Create Excitement Through Synergy and Opportunity

I frequently tell people there is synergy and opportunity in most everything in life. Even things you might not be very excited or motivated about. You just need the ability to recognize, create, and capitalize on it. The first step to this “recognize, create, and capitalize” process is awareness. What motivates or excites you? What do you truly value or enjoy in life? What knowledge, training, experiences, or skills might interest you or get you closer to where you long to be in life? These are some of the questions you might ask yourself when performing such an inquiry. Listen for and be open to the possibilities. Then make a list of what comes to you and listen for more possibilities. Then revise the list and listen for more  possibilities. And once you think your list is final listen once more for the possibilities and revise the list again. Then prioritize your list by placing that which you are most excited about or long for most towards the top. Eventually you will get to the point where you will no longer need a list – you will simply know these things without even having to think about them. But you can repeat this process anytime you want to open yourself up to new possibilities.


Once you gain this awareness it will be easier for you to recognize, create, and capitalize on synergies and opportunities by aligning those activities you already perform with that which you truly want for yourself. For example, someone might complain about feeling bored at work or at home. But anytime you experience periods others might describe as boring or unproductive in nature, you will recognize these as opportunities to work towards something on your  “Happiness, Interests, and Excitements” list. You can simply go down the list from the highest  priority item at the top and work your way down until you identify something which might be feasible to work towards depending on where you are and what you are doing at the time. Eventually, those periods  of boredom and unproductivity will disappear completely because you will simply think to yourself, “Oh good! Right now I have time to work towards…” (insert item from your  “Happiness, Interests, and Excitements” list). And you can make steady progress whether it’s learning a foreign language, trying out new skills or experiences, investigating potential travel destinations, learning about finance and investing, researching a new business or career, or exploring new ideas.

As another example, someone might be unhappy about all of the hours they have to work. But whenever you work extra hours you might recognize this as an opportunity to accumulate additional resources to put towards something on your  “Happiness, Interests, and Excitements” list. This additional money might come from: 1) the income earned for the extra hours worked, 2) the savings generated by not having time to spend the money earned,  or 3) a combination of these. Once the busy period expires you might be able to purchase one or more of the desired items or experiences on your list. Eventually, those periods of unhappiness will vanish completely because you will simply think to yourself, “Oh good! Working these extra hours will allow me to purchase…” (insert item from your  “Happiness, Interests, and Excitements” list).

So the above are two examples of how these ideas might be applied by taking the former “negative” perception and transforming that into something that you truly want for yourself, something you can feel good and motivated about, and something you can look forward to. Anytime you are able to transform the “negative” into something more positive you will feel happier and better about yourself and your life. So always make a concerted effort to recognize, create, and capitalize on synergies and opportunities by aligning the activities you perform with that which you truly want for yourself.

Recently, a woman I talked with was dreading the thought of having to drive to Missouri to attend an event in a rural area. After talking with her a bit more I learned that something she was excited and motivated about in life was travel. So, I suggested that perhaps she should consider the event as an opportunity to explore a few places along the way and back. She could perhaps leave a few days early and explore cities such as Memphis and spend a few days on the way back exploring other cities such as St. Louis or other places she might have interest in. She had  been so focused on the “dreaded” event that she failed to recognize the potential opportunities presented. It’s easy to lose sight of such synergies and opportunities when you heavily focus on the source of displeasure, negativity, or discontent. Many things in life are that way. So always try to broaden your perspective and transform the negative into something more positive.

Opportunities and synergies present themselves each and every day.  You just need the ability to recognize, create, and capitalize on them. So gain and maintain awareness of that which excites, motivates, and interests you and brings you happiness. And incorporate these aspects into your day to day activities as the opportunities arise. If you do this you will feel motivated and inspired and experience great happiness, fulfillment, and contentment for much of the time. So do this for yourself if you can.

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/ 

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness

Live and Let Go

Every day is a wonderful gracious gift to us all. Always try to remember that from hour to hour and day to day. And live your life that way.

 

Most of the negativity and difficulties we experience in life don’t matter much. We’re simply fortunate to be here breathing the same air, enjoying the same sunshine, and experiencing everything in life that we get to experience. For there are many reasons why we might not be here today:

 

– All of the close calls pushing us to the brink of nuclear annihilation, for one, over the past 70 years or so.

