And the question is .... how can I get some J-O-Y in my life?
Well ....
Joy is what we are, not what we must get. Joy is the realization that all we want or need in life has been etched into our souls. Periods of success followed by long periods of unhappiness and dissatisfaction are not the natural order of life. We are not put here to suffer and then die. Yet it seems that we are unable to sustain an even flow of pleasure and ease in our daily affairs and relationships. Things never seem to add up when we make the tally of pleasure and pain, ease and difficulty, good times and bad times. Perhaps this is because we are using the wrong measurements.
Joy - not happiness. Joy is an internal mechanism which keeps us on an even plane as we move through life. Joy gives us the ability to move through an unpleasant situation, knowing that once we make it through, it is over. Joy reminds us of what we need to learn to experience longer periods of joy.
Joy helps us see not what we are “going through” but what we are “growing to,” a greater sense of understanding, accomplishment, and enlightenment. Joy reveals to us the calm at the end of the storm, the peace that surpasses the momentary happiness of pleasure. If we keep our mind and heart centered on joy then it becomes a state of mind, not something we seek when things go wrong only to have it slip through our fingers over and over.
Joy is staying in your strength and in your power. It's about staying grounded and at peace in all you do.
But how do you reach this state of Joydom? (yes, I made that up. Lol)
First, we have to be accountable.
Now this may be uncomfortable at first. It could even hurt. We've all had experiences we'd sooner like to forget. We all do things now and then that seem to steer us off course. But the sooner you accept all of your experiences as the fuel that powers your life, the more joy you will experience. Everything in your life -- the happy and sad, the right and wrong, has worked together to shape the character of who you are today.
Next up, be authentic -- let the world see you for who you really are.
When you show up authentic, you free others to do the same. It's contagious. The world needs you to be authentic -- don't be afraid of it. Your authenticity may catch people off guard, but it will help free them to be their real, true selves, too.
Finally, be honest with yourself.
People make all exuses for why they are not doing this and not doing that. But that's all they are - excuses. There's something underneath that you don't want to deal with. But guess what - until you do - you'll never be where you want to be.
Tackle these three things and nothing can hold you back from living in the state you really want to be in. And no – it’s not Florida. Even though with 14 inches of snow on the way - that’s looking pretty good right now.
But even better than warm, blue water and clear, blue skies – is JOY.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Sunday, February 03, 2008
YES, WE CAN!
Check out the star-studded music video to the “Yes We Can Song” which includes excerpts from Sen. Barack Obama’s speech following the New Hampshire primary. The video which premiered on Dipdive.com, features appearances from several celebrities including: Will.I.Am, Scarlett Johansson, Common, John Legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tatyana Ali, Adam Rodriguez, Kelly Hu, Nick Cannon and more.
“I’m blown away by how many people wanted to come and be a part of it in a short amount of time. It was all out of love and hope for change and really representing America and looking at the world,” Will.I.Am said.
“I’m blown away by how many people wanted to come and be a part of it in a short amount of time. It was all out of love and hope for change and really representing America and looking at the world,” Will.I.Am said.
Friday, February 01, 2008
It’s Time To Make an Impact
Because if not now … when?
And if not you … then who?
And yes, I do mean to be dramatic. Desperate situations call for desperate measures, right?
Well, luckily it doesn’t have to be a desperate situation. The power to change it is ours. All we have to do is make an impact.
Think about it …
Every day you come across people you know and don't know – each one could use your help and each person could help you in some small or large way. But how often do you make an impact on somebody's life - with the intention of making an impact?
Chances are you're like most people - just trying to make it through the day and not really paying attention to the people that cross your path everyday - both strangers and those you know.
Yet everyday you have an opportunity to do something significant - sometimes it can be something small - and make an impact - to help somebody. Stranger, friend or family, it doesn't matter. Just make a positive impact.
Why?
Well first of all – it’s what we as human beings should be doing. But secondly, when you make a positive impact you not only help somebody else, you also help yourself and those around you because you start to create magnetic energy.
When you generate magnetic energy you attract more positive situations to you and into your life.
But there is a catch – it has to be from your heart. You must truly want to help someone in some small or large way. You can't do it because you want to attract positive situations into your life - that will naturally happen. But to begin creating that magnetic energy you have to make an impact because you want to and because you feel it is what you should do.
I know some of you may say: “I’ve been helping people for years but when I need help – no one's there. Why should I keep putting myself out there?” I say again: because it’s what you should do. It’s not about people helping you – it’s about making a positive impact.
If you truly feel that you have been helping people, making an impact and you haven't been attracting positive situations, or positive events, or positive people into our life - then maybe you need to take a closer look at your intentions. Check your motivations and determine if you really did things to help other people out of the goodness of your heart - or did you expect something in return?
Next - take a look at the opportunities that came your way - and examine how you reacted to them. Did you welcome the opportunities that crossed your path or did you dismiss them thinking that they weren’t for you or that it may have been too good to be true?
