REDUCE STRESS, INCREASE JOY AND BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF YOU
Author: drrock00
A bartender and Postal worker by trade I was witness to the overwhelming negativity that is so common in todays society. A firm believer in the motto "Better to light a candle than curse the darkness" I created this site to bring some of the positivity back into the world and share with otheres.
This past Thursday, August 1st, I took my lady to my favorite place, The Wisconsin State Fair. While there, I informed her we were going to film a video for my YouTube channel. Which we did…kind of. Little did she know, I was actually filming me asking her to marry me!
I have went to the Wisconsin State Fair every year since 1975, and every day since 1996. It is my favorite place to go, so why not ask my favorite person to marry me right there, on top of the Ferris wheel? Our story even made the news as well as local radio! Did she say yes? Click the link below to watch the video on my YouTube channel and see the very moment yourself!
Last post, I mentioned a negative experience I had with a gentleman on social media. I wanted to revisit that story because it brought to mind another great secret to an amazing life. This man really did inspire a lot of good ideas. In case you did not read the last post, let me give you the tale in a nutshell. I wanted to share this site with my neighbors in hope that I could bring a lot of joy to those living in my city. I went to social media and shared a little story about this site and what everyone can find here. Careful to mention that it is indeed free.
That is when things took a turn I wasn’t quite expecting. This gentleman said that I was telling him what to think and he wanted no part of it. Explaining that this was not at all what this site was about did nothing to satisfy him. He then went on to state that I was an influencer looking to make money off of people for doing nothing. Reminding him the site is completely free and is just intended to bring positivity to people only prompted him to call me a liar. He was soon joined by a woman who echoed his feelings. Here is the ironic thing, neither of them even looked at the site.
My lady, in a desire to defend me, wanted to inform them of a bit more than what this site was all about. Informing her this was a waste of our energy and would only incite them further, she shortened her rebuff. Here is the crazy thing. These two people who have such a cynical view of the world, are exactly who could use this site the most. It may help them lift themselves out of the negative view they have of the world and those in it.
The ironic part is that they will be the last people to ever read it. This is something that I learned years ago as a bartender. You can bring knowledge, encouragement and inspiration to the masses. You can plant seeds of motivation and inspiration. For some souls, it is like throwing those seeds on concrete. It is the concrete parts of the world who could use the flowers the most, but if you spend your life and energy here, you are throwing your seeds on concrete. The chances anything will bloom are slim. It is certainly worth introducing everyone to the good you discover in life, but your energy is best served by sharing with those who are open and looking.
In life, it may feel like all of your efforts are not accomplishing much. Chances are there is nothing wrong with your efforts. You may just be tossing your seeds on concrete. That is not to say you should abandon those folks. Just spend most of your time, energy and seeds on those who will be open to your efforts.
Do you have people in your life that treat you harshly and you cannot figure out why? Let me give you two fine examples from my own life. At my day job, I do my best to bring joy and show appreciation to everyone. There is a couple I work with who seem bent on bringing drama into the work place. We looked at the best way to deal with these people last post. The funny thing is that initially, only the man worked there and we got along great. When he lady started there, everything changed. They make up lies about me to the boss. They even will spend extra energy to do things they feel make my job more difficult. This is not only sad and petty, but a complete waste of energy on their part. Not only do I not waste my time or energy on doing anything to make their workday miserable, I honestly never give them a thought. Unless, of course, it will help me come up with an example for a blog.
Another fun example is this blog. Recently, I shared it on a local social media site. I am in over 200 countries around the world, but it is always good to take care of your own neighborhood. Most of the responses were positive, but like in any crowd, there were a few detractors. It started with a gentleman who accused me on telling him what to think. Informing him that is not what this site is about, he told me that I was an online influencer making money off people for doing nothing. I informed him my site is completely free and is just for leaving the world a better place than I found it. He called me a liar.
What makes these people so cynical and miserable? I do not know their stories, but I am sure there is one. Somewhere they must have picked up on the idea that life is a negative experience. As to why that anger comes out directed at me? To me, that is not really a big deal. It serves two very important functions. First, it reminds me of the need to put positivity out into the world. Second, if they are focused on me, for that time they are not directing their misery at someone else. I am grateful for the example as to what it can be like if you do not keep a positive outlook as well. These folks, despite their best efforts, have given me no less than three things to be grateful for. When you do your best to be positive and bring light to the world, know there will be others who are offended by that. Perhaps they do not like seeing others happy when they are not. Maybe they are jealous that you have found the secret to an amazing life? Whatever the cause, do not take it personal. Send them some good vibes and move on. It is not worth your energy.
