In Your Face!

In Your Face!

By Allen Merritt ©2018

Yesterday was one of those days when I had to make a phone call and address a serious issue. Yowsa! 

Gearing up for something like that can not only be  tense but cumbersome. That’s because you want to communicate clearly and respectfully, especially in regard to sensitive material, at least that’s the way I feel about it.

Anyway, I dialed the phone and put it out there and said my peace. While it was a good conversation and much needed, afterward I felt exhausted. The energy to face your truth and/or address what appears to be a difficult situation can zap you.

Now, it occurred to me how easy it is these days to have things thrown up in your face or have to confront and handle situations that are right there in front of you whether that be literally or figuratively and whether you like it or not.

This led me to think of the expression “In your face!”

I have heard it used in reference to someone commenting after one upping or winning at something. Often times, it is used aggressively and with vulgarity, which is not always good. Other times it is used in a high-spirited sportsmanship kind of way, sort of locker room humor. Ultimately, its chest puffed up and confrontational.

Anyway, this turn of phrase also speaks to negativity which is right there in front of you and unavoidable. You must see it. You have to address it. You tolerate it. You fight back appropriately. This stuff is right there in your face!

Then there’s the response to “In your face!” which is “Get out of my grill!”

All sorts of responses and/or reactions culminate when a person gets in your face.

Generally, folks don’t like others to be all up in their business, so to speak. Leave me alone. Don’t bother me. Get out of my face. It’s none of your business.

The negative permeates our environment more and more each day. Bad things are happening everywhere you turn. It’s broadcast on social media, television, and print or in person. And many people are supporting such a negative culture.

How do you keep your positive composure in light on all this stuff if it’s right there “in your face?”

Do we build walls and shut people out? Do we become emotionally disconnected? Do we walk away? Do we stop communicating? Do we act out? Do we react like were peacocks and ready for the cock fight? Do we all become happy hermits?

The bad stuff is there. There is no denying it. But so is the good stuff. To me, it’s how you see it and/or how you address it and turn it around for the good. It may take more than a hot minute to turn things around, but it is better than allowing things to continue to stew and boil.

I think the “In your face” mentality generally doesn’t really serve any healthy purpose and I believe this is exactly what we are experiencing especially since the change over in government.

Some people just operate without a filter, fly off the handle, and say whatever they’re going to say without thinking about it despite the consequences or damages. “This is how I am. If you don’t like it, then I invite you to leave.”

I believe this approach foregoes all accountability and responsibility and demonstrates a pattern of behavior congruent to poor self-esteem and cognitive abilities toward reason.

I guess if we have to handle this “In Your Face” confrontational approach, we should do so with a sense of good manners and prudence. Think before we respond. Consider better approaches and solutions.

In the spirit of conflict resolution, take a step back and reassess. Take a cold hard look at the situation. Find out what is really going on and be gentle yet firm in approach. Then it won’t be so “In Your Face.”

Moreover, more flies are attracted to the honey, aren't they?

I just read a quote by Dr. Jill Taylor which sums it all up, "Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space." 

Keep pursuing the best of the best in positive outcomes.

Enjoy living life on a positive note.

Cheers!

Do You Feel Lucky?!

Do You Feel Lucky?!

By Allen Merritt © 2018

Recently, I noticed several green shamrocks cut out of construction paper decorating a glass pane at a coffee house I visited while tooling around L.A. Each one started off with the words, “I am lucky…” followed by someone’s thoughts on what they were lucky to have, experience or be.

It seemed to me these little notes were ones of gratitude offered up for passerby’s to see and possibly glean something from; an opportunity to reflect on ones own luckiness.

If one is paying close attention, they will read a couple of the “lucky” notes and begin to consider something they might feel lucky for or about.

