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Choose Your Path!

   

There are more than six billion people on our planet and just as many ways of viewing life and how it is experienced.  There is, however, one thing that we all have in common and that is the power of choice.  It doesn't matter who you are, what you know, who you know, or where you live, you have the power to choose.  Each and every day we choose how to spend our time (yes, even that job you hate is your choice) and we choose how daily occurrences will influence our lives.

There Are Two Paths

Not only are we blessed with the power of choice, we also can decide how to deal with whatever life presents to us.  We must choose to either React or Respond.  At first glance these two paths may seem to be pretty much the same, but looks can be misleading because in reality these two paths lead to two very different destinations! 

Let's break it down and make it simple.

React- When you are in "Reactor" mode, you are acting (making decisions) under the influence of something or someone.  Reacting is surrendering control, getting "caught up" in the "immediate" and will leave you unprepared for what may happen next because you aren't thinking of anything else. I like to call this "Freaking Out"!  See picture example below.

    "Freak Out Mode"
 

Reaction mode, if left unchecked, will easily perpetuate itself and therefore create and endless cycle of stress.  Reaction is negative. Think of a patient suffering from an illness.  The patient is given medication that he is allergic to and he has a reaction.

Respond- When you are in "Responder" mode you act upon a situation and not under its influence.  Responding is taking control of the situation, having an awareness of further implications that may arise and being prepared.  It's interesting to note that one synonym for the word "respond" is "answer".  When you are responding you are seeking or creating an answer to whatever it is you're facing.  To respond is positive.  For example: The patient is responding to the treatment.

Isn't it wonderful that we can choose which of these paths we can follow?  Naturally, during the course of my life I have thoroughly investigated both, and I highly recommend taking the path of the "Responder"!

Which path do you most frequently find yourself?  Please share your thoughts, your methods of staying on the right path and your experiences!

Dreaming Or Drifting?

"Without dreams, there is no reality!" - Luis B. Couto

Do you have a dream?  Not the sort of dream that occurs during sleep, but rather something that you really want that, if you achieved it, would enrich your life tremendously?  When you wake up in the morning do you have a "in the pursuit of a dream" type of inner drive and motivation?  If one does not have such a dream , they are really drifting through life as they are lacking a sense of direction and purpose.

A dream is a picture in our mind (and heart) of how we desire our lives to be.  Having such a dream will instill in us a blessed state of discomfort.  I say "blessed state of discomfort" because as you already know, if we get too purpose and comfortable in life, we also get a bit lazy which quickly leads to stagnation and boredom.  A dream will give us hope and help us remain steadfast and strong through the challenging times.  A dream also provides a sense of is a great source of encouragement as we see ourselves getting closer to it becoming a reality.  

"All our dreams can come true-if we have the courage to pursue them." -Walt Disney

Yes, dreams can come true, but by themselves they can be too vague.  We can say "I have a dream to become a successful author", but if that dream is not accompanied by focused effort and daily action steps it isn't likely to materialize.  Thinking and talking about our dream is not enough, but when a plan of focused action is applied to it, we can be assured it will happen. 

"Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them."                     - John Updike

Dreams energize the emotions and emotions are where our feelings come from.  Feelings are powerful tools that, when utilized, will propel us in the direction of that which we desire.  Having a dream isn't foolish or unrealistic.  A dream comes from deep within us and manifests itself as an intense desire.  This desire can be called your "Passion" and it is possible to live out your passion.  It is possible to do that which you dream of, and in fact, possessing that desire/dream is all the proof you need that you also possess all that is necessary to achieve it! 

So go ahead.  Dream.  Do.  Become.  The world needs that which only you can provide.

Do you have a dream that you want to become a reality?  Are you applying focused effort to your desire?  Please share in the comments!

Random Acts Of Kindness!

One month ago Sami, from the very cool blog entitled Life, Laughs and Lemmings, launched something that seems to be turning into a movement!  She started Random Acts of Kick Arse, which encourages acts of selflessness and each month there is a new theme.  This October the theme was Kindness.  I chose to take part and thought I'd share my thoughts.

Kindness is Kool!

Kindness is defined as the quality or state of being kind.  Kind is defined as being generous, warm-hearted, understanding, charitable, and considerate.  I really work to live my life in such a way that I am kind all the time.  Admittedly, there are moments when kindness is not the first trait I initially wish to exhibit, but I have found that living a life characterized by much kindness is a life with less stress and regrets.

