions or governments for their ends. But the thoughts we are interested in entertaining. We can learn about money, emotions, social skills, better health, relationships, or the ideas of great thinkers from the past. Each choice is usually more relevant and compelling than all of your years at school because education is your choice.  Becoming your director of knowledge provides you with the freedom to become whatever you want to grow in life, and that freedom is priceless. Much more effective than any organized degree, and it is action and results from that matter in this world. Nobody can stop you but you.

Learn the power of Meditation

There are many negative thoughts regarding Meditation, but I wager most are created out of fear and ignorance.  Meditation is the simple practice of quieting the mind and allowing your thoughts and emotions to be under your control rather than the other way around.  Our brains are our most excellent tool, but without any management system, this thing we should be controlling is controlling us.  All thought comes with an emotion attached, and if you don’t like the feeling you are feeling, and it doesn’t serve you, then choose a different idea to focus on.

Meditation will allow you to increase your focus on positive things for your life. It is proven that the tenor of your thoughts and actions dictate the energy of your life. Thinking and acting in a selfish, negative way will lead to the experience of those things in your reality. The practice of kindness, giving, honesty, and acceptance will create a life containing those things.  Meditation will bring about a general feeling of well-being and confidence because when you realize you are in control of your thoughts, you can do almost anything better.  Meditation is a practice the world should learn, and there would be far fewer problems.  I appreciate the moments.

Physical Fitness is a Must

It doesn’t matter your exercise of choice as long as you practice it regularly. It could be running, lifting weights, yoga, biking, martial arts, or any other kind of fitness there is.  It will increase your muscle tone, help you lose fat, and move you toward a healthier weight.  It will also promote heart health, lead to fewer overall health concerns, and allow you to live longer and better in all your life, but fitness also includes another choice: diet.

When a person is engaged in a routine fitness program, it is much easier for that person to develop a diet of healthy eating. In combination, these two factors provide a person with the ability to become the fittest person they can be.  It is not just what a person eats but the portion of that food, which will lead to their overall health in weight and performance.  Making fitness a priority in your life will give you the keys to becoming the best version of yourself.  Take the time to find an exercise you love doing that resonates with you deeply, soulfully.

Try to make these three things regular habits in your life, and you will be on your way to developing as a better person in body, mind, and spirit. Life is a short ride, and your choices in these areas will make you the best version of yourself if you choose to pursue that.  Like all things in life, they involve personal preference.

“When you are at that intersection in the road, and you’ve got two paths to go down, because of the impact of certain people in your life, you’re able to choose the right path.” —Jason Witten

“The dreaming has to be backed up by the doing.” —Carrie Wilkerson

“The time is now. Stop hitting the snooze button on your life.” —Mel Robbins

“Leap off the fence of indecision. Get out of the ‘Want to Lane’ and put yourself into the ‘Got to Lane.'” —Gloria Mayfield Banks

 

21

The Mindset

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Mindset      ~ the established set of attitudes held by someone.

mindsetTo fully take advantage of our talents, time, and actions, it is essential to know that our mindset will provide an attitude leading to the results we see in life. Once something is set in your mind, you have no choice but to make that thing happen. Look at your mindset when it comes to finances, relationships, or life in general. This evaluation will reveal why your life is the way it is. The way you think about yourself and your abilities is the most significant boost or barrier to accomplishing anything.  It all begins with a conscious awareness of your thoughts, words, and actions based on your current mindset.  (Video)

Mindset Challenges

In all things, we choose positive or negative, and our mindset is the attitude and default behavior we will fall to naturally in life.  Evaluate which of these characteristics you honestly participate in and how they are a part of your mindset—worrying about the future, putting yourself down, gossiping, holding a grudge, jealousy, lying, feeling sorry for yourself, mindsetgeneral negativity about people, or regrets about the past. These things are mindset anchors to misery, failure, and unhappiness. It will be challenging to achieve success and impossible to enjoy it with this mindset.

The great thing is all of these things provide the opposite action available to you with the simple change of mindset. You can choose to be confident about the future, value yourself, not talk about others when they are not present, forgive, appreciate what you have, be honest, accept responsibility for your place in life, general positivity about people, and get the past.  It is all a matter of mindset.  When you face challenges, remember your mood will determine the outcome for you.  We can’t control many things that happen to us, but we have 100% control over how we deal with them.  Avoid the negative mindset and pursue a positive alternative. This direction makes your success right from the beginning.

Find Mindset People

The people you choose to associate with daily will affect your mindset one way or another. Surround yourself with people who have the mindset you would like to have, and it will be easier to achieve.  If mindsetyour circle is full of people who follow the negative characteristics described earlier, then it is time to change your ring.  It isn’t a condemnation of others but taking responsibility for your own life and the experience you want to have.

