Manifestation miracle
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Ain't Nothing Time Doesn't Touch
Timeless literally means eternal, ageless, endless, and even undying; it is a vast description of existence. Is anything really timeless? We like to believe it is yet entire civilizations have disappeared leaving only the remnants of traditions once thought to be all enduring. Their existence, who they used to be, is uncovered and analyzed in archaeological discoveries. Someone's timeless suddenly reappears and a new world gazes and wonders what it all meant. Time touches everything leaving history to write the final analysis of what used to. Life is like that.
Every religion has a base belief system, hoping it will endure the test of time. It is human to imagine that all the things we know are enough, that time will never uncover anything that will alter what we imagine to be absolute truth. Almost every religion embraces the idea of a Creator in some form, even if by different names. Perhaps this belief will always be timeless. This is the story of what happens when time passes; we see differently because of what and how far we can see. When we discover archives of what most religions understood to be the know all and end of what they would become we are startled by what they believed. Have they changed or has the passage of time provided a wider lens through which we view the world?
If you imagine none of this touches your life take a quick trip back to old familiar places you knew when you were a child. Remember how big all of this looked through the eyes of a child? See how narrow the streets now appear, how small the homes seem to be? Yet they are the same. The essentials may be the same but time passed, trees and bushes grew up and out. New streets are wider, homes are larger and you are older and wiser. You have seen more; the ability to see beyond this familiar street has expanded to the Internet where you can see the world with a few clicks. Time has passed.
Look at pictures of the people you grew up with. Do they seem much older than you now? Do you notice things you never did before? When we look through the prism of time we rarely see the changes time has wrought in ourselves. We may notice slight differences but mostly we see ourselves as we remember and not so much as others may see us. Just like the streets that did not change, things changed around us and within us. Skin is less elastic, eye lids droop and we develop chins below the one we remember. Some take drastic action to 'correct' the changes while others may wish time had been kinder. Regardless, time passed and took its toll. Most people might wish they could recover some of what used to be but retain the wisdom they have gained, the lessons they have learned. These are the remnants of time passing.
How many times have you changed your mind, altered a position or accepted what you once thought was unacceptable? Once people who were perceived as 'witches' were burned alive in Salem, Massachusetts; the world accepted this. Time passed, we learned more and accepted things we did not understand before. Through the passage of time we gained greater knowledge and acquired the ability to research and develop new ideas. This is the gift of time passing. Like the tide that sweeps out and returns, time passes sweeping away what was and returning with something new leaving us free to change our mind or see something differently.
Time will continue to pass, ideas will continue to evolve and people will always change. This is why memories are so precious to us; it is how we embrace the best of time that has passed. It is one of the best traits humans share, these memories, because truly there ain't nothing time doesn't touch.
https://ezinearticles.com/?Aint-Nothing-Time-Doesnt-Touch&id=9934327
Step Out, On,Toward
Life is filled with disappointments. It throws you curve balls and unexpected mayhem. But even in all those mishaps, life can be good. You hold the key to how good your life can be. I know you have heard this before but let me give you a new perspective. First "Step Out". Step out from what... the crowd.
The crowd is not always going where you want to go. It does take courage to step away from what you know you don't want in order to move into the unknown path that will take you to where your heart desires to go. Imagine your life in that new place. This will give you the courage to step away from the crowd. Remember, the crowd can not get you to your destiny, but you can get there once you are on the right path.
Next, "Step On". Step on to what... new territory. It can be fun and exciting to walk on to new territory. New adventures await. Life does not have to be dull and unadventuresome. You can use your voice to pray for guidance and direction and then move in that path. You will be amazed at the new discoveries that will propel you on to making a good day, an even better day.
Last, but certainly not the least, "Step Toward". Step toward what... a brighter future that contains your heart's desire. Your heart's desire was put there by our Creator. You can achieve it. It takes work and it takes believing in the dream and in yourself. Look around you. Who shares your passion. Who wants to move toward a brighter tomorrow. You don't have to go alone, once you step out, then on, and now toward the destination. You will meet others along the way that will make this journey a great one. But you must take the first step.
No one can take this step for you. So you must ask yourself, how important is it to me to obtain this awesome dream that lies in my heart? If you want it badly enough, you will make the decision to go after it. If you do not, you will remain stagnant. Let me suggest to you that remaining stagnant should never be an option, not when so much good is waiting for you. There is so much more to life than just a mundane existence.
You owe it to yourself. Make this a great day, step toward your awesome tomorrow! And for each day you live to see, keep on stepping. Enjoy the journey!
https://ezinearticles.com/?Step-Out,-On,Toward&id=10066676
Message From the Universe: Looking at Life With a Different Lens
"I wish for you flowers and sunshine, gentle breezes and clear skies, calm seas and rainbows. But, perhaps most of all, I wish for you the glorious breadth of experiences you are now poised to receive, so that these tidbits are mere icing on the cake of a life that's rich in adventure.
