First Creation - 1

There are many things I want to experience, accomplish and/or learn in life. I wanted to learn more about Emerson’s and Thoreau’s works, I got that in my Masters program. I wanted to live near the water; I got that when I moved by the Bay. I wanted to learn to ballroom dance; I did last year, thanks to my friends, Anita Fain Taylor and Miguel Seca. There was one thing that was a desire from a long time, one time that seemed far from my reach. This was to learn how to paint. I have painted rooms, chairs, etc., but I wanted to paint a picture.

My father painted when he was alive. My brothers know how to paint. They seem to acquire the talent naturally. My sister and I were not that fortunate to have this talent. Like a lot of people, I thought I could only draw stick men or do painting by number for the rest of my life. Then, appeared Conni Gordon. This almost ninety-year-young woman conducted a painting class that I was fortunate to be one of the students. The other participants and I had lots of doubts about our ability to paint anything, much less the ones we created. This painting included in this article is now one of my proudest possessions. Thank you Conni Gordon for fulfilling one of my life’s dreams.

Now to learn how to scuba dive, play the piano, a guitar and the drums; travel around the world; learn to speak French, Mandarin, and so on and so on!

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Don't Sweat Small Stuff

My son showed me a YouTube video of a woman being interviewed by a news reporter about surviving a house fire. The woman was very animated in her recounting of the event. She told the reporter that she had to put clothes on before getting out of the house. During the excitement of the moment, she began to experience an episode of asthma. She said she told herself: ” Ain’t nobody got time for this.” Then she rushed out to safety.

Her animated recollection of the event was amusing to me at the moment as I watched the video. As I reflected on her words, which I now say to myself often, I realize that is what I, no we, need to do. We need to recognize what is important at every given moment. We should not let the “small stuff” get in the way of accomplishing the greater things.

Sometimes, we allow small things distract us from doing the things that will make us successful in life. Or we let trivial disagreements break up or prevent us from developing relationships with others. We spend too much time stressing over things that truly don’t matter in the overall scheme of living productive and happy lives. Next time you find you are in such a situation or mindset, change it. Say to yourself: “Ain’t nobody got time for this!”

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Willpower
Willpower

I have a confession to make: I don’t often do what I know is right for my body! At least, that was at the beginning of 2012. It took my doctor yelling at me, literally, to get me to get serious about doing the right thing. After he told me that my test results show that I need to drop a few pounds. He reminded me that I have a history of diabetes in my family. He did not tell me how to correct the issue; he simply told me that I must do so.

Feeling surprised by his frankness and dejected about my lack of attention to my physical well being, I thought about what to do. Then, I admitted to myself that there is no magic to getting back into shape. I have to eat less and exercise more. What I was lacking was the willpower to push myself to do it. I always, put other people, such as my family, and my work before my health. Isn’t this the same for most of our situations?

We know darn well what it is we need to be successful in most areas of our lives, whether it is: saving more and spending less to have a healthy financial status; studying more to achieve a higher grade; or eating less to maintain or lose weight. We know the keys and methods to our success. We simply need to apply willpower, self-discipline, whatever you want to call it, to get us there. It isn’t an easy thing to do. If it is, many of us will not be where we are today. Sometimes, we need a little help to get us there.

After my doctor’s admonishment about my lack of respect for my body, I hired a personal trainer. Yes, I did! By making myself accountable to someone and committing to meet him at an appointed time and date, I feel obligated to be there and get the job done. Raymond Butler has been a great trainer for me. He has helped me build up my willpower to get up on the days that we are not training together to continue my healthy training and living.  Ray discusses different ways for me to exercise as well as gives me tips on food that are great for me.

I am now more toned and have more energy. I lost weight in the process and feel more positive about myself. My doctor was so pleased with my last test result, he told me to continue with whatever I’m doing! I even got an awesome report from my dentist and my hair stylist! It seems what I am doing for my body is helping my overall health.

We already know the key to our success is applying our willpower to whatever task or challenge we face. Join me in exercising your willpower muscles today!

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Fly with Greatness
Fly with Greatness

When I workout, I like to listen to music and motivational/inspirational speakers. One of these speakers, I have reciting his words of wisdom in my ears, is Tony Robbins. On this particular recorded chat, Tony retells his conversation with a U.S. General about people maintain a certain standard in their lives. The general asked why did some people allow their standards to drop. Tony told him  “most people’s lives are a direct reflection of the expectation of their peer group.”

Isn’t that the truth! Most of us are influenced by the people that surround us. There a quite a few researches that have shown the link between the impact the folks, you have around, and your daily behavior/habit. You can read the article written by Louise Wasylkiwand Molly E. Williamson about the way young women view their bodies depends on the views of their friends. No big surprise to most of us. Yet, some of us don’t apply this knowledge to our lives. We allow people with negative habits or attitudes into our lives and the result is not always good for us.

There is a popular saying that is spoken in most sales office: “If you want to fly like an eagle, you don’t fly with pigeons.” A young man asked me how he could get a job in a particular industry. I asked him to name the folks and groups he hung out with outside his family and his work. None of them included folks in the industry in which he wants to work. I instructed him to ensure he has the skills required for the particular job he wants, and to attend networking events as well as find a mentor in that industry. I told him to surround himself with the folks who are doing what he wants to do.

It’s a New Year. It’s a new day. My friends, start surrounding yourselves with greatness, the greatness that you admire and want to be. Surround yourself with people that will make you a better Diamond.

Live a Diamond Life! Live a Life of Purpose!

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Clouds gathering

Swirling in the whirlpool

Of my thoughts

Doubt creeping in

Like the Grim Ripper

To kill my dreams

 

Then I recall

Who I am

And Whose I am

I belong to

The Great I AM

 

Hope rises

Like the Dawning

Of a New Day

Happy Sunlight

Fills my Soul

Rejoices

Amen

 

Marlene M. Bryan

11-06-12

Live a Diamond Life. Live a Life of Purpose!

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