The Power of Decisive Action

What's stopping you or most people from doing what you've always wanted to do in  life? It can be anything, really, but let's cite a realistic example for argument's sake. Losing weight, for instance. Why is it so hard to begin and harder still to finish anything that is worth undertaking? Why do most people FAIL to succeed? A lot of questions but not a whole lot of answers. Let's digress for a minute on a simple thought; the power to put words into action. Let's take that notion one notch higher by stating the power of taking Decisive Action. What is decisive action? It is action which is done with complete commitment and vindiction in order to see completion or fruition of a certain desire or need.

In order for us to understand why we fail in implementing worthwhile changes in our everyday lives let's understand one fundamental human behavior: change is often times painful and there is comfort in staying the same not straying too far from comfort zones even if it meant having to do so is essential for personal growth. Why is that you ask? Well, it's simple, really- we are afraid of the unknown, of uncertainty, and of taking risks. Our desire to live a healthier and longer life, for instance, is greatly hampered by our lack of motivation and fear of not succeeding. What are we afraid of? Failure, for one, but there are other factors which we put stress and emphasis in avoiding as well. Let's enumerate those "other" factors now:

1. We are afraid to change or try something new because we essentially underestimate our potentials.
2. We are afraid because we don't want to commit ourselves into something which has no known guarantees
     besides the fact that normalcy will take a backseat from now on.
3. We are afraid too change because we don't want to be stereotyped by anyone's standards.
4. We are afraid to change because having to begin again takes too much time and effort on our part.
5. We are afraid to change because we cater to the notion that people should respect our individuality and
     that our imperfections define who we are.

Do any of the top 5 statements sound familiar to you? It should because they pertain to all of us. While they may be true on some regards, it all depends by what we mean by "changing". In essence, what is CHANGE? Know that we act upon a certain need or desire based on two different principles. If something causes us pain, we veer away from the cause or avoid it altogether. If something brings us pleasure we strive towards a certain goal which allows this pleasurable feeling to be experienced time and again. There is no other given set of stimuli which clearly defines our need to take action than the two previously mentioned. However, as we grow and acquire maturity ( physical, emotional, spiritual), we have clearly defined a given set of standards or set of rules which dictate how and what we should do in times of struggle,pain, or even joy. What I am saying here is that we have closed our minds to the possibility ( which is more likely than unlikely) that as we face life's challenges there will be an inherent NEED to RESET our standards and change towards adaptability.  But what does all of these have to do with the ability to take decisive action? Simple. By having an open mind, we can assess a given situation, or any situation, for that matter, as they are, free of our stereotypes and ideals, and act upon them properly.

Now let's put the power of decisive action to the test on a real world case scenario. Let's take my example above. Say you are OVERWEIGHT. You are about 15-30% above your ideal weight as dictated by your BMI (Body Mass Index). You know that you are not alone since a lot of americans are also overweight, if not more so than you. So what do you do? You tried dieting, of course, and even tried walking around the block several times every morning to get your heart rate and metabolism up so you can burn your calories more efficiently. You even tried herbal solutions such as slimming teas and dietary supplements to help you win your war against fat. You tried surfing the web to get a better gauge of what your lipid profile and blood sugar should be. You may have even given up smoking and other vices which are known risk factors for lifestyle diseases. Then you ask yourself the most important question after several years of these-why aren't you losing weight? Where did you go wrong since you've tried them all? There is no one correct answer to that question so instead of running around trying to find an explanation, any explanation, let's construct a plan of action which you can implement daily. Make it routine until it becomes a habit, and only then will it be second nature to you. So here are The 7 Steps to Taking Decisive Action.

1. Stop blaming yourself. Give in to the fact that you are not perfect and never will be. Understand that you
    have limits to what you can accomplish but there is no limit in what you can try. Don't blame yourself for
    past failures because you aren't the only one who didn't finish a race.

2. Reassess what your goals are and remap the necessary actions you need to take on a daily basis in order
    to reach that goal. Don't make it lofty. Instead keep it realistic.

3. Understand the fact that you cannot do this alone. You need emotional encouragement and motivation
    from the people you love. By giving you support you have with you at all times a reason why you should
    see things through.

4. Accept the fact that at times you will fail. See failure in a different light. Instead of seeing it as an end see it
    as an opportunity to learn, to reset your learning curves.