Huge hug,
The Universe"
Stop focusing the on bad things that happens to you and look at the big picture. To make an omelet, you will need to break some eggs. You can't really expect to be successful in life if you do not take any risks. When venturing into something new, we fear that the business wouldn't succeed, or wouldn't make enough money, or whatever other negative thoughts our mind can create. Why not do the opposite? It's not that hard at all. Just a little bit of effort and focus, the rest will come easily. Do not worry about the amount of hours you need to put into work to make it successful as all ventures requires different level of investment on your side. Quality is crucial, even though we focus too much on the quantity of hours we invest and forget what's really important. Work smart, not hard. Be open minded when it comes to different opportunities and see how you can make things better by changing things around. Sometimes all you need is a small tiny change that can make a huge difference in your business. Invest the time to know what that might be and the rest will come easy. Do not despair, the solution to all your problems is right around the corner.
After the rain and storm comes the sunshine and rainbows. We need to live through some storms to enjoy the good times coming into our lives. This is how the concept of appreciation is purposely integrated in our mind. IF all was great all the time, how can you appreciate anything? Same goes for entitlement and how people can feel like they are owed everything because of who they are. Sorry to disappoint you but life doesn't owe anyone anything. By eliminating this concept from your mind, you can start by looking at things differently, with a more positive outlook and be more appreciative to the good things that happens randomly in your life. Remember that everything that happens TODAY is based on thoughts that you had created 6 months ago. Unless you write down every thoughts you have on a daily basis, it can be hard to remember your thoughts from the past. So just make it a habit to eliminate the bad and allow the good thoughts to fill your subconscious mind and eradicate fear at all costs. You want to focus on what you can do today to guarantee your immediate future, either it be for your financial security, or adopting a new exercise regimen to get healthier so you can live a longer and happier life
http://ezinearticles.com/?Message-From-the-Universe:-Looking-at-Life-With-a-Different-Lens&id=9583509
Connect To Life
As we go through life there is one thing that is certain and that's change. We live day by day with the intention making things the best we can for that day. Life can be so routine and unapologetic. Getting over the hump can be just that and depending on the hump it may be a struggle. The point is that things can be so routine and mechanical. We understand what needs to be done and we do it. A routine it's just that simple. This is far from a bad thing. To do a good thing over and over helps to develop excellence. Excellence is something we all seek. You will eventually succeed at your endeavor if you continue to press. If you live long enough you will experience many stormy days and many days of sunshine. They are both the same just on different ends of the spectrum. Learn to be thankful for both. Every struggle will bring forth positive results. To know that you succeeded because of the work you put in is a gratifying feeling. Nothing can compete with that feeling. That feeling fuels the seed of conviction.
Victories and failures are dependent of each other. You have a deeper respect for winning when you know how hard it was to reach that pinnacle. Routine is a great thing, but be careful not to become routine. It's an easy thing to do. Some of us call it pacing ourselves. Nothings wrong with keeping the pace but you will gain more when you are stepping up the pace. The harder you work, the more you gain and a brighter picture of what you are and who you are becomes clearer. Perspectives of what and how you failed and succeeded will be many. Routine can have you spinning your wheels. Let consistency be your routine. Consistently find ways to improve on every facet of your life physical and spiritual. Working hard for the sake of it does not bring about the best results for your efforts. Hard work is essential but working smart is just as important. Know what your strengths are and expound on them. Your weaknesses if focused on can become strengths also. How you apply pressure either way will determine your success or failure.
I am struggling to keep from writing this but be who you are. You know what fuels you and you understand exactly what impedes you. No one knows you better than you. So yes, be who you are because you understand who you are. These clichés actually have some worth. You will find that you can actually go as far as you would like to go. The only real roadblock is self. We tend to get in our own way. It will never be easy, but you are worth it. When you connect with your inner self, you connect with a source that not only you can trust but has your best interest in every aspect of your life. If you obey your conscious and follow your heart, you will be connecting with one who made you. With these faculties in place, you have an anchor to put down whenever you feel you are moving in the wrong direction. They can also serve as your compass. By allowing your conscious and your inner self the space to act accordingly, whenever there is a question about what, why and how you are doing this or that you get an honest and sincere answer. When you can correct yourself, you are in turn correcting the world. You transform and you transform you connect to life. Connect as much as possible.
How To Simplify Life When You Have Kids
Life can be hectic and chaotic in general, but add kids into the mix and it seems to double responsibilities and obligations. If you have children, it's even more important to simplify your life, not only for your sanity but also to be a good role model for them. Teach them early on that no matter what society says, they can choose to live a simple, peaceful life. Below are 4 simple tips on how you can start doing so.
