What Are YOU Creating?

 

How do you feel?

 

Really, how do you feel? Do you feel stressed out all of the time? Are you uptight? Anxious?

 

Is there a feeling of frustration and/or fear prevalent in your life? Are you overwhelmed with the feeling that our world is doomed for destruction?

 

Do you feel peaceful? Relaxed? Do you rest easily and do you rest well?

 

Now then, are you ready?

WHAT TYPE OF THINGS DO YOU POST ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA?

 

Are you one that constantly posts or reposts "news" reports of horrible things that happen all around the world? Are you one that constantly posts or reposts videos or articles that lambaste "the other side" from your political viewpoint?

 

Are you one that posts/reposts good, happy, thoughtful graphics and/or videos? Are you one that posts/reposts thoughts and phrases that will encourage and uplift those that read what you post?

 

What are YOU creating?

 

That's right...either way, YOU are "creating" the feelings, emotions and reactions in your life!

 

"What you sow, you will reap" or "You reap what you sow" fits this perfectly and so does "the Law of Attraction".

 

What is referred to as "the Law of Attraction" shares the exact same principle as "sowing and reaping" in that it states the following: That which you send out is what will come back to you. If you send out negativity then, guess what? Negativity will come back to you and fill your life. If you send out positivity then yup, you got it, you life will receive and be filled with that which is positive.

 

This was talked about quite a bit at the training that I attended with Dani Johnson (www.DaniJohnson.com) last weekend. I didn't do a blog or podcast while I was gone and I really wanted to put some thought into what my first article would be once I got back on track.

 

The answer basically "slapped me in the face" when I opened up my Facebook yesterday and noticed - it just jumped out at me - how many "negative" posts filled my page. WOW!

 

Hey, let me be the first to admit that I've joined in on some of this in the past. I've really tried to curtail that and control my participation in that type of activity lately and I think I've done fairly well.

 

THINK ABOUT THIS: Not only does it send a negative feeling/emotion to those that read it/watch it/absorb it but it also puts that same negativity into your own mind and soul.

 

Is that what you really want for you life and is it really what you want to dump on someone else?

 

We can try to justify it all we want but, friend, let's get real - NO ONE NEEDS THAT!

 

All that you have is TODAY ("As long as there is breath, there is hope!").  Why not use today and all of the avenues you have to reach out and touch the lives of others for GOOD? Why not share as much POSITIVE information and as many POSITIVE words to those that you may touch instead of negative sludge?

I've dedicated myself to getting rid of this in my own life. Will you join me? Will YOU determine to stop poisoning YOUR life as well as the life of those with which you come into contact?

What you SOW is what you will REAP and what you SEND OUT is what will COME BACK to you.

I hope that you will share this with as many people as you can and that you'll also listen to the podcast (link below) and also share it with as many as you can.

I also hope that you'll take the time to go to my Future You University page on FB (link below) and leave a comment about this there.

It's time for a change, wouldn't you agree? Then let's start NOW, TODAY.

And as you do so, be sure to...

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

Mike

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

                                         Start your home based business HERE

Impossible?

The progression of the message in the past few articles has really been by accident. Really, it has. But, even though by accident, they all "connect" in the message and even with what I'm sharing with you today.

 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Even though I didn't PLAN it this way, is it really an "accident"? I am one that tends to think that things don't happen by "accident" but for a reason. Perhaps - and I believe it is - this is one of those situations that appear to be accidental but are not an accident at all.

 

Here's what I want to be sure that you understand right from the start...YOU ARE NOT ALONE in your struggles to stay focused with a positive mindset and to move on IN SPITE OF failures that want to drag us down along the way.

 

That's why it is so important for us to STICK TOGETHER and share this POSITIVE ENCOURAGEMENT along the way! We NEED each other if we are to progress steadily and positively forward in this journey.

 

If you've not read the past 4 or 5 articles you might want to pause here for a few minutes and do that so that you can see how they all have come together and attach themselves to today's article. Go on, we'll wait for you.

 

If you want to take that "first step" and if you want to push yourself to determine how far you can go then you must start by doing what is necessary.

