Success is more than economic gains, titles, and degrees. Planning for success is about mapping out all the aspects of your life. Similar to a map, you need to define the following details: origin, destination, vehicle, backpack, landmarks, and route.

Origin:  Who you are

A map has a starting point. Your origin is who you are right now. Most people when asked to introduce themselves would say, “Hi, I’m Jean and I am a 17-year old, senior highschool student.” It does not tell you about who Jean is; it only tells you her present preoccupation. To gain insights about yourself, you need to look closely at your beliefs, values, and principles aside from your economic, professional, cultural, and civil status. Moreover, you can also reflect on your experiences to give you insights on your good and not-so-good traits, skills, knowledge, strengths, and weaknesses. Upon introspection, Jean realized that she was highly motivated, generous, service-oriented, but impatient. Her inclination was in the biological-medical field. Furthermore, she believed that life must serve a purpose, and that wars were destructive to human dignity.

Destination: A vision of who you want to be

“Who do want to be?” this is your vision. Now it is important that you know yourself so that you would have a clearer idea of who you want to be; and the things you want to change whether they are attitudes, habits, or points of view. If you hardly know yourself, then your vision and targets for the future would also be unclear. Your destination should cover all the aspects of your being: the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Continuing Jean’s story, after she defined her beliefs, values, and principles in life, she decided that she wanted to have a life dedicated in serving her fellowmen. 

Vehicle: Your Mission 

A vehicle is the means by which you can reach your destination. It can be analogized to your mission or vocation in life. To a great extent, your mission would depend on what you know about yourself. Bases on Jean’s self-assessment, she decided that she was suited to become a doctor, and that she wanted to become one. Her chosen vocation was a medical doctor. Describing her vision-mission fully: it was to live a life dedicated to serving her fellowmen as a doctor in conflict-areas.

Travel Bag: Your knowledge, skills, and attitude

Food, drinks, medicines, and other travelling necessities are contained in a bag. Applying this concept to your life map, you also bring with you certain knowledge, skills, and attitudes. These determine your competence and help you in attaining your vision. Given such, there is a need for you to assess what knowledge, skills, and attitudes you have at present and what you need to gain along the way. This two-fold assessment will give you insights on your landmarks or measures of success. Jean realized that she needed to gain professional knowledge and skills on medicine so that she could become a doctor. She knew that she was a bit impatient with people so she realized that this was something she wanted to change. 

Landmarks and Route: S.M.A.R.T. objectives

Landmarks confirm if you are on the right track while the route determines the travel time. Thus, in planning out your life, you also need to have landmarks and a route. These landmarks are your measures of success. These measures must be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound. Thus you cannot set two major landmarks such as earning a master’s degree and a doctorate degree within a period of three years, since the minimum number of years to complete a master’s degree is two years. Going back to Jean as an example, she identified the following landmarks in her life map: completing a bachelor’s degree in biology by the age of 21; completing medicine by the age of 27; earning her specialization in infectious diseases by the age of 30; getting deployed in local public hospitals of their town by the age of 32; and serving as doctor in war-torn areas by the age of 35.

Anticipate Turns, Detours, and Potholes

The purpose of your life map is to minimize hasty and spur-of-the-moment decisions that can make you lose your way. But oftentimes our plans are modified along the way due to some inconveniences, delays, and other situations beyond our control. Like in any path, there are turns, detours, and potholes thus; we must anticipate them and adjust accordingly. 

We endeavor to wear a new face of positivity… everyday of our precious life. Difficulty sets forth when we allow the mangled cobweb of the past to take dominion overpowering our heart, mind and soul.

Self-reflection and soul searching are clearly imperative… this is one of the vital avenues to implement, gingerly combing the painful cobwebs from our past.

Life is like a carousel for most… we choose whether to stay uplifted or negative. Each chapter in our life has a title. It’s up to every individual, to choose a happy title… leaving the torn chapters behind. We can only step forward and turn the key of life, in the right direction.

When we make resolutions we sometimes tend to go very big, huge … with other words, the goals we set are so enormous that even we don’t believe in them. “What’s the point to try, that can not be achieved”, the petite voice inside of us keeps repeating. And we give in.  So, make your resolutions believable. So what if they are much smaller than those that other people make for themselves. Resolutions that are not met are worth nothing.

