Thought For Today - February
 

Be Like a Rock

Like a rock, stay true to yourself and stand by what you believe, no matter what.

Just as a rock can be shaped by water over time, in the same way, we too can be shaped by life.

Like a rock, be strong, not stubborn

Momentous Memories, Amazing Achievements

Can you remember all your momentous memories, amazing achievements? It’s so easy to forget, isn’t it? Keep a track of things and note down your successes, lessons from failures, memorable moments, projects you’ve completed, places you’ve visited, things you tried for the first time, special events… It doesn’t have to be detailed, it can be bullet points, a list.

Keeping a track of your memorable memories allows you to see what you’ve achieved, how far you've traveled, and it can encourage you towards further growth.

Today I Will

Begin the day with "Today I will..." Today I will live in the moment. Today I will be thankful. Today I will be more tactful.

Affirm how you want to feel or be. Set a positive theme and keep it in mind as you set off into the day.

Talk Too Much?

We all know how good it is to talk, but are you guilty of talking too much? Talk too much and we exhaust ourselves and others. And when we talk too much we miss the opportunity to build a rapport.

So, it’s probably a good idea to check yourself as you talk: Have I been talking for too long? Am I being long winded? Have I given the other person a chance to respond?

To be a better conversationalist: Leave space for the other person to talk. Let them speak and then let them speak a bit more.

Something New for the Commute

Try something new on the bus, train or tube.

Sit comfortably or stand tall. Feel your feet on the ground and observe your breath. Do this for a bit and you'll start to feel more present and peaceful. Then through your presence, let the feeling of peace reach out to all the other passengers.

February 6

Past is Past

Most of us revisit the past. The past is important but if we keep on revisiting it, we miss out on all that the present moment has to offer.

Starting from today, remind yourself: The past is past. The past is always past and we are always in the present moment.

Let the past be the past and you'll make the most of all that the present moment has to offer. And then, if you do revisit the past, do it productively.

February 7

The Waiting Game

How often do you find yourself playing the waiting game? Waiting for someone else’s decision, waiting to see someone, waiting for things to happen …. What do you do whilst waiting? Waiting unproductively is a waste of time. Acting productively increases the value of time. What will you do to NOT lose in the ‘waiting game’ again? Maybe read, make those phone calls ….

How Do You Perceive Yourself?

How do you perceive yourself? Strong, shy, interesting, incapable, creative, considerate, awkward, amazing...? Where do these perceptions come from? From your life experiences, other people's comments....? Your self-perception is very important because it influences how you project and present yourself.

Is your perception of yourself accurate? Are you underestimating or overestimating yourself? How about adjusting your self-perception to 1) reflect who you really are and 2) give yourself the best chance possible for success.

Rise To The Challenge

Every now and then, obstacles and challenges come along, be it at work, in your relationships or elsewhere. It may seem impossible, but rise to the challenge of trying to face and overcome the obstacles.

Rise to the challenge and you may get to see your attitudes and habits at work, see what needs tweaking and, in the process, you may discover the strength of your ability and increase your self-esteem.

Not Feeling Well?

When you’re not feeling well, do you feel miserable? Do you complain? When you're in pain, are you a pain?

Instead of being a pain, try to see the lesson behind your pain. Be patient, and give the body time to rest and recuperate.

Instead of feeling miserable and complaining, try and stay positive. This influences the healing of the body. You’ll also get positivity from those around you and this too can get you feeling better sooner.

Difficult or Easy First?

Do you prefer to start the day with your trickiest task or the easiest one? Difficult tasks require willpower, focus and energy. Easy tasks require less. Do the easy task first to get a momentum going. Save the difficult tasks for when you are more focused and energetic.

But sometimes it's best to tackle the difficult task first, so that you don't keep thinking about it. Once you’ve tackled it, the rest seem easier.

Easy or difficult tasks first? What works for you?

Buy Yourself Flowers

Who doesn't love a fresh bouquet of flowers? Why wait for someone else to bring you flowers! This Valentine's Day, do something nice for you - buy yourself a bouquet of flowers. Sunflowers, tulips, lilies, orchids... whatever you like.

Buy some flowers and treat yourself. Brighten up your space and boost your mood.

February 13

The Love We Want

All we want, all that anyone wants, is love. We want it, but expect it to come or happen to us. But the love we want is actually within us, it's in our heart, in our soul.

Instead of expecting love, realize: I am love. Believe it and feel it.

Love who you are, as you are. Love others as they are. Love all that you have. Love what you do.

February 14

Fall in Love with Yourself

You’re the most important person in your life, so, fall in love with yourself! How? By appreciating the best in you – your qualities, your inner beauty. If you don’t love you how do you expect others to love you? And when you love yourself, you’re able to love others unconditionally.

Look in the Mirror

The most important person in your life, is you. So, every time you look in the mirror today, say to yourself, “I love you.” Don’t wait for someone else to tell you, tell yourself “I love you” with a lot of love.

See what is beautiful in you and you’ll want to be your best. Start to love who you are and you’ll love others for who they are and then others will love you for who you are.

