In my post “My Feelings” I told you how lousy my mood was. It didn’t rain as I wished but drizzled a bit and the sun did not come out. Today is a bright new day; I woke up with burst of energy and a positive outlook for today. Thanks to you my friends for helping me feel better and knowing that you guys are looking out for me. This post was inspired my one of my favorites blog Zen Habits. So you now you know I did come up with all the ideas; just to let you know that it works every time that I have used them.

Feeling a little depressed can interfere with achieving our goals. We know we should be doing something, but we just don’t feel like doing anything. This can last for a long time if you don’t head it off as soon as possible and take action. Here are some of the things that work best for me:

1.Make a list. Sometimes we are depressed simply because we are overwhelmed with all the things we have to do and sometimes you just don’t have the energy to do so. So all the “stuff” that’s in our head can overwhelm us. Start simply by picking up a piece of paper and a pen, and making a list of the most pressing things you have to do. Sometimes it’s work stuff, sometimes it’s stuff around the house that’s bothering us, sometimes it’s goal tasks, or a combination of these and more. Simply making a list can be a big relief — you’re getting things under control. You can see, right in front of you, what you need to do, and that alone can pick up your mood.

2.Take action. You’ve made a list, and you still feel overwhelmed? Well, get started on the first thing you need to do. Is it a big task? Break it down and just do the smallest task, something just to get you started. Once you get started, once you get into action, you’ll feel better. Trust me. You might still feel overwhelmed, but at least you’re doing something. And once you start doing something, you’ve got momentum, and that feels much better than lying around feeling sorry for yourself.

3.Exercise. I know, you might not be in the mood for exercise. But just do it! Taking a walk, going for a run, going to the gym, whatever it is you do for exercise — get out and do it now! You don’t need to do a real hard workout, but the simple act of exercise can lift your mood immediately. Just do it!
4.Shower and groom yourself. Simply showering, and feeling clean, can do wonders for your mood. Brush your teeth, comb your hair, shave, do whatever it is that you need to do to feel clean and good about yourself. Instant pick me up!

5.Get out of the house and do something. Sometimes, if you stay home lying around, feeling depressed, just getting out (after showering and grooming) will change your mood. Staying home all the time can really get you down, and you may not realize this until you go out and do something. Preferably something on your list (see No. 1).

6.Play some lively music. Play your favorite music, yesterday I played “a new day” by Celine Dion several times and it worked wonders. I love “I will stand by you” Carrie Underwood too. Whatever music it is, crank it up, and let yourself move to the beat. It may just be what the doctor ordered.

7.Talk about it. Got a significant other, best friend, family member, co-worker you can talk to? Bend their ear. That’s what they’re there for. If you don’t, there are hotlines, or professionals, you can talk to. And then there are always online forums. These are great places to find someone to talk to.You can blog about it just like I did.Getting things off your chest makes a big difference, and can be a huge lift. It can also help you work out the reasons you’re feeling down.

8.Be thankful that you are alive and healthy.Be thankful that you have family and friends who supports you.Be thankful for that you have people around you who can make you mad, just be thankful for everything.

9. Do a good deed. This is as selfish as it is selfless; you’ll benefit as much as the person you’re helping.Give to charity,help someone out.You can come over to help me pack,sure that will make
feel a lot better.

10.Here is where you come in with your own ideas.What do you do to feel better;when you are having a lousy feeling?

  Posted By tyna     Jun 26, 2008       6 comments  

Some people are waiting for opportunity to knock. Many have been waiting a long time, and still, they continue to wait. But what exactly are they waiting for?

Some talk about their “ship coming in someday,” while others voice their hope in a “lucky break.” There are those who anticipate winning the lottery, and then all their troubles will be over.

In one way or another, they are all waiting for opportunity to knock.

One of the definitions in the dictionary of “opportunity” is, “a favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances, for progress or advancement.” That’s a good definition.

Has anyone ever offered you a really great deal? Maybe they offered you a real estate investment, or, maybe a huge savings on buying a vehicle. They might have even said, “This is a really good opportunity!”

Let’s suppose that it was a very good deal, but you did not have the funds to take advantage of it. It would indeed be an advantageous circumstance that might benefit you, but you would not ready for it. You wouldn’t have made the necessary preparations to take advantage of that opportunity.

I think a lot of people really believe that “opportunity” will somehow, someway, just come up to their front door and knock! They are waiting for that knock. I disagree. I believe that opportunity is waiting.

If you cannot take advantage of a great opportunity that is offered to you, then that opportunity is going to have to wait for someone who can take advantage. You don’t wait for an opportunity to knock; you knock to find opportunity.

