Today’s post is brought to you courtesy of my mom’s cousin and simplereminders.com. With the weekend coming up it is good to keep in mind what heals and recharges the body and soul.
Worrying does not fix problems
With the weekend coming up this seemed fitting. We are all given a limited amount of time and if you are like 98% of the world you work a 9-5 job Monday through Friday. That means Saturday and Sunday are the two days you get to decide what you do with the majority of your time. So, instead of worrying about what was and what might be why not take a deep breath, get excited for the weekend, and plan something fun to do. Even if that something is nothing more than relaxing by yourself or with someone else.
No Excuses
A good friend of mine, I call him one of my brothers, is visiting from out of state. He is in the area for only a week and has been spending his time trying to visit as many of his friends and family as possible while he is here.
We hung out last night and at the end of the evening we were planning when we were going to get together again. He proceeded to tell me who he was spending time with and when. We scheduled more time to spend together and I thought nothing more of it that night.
The next morning as I was drinking my coffee and taking care of the dog a thought occurred to me and it inspired this entry. I found myself surprised at, what I considered, how little time he was getting to spend with people.
As time goes on and we grow older we fill our lives with essentials and non-essentials. Eventually you fall into a rhythm that we commonly refer to as “life” or the “daily grind.” What happens is when life throws you a curve ball and a distant friend visits or something interferes with your routine you are left with a decision. Do you make time or don’t you? If you don’t it is usually accompanied with an excuse/reason as to why not.
I include excuse because while there are perfectly valid reasons to not do certain things, there is also only so much time in a day. However, that does not mean that your reason is a good reason and therefore it becomes an excuse. Mind you, the only person that truly knows it was an excuse is the one who made it. So, we all need to monitor ourselves because we are the only ones that can correct it when it happens.
So, what do I mean by excuse? If you can’t do something from 9-5 because you have a job to go to. That’s a good reason. If you can’t/won’t do something because you would rather play video games, watch TV, or are being lazy. That’s an excuse. If you don’t do something because your family needs you. That’s a good reason. I should clarify and say that I mean when they truly need you. Not when you say they need you because you are using them as an excuse. I think you get the point…
I understand that life gets busy. Things don’t always happen at convenient times. Yet, it is important, I feel, that you make the time because you don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring. I am a big movie fan and there is a quote from the movie Wanted that I feel is relevant here.
“We don’t know how far the ripples of our decisions go.”
They go on to justify why they are a fraternity of assassins. However, I agree that we need to monitor our decisions because it is not always obvious how much of an impact the simple decisions we make can have.
As always I encourage you to smile and make time for the things that matter in life instead of making excuses as to why you don’t have and don’t do what you should/could be. A good place to start would be to read Mayonnaise Jar & Beer. It is a story that I heard long ago that set me on a path to actively choose to live my life instead of watching it go by.
Father’s Day
We live in a society that loves to celebrate things. We have National day, week, and month observations. Then, there are also international day observances. So, if you want to celebrate National Nail Polish Day, National Prairie Day, National Black Cow Day, National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day, or National Wear Red Day (just to name a few) there is something out there for you.
Recently we celebrated one that is a little more well known and one that I happen to enjoy. Last weekend was Father’s Day. This holiday is always a fun one for me because it is a good reason to get the family together, BBQ, and relax. This past Father’s Day was extra special for me because it was my first Father’s Day as a dad. The day was spent exactly as I wanted it. Surrounded by my family, cooking simple food on the grill, relaxing by the pool, and enjoying some craft beers.
Father’s Day was a reminder that we are surrounded by things to be thankful for. Even if you happen to no longer have direct contact with your father does not mean that you are left out. I have no doubt that if you look at your immediate environment you will find mementos of your father, grandfather, son, and/or grandson. If you are having trouble finding something then I recommend looking in the mirror. There you will find what could not exist if it was not for your father. So, smile because you are here and that is something worth smiling about and if you feel so inclined, and are capable, give your dad a call and thank him for what he has done to help you get where you are today.
These are my Father’s Day memories that make me smile
Personal Promise
My wife and I are big Walt Disney fans. Whether you are or not does not change that Disney characters, movies, and TV shows have brought about some tremendous quotations that would serve us all well.
Today’s daily positive is brought to you from Winnie-the-Pooh and the minds of Walt Disney and A. A. Milne.
Promise me you’ll remember: you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think.
These are words that I feel can inspire anyone in any circumstance. So, the next time you feel trapped or in the need of guidance, remember those words.
