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Our passion is something of pure beauty. It sits inside our soul waiting minutes and hours of our days to be unleashed, to be acknowledged, to be released. It's not something people think about on a daily basis-how to unleash their life's passions rather people are thinking about walking the dog, meeting a deadline, making it on time to a spinning class. While there is nothing wrong with our every routine-is their passion making its way into our daily lives?
Do we feel passionate about work? Passionate about our interpersonal relationships? Passionate about a hobby? A new form of exercise? Trying to cook new foods? Trying out new experiences and facing fears? Passion is defined as, "strong and barley controllable emotion." This definition indicates that a person doesn't have to experience it every moment of everyday, but there is a passion inside all of us to release. It can drive us to commit to our lives tasks, our friends, our work, our hobby's with a bit more spark. It can unleash opportunity within ourselves to grow, to live, to love. Passion should never be underestimated rather one should submit to emotion, to feeling something authentic, and to following passion to positive self-growth. Find Something You are Passionate About Unleash it and Run with It PCR  Have you ever taken the jumping photo? The photo where the photographer says "1, 2,3" and everyone jumps in the air. This can be with an individual or a group and it creates so many smiles as it is super fun. It takes a few times to get it or maybe the photographer even gets it on the first shot. Some people can get their feet off the ground quickly up in the air with their legs to their side doing a fun move. Some slightly lift themselves off the ground and it's slightly visible in the photo. Some it takes a few tries before that big jump and they resemble everyone else in the photo.
If you haven't tried the "jumping photo-" make sure to try it. While this jumping photo is fun and carefree, it can be less carefree in the real world. Human behavior of the average person demonstrates daily efforts to jump "high." People exercise significant efforts into their jump. They want to get that promotion, learn Spanish, be a great parent, be a great yoga instructor, make a sales quota, etc. One achieving their goals can relate to jumping high in their efforts towards success. Although among the human spectrum, people don't all jump at the same levels just like the photo. Some people just can't make it that high and this can impact everyone differently. A person may feel inferior, sadness, disappointment, fear with not jumping as high as their co-worker, their friend, a family member. On the other hand, a person can experience acceptance, awareness, contentment with the fact that they just jump at their own level. While Stan can become a CEO, Derrick might be working as a Customer service representative because he just can't jump as high. The point to highlight is that "Its' Okay." It's okay to not be the highest jumper as long as you are putting in that effort and trying your best. Everyone has different environments, upbringing, genetics, experiences, psychological minds, and thoughts/ feelings. It's not about the physical strength rather it's about the human character, experience, and purpose/intention/passion. In fact, the definition of the word jump has different synonyms to compare leap, spring, bound, and hop. Throughout life a person may have different types of jumps based off their experiences. A person can leap when they take a new job in Houston. A person can hop through their baby being born. A person can spring with a new relationship. It's not all or nothing. A person can have days of jumping high and other days of jumping low. One can also fall down from a jump and scrape their knee, but they get up and keep living. The harder the fall, the higher chance of a greater recovery. It's our life efforts that make us stronger and keep us going. Your jump is what you make of it and intentional purpose and effort placed into your jumps can create a successful, happy, and healthy life. You can be your best self You can Soar And then you can fly PCR  Image provided by Tumbler  When it comes to travel, I'm not the only one with an adventurous craving for wanderlust. Along for the ride are some amazing solo female travelers who are taking the world by storm. Whether it is having a fantastic blog, a incredible blog, a Youtube channel, a business, a brand- all followed by pure passion. These women are smart entrepreneurs as they turn their travel lifestyle into a 9-5 workday. It's inspiring to see woman with such ambition and getting recognized/sponsored for trips by top magazines and brands. These women prove that travel has endless possibilities sharing their adventure videos, how to posts, galleries of photos, and letting each person know-It's a real world and it's possible-Make it happen. Everyday is a learning experience and a person can learn solo travel by facing their fears and heading out on that open road with a one way ticket and a backpack. World Hold On Because These Women Rock! A New York Native Slowly and Surely Exploring the World www.alexinwanderland.com    A Nashville native journalist and writer sharing her VIP travel life and writing accomplishments. http://www.camelsandchocolate.com/  A blonde from California showing blondes how to have fun through travel, fashion, and fun informational videos. www.theblondeabroad.com  Groups of bloggers of all ages and countries providing travel stories and tips. http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/  A Hippy lover of India's travels glamour and secrets of travel http://hippie-inheels.com/  A Korean photographer, engineer, and astronomy lovers journeys looking for a special place to call home http://runawayjuno.com/  A vegan, Portuguese girl traveling for 16 years around the world http://www.heartofavagabond.com/  " A small town Ohio girl out to see the world." http://www.dangerous-business.com/ The list above is my Top 10 favorite, but the good news is that you can find more great blogs on "Top Solo Female Travel Bloggers to Follow in 2015"
It's an observation that people have different levels of spirit depending on the place they choose to be during the Christmas season. Some people make the most of Christmas everywhere they go and some crave their home environment to fulfill their Christmas spirit. It's the memories of home and the conditioning of the home environment overtime that leaves an individual to feel the spirit of Christmas. The special ornaments from childhood, Mom's home cooking, laughing with cousins over silly things, eating Grandma's famous Christmas cookies, receiving that yearly sweater in a new color. It makes it feel like Christmas and makes the spirit at home.