As it was getting close to St. Patrick’s day I began thinking of Shamrock shakes and four leaf clovers, which I remember from childhood. I recall picking through clover patches and literally looking for that lucky four leaf clover. Once in a blue moon I would find one and feel extra lucky. (They are not easy to find). Once you find one, you gently place it in wax paper and between the pages of a favorite book to flatten and preserve it for future good luck. (I’m willing to bet most people forget they put it there until they stumble upon it years later flipping through that same book).

Sometimes kids will fake a four leaf clover by trying to add the extra fourth leaf to a three leaf clover. Funny the things we do to convince ourselves we are special. Guess we are all hungry for a little bit of luck even if we have to fake it a little to get some. Sound familiar?

Anyway, I am not sure any good luck ever comes around in the way we think it will by possessing the magic clover! When I think of luck and feeling lucky, the following things come to mind: a) finding a lucky penny (heads up) on the street; b) a lucky rabbit’s foot; c) lucky ducks; d) fortune cookies; and, e) Lucky Charms.

Superstitions and myths are the things history is made of. As I think of it, I clearly have a certain amount of luck running throughout the course of my life. It’s beyond my control. Even though there are times when we create our own luck by simply stepping up and taking action toward our goals, much of it really has nothing to do with us or our lucky charms.

Lucky is quite possibly another word for blessing, don’t you think? And what is a blessing but a favor presented to us! Since luck is something out of our hands and brought about by chance, then it only makes sense that the idea of luck is something brought about by our imagination more than anything.

Luck seems to be associated with winning often unexpectedly. Some people have it and some don’t. But is that really the case?

I would bet most people have heard the line made famous by Clint Eastwood, “Do you feel lucky?” Even with those words we understand luck wasn’t really the question. The way I see it, luck is recognizing the beautiful things around you and accepting the little blessings that come our way and seeing them for what they are.

I think everyone has a little bit of luck in their DNA. Good things can happen all the time. We simply have to recognize and embrace that part of ourselves. Some folks might even say we make our own luck and we are the masters of our own fate. What do you think? Do you believe in luck? Do you feel lucky today? If so, what are you lucky for?

It’s something to think about this week as we get started living life on a positive note.

If you need a little jump start, here’s an old song to get you start pondering that for which you are grateful for. It’s called I’m Looking over a Four Leaf Clover.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY-_8XOrvTs

I wish everyone a load of good luck. 

Enjoy and Cheers!

Put a Little POP in Your Day!

Put a Little POP in Your Day!

By Allen Merritt © 2018

Tooling around town I ran across another phrase, which made me smile. That is, “Put a Little POP into Your Day!”

This reminded me of those old childhood pranks where a kid would make a phone call to a grocery store and ask questions like, "Do you have Pop in a bottle?" or "Do you have Pop in a can?" Then they would giggle and say something like, 'Well, you better let him out!"

For me, I see this phrase as meaning to step outside the ordinary or don’t get caught up in the mundane. I will be the first to admit how easy it is to settle into the rat race and get lost in the midst of the every day. Where’s the “POP” in that? Not everything has to be exciting, but can’t there be enough “POP” to keep us interested, engaged and wanting to participate?

It is after all our life/lives we’re talking about here.

I mean, even dried out corn has something more to offer and comes to life after it is heated up and pops. All this fluffy and crunchy goodness comes out of that hard piece of corn. Who knew such potential was locked deep inside? Goodness lives at the center of one small kernel. It needed encouragement and prompting before it could come forth and finally be more than it initially appeared to be. Doesn’t that speak to the nature of human potential?

We have a choice to sit there dormant or we can push, strive and reach in and pull out the best achievable result.

When I think of this, I wonder why in the world anyone would want to hurt another human being. Why would they stunt their growth? Why would they shame, bully, insult, assault or attack in any way, shape, form or fashion? What is the purpose for any of that when everyone has the right to be who they are without fail?  Yet, many work industriously to deflate instead of raise up the whole of humanity.

