You Can Cultivate Motivation Skills

Are you motivated?

It is certainly no secret that life is tough. This is particularly true for those set on living a life of achievement and satisfaction. Probably the most important intrinsic factor responsible for rising above the rest of the population is motivation.

Positive motivation is the one variable that allows you to propel yourself to the finish line when others around you stop and seek out one unfinished challenge after another to conquer, or they just plain give up.

If you are currently experiencing a dry spell in the way of motivation or even if you have never thought of yourself as a driven individual, but would like to become one, this article should give you the stimulation you need.

Here you will find 5 helpful steps that, in no special order, are an effective way to magnify your overall motivation and drive to achieve the goals you have set for yourself!

Celebrate small wins

No matter how much (or little) motivation you have towards the fulfillment of a goal, failing to enjoy small successes in pursuit of the finish line is a sure-fire way to run out of steam before you get there.

While resting on your laurels and settling for less than what you want should be avoided, depriving yourself of feeling satisfaction along the way is also harmful. In pursuit of your goals, take some time to reward yourself when you accomplish one of the (often many) small steps to get there.

Focus and a bigger picture

Consider this fact: whatever large goal or achievement you are after most likely involves only one part of your life. Whether this goal is for career, athletic, or personally oriented, the rest of your life does not stop while you chase after it. What seems unavoidable is that much of your motivation and energy is focused on the bigger victory you want to reach.

However, let me assure you that your sense of fulfillment will be diminished upon crossing the finish line by the understanding that you have neglected every other facet of who you are to get there. Balance is always key. Do not allow the rest of your life to fall by the wayside while you chase one dream!

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you BECOME by achieving your goals.”

— Zig Ziglar

Have you a good reason?

While it may seem obvious, knowing your reasoning and passion behind anything you seek is critical. When you initially set out toward a goal or achievement, your “why” for doing so normally seems clear. However, somewhere in the drudgery of working towards this goal, this foundation can quickly become indistinct and you may even forget what that good reason was

Make no mistake; any time you are tirelessly working towards something worthwhile, no matter how important, there WILL be days in which you feel less motivated than others. Remaining conscious of why you started this in the first place serves as your second (or third, or fourth) wind to get you back up and moving forward.

Know where you want to go

Exaggerated motivation causes one to put their head down, work like a maniac, and ignore everything else. While there are times that this mindset is beneficial, some sense of direction must be maintained. Big goals rarely consist of point A and point B with nothing between them.

Instead, it is important to have a general outline in mind of each specific step towards your destination. So yes, while keeping your nose to the grindstone is a must, looking up now and then to adjust before you begin the next phase of your blueprint is necessary if you are to continue heading in the right direction!

You today versus you yesterday

This step is important and one that everyone needs to hear. Keep in mind that your goals are YOUR goals. Allowing other people’s pursuits to dictate what you strive for is a slippery slope at best. After all, how will you find the motivation required to achieve something great without the personal desire to do so?

You are not them; they are not you, and their lives will have been different than yours. Whatever it is you want, the only logical comparison to be made is to the person you were the day before.

My final thought

Many people will tell you that it is better to be internally motivated rather than externally motivated because it is more sustainable. I find that notion too cut and dried. Our motivation for a goal frequently shares both components. I feel a goal is successful when along with my result it brings me positivity and joy.

I hope you found this post valuable. I would welcome any discussion.

Don’t Allow Events To Steal Your Joy

The joy in you not the times

If you are like everyone else, you will have events in your life when things are just not going your way. The truth is life is a constant wave of emotional highs and lows.

So much of our time is spent on an even keel, mundane state of emotional blandness, interrupted by the peaks of the best of times and unfortunately, the valleys when nothing seems to go right.

Few if anyone searches for information on how to deal with the best moments of their lives. They ride the wave. Then, finding that handling the lows can be a difficult task they bemoan their fate. Today we live in very troubled times, a pandemic has taken over most of the world, and people are being affected in many profound and unexpected ways.

Everything surrounding this pandemic is based on suffering and pain, it is just the nature of the beast. Death, isolation, fear, facing the unknown and grief and loss can strip of us our joy and may lead to depression.

We cannot control what happens outside our door, what we CAN control is ourselves and how we react. There are things we can do to maintain a positive and even joyful mindset.