A person relies on that comfort of Christmas each year, but what happens when your spirit isn't at home and it wonders elsewhere. Those who have lost family members, experience Christmas outside a materialistic mindset, feel disconnection in spirit, and crave something outside of what they know. Those who feel that religion takes priority over the gifts and finds peace with the tru meaning of Christmas. The spirit of Christmas can be connected with the beauty of ritual, sacrifice, and giving spirit. The Christmas religious meaning celebrated in different cultures is what truly can make a spirit come alive. It's what can make a person come alive, open up their eyes to his beauty, feel authentic generosity rather than forced by culture, and to come closer to Christ. It's to highlight that the Christmas spirit can come alive outside of home and repetition. A person may not feel like American culture is the home of their Christmas spirit. It may feel like something is missing not being out in a world where Christmas feels so alive. It does not discredit the beauty of religion anywhere, but it just acknowledges that a spirit can long for somewhere else. A spirit can feel empty without family and find their family in the world. Home can be where the spirit lies or perhaps one doesn't know how a spirit can flourish with a religious touch, new place, new people, and taking a risk to let the Lord in and learn cultures outside our own. Nowadays there are all kinds of definitions to the word "work" "fame," and "success.
Without spending years and years pursuing an education or mastering your gifts whether being a doctor, a teacher, restaurant owner, etc; one can build their internet success by superman/woman networking and making a brand for themselves through youtube. Youtube has become a platform to allow the talented, the awkward, the funny, the skilled, the singers, the actors, the dancers- to all have a space where they can share their ideas, opinions, intelligence, humor, religion, music and more with the world. In other worlds, Youtube has changed the lives of many people for the better by serving as not only a networking platform, but a full-time career. Youtube has become an employer for those who make videos for a living and those, i.e. Jenna Marbles and Casey Neistat who make videos daily and get paid based off their views and success of their videos. While people can make the choice to continue their job and follow their educational track, others immerse themselves into the world of You tube From someone who is entering the You tube world with her own channel, it now comes to my attention how much work it takes to start a channel. Many people think, "Oh what an easy life sitting back and making videos for a living." To be quite honest, I was one of those people with envy of these people traveling the world, kids playing xbox, karaoke videos, and getting paid. It didn't quite make sense to me until I realized that "Youtube makes You work for It." It's not about just making a video rather it's about what is behind the scenes of Making a video. There are about fifty different elements contributing to a successful video and it usually involves building subscribers, contributing to community and posting on channels, making videos appeal to audience consistently, and most importantly editing the video. Some may be more of an expert at editing, but most of the people I know have worked hard to learn how to properly do it and even when you learn to do it. It still takes a significant amount of time editing a 20 minute video. It's important to give props to those successful youtubers who have excellent videos because their editing is superb and keeps your attention. A ammateur video can be easily spotted and most likely is not leading to You Tube being your employer. Even to make a blog post, it takes time, but constantly keeping up with social networking, promoting, and building your network-takes a lot of work. Some great Youtube travelers mention that they work on their channel or blog everyday-all day and it's a "neverending process." While it seems hard to believe that this "Youtube"video making world can become a 9-5 job, I am writing to confirm that it definitely can be. It's an ongoing job that doesn't even end at 5pm! I give such credit to all the hardworking travelers who are doing a fantastic job with their creative videos, posts, and writing. I hope to be soon moving past the blog world and into the Youtube world. COME FLY WITH PRIS SUBSCRIBE "Why did you file it by number, you should do alphabetically."
