Tag Archive for genuine living

Self-Sabotaging Thoughts That Hinder Happiness

March 20, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

It’s been said that thoughts are things. And things aren’t so good when your thoughts turn against you. 

We go deeper as GenuLines takes a closer look at this thoughts thing.  

Self-Sabotaging Thoughts That Hinder Happiness

At times you’ll struggle to get your thoughts to align with your intentions. These types of thoughts focus on what’s wrong.
 
Or on what’s missing. Or on the negativity of the situation instead of the positives.
 
a picture of thoughts

 

I Don’t Like People

Introverts can have a problem with this. They tend to base their decisions on how many people will be around to see the results..
 
They tend to make decisions that are not good for them because they are not comfortable being who they are. Turn that thought around.
 
Take action.
 
But focus on how you can give yourself care during anxious moments around people. It’s okay to be who you are.

I Am Too ____

Anytime you start a thought with, I am “too” you get into trouble. People often worry about things that no one else ever thinks about.
 
Yet sometimes they might worry about things that other people do think about.
 
For example, you find yourself saying you’re too fat, too dumb, too something. Turn that around by setting up steps that will get you to your goals.

I’ll Do That When I ______

You may have said it before to yourself. “I’ll do that when I go back to school.”
 
“I’ll do that when I clean the house.” “I’ll do that when I lose weight.”
 
You know the drill. Unless you need to do the thing in the blank, don’t allow that to get in your way.
 
If you do need to do it, make a step-by-step plan to get it done.

I Can’t Do _____

You may have heard your child, or yourself, or someone else say “I can’t do math.” Or “I can’t cook.”
 
The truth is, no one can do any of that without learning how to do it.
 
No one pops out of the womb knowing how to cook, write, read, or do math. Anyone can learn whatever they want to learn given the time and effort to do it.

Saying I Should ____

Have you ever heard that it’s important not to “should” all over everyone? Not only is it a bad idea to create “shoulds” for others, it’s a terrible idea to create them for yourself.

In the Past ___

You dwell on the past and what someone did to you then. Or you fixated on what things were like in the past.
 
This thinking isn’t going to help you overcome self-sabotage. While it’s okay to use the past as a learning example, it’s not okay to use it as an excuse not to move forward.
 
Remember you’re only in charge of yourself.

In the Future ____

You don’t want to focus on the past but you also don’t want to be too focused on what’s ahead. Focus on today and tomorrow will take care of itself.

If I Was More Like Them –

Never compare yourself to someone else in a negative way. It’s okay to look at what someone has accomplished.
 
Learn how to do it yourself, and follow their footsteps.
 
But don’t wish yourself away. Only you can be you.
 
Whenever you find you’re focused on a negative aspect of any situation, try to turn your mind around. Focus on the positives.
 
Yes, sometimes you’re going to have a sad or negative thought, that’s normal. It’s not about the ups and downs of life.
 
Those are natural. It’s about how you comport yourself the rest of the time.
 
That’s the better path to happiness.
 
JohnK 3-20-2023
 
stick man hears about thoughtsOverheard: “A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.”
                          ~James Allen, As a Man Thinketh
 
 
 
Articlle image by Miguel Á. Padriñán: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-bubble-illustration-1111372/
 
 
 
disclaimer for thoughts
 

Do You Believe in Your Own Potential?

March 13, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

You’re capable of great things and people have been telling you that for a long time. But deep down you’re not sure you believe it’s true. 

Let’s unpack this with a GenuLines look at a perplexing question.

Do You Believe in Your Own Potential?

While we all have dreams and aspirations, few of us are aware of our own potential. It can be hard to see the good and admirable traits in ourselves, much like it is with our faults.
 
But, believing in our potential is a crucial part of developing self-confidence.
 
To achieve all you’re capable of, you have to believe in your potential. It can help you to try new things, challenge yourself, and take risks that could lead to success.
 
sign says believe
 
GenuLines has come up with a few ways you can boost belief in your potential.

Spend Time in Self-Reflection

The first way to determine if you believe in your own potential is to spend time in self-reflection. Ask yourself what you’re capable of; what are your strengths and admirable qualities?
 