Some people embody every characteristic you admire and want more of in your life. Find them, and get them in your circle.  Too often, people settle for less than this because of comfort or fear. You can do this also, but understand the cost is your happiness and ability to achieve your best self. It is hard to fly as high as possible when tied to a massive and negative anchor.  Surround yourself with the people who allow you to operate your most senior and be your best. Let the others go. Building a positive mindset will be much more comfortable, surrounded by people who enjoy life and see the good in you and the things you are doing.

Mindset Today

What is your mindset today? Is it going to be the same old thing? Or are you looking for the opportunity that each day provides?  Every day gives us a new chance to write a chapter in the book of our lives the way we want.  A trip I want to take? A relationship I want to build? Whatever I want to accomplish can start right now today, and it will begin with my mindset. Do I believe that it is possible? Let’s start there.  If you think of a goal and immediately list all of the reasons it can’t happen, you need to change your mindset.

Changing your mindset is a simple process of changing your thoughts to focus and relevance. It isn’t easy to do because we are set in our ways, but anyone can do it.  It starts by looking honestly at your thoughts, words, and actions and seeing where you are, and moving them toward where you want to be in your daily consciousness.

“Once your mindset changes, everything on the outside will change along with it.” ― Steve Maraboli

“The mind is a powerful thing. It can take you through walls.” ― Denis Avey

 

21

The Unknown

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face the unknown
Be grateful for What is Currently Unknown.

All of us have a deep desire to know what will happen next.  Where are we going? What is the next step? What should I do now?

Sometimes it seems like it would be much easier if our lives were scripted in a book that we could read beforehand.  Follow the script, and you will eventually come to your happy ending, and everything will be alright for all situations.  That is just not the way that life works, and I, for one, am understanding of it and most grateful for it.  Face the new experiences of life and bravely embrace the unknown. You don’t have any other choice, and you have made your choices, which have put you where you are. Be responsible and own your situation, regardless of the fear and the unknown.

Don’t Fear What You Don’t Know.

I have found the unknown to be very undesirable on a few occasions. First, when things are going just wonderfully.  When you look around and think, “Wow, I overcome your fear of the unknownam so happy right now.”

This attitude is a problem because if I feel on top of the world, I have the built-in fear that there is no place to go but down.  Since that is the case, I tried not to get too happy for many years because it could be taken away.  I never realized that happiness is not extrinsic from myself; it is inside.  I have had experiences that were fun, happy, wonderful, and I never wanted them to end.  I also have experienced scary, uncomfortable, painful, and sad things.  In the past, I thought that my happiness couldn’t exist in the presence of something terrible.  I found that my joy depends not on what happens to me but on how I look at the world from the inside.  We are not in control of many things outside of ourselves, but we are in total control over how we handle them.

I know many people who have everything they should need in the world.  A healthy relationship, money, family, you name it.  Yet they choose to be unhappy, which I can’t understand.  I also know people who seem to have very little but are extremely happy.  It takes me to a quote I heard, warning you to be careful when you find something that makes you happy because it can be taken away from you.   Happiness comes from within you.  So if you accept whatever happens as the experience that it is, sad things make you feel sadness for a time, but your happiness is not at the whim of fate.  It appears or strays according to your own choices.

Let go of your fear of the unkownLet Go

People do all sorts of things to make it seem like they control life.  We create strict schedules for our days and manipulate people and events to control outcomes.  These things never seem to work out in the end as we would like.

Often, the things we do to control life shield us from new and exciting experiences, and when it comes to business manipulating others leads to a poor working environment. Letting go of the need to control everything and understanding that it is impossible to do anyway is a step in a positive direction. You are just one person in the world with your thoughts, insights, and needs. Let others have theirs. You can only control your reaction to events as they unfold.

Make your plans to the best of your ability and allow things to unfold. The people you are with may surprise you with much more than you ever thought possible. Or perhaps with much less than you would hope. But either way, there is a lesson in it for you.

Not Knowing Lets You Grow

Being grateful for the things you don’t know is intelligent because it allows you to experience something beyond your scope of reality.   Most people would never stretch themselves beyond what they already know if they didn’t have to.

It is very comfortable to sit in your life, where you seem to know everything you need to be safe and feel in control.  Yet, there is the world out there that may require you to stretch outside of that comfort zone to contribute what you are meant to give to its well-being.  The Unknown Provides this.  Once a new experience comes to you, you have to experience growth to deal with it regardless of its nature.  If you stop growing, you will be moving in the other direction.  Nobody stays the same.

