21 DAYS OF GRATITUDE

A few years ago, I had the privilege to hear Author/Researcher/Speaker Shaun Achor speak at a conference I was at.  Take a look and listen to a similar presentation he gave as part of a TEDx Talk here.

As you watch the TEDx Talk, you hear some whit along with science (as Mary Poppins sang, "A spoonful of sugar, helps the medicine go down...and science is like nasty medicine to me:  needed but hard to swallow!) of Happiness....how GRATEFUL are we, truly?

With all that is going on in our world, in our state, in our homes, it is real easy to lean into the fear of the unknown.  I've been challenged to be BETTER during this time.  How can I make sure I don't waste an opportunity to grow, in one or multiple areas of my life?

So, this morning, I thought about the 5 disciplines Shaun spoke to the group I was a part of, to do for 21 days.  Why 21 days?  They (once again, whoever "THEY" are) say that to either start or stop a habit, it takes 21 days.  So if you have a habit you want to break, focus on NOT doing it for 21 days.  If there is a good, healthy habit you want to have as part of your lifestyle, do it for 21 days.  21 days....3 weeks....can you START or STOP something for 21 days?  

THE CHEERLEADER and I decided to start a 21 Day exercise program.  We got started yesterday, so we'll have this 21 DAYS OF GRATITUDE, go right alongside the exercise program.

Before I give you the 5 disciplines or positive habits, I want to ask you an all important question:  

WHAT ARE YOU PREPARED TO DO? 

If we are going after our BEST YEAR YET, then there are disciplines we are going to need to incorporate into our life.  Here are the 5 disciplines to do for (at least) 21 days:

• Positive Habit #1 - Write down 3 new things, each day, you are grateful for.  They can be anything.  Don't limit it...think and write down 3 things each day.  At the end of this post, I'll give you my 3 for today and be looking each day for the next 21 days for my "3 daily gratitudes."
• Positive Habit #2 - Journal for 2 minutes...TWO MINUTES..that's all, describing a meaningful experience that happened over the past 24 hours.  I would encourage you to do Positive Habits 1 & 2, first thing in the morning, to get your day started off, well....POSITIVE!
• Positive Habit #3 - Add (at least..that's my add there!) 15 minutes of fun, active cardio to your daily routine.  Get your heart pumping: a brisk walk; a run; an exercise video; whatever will do it for you.  
• Positive Habit #4 - Invest 2 minutes....I know you got it, just TWO MINUTES...of non-activity/meditation...if that word scares you, how about THINKING....to train your brain to just watch/listen to your breath/breathing.  I have not subscribed yet, but I heard there is a great app called CALM.  Check it out.
• Positive Habit #5 - Take 2 minutes...there it is again...(you can do 2 minutes, right?) and email/text/instant message one person, each day, in your social network and thank them.  This could be a loved one; a friend; a teacher; mentor; whoever...but let them know what they have done for you that you are grateful/thankful for.

These 5 actions are NOT difficult to do.  I CHALLENGE you...I'm going straight to the TRIPLE DOG DARE on this one.  Take the next 21 days from when you read this, and do these five.  Let me know after the 21 days are up what you think and how it has effected you.  Now, don't tell me "it didn't work" if you gave up at day 3 or 13 or even day 20....take it the whole way.  Send me a message to one of my social spots:

• Right here in the comment section below
• Email: pete3jn2@gmail.com
• Instagram: @tcpeterson01
• Twitter: @_timpeterson
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/tim.peterson.1848

I'll look forward to hearing from you as you continue to journey on to have your BEST YEAR YET.

My 3 things I'm GRATEFUL for today:

• My health
• My job
• Water

See, it's not that difficult.  How about yours?  Are you in?

THE D WORD

dis·ci·pline

ˈdisəplən/

 - behavior in accord with rules of conduct; behavior and order maintained by training and 

   control

I remember, a couple of years ago, seeing on Twitter, there was a post by a Hydration Company, Nuun, whose products I have used when training for marathons.  The post was a question that asked, "How do you stay motivated on the treadmill or trainer?"

I have talked, in the past, about the treadmill and how many in the running community do not like it, calling it a "dreadmill?"

For the record, I would rather do all my training miles, outside, in 52 degree weather.

But I don't live in a climate that is 52 degrees, every day!

I live in Nebraska.....AND WINTER IS HERE!

And, I'm running a Spring half marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Running a Spring half marathon, or specifically, a half marathon in early May, training begins......NOW!

So, if I want to be ready to run 13 point 1 miles, I have to find a way.

"If it is important to you, you'll find a way.

