I have been honored to be nominated for the Best Kept Secret Award . This is not about me, but others. My goal is to help others achieve constant growth and, through our shared experience, continue forward together on this amazing journey called life. Be it diet, exercise, lifestyle choices, or just simply feeling better about one’s self, we all need to work together and support each other while we evolve. Hopefully I can live up to getting a bit of attention and use it for the greater good to serve as inspiration along with those that are on their own journeys towards a healthier lifestyle.

  Some words to reflect on as you take a ride on your journey:
 

 

 

A helping hand can teach you a lot about yourself

How often do you find yourself figuring out ways to grow?

We all have dreams and goals.

But, what if that’s all wrong? What if all this “me, me, me” is slowing hampering your progress?

What if you could stop thinking about yourself so much and start spending time helping others?

Khalil Gibran quotes, “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It’s when you give of yourself that you truly give.”

So true!

Research shows that focusing on helping others helps us learn a great deal about ourselves.

Doing Good Does Us Good

Further research has found plenty of examples of how doing good feels good and does you good, too.

For example, volunteering provides many well-being and depression-lowering benefits.

There’s even neural evidence out there that suggests a link between happiness and generosity in your brain. For instance, donating money to a charity close to your heart activates the same areas of your brain that respond to monetary rewards.

What’s more, it’s been discovered that helping other people be happy, helps us be happy.

This is the biggest and the most important lesson I’ve learned about myself from helping others.

But, there have been a few other things I’ve learned along the way.

Doing Good Feels Great

It’s been said already but doing good makes me feel great. By helping others, I feel better about myself. Seeing someone smile or tears of joy fills my heart.

Karma Really Does Go Both Ways

Too often, we think of karma in a negative way. If you do bad, bad comes knocking at your door.

But, it works the other way, too. I find that when I help other people, good things seem to happen.

You may not subscribe to the idea of a universe that rewards good deeds and intentions, yet there’s something to be said about how helping other people has changed my perspective.

When I help others, I feel better about myself, and I find that it increases the chances of my next experience being a good one.

Helping Others Fosters Gratitude

Helping other people brings a deep appreciation of all that you have in life. When I help others, I’m reminded of what really matters. I notice the smaller moments or things that bring me joy.

You Don’t Have to be Anything Sensational

When I help people, I don’t feel the pressure to be anything special. I don’t need to think about how I dress, how I look, how witty I am. I don’t even need anything fascinating to talk about.

I just need an open heart and the willingness to connect with another person. To care. To lift them up for a little while and let them know I am there for them.

Something for Something

Whenever I’ve helped someone, they’ve helped me in some way. It’s the basic, unspoken agreement of quid pro quo or something for something.

It’s so much easier to find help when someone knows you’re likely to do the same for them. It seems that when you help enough people, it’s given back when it’s most needed.

So, how can you start helping others so that you can begin a journey towards growth and self-awareness?

Here are my 3 ideas.

3 Ways You Can Start Helping Others Now

1. Pay It Forward

You’ve heard of the concept of pay it forward, haven’t you? Help a random strange. Do something for someone else. That’s what it’s all about. Whether you pay for the guy behind you in Starbucks’ coffee, or you cover a table’s bill at a restaurant without asking for anything in return, go out there and pay it forward today.

2. Help Someone You Know

Whether you offer to babysit your niece, lend a little time to your friend who’s moving, or give someone a ride somewhere, doing something for a person you know will make you feel great and, quid pro quo, plant seeds for later should you need help.

3. Volunteer Time

There are so many organizations and groups in every community that need people to help keep their programs running. This is a great way to help others. You get to pick a cause you genuinely care about and help in a way that is most impactful to you.

These are just 3 ideas. The ways you can help others are endless.

It’s about shifting your mindset from self-service to helping other people. Take baby steps.

You’ll be amazed at how helping others will help you get ahead in life with a positive attitude and a massive happiness boost!

 

“If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them.”
-Dalai Lama

 

Let’s help each other! Follow my journey here at marksalinas.com

 

Image: Pexels

 

 

Time for a life adjustment? Here’s what you can focus on right now.

 

You and I have something in common: we both want to improve our lives and be the best versions of ourselves we can be.

But, how many people do you know that have lived their lives pretty much the same way forever?

I know plenty.

Let me tell you something: you are capable of making big transformations. Think along the lines of significant, lasting changes that you can work on right now.

You’ve got to be prepared to step beyond your current life and embrace new habits to focus on what you can change now. In other words, to create the kind of life you want, you have to change something you do each day.

It is up to us to be true to ourselves. To be authentic. It ought to be your life’s mission to express yourself boldly and to love the you that you create.

How? It’s not as difficult as you think. Let’s forget about the past and what you can’t change – it’s done. It’s over.

Let’s focus on right now and what you can change to start living the best version of you.

8 Actionable Tips for Focusing on What You Can Change

1. Speak Your Truth and Don’t Hold Back

How often has someone told you that honesty doesn’t win fans?

Forget about that right now!

The friends, influences, and acquaintances you make by speaking your truth are the ones you want in your tribe.

I’m going to put this out there right now: honesty is the key to success. Without honesty and being able to speak your truth, the ability to perform, and to do so with confidence, simply cannot exist.

2. Focus on Influence

You have the power to influence circumstances and people. Yet, you can’t force things to go the way you want them to. For instance, you can give your child the tools he or she needs to get great grades, but you can’t make them an A+ student. Or, you can plan a killer party, but you can’t force people to enjoy it. To have the most influence, you need to focus on changing your own behavior. Start by being a good role model and set healthy boundaries just for yourself. Don’t try to fix everyone else.

