Against The Grain
I have been fighting with myself for years, yet I have always wondered why I got the same results. I always complained of being unhappy and life was consistently unfair. Well, as the saying goes “you are what you say you are.” So, for the last 29 years of my life I have been looming around and going from one catastrophe to the next. The beautiful thing about God is that if you really want to know why your life is going to hell in a hand basket He will tell you, so I asked. God silently whispered to me, “You are going the wrong way because you are resisting everything I have for you, so nothing else will happen because you are bucking against the grain. I stopped dead in my tracks….”What? So you mean this entire time the only thing I had to do was open my eyes the the possibility of happiness and run toward it no matter what, then I would be happy?” He gently replied, “Yes, Sherita.” I can’t believe it can be that easy.
This “ah-hah” moment reminds me of Sister Act 2, when Whoppi Goldberg told Lauryn Hill, “girl if you wake up every morning and the only thing you can do is think about singing — then that is what you are …a singer. If you want to be somebody if you want to go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention.” Here is the eye on the sparrow clip….just to remind you of your ability.
The hardest part of becoming the person you want to become is fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Fear of success. Fear of other people’s thoughts of you. Fear of isolation. The fear messages are endless. However, when you are focused on perfecting the art of you — nothing — not even fear will be able to stop you. The human mind is so powerful and amazing. When you have a destination and you know where you want to go the only thing you have to do is decide to do it — focus on it and keep going until you get what you want. Do not make excuses for the reasons you can’t accomplish anything, because you won’t accomplish it. Remember the universal rule — life follows the path of LEAST/LESS resistance. The more you resist the more your life is going to turn in another direction, whether you like it or not. Claim the life you want and get it now!
Have a wonderful day!
Leadership
“Be the leader you would follow.” Sherita Searcy
Resistance
“Life follows the path of least resistance, so stop going against the grain.” Sherita Searcy
No Resistance
Life follows the path of least resistance.
When you buck against your dream, in fear, your primary focus will be diverted.
Stop fighting against the inevitable and just do it!
You will be amazed at life’s results.
Making A Decision
Picture by Nels
Success is recognizing what makes you happy – learning when to be obedient to God’s principles and understanding how to make effective decisions.
For many years, I have had the pleasure of running around the universe and doing things on a whim. Being unfocused was both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, I was able to do whatever I wanted without having the consequence of being responsible. On the other hand, my desire to lead others and be stable could not be effectively fulfilled, because I was running off of a scattered brain. I did not realize how my descisons affected my life and the lives of others until yesterday.
My daughter, Aalayah said, “Mom, I don’t like the white car you have, I think you should get another one. I looked at her and smiled. In the back of my mind I was thinking, “This little girl has no idea how much it cost to get a new car, never mind the further cost of a car note.” She continued, “Mom, I also think it is time you get a new place.” At this point, I am really taken back. The conversation ended there, but it was something about her request that stood out in my mind. What my daughter was really telling me was — “Mom, I feel like you possess the ability to be successful enough to get a new car and a new home. You also have a responsibility to make sure I am safe and secure both at home and at play.” Wow! Out of the mouth of babes…., but she was right in every sense of the word. Her comment was one of many that sparked me to make a defined change in my life, but she did slide icing on the cake. Thanks Aalayah. I am going to concentrate on one central goal, understanding that completing that mission will assist in the unveiling and completion many other goals. I also understand that I am human and I will make mistakes, but knowing where I am going is better than messing up without direction.
We all must come to a place in our lives where we get off the merry go round and start to walk a straight path. The path may mean settling down in a 3-bedroom loft apartment, buying a new car and being a responsible leader to a group of people. It may mean leaving an abusive husband, being dedicated to your goal to loose weight, or running a 5k race for cancer. Whatever the course, make a decision that will lead you toward a path of happiness. Just do it! Or you can take that crazy road above. Good luck getting to your destination.
Take the Lead
Be the leader you would follow.
Grow, mature and consistently open your mind to learning.
In time, the path you pave will determine your destiny.
Then watch the seed of happiness grow inside of you.
