7 Awesome Rules That Will Impact Your Life Forever

“The only person who can pull me down is myself, and I’m not going to let myself pull me down anymore.” C. JoyBell C.

So we are already into the fourth day of this brand new year. Many of us are already seeing signs of the things that we had hoped and dreamed of in the year/s gone by. Prophecies have been released into the atmosphere through our spoken words to establish what we would like to experience in the new year and over the upcoming months.

The truth be told, I discontinued making New Year’s resolutions some years back, simply because I found myself in the tradition and was never really taking the things that I had planned to do in a serious way, hence the cycle kept going with no results at the end of the year.

But this time around it’s different. I took it a step further. I even posted my personal declaration as my facebook status on January 2nd as follows:

Making this declaration – 2014 will be PRICELESS! The year of transformation and elevation, double-fold blessings and divine completion of what God had already begun in the year/s gone by! The year that you pursue your purpose with a passion!

I have come to realize that the only way to experience lasting change is to challenge myself to go above and beyond what I would normally do and to step out of my comfort zone. I have even come up with a central theme for this year as, “pursue your purpose with a passion” and my 365 one word as “persevere.” So beyond the fitness goals, organizational goals and more, here are some rules to live by that will impact your life, bring happiness and success all year long.

1.)  Love yourself unconditionally
We need to learn to love ourselves first, whether in our moment of glory or in our imperfections and weakness/es. From a biblical standpoint, it is a guiding principle that you love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Mark 12:31) It’s like saying, if we cannot love ourselves, then it would be difficult to fully open our ability to love others. I know that I said this at the beginning of 2013 but I seriously intend to challenge myself in ways that demonstrate love first to myself that for some, may appear unconventional. It would be necessary though if  you and I are to truly go above and beyond the call of duty to love ourselves unconditionally!

2.)  Be more grateful for the little things in life
Too often we express gratitude when there is a big moment in our life and seemingly, tend to overlook the small stuff or the small things. Again back to bible truth, we are commanded to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18) – the good, bad, trials, tribulations, big and small things. So even when the going gets tough, the bank account full or running on empty, your debts paid in full or there are creditors chasing after you, living by faith or in fear, in strength or in weakness – be grateful! Life is no bed of roses and even among the roses, you will find thorns and thistles. So give thanks and take nothing for granted. The more grateful we are, the easier life will become for us.

More related article from EMB: 7 Ways To A Happier Healthier You

3.)  Conduct an inventory of your life at the end of each day
I cannot emphasize this enough! It means we must take an inventory of the words we spoke that day because words have power to bring forth life or to cause death to a situation or your plans. Pay careful attention to your thoughts – you want them to be positive and not negative. In the event there were any negative thoughts for that day, weed them out of your mind through repentance, prayer and by filling up your mind with positive thoughts through the word of God, an inspirational book/blog. Keep a check on your goals and the deadline/s you set – are you meeting them? If not, think about what you can do differently the next time. Who did you meet that day? What impact if any did they have on your life.

4.)  Remove the facade once and for all
If you do nothing else this year from among this list and others you may have come up with on your own, do this one thing – remove the facade once and for all! Too many of us [yes, myself included], when the occasion arise, put up an outward ‘flawless’ appearance as a way of masking our private despair and pain. Life is unpredictable for sure. No one said that the road will be an easy one either. You will face challenges and have experiences that you did not plan for. But in the midst of it all, it is okay to fall apart, show your vulnerable side, and to reach out for help from a trusted source. Realize that it is not so much the experiences of the present day that holds you back, but the disappointments, hurts and regrets of the past and the fear of what the future might bring. So simply let go and let God!

More related article from EMB: You R Your Own Success Story, Tell It!

5.)  Be compassionate and kinder than necessary
Everyone you meet in life, through whatever means and for however long or brief the occasion was, came into your life for a purpose. Use the opportunity to be compassionate and kinder to that individual than is necessary. Why? Every person you meet is fighting a battle of some kind. Everyone you meet has a story to tell that is even more intricate and difficult than the one that you are going through or have already gone through. Your testimony of how you overcame could change their life forever when you share it with them. Everyone you meet has something that they can teach you. Everyone you meet is the neighbor that you are to demonstrate love and an act of kindness to. Imagine that you met that person who you will never cross paths with again or who is breathing their last breath, what would you want them to leave with?

6.)  Communicate appreciation
We work closely with persons on our jobs. We go to bed daily and wake up with our spouse. We have children or have family members around us on a constant basis. But so many persons feel under appreciated,  simply because we did not take the time to communicate appreciation for them and what they do. Let’s make it a rule to tell at least one person on a daily basis (365 per year) how much we appreciate them. Let them know the difference that they are making in your life and the life of others by what they do. Let them know that they matter. Lift them up with your kind words, and every opportunity you get, encourage them because one day soon they will be able to tell you or someone else how you really feel about them just by the way you treat them.

7.)  Focus on your character strengths and potential
Spend time focusing on your strengths and potential. Yes, I just said that. Why should we go on spending time on our weaknesses and limitations when God Himself has already told us His grace is sufficient and His strength is that which will be made perfect in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)  Focus on the things that you know that you are great at and compete only with yourself to be your best ever and, win!

Your turn…

Which of the points above resonated with you the most? What else would you add to this list?

photo by: starlights

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