In the following discussion, let’s talk about three methods for doing just that.

Having the right people around you

How often have you heard it said that you are the total of the five people you surround yourselves with most frequently. If that is the case, you must make sure you have the right people around you. Especially, when going through a difficult time, it is critical to hang on to your joy. At times, when life is beating you up, retreating into the solitude of your home, wanting to throw the covers of your head, and be left alone with your thoughts, can feel like the best option.

Make no mistake; sometimes periods of solitude are healthy and necessary. Right now, isolating yourself is the norm as we fight this health crisis. However, when you discover yourself at a low point, robbed of your joy, connecting with those who make you happy is imperative.

Although it may seem obvious, avoiding people who have the opposite effect can sometimes be the real battle. Negative people are especially important to keep out of your life when you are already struggling to find joy in your current situation.

You can maintain connections during Shelter in Place orders when you are isolating at home to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Technology has seen to that.

·         Face Time on iPhones and Video calls on Android

·         Skype

·         A simple phone call

·         Email

·         Text

·         Zoom and other video conferencing software can bring together friends and family while staying safe and following health official’s orders.

·         Good old-fashioned letter writing

Remember it can’t rain forever

Nothing in life is permanent. Fortunately, nothing in life is permanent! Let’s state that again, this will pass.

Into every life, some rain must fall. Later the sun shines bright and hot. During periods of extreme highs and lows, thinking about the temporary nature of each season in life is not comfortable to dwell on.

On the contrary, keeping this truth in mind during low times can be beneficial. Whatever you are going through, no matter how bad it may be, it WILL pass.

Most of the difficult times you experience in life conclude without any extra effort on your part. It is so easy to embrace the mentality that you must put forth an immense amount of effort to make something bad go away.

Even though this is sometimes the case, most of the time, TIME is the only remedy for tough situations. If you want to increase your joy during difficult times, remember that your situation is not the way things are, only the way they are RIGHT NOW.

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”

— Henri Nouwen

Choose to be joyful

Since we have discussed how life is divided into highs and lows and the fact that nothing will last forever, this leads to one last thing to keep in mind during the best AND the worst periods.

If you want to have joy consistently, your joy absolutely cannot be dictated by your circumstances.

If you let every good thing that happens to you leave you soaring on cloud nine and every negative situation send you crashing to earth, you will go through life in a state of emotional exhaustion! Stable, consistent, sustainable joy can only be created and found within yourself.

Life is far less about what happens to you than it is how you react to it. You are in charge of how you feel. Don’t fall into the trap of letting joy go to your head and disappointment to your heart.

My final thought

Adverse situations are a part of every life. Do Not allow it to rob you of the joy that should be yours. Try affirming to yourself every day, “today, I choose to feel joy in my life.”

I hope you have found this post to be beneficial. Please share it with your family and friends.

Titanic’s Lingering Lessons

Gram’s Wisdom 16: Titanic Lessons

The original of this post was written two years ago, but it’s as relevant today as it would have been 100 years ago. I have put the link to that post at the bottom for anyone interested. I know I am as like as not going to receive a ration of shit for this post. I don’t mind. I welcome the eye-rolls I receive when I mention Titanic (you Titaniacs out there know exactly what I'm talking about).

My Gram would have called the lessons of the passengers “life learned” lessons. Since then I have noticed that we best remember them when we learn them for ourselves. They can be so easily forgotten when we don’t and frequently to our grief.

Gram took me to see “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” when I was five. She had told me she was almost my age when Titanic sank and that even in rural Indiana it made the news. Now, Debbie Reynold's as Molly, in the movie, was only aboard Titanic and in that lifeboat for about 12 minutes screen-time. I doubt as we sat in that theater that Gram had any idea what a profound effect that movie would have on me. But I have been captive to all things Titanic ever since.

To my five-year-old mind, I thought now, there was a woman who lived her life large, didn’t worry what others thought of her and made a big splash. Yet, when it was most important, she influenced the women of her boat to do the necessary rowing for warmth and safety and kept their spirits high.

Titanic’s lessons were hard, hindsight learned and full of what-ifs. If you are interested in learning more about Titanic, there are books to read and documentaries and movies to view. I have included a couple of suggestions at the bottom for anyone interested.