Natural Time
I have become a “clock zombie” and I didn’t even know it. I was so time conscious that I would never get anything done out of frustration of doing things “on time.” We live in an age that tells us we have to do specific tasks at specific times of the day. We have to work from 9 to 5. We have to wake up at 6 a.m. in the morning and wash up and brush our teeth, meditate, make breakfast, etc. They even have planners and organizers that tell us to be so addicted to the clock that we become slaves to time. I now understand that God never wanted us to be “clock zombies.” There is a natural clock in all of us. Your time clock may be different from mine, but our internal system is wired to do certain things at certain times.
Last night, I watched a video by one of my mentors, Isabel Marie, and she was talking about how she does things when she is most inspired like make YouTube videos, phone calls to clients, work, play with her son, sleep, entertain company – everything.
Here is the video…if you are interested in learning her perspective on time.
I admired the freedom she possessed. I wanted that freedom. What’s even more interesting, I met another young lady, Leah Rothschild who talked to me for hours about living a free life by traveling and living in a tour bus with her musician boyfriend. She worked odd jobs when they really needed money to eat and gas up their bus. Ahhh, the freedom. Both Isabel and Leah were slaves to traditional jobs and traditional lives, but something in them broke out of the “time-box (bomb)” Now they both do what they love and love what they do – on their time.
I am reading a book by Steven Covey, First Things First, and he said, “Time is something to be experienced. When we ask, ‘Did you have a good time?’ We’re not asking about the amount of time spent in a particular way, but about the value, the quality, of that time.” That blew me away. Isabel and Leah were on the right track – they were dancing with time – not trying to count minute to minute, but living in the moment. In Ecclesiastes 3:2, in the bible it outlines that there is a time for and place for everything.
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
My eyes are open. I will live by my internal time clock. I will accomplish everything I set out to do – on my time. Productivity is birthed from tenacity and the experience of time. — Sherita Searcy. When I am inspired, I will write & journal. When I am sad, I will cry. When I want to just sit down and watch a good movie, or go out to the movies – I will do it. This is where happiness begins. Time zombies are rigid and unhappy. When you experience time – experience life. What side of time do you live on?
Time Bomb
Break out of the “time-box (bomb)” and experience your life.
The essence of your spirit is buried beneath the rubble and it’s ready to breathe.
Cry, laugh, wait, love, be silent – on your time.
There you will find you.
How to Stay Focused
Last night my wife was helping my 12 year old learn some new things when my daughter and I walked in playing and giggling. Once we stopped in respect for them, I noticed he was having trouble concentrating because the television was on. After I suggested he turn it off, they made great progress very quickly. We all have done it, whether we are parents or not. We’ve encouraged someone to remove a distraction so they could focus on the task, conversation or subject at hand. If you wear corrective lenses of any kind and go for your annual vision check, you know what it is like when your new prescription is applied. You see more clearly with greater focus. Suddenly your mind doesn’t have to think about focusing, things already are without “working” at it. It is crystal clear to me that we all know how important focus (of all kinds) is, but many of us aren’t very good at it. (As a side note, I write this article because focus is something that I continually work on getting better at; it is my hope that the things I will share from my journey, will help you too.) This article will target three specific areas with specifics suggestions for practicing improved focus: planning, questioning and removing.
Planning Daily planning is critical. Many people have a “to-do” list, and while having one will help you be more focused than not having one, most people don’t use them to their maximum benefit. Too often the list degenerates into a list of the crises that MUST be handled today – or as Dr. Stephen Covey says in his work, the urgent, but not necessarily important things. The other problem with many people’s lists is that they are way too long (too often, mine included). Here are three things to do to improve your daily planning for greater focus:
1. Align your daily work with your goals. The most important thing you can do to increase your focus is to have goals. If your goals are clear (which includes having them written down) it is much easier to re-focus your efforts towards them. Goals provide a compass for your efforts. Make sure your list for the day includes items specifically related to your goals. 2. Do your daily planning before the day begins. Many suggest it is best to do this the evening before because it allows your subconscious to “work on” your list as you sleep. If not then, do it at the close of the previous day or at the very start of your morning. 3. Prioritize the list. If you have the long list syndrome, identify the 5 things that are most important to be completed that day. Make sure that at least one of those things is in service of your most important goals, not just putting out the urgent fires you are facing.
Questioning There are some questions you can ask yourself throughout the day to help you stay focused. They include:
- Is what I am doing now focused on my most important objectives? If the answer is yes, great! If the answer is no, time to re-focus.
