DON'T STOP PURSUING | Les Brown

YOUR JOURNEY | Les Brown

How to Break Through Regrets in Life

Regrets are all too common. Doesn't it seem like they are just a part of life? Like we will always look back on our lives and regret how we lived it, and if we live a life without regrets we're somehow cheating the system?

I was reading an article on Business Insider on the most common regrets in life and I have to say, that was depressing. I had the feeling that the people who weighed in couldn't get past all of the things they had done wrong and there seemed to be a lack of appreciation for their lives.

It's one thing to say, "I wish I had traveled years ago, but I'm so glad I started when I did." But it's completely another to talk about what we missed out on by not traveling sooner or how traveling would have provided something we think we're missing.

There is a simple fact here and one I try to remember whenever I'm looking back on the past: we can't go back and change the past.

Isn't it silly to allow ourselves to miss out on life while we regret the past? If we're not careful, it can become a never-ending cycle. We keep looking back on our past, regretting the chances we didn't take or the mistakes we made all while doing the same thing in our current lives. When do we start living for today (or our future) and not our past?

The thing is, the way we lived our past created who we are today. That isn't something to take lightly. Our experiences give us an opportunity to learn and grow. Don't miss out on that opportunity by living with regrets. It's okay to say you wished you had done something differently, but work on replacing that with a blessing. What is the positive thing that can come from it? I know it's there somewhere, you just have to look for it.

A lot of people say, "I didn't have a choice." But that's not true. Whether we like it or not, we do have a choice. We don't have to stick with a job that doesn't pay. We don't have to stick with a job we can't stand. We don't have to stick with a job that doesn't give us the kind of lifestyle we want. If the job keeps us away from our family for months at a time and we don't like it, unless we signed a binding contract, we can quit today. If the job doesn't pay well enough for our family's needs, we can start searching for a new job today.

We can choose which things we keep as priorities. If we want to save money, we can choose to cancel cable TV or Netflix. We can choose not to buy that expensive vehicle on the sales lot. We can choose to buy a house that is well below our means rather than overextending ourselves financially. We can choose to relocate if the real estate market in our area has grown beyond a reasonable level. We don't have to rent an apartment for $1,500 a month. We have the choice to move to a less expensive area or state. We always have a choice.

Sadly, it's too easy to believe the lies that we are stuck where we are. Sometimes we need to stay where we are so we can learn the lessons that God has planned for us, but when we focus on those lessons and actually learn from them, He opens new doors. When we learn, we have a chance to grow.

What effect do regrets have on our future? What damage does it do to our beliefs?

Having regrets makes it hard to embrace the life we have right now. It keeps us dwelling on what could have been. If only I had stayed at that job. If only I had bought that house. If only I had avoided that mistake. If only I had said the right thing. If only I had gone after that degree.

Focusing on the shoulda, coulda, wouldas keeps us from enjoying all of the great things that are happening in our lives right now. It keeps us frustrated, irritated, or uninspired. But when we take responsibility for our actions and appreciate the things that we do have, we allow ourselves to experience joy and peace.

How much we enjoy life depends greatly on how we view it and how we see our level of responsibility. It is up to us, and we always have a choice. The choice may not be easy or what we expect, and it may require us to have a strategy (or faith!) and stick with our current situation until the time is right, but we do have a choice. Don't live a life full of regrets. Let go of the past and live for today.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Break-Through-Regrets-in-Life&id=9410375

Peanuts, Pretzels, or Cookies: Overcoming the Fear of Asking for What You Want (By Rudy R Racine)

"You Miss 100% of the Shots You Don't Take... " ~Wayne Gretzky

It all started while on my way to Portland, Maine for work. I had been running late for my flight and ended up skipping lunch to make it in time. While in the air, I sat in my seat watching as the flight attendant made her way down the aisle offering snacks and beverages to passengers. I was starving, yet when she reached me I felt a pang of guilt rush over me as I asked for more than one snack. I asked her for one bag of peanuts AND a packet of cookies. With a smile she obliged and the guilt eventually went away as I enjoyed my snacks. It was at that moment that it hit me... In all my years of traveling with Delta, and all my years feeling 'greedy' and 'guilty' for requesting two snacks, the flight attendants never said 'no' to me. Where was the guilt coming from? More importantly, was my guilt causing me to miss out on more?

As simple as it may seem, that realization led to a major breakthrough for me. When faced with an opportunity to ask for what I want, I hesitate...

For the rest of my flight, I couldn't stop thinking about my tendency to hesitate. So many questions ran through my mind. Where else did that hesitation exist in my life? What else was I afraid to ask for? Which areas of my life were being affected by those feelings?

