Tag Archive for: Positive

Daily Positive Points

Today’s Message
We are not perfect, nor should we be. It seems like most of us focus more on our imperfections than the things we do well. It’s kind of like Monday’s message in that the more we focus on something negative, the easier it is to spiral out of control. Acknowledge the negative aspects about yourself but focus on the positive things you bring to the plate. And today, you are some kind of SA-WEET!

Today’s Quote
“Being at peace with ourselves is not about denying or rejecting any part of ourselves. On the contrary, in order to be at peace, we must be willing and able to hold ourselves, in all our complexity, in a full embrace that excludes nothing. This is perhaps the most difficult part for many of us, because we want so much to disown the negative aspects of our humanity. Ironically, though, true peace begins with a willingness to take responsibility for our humanity so that we might ultimately transform it in the light of our love.” Learning to Live (Madisyn Taylor, author, co-founder and editor in chief of the website, www.dailyom.com)

Believe it. See it. Love it!

With peace and gratitude,
Bill

Note: To get positive, daily messages sent every business day of the week, click in the “Join Our Email List” link at the top of every page of my website, idontstink.com.

Daily Positive Points

Today’s Message
When we are at work, we create a lot of “what if” scenarios.  Should something go wrong, we have the process and procedures to deal with them.  So, why not try the same thing in your personal life.  Create a plan of action when negative thinking runs rampant or when an emotional crisis breaks out.  See below for a new kind of first-aid kit from Cheryl Richardson. 
 
 Today’s Quote
“An Extreme Self-Care First-Aid Kit is a well-prepared plan of action put in place before you need to use it.  It consists of things you can do on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level that will give you comfort, connection, and a feeling of steadiness while navigating the rough waters of a crisis.  When faced with a difficult period, what matters most is that you return to the behaviors and practices that reflect Extreme Self-Care as quickly as possible, so you can restore yourself to sanity and strength.  That way, you’ll bring your best, most resourceful self to the challenge at hand.” The Art of Extreme Self-Care (Cheryl Richardson, New York Times best-selling author, speaker, and coach)

Love and gratitude,
Bill

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Battle Within

An old Cherokee was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them, “A battle is raging inside me … it is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The old man fixed the children with a firm stare. “This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”

They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee replied: “The one you feed.”

Daily Positive Points – Louise Hay

Today’s Message
Repetition and practice helps us master lots of things.  That cannot be more true than for positive thinking.  If we practice it just a little every day, our outcomes will definitely be more positive.  This occurs because what we focus on expands.  As we focus on positive thoughts, the negative, self-limiting ones dissipate. 
 
Today’s Quote
“I discovered that learning the computer was very much like learning the Spiritual Laws.  When I learned the computer laws, then she did indeed perform ‘magic’ for me.  When I did not follow her laws to the letter, then either nothing would happen or it would not work the way I wanted it to work.  She would not give an inch.  I could get as frustrated as I wanted while she patiently waited for me to learn her laws, and then she gave me magic.  It took practice.”  You Can Heal Your Life, (Louise Hay, Author, Professional Speaker, & Publisher, b.1926)

Thought of the Night

After a very long few weeks of travel and long, long work days, I am finally able to take a break.  I was thinking about how some people will say “all is well,” and “I’m not upset” but they are just lip action.  I think that some people say those things without really thinking.  I say this because some of them will complain about everything under the sun and state how furious they are with someone or something that is going on.  What I have learned is that what you focus on expands.  The more time we spend saying how bad things are, how frustrated we are or how everything seems to turn out wrong, the more of those things we don’t want are destined to be attracted to us.

Try this the next time you catch yourself saying something negative repeatedly.  Say, “I release the need for this to be important in my life.”  That’s it.  Simple isn’t it?  The next step is to STOP fueling the negative energy by not talking about it anymore.  Then watch as the struggles start to disintegrate. 

Well, that’s my thought for the night.  I hope you enjoy!
Peace, love and positivity,
Bill

US Post Office Sweetness

If you have been following my previous posts about the post office, what happened today will be of no surprise.  In case you haven’t been following, here’s a quick summary.  For as many years as I can remember, going to the post office has been a pain for me.  Long lines, long wait times, and often unfriendly attendants to boot.  Well, I decided that if it is true what I teach, “What you think about, you bring about”, then I should eliminate those problems.  So, I decided to do that.  Picture nice short lines, friendly attendants, and an overall good experience.

Today was no different.  I needed to drop off something at the post office at lunch and the second I thought about it, my thoughts said something like this: “Ouch! This is one of the worst times to go.  They will be shorthanded and I could end up wasting a half hour there.”  Then I changed my thoughts by picturing an empty line and to be completed in less than 3 minutes.  I focused on all my previous successes and was in a good mood when I arrived. 

Sure enough, two of the normal three attendants were on lunch break much as I originally thought.  Imagine my grin when there wasn’t a single person in line.  SA-WEET!  In and out in less than 3 minutes!  Once again, as I turned to walk out a line was forming.  Not a big line but at least 4-5 people in line.  I tell you, it happens EVERY time now.  What a SWEET change to eliminate that old STINKIN’ belief that the experience is always negative.