#1 Have each child choose one extracurricular activity
Some parents are run ragged by getting their kids to all their various activities. This is certainly the case when there are several children in the family. Decide now that each child can choose only one extracurricular activity per year or season, depending on how much you feel you can handle. They may grumble in the beginning, but they too will enjoy a less stressful schedule.
#2 Create an out-the-door basket
Set up an area right beside the door that you go out of in the mornings and designate a basket for each child (and adult). Before bed, each person is responsible for gathering up everything they need to take with them the next day and putting it in their basket. This makes mornings go much smoother!
#3 Create a weekly lunch menu
Before you go shopping for the week, sit everyone down and come up with one lunch menu for everyone for the week, with very little variation. In other words, no one is allowed stuff that no one else likes. They can have that at home during the week.
For example, buy turkey and ham and the kind of cheese everyone agrees on. Buy one or two types of fruit and vegetables only. Purchase one type of bread that everyone likes, even if it's not their favorite. Then on Sunday late afternoon, gather everyone in an assembly line and together, make all the lunches for the week at once. Since there's very little variation, this will make it go quickly and be one less thing you have to do each morning during the week.
#4 Move more slowly
No matter what you do. Build in more time between activities so you aren't rushing through eating dinner, for example, so you can get homework and dishes right away. Set rules for no running in the house, no dashing out the door without sitting down to breakfast. Start savoring your time with your family, it's one of the best things you can do for all of you.
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Simplify-Life-When-You-Have-Kids&id=9583194
Lessons on Life, Learning and Earning (By Emmanuel Oluwadunsin Ayeni )
These few days and the rest of the year, I will share real practical posts, videos, podcasts, they will be stories on life, learning and earnings.
My goal is to give so much away that will benefit many people, especially those who may need to just read this now.
On Life...
Life is measured in the currency of Time. Hence we have grown through the past to get into the present with hope of the future in view. You would have mastered LIFE if you succeeded in mastering the 3 Forces. For anyone who has mastered these three, all things are possible.
Now and always you will unlock all doors when you have truly mastered the forces of Faith, Love and Hope... mastering these will be a topic for the coming days.
In life understanding the laws of identity makes you know you are unique and a powerful being.
Nothing can beat the expectations you set for yourself... God has endowed you and only the one in the mirror can stop you.
On Learning...
One day... I looked over to my beautiful wife Jumoke, as I was going back to complete my reading of the last few chapters of an interesting book and I said " I love you... " She looked over and said something to me that got me " I love you too, but sorry I cannot study for you... " I replied, " I know, because the door of change is one only you can open from the inside" She can not study for me, people can't grow FOR you but they can grow WITH you and be part of your journey. Others can help share their light with you, but the change always begins from within.
Learning is the way through which we grow our capacity to open the doors of ignorance, mediocrity or lack. Knowledge they say is power, applied Knowledge empowers absolutely.
On Earning...
Always Learn to earn and earn to Learn.
I got exposure to the phrase " Learn to Earn" some years ago as an undergraduate, I had stumbled on a material by the reputable Stock broker and Fund Manager, Peter Lynch where he delved much more on this.
The best form of knowledge is the one we internalize and we are able to apply with results... At times, our earnings can be one out of many ways to measure some of these results... Ask companies that will stop at nothing to make sure sales targets are met.
I always believe and share that Personal Mastery precedes Money Mastery.
When you have grown your capacity to become one who earns in the millions range, you will do the things required to make this happen and indeed you will have your desired earnings.
Remember there is no limit to all you can achieve in your rise to greatness if the right sets of principles on life, learning, and earning are learnt and applied.
I celebrate your meteoric rise to greatness.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Lessons-on-Life,-Learning-and-Earning&id=9623706
Choose Your Life
Life offers everyone a different and unique path. What we experience can be the same but still very different. Every life has a purpose. Distinguishing the purpose of the person defines why you were given life. No one or nothing is here by random chance or consequence. Even a blade of grass is significant. Life is a gift of priceless value nothing received will be of greater or equal value. To live a life of fulfillment is the greatest blessing of any human being. When you find out what makes you come alive you start to recognize your gifts. The premise is to recognize your gift and share it with the world. When given a gift expect to use it for good or you will be held accountable. We were created to honor the gift giver of life. Mathew 25:29 states, " For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." To those that much is given much is expected. Consequences and circumstances will be what they are its how we deal with them that will determine which roads we journey down.