I choose to accept the unknown of each day as a part of life that was sent to teach me what I need to know to grow.   So today, I am grateful for the things I don’t know and hope I dare to deal with them as the experience of life unfolds.

Don’t let fear run your life. Be the captain of your destiny. 

“The unknown always passes for the marvelous.” Anonymous

“Replace the fear of the unknown with curiosity.” Anonymous

“Sometimes, you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.” Anonymous

“Going into the unknown is how you expand what is known.” Julien Smith

“We do not fear the unknown. We fear what we project onto the unknown.” Teal Swan

“A hero is somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown.” Tom Hanks

“Awaken your mind to the unknown.” ATGW

 

21

Faith

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Please have a little faith it will all work out for good in the end.

It is easy to say you have faith in someone or something and quite a different thing actually to act on that faith.  The definition of faith is to have complete trust and confidence in someone or something.  Looking back on life, I know that a precious few people or things I have placed my faith in each day.  As life progresses, we are inundated with more and more experiences that hurt us and cause our trust to erode piece by piece.  But at the end of your life, you have to be willing to live in hope, or your life will be dominated by fear, and that will never lead to a happy and enjoyable experience.  We see things as undesirable, painful, and it is difficult not to take them personally. Things happen; we must file them away and deal with them.  It is our choice if we live a life of fear or continue to develop a life of faith.  All things will work out OK, we will be OK, and life knows what it is doing after all.  Sometimes having a little hope is all you have, and it can be the most valuable possession in the world.

Tough Times Come To Everyone

Difficult times and painful experiences are going to come into your life. That is a guarantee, and nobody in the world is exempt from them. We can all choose how we deal with them, but you, me, and all other people will face challenges.  Betrayal, lies, anger, loss are all a part of our experience.  I have often wondered why this is the case when things are so much more enjoyable when they are excellent and comfortable.  Why have we experienced a loss we couldn’t understand? Why put us through all of that?  Why give the good times if only to take them away immediately? It seems like God is just toying with us for no reason.  Unfortunately, the tough times provide suffering, and it is through this process, we can glean wisdom.

Imagine a life with no challenges.  There is nothing to push you to try something else, seek a deeper meaning, or search for understanding.  I don’t know a lot, but I know life is meant to be an experience of growth, or it is over. Faith in the ultimate ability to overcome your challenges, remember who you are, and bring that light to the world is the real challenge for you. Living in faith means to believe it will all work out in the end to the benefit of all, even if you can’t understand how right now. It is hard to see the edges, where it ends, and where the calm lies when you are inside the storm. All storms have an end; all tumult is followed by peace. Just as there will be challenges, there will be triumphs and good times.  Faith tells us this.

The Best Days

Having a little faith in the darkness that the dawn will eventually break is hard when you live in fear of what might happen next.  Living in fear causes people to harm others and themselves. When you live in doubt, you see all of the potential dangers of what might happen if things go wrong. It closes your eyes to the good, which might be right in front of you. Suppose you can put the fear aside and accept on faith that there is a lesson for you in the hard times.  One experience will propel you to greater heights in the future.

Have a little faith in the lesson you need to learn. If you look honestly at your challenges, growth results are an aspect. A plant grows when you add water, sunlight, and proper soil. So your mind becomes, and sometimes the fuel we need is unfavorable. Is it, though?  To be pushed can move you to a new level of activity and achievement. You may never have looked for answers to the questions resulting from your suffering.  Having gratitude for hard things is very difficult, but many of the most outstanding achievements in history occurred after a great tragedy.  Look at your account. How many accomplishments came after facing a challenge and taking the skills and motivation to move into a new stratosphere of accomplishment?

Faith is Real

The choice to hope that all things will work out in the end in the best manner possible is always the best.  We all have decisions to make, and as long as we are alive, there is hope and an opportunity to make a dream come into reality and achieve a goal. Suppose we can get out of the way of our fear of suffering.  This suffering is the very definition of courage, and it is through this act of faith; all of your goals will find their positive results.  One thing I know for sure, if you live in fear, live in doubt, treat others poorly, and carry no belief in yourself, nothing positive will result. These things are all a personal choice. What choice do you make today?  What lessons are you learning through the challenges you face? How has loss shaped you? Has it made you understand you have to have faith? Or has it made you fear more loss?

I urge you today to develop a sense of living in faith that all things will work out for good in the end if you let them.  Don’t live in the regrets of the past or in the anxiety of what might happen in the future. Live today with a bit of faith in yourself and the Universe that this cosmic play has much more good in it than it does evil, and seek to embrace it.

