by Phoenix Desertsong, All About Results! You may believe success lies in getting results. Believe it or not, success is not always about winning. Success comes from doing your best. But, that doesn’t mean that you have to be the best in your field to succeed. It means you just to be the best at what you are best at doing.
Success is not driving the most expensive car or having millions of dollars in the bank. True success goes far beyond material things or your bank balance. Here are the four things you need to do to find true success: - Live your life to the fullest - Live life on your own terms - Give everything you do your all - Live without regret These four things sound extremely simple. But, while many people understand what they mean, only a small minority ever realize all, if any, of these concepts. Let’s look at what it takes to meet each of these four things in daily life. Life Your Life to the Fullest While highly cliched, the core message of this phrase is still good. Always find a way to make the most of every day. No, you may not be highly productive or even accomplish something significant every day. What you can do is always find a way to improve yourself. That may just be reading something interesting, helping out a friend, or finding a recreational activity that you enjoy that also allows you to recharge. Basically, don’t just sit around and wait for things to happen. Make things happen. They won’t always work out well. But, as long as you keep moving, you’ll always find ways to make the most of each day and spare moment that you have. That's how you start living life to the fullest! Life Life on Your Own Terms Don’t let people tell you how to live your life. There is no ONE best way to live. You need to discover for yourself what your best life looks like. Many people believe that living life on your own terms means being your own boss and setting off on your own. While that's true to a degree, you can still find yourself subject to the whims of others. That's true even if you run your own successful business. Living life on your own terms actually means being self-aware and self-confident enough to know when compromise is worth it in order to achieve success. You also have to recognize when it will only hold you back. You need to know yourself well enough to know when you are no longer moving forward, then are willing to take the risks and steps necessary to continue to grow. These steps are rarely easy, but no one ever said success was easy. Give Everything You Do Your All It’s actually very common for us to just do the minimum amount of work required to perform a certain task. It actually is better to give full effort to each thing that you set yourself to doing. That's because then you will naturally do the best job that you can. It becomes a good habit to pour yourself into each task. Even the seemingly most mundane tasks have their purpose. In the process, you may find ways to make mundane tasks easier to do or even fun. So, giving your all has its benefits. Live Without Regret Regret is powerful, especially when you regret opportunities you could’ve taken better advantage of at the time or missed entirely. This is why it’s important to give your all and take full advantage of each opportunity as it comes. Yes, regret is often the hardest of our emotions to overcome. That's why being able to put regret into proper perspective is so important. Once you are able to understand why it exists, you can gain a lot of power from that knowledge. In applying these concepts to your daily life, you will find your own version of success. Even in failure, by doing these things, you will still find yourself still moving forward. You may well find success in ways you couldn’t have even imagined. How can you apply these concepts to your daily life today?
0 Comments
by Phoenix Desertsong, Value Creator Time for some true money-making motivation. Don't worry about making money. Care more about creating value. Sure, I'm far from the first to say that. But, our society often puts money first and value second. It's like show me the money and then I'll give you value. So, when you see people say, create value first without getting paid, you might think they're crazy.
This is a position I long held myself. For example, I always told myself "don't give away exclusive content for free; make sure you retain the rights." But, in some cases, giving away the rights to a piece of content can actually create value that comes back to benefit you. After all, writing for.my own properties, I sometimes.feel like writing for free, too! But in reality, I'm creating value. Then, it's a matter of people just knowing it's there. Value doesn't mean anything unless people are exposed to it! In today's world, you need all the exposure you can get. You either find the money to pay for advertising, or you find creative ways to create value in which both sides benefit. Your benefactor gets quality content they now own and you get the exposure for your knowledge and expertise. Sure, you're not always going to benefit, especially not right away. But, the online world is no longer just build it and they will come. Sure, you'll get some to come. But the more value you create in other places, you build a web of value that leads right back to you. Sometimes those mentions and no follow links help you more than any link juice tactic can. How can you create value and help others today? The more you do that, suddenly the more money making opportunities are due to come your way. Just be patient and don't stop creating! By Crystal S. Kauffman Starting over elsewhere may be exactly what you need to get out of the rut you seem to be stuck in lately. Sometimes, just going where someone doesn’t know your past mistakes can help you heal more than therapy. Trying to live with everyone's constant judgement can weigh you down with guilt over your past mistakes. How can you move forward when no one will allow you to escape the guilt and shame? Stop letting people disappoint you and talk down to you, just because they have not forgiven you. Admitting you made a bad choice and work on changing your life. Start by evaluating your close friends and family, in order to decide who you want to be in your life. If you need to move, then create a plan to begin transitioning to your new place. Decide what you will tolerate and what you won't tolerate, as you begin picking up the pieces of your life. You have to believe in your own self and stay positive, while trying to rebuild your life. No one has a right to put you down or degrade you. So, with that said, be careful who you allow into your personal space. Don't let anyone who is toxic in your circle of friends and family. This will keep you on the right track as you moved forward in your journey to recovery. Additionally, pick up hobbies that you enjoy and try to stay out of your own head.
