Daring to Live in Full Color!

Daring to Live in Full Color!

©Allen Merritt (2016)

I noticed a vehicle passing by as I glanced out the window from where I was sitting. There was a sign on top of the taxi that read, “Dare to live in full color.”  I immediately grabbed a pen and some paper to jot down the phrase. As a result, I had a flicker of a memory.

As a child, I remember wanting it all. If I were asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would dare to say, “I want it all!” I guess that says a lot and is the best way I can describe my outlook on life despite my circumstances. You see, I grew up poor (many people do) and didn’t have much. But my imagination was always alive and in full gear. Despite it all, I envisioned my life in a much better place. In my own way, I was simultaneously reticent and resilient about that; probably because I was shy and uncertain. At the same time, I knew I didn’t have anything to lose by thinking this way. I guess some would say I was a dreamer. I wanted my life to be like a Disney musical in full Technicolor and Dolby stereo surround sound. Such was the imagination and my naiveté. Regardless, I saw my life as being more colorful than my childhood was. Ergo, I was daring to live my life in full color. I could transport myself to that place any time. All I need do was picture myself there. In my own way, I must have been daring myself to live in more colorfully even back then.

If I were to assess and analyze it, more color would indicate a sense of completeness, being more involved in what I love to do and surrounding myself only with those who care and support (and vice versa). So what if I dreamed of having it all. What if it happens? Why not? Never say never! I figure it is always worth a try.

For me, life isn’t about living in black and white. It isn’t only living a routine existence within a box and boundaries. On some level we create our responsibilities. Therefore, we can choose to tweak and alter them to live more fully in a way that makes sense to our inner well-being as we develop our talents and pursue them.

I recommend letting loose some of that imagination; dare to dream bigger than big. I don’t think anyone can be let down by the dream itself, not on the inside anyway. Dreams give us something to aim for. It opens us up to reach further, to hope more and smile vibrantly with greater possibilities to consider.

These days, my view has grown and changed along with technology. I may not think in terms of always wanting it all anymore, but I continue to always want more. Maybe my life movie would now be viewed in high definition and as three dimensional with high end digital surround sound, but it still adheres to my childhood ideals of wanting it all and living colorfully. Ultimately, it teaches the lesson of living more wholly and abundantly.

I think I got the right message today.

Dare to Live in Full Color!

Heaven knows a splash of color never hurt anyone.

We may not get everything we want when we want it, but nature has a way of giving us exactly what we need when we need it. Any perk and benefit landing in our lap as a result of giving, trying and working towards achieving is a huge bonus. That is an important element to remember, but daring to live in full color is also enlightening us to the idea to keep on believing no matter what comes down the pike and seek out ways to move forward despite it all.

Have a great week and enjoy living life On a Positive Note!

Cheers!

Do the Hokey Pokey!

Do the Hokey Pokey!

©Allen Merritt (2016)

Remember that childhood song called the Hokey Pokey? It went something like this for just about every part of the body:

You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out

You put your right foot in and you shake it all about

You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around

That’s what it’s all about!

I remember it as a fun childhood diddy and dance for which most people are familiar with. And, this is the topic of my positive discussion for the week. I don’t ever remember thinking much about the meaning of such a song as a child. But today it popped into my mind as it relates to a certain idea I was having, especially as it pertains to the conclusion of each round (or verse) of the song. More specifically, I am referring to the, “…you turn yourself around…” part.

I talk about turning things around all the time, but what does that mean; outside the obvious? I guess this is almost the same as asking the question, “How do you get from here to there?”

Answer(s): Take a step forward. Take one step at a time. Begin to move.

I suppose there are many answers and many outlooks.

For me, if “it” isn’t working one way, then try it another way. There is more than one right way to move forward and/or onward.  “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!” My focus here is on understanding the reality of how to improve a situation or circumstance; to feel good and receive all the positive benefits you can. This often comes from the idea of turning things and/or ourselves around.

Think about it.

An addict or substance abuser begins turning their lives around by seeking help and working through some rehabilitative program.

Successfully finishing an algebra course requires practice, resources and extra help.