3. Savor the Small Things

Research shows that you have it in you to boost deep happiness and improve performance and motivation. You just have to find what works for you right now.

4. Make a List of Goals

Do you want to start a new career? Start your own business? Buy a house? Get married? Move out of town?

Write down everything you want for yourself and set a few timelines.

This is a great way for you to see what even a little planning can do when it comes to focusing on what you can change.

5. Face Your Fears

Believe it or not, by facing your fears, you open up a world of new possibilities. I have fears. Plenty of them. They don’t disappear overnight, but they do become far less important, allowing you to live the life you’re supposed to live.

6. Dump the Perfectionism

Perfect does not exist. Dump it. Ease up on yourself.

There’s nothing wrong with making mistakes or being wrong, provided you’re willing to make corrections.

It comes back to speaking your truth and being yourself, warts and all. Let everyone know the real you.

We’re all imperfect, and we know we have flaws.

Worried about what others will think? That’s a fear I know you can face head-on, just the way you can focus on your influence and changing your behavior.

7. Develop Healthy Affirmations

Do you have a “just do it” attitude? Or, maybe you’ve tried to “make it happen?”

Well, let me tell you this: “you’re worth it!”

Create a few phrases you can use every day to remind yourself to relax or take action. It will help to remind you that you can change your today’s and tomorrows to live your best life.

8. Get Moving

You can’t change your life overnight unless you take action now. Get up. Go out there and do just one thing right now that will have a positive impact on your life.

Take a walk. Go shopping for that engagement ring. Research new careers.

Do one thing right now and you’ll be on your way to changing your life in no time.

Don’t Forget to Lighten Up!

The same way you’re dumping perfectionism today (you are, right?), let your inner child out. Find the time and fun for more laughter.

With these tips, you can practice being more mindful, present and having more fun while taking action to live your best and most honest life.

You owe it to yourself.

 

“I Want to Live Not just Survive.”

 

Follow me on my journey to change at marksalinas.com

 

Image: Pixabay

 

Gratitude has ample positive effects on life

 

It changes lives. That is the incredible power of gratitude. Notice the Good. Always.

How do you practice gratitude? How exactly can you train your brain to choose a path of gratefulness? Especially if you’ve been negative for far too long.

It’s actually a simple answer: you look towards your authentic feelings. You accept your challenges and fears rather than turning away.

That might be a simple answer, but it’s also daunting, isn’t it?

You’ve got to start by acknowledging every emotion minus judgment.

Spending your energy on things that don’t go your way overshadows all the things in your daily life that bring you an appreciation for this life.

According to Robert Emmons, a UV Davis psychologist and a world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, contrasting present times with negative times in the past can make you feel happier and enhance your well-being.

Emmons teaches that an attitude of gratitude is vital, especially in times of crises. Gratitude builds up a sort of psychological immune system to cushion potential falls. It helps you gain a positive perspective as you cope with whatever challenges you may face.

 

Defeatist Club

If you belong to the defeatist club and are one for focusing on the negatives, it’s time to cancel that membership.

Maybe challenge yourself to a path of gratitude? Stop those negative patterns of thought and flip your life around with a positive way of thinking?

Why?

When you’re grateful about things, you’re not stuck in anxiety or fear. You’re happier. You’re healthier. You sleep better. You take action. You focus on what you can change now. Look backward only if you want to go backward.

Stressful situations seem less stressful. You can even recover quicker when there are blips.

Gratitude even makes you friendlier! Studies have found that people who regularly practice gratitude are more empathetic, kinder, and supportive.

Ready to get grateful?

Harnessing Your Gratitude Every Day

The same way you take time out for your workouts, to do the shopping, or even grab a coffee, I want you to dedicate a little time to develop an attitude of gratefulness. Here are a few steps to get you started.

1. Write It Down

Make the effort to write down 5 things you are grateful for every day. It can be anything, from being grateful for waking up on a sunny morning to getting that report in at work on time. Think of the simple things, like what brought you happiness today.

2. Stop Complaining

Set a new pattern for yourself by going one whole day without a single complaint. Go out of your way to find one good thing amongst a bunch of negative things and see how transformed and motivated you feel.

3. Be Direct with Your Gratitude

Pick someone who has positively influenced your life and give them a call or write them a letter. Thank them for inspiring you along your path.

Vary the Way You Express Gratitude

You don’t want your new ways to become a chore, so vary the ways in which you express your gratefulness. For instance, keep a journal one month and then the next month write to someone who has inspired you.

By shaking things up, you will continue to enhance your happiness and expand your path.

You’ve Got This

Some of the happiest people in the world come from the humblest of backgrounds. Yet, they’re grateful for what they have and they’re simply happy. Gratitude is really something any of us can do, no matter our situations, pasts, and circumstances.

Best of all, the brain is wired to reward gratitude. So, when you practice gratitude, it activates the brain’s reward center, leading you to look for more happiness. Gratitude releases serotonin and dopamine – those feel-good brain chemicals. The more you’re rewarded like this, the more you’re likely to continue on a path of gratitude, and the more reward you will gain.

I “can” and will.” Work on improving your self-doubt, get rid of vocabulary like “won’t” and can’t” and start changing your life for the better.

Gratitude has positive effects on your physical, mental, social, emotional, and psychological health.

What more reason do you need to start being grateful? Get started today.

Thank you for reading!

 

Follow me along my journey at marksalinas.com

 

 

Image: Pixabay