18 things you must never water down
The finest things in life should remain potent.
1.The f-word. When you overuse it, you dilute its punch. But when the time is right, just see how far “Forget you, man! Forget you!” will take you.
2 Sorrows. They won’t drown. Trust us.
3 Your desires. If you keep to yourself how badly you want a raise, oral sex or a biscuit, you’ll score none of them. Nobody can read your mind.
4 Her T-shirt. Unless she says, “Please, please, pretty please!”
5 Likes and dislikes. You don’t have to dig The Office. You don’t have to hate He’s Just Not That Into You. Enjoy what you enjoy and make no apologies. But you can, if you so choose, decide who to tell these things to. Which brings us to...
6 The truth. Dirty laundry, rattling skeletons, hidden histories: that is the truth. It’s so rare and valuable that people hoard it, bury it and pay huge sums to keep it secret. The truth equals your true worth. That’s why it’s so powerful when you speak it in full. Which you should, when you speak it at all.
7 Your gaze. Focused eyes speak. They are passionate. They tell a woman that she’s meaningful and a man that you mean business. Don’t look away until they know it.
8 Your reaction to someone’s deliberate disrespect.
9 Family time. When you are with the people that matter, leave your phone alone and appreciate what’s really important.
10 Time for yourself. You’re not alone if your cellphone is on. Or if you’re checking email. Or if – hey, what’s your girlfriend doing here? Tell her to go home. It’s okay, really. People may always be looking for you, but they’ll understand if you’re not always available.
11 Your praise. Two things enrich a compliment: earnestness and a heartfelt grin. One thing makes your compliment worthless: the word “but”.
12 Chillies. Water won’t help you a damn bit. Milk, my friend, milk.
13 Pancake mix. Leave it goopy and you’ll get flapjacks like soft couch cushions.
14 Effort. It’s easy to say you’ll give it your all. But if that were easy to actually do, wouldn’t you be done by now?
15 Your other five senses: humour, style, direction, honour and wonder.
16 Your manners. Ladies will appreciate it – and other men will respect it.
17 Your brain. Do you have any idea how much more satisfying Chandler, Hemingway, Capote and other writers are than reality TV? Any idea?
18 Anything you create. Whether you’re building a brick braai or writing a novel, if there’s a certain way you want it, you damn well better make it that way. Compromise with women and neighbours, not yourself.
This is something we should all read at least once a week!
Written
By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio
To
celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is
the most requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life
isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When
in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life
is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your
job won't take care of you when you are sick.
Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay
off your credit cards every month.
6. You
don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry
with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's
OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save
for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10.
When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11.
Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12.
It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13.
Don't compare your life to others.
You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If
a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15.
Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
But don't worry; God never blinks.
16.
Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18.
Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the
second
one is up to you and no one else.
20.
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no
for an
answer.
21.
Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save
it for a special occasion.
Today is special.
22.
Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be
eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The
most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No
one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26.
Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years,
will
this matter?'
27.
Always choose life.
28.
Forgive everyone everything.
29.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
30.
Time heals almost everything. Give time
31.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32.
Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33.
Believe in miracles.
34. God
loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't
do.
35.
Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36.
Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37.
Your children get only one childhood.
38. All
that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get
outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere
40. If
we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours
back.
41.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need
42. The
best is yet to come.
43. No
matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44.
Yield.
45.
Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
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More inspiring emails
THE GREATEST ADVICE
By Rick Warren
Don't associate with people you can't trust.
Don't cheat. Don't lie. Don't pretend.
Don't dictate because you are smarter.
Don't demand because you are stronger. Don't date because you are desperate.
Don't marry because you are miserable.
Don't have kids because you think your genes are superior.
Don't philander because you think you are irresistible.
Don't sleep around because you
think you are old enough & know better.
Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.
Don't sell yourself, your family, or your ideals.
Don't stagnate!
Don't regress.
Don't live in the past. Time can't bring anything or anyone back.
Don't put your life on hold for possibly Mr. / Mrs. Right.