“Without faith, a man can do nothing; with it, all things are possible.” – Sir William Osler

“Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.” – D. Elton Trueblood

“Faith is unseen but felt, faith is strengthened when we feel we have none; faith is hope when all seems lost.” – Catherine Pulsifer

“Breathe, and have faith that everything will work out for the best.”

“Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep the faith. It will all be worth it in the end.”

21

Encourage

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“Encourage” – give support, confidence, or hope to (someone).

In the human experience, at some point, we all feel a lack of confidence or a bit hopeless about the way life is going. At these moments, encouragement from another can make all the difference in not only the direction one’s life takes but, more importantly, how someone feels about that direction. To encourage is the conscious thought I am writing today, to move at least one person to practice supporting another in thought, word, and action.

Encourage Those Struggling

In your life, there will be people in need of encouragement. It encouragedoesn’t have to be a grand gesture or a tricky thing. Just look for a place where you can make someone feel better about their situation and keep moving forward with a little bit of hope for the future. As human beings, we all can encourage someone when they are down, and many people do this naturally. Unfortunately, there is a sense of isolation in our society, which can be hard to break through. Be there. Make a call. Tell a joke—Cook a meal. Don’t Criticize or judge. Show someone how valuable they are to you. Recognize and point out a person’s value. If you don’t like the situation you are in, there are three choices, change it, leave it, or accept it.

Give support, courage, or hope to someone. 

Encourage The Next Level

Encouragement also can be vital for people who are close to achieving their dream but are not quite there yet. All someone needs is a person who sees Encouragethe value in the goal and a little positive push to keep it ongoing. Your encouragement can provide the persistence that leads to someone’s ultimate success. Too often, people knock a person’s goal because they don’t see its value. It tells someone to quit on a dream because it is unrealistic or a waste of time. Who are you to judge that?

Nothing new or game-changing will be created by staying inside the confines of a box and not taking any chances. Even if the current endeavor doesn’t work out for the person, you will gain valuable experience, and new efforts can come from that. Encourage people to be the best version of themselves, not the best version you can see. Provide support, hope, and courage to move forward and achieve whatever dream or goal they are currently pursuing. Your thoughts, words, and actions could be the difference in allowing someone to reach their greatness.

Pay Attention to Yourself

The person we often encourage least is ourselves. We allow negative messages to be ingrained in our subconscious, and they are always there to discourage us from being our best selves. The way we talk to, think about, and act toward ourselves is essential to the quality of life. Society and our personal experience created an expectation of where we fit. Listen to how you talk to yourself. If it is harmful and unsupportive, stop doing it.

It is the only life you are going to have, don’t waste it being negative about yourself. That doesn’t mean just hopelessly accepting things the way they are, but to understand that who you are is not your physical body, your job, or your relationships. These are things that can be changed, molded, and improved.

If you need to lose some weight or be healthier, make a plan and follow it. If you are not where you want to be financial, change your situation. Change is constant and inevitable, and you can decide many of the changes you experience in your life. Give yourself support in improving yourself to develop confidence in your abilities and build hope for a better future.

Think about how to encourage someone today in thought, word, and action.

“Everyone has inside them a piece of good news. The good news is you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is.” – Anne Frank.

“Everything you need to accomplish your goals is already in you.”

“Sometimes the best thing you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. Just breathe and have faith that everything will work out for the best.”

“Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing the best you can!”

 

21

Compassion

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Compassion- 

concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

In a fast-paced world, it is easy to develop tunnel vision and focus only on the things which affect you and your life. It is easy not to have the suffering of others enter into your consciousness.  There is simply no room for it.  But that does not mean the pain isn’t happening all around you. It also doesn’t stop you from helping alleviate that suffering in some small way.  The compassion you show is one small way to improve the world. It is always your choice if you do this or not, but today I challenge you to open your mind to having compassion for those around you and the suffering they are enduring.  It starts with a higher awareness of what is going on all around you. It all begins with a thought noticing pain, followed by an emotion, words that result, and actions because of that thought.  Amore compassionate world is the result.

Compassion for Strangers

Sometimes the most relaxed group of people to be compassionate toward are total strangers.  All we have to do is raise awareness of their situation and their emotional station at the moment. How often do you turn your mind away from this? Secretly tell yourself that it is not your problem.  But it is your problem.  We are all connected, and to let anyone suffer without at least a conscious thought is a significant problem in the world.  Our lives are a total of the choices we have made.  All options are on the table when we start this game. Some have better influences and resources than others, but who is to say what you might have done if you were in different circumstances.

