7 Steps to Take Control of Your Life

Taking control of your life is getting in touch with your values, setting meaningful goals and identifying your vision. To be in control of where life is taking you means being more productive, dealing more effectively with stress, having the ability to solve problems, handing change and developing healthy optimism. Start with these 7 steps and you are on your way.

1. Get in touch with your values:

When we feel like we are working hard but not getting anywhere it is probably because our priorities are not aligned with our values. To begin identifying your values ask yourself these questions:

Ø What is important to me? Wisdom, freedom, happiness, equality, security, self-respect, romantic love, money, power, comfortable living, fresh air, beauty, controlling others, etc. Rate these values.
Ø Who is important to me?
Ø What or who is most important? Be honest with yourself.
Ø What do I need to do to feel good about myself?
Ø How would you feel if someone you respect knew this was one of your values?
Ø Would you stick by this value?
Ø Is it who you are?
Ø How is this value affecting your life?

Make a list of your 10 top values. Of that 10 choose 4 and of the 4 choose your top two. From this exercise you will see where you need to focus your time and effort.

2. Decide what motivates you:

If tomorrow you knew you could do anything and not fail what would you do? Is there something you are passionate about but are afraid of trying? If you have no idea what your passion is spend some time reflecting on it. To start, write down the types of activities you like to do and the types of activities (hobbies) that make you feel good when you do them. What are your special skills and talents ? Don't be shy ? Usually if it's something we like to do we are probably good at it. What inspires you?

3. Set Goals:

In order to get what you really want you must start by setting goals. Goals fuel your intent and make your desires concrete. Start by writing the goals for this year in area of personal relationships, work, health, finances and spirituality. List five goals in each category (add more categories if you like). Then break them down into monthly and then weekly goals. Focusing on what you intend in your life will bring it to reality. You create your life ? So start now by setting your goals.

4. Take Action:

Goals are worthless without action. If you have written long-term and short-term goals and prioritized them, you have a plan of action. Just take it one step at a time and do something everyday that takes you closer to where you want to be. Remember however, to live in the present and be thankful for what you have now, enjoying the journey toward your goals

5. Manage Your Time:

We all have the same amount of time to use in a day. Why do some people a lot done while others do very little? You have complete control of how much time you spend productively and how much you waste. Plan your days and prioritize your time to get the most out of the time you have. Use time-wasters like standing in line or waiting in a doctor's office to catch up on reading or something else that is important to you.

6. Do What Needs to be Done:

Do what has to be done to get to where you want to go. Whether it is a mundane task or internal work, putting it off gets us nowhere. You are either going forward or falling behind; there is no such thing as standing still. Sometimes when we work on ourselves we stop when we get to a place that we need to change. Change can be difficult when we have to step out of our comfort zone. The more change is needed the more difficult it is.

7. Self-discipline:

Self-discipline is the final step that takes all that we have learned and puts it into action. This is a trait that for most of us has to be developed. To reach our goals we must visualize them as already being accomplished and have faith that we can reach them. When you believe in and trust yourself and have enough desire, self-discipline comes easily.

SECRET OF LIFE

The secret of life is to make the best

of whatever comes along,

Make every day fresh and new,

Go in search of knowledge and experience.

Let your questions and

your answers reconcile.

Do your best to remember

that the best kind of learning curveis

an educated smile.

Share your magic with the people

who share your memories.

Let your feelings run deep.

Be in touch with the people

who live in your heart.

Be a caring person who plays for keeps.

To really know what success means, earn it.

Don't rely on some elevator to get you there.

The higher the floor you want to reach,t

he more important it is to take the stairs.

The easiest lessons to remember

are the ones you learn the hard way!

Appreciate the little things

that make each day

unique and special.

Did you know ???

• Did you know that when you envy someone, it's because you really like that person?
• Did you know that those who appear to be very strong in heart, are real weak and most susceptible?
• Did you know that those who spend their time protecting others are the ones that really need some one to protect them?
• Did you know that people who occupy themselves by keeping others company or helping others are the ones that actually need your company and help?
• Did you know that when you help someone, the help is returned in two folds?
• Did you know that those who need more of you are those that don't mention it to you?
• Did you know that it's easier to say what you feel in writing than saying it to someone in the face?But did you know that it has more value when you say it to their face?
• Did you know that what is most difficult for you to say or do is much more valuable than anything that is valuable that you can buy with money?
• Did you know that if you ask for something in faith, your wishes are granted?
• Did you know that you can make your dreams come true, like falling in love, becoming rich, staying healthy, if you ask for it by faith, and if you really knew, you'd be surprised by what you could do.

