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Welcome to AYD, and may this be the start of great things to come.
Pierre

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"What can we do, starting today, to build lasting success?"...."We all want to be part of something. We all want to feel great about the choices we make."

Friday, April 26, 2013

AYD - April 26, 2013 - Laugh With Me...Please I Insist.

“If we cant laugh at ourselves, do we have the right to laugh at others?”
- C. H. Hamel


My life changed the day I finally accepted myself.  The day I began to like me, instead of trying to be something so that others would.

I would not say I was bullied.  Just an easy target for friends to joke with, and an easy target to be embarrassed.  It took awhile for me to realize that half the reason someone "picks" on you is the reaction you always give...that makes it automatic Ha Ha for them.  Now that I look at it, the reaction is half the funny.  I used to get so bent out of shape, and did not realize... THAT was the real funny.  Not the joke, the reaction.

I cannot pin point the day I crossed over to the Ah Hah side ... but in there, I began to relax, and then in my new found good nature, my humor improved.  I saw my qualities instead of my drawbacks.  I could crack a joke about myself, and that showed I was genuine, and self confident enough that I could enjoy being vulnerable.  More importantly, I could take a joke and laugh with it, instead of being mad at it simply because I was so insecure.

I have friends that are naturally funny.  They are quick witted and can jump on moments that open opportunity and capitalize on them.  I cannot.  I am not in that zone ... and when I try to be..I usually feed their wit.  I am okay with it.  In fact, I love that difference ... for it is true, and there is no pressure for it to be any other way.  We as friends, appreciate exactly who we are.  They appreciate how I open the door constantly for a zinger without even realizing it...and I appreciate that their humor is so good natured and not vindictive.

It begins I guess with liking yourself. Like you, accept your unique qualities, and accept that sometimes, they can be funny.... or you simply do stuff that is funny.

I may not have spewed this quite right, but I hope you get it.  So today, think of one thing about you that is worth a giggle.  What do you do that sends your friends into a laughing fit?  What do you do that drives them nuts so they end up ribbing you about it?

You dress just a little off logical.
You snort when you laugh.
You flex in every mirror.
You take too long to fix your hair...and really...it still needs help.
You are cheap.
You are a guy that likes chick flicks.
Or...
You are a lovey dovey 205 pound big shouldered voice of reason poet of a man that cryed alot at your own wedding.... Yup, that one is me.  ( She is beautiful, and she picked me... you would cry tears of joy too.)

Enjoy a moment at laughter at the JOY of who you are ... the Shake Your Head of who you are ... the acceptance of the "Ya, that's our friend" moments of who you are ....

Then and only then, can you laugh at and with others ... People do some odd things in this world, so may I suggest that when we stand back in disbelief asking and laughing at "What were you thinking???" ... mix in a moment of understanding and humility to take the edge off ...

Afterall, someone at some point in time, looked at us the exact same way for what they heard or saw us do.

Laughter is the best medicine ... for insecurities, and judgements.

Good morning, Great day.  Greater you, is a better day for everyone else.
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author of my day.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

AYD - April 25, 2013 - Be a Gift, Be a Gentleman

I wanted to find you something today around Respect.
Big word.  Big meaning...and it has many examples and displays to aid in our defining the moment.

We shared in the past that we can change the world, with one random act of kindness, over and over again.

I would like to offer you an assignment.  This is geared toward the men out there.

Today, and from here on if you care to join the effort consistantly, may I request that you do one random act of kindness, as a gentleman toward the ladies of the world.

Open a door, carry a package, a sincere compliment. Stop for conversation because you really are not too busy.
Let her order first, do not dominate a conversation, remember a special date on the calendar.
Send flowers because it is Thursday, call when you say you will, and for the sake of simplicity pick up after yourself.  That includes picking your butt up and offering your seat.
Do a chore without being asked, leave the closer parking stall for her and even examine your day on the hunt for moment you may inadvertantly take her for granted.

Girlfriend, coworker, mom, wife, grandma, boss or the widow on the corner that does her own lawn and flowers so beautifully well and would love to share her secret with you and the neighborhood.