Copyrighted 2019 PS; I am not a licensed Therapist. Based on personal experience. by Amelia "Phoenix" Desertsong, Writer, Healer & Advocate Life isn’t always all butterflies and rainbows. Still, it goes on. Even when I don’t feel like it, I do my best to smile and make the best of things. That's really all you can do, right?
When I get down on Life, what I really just need to do is get back to appreciating the little beautiful things about life, such as butterflies and rainbows. It’s easy to become so overwhelmed with all of the negativity and disasters happening in our world. Hateful people have a way of coming out of the wood-works this way and that. It's really horrifying how bad humanity really can be when you are faced with its uglier side. But, I must constantly remind myself that, overall, humanity is good and we’re all just trying to get by. Sometimes, you just have to sit back and appreciate the butterflies and rainbows. Appreciate the sun and clouds, the colors, and the sweet smells of nature. Take in the wonderful grand design of the world around us. Believe that people have the chance to make a lot of good of themselves. Good can often come out of bad, but we don't focus on that enough. Butterflies and rainbows, butterflies and rainbows, I just have to keep reminding myself of these things. There's plenty of beauty left in our world. So, it's in our best interests to remember it and appreciate it. ~ Amelia <3 by Amelia "Phoenix" Desertsong, Staff Writer, Healer & Advocate Let me tell ya sumthin': When life kicks you in the ass and leaves you in the mud, and people walk by and laugh and joke, pick yourself up and just smile and go on spreading love. That's the only way to fight hate, ignorance, and selfishness. It's the hard road a lot of times, but it's all worth the struggle in the end. Life is a journey, and we're all in it together. I hope more of us come to realize this. We all need to come to terms with the fact that all it takes is focusing on the positive. Suddenly, things look a lot brighter. A lot of people's problems are beyond their control and have to do with people simply turning the other way. Even if you can't help, you can make the best of what you have and make it a better world for everyone! ~ #BeLove & #SpreadLove ~
~ Phoenix <3 ~ by Kara Masterson, Motivational Friends Contributor On the journey to and through adulthood, many individuals wonder what it would take to become the best versions of themselves. Following some advice can help you to tackle these existential questions and to bring that person into fruition. Know What Your Goals Are Sometimes, it is easy to get caught up in what other people think about what you should do. For example, maybe you showed artistic skills at a young age and your parents have encouraged you to pursue a career in the arts. However, perhaps you’re more interested in finance but have pursued art to please your parents. On the other hand, you may have friends who dissuade you from living in a certain neighborhood or going on a particular trip because they had a negative experience. Get these other people’s voice out of your mind. Determine what it is that you want. Sleep Enough When you’re exhausted, it’s difficult to know what you want, and even if you can figure out your goals for the day or week, you may feel too drained to pursue them in any fashion. Aiming for around seven or eight hours of sleep per night is a smart move. Still though, different people have varying needs. An example is if you have a certain medical condition; you might need more sleep. Speak to your doctor to determine what the best amount is for you. You should also articulate any troubles you have with sleeping to your health care professional. Balance Your Life Having too much of anything in your life can lead you to get lost in that one area. For example, if you spend virtually all of your time working and miss out on many social opportunities, you essentially become the job. On the other hand, you may surrender valuable possibilities at work if you are more concerned with going out most nights of the week. You also need to find time to prepare healthy meals, get in exercise and pursue hobbies. Planning out a schedule can help you to fit in these assorted tasks. Set Actual Goals Saying that you want to become the best version of yourself is a goal, but you need to make your plans more tangible. Once you have decided what the best version of yourself looks and feels like, write down those goals. For example, you may want to return to school to obtain a graduate degree, or you may want to purchase a new home. Once you have your goals written out, you can start to make a list of steps to take to achieve your goals. While harsh deadlines can impede your progress, setting reasonable ones encouraging you to move forward. Seek Guidance When you’re working on yourself, you may feel as though you have to pursue this path without assistance. However, plenty of professionals are available to guide you through the process. If you are trying to lose weight, you can work with a nutritionist and a personal trainer; if you are trying to save more money, you can speak with