Change Your Life Friday

2021 Restart, Reset, & Relaunch

23. Health

Posted on June 7, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“Our health always seems much more valuable after we lose it.” -Unknown

As I was browsing the internet the other day I saw the quote above and was completely struck by how simple yet profound it was. I immediately brought into mind all of the little bumps and bruises I have had over the course of my life time and how consuming they become, so much so that they outweigh anything else that the present moment offers. Next I started to think about the people in my life who I have seen come under much greater physical challenges than I have ever had to face and how their whole reality was transformed and focused on this lack of health.

My experiences as I stated are small but it seems even the little things create such a mental circus in my head. I recently chomped on my tongue so hard that it hurt for a week. I would tell myself every time that I felt the pain while eating to never eat so unconsciously again that something like this could happen. That process held up for that week being reminded over and over again how great it is to not experience pain when eating or swallowing. Just as every other example that I could site, once the pain went away I completely forgot about the resolutions that I had made to live more consciously and take better care of myself, I was really just back to business as usual.

There are several experiences that I have seen in others on a much more severe scale that have been shown to be much more transformative. The first one that comes to mind is the great change in attitude and outlook that I have seen enter some cancer survivors that I know. Through the process of losing all conception of what health was and being forced to see the value in it, once recovery would take place, it seems an inner shift occurs as well and their whole attitude and outlook on life transforms too. They had experienced drastic changes physically that offered a gateway to gratitude for something as simple as a pain free day.

With this knowledge I get to ask myself a few questions; Am I healthy? Am I showing gratitude for the health that I have? What am I doing to stay and grow in healthy ways today? If I honestly look at these questions I can quickly say that overall I am a very healthy person, I exercise, I eat consciously and I try my best to focus on the things that are good in me today. So in some ways I believe I am grateful but I think that I have so much room to grow in this area. When I bit my tongue I spent so much time and focus on how painful and problematic that issue was, I have never focused that much love into the little things that my body blesses me with everyday. When I look at it this way it seems like a complete lack of balance. I know in this moment that I don’t want to have to wait to lose something to see the blessings I have right in front of me today.

Affirmation: I am blessed to recognize the value of the health that I have in this moment; today I will focus on all the parts of me that are perfect healthy and whole.

Call to Action: Time to do some work! My back hurts, my leg is sore, I have a blister… These stories become our complete reality but while they are obvious concerns the rest of the machine that makes up our bodies are working in perfect harmony. Today my back may be hurt but that will not define me, My head is clear, My hands feel strong, I breathe with ease and comfort and I can enjoy even the spiciest meal with complete comfort. Also this may be the time to look at some of those things which are consciously taking away this precious gift of health that you can still seize. Time to get honest, eh? What health blessings do you have today? I have ten fingers and toes and for that I am grateful.

21. Intuition

Posted on May 24, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“Cease trying to work everything out with your minds. It will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole life be revelation.” – Eileen Caddy

I just recently moved in to a new place. The idea behind this place is for people to come together, live in community, and develop a rhythm of life through prayer, mediation, and service. It is an interesting and new endeavor for me, and sometimes I am baffled that this is something that I would be interested in doing.

This past Sunday we had a house blessing, and many people were invited from throughout the community. The days leading up to the event I sent some e-mails, talked to people inviting them to the Sunday event, and so did other people that are involved with this project. When the hour arrived for people to start showing up I was amazed and overwhelmed by the number of people that showed. There have only been a handful of times where I felt as supported as I did on Sunday. It reminded me when I follow that intuition in my stomach amazing things happen.

About 14 months ago I made the decision to move back to my hometown, something I was “never” going to do. I came to help family and decide what my next move was to be. I am basically writing this on my anniversary of moving back. I am now locked in to a unique and fascinating thing for a year, and I have the most amazing anxiety, openness, and hope to what the next year might bring.

Today as you walk through your life and your intuition is telling you something, or you are headed down a path that logically seems a bit unheard of, try to remember that we have something deep within our being that is guiding us for the greater good. The people that truly love you will understand and respect this outlook to life. Follow your heart and take in others suggestions, but always remember that when your head hits the pillow at night you only have one person to answer to, and that is yourself.