“There was peace, and the world had an even tenor to its way... Nothing was revealed in the morning the trend of which was not known the night before. To my mind, the world of today awoke April 15, 1912.”

— John B. (Jack) Thayer

As the 108th-anniversary approaches, these are what I observed from Titanic in no specific order

Be calm don’t panic

The musicians aboard the Titanic played to the end. That music helped to keep the passengers’ panic at bay. Panic has you running around no plan in mind and missing the last lifeboat. You make better decisions about where you are and how and where you want to go when you’re calm. More solutions to your problems seem to appear when you quietly and calmly look at them.

Life is a journey

There are beginnings and endings. Don’t rush them. Enjoy the little things. Making memories takes time. Revel in the experiences with people moving along the same path with you. This will be your family and those you choose to be with constantly. Enjoy the time you share with those whom you briefly meet along the way. Take time to appreciate the sights, sounds and smells as you go along. It’s better to see half as much and remember it than to see twice as much and remember nothing.

A life of service, going beyond                                   

The stokers and engineering crew of Titanic remained faithfully at their posts keeping the electricity so vital to the pumps, the elevators, the lights, and the all-important telegraph working. Their selflessness allowed more passengers to safely depart the ship than would have otherwise been possible.

To go beyond is lending that hand or doing that thing when it’s most needed by others. Not when it’s easiest or most convenient for you.

Pay attention to the signs

This one is difficult. Things can and do happen like a bolt out of the blue sometimes and you are unprepared for them. Often some signs are overlooked or ignored. Sometimes you want to bury your head in the sand and pretend nothing bad will happen to you. When you begin to see signs it’s time to plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Strength and perseverance

You don’t always get what you want. Sometimes you just get what you get, and you must make the best of it. People who can do this are strong because it's never easy to make the best of a bad situation. And, the strongest of these people never give up, they persevere no matter the obstacles they face. They see challenges and find ways to go around them or over them because they will not be deterred.

It never pays to believe all the hype

That is just as true today. The Unforeseen happens, things break, people are fallible.

My final thought

All the people on Titanic that night passengers and crew alike were brave and did the best they could with what they had. Each one had no assurance that they would survive. Many assumed such but there were no guarantees. I feel this sums up the biggest lesson we learn from Titanic.

I do have one book recommendation for you if you have no idea where to start reading about Titanic. You can't go wrong with Walter Lord's "A Night To Remember." It's a straight-forward survivor account of what happened on the night of April 14, 1912, when ship meets iceberg. The movie of the same name based on the book is also one of the best there is. My favorite documentary is A & E’s 1994 Titanic The Complete Story.

Here is the link to that 2-year-old post:

Lessons I Learned From The Titanic

I hope you have enjoyed this post. Please share it with anyone you feel would benefit. 

An Opportunity To Push Back At Accepted Wisdom

Why is it so darned wrong to stay in our comfort zone?

Okay. So, I’m shamelessly going to take this opportunity to weigh in on a piece of accepted wisdom that, I don’t know about you, but I get so blasted tired of hearing from people. “You need to get out of your comfort zone,” is shouted at us everywhere.

Why do we stay in our comfort zone? Because our comfort zone is the stress-free zone (this is what I call my home) we are used to. It’s what’s familiar. It’s also the place where we are told we find the most dissatisfaction with our life.

Reliance on your comfort zone

But isn’t it also the place where our valuable routines live? How many of us depend on a morning and an evening routine? Not to mention the mundane but necessary chores of a busy household. Knowing whose turn, it is to feed and walk the dog, removes stress from everyone including the dog.

The same thing goes for our working life. Our workflows, planners, and calendars are comforting. They give us a path to follow, without which, we would waste a lot of valuable time that could be used to tackle additional or more creative projects.  

We are told, when we stay in our comfort zone, we force ourselves to remain stagnant. We’re afraid to change out of fear of facing the unknown. Not always, sometimes we are just catching our breath. Sometimes a calm face shown to the world is advantageous before you bring on the next big thing.

“Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.”

— Napoleon Hill

Recognizing when it’s time for a change  

Staying too long in a comfort zone that no longer serves you can be problematic as well. Especially if you don’t, won’t or can’t recognize that it’s time to change.

