Change Your Life Friday

2021 Restart, Reset, & Relaunch

Growing up

Posted on April 26, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“El diablo sabe mucho porque el es diablo, no porque el es viejo” (The devil knows more because he is old, than because he is the devil) -Mexican Proverb

Last sunday I was graced with the chance to sit in on a small intimate seminar led by a buddhist monk who brought knowledge and inspiration into a group of people that were searching to grow and change. Just sitting in that space with a group of like minded people always makes me feel like I am walking on the right path. The message that I was able to take home was a perfect reminder of the why I need to work on myself, be patient, and allow the results to be as they may, instead of how I expect they should be.

In the middle of his talk he told a joke which really lightened the mood and since then I have not been able to separate it from my mind. He started by speaking of how we all get old and as we age, we change. He mentioned how today I am a bit more developed and changed than I was yesterday. Which, rolled right into him sighting how he has gotten his wrinkles over the years too. He then said “I am very grateful the wrinkles didn’t come all at once.” It got a great laugh and I feel it stuck with several of the attendees based on conversations that we have had over the last week.

What I took from his joke, was that I need to be grateful for the time it takes for things to change. If I truly got everything I wanted right when I wanted it, I may be surprised in the life I would create for myself. When I was a child I wanted to be older and I hear many people older than myself, wishing that they would be younger. I realize in this moment I am right where I want to be and I am incredibly grateful that my life doesn’t change as fast as I sometimes think it should.

Affirmation: I know more today than I knew yesterday, and I will continue to learn and experience the world around me.

Call to Action: Think of how you have changed for the better. Tell us something different about yourself from last week, last month, last year or just some time long before today. Tell us and rejoice in who you have become.

Get EXCITED

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Get EXCITED

“Every man can transform the world from one of monotony and drabness to one of excitement and adventure.”
-Irving Wallace

I find myself lacking enthusiasm. About a week ago I had a series of phone calls to make with business associates. In the first I spoke in a monotone voice and this associate of mine, also a friend, asked me what was wrong. We were talking about an exciting project, everybody was making money, and I sounded bummed out. I told him nothing was wrong, but then I realized I better change my tone for the next phone call. I dialed the next number took a deep breath and HELLO! I purposely livened up my tone and the conversation went well. I noticed this small change in how I presented myself made a huge difference in how the conversation went.

It is interesting to me that the friend who changed my perspective on the day’s simple tasks by merely asking one simple question, “what is wrong?” This same friend, on a previous job told me to get excited Buddy! He told me to get excited because I was signed up to work with one of the renowned experts in my field. I replied with a “that’s cool” but after getting off the phone I did get excited and couldn’t wait to brag to my friends.

Yesterday I had a series of meetings interviewing people for a job one of which was my friend who keeps reminding me to be enthusiastic. After my meeting with him the rest of the days work went so much better. I was excited in what we were doing, my partners were happy, and everyone finished the day with a feeling of accomplishment. All of this happened because one person was excited and reminded me just with his attitude.

If we all show a little excitement in what we do it will surely rub on those around us.

Affirmation: I am the positive change for those around me. I have lots to be excited for.

Call to action: Please share below some of the little things you may take for granted that ARE worth getting excited over. You can also just share something in your life that excites you, keeps you smiling, or you think we should know.

15. Believe

Posted on April 12, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect.”

― Ronald Reagan

Last Saturday I was invited to go help as a volunteer for a nonprofit that is near and dear to my heart. I was under the impression that I would be assisting with some games that included tarps and parachutes, it sounded like a blast. Due to wind, and some other circumstances the activity had changed to face painting. For anyone that does not know me, I do not have an artistic bone in my body, so I thought I would hangout for moral support. About 20 minutes into the project there were more kids than volunteers to paint faces. One of the women looked at me, smiled and said, “You can paint a heart, right?” before I could answer an eight year-old girl enthusiastically came skipping over as I, much less enthusiastically, picked up a paint brush.

While I was painting the third kids face, and saw the joy in his eyes, it dawned on me that the kids did not care about my poor painting skills they were just excited to have their face painted. My depictions of soccer balls, sharks, hearts, and even a batman logo were mediocre at best. My real lesson came as the afternoon was winding down. A very ambitious boy, who just witnessed another little boy get a skull painted on his face sat down and said “I want a brown skull, with fire eyes, and wings, and vampire teeth, and bats flying around his head, and…” the list went on for a mile. My first reaction was “I do not think I can do all of that.” Immediately he and his two siblings exclaimed “YES YOU CAN! We believe in you.” My first reaction was a cynical thought that these kids need to be a little more realistic, and my second was that they must read corny inspirational blogs.

