Enthusiasm ~ #MondayBlogs

I had a really busy week (not all work related) and I was dragging by the time the weekend rolled around. By Saturday if I could have stayed in bed all day I would have. My husband’s sister and brother-in-law stopped by. Dear hubby brought dinner in so no one had to cook. Definitely a nice evening… but I still felt tired. And then my sister-in-law asked me how my writing was doing.

Suddenly I felt like I had a mega-dose of B12, caffeine, and my own box of Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies. I told her about some exciting developments and we spoke about a new manuscript I am fighting with. She gave me a helpful idea about one of my characters and it just felt right. We spoke about my non-fiction work and chatted about our real lives, offspring, future plans and more. We paused to take sips from our teacups and I realized, I wasn’t feeling tired anymore. I had a rush of child-like excitement and enthusiasm when I was talking about my work, writing.

No matter what your passion is when you get to do it, you’re happy. For me it’s being a writer. For others in my family circle passions include accounting, chemistry, psychology, photography, emergency services, and computers. Whatever career you pursue, in or out of the house, paid or volunteer, if it is what you want to be doing, it’s good for you.

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” ~ Confucius

Okay, in reality what Confucius had to say may be a bit simplistic, after all there are always going to be times we would rather be relaxing on a beach or enjoying a hike rather than having to be responsible. Sigh… But it does help when we can get up every morning (or whatever shift you work) and not feel dread as we get ready for our workday. Also, the person who enjoys what he/she does will probably put in more effort and take more pride in achievements which is noticed by higher-ups and translates to more security and possibly more opportunities.

What is it that you really, really like doing? Take a look at the help wanted ads and find things that tie in (for instance if you like sports perhaps you can find work as a little league coach). While you need to earn enough to cover your expenses, if you are severely unhappy with the work you do it will affect your health and in the long run you lose more than you gain. When you come home to your family feeling satisfied and encouraged you will be a better communicator, leader and more open to your family’s needs. Yay, improvement of family life!

Do some soul searching and focus on what makes you happy. You may have to work for a living, but you don’t have to give up your happiness.

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Do It Well ~ #MondayBlogs

Madonna and Stevie Wonder performed Purple Rain and paid tribute to Prince at the Billboard Music Award Ceremony; it was honest admiration for all that he stood for. Whether you enjoyed or approved of his music, there is no denying that Prince was an exceptional and well-acclaimed artist during his too-short life. With multiple Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, an Academy Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, he was an accomplished and significant artist who rightfully earned the respect of many. He is and will be remembered for a long, long time.

We should all strive to do things at our best, to take pride in our endeavors, and to do well whether we receive accolades or not in our lifetime. If we live our lives fully and enrich the lives of those around us then in a way we are paying tribute to ourselves out of self-respect. We are each capable of greatness if we believe in ourselves. In reality we shouldn’t be competing with others, we should always be looking for a personal best. Each time we believe we have reached the pinnacle of our performance we need to push ourselves just a bit further. Success is not one accomplishment and stagnating, it is growing on that success to make it even richer and better.

What do you want to accomplish in your life? Your goals do not need to be a singer and musician like Prince, you don’t need to be Stephen King or J.K. Rowling, you don’t even need to be the world’s greatest athlete, or a renowned politician… you only need to pursue and do the best you can at whatever your dream is. Believe in yourself. Believe in every inspirational adage and cliché you’ve ever heard — keep your eye on the ball; if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again; dance like nobody is watching; excellence is not an act, but a habit; and more. Keep reaching, keep striving, and never settle.

You are allowed to “always want a little more” when wanting more will keep you always trying to improve. Satisfaction and contentment isn’t earned by knowing you’ve reached the top, but by knowing you keep getting better and better. Believe in yourself. Believe that you can do whatever you set your mind to do. Know that you have succeeded each time you get half a step further on your journey than you did the time before.

Be positive, not just for yourself, for the people around you as well. Positivity just seems to grow and everyone can benefit. Contribute yourself daily to making the world a happier and better place. Do your life well and know that your “tributes” will come, people will respect you — it doesn’t matter if it is name performers on a stage or the everyday people who have surrounded you in your lifetime, you will be remembered and that is the greatest tribute anyone could ever receive. 

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