Category: Mindset

Sunrises and Sunsets

I like sunrises better. They’re quieter.

A chance to meditate and plan the upcoming day.

A chance to reflect on the day before.

A chance to be grateful to see another day begin.

I like to ride my bike to the lake in the dark and see the sunrise. I like the mist and the morning dew. There’s little to no traffic. The loud assholes haven’t hit the roads yet.

Peaceful.

Serene.

The feeling that it’s a brand new day and you can mold it as you please.

Sunsets are cool too, but they’re not as quiet or comforting. There’s still traffic moving too fast, assholes blowing their horns like their time is more important than anyone else’s…

Not by the lake though.

There’s more foot traffic than at dawn, but still pretty peaceful.

A chance to reflect on the day.

What good did I do today?

What good shall I do tomorrow?

Sunsets are a time to unwind and begin to relax.

I like sunrises and sunsets. Especially at the lake.

I think I’ll ride there tomorrow for the sunrise.

New Way of Thinking

Bad Attitude = Bad Habits = Bad Work Ethic = Bad Life

Being the victim is a choice.

~LC

Starting out my day by writing down what I’m grateful for has made my life so much better, and it worked almost instantly!

Sure, I still get mad sometimes but I deal with it in a different way now. Instead of dwelling on whatever pissed me off all day, and getting angrier and angrier, I’ve learned to let it go. Focusing on what I’m grateful for helps me focus on what needs to get done. I know that if I want to continue to grow both professionally and personally, I need to also grow spiritually, and for me that starts with practicing gratitude every day.

Even if it’s something as simple as a sunrise, or having indoor plumbing, or anything else I often take for granted until I miss it, anything helps. I’ve come to realize I’m much happier just appreciating what I have as opposed to being pissed off about something I don’t possess or have control over.

I know it’s ok to want more out of life, and to strive to improve, but perfection will never happen. And that’s ok too. I know as long as I’m moving forward and improving myself every day, I’ll be a lot less stressed.

In my experience, if I get angry about something that isn’t perfect, it ends up ruining both mine and someone else’s day, and no progress is made.

Too many people seem to be focused on the small picture. They are greedy and always ask, “What’s in it for me?”

Maybe if those same people tried practicing gratitude, tried helping out others more, and stopped having the attitude of, “Well I’m not going to do a good job because I don’t get paid enough.”, they might actually get a raise or promotion. They might even actually be able to be happy!

Or maybe not.

All I know is what works for me. And what works for me is having a good attitude even when things aren’t going well. Overcoming challenges with grace and a good attitude are what helps me grow and be happy. And when I’m happy, I can be helpful to other people. And being helpful to other people makes me happy.

And so on, and so on…

Thanks for reading ~ LC

Willingness

Lack of willingness held me back for so long I really don’t know how I made it this far. I always had to have my way in order to be happy, and I didn’t know how to live life on life’s terms. I had to live life on my terms. I didn’t know there was any other way. I wasted so much of my life trying to manipulate people and situations to suit my own agenda. I was constantly struggling and fighting against the flow instead of working with it.

I just wasn’t willing to do the right thing. I wasn’t willing to be helpful to others. I wasn’t willing to do what it would’ve taken to make my life better because I thought it would be easier to try and change everyone and everything else.

I was dead wrong.

After becoming so sick and tired of being frustrated and angry all the time, somehow I finally managed to find the willingness to begin to transform my sick and selfish mind. I became willing to live in joy, to love and be loved. I became willing to let people in and to let people help me. I didn’t fight anymore. I became willing to take suggestions. I became willing to take into account other people’s points of view.

I became willing to do the work it was going to take to turn my life around. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been well worth it. And even though it hasn’t been easy, it’s been a whole lot easier than trying to fight and manipulate and argue my way through.

Before I could change my mindset, I had to become willing to change. I had to be willing to be honest with myself and others.

I had to become willing to do things I didn’t really want to do, but that I knew would good in the long run. I had to be willing to stop taking the easy way out to have things become easier in the long run.

I had to experience a lot of pain to get to the point of becoming willing. I caused a lot of pain too, and now I am willing to make amends for it.

I don’t know where I’d be right now if I hadn’t found the willingness to change, but I know it would be in a much darker, worse place than I am right now.

 

~Thanks for reading – LC

 

 

Fake It ’til You Make It

black and white person feeling smiling
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Back when I drank a lot I had trouble focusing and being completely mentally present at any given moment. I didn’t have the willingness to do the work it would’ve taken to turn my life around. I wanted my life to be better, but I wanted it to just happen, with no effort whatsoever on my part. I had no interest on living my life on life’s terms. I wanted to live on my terms. Life had other ideas…

My life had to get completely unmanageable for me to finally get the willingness I needed to even begin the process of working toward my goals. Once I got the willingness, I started acting “as if”. I began looking at my life “as if” it were already better and I began acting “as if” I really wanted to do the work even though deep down I still didn’t.

