tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31969436548564670112024-03-08T13:52:59.018-08:00SthezistResinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196943654856467011.post-47092815344974724962013-04-22T05:09:00.001-07:002013-04-22T05:09:26.126-07:0030 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself<!--[if !mso]>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">When you stop chasing the wrong things you give<br />
the right things a chance to catch you.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">As Maria
Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/12/11/30-things-to-stop-doing-to-yourself/" title="Click to Continue > by Browse to Save"><span style="color: blue;">start</span></a>
a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
Nothing could be closer to the truth. But before you can begin this
process of transformation you have to stop doing the things that have been
holding you back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Here are
some ideas to get you started:</span></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop spending time with the
wrong people.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of
you. If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for
you. You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot. Never, ever
insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth.
And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at
your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst
that are your true friends.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop running from your
problems.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Face them head on. No, it won’t be easy. There is no person in
the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them.
We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems. That’s
not how we’re made. In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt,
stumble and fall. Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to
face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time.
This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop lying to yourself.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – You can lie to anyone
else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself. Our lives improve
only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can
take is to be honest with ourselves. <i>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743243153/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743243153"><span style="color: blue;">The Road Less Traveled</span></a></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0743243153" border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\Sgawe\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif" width="1" /></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.</span></i></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop putting your own needs
on the back burner.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – The most painful thing is losing yourself
in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are
special too. Yes, help others; but help yourself too. If there
was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to
you, that moment is now.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop trying to be someone
you’re not.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s
trying to make you like everyone else. Someone will always be
prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger,
but they will never be you. Don’t change so people will like
you. Be yourself and the right people will <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/12/11/30-things-to-stop-doing-to-yourself/" title="Click to Continue > by Browse to Save"><span style="color: blue;">love</span></a>
the real you.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop trying to hold onto the
past.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
You can’t start the <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/12/11/30-things-to-stop-doing-to-yourself/" title="Click to Continue > by Browse to Save"><span style="color: blue;">next</span></a>
chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop being scared to make a
mistake.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive
than doing nothing. Every success has a trail of failures behind it,
and every failure is leading towards success. You end up regretting
the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop berating yourself for
old mistakes.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
We may love the wrong person and <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/12/11/30-things-to-stop-doing-to-yourself/" title="Click to Continue > by Browse to Save"><span style="color: blue;">cry</span></a>
about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is
for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for
us. We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in
our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles,
and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your
future. Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is
preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop trying to buy happiness.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Many of the things we
desire are expensive. But the truth is, the things that really
satisfy us are totally free – love, laughter and working on our passions.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop exclusively looking to
others for happiness.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – If you’re not happy with who you are on the
inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else
either. You have to create stability in your own life first before
you can share it with someone else. <i>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400077427/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400077427"><span style="color: blue;">Stumbling on Happiness</span></a></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1400077427" border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\Sgawe\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif" width="1" /></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.</span></i></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop being idle.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Don’t think too much or
you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place.
Evaluate situations and take decisive action. You cannot change what
you refuse to confront. Making progress involves risk. Period!
You can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop thinking you’re not
ready.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Because
most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort
zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop getting involved in
relationships for the wrong reasons.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Relationships must be chosen wisely.
It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company. There’s no need
to rush. If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right
time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when
you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop rejecting new
relationships just because old ones didn’t work.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – In life you’ll realize
that there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will test you,
some will use you and some will teach you. But most importantly,
some will bring out the best in you.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop trying to compete
against everyone else.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Don’t worry about what others are doing
better than you. Concentrate on beating your own records every
day. Success is a battle between YOU and YOURSELF only.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop being jealous of
others.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your
own. Ask yourself this: “What’s something I have that everyone
wants?”</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop complaining and feeling
sorry for yourself.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason –
to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you. You may not
see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be
tough. But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you
in the past. You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a
better place, person, state of mind, or situation. So smile!
Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were
yesterday, and you will be.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop holding grudges.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Don’t live your life with
hate in your heart. You will end up hurting yourself more than the
people you hate. Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is
okay.” It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin
my happiness forever.” Forgiveness is the answer… let go, find
peace, liberate yourself! And remember, forgiveness is not just for
other people, it’s for you too. If you must, forgive yourself, move
on and try to do better next time.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop letting others bring
you down to their level.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Refuse to lower your standards to
accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop wasting time explaining
yourself to others.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Your friends don’t need it and your enemies
won’t believe it anyway. Just do what you know in your heart is
right.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop doing the same things
over and over without taking a break.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – The time to take a deep breath is when you
don’t have time for it. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll
keep getting what you’re getting. Sometimes you need to distance
yourself to see things clearly.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop overlooking the beauty
of small moments.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Enjoy the little things, because one day
you may look back and discover they were the big things. The best
portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling
with someone who matters to you.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop trying to make things
perfect.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things
done. <i>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142000280/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0142000280"><span style="color: blue;">Getting Things Done</span></a></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0142000280" border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\Sgawe\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif" width="1" /></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.</span></i></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop following the path of
least resistance.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Life is not easy, especially when you plan
on achieving something worthwhile. Don’t take the easy way
out. Do something extraordinary.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop acting like everything
is fine if it isn’t.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – It’s okay to fall apart for a little
while. You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is
no need to constantly prove that everything is going well. You
shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either – cry if
you need to – it’s healthy to shed your tears. The sooner you do,
the sooner you will be able to smile again.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stop blaming others for your
troubles.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to
which you take responsibility for your life. When you blame others
for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give others
power over that part of your life.</span></li>
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<![endif]-->Resinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196943654856467011.post-70985387492405511942013-02-20T06:49:00.002-08:002013-02-20T06:49:27.135-08:0010 Life-Enhancing Things You Can Do in Ten Minutes or LessIt usually takes us much longer to change our moods than we’d like it to take. Here are ten things you can do in ten minutes or less that will have a positive emotional effect on you and those you love.
1. Watch "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. See it online at Oprah.com. This is a deeply moving segment that may be the best ten minutes you've ever invested in front of a computer.
2. Spend a little while watching the sunset with your mate. Nothing extra is necessary. Just sit and take in the natural beauty of the sky and appreciate being able to share it with the one you love.
3. Sit quietly by yourself. It doesn't really matter where or when. Just let your feelings bubble up and then experience the thoughts flowing out of your mind. Clearing your head and heart will give you extra energy to get through the rest of the day.
4. Write a thank you note to your mate. When was the last time you thanked your partner for just being who he or she is and being with you? Doing this in writing will give your partner something to cherish for the rest of his or her life.
5. Take out your oldest family photo album and look through it. The experience will fill you with fond memories and perhaps make you a bit wistful for days gone by.
6. Play with a child. Most kids have short attention spans; ten minutes of quality time from a loving adult can make their day. It will also help you stay in touch with the child inside of you.
7. Visualize or imagine a positive outcome for any issue. Medical doctors recommend visualization to patients with chronic and potentially fatal illnesses. If it can help them, it can do the same for you.
8. Go to bed with the one you love ten minutes earlier than usual. Then spend that time just holding each other. Let the feeling of warmth from your mate move through you.
9. Hang out by some water. Studies show that hospital patients who can see a natural body of water from their beds get better at a 30 percent faster rate. If you're not near the coast or a lake, try taking a bath. Doing so is also healing.
10. Get your body moving. Shake, twist, and jump around. Let yourself feel the joy of moving to your favorite music, or just the sounds in your head. Run, walk, and bike to your hearts content. You will live longer and love it more.
Sadly, many people measure happiness by how long the experience lasts. The truth is that a few minutes of joy here and there can make a big difference in what you get out of lifeResinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196943654856467011.post-13430278912285200012013-02-12T06:14:00.001-08:002013-02-12T06:14:58.985-08:00Ten Rules for Being Human <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="3" style="width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><b>1.
</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">
You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it's
yours to keep for the entire period.
</td></tr>
<tr> <td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><b>2.
</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">
You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time
informal school called, "life."
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><b> 3.
</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">
There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of
trial, error, and experimentation. The "failed" experiments are as much
a part of the process as the experiments that ultimately "work."
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><b> 4.
</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">
Lessons are repeated until they are learned. A lesson will be
presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you
have learned it, you can go on to the next lesson.
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><b> 5.
</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">
Learning lessons does not end. There's no part of life that
doesn't contain its lessons. If you're alive, that means there are
still lessons to be learned.
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><b> 6.
</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">
"There" is no better a place than "here." When your "there" has
become a "here", you will simply obtain another "there" that will again
look better than "here."
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><b> 7.
</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">
Other people are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate
something about another person unless it reflects to you something you
love or hate about yourself.
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><b> 8.
</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">
What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools
and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice
is yours.
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><b> 9.
</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">
Your answers lie within you. The answers to life's questions
lie within you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><b> 10.
</b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP">
You will forget all this.
