And I got such a huge positive response from my Myspace following, that I thought I'd post it here as well. Here's my thoughts about making a change for the better, I hope you find it useful.....
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As of late, I have tried a lot harder to put out an even more positive vibe using Myspace. I noticed that my friend have responded to bulletins, comments and mood statuses that have a more uplifting and positive approach. It's led me to think about how positive I've really lived my life up to this point and where there is room for improvement. I've come up with a list of things I want to do or improve on to keep a positive outlook and create more happiness personally.
I thought I'd share some of them with everyone and feel free to use this list however you see fit. Or pass it along, repost, modify, whatever you want. I really think doing good, thinking positive and uplifting others and helping will make a difference in your own life as well as those you influence. You have a lot of power that you just don't recognize. It gets lost in the daily shuffle, the job, family, stress and other things that eat away at our time, hour by hour, day by day, month after month and year after year. Well, here is my list.
1. Use your powers for good. Everyone has ability and talent. How you choose to use it is completely up to you. I will choose to use the abilities and talents I was given to make people happy, to encourage rather then belittle and to make a positive difference in the world.
2. I am going to give when I can to those that need it. I guarantee you, no matter how bad you think you have it, somebody in the world has it worse. And probably a LOT more people then you'd imagine. When I saw I am going to give, it will be in a number of ways. Time. Listening. Advise. Physical help.
Money to the guy on the street holding a sign, and not just the loose change in the car, but whatever I feel the need might be. Do you know how much courage and humility it takes to sit on a corner and hold up a sign asking for help? How many of you have had to do that or would even have the courage to do it? Maybe that guy ISN'T a drug addict or alcoholic. Maybe it's not cool to bag on him or tell him to get a job. Maybe he's hungry. Maybe his kids are too, the ones you don't see sitting there with him. Bring him a bag of food or a cold drink. If you want to see what thanks and gratitude are first hand, look into his eyes when you give him SOME kind of help.
3. Make a difference to a child. I'm sure you've heard this before, but DO something. I was blessed enough to be able to give a barely 2 year old girl the unconditional love of a Daddy when hers had passed when she was 1. Every day when I see that smiling face and hear the words "Daddy!" when I come home from work, I know I've accomplished something huge. Having two wonderful daughters now ia something I never would of dreamed of having and it's one of the things I'm most proud of. Do that for your own kids too. Give them time. So what if it takes 2 extra minutes to listen to their story? Quit telling them to hurry up and talking down to them. Talk to them as equals. Hang on their every word and listen to the wonderful stories their creative little minds make up. Make a big deal about all the little things they make or show you. Listen to your older kids and tell them you understand, relate your past experience and help them through the tough teen years, they are NOT easy. Volunteer to be a Big Brother or Big Sister. So many kids have NO ONE, a single parent may be working 2 jobs just to keep a roof over their heads, and may not be around to give them enough guidance and love. You can supplement that with just a little time. Have you ever noticed that all you have to do to be a kid's best friend FOREVER is just pay attention to them and play with them? How often did you just want your mom or dad to PLAY with you or take you to the park. I was fortunate enough to have parents that did that for us and it meant so much.
4. Hold onto the special person in your life. Build them up, encourage them and let them know you love them. Tell them, show them and make every day special in little ways. Your kids will pick up on that vibe too. There is nothing more secure to a child then to see your parents showing love to each other. The greatest gift you can give a child is to love their mother. Or father. Be faithful and honest. Give each other the benefit of the doubt and be honest but not angry and vengeful if they hurt you. I know so many couples that talk so bad to each other and with kindness and consideration to EVERYONE else they come across socially or at work. That is wrong and you should be man enough to tell and show your special someone how awesome they are.
