Susan Call's Blog, page 5

5 Things You Need To Do When You Feel Off Track

Is this a dreaded backslide?

Have you ever noticed how something small can suddenly become impossible to ignore? You know that teeny tiny bit of toothpaste on your sweater… it didn’t look that noticeable when you left the house but by the time you go to work it’s become a giant obtrusive spot. Suddenly “it” is yelling to be noticed.

The same can happen when we’ve worked hard to make a change or to grow in an area of our lives. When the realization that we’ve made a mistake hits, it can trigger deafening self-talk. We seem to waste no time beating ourselves up for being off track.

The other day a friend confessed that she felt like she was smack dab in the middle of a backslide. Her revelation came after she stepped on the scale the day after Thanksgiving. She’s worked hard this year to lose 20 pounds. Now suddenly she’s up 5 pounds and is feeling defeated.

It’s hard when we’ve worked for a change only to feel like it’s slipping through our fingers. I know because I’ve been there too. If I’m honest, I’m there now. But, I’m choosing to look at my challenges differently. I’ve found a freeing perspective that I hope encourages you the next time you feel like you’ve gone backwards, are backslidden, or feel like change isn’t possible.

1. Don’t throw in the towel.

When a fire is 30% contained, would you recommend the firefighters give up because it’s a “lost cause?” Or, when you have a flat tire, do you slash the other three because it’s hopeless? No, you don’t! So when you feel like you’ve been 30% successful, why would you ever entertain giving up? Remove it as an option. You deserve more than quitting. When you decide to continue, you’ve already taken the first vital step towards your goal.

 2. Recognize this time is different.

Too often we tell ourselves that we’ve been “here” before. But as I told my friend, this is actually a different place. It really is different this time. How do I know? I asked if before this time if she’d ever have admitted to someone that she was up 5 pounds right after Thanksgiving or if she’d have waited until January 1st to worry about it. And, I asked if in the past she’d have given herself a free pass for the entire holiday season. She admitted, she’d not have worried about it until January. I told her that makes it different. When you feel like you’ve taken a step back, recognize the subtle differences about this time. Doing so will help shift your choices to support your desired direction.

3. Revisit what matters.

My friend and I talked about what makes people take a free pass during the holidays when it comes to food chooses. She admitted that she treasures the family time baking cookies with her children but in the same breath said she feared she’d have no willpower to not eat far more than she should. I suggested making a gingerbread house together. There’s lots of “create” time and not really a finish product you’d want to eat. I also suggested making ½ batches, making and decorating cutout cookies that take more time to make, or baking cookies to give away. In the areas that we feel like we’ve gone backwards, identify what matters. Reframe your next step in a way that supports your goals but respects what matters.

4. Be your biggest cheerleader.

If a friend came to you fearing she was losing ground in an area she was previously making progress, what would you say to her? How would you encourage her to see her progress past her mistakes? Then ask yourself, is that how you’re talking to yourself? If not, it’s time for a change. Go back to the basics of what you need to be successful on your journey and repeat it. If it’s a skill such as music or writing, practice it. If it’s weight loss, get rid of unhealthy snacks and portions and drink enough water. Remind yourself what works for you and do it! Get back up on the horse and go. And, as you do, cheer yourself on daily. Don’t speak to yourself differently than you would to a good friend.

5. Identify and remove stumbling blocks.

When we’re struggling to be on track, it’s important to know our own weaknesses. Be brutally honest with yourself and take proactive steps to remove potential stumbling blocks. Take time to set yourself up for success by doing what you can to make your path easier. If you’re watching what you eat, don’t keep sweets around. If you’ve got a goal to read a book, plan time at the coffee shop. Whatever your goal is, do what you can to make it easier for you to be successful.

It’s your turn:

If you take two steps forward and one step back, you’re still ahead of where you started! Keep going. Don’t let setbacks, real or just perceived to hold you back. You’ve got this! It IS different this time.

Where are you today? Is there an area of your life that you’ve felt a bit off track lately? Maybe it’s time to give yourself a pep talk. Give yourself the encouragement you’d give a good friend. I’d love if you’d comment to join the conversation. What do you do to get on track? Did one of these ideas encourage you? As we look to the new year, what a better time for us to encourage each other and recommit to making progress on our journeys.

If this has encouraged you, please click to share on your favorite social media.

Until next time friends, be blessed!

A few other posts to enjoy and share:

How to be Successful at Change
5 Things You Need to do This Week
5 Secrets to Making Progress from a Surprising Source
6 Life-Hacks to Save Time and Energy
How to Take Charge and Conquer the Shorter-Day Blues

The post 5 Things You Need To Do When You Feel Off Track appeared first on Susan Call.

