Are You Prepared For Success? (Installment #3)

If this is your first time on this site, please go to "Are You Prepared For Success?" (Introduction)

It's close to impossible to suddenly say "I can," and truly believe it, after years of saying "I can't!" To change an "I can't" attitude (mind-set) into an "I can" attitude is not a simple process of thought, like simply changing your mind. It is much, much more difficult than that. A mind-set can be hard to change.

Touch a thistle timidly, and it pricks you; grasp it boldly, and its spines crumble.

- William S. Halsey

The roots of old attitudes run deep.

The "I can't" or "I can, if" attitudes become more apparent when we face situations that involve risk; situations where the outcome is uncertain. Typical uncertain outcomes are success vs. failure, reward vs. loss, acceptance vs. rejections. The "I Can't" attitude is a fear of the risk of uncertainty; of not having the confidence to handle what ever may happen. The "if" in "I can, if" is if everything goes my way; if I pick the right lottery numbers; if my horse comes in; if the sun comes out...if, if, if. The definition of "if" is...on the condition that...therefore, "if" is based on a scenario that is dependent on conditions outside of our control. "If" is really the same as "I can't" with some rationalizations (excuses) so that we can avoid confronting the risk of uncertainty.

If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right.

-Mary Kay Ash

Two of but's dreariest friends, if only and try.

-Sally Kempton

Another learned attitude that many of us posses is that of the "victim". This also is a limiting and negative mind-set. In today's society, it seems that it is in vogue to blame somebody else for one's own situation. "Victimization" seems to be the word of the day. If we blame somebody else, it's no longer our fault...after all, we are the victims here, and we hve no responsibility for the way things may turn out.

Playing the victim is another way to avoid confronting the fear of risk. As victims, we feel that we have no control over our lives. Therefore, the predicament that we find our self in is someone else's fault, not ours. As a victim we feel powerless. This is another example of a self-limiting, negative attitude.

If you are a person who suffers from the "I can't" syndrome, the "victimization" syndrome or any other self-limiting attitudes...take heart…there is a reason why and there is a way out. Most of us, unfortunately, learn early in life that artificial limits have been placed on us by well-meaning, but limiting people. (This will be discussed in more detail a little later in the program.) We are usually well aware of these limits, and take these limits as our true limitations. However, we are usually unaware of their true origin and, likewise, unaware that these limits are actually false limits.

No one knows what he can do until he tries

-Pubilius Syrus, 1st century B.C..

Have you ever heard a parent talking to a child and saying something like: "You can't do anything right!" Now think of this statement being repeated to this child by his parent(s) thousands of times throughout his childhood. When this child grows into an adult, do you think there is a pretty good chance that this person has a message that plays and replays in his/her head something like, "I can't do anything right!"? Do you think that this is a real limit (a true, proven, limitation) or a false limit (a limitation that has never been actually tested)? Does this strike a cord in your own life?

"If..."

If a child lives with criticism,

He learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility,

He learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule,

He learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame,

He learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance,

He learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement,

He learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise,

He learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness,

He learns justice.

If a child lives with security,

He learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval,

He learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,

He learns to find love in the world.

-Dorothy Law Nolte

By Mel Kaye
Copyright © MondayMorningPower, All rights Reserved

Go to Installment #4

You Might Be a Redneck if….(51-75 of 299)

51	First 25 You take a fishing poll into Sea World.
52	You think a turtleneck is key ingredient for soup.
53	You've ever stood in line to have your picture taken with a freak of nature.
54	You think the French Riviera is foreign car.
55	You go to a stock car race and don't need a program.
56	You've ever filled your deer tag on the golf course.
57	you have ever used lard in bed.
58	you own more than 3 shirts with cut off sleeves.
59	you have ever spray-painted your girlfriends name on an overpass.
60	your lifetime goal is to own a fireworks stand.
61	someone asks to see your ID and you show them your belt buckle.
62	The primary color of your car is bondo.
63	directions to your house include "Turn off the paved road."
64	your dog and your wallet are both on a chain.
65	you owe the taxidermist more than your annual income.
66	you ever lost a tooth opening a beer bottle.
67	Jack Daniels puts you on their list of most admired people.
68	your wife's hairdo has ever been ruined by a ceiling fan.
69	you see no need to stop at a rest stop 'cause you have an empty milk jug
70	you consider the fifth grade your senior year.
71	you have a rag for a gas cap.
72	the dog can't watch you eat without gagging.
73	you have a hefty bag where the window of your car should be.
74	you have ever bar-b-qued Spam on the grill.
75	your brother-in-law is also your uncle.
	Thank you Jeff Foxworthy Next 25

