December Thoughts to Ponder

This Month I have Read and thought on these things:

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“I should get that done; I’ll do it later.”

Sound familiar? It’s called procrastination and we all do it, but for some it’s a way of life.

Procrastination makes you feel both indecisive and guilty – indecisive because you choose to postpone what must be done and guilty for not doing, now, what you need to do. The more often you procrastinate, the weaker you feel.

If you’re in the habit of putting things off, try this. Next time you’re faced with a project, take a look at what you want to accomplish. Tune into the reasons for your resistance and then honestly ask yourself, “Is this something I can start, now?” Most of the time the answer is “Yes.” So, start!

See yourself as someone who makes solid decisions. When you commit to something honor yourself and stick with it until it’s done. You’ll empower yourself and the desire to procrastinate will, slowly, disappear.

©Jane Powell

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One thought away

You are one thought away from being supremely and authentically confident. You are one thought away from stepping powerfully, effectively and decisively in the

direction of your dreams.

With just one positive, empowering thought, you can turn toward achievement, toward excellence, toward discipline and commitment. From nothing more than a thought that resonates with your true purpose, you can change your perception of the whole world.

Reach into the place within, where you nurture your vision of the very best life you can imagine. With all you have, with all you are, feel the beautiful reality of that vision.

And know that whatever you can imagine, whatever you can feel, you can create. In fact, it already exists within you.

Feel within yourself the reality of life as you know it can be. Then, with your words, your actions, your priorities and commitments, with your focus and discipline, express that beautiful, meaningful value.

In every moment, in every circumstance, through every challenge, let that immense value flow out from you. It is never more than just one thought away.

Ralph Marston

 

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To gain happiness, you must learn to enjoy that which you have

''To gain happiness, you must learn to enjoy that which you

have. It is not how much you have. It is what we think about

that which we have that produces happiness. In building a

happy, contented life, you must give happiness to others. No

one living unto him or herself will ever be contented with his

or her lot. Your happiness is reflected upon you through the

service you give to others. And the thought you give to the

creation of happiness will attract a happiness-service from

others. Start creating the happiness-habit by producing

happy, love-filled thoughts. Happiness is an attribute of love;

therefore, you can never be happy until you give your love to

others .." 

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“Persistence overcomes resistance.”

When you’re persistent you find the power to hold on and persevere in spite of anything. You’re able to overcome every obstacle and you do all that’s necessary to succeed.

Persistence does not mean you will not fail, but it does mean that when you feel defeated you rise above your disappointment and keep trying. Instead of giving up when all seems hopeless, you find a way to keep going. You simply refuse to give up.

Great things come your way when you endure what seems impossible. No, it’s not easy, but remember big achievements require time. Be patient and don’t give up.

Sow persistence and reap success!

©Jane Powell

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“Anything that you should have done, but didn’t, ties you to your past.”

Is your mental and emotional clutter getting in the way of a fulfilling life? It’s time to clean out the “need-to’s,” “have-to’s,” and “ought-to’s,” from your past. When you have regrets it’s tough to move forward and grow.

Put the past in the past. Return anything you borrowed. Make apologies where needed. Get your bills up to date. Send the card or gift you forgot to send. Make the phone call you need to make.

Taking care of these things cleans your mental slate and eliminates any regrets or resentments you may harbor.

Now, take a deep breath; look ahead. Both your conscience, and your future vision, is clear.

©Jane Powell

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"If you never emptied the trash in your home, there would soon be a fowl smell in

your home. It's the same with your mind. Your mind is the home of your thoughts.

If you don't release old thoughts, your life becomes bitter with stinkin' thinkin'

and emotional clutter. 

Empty your mental and emotional trash can of any stressful or painful thoughts. 

Each day you have the choice of living in a state of grumbling or gratitude. 

Don't allow the irritations and challenges of this day or your past to steal your

joy. Holding on to toxic emotions is not healthy or productive. Your toxic emotions

can negatively impact your health, peace of mind, relationships and work. Just 

as you empty your trash at home often, you have to do the same with your mind. 

Count your blessings. Change your point view. Each moment is a gift to you. 

Focus on your priority for this day. Do the best you can right now where are and

with what you have. It's only a matter of time before your change comes. 

Start giving thanks right now for the wonderful break through about to happen in

your life. That's right .... smile...sit up straight...shake off the heavy stress,

speak and walk with courage. 

Jewell Diamond Taylor 

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When you care 

The way to be strong is to care. The way to be informed is to care, and to do something about what you care about. 

The way to be competent, effective, persuasive, inspiring and successful is to care about what you’re doing. Life responds in a positive way when you take a real, authentic interest and invest yourself in it. 

It isn’t what you’re doing that determines whether you’re wasting your time. It’s how much care you put into what you’re doing that matters. 

When you make the task meaningful, it will be meaningful. When you truly care, and act on what you care about, you’re able to create value in any situation. 

Do what you care about, and care about what you do. Be a real, live, genuine, original person, and not just an automaton. 

Give care to each moment, each task, each person, and each experience. Life’s best possibilities are fulfilled when you truly care. 

