Each day is full of opportunities to do great and unique things. To pursue a goal, seek your purpose in life, or spend time with those who matter to you. All of these things are great ways to fill the hours of your life. If you do them every day, there are a few more things that will enhance your life and provide you with a better experience. I have a list of five things that might have the ability to improve your day. Give it a try.
Count Your Positives
Life is full of challenges that will push you to learn something new, try something new, or become a better person. To help us along life’s path, there is a steady stream of positive things always there for the noticing. Take a moment every day to take an inventory of these things. Once you focus on what you do have rather than what you perceive to be going wrong, your attitude will pick up.
It is impossible to be in a bad mood when you appreciate the positive things and people in your life. Count them out and focus on them, and they will give you strength and a positive attitude to get you through the day. Give thanks and appreciation for what you do have. It opens the door for more great things and people to come into your life. The people you love, the things that bring enjoyment, the things that bring comfort, resources you do have, a job that provides revenue, good coffee in the morning, time to think, someone to listen to your thoughts. All can be counted and appreciated.
Know You Are Unique
In all of the history of the world, there was never anyone exactly like you. In that rare existence is a power that allows you the opportunity to create or do something nobody else has ever done. Most people hide the unique things about themselves and mistakenly see them as flaws holding them back. Perhaps others have demeaned you when their originality is a ticket to success, but why should their opinion matter? They are dealing with their things. You are a unique, one-of-a-kind person with unlimited potential to be the greatest you possible.
Whatever you believe about the spiritual realm, you have to understand that the fact that you are here and look like you do is a miracle, and it can’t all just be by coincidence. You are a kind creation, and you should embrace it and share it with the world. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are just an ordinary person because that isn’t true, never has been, and never will be. Use your power of uniqueness.
Use Your Power of Choice
In all things, we have a choice. There will be things that occur we didn’t choose to have happened to us or experience. Accidents occur, and that is the way it goes. But we have ultimate control over the attitude we decide to have about these things. You have a lot of power in your choices, even when you don’t think you have anything. You can think, love, will, laugh, imagine, create, plan, speak, and meditate, all without a penny to your name, and those things can bring you power and joy.
You can choose to create or destroy, persevere or quit, praise or gossip, heal or wound, give or steal, act or procrastinate, grow or shrink. All of these are in your power on most days. Look at the great things you can do with the power of choice and apply that to your life. Never feel that you are helpless because you are not. You are only as weak as you choose to be.
Do All Things with Love…….Love for yourself, respect for all others, and Love for Life. Trying to incorporate these things into your life will allow you to have a great day today!!
Even when you think it might never happen, to go one more mile down the road may be all you need!
Part of being human is to create dreams for yourself of what the future will hold. Everyone does it, and then the story of our lives is whether or not we achieve the things we dream about or not. Life is a beautiful experience. We get all we need to accomplish whatever we want. Sometimes it comes easy, and the dream or goal takes shape quickly, as if by magic. But there are other times when it seems like every obstacle in the world is blocking our way. It is at this point we have become one of two types of people. Those who persevere and make their dreams real or those who do not. This distinction will determine much about your mental attitude for the rest of your existence. Don’t quit on what you dream about. Continue to take action. Success may be one more mile down the road!
One More Mile
Trying to capture something you want is tricky because there will always be lessons we need to learn to achieve what we want. Too often, not only do we have a dream of accomplishment, but we believe we have all the answers about how to get there. There are always lessons to learn and insights to gain in
Never let anyone tell you that you are not practical, or there is no chance…….You take the opportunity.
order to transform from one place in life to another. Don’t get too discouraged when roadblocks pop up. Look at them carefully and see what they are trying to teach you. Too often, our confidence is lacking, and we turn back when if we went one more mile down the road, we would have found what we are looking for in their dream.
Maintaining your confidence can be the most challenging thing because fear is a constant companion. I doubt that we might fail—fear of what others might think of us. Worry about what we will do without a fulfilled dream. Fear is a disease that infiltrates your mind and takes away your confidence. Don’t let it happen. Action always defeats fear. Let your action take you one more mile down the road, then another, until you find what you are looking for in your accomplishments. It is there waiting for you one more mile down the road.
Value
Not all things in life are going to obtain without difficulty. Most things that are valuable will cost you effort, creativity, perseverance, and inner strength. All of these attributes will rise to the surface, helping you accomplish whatever it is you are dreaming about doing. Just because something is not easy to do, doesn’t mean it isn’t right for you. To be our best, we need to learn and develop skills that take us in the direction we want. The challenges we face on the path offer us the opportunity to become better and learn what we need to know. Rather than getting frustrated, we need to embrace whatever obstacle our way is and see what valuable lesson it teaches us.
