How Are You Recognized?

Do people recognize you from your voice?

Or maybe by the way you walk?

But how do you want to be known?

By your actions, generosity, or intelligence?

Think about that.

It all goes into writing your life story.

Are You Playing Blind Man's Bluff?

If you are not familiar with the child's game of Blind Man's Bluff, here's how it works:

Someone is "It" and is blindfolded. That person must tag another player and then that player is "It."

The problem, of course, is the blindfold. It's very difficult to find someone when you can't see.

Many people feel life is like that: they are 'blind' to the path they need to follow and waste a lot of time running around.

But life doesn't have to be like that.

In the child's game, being blindfolded causes the player to listen.

In life, we need to listen too.

Go to a quiet place and close your eyes. Relax.

Think of your goals and dreams.

Imagine ways of achieving them.

"See" yourself succeeding.

Just like the player who is "It" will sense a movement that someone is nearby to tag, so will you sense the direction you need to take.

It will happen if you stop and listen. 

That's how to write your life story.

Free Time

When something is free, there is only one thing you need to do.

Take it.

Do you want more free time?

It's there for you.

Okay, it's probably hidden behind your To-Do list, but it's there.

Grab some free time. It's even better than chocolate.

Black Friday: A Day of Shame

No, this post isn't about the hordes of impatient, angry, and frustrated people looking to buy something at an outrageously low price.

This is about the origin of the name Black Friday.

There are several possibilities about why this day is 'black' but one that makes sense is this one:

Many retailers operate at a financial loss for most of the year (January-November) and only make a profit during the holiday season. Their financial records would be written in red ink to indicate their loss, but on this day--Black Friday-- they would finally make a profit and record it in black ink.

Wow, that's sad.

If my life was at a 'loss' all year, I would have taken steps prior to the day after Thanksgiving to fix things.

Wouldn't you?

Black Friday seems to flaunt the shame of losing all year while magically pulling profits out of a sales flyer.

Nah.

If you are in business, seek a profit all year. If you are in the 'red' get a different strategy.

When you write your life story, don't wait for the end of the year to lament the loss of time.

A New Year's resolution is just like a Black Friday deal.

Live at your best every day.

Every.

Single.

Day.

A Day (?) to Give Thanks

No, we don't only have one day to give thanks.

Every day is a gift.

But did you know that giving thanks actually improves your life and health?

Showing gratitude reduces stress, enhances your sense of well-being, and helps regulate blood sugar. It also has a positive effect on your heart and blood pressure.

Giving thanks is the smart-- and healthy-- thing to do.

But don't limit yourself to one day of thanksgiving; make every day an occasion to think about all the wonderful people and things in your life.

All of which goes into writing your life story.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Directed or Rejected?

Having your plans rejected hurts.

But it can also help.

Knowing what you don't want is as important as knowing what you do want.

If your plans have been derailed, think of it as being redirected.

Try to never resist the changes in your life; they signal steps that you need to take. 

Sometimes those steps may not be of your choosing, but they will move you toward an abundant life.

Playing Dress-Up

Remember the time in your life when you could be a fireman, zookeeper, or a caped crusader-- all in the same day?

Playing dress-up as a child was not only fun, it helped to kickstart the imagination.

Pretending to be an adult in a certain profession allows the child to 'see' life in a future sense.

Children understand the power of imagination.

And we can take a lesson from them.

To write your life story, you need to 'see' with your mind and heart. Not just your eyes.

But don't tie on a cape and try to fly, okay?

Do You Love Mondays?

Most people dread Mondays since it usually means going back to work.

But Fridays are highly anticipated.

Saturdays are fun days and Sundays are truly days of rest.

But...

When you're writing your life story, don't limit the days of the week to the activities associated with them.

Every day in your life has the potential for amazing and extraordinary events to occur.

Don't let the calendar tell you if it's a 'good' day or not.

Expect the best every day.

Be Brave

Sometimes bravery happens when you have no choice.

In our world of uber choices, we tend to resent being limited to one.

We also don't like having our backs to the wall.

But it happens.

Make it work for you. Be brave.

The only choice may be the best one. It might require more of you, but the return investment will be well worth it.

Writing your life story requires bravery.

It's your only choice and chance to make your life what it should be.

Life's Condiments

Ketchup and mustard are tasty condiments, but they cannot compare with the extras the Universe have given us.

The world didn't have to contain birds, trees, flowers, music, or glorious sunrises.

But it does.

Did you ever wonder why?

These 'condiments' flavor our lives with beauty.

