On this last day of 2012, I've been reflecting and looking toward what this next year holds for me, my family, my loved ones and for my business. What I keep coming up with is the word ENGAGE, as in - engage in life. Be proactive.
It'd be so easy to look ahead at the challenges coming, economic and otherwise, and allow myself to shrink into a heap and do nothing. After all, there's plenty of "doom and gloom" to wrap around the world several times, right?
But I refuse.
I refuse to give my power away and accept that life happens to me, without any say so from me. I refuse to allow the notion that life is spectator sport. I refuse to accept or live in the role of victim. It is disempowering, and it's a choice.
Nope. Not gonna happen. I can't get excited about doing nothing.
I'm determined, if not adamant about doing, not just being. It's important to me to make a difference. To create something. To support someone. To build something. To share myself. To stir things up. To make someone smile. To hope and give hope. To love.
Life is meant to be interactive. Engage in life!
I'd rather create my experience then let it land on my head. I'd rather be in the game, then watching. I get to decide what I do, how I do it, why I do it, when I do it and where I do it. I have free will and I get to call the shots!
So do you!
So here's my challenge to you for the coming year:
Do one thing…every day…to make YOU better, and in turn help someone else.
It doesn't have to be complicated, time-consuming or grandiose. In fact, the simpler it is, the more likely it is to get done, and the sooner it will have an effect on someone or some thing. You're capable of changing yourself and the world, one tiny little action at a time.
To get you started , here are some ideas:
- Smile
- Hug someone
- Make a promise and keep it
- Take a brisk walk
- Brush your teeth - it'll save someone the unpleasant smell of halitosis
- Eliminate one unhealthy food from your diet
- Plan a vacation
- Say “I Love You” every day
- Learn a new word
- Get enough sleep- avoid a costly mistake in your job
- Read a funny joke
- Compromise
- Don’t compromise
- Become an entrepreneur
- Drink one less beer.
- Be on time
- Help someone move their belongings
- Create a dream board
- Babysit for a frazzled parent
- Tell a joke
- Question an expert
- Share a meal
- Say a prayer
- Donate your time
- Ask for help from a trusted friend
- Take the stairs
- Enjoy a glass of wine - assuming you’re old enough
- Tweet a friend
- Tutor a child
- Take fiber daily...I think you know why!
- Make soup for a sick person
- Volunteer to be a baby rocker in a neonatal unit
- Write down one daily goal
- Read a book
- Learn a new skill
- Make a nice comment on someone’s blog article
- Tutor a friend
- Take someone to the doctor
- Sing out loud
- Dog-sit for someone
- Remove yourself from a negative conversation
- Dance a little jig in public
- Jump on your bed
- Challenge an opinion
- Give thanks
- Start a home business
- Call a friend
- Message a friend
- Help someone celebrate a success
- Edify someone
- Surprise someone
- Offer a new idea at your job
- Challenge status quo
- Count to 10 when you're frustrated
This one is H U G E :
Pay it forward with a nice gesture…and say nothing…to anyone!
Well...I’ve barely scratched the surface. Any one of these things can make a difference, however large or small. More importantly, any one of these actions can have a significant ripple effect far beyond what you'll ever know.
What will you do today, tomorrow and the next? Make one single intention…every day…to make YOU better…and act on it!
Here's to a spectacular 365 days - of your own choosing!
Please consider sharing the link to this post if you think it can help someone! xo