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[success]An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching. ~ Mahatma Gandhi[/success]
If you struggle as I do some days, and feel a million miles away from living the life of your dreams, I’d like to share some of the things I’ve learned that help make it a whole lot easier.
It helps a lot to delete the trivial from your to do list.
It helps a lot to stop saying ‘I can’t do that’ with all the reasons why that seems true.
It helps a lot to start saying ‘with a bit of practice I can do almost anything’.
Wanting to let go of the struggles, I discovered an easier formula for life was a few disciplines, practiced every day. And although I can remind myself that everything is within reach with a little disciplined practice, I know that wanting something is easy, saying it is easy too, the hard bit can be doing it!
1.Practice being the greatest
No matter what’s happening in your life right now, one thing to remember is that like attracts like.
If you want greater experiences discipline yourself to have greater thoughts.
If you want things that are better, make yourself better.
If you want to be around worthy people, become more worthy.
If you want situations to be more pleasing to you, be more pleasing.
If you want great friends, be a great friend.
If you want amazing love, be amazingly loving.
Produce the thing you want in your inner world of causes and it’s sure to show up in your outer world of experiences.
2.Practice not giving up
Sometimes it’s hard to wait for something you really really want, but it can be harder to live with the regret of not following through.
Life is meant to be lived and that means sadness mixed with joy and the good mixed with the bad. But always remember every set back has a come back and every challenge helps you discover who you are.
Life might sometimes be filled with hardship, but it’s also filled with those who overcame and rose to their own particular level of greatness.
Discouragement and failure are two of the biggest stepping stones to success; you don’t need to work out how everything will happen, you just need to take the next step.
3.Practice optimism
It’s easy to allow negativity to get in the way of plans and dreams. It’s easy for courage and confidence to be overcome by fear and worry. And it’s easy to allow optimistic moods to be swallowed up by doubt.
If you look for the worst in situations you’re likely to find it. Do more. Do better.
Don’t only expect the best to happen, make it happen. Don’t only look on the bright side, train your inner being to produce more and more brightness. Remember being an optimist isn’t about always feeling happy, it’s about not letting life get you down.
4.Practice feeling good about yourself
Some people won’t like you for no seeming reason, and some will.
Value yourself enough to spend your time with those who treat you well, who are kind and loving. You probably aren’t perfect, you’re likely to be flawed, just like the rest of us and still you remain beautifully you.
Pay no attention to those who would tear you down. Be unapologetically you, and remember that the hardest part of your journey might mean you have to believe you’re worthy of the trip.
Stop placing more value on what others say or think. You are here because you’re needed. You’re special, you’re valuable, you’re unique. Never forget it.
5.Practice making it happen
There’s always a gap between where you are and where your dreams live. Don’t be afraid the gap is too big. If you can dream it you can make it happen.
My mum always used to tell me when I was faffing around in made-up busyness, the best way to make it happen is to begin.
Every day living requires the courage to begin and the determination to continue. It’s okay if you take a step in the wrong direction you can always correct your course as you go. Standing still gets you nowhere.
As Goethe said: Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen.
Your brighter future is in your hands.
6.Practice giving joy a voice
We’re hurt most of all, not by what others say or don’t say, or by what happens to us, but by our attitude to the experiences of life.
Your day will never get better if your attitude gets worse.
Don’t remain focused on the worst happenings in life. Remember that even though every day may not be the greatest, there’s always something good to be found in it, if you look. Don’t be the person who’s waiting for something to happen before they can be happy.
How you think about yourself, your world and others can transform your happiness levels. You don’t need much to have a truly happy life, it’s all in the thoughts you think.
7.Practice making statements that inspire
The biggest statement you ever make is your life. It speaks to the world in a way no words ever could. It represents your dreams, your fears, your insecurities, your abilities, your beliefs, your faith.
‘As within so without’ aren’t simply words in a religious text. You create your life within and it manifests in your outer world.
Give happiness when the world is full of sorrow. Love without reason. Admire without envy.
Allow your dreams and desires to inspire you into becoming the person you need to be to fulfill them. Light up your inner life with your burning desires and you’ll be propelled into a whole new future.
When all’s said and done. Practice one, or practice none of the above. Whatever you don’t do, do give yourself a break and practice being kind to yourself.
