Our Enthusiasm

"If you are not getting as much from life as you want to, then examine the state of your enthusiasm." - Norman Vincent Peale

Enthusiasm is what could be referred to as "that rare and wonderful fire in the chest feeling, which can be explained biologically." When we experience emotions, both negative and positive; there are neurotransmitters released by specific parts of our brain into the central nervous system.

Every emotion we are capable of and our reaction to any situation we may encounter, causes this release of chemicals specific to the stimuli encountered. Any previous experience we have had including instinctive reactions, add to the mix of what the brain eventually decides to release.

The brain can produce several mixes of both stress hormones and what could be termed "happy" ones. This combination can really excite cells within many of the areas affected, especially your stomach, heart, lungs, skin, (even intestines, at times) creating a wonderful feeling of a fire burning within.

So you may ask what this has to do with getting more out of life. When you are seemingly just not getting anywhere with your life. When you perceive that things just don't seem to be happening, it could mean it is time to charge up that biological enthusiasm.

How can you do that?

By making a change in your life of some kind. To stir those biological mixtures, bringing change will cause a range of emotions that can generate enthusiasm. About now you are wondering, "what the heck does he mean?"

If you are doing the same thing, over and over...the stimuli becomes common place. You just do not get any excitement from doing the same over and over again. But changing the pattern can cause a bit of excitement or 'danger' into the scheme. This causes the rush of chemicals that can get you moving again.

Maybe it is simple as rearranging your desk at work, a different route home or exercising instead of watching television. At the extreme end, maybe it is a new job, a different home or changing your goals.

The big thing about pulling yourself out of a lack of enthusiasm is that 'change' will have to happen. With change, a new range of emotions and feelings will occur. Within that cloud of new feelings, find the ones which motivate you towards something greater. In this new found enthusiasm you will reach out for more and find greater satisfaction in your life.

Stay inspired my friends!

Willingness to Succeed

I have brought you to the ring, now see if you can dance.
I have brought you to the ring. Dance if ye can.
I have brought you to the Revel, Now dance if you can.
- Sir William Wallace

I have an acquaintance, a friend is how I like to describe him by the name of David Baker. He is an independent filmmaker, actor and motivator of others. Not only does he have a great passion for the film business but also in teaching others his craft.

Now I will admit we met each other through the social media tool called Twitter. It was a chance connection that caused us to learn of each other. I believe we have now known each other for four years and supported each others endeavors over that time. I do boldly call him a friend even though we have never stood in the same room.

One day our travel schedules will give us the opportunity to drink a Scotch together, in person. But until that happens, I will continue to support his efforts. I admire his commitment to success, doing what he has to do in the pursuit of his goals.

Never letting go of his pursuit, taking that road less traveled.

His drive for success reminds me of a quote by Albert E. N. Gray, that reads “The common denominator of success --- the secret of success of every man who has ever been successful --- lies in the fact that he formed the habit of doing things that failures don't like to do.”

You see, each of us get to determine our own level of success by what we are willing to do. I'm not talking about the moral or ethical choices because I believe you should always take the high road on those two subjects. What I am talking about is the hard work that is required. The hard choices one must make to travel their chosen path.

It could mean taking a job sweeping a McDonald's car park in order to support yourself. It could mean giving up certain comforts such as a nice car or expensive living arrangements.

It means finding a pet donkey at the local park that you can talk to in order to unload your frustrations. It also means giving that donkey a carrot or two and letting go of those frustrations and moving on.

As the quote reads, it is in doing those things necessary that failures would rather not do. We build ourselves and what may seem like two steps back is actually going to push us ahead even further.

You brought yourself to this point...now see if you can dance.

There is no way I can predict David's success nor can I know what level of success you will have. I can only encourage and wish you great success. I feel David will achieve what he is moving towards as you will also. But it takes hard work, hard choices and sustained belief in yourself that will actually propel you to greatness.

Be willing to do what others will not. It is there you will find yourself on the path to success.

To learn more about David and to support his efforts, check out his current project.

Stay inspired my friends!

Road Less Traveled

"The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind." - Maya Angelou

There is an old saying which goes, "if you are going down a beaten path, then it isn't yours." There are so many paths we can take in life and sometimes the well worn and used path is not the one we should be taking. In fact, to have a full and great life, we may need to take the one less traveled. That type of path just might lead you to greatness.

If we take a new path, new adventures, new opportunities and unexpected situations will mold us into something much better. We will find ourselves in the chaos of adapting to the unknown. And it will not be easy to make this choice.

Just know that quite a few people make this same choice on a daily basis. You are not alone in your choice. Greatness can come from the unexpected simply by taking the road less traveled.

Stay inspired my friends.

Why Not Smile

"Men of action, above all those whose actions are guided by love, live forever."
- Jose Marti

All attribution to Andy Andrews for the content in this article. I truly enjoy his writing and every once in a while, I like to share some of his thoughts and ideas. After you read this article, take a few moments to follow the link provided to find out more about Andy.

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Learning How to Express Our Gratitude
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There are so many invisible people in our lives who provide services and never get thanked. You will stand out when you stop and say, "I just wanted to say thanks for what you're doing." The possessor of a grateful spirit, who gives that gratefulness to others, will not have to daily choose to be happy. It will be a conditioned effect. You'll wake up happy. You have to choose to be happy at first, but the conditioning will take over and soon you will BE happy.

How does this translate into personal, business, and financial success? Happiness leads to opportunities. Become somebody that other people want to be around. People want to be around happy people. That's why happy people receive opportunities. Opportunities translate into success.

Nobody expects you to be happy every moment of every day, but you can make a choice to smile. You will attract people in your life and when you become a person other people want to be around, you will attract their opportunities as well.

I've been asked, "What one thing can somebody do to change their life? It's going to blow your mind because it's so simple:

"Smile while you talk."

Very few people do this. Even when people tell jokes, they don't smile while they talk. Most people talk with a serious or bland expression on their face. Get in front of a mirror and learn to smile while you talk. Add a little chuckle while you're talking, and have laughter coming through in your voice, and everything will change. When you smile at people, they will smile back.

And I dare you to have people not participate in whatever it is you want them to participate in. If you want people to sign the deal or be your client forever, learn to smile while you talk. Your spouse, your kids, your neighbors, everybody will react to you differently when you smile as you talk.

Happiness is a choice and you are making that choice today. The bubbling laughter in your soul is an expression of enthusiasm, the fuel that moves the world. Your smile is the most potent weapon you have. Always remember to be the possessor of a grateful spirit, and to share that gratefulness liberally!
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So today, choose to be happy and stay inspired my friends.

Check out more on Andy Andrews. He is a great author and can help you change your world for the better.