Big Brother Blog

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Taking Action: The Most-Prized Currency | The BridgeMaker

Posted: 18 Aug 2010 05:36 PM PDT

What you think about expands, so think about what you want — not about what you don’t want! – Dr. Wayne Dyer

Article written by guest contributor Bamboo Forest. Please visit him at his online timer.

If you're a sensible person, you will decide right now to never think of what you don't want ever again.

I know it's a startling proposition, but it really shouldn't be. In life, we should strive to use techniques that work, whatever they may be.

If you were trying to lose weight, you wouldn't go on a diet of bacon wrapped lard would you?

If you were training for a boxing match, you wouldn't practice throwing weak punches, right?

You get the idea.

The bottom line is that we should strive to implement techniques that work and relinquish those that don't serve to further our goals.

What's in your mind is a constant reminder

If you were trying to quit smoking and you had a poster of a man enjoying a cigarette by your desk, you'd constantly be reminded of what you're trying not to do. As a result, you'd be tempted to break your commitment to quit smoking, precisely what you don't want.

In contrast, if you had a poster up of a very physically fit man taking a hike in nature with ease, this picture would inspire you to maintain your efforts to kick the smoking habit because you want to be physically fit just like the man in the poster.

Our minds are like posters that we take with us wherever we go. And the pictures we hold in our minds either motivate us to act in ways that take us closer to our goals, or further away.

If you have a sincere desire to reach your goal, you'll be very careful what you hold in your mind.

Every direction leads to an ultimate destination: our destiny. – Anthony Robbins

Holding in your mind the outcome you desire also produces positive feelings. Those positive feelings are conducive to positive action. Thinking about what you don't want causes depression, a mental state disadvantageous to self-enhancing action.

Focus on the present

Since what's in your mind influences your action, what do you think focusing on the past causes? If what you're thinking about is a pleasant memory, it will uplift your spirits.

If, however, you're merely dwelling on the past wishing things could have been different, you're holding a negative poster in your mind. Not only will having such negativity sitting in your mind depress you, it also won't compel you to take the kind of action you can right now to enhance your life.

Every great accomplishment anyone has ever made in life has been the result of the action they have taken. Action is the only currency in the universe that produces the results you seek. Since that's the case, strive to direct your thoughts in ways that positively direct you. That way, you'll reach your chosen destination before you know it.

Bamboo Forest created an online timer that helps anyone serious about getting things done be more productive. If you like his timer, you may also want to follow him on twitter, where he shares little gems of wisdom.

Take action and see where the good goes™

Each year, almost 9 million children in the developing world die of largely preventable and treatable illnesses before they reach the age of five – that equates to approximately 24,000 child deaths a day.

However, every 4 seconds a child survives thanks to the basic health care provided by local health workers.

Save the Children and the Ad Council are working together to mobilize citizen action in the U.S. to help local health workers save more children worldwide.

Help local health workers bring the good to the children who need it most. You are one step away from helping children around the world survive.

When you help one, you help so many. You can help the good go further.

Ask Alex: Receive a free 30-minute coaching session.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Digital Paintings by DigitalHyperGFX | Best Bookmarks

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Howard Behrens

Ten Commandments- Passover

Monday, August 16, 2010

How to Move from a 7 to a 10 | The BridgeMaker

How to Move from a 7 to a 10

Posted: 16 Aug 2010 05:13 AM PDT

Life must be understood backwards; but… it must be lived forward. – Soren Kierkegaard

Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.

You've heard the question before, "On a scale between 1- 10, how would you rate fill in the blank?"

Although somewhat arbitrary, this rating system does provide a good snapshot for discerning how you feel about a particular person, thing or issue. However, the most important component with this rating scale isn't determining the numerical value you give, but how that numerical value can be improved.

For example, let's say the question is "On a scale between 1- 10, how would you rate your effectiveness as a parent?" Perhaps your answer is, "A seven."

Not bad. Being a seven is pretty good. In fact, there are a lot of effective parents who would rate themselves as a seven. But, imagine if you were trending towards a 10? Think of the opportunities and resources you could provide your children. Think about how you would feel about yourself.

Next, how would you rate your overall personal development? Are you achieving your goals? What is the level of happiness, achievement and success you feel in your life right now?

Whatever your answers happen to be, these numerical values can be improved if you choose – beginning today.

Moving to a 10

In the example above, let's assume your answer is "seven." Ask yourself what would be three things you could do to become a 10. Likewise, if the answer you gave was a "six," the next step would be to identify four things you could do to become a 10, etc.