I’ve learned in my recovery that if I brought my body, my head would soon follow. So I started going through the motions until my actual state of mind caught up with my new approach on life.

This was a slow but steady process, and it worked! My life has improved immensely since I started the simple process of acting “as if”. I just focus on doing the next right thing and I try to improve myself just a little bit every day.

I’ve been able to apply this technique in other areas of my life as well. I’m able to adapt to sticky situations much easier now.

Now, if there’s something I don’t particularly want to do, I fake it ’til I make it!

~Thanks for reading – LC

How I Form New Habits, and Keep the Momentum

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

I’ve had trouble in the past with keeping my momentum flowing forward and getting new habits to stick.

I’m sure you can relate..

It took me several years, after trying the first time, to stop drinking my face off every night. I wanted to quit but I didn’t tell anyone because if, (I mean WHEN), I failed, no one would know.

I didn’t have any way to be held accountable, and no one was disappointed in me, except myself.

Forming New Habits

Trying to get into a new habit is hard. I’ve heard it takes at least 21 days to form a new habit, but, depending on the degree of difficulty, it could take much longer.

Now, when I want to break a bad habit, or make a lifestyle change, I tell other people about it. This creates accountability and makes me feel like I don’t want to let them down, so I try harder.

Telling other people also creates a support system of people who can keep encouraging me when the going gets tough!

I’ve noticed people like to be involved in other people’s affairs and they can be quite supportive when they know their opinions have value.

I try to begin new habits with a shift in mindset. I tell myself I’m the kind of person that does _____, and not _____. For example; I tell myself that I’m the kind of person that faces challenges head on rather than the kind that procrastinates and hides.

Then I start actually practicing the new habit. It helps me to start from the inside and work my way out.

Keep up the Momentum

Once I get a good momentum going I try not to give in to anything that drains my energy or drags me down. If that happens, I try to recharge with conditions that put me in a good mood. I must be persistent.

I increase the activities that move me forward, and decrease the activities that hold me back.

I take a stance of action rather than procrastination.

I can make to-do lists all day long, but until I take action, they are just words on paper.

Build a new identity

  • Say “I don’t” instead of “I can’t” – If you want to be more active and lose weight, try saying, “I don’t lay around, I do stuff.” Instead of, “I can’t lay around, I need to do stuff.”
  • Create a plan and have substitutions ready – If you know you’re going out somewhere that healthy food is not an option, pack your own snacks. Bring your own food to work instead of hitting up that vending machine.
  • Find Balance – If you’re trying to get in better shape and you decide to run 3 miles every day, maybe start out with something easier and build towards that goal. And don’t sweat it if you occasionally indulge in a sweet treat.
  • Get some sleep – While you are unwinding after your day, spend time focusing on how you did and what you can improve on. And give yourself props on a job well done. De-clutter your mind so you can get a good nights sleep. If you can improve even just a little each day, the effects will multiply exponentially!

It takes practice, but changing bad habits into productive ones, and then keeping that momentum going is possible with the right mindset and attitude.

In order for me to be the best I can be, a healthy body and a healthy mind are the two most important things I need to obtain. Yoga gives me both of those and when I practice, my day runs a lot smoother. Combined with meditation and deep breathing exercises, I leave the house feeling unstoppable!

Remember, invest in yourself!

Why put off til tomorrow what you can do today?

Chin up, smile, look yourself in the mirror and say, “It’s going to be a great day!”

Stay positive, you can do it!

~Thanks for reading, LC

Balance: For Love, For Life

balance macro ocean pebbles
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How do I find balance?

Work, sleep, life = 8 hours each?

Do I eat mostly healthy but indulge myself in treats once in awhile?

Everything in moderation, including moderation?

How do I know when to let go? When to tighten up?

When I’m not working, how do I balance my time? Rest? Exercise? Household chores? Fun? Obligations to other people? Eating? Reading? Couch surfing? Friends?

How do I balance sanity with insanity?

Too much coffee? Not enough coffee?

Goals and Dreams vs. Work/obligations/rest?

Am I too selfish? Too generous?

How do I balance self-pity with gratitude?

Do I consider what what I think is important, or what really is important?

Do I make decisions based on fear? Or growth?

Am I hopeful? or Jaded?

Anger? Or peace?

How do I balance pride and humility?

How do I spend my money on wants vs. needs?

How do I get “right sized”? Ego vs. Humility?

How do I balance healthy boundaries with the need to want to please other people?

I’m still trying to figure out how to balance my goals and dreams with everything else I have to do. I read somewhere if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. That’s where I want to be. Where I make money doing what I love. I want to be in a place where I’ll never need a vacation.

How do you find balance?

~Thanks for reading – LC

Feel Good, Look Good = Look Good Feel Good

silhouette photography of people near body of water
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When I look good, I feel good. The reverse is also true. There have been many days where I know I didn’t look my best, but I felt good and it showed. Other people could see it and remarked how good I looked. I thought, “Really? I haven’t showered and I’m still in my grubby work clothes.” People notice.

