Famous last words as I conclude this 21-day series on The Plot To Steal Joy: Take care of one small area in your life and watch how big of an impact it makes in your world.
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That which causes the most pain is also that which etches the deepest memories. Though it be bitter at the moment we were experiencing it and we vow never to revisit that memory, sometimes we rehash that pain because we are better off for it after the storm has blown and past.
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Don’t try. Because your strength is limited. Your ability is limited. Your tank is limited. Where you’re limited, you can’t give freely. On your own, by your own, you can’t do it. Instead, nurture your soul.
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Everyone loves a smiling face, no matter how hardened they are. This I learn from observing my general contractors who always seem to be carrying a cheerful attitude into their work and environment, no matter how tough their work and financial situations are. I tried to apply the same principle in my marriage. It certainly isn’t easy, but I’m glad I try.
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Don't be dictated by the values of the general society that deem a regular job, income, career, family and life to be of a certain mold. Rather, celebrate your difference and go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
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Once in awhile you meet someone who inspires you not because of their stellar achievement but because of how down-to-earth, sincere, humble and genuine they are. One such person is Khaled, who owns and runs a falafel shop in Belmont, California. No, not just any falafel shop - it's the best, most authentic, freshest and tastiest falafel there is.
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I know the power of words. Words form our beliefs, habits and destiny. We literally shape our world with our words. So I decided to take control of my emotions by writing down my daily situation and choosing joy despite the negativity that surrounds. By writing and solidifying each day’s resolve to “steal” joy, I was changing my internal circumstances which I knew would soon spill over to my external circumstances.
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Make way, Kayak and Orbitz - Flystein got me such unbelievably cheap air tickets I'm half deciding whether to share this or not!
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Every once powerful empire face an impending eventual collapse. Consider the ancient empires of old: the Persian, Roman, Turkish, Mongol and Egyptian empires - they once rose to great power and they eventually fell to horrific economic ruins and dusted glory. As empires rise and fall according to times, so do individuals rise and fall according to seasons.
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Ever noticed how a vacation leaves us refreshed and ready to tackle our jobs with new drive? A change of environment - sights, sounds, faces, encounters, experiences - they offer rejuvenation and renewed perspective. Sometimes all it takes is a quick change of environment to change your inner perspective. In my case, all it took was a pool of water.
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If you’re taking a train heading south while you had intended to head north, what do you do? You’ll immediately get off the train at the next stop and board the correct train heading north. You will do whatever’s necessary to get you to your destination. Isn’t it crazy then that we know to do the right thing in the case of a train ride but we don’t apply the same principle to life in general?
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A young man went to film school in college. He graduated and worked in the State Treasury in Sacramento, California for six years. One day, he discovered a shoemaking workshop, was fascinated, took the class and started making shoes on night and weekends. He lived and breathed soft leather, wool, quality rubber soles and stitching. He became a master in his craft. First he would sell a pair online. Then two. Then three. Soon the orders would back up to more than he could manage.
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What you want isn't shiny, expensive or showy. What you want doesn't yell for attention. What you want isn't the social commodity of cash, credit and career. What you want doesn't shout from the mountaintop. What you want is something deeper.
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When you most feel like giving up, that is the time not to.
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Kindness is not natural. What can I say? We’re born imperfect, and we have to work on our kindness. At least I do. So even when I don’t feel like it, especially when I’m in a bad spot myself, I got to remind myself daily to practice kindness. Kindness is a choice.
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When things are out of your control, when the lack of provision is starting to wear you down, the power is still within you to turn things around.
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As long as we breathe, problems are bound to present themselves. Life isn’t a bed of roses. Life is a freeway. It’s a journey filled with fast and slow days, smooth traffic and congestion, good and bad people, ups and downs. If problems are coming our way whether we like it or not, we’ve got to change the way we perceive them rather than to throw our hands up in despair and give up.
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Our emotions frequently get the better of us especially when we are ill equipped with the true knowledge of a matter. Having only heard of the exorbitant cost of electric space heaters, I almost allowed a couple of dollars of electricity bill fuel yet another domestic argument.
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In desiring friendship, first be a friend. In desiring a listening ear, first be a listening ear. In desiring time, first give your time. The principles of sowing and reaping is an irreversible universal law of nature and life. As surely as a farmer sows his seed in winter, he would surely reap a harvest in summer.
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In the event of an emergency, pull out the life vest from under your seat and put it on yourself first before attending to a young child if you’re traveling with one. Yes, take care of yourself first, and only after you’ve done that do you care for a young child or someone else in need. Herein lies an important lesson: We got to first feed ourselves before we can feed others. We got to first prosper on the inside before we can bless someone else.
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