a financial adviser or an accountant. On the other hand, when you want to get back to going to school, you could speak with an admissions representative. Talking to other people gives you a sense of what you need to do. You also have support when questions come up. Instead of just imagining what the answers are in your mind, you can get real answers. Dallin Larsen said “A life of significance is a byproduct of making the ‘best’ choices”. Becoming the best version of yourself is a task that you can achieve by striving to make those same choices. When you want to improve who you are as a person, you can implement these steps and work toward a more fulfilling existence. ![]() Author Bio Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max. More from Kara: The Power of Positive Thought: 5 Points Everyone Should Read Bringing Out Your Best: 5 Ways to Unlock Your Inner Potential "Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work." - Stephen King
Many human beings are blessed with one sort of talent or another. Some are great at public speaking. Others are great at composing music. Others are very good at writing essays; some are even able to write entire novels. Yet many so-called talented individuals have their talents consistently go to waste. Why is this? Stephen King once said the difference between a talented individual and successful individual is a lot of hard work. You can be exceptionally talented at one or more things. But, if you do not put the prerequisite work into growing your skill with your talents, you will not be able to succeed without a hell of a lot of luck. You may have seen individuals that don't seem to have great natural talent sometimes succeed at very high levels. Granted, this is often done through the work of other talented individuals, You don't always know who's working behind the scenes, directing almost every step. But these not as talented individuals are willing to put the work in. Their successes aren't always sustainable, but they do happen more than you would think they should. It turns out that far less talented individuals can succeed if they're willing to put in an incredible amount of work into what it is that they love. You also need to have passion, and lots of it, in order to succeed. Yes, some people seem to have the ability to get lucky and have their talent lead to immediate success. But, that's extremely rare. Talented or not, reaching success involves a lot of failure first. Having natural talent can make some tasks easier. But many talented individuals do not seem to understand what effort is needed to translate their talent into skills that will bring them success. Plus, when putting in a lot of effort, you might discover another talent you didn't even know you had. But without the effort, your talent is basically worth table salt, as King said. People might smile at the sprinkles of talent you display occasionally. But you're not going to live your dreams without truly living and breathing your passions. Let your talents complement the efforts, not replace them. The Skittering Escape of the ‘Alamihi Crab: A Meditation on Self-Care and Weathering the Storm1/22/2018 by Sharon Sherbina, NYR Organic It’s a dark and stormy night on the island of Oahu. The surf breaks harshly on the plank of a pier jutting out determinedly into Maunalua Bay. The dark clouds overhead eerily reflect the light pollution of the nearby shopping districts of Honolulu and Waikiki, where the conversion of paper dollars into stuffed, plastic logo bags is in full swing. In the distance you can hear a gorgeously wrought cover of Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole’s, “Maui Hawaiian Sup’pa Man”. When you get to the end of the wicked finger-like pier, it feels as if you’re at the end of the universe, looking out into the dark expanse of the unknown, the peaked and turgid waters all around you. And, if in that moment, your spirit happens to be troubled, look no further than the ‘alamihi crab skittering purposefully out of your way. The ‘alamihi crab (metopograpsus thukuhar) is worthy of watching and reflecting upon, although maybe under safer circumstances. The ‘alamihi keep to the low-tide shallows, much like humanity, and clambers about on the exposed rocks, stones and piers. They are quintessential self-preservationists. Is your self-care actually self-preservation, instinctive and reactive? Or, do you practice it with intention and reflection? Are you actively planning on how to weather the next storm? Are you in the middle of a storm now? It’s anecdotally shared, that when faced with the imminent threat of a collision in a moving vehicle, you clench every muscle you have including the tongue. This leads to more sustained injuries, and a lengthier recovery time, if your situation is recoverable. Life is filled with collisions. There are minor ones like disagreements at work over processes or miscommunications on the homefront with partners and children. Or there are major ones like the sudden loss of child, getting an unexpected diagnosis for a serious health issue, and losing your job. What if you could live life unclenched? Would it matter? It’s