Today was a memorable commute to my job as a web developer at Ancestry.com.  It’s snowing like mad here in Utah, and I drove about 20 miles per hour the whole way to get here.  During the hour commute to work (which normally takes 20 minutes), I was in admiration at the sight of so much snow and spent time thinking of those things I am thankful for.

Situations vary for everyone.  Some people are enjoying much success at their careers, others have had businesses fail and are struggling to make ends meet.  Some are enjoying healthy relationships, while others struggle to keep things together.  Some enjoy great health and vigor, while others struggle staying healthy and are in constant pain.  And still some struggle with depression and a lack of excitement about life, while others seem to have a constant stream of enthusiasm.

Turn Your Thoughts to the Good

If you feel your situation less than favorable, or you are struggling with finding positives in life, I know how you feel.  Though I strive to be positive, I still have to battle against a depression, which runs in my family.  Fortunately I am able to keep the depression at bay, but it is a foe I have to beat back more often than not.  If you find yourself in a negative state of mind, recognize what is wrong, but then turn your thoughts to thanks.  Thanks that you are alive.  Thanks that you are going through experiences that are helping you learn and grow.  Thanks to be able to take part in life and share in its experiences.

I, like many of you, have dreams of being super successful.  That is being extremely wealthy, having a perfect marriage, being famous, and making an enormous difference in the world where my name will be echoed in the history books long after I have left this earth.  Though you may have these thoughts, realize that life is a series of baby steps.  All this cannot be accomplished right away.  In fact, you will drive yourself crazy if you try and accomplish this all at once.  For me, I have areas of improvement in all these categories.  I am sure many of you have your own challenges and struggles in the areas you wish to find achievement in.  Read this quote that I myself have created and help it bring life into perspective.

If in life you have given all that you have to achieve all that you desire, and even if your efforts end up counting for nothing, know that you are on the path of perfection and no regrets.

This is the path to true happiness.  It takes effort and discomfort often times.  It is doing all that you can to achieve the deepest desires of your heart.  If you spend your time on those things that are worthwhile and never find the success you envision, you can know that you gave your honest best effort, and that the rewards will eventually come, in an abundance that you don’t yet comprehend.

Get Rid of Animosity

I challenge all of you (including myself) to rid yourself of animosity that you have towards one person.  That’s it, just one person.  Animosity is an angry or hostile attitude towards someone, possibly because that person offended you in some way.

We can never truly understand another person fully.  Heck, I have a hard time understanding myself sometimes.  By having an attitude of love and forgiveness, we can recognize when others are out of line, but not harbor ill feelings and resentment towards that person.  By doing this, you will be in better harmony with positive energy and being happy.  Your thoughts will be focused upon better and brighter things.

Final Thanks

I am thankful to be alive.  I am thankful to have two parents who are still married and a family where everyone is alive and well.  I am thankful for my wife and daughter Ellie.  I am thankful for the many struggles and challenges life provides me.  Nothing has come easy in my life and I am thankful to learn and grow.  I am thankful for my health and the ability to run around and play basketball.  I am thankful to have good friends outside of my family who have positive values.  I am thankful for the opportunities I have (including this website) to leave my legacy in the world.

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As time has gone on and I’ve found myself busy doing other things, I’ve been getting ‘pricked’ inside to write more here on my blog.  I know that there are people out there who get use out of what I say.  I can’t promise entries daily or even weekly.  But I can promise, that when I feel I have something useful to say, that I will get it up for you all to view!

With that, the latest topic on my mind is what people spend their time doing, and what you can expect to gain from what you are doing. This is a crucial thing if you are struggling with where you are in life or feel that there is more for you to accomplish.

Daily Activities

I’ve written before about the activites that each of us take part in during the day.  The general range I see from most people are some of the following (myself included):

• Television
• Video/computer games
• Eating
• Going out with friends
• Working
• Building yourself up
• Creating your legacy

From the top of the list, I notice most time gets spent on those activities.  As you go down the list, towards the very bottom, the time spent starts to become very small with most people.  There are a few explanations for this.

