mindset – Page 3 – Site Title

FOCUS

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It is one of the hardest things to do. You’ve got a plan in hand, all set to go, you take off and then you come to a screeching halt! What happened? Life did. Your focus is not on what you need to get done, the noise surrounding you is too loud, it is hard to concentrate and “giving up” is less work and easier to do. You are at a standstill not knowing which direction to take or worse still, you don’t have the energy to carry on.

“Starve your distractions, feed your focus.” Unknown

How do you starve your distractions? First, what are distractions? They are defined as, “things like technology (phones, social media, websites, YouTube, video games, Netflix), other people, or noises around you,” all vying for your attention and quite often they win.

“Stay focused on your goals and ignore the noise.” Unknown

Not easy to do, I know. I’ve let distractions get the better of me and what I could have achieved in a short amount of time took forever and a longer route to get there. You have a plan? If not, make one. You want to get somewhere? You’ve got to focus. Here’s the truth. If you don’t focus, you’re left by the wayside. Tony Robbins once said, “Your life is controlled by what you focus on.”

Focus on the good things and you get more of the same. Focus on doing better and you will. Focus on what’s in front of you and you’ll start moving forward.

FOCUS! FOCUS! FOCUS!

Oh, one more thing.

“You decide how to show up, and you’d better come correct: the way you look, what you say, how you act and react. No excuses! Get in front of the mirror and own what you see. You may have to drag your fabulousness out of hiding, but it’s there.” Alyssa Edwards

AND

“The more you focus on you, the better you become.” Unknown

Cut out the noise and the excuses. Zero in on what you want. You’re allowed to waver now and then but get back on track. FOCUS, and you’re halfway there, the rest needs work!

Have an amazing day.

A Sleepless Night

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I haven’t been doing much writing lately, not because I don’t want to but because I’ve been overwhelmed with things that life throws at you when you least expect it.

The day is done but my mind refuses to accept that little fact. It is going and going and no matter what I do, it refuses to quiet down and call it a night. I’ve tried meditation, deep breathing, yoga, listening to the sounds outside and even listening to Chachi’s soft snoring but nothing is helping.

Here I am, feeling like an owl with the hoot missing! The unexpected things that showed up and needed my attention were irritating to say the least. My car needed a headlight replaced. It should have been an easy thing to do but it turned out to be a major hassle. The replacement part was hard to get and add to that the cost of 2,500 euros plus the time it took to get the part and I had a major headache and a half going. I got that done about two weeks ago. That was one thing done. Then I find myself staring at something else.

The washing machine was next. It just up and died on me! Well, actually it made a loud noise, there was the smell of something burning and that was it. I pulled the plug from the socket and wondered what now? Easy enough to fix, right? All I had to do was to go to the place where I get all my gadgets and have it replaced. Nope, it wasn’t going to be that easy. Little did I know that my trusted place was no longer in operation! What do I do now? There were other places but all quite a distance away. So, I went online. It was unbelievable. I did everything online, picked one out, placed the order, paid, and got it delivered the next day. It is up and running now. Problem number two down.

What’s the next thing? There is a superstition that goes something like this. Things happen in threes and it was about to hit me. I went to the garden shed to get something and noticed that there was a puddle of water on the floor. Looking up at the roof, I noticed that there were several dark stains indicating a leak. I asked the gardener to take a look and he confirmed that the roof had a major leak and needed fixing! Bummer!!! So, now, I have to find someone to fix it and if that wasn’t enough, we have rain in the forecast for the next couple of days.

No wonder my mind doesn’t want to settle down. It is on the alert for the next thing to happen. What next thing?!! That was number three, however, life has a tendency to skip a beat and throw something else in! I’m superstitious so I’m going to try this old wife’s remedy for bad luck. Get up at the break of dawn, pick seven different varieties of flowers, and pour them over your head! It’s supposed to chase bad luck away. Worth a try? Why not? I’ll give it a try.

Now that I’ve got my frustrations out, I’ll go give sleep another try. My mind says, “Good luck with that!”

Goodnight and don’t let the bedbugs bite.

What bed bugs? Is that the next problem?

Lord, have mercy!

