I usually don't repost things but this one is wonderful.
Consider this a special Life Goes On segment....
~Sandy
30 Things To Start Doing For Yourself.
#4 Is Absolutely Vital.
#1. Start spending time with the right people. – These
are the people you enjoy, who love and appreciate you, and
who encourage you to improve in healthy and exciting ways.
They are the ones who make you feel more alive, and not only
embrace who you are now, but also embrace and embody who
you want to be, unconditionally.
#2. Start facing your problems head on. – It isn't your problems
that define you, but how you react to them and recover from them.
Problems will not disappear unless you take action. Do what you can,
when you can, and acknowledge what you’ve done. It’s all about taking
baby steps in the right direction, inch by inch. These inches count,
they add up to yards and miles in the long run.
#3. Start being honest with yourself about everything.
– Be honest about what’s right, as well as what needs to be changed.
Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to
become. Be honest with every aspect of your life, always. Because
you are the one person you can forever count on. Search your soul,
for the truth, so that you truly know who you are. Once you do,
you’ll have a better understanding of where you are now and how
you got here, and you’ll be better equipped to identify where you
want to go and how to get there. Read The Road Less Traveled.
#4. Start making your own happiness a priority. – Your
needs matter. If you don’t value yourself, look out for yourself,
and stick up for yourself, you’re sabotaging yourself. Remember,
it IS possible to take care of your own needs while simultaneously
caring for those around you. And once your needs are met, you
will likely be far more capable of helping those who need you most.
#5. Start being yourself, genuinely and proudly. – Trying
to be anyone else is a waste of the person you are. Be yourself.
Embrace that individual inside you that has ideas, strengths and
beauty like no one else. Be the person you know yourself to be
– the best version of you – on your terms. Above all, be true to
YOU, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.
#6. Start noticing and living in the present. – Right now is
a miracle. Right now is the only moment guaranteed to you.
Right now is life. So stop thinking about how great things will
be in the future. Stop dwelling on what did or didn't happen
in the past. Learn to be in the ‘here and now’ and experience
life as it’s happening. Appreciate the world for the beauty that
it holds, right now.
#7. Start valuing the lessons your mistakes teach you.
– Mistakes are okay; they’re the stepping stones of progress. If
you’re not failing from time to time, you’re not trying hard enough
and you’re not learning. Take risks, stumble, fall, and then get up
and try again. Appreciate that you are pushing yourself, learning,
growing and improving. Significant achievements are almost
invariably realized at the end of a long road of failures. One of the
‘mistakes’ you fear might just be the link to your greatest
achievement yet.
#8. Start being more polite to yourself. – If you had a friend
who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to
yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend?
The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others. You
must love who you are or no one else will.
#9. Start enjoying the things you already have. – The
problem with many of us is that we think we’ll be happy when
we reach a certain level in life – a level we see others operating at
– your boss with her corner office, that friend of a friend who
owns a mansion on the beach, etc. Unfortunately, it takes awhile
before you get there, and when you get there you’ll likely have a
new destination in mind. You’ll end up spending your whole life
working toward something new without ever stopping to enjoy
the things you have now. So take a quiet moment every morning
when you first awake to appreciate where you are and what you
already have.
#10. Start creating your own happiness. – If you are
waiting for someone else to make you happy, you’re missing
out. Smile because you can. Choose happiness. Be the change
you want to see in the world. Be happy with who you are now,
and let your positivity inspire your journey into tomorrow.
Happiness is often found when and where you decide to seek it.
If you look for happiness within the opportunities you have,
you will eventually find it. But if you constantly look for
something else, unfortunately, you’ll find that too.
Read Stumbling on Happiness.
waiting for someone else to make you happy, you’re missing
out. Smile because you can. Choose happiness. Be the change
you want to see in the world. Be happy with who you are now,
and let your positivity inspire your journey into tomorrow.
Happiness is often found when and where you decide to seek it.
If you look for happiness within the opportunities you have,
you will eventually find it. But if you constantly look for
something else, unfortunately, you’ll find that too.
Read Stumbling on Happiness.
#11. Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance.
– In life, it’s rarely about getting a chance; it’s about taking a
chance. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can
always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Most of the
time you just have to go for it! And no matter how it turns
out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you
succeed or you learn something. Win-Win.