When issues or problems arise we tend to feel entitled because we believe it should have never happened to us. Holding on to your past just makes it more difficult. Some will tell you it's too hard to let go of the past but it's actually more difficult holding onto to it. If you have never had any issues in life then this article isn't for you. But if you have experienced heartache, difficulties, burdens and consequences beyond your control this is for you. Your time is coming. You just need to live through it in order to go through it. Once you live through it and go through it close the door on it. Once you feel the fire you just need to walk through the fire, step through the door and you are on your way. Fire not only burns but it cleanses too. Those doors we closed are the lessons needed to fuel us forward. There will always be a price to pay. The race isn't for the swift or the strong but to the one who endures. Forget your yesterdays and grow from your mistakes. Move forward and don't look back.
We are bigger than we sometimes see ourselves. We just need to look harder and with more focus. A price was paid and we were given grace. It carries us forward. Everyday of our lives is grace given. Ephesians 5:8 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." We were given the opportunity to be more significant than the blade of grass mentioned earlier. To awaken to a new beginning everyday of our lives is more than a blessing. It should not be wasted living by what someone else thinks or does. Let your voice count for the great things that life has to offer. Life is what you make of it. So make the best of it. Without it there is nothing else.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Choose-Your-Life&id=9843058
Motivational Rules To Apply To Life & Business
Many people see motivation as something you have or you don't have, often depending on your specific situation. In fact, motivation is a choice that everyone makes. You can find ways to be positive and to strive to improve a situation or you can choose to complain and stay stuck where you are.
This is not always easy to see, so using specific motivational rules can help to create a positive mental space and framework in any situation. To help you to get started, here are some basic motivational rules that can be easily implemented in any situation and for any individual.
Motivation Rules To Help You Stay Motivated
- Find Your Passion! What do you really love to do? What really matters in the world around you? What do you see as your purpose or your cause? This is an important part of motivation and having a reason to do what you are doing. Find your passion and then choose activities that help you to achieve that passion or interest. Ask yourself this question, if you could do whatever you wanted and you were guaranteed success, what would you do?
- Get Rid of Negativity - negative thoughts and negative people are like kryptonite to motivation. It is important to get rid of them in your life or at least limit the time they occupy. When you find yourself thinking you can't accomplish something, look for ways to break it down and then accomplish those smaller components, soon you will find the obstacle is no longer there. For negative people, limit contact or try to avoid topics that escalate their negativity.
- Be Self-Competitive - set goals for yourself that are daily, weekly, monthly and longer term. Write them down and use them to chart your accomplishments. By competing with yourself to achieve your goals, you will gain self-confidence and trust in your abilities.
Finally, don't just go after small goals and daily challenges. Set long term goals and dream big as well. Having long term goals and dreams to work towards can be some of the most motivational aspects of life for personal or professional growth and change. They can also make your short term goals more effective by creating goals short term goals that ultimately help you achieve your long-term goals.
Continue working on the activities that help you stay motivated, they will become habits and that is when you will achieve true long-term motivation.
Live The Life You've Imagined
Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. ~Harriet Tubman
This Is How Gratitude Can Help You Cope With a Difficult Time in Your Life
"I am sorry; your mother has passed away"
"We have a diagnosis and can confirm that your child has Autism"
"Your baby was deprived of oxygen during his birth. He will have many disabilities."
Life. It's unpredictable and full of surprises. You seem to have it all planned out, and then suddenly, and without warning, something happens to remind you that there are no guarantees about anything.
Sometimes it's good news and you are pleasantly surprised. Other times, you have the kind of experience that turns your world upside down and you're not sure what to do next. It comes on so quickly and you can't think straight. You didn't prepare for it, nor did you predict it would ever happen.
Emotions like fear, anger, disbelief, and confusion can quickly take control of your entire being. You may feel depressed, alone and uncertain. Overcome with strong negative emotions, you may not recognize the support from others and you may blame them for not doing enough.
Amidst the chaos and confusion, there is one thing that can help you to feel more positive and hopeful. That one thing is gratitude. Simply, being thankful. It doesn't cost money, it doesn't take a lot of time and it is accessible each and every day, yet it is one of the most under used tools that we have available to us.
The principle of being thankful and appreciative for what we have has been around for many years and is gaining momentum as an emerging science. From psychologists and mental health experts to Oprah, gratitude is rapidly becoming recognized as a key ingredient for overcoming trauma and grief.
Deepak Chopra, M.D. and alternative medicine advocate, believes that, "by practicing gratitude, our well-being is automatically oriented toward greater health and balance." Writer Amy Morin discovered that a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (2003) found that gratitude was a major contributor to resilience following the terrorist attacks on September 11. Recognizing all you have to be thankful for - even during the worst times of your life - fosters resilience.
There is no denying that when you are going through a difficult time, you are angry, frustrated and sad. Feeling thankful isn't on your mind.
How can you practice gratitude when you are heartbroken or stressed?
Here are some things that I have discovered through my own experience and from others I have met along the way.
