One thing is certain to happen when a long-term love relationship ends because of adultery, abuse or addiction--your body image will be affected.
When my husband left me for another woman, I spent a lot of time standing in front of the mirror wondering what was wrong with me. I let it be about my body--I was overweight at the time. I let it be about the color of my hair--he told me he wanted a blonde; I was a brunette. I let it be about my breast size--they were practically non-existent. He constantly suggested breast implants. To him, I would never measure up. And I was letting his ideal of what I should be get to me. I was buying into his poor image of me, when, in actuality, that was his poor image of himself. He was projecting, and I was buying into it. I had let his issues become mine. And it was destroying me.
It took me a long time to learn to be okay, to be happy, with who I was as I was. And it took me even longer to admit that if I wasn't happy with anything about me, I could change things. I could do something about it. If I didn't like the color of my hair, I could dye it. Not for him, but for me. If I didn't like the shape of my body, I could exercise and change that, too. Not for him, but for me. And if I wanted bigger breasts, well, I could buy those as well.
But I didn't necessarily want or need any of that.
What I did want was to be happy with who I really was. But first, I had to figure out who that person was, where that person disappeared.
Getting on my bike was where I began to rediscover her.
Of course, as soon as I started losing weight from the rides, I was thrilled. Who wouldn't be?! And I was smart enough to know that it wouldn't matter to him. Even when friends would say, "Wait till he sees you now," I knew better. And I didn't much care what he thought about me by then. I was learning to be happy with myself without needing anyone else's approval, and certainly not his.
That's a tough road to travel on, as you probably already know. If you're in the midst of this kind of struggle right now, if you're having a hard time with your body image, it is something you can overcome.
It's no fun spending any amount of time wondering if you're good enough for your husband, your lover, your partner, your friends or your family.
The person you need to be good enough for is you.
Today, promise yourself that you'll spend time making sure this is true, or that you're working toward that truth. How can you do it? Start by listening to your self-talk. The next time you hear yourself utter words that put yourself down, stop yourself. If you're saying things like, "I'm such an idiot" or "I'm never going to lose this weight" or "I hate my nose," stop yourself. Then, immediately find a way to turn that phrase around so that you're no longer discounting your self-worth.
Maybe you did do something that wasn't the smartest thing you could ever do. Maybe it is taking more time than you thought it would to lose those last 10 pounds. And maybe you are having a bad hair day, or maybe there is a pimple on the tip of your nose. The truth is, we all experience these things. They are not just your flaws. Neither are they the end of the world. If you can stop the self-talk that helps keep your self-image at its all-time low and affects your self-esteem, you can begin to reverse your perspective.
That's what you're working on here, your perspective.
You are good enough. You are smart enough. You are beautiful enough. But it doesn't matter what I say. It only matters how you perceive yourself.
Today, make it a point to look at yourself in a more positive light. Look in your bathroom mirror and tell yourself something flattering. Don't wait for others to flatter you. Learn to flatter yourself. Learn to rely on how you feel about you, not how others might feel about you. When you can do this, others will then see the same. You won't have to convince them. You won't even need to convince them. You won't even worry much about what they have to say about you at all. You'll have figured it out for yourself. That's what these BIKE rides are all about, taking the time to figure yourself out, taking the time to get to know you and become the you you want to be. When you give yourself this precious time, you're giving yourself a better life, an abundant life, a life that you deserve.
All my best,
Jackie
Showing posts with label perspective. Show all posts
Showing posts with label perspective. Show all posts
Thursday, 1 May 2008
Thursday, 9 August 2007
10 Tips on Leading a Balanced Life - Revisted.
Part two of the summer re-runs of popular posts is this one about a balanced life. Like all the life hacks and tips I write about, these are things I strive towards. I never pretend to have it all figured out by any means.
As usual let me know what you think..
Allen
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
Balance is important. When one aspect of our life becomes too dominant we loose that balance and experience conflict and unhappiness. It’s not easy and sometimes it feels like a juggling match but if we develop some healthy habits it is possible to achieve balance in a relaxed and calm way. Don’t forget the amount of time you devote to each aspect of your life will undergo fluctuation. It’s all a matter of realizing the natural flow of life and giving the right amount of attention to all aspects of our day to day living. So here I present my own ten tips on leading a balanced life.
1) Go home from work on time.
You need to look after yourself. Contrary to what the current culture will tell you – we are not machines. You need a healthy balance between the time you spend at work and the time you spend outside the work place. You need to be constantly reminded that there is more to life than work. (Although there will be some times you might have to work late in case of emergencies but they should be the exceptions and not the norm.)
2) Don’t be a yes person.
This follows on from point number one. You will find it easier to go home on time when you don’t agree to every single thing that is asked of you. Your inbox will never be empty – only agree to things that you can manage and that do not interfere with point 1.
3) Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday.
Treat this as your foundation for a more balanced life. Creating a natural rhythm to your day will go a long way to creating balance in your life. You will feel more rested and grounded in reality and less overwhelmed by events that happen during the day.
4) Slow down.
Consciously slow down. Walk slower, drive slower, talk slower. Notice things as you walk. Notice the tree that you pass by each day on the way to work and how it changes color with the seasons. Notice the fresh smell of morning and feel the warm sunshine on your face during the day (or the rain pelting of your face if you live in Ireland) :). Become more aware and awake in general and take your time over your day. Practice some form of daily relaxation exercise such as meditation, yoga or progressive muscle relaxation. Slow down - it is not a race you know!
5) Don’t buy into the culture around you if you don’t want to.
24-7 News (mostly bad news), the pressures of work, the go go go of modern life – this is what the media likes to tell us about our culture. That is not MY culture. I don’t agree with it and I don’t buy it. I am a human being and unique with my own feelings and needs – I don’t have to buy into something if it violates my values.
6) Create your own sub-culture involving your friends and family.
Surround yourself with people you like and who like you back. Create you own subculture of activities. Leave the couch and TV and go out and meet people be it through reading groups, charity work, nature rambles and more!
7) Recognize you have the right to be healthier than those around you.
Again don’t buy into the bad habits of other people. If everyone else around you drink too much coffee – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your colleagues at work love to eat fried foods at lunch – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your peers don’t bother to exercise that doesn’t mean you have to. Look after yourself!
8) Do something meaningful with your spare time.
Volunteer and do something that suits your personality. Not everyone can have the qualities that are required to go visit and talk to the elderly for example. Find out what skills you have (everyone has them!) and see how you could use those skills to help others.
9) Let go of the need to buy the next big thing.
If you let go of the cravings to keep consuming and buying things you don’t need then you might not feel you have to work such long hours. Why do you need that car? Is it something you really NEED or just something you think would be nice to have. Don’t forget about all those items you bought and you thought they were great to begin with. You were feeling empty and you thought that this might make your life more exciting or make you feel a bit better. Then the novelty wears off and you have that empty feeling inside that you had before you bought it in the first place. Why do you feel you need to keep up with the neighbors? If they get a big 4 X 4 does that mean you have to? Ask yourself why you feel you have to do that?
10) Develop compassion, patience and tolerance for your fellow people.
Happiness comes from relationships you have with people. We are all very complicated and can have our negative aspects. Developing compassion, patience and tolerance for others will go a long way to having better relationships with people. Accepting how different we all are is the starting point the rest is up to you!