I got to the office the next day and decided to share the snack story with my colleagues. I asked them all the following question: "When on a flight, how do you typically respond when asked if you want 'Peanuts, Pretzels, or Cookies'?"

The discussion that followed was eye opening for me. I was amazed to hear stories of my coworkers asking for '1 of each', or '2 peanuts and 2 cookies', or asking for the entire can of soda instead of just a cup.. AMAZING!! All this time I was feeling guilty about asking for two snacks, when in reality some of my coworkers were getting much more when flying! I realized at that moment that I'd grown comfortable with simply accepting what was given to me, rather than defining what I wanted and asking for it. The conversation with my coworkers inspired the creation of the "Biscoff Challenge". (We all share a love for the Biscoff cookies offered on Delta flights)

The challenge we created was simple: step outside of your comfort zone and ask for more than you normally do. To add an extra layer to the challenge, we set one rule. When attempting the Biscoff Challenge, no one is to know the "why" behind your request; not before, not during, not after. In other words, don't explain the challenge before asking for 'more', and don't try to justify the reason for your request to the person you're making the request of. The purpose of the rule is to ensure that the focus stays on you, and not the people around you. After the conversation with my colleagues, I knew what I had to do. My mission on the next flight was to ask for 3 packs of Biscoff cookies.

So why the challenge?

Too often, many of us sacrifice our own satisfaction for the sake of how we might be perceived, or to avoid making the people around us feel uncomfortable. It's possible that we mirror our own personal judgments and reflect them back on ourselves. In my case, I didn't want to be perceived as greedy; asking for more than 2 snacks triggered something inside of me that resulted in those feelings of greed & guilt. This challenge was meant to help me gain more power over those feelings in an effort to choose my ideal response; I encourage you to give it a try for the same reason. Being unselfish is a characteristic that I love about myself, but I also think it's important to feel comfortable choosing "me" first sometimes. Before we can expect others to make us a priority, we must be comfortable making ourselves the priority without hesitation. That's the most important lesson in all of this.

So was I able to complete the challenge?

Short answer... YES! This week I successfully completed the Biscoff Challenge! I sat in Row 2 (not First Class) on a small jet heading back to NYC and I waited for the question: "Peanuts, Pretzels, or Cookies?" The minute I saw the flight attendant setting up her cart, the feeling immediately kicked in: guilt. I thought to myself, "I'm in the front of the plane... What about the other passengers? What if they're short on cookies, and asking for 3 packs means someone in the back won't get any?" It's amazing how something so small could stir up such strong emotions. I quickly got it together and shifted my thoughts to remind myself that this moment was about me, and me alone. I made sacrifices for others on numerous occasions throughout my life, this was my time to collect my reward: a third pack of Biscoff cookies. When the flight attendant arrived and asked the infamous question, I looked her in the eyes, and with a confident smile I responded "can I have three packs of cookies please?" Her eyes seemed to pop out at my request, and I felt the passenger next to me look at me in shock out of the corner of his eyes. It felt like an eternity, but I kept the smile on my face and did my best to ignore their perceived responses long enough to hear the answer I was looking for. She responded, "Sure!" I exhaled and appreciated the moment. Such a simple achievement, but an achievement nonetheless.. And it's just the beginning!

Where are you experiencing similar hesitation? Do you truly know what you want out of life? In your career? In your relationships? How comfortable are you with asking for what you want without hesitation? I challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone and just ask. You never know... You just might get it!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Peanuts,-Pretzels,-or-Cookies:-Overcoming-the-Fear-of-Asking-for-What-You-Want&id=9814773

How Do You Turn a Breakdown to a Breakthrough?

We all have highs and lows in our life. It is with the low times that we most struggle and sometimes do not have the strength to go on. The trick is to turn every breakdown you face to a breakthrough. How do you do that? Read on to find out.

Here are a few tips that you could implement in life for a breakthrough in your problems:

1) Always focus on the positive

Almost every breakdown has an upside. Try to find it and focus on it. Focusing on positivity will reduce the size of your problem. Also look for the gifts the disadvantageous situation has to offer. More often than not, this way you will eventually overcome the breakdown.

2) Bear with the breakdown

Stay with your uncomfortable situation. Time heals everything. And things do not always stay the same. Time brings change and shifts to better things.

3) Share your woes

Ventilating out your woes with someone you trust deeply makes you lighter and eases your mind, putting you in a situation to handle your problems bravely and skillfully so that you finally get a breakthrough.

4) Journal your worries

If you don't like sharing your worries with anyone, journal them constantly in a journal book and keep it handy all the time and note down everything that comes to your mind including your anxieties. In the process, who knows, you may hit on something solid, leading you to a breakthrough.