You Might Be A Redneck If..... (26-50 of 299)

26	Your mother has "ammo" on her Christmas list.
27	Every socket in your house breaks a fire code.
28	You've totaled every car you've ever owned.
29	There are more than five McDonald's bags in your car.
30	The Home Shopping operator recognizes your voice.
31	There has ever been crime-scene tape on your bathroom door.
32	You've ever been kicked out of the zoo for heckling the monkeys.
33	The taillight covers of your car are made of red tape.
34	You think a subdivision is part of a math problem.
35	You've ever bathed with flea and tick soap.
36	You think "taking out the trash" means taking your in-laws to a movie.
37	You have every episode of Hee-Haw on tape.
38	You've ever been involved in a custody fight over a hunting dog.
39	You’re considered an expert on worm beds.
40	Your kids take a siphon hose to "Show and Tell."
41	The dog catcher calls for a backup unit when visiting your house.
42	You've ever bought a used cap.
43	Your CB antenna is a danger to low-flying planes.
44	You pick your teeth from a catalog.
45	You've ever financed a tattoo.
46	You've ever stolen toilet paper.
47	You think a hot tub is a stolen bathroom fixture.
48	People hear your car a long time before they see it.
49	The gas pedal on your car is shaped like a bare foot.
50	You prefer car keys to Q-tips.
	Next 25 Thank you Jeff Foxworth

You Might Be A Redneck If..... (1-25 of 299)

1. You think "loading the dishwasher" means getting your wife drunk.

2. You ever cut your grass and found a car.

3. You own a home that is mobile and 5 cars that aren't.

4. You think the stock market has a fence around it.

5. Your stereo speakers used to belong to the Drive-in Theater.

6. Your boat has not left the drive-way in 15 years.

7. You own a homemade fur coat.

8. Chiggers are included on your list of top 5 hygiene concerns.

9. You burn your yard rather than mow it.

10. Your wife has ever said, "Come move this transmission so I can take a bath"

11. You read the Auto Trader with a highlight pen.

12. The Salvation Army declines your mattress.

13. You've ever raked leaves in your kitchen.

14. Birds are attracted to your beard.

15. Your wife's job requires her to wear an orange vest.

16. You were shooting pool when any of your kids were born.

17. You have the local taxidermist's number on speed dial.

18. You've ever hit a deer with your car...deliberately.

19. Your school fight song was "Dueling Banjos".

20. You think a chain saw is a musical instrument.

21. You've ever given rat traps as gifts.

22. You clean your fingernails with a stick.

23. Your coffee table used to be a cable spool.

24. You keep a can of RAID on the kitchen table.

25. Your wife can climb a tree faster than your cat.

Next 25

Thank you Jeff Foxworthy

Are You Prepared For Success? (Installment #2)

The vast majority of us are not equipped (prepared) to pursue the same type of success that we read about. Therefore, not being truly prepared, our endeavors towards success would result in failure, if the pursuit of success was even attempted. The inability to succeed has been scripted for so many of us to such a degree that we won't even try. So, more than likely, failure, or feeling like a failure would be the natural outcome. This default resignation to failure could easily lead to depression. Also, believing that deep within that we are not worthy of success (to be discussed later), therefore we make no attempt at success. This could result in a prolonged depression.

The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.

-Frank Lloyd Wright

Action defeats depression

We all, pretty much, have the same wants and desires as the successful person. However, most of us have a great deal of difficulty making that jump from wanting success to having success. For most of us, there seems to be something missing.... an element that is essential for the attainment of success.