How To Face Problems With A Winning Approach

Would you rather…

In life, we don’t get to pick our problems the way the popular game “Would your rather?” entertains. Unfortunately, we don’t get to trade in the card we never wanted to hold. But, we do get to choose how we play it. If you’re like me, you’ve had your share of cards you never wanted in your hand. When I was thinking about this post, I was reminded of a challenge I struggled with just a few years ago.

One day I noticed a sore spot on one of my hands. Over a short time, my palms became covered with blisters then with cuts and thick skin. For over a year I fought the condition that seemed to only subside during short periods while on steroids. After many doctor’s visits and online research I discovered I had psoriasis on my hands caused from a gluten intolerance. I immediately changed to a gluten free diet and now my hands are better! While I wouldn’t choose to have dealt with this, the experience yielded wisdom on how we can all have a winning approach to life’s challenges.

1. Choose your focus.

We have a choice – focus on the symptoms or on the root cause. When my hands were getting much worse, one doctor suggested that I take a medication that clears the symptoms for nearly 98% of the people who take it. But, it would only treat the symptoms and do nothing to actually cure me. It was a “sure fix” that also came with a big risk – I’d have to have a liver biopsy once every three years. The risk of cancer required it. In my situation and in life, focusing solely on the symptoms comes with a cost. In life when we’re stressed or unhappy, we can use a quick fix to treat the symptoms on the surface or we can take the time necessary to dive deeper and fix the underlying issues. And, just like my choice, our choices can come with a greater cost if we choose the path the solely focuses on the symptoms.

2. Watch what you consume.

With my skin, I found literally that what I eat impacts its health. If I make choices counter to what is good for me, with in a day or two I can visibly see it. In our lives, it’s the same. What we consume through the messages we listen to impact us. If we constantly chew on negative, our lives will bear the fruit of our consumption. We’ll more readily see the negative and it will impact our emotional health. If conversely we choose to feed ourselves encouragement and look at life and situations with a growth mindset, we will become stronger and more resilient as a result.  What we choose to consume impacts the fruits we produce.

3. Travel together.

A few years ago when I needed to shift to being gluten free, my sister Karen knew how daunting the change could be. She’d made the switch for different reasons. To make my adjustment easier, she gave me a giant bag of some of her favorite gluten free products. Today we’ve shared many products back and forth as well as recipes to make it easier for both of us. No matter what troubles you face in life, you don’t have to travel alone. There’s someone who’s walked the same path ahead of you. Find a friend, family member or a group to join who can help you navigate the challenging chapters of life. Who knows, there might just be a Facebook group or Pinterest board out there with encouragement that can lighten your load.

4. Unleash the power of your story.

Use your story and your journey to encourage someone else.  Too often we feel like we’re the only one who struggles with our particular burden. When we’re vulnerable and share appropriately with others, we can lighten their load. Our progress can encourage someone else struggling to make sense of their challenges. And, the speedbumps we’ve encountered can be turned into starting blocks that help someone else push forward when they didn’t know it was possible. Be willing to use your story to foster resilience in someone hungry to find a way. I’ve met several people who said they’ve never known anyone else who has dealt with psoriasis. My sharing with them encouraged them and gave them hope. Be open to where you might be nudge to share too.

5. Don’t forget the obvious.

When faced with a problem or even a crisis, we can jump into survival mode before we even realize what we’re dealing with. Don’t forget the obvious – pray! If you want peace in the middle of your chaos, prayer can provide an anchor in the storm. I’ve face many challenges in life with confidence and peace because of the power of prayer. Be sure to unleash it’s power the next time your dealing with a problem.

It’s your turn

How do you empower yourself when you face life’s unexpected challenges? Do you have a secret winning approach? Or, have these ideas resonated with you? Comment to join the conversation. I’d love to hear from you!

For additional encouragement check out these links:

Tips and Recipes for Gluten Free Cooking
Encouragement on Instagram

Encouraged by this post? Why not click on the social media buttons below to share. And, if you haven’t yet signed up for my email group, why not take a moment to do that below and get the next encouraging post delivered right to your inbox.

Until next time friends, be blessed!

The post How To Face Problems With A Winning Approach appeared first on Susan Call.

7 Things To Do When You Feel Lost

Heading home from a weekend away, I pressed “home” on my old school GPS before getting on the road. But, on this particular day, instead of providing me directions, the screen simply displayed “Searching for Satellites.”

I turned down the road and decided I’d trust my gut as I started out. But, a few miles down the road, it started to feel really wrong.  I pulled off the side of the road and pulled up the map app on my phone, and pressed “home” thinking surely it could get us there. Something happened that has never happened before or since, my phone’s GPS told me “can’t find a way there.”

