Tag Archive for Chi For Yourself

What Kind of Mindset Do You Have?

Your mindset can take you to great heights. Or, it can keep you mired in the depths. 

Today GenuLines steers you around the negative mindsets and on the path to genuine living. 

(You can listen to this article by clicking on here)

What Kind of Mindset Do You Have?

Thinker mindsetYour mindset is what compels you to take a certain action or leads you back off from acting on something. It influences how you see yourself and those around you.
 
Different types of mindsets can mean different things to each of us. And they can say a lot about how and why you think like you do.
 
Each has benefits and drawbacks.
 

 

A numbers game

The number of mindsets that exist is dependent on how much you generalize them. Finding your type is key to understanding how you operate in every area of your life.
 
There are two main types of mindsets, Fixed and Growth. Each has benefits and downsides.
 
If you have a fixed mindset, you tend to believe your skills or qualities are set and you resist changing them. These include your intelligence level, and your personality or character.
 
This can cause you to limit yourself and focus on proving yourself to others.
 
Some of the sub-mindsets of a fixed mindset include these tendencies:
 
· Fear 
 
· Laziness 
 
· Envy 
 
· Greed 
 
· Short-term thinking
 
· Anger
 
· Tendency to follow
 

Characteristics include:

 
1. Blaming others for things that are wrong
 
2. Lazy habits
 
3. Relying on addictions
 
4. Insatiable and always want more
 
5. Self-absorbed, with little thought of others
 
6. Limited initiative to achieve
 
7. Obsessed with what others are, do or say
 
8. Waste time
 
9. Come across in a negative way
 
With a growth mindset, you tend to believe in a basic set of qualities. You feel you can cultivate and develop them through effort, strategy, and help from others.

 

Some of the sub-mindsets of a growth mindset include:

 
· Social 
 
· Business 
 
· Dreamer 
 
· Gratitude 
 
· Confident 
 
· Creative 
 

Characteristics include:

 
· Willing to help others
 
· Solve problems
 
· Think big and know what you want
 
· Feel gratitude for what you have
 
· Eager to learn
 
· Dedication to achieve and grow
 
· Able to change and develop skills
 
· Embrace challenges
 
· Learn from failures
 
What type of mindset is the basis of your thoughts and actions? Do you believe that this is how you are and can’t change?
 
Do you believe you can change, and things can be different for you? The good news is you can change your mindset to one of growth and abundance.
 
JohnK 10-19-2020
 
Stick figure hears about mindsetOverheard: “Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance”
                           ~Samuel Johnson
 
 

 

 

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You Can Cure Your Mental Fog

Mental fog is not just unsettling, it can hold you back in many ways. There are ways to come out of this fog.
 
GenuLines invites you to read on to find out how. 
 
 

You Can Cure Your Mental Fog 

We’ve all experienced mental fog. Its symptoms include:
 
• Difficulty concentrating
• Diminished memory
• Focusing problems
• A drop in communication skills
• Low motivation
• Easily distracted
 
man with mental fog 

 

Origins

Mental fog is due to any type of imbalance in the control center of the brain. This area is the hypothalamus. The imbalance can be a result of inflammation or free radicals. Or any type of stress brought on by several factors, such as:

 
• Multi-tasking
• Exhaustion
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Imbalanced hormones
• Infections
• Not getting enough sun exposure
• Substance abuse
 
Mental fog is natural given our busy, nonstop lifestyles. But it can become frequent. If this is the case with you there are some simple changes you can make that will help.
 
• Eat right
It’s amazing how much power our food has over us. Processed foods, foods high in saturated fats, and gluten all have a negative effect on the brain.
 
In fact, research links gluten sensitivity to low concentration and focus abilities. Also, not getting enough water into your system can lead to brain freeze.
 
• Take your vitamins
Your diet is lacking in antioxidants. You want vitamins, such as D and B complex, and minerals, such as calcium, zinc, and magnesium. Supplements could help you here.
 
• Get better sleep
We all sleep, but it’s the quality of our sleep that can either make us or break us. High quality sleep improves brain function as a whole.
 
While it’s ideal to get the full 8 hours each night, some people only need 6 for optimal effectiveness. Find what works best for you.
 
