Is the grass greener

I know that you have heard this saying. Since I have really been doing some thinking lately about where my life is and isn't going, I thought I would just toss out and see if anyone wants to comment.
Are you a comparer: your life to others around?
Do you drool over the lifestyle of the Rich and Famous?
But are they really happy? With the death of Whitney Houston, really makes a person wonder. She was such a star and had the world by her hands....but it seems she was not happy with the life and did not know how to handle the stress--besides drugs.

So step back and take a look at your life as a whole. There might be some good days and some bad days. Don't you think that on a whole you have a wealthy life?
Make a list: own a car or two
television
many Freedoms
hopefully a job
fairly clean environment
Just watching the news ever night shows one how many people on this earth can not say this.
BE grateful for your life and to the one who provided this for you.
Your life could be someone else's greener grass.

Where are you going

Been thinking of this lately. Where am I heading in this new normal life that I am leading. All human's need some kind of a goal. Would shoot an arrow-just to shoot it? Try putting topgether a puzzle with out the picture!! So take sometime to think about the goal and stating it out loud.
The picture of this goal, can help motivate you, instead of stumbling around. Try to grap a clear picture with well planned target goals.
This is my resolution for 2012. I
think I am guilty of being fuzzy. I know that my next life goals are not planned. I am just living sort of day by day. Any ideas from anyone out there would be appreciated. It has been six years, and I better start working toward something.

Choices

I feel that Americans just have to many choices, especially the children we are raising. Not even sure if they appreciate anything. Trying to expain to the youth that they need to own the choices, seems to be process also. Do these choices determine the path for the rest of ytour life. YES, my friends they really could. This is not set in stone but be aware. Look at the life path..are you happy...or do you want some change? Be awawre of your short and long term goals.. Make the choices that will help with these goals and dreams.

Think yourself thin???

Not sure about this one but I thought the concept was worth noting. An article by a trainer gave me some ideas to think about and hopefully put me out of this little rut I a have developed.
Mind over body: SELF talk..positive thinking. Your mind has the ability to tell your body that you are done REALLY before your body feels the effect of fatigue.

MANTA: I am strong, I can do this, I will be fit, etc. Keep repeating these phrases over and over while working out, walking running (whatever). Positive repetitions keeps one focused and inspired.

VISUALISE: I find this one of the hardest things to do in all aspects of life. Visualise the exercise before you start. I'm having fun, being fit, loosing weight. This is working..the body is getting thinner, I am getting healthier. I will reach my goal. TEE HEE..sounds kind of corny but if one can wrap the mind around this idea..it will work. It's all about attitude.
Since mine has been rather lately, I am reaching for the positive and trying to go with the flow. A very hard concept to handle.
"THINK YOURSELf FIT"

ACTIONS

I think I must be on an action and result kick. Guess because my new well laid plans are not working so well lately. I seem to keep finding articles on doing something, and things that might happen or not happen with action.
Think we all need to remember that everything one does makes a difference. A leader or a follower-makes not difference, it is the action that matters and the effort. It is hard to imagine, that the world does need the actions of others. REMEMBER that the smallest action has an effect on someone else. DESIRE, purpose, perspective, put these all together and watch what might happen. You can become the task, the contributor - the big picture in the family or the work place.
There is room in the picture of life for all of us. Get in there!!!

OLD English Rhyme
For want of a nail
the shoe was lost.
For want of the shoe, the horse was lost.
For want of the horse, the rider was lost. For want of the rider the battle was lost.
For want of the battle, the kingdom was lost.
AND all for the want of a nail.

Thought this was well put even in these days.

Luxuries

How grateful are we for the God given luxuries that we sometimes seem to take for granted. THINK about this a moment... and think about others in the world that have so little. It becomes eye opening.
Clean water or even just water.
Food of any kind
Clothes to put on your back
A job

Cherish what you have in your thoughts today and tomorrow--freedom, family healthy body and choices. Never know when this could change.
We are living in a very uncertain world with a government that seems to be going insane.
Give thanks my dear friends for each other and keep the faith.

"carpe diem"

Don't you just love the move and play Lion King. I did. How can we apply this to our life?
Work hard and focus on what youwant will increase the possibility of gaining your dreams. We must make the most of each day by cherishing asnd celebrating the moment instead of of thinking ahead so much. Stop thinking so much and DO!!!. I just did this the other day by getting a different haircut. Nothing earth shattering but have been putting off the change. Sieze the opportunities while one can.
Go for it Whatever.!!!

