Be Brave Not Safe

In a prior post the topic of Managing Our Own Worst Critic was covered, reinforcing the reality that we influence the outcomes in our lives based upon our inner dialog (good or bad).

Building on the above…My wife and I attend an adult Sunday School class which recently began a series based on the book: Give Up Something Bad For Lent.

In a nutshell, when most people (myself included) think about giving something up for Lent they consider things like: dessert, smoking, drinking, pizza, coffee, etc. And, for some, these may be exactly the right things to consider. That said, this study suggests that we give up negative attitudes and behaviors. And, not just for Lent, but for good!

In the first chapter it is suggested that we consider giving up:

• Bitterness – anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly; resentment.
• Apathy – lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
• Discouragement – a loss of confidence or enthusiasm; dispiritedness.

What struck me, during our recent class, was that a comment was made, something to the effect of: “I don’t think these things can be given up, because they happen to us.”

First, let’s reinforce the fact that we’ve all adopted one or more of these attitudes or behaviors at some point in our life. However, it isn’t the attitude or behavior that “happened” to us. It was a situation, circumstance or drama (real or imagined) that happened, which resulted in us “taking on” these attitudes or behaviors.

And, while these attitudes and behaviors may be a normal human response, we need not carry this baggage around with us for more than a short period of lamentation (if at all) after the event takes place.

We must realize that there is only one person controlling the thoughts in our powerhouse mind. That is the person we see in the mirror. If we fill our mind with negative thoughts (including continuously regurgitating past hurts or unfortunate experiences) we will continue to hold negative attitudes and behaviors. If, on the other hand, we CONSTANTLY fill our mind with positive thoughts (our goals and dreams, for example) we will experience more positive situations and outcomes in our lives.

This does not mean that bad things won’t happen to good people. Far from it. However, things typically aren’t as bad as they seem. And, it is our chosen attitude and response to real-life situations, that we ALL must deal with, that absolutely influences (I dare say, controls) how things turn out.

As I was sharing this with one of my sons (Aaron), he responded with: “Yeah, bitterness, apathy and discouragement aren’t like rain that just falls on us.” He then recited a quote from a world-renowned philosopher 🙂

Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.

~ Bob Marley

In closing, it is important for us to feel (experience) the situations and circumstances in our life. However, let’s not just sit there soaking wet (with negative attitudes and behaviors). Let’s get up, dry ourselves off and move on! If we are on this earth we still have a purpose.

Never give up, or give in to negative attitudes and behaviors!

How often does the typical person bathe?

The answer: Daily – to get clean on the outside.

How often should we cleanse our brain to remain positive, effective and, quite simply, enjoy more out of life?

The answer: Daily!

If you’ve read the prior post on my Boot Camp Experience, you know that one of the ways I did this was by converting my vehicle into a university on wheels. This entailed listening to audio programs during my daily commute.

Since I don’t do this (daily commute) anymore, I’ve had to find other ways to take my daily dose of PMA (positive mental attitude).

Here we go…

To remain in shape during the winter months, in preparation for mountain biking during the rest of the year, I’ve hooked up one of my bikes to an indoor bike trainer: a CycleOps Fluid 2. On attaching a Bontrager Bluetooth Digital Sensor to the bike and installing the Wahoo Fitness App on my iPhone I can track my speed and miles traveled.

In the past month I’ve put about 60 miles on my bike, which has become my new university on wheels. And, I’m again listening to one of the BEST audio programs ever recorded!

If you have not read or listened to this book (in the last 12 months) you are encouraged to do so. It can be acquired from Amazon.com by clicking on the image above.

This is such a simple way to continuously improve one’s future, through the daily cleansing of the mind. In fact, I dare you to go through this and not feel much better about life – today!

Consider this as part of your daily dose of PMA (positive mental attitude).

Remember, only YOU can make 2015 a great year!

Have you ever asked yourself: “Why is all this [bad] stuff happening to me?!?!”

At one point in time, we’ve likely all asked ourselves this question.

The reality is that most life situations (good or bad) result from our own actions or decisions.

Let’s share just one example from a young man’s life with whom I am quite familiar…

• Pulled over for speeding
• Must pay a fine. Ouch!
• Receives the latest bill from the auto insurance company. Insurance rate increases. Ouch again!
• Wraps his Mustang around a telephone pole, totaling it. Thankfully, no-one was hurt.
• Buys a brand new Firebird
• Insurance rate jumps again, SIGNIFICANTLY!
• Pulled over for speeding (actually, doubling the speed limit, a criminal offense)
• Must take time off from work to appear in court (for the criminal offense)
• Must pay a hefty fine. OUCH!
• Receives a letter from the auto insurance company stating that coverage has ceased due to being such a high risk.
• Must obtain state sponsored auto insurance for high risk drivers, in a high risk vehicle. VERY EXPENSIVE.
• Realizes the Firebird can’t be sold as more is owed than it is worth and doesn’t have the cash to make up the difference
• Required to work overtime EVERY week just to continue operating the car

The question is then exclaimed: Why are all these people against me?!?!

Are you kidding me? The entire chain of unfortunate events resulted solely from this persons bad decisions and actions.

Well, for those who thought I was talking about one of my boys. Wrong. That person was me, in my early 20’s. And, it all occurred inside a couple of years.

As a result of the above (and other) bad decisions I had significant motivation to do whatever it took to dig myself out of the hole I had dug for myself. It was at this time that I “jumped the tracks” in my life and began my “boot camp experience”, which was covered in a prior post.

Reminds me of a quote:

Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment. ~ Oprah Winfrey

Said another way: To make a better tomorrow (future) make better decisions and take better actions today! Coming from personal experience I’ve found this to be pretty simple and very true!

So, if you are in a place where dark clouds are hovering over your head, consider what actions or decisions you took (or didn’t take) that may be contributing factors. Then, make a commitment (right now) that going forward only good actions will be taken and good decisions will be made.

Doing so will clear the skies ahead. It may take weeks, months or even years for the clouds to completely clear away. But, make no mistake: they will.

Only YOU can make it a Happy New Year!