Know where your playing field is

Since today is the Superbowl, I thought this topic was appropriate.

The other day I was working out and I was struggling to reach a workout goal I had set for myself. A brief thought flashed through my mind: “This was the hardest thing I’ve ever done” (I was really pushing myself, after all).

Then I realized something. No, what I was doing in my workout was extremely hard but it WASN’T the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve faced tougher challenges in life. And, while I was working out, I remembered one particular challenge that was tougher — physically and mentally. By thinking about that other experience, I was able to redefine how challenging I thought my workout was and it helped me to realize “If I made it through a tougher challenge, I can make it through this”. Sure enough, it was the gas I needed to keep pushing.

Later, I reflected on this experience and realized how much it was like football (or any sport). It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and for that one single experience to define your reality. But the more successful people will always keep the full field in mind.

Think about your most difficult experience ever and your happiest experience ever. Make those the two goal posts in your playing field. Then, as life takes you on its complicated, circuitous, and sometimes-good-sometimes-hard journey, keep your eye on the full field.

There will be times when you experience something harder or happier than ever before — and that will redefine your field. That’s okay. Just recognize how the playing field has changed and measure everything by that new perspective.

 

5 Great Ways To Treat Your Lover

If you want to show that special someone how much they mean to you, you need not wait until their birthday or Valentine’s Day to do it. There is nothing more romantic than giving a gift just for the sake of it. Show that you are thinking of your partner and surprise them with one of the following gifts, they are the perfect way to show your love is real.

Roses

Whether for a man or a woman, roses are a classy way to treat your lover. Roses are that much more personal and sexy than a regular bunch of flowers, so don’t just get  carnations, express your love with blood red roses. Buying and delivering the roses yourself is always great, though ordering your roses online and having them delivered is special in its own way. There is no better way to end the day than getting home to find a beautiful bunch of roses.

Make Them Dinner

Going out to restaurants is always great, though nothing can compare with a home cooked meal. Make it something elaborate though also something you can pull off, and don’t forget all the extra little touches like having candles, music, some kind of fancy drink and of course, don’t forget dessert! Your lover will feel like the luckiest person in the world to have someone go to all this effort to impress them.

Express Yourself

Write a long letter or a poem telling your lover how special they are and how much they mean to you, and post it to them. They will be surprised to get snail mail from you though they will keep your letter forever. There is nothing quite as endearing as a spontaneous expression of your love, especially one you can keep and read over and over.

Massage

Even if you don’t know how, treat your lover to a massage. Get some nice oils and help work the stress out of their weary body. You don’t need to be a masseuse to give someone a relaxing back rub, though if you really don’t think you can pull it off, pay for them to have a professional massage done. The point is to show you care by trying to help your lover de-stress and relax.

Plan A Surprise Getaway

Get your lover to agree to keep a weekend totally free, though tell them nothing of your plans. Book in at a romantic little B&B somewhere nice, arrange for reservations at a restaurant nearby, and even plan for breakfast in bed the next morning. Having flowers for him or her to start the weekend off with will also be a thoughtful touch. Research the area you’ll be staying in so you know of some options for things to do while you are there, though don’t over-plan as you want to give a chance for your partner to decide what he or she wants as well. Make it a weekend all about your partner.

The bottom line is be thoughtful and spontaneous. Showing that you listen to him or her and know what they like is a great way to impress your lover, and your surprise gift will have them more in love with you than ever.

10 Things To Be Grateful For This Thanksgiving

The season of gratitude is upon us.

Thanksgiving Day is our official national holiday for giving thanks.  We traditionally celebrate it with family get-togethers and feasts of turkey, delicious side dishes and pumpkin pie.

We express our gratitude for the abundance of our lives by overindulging in the goodness of food and enjoying the company of family.

It’s a busy holiday for many people, filled with travel, cooking and socializing with family not often seen.  It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of the holiday and lose sight of the deeper meaning of the Thanksgiving tradition.

Thanksgiving has its roots in the festivals that marked the completion of the harvest season in farming communities.  Most of us no longer live in farming communities and we enjoy a far richer life than many of the farmers of old.

Our lives are more materially comfortable than at any time in history.

Even though times are tougher for many people these days, most people in the America still have plenty to eat and a warm place to sleep.  Many people have homes that are filled with expensive possessions.  Thanksgiving is definitely a day to feel grateful for our material comforts and the possessions that bring us happiness.

In addition to our possessions, there are priceless intangible things that we all possess as U.S. residents and sometimes take for granted.

These 5 things to be grateful for on Thanksgiving as Americans should be at the top of our list.

Read more..

Next Page »