What methods for addressing balance in your life worked for you? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
Good luck,
Allen
As usual let me know what you think..
Allen
Balance is important. When one aspect of our life becomes too dominant we loose that balance and experience conflict and unhappiness. It’s not easy and sometimes it feels like a juggling match but if we develop some healthy habits it is possible to achieve balance in a relaxed and calm way. Don’t forget the amount of time you devote to each aspect of your life will undergo fluctuation. It’s all a matter of realizing the natural flow of life and giving the right amount of attention to all aspects of our day to day living. So here I present my own ten tips on leading a balanced life.
1) Go home from work on time.
You need to look after yourself. Contrary to what the current culture will tell you – we are not machines. You need a healthy balance between the time you spend at work and the time you spend outside the work place. You need to be constantly reminded that there is more to life than work. (Although there will be some times you might have to work late in case of emergencies but they should be the exceptions and not the norm.)
2) Don’t be a yes person.
This follows on from point number one. You will find it easier to go home on time when you don’t agree to every single thing that is asked of you. Your inbox will never be empty – only agree to things that you can manage and that do not interfere with point 1.
3) Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday.
Treat this as your foundation for a more balanced life. Creating a natural rhythm to your day will go a long way to creating balance in your life. You will feel more rested and grounded in reality and less overwhelmed by events that happen during the day.
4) Slow down.
Consciously slow down. Walk slower, drive slower, talk slower. Notice things as you walk. Notice the tree that you pass by each day on the way to work and how it changes color with the seasons. Notice the fresh smell of morning and feel the warm sunshine on your face during the day (or the rain pelting of your face if you live in Ireland) :). Become more aware and awake in general and take your time over your day. Practice some form of daily relaxation exercise such as meditation, yoga or progressive muscle relaxation. Slow down - it is not a race you know!
5) Don’t buy into the culture around you if you don’t want to.
24-7 News (mostly bad news), the pressures of work, the go go go of modern life – this is what the media likes to tell us about our culture. That is not MY culture. I don’t agree with it and I don’t buy it. I am a human being and unique with my own feelings and needs – I don’t have to buy into something if it violates my values.
6) Create your own sub-culture involving your friends and family.
Surround yourself with people you like and who like you back. Create you own subculture of activities. Leave the couch and TV and go out and meet people be it through reading groups, charity work, nature rambles and more!
7) Recognize you have the right to be healthier than those around you.
Again don’t buy into the bad habits of other people. If everyone else around you drink too much coffee – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your colleagues at work love to eat fried foods at lunch – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your peers don’t bother to exercise that doesn’t mean you have to. Look after yourself!
8) Do something meaningful with your spare time.
Volunteer and do something that suits your personality. Not everyone can have the qualities that are required to go visit and talk to the elderly for example. Find out what skills you have (everyone has them!) and see how you could use those skills to help others.
9) Let go of the need to buy the next big thing.
If you let go of the cravings to keep consuming and buying things you don’t need then you might not feel you have to work such long hours. Why do you need that car? Is it something you really NEED or just something you think would be nice to have. Don’t forget about all those items you bought and you thought they were great to begin with. You were feeling empty and you thought that this might make your life more exciting or make you feel a bit better. Then the novelty wears off and you have that empty feeling inside that you had before you bought it in the first place. Why do you feel you need to keep up with the neighbors? If they get a big 4 X 4 does that mean you have to? Ask yourself why you feel you have to do that?
10) Develop compassion, patience and tolerance for your fellow people.
Happiness comes from relationships you have with people. We are all very complicated and can have our negative aspects. Developing compassion, patience and tolerance for others will go a long way to having better relationships with people. Accepting how different we all are is the starting point the rest is up to you!
What methods for addressing balance in your life worked for you? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
Good luck,
Allen
10 Tips on Leading a Balanced Life - Revisted.
Part two of the summer re-runs of popular posts is this one about a balanced life. Like all the life hacks and tips I write about, these are things I strive towards. I never pretend to have it all figured out by any means.
As usual let me know what you think..
Allen
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
Balance is important. When one aspect of our life becomes too dominant we loose that balance and experience conflict and unhappiness. It’s not easy and sometimes it feels like a juggling match but if we develop some healthy habits it is possible to achieve balance in a relaxed and calm way. Don’t forget the amount of time you devote to each aspect of your life will undergo fluctuation. It’s all a matter of realizing the natural flow of life and giving the right amount of attention to all aspects of our day to day living. So here I present my own ten tips on leading a balanced life.
1) Go home from work on time.
You need to look after yourself. Contrary to what the current culture will tell you – we are not machines. You need a healthy balance between the time you spend at work and the time you spend outside the work place. You need to be constantly reminded that there is more to life than work. (Although there will be some times you might have to work late in case of emergencies but they should be the exceptions and not the norm.)
2) Don’t be a yes person.
This follows on from point number one. You will find it easier to go home on time when you don’t agree to every single thing that is asked of you. Your inbox will never be empty – only agree to things that you can manage and that do not interfere with point 1.
3) Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday.
Treat this as your foundation for a more balanced life. Creating a natural rhythm to your day will go a long way to creating balance in your life. You will feel more rested and grounded in reality and less overwhelmed by events that happen during the day.
4) Slow down.
Consciously slow down. Walk slower, drive slower, talk slower. Notice things as you walk. Notice the tree that you pass by each day on the way to work and how it changes color with the seasons. Notice the fresh smell of morning and feel the warm sunshine on your face during the day (or the rain pelting of your face if you live in Ireland) :). Become more aware and awake in general and take your time over your day. Practice some form of daily relaxation exercise such as meditation, yoga or progressive muscle relaxation. Slow down - it is not a race you know!
5) Don’t buy into the culture around you if you don’t want to.
24-7 News (mostly bad news), the pressures of work, the go go go of modern life – this is what the media likes to tell us about our culture. That is not MY culture. I don’t agree with it and I don’t buy it. I am a human being and unique with my own feelings and needs – I don’t have to buy into something if it violates my values.
6) Create your own sub-culture involving your friends and family.
Surround yourself with people you like and who like you back. Create you own subculture of activities. Leave the couch and TV and go out and meet people be it through reading groups, charity work, nature rambles and more!
7) Recognize you have the right to be healthier than those around you.
Again don’t buy into the bad habits of other people. If everyone else around you drink too much coffee – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your colleagues at work love to eat fried foods at lunch – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your peers don’t bother to exercise that doesn’t mean you have to. Look after yourself!
8) Do something meaningful with your spare time.
Volunteer and do something that suits your personality. Not everyone can have the qualities that are required to go visit and talk to the elderly for example. Find out what skills you have (everyone has them!) and see how you could use those skills to help others.
9) Let go of the need to buy the next big thing.
If you let go of the cravings to keep consuming and buying things you don’t need then you might not feel you have to work such long hours. Why do you need that car? Is it something you really NEED or just something you think would be nice to have. Don’t forget about all those items you bought and you thought they were great to begin with. You were feeling empty and you thought that this might make your life more exciting or make you feel a bit better. Then the novelty wears off and you have that empty feeling inside that you had before you bought it in the first place. Why do you feel you need to keep up with the neighbors? If they get a big 4 X 4 does that mean you have to? Ask yourself why you feel you have to do that?
