Stepping Out Of Your Bubble?

Stepping Out Of Your Bubble?

Yes we all have our own bubbles in our life.  And it's the best place to be.  That's where you can be in your most unguarded moments.  That's where you feel assured that nothing would go wrong in life.  That's when your self-confidence and self-motivation is beyond doubt at its peak.  But here's the catch though.  Sooner or later, we got to be stepping out of our BUBBLE and many times in fact, it won't be our choice at all💊💊💊

Just as our bath tub is, we can't remain enjoying the warmth of the water.  Either the water has to be drained or we might have simply overstayed there.  So, when do we think we would be stepping out of our BUBBLE?  The ability to take risks by stepping out of our BUBBLE is the primary way by which we grow.  But the harsh truth is that more often, we're afraid to take that first step.  But the real truth that seems to be in oblivion is that our very own BUBBLE is NOT really that comforting enough to be tagged as our COMFORT ZONE💹💹💹

So how can we step out of our BUBBLE a.k.a. COMFORT ZONE?  Topping all things, we need to be aware as to what's in there outside our BUBBLE.  Not being aware of what's in store outside will not entice us to step out.  Equally important, be aware of what you need to overcome.  Whether it's the fear of interacting face-to-face or talking before a crowd, figure it out.

Now, tjos becomes trickier and easier said than done.  Endeavor to get COMFORTABLE with DISCOMFORT.  It could be as simple as talking to someone.  But if you hang-on a bit more, you would realize that the DISCOMFORT you had seems to be gradually waning, albeit gradually💎💎💎

Now, taking the next step is crucial.  So do take BABY STEPS [and NOT that 'quantum leap'].  DON'T try to jump out of your BUBBLE as likely you will get overwhelmed and what happens next, you will jump right back in.  Now when trying to 'wiggle out' of a discomfort, be honest enough AT LEAST TO YOURSELF.  DON'T condone things wherein you'll alibi is "I JUST DON'T HAVE TIME [right now]".  Unless you gather your inner resolve to step out of your BUBBLE, that may NEVER happen, maybe NOT even in your lifetime.  My God, that's very pitiful dude❗❗❗

Slopes Can Be VERY Slippery

Slopes Can Be VERY Slippery

Not to dampen the spirit and adrenalin of the mountaineers and outdoor lovers but Slopes Can Be VERY Slippery.  But similar to coins, there are two sides to it.  One side tells us with a loud NO that that is NOTHING to be scared of because it WON'T lead you to something tragic and dreadful.  That is true in most cases but only for your first 'slip up'💊💊💊

And this is our most common fault which seems to have turned from 'one offs' to chronic ones.  After a first 'slip up', we would simply dust things off and proceed with the same undertaking.  So, where's our miss there?  We overlooked the need to pause and take a quick 'post mortem' as to why and what caused that 'slip up'

But the "devil's advocate" in us eventually turns cynical and would question that need for a 'post mortem' as it seems to be a WASTE of TIME ?!@# from their perspective.  If we're looking to a tandem trekking up that same 'slippery slope' and both did 'slip up' and the other one pauses for a moment 💹💹💹

Swinging back to our lives, sometimes we tend to be so 'cocky' and argue further that a recent 'slip up' was just that, a 'slip up'.  "NO WORRIES" has become a popular rejoinder in fact.  But much as people are NOT worrisome, truth of the matter, many of us who end up in a 'tragic fall' or ar least a 'near tragic' one is because we belittle the little things and little setbacks that hit us, when in fact, each minor setback pushes us closer an inch closer and closer to the brink of the ultimate failure which even sometimes end fatally

We've heard sort of 'miracle' stories of people who were suffering various illnesses but surprisingly have rebounded and they DON'T seem to intend to die in the next coming years [YET].  We've heard of divorcees who didn't know how to pick up the pieces all over again but lo and behold, they are now enjoying life when they were given a new lease of life.  So, please be wary when you're in a downward slope❗❗❗

