Be Kind to Yourself

In our fight to win at the game of life, often, the looser is our own sense of self-worth and even our physical well-being.  As I get older, self-care becomes more important.  You see, I

have a lot more books and blogs to write, and speeches to give.  I haven’t yet written the blog heard round the world, which is on my bucket list.  So, here are seven tips for all of us to consider as tips for how to be kinder to self.

~Set aside time for yourself.  Lately I’ve developed the habit of taking my lunch by Green Lake here in Seattle.  After eating a simple sandwich, I’ll sit by the lake, enjoy the sun and gentle breeze, people watch and delve into my own thoughts on whatever suits my mind at the moment.

~Recognize your strong suits.  You can give others accolades, but what about yourself?  What good have you accomplished recently?  When a success comes your way, pause a moment, breathe deeply and enjoy your moment of success. 

~Forgive yourself.  Ice skaters sometimes fall down.  Great leaders weren’t always great.  Everybody makes mistakes at some time in their lives.  Remember, failure is not final.  We learn from our mistakes.

~Take better care of yourself.  We’re talking enough sleep, proper feeding including fruits, greens, protein, and of course exercise.  Keep YOU working by honoring your body’s needs for great nutrition.

~Soothe yourself.  Do your body and your psyche some favors occasionally, especially if you had a bad day. 

  Visit a hot tub

    Get a massage

      Make some hot eggnog or hot cocoa

        Listen to your favorite music in your own 

        private space for an hour.

~Create some affirmations to keep your mind and attitude in good condition.

Some that I’ve created are

I approve of myself

I am a worthwhile human being

I am creative

I am loved

~Build your own dreams.  You have dreams inside of you.  Give them feet and wings.  You are the architect of your dream machine.

A kinder you can produce more than the ogre you.

Believe it or not.

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Expose and Write

Here is an idea for you.  I borrowed it from John C. Maxwell’s book on How Successful People Think.

And now … the quote.

Expose yourself to good input.

Be sure and write down significant thoughts.

It is the exposing, the opening oneself up to good ideas that starts this dance.  In the last

twenty years of my life I’ve expanded the list of those whom I allow to influence my thinking.  These are not men and women who have come to my attention, often from other writers, and occasionally from casual conversations with friends.  Some have been dead for a few years, yet their influence lives on and continues to feed my mind. 

Often one of these influencers will lead me to another, and yet another.  I am on the lookout for good, sound minds from which I can glean thoughts and ideas.

The second step in this dance is this …

capture significant thoughts and ideas for later review. 

One of the documents that is open on my laptop is called Blog Ideas.  It is 103 pages of quotes quips, sayings, and longer paragraphs that I have found to be stimulating at one time or another in my reading material.  This is the document to which I turn first almost every time I sit down for a blog writing session. 

I also carry around a pocket-size Mole Skin book as a holding place for spur-of-the-moment ideas as they occur.

Go ahead – expose yourself.

And then write about it. 

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

It's Okay to Ignore Sometimes

In a politically correct society it is usually never good manners to ignore someone; however, here is an exception.

My friend Rick Justus says this:

Rick lists this quote along with six others, on a piece of paper that is constantly in his possession.  He calls this list his "Seven Secrets to Untold Wealth".

Would anything great ever be accomplished in this world if we always listened to the nay-sayers?

Landing on the moon?  They said:  “Man can’t stand the G-forces.  His body will explode.”

Every new startup has to overcome the negative comments that inevitably come.

“It’s been done before.”

“Nobody will buy THAT.”

“Are you crazy? Spending all that money?  What if it flops?”

“Who are you to think you can pull that off?”

I was told once to not buy a circular saw for I would probably cut off my finger.  I’ve had one for twenty-five years now and still have all fingers and toes.

I once said “Girls can’t play drums.”  I was threatened.  That was back in the seventh grade and we froze out a girl named Debby.  I confess that was a stupid move. 

What is being said to you?  Are you listening?  And what are you going to do about those words of a negative slant?

Do it anyway.

Avoid those who belittle you and mock your dream. 

Believe in YOU and YOUR DREAMS.  Ignore anyone who tells you it can’t be done.  Prove them wrong.

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Regrets

Got regrets?  So do most people. 

Want to avoid having regrets?  Listen to this sage advice.

A group of senior citizens were once asked this question:

“If you could live your life over, what would you do differently?”

The top answer given is this:  “I would have taken more chances.”

As I reflect on my own life, that phrase still echoes in my heart, and I am a guy who has had 8 or 9 completely different careers.  There are still dreams that lie inside of me that I want to attempt. 

Climbing Mt. Everest is not one of them.

But I do want to write more books, and I’ll continue blogging until I can no longer place my hands on the keyboard. 

I want to expand my speaking circle.

I want to go sailing with CB on an extended trip.

Well, this is not really about me.  It is about you, and an attempt to inspire you to dream your dreams and give them feet and wings. 

Do you remember the age old question “What would you do if you knew you could not fail"?

That is what this is all about?  Your dreams lie buried within you.  Bring them out.  Give them a chance to breathe the air of freedom of expression. 

Maybe, some day, when we come to the end of our days, we can say with a smile on our faces, “I used up all that was within me.”

Let it be so.

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time