Category: Gratitude

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Being The Very Best Matters

Posted on March 10, 2021

Or does it? It seems to me that it’s mostly big names that are featured in mainstream media articles and interviews. Being the very best matters, or at least that is the signal we send to our kids and everyone else.

I love reading about successful people. It’s always been an interest of mine. Discovering how people got to where they are and what adversity they had to overcome make the stories interesting.

And it is great to see the top people in the world. These people can inspire us, teach us and be great role models. Their success can rouse each new generation to ever greater achievements.

Though at what cost? Being the best and better than others is a worthy target. Though winning by nefarious means such as illegal drugs or other cheating methods is not acceptable. And the pressure to excel at younger ages, for longer periods, with higher risk of mental or physical strain may not serve our youth in the best way.

Is winning the gold or being the wealthiest, youngest, smartest person the only admirable aspect of life? Perhaps we could put more focus on the grind, the grit, the process or journey along the way.

We can learn a lot from everyday people. Many put in the same grind and process, albeit their outcome may not be at the top.

Being the very best matters. Or does it?

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CategoriesGratitudeObserveProgressReframe your thoughtsThink About It

How Much Is Enough?

Posted on March 9, 2021

We all start out looking for more. More air, food, water, sleep, stuff, etc. But we don’t always say what enough is. How much is enough?

Take, sleep, for example. How much sleep does one need? Many experts say 6-9 hours of sleep per night on average. But you might be chasing some amazing opportunities. Then your sleep time might go down to 2 or 3 hours per day. After a week like that, you might need a few days with 10 hours of sleep to catch up back to a normal equilibrium.

Money is a topic we discussed in a Clubhouse room on Monday. Often people will set a specific goal to achieve. But once achieved, people don’t always stop. People can get caught up in the chase and forget what they are even chasing.

If your goal is to earn $3 million, could you make $5 million? And if you can make that much, why not use those learned skills to earn more. Soon you could be on the treadmill of more more more and not stop to smell those roses.

It is a good idea to note, at the start, how much of something will be enough. Then you will know when you can let up on the chase and maybe broaden your focus.

How much is enough?

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CategoriesActionGratitudeObserveReframe your thoughts

Defining Yourself

Posted on March 8, 2021

This can be a little tricky. Though it does not have to be. We all carry around a view of ourselves. It may be accurate or not. Defining yourself, however, is happening by you and everyone else.

You define yourself as you think you are or how you wish to be. To make significant and long term changes, one usually needs to redefine who they are. It is one thing to stop smoking. It is another thing to think of yourself as a non-smoker. Without redefining who you are, the likelihood of this change remaining diminishes greatly.

You can practice ‘I am’ statements which help you reconfirm your thoughts. Like learning our times tables, we are creating a more powerful neural pathway that serves us better.

You should certainly try to improve your self image and your self esteem. Consider the amazing, confident you and all of your incredible success to date. Be bold with your praise and be clear with your affirmations. You need to hear this more than anything else in the spoken language.

No matter what you do, defining yourself based on someone else’s standards, starting point or success is not clever or helpful. Just be the best version of yourself every single day.

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CategoriesGratitudeObserveThink About ItTimeUncategorized

Sully Is A Great Movie

Posted on March 6, 2021

If you haven’t watched everything on Netflix, or every movie ever made by now, I highly recommend this one. Sully is a great movie.

On paper it looks good. It stars Tom Hanks, is directed and produced by Clint Eastwood and is based on actual events from January 2009. It is also 96 minutes long and made several shortlists as one of the top 10 movies of 2016.

We’ve watched this movie with our children who were 8, 10 and 12 at the time. We’ve now just watched it again at the suggestion of the now 11 and 13 year olds.

It’s very well done and a real joy to watch. I don’t watch many movies twice. But I know I will watch this one for a third some time in the future.

The movie has you thinking and cheering and feeling as if you were right there in so many scenes.

It is full of great lines and good lessons. It is thoughtful and funny too. The filming and sound are both great quality.

Even when you know how things turn out, from coverage or having seen the movie before, it is still gripping and enjoyable.

Sully is great movie. Go watch it now.

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CategoriesActionGratitudeObserveReframe your thoughtsTime

Saying Goodbye To Covid

Posted on March 5, 2021

So kids are heading back to school on Monday. Vaccine’s are rolling out. There is a plan to open back up. Saying goodbye to Covid is starting to feel more real today.

And there is a bit of melancholy that goes with that. Yes, that may seem a little odd for some. Though I imagine some others will recognise it too. As with all of life, it depends. It depends how it affected you and those around you. And it may not feel like it right now, but maybe when the hustle and bustle of the everyday is back, it will be more noticeable.

There has been time for other things. We have found new ways to do things. Alternate activities have emerged. Patience and greater understanding seem to have become greater priorities for many people. We’ve all changed a little.

I will miss having the kids at home for lunch. The calmer vibe of not having to race around will also be different. This does not necessarily mean better or worse. It is simply going to be different. Chats at home will be chats in the car on the way to sporting events. Scheduling will become a little more important.

Moments in time, good or bad, have a way of sticking with you. And I feel that end of an era (holiday, job, class, etc.) feeling.