Tell-Tale Signs of Red Flags in Life

Tell-Tale Signs of Red Flags in Life

Should we be searching the grounds and highways for our [potential] RED FLAGS in life?  Absolutely.  Be on the lookout for Tell-Tale Signs of RED FLAGS in Life.  You DON'T want to buckle up and go for a long haul drive only to get your car stalled in the middle of nowhere⏳⏳⏳

Relationships?  Even the strongest and tightly bonded ones sometimes weaken and just end up crumbling down like cookies.  WHY?  It's because there were Tell-Tale Signs of RED FLAGS in Life yet we sometimes [or maybe, many times] simply ignore it, kinda shrugging off our shoulders.  When two parties in a relationship seem to gradually drift apart although one of them is reaching out, guess WHO'S THE CULPRIT💊💊💊

On the other hand, those tell-tale signs of problems down the road manifest right in our behavior and actions.  Easily giving up.  Quitting as swift as when lightning strikes.  Taking a "U-TURN" in decisions or directions with very limited, if at all, thorough validation and assessment of the situation including the workarounds and alternatives to it.  Or have you heard of someone who's so gung-ho to initiate things but when impatience takes over himself, he's the first one to abandon things

Or things can boil down to your very own health.  Heard of narratives when he was manifesting various symptoms of a potential illness but simply ignore it all?  OR heard of one illness that doesn't seem to worsen but instead a new illness comes to manifest then another new illness pops up until one day, the doctor declares that there are multiple organ failures, whew💎💎💎

Not to scare you, we DON'T want your life journey to get stalled along the way when it could have been avoided.  Or worst, we DON'T want your life journey to end up in utter failure because that might imply you failed to detect far ahead down the road the Tell-tale signs of RED FLAGS✅✅✅  

Do The Things You Love

 Do The Things You Love

Question:  Why do we need to do the things we love?  Good question indeed.  And the answer to that perplexing question is a five-letter word spelled H-A-P-P-Y.  Indeed, this should NOT be a 'HARD SELL'.  Simply recall the zillion times in the past you ended up HAPPY.  And what could be the COMMON DENOMINATOR?  Despite the variety of things you did or acted on, the likely COMMON DENOMINATOR is always spelled H-A-P-P-Y⏳⏳⏳

Billionaire Warren Buffett once said that the key to your happiness is to "DO SOMETHING YOU ENJOY ALL YOUR LIFE".  On a work-related comment, he further said: "I URGE YOU TO WORK IN JOBS THAT YOU LOVE.  I THINK YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR MIND IF YOU KEEP TAKING JOBS THAT YOU DON'T LIKE BECAUSE YOU THINK IT WILL LOOK GOOD IN YOUR CV/RESUME".  It is true there are risks involved in chasing after that dream job.  Fact is, you just DON'T wake up one day and quit your job but when you do discover the work that will spring you out of bed every morning, it will be worth it📌📌📌

Who doesn't know the things he/she loves?  For a doting parent, spending time with one's kids can't be topped by anything else better.  Who doesn't love a good hobby?  They offer a break from the daily grind.  Opportunities to get together with friends.  Light at the end of the work shift schedule.  But did you know hobbies also have physical and mental health benefits?  And it doesn't matter whether your chosen pastime is intense or mellow💊💊💊

Yessssss, this poster seems closer to our hearts because most of us have day jobs.  Where NEGATIVE emotions creep within your work situation, DECOMPRESS!  Release the tension with calming and rhythmic thoughts.  Medical studies have proven that with lower STRESS LEVELS, a lower heart rate and a better mood is NOT far-fetched to happen close to the heels💎💎💎

TICK all the boxes but how?  Start off by challenging your mind, boosting your brain.  Expand your interests.  Engage in activities like music and arts as it's been proven that they reduce stress and even enhance confidence.  Keep things simple.  DO THE THINGS YOU LOVE [and not pursuing things rammed through your throat [because you can get choked]✅✅✅