Their excitement coupled with their unhesitant belief in my ability allowed me to paint three more skulls, two of which had fire eyes. I had a ton of fun during that three or four hours of painting, doing something that brought real joy to kids, and it reminded me the importance of getting out of my comfort zone.

It took a bunch of little kids to remind me that I need to believe in myself twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. When I am engaged in maximizing my usefulness in the moment, I get to have an amazing experience.

Affirmation: I am capable, capable on making an impact on someone else’s life. I am the positive change this world needs. I believe in myself.

Call to action: I was so blown away by the hope and belief that these kids displayed in my abilities that I did not know I had. They came through as an outer voice for that inner knowledge that says I can do anything! Well this is your reminder, take some time today to recognize some limiting thoughts and remember, “YES YOU CAN! We believe in you.” You might just be surprised in what you create as a result today. Please share your thoughts with us.

12. Connecting

Posted on March 22, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“Life is a journey, not a destination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Last weekend I had the chance to travel through several states and log many miles with a group of people in a van. Over the course of the weekend we were able to go through several stages of growth together since we all had a common goal on our journey. At the beginning of the trip it was a bit awkward because the group was comprised of 11 people who knew each other mostly as acquaintances. At some point everyone in the van started to get out of their shells through accepting the group and the role that we all had collectively as well as individually. The music inspired conversation which turned into jokes and joy for everyone involved. At some point we also came up with a chant made us smile and turned some heads which finished with the phrase, “No Regrets.” We continued to bond and by the time we returned it seemed that we didn’t want to part since our conversations continued to deepen throughout the journey.

Over the past several days since the trip we have all seemingly found reasons to get together and relive the moments that we shared on our trip and also make new memories together. I really feel that once we all started to let our guard down and talk about our lives honestly and from the heart our little community began to bond in a very beautiful way. The most interesting part to me when I look at this experience from the outside is how we all grew once we freed ourselves from judgement and accepted each other and our mission.

I think the lesson that I learned and that I want to share with you is that I find so much growth for myself through the times I spend with others. I also find that there is not much that is more inspirational than to see someone else grow and change in front of my eyes. When we left I am certain that we were all thinking about our goal for the trip but I feel that it was in the journey that we found the most growth. The only way that this can happen though is to get involved and take an active role in the lives that we have been given. I am so proud of my new crew that took that chance at being uncomfortable and put themselves in a position to show me once again that I am completed by the people that I surround myself with. Thank you all for being a part of my experience, I love my CYLfriday crew, No Regrets!

Affirmation: Today I embrace my journey. I make memories and connections with all who I come in contact with. I love the idea that all people can be old friends when I let them in.

Call To Action: Share with us a recent time that you have had deep meaningful conversation with someone other that a dear friend. When was the last time you were vulnerable, and the result was something unpredictable and beautiful?

9. Persistance

Posted on March 1, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” -Zig Ziglar

Several years ago I found myself in a very dark place, the light of the world and the light in my eyes had seemingly faded to a mere dim. When I was at my lowest I finally reached out for help and the help was there. At the time this was a miracle, I truly thought I had burned all of my relationships to the ground. I know from experience that when you feel that something miraculous is taking place you are willing to do or say just about anything to maintain the grace that is being bestowed upon you. In that moment I made a commitment to never have to feel the same darkness again, no matter what was asked of me.

This commitment that I made so long ago has carried a great deal of weight in my life for the simple fact that I have stuck by it. I can say, without question, that since that moment no matter how bad things have been I have not felt as bad as I did just before I made the above vow. The first part of my statement was to never feel “the same darkness again” which I truly have little control over, the second part though, “no matter what”, I do have control over. I have found that without constant practice and striving for growth I quickly start to move backwards, feeling less connected to the world around me.

When I take the time every day to do just a little bit of work on myself, including inspiring others, things always seem to be just the way they are supposed to be. I know that without a persistent effort on my part to grow daily I will never become the person that I was brought to this world to be. I think Zig Ziglar really had it right because if I do not find a little bit of motivation each day, through reading, sharing, loving or caring I really start to stink.

Affirmation: I am responsible for my own growth and today I choose to be the best me I can be.

Call to Action: I think this one is easy. Just do something to motivate and inspire yourself or others today. Then do it again tomorrow, and the next day and the next. If you do it right this change your life Friday will be an amazing week. Take a chance; otherwise you may sit around stinking.