After a momentary panic, (seriously, when does a GPS tell you that there is no way?) I regained my composure and studied the small map on my screen. I was able to determine the next several turns I’d need to make and hoped that by then either my app or GPS would “find” me. Sure enough, they both did! And, thankfully the remainder of the trip was uneventful. The adventure taught me 7 things we can all do when we feel lost:

1. Admit something is off.

Have you ever noticed how loud your gut can be when something doesn’t look right or feel right? That day navigating the unfamiliar roads prompted the same gnawing feeling that I was going in the wrong direction. In life when it feels like something is off, don’t ignore it. In my car that day, I pulled off the road to assess my situation. In life, sometimes we need to “pull over.” Taking a step back can allow us to survey our situation and determine the next course of action.

2. Recognize “lost” is temporary.

The feeling that you aren’t where you want to be can cause anxiety or worry. But, it’s important to remember that life is a journey so where we are is only temporary. We have the ability to influence our direction by the choices we make. Refuse to get stuck in lost mode. Instead remind yourself that this too shall pass. And if you only know the very next step you should take, take that one step. We often identify the next needed step after we’re in motion.

3. Reestablish your destination.

Remind yourself where you are trying to go or where you would like to be. Your desired destination is a vital part of any journey. It’s great to know where you are now but, if you don’t know where you want to be, you won’t know which way to turn when you pull out of your parking lot. Reestablish the direction you’re going so that you can take your next step heading the right way.

4. Check the source of your directions.

As you set you, what’s the source for your directions? For me on the unfamiliar roads, I was a bit turned around. I knew that I couldn’t trust my own sense of direction for my entire way home. When we feel lost, it’s a good time to check how do we know which way to go? What source are we listening to? Validate the source of input that is helping you choose your direction. For me, checking the map on my phone allowed me to gain my bearings until my GPS was able to provide turn by turn instructions. What map are you using? Take time to pray and earnestly listen so that you know you’re following a trustworthy source.

5. Start/restart/continue in the right direction.

If you were going in the wrong direction, make an adjustment, turn around, and take next step. Don’t allow yourself to sit pulled of the road of life feeling lost without taking action. Get support or input where you need it and go. As uncomfortable as the feeling was when my gut told me we were going further away from the route we wanted, to get home, we needed to turn and keep going to get home. Are you at a place in life where you need to turn and keep going?

6. Don’t compare.

Driving down the rural roads, a number of cars were traveling in the same direction I was going when I was lost. We wouldn’t consider using them as a guide for if we were on the right path home but in life too often we’re tempted to do the same. Comparison does not validate that our choices, our direction, or our pace is right or wrong. Other people are not living our life’s journey so comparison will not provide usable feedback to help us get to our own destination. Refuse to let comparison use your resources and distract you. Turn the channel and press on.

7. Keep going!

Pull yourself up by your boot straps and keep going. The best way to reach your goals, your purpose or your destination is to take the next step. Look for positive and constructive feedback and press on. Some parts of our journey take longer than others but, we will get there if we keep going!

 

It’s your turn

Have you ever realized you were lost while driving too? Ever notice how we wouldn’t consider allowing ourselves to continue to drive lost but we get lulled in to living lost sometimes? Be intentional with life. If you’re off track, use one of these 7 tips to get back going in the right direction. The next time you feel lost, remember there IS a way there from here. (Sharing my screen capture so that you can see how crazy my GPS was that day!)

If this post has encouraged you, I’d love to hear from you! Please click to comment and join the conversation. And, if you’ve been encouraged, why not share this post on social media and encourage others too.

Until next time friends, be blessed!

The post 7 Things To Do When You Feel Lost appeared first on Susan Call.

How To Survive Thanksgiving – 5 Tips You Need To Know

Can you believe Thanksgiving is only a week away! For many, the holiday means extended family, grateful hearts, turkey and pumpkin pie. Before you know it, it will be next Thursday. Your hours of preparations in the kitchen will be but a vapor. Your family will gather around the table and you’ll collapse into your chair, suddenly wondering if you remembered to turn the oven off.

Maybe you’ll spend several days preparing ahead of the celebration. Do you worry you’ll forget something? Or do you worry that the day might not be all you hope it will be? As much as we look forward to it, Thanksgiving can cause us to feel stressed, anxious and overwhelmed. There are several things you can do to lighten your load, enjoy the day, and put the ‘Happy’ back in Thanksgiving.

1. Review your expectations and keep it in perspective

Are you realistically looking at the holiday or are you building it up in a way that will only leave you disappointed? Keep your expectations in check and put the day in perspective. Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful for all that you have and to share it with family or friends. Enjoy what you have with those you have to enjoy it with. Let anything else be a bonus, not an expectation.