These 8 reasons are good possibilities if you want to change your comfort zone.

1.    You’re not reaching your goal. Stay in your comfort zone too long, and you are less likely to follow through on reaching your goal. Your fear, procrastination, or any other excuse you use keeps you from acting on your goal.

2.    Absence of growth. Rigidly remaining in your comfort zone will likely keep you from growing into more than you are right now. You’ll always be stuck, never moving forward and never growing and changing. You may end up not reaching your goals because you’re stuck doing things the way you’ve always done them, even though you don’t see any results. You never step out of your comfort zone to explore what you’re capable of doing or what you could accomplish.

3.    Lost or no passion. Staying in your comfort zone makes it hard for you to discover your passion. Your passion can only be found out of your comfort zone.

4.    You may feel left behind. If you stay in your comfort zone you could feel like you are being left behind by your colleagues and others you relate to. They might have been behind you in terms of your life or career at one time, but because they stepped away from their comfort zone, they have passed you by.

5.    Settling for less. By continuing to live in your comfort zone, you allow yourself to settle for less than you deserve. You put the things you love aside believing you don’t need them or deserve them.

6.    What self-confidence you have may lag. If you don’t move out of your comfort zone, you aren’t building the confidence you need to expand your growth and undertake new challenges.

7.    Your health can suffer. Sometimes when you are not getting out of your comfort zone you might also be neglecting your health. It can be from fear of visiting the doctor, not wanting to alter your routines, avoidance of going to the gym for some reason such as being looked at or trying something different.

8.    You simply hate changes. You are unbending and set in your ways. Your comfort zone is exactly that. Life can be tough enough, throwing all kinds of things at you. Things can happen that will pull you out of your comfort zone even if you don’t want them to. But remaining in your comfort zone keeps you from being open to new possibilities.

My final thoughts

I believe we have many reasons why we stay in any given comfort zone. Most are beneficial and work for us if we have crafted them with care for our own needs. The trick is knowing when that is no longer the case and letting it go so you can develop a new zone of comfort. Staying in your zone may feel comfortable but it’s unfair to limit yourself or to settle for what is merely adequate.

At the time of this post, most of us are in sheltering mode due to the Corona Virus. Our comfort zone is our refuge. Allow yourself changes to accommodate a new normal. Our homes should feel like havens not, prisons.

 I hope you have enjoyed this post. If so, please leave me a comment.

How Your Mindset Influences Self-Discipline

Mindset influences on people

According to Stanford University psychologist and researcher, Carol S. Dweck, there are two kinds of people in this world. Those who have a fixed mindset and those with a growth mindset. Let’s delve into how your mindset influences self-discipline.

Look at the difference between fixed and growth mindsets?

People with fixed mindsets believe their characteristics, traits, and skill-sets are set in stone and, therefore, can’t be changed. They are more likely to attribute success to natural talent and feel strongly about – and proud of – their current level of perceived brilliance, skill, or brainpower, rather than looking for improvements through hard work and focus.

People having growth mindsets, quite to the contrary, assume that talent, skill, and intelligence are changeable and can grow with practice, learning, and hard work. They acknowledge that wherever they stand, there is always room for improvement. They view success as attainable regardless of the starting point. No aspiration is too large.

Your fixed mindset can be the bane of self-discipline

If you follow Dweck’s model, it’s easy to see how a fixed mindset is the enemy of self-discipline. Let’s say, for example, that you want to lose weight. Maybe you compare yourself to a very slim or physically fit friend.

What if you hear this friend say things such as “I’ve always been small,” “I have a fast metabolism,” and “No matter what I do, I just can’t seem to gain weight!” This person seems to eat and drink whatever they want, never exercise (as far as you know) and look fantastic. While you, on the other hand, can’t seem to lose weight no matter what.

You conclude that you “just have a slow metabolism,” “accept that you’re probably not meant to be any smaller,” and believe it’s beyond your power to make the change you desire.

The truth is that your fixed beliefs are holding you back from reaching your goals, nothing more. Your fixed mindset robs you of your power. It puts space between you and the idea that although it may take more effort than you’re accustomed to, you can change if you choose.

It's all about perspective. More often than not, people who’ve achieved results you only dream of have generally put in much more work and effort behind the scenes than is evident on the outside. They just don’t talk about it.

