When to Live Vicariously Through Someone Else

Most times I have the “I want to feel and experience it for myself” attitude and most times that is not a bad thing. However, lately I have watched people walk right into the same negative not-so-wonderful-outcome situations they witnessed others experience.  I sit back pondering, scratching my head, and stumped as I try to decipher what exactly possessed them to make the same mistake some else did. And then, I remember when I too have been guilty of the same error, or better yet, the same warped adventure.

Sometimes we just need to observe, watch, and understand the mistakes of others so that we are sure not to reenact them. There simply are some shows we do NOT need to star in… 

A Letter from Love to You

Everyday when I go to work, in some way, shape, or form, I see the youth of tomorrow looking, yearning, silently screaming out to feel love, find meaning and purpose, and experience acceptance in this world. As I observe the ways in which they choose to find and experience them, I begin wondering who they will become in the future and what struggles they may experience along that journey. The truth is many adults are in various ways still looking for love and finding their own personal ways to experience it. So, wherever you are on the journey of finding love, meaning, purpose, and acceptance, young or older, here are a few words I wrote from LOVE to YOU:  

I know you’re looking for love and someday, if you have not already, you will find it. Along the way, you will feel the yearning and void for it, but it doesn’t mean you should find and accept just any kind of love.

Love should leave you feeling wanted, accepted, and not judged. Love is patient and kind. Love lifts you up and encourages you to fly. It is quick to overlook your flaws and praise your beauty. Love lasts. And most importantly, love is not supposed to hurt.  

True love is free. You should not have to work for it. It is willing given because you are worth the gift of love. Love sees the best in you and stands like a mirror quietly challenging you to see the value and worth that exist inside of you. If you settle for any kind of love, you have virtually settled to see a “less than” side of you. 

People often settle for love that reflects where they are and NOT a love that reflects where and who they want to be. Somehow they think that without love they will never have the chance to experience their dreams. So they get easily distracted by and gravitate towards anything that resembles love and makes them feel accepted. However, until you accept and have the self-confidence to believe that you are capable, worthy, and beautiful enough to be where you dream to be, you will always accept a love that reflects where you FEEL you are instead of a love that resembles what you DREAM to have.

So, I know you will search for love, fall in love, and at times choose love over logic, but remember to choose a love that reflects your true inner worth. You are beautiful, so be beautiful, and only accept beautiful love.  

Sincerely, 

LOVE. 

How to LAUGH out LOUD

They told me that laughter was good for the soul. Well, that’s awesome because I LOVE to laugh. However, does anyone else find that you don’t laugh OUT loud or AS loud when you are alone at home?

Lately, however, I’ve found myself literally laughing so hard ALONE in my apartment to various television shows, movies, YouTube videos, commercials, or things on the internet/social media that my neighbors probably think I’m crazy. An unknown author said that “if you smile [or LAUGH] while no one is around, you really mean it.” I am now starting to really believe that to be true.

So, here are a few light-hearted steps to help you release your inner laugh when you are alone:

STEP 1: Find the comedy in the situation or just find something funny to watch.

STEP 2: Don’t take your too seriously.

STEP 3: Don’t be overly concerned about who hears you and in turn wonders what you’re doing.

STEP 4: Yes, they might think you are crazy, but it’s only because they wish they were laughing too

STEP 5: Finally, let yourself be FREE and just LET IT OUT.

There you have it, How to Laugh OUT Loud. Better laugh than cry, right?

Traffic Lights of LIFE: 15 Rules

Pay attention to the traffic lights of LIFE. They will give you direction and guidance along this life journey.

RED

STOP letting fear cripple you.

STOP allowing people to plant seeds of doubt and negativity in your mind.

STOP refusing to forgive people that have hurt or disappointed you.

STOP looking for love in all the wrong places.

STOP getting hung up on what people think about you (positive or negative).

 YELLOW

SLOW DOWN when you start feeling your emotions spiraling out of control.

SLOW DOWN when you feel yourself beginning to act out of character.

SLOW DOWN when your body starts telling you it is overworked or stressed.

SLOW DOWN and take time to reflective on lessons life has already taught you.

SLOW DOWN and enjoy the moments of the PRESENT.

Green

Go exercise and try to take better care of your body.

GO spend every day more happier and productive than wasteful and angry/sad.

GO dream in the face of opposition.

GO explore new places and ideas.

GO forward when others are too scared or unwilling to join you.

Investing in YOU

So many people want to succeed. At this point, the word success has become synonymous with LIFE because everyone born into this world has the innate desire to “succeed.” It’s not the word that creates problems; it’s how we define it that creates a lifelong challenge as our personal vision of success changes with the seasons and transforms with time.

One of the essential factors of success is our willingness to invest time, money, and energy into ourselves. This may be easy for some people, yet a true sacrifice for others. Some people need to become more willing to spend money on their personal development. Some may need to sacrifice additional time away from pleasurable events and people in order to avail more time to focus on a goal. Then, there are others that need to sacrifice their comfort and pride to seek help in order to improve personal areas of weakness that hinder success and/or sacrifice time to learn how to improve those areas alone.

Why should someone else count you IN when you count yourself OUT? Would you gamble and bet on yourself? Would you invest in yourself? If not, why should anyone be willing to invest time, money, and resources when you haven’t started investing in YOU? People are not as willing to invest in companies or people if they fear they will lose their investment. Are YOU afraid to invest in yourself because you are fearful that in the end you will FAIL? If we are confident that we can achieve a goal, we should be willing to invest in ourselves to accomplish it.

Remember, your sacrifices are temporary. Your investment(s) will eventually pay off if you’re wisely and efficiently investing in yourself.

GREAT INSPIRATION from The Alchemist

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is one of my favorite inspirational books. Here are some excerpts to encourage you think about your “dream journey” and to inspire you to keep moving toward that dream:

“It’s what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone when they are young. knows what their Personal Legend is [...] They are not afraid to DREAM, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend [...] It’s a force that appears to be negative, but actually shows you how to realize your Personal Legend. It prepares your spirit and will, because there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.”

“Don’t think about what you’ve left behind[...] If what one finds is made of pure matter, it will never spoil.”

“[But] they were looking only for gold [...] They were seeking treasure of their Personal Legend without wanting actually to live out the Personal Legend. [...] The Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way[...] So that we can in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve moved toward the dream. That’s the point at which most people GIVE UP. It’s the point at which as we say in the language of the desert, ‘one dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon.’“

Keep dreaming. You are destined to find it. It’s up to you to start and keep walking. 

Twitter @MBelleTweets

 

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Every moment really is precious. While it may not be possible to spend all of your time in a “happy” mood, do your BEST to make the good times largely OUTWEIGH the bad times.

Happy Saturday. Spend it well.