These ideas may seem apparent. They certainly make sense.

Turning things around to make life better means we have to make effort, take that step and seek out help as necessary to move past the negative obstacles. Therefore, the lyrics of the Hokey Pokey song speak to the idea of doing something. Put your right foot forward. Move around. Take that big toe and dip it in the water. Stir things up. Turn it all around, because that’s what it is all about. Otherwise, we just sit there all stagnant and lifeless doing nothing and going nowhere.

Recently, I attended the CES convention in Las Vegas. What an amazing experience to witness technological advancements and growth. People are not just sitting around there. They are innovative and working to achieve something better not just for them, but for the better part of the whole. It’s very interesting.

One specific experience I encountered was at a virtual reality booth. They had me put on headsets and then some video screen goggles. After making sure the goggles were focused, I watched a video while listening to the sounds of the environment I was viewing. But it was more than being a third party viewer.

I was at a dance club. I felt I was actually in the club and watching groups of people dancing, chatting and having a good time right in front of me. Anyone who has ever been to a club will understand what it is like to be in such a place and feel and hear the music; nothing unusual about that, right?

Well, think again! And, this is where it got fun. If I turned in any direction (left, right, up, down or turning myself around), the view changed so that I saw everything exactly as I would as if I was actually in the club moving around in the same fashion. I was seeing and experiencing the real world as if I was in fact there at the club. All I had to do was…you got it…turn myself around. It was awesome.

Ultimately, all of these things about how much each of us has to gain by simply opening up to see things differently, trying something new and moving in another direction as opposed to sitting in our regular routine and/or living in a box with one view (that is being tunnel vision) are referring to the same thing.

You can learn more about who you are, what you are capable of and how to make good, healthy positive change by turning it all around. No harm in that, right? And, that’s my positivity thought for the week.

Do the Hokey Pokey. 

Sing. Dance. Look around. 

Turn yourself around, because that’s what it’s all about!

Here is a link to remind you of that old Hokey Pokey song. If you have time and feel like it, take a moment and watch it for old times’ sake!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZinb6rVozc

Enjoy living life On a Positive Note!

Cheers!

Planting a Seed!

Planting a Seed!

©Allen Merritt (2016)

I remember helping my Auntie with her large vegetable garden out in farm country, U.S.A. during certain summer vacations. She loved gardening (still does) and had a pretty good sized one. Of course, tending to this garden would always mean a little care in weeding, watering and reaping the rewards when it was time to harvest and can the goods. Every year, it started with tilling the land and planting the seeds, then caring for those growing plants. Out of these little seeds came fresh corn, squash, pickles, tomatoes and more. Beyond the garden, I see how these ideas of planting seeds lend themselves to everyday living.

On my ‘On A Positive Note’ twitter feed I have started posting occasional messages at the top of the morning to encourage the best in each day. These little sentences are something new for which to begin each day and start everyone off with something positive to think about. Here are a few examples of what I have already posted:

Today is all about moving forward. Keep on trucking!

Today is all about taking comfort. Be comfortable.

Today is all about being of good cheer. Cheerio!

Today is all about relaxing. Do it!

Today is all about being endeavor-ous! Keep trying!

These sayings are my little seeds.

As I think on them, I hope they help provide a word of encouragement.

Now that we are beginning a new year, I want to be reminded of celebrating each day. In a world getting crazier by the second, it only makes sense to keep our calm and self-sooth with mini-mantras, if you will.

The Buddhist traditions love and have mastered the art of mantras and chanting, as have the repetition of prayers in several Christian faith traditions (i.e. the Lords Prayer, the Nicene Creed, etc.)

I have also learned that one trick to learning something new is to repeat it up to forty times a day for several days (up to 21 days) and you will ingrain that thought as a daily habit.¹ Of course, I’m sure that statistics vary on this issue, but it gives us an idea of what it takes to change a habit or instill a new one.

I guess it is like planting those seeds. In any case, I look forward to finding something to be happy about each day and my attempts of posting mini-mantras or blogging about positivity and alternative ways of looking at things or turning things around are a means of planting a seed(s) for which push us toward a good and healthy result (or harvest).