Think about “overnight celebrity.” Tales of people who seemingly come out of nowhere to instant stardom. You’ve never heard of them before, then suddenly you see them everywhere and they make it look so easy. Yet, when you look at their past, you find that they’ve been working extremely hard for years, finally had a big break, and now are reaping the benefits of the seeds they’d been sewing for years.

A fixed mindset is often closed to ideas of hard work, patience, determination, persistence, trial, and error, and learning as you go. Yet, these are the exact traits that self-discipline is all about.

“Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Having a growth mindset makes self-discipline unavoidable

Just as a fixed mindset is the enemy of self-discipline, a growth mindset supercharges self-discipline and positions it as the top tool in your goal-setting toolbox.

Let’s return to our example of weight loss, assuming a growth mindset this time. What changes?

Well, first of all, you acknowledge that you may have struggled with your weight in the past, but you decide that it has no bearing on your future. You’re positive you can change.

If you do think you “have a slow metabolism,” rather than assume it’s preventing you from losing weight, you’ll go to the doctor, have some tests run, and gain concrete evidence of such and recommendations for how to improve the situation.

Furthermore, you educate yourself on healthy, sustainable weight loss methods, taking your lifestyle, preferences, and limitations into consideration. You realize that the process may take some time, and it won’t always be fun, yet you’re aware of why you want to lose weight in the first place, commit to the goal and believe that with time, focus and determination, you can make it happen.

What is your mindset?  

In ‘Mindset: The New Psychology of Success’, Dweck explains that it’s common to have a fixed mindset in some areas and a growth mindset in others.

If you’re naturally introverted and more on the shy side, you may have low confidence in social situations. Yet a growth mindset may push you to step outside your comfort zone and go to events where you’ll meet new people and try new things. On the other hand, since you’ve always been shy, perhaps you spent lots of time reading books and studying as a younger person, thus effortlessly achieving academic success. You may consider yourself “naturally smart” and have a fixed mindset in this area.

How to change your mindset

Taking the first step to improving your self-discipline is to become self-aware. If you examine your personality and find that you have a fixed mindset, understand that you can change. Dweck explains, “Mindsets are just beliefs. They're powerful beliefs, but they're just something in your mind, and you can change your mind.”

My final thought

I believe that most of us have some fixed and some growth mindset traits. I also believe that whatever mindset traits make up your majority is fine. You are in control of your mindset and the changes you make.   

Thank You for reading this post. I hope you will share it with your family and friends.

You’re As Strong As You Believe You Are

Gram’s Wisdom 15: Tough both inside and out

My Gram was one of the toughest people I have ever known. Both mentally and physically she radiated strength. I knew I could ask her anything and get a straight answer or I could lean on her when I was weary. All my young life she was teaching me something daily. I got, “this is how you do it lessons” for what I believe she thought were the practicalities of life.

But the older I get the more I appreciate those lessons I learned through my observation. Many of them left a strong impression on my behavior then and continue to shape how I live my life today. Although I consider myself to be strong, I don’t believe I can hold a candle to the strong woman my Gram was.

What I have learned about mental strength 

So many people aren’t as emotionally strong as they wish they were. Our lack of belief in our strength is a huge limiting factor in our lives. If we were a little tougher mentally, we’d be willing to try more, and consequently, we’d accomplish more.

Every obstacle we meet is less likely to be thought insurmountable if we believe we possess a high degree of inner strength.

It’s not necessary to be born mentally tough. You can develop this quality in yourself.

Increase your inner strength and overcome obstacles using these skills

1| Up-level yourself physically.

Inner strength is easier to get if you’re strong in other ways, too

2| Don’t forget body and mind together.

Suffering through a challenging workout is a great way to build your mind and body at the same time. With a strong mind, body, connection, you become unstoppable.

3| Develop your ability to focus.

Inner strength is the ability to focus on what needs to be done regardless of the circumstances. You can’t just decide to focus and suddenly be good at it. You’ve spent a lifetime distracting yourself. It takes time to learn the habit of focusing well for extended periods of time.

4| Be attentive to what you’re doing.

When your attention drifts away, bring it back. Continue to do that until you’re good at focusing.

5| Meditation is another powerful way to learn how to focus.

