The ABC’s of a great life pt1

 The alphabet is the foundation for reading, speaking and writing. Can you imagine life without it? What if we use the alphabet as a code, for what helps to make a great life?  

•Attitude – Someone says, “She has an attitude,” and immediately, negative connotations arise. We can eliminate much of the negativity in our lives by focusing and imbibing positive attitudes that help us cultivate rewarding relationships, attract opportunities, achieve goals and live a great life.

•Balance – We put our health at risk when our responsibilities outweigh our time, energy, strengths and interests. A healthy balance of what we must do and what we want to do will make a big difference between a life that is mediocre and stressful life and one that is great.  

•Commitment – The full-blown picture coupled with the work and sacrifices involved inevitable raises fear of commitment. However, small commitments along the way, gives us the confidence to commit to bigger issues.  

•Discipline – Indiscipline is not the domain of children; it rolls across the board of humanity. To ensure that we set a good example, explore our potential and make significant strides in our own lives, we should identify where we lack discipline and work to turn it around.

•Enthusiasm –If people can accomplish great things without enthusiasm, imagine what we could achieve if we sprinkled some enthusiasm into the mix of focus and hard work.

•Faith – “And without faith it is impossible to please God…” Hebrews 11:6a. “And the Lord said, ‘If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea;’ and it would obey you.”  Luke 17:6. We can have worry-free lives when we apply these verses.   

•Energy – You miss out on a lot of fun when your energy is level is low or depleted. An unhealthy lifestyle equals low energy. If we make nutritious meals and regular exercise a part of our day, our energy level will rise.

•Gratitude – Dare we live without gratitude? Each breath we take, each day we awake, every movement our body makes, every spark of our senses and all of creation call us and demand that we be grateful.  

•Help – Regardless how knowledgeable, wise, brave, capable, experienced or independent we are, we will only go so far without help from someone.

•Inspiration – We may know all we need to know to do what we need to do.  If we are not inspired from within, the plan, the process and the prize may lack true meaning and not generate its full depth of satisfaction.

•Joy – Joy can come from a wonderful home, loving family, great friends, a satisfying job, fulfilling pursuits. The quality of our lives increases when we add in the joy we find in simple things, in unexpected places and unimagined circumstances.  

•Kindness – If we force ourselves to show a little kindness every day regardless of what may be keeping us busy and frazzled, we’d not only live a great life but we’ll be doing our small part to help others live it too.

•Love – People say that it makes the world go round. Yet, people blame love for dastardly acts. Let’s give love its rightful place and purpose in our lives.

•Motivation – Without motivation, our attempts at meeting goals may be unfocused and lacklustre. Our motivation can come from affirming words, uplifting stories, past achievements and people who support us.