~LIFE IS LOVE BIRD~

Life is a resplendent flower;

the more you ardentlyinhale it;

the more it casts its fragrant spell upon

each cranny of your disastrously frazzled demeanor;

for centuries immemorial,
Life is an invincible mountain;

the more you valiantlyclamber it;

the more it impregnably defends every iota

of your bereaved countenance;

against the mostacrimoniously vicious attacks,
Life is a tantalizing ocean;

the more you profuselyswim in it;

the more it envelops your cloud

burst ofinexplicable agonies;

with its enchantingly rhapsodictanginess,
Life is a ravishing cloud;

the more insatiably youfloat in it;

the more it encapsulates your

monotonously beleaguered senses;

in an entrenchment of

mystically voluptuous sensuousness,
Life is a blazing Sun;

the more unflinchingly you stare at it;

the more it magnanimously bequeaths upon

you the tenacity;

to surge relentlessly forward

towards your philanthropically divine goals,
Life is a tingling dewdrop;

the more bountifully youcaress it;

the more it enshrouds every element of your

disastrously dwindling persona;

with majesticallytranquil compassion,
Life is a resplendent star;

the more uninhibitedly youlet it in your dwelling;

the more it wholesome

lyinfiltrates your ghastily bereaved conscience;

withinnocuously twinkling beams of sacrosanct light,
Life is an exhilarating adventure;

the more poignantlyyou pursue it;

the more it enthrallingly perpetuatesinto

each of your brutally extinguishing nerves;

tounconquerably metamorphose them into the boundaries of

spell binding paradise,
Life is an exotic waterfall;

the more fervently youbathe in it;

the more it astoundingly washes each of

your inadvertently committed sin’s;

maneuvering you

towards the path of everlasting prosperity,
Life is a true story;

the more passionately youengross in it;

the more it romantically titillateseach aspect

of your insidiously dithering existence;

with its insurmountably ingratiating melody,
Life is an Omnipotent form;

the more devoutly yourespect it;

the more it uninhibitedly blesses every

aspect of your survival;

miraculously transforming all

your traumatized anguish;

into a fountain of perennially sparkling happiness,
Life is an Omniscient elixir;

the more tenaciously youdrink it;

the more it handsomely relieves you of even

the most infinitesimal of your tensions;

indefatigablypropelling you to fantasize like a prince,
Life is an enchanting dream;

the more unfathomably youperceive it;

the more it blissfully it placates all

your savagely manipulative apprehensions;

engenders you to astonishingly procreate a countless more

brilliantly victorious tomorrow’s,
Life is a melodious song;

the more you patrioticallysing it;

the more it bestows you with the Herculeantenacity;

to wholesomely free your atrociouslybesieged;

and sacred motherland,
Life is an unassailable fortress;

the more youvehemently respect it;

the more it perpetually

sequesters you in its Omnipresent belly;

nourisheseach cranny of your existence

with the tonic ofradiantly vivacious righteousness,
Life is a vivid rainbow;

the more you profusely absorbit;

the more it stupendously inundates your despicably

collapsing existence;

with an unsurpassablekaleidoscope; of beauty; color;

and amiably charminghumanity,
Life is a humanitarian necklace;

the more youchivalrously wear it;

the more it showers upon your

penurious visage all richness of this planet;

the pricelessly regale religion of mankind,
Life is a Divine heaven;

the more you tirelesslysalute it;

the more it benevolently blesses your

pathetically withering nostrils;

with unsurpassable

fireballs of aristocratically exuberant breath,
And life is a lovebird;

the more you ecstatically letit fly;

the more it envelops your tyrannically

imprisoned heart; with immortal beats of love; l

ove;and only unshakably godly Love….

Respect Is A Four-Letter Word

If you want to succeed in your chosen profession, create a loving family environment, improve a relationship, find your soul mate, or just improve the quality of your personal life, make a conscious commitment to practice showing respect in everything you do and everything you say.

Respect is the by-product of a four-letter word ? L-O-V-E

LOVE is one emotion, however we express it on different levels for different people. We LOVE our significant others, children, friends, co-workers, and parents in different ways, yet we still love them.