During this time, try to focus on the following:
 
? What is your potential?
 
? What do you want to achieve?
 
? Do you believe you can achieve it?
 
? What can you do with this potential?
 
Focusing on these questions. Answering them will help you to identify your potential and give you stronger belief in it.

Write Down What You See As Your Full Potential

Now that you’ve had time to reflect on what your potential is, you can list the needed qualities and skills. This will help you affirm what your potential is and your belief in it.
 
Study this list and keep it close by. Be sure to look at it whenever you feel yourself doubting your potential.
 
This way you’ll keep your potential top of mind.

Prove Your Potential to Yourself

To believe in something people sometimes need to see it. This even extends to what they believe about themselves.
 
A great way to believe in your potential is to prove to yourself you have it. Act on it; challenge yourself by pushing the limits of your potential.
 
This challenge can be career-, hobby-, or relationship-oriented. As long as it challenges you and forces you to showcase your full potential.
 
When this happens you’ll have a well-earned sense of accomplishment and confidence. And you’ll believe in your potential without doubts.

Surround Yourself with Those Who Believe in Your Potential

We all like to think we don’t let others affect us. But the reality is that the people around us, especially those close to us, do affect us.
 
If those close to you doubt your potential, you’re likely to do the same. You don’t need that negative influence in your life.
 
Instead, be around people who are more likely to encourage you to achieve all you can. Believing in your potential is an essential part of being confident and successful.
 
At times this will take work. So keep at it.
 
And keep believing.
 
JohnK 3-13-2023
 
Stick figure hears about believingOverheard: “They can conquer who believe they can”
                                 ~Virgil
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for believing
 
 

Learning To Say No To Your Inner Critic

February 27, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

Sometimes your loudest critic is the one inside you. It can take a bit of work, but it’s doable.

Let GenuLines help you get started on the project. 

Learning To Say No To Your Inner Critic

Being a bit critical of yourself can provide you with the reality check you sometimes need. It can help you make important changes in your life.
 
But constant self-criticism can lead to stalled progress. And the inability to do what is necessary for your happiness.
 
So learning how to silence or ignore your inner critic is an essential life skill. Here are some GenuLines strategies that will help you say no to your inner critic.
 

What is an inner critic?

man hears inner critic
 
 
It’s a voice inside that criticizes your choices, actions, and often your appearance. It’s born out of fear, sadness, and low self-worth.
 
It’s the thought pattern that tells you, “This isn’t good enough,” or “If only this were different.”
 

 

 

Naming your critic

This can help you recognize it when it is rearing its ugly head. And it can help you put it into perspective.
 
You might call it The Perfectionist, The Voice, or even The Gremlin. Giving it a less-than-dignified name keeps its power over you low.
 
Putting your mistakes into perspective can often help tone down your inner critic. With the right perspective, you can quiet that voice in little time.
 
After a misstep or blunder, be sure to question if anyone else even noticed or cared. As it turns out, we each are not, in fact, the center of the universe, and most people don’t even register others’ errors.
 
Before feeling that you embarrassed yourself in front of the whole office, think. Was anyone paying attention in the first place?
 

What would “they” think?

Consider how another person would respond to the way you talk to yourself. What would your spouse or best friend say about your mistake?
 
What would they say about how you’re talking about yourself or about your mistake? An alternative to this is, if you wouldn’t say it to someone you love, why are you saying it to yourself?
 
Be kinder to yourself, and soon the inner critic will have no voice.
 

Have a plan

Develop some pat responses to your inner critic and practice them. The minute you hear that voice beginning to criticize, respond with “So what?” or “Who cares?”
 
Another favorite is “Big deal!” Take away the critic’s power to influence how you feel and what you do by minimizing your responses and move on.
 
Your inner critic creates feelings of shame in you because you keep your mistakes secret. When you have made a mistake, admit it so you can move on.

Speak up

Tell someone else what happened or apologize if your mistake harmed others. Then, your inner critic has nothing to complain about,.
 
You’ll feel better for voicing your feelings instead of keeping them bottled up.
 
Learn to accept yourself as you are and silence the voice that’s always telling you what’s bad and wrong. This means admitting you’re not perfect.
 
