DFTBA!

DFTBA!

© By Allen Merritt (2017)

Not long ago I perused one of my social media accounts and read these initials: DFTBA. This acronym was displayed in large bold letters followed by the meaning: “Don't forget to be awesome.” I thought this was a great message and a wonderful way to jump start the day in a positive way.  We have to self-encourage and demonstrate a show of appreciation for whom and what we are; especially if we are endeavoring to be the best we can possibly be with what we are given. If we can do it for ourselves, we can also do it for others. 

I believe everyone needs friendly reminders and micro boosts of encouragement from time to time. Some days it helps to receive them several times. I am strongly convinced this is true (at least for myself), because as I navigate daily I must do so around other people, situations, problems and distractions that seem to pop up out of nowhere. As a result, I am absolutely certain I am not the only one navigating along this terrain.

In fact, as I write this I am reminded of those video games that demonstrate exactly that; such as Pac man. Remember that one?  You run around through a maze trying to clear the path and see your way through to the next level or chapter of life while dodging obstacles and mini-monsters. It's like taking one step forward and two steps backwards. What a metaphor for life!  Think about it. If you kept going directly toward the monsters, it could mean GAME OVER. Therefore, it makes sense to re-calculate and shimmy around this way and that to get to our destination safe and secure from all alarms, so to speak. Somehow we get addicted to making it through, because that means we succeeded to some degree. And, if we're smart and strategic, that's exactly what happens.  But it's that positive attitude reminding us we are capable and can do it that pushes us through. That's the DFTBA I am talking about today. 

There's something great and fun about that word awesome that makes me smile. I guess it's the immediate affect it has to produce a smile or to activate an endorphin. In that moment we find a bit more courage to carry on. After all, it does feel good to feel accomplished and appreciated no matter what level we experience it.

Read the following statements to yourself and then read them again out loud and see if it doesn’t make you feel better in some sort of way.

That’s Awesome!

You’re awesome!

Awesome, man!

For a while I remember the phrase "awesome possum" used quite frequently. I think it added a bit of light hearted-ness to any situation. It hinted all is good, on the right track and happier.

The word "awesome" reeks of positivity. It says "yes."

And if there is anything we need yesterday, today or tomorrow it's a lot more positivity and a little more "yes" instead of "no." Wouldn't you agree? There is no risk and a good chance for a high yield or a better return on your investment (ROI)!

I also think that the idea behind “Don’t Forget to be Awesome” gives all of us permission to put our best foot forward and try or try again, as well as demonstrate a sense of how everything is alright and okay in the world…despite how others might make it seem. Look in the mirror and focus on yourself a little bit. Look yourself in the eye and pat yourself on the back here and there. Don’t forget and BE awesome. Why? Because each of us in our own way is a part of that illustrious word AWESOME and can demonstrate uniquely the art of awesomeness.

So this week I want to encourage everyone to live in a state of awesomeness as we carry on our lives living on that positive note.

We just have to remember not to forget. Don’t get sidetracked, blindsided or overly distracted. Reach out and claim your sense of awesome!

DFTBA.

That’s right!

Don’t Forget to be Awesome this week. Spread the good news. Share and share alike. What have you got to lose anyway, right?

Cheers!

The Sky is the Limitless!

The Sky is the Limitless!

© Allen Merritt (2017)

Remember the movie “Limitless” about a colorless, transparent looking pill that helps a person see clearly, accomplish more and become increasingly productive by making the most out of every second of the day?  I watched it again last night and found myself pondering those moments when I feel like this, which isn’t every day. It reminds me of why people live on caffeine and sugar rushes, because it makes them feel elated and able to make it through the day or continue on with it. I wouldn’t say I think a pill or anything oriented to a substance is the answer to constant achievement, but the idea of feeling productive is what we are exploring here. In fact, the film demonstrates the pitfalls of drug use, as well.

The thing about feeling limitless in your abilities and accomplishments is that one has to take good care of themselves in the process. Take care of the self and listen simultaneously to the mind, body, soul and spirit.

My happiest and most productive days are those where I am highly creative and doubly productive. I really love being doubly productive, which is to say I can accomplish several things at the same time or in the same time frame. Some might think this as a type of multitasking as a point of reference. But to me, it isn’t exactly the same, especially when considering statistics on how humans are not very good at multi-tasking. We just like to think we are OR that it matters to whether or not we get a job done or get the job at all, because some employer thinks this is our specialty. Many job descriptions include this element, because they want to hire one person to do the job of many.

Unfortunately, multi-tasking isn’t perfect and often breaks down. Whereas being doubly productive (in my opinion) means you are naturally accomplishing a variety of tasks within a limited time frame and doing it with ease. Sometimes this can mean a simple organization of how you work towards achieving and/or a better time management in doing so. I think the key word here is “naturally” as opposed to forcing something to happen, which isn’t to say that trying to multitask isn’t good. The two ideas are very similar.