Discover Purpose and Meaning
Instead of looking at the negative, gratitude can empower you to see the opportunities in your life. While you are going through a challenge, gratitude helps you to think about all of the things you are learning. You appreciate the possibilities rather than the obstacles and you are able to find purpose and meaning in your circumstances.
When I was asked to become a committee member for our local children's services planning group, I remember feeling very thankful. From the first meeting I attended, I realized that I had something to offer. As a parent of a child with multiple disabilities, I was exhausted and under a lot of stress however sharing what I had learned and knowing that it would make a difference for other families, was a step toward understanding a broader purpose in my personal situation.
Value Your Physical and Mental Health
According to many experts, approaching each day with gratitude can change our mindset, your perspective, and even your body chemistry.
Adam Anderson, a neuroscientist at Cornell University explains that "positive emotions activate neural circuits related to novel, creative thought processes." They allow you to take on new perspectives." His findings also describe that feeling grateful has a compounding effect. The more times we express our thanks; the more positive memories we build up.
In her article from Maclean's magazine in August 2015, author Cathy Gulli refers to a recent study published in the journal Spirituality in Clinical Practice. "The results of the study found that people who scored high on a gratitude assessment test experienced better mood and sleep, more confidence in their ability to maintain their cardiac health, less fatigue and most stunning of all: blood analysis of the patients revealed gratitude was associated with lower inflammation in the body."
I was always so thankful for the one hour each day when I would go for a run or a long walk. It was my time to unwind and do something that was important to me. Whether it be exercise, joining a club or having coffee with a friend, do something regularly that is important to you.
Foster Healthy Relationships
It's no secret that maintaining healthy relationships takes commitment and dedication. The stress of the daily grind can certainly put a strain on sound partnerships and alliances. It's easy to see the faults of others, especially with the added pressure of a challenging situation. Tension within the relationship is bound to increase. If you approach your relationships with gratitude, you will be able to recognize all of the positive qualities in your partner, family member or friend. By simply expressing thanks to another person you bridge the gap between the two of you. If there are broken relationships, gratitude may be the first step toward erasing old grievances and forgiving petty differences you may have been holding onto.
Build Trust
Furthermore, open and honest communication is extremely important during stressful times. Too often people protect their feelings by not communicating, for fear of rejection or having their emotions exposed. Dr. Chopra believes, "gratitude helps to reduce feelings of insecurity, vulnerability and fear."
You may believe that sharing your feelings with your partner may create additional stress for them. Talk openly and honestly and don't be afraid to express your emotions. This will help to strengthen trust, foster growth and increase empathy.
Create Abundance
"I need more help!" is frequently expressed by people going through a traumatic situation. "There isn't enough nurses." "My child needs a better teacher." "Where is my family when I need them?"
Inadequacy, shortage, isolation and deficiency. These words represent scarcity and speak to what is lacking in your life. Instead try to pay attention to what you have in your life. My parents helped a lot. Quite frankly, we coped so well because of their unconditional love and assistance. My sister-in-law and her family would visit every weekend. My closest friend called me every day. My brother-in-law held our son and sang to him while he was an infant in the hospital. The director of my son's preschool initiated a move to help us get more in home support. At the hospital, there were some great nurses and some not so great. Some teachers were better at classroom inclusion than others. For the situations that were not very supportive, I would let them know. It is your responsibility to let them understand your point of view so that they can make a change for the better.
Gratitude helps us to feel abundance. The more grateful you are, the more your life is supported because you recognize the generosity in others. Instead of feeling alone and unsupported, you notice what your friends and family are doing for you, rather than what they are not doing. You recognize the knowledge, support and guidance offered by professionals rather than their inability to change your situation
Uncover Peace and Acceptance
After enduring a plethora of emotional ups and downs, there will be a time when you realize that you cannot change or "fix" your situation. With gratitude, you will discover the determination and the strength to make it a positive experience. Through your acceptance, you can help others in a similar situation and help them to feel more optimistic and encouraged.
Dr. Amy Morin, psychotherapist and author, sums it up nicely. "As our self expands through gratitude, our concerns, anxieties, and insecurities become small and insignificant, while our experience of joy, freedom, beauty, and compassion continues to grow. Simply take a few moments to focus on all that you have - rather than complain about things you think you deserve."
Daily Practice
The power to discover the things in your life that you are thankful for, lies with you. Start a daily gratitude journal. Look around and list the things and people for which you are thankful to have in your life. Carry it with you and be aware of each moment when something happens that makes you feel grateful and write it down. This will help you to realize that despite the difficulties, there is a lot of love, support and positive energy around you.
http://ezinearticles.com/?This-Is-How-Gratitude-Can-Help-You-Cope-With-a-Difficult-Time-in-Your-Life&id=9426952
Can You Live a Good Enough Life?
