Less Attitude, More Gratitude

Hello my dear readers!

Today I found myself beginning to throw a pity party despite my best efforts not to.  I woke up with prayer and positive vibes and what do you know? Before I even began the busiest part of my day, negativity started to creep in.  I shared some of these thoughts with a family member who listened briefly and then asked "What are you doing to better the situation?"  Don't you just love family members and friends who keep you in check? :-)  But it got me thinking on how easy it is to complain and complain while not trying as hard as we can be.  When it comes to the things I was complaining about, I have been trying and patience is half the battle.  However, if I look carefully, I haven't truly been devoting all of my resources and energy to making things better, so ultimately I could be doing a lot more.  There are many things in life that you can't control, require perseverance or are at times unfair.  However, what most motivational speakers and authors will tell you is that you must keep working harder.  It may seem like you have to work so much harder than others and maybe you do, maybe you don't.  In any event, you've got to work to enhance that which you can control!

So what can one do to better a situation?  Every case is different but I think my points below best refer to working towards a goal.

1) Go all in-  It sounds simple and it should be but believe me it's not so easy!  Whether it's the new gig you want, the healthy lifestyle/image you want, or whatever, you truly have to work hard.  I've been reading blogs and articles of people who've attained things that I dream of and the number one thing they had in common?  They were relentless in going for it.  For example, if you want to make a dream your lifestyle, you can't just wish for it or put some energy into it, you've go to go all in!  That may require some creativity but you just have to be willing to work hard and for a long period of time.  Nothing worthwhile comes in a day!

2) Be patient- Whoever said that patience is a virtue was not joking!  Doors close and they remain closed and sometimes it doesn't make sense for a long time, if at all.  Through it all, exercise trust that your good intentions will be rewarded and remain calm.  Brighter days will come!


3) Have gratitude-  Being thankful for what you do have while working towards what you want can be challenging.  However, I believe that appreciation spawns better energy and greater opportunities.  If you sulk and complain daily, you are not only putting out negative vibes but you're likely also stressing and affecting your health negatively. 

I hope this helps!  Remember, it's impossible not to complain or feel bad when things don't go right.  It's natural.  The point is don't stay there!

Keep Calm...

Calm (noun)-  a quiet and peaceful state or condition;  a peaceful mental or emotional state (from the Merriam-Webster dictionary)

 

Calm (adjective)- not angry, upset, excited (from the Merriam-Webster dictionary)

 

 

Because sometimes it's just that simple.  No big production or show necessary. When tested by tough situations in life, just keep calm and carry on. Heartbreak, disrespect, rejection, sadness--everyone has been there and you can pull through.  Life goes on and if you live with good intentions, I believe that one day you'll receive all of that love and goodness back.  In light of recent news around the globe, people are in ever need of more healing and love and less panic and stress.  Keep calm and carry on!

As the late (and very great) Nelson Mandela said, "A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."  So stay resilient, classy and calm, my friends!



Y'all know I love music...here's one of my favorites from Ms. India.Arie.  The music in this song is just so soothing and the lyrics are inspirational.  Enjoy!

Breakaway

"If you don't like something, change it.  If you can't change it, change your attitude." -Maya Angelou

As I continue to grow and get older in life, I’ve been feeling this feeling that I just want to do more.  I’m realizing more of my passions- world travel, fitness, and writing but I want to do more than fulfill my own life’s pleasure.  I have many talents (and this is not a statement out of conceit- rather confidence in and thankfulness for the abilities God has given) and I want to use those to help and uplift others in a more direct way.  But even when you have a vision, the opportunity is not always there.  What if you want to live a life of simplicity but the complexities of life won't let you?  What do you do during those times?  Well for me, it’s prayer for not only the opportunity to come but also the wisdom to recognize it and make smart decisions.  It’s also patience and optimism even when I feel like I want to give up.  Believe me, it’s not easy, as I’m currently going through this phase in a couple areas of my life now. As I type.  But what helps me is to think about what complaining does versus what being hopeful does.  Complaining brings about stress which leads to a host of health issues and a general negative outlook.  Being hopeful, on the other hand, allows you to go through life appreciating the good things that ARE happening and feeling a bit more inspired.

