Keep Your Chin Up!

Keep Your Chin Up!

No sirrrrrs, we're not egging you to be as proud as the peacock but you deserve to Keep Your Chin Up anytime in your life.  WHEN you flopped.  WHEN you faltered.  WHEN you blundered.  WHEN you were struggling.  WHEN you were like down at the gutter-level.  WHEN you are at your lowest point.  To Keep Your Chin Up is a step NOT to give us a misguided comfort or a bloated ego but to Keep Your Chin Up may be the clincher you need

You might challenge me as to why we need to Keep our Chin Up?  A couple of things here.  Primero, if you're deep down in crisis, who's the very first person who should egg you to get back on your feet?  It's YOU who is the primus inter pares.  Segundo, when YOU see yourself faltering over and over again, WHO else can get you back on track, except YOU? When you're struggling and barely surviving, and probably on the teeters, clutching on the very last stretched strings, WHO else can remind you to Keep your Chin Up but YOU❓❓❓

You might be itching to challenge me as to why we need to Keep our chin up!  The strongest reason for this is that even in the face of your worst adversity ever, when things caused you to FALL FLAT, and probably ending up BLACK and BLUE, you need to realize that you've gone that far because you have poured out and exerted all your efforts, albeit in failure BUT there is nothing to be ashamed of.  You lifted your finger, they did NOT📌📌📌

It's true many people out there do show up with their CHIN UP but be incisive because there should be a stark difference between the 'genuineness' of your CHIN UP versus their seemingly compelled CHIN UP that is more part of their veil of defensiveness rather than the 'genuineness' in life💊💊💊

Hey, even in strength conditioning exercises, do note that CHIN UPs are aggressively being peddled for many obvious reasons that are beneficial as a result of the strength conditioning exercises.  At the other end of the spectrum, there are outliers, having seen some who do CHIN UP but in life, they are either miserable or simply mediocre.  So, why do they CHIN UP?  That less than genuine behavior is part of their veiled and cloaked defense of the hard realities they are struggling to face or worse, to admit.  So, regardless of the blizzards of winter punishing or the sunny horizons of Florida showing up, KEEP YOUR CHIN UP💎💎💎

When You Keep ENCIRCLING, WAITING......

When You Keep ENCIRCLING, WAITING......

When You Keep ENCIRCLING, WAITING. supposedly this is NOT a 'talking point' but trust me, this really is and this deserves a space in our thread today.  WHY?  It's simply because thousands and thousands of hapless souls on our planet have been ENCIRCLING and WAITING, for their respective expectations to COME INTO FRUITION.  But is this mindset really warranted❓❓❓

Now, before get stuck with the unwarranted reasons, let's take things positively.  So, WHEN exactly is it warranted for us to keep WAITING and ENCIRCLING?  Yes we can.  WHEN there is CERTAINTY with what you're WAITING for.  WHEN there is a high probability and that thing is urgent.  WHEN the probability maybe 50-50 but this is the first time you'll be waiting, so why NOT give it a fair chance.  And last longshot reason is if your back is against the wall and you have ZERO OPTIONS left except to keep WAITING, ENCIRCLING❎❎❎

So, those are clear-cut safe baseline assumptions we can hinge but beyond that, if you still keep WAITING and ENCIRCLING, do challenge yourself because in the first place, you're NOT the pilot in command of an aircraft awaiting 'ORDERS' from the air traffic control tower.  From my gut feel, at the very least, approximately 30% of those who keep WAITING and ENCIRCLING end up empty handed💎💎💎

Grabbing this 'boring' poster is an EYE-OPENER as it CAN'T be farther from the truth, to quote. 'IN THE END, WE ONLY REGRET THE CHANCES WE DIDN'T TAKE, RELATIONSHIPS WE WERE AFRAID TO HAVE AND THE DECISIONS WE WAITED TOO LONG TO MAKE'.  To summarize this long-winded sentence in one 6-letter word, this all points to 'REGRET' when a hell lot of time has slipped past, numerous opportunities have by now dissipated and even relationships you aptly deserve end up as part of your FRUSTRATIONs💊💊💊

Of course, there is day every week I constantly waited for and that's every FRIDAY but who does NOT love FRIDAYs?  But other than superficial stuff like those FRIDAYs, anything else in life where you are contemplate to keep WAITING and ENCIRCLING should be challenged NO LESS by yourself.  You DON'T want to end up scratching your head as part of your regrets.  You DON'T want to keep learning lessons over and over again but with NO lessons applied.  Our FIX for today:  VALIDATE your decision before you to decide to keep ENCIRCLING, WAITING📌📌📌