- How is my energy level? If you feel it waning a bit, take a five minute walk, a ten minute power nap (click HERE to read more about my thoughts on power naps) or eat a smart snack of almonds or some other energy food.
- What is distracting me now? If something is, determine how to quickly handle it, or remove that distraction. Which leads to my third set of ideas…
Removing Distractions are everywhere. The TV, a cluttered desk, the “ding” of a new email being delivered, more advertising in more places, cell phones and pagers… I could go on, but you are already thinking of the distractions in your life. Turn off the TV. Clean your desk. Turn down the volume or turn off the ding. Have someone answer your phone while you work on that project. Screen your calls. You get the idea. Make a list of the 5-7 top things that distract you (at work or at home – wherever you are trying to increase your focus). That’s right make the list right now. Then identify what you can do to remove, eliminate or defer the distraction when you most want to be focused. Focus and clarity are siblings. Both of them are required for us to get greater results, and come ever closer to unleashing our potential. I wish you the best in your efforts to increase your focus. I promise that your efforts will rewarded with greater productivity, higher quality work, and greater opportunities.
Article by Kevin Eikenberry
Make A Decision
Your choices are many, but your time is winding down.
Don’t toil over things you wish to change but can’t.
Make a decision that will allow your dreams to move — even if its only an inch.
Clarity and a more defined vision will be sure to follow.
How to Be Patient
It has never been easy to be patient, but it’s probably harder now than at any time in history. In a world in which messages can be sent across the world instantly, in which seemingly everything is available for immediate purchase with a few clicks of the mouse, it’s hard not to always expect instant gratification. But patience remains a valuable tool in life. We don’t always get instant gratification, and some of the best things in life require years of hard work and waiting. Fortunately, patience is a virtue that can be cultivated and nurtured.
Steps
- Try to figure out why you’re in such a hurry. We tend to lose our patience when we’re multi-tasking or when we’re on a tight schedule. If you’re stretching yourself too thin, you should reconsider your to-do list before you attempt to change your natural reaction to an overwhelming situation. Try to spread out your tasks so that you’re doing only one thing at a time. Delegate responsibilities to others if you can; this in itself may be a test of your patience, but you have to learn to share the load.
- Pinpoint the triggers that often make you lose your patience. Impatience creeps in insidiously, and if you feel anxious, worried, or unhappy you may not even realize that the underlying cause of these feelings is impatience. To reduce the frequency of impatience, it helps to be aware of it. Which events, people, phrases or circumstances always seem to make you lose your cool? Sit down and make a list of all the things which cause you anxiety, tension, or frustration. At the core of most triggers is a reality that we have a hard time accepting. What are those realities for you?
- Overcome bouts of impatience. In the long run, developing patience requires a change in your attitude about life, but you can immediately make progress by learning to relax whenever you feel impatient. Take a few deep breaths and just try to clear your mind. Concentrate on breathing and you’ll be able to get your bearings.
- Look for patterns. Being aware of your impatience also gives you a chance to learn from it and perhaps uncover a relationship or circumstance that is simply not healthy or constructive, and that you may have the power to change. Figure that out, and you can then think logically about the problem issue and decide whether or not your impatience is warranted or helpful. It usually isn’t, but when it is you can then figure out ways to fix the root problem rather than simply feeling stressed about it.
- Let go if you can’t do anything about the impatience trigger. If there isn’t anything that you can do to resolve whatever has triggered your impatience, just let it go. Easier said than done, yes, but it’s possible, and it’s the only healthy thing to do. Initially, you will probably find it difficult to let go if the matter is important to you–waiting to hear back after a job interview, for instance–but you should be able to alleviate impatience that’s caused by issues of less consequence (i.e. waiting in line at the grocery store). If you make a concerted effort to be more patient in relatively inconsequential, short-term situations, you’ll gradually develop the strength to remain patient in even the most trying and enduring situations.
- Remind yourself that things take time. People who are impatient are people who insist on getting things done now and don’t like to waste time. However, some things just can’t be rushed. Think about your happiest memories. Chances are, they were instances when your patience paid off, like when you worked steadily towards a goal that wasn’t immediately gratifying, or took a little extra time to spend leisurely with a loved one. Would you have those memories if you had been impatient? Probably not. Almost anything really good in life takes time and dedication, and if you’re impatient, you’re more likely to give up on relationships, goals, and other things that are important to you. Good things may not always come to those who wait, but most good things that do come don’t come right away.
