Wow. I couldn't believe that I haven't made any single post here this year. How time flies when it is spent on challenging endeavors. To be candid, when I started this blog, I wasn't feeling too optimistic about my situation and position in life. So many things weren't the way I wanted them to be. I was depressed most of the time, so much that, it was becoming so difficult to concentrate on anything meaningful.
I figured that motivating others or just plain researching and writing motivation messages would not only uplift whoever gets to read the messages, but also help me out of the gloom that was pervading everything I did. And truthfully, it did worked. I was happy to wake up every other day thinking about what I would post on my blog. I stayed focused and was able to achieve more. Of course, just posting motivational messages didn't solve all of my problems, but it helped me see these issues from a different and better perspective.
Problem is, I got excited enough to live everyday without worries, I got myself into several challenging tasks, I found enough motivation and strength to chart a new course for myself, and unfortunately, in the process, I became too lazy to update this blog.
Well, that's all going to stop now. I am going to give this blog the attention it deserves. And if there is anybody there that has missed me and this blog, forgive me for quitting on you. So, let's get it started again.
It's the end of another year again, and as is usual, we all want to do self checks. We want to assess our achievements and failures, what we set out to accomplish in the year, how close we got to achieving them, what contributed to our successes and failures. These are all valid points to reflect on as the year runs out, but, we could do better.
One full year is a very long time in a man's life time. A lot of things; the good, the not so good and the ugly, happen or could happen in the course of 365days. Someone one's said that most of the frustrations and depressions we experience in life is because we view time in chunks of months or years, and most times wait for a year to end before reflecting on what we want out of life. A lot of things could happen in one full year, leaving you with a lot of things/events to worry about.
Life would be a lot easier, if time is measured in hours and days. Set daily goals and targets and evaluate your success everyday. There is less to worry about and more to learn if we measure our lives in days. At the end of every day, take time to evaluate what you wanted out of the day and what you got, draw your lessons and start each new days as you would start a new year.
Of course, months ends and year ends are critical periods to re-evaluate our lives, I am not contending that fact, what am pointing out, however, is that these rituals become more meaningful and less confusing, if we take our hours and days more important.
It's Christmas, have some fun, share joy and happiness and help lift this pervading gloom. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2009.
Someone defined 'positive thinking' as a mental attitude. An attitude that admits into the mind images, thoughts and/or words that encourage a positive worldview, that propels one towards the achievement of goals and success; it is, in sum; a 'never say die attitude'; and the ability to see the good part of every situation. Sure, that’s a lot of words to define one concept, but the fact is, it is well worth.
Optimism or positive thinking is one major trait that differentiates happy and successful people from timid, fearful and depressed failures. There would always be challenges in life, but the ability see through them and think positively determines ones success in life. A lot has been said and read about positive thinking, but am sure the topic is never oversaturated. The following story I got from somewhere illustrates the power of positive thinking:
Allan applied for a new job, but as his self-esteem was low, and he considered himself a failure and unworthy of success, he was sure that he was not going to get the job. He had a negative attitude towards himself, and believed that the other applicants were better and more qualified than him. Allan manifested this attitude, due to his negative past experiences with job interviews.
His mind was filled with negative thoughts and fears concerning the job for the whole week before the job interview. He was sure he would be rejected. On the day of the interview he got up late, and to his horror he discovered that the shirt he had planned to wear was dirty, and the other one needed ironing. As it was already too late, he went out wearing a shirt full of wrinkles.
During the interview he was tense, displayed a negative attitude, worried about his shirt, and felt hungry because he did not have enough time to eat breakfast. All this distracted his mind and made it difficult for him to focus on the interview. His overall behavior made a bad impression, and consequently he materialized his fear and did not get the job.
Jim applied for the same job too, but approached the matter in a different way. He was sure that he was going to get the job. During the week preceding the interview he often visualized himself making a good impression and getting the job.
In the evening before the interview he prepared the clothes he was going to wear, and went to sleep a little earlier. On day of the interview he woke up earlier than usual, and had ample time to eat breakfast, and then to arrive to the interview before the scheduled time.
He got the job because he made a good impression. He had also of course, the proper qualifications for the job, but so had Allan.
What do we learn from these two stories? Is there any magic employed here? No, it is all natural. When the attitude is positive we entertain pleasant feelings and constructive images, and see in our mind's eye what we really want to happen. This brings brightness to the eyes, more energy and happiness. The whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success. Even the health is affected in a beneficial way. We walk tall and the voice is more powerful. Our body language shows the way you feel inside.