This thought comes from the book, The Art of War. It is a great book not only for military conflict, but for life as well. This quote is a prime example. Many people wish to start wars with us. They could be an ex lover, a jealous coworker, or a boss that likes to put us down. Some of them just enjoy bringing chaos into our lives. Have you ever heard the saying ‘misery loves company’? It is true. There are folks whose only joy in life is to see people as miserable as they are. Baffles me as why this is better than working on their own life, but ours is not to wonder why.
Often, the only result these folks want is for us to engage them in this misery. Remember that you do not have to attend every argument you are invited to. What you should do instead is what Frank Sinatra reminded us to do in the quote above. Focus on our success. Nothing will drive a miserable person crazy than to see the person they are trying to bring down experiencing joy and success. Do not engage them. Do not fight them and you will win the war!
Next time someone does their best to start drama in your life, instead of engaging with them, focus on your own success. At the end of the day you will be further ahead while they will be in the same place disgusted they could not force you into joining them in their misery. That is a win for you.
Many people shy away from the fires of life. That is to be understood. Nobody really enjoys discomfort. What you must consider is what discomfort and challenges do in our life. They provide us opportunities that comfort and ease simply cannot. You grow exponentially more during difficult times than you do when life is easy. You also display to others your true character.
Everyone can be patient, helpful and happy when the sun is shinning and all of the bills are paid. Can you still have that kindness and compassion when life is not going so well? Can you still treat others as you would want them to treat you when life is beating you down? If you can, it speaks volumes about you and your character. This is something that you could never display unless you face challenges and adversity. Next time life seems to descend into chaos, ask yourself one very important question, “How am I going to walk through this fire?” If you are really brave, you can ask a follow up question, “What will that say about me?”
Be grateful for the challenges. They help us to grow and to demonstrate to the world the strength of our character. You can dislike the challenge and still be grateful for the opportunity.
Today is one of my favorite days of the year. It is the opening day of the Wisconsin State Fair. I have loved state fair ever since I was young. In fact, I have gone every year since I was born in 1975. In 1996, as I was making my way through the self-improvement journey I was and am still on, I decided to make a change in my life. I recall standing in the center of fair park, in an are they smartly call ‘central park’, and watching the people go by. It was then a thought occurred to me. “If I am so happy every time I come here, why don’t I come here more often?” That was 1996, and I have been to every day of the Wisconsin State Fair since.
The idea behind this was simple. If I have a lot of fun on one day, wouldn’t I have 11 times that much if I went every day? So far it has proved to be so. Attending with different people, doing different things keeps it fresh and exciting. You learn where all the deals are so that you do not spend so much. Not to mention, the memories you create last a lifetime. I am sure there will be more memories created this year that will be talked about years later. Above was a fun picture that I took with my lovely Margie. Last year, my mother and I relaxed with an iced coffee listening to a band playing tropical music.
Some of the best things are events we did not even know about. Here is my mother and I celebrating the 75th birthday of Smokey Bear, who tragically may not be there this year. Still, like the tropical band, fun foods and drinks and places we have never seen, every year there is some fun surprise waiting for us. This makes the excitement leading up to the Wisconsin State Fair even more exciting. Who knows who we will run into and what we will do? Even we do not!
Whatever it is in your life, find something you love and go all out with it! People often ask me how long I will continue to go to the fair every day. Until it ceases to be fun I suppose. Until then, I am going to cherish every ounce of fun that I can out of the experience. I suggest you do the same. Find something you can look forward to every year. Maybe a fishing trip with the guys, or a shopping trip with the girls. Then again, maybe a fishing trip with the girls or a shopping trip with the guys. Whatever works! Grab some friends or a loved one and start making plans!
Today is my birthday! Celebrate with me by using one of the many wonderful tools and strategies we discussed on this site. Spend some time on self-care, pursue your purpose, or best of all, spend at least 5 minutes in total gratitude. Feel free to look back and pick something that speaks to you.
Feel free to share whatever you pick and what you plan to do. One of the greatest gifts I receive is the engagement I get from the community here. I look forward to hearing from as many of you as I can. Spend some time with those you love doing what you love as you celebrate the birth of this soon to be best-selling author.
Did you ever wonder why they call it a rat race? Who really wants to be a rat? I certainly don’t. Today, whatever day you are reading this, take some time out of the race. Focus on winning what is really important. That would be your health, your family and your friends. Take some time for self-care and you will win the race.
SECRET 2 AN AMAZING LIFE 