What about the people that you’ve met? Did you develop friendships? Continue to network with them or did you ignore them assuming that they weren't the kind of people that you would help you?
Often we dismiss events, opportunities and people that we encounter – thinking that we already know the outcome.
The truth is - we don't.
You don't have to make a big impact. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.
Give your time, your understanding, your knowledge.
Give somebody a hand with their shopping bags.
Open a door for somebody who has their hands full.
Listen to your son/daughter the next time that you speak with them.
Take a moment to smile before getting angry.
Share your wisdom.
Be pleasant to a stranger.
Offer some kind words to a colleague or family member.
When you do this you'll begin to change your energy. And at the same time you'll begin to instruct your subconscious mind to attract more of what you give - because you'll only get what you give. At the same time you'll create a positive mindset and that will attract more positive situations into your life. And then you'll be able to create the life you want.
You'll immediately start to feel better about your life and your situation.
After a few weeks of regularly making an impact you will begin to see new opportunities come your way. You will begin to meet new people, and you will encounter new events. All of these can help you improve your life and the lives of those around you. Pay attention to them. Don't assume that you know whether they will or won't work for you.
Everything you come across and every person you meet can help you - but only if you are open minded and willing to explore the opportunity. If you're not then you can never truly improve the quality of your life.
Once you've started creating magnetic energy - you can instruct your mind and subconscious mind to help you make the right choices, attract the right people and the right situations so that you create the life you want.
But you have to be consistent - so make a commitment to make an impact everyday in 2008.
Try it for the rest of the year and see how your life changes or improves.
You can make an impact.
You can make a difference.
You can attract positive situations.
You can create the life that you want.
And if not you … then who?
And yes, I do mean to be dramatic. Desperate situations call for desperate measures, right?
Well, luckily it doesn’t have to be a desperate situation. The power to change it is ours. All we have to do is make an impact.
Think about it …
Every day you come across people you know and don't know – each one could use your help and each person could help you in some small or large way. But how often do you make an impact on somebody's life - with the intention of making an impact?
Chances are you're like most people - just trying to make it through the day and not really paying attention to the people that cross your path everyday - both strangers and those you know.
Yet everyday you have an opportunity to do something significant - sometimes it can be something small - and make an impact - to help somebody. Stranger, friend or family, it doesn't matter. Just make a positive impact.
Why?
Well first of all – it’s what we as human beings should be doing. But secondly, when you make a positive impact you not only help somebody else, you also help yourself and those around you because you start to create magnetic energy.
When you generate magnetic energy you attract more positive situations to you and into your life.
But there is a catch – it has to be from your heart. You must truly want to help someone in some small or large way. You can't do it because you want to attract positive situations into your life - that will naturally happen. But to begin creating that magnetic energy you have to make an impact because you want to and because you feel it is what you should do.
I know some of you may say: “I’ve been helping people for years but when I need help – no one's there. Why should I keep putting myself out there?” I say again: because it’s what you should do. It’s not about people helping you – it’s about making a positive impact.
If you truly feel that you have been helping people, making an impact and you haven't been attracting positive situations, or positive events, or positive people into our life - then maybe you need to take a closer look at your intentions. Check your motivations and determine if you really did things to help other people out of the goodness of your heart - or did you expect something in return?
Next - take a look at the opportunities that came your way - and examine how you reacted to them. Did you welcome the opportunities that crossed your path or did you dismiss them thinking that they weren’t for you or that it may have been too good to be true?
What about the people that you’ve met? Did you develop friendships? Continue to network with them or did you ignore them assuming that they weren't the kind of people that you would help you?
Often we dismiss events, opportunities and people that we encounter – thinking that we already know the outcome.
The truth is - we don't.
You don't have to make a big impact. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.
Give your time, your understanding, your knowledge.
Give somebody a hand with their shopping bags.
Open a door for somebody who has their hands full.
Listen to your son/daughter the next time that you speak with them.
Take a moment to smile before getting angry.
Share your wisdom.
Be pleasant to a stranger.
Offer some kind words to a colleague or family member.
When you do this you'll begin to change your energy. And at the same time you'll begin to instruct your subconscious mind to attract more of what you give - because you'll only get what you give. At the same time you'll create a positive mindset and that will attract more positive situations into your life. And then you'll be able to create the life you want.
You'll immediately start to feel better about your life and your situation.
After a few weeks of regularly making an impact you will begin to see new opportunities come your way. You will begin to meet new people, and you will encounter new events. All of these can help you improve your life and the lives of those around you. Pay attention to them. Don't assume that you know whether they will or won't work for you.
Everything you come across and every person you meet can help you - but only if you are open minded and willing to explore the opportunity. If you're not then you can never truly improve the quality of your life.
Once you've started creating magnetic energy - you can instruct your mind and subconscious mind to help you make the right choices, attract the right people and the right situations so that you create the life you want.
But you have to be consistent - so make a commitment to make an impact everyday in 2008.
Try it for the rest of the year and see how your life changes or improves.
You can make an impact.
You can make a difference.
You can attract positive situations.
You can create the life that you want.
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