There Is NO SHAME in Losing, ONLY In Quitting

There Is NO SHAME in Losing, ONLY In Quitting

Few months back during the 2023 NBA Playoffs, everything was being thrown to the [supposedly] respected BOSTON CELTICS Team.  WHY? Because the team itself, from the coach down to its star players, they simply QUIT, allowing MIAMI HEAT to take that 3-0 lead.  And as they say, There Is NO SHAME in Losing, ONLY In Quitting💎💎💎

Before we get lost in this exchanges and end up on the wrong side of things, one thing to be clear here is that we are NOT in the SHAMING  thing but instead, we want to push all the positivities of LOSING.  WHEN you  aspired so much in school only to fall short is NO shame.  WHEN you wooed the 'girl of your life' but fell on the wayside, that's NO shame.  WHEN you are in a competition and FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT but still lost, there's NO shame despite that sad predicament💊💊💊

Swinging back to U.S. politics several decades back when then Senator Gary Hart, the then HEAVY FAVORITE to romp off with the Democratic Party's presidential nomination re-entered in the primaries in 1987, with remorse, he still had the gumption to proclaim that 'THERE IS NO SHAME IN LOSING, ONLY IN QUITTING'.  Of course, the rest is history because within two weeks in rejoining the primary races, he withdrew from the race, all because of that DONNA RICE scandal [ironically, traced from that yacht ride in the Bahamas aboard that yacht named 'MONKEY BUSINESS'💳💳💳

Looking back when the paparazzis hounded the late Lady Diana and Dodi Fayed till their tragic death, what used to be 'DOORS CLOSED' and OFF LIMITS for journalists.  Even then, although I cannot declare myself as a 'Diana/Dodi Fan', allow me to piggy-back on what then Senator Gary Hart proudly declared in National TV that 'THERE IS NO SHAME IN LOSING, ONLY QUITTING'✅✅✅

So, dude, c'mon, roll up your sleeves, summon all the grit you have that are yet unearthed.  And never tag LOSING as a stigma because it is NOT.  I'll admit I had a few past 'LOSSES' in life but rather than deter me, that shoved and pushed me forward to just NEVER GIVE UP because as then Senator Gary Hart said, 'THERE IS NO SHAME IN LOSING, ONLY IN QUITTING❗❗❗

Your BELIEF Should Be Stronger Than Any DOUBT

Your BELIEF Should Be Stronger Than Any DOUBT

BELIEF and DOUBT are two of the most symbiotic forces that seems to encapsulize our lives through and through.  Each one tries to conquer and 'TAKE OVER' our pitiful self.  But NEVER say that to Dwayne Wade, one of the NBA's most successful players who was enshrined in the NBA HALL of FAME recently.  And to quote his most quoted one-liner:  Your BELIEF Should Be Stronger Than Any DOUBT💎💎💎

And DWAYNE WADE can beat his chest over and over again because he did overcome numerous roadblocks in his NBA career.  And some of those roadblocks, had he NOT deftly hurdled them, those roadblocks were career-ending ones.  WHEN the Miami Heat ballclub wanted to signup the great LEBRON JAMES, the latter's gargantuan contract would NOT have been accommodated by the Miami Heat UNLESS the Miami Heat had to shave off a significant chunk from its budget, else the NBA will NOT approve such signup. And there was a second potential hiccup.  DWAYNE WADE had to accept that his role in the team will be relegated because LEBRON JAMES will become the very core of the Miami Heat❗❗❗

Having said a mouthful, let us face this harsh reality.  Worst than the dreaded coronavirus, DOUBT will always be part and parcel of our lives.  Live a life, DOUBT creeps in, as early as our infancy.  And morbid as this may sound, even in our last moments when we're fighting for our life to be given a second lease of life, that DOUBT will continue to linger and persist to exist and worst, even supplant anything that is left of you, even if you are bereft of the last ounce of strength and faith in yourself.  How to FIX that?  Boost your BELIEF because that will conversely shoot down any lingering DOUBT✅✅✅

I am no Buddhist but I admire with awe the deep-seated BELIEF of Buddhists, all because their strong faith is founded in the embedded teachings of the revered Buddha.  Are you surprised or doubting how widely accepted Buddhism is?  Look far and deep into the Americas.  Count in respected American celebrities as some of the famous celebrities who converted to Buddhism, all because of their deep-seated BELIEF📌📌📌

To cap off our thread today, allow me to share this oh-so-boring black & white poster but this should throw you off your chair if until this point in time, you continue to be nursing lingering DOUBTS, probably DOUBTS on your own capabilities, DOUBTS on your chances to succeed in your endeavor, DOUBTS with regard your resilience to overcome whatever turbulences in life that may hit you, DOUBTS with regard your health, DOUBTS with regard your fortitude.  The antidote to this myriad of DOUBTS is to bolster your BELIEF no less💊💊💊

Once You PIVOT...