Hold yourself to realistic rather than perfectionist standards. Find happiness and peace with the chaos that is life.
 
Mistakes teach you lessons. And you’re the person you are because of all the good and bad things that have happened to this point.
 
So silence that inner critic by remembering how valuable your life mistakes are.
 
JohnK 2=27-2023
 
stick figure hears about criticsOverheard: “How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct”
                                    ~Benjamin Disraeli
 
 
 
 

Article image from Mahdi Bafande on Unsplash

 
 
 
disclaimer for critics

7 Ways to Use Mindfulness to Attack Worry

February 13, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments
Dealing with worry can lead you to all types of coping strategies, including substances. This can spiral out of hand in a big hurry. 
 
There’s another way of dealing, and GenuLines has a list of pointers for your consideration 

7 Ways To Use Mindfulness To Attack Worry

You freeze when it happens. You don’t know what to do or how to move forward.
 
Your thoughts circle like vultures, waiting for your inevitable demise.
 
picture suggests mindfulness
 
It’s only a matter of time. Worry has a way of derailing everything in your day.
Using mindfulness, though, is a quick, easy way to get things back on track.

Stay in the Moment

Take a step back to examine the worrying thought. Start with the acceptance of the thought itself.
 
This is the heart of mindfulness.
 
Trying to ignore the worry only makes it worse. By giving the thought your attention, and then placing a label on it, you take power away from it.
 
For example, let’s say you have money worries. You might start by telling yourself, “Yes, I am worried about paying the bills this month.”

Find the Emotions

Once you’ve labeled your worries, identify the emotion accompanying it. Once you’ve got this, be honest with yourself.
 
What do these emotions make you feel like doing?

Kill the Worry with Normalcy

Instead of avoiding the worry, pay mindful attention to it. Remind yourself that this worry is normal.
 
Do this every time it comes up. In time it’ll seem less threatening.

Look for Patterns

Do these worries creep up at certain times? Using mindfulness means you’re paying attention to your thoughts in the moment.
 
Understanding what sets you off is a great way to keep the worrying thought from happening at all. You’ll find yourself catching those damaging thoughts much faster.
 
And you’ll be able to shut them down that much faster.

Redirect

With mindfulness, you’re very much aware of the worries the moment they begin. You’re capable of taking control of them.
 
And you can switch them something else immediately, putting your attention there instead.

Allow the Emotion to Play Out

Worry comes with a slew of negative emotions. Mindfulness means you’re aware of what you’re feeling right now.
 
If you find yourself falling into the fears and anxiety coupled with worry, let them play out. Imagine watching them from a distance, rather than suppressing them.
 
This will let them dissipate in a natural way rather than escalate.

Flip it Around

Worried about trying something new? Rather than avoid it, try it anyway.
 
Handle the worries you know are irrational with action. More often than not, you’ll find you had nothing to worry about in the first place.
 
But keep this in mind. Sometimes worry is there for a good reason. Be careful which worries you challenge.
 
Remember, the whole point of mindfulness. You want to be in the moment and pay very close attention to what’s going on both inside and out.
 
Worry doesn’t bear up under such close scrutiny. If all you do is pay attention you’ll change the game in a big way. .
 
JohnK 2-13-2023
 
stick man hears about worryOverheard: “You probably wouldn’t worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do.”
                         ~ Olin Miller
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for worry
 

5 Questions To Determine If A Change Is A Good Idea

January 30, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

Something needs to change in your life. But you’re not sure if it’s a smart thing to do. 

Use these GenuLines questions to help you make the wisest decision. 

5 Questions To Determine If A Change Is A Good Idea

Change is synonymous with living. It may come into your life out of the blue and take you by surprise.
 
Other times you know it’s coming and you rush to prepare.
 
sign symbolizes change
 
 
Yet even though change may be your choice, it still may feel scary and overwhelming. You may find yourself wondering: should I make the change or not?
 
To help you, GenuLines offers 5 questions to determine if a situation is something you can change. The idea here is to make you feel more in control of your life.
 
These questions can help you decide which situations you should change, and which aren’t worth your time or effort.
 
