Thought For Today - July

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Your Opinions

Do you have strong opinions on just about everything? Or do you sway from one opinion to another, depending on your mood? If we hold on tightly to our opinions, we narrow our perceptions and perspectives.

Have the confidence to know when to:
- stick to your opinions
- challenge yourself to see alternative perspectives
- reconsider and reformulate your opinions
- not have an opinion

What's your opinion?

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Like a Spider's Web

Like a spider, we weave a web for ourselves, where nearly every aspect of our life is interconnected, interrelated and interdependent. When we get caught up or over-attached to certain aspects of our life, we're likely to compromise the strength of the web as well as our own life balance.

As we know, like the spider's web, life is a balancing act. We have to monitor the individual aspects of our life, as well as the entire web, and keep ourselves and our web of life balanced.

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Angry at You

Are you angry at yourself? Maybe you think you've messed up, let yourself down.... Or you're upset about the way you've behaved, reacted.... Whatever the reason, being angry at yourself is just not constructive. It just hurts your head, heart and health.

Interrupt your anger and address it:
1. Listen and understand why you're angry at yourself.
2. Clarify what you can do to put things right.
3. Choose to drop the anger and forgive yourself.

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Monday, Monday

Do you look forward to Mondays? Is it your favorite day of the week?

If you find Mondays a bit of a drag, try the following:
- Plan for the coming week on Friday.
- Make time to unwind on Sunday and get enough sleep.
- Kick start Monday with a good breakfast.
- Hold back from moaning about it being Monday.
- Take pride in what you do and do what you do with joy.

Change your approach and you'll get more out of Mondays.

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Choosing to Love

There are some things in life that can’t be changed, but you still have some choices that are yours to make: to love or hate, to embrace or ignore, to accept or resist, the choice is yours.

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The Gift of the Present

When the past is mixed into the present, it prevents you from experiencing the happiness the present offers. So the question is how do you forget the past? Focus your attention on that which is good in the present. Do not compare the present to the past.

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Appreciation Wanted

We all want our work, our efforts, our contributions to be appreciated. But sometimes it all goes unnoticed & sometimes people don't really get what's valuable about what we do. When this happens, are you able to carry on with your efforts?

Learn to approach your work with appreciation & value your own contributions. Then you'll increase your capacity to appreciate the appreciation when it comes, & when it doesn't, not let it diminish what you do.

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Life is an Education

Imagine if today was the day your education stopped. Not learning any more than what you know now, not stumbling upon new interests, not developing better skills.... imagine!

Well fortunately there are no bounds to your ability to learn. All you have to do is be open at every moment, every day, and life will continue to educate you. Because life is an education!

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Saying Goodbye to Old Habits

If you would like to say goodbye to some of your habits, here are a few tips:
- Pick one habit to work on and recognize its negative effects.
- Remind yourself, I can be free of it because I am not my habit.
- Replace it with a better habit and pinpoint its positive effects.
- Repeat the new habit regularly.

Finally, daily or weekly, review your progress:
- Am I free from the old habit?
- If not, what triggered it? How can I overcome it the next time?
- Is the new habit becoming automatic?
- If not, how can I make it easier and stronger?

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Nothing like a Good Cuppa

Some might say there's nothing like a good cuppa!

Just as hot water is a vital ingredient to a good cup of tea, in the same way, love is a vital ingredient to your day and all your interactions. And just as you fill up the kettle, in the same way, at the start of the day, sit for a bit and fill the heart with love, and let it brew. And then, as you go into your day, let love infuse your feelings, reactions and responses.

Make a good cuppa tea and enjoy it with love.

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Think Short Term or Long Term?

Often we're too focused on the short term. We go for quick fix options, not long term solutions. We look for short term enjoyment, not long term benefit. Often it's because we're too busy managing everyday pressures or too caught up in the 'right now'.

No matter what's happening, learn to find time & space to think both short term & long term at the same time. Then you'll not only benefit right now but you'll also be better prepared for the opportunities & the challenges ahead.

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Flow Like Water

Be fluid like water and adapt your nature to your surroundings. Your practice is not to resist. Instead of forcing things to be the way you want them to be, go with the flow.

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The Importance of Attitude

Attitude is essentially a blend of perceptions, thoughts and feelings about anyone or anything. It is influenced by memories, past experiences and beliefs. Although we may not notice, our attitude sits at the heart of all that we say and do. It’s our attitude that reflects back to us in our relationships and it’s our attitude that can rub off onto others. So, it makes obvious sense to hold a positive attitude at all times in all situations. Today, what will your attitude be?

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Why Forgive?

When our feelings are hurt, we find it hard to forgive. But if we don't forgive we become so wrapped up in the hurt that it just makes us unhappy.

So even though it's hard, forgive, it's good for your well being. Forgive the person or the people involved. And whenever you think of them, think
"I forgive you."

When you forgive, you're not erasing or excusing the wrong, you're releasing the hurt. This frees you up to either do something about the wrong or move on.

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Holiday Everyday

How do you feel when you're about to set off on a holiday? Can't control the smiles, can't hold in the anticipation of discovering new landscapes, and the promise of exciting adventures!

How exciting would life be, if you set off on your morning commute, everyday, with that same holiday feeling!

Set off with a smile, an anticipation of discovering something new, a promise of an adventure, and make everyday feel like a holiday.

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Your Inner Control Freak

Plan ahead, prepare and stay on top of things as much as you can. Stay in control but without being a freak. What? A control freak? Me? Admit it, there's a control freak in you.

Being in control of yourself and your life - well that's OK, but trying to control everything and everyone around you - that's not OK.

