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

 

21

Character

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My goal is to establish a positive focus every morning by focusing on a positive word or phrase. There are enough negative influences in the world, and I believe that through a conscious focus of thought, we can improve our emotions, words, and actions and make the world a better place one thought, feeling, word, and move at a time.   What is Your character today?  

Character Is

The mental and moral qualities an individual possesses determine the contents of nature.  This benefit is not something you are born with; it is a force you manage throughout your life. Character is a series of daily choices you make in where you spend your attention, your time, and, most importantly, how you choose to deal with other people.

Your character is ever-evolving and can be redefined many times throughout your life.  Today, at this moment, is the only chance you have to reveal what you are made of, and that makes all of your decisions valuable to what you are and the energy you produce each day. Character is what you do when you think nobody is looking.  Remember, you are always looking. You can’t fool yourself.  Consciously develop the style you want to represent you.

The Shifting Sands of Character

When you are born, you do not have any character. As you grow in life, you make choices in how you deal with others and what you accept for yourself, which will define you to the world.  It is important to remember that if you behave selfishly or negatively towards others, that defines your character and is who you are.  Focus on the things you do in each moment, the decisions you make, the actions you take, and the thoughts you are focusing on in your life.  Do they honor you? At the end of your life, when you look back at this moment, is it going to be one that you are proud of representing you?

If it isn’t, then you have a chance to change your outlook by making more positive choices.  Each moment contains a decision: to be happy or sad, kind or mean, loving or fearful, the sum of your options will define your character.  Once you understand you can develop that character, you have no excuse not to become a better person.  Two simple things are involved:  honesty about who you are and a willingness to grow and improve. Only your self-imposed limitations can stop you from progressing.

Set Goals, Be Better

When you look at yourself and your thoughts and behaviors, honestly, there will be two categories: Things you are doing well and things you want to improve.  Look at your choices, which enhance and display the character you wish to possess.  Enjoy them and feel good about who you are! Then look at where improvement is needed.  Set some goals to become better, and then take action by implementing them in your life.  If you feel you need to be kinder to people, then make that a conscious focus of your day.  When you see a deficit in generosity, then look for ways to be more generous with the positive things in your life.   Don’t deceive yourself; your character results from the daily conscious or subconscious choices you make daily. Only you decide this.

Why Character is Important

Developing your character matters because it will define who you are and how you contribute to the world.  All people are complicated, and we possess both the capability for great good and great evil.  The conscious choices we make determine the path we walk down.   Your preferences for the character will decide who you are in this life.   Are you a positive force for good, or do you choose to be a negative force for evil? That is why our character has value. It determines the choices we have made in the world and how we decide to work with life.

It is a constant battle inside every person to maintain the positive qualities of honesty over deceit, kindness over meanness, giving over selfishness, confidence over doubt, or love over fear.  Your value to the world and its collective experience is defined and determined by your character’s choices. Developing a better character is going to make the world collectively more positive.

Challenge today

The simple challenge today is to examine your choices right now with clarity and honesty.  Where are they leading you?  Define the areas you are doing well and feel positive about it.  Define the improvement that is needed and create goals to become better.  The character you define is your own, and you are solely responsible for the kind of person you will be today and in this life.

Quotes on Character

“Most people say that it’s the intellect which makes a great scientist, and they are wrong: it is character.” – Albert Einstein.

“Character is the result of two things: Mental attitude and the way we spend our time.”  – Elbert Hubbard

“Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character” – Albert Einstein

“Character is what you know you are, not what others think you have” –Unknown

 

 

21

Destiny

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Destiny- the hidden power believed to control what will happen in the future; fate.

DestinyThere are always going to be questioned in people’s minds. Why is this happening? Why did that occur? Why this experience? Are there forces at work in our lives that we have little control over?  Do we have a destiny, or is life all about free will?  Or both?  Questions are the tools of all thinking people searching for answers. They guide our minds toward solutions and actions.  Whether you believe every person has a destiny or not is irrelevant to me because we all have a destination. Whether you are fated to get there or not is a matter of semantics because you will get there.  Your life will be full of challenges, changes, and choices you will have to make. Each one is propelling you toward other challenges, transitions, and options. This cycle will continue in a loop until the end of your time.

