Possibilities

One word can change everything.

I have been referencing a Jim Carey movie a lot lately, Yes Man,. In this movie, Jim Carey's character, Carl Allen, is at a standstill. No future to look forward to... Until the day he adopts a very simple idea from a spiritual "guru": say yes to everything! Carl discovers with amazement the magical power of "Yes", and sees his professional and romantic life turned upside down overnight: an unexpected promotion and a new girlfriend.

But he'll soon discover that better can be good's enemy, and that all opportunities shouldn't be taken. He learns that you have to find a balance between the two, learning to embrace opportunities that are right for you and pass on those that aren’t. But the key is that opening your mind allows you to be open to the possibilities that exist around you so you can make those educated decisions, instead of leading a life that is boxed into the corner, with no hope of going anywhere.

My challenge for the week: say yes to three new things a day.

Karma

How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.
-Dr. Wayne Dyer

Balance

"There's no secret balance, you just have to feel the waves."
- Frank Herbet

"Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change- this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. Out of hope progress."
- Bruce Barton

Kindness

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." - Dali Lama

Steps to practicing kindness:

1. Commit to at least three random acts of kindness every day. Maybe it’s something simple, like telling someone they’re great at their job. Or perhaps it requires more effort, like helping an elderly woman with bags. Of course there is no limit! Kindness is like a fire–the more you stoke it, the brighter it burns.

2. Work toward kinder thinking. Example: a coworker snaps at you for something that’s not your fault. You’re human–at first you might feel annoyed and think she’s being unfair and irrational. Choose a more compassionate thought, like: She’s feeling defensive, and that must be painful. What can I do to help? Kindness in thinking leads to kindness in action.

3. Ruminate on the kind deeds and thoughts of people greater than yourself. Martin Luther King, the Dalai Lama, Mother Theresa–these leaders inspired millions with their strength, humility, and kindness. We all carry the exact same potential to change lives by being better, stronger, and kinder every day. Even if you inspire just one person, you’ve tapped into your personal power.

4. Remember kindness is contagious and addictive. Many times when you act with kindness it comes back to you. When it doesn’t, you’ll still feel blessed. Positive intentions–and their ripple effect on your self esteem and state of mind–are greater than any validation you could get from someone else.

Detach

Be open to everything yet attached to nothing.

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.

- Lao Tzu

Between

A life between fantasy and reality is a pretty great place to be.

Thoughts

Your beliefs become your thoughts
Your thoughts become your words
Your words become your actions
Your actions become your habits
Your habits become your character
Your character become your destiny

- Ghandi