This is a picture of me relaxing in the sun at starbucks listening to Bob Marley. By the time you read this i will have been on vacation for about four days from my day job. I have purchased a new laptop to work on completing my second book, held an interview for said book, shot videos for my YouTube channel, and wrote several blogs including this one. Why am I working so hard on vacation? Because I have discovered my passion. To me this isn’t work at all. You know the old saying “if you find a job you love you’ll never work a day in your life”? Well i would like to tweak that a little “if you find your passion, you won’t mind working every day of your life”
All that being said, here is the point I’m making today. Even though I love helping others see the joy and beauty both in themselves and the world around them. In fact,that is my life’s mission. So what will i do after my iced green tea is goon? In short, not a damn thing! Wait! What? Yes, even though I live to do what I do I’m taking the day to recharge. I mention this because I’m addition to meditating you need to take a day off once in a while. Those who know me personally know how hard this is for me to do. Still if you’re running on empty how much can you give to others? If you have set goals and deadlines taking a break can actually help the brain be more productive when you return. I have had some of my best ideas while on vacation. Hmm.. Maybe i should take more? So you have my permission, take some time for yourself just remember to pay attention and be ready when duty calls
WORKING OUT YOUR LOVE
Here is a picture of my beautiful lady and I. I mentioned a few posts ago that people are always telling us what a great couple we are. So in an effort to help everyone experience the love we share I am sharing some of the things we do that make our love so amazing. One of them is constant and never ending effort.
Let me explain by offering you an analogy. I think love is a lot like working out. Right now people are seeing Margie and i in what amounts to being in the best ‘relationship shape’ of our lives. Our communication is open, honest and flowing, our joy is off the roof, and the passion? The details are too hot to share on a site like this. Yes our relationship is in great shape! We didn’t just fall into that though. Much like when you have areas on your body that need some attention, we spent hours “in the relationship gym” day after day working on those until we arrived at a point where they were healthy. It took a lot of effort, but like getting in great physical shape,people sure notice the results.
Another point to mention. Do you recall the time you were in the best physical shape of your life? If your answer was yes, but includes a memory like most of us there is a point to be made here. Why are you still not in that shape? Well even if you made it to the top of the mountain and hopefully your still there if you stop working out, if you stop eating right you are not going to stay that shape. In order to maintain a great figure you must continue to work hard.
If all this sounds like a lot of hard work I have good news and bad news for you. The bad news is it is. If you do not work hard on your relationship your love and passion will begin to fade, the joy will slip through your fingers and like working out the longer you wait the harder that is to get back. Sadly if you wait too long it might be too late. So what is the good news? Just like people who manage to stay in shape the trick is to enjoy the effort your putting in. Like working out, notice the results no matter how small as they come and celebrate. Here is another tip, find ways you enjoy. Some people love hitting the gym, some love riding a bike, some jogging. Just like physical exercise, there are different ways to work out your love and trust me, a lot can be fun for both parties whole increasing intimacy, romance and trust. Make it fun and you are far more likely to succeed.
Before I let you go, here is one more tip. If you are running a few miles a day and have an evening of pizza and beer it is less likely to affect you especially if you get back at again than if you just watch people running on TV. Same holds true for your love. Sometimes we let our partners down, or just make a mistake that causes an upset. Your love is more likely to recover and do so quickly if you have been working on making it stronger,especially if you get back at it. See you at the gym!
SET IT IN STONE
Yesterday we talked about sharing our lives passions with those we love. I told you how mine was the local state fair and that I was excited to share this for the first time with the love of my life. As you can see from the picture above, i took out a step further. I purchased a brick declaring my love for her. Other than the obvious, that this will make her feel loved, there are two other benefits. One the purchase price benefits the state fair which is something I’m passionate about. The second one is something a bit more complicated but even more powerful. Residual income.
What does all this have to do with love? A lot. For those of you who are not familiar with what residual income is, in a nutshell it is work you do once that you continue to collect on. Now I’m the first person to tell you that material objects are not what love is all about, but by sponsoring a brick, or whatever symbol they are selling you not only tie your love you cause you care about as mentioned above. You also have what I call ‘ residual income for your relationship’ you purchase the brick one time and then everytime you walk by, or even a friend or family sees it there is your love, on display. The one time investment might seem extravagant, but the dividends will continue to pay for the life of your love. A lesson I wish I would’ve learned sooner, but am going to take advantage of to the fullest. Let your love be seen by all, in several places and help some good causes along the way!
Watch “ANOTHER SECRET WEAPON FOR YOU” on YouTube
ANOTHER SECRET WEAPON FOR YOU: https://youtu.be/pOYvjecJleY
SHARING PASSION WITH THOSE YOU LOVE
Today I walked around the Wisconsin state fair park. It is the place we hold our…well..state fair. For those great souls that follow me on Brazil and other international locations a brief description may be helpful. This is a festival that runs for 11 days in the summer that includes food, music, shopping and fun of all kinds. Ever since I was a very young Man i have enjoyed the state fair immensely. I looked forward to those 11 days worth such excitement it borders on insanity. In 1996 i began a new job that allowed me to have all of that time off. I decided if it makes me happy I’m going to enjoy all 11 days of it. Which I have done every year since. What is the point of my crazy festivals addiction Story? Shortly there after I began my self improvement journey and learned there was a way to increase my joy from the state fair. How could that be? What could be better than drinking rum and eating delicious fried food? Well, if they didn’t have fat and calories, but there is something even better!
