posted
My source may be 'a little' hokey, however bear with me. On Oprah the other day, that Dr. Phil guy was talking about how we all have conversations with ourselves.
When we're in the company of someone negative, it doesn't make us feel good. It's amazing how when viewing a beautiful sunny day, some see it as pure heaven, while some view it as cover up, cancer! Negativity is a pretty ugly thing.
Going back to the conversations to ourselves, we talk to ourselves all day. Are we paying attention to what's being said? For fun, try documenting all your personal thoughts for a day down on paper. Are they positive? Negative?
What really happens when we have negativity around us all the time? Depression, over eating, bankrupcy, are just some things that comes to mind.
If all we're thinking is negative thoughts, it's like we're in the same room as that negative person we all dread to be around.
True, we can't control everything around us, as that would be impossible. But I'm a firm believer in, if you can't make your life work now and you're one to always wish for a better tomorrow, then you just may not be happy with tomorrow either.
I have a really negative person in my life. I can't believe someone has so much to complain about, it just blows me away. I come home from her place worrying about things I wouldn't have given a 2nd thought to before. It wears me out.
Do I run from tough times? No. I deal with them head on. I set goals I can obtain, and head towards them. 5 years ago I set impossible goals for myself and I've obtained them all to some degree.
#1. To live in the country. We're now on 5 acres.
#2. To have a shop especially built for me. Last April I renovated over our garage and I have a beautiful new shop.
#3. I wished to have a horse one day again. We have her in the paddock as I speak.
#4. I wished for a child. We finally adopted someone that stole my heart 3 years ago.
#5. I wished to be a stay at home mom. I'm not there yet, but I'm doing the next best thing to it. I'm very flexible with my hours, I have breakfast every morning with my son before he goes to the sitter's, and I've cut back my hours to 3 days a week. That's the best I can do, and I can moan about it or be proud that I have even that!
None of these things came easy for me. They cost money, time and great effort. But I took baby steps to get there and didn't let the bad stuff get me down in the process.
I think my optimism came from my mom. You can complain about something like, "Man, my leg hurts!" And she'll say, "But it still works, right?" Arg, those moms know everything!
I personally don't see our signworld as troubled as some. Granted, I don't hold a brush so I haven't lost what I never had. I can see changes for sure, and many of them not good, but I also don't see the ones making the trouble creating alot of havoc in my own life and biz.
When I look at a poorly done job out there, I physically cringe and dream of what I would do if I had done it. But that cheapy job pleased someone enough to drive around with it or have it hanging over their storefront, so I guess it's served it's purpose.
I can't change the whole world and make it into the place of my dreams, so I live my own dream inside myself, taking me places where I want to go. When that negative person in my life tries to draw me into her world again, I respect her enough to listen, however I won't always give my opinion. She normally never asks for it because she doesn't want it. I'm ok with that. What I'm not ok with is someone dictating to me how I should walk and talk. That's for me to decide. I'm a big girl now.
I also don't feel someone has to feel the way I do. Everyone has opinions and while it's wonderful to share them, it's not mandatory we follow them. It just personally does not matter to me what goes on around me. What matters most my own life is that I handle what's around me the best way I can.
Should we be worrying about things we can't change or change the things we can? Does positive thinking help us better cope in today's changing world? Your thoughts?
I've always admired and been inspired by your positive attitude.
I too am fiercely positive... a 'hopeless over the top' optimist in my wife's view.
When we get a phone call early early in the morning, she fears the worst... I am hopeful it's someone from three time zones east who wants me to offer me a huge job and hasn't reconned in the time diference.
My favorite words when offered a job I like but have NO CLUE how to do... no sweat, I can handle it. I know I can do it- I just haven't figured it out yet.
I dream huge dreams and take little steps towards them each day. Giggle Ridge lived in my head for more than 10 years before the time was right.
My kids grew up hearing the words... Its OK... next year will be better. They now tell themselves and their spouses that every day.