This missing element (essential factor), as most of these books either state or infer, is a winning attitude. That winning attitude is that we first, "truly believe" that we "can," then we "do;" a winning attitude combination for sure. This may seem over-simplistic, however, it is the essence of what makes a person successful.

Men who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those doing it.

-Chinese proverb

Do or do not. There is no try.

-Yoda

Can do..

-U.S. Navy Seabees

They can because they think they can.

-Virgil

The saddest aspect is that most of us never figure this out, and if we do, we don't know how to truly attain this attitude. We continue for the rest of our lives only existing. We dream and think about how it could be, not realizing that this is how it can be; we just dream our dreams without knowing that we can live our dreams.

Most people live their lives in quiet desperation

- H. Ross Perot

For of all sad words of tongue or pen,

The saddest are these: 'It might have been!

-John Greenleaf Whittier

I believe that there is a process that anyone can use; a process that will enable you to get from where you are now to where you need to be; a process that can prepare you (transition you) to succeed; a process that:

• will enable "non-believers" to cross over to the side of "true believers";
• will enable you to believe in yourself;
• will turn a loser into a winner;
• will turn failure into success;
• will turn your life around;
• will enable you, if you have the desire, to truly succeed;
• will enable you to make the successful connection between your emotions and your thoughts;
• will enable you to be bold, where you were once timid;
• will enable you to change your attitudes from negative to positive;
• will enable you to see and then seize opportunities.
• will enable you to get out of your own way

The enormous multiplication of books in every branch of knowledge is one of the greatest evils of this age...it presents one of the most serious obstacles to the acquisition of correct information, by throwing in the reader's way piles of lumber in which he must painfully grope for...scraps of useful matter...

-Edgar Allen Poe

There is no security on this earth, there is only opportunity

- General Douglas MacArthur

By Mel Kaye
Copyright © MondayMorningPower, All rights Reserved

Go to Installment #3

Are You Prepared For Success? (Insallment #1)

If this is your first time on this site, please go to "Are You Prepared For Success? (Introduction)

“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe it can achieve.”

-Napoleon Hill

“Just Do It.”

-Nike

“Never give in, Never, Never, Never, Never.”

-Sir Winston Churchill

Above are some of the more famous success based quotes prevalent in society today. They represent a few of the basic attitudes (winning attitudes) that need to become part of us (second nature) in order for true success to be attained. Most people, deep down, know this to be true. Winning, positive attitudes go hand-in-hand with success. However, - just knowing that positive attitudes are essential to success - will not guarantee success. Knowing, understanding and owning winning, positive attitudes (making them ours - as if we actually gave birth to them) is what's essential to attaining lasting success.

Losers visualize the penalties of failure. Winners visualize the rewards of success.

-Dr. Rob Gilbert

The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.

-William James

We are constantly being exposed to quotes, clichés and sayings that reflect differing attitudes, some of them winning attitudes. Unfortunately we are also exposed to quotes with no value, or worse with negative value, that reflect losing attitudes. There are no "cliché monitors" in life. This is a function that we all have to develop internally.

"Opportunity only knocks once." This is a prime example of a totally and absolutely false message that is contained within a cliché that a lot of us take as truth. The implication of this statement is if we don't recognize an opportunity when it appears, we will never have another chance at opportunity. This is a loser's attitude. If we have winning attitudes, positive attitudes, we will make our own opportunities. We will be able to create opportunities out of most all situations, including miss-fortune. Opportunities can be disguised as obstacles, problems or just every day routines that we never really looked too closely at before. With the right frame of mind (attitude), opportunities will reveal themselves to us, no matter how they may be disguised.

Opportunity.....Often it comes disguised in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat.

-Napoleon Hill

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

-Albert Einstein

How, then, are we to separate the winning attitudes from the losing attitudes? When we are able to separate them, how do we understand, take ownership of, and implement the positive winning attitudes that are reflected by these positive quotes?

It is better to never have tried anything than to have tried something and failed.

-motto of jerks, weenies and losers everywhere

Also, why is it that only a small percentage of people actually achieve success when we are constantly exposed to these positive, motivating and inspirational messages carried within these quotes?

