Be AWESOME!

Yeah, YOU! This closely ties in with the last blog article and podcast so, if you haven't read it yet, take a moment and do that. Go on. I'm waiting. 😏

Hear this loud and clear, friend - YOU ARE AWESOME! Don't forget that - don't EVER doubt and/or forget that!

Here's the #1 reason as to why this is true about you: You are the ONLY YOU that exists on the face of this wonderful planet called Earth! That's right - there is NO ONE ELSE LIKE YOU!

I don't care if you even have an "identical" twin - they are not you and are not uniquely you! (Um, think about this...do they have the same fingerprint as you? NOPE!)

Because this fact is true - You are, indeed, AWESOME!

No one else can do the things that you can do. No one else "brings to the table" the qualities and talents that you do. Why? Because NO ONE ELSE CAN!

Do you get that? Stop doubting that. Grab hold of this wonderful fact and let it cause you to stand strong and proud! No, I'm not telling you to get egotistical about all of this. This is not to give you a "big head". Get it?

However, you do need to take PRIDE in the fact that God created you to be uniquely YOU. That's right...out of the millions of people that have lived before, that live now and that will ever live - YOU are and will be the only YOU that will ever inhabit this Earth!

WOW!

You have the gift (that's right, YOU and your unique talents and abilities are a GIFT to you and to the world around you) to accomplish what no one else can accomplish. All because of the TRUE FACT that YOU are UNIQUELY YOU!

Now, get out there and don't forget to BE AWESOME!

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

Believe in Yourself

I've shared the story with you already about how, several years back while on a motorcycle ride I came across three signs that all said the same thing - the EXACT same thing. What was the message on the signs? The same message that you see in the graphic above. 

Now, listen, when I see the SAME message on three different - and unrelated - signs, all on the same day, it kind of gets my attention!

And, it's the "next-to-last" phrase that is found on the poster that I have gotten the topics from for the last several articles (and podcasts). 

We live in a world where it is easy to begin to doubt yourself. Right? We have all likely experienced someone else (or SEVERAL "someone else's") that felt it was their right to tell us that we were worthless or less than what they thought they deserved. This could be true in personal relationships as well as the workplace. Many times children are abused by the constant negative and demeaning comments made to them by someone in their life.

And, it's also easy to "beat ourselves up" by repeating those same, negative remarks to ourselves. I've had people tell me, "I've been told that all of my life so, it must be true!"

Too, sometimes, we just begin to doubt ourselves because we have not been the "success" that we had envisioned for ourselves.

But, friend, listen...wherever you find yourself in all of this and whatever the reason for your self-doubt, hear me and hear me loud and clear. YOU ARE SOMEONE SPECIAL! (Be sure to read the next article and also be sure to listen to the podcast on that topic). 

You MUST begin the process of believing in yourself! I understand that it is very difficult for some people and, to be honest, it may actually require the help of a professional to get you past some of the verbal abuse that you may have endured. If so, seek it out and take advantage of this help. 

Hey listen, you may find this hard to believe but, even people like myself struggle with self-doubt. Yes. Me. 

However, I understand that I MUST believe in myself if I am going to keep moving forward in a positive mindset and positive lifestyle. I know that I MUST believe in myself if I am going to continue on toward my goals and dreams.

Will there be others that will try to deter me from this goal? OF COURSE! That will ALWAYS be true! Will my own mindset, at times, try to sabotage this process? Absolutely! That is why it is so important to do all that I can to continually absorb as much positive information as possible.

Take a few moments and listen to the podcast (see the two links below!) and BE ENCOURAGED!

Stop doubting yourself and take heart. You ARE someone in whom you can believe in and trust! Yes, YOU!

Until next time, friend, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

Be Thankful

I originally planned on this article (and the accompanying podcast) to be published the day BEFORE Thanksgiving, but here we are, ON Thanksgiving Day in the United States. My guess is that most people in the U.S. that follow along will not likely do so today due to being with family. 

But, whenever it is that you get a chance to read this, the message remains the same - regardless of the day - BE THANKFUL!

