Some change is wonderful or exciting. Other change is dreadful or painful. Change will continue to be there regardless of how we see it.
Change just is. We give the change its meaning. We can also adjust what meaning we give to the change. Do try to make it more positive. It can be very hard. But if you do this, it can have a positive impact. It will take time and repeated effort and brain training. It will be worth it though.
Look around your home, office, local area and even new places too. Be curious. See everything with new eyes and possibilities.
You may have kept things a certain way for years but your tastes may have changed or your interests are different. Look around and see every single item and decide if it still brings you pure joy or if it is practical in a required way.
If not, it is time to remove that item and give it to charity, sell it or bin it.
Spring cleaning is what some people call it at this time of year. Regardless of the name, take action!
Do you read something and assume it’s all true or do you mull it over? Think things through from both sides, even if it makes you uncomfortable to consider opposing or alternative thoughts.
We may not always like the truth but the truth will set you free.
Some people say that God doesn’t give you anything you can’t handle. It’s a great statement, whether you believe in God or not.
If you live by that idea, you’ll always believe you can handle anything that comes your way. Then, almost always, with a good perspective, that will be true.
It may get mighty uncomfortable at times, and for far longer than you’d like to endure. However, if you know you’ll be able to handle it and the darkness won’t last forever, you’ll know there is light at the end of the tunnel and make it through.
Retire as early as you can, some people say. Others say never retire at all. Who do you believe? Often both sides will have good points.
Live for the moment versus have a 50 year plan, is another conflicting message.
Write out the pros and cons and see which idea works best for you while limiting the downside. Then follow that route while frequently testing that it is still the best route.
25 years of marriage, a special birthday, completing a marathon or simply getting through another 24 hours without a drink, are all great reasons to celebrate, reflect, pat yourself on the shoulder or be happy within yourself.
When is your next important milestone?
Each time we start something we are best to finish it or cancel it. We need to close the open loop.
You see, when you start a conversation, a project, a task or even an idea in your head, you open a loop. Your mind will keep coming back to this loop until it is closed in some way – completed, cancelled, accepted.
This revisiting of these open loops can drain you of energy and decision making power. That is not good. It leaves less energy for current important things. So every time you can, Close an open loop. You’ll feel lighter and be more effective.
Phone a friend. Help someone cross the street. Help lift a baby carriage or pram. Fill a car with petrol. Give a compliment. Send them a message or write them a card. Send flowers.
It doesn’t need to cost anything or much but it could mean the world to that person. Practice kindness every day.
Many people will say different things. Hear them. Weigh their words. But what is the sense in your gut? Many people get things wrong, even if they are experts. You must question and get second or third opinions.
We tell people what is important for us about the other person. We do not describe the other person in an unbiased way. We describe them based on our bias and what we want to convey.
So when news reports come out, be sceptical about why the reporter is using those words and in that order. What picture are they painting and why?
When a friend describes another friend, where are they positioning them in your mind?
If you liked Margaret Thatcher, you might describe her as a strong woman, the Iron Lady, who rose from humble beginnings, with a common background, to the halls of power. If you were less of a fan you might just say she was anti-union and destroyed coal mining in the UK.
Both are descriptions that people could use about the same person. So we don’t simply describe the other person, we describe the characteristics that we want to highlight about the other person. So why did we choose those specific highlights?
