Tag: inspiration

Being Rejected Automatically Can Create An Interesting Shift in One’s Thinking

“You have as many options as you give yourself.” ― Kasie West

I submitted a post that was automatically rejected!

In the past, I know I would have been really upset but the older I get the more I realize, it was not what they were looking for.

The key point in this situation is not that I got rejected, but the fact that I submitted a post in the first place. I knew my chances of being accepted were slim when I submitted my entry in the first place.  By writing a post, I knew I had a 50/50 percent chance of being accepted which is always better than a zero percent chance by never submitting at all.  I also realized that you don’t need someone else’s approval to offer up advice. You can offer but it is always up to someone else if they will choose to take it or not.

This is something I am learning more and more every day.  By expressing or sharing our thoughts, ideas, or experiences, we have done what the universe has called upon us to do. By doing so, we are helping those who are searching for an answer. If it is out there, it is available if it is not, it helps no one.

Here’s my last takeaway:

There is nothing in the rule book that says you can’t offer an answer through other means. We always have options. The question was posted on Quora, but you can post your answer elsewhere!

Don’t let others keep you from sharing your insight and wisdom. My mother use to say, if there is a will, there is a way. Find your way to share your insight and wisdom with the world.

I am posting the question and my answer below. Feel free to check it out if you would like to. If not, I know it wasn’t what you were looking for.

Quote Source: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag?utf8=✓&id=options

Connect with me https://linktr.ee/confidentstrides

Rejected Submission:

What is advice you would give to 20 something year old in today’s world? – Quora

I thought about the advice I would give to my son when I thought about this answer.  He just turned twenty-one this year. He is married and, in the military, about to move to Italy. What came up for me was this:

Live your life. Life is too short to live it according to other people’s standards, including mine.

I was not happy when I found out my son was planning on getting married at nineteen.  I was trying to get him to live a little bit more before settling down, but his heart was set on it. It seemed the more I voiced my opinion against the marriage idea the more they were determined to go through with it.  We had several conversations and the one thing I remember him telling me was that this felt right for him. I wasn’t thrilled but I respected his decision.

I read Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth a few years back and it helped me to step back and realize our roles change in life.  If my son is grown enough to make these kinds of decisions, my role now is to simply love and support him. Just like I lived my life, it is their turn to live theirs.

Food for thought:

“If it is your intention to establish and maintain loving relationships with other people, you absolutely must surrender the need to be in control.” – Iyanla Vanzant

January 3, 2022
Show Up First

Show up authentically and synergy will meet you there. ― Sanjo Jendayi

I started running about three months ago. I had been an avid walker for more that five years or more. I really have no clue as to where this is taking me. I simply love being out in nature and it’s a great way for me to find clarity and creativity.

What inspired me to start running? Well the same park I walk at is the same location that one of the local high school’s cross country team practices at. I remember on one Sunday morning, I saw a young man out running in the cross country course by himself. Wow!! This young man didn’t wait until the coach told him to practice or the rest of the team to be there, he just went out and did it.

We don’t need to get other people’s approval to do and be who we are. It’s nice to have a cheering section but sometimes the fans won’t show up until we do. What have you been wanting to do? Don’t wait, be like that young runner and go for it!

Photo Source: click here / Quote Source: click here

November 27, 2019
Period of Transition

“Only those who stick around long enough to see the caterpillar turn into the butterfly actually get to witness the transformation.” ― Kristin Michelle Elizabeth

I love this quote because it reminds me that there will be people in and out of your lives constantly. I have been guilty of is worrying about those who didn’t stick around. Let it go! The past is just that, the past. Maybe, just maybe, their assignment was up and it was time for them, or you, to move on. Look for the blessing or the lesson and keep moving forward.

Worry about who isn’t in your life anymore, keeps us from appreciating those who are. This is nothing but a “period of transition”. For those who did not stay around to witness your transformation, wish them good will and release any negativity that may have surrounded their departure. Holding on to the negativity is like holding onto an anchor, it just holds you back. Everyone, including you are on our own journeys. All we can ever do is just keep crawling until it’s time to grow your wings and fly!

Photo Source: click here / Quote Source: click here.

November 21, 2019
Stay on The Lookout

Blessing are everywhere, you just have to stay on the look out for them. There are countless miracles that go unnoticed everyday of every minute. A couple of years ago I learned of just a tiny fraction of the blessing are bodies do for each of us. For instance, if you exercise, your body has a built in cooling system that you do not have to program. Your body can heal itself. You have a build in counseling system consisting of the mind, body and soul. You are literally a walking miracle each and everyday!

With that little knowledge alone my life shifted. When your start to learn just how blessed you are to wake each morning with life, you begin to notice those things in life that are taking up your energy and time. You start to value your time and the time of others.

Time is our most precious commodity. Take inventory of those things that not longer serve their purpose in your life. Time is not promised to no one! Take inventory of your own unique gifts and talents and reflect on just how you can us those gifts to serve this world. Remember: You are a blessing!

Photo source: Click here.

