10 Goals for today
As I’ve mentioned before, one of the best ways to have a positive effect on your life today is to make a small change or take a small risk. Thinking big is good but small actions are more manageable and easier to achieve. With that in mind, here’s a list of 10 goals, any of which you could set yourself for today or tomorrow.
1. Get up an hour earlier.
Spend the time doing something you enjoy. Read a paper, watch the sun come up or just relax and drink a nice cup of tea.
2. Go for a walk.
If it’s too dark when you get home from work or school then try a walk after lunch. Just 2o minutes will help you to feel calmer and healthier.
3. Read a book.
We all say we haven’t the time but still manage to waste hours on front of the tv or our computers. Dust of that book you bought months ago and get started. Continue reading »
Move on from the past and become happier today
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain
Unfortunately, it’s easy to focus on the past. The problem with this is it’s usually not worth your time to do so. For example, sometimes I find myself replaying arguments from years ago whilst brushing my teeth in the mornings. Sure I come up with some great lines but all I’m doing is making myself feel bad. Nowadays I’ve learned to recognise when I’m doing this and stop myself.
You can’t do anything about the past except learn from your mistakes and make sure not to repeat them today. That’s it, that’s all you can do with it. Continue reading »
Filed under Change, Feelings, Focusing on you, Self-esteem | Comment (1)10 Tips for Overcoming Loneliness
“The best time to make friends is before you need them” - Ethel Barrymore
If you’ve gotten as far as this article then you’ve probably already realised the value of spending time with friends. With the advent of social networking sites it has become too easy to distance yourself from “real” friends and surround yourself with digital ones. Digital friends are easier to manage, when you feel tired or irritated all you have to do is switch them off. Real friends are more challenging but the rewards of a genuine friend are far more valuable.
Perhaps social networking can be used as a means to put you in touch with old friends but the important thing to remember is to take it to the next level and arrange to meet up with them.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Overcoming Shyness
Some years ago I was standing outside a pub when an old blind man walked out the door and stood beside me. I watched with mild interest as he took a lighter from his pocket and lit a cigarette stub in his mouth. I was a painfully shy person at the time but for some reason I thought I’d speak to him. I commented on the bad weather and he agreed that it was pretty awful. I asked him if the rain made it harder to walk with his stick and he said no, he liked walking in the rain because there were less people in his way. Well we spoke for a while about many things including how a lot of the time when people helped him cross the road, he wouldn’t actually need to cross but he would, just to keep them from being embarrassed. He was a pretty funny guy.
Eventually I had to go so I said goodbye and the old man asked if he could have my hand for a second, a little confused I said of course. He took my hand and placed it on his chest for a second and then he let go and said “Thank you, you have touched a heart” and then he left. I was completely taken aback, what an amazing thing to say to a person, I think I beamed for a week! Continue reading »
Filed under Change, Fear, Feelings, Self-esteem, Shyness | Comment (0)
