3 Ways to Come Alive and Live and Amazing Life.

I never read much as a child. I was too interested in the world around me. I was drawn to movies too, but reading wasn't on the table. 

The older I got, the more life closed in on me. My circle of friends got smaller, the adventure I yearned for was replaced by silent gasps of desperation to be comfortable and safe. 

But safety is an illusion. The only safety we can truly grasp is when we expand enough as humans to realize nothing can stop us from succeeding. Nothing can hold us back. That's true freedom. 

I didn't realize this from watching movies, I learned about true power, freedom and safety from books. I finally started cracking books when I realized what I was currently doing lead me to a job I hated, and a life I didn't appreciate. I went to work, came home, watched t.v. and then got ready to work again the next morning. 

After 10 years of reading every book I could get my hands on there are three key changes that improved my life. 

1. Appreciation: It seems counter intuitive, but to truly get something new in life we have to appreciate what we have. It's not easy at first, but think of it this way. If someone gives you a gift and you don't express appreciation, are you inclined to offer another gift? Probably not. That's how life works too. Tip: I started an appreciation notebook and I list 5 things I appreciate every morning and right before I go to bed. If you truly feel appreciation is not only brings more things to appreciate, but it opens your brain up to new possibilities. 

2. Goal Setting: Writing goals is like reviewing the coming attractions for your life. Something happens when we write down what we want in life. First, our brain begins to look for ways to accomplish your goal. Secondly, the universe starts to conspire to make it happen. Of course, action is required, but goal writing is key to a successful life. Tip: write goals in the affirmative. Don't write, I want a job making 100k a year, write, By June of 2017 I work in a job I love earning 100k a year. Write and review your goals daily. 

3. Forgive: Easier said than down isn't it? Most of us have been confronted with the pain of someone hurting us physically or emotionally. The pain and the damage continues if you don't allow yourself to forgive. We're all working through life the best way we know how and pain, betrayal and heartache is part of the deal. Tip: Try remembering when you may have done something to hurt someone. It helps us remember that even a good person can be capable of hurting us. 

In future posts, I'll talk about how to use NLP to change the way you feel and improve your life.