What if individually we chose to work at creating that “POP” and putting it back into the daily grind? Would it really become a disturbance? Would it greatly interfere with anything? I don’ think so. I have never seen encouragement and positive activity cause any real harm. But I have seen where those who are proponents for a self-indulgent agenda fight off those who believe in peace and positivity to the point of exile and even death. It is recorded in history books.

Here is what I think. When our lives are popping out all that goodness, there is more to offer others and more to give, because as one idea proclaims, “…our cup runneth over.” When we add “POP” to our life we have more to share. A handful of corn kernels can turn into a bowl full of popcorn. There is a contagion effect that passes goodness from one person to another. It’s infectious much like laughter. Everyone wants to know what is so funny; they want to be in on the joke. That “POP” creates intrigue and interest. 

Furthermore, I guarantee the CDC would not have to get involved with this kind of shared activity.

So, my goal for the week is to look for ways to add a little “POP” to each day.

Will you do the same?

Enjoy each moment living life on a positive note.

Cheers!

Birds of a Feather!

Birds of a Feather!

By Allen Merritt ©2018

Sunday found me wondering around the tiny campus where I work part time. It was a beautiful sunny morning and I was on a break between events soaking up some rays. I looked westward after hearing some honking in the sky. It was a distinctive sound. There before my eyes were 5 or 6 geese flying north. Isn’t that exciting? Spring must be on it's way!

 I thought to myself, “It must be a sign.”

This made me smile at the notion of how this could be an indication that spring was around the corner, which is always a good thing to me. I mean, if the geese fly south for the winter, then surely those same geese flying north must be their return trip signifying the end of winter. Who doesn’t love that!

In that one little moment a sense of hope returning was prevalent. These geese, after all, were heading toward their future, weren’t they?

These moments come and go throughout the year. Once the holidays hit and we turn the corner from one year to another, people generally start making new plans, self-assess and dream of their futures as they gear up for good outcomes. Spring is similar in that it instills in us a sense of a new beginning from one season to another. Just like those geese, we head toward warmer climates.

I believe most people need these moments as a prompt that this instant is only for right now and/or this too shall pass because it’s only temporary. If we stick together and push forward we can see ourselves getting there, wherever “there” might be.

I think it simply feels good to be in a positive state or feel like we are about to turn a new corner and start a new chapter. Everyone needs something in their lives to look forward to.

It’s amazing how a flock of geese inspire me to look forward and move onward with a sense of peace, hope and positivity. These geese are instinctively and actively participating in their own progressive movement toward their destiny. Every year they make the trip back and forth like snowbirds looking for the comfort and warmth to permeate their lives. For them, I guess it’s all about heading toward spring wherever it leads.

I am a warm weather person, so I appreciate any indication of seasonal transition. But what I get most of all out of this picture perfect moment is the hint of how change is in the air. I have to make the most of it. I have to participate in some way.  

Will you do the same? Will you join me in making positive change, if not for others then for yourself? Can we gather together (at least in spirit) with like-minded goals to be better to ourselves and each other no matter what the season?

Let’s do it!

Let’s move toward our best days ever and do it on a positive note.

You know what they say, “Birds of a feather flock together.” If you do not believe me, picture those geese flying north after spending their winter down south. Spring has spring, folks! 

Have a great week!

Cheers!

You Were Invented for Life!

You Were Invented for Life!

By Allen Merritt © 2018

It doesn’t take much to make me pause and give thought when the opportunity comes around, which apparently is a lot these days. For example, I noticed a banner recently. It said, “You Were Invented for Life.”

Cool! 

That’s a good one, isn’t it? How often does one get a chance to be hit in the face with that one? Its one simple sentence jammed packed full of everything one might need to begin a discussion or simply stop and consider. (And it's better than parents saying, "I brought you into this world, I can take you out.")

Some marketing specialists could be thought of as modern day philosophers, don’t you think? They come up with the good lines and I marvel how they do it. If their sense of creativity is anything like mine, I wonder if ideas appear out of nowhere and suddenly the perfect epithet is born to capture audience’s imagination.

