Archive for September, 2008
The country seems upside down with all the news programs spreading fear and destruction. Don’t get me wrong, I love to hear the news–I want to keep up to date with what’s happening in the world, but bottom line, you have nothing to fear if you are sitting at a computer and reading this blog right now…the sun has not fallen from the sky and the moon is still pulling our oceans around.
You are not being flooded, blown away, being shot at, or in the Senate voting on a bill. You are free, you are alive and you are safe. It’s important to remember these things and to make the positive, good things about life be the focus of your energy.
I hear people talking about how these days are some of the worst in history….well are they? Really? I’ve visited the Tower of London and seen how people used to be hung, drawn and quartered just for stealing a bread crumb…or saying something against the king!
Today, we can write blogs, send emails, have discussions in the street and homes about how we feel. That’s big! That’s very big. It’s callled freedom of speech. What it’s not called is, “I’m so scared and afeared.” We are in an amazing time of life. No matter what your gender or color, you can vote. Yes, you can go to the poles and vote for a peaceful nation. Vote for someone who doesn’t want us to go to war on other nations…vote for healthcare, education and putting an end to poverty in our wonderful natiion.
Let’s come from love, acceptance, joy, happiness and peace. We don’t have to buy into the politics of fear and of lack. We do make a difference and we do that when we vote. More importantly, we do that when we communicate to our loved ones from a place of joy, and of love.
Just one last thought. When you want to bring energy from a positive attitude, it doesn’t mean you have to lie down and let people walk over you. No, you stand up and you speak what’s important in your heart. The difference is that you listen to the other person….you don’t always say…so and so doesn’t understand. You can find points to agree about…that’s what brings about a peaceful world. Rock N Roll Val & Jeff
September 30th, 2008
Have you ever felt like you just didn’t want to do anything? Like you wanted someone else to do it for you? Or another person to pick up the pieces? Well that’s how I felt yesterday. And really, I just wanted Jeff to do it all, for my daughters to do it for me….and then I realized that it’s up to me. They can support me yes, they can love me yes, they can talk to me and give me encouragement, yes they can do all of these things….but when it comes down to it…it’s up to me to do it.
So with that feeling, I got up this morning and decided to just get on with it and do it anyway. Like writing this blog. I had the thought not to do it. Maybe no one is reading it….what’s the point. But in a way, the only thing that matters is that I write it. That I do what I say I am going to do. So that I can at least rely on one thing happening….and that is me keeping my word.
I guess when it comes down to it, that is huge. Because if I keep my word and do the things I am supposed to do….the things I said I would do, then my world at least has some order about it. I can count on myself. And that’s big. I don’t have to expect other people to write my blog for me, or other people to make me feel happy. It’s up to me to do it for me. Then once I do it for me, I feel happy.
It is about switching into the human brain and not coming from the animal brain. Because that animal brain will keep you in the dumps, moaning and complaining about life. It doesn’t want you to be happy, it doesn’t even want you to exercise, or eat healthy foods. It just wants to keep you miserable and not doing much with your life.
So, if today, or any other day you feel you are in the animal brain, just do this simple exercise. Take a deep breath in. Feel the power of the earth coming in up through your feet, into your body and energizing your blood. Take another deep breath and feel the power of the universe coming in through the top of your head, and feel the light flooding into your body so that you feel awake, alive and full of joy. Know that you are loved. Know that you have an amazing life ahead of you and a joy to bring into your life. Rock N Roll Val
September 24th, 2008
I’ve always thought it strange that in a recession everyone’s money seems to disappear….and yet there is still the same amount of money in the world–I mean no one has burned it or put it on a garbage heap to rot–all that’s happened is people and companies are scared and so they are holding it back. The people with the money are holding on to it and so it’s not so much of a recession as a freeze. People are frozen and stuck….which means to say, many companies are frozen and stuck and scared.
For example, I heard the other day that there is plenty of money to hand out to people for mortgages, but the companies that give out mortgages are now so scared, that it’s almost impossible to qualify. They’ve been bailed out by the government and now they’re scared to hand out loans. So we’ve gone from loaning out money to everyone who wants it, no questions asked, to not loaning out money to anyone, and too many questions being asked. So houses are not selling, people are scared and money stays frozen.
So what does it all mean to you and me. The workers of the world. The ones who have to get up every morning, go to work and be great no matter what’s happening with the economy…no matter how scared corporations are? Well, we have to be the ones who are great! We have to be amazing, because we are the strength of the economy. We have to be resourceful and ask ourselves what’s important. To go out and spend money on clothes, make-up, cars, toys, food, or to think about what we really want. Buy what we really need. Make do and mend a little bit. But underneath it all, no matter what we do to get ourselves through this freeze and through this fear…we have to have a great attitude.