Affirmation: In this moment I am guided and directed towards who and what I should be.

Call to Action: Is there something that you feel is right in your life that you are too scared to follow? I know when I stop trying to figure it out and follow the simple steps in front of me the results are always better than my mind can fathom. Share your blocks and experiences with us, help us all grow.

20. Rewards

Posted on May 17, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“Before the reward there must be labor. You plant before you harvest. You sow in tears before you reap joy.” – Ralph Ransom

Last weekend I was able to take an amazing trip to one of the most beautiful places that I have seen in my lifetime. I went on this adventure with one of my lifelong friends and a large group of acquaintances. This place is special for so many reasons, it is off of the beaten path, far away from civilization, lightly traveled and you have to put in work to get to this far off location.

When I first heard of this opportunity I was struck with the fears that come with any new adventure, can I take the time away from my busy life, am I prepared for the struggles that are involved with the journey and will it be worth it. As with most fears, I put in my end of the work, I did my best to clear the space in my schedule, I adjusted my mindset to allow for a successful trip and I trusted in the people who went before me to believe that the journey was worth it.

The reward that I received through the effort I put forth in preparation and effort once I began far exceeded anything I could have planned for. The location was so incredibly beautiful, there was a true connection to nature and a bond built with the other people who I took the trip with. The work that I put in paid off.

As with most great achievements and gifts that I receive, I try to relate them back to my day-to-day life. I often find that I am unwilling to prepare and put forth the effort but I always want the reward. In truth, a lot of the time I can get away with that. This experience showed me something much deeper, there was no way to get the benefit without the work. The greatest benefit was the feeling of accomplishment for doing something that was so foreign to me. I think what this means for me is the more I put forth all the effort necessary the sweeter the rewards will be.

Affirmation: In this moment I am so grateful for the chance to see that I truly do reap what I sow.

Call to Action: Are there any places in your life where you expect an outcome but are not willing to put in the work. Does it sometimes feel like the rewards you are getting are unwarranted? Is there a better way and more fulfillment around the corner if you put forth a more honest and concerted effort. I know there are some places where this is very true for me…how about you?

19. Do What You Love

Posted on May 10, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

Do what you love, you will be better at it. It sounds pretty simple but you’d be surprised how many people don’t get this right away. -LL Cool J

One night last week I was down at the ballpark enjoying America’s past time. The home team was winning so I had a smile on my face. We were sitting in the bleachers and had some hot dogs; not too bad for 20 bucks. At our stadium they have a big 50/50 raffle that I tend to donate to, there are employees of the park that walk around the isles during the game and help sell tickets to raise money for their cause and also for the cause of one lucky winner. When the man came by this week I knew I recognized him but could not place him right away. He looked really happy and I realized that’s why I was having trouble placing him. It was an old roommate of mine and the whole time I lived with him he never looked happy. Sure he smiled, he was happy at times, but his overall demeanor was less than thrilled on a regular basis.

I was so taken back with his 180 degree personality shift I wasn’t really sure how to react. When he came back around later on in the game and I told him he looked really good and really happy. He replied, “That’s cause I love this job! I have always wanted to work for a baseball team.” He went on to tell me he wanted to work for another team eventually, but for 162 days a year he works at his dream job. He doesn’t have the position he hopes to have someday but he is very happy to have his entry-level job.

I think about how he looked when I lived with him and how he looked at his new job and at first thought I am amazed. When I took some time to think about what he said and the situation as a whole It really rang true what they say, “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life again.” I am following my dreams today which was not always the case and I am certainly not yet where I want to be but I have started to take the first steps to my dream, just as my old roommate has. My truth today is the same as his, I am doing what I always wanted to do and it makes me happy.

Affirmation: I am now willing to let my fears fall free me so that I can start to be who I always wanted to be.

Call to Action: I think it is very easy to get stuck in a situation that is “good enough” and never take that risk to follow our dreams. All dreams that are realized start with small steps and commitment to the path that it takes to get there. I know you have some dreams, maybe today is the day that you take the first step and feel some of the joy that comes with doing what you want.

