The 30-day Challenge

Today is the Chinese new year. We're now entering the year of the Water Dragon and more than the prediction of the end of the world according to the Mayan calendar, we should focus on the great things that 2012 has to bring. In essence, the year of the Water Dragon will bring so much blessings to those who are generous and kind, to those who are embarking on new adventures and those who  make this world a better place to live in. All of us can do our part, even if it means just changing one bad habit. After all, habits are what make the success and failure patterns  of our life. It's those little things we do everyday on a consistent basis that will dictate the direction our life is taking. 

Read more: How To Take The 30-Day Challenge (Turn A New Habit Into A Way of Life) - https://momtraneur.com/2018/05/20/how-to-take-the-30-day-challenge-turn-a-new-habit-into-a-way-of-life/

SUCCESS: A Para-Gram by Paramahansa Yogananda

I have applied this Para-Gram time and again... I felt that I have chosen well in terms of work that I want to do but now I'm not so sure anymore.

This card came to me unexpectedly after I did some tarot card reading the other day because I was feeling very confused. It cemented the signs that the universe has been throwing my way as of late.

As the cliche goes, if there's one thing that's constant in this life, it's change. And right now, the wind of change has blown in my direction and whispered in my ear: "Take risks, take a different path and be great at it."

I know it's scary especially when I'm already living a life of comfort and peace. But my heart tells me there could be more.


The Para-Gram of Success says:

THE PARA-GRAM OF SUCCESS

The Fundamentals of Success #6: Become an Inverse Paranoid

This next principle has proven to be very valuable for me. You see, the past several years, I have been conditioned by certain events in my life to be a little extra careful. And there are times when I get too paranoid that I start thinking people are out to get me!

At some level, this kind of paranoia can be helpful. I tend to be cautious of my surroundings when I travel, I double check everything before leaving the house and before going to bed, I make lists, I have contingency plans in case things go wrong. I am O.C. that way. On the other hand, it would be better and more helpful for my well-being if I apply this principle of being an inverse paranoid. Instead of thinking that bad people are out to get me, why not think that people and circumstances are out to help me get what I want? And so, I have this mantra that I include in my daily meditation: "All great things are coming to me. People and opportunities are part of a plot to enhance my well-being." Because of this mindset, I am slowly letting go of my paranoia and replacing it instead with good, positive vibes. After all, there is opportunity in everything, no matter how difficult certain circumstances might be.

If you take the approach that "good" is not an accident --- that everyone and everything that shows up in your life is there for a reason --- and that the universe is moving you toward your ultimate destiny for learning, growth, and achievement, you'll begin to see every event, no matter how difficult or challenging, as a chance for enrichment and advancement in your life.

And when that time comes that things seem to fall apart, just know that God must have something better in store for you. Rather than thinking what a loser you are, change your paradigm and believe that it's just not meant and something greater is about to happen. Practice this and see how it goes.

The Fundamentals of Success #5: Believe in Yourself

The 5th principle is very much tied with the fourth. Now that you believe anything is possible, then go the extra mile by believing in yourself first.

You weren't an accident. You weren't mass produced. You aren't an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on Earth by the Master Craftsman. - Max Lucado, best-selling author

Believe in yourself. How simple is that? It doesn't matter whether you are the smartest one around or the one who didn't finish college. Believe in yourself... in your capabilities and everything else will follow. How many billionaires do we know who never even finished college? And how many people do we know who have gotten their masters and doctorate degrees and yet are still not financially successful?

Don't let others dictate how you should live your life. And in times when no one else believes in you, you have to believe in yourself. This is what will make you a winner. What others think about you is none of your business. Whether you like it or not, Dr. Daniel Amen's 18/40/60 Rule is very true:

When you're 18, you worry about what everybody is thinking of you; when you're 40, you don't give a darn what anybody thinks of you; when you're 60, you realize that nobody's been thinking about you at all.

This is such a revelation isn't?! Here we are, wasting our time worrying about what others think of us. When in truth, no one really bothers coz everyone else is also busy thinking about themselves! So stop wasting time and start using it doing more productive things that can help you achieve your goal.