Regulate your sleep using a relaxing bedtime routine and a comfortable sleeping area.
 
• Work out
When you exercise, you send fresh, oxygenated blood to your entire body, mainly your brain. This boosts its cognitive functions and diminishes brain fog.
 
Studies have shown how exercise can improve learning and study skills. It helps with concentration and memory ability, too.
 
• Find a hobby
It may seem like there aren’t enough hours in the day to do to get things done. And it could be tough to squeeze in a hobby.
 
But there are ways to incorporate fun, relaxing activities into your weekly schedule. The first step is to carve out some “me” time and stop thinking it’s selfish, like many of us do.
 
The second step is to find something you enjoy doing. It could be meditating by yourself in a quiet room, or a class or club where you’ll meet new people.
 
The final step is to decompress and enjoy.
 
Conclusion
Brain fog is reversible. You need to do the work and find out what works for you.
 
Each one of us is unique, so it may be a bit challenging at first to find that perfect fit. But you’ll be glad you put in the effort once you regain clarity and you’re able to perform at your best.
 
JohnK 10-5-2020
 
Stick figure hears about mental fogOverheard: “Derive happiness in oneself from a good day’s work, from illuminating the fog that surrounds us”
                                                           ~Henri Matisse
 
 
 
 
 
Article image by Tyler Sturos from Pixabay 
 
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Is Age Really All In Your Mind?

 
You grow older and you die. That’s a common timeline for many of us.
 
But how you deal with aging is another story, and GenuLines says that’s up to you.
 
(You can listen to this article by clicking here)

Is Age Really All In Your Mind?

Now we don’t mean that your mind can keep you from aging. But it can make you feel that way!
 
old person with caneYou often hear people over the age of 50 talk about aging. They talk about deterioration, decline, and feeling unwanted and not useful.
 
One way to deal with this is to focus on the positive things age brings. Things like wisdom, understanding, and the ability to help others.
 
 
Doing your best to be healthy is another way to keep the bad thoughts at a distance.
Your outlook and quality of life are likely to increase, too.

Ignore the Culture Surrounding You

We live in a world obsessed with youth. Every day, older people get pushed to the side in favor of the young.
 
The late teens and early twenties are the years called prime.
 
To get past this and actually start living with an ageless mindset, you have to do your best to tune it out. You’ve aged to the best you’ve ever been.
 
You’re wizened and seasoned. Stop denying your aging and own it; that’s what will truly make you ageless.

Love Your Body and Own Your Age

The only way to ensure you keep having the ageless mindset is to continue to love your body. Remind yourself that you’re getting better with age.
 
Appreciate your body for what it does for you and how far it’s taken you. Every day that you’re alive, you can learn something new and adapt to changes around you.

Never Say ‘Never’

One thing that will knock you off your path towards an ageless mindset is negativity. We psych ourselves with an attitude that we’re too old to do certain things.
 
You feel too set in your ways to learn. That can lead to feeling too old to be of value.
 
These thoughts are toxic and they threaten the positivity you’re working to maintain. Block negative mind chatter about your abilities, your worth, or your age.
 
It may take you a little extra effort to get where you want to go, but if you make the effort, you can.
 
How you deal with aging is up to you. You can dye you hair and lie about your age.
 
Or you can move forward with a new positive mindset that will have you feeling ageless.
 
JohnK 9-21-2020
 
Stick figure hears about ageOverheard: “Age is not important unless you’re a cheese”                                                                  
                                       ~Helen Hayes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for age
 

4 Solid Ways To Stop Procrastination

Procrastination.

I do it.

You do it.

The fact is, we do it more often than we like to admit.

So GenuLines urges you to get moving on some ways to stop procrastinating.

(You can listen to this article by clicking HERE)

4 Solid Ways To Stop Procrastination

Procrastination is more than turning in school or work projects late.
It can also include putting off important life decisions.

Like whether to ask your boss for the raise promised you last month. Or whether you should join a gym, or end a relationship, or have a baby.man shows procrastination

The list of possibilities is endless.

The effect of not dealing with this can be life-long. Your relationships, career, and health might all take a hit.