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Resinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196943654856467011.post-8791370316305014732013-02-12T02:12:00.003-08:002013-02-12T02:12:53.412-08:0020 Bad Habits Holding Good People Back<h3>
A change in bad habits leads to a good change in life…</h3>
Here are twenty bad habits many of us repeatedly struggle with:<br />
<ol>
<li><strong>Expecting life to be easy.</strong> – Nothing starts easy;
everything begins at some level of difficulty. Even waking up in the
morning sometimes requires notable effort. But one beautiful thing
about life is the fact that the most difficult challenges are often the
most rewarding and satisfying.</li>
<li><strong>Overlooking your true path and purpose.</strong> – What
really matters in life is not what we buy, but what we build; not what
we have, but what we share with the world; not our capability but our
character; and not our success but our true significance. Live a life
that makes you proud – one that matters and makes a difference. Live a
life filled with passion and love. <em>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452289963/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0452289963">A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose</a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0452289963" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.</em></li>
<li><strong>Chasing after those who don’t want to be caught.</strong> –
Do not chase people. Be you, do your own thing and work hard on your
passions. The right people who belong in your life will eventually come
to you, and stay.<span id="more-443"></span></li>
<li><strong>Not asking for help when you know you need it.</strong> – No
matter how far you’ve gone down the wrong road, you can always turn
back. Be STRONG enough to stand alone, SMART enough to know when you
need help, and BRAVE enough to ask for it.</li>
<li><strong>Letting one dark cloud cover the entire sky.</strong> – Take
a deep breath. It’s just a bad moment, or a bad day, not a bad life.
Everyone has troubles. Everyone makes mistakes. The secret of
happiness is to count your blessings while others are adding up their
troubles.</li>
<li><strong>Holding on to things you need to let go of.</strong> – Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things in life that should not be. Sometimes <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/04/02/10-signs-its-time-to-let-go/" title="10 Signs it’s Time to Let Go">letting go is what makes us stronger</a>, happier and more successful in the long run.</li>
<li><strong>Spending time with people who make you unhappy.</strong> –
People can be cruel, and sometimes they will be. People can hurt you
and break your heart, and sometimes they will. But only YOU can allow
them to continuously hurt you. Value yourself enough to choose to spend
time with people who treat you the way you treat them. Know your
worth. Know when you have had enough. And move on from the people who
keep chipping away at your happiness.</li>
<li><strong>Not making time for those who matter most.</strong> – When
we take things for granted, these things eventually get taken away. Too
often we don’t realize what we have until it’s gone. Too often we are
too stubborn to say, “I’m sorry, I was wrong.” Too often it seems we
hurt the ones closest to us by letting insignificant issues tear us
apart. <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/01/29/20-things-to-start-doing-in-your-relationships/" title="20 Things to Start Doing in Your Relationships">Appreciate what you have</a>, who loves you and who cares for you. You’ll never know how much they mean to you until the day they are no longer beside you.</li>
<li><strong>Denying personal responsibility.</strong> – You’re getting
almost everything you’re getting right now based on the decisions you
have made; and you will continue to receive the same things until you
choose differently. You always have some element of control. There are
always other options. The choices might not be easy, but they are
available. You will not get a different result until you exercise a
choice that forces you to grow by habit, by action, and by change.</li>
<li><strong>Letting everyone else make decisions for you.</strong> –
Never allow someone or something that adds very little to your life,
control so much of it. You’ve got to stop caring about what everyone
else wants for you, and start actually living for yourself. Let go of
the people and things that continuously hold you back and no longer
serve you, because you only get one shot at life.</li>
<li><strong>Giving up who YOU are.</strong> – Remove yourself from any
situation that requires you to give up any one of these three things:
1) Who you are. 2) What you stand for. 3) The goals you aspire to
achieve. <em>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982986270/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982986270">Quitter</a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0982986270" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.</em></li>
<li><strong>Quitting as soon as things get slightly difficult.</strong> –
An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward; and such is life.
When life is pulling you back with difficulties, it means it’s going to
eventually launch you forward in a positive direction. So keep
focusing, and keep aiming!</li>
<li><strong>Doing too much and pushing too hard, without pausing.</strong>
– Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they
never find it, but because they never stop long enough to enjoy it.
Sometimes we are so focused on what we want that we miss the things we
need most.</li>
<li><strong>Discrediting yourself for everything you aren’t.</strong> – STOP discrediting yourself for everything you aren’t. START giving yourself credit for <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/04/26/you-should-be-able-to-say-about-yourself/" title="12 Things You Should Be Able to Say About Yourself">everything that you are</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Running from current problems and fears.</strong> – Trust
me, if everyone threw their problems in a pile for you to see, you would
grab yours back. Tackle your problems and fears swiftly, don’t run
away from them. The best solution is to face them head on no matter how
powerful they may seem. Either you own your problems and fears, or
they will ultimately own you.</li>
<li><strong>Constantly mulling over past hardships.</strong> – You’ll
never see the great things ahead of you if you keep looking at the bad
things behind you. To reach up for the new, you must let go of the
old. You are exactly where you need to be to reach your goals.
Everything you’ve been through was preparation for where you are right
now and where you can be tomorrow.</li>
<li><strong>Denying your mistakes.</strong> – Remember that most
honorable people of all are not those who never make mistakes, but those
who admit to them when they do. And then go on to do their best to
make the wrong things right.</li>
<li><strong>Expecting your significant other to be perfect. </strong>–
Remember that you will never find a PERFECT partner to love you in the
exact way you had envisioned, only a person who is willing to love you
with all that they are. Someone who will accept you for who you can and
cannot be. And although they will never be PERFECT, finding a partner
like this is even BETTER. <em>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1878424440/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1878424440">The Mastery of Love</a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1878424440" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.</em></li>
<li><strong>Focusing on the negative.</strong> – Positive thinking isn’t
about expecting the best thing to happen every time, it’s about
accepting that whatever happens is good for this moment, and then making
the best of it. So stay positive, and hold on to what’s truly
important. Let your worries go. No matter how you look at it, some
outcomes just don’t make sense right away. Choosing to carry on with
your goals through this uncertainty is what matters.</li>
<li><strong>Never allowing things to be good enough.</strong> – We are
human. We are not perfect. We are alive. We try things. We make
mistakes. We stumble. We fall. We get hurt. We rise again. We try
again. We keep learning. We keep growing. And we are thankful for
this priceless opportunity called life.</li>
</ol>
Resinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196943654856467011.post-1915336180785052182013-02-12T02:11:00.002-08:002013-02-12T02:11:46.092-08:0012 Life Lessons Learned in 12 Years on the Road<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<i>The journey is the reward. </i></div>
</blockquote>
For the past twelve years, since I entered college, I’ve been on the
road – traveling (business and pleasure), studying, living in different
cities, working for different companies (and myself), and meeting
remarkable and unusual people everywhere in between.<br />
Today I want to share twelve life lessons I’ve learned along the way.<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Everyone has the same basic wants and needs.</b> – When
you get to know people with different ethnic backgrounds, from
different cities and countries, who live at various socioeconomic
levels, you begin to realize that everyone basically wants the same
things. They want validation, love, happiness, fulfillment and hopes
for a better future. The way they pursue these desires is where things
branch off, but the fundamentals are the same. You can relate to almost
everyone everywhere if you look past the superficial facades that
divide us.</li>
<li><b>What you do every day is what’s most important.</b> – The difference between who you are and who you want to be, is <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/01/22/12-things-successful-people-do-differently/" title="12 Things Successful People Do Differently">what you do</a>.
You don’t have to be great to get started, but you do have to get
started to be great. Every accomplishment starts with the decision to
try. Remember, people seldom do things to the best of their ability;
they do things to the best of their willingness. Follow your heart, and
do something every day that your future self will thank you for.</li>
<li><b>You can’t always be agreeable.</b> – That’s how people
take advantage of you. You have to set boundaries. Don’t ever change
just to impress someone. Change because it makes you a better person
and leads you to a better future. Being your true self is the most
effective formula for happiness and success there is. Sometimes you
need to step outside, get some air, and remind yourself of who you are
and what you want to be. And sometimes you just have to do your own
thing your own way, no matter what anyone else thinks or says about
you. <i>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0671646788/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0671646788">The Magic of Thinking Big</a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0671646788" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.</i></li>
<li><b>You’re not perfect, but you’re great at being you.</b> – You might not be the most beautiful, the strongest, or the most talented person in the<span id="more-424"></span>
world, but that’s okay. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not.
You’re great at being you. You might not be proud of all the things
you’ve done in the past, but that’s okay too. The past is not today.