 

You must TAKE ACTION even if that "action" is doing what you already KNOW you can do. You may or may not be surprised at how many people struggle to even do what they KNOW they can do. Many times it's that fear of failure that has us paralyzed to where we cannot even do what we KNOW is necessary but, indeed, that is something that we MUST do in order to gain that forward momentum.

 

You "do what you gotta' do"!

 

Once you start gaining control and you find yourself doing what is NECESSARY without the pitfalls of fear and/or doubt then you must move on and push yourself just a little to discover what actually IS possible in your life.

 

It's just a little nudge but, at the same time, it is HUGE in our progression. You see, once we get to where we start doing - without the worry, fear and doubt - what is NECESSARY for us to do  then we have the confidence and courage to step out just a bit.

 

This is NOT a huge jump from, let's say, walking a mile to running 10 miles. That's TOO BIG of an adjustment to make for one that has just accomplished the task of walking a mile!

 

Let's just stick with this example and see what would go from "necessary" to "possible".  The WALKING a mile (and you might have to even work up to that mile) would be "necessary" to get you moving and to get your blood pumping and you mind CLEARING UP. The next step, something that is "possible" might be to jog for 30 seconds and then walk for 30 seconds and to keep doing that through that mile.

 

YES, THAT'S POSSIBLE!

 

You can apply this to whatever it is that you need to in order to make this personal but the "possible" has to go beyond the "necessary" in order to advance your progress. Make sense?

 

And, you know what? From my experience I have found that once you start doing the "possible" you will, without much help or motivation from anyone else, start to challenge yourself to do just a little more and a little more until, before you know it, you are doing what you would have previously considered to be IMPOSSIBLE.

 

Don't worry about what is "impossible" at this point. Just start with what is necessary and move on from there.

 

See? YOU CAN DO THAT, can't you?  (Sure you can).

 

I'm not sure when my next blog will be published since I will be away at Dani Johnson's "First Steps to Success" in San Antonio for the next few days. But, let me give you this WARNING: I'll be sharing things that I learned while there. So, the warning is to buckle in and hang on!

 

Until then, friend, be sure to...

 

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

 

Mike

 

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

                                         Start your home based business HERE

ACTION Produces RESULTS

From www.Dictionary.com :

ac-tion  [ak-shuhn] noun

1. the process or state of acting or of being active: The machine is not in action now.

2. something done or performed; act; deed.

3. an act that one consciously wills and that may be characterized by physical or mental activity: a crisis that demands action instead of debate; hoping for constructive action by the landlord.

4. actions, habitual or usual acts; conduct: He is responsible for his actions.

5. energetic activity: a man of action.

Take a moment and look over these definitions of the word, "ACTION" and see how - or IF - it applies to your life.

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Many TALK about action but, honestly, FEW ACTUALLY ACT! Notice the part of definition #2 that says "something DONE or PERFORMED". It doesn't say, "something TALKED ABOUT or DREAMED ABOUT", does it?

Whether you are talking about health, diet, goals, business, relationships or whatever you want to talk about, ACTION BRINGS RESULTS.

That being true (and it is) then the OPPOSITE must also be true - Lack of action (or inactivity) will not bring the desired results. Oh, they'll bring results alright, but the OPPOSITE results that most would want to take place in their lives.

For example, if you want to improve your health and maybe even lose some weight then you KNOW that you will have to physically take ACTION and do some walking or other forms of exercise. This WILL bring results. But sitting on the couch and never doing anything physically active will also bring results. However, these results will actually be detrimental to your health.

So it is true with all other areas. If you have goals and dreams and you never take action to make those goals and dreams a reality then you are actually taking action (in a negative way) that says that you don't really want to achieve said goals an dreams after all.

You never stay in one place. You are never really idle. You are either moving forward (making progress) or you are sliding backwards (digressing) and losing ground.

As always, that is up to YOU, my friend.

So, what will it be? I encourage you to STEP UP and MOVE FORWARD because I can promise you that you will FEEL BETTER (in all areas) and you will be GLAD that you took action and made positive progression.

Well, what are you waiting for? GET MOVING!

