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Do You Love What You Do?

Do You Love What You Do?

I want you to stop and think a moment about this question………Do You Love What You Do?

I am not asking whether you love your job, or love being a parent or a partner, but “Do You Love What You Do, and the Person You are Everyday? Can you look in the mirror and smile at the person you are looking at?

You should… Because life is precious, and you’re literally trading your precious life for what you do–moment by moment, day by day, year by year.

Think about it…

If you are unhappy with the way you spend your days, what can you do?

Given where you are now, how much good can you create for yourself? It may not be practical to resign from your job at this moment, you may not suddenly have a housekeeper appear to help you with your workload at home, your ideal partner may not come knocking at your door, but ask yourself “What can I do EACH day to make a difference in my life?”

Successful people  know and live with this notion everyday. Walt Disney once said, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.” Walt Disney didn’t just say this one day and Disneyland appeared the next. He persevered, struggled, had set-backs, but he always, always kept his eyes on his goals and what he wanted to achieve. The most important thing Walt Disney did was to take action to create his dream. He didn’t just hope…or wish…..HE TOOK ACTION!

If you have a desire, the very fact that you have that desire means that you have the means to fulfill it. Everything in physical form was first a thought. Think back a few years, or maybe only a few months….what were some things you dreamed about doing, having, experiencing in your past that you have fulfilled now?

The Law of Vibration tells us, “What you think about, you bring about.” When you think positive thoughts, you attract positive people and circumstances to you. When you think negative thoughts, you attract negative people and circumstances. Like attracts like.

 

What do your thoughts say about you? More importantly what are your thoughts bringing to your life.? You may believe that your thoughts are private – that no-one else knows what you are thinking….the truth is no-one else needs to know what you are thinking – YOU DO, and with each of those persistent thoughts, you attract more of the same.

A scary thought?  Perhaps.

I believe it is empowering – knowing that I do have the ability to make changes in my life, step-by-step, day-by-day. In today’s “fast-filled” lifestyle where we expect everything should be available to us with a flick of a switch, it might be daunting to know that it may take longer than a day, or a week, or maybe even a year to bring about the changes you want in your life. But, each step is a step closer to where you want to be.

In life you are either moving forward or going backwards – you never remain static. Each step forward is progress. This is something you are doing for yourself, but the benefits will also be felt by those around you. With each step, look in the mirror, and think to yourself “I am proud of myself for doing this.”

How will this statement change your thought patterns, and more importantly what will it attract to your life?”

It just may set off a whole new chain reaction, and you may see your life in a whole new light.  While, it sounds good to say  only do what makes you happy, the reality is that in our society, we usually need to work. We all need to undertake things in our life that we may not particularly want to do. We obviously need to make money, and your job may not excite or even inspire you.

However, rather than focusing on what you don’t like about your job, what does it give you? Obviously you are paid, but what else? Does it give you personal contact with people, are you learning things from this job that can catapult you to the next step in your life? It is well worth the time to really think about this question.

It may not be your career that you would like to change – it doesn’t matter what your situation is – take a look at what you are focusing on……

Our reality is conceived by what we are prepared to look for. We only open our eyes to what we are looking for, and we hear what we are prepared to hear. Our reality is like a flashlight in a darkened room. Where we shine our light is our reality.

Imagine what we could see if we let the sun shine in to our darkened room. Why not open those curtains and let the light come in and open up a whole new world of possibilities? Who knows, you may find that

“You Really do Love What You Do”

Dec 9, 2013 By Food for Thought | 63 Comments

Rewards or Punishment?

Punishment or Rewards?

“In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments – there are consequences”. Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899)

For everything we do in life, there are consequences – not punishments, not rewards, but plain and simple….consequences.

These results may not be what we expect. How often have you heard these words…or possibly spoken them yourself? ……”I didn’t mean for it to turn out like this”, “It wasn’t my fault”, “I wanted so much more for my life” Our life’s outcomes are the consequences of the decisions made on a daily basis.

If we eat unhealthy foods on a regular basis, chances are that as we progress in life, we will have significant health issues. Type 2 diabetes is on the increase around the world and is the consequence of unhealthy choices in the food we eat.