As far as the sign business... I see more opportunity now than ever before. I use the computer as a wonderful tool to help me produce the hand made things I do. At age 48 I have finally aquired the skills and experience I need to produce the type of work I want to do. And after many years of actually doing the work I have a great portfolio to sell with.
We in this industry have much to be grateful for. We are (or should be) doing what we love. Most folks simply have a job. At the end of the day we can stand back and celebrate what we have been privileged to create.
Positive thinking combined with hard work does pay off.
Life is good.
-dan
[ June 09, 2002, 12:44 AM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8740 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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As I sat there contemplating my misery....a voice came to me out of the Gloom saying: "Cheer up! Things could be worse!" So I cheered up...and sure as hell, things got worse!
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
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siallen@dslextreme.com
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Never mess with your profile while in a drunken stupor!!!
Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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the best thing in the world to tack up on your wall is THE SERENITY PRAYER.....and really really use it!!!!!
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Only positive attitude here.....Negativety really SUCKS...it sucks the life and goodness right out of you....and soon you are shrivelled and alone...... Life is far too short and far too full of countless good things and people....I hope 'Random Acts of Kindness' rule forever, Oprah's 'Pay it Forward' is sooooo inspiring! Look around you, see the beauty....go enjoy your day! Sue
-------------------- Susan Banasky Source Signs Nanaimo, British Columbia sourcesigns@shaw.ca
When in need....go directly to the "Source"!
Proud Supporter of this "Knowledge Network"! Posts: 1323 | From: Nanaimo, B.C. Canada | Registered: Oct 1999
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Not having TV, I cansay my only exposure to Oprah is seeing her various photos on tabloids at check out counters.
In the New Testament there is a phrase in the letter to the Phillipians that reads:Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6736 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Great Post Donna! I have been having my ups and downs trying to start my own lil business, and I have been working with the S.B.A for my startup. Well just the other day I was told that it would be for the better if i would take a 13wk business course before I start asking for loans. I agree I could use some business knowledge before I start, But the classes don't start until september and it would be until next spring before I could see my own shop open.
I didn't let that get to me tho, cause I am already plannin on gettin ready for just a small home base shop going, i have already taken some xtra work and my wife has done the same. This mornin I was up at 3am for to cover a shift and was thinking about the time i am spending away from my family, and basically just was feeling a lil bit down.
Came on here to read the BB and came upon this post and now I have a smile on my face and am ready for tommorow with a happier attitude. Also appreciated the words from dan and I liked what I read from Rick. Again Donna thanks for posting this you made me smile today.
-------------------- Frank Weidman Waukegan, Il. Posts: 71 | From: Waukegan, Il. | Registered: May 2002
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A radio talking head gave a list of characteristics of successful people. One trait was the ability to stay unfailingly positive in every business situation.
Oldtimers will remember Norman Vincent Peale and "The Power of Positive Thinking" - textbooks for positive attitude.
I don't always succeed at positive attitude, but it is not for lack of trying. Besides, smiling a lot feels good. Vic G
-------------------- Victor Georgiou Danville, CA , USA Posts: 1746 | From: Danville, CA , USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Lot's of beautiful words from some beautiful folks on this thread!
Staying positive makes so much difference. Life doesn't come without struggles and difficult situations. A positive mindset has lightened many a load for me. When I fall short on it, I am blessed with encouraging friends around me to snap me right out of it.
I tend to smile alot and that often gives folks the impression that I don't have hardships or stresses. I do, but I manage to keep upbeat most of the time, and it does pull me thru.
I believe in dreaming big, finding the good in situations and people and most of all, I believe in myself. Once again I'll add that supportive family, friends and positive surroundings definately factor into my attitude. Keeping "clean air" around me is something I'm very conscious of.
Honing right in on the good stuff, I've read some very profound statements from a couple folks on here recently.