– In life, it’s rarely about getting a chance; it’s about taking a
chance. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can
always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Most of the
time you just have to go for it! And no matter how it turns
out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you
succeed or you learn something. Win-Win.
#12. Start believing that you’re ready for the next step.
– You are ready! Think about it. You have everything you need
right now to take the next small, realistic step forward. So
embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept
the challenges – they’re gifts that will help you to grow.
– You are ready! Think about it. You have everything you need
right now to take the next small, realistic step forward. So
embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept
the challenges – they’re gifts that will help you to grow.
#13. Start entering new relationships for the right reasons.
– Enter new relationships with dependable, honest people who reflect
the person you are and the person you want to be. Choose friends
you are proud to know, people you admire, who show you love
and respect – people who reciprocate your kindness and commitment.
And pay attention to what people do, because a person’s actions
are much more important than their words or how others represent
them.
– Enter new relationships with dependable, honest people who reflect
the person you are and the person you want to be. Choose friends
you are proud to know, people you admire, who show you love
and respect – people who reciprocate your kindness and commitment.
And pay attention to what people do, because a person’s actions
are much more important than their words or how others represent
them.
#14. Start giving new people you meet a chance. – It sounds
harsh, but you cannot keep every friend you’ve ever made. People
and priorities change. As some relationships fade others will grow.
Appreciate the possibility of new relationships as you naturally
let go of old ones that no longer work. Trust your judgment.
Embrace new relationships, knowing that you are entering into
unfamiliar territory. Be ready to learn, be ready for a challenge,
and be ready to meet someone that might just change your life
forever.
harsh, but you cannot keep every friend you’ve ever made. People
and priorities change. As some relationships fade others will grow.
Appreciate the possibility of new relationships as you naturally
let go of old ones that no longer work. Trust your judgment.
Embrace new relationships, knowing that you are entering into
unfamiliar territory. Be ready to learn, be ready for a challenge,
and be ready to meet someone that might just change your life
forever.
#15. Start competing against an earlier version of yourself.
– Be inspired by others, appreciate others, learn from others,
but know that competing against them is a waste of time.
You are in competition with one person and one person only
– yourself. You are competing to be the best you can be.
Aim to break your own personal records.
– Be inspired by others, appreciate others, learn from others,
but know that competing against them is a waste of time.
You are in competition with one person and one person only
– yourself. You are competing to be the best you can be.
Aim to break your own personal records.
#16. Start cheering for other people’s victories.
– Start noticing what you like about others and tell them.
Having an appreciation for how amazing the people around
you are leads to good places – productive, fulfilling, peaceful
places. So be happy for those who are making progress.
Cheer for their victories. Be thankful for their blessings,
openly. What goes around comes around, and sooner or
later the people you’re cheering for will start cheering for you.
– Start noticing what you like about others and tell them.
Having an appreciation for how amazing the people around
you are leads to good places – productive, fulfilling, peaceful
places. So be happy for those who are making progress.
Cheer for their victories. Be thankful for their blessings,
openly. What goes around comes around, and sooner or
later the people you’re cheering for will start cheering for you.
#17. Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations.
– When things are hard, and you feel down, take a few
deep breaths and look for the silver lining – the small
glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will
grow stronger from these hard times. And remain
conscious of your blessings and victories – all the things
in your life that are right. Focus on what you have,
not on what you haven’t.
– When things are hard, and you feel down, take a few
deep breaths and look for the silver lining – the small
glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will
grow stronger from these hard times. And remain
conscious of your blessings and victories – all the things
in your life that are right. Focus on what you have,
not on what you haven’t.
#18. Start forgiving yourself and others. – We’ve all
been hurt by our own decisions and by others. And while
the pain of these experiences is normal, sometimes it
lingers for too long. We relive the pain over and over
and have a hard time letting go. Forgiveness is the remedy.
It doesn’t mean you’re erasing the past, or forgetting what
happened. It means you’re letting go of the resentment
and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident
and move on with your life.
been hurt by our own decisions and by others. And while
the pain of these experiences is normal, sometimes it
lingers for too long. We relive the pain over and over
and have a hard time letting go. Forgiveness is the remedy.
It doesn’t mean you’re erasing the past, or forgetting what
happened. It means you’re letting go of the resentment
and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident
and move on with your life.
#19. Start helping those around you. – Care about
people. Guide them if you know a better way. The more
you help others, the more they will want to help you.