- Expect the unexpected. Yes, you have plans, but things don’t always work out as planned. Accept the twist and turns in life gracefully. Keep your expectations realistic. This applies not only to circumstances, but also the behavior of those around you. If you find yourself blowing up over your child or your spouse accidentally spilling a drink, you’re not in touch with the fact that people aren’t perfect. Even if the occasion is not an isolated incident but is instead caused by their repeated neglect and carelessness, losing your patience isn’t going to make it any better. That’s something to be addressed with discussion and self-control.
- Give yourself a break. The meaning of this is twofold. First, take a few minutes to do absolutely nothing. Just sit quietly and think. Don’t watch television; don’t even read. Do nothing. It may be hard at first, and you may even feel pretty impatient after a minute or two, but by taking some time out you can essentially slow your world down, and that’s important to develop the attitude necessary to develop patience. Second, stop holding yourself and the world around you to unreachable standards. Sure, we’d all be more patient if babies didn’t cry, dishes didn’t break, computers didn’t crash, and people didn’t make mistakes–but that’s never going to happen. Expecting the world to run smoothly is like beating your head against the wall. Give yourself a break.
- Remember what matters. Not focusing on what matters most in this life fuels impatience. Moving the world toward peace by being kind, generous in forgiveness of others, being grateful for what is, and taking full advantage of what matters most. When other less important things fuel our impatience, taking time to remember any one of these items reduces our tendency to want something different right now.
Article from WikiHow
While You’re Waiting
The storms of life can be devastatingly painful.
The winds settle and your (heart) home is scattered further than your human eyes can see.
Yet in the calm their is peace.
While you’re waiting, listen for new guidance and a renewed sense of direction.
Achieveing Mental Balance
While it is somewhat of an oversimplification, the brain can be thought of as being similar to a muscle.
In the same way that muscles grow and become stronger through use and exercise, the brain also develops and changes through use and mental exertion.
In the brain, exercise is essentially thinking, visualizing, or any number of mental activities that stimulate its parts.
Some recent evidence suggests that certain thoughts are governed by very specific brain structures and these structures develop and strengthen through use.
If someone frequently thinks negative, anxiety provoking, depressing or other psychologically stressful thoughts, it is probable that the areas governing these mental actions will be strengthened through use, thus increasing the likelihood of these undesirable thoughts occurring with greater force and frequency.
Alternatively, different regions of the brain mediate more positive and neutral patterns of thinking and these areas, too, can be strengthened through use.
If you think you’ve been exercising your negative “mental muscles” too much, you can work to achieve greater mental balance by strengthening the positive mental regions, just like you can strengthen a muscle through use and repetition.
For every negative thought, picture or idea that you have, try to entertain several positive or neutral alternatives.
You want to catch yourself each time you make a negative statement or dwell on a pessimistic thought and immediately focus on several upbeat and cheerful perceptions.
Over time, this mental exercise will help to level the playing field and you’ll enjoy the benefits of more balanced thinking.
Article by The University of St. Francis
Peace In Balance
Life is hectic. In the midst of being superwoman/man and meeting the expectations of everyone else — we forget to find balance.
This is your life and you have the right to draw back, rest and reflect.
Finding yourself — is to find peace of mind and balance.
Law of The Farm
The Law of the Farm
The concept behind the Law of the Farm is simple: As in farming, success in life comes from regular disciplined, daily effort. Jesus expressed this life principle in the Bible, when he told us that as we sow, so shall we reap.
A farmer cannot expect to reap a bumper crop by being lazy for three months and then “cramming” to catch up. Similarly, the greatest successes in life are built slowly and deliberately through focused, consistent, high-quality efforts on a daily basis.
The basic unit of success: The day
Covey’s Law of the Farm principle is strikingly similar to a concept presented by the late Earl Nightingale in one of his audiotapes. In Nightingale’s mind, success is built upon the most basic building block of time — the day. Success comes not from sudden, sporadic bursts of activity but through the cumulative effect of disciplined, daily effort.
Looking back upon a successful life, Nightingale asserted, a person would usually discover that no one individual day was responsible for turning the trick. Rather, it was the successful succession of days, lived as best as one can, one day at a time, that was responsible for his or her ultimate success.