10) Develop compassion, patience and tolerance for your fellow people.
Happiness comes from relationships you have with people. We are all very complicated and can have our negative aspects. Developing compassion, patience and tolerance for others will go a long way to having better relationships with people. Accepting how different we all are is the starting point the rest is up to you!
What methods for addressing balance in your life worked for you? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
Good luck,
Allen
As usual let me know what you think..
Allen
Balance is important. When one aspect of our life becomes too dominant we loose that balance and experience conflict and unhappiness. It’s not easy and sometimes it feels like a juggling match but if we develop some healthy habits it is possible to achieve balance in a relaxed and calm way. Don’t forget the amount of time you devote to each aspect of your life will undergo fluctuation. It’s all a matter of realizing the natural flow of life and giving the right amount of attention to all aspects of our day to day living. So here I present my own ten tips on leading a balanced life.
1) Go home from work on time.
You need to look after yourself. Contrary to what the current culture will tell you – we are not machines. You need a healthy balance between the time you spend at work and the time you spend outside the work place. You need to be constantly reminded that there is more to life than work. (Although there will be some times you might have to work late in case of emergencies but they should be the exceptions and not the norm.)
2) Don’t be a yes person.
This follows on from point number one. You will find it easier to go home on time when you don’t agree to every single thing that is asked of you. Your inbox will never be empty – only agree to things that you can manage and that do not interfere with point 1.
3) Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday.
Treat this as your foundation for a more balanced life. Creating a natural rhythm to your day will go a long way to creating balance in your life. You will feel more rested and grounded in reality and less overwhelmed by events that happen during the day.
4) Slow down.
Consciously slow down. Walk slower, drive slower, talk slower. Notice things as you walk. Notice the tree that you pass by each day on the way to work and how it changes color with the seasons. Notice the fresh smell of morning and feel the warm sunshine on your face during the day (or the rain pelting of your face if you live in Ireland) :). Become more aware and awake in general and take your time over your day. Practice some form of daily relaxation exercise such as meditation, yoga or progressive muscle relaxation. Slow down - it is not a race you know!
5) Don’t buy into the culture around you if you don’t want to.
24-7 News (mostly bad news), the pressures of work, the go go go of modern life – this is what the media likes to tell us about our culture. That is not MY culture. I don’t agree with it and I don’t buy it. I am a human being and unique with my own feelings and needs – I don’t have to buy into something if it violates my values.
6) Create your own sub-culture involving your friends and family.
Surround yourself with people you like and who like you back. Create you own subculture of activities. Leave the couch and TV and go out and meet people be it through reading groups, charity work, nature rambles and more!
7) Recognize you have the right to be healthier than those around you.
Again don’t buy into the bad habits of other people. If everyone else around you drink too much coffee – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your colleagues at work love to eat fried foods at lunch – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your peers don’t bother to exercise that doesn’t mean you have to. Look after yourself!
8) Do something meaningful with your spare time.
Volunteer and do something that suits your personality. Not everyone can have the qualities that are required to go visit and talk to the elderly for example. Find out what skills you have (everyone has them!) and see how you could use those skills to help others.
9) Let go of the need to buy the next big thing.
If you let go of the cravings to keep consuming and buying things you don’t need then you might not feel you have to work such long hours. Why do you need that car? Is it something you really NEED or just something you think would be nice to have. Don’t forget about all those items you bought and you thought they were great to begin with. You were feeling empty and you thought that this might make your life more exciting or make you feel a bit better. Then the novelty wears off and you have that empty feeling inside that you had before you bought it in the first place. Why do you feel you need to keep up with the neighbors? If they get a big 4 X 4 does that mean you have to? Ask yourself why you feel you have to do that?
10) Develop compassion, patience and tolerance for your fellow people.
Happiness comes from relationships you have with people. We are all very complicated and can have our negative aspects. Developing compassion, patience and tolerance for others will go a long way to having better relationships with people. Accepting how different we all are is the starting point the rest is up to you!
What methods for addressing balance in your life worked for you? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
Good luck,
Allen
Thursday, 5 July 2007
5 Reasons Why Hobbies are Important
5 Reasons Why Hobbies are Important.
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
I cannot stress this enough. Having a hobby is important to your happiness. Here are my five reasons why:
1) Give your life meaning.
In my experience a lot of people seem to lack meaning in their day jobs. Now I could go into how one should find meaning in your day job but one way to add a sense of meaning to your life is to have a meaningful hobby. This could involve doing charity work, helping to care for the elderly, volunteering at your local “soup kitchen” or helping out at your local animal sanctuary. Volunteering allows you to be human again rather than a cog in the machine.
2) Energizes your life.
If you find yourself falling through your front door after a hard day’s slog and slumping in front of the television you may be surprised to know that you do in fact have some hidden energy left. I found when I was doing a live show on community radio, even after a hard day at the office, I was able to find the energy to perform. The thought of doing the live show energized me. I got a “buzz” from doing it even though every other day of the week I would find myself not having the same energy. So if you think you are just too tired after work to do something with your spare time – if you find something you’re passionate about – you might be surprised by the energy you have.
3) A chance to switch off.
If I continue to use my radio show as an example – I never thought about my worries or work issues when I was doing the show. It was totally different from my day to day life and I just didn’t have time to dwell on my worries. When the on-air sign came on and I got my queue I had to do my segment, introduce the next song and generally try and be entertaining. Having a hobby that captures your imagination and all of your attention can be a welcome rest from all your worries. Try it and see.
4) A way to express your talent.
Are you keeping your talents hidden? Do the necessities of paying the bills force you to work in jobs where your talents are not fully expressed? Well if you are a budding artist, musician, author, actor or (ahem) radio presenter – a hobby can give you the forum to express your hidden talent or even discover a new one!
5) A way to have fun.
Having fun is important! Life is much too short to be serious all the time! Having fun can release tension and is a perfect way to counter stress. Having a hobby that is fun can make you feel alive again and remind you that you don’t always need to be productive to feel worthwhile. Doing the activity for the sake of doing it is enough! Get out there and have some fun…
Hobbies can allow you to be the person you were meant to be and give perspective to your life. It can remind you on a regular basis - life is not always about work. Find your passion and your hobby today and you will find happiness!
Good Luck,
Allen
I cannot stress this enough. Having a hobby is important to your happiness. Here are my five reasons why:
1) Give your life meaning.
In my experience a lot of people seem to lack meaning in their day jobs. Now I could go into how one should find meaning in your day job but one way to add a sense of meaning to your life is to have a meaningful hobby. This could involve doing charity work, helping to care for the elderly, volunteering at your local “soup kitchen” or helping out at your local animal sanctuary. Volunteering allows you to be human again rather than a cog in the machine.
2) Energizes your life.
If you find yourself falling through your front door after a hard day’s slog and slumping in front of the television you may be surprised to know that you do in fact have some hidden energy left. I found when I was doing a live show on community radio, even after a hard day at the office, I was able to find the energy to perform. The thought of doing the live show energized me. I got a “buzz” from doing it even though every other day of the week I would find myself not having the same energy. So if you think you are just too tired after work to do something with your spare time – if you find something you’re passionate about – you might be surprised by the energy you have.
