Smelling Roses!

Smelling Roses!

© Allen Merritt (2017)

Stop and Smell the Roses.

It’s the top of the morning and that song has popped into my mind. It keeps playing in my head as I remember it from childhood.  It was recorded in 1974 by Mac Davis as I recall.  

I love recalling little things like this. I am drawn to various forms of nostalgia, because of the memories they bring. Not only that, it causes me to wonder on where certain persons, places and things are at right now. That’s because things change. Everything and everyone changes. This song reminds us of making time to take time for ourselves.

You’ve gotta stop and smell the roses

You’ve gotta count your many blessings every day

You’re going to find your way to heaven is a rough and rocky road

If you don’t stop and smell the roses along the way.

Picture this:

You’re up and at ‘em, on the go, running all over the place with no time to think about anything except the tasks at hand or the schedule already planned out. You don’t even have a moment to yourself and this day has only just begun. With that in mind, have you ever wondered what would happen if you weren’t thinking about those tasks, responsibilities and the proverbial ‘To Do’ list? What you would be thinking about?

Would you think about things you like?

Would you daydream about happy times?

Would you picture yourself on vacation in a tropical paradise?

How about revisiting a fun memory?

Would you pull out a box of dusty photos and rummage through them?

Keeping our temperament in a positive state is a challenge, especially on busy days. Honestly, taking care of oneself often is forgotten in those demanding moments. For example: Have you ever forgotten to eat?  Have you simply lost track of time?  What about being so overwhelmed you couldn’t find or remember something?

This week I want to remind us to stop and smell those roses.

Remember, life will go on without us for a little while!

Go outside and play for a bit. Play with your thoughts. Let your mind wander. Or, just sit there and think of nothing in particular.

It doesn’t take anything or cost anything to give yourself this gift.

There is no time like the present to lift yourself up.

Create your own little short mantra and run it on a loop for a couple of minutes. Make it a short and sweet diddy about something you want to remember or something you like and appreciate. Repeat it in your mind or out loud. Let yourself smile inside and out.

Don’t forget you can take a self-guided meditation here and there to spread a little sunshine within.

I guarantee it will help you have a better day. Not only that, your healthy disposition will extend out toward others and help them have a better day as well.

If smelling roses isn’t your thing or is something you have an allergic reaction to, that’s okay. What I am suggesting this week is to take a moment to enjoy living, loving and laughing; to shine a little light on your heart and on your daily existence which will benefit your soul.

If everything starts with a blank piece of paper, then it makes sense to take ourselves back to being just a little blank to allow the creative to well up and burst forth onto that page.

Let us take this week to refresh and rejuvenate our spirits.

Stop and smell those roses or daffodils or whatever!

Why? 

Because smelling those roses brings us back to self and brings us back to beauty and the essence of life.

Enjoy the video link of the song and carry it with you as you tarry on!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlLbxuc7OiU 

Celebrate your life this week living on a positive note.

Cheers!

Di-Worsification!

Di-Worsification!

© Allen Merritt (2017)

I came across a (non)word while listening to a conference session I was recording last week. The word was ‘diworsification’. Naturally, I thought the word was interesting and decided to write it down and stew on it a bit. I love word play, there’s no doubt. I also love the idea of coming up with words that play on thoughts, ideas or other words and/or situations we experience in our daily lives. I quickly recognized the speaker was creating his own word to utilize in his presentation as a means of making a point. However, for me, I wanted to use the same idea as a way to promote more positivity in consideration of all those moments that come along and try and kick us in the backside, up one side of the street and down the other. Imagine that!

How easy is it for us to react, get caught up in, go off the deep end, think the worst of a situation we consider unfavorable?

Do you think, “Could things get any worse?” or do you go right to the idea of, “It could be worse?”

When life becomes ‘worsified’ for you, what do you do? Think the worst? Make it worse? Try and escape it? Fight it? Embrace it or accept it? All of the above?

Or, do you see it for what it is, a temporary hitch in your get-along?

This week, let’s work on finding ways to turn it all around in the moment by catching it right away and nipping it in the bud, as they say. Remember, the word of the day is ‘diworsification’ or better yet, ‘de-worse-ification.’ What does it mean to deworsify?

Here’s my little definition of ‘deworse-ification.”

DE-WORSE-IFICATION: (verb) The act of removing chaos from a situation; the mental and physical changing of a situation from bad to better or good; the improvement of a situation; or, a proactive measure to conduct reversing the worsening of a circumstance or set of circumstances.

When life tries to bring you down, don't make it worse; de-worsify it!

• Detach yourself from the worst part of the situation. Attach a smile, humor and/or take a time out.
• Put the brakes on before confrontation and conflict take over by altering presentation, attitude and all sense of manners.
• Choose appropriate words to bring all parties in a situation to a communicative level.
• Practice conflict resolution.
• Be calm, cool and collected.

Deworsification includes finding a solution or resolution toward preventing matters from getting worse. One way to think of the word(s) worse, worser, worsest, worsening is to phonetically hear the word out. When you slowly pronounce and enunciate the word 'worse' or any of its associates you can attend to a little optimal word crying out to be heard. What word is that? That word is “were.”