Let’s get started.
 
 
1. Will it Make Me Happy?
Before you commit to any change ask yourself: will it give my life meaning? Will it make me feel happy?
 
To answer that question, you have to know what it is you want from life.
 
One way to do that is to consider your beliefs and your core values. Include those dreams you had for your life when you were younger but forgot about when you got older.
 
2. Can it Help Me Reach My Goals?
Now that you know what makes you happy, it’s time to take a look at your life goals. Start by making a list of all the realistic goals you want to achieve in life.
 
Then, divide them into three categories: short-term, medium, and long-term goals.
 
The final step is to take action. This may force you to step out of your comfort zone, but if that’s what it takes to make a change for the better, why not?
 
It takes a positive attitude, a bit of patience, and a whole lot of self-love.
Also, remember that your goals themselves may change.
 
So, it’s important to stay flexible, especially when you’re setting new goals.
 
3. Is This Something I Want?
We’re programmed to try and always please as many people as we can. It can be exhausting.
 
You spend time wondering if people like what you’re doing or if they’re satisfied with your work. If you’re going to change any aspect of your life, make sure it’s for you and not to please other people.
 
After all, it’s your life. No one is going to live it for you.
 
Another thing to remember is that the only person you should compare yourself to is you. There’ll always be someone who’s better than you or is more successful than you.
 
The best thing to do is to focus on your progress. Be proud of how much you’ve achieved and concentrate your energy on where you’re going next.
4. Will It Improve My Life?
You might be thinking of moving to a smaller house or changing your job. Change can also come on a smaller scale.
 
You could be thinking of upgrading your security system, Or planting a garden,
 
Whatever it is, think about all the ways it can improve the quality of your life. Any type of change you pursue must make your life easier, less stressful, and a lot more fun.
5. Am I Letting Fear Hold Me Back?
Being afraid is natural, but letting fear control you isn’t. We’re all afraid of failing, of uncertainty, and a whole bunch of other stuff.
 
Yet, there’s one thing that successful people don’t do; they don’t let their fears take over their lives.
 
They learn how to face whatever it is that’s putting those butterflies in their stomachs. Then, they take a deep breath and jump in.
 
Whether it’s fear of public speaking or fear of heights, you have to muster some courage. Then power through the fear, no matter what the outcome is.
 
You’ll come out the other side a stronger, more experienced individual.
Conclusion
Everyone goes through a wide array of changes in their lifetime. You can either join in and embrace all the good that change has to offer, or you can stay behind.
 
If you choose to stay, you’ll always be standing on the sidelines of life. Living with discontent, never fulfilled.
 
So, draw a deep breath and take the plunge. Who knows?
 
You might even come to enjoy the ride!
 
JohnK 1-30-2023
 
stick man hears about changeOverheard: “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do”
                                        ~ Steve Jobs
 
 
 
 
Article image by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
 
 
disclaimer for change
 

Energy Management vs. Time Management

January 24, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

Busy days can send your energy gauge to near zero. You concentrate on how you spend your time, and the push and pull your create is exhausting.

You can “balance the books” with this GenuLines look at both sides of the equation. 

Energy Management vs. Time Management

You’ve likely heard the old adage, “Life is a marathon, not a sprint.” You manage your time without paying attention to your energy management.
 
child with energy
 
 
And now you’re running a sprint rather than pacing like a marathoner.
 
Research tells us that productivity and success have more to do with how you manage your energy. And they have less to do with time management.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At Work
In your work life you often try to do the things that give you more time.
Eating healthy, staying fit, spending time with your children and connecting with others all can suffer..
 
These take time and you do have to schedule some of your pursuits.
 
Have you considered whether you have the energy for those pursuits?
Trying to adhere to certain times to manage everything can leave you exhausted.
 
You’re not able to relax and enjoy yourself when you’ve “scheduled the time” for it.

Be The “Boss”

The alternative to managing your time is good energy management. This works when you take time to recover from those lengthy sprints.
 
You’re able to finish the marathon with ease rather than anguish.
Here are some tips for effective energy management.

Write It Down 

Make a list of what makes you feel refreshed, more creative and lifts your mood. It’ll help remind you about the benefits of these uplifting activities.
 