Be proud of who you are, how you’ve grown, and what you’ve learned along
the way.</li>
<li><b>You DON’T want perfect people in your life.</b> – Even
though you probably sometimes get confused, you don’t really want your
friends and lovers to be perfect. What you do want is people you can
trust, who treat you right – people you can act silly with, who love
being around you as much as you love being around them. It’s about
finding people who know about your mistakes and weaknesses and stand by
your side when others walk away.</li>
<li><b>Life is change. You must embrace it.</b> – Everything
in life is temporary. So if things are good, enjoy it. It won’t last
forever. If things are bad, don’t worry because it won’t last forever
either. Just because life isn’t easy right now, doesn’t mean you can’t
laugh. Just because something is bothering you, doesn’t mean you can’t
smile. Always focus on the positives in your life. You have a lot to
look forward to. Every moment gives you a new beginning and a new
ending. You get a second chance, every second. And don’t forget, just
because something doesn’t last forever, doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth
your while. <i>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1577314808/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1577314808">The Power of Now</a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1577314808" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.</i></li>
<li><b>Your scars are symbols of your growth.</b> – Don’t ever
be ashamed of the scars life has left you with. A scar means the hurt
is over and the wound is closed. It means you conquered the pain,
learned a lesson, grew stronger, and moved on. A scar is the tattoo of a
triumph to be proud of.</li>
<li><b>The truth is always the best choice.</b> – Respect and
trust are two of the easiest things in life to lose and the hardest to
get back. Never make a big decision when you’re angry, and never make a
big promise when you’re overjoyed. Never mess with someone’s feelings
just because you’re unsure of yours. Always be open and honest.</li>
<li><b>It’s the small, free things that matter most in life.</b>
– It’s nice to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s
also important to make sure you haven’t lost track of the things that
money can’t buy. Maturity is not when you start speaking and thinking
about the big things, it’s when you start understanding and appreciating
the small things. <i>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006158326X/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=006158326X">The Happiness Project</a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=006158326X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.</i></li>
<li><b>Everyone’s story is more complicated than it seems.</b>
– Every passing face on the street represents a story every bit as
compelling and complicated as yours. It’s not always the tears that
measure a person’s pain, sometimes it’s the smile they fake. Not all
scars show. Not all wounds heal by themselves. You usually can’t see
the pain that someone feels. Don’t judge a person negatively for their
past or feelings without a full understanding of their situation. Just
because you don’t agree based on what you see, doesn’t mean you’re
right. And don’t be so quick to point out the flaws in other people’s
lives when you are not willing to look at the flaws in your own life.</li>
<li><b>Giving up and moving on are two different things.</b> –
There is a difference between giving up and knowing when you have had
enough. It doesn’t make sense to hold onto something that’s no longer
there. Accepting what is, letting go, and moving on are skills that you
must learn when facing the realities of life. Some relationships and
situations just can’t be fixed. If you try to force them back together,
things will only get worse. Holding on is being brave, but <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/01/01/40-lessons-for-finding-strength-in-hard-times/" title="40 Lessons for Finding Strength in Hard Times">letting go and moving on</a> is often what makes us stronger.</li>
<li><b>You are not alone in being alone.</b> – To lose sleep
worrying about a friend. To have trouble picking yourself up after
someone lets you down. To feel like less because someone didn’t love
you enough to stay. To be afraid to try something new for fear you’ll
fail. None of this means you’re dysfunctional or crazy. It just means
you’re human, and that you need a little time to right yourself. You
are not alone. No matter how embarrassed or pathetic you feel about
your own situation, there are others out there experiencing the same
emotions. When you hear yourself say, “I am all alone,” it is your mind
trying to sell you a lie. There’s always someone who can relate to
you. Perhaps you can’t talk to them right now, but they’re out there.</li>
</ol>
And remember, sometimes a break from your routine is the very thing
you need. Sometimes you need to take a step back to see things
clearly. Traveling is one of the best ways I know to remain
psychologically grounded. If you’ve been stuck in an emotional rut for
awhile, without any positive change, perhaps it’s time to take a short
hiatus – get out of town for a few days, experience something new, and
stimulate your mind.Resinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196943654856467011.post-13756842674940959932013-02-12T02:10:00.003-08:002013-02-12T02:10:41.275-08:0010 Signs it’s Time to Let Go
<br />
<h2>
10 Signs it’s Time to Let Go</h2>
Holding on is being brave, but letting go and moving on is often what makes us stronger and happier.<br />
Here are ten signs it’s time to let go:<br />
<ol>
<li><strong>Someone expects you to be someone you’re not.</strong> – Don’t change who you are for anyone else. It’s wiser to lose someone over <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/03/08/11-easy-ways-to-uncomplicate-your-life/" title="11 Easy Ways to Uncomplicate Your Life">being who you are</a>,
than to keep them by being someone you’re not. Because it’s easier to
mend a broken heart, than it is to piece together a shattered identity.
It’s easier to fill an empty space in your life where someone else used
to be, than it is to fill the empty space inside yourself where YOU
used to be.</li>
<li><strong>A person’s actions don’t match their words.</strong> –
Everybody deserves somebody who helps them look forward to tomorrow. If
someone has the opposite effect on you, because they are consistently
inconsistent and their actions don’t match up with their words, it’s
time to let them go. It’s always better to be alone than to be in bad
company. True friendship is a promise made in the heart – silent,
unwritten, unbreakable by distance, and unchangeable by time. Don’t
listen to what people say; watch what they do. Your true friends will
slowly reveal themselves over time.</li>
<li><strong>You catch yourself forcing someone to love you.</strong> –
Let us keep in mind that we can’t force anyone to love us. We shouldn’t
beg someone to stay when they want to leave. That’s what love is all
about – freedom. However, the end of love is not the end of life. It
should be the beginning of an understanding that love sometimes leaves
for a reason, but never leaves without a lesson. If someone truly loves
you, they will never give you a reason to doubt it. Anyone can come
into your life and say how much they love you, but it takes someone
really special to stay in your life and prove how much they love you.
Sometimes it takes awhile to find the right person, but the right person
is always worth the wait. <em>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743243153/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743243153">The Road Less Traveled</a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0743243153" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.</em></li>
<li><strong>An intimate relationship is based strictly on physical attraction.</strong>
– Being beautiful is more than how many people you can get to look at
you, or how others perceive you at a single glance. It’s about what you
live<span id="more-429"></span> for. It’s about what defines you.
It’s about the depth of your heart, and what makes you unique. It’s
about being who you are and living out your life honestly. It’s about
those little quirks that make you, you. People who are only attracted
to you because of your pretty face or nice body won’t stay by your side
forever. But the people who can see how beautiful your heart is will
never leave you.</li>
<li><strong>Someone continuously breaks your trust.</strong> – Love
means giving someone the chance to hurt you, but trusting them not to.
When you completely trust a person, without any doubt, you’ll
automatically get one of two results - a FRIEND for life or a LESSON for
life. Either way there’s a positive outcome. Either you confirm the
fact that this person cares about you, or you get the opportunity to
weed them out of your life and make room for those who do. In the end
you’ll discover who’s fake, who’s true, and who would risk it all for
you. And trust me, some people will totally surprise you.</li>
<li><strong>Someone continuously overlooks your worth.</strong> – <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/02/27/12-things-to-start-caring-about-today/" title="12 Things To Start Caring About Today">Know your worth!</a>
When you give yourself to someone who doesn’t respect you, you
surrender pieces of your soul that you’ll never get back. There comes a
point when you have to let go and stop chasing some people. If someone
wants you in their life, they’ll find a way to put you there.
Sometimes you just need to let go and accept the fact that they don’t
care for you the way you care for them. Let them leave your life
quietly. Letting go is oftentimes easier than holding on. We think
it’s too hard to let go, until we actually do. Then we ask ourselves,
“Why didn’t I do this sooner?”</li>
<li><strong>You are never given a chance to speak your mind.</strong> –
Sometimes an argument saves a relationship, whereas silence breaks it.
Speak up for your heart so that you won’t have regrets. Life is not
about making others happy. Life is about being honest and sharing your
happiness with others.</li>
<li><strong>You are frequently forced to sacrifice your happiness.</strong>
– If you allow people to make more withdrawals than deposits in your
life, you will be out of balance and in the negative before you know
it. Know when to close the account. It’s always better to be alone
with dignity than in a relationship that constantly requires you to
sacrifice your happiness and self-respect. <em>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400077427/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400077427">Stumbling on Happiness</a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1400077427" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.</em></li>
<li><strong>You truly dislike your current situation, routine, job, etc.</strong>
– It’s better to be a failure at something you love than to succeed at
doing something you hate. Don’t let someone who gave up on their dreams
talk you out of going after yours. The best thing you can do in life
is follow your heart. Take risks. Don’t just make the safe and easy
choices because you’re afraid of what might happen. If you do, nothing
will ever happen. Chances must be taken, mistakes must be made, and
lessons must be learned. It might be an uphill climb, but when you
reach that mountaintop it will be worth every ounce of blood, sweat and
tears you put into it.</li>
<li><strong>You catch yourself obsessing over, and living in, the past.</strong>
– Eventually you will overcome the heartache, and forget the reasons
you cried, and who caused the pain. Eventually you will realize that
the secret to happiness and freedom is not about control or revenge, but
in letting things unfold naturally, and learning from your experiences
over the course of time. After all, what matters most is not the first,
but the final chapter of your life, which unveils the details of how
well you wrote your story. So let go of the past, set yourself free,
and open your mind to the possibility of new relationships and priceless
experiences. <em>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1577314808/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1577314808">The Power of Now</a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1577314808" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.</em></li>
</ol>
And the one thing you should never let go of is hope. Remember what
you deserve and keep pushing forward. Someday all the pieces will come
together. Unimaginably good things will transpire in your life, even if
everything doesn’t turn out exactly the way you had anticipated. And
you will look back at the times that have passed, smile, and ask
yourself, “How did I get through all of that?”Resinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196943654856467011.post-864305325237289582013-02-12T02:09:00.000-08:002013-02-12T02:09:19.492-08:0014 Rules for Being YOU<!--[if !mso]>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Be
yourself. Trying to be anyone else is a waste of the person you
are. Embrace that individual inside you that has ideas, strengths and
beauty like no one else. Be the person you know yourself to be – the best
version of you – on your terms. And above all, be true to YOU – if you
cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Starting
today…</span></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Get your priorities
straight.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Twenty years from now it won’t really matter what shoes you wore today,
how your hair looked, or what brand of jeans you bought. What will
matter is how you loved, what you learned and how you applied this
knowledge.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Take full responsibility for
your goals.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
If you really want good things in your life to happen, you have to make
them happen yourself. You can’t sit around and hope that somebody
else will help you; you have to make your own future and not think that
your destiny is tied to the actions and choices of others. <i>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982986270/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982986270"><span style="color: blue;">Quitter</span></a></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0982986270" border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\SGawe\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif" width="1" /></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.</span></i></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Know your worth.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – When someone treats you
like you’re just one of many options, help them narrow their choice by
removing yourself from the equation. Sometimes you have to try not
to care, no matter how much you do. Because sometimes you can mean
almost nothing to someone who means so much to you. It’s not pride –
it’s self-respect. Don’t expect to see positive changes in your life
if you surround yourself with negative people. Don’t give part-time
people a full-time position in your life. Know your value and what
you have to offer, and never settle for anything less than what you
deserve.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Choose the right
perspective.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Perspective is everything. When faced with long check-out lines,
traffic jams, or waiting an hour past your appointment time, you have two
choices: You can get frustrated and enraged, or you can view it as
life’s way of giving you a guilt-free breather from rushing, and spend
that time daydreaming, conversing, or watching the clouds. The first
choice will raise your blood pressure. The second choice will raise
your consciousness.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Don’t let your old problems
punish your dreams.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/04/02/10-signs-its-time-to-let-go/" title="10 Signs it’s Time to Let Go"><span style="color: blue;">Learn to let
go</span></a> of things you can’t control. The next time you’re
tempted to rant about a situation that you think ended unfairly, remind
yourself of this: You’ll never kill off your anger by beating the
story to death. So close your mouth, unclench your fists, and
redirect your thoughts. When left untended, the anger will slowly
wither, and you’ll be left to live in peace as you grow toward a better
future.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Choose the things that truly
matter.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Some things just don’t matter much – like the kind of car you drive.
