Personal Development: Comfort Zone Be Gone

Life loses its meaning when we get stuck up in comfort zone. –M.K. Soni

Your comfort zone is your behavioral state of mind operating in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviors to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk. True statement... in other words, boring.

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 A comfort zone is a type of mental conditioning that causes a person to create and operate mental boundaries around themselves. 


Where is the challenge and growth when you operate around boundaries and already know what to expect. Such boundaries create an unfounded sense of security, that is, when you establish your comfort zone you tend to stay within that zone without stepping outside of it. Step outside your comfort zone and experiment with new and different environments. You will find that you'll be lead to new and different responses within your new environment. 

The Inner Path: Living Gratitude Out Loud

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is
not to utter words, but to live by them." JFK

Don't ever take the good you already have in your life for granted... some people tend to do just that. Really, just imagine losing some of the things that you consider comfort... home, car, job, your ability to see, hear, or walk. Then imagine one day, getting each of them back, one by one.  I can just imagine how grateful you'd be for each and every one. Now you know the feeling... well that's gratitude:

• being thankful
• counting your blessings 
• acknowledging everything that you receive
• living everyday as if everything were a miracle
• being aware of how much you’ve been given. 

Being aware of gratitude shifts your focus from what you're lacking in life to the fullness that's already present.  And, you'll be happier!  Living a grateful life can increase your natural happiness level.  Yes, let's say, for example, your natural happiness level is ground "zero".  That feels natural to your body, so that's your basic level of happiness.  Well, if something bad happens to you during the day, your happiness level drops below that zero level. So, knowing it dropped, you make adjustments in your feeling and try to level it back to zero. Now, likewise, if something good happens to you, your happiness level rises, and when you're ready, returns to zero.  Gratitude keeps your happiness high regardless of outside circumstances.  Practicing gratitude doesn't mean that everything in your life is necessarily great... it means you're aware of your blessings.

 

The Inner Path: Your Thoughts Build Your Life

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“It isn't what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It's what you think about it.”― Dale Carnegie

What a reminder! We are what we are because of our thoughts; we are our thoughts, in a way. Our thoughts are like energy waves, we can’t see them, but they’re there. Energy is around us, stay around us. If you think your situation is negative, then it will be … to you, even if it’s not.

So, make sure all your thoughts are pure, positive and for your benefit as much as you can possibly create them... it’ll attract and connect you with what you desire to have in your life and make it better for you.  Maybe you’re not making the real progress you would like to make in some areas of your life, if so this quote could help you focus a bit more on it today.  Just remember, negative thoughts feed negative energy, so ignore them to make them go away… think about it!

Personal Development: 'Success is in Confidence'

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

You want to define yourself, at work and socially. You know who you are; beautiful, capable and settles for nothing less.  And I'm sure you've encountered confident people; their walk and talk oozing with confidence.  You want that... without being arrogant or hubris, of course.  You know you aspire to be confident, however, you're unsure; lacking self-esteem, style or poise.  Well, no more - put your future in your hands and lay your path straight by incorporating the tips below to help you be a confident person ... it'll get you on track to living life on purpose.

The Inner Path: When Sunday Comes!

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When Sunday comes and you get ready to rejuvenate your spirit by going to church to draw near to God with a sincere heart, be aware that people don't all go there for the purpose of meeting with God, or for the purpose of listening to messages that would impart their lives positively. There are many reasons why people go to church, some go in order to follow God's directives and to worship him in holiness. Others go for their own selfish motives, just to please themselves; not minding what God thinks of them. Now, why you're pondering the reason you go to church, here are just some reasons people go to church:

The Inner Path: Finding Peace Even Through The Storms

We all deal with stress in our daily, hectic lives... at work, in marriage, kids, financial concerns and other daily routines and habits. And we know that in these situations peace can be difficult to find, but is so important and needed if we're to maintain our health, well-being and sanity.  A harmonious balance needs to be found between what we have control over and that which we have no control...our inner peace and that which is outside of us, in order to help us find our happiness. 

But how do you find it when you feel as though you're in a violent storm out in the middle of the sea. Well, peace is not very difficult to find.

Nutritionwise: Make Meatless Mondays A Routine

Friday is payday, Saturday play day and Sunday pray day, so why not make Monday meatless.  That's right, Monday is the perfect day to start anew. That's the idea behind Meatless Monday --- a campaign that tries to get carnivores to give up meat for a day to achieve better health.  It isn't about getting people to become vegetarians. It's simply promoting meat-free alternatives one day a week.  Here are 3 simple tips to help you make Meatless Mondays a routine for you and your family.

1. Keep it simple: Offer 2-3 options each week, giving your family a opportunity to be a part of the planning, which will have them looking forward to choosing meals each week.
2. Be realistic: Know what foods your family likes and make them available.  Also, be considerate of the family member ages and have meatless foods that are pleasing and appropriate for them so that Meatless Monday is anticipated.
3. Stay one step ahead: Plan and organize. Do some prep work to make it easier to follow your routine. You'd be more apt to stick with Meatless Monday if you involve the whole family, include meals and snacks for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and include Meatless Monday recipes on your shopping list.

The "Meatless Monday" movement has built up steam and is recognized in public places...not just at home.  They have developed followers in local governments, hospitals, schools and restaurants.  Some public health schools dedicate the first day of every week to health. Even some big named chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Mario Batalli  have pledged to go meat-free in their restaurants on Mondays.  Every Monday, individuals and organizations join together to commit to healthy behaviors that help end chronic preventable diseases.  It’s a call to action built into every calendar – 52 chances a year to live a longer, healthier life!
    

Meatless Monday Breakfast Burrito Recipe

Also, take a look at other Monday Campaigns, the day all health breaks loose!

Personal Development: Moving Your Vision Forward

 "Vision without Action is a dream.  Action without Vision is a waste of time. 

Vision with  Action can change the World." Quote

Empower yourself to move your vision into action.  By being a visionary you can move your ideas into results by embodying the visionary attributes of  a leader.  So, put on the mental strength mindset of a forward thinker, look past all the distractions of your normal, busy and everyday activities, and do what's important to move ahead. It requires you to have core values, clear vision, empowering relationships, and innovative action. Here are some attributes of a leader, forward thinker or visionary:

• Core values: These are your important and enduring beliefs or ideals about what is good or desirable and what is not. Your core values are what influences your behavior and serve as broad guidelines for you in all situations.

• Clear vision: A clear vision has the power to bring what’s most important to the surface of your schedule and lifestyle. Know what has worked in the past, and what has not.  Hone in on what drove progress and how it will all help you make future plans. Knowing where you are gives you the starting point for all your goals and visions. Whereas, in your mind, you can see your intended or hopeful destination and your energies are alined to move in that direction ... with relentless passion.