There have been thousands of How To Succeed Books and biographies of successful people written over the years. We can find these books everywhere...in all the libraries, book stores and on the Internet. They all have their own formulas for attaining ultimate success, financial independence, becoming our own boss and living our dreams! These books are very stimulating and easily fuel our fires of desire. For most of us, these books paint a picture of the other side; of what others have attained, of what we don't have, of what we want but feel that we can never have. Why do we feel that we can never attain success, that it is out of our reach?

By Mel Kaye

Copyright © MondayMorningPower, All rights Reserved

Go to Installment #2

Wisdom of Larry, the Cable Guy

1. A day without sunshine is like night.

2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.

3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.

6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.

9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.

10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.

13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.

14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?

15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines

19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?

20. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, "What the hell happened?"

22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.

23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.

Unexpected Surprises

I will be reprinting stories that show how we can take control over the unexpected occurrences in our lives by continuously having the "right" attitude. Following is such a story: (Please feel free to submit such examples to me for reprinting. If you have a URL I will link your story back to your site as long as it does not have any inappropriate material or is overly commercial in scope.)

Positive out look in life is essential for greater joy in life. It's like taking our blinder off. We have choices in every situation in our lives. We can let these choices destroy or strengthen us.

Just four days ago I had a very unexpected surprise in my life. My husband and I were at the Emergency room with our very sick seven year old at 3:30 AM. We really didn't know what she had. To our surprise we were told she has Type 1 diabetes. Diabetes had never crossed our mind.

We were so thrown off guard! I knew almost nothing about diabetes other than that diabetics have to inject themselves with insulin and they can't have sugar or very little of it.

I have a passion for learning but to learn about diabetes was not one of those things I had planned to learn so soon. But these past four days I have learned what diabetes is, the two types of diabetes, how to take care of someone with diabetes, how to take glucose count, the symptoms of diabetes, how to administer insulin, learn the ratio of insulin to carbs intake.... etc. Does the knowledge of our seven year old having Type 1 effected us? Absolutely! It will effect us financially, the way we eat , the we cook, our schedules... and in everything!

I figured we have two choices. We could look at it as the most unfortunate thing that could happen to us or be grateful that we live in a time where technology is so incredibly advance and we are not alone. I take the latter! Like the saying goes, "When we are given lemons, make lemonade." Yes we were shocked but it has been an incredible four days for us to learn how we can best help our daughter to live a life of health and vigor with her condition.

It is a choice we make to let those "Unexpected Surprises" either to let them destroy us or let it become a strength to us. Life is too short , so why not make the very best of it no matter what unexpected surprises comes your way!

About Author, Swee Smith…..A mother of six beautiful children and two precious grad children. I love life! Water aerobics is my favorite exercise. One of my passion is helping others arm themselves with the proper information and guidance that they may make the necessary changes in their lives that they may take their health to the next level. I take charge of my health. "We can't Prevent Aging, but we CAN prevent Feeling Old." I am the owner of http://www.officialhealthwealth.com/

The Rain Will Fall

A soft wet mist engulfs the city

As a blue sky fades into a sad shade of gray.

A dark and dreary rain descends

As the sun successfully hides from the day.

The wind howls like a wounded beast

As it swoops down with its twists and its swirls

Leading dead leaves in a frantic dance

And so another day unfurls.

The cold clammy fingers of the day overcomes you

As your happy dreams sadly fade away.

Your life seems so very dark and dreary

As you hopelessly try to hide from the day.

Your thoughts reach out for a shapeless past

As you retrace your life's twists and turns

In your frantic search to find yourself

Your day begins and your heart still yearns.

Be still, take heart, reflect a while.

For soon this will pass and then you will know

That behind that tragic mask you wear,

As behind the wind, the cold and the snow

That the sun still shines and the birds still sing.

For this sadness you feel befalls us all.

No one, as yet has lived untouched,

Because into each life some rain must fall.

An Original Poem by Mel Kaye
Copyright © MondayMorningPower, All rights Reserved

It Brings Down The Great

Ominous and powerful, it brings down the great.

No ones immune, it doesn't discriminate.