Sometimes when things come to us quickly, it is hard to maintain gratitude and appreciation for them. When you have to expend effort to accomplish them, the value of that thing increases. It may not mean the same to anyone else, but to you, it does. Your story doesn’t matter what others think; it is what you think and knows about yourself because of the trials you have undergone that should matter to you. That is the value of life and the value of your dreams. If you can persevere in one instant, you know you can do it in another. Just keep taking action, being creative, and look for opportunities to grow.
Dreams Come True
Creating a goal and achieving it is something that anyone can do. Not all will because it can get hard on the road to your accomplishment. You have to decide for yourself what your story will read like when it’s over. The result will be yours and yours alone. Did you keep going when things got complicated, or did you move forward?
You are writing your story every day. Each of us is the creators of our own story. Do you learn the lessons, and develop the skills and obtain the knowledge you need or not? That is the question that will determine the extent of your success in life. Keep moving toward your dream, and don’t let your life be sidetracked in life by perceived failure. Learn the lesson, and keep moving forward. Your vision may be just one more mile down the road.
“Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.” ―James A. Michener.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” ―Nelson Mandela
“How long should you try? Until.” ―Jim Rohn
“You just can’t beat the person who won’t give up.” ―Babe Ruth
“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who had kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” ―Dale Carnegie
I am the kind of person that looks for exceptions. There are a few things that seem to be always correct. I look for themes permeating through all situations and interactions. When looking for these themes in life, I raise my consciousness and look for things that matter. I am finding parts of myself that have value and need to focus daily to bring more positivity. What you remember about yourself and your abilities will directly lead to the success you experience in life. Each of us has the power within us to change the world, and it is up to you to decide if that change is a positive or a negative one. Every day, we always have choices between one path and another, one of pure positive and one of fear. You always make a choice. Today the focus is on some of the forces in your life which are still at your disposal. It begins with a look at your thoughts, the emotions that connect to them, the words that you speak to express your feelings, and the actions you choose to take in the end. Invariably these things are connected.
Always Ignore the Naysayers
No matter what you are trying to accomplish in life, there will still be people who will express their disbelief in you and what you are doing. What is their motivation? Usually, it is fear. If you can accomplish the goals you set and took steps towards, then the only thing stopping them is the strength to choose. It isn’t easy to maintain excitement about your goals because someone always seems to be deterring you. Telling you the goal is impossible. They may think it outlandish, out of your league, silly, or a waste of time. Always ignore this.
When it comes to accomplishment, the most important thing is to try. Once you make an effort, one of two things will happen. You will succeed, or you will fail. There is a power in knowing. If you reach then high, you have accomplished what you set out to do. If you fail, then great. You have gained valuable information about what you need to do to make whatever you are doing work the next time. Then you get a chance to try again with more knowledge and understanding of the process. Always this is the case. Ever none of this good stuff happens if you listen to those who dismiss things out of hand. Still, ignore the naysayers. They are roadblocks on the path to success in anything you do.
Always Treat People Well
All people could still do, which will make the lives of everyone you deal with, will be better. I learned a long time ago that if you treat people well, it always comes back to you. Be honest, be kind, understand, and stay away from being self-centered about your dealings with others. It is an easy recipe but sometimes hard to remember. I have days when I have to remind myself of this—going to the gym. Seeing there seem to be people who are just getting in my way.
At these moments, I have to take a deep breath and remember it isn’t all about me, and change my thoughts from frustration to understanding. We are all just trying to get through our lives. Treating people as they want to be treated is pretty straightforward. Please pay attention to what those you care about like and then provide that experience to them. There is no time that it isn’t the best choice to treat people well, and it will all come back to you. I have often said it doesn’t cost anything to be kind.
Always Face Your Fear
We are all afraid of something: heights, crowds, snakes, or public speaking. Something is going to make us feel frightened. Fear has a deeper hold on most of us as well. Fear is the opposite of love. Now our underlying concerns exist because of something that happened to us in our experience. It could have been something that happened to you or, more often, something we heard to avoid because it might harm us. So we live our lives being afraid of something that unnecessarily causes stress in our lives.
Always facing your fear is a good policy. Once you do, you realize that if fear can stop you from being yourself around what you are afraid of, it can control you in other ways. Face your fear. If you are scared of snakes, hold one. If you are fearful of public speaking, do it. Whatever it is, face it, and the realization that fear is just a thought that we give power to is all that is left. Take that power away, and you can replace the idea with something much more productive and help you accomplish your goals.
Always Sum it Up
There are many things I could put on the list of always, love, be kind, give, be grateful, which are just a few that jump out at me. I am thankful for the people in my life. I appreciate them all. I urge you to think of things you always do and look for areas to improve your experience. The lives of those around you will get better as well.
