Monday, September 30, 2013

MAKE A LITTLE NOISE - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 124

Do you remember being a kid and sometimes being so happy that you had to let it out by shouting?  As we grow older we may become a bit inhibited and reserve our shouting for sports events or the receipt of some good or happy news.  We should not forget that good things happen all the time even if intermingled with some not so good things.  Always acknowledge and appreciate the good things for yourself, your family and friends.

Sing a little louder, cheer a little louder, speak a little louder, and sometimes

SHOUT IT OUT!




Sunday, September 29, 2013

HOW OFTEN DO YOU DO THIS? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 123

Living a thankful life can make each day joyful, each burden lighter, each relationship better, and relieve the stress that plagues so many of us these days. With all the trouble in the world today it is too easy to think only of what is wrong in our lives.  I know it is easy to be bogged down with unhappy thoughts, angry reactions, bitter feelings, and despair over things that are not as we want them to be.  In spite of these things, however, there is one thing each of us can do to help ourselves.

Being thankful is not just for religious people, but it is for all people.  I truly believe that every person can find things each day for which to be thankful.  Beauty, music, art, nature, and kindness are available to all of us at no cost so even the poorest of the poor can enjoy them.  Family, friends, work, health, opportunities, and so many other things to be thankful for are truly blessings.

Today's message is:

COUNT BLESSINGS!


Saturday, September 28, 2013

YOU DESERVE A BREAK - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 122

We receive reminders every day locally, nationally and globally about how fragile life really is and how it can change in an instant.  With the lives that have been senselessly lost I wonder what those individuals would have done had they known it would be their last days.  None of us know how much time we have on this earth so we should always make the most of it.

One day this weekend I hope you will do something you really want to do rather than doing what you ought to do.  Spend time with your children, spouse, significant other, friends, or parents and


JUST BE!


Friday, September 27, 2013

THREE IN ONE - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAYS 119, 120 AND 121

As you can see by the title, today I am going to catch up as I have missed posting for a couple of days. Usually when I skip something it is because I either forgot, I was sick, or I had too many medical appointments in one week.  While I did have 6 appointments last week they are not the cause of my falling behind in blogging.  Actually this week I have been preoccupied due to the death of an old friend and colleague.  Martin  lost his long, painful, valiant battle with lung cancer.  He and I were diagnosed with lung cancer about the same time, and I was so fortunate that my surgery was successful and due to early detection I did not have to have chemotherapy or radiation.  Martin was not so fortunate as by the time his cancer was discovered it had already spread.

He was younger than I, married to a wife he adored, and a wonderful father to three beautiful daughters and grandfather to an adorable little girl.  He had more faith, hope, and courage than I have ever seen, and he touched many, many lives in his lifetime.  He was a dear friend to all of us who knew him and he will be sorely missed.

The three messages I am tardy in writing are ironically so appropriate for the way Martin faced his illness, and he was an inspiration to all who knew him.


I AM BLESSED!

HEART WIDE OPEN




NO WHINING


Tuesday, September 24, 2013

MORE OR LESS? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 118

For years now we have lived in an ever increasing consumer society.  Constant advertising and commercials tempt us to want more, get more, buy more, and have more stuff.  Children are barraged by ads and other kids making them want ridiculously expensive athletic shoes which they will outgrow in a heartbeat, toys which will not last as long as the credit card bills, and clothes that will assure they "fit in" during their very important school years.

Adults have racked up enormous credit card debt living beyond their means to satisfy the never ending list of wants and must haves.  Somehow in this economy it is apparent that we all need to learn the difference between what is necessary and what is desirable.  We all need to learn to want what we have rather than keep wanting more and more of what we do not have and most likely do not need.

Today's message is:

WANT LESS!



Monday, September 23, 2013

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF LIFE? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 117

We all know people who are upbeat, positive, cheerful and optimistic.  They love life and no matter what befalls them they continue to love life.  We also all know people who are bitter, negative, dour and pessimistic.  They do not love life, and everything that happens to them is just one more validation to them that life is not good.  Which type of person do you enjoy being with the most?  Unless you are one of the unhappy people yourself, then I feel certain you choose to be around the people who love life.

Someone once asked me if I thought they deserved the life they had.  I replied that she did not get the life she deserved but rather the life she chose.  My reply offended her, but I went on to explain that we all get the lives we choose as we begin making choices at a very young age and we continue to do so daily for the rest of our lives.  The more bad choices we make the more our lives are impacted.  It is never too late to stop making bad choices though and to begin making good choices.

