Keith Lightfoot Blogosphere

It is easy to be ungrateful and unhappy, everybody knows how.

When somebody asks you to list your faults, you probably find it an easy task; because we are all prone to focus on our weaknesses, rather than our strengths.

Try it right now! Take out a piece of paper and write down the things you do not like about your situation, your life and yourself.

Most people find this a simple thing to accomplish so you will most likely have quite a long list.

Now try the opposite! Write down some of your assets, your unique attributes, your skills, your successes and the things you like about yourself.

If you find this more difficult, don’t worry, many people struggle to recognise their own abilities and gifts.

A typical list looks like this:

Negative
Too tall (or short)
Too thin (or fat)
Talk too much (or too little)
Nobody likes me
Hate my job
Not smart enough
Don’t look good in a photo
Hair too curly (or too straight)
Not enough money, too many bills
No girl/boy friend

Positive
Have a nice car
Health is OK
Job pays well
Great mobile phone

Here are some new suggestions for your “positive list”:
You can read and write English (millions of people would love to)
You are alive and able to be in “the poor photo of yourself”
You have a job and can get a new one if you want
You can read and learn more whenever you choose to
You can sing, you can laugh, you can cry, you can celebrate, you can morn
You can dream of a better life, you have hope, you have faith
You love people and they love you
You have friends and you have family
You have a God who accepts you unconditionally
You can look out the window and see the beauty in nature
You are special and unique, there has never been “you” before and never will be again
You are able to smile and make someone else smile
You are free to reach out to those around you and help them
You are capable and able to fulfil your purpose whenever you choose to

Next time you are looking for a miracle, go stand in front of the mirror, because “You are the greatest miracle in the world!”

Do you find you have less time to do more?

Maybe you feel like Henry Kissinger, “There can’t be a crisis next week, my schedule is already full”.

Signs that your life is out of control:

1. You drum your fingers on the desk waiting for instant email
2. You sigh as the microwave uses a few seconds to heat a meal
3. You curse the new law prohibiting text whilst driving
4. You can clean quicker, but now there is more to clean
5. You can move faster, but there are more places to go
6. You have more channels on your television, but nothing to watch
7. You saturate yourself with time saving gadgets, methods, diaries, time management seminars and rigid scheduling
8. You feel as though you are skimming the surface of life, rather than experiencing it

Society teaches us that success is “just around the next corner” and social gatherings, complete with the customary “so what do you do?” reinforces the need to at least appear successful.

New cars, overseas holidays, private schools, home renovations, gym membership, credit cards, career advancements and labelled clothing are important symbols of perceived success and happiness.

T-shirts boldly proclaim “he who dies with the most toys wins”, yet nothing could be further from the truth.

Anxiety and fear of failure pushes us harder than our bodies (and partners) can deal with, often resulting in stress related illness, or depression, sometimes alcoholism and in many cases, marriage separation or even death.

It is easy to stand back and say to others “hey, slow down, take it easy” while we slosh about in our own cesspool of exhaustion, emotional misery and interest gathering possessions.

We all remember that special moment on vacation, that moment of peace and tranquillity, the beautiful re connection with our partner, the clear thoughts that flooded into our relaxed spirit, the resolution to “change our lives”, to “follow our purpose”, and then the complete abandonment of everything that was discussed upon returning home.

The promise of “success just around the corner” (measured by money and power) has destroyed millions of lives, and has the potential to destroy yours.

It appears impossible to step off the treadmill, yet in your heart you know it is achievable and more importantly you know it is the right thing to do.