Just as you can come up with too big resolutions it can happen that you want to pass too many. Don’t fall into that trap, especially if you are one of those who have trouble believing in benefits of New Year’s Resolutions. Just make one or two and stick with it. Later on you can always add new goals; you just won’t call them New Year’s Resolutions.

Make sure your resolutions are in present time and positive. Don’t say “I am not smoking anymore,” but rather “I am living a healthy life.” Don’t say “I am not fat anymore,” but rather “I am fit and nicely shaped.” Don’t say “I am not an angry person anymore,” but rather “I am a calm person.” You get the essence.

Lastly, in order to succeed you must remember that usually change does not come overnight. It takes time and many, many small steps that you need to make every day. But if you are patient and committed you will see results before the year ends if not before. Still not convinced? Look back a year at your life. How much has your life changed within last year? It may be to worse or it may be to better but the fact is that it has changed. In many cases you did not plan for those changes but you did take actions that brought those changes into your life. So, instead of just letting things happen, take control over what you want to enter into your life.

Have a bright, positive, vibrant, peaceful and loving 2012.

To go about my life next year, I listed the following resolutions that I believe will make me become healthy, productive and happy person.

Continue exercising regularly- although doing exercise is my routine, it is an on off activity. Sometimes I skip it for valid reason such as when I get sick. Exercise keeps me from getting sick of diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis. Exercise improves my health and adds years of my life. For the next year, I don’t want a heavy exercise but a moderate one that is done on a sustainable and regular basis.

Have proper diet- it is said that we are what we eat. Foods aside from providing us sustenance are also natural medicines. They contain nutrients and anti oxidant properties that can boost our immune system.  Some foods especially those that contain lots of fats and cholesterol are not good for the health and may even trigger the occurrence of some diseases.  In the coming year I should be more selective on the foods that I eat so that I would be as healthy as ever.

Be more productive- I should keep myself busy. It does not mean that I will work myself to death just for the sake of doing something. My intention is to make myself preoccupied to keep myself away from bad thoughts and activities. Undesirable ideas pops up when I’m doing nothing. By making myself busy I could be more productive and earn more money.

Reduce expenses and save money- I should budget my money properly to make it sufficient for my needs. I should also do away with the things that I don’t really need or those that are luxurious. In that way I could save more money. The money that is saved can be added to my bank account which will grow as time goes by. I can say saving is good for a person irrespective of his age. Saving will be most beneficial to the younger people.

Enjoy life to the fullest- life will be dull and boring if one has to focus too much on his work. Doing a variety of activities makes life more interesting and enjoyable. After a day or several days of work I should give myself a rest and a recreation. There are many things around me that are inexpensive to enjoy with. And these things include viewing and exploring nature like the forest and mountain, going to the beach with friends or colleagues, eating outside, watching movies and reading magazines and books. I already enjoy these things, but I want to enjoy them intensively next year.

Make more self improvement- education is a continuous process. In my former organization, the military, officers and soldiers were sent to military school at different stages of their career to update their knowledge and to learn new skills to better equip them to carry out their duties. I found that practice useful in my personal and civilian life because I believe that a person needs knowledge. A person should always educate himself informally as long as he lives, and age is no hindrance for anyone who wants to acquire knowledge. I too have to educate myself more to be better in the activities that I am into. It is fortunate that with the advent of the internet, any person can surf the web to learn things or acquire new skill without going to school and without paying money. 

Do something that will contribute to common good or to the benefit of the community- a man is a social being and he should participate in the activities of the community in which he is a part of. Examples are planting trees, cleaning and ridding the creek of garbage, and contributing a small amount of money for a worthy cause.

Success is more than economic gains, titles, and degrees. Planning for success is about mapping out all the aspects of your life. Similar to a map, you need to define the following details: origin, destination, vehicle, backpack, landmarks, and route.