As a young kid, I've always known that I was the shy type. I did have tons of friends and acquaintances both in school and wherever I go but I know deep down, I'm happier by myself. But, I also know that the world does not operate that way. If I wanted to succeed, I made myself believe that I should get out of my shell and explore my options. So what I did was, I just believed in myself that I could do it. Whether it was to lead a class, or to act on stage, or to talk in front of so many people, or to deliver a speech during oratorical contests, I just know that I can do it, nervous and all.

As an elementary and secondary student, I was always sent to various quiz bees, seminars, workshops, etc. and I was expected to lead and mingle with people. No matter how shy I'd get, I just start by faking it at first. I have always been good at acting anyway, so I might as well use it. It did pay off. The confidence that grew in me was brought about by years of practice, of believing in myself that I can do it. And even if at times I fail, I just get up again and again. I don't want to waste my time believing that I can't. This is why I love venturing into new things. I've given up "I can't" a long time ago. And whenever I do feel like I can't, at least I know that I always have a choice of whether to believe it or not. And so do you. It's just a matter or attitude.

The Fundamentals of Success #4: Believe It's Possible

Before I tackle the 4th principle, do check out these other three:  

1.Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life 
2.Be Clear Why You're Here 
3.Decide What You Want 

On to the next success principle: 

The Fundamentals of Success #4: Believe It's Possible

Tips for a More Productive 2010

My girlfriend, Koryn, forwarded these tips to me via email. She seldom does that and I seldom read forwarded emails but the title and content caught my attention and I feel like sharing them with you now.

Unknowingly, I have been practicing most of these tips all these years no wonder I seem to be living such a remarkable life despite everything (tips # 3-11). As for tips #1-2, I am getting there. ^_^

Finally, these tips and more can be found in this amazing book should you want to purchase it.

Here they are.... tips on how to live a more productive life:

1. Purge clutter, downsize, and minimize. The less stuff you own, the less you have to clean, store, maintain, manage, protect, worry about, stress about, waste money on, forget, and pick up. Have the minimum amount of stuff for you to be comfortable. (This level is different for everyone and you’ll have to figure it out for yourself.)

2. Organize what you choose to own and use. Your home and office don’t need to be pristine museums, but you and the people who access the same space/items need to be able to easily find things when they’re needed. Order is better than chaos, and order saves you time and energy.

3. Commit to a streamlined routine for the mundane tasks in your life and be disciplined enough to maintain that routine. If you do 30 minutes of housework a day, your home is never chaotic. But, you have to be committed to these daily activities (dishes, laundry as needed, things put back in place when finished, kitty litter scooped, etc.) and not put them off for another day. The same is true for work; you have to stay on top of the necessary tasks or they will haunt you. I also think of this item as taking responsibility for the things you choose to own.

4. Determine what matters most to you. Make a list of the people, activities, and things in your life that mean the most to you and then spend the vast majority of your time focusing on these items. Be honest with yourself, though, and put on your list what really matters to you, not what you think should matter to you.

5. Remind yourself that even if you live to be 100, life is short. There is no better time to live your life than right now. My life’s motto is carpe vitam, Latin for seize life. It’s morbid to think about, but someday might not ever come. Stop putting things off until tomorrow.

6. Say “no” to what doesn’t matter. If an activity or responsibility isn’t on your list of what matters most to you, say “no” to it. Learn to say “no” in such a way as to not be a jerk, but say “no” when you need to. This is where I greatly differ from most people because I don’t feel guilty about protecting my time. And, as far as I know, most people don’t think I’m a jerk because I’m clear about why I’m declining offers and invitations. (“Taking a yoga class with you would be fun, but Wednesday nights are date night with my husband. Is there a similar class we can take together on another night?”)

7. Enjoy being industrious. Working provides us with the resources to take care of the things that matter most. Whatever you do for a career, make sure it is something that you enjoy (even if just minimally).

8. Get rid of everything that is toxic in your life because toxic things are clutter. Toxic people and habits suck up resources and energy. I was an avid smoker until I calculated how much of my money, time, and energy were going into my smoking addiction. No matter how gifted and talented, I avoid employing, working with, and spending time with people who are toxic. A toxic person can waste your time and mental energy faster than any other form of clutter.