important to be of a positive mindset, but it’s of even greater importance to be of a realistic mindset with a positive response. The shock is greater to your being, when your first response is, “I never thought something like this could happen to me!” Why not? Why, based on all the evidence around you, the rise and fall of civilizations, the ebb and flow of humanity, would you sail through this existence unscathed? We have a cognitive capacity that way exceeds the ‘alamihi crab. We can do more than furtively scramble out of the way in the darkness. We can plan, conditionally, lest Robert Burns’ words come back to pinch us. We can form intention now. We can unclench. We can know for certain that the storms are coming, but that they can be faced. And some storms may even be dissipated with the right actions. *This piece was written in the aftermath of the “false alert” January 13, 2018, where thousands of people on the island of Oahu received notification that there was an incoming ICBM missile, and to take shelter. The beach where the ‘alamihi crabs were observed was the same beach that had hundreds of screaming people running anywhere they could to find shelter, under lifeguard stands, in bathrooms. In many cases mothers and fathers had their children lie on the ground and they covered their children with their own bodies. ![]() Author Bio: I’m opposed to author bios, for much the same reason that I’m opposed to framing artwork. Intellectually we know that art goes beyond the frame, and that the frame is an artificial construct. My husband says that I “sure am a piece of work”, but he has never, (nor has anyone else) ever referred to me as a piece of art… So, right now I am bouncing back and forth between the beautiful and troubled island paradise of Oahu, and our home base in deep rural Missouri. Subjects of interest for contemplation and writing include nature, sustainability, primitive skills and traditions, kindness, unconditional positive regard, all the big whys and hows, movement disorders, the juxtaposition of science and religion, education, second language acquisition, holistic skin care, and cats. I fail to practice much of what I preach, and greet each day as a challenge, and consider each night before I go to bed an exercise in self-grace. by Sharon Sherbina, NYR Organic Oahu is beautiful. There are sunsets that will suck the breath right out of your chest. The massive banyan trees look like they could pick up root and lumber down the way if you took your eyes off of them. Sometimes you startle a flock of yellow-fronted canaries, and then they startle you with their breathtaking upflight into the sunlight. While walking one afternoon, I stopped and looked closely at the trunk of this papaya tree. All around the trunk, every foot and a half, are a half dozen heart-shaped scars. I looked fifteen feet above me to see what might be making these beautiful scars on the tree. At first observation, it appears that when each generation of fruit comes to bear, the large leaves that nestled that fruit begin to wither and die. Eventually the heavy, dead leaves drop off to the fertile ground below. They decompose into the soil and cyclically nourish the tree in their demise. When the leaves drop off, they leave behind the mark of a heart on the trunk. Every. Single. Time. The papaya (botanical name, Carica papaya) is a powerhouse of nutrition and medicine. See here for the full break down (PDF). And like most plants and trees, every single part of it is useful. It’s a perfect tree to use to illustrate a life of intention and purpose, a life with ruts and hardship, a life with joys and mountain-top experiences. It’s also an ideal cosmic model for resiliency and adaptation at the personal level. Where is your life at this moment? Where is it in the life cycle of the papaya? Is it fruitful and protected by stalwart leaves, and safe from the buffeting of strong tropical winds? Have you just made it through the most difficult ordeal of your life, and are shedding the dead leaves of your experiences to the ground below you? Will your hardship nourish and benefit the next generation? Or are you still somewhere in the middle of the storm, with your desiccated leaves hanging all about you, a semblance of protection until the storm passes. What shape are your scars? ![]() Author Bio: I’m opposed to author bios, for much the same reason that I’m opposed to framing artwork. Intellectually we know that art goes beyond the frame, and that the frame is an artificial construct. My husband says that I “sure am a piece of work”, but he has never, (nor has anyone else) ever referred to me as a piece of art… So, right now I am bouncing back and forth between the beautiful and troubled island paradise of Oahu, and our home base in deep rural Missouri. Subjects of interest for contemplation and writing include nature, sustainability, primitive skills and traditions, kindness, unconditional positive regard, all the big whys and hows, movement disorders, the juxtaposition of science and religion, education, second language acquisition, holistic skin care, and cats. I fail to practice much of what I preach, and greet each