This Week In Retrospect: Positivity

I hope everyone had an awesome week that was productive as well as inspiring.  Here's a rundown of my week thus far:

• Started the 'active/prepared' lifestyle
• Spent much needed time with friends/family
• Came back from a wonderful vacation
• Began a new healthy lifestyle routine (more on that later)

  I chose to focus on positivity this week because even though those things that I've done sound great I still had plenty of opposition.  I had to overcome issues at work, toothaches (extreme, migraine inducing toothaches), and a slew of other family/personal issues.  However, I figured if I just keep a positive attitude and think positive thoughts then the pain will only last for a little while.  It made an extreme difference this week (I was getting beat up left and right).  We don't have to feel bad.  There is no rule that you have to feel like crap when you're having a crappy day.  You are allowed to be bubbly if it makes you feel better.  There's no need to beat yourself up if circumstances/your boss/your body/your family is already doing a good job of beating you up.

This week in My Active Prepared Life
I honestly thought that since I had a plan integrating this new system would be easy.  Boy was I wrong.  It is hard work trying to better yourself.  It's even harder to watch people (friends/family) shun you when you want to live a better life.  I foresee plenty of these goals being revisited in the weeks to come. However, I did see improvement in my overall well-being and ability to handle situations.  Meditation and prayer have helped with my anxieties.  I received many compliments at work regarding my improvements.  So far it's been tedious but worth it.  

Until next time be happy if it makes you feel good.  

Monday Inspiration #2

I love the idea of inspiration on Mondays. It's the beginning of the week and it feels like a fresh new start.  So why not start the week out happy, fulfilled, and with a little bit of inspiration?

I hope that everyone has a productive a joyous day. 

-Until next time

Words To Live By

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails, Explore. Dream. Discover. 
 - Mark Twain

It's taken me long enough to write this simply because it took a lot of thought and there were times where what I wanted to say could not be put into words.  Change is daunting no matter how small.  Change provokes a fear in most that can be so destructive that it prevents us from taking a chance that may lead us to a better place or a better way of living.

Today, I just wanted to offer reassurance to those that are attempting to make a change in their lives.  It can be anything...moving, changing careers, or something as simple as adopting a pet.  Lately, I have found myself attempting to make a much desired change in my life and even though it's not the first time it just seems to come with so many more risks this time around.  However, no matter how daunting I'm determined to make this change and I'd like to share with you some inspiration that has proven to be very good advice.  Hopefully this advice will help to make us more confident when striving to achieve our goals and make that change. 

1.  Fear should motivate you.

Fear does not always have to be a detriment to accomplishing goals.  Listen to that fear that you feel.  Often it's an indicator that you're doing something right.  To not feel fear/anxiety/desperation would mean that we did not wish for that change to work out.  Trust yourself and work through your feelings. 

2.  Eliminate Adverse Commitments

Look at your list of things to do.  Now eliminate the ones that directly interfere with what you want to accomplish.  A bit ruthless...yes because you did agree to those tasks but that was before you realized that living the best possible life was the most important task on your list.  Sure you're going to disappoint people but that's fine because life is full of disappointments.  Buildings will not burn and children will not die.  You have to live for yourself and you have to live with the decisions that you make.  There are only so many hours in the day.  Respect yourself and your needs enough to say "I appreciate the opportunity but no thank you" and please let it be final.  

3.  Respect life and death.

Death is the final act in life.  It's a tedious act that takes years to accomplish so let that process be your motivator.  Understand and accept that we will not live forever.  Thus, we have no idea how long we will have to live out our dreams.  Accept that and use it to motivate you to begin living out your dreams today.  We've seen lives cut short so we know that it may happen to anyone.

4.  Ignore the negativity.

There is no doubt in my mind (and there should be none in yours) that you will face opposition once you decide to make this change.  There may even be laughter if things don't work out the way that you expected but ignore that.  If any of the things that people say were true they would have been said before you took the chance.    Place yourself around people who will encourage you.  The naysayers will never know the growth, the pleasure, or the euphoria that results from you accomplishing your goals.  

5.  Surround yourself with people that inspire and encourage you.

These people are people who you respect, admire, and attain satisfaction from simply being around.  You should put yourself around people that are living in a way that you view as a model.  These are the people that when you approached them with your idea they thought of ways to help you.  They will give you honest opinions and feedback when it is needed.   These are the type of people that are integral in you reaching your goals.

6.  Stop Comparing

You are the only person like you.  Sure there are people who may resemble you but you are one of a kind.  It simply is not fair to compare yourself to someone else.  The means by which they live are acceptable to them and even though you may like what appears to be grand it frankly is not your life. We each have a different set of talents, experiences, and gifts that by no means makes us inferior or superior to another person on this earth.  

7.  Banish the Self-Doubt

You have all these other negative entities trying to stop you so why add to your own pool of sorrows?  If you were not good enough to accomplish what you set forth to accomplish then you would or should have never thought of it.  If you want it go get it.  Holding yourself back with thoughts is just absurd.  If you knew how powerful your thoughts were you'd never think a negative thought again.  

Change in life is inevitable but initiating change can be crippling for some.  No matter how small, any change that may change your life for the better is worth pursuing.  Living the life that you dream of is living life to the fullest.  Never be ashamed or deterred from your pursuit.  Live courageously and by doing so you will be closer to reaching your full potential.  

  

Communicating Effectively

Last night while reflecting on my day with a friend, I found a recurring situation quite displeasing.  It became apparent to me that the fine art of verbal communication in a public setting eludes quite a few people.  I'm no expert but I did major in both Business Administration and Communication Studies.  So while drinking my tea and discussing the issue with my friend I compiled a list of tips that everyone should keep in mind when socializing with those who are less familiar with your mannerisms.

Be Knowledgeable
I could not possibly stress how important it is to know what you are talking about.  Unfiltered ignorant commentary on any subject will get you nowhere in any social arena.  It may get you some attention, but not the sort of attention that anyone seeks.  Please educate yourself and if by some chance you find yourself involved in a conversation that focuses on matters that you have no knowledge about please be quiet and listen.  You could possibly learn something.

Be Confident
What you have to say is important.  So say it with the confidence that it deserves.  Oh and for the love of all that is glorious left in this world please leave the inconsistent language in your childhood.  Every other word/sound should not be a 'like' or 'um', it is decreasing your credibility.  Also, never ever after this point should you precede any statement with 'I may be wrong' or anything comparable.  You know what you're saying so say it without the disclaimer.  If you are wrong then God bless the soul that provides you with the knowledge that you are about to receive.

Be Concise & Clear
Your words deserve a clear and concise medium in which to reach the masses (or the 2 or 3 people listening).  Please pronounce and enunciate clearly.  For a few it's as simple as slowing down and focusing when you speak.  A personal tip:  Open your mouth more when you speak, literally.  It almost forces you to pronounce each syllable.  This is a little harder to perfect but practice get a lot closer to perfection than wishing does.

Be Courageous, Honest, and Tactful
You are brilliant and what you have to say deserves to be heard.  Just remember to say it in a tactful manner.  If you can't say it without obscenities or yelling then it should not be said until you can convey your thoughts without inspiring a physical or verbal altercation.

Your goal is to be honest and tactful in voicing your thoughts, because sometimes it takes courage to speak up.  So don't let what you have to say be upstaged by ignorance, obscenities, or inconsistencies.