9. Live within your means and save money for retirement, rainy days, and adventures. Get rid of your credit cards and only use cash or your debit card. Live on a budget even if you don’t need to be mindful of your spending habits. Have a retirement account, and two savings accounts — one for emergencies (refrigerator died, fender bender) and one for splurging on what matters most to you (vacation, rock climbing lessons, a camera to capture your child’s first steps). Buy quality instead of quantity. Be a smart consumer.

10. Take risks and be brazen. A second motto in my life is ad astra per aspera, which is loosely translated as to the stars through difficulty. (It’s also the Kansas state motto.) Great things might fall in your lap from time to time, but for the most part you have to get outside your comfort zone and initiate something new. Have you always wanted to learn to play the flute? Get your hands on a flute and start taking lessons. You’ll be really awful those first six months (or year or five), but you’ll never learn to play the flute if you don’t take the chance and try.

11. Get adequate sleep. Keep a sleep journal and find out how much sleep you need to function at your best. Then, make sure you get that amount of sleep every night. When you’re well rested, it’s easier to stay calm, be productive, and focus on what you need and want to do.

The Fundamentals of Success #3: Decide What You Want

It's been months since I last posted on this blog. For the most part, I was practicing all those lessons I learned in the first two chapters of Jack Canfield's book "The Success Principles": 

Read more: 

HOW TO DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT

The Fundamentals of Success #2: Be Clear Why You're Here

It's been a long while since I last posted on this blog. Did you miss me? I surely missed sharing my thoughts here. It's just that I took some time off practicing what I've been preaching. In my last post about Success Principle # 1, where I mentioned the equation Event + Response = Outcome, I did change some of my life responses in order to get the best results (deeper happiness, better health and more wealth). I learned to give up some jobs in order to give more focus to others that I truly am passionate about, I learned to value my health more by really taking action like attending health seminars, eating the right food, drinking my vegetable juice (that tastes like real fruit!), surrounding myself with happy, healthy and positive people, napping every chance I get when I don't have the time to really sleep due to heavy workload, pursuing my love for acting, investing my money rather than doing some mindless shopping, etc. And the results? I am indeed happier, I increased my net worth, I am more at peace with my life, I am sexier than ever (I lost a couple of pounds in just a week of drinking my veggie juice and I have maintained my desired weight since then), I look younger according to people I meet and I am feeling a lot more excited about life! It's really true... your fate is in your hands. If you want to change and recreate a better life for yourself, all you just have to do is change your responses... act in ways that produce more of what you want!

Now that I've graduated from Success Principle #1, it's time to practice Success Principle #2: BE CLEAR WHY YOU'RE HERE.

What is your purpose? I remember several years ago when I purchased this book "The Purpose Driven Life". I never really finished the book. I think I got lazy reading it and perhaps I just didn't have the right motivation then to really change my life. The book is still with me and I plan to finish reading it one of these days. But in Jack Canfield's book "The Success Principles", I immediately learned how to properly pinpoint what is it that I am really here for. What is really my purpose?

To be "on purpose" means you're doing what you love to do, doing what you're good at and accomplishing what's important to you. When you truly are on purpose, the people, resources, and opportunities you need gravitate toward you. The world benefits, too, because when you act in alignment with your true life purpose, all of your actions automatically serve others.

When I thought about it, I started listing things that I am deeply passionate about and am happy to do even if I don't get paid for it: Acting, VA job, being an advocate for the World Health Organization, my small entrepreneurial biz (Victoria's Secret lingerie, Nail Art) and blogging. It's no wonder that I keep getting more of these things in my life lately.

Brian Tracy, one of America's leading authorities on the development of human potential and personal effectiveness, once said: "Decide upon your major definite purpose in life and then organize all your activities around it." Everything I do should be an expression of my purpose. If an activity does not fit my formula, then I shouldn't work for it. Period. It's that easy. And you know what? Thinking about it, it really is true! Last month, an investment opportunity came to my lap. There was a proposal for me to join an events company. I love going to events but it does not mean that I'd love to organize major events too. I didn't feel good about it, it seemed like I was not aligned with it so I said no. Then very recently, I accepted a job offer for a new travel magazine. I was to become its managing editor. I do love to travel and I do love to write but that does not equate to my being good at being a managing editor. I didn't feel quite right about it and I kept failing to give it time because of my other commitments. So after much prayer and contemplation, I gave it up too. Now I feel lighter and more aligned with my real purpose.