How big of a deal is that in the grand scheme of life? Not a big at
all. But lifting a person’s heart? Now, that matters.
The whole problem with most people is, they KNOW what matters, but they
don’t CHOOSE it. They get distracted. They don’t put first
things first. The hardest and smartest way to live is choosing what
truly matters, and pursuing it passionately. <i>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743269519/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743269519"><span style="color: blue;">The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People</span></a></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0743269519" border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\SGawe\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif" width="1" /></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.</span></i></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Love YOU.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Let someone love you just
the way you are – as flawed as you might be, as unattractive as you
sometimes feel, and as unaccomplished as you think you are. Yes, let
someone love you despite all of this; and let that someone be YOU.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Accept your strengths and
weaknesses.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Be confident being YOU. We often waste too much time comparing
ourselves to others, and wishing to be something we’re not.
Everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses, and it is only when we
accept everything we are, and aren’t, that we are able to become who we
are capable of being.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Stand up for YOU.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – You were born to be real,
not to be perfect. You’re here to be YOU, not to be what someone
else wants you to be. Stand up for yourself, look them in the eye,
and say, “Don’t judge me until you know me, don’t underestimate me until
you challenge me, and don’t talk about me until you’ve talked to me.”</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Learn from others, and move
on when you must.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – You can’t expect to change people.
Either you accept who they are, or you start living your life without them.
And just because something ends, doesn’t mean it never should have
been. You lived, you learned, you grew, and you moved on. Some
people come into your life as blessings; others come into your life as
lessons.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Be honest in your
relationships.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Don’t cheat! If you’re not happy, be honest, and move on if you
must. When you’re truly in love, being faithful isn’t a sacrifice,
it’s a joy.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Get comfortable with being
uncomfortable.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Life as we know it can change in a blink of an eye. Unlikely
friendships can blossom, important careers can be tossed aside and a long
lost hope can be rekindled. It might feel a little uncomfortable at
times, but know that life begins at the end of your comfort zone. So
if you’re feeling uncomfortable right now, know that the change taking
place in your life is not an ending, but a new beginning. <i>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743226755/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743226755"><span style="color: blue;">The Power of Full Engagement</span></a></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0743226755" border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\SGawe\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif" width="1" /></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.</span></i></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Be who you were born to be.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Don’t get to the end of
your life and find that you lived only the length of it; live the width of
it as well. When it comes to living as a passionate, inspired human
being, the only challenge greater than learning to walk a mile in someone
else’s shoes, is learning to walk a lifetime comfortably in your
own. Follow your heart, and take your brain with you. When you
are truly comfortable in your own skin, not everyone will like you, but
you won’t care about it one bit.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Never give up on YOU.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – This is your life; shape
it, or someone else will. Strength shows not only in the ability to
hold on, but in the ability to start over when you must. It is never
too late to become what you might have been. <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/03/26/12-life-lessons-learned-in-12-years-on-the-road/" title="12 Life Lessons Learned in 12 Years on the Road"><span style="color: blue;">Keep learning, adapting, and growing.</span></a>
You may not be there yet, but you are closer than you were yesterday.</span></li>
</ol>
Resinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196943654856467011.post-68863574468905867102013-02-12T02:01:00.002-08:002013-02-12T02:01:25.754-08:0012 Choices Winners Make Every Day<!--[if !mso]>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must<br />
plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.<br />
-Zig Ziglar </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Follow in
the footsteps of a winner. Don’t wake up at seventy-five years of age,
sighing over what you should have tried. Just do it, and be willing to
fail and learn along the way. At least you will know you gave it your
best shot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">At the
end of the day, whether you choose to go with it, flow with it, resist it,
change it, or hide from it, life goes on. If what you did today didn’t
turn out as you hoped, tomorrow is a new opportunity to do it differently, or
to do nothing at all. What’s important is to realize that you have a
choice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Here are
12 choices winners make every day:</span></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">They don’t give up on the
things they believe in.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – If J.K. Rowling stopped after being turned
down by multiple publishers for years, there would be no Harry
Potter. If Howard Schultz gave up after being turned down by banks
200+ times, there would be no Starbucks. If Walt Disney quit too
soon after his theme park concept was trashed by 300+ investors, there
would be no Disney. One thing for sure: If you give up on your
dreams too soon, you will miss out on seeing them become a reality. <i>Read
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982986270/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982986270"><span style="color: blue;">Quitter</span></a></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0982986270" border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\SGawe\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif" width="1" /></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.</span></i></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">They work with, and spend
time with, the right people.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – A day spent with the right people is always
a day spent well. Sometimes the most ordinary ideas and projects can
be made extraordinary, simply by discussing them and doing them with the
right people.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">They concentrate on the
present.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Remember, you can’t reach what’s in front of you until you <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/04/02/10-signs-its-time-to-let-go/" title="10 Signs it’s Time to Let Go"><span style="color: blue;">let go of
what’s behind you</span></a>. Today is a new day. Don’t let
your history interfere with your destiny. It doesn’t matter what you
did or where you were; it matters where you are and what you’re doing
now. Never give up on yourself, and never abandon your values and
dreams. As long as you feel pain, you’re still alive. As long
as you make mistakes, you’re still human. And as long as you keep
trying, there’s still hope.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">They maintain a positive
attitude.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Only you can change your life, no one can do it for you. Happiness
always comes from within, and it’s found in the present moment by making
peace with the past and looking forward to the future. Each morning
when you open your eyes, think only three things first: Thank you, thank
you, and thank you. Then set out to make the best use of the gift of
this day that you can.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">They endure the pain.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Maybe there’s something
you’re afraid to say, or someone you’re afraid to love, or somewhere
you’re afraid to go. Maybe it’s going to hurt. Maybe it’s
going to hurt because it matters, and because it expands your
horizons. Remember, pain isn’t always a bad thing; sometimes it’s
just another step toward personal growth. <i>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743243153/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743243153"><span style="color: blue;">The Road Less Traveled</span></a></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0743243153" border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\SGawe\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif" width="1" /></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.</span></i></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">They ignore the naysayers.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Unless someone has walked
in your shoes on the same path that you have traveled, and lived through
all of your ups and downs alongside you, they have no right to judge
you. Unless they can look into the core of your heart and see the
degree of your passion, or look into the depths of your soul and see the
extent of your will, then they have no business telling you who you are or
what you can or can’t achieve. Everyone has a story. Everyone
has unique gifts. Unless that someone is YOU, their opinion of you
means nothing in the long run.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">They live through love.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – Every human thought,
word, or deed is based on fear or love. Fear is the energy which
contracts, closes down, draws in, hides, hoards, and harms. Love is
the energy which expands, opens up, sends out, reveals, shares, and
heals. The only question is: <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/05/03/20-bad-habits-holding-good-people-back/" title="20 Bad Habits Holding Good People Back"><span style="color: blue;">What
choice will you make today?</span></a></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">They accept 100%
responsibility for their current situation.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – The next five years can
be the best five years of your life, or just another five years. The
decision is yours. The best part of your life will start on the day
you decide your life is your own – no one to lean on, rely on, or
blame. It takes courage and strength, but you need to say it: “The
gift of life is mine, it is an amazing journey, and I alone am responsible
for the quality of it.”</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">They take action and plant
the right seeds.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Many great things can be done in a day if you don’t always make that day
tomorrow. Take positive action and plant the right seeds in your
life right now. Nature herself does not distinguish between what
seeds she receives. She grows whatever seeds are planted; this is
the way life works. Be mindful of the seeds you plant today, as they
will become the crop you harvest in the future.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">They don’t lose themselves
in the commotion.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – There are two things you shouldn’t waste your
time on: things that don’t matter and people who don’t think you
matter. Remember, sometimes in the midst of all the commotion and
negativity swirling around, life will force you to make a choice between
losing yourself and losing someone or something else. Regardless of
the situation, <a href="http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/05/23/14-rules-for-being-you/" title="14 Rules for Being YOU"><span style="color: blue;">don’t lose
yourself</span></a>. Stay true to your path and keep moving forward.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">They appreciate what they
have.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Sometimes people throw away something good for something better, only to
find out later that good was actually good enough and better never even
came close. Stop long enough to appreciate things. When you
appreciate what you have, what you have appreciates in value. When
you truly appreciate your life, you’ll find that you have more of it to
live. <i>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006158326X/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=marandang-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=006158326X"><span style="color: blue;">The Happiness Project</span></a></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=marandang-20&l=as2&o=1&a=006158326X" border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\SGawe\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif" width="1" /></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.</span></i></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">They make a positive
difference.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> –
Let a person’s character be their currency and you will sadly find that a
lot of rich people are actually bankrupt. Being the richest man or
woman in the cemetery doesn’t matter; going to bed every night knowing
that you’re making a positive deference in the world is what matters.</span></li>
</ol>
Resinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196943654856467011.post-26631203845343270112013-02-12T01:50:00.001-08:002013-02-12T01:50:28.860-08:0015 Ways to Be Irresistibly AttractiveBe true to your values. Be honest. Do your best. Do things that bring you closer to your dreams. Take care of yourself, your family, and your friends. Treat people with respect. Be the person that makes others feel special. Be known for your kindness and honesty.