A lady likes to be treated with respect, likes to be a lady once in awhile, even if she is not asking for it.

Boys, it is time to be men.  Have a great day being sincere.

Good Morning, Great Day.  Great you, a better day for everyone else.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author of my day.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

AYD - April 24, 2013 - Simple Motivating Thought

You do not have to be the best over night.  You do not have to go from zero to expert in an unrealistic speed or time.

Some would argue that if you get rich quick, you have no understanding of what it took to get there. No appreciation.  Like many lottery winners, they are broke before too long because they do not know how to respect the new found wealth.

Enjoy the journey.  You have heard that before.  Typically from a parent telling you not to grow up too fast, but you get the point.  Learning to understand each step along the way, helps you appreciate the success deeper.

Last nite I attended my fitness class.  This is week three.  Third time on leg day.  I used to dread leg day.  But yesterday showed progress.  I had more energy, better form, and more strength.  Not a ton more..but enough to show me progress.  Enough so I was not distracted by fear of inability or from early muscle fatigue.  I knew when we signed me up that I was not as fit as I used to be.  I knew it would take some work and more so, consistancy, in order to begin moving toward my goal.

Last nite, I gained some ground and some sense of accomplishment.  Enough to urge me onto the next step.  Enough to make me look forward to my next gain.
I accept it will take me these 12 weeks to feel better... knowing it took alot more than that to get me feeling rough.

Enjoy the road to success.  There is alot of sights to see and many attractions along the way.

Good morning, great day.  Great you, is a better day for everyone else.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author taking the scenic route.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

AYD - April 23, 2013 - The Key to Success

"The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire not things we fear."
- Brian Tracy

You will find examples all around you everyday of how we focus on fear and negativity.

Therefore...fear will always have it's opportunity at the podium.

That being said, we would benefit from once in awhile revisiting this reality...and then cancelling a reservation or two that thinking about fear fills our calendars with.

It takes practice to do this ... and by practice I mean, we need to remember little quotes or reminders that will enable us to recognize a moment, and thus be able to take them back.  We train our conscious mind to more familiar with our focus just like anything else...one little step at a time;  and it becomes more natural.

Focus takes practice.  Like we have routines and schedules, morning rituals ... we need to find our personal way to include focus on our goals, desires and positive outcomes.  I am afraid of failing, but I have yet to consider how good winning would even feel.  This is why we hear success philosophies tell us to act now the way we would if we were already successful in our desire.

This is one easy way to focus.  How would you feel if you achieved your goal?  Okay...so feel it now...act like it now.

I remember when I was writing my book, the energy I felt as words fell into place and my own expression of my thoughts and ideas were taking shape.  I was excited and thinking about my wife and then even more I was thinking about how my ideas could help others.  I was energized by the idea of successfully making people feel good, and solving issues and making a difference.  I began to change.  I spoke more confident, I showed more purpose, I heard humor and I thought in waves of positive ideas and expressions. 

I did not have the knowledge that this is what I was doing...but I was doing it.  So you see, focus is not always work;  sometimes it can be easy.  But no matter if I have to earn it, or it comes as a by product of my actions.... focus on desires is always more fulfilling than trading my valuable time for thoughts on fears of things not yet granted permission to happen.

Good morning, Great day.  Greater you, means a better day for everyone else.

Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author of my day.

Monday, April 22, 2013

AYD - April 22, 2013 - Practice Makes Perfect

"Act as if it were impossible to fail."
- Dorothea Brande

This takes practice.
This takes constant rehearsing.
This is easier with like minded people that support the same ideal.
This takes support.

This is a mindset.  A trained way of living.  This takes work.
And each time you practice, and rehearse, and seek support, and visit your belief and work at it... it becomes more natural.

Support your belief.  If you have to take a time out to gather up your thoughts, then do it...it is a worthwhile investment.  Approach the moment with confidence, and failure may get whipped away by the increasing wind of your momentum.

Take a deep breath...and say hello to Opportunity Monday.

Good morning, Great day.  Great you, is a better day for everyone else.
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author of my fate.