5. When the opportunity presents itself or if a need arises ACT immediately and without hesitation. DO
    NOT BE AFRAID. Stand your ground and face the challenge head on. Make decisions and take actions
    with surgical precision. Do not set any given plan in stone. Learn to make necessary changes along the
    way to adapt to any unforeseen circumstances.

Let's answer the question of why we fail. Did we lack planning? Maybe effort or even commitment? Maybe all of the above but that's not really important. It is how we stand up after each fall that counts. We fail because we are human beings. We try, we fail, we learn, and we try again, until we succeed. It's just the way things are. So don't despair. It isn't the end of the world. Learn from your experience and assess what needs to be done the second time around. Once you see that golden window of opportunity take decisive action towards it. Make your move and reap your reward. It's been a long time coming, anyhow. Take care guys. Know that you are never alone in this game of life. This is JowelMD, and once again, signing off, but not signing out.

A World Without Love

     Imagine a world without emotions where even the everyday happenstances that comprise our lives seem as grey and desolate as the skies. Imagine a world where emptiness reigns supreme and nothing is of value not even our very own feeble existance. We can't live in a world like that. Our humanity ( and maybe even our sanity) will very likely be lost. And yet, when we really stop and think about our very own limited time here on Earth, the question begs to be asked why are we not happy? Maybe I should rephrase that into something more tangible. If you know you were to die tomorrow, how would you like to live TODAY? I can   see the gears in your mind turning now, fathoming the endless " Things I need to do" items in your last and final list. Ever wondered why adventurers( or daredevils, for that matter) live for that split second instant which can dictate life or death? It's because only when they cheat death do they feel truly alive. I know you know that nobody in their right mind wanted to feel alive THAT way and everyday of that sort of encounter can drive anybody to a psyche ward anywhere. There is, however, a better way to live a long and contented life. And it starts NOW.

     We are not trivial beings. You can bet almost anything that the things that make you laugh or cry isn't that much different from what makes another individual laugh or cry from a different corner of the world. The point I am driving us is we have SIMILAR NEEDS,no matter what our race, color, or creed maybe. We are not unique in that our standards may be higher or that our statures or professions dictate that we remain special or separated. That is not even important because all that really matters is the legacy we will be leaving behind. How is it that a CEO from a Fortune 500 company be any different from that of a shoe cobbler who takes pride in his work on some alley way in India. Money changes our perspectives in life and it clouds us into believing that our very existance depends on money. Remember that each second which comprises our lives will never be returned to us. We will watch and learn as we grow old, fading into the distance, awaiting our turn to finally becoming one with our maker. That is a fact of life. Time takes away everything, even memories. So how do we start living life to the fullest when we don't even know how or where to begin? The answer is really very simple but it eludes us to the point where we don't really see it or recognize it anymore. So here it is:

LOVE MORE  

     Love more. Just two words but with infinite meaning. How does one love more? Start by loving the people you already love. Words are hollow without action to back them up. When you love somebody,SAY SO AND PROVE SO. In order to reach a higher level or plane of understanding how love really makes the world go 'round there are several plans of action you need to practice on a daily basis until they become habitual. Only when you pass this primary challenge can you progress further. The feeling is indescribable. Only when you GET THERE will you TRULY UNDERSTAND. Here are the things you need to do:

1. Remain CALM at all times

2. Understand FIRST before you speak.

3. Listen with Patience and Earnest.

4. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

5. Learn to Overlook Imperfection

6. Don't take ANYBODY for granted.

7. Practice a different act of selflessness daily.

8. Share your blessings

9. Keep an OPEN MIND

10. Believe in what only YOU CAN do 

11. Learn to LET GO of PAIN and REMORSE

12. Regret NOTHING

What do the 12 things listed above actually prepare you for, you say? Why don't I leave it at that and you can tell me later how you cope with each of them above. Not easy, these 12, but when you take the time to contemplate on how they can change your life, you'll begin to understand that it's so much more than just simply acquiring a different perspective. It's more of about opening your heart to love. Only when you receive love can you share it or even begin to understand it. So, good luck with your journey ahead and remember that whichever way the road may fork, you are never alone. Someone out there always holds you near and dear to their hearts. It's time you do the same for them. Thank you for spending some of your time and for giving me the opportunity to share with you. We can only journey through this life once and it doesn't make sense travelling alone. JowelMD signing out but not signing off.