So to follow Ms. Angelou’s wise words, today I choose a positive attitude even in the moments where I feel like walking away and giving up on certain situations.  Despite the fact that I can't instantly change the aspects that are frustrating.  Every day may not be perfect but every moment that we are alive and able to is.  Remember that! :-)

As a pick me up, I continually jam out to Pharrell’s “Happy” video.  If you're a regular reader, I hope you're not tired of it :-)  Here’s one of my favorite global versions of this amazing song from one of my favorite cities: PARIS! Smile

The Cinderella Story

I am writing this on a snowy, icy morning that has left almost all school districts and governments closed. It's March 3rd, winter, it's time for you to gracefully bow out and allow spring to make her proper entry.  At this point, everyone around here is generally over it!  Log on to Twitter for all the many hashtags (#SNOverit is one of my favorites).  Anyway, knowing that I didn't have to wake up as early for work commute allowed me to watch the 86th Academy Awards (#Oscars2014).  Normally, I don't watch the show, just certain categories because it's typically boring.  With Ellen DeGeneres hosting and knowing that Pharrell would sing my favorite song "Happy", I just had to watch!  Overall, I thought the show was good, albeit long, with lots of wonderful fashion  and heartfelt acceptance speeches.

Gorgeous in Prada!  Lovely Lupita, our Cinderella!

On the subject of heartfelt speeches, what about Lupita Nyong'o?!  Our Academy Award winner for Best Actress is a Supporting Role for her performance in "12 Years a Slave."  She is just class personified.  And while the majority of people show her love (which I love!), I'm sure she has the usual detractors who think her rise is all "hype".  Well, as you can already tell, I totally disagree! People often think that a Cinderella story is a fairy tale but if you recall, Cinderella went through a lot of turmoil before that chance encounter which transformed her life into a fairytale.  So even though stories have a wonderful ending, there's often a struggle to get to that point.  When I look at my own life, I know that if I were to reach a very high point, the peak if you will, it will NOT be without the struggle.  Rejection, failed attempts, loss of self-esteem at times, you name it!  But all of those hard times will make it that much sweeter.  Lupita's story is so inspiring to me as a whole and I love that she's remained humble, sincere, and graceful.  Her story doesn't end with the Academy Award and all of acclaim, that's just an affirmation of all the work and struggles she faced.  Her talent, perseverance, and pursuit of her dream led to this moment.  So let her shine!  For it is well-deserved!  To quote Lupita's speech "No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid."  That's right!  Circumstance doesn't have to determine your ultimate outcome.  Keep aspiring!

The dapper Mr. McConaughey!

My other favorite heartfelt speech came from Mr. Matthew McConaughey, winner of the Best Actor award for his performance in "Dallas Buyers Club".  Now Matthew was Matthew and it was totally awesome to see.  My highlight from his speech was when he named his 3 things to strive for:

• Something to look up to
• Something to come home to
• Something to chase after

What a great approach!  Everyone should have someone/thing that they draw inspiration from while on a quest.  You also need support, so family, love, and friendship will keep you grounded during the highs and lows.  That's what you should come home to.  Something to chase after, attainable goals and then more attainable goals!  You're not weak to lay roots down.  In fact, that makes you stronger and able to soar higher! I'll definitely be adopting this approach as I live life, go on new adventures, welcome new people and opportunities to my life.    All in all, an inspiring night.  Thank you, Academy!

Get Up!

Hey guys! It’s been a busy time within this past week. I attended my first professional seminar for work. It was a really awesome experience. I’ve done some development things in my professional life but never directly related to a field that I’m working in. The seminar was classroom format, the duration was for 2 days and the location was off-site (though only a train ride away) and I’d say it was just the change of pace I needed to get me recharged and even more enthusiastic with this field. I actually enjoyed the academic vibe, furiously taking notes and just being a student again.  Sometimes, in addition to receiving knowledge and guidance, we just need that affirmation that we’re doing something right. Mentoring can come in many ways, from someone well-seasoned or from your peers. I had the pleasure of both. Experience gives way to wisdom and we’re all living and on a journey. Identify the positive and sincere people in your life and embrace them! Learn from them! I strongly encourage everyone to seek out development opportunities, both professionally and personally, even if you’re not quite where you’d like to be. We all have potential to be great and no matter what age, learning and gaining new skills is key to that. You’ve got to go for what you want and I believe you can do so with integrity! And with networking and support. “So get up, don’t sit back…”

Below is one of my favorite, up-tempo encouragement songs (it includes the lyric I quoted above). Listen closely. Enjoy!

 

 

Go forth and be inspired!