Anyway, there is no doubt this line brings up many questions.

I think it’s possible that this little ditty may be as good an answer as any to the question, “What is the meaning of life?" Of course, some extrapolation would need to come into the picture. No statement can stand alone and no discussion allows for discovery without consideration.

For me, this line promotes life simplistically. It makes complete sense and all the rest of life’s concerns take a back seat or fall by the wayside. They do not matter anymore, because you are now taking a break, seeing a truth and beginning to breathe again. You see, everything else means nothing when you think on what you’d be if you’re NOT invented for life! What would it mean to say you were NOT invented for living, NOT invented for love, NOT invented for joy, NOT invented for peace, laughter, harmony or any other wonderful morsel waiting for us to devour?

What would you be otherwise? Existence would be a great unknown.

What better a statement to accommodate the need to understand!

The way I see it, if you weren’t invented for life then you wouldn’t be alive at all, which brings us back to finding a way to live life with better awareness, positive well-being and to discover an abundance of purpose and meaning on a scale we can embrace and accept as our own. Since we’re all unique and individual in our own way it makes perfect sense. Everyone is vital, important and they embody various skill sets to contribute to this world and the better part of the whole.

There must be some comfort in such ideology, which can alter our perspectives and push as up and beyond all hopes and dreams so as to live in a state of happiness and content.

In the whole of my life I have felt, thought and experienced many things such as I am worthless, I am only to be seen and not heard, I’m misunderstood, something is wrong with me, I'm good for nothing, I’m nothing more than somebody’s worker bee, just to name a few. I’m sure many people find or have passed through such thoughts at some point or other.

The key is to feel what you are going to feel, let it go and more on.  One cannot deny the feelings they have nor should anyone else invalidate another’s experiences. Without the questions, we have no need for answers or conclusions about anything.

In today’s world, if we want to stay in a positive state we must take time to recognize these things and filter through them as they apply to individual needs. And that is why I think the concept of being invented for life is a good place to start the conversation with yourself. It is a good place to start with anyone who has a need for answers, explanations, comfort, healing and the like. Many people are out there doing their best to survive and make it through something or several something’s. People are hurting. They have great need. And when you think about it, not much has changed there. Regardless, that is where we begin to make change(s); when life smacks us upside the head and reminds us we are more than we think we are.

We are alive.

We are here.

We experience this life.

That’s what we are invented for.

Make the most of it.

No matter what!

I think that just about hits it on the nail!

Make it a great week and be sure to add a dollop of positivity into the mix.

Cheers!

#Riding the Joy Train!

#Riding the Joy Train!

By Allen Merritt © 2018

The words “Joy Train” caught my eye as I perused my social media activity and viewed an individual who decided to follow me. Of course, it wasn’t just the words I noticed but also the hash tag in front of it. Somehow this stood out to me albeit I have seen it used many times.

Personally, I haven’t really used the idea of a hash tag, but I find myself intrigued by it. I understand it as a tool that categorizes content in such a way to make it easily searchable for persons wanting to look for specific information. In this case, someone was not just using the words “Joy Train,” they were also wanting people to find it. In this way, like minded people move to the head of the line to discover each other’s content. In other words “Joy Train” proceeded by a hash tag became key words to search by. And, who wouldn't want to ride the joy train, right?!

I kind of like this as it quickly becomes a topic of discussion about how to get and/or find all things positive, but also it highlights finding the joy in life. What is joy? There is no doubt in my mind that joy and joyfulness are key elements I would want to attract myself and others to. There is a sense of celebration, rejoicing and jubilation in finding and experiencing joy, especially when we understand it as a gift which keeps on giving. 

As I consider it, hopping on the joy train, so to speak, means we are embracing positivity in our lives. Maybe that joy arises out of accomplishments, luck or by a mere sense of being. Maybe joy is one small element of happiness that lifts us up. Wherever it comes from, joy leads us to living in a state of peacefulness and contentment.