Certainly there are things which happen that are beyond our control like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, blizzards, and fires.  These events can certainly negatively affect our lives in the short term and even in the long term.  These events don't happen every day though so most of the things which happen to us or for us are because of our choices, our attitude, our behavior, and the people with whom we surround ourselves.

Things are very bad in the world right now with so much anger, hate, killing, greed, poverty, deceit, lust for power, and ignorance. This does not mean that life is bad but rather that many people are bad. Many people have no respect for life or even value their own lives. These are the people who make life difficult for so many others, but even though difficult at times life is still good.

Choose to remind yourself each day of what is good in your life or what is good in the world.  Even the poorest of the poor can see beauty in a sunrise or sunset, the magnificence of an ocean or river, and the grandeur of mountains, valleys, and deserts.

Today's message is:

LIFE IS GOOD!





Sunday, September 22, 2013

DO YOU HOLD BACK? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 116

Have you noticed that there seems to be something akin to lethargy in much of today's work force?  Being an employer today is more difficult than it used to be.  Not only are there more legal requirements and  more expensive requirements, but finding good workers is at times like looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack.

There are young people who are motivated, ambitious, and willing to do a great job every day.  They dress professionally, act professionally, and use common sense to connect the dots to anticipate problems and to provide good customer service.  In the past several weeks I have been totally impressed by several young people with whom I have come in contact while having some medical appointments.  I have acknowledged their good work directly as well as to their supervisors.  Based on years of business experience I predict they will have successful lives and careers.

Then there are those who are the opposite.  Somehow they have an entitlement mentality.  Not only do they not appreciate having a job they resent having one.  I am sad to say that lately I have seen more of these people than I would like to.  They are more interested in talking to their co-workers about what they did the previous evening than in talking to the customer, client, or patient standing in front of them.  Banks, retail stores, medical offices, hospitals, business offices, and restaurants are all coping with people like this. These employees are the same ones who want to spend more time texting friends, surfing the Internet, and playing games on line than on the work they are being paid to do.  They are literally stealing from their employers who are paying them to work.  Many have no manners and no interest in performing their work at the highest level.  I can safely predict that they will have mediocre careers and lives.

What about you?  If you are currently working, do you work hard?  Are you interested in being promoted and earning more money?  Do you do your best work regularly?  Can your employer count on you to do a great job for the money you accept?  So much of what is wrong in today's world could be improved if more people would stop doing the minimum and start doing the maximum the majority of the time.

Today's message is:

WORK HARD!




Saturday, September 21, 2013

WHATEVER YOU DO - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 115

How many people do you know who always do their best at whatever they do?  I am fortunate to know a number of them, and they seem to enjoy their lives and their work more than many other people who do their best only occasionally.  My best friend from childhood is one of those people, and she has been that way since we were four years old.  I have to admit that I was not always as consistent as she was when we were growing up, but we both were taught to give our best to whatever we did.

This served me well when as an adult I entered the working world.  I was rewarded numerous times with salary increases and job promotions because I always tried to do my best in whatever position I held.  I began working at Neiman Marcus as a Secretary in Human Resources.  Through the years I was given 11 opportunities which I took with enthusiasm, and when I left I was Vice President-General Manager.

So wherever you are and whatever you do, always

DO YOUR BEST!



Friday, September 20, 2013

NOW OR LATER? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 114

I have learned this lesson very late in life, and I wish I had learned it when I was very young.  Instead of enjoying each day for itself, I used to always be looking forward and waiting for a future date.  You know those things we tell ourselves to justify postponing things we really want to do or need to do.  We say we will do it/them when we have enough money, when the children are older, when life is not so busy, or when we have enough time.

By putting things off we often miss opportunities, damage friendships, wait to repair relationships until it is too late, and prevent ourselves from knowing the joy that each day can bring.  We postpone our joy until some future date, and because life is fragile we truly never know if we will be around when that future date arrives.

Today's message is:


ENJOY THIS NOW!



Thursday, September 19, 2013

WHAT IS YOUR MOST USED ANSWER? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 113

When asked to do something, to give something, or to go somewhere do you most often answer positively or negatively.  When you give your answers do you take time to reflect on why you answer as you do?  If most of your answers are negative do you know why?  If you want to change from negative responses to positive responses, do you know how to do that?

Because of the horrendous drug culture that has permeated our society and the lives of too many children, the war against drugs had a slogan........"JUST SAY NO!"    While that was the right situation for a negative response, most things we are asked to do can be answered positively.  So think about yourself, how you feel when asked something, and then try to react positively.  When you do that you will very often find that it comes back to you in wonderful ways.

Today's message is:

SAY YES!