8. Leadership

Posted on February 22, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

In continuation of building our community of inspiration, please enjoy our second guest submission. This year, the last Friday of each month a guest writer will have their submission posted. If you have a thought, stance or story to share please send it to our email @ changeyourlifefriday@gmail.com If you feel called, please listen to the words of our second guest and lead us…

“A leader is a dealer in hope.” Napoleon Bonaparte

I feel like Napoleon, despite his politics, can teach us all an excellent lesson in leadership. For he was a man not even born a Frenchman but ended his rein as the Emperor of France, King of Italy, Mediator of the Swiss Confederation, and Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine, which stretched from Norway to Prussia to Spain.

He accomplished these feats by offering hope. His countrymen and even the people he conquered were in dire need of hope. He saw the need and he provided relief that situation demanded. He used hope as an instrument to motivate and lead individuals.

We must remember, he was not unique and his situation was not unique. He only had the passion needed to capitalize on such a situation. He had the self-confidence, determination, integrity and the emotional intelligence to accomplish his goals. He took the skills he possessed and turned them into hope for millions.

Once again we must remember, he is not unique in this area. We all have these gifts. It just depends on if we choose to utilize them or not. It has been proven,

LEADERS ARE NOT BORN; THEY ARE MADE.

Every one of us could be a leader if we simply make the decision to lead. We all have that power within us. We have the power to give hope, and there will always be followers seeking hope.

Affirmation: I have the power to lead and I have the capability of offering someone hope.

Call To Action: Never sell yourself short and think that you aren’t good enough to positively influence another human being. Find a person who is dying for hope and show them the way. We all have experiences that can help another person, do not let this go to waste. Live. Know. Show.

2. Relax

Posted on January 11, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” –William S. Burroughs

It seems that powers much greater than myself have been doing their best to teach me and many others a lesson about relaxation. We are currently experiencing what is being deemed the worst flu season on record. Even I fell victim to this illness about 5 weeks ago. When I first felt the cold coming on I did what I usually do, get a healthy mantra, and try to power through, since I had so many things on my plate thanks to the full life I live. After a few days, I had the feeling that it wasn’t going away, so I took some medicine and lots of fluids as was earlier recommended to me, but I didn’t take the time to slow down and relax. The result of my conscious unwillingness to take it easy was an unconscious shut down of my body, I was weak, my head stuffy and I had no energy.As I look back over these weeks of sickness I can say that was exactly what I needed. A complete and utter lesson in humility to remind myself that if I slow down and relax once in awhile things will take care of themselves. I have gotten better and I am feeling healthy again plus at this point I have gained a little more perspective with which I have the choice to bring into other areas of my life.

On a regular basis I find myself trying to fix, prepare, and set things in just the right way, running myself raw and then looking back and wondering why my goals were not met and I am so exhausted. My goal when I first got sick was to get better, but I didn’t want to let go of the reigns that I hold on my experience, once I did I started to heal and actually enjoyed clearing off some of my plate. I can see clearly today how well this could work in many other aspects of my life, sometimes I just need to relax and see how the world can best use me instead of trying so hard to make the world mold to my ideals. So, at least for this day, I am going to be sure to take some time and relax, have a few extra breaths, look around at the majesty in which I live and let the universe do it’s magic, I think the result will be glorious.

Affirmation: As I sit back and relax the right answers and solutions become clearer.

Call To Action: Take a break, relax a bit. Practice the art of relaxing and see what the world has in store with a little extra time given to it’s process. Share with our community what you do to relax and recenter through your day, I know I can always use some new ideas.

1. Letting Go

Posted on January 4, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“You buy furniture. You tell yourself, this is the last sofa I will ever need in my life. Buy the sofa, then for a couple years you’re satisfied that no matter what goes wrong, at least you’ve got your sofa issue handled. Then the right set of dishes then, perfect bed. The drapes. The rug. Then you’re trapped in your lovely nest, and the things you used to own, now they own you.”

― Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club

The New Year is upon us and as a tradition many of us are making new years resolutions; some of us have already broken them.

Last year we shared about one of the contributors of CYLFriday getting rid of all of his personal belongings to depart on a trip around the world. I couldn’t help but be a tad jealous of his upcoming adventure, but what I am mostly jealous of; is the getting rid of all his belongings piece.