Each of these decisions you make and experiences you have to change you, your outlook, and the skills others have with you.  So do you control these choices, or does it come from the Universe?  Just contemplating this situation will increase your consciousness. It all starts with you taking a moment and looking at your thoughts, words, and actions today as you determine the extent of your experiences.

 Choices of Destiny

Why does one person become a wild success and another a failure? I think it has very little to do with what is destined to happen and more to do with our reaction to situations and the choices we make.  To believe that only one destiny is available would seem to take away the joy of growth and learning.  Who is to say that there are not two or three or a million different destinies available to us and how we react to the challenges we face determines where we land.  Each day we are faced with the simple choice to accept where we are or to do something different.  To be a positive force in the world we live in or harmful.

You will be responsible for the place you are in right now. Situations are out of our control. How we react to them is our choice always, and the definition of your life is the result.  Losing a job, ending a relationship, a natural disaster, or the sudden death of a loved one are all examples of things happening out of your control.  How you have reacted to these things defines your life today.  Good, bad, or indifferent.  It wasn’t the events that created this destiny, it was your choices and resulting beliefs developed because of them.  You are free to choose something else at any time.

Create Your Destiny

What is it that you want in life? Would you like a more fulfilling relationship? To have more money? To have an exciting career? What is it that interests you?  Knowing that will help guide your choices when facing the challenges life will inevitably present you. Many people have no clear desire or destination in life, so their reactions to challenges are emotional and inconsistent.  In the words of Lewis Carroll, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”

Your destiny can be the result of a series of conscious choices, or it can be the result of your unconscious meandering.  Having a clear idea of what you would like to have in your life will allow you to take the right road and take responsibility for those choices. Don’t hide behind the false wall of pity. No hero’s story was ever built with the boards of self-pity and fear.  Be brave, be responsible for your choices, and know where you would like to go. Picture your desired destination and take actions that most likely move you in that direction. That is your true destiny.

Be a Hammer, Not a Nail

I was once taught there are two choices in life, and at different times we are the experiencers of both: Be a hammer or a nail.  That means you are either the provider of forces influencing the events around you. Or you are the instrument being influenced by the power of situations, other people, or whatever else you allow to control you.  You have the choice in most cases where you fall into this relationship.

Sometimes, we will be the nail no matter what we do.  Accept the situation, be responsible for your part, and look for ways to influence the direction of things from that point. You will face challenges in life, and they are opportunities for growth, accomplishment, and finding your destiny.  Accept the challenge with courage and character, and you will find the lesson in the problem more quickly.

It all starts with a more engaged consciousness, a thought, and focused action. Look at your thoughts, and they determine the words you speak and result in your efforts.  It is your destiny; take control of it today.

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.”

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.”

“Love is our true destiny. I can control my destiny, but not my fate. Destiny is no matter of chance.”

 

21

Detach

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We all have desires and things we want in our lives. But if you focus too much on that one thing, life can slip away from you. It is always healthy to maintain some detachment to the idea you desire.  The biggest problem with having something good is that it comes with a similar fear of losing that thing. The protection from this fear is a measure of detachment or the state of being objective. This objectivity is a difficult skill because when you have a desire, it is difficult to maintain any objectivity and the corresponding emotions, leading to a negative, fear-driven mindset.  Detachment allows you to keep positive energy as you achieve your goals.

Law of Detachment- Letting go of your desire or releasing. 

Detachment from Your Expectations

In life, there are events we look forward to experiencing.  Any milestone or accomplishment brings anticipation, and naturally, expectations will arise in your mind.  This is the place where detachment needs to come into play. When you start to place expectations on the result of something, it is in danger of not being successful.  Once hope comes to you, the mind creates negative worry scenarios about how it might not happen the way you wish. This negative energy will make success and enjoyment difficult.

