This is one of the most powerful videos I’ve seen that reflects my sentiments on social media and on our electronic gadgets: Can We Auto-Correct Humanity? by Prince Ea .
The message is clear: We have a choice everyday – let’s make the choice to be present.
©2014 Susie Lee
One of the most valuable lessons we can learn in life is how to love other people unconditionally. This doesn’t mean we condone a destructive behaviour but it does mean loving them with no strings attached – it means seeing them beyond their actions. So instead of being frustrated by their behaviour, or hurt by their actions, or offended by how they are, we’d save ourselves a lot of heartache by learning to love them where they’re at – happy, sad, upset, and even angry. Being hurt or offended by how they are will only cause more pain, misery, misunderstanding, and create distance.
We’re all a work in progress and are in desperate need of a daily transformation – to grow and live beyond our mistakes, hangups, and pain. We need each other to reach our full potential, see beyond the present, and discover how to love one another. When we feel genuine acceptance and compassion, true transformation begins to take work within us, and so with them. We need to envelop ourselves with love and then extend that grace to others, especially to those who are hurting, frustrated, angry, and lonely.
©2014 Susie Lee
I admit having a smart phone is convenient to have and to hold. It captures, receives, sends, entertains, and informs within seconds. It fits in the palm of our hands and nestles in the pockets of our clothes. But I also know how addictive it can be. I challenge us to take this 7-day smartphone detox in order to be more present to life. Overtime, our handheld gadgets will no longer grip our hearts or consume our undivided attention. May this detox help us to be present to those around us and open to the beauty that surrounds us everyday!
©2014 Susie Lee
Happiness is something most people want in life. Many have tried to find it in relationships or tried to buy it in stores. Unfortunately, true lasting happiness can’t be purchased or earned but rather it’s an attitude we create and carry within us. It starts by approaching life with gratitude and appreciating the beauty around us. Our thoughts and attitude will determine the level of our happiness. No matter where you’re at in life, I encourage you to take this 30-Day No Fail Happiness Challenge! If you do, I’d love to hear how it’s going!
©2014 Susie Lee
Life can be hard and stressful. There are expectations and demands from all fronts from home to work. The daily pressures of performing, giving, and coping can just make it seem as though we’re just surviving rather than thriving in life. Overtime, the accumulating pressures of life can have devastating fallouts to our relationships and negative repercussions to our health and overall well-being. May we have the courage to take proactive steps to minimize the stress in our lives and live life to the fullest.
©2014 Susie Lee
And lastly, here’s a self care assessment for preventative measures:
Every once in a while, I like to leave my phone at home or take a day off from it. Being disconnected from my gadget helps me to be in the moment and be present to those around me. It’s easier to be fully present as I’m not distracted to check my phone or be interrupted by a beep of a text or the ring of an incoming call.
This summer, I challenge you to put your phone away for a few days and to make memories that no one else knows about – memories you don’t have to capture, tag, or post… memories that are just yours. Experience things for what they are rather than losing the moment by trying to take the perfect picture. If you must take a picture, then take it with the lens of your eye rather than with the lens of your camera. Embrace and enjoy the moment.
I leave you with this challenging and creative video by Gary Turk: LOOK UP
Have a great summer!
©2014 Susie Lee
Some days, it’s tempting to look at ourselves and think we haven’t amounted to much, haven’t gotten very far, or haven’t accomplished very much in life. Yes, I guarantee those days will come when we feel defeated in the midst of pursuing our goals and feel the weight of our failures behind us. In the big scheme of life, success isn’t often what we imagine it to be – it doesn’t always have to be tangible like being the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company, earning a six-figure income, or even having a family of 10. Sometimes, success is in who we’ve become, and who we’re becoming. It’s our outlook, attitude, and reactions to life that’ll define who we are and ultimately, determine our success in life.
©2014 Susie Lee
20 signs you’re succeeding in life even when you don’t feel like it:
1. Your relationships are less dramatic than they used to be.
Drama is not maturity. As we age, we should develop maturity. So maybe your relationships were drama-filled in your past, but if you have moved beyond that, then you are successful.
2. You are not afraid to ask for help and support any more.
Asking for help does not equal weakness. In fact, it is strength. No person has ever succeeded in isolation. It takes teamwork to accomplish goals. Asking or help is a sign that you have grown as a person.