I moved to a new apartment as he left the country. When I moved I brought with me these boxes of junk into the garage of my current residence. My short lease is now up and it is time for me to move again. Those same boxes are still in my garage untouched the whole time I lived here. I also brought with me many articles of clothing that I didn’t take out to wear even once. I recently met with my prospective new roommates, for a sort of quasi interview, and one of my questions was concerning storage space. I was concerned about where these precious knick-knacks could be safely stored until the next time that I move; knowing full well they would continue to be untouched for the whole duration of my next lease. It has occurred to me that this junk is a burden on my life, literally. I have to consider it when looking for a place almost as if I had a pet. Is this new place junk friendly? Is there storage space? Is there a junk deposit required? I have to defend myself. I am not a hoarder by any means. I go through my closet and donate clothes at least once a year and regularly weed out some of the less important junk every-time I move (which happens to be about once a year for the past 4 years). This time I will not bring any unnecessary items with me.

Affirmation: I will let go of what I do not need in my life.

Call to Action: Think about what you really need in this world, when you look in your closet, when you are out shopping about to buy some of the merchandise that looked so shiny in that commercial. Please share below your new years resolutions, your progress on them so far. Or a way you can lighten the burden on yourself whether it by material, physical or emotional.

52. Change

Posted on December 27, 2012 by changeyourlifefriday

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

Over the course of the last year all sorts of remarkable things have taken place in my life, the lives of my friends and the lives of everyone else who has shared this time together. We are all different from who we were just one short year ago. In this I have seen the beginning of new lives for some and lives come to an end for others, I have seen people move away and others return to places they have been in the past, I have seen people accomplish some amazing goals and other start a path towards new ones. SO in total I have seen a great deal of change in the lives of the people around me. As I look at these changed lives there are some people who have gone out in the world and made these changes happen for themselves and others who sat back while the change happened to them.

When we started this website a year ago, our intention was to help inspire more people to go out and make those changes happen in their life. Through attention, affirmation, and practice we have seen our lives change and we wanted to share that blessing with as many people as we could. I truly believe that those of you who practice any of the weekly ideas have been able to experience similar change.

It is said that change is inevitable and I know that to be true. What I also know is that I can be in complete control of how changes affect me. Through doing this work and this practice over the past year there is no question my life has changed, I am a year older, I have had a host of incredible life experiences and I have grown to value some of the simpler things in life. I am not the same person that helped brainstorm how best to get our message to you. Today I am a man who in the process of trying to change the world around him, changed himself and as a result sees a completely different world through these eyes. Thanks for the change!

Affirmation: Today I am the change I want to see.

Call to Action: There are three days left in this year to become the person that you wanted to be on 1/1/12. What I know about this world is that grand and revolutionary change can happen in an instant if we are willing to put forth the effort, let go of those things that hold us back and take action. If there was one thing that you wanted to do this year that did not start, complete or follow through on, do it today. There is no better time than now to finish this year off perfectly. I know that it is possible, take a chance, and make a change!

51. Reflection

Posted on December 20, 2012 by changeyourlifefriday

“It’s the end of the world as we know it.” – R.E.M.

I love writing for CYLFriday, so even with the end of the world at hand, and even with the chance this will be available for less than 24 hours, I feel it is an appropriate task to do at this time.

I am extremely confident that the world is not coming to an end in a death of humanity sense, but I do believe that we are ten days away from the end of another year. As 2012 comes to a close I have started to not only think about the goals and dreams I will strive for in 2013, but I have also been reflecting on the year that has been. Compared to where I was in life just 12 short months ago it does appear that an entire world has come to an end and here we all are.

Keith, the man that originally inspired the phrase Change Your Life Friday, is a college graduate as of Wednesday. If you refer to “The Beginning” section of our site you will read about 4 men. Keith was one of those guys, and he approached us because he was worried about failing multiple classes. What an end!

You may have noticed a couple of weeks when the theme was followed by “We Love You Marco”. He made his transition to the great unknown on April 14^th. Prior to that moment I, everyone within the CYLF crew, and countless others had the chance to see many people come from all over the United States to tell this man “I Love You!” What an end!

We here at CYLFriday made a pact amongst the three of us to post every Friday for a year, and we are 1 more post away (fingers crossed the world does not end) from reaching our goal. I will be honest I did not think we would make it out of March, and we are posting in December. Here is to 52 Fridays in 2013. What an end to the beginning. Cheers!

Affirmation: I am so blessed to know that every end is just a beautiful new beginning.

Call to Action: What parts of your world have ended this year?