30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself + 30 Things to Start Doing for Yourself

Reblogged:
I have thought of reblogging this inspirational  articles which I read on Jenni Epperson's fashion blog. The articles is so lengthy to read on, yet, somehow in the process we can get tidbits of lessons upon it. I myself realized that there are so many things I need to stop doing for myself and things that I need to start doing for myself.
Hitherto, life is too short to worries thing that aren't worthy to ponder about it, herewith is the article:

As Maria Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”  Nothing could be closer to the truth.  But before you can begin this process of transformation you have to stop doing the things that have been holding you back.

30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself + 30 Things to Start Doing for Yourself
written by: marcangel

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Stop spending time with the wrong people. – Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.  If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you.  You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot.  Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth.  And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.
2. Stop running from your problems. – Face them head on.  No, it won’t be easy.  There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them.  We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems.  That’s not how we’re made.  In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall.  Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time.  This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.
3. Stop lying to yourself. – You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself.  Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves.  Read The Road Less Traveled.
4. Stop putting your own needs on the back burner. – The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.  Yes, help others; but help yourself too.  If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.
5. Stop trying to be someone you’re not. – One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you likeeveryone else.  Someone will always be prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger, but they will never be you.  Don’t change so people will like you.  Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.
6. Stop trying to hold onto the past. – You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.
7. Stop being scared to make a mistake. – Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing.  Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success.  You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.
8. Stop berating yourself for old mistakes. – We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us.  We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past.  But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.  Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.
9. Stop trying to buy happiness. – Many of the things we desire are expensive.  But the truth is, the things that really satisfy us are totally free – love, laughter and working on our passions.
10. Stop exclusively looking to others for happiness. – If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else either.  You have to create stability in your own life first before you can share it with someone else.  Read Stumbling on Happiness.
11. Stop being idle. – Don’t think too much or you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place.  Evaluate situations and take decisive action.  You cannot change what you refuse to confront.  Making progress involves risk.  Period!  You can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.
12. Stop thinking you’re not ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises.  Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.
13. Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons. – Relationships must be chosen wisely.  It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company.  There’s no need to rush.  If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.
14. Stop rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work. – In life you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet.  Some will test you, some will use you and some will teach you.  But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.
15. Stop trying to compete against everyone else. – Don’t worry about what others are doing better than you.  Concentrate on beating your own records every day.  Success is a battle between YOU and YOURSELF only.
16. Stop being jealous of others. – Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own.  Ask yourself this:  “What’s something I have that everyone wants?”
17. Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself. – Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason – to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you.  You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough.  But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you in the past.  You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind, or situation.  So smile!  Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be.
18. Stop holding grudges. – Don’t live your life with hate in your heart.  You will end up hurting yourself more than the people you hate.  Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.”  It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.”  Forgiveness is the answer… let go, find peace, liberate yourself!  And remember, forgiveness is not just for other people, it’s for you too.  If you must, forgive yourself, move on and try to do better next time.
19. Stop letting others bring you down to their level. – Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.
20. Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others. – Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it anyway.  Just do what you know in your heart is right.
21. Stop doing the same things over and over without taking a break. – The time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for it.  If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.  Sometimes you need to distance yourself to see things clearly.
22. Stop overlooking the beauty of small moments. – Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things.  The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.
23. Stop trying to make things perfect. – The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things done.  Read Getting Things Done.
24. Stop following the path of least resistance. – Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile.  Don’t take the easy way out.  Do something extraordinary.
25. Stop acting like everything is fine if it isn’t. – It’s okay to fall apart for a little while.  You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well.  You shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either – cry if you need to – it’s healthy to shed your tears.  The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.
26. Stop blaming others for your troubles. – The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life.  When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give others power over that part of your life.
27. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – Doing so is impossible, and trying will only burn you out.  But making one person smile CAN change the world.  Maybe not the whole world, but their world.  So narrow your focus.
28. Stop worrying so much. – Worry will not strip tomorrow of its burdens, it will strip today of its joy.  One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: “Will this matter in one year’s time?  Three years?  Five years?”  If not, then it’s not worth worrying about.
29. Stop focusing on what you don’t want to happen. – Focus on what you do want to happen.  Positive thinking is at the forefront of every great success story.  If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.
30. Stop being ungrateful. – No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life.  Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs.  Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.