I am fascinated by the concept of "good enough" and how it relates to being organized and our many attempts to be what we perceive as "well-organized". What does being organized mean to you? Most likely not the same as it does to your co-workers, your spouse, your best friend or your children.
What if, instead of constantly striving to be more organized, better organized or even, heaven forbid, perfectly organized, we strove for "good enough". According to Sarah Hampson, author of the article, The Secret to Happiness? Live a Good Enough Life, "... when you don't expect much, when you manage the ideas of what you think your life should be, you can be pleasantly surprised - and grateful - for the good fortune that comes your way."
Somehow this sounds like lowering expectations, reducing the standards of what is acceptable, and seems to me like settling for mediocrity. Not acceptable to someone like me who is a recovering perfectionist and still battling with doing my "best" instead of striving for "perfect". So the concept of "good enough" doesn't sit well with me, but I know for many of you, it might be just what you need...
- If your kitchen drawers are organized so that you can find what you need but you don't have those fancy dividers that you saw in a friends' kitchen, that might just be good enough?
- If your clothes are all hanging up but not on matching hangers is that good enough?
- If your papers are all off the floor and in tidy piles on your desk where you can put your fingers on what you need, that might just be good enough?
- If your email inbox is down to 50 messages, instead of 500, maybe that is good enough?
I like the idea of "good enough" as opposed to perfectly organized as it does allow us to lower our expectations of what organized means and move towards a level of organization that is achievable. I think this concept is especially important for those who don't like to spend their time organizing or, even worse, find it difficult to know when to stop organizing.
What we see in magazines and on television is often not realistic and perhaps that is where some of our expectations of what organized means come from? Have you ever noticed the desk in the corner of the living room on a makeover show with a computer on it but not a single cord in sight nor a stitch of paper - no matter how organized you are your space will never look like that so perhaps lowering your expectations is exactly what the doctor ordered!
Everything in life seems to come back to deciding what matters most. As long as your home and office are organized "enough" so that you can function effectively and enjoy your space, forget about what others may think and go with what works for you. I think the summer is the perfect time to try some "good enough" thinking - at least for you my dear readers even if not for me!
The Journey Vs The Destination - Choose
When it comes to life there are basically four elements - the past, the present, the future and eternity. You would be amazed at the percentage of time most people spend in two of the three (the past and the future) and how little time people spend considering how they are living in the present and how that will impact or influence how or where they will spend eternity.
I don't care what your opinion or belief is about Heaven or Scripture because in the end both scripture and science agree on the fact that life is more than a few years on earth. Without going into detail let me just say that life is more than just a body - it is also both energy or spirit and in the end the body ends but the spirit and the energy live on. Science has stated that energy cannot be created or destroyed but it does change form. No one really knows what this new spirit or energy looks like after death but why not live on the safe side and assume that when you die there is more than just the body and the life it lived.
So, back to the title. Since no one knows when or how the life journey will end (the destination) all we really have is the ability to live the journey one day and one moment at a time.
I'm not talking here about goals, plans, dreams or hopes. I'm talking about how you live each day that you are given focusing on what matters now and how it might influence tomorrow or next year (if you are still here).
Last year I lost five of my good friends and none of them knew they would not get to experience another year. I'll bet you lost someone close to you last year as well.
They are gone - where - we don't know. All we know is we no longer get to share laughter, dreams, memories or time with them.
So, focusing on the destination in my opinion is stupid - what we want in the future, what we hope for in the future, what we dream about in the future - got it? The future is an unknown but one we all hope we will have.
Very few people spend time considering what death really means and how its uncertainty influences or even controls their present. During the past year I have read a dozen books about death and dying and the common theme in all of them (different and credible authors) was simply learn to live now - embrace the journey, love the journey, live the journey, experience the journey and someday the journey will be over for each of us. But how we lived it will or may impact your eternity. Why risk it?
So, let me ask you - if you knew today was your last day, or this month was your last month or this year was your last year - would you live them differently than you are? If so - what would you do, start, let go of, improve, end, change AND - why, when or how?
I Successfully Manage Challenges in Life
As some of you may have found out already, life can be tough and at times it is hard to go on. It might just last for a short period of time, or seemingly forever. Do we quit? Do we give up? Definitely not! If you have a strong purpose in life, a big WHY you do what you do, you will never be defeated! Don't forget, and keep in mind, you are not the first person to face a challenge, and it also won't be the last time you will be challenged. Hope will carry you through, and hope will never let you give up. With hope in your heart you will see better days ahead, and look at the hardships you are facing, as a means to elevate yourself to a higher plateau. Look at a person enjoying a great mountaintop view, they did not fall up the mountain. They went through the challenges of climbing up the mountain, finally reaching the summit.
