Author: cbarney.45

Remember the acronym W.A.I.T. when talking with others. It stands for, “why am I talking?” It’s ok to talk. It’s necessary for the best dialogue and communication. But have a purpose for speaking.

What message are you trying to convey to others? Keep your message concise and easy to understand.

This is one of my weaknesses, and it’s an area that I am constantly trying to improve.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt

We all have limitations. As much as we want to be more intelligent, assertive, influential, etc., we have to work to build those skill sets and earn those attributes.

Instead of comparing yourself to what attributes others have, make the most of the strengths you have. Work to reduce your weaknesses. And realize that where you currently are is not where you will be a year from now if you strive to continuously improve.

“Who covets more is evermore a slave.” – Robert Herrick

If you always want more “things”, you’re always going to be a slave to materialism. You think, “I’ll be happy when I get that new (insert item here).”

But when that moment comes, when you finally get what you think you’ve wanted, you realize how quickly the joy of having that item fades. You get that initial surge of excitement when you purchase it, but within a few days, weeks, or months, that excitement will have waned.

Be careful around this time of year. Black Friday. Cyber Monday. It’s all just a ploy for us to buy more things that we don’t need and won’t use. Add it to the ever growing pile of stuff in our basement.

Instead of always buying new things and bringing them into your home, try donating items that you haven’t used in a while. Go to your local thrift shop, Goodwill, or Salvation Army. Try cleaning out your closet and your basement – decluttering has a way of bringing temporary calm and peace to your life.

Finally, try to remember what the holiday season (and life) is all about. Family. Friends. Being generous to others. Being nice to strangers. This time of year can be stressful if you allow it to be, so choose not to be stressed, and not to contribute to this culture of materialism as much as possible.

We don’t rise to the level of our competition, we fall to our level of training. Short-term, you can “fake” almost anything. But it will catch up to you sooner or later.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2

“The worst thing I can be is the same as everybody else.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

Just because everyone else has the newest iPhone, watches a tv show, or goes out partying, why does that mean that you should do it too? If you legitimately like doing those things then that’s fine. That’s your prerogative. But if you’re doing it to fit in or for appearance’s sake, ask yourself, why does it matter to me if I get other people’s approval? And, to go even deeper, if I do this, will the group that I’m trying to impress even care?

Don’t become a sheep, following the herd. Your best attribute is that you are unique. Find a way to separate yourself from the group of “normal” in everyday life. (Some statistics on what has become normal in the United States below…)