Many follow a trend on social media where they post something for which they are thankful on each day of the month of November. The idea behind it being to expand our expressing of thanks beyond the one day on the calendar, Thanksgiving Day. 

Now, that being said, wouldn't also make sense to try to expand this beyond the one month if we TRULY wish to expand our awareness and expression of all for which we have to be thankful.

Do your best NOT to focus on what is "wrong" in your life and do all that you can to focus on what IS "right", instead. As the graphic above states, there is ALWAYS something that we can find, focus on, and express thanks for! It may take a while to discover it and it may not be as "big" as we thought it might be but, friend, it's there if you'll take the time to seriously look for it. 

Two of my three adult sons are deployed right now and will be away from their families for Thanksgiving AND Christmas. The oldest son is married and has three young children. The youngest little girl has been born since his departure - he has never met her in person. It's going to be very difficult for all of them over this Holiday Season. The same is true for my "middle" son who is also deployed. Although he doesn't have children at home, he does have a wife at home and they will be unable to spend the Holiday's together. 

It would be easy to become very discouraged and for them to all become very discouraged during this time. And, hey, let's be real here...it IS going to be very hard for them (and my wife and I as well). However, one thing that they DO have to be thankful for is our modern technology that allows them to "see" each other when they get to talk. That is such a HUGE blessing for all of them. Also, even though the Holiday's are here, it also marks the fact that the scheduled time for their return is even closer. 

You see, sometimes you have to really search to find that "something" in order to express thanks!

My youngest son, who got married about four months ago, hasn't spoken to my wife and I for several months now. We have no idea why and it is really painful. Put that on top of what I have already told you and you can see that, if I allowed it, this could be a pretty miserable time. But, even with this situation concerning my youngest son, I choose to be thankful for the fact that, as far as I know, he and his wife are safe and healthy and, the good Lord willing, there is still time and opportunity for things to be resolved. 

You want to hear more?? The date that Thanksgiving falls on this year is the same date that my Dad passed away three years ago. This time of the year is especially difficult for a LOT of people that deal with the loss of loved ones. We often overlook these people but the pain is real and many people suffer that pain in silence. The blessing (or "thing" to be thankful for) in this is that I will spend the day after Thanksgiving with my Mom as well as most of my brothers and sisters, their spouses and their children and grandchildren. 

I don't mean to "bring you down" in all of this. I guess I just want you to understand that I understand that it's not always easy to be thankful. But, friend, I want to encourage you to search and search and then search some more if necessary to find SOMETHING for which to be thankful. 

If nothing else, remember this: "As long as there is breath, there is hope!"

Whoever you are, wherever you are and whether or not Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in your part of the world, I wish you a blessed day in which you find a reason (or reasons) for which to express thanks. 

One final note: If you find that there are people attached to your reasons to be thankful, don't keep it to yourself. TELL THEM. Let them know and let them know why. Life is too short NOT to do so. Wouldn't you agree?

Now, to follow my own advice that I just gave, let me tell you that I am thankful for YOU. I thank you for making Future You University a part of your life. If you would, stop by the fan page on Facebook and say "hello". I'd love to hear from you. Either way, I'm thankful for you!

Until next time, friend, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

Follow Your Dreams

You have likely heard something along these lines: "Follow your dreams or you will be fulfilling the dreams for someone else." Now, I know that's not an exact quote, but I think you get the idea.

Basically what is being said is this: You can either work on YOUR dreams or work for the dreams of someone else. Make YOUR dreams come true or stay busy making the dreams of someone else come true.

So, does that mean I quit working for someone else and pursue my dream?

Maybe, and maybe not.

What????

In my opinion, too many people get that kind of idea in their heads and end up living a miserable life while becoming discouraged along the way. Sure, there are SOME people that have taken that path that have done wonderful things and have been unbelievably successful. But, my guess is that, for every one of those, there are 100 that have suffered for making such a decision.

Perhaps YOU have been one of those people and it has caused you to "give up" on your dreams.  

DON'T!

