Things I've learned lately

Its crazy how when you get older, things change. The way you dress, act, eat, and think all change. As well as the people to hang out with and what your actions are taking.

When I was 21, and living up by broad ripple, all I wanted to do was go to the bar and drink. Wanted to get free drinks and just dance with my girls. That lasted about a month. Especially since I had a very jealous boyfriend at the time, whom didn't trust me worth a darn. As I moved back home, away from the bars, drinking and going out really didn't mean that much to me anymore. Yes, I enjoyed a drink or two occasionally, but its not what I look forward to each weekend.

After meeting my David, all my mind was set on is, "When will I see him again?" especially living 2 hours away and me working all the time.  Still, I didn't feel like I was a grown up, due to not really have a lot of responsibility, I was just a home body. After getting engaged, and saving for the wedding, pay a lot more bills, and worrying whether we are gonna afford everything for the perfect wedding.

I am also realizing who my friends are and if they are really even worth trying to savor the relationship or not. Yes, I'm only 23, and I should be out there having fun and going to the bars and parties and what not. And I do like to do those things, but not every night or weekend. I still like to have a beer by a camp fire, or have friends over to play cards, or just chill. But there are more to life then drinking and partying.

Friends come and go through your entire life, however, its when you're getting older and making life changing decisions, that's when you will realize who your true friends are and the people who love and care about you. Going through a difficult time where you're scared to death being in the hospital, or just having a fight with the one you love, true friends will be there for you no matter what they are doing. If you find a friend that does that, stick to them like glue. They are very hard to find.

Life

This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don't like something, change it. If you don't like your job, quit. If you don't have enough time, stop watching TV. If you are looking for the love of your life, Stop; They will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love. Stop over analyzing, all emotions are beautiful. Life is Simple. Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people, we are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once, seize them. Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them so go out and start creating. Life is short. LIVE YOUR DREAM, AND WEAR YOUR PASSION!

When a County Works Together

I was doing my daily look over Facebook when I saw a link my friend posted and if anyone knows anything they know how much I strongly dislike the Westboro Baptist Church, so I had to take a look. As I was reading, I was getting angry, but after I was done, I was very happy. This is what I read.

A very unfortunate event happened on April 7th. USMC Staff Sgt. Jason Rogers, 28, was killed in action by an IED while saving a fellow Marine in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was brought home to be laid to rest when the not so wonderful Westboro Baptist Church decided to come a try to protest it.

According to a poster on The Oxford Square, a message board for Ole Miss, the Phelps made it to town, but got no further:
         
           They did show up, a few showed up a couple of days early.

A couple of days before, one of them ran his mouth at a Brandon gas station and got his ass waxed. Police were called and the beaten man could not give much of a description of who beat him. When they canvassed the station and spoke to the large crowd that had gathered around, no one seemed to remember anything about what had happened.

Rankin County handled this thing perfectly. There were many things that were put into place that most will never know about and at great expense to the county. Most of the morons never made it out of their hotel parking lot. It seems that certain Rankin county pickup trucks were parked directly behind any car that had Kansas plates in the hotel parking lot and the drivers mysteriously disappeared until after the funeral was over.

Police were called but their wrecker service was running behind and it was going to be a few hours before they could tow the trucks so the Kansas plated cars could get out. A few made it to the funeral but were ushered away to be questioned about a crime they might have possibly been involved in. Turns out, after a few hours of questioning, that they were not involved and they were allowed to go on about their business.

Ranking deserves a hand in how they handled this situation.

Sometimes, when all else has fails, you need the good old boys to get things done. Hats off to the patriots of Rankin, Mississippi!

 It made my heart so happy that people did what they could possibly do to make sure these people didn't make it to that funeral. No one deserves as much disrespect as these people are giving to fallen soldiers.

Spread the Love

Generation Love Music Video

So I'm the last person you would think I would like kid TV stars "music" careers. Like some of the Disney movies/shows kids who try to sing, or some of the Nick kids. I was watching CMT this morning and my first thought when I saw this girl, was, "Oh great, another TV kid trying to make a singing career."It was Jennette Mccurdy from iCarly. But I listen anyway because honestly, I was to lazy to turn the channel. First, she wasn't that bad of a singer, and 2nd, her song actually had great meaning. Talked about what Generation the kids were these days known for. The line is,

"What will they say about us,
they call us generation lost or
generation greed or they connect the generation
to a plasma screen or a generation why enough is not enough"

and sad to say, that is what I hear most people say about the generation these days. And for the most part its true. Working in retail, and with kids, I see a lot of this happening, and only a handful do I see something else. 