If not, you'll find an excuse."

THIS.IS.IMPORTANT.TO.ME.

DISCIPLINE.

A couple of years ago, someone I knew told me about some health issues he was having.
He's a young guy.  At the time, he had been married less than a year.  His wife was pregnant, due that Spring, with their first child...a daughter.

Some of what he is going through was controllable.  

I told him my story of the CHEERLEADER asking me, about 19 years ago, if I loved her.  IF I LOVED HER?  Of course I loved her.....which is what my friend said to me about his wife, with her standing right there.  

I told him basically the same thing the CHEERLEADER told me.  Don't just say you love her, show her you love her by taking care of yourself.

A WAY....or....AN EXCUSE?

What about you?  

What is important to you that you won't find excuses for?

How bad do you want it?

Be DISCIPLINED and GO.FOR.IT!

DEAR TIMOTHY

Dear Timothy,

There are some things that have come up recently that have me wanting to write this letter to you.

I know you are young and if you were to see how seasoned I am, at your age, you would think that I'm old and out of touch.  Let me assure you, the things that I want to communicate to you, will pay off BIG time for you as you continue on through your life's journey.

Timbo, you are at a pivotal time in your life.  And although I can't turn back the clock to help you avoid some mistakes, pitfalls, choices and such (as I realize that each and everyone of the mistakes, pitfalls, choices and such, are what make up who you will become), I want to bestow some wisdom that my 54 years have brought me.

FIRST, don't sweat the small things.  Now, I know that it's tough to distinguish what is small verses what is BIG.  Emotionally, it all looks BIG.  Use this as your measure:  If it has anything to do with ANYTHING other than your family, it's small.

Next, pay more attention in school.  I know there will be subjects you either don't necessarily like or you don't understand as well, even in those situations, you can learn.  And while on the subject of learning, READ more!  Not just things about sports or....well sports, but broaden your thinking on subjects and people you don't know about.  You are going to hear this (and will say it over and over again) but READERS ARE LEADERS.

Right now, a BIG part of your thought process revolves solely around YOU.  What's in it for YOU?  How do YOU look to others (by the way, the hair, don't spend much time on it...trust me on this one)?  When you are facing decisions, BIG or small, think about the outcome that this choice will have on those around you.  Your classmates, friends, family and so on.

GO.TO.COLLEGE!  There isn't anything else to say.  FIND A WAY AND DO IT!  Not just for the diploma (that would be nice) but for the life experience that you will gain.

TAKE RISK.  Go ahead and skateboard down Ave. F on a circa 1976 skateboard.  RUSH BRIDGE...yep, do that again and again.  Don't let your size, or whatever, limit you from going after your dreams.  I know it can be risky, but JUMP!  

In about 25 years, you are going to have an opportunity to talk to someone close to you and you will tell them to "leave it all on the field" so that they will not have ANY regrets when they are older.  Yep, you'll most likely have some regrets...but I guarantee you, you'll learn from them and be able to share with others about overcoming obstacles!

Take care of yourself, physically, mentally and spiritually.  

As you get older, you and others will have a tendency to be "CHASING THE SUN."  Relax. Life is not about ALL that you can conquer...in business or relationships.  Be intentional but also know that you have others that are looking to you...not to just provide for their physical needs but also their relational needs....which is far more important and richer.

Be kind to everyone.  You don't know what they are going through at any given time. Those you know right now, there will be a day when life is cut short for them.  

Get to know others intently.  Ask about their story and listen to what they have to say.  There is so much you can learn from them, because LIFE isn't JUST about you.  Get to know them and be a friend...at all times! 

Tim, so much more I can say but I'm going to leave it for now.  

Oh, that girl who moved from Holdrege to Kearney when you were in 8th grade, treat her kindly.  She's going to be by your side for a LONG time...in good times and not so good times.  She will be taking care of you; holding you when things don't go so good; holding you when things go great.  She'll be your ALL AROUND CHEERLEADER....even when you blow it, she'll be there to pick you up and let you know that she believes in you.

Live your life to the full....NO REGRETS!

Sincerely,

Tim

WHAT IF

Have you ever played the "WHAT IF" game?

I'm sure you've at least considered it.

In the "WHAT IF" game, you come up with different scenarios about almost anything in life.

• WHAT IF I didn't shave for a year?
• WHAT IF I didn't use shampoo for a month? (this one doesn't pertain to me!)
• WHAT IF I got serious about my degree?
• WHAT IF I DID lose those 10 pounds?
• WHAT IF....WHAT IF....WHAT IF.....

As you can see, you can play this game in your mind forever.