It is very feasible, possible and realistic to pursue YOUR dreams while, yes, working for someone else. It has been done for years by thousands of people over time. 

Be THANKFUL (hey, that topic is coming up in the next article) that you have the ability to make a living and, perhaps, even set a little money back to be used to pursue your dream. What does it take and how long are you willing to work to make that dream become a reality?

Too many people become impatient in this process. Too many overestimate what they can do in the short term and underestimate what they can achieve in the long term. And, when they don't achieve what they have overestimated what they could do in the short term, they become frustrated and give up. 

What about you? Does this describe you?

Here's the thing, friend. Don't miss out on the JOURNEY while you keep working toward your "destination"! It has often been said that the journey IS the destination - or the "prize". 

Look around you! Find the good in every day, enjoy the journey along the way, keep your eyes on the goal and make progress - step by step - every single day. 

Thanks for allowing me to share with you today and, until next time, whatever you do, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

Live, Laugh, Love

Here we go, continuing down the "list" of great phrases that I found on a poster a couple of weeks ago. I hope that you have been enjoying them but, more importantly, I hope that you have benefited from them and have been able to use them to help in your positive journey in a "sometimes negative" world.

LIVE 

I've heard people say (and sing) this thought: "Live like you were dying". Friend, the truth is, you ARE dying - WE'RE all dying so, what's holding us back from truly "living"?

I would suggest that the main reason is due to FEAR. Some would say that, perhaps, we fail to truly "live" due to DOUBT. Think about it for a moment...don't most of our doubts come from fear? 

We are afraid to live life to the full - to truly "let go" and experience and explore all that life has to offer. Fear of failure, fear of acceptance and even fear of the unknown.

Hey now, living in fear is not living at all! Keep growing, keep learning, keep stretching and keep on LIVING - truly living!

LAUGH 
I don't know about you but I LOVE watching those videos of babies and/or kids laughing uncontrollably. It's almost impossible not to end up laughing myself! Have you ever gotten so tickled and, because you were in a place that you weren't supposed to be laughing (like at church), you tried to hold it in? And your whole body was shaking even without an audible laugh? Did you have to excuse yourself before you exploded?

 Just like everything else, life is too short to go through it being a grump! 

I'm guess I'm just a bit odd in that I find humor in things that a lot of people don't even think about. I have to really be careful at times because I'm tempted to laugh at something that, if I were to actually do so, it would offend someone. Usually it's just that they would misunderstand and think I was being disrespectful. 

Truth is - I just like to laugh!

Don't lose your ability (and desire) to laugh! Sometimes that cares and concerns of life can overwhelm you to where you fail to see all of the fun things that surround us every day. 

Oh, and by the way, do a little research and you'll find that it's been proven that LAUGHING is actually GOOD for your health! 

(And friend, don't be afraid to laugh at yourself!) 

LOVE 
 Yes, one of the sure ways to get your heart broke is to love. But, one of the surest and best ways to experience all that love brings with it (part of TRULY living) is to open yourself up to the emotions that go along with it and,yes, to take the chance - the risk - of "getting hurt". 

Don't be afraid to love. Don't be afraid to open up and "be you" with others. Life is too short to live it alone and, for sure, to die alone. 

No, I'm not going to quote that line about loving. You know the one I'm talking about, right? The one that says something like, "It's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all." Now do you know which one I'm talking about? Yeah. Not going to quote that one, o.k.? 😋

I hope this short article will help you to "let loose" a little and that you will LIVE, LAUGH & LOVE a little more each day.

Do it...you'll be glad you did!

And, as you do so, you will see that this is, indeed, one way to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

Find the Good!

About a week before this article I did another one on the need to "Stay Positive". In that article I talked about how, at times, I almost have to make a "game" out of finding SOMETHING positive to focus on during some days because of the abundance of negativity that seems to surround me. And, I know that many of you can relate to what I'm saying on that.

In similar fashion, you may have to do the same when it comes to "finding the good" in some days. I love what the phrase that you see posted above states about that: "Every day may not be good, BUT, there is SOMETHING good in every day!"