It begins with raising your awareness and becoming aware of your thoughts, the corresponding emotions, the words that result from those thoughts, and the actions that spring from them. It is always a choice to allow a view to having power, either positive or negative. Choose well.
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” Jimmy Dean
“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your sunshine.” Anthony J. D’Angelo
“Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.”- Og Mandino.
Recently, I have been reminded that no matter how much you focus on the positive, there will still be moments when you are going to feel some negative emotions. They may be a rare occurrence, but they do happen in everyone’s life. Rather than be held hostage by negative emotions, I look for ways to leave that negative mood behind and move into a more personally valuable space. Accomplishing this is not easy because once you let the gloomy thoughts into your area, they tend to take over and dominate your thoughts, words, emotions, and actions, negatively affecting your life and all those in it. The great news is none of these thoughts patterns are permanent, and some simple things can help you find a better space. Our moods are energy, and we have the power to shift our energy at any time. Be assured that an attitude is as permanent as the thoughts you decide deserve your focus. You can turn it around, and here is how.
Learn the Positive Opposite
One of the easiest ways to change your emotional state is to recognize the negative and focus your attention on its positive opposite. When a situation occurs and stirs up negative emotion, first, understand what is happening. You know that you feel anxious, angry, upset, worried, mean, or some other feeling on the opposing side. Once you identify the emotion, you will want to understand what is making you feel that way. Some situation has brought on negative thinking. Understanding this will provide insight into what you need to work on for yourself and better deal with future problems. Once you have pinpointed the negative emotion that is permeating your mind, immediately identify with its opposite. If you are feeling anxious, focus on things that calm you.
To be calm is a challenge because negative moods and emotions are much like quicksand; they suck us in slowly and inevitably and are not easy to escape. The quicker your action, the easier it is to remove yourself from the negative mess. If you sit there wallowing in it and thrashing about, you are only going to sink deeper. Recognize the negative emotions quickly. Change your thoughts to the opposite of what is dragging you into the muck. The optimistic view is a sturdy rope that will pull you out of that quicksand. Just keep your focus and be willing to believe you can control how you feel and affect the world around you.
Emotional Shift Example
Let’s say you start to feel about anger coming on. Something has happened to trigger it and make you think you have to express this anger. First, understanding that anger is the face of fear helps because you are troubled, life isn’t going to meet your needs. But an immediate shift in thought to gratitude or thankfulness for all the things you have will calm this common negative emotion.
Knowing that life will meet your needs will often assure you that anger isn’t the right path to venture down. The same goes for the emotions of fear. The opposite of fear is love. They go hand and hand, and love is a many-faceted emotion. If you are experiencing fear of loss, change your focus to the existence of those who love you.
Judgments
Negative emotions, like the judgment of other people, can result in a negative, bad mood. Many of our decisions are created based on erroneous information provided by the media, movies, or, most often, inaccurate preconceived notions. Judging others limits you. Acceptance is the opposite position that always is available when judgment comes into reality. Look at the feeling of judgment, recognize why you feel that way. Let it go and allow people to be who they are. We judge other people on things that are different from us. Usually, judging occurs to make someone feel better about themselves. Or sometimes, a flaw in another is something we see and don’t like in ourselves.
Acceptance is the opposite of judgment and comes when we realize we are all the same inside, and no matter who you are looking at or what they have done, you are connected by our shared humanity. All people are just a different version of you. Who is to say what you might do or have done in different circumstances. Focus on spending your thoughts on accepting others as they are and making yourself the best version you can. Each moment spent judging the lives of others is a waste of energy and brings you nothing positive at all. Look to recognize the humanity in all people. Even if it pushes you to the depth of your being, try to see another’s humanity.
Positive Focus
In our lives, we always have a chance to focus our attention and energy toward the positive. Even when we allow ourselves to fall into a negative mindset, we can still shift it all around and salvage a day or even a situation. There will be some things that hurt us, and we have to react appropriately, but in everyday life, too often, people allow the negative to dominate their existence. Sorrow and grief will enable you to experience loss, but when it is time to turn it around, you focus on positive things, triumphant situations. With frustrations or disappointment, change the focus to patient understanding that all items are continually working, and we can’t see the result of any problem right now.
The positive is always available to you. It takes a focus and desire to move into a positive frame of mind continually. Ask yourself, what kind of life experience do you want to have? Remember always that life is a finite experience, and it will all be over too soon. You can choose to enjoy the ride.
“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” Willie Nelson
“Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.”- Hans Selye.
