THE BEST FEELING IS A STEP 🚶‍♀️

Today, as this post is released, is a Sunday. Most people use this as a day of rest, or a day of worship. Both amazing things to dedicate a day to. Every Sunday night, many people start feeling a familiar knot in their stomach. That dread of another work week approaching. How can we finally get rid of that feeling for good? It starts the day before. It starts on Sunday.

One way to start feeling good is to take that first step. The step towards living the life of your dreams. It could be setting up a savings account. One way is to begin typing words on that book you have always wanted to write. They don’t have to be the perfect words. Trust me when I tell you as a three time author, they may not even end up in the book at all. It is in taking the action that you get that feeling. Motion equals emotion. Yes, it feels great to be on the top of the mountain, but do you know what else feels great? Taking the first step in climbing that mountain. Knowing you are on your way to accomplishing something great.

One of the areas that people overlook is the first step in a journey. It could be the journey of becoming a better spouse or parent. It could be the journey of becoming healthier or more full of inner peace. These are journeys that do not have a finish line, or a top of the mountain to reach. Knowing that you have taken the first step on a life-long journey that will positively transform your life is an amazing feeling. What action can you take today to begin a positive journey?

NEVER STOP BEING THAT PERSON 💯

Here is something that rings true. You will never know the effect of every bit of kindness you have shown. This should not stop you from being kind. On the contrary. It should encourage you to know that you positively impact far more lives than you will ever know. Your actions, be they good or bad, can have a lingering impact years after they were committed.

Knowing that what you say or do can affect people’s lives for years, if not longer, should motivate you to be the best human you can. That small word of encouragement could help someone make it through a trying time years down the road. That harsh criticism can prevent someone from becoming all that they could be.

Knowing this, we should plant all the seeds of kindness, compassion and encouragement we can. We should do so to as many people as we can. We should also guard against speaking negative unless it is absolutely necessary. We make a difference whether we know it or not. Let us make sure it is a good one.

MY HAPPY DAY! 😃🍉🍍😊

Happy first day is summer to my friends in the northern hemisphere! This is my favorite day of the year. I am definitely a summer person. Love the sun and the warm weather.

Today is supposed to be the ‘longest day of the year’. Meaning that the sun rises the earliest and sets the latest. That kind of reminds me of life. We all have the same 24 hours. What determines the quality of our life is what we do with them. Is there more sunshine (positive and productive activity) or is it more darkness (negative and wasted energy).

Today, let the first day of summer remind us to have as much light and positivity in our 24 hours as we can!

IMAGINE THIS! 😮

How simple would this change be? Smiling more. Working to the see the good verses seeing the bad in people. Doing random acts of kindness. It would not be that difficult at all. Something everyone could do. It doesn’t take any money. It really wouldn’t require anymore effort than it takes to see the negative.

Can you imagine if just half of the 8 billion people on the planet did that? How about if all 8 billion people did it just half of the time? It is not a difficult concept.

Think of some examples. Sports. Can you imagine opponents giving compliments instead of trash talking or putting each other down? Even just half of the time. How about politicians? What if they attempted to see the good in each other just 50% of the time? That may inspire their followers to do the same. Here is one we might not think of – religion. Can you imagine if faiths preached acceptance and compassion for those of different faiths? Again, just half of the time. Imagine the difference that would make in the minds of their followers?

This doesn’t have to be some crazy fantasy. It can happen. If you are an athlete, politician or person of faith, use your position to put forth these ideas. Tell those in power you would like them to do so. Most importantly, be an example of it in your own life!

CONVINCE YOURSELF! 😮

We are all worthy of a good life. Me, you, even the guy who cut you off in traffic. OK, we might not want to wish him a good life at the moment, but I’m sure he deserves one too.

When we convince ourselves that we are worthy of a good life we act differently. We  set boundaries and practice self-care. We take better care of our health and focus on the long-term goal instead of the short-term pleasure. We are also far more likely to treat others with respect and compassion.

How do we convince ourselves we are worthy of a good life? We earn it. How do we earn it? By keeping our word to others, and even more importantly, keeping our word to ourselves. When we say what we are going to do and then follow that up by doing what we say, we earn well-deserved pride. Self-discipline is the greatest source of self-love.