One was Rick Sack's story about the contractor who wanted less from him to save a buck. Rick's closing statement shows us that he walks away from that situation seeing it as a "gift". That is one of the things I really appreciate in Rick. Seeing the "gift" in things that could otherwise leave a lasting negative attitude.
Another statement I could appreciate came from Jon Aston when he talks of taking the high road, and ignoring negative statements rather than spending valuable energy on them. I do try my level best to sidestep any energy-sappers.
Several years ago I heard a commment that made me laugh at the time, but it's meaning has stuck with me. I was getting all worked up about something negative someone said to me, and upon conveying the situation to a friend they calmly replied, "why are you letting this person live rent free in your head?". That comment at the time put things into perspective, and got both my friend and I bursting out laughing.
Ultimately, negativity is just plain bad for your health!
Donna, I watched that Oprah, and try to catch it every Tuesday whenever possible. I see I was in good company!
posted
Reading your responses gave me such a high this morning! Top that off with a child that slept really well and squeeled with delight in just seeing me. Ahhhh! Today started off right!
I know I talk about my little guy alot. He's risen above my love for this profession, so he's right up there, so I hope you understand. He's really teaching me about life in a big way. When he just WOKE up happy, I feed off of that. How can you hold on to a smug face when someone is giggling right in front of you? Impossible! He's definately my main inspiration to positive thinking these days.
We are all capable of producing both positive and negative energies. Our awareness of the possitives and negatives and how we deal with them can make or break us. I believe, we develope our tendecies at an early age, from our family and peers. As adults, we have the power and knowledge to identify and choose our path to happiness and prosperity.
Yes, 'baby steps'! Never let go of your dreams! Achieving them a little bit at a time breeds self worth and confidense.
The Oprah show you refer to focused on 'our' thoughts, the ones we don't always say aloud. Many times we don't realize we're thinking them, it's in 'our program'. The guests on the show had personal issues. When they were asked to write down their 'thoughts' for one week, it became obvious that their negative thoughts about themselves or otherwise, played a major role in their personal perception and how they delt with problems and ultimately, their happiness. One guest portrayed herself to others as a strong, intelligent and beautiful individual, while thoughts of herself were just the opposite. She admitted that her self portrail was deceiving and people didn't know who she really was. When she felt vulnerable, she pushed people away. It's difficult to let your insecurities be known and to become vulnerable to critisism. Dr. Phil questioned her, 'what's so wrong about this and that', 'do you feel you're the only one who feels this way' 'does it do you any good to make yourself feel this way'. His encouragment: Know who you are, believe in yourself. We're all human, it's okay to be yourself, if someone doesn't except you as you are, move on. Think positive.
More often than not, our thoughts are the source of what we consider to be external problems. We unconsciously re-create unpleasent issues we learned at a young age, a part of 'the program'.
Why is it so easy to stay focused on negativities and flaws. Negative energy breads chaos, who needs it!
I also had a friend that revelled in negative energy. Her life seemed so powerless, always chaos and dispair. She would (what I called) 'draw others into her arena'. She felt safe to have others there with her, to **** and moan over frivilous events. More times than not, things she actualy had control over, but wouldn't listen to her own reasoning, much less anyone elses. Like you, I was a good listener.
Remember when you were a child, some rediculous thing had you terribly upset, you had an aweful frown on your face. Can you hear your mother saying, 'it takes less energy to smile than it does to frown' or, 'that's not a pretty face, keep that up and it'll freeze that way'... Haha, I hated hearing that.