3) A chance to switch off.
If I continue to use my radio show as an example – I never thought about my worries or work issues when I was doing the show. It was totally different from my day to day life and I just didn’t have time to dwell on my worries. When the on-air sign came on and I got my queue I had to do my segment, introduce the next song and generally try and be entertaining. Having a hobby that captures your imagination and all of your attention can be a welcome rest from all your worries. Try it and see.
4) A way to express your talent.
Are you keeping your talents hidden? Do the necessities of paying the bills force you to work in jobs where your talents are not fully expressed? Well if you are a budding artist, musician, author, actor or (ahem) radio presenter – a hobby can give you the forum to express your hidden talent or even discover a new one!
5) A way to have fun.
Having fun is important! Life is much too short to be serious all the time! Having fun can release tension and is a perfect way to counter stress. Having a hobby that is fun can make you feel alive again and remind you that you don’t always need to be productive to feel worthwhile. Doing the activity for the sake of doing it is enough! Get out there and have some fun…
Hobbies can allow you to be the person you were meant to be and give perspective to your life. It can remind you on a regular basis - life is not always about work. Find your passion and your hobby today and you will find happiness!
Good Luck,
Allen
5 Reasons Why Hobbies are Important
5 Reasons Why Hobbies are Important.
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
I cannot stress this enough. Having a hobby is important to your happiness. Here are my five reasons why:
1) Give your life meaning.
In my experience a lot of people seem to lack meaning in their day jobs. Now I could go into how one should find meaning in your day job but one way to add a sense of meaning to your life is to have a meaningful hobby. This could involve doing charity work, helping to care for the elderly, volunteering at your local “soup kitchen” or helping out at your local animal sanctuary. Volunteering allows you to be human again rather than a cog in the machine.
2) Energizes your life.
If you find yourself falling through your front door after a hard day’s slog and slumping in front of the television you may be surprised to know that you do in fact have some hidden energy left. I found when I was doing a live show on community radio, even after a hard day at the office, I was able to find the energy to perform. The thought of doing the live show energized me. I got a “buzz” from doing it even though every other day of the week I would find myself not having the same energy. So if you think you are just too tired after work to do something with your spare time – if you find something you’re passionate about – you might be surprised by the energy you have.
3) A chance to switch off.
If I continue to use my radio show as an example – I never thought about my worries or work issues when I was doing the show. It was totally different from my day to day life and I just didn’t have time to dwell on my worries. When the on-air sign came on and I got my queue I had to do my segment, introduce the next song and generally try and be entertaining. Having a hobby that captures your imagination and all of your attention can be a welcome rest from all your worries. Try it and see.
4) A way to express your talent.
Are you keeping your talents hidden? Do the necessities of paying the bills force you to work in jobs where your talents are not fully expressed? Well if you are a budding artist, musician, author, actor or (ahem) radio presenter – a hobby can give you the forum to express your hidden talent or even discover a new one!
5) A way to have fun.
Having fun is important! Life is much too short to be serious all the time! Having fun can release tension and is a perfect way to counter stress. Having a hobby that is fun can make you feel alive again and remind you that you don’t always need to be productive to feel worthwhile. Doing the activity for the sake of doing it is enough! Get out there and have some fun…
Hobbies can allow you to be the person you were meant to be and give perspective to your life. It can remind you on a regular basis - life is not always about work. Find your passion and your hobby today and you will find happiness!
Good Luck,
Allen
I cannot stress this enough. Having a hobby is important to your happiness. Here are my five reasons why:
1) Give your life meaning.
In my experience a lot of people seem to lack meaning in their day jobs. Now I could go into how one should find meaning in your day job but one way to add a sense of meaning to your life is to have a meaningful hobby. This could involve doing charity work, helping to care for the elderly, volunteering at your local “soup kitchen” or helping out at your local animal sanctuary. Volunteering allows you to be human again rather than a cog in the machine.
2) Energizes your life.
If you find yourself falling through your front door after a hard day’s slog and slumping in front of the television you may be surprised to know that you do in fact have some hidden energy left. I found when I was doing a live show on community radio, even after a hard day at the office, I was able to find the energy to perform. The thought of doing the live show energized me. I got a “buzz” from doing it even though every other day of the week I would find myself not having the same energy. So if you think you are just too tired after work to do something with your spare time – if you find something you’re passionate about – you might be surprised by the energy you have.
3) A chance to switch off.
If I continue to use my radio show as an example – I never thought about my worries or work issues when I was doing the show. It was totally different from my day to day life and I just didn’t have time to dwell on my worries. When the on-air sign came on and I got my queue I had to do my segment, introduce the next song and generally try and be entertaining. Having a hobby that captures your imagination and all of your attention can be a welcome rest from all your worries. Try it and see.
4) A way to express your talent.
Are you keeping your talents hidden? Do the necessities of paying the bills force you to work in jobs where your talents are not fully expressed? Well if you are a budding artist, musician, author, actor or (ahem) radio presenter – a hobby can give you the forum to express your hidden talent or even discover a new one!
5) A way to have fun.
Having fun is important! Life is much too short to be serious all the time! Having fun can release tension and is a perfect way to counter stress. Having a hobby that is fun can make you feel alive again and remind you that you don’t always need to be productive to feel worthwhile. Doing the activity for the sake of doing it is enough! Get out there and have some fun…
Hobbies can allow you to be the person you were meant to be and give perspective to your life. It can remind you on a regular basis - life is not always about work. Find your passion and your hobby today and you will find happiness!
Good Luck,
Allen
Monday, 11 June 2007
Remember - Your Words Are Like Arrows...
When you are having a disagreement with a family member or friend its very easy to say something that YOU know will hurt them. Its like a weapon you use. You don't REALLY mean it but you know that it will get to them.
You lash out.
Your hurt them.
I would compare letting these hurtful words loose to firing an arrow at the person. You can't take the words back - once you've shot them That's it. Its too late.
The arrow remains in the person causing pain.
You can't take it back once you have loosed the arrow.
Be careful in what you say to people you love. Think of your words like arrows. You can't take them back and undo the hurt they have caused. With this in mind you might not be so quick to lash out.
Remember - Your Words Are Like Arrows...
When you are having a disagreement with a family member or friend its very easy to say something that YOU know will hurt them. Its like a weapon you use. You don't REALLY mean it but you know that it will get to them.
You lash out.
Your hurt them.
I would compare letting these hurtful words loose to firing an arrow at the person. You can't take the words back - once you've shot them That's it. Its too late.
The arrow remains in the person causing pain.
You can't take it back once you have loosed the arrow.
Be careful in what you say to people you love. Think of your words like arrows. You can't take them back and undo the hurt they have caused. With this in mind you might not be so quick to lash out.
Monday, 21 May 2007
We'll see - A lesson in Judging a Situation.
Do not be so quick to judge a situation as either good or bad. I have been out of action with a viral infection which I could judge as bad but on the other hand it has given me time for reflection. There now follows a parable about not judging. Enjoy!
Allen
A farmer once had a horse run away. His neighbors were quite sympathetic saying, "How awful for you."
He replied, "We'll see."
