Schedule a personal tune-up

He who does not mind his belly will hardly mind anything else.

- Samuel Johnson

Proper nutrition is part of the foundation of a healthy life. Your car needs the right amount of gas and periodic tune-ups to make it run smoothly and prevent future problems. Your body needs healthy food and periodic check-ups too. Make a goal to start treating your body the right way. Take care of yourself. Eat the right foods and make sure to visit your chiropractor regularly. If you start maintaining and tracking your progress, you will probably see dramatic positive results in the way your body runs.

The sweetness of reflecting on a dream

The things that are hard to bear, are sweet to remember.

- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Setting goals is easy. The tough part is putting time and hard work into realizing those dreams. The energy you are willing to put forth to reach your dreams is directly related to the probability of achieving them. Above all, be patient with the situation and with yourself. Don’t lose your way by being blinded by disappointment, frustrations, and failures. Ponder the goals in your life and the obstacles you might face. Make appropriate plans to overcome those roadblocks even before they occur. Think of the reward of reflecting on a goal you have reached, rather than one you failed to see through. Most big dreams involve big effort!

Letting your optimism out

A pocket is no place for a smile.

- Blues Traveler

We all have natural talents and abilities that we bring to any given situation. Likewise our motivations are usually different as well. Some are motivated by money and success, others by a need for recognition, and still others by the simple satisfaction of doing a good job. But what determines HOW you behave is your attitude. Positive people are often respected, and others naturally gravitate towards them. Conversely, no one likes being around a chronic downer or someone who complains all the time. Next time someone says “Good morning,” really embrace the idea! No one can take away the good feelings you have inside, so let them shine!

Setting a plan in motion

It takes twenty years to become an overnight success.

- Eddie Cantor

Short of winning the lottery, the idea of coming into wealth or power overnight is nearly impossible. Not that it is impossible to be successful, but it involves a lot of hard work, time, overcoming of obstacles, and dedication to achieve. You can’t expect success to just fall into your lap. Often, you have to pour time and tears into reaching it. Set your goals, formulate a plan for getting from point A to point B (and C, D, E and F), and go for it! Let your perseverance and drive be the foundation for achievement.

What are you investing your time in?

The first sign of a nervous breakdown is when you start thinking your work is terribly important.

- Milo Bloom

Work is certainly important. Only those who are incredibly wealthy would tell you that money is of no importance. Without question, we need to work to provide for our families and ourselves. Most people don’t stop to really embody the idea that work is not the most important thing, however. What is of more importance is family, friends, and investing your time in those relationships. Next time you find yourself toiling over your notes for an upcoming meeting, contemplate the message you are sending. Think about what is truly a necessity in your life and actively invest your time in those things.

How your body influences your emotions

The groundwork for all happiness is good health.

- Leigh Hunt

There is an undeniable link between feeling healthy and feeling happy. When was the last time you had the flu, a migraine, or heartburn and felt joyful at the same time? While many of us would agree that there is a relationship between our internal workings and our feelings of happiness, many of us don’t take active steps toward living a healthy, positive life. How can we meet our goals when our body isn’t feeling up to par? Tiredness, aches and pains, and feeling under the weather can all be big hindrances to our goals. It is very important that we nourish our bodies with adequate amounts of the right foods, condition ourselves to maintain and build strong bones and muscles, rest properly at night, and generally adhere to a healthy regimen if we expect to feel positive emotions.

Confidently seeking what you want most

Fortune favors the bold.

- Juvenal

Do you constantly feel overlooked for promotions or think that good fortune never seems to come your way? They say good things happen to good people, but have you considered that maybe good things happen to those who actively work for them? Life is not a series of random coincidences. Your lot in life is determined directly by the amount of effort you are willing to put towards the goals you want to achieve. If you want that raise, work hard and then approach your boss confidently. Many times a healthy level of assertiveness can go a long way in showing people what you’re made of. Don’t be afraid to let your inner hero outshine your more logical and reserved self. The return could be huge!

What nature teaches us about silence

 

 

Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak.

- Epictetus, philosopher

Too often we speak before we think and do not listen nearly as much as would benefit us. Today, examine situations where you might learn something by listening instead of talking. Some people can be challenging to relate to–a nosy mother-in-law, overbearing boss or co-worker, or simply your child wanting your attention. Instead of justifying your feelings or explaining your point of view, use effective yet concise words and then wait for a reply. Good leaders are always marked by being good listeners. When a friend needs to talk, resist the urge to give advice right away and just listen. We have an obligation to tame our tongues and give people the courtesy of being an attentive and engaged listener. Wouldn’t you want the same respect? Everyone deserves to be heard. Give that thoughtfulness to someone this week.

Being a positive force in someone’s life

Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

- Church billboard in Louisiana

Perhaps you’ve seen how an upward spiral can happen as you build a healthy lifestyle. With momentum and small, but consistent, healthy actions, success comes easier and easier until results start to exceed the effort you put into it. Well, the same thing can happen when it comes to being a positive force for others. One small action leads to another, which can lead to many. Your actions may inspire others to do the same, with far-reaching results that completely outweigh that first effort. You’ll probably have no idea how much of a total effect your actions will have. But that kindness will often be paid back two-, three- or even tenfold. If not from the person you helped, then from someone further down the “kindness” chain. So go try it out! Do a kind thing for the next person you meet, and see if you don’t get a positive return.

Are you creating your own life?

The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.

- George Bernard Shaw, playwright

Take a moment to look at the circumstances of your world. Is it what you want to see? What could you do differently to take one step closer to your ideal vision? We’re all dealt different hands in life. That’s how things are. To change things, you have to first accept that fact, then figure out where to go from here. We should all be able to count on each other for help, but in the end, we can’t expect anyone to change our lives except ourselves. Nor should we want it that way. It’s natural to feel powerless and give up in the face of hardships, but complaining and blaming do nothing except prevent action. Without positive action, you’re giving up your power and asking for more of the same–a world you did not create. Where you start may not be your fault, but the course you run is still your choosing.