So what does that mean? We have to wake up in the morning and look for the blessings in our life. The simple things which are the miracles of life. The sun in the sky giving us warmth, and light. The moon at night giving us light and pulling the oceans of the world so that tides come in and out. The grass that grows without us even asking it to. The trees and plants that continue to be the lungs of the planet so that we can breathe oxygen…all these things are free…and if we had to pay for them, we couldn’t even raise a downpayment!
We have to be aware of happiness in any form…a smile, a welcoming word, a friendly conversation…we have to look for joy in ourselves and in other people. We have to be the bringers of joy and happiness. Because money, although very important, is not everything in life. What’s important in life are things like health, happiness, being of service, looking for ways to help others, being great at our job and finding ways to make our enviroment great, tidying up after ourselves, making our beds in the morning so that when we come home, we walk into a clean place, being a role model to those around us, so that we are not just telling others what to do, they are seeing what to do by our example.
There are so many ways to move through this recession, you can be scared and fearful, like so many people, or we can be loving and open. We can choose to be amazing, or choose to be depressed and toxic. You know how that goes, gossiping about people, telling everyone our story of how bad things are, talking about the government in a bad way instead of doing something to make our own lives and our own situations the best they can be.
It’s like watching the news…if it makes you feel depressed don’t watch it. Yes, you can know what’s going on in the world, but you don’t have to get sucked in to the media and their fear mongering headlines. Read an uuplifting book. Go out with an uplifting friend and talk about the good and positive things in your life. There are so many ways to be creative and loving….read your spouse a poem, read your kids a story, email a friend and tell them how much you appreciate them in your life. Throw off the fear of being frozen in a recession and bring in the light into your life. Celebrate good things and create joy, openness and happiness. Be the one who decides to make a positive difference in your world. Rock N Roll Val & Jeff
September 23rd, 2008
I was talking to a friend today who was depressed and not able to see anything bright about the future. I listened, of course…that’s what we do with friends, co-workers, customers anyone that we want to build and maintain a relationship with. It wasnt doing any good though…the depression continued.
So I talked about my own experience…when I’ve been depressed I think about all the things I have to be thankful about. I start small. I’m thankful that I have a bed, that I have milk in the refrigerator, thankful that I have my health–well that’s actually a biggy isn’t it. Although, health is usually something I take for granted, until something happens and it’s compromised. Even a cold or flu can really put you off your stride.
Anyhow, it worked! I said, “Let’s think of all the positive things about this situation.” And suddenly, everything changed. Instead of seeing it from a half empty perspective, we started looking at it from a half full point of view. It sounds corny and simplistic, I know….but it works. We can turn the worst situations into something positive. There is light in every dark place…..we just have to look for it.
It all starts with a choice. A realization that we even have a choice. And we do always have a choice. We can stay in a job, or leave. Stay in an unpleasant situation, or addicted to something, or work to get out of it….with small steps. Just one small step in the right direction will open huge positive doors of hope and well-being. Exercise starts wtih one step, eating right starts with one healthy food choice, love starts by one kind word….So just for today, choose to be the powerful one and make the decision to see things from a half full point of view. Rock N Roll Val & Jeff
September 19th, 2008
I sometimes wonder what life is all about…maybe you do too. I’ve got friends who’ve retired and the ones who seem happiest are still working…most of them are using thier skills to help other people, coaching, speaking, mentoring. So I think that we as human beings have a need to work. Because if we don’t what are we going to do….sleep around all day.
If you think about it from a reality check point of view…we’ll be sleeping all we want to when we’re dead…so why are we here? To sleep? To lay around watching TV. I’ve done that, and after a while it feels horrible…like the brain has just been fed a load of fast food and it’s overdosing on too many carbs. It feels sluggish and boring.
And the stars life…it looks glamourous, but I believe it’s a lot of work too. Even if you have an exercise coach, someone to kick you in the pants to go workout, it’s still a workout. I’ve also done that…in fact I’ve had a few personal trainers, and let me tell you, it’s a lot of very hard work. They dont give up…they’re relentless…jumping jaciks, bench presses, heavier weights!
So what about the work you’re doing right now? Are you loving it? Are you happy to be doing what you’re doing? If you aren’t, then you need to look at your life. Get a life coach if necessary….we have them at our company, send us an email and we’ll get you on board. Because I want you to have a great life. I want you to love your work. I want you to feel happy when you wake up in the mornings. Leap out of bed if you can, sing in the shower, because one day you may not be able to, and you’ll wish you had.
You see, work is a journey and work is something we were born to do. It keeps our brain active and our blood pumping round our body. It gives us money so that we can eat, and have a roof over our head. It makes us feel worthwhile, like we’re doing something useful with our lives.