2. Set boundaries.

We continue to live in a politically charged society. If you know you don’t see eye to eye with your Uncle Matt on politics, don’t bring up politics across the Thanksgiving table. Taboo topics aren’t limited to politics. Be aware of what “that” topic is for your family. Let your family know that subject is off limits. If someone brings up a taboo topic, be ready to redirect. Remember – You don’t have to go to every argument you are invited to.

3. Remember, it’s not about you

“This turkey is a little dry” your Aunt Sarah criticizes bringing the table conversation to a hush. You’ve worked so hard to pull together the dinner and just want to cry. Even if Aunt Sarah is always the one with the critical tongue, it can sting when the words hit you. Don’t take it personally! Your value isn’t based on what she thinks of your cooking. And, in the end, Thanksgiving isn’t about the food. Pass her the gravy or pour her some punch. Even if you burn the entire meal, or the turkey is dry, it doesn’t mean you’re a failure! Refuse to take comments about the meal to heart as criticisms of your worth.

4. Have a plan

Depending on how challenging your family may be for you, it may make sense to have a plan to keep yourself emotionally in a good or safe place. Know when you’ve had enough and need to remove yourself from a conversation, retreat to a different room, and recognize when its time to head home. When you need to regroup, go for a walk, or go play with the kids. Be conscious of your “meter” and when it’s time to recharge or step away.

5. Remember why you are celebrating!

Be thankful for the big things that have made a difference in your life this year… and be sure to remember the little things too. Treasure the time together. It’s a gift. Share a smile.Play a game, do a puzzle together, or reminisce. Let the world slow down and just “be” with those you love. Visit, laugh, enjoy!

It’s your turn

As you look ahead to Thanksgiving, what are you looking forward to the most? What tricks do you have to keep your stress down while focusing on what matters most?  Or, will you be putting any of these ideas to use? I’d love to hear from you. Comment to join the conversation.

However you plan to spend Thanksgiving, I wish the best to you and your family!

Until next time friends, be blessed!

The post How To Survive Thanksgiving – 5 Tips You Need To Know appeared first on Susan Call.

6 Life-Hacks to Save Time and Energy

Life-hacks to save time and energy.

It’s the time of the year when it feels like bed time by 6:30pm. Almost overnight it seems like it takes more energy to do the same things that were easier when daylight lingered until 8pm. If you like me appreciate simple ways to make small changes that make life easier, you’ll appreciate these life-hacks.

Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together. – Vincent Van Gogh

6 Simple Life-Hacks:
1. Sort your silverware.

As you and your family load your dishwasher, sort spoons, forks, knives, and other utensils into their own spaces. It takes about the same amount of time to load the dishwasher but saves time unloading. I’ve found that this little change makes unloading the dishwasher less of a dread than it was before and it’s much faster. We’ve even had visiting family see how effective it is and vow to take the trick home with them. If it saves a few minutes each time, those are minutes you can use for something other than dishes.

2. Reduce eye strain.

If strained eyes are making you more tired than you were already, reduce the blue light that you are exposed from your electronics. There are some great software programs available such as f.lux that can make a huge difference. If you do opt for this awesome free software program, consider a donation to the great folks who created it since they could have charged a fee but allow you to use it for free. This program has made a noticeable difference in my energy after my work day. Eye strain from blue light had previously made me feel tired after work. It turns out it was much less about being tired than it was about my eyes being stressed from too much blue light. Most smart phones have settings to adjust the screen

3. Plan 3 for 1 dinners.

Want to reduce time and effort cooking dinner? Plan your weekly dinners by cooking enough of your main course to be re-purposed into 3 different meals. A few examples cook ground beef to make chili, tacos, and sloppy joes.  Grill chicken and have chicken and vegetables, chicken fried rice, and chicken casserole with chicken, broccoli, rice, and cream of chicken soup. Or make meatballs and have spaghetti and meatballs, tortellini soup, and meatball subs topped with provolone cheese. Three for 1 dinners save time, energy, and stress. It’s easier than you think! And, if you prefer you can freeze your planned overs to give your family more variety while still saving you time and effort.

4. Set a timer.

If you want to get a number of small things done faster, set a timer. The Pomodoro Technique suggests a 25 minute timer, followed by a 5 minute break. Set out to beat the clock and be both more focused and productive. Use your smart phone’s timer or choose from a number of free apps to conveniently set a timer on your phone. There are a number of versions available online. Choose the one that works for you. Try it out and let me know if you see the same productivity boost I’ve found when I use a timer.

5. Choose to move.

While you brush your teeth or wait for the microwave to warm your coffee, polish off a few reps of squats or strengthen your calves by going up and down from your toes to flat footed? Choose to take the stairs instead of the elevator or choose to park a little farther away. Or when you go to get something upstairs at home, go up, then down, then back up to get what you need. Find spare moments in your day when you can consciously choose to move a bit more. All of the little things add up.