Experiencing Kindness

During October I had many opportunities to be kind to others, as we all do, and I worked to stretch that attitude even further.  There a few people I am exposed to on a regular basis that are extremely negative.  I really do not like to be around them very much.  I thought about that and decided I would go the extra mile and extend more kindness to them.  I am unsure what impact this may have had on them, but I do know the impact it has had on me.  It opened me up to different thoughts than I usually have toward these individuals.  Thoughts like "What if most of the people in their lives feel as I do and don't like to be around them?  Certainly if that is true, it must feed their bitterness.  I want to be different.  I want to be the change I wish to see in the world, right?"  So I did show more kindness and I hope it has helped them in some way.

I also had the opportunity to help someone in my extended family who has had some difficulty over the years.  See, I have some mechanical skills as I was an automotive technician (yes, that means "mechanic") for several years.  Their car would not run and they were desperate and had nowhere else to turn.  I repaired the car, at my own expense, and got them on the road again.  They were so very happy.  They said they would pay me when they can and maybe they will, but what I received from the experience cannot be purchased.

Receiving Kindness

I am very blessed to be surrounded by people that love and care about me.  One such person is my beautiful partner in this life, Jenny.  She has taught me very much about kindness in the past four years so I felt it prudent to mention her.  I've always heard that to get really good at something it is a good idea to hang around someone who is an expert in what it is you wish to learn.  Well, Jenny is an expert in kindness (though she will blush and deny that when she reads this) and it has been my very good fortune to have been exposed to her.  I pray that everyone reading this has someone like that in their lives.

I want to thank Sami for starting this Random Acts of Kick Arse and I hope it continues to spread.  Please visit her blog, you will love it!

 Please visit these bloggers as well.  They participated in the RAOKA as well and their blogs are top notch!! 

Lance at The Jungle of Life

Dani at Positively Present

Lori at Jane Be Nimble

Brandi at Joy Rebel

Melissa at Operation Nice

Peggy at Serendipity Smiles

If I missed anyone please let me know and I will add you too!!

In the comments, please share your thoughts on and experiences with Kindness!

Keep The Faith!

"Keep your faith and your doubts will starve to death!"

You have found your purpose for being on planet Earth and you have set out on a path that you know will allow you to fulfill that purpose.  You're certain you know why you are here and this certainty is called Faith.

You will discover, if you haven't already, that even though you have faith that you're on the right path, the doubts will come anyway.  You may doubt your abilities, you may doubt you have what it takes to persevere, or you may even begin to doubt your purpose altogether!  What can you do about these doubts?  You starve them until they die!  You do this by not giving those doubts any of your attention.  Keep walking and trusting your faith in yourself and your purpose.  Focus your thoughts and attention on what is real.  Doubts are a form of fear, and doubts are not real!  Doubts need your attention in order to survive...and so does your faith!  Just keep your thoughts and attention on your faith, on your purpose and your doubts will die.

 

Align Action With Belief

"There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do"  -Freya Stark

Your success in fulfilling your purpose and living your passion is tied to the actions you take every day.  If your actions align with your beliefs you will be full of joy.  A joy that is rooted in the knowledge that you're living out your life's purpose and passion.  On the other hand, if your daily actions do not align with your beliefs you will be quite unhappy and certainly not fulfilled.

If You Experience Fear, You're Normal!

Living a bold life and fulfilling your purpose does not mean you will never experience fear.  The initial appearance of fear is simply a signal that you are entering unfamiliar territory, and that's okay!  Do not beat yourself up over this!  It's what you do next that counts!  If fear paralyzes you and stops you dead in your tracks, then you have reason to be concerned.  If you acknowledge the fear and forge ahead in spite of it you will see the fear diminish and soon it will cease to be a factor. 

"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint', then by all means paint, and the voice will be silenced"  -Vincent Van Gogh

How do you "Keep the Faith"?  What are some ways you face down fear or doubt?

Overload Your Life!

 

 

It's A Matter of Principle

In the world of physical fitness there is something called the Principle of Overload (or just "Overload Principle").  This principle states that in order to increase strength in any of the systems of the body (muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal) you must work it harder than it is accustomed to working.  For example: You want to get your body into better shape, maybe lose a little fat and gain some muscle, and you know you'll look and feel better by doing so.  How will you accomplish this?  You will have to work (exercise) your body harder than it has been accustomed to!  When you apply the Principle of Overload in this manner, the body begins to adapt, fat melts away and muscles tone and grow. 

Isn't this a great metaphor for personal growth and success?!

Overload Your Life!

If you wish to change your life, to go places you haven't been, do things you haven't done, make more money than you've ever made, and become more than you've ever been, then you must think like you've never thought before.  You absolutely must push the envelope and expand your mind!  In other words, you must Overload yourself...mentally speaking.