A word of caution: Learning to become a 10 does not imply being a 10 makes you perfect. It just means you are learning to maximize your talents and efforts to the best of your ability. It just means you are looking for ways to continue to grow and succeed. Perfection is impossible. There are no perfect 10s in life; just the pursuit of them, which is of remarkable value.

Acknowledge what's keeping you stuck

The most significant obstacle that keeps us from moving up the rating scale is we get stuck. We get stuck with being a six as a spouse; our careers are at a five; and our level of happiness is at a three.

We get locked into a pattern and sometimes see no escape. We begin to think that what we have in life is what we have in life and there are no other opportunities. Sometimes we need the heavy roof that hangs over our heads to weaken, if only a little, in order to create a pin-hole small enough that a beam of light can peer through to remind us that hope lives on the other side.

In the absence of this small miracle, we must create the pin-hole ourselves. We must make the decision – the choice, to pick up our heavy boots and move forward. The pain of not knowing how to do so weighs us down. However, the mud can be knocked off and the beam of light can begin to poke through when we surrender our anxiety and replace it with hope and courage.

You must make the choice to ask a question like, "What are the three things I can do to become a better spouse or partner?"

Make a plan

The answer to this question begins with acknowledging what you do well, as a partner. If you don't know, ask. Find out the areas where you achieve. Ask your partner how he or she would rate you.

After your partner provides the answer, allow the rating to resonate with you for a while. Then ask (assuming you received a "six," in this scenario), what are the six things you do well.

Take these in and soak up their value. Next, ask for the four things needed to be a better partner. Bingo – here is your plan. Rather than assuming what you need to do, your partner is telling you, first hand, to do these specific things.

You have a place to start now. These four items are not a report card; they are expressed wants and expectations of you. You get to choose if you want to begin doing these things or not.

Learn to become a 10 in all areas of your life

This exercise is not just confined to your personal relationships. You can extend it to all areas of your life by following the same process.

At work, ask your co-workers and supervisor to give their ratings. Recognize the areas where you are being effective and attempt to do more of those things. Likewise, ask for the feedback. Ask for the three, four or five things you could do that would help you and motivate you to achieve your professional goals.

Finally, rate yourself on a scale between 1-10. When you have a quiet moment, ask, "How happy am I, really?" Don't rush yourself and be as real with yourself as you can to arrive at an answer.

If it's a "three," then it's a three; this doesn't mean it always has to be a three, it just means it's a three right now. Also, a three doesn't mean you are being ineffective, it just means you could learn to increase and sustain your level of happiness.

Follow the process and take a look at the areas of your life that are making you happy. Perhaps you could put more time into these areas. Next, make a plan. Identify the six or seven things that you could do that would make your happier. Don't wait on any one else to bring you happiness – you must go after it!

Learning to become a 10 is a process. The reality is you will never give yourself 10s across the board, nor should you. That's not the point.

The point is to keep nourishing what's working in your life, and do more of that. And at the same time, identify areas that could lead to greater personal growth and then begin to make a plan. There is tremendous value in recognizing what you would like to change in your life. This is all the whole point of moving from to a 10.

Ask Alex: Receive a free 30-minute coaching session.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

A Snapshot of Humanity: 30 Amazing Portrait Photographs | CreativeFan

NEVER EVER GIVE UP IN LIFE

Most Interesting Moments in the Animal World. Part 6 - AmO Images: Capturing the Beauty of Life - AmO Images: Capturing the Beauty of Life

Adorable Drawings of Famouse Characters by Drew Struzan | Life Artworks - Painting, Modern, Photography

Thursday, August 12, 2010

A Back-to-School Guide (tips & more) | The BridgeMaker

A Back-to-School Guide (tips & more)

Posted: 12 Aug 2010 03:59 AM PDT

The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you. – B.B. King

Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.

In less than two weeks big changes are in store for my family. Mary Beth and I take our younger son, Andrew, to college and then a few days later our younger daughter, Emily, begins middle school. In four days, one child begins learning how to live on his own while another child begins learning how to expand her world a little at a time.

Preparing for these back-to-school dates has required careful planning and a flexible budget. Even more challenging, Andrew and Emily's shopping lists couldn't be more different. Our son needs big-ticket electronics and dorm room furnishings. Emily is required to have more "sophisticated" school supplies (the days of Disney character notebooks and crayons are over).

To make certain my wife and I were buying the right items we visited the college and middle school websites to download the supply lists. Most schools have a link to this information on their home page. Next, we searched the internet to find the best prices and shipping options. Our search took us to Amazon.com.

