Soar

May 26th, 2014

Like billions and billions of hot air balloons hovering just a few feet above the ground, we float along knowing that we are capable of going much higher but not knowing exactly how. We look down and feel sorry for those who are still on the ground and we jealously look up at those who have soared much higher than us.

Maybe we need to have more stuff we tell ourselves. So we get more of everything and yet following this line of thinking we seem to actually lose altitude. Maybe we would go much higher if we were in a different place so we move again and again and still no higher.

Finally, we tell ourselves that we were meant to fly only this high because of our mistakes or shortcomings. We tell ourselves that we are just not the type of person that soars any higher and that we should be filled with gratitude that we are not on the ground. From then on, we soar a few feet higher and we celebrate. We lose a couple of feet in altitude and we get depressed.

One day, if we are lucky, we realize that we are not alone in our balloon. We look around and we see the people who have hurt us, the people who have embarrassed us, the ones who put us down, the ones who betrayed us and if we are strong we order them to leave and lo and behold we start moving higher. When they have left we see that there are beliefs and baggage that have been weighing us down too. Over the side with them! And we move higher still.

Soon we are soaring with those who travel lightly in their emotions and memories and we will have learned two of the greatest lessons; ONE, good people are to be kept, idiosyncrasies and all, toxic people are to be tossed away even if they are bejeweled and TWO, good experiences are to be kept, wrappings and all and bad experiences are to be tossed away keeping only the lesson learned.

Lighten up and soar!

(c)2014 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride
www.PatrickInspires.com
Facebook – Sundrops On Life

 

Angry

May 19th, 2014

Do you find yourself getting angry at the world or some part of it? Maybe your anger is directed against a person or a kind of person or maybe it’s just a equal opportunity anger that can focus on anyone or anything. No matter how we classify our anger, remember one thing. All of our anger is the result of our unmet expectations.

The key word there is “our”, not the situation, not the time, the place or the people involved. We expected things to go a certain way and they didn’t so now we get angry. We expected people to act differently and they didn’t so now we get angry.

Is all anger wrong? Of course not. We should be angry when we encounter injustice or abuse. However our anger should be a signal that we have to change something or adapt to something. It should not be an automatic response to every little thing that irritates us.

Next time anger floods through you mind and body stop for a moment. (Easier said than done but with practice, entirely doable.) Once you pause, ask yourself not “why am I angry” but rather “what do I need to change or adapt to right now”? Maybe go for a walk or count to ten. Maybe get some sleep. Maybe have something to eat. Maybe get away from some toxic people or situations temporarily or permanently.

Anger brings a signal that what is happening and what we want to happen are not in harmony. Say goodbye to anger as soon as the message is delivered but whatever you do, don’t invite anger in and feed it. It is a terrible guest.

(c)2014 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride
www.PatrickInspires.com
Facebook – Sundrops On Life

 

Exceptions

May 12th, 2014

The way you act on MOST days is who you are. Every day we have different challenges and different resources. Every day there is a possibility that we will forget a workout or a meditation. Maybe we will be short tempered and cold. Maybe we will blow our diet or eat foods we shouldn’t. Maybe we will lie or exact some revenge. Maybe we’ll do things we wouldn’t normally do. What does that mean? Are we bad? Is there badness just lurking beneath our surface waiting to take over when we have a weak moment?

Definitely not! We are human! It is our nature to be complex. It is our nature to seek diversity in our experiences, to experience every facet of life. We are experience junkies. We crave different feelings. Some we experience only in our minds or fantasies. Some we experience briefly and some we integrate into our lives because they make us feel better.

We will always be remembered for how we acted MOST of the time. Sure, there will always be stories about “Remember that time when Uncle Harry got drunk and…” or “Remember the time Aunt Alice went up to that stranger and…”. Exceptions make for great stories but they don’t define people.

Yes, you’ll have bad days and days that you wish you could go back and change your words or actions but let it go. There will be days that you don’t live up to your own standards or the standards of those you love but let it go. There will be sarcastic instead of loving responses from you but let it go.

Most of the time, we will do, say and act according to our heart and our beliefs and that is who we really are. The moments that we don’t will be sudden and brief and will not permanently harm ourselves or anyone else unless we judge ourselves or others by those brief exceptions.

When you see someone else acting or speaking out of the ordinary for them and it is not abusive, realize and accept that they are experiencing an exception. What matters is how we and they act MOST of the time. So if it’s briefly not right, let it go.

(c)2014 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride
www.PatrickInspires.com
Facebook – Sundrops On Life

 

Smiles

May 5th, 2014

When we think of power we think of nature or maybe people in high positions. We have seen the power of a storm. We have read enough history to know that some individuals can hold incredible power. There is another kind of power however that is different from all the rest.

It is the power of a smile. I know, it seems like we are comparing kittens to wild beasts of fury but think about what a smile means to you. How do you feel when you know you screwed up and you are waiting to be chastised but instead you receive a smile of understanding? How do you feel when you are looking at a baby and trying to connect with them by making faces and preposterous sounds when suddenly the baby looks at you and smiles?

In fact there probably wouldn’t be any babies if it weren’t for the power of a smile. People rarely frown at each other when first meeting and decide to have a baby. A smile that communicates love and kindness is really what keeps this world growing. How many times have you bought something due in part to the smile of the person who helped you?

A smile is power. It is the power to communicate what is in your heart better than any word or group of words in any language. A smile is a universal communication. We are drawn to people who smile from their heart. A smile given to another person or to the mirror feels good.

Practice smiling when no one is around. A smile when you are alone can open doors of optimism and creativity for you instantly. Feel the power it has upon you. Even the briefest smile feels rejuvenating. There is an old saying (about two minutes old) that says “A smile communicates that whatever is going on, I can handle it.” Be powerful, smile.

(c)2014 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride
www.PatrickInspires.com
Facebook – Sundrops On Life