You see a brand new outfit in the shop window, and just have to have it, even though you have bills to pay and you are already a bit short with this months budget. Never mind your inner voice may say….I can cut back on other expenses and everything will be fine. But what happens when you have an unexpected medical bill to pay or you have car problems that just have to be fixed….you have just added another few dollars to an already overused credit card.  The consequences………your cards are maxed out, you are paying more interest than you can afford, and the vicious cycle of debt, loan repayments and debt collectors commence.

This is not a post about making bad choices,and berating you for doing so……we have all made choices that in hindsight wish we hadn’t made. No, it is a wake up call that in all we do, in all we say, in all we feel…there are consequences.

These consequences can also be extremely positive.

By prioritizing and choosing to spend time with your loved ones building a loving, positive relationship at the expense of doing other things can build a platform of mutual trust and admiration. A pretty good consequence I believe! By choosing to eat healthy “real” foods rather than over-processed packaged empty calories, we increase the chances of living a relatively healthy lifestyle.

Which brings me to the most important part of this post, Whatever choices we make and whatever we do, know that there are consequences and own your choice. Take full responsibility for those consequences of that choice. If you choose to work towards a desired outcome rather than spend your time on other pursuits,  own that too – don’t kick yourself, or let others kick you, for your commitment.

Our lives do not come with an Instruction Manual – this is something which we need to write ourselves – our own choices, our own decisions and ultimately our own consequences!

I find this extremely liberating – knowing that my choices will bring about my consequences – even when I have made choices that, in hindsight, were not my best. We cannot continue to keep behaving and acting in the same way, and expect different consequences!

Choose your behavior and choose your outcome! Understanding that you can make new choices, and new actions which will bring about new consequences……very empowering. No matter what you do, remember: the choice is yours to make.

Enjoy your consequences!

 

Sep 4, 2012 By Food for Thought | 18 Comments

Are You At Peace Within Yourself?

Are You At Peace With Yourself?“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.” Peace Pilgrim

Are you always “at war” with others? Reacting to everything they say because you KNOW they are wrong. I do not mean the occasional disagreement – I am talking about a continuing and familiar pattern of disagreements with everyone – same arguments – different faces? You need to argue and prove your point, no matter what!

Ok – yes I am being a bit confronting – not an easy thing to look at, I agree. But, look at your history – is there a pattern of confrontation? What is the one consistent with these confrontations? ………..YOU!

This is not about blame – it is about finding peace within yourself. Once you have that, it really won’t matter to you what someone else says or does – you do not need to prove yourself or show the world that they have done wrong. When you have that peace, something miraculous will occur……you will be at peace with others as well. It doesn’t mean that you are best buddies, but the change is well worth the effort.

Aug 20, 2012 By Food for Thought | Leave a Comment

What does The Law of Attraction Mean to You?

What Does The Law of Attraction Mean?

“Law of Attraction” What do these words mean to you?

The Secret? Vibration? Magnetism? Thinking about what you want and leaving it to the Universe to deliver? Over-commercialized hype? I have heard it all – people believing that this is all there is to manifesting and those who believe that it is rubbish. Where do you sit on this topic?

To answer this question, here are my thoughts. How many of you have turned on a radio to a particular station? You turn on the switch and the station you have “tuned into” is heard across the speakers. A song comes on that you don’t particularly like – so you turn the dial to the right and suddenly another radio station is heard. Have you ever thought about how this is possible? When you turn on the radio – you hear the music or discussions that are on a particular frequency. You tune into the frequency that the radio station is relayed from.

Attracting what you want in your life is no different. By turning ourselves to the frequency of what we desire – we tune into that “station” and attract those frequencies to us. Be aware though, that attracting things into our life that we do not want is just as easy. It depends upon our focus. If you are tuned into negativity and focusing on what you do not want in your life – guess what……..this is what will be attracted to you.