Positive and negative thinking are both contagious. All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts. Is it any wonder that we want to be around positive persons and shun negative ones? People are more disposed to help us if we are positive. They dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.
Negative thoughts, words and attitude bring up negative and unhappy moods and actions. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment.
Words For Today People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes. Chales R. Swindol
The ability to laugh at a situation or problem gives us a feeling of superiority and power. Humor and laughter can help you build a positive and hopeful attitude. You are less likely to succumb to feelings of depression and hopelessness if you are able to laugh at what is troubling you. Humor gives us a sense of perception on our problems. Laughter provides an opportunity for the release of those uncomfortable emotions, which, if held inside, may create biochemical changes that are harmful to the body.
Without doubt, what and how you think, shape what you see. And your belief determines what you get out of life. So, for starters, if your life is not what you would like it to be, it's time to re-examine what you believes, and where necessary change your beliefs.
The question is: what exactly are beliefs? There is no simple definition, however, it suffices to just say that beliefs are ideas you hold on to as facts; thoughts that you've processed through your mind repeatedly, and as such, constitute the foundation of your world view and life experiences. Unfortunately, beliefs are not always facts, neither are they universal truths, but your mind gives power to what you think repeatedly; power enough to control your life.
I read somewhere that: "your beliefs have a great deal of power over you, because you consistently come across evidence to support them. Your experiences in life will constantly prove your beliefs to be seemingly factually correct. The reason for this is that your conscious mind cannot possibly cope with every piece of information that it is exposed to. So your subconscious sifts all the information it receives and rejects that which contradicts your beliefs and retains that which supports them."
That explains why you would always see what you believe as facts and universal truths. Our beliefs come from a myriad of sources; what we learnt from parents as kinds, from teachers at school, from friends, societal norms and values and the list could go on.
However, what is important is not where your beliefs come from, but the fact that they influence your life because your mind sees them as undeniable fact. The worst problem with beliefs is that most of us leave with 'Limiting Beliefs', which tend to hold us back from going for what we want out of life, or interfere with our attempts to think about things in a new way. How you regard yourself, your strengths, abilities, financial situation, friends and families, to a large extent, determine your success in life.
If you are the type that has been programmed to see evil in everything, if you believe you can't achieve anything good, if you don't trust in your strengths, abilities and capacities; you may never be able to change things for the better in your life. Instead, you will encounter plenty of obstacles to support your belief that this is beyond your capabilities, your family doesn’t love you, your friends don't appreciate you or whatever it is that you're assuming to be the case.
Conversely, if you believe positively in your abilities and strengths; if you believe your family and friends love you and would always be there for you; if you believe things would always work out well; no matter the situation. Then you would always find success and happiness. Your beliefs won't stop you from encountering obstacles and barriers on the way, but they would make it easier to overcome these. You will always find loved ones to support and encourage you and you will be able to deal with failure and still move forward.
Changing your beliefs won't just change your life, it would help transform you into a better and more effective person.
And the good news is that, it is easy to change your beliefs. Identify your beliefs in that area of your life you want to change. Ask yourself what beliefs would support your goals in these areas. Write out or search for positive affirmations. Recite these to yourself repeatedly for as long as it takes you to believe them. Just remember that for every belief you want to eliminate, there must be a positive one to replace it. Nature hates vacuum.
Go change your life; you deserve a better one!
Words For Today
Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see the beauty, believe in them and try to follow where they lead. Louisa May Alcott
Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you're living? Bob Marley
Anger and frustrations do always drive men into rash and irrational actions. People tend to take out their frustrations on others, and in the process start chain reaction that could potentially affect a lot of people and a lot of things.
I found this story among my collections and decided to share it. It's not mine, but I can't remember where I got it from.....
Jane, a bank executive, got caught in traffic on her way to an important presentation at a board of directors meeting. As a result, she was forty five minutes late for her presentation. After the meeting, Jane was in a really bad mood. Upon returning to her office, she discovered that several expected reports were not there.
Jane called Kevin, her administrative assistant, into her office and reprimanded him for not ensuring the reports had arrived on time. Another department was preparing the reports. Kevin had no control over when they would be delivered. Jane was in a foul mood and she didn't want to hear excuses.
Upset and stressed, Kevin called Donna, the secretary for the department preparing the reports. He started yelling at her that the reports he requested had not arrived on time. Although this was the first time Donna heard of the reports, Kevin didn't care. He was upset and took his anger out on Donna.