There are times in a day, a week, month, or a year where thoughts get stuck in our heads negatively. These thoughts may come from worrying about what will happen in the future or because of some regret from your past. You get caught dwelling on something someone said to you or did to you that was not positive. These types of thoughts weigh you down and hold you in a mental state of anger, frustration, or fear. The more you think about it, the more you are stuck. It is not easy to get unstuck and get your mental state back to a more positive place, but it certainly can happen. Here are a couple of things to help you find a better spiritual place. Being mad or depressed is not going to do you or your health any good. Continue reading Gratitude List→
Each of us has a power that we either use to help move us toward our goals or provide an excuse for not achieving what we want. I think it is much more similar to life in the Star Wars franchise than we would probably admit. All people contain within themselves a duality. These two sides have a high potential to do things perceived as an excellent good or something representing evil.
All people contain this power within them, and that is the force of life. It is not by magic that people end up living an authentic life. It is by conscious decision. The choices we make in every moment dictate the nature of the force within us. These choices are a refreshing combination of how we think about ourselves, the world, and everything in it. Focus honestly on how you feel about things and your conscious thoughts today. Notice the emotions that arise in you because of an idea. Then see the words and actions that come from that. This process determines the power and nature of the force in you. It all starts with thoughts.
Operating on the Light Side
We would all like to think of ourselves as being the hero and doing what is right always. That is not a human experience. It is a constant struggle between our two sides. Here is the simple formula for working with the forces of light. Put others before yourself, be kind in thought and deed, accept the differences of others, feel joy, peace, serenity, love, hope, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. All of these exist within us, and it is our choice to practice them or not.
What a world we would have if all people were able to function in this part of themselves. If you look at how you like to be treated, all of these things are probably on the list. Choosing these things and meaning allows the force within you to help others. It isn’t always easy to think this way when you see someone doing something say to someone else or you. It is human nature to want to fight back and take an eye for an eye. When we are hurt, we want to cut back. To put that instinct aside and treat a situation with love will allow the force in you to do great good in the world.
Welcome to The Dark Side
Welcome to the dark side, which needs no introduction, I am sure because we all have one of these. Our darkness exists by our insecurities, pains, and fears of our lives. Anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, superiority, and ego contribute to our dark side. These are thoughts that lead to words and actions that will directly or indirectly harm others somehow. But the person who is hurt the most is you. The dark side of the force does contain the power, but it is corrupting, painful and takes away the good in the world for selfish gain.
Many people I have known can harm someone by directly consciously speaking words that exploit the insecurity of someone. Then fear is generated, or selfishness, and that person has been infected. Look at the people in your life and how they speak to you and others. Where on the scale of the force does their intention come from in each moment? The allure of the dark side is that you will not have to suffer again. But the truth is, of course, your actions are causing you to experience. These thoughts and emotions wear you down and hurt you. To feel these things is the dark side.
Your Force is Always there.
Inside of each of us, this force I am trying to define is always available to you. It is there to call on when you need strength to face a challenge. Even in the most desperate times in life, remember the force in you will be there to push back the adversity and allow you to thrive if you let it. You may have to make a course adjustment, learn a new skill, create a new goal, or start over. Whatever the task ahead of you, the power to move toward it every day is the force inside you.
Be conscious of how you can help yourself and help others see the good in the world through you. Take advantage of opportunities to show this. Consciously practice kindness even when there is no apparent gain for you. Create hope for someone in the world. Don’t let mindless anger brought on by fear control you. It solves nothing but creates pain in the world. Pain and suffering are the calling cards of the dark side of the force within you.
Where does your force lie?
Every day, you have a choice to cause pain and suffering to others or create joy and kindness. These choices develop in the thoughts you choose to entertain. Are they from the dark side, or are they from the light? The force in you will always be there working on the side that you choose. So choose your thoughts wisely. The world depends on it. And it all starts with your thoughts, the corresponding emotions they lead to, the tenor of the words you speak, and the actions you take. All things will affect the force in you and the effect that energy has on the world. Which side of the line do you fall on here?
“We must wake.” -Yoda
“Always pass on what you have learned.”- Yoda
“The dark side clouds everything. Impossible to see the future is.”- Yoda
How might you change your life and the lives of others by being more positive?
Give yourself a little positive boost today. These things will help us to develop ourselves as productive beings. There are certain areas of life we need to cultivate and others we need to leave behind us. As you look at the activities and conversations you have throughout your day, take a little time to evaluate how these things I am going to talk about work into your life. If they are not something you are currently developing, consider taking some time to build these things in your relationships, inside yourself, and life in general.
Generosity is something you can practice every day. You can give things to others, but giving yourself, your time, and caring is much more valuable. Giving will provide you with a path to find growth and learning. Being generous is also the path to receiving as well. Look at your life and see where you can be more generous with your time and give others the attention they need. Give time, give notice, give love to all areas of your life. The person who will be receiving it is you.
