Do We Need WILLPOWER?

Do We Need WILLPOWER?

They say that all the Gen Z's are looking for WILLPOWER day and night.  They will eat junk food for the whole day.  YET they look for WILLPOWER.  They will NOT prioritize WHAT's truly important BUT they will look for WILLPOWER.  Pardon my words but some might just make 'stupid' choices BUT they will still look for WILLPOWER. DO WE NEED WILLPOWER💴💷💵

Truthfully, WILLPOWER is the hardest path in today's crazy rough and tumble world.  You DON'T even need it.  It's just unnecessary.  Which reminds me of that RABBIT & TORTOISE story.  The rabbit DIDN'T prioritize strategy and slept a LOT.  So much so that it just forgot that things were NO more in its control.  Life is just like that.  Fine, I get it.  You crave for junk food a lot.  Just DON'T keep any junk in your home.  Then your craving will just vanish💎💎💎

Studies showed that environment outperforms WILLPOWER.  Frankly, we are advised to chase the REAL DOPAMINE.  Name it.  Sunlight.  Healthy food.  Workout.  Talking to people in person.  Studies show that they are our REAL DOPAMINE buddies because they will boost us up for the whole day.  Like if you just workout for an hour in the morning, you WON'T give a damn how you FEEL💎💎💎

Me thinks it's tough to shoot down the results of those studies on WILLPOWER because it proved that the boost in one's body is REAL.  Lying on the couch is NOT real.  It would make us an addict to DOPAMINE that turns our energy levels down, until you DON'T feel going to work❗❗❗

Let's take INSTAGRAM as an example.  You launch the app, scroll down, then things continue that way for an hour.  So you think you scrolled for an hour?  NO sirrrrs.  INSTAGRAM made you do that.  It took all your data from your behavior and made you their SLAVE.  What's our takeaway?  Studies show that WILLPOWER rarely works in today's world.  So, you just need to go for your REAL DOPAMINE buddies✅✅✅

Jealousy, Anyone?

Jealousy, Anyone?

Jealousy, Anyone? WHO has not been JEALOUS in his/her life?  Absolutely NO ONE, because we're all just humans. JEALOUSY will make us feel all kinds of things, name it.  It will make us feel as if NOTHING is going right in our life and that everyone around you is somehow much better and more capable than you.  JEALOUSY remains an essential feeling that we encounter sometimes in our lives💴💷💵

While for some the emotion surfaces a bit too easily, there are others WHO fail to feel JEALOUS, no matter how hard you try.  And sometimes we'll be wondering HOW can one NOT feel JEALOUS ever, right?  It's true.  Once you have complete FAITH IN YOURSELF, feeling JEALOUS won't be a common occurrence📗📙📘

Realizing your self-worth is necessary OR you'll be drawn to bigger chunks of NEGATIVITY gripping your life.  People WHO get JEALOUS easily, face situational problems like inability to deal with difficult circumstances in a calm manner, killing the motivational drive and many more harmful impacts.  JEALOUSY makes you feel like giving up in times WHEN and WHERE it is necessary to SUCCEED💎💎💎

It then makes you feel LESS OF A PERSON than you actually are.  Your mind begins to critically analyze everything in a VERY negative sense.  You begin doubting the actions of people around you and critic every response OR action of theirs.  From our childhood, we were taught to TRUST and LOVE people around us.  WHEREAS the actions of JEALOUS people are extremely contrary to WHAT we were taught❎❎❎

Our takeaway here is that we should always be happy with WHAT we have been blessed with, and work hard to achieve our GOALS and ambitions.  JEALOUS people tend to undermine themselves and constantly compare themselves to others.  Oh Oh, that feeling itself will destroy one's faith in themselves.  Worse, it will slowly diminish your relationship[s] and friendship[s].  Do change overnight and DUMP JEALOUSY out the window, please❗❗❗

What Can Keep Us Going

What Can Keep Us Going

Not to sound dramatic but let's paint horrifying scenarios like we're steering our ship through a wild, stormy sea.  Then the waves rear up like angry giants, crashing against your vessel.  Then, it feels like the world is throwing its worst at you, right?  Daring you to turn back.  BUT you stand firm at the helm, eyes fixed on the distant horizon.  So What Can Keep Us Going?  Oh yes, all our lives go through rollercoaster rides through storms and in that storm, your anchor comes down to one gritty word:  PERSEVERANCE, that determination that sets apart successful people apart from the rest of the pack.  Indeed, the FIRE KEEPS BURNING even after a series of setbacks.  It's that unwavering belief in your vision, the refusal to give up even when the odds seem insurmountable📗📙📘