Rain is a good thing
The past few days we have been getting poured on here in North Jersey. I found myself smiling as I watched the rain pass outside and listened to it slam against the tin roof of my office building. I was reminded of how society likes to cast a negative light on the rain and I feel that is unfair.
The weather stations remind us that we will be “stuck inside.” Cautious drivers become timid drivers and emotions elevate for everyone. I myself have been known to call it, “liquid traffic.” Yet, despite all of this rain is a primary necessity in providing us with things that we need and want on a regular basis.
If it wasn’t for rain we could never stop and smell the roses. So many colors that we enjoy daily would be stripped from us and our world would turn into an endless desert. The world around us would become dry, dirty, brittle, and bland.
So, the next time you find yourself getting upset with the fact that the rain is preventing you from having that backyard BBQ or going out to enjoy a day playing outside with your friends and/or family try to remember that the rain actually serves greater purpose.
It washes away the dirt and struggles of previous days. It feeds and nurtures the life of all organic material around you. It is a sign of rebirth and could even be interpreted as a fresh start. If that is not enough of a reason to make you smile then you could also consider that while rain causes us to seek shelter. In that shelter we can find the company of good people and more personal interactions. So, I hope you find a new positive outlook on rainy days and the positive outcomes that they are the foundation for.
Purpose Of Life – W.M.
This is a great quote from the movie “The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty”
“To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.”
Simple Things In Life
Too often we are reminded that while we strive for large accomplishments, and they are important, it is the simple things in life that make it sweet. This falls in line with the saying, “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” The difference is that this is focused on positive outcomes as opposed to, “the broken back.”
Basically what I’m trying to say is that while striving for and achieving large accomplishments in life are important and, I would go so far as to say, necessary. They are not the things that make every day so sweet. So, while you’re out fighting for and earning you’re large accomplishments don’t forget to include and acknowledge the little things, “the pieces of straw.” When you add them up you may just realize life is pretty sweet. If not, then I encourage you to fill your life with more positive, “little things,” because they matter.
Positivity Pledge
As I have mentioned before a positive attitude is key to a happier life. Yes, I’m aware it is easier said than done. Yes, I am certain it requires consistent and persistent effort on your part. However, if you can put in the effort I can guarantee positive results. It does not happen overnight. So, if you’re looking for a quick simple fix… keep looking. If you find one, let me know.
Here is something to help get you started. It’s as simple as reading this every day. So, print it, make it your background on your computer or phone, memorize it, or whatever you want to do to put it in your face every day. Then, get to work improving your state of mind and ultimately your life.
TGIF
Friday is here and we know that is almost everyone’s favorite day. Why? Because it marks the end of the work/school week and the beginning of two days of freedom to do, “what you want.” When I think about it I can’t get past the, “two days of freedom.” Why only two days?
What if every day could be like Friday? What if I told you there is no reason for Friday to feel different than any other day? What would you think if I said you didn’t have to be crazy rich or retired from your job for this to be a reality? What if I said it was all in your head and you could start living that way today?
I imagine you would laugh at me. You might even tell me that I live with my head in the clouds. I would tell you that you can label it however you want but it’s true. It really is as simple as making the active decision to love every day as much as you love Friday. Here is the tricky part. It is as difficult as loving every day as much as you love Friday. That’s right, it is easier said than done. I would even go so far as to say that it could qualify as a second job. You have heard the sayings just like I have, “if it was easy everyone would do it,” and, “things worth doing/having must be earned because they do not come free.” Here is the good news though. Every day that you successfully go into with the same positive attitude as you do a Friday makes the next day that much easier.
There is a book by Dr. Shad Helmstetter called, “What To Say When You Talk To Yourself” that I highly recommend you read. You can get it in paperback, hardcover, or electronic for the Kindle. It illustrates the point that I am trying to make here. When you are ready and you decide that today will be as good or better than any and every Friday you eagerly await for. That is when you will start to have more positive future.
There is a lot of truth to my claims above and I agree with the statements that we all have heard. Happiness and the better things in life are not given to us. We must seek it out, embrace it, and share it. Yes, share it! For a multitude of reasons. First, I feel it is harder to find happiness if you are not willing to share it with others. Second, when you find happiness, why wouldn’t you want to share it?
I know this may seem like a daunting task. I have been there myself. Try to remember life is a marathon not a sprint. So, start small. Wake up every day and smile. Even when you feel like there is no good reason to, smile anyway. Someone else may need your smile to help them through their day. I guarantee if you continue to do that and then look back on your life after a week, month, and year you will see positive changes and you may even realize that you are smiling more without even realizing you are.
I hope your weekend is the happiest weekend you have had up to this point!