AYD - No Criticism Zone - April 14, 2010

"Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you."
- Zig Ziglar, Author and Speaker

Part of my enjoyment with AYD, is when i come across someone else's words, that bring together so many loossely related thoughts of my own... all into one nice little package of what i have been trying to phrase but could not bring together. And then, that previously elusive, understood expression...becomes mine forever. And now, ours to share.

Many times I wondered how to react within my own power, when I get unjustly criticized. Often, I found myself giving in, and allowing the power to shift from my domain, from my learned inventory, to those who did not earn it. Later, I would lose twice, for i realized too late what I had done, and then I was knee deep in self criticism for allowing someone else to take away my hard earned value. Negative, attracts more negative.

I would like you to keep that thought in mind, for anyone who makes an attempt to criticize your dreams, or you as a person.

"Remember the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you."

You know your successes and your achievements. You are armed with your earned Self Respect. An dyou need to ask yourself, and make sure you stand up for yourself, when you ask this very simple question....

"Is there any room for this person's junk on my list of success?"
"Do I have room for this hitchhiker on the trail I am blazing with my desires, and my determination for achieving my goals?"

I will tell you straight up - on your adventure...on your climb...on your quest...with your personal development, the burden of criticism can become a very heavy, exhausting back pack. Did you pack for this trip, or did someone else?

"Remember the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you."

So continues our Victim or Victor series.
You have a choice to make with the value of your time and effort.
Victim? Or Victor?

Stand and ignite your light - so the critics can no longer speak out of turn from the safety of arrogant darkness. Or, you allow them to blindfold you, casting you into darkness, and leading you away from a treasure they don't believe exists.

My fellow Achiever, My fellow Believer - You are much stronger than that.

Good Morning

Pierre Couturier

AYD April 13 - Everybody Loves A Comeback

It doesn't have to be the bottom of the ninth, down by 3, bases loaded, three balls and two strikes.

It doesn't have to be the last time out with 2 seconds on the clock and only one shot left.

It does not have to be rags to riches, or an all nite cram to get a final exam B+ so you can graduate.

Nor does it have to be that full recovery from life threatening cancer, although that one is always special.

The point is, that it does not have to be earth shattering, news making, nation wide thrill generating circumstances to give value to or define your Comeback.

It can have far more meaning, and be far more personal, far more familiar ... and still make all that impact - to you.

Everybody loves a Comeback.

Especially if it is back, to your fullest potential.

Let's try this again, shall we?

Good morning. Glad to be back, and nice to see you.

Pierre Couturier

Awaken Your Day - Aug 5 - Seeds You Plant

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant."
- Robert Louis Stevenson

Recently it came to my attention, how very little effort it took to create the beginning of a positive interaction in our lives. We made friends with our neighbors. It is not that it was hard, it actually stands out because it was rather easy to do. But the planting of that seed makes you see how much easier life is when you take the moment and the sincerity to do so.

And, of course, as these thoughts passed over my overactive mind, I also thought of the other seeds we have planted...and the positive relationships that make our life more enjoyable because of them. And then, thoughts of those friends who took the time to get to know us first.

It is a very good feeling to carry with you ... when you see the seeds you plant, grow into a solid relationship; working or daily acquaintance or personal friend.

There was a time in my life when I had to honestly say there was really not many people I could count on. Today, I would have to say, I have a "garden" that many would envy.

And I am thankful.

Good morning. Get planting.

Pierre Couturier
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Awaken Your Day - Aug 4 -

"I am more and more convinced that our happiness or our unhappiness depends far more on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of those events themselves."
- Karl Wilhelm Von Humboldt

Combine this with the often quoted comment that it is not what happens to us but how we respond to what happens, and you can see that our success in many ways comes down to a practiced awareness.

An awareness of our gratitude for the things we have versus our envy for those things we do not.
An awareness of our passions, and how they motivate us to constantly step forward...big, or small.
An awareness of our achievements - that show us the greatness of how far we have come.
An awareness of how we desire to grow, learn and become rather than hiding in a shell.
An awareness that we are unlimited in what we can do.

When we go thru our days energized by the awareness that we are in charge of our moments, no matter what event we meet - we meet it with our best foot forward and our mind on our true destination. The idea is that a negative event, will then not control you but instead you will have the ability to navigate thru or past it, for you met it with power and not vulnerability. The shadow of the event, will not be allowed to make it look larger and more ominous for you are viewing it with open eyes and mind - which gives you a more direct light source for these moments. You give yourself a better chance to see events for what they truly are, and not what emotion paints them to be.

The impact of an event is lessened, for your response to it is also more controlled. Unless of course it is a great and joyful moment...in which case you might let control go and just enjoy with reckless abandon.

Open your mind to the idea that you begin the day, with all the tools you need to be a great designer of the day that lies ahead, or to be a great handyman if you need to be to fix those moments that do not go so well.

Meet, greet, and respond accordingly.
Each day and event is like one of those kids books, where the choices you make during the story take you to an assortment of alternate endings.

Good morning, and great meetings.

Pierre Couturier
Father, Husband, Author, Entrepreneur, Friend and Believer.
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