Saying goodbye to Covid may be more difficult than it looks.

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CategoriesActionGratitudeHealth & FitnessObserve

Find Your Flow

Posted on March 3, 2021

What feels right for you? What could you do all the time and feel like it is your thing? You just need to find your flow.

I think most people have had the experience where they feel a part of something. We knew while it was happening that it was something we would love to carry on doing.

This doesn’t even need to be something we are good at either. Though, our feeling toward it suggests we would do it more often than not. And we know that greater exposure and practice will usually lead to improved ability.

So go find your mojo if you’ve lost it. Trace your steps back to your tweens and teens and see what you can find. What brings back the happiest memories? Or feelings of control, confidence or superpower? By exploring these childhood streams of consciousness, you will find what you are looking for.

Sometimes we bury these feelings because it doesn’t seem to be on the path for us. We might even pile twigs and leaves on top to make it hard to ever find again. But you can remove the debris and get the feelings back. You’ll be so glad you did.

Find your flow.

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CategoriesActionGratitudeObserveThink About It

Put That Can Back

Posted on February 24, 2021

The environment is an important topic for many. Yet often people will be discussing ways to reduce emissions while drinking. Put that can back! And that bottle of whatever.

People forget that the main cause of pollution and emissions is people consuming things. So look at what you are consuming and reflect on how things could be different.

I’m an advocate of being sensible and practical and reducing all unnecessary consumption. Every time we consume something, it creates a chain of events of disruption, pollutions and emissions. The can or bottle you are holding in your hand while at your own home is likely to be unnecessary.

When I am at home or in an office, I try to drink water from the tap. As much as I would like to have a different drink, I try to use the one that is contributing the least to greenhouse gases. This is often plain tap water.

No kettle required. No heat needed to boil water for a hot drink. It’s very simple. No machines created to dig up metals and minerals. Those materials then aren’t required to become cans or bottles. If they do, they are then filled, shipped and distributed locally. It feels like an awful lot of effort to get some flavoured water in you.

If you actually want to help reduce emissions, put that can back!

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CategoriesActionFinancialGratitudeTime

Stay Focused On Your Plan

Posted on February 21, 2021

There are two levels to this. We are able to spend our time in a variety of ways. Some good and some less so. Stay focused on your plan to progress your highest priorities.

It can be so easy to get distracted. And it can be easy enough to think there is nothing you can do for a situation. You might even think that you can do something but it might not truly progress your highest priorities. Make sure you play the best game possible and forget about the rest.

Should you spend your time and energy on arguing that someone has done something unjust? Or are you better to simply start making the situation better in any way that you can?

In addition, do you help someone because you can, or no one because none of the others get the benefit of your help? Should you help some children because you are able to? Or should you wait until you can help all children equally?

People tend to have thoughts like these everyday. Some will freeze and do nothing. Others will go off trying to change something in the past. Your highest priority, however, should be to stick to your vision and work towards that alone. Ignore the naysayers. Brush off the trolls and critics.

Stay focused on your plan.

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CategoriesActionGratitudeHealth & FitnessReframe your thoughtsWeightWeight loss

Keeping Fit Is Essential

Posted on February 20, 2021

There are a lot of reasons why you should want to be as fit as possible. From feeling better, moving well, and feeling confident, keeping fit is essential. At least it is for me.

Maybe growing up in a house with a type 1 diabetic, made me more aware of the role of food and exercise in our lives. Maybe my Dad’s high level of physical activity was a great role model for me. Eating healthy was important. Not paying attention to food and exercise and how it affects you was potentially lethal.

Food wasn’t simply an eat all you want, of any kind, until you’re bursting. And exercise was premeditated and planned. Training for the Montreal Marathon in the early 80’s could have been a disaster. However, thankfully it was not.

Keep fit by walking more, with a friend or with a podcast or audio book. Perhaps you could develop a love for running too. Clubhouse is also excellent to listen to, or even participate in, while being active. You could do 200 pushups a day as well.

But even more important than the exercise is your consumption. Learn to observe, investigate and monitor your food intake. Sleep is the other major challenge for many people. Getting enough sleep can be critical.

Keeping fit is essential. Don’t let your one and only body go to waste.

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CategoriesActionGratitudeProgressReframe your thoughtsTime

Keep The Faith

Posted on February 17, 2021

We will all find difficult moments in life. Sometimes the challenges seem too many and last too long. Keep the faith. Work towards a brighter future and as sure as winter turns to spring, things will improve.

Life can be tough. It sure can have its moments. Though sometimes these moments seem to drag on for a long while. On top of that, other elements combine to make it all seem even worse.

But when you are confident that better days are ahead, it fills you with the resilience you need to press on. Face the music and the brutal facts of reality and then imagine your way out and onto a better path.

You can lean on a family member or friend to help you through. And there are organisations out there that are set up for just this sort of thing. Make use of them. They were set up because the founder had probably been through life’s challenges too.

Focus on the positive. Reach out to family, friends or organisations. Know that time helps everything get better. Read books that are positive and useful. Set up your environment to win. Know that it will get better, especially if you work at improving your mind, body and soul.

Keep the faith. Sometimes it is all we have.

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