Discipline is another trait you can work on building into your daily life. Be in control of what you say and how you treat other people. All people are capable of causing harm to others with very little thought. Try not to be one of these. Your growth as a positive person should not, in any way, cause damage to others. Develop a sense of consistent learning and appropriate behavior as life gives you the lessons you need to become better than you were yesterday. Every day is an opportunity to stick to the good and let go of the negative, and to be able to do this consistently takes discipline in life, thought, and action. Work to develop this in your everyday life. My definition of discipline is doing what needs to happen to the best of your ability every time it needs to happen. Practice this in all areas of your life.
Patience is a different sort of learning experience. It’s human nature to want it all and want it now, but that experience may overwhelm you and not allow for an appreciation of any part of an experience. Let all things evolve at their speed and in their own time. By enabling each item to grow and develop as it needs, we allow an opportunity to appreciate that thing and a chance to grow from experiencing it. Growth is the opposite of forcing things, allow the moments to be the moments they are, enjoy the process. Let things develop as they should. Pushing your agenda in life always leaves you empty-handed. Set a goal, ask for what you want, then let it grow as it should.
Acceptance of ourselves, others, and life’s situations is another key area we can develop. We all must give away our thoughts of perfectionism, which is always a lie someone else has told you. Instead, focus on the truth of who you are and the quality that exists in every moment. What is perfection but a created thought of the desired outcome? In other words, how we perceive a situation should play out. But who is to say what is best for us? What is the learning we need? Let go of the need for perfection and embrace the quality that naturally exists in every moment. There is a beauty in the imperfection and power there too. Allow all things to be perfectly imperfect. In this imperfection, we can find ourselves and appreciate the matrix that is life.
Use your mind rather than letting your brain use you. Or worse yet, letting someone else do your thinking for you. Control is gained by learning to relax and allowing your thoughts to flow. You are not identifying with any of them in particular but noticing each as they pass you by on their way. To think this way is meditation, and with practice, it can calm you physically and improve your mental capacity.
Most importantly, control of your mind will allow you to exist in this moment, which is the only thing you have. Thoughts of the past and future are all fantasy, created in our minds. The present moment is the only one we can live in and learn to embrace and enjoy it. Connect with the things in your life right now.
Cultivate your most powerful asset, your thoughts. This growth occurs just like tending a garden. The activities you participate in, the ideas you think, and the actions you willingly participate in will allow for the appearance of the backyard of your mind. Most people never realize how they are creating their existence and experience, primarily based on the tenor of their thoughts. Keep your mind open to experiencing new paths of positive experience. All of our feelings will result in an emotional response, and those responses will be charged with positive or negative energy. Positive energy will pick you up, and the negative will take you in the other direction.
These are all things you can add to your life today if you need a little positive boost. Who wouldn’t want that?
“Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe.”
“When you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine.”
“So, what if, instead of thinking about solving your whole life, you think about adding new good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow.”
“A great attitude becomes a great day, which becomes a great month, which becomes a great year, which becomes a great life.”
It isn’t something most people dwell on, but each of us contains a personal power we release into the world every day. We do this with the things we choose to think about and the actions we decide to undertake in life. These choices determine if we are dominant positively or negatively. That is a magical thing to realize. Your consciousness will determine just how you are going to affect the world. Your pledge to maintaining a positive mental attitude supported with like actions will allow you to produce a force in your life you will want to represent you. Take a moment, and honestly, look at your thoughts and see if you are expressing your power in the right way for you.
Self Perception
When you think of yourself, what is it you see? Is there an influential person who makes choices, lives by them, and accepts the responsibility for them. Or do you know a person who is just trying to get along, following directions, and looking for ways to fit in and not rock the boat? Most of us fluctuate somewhere between being dominant and being weak. But the choice to be assertive is a personal one, and it starts with choosing to have a mindset of positive power.
You can choose today to entertain thoughts which are of a successful person. A person who makes excellent choices will want to live with the consequences of their actions. There is a competent person there who deserves all of the good things life can bring you. If you are letting any other thoughts enter your consciousness, then you are limiting yourself. It is not arrogant to see the good things in yourself and live from them. It is intelligent and healthy.
Visualize Your Best Version of Things
Most people don’t realize the power their imagination holds for their lives. Nothing was built in any realm of man that didn’t first exist in someone’s imagination. Your creative abilities are as high as anyone else’s if you choose to develop your skill. This action is suitable for creating your life, just as it is in creating something physical. How you look at things matters.