On days where I don’t particularly feel good, (like when I’m stressed out, frustrated, and feeling resentful towards everyone and everything) but I manage to take the time to make myself presentable and look good, that shows too! And when I look good, it helps to make me feel better too.

The best way I’ve found, for me, to look good and feel good is to work it from the inside out. If you put a bunch of junk in your body, then junk is what’s going to come out. Same theory applies to what you put in your head. Aside from the occasional treats I allow myself, I eat healthy, whole foods. Not fast food or any pre-made microwavable stuff with ingredients I can’t pronounce.

I like to make large batches of food ahead of time to keep in the freezer so I can have something good when I’m in a hurry. I split it into smaller portions so I can pull out a little bit at a time.

==>Recipes

A good nights sleep is key to me looking and feeling good the next day. I organize my clothes I’m going to wear the next day as well as my thoughts. I have a plan in mind for the morning so I’m not scrambling around, grabbing whatever is convenient to eat and trying to rush out the door barely in time for work.

I do something good for myself first thing. I can’t be helpful to anyone else if I don’t first take good care of myself. And when I take care of myself on the inside, I can be fully present and more helpful to others. And being helpful to others also helps me feel better!

I take deep breaths and meditate while moving my body in a fluid motion trying to become one with the universe. Ebb and flow. I do some light yoga stretches. All this gets my blood flowing to my brain waking me up and clearing out any junk thoughts that might be floating around in there.

All these things make me feel good on the inside. I think of it as building layers, kind of like an onion, from the inside out..  When I feel good on the inside, it’s easier to look good on the outside!

Then I get myself ready on the outside.

I brush my teeth, do my hair, clean up and put my fresh face to the world. I put on clean clothes. I smile at myself in the mirror and tell myself “It’s going to be a great day!” (Even if I really think it won’t, I say it anyway. I fake it til I make it..)

When I leave the house feeling and looking good, inside and out, the world knows it, and I am better able to practice kindness to both myself and others, which ultimately benefits me in the long run!

I’m also particular about what I feed my mind. I rarely watch TV because it’s mostly junk. I prefer to read. And mostly what I read is uplifting and motivating. I try to build layers of good from the inside out. It’s helped me become a more helpful, productive, and positive person.

And I feel great!

~Thanks for reading – LC

 

 

Appreciate What You Have

My life isn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ve learned to appreciate what I do have. When feelings of anger, hurt, frustration, discontent, or just general bad-will start to set in, I practice gratitude.

I also start out my day with a preemptive strike against bad thoughts by making a list of what I’m grateful for. I try not to take anything I have for granted; not even seemingly small things like my morning coffee, or electricity and gas for my home.

I appreciate that the sun rises every morning.

I appreciate that I can breathe.

I appreciate that I continue to wake up every morning.

I appreciate my friends and family.

The more I practice appreciation in what I have, as opposed to disappointment, anger, or jealousy towards what I don’t have, the easier my day goes and the less worry I have.

I’ve discovered life really is too short to sweat the small stuff and waste time being angry at things I have no control over. I’ve learned to accept rather than expect. And my peace of mind directly reflects my level of acceptance.

~Thanks for reading – LC

Decision Making

two white and black chess knights facing each other on chess board
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A lot people, including me, lack the ability to come to a definite decision in a timely manner. It’s something I’m getting better at, but I’m still practicing and probably will be for the rest of my life. In Napolean Hill’s book “Think and Grow Rich”, it says people who can come to a definite decision quickly are more successful in their lives than people who make decisions slowly. I took that to mean I must make the decision now to change my habits and routines If I want my life to improve.

Procrastination is the opposite of decision. People who procrastinate are destined to fail. You can’t achieve anything if you don’t do anything. People who can make definite decisions in a timely fashion have a much higher chance of succeeding. It really is that simple.

Go ahead and make the decision RIGHT NOW to take back your life!

Go ahead and start taking the necessary steps now!

What are you waiting for? The best time is now.

Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Keep practicing every day until you form a new, better habit.

Make the decision RIGHT NOW  to lose weight, get toned, gain confidence, or whatever your goals may be.

The only thing holding you back is you. This is why I created this blog. To share my experience and give tips to help get and keep you motivated and thinking positive.

Invest in yourself. YOU are worth it, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

~Thanks for reading – LC

Everything in Moderation (Including Moderation)

man jumping over white fence
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I like to reward myself once in awhile for being good by over-indulging in things that I normally keep at arms length.

It feels good to blow it out once in awhile and not have that worry of counting calories or acting proper.

Once in awhile I like to pig out on some junk food. I used to like to drink my face off, but since that got out of hand and can’t be moderated at all, I don’t do that anymore.

Sometimes I cut loose and get loud and don’t follow proper manners or act like a lady.

It’s great for morale, to just spend some time not worrying about consequences and just doing whatever I feel like doing.

I’ve found the best way for me to keep myself balanced is to knock myself off balance once in awhile.

~Thanks for reading – LC