Be authentic

"We have to stand up for what we believe in, even when we might not be popular for it.  Honesty starts with being ourselves, authentic and true to who we are and what we believe in, and that may not always be popular, but it will always let you follow your dreams and your heart." Tabatha Coffey

You have mastered the art of not hearing evil, then you have taken up courage to carry on, being authentic is the third survival tool that you need to have.  How often have you heard 'if you cannot beat them join them?' Yes, you might feel compelled to join them but then what?  Before you know it, you feel you do not belong there. You were kind of forced to join where you would normally not join. Talk about 'fools treading where angels fear to!' One has to always remind oneself, there is only one you in the entire world.  You are unique, you are special, you have to be real. If you do not do it yourself or rather if you cannot show that you are you and you alone, who will act on your behalf? Who will execute your duties? Who will truly depict your true character? Remember you are motivated to carry on, you cannot do so if you live a lie. Yes, in not being authentic, that is what you are portraying both to the world and yourself. In no time, you become unhappy, regrets creep in, you hate yourself for having deviated from what you have always believed in, that is, being you. How often have we found ourselves making decisions because so and so has done it or did it? For example, getting married for the sake of getting married or what they call marriage of convenience? Does that ring a bell? You do all that just to be like so and so or to belong to a certain group in a society.  There is nothing more hurtful and disappointing than being in someone's skin. I know by now someone is nodding their head and saying that is so me. I am in deep already.  It is too late now to be regretting. There is nothing I can do about it. Guess what? You are wrong, absolutely wrong. It is never too late to make a U-turn no matter what. Remember, by the end of the day, you are doing it for yourself and nobody else. This might sound selfish but the minute you realise you are doing it in good faith, you will feel the relief deep inside you. You don't even know how much heartache you might save yourself or your so called partner by just being honest with self. No one will live your life for you.

Until we meet again, I dare you to be authentic!

Courage

"Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house.  The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are the inner tests, like remaining faithful when nobody 's looking, like enduring pain when the room is empty, like standing alone when you are misunderstood. " - Charles Swindoll

Having mastered the art of hearing no evil, it takes courage to carry on.  A lot of other forces both internally and externally might make you scared. It is perfectly normal to feel that way as this is the lubricant that urges you to take the positive route. Always look at the bright outcome of what will come forth for moving that way. Imagine you are already on the other side of the insurmountable hurdle facing you. What am I trying to put across?  I want you to imagine a task ahead where you want to climb that highest mountain and you are not alone in that quest. After preparing for that challenge ahead, envision yourself right on top of that mountain where you register your name for having accomplished a mission which would otherwise be impossible. Feel the relief,  joy,  and any other 'feel good' emotion that comes with it. That, my friends, is what I call courage extraordinaire. I have used it numerous times as a survival tactic and it has never let me down. I continue using it. Why can't you?

Until we meet again,  dare to be courageous!

Motivated to carry on

"A wise leader inspires and motivates, rather than intimidating and manipulating. " Unknown

How often how we found ourselves demoralised,  discouraged,  disinterested and disenfranchised and feel life is unfair towards us?

I have had many a moments of that nature. A lot crept  in my mind that could have messed me up for good.  I chose to motivate self through some lifelong survival skills.  It must ve noted though that to get to that point requires a lot of soul searching. Now, what are these skills that am on about? Hang with me in the next few days where I will not only share them but attempt to make them as practical as possible no matter what the circumstances may be. I know someone is already thinking, why don't you just share one for today. Well, why not indeed? Here we go:

1.  Mastering the art of not hearing any evil - It is important for each one of us to always be on the look out of what we listen to. This includes everyday conversation.  The language of the world is the language of complaint,  pessimism and criticism. I choose to guard against all three. How?  Either by refusing to entertain them or switching off. What the latter entails is allowing oneself to be present but refusing to listen to the negativity by simply switching off. It is my choice, you can choose to too.

Until we meet again, master it, you won't regret it!