day as a challenge, and consider each night before I go to bed an exercise in self-grace. by Kara Masterson, Motivational Friends Contributor It’s no secret that many if not most people want to be their very best. Yet in many cases, these individuals lack strategies regarding how to unlock their inner potential in ways that help them cultivate a more productive, positive lifestyle. If you’re ready to start operating more effectively in your personal and professional life while also maintaining the high level of self-regard that makes life an enjoyable experience, this is the article for you. Read on to learn more about strategies you can implement to begin unlocking your inner potential now: Meditate One of the best ways to unlock your true inner potential is by developing a strong meditation practice. Meditation is the foundation of helping you make the most of yourself because it grants you deep, ongoing access to your inner thought life. Once this happens, you’ll be able to consciously, continually redirect your thoughts in a manner that is conducive to productivity and positivity. In addition to helping you use your mind in a manner that promotes healthy, happy living and productivity, meditation is known to limit the subject’s experience of stress. Meditation can also increase self-awareness. Once this happens, you’ll be more empowered to make the lifestyle choices and behavioral changes necessary to unlock your inner potential. Develop an Exercise Routine In addition to cultivating a strong meditation practice, make sure that you develop an incredible exercise routine. This technique is beneficial for many reasons. First, regular exercise ensures that you will attain the mental and physical energy necessary to be productive and clear-headed throughout your day. Once this happens, you’ll be able to make prudent choices that lead to progress in your personal and professional life. Another great benefit of exercise is that it almost always results in aesthetic improvements. Some of them can include clearer skin, a more toned physique, and better posture. All of these positive aesthetic outcomes can enhance your self-esteem and confidence when interacting with other people. Set Smart Goals Another strategy you can deploy to unlock your inner potential is setting SMART goals. Goal-setting is important because it provides you with a clear understanding of which improvements and lifestyle shifts you’re attempting to make for the purpose of taking your life to a new level. Without the goal-setting process, your work of unlocking your inner potential may become disorganized and happenstance as your purposes and plans remain in half-baked, ambiguous form. Note that your goals are SMART when they are:
An example of a SMART goal will be “I will lift weights for 30 minutes every Tuesday and Thursday to lose four pounds per month.” Find a Mentor One of the best ways to really unlock your inner potential so you can lead an extraordinary life and give back to the world is by finding a mentor. This technique is helpful because it enables you to attain feedback, knowledge, and motivational support from an individual who understands who you are and what it will take to help you grow spiritually, emotionally, cognitively, etc. Mentors can provide you with a wide range of strategies and services to generate growth, and one of them would include helping you complete a mock interview in preparation for a big job interview. Take a Leadership Training Course One final strategy that can help you make the most of yourself is taking a leadership training course in strategic alignment or something similar. These courses are important because they can help you develop skills that make you a more marketable candidate when you’re ready for a promotion or to apply for a new job. Some of the benefits you may attain by taking a leadership training course include impromptu speaking skills, conflict resolution strategies, and the ability to develop authentic relationships with individuals from other cultures. If you’re serious about becoming the best person that you can possibly be, know that you can realize the goal. Five strategies you can implement to realize the objective are outlined above. Start making these lifestyle changes immediately so you can take your life to the next level soon! ![]() Author Bio Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max. by Phoenix Desertsong, The Perpetual Prose Machine “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." - Oscar Wilde
I've known for a long time that being yourself is the way to go. But the way that Oscar Wilde, the famous Irish poet and playwright, put it is probably the best reason ever to simply be yourself. What's the point of trying to be someone else? It's already been done. Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes people stare at you funny. Just share this quote with them as your reasoning for being so beautifully (and at times awkwardly unique). Some of them may actually take this quote to heart and they'll thank you someday for it. Or they'll totally forget where they heard it and benefit without your knowledge. Pay it forward, folks.
