Mindset – How to Learn and Earn a Fantastic Life

“Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in a mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up.”
— Steve Maraboli

Happy Saturday morning; it’s a bit overcast here; it got a little nasty in the early evening, clouds surrounded us, we got a lot of rain, we need the rain, no complaints.  You can see the rays of sunshine beaming through the clouds; I always think that is something bigger than ourselves reminding us of their presence.

We worked from home until eleven, then jumped in the car and met a friend in Golden.  We had some great Mexican food, then Bay and Jenny did a little shopping. Finally, we headed back home, stopping at the grocery.  I worked around the house, took a quick Friday afternoon nap, got up, dined on short rib toasted cheese sandwiches, and ended the night with a movie.   It was a great day; I’ve got a little email to clean up this morning before starting my day.

Today I officially start my Positive Intelligence journey. I’ll plug in an hour of work before heading to meet our friend Joshua for a nice long hike.  It looks to be a glorious day in the mountains of Colorado.  Occasionally I’ll look up some quotes and add them to my quote list. Although I have a few, I thought I would share some of my favorites with you this beautiful morning.

“The mind has a powerful way of attracting things that are in harmony with it, good and bad.”
— Idowu Koyenikan

I have a good life, and I attribute that life to my mindset.  I look at life as a positive experience.  Good things happen, and bad things happen, and when something terrible happens, I always look for the gift, the lesson if you will, that can be found in that tragic moment.  I view life as an instructor providing me lessons to learn and earn insight.  If your life is a constant shit show, I would recommend you start with your mindset and see if you can reframe the events around you.

“It’s a funny thing about life; once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.”
— Germany Kent

I live with a sense of gratitude for my life, the life something bigger than myself created. Although I did not do this, I know I’m not alone; along with my Queen, I’ve always got that guiding force with me, helping me along my life path. So be grateful for what you have; if you are reading these words, you are in the 1% of humanity, be thankful for your position in our world.

I will share that in between paragraphs, PVHT is going in and outside. It’s a morning game we play, she will go outside for a few moments, return, opening the door herself, and then I’ll shut the door.  She mills around checking on Mom, seeing if Bay is up, then whines until I let her out.  “Get a dog, they said!” So we did, and I’m grateful for this creature and her silly ways.

“The victim mindset dilutes the human potential. By not accepting personal responsibility for our circumstances, we greatly reduce our power to change them.”
— Steve Maraboli

Victimhood is something that seems in vogue these days.  Blame others for your plight, but I don’t see it.  I believe that I am responsible for my life, the good, the bad, the ugly, and if things are not going my way, it is up to me to make adjustments.  You will never hear me complain about my life; you can look back at ten years of my writing and try to find a time where I was “woe is me.”  Good luck, a good treasure hunt for you this beautiful morning.

“The mind is just like a muscle - the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets and the more it can expand.”
— Idowu Koyenikan

Do you work your mind?  I do; I work my mind through being present and doing meditation.  I know people that meditate every day, and they are some of the happiest people I know. So if you don’t meditate, let me recommend headspace or calm, two free apps for 30 days, try and sit for ten minutes, and clear your mind.  Meditation is a daily practice; it’s helping me appreciate our world; it’s beautiful, you know.

Well, there you have it a few quotes and some insight into my morning mind. Next, I’m going to fill my YETI with crisp cold mountain water, find a quiet place and do some work on myself. Then, in a couple of hours, we will take our pup and meet our friend and hike for 2 hours. After that, we will have lunch at our favorite spot, Brooks Place Tavern and then return to host some friends tonight at our mountain top chalet.  I’m a blessed man because I have learned that life is all about mindset.  Set your mind and lean into your most fantastic existence.

“Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in a mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up.”
— Steve Maraboli