Let's Welcome 2024 With LESS DISTRACTIONS

Let's Welcome 2024 With LESS DISTRACTIONS

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR to us all !  Yes please, Let's Welcome 2024 With LESS DISTRACTIONS.  Unfortunately, in this age of DISTRACTIONS, attention is a luxury.  Our modern life is indeed an endless cycle of DISTRACTIONS and meaningless tasks.  The demands on our time can quickly overwhelm us and leave us feeling depleted📗📙📘

Now, let's look back on year 2023.  Can you even remember the last time WHEN you were able to put 100% FOCUS into the work you were doing without letting a single distraction interrupt you?  CAN'T quickly remember, right?  NOT to worry about.  This is a problem with all of us.  We tend to FOCUS on WHAT TO DO and thus neglecting WHAT NOT TO DO.  BTW there can be hundreds of disruptions BUT let's FOCUS on the most common DISTRACTIONS📌📌📌

Let's start off with the most IRRITATING DISTRACTION which is the NOTIFICATION.  You're working, totally focused.  Suddenly, a NOTIFICATION pops up in your phone.  Then another TING, TING TING.  One after the other.  Non-stop in fact.  Then you glance at your phone.  And you are like, 'I AM FOCUSED, I WON'T GET DISTRACTED'.  Then a few more NOTIFICATIONS arrive.  And a few more.  That's it😈😈😈

So, that's it. You stopped working then and there you are, you start checking all the NOTIFICATIONS one after the other.  SOUNDS FAMILIAR?  Yes we're all in that same boat [regardless if you're now working onsite or working from home].  Eventually, it is your work that gets hampered, right?  Can we now realize the ramifications of these DISTRACTIONS☝☝☝

Besides NOTIFICATIONS, be cautioned of consuming CHEAP CONTENT.  Remember, the CONTENT you watch shapes up your mind.  On the other hand, CONTENT which is inspiring, insightful and growth-oriented builds a great mind for you.  WHEREAS, CONTENT which includes HATE, celebrity gossip, and sheer NEGATIVITY builds a mind that becomes the reason for that DISTRACTION turning as your DESTRUCTION.  HAPPY NEW YEAR💥💥💥

How About A Year-ender Insecurity Check!

How About A Year-ender Insecurity Check!

As today is the last day of 2023, how about we do an Insecurity Check [PLEASE].  This is NOT to be witch-hunting but we'd like to grab this opportunity to do a PULSE CHECK so that, if ever, we can do a REBOOT & RESET when 2024 kicks-in tomorrow.  Note that we're NOT trying to cause a SCARE here because feeling INSECURE is our natural, problematic behavior which can worsen if left UNCHECKED💴💷💵

What's potentially alarming, though, is that INSECURE types are extremely risk averse and unproductive.  At worse, some can be downright nasty OR display abusive behaviors.  Not to pin down on ourselves BUT we got NOTHING TO LOSE if we run this SELF-CHECK [please DON'T announce this SELF-CHECK to your neighborhood and NOT even your beshies and BFFs] please💚💛💜

So, here's the tell-tale signs of INSECURITY:

• FREQUENTLY changing direction
• UNABLE to express a firm opinion
• CHRONIC inability to make decisions
• OVERLY concerned of what others think
• CONSTANTLY seemingly busy even if not
• PUTTING others down for his own interest
• PARANOID meddlers for others to question practically every move or act they do

Quite a list of manifestations here but let's focus on the LOW-HANGING stuff.  And researches show that one of the key reasons INSECURE types stay that way is because they are afraid to say NO to people.  So, you might wonder, WHAT's wrong with saying YES to each request by others to you❌❌❌

So WHAT's our takeaway today?  Simple.  Each time you say YES to someone else at the expense of yourself, it is AS IF you're telling your mind that WHAT you want ISN'T that important.  If this becomes a habit, it SHOULDN'T be surprising when your mind DOESN'T value itself anymore.  Want to feel more SECURE?  Learn to stand up for yourself.  Here's hoping you hurdled your INSECURITY CHECK and your 2024 will be much better than 2023. HAPPY NEW YEAR❗❗❗

Should Forgetfulness Bother Us?

Should Forgetfulness Bother Us?

