Before You Try To Be A Friend To Anyone, Be A Friend To Yourself

Recently in my thinking and living, I made a few more positive changes, changes I feel and know will be permanent. I can honestly say from the vantage point I am at now, that a person who is truly and honestly friendly with themselves can and does create good and great habits in their lives. Bad habits, without matter to how enjoyable they can seem, are bad for you as they are for me and anyone. From smoking to spitting too much or lying, they are bad. Consequences of habits must be thought about and thought about deeply before they are embarked into. But, how many average people think in that manner?

That is how I start my article off, thinking about consequences and making you think about consequences from the first paragraph on. But, to use an old, overused saying: "Honesty is the best policy." I will change that slightly, honesty with yourself and full honesty is the best policy for genuinely getting rid of bad habits. This is where people become their own worst and most lazy, undermining enemy in every way.

To advance in any genuine way, we must all start by being honest with ourselves, and honest at all levels. (I am not an exception.) This is the rule of advancement. If you lie here, and avoid there, you also genuinely stagnate however it goes and it does not matter where else you advance in life and existence or how you "get better". Reality must be faced without flinching for one second, minute or years if you can. I did not say, "be perfect", I just am saying be honest to the best of your ability.

My Dad used to say "I do not play." The above second paragraph is what he meant in the ultimate way. We need to stop playing, be honest with ourselves, ultimately enjoyment will be possible in life. Note, I did not say "genuine play", but I said enjoyment, and I meant feelings of genuine enjoyment. There is a definite difference between playing with life and enjoying your life, if you get where I am coming from so far. So, I will say this breakthrough statement then go on with my article:

"People are as fearful as what they avoid."

That was a simple statement. But, what do I mean by that simple statement? Harold Geneen of ITT stated that facts do not lie, but I am taking that statement a few steps further with that one I said above about avoidance. The more you avoid life and existence, the more fear you have within you, that is what I mean. Your choice, built up courage to face the facts honestly knowing what they are or instant fear without even facing the facts. In so many words that I can say to end this, before you are a friend to anyone, face the facts squarely and honestly and be a friend to yourself.

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The Clock Is Ticking

Waiting for a promotion? The perfect mate? Win the lottery? A new job or a career? The perfect vacation? Need I go on? Millions of people are just waiting - waiting for their life, career, business, relationship, job or health to get better or change in some way. I am not against patience, effort, planning, hoping etc. but let me ask you - are you doing all those things but still waiting for something, anything to change, improve, disappear, that will improve some aspect of your life?

Let me repeat - millions of people - spend, no - waste - days, months and even years for just the right time to - get married or divorced, retire or start a new career, travel or start a new hobby etc. and why - because they believe that hoping is often enough. Again, I am a big fan of hope but I am also a fan of reality and reality often conflicts with our plans, goals, dreams and wishes. Did this stuff not happen because God doesn't care, your parents let you down, your spouse is an idiot, your boss is insensitive, the weather isn't cooperating - give me a break.

Many people today feel as though they are not on the right road to success or happiness cause:

-it is taking too long

-the journey is too difficult

-there are too many curves, detours, unknowns or bumps in the road

-there is no one on their path willing to help them

Or,

Who is to say which is the right road?

Who can know the future?

Who has the right to dictate outcomes to others in their life?

Who can know the future long term benefits/challenges of present circumstances, choices or opportunities?

I have met hundreds of people in my world travels who:

-were going to begin something when the time or circumstances are right

-were going to stop/end something for the same reasons

-were going to start saving some day.

-some day are going to start their own business

-are going to write a book some day

-are going to change careers or jobs - whenever

-and a million other examples of - I am going to ______________ some day.

Do you know anyone like that? Am I describing you?

Why don't people start or begin something, anything?

-Are they are afraid to fail.

-Are they afraid of what other people might or will think.

-Do they lack confidence, belief in themselves or the will to begin.

-Are they are full of excuses.

-Are they are just trying to impress people with their statements of desire.

-Do they want -whatever - to be perfect, right or acceptable.

-Are they are unwilling to get out of their comfort zones.

-Do they think just by wanting it they will somehow miraculously get it - someday.

-Are they are hopeless dreamers. Nothing wrong with dreams, but you have to begin to make them a reality.

-Can you add any to this list?

One of my favorite questions to ask members of an audience is, "If you knew then, what you know now, would you have lived any area of your life differently?" And the two follow-up questions are always more difficult for many people - if so, "Why?" and "How?" and "When?"

