Habits

A habit is something that you do so often and so regularly that it becomes automatic. This is a behavior that you can easily repeat.

Our habits are directly related to our comfort and well-being. The process of adapting to our environment is what creates a habit. With habits we don't have to constantly experiment or deal with unknown risks.

Our habits help define us. The way we adapt to our environment and how we typically behave say a lot about who we are as human beings. What do we know about someone with the habit of not eating meat? What about someone with the habit of smoking cigarettes? How about the person with the habit of running five miles each day?

Do you have a habit that you would like to get rid of?  I was just listening to Bob Proctor (Six Minutes To Success) this morning and he talked about habits and what we need to do to be successful.

Replace Rather than Change a Habit

Habits are extremely difficult to change because they are tied to our identities. Notice that I haven't said anything about "breaking a habit." I avoid that terminology because, as Bob said,  a habit is dependent on repetition. Therefore, if we replace the activity that is the former habit–such as lighting a cigarette after dinner–with some other activity–such as taking a walk or chewing a stick of gum–the repetition ceases and the coding of the smoking habit is reduced dramatically.

The key to succeeding in replacing old habits with new ones is ensuring that the new behaviors are more appealing, effective, and beneficial than their predecessors.
In effect, replacing less effective habits with more effective ones, and creating new habits that foster greater success and well-being, is the most expedient ways to increase and expand your personal brilliance.

"It’s impressive to recognize that all the great leaders in all walks of life, and during all periods of history, have attained their leadership by the application of their abilities behind a definite major purpose. It’s no less impressive to observe that those who are classified as failures have no such purpose but they go around and around like a ship without a rudder, coming back always empty handed to their starting point.”  From Napoleon Hill's The Master Key To Riches

Think about the things you do that are habits that serve you - taking a shower, getting dressed, brushing your teeth, driving your car, etc.  What are some of the things you would like to change.  Think about their polar opposite.  As Mike Kemski says everything is a duality - black and white, pros and cons, clean and dirty - look at what is the exact opposite of the bad habit and choose to make that a good habit.  Think about it and practice it daily for at least a month in order to make it a habit.  If you miss a day, start over. 

It takes 3 weeks to make or break a habit and in 90 days you can completely change your life.

Choose which habit you will transform to create a new and better U

To your life changing success

BANABU

Fran

Is Clutter A Problem?

10 Questions to Help You Declutter


by Mandi on April 12, 2010
http://organizing.yourway.net/10-questions-to-help-you-declutter/

One aspect of having a simple home is to keep it free from clutter. While there are varying degrees of this and not everyone chooses to live a minimalist lifestyle, there’s no way to get around the need to declutter regularly as part of your simplifying goal.

1. Is this item something I use regularly?

A lot of times we keep gadgets, tools, toys, art supplies, et cetera around because they seem useful. However, it’s important to consider how often you actually use each item when deciding whether it’s worth keeping or should be given away. If you haven’t touched it in three to six months (or more), despite your best intentions, it is a good candidate for decluttering.

2. If not, is it something I love?

Of course, there are obviously exceptions to this rule (including seasonal items that you usually regularly in season). One exception I would always encourage you to make is for items you love. Keeping a painting from your grandmother that you love even if it doesn’t have a place in your current home is much different than keeping a snowcone maker that you have been meaning to use for two summers but never seem to have the motivation to actually pull out.

3. Am I keeping this out of obligation or expectation?

Chances are there is at least one thing in your home that you’re keeping not because it’s useful or you love it but because it was a gift from someone and you feel obligated to keep it. While I completely understand the desire not to hurt someone’s feelings, I think it is also important to remember that this is your home and if it is affecting your life, it’s okay to declutter gifts as well as the things that you’ve bought for yourself.

4. Am I holding onto this because I think I should love it?

Maybe you have a piece of artwork or a trendy outfit you picked up because they were popular and you felt like you should love them, even though you really don’t. Maybe your craft area is stocked with supplies for a hobby that no longer interests you. In all of these cases, it’s important to consider how you really feel and make your decisions based on those feelings rather than the ones you think you should have!

5. Am I saving this just in case?

One of the most common causes of clutter is a fear of needing something that you’ve given or thrown away. The reality is that if you commit to simplifying and decluttering, chances are that this will happen at some point. But for those of us who take the plunge to get rid of the unnecessary, the benefit of a clutter-free home is almost always worth the tiny bit of regret in these situations.

6. Do I have multiples of the same thing?

How many spoons or spatulas do you really need in your kitchen? Obviously your answer will depend on the type of cook you are, but ask yourself this question whenever you have multiples of any item. There’s a difference between being prepared and more efficient and just creating clutter!

7. Could something else I own do the same job?

I think this is a fun question! As you’re decluttering, look at any specialized tools or items you have and ask yourself if you could do the same job with another item, thereby cutting down on the number of different things you keep. To use another kitchen example, I decided to simplify our entertaining by giving away a bunch of our serving bowls once I bought a set of beautiful stainless steel mixing bowls from Ikea. I use these every day for cooking, but they also make great bowls for chips, dip, ice, et cetera.

8. Am I holding onto a broken item to fix one day?

This is another classic cause of clutter. Perhaps you have a piece of broken furniture or a broken electronic that you’re just sure you will have the time and desire to fix at some point. But ask yourself how long it’s been sitting in storage waiting for that day to come and whether you’re really ever going to get to it as you make the tough decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of.

9. Is this item worth the time I spend cleaning/storing it?

It’s important to remember that both your time and the space in your home have value. Think about how much time you spend cleaning knickknacks that you don’t really love. Or how about the time you spend sorting through the things in storage time and again to either find something you do need or want or to try to declutter once more. Would your life have less stress and busyness without those items?