Watching television is easy!  You just have to sit there and look.  And it’s not that there isn’t quality television on.  In fact, I watched Dr. Wayne Dyer on television the other night.  He is an inspirational speaker.  Indeed, he is what I aspire to be, able to speak in front of large audiences and offer them inspiration and advice to get through life.  He is leaving his legacy in the world, and I am sure that he is at peace with himself, while of course facing trials in life like all of us.

Video and computer games are fun!  I like to play them.  I have played World of Warcraft off and on.  It’s a game I enjoy playing with friends and I also like building up my characters.  It doesn’t require significant effort and is easy to do for many hours at a time.

Eating isn’t too difficult either.  It’s very easy to go to McDonalds and scarf down burgers and fries.  Or to buy ice cream and eat it in large amounts.  Shoveling food in is quite easy to do and is a cause for the large number of overweight people in our country.  The true discipline comes from eating the healthier foods and training yourself not to ‘shovel it in’.

Going out with friends is fun!  I see many young people spending time with their friends, having a good time.  They party, go to fun events, or travel and see different sights.  This is also not a bad thing.  Creating lasting friendships is a positive part of life.  However, look at how much time you spend ‘playing’ and enjoying yourself.  Is it what you are doing with most of your time?  There are other activities, while not as fun, that will help you get ahead in life.

Working is a requirement for most of us.  We don’t have millions of dollars and can’t support ourselves without paychecks coming in.  Therefore by obligation we get out of bed and head to our day jobs to make ends meet.  This isn’t a bad thing, however, if working is all you are doing, think of what you are missing out on for yourself.  

Better Activities

Spending time building yourself up, while not instinctive, is an excellent way to progress in life.  Instead though, our habits are to think about work, when work will be done.  We think about our favorite television programs and when they are on.  We think about playing our video and computer games.  However, mentally building yourself up will allow you to handle the trials in life, and also proactively engage in interests where your talents lie!  I talk about building yourself up on my blog and website.  This is done through exercise, positive self talk, and being around those who truly care about you.

What about exercising?  Many shutter at exercising.  Perhaps not knowing how to do it presents a fear.  Maybe it’s just too much work.  I exercise two to three times a week.  I keep in great shape and feel good.  I can’t imagine not exercising.  At the same time, I can see how people have a hard time with it.  It requires time and dedication.  It requires making it a part of your life.  If you are struggling with weight problems, it most definitely will mean discomfort.  That discomfort can be overcome.  Make a choice and decide to walk, run, bike, and lift weights regularly.  Combine this with controlled eating, and you will be amazed at the physical change that takes place!

Creating Your Legacy

Lastly, we have creating our legacy.  Many of us grew up and possibly still with dreams of becoming something.  I don’t think many of us dreamed while we were kids of sitting in a cubicle all day, coming home and lounging in front of the TV.  Perhaps you wanted to be a singer, dancer, performer, or athlete.  Or maybe you just want to make a difference in the world.

I know what a struggle it can be to do things outside of the normal routine in life.  From my family to working a full time job, I feel pretty drained.  But I know that a little discomfort and sacrifice are required to get to where I want to be.  I am writing a book, I am on page 140 now.  It’s taken a lot of sacrifice.  I have my website here at drjerm.com.  It takes time and sacrifice to do it.  But it’s amazing to see the results and satisfaction I get when I look back at what I’m accomplishing.  So too can you feel the same thing!

It is difficult.  You may have questions about what to do.  Look inside your heart.  You know what things you enjoy the most.  Don’t be afraid to start switching tv time for creating your legacy time.  It’s the best decision you will ever make!  But don’t become too extreme.  Some leisure time is ok – even necessary.

The Results

Spend most of your time in leisurely activites, and not refining your skillset, and you can most likely expect to not find better paying jobs.  Spend too much time lounging around and eating more than you should and you can expect to be overweight.  Spend no time on building yourself up, and you can expect to find happiness hard to come by.

Spend time exercising and eating properly and you can expect to feel great and have energy.  Spend time around those who are motivated and have good character and truly appreciate you and you can expect a great circle of friends.  Spend time refining your skills and being proactive, and building your confidence, and you can expect upgrades in your work.  Spend time creating your legacy, and you can expect your legacy to unfold to the world!

The results follow the effort and what you are doing.  It’s a simple formula.  Stretch yourself a little and experience a little discomfort.  You’ll be glad you did!  I know with effort and faith that you can achieve much in this life!

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