Things I know: Change Your Life in 30 Days!

Things I know: Change Your Life in 30 Days!: So I found a trick that helps me get through some of the toughest times, the most frustrating events, even the annoyances that plague my wor...

Change Your Life in 30 Days!

So I found a trick that helps me get through some of the toughest times, the most frustrating events, even the annoyances that plague my world...AND actually makes life more enjoyable!  Its free, readily available, unlimited abundance and its right under our noses....it's been there all along, but once you put it into practice, your life will change!  So what is this miracle?  Every morning, before you start your day, find a reason to laugh.  I recommend before you get out of bed...I'm not kidding!  I know you think I'm being melodramatic, but I swear to you that if you start each day with a hearty laugh, your life WILL change!

That's it...there's nothing more, no hidden secret...laughing...hearty laughter...to me, is more important that meditation.  Laughter puts us in a good mood.  Laughter can short circuit the momentum of worry and negative thinking like nothing else!  Imagine starting every day in a good mood!  How much easier would it be to face life's trials and tribulations when you start your day on a positive note?  Even if your whole day went down hill from there, you would have started out from a much higher vantage point and no matter what, you're doing better than you would have!

Find something that makes you laugh every time you encounter it.  Something so funny that nothing can stop you from laughing.  I'm not talking giggles, although I guess something is better than nothing.  Funny videos or pictures...something that makes you think of a time that made you laugh...books, jokes, anything that will unfailingly make you laugh.  For me, I found an app for my iPad called DYAC (Damn You AutoCorrect).  Reading these text message mistakes never fail to crack me up to the point of tears.  So here's my suggestion...find something that makes you laugh every time, without fail, and for 30 days start every day with laughter.  I recommend first thing in the morning because the thoughts that trouble you have not yet had a chance to build momentum...have not yet had a chance to take hold of you.  Try this for 30 days...watch how quickly your life will change!

Things I know: I Want What I Want...

Things I know: I Want What I Want...: Think about something you want...whatever it is....money, a new car, a new relationship, to lose weight...whatever it is...why is it that yo...

I Want What I Want...

Think about something you want...whatever it is....money, a new car, a new relationship, to lose weight...whatever it is...why is it that you want it?  I know there may be different reasons, but the truth is, at the core of everything that we want...and I mean everything...is the desire to feel better than we do right now.  Do you see what I'm talking about?  If you want more money, it's because you need to pay bills, or you want to travel or quit your job...but the truth is, we only want to pay bills so we can relax and not have to worry about creditors (not worrying feels better than worry, relaxing feels better than stress) and we only want to quit our job so we would have more time to do things that are more fun than work, like travel.  So think about something you want...how would it feel to have it?  Imagine your bills are all paid off and you have all the money you need to do whatever you want...what does that feel like in your imagination?  Now, be careful not to get too specific because that can make you feel worse, but if you can make yourself feel just a little bit better, your rewards will be great.  I know how naive that sounds, but I know this to be true.  Look at it this way...your financial situation is what it is...your love life, health, body weight...are what they are.  You can pine over the things you don't have (feels bad) or you can feel good while still wanting the things you don't have.  Either way, you don't have everything you want, but why do you have to feel bad about it?

I learned this lesson ten years ago when my son was first diagnosed with cancer.  This was devastating news to me!  I had no idea how I would continue to live a normal life.  I quickly realized that my son responded to my moods, so when I was with him in the hospital, I forced myself to be upbeat and happy.  It didn't take long for me to realize I was more able to cope when I was upbeat and happy.  So my lesson was...it is what it is, in this case, my son has cancer.  It is what it is whether I am wallowing in sorrow or living upbeat and happy.  As a matter of fact, my son benefited from my being upbeat and happy.  At first, I think I felt like I was being disrespectful in some way if I was upbeat while my son was sick, but the truth is, my son, as well as the rest of our loved ones, benefited from my mood.

So here's the thing, you want more money...it is what it is.  I'm not saying to stop the actions you might take to make more money...but change the way you look at the lack.  After all, the only reason we want what we want is to feel better in the having of it...so why not just feel better now, even before we get it?  Give it a try...

Things I know: Justification

Things I know: Justification: I think the root of all evil is justification...okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but think about it. Behind every bad thought, every bad be...

Justification

I think the root of all evil is justification...okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but think about it. Behind every bad thought, every bad behavior is a justification.  When we are mad at someone, our mind is full of all the reasons why we have every right to be angry.  The more we justify, the angrier we get.  If we eat something we shouldn't, we find a justification for why it's okay.  If we say something we shouldn't, we have a justification for that, too.  We use justification as an excuse...but who are we really hurting?  If I am mad at someone and my mind is full of justification, is the object of my anger hurt or is it me?

I don't think we can eliminate negative justification from our world, or even our thoughts, but I think we can reduce it with awareness.  Justification has a tendency of taking on a life of its own.  If we can stop the momentum before it gets too big, we can live a happier life.

So lets pretend your spouse left dishes in the sink...when you first see them, there is an annoyance. Then you remember that this is not the first time, and your annoyance becomes anger.  You've told your spouse hundreds of times to put the dishes in the dishwasher!  Dirty dishes attract bugs and smell bad!  It is a health issue, the whole family can get sick!  And who is he leaving these dishes for anyway!?  I ALWAYS have to clean up his dirty dishes! ...By the time your poor spouse enters the room, he doesn't stand a chance!  In addition, you feel terrible.  You're angry, feeling used.  But lets say you've read this blog and recognized your justification at annoyance.  If you stopped there, when your spouse walked into the room, you might say "can you put your dishes in the dishwasher?" and it would be over.  Trust me, your spouse has a justification for leaving the dishes in the sink in the first place...why get into a war of justifications?

I wonder why we don't use justification to our benefit?   What if we paid attention to our thoughts and used justification to increase the momentum of positive thoughts and actions?  At the very least, just being aware will reduce the negative justification...