In other words, invest love into your life. Because when you love life, life will love you back. And there’s no attraction greater than love. People will notice the goodness surrounding you, and they will be naturally attracted to you.
1. Do the right thing. – Never be afraid to do what you know in your heart is right, especially if the well being of another person’s feelings is at stake. There is no punishment in the world more severe than the wounds we inflict on our soul when we do what we know is wrong.
2. Stop the gossip and superficial judgments. – Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, and small minds gossip about people. Life is much too short to be lived talking about people, gossiping, and stirring up trouble that has no substance. If you don’t understand someone, ask questions. If you don’t agree with them, tell them. But don’t judge them behind their back to everyone else. Read The Mastery of Love .
3. Lift others up. – If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up. To be happy and free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the happiness and freedom of others. When you put faith, hope, and love together, you can nurture positive ideas, relationships, and dreams in a negative world.
4. Give words of encouragement to those in need. – A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success. We all hit a time when we lose hope and need someone to put their arms around us and say, “I’ve got you right now. You are not facing this alone.” Be that person when you can.
5. Be positive. – Think positively; speak properly; apologize rapidly; forgive quickly. Evolve your being and inspire yourself and others. Say it out loud, “I am sorry negativity, I have no time for you. I have far too many positive things to do.”
6. Embrace your uniqueness. – If you don’t embrace your uniqueness, you will spend your entire life striving to conform to the impossibility of being someone else. By celebrating what makes you different, rather than wasting time trying to be the same, you will discover your unique gifts that nobody else in the world has.
7. Do things for fun and passion. – When you stop doing things for fun and passion, you stop living and you start merely existing. If you truly want to change your life, you must first change your mind and your actions. Once you are ready to truly devote your time and energy to what calls to your soul, you will find your life unimaginably enriched. Read The 4-Hour Workweek .
8. Be gentle. – When you least expect it, something great will come along – something better than you ever planned for. Mother Nature opens millions of flowers every day without forcing the buds. Let this be a reminder not to force anything, but to simply give beautiful things enough love and an opportunity to grow naturally.
9. Drop the need to always be right. – Someone else doesn’t have to be wrong for you to be right. There are many roads to what’s right. You cannot judge others by your own past. They are living a different life than you. Express your opinions freely and politely, remembering that if your purpose is to ridicule or prove others are wrong, it will only bring bitterness into the world. Respecting the opinion of others, without judging, always carries more weight than simply being right.
10. Be loyal. Be honest. – You can’t promise to love someone for the rest of their life, but you can sincerely love them for the rest of yours. When it comes to relationships, remaining faithful is never an option, but a priority. Loyalty and honest affection mean everything.
11. Be flexible and keep an open mind. – What looks like an obstacle or road block is oftentimes just life steering you in a better direction. Be flexible and keep an open mind to all the changes that are forcing you to grow, and helping you better align yourself with your vibration and purpose.
12. Believe in yourself and all that you are. – Know in your heart that there is strength inside you that is greater than the challenges you face. No one can do it for you – you have to choose to use your wings.
13. Believe in your dreams. – Who you hope to be someday is already a big part of who you are now. Your dreams are real. They do not exist in the past; they live in the present, and when you stay committed to doing what needs to be done, you carry them closer to reality as you walk through the gates of tomorrow.
14. Walk the talk. – You can make whatever you want out of your life, but first you have to not be afraid to try. We all have to start with ourselves. It is time to walk the talk. Take the journey of making the difficult decisions and taking action. Start removing things from your life that are taking away your happiness, and start adding things that bring joy in to your life. Read Psycho-Cybernetics .
15. Embrace the possibilities of tomorrow. – Don’t let your past dictate who you are, but let it be part of who you will become. No regrets. No looking back. Just hold onto life and move forward. We have no way of knowing what lies ahead, but that’s what makes the journey even more exciting – that’s what makes life worth living.
Resinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196943654856467011.post-76570618099432336712013-02-08T04:06:00.002-08:002013-02-08T04:06:30.467-08:00 Inner Strength If you can start the day without caffeine or pep pills,
If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,
If you can overlook when people take things out on you when,
through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can do all these things,
Then you are probably the family dog. Resinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196943654856467011.post-19409296063339720682013-02-07T23:45:00.001-08:002013-02-07T23:45:06.930-08:00 45 Life Lessons, written by a 90 year old1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short not to enjoy it.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.
5. Don’t buy stuff you don’t need.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
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 things that matter.
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. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It’s never too late to be happy. But it’s all 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. Overprepare, 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 but don’t forget.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give Time 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. Accept what you already have, not what you think 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.Resinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196943654856467011.post-28462075370955659792013-02-07T01:52:00.003-08:002013-02-07T01:52:47.789-08:002
Exaggerate your complimentsIf you’re going to say something nice, why not make it a bit nicer? Only you will know the difference and the target of the compliment will feel that much better.
Forget about insults entirely (even in jest)We can all agree that nothing good comes of insults. If they are serious, then someone comes out of the exchange feeling cut down. Even if you insult someone jokingly, their subconscious mind still takes your words in as a serious statement and imprints the insult on the person. This is akin to a commercial: it can seem stupid, but you are still building up respect for the product on a subconscious level. This is why companies pay top dollar just to have their logo visible in public places.
Investigate what is known about deathWhat do you know about death? You certainly have beliefs around it, but what do you know about the science of death, or of those who have died and been brought back to life? Death is not as big of a mystery as it is made out to be. Do your research before you fear or misconstrue this most universal human experience.
Try hypnagogic hallucinationFor those new to the idea, hypnagogic hallucination is the state of experiencing dreaming-like visuals and thoughts while remaining awake. Lie down when you’re neither physically nor mentally tired and edge towards falling asleep while focusing on staying awake. Most of the time knowing of this state’s existence and attempting to experience it is enough to attain it. This is because up until this point, you’ve had no reason to try to stay on the edge of wakefulness!
Notice the small, beautiful thingsAs cliche as this sounds, there is so much beauty in the world yet we rarely appreciate it. Take 5 minutes, stop doing everything and sit down. Then clear your mind of your inner dialogue and focus intently on something in the space immediately in front of you. Nature always works best but literally any object will do. Study all of the minute details of the object and try to appreciate its complexity. This might take some practice but after you get into it, you’ll have that perspective for a while after.
Cut out the crapWe have a lot of crap in our lives that is neither necessary nor good for us. The crap includes certain people, emotions and habits. Take the time to evaluate the constituents of your life to decide what needs to go. This tip is so critical that I wrote a 3-part series on cutting out the crap - check it out!
Try a love experimentSpend a week masquerading as Christ-figure and bring love into every aspect of your life. Start your day by sending out mental “I love you’s” to your friends and family. As you go through your day, silently (or out loud!) wish something nice upon any strangers you see. Monitor your every thought and action to be sure you’re acting out of love. This sounds cheesy but it is a fantastic feeling becomes addicting.
Make plans to attend at least one crazy event each yearAs you all know, we humans remember experiences, not possessions. You remember driving somewhere in that car, not buying or owning the car. So put aside a savings jar to pay for at least one crazy, awesome event each year. Here are a few event ideas to get you salivating.
You are what you eatWe’ve all heard of this phrase but most don’t full realize it’s implications. Your body is constituted only of the food that you put into your body! If you’re okay with eating crap, you are accepting that you brain, skin, heart and everything else will be made of crap. You LITERALLY are what you eat.
Give up something for a weekLike Lent, but for non-Catholics. There are two major benefits of this: 1) you learn to live without something now so that if you’re ever forced to live without something, it won’t be so bad and 2) when you get it back, you will truly appreciate it. Examples include hot showers, alcohol and other substances and television. Extremist can give up everything and experience living on the streets.
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”Revenge is sweet but forgiveness is sweeter. Until that’s a no brainer for you, try faking forgiveness and knowing that nothing will piss off an enemy more than you not reacting to their provocations. Eg. If you punched someone in the face in anger and then they just smiled back at you happily, wouldn’t that annoy you?
Floss! Your dentist has been right all along. Flossing is more crucial for your oral hygiene than brushing your teeth. It keeps your gums healthy and food out of the tight places that drinking water won’t clean out (which would otherwise result in bad breath).