Don't throw your life away on absolutely Mr./ Mrs. Wrong because your
biological clock is ticking.
Learn a new skill.
Find a new friend.
Start a new career.
Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only a price to be paid for some of
life's more hasty decisions.
To make yourself happy, pursue your passions & be the best of what you can
be.
Simplify your life. Take away the clutter.
Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends, nasty habits, and
dangerous liaisons.
Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't overdose on duty.
Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family.
Be true to yourself.
Don't commit when you are not ready.
Don't keep others waiting needlessly.
Go on that trip. Don't postpone it.
Say those words. Don't let the moment pass.
Do what you have to, even at society's scorn.
Write poetry.
Love Deeply.
Walk barefoot.
Dance with wild abandon.
Cry at the movies.
Take care of yourself. Don't wait for someone to take care of you.
You light up your life. You drive yourself to your destination.
No one completes you - except YOU.
It isn't true that life does not get easier with age.
It only gets more challenging.
Don't be afraid. Don't lose your capacity to love.
Pursue your passions.
Live your dreams.
Don't lose faith in God.
There are still good people around!
I was not having a good day yesterday morning when I left the office to get to a client. Having just been hauled over the coals but a manager - I left in a bit of a mood as can be expected. I recovered during the day and by the time I got to studying in the evening I was back to a better state of mind.
At about 9pm I received a cell phone call from one of my colleagues asking if I was okay because "you seemed a bit upset this morning". Well, I almost fell over in surprise because I think I walked past his desk once that morning!!
I really think it takes a special person to recognise that someone is having a rough time when they do not say anything. It takes an even more special person to pick up the phone and ask the person how they are are. There are still good people in the world as I now know.
Thanx mate!
This Ad Was Placed in the Personal columns of a daily newspaper in Durban.
To the well dressed black dude Who Tried to Mug Me on Durban Beachfront three nights ago:
I was the guy wearing the black denim jacket that you demanded that I hand over along with my wallet, shortly after you pulled the knife on my girlfriend & I, threatening our lives. You also asked for my girlfriend’s purse, rings and earrings too. I can only hope that you somehow come across this rather important message.
First, I’d like to apologize for your embarrassment when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket. The evening was not that cold, and I was wearing the jacket for a reason. My girlfriend had just bought me that Glock pistol for xmas, and we had picked up a new ‘fast draw’ shoulder holster for it that very evening. Obviously you agree that it is a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head wasn’t it, especially when I blasted that one and only shot right past your right ear and out to sea?
I know it probably wasn’t fun walking back to wherever you’d come from bare footed with your ear bleeding and ringing like a church bell, since I made you leave your expensive shoes, Nokia cell phone, and wallet with me. That prevented you from calling or running to your buddies to come help mug us again.
After I called your mother, or “Mama” as you had her listed in your cell, I explained the entire episode of what you’d done, fortunately she spoke English too, and she seemed very shocked, said you worked at a local bank and would not do what I was telling her you had done. Anyway, then I went and filled up my petrol tank as well as four other people’s in the petrol garage on your credit card. The guy with the big V8 Jeep took R800 alone, and was extremely grateful!
I gave your shoes to a homeless guy outside Joe Kools, along with all the cash in your wallet. That made his day!
I then threw your wallet into the big 7 series Beemer that was parked at the curb … after I broke the windshield and side window and keyed the entire driver’s side of the car. I know that this bling car belongs to a local enforcer and bouncer.
Later, I called a bunch of phone sex numbers from your cell phone. Vodacom just now shut down the line, although I only used the phone for a little over a day now, so what’s going on with that?
Earlier, I managed to get in two threatening phone calls to the local ANC office and one to the bureau of state security (intelligence services) too, while mentioning President Zuma and Julius Malema as my probable targets. The state security guy seemed really intense and we had a nice long chat – I guess while he traced your number etc.