Understand that this is not the same as “wishing” for things. People wish for things all the time. “I wish I had……” “I wish I was…….” “I wish…..” “I wish….” “I wish…….”  The difference between wishing and attraction is there is no energy with wishes. Energy works like a magnet and can attract or repel the outcomes to you. Most people wish for things, which  they never expect nor make any effort to obtain. “I want a new job, I want a new partner, I want a fit body.”  Wishing for these things will not occur without energy and action from you. Sounds good, but how do you do it?

The Law of Attraction states: I attract to myself, whatever I give my focus, attention, or energy to; whether wanted or unwanted. If you think about being broke, poor, lonely and believe your thoughts…….. guess what? That is exactly what you’ll be. This Law works when you want it to and when you don’t want it to.

Earl Nightingale said “As you move towards your goal, it moves towards you.”

Sitting on your couch and wishing for your life to change will not get you your desired outcomes if you are focusing on the areas in your life that you no longer want. Remember your thoughts have a frequency and you will attract to you what you are attuned to. Whatever we focus on, whatever we expect and think about, will tend to  bring into our lives the things and conditions that are in harmony with those thoughts. You have all heard the sayings “birds of a feather flock together” “if you want to soar with the eagles don’t fly with the turkeys” “like attracts like” Thoughts and actions of people attract and draw to them people of their own type and kind.

We create our own reality. We attract those things in our life (money, relationships, employment) that we focus on. When we focus on “having less” then we create that experience for ourselves. When we focus on “I hate my life” then we will never notice the aspects of our existence that may be satisfying. Wanting something isn’t going to bring our desires when we continue to obsess about not having that something. All we will experience is “not having” and will be ultimately blocking our true desires.

How do I use the Law of Attraction” to manifest the things I want in my life?

  1. Always remember that we operate like radio stations—broadcasting and receiving dependent upon our thoughts.
  2. To attract what we want in our lives ask yourself the question “what is it that I want? (Remember – not what you don’t want but what is the the outcome you will achieve)
  3. Be aware of the things you are currently interested in or the things you are currently spending your time doing.We may be so interested in things that are  not prosperous, happy and healthy that we pass by the very things we desire most. With our interests so focused in  seeing the lesser, either through habit or ignorance, we fail to attract the greater things that are all around us.
  4. What are you spending time doing?  Where our attention is focused will be what is continued to be attracted to our lives. When we direct our attention, this magnetizes our power of attraction which draws to us much of the same type as our thoughts. Where our attention is focused  that is what is drawn to us – whether success or failure.
  5. Attention with intensity. Expectation that what we are focusing on will manifest. “I will attract my ideal partner”……….but am I good enough – he would probably want someone more attractive than me” will not achieve your desired outcomes. Your expectation will intensify your interest and attention. If you want one thing but doubt that you will receive it – you frequency is diffused and you will attract those lesser thoughts.

This is my understanding of the Law of Attraction. Even though this is a topic which has been spoken about and written about so much in recent years and there is so much more that can be covered in this topic, I still believe there is some confusion and disbelief in this  subject. I would be interested in your thoughts.

Nov 20, 2011 By Food for Thought | 31 Comments

What Does It Take To Be Inspirational?

How Can I Be Inspirational to Myself?

What does it take to be an inspirational person? Is it someone who has lived through adversity and then come through their life with an amazing accomplishment? Is it someone who has had tragic circumstances rob them of a “normal” childhood? Or is it just someone who stands up more times than they have fallen down?

We can all be inspirational, not only to others, but more importantly to ourselves. Being inspirational is not doing the extraordinary things once in a while, but it is the activities, the words spoken, the actions taken on a day-to-day basis which is inspiring.

What does it take to be inspirational to yourself and others? It is quite easy to look at our “heroes” and adore them from afar for things they have achieved, whether that is on the sporting field, academically, spiritually or financially. What we don’t see or think about are the hardships and the toils, the decisions and the hardships along their way.

The same feelings we feel, the same doubts we have, the same roadblocks that we see, the inner voices we hear are there for everyone. The words, the sounds, the feelings are still there, but it is what we decide to do with them that matter. It is a decision we must all make. Do we give up and accept our life as it is, or do we get up and keep trying?