Don’t doubt anything without absolute evidence against itEvery day it seems I learn about something that I previously had thought to be impossible (like walking on water). Acknowledge that the world is full of surprises and the ‘impossible’. Therefore practice being open-minded rather than doubtful, especially about things foreign to you. **Edit: Apparently the running on water video is fake which is extremely ironic in the context of this tip…I would take it down but that’s just too funny.
Take advantage of the flinch
When something scares you and makes you flinch, you have two choice: flinch forward or flinch backward. Practice using that flinch moment to rocket yourself into the unknown instead of into a state of fear. Talk to that girl at the bar, get on the roller coaster, say YES. Stay on the bold side of the flinch.
Use your showers to practice being presentYour daily (?) shower is the perfect time to get better at being present. Instead of thinking about your time last night or everything you have to do today, focus on the sensation of the water hitting your skin. Zone in on the smell of the soap and the warmth of the steam coming off of your body. If & when you successfully block out your inner dialogue, I guarantee you will have the best power of your life.
Limit your time-wasting online activitiesDo you ever find yourself deep in someone’s Facebook photos and wonder how you got there? The internet is an awesome tool but some sites can suck you in and waste tons of time that could be spent doing something productive. For those who can’t help themselves, there are extensions for Chrome and FireFox that allow you to specify a certain amount of time to allow to spend on time-waster websites per day. Every minute you spend on the sites you specify is tracked, and when you reach the limit those sites are no longer able to be accessed.
Remember the 10,000 hour ruleIf you want to master anything in life you need at least 10,000 hours of practice. Practice separates the haves and the have-nots when it comes to skills. Have you spent 10,000 hours doing something you don’t care to master? (Ahem, Facebook..) Do something else that will benefit you a lifetime!
Make some rules for yourself Instead of only reading this list and thinking ‘those are good ideas,’ take a few at a time and make them unbreakable rules until the habits stick.
Watch Zeitgeist: Moving ForwardThe 3rd Zeitgeist film will change the way you view the monetary system, the economy and the future of this world. Its claims almost sound like conspiracy, but the evidence it intelligently builds upon rules out any chance of that. Do not be deterred by the 2:45 duration — if something is this important, would you want it to be able to be squeezed into 10 minutes?
Only do things that you love or that you have no choice but to doWhen it comes to choosing a career, only do something that you absolutely love or something you have no choice but to do. I mean literally NO choice but to do that job. Unless you’re supporting children or completely steeped in debt, chances are you have a choice. Don’t waste a second doing something you do not love.
Practice energy developmentWhether or not you believe chakras exist, you can develop the ability to feel, move around and store energy in your body. These sensations range from mild tingling to violent vibrations. Start off by lying down and putting all of your focus on your left foot. Focus on and feel that foot until it beings to warm up and tingle, then move on up the body in small increments. Eventually you can get your entire body to be vibrating (seriously, it’s almost scary). Developing these abilities helps with focus for meditation, astral projection and supposedly boosts your clairvoyance.
Question what you have been told to be true but have not investigated yourselfSimply stated, we are fed a lot of BS growing up that is not necessarily or at all true. We assume it is true because we’ve always “known” it to be true. Examples include religious and political beliefs, stereotypes and habits. Perhaps the best example of all is that marijuana is dangerous and deadly when in fact alcohol is infinitely worse for your body and your driving ability.
Force yourself to become a social badassPut yourself through a series of comfort challenges to become comfortable in a social situation. Start with making eye contact with people you pass on the streets, then progress to saying hi and eventually asking them a quick question like ‘How’s your day going?’ Then progress to wearing a shocking piece of clothing out in public asking people for their phone numbers. Finally go to the extreme and take on a different person with waiters and cashiers. The idea is to go to the limits so that more normal interactions like to someone you’re interested in becomes a piece of cake.
Read Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search For Meaning’ This book details Frankl’s time in Nazi concentration camps and how the experience shaped his view on meaning and purpose in life. His account of the camps is extremely detailed and riveting. His conclusions on life are both far-reaching and relevant to life outside of captivity.
Find the supplements suitable for your lifestyleOur diets and habits are nothing like those which are bodies were built for. Times have changed but we still need the same nutrition. Luckily we now mass-produce nutrients in bottles so you just need to figure out what your body needs. For example if you don’t get a lot of sun, you probably need some extra Vitamin D. If you get cold much easier than other people, you might have low levels of iron in your blood. Investigate and act accordingly.
Cut gluten from your dietGluten is a protein found in wheat, rye oats, and barley. Like so many other substances today, gluten is not meant to be put into our bodies. The humans alive at the time that our bodies last experienced major evolution did not consume all of the bread products we now have. To see a full explanation of the health-benefits of giving up gluten, check out this article.
Do pushups (100 of them!)Pushups are the easiest way to get into an exercise routine and the most complete upper body workout available without weights. Doing 3 sets of pushups until fail every other day is a simple way to tone up your chest, arms, back and abs. If you want to step it up a notch, this website promises to get anyone to be able to complete 100 pushups within 6 weeks!
Watch ‘Waking Life’Waking Life is a movie about a guy drifting around in a dream world having philosophical conversations with the interesting characters he meets along the way. If you like the articles here on HighExistence, I can guarantee with 100% certainty that you will love this film. It’s available for free on GoogleVideo.
Go for walksWhenever you are feeling unmotivated, depressed, angry or [insert crappy emotion here], take a walk. It’s a sure-fire way to hit the reset button and get back into a positive mindset. There’s something about being in nature, getting some exercise and (most importantly) being present that can get you over any emotional hump.
Use StumbleUponStumbleUpon (SU) is an internet tool that brings you to random sites based upon your interests. You can also specify a particular interest category while also limiting the results to videos, photos, news, blogs, etc. SU is the best way to discover awesome content around the web, much of which you didn’t even know you were looking for! As you go through and ‘Thumbs up’ or ‘thumbs down’ different web content, SU learns more about your interests and returns more accurate results. I also call it the ‘Serendipity Engine’ because of the countless times I’ve been thinking about a problem or looking for something and then the answer has come randomly to me through SU.
Read Ishmael by Daniel Quinn This freakishly fascinating book is best explained best by Wikipedia: “It examines mythology, its effect on ethics, and how that relates to sustainability. The novel uses a style of Socratic dialogue to deconstruct the notion that humans are the end product, the pinnacle of biological evolution. It posits that human supremacy is a cultural myth, and asserts that modern civilization is enacting that myth.”
Spend time alone each dayBeing alone is a form of meditation that helps us realign with who we really are.
Practice StoicismStoicism is centered around being unaffected by misfortune. A good stoic will recognize that mishaps will inevitable occur so he/she is constantly ready and open to experiencing them. Unlike pessimists, Stoics expect bad things to happen only because they recognize this is the nature of reality, and strive to become immune to being demoralized by said misfortunes.
Don’t compare yourself to othersEveryone is born with different strengths and weakness. Otherwise we wouldn’t be individuals and how much fun would that be? Consequently don’t hold yourself to the standards of others; you’ll never measure up to everyone.
Compare yourself to othersUse the success of others as motivation to continue growing and learning. Competition is strong medicine and can be used to your advantage if you don’t get too caught up in it. Strive to achieve a balance between #34 and #35.
Recognize the duality of every truthAs you likely noticed, #34 and #35 contradict each other, and yet both are solid truths. This is an example of how most great truths have some level of duality to them. Life is not absolute; let that apply to your beliefs as well – don’t be stubborn about them!.
Take cold showersBesides waking you up better than anything, cold showers have been proven to improve blood circulation, keep your skin and hair healthy (hot water dries them out) and boost the immune system. For the men, it also increases testosterone levels and is just plain manly.
Try to be rejected every dayInstead of fearing rejection, make it a daily goal! When you go in with the intention of being told ‘no’, the butterflies go away and it becomes easy. This is a fantastic way to pursue more opportunities while becoming unfazed by the big N-O. Good applications include asking for phone numbers, job positions, partnerships and advice. Think of all the great things you’ve missed out on by not asking!
Rejoice in not knowing, be proud of your ignorance of a topic
Knowing everything is overrated. Embrace the areas where you know you are ignorant. When you recognize that someone knows something you don’t, use it as a learning opportunity rather than feeling dumb or pretending you know more than you do.
Recognize the golden glow of retrospectWhen you look back at a difficult event in your life, it no longer holds the same ‘oh no, my life is over’ that you experienced at the time. Even very painful events like deaths, breakups and accidents can be looked at in a positive light in the golden veil of retrospect. If you can assume this perspective in the future looking back, certainly you can apply some aspects of that mindset while going through an event. Learn from your future self looking back at present you!
Resist nothingIf you can master this one, you have mastered life. Resistance has many forms but there is a simple test to know if you are in resistance or not. Does this thought make you feel good or bad? You guessed it, if it makes you feel bad then it is a form of resistance. For example, you are driving on the freeway and you miss your exit. Instead of getting angry and wishing you had not missed it, accept your circumstance and laugh about it instead. Maybe you would have gotten in a horrible car crash had you gotten off in time. How lucky that you just narrowly escaped a fiery death! Plus, do you enjoy being frustrated with crappy circumstances?
Take naps20-25 minutes is all you need to wake up refreshed without feeling groggy. Taking a quick nap in the evening is a great way to get a burst of motivation and energy for the rest of the night. This is also a great time to try out hypnagogic hallucination – #4.