Should Forgetfulness Bother Us?  No sirrrrrs.  And DON'T even suddenly entertain thoughts about ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder] because that is a totally different narrative.  For our thread today, let's keep things simple as we dissect FORGETFULNESS literally either as a manifestation OR as a consequence BUT nothing more than that❎❎❎

Forgot your grocery list?  CAN'T find your car keys?  CAN'T remember the name of your gym trainer?  YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  Everyone forgets things once in a while.  I am GUILTY of that a zillion times.  Nevertheless, memory loss, even fleeting ones, should NOT be taken lightly.  Although there are NO guarantees when it comes to preventing memory loss, good grief, there are practical tips openly shared to us by studies and experts, and it WON'T even cost you a penny.  NO medicines.  NO eBooks.  NO therapy❌❌❌

The most common and practical advice is for us to be physically active EVERY DAY.  Experts advise that physical activity raises blood flow to our whole body, including the brain.  This might help keep our memory sharp.  Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of either aerobics or at the very least brisk walking every week BUT if you DON'T have the time, try a few 10-minute walks throughout the day💟💟💟

Very close to the heels of one's PHYSICAL ACTIVITY is to STAY MENTALLY ACTIVE.  Just as physical activity keeps your body in shape, activities that engage our mind help keep our brain in shape.  And those activities might help prevent some memory loss.  Even doing crossword puzzles.  Reading.  Playing games.  You DON'T need to BREAK THE BANK❗❗❗

As we bid adieu to 2023, let us NOT be that penny-conscious because we have little-little kinks in life which we can sort out and fix even sans $$$$$$$$.  And except for assets and debts, looking after our HEALTH starts with being mindful with seemingly harmless manifestations like 'WHERE DID I PLACE THE KEY?'  WHAT's our takeaway today?  Clear up that path we need to thread of the little-little debris because down the road [even before reaching the next fork and the next-next fork], there will be likely BIGGER things to clear up in our life journey.  Meanwhile, allow me to fervently hope that you and your families will reap more fruits of your labor this 2024.  HAPPY NEW YEAR🎉🎉🎉

Walking, Walking, Walking

Walking, Walking, Walking

Walking, Walking, Walking.  No sirrrrs, I'm NOT aiming to be a self-proclaimed HEALTH guru BUT instead, just sharing whatever tidbits I do pick up along the way.  Oh yes, as my gift to myself [at least for today], I DON'T need to exert efforts for our thread today because surely, everyone is onboard when we hear over and over again Walking, Walking, Walking📗📙📘

Before I get accused of 'doublespeak', I need to be transparent that even as we speak, I CAN'T claim that I do WALK, WALK, WALK regularly BUT again, NO excuses.  Mea culpa.  I DIDN'T have that burning commitment to my HEALTH through the years. I WON'T pass the buck and blame it on the culture I grew up BUT that's a given as I grew up in a culture of FUN and FOODS GALORE.  Where communities will celebrate even with the slightest reason to celebrate.  FOODS and DRINKS all mattered, in the spirit of 'COOPERATION'💵💴💷

And here's a soft touch to WALKING.  While WALKING for 30 minutes daily is a great way to improve your HEALTH, IF you CAN'T manage 30 minutes daily [hey dude, we NEVER run out of reasons WHY we CAN'T spare 30 minutes, right?], even SHORT WALKS more frequently will be beneficial to your HEALTH.  As the adage goes, SOMETHING is better than NOTHING📌📌📌

If you 'Google search', there are zillion search results from 5 to 10 to 20 to 100s of WALKING benefits.  Regardless of those numbers, allow me to share some of the benefits I got from my 'Google search':

• REDUCED risk of heart disease & stroke
• INCREASED heart & lung fitness
• IMPROVED conditions in hypertension
• IMPROVED relief in diabetes
• IMPROVED high cholesterol situation

Let's be brutally frank here [as I've been GUILTY of this a zillion times].  IF we DON'T have our own 'BUY-IN' into something, we will have a thousand reasons WHY we CAN'T pursue something.  Problem is, in life, we are constantly in motion.  Even if there was a 2-week holiday breaks for students and government employees, there was NO single day WHEN we found ourselves idle and left twiddling our fingers while engaged in social media way beyond our eye soreness and fatigue.  As 2024 ushers in, please consider WALKING, WALKING, WALKING✅✅✅

DON'T Mess Around With Your Health

DON'T Mess Around With Your Health

DON'T Mess Around With Your Health.  I think, while this is not debatable, this may be the best time to discuss during this 2023 year-ender.  Because frankly, while HEALTH is the top-priority in First World countries, sadly that does NOT seem to be the case in Third World countries.  NOT because they DON'T want though📗📙📘

In the spirit of the upcoming New Year, please allow me to have a 'lighter blog' for today and I'm sharing this blog from Tom Ryugo [from Quora.com 12.23.23]:

Joe went to see his doctor one day because his elbow was hurting. The doctor asked him to provide a urine sample.