Do you have practices that serve you well? Do share in the comments below.
Remember many wonderful souls come here to be connected, encouraged and inspired. And you can never tell the impact your share may have on one of them.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts with kindness and love. You bless my world and I could not be more grateful that you are in it.
Encourage one another.
Love Elle
PS If you enjoyed this please share through your favourite social media. Let’s all be worldwide encouragers.
Latest posts by Elle Sommer (see all)
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31 Comments
These two hit me right away, Elle:
-It helps a lot to delete the trivial from your to do list.
-It helps a lot to stop saying ‘I can’t do that’ with all the reasons why that seems true.
And, they were just the beginning of so much more goodness to come.
I try to practice appreciation and also saying “I’m sorry” when I do mess up.
Much love to you.
Hi Sandra, I love that you say sorry when you mess up. That’s not always an easy thing for some, especially those who’d rather be right than happy. Of course it’s clear from your writings that you are most definitely not one of them! And appreciation, aah that’s a whole post in and of itself isn’t it? 🙂
Hi Elle, your post spoke to me. I have got days when things don’t come together, when doubt creeps in and when I start to feel like I am doing it all wrong. It is when I realise that I need a break. Do some self-care like meditate or simply relax to get inspired all over again. Such times don’t last. It is important to remind ourselves not to expect a straight and smooth path to success – without any mistakes or failures. As long as we continue to stay on the positive path and be true to our heart, things will work out in the end.
What a thoughtful comment Evelyn. I so agree with your sentiments. Of course there can be those moments in between doubt creeping in and recognition that being true to our heart is the path. But as you it doesn’t last, and we all have ways that support us in getting across any chasms pretty quickly. 🙂
Wow I know that feeling only too well. But I have a choice and as you say: Practice feeling good about yourself If you don’t how can others 🙂 and Decide that your dreams are coming, you must be positive and see them as possible otherwise God/ The Universe can’t help you.
I know that when I am feeling that way sometimes to walk away, by the beach, meditate and ask for guidance, then listen, helps me.
Great post Elle xxoo
You always have such a great attitude Suzie. It’s amazing how much good comes from just that one simple piece of the puzzle isn’t it? I think you’re so right that it’s necessary to just get away and get out into nature, it often puts things into greater perspective. Love your thoughts and I know you’ve encouraged someone else with your wise words. 🙂
Hi Elle,
Thanks for lighting up the world with your superlative insights.
I love what you say through this statement “We’re hurt most of all, not by what others say or don’t say, or by what happens to us, but by our attitude to the experiences of life”
Honestly you have expressed a perennial human turmoil very subtly through that one sentence.Really, thanks for the thought behind the art.
We are essentially doubting Thomases,particularly when it has anythingto do with our own talents,or abilities.And so we block any authentic joy from trickling into our lives.
One question that merits deep attention is “While living life,even in good faith, inevitable mistakes and errors are possible. Do I forgive myself for these errors?Or do I beat myself up endlessly,disregarding constructive action for future growth?”
Thanks
Mona
Hi Mona, it’s so funny to see the doubting Thomases in writing…I was just having a conversation about that yesterday. It doesn’t seem to matter how lovingly we were brought up, many still have challenges with self-love and understanding of their unique and beautiful place in the world. 🙂
Oh Elle, when you’re right you’re right! And you are so right on today! I love ALL of this post, but here’s what pisses me off (just being honest!): “If you want greater experiences discipline yourself to have greater thoughts.”
Dang it! You’re telling me I have to take responsibility for my thoughts, attitudes and actions PLUS I have to discipline myself to act like a big girl.
I wish you could see me stubbing my toe into the ground while I mutter under my breath.
And yet . . . thank you.
Lol Beth, I know what you mean, as I write there are times when I say and this means you sister! It’s a bummer that we’re the ones mostly making our life experiences what they are. And as for that discipline part, well ’nuff said. 🙂
Elle, I love this post (as if there are any of yours I DON’T love :-)) Your suggestions are as always spot on. I’m all for taking off of my to do list the the things that carry little value in my life. Funny what I consider valuable has changed over the years. Thankfully! Giving Joy a voice really hits with me. Looking for the positive instead of focusing on the negative is so important! Thanks for being YOU and being HERE 🙂
Hi Melissa, taking those things off your to do list is so important isn’t it? We want to live our days fully, not just get through those flipping lists. And there is so much joy to be expressed when we free ourselves up to notice it. 🙂
Elle,This is so freakin’ good. May be my all time favorite of yours!