Knowing we had little time to get these items, we decided to do most of our shopping (with one exception noted below) online. Amazon.com is currently having some great back-to-school sales, including free shipping.

We traded the department stores for our home and started filling the virtual shopping cart with the needed supplies. The extra time, and money, saved will be used to enjoy the remaining summer days with our children.

Emily's middle school supply list

Each subject area has its own requirements. Here's what we purchased for Emily:

She needs a three-five subject spiral notebook for Communication Arts.
Her math teacher is requesting a three-ring binder, three-hole punched quad-rule graph paper, and a one-subject notebook.
Two packages of 50 count 4 x 6 lined note cards is required for social studies.
Emily is about to experience the joy of her first P.E. class. Her school is providing the t-shirt, but we had to order gym shorts to complete the uniform.

The middle school's website also provided a general supply list all sixth graders will need:

Accordion binder with 8 pockets
200 sheets of college-ruled notebook paper
Plenty of #2 pencils
Medium ball point pens – blue or black
Colored pens (for correcting work)
Book covers (whatever happened to using brown paper bags?)

One item not on the supply list, but considered a back-to-school necessity by our daughter was a school locker accessories kit. This kit has all the popular locker bling. From stickers to mirrors, Emily's locker will have a unique style and personality – a great confidence booster as she moves from the security of elementary school and to the uncertainly of middle school.

Andrew's college supply list

Andrew's list was certainly more expensive than it was during his high school years. In those days, a new book bag, some new clothes and a school parking decal was all he needed. But sending a child to college is like setting up a "mini house." Since the comforts of home don't leave, new comforts have to be bought.

The first item on Andrew's list was a laptop computer. His instructors require students to bring laptops to class. Even though Amazon.com has affordable computer prices, Mary Beth and I made the decision to purchase one during a recent Tax Free weekend.

We live on the Kansas side of Kansas City, but beginning this past weekend the other side of the state line offered its annual Tax Free weekend. Missouri, like other states, offered this promotion as a stimulus program for the merchants and to help families with the cost of sending children to school.

The best news was Kansas residents were invited, too. Missouri offered tax free purchases on clothing, school supplies, computer software, and personal computers. Your state may offer a tax free weekend as well. Click here to see a complete listing of states that participate in the Tax Free program

With a laptop computer purchase strategy in place, we turned our attention back to Amazon.com. Other items we purchased:

The college does not provide an Ethernet cable, but one is required for internet access.
Regarding the comforts of home, Andrew needed bed linens for a twin size bed. We found the perfect item with the bed-in-a-bag – everything he needs in one convenient, portable bag.
Our son is a snacker . We found him a perfectly-sized dorm fridge to hold his favorite snacks and sodas and with plenty of space leftover to share with his roommate.

It's the small things that can make us feel the most comfortable. I typed "dorm room stuff" in Amazon's search bar and found several items Andrew will appreciate having in his new home. On the page I found:

A bedside caddy
A dorm caddy shower tote
An underbed storage chest
A pop-up hamper
A multipurpose storage cart
A "Room Rules" metal sign
plus more; click here to see these items

No doubt the next two weeks will go in a blink. Soon Andrew will be adjusting to his new home and Emily will be making new friends. Mary Beth and I will have the chance to stop, catch our breath, and start getting use to the idea we only have one child remaining at home.

It is our hope the next seven years crawl by slowly so they can savored. But when the day comes for Emily to go to college, my wife and I will know what to do. We will check the college's website, shop for the best prices and then order what our daughter needs.

It will be the day after that will catch us by surprise. Our back-to-school years will be over, but knowing we gave our children what they needed, plus a little more, will make the emptiness a little more bearable.

Editor's note: A version of this article first appeared on The Daily Brainstorm as part of their Back-to-School series. It's my pleasure to re-publish this for the readers of this blog.

Ask Alex: Receive a free 30-minute coaching session.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

NGC Best Photographs For July 2010 | Best Bookmarks

Friday, August 6, 2010

40 Amazing Pictures of New York City | Thumb Press

Thursday, August 5, 2010

This I Believe | The BridgeMaker

This I Believe

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 12:43 AM PDT

In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true. – Buddha

Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.

This I Believe
There are no accidents without value. No matter how difficult the circumstances in life, we can grow and learn from what happens to us – everything happens for a reason. Taking the time to find the value in these events is up to each of us.