“Why should I provide a urine sample?”, asked Joe. “It’s my elbow.”

“I have a new laboratory analyzer that can diagnose any ailment with a urine sample”, answered the doctor. With that, he took the urine sample. Ten minutes later, the doctor returned and said “You’ve got tennis elbow. You need to rest it.”

Joe went home and got an idea. He got his wife to pee in a sample bottle. The his daughter peed in it. So did his son. Then he got the dog to pee in it. Then he put a few drops of motor oil from his car in it. Finally, Joe beat off and ejaculated in the bottle. The next day, Joe took the bottle back to the doctor and asked if his machine could diagnose what was wrong.

Half hour later, the doctor returned. “OK wise guy,” said the doctor. “Your wife has VD, your daughter is pregnant, your son is gay, your dog has mange, your car is going to blow a gasket, and if you don’t stop beating off, your tennis elbow won’t get better.”😁😁😁

Seriously, many years ago, I never took seriously those laboratory blood tests NOT until my doctor-friend alerted me that I better be serious.  Today, I'll be the first one to push everyone to be proactive in managing their health.  HOW?  Take regular Lab Tests as prescribed by your personal doctor.  NOT to discriminate doctors BUT you're guaranteed to be given an almost 100% focus if you're consulting the same doctor even for your proactive health monitoring [instead of consulting a new doctor each time you need to].  WHY not, right❓❓❓

HEALTH-related problems we're saddled across cultures and countries are just one too many.  Mental Health.  Obesity & Overweight.  Substance abuse.  Physical activity and nutrition.  Any of these problems by itself could just lead us to the problems at the surface.  Wait till your doctor advises you to take Lab Tests and hold a deep breath for the results because that should give you a clearer picture of the path you will be leading to😂😂😂

I am NEVER and WON'T ever claim to be an expert when it comes to health and medical advice BUT multiple studies show that the TOP 2 major illnesses claiming hundreds of thousands [even running up to millions] are cardiovascular problems and diabetes itself.  This is NOT an alarm but more of a WAKE-UP call for us, hoping we take proactive steps this 2024❗❗❗

The SMALLEST ACTIONS YIELD THE GREATEST RETURNS

When Things Come Back To You

Most people know about KARMA, which translates to:  WHAT YOU GIVE OUT, YOU GET BACK IN THE SAME FORM.  That being said, are you giving attention to WHAT you are projecting in terms of your thoughts, words, feelings, and actions?  It is a universal law that you REAP WHAT YOU SOW.  Moreover, you are a reflection of your predominant thoughts, beliefs, words, and actions.  You are WHAT you think about and you receive according to your predominant thoughts.  HOW ABOUT GIVING OUT WHAT YOU MOST WANT TO GET BACK?  Do you want more LOVE?  Give out an abundance of LOVE.  Do you want people to CARE about you?  Spend more time showing people you CARE.  The SMALLEST ACTIONS YIELD THE GREATEST RETURNS💵💴💷

Truth is, LIKE ATTRACTS LIKE.  That should be as clear as the water in social media.  Whatever you want in your life, focus on that and you will likely receive ore of the same in return because it is a universal principle.  You can have WHAT you want in your life.  Your desires can come true  IF they are realistic and you understand the principles involved to get them.  The MATERIALISM of your desires is NOT magic.  Instead it is based on universal laws.  Bottom line is, I have to admit that I do WALK THE TALK despite my frailties and all my faults, I fully subscribe to all these📗📙📘

Through the years, if there is one thing I fully embraced is exactly NOT just wishing GOOD for others but in my own modest ways, to extend in whatever form and shape how I can influence and help that 'WISH GOOD' for others will come into fruition.  Once I step out of home, my mantra is always to treat people on even keel.  Our company driver, security personnel or even janitorial people are NO less than me, than us.  Even for out of town sorties, I can share my room with our company driver, share a meal with them on the road, and treat them in the way I want to be treated💎💎💎

GIVING itself is something that endears much to me, to my values.  Not to beat my chest but we have shared valuable home assets to less fortunate people because we felt that they deserve to be uplifted in their daily life and our humble sharing would hopefully help alleviate their day-to-day situations in life✅✅✅

