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Don’t Mess with the Happy!

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Written by Karen D. Swim, Photo ©martinapplegate | Dreamstime.com

Have you ever seen a small child cover his or her ears, close their eyes and loudly sing, “La, la, la, la, I can’t hear you, la, la, la?” Often their head shaking back and forth accompany the chant along with fast movements designed to outrun the enemy. In this case, the enemy is you and the words the child refuses to hear! Well, now that you got that image that is exactly how I feel today.

Bombarded with reports of the failing economy, the failing economy and oh you guessed it, the failing economy, I am covering my ears and singing, “La, la, la, la, go away, la, la, la!” Enough already!

Yes, there are bad things happening and of course, I want to be an informed citizen. However, being informed is one thing being assaulted is just downright depressing!  Therefore, I have donned my Ninja happy (this is the impenetrable power suit of supreme happiness, in case you’re wondering) and selected my arsenal to fight back the “doomy” and gloomy.

  • Listen but do not absorb. Sensitive people have a way of becoming so empathetic that they absorb the problems of others into their being.  This can be harmful to your mental and physical health and affect your own objectivity.
  • Focus on solutions not the problem.  A constant replaying of the problem does nothing but torment you.  It is far more productive to focus on solutions.  For example, rather than focusing on the economy, focus on the things you can leverage to thrive during the down times. How can you maximize your earnings? What skills and talents can you leverage in the market to continue gaining work?
  • Pray. I have found that God is way smarter than I am at solving problems.  Praying helps me quiet my mind and spirit and refocuses me on what is important.

I am not in any way attempting to diminish the struggles that so many are having right now.  However, what help are we to those in need if we are simply focused on the problem?

Today, I do not have everything I desire. Heck I am even struggling with a few things I really need! However, I refuse to be sucked into self-pity and despair.  Instead, I clothed myself in the armor and looked out the window.  I watched the light reflect off the pond and the trees gently swaying in the cool morning breeze. I listened to the birds chirp their happy little tune and the squirrels scamper up the tree. I was reminded that the sun will rise and set, and the stars will shine in a bear market or bull market. I could allow my attitude to remain consistent or I could fall prey to the up and down cycles of life. I chose to don the happy. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

How do you stay the course during bad times? Do you have any secret ninja weapons? Please share so that we can all learn. Remember that everyone is welcome to share his or her thoughts and ideas. No blog? No problem! Comments are open. Don’t want to share in public? That’s okay too.  Shoot an email, a tweet or a note anywhere you choose. This conversation can go wherever you like!

Are you Free?

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Written by Karen D. Swim

Blue Man Breaking free of ball and chain

I Woke Up This Mornin’ (based on an African American spiritual)

{Well I} woke up this mornin’ with my mind
stayed on freedom.
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind,
stayed on freedom.
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind
stayed on freedom.
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah.

Oh well I walked and talked
talked and walked
with my mind
stayed on freedom.
Walked and talked
talked and walked
with my mind
on freedom.
I walked and talked
talked and walked
with my mind
stayed on freedom.
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah.

Freedom. This was the word prominent in my heart and mind this morning.  Tomorrow in the US we celebrate Independence Day but every day is an opportunity to celebrate freedom. We are free to choose where and how we live. We are free to choose where and how we worship.  We are free to choose, period.

Yet, so often we seem to forget that we are free.  In his post today, Brett reminds us that we are free to draw our own lines.  Yet, we often act as though the choice is beyond our control. Our words and actions are those of people imprisoned. We comment on all the things we “have to do.” We complain about our jobs, finances, lack of time, etc. as though we cannot change it.

We influence our results by the choices we make. If you’re not happy,  make different choices. You can do that because you are free.

How will you celebrate freedom today? You’re free to speak your mind  in the comments. 🙂

Ride the Magic Bus to Success

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Written by Karen D. Swim

Wooden movie clapperboard

“Contemplation often makes life miserable. We should act more, think less, and stop watching ourselves live.”-Chamfort, French Playwright

This week, I spent a great deal of time learning. I read, participated in webcasts, teleseminars and soaked up wisdom from anyone willing to share it. I had the opportunity to interact with business leaders I respect and learn some of the techniques that have worked for them.  Throughout the week I found validation for a long held belief of mine – The Secret is that there is no secret.

We are surrounded by people who have accomplished the things we want to do and are happy to share how they did it. Never before has information been so readily accessible. Yet so many continue to seek that one magic thing that will finally propel them to their dreams.  The  only difference between you and the people who have accomplished what you want to do is action.

As Brett so eloquently pointed out this week, you have to be a participant. Sitting on the sidelines and learning the rules is useless if you don’t take action.  The masters, gurus and leaders can’t make it happen for you, no more than watching someone else work out will give you six pack abs. They can impart information, and share from their experience but then you have to take action.

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”–Leonardo da Vinci

Our life is very much like a garden.  You must plant something in that patch of dirt before anything can bloom.  Thinking about how you want the garden to look will not cause it to magically sprout plants.  The seeds and the soil are the materials you need for a garden but you still must take the action of planting thm. You then of course have to tend to the garden by watering, fertilizing, and weeding to keep it in good shape.

The funny thing about taking action is that even that is not magical. You can get very excited about planting a garden and run out and buy seeds, fertilizer and garden tools. You can come home, load it all up in the yard and decide it’s too late to start planting that day. The next day, it’s too hot.  The next day you have errands, a business trip, the kids have soccer practice. Before you know it, months have passed and you have the materials for a garden and no results.

You have to act and then keep taking action until your act becomes a habit. This is when the real magic happens.

Have you ever allowed excuses to stop the momentum of your action? How did you overcome it? Let’s talk about it and learn from one another! Add your two cents or nickel in the comments. 🙂