Wednesday, September 18, 2013

WHY LOOK DOWN WHEN YOU CAN LOOK UP? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 112

Have you ever watched people walking and noticed how many people are always looking down?  It is one thing if they are old and trying to watch their steps for fear of falling, but I am talking about other people who spend more time looking at the floor than the ceiling, the ground than the sky.  It can be a habit that they no longer realize they have acquired, but much of it has to do with how they face life and all the challenges life brings.  If they are beaten down by their personal circumstances, if they have lost their confidence (or never had any), if they are depressed, or if they are just generally unhappy they will keep their eyes down and their heads down.  Shame, fear, shyness, and embarrassment will also cause them to look down rather than up.

Looking down does not help anything or change anything.  So when you are feeling troubled or discouraged go for a walk but don't look down.  Force yourself to keep your head erect and your eyes straight ahead.  If you pass someone look directly at them; don't look away and certainly don't look down.

If you do this you will find that it changes the way you carry yourself, the way you feel, and the way others perceive you.

Today's message is:  

KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!




Tuesday, September 17, 2013

DO YOU SETTLE FOR BEING AVERAGE? CHANGING YOUR LIVE WITH WORDS - DAY 111

Some individuals lack motivation, energy, pride, enthusiasm, and ambition so they settle for mediocre lives and are typically unhappy.  Some individuals are motivated, energetic, enthusiastic, ambitious, and take pride in themselves.  If they are lacking self-confidence and courage, however, they will settle for being average in every way.

What about you?  Do you possess all of the characteristics average people have?  Do you have the additional traits of self-confidence and courage?  If you do, then you will never settle for being mediocre or average.  Instead you will rise above the average and

BE REMARKABLE!


Monday, September 16, 2013

HAVE YOU STOPPED DREAMING? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORLDS - DAY 110

A dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep................... or so the lyrics from a song in Walt Disney's Cinderella told us.  What about the dreams we have when we are awake?  The dreams of going to college, of becoming a doctor, of becoming a professional athlete, of having a family, of escaping poverty, of saving the world or at least a part of it, or of owning your own business are just some of the dreams people have when they are awake.  Then as life and reality happen some people give up on their dreams, but it is so important to remember that it is never too late to dream or to pursue a dream.  Why did you stop dreaming?

Today's message is:


DREAM ON!





Sunday, September 15, 2013

WHEN DO YOU MAKE MEMORIES? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 109

Sundays used to be a very special day for most people in America.  Even those who did not attend church services usually spent time with family and friends.  Stores in most places were not open on Sundays, and in many states they had what was called a Blue Law limiting stores that were open to selling only necessities. Pharmacies sold only medications, and grocery stores sold food.........no toys, no gadgets, no gift items. Those days are long gone, and now many businesses are open 24/7.  While this allows people to shop when it is convenient for them based on school and work schedules, it has changed forever the knowledge that everyone (except hospital employees) could count on having one day a week to spend with family and friends.

Lots of families gathered at the home of grandparents or aunts and uncles.  Children played with their cousins and learned the safety and security of being part of an extended family.  Memories were created that lasted lifetimes.  Smaller families spent the day together and created special memories as well.  People who had no family members close by were welcomed into the family activities of their neighbors and friends.

We cannot bring those times back, but we can continue to enjoy special times for ourselves and our children.  Slow down, take time to enjoy a day, a few hours, or even an hour.  We all can find time.

Today's message is:

MAKE MEMORIES!




Saturday, September 14, 2013

DO YOU TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 108

While there are definitely many serious things in life, much of the time we humans take ourselves way too seriously.  We need to accept the fact that we make mistakes.  We are not always correct in what we say, think or do.  We sometimes are too filled with pride for our own good.  This is sad enough in and of itself, but the bigger problem is that we are raising an entire generation of children with the idea that mistakes are unacceptable.

No one wants to be wrong.  No one wants to apologize.  Customer service employees rarely apologize to their customers who have genuine complaints.  Doctors and dentists rarely apologize to patients for keeping them waiting unreasonable lengths of time as if their time is more valuable than the patients' time.

We learn by making mistakes.  Fear of failure prevents many people and especially children from trying new things.  Stop taking yourself too seriously, and allow your children to not be humiliated or punished for making mistakes.

Stop supporting tabloids and other media whose reporters cannot wait to tear people down and to publicize mistakes.  They fawn over celebrities and then denigrate them in print every chance they get.  What they print or say is not always factual, but that does not stop them.

Today's message is:

LIGHTEN UP!