In concrete terms, do you want more success?  Write it down, journal it, and get clear on what ROCKS YOUR BOAT.  Spend more time thinking about these things.  Do you want more money flowing into your life?  I am NO magician but we can encourage you to maintain a prosperity consciousness and simultaneously sow into other people's lives that are in need.  Entertain thoughts of LOVE & COMPASSION while focusing your attention on your desires.  The SMALLEST ACTIONS YIELD THE GREATEST RETURNS❗❗❗

When You Struggle On The Bases

When You Struggle On The Bases

How often do we struggle with feelings of UNWORTHINESS?  To avoid a mix-up, let's align that SELF-WORTH is far different from SELF-ESTEEM.  You could be happy in life BUT you might have that deep sense that something was wrong with YOU?  Heard of those who would mix it up in parties, then enrolling in dance and yoga classes, then enrolling in MBA classes, all these When You Struggle On The Bases📗📙📘

BUT did you hear sad narratives that tell us that NONE OF THOSE WORKED.  THAT busyness, THOSE parties.  THOSE MBA classes.  Even THOSE relationships, they were nice for a moment BUT they did not last.  What do studies tell us?  Let us cultivate unconditional SELF-WORTH and embrace yourself, then you'll realize that that new path is liberating, enlivening and life-giving.  So, UNCONDITIONAL SELF-WORTH is the sense that you deserve to be alive, to be loved and cared for💴💷💵

Now, to ensure we DON'T mix-up SELF-WORTH with SELF-ESTEEM, the latter is derived from our abilities, accomplishments and social positions and stuff we believe and we can achieve.  We can then improve our SELF-ESTEEM by improving our skills or performance, then our SELF-ESTEEM goes up and down depending on how we're doing💎💎💎

WHEREAS, SELF-WORTH is distinct from our abilities and accomplishments.  It's NOT about comparing ourselves to others BUT it's NOT something that we can have more or less of.  Unconditional SELF-WORTH is that sense that you deserve to be alive, to be loved, to be cared for, to take up space✅✅✅

Adverts tell us we need to buy things to be LOVED.  Our educational system teaches us that our WORTHINESS is based on our grades or test scores.  Our parents may have implied that they would love us more IF we made it to the honor roll.  And as social media pervades our lives, we have also begun to feel that our WORTHINESS is based on the number of FOLLOWERS and LIKES we get !@#$% So what keeps us from cultivating unconditional SELF-WORTH especially WHEN WE STRUGGLE ON THE BASES❗❗❗

Why Life Gets MISERABLE?

Why Life Gets MISERABLE?

Why Life Gets MISERABLE? Good question folks.  Many studies tell us that a big chunk of factors that make our life MISERABLE is our very own selves.  And there are three [3] theories that precisely describe the nature of man.  A lot of people believe that if someone behaves a particular way, it is because they were conditioned like that.  Those theories related to genetics, psychic and even environmental.  For genetics, let's say you have a 'HIGH TEMPER', people will assume that it's in your DNA.  My gosh, since your grandparents were like that, you inherited being short-tempered💴💷💵

On the other hand, PSYCHIC reasons explain that one's childhood experiences have shaped your entire adult life and that your UPBRINGING was done in such a way that you are now afraid to be in large groups and that you CAN'T afford to make mistakes, else you would feel terribly guilty about it.  The third one related to ENVIRONMENTAL says that the ENVIRONMENT is the reason why you behave that way like, 'THAT BRATTY TEEN DID THIS TO ME' or 'MY MEAN BOSS DID THIS TO ME' or 'MY SPOUSE DID THIS TO ME'📗📙📘

Studies show that while we humans are reactive, WE CAN CHOOSE NOT TO.  A subject of a research had a history of torture as a Jew during World War II so obviously, he could NOT do anything about what happened to him in the past BUT he could change the way he perceived and responded to his surroundings.  He had the freedom to choose his response.  BUT when he realized that he could choose NOT to be miserable, everything changed.  BUT that required a hell lot of strength💎💎💎

That experience made people realize the fundamental nature of a man.  THAT between stimulus and response, man has the FREEDOM TO CHOOSE.  And that's WHAT makes us PROACTIVE.  Humans are different from animals because they can choose their response to circumstances.   They can choose to take RESPONSIBILITY [or NOT]❌❌❌