Origin: Who you are

A map has a starting point. Your origin is who you are right now. Most people when asked to introduce themselves would say, “Hi, I’m Jean and I am a 17-year old, senior high school student.” It does not tell you about who Jean is; it only tells you her present preoccupation. To gain insights about yourself, you need to look closely at your beliefs, values, and principles aside from your economic, professional, cultural, and civil status. Moreover, you can also reflect on your experiences to give you insights on your good and not-so-good traits, skills, knowledge, strengths, and weaknesses. Upon introspection, Jean realized that she was highly motivated, generous, service-oriented, but impatient. Her inclination was in the biological-medical field. Furthermore, she believed that life must serve a purpose, and that wars were destructive to human dignity.

Destination: A vision of who you want to be

“Who do want to be?” this is your vision. Now it is important that you know yourself so that you would have a clearer idea of who you want to be; and the things you want to change whether they are attitudes, habits, or points of view. If you hardly know yourself, then your vision and targets for the future would also be unclear. Your destination should cover all the aspects of your being: the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Continuing Jean’s story, after she defined her beliefs, values, and principles in life, she decided that she wanted to have a life dedicated in serving her fellowmen.

Vehicle: Your Mission

A vehicle is the means by which you can reach your destination. It can be analogized to your mission or vocation in life. To a great extent, your mission would depend on what you know about yourself. Bases on Jean’s self-assessment, she decided that she was suited to become a doctor, and that she wanted to become one. Her chosen vocation was a medical doctor. Describing her vision-mission fully: it was to live a life dedicated to serving her fellowmen as a doctor in conflict-areas.

Travel Bag: Your knowledge, skills, and attitude

Food, drinks, medicines, and other travelling necessities are contained in a bag. Applying this concept to your life map, you also bring with you certain knowledge, skills, and attitudes. These determine your competence and help you in attaining your vision. Given such, there is a need for you to assess what knowledge, skills, and attitudes you have at present and what you need to gain along the way. This two-fold assessment will give you insights on your landmarks or measures of success. Jean realized that she needed to gain professional knowledge and skills on medicine so that she could become a doctor. She knew that she was a bit impatient with people so she realized that this was something she wanted to change.

Landmarks and Route: S.M.A.R.T. objectives

Landmarks confirm if you are on the right track while the route determines the travel time. Thus, in planning out your life, you also need to have landmarks and a route. These landmarks are your measures of success. These measures must be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound. Thus you cannot set two major landmarks such as earning a master’s degree and a doctorate degree within a period of three years, since the minimum number of years to complete a master’s degree is two years. Going back to Jean as an example, she identified the following landmarks in her life map: completing a bachelor’s degree in biology by the age of 21; completing medicine by the age of 27; earning her specialization in infectious diseases by the age of 30; getting deployed in local public hospitals of their town by the age of 32; and serving as doctor in war-torn areas by the age of 35.

Anticipate Turns, Detours, and Potholes

The purpose of your life map is to minimize hasty and spur-of-the-moment decisions that can make you lose your way. But oftentimes our plans are modified along the way due to some inconveniences, delays, and other situations beyond our control. Like in any path, there are turns, detours, and potholes thus; we must anticipate them and adjust accordingly.

Relationships of all kinds are often perceived as very delicate things, that require extra effort to maintain. However, a relationship can also be something that can provide security and can also be long lasting despite many trials.

Building an effective and lasting relationships is a necessity for several reasons. For example in a group or organization, the well being of the people depends on how efficient and effective that group or organization works.

The group or organization is also dependent on how the members work well with the management.

An ineffective group or organization can really be very frustrating. An effective group or organization can also ask so much on their members, that sometimes the members would be having no life outside the walls of the area where they work or sacrifice the other aspects of their life just to meet deadlines. For an organization or group with this kind of scenario, relationships can be stressed or suffer from breakdown.

People or other entities who depend on these groups or organization also suffer.

Society is defined as a web of relationships, which requires all parties to work and contribute their share in order to achieve a common goal. Having a relationship that is good, where cooperation and respect are manifested, can make society work better. In this way each member works for the good of the whole and towards achieving a common goal. This can only be attained with effective and efficient relationships.