I have heard it described as each person you meet is just another version of yourself.  That feels true to me. If I faced different circumstances, which is to say what choices I might have made?  You could be enduring the same suffering as people you see today.  Tomorrow it may be you who could use someone else’s compassion. Look at strangers as if they are just another version of yourself, and understanding is natural.  In that simple act of awareness, consciousness grows, and the world is a friendlier, kinder, and more hospitable place.

Compassion for Those You Know

All people have a circle of people that have influenced or been influenced by our lives. Like a rock landing in still water, the ripples emanating out from our source of us. These folks are the most open group to have compassion for because there are already feelings of fondness or caring for most. Or at least you know the person and a bit of their history.  Compassion should be second nature. It takes little to speak encouragement, sends a note, or give a hug in a moment. Yet most often, we move on and keep to ourselves.  Why? To avoid embarrassment?  Alleviate suffering when you can.

When you see someone you know in pain, do something for them. Anything so that you will not waste loving energy in the grand scheme of things.  What do we stand for in this human experience if we are not there for those we care about?  Focus on your circle of influence and be conscious of how you can let your compassion dictate behavior.  The action required is most often effortless. It could be as simple as a thought of well wishes and understanding. Caring and concern are the staples of compassion, and we all can give these things. Give them to those you know who need some compassion.

Compassion for Yourself

Nobody knows your flaws better than you. The times you are not operating up to your potential, we know.  The times we are not honest, we know. The selfishness we feel that no one else can see, we know.  Nobody is harder on us than we are. But this is the relationship that needs your compassion most. It doesn’t excuse any of the flaws mentioned before, but it shows an understanding and caring for others.  Learn to be conscious of your thoughts and actions and why you do these things. Understanding this will help you make different choices in the future. You can always change and improve yourself and become better.

It is uncomfortable for us to send love and compassion to ourselves and get away from the shame and blame that we usually send our way.  Notice behavior patterns in yourself that you want to change and understand why things are that way. Start to alleviate your suffering. Don’t spend your time assigning blame to yourself for past mistakes, and certainly don’t carry any shame for them.  Look at yourself at this moment with soft eyes and know you did the best you could.

Negative behaviors are a result of patterns created by our beliefs.  Shining a light on them will allow you to see them for what they are and will enable you to transform them into a pattern of behavior that is more positive. Learn to speak to yourself as you talk to your best friend. Honestly, and with compassion.

Compassion Rules the Day

Let your compassion rule your day.  Recognize thoughts, words, and actions from negative patterns and harm others or yourself.  Put yourself in the shoes of who you see and understand their suffering and perhaps a way that you can lessen their load.  Whatever you can do, please do it.  Be as kind and giving as your heart allows. The world will be a better place because of it. You can start it all by being more aware of the people’s suffering all around you.  That awareness will come as a thought, leading to emotions, words,  and actions. Let those actions contain the seeds of compassion and allow them to make the world a better place.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”- Maya Angelou.

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”- Dalai Lama.

“The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others.”- Albert Schweitzer.

 

21

My Awareness

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Awareness- knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.

We are all required to become more aware of everything in these incredible times. Awareness is vital to your consciousness. Your perception of people, information, and events will determine just how conscious you are. What we are aware of and aware of determines our core belief system.  Things exist all around us, and unless we pay attention to them and understand how they react to our lives, we are not in control.  Once we do develop an awareness of forces influencing us, we are then able to control our thoughts, emotions, words, and actions resulting from them.  A toxic relationship, a negative attitude, low vibration entertainment, limiting beliefs you carry from your past, or even negative self-talk are examples of places awareness can change your life positively.  It all starts with noticing your thoughts, words, and actions in your life.

 Awareness  Building

Our subconscious can take in a large quantity of information, and our conscious mind can only interpret a small portion of that at any one time.  Awareness is what we choose to understand.  Choosing to exit a negative relationship or to direct your thoughts toward something more positive is understanding awareness and using it to make your life a more positive experience.  Each realization we have, brought on by greater awareness, is a building block toward self-evolvement.  A higher level of wisdom and freedom is waiting for you to understand better all factors influencing your life.

To increase your awareness, there are active things you can do. First, practice compassion toward other people and yourself.  A general concern for the suffering in life and how you can alleviate it will raise your awareness.  Second, spend some time understanding and respecting different points of view. Rather than judge and dismiss them. You don’t have to agree but spend time understanding them. Awareness of the world and others grows, so does your consciousness.  Third, seek out moments for honest reflection and solitude.  Away from the noise of life, determine for yourself why you think and feel the way you do about things. Shine the light of awareness on your thoughts and honestly assess if they push you forward or hold you back.  Finally, spend time with people who will sell your attention ahead—supportive, understanding people who will enhance your appreciation of positive things.