As humans have independent will and self-awareness, we can use our imagination to create things beyond reality.  We have that CONSCIENCE that guides us through what is RIGHT versus WRONG.  Of course, NO one is saying that it's easy.  Becoming PROACTIVE is the hardest thing to do WHEN you have been conditioned to REACT [and worse, BLAME or CRITICIZE your grandparents, parents or the environment].  BUT there is always that possibility for us to REPROGRAM ourselves.  Sadly, a lot of people are playing the 'BLAME GAME', like 'YOU AND I DID THAT, and THAT'S THE REASON FOR OUR MISERY'.  So, WHY LIFE GETS MISERABLE❓❓❓

When Things Get Interesting In Life

When Things Get Interesting In Life

We all find our lives becoming a little dull sometimes, the days can become mundane and we seek something more interesting .  Nobody hopes to look back on their lives and reminisce fondly about how BORING it was.  Now given our issue [if NOT a problem] at hand, WHAT's our FIX? Make Things Get Interesting In Life and no less than that.  And that's when we should consider that variety is more than just a spice of life because it expands our experience and makes our lives more fulfilling📌📌📌

Unfortunately, what's the harsh reality especially if we're into urban living within the metro areas.  Many of us are then bound to tight and overwhelming schedules that leave little, if at all, room for even an adventure.  The flip side of things, though, leads us to the GOOD NEWS that making your life more INTERESTING is easy if you are willing to veer away, at least slightly, from the norms💴💷💵

Some very simple yet practically fun ways I picked up along the way starts with you greeting the next dawn.  Prepare for that moment picking out a view point and think how things usher a a new beautiful day.  Stepping out of your home, literally try other paths, even those narrow alleys.  Take that conscious effort.  Then plan a 'ME' time.  If that means driving for a mini road trip by yourself or hopping for a quick local tour [yes, even for locals, ironically, it makes sense]💎💎💎

Then, let's go on to online streaming.  Tired of listening to the same old song?  Apps like SPOTIFY [I'm sorry this is NOT a commercial pitch] allows users to preview different artists and listen to entire albums for FREE.  SPOTIFY can also give suggestions for other music based on the genres you enjoy most.  WHO knows where this quest will you to✅✅✅

Oh yes, go for a digital detox at least for half of a day, meaning the whole daytime.  Much as social media is now embedded in our daily lives, at best it is still a PASSIVE activity.  Instead, browse for news and entertainment, even if that leads you to Hollywood stuff.  Our takeaway here is that our life should NOT be that routinary, that boring, that predictable one day-in day-out.  If you're grinding hard to earn monies, you deserve more WHEN THINGS GET INTERESTING IN LIFE❗❗❗

Should AMBITION Give Way To Continuous Improvements?

Should AMBITION Give Way To Continuous Improvements?

Should AMBITION Give Way To Continuous Improvements? Or is the other way around?  Truth is, fostering a healthy level of ambition is NOT easy and amidst so much uncertainty prevailing in our life, it may seem like a low priority.  BUT do consider hitting the 'PAUSE' button as it has been in most of our lives.  And that leads us to a wonderful time to step back and do a self-reflection💴💷💵

What is essential is doing the balancing act between AMBITION and setting realistic GOALS.  So, it all boils down how you approach your goal setting.  Deciding on the GOALS that will contribute to your life's vision and genuinely make a difference is what matters most.  WHAT is most important is that one's GOALS are relevant to our own AMBITIONS, and NOT someone else's📗📙📘

Let's just be mindful of common mistakes when setting GOALS.  And the most common one is SETTING TOO MANY GOALS.  While it's natural to have lots of things we want to achieve, it is crucial that we're selective with our GOALS.  Setting too many goals at once will result in you ending up in a MULTITASKING situation to try and work towards them all at once💎💎💎

And when your attention is being pulled in so many different directions, it's likely we'll end up with a mediocre job instead of one great job.  And once you laid out each of your GOALS, break each goal into smaller steps.  And so as you DON'T stumble right at the starting line, endeavor to set a minimum baseline for ambitious GOALS✅✅✅

Along the way, take time to reflect on GOALS you didn't meet or achieve.  Let's face it, some GOALS are hard to achieve, for whatever reasons.  And that self-reflection might be an opportunity for you to reconsider tweaking that goal into a CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT initiative because the foundations have been laid out.  This is where AMBITION may give way to CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS📌📌📌