His son went to find the horse and came back triumphantly riding the somewhat agitated steed. The neighbors joyfully exclaimed, "What joy; your horse has been found!"
The farmer calmly said, We'll see."
The farmer's son took it upon himself to break and train the temperamental horse and a few days passed. One morning, the son was thrown from the horse and broke his leg. It required setting and binding and he could not work on his father's farm in his condition.
The neighbors sadly pronounced, "How unfortunate for you: you will not have your son's help around the farm for several weeks. What a catastrophe!"
The farmer replied, "We'll see."
But one neighbor retorted, "How can you be so flippant about your son's predicament? I know for a fact that you will have to work late into the night to get all the chores done without his help. You may be in denial, but you DO have a serious problem!"
The farmer quietly said, "We'll see."
The following day, the emperor's guard arrived. They came because the Emperor decided it was time for military conscription. All elligible men would be drafted to go fight in the Emperor's latest border war. Because of his broken leg, the farmer's son was not carried off by the army. Because his horse was too unsettled, it was not conscripted. And because he had no horse or son to help him feed the rest of his family he was left to tend to his farm.
Allen
A farmer once had a horse run away. His neighbors were quite sympathetic saying, "How awful for you."
He replied, "We'll see."
His son went to find the horse and came back triumphantly riding the somewhat agitated steed. The neighbors joyfully exclaimed, "What joy; your horse has been found!"
The farmer calmly said, We'll see."
The farmer's son took it upon himself to break and train the temperamental horse and a few days passed. One morning, the son was thrown from the horse and broke his leg. It required setting and binding and he could not work on his father's farm in his condition.
The neighbors sadly pronounced, "How unfortunate for you: you will not have your son's help around the farm for several weeks. What a catastrophe!"
The farmer replied, "We'll see."
But one neighbor retorted, "How can you be so flippant about your son's predicament? I know for a fact that you will have to work late into the night to get all the chores done without his help. You may be in denial, but you DO have a serious problem!"
The farmer quietly said, "We'll see."
The following day, the emperor's guard arrived. They came because the Emperor decided it was time for military conscription. All elligible men would be drafted to go fight in the Emperor's latest border war. Because of his broken leg, the farmer's son was not carried off by the army. Because his horse was too unsettled, it was not conscripted. And because he had no horse or son to help him feed the rest of his family he was left to tend to his farm.
We'll see - A lesson in Judging a Situation.
Do not be so quick to judge a situation as either good or bad. I have been out of action with a viral infection which I could judge as bad but on the other hand it has given me time for reflection. There now follows a parable about not judging. Enjoy!
Allen
A farmer once had a horse run away. His neighbors were quite sympathetic saying, "How awful for you."
He replied, "We'll see."
His son went to find the horse and came back triumphantly riding the somewhat agitated steed. The neighbors joyfully exclaimed, "What joy; your horse has been found!"
The farmer calmly said, We'll see."
The farmer's son took it upon himself to break and train the temperamental horse and a few days passed. One morning, the son was thrown from the horse and broke his leg. It required setting and binding and he could not work on his father's farm in his condition.
The neighbors sadly pronounced, "How unfortunate for you: you will not have your son's help around the farm for several weeks. What a catastrophe!"
The farmer replied, "We'll see."
But one neighbor retorted, "How can you be so flippant about your son's predicament? I know for a fact that you will have to work late into the night to get all the chores done without his help. You may be in denial, but you DO have a serious problem!"
The farmer quietly said, "We'll see."
The following day, the emperor's guard arrived. They came because the Emperor decided it was time for military conscription. All elligible men would be drafted to go fight in the Emperor's latest border war. Because of his broken leg, the farmer's son was not carried off by the army. Because his horse was too unsettled, it was not conscripted. And because he had no horse or son to help him feed the rest of his family he was left to tend to his farm.
Allen
A farmer once had a horse run away. His neighbors were quite sympathetic saying, "How awful for you."
He replied, "We'll see."
His son went to find the horse and came back triumphantly riding the somewhat agitated steed. The neighbors joyfully exclaimed, "What joy; your horse has been found!"
The farmer calmly said, We'll see."
The farmer's son took it upon himself to break and train the temperamental horse and a few days passed. One morning, the son was thrown from the horse and broke his leg. It required setting and binding and he could not work on his father's farm in his condition.
The neighbors sadly pronounced, "How unfortunate for you: you will not have your son's help around the farm for several weeks. What a catastrophe!"
The farmer replied, "We'll see."
But one neighbor retorted, "How can you be so flippant about your son's predicament? I know for a fact that you will have to work late into the night to get all the chores done without his help. You may be in denial, but you DO have a serious problem!"
The farmer quietly said, "We'll see."
The following day, the emperor's guard arrived. They came because the Emperor decided it was time for military conscription. All elligible men would be drafted to go fight in the Emperor's latest border war. Because of his broken leg, the farmer's son was not carried off by the army. Because his horse was too unsettled, it was not conscripted. And because he had no horse or son to help him feed the rest of his family he was left to tend to his farm.
Friday, 4 May 2007
Know When to STOP Helping People
There is only so much you can do for people. You know somebody who is being self destructive. They are hurting themselves and others. You, out of compassion, have tried to help them. You offered them advice.
You have listened to their suffering.
You have been there for them so many times until your patience has worn down to a stage of where you are very close to breaking.
You have done your best.
They have not changed.
You are tired.
Anything more and you will break.
It is time to stop.
When you reach the point as described above - you will still be helping them by stopping the direct help that you have given them. There is only so much you can do for people - at the end of the day they have to want change.
You wont be of any help to anyone if you burn out. So bear in mind that there might come a time - as a friend, brother, parent or spouse - when you will need to back away and hope that you have made a difference.
In the end people need to help themselves to change.
Allen
Know When to STOP Helping People
There is only so much you can do for people. You know somebody who is being self destructive. They are hurting themselves and others. You, out of compassion, have tried to help them. You offered them advice.
You have listened to their suffering.
You have been there for them so many times until your patience has worn down to a stage of where you are very close to breaking.
You have done your best.
They have not changed.
You are tired.
Anything more and you will break.
It is time to stop.
When you reach the point as described above - you will still be helping them by stopping the direct help that you have given them. There is only so much you can do for people - at the end of the day they have to want change.
You wont be of any help to anyone if you burn out. So bear in mind that there might come a time - as a friend, brother, parent or spouse - when you will need to back away and hope that you have made a difference.
In the end people need to help themselves to change.
Allen
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
Don't throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater when it comes to having a Spiritual life...
Don't throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater when it comes to having a Spiritual life...
Consider this song:
Artist: George Harrison
Album: Concert For Bangla Desh/all Things Must Pass
Title: Awaiting On You All
You don't need no love in
You don't need no bed pan
You don't need a horoscope or a microscope
The see the mess that you're in
If you open up your heart
You will know what I mean
We've been polluted so long
Now here's a way for you to get clean
By chanting the names of the lord and you'll be free
The lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see
Chanting the names of the lord and you'll be free
The lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see
You don't need no passport
And you don't need no visas
You don't need to designate or to emigrate
Before you can see Jesus
If you open up your heart
You'll see he's right there
Always was and will be
He'll relieve you of your cares
By chanting the names of the lord and you'll be free
The lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see
Chanting the names of the lord and you'll be free
The lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see
You don't need no church house
And you don't need no temple
You don't need no rosary beads or them books to read
To see that you have fallen
If you open up your heart
You will know what I mean
We've been kept down so long
Someone's thinking that we're all green
And while the pope owns 51% of general motors
And the stock exchange is the only thing he's qualified to quote us
The lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see
By chanting the names of the lord and you'll be free
I believe a lot of people have lost their way today. They have their energies invested in meaningless activities and try and numb the pain of this with drink, drugs, consumerism and following the lives of so called celebs.
