Confidence

“To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are.” - Unknown

Stop focusing on other people…those who you think are smarter than you, been doing it longer than you, are better educated than you – it doesn’t matter.  You are who you are and all that you have to offer.  No one else can do what you do, be you or offer what you offer in the same way unique way that you do!  Focus in on your strengths and unique style.  Never discount your own experiences in life.  Even what you might call "limitations" can be a strength- a catapult to be better.   Be proud of who you are - you've earned it!

 

AFFIRMATION - say: "Today, I will celebrate all of who I am and I will never wish for another life, again."

Always Learning

I am learning all the time.  The tombstone will be my diploma.  ~Eartha Kitt

You will be taught lessons everyday in every moment until what you need to learn is absorbed.   Keep in mind though, you are a sponge with unlimited capacity for the water of wisdom.  To truly except and embrace this gift spend each day reflecting on the messages you have received.  For those that are hard, instead of getting angry, be grateful that you will at some point in your life get to relive that lesson and do it right.  For those lessons that are a easy, don't take for granted - you might miss the cue that it had been a hard lesson earlier in your life and get it repeated. 

 

AFFIRMATION - say: "I will embrace the idea that all things that happen to me, or I do to myself, are lessons to help me live."

Thoughts and Words

“It is by the fortune of God that, in this country, we have three benefits: freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and the wisdom never to use either.” ~ Mark Twain

Your thoughts and the words you use can be the end of you.  Negative thoughts and negative words can be the reasons for your inability to succeed, find peace or move forward.  Thoughts can be an instant dream killer.  Thinking about your dreams too much can keep you from taking action.  Fear will creep in very easily, when you give a voice to that negativity.  Once you give negativity or criticisms a voice, you give it more it power and you loose your courage.  Lose your courage and you never achieve or even worse retreat.   And then one day - regret.    

AFFIRMATION - say: "I will use my thoughts and words wisely to attain my dreams."

Change The Way You Think

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it,

change the way you think about it.  ~Mary Engelbreit

You are the only one that limits your ability to change the world in which you live.  You limit yourself by how you think. You change the world with action but if you are unwilling to act then change your thinking.   Dwelling on things you are unwilling to change wastes energy, time and brain power.  However, if you are going to make change happen...begin today.  Right now. 

AFFIRMATION - say: "I will begin to change today or I will take control on how I think about the things I "think" cannot change."

Post Crisis Review

A leader or a man of action in a crisis almost always acts subconsciously and

then thinks of the reasons for his action.  ~Jawaharlal Nehru

If I could change this quote, I would substitue "acts" for" reacts" and "action" for "reaction."    Research shows that people don't think as well when they feel there is a threat.   How many times have you said or done things you wish you could take back?  Instead of beating yourself up or justifing yourself - learn from your mistakes and apologize, if neccessary.  Humans can't always help themselves from being reactionary but we can help how we think and behave after each crisis.  And we can work on improving going forward.

 

AFFIRMATION - say: "I will learn from my reactions and

try to do better today and in the future."

Fight To Be Yourself

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.  ~e.e. cummings, 1955

We often think we have to change who we are to get what we want -friends, lovers, jobs.  We so crave acceptance that we are willing to be false to our true selves.  Adapting to your environment is often wise.  Flexibility is necessary to be strong  but, deep down inside - don't ever stop being your authentic self.  That is where true strength lies.

Affirmation - say: I will strive to be my authentic self, even when I need to be adaptable and it will make me stronger.

Hard Knock or Opportunity?

It is often hard to distinguish between the hard knocks in life and those of opportunity.  ~Frederick Phillips

To distinguish between a hard knock and an opportunity, take a look at your last tough life event.  Everyone will take a moment to get angry, grieve and lick wounds.  But how long did you stay there?  If it was brief and you began to look at the lessons then you saw the opportunities.  If you wallowed for far too long or are still wallowing, then you live in a victim state.  There are no opportunities for victims. 

AFFIRMATION - say: "I will not be defeated.  I will grow and achieve!"