But, WHAT IF you did something really radical?

WHAT IF you put action to it and did some little experiments on your WHAT IFs?

I think my "don't shave for a year" might be a bit radical...but hey, it's your WHAT IF!

Here are a few rules:

1. WHAT IFs are all experiments.  They are fun.  Nothing about the outcome is a very big deal.  It's fun to play.
2. This is your WHAT IFs, and it really doesn't matter what other people think about your experiments you are running.
3.  If you don't like the outcomes after a few trial runs, adjust or move on.  I would suggest keeping your WHAT IFs to a maximum of 90 days...but stick with it!
4. REMEMBER, if you play this game truthfully, what ever the outcome is, success or failure...YOU STILL WIN because you learned something new about your life.

So take some time and identify something that is causing your pain (health; weight; relationship; etc) or discomfort (anger; being critical of others; etc) or something else, and ask yourself, "WHAT IF I did ___________.  How would my life be different?"

Next, put a plan together that you can control for your experiment and START!

So, be bold and have at it!

Let's make 2020 your BEST YEAR YET!

TODAY

TODAY!

You might have hear it said, "Yesterday is history....Tomorrow is as mystery...TODAY is a gift, that is why it is called the PRESENT!

What did you do (or what will you do) that made an IMPACT.....TODAY?

For yourself.

For others.

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others."

When you lay your head on your pillow tonight, ask yourself, "Did I win today, or did I lose?" The criteria you choose to measure your "Win or Lose" is YOURS...but to maximize TODAY'S entry in your BEST YEAR YET, you need to keep score.

I.LOVE.TODAY!  

There is so much promise at the start of each day....even MONDAYS!

I can learn a new language.
I can learn a new skill.
I can start a new healthy lifestyle.
I can continue my healthy lifestyle.
I can make a new friend.
I can make my bed.
I can LIVE like it is the BEST day of my life.
I can tell my family I love them.
I CAN CHOOSE TO HAVE THIS BE THE BEST DAY OF MY BEST YEAR YET!

It comes down to CHOICE.  

I can CHOOSE how I'm going to spend this GIFT of 24 hours that has been given to me.

Think about those who know their days are limited due to an illness.  What they wouldn't give for one more 24 hour cycle that we (includes ME) take for granted.

So, embrace TODAY.  Go out and make an IMPACT and leave a mark on this day!

TODAY IS YOUR DAY!

FOLLOW THE LEADER

Most likely, as you were growing up, you played the game "FOLLOW THE LEADER."

For the young ones out there, this was not a PS 1-2-3-or 4, X-box, Wii or any other video game.

We would go out, as a group, and take turns being the LEADER as the rest would follow. Whatever the LEADER did, we would do as well.

It was FUN.

It was full of ADVENTURE.

Today, I was reminded of this and asked myself the question, "WHO are you following?"

There's a verse in the Bible that speaks to this.  2 Corinthians 2:14 (Weymouth's Translation) says, "Now, thanks be to God who in Christ ever leads us in His triumphal procession...."

"...leads us in His triumphal procession..."  

Triumphs are FUN.  

Triumphs are full of ADVENTURE.

When you stop and think about it, is the "leader" you are following leading you down a path of TRIUMPH and/or SUCCESS, or is it a path of failure, sorrow and the like?

In your BEST YEAR YET, look to find LEADERS that:

• KNOW THE WAY
• GO THE WAY
• SHOW THE WAY

A true LEADER is ALWAYS out front, LEADING us in the TRIUMPHAL procession!

WHO ARE YOU FOLLOWING?

FIND A WAY

EXCUSES.

The late Business Motivational Speaker Jim Rohn once said, "If you really want to do something you'll find a way; if you don't, you'll find an excuse."

What are you "listening" to that is telling you to put something off; or you can't do it; or you're not good enough?

When I was in my 20's I was too young.
When I was in my 30's I didn't have enough experience.
When I was in my 40's why did I wait so long?
I'm now in my 50's and has it passed me up?

EXCUSES.

The BEST YEAR YET journey doesn't listen to EXCUSES. 

BEST YEAR YET journeys do as Mr. Rohn said and FIND A WAY....NOT and excuse.

You're NOT too young.
You're NOT too old.
Whatever age; position; gender; small; tall; thin; not as thin; WHATEVER you have on your heart to do.....DO IT!

The KEY:  START!

Coach Don Shula once said, "The thing that stops most people is the START."

What is it that YOU need to be purposeful about?  

Whatever it is, START!

It is time to FIND A WAY!

NO MORE EXCUSES!