‘Were’ when viewed in the past tense suggests we take the idea of the worst or worse and put it behind us and make it what was or were. In other words (pun intended), we were at our worse, but not anymore. What we were once was but is no more. My point is we must look at anything falling in the ‘worse’ category in past tense to make the present less tense, brighter and more positive. It may be a roundabout way of perceiving, but it can be a great tool and asset to us in times or turmoil. Put that in your tool box!

I challenge you this week to come up with your own ways to deworsify onry events as they happen. Put it behind you by remembering the ‘were’ component. 

Deworsification is a process whereby you make matters better and not worse.

With that in mind, have a great time living life on a positive note.

Cheers!

The Wakeup Call!

The Wakeup Call!

© Allen Merritt (2017)

Okay!

So I have started the last couple of days on some interesting notes. Now, I should preface this by saying that I have spent the last couple of nights in a hotel. I was not in my normal home environment. Some hotels are not conducive to sleep, but this one happens to be a good one for falling asleep and feeling like you accomplished getting your daily rest.

Anyway, yesterday I was awakened when I heard my name being called out. Ever had that happen? Someone shouts out your name and it wakes you up. It’s happened to me several times. But here is the thing, no one was there calling my name! How about that?

I always find it interesting when this happens. I hear my name very clearly being called out and I wake from a deep sleep early in the morning (and sometimes in the evening) only to discover I am alone and not a soul is anywhere near me.

I find myself wondering what this means. Is it some spirit, angel or God telling me to wake up and pay attention? Should I be aware of something specific? Do I need extra time to get the day going and accomplish the right things? Is someone trying to speak to me? Or, am I to simply be present and aware for no special reason?

I decided to take a moment to witness the morning coming to life, meditate and find what it is I am thankful for to start the day on the right note. What better way to interpret such a wakeup call and move forward positively!

I thought of the important people in my life and sent them good thoughts and prayers. I lifted up my appreciation for the day and having some kind of grace for which to keep me grounded and grateful. Overall, I took advantage of the moment to be thoughtful, mindful, prayerful and contemplative toward the idea of how special life is and sit in its presence and embrace it for a bit before jumping in the middle of the day’s rigmarole.

It feels great knowing I didn’t let myself get overly distracted from recognizing the gift of a new day by jumping up and running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to make sure I am not forgetting anything. Life is more positive when you take the time (or make the time) to value the gift of a new day. It also makes the day more intimate and enriched.

Now, this morning (one day later mind you) I wake up early without someone yelling at me. But I lay there for a while and take advantage of my early rising to repeat the same routine I did yesterday. Then I got up and prepared myself for work; nothing unusual about that, right? Well, here’s the cherry on top that made me laugh. After a shower, I started to dress. I put on my undergarments, socks and a shirt and immediately reached for my tennis shoes. I was in the middle of putting on the shoes when I realized I didn’t have my pants on. Anyone ever find themselves doing that?

Well, I immediately started laughing and couldn’t help but say, “Thank you for the laugh!” out loud.

And, yes, I did put n my pants before I ended up walking through the resort pant-less!

I wanted to share a couple of oddball moments where I discovered positivity in motion. Funny little tidbits to help start the day on the right foot, so to speak. It is my wish that someone can take advantage of my personal experiences as an assist in making the most of starting their own day(s) in a good way.

With that in mind, I hope and trust that this week provides a moment or two where everyone finds their own positive moment(s) and discovers a sense of enlightenment which catapults them through the day and the week. As a result, may you experience more joy, peace and happiness which you can also share with everyone you come in to contact with.

Here’s to you and yours living the week on a positive note.

Cheers!

Bob’s Your Uncle!

Bob’s Your Uncle!

© Allen Merritt (2017)

I love nostalgia. I enjoy fun little bits of this and that whether it be trivia, word play, jokes or interesting human interest items. This includes little phrases that I have never heard of before and learning their meaning as it pertains to other traditions or ways of life.

This week I thought it would be fun to share some tidbits to think about, enlighten our spirit and point us toward feeling positive as we experience information foreign or forgotten to us. Let’s discover new ways to look at things or just learn something new.

Recently, I heard the phrase, “Bob’s your uncle!” I caught onto this comment while sitting in the lunchbox out on location during a film shoot. Conversation was off and running amongst those sitting nearby and all of a sudden someone chimed in by saying, “Bob’s, your uncle.” Afterwards, they explained it as a British expression which was a response to when someone does something cool for you, you often make the statement which also means, “That was cool.”

I decided to look up the phrase to see if there was anything new I could gain from it, because I had never run across it before. Wikipedia¹ explains the saying more by adding how it is used to comment that ‘everything is alright’. It also means. “There it is.”, “There you are.” “There you have it.” and “There you go!

According to Urban Dictionary², the adage means “your success is guaranteed.” Cool, no? Of course, “Bob’s your auntie” is a whole other story!