And, as you do so, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike/ˈækʃən/ Show Spe

Make Your PRIORITIES a PRIORITY

(be sure to check out the podcast on iTunes or on the RSS feed)

I don't really  have a lot more to say/write about this topic. I do encourage you to be sure to listen to the podcast on this last part of the series and be sure to follow through with the steps lined out to help you focus in on what your priorities really are.

Remember, belief without ACTION gets you nowhere (faith without works is dead). So, stop talking about what you WANT your priorities to be and start doing ...let me emphasize that word DOING...whatever it takes to get YOUR priorities as YOUR priorities.

Here's a thought you won't find in the podcast and one that I believe to be true: "Priorities are like a lot of other things in your life. If YOU don't pick them, someone else will!"

That should be a sobering thought.

So, once again, if you've not done so, go back and AT LEAST listen to and read the series on "PRIORITIES" from this week. However, I suggest you go back to the series on "TIME" the week before to tie all of these things together.

And then...

TAKE ACTION!

Be sure to join me tomorrow for a podcast/blog for a completely unrelated topic! You'll be glad you did! And, until then, be sure to...

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

Mike

What Happened With My Wife's Heart Attack

I'm not trying to be morbid, but I've had a LOT of people ask me what happened with all of this. Some are just finding out about it and I thought that this would be an easier way to clear up rumors and misinformation that is out there as well.There is no way that I can call everyone and explain the same thing over and over again and there is no way in the world I can THANK EVERYONE enough for all of the thoughts and prayers. Please know from the bottom of our hearts how much we love and appreciate each one of you!

On Thursday afternoon, Aug. 20th, Janan was with our youngest son, Jordan at the local Jr. college getting him signed up for a course he is taking for his H.S. Senior year. While he was filling in some information on the computer she sat out in a hallway to wait and began to feel bad. She says that her chest began to hurt and she could hardly breathe. She told Jordan that she needed to go home and so they headed toward the house.Jordan has told me that he knew SOMETHING was wrong but that he wasn't sure what to do. Janan just told him to take her home and that she thought maybe she was having some sort of an allergic reaction.

Thank goodness I came home early on Thursday. I don't remember the exact time, but somewhere around 3 p.m. Jordan and Janan drove up and as soon as Janan got out of the truck I knew something was wrong. She was bending over as she was walking to the house saying that she didn't feel good at all. She went to the bedroom and lay down on the bed saying she just thought she needed to lay down. She did say that her throat felt like it was swelling so I got her some Benedryl to help with that but, upon continuing to question her, knew it was much more than that. Once she told me that her hands were tingling and that her left arm was hurting really bad I knew we had to get her to the doctor.

The 3 of us jumped in the Trailblazer with emergency lights flashing and made a very quick trip to town. NOTE TO DRIVERS: When someone is behind you with their flashers on and honking their horn at you - MOVE!

It had probably only been about 20 - 30 minutes from when she first began to feel bad at this time - so we were getting her to the hospital pretty quickly. We walked in and I told them I thought she was having a heart attack and they took her (with me right along beside her) back to the emergency room. Within minutes of hooking her up to all of the machines the doctor told us that, indeed, she was having a heart attack and that they had begun administering some medication to slow things down a bit and that they also were checking on the helicopter to come from the Heart Hospital in LR as well as check on their ambulances. I called our church office and asked the secretary to spread the word about Janan and within minutes I started getting calls on my cell phone. Some I just let go as things got very busy - but it was good to know that people were already reaching out.

The helicopter was unable to come from LR due to the weather and both ambulances were out at the moment but would be available very shortly as they continued to work with her. She was awake and able to talk to me - scared to death over what was taking place. I had to calm her as it all began to overwhelm her. The doctors told me that an ambulance was on the way and I asked them if I had time to run back to the house and grab some things since I knew we would be at the hospital at least overnight. Plans were for Jordan to spend the night at his grandparents home in Malvern - they had already been called and were to meet us at the hospital in LR.

