Are You Being DRAGGED DOWN?

Are You Being DRAGGED DOWN?

Yesirrrrrs we are all aware of the LAW of GRAVITY and we can't defy it.  But that's NOT our thread for today.  Instead, we'd like to tackle whenever we go up against GRAVITY, Are You Being DRAGGED DOWN? Absolutely, various circumstances can really cause to get us DRAGGED DOWN.  And here's the challenge.  We need to figure out those DRAGGING us DOWN which we CAN control versus the uncontrollable ones.  And the damn GOOD NEWS to us all is that, YES WE CAN have countermeasures to 'nip in the bud' many factors that may seem to DRAG us DOWN in life⏳⏳⏳

BTW, can you guess WHO is the #1 culprit who can DRAG us DOWN over and over again?  You bet, that one DRAGGING us DOWN is our own self.  Does this sound familiar, when we get that habit of 'making excuses' because it is that kind of narrative that defines us.  If we create an empowering story about life, and what we will do with it, it will become our reality.  However, if we cannot change our own narrative, then a negative narrative consumes us, that will DRAG us DOWN 📌📌📌

If there is anything we got to realize, it is the fact that our negative stories will NEVER inspire us.  They DON'T help us to reach our potential or break through our fears.  Instead, they keep us SAFE but that seems NOT to be a GOOD SAFE because it seems a SAFE that is unsettling because we aren't living what we could otherwise live if we'd take risks.  In short, there is a long list of controllable  things DRAGGING us DOWN caused by us❗❗❗

 Now let's rattle off those that we instigate to DRAG us DOWN.  WHEN we say, OH I DONT HAVE THE QUALIFICATIONS, SO I CAN'T EARN A DECENT INCOME or I'M TOO OLD TO START or I'M WORRIED EVERYONE WILL LAUGH AT ME or I'M TOO BUSY or I'M WAITING FOR THE RIGHT TIME or IT'S TOO DIFFICULT or THEY MADE IT BECAUSE THEY'RE DIFFERENT and so on.....💊💊💊

So, can we be on the same page and agree that give up nursing hopes to turnaround people DRAGGING us DOWN because we have a long list of NO-NOs where we our own selves are the very culprit causing us to get DRAGGED DOWN.  If only we can rectify all the NO-NOs we ourselves are causing, then we would have won half the battle in our life✅✅✅

'FLASH IN A PAN', Anyone?

'FLASH IN A PAN', Anyone?

More for alignment, let's agree what 'FLASH IN A PAN' is.  Some believe that 'FLASH IN A PAN' did originate during the Gold Era when miners would pan for gold.  And many failing time and again all in hopes for that one-off, 'FLASH IN A PAN'.  In the film industry, it would refer to films that were either a success or marginally successful.  Either way, no one expects that film to hit the 'BOX OFFICE' level of expectations📌📌📌

Regardless of how the expression 'FLASH IN A PAN' came about, the underlying meanings symbolize similar transitions in which SUCCESS was sought and FAILURE occurred.  In real life, you can ask me if I've been a 'FLASH IN A PAN' [even once].  I'm sorry to disappoint anyone expecting me to give an affirmative reply because frankly, I've never been a 'FLASH IN A PAN' because to me, living life like a 'FLASH IN A PAN' borders on the absurd.  I would rather fail than pursue my life like a 'FLASH IN A PAN' 💎💎💎

So let's rattle off some behaviors and manifestations that are akin to 'FLASH IN A PAN'.  WHEN you extend a helping hand without being sincere.  WHEN you work for the sake of impressing your boss or your client.  WHEN you profess your love to a girl you're wooing EVEN IF you DON'T mean it.  WHEN you pursue your commercial/business initiatives, seemingly to enamor and lure your customers but with NO deep-seated customer-centricity.  Those are NO LESS akin to a 'FLASH IN A PAN' 📘📙📗

Even during those years when I was active in the job market out there, I readied up myself for grueling interviews but I can assure you that those efforts were NEVER a 'FLASH IN A PAN'.  In truth, if your specific performance or delivery is a 'FLASH IN A PAN', it becomes unlikely you can replicate it given a REPEAT of the situation❗❗❗

Even greeting your next-door neighbor come next morning should and need NOT be a 'FLASH IN A PAN'.  When we go on to live our life, what really matters is the aspects of genuineness and sincerity.  Take away those criteria, you're akin to a dead fish in a waterless aquarium.  With me now facing the mirror, I can claim with a clean slate that the first reason I'm still very much relevant is because in any endeavor I pursued, I ensured that every single effort was exerted with genuine sincerity.  Not to frighten the 'chameleon-like' creatures, 'FLASH IN A PAN' will NOT PAN out [no pun intended]✅✅✅

