Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. ~Albert Einstein
Wow, so that's been my problem for 2010, I was insane, huh? In fact, it appears that I've been insane for a number of years because I've been mindlessly doing the same damn thing and hoping against hope that different things in my life would "change". The good Book says, "Faith without works is dead" so one can basically have all the faith in the world and it won't mean a thing if they don't do something to make that faith come alive. I can't sit on my ass and expect things to change in my situation if I'm not willing to get up and do something to help my situation. Change for some can be very daunting because of so many things in their lives, you could have a fear of change because of past failures, childhood issues, peers and lack of moral support and many more reasons.
Ofttimes when we are pushed beyond our comfort zones, we learn so much more about ourselves and gain a greater prospective about things in life. I've learned to adjust to being pushed beyond my comfort zone, it usually takes me awhile to come around, but it happens within time. This "rut" or vicious cycle of insanity that I find myself in is borne of fear and self-punishment, but starting 2011, it all stops. It has to stop because I have so many things to do, so many people to meet, love to be conquered and given and exploring lands here and abroad.
I am working hard at developing decent adult relationships, it's so easy for me to have friends but I can easily dismiss them from my life. I have a HUGE problem dealing with adults.......don't get me wrong, I work well with others and things of that nature, but I don't trust adults, I can only let them in so much. Which makes love a rough road to tread, unfortunately; with limited trust, love does not come easy. It's hard falling for someone to only realize they have their own agenda in play and to hell with your wants and desires. Now, I totally understand there has to be compromise, I'm in fact all for compromise. I realize that it's not going to always be my way, I don't have those unrealistic expectations. It happens where only one person gets the majority of what they want, which means their parents gets whatever and to me, that's not a happy, healthy and wholesome relationship, that's some bullshit......been there done that.
It's my hope that as I discover more about myself on my lifes' journey, I can take chances in love as well as in life. I can embrace change fully, not only when it suites my situation. I might get hurt along the way, but you know what, so what, I'll be fine, at least I got in the game rather than sit on the sidelines. Which brings me back around full circle to the opening quote, I can't keep doing the same things and expecting different results, that's insane.
This year, I have to force myself to leap into life, not without direction or common sense, but live without fear. If I want this year to be different I have do things differently. I have to change my way of thinking and the way I see the world around me. I'm sure some won't be happy with my changes or the way I choose to live my life and that's ok.....we all are entitled to feel the way we feel. (Much like Noxeema Jackson said, "Approval neither desired nor required", lol, I love that quote!)
So, as I sit here when I clearly should be asleep, I am renewed and excited about what lies ahead. Living life to the fullest, right now, excites me and fills me with such joy. Just the thought that my future can be my present gives me hope, I'm not getting any younger and why should I put off things until the future, tomorrow is promised to no one. I know some things take planning and it's all about timing. But for me to put off love and happiness until I'm financially more stable sounds like some of my all bullshit, I'm just keeping it real. That love thang, I'll blog about that at a later date!
Anyway, I found some "life lessons" that I wanted to share:
“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”
What piques your curiosity? I am curious as to what causes one person to succeed while another person fails; this is why I’ve spent years studying success. What are you most curious about? The pursuit of your curiosity is the secret to your success.
2.Perseverance is Priceless
“It's not that I'm so smart; it's just that I stay with problems longer.”
Through perseverance the turtle reached the ark. Are you willing to persevere until you get to your intended destination? They say the entire value of the postage stamp consist in its ability to stick to something until it gets there. Be like the postage stamp; finish the race that you’ve started!
3.Focus on the Present
“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”
My father always says you cannot ride two horses at the same time. I like to say, you can do anything, but not everything. Learn to be present where you are; give your all to whatever you’re currently doing.
Focused energy is power, and it’s the difference between success and failure.
4.The Imagination is Powerful
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Are you using your imagination daily? Einstein said the imagination is more important than knowledge! Your imagination pre-plays your future. Einstein went on to say, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.” Are you exercising your “imagination muscles” daily, don’t let something as powerful as your imagination lie dormant.
5.Make Mistakes
“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”
Never be afraid of making a mistake. A mistake is not a failure. Mistakes can make you better, smarter and faster, if you utilize them properly. Discover the power of making mistakes. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, if you want to succeed, triple the amount of mistakes that you make.
6.Live in the Moment
“I never think of the future - it comes soon enough.”
The only way to properly address your future is to be as present as possible “in the present.”
You cannot “presently” change yesterday or tomorrow, so it’s of supreme importance that you dedicate all of your efforts to “right now.” It’s the only time that matters, it’s the only time there is.
7.Create Value
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."
Don’t waste your time trying to be successful, spend your time creating value. If you’re valuable, then you will attract success.
Discover the talents and gifts that you possess, learn how to offer those talents and gifts in a way that most benefits others.
Labor to be valuable and success will chase you down.
8. Don’t Expect Different Results
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
You can’t keep doing the same thing everyday and expect different results. In other words, you can’t keep doing the same workout routine and expect to look differently. In order for your life to change, you must change, to the degree that you change your actions and your thinking is to the degree that your life will change.
9.Knowledge Comes From Experience
“Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.”
Knowledge comes from experience. You can discuss a task, but discussion will only give you a philosophical understanding of it; you must experience the task first hand to “know it.” What’s the lesson? Get experience! Don’t spend your time hiding behind speculative information, go out there and do it, and you will have gained priceless knowledge.
10.Learn the Rules and Then Play Better
“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”
To put it all in simple terms, there are two things that you must do. The first thing you must do is to learn the rules of the game that you’re playing. It doesn’t sound exciting, but it’s vital. Secondly, you must commit to play the game better than anyone else. If you can do these two things, success will be yours!
Thank you for reading and be sure to pass this article along!
Have the best New Year that you can imagine for yourself!
As always it's in LOVE that I wrote this entry, remembering to always LAUGH as I pursue eternal happiness as I LIVE and LEARN life long lessons!
~UGLYFirst