For those that have never had to do this - do you know how hard it is to call your sons and tell them that their mother is having a heart attack? One lives in Ft. Worth (approx. 8 hours away) and the other in Houston (approx. 11 hours away)....they were both shocked at the news. Do you know how hard it is to call you in-laws and tell them that their daughter is having a heart attack? I was unable to keep a firm voice with ANY of them - as hard as I tried..but was able to get the message out that we were headed to LR in a few minutes.

Jordan and I made another quick trip back home to grab some clothes and then back to the hospital. This took maybe 20 minutes. As we got back to the hospital, a group of people from our church had already gathered in the waiting room and I was so glad that Jordan had someone to talk to. I made a straight path to the ER...I noticed out of the corner of my eye how quickly the lady behind the desk jumped up when she saw me heading toward the ER door. She met me on the other side and cut me off as I looked and saw around 10 - 12 people now over my wife working feverishly. They would not let me get to her. I know how important it is to stay out of their way.....but that was my wife and I needed to know what happened. I insisted that SOMEONE come tell me SOMETHING....the doctor came over and told me that they had to "shock" her and that she had even had a seizure while I was gone. (I WAS NOW BEATING MYSELF UP FOR EVEN LEAVING!!!)

They would not let me close enough to her but I insisted on being within eyeshot of her. My heart was being ripped out as I watched and could tell that they were working frantically to keep my wife alive. Two nurses insisted that I move down the hallway - but to a room out of even earshot???? I obeyed, but not for long...I had to at least have some clue what was going on. These were some of the worst moments for me --- I was so afraid that my wife was going to die right then and there.

They tried to get me to sit out in the lobby where everyone had gathered. I loved the people out there, but did not want to be out there - I needed to be near my wife. I also did not want my son to see me in the state I was in at the moment. The time came that they said there were ready to transport her and that I could speak to her - even though she was unconscious - before they wheeled her out. I asked the nurse to get my son and I spoke to him at the door and told him quickly what was happening and to see if he wanted to say something to her - he did.She was strapped down....they were "hand pumping" air into her lungs and she was unconscious - hard for anyone to see and I really hated Jordan seeing this....but, to be honest.....I didn't know if this might be the last time we had to speak to her. My heart aches even just typing that - but it was true.

As they wheeled her out, we ran through the doors past the waiting crowd to go get in our car. The ambulance driver told me that he would be driving "code 3" - I had no idea what that meant, but I knew it was fast. We had to sit in the parking lot a few minutes as they got everything situated and I know several came by the side of the car and patted my arm and said stuff to me - but I couldn't tell you who said what for the life of me. Thank you to those of you that consoled Jordan on the other side of the car.

The ambulance was finally ready to go with lights on and sirens blazing - we left the hospital headed to LR (about a 2 hour drive). I tried to keep things light as I told Jordan that this would be the fastest trip to LR that he had ever made. -- Yes, we were moving fast.

Little was said between Jordan and myself. We were both lost in our own thoughts. As hard as I tried to stay positive I couldn't help but keep thinking, "What do I say to my boys....her parents.....how do I survive without her?" Tears were streaming down my eyes as I drove.

For those that know the area, not too far before we reached Locust Grove (about 25 miles) I began to notice another ambulance coming up in my rear view mirror. Now there's a dilemma! You're behind one ambulance with your wife in the back when another one comes up behind you - what do you do?

It was not coming up very fast - I was glad of that because it made my decision easier....and then it happened.The ambulance that was carrying my wife pulled over at Locust Grove and the other ambulance pulled up beside it -- a big, husky guy jumped out of the 2nd ambulance and climbed into the ambulance that was transporting my wife. I couldn't help but say to Jordan," Son, I'm not trying to be negative, but that's not good."

The main ambulance sped away and the 2nd ambulance decided to get in front of me - between me and the ambulance with my wife. NOT A GOOD PLAN! The main ambulance was pulling away.....increasing their speed as the 2nd ambulance was lagging behind. I was about to come unglued and decided that the road was about as clear as it was going to get as we came upon a straight stretch. I looked around the 2nd ambulance and saw that there were oncoming cars but that they were pulled over - so I pulled out with my flashers on and began to flash my lights and I floored it. You may think this was stupid...but you weren't in my shoes and I HAD to stay close to the main ambulance!!

