It’s Like Santa Claus

I was in the mall today and I was watching a little boy sit on Santa’s lap and tell him exactly what he wanted for Christmas. He left nothing out; in fact, he had a pretty long list. He looked right at Santa in positive expectation that each thing he asked for would be waiting for him under his Christmas tree on Christmas morning.

And I got to thinking, as I ate my pretzel on a nearby bench, that Santa Claus is like the Universe; we give it a list of what we want, in vivid detail just like that little boy, and we expect that we will get what we ask for.

The little boy has it exactly right…a kind of “ask and you shall receive” kind of thing.

He’s got it right…but do we? Are we asking and expecting that it will be ours?

And there’s one more thing…we don’t have to wait until Christmas morning, the Universe is open 24/7.

So go ahead and ask…operators are standing by.

It’s All In Your Perception

It’s all in how you see things…how things unfold for you in life.

If you see everything as annoying, if you are annoyed at everything, well then, it’s gonna keep happening to you…more stuff coming your way to get you mad.

The guy in front of you takes an extra 3 seconds to go when the light turns green; you lean on the horn…you’re annoyed.

The lady in front of you at the deli counter decides at the last minute that she wants a lb. of Swiss cheese and you have to wait another minute…you’re annoyed.

The guy in the drive-though line is ordering too many things in your estimation and should park and go inside the store…you had to wait an extra 90 seconds…you’re annoyed.

And now these people have gone on their merry way enjoying their day…but you’re not because you’re still annoyed.

So, you have a choice. You can either change your perspective on the things that happen during the day; you can let it roll off your back and then walk away smiling…

Or you can be annoyed.

Your choice.

Are You Using It Well?

Are you using it well… your imagination? Are you using it to zoom in on the things you want,painting a colorful picture of what you want your life to be like? Are you painting smiles and happiness? Are you using it to focus in on your goals in great detail?

Good for you!

But if you’re using it and the pictures you’re painting are sad or dull or boring to you…like watching paint dry, then it’s time to spice it up!

Really get into it and see your life the way you want it to be. Put some color in there. Put some smiles in there. Take that dull and boring stuff out of there and toss it away.

You don’t want dull! You don’t want sad or boring either.

So get to work.

So What Are You Talking About?

So what are you talking about? What kind of words are pouring out of your mouth?

Are you talking happily; using words like “love” and “kind” and :grateful”, you know, stuff like that?

Or do you say words like “hate” and “angry” and “hopeless”, you know, stuff like that?

The words that come out of your mouth help form your world. So what do you want your world to look like; to feel like? Do you want a world that’s sunny and where you can smile and be happy?

Or do you want one filled with darkness and cobwebs, one that is icy cold and lonely?

Your words will help decide that for you; they will help you decide where you hang your hat.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate it. Remember this is a day to be grateful, so put aside any ill feelings you may have and concentrate on all you have to be happy for.

As an old friend of mine once said, “Being grateful for the little things paves the way for the big things to come your way.”

Remember that today; those are very wise words indeed.

Are You Paying Attention?

Are you paying attention…to the lessons life teaches you, or do you just feel that nothing ever goes your way? Do you stop to think about what you could learn from a situation, or do you just assume it’s all bad and just feel sorry for yourself?

Each situation in life can teach us something if we’re open to it. It might even be a lesson in how not to do things but that can often be a very valuable lesson indeed.

So, the next time, before you run around yelling and screaming about something that might not have gone as you thought it would, think about how you could make it better next time around.

Yes, it takes patience and a willingness to do that; we are sometimes so conditioned to just get mad that we just never think there’s any other way to be…but there is.

Why not try it the next time you think life is presenting you with some “hard knocks” and see if you can soften them up a little.

What Frequency Are You On?

What frequency are you on? What station are you tuned into?

Are you on a higher frequency, one of love or gratitude or enthusiasm? Do you jump up each morning just waiting to greet the new day and get going? It feels good to be tuned into one of those stations, doesn’t it?

Or are you are one of those lower frequencies, tuned into one of those stations that has so much static on them that no one listens to them; they just get passed over. You know those stations- they have names like fear and guilt and anger. When you’re there you don’t feel very good, it’s like being in some kind of “twilight zone” and you don’t know which end is up. You just kind of go around in circles just hoping to break out of it and get moving again.

But what frequency you spend the most time on is totally up to you. I know which one I’m going for.

Here It Is!

Here it is…a brand new week just for you. What’s that you say? It’s not just for you? Yes it is…if you want it to be.

Look, you can keep going the way you are; frazzled, angry, rushed; generally not feeling as if you’re getting your “piece of the pie” But let me ask you this- what is it really doing for you?

I mean, does it thrill you to be mad? Does it make you smile the biggest smile ever when you’re tying to do twenty things at once only because you never ask for help? Do you enjoy that? Be honest now…

Probably you don’t. Probably you want your life to be more calm and peaceful so you can concentrate on the bigger picture;going after your goals and feeling good about yourself and the world around you.

But it starts with you. It starts with that very moment that you make the choice- whether to slow down, pace yourself, ask for help if you need it or if you just tear into things at a hundred miles an hour and get mad,madder, and now you’re foaming at the mouth mad.

It’s going to be a lot easier if you choose the first one but if you want to foam…

Think about it.

So, Are You a Joy To Be Around?

So, are you a joy to be around? What I mean is do people look forward to seeing you? Do you make them smile? Do you listen sympathetically when they talk and do you let them talk…and really listen to what they have to say?

Or do you just complain? Does your friend invite you to dinner and then you just sit there, complaining about the food, the service, the neighborhood, the time of day, etc., even though your friend is treating you?

Think about it. How much time do you spend speaking positively? How much time smiling or praising or thanking someone for something they did for you? Do you make a habit of saying something nice as much as you can?

Then I’ll bet that you have lots of friends and that you are a joy to be around.

But if you constantly complain, if you constantly find fault with almost everything around you then I’ll bet you spend a lot of time alone and it may not be because you like solitude.

Think about it.

Ya Just Can’t Sit There!

Ya just can’t sit there…pretty though it may be, with no clear idea or goal of where you want to be. At some point you have to make a choice; will you follow your dream or will you let life pass you by?

Will you set goals and move toward them? Even a small step is better than no step at all. Or will you just make excuses and keep sitting, thoroughly unsatisfied?

It’s your life, don’t you want it to be the best one it can be?

Then stand up, jump in and start swimming. You’ll find with each stroke it will get easier and easier until you reach the other side and isn’t that where you wanted to be in the first place?