With each new realization, your power to be a positive force in the world increases because your beliefs will change for the better, and once that happens, what can limit you?

Beliefs Are the Thing

The result of what we are aware of is our beliefs. Our ideas about life, other people, the world, in general, will dictate what we are capable of achieving and experiencing.  They result from our experiences, observations, or deliberately influenced, but they are not permanent and can be adjusted and changed as new information comes to us.  Awareness is that further information will allow you to either grow to your capability or shrink from it.

Deliberate indoctrination is the formation of beliefs we want to ourselves. When an organization or society forces a conclusion onto you, it lacks awareness and should be scrutinized and questioned.  Blindly the following anything is a loss of control.  If you are not going to use your mind, someone else will.  The question is, is this true? Moral? Ethical? Or even better, who benefits the most from me accepting this belief?  Answering these questions will build your awareness, and then you can decide for yourself whether a view honors you or not. Making more influential ideas that carry a positive message about your abilities, worth, and life will enhance your experience and accomplish more.

Finally, Be Yourself

The ultimate goal of life is to be your true self.  This honesty will happen when your awareness of what makes you feel happy and satisfied is a part of your life.  Look at the fundamental positive aspects of your nature. What has always made you feel joy?  Do that more.  What makes you happy? Do that more. What makes the world better? Do that more.  They will all fall from the tree that is you and who you are.  We are all born with a passion for life and have a gift to bring to the world. Life is spent remembering what that is and bringing it into the world.  Awareness is a tool to do this.  The things we are supposed to follow and create feel right to us. Follow them.   It all starts with being aware of your thoughts, words, and actions in each moment of the day.

Are you aware of how great you are?

“Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“The day you decide you are more interested in being aware of the thoughts than you are in the thoughts themselves, that is the day you find your way out.”~Micheal Singer

21

Time for Hope

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“And sometimes, against all the odds, against all logic, we still hope.”

The goals we set and the dreams we create about life are the fuel that gives us purpose and allows us to thrive. It is a common occurrence for people to get overwhelmed sometimes.  There are bills to pay, family obligations to keep, personal tragedies, and work bringing us down.  Sometimes the challenges we face seem like they are mountains too high to climb, and our goals and dreams fall to the back burner as the life of obligation takes over.

But hope still exists there buried in the back of your mind and can be pulled out to fuel your fire and try to move us in the direction of success you are dreaming of. Hope can exist in some pretty dark circumstances. It serves a great purpose to provide someone with the belief, no matter how down you are at this moment, things can turn around, and circumstances can present themselves in a way that allows you to find the dream you have in life and to achieve all of the goals you have set for yourself. It is a matter of time, attitude, and perseverance.

Develop a Keen Vision

The people who can hold on in life and make it through the tough times and still move toward their goals are the ones who develop a positive vision of the world. We all know that there will be dark times. Just as the sun comes up in the morning and ends the physical darkness in the world, a symbolic sun will rise in the darker times of your life.  Your job is to develop a vision that can see through the darkness and know the dawn of the solution is coming.

Each time a person decides to have faith and maintain hope in the goodness in the world and their life, the world becomes slightly better. We are all given opportunities in life to face our challenges. Some we handle easily, and others, of course, are much harder. But the hard lessons are the ones we take the most value from and the ones that shape the foundation of who we are. If you quit too soon and never give it all a go, you never get a chance to build a solid foundation. Your positive vision and hope allow you to grow into something better.

Just One More Try

So when the challenge comes to you in some way.  A job is too hard, you have a goal you only haven’t been able to reach, something you want isn’t working out for you, or a financial problem is rearing its ugly head. Whatever the challenge you face, hope will tell you to give it just one more try.

It doesn’t matter how many times life knocks you down. Life will knock you down from time to time. If you are knocked down eight times, get up after each one and press on. If you are after something you want, a few more moments of effort are worth it. Mentally, it is the man that refuses to be beaten that wins. Talent is great, but hope in a better outcome combined with the tenacity of action will push you over the top and allow you to achieve most goals. Just one more try is all it will take.

Never Forget The Light

It is up to you to never forget your dreams and know that change is inevitable and constant even though circumstances don’t seem favorable right now. It may move slowly, but it moves, and you will have an opportunity to grow and achieve what you desire. It is up to you to take advantage of this opportunity to become what you wish. Or you can choose to give up and never follow your desire.

Keep your hope alive in accomplishing whatever it is that you have always dreamed of having. Every new day comes with the possibility of greatness, and anything can happen on any day. The key ingredient to power these dreams and goals is hope. Be ready to accept all the good that can come your way.  And hope is always there. Find your faith and allow it to work its magic in your life today.