For example, watching a great series or show you’re following on television. Or sipping a cup of tea and listening to music.
 
These can ramp up your energy levels.
 
Do your best to take longer breaks. Don’t stick to a time table when it comes to stepping up your energy level.
 
Have fun with whatever you’re doing. And reward yourself for every goal reached.
 
Pressed For Time
Do you have lots of projects and it seems you’ll never finish them to be able to relax and enjoy yourself? Break those projects down into parts.
 
Reward yourself after you complete each one. This beats waiting until you finish the entire project.

Recovery Stops 

While you’re on a long sprint, you may feel the need to stop and renew your spirits and your energy. Do it!
 
You’ll feel so much more like completing the marathon and you’ll be happier at the finish. Managing your energy is a much more effective way to move through life.
 
Your inner energy thermostat doesn’t pay any attention to the time table you’ve created. Know this and, make it the most important factor in the marathon called life.
 
JohnK 1-16-2023
 
stick figure hears about energyOverheard: “Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal”
                              ~ Albert Camus
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for enrgy
 
 

6 Tips To Make Fear Your Friend

January 16, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments
In life it seems that fear takes time outs yet never really leaves the game. But you can put fear on your team. 
 
This GenuLines game plan aims to do just that. 

6 Tips To Make Fear Your Friend

What makes you afraid? Is it losing someone close to you? A trip to the dentist?
 
Thunder and lightning?
 
hiding in fear
 
Whatever it is, keep in mind that fear is normal. It’s how our body warns us of dangerous situations and that we should be careful.
 
Yet, sometimes, our fears can become so great that they hold us back from living up to our full potential. We’re stressed and anxious over the smallest things.
 
Then again fear, in its positive form, can actually be good for us. It can inspire innovative ideas and motivate us to reach new heights.
 
Today GenuLines helps you make fear your friend. Follow the six tips below, and you’ll know how to turn what was once your foe into an ally.
 
Let’s get started.
 
1. Identify the Source
This could be the hardest step, though it’s very much worth it. But first, you need to come to terms with the source of your fear.
 
Being aware of the root cause will be difficult in the beginning, but it’ll make you stronger. You’ll no longer live in the shadow of that big, insurmountable fear.

2. Own It

You’ve come face-to-face with your fear. Now, it’s time to own it.
 
But before you do that, you have to actually admit that such-and-such scares you. There are several ways to do this.
 
First, you can either say it out loud. Do this with someone else in a comfortable setting.
 
You can also write it down in a journal or diary. The point is to get it out of your head and into a way to deal with it.
 
That’s when your fear loses its control over you.
 
It also feels better to get it off your chest and share it with the world. It might surprise you to know that many other people are as afraid as you are.

3. Think Rationally

Fear makes us panic, and panic makes us do stupid things. In fact, studies show that when we panic, our prefrontal cortex shuts down.
 
This is the region of our brain responsible for rational thinking.
 
Learn how to think rationally despite your worries and panic. Make fear your friend, and you’ll be able to go a lot farther in life.
 
4. Take Stock
People deal with fear, stress, and anxiety in different ways. Some people like challenges and the pressure they bring.
 
Others find it better to work at their own pace without any tight deadlines looming overhead.
 
Whichever way you prefer, the important thing is not to let fear get the better of you. For example, say you’re afraid to speak in public.
 
A colleague gets sick and asks you to take over their presentation. In this scenario, you have to pick whether you’ll let your fear overpower you or whether you’ll rise to the challenge.
 
The latter won’t be easy, but it’ll definitely be worth it in the long run. Tell yourself that others have held presentations before and have lived to tell about it.
 
So, what’s the big deal?
 
Remember, your mind tends to blow things out of proportion. So, find a way to deal with the stress and take stock.
 
It’s the only way you’ll be able to harness your fear and get the job done.

5. Find Support

No one ever failed by having a strong support system. Surround yourself with people who encourage you to do better.
 
These are the people who listen to you when you’re venting about your fears and anxiety.
 
There’s research to back the benefits of having a support system. This helps your coping skills. your self-esteem. and your well-being.
 
