Tag: mindful thinking

What are you made of?

There are times that life just spins you around, flips you you upside down, then pushes you over seemingly just to show you who’s boss. Situations will happen that are completely unexpected and often uncomfortable. Sometimes our choices are the catalyst of these situations and other times, well that just how the hand is dealt.

While these times of adversity are often extremely uncomfortable and stressful, they provide an incredible potential to be building blocks of our character. A phrase I’ve come to really appreciate is, “Adversity introduces a man to himself.” I read this phrase, believe it or not, on the back of the bread we buy (which is INCREDIBLE bread; Dave’s Killer Bread. If you get a chance to read his story here, DO so!) That phrase cuts to the core of what adversity truly is; an introduction to what you’re made of.

Hard times WILL come, and the only thing that you can control is how you respond to the situation. Don’t waste your energy worrying about things out of your control. Take it one step at a time. Ask yourself, in this moment or new few moments, what can I control. You’ll find that the only answer is, “my response.”

I challenge you to change your mindset on adversity. Often we view hard situations as something we have to try to “live” through. Instead, take it as an opportunity to roll up your sleeves and take a good look at who you are and what you’re made of. Trust yourself to handle each situation as it arises and remember, it will all work out. Not usually as you planned…but sometimes that opens the door to opportunities you had never even imagined.

When you just feel overwhelmed and need a reminder, revert to this picture, posted at right. Own those words and remember that it WILL be okay. Things WILL work out, we just have to keep our chin up and take one day at a time. Rachel always knows JUST what to say to cheer us up and encourage us to face the day and kick it’s butt! You can read her inspiration on her blog, Daily Peptalk From a Best Friend. (Direct link to picture at right found here).

Positive Minds Live Positive Lives

I am continually amazed at how much power our mind holds. Sometimes changing your entire mood and outlook is really just deciding to making a mindful choice and willing yourself to feel differently.

Today, my mental outlook mirrors the color dominating Seattle today, grey. Just…simply grey. I’m finding myself with no energy, no drive, no real passion or goal that I’m chasing after today. While browsing the Fitness section on Pintrest (LOVING the site!) I saw this picture and it actually made me stop, re-read it twice and ponder how very true it is. I couldn’t wait to share it with all of you!!

This is SO true! Happy people act as such because they’re happy inside. Think of one person that makes you happy, or one person that when you think of them you smile because of their contagious laugh or positive mental outlook on life. Days, like emotions, come and go and some are harder to bear than others. But one thing remains true, YOU determine how you feel and thus, your mental outlook on life. Stop for a moment and take a mental check list of your passion, happiness and outlook on life. Are you living the life you desire? If not, what needs to change?

Make the choice to act the way you desire to act, even if you don’t feel like it right now, and you will naturally focus your energy on achieving it.

“I think, therefore I am” (Descartes )

If you need a little boost, check out the awesome site that the image above came from: http://positive-notes.tumblr.com/

You Are Not Carrie Bradshaw

Take a moment and read this GREAT post that a girlfriend passed along to me. Even though I have seen only one episode of Sex in the City (I know I know ladies, gasp away!) I am familiar with the story line and even more familiar with the true to life events and scenarios that Carrie faces during the show.

We all have mental struggles. We’ve all, at some point, created our own persona of who we “should” be, how we “should” act, and what job(s) and lifestyles that we “should” be living. (Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike the word “should”?) I’ve written a few letters like this to myself and have come to realize that when we battle ourselves in our own mind there is an unfair advantage of well, to put it physically, a syndrome similar to 1000 super charged psychotic bouncy balls in a confined space. Our mind is strong and plays tricks on us sometimes. But YOU ARE stronger!

Remember that YOU can choose WHO you want to be, how you respond and act, what you spend your time doing and how you spend your money resulting in a lifestyle of your choosing. Remember that you have the power to create what you desire, sometimes it just takes a little reminder like this. Sitting down and writing a letter like this out takes thought and commitment but it’s an investment in the most valuable thing you’ll ever own: your self-awareness.

You Are Not Carrie Bradshaw.