Hi Tess I’m so happy you stopped by…and I’m so happy you liked it. 🙂
Elle,
The idea of just getting started and taking action was my favorite takeaway. If we get caught up in, as you said it, the “gap between where you are and where your dreams live,” it can be debilitating. Paralyzing. It can give rise to a feeling of hopelessness or a sense of “Why even bother?”
That’s a great message for me — keep moving, keep pushing forward, and keep creating new action. Nicely done (as usual)! 🙂
Hi Victor – thanks for stopping by and sharing your perspectives – it’s always good to be part of a community that shares and expresses their point of view. It’s encouraging. And I thank you. 🙂
Hi Elle. There were so many gems in this article! I especially liked:*”Don’t only expect the best to happen, make it happen.” What a powerful reminder to take inspired action, rather than just “wishing” things would change.*”Be unapologetically you.” In my twenties and thirties, I was overly concerned about image, fitting in, and being cool. Now I just want to be me.*”Your day will never get better if your attitude gets worse.” If we’re not aware, it’s so easy to let a day that starts off on a “bad” note continue to spiral down as we start focusing on “issues.” One practice that serves me well is to pause and reflect before responding to people and situations that push my buttons. Sometimes I find that I am overreacting and inferring meanings that are not there. Even when I conclude the situation warrants a response, pausing allows me to respond in a kinder and more thoughtful manner.
Welcome Kara and thanks for your sharing your personal gems. You make a really important point about taking a pause. Within that space I find is the room to choose a response rather than an old automatic and conditioned reaction. What a great way to prevent yourself from falling into the trap of another’s current energy. It’s amazing how a little thing like a pause can keep us on our own particular path in life. I do appreciate you taking the time to participate in this conversation. 🙂
I think the biggest thing for me Elle is to remind myself that things take time to grow and that everything I am doing now is planting and watering seeds for the future. I think beginning and continuing is the key to keeping move forward. Once you become stagnant then you completely fall apart, at least it has for me.
Great post Elle,
I especially agree with the practice optimism. This kind of positive thinking can change your life. Wonderful post that I will be sharing!
Wow Ellie, just wow. It’s amazing how you put all these together in such a way that it just makes it seem like easy peasy, I can do that. Take those nagging voices, tell them to hush up, and replace them with positive voices. Yes. I will.
Hi Linda, you make me laugh…I thought easy peasy was just an old english expression…but apparently not. Maybe the challenge with making it sound that it’s really simple, and it is, misses the point that it really isn’t all that easy. For some, it’s about changing habits of a lifetime. But my view is just keep on keeping on and it gets easier every day. 🙂
I enjoyed this post. Thumbs up Ellie.We really need to practice these things you have mentioned. I agree that rather than become spectators and allow life to drift over us, we should take charge of our life.
Thanks
Welcome ikechi, thanks for taking the time to stop by and share your thoughts. A great way to start taking charge…those thoughts we have that don’t serve us well. They’ve gotta go! 🙂
Hi Sebastian, that’s a good analogy Sebastian, even when we’re unaware, we’re still planting the seeds of our future in the here and now. Much better to be doing it with intention. That way we can be pretty sure we’re heading where we want to be. That’s a great point about the chose of stagnation or growth. We’d all do well to pay attention to that one. 🙂
Great ideas and tips in this post, Elle. This section resonated with me, “No matter what’s happening in your life right now, one thing to remember is that like attracts like.” I agree that when we want things to change in our lives, the change has to begin with us. Great tips here for working through the struggles in our lives.
Hi , I really love reading your articles, they are very motivating and very inspiring. I read a quote that says “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.”. Perfectly true! Thanks for sharing. Great post!
Hi Sherill, thanks for stopping by and sharing your quote. You’re right it’s a great one. Hopefully someone in our great community read it and found a little hope in their life. 🙂
You will not be crowned king for struggling hard through life, you will be crowned for understanding what makes life worth struggling for and that’s noble.
Nice thought.