by Phoenix Desertsong
Have you ever felt like your life is getting a bit too repetitive? I've been thinking a lot lately about the "rat race" and pondering that oft-repeated quote, "Even if you win the rat race, you're still a rat." The definition of the rat race, according to Wikipedia, is thus:
"A rat race is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. It conjures up the image of lab rats racing through a maze to get the "cheese" much like society racing to get ahead financially. "The term is commonly associated with an exhausting, repetitive lifestyle that leaves no time for relaxation or enjoyment." I'm quite certain that most people don't get caught up in a "rat race" on purpose. It's easy for people to fall into routines. There's nothing wrong with going to the same job every day. But everyone needs some sort of relaxation or enjoyment. How does someone fit this into their everyday life if you're going through the same exhausting motions every day? Each day is an experiment. That's right. Every day is a new day in which you can try something new. The most important thing about human beings is our capacity to learn and innovate. If we don't consistently find ways to improve upon what we do, we will feel exhausted and unfulfilled. So perhaps, it's time for the "rats" to do their own experiments! Sometimes, the daily experiment you might make is something seemingly trivial. Should I switch up my breakfast this morning? Should I try a new way to get to work? There are a lot of little ways to alter our routines to try something new. While some may not, some changes just might work better than what we did before. The reason to try something new every day and experiment is pretty simple. If you keep doing the same thing over and over, you can't reasonably expect a different result. Some days are going to be better than others, of course. You'll have failed experiments. But having tried is the point. You may think that maybe not every vocation gives you much room for innovation. But truthfully, there is always some process or task that can be done just a bit better no matter what it is. By doing a little experiment every day, even if it seems outrageous at first, you expand your horizons. Sometimes all you need is just a little bit of creativity to spark something new in your life. You never know what you'll find through experiments. Keep in mind that some accidents turn into brilliant things and failed experiments can turn into world-altering discoveries. You may not think you can change the world, but you can do a lot more than you might think. All you have to do is experiment. Just try to be safe about it! by Phoenix A. Desertsong, Staff Writer, Healer & Advocate When the well runs dry and you're thirsty for inspiration, find a new watering hole. Find a new stream, river, lake or pond to sit by and ponder.
When the train of thought runs out of steam, and you're running on fumes, you may need a better fuel. The one you're using may be too much of a polluter and you need a cleaner alternative. And one that packs more of a punch. When your thought stream hits an unexpected dam, don't let yourself get flooded. Find a new course. The water always seems to find a way. No sense in backing up. But sometimes a flood is inevitable and it will come if a way isn't quickly found. Just keep your head above water and eventually you'll find safety. Droughts and floods are inevitabilities of nature. Life is all about navigating these extremes in search of equilibrium, where there is a steady flow and a calm reservoir. How have you navigated the dry spells and the floods in your life? Are you finding yourself dying of thirst or struggling to keep your head above water? Perhaps even both, as strange as that sounds? Just stay the course. Eventually, you'll find the happy middle if you keep it in your sights. ~ Phoenix <3 by Joshua Packard, Contributing Writer Unless you are immune to feeling down, you know that some days suck. Sometimes so much that it feels like they all suck, and that nothing is going to get better. Sometimes we get into a streak of horrible days that we think we will never experience joy ever again. One thing I have learned from work is the lesson embedded in the title of this piece. Some days suck. But not all of them. This is something we have to remind ourselves of when we get into a rut, whether it be at work, at school. at home, or anywhere else in between.
For many days, one might be miserable at one's job, and think it is never going to be enjoyable ever again. But then you will have a decent day, or a string of good days, or a series of days that have some combination of good and despicable. The main thing I want to emphasize is that if you are in one of those strings of horrible, deplorable days, keep striving to do your best at whatever it is you are required to do, and remember the times where you were in a streak of horrible days, and how you eventually hit an oasis, or at least a water fountain of refreshment. Some days will come that will refresh you. Something will happen, you will succeed at something, you will meet someone new or from the past, who will brighten your day, and you have to accept that blessing, and let it propel you through the crummy days. If you are in a rut, it will not always be so. Just don't give up on your life, ever! Keep struggling, keep pushing through, and even if you are not doing perfect, you will know you are doing your best, even in a pleasure-less situation. No matter how bad things may get or feel like they are, there is always a point where you will be relieved, and be lifted up into something better. Just remember, that when you are having a day that sucks, some days suck.. But not all of them. Be sure to read more on Joshua's blog, Fullness of Happy.
