Last week I began with two of my weaknesses, so this week I'll begin with a strength. I....am an incredibly good motivator. I like to make people feel as though they can accomplish anything, because in reality they really can, sometimes they just don't know it or don't know where to begin. That's where I come in. I'm good at the little details, getting things moving (or metaphorically shoving you out the door), being persistent and keeping the hope alive. My mom was captain of her cheerleading team and it's quite possible I've inherited the cheerleading instinct. There's nothing I love more than cheering people on to success, whatever it may be.My first study abroad I lived in London with two amazing, super fun girls. We hadn't been in the country for 24 hours before Jackie's straightener exploded, causing a small fire. I like to think of that as a premonition for all of the crazy adventures we had that Spring. When it got pretty cold in the mornings, no one wanted to wake up, especially Jackie. The best way to get Jackie out of bed was if I sang the "Titanic" song. No, NOT that horribly depressing theme song. As if! I'm talking about the Camp Calleva sing-along version that I learned when I was 9. It requires audience participation, so consider that your warning if you ask me to sing it. The second most requested song was something my mom used to sing and it goes a little like this..."So rise and shine, and Give God your glory, glory, rise, and shine, and give God your glory glory RISE AND SHINE AND...Give God your glory glory Children..of the...Lord." Jackie got out of bed, Kara would laugh and sing along, and we all started off our morning on a happy note. Motivation is a wonderful thing.
I tried an experiment on myself this week. Jake, (my new advice expert), inspired it. I decided that rather than pay attention to what Wasn't right with people (slow walkers anyone?), I would look for what traits I actually admired. I treated it kind of like a game, you pick a person you are with and ask yourself which of those personality traits would you want to adopt and develop as your own? It turns out, there are TONS!! For example. My sister Chloe is one of the best flirts I've ever seen, she's figured out how to talk to men since she was 5, and she's good at it. Sometimes I tease her about it, but mainly because I'm jealous she's that good. She is also an amazing entertainer and I love spending time with her because I literally laugh the entire time. Chloe has a lot of really good traits (witty AND smart) that I'm working on developing in myself. I looked at everyone I interacted with this week, and found SO MANY traits that I loved--persistency, putting people at ease, being a great listener, outgoing and laid back, working hard, inspiring confidence in others, being a great leader, being able to laugh at yourself and make anything sound funny; I could go on forever. The word 'Namaste' means something to the effect of I honor the light that shines within you. I've always loved that phrase, but never really practiced it continuously until this week. What a difference it makes when you see people for the good they contribute to society! I'll be continuing this fun little exercise.
Lastly, yes. The biking quotes continue. I came across this LA quote and loved it. I'm actually not really a fan of LA as a person (namaste, remember?) but we are focusing on the good and it turns out he's quite inspirational. I made it a goal to give my 100% (at the very least) to work every day this past week (following my dad's advice: work smart, not hard). The difference, was HUGE. I got so many things done and the knowledge that I was working at my Prime gave me more energy and enthusiasm to get extra things done and still have the energy to play after work. So what ever YOUR 100 percent looks like, give it!
Cheerfully yours,
Lolo
It's true..you are an incredibly good motivator!!
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