What is also great about joyfulness is that it is contagious. People like to hop on the train with you and enjoy the ride. Where’s the celebration? Where’s the party? I want to be a part of that!

Moreover, joy leads us to other positive emotions and experiences such as delight, pleasure, bliss, elation, euphoria, gladness, and a sense of exhilaration among many other feelings. When you begin to see where joy can lead you, it becomes clear where you want to go.

Joy isn’t limited to what you wish for at Christmastime or even in the song “Joy to the World.” It is something we can experience every day in many ways. It helps us feel good about ourselves. It is expressed in laughter, in dancing, in singing and in sharing pleasant moments with others. It may be triggered by something we experience every day.

Consider the following:

• What makes you jump up and down with excitement?
• What makes you laugh?
• What makes you feel good?
• What makes you feel happy?
• When are you most peaceful?
• Do you ever experience contentment?

Answer any of these questions and you most likely will find where your joy lives. And when you are able to answer such questions authentically, you just might learn how joy is more of an internal factor which one has to discover within themselves. Sure, there are external factors that makes us feel happy, causes us to laugh, get excited and feel good, but when you come to that happy place inside and understand more about who you are and find comfort in allowing yourself to be that person, that is where true joy resides. That's the train you want to hop on.

Years ago, the band Three Dog Night had a hit song Joy to You and Me. It’s a fun song and serves as a reminder to recognize that joy in life. It encourages taking a ride on the joy train any chance we can. Have a listen and see if it inspires your joy to be present this week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsa6txKXb3w

Take time to discover your joy and try not to get caught up too much in negative effects. If you do, stop everything and hop on the nearest joy train and get yourself back to your happy place. Remember Joy is a large portion of "enjoy."

Experience Joy!

Experience Joy Now!

Cheers...and pass it on!

Bus 108 to Paradise!

Bus 108 to Paradise!

By Allen Merritt ©2017

I live in Paradise.

Actually, I think I live on the cusp of Paradise, because I drive through it every day. Each time I travel south on Paradise I see the sign advising me I am entering Paradise. It’s like 100 feet away, give or take. Somehow, that always makes me feel good. I mean, not many people can actually say they live in a place called Paradise. Of course, that depends on how one would define it. Living so close to this version of Paradise is not quite what I imagine Paradise to be, but it certainly inspires me to ponder more on the possibilities.

I remember reading a book by author Leo Buscaglia called Bus 9 to Paradise whereby he explores a passion filled life as living in paradise. He used to teach a class known as Love 1a at USC, as I recall. I loved his books as I am an avid reader of anything promoting the good in life. Much of his focus was on wrapping your mind around love and integrating it as a way of life. I guess one could say it is a state of mind, as well as being.

For me, I find myself taking Bus 108 through Paradise on the way to the airport. While the bus number may differ, the ideology of finding love for ourselves and others has not. I believe one of the best approaches we can have towards maintaining a positive approach to living, loving and learning (also a Buscaglia title) is discovering how to navigate, manage and find our special love source(s) and creating it, duplicating it and applying it to daily experiences. I am thinking with love at our core we can maintain a positive sense of well being through just about anything. And, why not? If we can spend hours at the gym strengthening our core to be stronger human beings, then why not use the same approach to nurturing love in our lives?

I will be the first to admit how challenging it can be, especially when others are not so in tune with the idea. We live in a world where it is normal to devalue others, stomp all over them and use them as doormats to fulfill our personal needs. As often as not, I feel we forget how we impact people around us positively and/or negatively. Sometimes, we treat others poorly and it is unintentional. Other times…well! But it helps to know there are plenty of good people in the world shaping our positive experiences. We simply must remind ourselves of the what, where, when, how and why we are behaving or doing the things we do; or for that matter what we don’t do.