6. Choose how you start.

Just over a year ago I decided that I would avoid hitting social media as one of the first things I did in the morning. It’s such an easy habit to fall in to – wanting to check what’s going on with people or the world when we wake up. I decided to make my first app of the day YouVersion. Each day I check out the verse of the day to set the tone for the challenges I know will lie ahead. Other apps such as First5 let you do the same as well. Choose what gets your attention first each day and choose the attitude that you step into the day with. Why not deliberately start on a positive note?

It’s your turn

Why not try a few these this week? Click and share your favorite life-hacks or let me know which of the ones I’ve shared you’ll be trying. What do you do to make the most of your time during the shorter days of fall and winter? How do you keep your spirits up when it gets dark so early?  I’d love to hear from you. Click to join the conversation.

Encouraged by this post? Please share it with your friends on social media and help spread the encouragement.

Until next time friends, be blessed!

You might also enjoy:

5 Things You Need to do This Week
3 Surprising Things That Happen When You Let Go of Excuses
5 Things You Need to Know About Tenacity I Learned from a Stranger

Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out. Rober Collier

The post 6 Life-Hacks to Save Time and Energy appeared first on Susan Call.

How to Improve Your Outlook from Where’s Waldo

Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unexpected places! Looking for a way to encourage a friend, the book Where’s Waldo popped into my mind. The popular books with visual puzzles of Waldo wearing his red and white striped shirt hiding in a busy scene turned out to be just the analogy I needed to lift her spirits.

Navigating a challenging season, she’s been feeling like God has been completely silent or even absent lately. Her life has felt a bit like a chaotic scene from the Waldo books lately. I encouraged her to wake up every day and remember the premise of that book but, instead of looking for Waldo, everyday wake up determined to find God’s fingerprint or influence on the day. After all, when you take time to see the good and recognize God in your everyday life your outlook improves.

Where’s Waldo meets faith:
You find what you look for.

With a Where’s Waldo book, if you don’t open the pages and look for Waldo, you won’t find him. We don’t typically find what we aren’t looking for. When life feels challenging and it seems like God has gone silent, it might just be time to start looking for his fingerprint on your day. Look at each day as a new page. Just like the publishers of the book put Waldo on each page, God is present on each “page” of your life. Wake up determined to find the good, count your blessings, and recognize His fingerprints.

It gets easier to spot him.

The more you play along with the Where’s Waldo books, the easier it gets to find him. At first it can be challenging to find him despite his famous red and white striped shirt. But, with time your eyes are better trained to skip over the distractions and find Waldo more quickly. With our faith, the more we look to find God’s fingerprints on our days, the easier it becomes to spot them. When we’re discouraged, we may feel as though we can’t think of anything to be thankful for. Looking for 3 things to be grateful for each day is a great way to improve your vision to spotting God in your day. The more you look for Him, the easier it gets to spot Him.

The sooner you start looking, the sooner you find.

If you leave a Where’s Waldo book on the shelf, you won’t find Waldo. The sooner you open the pages, the sooner you’ll find him. The same is true for God in our lives. The sooner we look for Him, the sooner we’ll find Him. He’s always there. We just don’t always notice. Start noticing. You’ll be amazed the many places you’ll spot His fingerprints!

It’s your turn:

If you’re in a hectic season of life, I hope my Waldo analogy will encourage you. Be inspired to get up every day and look for God’s fingerprint on your day. Don’t let the chaos around you camouflage His presence. Keep looking… you’ll find it. And, unlike a Waldo in the book, you can find far more than one fingerprint on a day.

As always I welcome comments. Click to join the conversation.

 

Until next time, be blessed!

The post How to Improve Your Outlook from Where’s Waldo appeared first on Susan Call.

How to be a Friend in Politically Charged Times

Have you noticed how hot it is out there? No, not the weather but the political climate. I’ve heard a number of people say that they’ve unfriended or unfollowed people they once called “friend.” I’ve seen posts from different perspectives seething with emotion. So how do you navigate these challenging times? A millennial from my hometown gym showed courage, respect, and gave a poignant example that we could all learn from.

The young man from one political view point approached another other young man at the gym sporting apparel from the opposing side. This is a bad idea was likely the thought that instantly crossed the mind of anyone who saw the “confrontation” unfold.

May I ask you a question? It began.

Sure.

Why do you support that individual’s point of view?

The two continued with honest dialog. They shared differences and the “why’s” behind them. In some cases one offered insight the other hadn’t considered. Both passionate about their opinion, yet chose to leave their passion out of their replies. Neither spoke with the intent of “converting” the other. The scene was a remarkable demonstration of what is possible and it left me inspired to consider how we can each be a friend during this tough time.