Just Stop OVER-THINKING, Period

Just Stop OVER-THINKING, Period

Anyone OVER-THINKING?   Yesirrrrrrrrrs, I 'WAS' guilty of it many times in the past.  BUT when I realized I was off-track then I thought I must Stop OVER-THINKING.  Unfortunately, this cruel world we live in, always taught us that BEING BUSY is like a BADGE OF HONOR.  It's just that so many of us define ourselves by WHAT we do.  So, we end up OVERDOING, OVERWORKING❗❗❗

BUT hey, we got zillion reasons why our BRAIN NEEDS A BREAK !  I remember in the past, once I got stuck doing a crossword puzzle, setting it aside and then later coming back to solve it after doing my chores.  BTW, that was NO accident.  It's just that our brains are LIKE sponges.  They can only SOAK up so much information before they get saturated, then drying a bit later💎💎💎

Hey, dude, our brain needs a rest now and then.  A little downtime is essential for our own health.  And studies have shown that taking BREAKS can improve our mood, boost our performance and increase our ability to put more impetus and focus on what we need to.  And when we DON'T give our mind a chance to PAUSE, it does NOT function efficiently📙📗📘

Heard of BURNOUT ?  Or CHRONIC STRESS ?  Those are just two most common manifestations arising from an overworked brain.  This reminds me of people I know up close.  Physically, they're as steady as you can see.  They're NOT even fidgety.  BUT for them to take the next move, they would spend time thinking, analyzing and over-thinking before deciding to rise up and prepare his coffee.  ISN'T that both unhealthy and unacceptable❓❓❓

Another fellow I know up close.  He's NOT your typical intellectual because he never ends up analyzing and analyzing things until he gets stuck in ANALYSIS PARALYSIS.  Before he takes the next step, his brain would seem to run through an iteration program that seems looping.  UNTIL he gets 'OVERTAKEN BY EVENTS'.  Pitifully today, it seems he has slackened in his OVER-THINKING because he's near destitute✅✅✅

How Powerful Is Your ATTITUDE?

How Powerful Is Your ATTITUDE?

In the donkey years I've interviewed job applicants, sometimes I get flustered when someone will confront me this question:  ARE YOU LOOKING FOR APTITUDE? Or ATTITUDE?  Over time, I never waivered with my response without batting an eyelash, repeatedly declaring that those are my two candidate options, I'll pick ATTITUDE over APTITUDE.  Few times I got challenged with this statement: ARE YOU SURE?  WILL YOU HIRE SOMEONE ONLY TO TRAIN HIM IF HE HAS A SHORTFALL IN HIS APTITUDE?  Without hesitation, i would always retort:  ABSOLUTELY BY ALL MEANS.   So, I hope this is NOT something we got to debate on for today but instead, let's spend time to figure out How Powerful Is Your ATTITUDE❓❓❓

Indeed, many people are trapped in NEGATIVE THINKING that leads to FEAR, FAILURE and even UNHAPPINESS.  Though they may long for greater achievements, better relationships and happier lives, they are mired in a spiral of NEGATIVE THINKING, complaining, whining and sadly, many would give up even wishing for change and settle for a boring and unfulfilling life📌📌📌

Now, frankly speaking, if that is YOU, it does NOT have to be that way.  That NOT so secret recipe for a happier and successful life is NOT to change your circumstances [because you often CAN'T] or to control what others do [because you NEVER can].  Instead, it is to CHANGE the one thing which you have absolute authority and that is spelled A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E📙📘📗

Now, it's been proven over and over again that people with a POSITIVE outlook are happier and more successful and ultimately, have greater career satisfaction, which adds up to one's life 'HAPPINESS METER'.  The reason for his is fairly simple.  Our ATTITUDE has that incredible power to shape our own life.  On the other hand, NEGATIVE THINKERS see NEGATIVITY, think NEGATIVE thoughts and develop NEGATIVE habits, ouch❗❗❗

This is NOT my bragging rights but looking back, if I had entertain any NEGATIVITY in my life, I would NOT be what I am.  Ooops obviously, I never reached the pinnacle of corporate success, e.g. to be a CEO [but frankly, both my feet are firmly on the ground and as we speak now, I can cockily admit that the power of ATTITUDE is the #1 factor that pushed my trajectory this far, this high.  That should explain as to HOW POWERFUL our ATTITUDE is✅✅✅

When Everything Turns TOPSY-TURVY

When Everything Turns TOPSY-TURVY!

