So will you ride it out…the “storm” that sometimes comes along when people don’t like your ideas? Will you step out to claim them or will you let criticism stop you; will you let it be drowned by “you can’t do that” or “it will never work”
I read somewhere that an idea goes through three phases:
You can’t do that- it’s impossible
Maybe it can work but on a very limited basis
I knew it was a great idea all along
Don’t wait for phase three- follow your heart now!
Do you know what you’re good at and what comes natural for you? Spend a little time thinking about this.
William Matthews tells us “One well cultivated talent, deepened and enlarged is worth one hundred shallow faculties”
When we’re doing things we’re good at we seem to be in a natural flow and that enables us to get better and better at it, helping others as well as ourselves.
So why force something that may not be a good fit for you? Go with what feels right.
Today I read a story about a teacher who helped a little boy when everyone else thought he would fail in life. Each day she worked with the little boy and each day he absorbed more and more of what he was being taught. They never thought the little boy would ever get through high school.
He kept in touch with his teacher to let her know he did graduate high school and wanted to go a little further. A few years later he wrote to tell her he got his bachelor’s degree and thanked her for believing in him. “Just a little further” he said again.
Some time had passed and he wrote again, this time the letters “M.D.” followed his name and he again praised her for making a difference in his life.
This teacher’s attention made all the difference.
Ask yourself today- “what difference can I make in the life of someone else? What can I do to make someone’s day brighter?”
Are you seeing it? Are you seeing obstacles as opportunities for growth?
Thomas Carlyle said ” The block of granite that was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak becomes a stepping stone in the pathway of the strong”
Which do you choose to be…the weak or the strong?
Are you hanging on…to old hurts and arguments? Are you refusing to forgive; reliving an unpleasant past over and over again? Have you dug your heels in and refuse to budge?
D.L. Moody tells us “I believe a great many prayers are not unanswered because we are unwilling to forgive someone.”
You can’t claim a bright future if you are clinging to dark events of the past.
Let go and forgive…you’ll both feel better for it!
Are you focusing on joy? When you say your affirmations and set your goals do you do it from a happy,joyful state of mind? Or do you work from a place of anger or worry?
If you feel sad or down do something first that elevates your mood…in fact, if you can that’s a great time for a nap.
Always set your goals and say your affirmations from a positive place, a happy state of mind. it is from that place that they have real power.
Do you…help others? Or do you go through life saying “poor me” and never giving a second thought to those who may be in pain or trouble?
Man years ago a wise man was asked what he should do when he felt nervous, as if his world was crashing in around him. And the man replied that he should lock up his house and go find someone who needs his help.
Mother Teresa said “Unless life is lived for others it is not worthwhile. A self centered life is totally empty”
Reach out to someone who needs you today and you’ll help improve TWO lives..
Just move! Just take a step towards what you want; towards a goal you’ve been thinking about. Go ahead…do even one small thing and see that you now have the motivation to take another step and then another…but you need to start.
It has been said that “Motivation follows action” is very true. If you wait until the mood strikes you then you may be waiting a long time. Take action and see the motivation follow right along on its heels.’
I remember reading somewhere that a dense fog, one covering about seven city blocks and one hundred feet deep is actually composed of about half a glass of water…
Worry is like that fog. The more you do it, the bigger the problem seems to become. There may not be much to it, like half a glass of water, but negative thoughts and emotions thrown into it make it seem almost insurmountable.
So when worry knocks, instead of indulging it and making it like that big blanket covering you think “Okay, how can I make this better,” and focus on solutions so you’ll only have half that glass of water instead.
Just stop for a moment…when you feel yourself saying “I’m too busy” Just stop for a moment when someone asks your help or your opinion or just needs someone to talk to.
Sure, you’re probably busy…life moves at a fast pace. But the people we care about won’t be in our lives forever so isn’t it better to speak now, face to face and see a smile then to wait until it’s too late and have only an empty chair with which to converse?
Value those close to you. Everyday.
Deborah Ailman 