You see, if you knew then what you know now, you wouldn't be where you are now. You wouldn't have what you now have and you wouldn't be with whom you are with now. Not that any of these things are good or bad (they could be either if you choose to see them that way). There is a metaphysical concept that says: each of us is where we are supposed to be - and that we have experienced what we needed to experience to grow and learn. I haven't lost it or gone off the deep end.

Why do people wait? It's called procrastination and it is a thief of time. It steals from the value and essence of your personal life and career. Why do people put things off? We could write a book on this, but I'll give it a try in 25 words or less.

They: fear the future, overestimate their ability to get things done, don't know what to do or how to do it, thrive on pressure, set themselves up for failure, love disappointment, like being a victim, have too much on their plate, fail to set clear priorities, or have poor time management or organizational skills.

What is the cost of procrastination?

1. Missed opportunities.

2. Increased stress.

3. Broken relationships.

4. Failure.

5. Increased anxiety and frustration.

6. The lack of respect of others.

That's enough, don't you think?

So, I'll wager that the clock is ticking for you in some area of your life!

What are you waiting for?

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If You Hate Your Life, Get Better With The Power Of Visualization Techniques.

The Power of Attraction has worked wonderfully for those who need help and once thought, I really hate my life. The Universe can likewise have an extensive effect on your body.

Think initially how when you say, I really hate my life, the Law of Attraction works.

You are made up of energy from perceptions and thoughts, and the energy you send out is favorable or negative.

This will depend upon whether you concentrate on the good things in life or the bad.

This will not only impact others, however it will impact you.

Instead of focusing on, you will want to focus on bringing more upbeat things into your life. One method to utilize the attraction principles is practice the power of choice through the power of visualization techniques.

This strategy is called the Power of Visualization Techniques. These professional athletes are practicing the Law of Attraction.

The displays will reveal that their muscles obey their ideas although they are not being actively used. When it comes time to in fact do the activity, they are very much ready.

This is the power of the Universe through a reflective state of mind.

The Course in Miracles states, "The ability to perceive made the body possible, because you must perceive something and with something."

With a reflective state of mind, you can feel the reality of your plans and dreams becoming a reality. This can be carried out in the very same method as the athletes do it, by the power of visualization.

You may be preparing to climb Mt. Everest, or even more realistically when you think, I really hate my life, perhaps just swim your very first lap around a swimming pool.

You can make it take place if you can utilize the laws of the universe through perceptions and thoughts, to visualize it and think the results.

Your positive sensations about achieving a difficult undertaking will come back to you through positive energy for you and you'll let go of the idea that your life sucks.

The Law of Reflection has also been utilized for healing, although no one recommends that medicine not be considered.

Thought amongst those who compose and lecture about the attraction laws is that the medication can be assisted exceptionally by the usage of positive right-minded thoughts that project energy.

When you're thinking that life really sucks, the placebo result must prove that thinking can influence your health even.

They will most likely be recovered by it if individuals feel excellent about a medicine they are being provided. This is true whether the medicine is a highly established scientific formula or a sugar pill.

If they can keep their focus on favorable things, rather than, I really hate my life, they have a much better possibility of survival. Understanding the Law of Attraction can assist them to do this.

The Course in Miracles teaches that, "You can be wrong-minded or right-minded, and even this is subject to degrees... ".

Part of utilizing the Law of Attraction to heal is to envision the process of getting better.

Another method to utilize the reflection principles is to dwell on surrounding yourself with things you enjoy.

The reflective state of mind can help with many other aspects of your life, too.

The power of attraction can assist you if you have a physical difficulty to overcome, perhaps relationship healing, or weight-loss, and onto financial areas of your life, career, and so much more.

If you can use the Law of Attraction to visualize it while practicing the power of choice to take action, and believe the outcomes, you will be able to reflect what you want into your world.

Remember, part of using the universe's principles to heal is to picture the process of getting much better.

You want to use your reflective power to dwell on making all areas of your life healthy by surrounding yourself with things you take pleasure in.

To healing through the power of reflection!

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Do You Eliminate the Positives or the Negatives?

If there's one thing I know well, it's that life is good and always getting better. IF you let it. A business associate once told me, 'This is the worst it will ever be. It only gets better and better!' That is an empowering belief!

The pessimists (and the close-minded) will say 'How awful! You're doing so bad it can't get any worse!' Well, OK. One of my friends actually believes it CAN get worse, no matter what. He is thankful for what he has, which he should be, but mainly because 'it could be worse.'

Why is the first statement good and the second bad?

It's relative. The first statement assumes two things: 1. the past is the past and doesn't equal the future and 2. It will ALWAYS get better than it is now.