But what she was singing about is changing this Generation to Generation Love. Helping people in need, smiling more, Be someones hero, etc. I thought it was a great idea, and wish more people would do this. I know its a very very doubtful thing, but if more people were nice, took time out to volunteer somewhere, or just be nice to others in general, maybe the generation name would change....hmmm...

Would they say these things?

I volunteer my time.

I feed the hungry.

I read to the blind.

I change diversity.

I recycle.

I heal the planet.

Maybe think these things

Who needs me?

What am I waiting for?

How can I help?

Try to Do these things,m and you can make a difference. 

Be a good listener.

Say I love you.

Show Compassion.

Spread the Love.

Spread Sunshine.

Be a Hero.

Make a Difference.

Be Selfless.

Give your time.

The Real Heroes

Whats a hero consist of? Lightening fast Speed? Laser Eye Vision? Neat Gadgets & an Awesome Car? How bout not seeing your family or friends for months or months. Not being able to talk to them for weeks because of being on a mission and can't receive mail. Fighting for a countries freedom that consist of people who aren't always appreciative. Those are the heroes. The REAL HEROES. I am so thankful to have heroes like all of you. God Bless.

Easter Sunday

So I will be the first one to admit, I do not go to church every Sunday. Honestly, I can't go to church every Sunday due to me working two jobs. And you know what? I'm okay with that, because I know Jesus knows I love him, and he knows that I'm saved by grace. Church is just a physical place that people go to, to hear a man/woman preach about the great news, as well as surround themselves with people who have the same beliefs as them.

Which takes me to my very aggravating statement. If you don't believe in the same things as someone else, you have no right to sit there and bash them, or talk crap. We were made differently for a reason. If this world was made as the exact same people, it would a very boring world, let alone a very boring life. So yes, we are going to believe differently, whether its Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Wiccan, Christian, what have you. We believe differently, but that doesn't give us any right to sit there and bash our friends, family, or peers about what they believe. We can stand up for what we believe in, but there is no reason to bash each other. Only one person can judge, unless you're name is God, don't do it!

my cute little nephew

He's my best friend. I love him. Always making me laugh.

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Finding the real in people

When do you think you find the real in people? When  you first meet them? After knowing them for years? Or when something happens out of the routine and you see how the act towards the situation. If they act like the same person you know and love, then you've known the real person for years, but if they are someone completely different then what you expect. Is it better to have never known at all, or is it better to find out and possibly not be as close as you were anymore? Which is better? You're hurt by the second option but you're clueless with the first. So whats it gonna be?

Letters I'll Never Send

YOU.

You. Yes, you. I am writing this for you.

I know you are reading this. And I want you to know I am writing this for you. No one else will understand. No one else knows. They think that this is for them. But it’s not. I am writing this for you.

I want you to know, life…it’s hard. Every day can be a challenge. It can be a challenge to get up in the morning. To get yourself out of bed. To put on that smile. But I want you to know, that smile is what keeps me going some days. You need to remember, even through the tough times, you are amazing. You really are.
You should be happy. You are gorgeous.

I know that the weather might not be perfect. You might have to turn your back to the wind or feel the cold nipping at your nose. But you know what, at least you are there to feel it. At least you can enjoy the sun’s warm rays on your face. Or that cold February wind biting at your cheeks. You know what that means?

You are alive.

Everything will be okay.

~ Letters I'll Never Send ~

Snail Mail Perks?

When you go to the mail box what do you usually get? Bills? Magazines? Junk? Maybe a package you ordered? But do you really get any letters anymore, or cards? Yes its easier to Facebook message someone, or email them, but do you remember when you used to get the feeling of importance when you see something for you other then a bill or junk mail? Someone took the time, to sit down, and put some thought and heart into a letter to you, took the time to take it to the mailbox (or post office), just to make sure you get this letter. A letter show more love and appreciation I think then a message on Facebook or an email. It takes more effort....


So a Challenge to you.....write a letter to at least one person this week that means something to you. Just to show your appreciation for them, or just to say hi. This will make them smile, and honestly will probably make their entire day amazing. Are you going to make someone's day?

Life Secrets?

Reading through these "Life Secrets" they honestly sounds pretty legit. Many people focus on one or two things, and get caught up in things and miss the beauty in life. I couldn't find the author of the post, I wish I did to give credit to them, but I think these things are amazing, and a gives you something to think about. Enjoy!