Setbacks

My daughter and myself have had quite a couple of weeks dealing with all KINDS of setbacks. She is finally getting better and hopefully back to whatever can be normal. Keep us in your thoughts and keep the GOOD KARMA going we need it.
With this in mind I found an article on dealing with setbacks. Everyone has setbacks..HOW do you deal with them? Despair? spin out of control? Steer yourself back to goals?

Let us be one of the "bounce back" people(sparks) Take responsibility when necessary, but watch the blame game. Seek advice if needed.

Do some reevaluating and retooling goals, outlook, whatever you are dealing with.
Don't forget the rewards...be especially good to yourself during these times.
Don't give up or harbor regrets.
A poem by Emerson:
"Finish each day
And be done with it
You have done what you could
Some blunders and
Absurdities have crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can"

HEY a great way to live don't you think? Keep positive and leave yourself in God's hands.

Hardships

Yes, we all know that everyone of us experience some kind of hardships in our lives. Some more than others. I feel that the way we handle the hardships to be very fasinating to watch. Do you feel that handships can build character or to become bitter. Choose the choice of character and live a truly productive happy life. I have read somewhere that happiness and sadness don't happen to us it comes from within. As we live, we are writing the next chapter of our lives. It will be written weather we pasrticiapate or not. So lets us all try our best to be a help to our life instead of a hindrance.

Listen

How many of us really do this? I would simple say not many of us. In business settings or personnel settings, the quite ones are the ones that are usually really listening and absorbing. I feel that I have used my time well spent when I do listen. One can hear new ideas and thoughts that others are presenting. Do not be the one who jumps into a conversation with advice. Listen to the friend first. Try to understand what the other person is really communicating. Maybe they just want to vent and do not need or want any advice.
These qualities will bring out the trust in your friends and co-workers. Might even be a good idea for leaders to think about this. This can bring more understanding and even happiness to your relationships, which is what we all want Right?

Making life special

Stir it up. Do you kind of feel bored with the every day. I really most of us do especially this time of year. What can a person do? Why not do something different. Combine the everyday with some unexpected magic. If you have a hobby, try throwing in some kind of interest and share it. Find a personnel goal and combine with a social goal. Let us have fun with this idea. The stirring can be different for everyone, it is the process that will be fun to watch. Might even change you goals or your choices in some areas.

Eating together

I have been talking with my daughters about the benefits of family dinning. Not sure if I am getting through to them. Then I found this great article that directs a discussion about just this topic. I have given each daughter a copy and wanted to share a little with each of you. Feel free to jump into a discussion if you so desire.
One good reason..Communication..when the family sits down to eat, it gives a great opportunity to ask about the day, make plans for the weekend, catch up with activities, school etc. TALK- an idea that many families do not seem to embrace.
Manners..lead by example. Show to be polite, chew food, not talk with mouth full etc.
Expand the child's world..TRY new foods. Even just a taste will help expand the taste buds. Buy a new vegetable together, try a new recipe and let the child help with preparation.
Nourish: Foods prepared and eaten at home are more nutritious. Also at home soda and sweetened beverages are less likely to be offered.
Self-sufficient: It seems to be anyway that today's children are missing out on the idea of meal planning and preparation. Even to the point of helping with setting of table,pouring beverages, and clean-up. Chores what an idea..;the food just doesn't magically appear in front of you. Make dinner time a team effort showing responsibility and acceptance of the meal.
Grades: now listen up to this one. I did not make this up. Children do better in school when they dine with the family.
Money: Meals prepared at home cost less--two to four times less. WOW! What a great way to save money and get the family back together.
Let's do this young families.
article from a licensed dietician Becky Hand.