Well, well, well, PERSEVERANCE comes in a 'package deal' with purpose and a calling.  It keeps you going but the calling comes with a price if you decide to stick it out.  You may have 18-hour days for awhile BUT unless you have a lot of PASSION for your work OR your calling, you may NOT see your vision to come into fruition.  What drives PERSEVERANCE💴💷💵

Undoubtedly, it all boils down to PASSION.  Otherwise, your PERSEVERANCE is often misguided by the wrong intentions.  PASSION is the engine that puts PERSEVERANCE into overdrive mode to think up BIG ideas, solve BIG problems, and make the world a better place.  NO passion, NO perseverance, it's as simple as that💎💎💎

We can try it ourselves BUT without PASSION and PERSEVERANCE, we CAN'T claim to have that tenacity that will cause us to fizzle out because our heart's NOT in it.  So, what will KEEP US GOING and KEEP THE FIRE BURNING?  First off, CLEARLY know your dream.  What's your END GAME?  Picture it vividly.  It could be having a thriving business OR leaving a mark in your calling✅✅✅

Follow that up by NEVER FORGETTING your flops.  Think of those setbacks that brought you and your knees down to the ground.  Each 'NO' in the signpost is pointing you in a different direction BUT that's NOT a dead-end.  It's a DETOUR instead.  And if needed, CHANGE TACTICS.  If one approach isn't working, try a different route.  Then in your 'SMALL WINS', TOAST for it.  The rat race we are in ISN'T  a sprint but a marathon.  Celebrate those little victories along the way to KEEP YOU GOING, to KEEP YOU MOTIVATED❗❗❗

When Things Go Wrong

When Things Go Wrong

In life, every trial will test us.  And when everything goes haywire, the temptation to quit is quite strong.  BUT, for those who press on, people get a chance to see WHO you really are WHEN everything ISN'T going your way.  That ability to keep your head and move forward is priceless.  There is always someone watching HOW you handle yourself WHEN THINGS GO WRONG💴💷💵

Which reminds me of Nancy Solari, the legally blind CEO of Living Full Out and a popular author and motivational speaker.  And in one of her shared experiences, she says that although we do face occasional setbacks, each day is the result of 'INTENSE PLANNING', starting from her guide dog to the software and tools she would use.  All these despite the fact that she even experienced very extreme complications of her vision.  YET, she hurdled all those challenges by keeping close to her mantras📗📙📘

Lifting from researches, most of those studies focus on a core list of mantras.  Primero, remember that THIS TOO SHALL PASS.  Sometimes, life's rough patches feel like they're going to last forever.  BUT the fact is, whether you're dealing with work-related issues, family problems, or other stressful situations, VERY FEW PROBLEMS, if at all, last for a lifetime💎💎💎

Segundo, let us NOT forget that SOME THINGS ARE GOING RIGHT.  Indeed, when things are going WRONG, it's hard to recognize what is going RIGHT.  It's so easy to screen out the GOOD things and only focus on the BAD things.  Do remind yourself that some things are going RIGHT  Purposely look for the positive, even if it is something very small.  Tercero, remember that I HAVE "SOME" CONTROL.  One of the most important things to remember is that you have "SOME CONTROL" of the situation.  Even if you AREN'T in complete CONTROL of the situation, one thing you can always CONTROL is your attitude and reaction.  Focus on managing WHAT is within your CONTROL❗❗❗

Cuarto, always remember that MUCH OF THIS WON'T MATTER IN A FEW YEARS.  This truism stands out through the years and it can never be rebutted.  WHY?  Because the best secret out there is that TIME is our best ALLY.  TIME will give you that chance to 'LEASE FOR A NEW LIFE', that second chance to pick up the pieces [sometimes from the rubble].  In truth and in fact, MOST of the problems we worry about today WON'T actually matter five years from now.  Let us remind ourselves that WHATEVER is going WRONG now is only a small fraction of your actual life.  And even if you're dealing with a major PROBLEM, like a loved one's illness, remember that a lot of GOOD things are likely to happen n the course of a year or two.  So, WHEN THINGS GO WRONG, it's NOT the end of the world, NOT AT ALL, dude❎❎❎

Are You In 'AUTOPILOT'?

