Life Lessons Archives – Page 7 of 12

Health and Wellness Inspire Life Lessons People

Kindness for Longevity

By JM PerezOctober 8, 20132 min read655 views

I love my neighbors. They are all wonderful, especially the original ones. I am so grateful to live here and be surrounded by beautiful individuals who constantly surprise us with their generosity. The older couple living across from our home are a blessing and such a joy to know. They are available and when needed, quick to help. They are inspiring and when not physically present, encouraging and advising.

My neighbors are a beautiful couple in their late seventies. They look so much younger (at least twenty years younger) all thanks to the choices they made on a daily basis and which they are making still. One doesn’t have to go all out to make someone else happy. Little things, acts of love and kindness have a way of making the heart flutter and leap for joy. This morning as I opened the mail box to collect yesterday’s mail, I found a nicely sealed gift. At that particular moment, I felt so loved and appreciated. I smiled as I knew who put it there since it wasn’t the first time. For a year and a half now, they have randomly filled our mail box with Greeting Cards for all occasions, Collectors Calendars, gift wraps and bags, coupon booklets for Power Tools, rare Vintage pieces and not too long ago, a large Bats fabric favor bag for the kids to go trick or treating.

I know the positive effects of this morning will be passed along to someone else in the form of another act of kindness or simply a genuine smile. As I sit here typing, I am thinking about returning their kindness and I know exactly what to give them. Kindness is one of the best feel good remedies which pays itself over and over again.

The following are some effects of Kindness (learn about other positive effects here):

Makes us feel good
Helps us become a better person
Promotes a feeling of well-being
Promotes compassion
A sense of achievement and belonging
Softens the heart and keeps it healthy
Helps us see the World through new lenses
Gives us an opportunity to know others
Being Kind makes you happier, thus, increases your longevity
Kindness is a gift that keeps on giving.

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” – Mother Teresa

Genuine Kindness is free. Choose to be kind and bless someone’s day to start a chain of endless positive actions.

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By JM Perez

Strength of The Small Inspire Life Lessons Gratitude People

Giving to Heal & Comfort

By JM PerezSeptember 25, 20132 min read452 views

While beautiful, the month of September has been quite rough with tension rising and emotions running wild. Somethings have been out of place and we are working hard at getting them right back on track. Hopefully the month will end just as beautifully has it started and we will all move forward to better things.

I learned just a few days ago of the death of a friend’s Mother. I would have received it sooner had I reminded my Middle and High School mates of my change of e-mail address. I am so thankful at how swiftly some of us react when it comes to assisting one another in times of need. A team on site with the collaboration of those of us who can’t be there, is getting everything ready to physically, emotionally and financially support the grieving family as they deal with their loss. I love giving and I am honored to be part of such a positive group.

Image Source: Trans4Mind.com. — *Image Source: JustMotivated.com.*

Why should you give? For one it’s the right thing to do and it doesn’t cost you much. Give because it will make a difference and because giving is the start of a positive chain of action. What can you give?

Your Money. There are so many good charities out there in need of financial support.
Your Time. Donate your time to the less fortunate, offer to help feed the needy, help rebuild a home, be there for someone in need. Make a difference by volunteering.
Your Material. Donate things you no longer need as long as they’ve been gently used and non-perishable.
Yourself. Donate blood (American Red Cross, America’s Blood Centers, Blood Banker). Donate your hair to provide hair replacements/wigs for people who have lost their hair from cancer due to chemotherapy (Locks of Love, Pantene Beautiful Lengths, Wigs for Kids, Children with Hair Loss). Think about the possibilities of becoming an organ donor.

“That’s what I consider true generosity. You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing.” ― Simone De Beauvoir

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By JM Perez

Life Lessons People

Clinging to Uncertainty

By JM PerezSeptember 22, 20133 min read463 views

The past couple of weeks have been mentally draining as I learned of families being divided over material things. Hope and expectations being let down resulting in a family feud with siblings turning against each other and causing so much headache. Is anything worth loosing a loved one? One approach in attempting to resolve a problem, is to put oneself in the other person’s shoes. Then we can move on to examine our conscience to see if we somehow contributed to the problem. Going this route will allow both parties to calm down and think; thus, changing the cause of their initial state of mind. Always stop and think.
What causes rifts and what are some repercussions when holding on to grudges?

Trust and Betrayal. It is said that there is a thin line between love and hate and the same applies here.

The Scorpion and the Frog (Aesop’s Fables)

A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The frog asks, “How do I know you won’t sting me?” The scorpion says, “Because if I do, I will die too.”

The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp “Why?” Replies the scorpion: “Its my nature…” Then they both disappeared under the water.