Love comes in all shapes, sizes and formats. It does not necessarily mean something “sexual”. One can love many things and find enjoyment and pleasure in them without it becoming about that. Understanding this is what Leo spent a lifetime doing. I dare say he did more to shine a light on all areas of love unconditional and otherwise so that those willing to receive it could and would open up and allow themselves to do so OR be so.

Ultimately, my thought on embracing the love gene is about stabilizing the state of our well being. It is something we constantly have to work toward.

If love is a many splendored thing, then why not incorporate as much of it as we can into our daily routine? Is there anyone who does not want to experience love of life? Is there anyone who does not dream of living in Paradise? If we can embrace such ideology and apply it accordingly, then we all can live in a state of Paradise and not just on the cusp of it. (Reminds me of that song "Almost Paradise.")

Loving more doesn’t really cost anything. Therefore, if we want more peace and contentment, then discovering the love in and of life should generate more positive ions toward enhancing, enriching and improving our overall well being.

Don’t miss the bus!

Hop on!

Cheers!

Hanging By a Thread!

Hanging By a Thread!

By Allen Merritt © 2018

I had a great time last week when I participated in an assignment at the university I work at part-time. I had to do a little homework to understand what I was getting myself into prior to going as it had to do with vestibular exercises. My job was to be a candidate/patient being assessed and then treated utilizing vestibular exercises to improve my diagnosis toward dizziness, vertigo and problems in balance and judgment or even in ability to get up off the floor (i.e "I've fallen and I can't get up!"). It’s part of a physical therapists training.

I didn’t realize there were such exercises. I was surprised to discover how challenging it can be when you are attempting to focus on being able to accomplish doing the exercises even when you are not a prime candidate for them.

My take away(s) from the experience, highlights a positive outlook in the everyday world.

For example, one of the exercises asked me to stand, look forward and throw my arms across my chest as if I were giving myself a hug. The goal was to stand there without moving and not lose balance for a whole minute. For me, I simply found a focal point on the other side of the gymnasium and held my stance. This may seem fairly easy, but implementing the second part of the exercise becomes the challenge. The next step asks you to repeat the test while standing on a square block of foam rubber. Aha! Not as easy as the first go around.

In order to maintain a sense of balance in this situation, I discovered I had to visualize myself being pulled up by an invisible string attached to the center of my head. I needed to hold on to that imagery to avoid wobbling. I also had to tighten my glut muscles to help hold myself in place. I quite literally learned to find more balance by seeing myself hanging by a thread, so to speak. I also had to concentrate on breathing and relaxation.

Think about it. It makes sense.

In order to keep our balance, we must pull ourselves up. What a philosophy!

It is one hundred percent applicable in all areas of our lives.

I remember taking ballet classes as a kid. Teachers would remind me to pull up my core when trying to balance or do pirouettes. Such training proved more successful outcomes in achieving tasks. Without that balance I would fall out of the turn and stumble around or land on the ground.

Also, to improve our posture we simply have to pull ourselves up. Chest must come out and up, as well as the head and neck respectively. Backs must not sway inward and gluts must be tucked in and under our torso.

This same technique helps to eliminate elements of back pain when I slouch too much. What a concept.

Overall, I found these games helped me hone in on finding balance and learned to take that message a step further toward creating positive space which will aide in feeling better about anything that comes my way. In other words, you can find your balance by lifting yourself up.

Same thing applies toward positive living. Lift yourself up and you will find your balance.

In consideration of these ideas, the next time you are feeling down, sluggish, out of control and cannot attain your equilibrium, find ways to lift yourself up. Boost your spirits. Liven up your surroundings. Picture yourself hanging by a thread and feel your body being pulled by gravity. That should help you work out a few kinks and start fresh living life on a positive note. Not only that, if you suffer dizzy spells, vertigo or stumble and fall a lot, these exercises actually prove a helpful remedy.

Enjoy the week!

Cheers!

(More information about rehabilitation exercises for vestibular disorders can be found via internet search or by discussing it with your doctor.)