 Lastly, God has a promise that things would be alright if we continue clinging on Him. Be blessed everyone.

INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE

I love reading inspirational messages..may it be forwarded or just being send from friends.Stories that touches our hearts serve as our rod to cast away fears and discouragement in life.
Another not so close friend had sent me an inspirational story in my friendster mail...I encountered the story a year ago but I love it to post them here in my blog so as everyone would get some thing out of it.....
Extract the story and you'll find out that we need prayer as our tool to combat anything....I don't need them to explain the whole parts about prayer but just read the story and you'll find out.
Here it goes..............


A girl went to a party and she ended
up staying longer than planned, and
had to walk home alone. She wasn't
afraid because it was a small town and
she lived only a few blocks away.
As she walked along under the tall elm
trees, Diane asked God to keep her
safe from harm and danger.
When she reached the alley, which was
a short cut to her house, she decided
to take it.
However, halfway down the alley she
noticed a man standing at the end as
though he were waiting for her.
She became uneasy and began to pray,
asking for God's protection.
Instantly a comforting feeling of
quietness and security wrapped round
her, she felt as though someone was
walking with her.
When she reached the end of the alley,
she walked right past the man and
arrived home safely.
The following day, she read in the
newspaper that a young girl had been
raped in the same alley just twenty
minutes after she had been there.
Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy
and the fact that it could have been
her, she began to weep.
Thanking the Lord for her safety and
to help this young woman, she decided
to go to the police station.
She felt she could recognize the man,
so she told them her story.
The police asked her if she would be
willing to look at a lineup to see if
she could identify him.
She agreed and immediately pointed out
the man she had seen in the alley the
night before.
When the man was told he had been
identified, he immediately broke down
and confessed.
The officer thanked Diane for her
bravery and asked if there was
anything they could do for her
She asked if they would ask the man
one question.
Diane was curious as to why he had not
attacked her.
When the policeman asked him, he
answered, "Because she wasn't alone.
She had two tall men walking on either
side of her."
Amazingly, whether you believe or not,
you're never alone. Did you know that
98% of teenagers will not stand up for
God.

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL....AFTER ALL

Life is beautiful....the wonderful sun rises,a new day bursts with loving family,cheerful friends,don't they make life Beautiful? Amidst of the crisis,wars,corruption and chaos happening around..still life is beautiful.
What an amazing life we have,seeing mountains,hills,and seas free from sorrows and miseries,in a world full of mysteries.
Watching the kids playing and laughing around makes the world go round and merry,isn't it?
After all,we are living in the world filled with beauties,God created them for us to appreciate life....may it be good or bad we still have to appreciate life as it is.
Let me tell you about Life through the pictures posted down...let them do the talking..




















No matter how are we going to shield ourselves from the ugliness of reality,still God makes our life Beautiful.
No one knows why we were brought to life and why how it is became to be.
Its a question everyone asks One another.
Life is like a biotech as most people say as I would too.
It has its ups and downs.
You may like your life at one moment and hated it next.
You have to live life as it was given to you and Live it as he gave it to you.
Don't try and change the future or the past that's something that you can't choose.
Life is to learn how to deal with it.

DESIRED THINGS

The life-giving element of this planet relaxes both the physical,spiritual,body, and the soul as you wake up every morning seeing the rhythmic lights of the sun trickling and invigorate you with its playful ripples as it engulfs your surroundings with its calm serenity.
Every creatures should delight in the masterful architecture of God but as man develops and started to learn,he took advantage what the world has to offer.Unsatisfied of what the eyes can see,man destroys the beauty of this world..and the rest of the creations were corrupted.
I always desired of a life that you can lay back,relax,and feel the luxury of time,in a place where there are no boundaries,no limits.
Every time I laze the day away,the famous prose poem " Desiderata" inspired me which every details of its thought takes me to realm of quiet relaxation that creates an earthy touch to every wall,door,room, and window of this world as we called home.
I salute the author for creating this wonderful piece which I believe every man desired to be.Let me post this poem as it relish you in an intimate moments that makes you forget about the troubling world outside.



Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, 1927

Enjoy the poem,bask in tender pleasure as it tranquils embrace you and take you to a dream of infinite serenity.

IS IT ANY WONDER?

Updating blogs every now and then needs ample of times,money and ideas in mind just to share something.
I wish everyone who happens to stumble in my blog will be blessed to some of the stories I have had posted.
I like to post this literary form which I think somehow touch everyone's heart..from the site of Penny Parker.
Please internalize and contemplate.........








Is it any wonder
That the world is filled with pain,
When man sets aside its beauty,
For his own material gain?
Is it any wonder
That lovers' hearts grow dim,
When they do not hold in honor,
The love that's found within?

Is it any wonder
That the homeless often fail,
When they're forced out of house and home
To seek another trail?

Is it any wonder
That nature falls to ruin and rubble,
Because we drain it thoughtlessly,
Allowing it to crumble?

Is it any wonder
That children go astray,
Because we did not take the time,
To show them the proper way?

Is it any wonder
That evil's strong and bold,
When we can't see any goodness,
And we let our hearts grow cold?

Is it any wonder
Racism thrives, my friend,
When we cannot see the person,
Just the color of his skin?

Is it any wonder
That friendships die and fade,
When we forget the reasons,
Why they first were made?

Is it any wonder
Our world has been polluted,
When we allow our industries,
To strip it and permute it?

Is it any wonder
There's so much grief and sorrow,
That we don't even seem to care,
What will take place tomorrow?

Is it any wonder
We see no value in our brothers,
And we hold ourselves too far above,
The many needs of others?

Is it any wonder
Our world is like it is,
When all we do is grumble,
And no action do we give?

Is it any wonder
We wait in fear of Judgement Day,
When we do the things we do,
Then forget the way to pray?


~ Author Unknown ~

A TOUCHING STORY TO LIVE BY

I felt so down and frustrated this week...sorry, I can't bring them out in here.Sometimes,life is unfair but if I started to look up...things changed easily with a satisfying answer.I came across with this story when I checked my friendster...and I felt like posting them here...the story is posted upon the original context without changing the grammar or any errors appear in here.The story goes like this:

There was an
atheist couple who had a child. The
couple never told their daughter
anything about the Lord. One night
when the little girl was 5 years old,
the parents fought with each other and
the Dad shot the Mom, right in front
of the child. Then, the dad shot
himself! The little girl watched it
all. She then was sent to a foster
home. The foster mother was a
Christian and took the child to
church. On the first day of Sunday
School, the foster mother told the
teacher that the girl had never heard
of Jesus, and to have patience with
her. The teacher held up a picture of
Jesus and said, "Does anyone know who
this is?" The little girl said, "I
do,
that's the man who was holding me
the night my parents died."