Friday, September 13, 2013

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMETHING TODAY? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 107

Everyone in the world has something to be concerned about sometime, and some of us are worriers which can be very stressful and not good for us.  My mother elevated worrying to an art.  If she did not have something to worry about, she worried about that.  My daughter worries almost as much as my mother did. I can worry about some things but not for very long because I realized long ago that worrying does not change a thing.  It does not resolve a problem, it does not make someone well, it does not make anything better, and it is a terrible time waster and can ultimately be hazardous to your health.

Whatever is going to happen is going to happen, and sometimes the outcome will be not what we hope it will be.  Be that as it may, most of what we worry about never really comes to pass.  So when you find you are too occupied with concern, just tell yourself:

IT'S OKAY, REALLY!


Thursday, September 12, 2013

DO YOU REALLY EVER GIVE YOUR ALL? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 106

Have you ever told anyone that you give 110% to your job?  I know I have said things like that at times, but in truth none of us can give more than 100% because 100% means ALL.  With the advent of the Internet and Smart Phones, people spend a great deal of time sending text messages, taking photos and videos, playing games, shopping, and just surfing the Internet.  It makes me wonder how many people are really giving their best to their spouses, children, friends, employers or customers.

No one gives their best or their all 100% of the time, and every person needs to have rest and recreation. However, if you learn to manage your time, to set your priorities and re-set them when appropriate you will give your all and get much more joy and satisfaction from so doing.  You will be a better friend, a better spouse, a better parent, a better employee, a better boss, and a better person.

Today's message is:

DON'T HOLD BACK!


Wednesday, September 11, 2013

CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAYS 104 AND 105

I apologize for not getting the posts for these two days published on a timely basis.  Due to the very serious illness of two dear friends and then my brother-in-law taking a bad fall and landing in the Emergency Room, my plans for the past two days have been revised several times.  So, in the interest of your time and to get back on track I am going to briefly share with you the messages for the two days:

Day 104................BE INSPIRED

We all need a dose of inspiration from time to time.  You may get it from looking at the beauty of nature, or the innocence of children, reading the wise words of a great poet or author, or studying a work of art by a painter of sculptor.  Be certain to take time to allow yourself to become inspired.  There are a myriad of things just waiting to give you the inspiration you need to reach your goals and achieve your dreams.

Day 105..................BE READY FOR IT

The slogan of the Boy Scouts of America is Be Prepared.  That is such a great motto, and we would all do well to be as prepared as we can be for all kinds of situations.  We cannot always be ready for everything, but it should be extremely easy to be prepared for those events and appointments we schedule ourselves. Whether it is being prepared for a meeting, a test, a medical appointment, a child's first day at school, or every school day............get organized, help others to get organized and be ready for whatever the day will bring.  You can do it!


Monday, September 9, 2013

SETTING YOUR MOOD FOR THE WEEK - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 103

Today is Monday here in the USA, and if you make up your mind to do it you can set your mood for the week.  That way no matter what happens or comes up in your life during the week, you will already have decided how you will behave.  You have the ability to choose any one of a variety of emotions and behaviors, but if you choose the most pleasant of all it will assuredly transform your week from average to great.

Today's message is:

DECIDE ON JOY!


Sunday, September 8, 2013

WILL YOU WASTE THIS DAY? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 102

Each morning when we awaken we have an important choice to make.  Will we fritter away the day, will we spend it doing mundane things, or will we make the most of it?  I remember the first time I saw a Latin sign with today's message on it.  I did not know what the words meant so I asked the person in whose office I was sitting.  He told me the sign meant SEIZE THE DAY.  Ever since then I try to remind myself each morning of those words so that I will not waste another day of my life.

Life is precious, and the days of our lives are fleeting.  Remember today's message:

CARPE DIEM!






Saturday, September 7, 2013

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 101

Have you done everything you personally can do to improve a situation, solve a problem, or make a major change in your life?  If you have and you are waiting for the results, what else can you do?  Well, you simply have to trust  and

HAVE FAITH!




Friday, September 6, 2013

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 100

At times I have thought if an award were to be given to the world's greatest procrastinator that surely I would be the recipient.  What about you?  Do you procrastinate?  People wait to do things to be sure the timing is right and to not be impetuous.  People wait to do things until their children are older, until they have enough money, until they have worked up their courage to begin, or because they are lazy.  I can tell you from experience that in most cases putting things off is rarely a good idea.

The sooner you start the sooner you will have results.  Today's message is:

GO AND DO IT!


Thursday, September 5, 2013

WHEN THINGS GET TOUGH - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 99

Some days are just the pits!  Some weeks and months can be the pits!  We all go through bad times for various reasons, but you are braver than you think.  Instead of dwelling on your despair, just hold your head up high and

CHIN UP!





