Napoleon Hill said that, “Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination.” Nothing gets accomplished without them!
 
1.Patience:
You must be patient! Today we’re used to and expect things to happen immediately. We have remotes to operate our televisions, without getting up. We have cell phones so we can communicate anytime and anywhere. We can “instant message.” We can “tweet.” We can keep tabs on people all over the world and wherever we are, in pretty much real time. We aren’t used to waiting, but there are things that can’t be rushed.
 
You can’t accomplish your dreams overnight, it takes time. You want to lose weight. You want to make money. You’re building a business. You want to be healthy.  Whatever your goals are, it will take time to achieve. If you give up too early, you will never accomplish your goals! Be patient, good things are worth the wait!
 
2.Persistence:
You must be persistent! When the going gets tough, persistence will keep you going, even when you feel like quitting. Think about the rewards of achieving your goals. Have a strong “why,” to keep you motivated.
 
I love the story Napoleon Hill tells us in “Think and Grow Rich,” about R. U. Darby. Darby had “gold fever” and struck out to make his fortune. He staked a claim and found gold. He didn’t have enough money to buy the equipment he needed, so he went back home and convinced his friends and family to help him buy the equipment. He went back to the mine and at first found a lot of gold, but after a time the gold dried up. He was completely discouraged and sold his equipment and his claim to a junk man. The junk man hired a mining engineer, who explained how gold veins run and told him to start digging only three feet from where Darby stopped. The junk man made millions! The morale of the story? Don’t give up too soon and when you hit a road block seek expert advice!
 
3.Perspiration:
Nothing can be accomplished without work! A goal is just wishful thinking, if you don’t work towards it. I know what you’re thinking. You watched the movie “The Secret” and they told you that if you want something, just think about it and you’ll get it. Unfortunately, that’s not the whole story. You must put in some elbow grease! There are infinite possibilities in the universe, but you must be open to them and you must do the work!
 
To start with, you must change how you think! If you want to be thin, think like a thin person. Follow someone who is thin and watch how they eat and what they do. If you start thinking, eating and exercising like they do you will lose weight. But if you just wish to become thin and don’t change any of your behaviors, nothing will change! I know there are a lot of thin people who seem to eat a lot, but what do they eat? Do they exercise? Are they always on the go? Look at the whole picture. You’re not with them 24/7 so you don’t know what else they do.
 
If you have your own business, but aren’t where you want to be, start looking at more successful people in your field and see what they’re doing differently! Find a mentor or a coach and change what you're doing!
 
If you’re having trouble changing your behaviors, meditate! Meditation has been shown to help people change behaviors and create a new reality. Pick one new habit and work on only that habit and when you have that beat, start working on something else. We often try to change too many things at one time and get overwhelmed and give up. Don’t give up, you’re worth it! Have someone hold you accountable. It’s much easier to stick to your plan when you have people in your life that encourage you and don’t accept your excuses!
 
If you haven’t read Napoleon Hill’s book, “Think and Grow Rich,” I highly recommend it! It’s the bible to creating change in both your personal and professional life. I also highly recommend you meditate!
 
If you’d like to study “Think and Grow Rich” in a group setting, check out the upcoming mastermind, Monday, February 6th, 2017, 7pm, on my events page.
 
Don’t forget to post comments. I would love to hear your stories!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Being a caregiver isn’t for the faint of heart! They have more emotional ups and down “then Carter has liver pills.” …I know I’m dating myself!
 
Emotions are information. They’re telling you something and you need to examine them to figure out what it is they’re telling you. Are you feeling sad or unhappy? Why? Do you feel out of control? Are you feeling sorry for yourself? What’s the cause?  Are you overwhelmed? Do you feel guilty?
 
Don’t ignore your emotions! When you do, you’re creating the equivalent of a volcano, and at an inappropriate time or situation you will explode! So, deal with your feelings before that happens!

• Figure out what your feelings are telling you.
• Is what you’re feeling accurate or appropriate?
• Look for solutions.
• Can you do anything about it?
• What can you do about it?

 
For example, the condition of the person you’re taking care of changes. Maybe you need to spend more time taking care of them. You can’t control the fact that they need more help, but you can control who takes care of them. Can you hire someone? If you can’t afford to hire someone, can another family member or even a friend, stop by to relieve you, or just to help? And for heaven’s sake, ask them! People typically won’t offer help. I know, it would be nice if they did, but they won’t! They assume that if you need help you’ll ask them, so go ahead and ask! Start thinking outside the box. Accept the situation, but think about things you can do to take some of the burden off yourself.
 