One of the examples that I use in the podcast is that of a funeral. I think it would be easy to say that we'd all agree that such a day is NOT a good day! However, even in the midst of the sadness of such a day there is still something good that can achieved. Many times, in such a situation, family members get to visit with each other and catch up with each other. Often, some of these family members have not seen each other in years. Some even feel a little guilty when they find themselves laughing and smiling while sharing some fond (and often, funny) memories with those family members.

Hopefully you don't have to experience those situations very often but, chances are, you still do struggle with days that may not be considered "good" just because of some of the struggles and negativity that seems to fill that particular day. Hey, sometimes, at the end of the day, the GOOD thing that you find is that the day if is finally over! 😏

LIFE brings good days as well as what may be considered bad. One good thing about that fact is that, even when you are experiencing those "not-so-good" days it points out the fact that you are ALIVE and that you are experiencing life! That, my friend, is a GOOD thing!

One of the reasons that I spend time doing these podcasts and writing these blog articles is so that I can better equip myself (and you as well) to face and handle those times that are a bit of a struggle. There are times that I can "see" that I've improved in handling those situations better than before. That's a good thing.

Make sense?

This is all part of "improving your mindset". Yes, some times it is VERY difficult to do and sometimes you just sit and "scratch your head" trying to find something GOOD in every day but, friend, it's there. Open your eyes and your mind and discover the GOOD even in a day that is NOT so good. 

(Aren't you glad I didn't use that worn out saying about turning lemons into lemonade?)

Until next time, friend, whatever you do, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

Be Humble!

(from the song, "It's Hard to Be Humble" by Mac Davis)

 Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble
When you're perfect in every way
I can't wait to look in the mirror
Cause I get better lookin' each day
To know me is to love me
I must be a hell of a man
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble
But I'm doin' the best that I can!

You may not be old enough to remember that song, but I have enjoyed singing that chorus from time to time over the years - just out of fun. 

But, let me ask you this: How many of you know someone that really IS that way? Yeah, I thought so - we ALL likely know someone like that. And my guess is that NONE OF YOU like to hang around a person like that, right?

It can be said (and has been said) of some people, "If you want to know how good they are at something, just ask them - they'll tell you...and tell you...and tell you."

I was in the car one day with a relative and, for the hour that we were in the car, all that person talked about was themselves and how they were good at this and that and the other thing. The thing is, knowing them like I did, I knew that it mostly was NOT true. 

So, what if you really ARE "that good"? Then let your work or your results do the talking for you. Simple as that! Going back to the last article, when you WORK HARD you won't have to tell others how good you are or what a success that you are. Oh sure, there will be some that won't see it and others that will even refuse to see it or acknowledge it, but friend, the results will speak for themselves. 

Bottom line, no one likes to be around someone that talks about themselves like that and they also don't like to listen to someone talk about themselves. 

So, work hard, be your best, do your best and stay humble. 

You'll be glad you did. And so will everyone around you! ;)

Thanks for joining me today - until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

Work Hard!

There are those that WORK HARD and, at the same time, there are others that HARDLY WORK.

But, you know that already, right?

Here's the key thing for today: As a part of staying happy and positive, it is important for you to ALWAYS work hard! Another way to word this would be to "always put out your BEST EFFORT"!

People have various types of jobs and various abilities. Some are highly skilled and have a high education while, at the same time, others without as "high" of an education are also highly skilled. Some from "live and learn" and others from education that they DID receive as part of the process. 

So, for all of us, don't misjudge who works hard and who doesn't and what kind of job is of more value than others.

Now, enough of that and on to the topic at hand. Work hard and always put out your best effort - REGARDLESS of what it is that you do. 

Listen, there are those - maybe you - that are unable to "work" due to some handicap. You may still have a job that you have been able to work at and, yes, to you as well - work hard and put out your best effort. Even if you CAN'T work at ANY job, your "job" may be to encourage others to persevere regardless of their circumstances. Know what I mean? 

No matter what your situation, no matter what your "job"...the world needs YOU to be YOUR BEST and to always put out your best effort. 