It can't be held and it can't be seen.

But it leaves devastation wherever it's been.

Oh, the accolades you could have had

For all those accomplishments you wanted so bad.

But you let it in and you gave it life,

And it cut you down as if using a knife.

You knew what you wanted. You knew what to do.

Nothing could stop you, nothing, thought you.

Then you planted the seed and it grew so tall.

Nothing could stop it, nothing at all.

It grew stronger and stronger each and every day.

It destroyed everything that got in its way.

You cursed the day you gave it a name.

You tried to fight back, but in it came.

It consumed all it touched, even your dreams.

It left nothing behind, not even your screams.

And now that you know, you just want to shout,

"Don't ever give in to those first strands of doubt."

An Original poem by me, Mel Kaye

Copyright © MondayMorningPower, All rights Reserved

Positive Thinking Article Summaries & References

Want to be Happier?

Researchers at the University of Southampton in the UK have found that reflecting on happy memories for just 20 minutes a day are more cheerful. Writing about happy memories also improves self esteem, according to studies by psychologist Tim Wildschut. (Krakovsky 2006) Think happy, be happy—just another reason to remain positive and optimistic.

Positive thinking linked to immune response
Melissa Rosenkranz and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin published findings in the Proceedings of the national Academy of Sciences, according to Eric Strand writing for Psychology Today, that show weak immune responses in the "face of negative emotions." The impaired immune response was only present when experimental subjects were given the task of writing about emotionally negative or disturbing moments in their lives. (Strand 2003)

Lung ills linked to thoughts of self-harm
According to the reports of a team of researchers led by Renee D. Goodwin of Columbia University, thoughts of suicide and self-harm are held far more often by sufferers of lung disorders, such as asthma, than by people treated for other physical illnesses. (Bower 2003) The mind/body connection cannot be ignored. Pythagoras said, "Above all else, know thyself." We believe that you cannot know yourself until you accept, embrace and love your true self! This much is for sure, loving yourself is definitely connected with health, happiness and longevity.

Living with an attitude
The headline read, "Staying Alive with Attitude" and the article detailed the findings of Yale University psychologist, Becca R. Levy. Scientific data demonstrated the powerful influence of attitude on life expectancy….surprise, surprise. Subjects with a positive attitude and outlook about aging outlived those with a dim view on life as a senior by 7 1/2 years. According to Levy, "These individuals positive self-perception prolonged their lives." (Bower 2002)

The bright side of things
New research by Deborah D. Danner supports a growing body of research that shows how important attitude is to health and longevity. Danner of the University of Kentucky in Lexington and her colleagues, who published their findings in the May Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, demonstrated evidence that "expressing happiness, interest, love and other positive feelings enhances physical health."

Attitude Determines Attitude

A poem by an unknown author:

ATTITUDE DETERMINES ATTITUDE

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight.

I have responsibilities to fulfill today.

I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!

Have a Great Day ... Unless you have other plans.

Happiness Is a Decision; Choose to be Happy

By Mel Kaye

Everything depends on your attitude, even happiness. Attitude is the underlying force in your life. Everything we do and everything we feel are both decisions and choices that affect our attitude. At any point during the day we “decide” based on our available “choices” what happens next. Happiness is no different. It sounds trite, I know, but you can decide at any time to choose to be happy or to choose to be unhappy.

As an example; you are excited about a day of outdoors activity, but it rains. At this point you have choices: You can choose to be miserable and unhappy all day for the anticipated pleasure that is lost; or you can choose to look at the rainbow and marvel at its beauty; you can choose to read and enjoy a good book; you can choose go see a movie; you can choose to be with your significant other and be thankful for their presence; you can choose to create something; you fill in the choice……or you can choose to be miserable. It really is up to you. You must learn to let go of disappointments (a topic to be covered in a later post.)

I believe in simplicity which is why I won’t go into a long essay on the subject. As reinforcement, I have put forth quotes that, in different ways, say the same thing: Happiness is a decision and a matter of the attitude you choose to have.