Let It Go (Archives)

Letting go is one of the hardest lessons to learn in life. Holding on is somehow innately built into the human system and we are wired to hold on when things go wrong. At least, that is the case with me. If only I had the ability to “let go” when I knew that there was no point in holding on. Life would be so much easier right? Knowing that doesn’t make it any easier. I am an overthinker, an overachiever and a hold on with a death grip type of person. At times I am well aware that the ship has set sail and is out of sight but I keep looking longingly out to sea hoping it would return and everything would be alright but most times, it never does and still I refuse to let go.

“One of the hardest lessons in life is letting go. Whether it’s guilt, anger, love, loss or betrayal. Change is never easy. We fight to hold on and we fight to let go.” Unknown

The hard thing about letting go is the fear factor. The unknown is always scary. We tend to fixate on what was instead of realizing that it is done with, a thing of the past and it’s time to move on. The pieces remain of what once was, be it a lesson learned or pieces to build a future with but only if we stop looking at that closed door and turn towards the one that is open BUT going through that door is like leading a horse to water but making it drink is another story altogether.

Shannon Alder says:

“Forget what hurt you but NEVER forget what it taught you.”

If only it was that easy. Speaking from experience and being the proverbial holder on, I know that there were times when I dug in my heels and refused to budge because it was what was behind that closed door that I wanted. It didn’t matter that it was bad for me and it didn’t matter that it was gone, water under the bridge so to speak and still I held on for dear life. I cried a waterfall when I could have saved those tears if only I had taken the first step to go through that open door. Freedom comes in letting go which in turn gives you the ability to fly because nothing is weighing you down anymore. I am learning not to stay in one place too long, to look back and to gather the lessons I have learned and when the time is right to keep moving forward. Life is for living, not just existing and being stuck in one place is an absolute no go. It is in moving forward that you learn the power of letting go, the power of living again.

“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” Oprah Winfrey

LET GO!

Have an amazing day.

The Light?!!

Dare I say it without jinxing something that is on the way? I’ll go ahead and do it because I can’t keep it to myself anymore!

The “light at the end of the tunnel” is a classic idiom that signals something positive is about to happen. There are four different takes according to one source.

The Realistic Approach:

“The light at the end of the tunnel is just the light of an oncoming train.” James Russell Lowell

The Empowered Approach:

“I stopped waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel and lit that b**ch up myself.”

The Pessimistic Approach:

“The good news is the tunnel has an end. The bad news is more tunnels before it.”

The Absurdist Approach: “When life gives you lemons, at least you know you are out of the tunnel.”

Hmm….where does my news fit in? I don’t really know but here goes. Some of you who read my posts on a daily basis know that I have two temporary residents who have moved in for about six months. They are Shiro, a Persian cat, and Gallahad, a long-haired British variety. They took up residence about a month ago and life hasn’t been the same ever since! They belong to my son and since he has started a new job and pets are not allowed in his current apartment, his only choice was to leave them with me.

A month later, I am ready to throw up my hands and to give up! It’s not that they are not cute and sweet. They are all of those things and more. However, they require a lot of time, energy, and looking after. Not only that, they think they’ve moved into a 5 star resort and “demands” are at the top of their list. No longer satisfied with the cheap stuff their daddy (my son) used to feed them, they want top-notch and nothing less! They have a maid (me) who is at their beck and call and if that’s not enough, they want a play buddy as well. Chachi, (my little guy) loves and hates them. So, they have to be separated at intervals, this approach seems to be working but it is taking a toll on me.

The news I am about to tell you couldn’t have come at a better time. My son, who I am very proud of, not only landed his dream job but has gone on to secure a much bigger apartment. This is next to impossible in a city where apartments are very expensive and they get grabbed up as soon as they appear. Anyway, he went to look at the apartment, talked to the owner, asked intelligent questions I presume, and snapped it up! He got the call the same day and was offered the place if he wanted it. A roomy place with a built-in kitchen with all the amenities. The best part, they accept cats! A dream come true? He thinks so.

Now comes the part of signing the contract, giving up the old one, moving his stuff in and maybe, just maybe, the cats are out of here in about two months! He’ll be happy to have them back, I’ll be happy to have my life back although I will miss them, and Chachi, the little macho, will be king of the castle again.

I’ll take a different approach. “If it’s meant to be, it will be.”

Fingers, toes, and everything else crossed!

Have an amazing day.

LOL!

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I saw this online and decided to share. It got a chuckle out of me. I hope it gets one out of you too.

After dying in a car crash, three friends go to Heaven for an orientation session. They are all asked the same question: “When you are in your casket and family and friends are mourning over you, what would you like to hear them say about you?”