One of the greatest lessons of playing organized sports is learning to let the result be and take joy and care in doing what you need to do to reach your accomplishments.  This pleasure is accomplished by detaching yourself from the outcome and attaching yourself to doing what you are responsible for in getting there. The results will be what they are, and they will provide something exceptional.  A goal will be achieved, or there will be an opportunity to reassess and try again.  If you don’t practice detachment, one setback can destroy your enthusiasm and confidence.  The results do not define your value, and your actions on the way determine your worth.

Detachment and Charged Thoughts

Think for a moment about something you want to happen in your life.  It could be a new job, a relationship, or anything else.  You will have an initial charge of positivity followed by a litany of worry and fear.  This parade of negative thoughts can derail your efforts before they even get off the ground. It is beneficial for you to maintain a positive perspective, even if others in your life don’t—positive thoughts inside lead to positive results on the outside.

It is up to you to detach from the natural thought to dream up the worst-case scenario of whatever you are involved in in your life.  This detachment is a way of bracing yourself for all outcomes, and anything result will most likely not be a disappointment.  But disappointment can only come from expectations unfulfilled. Don’t create negative images in your mind; negative thoughts inside lead to negative results. Think differently than you have and maintain your individuality of view from those around you.

Letting Go and Letting things Happen

Letting things go is very hard for people to do. It is human nature to attempt to control things from the beginning to the end. But life will teach you that it just isn’t possible or healthy to do.  When you give up your need to control events or other people, you will only be responsible for yourself and what you do.  Too often, we are spending so much effort to attempt to control events in our lives and other people in our lives that we lose focus on the fact, all we manage is ourselves.

Allow things to happen as they should.  We all want great things to happen in our lives, relationships, money, or whatever we desire. But you can’t force things to happen.  All items come with steps of experience that bring them into reality. Building a business or a relationship all come with growing events along the way.  Enjoy these events, learn from them, and allow them to grow into what they bring to your life in growth and understanding.  Many a bad relationship was created by forcing it to perform as expected.  Let go and let things develop as they should.

Detach and Let Things Flow

Control is and always will be an illusion to humankind.  We have little control over the grand scheme of life, and we can only control how we react to events and people. That is it.  We build attachments to things in our minds and find it hard not to build up imaginary scenarios of what it will feel like and how life will change as we accomplish something.  It is better to know what you want and be willing to flow in whatever direction works best. Often the best route to our goals moves in a guide we would never have envisioned.  Take that route.

The other form of control that people often rely on is the control of other people. Usually, loved ones that we want to protect from hard times or difficulties.  However, this is an illusion too. All people have free will to choose what they want. Any control that you experience with another comes only from their consent. If you think you are in charge, you will be in for an awakening.  Detach from that and allow people to follow their path, learn their lessons, and become the best they can be.

In the end, failure to practice detachment from your ego and its limited beliefs grows out of a fear of change and how it might adversely affect you.  Let the fear go and allow for things to happen as they will. This isn’t easy to do, but letting go of your conditioning from the past will enable you to accept unlimited answers and experiences.

“Detachment is not that you should own nothing. But that nothing should own you.” -Ali ibn abi Talib

“He who would be serene and pure needs but one thing, detachment.” -Meister Eckhart

“The root of suffering is attachment.“- Buddha

“Detachment doesn’t mean I’m trying less hard. It just means that fears and emotions that used to torment and paralyze me longer have the same power over me.” -Kelly Cutrone

 

21

Be Still

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Positive Thought Project

Stillness –  the absence of movement or sound.

As a young person, stillness didn’t factor in my life.  I often got impatient with what life was bringing. Hurry up! Let’s get to the next stage already. I couldn’t wait to have new experiences and see new things. Being impatient is one of the shortfalls of youth.  There are patterns in life, and each has its purpose; as a young person, I didn’t comprehend or appreciate the value each stage brings.  Life presents us

Quiet moments at dawn or dusk can provide more answers than many other experiences.
Quiet moments at dawn or dusk can provide more answers than many other experiences.