>You don't need to designate or to emigrate
> Before you can see Jesus
Interesting how he mentions Jesus in this song although he was a devout Hindu… I think that if people followed the teaching of Jesus and not the dogmas set by the man made church institutions then people might be happier. I am not saying happiness cannot be found in other religions but I use this example as it the religious framework I am familiar with.
People have thrown the baby out with the bathwater in my humble opinion. They have turned their backs on "the church" but they have also turned their backs on a spiritual life. It also seems to me the people with the loudest voices are the fundamentalists
If one takes a belief in God as a given then we are all children of God. We are all the same.
I grew up in a Christian family so I am using Christianity as the example I am most familiar with. I believe the worlds major religions are like different paths on a road that lead to the same destination.
So let us look at Christianity...
Jesus' wisdom teaching points to the world of conventional wisdom as a world of blindness. His aphorisms and parables invite us to see differently.
The theologian Marcus Borg tries to show us this e.g.
C:Conventional wisdom
J:Jesus' alternative wisdom
C:God is punitive lawgiver and judge
J:God is gracious
C:A person's worth is determined by measuring up to social standards
J:All persons have infinite worth as a children of God
C:Sinners and outcasts are to be avoided and rejected
J:Everyone is welcome around the table and in the kingdom of God
C:Identity comes from social tradition
J:Identity comes from centring in the sacred, from relationship with God
C:Strive to be first
J:The first shall be last...; those who exalt themselves will be emptied...
C:Preserve one's own life above all
J:The path of dying to self and being reborn leads to life abundant
C:Fruit of striving is reward
J:Fruit of centring in God is compassion
The pre-crucified Jesus was a social profit, healer and He tried to teach an alternative wisdom. He got on the wrong side of the authorities of the day and was crucified for it but his spirit lived on. You can look on this as the metaphysical spirit or the spirit of His teachings. The post Easter Jesus is something different.
Christian experience is born in the Easter experience.
Easter does not have to include something happening to Jesus' body.
The foundational meaning of Easter is that Jesus' followers experienced his continuing presence as a living reality.
An empty tomb is one way to talk about that experience.
The community speaks of Jesus as:
Light of the world
Bread of life
Messiah
The way, the truth, the life
The only way
These are images/metaphors people used to describe their experience of Jesus.
They are profoundly true though not literally true.
Jesus did not speak of himself in these ways.
They are vivid testimony about how the community experienced and thought about Jesus.
The post-Easter Jesus can also be the word, light, and bread, of God for us.
For more see http://www.united.edu/portrait/index.shtml
Anyway my long rambling point is this. George Harrison's music seems to show that the quiet Beatle had a healthy attitude to spirituality and he recognised the subversive message in following a spiritual life. A spiritual life can reward you with a life of meaning although its not really about what you can "get" for yourself in my humble opinion. I grew up in Northern Ireland and this could put you of religion for life! I constantly remind myself that if there is a God or higher power then He/She is much larger than our limited minds can comprehend and that the religion is a human reaction to this mystery.
So try not throw the baby out with the bathwater. If you have given up on religion don't give up on having a spiritual life.
Good Luck!
Allen
Don't throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater when it comes to having a Spiritual life...
Don't throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater when it comes to having a Spiritual life...
Consider this song:
Artist: George Harrison
Album: Concert For Bangla Desh/all Things Must Pass
Title: Awaiting On You All
You don't need no love in
You don't need no bed pan
You don't need a horoscope or a microscope
The see the mess that you're in
If you open up your heart
You will know what I mean
We've been polluted so long
Now here's a way for you to get clean
By chanting the names of the lord and you'll be free
The lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see
Chanting the names of the lord and you'll be free
The lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see
You don't need no passport
And you don't need no visas
You don't need to designate or to emigrate
Before you can see Jesus
If you open up your heart
You'll see he's right there
Always was and will be
He'll relieve you of your cares
By chanting the names of the lord and you'll be free
The lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see
Chanting the names of the lord and you'll be free
The lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see
You don't need no church house
And you don't need no temple
You don't need no rosary beads or them books to read
To see that you have fallen
If you open up your heart
You will know what I mean
We've been kept down so long
Someone's thinking that we're all green
And while the pope owns 51% of general motors
And the stock exchange is the only thing he's qualified to quote us
The lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see
By chanting the names of the lord and you'll be free
I believe a lot of people have lost their way today. They have their energies invested in meaningless activities and try and numb the pain of this with drink, drugs, consumerism and following the lives of so called celebs.
>You don't need to designate or to emigrate
> Before you can see Jesus
Interesting how he mentions Jesus in this song although he was a devout Hindu… I think that if people followed the teaching of Jesus and not the dogmas set by the man made church institutions then people might be happier. I am not saying happiness cannot be found in other religions but I use this example as it the religious framework I am familiar with.
People have thrown the baby out with the bathwater in my humble opinion. They have turned their backs on "the church" but they have also turned their backs on a spiritual life. It also seems to me the people with the loudest voices are the fundamentalists
If one takes a belief in God as a given then we are all children of God. We are all the same.
I grew up in a Christian family so I am using Christianity as the example I am most familiar with. I believe the worlds major religions are like different paths on a road that lead to the same destination.
So let us look at Christianity...
Jesus' wisdom teaching points to the world of conventional wisdom as a world of blindness. His aphorisms and parables invite us to see differently.
The theologian Marcus Borg tries to show us this e.g.
C:Conventional wisdom
J:Jesus' alternative wisdom
C:God is punitive lawgiver and judge
J:God is gracious
C:A person's worth is determined by measuring up to social standards
J:All persons have infinite worth as a children of God
C:Sinners and outcasts are to be avoided and rejected
J:Everyone is welcome around the table and in the kingdom of God
C:Identity comes from social tradition
J:Identity comes from centring in the sacred, from relationship with God
C:Strive to be first
J:The first shall be last...; those who exalt themselves will be emptied...
C:Preserve one's own life above all
J:The path of dying to self and being reborn leads to life abundant
C:Fruit of striving is reward
J:Fruit of centring in God is compassion
The pre-crucified Jesus was a social profit, healer and He tried to teach an alternative wisdom. He got on the wrong side of the authorities of the day and was crucified for it but his spirit lived on. You can look on this as the metaphysical spirit or the spirit of His teachings. The post Easter Jesus is something different.
Christian experience is born in the Easter experience.
Easter does not have to include something happening to Jesus' body.
The foundational meaning of Easter is that Jesus' followers experienced his continuing presence as a living reality.
An empty tomb is one way to talk about that experience.
The community speaks of Jesus as:
Light of the world
Bread of life
Messiah
The way, the truth, the life
The only way
These are images/metaphors people used to describe their experience of Jesus.