This I Believe
You cannot change or heal what you do not acknowledge. For real and lasting growth to occur, we must first come to terms with our reality and see it for what it really is in order to reframe it and learn from it.

This I Believe
Happiness is a choice. Each day we can either choose to face the day with a positive attitude or allow the obstacles and setbacks to overwhelm us and make us anxious and angry.

This I Believe
Love can be eternal. While it's true no one can make you happy, you can feel happiest about yourself when you are with someone who gives you the time and space to bring out your best.

This I Believe
We all have a purpose in life. To find your purpose, make a list of all the things you want to accomplish in your life. The one that jumps off the page and makes you begin to cry is your purpose.

This I Believe
Life and learning is a process. Try to avoid saying you can't do something, instead, state, "I have not learned how to..," or "I'm learning how to…"

This I Believe
Never give up. The day you quit is the day before the goal or task is accomplished.

This I Believe
We measure our progress in life incorrectly. Instead of measuring where you are now to where you want to be, measure yourself from where you have been.

This I Believe
It's OK to make and have money – a lot of money if you wish. Your character is not defined by how much money you make; your character is defined by what you do with the money you make.

This I Believe
As parents our main responsibility is to nurture and protect our children. We also have the responsibility to break the cycle of any harm, dysfunction or pain we experienced as children. I believe our jobs as parents are to make our children's life better than our childhoods. The real payback occurs when our children do likewise as parents.

This I Believe
Always love your partner and always fight fairly when disagreements occur. It is never acceptable to strike your partner – ever. Listen to their point-of-view and then offer your own. Remember, would you rather be right than happy?

This I Believe
Living a happy and fulfilling life is more about the "what" than the "how." Focus on "what" you want. The "how" will reveal itself naturally over time if you fully commit to the "what."

What do you believe?

What are your core beliefs? What do you know to be true in your life? Please share in Comments below.

Browse all articles | Read 30 True Things You Need to Know Now | Join The BridgeMaker on Facebook

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The Most Beautifully and Uniquely Colored Mammals in the World | Scienceray

Monday, August 2, 2010

Lo-tech (2008) on the Behance Network

portrait part 2 on the Behance Network

Concept future electric Lamborghini Rompighiaccio glows green in luxury. | Cars world blog

You Can’t Fix Your Life in 5 Easy Steps | The BridgeMaker

You Can’t Fix Your Life in 5 Easy Steps

Posted: 02 Aug 2010 03:23 AM PDT

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. – Lao Tzu

Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.

You can't fix your life in five easy steps for one simple reason: Your life is not broken.

Often we have the tendency to rush to a solution before we identify the problem. Similarly, when we feel our lives are off track and not fulfilling we frantically look for ways to fix something, anything– and fast.

My first reaction when Mary Beth comes to me with an issue is to help her fix it. But what she really needs from me is to listen, be supportive and discuss what changes are necessary to solve the problem. This same need can be extended to how we approach our personal problems, too.

Sometimes the best thing to do is to step back and consider what simple changes can be made so a problem can be diminished naturally. When this approach is taken, the outcome is more permanent because the solution is better considered.

Rather than focusing on fixing our lives, it may be better to consider simplifying our lives. Making small, simple changes can lead to finding greater happiness and freedom.

Seeking Simplification

When we remove the clutter, we gain better clarity to find our way through challenging times. Simplification leads to less anxiety about trying to fix the world, and the people, around us. I have discovered these five ways to simplify my life leads to more peace and comfort.

Make time for "self" every day.
Carve out a few moments each day to stop and do whatever you like. Check in with your thoughts, daydream, or process what's happening in your life. Simply do something just for you. A few minutes are all you need to re-charge your mind, body and soul. When you do, the answers you are seeking have a way of greeting you a little sooner.
Acknowledge your victories.
Take time to celebrate your accomplishments. Recognize when you reach an important milestone and then give yourself the credit you deserve. Avoid the temptation to allow the busyness of your life to overshadow these important events. Savor these moments and allow your victories to make you stronger.
Reconnect.
Reconnect to what's really important. To do this, you first need to disconnect from your computer, iPhone or even your job. Use dinnertime has a way to have eye-to-eye contact with the people who matter most. Engaging with your family in meaningful ways will refresh you and remind you of why you work so hard in the first place.
Take out your trash.
The trash that builds up can keep you from seeing past it. Your desk, computer desktop and home can quickly be mired down with unwanted items. When the piles become large enough they create an unproductive distraction. To regain some simplicity, and control, take out your trash. Throw away what's no longer serving you and replace it with a productive, generous space that brings peaceful mindfulness once again.
Live within your means.
Perhaps the greatest contributor to stress is money, or more specifically, the lack of it. While its true money can't buy happiness, it can buy choices. These choices can lead to doing whatever you want to do, rather than what you have to do. Pay in cash whenever possible, save a little every day and manage your money before it manages you. Living within your means creates the choice to live a happy life.