With many challenging circumstances, thrills, accomplishments, and disappointments.  It is essential to find moments of mindful introspection, a relaxing lull in life with all the excitement.  Taking advantage of the down moments begins with paying attention to our thoughts, words, and actions.  Every day we have a chance to enjoy the stillness around us and grow from the simple act of introspection.  Contemplating how far we have come, where we are at right now, and the destination we would like to reach in the future.

Quiet Time

A quiet period is a time life gives you a space to look around and take a breath or two.

Quiet periods come in life to give you the space to look around, take a breath or two, and see how you are doing. Often there is a lull period after any big moment, positive or negative,  where a person needs a chance to gather themselves before moving toward the next goal, adventure, challenge, or life experience.

Unfortunately, in our society, downtime is not appreciated or valued.  It is looked upon as wasted time or an unwanted time of emptiness. A time that you could spend doing something. We work to fill all of our moments with mindless entertainment. Games, TV, movies, or just music in the background all engage our minds and stop us from thinking about anything of substance. What are we afraid of after all?

Wisdom in Silence

We are afraid of the silence because if we think about our lives, we might see the places we are falling short.  There is a wisdom in that silence we might catch if we find a quiet moment.  Your thoughts may lead to a change in behavior and a greater appreciation for the people and things already in life. So often, we are always looking for that job or that relationship that will make us happy. We never realize that we are capable of being happy right now.  That is the gold one can find in the stillness.

Reflection

Reflection is am important part of learning. Take the time to reflect on what you experience.
Reflection is am an essential part of learning. Take the time to reflect on what you experience.

Reflection is one of the most valuable things that I have taken from the lull periods of my life.  Whenever there is an ending of any kind, there will be a calm period. Sunshine after rain, tranquility after turmoil, seems to be the gift of life. It may be only for a moment, or it may be longer, but the time should be used to evaluate and appreciate the situation you have just experienced, who you are, and the value it has brought to life. Then let it go, taking the lessons with you, into the gift of the stillness and out into the world beyond the learning.

Processing traumatic, emotional events is not always easy. The value of experience can’t be seen through pain, fear, and doubt.  The dots can only be connected, looking backward.  We choose to embrace things or ignore them, but they are still there. It is in the stillness that we can choose our path.  We need to learn specific life lessons before moving on to something else, more complex or advanced. The silence allows us to evaluate a situation you have just gone through and the feelings that have arisen in you, and how it has affected your mind and heart.  That is the gift that stillness can give you a moment to understand, learn, evaluate, process, and hopefully move forward with a complete toolbox.

Questions Lead to Answers

Reflection is a time that I have learned to cherish. To look at even bad situations which are not enjoyable to find that lesson. It has always been there, and if you don’t learn it now, it will present itself again, later.  Before long, you will be on to the next adventure of life, and there won’t be time to look back appropriately and to find the answers.  When the calming times present themselves to you, take advantage and look for the meaning of the experience, ask the questions; What did I learn? How Was this valuable? What am I not seeing yet? Seek the motive in the situation, understand the movement of life around you, learn what you need to know to be the best version of yourself.

There is a lesson to learn about the relationship, the job, the trip, the climb, the project, the graduation, the birth, the death …………  In a moment of quiet, there are the answers you are seeking. They are waiting in the ripples of a lake or underneath the rocks of a river, or in the quiet of a moment. Take that moment and look for them. They provide beauty to all of life that most people miss because they are too busy avoiding thought to look inside the stillness and understand the message that is living there specifically for you to hear.

Life is full of patterns, of “highs” and “lows” that are only different moments of mental intensity that allow for learning or understanding.  Many live their entire lives with questions and never take the time to seek answers. Experience makes a deal with us that there is always a reason behind it all.  The stillness provides time for reflection and contemplation; we can find solutions if we recognize the lull’s value and appreciate the silence and the answers it gives. It all starts with how you look at your thoughts, words, and actions. Be still today, know what you have experienced, see where you are, and plan for going.

“Look at a tree, a flower, a plant. Let your awareness rest upon it. How still they are, how deeply rooted in Being. Allow nature to teach you stillness.” Eckhart Tolle

“Nothing in all creation is so like God as stillness.”~Meister Eckhart

Personal Growth, Self Improvement, Positive Thinking