Do you remember when you were a child and someone would compliment you on a job well done? Perhaps it was a teacher or a parent or someone else, but if you ever experienced that then you likely remember how it made you feel good as well as important. 

Do you also remember (whether as a child or even as an adult) when you KNEW that you hadn't really put much effort into something and, in the end, you felt bad about it? 

There's a reason for those feelings. We were MADE to work and put out our best effort. Don't miss that fact. 

Don't wait for others or don't "not do" YOUR job because others aren't doing their job the way that it should be done. Do YOUR job the BEST that you can EVERY time and see what happens. 

Oh, by the way, another "benefit" of living life this way? You'll sleep better knowing that you have done your best at what you do. 

What else can YOU come up with along this line? Let me know by shooting me an e-mail (mike@FutureYouUniversity.com) or dropping a note on the fan page on FB (see link below). Hey, even if you keep it to yourself, I'm sure you can come up with a LOT of other ways that your life (and the lives of those around you) will improve when you make this a DAILY habit.

Until next time, whatever you do, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

What The World Needs Now...

Regret NOTHING

To a large extent, one of the worse things a person can do is to have REGRETS when they come to the end of their life.

Now, to be honest, I'm not sure that it's possible to live life in such a way that we won't all have SOME regrets - I'm not sure that's even humanly possible. However, we CAN do all that we can to keep those down to as few as possible

And, yes, we CAN do that!

As you get ready to read this article (be sure to listen to the podcast on this as well by clicking on one of the links at the bottom of this article), I want to get you to do something first. Do NOT focus on the things that you have or haven't done in your past up to this point. As I talk about this topic in this article, I want you to approach this as starting with a "clean slate" at this very moment. Make sense? 

Hey listen, we cannot go back and undo what we have done in the past. Yes, we can try to live in such a way that may help heal relationships and "mend fences" that were harmed by our actions, but we cannot go back and relive them. So, START FRESH today and dedicate yourself to doing less that would bring regret into your life. 

I was watching a video the other day talking about this very thing. It stated something that I believe is true - it stated that most people, at the end of their life, don't have regrets concerning things that they did but, rather, they have regrets about things that they did NOT do.

Do you want to know how to avoid that from happening in your own life? Here ya' go....get ready...STOP talking about it and START doing it!

Oversimplified, right?

Seriously, what is it that you are waiting for? If you are waiting for the "perfect" time to do whatever it is that you want to do then, guess what? IT'S NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN? Because, friend, that perfect time will NEVER come!

It's like when I hear a married couple say that they are going to wait until they can "afford it" before they have children. Uh, spoiler alert...that's never going to happen! ;)

I understand the thought behind such a statement and approach but it's the same approach that we make when planning on waiting before we actually DO things that we want to do in and for our life. 

Too many of us wait until something happens to where we find out that we have a short period of time left to live. Then it's "hurry up and get it done" before time runs out. 

Hey, listen, this article is for me, too!

So, again, the "cure" for this is to STOP TALKING and START DOING and to START DOING it TODAY!

Today. Now. Not later.

Now, just for fun, I want to share a couple of pictures with you of a couple of people (and, oh, there are many, many more that I could have shared) that made the bold decision to make a decision concerning living life with no regrets. The problem is that they did it with a tattoo and...well...take a look for yourself and enjoy the laugh.

Ironically, I'm sure there was plenty of R-E-G-R-E-T to go around on both of these, don't you?

Until next time, whatever you do, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

Stay POSITIVE

"STAY POSITIVE" 

Staying positive in a negative world is not always easy, but it is ALWAYS important!

Listen, in a world that seems to be doing all it can to flood your life with the negative, it is up to YOU to make sure that you combat it and overcome that attack with POSITIVE information and a POSITIVE influence. 

Yes, it is up to YOU!

And, friend, reading this blog is a sign that you are doing something about this effort in your own life. I also want to encourage you to be sure to listen to the podcast by clicking on one of the links at the end of this article. And, too, part of the process of YOU staying positive is for you to SHARE this positive information with as many others as possible.  