Understanding the other parties’ feeling and position creates an effective and efficient relationship. The easiest method to understand what is important to another party is to ask them what they want and listen to what they have to say. When the other party realizes this, they would feel the importance given to them

Effective and efficient relationships require parties to openly express their feelings and positions on all matters pertinent on the relationship. Assuming that the other party understands our needs and give us when we need it without asking for it is not a good practice.

Respect is the key to relationship. In order to create a more effective relationship, parties should treat each other with respect. We can show respect just by listening to the other party and by trying sincerely to understand how they function. You can also show respect to other parties by confirming that they are doing everything they can.

The opposite of respect is quick forming of judgements based on unfounded facts and prejudice.

Respect is the very foundation for a great relationship. This also means respecting yourself and respecting others.

Another key area in forming an effective relationship is to tackle differences of the other party directly. Differences between parties or people are quite interesting. For example in a conversation where each party listens to the other party, you may observe that each is having two different perspectives.

Work towards a win-win solution for both parties.

This can be done when at least one party acknowledges that the relationship is important. That party would then exert more time, effort and energy to understand the other party’s needs and deal with it to get it out of the way. Should they fail, it is comforting for that party to know that they tried.

Effectively listening and no pre-judging. This is important if parties are to understand each other.

Informal discussions are conducive for parties. They bring out issues and concerns comfortably. They also feel more relaxed making them think more clearly.

Developing an atmosphere where the other party can express their feelings when they need to.

When parties fail to express whatever is on their mind or their feelings, it can get in the way of building an effective relationship.

Parties should be aware that certain things exist naturally but should be controlled in any dealings in any relationship. Human nature is one. Some of these things found in a relationship also include a history of stereotyping or mistrust, blaming the other person or party for a strained relationship, excluding the other party’s feelings when focusing on a task, no clear and defined objectives, roles and expectations of each party in a relationship is also unclear.

Relationships are important to anyone, addressing issues and problems right away is a must to further improve the relationship. As they say ‘No man is an Island’.

How many times have you caught yourself saying that there could be no other solution to a problem – and that that problem leads to a dead end? How many times have you felt stumped knowing that the problem laying before you is one you cannot solve. No leads. No options. No solutions.

Did it feel like you had exhausted all possible options and yet are still before the mountain – large, unconquerable, and impregnable? When encountering such enormous problems, you may feel like you’re hammering against a steel mountain. The pressure of having to solve such a problem may be overwhelming.

But rejoice! There might be some hope yet!

With some creative problem-solving techniques you may be able to look at your problem in a different light. And that light might just be the end of the tunnel that leads to possible solutions.

First of all, in the light of creative problem-solving, you must be open-minded to the fact that there may be more than just one solution to the problem. And, you must be open to the fact that there may be solutions to problems you thought were unsolvable.

Now, with this optimistic mindset, we can try to be a little bit more creative in solving our problems.

Number one; maybe the reason we cannot solve our problems is that we have not really taken a hard look at what the problem is. Here, trying to understanding the problem and having a concrete understanding of its workings is integral solving the problem. If you know how it works, what the problem is, then you have a better foundation towards solving the problem.

Not trying to make the simple statement of what problem is. Try to identify the participating entities and what their relationships with one another are. Take note of the things you stand to gain any stand to lose from the current problem. Now you have a simple statement of what the problem is.

Number two; try to take note of all of the constraints and assumptions you have the words of problem. Sometimes it is these assumptions that obstruct our view of possible solutions. You have to identify which assumptions are valid, in which assumptions need to be addressed.

Number three; try to solve the problem by parts. Solve it going from general view towards the more detailed parts of the problem. This is called the top-down approach. Write down the question, and then come up with a one-sentence solution to that from them. The solution should be a general statement of what will solve the problem. From here you can develop the solution further, and increase its complexity little by little.

Number four; although it helps to have critical thinking aboard as you solve a problem, you must also keep a creative, analytical voice at the back of your head. When someone comes up with a prospective solution, tried to think how you could make that solution work. Try to be creative. At the same time, look for chinks in the armor of that solution.

Number five; it pays to remember that there may be more than just one solution being developed at one time. Try to keep track of all the solutions and their developments. Remember, there may be more than just one solution to the problem.