What You See Is What You Get

 What You See Is What You Get

Borrowing this post from Quora by Ghost Girl:  An old lady was standing by the railing of a cruise ship holding her hat on tight so that it would not be blown off by the wind.  A gentleman approached her and said:  'Pardon me Madam, I don't intend to be forward but sis you know your dress is blowing up',  The old lay said: 'I l know that's why I need both my hands to hold on to this hat'.  The man said: 'But Madam, you're not wearing anything under your dress and your privates are exposed'.  The old woman blurted:  'Sir, anything you see down there us 85 eight years old whereas this hat, I just bought this yesterday.  Ouch, indeed  What You See Is What You Get📌📌📌

If at all, this is what is expected from us all.  BE WHAT YOU ARE [and DON'T project something you are NOT].  Express your GENUINE thoughts and feeling [and DON'T spew out anything which you are NOT].  What complicates things in life is when we are NOT that genuine and truthful enough.  And what is the complication?  The person[s] receiving your expression or act will, by default, think that such expression is genuine and truthful enough, so they might react or reciprocate, aligned to your expressions which are UNTRUE

Job interviews offer a good storyline.  Why is it many fail the job interviews?  A common HR feedback is that the interviewee DON'T seem to be genuine and truthful enough.  They would 'WINDOW-DRESS' their CV/Resume until it projects someone coming from the IVY LEAGUE [when he/she is much far away from that projection.  So, nothing beats being genuine and truthful💊💊💊

When someone asks how we are, we assume that the person does NOT mean the question sincerely.  So, telling them that you are fine [even if you're NOT] is the usual answer.  In an ideal world, we would stop and truly listen and WON'T be afraid to be ourselves.  Instead, when we answer about how we are doing, our mask, the persona we show the world, tightens.  Sometimes, even more so than it might have been before📌📌📌

No one can feel positive all the time and yet, that is what our culture teaches us to embrace and we have to UNLEARN that.  Telling others that you are "FINE" all the time is actually detrimental to your well-being because it stops you from being assertive, from being authentic and your TRUEST self.  We may never live a perfect life in a perfect world but wouldn't things be many times better if WHAT WE SEE IS WHAT WE GET [in a genuine way]✅✅✅

What Comes Along With DESPERATION

What Comes Along With DESPERATION

I've come across numerous threads where DESPERATION has been equated with DEPRESSION.  Which means there is a huge disconnect because DEPRESSION is more of a medical illness that affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.  Whereas DESPERATION per se is NOT DEPRESSION.  So, the question that begs to be enlightened is What Comes Along With DESPERATION📌📌📌

Whereas, DESPERATION is often NOT  a medical illness [although it is unavoidable that those struggling with DEPRESSION tend to manifest DESPERATION.  No worries, we won't tackle DEPRESSION as that is NOT my turf.  Instead, HOPELESSNESS is a manifestation of feeling HOPELESS due to a situation one is grappling with.  Examples would be when you're getting HOPELESS to get out of debt or worse, you're feeling HOPELESS of anything you pursue in life, you've been FAILING and FAILING no end⏳⏳⏳

Indeed, feeling stuck in a state of HOPELESSNESS makes life really tough.  But hold on, there are some things you can do when feeling HOPLELESS, if at lease to make life a little bit better, to alleviate you from the bigger problems you're facing.  HOW?  Play devil's advocate.  Consider your brain might be lying to you.  your brain might be telling you that things are awful and horrible.  And that there's NO way you can succeed💊💊💊

BUT c'mon dude.  Just because you did think about it does NOT mean that that's TRUE at all.  Who knows at that point in time, your thoughts may be distorted, inaccurate or just downright WRONG.  Remember, HOPELESS FEELINGS FUEL HOPELESS THOUGHTS.  And as humans, we are so vulnerable and so easy to get caught up in a NEGATIVE CYCLE that makes it hard to see that things can get better.

So, how can you be your own devil's advocate?  ARGUE THE OPPOSITE.  When you feel HOPELESS, you'll likely think about all the reasons why nothing will ever get better.  Thinking a bit about the 'POTENTIAL POSITIVES' can open you up to more possibilities.  And while there's a chance that things might NOT turn out good enough, keep 'ARGUING' [to yourself] to open your brain up that things are NOT as gloomy as they seem to be.  OVERCOMING DESPERATION is not that steep❗❗❗

Is Your Cupboard Emptying Soon?