The first guy responds: “I would like to hear them say that I was one of the greatest doctors of my time and a great family man”.

The second guy says: “I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and a school teacher who made a huge difference in the children of tomorrow”.

The third guy thinks for a while and then replies: “I guess I’d like to hear them say ‘Look – he’s moving’

🤣🤣🤣

A Sad Day

It started out as usual. Running around like a chicken with its head off is normal here now that the other two cats have moved in. Mornings are not mine anymore. The meowing starts around 5 in the morning and doesn’t stop until I open my bedroom door and see the two, Shiro and Galli looking at me expectantly. They know the “food lady” is up and they can relax.

My little guy, Chachi, hates this ritual. He used to be the one and only but now finds himself sharing everything with the other two and it is not setting too well with him. He is quieter than usual, keeps to himself, and growls a lot. I put it down to territorial behavior but things escalated this morning.

I got up, fed the two, cleaned the litter boxes, all before breakfast! Then, I brought Little Macho (my guy) his food. He grunted and walked to the window and ignored me. That was the first sign and I should have paid attention but instead I picked him up and whispered to him telling him that I know it is hard for him. He glanced over with hooded eyes and it happened. He slapped me with his paws on both side of my face and I went, “Ouch!” It hurt. I couldn’t believe that he had done what he did. I rushed downstairs and looked for the disinfectant. Yes, I’m a germaphobe! I proceeded to disinfect the sides of my face and luckily it wasn’t that bad. He did break skin in a few places but I’m sure it will heal. What hurt more than that was the fact that my “little sweetheart” was capable of hurting me.

I Googled and it said that it is normal behavior for a resident cat to feel like his safe space has been invaded by strangers and it is also normal for him to direct his aggression towards me as well. The solution or rather suggestion was to keep them separated for a few days. Keep everything separate, litter boxes, food and sleeping space including play area. I had thought they were getting along but I was wrong and now I am sad. The article also went on to say that I should wash my hands after touching the other two so that he doesn’t smell them on me! It seems they need time to adjust and to do it slowly.

SAD? Absolutely. I love my little guy and I am sad that he is feeling left out. I like the other two as well and they are growing on me like barnacles on a rock! The little white one loves hanging around me and this morning I sprayed on some scent after my shower and she watched me and then started sniffing the air like she approved. So I let her smell my wrist and Chachi started growling! Gallahad is learning to play with a tennis ball. His idea of playtime is to let me do all the work! He hits the ball down the stairs and waits till I get it for him. Exactly why he is overweight and loving it!

Now, I have to work at getting all three to play together. It is going to take a few days of separation and I’m not sure how I am going to go about it but I will keep you posted. I have to get Chachi happy again and that is a priority. If there is a will, there is a way as they say.

Fingers and toes crossed and hopefully the scratches heal with no dire consequences!

Have an amazing day.

LOL!

When one door closes and another door opens, you are probably in prison.

I had my patience tested, I’m negative.

When you ask me what I am doing today, and I say “nothing,” it does not mean I am free. It means I’m doing nothing.

I finally got eight hours of sleep. It took me three days, but whatever.

I hate when a couple argues in public, and I missed the beginning and don’t know whose side I’m on.

When someone asks what I did over the weekend, I squint and ask, “Why what did you hear?”

Don’t bother walking a mile in my shoes. That would be boring. Spend 30 seconds in my head. That’ll freak you right out.

Exactly what I say!

Sometimes, someone unexpected comes into your life out of nowhere, makes your heart race, and changes you forever. We call those people cops.

************************************************************

There are two friends out hunting and they have a hunting accident and one man is laying on the ground motionless. The other man calls the doctor.

Man: “Doctor we just had a hunting accident! I think my friend is dead!”

Doc: “Well are you sure he is dead?”

Man: “Well, no.”

Doc: “Make sure he is dead first.”

With that the man puts down the phone for a moment, and the doctor hears a loud BANG before he comes back.

Man: “Ok, now what?”

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

A Picturesque Day

I haven’t been walking for about a week now and since the sun was on full display this morning, I decided to put on my walking shoes and take myself out there. It should be a gorgeous morning and it turned out to be more than that.

It was nice to get out in nature again and to see what was awaiting me. The leaves were rustling in the trees and the wind was a little chilly. I was out early and as usual there was no one around. I took the forest way and as I walked the color gold caught my eyes. They were quite a distance away but there was no mistaking their beauty. The rapeseed plants were in full bloom and against the Cerulean blue of the sky, they were a breathtaking sight to behold. I stopped and stared for a while as I usually do when something breathtaking catches my eye. This one deserved my full attention.