As we go through life, discouragements and nasty storms may hit us so hard, that we consider throwing in the towel. Life is never easy, and you may not know how courageous you really are, until you are in a situation, where the only thing that will save you is your courage. Your inner strength not only has the ability to persist through hardship, but also the ability to wait out the storm. Learn from a palm tree, when the winds are blowing hard it will just bend, and after the storm passes, it stands tall once again. As with the palm tree, nothing can get you down, if you build on your inner strength, and take charge of your thoughts.
Never let the negative winds from well-meaning friends turn into a storm by feeding on their input. Remember, garbage in - garbage out! Feed your mind with positive things. Surround yourself with positive people, who support you when life gets rough. Keep in mind, as a man thinkest in his heart and mind, so is he. With a positive mindset, and a positive support system, you can overcome any challenge in life. It all depends on you. You can turn any obstacle you face, into a testimonial of your courage. Life's challenges are the gateway to greater possibilities!
It all starts with a goal
Setting Goals to Keep Yourself Motivated.
Some of us look at the achievements of successful people in awe, and think that you have to be some kind of a god to elevate yourself to such high standards, but the truth behind their success is that they take all of the emotions that come their way, whether good or bad, and direct them towards achieving their goals. We are all human, and as humans we are prone to ups and downs. You will undoubtedly find setbacks along the way. This is just the way life is. What keeps successful people going, is that they react to these setbacks by picking themselves up, and keeping their minds focused.
Making Your Mind Work for You
Successful people always have "success" on their minds. This is why, wherever they are, or whatever they do, the one thing on their minds is how best to achieve the goals that they have set
When you understand how your brain works, it becomes easier to achieve the goals you set out for yourself. The first step is, of course, setting goals. Next you want to visualize yourself having achieved these goals, and how great you will feel about yourself once you have achieved them, and how much you will enjoy the process of getting there.
Rohn: The Key to Getting All You Want? Discipline
Without the discipline of paying constant, daily attention, we take things for granted. Be serious. Life is not a practice session.
For every disciplined effort, there are multiple rewards. That's one of life's great arrangements. If you sow well, you will reap well. Life is full of laws that both govern and explain behaviors, but the law of sowing and reaping may well be the major law we need to understand: For every disciplined effort, there are multiple rewards.
What a concept! If you render unique service, your reward will be multiplied. If you're fair and honest and patient with others, your reward will be multiplied. If you give more than you expect to receive, your reward is more than you expect. But remember: The key word here—as you might well imagine—is discipline.
Everything of value requires care, attention and discipline. Our thoughts require discipline. We must consistently determine our inner boundaries and our codes of conduct, or our thoughts will be confused. And if our thoughts are confused, we will become hopelessly lost in the maze of life. Confused thoughts produce confused results.
Remember the law: For every disciplined effort, there are multiple rewards. Learn the discipline of writing a card or a letter to a friend. Learn the discipline of paying your bills on time, or arriving to appointments on time, or using your time more effectively. Learn the discipline of paying attention, or paying your taxes, or paying yourself. Learn the discipline of having regular meetings with your associates, or your spouse, or your child, or your parent. Learn the discipline of learning all you can learn, of teaching all you can teach, of reading all you can read.
For each discipline, multiple rewards; for each book, new knowledge; for each success, new ambition; for each challenge, new understanding; for each failure, new determination. Life is like that. Even the bad experiences of life provide their own special contribution. But a word of caution here for those who neglect the need for care and attention to life's disciplines: everything has its price. Everything affects everything else. Neglect discipline, and there will be a price to pay. All things of value can be taken for granted with the passing of time.
That's what we call the Law of Familiarity. Without the discipline of paying constant, daily attention, we take things for granted. Be serious. Life is not a practice session.
Think about your life at this moment. What areas need attention right now? Perhaps you've had a disagreement with someone you love or someone who loves you, and your anger won't allow you to speak to that person. Wouldn't this be an ideal time to examine your need for a new discipline? Perhaps you're on the brink of giving up, or starting over, or starting out. And the only missing ingredient to your incredible success story in the future is a new and self-imposed discipline that will make you try harder and work more intensely than you ever thought you could.
The most valuable form of discipline is the one that you impose upon yourself. Don't wait for things to deteriorate so drastically that someone else must impose discipline in your life. Wouldn't that be tragic? How could you possibly explain the fact that someone else thought more of you than you thought of yourself? That they forced you to get up early and get out into the marketplace when you would have been content to let success go to someone else who cared more about themselves.
Your life, my life, the life of each one of us is going to serve as either a warning or an example. A warning of the consequences of neglect, self-pity, lack of direction and ambition... or an example of talent put to use, of discipline self-imposed, and of objectives clearly perceived and intensely pursued.