Let's be clear about what is meant by "Overload" in this context.  It does not mean to take on an excessive amount of extra work or activities.  If you do that, you'll probably burn out real quick!  What it does mean is that you must use your mind (your thoughts) in ways that you haven't been.  You must work your mind harder than it has been accustomed to working.  When you apply the Overload principle in this way, your mind begins to adapt and strengthen its' capabilities.  Old, non-productive thoughts and habits melt away.  New thoughts, ideas and disciplines begin to grow.

    

                                                                        

Some Overloading Ideas                                   

You may be saying to yourself "Okay, this all sounds good, but where do I start?  How can I begin to apply the Principle of Overload to my life?"  It's not as difficult as you may be thinking and it definitely isn't something to dread the way many people do physical exercise.  It can be as simple as taking a course on a topic you're passionate about.  Learn to play an instrument, volunteer for something or start your own business.  Research something or learn a new skill that will help you succeed in your current occupation.  The great thing about this is that you get to fill in the blanks!  You just have to DO SOMETHING that you haven't done, or learn something you didn't know. To get different results than you've been getting, you must do something different than you've been doing!  Life will become more fulfilling and exciting as you progress and grow.

Engage your mind, and work it harder than it has been accustomed to working. Soon, you will see amazing and positive changes in your life.  I promise.     

Please share ways you keep your mind "Overloaded"!

Living The Kind Life

The Time Is Now!

While reading some of the coolest blogs out there, I came upon something pretty awesome.  Sami, over at Life, Laughs and Lemmings has sounded a rallying cry, and is spearheading Random Acts Of Kick Arse (RAOKA)!

Random Acts

Through monthly themes, she plans to impact the world around her by simply being kind.  In this context, by the way, kindness is a verb!  Each month a new concept, or theme, will be given. Throughout that month we will focus on ways to incorporate more of that concept into our daily lives, as well as into the lives of the people we come into contact with!  Is that cool or what?

In the first part of the following month, we're going to write a post that will tell of our experiences! 

The Theme For October

KINDNESS

This is all about real action!  Impacting the lives of people with goodness.  So please join the RAOKA army and let's go commit some kind acts! 

Whaddya say?

Begin Where You Are!

 

You have a dream, a goal, or desire that you want to attain.  You want it so very bad and are ready to do whatever it takes to get it.  The thing is, you don't think that you possess all of the necessary skills, have enough resources, or live in an area that has very many opportunities.  So what should you do?

"Do What You Can..."

Okay, maybe you don't have all the skills that you will need to achieve your goal, but let me assure you that you do have enough skills to begin the pursuit!  You do not have to know everything to make a start.  In fact, you will most likely not even be aware of the things you'll need to learn until you start down the path to your goal!  "So how do I begin? What do I do?" you ask.  You do what you can!  You start with the skills that you do possess and get going!

"...With What You Have"

Just as you do not have to know everything in order to begin, you don't have to possess every resource either.  If you carefully look inside yourself, as well as around yourself, you will discover that there are more than enough resources to get you started.  Remember, we're talking about enough to get you started down the path to your goal, not to get you all the way there.

Let's say that you want to take a lengthy road trip in your car.  You know ahead of time that there'll not be enough fuel in your car to get you all the way to your destination.  Does knowing this cause you to cancel your trip and stay home?  Of course not!  You have faith that somewhere down the road there will be a gas station where you can refill your tank!  So go ahead!  Set out on your journey and have faith that there will be places down the road to refill your "tank"! 

"...Where You Are"

There may be some advantages to living in such places as New York City, Los Angles, Atlanta, or Miami but here is the reality:  When it comes to pursuing and achieving your dream, it simply does not matter where you live!  There are inspirational stories of success from every conceivable locale and circumstance!  You can impact this world regardless of your geographical location, and in this age of computers and internet, the world has become very accessible.  Geography cannot hold you back; only you can hold you back!

Do you have a story of how you did what you could, with what you had, from wherever you were?  Please share it so that we can all be encouraged!

Don't Quit!

"Never, never, never give up!" -Winston Churchill

"Never consider the possibility of failure; as long as you persist, you will be successful" -Brian Tracy

"You just can't beat the person who never gives up" -Babe Ruth

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up"  -Thomas Edison

"Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn"   -Harriet Beecher Stowe

"It's always too early to quit"  -Norman Vincent Peale

"Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go"  -William Feather

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all"  -Dale Carnegie

It's easy to just give in when things get tough.  It's easy to quit when situations and circumstances try to swallow you up.  Well, don't do it! Never give up!  :-)

What keeps you in the game?  What helps you to keep going, no matter what?