 

– Parents not meeting, for another, and the chain of parents all through the ages (think about that for a long, hard moment).

 

– Uncontrollable disease for yet another, etc, etc.

 

So I encourage you to reflect on these kinds of things and to live your life as if a precious gift has been handed you. Because it has including everything it contains such as those who surround you, the place where you live, all you possess, and all you experience. All of this has been given to you by the most gracious of givers. Never forget it.

 

This is your life. Live it, appreciate all you have and get to experience, and let go of negativity. Because it truly does not matter.

 

This is your life. Live it.

 

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/ 

 

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness

HAPPINESS TIP: BE WHO YOU ARE NOT MATTER WHAT!

Here’s a simple tip for experiencing true happiness throughout the days, weeks, years, and decades of your life: 1) Discover who you are (or keep exploring until you do), 2) Embrace and be okay with who you are, and 3) Be who you are in all of its color and glory (no matter what others think, believe, express, or attempt to convince otherwise!).
 
If you do this, you will live an authentic life filled with all of the happiness, peace, freedom, and excitement you could possibly hope for. It is YOUR life experience (and nobody else’s)! Live it that way!
 
A few years ago, a woman I met seemed a bit embarrassed about being “a geek”. Well, I told her to embrace that quality, hold her head high, and be a geek with a capital G! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with discovering who you are and being who you are. So, always remember that!
 
Another aspect of being who you are is the positive effect if can have on others. For example, people frequently tell me that I have a calming effect on them when they are in my presence. Many times, because of this people like being around me even if all we do is sit and enjoy the silence. It’s so wonderful being appreciated that way. But I wouldn’t be able to create this positive effect if I wasn’t true to myself and didn’t lead an authentic life.

Now, what some people may not understand about me is that I do a lot of things on my own and enjoy it. Although, many times I’m alone, I’m not lonely, and I’m actually happy. So, while I greatly appreciate the polite gestures I sometimes receive I’m really just being me and I’m happy being me.

For example, recently I went to the movies and was the only person there. Many people would have freaked out a little about that, but I was like, “Wow! How nice! I have the entire movie theater to myself!”.

So, find out who you are, be okay with who you are, and be who you are no matter what others think, believe, express, or attempt to convince otherwise. If you do, you will feel happy and at peace for much of the time. And you will have this peace and happiness to offer to others. So do this for yourself if you can.

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/ 

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness #relationships

☆°▪︎ THE WANDERING TURNS ▪︎°☆

It’s

.

y

o

u

r

.

lead,

.

.

m

y

.

.

follow . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

I

follow . . .

.

.

.

It’s

.

y

o

u

r

.

bait,

.

.

m

y

.

.

swallow . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

I

swallow . . .

.

.

.

I

swallow

.

d

o

w

n

.

the

twisting

rounds . . .

.

.

.

I

swallow

.

d

o

w

n

.

the

ups

.

a

n

d

.

downs . . .

.

.

.

I
swallow . . .

.

.

.

It’s

.

y

o

u

r

.

bait,

.

.

m

y

.

.

swallow . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

I

swallow . . .

.

.

.

It’s

.

y

o

u

r

.

lead,

.

.

m

y

.

.

follow . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

I

follow . . .

.

.

.

I

follow

you

.

d

o

w

n

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

wandering

turns . . .

.

.

.

I

follow

you

.

d

o

w

n

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

whirling 

blur . . .

.

.

.

I

follow . . .

.

.

.

It’s

.

y

o

u

r

.

lead,

.

.

m

y

.

.

follow . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

I

follow . . .

.

.

.

It’s

.

y

o

u

r

.

bait,

.

.

m

y

.

.

swallow . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

I

swallow.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in January of 2017 where the affected party repeatedly falls victim to outside influences – and has difficulty breaking the negative cycle.

☆°▪︎ THE HAUNTING INTENSITY ▪︎°☆

Did

.

y

o

u

.

see

.

t

h

e

.

sunset 

s-c-r-e-a-m-i-n-g . . .

.

.

.

 ~ the

sunset 

s-c-r-e-a-m-i-n-g . . .

.

.

.

out

.

t

o

.

you

.

a

n

d

.

me,

.

.

f

r

o

m

.

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

sea . . .

.