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.

14. Winner

Posted on April 4, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“The odd were against us, but we deserve to be where we are.” – Steve Gerrard

I was struck by an amazing thought the other day while I was out for a run on a beautiful afternoon. It came like a flash, and I was filled with this sense of duty and purpose, in that moment I was at perfect peace and was fully aware of the greatness of my life and experience. The thought that I had was simple and I know that I have had it before but like most things it would stay for a bit and then fade, as a result I would forget one of the most amazing things that truly can inspire me at any moment. The thought “I am truly blessed to be alive, the chances of me getting to be must be astronomical.” What I knew after thinking that was that I am grateful for this chance today and this experience and I want to make sure that I am showing that gratitude in every moment of my life.

For the past week or so I have been revisiting this idea, enjoying the feeling that comes when I think about how special I really am to have this chance to experience life and also how special everyone else is who has gotten their chance as well. As usual I wanted to look a bit deeper into what the odds really are, did I really hit the lottery already? Have I already been granted the greatest gift the universe can bestow. So I hit the internet up for some answers. First I would like to say that I have gambled in my life and I know that a 1 out of 100 chance is pretty poor odds. Furthermore my chances of winning the powerball seem so unlikely but they are around 1 in 175,223,510. Now my odds of being born at this time in history are about 1 in 6000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000, that is 100 zeros if you wanna count. I would call that the not a snowballs chance in hell number.

But here I am! Writing this to you and there you are. We are the winners! We are enjoying this thing called life. Life is filled with all sorts of experiences but it seems that when I take this idea of how fortunate I am into them, regardless of how they make me feel in a moment, I am still one of the biggest winners this world has ever known. It seems so easy to get down and live completely separated from gratitude for this gift, but constant recognition of this divine miracle seems to be an amazing way to connect to what is the real truth in this world; You are so special and amazing beyond measure, you make a 1 in a million chance seem like child’s play.

Affirmation: I am so blessed to be right here right now.

Call to Action: Take some time throughout the next several days to feel how special you are. With that feeling in mind how will you celebrate your victory?

13. Step to the Plate

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“God gets you to the plate, but once you are there you’re on your own.”

-Ted Williams

Spring is officially here, which is easily my favorite season. Not only because of the weather, but every spring brings us a new baseball season. If you’re like me when you are watching the art of baseball everything just seems right in the world. The perfection displayed on a baseball diamond is a magnificent thing to witness.

Watching the game is one thing, participating is another. I am writing this because a few days ago, not on the ball field but in the game of life, I was thrown a curveball. The end result was a big swing and a miss. I immediately found myself irritated, frustrated and mad. Why did I deserve this curveball? I try to participate in life everyday and do my best to grow as a person at the same time embracing the the life I have been given. I thought how dare I get this for my efforts?

After stepping back and reviewing the situation with some close friends of mine I realized that I was not unhappy with the curveball, I was unhappy with myself for not being prepared for it. After all, is not life full of curveballs? I would be naive to think that life is full of nothing but fastballs right down the middle of the plate. Therefore I found myself asking why was I not prepared for the curve?

Upon a little more reflection I also realized that my life is full of fastballs right down the middle. My problem had become that I was not embracing them as I had thought I was. I was not swinging for the fences of life. Today I will fully embrace the easy fastballs that life deals me and be aware to not take them for granted. I will also prepare myself for that big sweeping curve that will someday come my way again. With some simple practices of gratitude and humility I will fully participate in all aspects of my life. With some action and practice no matter fastball or curveball I will always swing for the fences.

Affirmation: I am ready and prepared for anything that comes my way today because in this moment I am whole, loved and supported.

Call to Action: It is easy to see how an unplanned and unpredictable situation can really startle us in life but it really is through those times that we get a check as to how rightly we are living. Have you had any curveballs thrown your way lately? If so how did you adjust to get a better perspective on them? Please share so that we all can follow your footsteps of growth and change.

In continuation of building our community of inspiration, I hope you enjoyed our third 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

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?