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Have A Meaningful Valentine’s Day Everyone !!!
Yes, it’s Valentine’s Day !!!
A special day especially for lovers, wannabe lovers and those trying to rekindle the flame of love.
An universal celebration that takes people of all walks of life, culture and nationality coming together to mark this special day by showing love the way we believe our loved ones like to receive love ……
Whether it’s going to be in the form of gifts, verbal affirmations, personal touch or time spent with our loved ones, have a meaningful and happy Valentine’s Day everyone. !!!
Warmest wishes for the day !!!
Somebody Loves You ……
Somebody loves you more than you know ……
Somebody goes with you wherever you go ……
Somebody really and truly cares.
And lovingly listens to all of your prayers.
And if you walk in His footsteps and have faith to believe,
There’s nothing you ask for that you will not receive.
**********
If I Had ……
“People are like Oreo. The good stuff is on the inside,”
~ Unknown,
Happiness is an emotion. But, it is also a choice. And no one can steal our happiness as it is ours to do with as we please. Thus, one can choose to be happy rather than sad, optimistic rather than pessimistic or hopeful rather than doubtful.
But, on another hand, we have to be mindful, “No one is an island.” As a matter of fact, from the day we are born until the day we die, we are dependent upon the help of others in countless ways. Besides, like everyone else, we also need strength to withstand the everyday pressures exerted from the outside. So never allow every little thing to get to you, drag you down or consume your life. Make today count and live the best you can today. And do what is enjoyable, rewarding or special to your inner soul.
A new mindset and style has been sweeping out the old way we use to live and work. The new generation is motivated by meaning. They are ambitious, confident, achievement-oriented, have high expectations, seeks out challenges, not afraid to question authority and driven by an innate need for excellence in everything they do. Thus, the future seems to belong to those who are competent. Or those who are very good at what they do and those who dare to dream. and work their dream.
For this week, I am sure some of you or your loved ones and friends may be celebrating birthdays. I wish to utilize this space to wishing everyone celebrating their birthdays, a very Happy Birthday. May there be more happy returns of this day. May you experience happiness all through your life. And may your near and dear ones as happy as you will be.
As I conclude my post of the day, I remember a lady, an old lady in fact. And I would like to leave you a poem from this old lady, the late Nadine Stair. when she was asked what she would do if she had her life to live over again;
“If I have my life to live over, I’d dare to make more mistakes. I’d relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice-cream and less cherries. I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I’d have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I’m one of those people who live sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I’ve had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I’d have more of them , In fact, I’d try to have nothing else, just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I’ve been one of the persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I’d start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way in the fall. I’d go for more dances. I ‘d ride my merry-go-rounds, I would pick more daisies.”
In moving forward, we need to look ahead and envision what the rest of our lives would be like if we continue with the philosophy or beliefs we have today. Let’s examine what beliefs have serve us well and what beliefs have serve us poorly. We can then either affirm or change them – I believe if we do this well and do it now, we may look back one day and say; “If I had my life to live over, I’d do it the same way.”
Once again a very “Happy Birthday” to everyone celebrating their birthdays this week …… And to YC, a young and dedicated caregiver, if I may add; “May you have the very best in life. !!!
We Are Unique.
“The only time you fail is when you fall down and stay down.”
~ Stephen Richards. Cosmic Ordering: You can be successful.
I came across a middle-aged couple slowing down in front of a popular weight management outlet very recently. When I got closer, I overheard the man telling the lady, “You are unique. ….. We are all put into this world to be who we are. How can you be your best when you are working to be a reflection of somebody else?” as he led the hesitant lady away ……
All of us have positive qualities, don’t we? For instance, happiness and contentment, are beautiful qualities. But to remain truly happy and contented, one ought to remain positive. Say, if we can detach and focus only on the blessings that we have, I reckon we could be a happier person – in the true sense of the word.
