How To Live A Life That Inspires Others

I read this great quote today that got me thinking!

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." John Quincy Adams - 6th U.S President

We often consider leadership as a position that is granted to someone who is a leader! Someone who is confident, educated, wise, a good public speaker, and passionate about what they do! Somebody in a position of authority like a teacher, boss, police man!

However, this quote suggests something different. It says that you area leader simply when you inspire those around you! How difficult is that? It's not at all!!

Today, make a conscious effort to inspire the people in your world. Inspire them to dream bigger, to dig deeper, and to never give up on their passions. Look at the people around you, the people in your circle of influence. Maybe you have co workers under you, a younger brother or sister, a friend, everyone in your world needs to be believed in. Everyone needs to feel wanted and appreciated.

Sometimes people just need someone to believe in them. Going for your dreams sounds all nice and easy, but often on your journey, you have to exit your comfort zone and enter the unknown to get them. Sometimes people just need a push and sombody close to them to say 'Go for it! I believe you can do it.'

Part of finding your own greatness is the ability to see the potential in the people around you and inspire them to go for their goals and achieve their dreams.

Make it a point to believe in somebody else today.

The Art of Forgiveness

When someone has wronged you, when you have been treated badly and unfairly, lied to and manipulated, the most foreign thing to do it to forgive and forget. But forgiveness is possible and it is necessary for your physical and mental health.

"People who forgive show less depression, anger and stress and more hopefulness," says Frederic Luskin, "So it can help save on the wear and tear on our organs, reduce the wearing out of the immune system and allow people to feel more vital."

So how do you forgive and forget?

1. Calm yourself. To defuse your anger, try a simple stress-management technique. Take a couple of breaths and think of something that gives you pleasure: a beautiful scene in nature, someone you love.

2. Do not wait for an apology. The other person may not have meant to have hurt you, they may see things differently to you or they may have meant to hurt you on purpose. Whatever the case. they are probably not going to apologize first. Forgiving somebody does not mean that you are going to be the best of friends again, but it does mean that you release them in your heart and you do not hold any resentment against them.

3. Recognize the benefits of forgiveness. Research has shown that people who forgive report more energy, better appetite and better sleep patterns. If you are unaware of the distress that bitterness and resentment toward somebody else can have, then you will never realize the importance of forgiving and letting go.

4. Do not forget to forgive yourself. For some people, forgiving themselves is the biggest challenge, but it can rob you of your self-confidence if you don''t do it. Do not blame yourself.