Indeed, there is a certain high realized when goals are accomplished. However, isn’t it also true that once one goal is behind us another one pops up to replace it? While watching this film I decided it would be worth a little exploration within the guidelines of how it promotes positivity.

What if life were limitless? Isn’t it already limitless to some degree? Is not abundance accessible and available? When I look out the window in mid flight I see tons of it – wide open spaces. When I tilt my head up and see the vastness of the sky or the width of the ocean I see it. Life is short and yet there are some days it feels long. So how does one live without limits? What does it mean to be limitless? How can one person accomplish so much in shorter amounts of time without burn out or error? Case in point: We have speed limit sides which are  now largely ignored. People want to get there quicker. As a result, I often hear we have more fatal automobile accidents.Is it possible that accomplishing our goals (whatever they might be) is contingent on knowing our limitations? 

Limitless and unlimited are like the cup running over; the river never drying up and always flowing. It always has more than enough, but what is enough and when is enough enough?

Think about “All you can eat” buffets. If we focus on overabundance and too much of a good thing what does that mean? Does that leave us with a positive outcome? Are we any happier, as a result? How far is too far? More importantly, can we handle and manage it? Err on the side of caution comes to mind as something to think about here, because we cannot be all things to all people. We cannot be everywhere at all times. (This reminds of another movie called “Multiplicity” about having more than one version of yourself running around to get everything done faster and more efficiently). It’s fun to think about those possibilities from time to time, but reality kicks in to remind us we are only one individual with various sides and not the other way around. I remember hearing the phrase, “The Sky is the limit.”  I took that to mean I have the ability to do anything if I set myself to task on it.

For me, I always have a list of things to do that never gets done, because items keep getting added or need repeating. I cannot beat myself over it, because I know I can only do so much at any given time. I can push to achieve, but common sense tells me not to overdo it.

I suppose in mulling over the idea of limitless possibility one may also want to think about working through life in moderation. Going too fast for too long may result in conking out and becoming self-destructive. Going with the flow and allowing yourself the opportunity to take it one step at a time may prove advantageous, which most people probably understand. If not, think about the children's tale about the tortoise and the hare. 

Take your time...

Too much too soon...

Too much of a good thing...

Everything that goes up must come down...

I guess in conclusion, riding the roller coaster of life should be fun, but if it starts to feel like you are always riding a roller coaster with outrageous dips and loopty-loops, maybe it’s time for a break and come down to earth for a moment. It’s okay to feel grounded while pursuing a multitude of tasks. Go ahead, take a breather. Climb the corporate ladder. Hike up that mountain. Enjoy the view on your way up. In doing so, maybe the sky can be limitless...one step at a time!

It’s something else to think about while living life On a Positive Note.

Enjoy the week.

Cheers!

What Ifs and What Not’s!

What Ifs and What Not’s!

© Allen Merritt (2017)

What if we entrained ourselves to focus every day on the possibilities instead of the impossibilities? Certainly this isn’t a new thought, but one worth revisiting as often as it takes until we accept and embrace the gift(s) of our lives.

How do we begin? Personal trainers say it is best to start small and choose reasonable goals based on your lifestyle, as you know it. Conceptually, I think this applies as much to the idea of living your life to the fullest; filled with positivity. 

I feel it’s worth a small discussion so as to stay on track with keeping an open mind toward each day. So let's take a moment to explore the 'what ifs' and the 'what nots.'

What is the ‘What If?’

‘What If’ considers possibilities as previously mentioned, but it’s also much more than that. ‘What If’ allow us to imagine beyond our wildest imaginations. It is not merely a question. It is a question that endeavors us to brainstorm through a series of answers/solutions. ‘What If’ gives us a moment to see things from various angles so that we might process outcomes. ‘What If’ is similar to the light at the end of the tunnel when you are trying to find your way.

‘What If’ is innovative and seeks out new ways, which comes in handy when we feel in a rut spinning our wheels. ‘What If’ directs us to see clearly and understand the fact that life is more than what we see in the right here and right now.

The idea of ‘What If’ is a popular topic. Research the two words on the internet and you will find there are movies, magazines, books, essays, comics, songs, games and apps all by the same name. ‘What If’ is a motivational tool which helps drive one into forward thinking. I think this is significant and imperative as a partner to positive thinking and initiative. ‘What If’ tries to find an alternative to what already is. I suppose in some ways it is like dreaming or daydreaming in that you put yourself in a position to fantasize about this or that. 

‘What If’ allows a question, a brainstorm or that dream to take on a life of its own which may prove beneficial later down the road in transforming itself into a reality. This question is the beginning of change, an activist for navigating potential outcomes through some form of modeling and visualization. In a way, the question takes a peek at the past to see what happened and allows us to consider how certain tweaks might have changed the outcome. By doing so we might be able to change the future of the same situation by not repeating history or the making the same mistake twice, so to speak. As I think on it, it might be another way of reminding of us to learn from the past, but not to live in it.