Stewardship

I'm a little early, but I hope to talk about taking care of our earth next week.
Reduce, reuse and recycle, the words we keep hearing lately. Sound great, but are we as a nation really do this. Even as an individual? I truly hope so.
Think about this..do you litter?- probably not anymore. Do you drive your own car instead of carpool? Most likely-no one wants to a slight bit inconvenienced.
Do you buy green products..that probably is a sometime. I know That these products tend to cost more but I am truly saying the money is worth the effort.
THINK about what our earth is going to be like in 50 years. We wont be around but our children and grandchildren will. What are we leaving for them to deal with?
Set a good example for them..eat healthy, use healthy products, recycle as much as possible.
Show appreciation of nature-take walks, go camping, enjoy the outdoors instead of TV, phones Disney world etc.
THINK of the world as a community shared by past generations and future generations. Let us try to leave them with something besides "clean-up". IT will make you happy.

Finances

I usually shy away from posting anything about money; however I saw this great article in the phamplet I get from my bonds. It talks about "Cleaning up your portfolio..
SOme good ideas. Briefly here goes::
Review your most recent statement to do some comparisons with your goals. Probably at the moment you are off track but do not panic . Watch..and be patient.
Get rid of small accounts
Simplify your accounts-try to minimize the number of accounts.
The over all goals of money management in my mind anyway seem to improve long-term performance and reduce risk.

Who contols your emotions?

Good questions. When one stops to thingk about this, the anwers to be everyone you are envolved with. WOW!. As adults, I feel anyway, we have to clairm our choices and the consequences. When one has negative attitudes on a regular bases, I find they create a pessimistic outlook and sometimes even lack of confidence. Who do you blame when situations go astray? The world does have influence but a growing mature person means taking control of emotions and attitude. OWN them - work with them- let them help you grow.

Thought for the week

Isn't it AMAZING that we humans are on earth?

Sometimes I feel that people in general tend to forget what is means to be here on earth, We tend to be very hard to impress. Let us try to watch the sunrise, take note of the days passing, even if it isn't especially special for you, the day could be SPECIAL for some else.

Watch out for the after effects in life when everything is ho hum--boredom, gloom. Let us think about human potential and the miracles of nature that are all around us.

I am hoping that these ideas might be of help to me and others who might be having some hard times.

Happy New Year

2011 is here..ready or not. Hope everyone had a good holiday. With the huge snow storm on the coast, I wound up with two extra days off. They where fairly productive days of cleaning and organizing.

I want to start off by taking inventory of gifts and blessings.

For a NEW YEAR resolution, I spent some time thinking about the good things in my life. I was hoping this thinking might help me with some of the depression I am feeling. In this century, one can experience more in a month that our ancestry did in a lifetime. Just stop and think about this a moment.. I want to change my attitude to thinking what is right with the picture than what is wrong. What are your priorities? I am trying to enjoy some of the moment and love ones. We have been given the gift of life. Accept this gift and be worthy. This is my resolution. TAKE the time to smell the roses, as the old saying goes.

awareness

How are you reacting to stress at work or at home? I feel that I sometimes overcompensate and overwork myself. Tack a breath, step back, in order to tackle the problem in a new site. Do not replace important events with work. You need to keep some balance to keep joy in your life. Do whatever relaxes you to help clear mind and rejuvenate. Let off the gas and do not neglect your friends and yourself to compose and refocus. I think you will feel better about yourself and the work that you do.

Wealth

Seems to be what everyone wants. But will money really make one happy. Some food for thought.
Wealth is shoved in our faces on a daily basis and adults pass these ideas onto their children. What are we doing to this genereation and to ouselves. Is "money, money" something we should strive? Strangely studies have shown that the wealthy are not any happier. Sometimes they are less happy, prone to addiction, depression. Might be related to how the money was made and what it used for. The REAL goals are a healthy body and positive life=style. Take care of yourself the best you can and one will be able to obtain the REAL wealth. This could become the new marker for wealth.

A quote from Emerson

I found this quote today from Ralph W Emerson "Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could.." With all the different things I am dealing with, I thought this was very appropriate thought in my life at this time. (HOW does this happen)? A post for another day.
You are really ahead of the the course, if you can do your best and then forget the worst and get along with life. The trick to this idea is giving oneself the permission to forget by living one day at a time. . Don't be the kind of a person that holds grudges. Live with the freedom that this idea is able to provide for you and yours. Be the successful person who will give the task its all, no matter what and then leave it.
Remember that your mind can be your friend and it can be your enemy. Let us all strive to be a forgiving person. This is what we would want from others. This forgivess will also help provide some happiness in your life that the alternate will not. GO for the freedom.