Hamilton Wright Mabie is quoted as saying “The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had means, time, influence and educational advantages; the question is what he will do with the things he has. The moment a person ceases to dream or to bemoan his lack of opportunities and resolutely looks his conditions in the face, and resolves to change them, he lays the corner-stone of a solid and honorable success”.

How do you start to be inspirational to yourself when you have never looked upon yourself in that way? What are some simple steps to start seeing yourself differently? Stand tall. Smile. Take on tasks energetically, look at what you are able to do with your life and circumstances rather than bemoaning your current circumstances, and most importantly take action.

Take responsibility for your own life. Rather than acting like every bad thing that has happened in your life is because of the actions or behaviors of others, step up and take ownership for the decisions and reactions you have taken. Have the courage to take on new and different actions, make new decisions, and walk a different path.

This is what it takes to be inspirational. The courage and bravery to get up one more time, to try something you have been previously fearful to undertake. It matters not whether you succeed the first time, or the 1000th time or not at all. What matters is the genuine attempt and perseverance to succeed and the manner you live your live. This is what inspiration is all about. Something we can all aspire to and become.

Sep 5, 2011 By Inspirational Stories | 10 Comments

What Can We Learn From Our Children?

What Can We Learn From Our Children?

“Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they’re looking for ideas” Paula Poundstone

Children have such wisdom. They see life in an uncomplicated manner, and ask the age old question “Why?” They don’t look for the reasons or excuses why they can’t do something – they are always searching for new and innovative ways to play, to learn and to grow.

When you ask a child what they want to be when they grow up there is a multitude of answers from an astronaut, to a fireman, to a doctor…..not once worrying about how they will become one of these things – just the determination and deep down belief  that they will.

When did we, as adults lose this faith in our own abilities….or have we just buried it deep within us?  As adults we can learn so much from children and probably need to ask ourselves on occasions “Why?”  Why am I feeling like this? Why am I in this situation? Why have I allowed myself to let this continue?

Whatever situation you find yourself in – whether you are happy or not – begin to think like a child. Decide what it is you want and continue asking the questions until you are moving towards your outcome. Why am I where I am right now…….and most importantly “How can I change things” and “What am I going to do to get it?”

One of the most important things we can learn from our children is joy of just being. Have you ever watched a young child spend time playing with their hands – looking at their fingers from all angles and laughing to themselves? Have we lost the child-like joy of enjoying what we have right now to play with and to learn from?

We may think of ourselves as the “grown-ups”, the teachers, the inspiration for our children – my challenge today is to become the student…..to learn and to grow as a child does. Keep asking the questions and never be afraid to learn your answers.

Aug 9, 2011 By Food for Thought | 35 Comments

How Do I Make Changes To My Life?

How Do I Make Changes To My Life?

Let me ask you a question. How many people could tie their shoelaces the first time they tried? I can remember when I first taught my children how to tie their shoes – it was around the time they started school. The look of concentration on their faces, as they remembered the way to get those loops in the right way. But once they truly got it, instead of concentrating as they tied their shoes, they could talk, laugh, read, any number of things at the same time. Does anyone remember a similar learning in their own lives?

The reason for this is that once the pattern of tying their shoes sunk into the subconscious level rather than them having to think about each step, they no longer had to concentrate on what they were doing. This is the same with all behaviors and habits. Once it sinks into your subconscious, you don’t think about doing it, you just do it. Therefore, in order to make changes in any area of your life, both the subconscious and conscious must be working together. Some of you may be saying that you have made a conscious decision to make changes in your life using your willpower without using this subconscious “stuff”. All I can say to that is that in order for the change to be long-lasting, both your conscious and subconscious must be working together.

How Do I Make Change Long lasting?