1. Memorize something everyday. Not only will this leave your brain sharp and your memory functioning, you will also have a huge library of quotes to bust out at any moment. Poetry, sayings and philosophies are your best options.
2. Constantly try to reduce your attachment to possessions. Those who are heavy set with material desires will have a lot of trouble when their things are taken away from them or lost. Possessions do end up owning you, not the other way around. Become a person of minimal needs and you will be much more content.
3. Develop an endless curiosity about this world. Become an explorer and view the world as your jungle. Stop and observe all of the little things as completely unique events. Try new things. Get out of your comfort zone and try to experience as many different environments and sensations as possible. This world has so much to offer, so why not take advantage of it?
4. Remember people’s names so that they feel appreciated and for your own future benefit when you want something from that person. To do this, say their name back to them when they introduce themselves. Then repeat the name in your head a number of times until you are sure you have it. Continue to use their name in conversation as much as possible to remove any chance of forgetting it. If you’re still having trouble, make up a rhyme about their name: “Dan the Man” or “Natalie flatters me.”
5. Get fit! It’s ridiculous to think that we have one body, one sole means of functioning, and people are too lazy to take care of themselves. Fit bodies lead to better health, confidence and more success with romantic endeavors. I’d say those are 3 very good reasons to get in shape.
6. Learn to focus only on the present. The past is unchangeable so it is futile to reflect on it unless you are making sure you do not repeat past mistakes. The future is but a result of your actions today. So learn from the past to do better in the present so that you can succeed in the future.
7. Even more specifically, live in THIS moment. Even 10 minutes ago is the past. If you live purely in this moment you will always be happy because there is nothing wrong in this split-second.
8. Smile more often. Whenever you get a grin on your face, your brain is releasing serotonin, the happy hormone. Smiling is the natural way to force yourself to be happy. Many people even smile for five minutes straight in the morning to get themselves in a great mood for the day. It is a very powerful tool that is utilized less and less as we grow older and need happiness more than ever. Just remember that while happiness leads to smiles, smiles also lead to happiness.
9. Drink water. Hydration is tremendously important for overall health. Soda has absolutely ZERO nutritional content; it’s like pouring a punch of sugar and syrup into your cup. Instead, fill it with life-replenishing water. It may taste plain at first if you’re coming off of a heavy soda-drinking streak, but you’ll soon find yourself addicted to it. 10 glasses per day is optimal, how many have you been getting lately?
10. Don’t take life so seriously! Learn to laugh at the little things and this whole “existence” thing will be a whole lot easier. Be amused by your mistakes and failures and be thankful that you learned your lesson and won’t mess up like that again. And most importantly do things that you enjoy! Life is not strictly business, it can be mixed with pleasure.
11. Think positive thoughts. When you find yourself thinking a negative thought, stop it immediately by any means necessary. Slap yourself in the face, yell something positive at the top of your lungs or jump up and down. Do whatever it takes to get back to a positive mindset as such is essential for continual happiness and success.
12. Read books. No explanation needed.
13. Get in the sun. Superman was completely re-energized when he flew out to space and soaked in some rays and you can do the same right outside your front door (if you live in a constantly dreary place, my apologies). The sun feels amazing: your entire body will be coursing with warmth and life.
14. Help others. I’ll just give you a plethora of reasons why this is a MUST
    • Helping people has a ripple effect. If you help someone they will feel more obliged to help someone else, and so on. Pay it forward
    • You grow by giving and helping others. It can change you in ways you never expected
    • Your relationship with that person will become stronger
    • It’s the most fulfilling thing you can do on this planet. It not only feels amazing physically, you also feel like a good person
    • You might be able to call in a favor later when you need some help
    • Karma (if you believe in it)
    • Because there are more people in this world than just you
    