In a way, perhaps I should apologize for not killing you …. but I feel this type of retribution is a far more appropriate punishment for your threatened crime. I wish you well as you try to sort through some of these rather immediate pressing issues, and can only hope that you have the opportunity to reflect upon, and perhaps reconsider the career path you’ve chosen to pursue in life.
Remember, next time you might not be so lucky.
Have a good day!
Another email - Subject: The Old Man and the Dog
"Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!" My father yelled at me. "Can't you do anything right?"
Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.
"I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving."
My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt.
Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him?
Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon . He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often.
The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his prowess.
The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man.
Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing.
At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone.
My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust.
Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue.
Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind.
But the months wore on and God was silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.
The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered in vain.
Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, "I just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article..."
I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog.
I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons - too big, too small, too much hair. As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed.
Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray. His hip bones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly.
I pointed to the dog. "Can you tell me about him?"
The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement. "He's a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. That was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow." He gestured helplessly.
As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. "You mean you're going to kill him?"
"Ma'am," he said gently, "that's our policy. We don't have room for every unclaimed dog."
I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision. "I'll take him," I said.
I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch. "Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!" I said excitedly.
Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. "If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it" Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house.
Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples. "You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!"
Dad ignored me. "Did you hear me, Dad?" I screamed.
At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed and blazing with hate.
We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw.
Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal.
It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the pointer Cheyenne . Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet.
Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years. Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne's cold nose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night. I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night.
Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind.
The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."
"I've often thanked God for sending that angel," he said.
For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article...
Cheyenne's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter...his calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father.... and the proximity of their deaths. And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all.
Life is too short for drama, petty things, so laugh hard, love truly and forgive quickly. Live while you are alive. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.
And if you don't send this to at least 4 people --who cares? But do share this with someone. Lost time can never be found.
This only proves that God answers our Prayers in His time, not ours.
This one I got on email and the subject line was "Makes you feel good inside"
MY boys
ranged from three months to seven years; their sister was two.
Their Dad had never been much more than a presence they feared.
Whenever they heard his tires crunch on the gravel driveway they would
scramble to hide under their beds.
He did manage to leave $15 a week to buy groceries.
Now that he had decided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no
food either.
If there was a welfare system in effect in southern Indiana at that time, I
certainly knew nothing about it.
I scrubbed the kids until they looked brand new and then put on my best
homemade dress, loaded
Them into the rusty old 51 Chevy and drove off to find a job.
The seven of us went to every factory, store and restaurant in our small
town.
No luck.
The kids stayed crammed into the car and tried to be quiet while I tried to
convince who ever would listen that I was willing to learn
Or do anything.. I had to have a job.
Still no luck. The last place we went to, just a few miles out of town, was
an old Root Beer Barrel drive-in t hat had been converted to a truck stop.
It was called the Big Wheel.
An old lady named Granny owned the place and she peeked out of the window
from time to time at all those kids.
She needed someone on the graveyard shift, 11 at night until seven in the
morning.
She paid 65 cents an hour, and I could start that night.
I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat for
people.
I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar a night.
She could arrive with her pajamas on and the kids would already be
Asleep
This seemed like a good arrangement to her, so we made a deal.
That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers, we all
thanked God for finding Mommy a job. And so I started at the Big Wheel.
When I got home in the mornings I woke the baby-sitter up and sent her home
with one dollar of my tip money-- fully half of what I
Averaged every night.
As the weeks went by, heating bills added a strain to my meager wage.
The tires on the old Chevy had the consistency of penny balloons and began
to leak. I had to fill them with air on the way to work and again every
morning before I could go home.
One bleak fall morning, I dragged myself to the car to go home and found
four tires in the back seat. New tires!
There was no note, no nothing, just those beautiful brand new tires.
Had angels taken up residence in Indiana ? I wondered.
I made a deal with the local service station.
In exchange for his mounting the new tires, I would clean up his office.
I remember it took me a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to
do the tires.
I was now working six nights instead of five and it still wasn't enough.
Christmas was coming and I knew there would be no money for toys for the
kids.