3. You have raised your standards.
You don’t tolerate bad behavior any more – from other people, or even yourself. You hold people accountable for their actions. You don’t spend time with the “energy vampires” in your life anymore.
4. You let go of things that don’t make you feel good.
No, this is not narcissistic even though it might seem like it. Self-love is success.
5. You have moments where you appreciate who you see in the mirror.
Ideally, you should appreciate who you see in the mirror at every moment. But even if that doesn’t happen, if you do it more than you used to, then that is success. Love yourself. You are awesome.
6. You have learned that setbacks and failure are part of self-growth.
Not everyone can have success 100% of the time. That’s just not realistic. Life is about victories and losses. So look at your setbacks as stepping-stones to something better. In reality, there really is no such thing as setback. It’s all just part of a wondrous journey.
7. You have a support system that includes people who would do anything for you.
If you have figured out the people who “have your back” and recognized the ones who only pretend that they do, then you have succeeded. This is a painful realization, but once you learn to see the signs of betrayal, you can stay away from those people.
8. You don’t complain much.
Because you know there really is nothing to complain about. Unless you really have gone through some horrific life experience and had unimaginable losses, most of what we all experience on a day-to-day basis is just mundane. And successful people know that. And they live in a space of gratitude.
9. You can celebrate others’ successes.
Just because other people succeed, that doesn’t make you a failure. Applaud the people who rise to the top. The more positive energy you give to other people’s victories, the more you will create your own.
10. You have passions that you pursue.
You are not stagnant. You know you have something wonderful to contribute to the world. You have unique talents and gifts. Not only do you know that, you pursue it.
11. You have things to look forward to.
If you don’t have exciting things going on in your life that you are eagerly anticipating, then you are slowly dying inside. Successful people create goals that they are passionate about pursuing. They let this excitement drive their life.
12. You have goals that have come true.
Even though “failures” are a part of life, you have stuck to your goals and dreams long enough to make them come to fruition. You have some tastes of victory. It fuels you.
13. You have empathy for others.
A person without empathy is dead inside. Empathy equals spreading love and positive energy into the world. Successful people know this. They love others as if they are family.
14. You love deeply and open yourself up to be loved by others.
Love is risky, and sometimes scary for people. It’s the one thing we all strive for, but it’s also intimately tied to the one thing we fear the most – rejection. If you open your heart enough to love and be loved, then you are successful.
15. You refuse to be a victim.
You know that life doesn’t always happen to you. Many times, you are a co-creator of your life experiences. Successful people know this and refuse to be kept down by life experiences. The rise up and conquer anyway.
16. You don’t care what other people think.
You know you can’t please everyone. You know that the standard with which society judges people is many times unrealistic. So you just keep true to yourself and love the person you are.
17. You always look on the bright side.
Life can be full of disappointments – if you choose to see them that way. Otherwise, they are learning opportunities. No negative experience is ever wasted as long as you learn from it.
18. You accept what you can’t change.
Let’s face it – there many things you can’t change in life. All you can change is how you view what happens. If you can change your negative perspective on situations to a positive one, then you are successful.
19. You change what you can.
And let’s face it again – there are many things you can change in life. Successful people don’t sit around accepting the negatives that are changeable. They get out there and do something about it!!
20. You are happy.
To me, this is the ultimate definition of success. It doesn’t matter what the balance is in your bank account, how big your house is, or how many fancy vacations you take. If you are happy, then you are succeeding in life. Even if you don’t see yourself in many of these 20 things, don’t fret. It’s okay. Be happy that you see yourself in just a few. In time, the rest will come. You just need to keep moving onward and upward.
Written by Carol Morgan
Life can be challenging with deadlines, needs, and our own expectations. It can be unpredictable with what it throws our way, what our days look like, or how the people in our lives behave. But when we neglect to take care of ourselves, especially in the midst of crisis, we’ll eventually wear ourselves out to the point that even the simplest task can look monumentally impossible. We may even experience a nervous breakdown where we cry and scream in anger, and it’s ok if that happens. It doesn’t mean we’re weak, broken, or worthless – it’s just our body’s way of releasing the accumulated stress in our bodies like a pressure cooker releasing its steam. But once we release our angst and anxiety, it’s important not to stay in that place for too long – we’re just meant to be visitors passing through, not be permanent residents. Here are 5 simple ways we can take care of ourselves before, during, or after a breakdown:
May we find simplicity, perspective, and peace in our journey.
©2014 Susie Lee
living your best 