Number six; remember that old adage,” two heads are better than one.” That one is truer than it sounds. Always be open to new ideas. You can only benefit from listening to all the ideas each person has. This is especially true when the person you’re talking to has had experience solving problems similar to yours.

You don’t have to be a gung-ho, solo hero to solve the problem. If you can organize collective thought on the subject, it would be much better.

Number seven; be patient. As long as you persevere, there is always a chance that a solution will present itself. Remember that no one was able to create an invention the first time around.

Creative thinking exercises can also help you in your quest be a more creative problems solver.

Here is one example.

Take a piece of paper and write any word that comes to mind at the center. Now look at that word then write the first two words that come to your mind. This can go on until you can build a tree of related words. This helps you build analogical skills, and fortify your creative processes.

So, next time you see a problem you think you can not solve, think again. The solution might just be staring you right in the face. All it takes is just a little creative thinking, some planning, and a whole lot of work.

There is also nо diѕрutіng thаt the Eаrth, оur gооd hеаlth and lоve аrе аll wоnderful gіftѕ beyоnd mеasure. Thе Eаrth саmе wіth evеrythіng in nаture frоm the trees аnd ѕеaѕ to the hummіng bіrds and bumblеbeеѕ. Wе know аll оf nаturе iѕ bеautіful and аwе-inѕрirіng аll уоu havе tо do is surrоund уоurѕеlf wіth іt, оbsеrvе іt wіth binосularѕ or wаtch the ѕtarѕ wіth а telеscоpe. Gіvе уоurѕеlf thіѕ gіft аgаіn аnd рrоteсt іt from harm.

Gооd hеаlth iѕ alѕo dеfіnitely onе of Gоd’ѕ grеаtеst gіftѕ; оur bodieѕ аctually heal thеmselvеѕ whеn lеft аlоne. Aѕ mеre mоrtalѕ, wе nоrmаlly only beсоme аwаrе of hоw рreсiouѕ this gіft іs whеn wе hаve lоѕt іt temporarіlу. Perhаpѕ аge аnd оnly еxіstѕ tо make uѕ awarе оf whаt a wоnderful gіft thіs іs. Dоeѕ, dеаth еxіѕtѕ оnlу tо mаkе uѕ аware of whаt a wоndеrful gіft lіfe iѕ? If it doеs, evеn funеrаlѕ аkа “сеlеbrаtiоns оf lіfе” аrе а bleѕsing. Cаrpе diеm (Lіve for the daу)!

Intеllіgenсe, tаlent and the сapасіty to lеarn аrе mаrvеlоuѕ giftѕ. Lеаrnіng hеlрs uѕ tо contrіbutе fоr thе grеаter gоod, and bеcome valuеd and рroduсtive memberѕ оf sосiеtу. If уоu have evеr risеn abovе challеngеs, ѕurmounted obѕtaclеѕ аnd bеen vіctorіous in уоur endеаvоrѕ or studіеs, уou саn aррreciаtе thіs gіft. Agaіn, it іѕ nеаrly іmроsѕіble tо арpraise itѕ worth beсаuѕe уour abilіty tо lеаrn аnd grоw haѕ nо limitѕ.

Frееdom, nоw thаt mіght bе thе ultіmаte gіft ѕeсond оnly to lоvе. Clеarly, our anсеѕtоrs knеw іtѕ vаluе for they contributed tо thе Cоnstitutіоn аnd Mаgnа Cаrtа. Anyonе who hаѕ knоwn tуrаnny, оpрresѕiоn or captivity knоws frееdоm tо be prісeleѕѕ. Iѕn’t іt wоndеrful that everу daу we сan choоѕe tо bе wоrkіng towards thе unlіmіted оpрortunities thаt аrе ourѕ іn Amеrісa, tend tо оur garden or viѕit the bеaсh аnd surf?

Lovе, Gоd crеаted uѕ іn hіs dіvіnе wіsdоm sо that the more lоvе we gіve аwау thе mоrе we rеcеivе. Aѕ аnуonе over 21 knоws, lovе іs withоut a doubt the mоѕt splеndіd gіft оf all. If that аlоne іѕ nоt prоof therе іs а Gоd, рlеaѕе сreаte а humаn bеіng frоm thе dust аnd make ѕure he is іntеllіgеnt, beаutiful, freе, intеlligent, ѕelf-healing аnd in gооd health. Only thеn wіll I bеlіеvе уоu (сloning does nоt count).