"The deadline is tomorrow and I still don't have the documents." "If you keep working like this, you are never going to be promoted." Do any of these statements sound something like the workplace? It may be your own workplace, a friends, your significant others, or your son/daughter. Often, a person is craving some praise and positive reinforcement, but all they experience is criticism with a dash of constructive. It can be a workplace full of productivity, but a lack of positivity when it comes to those higher up the ladder. While it's important to stay positive and note that the workplace environment has it's many positive elements. For many, there is a lack of positive praise for the employee and this results in decreased work morale and feelings of guilt for not performing to the standard required. A person may feel that they are never doing good enough even when they are putting their best foot forward. They are taking directives effectively, acting proactively, staying on timely deadlines, establishing positive rapport with clients/students/patients/etc, and handling stress appropriately. There are a variety of factors contributing to how well a person performs and the critique by manager/supervisor/co-worker can sometimes make or break a person. A person may be driven and competitive to achieve, succeed, and become better. Another person may feel strained from the feeling of "Not Being Good Enough." Whether it's being not great with numbers, bad at tennis, disliked by your in laws-a person goes through enough of feeling "not good enough" in their own lives. It is unnecessary to experience this in the workplace on a regular basis. The morale goes down leaving people to feel "Not Good Enough." Overtime, the feeling of guilt, sadness, and disappointment can be internalized resulting in decreased productivity. So, what is the good news to this message. YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!!!! No matter what the manager or co-workers says, "You are good enough." The key factor is "effort." If you are putting your best foot forward everyday and giving it your all then "You are Good Enough."If you are coming with a smile, a willingness to work, to learn, to contribute, to cooperate-"You are Good Enough." It's often that those in a higher up position are projecting their feelings onto you. It's important to realize that no matter what this person says or does, "You are Good Enough" and You are a shining star who has gifts to offer the world. Perhaps you are in a position that is not purposeful or is not a good fit, you may not have many good days. Still, if you are putting in the effort, "You are Good Enough." You are a shining star who is a blessed and gifted individual. "If you Believe, You Will Acheive." "If you work hard, you will live strong and bountiful." Let yourself flourish past negativity into a positive mindset and healthy lifestyle. It's your turn to shine. It's your responsibility to remind yourself of your beauty within and that "You are Good Enough" no matter what is spoken, perceived, or heard. We are blessed. We are blessed with the ability to speak with our friends, families, co-workers about various topics i.e. relationships, technology, shopping, food, sports, fashion, travel, art etc. We share our opinions, our concerns, our doubts, our excitement, our passion, disappointment, achievements. They respond with appropriate non-verbal language-smiling, nodding, and open body language or a variety of negative responses-partially listening, pure distracted, bored, tired, repetitive stories of subject, lack of interest, intellectually not following, dislike the topic, waiting their turn to speak, and....just hearing words.
There are so many interactions that happen in a day and unless everyone is a therapist what motivates them to listen to it all? People pick and choose what they want to listen and react to and question/analyze. A thought or belief is triggered, a feeling is felt when we say something with confidence, when we are enthusiastic, when we challenge a belief, when we share a story, when we share....our voice.... Within our inner circle, people may become accustomed to a certain type of person. We get comfortable and stay in convenient social situations and work environments. We listen to our boss out of pure obligation. We listen to a friend out of obligation to friendship and being a good friend. Underneath the exterior and touching on the interior, there is a voice. For instance, Dana friendly, humorous, a good mother, a yoga lover, and the one who agrees with everyone. It's common for Dana to have her normal discussions about her routine and fun hobbies, but when she speaks about politics. She does just that-speaking with people partially listening or joking. Dana is also involved in a verbally abusive relationship controlled by her husband who is rarely even home. She mentions how many women have common problems and wants to start a group, but they focus on the exterior-a rich good looking man. Dana insincerely agrees, but inside Dana has a voice that she is not being utilized. Dana is speaking, but no one is hearing her voice..... Our voice is something that is found deep inside of us and it has a tone, a message, a type of delivery to leave an impact on another human being. Our voice is often hindered by those speaking around us. If Dana confidently discussed her marriage group, shared the idea, and gave it credibility. Her friends may respond differently or ask questions to learn more. Her voice could come alive rather than be hidden within a "fun, great, fortunate" life. Instead of just being a housewife with a great life-she would have a voice to help women speak up about their marriage problems. Other situations: a wife can truly speak up about how she feels rather than living in the same routine not pursuing her dream to be a teacher. A homosexual man is constantly hiding his real sexuality and he has a voice to speak up and come out proud A boy is constantly being told to play sports, but he has a passion for music. He has a voice to speak up about his interests, talents ,and abilities. A woman of domestic violence is silenced for years. She has a voice of value to share her story with others. Our voice can have value with a strong tone and meaning within our voice. That is where the tone of our voice comes in with true importance. When you speak and act in a passive manner-the voice may not be delivered properly. When you speak with inner confidence, enthusiasm, passion, heart, and purpose-this inner voice shines and it has value. It gives your own voice value and it is valued by others. Perhaps, Dana will now speak about her marriage in depth rather than superficially. She may teach her friends about the common marriage myths or the noticeable changes in behavior. Everyone has learning experiences that contribute to our personal growth and our own story. Our story, our purpose, and passion presents the opportunity to share our voice. How it impacted us? What it meant to us? How to cope with it? How to find a solution? How to fight for a cause? The voice can educate, but it can also create a tremendous amount of hope, empowerment, and strength. People will try to silence your voice, but your voice has value. Even with opposition, keep speaking and allow the voice to breathe, share, and express your true self. It's your time to Let Your Voice Have It's Earned Value PCR A voice....Bold, but not Overconfident Assertive, but not Controlling Insightful, but not Brilliant Humble, but not Arrogant Elevated, but not Loud PCR In my final Toastmasters speech for this series my speech was titled "Celebrate You.