by Phoenix A. Desertsong, Staff Writer, Healer & Advocate
“One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane.” - Nikola Tesla
Have you ever thought too deeply about something? I certainly have. Doing so can drive you mad. Sometimes you have to learn to step away from things before you can make any real progress. As Nikola Tesla said, thinking deeply and thinking clearly are definitely not the same thing. I could also bring up Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity: trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Look at how many storybook villains work so hard, but forever fruitlessly, towards an impossible goal. You can't blame them for not thinking deeply and being persistent. But, clarity of thought certainly isn't in their repertoire. It's tragic, really. Personally, I prefer villains who can in fact think clearly. Those tend to be the most dangerous and fascinating ones for me. Exercises in futility get tiresome for me after awhile. Sadly enough, real life people exercise futility far too often. I most certainly am guilty of exercising insane levels of futility. If you start thinking too deeply about something that can unfortunately mess you up fairly badly. If you start finding your thinking derailing, take a break. No matter how urgent something might be, take what time you can. You're better off finding a moment of clarity than sinking into hours of deep thought that could just send you down a deep dark tunnel of insanity. Back when Tesla first said this quote, he felt that the scientists of his day were thinking more deeply than clearly. With how many “experts” and highly specialized fields we have today, it’s easier than ever to think a bit too deeply about something. It’s easy when studying something too closely to lose perspective. He's still right and this advice is still very good. Clear thinking is the best way to go. If you find yourself lost in thought, then perhaps you’ve been on that track a bit too long. Shift gears, then come back with a clearer head. You and your exploits will be better off for it. ~ Phoenix <3 by Phoenix A. Desertsong, Staff Writer, Healer & Advocate Perhaps, it is simply my curious nature, or I just like to ask too many questions. But when I read this quote, it really made me realize that this is actually a good thing to ask.
"Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not." - Pablo Picasso I've asked myself that second question a lot. I always like to think about things in the sense of potential. Therefore, it makes sense to my mind to project my thoughts towards making the future better. Unfortunately, that way of thinking seems foreign to many people. "Why not?" I ask. Then, people seem so sure when they tell me how something is without an explanation for why that thing is. So, then, how dare I ask why not it be a different way! The truth is that nothing changes unless you suggest an alternative that’s both workable and positive. The problem is people oftentimes don't understand why a thing is the way it is. But there's nothing wrong with presupposing that something could be another way before understanding why something is how it is. This is because human reasoning is being used; that’s an activity that should be encouraged. By stifling this inspired session of reasoning, you could be missing out on a potential new idea or concept that could benefit many people. We live in a world with all this increasing technology and convenience to information. Yet, this sort of creative thinking and positive reasoning is being stifled. Instead, we’re being programmed to think and respond in the patterns that make us good consumers and yes-persons. Pablo Picasso, obviously, was ahead of his time in many ways. For me, this quote sums up his whole way of thinking. I actually think along these same lines, as well. I really don't like to ask "why." People don't necessarily know the hows and whys of everything. History is revised again and again to serve different agendas. So, common knowledge is not exactly accurate. There’s plenty to be questioned that’s often assumed to be fact. Certainly, the facts are all out there to be found, but people are so busy asking why and accepting often incomplete and inaccurate answers. If you ask why not, that actually forces someone to reason through something for themselves. This is an extremely uncomfortable feeling for many people today. Turns out, though, people tend to rather ask why than why not. This is because people should be taught the opposite. People should have to figure things out for themselves, not simply have things explained to them. Certainly, the person telling the why may not intentionally be trying to do anything wrong. But that explanation may not really be enough to give anyone a true understanding of what’s being asked. You have to question every answer critically. I'm not saying to just be cynical about everything. Sadly, it can become extremely easy to do that in a world full of so much open dialogue and overflowing cornucopias of information. You simply have to ask why not, instead of just why. Then, you'll find that you'll have to seek out a lot more answers on your own than you ever had to before. You'll be far better for it. ~ Phoenix <3 One night, about a year or so ago, I went to grab some caffeine after dark (yeah, yeah, I know it's bad, let's get to the real story). Silly me didn't check the weather beforehand (not that I ever do). Wouldn't you know that on the way back I ended up surrounded by an electrical storm – you know, the kind where the lightning is shooting straight across the air in all directions, but it isn't even raining? Yeah, those. I attract storms regularly, so this was far from the first time I'd been in one like it. Instead of running screaming down the street, I