Promises

This is a nice poem that I ran across in my research, I thought maybe it could also inspire someone else. Enjoy you day.

“Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.”

― Christian D. Larson, Your Forces and How to Use Them

I  hope these inspiring words encourage you to day. If they do leave a comment below to let the others in our community know how they encouraged you. Talk to you soon.

Carla Burrows created a community of encouragement and support that is dedicated to helping others "Create and Live a Life You Love.  She is the author of  "Yes You Really Can: Live the Life of Your Dreams", and the contributing author of  "The Women's Handbook for Self Confidence".

Carla's books, newsletters, articles, and Blog offers inspiration, encouragement, and support that helps others create and live a life they love, achieve their goals, live there dreams,  and enrich their lives.

Follow Carla:
Website www.carlaburrows.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carla-Burrows-Create-and-Live-a-Life-You-Love/559941097367470?ref=hl

Are Your Withholding Your Own Happiness: Three Ways To Increase Your Happiness and Enjoy You Life

 Happiness is not something that is ready made. It comes from your own action. 

-Dalai Lama XIV

Just over a week ago, I resigned from a job that consumed most of my life. I enjoyed the time and experience gained as nurse manager, I grew as a leader and I met a group of wonderful people along the journey. However, there was often conflict with the expectations that came with the responsibilities of being a nurse in a leadership role. I often found myself having to put the job before my family life, my educational goals, and my personal life development goals. Many times, I even found myself sacrificing my own emotional and physical health. Leaving the position was bitter sweet however I realized that what I was really sacrificing was my happiness. I knew that if I wanted to reclaim my happiness, I could not wait around for it to show up one day, but I would have to take action.

Have you ever found yourself in a position where you had to put your own happiness on hold because of your responsibilities? Have you ever found that in the pursuit of career endeavors, volunteer opportunities, or other people's demands on your life, you lost your own sense of self and swayed away from you true values. 

Take Responsibility for Your Own Happiness 

Here are three specifics steps you can take right now to increase you happiness and enjoy your life.

1. Revisit Your Core Values

What is important to you? What really matters? Some of my core values are freedom, spirit, independence, and making a difference. I also value personal time, family time, personal development and my health. Which means that whatever I pursue in life must allow me to continue to honor these values, if not my happiness level will diminish over time. What are you core values, what areas of your life must you hold onto at all cost.

2. Say "Yes" to "No"

Once I decided to leave my job, I set out to find something that was conducive to my current lifestyle and would allow me to honor my values. First, I listed out everything I wanted in my next job, including the hours I wanted to work, weekends off, no on-call responsibilities, and great benefits. I then released my request to God in prayer and set out to find this job. I did find a job that fit my request perfectly. Of course, as soon as I resigned I began to get other offers. One offer was very tempting. It played toward my ego, great status, and big increase in pay,  which offered a false sense of financial security. I struggled with the decision for about a week or two, I then prayed about it. The answer to my prayer was obvious, I was considering lowering my standards, and foregoing my own values and happiness because someone tempted me with money and status, wich by the way are not my core values. I had to give myself permission to say 'yes to "no". Now I have time to pursue my true passion, making a difference in the lives of others. 

3. Honor Your True Passion 

What activities make you happy. What are you doing when you look up and realize that hours have past and it felt like just a short while. This happens to me when I am reading, writing, or working outside with my flowers (until it gets too hot). I love personal development topics, I enjoy one-on-one, or small group conversations with like-minded people, as well as traveling with my husband. What activities or passion do you enjoy? What can you do to make time to do more of the things you love.

Do you feel that in some way you may be withholding happiness from your life. If so, you do not have to quit your job in order to take responsibility for your own happiness and enjoy your life. However, it is you responsibility to make necessary adjustment in your life in order to honor your self and your life so that you can increase your happiness and enjoy your life 

Leave a comment below: Do you want to increase your happiness and enjoy your life? Share one thing you can do this week to protect your core values, say "yes" to "no", and or honor you true passion. 

 

Carla Burrows created a community of encouragement and support that is dedicated to helping others "Create and Live a Life You Love.  She is the author of  "Yes You Really Can: Live the Life of Your Dreams", and the contributing author of  "The Women's Handbook for Self Confidence".

Carla's books, newsletters, articles, and Blog offers inspiration, encouragement, and support that helps others create and live a life they love, achieve their goals and live there dreams,  and overcome challenges and setbacks,

Follow Carla:
Website www.carlaburrows.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carla-Burrows