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What We Can Do.
“Don’t give in to your fears. If you do,
you won’t be able to talk to your heart.”
~ Paulo Coelho. “The Alchemist.”
There is a widely held belief that the elderly are rigid, inflexible and incapable of change. But, aren’t there some people who will always have difficulty and feeling uncomfortable adapting to change, regardless of their age? I reckon, every stage of life presents its rewarding challenges and difficult adjustments. Say, adolescence, marriage, mid-life crisis and retirement are all important and stressful events.
The truth is, we create too many difficult situations for ourselves, internally. Say, fear is one of the many enemies lurking inside us. Fear can destroy ambitions, relationships, fortunes and if left unchecked can destroy our lives. Arrogance is another. It brings a desire for respect and regard from others. And when we don’t receive it, we feel unhappy and at times angry because we feel disrespected …… But, if we shift our focus of attention, giving from the heart and don’t have arrogance, we won’t have such negative feelings in the first place.
Today, we are living in a time when change is happening everywhere …… turbulently and rapidly. Don’t stop living and learning. There’s always one hill higher – with a better view, so to speak. Go on growing up. If we believe that the power of Jesus can heal the sick, we are going to believe it even if one hundred studies say otherwise. And if we think prayer does nothing more than offer comfort, we are going to continue to believe that. Such is the resilience of faith. Belief gives us strength and reminds us that we are not alone in hard times. And last but not least, belief sets our moral compass, encourages us to help and gives us peace and hope – that can relieve stress, prevent depression and keep us optimistic.
Neil Armstrong once said, “You only have to solve two problems when going to the moon: First, how to get there and second, how to get back. The key is don’t leave until you have solved both problems. We don’t fail overnight. Instead, failure is a few error in judgement, repeated every day. Involvement with other people is important to the maintenance of our mental health as we grow. While withdrawal from society, negative self-talk and introspection could possibly lead to loneliness and isolation.
While some people keep blaming “age” for their problems there are also those who keep asking; “How do we find meaning in our lives?” You see, if we are searching for meaning we aren’t fully living. We may be existing but not mindful and aware of what is right here, right now. But, if we shift our focus of attention to living our lives in the moment and appreciate the moment, we live a wholesome life.
Warmest Wishes and Best Regards to each and every one of you. !!!
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. !!!
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. !!!
Never Give Up !!!
Nothing is ever too hard to do,
If your faith is strong and your purpose is true ……
Never give up and never stop,
Just journey on the mountain top.
Stay in the attitude of faith.
None of us can escape negativity.
I believe there are times when negative situations and words are not all that detrimental. The crux of the matter is how we deal with it that really matters. In moving forward, the key to achieving any of our dreams or goals, is to firstly convince ourselves that it is we who are going to make it happen.
Besides, a head full of negative thoughts will not help us tap into our God given potential in any way …… Stay Optimistic …… Never give up and “Never Give Up on God.”– Stay in the attitude of faith.
Blessings and have a happy weekend. !!!
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.
2012 In Review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 57,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 13 Film Festivals
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.
We Survived ……
Time flies. ….. 2012 is about to sweep past our eyes very soon.
Looking back, an issue that caught most of our attention and had most of us anticipating was the prediction of doom and gloom in the Mayan calender.
The good news is as of posting, nothing happened. Or, to put it in a lighter vein, we survived. Please do not get me wrong, I mean the world still remain as statue quo and we survived the much hyped doomsday catastrophe.
Indeed, the doomsday theory has taught us many valuable lessons of life. For instance, we are not able to go against nature and we are not the one who decides when to leave.
Besides, the significance of the date has been erroneously misinterpreted to mean the end of the world very simply because it goes no further. Earth will continue to exist and moving forward the fiscal woes will still be hanging there for a while. And, like it or otherwise, change will remain inevitable as we enter into a New Cycle of Light after tens of years of Darkness, a New Beginning, a New World and the ending of one whose time has come.
As we briefly reflect 2012, I believe one can easily find enough events and reasons to celebrate life’s little blessings.You may say;”The Cycle of life is always bittersweet” – but, it is something that you and yours truly will have to go through.
On another note, I got hold of the latest copy of Newsweek; “#LAST PRINT ISSUE” earlier this morning. In it, Tina Brown wrote; “A New Chapter. Sometimes, change isn’t just good, it’s necessary.” 2013 is waiting for us. Change is inevitable. Thus, in moving forward, let us find the strength through as best as we can
Happy New Year and Blessings everyone !!!
Michael.
Have A Dream 