just calmly returned my walk home as lightning was flying around me from all sides. I must say, I felt rather invincible and powerful in some of those moments, even though I realize I am not. Instead of scaring me, what the storm did was have me reflecting. Funny thing is, even when I was a child years before and a tornado was right behind us, I still didn't scream. It was literally following us as we raced away in a vehicle that we all had to jump in to escape it. You see, I attract storms often, both literally and figuratively. Like the true survivor that I am, I always come out whole. More than that, I am usually better than I was before. I am a true believer that storms are not meant to harm us, but to shape us. They are supposed to cleanse us, show us things we wouldn't see normally, test us, and even us break us down so that we are fresh and ready for what's to come. You would not believe some of the storms I have seen in my life, starting at just a small age. My child self went through more terror than some would even dream up in a nightmare. That's all in the past now and I am at the stage where I am thankful for it (though would never wish it on anyone) because it made me the person I am today. Just like literal storms often produce rainbows and make the plants grow, both kinds of storms can do the same within us. Not many days prior to the lightning storm, I was also close to a tornado and several other storms. As a child (okay and even as an adult...shhh), I identified with the X-Men comic book character named Storm. My brother and I even role-played the comics with me as Storm (nothing you can say here because I proudly proclaim both my nerdiness, as well as my geekiness) for quite a long while. Do I try to fight the storms I attract in all life aspects? Hell no! I embrace them and rise above them each and every time. Like Storm from the X-Men, sometimes I even figure out how to control them, where appropriate. I always come out a stronger, more ready person than ever before. Do I think I will ever be done with storms? I hope not because I want to keep growing and thriving until the day I am meant to leave this life. Do you attract storms? by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer This photo works well as a facebook cover. But feel free to use it how you wish, provided you follow our usage guidelines below. Quote: "Stand firm, be kind, be an umbrella to yourself and others, and always take risks. Make it happen and make it awesome!" ~Lyn Lomasi Photo may freely be used for commercial and non-commercial purposes, provided these conditions are followed:
1) Link back to Lyn Lomasi 2) Credit Lyn Lomasi for the photo 3) You realize that your use of said photo does not transfer copyright, but rather you have a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display said photo. Do you find yourself asking the question "Why am I working so hard with little to no results?" You aren't alone. Many people ask this question. Whether you relate this to a low-paying dead-end job or to some other situation in life, there still is hope. In fact, each time you work hard, you are getting results. You just may not see them. What do I mean? Read on to find out. This message came to me in an odd way, which is often true for many things in life. This morning I was playing a game on the Facebook website called Farm Town, a game which several friends of mine are addicted to. Part of the game requires plowing fields to ready them for the crops. Probably due to a temporary glitch, when I placed one field, my character paid the money due and did the hard work, but the field did not plow. She did however still earn the experience points due. This incident made me think about real life. Sometimes people work so hard, yet do not see the results expected. Does that mean the hard work was for nothing? Some may say yes here. I disagree. With hard work comes experience. Therefore, even though expected results are not always gained, that does not mean the hard work was for nothing. In fact, there are times where experience can be more valuable than any money or monetary award. If you are relating your hard work with no results to a job, think about that for a moment. It's true that it's no fun to work hard day in and day out for minimum wage or less money than you believe you deserve for that work. However, at the present, many are taking whatever job they can get. If that's you and there is not another income opportunity, make the most of it. How? Reap the benefits of experience, just like the farmer who plows many fields will learn to do it better over time. Keep working hard and learn as you do. That experience could help later down the road when there is better opportunity. That better opportunity may even exist within the very company you are putting all that time and effort into. When it comes time to choose someone for a better position within the company, who do you think they'll look at first - the slacker on the phone all day or the hard worker? Even if it is not within that company that you advance, the experience you gained could come in handy for a future position and also looks good on a resume. This can also be applied to any situation or goal in life where you are working hard to reach your desired result but feel like you're not reaching it. You are gaining experience and knowledge along the way. Some goals require a bit of extra knowledge to fully appreciate. Some require extra obstacles as well so that once you get there, you are strong enough to reap the benefits of the reward. Hard work is not for nothing. It does eventually pay off, just not always in the way people expect. *I originally published a version of this on 6/13/2009 via Yahoo Contributor Network ** Last updated 9/24/2020 |
MOTIVATIONAL FRIENDS
|