Ever been in TOPSY-TURVY land?  Yes, been there, done that [and I ain't go back there if I could control it].  WHY?  Because, When Everything Turns TOPSY-TURVY, we can peruse everywhere to find a FIX but it will be akin to finding for a NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK.  What that means, the probability of finding that FIX is very low if not NIL.  But the question is, do we just raise the white flag When Everything Turns TOPSY-TURVY❓❓❓

Imagine IF/WHEN our home is a total mess, but NOT even half as messy as your life.  Then your partner/spouse ISN'T even talking to you then at the workplace, your work life seems OUT OF CONTROL and then you feel like something is missing💎💎💎

Oh oh oh, we all go through a point in our life when everything are just totally OUT OF CONTROL and the worst thing is that once you reach that point, it will be very extremely hard to know and even decide WHERE to start.  And there's both a GOOD and BAD news.  For the BAD news, things will be damn hard.  And now for the GOOD news.  Things will only get better💊💊💊

So what are our FIXES?  First off, whatever FIX we have, there is NO and there will be NO quick FIXES.  But as a first step, recognize the mess you are in.  It's easy to say that you have to take back CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE but HOW exactly will you gonna pursue that?  And if there is one right answer, most people WON'T deal with this problem for more than a minute.  Truth is, there is NONE.  So, foremost of all, recognize the problem at hand📌📌📌

As a follow-through, figure out what's OUT OF CONTROL and LET GO of it.  At that point, it often comes down to a lot of things around us that aren't going the way they are supposed to.  It can be the small things like a messy kitchen and the big things like personal relationships NOT working out OR the unpaid bills are just overflowing.  With this total mess, write down each problem and identify those that are way beyond your CONTROL and just pull a stop, dump it out the window because what matters most  unshackle the mess you have WHEN EVERYTHING TURNS TOPSY-TURVY ✅✅✅

Handling A 'Double Whammy' in FEAR + SADNESS

Handling A 'Double Whammy' in FEAR + SADNESS

FEAR itself I admit I'm afraid to manifest it.  Top it up with SADNESS, then Handling A 'Double Whammy' in FEAR + SADNESS will be seriously in question as far as I'm concerned.  But I learned [NOT so early] in life that indeed it is impossible to think clearly once we are overwhelmed with FEAR.  And that time, my high school teacher did teach us a practical way, that is, try taking TIME OFF for us to physically calm down.  It could even be as simple as distracting yourself from that FEAR for 15 minutes by walking within your perimeter area, preparing coffee or even taking a quick shower📗📘📙

Sometimes when getting into 'panic' mode becomes inevitable, BREATHE THROUGH IT, so to speak.  Let's take a real-life example when you start to get a faster heartbeat or your palms are sweating profusely [way beyond what is normal].  And if you are in the middle of a conflict, will you TAKE THE PLUNGE?  No sirrrrrs, DON'T get embroiled into a fight at that very moment.  Yes, you can feel that 'panic' mode which, to borrow the psychology jargon, it TAKES THE FEAR of FEAR away💊💊💊

Simply put, our practical approach is to help our mind get used to coping with PANIC.  On the other hand, experts have screamed in unison NOT  to avoid FEARS because avoiding FEARS only makes them scarier.  Whatever our FEAR is, once we face it, in a natural kind of evolution, it should start to fade [until you would realize that it seemed to have DISSIPATED IN THIN AIR.  An example is that FEAR of taking the elevator [or lift].  Come next day, do take that elevator [or lift] again.  Trust me, that previous FEAR which seemed like a hard rock, would gradually [or sometimes] so swiftly evaporate with little effort you are unconscious to have to have exerted any, if at all✅✅✅

How about painting 'worst case scenarios'?  In the past, there was an endlessly raging debate whether that should be a DO or a DON'T.  In the end, studies have proven that by imagining the worst case scenarios, while it may NOT be possible or just plausible, by painting the 'worst case scenarios', we will realize that eventually FEAR will 'run away'.  WHY?  And HOW?  The curt answer is thar facing things head-on is the best antidote💎💎💎

And how's the equation when SADNESS creeps in?  That should NOT be a concern because, just like typhoons and cyclones, SADNESS too shall pass.  Obviously, one will go through those phases of SADNESS but that too shall pass.  When it's way past behind us and we manage to handle FEAR [instead of FEAR taking over our life], pat yourself because you're on the precipice of handling a 'DOUBLE WAMMY' when FEAR + SADNESS ❗❗❗

