Soul Food Revolution

The fifth of the seven principles to success this week is “I will choose to be happy.”

Beginning this very moment, I am a happy person, for I now truly understand the concept of happiness. Happiness is a choice. Happiness is the end result of certain thoughts and activities, which actually bring about a chemical reaction in my body. This reaction results in a euphoria that, while elusive to some, is totally under my control. Today I will choose to be happy. I will greet each day with laughter. Within moments of awakening, I will laugh for seven seconds. Even after such a small period of time, excitement has begun to flow through my bloodstream. I feel different. I am different! I am enthusiastic about the day. I am alert to its possibilities. I am happy! Laughter is an outward expression of enthusiasm, and I know that enthusiasm is the fuel that moves the world. I laugh throughout the day. I laugh while I am alone, and I laugh in conversation with others. People are drawn to me because I have laughter in my heart. The world belongs to the enthusiastic, for people will follow them anywhere! Today I will choose to be happy. I smile at every person I meet. My smile has become my calling card. My smile has the strength to forge bonds, break ice, and calm storms. I will use my smile constantly. Because of my smile, the people with whom I come in contact on a daily basis will choose to further my causes and follow my leadership. I will always smile first. That particular display of a good attitude will tell others what I expect in return. My smile is the key to my emotional makeup. A wise man once said, ‘ I do not sing because I am happy; I am happy because I sing!’ When I choose to smile, I become the master of my emotions. The power of who I am is displayed when I smile. Today I will choose to be happy. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit. Just as the fresh breeze cleans smoke from the air, so a grateful spirit removes the cloud of despair. It is impossible for the seed of depression to take root in a thankful heart. My God has bestowed upon me many gifts, and for these I will remember to be grateful. I am grateful for sight and sound and breath. I will greet each day with laughter. I will smile at every person I meet. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit. Today I will choose to be happy.

Excerpt taken from The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews. Also, follow Andy on Twitter.
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I hope you all enjoyed the first principle from Andy Andrew’s book. Today we move on to the second principle called “I will seek wisdom.”

Knowing that wisdom waits to be gathered, I actively search her out. I will change my actions TODAY! I will train my eyes and ears to read and listen to books and recordings that bring about positive changes in my personal relationships and a greater understanding of my fellow man. I will read and listen only to what increases my belief in myself and my future. I will seek wisdom. I will choose my friends with care. I am who my friends are. I speak their language, and I wear their clothes. I share their opinions and their habits. From this moment forward, I will choose to associate with people whose lives and lifestyles I admire. If I associate with chickens, I will learn to scratch at the ground and squabble over crumbs. If I associate with eagles, I will learn to soar to great heights. I am an eagle. It is my destiny to fly. I will seek wisdom. I will listen to the counsel of wise men. The words of a wise man are like raindrops on dry ground. They are precious and can be quickly used for immediate results. Only the blade of grass that catches a raindrop will prosper and grow. I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others. A wise man will cultivate a servant’s spirit, for that particular attribute attracts people like no other. As I humbly serve others, their wisdom will be freely shared with me. He who serves the most grows the fastest. I will become a humble servant. I will look to open the door for someone. I will be excited when I am available to help. I will be a servant to others. I will listen to the counsel of wise men. I will choose my friends with care. I will seek wisdom.

Excerpt taken from The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews. Also, follow Andy on Twitter.

For the next 7 day’s I’m going to do something out of the norm for me. I don’t usually ‘re-use’ another persons work but sometimes we find jewels that are just too good not to share. I was recently given a book. In fact it was as recent as Thursday. Saturday night I finished this 207 page book. It’s a very easy read. Most importantly, a very engaging read. Even more importantly, if one will apply the principle’s of this book, it’s a life changing read. Within this book are 7 principle’s. To be more accurate in the description, they are actually 7 decisions. Decisions that if you will meditate upon and apply them, your life will change…..drastically. For the next 7 days I will reveal one decision daily. As you read the new decision, add it to the others. Each day meditate upon the decisions twice. Do this for 30 days and you will be well on your way to drastically enhancing and changing your life. After the first 7 days, I am going to give you some other applicable ways to apply these decisions to your everyday living. Receive the 7 principle decisions. Apply them. Finally, be creative in how you use them. Your life will be opened to a whole new realm of opportunity.

I invite you to share these 7 decisions with everyone you know, then share your experience with our growing online community. Lastly, I invite you to purchase a copy of the book we are highlighting, entitled ‘The Traveler’s Gift’ by Andy Andrews, by following the link at the end of each passage. And now for the first decision: Continue reading

Let that chicken go! Let that chicken go!

Creative Commons License photo credit: leoncillo sabino

Yes. It lies deep within each of us. The chicken that says we can’t. Oh, you’ve heard it! Remember the time your friend needed help and you talked yourself out of it? That’s the chicken. Remember that lady on the side of the road–the one with the flat. Five miles past her you kept thinking, “I should have stopped.” You didn’t. Chicken. Remember that business venture you’ve always dreamed of trying? Everyone else said it wouldn’t work but it was your passion! Now, 25 years later you wonder, ‘What if?’ Chicken. He lives in all of us. That stinkin’ chicken…

But very deep within lies something stronger. Where do those thoughts of kindness and love come from? From where does that innate sense of motherhood in women come from, or the warrior/provider mindset in men? What about those creative, crazy ideas? Why do they stick with us all these years? Those ideas, friends–thhose innate senses and acts of spontaneous kindness–they derive from the soul. You see, that chicken we talk so much about is our own undoing. It is our fear rising against our nature telling us we can’t accomplish greatness. But the soul? The soul cries out, yearning for us to live! To live a life of imagination and sharing. A life of response and action. Our soul cries out for us to live…..well……..from the soul.

I like to say, ‘Let that chicken go! Live life from the soul!’

photo credit: qualla

What did you accomplish today? It’s a question I continually ask myself. I’m one that comes from the school of thought that states it’s always better to focus on the positive than the negative. In my days of retail management, I was taught a great lesson in dealing with people: it takes 3 comments of praise to overcome a comment of confrontation or negativity. Now, I would like to apply this principle to you. Actually, I would like YOU to apply this principle to YOURSELF! Encourage yourself. Engage yourself. I know I’m not the only one with that little conversation going on in my head all day long. Constantly telling ourselves we can be successful. Or reminding ourselves that we are making the right choice. Maybe clearing out the confusion in our minds of the direction we are headed. I’m learning that the best way to affirm our actions in life is to simply accomplish something. Be successful today at something simple. Take a moment to celebrate then move on to the next project.

So, what did you accomplish today? I would love for you to share your accomplishment with our Soul Food community. Doesn’t matter how big or small. We want to know what you accomplished! It’s simple: just post in the comments below, anonymously if you like, and share your short story of accomplishment. We will all celebrate with you!