6 Best Doctors

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.

best6doctors

Believe you can


Such a simple but profound quote. Theodore Roosevelt nailed it. People often forget that having talent or a work ethic isn’t necessarily going to get you where you want to go. Your belief in yourself speaks to people through your body language. Suddenly the results of your work ethic multiply simply by backing it with belief in yourself. Or better yet belief is what helps get your work ethic off the couch and out there achieving what you want. 

As I have said before, I am not suggesting it is easy. However, anything with having does not come easy. I can tell you from personal experience that some of my greatest moments in life came as a result of some of my greatest struggles. 

Always remember to stay true to and believe in yourself. 
– TJ –

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.