Why not start knocking, looking, seeking and preparing for future opportunities? Plenty of opportunities are just waiting to be seized! Too many people accept the false notion that opportunity only knocks once, so you better not miss it! Baloney!

I believe that opportunity sits there waiting to be discovered. Whether it’s inventions, a new direction for you life, or even a real estate deal, there are countless opportunities that are just waiting!

How do you find these opportunities and seize them? You prepare. Prepare for possibilities by educating yourself. Read books, investigate new ideas, and talk to people. Do whatever you can to expand your life. Don’t sit around doing nothing waiting for opportunity to knock at your door!

Have you ever heard someone talk about someone else who just had a great real estate opportunity and bought a property a fantastic price? Are they excited for that other person? Many times, they are jealous. They say things like, “Boy, I wish I could get a lucky break like that.”

Do they ever stop and consider just how little they really know about real estate? It probably never crosses their mind that they wouldn’t even recognize a great opportunity in that arena. They simply haven’t done their homework.

Earlier, I asked the question, “What are they waiting for?” That’s an important question to answer. You don’t just expect any and every opportunity in the world to knock on your door; that doesn’t make sense.

If I had the necessary funds to buy a horse, and found a great opportunity to buy one at a great price, I wouldn’t be taking advantage of that opportunity. Why not? First, I don’t want a horse, and secondly, I have no place to put it!

So first, determine what area of life you would like to find some great opportunities. Then, start doing your homework. Learn and discover all that you can. Don’t wait around for something to happen, make something happen!

Are you ready for a great opportunity for your life? You won’t be if all you look at is the “daily grind.” Prepare for possibilities. If you just stay secluded in you own little world and never prepare for great opportunities, then you will never see them.

Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. Don’t wait for a knock; go knocking yourself until a door opens.

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Listen to one of Michael A. Verdicchio’s Pep Talks at http://www.MikesPepTalks.com/christians2free.html
Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER
Michael is a husband, father, minister, author, and broadcaster.
He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.

  Posted By tyna     Jun 25, 2008       1 comment  

In one of my prior motivational stories, I talked with you about getting rid of the word “CAN’T” from your vocabulary. You see to me, “can’t” is the one of the most disempowering words known to humankind. In this story, I’d like to inspire you to get rid of your big “BUT”. Of course, I am not talking about the “BUT” that fills out the backside of your trousers, exercise shorts or skirt. I am referring to the grammatical word that is used to introduce something that is true, in spite of contradicting and negating everything that was said before it.

On your quest for success, communication is critical. Without high-quality communication with the people that you relate to on a daily basis, whether they are at your place of business or your social circle, you can not be successful.

Those who communicate best are the ones that are the most successful. Poor communication affects the way others perceive, understand and react to you. When you are a person who uses the “BUT” in your conversations everyday, it acts just like a double-edged sword in that it can make you appear to others in one of these two ways.

Here’s my Meaning #1 of how you misuse the word “But”…

When you use the word “But” in ways such as these in the examples below, you contradict yourself and run the risk of being viewed as one who does not get the job done and makes excuses.

Here are some examples that you may have used in either your professional or personal life:

“I would have been on time to the meeting, BUT I lost track of time”.

“I wish I was more successful, BUT I never had the chance to go to university or college”.

“I wish I was thinner, in better shape, weighed 20 pounds less, etc, BUT I have no time to exercise”.

I think you get the idea. As a person who wants to be seen as successful, motivated and determined, you do not want to give others the impression of one who makes excuses.

Here’s my Meaning #2 of how you might misuse the word “But”…

When you use “But” in ways such as in these examples it can make you look and sound negative. If you are in a position in which you have people working for / reporting to you, it can certainly demoralize and disempower your team.

For instance:

“I liked your presentation, BUT we have never done that before”.

“We made progress, BUT we are still short of the numbers”.

“Thanks for the gift, BUT it is not my color”.

By now you may be asking (here’s the deep radio announcer-type voice), “well what word should I use that does not make me appear as one who makes excuses or is perceived as negative?”

Let’s take one example from each meaning above to illustrate a positive, powerful, proactive approach.

“I would have been on time to the meeting, AND I apologize for losing track of time. I commit to being on time to the meeting from this point forward.”

“I liked your presentation, AND we have never done that before. Let’s work together to ensure that we have all of the resources we need to be successful”.

By using the positive word “AND” with careful selection of the dialogue that follows you can turn a negative situation into a plus.

Remember my saying that “Every action you take or make, no matter how big or how small, defines everything that you do in life”. Look at any of the successful people that you know and study the way that they communicate. You will see that through their words and tonality what comprises their formula for success. Take action today and get rid of your big BUT.