All I know is that as I got around the 2nd ambulance and got closer to the main ambulance, I looked down at the speedometer and it was registering 100 mph (Jordan later told me he was watching it and it got to 105-110). In other words, this main ambulance had picked things up considerably which, again, was another sign that was not good.

One thought kept going through my head -- please, keep moving...keep the lights and sirens on. Why? I did not want to see the lights get turned off and the ambulance slow down. I assumed as long as they were moving fast and had their lights on she was still alive.

We got to the intersection in Batesville where you could either turn right to go to Searcy (and on to LR)or left to go into Batesville and they had their signal on to go to Batesville - not a good thing to see again. Once again I told my son, "Jordan....that's not good either."

People along this stretch of road had to wonder what in the world was going on....2 ambulances with a guy between them with his flashers on and his lights flashing!

We got to the hospital and ran up as they began to prepare to unload my wife. The look on one of the EMT's face scared me bad. Honestly, he looked lost. It was as if he already had made a connection as he looked at me - and I didn't like what I saw in his eyes. I did not want Jordan to see that so I grabbed him and held him close and he finally unleashed the tears. We both held each other and sobbed uncontrollably as the EMT mouthed the words, "She's alive" -- which, to be honest, was not all that comforting either.

As they rushed her into the Batesville hospital emergency room they rushed Jordan and I off to another waiting room. Do you know how much I hate those???? Jordan and I prayed and cried together as we waited for some news.(((Yes, I had made more calls during this time to dear friends as well as to my sons and to my mother-in-law......thank you for those that were receiving my calls as I did not do too well holding it together))))

I could not stay in the room the whole time so I wandered out in the hall to try to see what was going on - the one EMT that had made eye contact with me told me that she had been sedated but it had not been enough to last until LR and she was fighting them and the tubes so they had to get more help in the ambulance. I knew that she likely was fighting them....but I also know enough to know that they have more medication in that ambulance....so, again, I knew it was not good at all. (I later learned - not to my surprise - that she had "crashed" on her way to LR so they need to get to the closest hospital at that time).

My doctor friend told me they were going to do a heart cath. while she was there which would get us ahead of the game before going on to LR - and assured me that if it were his wife, that is what he would want. I trusted him with that and thanked him.

Some time later the cardiologist came to where we were and told us that a couple of stints had been put in and that what had happened was very unusual. I can't remember much from that time to be honest, but he used the word "fractured" or "splintered" the best I can remember. Not thinking clearly I asked him when we would be taking her on to LR and told me that there was no need because he had already done what needed to be done.

I was later told that it was a very good thing that he was there when she was brought in. I believe that to be true. More phone calls for the update. Emotions raw and flowing. Worrying about my son driving from Ft. Worth with his wife while so emotionally worked up. Talking to my other son in Houston that was so upset because he didn't' think he'd be able to get away and how it was killing him. I assured him it was o.k. and that Janan knew he'd be there if he could. Later he called and said he had been able to make arrangements to be there which meant them leaving around 12:30 a.m. Friday morning -- worry with that too.

She spent Thursday night, Friday and Friday night , and part of Saturday in I.C.U. and was moved to a room that was a "step down" from I.C.U. on Saturday afternoon. She was released to come home on Monday afternoon.

I went without sleep for 40 hours. I stayed by her side the whole time. The only time I left that room was to go get something to eat. There was no way I was going anywhere. Her mom and dad as well as Jordan, Jeremy and Cassidy and Jacob and Beth all were there by Friday evening...and it made an incredible difference in her. She was so glad to have them all there.

Again, I write all of this to share with you as much as I could. There was a lot of misinformation out there as well as some not knowing anything. I can't help but put in my thoughts and emotions as well - that's just me.

We are glad to be home and are so thankful for all that have prayed for us and kept us in their thoughts. I would say that there were easily over 1,000 people doing just that during this very scary time.

Key thing - she came home with me. Thank you, Lord.

Thank you Jeremy and Cassidy as well as Jacob and Beth for coming - it made a difference for mom to have her boys surround her.