Love and kindness begets love and kindness. And so on
and so forth.
people. Guide them if you know a better way. The more
you help others, the more they will want to help you.
Love and kindness begets love and kindness. And so on
and so forth.
#20. Start listening to your own inner voice. – If it
helps, discuss your ideas with those closest to you, but give
yourself enough room to follow your own intuition. Be true
to yourself. Say what you need to say. Do what you know
in your heart is right.
helps, discuss your ideas with those closest to you, but give
yourself enough room to follow your own intuition. Be true
to yourself. Say what you need to say. Do what you know
in your heart is right.
#21. Start being attentive to your stress level
and take short breaks. – Slow down. Breathe.
Give yourself permission to pause, regroup and move
forward with clarity and purpose. When you’re at your
busiest, a brief recess can rejuvenate your mind and
increase your productivity. These short breaks will
help you regain your sanity and reflect on your recent
actions so you can be sure they’re in line with your goals.
and take short breaks. – Slow down. Breathe.
Give yourself permission to pause, regroup and move
forward with clarity and purpose. When you’re at your
busiest, a brief recess can rejuvenate your mind and
increase your productivity. These short breaks will
help you regain your sanity and reflect on your recent
actions so you can be sure they’re in line with your goals.
#22. Start noticing the beauty of small moments.
– Instead of waiting for the big things to happen – marriage,
kids, big promotion, winning the lottery – find happiness
in the small things that happen every day. Little things
like having a quiet cup of coffee in the early morning, or
the delicious taste and smell of a homemade meal, or the
pleasure of sharing something you enjoy with someone
else, or holding hands with your partner. Noticing these
small pleasures on a daily basis makes a big difference
in the quality of your life.
– Instead of waiting for the big things to happen – marriage,
kids, big promotion, winning the lottery – find happiness
in the small things that happen every day. Little things
like having a quiet cup of coffee in the early morning, or
the delicious taste and smell of a homemade meal, or the
pleasure of sharing something you enjoy with someone
else, or holding hands with your partner. Noticing these
small pleasures on a daily basis makes a big difference
in the quality of your life.
#23. Start accepting things when they are less
than perfect. – Remember, ‘perfect’ is the enemy of ‘good.’
One of the biggest challenges for people who want to improve
themselves and improve the world is learning to accept things
as they are. Sometimes it’s better to accept and appreciate the
world as it is, and people as they are, rather than to trying to
make everything and everyone conform to an impossible ideal.
No, you shouldn’t accept a life of mediocrity, but learn to
love and value things when they are less than perfect.
than perfect. – Remember, ‘perfect’ is the enemy of ‘good.’
One of the biggest challenges for people who want to improve
themselves and improve the world is learning to accept things
as they are. Sometimes it’s better to accept and appreciate the
world as it is, and people as they are, rather than to trying to
make everything and everyone conform to an impossible ideal.
No, you shouldn’t accept a life of mediocrity, but learn to
love and value things when they are less than perfect.
#24. Start working toward your goals every single day.
– Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one
step. Whatever it is you dream about, start taking small, logical
steps every day to make it happen. Get out there and DO
something! The harder you work the luckier you will become.
While many of us decide at some point during the course of
our lives that we want to answer our calling, only an astute
few of us actually work on it. By ‘working on it,’ I mean
consistently devoting oneself to the end result. Read
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
– Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one
step. Whatever it is you dream about, start taking small, logical
steps every day to make it happen. Get out there and DO
something! The harder you work the luckier you will become.
While many of us decide at some point during the course of
our lives that we want to answer our calling, only an astute
few of us actually work on it. By ‘working on it,’ I mean
consistently devoting oneself to the end result. Read
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
#25. Start being more open about how you feel.
– If you’re hurting, give yourself the necessary space and
time to hurt, but be open about it. Talk to those closest to
you. Tell them the truth about how you feel. Let them listen.
The simple act of getting things off your chest and into the
open is your first step toward feeling good again.
– If you’re hurting, give yourself the necessary space and
time to hurt, but be open about it. Talk to those closest to
you. Tell them the truth about how you feel. Let them listen.
The simple act of getting things off your chest and into the
open is your first step toward feeling good again.
#26. Start taking full accountability for your own life.
– Own your choices and mistakes, and be willing to take the
necessary steps to improve upon them. Either you take
accountability for your life or someone else will. And when
they do, you’ll become a slave to their ideas and dreams
instead of a pioneer of your own. You are the only one who
can directly control the outcome of your life. And no, it
won’t always be easy. Every person has a stack of obstacles
in front of them. But you must take accountability for your
situation and overcome these obstacles. Choosing not to is
choosing a lifetime of mere existence.
– Own your choices and mistakes, and be willing to take the
necessary steps to improve upon them. Either you take
accountability for your life or someone else will. And when
they do, you’ll become a slave to their ideas and dreams
instead of a pioneer of your own. You are the only one who
can directly control the outcome of your life. And no, it
won’t always be easy. Every person has a stack of obstacles
in front of them. But you must take accountability for your
situation and overcome these obstacles. Choosing not to is
choosing a lifetime of mere existence.
#27. Start actively nurturing your most important
relationships. – Bring real, honest joy into your life and
the lives of those you love by simply telling them how much
they mean to you on a regular basis. You can’t be everything
to everyone, but you can be everything to a few people. Decide
who these people are in your life and treat them like royalty.
Remember, you don’t need a certain number of friends, just a
number of friends you can be certain of.
relationships. – Bring real, honest joy into your life and
the lives of those you love by simply telling them how much
they mean to you on a regular basis. You can’t be everything
to everyone, but you can be everything to a few people. Decide
who these people are in your life and treat them like royalty.
Remember, you don’t need a certain number of friends, just a
number of friends you can be certain of.
#28. Start concentrating on the things you can control.
– You can’t change everything, but you can always change something.
Wasting your time, talent and emotional energy on things that
are beyond your control is a recipe for frustration, misery and
stagnation. Invest your energy in the things you can control,
and act on them now.
– You can’t change everything, but you can always change something.
Wasting your time, talent and emotional energy on things that
are beyond your control is a recipe for frustration, misery and
stagnation. Invest your energy in the things you can control,
and act on them now.
#29. Start focusing on the possibility of positive
outcomes.
– The mind must believe it CAN do something before it is
capable of actually doing it. The way to overcome negative
thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing,
positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful.
Listen to your self-talk and replace negative thoughts with
positive ones. Regardless of how a situation seems, focus on
what you DO WANT to happen, and then take the next positive
step forward. No, you can’t control everything that happens
to you, but you can control how you react to things. Everyone’s
life has positive and negative aspects – whether or not you’re
happy and successful in the long run depends greatly on which
aspects you focus on. Read The How of Happiness.
outcomes.
– The mind must believe it CAN do something before it is
capable of actually doing it. The way to overcome negative
thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing,
positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful.
Listen to your self-talk and replace negative thoughts with
positive ones. Regardless of how a situation seems, focus on
what you DO WANT to happen, and then take the next positive
step forward. No, you can’t control everything that happens
to you, but you can control how you react to things. Everyone’s
life has positive and negative aspects – whether or not you’re
happy and successful in the long run depends greatly on which
aspects you focus on. Read The How of Happiness.
#30. Start noticing how wealthy you are right now.
– Henry David Thoreau once said, “Wealth is the ability to
fully experience life.” Even when times are tough, it’s always
important to keep things in perspective. You didn’t go to
sleep hungry last night. You didn’t go to sleep outside. You
had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning. You hardly
broke a sweat today. You didn’t spend a minute in fear. You
have access to clean drinking water. You have access to
medical care. You have access to the Internet. You can read.
Some might say you are incredibly wealthy, so remember
to be grateful for all the things you do have.
– Henry David Thoreau once said, “Wealth is the ability to
fully experience life.” Even when times are tough, it’s always
important to keep things in perspective. You didn’t go to
sleep hungry last night. You didn’t go to sleep outside. You
had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning. You hardly
broke a sweat today. You didn’t spend a minute in fear. You
have access to clean drinking water. You have access to
medical care. You have access to the Internet. You can read.
Some might say you are incredibly wealthy, so remember
to be grateful for all the things you do have.
Credit: marcandangel.com
This is such a wonderful list. If we take little steps every
day and practice these things, we can make great improvements
in our lives. Share this post with your friends and loved ones.
day and practice these things, we can make great improvements
in our lives. Share this post with your friends and loved ones.
1 comment:
Love this list Sandy, I subscribe to Mark and Angel's newsletters and love getting their little words of wisdom! Hope you are doing well! :D
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