Don't Compare...

If you find that you're comparing yourself to others
and coming up short, it's time to stop that destructive
habit. Comparisons get you nowhere. Rather than leading
to positive improvements, they only cause you pain and
discontent.
A better choice is to focus on your own personal needs
and wants. You're a unique individual who requires a
personal approach! This helps you boost your self-image
because you're focused on improving yourself and not trying
to beat someone else in some uncharted race.
Learning to focus on you rather than everyone else around
you can be a difficult task. Too often, we're so used to
focusing on our families and friends that we don't even know
how to begin the process of focusing on our own choices and
decisions that determine our lives.
Follow these five tips to help you focus on fully
enjoying your life:
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1. Devote one hour a day to "me time." During this time,
focus completely on yourself and the things you need or
desire to feel strong, lovable and important. Reflect on
what's important to you. Dream big dreams and figure out
small steps you can take to achieve them.
Your  "me-time" can be anything you like it to be: take a
relaxing bubble bath, go for a walk, take a nap, get a
manicure, read a novel, or do something else. Anything
that brings you pleasure simply for the sake of pleasure
qualifies as me-time.
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2. Take care of your own physical, spiritual and health
needs. Relying on someone else to meet your needs only leads
to dependence and resentment. Don't wait for someone else to
do these things for you.
You have the power within you to meet your own needs and
the only way you can be truly whole is to do just that.
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3. Feed you mind and body good healthy fuels. You cannot
expect your mind and body to function at their best if you
don't provide them with the fuels they need to work at
full capacity.
Feed your body good foods: fresh fruits and vegetables,
whole grains, and lean proteins. Drink plenty of water
to keep your body fully hydrated.
Feed your mind by reading informative, well-written books,
newspapers, and magazines. Choose recreational reading
that builds your mind and spirit. Limit your TV watching
and spend your time pursuing things that stimulate your
thinking instead.
Play board games rather than video games. Listen to music
designed to stimulate your brain waves with binary beats.
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4. Spend time each day doing something you love. No matter
what your hobby is, it's healthy to indulge in a creative
pastime.
Gardening, painting, woodcarving and pottery are all
hobbies that encourage your creativity while you use your
hands to create something beautiful.
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5. Start a gratitude journal. Begin and end each day
by listing five unique things you're grateful for in
your life. Before long, you'll find that you spend more
of your time dwelling on all the good things you have in
the world rather than negative obstacles you might face.
Focusing on you helps you take the best possible care
of yourself. It allows you to replenish your batteries
and regain your strength so you can be fully present and
engaged in the rest of your day.
Use these tips to start changing your focus today, and
have many happy tomorrows!