Ralph Marston

"If you never emptied the trash in your home, there would soon be a fowl smell in
your home. It's the same with your mind. Your mind is the home of your thoughts.
If you don't release old thoughts, your life becomes bitter with stinkin' thinkin'
and emotional clutter.

Empty your mental and emotional trash can of any stressful or painful thoughts.
Each day you have the choice of living in a state of grumbling or gratitude.

Don't allow the irritations and challenges of this day or your past to steal your
joy. Holding on to toxic emotions is not healthy or productive. Your toxic emotions
can negatively impact your health, peace of mind, relationships and work. Just
as you empty your trash at home often, you have to do the same with your mind.

Count your blessings. Change your point view. Each moment is a gift to you.
Focus on your priority for this day. Do the best you can right now where are and
with what you have. It's only a matter of time before your change comes.

Start giving thanks right now for the wonderful break through about to happen in
your life. That's right ... smile...sit up straight...shake off the heavy stress,
speak and walk with courage.
~~Jewell Diamond Taylor 

Open-ended miracle

You are alive, and that is amazing. You can make a difference, you can change things, right here and now, and that is a boundless opportunity.

There are challenges, and they are difficult, even painful. Yet they are nothing when compared to the possibilities.

What’s happened in the past makes you wary about the future. Fortunately, you can act in the present to influence the future in a positive and meaningful way.

Life is an open-ended miracle and it is yours today. Get clear about what you would most like to do with it, and get busy working to make that happen.

You are immersed in a sea of energy and abundance. You have the outstandingly good fortune of being in a position to make something truly meaningful out of it all.

Make your beautiful, amazing presence known in a positive, creative and loving way. The miracle is yours to live right now.

Ralph Marston

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“Claim your authentic self and live to your fullest potential.”
When you find happiness and success within yourself, you are an authentic person. You know who you really are, without reference to the expectations of peers or society.
To live an authentic life, you must free yourself from superficial values. You must think for yourself, decide what is right for you and get in touch with your own thoughts, needs and desires.  Lastly, you must embrace your own values and live what you believe to be true.
Then, and only then, are you authentic. Then and only then, can you live up to your full potential.
©Jane Powell

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SOMETHING ONLY YOU CAN DO

Tallulah Bankhead quipped, "Nobody can be exactly like me. Sometimes even I have trouble doing it." But the truth is...we DO have trouble being ourselves, don't we? Especially in a world that wants us to conform. "To be nobody but yourself in a world that is doing its best day and night into making you like everybody else," said poet E. E. Cummings, "is to fight the hardest battle there is and never stop fighting."

One of the deepest cravings of young people, especially teens, is to be liked by their peers. Like all of us, they want to be accepted and they want to be valued. It's during those critical teen-age years that they begin to play a game that is sometimes called "Follow the Follower." The game is not the same as "Follow the Leader." Following the follower is about conforming ... talking, dressing, acting and even thinking like one another. The goal is to fit in.

In adulthood, we are supposed to discover who we really are and do our best to grow into that person. We find our value, not in acceptance by others, but because we believe in our worth. It doesn't always happen. But it's a wonderful day when we can say in honesty, "I know who I am and I'm glad I am me."

The lovable children's author Dr. Seuss got it right when he wrote, "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." It takes strength to swim against the tide. It takes courage to speak your convictions. And it takes trust to act on your own intuition. It's hard and rewarding work to grow up and become who you really are. But in the end, whatever real success you find in life will be a result of your being true to yourself rather than an imitation of somebody else.

I'll never have to give an account for not being more like my favorite celebrity, that shining star in my chosen field or anybody else. And at the end of my life, the question I never want to be asked is, "How come you weren't more like YOU? You had such great potential. You were a wholly unique person -- unrepeatable and irreplaceable. Why you weren't more like YOU?"

It took me far too long to realize that, in a world that wants me to conform, my greatest job is to be myself. It's a challenging and rewarding job and nobody can do it as well as me.

Steve Goodier

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A kind and generous heart

It would be of no value to have love if you could not also give love. There would be no satisfaction in having the world’s greatest fortune if there was no one with whom to share your good fortune.

Don’t obsess over getting what’s coming to you. Focus your energy on giving and expanding all the good things that can come from you.

You’ll rarely gain anything by proving that you’re right. Instead, put your efforts into doing what is right.

If your ego controls every moment of your life, that life will be little more then an empty shell. To fill your life with richness, live with a kind and generous heart.

If you seek to take without giving, you create bitterness in every direction. The only wealth that will ever bring fulfillment is the wealth you create and give.

Don’t settle for a shallow, empty life when you can enjoy so much more. Give your best, with a kind and generous heart, and truly live life at its highest level.

Ralph Marston
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Time to Dump Negative Friends – Here’s Why

 

by Jane Powell 
“You have the opportunity and the responsibility to choose the people in your life.”

You are a grown up and you can and should choose who you spend your time with.

It’s important to have people in your life who you know will support you in being your best. People who are there to celebrate your highs and there to support you through your lows. People who support you in living a life that reflects your values, not values of others.

Develop your own personal quality relationships. Forget about being obligated or pressured  to spend time with people who don’t support you. In the end you’ll be richly fulfilled and SO much happier.