There is something that is humans do that automatically increases our joys and helps limit our sorrows, we share them with those we love. I learned sharing my joy and fun I have at the fair with my friends and family can be one of the most rewarding experiences i can have. This year I begin sharing it with the new love of my life who shares my love for this festival. Where she may not be as addicted as I am, she did something that has only increased our love and brought us closer. She is sharing it with me.
There is two points here. One, if there is something that brings you an intense amount of joy, share that joy with those you love. Especially those that may enjoy it as well. The second point is when you learn what brings those you love joy,share it with them. It will bring you closer and it will also make connections between them feeling insanely happy and being with you. I even went one step further and made her and I a part of this place, but that is for a future post. So today’s homework, let those you love know what brings you the most joy and discover what does the same for them and then share with each other!
WHAT BATHROOM TALK CAN TEACH US ABOUT LOVE
This post is about a subject I often discuss here. That subject is perspective. How you look at life is far more important than what you are looking at. It is important to remember that we cannot control life’s events, but we can control what they mean to us. This is most important when you are facing a challenging situation. We have discussed that in past posts and will do so in future ones as well.
Today’s post is about a different way of using both perspective and meaning. Let me explain. One of the greatest blessings in my life is my relationship with my lady. Honestly, not a day goes by that we are not told what a great couple we are by someone. A lot of the time we hear things like “i want what you have” or not so positively stated “im so jealous of you” well there are two points to be made here. First, there is a lot of hard work that goes on in creating what we have. We do our best to make it fun hard work, but we are never lazy when it comes to our love. We will go into that another day. Second, and the point I’m making today, is this, we look for love. What does that mean? Simply stated every situation that happens whether it is her waiting to get my attention while I’m lost in writing something or I’m waiting,usually not so patiently for her to get ready. We always look for the love. When all she wants is my attention and I am lost in my world know she is being grateful for having a man who is living his passion and doing his best to make the world a better place. Being a simple minded man, as I sit wondering what women do for all that time while getting ready, i focus on the fact she is working so hard to look beautiful for Me and what a lovely woman I have. We are not perfect, but we always look to see the love in what each other is doing. Here is my final example. Earlier today we found ourselves discussing what goes on behind closed bathroom doors. Without giving you the colorful details, let me assure you I left that conversation feeling closer and more loving than ever. I know at this point if I were you I might be asking what the hell can talking about bodily function make you feel love? Trust me it had me laughing too. The truth is, even though we are so passionate and romantic, we are open, comfortable and honest. Seeing how we could discuss and joke about something so personal is what keeps us close. So if you want a great love like I share, do yourself a favor. Whether it be when a challenge arises, or even a need to use the restroom, if you want love, look for the love. Until next time my friends
END OF AN ERA
Tonight marks the end of me bartending at the bar I’ve been at for the last four years. Quite honestly, it could be the beginning of the end of my bartending all together. Although I have been bartending for 21 years and consider myself very good at it the time has come to move on. So while this is the end of an Era, it also is the beginning of so much more. For those of you who enjoy reading these posts there will be more of them and I will be better able to think and focus on creating them. There are relationships and friendships i want to grow and develop. There are YouTube videos i am doing which can be found under my name, Neil Panosian. Feel free to check them out and give some feedback. There is also my next book which should have been out months ago.
What does all of this have to do with an amazing life? A lot. Even though this end has been my choosing, i have experienced lots of ends that were not my choice. No doubt you have as well. Jobs, relationships, even things like dinners with friends and a night on the town. They all have to end. The secret is to remember every end is a new beginning. Napoleon Hill once said “in the greatest challenge lies the seed for the greatest opportunity” if all of this sounds a bit too positive thinking and new age for you, let me ask you a question. What do you think is the ‘right’ way to handle things? Sit and stare at what was feeling sad and depressed as you waste your future away? Sure all of this is easier said than done especially if you are the one who has lost their job,or husband or wife. There is a trick that might help. Start now by reading stories of people who have picked themselves up from the bottom and succeeded beyond what they could have. Prove to yourself it can be done. It is true we can’t control outside circumstances, but we have complete control over what we will let them mean to us and how to react to them. Make your decision now! How will you react to life’s challenges? Do you have any tips to help others do so? Feel free to leave them here
Watch “LIFE IS WHAT WE MAKE OF IT!” on YouTube
LIFE IS WHAT WE MAKE OF IT!: https://youtu.be/KQCuYupwnk0
Learn how to use life instead of letting life use you
Watch “DRIVING MY WAY TO INSPIRATION AND THE FUTURE!!!” on YouTube
DRIVING MY WAY TO INSPIRATION AND THE FUTURE!!!: https://youtu.be/OqobOCCXoK0
My birthday video!!!
BREAK IN YOUR SHOES
While discussing relationship issues with a gentleman he brought up a very good analogy for hanging in when life gets tough. I’ll spare you the details of what this was specifically about, but he told me making decisions and giving up too quickly is like throwing away new shoes. My look of confusion most not be as common as i thought. This gentleman saw I had zigged when he zagged. He explained when you first put on me shoes they need to be broken in and can often be even painful the first few days. If you stick with then, however, they break in and become comfortable. Think of your job. How many jobs would you have quit if you had to decide after the first day? I know mine would at least double. So when life seems to be giving you lemons make sure you don’t just need time to turn them into lemonade. Need a reminder? Just look at your shoes.