Are You In 'AUTOPILOT'?

No sirrrrs, our thread today has got nothing to do with pilots, aircrafts and flights.  Instead we'd like to dip our hands in that 'AUTOPILOT' which, to date, we know that it's an OPTION only available for pilots right there in the aircraft cockpit.  And we would like to take a leaf from their pages, whether 'AUTOPILOT' will help improve the way we steer our life💴💷💵

Back to our life, if and when we live life in 'AUTOPILOT', we will experience the present moments passively while the routines are familiar and bring you a sense of comfort, you tend to 'ZONE OUT' and NOT engage with what you are doing.  We've all experienced this before.  You put on your headphones and tune into a podcast to go grocery or to the gym📗📙📘

Our daily routines are designed to be monotonous and sometimes even boring so that we DON'T have to eXert eXtra energy thinking about these daily actions.  They are meant to set you up for SUCCESS so that you are prepared.  Problem is, WHEN we start on 'AUTOPILOT' constantly, without questioning our thoughts, habits and actions, we may sometimes get too comfortable and forget to challenge ourselves to do things differently💎💎💎

Then, over time, we tend to accept the STATUS QUO as our truth and even as the 'ONLY WAY OF BEING'.  Instead of living on 'AUTOPILOT', isn't it time for us to live more consciously primarily because the 'BEAUTY IS IN THE PRESENT'.  So, WHAT do we do?  First off, let's go back on the DRIVER'S SEAT.  However, behaving intentionally is vital when we must think through a situation✅✅✅

Choosing which system to use is like getting back on the driver's seat and that's what we want, you decide when to go on 'AUTOPILOT' or NOT.  It's more comfortable to let life happen to you than making it happen.  BUT if your 'AUTOPILOT'  is always 'ON', you are just existing, NOT living.  So, ARE YOU IN 'AUTOPILOT'❓❓❓

Is Passion Still 'IN'?

Is Passion Still 'IN'?

If there is something everyone agrees in life, it is the fact that PASSION is the powerful driving force that fuels our dream, propels us through challenges and brings a SENSE OF PURPOSE to our lives.  It is the spark that ignites creativity, motivation, and a deep commitment to WHAT we love. In a world Is Passion Still 'IN'❓❓❓

In a world where PASSION often takes the backseat to the demands of our daily life, the question to us is HOW CAN WE REKINDLE that inner fire and live a life filled with PURPOSE?  BUT before deep diving into this thread, let us align with regard PASSION.  It is NOT just a fleeting emotion.  It is a profound and sustained enthusiasm for a specific activity, goal or cause📗📙📘

PASSION is a deep-seated love for something that drives you to invest time, energy and effort into its pursuit.  Whether it's about your career, a hobby, a relationship OR a personal mission, PASSION is what makes life truly meaningful.  BUT here's the thing, even if you feel you got that PASSION now, please NEVER rest on your laurels but instead, continue to pursue and sustain PASSION💎💎💎

So, WHY don't we rediscover PASSION more than what we know now. To be PASSIONATE about something, the very first basic rule is to first discover WHAT truly excites you.  And the key things here are one's SELF-REFLECTION and that urge to EXPLORE.  So, how can we uncover our TRUE PASSIONS yet unnoticed❓❓❓

WHAT activities make you lose track of time?  WHAT are your core values and beliefs?  WHAT would you do if you had all the money in the world?  WHAT issues or causes do you deeply care about?  Your 'honest' answers to these 'WHAT' questions should lead you to uncork those PASSIONS you need to pursue.  So, yes, PASSION IS STILL "IN"❗❗❗

Relationship 101

Relationship 101

Before kickstarting this thread, please allow me to unconditionally declare that I am NOT a Relationship guru at all.  I had my fair share of UPs and DOWNs and even at this phase in my life, NO WAY will I even dream of coveting the level of a guru because even a zillion light years ahead, I would admit I DON'T have the qualifying credentials to give me that mantle of authority, NOT when it comes to Relationship 101.  Instead, whatever I impart are sharings culled from my travails in life, all the peaks and valleys I went through, hoping that by sharing my thoughts, we could spread out the GOOD tidings💴💷💵