    
15. Set aside a specific time to worry each day. Ponder all of your problems and anxieties during that time so that they will not distract you during work or moments of pleasure. This way you can be extremely efficient with your time and avoid focusing on negative things as much as possible. If you get all of your worry out of the way and have the mental fortitude to keep from reverting back to them, you will be much happier on the daily.
16. Be honest at all times. Lies lead to nothing but trouble. Being known as trustworthy is an excellent trait to maintain and essential to having integrity.
17. Sleep less. Fully adjusting to a new sleep cycle can take up to 21 days so don’t give up if you feel tired after switching to 5-hour nights. The “required” 8 hour/night is for normal people. If you’re reading THIS article on THIS site, you are not normal. So figure out how much sleep YOU really need and adjust accordingly. As enjoyable as sleep is, waking existence is much more fulfilling and efficient. IF this really sparks your interest, check out alternate sleep cycles with which you can be fine off of 2 hours of sleep per day.
18. Read “Bringers of Light” and “Conversations with God” by Neale Donald Walsch. These books will help you decide what you want to do in this life and how to get to that point. They will also profoundly change the way you look at the purpose of existence. Read them!
19. Figure out what your goals and dreams are. So many people wander aimlessly through life simply go for whatever small thing they want moment by moment. Instead, decide what your perfect life consists of and begin to put the steps in motion to reach that place. The most satisfying thing in the world (yes, better than sex, much better) is overcoming a challenge and reaching a goal. We are the happiest when we are growing and working towards something better.
20. Start your day off right. Wake up and set aside an hour for personal development activities (meditation, self-introspection, observing nature, etc.) Do the things that make you feel blissful, optimistic and empowered so that you can set a positive tone for your day. I guarantee that once you start doing this, your days will be more enjoyable and fulfilling. Today is going to be the best day of your life. Duh.
21. Utilize ‘The Burning Method.’ Whenever a fear or worry or complaint comes to mind, close your eyes and imagine writing down the thought on a piece of paper. Then proceed to light the paper and fire and watch it disintegrate. Even better, actually write it down and burn it. You won’t have any problem ridding your mind of the thought after doing this.
22. Travel. Anyone who has ever gone anywhere will tell you that traveling is one of the most exciting and life-changing activities that you can do. Observing a different culture will expand your mind while making you further appreciate the life you already live. This goes back to becoming an explorer: this world is your jungle so go explore! Who knows, maybe you’ll find a place you love so much that you decide to move. Imagine the positive repercussions a new environment could have on your life.
23. The Rubber Band Method This is the third and final way to rid yourself of negative thoughts (hopefully by now you have figured out that this is very important!). Place a rubber band around your wrist and snap it against your skin anytime a negative thought finds its way into your head. This classical conditioning technique associates a slight pain with negative thoughts like Pavlov associated food/salivation with the sound of a bell. Sounds a bit cruel at first but it only stings for a second, I promise. Plus the outcome, having only positive thoughts, far outweighs a little slap on the wrist here and there.
24. Learn to be unaffected by the words of others. Most people get very upset when they are called negative names by others, but there is a simple trick to overcoming this. Here it is: If I went up to you and called you a fire hydrant, would you be upset? Of course not. Obviously you are not a fire hydrant, you are a human being. The same concept applies to when someone calls you something that you know you are not. They are foolish for saying such things, so why would you react with such anger? The only exception is when someone calls you something that is true! In this case, you should thank them for alerting you to a weakness, one that you can now work on changing.
25. Read “Zen and the Art of Happiness” by Chris Prentiss. This book will give you the knowledge and instruction to be happy at all times regardless of the circumstances. Yes, this sounds like an oversimplification of happiness, but I assure you that this book will change you in an amazing way.
26. Develop the ability to forgive. Forgiveness is something that most people fail miserably at even thought it’s so simple. Grudges only bring more misery to those who hold them and prevent good relations with the target. YOU makes mistakes all of the time so why not have mercy when other do? Remaining angry feels horrible while forgiving someone brings a refreshing sensation to the mind and healing to the relationship.
27. Be the person that makes others feel special. Be known for your kindness and sympathy.
28. Learn to lucid dream, or to realize when you are dreaming so that you can control your dreams. Sleep feels good, but its rather boring and unproductive. With lucid dreaming under your belt, night time can be even more exciting than when you are awake. You can do anything: fly, travel to other planets, party with a celebrity, get intimate with your dream boy/girl, etc. Many lucid dreams have also reported being able to speak directly with the subconscious during dreams by demanding to be taken to it after becoming lucid. For those that know a thing or two about your subconscious, that is a BIG deal.
29. Visualize daily. It has been said and proven time and time again that what you focus on is what you get. If you complain all of the time, you will run into more of the things you complain about. The same goes for good things like health, wealth and happiness. So spend some time in the morning imagining yourself achieving whatever it is that you currently desire. Focus is key in this exercise, so choose a quiet environment where you won’t be disturbed. If you’re having trouble focusing and continually find that your mind has wandered to something else, read about meditation in the following life tip. There is a lot more to this concept, so check out the full article on visualization and the law of attraction here.
30. Meditate everyday for at least 20 minutes. In this modern world where everyone is so connected to everything else via cell phones, TV and internet, most people rarely enjoy the beauty of silence. The ability to quiet your mind and relax your body is an art and skill that everyone should develop. Simply sit somewhere, preferably in nature, and focus on your breathing or try to think about nothing. This is going to be extremely hard at first! You might find it boring or just plain impossible to think of nothing, but you will get better and you will learn to love it. Post-meditation, you will feel extremely clear headed and.. well, just plain wonderful. The only way to really understand this sensation is to try it.
31. Learn to control your mind. What kind of skilled human are you if you cannot even control your own thoughts? While the human mind is described as being a stream of consciousness, that does not mean you can’t decide where your stream flows. Techniques like meditation and the 3 ways to flush out negative thoughts will aid you immensely in learning to control your mind.
32. Learn to control your emotions. The only person that can make you unhappy is you! You are the one that decides to be affected by the words and actions of others. Realize this so that the next time you experience a negative emotion, you can find the strength within yourself to overcome it.