.

.

The

end

.

o

f

.

summer

.

i

s

.

drawing

near . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

the

autumn

.

o

f

.

our

days,

.

w

i

l

l

.

soon

.

b

e

.

here . . .

.

.

.

 ~ the

autumn

.

o

f

.

our

days,

.

w

i

l

l

.

soon

.

b

e

.

here . . .

.

.

.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

see . . .

.

.

.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

feel . . .

.

.

.

f

o

r

the

sweet,

teasing

ecstasy

between

you

.

a

n

d

.

me,

.

.

w

i

l

l

.

.

never

dance

again

.

w

i

t

h

.

such

storming

intensity . . .

.

.

.

=>>>>!ADVANCE!=>>>>

<<<<=!RETREAT!<<<<=

=>>>>!ADVANCE!=>>>>

<<<<=!RETREAT!<<<<=

=>>>>!ADVANCE!=>>>>

=>>>>!ADVANCE!=>>>>

=>>>>!ADVANCE!=>>>>

<<<<=!RETREAT!<<<<=

.

.

.

t

o

the 

thundering . . .

.

.

.

t

o

the 

thundering . . .

.

.

.

t

o

the 

thundering . . .

.

.

.

o

f

all

.

a

n

d

.

everything

.

y

o

u

.

mean 

.

t

o

.

me . . .

.

.

.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

see

.

t

h

e

.

sunset 

s-c-r-e-a-m-i-n-g . . .

.

.

.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

see

.

t

h

e

.

sunset 

s-c-r-e-a-m-i-n-g . . .

.

.

.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

see

.

t

h

e

.

sunset 

s-c-r-e-a-m-i-n-g . . .

.

.

.

f

o

r

always

comes

.

t

h

e

.

end . . .

.

.

.

f

o

r

always

comes

.

t

h

e

.

end . . .

.

.

.

f

o

r

always

comes

.

t

h

e

.

end . . .

.

.

.

when

nothing

could

ever

.

b

e

.

as

.

good

again.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in September of 2016 where the contemplator looks back with sadness on a wonderful romance had in the past when realizing nothing else since has even come close to being as good. This was the third of three poems I wrote that were largely inspired by the movie: “Holding the Man.” I actually hated the title of this movie, but thought it was an excellent movie overall.

☆°▪︎ BEYOND THE HAZE ▪︎°☆

Together

.

w

e

.

walked

away

.

i

n

.

a

dazed,

shell-shocked

haze . . .

.

.

.

 ~ the

once,

angry

guns

.

o

f

.

blistering

.

r

a

g

e

.

pounding

.

o

u

r

.

resounding

love

.

o

f

.

nonconforming

disgrace . . .

.

.

.

day,

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

night,

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

day . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

then

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

.

silent

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

rubble

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

remained . . .

.

.

.

 ~ the

rubble

.

o

f

.

all

.

t

h

e

.

presentable,

acceptable,

respectable

ways . . .

.

.

.

w

e

once

learned

.

t

o

.

embrace

within

.

t

h

e

.

days . . .

.

.

.

within

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

o

f

.

yesterday . . .

.

.

.

We

were

there 

with

.

t

h

e

.

haunting 

haze

.

i

n

.

the

air . . .

.

.

.

when

attempting

.

o

u

r

.

escape,

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

gates

.

o

f

.

bitter

judgment

.

a

n

d

.

hate . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

suddenly

.

w

e

.

broke 

away . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

suddenly

.

w

e

.

broke

away . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

suddenly

.

w

e

.

broke 

away . . .

.

.

.

Freedom

came

.

o

u

r

.

way

.

t

h

a

t

.

day,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

we

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

return

.

t

o

.

that

place . . .

.

.

.

s

o

take

.

m

y

.

hand,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

let’s

pick-up

.

t

h

e

.

pace . . .

.

.

.

f

o

r

the

exhilarating

wave

.

o

f

.

our

.

n

e

w

.

future

waits,

where

.

w

e

.

can

live,

.

a

n

d

.

love,

.

a

n

d

.

gaze,

without

shame . . .

.

.

.

 ~ where

.

w

e

.

can

live,

.

a

n

d

.

love,

.

a

n

d

.

gaze,

without

shame . . .

.

.