Once You PIVOT...

To PIVOT has been more common to hear within the sports world but to PIVOT is really happening more in our real life way beyond just the sports world.  So when You PIVOT, it means one deviates from the plan itself and generally, the most common reason to PIVOT is to either accelerate or hasten the way towards a goal or to hurdle a hump that could be a 'show stopper'💎💎💎

An analogy is the approved flight plan of all aircraft way before it takes off for its flight.  And as a ground rule, deviation is NOT a given but the pilots need to secure approvals before deviating.  To deviate is to PIVOT but the challenge here is that to PIVOT is not like a 'walk in the park' because to PIVOT, there are consequences and ramifications which often times, DON'T surface early on✅✅✅

Swinging back to basketball, Once You PIVOT, that is never part of the original game plan but the bench tacticians would give the on-court players the leeway as a workaround [when one either 'hits a wall' or potentially about 'to hit one'].  Question is, what if one does NOT PIVOT, does NOT deviate?  There is that likelihood that that player up front could end up 'hitting a wall'📌📌📌

You could ask me straight in my face:  Have I PIVOTED yet?  Yes I did pivot and I did pivot many times in my life.  NOT because I am fickle-minded.  NOT because I am NOT a good planner and executioner of my own plans.  NOT because I am vulnerable to factors that tend to bamboozle me with my plans.  NOT because I plan things poorly.  BUT in all of the times I did PIVOT, it was the best way to go in executing my plan📗📗📗

So when we PIVOT, here are the triggers.  IF your existing plan MAY likely fail.  IF your current situation seems to be iffy.  IF your current options are giving the tell-tale signs that you will end up off-tracked.  IF maintaining the STATUS QUO is NOT the best way to go for you.  At the end of the day, you may have to grab the bull by its horns when making a JUDGMENT CALL💚💛💜

Money Talks !@#$%?

Money Talks !@#$%?

Who claims that MONEY is our friend?  Everyone does, and that includes moi.  But I believe there is no place to argue that Money Talks !@#$%? But that's not our talking point though.  Instead, we'd like to whet our appetite when Money Talks.  And when does Money Talk?  As soon as Money becomes part of the equation, you can count on your fingers the probability and extent of the ramifications when Money Talks.  Couples break up. Families feud.  Corporate boardroom wars become the 'talk of the town'.  Relationships not only get strained but they end up sometimes with very depressing and sometimes sordid tales that used to be read just in fictional books.  Scenarios peppered with Money Talks scenarios would show both the flip sides of our life📌📌📌

The positive side of things, I guess there is no need to share because positive stories are always splashed all over social media in fact.  But the sad flip side of life which were consequences when Money Talks,  it's sad to share some of those narratives💊💊💊

Heard of that popular FAMILY FEUD TV program?  Not referring to that program, what we mean here is that in numerous narratives, when Money Talks, not far behind you will see a smoke billowing out from the chimney which may likely mean that at that point in time, Money Talks because when Money Talks, frictions are a common thing to happen next💎💎💎

Now, while Money Talks has led to widening gaps leading to 'burned bridges', I have personally witnessed scenarios where parties who were previously NOT on 'talking terms' suddenly reconnected and started talking when $$$$$$ funds surfaced for them to divide and share amongst themselves.  But the saddest part of things when Money Talks is when even people whose current state in life is bad 'at best' suddenly have the gumption to take unprecedented strides which they are NOT capable of.  No thanks when Money Talks✅✅✅

Much as we admit that our need for money is basic enough, there are outlier stories where and when people CHANGED OVERNIGHT, all because Money Talks.  Attitudes flip.  Character changes.  Even values and ethics end up turned upside down.  Relationship end up NOT just strained BUT ruined.  What's our FIX?  Easier said than done but it pays ensure that when Money Talks, we got to endeavor that both our feet remain firmly on the ground because when we get detached with the realities in life, we could end up off-tracked and what happens next is anybody's guess.  Lastly, when Money Talks, we earnestly hope that relationships do get negatively impacted at all❗❗❗