I don’t know about you, but I was raised to feel guilty about “everything!” As an adult, I’ve learned that guilt is very destructive. It’s self-imposed and typically not appropriate.  You may feel guilty that you’re healthy and the other person isn’t. You may feel guilty because you still want to do things and have a life. You may feel guilty because you’re not able to be there 24/7 or maybe you feel guilty because you resent being there 24/7. It’s perfectly normal to have these feelings! It does NOT make you a bad person! It makes you human! Work on letting go of guilt. Examine the reasons for it. See if you can find solutions and give yourself permission to have those feeling! They’re just feeling and the only person they can harm, if you feel guilty about them, …is you!
 
Caregivers often suffer from depression. Their life seems to be on hold. They’re overwhelmed and overburdened with things that they think must get done. But you know what? Not all of it has to get done! Prioritize and only do the necessities. Don’t stretch yourself too thin! Don’t be shy, ask for help! Have positive people in your life that you can turn to. And for goodness sake take time for yourself, and try to have some fun on a regular basis!  
 
Life can change at any given moment. You may think you have things under control, and suddenly, wham! There’s a new, unforeseen wrinkle thrown in the mix! When change occurs, you will most likely go through at least some of the five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Maybe the patient suddenly requires more care than before. You feel bad for them, but you may also grieve for yourself and the impact that it has on your life. This is perfectly normal! You’re allowed to "deny, be angry and depressed,"  but only for a short time. Don’t live there!
 
There are things you can do that will help you cope:

• Exercise: I know it can be difficult to find time to exercise, but exercise helps build strength, and helps to reduce anxiety and stress. Even if you only have time for a ten or fifteen-minute walk, do it! You’ll feel better and more relaxed.
  
  
• Meditate: Meditation is one of the best ways to achieve acceptance and peace. Meditate on a regular basis. I started meditating twice a day, in the morning and before bed and it makes a significant difference! I also highly recommend meditation for the patient as well, if they’re willing to try it. Studies have shown that meditation can help ease pain and promote healing. Meditation also helps with anxiety, depression and letting go of what you can’t control.
  
  
• Paying attention to your breath:  Throughout the day and especially when you’re anxious take several deep breaths through your mouth and out your nose. Notice the air temperature going in and out. Follow your breath from your nose to the bottom of your lungs and then follow it back out. This is very calming and can be done anytime and anywhere.
  
  
• Laugh: Laughter truly is the best medicine. Take a few minutes every day to just laugh. I remember Tony Robbins talk about an experiment where they took depressed people and made them look in the mirror and make the biggest smile possible. The exercise got the people laughing because they thought they looked silly, but it also helped to lift them out of their depression, almost immediately! You can’t be depressed when you’re smiling and laughing. It’s physically impossible!
  
  
• Focus on your body: Take time out to relax your body. Scan your body starting at your toes and notice the body parts that are tight and breathe into them and relax.

 
You don’t have to go on the rollercoaster alone! These are great tools to use, but sometimes professional help is needed! Don’t hesitate to talk to a professional. Being a caregiver isn’t easy. You need to take care of yourself or you won’t be able to take care of anyone else! And remember, regardless of the condition of the person you're caring for, you still deserve to be happy! 

You don't need to be a "caregiver" to relate, taking care of children can at times feel the same way. Please leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you and see how you're coping!

In 1983 Shirley MacLaine’s book “Out On A Limb” came out. By the way, she’s a very interesting lady!  I thought her stories about meditation were fascinating. She wrote about out of body experiences, and even being up in the mountains freezing and using meditation to get warm, by visualizing the sun warming her, and it worked! I wanted some of this!
 
Over the years I’ve dabbled with meditation, but for one reason or another I just couldn’t seem to stick with it. The first time I tried to meditate I kept thinking about all the things that I had to do. In my head, I wrote out my shopping list and to do list, and then I got annoyed. Why on earth was I just sitting here when there were things to be done? I was antsy and bored. After five minutes, and yes it was only five minutes even though it seemed more like an hour, I was done.
 
But I knew meditation was going to be good for me, so I persevered. I finally discovered Deepak Chopra’s meditations and could sit through the entire meditation. Progress!
 