33. Take a class in speed reading. Books are full of information that can enhance your knowledge-base, vocabulary and yourself as a person. Speed reading is an easy way to get at this info faster so that you can have more time for other endeavors.
34. Relax! This one is for you work-o-holics out there (myself included). Yes, work is very important and productive but you need to take some time to chill out everyday or you are going to burn out faster than a candle with no oxygen. Additionally, you need to reward yourself for a job well done. What’s the use of doing all of that work if you can’t have a little fun from time to time anyways?
35. Work on making good first impressions. Practice a strong, firm handshake and the small talk that generally goes along with meeting someone for the first time. People won’t know what to think of you if you have nothing more to say beyond “My name is _______, nice to meet you.” Also make sure you remember names, as mentioned previously. Who knows, you may be going into business with or marrying this person you’re meeting for the first time if you make a good impression. Be sure and make an excellent one.
36. Learn to use your eyes to their full potential:
    • Make constant eye contact when in conversation. Looking away (especially down) is a sign of inferiority and unsureness. Instead, look at your conversation partner dead in the eyes and keep them locked on
    • Master the piercing stare. You know when someone looks at you and it feels like they can see into your soul? Well that’s not a hereditary characteristic, it just takes practice. Work on sharpening your gaze in the mirror. You’ll know you have it when it’s intimidating to continue looking at yourself
    • Master the one-eyebrow raise. This one isn’t necessary by any means, but hey, why not? Pick a brow to learn with and go look in a mirror. Raise both of your eyebrows but use your hand to hold down the brow that you want to stay down. This will probably feel very stupid at first but if you keep trying, you will eventually pin down the muscle you need to flex to get that one brow up
37. Be mysterious. Don’t let off everything about you and definitely leave out some major details. There is something both alluring and mesmerizing about someone that no one knows fully about. I’m not saying to confide in no one or to alienate yourself. Just think James Bond.
38. Come up with a life mantra. You know, like “Carpe Diem” or “Live life to the fullest,” but not as cliché. Make it something that really hits home with you so that you will actually stick to it. Make sure it’ not so specific that it rarely applies but also not so general that it’s not personal.
39. Get good at something. Call it a hobby or a passion, whatever it is, just get damn good at it. Your occupation does not count! Make it something that you can practice often enough to excel at. Examples: Magic tricks, surfing, ping pong, creating short films, and unicycling. It can be anything but I would recommend choosing something that: 1) You are passionate about 2) You can bust out at any moment to display your skills for any discerning crowd. My mind goes immediately to aerobatics and break dancing, but that’s just me.
40. Work out those abs. Above any other muscle group in the entire body, the abs are the most important. They constitute your core, the center point of your body. Your ability to balance comes almost completely from the strength of your abdominal muscles and balance is vital to performance in any physical activity. Summary: they’re very important. For more info on how to work out your abs, check out this video.
41. Keep your brain sharp. The majority of people are stuck in ruts. They go to the same job everyday, hang out with the same friends and eat at the same places. While that may feel safe, it’s not the most stimulating lifestyle for your brain. Those synapses have been built up enough, so try something that you do NOT know how to do! Buy a model car kit, master the art of sudoku or crosswords, or go pick up another major at your nearest college. The point is you need to be learning new things to keep your brain honest. Form new synapses by forcing your mind to work in ways it has not worked before. Just like physical workouts, doing too much of the same exercise will eventually give no results. Switch it up!
42. Read something inspirational right before bed and after waking. This will set get you in a great mood for sleep and for the day. Read anything from a famous speech to your favorite self-improvement book. Try to read something that get’s you really excited in the morning especially so that you’ll leave your house beaming with energy and wonder.
43. Do what you love. There is a huge difference between making a life and making a living; which one are you making right now? So many spend their entire lives trying to make as much money as possible so that they can afford to do what they really want later. It makes no sense to settle in life until you’re 65 so that you can retire and do what you want when you’re already WAY past your prime. We only live life once so why wouldn’t you want to spend it pursuing your bliss? To do anything else would be a tragic waste of the freedom you are allowed if you are reading this right now. Follow your bliss and you will be a thousand times more happy than your retirement date and 40+ years younger.
44. Choose your friends wisely. You are affected far more than you think by the people you spend your time with. Do your friends share your values? Do they encourage you when you speak of your goals and dreams or do they scoff? Make sure the people around you are conducive to the lifestyle you want to lead or you will find yourself being dragged again and again into behavior that distances you from your desires. Friends with a habit of producing negative thoughts will especially hinder you. This can be a hard task to follow through with if you realize you good friend is one of these saboteurs, but you must be firm! Don’t let anyone get in the way of you being all that you can be.
45. Don’t burn bridges. By that I mean maintain your relationships with people even if you think you are never going to see them again. For example, if you are quitting your job, don’t chew out your boss before leaving! You might run into him/her again later and life and wish you had never severed ties so harshly. You never know when you might need the help of someone you knew in the past. Plus there is already too much hatred in this world, why add more towards the people you interact with?
46. Keep a journal/diary. It sounds like a very monotonous habit at first, but when you get into it, that little book will become a great way to organize your thoughts and track your growth over the years. Most of us already stay awake in bed at night pondering the events of the day anyways so why not document those thoughts in an organized fashion? That will allow you to look back and observe how your way of thinking has changed over time.
47. Read “New Pyscho-Cybernetics” by Dr. Maxwell Maltz. This book will explain why the content of your thoughts has such a profound effect on your life through religious, philosophical and scientific arguments. A must read for completely understand who this life thing works.
48. Learn to use and trust your subconscious/intuition. When you spend time in silence everyday, listen not for words but for a feeling that tells you to do something. Do not mistake your own reasoning and thoughts for those of your subconscious. If you can track where the thought came from, (this thought led to that thought which led to this thought, etc.) then it was not from your subconscious. Learning to accurately discern between the two will allow you to tap into knowledge that you don’t consciously have.
    