So how do we know what is our purpose anyway? Why are we here?

YOUR INNER GUIDANCE SYSTEM IS YOUR JOY.

You will know your purpose because it is that which gives you real joy. So let your emotions guide you. Follow that which gives you bliss and abandon those that give you misery. That's what I did. And I've become more successful today than I was a month ago.

Here's what Jack Canfield taught me in knowing my purpose:

1. List two of your unique personal qualities.
Answers: My being optimistic and my being industrious or hardworking

2. List one or two ways you enjoy expressing those qualities when interacting with others.
Answers: I express my optimism and industry by supporting and inspiring other people through my blogs, through my work, businesses and craft, when I talk to people, attend events, and share my experiences in my online and offline social networks.

3. Assume the world is perfect right now. What does this world look like? How is everyone interacting with everyone else? What does it feel like? Write your answer as a statement, in the present tense, describing the ultimate condition, the perfect world as you see it and feel it. Remember, a perfect world is a fun place to be.
Answer: Everybody is genuinely kind, nice, generous and supportive. Everybody is happy, successful, healthy and wealthy no matter what they do in their respective lives.

4. Combine the three prior subdivisions of this paragraph into a single statement.
Answer: My purpose is to use my optimism and industry to support and inspire others to become happy, successful, healthy and wealthy in their respective lives.

The fourth answer will be your purpose. Mine is: "My purpose is to use my optimism and industry to support and inspire others to become happy, successful, healthy and wealthy in their respective lives."

Once you have determined your purpose, you should read it everyday. Keep a copy of it and put it in your wallet so you can take a look at it every now and then. Make it your mantra. You may even want to create a vision board about it especially for those who are visually and artistically inclined. This (and your emotions) will be your guide so that you know if the things you do in your life are in alignment with your purpose. When you're aligned, things become easier for you. Life becomes a breeze. So sit back and relax and start discerning what your purpose is. 'Til my next post. Be well! ^_^

The Fundamentals of Success # 1: Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life

Over the next several months, I shall be sharing with you my insights on one of Jack Canfield's many published books, The Success Principles (How to Get from Where You are to Where You Want to Be). If you'd like to purchase a copy, it's only priced at Php745.00 in Powerbooks which I think is pretty cheap for such a very good investment. It's practical and easy to read too.

READ MORE:

HOW TO TAKE 100% RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR LIFE

Positive Thinking Works

One busy evening, I was asked by a male friend of mine online: "How can you always stay so positive?". I surmise that many of my friends are wondering about the same thing too but he was the one brave enough to actually ask me. I replied that it's something I have always inculcated in myself since way back in college. A decade later, I am finally reaping its benefits.

Read more:

Positive Thinking Works

Who is Kicking Pinay?

Growing up, I have witnessed and experienced a lot of negativity around me. Although we were not very poor, there were a lot of times my siblings and I weren't able to eat right. We got by with the help of a few kind relatives and even strangers from beyond. But still, ghosts of my family's past kept on coming back to haunt us. My mom used to be a total nag, an emotional wreck and a big spender, my dad had the worst of vices, my brother attempted to kill himself several times, my sister grew up physically abused and I...well, I almost had a mental & emotional breakdown.

But all that is in the past. My mom is a lot happier these days, my dad is busy with a small home-based business he has, my brother is now a very responsible father and provider, my sister is a millionaire living independently while helping out our family and I am living the life I want: stress-free, with financial and time independence.

What matters now is the way I choose to live my life, hoping to encourage others like me to rise above their current situation and become stronger, better and happier. We have the power within us to change our lives the way we want it to be. It is here, inside of us, whether we believe it or not. It only takes a certain level of acknowledgment, acceptance, belief and hard work to make one's way to a life of greater possibilities.

This blog will talk about overcoming challenges, problems and difficulties from the most mundane to the most complex of cases. Eventually, it will feature other Pinays with a "kicking" attitude --- those who persevered and succeeded, those who did not easily give up, those who continue to live a full life. It will tackle subjects like success, good health, freedom from want, wealth and happiness to name a few. It will not focus on the negative but rather use it to find one's purpose in life... one's ultimate destiny... or at least try to. It's one of the simplest things I can do to show my gratitude to a transcendental power that continues to give life to us all. That and ultimately following my own advice, of course.