I meditate most every day now, but there are times I still struggle to stay in the present moment and not let my thoughts wander, but I found the more often you meditate, the easier it is.  I’ve also discovered that Shirley MacLaine’s experiences aren’t unique. Using meditation people can heal themselves, create permanent behavioral changes, as well as raising their body temperature!
 
In December, I spent a weekend at one of Dr. Joe Dispenza’s workshops where we meditated throughout the day for three days.  If you don’t know about him, you need to check him out. http://www.drjoedispenza.com

Dr. Dispenza is a chiropractor, researcher, scientist and author. He healed himself using mediation and has done extensive research that shows that meditation consistently works to heal the body and create change. It was an amazing experience and if you get a chance to go to one of his workshops I highly recommend it!
 
I enjoyed the experience so much that I’m starting a meditation and support group with Paula Sabharwal PWP, PAI and Dr. Susan Raslovick, D.C. You can’t beat the mediation experience when you doing it in a group setting, so you won’t want to miss out on this unique opportunity, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced meditator! You’ll learn more about how to meditate, why it can be difficult when first starting out and suggestions to make the experience better. We’ll also learn more about Dr. Joe and his techniques, and how to obtain the results you want!
 
We’ll be conducting weekly meditation sessions at Dr. Raslovick's office, 376 Summerfield Court, Horsham, PA. We will be using Dr. Dispenza’s philosophies and meditation tools, the six-week session, Tap Into Your Inner "Genius," begins Tuesday, January 31st, 7pm. For those that would like to try it out. Please join our weekly Awaken to Your Inner "Genius" Meditation group, beginning Thursday, January 26th, 7pm.

Register here: meetup.com

“If I am not for me, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And, if not now, when?” – Hillel The Elder
 
It’s a new year and a time for new beginnings. What are you planning on doing for yourself this year?
 
​When you’re on an airplane they tell you that if the oxygen masks come down in an emergency to put it on yourself first, if you pass-out you can’t help anyone else. So, make this the year that you take care of yourself first and go after the life you want!
 
I know so many people, especially women, that put themselves on the bottom of the list. This year make a pledge to put yourself first. That doesn’t mean that you have to neglect your family and friends. It means that when you put your needs first, you’ll be in better shape to help them! Why? For starters, you’ll be happier and more energetic, and you may even have less stress and become more patient and tolerant.
 
I know it isn’t easy to find time for yourself, but think about how important it is. Are you happy? How’s your health? Are you stressed? Do you exercise? Do you eat right? Do you take time to meditate, read a book or take a bath? Schedule it! Put it on your calendar! You’re more likely to do something if you block out the time on your calendar.
 
Taking care of yourself isn’t just about exercising and eating right, it’s also living the life you want. Its working at the job or the career that fulfills you. Its pursuing your dream. Its having relationships with people that make you happy, not stress you out.
 
What are you waiting for? The years will pass anyway and then what? If you don’t do something about your life now, you’ll still be in the same place five, ten or fifteen years from now. Is that what you want?
 
In his book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hills said, “that the starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat. If you find yourself lacking in persistence, this weakness may be remedied by building a stronger fire under your desires.”  
 
What is it that you desire? What do you want your life to look like? What improvements do you want to see this year?  Whatever they are, you need to find a strong reason why you should do it. Is your reason strong enough to keep you motivated? If it isn’t, come up with a better reason!
 
For instance, you know that when you’re overweight it can affect your health. Maybe you’re not having any symptoms yet or maybe they’re minor so you’re not all that motivated. Why not tell yourself that if you don’t do something about your weight now, you’re going to have health problems down the road and maybe you’ll be a burden to your children or maybe you won’t be able to play with your grandchildren.
 
Make your motivation powerful and get an accountability partner. Studies have shown that even when you have a good reason it’s much easier to tough it out when the going gets hard, when you have someone to hold you accountable. Just make sure it’s someone who supports you and doesn’t have a hidden agenda.
 
If you think you already take care of yourself and your life is just the way you want it to be, that’s wonderful, but are you the best version of yourself that you can possibly be? I think that most of us are always looking for growth and improvement. So maybe consider taking a class, learn a new language and volunteer to help others. Helping others benefits both the giver and the receiver.
 
So, make 2017 your best year so far, you’re worth it! And remember, “If not now, when?”