Transition to Internet TV
If you’re still spending your leisure time in front of a TV, consider the new web-based streaming options to traditional cable/satellite. Services like Apple TV and Roku allow you to stream Netflix, Hulu and tons of other internet entertainment channels to your TV for a fraction of the price. Additionally because you actually have to go through and choose something to watch instead of mindlessly flipping through channels, you’ll have to think twice before zombie-ing out to some reality show re-runs.
Master what you do most oftenFor me that would be typing and navigating around my computer. So I downloaded a typing tutor program and got my words-per-minute up to 60 (woot!) and have memorized every keyboard shortcut there is. Take the time to become the best you can be at the small things you do most often. You will save yourself loads of time, plus it’s fun to be really good at something
Practice Altru-Hedonism‘Altru-Hedonism’ is a word I made up which represents the idea that helping other people provides the most satisfying and long-lasting pleasure. So in a way, altruism is a hedonistic activity.
Figure out the minimum income you need to be freeBy free I mean able to do what you love without having to slave away at a job all day. I know we all would like the ultimate house with a BMW (M3 for me please!) but wouldn’t you rather be from having to do a job you don’t LOVE? If you agree with that, a great way to make it more feasible is to calculate exactly how much money you would need per month/year to be free. Minimalism is the goal here (If you’re having trouble not counting in that BMW, watch Fight Club and then have another go).
“Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.”This one goes right along with #46. What are you currently giving up to have ________ ? Your time? Your dreams? Time with your family and friends? Your health? Decide if your current sacrifices are worth what they allow you.
Be a source of good on your social networkInstead of further inflating these networks full of transient emotions and comments about Lady Gaga, tweet and share content that will bring help other people and spread happiness. Share motivational quotes, inspirational videos and anything else that will improve the lives of those come into contact with your feed.
Give your mom a callIf you’re looking for a way to give someone immense happiness with the least amount of effort, calling your mother is at the top of the list. She loves you 100 times more than you thought you loved that boy/girl in 7th grade & getting a call from you would make her day 100 times over. Even if you have no interest in talking to her, pretend that you do for 5 minutes. Say ‘I love you’ before she does for an even more ecstatic mama :)
Join the HighExistence Community :)For those of you who don’t know, this blog is also a community of thousands of awesome people who think about life differently (like you do!). If you like talking about the meaning of life, spirituality, following your passion, good music and being happy in general, this is the community for you. Become a HEthen by clicking here or check out our discussions to see what’s being talked about on HE.Resinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196943654856467011.post-4047865987338533572013-02-07T01:48:00.000-08:002013-02-07T01:48:06.935-08:00Memorize something everyday. Not only will this leave your brain sharp and your memory functioning, you will also have a huge library of quotes to bust out at any moment. Poetry, sayings and philosophies are your best options.
Constantly try to reduce your attachment to possessions. Those who are heavy-set with material desires will have a lot of trouble when their things are taken away from them or lost. Possessions do end up owning you, not the other way around. Become a person of minimal needs and you will be much more content.
Develop an endless curiosity about this world. Become an explorer and view the world as your jungle. Stop and observe all of the little things as completely unique events. Try new things. Get out of your comfort zone and try to experience as many different environments and sensations as possible. This world has so much to offer, so why not take advantage of it?
Remember people’s names so that they feel appreciated and for your own future benefit when you want something from that person. To do this, say their name back to them when they introduce themselves. Then repeat the name in your head a number of times until you are sure you have it. Continue to use their name in conversation as much as possible to remove any chance of forgetting it. If you’re still having trouble, make up a rhyme about their name: “Dan the Man” or “Natalie flatters me.”
Get fit! It’s ridiculous to think that we have one body, one sole means of functioning, and people are too lazy to take care of themselves. Fit bodies lead to better health, confidence and more success with romantic endeavors. I’d say those are 3 very good reasons to get in shape.
Learn to focus only on the present. The past is unchangeable so it is futile to reflect on it unless you are making sure you do not repeat past mistakes. The future is but a result of your actions today. So learn from the past to do better in the present so that you can succeed in the future.
Even more specifically, live in THIS moment. Even 10 minutes ago is the past. If you live purely in this moment you will always be happy because there is nothing wrong in this split-second.
Smile more often. Whenever you get a grin on your face, your brain is releasing serotonin, the happy hormone. Smiling is the natural way to force yourself to be happy. Many people even smile for five minutes straight in the morning to get themselves in a great mood for the day. It is a very powerful tool that is utilized less and less as we grow older and need happiness more than ever. Just remember that while happiness leads to smiles, smiles also lead to happiness.
Drink water. Hydration is tremendously important for overall health. Soda has absolutely ZERO nutritional content; it’s like pouring a punch of sugar and syrup into your cup. Instead, fill it with life-replenishing water. It may taste plain at first if you’re coming off of a heavy soda-drinking streak, but you’ll soon find yourself addicted to it. 10 glasses per day is optimal, how many have you been getting lately?
Don’t take life so seriously! Learn to laugh at the little things and this whole “existence” thing will be a whole lot easier. Be amused by your mistakes and failures and be thankful that you learned your lesson and won’t mess up like that again. And most importantly do things that you enjoy! Life is not strictly business, it can be mixed with pleasure.
Think positive thoughts. When you find yourself thinking a negative thought, stop it immediately by any means necessary. Slap yourself in the face, yell something positive at the top of your lungs or jump up and down. Do whatever it takes to get back to a positive mindset as such is essential for continual happiness and success.
Read books. No explanation needed.
Get in the sun. Superman was completely re-energized when he flew out to space and soaked in some rays and you can do the same right outside your front door (if you live in a constantly dreary place, my apologies). The sun feels amazing: your entire body will be coursing with warmth and life.
Help others.I’ll just give you a plethora of reasons why this is a MUST
Helping people has a ripple effect. If you help someone they will feel more obliged to help someone else, and so on. Pay it forward
You grow by giving and helping others. It can change you in ways you never expected
Your relationship with that person will become stronger
It’s the most fulfilling thing you can do on this planet. It not only feels amazing physically, you also feel like a good person
You might be able to call in a favor later when you need some help
Karma (if you believe in it)
Because there are more people in this world than just you
Set aside a specific time to worry each day. Ponder all of your problems and anxieties during that time so that they will not distract you during work or moments of pleasure. This way you can be extremely efficient with your time and avoid focusing on negative things as much as possible. If you get all of your worry out of the way and have the mental fortitude to keep from reverting back to them, you will be much happier on the daily.
Be honest at all times. Lies lead to nothing but trouble. Being known as trustworthy is an excellent trait to maintain and essential to having integrity.
Sleep less. Fully adjusting to a new sleep cycle can take up to 21 days so don’t give up if you feel tired after switching to 5-hour nights. The “required” 8 hour/night is for normal people. If you’re reading THIS article on THIS site, you are not normal. So figure out how much sleep YOU really need and adjust accordingly. As enjoyable as sleep is, waking existence is much more fulfilling and efficient. IF this really sparks your interest, check out alternate sleep cycles with which you can be fine off of 2 hours of sleep per day.
Read “Bringers of Light” and “Conversations with God” by Neale Donald Walsch. These books will help you decide what you want to do in this life and how to get to that point. They will also profoundly change the way you look at the purpose of existence. Read them!
Figure out what your goals and dreams are. So many people wander aimlessly through life simply go for whatever small thing they want moment by moment. Instead, decide what your perfect life consists of and begin to put the steps in motion to reach that place. The most satisfying thing in the world (yes, better than sex, much better) is overcoming a challenge and reaching a goal. We are the happiest when we are growing and working towards something better.
Start your day off right. Wake up and set aside an hour for personal development activities (meditation, self-introspection, observing nature, etc.) Do the things that make you feel blissful, optimistic and empowered so that you can set a positive tone for your day. I guarantee that once you start doing this, your days will be more enjoyable and fulfilling. Today is going to be the best day of your life. Duh.
Utilize ‘The Burning Method.’ Whenever a fear or worry or complaint comes to mind, close your eyes and imagine writing down the thought on a piece of paper. Then proceed to light the paper and fire and watch it disintegrate. Even better, actually write it down and burn it. You won’t have any problem ridding your mind of the thought after doing this.
Travel. Frequent Flyer Master Anyone who has ever gone anywhere will tell you that traveling is one of the most exciting and life-changing activities that you can do. Observing a different culture will expand your mind while making you further appreciate the life you already live. This goes back to becoming an explorer: this world is your jungle so go explore! Who knows, maybe you’ll find a place you love so much that you decide to move. Imagine the positive repercussions a new environment could have on your life.
The Rubber Band Method This is the third and final way to rid yourself of negative thoughts (hopefully by now you have figured out that this is very important!). Place a rubber band around your wrist and snap it against your skin anytime a negative thought finds its way into your head. This operant conditioning technique associates a slight pain with negative thoughts like Pavlov associated food/salivation with the sound of a bell. Sounds a bit cruel at first but it only stings for a second, I promise. Plus the outcome, having only positive thoughts, far outweighs a little slap on the wrist here and there.
Learn to be unaffected by the words of others. Most people get very upset when they are called negative names by others, but there is a simple trick to overcoming this. Here it is: If I went up to you and called you a fire hydrant, would you be upset? Of course not. Obviously you are not a fire hydrant, you are a human being. The same concept applies to when someone calls you something that you know you are not. They are foolish for saying such things, so why would you react with such anger? The only exception is when someone calls you something that is true! In this case, you should thank them for alerting you to a weakness, one that you can now work on changing.