I still maintain hope in many things a less stubborn person would have given up on a long time ago. I have confidence the sun will rise tomorrow and reveal a day I am longing for in my life. I aspire to things that could come as soon as tomorrow. I wake with a heart of hope and a mind filled with possibility. What better way could there be to live?

 “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”- Desmond Tutu

“There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope. ” Bernard Williams

“Stay positive and happy. Work hard and don’t give up hope. Be open to criticism and keep learning. Surround yourself with happy, warm, and genuine people.”   Tena Desae

 

Life

Gifts

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What if you approached each situation in life as a gift. Either it brings joy or learning.

Gift – a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present.

Today’s word is Gift, and it is natural to think of the material things others have freely given us in our lives.  But the Gift I would like to raise awareness of and bring into your consciousness is the greatest gift we are given at birth, and that is this life.  We can live free and create our lives into anything we choose to make it.  The choice is to think with a small mind, worry about what others think, fall into line, and never reach for what you want.

Or you can evaluate what you want and need and take the chance to pursue it—ignoring the call to be content with the existence of comfort and pure entertainment.   Bring into your consciousness the Gift that life is and the ability to make it whatever you want it to be. This Gift comes into focus with your thoughts, words, and actions today.

Life is a Limited Showing

One of the things that makes this life most valuable is the inevitable ending we are all headed for eventually.  From our birth and the giving of this Gift to our inevitable death, the book we choose to write is not totally within our control, but our reactions and actions are.  It is the limit of time that adds value to our choices.  There are talent and desire within us all to create the best version of ourselves.  But it isn’t easy because we have to choose to pursue our better selves.  As the sands in our hourglass slowly move from the top half of unlimited possibility into the bottom receptacle of fate and finality. Yet many people live with blinders on, ignoring their mortality and the urgency in life.

We are inundated with small mind programming from birth, and it serves as an obstacle to becoming the best version of ourselves. We get trapped in fear. Fear of being hurt or the fear of being thought foolish, or the fear of failure, or the fear of criticism of all kinds. The Gift we were given goes down the path of passive living, looking for momentary experiences that serve to distract us from the potential we were given, and it slowly slips away.  What have you done today to develop your Gift? Do you even know it is there anymore?  We only have a small opportunity to sing our song or dance our dance.  Please don’t waste it wallowing in the safety and doldrums of mediocrity.

Navigation

To do this, you have to become good at moving through the minefields of life.  We have to endure the negativity of others and still look at the Gift of potential that we were given and value it with all that we have.  The injuries we suffer through loss and disappointment cause us to shy away from taking chances, from showing our true selves to others.  It is a dangerous proposition because you could and probably will be rejected by some. They are seeking to limit you because if you create and succeed with your Gift, it shows that they could be great too if only they had the guts to try. That realization causes people to knock everyone else down.

Ignore this type of behavior and see how far you can rise.  We are in control of how much we respond to the negative. Watch your thoughts, words, and actions. Are you wasting time on gossip? Are you talking negatively about others? Are you satisfied being what others want you to be?  Are you pursuing and using your Gift?  We all have to find our path through the difficulties fate puts in our way. These situations are as good or bad as we choose to see them. Every case is an opportunity for growth leading you closer to using your Gift of potential.

Simple but Difficult

So how do we get to the point we are using our Gift? It is simple and, of course, challenging. All lessons worth learning seems to be that way.  It starts with a focus on the present moment. That is all we are guaranteed. Life can end at any second. Focusing on the past is a gone trap and isn’t coming back. Even gentle, sweet memories are a trap.  Focusing on the future is a trap. Plan for the future, but the focus needs to be now. The only thing we are sure to have.

This focus needs to be on the thoughts we choose to entertain. Are they helpful? Do they build you up? Are they negative or positive? Positive reviews move you forward; negative thoughts move you back.  Appreciate what you have in a day and look for those good things. They are there every second. People who guide and help you. Experiences that teach you lessons. Your ability to help others and be kind or give to someone. All of this is in you and enhances your existence. Nobody can say any different because that would be a lie.

If your thoughts are focused on the moment when your words and actions will follow and do positive things, if you can’t do any good for others, at least don’t take anything away from them. Allow others to develop their Gift of potential.  If you see someone pursuing their dream, respect it. Even if you don’t understand it, appreciate it. Their journey is for them, and yours is for you. Be conscious today of all the people you see who are pursuing their gifts and be supportive of them.

Choosing to endure the slings and arrows of life and still strive to become your best or choosing to hide in fear is the real adventure of life. We are all making the same choices. Everybody.  Understanding this will allow you to be more tolerant of others, but most importantly, if you have the courage, your Gift of potential will be on its way to being fulfilled.    It all starts with a definite focus on your thoughts, words, and actions today.