  • Make the decision – cut off from any other possibility. You don’t look back – only looking forward. The only person that can make this decision is you – not your spouse, your children, your family, your friends – only you can do it. Write it down – this creates clarity to what you are going to achieve
  • Commit to new path. You make this commitment to yourself that this is not something you will try -  YOU WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN. Nothing will stop you if you are truly committed
  • ACT – you must move. “Even if you are on the right track – you will get run over if you just sit there.” Move forward – someday never comes. Act today
  • FOCUS on what you want. Nothing is more motivating than focusing on the results that will come as you build your new habit into your life. The more often and deeply you can do this, the more motivation you will have. Imagine the rewards you are going to reap once your new habit has been formed. Think about the health benefits you are going to have with your new habit. These images will make your mind eager to adopt the new habit and hence it will be easier and faster to form the habit. Imagine yourself as already being exactly the person that you want to become in the future.  Remember, your subconscious mind is activated and programmed by mental pictures, sounds, feelings, smells and self talk.  If we took a smoker, trance work can help by changing your self-image into that of a non-smoker. A new, positive image is implanted into your subconscious (the first factor required – a decision — is imperative). Now your old feelings, attitudes and fixations about smoking have been dismissed. Perhaps you want to lose weight. You know all the reasons you should lose weight. You really want to get in better shape. You want to take better care of yourself. Make the suggestion to your subconscious that you don’t want to “lose weight” but “be healthy.” These are the “believable suggestions” at work. You are now focusing on what you want to gain, for instance, better health, self-esteem and vitality, rather than what you are “trying to give something up”.
  • CREATE a supportive environment – who we become is greatly influenced by the people in our lives. Surround yourself with people that will hold you to a high standard. If the new habit you are trying to develop is improving your fitness, don’t go for a 10 kilometre run if your joints hurt after every run. Instead try swimming, working out at the gym, walking in the park or anything else that is fun to follow and which will support you. Likewise, if you can’t stand the chickpea salad you are eating everyday for lunch because you think it is good for you, the chances of you continuing a healthy diet are remote.
  • Celebrate often – This one is critical and very often missed. Celebration keeps us excited and helps us reward ourselves for the work it takes to make a new habit stick. Celebrate the day you start, rather than concentrate on what you are giving up. Reward yourself for the beneficial changes you have made in your life.

Life is a celebration and far too short to spend days, weeks or even years lamenting what you “should do”. Start with your decision and ACT and welcome the world to the new YOU.

Apr 11, 2011 By Food for Thought | 28 Comments

What Other People Think of Me is None of My Business

women said, woman listening to gossip

Many people have told me over the course of my life that ““What other people think about you is none of your business.” Early in my life, and even in recent times, I had striven to be liked, to not upset people, to keep the peace, but I found all I managed to do was put myself in a twist trying to please everyone in all things.

When I  was first told this quote, “What Other People Think of me is None of my Business”, it was one of those light bulb moments. You know the one when it all seems so clear and simple. I realized in an instant that what people think about me,  truly isn’t about me. It is about them, not me. Their thoughts are not my business. It is theirs.I had been striving for the impossible. To always be thought of in the “right way” by other people. While it is “nice” to be highly thought of by others, I now understand that it is far more beneficial, and far more achievable to be highly thought of by myself.

Are you a people pleaser, but harbour deep felt resentment in doing so? It is impossible to make everyone happy with the choices we make. If you worry about getting everyone’s approval, you’d never get anywhere. If you let what others think of you become your business, it will consume all of your time and energy, draining you of the ability to move on in your life.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean being completely ignorant of others feelings, but rather their thoughts about you. You cannot change their mind by constantly worrying and stressing about what they think of you. What you can do, is be the person you are truly meant to be and feel comfortable with that. More than comfortable though, be the person that you want to spend your time with. Forget the thoughts about you from others and concentrate on the thoughts you have about yourself.

I have done a lot of  soul searching in recent years and have finally learned to accept and  love the person I am without having to put on any fronts. I no longer live my life based on what others might think of me, whether it be negative or positive. We all like to hear those positive thoughts from others, but remember that whatever the thoughts from others are, it “Is None of Our Business”. The words from others are useless unless we believe them to be true in our own hearts.

I originally wrote this article over a year ago. Recent events have highlighted what an important topic it still is to so many people around the world and I thought it was timely to re-post.

Enjoy, and remember “What Other People Think of Me is None of My Business” and in reality they probably have other things on their minds other than what you are doing :)

Mar 28, 2011 By Food for Thought | 130 Comments

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