The choice is to look at yourself as confident, vibrant, and happy now and always. If you don’t feel this way, start to visualize life more robust and secure. Picture in your mind what life would be like if you thought the power to see yourself as confident in your choices and abilities to follow through with your ideas. It will go a long way toward being successful. It will get you past any short-term failure and keep your momentum moving to more compelling life. Visualize the best you that you want to experience, and you can create it.
Develop a Positive Mindset
All lives include suffering. That is the way of life. It is how you face these challenges that define who you are and what you stand for. The talent to maintain a mindset that hopes for the best in all situations is a power that few people can cultivate. But it is a path that will allow you to see the suffering as just an experience. Life is going to change. Sometimes those changes are easy, and sometimes they are exhausting emotionally and mentally. Perspective is the thing.
Looking at any situation and carrying hope for the best to come out of it will allow you the chance to do just that. A positive mindset is not a practice of ignoring the difficult things in life but understanding them as a part of the process and not a definition of life. Negative thoughts exist; they are harmful because of our perception, and that perception is adjustable. Great things can still come from situations in which we suffer. It may be three or four moves down the board, but it happens all the time if you have an attitude that expects the best in your daily life and your future. Always expect excellence, and most often, that is what you will get.
Choose the Good
One of the factors you should develop in your life is the element of choice that is always available to us. We have to ability to choose one road, or it is opposite at all times we do this right now. Should I go to sleep early or not? Should I eat this or that? Being able to weigh the different options is a part of being human, and being aware that this choice exists the advantage of more active consciousness. It allows you to look at all things in your life and realize there is a choice. You can consciously choose images and actions, create the desired reality, or choose something else. That is powerful.
Understanding what you want in life can be a real challenge. There are many options, and to get some things, other things need to be let go. But with a visualization of your goals and a belief in yourself to take affirmative action and create positively beautiful things can enter your life, regardless of where you find yourself right now. The more extensive the challenges you overcome, the more valuable the experience. That is your power, and you can choose to use it or not.
“A clear vision, backed by definite plans, gives you a tremendous feeling of confidence and personal power.”-Brian Tracy.
“If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided.”-Tony Robbins
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”-Laozi.
Are there any truths that are universally accepted, no matter what? I think there are a few concepts whose value is universally positive and something you strive to practice in your life. Because if you involve these things into your existence, then your life will provide more value to the world, and the world will offer more value to you. Developing a foundation of trust is vital to cooperating with others and developing a long-term pattern of personal growth and interpersonal interactions. The universal truths accepted and practiced will allow you to live a more positive, productive, and successful life. Fairness, integrity, honesty, human dignity, growth, service, and quality are things we should strive for in our lives.
Fairness
The saying, “Life isn’t fair,” is one of the first I remember learning. But that is not true because life is ultimately fair, and looking to provide fairness in all we do is a positive aspect of a person’s personality. There are equal opportunities for all people to pursue in life. There is money to be made, fame to garner, a joy to find, happiness to experience for everyone. Our attitudes about these things ultimately dictate how much we see. Fairness is universal and always available. You are in control of how much you experience in life.
All people naturally strive to make things fair in any group setting. Selfishness, of course, exists. It results when people create their self-worth around material possessions and fear they will not have enough. Enough money, property, ownership, or anything else a person can think and feel is a status symbol. But if you take all of that away, at our core, we can all recognize the value of fairness and how the practice makes life better.
Integrity
The moral code with which we live our lives will define who we are to ourselves and the world. What do you do when nobody is watching? I have known many people who were quite hypocritical in this arena. Putting on a charitable, kind face in one situation but then being something entirely different in another. Developing integrity inside yourself of kindness, honesty, compassion, and understanding is vital to becoming the best version of yourself, and I think it is the same for all people.
Each person decides this for themselves, and it is not something set in stone. Like all aspects of the human experience, it is developing throughout your life. You can improve your integrity and grow as you learn through life. Being more positive is realizing your choices in all areas of personal development and deciding to “be better.” That road is always available to you to change, grow, and have more integrity in your life.
Honesty
Being honest is a much more complicated concept than it should be. Too often, we do not tell the truth because of fear. Fear of hurting someone else on the positive side or fear of losing something, lack, or pain on the less kind face of things. All people have lied at some time, and the repercussion of that act will stay with you forever. Being an honest person is a skill like any other, and it brings the benefits of trust, faith, and appreciation with it. It always amazes me how many people never focus on being honest when dishonesty leads to nothing but trouble and negative life experience.
Honesty is the best policy because you never have to remember what you said. The truth is always the truth, and it doesn’t change. It also benefits improving your character, energy, and ability to make a positive impact on life. In this world, we live in can be a challenge, and the person it is most important, to be honest with is yourself.