Moving on, I walked on in silence. There were the usual sounds of people working in their garden plots preparing their little slice of nature for what was to come. It could be tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, salad leaves, or just about anything. The village folk take great pride in their gardens and like the fields, everything is spruced up and watched over with eagle eyes! Most people don’t have much to do around here and for the old folk, it is a time to gather at their garden plots and to socialize as well. I walked on enjoying the trilling of the birds in the trees, a squirrel dashing across the path and the sound of a woodpecker playing loudly on a tree trunk!

Deciding to take a break, I sat on one of the wooden benches strategically placed along the way, turning my attention to the cloudless blue sky. It is going to be a gorgeous day, not too hot and not too cold. That spells “perfect” as far as I am concerned. The grass is an emerald green and here and there blooming trees parade their beauty as only they know how. It is a picturesque view and one that captures my imagination as I let out a sigh of relief after the stressful morning. Whatever is waiting for me back home is all but forgotten here, nature can calm the frazzled nerve and it can do much much more.

A cup of hot coffee was missing to complete the picture but it will come soon enough. Closing my eyes, I breathed in the fresh air and let the silence work on me. I needed a break from the three, Larry, Curly and Moe! Just kidding. Chachi, Shiro, and Galli (the three cats) are waiting for me to show up again so that they can pound me with their demands, it will come soon enough. This right now, is my slice of heaven and I’m glad I decided to get out and to let nature soothe me. It worked.

Time for that cup of coffee and to see what the three marauders are up to.

Have an amazing day.

LOL!

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Ten Things You’ll Never Hear a Man Say.

Here honey, you use the remote.

You know, I’d like to see her again, but her breasts are just too big.

Ooh, Antonio Banderas AND Brad Pitt? That’s one movie I gotta see!

While, I’m up, can I get you anything?

Honey, since we don’t have anything else planned, will you go to the wallpaper store with me?

Sex isn’t that important; sometimes I just want to be held.

Why don’t you go to the mall with me and help me pick out a pair of shoes?

Aww, forget Monday night football, let’s watch Melrose Place.

Hey, let me hold your purse while you try that on.

We never talk anymore.

Ten Things You’ll Never Hear a Woman Say.

What do you mean today’s our anniversary?

Can we not talk to each other tonight?

I’d rather just watch TV.

Ooh, this diamond ring is way too big!!

And for our honeymoon we’re going fishing in Alaska!

Can our relationship get a little more physical?

I’m tired of being “just friends.”

Honey, does this outfit make my butt look too small?

Aww, don’t stop for directions. I’m sure you’ll be able to figure out how to get there.

Is that phone for me? Tell ’em I’m not here.

I don’t care if it is on sale, 300 dollars is too much for a designer dress!

There you have it. Men are from Mars and women are definitely from Venus!

The Best Laid Plans…..

“Sundays – sleep until you’re hungry, then eat until you’re sleepy.” Unknown

I had something like that in mind when I went to bed last night. I had finished my meditation ritual and all was calm in my part of the world. Chachi, the cat, was taking it all in stride because by now he knew the human well and when she donned one of her, two sizes too big t-shirts, it meant lights out and quiet time was around the corner. It was also time to toe the line.

Chachi behaved and I had a goodnight’s sleep. I had visions of spending most of Sunday in bed having breakfast delivered in bed by my non-existent robotic chef! All the plans were laid-out in my head and I was looking forward to a peaceful Sunday.

You guessed it! Chachi, aka, Little Einstein and the Little Brat had other plans. Sundays are just like any other day so at 5:30 in the morning, he started his usual, “wake the human up” routine. This involves tapping on the head. If that doesn’t work, he had other tried and true methods in his arsenal. One that works without fail is his loud sighing right next to one ear! If that doesn’t work, one method that will have the human jumping out of bed is to fly over her head and land on the other side with a loud thud! He opted for the last method this morning and I woke up with a start but who cares! All that mattered was mission accomplished!

He did exactly that and all my best laid out plans of having a peaceful and no stress Sunday went to hell in a hand basket!

“Coffee, pajamas and no plans – that’s how I Sunday.”

Not today folks. Chachi has other plans!

Have an amazing Sunday.