And Jordan. Wow. No son should have to go through what he did. But he did and he did so very well. I earned a whole new level of respect for him through this - so proud of him. He took another stop into manhood during this for sure.

Thank you for allowing me to share this - it is good for me to get it out. Thank you all for your love and your concern. Some of you I don't know and will likely never meet...but thanks to each and every one!

Our next step is to try to figure out exactly what caused this and to see if we can keep it from happening again. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers through this process as well. She is tired - as would be expected - but has no real restrictions on activity, etc.I hope this answers a lot of questions for a lot of people.

Feel free to email me if I left something out that is important.

SYMPTOMS of the FEAR of GETTING OLD

No, I'm not talking about "signs that you're getting old" such as:
- Your back goes out more than you do
- Everything hurts and what doesn't hurt doesn't work.
- The gleam in your eyes is from the sun hitting your bifocals.
- You feel like the morning after and you haven't been anywhere.
- Your little black book contains only names that end in M.D.
- You look forward to a dull evening
- You sit in a rocking chair and can't get it going.
- Your knees buckle, and your belt won't.
- Your Pacemaker makes the garage doors go up when you see a pretty girl.
- The little old gray haired lady you helped across the street is your wife.
- You sink your teeth into a steak, and they stay there.

O.k., o.k....that's enough of that. But MAYBE you were able to smile a little bit even if you ARE worried about getting older. Hey, listen friend - getting older is just part of life. Do you REALLY want to live forever? Really? Think about that.

Here's what I always wonder about "stories" similar to this that you may read in a book or watch in a movie. If that person doesn't age then how come they're always older than a baby? See what I mean? What age would be THE age that you'd wish to stay forever?

Nope, not me! I remember when I was a teenager I'd hear people say, "These are the best years of your life!" and I would think - "Then shoot me now!"

But, for now, in keeping with today's podcast, let's notice the symptoms of the fear of getting older as is mentioned in chapter 15 of Napoleon Hill's classic, "Think & Grow Rich".

1. The tendency to slow down and develop an inferiority complex at the age of mental maturity - falsely believing one's self to be "slipping" because of age.
Wow, do YOU ever do that? Do you ever begin to feel that you "can't keep up" because of your age? And what IS that age when that happens for/to you? Perhaps in your job you have this fear amplified due to the "younger" people that are out to "take over" (perhaps that is in your own mind?). Remember, YOU have the advantage in experience and, hopefully, wisdom! "Book-learning" isn't everything and you know that!

2. The habit of speaking apologetically of one's self as "being old" merely because one has reached the age of forty, or fifty, instead of reversing the rule and expressing the gratitude for having reached the age of wisdom and understanding.
Do you fall into this trap?Again, as is often said, "age is just a number". Now, I know that you DO age as you get older, but the idea behind that little saying is also expressed in this one - "You are as old/young as you feel!". Isn't that true? Why should we allow a number which simply states how long we have been alive dictate how we act and feel? There is simply no reason for it at all. Again, it is a mindset which we CAN control - it is up to YOU!

3. The habit of killing off initiative, imagination and self-reliance by falsely believing one's self too old to exercise these qualities.
Do you know how many men and women reach their greatest achievements after the ages of 40 or 50? Do some research on that. Check and see what the ages were of some of our greatest inventors. Don't get caught up in the thought and idea that it is only the "young" that have the ability to be creative or to take initiative. Sure, there are plenty of them out there and they get a lot of attention - but I can promise you that there are MANY "older" men and women that are accomplishing great and mighty things. I mentioned Jack Lalanne in my podcast today and the article about him in a recent edition of Success magazine. If you want to read some amazing information about what this man accomplished at ages that most would be content to sit in a rocking chair, then check out the link that will take you to that article:
http://www.successmagazine.com/founding-father-of-fitness/PARAMS/article/684