It started with a birthday song to laugh and smile about the big moments and then highlighted those small moments in life that matter. Instead of sweating the small stuff, we need to celebrate the small stuff that we do. If you sign up for a yoga class and you can never stand on one foot and one day it finally happens-celebrate! If you are always five minutes late for work, but on Friday you finally make it there on time-celebrate! If you miss the first half of your son's soccer game and you race from work early to get there the next time and do-celebrate! When we celebrate ourselves with enthusiasm, passion, and give praise- we are reminding ourselves that we are doing something good. As we know, it's common to focus on the bad rather than good. Therefore, let the good have it's moment to shine, smile inside and out, pat yourself on the back, give yourself an award, shout out the word "Yes", get excited, feel alive and be present. Be present and mindful of the moment and how you have done something well-how it feels, what do you hear, who was around you, and what was special about it. When the senses connect with the experience, it gives a greater ability to internalize allowing one to recall this feeling from before and repeat the positive behavior again. Can this moment possibly turn into a memory? A memory that may lead to increasingly positive moments of praise? It is definitely possible with consistency and acknowledging these small moments that happen within our daily schedules and lives. We don't necessarily need the assistance of a therapist to celebrate what is going right with our behavior and life choices. We just need to have a deeper connection to what is going right and how do we keep that enthusiasm, that passion, that spark, and that celebration of a beautiful behavioral moment. The big moments come and go, but the small moments continue day by day and these are ones we have to tune in, discover our motivation, and desire to do well. WHAT ARE YOU CELEBRATING TODAY? We have come to a time of "technology overload." The social networking revolution has made it's attempts to compete with my passionate principles about psychology, but it lost. I came to my senses and have disappeared for three years with random guest appearances to the comfortable home of my many friends and followers. The world continues it's love affair with tweets, tumbles, faces, and books. The writing world, especially publishers, encourage you to get on social networking and promote yourself. If you have a business, promote your services. When you want to share that significant, intimate piece of your life, face book is your space to do it.
While technology provides a space, it also creates a platform. A platform to bring attention to ourselves in the best ways, the worst ways, or the neutral ways. It's always available as a platform to meet new people, tag more friends, select more "likes", and have a supporter from close and afar. It is the platform that people respond to with by having followers and being a "socialite" in your own right and space. We have a platform available to reach our "success." The amazing qualities are proven in the tech world, but what happened to our own "organic platform?" Our own "organic platform" stems from the flowers that are blossoming within ourselves. We have our own personality traits, strengths, and abilities that can be shared interpersonally. It's not about having a thousand friends and having twenty who truly understand your passion behind your business. It's not about the number of friends to indicate you have a successful book. It's about utilizing what we already know and promoting ourselves. Book signings, conventions for a small business, home gatherings to promote a new product, or giving out free DVDs, products, brochures. We can't underestimate how resourceful, persistent, and eager we are when we are sharing our passion. A social platform does not have to be in cyber world to show everyone that "You've arrived." It needs to be in the place it has been all this time-in your heart and in your own human actions and behavior. You have the potential to build your own platform "successfully" with that definition being created by you. The cyber world has it's amazing benefits, but it doesn't have to make you shine by numbers. Lets yourself shine with real people and your real self-not the outside noise that tells you to follow what everyone is doing. Use social media if you like, but make sure to place your organic platform in first place. Can you stand tall without your social networking platform? You can and you will and you shall..... PCR |
AuthorPriscilla CL Raj is a Therapist, Missionary, Writer, English Teacher. She is an enthusiast who is passionately purposeful in her life. Archives
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