What would your life look like if you focused on developing your gifts? 

“The purpose in life is to find your gift, and the meaning of life is giving it away.”

“Everyone has unique gifts and talents. What you love is what you’re gifted at. To be completely happy, to live a completely fulfilled life, you have to do what you love.” – Barbara Sher

“I believe God has put gifts and talents and ability on the inside of every one of us. When you develop that, and you believe in yourself, and you believe you’re a person of influence and a person of purpose, I believe you can rise out of any situation.” -Joel Osteen

“Anyone who develops their true talents and gifts will become a valuable commodity in the world.”

 

21

Be A Hero

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Hero- a person admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

We need more heroes in the world today to help save the day. Since that is the case, I think we should look around and see the hero that can exist inside each of us.  Being a hero doesn’t mean you need to have special powers; it merely means that you need to look inside yourself and find the courage to do what you know is right.  Please step away from the fear that lives in us all and take actions today that are heroic.  The hero inside you will arise when you begin to develop a consciousness of how your actions affect the lives of others. Usually, this involves overcoming your fears of failure, success, or what others think of you.  It all begins with paying attention to your thoughts at the moment, understanding the emotions they bring, managing your words expressing this to others, and taking manageable actions with a purpose. That will make you a hero.

There are times in life where we all need saving. We need someone to tell us that it will all be alright. Even if we can’t seem to find the way, you can be that person to someone else with a little bit of open-mindedness and understanding. Look at what others are saying and doing, and see where you can help and be that hero for someone.

The Hero is Authentic

Why would you want to be anyone else when you look at it? You are a unique, one-of-a-kind gift.  Only you can give the world your tips, and they are great and powerful. Yet, we hide behind the perceived expectations of society or someone else, limiting our actions and accomplishments.  Be yourself, and your natural talent and the joy it brings will shine through.

All heroes are authentic.  When you are yourself, you will find out what your power is. No longer will you rely on others for your happiness. There is joy in being who you are.  You will also find that people of a similar belief system will come into your life.  It will also allow you to be more accepting of others. There is no need to change anyone’s behavior because you know who you are and what you value.  The hero is authentic and acts that way.

The Hero is Brave

There are always situations that challenge us in life. Some are from outside influences, and others, more daunting, are inside us.  The hero faces all challenges and shrinks from none.  When they see a change is needed, they devise a strategy and action.  Sometimes the bravest thing we do is take action when we want to hide.  Even if we have failed to take action a thousand times before, the heroic option is still there for us.

Now. This moment.  This time is all that counts.  To be our true heroic selves in trying to accomplish the things we want, help others, or make the world a better place.  Being brave is often the most courageous thing a person can do and one of the most powerful for their self-development, primarily when they can act positively despite their doubt and fear.  Be brave and be a hero today by taking action you know is right.

A Hero Lifts Others Up

Making the welfare of another a priority for you is what heroes do. This attitude means that you are not judgmental when you look at others. You accept who someone is and know what you can do to assist them on their journey. You don’t have to jump into burning buildings or do anything physically dangerous.  Lifting another up begins with accepting their humanity. There goes a different version of you.

With different experiences and choices, you could be living in the exact situation as anyone else on the face of the Earth. Helping the hero in others rise to the top is one of the valuable jobs a person performs in life.  Give others a chance to grow by providing them with your respect, understanding, trust, faith,  and love.  Not everyone will be at the same stage or knowledge of life as you.  In fact, the more you learn about the experience, the more you know you will never understand it all. That makes the steps you take to lift others even more heroic.  Be someone’s hero today!

Wear a Cape

All heroes wear capes. They are not very functional, but they look good in the costume.  In life, you should always wear an invisible cloak that carries with it a reminder of what you stand for. Others will ridicule, belittle, and criticize, and people do this to build themselves up and make themselves feel important.  Your cape protects you from the slings and arrows of small minds.  But more importantly, it reminds you of who you are.

Each of us has a hero inside that is willing to do the right thing. Be ready to help others. They are eager to be decisive, engaging, humble, kind, caring, considerate, knowledgeable, and trustworthy.  Your cape reminds you of these things.  You are capable of being a hero today, and you should look for opportunities where you can put your powers into action. Your actions could save someone just by reminding them of their humanity. Be a hero today; the world is depending on you. 

“Challenges don’t make heroes.  When the situations arise,  so does the hero inside us all. “

“A hero is someone who, despite weakness, doubt, or not always knowing the answers, goes ahead and overcomes anyway.” ~ Christopher Reeve