4. The habit of the man or woman of forty dressing with the aim of trying to appear much younger, and affecting mannerisms of youth; thereby inspiring ridicule by both friends and strangers.
Now, I understand what Mr. Hill is saying here, but I will share with you some opposing thoughts in a moment. But, let's address this first. To me, one thing that we can notice is that things have definitely changed since the time that this book was written. Sure, many still struggle with the idea that they are "old" at the age of forty. However, for the most part, it seems to me as if that number has been pushed "upward" by quite a few years. But, let's address the thought here. Yes, I have seen men and women that were trying to look much younger than they were and what they actually accomplished was simply looking ridiculous (a form of the word "ridicule" used by Mr. Hill). Perhaps it's the man that goes through his "mid-life crisis" and dons a ridiculous looking hair piece, buys a fancy, convertible sports car and begins to hang out at clubs frequented by people 20 - 30 years younger than he. (By the way, I have nothing against hair pieces! But I think you know what I mean.) OR perhaps it is the lady that drastically changes her whole wardrobe to try to dress like those much younger than she as well as hanging out at the same type clubs mentioned above.
Here's my take on all of this. DRESS IN A WAY THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY! Don't try to dress so that you "look younger" than you are or don't try to dress so that you are dressed "age appropriately". See what I mean? When we do that we are allowing others to decide for us how we should or shouldn't dress. Society - for whatever reason - seems to be a little easier on males in this respect than they are on females. I have noticed over the years that a lot of people would tell women that, when they reach a certain age (perhaps 40?) then their hair should be worn a certain way, the length of the hem of their dress should be a certain length and on and on it goes. I have seen many women look MUCH OLDER than they actually were due to this fact. WHY?

BE YOU! Today is the only day that you have at your disposal. Disposal. Think about that for a second! It cannot be recycled. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. So, how will YOU choose to live your day. Will you live in fear of the fact that this one day does, indeed, make you one day older? Why not live today enjoying it for what it has to offer and for what YOU can "squeeze" out of it and do not worry about your age?

Remember this: "TODAY is the TOMORROW that you worried about YESTERDAY!"

So, again, it's today and, in my opinion, you should celebrate who you are TODAY as well as celebrate this stage of your life - REGARDLESS of the number attached to it.

Live. Love. Laugh.

And, as always....

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

Mike

WOW - I'm BEHIND!

I apologize for being so far behind on my blogs - I have no excuse and I will try to catch up as much as possible in today's entry.



Following the FEAR of POVERTY and the FEAR of CRITICISM we began to discuss the next fear in Napoleon Hill's list of the "Six Ghosts of Fear". This all can be found in chapter 15 ("How to Outwith The Six Ghosts of Fear") of his classic book, "Think & Grow Rich".



THE FEAR OF SICKNESS



You likely already know this but, people (yes, even you!) can literally make themselves sick! I had listed on my "status" on Facebook this topic and one of my friends made the comment that they once had a coworker that would end up going home for the day not feeling well if they had discussed at all any type of sickness or someone else that was sick!



Napoleon Hill even talks about an experiment that he had carried out in which he had three different people come in to the "victim" and express the idea that, "Wow, you don't look too good. Are you feeling o.k.?" The "victim" responded to the first query with something along the lines of, "Oh no - I'm doing fine!" However, once the second person came in and asked the same question the "victim" would then respond with something along the lines of, "Well, you know, I am feeling like I'm coming down with something." and then, by the time the third person came in with the same comment, the "victim" would admit that they were, in fact, not well.



Isn't that amazing? Yet, we can do the same thing ourselves AND that being so - out of necessity - it must also be suggested that we can IMPROVE our health by controlling our thoughts!



THIS IS STILL ALL ABOUT OUR MINDS and the THOUGHTS and SUGGESTIONS that we allow there! Mr. Hill states the following: "Powerful and mighty is the human mind! It builds or it destroys!"



What are the SYMPTOMS of this FEAR of SICKNESS?



1. AUTO-SUGGESTION - Huh? Wait a minute! Isn't "auto-suggestion" a positive thing? Well, it CAN be! However, just as we can feed our mind POSITIVE information in order that our subconscious mind can then "automatically suggest" those positive thoughts and beliefs back to us, so is it true with negative thoughts. We can also allow negative thoughts to be fed into our subconscious mind (yes, WE/YOU/I control this!) and that is what we will receive through auto-suggestion. We can so fear getting sick that our subconscious can contiually suggest to us that, indeed, we DO feel bad and ARE getting sick!