The second statement assumes 2 things as well: 1. It is a struggle to get and keep what you have and 2. Things are more likely to get worse than better. If not, why the focus on what could happen?

Your outlook on life determines so much. It is your filter.

Do you know what a filter is?

A filter eliminates undesired particles and things from whatever is poured through it. Its entire purpose is to purify what is poured. A filter lets in what is good and pure through while keeping out the unwanted.

We use filters all the time in life. We filter our coffee. An internet search is a filter. We use content filters to keep explicit images away from our kids' computers. The whole idea is to protect, whether coffee, our kids or just our time and experiences.

We also have mental filters. We view the world through these filters and it applies preconceived notions and ideas to what we see, hear, experience and do. If we believe that getting fired is a bad thing (which it certainly can be for most), that is how we will experience it.

But think about this. Several years ago, I was let go from a job. It was a job I hated because of my boss and the environment there. My doctor was encouraging me to leave the job for health reasons. My wife wanted me to leave for happier shores. Not long after being let go, I saw my doctor and she commented how much happier I seemed, even though I was still unemployed.

Getting let go was the best thing that could have happened to my health. We didn't starve or get kicked out of our home. It was actually a positive.

What is a devastating event for one person can be an uplifting, positive event for someone else? It all depends on their filter.

What kind of filter do you have?

Do you eliminate the positives or the negatives?

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We Can Choose to Get Bitter or Better

Have you ever bitten into a lemon? Wow! Did your taste buds on the both the left and right side of the back of your tongue just fire off? Did this memory of a sour lemon cause you to salivate and form extra fluid in the back of your mouth? Did you just notice yourself wincing a little bit?

Life is going to serve every one of us lemons from time to time. When some of life's unpleasant things are forced upon us it's very easy to become sour on life and to get bitter. It's also very painful when we give in and allow ourselves to become victims of life's lemons.

Let's not get bitter! Let's get better! As evolved human beings we are no longer caged into mindlessly responding to life's lemony stimuli as though we were equal to Pavlov's dog.

We humans can examine a problem, and if we aren't up to the task of solving it, we can better our self by asking others for help. In addition, we could also go to the Internet and search for information on how to overcome this particular problem. Once we have found the information necessary to deal with our problem, we then have the ability to successfully act or behave in a way that will move us through and beyond the particular problem that we are facing.

Once we are successfully beyond this problem, I think we will no longer be bitter about this old problem, but now better, because of this conquered problem. Don't get bitter! Get better! When life serves us lemons, let's figure out a way to make lemonade, and then actually make that lemonade. Ahh... the delightful refreshing and reinvigorating reward of becoming better! Can you taste that sweet success, yet?

Now teens, go learn, lead, and lay the way to a better world for all of us. Remember that when life serves us lemons we can choose to get bitter or get better. Let's choose better! And once again, thanks in advance for all that you do, and all that you will do...

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Moving Mountains With Placebo

                    

When we go to the doctor it is because we are unwell and want to get better. Once there, we feel that now the doctor will take it from there. We go with faith and a hope to get better. This is the first step. The doctor writes the prescription and we pop the pills, no questions asked, thinking these will help us get better. They actually do. Research says that placebo effect works. But what fascinates me is that how amazing it is that by mere thinking something is true, your whole psychology and physiology starts to work in that one direction. You actually start to feel better.

Well, if this can work on an illness, why can't it work in other real life situations where mere believing can send a message to the universe that, "I want this, start working in my favor." Your mind and body are living in a state where they believe that good things are going to happen. They don't even think about the other option, not even once. This can be a great force in making things happen and motivating oneself to achieve a goal which at one point seemed unattainable.

But having said all that, there is one hitch. This is where the truth lies. "What do you want?" If you apply the placebo effect to your mind for every situation, you should understand that merely wanting and believing is not enough, what you believe also matters. Having malicious intentions or wanting something that you feel you don't truly deserve will not trigger your brain and mind in the way pure thoughts do. Wanting things like wellness, better health, a good quality life, love, companionship, financial security, respect, etc. are fully justified in life. We all deserve a good life. Therefore, wanting something that one should have anyways makes a strong case for you as there is no guilt factor.

We all know ourselves better than the world knows us. Keep your thoughts pure and then think about how you want to improve your life. Think about what aspects of your life need your attention and then apply the placebo effect. How do you do that? Well, it's simple. Just keep one thought in mind. If you feel that life isn't being fair, just believe that good things will happen, have faith, let yourself go and the universe take over. It's worth a try.

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