#425

WHY WORRY?

IF YOU HAVE DONE THE VERY BEST YOU CAN, WORRYING WON'T MAKE IT ANY BETTER. 

IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL, RESPECT ONE RULE:

NEVER LET FAILURE TAKE CONTROL OF YOU.

EVERYBODY HAS GONE THROUGH SOMETHING THAT HAS CHANGED THEM IN A WAY THAT THEY COULD NEVER GO BACK TO THE PERSON THEY ONCE WERE. RELATIONS ARE LIKE ELECTRIC CURRENTS,

WRONG CONNECTIONS WILL GIVE YOU SHOCKS THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE, BUT THE RIGHT ONES WILL LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE. Leonard DiCapreo

Worrying is a waste of time. It will get you nowhere. All you can do is your best, no one can expect more, not even you. 

Something you tried to do didn't work out and you consider it a 'failure', it is actually something to help you, something to learn from. Failure is your teacher. 

We always think that if something doesn't succeed, that we, somehow are less. Don't take on the label.  You are not a 'failure', the project didn't work.... that's all. There is another project or another way to manage the one you were working on.  "Failure is success in progress" Albert Einstein

Failure is not the opposite of success, it's part of success. Sometimes, it's the greatest gift you can ever receive. No one ever learns anything when everything is going well, it's the little hiccups that enlighten you. There is a reason why everything happens, and you will grow from it. Eventually, you will say THANK YOU and mean it.

"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm" Winston Churchill

#424

You can't calm the storm, so stop trying. 
What you can do is calm yourself.
The storm will pass.

This is the long and the short of it ... when your whole world comes crashing down, what is important is how you react to it.

Whatever has happened, has already taken place. It is a choice how you react to 'bad' news. Yes, it is devastating, but it is a fact. Most people try to deny things that are overwhelming disasters in  their lives. But that too is a choice. Some  people need fantasy in order to survive reality.

It is different if it is an emergency and you are running to help someone in need, your adrenaline pumping, your heart pounding. You will automatically try to calm yourself down, so as to help the individual. It is amazing how calm, cool and collected we can be when we are jumping into the storm to aid someone else. In this situation we can be calm and we can help soothe them.

But during a personal crisis, the same technique doesn't seem to work as effectively. The bottom falls out of your world and where is that self-assured attitude? This situation is happening to YOU, and fear steps in when it is personal. 

There is a separate 'tool' required. You have to dredge up some faith, confidence, trust, and conviction that assures you that you are okay, no matter what the outcome. If you truly believe that you are alright, it really doesn't matter what storms occur in your world. 

Although it is admirable to run to the aid of someone in need, remember, you are important too and deserve the same consideration.  Working on your 'stuff' will give you the faith and trust you need to weather any storm.

LUCY & ETHEL

#423

You don't inspire others by being perfect.

You inspire them by how you deal with your imperfections.

You don't have to spend your life pretending that you are something/someone you're not. You are here at this time and place because you are YOU. No one else is better qualified to play your part. 

You may not have any idea why you would be needed on this planet or what purpose you could possibly serve, but I am here to tell you that you are important. You are unique, you have a way about you, you are wanted, needed and loved. There is nothing you can do or say that will take away from that love. We all have a position to fill and each one of us is essential. 

I know that you may not see yourself as anything, but I guarantee that to someone you are everything.

We are all connected, here for each other. To fulfill our personal mission, we just need to be ourselves. That is how it is orchestrated, you are a significant piece of the puzzle and only YOU are the right shape and size to fill that slot.

So all the real or imagined imperfections you are holding on to, are of no consequence in the scheme of things, because you, just as you are is what is needed in the world at this time. You are here for a reason and you inspire people every day just doing what you do and being who you are. Don't ever let anything stand it your way. 

I have avoided saying that 'nobody's perfect' because I truly believe we all are. We are perfect at being ourselves, just as we were meant to be.

#422

Remember to ask

WHY NOT?

Don't die unfinished

Question it, question everything. Don't just go along with whatever you are told. It seems many earthlings go through life in a bubble, systematically navigating their life, without forethought or intention.

Belief: is the state of mind in which a person thinks something to be the case, with or without there being empirical evidence to prove that something is the case with factual certainty. 