Convince yourself that you are worthy of a good life today! Keep your word. Stay disciplined. Treat others with compassion and kindness. That good life will be yours in no time at all!

ARE YOU PLANTING A TREE? 🌳

This is a quote from one of my favorite poets. It sheds light on a very important way to live your life. In my second book, a corresponding YouTube video, I encourage people to write their own eulogy. Not only as a reminder that life is fleeting, and you should live with a sense of urgency, but because it will help them better clarify what they want their legacy to be.

A eulogy is what people will say about you after you die. Sadly, if it is a good speech, you will not be there to hear it. You do have a great amount of control of what it will contain. What do you want yours to say? Do you want them to say you were a leader of your family? Are you currently acting like one? How about a loving partner? A hard worker?

One you decide how you want to be remembered, you can start working towards earning that eulogy. Meaning you are living in such a way that people will say kind things about you long after you are gone. Put another way, you are planting a tree you will never sit under.

CAN YOU SEE IT? 👀

Today is Monday. Many people strongly dislike Mondays. It is the start of the work week and the end of relaxing. For me personally, I DJ Sunday and go to bed about 2am. My alarm goes off for work at 4am. If you are keeping score at home, that leaves 2 hours for sleep.

Here is the interesting thing – there is beauty in a Monday. It is the start of a week of challenges that can leave you a stronger person by weeks end. It is the beginning of a week of opportunity to save towards your retirement. How about developing character by showing up on time and working hard?

It is not only Mondays, but every aspect of life that has beauty. Yes, even the ones we consider negative. I have found beauty in a dental visit. I have found beauty cleaning up a river. There is even beauty to be found at a funeral.

What is the big deal about finding beauty in life? The more beauty you can find around you, the more beautiful life becomes. How about you? Have there been situations where you have been able to find beauty when others could not?

DO NOT GET STUCK

Remember my friends, as the week begins, focus on what we have to be grateful for. If something disturbs our peace, learn from it and let it go.

DO NOT CURSE THE SEASONS 🌻

This is a good thought. Every situation does not always serve us in the same way. For example, at my day job I have been working 55 hours a week for the last year. Certainly nice money, but had me burnt out. Now, they hired a coworker for me. It will be a lot less money, but I will be able to focus more on my writing and fitness more.

I could have cursed the fact for the last year I have not been able to spend as much time with Margie as I wanted, or I could have used the extra money to save for our wedding and pay off my car. Conversely, I could lament the fact that I will be earning a lot less or celebrate all the extra time I will be afforded.

Keep this thought in your head. “What is wrong is always available. But so it’s what’s right. ” There is always a sunny side of the street. You can find it when you practice an attitude of gratitude. I always tell people, “If you can’t find something to be grateful for, you aren’t trying very hard. ” Even being able to read these words means you have the gift of vision, access to the internet, and the freedom to view what interests you. We are followed in over 200 countries, but if you live in North Korea, you would not be able to view us.

The above example listed 3 or 4 things you could be grateful for. In any situation there is always something to be grateful for. Sometimes you have to search hard. Most times you do not. So don’t curse the seasons or your situation. Instead, plant and act accordingly. Remember, what is wrong is always available, but so is what’s right.

WHAT DECIDES YOUR FUTURE?

I am not sure what a man fighting a lion has to do with this quote. Maybe he made a habit of fighting lions. Seems like that habit would lead to a fairly short life. That does reflect the point we are attempting to make here. The man may not actively choose a short life and quick death, but by choosing a habit of fighting lions, in a way he is.

The decisions we make in life decide our future. Do we make a decision to pursue comfort at any cost? If so, it would be highly unlikely that we will accomplish anything to great. Truly worthwhile goals require discipline, sacrifice and consistency. Even if our intentions are noble, if our habits are not it will amount to very little. When life gets tough we do not rise to our ambitions, we fall back to our habits.

Most of us would like to be successful in life. Success too is a habit. You cannot strive to be a success in one area while being lazy in others. If you are a person who drops trash in the ground and doesn’t pick it up, chances are you will not be able to maintain a high standard in areas of life you deem more important.

Take a hard look at your habits. What kind of future are they going to deliver for you? If it is not the future you want, what habits could you adopt now to change that?