There is something rewarding in knowing that you are made of tough stuff. Facing obstacles, tackling hard things, staying focused on a project until it is finished, will always make you feel good and set you apart because you did it. And while your self esteem rises you might notice what new skills you acquired!
All these challenges don't have to be a marathons, but I think everyone should wake up each day setting the bar higher than is comfortable. Make sure you take on at least one challenging experience every day. Exercise is great! Reading the news, especially stuff you don't find entertaining. Work hard at being kind and thinking positive things...
On a broader level you could set long-term goals for each year and try to stick to them!
Every goal can't be accomplished, but if the attitude is genuine even that is a big start.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Positivity
Your thoughts become reality so think positive. Action equals reaction, and the way you act causes the way everything around you will follow, so whether you know it or not, you are either inviting success and encouragement, or you are putting roadblocks in place.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Survival of the Stupidest
Today, January 8, is the one year anniversary of the shooting rampage which killed 6 people, injured 12, and left a U.S. Congresswoman struggling for her life.
Since that time, the effort to control guns in this country has, if anything, lost ground. Since that heartbreaking moment there has been no progress toward stricter gun laws in America; on the contrary, they've relaxed.
Following the shooting in which an untreated pschizophrenic man with no understandable agenda, killed a 9-yr.old girl, an Arizona Chief Judge, two of Gifford's aides, and three retired workers, and devastated the Congresswoman's life, gun sales in Arizona immediately increased 60%. People expecting stricter legislation began stockpiling their guns. But, worse, within a few months Arizona actually passed legislation loosening gun laws by passing legislation allowing guns on college campuses!?.. And the ability to obtain guns remains the same today as it was before.
In the same month as the Tuscon shooting, (Just in the month of January, 2011 alone!), there were 6 more gun rampages in the United States, which killed 10 innocent people and maimed 14! And on December 8, 2011 there was another terrifying shooting rampage at Virginia Tech University which resulted in the death of two (armed) police officers. I believe that without the force of the NRA, one of the most well-funded and powerful political forces in America, things would be different.
"Guns don't kill people, people kill people," but nothing can kill as many people in so little time. No other weapon can create such an uneven playing field. I do not believe that the way to a more level field is for more Americans to run around with weapons, rather, it is by limiting the number of weapons. A Gallup Poll in 2011 found that 1 in 5 Americans agreed that gun-control laws would prevent rogue shootings. Yet the NRA and conservative groups still argue that gun rights are the most primary symbol of individual rights and feel that gun legislation is federal intervention. I hope they do not benefit from any form of federal assistance, for I find this an unfortunately obviously necessary form of government involvement in today's private life no different than having red lights at traffic intersections!
Since that time, the effort to control guns in this country has, if anything, lost ground. Since that heartbreaking moment there has been no progress toward stricter gun laws in America; on the contrary, they've relaxed.
Following the shooting in which an untreated pschizophrenic man with no understandable agenda, killed a 9-yr.old girl, an Arizona Chief Judge, two of Gifford's aides, and three retired workers, and devastated the Congresswoman's life, gun sales in Arizona immediately increased 60%. People expecting stricter legislation began stockpiling their guns. But, worse, within a few months Arizona actually passed legislation loosening gun laws by passing legislation allowing guns on college campuses!?.. And the ability to obtain guns remains the same today as it was before.
In the same month as the Tuscon shooting, (Just in the month of January, 2011 alone!), there were 6 more gun rampages in the United States, which killed 10 innocent people and maimed 14! And on December 8, 2011 there was another terrifying shooting rampage at Virginia Tech University which resulted in the death of two (armed) police officers. I believe that without the force of the NRA, one of the most well-funded and powerful political forces in America, things would be different.
"Guns don't kill people, people kill people," but nothing can kill as many people in so little time. No other weapon can create such an uneven playing field. I do not believe that the way to a more level field is for more Americans to run around with weapons, rather, it is by limiting the number of weapons. A Gallup Poll in 2011 found that 1 in 5 Americans agreed that gun-control laws would prevent rogue shootings. Yet the NRA and conservative groups still argue that gun rights are the most primary symbol of individual rights and feel that gun legislation is federal intervention. I hope they do not benefit from any form of federal assistance, for I find this an unfortunately obviously necessary form of government involvement in today's private life no different than having red lights at traffic intersections!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Look in the Mirror
Pretend you have a mirror you can look at once in awhile to see how others see you. I have come to the realization that a lot of people would change the way they acted if they could see themselves in the mirror....