You believe what you believe, you have been indoctrinated since birth. When you don't question the information that you are presented with, the belief system appears to be so strong that nothing will ever alter it. Actually, it could be just the opposite ... your belief system is not necessarily strong, it just hasn't been challenged. You have had no reason to change or even question anything. You are comfortable the way things stand and until someone or something tests you, you remain a believer.

There is so much to know, so many unexplored options, but it requires you to get out of your comfort zone and take a look at the world outside your bubble. It requires you to listen when people are talking, take in the facts, ruminate on them and decide to either look into it further, simply accept the differences, or reject the idea entirely.

You don't have to embrace your beliefs as the only acceptable options available to you. You can question all of it and decide for yourself if they make sense for you in this time and place. You are an adult, investigate and make an informed decision.  Don't die unfinished.

#421

Whether you pushed me or pulled me, drained me or fueled me, loved me or left me, hurt me or helped me, you are a part of my growth & no kidding, I "thank you"!

And you do, amazing as it sounds, you always end up being grateful to these people for their part in your life. They helped to wake you up in some way. 

As you continue down the road, your mind and heart expand, and you begin to see what these people had to teach you. So even if your time with them was less than perfect, you do realize what they have done for you, and what a blessing it was to have them on your journey.

It may also seem a blessing that they are gone, but nonetheless, they left you with some grasp of what their purpose was in being with you, and you with them. It may take awhile to assimilate it all and ascertain what you have gained, but it all counts. It all contributes to your growth. There are no accidents, you were meant to be with each person, whether you consider it a benefit or otherwise at the time.

We each wrote our own script for this lifetime on earth, we chose all of the people that have come or will come into our lives. Each of them came to us with a purpose, to aid us on our journey and teach us a relevant lesson. So, your parents, friends, lovers, enemies and even your children are chosen by you and each will have something to teach you. It is all orchestrated for your growth, you, in turn, are doing your part for these people and others, as well. 

And, eventually, you will be thankful to each one of them for your new-found contentment and peace of mind. Thank you to all that have sustained, assisted and comforted me in my lifetime. Thank you.

#420

Do not get upset with people or situations, both are powerless without your reaction.

No matter what is thrown at you, no matter what you witness, your reaction is what starts the domino effect that could be the determining factor in the outcome. You have a choice of what takes place ... it all depends on how you handle any given situation.

Frustration and stress come from the way you react, not the way things are. Ask yourself if you'd rather always be right or be happy. If being right wins, then you are one that needs to stop, look and listen before you jump in the middle of anything that is going on. Nothing can or will happen without your reaction. 

There will be no drama, unless there is participation.  Every situation does not require a response. What if there was a war and no one showed up? 

You don't have to attend every argument to which you are invited.

When you challenge every situation it doesn't do you or anyone else any good. Mind your own business and let people handle their own 'stuff.' It is not up to you, you cannot control or save the whole world. Just walk away and watch what happens. The situation may just dissolve or it may explode, but at least you're not in the middle of it and don't have to answer for it.

"Life is 10% what happens and 90% how you react to it." Charles Swindall

#419

Imagine if we obsessed about the things we LOVED about ourselves.

What a novel idea!

We all spend a lot of time complaining about certain parts of ourselves, how they don't quite measure up to the norm, or to our expectations. We are our own worst critics. Not only are we displeased with our appearance, but we also put ourselves down concerning our personality, disposition, mentality, or anything at all. Are we just trying to beat everyone to it, making sure that no one gets to us first? It's very strange that we allow ourselves to beat ourselves up. If we don't love ourselves, how do we expect other to love us?

We have put ourselves down for long enough, what if we become our own cheerleaders? I'm not talking narcissistic, simply some self-love. Wouldn't you like to have the time you spent worrying about your fat thighs back and use it to compliment yourself on your lovely feet, your prowess at crosswords, your skill in the kitchen, or maybe even in the bedroom? 

You know you have many, many great qualities. You know people seek you out, just to be there when you laugh, you are amazing. I am not just saying that... take a look around you, how many people are there for you, love to be around you, seek you out? You are someone to love, so why don't you try it?

Try obsessing about everything you love about yourself, everything you are proud of, until it becomes a habit. Then you can start to work on those things you find less than perfect. Eventually, all of you, mentally, physically and emotionally will be receiving love. Just imagine the difference it will make in your life when you obsess about the things you love about yourself instead of hating them.