 

 

But the tendency is to put things off until later. There’s always tomorrow, right?

It won’t be easy but try to identify the stress factor behind your procrastination. It could be fear of failure, fear of confrontation, fear of not being perfect.

You are your own worst critic.

Follow these tips to help you avoid procrastination once and for all.

1. Turn burdensome tasks into habits

We all have enough willpower to get about 3 or 4 tasks done each day. Turn yours into habits rather than mundane tasks.

You’ll give it less thought, and rely less on willpower. You won’t fall into the procrastination rut.

Why not turn healthy eating, daily exercise, or turning in reports ahead of time into daily habits, too? Procrastination is all about taking that dreaded first step.

So why not ease into it knowing that in time, or once you’ve finished X, you can watch videos or head outdoors.

2. Break work tasks into chunks

Instead of cleaning out the entire garage, do the right side first. Take a break.

Then do the left side. Take a break, and then finish off the rest.

At work, big tasks may seem daunting when you look at them as a whole. The answer?

Break them down into smaller tasks. Make an outline of the entire project, and then divide it into smaller tasks.

Working in 30-minute increments also helps break down tasks into smaller chunks. Those are manageable and not so intimidating.

After the 30 minutes, take a break and assess your work. Seeing how much you’ve accomplished will give you that boost of confidence you need to keep at it.

3. Remove distractions

Checking your email every 5 minutes isn’t doing you any good. So, once you’ve committed to doing the job, limit distractions by putting your away.

You can find apps that help you stay on track, but some will say that’s completely missing the point.

The important thing is that you set up a certain time for checking emails or your social media. Once you’ve started your task, you avoid the urge to take a sneak peak.

Another serious distraction is multi-tasking. Even though it may seem that you’re being productive, the truth is it wastes time and energy.

Yes you’re working more. But your end results will be below average.

4. Work during your peak hours

We all have certain times during the day when we’re most alert. Some of us are morning people, some are night owls, and some have more energy during the afternoon hours.

Find out what your peak hours are and tackle your most difficult tasks then. You’ll be more of a powerhouse then with your brain working at its highest capacity.

Procrastination is different than laziness. When you procrastinate, you delay one task for a more pleasurable activity.

So why not turn that mundane task you’re dreading into something more fun and enjoyable? Then you’ll put the brakes on procrastination.

JohnK 9-7-2020
chiforyourself.com home

stick figure man hears about procrastinationOverheard: “Procrastination is opportunity’s assassin”
                                      ~ Victor Kiam

 

 

 

 

Article image by Sam Solomon on Unsplash

 

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6 Hacks to Keep Your Motivation Going Strong

Motivation is great- when you have it. But sometimes it slips away like the proverbial thief in the night. 

Just ahead you’ll find some GenuLines tips to bring the motivation back where it belongs.

(To listen to the article click HERE)

6 Hacks to Keep Your Motivation Going Strong

robot needing motivationSo you got motivated recently. Maybe you saw an awesome speaker or got a stinging dose of honesty from a friend or family member.
 
But initial motivation often fades…so here are a few ways to keep it going strong.
 
 
 
1. Remember the pain points
In sales lingo, pain points are problems that come about when the solution offered is not taken. Try to keep in mind all the things that could or will happen if you don’t stay the course.
 
For example, if you were once motivated to go running three times a week. Think about what will happen if you don’t give your heart the exercise it needs.
 
2. Don’t play leapfrog
Feelings of motivation can sometimes slip into the category of finding the next high. Don’t bounce from goal to goal.
 
Instead finish what you start before getting motivated about something else. Let’s say you enjoy language and made a goal for yourself to learn French.
 
Learn it before you switch to learning German, and then Italian, or whatever else.
 
3. Know Thyself
When you try to reach goals that other people set for you, your motivation can wane. Take a look at those goals.
 
Make sure they’re yours…not goals that other people want you to achieve. If they’re not, you may want to set them aside and reassess where you’re going.
 
4. Visualize
Picturing realizing your goal is a big help in motivating you to succeed. And it has some awesome side effects.
 
The positive energy you give that imagery will affect you at a subconscious level. The mental affirmation that you can achieve it will do loads for your self confidence.
 