What you do at work, how you walk around, how you look, how you communicate with people makes a big difference in the lives of all those around you. Walk tall, smile, be accepting of yourself…love yourself…why not? Give yourself rewards for doing a good job. Talk to yourself in a good, positive way. You are amazing! You are perfect, exactly the way you are. You were made to have an amazing life…to be happy, full of joy and do a great job. So be amazing today…rock n roll Val & Jeff
September 17th, 2008
I took my daughter into hospital today for an outpatient surgery on her lower back. It’s amazing how much hospitals have changed over the years. It’s a case of Fast Surgery….like fast food. And the hospital staff are great.
I love it when people who are in the business of dealing with people are great. The nurses were fantastic, the doctors were great, the surgeon was excellent. And for us, the customer and patient, it made everything so much healthier.
Because hospitals are scary places in a way…I mean people sometimes walk in and get wheeled out, or don’t come out at all! So to provide customer service that puts everyone at ease, and spells out exactly what is going to happen is fabulous.
So just for today, whatever your profession, remember that you make a real big difference in the lives of everyone you meet. Okay, it might not be a life and death situation, but in a way it is. People can get very upset when they don’t get good service….and it could be for a number of reasons. They could just be angry people, or something awful has happened in their life, or they’re just plain worried. Whatever their situation, you can help them by being great. It’s like a mirror..if you are calm and professional, then there is a much bigger chance that your customers will act that way too.
And sometimes they won’t. And it doesn’t matter because you don’t have to take them home with you. Just be great and you will feel great. Rock N Roll Val & Jeff
September 11th, 2008
Jeff’s sister and a friend have just arrived from the UK, and they are so happy to see some sun it’s wonderful to see their happiness. It’s been raining over there for most of the summer, so they’ve only seen gray skies and dark days.
And it’s great to see your home through other peoples eyes…in fact it’s great to see everything through new eyes. Things I take for granted seem to take on a new life.
So for today, enjoy the sun, enjoy the sky, enjoy seeing your life through different eyes. See the good things, look for the positive…there’s always something good to find even in difficult times. So shine like the sun! rock N Roll Val & Jeff
September 9th, 2008
If you counted up all the good things you’ve done in your life, it would build a mountain. Every smile, thoughtful gesture, and gift have made a positive impact in someone elses life. You’ve heard the saying what goes around comes around, well, now is the time for you to reap the benefit of all the good things you’ve done…all the good thoughts you’ve thought.
Everything has been accrued for you, like a bank account of good, positive thoughts….all you have to do is tap into it. How do you do that? You keep on thinking good thoughts and doing good things.
What does that look like? It’s really about letting bad stuff go. A bad thought makes people unhappy, and causes resentment and upset. So if you have any bad thoughts, let them go, don’t give them any energy, don’t water them, or feed them, and like an plant that’s ignored they will eventually die.
Everything begins with one small thought, one small step.
And here’s the most amazing thing of all. You can change. People do change. I’ve changed. It begins with a realization that there is something you want to change…and then focus on what you need to do.
So for example, with weight….I realized I needed to lose some weight….I’ve tried numerous diets and for me they don’t work. So what I did instead was just make a few simple rules. I don’t eat after I’ve had dinner. In other words no snacking at night. I eat smaller portions, if I’m eating out, I either split the meal, or take a ‘doggy bag’ home. I substitute sweet things like chocolate and candy with fruit. It’s simple.
So today, good thoughts. Feel great, allow your good deeds to bring you benefit. Rock N Roll Val & Jeff
September 8th, 2008
I am sitting at my desk looking out of my window and enjoying the view and thinking, what about those people who dont have much of anything let alone a geat view. It suddenly struck me how amazing my life is. I have everything. So when I start to feel sorry for myself because a company hasn’t paid us yet and the bank is talking to us about funds, I remember my amazing life. That I have the opportunity to switch my thoughts and remember that I can achieve anything I put my mind to. I am not at the mercy of people, things or events anymore I am this increadable human being …I can do anything….”Rock n Roll”
September 6th, 2008
How can I give a good example of not taking things personally? What would be a really good one? My six year old grandson was told off by his teacher and the rest of the class were laughing. And he took it personally, so for the rest of the day he felt terrible.
It’s very difficult at that age not to take things personally. Where does it get us when we take things personally? It seems that we get emotional, depressed, unhappy and feeling less than. So my great realization was every time I take things personally, the only person that suffers is me.
Because I’m sure my grandsons teacher and the rest of his class mates are not thinking anything at all–they’re just getting on with their life.
So the next time you start to feel you’re taking it personally, just remember how much do you want to suffer? To shake it off, and to realize that there is nothing really going on.
You have the opportunity as a great human being to decide to go forward with an amazing frame of mind. Howz that? Does that make sense? I hope so. Rock N Roll Val & Jeff
September 5th, 2008
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