Moreover, a sound support system can lower stress, anxiety, and depression rates. 
 
6. Be Positive
Whenever you’re afraid, you’ll tend to focus on negative thoughts and emotions. But then, they fester in your mind and transform into this big, ugly thing that you can no longer control.
 
Why not try some positivity for a change? Remember, the mind is quite powerful; it only needs a small push in the right direction.
 
Stay in this mindset and expect things to fall into place.
 
JohnK 1-16-2023
Stick figure hears about fearOverheard: “Fears are educated into us, and can, if we wish, be educated out”
                                   ~Karl Augustus Menninger
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for fear
 

How Changing Your Mindset Can Improve Your Life

January 2, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

Is it time to re-consider your mindset? The beginning of the year is a good time to give it some thought. 

While you think it over keep these GenuLines tips close at hand.

How Changing Your Mindset Can Improve Your Life

“See yourself living in abundance and you will attract it. It always works, it works every time, with every person.” – Bob Proctor
 
I’m guessing that you don’t often think about how your mindset affects your life. You’ve always thought this way.
 
Either because of your upbringing or other circumstances.
 
This in fact does affect your life. By changing how you think you can improve your life.
 
boy changes his mindset
 
 
Abundance mindset, scarcity mindset, fear mindset, fixed mindset, growth mindset, and confident mindset. These of some of the different types of mindsets we have.
 
Each unconscious and conscious belief affects our lives every moment.

Self Improvement

Here are some ways changing your mindset to an abundance or growth mindset can improve your life.
 
You aren’t afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Changing to a growth mindset allows you to see the many paths available to you in whatever you’re seeking.
 
These can include job advancement, creative outlets or something more personal. This allows you to move forward rather than being stuck in the same place.
 
When you make these changes, you see there are plenty of resources to go around. Now, there will be competition, but you’ll see the opportunities in every aspect of your life.
 
You become comfortable sharing ideas without feeling threatened or intimidated. This leads to better choices, environments and relationships.
 
You aren’t afraid of being a part of a team and participating in group situations.

Relationships

Setting your sights on growth helps you build better personal and romantic relationships. You realize people will always have differences.
 
You find that a relationship involves learning about and from each other. And you grow together and develop skills to work well together.
 
You’ll begin to judge yourself and others less. You won’t have time to waste on judging what others are saying or doing. Instead you’ll be focusing on making progress in your life.
 
The growth mindset has you accepting constructive criticism for what it is and using it for growth. It helps you be more confident because you won’t need validation to reassure you that you’re doing it right.

You Can Change 

And it will improve your life. You can cultivate, learn, practice and grow new skills.
 
You no longer worry about what will happen. Instead you’ll commit to the process of doing, finishing and learning along the way.
 
Your growth will help you become a better person. Your skills will grow and you’ll build relationships.
 
You’ll step out of your comfort zone to go after what you want and believe you’ll get it.
 
JohnK 1-2-2023
 
stick man hears about mindsetOverheard: “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other”
                                  ~Audrey Hepburn
 
 
 
 
 
 

disclaimer for mindset

What Is Peace Of Mind And Why Do You Need It?

December 26, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Peace of mind is in short supply today. We’d love to have it but many of us wonder if we’ll ever get to that point.

But you can have it as GenuLines shows you today. 

What Is Peace Of Mind And Why Do You Need It?

The words “peace of mind” often take on an ambiguous meaning. They can range from the serenity of a Buddhist monk to being able to sleep at night without a racing mind.
 
The phrase “peace of mind” has become watered down over time.
 
But there’s actually a valid reason for the various definitions of these words. We’re unique individuals navigating through life with a lot of perspectives and experiences.
 
So achieving peace of mind must also differ in its definition.
 
picture brings peace of mind
 
Your path to this state requires you to be your own trailblazer.
Whatever approach you take to reach piece of mind, it’s only important that you do.

Having It All

You can have all the drive, motivation, and intelligence in the world. But if you lack focus the road in front of you will always appear blurry.
 
We’ve already looked at the fact that peace of mind varies from person to person. But there’s one definition that encapsulates it.
 