Ask and listen.

If you’re willing to leave your passion out of the conversation, ask your friend or family member if they’d be willing to have a conversation. Respect their willingness or aversion. If they say no, thank them for the consideration and end the conversation period.

If conversely they agree to talk, consider asking why they support their candidate. Listen, really listen to their response. Specifically listen for their heart in their response. What belief, value, personal experience, or fear is at the root of their response? If they are willing to listen, briefly share your belief or value that causes you to think as you do. If you really want to have a conversation, it needs to be at a different level and not about the politicians or political parties. And, if at any time the other person’s tone becomes defensive, it’s a good time to thank them for being willing to have a conversation and end the discussion respectfully.

Choose carefully.

Carefully choose where you place your loyalty. Are you willing to be more loyal to a politician than to people who have been with you through your toughest seasons of life? There may be people that you care about that you just don’t see eye to eye with. Is it worth the friendship or the relationship? Can you understand their perspective and remain on different sides of the aisle? Perhaps your history is worth more so perhaps your choice may need to be to avoid political discussion in order to maintain the relationship. I know of a few families who have a “no politics” rule for family gatherings. Perhaps that’s a choice you may need to consider.

Check your sharing.

If you’re like many today, you’re passionate about your viewpoint. With the changing world we live in, that is completely understandable. But, do your friends on social media know more about your political views than how you really are or what you’ve been up to? In the midst of sharing your thoughts, don’t forget to share you – maybe even share selfie with your kids, a picture of that new recipe you tried or even a silly Snapchat photo with whiskers and bunny ears.

Fact check.

Before you share, post, or repeat, check your facts. Was what you’re about to share written by an emotional blogger who didn’t take time to do the research necessary before hitting post? I’m amazed by how many social media posts are inspired by facts but don’t quite line up.  It’s also a good idea to earnestly pray for discernment.  Every article doesn’t need to be re shared. And, don’t repeat what you can’t verify. No need to add to the rumor mill.

Speak up and advocate.

Respectfully use your voice to advocate for the candidates you support by volunteering. Hold yourself to a standard of respect and continue to listen while you share. Find healthy outlets and methods to share your views understanding that not all of your friends or family might be the best outlet (unless of course they also welcome the opportunity). Find some like-minded people to process your thoughts and the election’s outcome with. Hold yourself to a higher standard of treating people with kindness even when you don’t agree. If you are a person of faith, it’s a standard you should strive for no matter what the situation.

Know your limits.

If you can’t maintain civility, don’t have the conversation. If you feel your blood boiling, it’s time to step away. Every conversation about politics does not need to end in an argument and you don’t need to go to every argument you are invited to. Know your boundaries and limits. If you’re weary from the headlines, make sure you are balancing the “inputs” you allow in your life. Read a book. Listen to music. Talk about something other than politics. Remember why your friends are your friends and go be a friend. Go out for coffee and complain about the weather or talk about your favorite sports team.

It’s your turn:

Friends my wish for you is that you are able to strengthen your relationships despite your disagreements. Be sure to exercise your civic duty and vote. And, be sure to exercise your civility and be respectful no matter who you vote for! As far as the two young men at the gym, the shook hands and thanked each other for remaining civil. We can all learn a lot from their example!

As always, I welcome your comments (as long as they are not political). How are you navigating these tough times? What’s working for you? Click to join the conversation. And, if you think others would benefit from this post, please click to share.

Until next time friend, be blessed!

 

The post How to be a Friend in Politically Charged Times appeared first on Susan Call.

How to Have A Better Week

Make This Week a Better Week

Just like that, it’s a new week! Don’t be tempted to crawl back under the covers with the colder weather and dreary news reports. Although it would be easy to justify that posture, we can take steps to make this a better week. And, while we can’t wave a wand instantly make everything around us better, we do have the power to choose our attitude and have a positive impact on the world around us. Want to make this week a better one? Check out this list of what you can do:

A few things you can do this week:
1. Check your playlist.

Who and what are you listening to? Are the words and messages encouraging and uplifting, or have you been caught with a negative playlist? Words speak life or death. Guard what you listen to and equally what you repeat to yourself. Over time, negativity is toxic. It’s important to be aware of the world around you but, carefully choose what you allow yourself to marinate in. Choose to search out encouraging messages that will inspire, motivate you to make a difference, and promote personal growth. Why not consider searching for good news or uplifting stories and share those on your social media accounts this week? I’ve included a few at the end of this post to get you started.

2. Remember and share your past victories.

Improve your outlook by remembering how you’ve overcome challenges in the past. Also remember and list or journal answers to your prayers. Allow those stories to inspire you when faced with new situations.  Share those victories with others. Your past success might be just what they need to get through today. There’s power in our stories!