While eating dinner in a diner the other night I had a view of the entire room. In that room was a wide variety of people. No one thinks they are being noticed as they relax over dinner with their friends or family. But I noticed the looks and habits of all the people sitting around me. I noticed that the couple at the table next-door was annoyed by the loud group of teenagers next to them. The teenagers were perky, cute, athletes obviously having a team dinner together all in neatly matching warm-up suits. The couple across from us was a father and daughter. The father was slouching and had on a dirty sweatshirt from work, and the daughter was disheveled and slouching. The father's cell phone rang, so he answered it during dinner and had a conversation, while the daughter bent down over her soup and slurped it absentmindedly. Across the other way the hostess lead a young boy and a distinguished lady in wheel-chair through to a table. The young boy then helped the older lady into her chair. The older lady and her presumed grandson had a very nice dinner together engaged in conversation the whole time. I saw families and couples of various shapes and forms and didn't really remember things about them....
The funny thing was, that, as my husband and I were leaving the diner, the old woman in the wheelchair stopped me and said, "What kind of sandwich was that you were eating? It looked so good." I told her and we spoke for a minute before I left. She was very nice. But afterwards I realized that as much as I notice other people - they are noticing me! And so it is in the world. It is safe to assume that everywhere you go, people are observing the presentation you make by your everyday habits. So, check yourself in the mirror every once in awhile to see what others see!
While eating dinner in a diner the other night I had a view of the entire room. In that room was a wide variety of people. No one thinks they are being noticed as they relax over dinner with their friends or family. But I noticed the looks and habits of all the people sitting around me. I noticed that the couple at the table next-door was annoyed by the loud group of teenagers next to them. The teenagers were perky, cute, athletes obviously having a team dinner together all in neatly matching warm-up suits. The couple across from us was a father and daughter. The father was slouching and had on a dirty sweatshirt from work, and the daughter was disheveled and slouching. The father's cell phone rang, so he answered it during dinner and had a conversation, while the daughter bent down over her soup and slurped it absentmindedly. Across the other way the hostess lead a young boy and a distinguished lady in wheel-chair through to a table. The young boy then helped the older lady into her chair. The older lady and her presumed grandson had a very nice dinner together engaged in conversation the whole time. I saw families and couples of various shapes and forms and didn't really remember things about them....
The funny thing was, that, as my husband and I were leaving the diner, the old woman in the wheelchair stopped me and said, "What kind of sandwich was that you were eating? It looked so good." I told her and we spoke for a minute before I left. She was very nice. But afterwards I realized that as much as I notice other people - they are noticing me! And so it is in the world. It is safe to assume that everywhere you go, people are observing the presentation you make by your everyday habits. So, check yourself in the mirror every once in awhile to see what others see!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Smiles
I found this on a blog called Ikini's Blog, written in 2007. I thought it was so pretty that I am re-posting it. I'm not sure they are words to actually live by, but, they are definitely words to consider!
Don't go for looks; they can deceive.
Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.
Go for someone who makes you smile,
because it takes only a smile to
make a dark day seem bright.
Find the one that makes your heart smile.
Don't go for looks; they can deceive.
Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.
Go for someone who makes you smile,
because it takes only a smile to
make a dark day seem bright.
Find the one that makes your heart smile.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Role Models:
Try to think of the perfect role model, either for your own life or for your kids. Who would that be?... Would you choose a celebrity? (Doubtful - even if they are great singers or athletes, their lives are frought with drama) Would you choose a great leader? (Doubtful because we have come to realize that great leaders have burdensome egos.) Would you choose some fantastic intellectual? Maybe... A super-successful businessperson? A pioneer in their field?...
Or would you choose a regular person who lives a regular life and never fails to disappoint you? A person who never tries to be the star and never asked for any recognition because they do what they do just because they like it. They are just a reliable constant.
I think that is my ultimate choice for a good role model.
I'm glad that all the big shining stars exist, but I would not want to be married to one, or to be their child.... To me their contributions are beautiful sacrifices!
Or would you choose a regular person who lives a regular life and never fails to disappoint you? A person who never tries to be the star and never asked for any recognition because they do what they do just because they like it. They are just a reliable constant.
I think that is my ultimate choice for a good role model.
I'm glad that all the big shining stars exist, but I would not want to be married to one, or to be their child.... To me their contributions are beautiful sacrifices!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Feeling Powerless
This is the feeling to avoid - the feeling that creates the most fear, anger, and insecurity in people. Even children and animals react to feelings of being lost.... All adults need to feel useful and have a sense of direction in their life. They need to know how their lives make a difference. If they don't know this, it will cause some damage.
I've known people who over-compensated for lack of control by being obsessively-compulsively organized, others who became neurotic, some who became controlling or angry, or some who gave up and went through life without accomplishing anything.
Teens learning to be adults, adults in difficult stages of life (job changes, kids moving on, divorces, growing old, sickness) These stages can leave one suddenly powerless. People need to be reminded how they are important, or fear, anger or paralysis can hurt even more.
I've known people who over-compensated for lack of control by being obsessively-compulsively organized, others who became neurotic, some who became controlling or angry, or some who gave up and went through life without accomplishing anything.
Teens learning to be adults, adults in difficult stages of life (job changes, kids moving on, divorces, growing old, sickness) These stages can leave one suddenly powerless. People need to be reminded how they are important, or fear, anger or paralysis can hurt even more.
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