That Realm Of Possibility

That Realm Of Possibility

Heard of people stuck up?  Stalled? In limbo?  Neither here nor there?  With time fast fleeting while everything that is status quo prevails in one's state?  But  are we NOT supposed to be intrinsically aware of That Realm Of Possibility in life?  But thinking about it, it should NOT surprise us why some of us DON'T get looped at all in That Realm Of Possibility in life✅✅✅

Let's take a full pizza pie as an analogy.  Take a thin slice of that pie and have it as representing for everything you know, e.g. you know how to drive, how to bike, etc.  Then take another slice of pizza to represent everything you DON'T know, e.g. I DON'T know how to speak Mandarin, I DON'T know rocket science, etc❌❌❌

The rest of the pie?  Consider it to represent everything YOU DON'T KNOW THAT YOU DON'T KNOW.  Do consider that vast realm of possibility of what we DON'T know that we DON'T know as the realm of 'Divine Intelligence' where our potential resides❗❗❗

This what we need to remember when we do get stuck in our life.  Remember that something radically new and indeed magnificent is available to us but it's something we DON'T know yet.  And it does exists in the infinite and limitless realm of the 'Divine'.  And that is the place we may be 'invited' to open to as we do the visioning process.  And this is where I'm tempted to do an apples to apples to apples comparison between VISIONING and VISUALIZATION📌📌📌

While VISUALIZATION refers to selecting from that which is already in the world, it means we can VISUALIZE only that which we already know. Whereas VISIONING is opening to that 'divine inspiration' that allows us to catch something from the REALM of infinite potentiality [other than what we can currently see including those unfolding in our lives.  Which brings me back to my question, why do each of us end up fated with something unique?  The NOT so simple answer lies in the fact that there is a huge gap between VISIONING versus VISUALIZATION, which then influences and shapes up the 'END RESULTS' of each of our lifelong journeys💎💎💎

Understand How The UNDERBELLY Works

Understand How The UNDERBELLY Works

How often have we seen these days when corporate executives are enjoying the comforts of their swivel chair while they signoff this and that document?  Yes it is still happening but comparatively, that has drastically gone down by approximately 90%.  WHY?  Because these days, we need to Understand How The UNDERBELLY Works📌📌📌

Whether you're still in the academe or now at the work place or even in your commercial forays, we would hear people who describe themselves as DETAIL-ORIENTED all the time.  We also hear employers who say they need DETAIL-ORIENTED people in their teams.  And sometimes, we ourselves would indicate in our resume that we are DETAIL-ORIENTED.  So, while it's good to include that as part of your 'ARSENAL of SKILLS', what exactly does it mean?  Moreover, should we actually describe ourselves as DETAIL-ORIENTED [even if it's NOT the case]❓❓❓

Now, let's ask ourselves, what is the most common error we come across in documents amongst others?  Isn't it most of those recurring errors are those TYPO ERRORs and MISSPELLINGS?  Now, while one TYPO ERROR here and a spelling error there do NOT define you, trust me, it can be the KEY DIFFERENTIATOR between your resume heading into the queue OR the bin.  So, what is a DETAIL-ORIENTED person?  He/she is one who exercises extreme and consistent attention to DETAIL.  And they are thorough, accurate, organized and consistently focused💊💊💊

DETAIL-ORIENTED people focus on the details and eXert eXtra attention down to the little things.  Many donkey years ago, one could be a manager managing things from a macro level.  Today, as we speak, if you are a stubborn manager who will insist to manage things from a macro level, you can be led to the door come next day, that's NOT a threat❗❗❗

In the simplest terms, let's translate how to UNDERSTAND HOW THE UNDERBELLY WORKS, how to be DETAIL-ORIENTED.  Numero UNO, REMEMBER the little things.  Numero DOS, REVIEW & PROOFREAD what you did before submitting.  Numero TRES, when it comes to grammar, those combing your documents or resume are grammar geeks, so sharp when either 'THERE, THEIR or THEY'RE'.  Please do UNDERSTAND HOW THE UNDERBELLY WORKS✅✅✅

Crabs Dragging You Back

Crabs Dragging You Back 

Good day folks.  Our thread today is neither about gourmet nor culinary arts.  Moreover, I am not that of a fan when it comes to seafoods but for today, I'm tempted that we spend a bit of time about Crabs Dragging You Back [in life] because this is a stark reality happening in our life and I strongly believe it will be an outlier of a story if someone proclaims that Crabs Dragging You Back has never happened [YET] in his/her life @#$$%