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Keith A. Shaw is the founder and President of MindBodySpiritCentral an authority on motivation, self improvement, success, health and wellness. Keith is a Motivation Guide for Self Growth, expert for Success-Avalanche, speaker / lecturer, author of a motivational newsletter read in 27 countries, and a graduate of The College Of New Jersey and Rider University. Keith has a passion for the martial arts and is a 2nd-degree black belt.

  Posted By tyna     Jun 25, 2008       3 comments  

My entire being feels sad, lonely and miserable. What a feeling for someone who preaches positive thinking I guess it easier said than done. Why am I feeling this way so early in the morning? That everything looks so uncertain, I am not sure of what to feel any more. Before when I want to feel this way I will look out and see the sun rising and it will give me new hope; at least the day is bright and fair but today even the heavens seems to agree with me no wonder the sky is dark and gloomy. Since happiness is a matter of choice why can’t I make that decision to turn around my feelings and be happy? Maybe am human after all, have I decided to be miserable and sad today? Is there any hope of my coming out of this state of mind later on today? I might not know the answers to these questions now. Am I just content with my misery; will the sun eventually come out today? Why am so lonely in mist of so many people? How I wish it is financial problem then I could ask for help from people, if it were physical sickness then I will go to the hospital. I don’t think any one can help me expect me. Then why don’t I help myself? I have a lunch date today will it be ruined by my mood? Or will I be feeling a lot better by then? I dressed my kids up for school this morning without the normal hassles I guess they sense the terrible mood that has befallen the ever cheerful mom. I am wondering what could be going through their innocent mind. Could it be the cartons brought by the moving company yesterday? Could it be the thought of around the globe journey with 4 kids 3 of which are under 5 years of age? Could it be my school works that are yet to be finished? Could it be my business? Could it be the changes that are going to take effect in my life soon? Fear of the unknown future ahead of me? Is the world coming to an end? Does my best friend know how I feel? Is he still my best friend? These feelings are not helping matters, I have hotels to find and book. I am thinking too much I guess; why can’t I stop thinking for a minute? If the sun is not coming out today, then let my wish of a rain be granted; let the rain come down and wash away my fears, let it fill my soul and drown out all my fears. Let it shatter all worlds for a new sunny day tomorrow. I can see the light in the skies.

  Posted By tyna     Jun 24, 2008       9 comments  

I often see myself as somewhat contented with my life the way things are, but of course it’s hard to think of anything else, where real issues to be discussed are.

Still I aspire for something deeper and more meaningful.

So we’re all pelted with problems. Honestly it shouldn’t even bother or even hinder us to becoming all we ought to be. Aspirations as kids should continue to live within us, even though it would be short-lived or as long as we could hold on to the dream. They say you can’t teach an old dog new trick… or can they?

1. What do I really want?
So many things you want to do with your life and so little time to even go about during the day. Finding something that you are good at can help realize that small step towards improvement. Diligence is the key to know that it is worth it.

2. Am I happy at where I am today?
It’s an unfair question so let it be an answer! You love being a good and loving mom or dad to your kids, then take it up a notch! Your kids will love you forever. The same goes with everyday life!

3. Am I comfortable with what I’m doing?
There’s always the easy way and the right way when it comes to deciding what goes with which shoes, or purse, shirt and what-not. It doesn’t take a genius to see you as someone unique, or else we’ll all be equally the same in everything we do. Variety brings in very interesting and exciting questions to be experimented.

4. Have I done enough for myself?
Have you, or is there something more you want to do? Discontentment in every aspect can be dangerous in large doses, but in small amounts you’ll be able to see and do stuff you could never imagine doing.

5. What’s the bright side in all of this?
With so much that is happening around us there seem to be no room for even considering that light at the end of the tunnel. And if it’s a train at the end of the tunnel, take it for a ride and see what makes the world go round!

6. How much could I have?
I suppose in this case there are no such things on having things too much or too little, but it’s more on how badly you really need it.

7. Am I appealing to the opposite sex?
So maybe I don’t have an answer to that, but that doesn’t mean I can’t try it, though. Whether you shape-up, change the way you wear your clothes or hair, or even your attitude towards people.

8. Should I really change?
Today’s generation has taken another level of redefining ’self’, or at least that’s what the kids are saying. Having an army of teenage nieces and nephews has taught me that there are far worse things that they could have had than acne or maybe even promiscuity. So how does that fit into your lifestyle?

9. What motivates me?
What motivates you? It’s an answer you have to find out for yourself. There are so many things that can make everyone happy, but to choose one may be the hardest part.

10. What Really Makes Me Tick?
What really makes you tick? You can be just about anything you always wanted to be, but to realize that attaining something that may seem very difficult is already giving up before you even start that journey.

  Posted By tyna     Jun 24, 2008       4 comments