Read the following quotes. Take the the ones that feel right to you and right them down. The act of writing helps commit them to memory and make them yours. Paste them up on your bathroom mirror or on your fridge. Put them where you can see them and continuously be reminded of them. As in my post "Are You A Monday Morning Winner," you must train your mind as you would your muscles. Repeat the quotes until they become part of you; until they become part of your Attitude, The Ultimate Power.

QUOTES:
"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."
Martha Washington

"Happiness is not by chance, but by choice."
Jim Rohn

"Be happy while you’re living, for you’re a long time dead."
Scottish Proverb

"Happiness is not a matter of good fortune or worldly possessions. It's a mental attitude. It comes from appreciating what we have, instead of being miserable about what we don't have. It's so simple—yet so hard for the human mind to comprehend."
Bits and Pieces

"Happiness lies in our own backyard, but it’s probably well hidden by crabgrass."
Dell Crossword Puzzles

"All the happiness you ever find lies in you."
Anonymous

"For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness."
Anonymous

"Happiness is like jam. You can't spread even a little without getting some on yourself."
Anonymous

"Happiness is the art of never holding in your mind the memory of any unpleasant thing that has passed."
Anonymous

"He alone is the happy man who has learned to extract happiness not from ideal conditions but from actual ones about him."
Anonymous

"Much happiness is overlooked because it doesn’t cost anything."
Anonymous

"Some people cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go."
Anonymous

"Some pursue happiness — others create it."
Anonymous

"Sometimes we miss happiness by looking too far for things nearby."
Anonymous

"Stop searching. Happiness is right next to you."
Anonymous

"Most people would rather be certain they’re miserable, than risk being happy."
Dr. Robert Anthony

"Happiness depends upon ourselves."
Aristotle

"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking."
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

"The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it."
Richard David Bach

"You can make yourself happy or miserable — it's the same amount of effort."
Ray Bradbury

"Remember happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely on what you think."
Dale Carnegie

"Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get."
Dale Carnegie

"The office of government is not to confer happiness, but to give men the opportunity to work out happiness for themselves."
William Emery Channing

"In our daily lives, we must see
That it is not happiness that makes us grateful,
But the gratefulness that makes us happy."
Albert Clarke

"The purpose of our lives is to be happy."
Dalai Lama

"A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes."
Hugh Downs

"The gift of happiness belongs to those who unwrap it."
Andrew Dunbar

"Happiness consists more in small conveniences of pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom to a man in the course of his life."
Benjamin Franklin

"The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself."
Benjamin Franklin

"Happiness is a man’s greatest achievement; it is the response of his total personality to a productive orientation toward himself and the world outside."
Erich Fromm

"Happiness is not a destination. It is a method of life."
Burton Hills

"Happiness doesn’t depend on what we have, but it does depend on how we feel towards what we have. We can be happy with little and miserable with much."
W. D. Hoard

"The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness."
Eric Hoffer

"The happiest people seem to be those who have no particular reason for being happy except that they are so."
Dr. David Ralph Inge

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."
Helen Keller

"If life gives you a lemon, make lemonade."
Anonymous

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Awaken The Sleeping Attitude Within You.

Another interesting article on Attitude.

Awaken The Sleeping Attitude Within You.

---

by Richard Vegas

I have made the statement numerous times that; "You are the most important living person." Take some time and think about yourself. Look at yourself in the mirror and see how long you can stare without walking away. If less than five minutes, then you need an attitude adjustment.

One In A Million.

Think about it, in all of history there has never been another person exactly like you. That's scary. No, I'm just kidding. You are very unique, you are very personal, and you are very emotional. What makes you so unique? It's the sleeping giant that inhabits you.

Actually, you have two giants inside you and they are; your consciousness and sub-conscious. The conscious giant only benefits you when you are awake. The sub-conscious or the great sleeping giant is our 24/7 buddy.

What this means is; we are the product of our environment, our physical body, heredity, and our particular place in time and space. We have the power within us to harmonize with our entire environment and to direct our thoughts, and control our emotions which will ordain our destiny.

You Are A Mind With A Body.

Sounds like something from a Boris Korloff movie. But, that's exactly what we are. And, it is the greatest design in history. Our mind is made up of these two giant powers that are designed to work in harmony with all the elements of our environment.