I found this interesting and fun. It gave a lilt to the moment. In a way, it takes you outside yourself to see what’s going on elsewhere. Think of it as getting out of your own head, so to speak. In any case, it gave me a smile, which I decided to share.

Here are a few other ‘ditties’ I have come across which we can all use to enhance our week toward living in a positive state. If anything, it will make you stop and think a minute or better yet provide a laugh. Maybe you can use a couple of them in conversation!

‘Turn the table’ referred to how a table might be regularly used compared to when invited guests came over for dinner. One side was finished and shiny; the other side was unfinished and rough. Families used the rough side on a daily basis and then lifted the table top to the finished side when company came by. ³

Now that one has great analogy possibilities open for discussion about seeing the difference between positive and negative or opposing perspectives, right?

‘My Aunt Fanny’ is a nice way of telling someone you’re not buying it, that what they are saying is unbelievable.

Now that is a fun and polite way of calling someone out, no? Bet you could turn heads or get questions about the meaning of that phrase.

How about turning things around by repeating a mantra of, “When nothing is going right, go left!” In other words, look for alternative ways.

“There is more than one way to skin a cat” suggests there are many ways to achieve a goal. Lesson being - keep on trying.

“C’est la vie!” may literally mean, “That’s life!”, but it can also be a way of brushing off things that ultimately are of little importance.

When you are looking for a way to spice up your outlook on the week, see if you can find some new way of stating the obvious or in changing your outlook. If you get anything out of it at all, then it’s well worth it.

In any case, I hope you have fun with these oddball phrases and in turn discover a few more.

Enjoy your week and don’t forget that ’Bob’s your uncle!’

Cheers!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob%27s_your_uncle (Viewed on 6/16/2017)¹

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Bob%27s%20your%20uncle(Viewed on 6/16/2017)²

http://www.antimoon.com/forum/2004/5798.htm Viewed on 6/16/2017)³

Severe Case of Life!

Severe Case of Life!

© Allen Merritt (2017)

I recently read something that spoke to the concept of having a “severe case of life.” Of course, that caught my attention. What does that mean, a severe case of life? I began to wonder.

I suppose having a severe case of life refers to what happens once a person is born. They enter this state of what we call life. We are in it for the long haul, like it or not. In many ways, we do not have a choice but to live this thing called life, experiencing it one step at a time. Otherwise, we only exist against all odds. I can almost see this as living inside a box or bubble known as life. Eventually, somewhere down the road we will escape the box or begin a new existence living outside this box (life), but for now (as we consciously understand it) we are experiencing a severe case of life.

Now, some might think we do have a choice once we are conscious of the idea that we can make our own choice(s). But for me, my thought is this: if we are given this gift of life, then why not truly live it with fullness of gusto? Why not be in it to win it? What have we got to lose?

How severe is this case called life anyway? Is it serious?

If you look up the word ‘severe’, it specifically refers to that which is harsh, strict, bad or negative. Generally, the word speaks to intensity and extremes toward the opposite end of the spectrum when discussing positivity. However, I suppose in some instances the term could be seen as a positive.

Maybe having a case of a severe life is a matter of personal opinion and perspective.

I have had many folks tell me throughout my life that I come across as being much too serious. I should loosen up or lighten up! Interestingly, I do not always see myself in this way. Yes, I get serous from time to time. I consider the importance of each moment and what matters and if it calls for me to take a moment to be serious, than I do. But, overall, I think of myself as a person who tries to be peaceful, joyous, happy, humored and humorous. I like having fun and enjoying myself. The difference in my outlook compared to others is that I don’t necessarily enjoy what others think of as fun. To this end, I think we make others seem more complex than they really are. To me, this is an example of experiencing life as severe.

Ultimately, your personal outlook on your life is just that…personal. Altering our state of mind is the challenge in those moments where life does feel severe.

For some, living a severe case of life might have to do with surviving, overcoming or trying to deal with living through something traumatic or dramatic, maybe even fatal. One must recognize such situations as a direct correlation to living this 'severe case of life'. But for those who are looking to find a way out of their own head in thinking they are living a severe case of life when in fact they are only living life, changing the meaning and the experience may be vital. Some may even brush it off or look at this in a new way by saying:

That’s life!

It is what it is!

Deal with it!

Whatever!

How about changing our mentality of what severity is all about. Could we exchange the term for one of 'extreme'? For example, can we take any antonym of the word ‘severe’ and think of life in those terms; antonyms which include words such as kind, amenable, calm, compromising, easy-going, friendly, willing or temperate?

Instead of thinking of it as living a 'severe case of life', maybe we could consider living an 'extreme case of life' filled with all the good and/or opposite words to the term ‘severe'.

Thrill seekers tend to live their lives with a sense of severity and/or extremes. They love it! No matter how dangerous, they are out there taking the challenge. So let us take the challenge this week to redefine any preconceived notions or formulated ideas about living a 'severe case of life' and be certain to make any connotation to the word 'severity' one that leads to what I keep referring to as positivity in motion.

Let’s make that a consideration this week and see what comes about.

Go out there and life a severe or extreme case of life on the right note!

Cheers!