a few quotes to think about:
"Strange as it may seem, life becomes serene and enjoyable precisely when selfish pleasure and personal success are no longer the guiding goals." Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi - "I believe hapiness and joy are the purpose of life. If we know that the future will be very dark or painful, then we lose our determination to live. Therefore, life is something based on hope. ...An innate quality among sentient beings, particularely among human beings, is the urge or strong feeling to encounter or experience happiness and discard suffering or pain. Therefore, the whole basis of human life is the experience of different levels of happiness. Achieving or experiencing happiness is the purpose of life" Dalai Lama - "When we are stuck on a problem, what keeps us from acting for change is either a lack of information, or that we have been wounded in our sense of personal power on an issue, or that there is no system in place that enables us to move the issue forward. I open up a door for...people to move beyond their grief, guilt, and powerlessness...to active dreaming and creating of their own contributions." Fran Peavey - THE FRAME
"The most important thing in art is The Frame. For painting; literally; for other arts; figuratively--because, without this humble apppliance, you can't know where The Art stops and The Real World begins. You have to put a 'box' around it because otherwise, what is that sh*t on the wall?" Frank Zappa - "Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you." Aldous Huxley - "We write in the moment. ...Watch yourself. Every minute we change. It is a great opportunity" Natalie Goldberg - "To do things beautifully, to handle ugly problems beautifully, with a deep regard for the sacredness of the human status--that is the Divinity in each of us." Pir Vilayat Khan - "The bigger the bag, the less the energy. Some people have by nature more energy than others, but we all have more than we can possibly use. Where did it go?...When a woman puts her masculinity into the bag, or rolls it up and puts it into a can, she loses energy with it. So we can think of our personal bag as containing energy now unavailable to us. If we identify ourselves as uncreative, it means we took our creativity and put it into the bag." Robery Bly - "Maintaining an attitude of playfulness may at first seem inappropriate for problem solving, but intuitive problem solving is basically a creative process, and is more easily activated when critical judgment is suspended." Frances E. Vaughan - "Dream to touch the stars, live to touch your dreams" Author Unknown
Cher.
[ June 09, 2002, 03:10 PM: Message edited by: Cheryl Lucas ]
-------------------- Co-Host: SANDCASTLE Panel Jam 'a Dixie Letterhead Reunion' Fort Myers, Florida
Cheryl Lucas a/k/a "Shag" on mIRC Vital Signs & Graphics, Etc. Cape Coral, Florida 239-574-4713 VSignsNgraphics@aol.com Posts: 987 | From: Cape Coral, FL USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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Donna, I totally know what you mean about Cody. I stay at home with Amber. I quit a good paying job with a very big software company to do so. Sometimes I feel guilty because I am always dragging her in the garage and not doing things with her. But when I sit back and look at the whole picture, I really think she enjoys me dragging her into the sign stuff.
Everytime I have dropped off a sign or someone picks one up she gets so mad, "Mommy, that's your sign" or "Mommy, don't forget your sign!"
I also know what you mean about the actually sleepign good part. You think by the time they are teenagers they will sleep through the night?
Robert and I have plans drawn to build an almost 1000 sq.ft gargage/shop in the near future hopefully so we can stay here and I can continue to make my own hours.
As for Amber, she's off to pre-school three mornings a week soon. Her 3rd birthday is Sunday. Man time flies!
And the hugs and smiles and "I Love You Mommy's" are worth every bit of being broke. I wouldn't change a thing.
[ June 10, 2002, 09:16 AM: Message edited by: Amy Brown ]
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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Donna, great topic...anytime!!! Your goals sure led to a very satisfying place.
I have to fight pessimism at times, my son has given me real life lessons in optimism...as in skiing and mt.biking...."look where you want to go, not at the bad spots"... it works!
Def. of a REAL pessimist....re:...my cup is half empty vs half full...."hey, who pi**ed in my cup!!!"
John / BTG
-------------------- John Lennig / Big Top Sign Arts 5668 Ewart Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada bigtopya@hotmail.com 604.451.0006 Posts: 2184 | From: Burnaby, British Columbia,Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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Donna, Thanks for the inspiring word and making this post. All the positive input was great too! I have always tried to be positive in my outlook and not concentrate on the negative. But I can see the need for improvement in some areas...thanks for setting me on the right track! Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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