That's one thing that I have noticed about this whole process. I've found that the more I share this positive information (for example, through this blog and through my podcast) the easier it is for me to BE positive, myself. It helps me to focus on the very things that I'm sharing with you and, at the same time, just knowing that I am sharing GOOD, positive information that will help others, puts a positive "vibe" in my own life.

That's the way it is with ANY thing that is good. Sure, you can keep it to yourself, but why would you? It's not like anyone is going to steal it from you so, why NOT share it with as many others as possible? From what I said in the previous paragraph you actually end up expanding the amount of "positivity" in your own life when you share. 

Even when things are difficult, work - make an effort - to discover a positive nugget in the midst of the muck. That's right! Even make a "game" out of it and see if you can't find that nugget no matter how negative it may seem. 

Hey friend, this is just something that helps you make the most of your days. Do all that you can each and every day to STAY POSITIVE and your days will be more fulfilling and your relationships will be better as well. 

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, right? 

Begin the process now - TODAY and, no matter what may come your way, STAY POSITIVE!

And, as you discover the joy that comes with this process, whatever you do, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

 

Be the Best YOU

You are the ONLY you in existence. That's right, there is no one else in the world just like you!

Now, I know you already know that but, at the same time, you may be one of the many people that often wishes to "be" someone else or tries hard to act so much like someone else that they lose their own identity.

I understand that there are people that have certain qualities that we want to emulate - or mimic - in and for our own lives. That's a good and a wise thing to do! Find the good and positive qualities in others and, yes, try to incorporate them into your own life. But, at the same time, don't wish or try to be someone else - YOU are YOU!

Sometimes we may even wish others were more like us but, c'mon...do you REALLY want everyone else to be like you? Aren't you GLAD that everyone is different and that YOU are the only YOU in the whole world? Sure you are! :)

We're all different We're all unique. We all have our own special qualities and talents. And, listen friend, THAT is what makes our world such a wonderful place.

You are here for a reason - don't ever doubt or forget that! No matter how "unimportant" you may feel or think you are, you are here for a reason and YOU are blessing the lives of others around you, whether you realize it or not. 

Here's the kicker...many people that you touch will be completely unknown by you. There will be people that you influence and touch in ways that you will never know!

Friend, I promise you that this is TRUE!

That is EXCITING and FULFILLING! I have seen this to be true in my own life and it encourages me to keep going even when those negative influences try to convince me that my life is not important or that I do not matter.

Do NOT believe that lie! You are important and you are special because you are YOU!

Really think about that and let it sink it. Like I said, you are the only you on this planet and no one else can do what you can do. No one in this whole world can do, accomplish and touch lives in the way that YOU can. No one.

That makes you pretty special, friend 

Please don't ever forget that.

Until next time, whatever you do, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

Try and Fail?

One of the most sad things to see is someone that has given up.

I hate to see anyone - or any group of people - that have become so "beaten down" that they have decided that it's better for them if they just quit trying and give up.

I've been to that point before...have you?

Thankfully, I DIDN'T give up, but it's not a good place to be, friend. But let's get something straight right from the start: "FAILURE" or "DEFEAT" is a part of life. That, my friend, is a FACT!

Notice that I put those words in quotation marks. I wanted to indicate that, in reality, they may not actually REALLY be "failure" or "defeat". They may be what some people PERCEIVE to be such.

I've said it many times before and I'll say it again - In my opinion, the only TRUE failure is when you give up and stop trying. So, yeah, TRYING and "FAILING" are a part of life but, whatever you do, don't EVER fail to TRY!

Sure, there are those times that you just need to "pull over" and "lick your wounds" a bit before moving on. That's normal and that is often needed so that you CAN move on. Just make sure that you don't fall into a "pity party" and spend all of your "down time" licking those wounds (feeling sorry for yourself). Let that time of "licking your wounds" be a time of HEALING and PREPARATION to continue on in your quest! Fill your mind with POSITIVE reinforcement that will fortify your drive and will power so that you can continue on. 

THIS IS KEY!

