What I've learned so far in life

These are the good ol' days.

There's a little exercise I love to do, especially when I'm frustrated and wondering what the heck life is all about....

I close my eyes and imagine that I'm 95 years old now. I really feeeel it. My life has gone by and it's almost over; a photo album, some stories, memories, accomplishments, loved ones. I've gotten used to feeling achy and tired. I spend much of my day just getting up and around. My kids are all grown and aged themselves. Most of my lifetime friends are gone. My parents are dead.

And here I am, looking back, thinking how wonderful it would be if I could go back in time and taste some of it again; maybe do things differently. To be young again, to be healthy and strong again, to have a lifetime of opportunity before me again, to play with my kids or grandkids again while they were still children. To hug my parents and friends again. To say thank you again. To help. To appreciate. To love. What a gift it would be to relive part of my past. I really feel what it's like to be 95 years old now.

And then I say, "Please, God, let me go back in time. Let me be young again and appreciate all I had. Please." And then, when I'm really longing for it and feeling like that life is a dream that will never really come true, and my life is really almost over... I open my eyes.

Try it some time. If you're like me, you'll experience the total blessing of being here, right now.

Ever notice that the good ol' days of our lives are somehow always in the past? I try to remember, despite whatever challenges are facing me, whatever better future is eluding me, that these are probably the times I'll look back on - even if they're hard times - and say, "Wow, what an amazing time that was."

I've also come to believe that the worst and hardest times are often the times of greatest transformation and learning. And when plans don't unfold the way we imagined, when things go terribly wrong, the universe is simply realigning our course. I try to practice acceptance and have faith that it will all turn out somehow.

And when I look back on the worst times and tragedies of my life, I can't help but notice all the blessings that logically resulted, and that things never turn out nearly as badly as I had feared.

So I remind myself never to worry about things I can't control. To worry is to suffer by living in the future. And the future is unpredictable.

Are you hurt now? Have you lost your life savings now? Are you alone now? Or are you perfectly safe, warm, and healthy, imagining a bad thing that might happen tomorrow?

If the bad thing doesn't happen, you will have tormented yourself in vain. And if it does, worrying could not have prevented it anyway. And right now, whatever may be going on, it's all happening in the good ol' days.

Shared by: Chris Balthasar, a financial advisor and consultant.

You are good enough just as you are.

During your life, you will encounter people who will try to convince you to be dissatisfied and unhappy with yourself. 

These people will try to tell you your hair is wrong, 

your weight is wrong,  your height is wrong,

your color is wrong, your diet is wrong, 

your clothes are wrong, 

your high school and college courses are wrong, 

your religion is wrong, your job skills are wrong, 

your job itself is wrong, your career choice is wrong, 

your house is wrong, your kitchen is wrong, 

your cooking is wrong,  you yourself are wrong. 

The right thing to do is to observe yourself, and see for yourself the things that are right: 

you were good to someone, you learned something new, 

you taught yourself a skill, you completed another year of school, 

you grew taller, you learned to drive a car, 

you helped a neighbor, you repaired something, 

you painted a room, you successfully cooked something new, 

you straightened up the back yard, you served on a jury, 

you volunteered, 

and otherwise you progressed today — some of these things will not literally happen today, but they will happen, because you are good enough just as you are.

— Unknown

Wherever you are right now, and whatever you’re doing, stop for just a moment. 

Take a second and tell yourself “I love you.” It doesn’t really matter how much you believe it right now, in time you will come to see the truth in it. 

Then, allow yourself a short dance break and laugh as loud as you can. 

Your body can’t tell the difference between when you pretend to laugh and when the laughter becomes real. 

So laugh a lot. You’re body will thank you. 

Take this short time for yourself. You deserve it. You’re alive and beautiful. Celebrate.

Everyone is beautiful. Don't let anyone make you feel ugly, and never make anyone else feel it.

What Are Your Standards Of Success?

Different people have different standards for success. For one person it might be the amount of salary he gets and for another it might be the satisfaction he receives from the kind of work he does. Success is being happy. If material thing brings you happiness, then you're successful. Awards by the company; the level of authority a person has etc. They say that the standards of success will be achieved by maintaining an HMT Formula; H-Health Management, M-Money Management and T-Time management. Some other factors could be the comfortable relationship one has with his/her peers/seniors, the high amount of recognition and good performance.

For me, the standard of success in life isn’t the things. It isn’t the money or the stuff — it is absolutely the amount of happiness and joy you feel while doing your job. It's you who has to decide what is more important to you to be able to evaluate your level of success at your job. 

I would say success is having a job that you enjoy doing enough that you don't mind going to work every day. If you want a personal example then I can safely say that the company I worked for previously didn't pay me much but it gave me a lot of opportunities to grow in my field and I was recognized for all the good work I did. I always remember the word from Colossians 3:17, that whatever I do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him, most likely to do my duty well because I go to it with a heart overflowing with gratitude to God for his mercies, and likely to perform my duties with the most cheerful fidelity. For me that was my standard of how successful I am.

Find a job that matches your morals and goals in life. Good Luck with finding out your standard! :)

Dear Me,

            Another step closer to your goal. Push forward. You’re almost there. This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don’t like something, change it.  Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people; we are united in our differences. Remember there are people that care, those that love you and those that accept you, Be the person you are, don't ever change. If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love.

        Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring stories with them. Do something to make yourself proud. Seek your own approval! Just remember that you’re too awesome. Your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. Your awesome rays would probably inspire them all at once anyway. Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you. Oh who am I kidding? But hey, you get the gist. :)

          Stop over analyzing, life is simple. You are the thoughts you think and the things you wonder.Your potential is limitless. Go be what you wanna be, don't let anyone or anything stand in your way. You aren't perfect, but nobody is.
Sometimes God takes away what we think is good; to make room for what he knows is great. Keep your head up and be yourself. When life knocks you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray. Pray for people.

        Stand for God and something you believe in. God is greater than anybody. You'll make a brighter day but today's your chance to be there. Read your bible. Have the courage of your convictions to do well but not for judging others. Remember, the heart of your faith should be love. God will always be there to help you through it, one step at a time.

         Love GOD, live your dream, and pursue your passion. Some opportunities only come once; seize them. Life is short,  GO ahead take a chance … one day at a time … :)

Love, your past-tense naive self,

Me.