This will also also help you stay the course.
 
5. Let go of stuff beyond your control
When it comes to motivation, it can be easy to give up because things don’t’ go according to plan. Learn to let go of things beyond your control. If you don’t they’ll reduce your motivation to succeed.
 
6. Get organized
If you want to stay motivated, you need to work a little bit to keep the motivation alive. If you don’t it’ll slip under the radar.
 
Motivation will be just another feeling unless you crystalize it. Put your goals on the calendar and make an action plan.
 
JohnK 8-31-2020
 
stick figure man hears about motivationOverheard: “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing–that’s why we recommend it daily.” 
                                                       ~ Zig Ziglar
 
 
 
 
 
 
Article image by Dmitry Abramov from Pixabay 
 
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Choose Your Reaction to What Life Sends Your Way

Life has a way of knocking you to your knees. And tough times just seem to keep the bad stuff coming.

But GenuLines wants you to remember that a thought-out response can protect you from action you’ll regret.

microphone for speaking about life

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choose Your Reaction to What Life Sends Your Way

Whether life slams you or only throws you a curve you might tend to react without thinking. But making rational thought your first reaction puts you in control.
 
life ringKnee-jerk reactions rarely work to your advantage.
 
Here’s an example. A customer says your product is horrible and wants a refund.
 
You’re on the defensive but your calm response takes away the person’s power.
 
 
 
Now your life isn’t dictated by things happening around you. You control your emotions.
 
Taking the “reins” in this way keeps your emotions under control. And making this a habit can contribute to a happier and more satisfying life.
 
Reactions that aren’t thought out tend to be irrational. And this can get you into a lot of trouble.
 
Highway tailgaters might seem like your enemy. You get upset and you try to get away from them.
 
Or, you try to get back at them.
 
This can cause a crash or an altercation Think about simple solutions to solving the problem at hand.
 

There are times when an immediate reaction is appropriate, such as the loss of someone close to you. You’re not going to make a situation like that positive.

For the emotions that follow, such as grief, choose how you’ll handle having these feelings.
 
Talk things out with a grief counselor. Don’t put it on the back burner.
 
It’s important to recognize situations in which instant reactions are acceptable. Don’t confuse them with situations that call for well thought out, controlled responses.
 
JohnK 8-10-2020
 
Stick figure hears about lifeOverheard: “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on”
                                                         ~Robert Frost
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Find Your Authenticity by Embracing Your Inner Self

With all the madness we’re seeing in society it’s easy to lose connection with our authenticity. Who can be blamed for feeling a little like part of the “herd mentality?” 
 
GenuLines understands that feeling and offers this bit of support for staying connected to your “genuine self.”
 

microphone for speaking about authenticity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find Your Authenticity by Embracing Your Inner Self

Human beings have an inherent tendency to avoid standing out from the crowd. From the very beginning, our survival relied on safety in numbers. 
 
And that habit stays a part of our nature despite any real need for in today’s world. This reality flies in the face of a society that lives on social media.
 
Every day there’s pressure to mask your authentic self. It could be at work, with friends, or on social media.
 
In this article, we look at a few of the many reasons that embracing your inner self benefits you. And how it can benefit most everyone around you.
 
banner to boost authenticity
 
 
One of the best traits of human beings is that each of us is unique. We differ in our individual talents, abilities, perspectives, and so on.
 
But we often mask these differences to avoid standing out. This deprives us and others of the benefits of our self-expression.
 
Think about history’s greatest inventions and discoveries. These came from people willing to be different and to resist the status quo.
 
We do want to accept ourselves. But this can clash with the need to fit in.
 
When you’re able to embrace your inner self and go against the grain, you invite others to do the same.
 
When people around you notice your self-acceptance they’re more likely to follow suit! It’s a ripple effect.
 
The others gain from the fellowship of collective talent and abilities.
 
It’s ironic that you burn more energy blending in than by being your genuine self.
Going with the crowd involves a conscious effort to act and behave a certain way at all times.
 
It wastes mental resources you can use in much better ways. Going your own way can bring impressive results.

No Regrets

One of the most painful feelings we can experience is that of regret. You don’t need a reminder to know that life is short.
 
