∞ Rob McBride ∞

Take a moment and think about the following:

In this instant are you where you want to be and how you want to be?

If the answer is yes, congratulations you have absolutely nothing to do except to keep doing what you are doing. If, on the other hand, like the majority of us you feel something is lacking or there is a part of your life which can be improved…

Get uncomfortable!

While it’s true we love to be in a cocoon of comfort, it is also a surefire way to continue getting more of the same and, in some cases can lead us to the edge of an abyss.

Mankind’s greatest achievements have occurred as a result of discomfort. In addition, many of us have achieved our greatest feats after feeling uncomfortable with a situation or result.

Discomfort drives us to find other solutions and take alternative courses of action to obtain a different direction. When we face an uncomfortable situation, we can choose one of two courses of action: The first is to manage the pressure and do nothing. The second is to get up and find another avenue to achieve what we most desire.

Our most outstanding successes tend to come after situations which shake our world like an earthquake. For example: marriage, the birth of a child, taking on an obligation which is greater than we believed possible and even the death of a loved one. Pressure and discomfort can stimulate or diminish our ability to establish new ways of working and acting.

Following, a story about discomfort: An older gentleman is rocking in his chair on his wooden porch. A traveler requiring assistance walks up to ask for help and notices the dog lying down beside the man is visibly troubled. The dog whimpers and whines in agony. The traveler asks the man, “What’s wrong with your dog, is he sick?”

The man laughs and says, “No, he isn’t sick. He is sitting on a nail which sticks out of the porch and it’s poking one of his testicles.”

“Why doesn’t he move?” the traveler asks.

“Well, you see he doesn’t move because it hurts him just enough to complain but not enough to move,” answers the owner.

This same situation happens frequently in life. We are hurt enough to complain though are not in enough pain to move. If this is the case, we can get more uncomfortable with regards to our present situation, get up and take action to effect positive change.

“It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action.” ~ Al Batt

When we get uncomfortable with goals and objectives which go beyond what is comfortable and convenient, we can go farther than we ever imagined possible.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 37

Success and how we achieve it is of interest to most. The books on the shelves in bookstores throughout the world “shout” out promises of success to all who follow the advice of the words which fill their pages.

What are the characteristics of success and how we can assure it comes to our doorstep more often?

We have all felt the exhilarating sensation of success at some point in our lives. It generally comes after a particular event or as the result of achieving certain goals or objectives.

This feeling is typically the result of several things which come together to make us “feel” successful. This being the case, success is a sensation, not a situation. It isn’t what happens which makes us feel successful; rather how we sense what occurs.

For example, a student who gets 100 (on a scale of 1 to 100) on a test has a good reason to feel successful. Does this then mean someone who gets a 70 is a failure?

The answer isn’t so evident. For a student who has learning difficulties or, for a test where 70 was the highest grade given, it is quite possible for these students to feel successful. In addition, there are students who think it is the end of the world if they get a 90, while others celebrate the same grade for days on end.

It is not what happens or how it happens which defines success. Rather, how we perceive what has happened which gives the event context and significance. Success is not achieving a certain position in life or a making certain amount of money, rather the value we give an event.

How then can we get the sweet sensation of success more frequently?

We tend to be our own harshest critics. Our internal dialogue can be brutal when we don’t achieve what we desire. Instead of beating ourselves up mentally, we can start by realizing no one is “perfect.” While we all have desirable character traits, we also make mistakes.

Instead of concentrating on what is “wrong” with our lives, we can instead concentrate on what is “right.” If we perceive there is nothing “right,” we can permit our marvelous mind to soar to another space and time when we have had the sensation of success.

Success does not depend on what we have achieved or lost, rather on how we interpret these events. For some, simply getting up in the morning is success. We can broaden our definition of success, giving ourselves permission to fall and fail every once in a while. Success is a feeling and there is no ceiling on the number of times we can feel the sweet sensation of success.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 36

All we really want in life is to be happy. As stunning as this astounding discovery may seem, what is not quite as obvious is how to attain this worthy ideal.

Everything we do is related in some way, shape or form to our search for happiness. The mate we choose, the job we select, our desire to have children or not and the people we choose to be around. Along the way these decisions frequently seem to be errors in judgment and instead of bringing us happiness, instead they bring anxiety and anguish.

What happened?

Did we really make a mistake or is some other dynamic taking control? It is not “things” or “people” who make us “unhappy,” rather our perception of what is happening. Notwithstanding, there are three things which can lead us to be happier regardless of the circumstances. We can all do our best to internalize the following characteristics.

HEALTH: It’s much easier for someone in good physical shape to be happy. While it is possible for an unhealthy person to be happy, physical well-being makes it much easier. When we eat well and exercise regularly, our energy and drive instantly change for the positive. To achieve our goals and desires, it’s fundamental we have the resources necessary. While some of these things are “beyond” our control, many are “within” our control. Taking care of our body as if it were a sacred temple rather than a wrecked ruin gives us vitality, strength and enthusiasm to achieve all we desire.

WEALTH: If we have the option to choose between being “wealthy” or “poor,” it is obvious we would choose prosperity. Let’s look at different types of wealth. To the chagrin of many, material wealth is important. Anyone who says money is not important hasn’t been to the supermarket lately. We need money and other kinds of material wealth to fully enjoy this marvelous journey we call life. Equally important is inner wealth and this type of prosperity has no limits. In this instant, we can all become “wealthier” by simply giving thanks for all we have rather than lamenting what we don’t have. Prosperity is measured as much by the number of zero’s in our bank account as by the richness of our emotional bank account.

WISDOM: People who are wise have problems like anyone else. What sets them apart from the rest is their ability to see the world from a different perspective. Beginning with our very first breath, challenge lurks around every corner. Those who see obstacles as a norm are able to flow and grow. Those who continually strive to know more about our world and themselves discover quickly it is a never ending search. What we do not know will always be greater than what we know. Yet the power and value of a single idea has no limit. When we are willing to continually grow, life turns into an adventure to enjoy rather than a chore to endure.

Being happy is a decision, not an obligation. When we are healthy, wealthy and wise, happiness becomes the rule rather than the exception.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 35