RESPECT plays a HUGE role in building people's self esteem, increasing energy levels, motivating and promoting well-being. Regardless of who we interact with, it can be expressed on one level alone and does not have to be tailored to suit the relationship.

Respect can be demonstrated in a variety of ways:

- attentive listening

- referring to a person by name

- being courteous and polite

- learning the person's values and beliefs so as not to offend with inappropriate or offensive remarks

- taking the person aside when need be to discuss matters that would offend or demean if handled publicly

- eliminating offensive language and profanity from your vocabulary

By treating others with respect, you will be amazed by how they will go out of their way to support you. Like-minded individuals will be drawn to you and you will be treated with the same respect you show to others.

By showing respect you are silently communicating, "You Matter" and although you may not see an immediate impact, you are making a positive difference and will be rewarded for your kindness through universal reciprocation.

As you start this week, make a conscious effort to show respect to every soul you encounter, even the gnarly lady at the fruit stand and the cranky bus driver. Learn people's names and show a genuine interest in them. Wish them a good day and thank them for their efforts.

Benefits of smile

1) Smile shows friendship

2) Smile make new friends

3) Smile makes other people's day brighter

4) Smile improves your day

5) Smile looks better than a frown
6) Smile Puts others at ease

7) Smile always enjoyable to give and receive

8) Smile leaves favorable impressions

9) Smile makes you look happy, confident, and self-assured

10) Smile could be the start of a lifetime relationship

So always keep smiling.........:) :) :)

DETERMINATON

In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. However bridge building experts throughout the world thought that this was an impossible feat and told Roebling to forget the idea. It just could not be done. It was not practical. It had never been done before.
Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. He thought about it all the time and he knew deep in his heart that it could be done. He just had to share the dream with someone else. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built.
Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.
The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington was injured and left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.
"We told them so.""Crazy men and their crazy dreams.""It`s foolish to chase wild visions."
Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap Washington was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever.
He tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too daunted by the task. As he lay on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight streaming through the windows, a gentle breeze blew the flimsy white curtains apart and he was able to see the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment.
It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up. Suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife.
He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.
For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm, until the bridge was finally completed. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in a man who was considered mad by half the world. It stands too as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long years patiently decoded the messages of her husband and told the engineers what to do.
Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a never-say-die attitude that overcomes a terrible physical handicap and achieves an impossible goal.

Often when we face obstacles in our day-to-day life, our hurdles seem very small in comparison to what many others have to face. The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be realised with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds are.

"Even the most distant dream can be realized with determination and persistence".

Beautiful Butterflies!!!!

PEOPLE COME INTO YOUR LIFE...

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometim! es they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.!

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

See it through!!!

When You are up against a trouble,

Meet it squarely, face to face;

Lift Your chin and set your shoulders,

Plant your feet and take a brace.

When it's vain to try to dodge it,

Do the best that you can do,

You may fail, but you may conquer,

See it through!

Black may be the clouds about you

And your future may seem grim,

But dnt let your nerve desert you;

Keep yourself in fighting trim.

If the worst is bound to happen,

Spite of all that you can do,

Running from it will not save you,

See it through!

Even hope may seem but futile,

When with troubles you are beset,

But remember you are facing,

Just what other men have met.

You may fail, but fall still fighting;

Dnt give up, What have you do;

Eyes front, head high to thje finish.

See it through!

Five Ways to Stay Positive in a Negative World

In view of the increasing negative events happening around the world here are five things you can do to help you stay positive.

1. Take a news sabbatical. Listening to the news can be downright depressing. All bad news all of the time can drag you down and keep you there. Give yourself permission to stop listening to the news, especially before bed time.

2. Use your influence to do good where you live. Shift your focus from what is happening in other parts of the world to your community. Get involved in making a positive change or contribution.

3. Focus on what is working in your life. Choose one thing that you are grateful for and focus on it for the rest of the day.

4. Express your appreciation to others. You can create a positive world one person at a time by saying thank you every chance you get to everyone you interact with ? from the person who holds open a door for you to your child who does a chore to a cherished friend or loved one.

5. Focus on what you can change, let go of what you can't change. When faced with a distressing situation ask yourself if you can control over the events. If you do, change what you can. If you don't, learn to let it go and move on.