7 Reasons Why Life Is Better Without Booze
I was the consummate party girl for 20 years before I finally realized that alcohol was taking more than it was giving. I quit drinking two and a half years ago at the age of 35 and have never felt happier, more confident, or as in control of my own destiny than I do now that I'm sober.
Here are just a few of the reasons why life is better when it's alcohol-free:
1. Your health gets better. Becoming a non-drinker reduces your chances of developing a plethora of alcohol-related illnesses, from various cancers to liver and heart disease.
2. Your looks improve. Alcohol is responsible for puffiness in the face, sunken eyes, premature aging of the skin, and a dull complexion. Becoming a non-drinker will result in healthier looking skin and brighter eyes.
3. It's easier to maintain the weight you want. One bottle of wine has as many as 700 calories, more than a Big Mac! Plus, when you give up wine, you’re more likely to exercise if your weekends aren’t taken over by hangovers.
4. You have more time to get stuff done. If you regularly crack open a bottle of wine after dinner and have a few glasses during the course of the evening, you'll be down approximately 30 hours every week on time to GET STUFF DONE! That’s time to organize the kids for school the next day, time to blast the housework, or time to read, study or develop a hobby or skill. A boozy lifestyle equals non-productive evenings.
4b. You can even finish a book. I've always tried to write a book, but never finished more than a few chapters, when I'd inevitably hit the wine. Now, as a non-drinker, I've just had my first book published, The Sober Revolution, co-written with Sarah Turner, and am already partway through writing the next.
5. You have more patience. As someone who drank almost every night, and often to excess, I was less than patient as a parent to my eldest daughter. Now the mother of a second little girl, my parenting skills have grown massively and I always know I'm doing my best as a mum.
6. You find out who you really are. Alcohol has such a powerful effect on the body and mind that it’s impossible to find out who you are when you’re regularly getting sloshed. It's only with living alcohol-free that true self-discovery becomes a possibility. By learning to know yourself better, you have a fighting chance of finding out what you want from life, as well as all that you're capable of achieving.
7. You feel good about your life. When you're permanently sober, your choices are always your own; alcohol-free living means never waking up again crippled with regret and shame. And that is priceless.
After breaking free from the alcohol trap, I desperately wanted to help others see how much better life is without the constant negative cycle of drinking to excess, bad hangovers, and mornings filled with regrets. That’s why I set up Soberistas.com, a website which brings together a totally non-judgmental community of like-minded people who've either kicked the booze or who are looking for help in doing so.
Good luck with your journey and keep me posted!
Joy Is the Fuel of Life
Did you know that the feeling of joy produces hormones in your body that keep your body healthy? It's true. Your body is a factory and depending on how you feel hormones are released to flood your body making you feel good or bad. It works both ways. When we laugh for example, the brain releases endorphins that relieve physical pain. Laughter also reduces stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine. When we are angry for example the body releases stress hormones such as cortisol and noradrenaline and our blood pressure increases. Did you know that regular episodes of anger can eventually make you ill? It all depends on how you feel and your feelings depend on how you think. And here's where YOU come in to take charge! Be the Master of your thoughts, so you can be in control of your emotions, so that you can make the right decisions in your life without being blinded by whimsical emotions that make no sense that take you on a roller coaster of self destruction.
Problems are a part of our life, we can't do much about that so we have to accept that. What we can do, however, is to take charge of our lives in a way to minimise our problems, at least to be rid of the many problems that we ourselves mostly instigate due to our own mmisperceptions, misconceptions, outdated belief systems, our behaviour and our actions.
Decide right here and now to be the Master of your life and your own destiny. Claim back your power to be in charge of your health because there is nothing more important than your health. Without it you cannot live your life a happy life. Without good health you are doomed to an endless life of suffering. So it makes sense that your number one priority should be your health. Do whatever it takes to maintain yourself healthy and in good spirits, i.e. not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well. This way you can enjoy your own life and you can spread joy to all your loved ones around you within your family, your circle of friends and to all those who are connected with you personally and professionally.
Whatever age you are it's never too late to start to live a healthy life by developing good habits to replace your bad habits. Nutrition and exercise is a good place to start. Eat fresh foods, veggies and fruits as much as you can. Reduce consumption of heavy foods, alcohol and drug consumption that rob you of your intelligence and self control. Eliminate smoking. Your cells will thank you. Do the same for your emotional and mental wellness too by reading books or listening to self- development audios, CDs, webinars, or watch movies that give you food for thought and food for your soul. Do things that make you feel good. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good and avoid those who make you feel bad about yourself. There is so much that you can do to help yourself so you can maintain good health. Don't hesitate to find yourself a coach a mentor to help you if you need it. Like I said it is never too late, no matter what age you are, no matter where you're at right now, you can turn the page, turn your life around to choose the path to good health and to a happy life.
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