49. Develop a charismatic personality. You know, the kind of personality that is surrounded by people constantly and is the life of the party. Start visualizing yourself as THAT person. Maybe take a short course on dynamic speaking and learn some jokes. Take the time to learn some party tricks and sleight of hand. Most importantly, believe that you already are charismatic even if you fail at beign the center point of the next party. Lie to yourself constantly and tell yourself that you are more warm and gregarious than Ronald Regan. Belief is the first step! Reality will come soon after.
    
50. Love is all there is. If you truly want to be a master of life, let love be in your every action. Love your friends, family and enemies alike. This is the most difficult thing to do out of this entire list, which is why it is listed at #50. But if you accomplish this, you will be seen as a leader among everyone that allows hate, envy, disgust and all other negative emotions into their lives. Think Gandhi. Love is so rare in this world when compared to the massive presence of hate that by exuding love, you will immediately see yourself and the people around you change. Love. Love. Love.

62 power questions you should ask to reconnect with yourself

Credit goes to: C. A. Kobu

A few of the questions you’re about to read will really disturb you. Some of them will cause you to lose your current focus and delve into dreamlike thoughts. And some of them will touch a sore spot in your heart you’ve been covering for too long. Needless to say, you’ll be all shook up. But no matter how difficult it may be, be honest with yourself when answering the questions. The more you know about yourself, the better you will translate your thoughts and emotions into your creative work. Your inner self is a deep drilling-well, which is the real source of your creative flow. But insight and wisdom are not all you’ll discover there. You’ll also find much blood, sweat and tears. You’ll get closer to the essence of your true self as long as you keep asking and digging. No harm will ever come from discovering and understanding yourself at a deeper level. Things will click and fall into place. You know those aha! moments, right? They’re priceless!