I found a can of red paint and started repairing
And painting some old toys. Then I hid them in the basement so there would
be something for Santa to deliver on Christmas morning.
Clothes were a worry too. I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boys
pants and soon they would be too far gone to repair.
On Christmas Eve the usual customers were drinking coffee in the Big Wheel.
There were the truckers, Les, Frank , and Jim , and a state trooper named
Joe .
A few musicians were hanging around after a gig at the Legion and were
dropping nickels in the pinball machine.
The regulars all just sat around and talked through the wee hours of the
morning and then left to get home before the sun came up..
When it was time for me to go home at seven o'clock on Christmas morning, to
my amazement, my old battered Chevy was filled full to the top with boxes of
all shapes and sizes.
I quickly opened the driver's side door, crawled inside and kneeled in the
front facing the back seat.
Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box.
Inside was whole case of little blue jeans, sizes 2-10!
I looked inside another box: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans.
Then I peeked inside some of the other boxes. There was candy and nuts and
bananas and bags of groceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and
Canned vegetables and potatoes.
There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, pie filling and flour.. There was
whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items.
And there were five toy trucks and one beautiful little doll.
As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the
most amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude.
And I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little ones that precious
morning.
Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December. And they all hung
out at the Big Wheel truck stop....
More inspiring quotes (thank you Carrie)
A positive attitude
may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it
worth the effort.
~Herm Albright, quoted in Reader's Digest, June 1995
Physical strength is measured by what we can carry; spiritual by what we can
bear. ~Author Unknown
Step 1
Fill your mind with positive things. Read encouraging, affirming books and listen to upbeat, happy music. Think about happy memories or things you have to look forward to rather than bad things that have happened or things you dread.
Step 2
Develop yourself spiritually. Research shows that those who are spiritual live longer and more satisfying lives.
Step 3
Keep positive people in your life. Avoid people who have a negative mindset and surround yourself with people who are upbeat, spiritual and fun.
Step 4
Practice positive thinking. Try not to let negative thoughts enter your atmosphere. Think instead of all the good things in your life, even if there aren't very many. Concentrate on your good features instead of your faults.
Step 5
Laugh often. Watch a funny movie or hang out with someone who you can be silly with. Laughter is a great way to get a positive attitude.
Step 6
Learn something new or take up a new hobby. Get out and do things you love to do and enjoy yourself.
Step 7
Reevaluate your situation. It's easy to think negative or pessimistic thoughts when something happens. However, when you think rationally about the facts instead of the fears, you can see a more positive side of things.
|
Motivational and Inspirational Quotes about "Staying Positive" |
|
Zig Ziglar
W. Clement Stone
Vic Braden
Sidney Madwed
Robert H. Schuller
Richard M. DeVos
Pat Riley
Norman Vincent Peale
Hans Selye
Elbert Hubbard
|
|
Submitted by Emma Jingle
Catherine Ellis
Terry Bradshaw
Judith M. Knowlton
Louis L. Mann
Og Mandino
J. E. Dinger
Earl Nightingale
David Feherty
H. Jackson Brown, Jr. |
5 Things to Remain Positive About When All Hope is Gone
So, what are the 5 things that you should always remain positive about, especially through your low points? Let’s find out shall we…
1. Your Health.
I love the saying ‘If there’s nothing wrong with your health, you don’t have a problem’, I’m not saying I fully believe in it (I don’t believe in problems, only situations) but it definitely makes sense. When we are born, there’s only one thing all of us having in common, we are going to die.
While that may be a grim statement, you certainly shouldn’t look at things like that. Your health is one of the most vital assets you have, in fact it’s the most vital asset you have. No matter what car you drive or how much money you have in your bank, they are completely meaningless compared to the importance of being healthy and strong.
When everything seems down, just remember that you are alive and healthy and you have the rest of your life in front of you. There’s no greater achievement than the gift of life.
2. There’s Always Tomorrow.
You’ve probably heard this a million times but the point from this statement is just as true as ever. Have you ever been stressing about something a lot, maybe through impatience, and woke up the next day and found that you don’t really care about that ‘problem’ anymore?
