Posts by Shannon
Day 76 / 100 Days to More ~
Take a look at your priorities and your goals. Where did they come from? Are they the products of soul-searching, self-analysis and careful planning? Or are they a reaction to pressures from other people? Did you find them within yourself or within the pages of a magazine? The answers to these questions are important because they tell you if the person you’re becoming is someone you want to be. You were made for a purpose and garner specific gifts, talents, characteristics, physical attributes that set you apart from everyone else in the world. You have been called to use your specialties abundantly and do more than survive, to not just drag yourselves over the finish line. No, you were made to do so much more…to thrive. One must ask themselves, “Am I using my gifts? Am I touching lives with what I’ve been blessed? Am I living for the now or am I doing everything I can for my future and to help others in the future? Am I living up to my full potential? Am I settling for mediocrity when I can have abundance?”
Often we don’t try anything in life because then we can’t fail. Many people know they need to make a change in life, but they don’t because they’re terrified that if it doesn’t work out, it will somehow mean the end of the world – that they failed! So, they stay “in the box” comfortably and don’t risk anything. But, is that really living? Ummmmm – NO! In truth, by taking an actual risk in life you are stronger and braver than most. The only true failure in life is you not trying. And, if you try, you are really living, and if you fail, at least you tried. In reality, failing makes you grow.
Action: What are your gifts and are you using them?
Read MoreDay 74 / 100 Days to More ~
What is Friendship?
You may have a lot of acquaintances, but only a few people are your friends. These are kindred spirits whose souls are “knit together” with yours. Aristotle described friendship of virtue having the following characteristics:
1. A friend is not just sympathetic, they are empathetic. They share your feelings, weeping with you when you weep and rejoicing with you when you rejoice.
2. A friend will hear your side of a story before they tell you what they think you need to hear. They will do it in such a way where you can receive it because they love you more than they love their views.
3. A friend stays in contact with you and communicates fairly regularly. They will make it a point to stay in touch.
4. A friend is someone whom you trust implicitly. They have earned your trust. You don’t doubt that they have your back and you don’t fear that they will stab you in the back. You trust them enough to confide in them about highly private and confidential matters.
5. A friend will stand by you, defend you, and even take a bullet for you when you’re under attack. This is perhaps the highest measure of friendship. The posture of a friend is, “If you hurt my friend, you’ve hurt me.” It is never, “Well, that person never did anything to hurt me, so it’s not my issue.” This attitude is what separates goats from black sheep.
In summary, you need at least one person in your life that is your confidante! If you don’t have a friend, examine why and see if there’s something you need to do to change that. “If you have two friends in your lifetime, you’re blessed. If you have one good friend, you’re more than lucky.” S.E. Hinton
Action: Are you a good friend?
Read MoreDay 73 / 100 Days to More ~
Be honorable yourself if you wish to associate with honorable people. The reverse is true too. If you want to be honorable, surround yourself with honorable people. If you want to be creative, talk to some creative types. If you want to get in shape, spend as much time as you can with other people who have the same goals. And so on. To live by what you believe, and to become someone you like, it’s easier when you can borrow from others. Whether you realize it or not, your personality and actions are shaped in part by your surroundings. So if someone is going to “rub off on you”, make sure it’s someone you like, respect and can learn from.
We strive for materialistic ends, such as lucrative income, status, a big house, an expensive car, jewelry and so on, because we believe these things will make us happy. Seldom do we give attention to our mind and soul, which the time and resources we spend in trying to fulfill our physical needs and desire, we are still unable to achieve lasting peace and happiness through satisfaction of bodily needs. This is because we have not learned how to listen to our mind and soul. It’s all together, mind, body, and soul for good health.
Action: What do you want for your life?
Read MoreDay 72 / 100 Days to More ~
The average person talks to themselves 50,000 a day…and 80% of that self-talk is negative. The words you speak are truly powerful. So when you speak, make sure you use your words to lift people up, and never put them down. Respect people’s feelings because even if it doesn’t mean anything to you, it might mean everything to them. #change #the #way #you #treat #yourself. We get one opportunity – one chance – one life. The choices we make and the time we spend will determine our fate. We can create something amazing, build a legacy, and leave something that we are proud of. There are no limits. The pen is in your hands. What will your story say?
Thinking differently doesn’t happen overnight, but try it. Before long it will become a habit and eventually you will believe in it. It will be in your core and you will glow from the inside out. On rare occasions people can “just change,” but for the most part that’s B.S. Change is not easy. We carry around years of baggage, deeply entrenched sets of behavior and defense mechanisms that repeat and repeat as we go about our lives.
Action: How do you talk to yourself? Good or bad?
Read MoreDay 71 / 100 Days to More ~
Let the people and the past go learn from it, but grow into who you’re called to be. You Matter. Life is more than just existing…it is about living to the fullest. It’s not about the material aspects in life; it’s something much more meaningful and deep. It does not lie in a bank account, a multitude of possessions, or surrounding yourself with a bunch of fake people in your life. It’s not about a job title. It’s not about having a beautiful face. It’s not about the surface level.
It’s always better to be alone with dignity than in a relationship that constantly requires you to sacrifice your happiness and self-respect. When you let someone repeatedly hurt you, you are saying to them, “You matter more to me than my own self-respect and dignity.” You must take a stand and be willing to part ways with people whom you know you’ve given numerous chances to. Though letting go can cause lots of initial pain, it may be necessary medicine, providing you with the best possible life in the long run.
Saints have a past and Sinners have a future. Keep your head up and a smile planted on your beautiful face because none of are perfect! Just keep trying everyday no matter what happens or who says something! You Matter!!
Action: What are you doing with your life?
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