Category Archives: attitude

New Optimism

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OptimismOn today’s Wordpress home page there is a simple poll. The question reads:

“Are you optimistic for 2010?”

The 24-hr. vote shows that the answer “Yes” garnered 84%. Wow! It is nice to know that despite a world filled with troubles, we can still find a majority filled with optimism.

This knowledge makes me feel more cheerful and more optimistic, seeing that vote of confidence!

After consulting two online-dictionaries for the word “Optimism“, here are a couple of definitions I enjoyed: 

1. “Having a state of positive beliefs”

2. “The belief that the universe is improving and that good will ultimately triumph over evil.”

 

Take a minute to read some other words in the family of optimism:

anticipation, assurance, brightness, buoyancy, calmness, certainty, cheer, confidence, easiness, elation, enthusiasm, exhileration, expectation, good cheer, happiness, idealism, positivism, sureness, trust…

And one my personal favorites … Hope!

It is my hope that reading those words filled you up with as much positive energy as it did for me! Today, I join with you in sharing New Optimism for our New Year!

The Power of HOPE

Resolution Time and Einstein

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It’s time for “making the list” and “checking it twice”. And, no, we’re not talking about the big guy in the red suit [that was LAST week, try to keep up]. I’m talking about YOUR list. Or, more accurately, YOURS, MINE and OURS. The infamous ”New Year Resolutions List“. And, if you’re like me, you’re quietly pulling out last year’s list and quickly dusting it off….”Voila! All done!”

Ever feel you need a little helpful advice? Perhaps Albert Einstein has the answer:

Einstein

“The definition of insanity

is doing the same thing over and over again

 and expecting different results.”

- Albert Einstein

I chuckled when I came across Einstein’s quip. Then, I thought about it a little longer. OK. How many insane people do you know? By that, I don’t mean the people-who-aren’t-taking-their-medication kind of insane. Rather, these are all the people you know, who, by Einstein’s definition are constantly complaining about problems and frustrations, but they never actually change their behavior. Instead, they continue to do the same things over and over again [or NOT do something, over and over again], just expecting things to magically improve.

Einstein’s quote is nothing short of brilliant. [but, of course it is! This is Einstein we're talking about]. What makes it double brilliant is that it works well in reverse [in essence]:

“Expecting the same results when doing the same things over and over again, is the hallmark of a sound mind!”

Or, perhaps we could break it down into these two “take-aways”:

“Bad Habits Create Bad Results”

“Good Habits Create Good Results”

Therefore, I have decided Einstein’s astute observation makes the perfect motivational quote for my refrigerator as I re-vamp my “2009 2010-New-Year-Resolutions-List”! It applies so well to just about everything:

1. Expect to lose some weight and become more physically fit by working out routinely? = genius!

2. Expect to gain a deeper relationship with God by setting aside daily devotional time? = genius!

3. Expect to have a closer relationship with my spouse by increasing the frequency of our “date night’s”? = genius!

4. Expect to have less financial stress by putting aside a little money into a savings account each pay day? = genius!

Now it’s your turn! Ready for a good ‘ole ”self-eval”? Are your actions taking you closer toward or father away from your goal? What reasonable adjustments could you make to create a positive change / improvement (i.e. this is something you can MAINTAIN doing over and over on a regular basis)?

Think of this as a chance to “custom design” your year. Ponder the things you do or don’t do over and over again, and fill in the blanks. Just remember, anything is possible, if you put your mind to it!

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

And, if all else fails, keep a good sense of humor!

The Lost Generation

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History gave us “Generation X”, which in turn gave birth to “Generation Y”. Today’s rising youth are sometimes referred to as the “Lost Generation”. It is a retrospective reference to the disillusioned youth of post-WWI, viewed comparable to present-day. Two years ago, a creative and thought-provoking video was submitted to the AARP’s U@50 video contest. It received a standing ovation, and took second prize. I was impressed with the underlying spiritual message.

No Matter What Happens

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Elder Busche

F. Enzio Busche

F. Enzio Busche was born in Dortmund, Germany. He led an idyllic life in the country for a few short years. In 1939 – when Enzio was just nine years old – the first English bomb fell on Dortmund, and his childhood ended. Years of devastating war, family turmoil, and despair began. Enzio was conscripted into Hitler’s army at the tender age of 14, and taken as a prisoner of war just months later. He endured fear, hunger and countless trials. After the war, in his early twenties, Enzio faced a new battle when he contracted a debilitating liver disease. As he lay dying in his hospital bed, he experienced a personal conversion to Jesus Christ, and a miraculous healing. Afterwards, he and his wife Jutta searched for God’s will in their life. They sought answers to their many religious questions.