We Are All The Same on the Inside
Too often, we define people by what we see on the outside and ignore the inside of someone. We are all the same on the inside. We have thoughts and emotions which are telling us what to do and how we feel about things. These things build through our conditioning and conscious thinking about living. We determine if we treat others with human dignity or not. We understand that all people you encounter in all situations are just another version of you, and your compassion for their condition can only help. When you have a choice to be kind or not, be kind to another. Please treat them with respect and understanding. Regardless of race, religious conviction, problems, body type, or mental capabilities, all have emotions and thought to dictate their existence. We are all in the same boat.
Try today to look at all people through this lens and see the commonalities existing within them. Each person you see has a nonstop river of thought and emotion running inside of them, just as you do. They are trying to make sense of the information they are taking in and the reality they are experiencing. Perception is our reality. Separations exist to protect people in a physical, emotional, and mental way. If you look at everyone understanding their similarities rather than their differences, there is nothing to fear. We are all the same.
Growth or Death
It is the way of nature in all things to seek a growth path. To become better tomorrow than we are today or ever have been in the past. Each day of our lives provides us with the opportunity to grow from our current state of living, thought, and understanding of the world and become something more. What precisely depends on us and how we approach our lives. It is my experience we are moving in one of two ways for the most part. We are getting better, or we are getting worse. I have seen people with nearly unlimited potential refuse to believe in themselves and wither away into a recluse of self-absorption. I have seen other people with less talent continually work and strive to be better, and those people always win in the end. Growth is a universal part of life, embrace it and become a better version of yourself tomorrow.
You can choose to follow a growth path today and become a better person than you were in the past. It is up to you to make the choices that lead you to think better, act better, and become a better person. These options are always there for you to make. The fiber of your existence will depend on the choice you make in this area. Are you getting better, or are you getting worse today? Strive for better and improve a little bit, and your life will start to flourish.
Service
We are not put here in this life to do things for ourselves. The people who follow that path are narrow-minded, selfish, and unhappy at the end of the day. Our lives are meant to have a purpose, and that will be revealed when you start to put the happiness of others ahead of yourself. What service looks like to you will be unique to your talent, temperament, interests, and personal experience. Rest assured that life will put you in a position to provide a service to others.
It is common to look at yourself and fear you don’t have anything to give anyone needs. That is a mistake; if nothing else, you can offer kindness, caring, understanding, empathy, happiness, joy, support, and tenderness to the world. That is the decision of service you can make in any life and at any time. Is there any argument that these things will make the world a better place and you a significant contributor? Think of service in this vein, and all of the small ways you can make a positive difference will reveal themselves to you. Have to courage to give your service and change the world in a small positive way.
Quality
There is an opportunity on most days to show what quality you carry inside of you. It may be any of the above characteristics you display in your interactions with others or just the patterns of thought you choose to pay attention to, but the quality of your life is an important thing to keep in mind. Your class will show in everything you do. Not in the initial results of an activity, but do you practice the growth mindset and strive to get better? Or do you stick to the little thoughts about your abilities and shy away from being vulnerable enough to learn something new?
Your ultimate quality as a person will be determined by the positive or negative impact you have had on other people and their lives. This effect is a choice that you can make every day of your life and at every moment. Determine your quality and understand nobody, but you are responsible for the amount of quality your life provides others. It is a sobering question to ask yourself how much quality you have provided to the world.
Finally……..
Take an honest look at your life at this moment and evaluate the direction it is moving in. If you feel something is lacking, then start by looking at how each of these universal truths is being practiced in your life. It may be an eye-opening and sobering experience. But one in which you can make choices to improve in any area you wish. Need to be kinder? Make that choice. Need to improve your integrity? Do that. Need more honesty? Be honest. There is always a chance in every new day to move your life in a different direction. It is up to you to decide if you will be moving in a direction more positive or negative than before.
“This life is what you make it. No matter what, you’re going to mess up sometimes; it’s a universal truth.” – Marilyn Monroe.
“We can’t control what thoughts and emotions arise within us, nor can we control the universal truth that everything changes. But we can learn to step back and rest in the awareness of what’s happening. That awareness can be our refuge.” -Sharon Salzberg.
“Each of us embodies, in a particular tale and clothed in the garments of time & place, universal truth, and everlasting life.”- J.R.R. Tolkien.
“The only time you have is the where and when of right now. There will always be good times, bad times, hard times, and complete disasters. However, there is no other option but to be where you are when you are. That is a universal truth for everyone. The important thing is how you respond, what you decide to do, and when you decide to do it.”- Chris Murray.
Think-direct one’s mind toward someone or something; use one’s mind actively to form connected ideas.