If you squander your gifts the sad day will eventually come when you’re aware of what you did.
 
Often the most monumental chances in life come and go in the blink of an eye. And when those chances are gone they’re gone.
 
By embracing your inner self, you can mitigate so much regret down the road.
 
Standing out from the crowd will feel odd at first.
But, you’ll find that the benefits to you and those around you are more than worth it!
 
JohnK 8-3-2020
 
Stick figure hears about authenticityOverheard: “To find yourself, think for yourself”
                                 ~Seneca
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Are You Wasting Your Energy on Meaningless Things?

Challenging times demand that you maintain a state of peak energy. But that peak condition can wear down in ways you’re not aware of.  

Today GenuLines looks at ways you might be squandering your energy.

 

microphone for speaking about energy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are You Wasting Your Energy on Meaningless Things?

When you get too caught up in the things you don’t like, it’s easy to lose sight of your goals and the path to achieving them. When you begin to indulge in your anger, you feel worse each day.
 
You end up fueling all the wrong emotions.
 
light bulb uses energyLet’s say you wake up in the morning angry and disheartened over things you don’t like. You’ll live much of your life in a negative energy mindset.
 
And that’s bad for your mental and physical health.
 
 
 
Staying in a constant state of anger or sadness is bad for your health in many ways. You might find yourself experiencing more frequent headaches, fatigue, and stomach problems.
 
These are all side effects of stress, which goes hand in hand with negative emotions.
 
Mentally, you’ll be more irritable and upset, which can affect your loved ones, too.
What’s more, you won’t have the focus you need to work on your dreams.
 
If you dread seeing a certain coworker each day change your thinking. Be grateful that you have a stable job.
 
Focus on the things that you love and the things that you need to do.
 
Complaining about your coworkers is useless, and it only causes you issues, not them. Instead of complaining about things that’ are wrong, focus your efforts on fixing what you can fix.
Energy Re-direction
Put your attention on the things that you enjoy. Spending your energy working on things that you want and enjoy cuts into your stress.
 
You wake up feeling energized and excited to start your day.
 
Doesn’t that beat dreading another useless day of getting nothing done?
 
Get on a good sleep schedule if you’re not already on one so that you can spend more time doing the things that you love. You’ll find that your mind is more at ease and you feel much healthier.
 
You’ll gain a sense of satisfaction by knowing that you’re taking control of your path. And that you’re living life on your terms,
 
JohnK 6-28-2020
 
stick man hears about energyOverheard: “The energy of the mind is the essence of life”
                                               ~Aristotle
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
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Food And Drink And Your Anxiety

Anxiety is something we connect to the conditions around us. The bad stuff is always “out there.”
 
But GenuLines looks at how the things around you are impacted by what goes inside you. 
 
microphone for speaking about anxiety

 

 

 

 

 

Food And Drink And Your Anxiety

If you’re feeling anxiety you might tend to blame your environment. But what you eat and drink can have a big effect on your body’s chemistry.
 
Some foods and drinks may actually worsen your anxiety. Here are some of the culprits.
 
picture of anxiety
 
 
Drinks

-Coffee

As you might have expected, the caffeine in coffee can make anxiety worse. It causes constriction of blood vessels and that feeling of the “jitters.”
 
It can also cause or worsen insomnia. And it inhibits the absorption of Vitamin C, a key nutrient for optimal mind and body function.

-Soft Drinks and Colas

Even caffeine-free, sugar-free soft drinks, can worsen your anxiety. The high-acid content of dark colas produces an acidic environment in the body.
 
This process sets off a reaction that leaches calcium and magnesium from your bones. Both of these minerals are crucial to proper brain and muscle function.
 
In fact, reduced calcium and magnesium impedes muscle relaxation.
 
That increases muscle tension.
 
So if you choose a clear, caffeine-free, sugar-free soft drink, it won’t worsen your anxiety, right? Wrong!
 
The artificial sweetener in these drinks, aspartame, may have significant cognitive effects. It may actually worsen the psychological aspect of anxiety.
 

-Alcohol

Alcohol seems like a good option for anxiety sufferers. But over-consumption can worsen depression and inhibit the absorption of key nutrients.
 