.

f

o

r

all

.

o

f

.

our

days,

which

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

remain.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in September of 2016 where the romantic parties bravely and unashamedly claim and passionately pursue their nonconforming love – even against the overwhelming forces of family and societal resistance. This was the second of three poems I wrote that were largely inspired by the movie: “Holding the Man.” This poem was primarily inspired by a specific scene in the movie: John leaves his home with Tim much to his father’s dismay. I actually hated the title of this movie, but thought it was an excellent movie overall.

☆°▪︎ THE TURNING OF THE TURN ▪︎°☆

I

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

remember

.

t

h

e

turning

.

o

f

the 

turn . . .

.

.

.

 ~ the 

yearning

.

o

f

.

the 

yearn . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

it

hurts . . .

.

.

.

f

o

r

even

.

a

s

.

one,

.

o

u

r

.

hearts

.

h

a

v

e

.

parted,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

we

.

c

a

n

.

never

return

.

t

o

.

the

way

things

started . . .

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

we

.

h

a

d

.

breathless

pages

.

y

e

t

.

to

discover,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

so

feverishly

wished

.

f

o

r

.

none

.

b

u

t

.

each

other . . .

.

.

.

At

first

.

t

h

e

.

curse

was

.

t

h

e

.

yearning 

turn . . .

.

.

.

b

u

t

later

became

.

t

h

e

.

turning 

yearn . . .

.

.

.

 ~ the

yearning 

turn

.

f

o

r

something 

more . . .

.

.

.

 ~ the

turning

yearn

.

f

o

r

.

the

days

.

o

f

.

before . . .

.

.

.

 ~ the

turning

yearn

.

f

o

r

.

the

days

.

o

f

.

before . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

it

hurts . . .

.

.

.

s

o

we

.

c

a

n

.

never

return

.

t

o

.

the

way

things

started,

.

.

w

h

e

n

.

.

eager

hearts

thundered

.

d

o

w

n

.

the

runways

charted . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

it

hurts . . .

.

.

.

It

hurts

because

.

w

e

.

will

never 

laugh,

dance,

frolic,

.

o

r

.

play,

.

.

t

h

e

.

.

way

.

w

e

.

did

.

i

n

.

those

days . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

the

sun

.

w

i

l

l

.

solely

remain

.

i

n

.

that

place . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

never

shine

t

h

a

t

.

way

again . . .

.

.

.

 ~ it

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

shine

t

h

a

t

.

way

again . . .

.

.

.

s

o

I

turn

away . . .

.

.

.

I

turn

away . . .

.

.

.

Today

.

w

e

.

share

.

t

h

e

.

hours

which

remain,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

it’s

not

.

t

h

e

.

same . . .

.

.

.

 ~ no,

it’s

.

n

o

t

.

the

same . . .

.

.

.

s

o

I

search

.

f

o

r

.

that

place . . .

.

.

.

I

search

.

f

o

r

.

that

place . . .

.

.

.

I

search

.

f

o

r

.

that

place . . .

.

.

.

where

forevers

.

s

o

.

warmly

embraced,

before

.

t

h

e

.

change . . .

.

.

.

 ~ before

.

t

h

e

.

change,

when

.

t

h

e

.

bet

w

a

s

.

placed,

.

t

o

gamble

away

.

t

h

e

.

golden

grace,

.

.

o

f

.

.

a

.

young

romance

.

i

n

.

a

dance

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

dancing,

within

.

a

.

daydream 

trance . . .

.

.

.

 ~ a

dance

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

dancing,

within

a

.

daydream 

trance . . .

.

.

.

I

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

remember

.

t

h

e

turning

.

o

f

the 

turn . . .

.

.

.

 ~ the 

yearning

.

o

f

.

the 

yearn . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

it

hurts.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in August of 2016 where the contemplator is haunted by, and looks back with, heavy regret on a wonderful romance had in the past – where some kind of change happened or was introduced at some point. And once that change occurred, the romance never had the same magic, warmth, passion, or luster ever again. The contemplator repeatedly revisits and, with a heavy heart, longs to go back and do something different so the change never happens – but there is no going back, and nothing can be done because the damage was done, and the change is now permanent. This was the first of three poems I wrote that were largely inspired by the movie: “Holding the Man.” I actually hated the title of this movie, but thought it was an excellent movie overall.