They inspire and motivate us.

They come alongside us as witnesses to the abundance of the world in which we live.

Write your life story in perfect confidence.

Like Change?

Most of us don't like things to change because we associate it with something bad.

And that's not good.

Or even true.

When a caterpillar changes into a butterfly, that's normal.

When the seasons change, that's good old science at work.

You may find your life changing as you write your story.

Don't resist the changes.

Embrace them and see where they take you.

Life isn't a force that is meant to hurt you; like the changes and write your story.

From Point A to Point B

Today you will go to work...school...the mall...or the bank. Or someplace else.

How will you get there?

By car, bus, or perhaps walking?

But that's only the physical part of the journey.

The process of going anywhere begins in the mind. 

You must first think of going to a certain place and then you think of the steps to get there.

And guess what? This method actually works.

Let's use it when we write our life stories.

Think of your destination-- your goals and dreams-- and plot a course.

Focus on where you want to go and you will get there.

Let the Cat Out of the Bag

The origin of the expression, "Let the cat out of the bag" is somewhat uncertain.

One theory is that unscrupulous sellers of pigs would swap a cat for a porker, placing it in a bag. The buyer would discover the trickery when he came home and let the cat out of the bag.

Interesting, yes, but probably not completely true.

Perhaps the only benefit that came from this expression is a reminder to buyers to check their purchases carefully.

When writing your life story, it's good to check the truth now and then too.

What's in your 'bag'? 

Do you believe you have the skills, resources, and confidence to write your life story?

Or have you substituted fear, uncertainty, and discouragement?

Don't get cheated out of the amazing life you should have.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

That's an interesting expression, isn't it?

The definition:

...to do something rather than just talk about it

How people spend their money is indicative of their true values and purpose.

But when writing your life story, money doesn't matter.

All you need is confidence.

And that's priceless.

Positioning Your Power

Have you ever lifted a refrigerator?

You could.

When we got a new one delivered, I was amazed that two men literally carried it in the house. They attached a lifting strap to each side of the refrigerator and were able to pick it up with apparent ease.

The straps probably weighed less than 5 pounds and the refrigerator was close to 300 pounds.

In life, when you align your purpose and power, you can do amazing things too.

The lifting straps aligned the deliverymen's strength and maximized it.

In life, your thoughts align your power and give you the ability to achieve your goals.

Think about it.

No Permission Needed

You don't need to ask anyone if you can pursue your goals and dreams.

You don't need to raise your hand and say, "I'm ready to start."

You just need to begin.

That's a very powerful and liberating thought, isn't it?

Tragedy and Triumph

What happened in Paris is a tragedy.

And it's also not the way life is supposed to be.

Focus not on the evil.

Focus on the outpouring of love and help that is directed to all the victims.

This tragedy will be a triumph in human compassion.

No one can take away our ability to love and hope.

No one.

Thinking of a Change?

Change happens when you agree to it.

Yes. You are in control.

I know that's hard to remember when there are days when life seems to spiral out of your grasp.

But you do control your life.

Every thought that you have is a potential action. You do not act upon anything unless the idea first comes into your mind.

Your life and the control you have originates in your thoughts.

Are you tired of the way things are going right now?

Think yourself out of those problems.

No, that doesn't mean you will magically make them disappear. It means that you are agreeing to a change.

And that change will happen because you want it.

Report Card Time?

Who is grading your life?

Who is telling you that you are doing a good job-- or not?

And why are you listening?

Are Realists Pessimists?

Does looking at life as a realist mean you only see the worst-case scenarios?

Is that what being a realist is all about?

Isn't is just as easy to look at life and see the best-case scenarios?

Sadly, we seem to be programmed to expect trouble and problems.

And guess what? We get them.

We find what we are looking for.

Change your view and see what happens.

Behind the Scenes

Isn't it frustrating when you don't see any results day after day?

But does that mean that nothing is happening?

Have you ever seen a chrysalis of a butterfly? That looks like a major fail.

Think about it: A caterpillar seemingly gets 'trapped' in this cocoon and nothing happens...for about two weeks.

Sometimes our lives are like the caterpillar stage, inching along.

Or worse-- they are like the chrysalis stage where it looks like absolutely nothing is happening.

But change does come.

Every butterfly you see is a testament of the power of time and circumstances to change your entire life.

Don't give up.

Just Dance

Writing your life story is a lot like dancing.

In a dance, your body moves in rhythm to the sounds you hear.

In life, you choose your steps according to your intuition.