So, WHEN and WHERE are Crabs Dragging Youis  Back?  It could just happen ANYWHERE ANYTIME.  Be it in school, at the workplace, in business and even in our personal relationships with our family, relatives, friends.  So WHY do Crabs Dragging You Back  really happen? For various reasons, e.g. sheer SELFISHNESS, embedded ANTAGONISM, unresolved CONFLICTS and natural COMPETITION [whether in school, at the workplace or out there in the market].  Across personal relationships, in most cases, it is the consequence arising from unresolved conflicts.  Lesson here is, where possible, resolve conflicts, else it can drag you down [till CRABS DRAG YOU]  ⏳⏳⏳

In a nutshell, it is something that is totally within our control [in fact, most of the time, it is way out of our control] Crabs Dragging You Back but tjere are steps to take that leads towards mitigating such risks.  You wanna ignore it?  Please DON'T unless you wanna PLAY WITH FIRE? BUT if you do, if you thought it will quell the fire, the fire will, in fact, just worsen💊💊💊

So, what's our proactive fix to probably 'nip in the bud' Crabs Dragging You Back?  First of, have your AWARENESS be as sharp as ever.  Just DON'T look the other way around when things happen.  Secondly, let us not be TOO cocky, TOO confident, TOO complacent because those manifestations can claim, for its record, tons and tons of casualties and victims.  Part of our human fault is to be provocative and that's the worst misstep to happen because it courts trouble and worst, it incites negativities that even veer towards Crabs Dragging You Back📌📌📌

Yessirrrrrs, we hate to ever copy this regrettable one-liner  "I DIDN'T LOSE A FRIEND, I JUST REALIZED I NEVER HAD ONE" because I can attest to these exceptions whose ROOT CAUSE[s] were traceable to Crabs Dragging You Back.  In brief, this is a situation where we can do our part to mitigate it or at the very least, soften its impact to us❗❗❗

Don't Keep Things 'BOTTLED UP' !

Don't Keep Things 'BOTTLED UP' !

No sirrrrs, our thread today is NOT about booze, drinks and wine.  It's this problem that is NOT seen or felt much on the surface simply because Things seem to be 'BOTTLED UP' !  And we're referring to the intangibles, our EMOTIONS, our FEELINGS and no more than that.  So you might wander why this serves a space in our thread today?  Precisely, it's because this dilemma is prevalent amongst us BUT if it NOT easily felt, it's simply because the fact is, it really seems Things are 'BOTTLED UP' !  Obviously, when Things are 'BOTTLED UP', even we ourselves would suddenly become oblivious, if at all, when Things seem to be 'BOTTLED UP' ❗❗❗

So, what really happens when we BOTTLED UP our feelings?  Hmmm, we all must learn how to express our emotions in a healthy way.  And the very first step is having that AWARENESS or knowing the signs that you're indeed BOTTLING UP your emotions and understanding the repercussions if that miscue continues.  So, let's assess that situation when we BOTTLED UP.  Likely, that's when we either feel worried or anxious all the time. And if you choose NOT to deal with your feelings, those BOTTLED UP emotions will likely start to creep out of nowhere💊💊💊

Let's take a real-life experience IF/WHEN you face financial woes.  Once you OPEN UP with your spouse/partner, trust me, you will feel better.  WHY?  Because you will receive the support you need, and your partner/spouse can even help in your budgeting and that happens by NOT BOTTLING UP.  Too bad some of us would resort to some unhealthy coping mechanisms when there is just one too many emotions to mask.  Other people will drink all night to forget their problems.  While a more extreme action is when some would do resort to substance abuse [simply to have that euphoric feeling]💎💎💎

Others take the worse path by expressing their negative emotions in an unhealthy way by lashing out at their loved ones.  Some even harm themselves or contemplate on suicidal thoughts when too much emotions CAN'T be handled anymore.  These unhealthy coping mechanisms will NOT do you any good as they are all self-destructive behaviors that ironically will HARM you and HURT those who care for you.  BUT we can avoid all that if we let all our emotions OUT in a healthy way✅✅✅

So what's our FIX?  Numero uno.  KNOW THE CAUSE of your negative emotions.  Create a journal, write down those struggles to increase your self awareness.  Numero dos.  TALK TO SOMEONE because that's the best way to vent out BOTTLED UP emotions.  Bottomline is, DON'T KEEP THINGS BOTTLED UP at all📗📘📙