Now let’s look at the ‘What Nots.’

I see several angles on the idea of ‘what nots.’ Let me explain.

‘What nots’ refer to the impossibilities, but I also think it refers to negative thinking. If living each moment is impacted by the idea of mind over matter, then how we think and envision things becomes extremely impactful in one way or the other. Therefore, it seems apparent that denying ourselves, putting ourselves down and/or belittling and degrading ourselves (or others) whether we mean it or not (in the heat of a moment) leads us down that negative trail leaving us nowhere without hope. Thus, the 'what NOTS' focus on what not to do and on the negative side of something. 

However, ‘what nots’ are also small little things that associate themselves with other things, which may or may not serve any purpose. I see this as a reason to reconsider simplifying our lives to remedy clutter of any kind. Interestingly, ‘what nots’ are seen as something unidentified and/or without name. It is inclusive of these accouterments which take up more space and time than they deserve.

‘What nots’ also depict all sorts of distractions that invade our space and stand in the way of a healthy well being. They also refer to knick knacks and small items that take up space, which prove as an analogy for such distractions and advocate for purging. Maybe this can aide us in remembering the ideology of everything in moderation, because we all love a few chachkies.

To conclude, both the ‘what ifs’ and the ‘what nots’ work together simultaneously to promote opening our minds to possibilities and helping us live life On a Positive Note. It's something to consider.

Take time this week to look closely at both of these ideas in your own way and see how they can benefit you.

Here’s to a successful week!

Cheers!

Making Magic, Moving Mountains!

Making Magic, Moving Mountains!

By Allen Merritt (2016)

I recently watched a video clip of a set change for a popular weekly live television production. The crew had two minutes to completely change from the opening set to a brand new set while the opening announcements and pre-recorded footage played. A separate set of cameras captured this moment which is not usually intended for the public to see (except for the live studio audience).

What was fascinating is that I found myself getting excited and thinking, ‘Are they going to make it in time? Are they going to be ready when it’s time to “go live” again?”

Of course, they did make it in time; right down to the last second; and, the “at home” viewing audience never witnessed it or knew the difference. They did not see what was really going on.  It was truly an inside look on how to make the magic happen. The same thing occurs on all the recent “live” musical events that networks have been airing. No one sees what really goes on behind the scenes with creating the actual event that most people witness. That’s the wonder of working in my industry. Everything comes together in the end.

This should remind us how often situations and circumstances are not how they first appear to be. In fact, it is a direct correlation we must consider every time we feel negativity encroaching in on us. Maybe we can’t find a way out or it doesn’t seem we can navigate through it. But in fact, if we look closer and get a good look behind the scenes, the reality of a situation may prove itself as different or provide a new option to see us not only through, but beyond our situation. Look behind the veil, so to speak.

Thinking on this gives new meaning to the idea that faith can move mountains.  It’s just a matter of figuring out how that can happen. Magicians do the same. They work hard to maneuver through an illusion to make it look like an illusion when in fact it most likely is a strategic plan that appears one way, but is actually something else entirely.

In further exploring how to make life more enjoyable and positive, I felt this was a testament toward objective thinking and real pragmatic problem solving. If we are to make the magic happen and move mountains in our own lives we must look beyond what is thrown at us. We must lift up our heads more often, smile regularly, be thankful habitually and set out to find our truths or “the truth” in every moment and every aspect of the day.

It is just too easy to fall into the traps thanks to sensationalism and authoritative manipulations.

Therefore, the challenge is to make the magic happen despite all odds. Move those mountains out of the way so we feel better and promote positive and healthy well being. I am not saying to be the world’s greatest faker, but to think through a process and strategically open up those doors and windows of opportunity toward sustaining a positive environment.

“Make the magic” happen is a phrase I have heard many times. I think it refers to allowing yourself or giving yourself permission to find flexibility in your life. Without flexibility you might remain in a rut and feel stagnated or trapped in a situation. Don't become too rigid. Knowing there are more options and solutions available demonstrates how magic can happen, if we allow it.

The idea of moving mountains encourages us to think on and consider more possibilities and the “how” to move those mountains in our lives. One thought is avoiding the idea of making a mountain out of a mole hill. Don’t let the hill build up into a mountain and become an obstacle. Just because the mountain is huge and ominous doesn’t mean we cannot cross over it, around it, through it, break it down and carry it out one piece at a time or watch it erode into something else.

These are just a couple of thoughts to ponder this week in working toward living life On a Positive Note. Just remember - Everything comes together in the end.

Now watch me a pull a rabbit out of my hat! Abracadabra...Ta Da!

Have a happy and positive go lucky week!

Cheers!