When you are lonely
I wish you love.

When you are down
I wish you joy.

When you are troubled
I wish you peace.

When things are complicated
I wish you simple beauty.

When things are chaotic
I wish you inner peace.

When things looks empty
I wish you hope.

- Author Unknown

Being able to stay at a high level of performance on a continuing basis is difficult for the majority of the population. It’s important to have the right mindset in order to stay at a high level of living day in and day out. There are certain mental techniques that you can use.

1. Make sure you are keeping yourself fit. Get out and exercise. This will enable you to deal with both mental and physical stress that may come your way.

2. Eat high quality foods. By eating right and healthy, your body will get the proper nutrients for physical and mental health.

3. Do deep breathing. Our blood supply needs constant oxygen that will energize our bodies and minds. This will insure that our bodies get the energy it needs and keep our lungs healthy too.

4. Do mental training. Meditation and self-hypnosis as well as visualization help to calm a stressed mind and to develop focus and awareness. The more you’re able to train your mind on a regular basis, the easier it will be to access that calm state whenever you need it.

5. Stay optimistic. Having a positive mindset is important for continued high level performance. Being around positive people will help you too.

6. Have positive goals. Having goals that you can stay focused on will help you stay focused on the task at hand and provide a target to aim for.

7. Do some extreme self-care. Taking care of you first is important for recovery. You’ve done some of it in the other steps. It’s important to take some down time. This recovery period will help raise your performance level when you are taking action.

© 2011 by Bob Choat

About the Author: Bob Choat, MS, CH.t., CTNLP, NASM-CPT does Peak Performance Coaching & Training and also works as personal trainer in Southern California. His training in hypnosis, psychology, and fitness enables him to best help in both mind and body towards complete fitness. He has a Masters in Psychology and degrees in business and leadership. He also completed leadership training from Rapport Leadership International and the U.S. Marines. www.HypnoMindPower.com

“Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you! ”

Christian D. Larson -

New Thought Leader

Whatever the goal we’re pursuing,

no matter how rugged the climb,

we’re certain to get there

by trying our best,

and taking one day at a time.

“Forever” is hard to imagine,

“the future” may seem, far away-

but every new dawn

brings a wonderful chance

to do what we can on that day.

by Emily Matthews

When you have to put up with mean people
Think of them as sandpaper.
They may scratch you,
Rub you the wrong way
But eventually…

YOU end up smooth & polished.

And the sandpaper…?
It´ll be worn out & ugly!

Makes you think, doesn´t it?

Never lose sight of who you are,
because you are the best thing
God ever created!
Embrace the gift.

Eyes:
Will always see you for the way you really are, your true self.

Ears:
Will always have them open to listen.

Mouth:
To always tell you the truth and give their opinions, tell you when you
mess up or do something good.

Shoulder:
Will offer when you need one to cry on, will be your strength when you
find it hard to carry yourself. Will always let you lean on them.

Heart:
To love you for who you are and not judge, Will always have a place there
for you.

Hands:
To hold yours when you need a little guidance, to lend when you need
help, and to help you up when you may fall.

Arms:
Will always make you feel comfortable in them and to offer hugs when you
need one. Will try to warm when you are cold.

Feet:
To walk with you throughout your life and be the best friend they can be.

A time to give your heart to everyone
Freely, like a rich and lavish sun,
Like a burning star to those whose lonely sighs.

For those who show the need of such a time for love and fun.
For children first, whose pain is never done,
whose bright white fire of anguish never dies.

It’s time to give your heart to every one,
That not one angel fall, to hatred won
For lack of ears to listen to her cries,
Or arms to carry him towards love and fun,

Or friends to care what happens on the run
To adult life, where joy or sadness lies.
It’s time to give your heart to everyone,

For God loves all, and turns His back on none,
good or twisted, ignorant or wise.

Christmas is a time for love and fun,
A time to give your heart to everyone.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days, weeks and months passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall!

This is good; I’ll never look at my hands the same!

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She
didn’t move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I
sat down beside her she didn’t acknowledge my presence and the longer
I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her
at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and
looked at me and smiled. “Yes, I’m fine, thank you for asking,” she
said in a clear voice strong.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here
staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,” I
explained to her.

“Have you ever looked at your hands,” she asked. “I mean really looked
at your hands?”

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over,
palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at
my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story: “Stop and think for a moment
about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout
your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been
the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace
life.

“They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the
floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my
mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled
on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off
to war.

“They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were
uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with
my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved
someone special. They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook
when I buried my parents and spouse.

“They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and
shook in fists of anger when I didn’t understand.

“They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed
the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken,
dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me
works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again
continue to fold in prayer.

“These hands are the mark of where I’ve been and the ruggedness of
life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach
out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me
to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of
Christ.”

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God
reached out and took my grandma’s hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my
children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked
and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my
face.

When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you
and watch God’s answer to prayer work in your life. Let’s continue
praying for one another.

The Gift of Consideration
Putting yourself in the other’s shoes and
thus providing your genuine understanding
of his side of the case.

The Gift of Concession
Humbly saying at just the right point,
“I am sorry, you are right and I am wrong.”

The Gift of Gratitude
Never forgetting to say “Thank You”
and never failing to mean it.

The Gift of Attention
When the other fellow speaks, listen attentively.
If his words are directed to you
personally, meet his eye squarely.

The Gift of Inspiration
Plant seeds of courage and action
in the other person’s heart.

The Gift of Personal Presence
In sickness, in trouble, or in great joy,
there is nothing quite equal to your
personal expression of sympathy or
congratulations. Resolve to give these gifts
each day. You will be pleasantly surprised
at what you will receive in return.