Live Life TODAY!!

You are not promised TOMORROW!

Something happened yesterday and I felt the need to post this. I have been seriously reminded of how delicate our lives are and how easily it could be over.

You just don't know when your timer is going to run out.

You could be asleep.
You could be at work.
You could be playing a game with your kids.
You could be shopping.
You could be driving.
You could be visiting relatives.
You could be out with friends.
You could be doing ANYTHING at anytime....

There is no way to know when it is our time to go.

If there is something you have always wanted to do but have been putting it off, make plans to do it now.

If there is a wrong that you really want to make right...don't put it off any longer. Fix it now.

If you had a falling out with a close relative and deep down you want to get that relationship back...Fix it now.

If there is something you want to learn...sign up for classes, go to your local library, or buy a book. Do it now.

AND.......MOST OF ALL:

Tell your family you love them...does it TODAY, TONIGHT, AND TOMORROW.


You just never know.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Self-realization

Man is here on earth for this one purpose, that he may bring forth that spirit of God in him and thus discover his own perfection. The three stages towards this perfection are the following.

The first stage is to make God as great and as perfect as your imagination can. .... The second stage is the work of the heart... The first lesson that love teaches us is: 'I am not. Thou art.' The first thing to think of is to erase ourselves from our minds and to think of the one we love. As long as we do not arrive at this idea, so long the word love remains only in the dictionary. Many speak about love but very few know it. Is love a pastime, an amusement, a drama; is it a performance? The first lesson of love is sacrifice, service, and self-effacement. ... To close the eyes for prayer is one thing, and to produce the love of God is another thing. That is the second stage in spiritual realization, where, in the thought of God, one begins to lose oneself in the same way that the lover loses the thought of self in the thought of the beloved. And the third stage is different again. In the third stage the Beloved becomes the Self, and the self is there no more. For then the self, as we think it to be, no longer remains. The self becomes what it really is. It is that realization which is called Self-realization.

CREATIVITY OF GOD!!!

Integrity

Some time ago, an article in National Racquetball Magazine told the story of Reuben Gonzales, who was in the final match of a professional racquetball tournament. It was Gonzales' first shot at a victory on the pro circuit, and he was playing the perennial champion. In the fourth and final game, at match point, Gonzales made a super "kill" shot into the front wall to win it all.

The referee called it good. One of the two linesmen affirmed that the shot was in. But Gonzales, after a moment's hesitation, turned around, shook his opponent's hand, and declared that his shot had "slapped" into the wall, hitting the court floor first. As a result, he lost the match. He walked off the court. Everybody was stunned.

The next issue of National Racquetball Magazine displayed Reuben Gonzales on its front cover. The story searched for an explanation of this first-ever occurrence on the professional racquetball circuit. Who could ever imagine it in any sport endeavor? A player, with everything officially in his favor, with victory in his hand, disqualified himself at match point and lost! When asked why he did it, Reuben replied, "It was the only thing I could do to maintain my integrity."

CAN ANYONE ANSWER????

Captain Frank and some of the boys were
exchanging old war stories. Art Bragg offered one
about how his grandfather led a battalion against a
German division during World War I. Through
brilliant maneuvers, he defeated them and captured
valuable territory. After the battle he was
presented with a sword bearing the inscription "To
Captain Bragg for Bravery, Daring and Leadership.
World War I. From the Men of Battalion "Captain
Frank looked at Art and said, "You really don't
expect anyone to believe that yarn, do you?" What's
wrong with the story?

The Joyful Things

At times I'm so discouraged

with the problems of the day,

I fail to see the joyful things

that are along the way.

When troubles overwhelm me

it's then my nerves may fray.

That's when I need to take the time

To simply sit and pray.

Reflecting on God's many gifts,

it makes me so aware

of all the joy in little things

around me everywhere!

I must try to remember

though problems come my way,

not to miss the joyful things

and the beauty of the day.

" Simple but very useful piece of wisdom "

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?"
Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." He continued, "and that's the way it is with stress management.
If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on." "As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."
In simple words, if you have a problem or anything that is eating into your peace, keep it aside for as much of time as you can afford to, and come back to it. You will be amazed at how quickly the issue becomes a non issue, in your second consideration. "So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of the day down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can."

So, my friend, why not take a while to just simply RELAX.
Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now. Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while. Life is short. Enjoy it!