I know I have. There’s always tomorrow is not just a wishful thinking mindset, it’s a fact. Tomorrow will be here just like today was here, so no matter how bad things are going or how bad your day seems, tomorrow will be here when you wake up and give you hundreds of more opportunities.
That isn’t to say you should put things off and always be waiting for tomorrow, this is about realising you still have the time to turn things around and improve your situation.
3. Your Potential.
There are some people in this world who are billionaires. There are some people in this world that discovered gravity, invented electricity and even someone who came up with the internet. You know what the difference is between you and all these amazing people?
Absolutely nothing, you’re both human.
Some people never live up to their full potential, mostly because they believe that success and fame or happiness and clarity are left for people who are more fortunate than them. Do you think Tim Berners-Lee woke up and decided to create the internet? No way. But I’m sure he had an idea of what he wanted to achieve and went out there to start doing it.
You have the potential to be anyone and do anything you want, our time on this planet gives us amazing chances and opportunities, don’t waste it because you feel like you have no hope. You have as good a chance to change the world as anybody, you just have to realise it.
People made millions, people saved lives, you are a person, you can do the same.
4. Things Could be Worse.
Things could be worse, they could always be worse, at least in 99.9% of situations we find ourselves in. I recently told the story of a prostitute who was kicked out on the street by a man who had sex with her and didn’t pay. This was while being watched by lots of people with their heads hanging out of office windows to see what was going on. Imagine being in that situation.
No matter what problems you think you have right now, they could be worse. If you are struggling to pay your next bill, at least you are living in a home while doing it or have a family who are willing to support you. If you’ve just divorced your wife, it’s not like all other women on the planet have disappeared, you can still get out there and find another girl for you. Life is abundant, don’t take your current situation as the worst it could be, because more often than not, things could be a whole level worse than you can imagine.
5. You’ll Come Out Stronger.
I love challenges, I really do. I love knowing I’m scared of doing something but that I can conquer it. For example I recently did a bungee jump, I was very nervous before jumping from an 80ft bridge but I loved knowing I was nervous, I loved having the opportunity to overcome the fear.
‘Hard times make you stronger’ or variations of that phrase are probably something you’ve heard 100 times before, that’s because it’s true. Think of any hard time in your life whether it’s:
- Losing your job
- Going through a divorce
- Getting beaten up / mugged / burgled (I’ve had all 3)
- Being financially unstable
If you’ve been through any of these and came out on the other side then you will know that they’ve probably made you stronger as a person and helped you with other aspects of your life. Be thankful for the challenges you have right now, because on the other end is a new you with a lot more strength than the old one.
11 Ways To
Make This Your Best Year Yet
Author - Charles Marcus
. . . it is never too late to start a fresh new year!
Today is a wonderful time to take stock and reflect on the year gone by, the triumphs you achieved, the time you shared with family and friends, the good choices you made in business. But in order to grow and develop both personally and professionally, you also have to look back at and acknowledge the things that challenged you, the things that did not go so well.
There is nothing wrong with setbacks, in fact, I believe that if we don't have obstacles to overcome along the way we won't learn and grow. Thomas Watson, the founder of IBM, once said, "If you want to increase your rate of success, you better be prepared to increase your rate of failure."
We all have hopes and dreams for the future. Today the slate is wiped clean for all of us as we start afresh. Why not take a few moments to think about your dreams and goals for the year that starts today? In what areas do you want to grow? What is truly important to you? What challenges do you want to take on? Most of us don't realise what we can accomplish when we unleash the hidden talents that we possess.
To help you make this year your best ever, take a few moments to ponder these 11 suggestions:
1. Challenge yourself
Have a clear vision and focus of what you want to achieve and set a time frame. Challenge yourself to be the best you can be at all times. Visualise what you want to accomplish. See it in your mind. Write down your goals, have a plan of action, and never doubt you will be successful.