Sometimes you may glissade, and take a small leap in a certain direction.

Perhaps you need to aplomb at certain moments and remain stationary.

Balancing, as in the releve movement, may be necessary as well.

But perhaps the best movement would be pas de bourree, where you transfer weight from one foot to the other to prepare for a leap.

Take the steps you need to write your life story.

Listen to the 'music' of your intuition.

Levels of Amazing?

Did you ever see a beautiful sunset and say it was amazing?

Have you ever seen a tiny hummingbird fluttering at high speed to drink nectar from a flower? Isn't that amazing?

Isn't it amazing that we can see, and hear, and think, and taste with our senses?

Being able to write your life story is also amazing.

To live successfully, happily, and to use all of your unique gifts to reach your goals is an amazing adventure that we are all enjoying.

We are surrounded by amazing things.

There is no limit or levels to amazing.

Write your life story.

Are You on the Wrong Path?

Most of us will admit that we fear doing the wrong thing, especially when it involves major life decisions.

On smaller levels throughout our days, there are very clear indicators when we do something wrong.

Not driving fast enough for the speed limit? Expect someone to blow the horn at you.

Got to work late? Expect your boss to reprimand you.

Been eating a lot of fatty foods? Expect your next blood test to show high cholesterol levels.

In our world, there are built-in ways that will tell us when we do something wrong.

But what about when we are writing our life stories?

Guess what? The Universe will tell you.

Are you experiencing any of these things regularly? If so, you may need to stop and think about your life choices.

Headaches

Unexpected bills

Stubbing your toe

Getting sick a lot

Losing things

Getting stuck in traffic

If the Universe is blowing its horn at you, listen.

You are meant to thrive and the very forces of the Universe will guide you to a happy and successful life.

Approval Ratings

If you're running for political office, you probably need to check your approval ratings. A lot.

But when you're writing your life story, whose approval do you need?

Don't look for applause or approval.

The Universe has already placed you in the top spot.

Live like you already won.

Because you did. 

Toast Without the Juice

Try using your toaster without plugging it into the outlet.

What do you get?

Bread. Soft, not toasted bread.

You know that you need to connect the toaster with the power source to be able to complete this task.

When you are writing your life story, you need to connect with the power source too.

And that power is you. 

In terms of energy, the human body has enough to keep the United States going for 16 years.

Here's the math on that:

For a 70 kilogram adult, we multiply  6.3 × 10¹⁸ joules by E=mc².

That's 6×10¹⁵ btu, or 1.7×10¹² kilowatt-hours.

You are powerful.

Plug into that power and write your life story.

You can't have toast without the 'juice' but you can live in success and abundance once you recognize the power within you.

Appearances

People see what they expect to see.

And often, we can steer people's expectations.

News anchors are a great example. We see them professionally dressed and coiffed and we assume that the words out of their mouths are true.

Surely, we say, anyone who looks like that must be smart and honest.

Okaaaaaay...

But what would happen if the dress code for news anchors became ripped jeans and a nose ring? Would they lose their credibility?

Today, I am giving you an observation that is true:

People become what you expect them to be.

And even more importantly, you become what you expect yourself to be.

Raise your expectations of other people and of yourself.

You will be happily surprised.

Hug a Tree Today

Have you ever hugged a tree?

If you didn't, why not?

In the book, Blinded by Science, author Matthew Silverstone scientifically proves that trees can improve your health. Hugging a tree, or at least being around trees, can help alleviate depression and stress, improve concentration, and even lessen headaches.

Don't worry what people will think of you hugging a tree; do it for yourself.

Just like writing your life story.

Accept each day as a gift to live your unique life.

And if you need some help, go find a tree to hug.

Fault or Responsibility?

Don't you hate it when something is your fault?

No one likes to be wrong and fix a mistake.

How do you feel when something is your responsibility?

Do you take on that task with pride, courage, and even joy?

Writing your life story is your responsibility.

Don't look at your life as something that needs to be fixed; you are not at fault.

Live like you're in charge.

NaNoWriMo

Did you sign up for NaNoWriMo?

Not sure what it is?

It's National Novel Writing Month.

Here's an explanation from their website.

"National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing. On November 1, participants begin working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 on November 30.

Sounds like fun, right?

Actually, it is an exciting event.

I bring this to your attention today because of the principle behind NaNoWriMo.

For one month, writers write. There is a word count and a deadline.

And writers show up. (I am!)

When you are writing your life story, use this same principle and show up.

(And if you sign up for NaNoWriMo, please let me know)