What I think is great about achieving a result at harvest time is that we can enjoy the fruits of our labor and nourish our bodies. Such positive views also serve to nourish our overall self - mind, body, soul and spirit just as much as actual food. To keep ourselves in check, in balance and promote positive well-being, such seeds need planting and continuous nurturing to enhance our overall well-being. So today I want to highlight the idea of planting your own seeds to make each day a good day for yourself and others.

As simple as it may sound, it still takes effort and concentration to achieve results.

So to continue my mini-mantras, let’s make today all about planting seeds! Let’s grow something good together. Start small. One step at a time. One day at a time.

By the way if you haven’t followed our Twitter feed, please feel free to do so and check in on us as time allows. Don’t forget to share the good news, as well. 

Our Twitter feed is as follows:

https://twitter.com/lifeopn

Have a great week!

Cheers!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-clear/forming-new-habits_b_5104807.html¹ (Viewed on 1/25/2016)

More Finding Your Funny!

More Finding Your Funny!

©Allen Merritt (2016)

One year ago I posted a blog entitled, “Find Your Funny.”  I mentioned how I wrote a children’s manuscript that got rejected at least 60 times. I remembered this story while I was writing last week’s blog post. I had a recollection of how I took the idea and coupled it with my interest in improving human capacity by starting the Find Your Funny Campaign. In many ways, this blog is part of that great idea. (I know I wasn't too far off track, because now there are some teen books called Find Your Funny.)

The FYF Campaign is a chance to help others find more ways to turn things around for themselves. As I continue to think on it, I remembered some of those initial efforts I put together to do just that. This all came to my mind while I was recently discussing fortune cookie messages and how they can boost our happy spirits, which I find interesting as I see how one thought leads to another.

The FYF Campaign promoted finding ways to turn the negative around to face the positive. Originally, it was geared toward helping children find coping mechanisms to create positive circumstances. Later, I understood that adults needed the same opportunity.

One way I found to encourage others is to deliberately send out positive cards, postcards and letters. People still like to get those cards and letters, because they rarely see them anymore thanks to modern technology. However, finding a moment to write a note and drop it in the mail causes others to stop and take a moment for themselves, not-to-mention providing a smile and good feeling to that individual. (I used to see myself as the postcard king whenever I was busy traveling. Postcards were a simple, short, quick and easy way to stay in touch with people, as well as let them know they were being thought of or encouraged in some way.) Nowadays, you can also send a text or small encouragement via social media. 

Another thing I tired was sending periodic anonymous notes to a person in need of assurance. If someone was having a hard time of it or suffering in some way, this note would provide a way of letting them know everything was going to work out fine and to hang in there. Having that little note of anonymity spurs on curiosity, as well as letting them know that other people are around, see what’s going on and care. (I think the anonymity plays a huge part in bringing forth a sense of understanding that  no one is ever alone.)

A great FYF Campaign idea I once tried was what I would call “mini-messages,” which is not unlike those little fortune cookie notes I previously discussed. Here is how it works. Find a small wooden box. It can be anything from a recipe box, hand carved box to an unimpressive cardboard box. Take a piece of paper and write several one positive word messages. Cut out each word into a smaller piece. (For me, it was easier creating a table in a Word document, typing in the words, printing them out and then cutting them up to separate the words into small pieces of paper.) Fold up the words and put them in the box. Give the box to a person in need with instructions to reach in once a day and pull out a word. Then have them contemplate on that word for a few minutes as a means to improving their circumstances. These words give them something positive to think about. You can do this for yourself or someone else. In a way, by doing this exercise, you are creating your own fortune cookies.

Examples of positive words can be: 

Peacefulness, Joy, Tranquility, Happiness, Enlightenment, Love, etc.

This brings me back full circle to continuing the Find Your Funny Campaign. I want to encourage you to find your own way to Find Your Funny, but also to extend your reach in doing so toward others. Start your own campaign to help shine a light on other people’s lives and in doing so you will shine a light on your own.

Enjoy living life On a Positive Note!

Cheers!