5) Believe in the power of prayers

Saying your prayers and reciting the Holy Book are powerful tools in a crisis. But you have to believe in what you are asking for while you pray and recite and only then you almost always get it.

6) Invest yourself in self-help books and programs

These are very educational and the techniques and ways out they teach boost your self esteem and vigor and at the same time, help you to solve your problems.

7) Get help from a professional coach

A professional coach in the appropriate area may be the answer to your problem that is looming over and overwhelming you. Getting in touch with such a coach may help to give you the required breakthrough.

Summing up, the above tips are some of the ways I would suggest that could help you turn around a horrifying breakdown to a pleasant breakthrough. Pick one or two and apply and see how they work for you. Chances are you will benefit because I myself utilize many of them in real life, giving me relief, making me stress-free and eventually wiping out my overwhelm.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Do-You-Turn-a-Breakdown-to-a-Breakthrough?&id=9389993

2 Simple Steps To Help Put Back The Sparkle Into Your Life

Have you ever felt that sense of self-doubt, embarrassment, and failure welling up inside?

Have you ever been through a phase in your life where terrible things just keep happening?

Have you ever felt burned out, fearful, and like you’re beginning to question everything you’re doing?

Do you ever just want to go back to bed, pull the sheets up, and hide there until the world goes back to normal?

I bet you have.

In fact, studies show that most people – including HIGHLY successful people – feel like failures more often than not.

Here are a few real-life examples for you:

• You know Colonel Sanders, the guy who invented Kentucky Fried Chicken? He went door to door trying to sell his chicken recipe, and he was turned down 1009 times in a row before someone finally bought it.
• Steven Spielberg got rejected so many times by the University of Southern California that he gave up. (And it was only then that he became a movie director.)
• Thomas Edison, creator of the electric light bulb, created 10,000 failed prototypes before he succeeded (ten THOUSAND!)
• Sylvester Stallone was rejected 1,500 times before he sold his script ‘Rocky’, which is now one of the most popular films of all time.
• The illusionist David Blaine tried to break the world record for holding his breath underwater. He went through some incredibly embarrassing failures, in front of millions and millions of people on national television, over and over again, before finally succeeding (he held his breath for seventeen minutes underwater to break the record.)
• Sir Richard Branson launched 400 companies before he founded the breakthrough, Virgin Galactic.

All of these people have made MASSIVE, and in some cases literally death-defying, contributions to humanity.

And every single one of them went through crushing, humiliating, and publicly embarrassing failures before they made their breakthrough.

So here’s my point:

Failure is a normal, natural, and human part of success.

And feeling like a failure often means your big break is so much closer than you think.

That said, though, that burned-out, fearful, panic-stricken feeling of ‘being a failure’ is pretty crippling.

And I don’t want you to bog yourself down with toxic feelings and anxiety when there’s truly no need.

So here are 2 simple steps you can take, starting right now, to put the sparkle back in your life, recharge your batteries, and internalize on a deep gut level that your time to shine is so much closer than you think.

Here we go.

Step 1: Refuse to time-travel.

As a kid, I used to imagine monsters under the bed.

I was too scared to go to sleep, too scared to stay awake, too scared to go to the bathroom, too scared to MOVE.

And even though we’re grown ups now, many adults I know are still putting themselves through these ‘night terrors’.

So many of us terrorize ourselves with scary thoughts.

We dream up awful things that happened in the past, scary things that might happen in the future, and we keep juggling that scalding-hot potato inside our minds even though it’s burning us.

We drift off to sleep visualizing the worst, or imagining terrifying situations.

We wake up in the morning with a jolt of adrenaline, picturing the long, stressful commute to work, the crying children needing their breakfast, the Monday morning meeting with the boss we’ve been dreading all weekend.

We get a funny look or a weird comment from a colleague or the boss, and all of a sudden our palms are sweating and we’re worrying about getting fired.

Or in relationships: someone doesn’t return your email or phone call, and suddenly you feel unwanted, undesirable, unloved and unlovable.

We scare ourselves with terrifying thoughts.

And most adult humans think these kinds of dark, paralyzing thoughts over 900 times a day.

900 times! Imagine how much POWER those negative affirmations are putting out into the world.

So here’s what I suggest:

Refuse to be a time-traveller.

Next time you start picturing a terrible event, constructing a paralyzing thought, or getting sucked into evil memories, past mistakes, or crippling fears of the future, say these words to yourself:

“I have the right not to time-travel.”

Worrying about the past or the future takes you away from your reality and bogs you down with frightful thoughts about things that aren’t even HAPPENING.

You have the right not to time travel.

You have the right not to infect your reality with imaginary monsters.

There are no monsters under the bed.

All there is, is right NOW.

