There are biases out there. I have them, too. Some are so engrained in us, we do it on a subconscious level. We automatically discriminate against others. We can find others that we like and help them. Then decide not to help others because of X, Y, or Z. There are a lot of ways that I feel discriminated against. The trick is to rise above them. Hoping others will see through the exterior and break through their own biases, is a wish of mine. They don’t know what they don’t know. Because of these engrained stereotypes, some are automatically eliminated from being selected for various activities.  I saw a post today “If everyone could only see souls, then the world would look much different.”

Focus is a major component of success. I find it difficult for me to figure out what to write today. There are so many ideas. I did not start my day out right. I woke up early and wanted to go back to bed. I read a positive uplifting book. I knew I wanted to accomplish some things today. I did not write them down. I just kind of let the day unfold. There was no real plan. Only a to do list in my head.  I wanted to take it easy today. There are changes I want to make. So, I have to find the time to jot down my ideas for the coming week. It is really easy to lose focus and get into my e-mail or other activities. Facebook really can suck you in. Making major decisions for me is becoming paramount. If I go in one direction I may have regrets. If I go in the opposite direction I may face seemingly impossible obstacles. It is a lot to take in. I am going to take it one day at a time with focus.

What did I do to get to this point? I made some choices. They were not all great choices. My thinking affected where I ended up. To get to a different level I need to change my thinking. Some of us have limiting beliefs. Limiting beliefs are the Goliaths in our lives. We do not feel adequate to handle obstacles. I read in Joel Olsteen’s book “The Power of I am.” that David’s gift was that he could use a sling shot. He was not seen as a leader, warrior, or hero. No he only had the ability to use a sling shot. What he did  possess was a belief that he could succeed and positive self-talk. He knew what he was created to be. Beating ourselves up over past mistakes is not helpful.

Moms all over the world want what is best for their children. Living a life of fear, stress, and anxiety is no way to set an example for the next generation. Have courage in tough times. It builds character. Take solace in relationships. Having a few laughs will lighten the load. Know that you are not alone. So when life seems to be throwing tomatoes at you. Don’t get discouraged. Make spaghetti and invite friends over. Some may seem to have it all together, but when you get right down to it we all have our problems. We are being worked on. So, don’t get  upset, make the most out of a bad situation. Try to find a solution. Seek out help from others who have the results you want.

Lately. this has been on my mind. I am supposed to be content with what I have and grateful to have a job. I know the job is not right for me.  I know it is not a place where I want to remain. I hope and pray to find something else, that has purpose and meaning. Someone suggested volunteering at various places. The process can be long to get in somewhere. I volunteered to work at a Nursing Home.  No one has gotten back to me.  The ideas and sparks are not hitting me, which leads me to believe I need to get out more. So, tonight I am taking my kids out and I am just going to try to see the world through their eyes, with wonder and awe.

I am grateful that my internet connection is up and running  again.  When you don’t have a connection for a few days and feel compelled to complete some tasks, it can be unsettling. Today, I was able to get out of bed. Some people are not able to get out of bed on their own accord. I am grateful for call from old friends. Being busy with the holiday season, it can be hard to connect. This year I have the holidays all wrapped up. I don’t have to take care of a lot. Next year I plan on meeting with some family after the rush of the season. I look forward to that. Having many relatives, some that I have not know for a long time, and having the opportunity to get to know them is what I am grateful for. Relationships make life worth while.

Sometimes things don’t go your way. I had the best day planned for today. Then I had to handle the things that really bothered me. They were urgent because, well they could have cost me a lot more money. I learned from last year, when I got distracted and did not send out an important bill. I thought I sent it. It turns out I did not. You have to plan your schedule, you have to be organized, you have to know why you are doing something.  Actually blocking out time in your calendar is the best way to prioritize. I actually took a few hours on Sunday to plot what I was going to do this week. On Monday I had to make an important call. It turns out that person was not there when I called. “Call back tomorrow”, the receptionist said. I called today and was told “they stepped out.” I called later and they were there.

Did anyone go to the Post Office today? Bad move on my part to go at lunch time. No one would be trying to mail out Christmas packages, today. I spoke up and asked a few questions and was able to get out of there sooner. The wait could have been avoided all together if I just called.

There are days when everything seems to fall into place and then there are those days when nothing goes the way you planned it. The only thing you can do is to learn from that experience. Also, trimming down your expectations. So what if you did not get all 101 things done on your to-do list.  It helps to narrow your focus. We are not made to multi-task.

Today I heard two young girls talk about their student loans coming due, and their current jobs, along with moving to a job where by they could advance. One said she worked at a place that she loved, but it was too far away to go every day. If she had a true mentor, they may have told it would be worth it to travel far for her dream-job. It sounded like the other one had a mentor. I could not help but eavesdrop. She said he discouraged her from going to another company where she felt she had more opportunities for advancement. It is my feeling that she should not have had a male mentor (being a young female)  and second I don’t think a good mentor would discourage anyone from doing anything. Mentors can be tough on you. They make you stretch. The right mentor will ask you questions. Mentors who have mentors are able to have someone check their thinking. Mentors can help you avoid pitfalls. Mentors are not just people. You can be mentored by the books, videos, and audio that other successful people have published. Picking the right Mentor and the right materials where they have the results you want is a step in getting the right mentor.

It is hammered in to me that reading, listening to other motivational speakers, and associating with like-minded people will help you achieve your goals along with taking action. You have to motivate yourself to keep up these activities. Little things done over time produce the results. Stay away from negativity. Don’t watch too much television and movies. You are being programmed to think negatively by some producer who has a job to sell you on the advertising which supports the television station. Sometimes you may feel like giving up. If there is something inside you that can benefit others use it. Be vulnerable. Know that you will be helping others in talking about your own struggles. You will have figured out how to avoid certain pitfalls if you keep taking action in a positive direction. When in doubt it is okay to ask for help. Many fail while trying to achieve their goals. The key is to learn from the mistakes and move on.

There is one way to stop thinking about  your trials and tribulation. Help others in any way you can. If you are sad and feel like there is something missing, there is. You may have not found your purpose. Even if you don’t know what it is at the moment. You can do something to help someone else, right now.  There are times when I get frustrated and feel that I have not accomplished much. Then I count the times that I helped others. You can lift others up with a kind word – written/over the phone/ in person/ e-mail. That does not cost anything. Some of my Mentors spent the 9/11/15 Memorial Day serving Fire Fighters in their community fried chicken sandwiches. You can be creative. It can be simple. I had a co-worker who could not go out for lunch. He could walk to the kitchenette and microwave a meal. I offered to go out and get him a fresh  lunch on many occasions. When you do something for others you are showing them that they are important and that they matter. You took note of them and did something they needed or wanted. This is true Leadership.  We are called to serve a higher purpose.