They are profoundly true though not literally true.
Jesus did not speak of himself in these ways.
They are vivid testimony about how the community experienced and thought about Jesus.
The post-Easter Jesus can also be the word, light, and bread, of God for us.
For more see http://www.united.edu/portrait/index.shtml
Anyway my long rambling point is this. George Harrison's music seems to show that the quiet Beatle had a healthy attitude to spirituality and he recognised the subversive message in following a spiritual life. A spiritual life can reward you with a life of meaning although its not really about what you can "get" for yourself in my humble opinion. I grew up in Northern Ireland and this could put you of religion for life! I constantly remind myself that if there is a God or higher power then He/She is much larger than our limited minds can comprehend and that the religion is a human reaction to this mystery.
So try not throw the baby out with the bathwater. If you have given up on religion don't give up on having a spiritual life.
Good Luck!
Allen
Monday, 19 March 2007
How to Keep Perspective - Have a Death Day
Hi there...
I was listening to the radio today and there was a debate on how MORTAL we all our and how we forget this and get worried about all the small things in life.
I remember having a bit of a health scare once and as soon as I got the all clear I thought to myself "I am so glad to be alive! I am never going to let the small things in life get me down ever again!"... I spent more time with my friends and family and my priorities lay with the relationships I had with people and not with false paths to happiness such as career or material possessions or lack there of.
This feeling lasted for a few months but after a while I slipped back into worrying about money, jobs and where my career was going. I started sweating the small stuff!
Well, a caller phoned into this radio show and spoke of how he celebrated his death day. He picked a date in the future based on the average age of a man (women get to live longer) and nominated a date of that year to be his death day. He said its a wonderful way of keeping things in perspective and bringing your attention away from the worries about the past or the future - to thinking about the here and now.
So today I chose my death day and that is November 1st 2045. Statistically speaking I will probably be dead by then and even if I celebrate my death day only once per year it will certainly give me the kick up the bum I need to keep things in perspective.
So when is your death day? What do you think about this idea? Let me know!
Allen
How to Keep Perspective - Have a Death Day
Hi there...
I was listening to the radio today and there was a debate on how MORTAL we all our and how we forget this and get worried about all the small things in life.
I remember having a bit of a health scare once and as soon as I got the all clear I thought to myself "I am so glad to be alive! I am never going to let the small things in life get me down ever again!"... I spent more time with my friends and family and my priorities lay with the relationships I had with people and not with false paths to happiness such as career or material possessions or lack there of.
This feeling lasted for a few months but after a while I slipped back into worrying about money, jobs and where my career was going. I started sweating the small stuff!
Well, a caller phoned into this radio show and spoke of how he celebrated his death day. He picked a date in the future based on the average age of a man (women get to live longer) and nominated a date of that year to be his death day. He said its a wonderful way of keeping things in perspective and bringing your attention away from the worries about the past or the future - to thinking about the here and now.
So today I chose my death day and that is November 1st 2045. Statistically speaking I will probably be dead by then and even if I celebrate my death day only once per year it will certainly give me the kick up the bum I need to keep things in perspective.
So when is your death day? What do you think about this idea? Let me know!
Allen
Friday, 9 February 2007
How to Help Lateral Thinking and Stop Destructive Thoughts in Their Tracks - Consider PO!
The great thinker and inventor of the term of lateral thinking, Edward De Bono came up with the concept of "Po". Basically Po is used to ignite the imagination and take away boundaries when coming up with creative solutions for problems. Basically you make a statement - no matter how silly - and see where it leads you in finding a real solution to a problem.
To quote Wikipedia:
For example, Sales are dropping off because our product is perceived as old fashioned.
po: Change the color of the packaging
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
po: Call it retro
po: Sell it to old people
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
po: Pretend it is a new product
Some of the above ideas may be impractical, not sensible, not business-minded, not politically correct, or just plain daft. The value of these ideas is that they move thinking from a place where it is entrenched to a place where it can move. The above ideas might develop into...
po: Change the color of the packaging
update the product casing to bring it up to date (electronic goods can often do this)
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
take a cut down version and release it as an older cheaper one to make this product seem like the top of the line
po: Call it retro
instead of retro say "tried and tested" or "industry standard"
po: Sell it to old people
good idea
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
good idea
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
exhibit only your competitor's products
sell this product in the museum
make the experience educational within your sector
open a café
accept group bookings
add a theme park
po: Pretend it is a new product
give it a new name and call it state of the art
The second use of the word "Po" is using it as a "wedge of awareness" when you wish to change destructive thoughts. What you do is this.. When you want to change your habitual destructive thinking mutter the word Po to yourself during the thought attack and it breaks the cycle. Let me give you an example:
"That fella just cut me off in his big fancy car... !!! People are ignorant and stupid ... Po!.... I am getting worked up over nothing and I am generalizing and labeling people.."
It really works! Its such an odd word it sort pops into your head during these spiral of destructive thoughts - it certainly seems to work for me! Give it a go and let me know how you get on!
For more "mind hacks" I recommend Mind Performance Hacks published by O'Relly by Ron Hale-Evans. I am currently reading this and loving it!
Have a nice weekend
Allen
To quote Wikipedia:
For example, Sales are dropping off because our product is perceived as old fashioned.
po: Change the color of the packaging
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
po: Call it retro
po: Sell it to old people
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
po: Pretend it is a new product
Some of the above ideas may be impractical, not sensible, not business-minded, not politically correct, or just plain daft. The value of these ideas is that they move thinking from a place where it is entrenched to a place where it can move. The above ideas might develop into...
po: Change the color of the packaging
update the product casing to bring it up to date (electronic goods can often do this)
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
take a cut down version and release it as an older cheaper one to make this product seem like the top of the line
po: Call it retro
instead of retro say "tried and tested" or "industry standard"
po: Sell it to old people
good idea
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
good idea
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
exhibit only your competitor's products
sell this product in the museum
make the experience educational within your sector
open a café
accept group bookings
add a theme park
po: Pretend it is a new product
give it a new name and call it state of the art
The second use of the word "Po" is using it as a "wedge of awareness" when you wish to change destructive thoughts. What you do is this.. When you want to change your habitual destructive thinking mutter the word Po to yourself during the thought attack and it breaks the cycle. Let me give you an example:
"That fella just cut me off in his big fancy car... !!! People are ignorant and stupid ... Po!.... I am getting worked up over nothing and I am generalizing and labeling people.."
It really works! Its such an odd word it sort pops into your head during these spiral of destructive thoughts - it certainly seems to work for me! Give it a go and let me know how you get on!
For more "mind hacks" I recommend Mind Performance Hacks published by O'Relly by Ron Hale-Evans. I am currently reading this and loving it!
Have a nice weekend
Allen
How to Help Lateral Thinking and Stop Destructive Thoughts in Their Tracks - Consider PO!
The great thinker and inventor of the term of lateral thinking, Edward De Bono came up with the concept of "Po". Basically Po is used to ignite the imagination and take away boundaries when coming up with creative solutions for problems. Basically you make a statement - no matter how silly - and see where it leads you in finding a real solution to a problem.