Joy In The Journey

I write a lot about achieving goals and making dreams a reality, but I would be amiss if I didn't point out an important, perhaps THE most important, aspect of success.  The Journey!

Decide To Act!

The journey begins once you've made the decision to act on your thoughts/desires, and continues up to the very moment you actually attain your desire.  The entire process, from the point of decision to the point of attainment, is your "journey". and that is where the real magic takes place!

When you set out do something you've never done before, you begin a process of growth and self-improvement.  To get something you've never had, to go somewhere you've never been, or to accomplish something you've never accomplished requires that you become more than you are.  You will learn things that you do not know, you'll experience situations you've never experienced, and you'll likely meet people you've never met. This is exciting stuff! When you reach a goal, you are not the same person you were when you first set out to get it!  You have more skills and are a wiser You!  I love the way Jim Rohn put it when he said "Whatever good things we build end up building us".

Knowing ahead of time that the journey to your goal will make you more than you presently are is empowering!  You will have a mindset that helps you leap over every hurdle or go around any obstacle that appears in your path because you'll understand that you're just encountering an opportunity for growth.  You may not immediately know how to overcome a "problem" but you know you will!  You will develop the attitude that says "There are no problems, just solutions!"

Rites Of Passage

Another wonderful thing about the growth you experience during the journey is that it prepares you for even loftier goals that would have been beyond your abilities before.  Like different levels of a video game, you can't move up to the next level until you've been through the previous ones.  Each journey builds upon the one before, carrying you higher and higher.

Make your decision to act on a dream.  Set your goal; go for it and do not hold back!  The journey there will expand you as a person and in the end, that is the most valuable thing you'll attain.

"The major value in life is not what you get.  The major value in life is what you become"  -Jim Rohn

I have recently embarked upon another journey myself and it didn't take long for several opportunities for personal growth to appear!  I am improving my  "listening skills", increasing my ability to make calm but quick decisions, even in an atmosphere of chaos, and have deepened my understanding of the power of encouragement.  There is plenty of room for more growth but I am excited about the changes that are taking place within me.

How about you?  Have you made your decision to act on a dream?  What are you learning on your journey?  Please share it in the comments!  Who knows? What you share may really help someone else!

Your Mind The Helm, Your Thoughts The Rudder

                                            

Human beings are truly incredible, and we all are capable of great accomplishments.  Take a look back through history and you'll easily discover thousands of examples of what great things mankind has accomplished.  History will also show that there have been many times mankind has looked great truths straight in the face and was still unable to see it.  It was only five-hundred years ago that man still believed the earth to be flat, and vehemently opposed any explanation to the contrary.  Mankind was thoroughly convinced, and was thoroughly wrong.  I believe future generations will one day look back and wonder why so many rejected or doubted this great truth; that controlled, specific thoughts can and will determine the sort of life we live.

"Who Won't Be Ruled By The Rudder Must Be Ruled By The Rock"

A ship's steering wheel is known as the Helm, and the helm controls the Rudder which is what guides the ship in a specific direction.  In your life, your mind is the helm and your thoughts are the rudder.  It is your thoughts that will determine the direction your life will take.  When you take possession of your mind (meaning you consciously choose and control your thoughts), you are taking the helm of your ship.  The thoughts that you then choose will act as a rudder for your life, guiding you in a specific direction.  Without specific thoughts of your own choosing your ship (life) will be without a rudder and will likely end up on the rocks.

In many ways your thoughts will determine your feelings, attitude and ultimately your destination.  I created this chart to better illustrate this:

 

My thoughts have led me into an intense time of action.  I am taking daily action steps that will ultimately lead me to the fulfillment of my dream.  I have zeroed in on my purpose and now know exactly the direction in which I am heading.  I am at the helm, the rudder is performing it's task and providing guidance.  You know, I am excited about my destination, but the thrill of the journey makes my heart race!  In my last article, I described myself as being on the bow of my ship as I weighed anchor and made my way out of the harbor.  The harbor is now behind me, and the open seas are ahead of me.  I have walked back from the bow and have put a firm hand on the helm, the rudder responds, and I am proceeding full sail into the sea of possibility.  I see many of you are already out here and that encourages me, those who have not yet left the harbor, be encouraged and weigh that anchor!

How are your thoughts guiding you life at this moment?  Do you know the direction you're heading?  Please share in the comments!

"Go Confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined" -Henry David Thoreau