2. Find the love factor
Surround yourself with loving, supportive people. Stay away from the dream stealers, the people who would bring you down. Cherish the special people in your life and let them know you cherish them.
3. Dedicate quality time
Life is so precious; make the most of each and every day. Rise early, spend some quality time by yourself as well as with those you care about. Go for a walk, workout, read a book. Value not only the time you spend with your loved ones, but also the time you spend by yourself.
4. Stretch your comfort zone
Do at least one thing a day, which makes you feel uncomfortable. Push yourself; you will be amazed how far you can go. Remember: on the other side of fear is freedom. To remain stagnant is not to grow. To reach your full potential, you must rise above the fray and soar like an eagle.
5. Be passionate
Show passion in everything you do. Let it show in your body language, in your smile, in your voice. Let your eyes sparkle. Let the world see and hear your enthusiasm and let it feel your passion.
6. Serve others
Be a role model and mentor for people. Volunteer in your community and help others achieve their goals. Your world will be enriched and a better place for sharing your talents and giving freely of your time. Leave a lasting legacy.
7. Don't sweat the small stuff
Let go of the little things you can't control. Don't take yourself so seriously. Recognise that perfection isn't always the only option. Don't let life's imperfections bother you. Lighten up and see the funny side of things when they go wrong, the learning in them. Be tolerant, smile...don't waste your energies on the small stuff, you have much bigger fish to fry.
8. Live with integrity
Always be true to yourself. Take pride in whatever you do. Be proud of who you are and what you represent. Accept others with all their flaws. Show compassion and goodwill to your fellow human beings. Be dignified. Lead a life of purpose and be proud of your values.
9. Show gratitude
Show gratitude and say thank-you to the people who have helped you along the way. Send a handwritten letter to someone who has touched you. Call up a friend or loved one and tell them how much they mean to you. Compliment a colleague or business associate on a job well done. Show people you appreciate and care about them. Acts of kindness cost nothing but mean everything.
10. Celebrate success
Be proud of your achievements. Take time to recognise yourself and others for even the small successes. But also be humble and dignified, sensitive to people who are not as fortunate as you.
11. Exude a positive attitude
I cannot express enough the importance of having a positive attitude and believing in yourself. Yes, you can be well intentioned, you can be determined, but without a positive attitude about yourself and about life, you will not succeed. Dreams will die, goals will fade, and gloom and darkness will replace clear blue skies and sunshine in your mind and heart.
Remember people will sometimes forget what you say to them or do for them, but they will never forget how you made them feel in their hearts. Make yourself a commitment for this year not only to have the best year ever, but to help others that you care about accomplish this goal as well.
I went running last night because I did not feel like it yesterday morning. Whilst I was running I saw the most amazing sight. It was a cyclist who was probably riding home from work in the traffic. He was cruising along and had a very smooth pedaling action indeed. When I looked again to see what bike he was riding I saw that he only had ONE leg. the other was a prosthetic leg! I felt really good for him in that he was struggling everyday with this disability but still he gets up and goes cycling (or rides to and from work) with one leg. If I could have I would have applauded him right on the side of the road because that's a sterling effort!!! Well done to that man! I am going to find it really difficult to find an excuse not to exercise now!!
"There is so much hatred in the world but there is so much loving too" Third Day
That's exactly what this page is all about. I am over all the negativity in the world and in particular the world around me. Below are some of the positive things I have received recently. Please send me your 'something positive' entries and I might put them up here. All effort has been made to credit the author involved.
Rules for a better way to live Written by Og Mandino
Rule One ... for a better way to live
Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you ... with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.
Rule Two ... for a better way to live
Today, and every day, deliver more than you are getting paid to do. The victory of success will be half won when you learn the secret of putting out more than is expected in all that you do. Make yourself so valuable in your work that eventually you will become indispensable. Exercise your privilege to go the extra mile, and enjoy all the rewards you receive. You deserve them!