Remember this: You are not broken and neither is your life. When you feel discouraged, remember it's simplifying, not fixing; it's changing, not fixing; it's celebrating who you are, not fixing who you think you are becoming.

Delight in your goodness, recognize your worth and believe you are simply, and incredibly, enough – no repairs are needed.

Browse all articles | Read 30 True Things You Need to Know Now | Join The BridgeMaker on Facebook

Sunday, August 1, 2010

33 Truly Most Brilliant Examples of Animals Photography

Saturday, July 31, 2010

shitmydadsays (shitmydadsays) - shitmydadsays

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Will You Help, Too? | The BridgeMaker

Will You Help, Too?

Posted: 29 Jul 2010 03:13 AM PDT

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. - Dr. Seuss

Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.

Opportunities to help one other appear every day. We either acknowledge them, or we don't.

During a recent trip to Minneapolis, my family and I visited The Basilica of Saint Mary. The Basilica's beauty is matched only by its reverence. The white granite exterior welcomed us as we opened the massive wooden door to enter. Once inside, its architecture was simply amazing. Long rows of pews lead to an altar perfectly positioned under a stunning copper dome.

In one those pews was a man, alone and seemingly distraught. Sitting on the edge of the wooden bench, he grasped the pew in front on him. He buried his head between his hands and appeared to be praying.

I walked by him on my way to get a better look at the altar. Stopping for a moment, I considered sitting next to him. He was clearly in pain and maybe I could offer some relief. Instead, I continued to the altar. He wanted to be alone, I reasoned. But I knew better. He needed some comfort and I didn't help.

After returning to the back of the church, I waited for Mary Beth to light a candle in memory of her father. When she finished, we stood together and admired the church. That's when I noticed someone had taken the spot next to the grieving man.

I rationalized he was probably a priest, or a trained layperson who was on staff to help with these situations. But really, I think he was someone who made a choice different than mine – he made the choice to help.

At that moment, I re-committed to listening to my inner wisdom and offering to help when I know it's needed – no matter how uncertain or inconvenient it may seem. God gives us special radar to use. When we pay attention to the readings our radars provide, we will know if our help is needed, or not.

So my question, my challenge, to you is, "When someone needs help, will you help, too?"

The Starfish Story

Your choice to help – one person at a time – does make a difference. The Starfish Story illustrates the power one simple action can have:

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young man paused, looked up, and replied, “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

“I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, “It made a difference for that one.” – Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)

I regret not being a starfish thrower the day I visited The Basilica of Saint Mary. In that Holy place, I felt His nudge and forgiveness. I left Minneapolis and returned home looking for starfish who need my help. When I find them, I will do my best against the receding tides.

I can't do it alone. Will you help, too?

Browse all articles | Read 30 True Things You Need to Know Now | Join The BridgeMaker on Facebook

Muhammad in the Bible [2/2] الحقيقة الصارخة حول محمد في الإنجيل

The absolute truth about Muhammad in the bible.Part1 مترجم

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

4 Vitamins That Can Save Your Life

Monday, July 26, 2010

A Road Map to Living an Awesome Life | The BridgeMaker

A Road Map to Living an Awesome Life

Posted: 26 Jul 2010 04:54 AM PDT

The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination. - Don Williams Jr.

Article by BridgeMaker contributor Ralph Jean-Paul. Please visit Ralph at Potential2Success.com.

I've been feeling very nostalgic lately and I'm not sure why. Perhaps it is because I celebrated a birthday recently where I spent time reflecting on my past. Or maybe it's because of all of my high school friends that have been sending friend requests on Facebook. Whatever the reason, memories from my childhood have been on my mind.

Those memories led me to visit my old neighborhood. As I was driving down the familiar street on the way to our old apartment complex, I glanced at an office park. I was unable to look at the parking lot of this park without memories of year 15 of my life rushing back to me. It looked like any normal office park around town but to me, it had a special meaning.

This particular office park was where I first learned how to drive. One day when the businesses closed, my sister drove the short distance to the office park and sat in the passenger seat while I navigated my way around the turns and speed bumps. I got the hang of driving fairly quickly and I was driving on the state roads and highways just a few weeks later.