A daily meditation practice is worth considering if you’re serious about increasing your inner strength.

6| Do something uncomfortable.

You can take a cold shower. Do yard work. Walk up to strangers and begin a conversation. Sing in front of your friends. Dye your hair pink and go grocery shopping. Learning to deal with discomfort is an important part of inner strength.

7| Do tough or difficult things.

Climb a mountain. Run a marathon. Write an entire book. Go an entire day without speaking. Wake up an hour earlier for the next month. Learn a new language. Memorize The Charge of The Light Brigade or your favorite poem.

“It’s worth remembering that the time of greatest gains in terms of wisdom and inner strength is often that of greatest difficulty.”

— Dalai Lama

8| Decide quickly.

Make rapid decisions. It’s weak to postpone making decisions just because you don’t want to take responsibility for your life. Be responsible but make up your mind and own your decisions. Take responsibility for your life.

9| Act on a regular basis.

It’s not enough to decide. You must do something, too. Avoid falling into the procrastination trap of spending too much time researching and planning. Those with inner strength act decisively.

10| What are your past accomplishments?

Remind yourself that you’ve accomplished some impressive things. You’ve overcome obstacles. Also remember that you’re tougher than you thought. Relive those past successes and the obstacles you overcame.

11| Describe your attitude.

Tough, positive, action-oriented, persistent, diligent, committed, aggressive, disciplined. Are these words you would use to describe yourself? How about attaching “I am” at the beginning of each word and turning them into your daily affirmations. What other qualities do you think someone with inner strength possesses?

12| Surround yourself with like-minded people.

You’re stronger when you surround yourself with strong, supportive people. Negative people will sap your inner strength. Weak people will do the same thing. Surround yourself with the right people, and you’ll be better for it.

My final thought

How tough are you? Are you the toughest person you know? If not, you have some work to do. A lack of inner strength is very limiting. Imagine how much more you would do if you could double your inner strength!

You can become mentally stronger if you’re willing to take the appropriate steps. Your stronger self is waiting for you, so do it now!

I sincerely hope you like this post and will share it with the people you love.

The Restorative Value Of Mindfulness

Add mindfulness/presence into your life with nature

Are you longing for a little more mindfulness in your life, but find yourself unsure where to begin? I suggest you connect with nature it feels wonderful. It’s restorative to mind, body, and spirit while allowing you to step outside the business of life for a while and breathe deeply.

You have so many demands on your time each day, work, study, family, that carving out some nature time rarely makes the to-do list. The great news is that you don’t need to commit to a marathon hike in the mountains or woods to visit with nature. It can be a fast, restorative boost that’s easy to coordinate into your day.

Give one of these mindfulness suggestions a try to get a quick nature fix.

A | Feel nature

One of the easiest ways to reconnect with Mother Nature is to remove your shoes and wiggle your toes in the grass. Any grass will do, whether it’s your back yard or a nearby park. Notice the warmth or the coolness of the grass.

Choose to spend your lunch break in the park, rest your eyes on the soft greens and feel the textures of grass, tree trunks, and leaves, in your hands or toes.

B | Garden where you are able

The scent and feel of newly turned earth are magical properties. Nothing connects you faster to the rhythms and energy of the natural world than working in a garden. It doesn’t matter if your garden is a traditional lawn and garden plot, a communal vegetable garden, or your favorite herbs in pots on the windowsill.

Even a potted plant or flowers on your desk will change the energy levels and make you feel good.

C | The sky is the limit

Practice daily the habit of looking up at the sky. Look out of your window, see what kind of clouds there are, the direction they are traveling and the position of the sun. Use all your senses to be aware of what’s happening in nature right now. Are there birds singing? Are they making nests? What color are the leaves on the trees? What’s flowering right now? How does the air feel on your skin?

You can ‘read’ the environment through your senses – you need only to pay attention.

D | Walk with presence

As you walk down the street, is your mind already in your next interview or worrying about how the last meeting went? So many people spend their lives in their heads, unaware of the world around them or how they are moving through it. They commonly complain of how life seems to just pass them by.

The Buddhist teacher and philosopher Thich Nat Hanh reminds us to slow down and be fully present in the world. One of his best-loved sayings bids you to “Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” It takes just a small but meaningful mental shift to stay connected to the earth and nature with every step.