“I told the Lord we wanted to find his church,” Busche recalls. “I knew that the earlier followers of Christ had been persecuted, so I told the Lord that it didn’t matter if his was an obscure church, even a ridiculed church.”

After that prayer, the overwhelming peace Enzio had felt in the hospital returned. Several weeks later, two Latter-day Saint missionaries stood on the Busches’ doorstep offering a spiritual message. Enzio and Jutta listened to the missionaries, studied the church, and were baptised two years later. They became humble and faithful members, serving in leadership capacities all of their lives. Elder Busche was often invited to speak. His theme centered on peace and happiness:

“Many are starving spiritually. We must feed the spiritual part of our being by learning to distinguish and search for the Spirit in all matters of our daily lives. Life is not meant to be easy, but when we are filled with the Spirit that Heavenly Father gives us as we live according to our covenants, we will be full of joy no matter what happens.”

When Elder F. Enzio Busche spoke to the student-body at Brigham Young University, the title of his talk was ”Unleashing The Dormant Spirit“. In this illustrated video, we hear Enzio’s wise instruction on how to keep a joyful soul, no matter what.

SMILE! VALIDATION! You Deserve It!

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You do not want to miss watching this awesome short movie called “VALIDATION“. It has won many independent film festival awards and has changed lives. The creators are offering it free of charge to the public. This is 16 minutes guaranteed to make you smile. Be sure to watch it to the very end. Afterwards, please share it with someone.

And by the way, YOU are Spectacular! - MoSop

Finding Light In The Darkness

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    In early Spring of 2008 the economic crises hit our household when my husband was laid off from his job. His employer was sad to have to let him go, but had no choice “due to the economic turn-down”. Mr. MoSop was provided with a small severance package, and a glowing reference letter, which were greatly appreciated. Although this was not a pleasant situation, we had weathered similar storms before and we were positive that new employment would be found quickly.The days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months. As time passed, Continue reading →

Life without Limits – Nick Vujicic

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When Nick Vujicicwas born, his Australian Christian parents held a tiny child with no arms or legs. Despite the crushing odds Nick faced, he has turned his trial into triumph. He now spends his life speaking to groups all around the world. His message is one of hope and joy. No matter what we face in life, we never face it alone. Nick is a living testimony, that with God, everything is possible!

“Circumstances do not have to change for you to become victorious.”- Nick Vujicic 

A New Day For Happy Thoughts

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In my last post rant, I’m afraid I came across quite a bit cranky and less than patriotic. That was not my intention. OK. I admit I was cranky. But I want to reassure you that I still love my country very much, I am eager to see good things come from our new administration (there is always hope), and contrary to my attitude problem, I do not believe we have reached doomsday.

Therefore, I apologize for the downer post.

Don't Drive Angry

As penance, this morning I awoke with a scene from one of my favorite movies GroundHog Day running through my mind (over, and over, and over…).

I was replaying the moment when the character of Phil Conners (actor Bill Murray) has kidnapped the town groundhog and is speeding down the road in a stolen truck with the police in hot pursuit.

Bill sardonically lectures the groundhog: “Don’t Drive Angry! Don’t Drive Angry!” I got the message, and said to myself:

“MoSop, Don’t Blog Angry! Don’t Blog Angry!“

Therefore, today I give thanks for the wisdom of the groundhog. ;) There’s no use in letting ourselves get frustrated on the road of life. I know this. It is actually one of my oft repeated mantras here at the site. A theme, if you will. In the end, we are all going to end up at the same destination (well, at least initially), box-happy-thoughtsso we might as well travel with grace.

I have resolved to think happier thoughts. To the left I have provided a “happy box”. To start things off, I will add a couple. Then, I invite you to please add some of your own via the comments. Don’t hold back. (We can always get another box if we fill this one). I think we could all do with some happy thoughts right now. Don’t you?

#1. Wisdom from Pooh Corner:

poohthinking“When late morning rolls around and you’re feeling a bit out of sorts, don’t worry; you’re probably just a little eleven o’clockish”.
– Winnie the Pooh

#2. A commercial from the U.K. that I think is brilliant