Revisiting my past made me think about the different paths my life has taken. I began to about think how far I have come. I began feeling very blessed that I have been able to experience and do the things I have done with my life so far. Even though it's not always perfect, I truly feel that I'm living an extraordinary life.

Living an awesome life can be accomplished by anyone. But you must know what roads to take and what roads to avoid. Here are some of the major roads you will encounter in your life's journey that will lead to awesome living.

Main Street

Every major city has a major road that acts as the center attraction of that city. The road helps to define the city and the people in it. In Paris, its Avenue des Champs-Elysees where the mile long road displays a variety of boutiques, cafes and restaurants. In New York, it may be Broadway or 7th Ave which are at the heart of the never ending excitement and entertainment the city is known for.

Your life's Main Street is your center. It is what represents who you are. Instead of cafes and dinner shows, your life's Main Street may be represented by your faith, family, talents and purpose. To live an exceptional life, you must start with your core. Find your Main Streets and you'll find your motivation and drive.

The Winding Road

There is nothing like driving on a winding road. Whether the road is located in a midst of a lush forest or hugging the curves of a hilly countryside, driving on a winding road is an exciting experience. The best part about driving on these roads is the opportunity to enjoy the ride while surrounded by beauty.

Awesome living means enjoying the ride. On route to your destination, life offers the opportunity to see and experience great things. Life brings new experiences everyday. We may be tempted to hit the gas and speed through them but if we do, we may miss out on something great.

Nightmares on Elm Street

On your journey to an awesome life, you will inevitably cross Elm Street-where the nightmares are. The nightmares may be financial, physical, or even emotional. Although it may seem that being on Elm Street is the opposite of living an extraordinary life, the nightmares on Elm are an important part of awesome living. You may not be able to appreciate the other wonderful roads you will encounter unless you have journeyed through the difficult ones.

Going through tough times in your life makes it possible to be grateful for the good times. You will not appreciate a great relationship unless you've experienced a bad one. You will not be able to truly appreciate your material possessions unless you have struggled financially at some point in your life. Remember that Elm Street does not go on forever and eventually the nightmares will end.

Avoid Easy Street

You may be tempted to take Easy Street which looks like a quicker way to get to your destination. But be careful, most shortcuts lead to a dead end. Easy Street is the path of least resistance but also offers the least rewards. There will be no pot-holes in the road, no curves to take, and no hills to drive up – just a smooth ride with no risk, no challenge, no growth.

In life, you will have many opportunities to take the easy way out or the "quick-fix". It may come as an easy way to get rich, lose weight, or become famous. But when you take the easy road, you have not taken a road that will produce lasting results. To live an amazing life you must be willing to do things that expand your comfort zone and challenge you.

Getting on the Highway's Fast Lane

If you really want to avoid congested road traffic, you can always get on the highway and merge onto the fast lane. Since you will be driving at high speeds, you will have to be extra focused, disciplined and alert.

In life there are some things we can do that will have an immediate impact on the way we live our lives. These things can be done today and can change the direction of your life.

Changing Your Thoughts – Altering your thinking is the first step to changing your life. By changing your perspectives you will become more aware of opportunities when they present themselves.

Changing Your Habits – Once you've altered your thinking, it's time to align your actions with your thoughts. Changing the things you do daily will eventually change the way you live daily.

Take on a New Challenge – Taking on challenges where you can gain an experience that may add value to your life will dramatically improve the quality of your life.

If you feel like your life is lacking in experience, excitement and passion, it may be that you are driving in the wrong direction. It's never too late to make a U-turn and find the roads that lead to awesome living.

Ralph Jean-Paul is not only committed to his own personal development, but he is also committed to the personal development of everyone he comes in contact with. To learn more about Ralph, please visit Potential2Success.com.

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About Me

Thursday, August 19, 2010

What's in your mind is a constant reminder

Focus on the present

Take action and see where the good goes™

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Monday, August 16, 2010

Moving to a 10

Acknowledge what's keeping you stuck

Make a plan

Learn to become a 10 in all areas of your life

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Emily's middle school supply list

Andrew's college supply list

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Friday, August 6, 2010

Thursday, August 5, 2010

What do you believe?

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Monday, August 2, 2010

Seeking Simplification

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Starfish Story

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Monday, July 26, 2010

Main Street

The Winding Road

Nightmares on Elm Street

Avoid Easy Street

Getting on the Highway's Fast Lane

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Friday, July 23, 2010