Consider this:
Harvard study reports those who cope poorly with stress become ill more often than those who cope well with it. (Source Lynn Smith on Facebook)

Most medical researchers and practitioners today agree that stress does play a big role in your health. However, it is really not so much the stress that affects your body, but how you and I handle that stress.

Stress is very much a part of life, especially in this modern world in which we live. It is unavoidable, BUT you and I CAN avoid allowing these pressures to control our lives and our bodies.

How you handle stress depends on your mindset.
With a strong mindset of faith, it will always be easier to face life’s difficulties with a positive attitude. Your mind will then be clearer to look for solutions rather than dwelling on the problem and the stress.

When your mind is clear, alert and focused on seeking solutions and instead of focusing on the problem, then your mind is operating as a gatekeeper to your emotions and your body.

If you look into the Hebrew word that is translated as “thinks” you will find that this word comes from a root word which means “to act as a gate keeper”. Very interesting right?

Yes your mind is the gatekeeper!

Conclusion? YOU decide how much stress will affect your emotions and your body. It all depends on:

Your focus –
Focus on looking for solutions and it will be easier to think clearer and positively.
Focus on the problem and your mind will sink into depression which means the “gatekeeper” goes off duty and your emotions and body can be touched by the stress.

• Mindset is a result of what you focus on.
• Focus is a result of decision (your will should always be in control).

How active is your gatekeeper to protect your emotions and your body today?

Photo Credits Sick Nite on Flickr

Obstacles are a part of life, especially for those who have decided to take action and pursue their dreams and life purpose.

There is a purpose for you inside of the most difficult situation, even though it may seem there is no way out.

Every obstacle offers you the opportunity to show your earnestness, determination and relentlessness in your pursuit of your dreams.

• How much do you REALLY want to achieve your dreams?
• Are you prepared to achieve them at any cost?
• Tony Robbins is quoted as saying: “Those who are relentless find a way”.

Finding your way out of a difficult situation can only strengthen your determination, character and your vision. The result will always be growth!

The dictionary defines the word relentless as “not to be appeased by treaty, grim determination, not to be placated – showing no signs of slackening or yielding in one’s purpose.”

Now that is determination personified right?

“Not to be appeased by treaty” No one and nothing can talk you out of your pursuit or offer you anything that will distract you.

Remember the English sport of Fox Hunting. The fox hound is trained to stay FOCUSED on the fox. Even though a juicy rabbit may cross it’s path while it is pursing the fox, a well trained hound will NOT be distracted.

“Grim determination” This is a phrase that is used to describe a laser focused determination. This is certainly the kind of determination that the fox hound displays. It CANNOT be distracted nor can it be discouraged!

Not to be placated. No one can change your mind about your goals. They may seem impossible to those around you. People may scoff, and try to lower you to their “reason”, especially when you are facing an obstacle that may seem impossible to overcome.

Showing no signs of slackening or yielding in one’s purpose. You are tireless with no signs of giving up.

So many people give up just a few days, hours or worse still – minutes before they could have achieved victory! But you are not one of those! You are a tireless champion who WILL achieve the success you are aiming at.

How relentless are you in the pursuit of your dreams?

Photo credit: Annia316 on flickr

Do you remember the statistics I shared yesterday – the ones that revealed the number of negative words versus positive words that school children SPEAK every day. The average was 72 positive comments to 684 negative ones.

There is a great likelihood that you grew up hearing (and thinking) a LOT more negative words than you did positive words. I know I did, and yet my sister and I count ourselves blessed to have had the parents we had.

The problem was that they too were surrounded with so much negative growing up that they did not know how to fully combat it.

So even though we were blessed with what could be counted as an “above average home”, a lot of negative influence was still able to creep into our lives.

These negative words and influences mixed up our belief system, especially when it came to believing in ourselves. (Not any more though!)

I am sure you have a lot of very positive and solid beliefs, but when it comes to believing in yourself how are you doing?

Remember the quote for today?

What you hear repeatedly you will eventually believe. Dr Mike Murdock

It is highly likely that what you believe about yourself needs some tweaking – or perhaps it even needs a complete overhaul. You may well have heard a lot more negative comments about yourself over the years than you heard positive ones.

Consequently you have come to believe some of those negative comments even though they are lies.

Here are some facts about YOU.

• You are a champion!
• You are in this world because you have something unique that only YOU can contribute.
• What you can contribute to this world is of GREAT value.
• There is an enemy who has taken it upon himself to destroy you because he only promotes all that is negative.

This is why it is so necessary to spend quality time every day listening to wholesome motivational recordings and reading great books that will empower you to discover and build up the champion in you.

Here are some of the recordings and books I have in my library:

1. Download some great mp3s and mp4s from John Di Lemme (free downloads).
2. Go to Christ Fellowship Archives
   There you will find some free downloadable messages by John Maxwell. While you are there, I am sure you will find the messages by Tom and Todd Mullins challenging and inspiring also.
3. Go to youtube and do a search for Tony Robbins and Jim Rohn. You will find some great snippets of videos from both of these motivators.
4. Go to Wisdom Online. Here you will find some great free downloads about wisdom by Dr Mike Murdock.

And the book I read this week is a MUST READ – Go-Givers Sell More.

I have not yet read Bob Burg’s first book – The Go-Giver, but I will be picking up a copy of that one too.

I trust that you will find these suggestions to be a great addition to your motivational and inspirational library.

(Disclosure: Some – but not all – of these links may lead to my being paid a commission which helps me to keep this blog going.)