My final thought

The restorative effects of mindfulness in your life are far-reaching. Once you take the time to be mindful of the natural world around you, your senses become increasingly more in harmony with nature. The boost of harmony will be evident also when you are more present in the lives of others.

I hope you enjoyed this post and will recommend it to your family and friends.

You may want to look at this previous post on mindfulness:

How Mindfulness Helps You Enjoy The Journey

How to Help the Universe Manifest Your Blessing?

Allow the universe to manifest your blessing

Before the universe can manifest, what you’ve asked for, it’s up to you to explain exactly what that is. Some people find that visualization of their dreams or desires to be a powerful tool for clarifying what they want. Others use mood boards, while many use the spoken or written word in the form of affirmations. You will be best served when you use the method that suits you.

Why? The better you understand and describe your desire the easier it will be for the universe to assist you in the realization of it.  

Let’s try scripting

When you’re scripting, you can write your script on paper as individual notes or in a journal, or type it on a computer using your favorite note-taking app. The style and form don’t matter. It’s the substance that counts. Don’t worry over every word or phrase. Script from your heart and allow the universe to understand your intention.

These 5 steps can help train you to script

1.  Be specific

Before you write your script, ask yourself what your intentions are. Your understanding of your desire is necessary, if you don’t know what it is, you won’t be able to ask the universe to fulfill it. Vague requests are difficult for the universe to answer.  Your spirit knows what you need, listen to your inner voice.

Asking the universe to be a nicer person is too vague. And asking to smile more is a subjective request. Be clear in your intention by specifying exactly what you want, like smiling and saying a kind word to strangers. Giving the universe a clear request helps you focus on your manifestation

2. What is your reason?

Why do you want this blessing? What are you trying to achieve? Your intention should be clear when you script. How will granting your desire allow the universe to help you?  Knowing the reason, you want something is as important as knowing what you want. Use caution here because blessings are meant to be beneficial, not hurt. If you don’t understand why you want something, you may not be asking the universe for a blessing that will help you.

“Manifestation blossoms when we turn down or tune out doubtful noise.”

— T.F. Hodge

3.  Allow the feeling to wash over you

Scripting takes your desires and makes them manifest by allowing you to feel the blessing. Let your spirit see you with your blessing and ask yourself how it feels to have it. What is your life like now that you have received this gift? The idea of scripting is to put into words what it is like to be blessed.

Consider how this blessing changes your life.

You should feel positive, empowered, and whole. If you don’t feel right having this blessing, you may be letting negative thoughts and emotions cloud your request. If scripting your blessing isn’t bringing you peace and happiness, go back and redefine the clarity and why of your intention

4.  Can you believe it?

If you’re scripting that you smile and say a kind word to strangers, consider the possible benefits. Manifestation makes the impossible, possible, but it doesn’t supplant reality.  Your script needs to be believable for the universe to grant your blessing.

Smiling and saying a kind word to strangers will not automatically make you the boss at your job, Mayor of the city, or a superstar. Keep your scripting believable. You may desire this blessing so you can meet a new friend or partner. Perhaps you want to bring more joy into your life by showing kindness to strangers. Realistic and believable outcomes are the foundation of scripting your manifestation.

5.  Gratitude for your blessings

Once you’ve scripted your new blessing, continue the process by scripting your gratitude for having it. The Law of Attraction brings you what you send out into the universe. Gratitude is a universal current of life. Your blessing may not be as powerful if you don’t take time to be grateful for it. 

Without gratitude, you may lose focus on your manifestation and miss the benefits you’ve been given. Moving too quickly from asking to having to asking for something else is not consistent with the universe’s plan to provide you with everything you need when you need it

My final thought

Scripting helps increase your vibrational energy to bring your manifestations into focus. The Law of Attraction is stronger when you focus on your intentions and get clear about what you are asking from the universe. Scripting is an excellent habit to build as part of your journey. 

Daily scripting can be done every morning or even the night before as you close one day and prepare for the next. Using scripting as a daily habit helps you discover your deepest desires and then send your requests to the universe, knowing you are blessed.

Scripting may be a good choice for you, if like me, you have Aphantasia and are unable to see pictures in your mind’s eye when you try to visualize.

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