STOP Worrying On Things We CAN'T Control

STOP Worrying On Things We CAN'T Control

Worrying stems from our common desire to be in CONTROL.  And we often want to CONTROL our environment within us.  OR we may want to CONTROL over the outcome of practically every situation [which is downright wishful thinking].  And the more we try to CONTROL everything around us, the more anxious we become.  Can we just STOP Worrying On Things We CAN'T Control❓❓❓

Imagine when we are trapped in that VICIOUS CYCLE to break, WORRY [to gain CONTROL], then we FAIL, then we WORRY [again].  Then the whole cycle repeats itself.  Indeed, worrying on things we CAN'T control [like someone's behavior] will drain us of that mental strength where we need to be at our best.  Sadly, this dilemma may also lead to other toxic habits [like ending up to be blaming our own self too much [or worse, even micromanaging other people]].  But we are still fortunate because we DON'T have to resign to end up as a lifelong 'worrywart' ❗❗❗

While there are many self-proclaimed experts more than willing to help extricate us from that VICIOUS CYCLE, I stumbled across two tricks [which we all need to patiently learn and develop].  First off, let's DEVELOP A REALISTIC SENSE of CONTROL.  Let us identify WHAT IS WITHIN OUR CONTROL and WHAT ISN'T.  A simple case is you can CONTROL how eye-catching the webpage you will develop but you can't CONTROL whether people will ever visit your webpage and if they, will they positively rave with regard your webpage.  If you're a manager, you can give your team members the productivity tools BUT you can't force them to be productive❎❎❎

If we are able to strike a healthy balance of CONTROL, we should realize that we can choose our own attitude and even our behavior BUT [again], we CAN'T CONTROL numerous external factors.  So, when we're faced with a problem or experiencing discomfort, let's ask ourselves, "IS THIS A PROBLEM I CAN SOLVE?  OR DO I NEED TO CHANGE HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM"?  If it is within our CONTROL, go and tackle the problem.  BUT if it's out of our CONTROL,   let us focus on changing our emotional state.  Let's adopt healthy coping skills, like engaging in a hobby or probably practicing meditation📌📌📌

Now, for our REALITY CHECK, let us 'schedule' a time to worry.  WHY?  It's because even experts will admit there isn't a magic trick or a special pill that will make you stop worrying right away.  Psychologists, however, are egging us for that psychological trick and that trick involves SCHEDULING a time to worry.  Sounds ridiculous but studies back up its feasibility.  Let's apportion that 'DOWNTIME' to worry on 'LEGIT' ones because we got to STOP WORRYING ON THINGS WE CAN'T CONTROL💎💎💎

Opinions Will Continue To Hound You

Opinions Will Continue To Hound You

Lao Tzu, the respected Chinese Philosopher way back 571 B.C. was widely quoted "CARE ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE THEIR PRISONER".  And there's no need to dissect its message because it's right there on the surface. So, Opinions Will Continue To Hound You and NOT to be judgmental, take it either either positively OR otherwise.  BUT brace yourself that predominantly, the OPINIONS will be more slanted to their favor than yours.  And the gross unfairness here lays on the fact that those OPINIONS will remain such unfettered, uninhibited and unrestrained, which when all combined, will place you on a handicap💊💊💊

When someone gives an unsolicited OPINION on you OR about you, do you feel that kind of discomfort rising inside when that someone is imparting their unsolicited OPINION?  NOT just any kind of wisdom but the one that makes you feel small and somewhat slighted?  Truth is, a covert little criticism implying that you might NOT be doing things right💎💎💎

Normally, our first reaction will be utter DISBELIEF, right?  Then DENIAL follows close to the heel.  Then, your ANGER takes over and you tend to shout from the top of your voice [sometimes STILL deep inside you].  Unfortunately, what seemed like shouting was just a thought.  That witty retort you wanted to scream at them?  And that never left your lips📗📙📘

Oh, in the end, as an afterthought, you could be saying that you only disagreed with them in your mind.  And worst of all?  After you leave the scene and mull the incident repeatedly, you begin to think they might be right.  And that's a tragedy, OH OH.  So, what's our FIX for this?  Consider injecting SELF-TRUST.  In the past, I used to believe that other people's bad OPINIONS of me DIDN'T affect me at all, so I was shocked then to discover that they literally paralyzed me and stymied my progress.  And since other people DON'T LIVE YOUR LIFE, you can only live it for yourself❗❗❗

