ARE YOU STAYING STRONG? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 154

There are days when I feel as if the world is spinning out of control, and that unless I keep hanging on tightly I will be flung out into space.  This feeling comes because it seems so many things which should be easy to deal with or accomplish have become difficult due to bureaucracy, stupidity, incompetence, unemployment, or technology.

What are you trying to do?  Start a business?  Save a relationship? Be a good parent? Pursue your life's dream? Deal with your own illness or that of a loved one?  Are you discouraged for any reason?  Are you thinking you won't realize your objective or have the opportunity to live your dream?  Are you feeling you will never find a job in your field at the salary level you need?  Are you afraid that the outcome will not be that for which you are hoping?

It is so easy to find so many things wrong in the world today, but I encourage you to focus on the positive rather than the negative.  Talk to yourself, and think positively even when you don't  feel like it.  Hang around with positive people rather than naysayers, and determine what you can do about the issue and do it.  Most important

REFUSE TO GIVE UP!

DO YOU THINK OF GIVING UP? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 150

Are you having thoughts of giving up whether it be on a relationship, a business idea, a job, or even life?  I know there can be many things which can cause a person to feel great despair, to feel hopeless, and to just run out of the energy to keep trying or keep going.  If you are feeling that way, I first will say I am so sorry that you do.  Then I will say no matter what do not give up.  

Remember that changing your mind is not giving up.  If you decide that someone is really not the person for you, or if you are in an abusive relationship then it is smart to get out of the relationship and distance yourself from that person.  If you have an idea for a business but in doing your research you find that it may not be as profitable as you would need it to be, then deciding not to pursue it is a smart decision.  If you are in a job that makes you miserable each day or has no future growth, then perhaps you do need to keep your ears open to hear about other companies or opportunities.  However, in this economy when so many are out of work it is not smart to just quit your job without another one to go to.  As long as you are employed try to do your best each day, try to be honest and determine if you may be part of the problem and what you can do to make the situation better.  Then keep job searching.  

If you are in a period of grieving for the loss of a loved one or the end of a relationship, allow yourself a time to grieve and realize that is part of the process of life.  If you are gay and have not yet come out, or if you have a substance abuse problem, realize what you can do and should do for your own well being.  These are all serious and painful situations, and there are professionals who can help you.  Grief counselors, therapists, rehabs, AA, clergy, parents, grandparents, and friends who can and will help you through these dark times.

One of the things we learn as we grow older is that everything changes if you wait long enough.  Remember that 

IT GETS BETTER!

DO YOU SOMETIMES FEEL WEAK? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 126

There are times when almost all people feel bereft of courage when trying to face a difficult time in life. Whether it be serious illness, relationships, loss of a loved one, angry boss, financial problems, or just fear of the unknown at times we can feel very weak which is a dreadful feeling.  The best advice I ever got was that I should take life one day at a time because that is how it is going to come.  Just try to get through each day the best you can.  There is a Scripture verse that says, "Don't worry about tomorrow for today has enough trouble of its own."  That does not mean each day is going to be a bad one for you but rather that we should focus on the present day.

Having courage does not mean having no fear but rather doing what you must in spite of feeling weak or fearful.  You can do it.  I know you can.

HAVE COURAGE!

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!

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!

DO YOU APPRECIATE LIFE? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 90

Have you ever known anyone who is happy all of the time or most of the time?  Have you known anyone who is unhappy all of the time or most of the time?  What is the difference between them?  Do you think it is because one is more fortunate than the other?  Do you think it is because one is healthier than the other?  Is it because one has a happy marriage or relationship while the other has neither?  Is is because one loves his or her job and the other one either has no job or hates the job he or she has?

While I can accept that any individual's personal circumstances can affect their attitude, I really do not think that their happiness or unhappiness is the result.  I think people who are happy most of the time have a true appreciation for life and the wonder of it.  Life is a miracle..........look at a newborn baby and think about his journey to enter the world.  Think about all he will learn and do and how much he will physically grow in his first year of life.

Abraham Lincoln said something to the effect, "People are as happy as they make up their minds to be."  I very much believe he was right. We all have problems and misfortune from time to time, but each day look around you and actually identify the blessings of your life, the world, nature, family, friendships, work, and recreation.

Today's message is:

LIFE IS WONDERFUL!

DO YOU SHY AWAY FROM COMMITMENTS? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 31

The words "afraid of commitment" or "commitment-phobic" are typically used to describe a person in a romantic relationship.  That is not why I selected the title for today's blog post.  Throughout our lives we are faced with situations and opportunities that require commitment.  Many people are leery of making any type of commitment for fear things may not work out or that something better will come along for them.  What they refuse to accept is that when things do not work out it is not the end of the word.  It is just an opportunity to start anew.

Are you a deliberate person?  Are you a wishy-washy person?  Are you a confident person?  Are you a late bloomer?  Are you a spectator or a participant in life?  Whether talking about personal relationships, friendships, hobbies, volunteer work, businesses, or career paths it is good to take a stand and commit to something.

Today's message is:

Be intentional.