BTW, a fulfilling and lasting relationship DOESN'T happen by accident.  Neither is it FOUND nor given on a silver platter.  Instead, it requires intention, commitment, and [damn] HARD WORK from both partners. So, if we want to build a SOLID foundation based on trust, respect and passion, we must be willing to cultivate the essential elements that serve as the building blocks of a healthy bond.  And by consciously integrating these pillars into the relationship.   An unshakeable foundation will lead towards transforming a relationship into one that thrives and grows stronger over time💊💊💊

So, before we get lost in the maze, let's FOCUS on the RELATIONSHIP FOUNDATION which refers to the core pillars and principles that provide a strong base for a healthy and thriving partnership.  This foundation determines how two people connect, interact, and relate to one another.  It establishes the degree of trust, respect, honesty, and commitment that anchors the bond.  A weak foundation leads to instability, uncertainty, and worst, disconnection.  BUT a strong foundation allows a relationship to flourish and weather even the worst inevitable storms in life📗📙📘

Now, can we guess who is a couple's BEST ALLY when there is widespread combination of apathy, doubt and pessimism in a budding relationship?  Our and your best ally is TIME.  I have witnessed relationships at its infancy stage where even relatives were doubtful that that relationship will flourish and last through the years.  BUT rather get into a needless argument with those naysayers, after ten years, a couple can proudly beat their chest that finally they have silenced the doubting Thomases📌📌📌

What has been pitched and preached a million times are TRUST, RESPECT and COMMUNICATIONS being the cornerstones of a relationship's foundation BUT what is often overlooked are the SHARED VALUES, the common core values and compatible life goals are significant glue in a relationship.  Couples need to share even ethical values around family, spirituality, communications, finances and way beyond those core values.  And while differences will arise, a fundamental shared view would go a long way to smoothen conflicts.  To cap this all, let's reinforce way beyond RELATIONSHIP 101❗❗❗

Are FLASHLIGHTS Still Relevant?

Are FLASHLIGHTS Still Relevant?

Are FLASHLIGHTS Still Relevant?  In today's digital age, just the word itself, 'FLASHLIGHT' will evoke reactions like it's part of the Jurassic Era.  NOT TOO FAST dude.  Let's spend today's thread to give me the chance to resuscitate the ICU-like stage of a FLASHLIGHT's role💴💷💵

This morning, this Facebook sharing 'hit me home'.  WHEN A FLASHLIGHT GROWS DIM or QUITS WORKING, DO YOU JUST THROW IT AWAY?  OF COURSE NOT.  YOU CHANGE THE BATTERIES. WHEN A PERSON MESSES UP, DO YOU CAST THEM ASIDE?  OF COURSE NOT.  YOU HELP THEM CHANGE THEIR BATTERIES.  SOME NEED AA - for attention & affection.  SOME NEED AAA - for attention, affection & acceptance.  SOME NEED C - for compassion.  SOME NEED D - direction📗📙📘

AND IF THEY STILL DON'T SEEM TO SHINE, SIMPLY SIT WITH THEM QUIETLY AND SHARE YOUR LIGHT.

Well said.  Indeed, it is true that many creative types are more inspired during the DARK TIMES we encounter in life.  And personally, I found that profound DARKNESS hinders creativity, and that my own 'creative juices' flow best when there's a balance between the darkness and the light.  People who know me quite well enough view me as someone who REACHES FOR THE LIGHT as much as possible with NO hesitation, even if it appears that I seem to be SEEKING HELP from others🔦🔦🔦

Some people, after going through their own DARKNESS, may easily move on OR 'get on with it' while others tend to linger in that DARKNESS.  Perhaps this has something to do with acknowledging or being mindful of one's SHADOW side.  The SHADOW may be thought of as the 'DUMPING GROUND' for undesirable traits or those characteristics that have NOT been brought into our consciousness❎❎❎

Those traits that we find distasteful in others are often CLUES to the characteristics of our SHADOW sides.  It has been said that we CANNOT know the LIGHT without experiencing the DARKNESS but at the same time, both DARK and LIGHT experiences are great teachers.  In fact, both GROWTH and TRANSFORMATION are born out of the DARKNESS.  Do we agree now that FLASHLIGHTS ARE THAT RELEVANT❗❗❗