November 14, 2019
The Path

In life ,we can get so caught up in the opinions of others. We worry that we are not doing the “right” thing. What I and so many others fail to recognize is what feels “right” to you is not always going to feel “right” for someone else. That’s the beauty of life, because their life purpose or path is not for you and vice versa.

One of my favorite guided meditations is The 21 Day Meditation Challenge – The Energy of Attraction by Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey. It is on Day 16 – Trusting Nature where the Centering Thought is “Everyone’s spiritual path is perfect.” To me, it is a reminder that not everyone is meant to do what it is that you are here to do. We are all here with our own divine purpose and mission. It is up to us to determine what that purpose is.

What is the key factor is we are only allotted so much time on this Earth to discover and live our purpose. Time is the only precious resource that we can never get back. So my point is this, don’t get so caught up in living someone else’s life. Live your life purposefully. It’s the only one we have.

May 13, 2019
Care to Dance?

I started taking salsa classes a few weeks ago. It’s the type of salsa that requires working with a partner. I am not usually the lead partner which has been a struggle for me. They teach us the basic steps and then when we are partnered up, I am to “mirror” my partner. Last week we had a practice session. I learned one of the most valuable lessons, not only to dancing, but in life.

As one of the gentleman asked me to dance, I informed him that is was my first lesson. He smiled and we started to dance. I focused on counting my steps and made lots of missteps and mistakes. My partner smiled and told me to close my eyes. He said feel the rhythm and trust me. I closed my eyes and I tried not to anticipate the steps I just listened to the beat and let my partner lead. It was so much fun! That’s when I understood:

“Life is the dancer and you are the dance.” -Eckhart Tolle

Maybe it is us who causes our own stumbles and missteps. Perhaps we need to learn to let go of our need for control, close our eyes and listen to the rhythm. Life is always asking you, “Care to Dance?”

Quote Source: Eckhart Tolle Quote

May 6, 2019
Residue

Have you ever come a cross a person and once you leave you notice the feelings or thoughts that remain after your encounter with them. Like for instance you have people who bring up feeling of peace. you may have people who bring out the excitement of possibilities. We even have those people who are like hurricanes that stir up feeling of anxiety and chaos. I call this, residue.

Like this we encounter, we also leave behind feeling and thoughts on others. It wasn’t until I became more aware of my own conscious thoughts that I realize that we all are leaving a bit of ourselves everywhere we go. We have the power to decide what kind of residue we want to leave others. Granted, they may not always receive it as such.

I learned through meditation that we can set our intentions daily and choose to be either the lighthouse or the storm. What kind of residue due you want to leave? The kind that people enjoy or the kind that people want to wash off.

December 24, 2018
Share Your Music

One of the best messages I read on the message board out side of the gym was “the only bad workout is the one you didn’t do”. That message is not only great for workouts but anything you choose not to do in life. The only bad book is the one you choose not to write, or the only bad song is the one you choose not to record.

I think about the messages I come across and can listen to now that’s available through YouTube. Whatever you have an interest in, you can find. I listen to speakers that no longer are with us but had great messages to share. Think about what you have been through in your life. Only you can share that story because only you have lived that life.

We all have a message and a story to share. I think you do the world a dis-service by not sharing you story. You might be the one with the cure for cancer. Don’t leave this thing we call life with your song still in you. Share your music with the world.

December 10, 2018
The Grumbles

Some of my hardest “NO” have been said to others in order to say “YES” to myself. I used to get mad and frustrated when people would always ask for favors. I would wonder why was the only one they seemed to call, and get pissed off about it. Those were little grumblings trying to get my attention. The one person I did not seem to get mad with was myself. It was ME who made these people feel comfortable in asking because I was the one always saying yes. I started noticing the feeling that were generated when I would say yes and realized I was the one who had all of the control.

I love the quote by Les Brown who says “if you like what you are getting, keep doing what you are doing” I did not like what I was getting. When I said yes to others, I was saying not to my happiness. I am definitely not saying that we should not help others but sometimes you have to step back and really examine what you are saying yes to. Are you helping or are you enabling? There is a difference.

Take time out before committing to anyone whether you are helping or enabling that person. For me, once I learned the difference, I decide more carefully what I will say “YES” to. The grumbling deep down inside yourself is trying to tell you something. Take a moment to listen.

November 26, 2018
Look Into The Mirror

We are all mirrors for each of us to learn something about ourselves. One tool that helped me on my journey was the book “The Seven Habits of a Highly Effective Person” by Stephen Covey. In his book, he walks you through a funeral for yourself. The most profound question that moved me was, “What would you want people to most remember you for?”

Some of the qualities I want to be remembered for is being a generous, kind and caring person. The next question was, “What do I have to do today to achieve that?” The thing we all can do is determine those things we have the ability to change, or else we can work on our response to those things we can’t.

The last step is deciding to put into the actions that which will cultivate the qualities we desire to harness. If you want to receive more love, be loving. The more you are, the more you we attract. Life will start to reflect back to you on your progress. Don’t be afraid to look.

November 19, 2018