Foods

-Chocolate
Chocolate is often called the “feel-good” food. But it contains significant caffeine and large amounts of sugar. Next, we’ll take a look at sugar.
 

-Excessive Sugar

By “excessive,” some nutritionists mean anything over 5 tablespoons of refined sugar daily. While you may think that would be easy, it’s not.
 
Sugar is in almost everything, and 5 tablespoons is a bit more than 1/4 cup. If you drink several large glasses of sweet iced tea, you can take in close to 1/4 cup of sugar.
 
And that doesn’t take into account the sugar in your food. This sugar is either hidden (such as in frozen foods) or obvious (such as “frosted” cereals).
 
So why is sugar a problem? For one thing, the body uses Vitamin B6.
 
It’s crucial to mood and proper hormone function and metabolizing sugar. But sugar depletes your body of this and other important nutrients.
 
It can also create high and low moods, and bring on a post-sugar “crash,” or low blood sugar.

-Refined Flour

Refined flour acts much like sugar in the body. And it has none of the essential fatty acids, fiber, and other nutrients that whole grains do.
 

-Processed Foods

Many processed foods are full of preservatives, artificial flavors, and artificial colors. Some of these can pass through the blood-brain barrier, affecting cognitive function.
 
Then there’s yellow #5. This is often found in candy, gum, margarine, and other processed foods.
 
It can disrupt the hormone balance in the body.
 
Think about what you put into your body. It can go a long way toward keeping you calm. 
 
JohnK 7-21-2020
 
Stick figure hears about anxietyOverheard: “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”
                                             ~Charles Spurgeon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Are You Making Your Life Hard?

When life is hard we tend to look outside ourselves for reasons. We don’t want to think the cause is a lot closer to home. 

As always, GenuLines helps re-direct you back to your “self” as a start toward getting your bearings. 

 

microphone for speaking about life

 

 

 

 

Are You Making Your Life Hard?

life training pictureEvery day brings us a million things to take care of and it’s easy to fall behind. But sometimes life is hard because we’re making it that way.

One reason we make it harder is that we want to feel like we have some control. Let’s look at some ways you might be getting in your own way.

 

 

 

You Assume Malicious Intent

Most of the time people don’t mean to inconvenience you or make your life harder. Could be the person who cut you off in traffic was in a hurry.

Your significant other was quiet this morning. It may have been due to fatigue rather than anything you did.

If we decide the world is out to get us, we make life harder than it has to be. Be very slow to assume malicious intent.

It usually leaves you angry and unpleasant. The truth behind someone’s intentions is usually far from malicious.

And often not personal at all.

You Maintain Unreasonable Expectations

One thing we can control about life is our expectations. That doesn’t mean that we should go through life expecting and getting nothing.

Instead don’t expect the glass to be half full, half empty, or even a little full. Be grateful that it contains any wine at all!

You’re Afraid of Risks

Avoiding risk is part of human nature. We don’t want to run into danger unless we know we can get out of it.

But our bubble of comfort can often become a prison. Risking social rejection, loss of money, and loss of time is a trade-off for making our lives better.

When we spend most of our time avoiding risks, we make life harder.

Make sure you take smart risks! Think of an area in your life you’d like to expand upon and set some short terms goals.

Once you’ve challenged yourself and become comfortable again, set some higher goals!

You Compare Yourself to Others

One negative feature about social media is that it enables us to compare ourselves to others. Even worse, we compare ourselves to others in only their best moments.

Your friends may not have it as good as they’d like you to think. There will always be someone with more money, more friends, or whatever else than you.

The only person you should compare yourself to is the version of you from the past.

In short, we need to worry less about others, less about risks, and maintain our expectations. Don’t spend your life trying to be other people.

Or thinking the world is out to get you. Or afraid to take a chance.

Don’t expect things to get better without changing your actions. That sets you up for failure.

Stop making life harder!

JohnK 6-7-2020
chiforyourself.com home

Stick figure hears about lifeOverheard: “The greatest pleasure of life is love.
                             ~Euripides

 

 

 

Article image by David Mark from Pixabay

 

 

disclaimer for life