Ladies..Generate those Positive Thoughts

Ladies...it's hard to stay positive everyday - dealing with the daily hustle and bustle of life.  It would seem natural that our bad-tempered or sulky self would take the forefront of our day.  But does it have to?  No, it doesn't.  We need to encourage ourselves to look on the brighter side of every situation.  For every situation is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.  Maintaining a positive balance in our lives helps us mentally, physically, spiritually, and professionally.  Below is a tidbit of someone I knew long ago and how she handled being a positive woman.

Jessie is the kind of women some ladies love to hate. She is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask her how she was doing, she would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" She was a unique restaurant manager because she had several staff who had followed her around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the staff followed Jessie was because of her attitude. She was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jessie was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jessie and asked her, I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Jessie replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jessie, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life. "Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," Jessie said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life." I reflected on what Jessie said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about her when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Ladies...Let's Talk About Fear

When we think of fear, what do we imagine?  Fear of flying?  Or fear of dying?  Or the fear of not being a good mother to our children?  Fear comes in many shapes, forms, and sizes. The kind of fear I am referring to is the fear of ourselves.  What keeps us from taking that first step to do something greater?

For almost ten years, I had contemplated time and time again about becoming an English and writing teacher - ten years!  Now let me tell you, I am in my late forties now and just completed my AA degree.  This Fall I will start the Bachelor program for my teaching degree which will take another two years plus an internship for four months at a middle or high school. I admit, it was a little strange sitting in a classroom with most students half my age, but I am there for the exact same purpose as they are.  I've thought to myself many times "if you just would of done it ten years ago".  So by the time I finish I will be about 51 years of age.  But guess what?  It is also totally worth it.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and am extremely enthusiastic about what I am about to achieve.  The feeling of accomplishment is tremendous!

But what about you?  If you desire, down deep in your soul, whether it be a career change or travel plans, or anything you've been longing for, just do it!  There is no time like the present.  Many times it is commonplace to put off our desires or settle for something less because it is easier to do so.  After all, we are always busy with the everyday hustle and bustle of our lives, right?  There is a reason your desires are constantly in the back of your mind - you are meant to do it.  They will keep wrestling inside your mind, longing to be set free and put into action. Conquer those fears and put these steps into action:

1. Start small. Focus on the immediate goal and not the end result.
2. Have faith.  Put faith in yourself and trust the achievement is possible.
3. Let go.  At times, we hold on to something because we feel it empowers us; however, holding on only weakens us.

Ladies, grab those goals and achieve them!!  Kick those fears to the curb and show them who the real woman in charge is!