3. Try something new.

Add some adventure to your week by trying something new. It can be simple or big – it’s up to you. A few ideas… If fall flavors are your thing, try a pumpkin-spiced something from your favorite coffee shop. Make a new recipe from Pinterest. (I’ve got lots of great ideas on a few of my boards.) Take a class, paint a picture, and try a new restaurant…. But find something new and different to try. It will broaden your horizons. Who knows, you might just find a new favorite thing.

4. Stop that (bad) habit.

Say “no” to self-sabotaging. You deserve better! Get rid of the brownies, pack your lunch, toss the wine, delete the phone number… whatever “it” is for you, get rid of it. If there’s something you’ve been letting hold on to you and hold you back, this is the week to say “NO MORE!” Choose to be free this week! You’ll be glad you did.

5. Be the good.

Pay it forward or do a random act of kindness. No matter how big or small the impact, choose to be the good. Whether it’s paying for someone else’s order at the drive through, bringing a coworker their favorite drink, or  taking dinner to a family whose struggling, you don’t have to look far to find ways to encourage those around you. Choose to share encouraging, inspiring, and uplifting posts in your social media. (Feel free to repost from my instagram. I post encouraging images there each day.) Imagine the impact if we all do that! Find a way to brighten someone’s day and you’ll be amazed how it can put a skip into your own step too.

It’s your turn:

Don’t let the colder weather or the negativity of the news rob you of this week’s potential or your positive outlook. Choose to make this a great week!

Which of these 5 will you try this week? Or, do you have other ideas you can share to make it a better week? I’d love to hear from you. Please click to join the conversation.

And if this encouraged you, why not share it and brighten someone else’s day too? And if you haven’t yet signed up for my email list – what are you waiting for? You can click to do that below this post so that you’re notified when a new encouraging post is available.

Until next time friend, be blessed!

You might also enjoy:

How to take charge and conquer the shorter-day blues
How to have an Adventure Mindset
5 Things To Do When Your Doubt Is Bigger Than Your Dreams

Some good news posts:

12 year old boy makes a prosthetic arm for a young girl in the UK
World Series player feeds the homeless after game.
Shoe shiner leaves a legacy having raised $200,000 for sick children.

The post How to Have A Better Week appeared first on Susan Call.

3 Reasons Underdog Victories are the Best

Who are you rooting for? But before I could answer, one of my kids replied “She’s rooting for the underdog.” They know me well! Truth is, if “my” team isn’t playing, I’m known to root for the underdog. There’s something about the nail-biter come-from-behind unexpected victory of an underdog that I love. I’ve realized I’m not alone, and with good reason. There are several good reasons we like to cheer for them.

3 reasons we root for underdogs:
Underdogs are overcomers.

People may count an underdog out, but they haven’t counted themselves out. Instead they show up with determination and grit. Despite the odds, they press on. The vanishing time on the game clock isn’t a deterrent but rather a motivator. An underdog understands that time isn’t endless and the next step, not matter how small, is significant. Injuries, challenging conditions, or a score that seemed out of control since the beginning don’t cause them to give up.  Instead with tenacity, they stay in it until the final play  often with a buzzer-beater surprise ending that no one saw coming.

Underdog victories are sweet.

Underdog victories inspire and live on. Their stories yield almost to a folk-lore status and are passed on for years. One example that comes to mind is the 1980 Olympic gold medal ice hockey win. Although I’m not a huge ice hockey fan, I still remember that amazing game. The team’s story of triumph united a nation and inspired all who watched. There’s something both magical and captivating when insurmountable odds are shattered revealing a champion where no one expected one.

We can relate to the underdog.

Stories of the unexpected, often dramatic victories of an underdog give us hope. We’ve all had our share of feeling like the deck is stacked against us and the odds are definitely not in our favor. We long for the proverbial hail-Mary pass in the 4th quarter to propel our life-journeys far down the field towards our dreamed success. Yet some days it feels like we’re going backwards or maybe even sitting on the side lines. But, dear friend, the only way underdogs can be victorious is to stay in the game. If you feel like life has been mostly uphill, keep going. Don’t count yourself out but instead be determined to find sweet victory in your underdog story. Dig deep and tap into your tenacity, determination, and grit. If it’s still hard, keep going, your story isn’t over yet!

It’s your turn

Underdog victories leave us hopeful. The stories of overcomers gives us a feeling that we too can face another day despite our challenges If you’re in a season of struggle, keep going! You’ve got this. And, if others have counted you out, it’s time to be an underdog and prove them wrong. Just because someone else doesn’t see your potential or you’ve made mistakes does not mean the game is over!

