Invincible Monday – Happy

Posted on August 4, 2014 by MarleneMB

“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” ~ Helen Keller

It is no surprise that Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy” is such a successful hit with many people across age groups, cultures and nations. People enjoy being happy. I haven’t met many people who enjoy being sad or down. In fact, most successful people I meet seem generally happy.

In the infancy of my corporate career, one of my managers called me into his office one morrning. He pointed out that my attitude was affecting the team. He said that when I came into the office with a great attitude it was as though the sun was shining. When I came in with a bad attitude, the place was gloomy. Whether I knew it or not many of my team members saw me as leader. As such everyone around me couldn’t help but become contagious with my attitude: good or bad.

This was an eye opener for me. I became more aware of my impact on others because of my attitude. Now most often I choose to be happy. This doesn’t mean that I don’t have bad days, it just means I choose how I react to each situation. By choosing to see things working out for the best, I feel better and happier. Happiness is a choice and is within you. Take Helen Keller’s advice “Keep Happy!”

Live a Diamond Life! Life a Happy Life of Purpose!

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Invincible Monday – Here’s a Hand

Posted on July 21, 2014 by MarleneMB

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” Audrey Hepburn

Many people have extended their hands to help me throughout my career and my life. This has allowed me to extend my hand to others in the same manner. Helping others is not only taking your Diamond Living to a higher level…it will bless you.

When you reach out to someone else and provide assistance to them, you are also aligning yourself to receive many blessings. You may encounter some who don’t appreciate the helping hand you extend to them. Don’t let that stop your giving. Keep giving. In this way, your hand will already be open to receive life’s gifts.

Share your experience of how someone has blessed you by lending a hand, or a time when you were able to lend a hand in the comment section.

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Forgive Yourself

Posted on July 14, 2014 by MarleneMB

In life we sometimes make decisions or act in ways that we may regret later. The consequences of such decisions or actions leave us feeling guilty and disappointed with ourselves. Guess what? We, humans are prone to make mistakes.

What is important is to learn from our mistakes and to move towards not repeating them. Take the lessons we have learned and bless others by teaching them how to avoid making those mistakes. Before we can do this, we need to learn to forgive ourselves. If we keep blaming ourselves, we may miss the lessons and the blessings that we could offer to others. Thus we may miss the opportunity to be bless ourselves also.

Forgiveness is part of Living a Diamond Life, Living a Life of Purpose! Forgive Yourself!

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Invincible Monday – Summer in Winter

Posted on June 16, 2014 by MarleneMB

Invincible Summer in Winter. Image by OAJ

Diamond Nugget: “In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” ~ Albert Camus

There will be periods of harshness in most of our lives, similar to the coldest of wintery days. The difficulties of life snatch our warm breath of joy, pelting us with icicles of pain, doubt and despair. It is at times like these that we ought to:

Follow Albert Camus’ example and draw on the invincible summer of hope, determination and belief residing deep within us

Find that true purpose that will gives us the strength to press through our troubles

Connect with mentors who will show us ways to get beyond certain obstacles that we may not know how to overcome

It is in recalling the passionate, sparkling seasons of our lives that we may see beyond the lackluster travails we encounter….finding our invincible summer in winter.

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3 Sparkling Tips

Posted on May 25, 2014 by MarleneMB

There are times when we need to be replenished, refreshed and refined in order to shine brightly. Constantly running and trying to keep up with a busy schedule may dull our senses. It also can decrease our capacity to think and react clearly in certain situations. Here are five tips that I follow to get my sparkle back:

1. Relax – After delivering an hour-long keynote speech or conducting workshops, I find that my energy level is lower than before. This is because I transfer some of my energy to my audience. Generally, I seek out a quite place to relax my mind and body after these events. This prepares me to give even more. Make sure you take the time to relax. Whether it is through meditation, naps or just sitting still, relaxation will help add to your light.

2. Refresh – When I’m stuck on an idea or not motivated to complete a project, I may read a book, magazine, or watch an inspirational video on YouTube. It is amazing how this sparks ones imagination and gets the creative electrons flowing in ones mind.

3. Refine – It is easy to fall into bad habits. At least this is what I find happens to me. I tend to lose my luster when I don’t practice my speaking, listening or writing skills. Going to my Toastmasters meeting, delivery impromptu speeches and writing my blogs help keep me focus on refining these skills. Allow yourself time for the refinement of your skills or ideas.

One of my favorite pastimes is sitting on my mom’s porch and listening to the sounds of her garden. I can hear the tinkling of the chimes as the gentle wind blows. I hear the flow of the fishpond, the chirps, the creaks, and the peeps of the birds and insects. I give myself the permission to relax and let my imagination wonder. Then I reflect on events, ideas and advices from different angles. This helps to refresh and refine my plans.

These are simple tips that can be very effective in letting your light shine even brighter! Namaste.

Pick up a a copy of my book Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters on your journey to living life on Purpose!