Children, dоgs аnd саtѕ, evеn our chіldren аnd fаvorіtе реts havе an infinitе ѕuррlу оf unсоndіtіonal lоvе. Now, thаt іѕ аs amаzіng аs it іs truе. God ѕо lоvеd the world that hе еvеn gаve us Jesus hiѕ оnly ѕоn, аnd аllоwеd hіm tо bе sасrіfісed fоr the fоrgiveneѕѕ оf оur sinѕ. Enlightеnеd peоplе gіve thankѕ for thіѕ evеrу Sundау оr аt lеaѕt twiсе everу уеаr at Eastеr аnd Chrіstmаs church serviсeѕ. Don’t you honеstlу hаvе рlenty tо be thаnkful fоr? Whу not foсuѕ оn that evеrу dаy inѕtead оf уоur рrоblеmѕ? If уоu аcсерt аll theѕе truths, thеn уоu know that оften lеѕs іѕ morе.

Mankind, gаvе uѕ a ѕmall sаmрlе оf matеrіаl wеаlth, gоvеrnmеntѕ and thе соnсept of tіmе, аll of whіch are fleetіng, tаxing or аt bеѕt come аnd go aѕ thеy рlеаѕe. All arе limіted, dіffісult іf nоt іmpoѕsible tо mаstеr and oh ѕо еlusivе. In short, thеre іѕ nothіng that соmpаreѕ tо God’ѕ gifts. Hencе, іf уоu еver wаnt tо aсhіеve hарpіneѕs and nirvаnа, I would urge yоu tо traіn уour аttеntiоn оn Gоd’ѕ gіftѕ еvеrуdау оf your lіfе. Thаt wау, уоu will rеаlіzе уou аrе аlrеаdy weаlthy, heаlthу, free and living in God’s unlіmited lovе and аbundаnсе. Hаllеluјah!

Still along my journey, I have made my fair share of mistakes; my path is littered with disappointments and frustrating failures.  There are so many personal accomplishments I have not yet been able to attain.  Through my yoga practice, I have learned the importance of “acceptance of what is” and to “let go.”  Learning this is easy but practicing this is a whole other matter; something I must work on every day of my life.

I have to consistently remember the words of Buddha who said, “The secret to health and happiness is to not dwell on the past that we cannot change, nor to worry about the future which does not yet exist, but instead to live each moment earnestly and wisely, being present.”

I share this with you because with the New Year comes new promises and goals; our dreaded New Year’s Resolutions that traditionally have an 80% failure rate.  I have witnessed many dear friends that are so unhappy with their current physical state, relationships, and jobs that they keep themselves from being happy in the present moment, the only moment there is!

The road to a “higher state of consciousness” is a journey.  We must always remember that we are exactly where we are supposed to be along the path of life at this moment in time.  This year try not to set lofty unattainable goals; they will only leave you feeling defeated if you are unable to achieve them.  Instead stand first where you are along your path, accept and love yourself for who you are right now.  Instead of setting your next goal to make it 10 miles down the road before nightfall, make your goal to take only the next step.  Make each step count, being conscious and present. 

For example instead of making it your goal to lose 15 pounds by March, look in the mirror and first accept and love who you are today.  Know that you are exactly where you are meant to be right now.  Make your goals modest and attainable, perhaps to just not eat any processed food today.  With your goal being small manageable individual steps, you will be down the road in no time and before you know it you will have lost 20 pounds and wondered how it all fell off?     

One of the greatest challenges most people face today is coming to terms with the fact that some times we all need a hand in life, especially when it comes to setting you on the right path to improving your personal life. There are many qualified people who can help you with this as long as you are willing to accept that these people can change the things you want changed in your life. 

