Inspirational Writing # 4

James A. Gold

Accept everything about yourself-I mean everything-not some things-everything. Every feeling, idea, hope, fear, smell, appearance-it is you and it is good...You can do anything you choose to do; you can enjoy anything you choose to take part in, to be aware of. You are you and that is the beginning and the end-no apologies, no regrets-you are what you want- because you are you-and who can doubt that-who could want more-you have everything there possibly is-there is no more-you are everything-and you are so large and immense that you could never find the top or bottom-you will spend a lifetime enjoying the search-you will enjoy every minute-there is so much to know and experience within yourself.

Praise

If with pleasure you are viewing, anything a man is doing,

If you like it, or you like him, tell him now, Don't delay your approbation for the funeral ovation, As he lies with snow white lilies o'er his brow. For no matter how you shout it, he won't know a thing about it, He won't know how many teardrops you have shed. If you think some praise is due to him, now's the time to tell it to him, For he'll never smell your flowers when he's dead, Nor will he read the tombstone o'er his head.

The poem above, titled Tell Him Now appears in Frank Tibolt's book, A Touch Of Greatness. It captures the importance of giving praise in a beautiful way.

Too often we are stingy in our praises and too generous in disparage of others. It is always easy to find a fault in someone. Everyone has one. It takes a little bit of effort to see the positive in others but it is worth it. Studies after studies in human behavior have found that giving praise works better in raising productivity than criticism.

Learn to give praise and not flattery. Flattery is cheap and dishonest and often used by those with hidden agendas and malicious intent. If someone has done good, tell him or her. Everyone can do with a little pat in the back.

Remember that everyone is fighting their own battle and a giving praise to whatever achievement, big or small, rekindles the spirit.

Keep Your Brain Fit

The human brain is a fantastic organ and its importance cannot be overstated. Like all other organ in our body it must be kept fit. The human brain follows a very simple rule of fitness. Use or lose it. Researchers studying the human brain say that the brain can be kept fit even at a very old age. Studies have also shown that an active brain can prevent mental disease such as Alzheimer's. The importance of a fit brain cannot be overstated and listed below are several steps you can take to keep your brain stimulated.

1. Learn a new task. Learning new things keeps the brain engaged. It helps to grow new connections in the neural network. Examples include a new language, a new software program or yoga. You can also start a new hobby.

2. Travel. Traveling is a very good way to keep the brain stimulated. The early human race led a nomadic lifestyle and this provided a plethora of stimulation. Our ancestors had to keep upgrading their tools and survival skills constantly to new environments.

3. Neurobics. Created by Lawrence C. Katz, Ph.D, a professor of neurobiology and co-author of the popular book Keep Your Brain Alive - 83 Memory Exercises to Help Prevent Memory Loss and Increase Mental Fitness. Neurobics are simple and fun brain exercises. Some exercises you can include in your daily life are:
a. Get dressed with your eyes closed
b. Wash your hair with your eyes closed
c. Share a meal and use only visual cues to communicate
d. Eat with your opposite hand
e. Go to work in a new route

4. Read. Reading is to the brain like what a gym workout is to the body. Crossword puzzle also gives the brain a good workout

5. Exercise. A sedentary lifestyle is not only bad for the body but also the brain. A large number of studies have shown that aerobic exercises such as walking, jogging and cycling, benefits the brain in the short and the long term.

The Action Habit

The ability to get things done is the one ability that talent, hard work or even genius can't surpass in the quest for success. Having a sound idea is important but not enough. Acting on that idea and translating it into reality will give it value. Many man and woman are doing very well for themselves today because they took action on an idea they had. If you want to join them then you must develop the action habit.

David Schwartz in The Magic of Thinking Big lists 7 steps to grow the action habit.

1. Don't wait for the perfect condition. There never be a perfect condition. Take the plunge and solve problems as they arise.

2. Remember that ideas alone are not enough. There is a huge difference in knowing what to do and doing what you know.

3. Take action and cure fear. Just do it and watch your fear disappear.

4. Start your mental engine mechanically. Move your spirit, dig in and take action.

5. Live in the present. Develop the now mentality.

6. Get down to business. Don't just get ready to act. Act.

7. Take the initiative. Pick the ball and run. Go and slam dunk it.