Rule Three ... for a better way to live
Whenever you make a mistake or get knocked down by life, don't look back at it too long. Mistakes are life's way of teaching you. Your capacity for occasional blunders is inseparable from your capacity to reach your goals. No one wins them all, and your failures, when they happen, are just part of your growth. Shake off your blunders. How will you know your limits without an occasional failure? Never quit. Your turn will come.
Rule Four ... for a better way to live
Always reward your long hours of labour and toil in the very best way, surrounded by your family. Nurture their love carefully, remembering that your children need models, not critics, and your own progress will hasten when you constantly strive to present your best side to your children. And even if you have failed at all else in the eyes of the world, if you have a loving family, you are a success.
Rule Five ... for a better way to live
Build this day on a foundation of pleasant thoughts. Never fret at any imperfections that you fear may impede your progress. Remind yourself, as often as necessary, that you are a creature of God and have the power to achieve any dream by lifting up your thoughts. You can fly when you decide that you can. Never consider yourself defeat again. Let the vision in your heart be in your life's blueprint. Smile!
Rule Six ... for a better way to live
Let your actions always
speak for you, but be forever on guard against the terrible traps of false
pride and conceit that can halt your progress. The next time you are tempted
to boast, just place your fist in a full pail of water, and when you remove
it, the hole remaining will give you a correct measure of your importance.
Rule Seven ...
for a better way to live
Each day is a special gift from God, and while life may not always be fair,
you must never allow the pains, hurdles, and handicaps of the moment to
poison your attitude and plans for yourself and your future. You can never
win when you wear the ugly cloak of self-pity, and the sour sound of whining
will certainly frighten away any opportunity for success. Never again. There
is a better way.
Rule Eight ... for a better way to live
Never again clutter your days or nights with so many menial and unimportant things that you have no time to accept a real challenge when it comes along. This applies to play as well as work. A day merely survived is no cause for celebration. You are not here to fritter away your precious hours when you have the ability to accomplish so much by making a slight change in your routine. No more busy work. No more hiding from success. Leave time, leave space, to grow. Now. Now! Not tomorrow!
Rule Nine ... for a better way to live
Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find 'tomorrow' on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, 'If I had my life to live over again...' Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day!
Rule Ten ... for a better way to live
Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.
Rule Eleven ... for a better way to live
Laugh at yourself and at life. Not in the spirit of derision or whining self-pity, but as a remedy, a miracle drug, that will ease your pain, cure your depression, and help you to put in perspective that seemingly terrible defeat and worry with laughter at your predicaments, thus freeing your mind to think clearly toward the solution that is certain to come. Never take yourself too seriously.
Rule Twelve ... for a better way to live
Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do. It does not matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you think about you. You can never do your best, which should always be your trademark, if you are cutting corners and shirking responsibilities. You are special. Act it. Never neglect the little things.
Rule Thirteen ... for a better way to live
Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self- starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail.
Rule Fourteen ... for a better way to live
You will achieve grand dream, a day at a time, so set goals for each day --
not long and difficult projects, but chores that will take you, step by
step, toward your rainbow. Write them down, if you must, but limit your list
so that you won't have to drag today's undone matters into tomorrow.
Remember that you cannot build your pyramid in twenty-four hours. Be
patient. Never allow your day to become so cluttered that you neglect your
most important goal - to do the best you can, enjoy this day, and rest
satisfied with what you have accomplished.
Rule Fifteen ... for a better way to live
Never allow anyone to rain on your parade and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day. Remember that no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Nothing external can have any power over you unless you permit it. Your time is too precious to be sacrificed in wasted days combating the menial forces of hate, jealously, and envy. Guard your fragile life carefully. Only God can shape a flower, but any foolish child can pull it to pieces.
Rule Sixteen ... for a better way to live
Search for the seed of good
in every adversity. Master that principle and you will own a precious shield
that will guard you well through all the darkest valley you must traverse.
Stars may be seen from the bottom of a deep well, when they cannot be
discerned from the mountaintop. So will you learn things in adversity that
you would never have discovered without trouble. There is always a seed of
good. Find it and prosper.
Rule Seventeen
... for a better way to live
Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.