 Is Your Cupboard Emptying Soon?

No sirrrrrs, much as we want our cupboard to be full up to the rafters, that would have been a happy problem.  But WHAT IF your cupboard is emptying soon?  Obviously, human nature will tell us that that should NOT be a burning question.  BUT here's the BUT.  If you want to be PROACTIVE and be a STEP AHEAD, being alerted or worse alarmed at that point in time will be the best time for you to chart your NEXT MOVES.  That can never be deemed early enough

Let's go back to our households and take a reality check.  How often are you 'on your toes' enough to alert you to 'TOP UP' the cupboard before it gets emptied?  How many times did you realized that your own 'life cupboard is almost empty' and you had to run out and scamper for a quick fix?  What causes these scenarios?  It is when we are dependent on someone else instead of us taking charge of things📕📗📘

BTW, in our life cupboard, there are various sizes for the cups and mugs.  And we've got to fill it up and 'TOP UP'.  Have you ran out of monies in the past before you became aware that you were almost penniless?  Have you ran out of energy as you felt zapped at work when in fact you have been doing the same work everyday not until you felt you had an EMPTY TANK

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Ever imagined driving with an almost EMPTY TANK?  UNLESS the fuel tank got severely damaged while you were driving, there is just NO excuse for you to drive with an almost EMPTY TANK.  WHY?  Because it is your natura; responsibility [way before you started your journey] to have estimated the capacity of your FUEL TANK and mapped it versus your consumption estimation.  From there, you are able to figure out when you need to 'TOP UP'

Whether it's all about EMPTY BOTTLES or EMPTY TANK, either way is a NO-NO in life.  WHY?  Because when your cupboard gets [almost] emptied, the ramifications are serious enough [and sometimes tragic] because everything grounds to a halt.  Everything gets stalled.  Imagine a car that conked out in the midst of the parched lands across the Arizona deserts?  You've got to call 911.  If you're a pilot, you would radio 'MAYDAY MAYDAY'.  So, is your cupboard emptying soon❗❗❗

Misunderstandings May Just Worsen

Misunderstandings May Lead to 'WAR'

Let me share this short story I came across from Quora.com today:  A married couple was walking through a garden when suddenly a dog ran towards them.  Instantly, the hubby lifter his wife to let the dog bite him instead of his wife.  Then the dog stopped before them , barked a bit then ran away.  The hubby then put his wife down, expecting a hug and a few kind words.  Instead, wifey said:  "I'VE SEEN PEOPLE THROW STONES & STICKS AT DOGS BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I SEE SOMEONE TRYING TO THROW HIS WIFE AT A DOG".  Indeed,  Misunderstandings May Worsen'

Apologies, we DON'T intend to sow discontent or rub salt on open wounds, if any.  Instead, we'd like to highlight that NOT all conflicts and quarrels really started 'BIG TIME' as full-blown ones.  Quite often, it could be either petty, minor or differences in preferences or opinions.  What exacerbates things are words [and expletives] that get spewed out during exchanges that get heated up as it worsens.  Top it off with emotions.  VOILA, that's the best recipe to start a fire that can spread out much faster than the bushfires in the Australian Outback💹💹💹

Gadgets?  Yes gadgets are often complicit in almost all arguments that flare up into full-blown fires.  Why?  Because these gadgets become the very tools and medium where protagonists will spew out all their boiling emotions translated into the harshest words ever.

Nope sirs, boats are NOT complicit. unlike gadgets.  But why are they in the equation?  It's because more often, two warring parties may be looking at the same thing from different perspectives.  It's like he can go HIS WAY and I'll go MY WAY.  And why can two people be unable to come to terms?  Call it hard-core STUBBORNESS that refuses to give up any quarters💚💗💙

What gets lost in the middle of all the friction and disconnects are the mindsets for conciliatory words and actions. positive words that will help cool down sans the 'boiling point' emotions. Dude, be wary when MISUNDERSTANDINGS MAY JUST WORSEN [unless you fix it lightning quick]💎💎💎

