Give Someone Flowers .... Yes More Flowers!

I hope I'm not the only one that's still cheerful from Valentine's Day. Even if you do not have a significant other, I hope you found some peace of mind spending it in church. However, if you happen to not be very religious, I trust you were happy to see another day. 

It's no secret to us that the most common gesture during the Month of Love is to give flowers, chocolates or stuffed animals of some sort. But what happens after the season has passed? I've always thought that giving flowers is one of the most genuine gifts that will automatically lift my spirit. Just the mere thought behind the action accompanied with the beauty of the flowers themselves, is enough to change anyone's day for the better. 

Flowers have a healing touch, and speaks for us when words are not enough. They just make you feel good. So what if they're going to die in a few days. This is one instance where we focus on the now and refuse to worry about the future. I advise you to not let the flower giving momentum stop here. Continue to practice your random act of kindness through the gift of spontaneous flower giving and watch the receiver beam with gratitude and pure appreciation. 

Are You A Good Loser Or A Bad Loser?

In previous posts I have emphasized the importance of paying it forward, the fulfillment of performing random acts of kindness, the results of positive thinking and the necessity of setting SMART goals. But what happens when none of this works? What happens when you do everything that is required of you and still fail? What about when you've prayed, planned and prepared and still come up short? This is probably the last thing you want to hear, but I'm going to tell you any ways. It's all apart of the process!

Trust me, I know a thing or two about defeat. On the track (I'm a former athlete) and off. One of the main things we must keep in mind is the fact that failure is inevitable, and everybody experiences it. Failure does not care about how much you have in the bank, how cute you look or how smart you are. There is no dodging failure, but the way you handle failure proves whether or not you deserve what ever it is you are working so hard for. 

It is much easier to kick and scream and throw a tantrum, because we've been taught since preschool that losing is bad and winning is good. However, at this point in our lives we cannot afford to give up and throw in the towel. You and I both know that you have people depending on you. So hear are 5 ways to get out of the funk, shake it off and get your head back into the game. 

1) Think of losing as a positive thing. "What the heck is this lady taking about?" I know, I know, but hear me out. When you see failure as something positive you open up yourself  to the fact that you have something to learn. It won't continue to hold you down, and eventually you will be able to look at the bigger picture. 

2) Life is a lesson, and since losing is apart of life. Losing is a lesson too. A harsh lesson, but a lesson nonetheless. "What could I have possibly learnt?" I'm glad you asked. You just learnt another way of how NOT to achieve your goal. So try something different. 

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"I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" - Thomas A. Edison 

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3) It is not permanent. Nothing lasts forever including that emotional feeling that accompanies failure. It's so easy to stress on a defeat for days or even weeks. But that's not healthy for you or the people around you. Get out of your head, what's done is done. You are entitled to your feelings, but at some point you must move on. 

4) Seek guidance from experts. Do not be afraid to ask for help. I guarantee you are not going through this alone. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, we are never too old to learn and seek counsel. 

5) NEVER GIVE UP!!

4 Ways To Develop A Mindset Like Beyonce

F-ree your surroundings, mind and soul of all negativity, naysayers and non-believers. There is power in the words we speak and the way we think. You must believe in yourself at all times and use the power of positivity, to be the fuel in your drive for success. 

O-vercome your fear. The number one thing that most of us fear is the unknown. The unknown quality of the fruit of our labor. The unknown outcome of a tough situation. The unknown reaction of a friend, boss, spouse or relative. Fear will hold you back, don't let it. 

R-elax, Rejuvenate and Reinvent yourself. All work and no play, leaves no room for creativity and quickly burns you out. Take a step back, give yourself some credit for making it this far, refocus and then get back to work. Find inspiration in your life and formulate new and improved ways to tell your story to the World. 

M-ake your mark. Yes, there are a zillion people on Earth, but there is only one you. You are an important fraction, that's a part of the whole. Be brave, and assertive. Find your purpose and be true to you in everything you do. 

FORM a mentality that does not imprison your happiness, talents and abilities. A mindset as bold as Beyonce's that will motivate others to live up to their potential. The beehive and the World can hardly contain themselves because of one highly influential woman, who is probably sipping a mimosa on this fine Sunday, totally unbothered. Include these 4 simple steps, coupled with meditation and SMART goal setting, in your daily routine and you will be on your way to a successful and purpose filled  life . Be Bold. Be Fierce. Be Beyonce.  

Don't Be A Road Hog!!

Before I highlight this week's random act of kindness. I wanted to take the time to encourage you all to remain focused on your 2016 goals. This is where some of us hop off the "I Think I Can" express and set up camp in "ComfortVille". The last place I want you to be, hell it's the last place I want to be. While ComfortVille is, you guessed it, comfortable. It prevents us from truly pushing ourselves, because there is no need to. We plan and prepare in January, make our vision boards, recite words of affirmations but once February rolls around, a time when we should be actively executing our plans. We begin to let fear get the best of us. Fear is like the boggie man that lived under our bed or in the closet when we were 3 years old. It's not real!! If the boogie man moved out, you need to tell fear to pack all it's sh*t (insecurities, doubt, depression etc) and go. There is no room for fear anymore.  

In regards to the Common Good Challenge, I'm impressed that you guys are still rocking with me on this, The mere fact that we intentionally want to #spreadthehappy is a step in the right direction. Speaking of direction. What type of driver are you? Are you a road hog or do you spend your time driving Miss Daisy? Do you aim to be early, or are you always in a hurry because you're late? 

When I was learning to drive years ago. I was told that I had to drive for myself and others. Not only because of reckless drivers, but when I became more experienced. I had to keep an eye out for the beginners as well. Drivers less experienced than myself who might need to merge into my "path" for awhile. Should I speed up, or should I let them? 

Hold on a second, I know what you're thinking. Why should I slow my progress to allow somebody else to get ahead of me, everybody should stay in their own lane. And I agree, but look at it this way. It's a blessing to have a clear path, see your purpose and have your road map to success on your GPS instructing you on where to go. And sometimes if not most, we become an INSPIRATION to others. When this happens they'll want to try things your way, copy your style, see what you're seeing. But remember your lane is designed for you and will only work for you. So whilst it may be annoying for a fellow driver to merge into your lane now and again, let them. Give them some unsolicited advice, they'll figure out sooner or later that they're in the wrong place, and begin to make a way for themselves. But some people need a little nudge in the right direction, and if you can do that, you're doing a good deed. #spredthelove #spreadthehappy