5. Forgive the ones that hurt you. And when I say forgive, I mean FORGIVE. Don't say that you forgive someone if you don't. Wait to let them know you forgive them until you mean it. And then work on how quickly you are truly able to forgive them. Think of a list of people that you might be estranged from right now and go to them one by one and forgive them. And don't expect for them to say sorry, offering an apology just to get one back is ridiculous. It's ok to be sorry, but also remember, it's better to be different then to always be sorry. Make a change and feel the positive effects of that change in your life and the people around you.
6. Take care of yourself physically. Walk in the morning or evening. Join a gym, they really don't cost much. I know for a fact that there is a connection between your body being healthy and your mind being at peace. Eat a little less, make a few healthier choices. You will live longer, be in a better mood and people will notice that you look healthier, more fit and seem happier. Self esteem is a wonderful thing and we all deserve to be proud of ourselves and our health.
7. Try to learn something new each day. It doesn't have to be rocket science or something that is going to change the planet. If it does, GREAT! But knowledge is so wonderful. And I think most of you have the internet, so it's not difficult to learn like it was back before there were encyclopedias. www.wikipedia.com is about the best website out there. Anything you have a remote interest in, you can read up on there, The more you know, the more interesting person you can be and have great conversations with people.
8. Surround yourself with positive influences. Mainly people. I have learned the hard way that people can change a few basic habits, but not the core person they really are. If your friends are not good people, selfish and out to hurt people, they are more then likely going to do it for the long term and could very easily turn on you. Meet new people, be a good listener, get involved in new things and you'll be surprised how nice it is to be around GREAT people.
9. Get rid of the toxic things in your life. Toxic things are no good and can range from bad relationships, friendships, acquaintances, drugs or alcohol or even just bad habits. Whether you believe in karma, reaping what you sow, or anything else, just believe doing or thinking bad things does not lead to anything good. Positive thoughts and actions, random acts of kindness, those things will bring you the things you deserve and will make you happy.
10. Work hard. Not just at your job or career, but it everything you do. If you give 80% effort, how much harder is it to give just 20% more and go above and beyond? You will achieve more, receive more and you'll notice people will be proud of you.
11. Give people compliments. Everyone loves to hear something nice about themselves and so many out there never get that. Find something GREAT about someone and let them know about it. Even if you just like their outfit, or car, or you think their kid is cute, tell them! It will probably make their day.
12. Smile and say hi to someone. Have you ever noticed when you walk past someone in a hallway, you, them or both will usually look down, up, sideways or at your watch or phone so you don't have to make eye contact? Why not look them in the eye and say hello? It makes me feel good when someone actually does that, it's weird that it's a rarity rather then the norm.
13. Be courteous as often as you can. Hold the door open for someone. Help and older person who might need some help physically. Give the open parking space to the person across from you who is waiting too. Give a slightly larger tip to that good waitress or waiter, it's only a couple extra bucks right? Any of these things will probably give them a good story to tell about you later and make them feel special.
14. Be organized and clean. I know I feel a lot better when the house is tip top, the dishes are done, the beds are made, nothing is on the floor, the counters and table are dusted and clean. Your environment you live in really contributes to your mood. My worst is keeping the car clean, washed, vacuumed and clutter cleaned out, even the trunk! That's on my list this week!
15. Use your words. Make them count. Everything we say has the ability to build someone up and make them feel good about themselves. Likewise, words can destroy and hurt. You are more powerful then you think, so use them wisely.
Every day is a gift, and one that cannot be returned or exchanged. There is absolutely nothing you can do about yesterday, the day before, and anything in the past. You can and do control the future and I for one plan on using the time left on the Earth, HOWEVER long it is, and we never know how long we have left, to CHOOSE to be powerful and make a positive difference in my own life, the lives of my children and wife, my family and friends, and everyone I have the pleasure of knowing here on Myspace.
Please feel free to repost this in blogs or bulletins, I'd love to get something positive and help others for a change. This beats Mafia Wars, notes about Tom deleting your page or all the other little things we worry about all the time. Relax and live up to your potential, believe me, I tell myself that as much as anyone else. Have a wonderful day full of happiness and blessings! Jason Provencio
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