☆°▪︎ THE SHY GOODBYE ▪︎°☆

I

might

have

noticed

.

t

h

e

.

smile

behind

– 

your

eyes . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

the

promise

behind

.

t

h

e

.

smile . . .

.

.

.

b

u

t

it

was

.

t

h

e

.

shy 

goodbye

that

brought

.

t

h

e

.

tear

.

t

o

.

my

eye . . .

.

.

.

~ the

shy

goodbye

which

absorbed

.

m

y

.

mind . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

haunted

.

m

y

.

hindsight . . .

.

.

.

it

made

.

m

e

realize,

you

were

.

y

e

t

.

another

twilight

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

recognize . . .

.

.

.

~ another

deeply

dawning,

starlit

sky

.

o

f

.

lost 

opportunity

gone

by.

Reflection:  

This poem was written as a reflection on missed romantic opportunities. I had so many of those earlier in my life that in order to overcome my shy nature with respect to initiating conversations with others I did not know, I created and adopted the expression: “I’d rather try than be haunted by…” because the potential discomfort and awkwardness of trying and getting shunned was less painful than the haunting, restless thoughts of what might have been. So, it reminded me to always make my best effort no matter how awkward it might seem.

Now, the flip side of this was that I got so good at it that I ended up with a lot of acquaintances but not much more. So, several years later, I penned the line: “fewer, deeper” as my mantra to remind me to focus on a select few to have deeper relationships with.

☆°▪︎ THE DYING GREEN ▪︎°☆

The 

sweet,

sleepy,

.

a

n

d

.

serene . . .

.

.

.

a

r

e

the

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

.

drifting 

leaves

.

f

r

o

m

the 

trees . . .

.

.

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

drifting . . .

.

.

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

drifting . . .

.

.

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

drifting . . .

.

.

.

i

n

the 

breeze . . .

.

.

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

from

.

t

h

e

trees . . .

.

.

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

from

.

t

h

e

trees . . .

.

.

.

o

f

how

things

– 

used

.

t

o

.

be . . .

.

.

.

drifting

.

i

n

.

the

breeze . . .

.

.

.

drifting

.

i

n

.

the

breeze . . .

.

.

.

drifting

.

i

n

.

the

breeze . . .

.

.

.

o

f

a

.

n

e

w

.

regime . . .

.

.

.

 ~ of

a

.

n

e

w

.

regime . . .

.

.

.

where

.

t

h

e

sweet,

sleepy,

.

a

n

d

.

serene . . .

.

.

.

wake

to

.

t

h

e

dying

green . . .

.

.

.

 ~ they

wake

to

.

t

h

e

dying

green . . .

.

.

.

o

f

someone

else’s

dream,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

grieve

.

t

h

e

.

lack

.

o

f

.

peace

.

i

t

.

brings . . .

.

.

.

f

o

r

– 

it’s

truly

.

n

o

t

.

where

– 

they

otherwise

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

mean

.

t

o

.

be.

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem that I wrote back in August of 2016 in reflection of those who tend to go with the flow, complain when things don’t go their way, but rarely fight for much of anything. So, in short, they get what they get – and that is all.

☆°▪︎ ADDICTION ▪︎°☆

It

was

.

t

h

e

.

urge

before

.

t

h

e

.

yearn . . .

.

.

.

 ~ the

heat

before

.

t

h

e

.

burn . . .

.

.

.

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

learn . . .

.

.

.

It

was

.

t

h

e

.

subtle

.

s

i

p

before

.

t

h

e

.

surge . . .

.

.

.

 ~ the

rapture

before

.

t

h

e

.

turn . . .

.

.

.

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

learn . . .

.

.

.

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

learn . . .

.

.

.

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

learn . . .

.

.

.

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

learn . . .

.

.

.

f

o

r

tomorrow 

arrived

again

today,

.

.

w

i

t

h

.

.

the

same

future

.

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

.

.

.

 ~ with

.

t

h

e

.

same

future

.

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

.

.

.

a

n

d

I

almost

found

.

a

.

way

.

t

o

.

pay . . .

.

.

.

 ~ I

almost

found

.

a

.

way.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in July of 2016 where the affected party struggles with a negative cycle-of-addiction on constant repeat which ends up consuming his/her life – leaving not much of anything left.