I’m not sure you believe these “coincidences” I have had at the post office and that’s OK.  I’m not quite sure I understand 100% myself, and I really don’t have to.  All I know is that this happens every single time since I changed my thoughts.  I can’t say exactly what cosmic forces are going on behind the scenes to make this happen but I get the exact same results 100% of the time when I change my negative thoughts to positive. 

Imagine how many times we put limiting beliefs on ourselves unnecessarily.  Not anymore!  Change your awareness.  Focus on what you want to happen.  Then reap the rewards of success.

With peace and gratitude,
Bill

What is Happiness?


This month, my Positive Pathways newsletter explores happiness.  It examines the meaning and the effects of happiness on us.  It will be going out on Thursday, June 24th so be sure to sign up for Positive Pathways on our list.

As I was searching for happiness quotes, here are some that I did not make it into the newsletter:
“Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get.” Ingrid Bergman 
 
“Happiness is a byproduct of an effort to make someone else happy.” Gretta Brooker Palmer

“The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage.” Thucydides 
 
“The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things.” Epictetus 
 
“Much more happiness is to be found in the world than gloomy eyes discover.” Friedrich Nietzsche 
 
“No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change.” santiz Barbara De Angelis 
 
With peace and happiness!
Bill

Hardwood Heroes

Picture this.  You are sitting on the bench during the NBA Finals.  Your team is down 25 points with 5 minutes left in game 7.  The coach, deciding to give up, calls your name.  He wants to clear the bench so everyone gets a chance to play.  As a 46 year old rookie, this could be your final game.  You step on the court and drain a 3 pointer from the corner.  Next time down the court, you drain another one.  You have now made 7 in a row, and your team is charging back.  The coach is in complete shock but doesn’t change up the line up because it is working.  You now have made 10 of 13 three pointers for 30 points, and your team is within 3 points with 8 seconds left.  The ball comes to you, and you drill it from deep in the corner as time runs out.  Tied score!

In overtime, you drill your first 2 – 3 pointers, and the game is back and forth.  Now there are 3 seconds left, your team has the ball, and you are down 2 points.  You get open in the corner again.  The ball comes to you, and the buzzer goes off just as the ball slips off your fingertips.  The entire area is in complete silence.  Everything seems to be in slow motion.  The whole world is watching and holding their breath. 

The ball approaches the rim and SWOOSH!  Nothing but net!  You throw your arms in the air, make a fist, and scream YES!  You just won the NBA championship, scored 39 points, and were awarded the MVP.  SA-WEET!

Well, this was just how my day started.  I worked out at the gym, and after I was done stretching, I shot some hoops for at least an hour.  This was just one of the games I won this morning.  In doing so, it reminded me of the times when I would shoot basketball nearly every night as a kid and play imaginary games in my head.  I would practice for hours and hours.  After my game-winning shot, I felt great.  I had lots of energy and was able to get a lot accomplished today.

Sometimes having fun is just the ticket to improve your emotional state.  Through visualization, I was transported to a victorious state where anything was possible.  It’s kind of like life, you know.  First you think it.  Then you say it.  First you think it.  Then you do it.  First you think it.  Then you achieve it.

With peace and loads of gratitude,

Bill

Daily Positive Points – Compassion

I thought today’s message was a good day to post my Daily Positive Points email.  Below is the message and you can sign up for FREE at idontstink.com.  These messages are delivered Monday thru Friday in the morning as a way to get your day started off on a positive note. 

Today’s Message
Compassion is a powerful tool that transforms lives.  Rather than get disgusted, frustrated or angry at a fellow person, choose compassion instead. Say this right now: “Today, I will focus on seeing from the other person’s point of view.”  The moment something happens that creates an instant reaction from you, stop yourself and repeat the statement again.  When you do this, you are certain to be less likely to act in an unloving fashion.
 
Note: Today’s exercise comes from 7 Days to Inner Peace, Building Block 6: Compassion 

Today’s Quote
“Three quarters of the miseries and misunderstandings in the world would finish if people were to put on the shoes of their adversaries and understood their points of view.” Mahatma Gandhi (Indian Philosopher, internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolent protest, 1869-1948)

Believe it. See it. Love it!
 
With peace and gratitude,
Bill

Positive Quotes – Sunday

I thought you might like a few positive quotes for your Sunday. 

“Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles.” Samuel Smiles (Scottish author, 1812-1904)

“To need nothing is divine, and the less a man needs the nearer does he approach to divinity.” Socrates (Ancient Greek Philosopher, 470 BC-399 BC)

“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” Brian Tracy (American television host)

“If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from that person’s angle as well as from your own.” Henry Ford (American industrialist and pioneer of the assembly-line production method, 1863-1947)

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman (American Theologian, Clergyman and Activist. 1900-1981)

With peace and gratitude,

Bill