That's why it is so important to surround yourself with other like-minded and positive people. You WILL need them to HELP YOU along the way when you are feeling defeated and are on the verge of giving up. Perhaps this message that you are reading is just EXACTLY what you "needed" to read today. Right? You know what I'm talking about. That's why it's also so important to SHARE this article as well as the podcast (links found below) with others - you can never know when THEY will need what is being shared here. And YOU can help in that area when you do share. 

Two main times that I can remember being to the point of giving up, OTHERS came into play. In one situation, it was my RESPONSIBILITY and LOVE for others close to me that kept me going. And, the other one? It was a specific reaction and encouragement from another individual that kept me going. 

Remember, "As long as there is breath, there is HOPE!"

And, until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

Do More Of...

Now, before I really get into the "meat" of this article, I feel that I need to do a little "disclaimer" on this - right here and right now.

You can't ALWAYS do "what makes you happy", nor should you. I know, I know. It sounds like I'm already talking just the opposite of what the title infers, but I'm not. 

We cannot live a life that is oblivious to those that are around us. We cannot live a life that is totally focused on SELF, though it seems that many in our world have and are attempting to do just that. 

One area that I really focus on with this is if you have children at home. I cringe when I hear someone say - while still having children at home (specifically younger children) - "It's MY time now! It's time for ME to take care of ME!"

I understand the feeling that may come at times but, friend, as long as you have those children at home  you have the responsibility to teach them, train them and raise them to be good, productive humans themselves.

Oh, I understand that it is not always easy and I know that it can get stressful and frustrating at times. But it IS a responsibility that you must fulfill. 

I hope this makes sense. I hope you understand WHAT I'm saying as well as WHY I'm saying it.

Here's another example: Someone may say that having more money than they know what to do with would make them happy. Cool. However, that same person CANNOT steal that money from everyone around them in order to make them happy.

Get it? Good!

Maybe we have all forgotten how to find the "little" things that can make us happy. Or, maybe we just have allowed ourselves to become so "busy" that we just have lost sight of those things that are around us every day that make us happy.

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

Being surrounded by your children? Your grandchildren? A quiet house? Time away? A walk? Reading? Traveling? Time with friends? Going to live events such as concerts or sporting events?

I don't know what it is for you, but remind yourself what it is that makes you happy. And then, if situations allow, DO MORE OF THAT!

Sure, even as a parent, there are ways that you can find and enjoy those quiet times and find some "alone time" in a way that will not neglect your family. You may have to get help from a spouse or a friend. You may simply have to steal those moments away as they come and not let them slip by.  But it CAN be done!

So many times people will say, "I'm just too busy! I can't find time to do those things that make me happy!". When, in reality, we have allowed ourselves to fill our lives up with "busy-work" that is not really necessary. Make sense?

When it gets down to it, we're often not as busy as we like to think, we're just not disciplined enough to prioritize things in our life and even allow some things to just simply go undone. 

When my three boys were at home, I LOVED being a Dad! I absolutely loved it, even when they became teens and there were the normal "issues" that come along with helping them develop. No, it wasn't always easy. Yes, there were times that I felt I was at my wits end. But, still...I loved being a Dad and I really miss those times. If you wish for a quiet house, be careful what you wish for. It WILL come and, often (like me), when it does, you wish it weren't so quiet.  

Now I get to enjoy being "Poppa" (grandpa) and I absolutely LOVE every time I get to spend a day or two with my "babies" when they come to visit. 

So, again, what is it for you? 

Listen to me...you need to find MORE than just one thing! For example, I love when my grandbabies come to visit but I cannot allow THAT to be the ONLY time that I find something happy! Know what I mean? It's up to me to find joy and happiness in things that take place EVERY single day.

Here's the kicker: Maybe instead of trying to FIND something that will make me happy, perhaps I can focus on DOING something that will bring happiness to someone else and - guess what? - in return I will likely find happiness myself. 

That's usually the way it works, friend. 

So, in the midst of "doing more of what makes you happy", perhaps more happiness will come when you do more to bring happiness to others. 

Think about it and, until next time, whatever you do...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed