Kindness

Surprise the people around you by doing something that they'll appreciate. For example, for your parents, do all of their yard work over an extended period of time when they're not home. Don't mention it to them unless they ask you if you did it. 

Or to your married friends with kids, plan to show up and babysit for them while they get a little date away. Or for your sister or brother that is going through a hard time, give them or help them with something you know will help remove some of the pain or stress. 

These acts of kindness will show them that you deeply appreciate them.

What matters most

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did. ~ Mark Twain

So few people really live life to the fullest.  We get stuck in our ways and routines and just kinda coast through life, then something major happens to us or someone we love, and we start to think, “Is this all there is for me?”  “Is this all I’m capable of?”  Why wait for that moment to wake up? Live your life awake.  Live your life to the fullest!

If you don't, you will spend your latter years regretting a life spent on unimportant things. Enjoy you life with the things and people that matter. 

Happy Friday! 

Life and it's lessons

Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens - Kahlil Gibran

Two totally different people can experience the exact same challenges in life; but could have opposite reactions as to what really happened and life for them thereafter. 

It is all about perception, how you see it (your ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through your senses) and the perspective (your own particular attitude or way of regarding something; your point of view, your frame of reference, your outlook and your interpretation)

Our life experiences teach us how to live and co-exist with others; and ultimately, we choose what life lessons we learn. Hopefully, we choose good ones ....

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Tough it out!

You can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good - Jerry West

Those days that you don't feel like doing the work are the days that build your character and show your commitment to the work.

Without passion and/or commitment, it's easy to be unattached to what you do....and will result in no fruit. But if you set the temporary feelings aside, you can get lots done. 

Appreciate what you have

Problems in relationship occur because each person is concentrating on what is missing in the other person. – Wayne Dyer

Did you know that each time you struggle with your partner about something, you are struggling with yourself. I read somewhere that every fault you see in them touches a denied weakness in yourself. 

Why would you spend a whole lot of time pointing out weaknesses in your partner, when you could be enjoying them for who they are. 

Think about if the roles where flipped! Would you appreciate the constant bullying on your personality??  It's only fair and healthy to appreciate and praise the good in each other and pray for the not-so-good to get better :)  

Memories

We live in a world of quite a bit of self-centered and selfish people and folks who haven't learned yet to step outside of themselves and spend a little time with someone else. 

We also live in a world where people are hurting and need a little hello and encouragement, every once in a while.

Be the kind of person that never forgets to compliment your friends; because everyone needs it sometimes. Tell them how good-looking they are, how kind they are, how fun they are, how hardworking they are and watch their face light up with appreciation.

Remember, it is never what you do but how you make people feel that they will carry with them. 

Happy Friday! 

Respect

Relationships of all kinds are like sand held in your hand. Held loosely, with an open hand, the sand remains where it is. The minute you close your hand and squeeze tightly to hold on, the sand trickles through your fingers. You may hold onto some of it, but most will be spilled. A relationship is like that. Held loosely, with respect and freedom for the other person, it is likely to remain intact. But hold too tightly, too possessively, and the relationship slips away and is lost.” – Author Unknown

Respect your relationships, for is how you treat others that they'll treat you.

Life

“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.” –unknown

May all that we do add up to something meaningful. 

Leave a path so others can follow 

Life and it's meaning

Sir, a man may be so much of everything, that he is nothing of anything.  - Johnson, Samuel

It doesn't matter how busy you are; if all you are doing don't add up to something or anything meaningful, then it's all just going to pass you by AND will feel like a waste of your precious time.

It's ok to work hard; but please make the hardwork an addition to your life and it's much valued substance. 

Winner

“We are like the little branch that quivers during a storm, doubting our strength and forgetting we are the tree—deeply rooted to withstand all life’s upheavals.” - Dodinsky Author

Sometimes, we underestimate the strength we have within. God has put inside of us the kind of grip that can stand against all kinds, shapes or forms of challenges and struggles that may seem as if it can take us out... 

You are MORE than a conqueror! 

Pay it forward

“I firmly believe in small gestures: pay for their coffee, hold the door for strangers, over tip, smile or try to be kind even when you don’t feel like it, pay compliments, chase the kid’s runaway ball down the sidewalk and throw it back to him, try to be larger than you are— particularly when it’s difficult. People do notice, people appreciate. I appreciate it when it’s done to (for) me. Small gestures can be an effort, or actually go against our grain (“I’m not a big one for paying compliments…”), but the irony is that almost every time you make them, you feel better about yourself. For a moment life suddenly feels lighter, a bit more Gene Kelly dancing in the rain. - Jonathan Carroll

Happy Monday! And pay it forward today! 

Worth

“If you want to be respected, you must respect yourself.” - Spanish Proverb

It is the way you present yourself that gives others the road map to how they will treat you. 

Think about what your worth is, and let that be your blueprint. 

Pain and reaction

“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.“ - C.S. Lewis 

Depending on what kind of experience it is/was, it's only human that you would want to resolve it some way or another. 

If it was an enjoyable experience, you might be faced with wanting to fix it or see if you could make things feel differently. If it was not an experience to write home about, you might be struggling with addressing a few things... 

When it's all said and done, you are the only one left with the emotion or feeling or reaction BUT the real challenge is what you do with it and how you respond to it; because at some point in every situation, you have to let go. And as you let go and move forward, try your best NOT to take those ugly, bad, resentful feelings along with you. It just never manifests well in the future. 

Always remember to do, react and communicate what is best for your well-being... 

Persevere

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.“ - Walter Elliott 

And you get through each one with the endurance you gained from the last one....

Friday!

Do the things you used to talk about doing but never did. Know when to let go and when to hold on tight. Stop rushing. Don't be intimidated to say it like it is. Stop apologizing all the time. Learn to say no, so your yes has some oomph. Spend time with the friends who lift you up, and cut loose the ones who bring you down. Stop giving your power away. Be more concerned with being interested than being interesting. Be old enough to appreciate your freedom, and young enough to enjoy it. Finally know who you are -Kristin Armstrong

HAPPY FRIDAY! 

Dream

The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it - Elbert Hubbard

This is true! 

When you feel the urge to do something potentially great, do it! Or you'll be working under the direction of a total stranger who has the passion that you once held dear and close ....

Do not be intimidated by the challenges that may come. With some determination, focus and hardwork....you will accomplish your dream! 

Share

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it - Margaret Fuller 

If you know something, share with others. Don't be afraid of being replaced at work and so you hold on to important information; don't be so low in your self confidence that you enjoy people coming to you for what they need to keep a project moving forward; don't be so proud of what you have attained that you hang on to it so much so that you are the only one who knows it ....

Being the source of information is the beginning of a progressive path for others around you and the organization or company  that you are involved in and affiliated with will only grow upward and excel better.

Team

When spider webs unite they can tie up a lion - African Proverb

It is amazing what we can accomplish if we team up with people of like minds and like visions. You may look small and not so strong but with the right focus and a plan to execute, you can move mountains! 

One more time

I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work - Thomas Edison 

It's all about knowing when to pick up the pieces and starting right back again. Many things in life require more than one trial times, but the key is not staying defeated and beaten down.

Get back up and try again :) 

Don't do it

“To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee - William Walton 

If you can, talk about the issue with the offender; and then get over it. If you aren't able to discuss it, find it within yourself to get through it, so you can go on with your life in peace and freedom.

Holding on to a grudge only keeps you down and non-progressive in that particular area. And it can make you bitter in your approach in life.

It's just not worth it!