“Then, what thinking is negative?” you may ask. Generally, all thinking that makes us feel less contented can be considered negative. For instance, thoughts related to how bad things are or indulging in any negative mental dialogue. You see, the wonderful thing is; “Life is directly related to where we choose to focus our attention.” If we choose to focus on thoughts of problems, it is almost certain our experience of life will consist mainly of problems.
Thus, by moving our focus of attention away from the problems and wrongs of the world and our lives, we gradually begin to find ourselves noticing more beauty and kindness. And this is what children do on a regular basis. No pun intended. I agree, they may be living in the same world as we, adults do. But, it is the way that they notice different aspects of it. Say, they see humor, opportunities, compassion and ……
As I conclude my post for the day and if I may ask, “Have you ever thought what it means to appreciate someone?” I reckon, if we truly appreciate what someone does or what someone stands for, tell him or her. Be mindful, it is easy to get discouraged these days and sometimes it only take one appreciative person to keep someone going …… My parting thought; “Appreciation is a wonderful thing:It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” ~ Voltaire.
We are unique. ….. Stay happy and keep excelling !!!
Give A Thought ……
“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them and try to follow where they lead.” – Louisa May Alcott.
Some of us seem to have a love-hate relationship with goals. On one hand, we love them because goals are such great ideas that motivate and inspire us to achieve. But hate them on the other hand because for many, they go unattainable and simply frustrate them.
The crux of the matter is, as human beings, we have an innate and sometimes an unstoppable desire to dream. Say, to dream of a better situation, a better quality of life, a better financial position for ourselves, our loved ones and so forth. Besides, what is even more powerful is we have the ability to not only pursue our dreams, but also the ability to plan and map out strategies to achieve our dreams.
Then, why is it such good intentions aren’t always translated into action? Indeed, many of us know we ought to set goals but we don’t for a variety of reasons. A common excuse that comes up frequently is we don’t know what to set goals about. You see, we set goals because we understand how much focusing on our personal development and personal success can improve the many aspects in our life.
Give a thought …… What are your dreams and goals? What is it that you want? Have you really sat down and thought through your life’s values and decide what you really want? Or, have you taken the time to reflect and listen quietly to your heart and to see what dreams live within you?
Give a thought …… Like everyone else, your dreams are there. They may live right on the surface or buried deep down somewhere, after so many of others telling you they were foolish …… but they are there and are still there.
Give a thought …… Quiet the mind and visualize; “You are now in a better situation, living a much better quality of life, in a sound financial position to provide for the comfort of your loved ones though once you thought were almost impossible.” Does this inspire and worthy of another attempt to translate all your good intentions into action?
Give a thought …… It is about setting the right goals. I mean, setting goals that mean something to you and that are in alignment with your values. Right goals will motivate and empower you. Nothing is too large or too small. A small thing can sometimes be the trigger that leads to the fulfillment of a much bigger goal. Dream big. Don’t limit yourself. Forget about being realistic at this point – after all, who wants to be realistic and set goals that are easily achievable?
My parting thought; “If you don’t have a goal in life, you are spending your life running around and not achieving anything for yourself.” – Bill Copeland.
Once again, “Thank You” for visiting “Have A Dream.” Have a great new week and Give A Thought. !!!
Are You Ready For More?
As I thought about how to expand on my previous post, “Stay Happy.” I was overwhelmed by a wonderful feeling of contentment …… Life is not so much about winning or losing – it is about living.
Happiness reminds us that each day is precious and each day we can choose to be happy. Say, we can choose to live by our values and we can choose to be grateful for the amazing possibilities we are given. But, making any successful and positive change requires forethought. It is always better to feel that we are moving towards something new and exciting with our eyes fully wide open rather than doing things blindly – without giving due consideration.
“Peace of mind” is an elusive and precious sense of contentment. If we look for it. we won’t find it. It only comes to us when our mind is still and empty of negative emotions. Say, guilt, bitterness and anxiety. These negative emotions can dominate our thoughts and sap our energy. Thus, in moving forward to find peace of mind, we must not be held back by these negative emotions unnecessarily.