– Peace of mind is the ability to appreciate and respect the person you are, realize that you are not perfect and that mistakes are inevitable. And you want to keep a limit on the regret and second-guessing you leave behind.

Looks Are Deceiving

There are many examples around us of people who, from the outside looking in, seem to have it all. They’re dominating the game of life.
 
Unfortunately, a lot of these people feel anything but successful in their own minds.
 
Sure, they may look like they’ve raced down the path of success. While this may be true; they’ve arrived at the finish line with a lot of extra baggage.
 
It could be that they made some unethical business decisions to accumulate a fortune. On the way they neglected those closest to them in pursuit of personal goals.
 
The point I’m getting at is that peace of mind is not a destination you reach.
 
In reality, it’s the WAY you reach this destination. As the ancients might say, “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” 

Going For Broke

As you go through life, make sure to never fall into the “succeed at all costs” way of thinking. This may get you many of the material things of value the world has to offer.
 
But the enjoyment will fade out at some point. Another way of saying this is do things the right way.
 
Most of us have some form of moral compass. This could be our religious beliefs, cultural values, or personal code of ethics.
 
These things serve to speak to the person we are and the person we are to become. In your pursuit of success in this life, never jeopardize what is right to get ahead.
 
Make a habit of staying true to yourself. You’ll sleep well with a clarity of consciousness.
 
And that comes from knowing you did things the RIGHT way.
 
JohnK 12-26-2022
 
stick figure hears about peace of mindOverheard: When you’ve seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there”
                          ~ George Harrison
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for peace of mind
 

A Closed Mind Versus An Open Mind

December 19, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

We’re told to keep an open mind, but it this really necessary? I mean, there are plenty of closed minded people in society, and they seem to do okay.

Here’s a GenuLines look at both sides of the question.

A Closed Mind Versus An Open Mind

There are two different mindsets that pretty much determine how you look at life. They’re at the root of belief systems, opinions, and thought processes..
 
sign symbolizes open mind
We’re talking about open-minded and close-minded approaches.
 
People under almost the same circumstances can have differing attitudes about a situation. One person can feel devastated and sorry for themselves.
 
The other can see the problem as a learning opportunity. And they may use it to improve themselves in some way.
 
Or, something that seems positive can leave a person ungrateful or unsatisfied.
 
 
Living life with an open mind is the better way of navigating through life’s ups and downs. This mindset put you in a better position to enjoy the good times and to cope with the bad.
 
Today we look at common examples of how keeping an open mind is the better choice.
 
Conflict
We experience conflict in the workplace and at home. It touches our relationships with friends and family alike.
 
During their interactions people bring differing opinions and perspectives to the table. Let’s say a group wants to reach an agreement.
 
The closed-minded individual tends to see things from their own viewpoint only.
 
This way of thinking ends in a stalemate. Not only does progress stop, but there’s damage to relationships.
 
But, the individual with an open mind can empathize with others in a way that moves everyone to a middle ground. Having an open mind is an important approach when working through disagreements.

Struggle Sessions

How often do we see people struggling with the same issues over and over? Yet they never seem to resolve them.
 
There are plenty of examples of this.
 
The person who gets into and out of relationships on a regular basis. The coworker who fails to progress in a company after years of grinding it out at the same position.
 
Or the person who falls off the wagon despite the same new year’s resolution made every year. Usually this failure pattern results from approaching these situations with a closed mind.
 
Closed minders find it tough to change their tactics to deal with the issue. They make the same mistakes over and over again, failing to learn from them.

Taking Responsibility

Maintaining an open mind helps you to own up to your mistakes. This helps you adapt to similar situations moving forward. An open mind powers your progress in any situation.
 
These are far from all the examples that show the superiority of an open-mind. But the message is loud and clear.
 
The neutrality of your circumstances is open to your interpretation. Having an open mind enables you to find the silver lining that the closed mind doesn’t see.
 
JohnK 12-19-2022
chiforyourself.com
 
Stick figure hears about open mindsOverheard: The world is full of people who have never, since childhood, met an open doorway with an open mind.
                                   ~E.B. White
 
 
 
 
Article image by Steven Cordes on Unsplash
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for open minds
 
 
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