There are no shortcuts
Today, it seems like many people want instant wealth and success. They want the rewards of life, but don’t really want to put forth the effort and creativity it actually takes to become successful. The metaphor of “cramming” Nightingale referred to could be compared today to those people who are constantly on the lookout for “get rich quick” schemes — shortcuts to material success which are usually too good to be true, or which may involve some moral or ethical compromises.
If these people only knew about the Law of the Farm, they would realize that they can only reap what they have sown. So if you want to increase your harvest, increase the quality of your efforts in tending to the garden plot of your work and home lives.
Conclusion
In short, success comes not from finding an easy shortcut or by taking advantage of one’s fellow man, but from daily, disciplined, focused effort, directed tirelessly toward a desirable goal. Try putting the Law of the Farm to work for you on a daily basis; you’ll be amazed with the results over time!
Cheating Is Not an Option
Trials and tribulations are life test.
A study guide was crafted for you before the beginning of time.
Now you are in the middle of a mid-term and you feel like you are going to fail.
Cramming didn’t help and cheating is not an option.
The test will come again, will you be ready this time?
The Art of Perseverance
You will never know what it really means to persevere until you are tested. Though we are all tested, understand that you have the ability to overcome your worse trail. If it helps, think about the end result and what you will gain by holding on. Success comes to those who move through life storms. Be encouraged and keep moving — you are bound to win.
Quotes to Go!
- “Failure is the path of least persistence.”
- “All things will come round to him who will but wait. (Longfellow)”
- “Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.”
- “Work hard and give it your best shot; never be a quitter. (Charley Taylor)”
Put perseverance into action
- When something starts to bother you, wait as long as you can before you express frustration.
- When something doesn’t work right, try again and again.
- Don’t lose your temper when something upsets you.
- Always finish what you start.
- Keep working at something that is difficult until you complete it.
- Don’t give up on difficult jobs or situations.
- Focus on someone or something that ordinarily makes you lose your patience and try to understand it (and don’t “lose it”).
- Work a little harder or a few minutes longer on a task that you do not like.
Sacrifice For Change
Your spirit is firm and unmovable like a swaying tree.
Change is coming and its ready to test your durability.
What are you willing to sacrifice?
Your offering will determine if you win the battle or the war.
Feeling Myself
Today, I woke up with a renewed sense of myself and my ability to help. I gathered my thoughts and decided to use my talents not only to serve myself, but to empower others to understand their own potential. I looked at how many people reach out for something more than themselves only to find even greater joy than they ever anticipated. I wondered how all of this would work out, but for some reason I knew God would give me the answer. I want to have an attitude of grattitued, joy and self fullfillment.
Giving back makes me feel good and it empowers my purpose. It allows me to feel myself.
Feeling Free
Engulf freedom like an eagle taking flight to the skies.
The journey may be long and the breeze of the air may be harsh, but go.
Explore the uninhibited joy of being exactly who and what God made you.
The Heart Path
Things and people may fail, but until your heart stops life continues.
Spend your time in this earth concentrating on the path of your heart.
Methods of achieving purposes might change, but the principle of your existence will remain the same.
Seize the best of your inner self and share it with the world.
Follow Your Heart
Why It’s Important to Follow Your Heart?
There is a sparkle of divinity in each and every one of us. When you are open to the intelligence of the heart, it guides you in the right direction to do what is best for you and those around you.Following this intuitive knowing attracts to you whatever you need as you need it. You find yourself having, being and doing whatever is right for you in the moment for your greatest good.
Your heart knows what actions are appropriate for you to take to attract to you what is appropriate for you. Your heart also knows when to give or act without wanting anything in return.
Following your heart also feels great. There is an inner sense of peace and completion as well as love and compassion as you allow yourself to follow your heart. This feels so good it is often its own reward.
The Time Is Now
THERE IS NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT
Mark Twain said, “I have been through some terrible things in my life,
some of which actually happened.” These words hold great wisdom; the
wisdom of knowing that there is no sense worrying about the past or
fearing the future. Your past will not change, and your future concerns
may never come.
Many people spend a great deal of time and energy thinking about past
problems and future concerns while the present is passing them by.
Remember the here and now is a gift, which is why they call it the
‘present’. Treat it like a present, enjoy it to the fullest and make the
most of it.
Don’t let your life pass you by, focus on the present and enjoy today!
- Glen Hopkins
Posted at Listopt Publications, Inc.