Perhaps, you may agree life is full of hard knocks. And for some, life can be a harsh experience of one setback after another. Thankfully, for most of us, life hast treated us more kindly. Except from time to time, we may feel pain, disappointment, despair and so forth.
In sports, all of us have seen pictures of athletics howling in pain, when they stumbled on the track or took a hard fall. Many times it’s not just because of the physical pain of a hamstring and so forth. It is also the inconsolable dream of having a dream dashed on the ground.
Have a dream. Better still, have an inspiring dream or vision. Thinking too much about the future can sometimes affect our happiness and peace of mind. Anxiety about the future can take over, affecting our decisions and our enjoyment to life. And not fret what may or may not lie ahead.
My parting thought; “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin.
Big things always have a way of making us feel a tad insignificant. Remember how you felt the last time you met someone who was bigger than life or stunningly talented? And did you felt like less? …… Basically, we are all connected. And when we witness amazing people, it is normal if we tend to feel unamazing by comparisons. But, amazing doesn’t fit everywhere. Stop thinking. Start living. Stay happy. And drop the perception that amazing people somehow diminish those of us who don’t seem to be.
Stay Happy !!!
“It is so hard to forget pain, but it’s even harder to remember sweetness. We have no scar to show for happiness. We learn so little from peace.” – Chuck Palahniuk.”Diary.”
Thoughts can influence our bodily functions. Say our sleep, our digestion, our pulse and so forth. Every thought we have can either move us towards God’s given potential or away from it. And no thoughts are neutral. Thus, by our manner of thinking we can either draw out the best in ourselves and others or we can draw out the worst.
Thoughts can shift our lives in a particular direction. Sometimes in a minor way and sometimes in a major way. And every individual thought matters. Say, if your goal is to maximize your potential for joy, then you must first discipline yourself mentally.
You see, right thinking is a choice you have to make for the rest of your life. And when our minds are renewed, circumstances take care of themselves. People who have not cultivated the habit of making decisions do not realize how much power they have. As a matter of fact, our capacity for choice is an awesome power within us and that one can take that away from us.
Being happy is easy. Being unhappy is complicated. Happiness tells us deep down we are already deeply connected to each other and it reminds us to enjoy that. Besides, everything we do in our lives are determined by our choices. Say, we can choose to change every part of our lives, our career, our energy levels, our health, relationships, income and so forth ……
“True happiness is not found in any other reward
other than that of being united with God.” – Thomas Merton.
“Happiness is not something made. It comes from your actions.”
– Dalai Lama.
“Of all forms of caution, caution in love
perhaps is the most fatal to true happiness.
– Bertrand Russell. “The Conquest of Happiness.”
“Forget the times of your distress,
but never forget what they taught you.” – Unknown.
“The more you praise and celebrate your life,
the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Oprah Winfey.
“If we cannot live so as to be happy,
let us least live so as to deserve it. – Immanuel Herman Ficthe.
“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestation of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness you never lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.” – Elizabeth Gilbert. “Eat, Pray, Love.”.
Thank You for visiting “Have A Dream” and Stay Happy !!!
Michael.
Happy New Year !!!
First and foremost, a “Happy New Year” to each and every one of you ……
Despite the earlier fears of another global recession and economic slowdown, we are glad to ride through those waves of uncertainty without much hindrance.
Perhaps there may be some of us who are still recovering from the merrymaking of Christmas. The New Year is just around the corner and is waiting for us. In a matter of hours, we will bid adieu to a year filled with happy and sad moments, good and bad experiences and memories that have affected us in one way or another.
As 2013 dawns upon us, let us celebrate …… past, present and future successes and the realization of our all our aspirations.
Wishing you a Happy New Year and May God bless us all. !!!
Michael.
Have A Dream 