"Eventually you will come to understand that love heals everything, and love is all there is."
~ Gary Zukav
"Of one thing I am certain, the body is not the measure of healing - peace is the measure."
~ George Melton
"We are all broken and wounded in this world. Some choose to grow strong at the broken places."
~ Harold J. Duarte-Bernhardt
"Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future."
~ Lewis B. Smedes
By Steve Brunkhorst
Whether or not we choose to believe it, for the most part
you and I have a clean slate with each new sun rise.
Whatever happened yesterday, good or bad is now rooted in
the past.
In the moment in which we now find ourselves, we have the
ability to focus in on and do the things which will serve us
for the better, or we can give our attention to those things
which will re-ignite whatever thoughts were causing us to
remain stuck.
We have a choice, and fortunately, it isn't all that
difficult to set the tone early on in your day. Does that
mean you're guaranteed not to meet with a challenge early on
that will knock you off course or throw you for a loop? Of
course not, but in the event that something (or someone)
shows up with such an agenda you'll find yourself a lot more
prepared to deal with it and be able to adjust course
accordingly.
Here are some simple, but effective ideas you can use to
start your day out on a positive note.
Upon waking up, name at least ten people you're thankful for
- recount those in your life who've had a positive impact on
you. Think of those who have in some way helped to make you
the unique person you are.
Don't sell yourself short here. No matter what place you may
find yourself in now, you're still an amazing person, with
unique gifts and talents. You don't have to believe it, but
it's still the absolute truth!
Practicing gratitude is a powerful thing that helps to
reconnect us with our inner power, and the abilities which
make up who we are.
Give thanks for your talents and skills - each of us has
been blessed with special skills and talents. You may not
feel as though you've completely developed all of yours up
to this point in your life, but that doesn't change the fact
that you've got them.
Think through those things that others compliment you on,
those are talents. Don't underestimate all the amazing bits
and pieces that go into making you the person you are. As
you identify and give thanks for the talents that were
bestowed upon you commit to develop them and become more
proficient in their use.
Write down your days most important action steps the night
before - The simple act of writing down the following days
most important tasks will give you a plan to move on the
next day. Keep in mind that you can get the most productive
mileage if you'll put your "super tasks" at the top, where
you'll complete them first.
For the purpose of this article consider Super Tasks as
those things which upon their completion will give you the
absolute most bang for your buck. Consider the difference
between a "super task" and say one of lesser importance. A
super task might be: calling on a prospective client, while
one that doesn't quite hold such importance in the grand
scheme of things might be: cut the grass.
While both are important, and you may very well want to get
both done, the simple fact is the first example is going to
lead towards a greater reward then the latter. You see, it's
more a matter of separating items which fall into the
category of "busy work" versus those which can move us
forward at a maximum pace. Another such "super task" might
be to spend time studying your industry or chosen
profession.
Review the actions steps you wrote down the night before -
As you are looking over the items you wrote down, close your
eyes and see yourself completing them and experiencing the
wonderful sense of accomplishment for having done so.
After you have visualized yourself finishing the items on
your daily action list take a deep breath and begin your day
working on and completing them.
Keep in mind that each new day is just that -- an
opportunity to turn the page, and implement daily actions
that can steer your life in the direction you wish it to go.
You can sail your ship, or choose to remain mired in
inaction and float aimlessly, dependent upon whatever life
may throw your way. My sincere hope for you is that you will
choose the first option.
- It's your life, LIVE BIG! Josh Hinds
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
~ Mark Twain (1835-1910)
"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started... and know the place for the first time."
~ T. S. Eliot (1888-1965)
"Once I knew only darkness and stillness... my life was without past or future... but a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living."
~ Helen Keller (1880-1968)
"Courage is a cold choice between two alternatives, the fixed resolve not to quit; an act of renunciation which must be made not once but many times by the power of the will."
~ Charles Wilson
The Anatomy of Courage (1967)
Let's Think About It
Copyright 2010 by Steve Brunkhorst
Not long ago, I was interviewing two people applying for the
same position. When the first candidate was asked what her
goals were, Becky replied that continuous learning was her
goal. When asked what steps she had taken to accomplish her
goal, Becky said that she was going to sign up for a course
in the fall.
The next candidate had a similar goal, but, in this case,
Rebecca had actually taken several courses to help her
achieve what she wanted. This action showed not only did
Rebecca have a goal; she had been implementing an action
plan to achieve here desired results.
"Words without actions are the assassins of idealism."
-- Herbert Hoover
In the end Rebecca had created stress for herself in using
"words without action". When you find yourself in stressful
situations, rather than using words to reduce your stress,
take action to create less stress in your life.
A great way to take action is to set goals for your life.
Setting goals and taking action can result in less stress in
your life. It prepares you for other opportunities. It gives
you a focus on the future rather than being stuck where you
are.
So often people are stressed but do little to reduce their
stress. Setting goals for yourself is the first step in
changing your life. But more importantly, taking action
towards achieving these goals will actually create less
stress in your life, as you will see yourself progressing
towards "a goal that you want".
To achieve more, be a person of action. Throughout your day
Keep in mind the old saying, "all else fails without
action". As you put forth effort on the things you deem to
be most worthwhile, you will find that your inner belief
system grows.
The beliefs you hold about yourself determine the goals you
are able to manifest in your life. Dream big, for when you
do, truly you will see that your life becomes one filled
with rich life experiences.
Let's Think About It
-- It's your life, LIVE BIG! Josh Hinds
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."
~ Ambrose Redmoon
"Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."
~ Dale Carnegie (1888-1955)
"Priorities reveal themselves. We're all transparent against the face of the clock."
~ Eric Zorn
Let's Think About It
Copyright 2010 by Steve Brunkhorst
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