Do you like rooting for an underdog too? Click to join the conversation, I’d love to hear from you. And if this uplifting post made you smile, why not share it by clicking one of the social media sharing buttons. The more encouraging posts we share, the lighter all of our news feeds become!

Other you might also enjoy:

What Baseball Taught Me About Life
5 Empowering Life Tips from a Game of Connect Four

Just for fun from YouTube:

Sports buzzer beaters (a few fun last second shots)

Until next time friend, be blessed!

The post 3 Reasons Underdog Victories are the Best appeared first on Susan Call.

3 Lies You Need to Stop Believing

It started with a lie.

I’m so angry! My friend said. I didn’t need to hear her words to know what she was feeling. Her body language, tone, and her “entire being” announced it. She was unmistakably upset. But nearly as soon as we began to talk, I realized the source of her fury. It was a lie. Someone else had heard something that bothered them. Rather than confirming if it were true, they repeated it to my friend who became equally incensed. Together they feed their discontent, all rooted in a lie. Within a few minutes I was able to look up the facts and share them, turning the situation around.

It got me thinking. Lies can be far more powerful than simply impacting our emotions. Instead, there are some lies that creep into our sense of identity and threaten the pursuit of our purpose. They hold us back and prevent us from being who we were meant to be. The sooner we free ourselves from those types of lies, the sooner we can fully pursue being the best version of ourselves and having the impact we were meant to have.

3 Lies to stop believing:
1. Your past limits you.

Your personal journey up to where you are right now is likely a bit like mine – some good sprinkled with more than a share of challenges. Refuse to let the difficult chapters from the past be an anchor to where you go today or in the future. Allow the tough times to be what has qualified you to step into your purpose. I have found that sharing the very parts of my story that I’d rather have skipped are the very pieces of my story that have opened doors and impacted others. Our stories have the power to inspire and encourage others in ways we can’t image. Your past does not limit you, it qualifies you!

2. Your worth is dependent upon people’s opinions.

Far too often we look to people for validation. Do I matter? Am I enough? Do I belong? While the opinion of that person who we feel like we need approval from, or who we wanted it from in the past feels like what matters most, truth is it doesn’t define our worth. If we let their words or their silence form our sense of self-worth, we’ve given someone else power they were never meant to have.  Friend, you matter. You are enough. And, just because someone couldn’t see how awesome you are, doesn’t diminish your worth one bit. You were made exactly how you are –all of your imperfections and potential all rolled up into fabulous you. Don’t ever forget that, even if someone else does.

3. Your dreams or purpose are impossible.

The world is full of people who wondered what would happen if…. and they did. They chased their dreams, sought to have an impact and did. At the same time, the world is also filled with many more who are still wondering what if their dreams are possible or if they even have a purpose. My friend, if you have breath in your lungs, you have a purpose on this planet. You are here for a reason. That reason is tucked somewhere between your passion, your faith, your talents, and what keeps you up at night.

I once had a teacher tell me that I couldn’t write. Even though when she said those words I wasn’t yet an author or even aspiring to be one, her inability to see my potential could have completely deterred my pursuits. When I knew I had a story that I needed to tell I refused to let her words define me or cause me to give up on my purpose. Today I embrace the opportunity to write, to encourage, and to make the world a better place any way I can. Whether you’re still defining your dreams and purpose, or if you can feel it deep in your bones, believe in who you were made to be and be it! Don’t be intimidated by the size of your dreams. Instead take the one next step you need to take. Then, rinse wash and repeat. Those small steps will add up!

It’s your turn.

Today is the day, this week is the week to push aside lies that are holding you back. Use your past as a stepping stone because the world around you needs authentic people who are survivors. Who better to encourage others struggling today? And if it’s your identity you’ve been challenged by, rest assured God put you on this planet for a reason. You were made just as you are. Learn and grow forward letting go of faulty belief based on opinions of people. Wake up and get up every day working to be the best version of you while pursing the difference that only you were meant to make. Don’t be discouraged by the days that are harder than others rather learn, grow, and keep going.

I know I’ve been tripped up by each of these lies at some point in life. How about you? Have these lies or others tripped you up? I’m guessing these are far too common and you, like me aren’t alone. Click to comment. I’d love to have you join the conversation.

If this post encouraged you, why not click to share with your friends who might need ‘to breakup’ with some lies too. And, if you haven’t yet signed up, click below to get notification when I’ve added a new encouraging post so that you don’t miss it.

Until next time friend, be blessed!

You might also enjoy:

9 Things You Should Stop Doing
5 Things You Need to do This Week 
When You Feel Like Quitting: 3 Tips to Fuel Your Motivation

 

The post 3 Lies You Need to Stop Believing appeared first on Susan Call.