When INTANGIBLES Matter

When INTANGIBLES Matter

In the new economy, VALUE isn't where it once was.  Solid, quantifiable assets like plants, equipment and inventory are now often far less indicative of a company's VALUE than INTANGIBLES like ideas, relationships,  and expertise.  This is When INTANGIBLES Matter.  Companies like Microsoft  and Google are at the 'top of the world' because of their INTANGIBLES.  But the truth is, as humans, we generally place a lot more importance on the tangible aspects of life as opposed to the INTANGIBLES.  We like to see, feel, touch, hear, and taste.  Our senses are acute and we need those senses served and stimulated📗📙📘

A TANGIBLE thing is something that can be touched, that can be palpated.  Something real and concrete.  That's WHAT we mostly desire.  The rat race in life is a perfect example of this TANGIBLE quality enthralls us.  And if it is NOT happening now, if the business is NOT growing, NOT making profit, it's NOT a VALUE to us.  If we DON'T get WHAT we want now, the venture is deemed a failure.  Where's the profit?  Success❓❓❓

So, that's the harsh reality.  Our lives are so rushed, so intense, so packed now that we must see tne TANGIBLES quickly, otherwise we will lose hope.  We want results RIGHT AWAY.  PATIENCE has been thrown out the window.  Instead of focusing on the HARD WORK and sustained dedication to the plan at hand, we focus on the results, the rewards💎💎💎

That's our common weakness as a human.  The 'FEEL GOOD' results and outcomes that we connect with better.  Those palpable results!  We want to skip over the process to hold the results in our hands.  We want the TANGIBLES right now, the part of the process we can identify with, because others can also see them and we attribute our VALUE to those TANGIBLES✅✅✅

BUT c'mon dude, let's NOT debate that the INTANGIBLES have the most VALUE.  Those aspects of our lives that we CAN'T measure, touch or palpate are the most valuable. Education.  Dedication.  Self-confidence.  Faith.  Loyalty, and the list goes on, these are examples of INTANGIBLES in our lives.  We just CAN'T skip over these ever-so-important INTANGIBLE traits just because we are so focused on tangible results❌❌❌

How Do We Gain More RESPECT?

How Do We Gain More RESPECT?

How Do We Gain More RESPECT?  Oh, you might react, WHAT A BORING TOPIC for today but allow me to push hard for this to be our thread.  Now, let's dive as deep as we can in our thread today.  Fact is, NOT all human behavior makes a whole lot of sense BUT why DON'T we focus on small-small HABITS that will turn others to us

HOW ABOUT sharing something you dislike about yourself.  I've done this quite a few times, especially when I meet people for the first time.  I would warn them that they need to get used to my persona because my face DOESN'T smile BY DEFAULT [unlike those charming lotharios WHO seem smiling even when strangers walk on opposite directions.  Oh we're all terrified of being banished from the crowd and looked at funny, so most of us put energy into appearing wonderful, flawless and virtuous

WHY don't we GO AGAINST THE GRAIN and tell us something you dislike about yourself.  That immediately puts you in the MINORITY and shows us something cool.  Now, this becomes debatable if we're advised to SMILE LESS.  BUT there seems to be a mystery to those WHO DON'T always smile when you expect them to.  We are intelligent beings and can sense insincere grins.  We're also tired of FAKEDNESS.  If someone smiles at everything, it takes the power out of any smile

Being sparing with your smiles can show discernment, a thoughtful mind and authenticity.  NOW, how about REPEATING THEIR WORDS.  Most people are hell-bent on emptying out everything they want us to know about their lives and problems.  Few take a moment to turn it around and help others feel heard.  A powerful way to do this is to REPEAT BACK some of what people say.  This reinforces a strong bond between you and the person you interact with

NOW, how about being UNDISTRACTED?  The worst 'turn off' is when someone talks and seeks your attention, your attention DOESN'T seem undivided.  Place yourself in the shoes of someone earnestly talking to you while there you are, 'hostaged' by that gadget where you are tied up to social media and even making facial reactions that are obviously NOT related to the person who's reaching out to you.  So, HOW DO WE GAIN MORE RESPECT❓❓❓