This fable is about, generosity, trust and betrayal and it teaches us that our true nature/character always comes out no matter what we say and how convincing we are of the contrary. Some people can change with consistent effort. But for the most part, we cannot change who we truly are. This doesn’t mean we should stop helping others; rather, we know ourselves better (strengths, weaknesses, limits) and learn about the individuals seeking our help. When in doubt, politely say no rather than putting yourself in harm’s way.

Material Things.

A sure way to be miserable all your life is to cling to material things. Yes, material things can give a sense of security, comfort, power, belonging, achievement and so much more. However, those things are superficial and can be gone in the blink of an eye. While you are busy acquiring and contemplating such possessions, you stop enjoying life and its simple pleasures. Material things should complement a good life, not be used as indicators of a good life. If your define yourself by these things, don’t let them change you.

Self-contentment and Acceptance.

“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” ― Socrates

One way to avoid clinging to uncertainty is to be content within. We can start by loving ourselves, valuing our lives and accepting the things we cannot change. The grass might be greener on the other side, but not always. We have to work hard at getting where we want to be and understand that happiness is what we create, what we make it and not something which has been predetermined. Thrive to be an open-minded, non-judgmental, knowledgeable and kind person. Seek that which makes your heart sing and embrace it.

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By JM Perez

Scripture Strength of The Small Life Lessons People

Observing & Learning

By JM PerezSeptember 20, 20132 min read730 views

Do you know someone or have you ever had a conversation with someone who believes their way is the only way and who is reluctant to embrace new ideas? Often times, when we witness a wrong being done, our first instinct is to correct it. Mend the pieces and make it whole again. Though we should and must all face consequences for our actions; I find it a little harsh to tell people that they should lie in their bed the same way they made it. I also realize that as hurtful as it might be, it’s necessary.

As I was conversing with an old classmate recently, he asked me as a friend, to tell him what I dislike about him because he can’t have lasting relationships. Well, for one I let him know that in a relationship, no one is 1oo% at fault or innocent. We have to be honest from the start. We need to understand that we are all different and learn to compromise. Never underestimate, belittle anyone or anything. Never guess or assume things. Never speak on behalf of someone unless you can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that your statement is true.

You probably know someone or have heard of someone whose drive in life seems to have faded to nothing and they cannot move on either because they don’t know how or they are not ready for the answer. Such individuals have not moved on past a certain point in their Life probably because they have not learned from the experience and thus, cannot absorb and/or retain new information.

After counseling, helping, assisting and going over the same process time and time again with little to no success; we must ask ourselves what is it we are doing? What are our expectations and what are we hoping to accomplish? Perhaps we need some peace of mind knowing that we tried? That we were there? That we did everything we could have done? That we gave everything we could have given? There comes a time too, when we need to let go of others hand and allow them to find themselves in the World because:

“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.” ― Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times (Shambhala Classics).

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By JM Perez

Scripture Love Inspire Life Lessons People

Love and Acceptance

By JM PerezJuly 25, 20133 min read630 views

“Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins.” ― 1 Peter 4:8 (NAB)

A few years ago I received a ‘forward message’ in the mail. I greatly dislike forward messages which I never read pass the titles and I personally do not send such emails to others. This particular message moved me. I am sure I was bound to read; so I did and I kept it. I can’t remember who I received it from, but I am glad I read it. I am sharing it with you today given that it compliments my thoughts on the current topic.

The Nail in the Fence

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.” A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.

Acceptance begins with self-love. To love oneself is to acknowledge that we are unique and therefore, different. We may feel and live things which are irrational to others, but real to us. Still, those are our emotions and moments which we guard defenselessly. We need to recognize that we live in a World full of individuals we may or may not get along with or particularly like for countless reasons. We are probably unlikable ourselves, but that’s beside the point. We need to reconcile with the fact that these individuals have as much rights to be here as we do. We need to accept their presence, adjust to the many differences and learn to live peacefully.

Our differences are both what divide us and what make our strengths. There’s hardly anything new to learn from an individual with similar vision as us and so much to acquire from someone different. It’s our right to be cautious around others; but it’s unfair to hold someone’s mistakes as an excuse to love and/or assist them.

Wolves Face to Face. — *Image Source: Flickr.com.*

Dissent is one of the main causes of hatred. When you reject someone, be it openly or secretly, they feel it. No one can fake a genuine smile and a good heart is transparent. Unlike the tone of the voice which can be controlled; we cannot fake the true nature of our hearts. What’s the point then of disliking and rejecting others? Does having those individuals out of our lives make us bigger or better? Does it take our pain away? Does it solve our issues? Words are powerful and people never forget how we made them feel.

So, my dear readers and fellow citizens, let’s strive to be more tolerant, more loving, more forgiving, more generous, more patient. As Mahatma Gandhi simply put it, “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind;” therefore, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

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By JM Perez