Read “Zen and the Art of Happiness” by Chris Prentiss. This book will give you the knowledge and instruction to be happy at all times regardless of the circumstances. Yes, this sounds like an oversimplification of happiness, but I assure you that this book will change you in an amazing way.
Develop the ability to forgive. Forgiveness is something that most people fail miserably at even thought it’s so simple. Grudges only bring more misery to those who hold them and prevent good relations with the target. YOU makes mistakes all of the time so why not have mercy when other do? Remaining angry feels horrible while forgiving someone brings a refreshing sensation to the mind and healing to the relationship.
Be the person that makes others feel special. Be known for your kindness and sympathy.
Learn to lucid dream, or to realize when you are dreaming so that you can control your dreams. Sleep feels good, but it’s rather boring and unproductive. With lucid dreaming under your belt, night-time can be even more exciting than when you are awake. You can do anything: fly, travel to other planets, party with a celebrity, get intimate with your dream boy/girl, etc. Many lucid dreams have also reported being able to speak directly with the subconscious during dreams by demanding to be taken to it after becoming lucid. For those that know a thing or two about your subconscious, that is a BIG deal.
Visualize daily. It has been said and proven time and time again that what you focus on is what you get. If you complain all of the time, you will run into more of the things you complain about. The same goes for good things like health, wealth and happiness. So spend some time in the morning imagining yourself achieving whatever it is that you currently desire. Focus is key in this exercise, so choose a quiet environment where you won’t be disturbed. If you’re having trouble focusing and continually find that your mind has wandered to something else, read about meditation in the following life tip. There is a lot more to this concept, so check out the full article on visualization and the law of attraction here.
Meditate everyday for at least 20 minutes. In this modern world where everyone is so connected to everything else via cell phones, TV and internet, most people rarely enjoy the beauty of silence. The ability to quiet your mind and relax your body is an art and skill that everyone should develop. Simply sit somewhere, preferably in nature, and focus on your breathing or try to think about nothing. This is going to be extremely hard at first! You might find it boring or just plain impossible to think of nothing, but you will get better and you will learn to love it. Post-meditation, you will feel extremely clear-headed and.. well, just plain wonderful. The only way to really understand this sensation is to try it.
Learn to control your mind. What kind of skilled human are you if you cannot even control your own thoughts? While the human mind is described as being a stream of consciousness, that does not mean you can’t decide where your stream flows. Techniques like meditation and the 3 ways to flush out negative thoughts will aid you immensely in learning to control your mind.
Learn to control your emotions. The only person that can make you unhappy is you! You are the one that decides to be affected by the words and actions of others. Realize this so that the next time you experience a negative emotion, you can find the strength within yourself to overcome it.
Take a class in speed reading. Books are full of information that can enhance your knowledge-base, vocabulary and yourself as a person. Speed reading is an easy way to get at this info faster so that you can have more time for other endeavors.
Relax! This one is for you workaholics out there (myself included). Yes, work is very important and productive but you need to take some time to chill out everyday or you are going to burn out faster than a candle with no oxygen. Additionally, you need to reward yourself for a job well done. What’s the use of doing all of that work if you can’t have a little fun from time to time anyways?
Work on making good first impressions. Practice a strong, firm handshake and the small talk that generally goes along with meeting someone for the first time. People won’t know what to think of you if you have nothing more to say beyond “My name is _______, nice to meet you.” Also make sure you remember names, as mentioned previously. Who knows, you may be going into business with or marrying this person you’re meeting for the first time if you make a good impression. Be sure and make an excellent one.
Learn to use your eyes to their full potential:
Make constant eye contact when in conversation. Looking away (especially down) is a sign of inferiority and uncertainty. Instead, look at your conversation partner dead in the eyes and keep them locked on
Master the piercing stare. You know when someone looks at you and it feels like they can see into your soul? Well that’s not a hereditary characteristic, it just takes practice. Work on sharpening your gaze in the mirror. You’ll know you have it when it’s intimidating to continue looking at yourself
Master the one-eyebrow raise. This one isn’t necessary by any means, but hey, why not? Pick a brow to learn with and go look in a mirror. Raise both of your eyebrows but use your hand to hold down the brow that you want to stay down. This will probably feel very stupid at first but if you keep trying, you will eventually pin down the muscle you need to flex to get that one brow up
Be mysterious. Don’t let off everything about you and definitely leave out some major details. There is something both alluring and mesmerizing about someone who no one knows fully about. I’m not saying to confide in no one or to alienate yourself. Just think James Bond.
Come up with a life mantra. You know, like “Carpe Diem” or “Live life to the fullest,” but not as cliché. Make it something that really hits home with you so that you will actually stick to it. Make sure it’ not so specific that it rarely applies but also not so general that it’s not personal.
Get good at something. Call it a hobby or a passion, whatever it is, just get damn good at it. Your occupation does not count! Make it something that you can practice often enough to excel at. Examples: Magic tricks, surfing, ping-pong, creating short films, and unicycling. It can be anything but I would recommend choosing something that: 1) You are passionate about 2) You can bust out at any moment to display your skills for any discerning crowd. My mind goes immediately to aerobatics and break dancing, but that’s just me.
Work out those abs. Above any other muscle group in the entire body, the abs are the most important. They constitute your core, the center point of your body. Your ability to balance comes almost completely from the strength of your abdominal muscles and balance is vital to performance in any physical activity. Summary: they’re very important. For more info on how to work out your abs, check out this video.
Keep your brain sharp. The majority of people are stuck in ruts. They go to the same job everyday, hang out with the same friends and eat at the same places. While that may feel safe, it’s not the most stimulating lifestyle for your brain. Those synapses have been built up enough, so try something that you do NOT know how to do! Buy a model car kit, master the art of sudoku or crosswords, or go pick up another major at your nearest college. The point is you need to be learning new things to keep your brain honest. Form new synapses by forcing your mind to work in ways it has not worked before. Just like physical workouts, doing too much of the same exercise will eventually give no results. Switch it up!
Read something inspirational right before bed and after waking. This will set get you in a great mood for sleep and for the day. Read anything from a famous speech to your favorite self-improvement book. Try to read something that get’s you really excited in the morning especially so that you’ll leave your house beaming with energy and wonder.
Do what you love.Working for Yourself Guide There is a huge difference between making a life and making a living; which one are you making right now? So many spend their entire lives trying to make as much money as possible so that they can afford to do what they really want later. It makes no sense to settle in life until you’re 65 so that you can retire and do what you want when you’re already WAY past your prime. We only live life once so why wouldn’t you want to spend it pursuing your bliss? To do anything else would be a tragic waste of the freedom you are allowed if you are reading this right now. Follow your bliss and you will be a thousand times more happy than your retirement date and 40+ years younger.
Choose your friends wisely. You are affected far more than you think by the people you spend your time with. Do your friends share your values? Do they encourage you when you speak of your goals and dreams or do they scoff? Make sure the people around you are conducive to the lifestyle you want to lead or you will find yourself being dragged again and again into behavior that distances you from your desires. Friends with a habit of producing negative thoughts will especially hinder you. This can be a hard task to follow through with if you realize you good friend is one of these saboteurs, but you must be firm! Don’t let anyone get in the way of you being all that you can be.
Don’t burn bridges. By that I mean maintain your relationships with people even if you think you are never going to see them again. For example, if you are quitting your job, don’t chew out your boss before leaving! You might run into him/her again later and life and wish you had never severed ties so harshly. You never know when you might need the help of someone you knew in the past. Plus there is already too much hatred in this world, why add more towards the people you interact with?
Keep a journal/diary. It sounds like a very monotonous habit at first, but when you get into it, that little book will become a great way to organize your thoughts and track your growth over the years. Most of us already stay awake in bed at night pondering the events of the day anyways so why not document those thoughts in an organized fashion? That will allow you to look back and observe how your way of thinking has changed over time.
Read “New Pyscho-Cybernetics” by Dr. Maxwell Maltz. This book will explain why the content of your thoughts has such a profound effect on your life through religious, philosophical and scientific arguments. A must read for completely understand who this life thing works.
Learn to use and trust your subconscious/intuition. When you spend time in silence everyday, listen not for words but for a feeling that tells you to do something. Do not mistake your own reasoning and thoughts for those of your subconscious. If you can track where the thought came from, (this thought led to that thought which led to this thought, etc.) then it was not from your subconscious. Learning to accurately discern between the two will allow you to tap into knowledge that you don’t consciously have.
Develop a charismatic personality. You know, the kind of personality that is surrounded by people constantly and is the life of the party. Start visualizing yourself as THAT person. Maybe take a short course on dynamic speaking and learn some jokes. Take the time to learn some party tricks and sleight of hand. Most importantly, believe that you already are charismatic even if you fail at being the center point of the next party. Lie to yourself constantly and tell yourself that you are more warm and gregarious than Ronald Regan. Belief is the first step! Reality will come soon after.
Love is all there is. If you truly want to be a master of life, let love be in your every action. Love your friends, family and enemies alike. This is the most difficult thing to do out of this entire list, which is why it is listed at #50. But if you accomplish this, you will be seen as a leader among everyone that allows hate, envy, disgust and all other negative emotions into their lives. Think Gandhi. Love is so rare in this world when compared to the massive presence of hate that by exuding love, you will immediately see yourself and the people around you change. Love. Love. Love.Resinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261685168017851285noreply@blogger.com0