2. HYPOCHONDRIA - We all have likely heard this term, right? We call those with this "phobia", "hypochondriacs". Mr. Hill describes this as a medical term for imaginary diseases and he suggests that, many times, what we IMAGINE brings about worse health than the actual disease/sickness feared! He also suggest that NOTHING in a bottle is able to cure this - again, it's all in the mind and we DO have the power and ability to control and CURE this plague from our lives!



3. EXCERCISE - (or the lack of it!) We can't excercise - or so we've told ourselves - because we suffer from this problem or that problem that prevents us from doing so. Poor me!



4. SUSCEPTIBILITY - This fear actually can break down our immune system and make us susceptible to the very sickness that we try to avoid. Worry and fear, again, can literally make us sick. We won't sleep properly, excercise properly, eat properly or think properly which will - in turn - lower our body's ability to fight off the illness.



5. SELF-CODDLING - Directly from this chapter, here is what Mr. Hill has to say about this one... "The habit of making a bid for sympathy, using imaginary illness as a lure. (People often resort to this trick to avoid work). The habit of feigning illness to cover plain laziness, or to serve as an alibi for lack of ambition." Hmmm...know anyone like that?



6. INTEMPERENCE - The habit of using alchohol and narcotics (I would include even prescription or over-the-counter medication) to destroy pains such as headaches, etc. instead of destroying the cause. Maybe even now - in our current situation - spending endless hours looking over medical help websites to try to see what might be something that could fit how we feel (or THINK we feel).



Wow - do you find yourself in there anywhere? Sadly, most of us can probably relate to at least SOME of these symptoms!



Now, listen - I do understand that there ARE some diseases, illness and even headaches that we may not be able to control simply with positive thoughts. However, there are many things that we DO bring on ourselves, wouldn't you agree?



I do know this - a POSITIVE attitude is ALWAYS welcomed by doctors as one prepares for surgery and the recovery to follow. The doctors KNOW that our mindset can make all the difference in the world in how we go through surgery many times as well as how our recovery goes!



Even if you DO feel bad (for example, with a headache) you can still DECIDE how you will allow that headache (or whatever it may be) to control your day! My wife is a pro at this and she amazes me in how she can DETERMINE not to let it impact her day. And she usually succeeds in that task. She will tell me that she is NOT going to let her feeling bad ruin her day and she will put a smile on her face and proceed to, indeed, have a good day IN SPITE of how she feels.



What's the cure of this and the other fears? It's in everything that I (and others like Napoleon Hill) talk about every single day... the fact that YOU/ME/WE have the ability to control our day and our attitudes by our thinking.



Some won't want to hear that. Why? Because some LIKE being sick! (Remember symptom #5?)



PARENTS: Please pay close attention to this! Sickness is BIG BUSINESS! Parents have been sold a bill of goods many times into thinking that their child needs this medication or that medication for this and that to the point that so many of our kids are so "doped up" that they cannot even function properly! (This REALLY gets me angry!). The result? "Oh well, but at least they are behaving themselves." Again, this may step on some toes, but - if it will help some folks WAKE UP - then it's o.k. by me. Parents, most of what has been labled as some "illness" or problem with children (for which prescriptions are given) can be "cured" simply by spending quality time with your child and sharing your life with that child!



This is a whole separate topic but, to the point, we have gotten LAZY in raising our children and many times take the easy way out. It's easier to attach some "name" to the problem and have medicine prescribed and administered than it is to do the "work" of parenting. Ouch!



Here's the thing on ALL of this - creating and maintaing this POSITIVE mindset TAKES WORK! It's something that requires attention each and every day - much like raising a child!



That's why it's so important for you to continue to visit this blog and listen to my podcasts (as well as other's that can help you in this process) each and every day. It's an ON-GOING battle of the mind!



And I'm glad I am able to be a part of the solution - thanks for allowing me into your life.



Keep up the battle - you CAN overcome this fear as well as the others.



And, as always, be sure to remember to...



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





Mike