THROUGH THE BARRICADES

In this troubled land, desperation keeps us down, it really test your ground. Searching for a good-high-paying-job is really hard to find nowadays in this country.
There were million of jobhunters in this land including myself. Hungry cows will surely go for a greener luxuriant grass to satisfy the hungry abdomen. I thought the moment I finally step out in the big University would be a piece of cake as College graduate. Much to my surprise, the competition is so tough, multitude of starving prey were also in competitive situation.
When I seriously face the world for the 3rd times, unexpected wrong surmise amazed me that my education isn't enough tool to guarantee that a better career which cosiderately a lifetime monetary wise awaits beforehand, contrariwise, its an upsetting conundrum.
Afraid to be idle after graduation, offer from mediocre job was so hard to resist. My happiness had no bounds when I got the job as teacher at a Language Institute with in doubt of the verbal agreement suspiciously.
For a very short of two months working at the Language Institute wasn't a feeling of pleasurable that comes when a need or desire is fulfilled because I was expecting that I could stay a bit longer as I confidently believed since my enjoyment for teaching was sincerely with deep feeling and full spirit inspite of workin' with those insincere claimed SDA Christians or pious to be exact.
My cognition had come to a definite presentiment that its better to work with those non-believers rather to those who profess to be missionaries and SDA Christians,yet,ironically disagreeing what is supposed to be as it is. Christ had said at Matthew 23 verses 3,27 & 33,"FOR THEY DON'T PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH;"WOE TO YOU HYPOCRITES YOU ARE LIKE WHITE WASHED TOMBS WHICH LOOK BEAUTIFUL ON THE OUTSIDE BUT FULL OF DEAD MEN'S BONES AND EVERYTHING UNCLEAN;"YOU SNAKES! YOU BROOD OF VIPERS." what a blant yet painful statement, isn't it?
Sometimes human nature prone to criticize what is exactly visible to the eyes. I can't pictorially imagine having an immediate unprincipled superior who has a poor leadership and cannot fully express her normal self in refine English but a jibberish constipated English.A 3rd time flunkers ugly coyote,educated in the medical field yet, professionally uncultured busybody.Moreover, a questionably unvarnished to teach.
Handful subordinates whom I called a yesman hyena and nothing but a coward hopeless slavish followers,short-necked individuals or let say Sip-sip in Tagalog serves devil advocates aggravating the circumstances with the desire they won't be evicted.
Without realizing that they were on the abysmal ignorance, clouded the silly rules of this bumptious outsider.Claimant as religious leader but a leech-sucking of the sophisticating intelligentsia of this poor country.This outsider hails from out of nowhere seemingly enjoying of ejecting tenants unfairly.
May God forgive me for bringing this out in the open allowing everybody to read online.
When you allow emotions to voice out freely,word of adjective came out easily as likely to describe these earthly things,DESPICABLE- so to speak.
I just write to explain the bad feelings I have supressed right now and I know that the tone of my writing affects the moods of the readers.Nevertheless,'am I hitting the wall so hard enough for them to collapse? well, its just a statement or act of freeing myself from moral pains.
Honest to goodness,I praised God - He allowed things to happen which I realized somehow that faraway I already made history.
Now, I already crossed the line and dance upon the rain that there is always a way to escape from strife.
If there is something to loose, there's everything to go....the final shout is over...thanks to this internet thing..emotions that can't be spoken out verbally,there is an option to choose but scribbling them down..and this is it.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

It's been awhile that I didn't post anything down here....honestly, I am busy and don't have time to sit nor gaze upon the starry night.
Just lately, while I was having my afternoon siesta....there was this book that seriously caught my attention....it's about spiritual thing.
I got this very heartwarming poem or story that truly touches me...And I thought of posting it here,because it describes a lot if you will try to contemplate and savor the message of this story.
Sometimes we tend to complain that we're nothing....futile and vain...If we'll try to look around us,eveything is beauty though polluted by sins and man's irrisposibility, yet,the beauty of it still proclaim God's love for us.
The Bible tells us that we are special..He created us according to His likeness, above the animals..a bit lower than the holy angels in heaven.
Do I sounds like preaching here? well, just read and pause for awhile.Think,why you are here? Why He created you....or the best tool read your Bible..or if that keeps your confusing..I suggest, read the Purpose Driven Life
Here it is,hope you'll learn from this short shorts.

VISION
Two people watched the same sunset.
One said: " At times like this I am afraid.
The sky is so vast, the sea so immense.
In comparison, I'm a speck of dust,
here today, done tomorrow.
When I look at the hugeness of creation,
I feel my significance and I wonder what my life is all about.

The second person said:
"What a glorious sunset!
Just think!
I am the reason that this exists.
I am the only proof I have
Of all the beauty in this world.
Without the gift of my life,
the gift of my senses,
All this would be as nothing-
I praise God that the universe is held
in the wonder of my being.






fotos courtesy of: Arlyn