Keep Learning

Do you regard your capacity to learn an important gift? Well, it is. Appreciate it and revel in the delight of learning because there's so much to learn.

Read a book, learn a new language, explore an unfamiliar topic.... Keep learning and you'll keep your mind stimulated and enriched.

Feeling Tired? Try This Trick

The next time you're feeling tired, try this trick: Take the ‘r’ out of tired. Now, you're left with the word 'tied.'

1. Look at what you're tied to that's making you feel tired. You know, that thing that’s holding you back, weighing you down.... anxiety, a cloud of emotions, too many things going on, too much to do....?
2. Resolve how to release yourself from whatever you're tied to.
3. Then take the 'r' that you took out, & with that 'r,' relax, rest, refresh & rejuvenate.

The Eye of the Storm

When everything around us is changing, when there’s a storm of emotions and events, when things around you are out of control - navigate towards your inner calm, the eye of the storm.

Go within, into the eye of the storm. Here you can find stillness, strength & stability. Then you can continue on your journey with confidence & clarity.

Give a Hug

Giving a hug is a simple act that can be a way to say 'hello'. It can comfort someone & make them feel good - because a hug is a transfer of positive energy, acceptance & warmth. Actually research shows that when we give hugs, it can be good for our hearts & well-being. So, give a hug when appropriate.

Give a hug, physically or mentally, whether our arms surround someone or our minds embrace someone, it's the same.

February 20

Most Important First

So many things to get done today - but how many things will come your way to interrupt and disrupt your focus?

Here's one way to get some things done: tackle your most important tasks first.
If not first, then as early in the day as possible. Complete 2 or 3 tasks and it'll energize you to tackle other tasks. And if you're someone who is more focused later in the day, tackle the most challenging tasks then.

What will you focus on first, today?

February 21

Enthused by Others Achievements

Do you track your success by others’ achievements? Instead of thinking, you are less than anyone else, or that anyone else is less than you, be proud of what they’ve achieved. Get enthused by others’ success and learn all you can from how they got there. Not that you have to climb Everest, invent the internet or replicate what they’ve done. Claim their inner resourcefulness, determination, courage, creativity or whatever else as your own. Feel empowered by their achievements and let that propel you forward to your own success.

Turn Irritation Into Inspiration

When faced with everyday irritations, ever thought about looking for inspiration. Well, next time you're on your way to getting mad, don't get mad, get madly inspired. How?
1) Don’t blame. Take responsibility for what you feel.
2) Explore what's really causing the irritation.
3) Think of a solution or a way to improve and fix things.

Turn your irritation into inspiration. Let your inspiration propel you towards positive action.

The Buffet of Life

Life is like a buffet. There's so much on offer, so many experiences to try.

Try what life has to offer and you may broaden your horizons. Try something you've not tried before and you may be pleasantly surprised. But if you pile more on your plate than you can handle, you may not enjoy the experience. Should we be more selective about what we try?

What's your approach to the buffet of life?

Moments of Solitude

Amidst the busyness of life, it's easy to lose sight of solitude. But we really need solitude to thrive.

Where to go? What to do? Find moments, even small ones, even when you're in a crowd or on your commute. Take those moments for yourself without reaching for devices or distractions. Disconnect to reconnect with yourself. Watch your busy mind and slowly allow yourself to become quiet and still, just for a little while. Get comfortable with the stillness and experience moments of solitude. These moments can be so precious and rewarding.

Feeling Judged?

Feeling judged by others? We can’t avoid being judged, but we can avoid letting others' judgments hurt us and affect us negatively.

Next time you feel you're being judged, ask yourself: Are they really judging me? Is it all in my head? Is there something I can do to improve without feeling pressured to change who I am and what I do?

Put things in perspective. Remember, no one can make you feel anything unless you let them. Let go of feeling judged and choose how you want to feel.

Practice Makes Habits

It is practice that creates habits. Good habits are the result of practice but so are bad habits. So, are you practicing to improve? Or are you reinforcing bad habits?

Why not create habits that make you outstandingly astounding. What will you practice, today?

February 27

Walk into March

Feeling tensed? Walk off your tension, if appropriate of course! Walk and you'll feel less tensed, more positive.

Why wait till you're tensed. Why not, take regular walks and improve your general health and well being. Walk 15-30 minutes, three times a week. Go for a slow stroll or a brisk walk. Walk around the neighborhood or through green spaces. Make it a lunchtime walk or part of your journey to or from work.

Come on, take a walk and march into March!

February 28

Downsize Your Problems

Problems come and go. Keep thinking about a problem again and again, and you make it bigger and more challenging than it really is! So instead of magnifying, downsize your problems. Think: The situation will pass. I am bigger than whatever is happening. I can handle it. Make the problem smaller and you’ll find solutions easily.

The Gift of an Extra Day

This year, we’ve all been given a gift: February 29th. We all get a whole extra day!

Are you going to let the day go by as if it’s just another day? Or will you do something unusual, something adventurous, something significant?

What will you do with your extra day?