FOFO [Fear of Finding Out] - Our Incognito Enemy

FOFO [Fear of Finding Out] - Our Incognito Enemy

Please DON'T get me wrong.  We're not hear to concoct or create imaginary enemies.  BUT truth is, we do have 'enemies' in our life and some of our 'enemies' are very much internal and worst, UNSEEN at that.  And FOFO [Fear of Finding Out], Our Incognito Enemy, is our piece today as FOFO is defined as the "PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIER THAT STOPS A PERSON FROM LEARNING MORE ABOUT A POTENTIAL PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID OF THEY'LL DISCOVER"💊💊💊

As FOFO became familiar in the medical field, there was an increasing number of patients who needed to be treated due to FOFO.  So, going back into our life, why and when do we experience FOFO?  Real-life examples of FOFO

1. Avoiding honest/deep/frank conversations
2. Shunning critical feedback about yourself
3. Refusing to reassess a critical situation
4. Turning a BLIND EYE on a deteriorating relationship mired with constant quarrels
   
   BTW, only an ostrich is entitled to bury its head because it has to dig shallow holes that will serve as nests for their eggs.  BUT for us?  At the very least, it will be a scare once you exhibit those FOFO manifestations so the immediate question is, what's our antidote to FOFO?  Tap ypur emotional intelligence.  Emotions like FEAR occur almost instinctively so you CAN'T control how you feel when they hit.  BUT you can control HOW you react to those feelings
   
   You might get mixed up. Doesn't the FEAR you're experiencing influence the thoughts you're having?  Indeed yes BUT while you CAN'T prevent a negative thought from entering your mind, you CAN control how long you dwell on it.  So, how do we really deal with FOFO?  First option, you can allow the emotion to control you
5. 
   Second option is you can take control of your thoughts which may likely influence your emotions.  Between those two options, the second options the emotionally intelligent one.  So, if you're dealing with FOFO, never forget that YOU HAVE A CHOICE and DON'T let your FEAR control you, rather, you can take control of your fear by taking control of your thoughts.  No easy way out but it can be done❗❗❗

Come To Grips With What You Have Right Now

Come To Grips With What You Have Right Now

Is this worth our piece for today?  That is, how to Come To Grips With What You Have Right Now.  Before we get bogged down with semantics, let's admit it that we humans have a bit of a problem with reality.  We experience it all the time but struggle to define it, let alone understand it.  Sometimes, it seems solid enough and yet when we examine it much closer, it seems to 'MELT AWAY' like a mirage.  We DON'T know when it began, how big it is, where it came from and where it came from and where it is going and very likely we DON'T have the slightest clue why it exist📌📌📌

Nevertheless, our desire to understand reality seems part of our nature and indeed we have come a long way.  What was once explained in terms of 'divine creation' is now even in the purview of science.  Over the past two centuries [if my number crunching is good enough], we have peeled back to the layers of REALITY even if we are still NOT entirely sure what we have revealed💹💹💹

If anything, that mystery only seemed to have deepened more.  We are now at a point where it is equally credible to claim that REALITY is entirely dependent on subjective experience or entirely independent of it.  REALITY has, in fact, never felt so UNREAL.  Once we delve into the latest ideas about REALITY, from our own everyday experience to the fundamental physics that seeks to describe the true nature of the 'cosmos'.  BTW, those ideas can be so dizzying but there seems no greater challenge than for us to grasp REALITY.

But let's not be lost in the maze of REALITY because it is such a big and bewildering concept.  Which could be an abstract way of saying 'EVERYTHING THAT THERE IS'.  And if we all have a common stumbling block, it is that DENIAL that presents itself as our defense mechanism.  As DENIAL involves ignoring the REALITY of a situation to avoid anxiety, defense mechanisms are strategies that people use to cope with distressing feelings💎💎💎

BUT if indeed you are in DENIAL, it often means that you're struggling to accept something that seems overwhelmingly stressful.  And while in the short-term, that defense mechanism can have a purpose, it will likely allow you to have time to adjust to a sudden change in your REALITY.  By giving yourself time to adjust to a SUDDEN CHANGE in your REALITY, you may be able to COME TO GRIPS WITH WHAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW💊💊💊