By the time she got off the phone with Kevin, Donna was seething. Who did Kevin think he was speaking to her like that? Just then, ED from the mailroom called Donna to ask how she wanted a package shipped. Donna accused ED of being an idiot for not knowing the package should be sent overnight because it was so important.
Ed tried to explain that there was no way he could have known what she wanted. Donna just slammed the phone down in a huff. Ed was livid. Did Donna think he was a mind reader? Ed was still agitated as he went to the diner for lunch.
The diner was extremely busy. His waitress, Stacey, took longer than usual to take his order. Ed was annoyed with the slow service. He was rude to Stacy and left her a small tip. Stacey was running herself ragged and was offended by Ed's attitude and tip.
The rest of Stacey's shift seemed to drag. When she finally got off work, she was in no mood for anymore hassles from anyone. As Stacey walked into her apartment, her five year old son, Jimmy, ran excitedly to greet her.
Stacey immediately noticed that Jimmy's pants were filthy. "I just washed those." She yelled. "Can't you keep anything clean?" Jimmy ran up to his room crying. His cat came over to him puffing. Jimmy was so upset he kicked the cat.
Wouldn't it have served a lot of people a lot of grief if Jane had gone directly to Stacey's house and kicked Jimmy's cat?
When you take out your frustrations on others, you may be starting a cascading chain reaction. If someone takes out their frustrations on you, break the chain by not taking it out on someone else. When you react negatively to another person's behaviour, you allow yourself to be drawn into their problems.
You are in charge of your emotions and thoughts. If you feel offended and annoyed, wait and think before speaking or acting.
Words For Today Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. Scott Adams
The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes. Chales R. Swindol
In his "The Law of success", Napoleon Hill rightly observed that most successful people only became successful after discovering and correcting the weakness in their person and character. I have often heard people argue that knowing your strengths and building on it guarantees success, but I think differently.
Knowing your weak points and striving to correct them, is as important, if not even more important, than knowing your strengths.
Your weaknesses - the most dangerous being selfishness, greed, jealousy, revenge, egoism, lust, conceit and wanting to reap where you did not sow; could destroy you faster than your strengths would uplift you.
In fact, whatever strengths you posses would only successfully uplift your body and mind if they are not counter-balanced by your weakness. The weakness in our traits often tend to hide our strengths; it is by correcting these weakness that anyone can fully tap into their strengths and make success out of it.
Make it a point of duty, from now on, to identify your weaknesses. Ask colleagues, friends, or classmates to assess you; it is often difficult for relatives to say the truth about our characters, but real friends and colleagues should be sincere about their opinions.
Once you identify your weaknesses, start doing everything you can to correct them. If people describe you as selfish, start forcing yourself to share everything you possibly can; if you are egocentric and/or greedy, learn to think about others and their emotions and you'll be moved to act along this line; if you're revengeful, strive to always let people know when they've hurt you and their apologies might soften your heart.
Always remember that your weaknesses are the major barrier between you and happiness/success. You would only be eternally successful, if you identify and correct them.
Words For Today Nobody needs a smile so much as the one who has none to give. So get used to smiling heart warming smiles, and you will spread sunshine in a sometimes dreary world Lawrence G. Lovasik
The most effective way to achieve right relations with any living thing is to look for the best in it, and then help that best into the fullest expression. Unknown
Fear is man's worst enemy; it kills slowly and painfully. The problem is, it is sometimes difficult to live without worries; Worries about tomorrow, worries about the unknown, worries about uncertainties. Worries deteriorate into fear, if left uncontrolled Fear dominates and directs thinking and actions. Fear becomes the first step towards poor self esteem And then depression and then a wasted life.....
You can see that fear starts off as something less obvious And leads to something quite debilitating. You can break this chain reaction only if you seriously want to
Start living your live without worries. Learn to live one day and one moment at a time.
Be grateful for every success that comes your way. See every challenge as an opportunity to grow And every failure as a lesson; a chance to start over again With better tools and better knowledge.
Remember that you cannot do anything to change yesterday And that tomorrow depends, to a large extent, on what you do today. Make today, this moment counts And look up to tomorrow with optimism and hope Leave worries in the past And your live will be free from Fear and its consequences.
Words For Today Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow but a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day. Such is the salutation to the dawn. Sanskrit proverb
Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you're living? Bob Marley
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