Wednesday, September 4, 2013

HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF FEEL BETTER - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 98

Everyone goes through periods of feeling down whether it be about relationships, work, finances, or just life in general.  The surest way to make yourself feel better is to get outside of yourself even for a little while.  Do something for someone else.  Give your time, money, or talent to a good cause or a needy individual.  It will lift your spirits and make you appreciate your own circumstances.

Today's message is:

DO GOOD DEEDS!



Tuesday, September 3, 2013

IMPORTANT QUESTION - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 97

Too often we get so busy with daily living, impossible to-do lists, raising children, and working long hours that we end up putting ourselves last.  That does not mean we are suffering from a martyr complex, but it does mean that we need to re-order our priorities.  Not only do we need to schedule time for ourselves on our calendars, but we need to take time to stop and think.

I used to be one of those people who did not take time for myself, and I was at the point of being totally burned out without realizing it.  Then one day my boss's brother asked me, "Are you happy?"  It was a question I never had asked myself or given any thought to the answer.  The real answer hit me like a bucket of cold water thrown at me.  I was definitely not happy, and I realized that the unhappiness was coloring every aspect of my life.  I recognized that my unhappiness had to be negatively affecting all of my subordinates whom I was fond of and who were all too loyal and kind to tell tell me.

Within the next week I submitted my resignation giving ample notice. My boss tried very hard to persuade me to stay, to take a leave of absence if I needed it, but I knew that I needed a complete change.  I had no idea what I was going to do next or what I wanted to do.  Financially I could ill afford to not work.  Having started working at a very young age, I had always had a job so waking up in the morning not having to be anywhere was a new and sort of scary experience.  Some days I found myself second-guessing my decision to resign, but then those feelings would pass.

During the next six months I did free-lance work for three different non-profits, a sector in which I had never been employed.  At the beginning of the new year I accepted a full-time position at one of them and enjoyed the next four years there.  It was interesting work, and I had no subordinates which was a relief after having previously had as many as 250 employees with whom to be concerned.  I was thoroughly happy both at work and outside of work.

I chose to retire after that position.  I moved to the desert, and soon after I launched an Internet business selling handmade clothing and accessories for babies and toddlers.  None of these things would have happened had that young man not asked me if I was happy.  Now I ask myself that question periodically, and I am still very happy.

So do yourself a favor, and from time to time

ASK:  AM I HAPPY?


Monday, September 2, 2013

WHEN YOU MEET NEW PEOPLE - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 96

In many cities and towns tomorrow will be the first day of the new school year.  For some reason I have been remembering the day before I started my first year of high school.  There were two Chicago suburbs which shared a high school.  One suburb was affluent and white collar while the other was less affluent and blue collar.  There were several thousand students enrolled, and almost 700 of them would be 9th Graders just as I would be.  The mere size of the school was intimidating, and the stories of mistreatment of 9th Grade students by upperclassmen was legendary (thankfully, most of it turned out to be untrue).

Classes lasted about 50 minutes, and then a bell would ring signaling the time for all students to move through the hallways to get to their next classes.  Meeting so many new people, seeing hundreds of faces in the halls between classes, and trying to remember so many names seemed like an overwhelming situation to me.  I decided that the best way for me to cope with all of it would be to just be as friendly as I could be, to be nice to everyone, and to take it one day at a time.  As it turned out I totally loved high school and made many new friends and kept many old ones.

High School was just the first of many new situations in my life.  Marriage, moving to new cities, divorce, beginning a career, and being transferred to different cities several times meant I had to meet new people, learn new faces and names, and establish new friendships while maintaining old ones.

If you are facing a new school, a new job, a new life in a new city or country, I suggest you do what I did on each of my first days and all subsequent ones.

SMILE AND SAY HELLO!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

WHEN DO YOU START A NEW YEAR? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 95

Today is September 1 here in the United States.  For me this date has always seemed like the start of a brand new year because when my children were growing up it was the start of a new school year for them.  The lazy heat-filled days of summer would be over, and the cool crisp days of fall would be welcomed as the prelude to all of the holiday celebrations.  January 1 never seemed to me like the start of a new year except for the date changes.

As adults when my son and daughter talk about things which happened in the past they identify the timing as what grade they were in school.  They don't refer to a calendar year but rather to 3rd Grade, 6th Grade, or junior high or high school years.  September is the month when families get organized, clean closets, make master calendars to keep up with all the activities, enjoy the start of football season, and see trees turn from green to orange and gold.

September is a new beginning so what plans do you have?  What changes will you make?  Will this be a memorable year for your children or grandchildren?  Although times have changed and the world is in great turmoil, life still goes on so make the most of it

YEAR BY YEAR