So learn to let go a little and be flexible. Let others take a little more control and trust them to do their best. When you feel your inner control freak taking control, curb it. Give yourself a moment to breathe, think and work out the best course of action.

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The Risotto Patience

The key ingredient that makes a risotto is patience.

Ask any Italian mama, when cooking a risotto you can't hurry it on or walk away whilst it's cooking. You have to stand & stir, & keep adding the broth & keep stirring. This makes the risotto light, creamy & full of flavor.

Now give that same risotto patience to other things in life. Be fully present & see things through to the end. No rush, no hurry, no distractions.

Find at least one thing a day to be patient with. What will it be today?

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In the Middle of a Muddle

Are you in the middle of a muddle? What's clouding your clarity? Emotions, expectations, history with the story, people's influence and opinion....

Be an observer, like a member of an audience watching your own performance on stage, or take a helicopter view and observe everything from above.

Take the time to step out of the muddle and you may see things differently, see the bigger picture, and see what needs to happen. You may just gain a new perspective and clarity.

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Crack the Glass Ceiling

For most of us, the glass ceiling that stands in the way of success is our own self-limiting beliefs. Identify what's holding you back. Determine the steps you need to take to move forward. Take the steps. When you crack the glass ceiling, there are no limits, just potential and blue sky!

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Words into Action

We read and hear so many wise words. Words touch and inspire us. But soon, the inspiration wanes and fades. Try this at the start of the day: choose one inspiration and work on it. Contemplate on the words and then put them into action. Then the next day, choose another, and then another. How will you move inspirational words into action?

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What's Your Superpower?

We all have a superpower. A special ability, gift, talent that we're good at and enjoy, that makes us stand out and also serves others. Maybe it's our mathematical brains, our ability to make people laugh....

If you're finding it impossible to access your superpower, maybe it's because you've forgotten that you are a superhero. Simply remember who you are, what you have to offer to the world and how to use your superpower.

What's your superpower?

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Reinvent and Reuse

Do you still have a few of your favorite things? Things you've really cherished and valued but no longer use? How about giving them away?
Then your prized possessions can have a second life with someone else.

If you're not ready to part with something, give it a second chance by reinventing its use. Turn the old teapot into a plant pot! Just find interesting and creative ways to reuse old things and make them useful once more.

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Contact Us

Websites make their "Contact Us" page easy or even hard to find according to how accessible they want and choose to be. In the same way, have you thought about how accessible you are to others?

Be accessible and approachable, so that people can connect with you. How easy or hard you make it depends on how busy you are, how you feel, the situation, the person, the time....

So think about how you set your boundaries and manage your "contact us" space.

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Things To Do When Work is Slow

Often when we're going from one deadline to another, we get into the habit of working and thriving under pressure. Then when there's a dip in demand and work slows down, it's very easy for laziness to set in. The next time you get a glimmer of this, take advantage of the slow time and increase productivity.

Here are a few things you can do: Slow down. Catch your breath. Catch up, update and organize. Rethink your approach and process to do things better. Do things with more care. Put your all in what you do. Invest in your workplace relationships. Help out where there's extra help needed.

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A Better Atmosphere

Whether at work, at home or at any other place, the surrounding atmosphere affects us.

If the atmosphere is stressful or negative, you can choose not to absorb the stress or the negativity. Instead, generate a calm, positive atmosphere through your calm, positive thoughts and feelings.

Contribute to creating a better atmosphere, and you will positively affect yourself, the place and the people around you.

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Like a Trapeze Artist

If change is a fact of life, then why do we try to hold on to the old ways or adapt badly to the new? Why not be like a trapeze artist and leap from one swing to another. Let go of old habits and old ways of thinking; switch over and grab hold of new habits and new ways of thinking.

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Being Vague

Being vague can save time but when communication lacks clear information, it may lead to mistakes or vague results. Being vague with certain people can limit their interference in our life. But they may take advantage of unclear expectations and boundaries. So watch out for vagueness. Know when to be vague and when not to be.

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Silence and Creativity

Have you noticed how silence stimulates creativity? Silence doesn't have to mean no talking, no thoughts, no sound. Silence can be experienced even in the midst of noise, thoughts and conversations.

Simply concentrate your attention on stillness. Still your attention and you create silence. Silence makes space for the mind to breathe and for creativity to percolate.

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Climb the Mountain

There's a mountain to climb everyday! Maybe your mountain is: talking to someone you've had a disagreement with, finding a new job, facing health challenges....

Simply rise to the occasion and give yourself an encouraging push. Now put one foot in front of the other and keep going until you reach the summit. Then make sure you take the time to enjoy the view from the top.

Go climb a mountain today. Go on you can do it.

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To Laugh or Not To Laugh

Research shows that laughter really is the best medicine. It boosts the immune system as well as the functioning of the heart and lungs. It reduces stress hormones and even burns calories. Then there’s other research that shows that in some cases, too much laughter or laughing too hard might actually be harmful.

Carry out your own research to explore if laughter really is the best medicine. If you can’t determine the physical benefits of laughter, explore the mental and emotional benefits.

To laugh or not to laugh, that is the question!

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People who are Always Late

How do you deal with people who are always late? "Sorry, running late," messages arrive before they do!

Occasional lateness is acceptable but if they're always late, you might want to do something about it. Communicate how their lateness affects you. Discuss ways to handle the problem. In future, should you carry on without them? Meet them somewhere where other friends are showing up too, that way you're not waiting by yourself.

Even if someone is running late, think about how to make the most of your waiting time. You can't make people be punctual but you can avoid wasting your time.