To quote Wikipedia:
For example, Sales are dropping off because our product is perceived as old fashioned.
po: Change the color of the packaging
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
po: Call it retro
po: Sell it to old people
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
po: Pretend it is a new product
Some of the above ideas may be impractical, not sensible, not business-minded, not politically correct, or just plain daft. The value of these ideas is that they move thinking from a place where it is entrenched to a place where it can move. The above ideas might develop into...
po: Change the color of the packaging
update the product casing to bring it up to date (electronic goods can often do this)
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
take a cut down version and release it as an older cheaper one to make this product seem like the top of the line
po: Call it retro
instead of retro say "tried and tested" or "industry standard"
po: Sell it to old people
good idea
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
good idea
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
exhibit only your competitor's products
sell this product in the museum
make the experience educational within your sector
open a café
accept group bookings
add a theme park
po: Pretend it is a new product
give it a new name and call it state of the art
The second use of the word "Po" is using it as a "wedge of awareness" when you wish to change destructive thoughts. What you do is this.. When you want to change your habitual destructive thinking mutter the word Po to yourself during the thought attack and it breaks the cycle. Let me give you an example:
"That fella just cut me off in his big fancy car... !!! People are ignorant and stupid ... Po!.... I am getting worked up over nothing and I am generalizing and labeling people.."
It really works! Its such an odd word it sort pops into your head during these spiral of destructive thoughts - it certainly seems to work for me! Give it a go and let me know how you get on!
For more "mind hacks" I recommend Mind Performance Hacks published by O'Relly by Ron Hale-Evans. I am currently reading this and loving it!
Have a nice weekend
Allen
To quote Wikipedia:
For example, Sales are dropping off because our product is perceived as old fashioned.
po: Change the color of the packaging
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
po: Call it retro
po: Sell it to old people
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
po: Pretend it is a new product
Some of the above ideas may be impractical, not sensible, not business-minded, not politically correct, or just plain daft. The value of these ideas is that they move thinking from a place where it is entrenched to a place where it can move. The above ideas might develop into...
po: Change the color of the packaging
update the product casing to bring it up to date (electronic goods can often do this)
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
take a cut down version and release it as an older cheaper one to make this product seem like the top of the line
po: Call it retro
instead of retro say "tried and tested" or "industry standard"
po: Sell it to old people
good idea
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
good idea
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
exhibit only your competitor's products
sell this product in the museum
make the experience educational within your sector
open a café
accept group bookings
add a theme park
po: Pretend it is a new product
give it a new name and call it state of the art
The second use of the word "Po" is using it as a "wedge of awareness" when you wish to change destructive thoughts. What you do is this.. When you want to change your habitual destructive thinking mutter the word Po to yourself during the thought attack and it breaks the cycle. Let me give you an example:
"That fella just cut me off in his big fancy car... !!! People are ignorant and stupid ... Po!.... I am getting worked up over nothing and I am generalizing and labeling people.."
It really works! Its such an odd word it sort pops into your head during these spiral of destructive thoughts - it certainly seems to work for me! Give it a go and let me know how you get on!
For more "mind hacks" I recommend Mind Performance Hacks published by O'Relly by Ron Hale-Evans. I am currently reading this and loving it!
Have a nice weekend
Allen
Friday, 26 January 2007
How to Reach Your Goals - Start with yourself first.
Continuing my theme of self help for lazy people. This short tip will actually take a few seconds to understand but a life time to master! I may be targeting lazy people with my tips but there are no short cuts when it comes to improving yourself.
When you want to reach your goal - say have a more meaningful career - the best thing is not to go start trying to look for that career straight away. No, the first thing to do is to start with yourself. Improve where you are as a person today and you will be in a better place to take on more challenging rolls in the future.
Develop the following elements in your life first:
1) Compassion
2) Forgiveness
3) Patience and Tolerance
4) A balanced life
5) Your social life
7) A sense of yourself - your talents AND your limitations.
8) Physical and Mental Health.
9) A Spiritual Life to remind you that there is more to life than - our producer/consumer society.
10) Giving to others.
If you develop those things then you will be starting towards your goals from a good place and you might actually be reaching for goals that will give you true happiness.
Food for thought..
Allen
When you want to reach your goal - say have a more meaningful career - the best thing is not to go start trying to look for that career straight away. No, the first thing to do is to start with yourself. Improve where you are as a person today and you will be in a better place to take on more challenging rolls in the future.
Develop the following elements in your life first:
1) Compassion
2) Forgiveness
3) Patience and Tolerance
4) A balanced life
5) Your social life
7) A sense of yourself - your talents AND your limitations.
8) Physical and Mental Health.
9) A Spiritual Life to remind you that there is more to life than - our producer/consumer society.
10) Giving to others.
If you develop those things then you will be starting towards your goals from a good place and you might actually be reaching for goals that will give you true happiness.
Food for thought..
Allen
How to Reach Your Goals - Start with yourself first.
Continuing my theme of self help for lazy people. This short tip will actually take a few seconds to understand but a life time to master! I may be targeting lazy people with my tips but there are no short cuts when it comes to improving yourself.
When you want to reach your goal - say have a more meaningful career - the best thing is not to go start trying to look for that career straight away. No, the first thing to do is to start with yourself. Improve where you are as a person today and you will be in a better place to take on more challenging rolls in the future.
Develop the following elements in your life first:
1) Compassion
2) Forgiveness
3) Patience and Tolerance
4) A balanced life
5) Your social life
7) A sense of yourself - your talents AND your limitations.
8) Physical and Mental Health.
9) A Spiritual Life to remind you that there is more to life than - our producer/consumer society.
10) Giving to others.
If you develop those things then you will be starting towards your goals from a good place and you might actually be reaching for goals that will give you true happiness.
Food for thought..
Allen
When you want to reach your goal - say have a more meaningful career - the best thing is not to go start trying to look for that career straight away. No, the first thing to do is to start with yourself. Improve where you are as a person today and you will be in a better place to take on more challenging rolls in the future.
Develop the following elements in your life first:
1) Compassion
2) Forgiveness
3) Patience and Tolerance
4) A balanced life
5) Your social life
7) A sense of yourself - your talents AND your limitations.
8) Physical and Mental Health.
9) A Spiritual Life to remind you that there is more to life than - our producer/consumer society.
10) Giving to others.
If you develop those things then you will be starting towards your goals from a good place and you might actually be reaching for goals that will give you true happiness.
Food for thought..
Allen
Wednesday, 17 January 2007
Let us Show There is Still Kindness in Our World
I am sick of the negative side to our News media. There seems to be a one sided view - painting the world as a place without compassion or kindness.
Do a kind thing - no matter how big or small - and post your act of compassion here in the comments to this post!
Let us show the world there are still kind people out there.
I'll start:
My kind act today was to notice that a work colleague (who I dont know) was looking a bit down. So I lent them my big book of stupid jokes to cheer them up.
What kind thing did you do? Post a comment and let the world know!
Good Luck,
Allen
Do a kind thing - no matter how big or small - and post your act of compassion here in the comments to this post!
Let us show the world there are still kind people out there.
I'll start:
My kind act today was to notice that a work colleague (who I dont know) was looking a bit down. So I lent them my big book of stupid jokes to cheer them up.
What kind thing did you do? Post a comment and let the world know!
Good Luck,
Allen
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