I’ve prepared a downloadable list so that after reading the questions below, you can take a neat printout, cuddle in a cozy corner and spend some intimate time with yourself. Try doing this exercise whenever you feel the need to reconnect with yourself, especially when you feel stuck or you’re at a crossroads on your creative journey. It’s interesting to observe yourself while answering the questions. Some of them aim for very subjective answers. And that’s the trick! (Hint: There are no right or fixed answers. And it pays off to mull over why you answer a question in a certain way.)

1. What is that thing that no one, not even your partner, your mother or your best friend, knows about you?
2. What would make you feel embarrassed in public?
3. What do you think is your biggest flaw? What have you done about it?
4. What is your biggest strength? How did you develop it?
5. What do you have to put up with in your life? How long have you been tolerating it?
6. If you could change your name, what would your new name be?
7. If you could change your appearance, how would you decide to look?
8. What color dominates your wardrobe? How do you feel when you wear that color? Why?
9. Which song do you sing only when you’re alone? What memory does it bring back?
10. Whom do you secretly envy? Why?
11. What do you really want? But really…
12. What is the way you often sabotage yourself?
13. Who would you like to please the most?
14. What do you think a stranger’s first impression of you would be?
15. What recurring dream do you have? What do you think is the message your subconscious is sending you through that dream?
16. What would you try now if you were sure you wouldn’t fail?
17. What was that thing you never tried because you were afraid of failure?
18. What was your greatest disappointment in life?
19. As a kid, what did you dream of becoming when you grew up?
20. What are you really good at?
21. What can you do better?
22. What worries you the most when you think about your future?
23. What really sucks in your life? Who has the power to change it?
24. What is your life really about? What is your purpose in life?
25. What fear could wake you in the middle of the night?
26. What joy could wake you in the middle of the night?
27. What are you grateful for?
28. What time of the day do you feel the most energetic? And what do you usually do in those moments?
29. If you knew you had only one week to live, how and with whom would you spend it?
30. Why do you think your most favorite film touches you so deeply?
31. If you could be a fictional character from a movie or a novel, who would you want to be? Why?
32. What are you really bad at?
33. Who would you like to forgive and forget?
34. Do you often hear your inner voice? What does it usually tell you?
35. When was the last time you cried without anyone seeing you? And why?
36. What do you want people you meet for the first time to think about you?
37. What’s your most striking physical attribute? Do you like it?
38. If you had the opportunity to go back in time and make a change, would you still want to have the same parents?
39. If you could go back in time and change things, how would you alter the last ten years?
40. If you could get rid of one of your responsibilities today, what would that be?
41. What is the biggest lie you tell yourself?
42. What do you think is missing in your life?
43. What do you think is the biggest injustice that was ever done to you?
44. What type of person angers you the most?
45. Who never fails to make you feel good about yourself?
46. If you could start all over again, what would you want to study?
47. Which type of intelligence do you wish you had: kinetic, visual, interpersonal, linguistic or mathematical?
48. What is your biggest pet peeve?
49. What was the one opportunity you always believed you’ve missed out on?
50. What do you like about yourself the most?
51. What do you regret the most?
52. What is the most hurtful thing you’ve ever witnessed? Why did it affect you?
53. What would you like most to be acknowledged for in your life?
54. What is the first thought that usually crosses your mind the second you open your eyes in the morning?
55. What is that thing about yourself you’re sick and tired of?
56. Who really depends on you? Why?
57. What was the main factor that played a role in your biggest mistake?
58. What was the main factor that played a role in your biggest success?
59. What childhood memory sizzles your heart?
60. What was the most frustrating period in your creative life?
61. Do you love yourself?
62. If you were your own coach, how would you guide yourself?

Things to be thankful for...

I read this while browsing on stumbleupon.com and I loved it.

...the mess to clean up after a party

because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

...the taxes I pay

because it means that I'm employed.

...the clothes that fit a little too snug

because it means I have enough to eat.

...my shadow who watches me work

because it means I am out in the sunshine.

...the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot

because it means I am capable of walking.

...all the complaining I hear about our government

because it means we have freedom of speech.

...that lady behind me in church who sings off key

because it means that I can hear.

...lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing

because it means I have a home.

...my huge heating bill

because it means that I am warm.

...weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day

because it means that I have been productive.

...the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours

because it means that I am alive.

There are three kinds of days:

1. Good days,
2. Great days, and
3. Outstanding days.

I hope yours is Outstanding!