Another challenge for most is discovering and coming to terms with the fact that, although there are things in your life that you can change, there are some things you just can’t change. The first step, however, to beginning your journey on the road to improving your personal life is finally accepting that you are who you are, regardless of what others may think of you. By accepting this you will find it easier to come to terms with many changes that will take place in your life as you begin to transform yourself for the better. You will discover you are off to a flying start of improving you personal life. 

One amazing ability you will discover as you begin to change your life for the better is that you will find laughter again, the same amazing quality of laughter you once had as a child, even when there is really nothing to be laughing at. Lets say you’re standing in the checkout on a hot summer’s day, the kids are screaming, you’re tired from shopping all day and all you want to do is get home and put your feet up. Suddenly, out of no where, some mindless fool in a hurry and not conscious of the fact that everyone else in the shop is in a hurry too, pushes you. How would you feel at that very moment? Angry? Frustrated at the mindless person? No, not when you have found the abilty to laugh again. You would simply stand back and laugh at the situation because you know, after working so hard on improving yourself, that this push from this stranger is not a threat against you personally, but merely a threat to your emotion. And by simply standing back and laughing at the situation you will suddenly find a way to gain control of the situation and accept it for what it is. Nothing at all really. Just one more moment in the precious and rare existence we call life.

When you can accept that things like the person pushing you in a hot checkout lane are things that happen in life; when you can accept there are others in this world just as impatient and hot; when you can accept yourself then, and only then, can you discover a way to take control. You can see with all entirely how you can improve your personal life when you are in control. You will learn quickly how to discover your true self when you learn to accept.

I want to ask you a question now. Do you believe that when you, or someone you know, acts in a certain way that is the same way you act all the time, is your true identity? If you answered “no” to that question then give yourself a pat on the back – you are 100% correct. If you answered “yes” that’s okay but right here right now you need to understand that the belief that when someone acts the same way at all times means that that is their true identity is basically politically incorrect! The subject “Individuality is Personal” is merely a conclusion that has been exaggerated by many philosophers. Our personality reflects everyday on many changes, and the truth is each new day brings many new and exciting things with it, which are new changes for us. The world is plagued with influences, both good and bad, and because we all have actions, behaviors, thoughts and even emotions, our personality will never remain the same at all times because it reflects on these changes. 

Take a look around yourself and you will see just how many influences are surrounding you. Take a really long hard look and you will discover there are millions of them, if not billions! There is the television, the media, house-holds, the government, the schools, just to name a few, and it is these influences that has created the world in which you live in that has desensitised you. Something you have to accept is that somewhere at some time someone is judging someone else. It is a sad occurance but you cannot change these peoples behaviours and way of thinking, only they can do that for themselves. But you can change your own behaviour and way of thinking. This is part of the journey to improving your personal life and a big part of learning and accepting. And once you have learned how to change yourself for the better then sharing what you have learned with ours is a sure-fire way to help them begin the road to self-improvment in their personal life. But you can only do this if you are truly happy with your own life first, because your journey will rely totally on sources that prove truthful with their actions, and there’s no point preaching something to another person if you yourself don’t truly believe it. Positive reflections are the key to happiness in your life and by reflecting this postiveness onto others is the key to their way of changing and accepting. 

So again I repeat from ealier in this article, once you learn to accept that you cannot purposely change the behaviour of others, then you will feel the eagerness to laugh at someone who has just pushed you in the checkout lane. You will see the humour in the actions of someone who has made you angry. And if you make a mistake, you will see the humour in that mistake as well and see that life is full of mistakes because that is the only way you can truly ever learn.

You will certainly begin to feel so much better inside once you begin to see humour in life. It is a sad truth that there are so many greedy people involved with us in this unruly world – greedy, envious, lustful souls they are almost like tigers hunting others as prey. But if you can learn how to get along with these people, learn how to work with them, accept them for who they are, you will find moving on is a lot eaiser and smoother. Once you’ve master how to change yourself for the better, you will be suprised by how many people will want to follow suit. 

There will be a new feeling growing inside you as you grow as well, and this new feeling will be hunger because as you advance down your path to improvement you will hunger to continue discovering new ways to better yourself and find amzingly new things about yourself. You will simply become more inspired when you begin to feel this hunger burning inside you, and all you will need to do is embrace it in order to achieve your goals.