10. Could I use this space for something else?

Think of the possibilities of what you could do with a closet or storage area in your home if you weren’t holding onto everything that currently fills it. What about a shelf full of knickknacks or books that don’t really interest anyone in your home? Your space has value too, and it’s important to look at the cost of everything you keep in terms of the space it occupies as well.

Which of these questions is the most challenging for you? Are there items in your home that you need to give yourself permission to give or throw away?

As I read through the above tips, I couldn't help but see myself in so many of them.  I am going to print this out and post it somewhere where I will read it every day.  These are excellent questions to help us look at what is cluttering our lives.  Thank you Mandi

Fran

Attract Unlimited Success

7 Laws of Attraction to Attract Unlimited Success
By Michael Lee

Of the laws that govern the universe, the most powerful is the universal law of attraction, which simply states that whatever you put out into the world, the same will return to you. Furthermore, there are 7 Laws of Attraction that define every aspect of this phenomenon. These laws are the ultimate keys to your success. Here are the 7 Laws of Attraction and how they can help change your life for the better:   1. The Law of Manifestation   Your consciousness plays a huge part in the creation of your desired state. It is the architect laying out the blueprint for your success. Every detail is scrutinized by a meticulous eye, designing only what is best and correcting any irregularities in the grand plan. If it is not worthwhile or does not enrich your life, it must be abandoned in favor of an honorable pursuit. Focus on what's truly important, and your deepest desires will manifest themselves to you.   2. The Law of Unwavering Desire If you want something so purely and completely and you believe with all your heart that you deserve it, that you must have it, then you can only be sending out the right vibrations for the universe to receive and send back to you. Let no fear or doubts hold you back.   3. The Law of Delicate Balance Desperation is a negative emotion; and when you are desperate to have something, you may be sending out the wrong signals. It may seem like a contradiction to Law # 2, where desiring is beneficial to the attraction of positive energy towards yourself; but these 2 cases are different. You must strike a delicate balance between the dream you hope to come true, and living contentedly in the moment. Do not make your goal the singular object of your desire that you neglect all other aspects of your life. Just know that it will happen in time and that, while waiting, you need not be so despondent.   4. The Law of Magnetism In school we were taught that opposite poles attract and like poles repel each other. Not so in this case. Energy is as pervasive as air. It is all around us, even within us, and we ourselves radiate energy, though often we aren't even aware of it. But what we must know is that whatever kind of energy we emit-whether positive or negative-is the same kind we attract as it returns to us from the universe. What goes around comes around, as the saying goes.   5. The Law of Synchronization The universe has much to offer in terms of gifts and gains. These fruits are yours for the taking, if you but align yourself and be in close harmony with the 'Giver.' Do not fight the flow or resist the order of things. You are part of a greater whole, not a separate entity; to throw yourself into this realm and bask in it is not only a duty but a birthright.   6. The Law of Universal Influence Do not take the tiniest of actions for granted. Even the most seemingly harmless of deeds can have influence, for we are all connected and, therefore, what I do affects you to a certain extent, and vice versa. Since you are practically glowing with energy, which vibrates and is carried out into the world, it follows that others will pick up on it and be impacted by it. So exude only the positive.   7. The Law of Conscientious Action Much like the principle of karma, this Law of Attraction follows the rule, "What you sow, you shall reap." Carry yourself with dignity and act only in a way that is honorable-to yourself and to others-and the rewards will be plenty.   Make the 7 Laws of Attraction work for you now and you won't need to find your fortune-your fortune will find you.   Resource Box: Michael Lee has unleashed the hidden power of universal laws of attraction and success. Listen to the audio at http://www.20daypersuasion.com/universal-laws.htm.   BANABU - Building A New And Better U / Building A New And Better Universe Fran

Taking Care of Yourself

Just like the airlines say - "Put yourself first" You will be no good to anybody else unless you are feeling your personal best.

Taking care of yourself is not selfish - it is self-care. A person who feels complete, confident, healthy, and fulfilled is a better person. No matter how long your list of things you need to do for others, remember to put yourself at the top of that list and do something nice for yourself first.

Schedule at least 3 "down time" periods a day for yourself - each and every day. Downtime should consist of a minimum of a 5 minute block of time spent completely alone in a quiet space.

Use the time to write in your journal close your eyes, centre yourelf, add some entries to your gratitude list, or jus take a few deep belly breaths to slow yourself down.

Every day is a new opportunity for growth. Expand your mind. Take an evening course, read a book on a new subject, try something new like youga or pilates, or join a book club. (Did you know that if you read for 15 minutes a day you can read 17-18 books in a year? Or that if you waste 15 minutes a day, you will waste 91 hours a year?)

TIP: Each and every day do only those things that will enable yoiu to feel good about yourself later.

Fran

BANABU

What's Happening?

Hi

I hadn't realized how long it had been since I had posted until today. Since April I was involved in a local event - The Diversity Festival- which was held on July 7th and involved people from all walks of life - health and beauty, massage, cultures, United Way, local vendors, animal rescue, immigration, alternative lifestyles - wow, it was amazing. We had a day in the park and two performances of Dragon's Breath. I was in both and also in the one we did in Almonte in May. It took a lot of my time but it was energizing and satisfying, and it was Building A New And Better Universe for many!

I recently began to listen to Mike's material again and I will soon be able to offer some of it to my blog readers. If you are interested, please leave a comment below. In particular I have been relistening to Mike's 11 Principles. I will be posting some of my thoughts over the next few weeks.

Hope to see you here again soon.

Fran
BANABU