"If you want to be happy, be."-Leo Tolsto

"If you want to be happy, be."-Leo Tolstoy: 15 Lessons to Keep in Mind

1. The only person that can ever truly make you happy is yourself. Stop depending on everyone

2. People lie, stuff happens. Don’t take it too personally.

3. Want people to think you’re amazing? Start
believing you are, and then they will too.

4. Smiling is the ultimate anti-depressant. Smile and laugh out loud, it doesn’t look stupid, I promise.

5. The world is never just black and white, right or wrong, one way or another. Try and see things from as many points of view as possible.

else6."Let everything happen to you; Beauty and terror. Just keep going .No feeling is final"—Rainer Maria Rilke

7. Have empathy.

8. Gossip, problems of the past, events you cannot control, negative thoughts and negative people; time spent on these is time poorly wasted.

9. When you're jealous or find yourself filled with hate for someone/something, stop. The only person its hurting is you.

10. Although the newest, most expensive material things may make you feel as if you’re a better person, they won’t hold you at night or listen to you when you need it. Make sure your priorities make sense.

11. Step outside your comfort zone- it’s when you’ll really feel alive.

12. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, the people who really matter, don’t mind

13. Let your emotions out sometimes, humans have them for a reason.

14. Celebrate the things you have. Think only positively of the things you don’t (but would like to have) and they too will come.

15. Love unconditionally ♥.

Being Nice to Everyone

WARNING::::You must read the article (which isn't to long) before you read the blog...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/16WZlL/www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php%253FstoryId%253D89164759

After reading this article it made me think: who would really do this? A teenager is trying to rob me, my first thought is just don't make him mad. Don't let them cut me with that knife. But no, this guy also gave him his coat because the teenager looked cold, then he invited him to go eat dinner with him as well! Just because he kinda knew that kid was bad off, I mean he's robbing people probably not because he is loaded, but because he needs money for food, or just to get by. After having dinner, and making small talk with the guy, the guy gets his wallet back, gives the guy his coat, and a $20 bill, but in return asked for the knife.

Think about this.....would you really do this if you were in this situation? Honestly? I don't think I could. But If we were willing to give things of ours to those who don't have as much as we do, or in general, just be nice to everyone. I know its kind of hard, but honestly instead of giving people who don't look like us, or look like they have a lot, dirty looks, maybe shoot them a smile, or a friendly hi. You may never know what something that small can do to someone. It could change their day from really crappy to really awesome.

Lady Gaga Changing after being put on the spot?

Many people in the Spread the Word to End the Word community was very offended when Lady Gaga said that "That's ______" when asked if she copied a Madonna song to make "Born this Way." Many people wrote on the internet about it and what not, and she wrote back to them saying, “My apologies for not speaking thoughtfully. To anyone that was hurt, please know that it was furiously unintentional. An honest mistake, requires honesty to make.”

I honestly do not think this is a real apology...more of a butt saving. She pretty much said she said the R-word in anger, well what if I said the N word in anger, does that mean that I only say it in anger, or do I say it on a regular basis as slang? It more of the regular basis. No one says something just out of anger, and not in everyday slang. I'm sorry but I do not accept her apology, and honestly think she is a phoney, trying to get media attention, and will do anything to get fans.

Curve Balls

A lot of people get used to the everyday routine: get up, go to work, go to class, go home. Repeat. It gets a little to comfortable. Then life throws you through a loop, what do you do? You panic? Stress out? Lean on the ones you love? You think that would be easy, but in reality its the hardest thing in the world. What happens when the people you think would be there the most, isn't there at all? You're heart broken, right? But what I learn is that the people who weren't there, when you needed them, but expect you to be there for them when they need something, they aren't really friends and shouldn't be in your life to begin with. Friendship isn't a one way street, its two way. Even if its a phone call to check up, or a random text to make you smile, that means more then anything. Getting comfortable with your lifestyle and then something happens that's not expected can really throw you off. No I wasn't dying, and no it wasn't life threatening, but it was very scary and emotional for me. First time being in a hospital, first time having surgery, telling me something was wrong with my ovaries and there might be a problem having children later in life, its scary and emotional for a person. I am very blessed I have a wonderful man who was by my side as much as they would let him, and when I told him to go get dinner, he was there for me, and I couldn't ask for a better support. My family was very much amazing too. My Daddy stayed with my from 230 -1030 Friday. I am very blessed with my family and David's support, but when I find out that I'm not as important to some of my "friends" that I thought I was, its a punch in the gut. Thank you Rob Seaman, Carrie O'Sullivan, Jessi & Greg Linnewebber, and Marilyn Bulthuis for visiting me. I love you all. And everyone who sent me text messages to check up on me. I appreciate you all.