The past is history, the future is a mystery, but today is the only gift you’ll ever have. That’s why it’s called the present.

Step 2: Change the Channel

If you find yourself constantly obsessing over negative thoughts, worries, anxieties, or future situations that might go wrong, change the channel inside your head.

Imagine a giant hand crashing down and switching channels on a TV.

Then find a picture of something beautiful – something pretty, something relaxing, something that makes every cell in your body relax and go AAAAAAH.

For me, it’s picturing my puppy wriggling and yipping and wagging her whole behind with happiness when I walk in the door.

For others, it’s a picture of the ocean.

Or a sunset.

Or the sound of raindrops hitting the window when you’re snuggled up under the comforter in your warm bed.

See, bad pictures inside your head can be crippling.

But YOU HAVE THE RIGHT not to let those pictures infect your reality with their poison.

It’s YOUR head.

That means YOU get to choose what channel you want to watch.

Just say to yourself, ‘NO! I don’t need to watch this channel right now. I’m changing it to the sunset channel.’

Or the ocean channel. Or the puppy channel. Or whatever your channel happens to be.

If you’re consistent with your channel-changing, soon it will become a habit and you won’t even have to think about it any more.

Your mind will easily, naturally become a relaxing, beautiful, happy place to be.

Your body, your heart, and every last one of your cells will feel the energetic change, and you’ll physically feel lighter, freer, more energetic.

And emotionally, you’ll free up so much positive energy (that you USED to spend on thinking evil, scary thoughts), and that good energy create vibrations that beam out of your head and call in MORE of what you truly love.

This is the cycle of energy. It’s how the Universe works. You can use it to your benefit.

So start today.

Refuse to time-travel.

And watch only the channels that YOU want to watch.

What about you?

Are you a perfectionist? Do you beat yourself up when you make a mistake? Are you worried about the future, questioning your life’s direction, wanting the answers NOW? 

http://www.thelawofattraction.com/2-simple-steps-help-put-back-sparkle-life-shine-brightly-success/

Humanitarian Breakthrough - The Power Lies Within You!

Be it through education, mass media brainwashing or some other social engineering programme night and day there's always someone trying to make you be somebody that's really not you, making it easy to forget that you're an individual and this individuality is your greatest strength.

-Dare you be yourself, thwart the plans of someone's agenda to clone and control you?

It is easy to forget that the power lies within you. There are so many people trying to make you buy into something that takes away your power. See this for what it is; a potentially dangerous and disempowering trap:

Take for instance the doctor. He/she has been designated the power over one's health. Someone who can 'fix it' if and when something goes wrong... No! There is no power for you in buying into that mindset! The control over your health ultimately lies within you. Responsibility is the key.

Then, in ignorance and apathy, we have given away our power to a small number of politicians who easily seduced by money and attention go by unchecked, allowing them to profiteer and make laws following an agenda that does not have our best interest at heart... The solution is getting rid of these con artists, decentralizing political power and quashing this disease called statism...

-I believe that community based societies are the answer and will be the future politics of the new paradigm. For every community to work it MUST have unity, self-sufficiency and the ability to discern.

Happiness is 'just 'round the corner.'

There are always those trying to make you buy into something with the promise of when you finally obtain or achieve what they're offering you'll be happy, having reached your rainbow's end. The obtainment or achievement of what's being offered and the accompanying happiness is said to come through the result of exam passes, job promotions, political ideals, financial advisors, pyramid marketing schemes, religious cult gurus or some new found fad... etc.

However, from cradle to grave, for all that time, effort or money the promise of forever happiness as a reward never arrives. It's always just 'round the corner, never in the here and now. That means you will be forever tail-chasing, going nowhere, never fulfilled or satisfied, having given your power away to those false promises and schemes created by a few select handfuls of individuals who benefit...

Discernment, selling and buying

A young child sees a cheetah and leopard as one of the same. That's because the young child hasn't yet learned to discern the differences between these 2 cats, but will of course be able to when it gets older and develops the necessary perception.

-My point is that the development of discernment is a wonderful thing, allowing you to be more effective in life:

When you fall sucker to the 'one day I will be happy' tail-chasing reward scheme scenario you haven't discerned the differences between someone selling you something and your buying of it. You have just blindly accepted that this is the way it is and enter into the scheme. When you discern the fact that someone's trying to sell, you may realize that it's a disempowering con scheme and no longer become the affect of it by buying into it: Discerning selling from buying therefore means no longer giving your power away in this way.

In conclusion

-If you want to achieve a real humanitarian breakthrough then do realize that the power lies within you through your individuality and the ability to discern.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Humanitarian-Breakthrough---The-Power-Lies-Within-You!&id=8990018