The problem is; when these two powers inside of us are not working harmoniously together, we experience frustration and anxiety. The conscious mind is always trying to be the bully and have his way. The sub-conscious is a quiet gentleman and always trying through very soft urgings, to get us to listen to him.

Well, what do we do? The best answer is to pay attention to both, and not do anything wrong. Yeah, right. Seriously, your body can't do anything without your conscious mind having first set the stage, so, the most important thing is to listen to both and then take action.

As the movement takes place, circumstances and results, or the lack of, will tend to direct our decisions from there. As more information is gathered we will be more certain of whether we have made the right move. If not, make adjustments in our actions.

The Burning Question.

The problem is; we know how to listen to our conscious mind, but, most of the time, we don't know how to listen to our sub-conscious mind. And, it's the sub-conscious, where the giant sleeping attitude is formed that drives the action. And, without the right attitude behind the action, you'll be a few fries short of a happy meal.

The sub-conscious is the emotional powerhouse behind whatever we do. Remember, emotions are just "feelings"; the way you "feel" about something. The sub-conscious can make our actions feel like we're riding on a cloud, or gritting our teeth through the whole ordeal.

We have all done things that we did joyfully, and we have all done things that just chapped our rear.

Get To The Bottom Of It.

Well, what was the reason we got so chapped on one and did the other so happily? Was it the "act" itself? Nope, the action itself had nothing to do with it. For every action you hate, I'll bet we can find someone that loves it.

What happened was, and this is a simplified example; the conscious mind makes the decision we must do something. Then the sub-conscious tells us how to feel when we do it. Now, here is where the war begins.

The conscious mind does not like unpleasant feelings. And, the conscious mind gets all bent out of shape when the sub-conscious serves us up a platter of ugly feelings. Then our conscious mind gets angry and blames the job or "action" we're performing. So, we conclude, we don't like this activity. It's not the action, it's the feeling we don't like.

Not To Mince Matters.

But, the sub-conscious mind couldn't care less. After all, it never gets blamed for anything. It is just doing what it has been previously programmed to do. So "we", being the mind with a body, think it's the "action" that is disgusting.

So, we grit our teeth and do the unpleasant action; All the time thinking I detest having to do this. No, it's not the action you detest, it's the feeling you don't want. Remember, somewhere, somebody, would love to do it.

I know what you're thinking, so let them do it. Well, that's a possibility, if you can find someone who will do it for you. But, if you can't, you only have two choices. Either do it grudgingly, or "reframe" the action in your sub-conscious so the next time it will serve up a platter of happy feelings. The sub-conscious doesn't care.

The Door Of Opportunity.

How do I reframe this idea in my sub-conscious? I'm glad you asked. One good way is to look for someone who likes doing this and ask them; what is it they like about this action? If you can't find someone, then use a daily affirmation to convince the sub-conscious to feel positive emotions and send those emotions to the conscious.

Example: I love "whatever". And, from now on I will feel happy and energized when I do it. And, every time I think about "whatever", positive emotions will become permanent in my mind. Do not say things like this; I will "not" feel ugly, bad, depressed, etc. . . The sub-conscious tends to ignore the "negatives" and then reframes and reinforces the rest of the affirmation.

Now beware, the sub-conscious is not going to serve up a dose of positive emotions on day one and make you feel like tip-toeing through the tulips. By the same token, it will not refuse to change either. It just has to be persuaded convincingly that the conscious mind wants to feel differently. And, depending on how much you really detest this action, could take varying amounts of time to change it.

Most any emotion can be changed in thirty days with this affirmation technique. It is amazing, but you can actually love something thirty days from now that you detest today. Don't tell me you don't believe it, because I'll bet there is someone reading this that never thought they would love vegetables. When I was a kid I thought I would live off hamburgers the rest of my life.

Egg On My Face.

Why, I used to cuss vegetables. I thought they were a Chinese conspiracy sent over here to make Kudzu vines grow in my belly. And, wouldn't you know it, today, I'm a vegetarian. Go figure.

Richard Vegas ©