Life Rules... seven thoughts to ponder

                                Seven thoughts to ponder....

1. Make peace with your past. (so it doesn't disturb your present)
2. What other people think of you is none of your business.
3. Time heals almost everything. (give it time)
4. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
5. Don't compare your life to others and don't judge them, you
    have know idea what their journey is about.
6. Stop thinking too much. It's okay not to know all the answers.
    They will come to you when you least expect it.
7. Smile. You don't own all the problems in the world.

Inspirational Quotes... Success and Failure

I subscribe to InspirationalDaily.com which provides me with a daily quote. The topic may not pinpoint my current issue or interest but for the most part it leaves me with an idea to ponder.  Think about his one...

                      Faith is daring to put your dream to the test.
               It is better to try to do something and fail than 
               to try to do nothing and succeed.
                                            -Robert H. Schuller



If you would like to subscribe to some daily inspiration, click on the link above. And remember... Why not go for your dream? See you out of your comfort zone!

Life is Short!

I love this! Life is full of ups and downs but how wonderful it is to enjoy some of the things we can control. Hope you are loving life.

Simplify your life for the New Year

Hope everyone had a joyous holiday season.  Now is the time to start solidifying those great ideas for 2014 resolutions. Jumpstarting motivation to eat right, exercise and get enough sleep are always top priorities but I want to simplify my life. I'm always trying to "declutter" so that is only part of what I'm trying to accomplish. Some thoughts on a poster caught my attention and I have paraphrased it below. You can add your own thoughts....


                                                    SIMPLIFY

          *  If you miss someone... Call
          *  If you have a question... Ask
          *  Want to meet up... Invite
          *  Want to be understood... Explain
          *  Want something... Ask for it
          *  Don't like something... Say it
          *  Like something... State it
          *  Love someone... Tell them

Seems like a good idea. Simple, clean, honest and real. Of course, words should always be kind and gentle and always guided by discernment. Have a very Happy New Year.

          

Rejection

REJECTION

At first blush, Rejection is not a topic for an optimism blog! The truth is if you are alive, you have experienced many forms of rejection during your lifetime. I read an optimistic take on it today and it did make me stop and think... How does this read for you?

Rejection: God's protection

 I was thinking about a decision I made years ago. As a result of my decision,  I experienced a pretty substantial rejection. For some reason, it recently crossed my mind. My initial reaction was to re-experience the negative feelings of the rejection but my defense mechanism kicked into gear... I told myself it was probably good that things worked out the way they did. I don't think I really believed it until now. After giving it some thought, I really was protected by that particular rejection. Protected in so many ways. The new reading of Rejection really rings true for me. Maybe you can remember a powerful rejection that ended up being divine protection.

Maya Angelou.... Do the best you can.

I can relate to this thought lately. If I think about it, everyone is really doing the best that they can with the information they have. Delving a little deeper, it is not only the information I have but the mental, spiritual and emotional place I inhabit that determines my best at the time. When there is change in any of those areas, the choices you or I make may be different depending upon growth or lack thereof. If I am frustrated with someone or something, it helps me to remember that just as I am doing the best I am capable of doing at the time, so is everyone else. Maybe that is what is meant by "Judge Not." Tolerance and compassion flow more freely also. As a bonus, it is never wrong to apologize for something I've done in a less "knowledgeable" state of mind. Enjoy your day!

Accept What Is

I have to admit I get really tired of the phrase "It is what it is." While that may be true, it can be annoying at times. Just because it "IS" doesn't mean I have to like it. In fact, "It" doesn't care what my feelings are. If I take the time to contemplate why I'm unhappy with a situation, I usually find that it is not the situation that is bothersome, it is my thoughts about it that are upsetting me.

An example of how my thoughts can manipulate my feelings might go like this: It is raining outside. If I have just planted an Oak tree, I am delighted with Nature's help. If I have planned an outdoor birthday party for 20 six year olds,  I am not excited about the rain. Clearly it is not the rain that is the problem or the solution, it is my thoughts about the rain.

Part of "accepting what is"for me is to just acknowledge it without assigning a judgement.  (As in the rain.) When I'm able to do this, I free my mind to find a solution if one is needed because I'm dealing in fact instead of emotion. I recognize that this may be easier to do with some things than with others but it is a good starting point. Letting go of "what was or even what could have been" is also crucial. If I am holding on to something I leave no room for "what will be." In my experience, the "What Will Be" is full of unlimited potential! Enjoy your day!