Next off, similar to the immunizations we had during the Covid Pandemic, get 'IMMUNIZED AGAINST OPINIONS'.  So HOW?  Unravel the ball.  Like a wool of yarn, the kind of reactions you learn and display to each situation you encounter get layered and imprinted in your mind over time.  Look beyond the obvious issues to get to the very root and core of it.  Thereafter, KNOW THYSELF.  Figure out what you're good at by confirming your real strengths.  Still NOT enough?  RESET YOUR REALITY.  Thoughts become disturbing when you take them too seriously.  These are your countermoves because Opinions Will Continue To Hound You✅✅✅

Forgiveness Will LIKELY Lead Us To PEACE

Forgiveness Will LIKELY Lead Us To PEACE

Everyone would love and savor these moments when we can be just strumming the guitar to our own beat because moments like that can be translated into a five-letter word spelled P-E-A-C-E but achieving it is easier written in blogs.  Achieving the real, genuine and lasting PEACE may need us to summon the courage to extend Forgiveness as it will LIKELY Lead Us To PEACE💎💎💎

Experts have proclaimed, in unison, that FORGIVENESS could be the greatest gift we can give to our own self.  And their studies have proven that FORGIVENESS releases toxic thoughts of anger, resentment, shame, bitterness, grief, guilt, regret and hate.  WHEN someone wrongs us somehow, we might feel certain that we'll NEVER be able to get over it💊💊💊

I can share this openly.  In the past, even my immediate anger simmers down, I tend to continue dwelling on that difficult moment instead of letting it fade into memory.  That act of FORGIVING, on the other hand, can be such a powerful tool to our well-being.  When we FORGIVE someone, we choose to GIVE UP our NEGATIVE feelings regardless if that person deserves it or not✅✅✅

Further studies show that FORGIVENESS is associated with improved physical and mental health BUT let's admit it, it's NEVER easy because only our innate capacity for FORGIVENESS offers hope that it is indeed possible.  And indeed it is incredible to hear people FORGIVE.  To quote the experts, FORGIVENESS is our medicine for our body, mind and spirit [and it does NOT require any doctor's prescription]📗📘📙

So, WHY should we really FORGIVE?  Not to scare but evidence [from studies] is mounting that holding onto painful memories and bitterness will VERY LIKELY result in long-term health problems.  Run a random check across all cultures, those folks in their 80s and 90s as regards their recipe for a longer life, they will sum it all in that five-letter P-E-A-C-E as forgiveness will LIKELY Lead Us To PEACE📌📌📌

How To Keep Going In TOUGH TIMES

How To Keep Going In TOUGH TIMES

Remember those times we were on a steep uphill climb in life?  Surely, everyone went through their respective TOUGH TIMES in life.  Problem is, that is part and parcel of our life and there's NO way to ever shield or exempt us from those episodes.  What we need to face head-on is How To Keep Going In TOUGH TIMES📗📙📘

The harsh reality we continue to face is that our world itself has been lurching from one crisis to another.  After that global pandemic, which did cause dramatic changes how to conduct our daily lives, economic uncertainty has creeped in [WHO has not heard of escalating inflations in almost all countries?]. Even social and political turmoil were NOT left behind.  Then we factor in the personal traumas people also need to deal with.  Declining health, unemployment, separation/divorce or worse, even violence and accidents around💎💎💎

So indeed there is just NO WAY for us to avoid sorrow, adversity or distress in life.  BUT here's something to soften things up, HOW TO KEEP GOING IN TOUGH TIMES.  The least we can do [within our limitations] is to 'smoothen the rough waters' because it is imperative that we REGAIN CONTROL of the situation at hand.  Easier said than done but we need to better adapt to unexpected life-changing events 💊💊💊

The more difficult part is for us NOT to tag our inadequacies as a CHARACTER FLAW when sometimes we're more sensitive to emotional distress and are finding it difficult to cope with hardship OR adversity.  Our favorite character-building trait to be nourished is RESILIENCE.  It is NOT such a 'macho thing' to build RESILIENCE because that is an ongoing process that requires quite an effort to build and maintain📌📌📌

While it is often difficult to imagine anything good coming out of traumatic experiences, building RESILIENCE can help us find any [and sometimes the remaining] POSITIVES in the most difficult moments we would face.  Think of a life where the gloomy clouded skies will deter us and dampen our spirits to carry on our pursuits.  While it's NO CAKEWALK, HOW TO KEEP GOING IN TOUGH TIMES is no rocket science✅✅✅