We receive the most important tool we could ask for when we are born — the ability to think. Yet, so often, we waste the power of our thought on things that are petty, unproductive, selfish, and short-sighted. The mind can do so much good when focused on the positive and so much mayhem if thinking in the negative. Nothing has ever arrived in the world that did not exist in someone’s mind first. It is through the power of their thought that turned whatever is into reality. Look around you and see furniture, lights, fire extinguishers, chairs, or whatever else you see around you. They were nothing until someone thought of them in their mind and took steps to bring them into reality. So today, I challenge you to focus on how you think. A person becomes what they think about in life. And, of course, how you think, what you say, and the actions you take will reveal what you are and what you will become.
Are You Positive or Negative?
Your thoughts control the energy you produce, plain and straightforward. All people are both transmitters and receivers of energy. Either you will be positive or negative based on the tenor of the thoughts you entertain regularly. Favorable views of love, kindness, acceptance, understanding, and forgiveness will lead to a production of positive energy. These are the people who pick you up, make you feel good, and cause you to believe all things are better than you thought they could be.
On the negative side, thoughts focus on fear, judgment, non-acceptance, hate, meanness, or unforgiving. These negative thoughts come through in your words about others and will transcend into your actions. This energy transmits to all in your life, spouses, children, friends, and coworkers. If your life seems like a negative experience where everyone is selfish and petty, look at your thoughts. The negativity you create attracts other negativity. Are you optimistic or pessimistic in your life? Your feelings tell everything. But on the positive side, you can change this experience whenever you choose to, by focusing on different thinking. Eliminate the negative and create some positive in your life.
Imagination Creates Everything
When you think, it is not all about facts. A mind is a creative tool if you allow it to be and use it as such. When we are young, our imaginations run the show. We create fantasies about what we will become, where we will go, what we will do, and everything about life. As we grow, society tells us to stop daydreaming and get to work. And we do. We are leaving behind the most powerful and joyful ways to think and forget to use our imaginations.
What could happen if we had all the people in the world using their imaginations to solve problems and create beautiful things? Too many people are not controlling or noticing their thoughts at all. They just let them run in whatever direction they go like a wild animals. Wild animals are hard to corral and harness. Practicing meditation can allow us to focus our thinking and find the thoughts that resonate with us. Use your creative ideas to make things that will enable you to happiness and make the world a better place. Think with imagination. You are the only one who can think your thoughts and bring your perspective to the world.
Control what you Think
If you don’t control what you think others will. That is a fact of life that becomes more apparent with each passing day. Look at the messages we are receiving from the media and telling you what to be afraid of, who you can’t trust, or what activities are acceptable. Advertisers are no less invasive, selling your thoughts about what products will help you be healthy, famous, and in the end, happy. Listen to those thoughts, and the only ones who will be satisfied are the people collecting your money. Happiness comes from within you, not from outside of you.
When it comes to fear, that is a negative thought that allows others to control you. If you’re always afraid, you will act a certain way. Usually just like somebody else wants you to. The danger is something that can hurt you, and you should be careful of it. Fear is just a thought that controls you. It makes you fall in line with the system. Support government actions of violence in the name of security. Justify poor treatment of people who are not “one of us.” Look at your thoughts and honestly see which are your own and which belong to someone else. Control Your thoughts, or someone else will.
Thinking Skills
Thinking it is a skill that can bring all things into your life, both positive and negative. The only person who is responsible for your thoughts is you. If you don’t like the energy of your life, change it with a conscious awareness of what you are thinking throughout your day.
The thoughts you decide to entertain will either bring great things in your life or create negatives. You are a potent being, and your views are your weapons. They lead to everything about you. From what you will accept for treatment from other people to how much money you can make to the quality of your relationships. Your thoughts determine all of these things. Your creativity in all things is nothing more than a different and unique way to capture and organize your thoughts.
Take some time to look at the thoughts you are entertaining today. See the emotions that are naturally attached to them. Observe the words you use to express these thoughts to the world. Finally, the actions that you take will turn your dreams into reality.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein.
“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” ~William Shakespeare
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” ~Henry Ford
Each day is full of opportunities to do great and unique things. To pursue a goal, seek your purpose in life, or spend time with those who matter to you. All of these things are great ways to fill the hours of your life. If you do them every day, there are a few more things that will enhance your life and provide you with a better experience. I have a list of five things that might have the ability to improve your day. Give it a try.
to take an inventory of these things. Once you focus on what you do have rather than what you perceive to be going wrong, your attitude will pick up.
and mistakenly see them as flaws holding them back. Perhaps others have demeaned you when their originality is a ticket to success, but why should their opinion matter? They are dealing with their things. You are a unique, one-of-a-kind person with unlimited potential to be the greatest you possible.
think you have anything. You can think, love, will, laugh, imagine, create, plan, speak, and meditate, all without a penny to your name, and those things can bring you power and joy.
