Fate?

November 19, 2017November 19, 2017 / doubledacres / 2 Comments

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“Tis weak and vicious people who cast the blame on Fate. The right use of Fate is to bring up our conduct to the loftiness of nature.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fate: the will or principle or determining cause by which things in general are believed to come to be as they are or events to happen as they do: destiny (Merriam-Webster)

Life is what one makes it. Do I believe in fate? Good question. Personally I don’t believe fate exists to the extent of being the only determining factor of the outcome of ones life. OMG! That would mean that I am totally responsible for my life. That would be disastrous for a society that doesn’t seem to want to take responsibility for anything. Last I heard they were trying to get the word “responsibility” removed from the English language.

Then what is fate? Well, could it be limitations or situations in our life that we don’t understand but we have to call it something. I feel there are reasons that two peoples paths cross but I don’t necessarily think of it as fate.

“If we must accept fate we are not less compelled to affirm liberty, the significance of the individual, the grandeur of duty, the power of character.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

If fate dictates what our life will be then why do we even try to better ourselves. Why do we dream? I mean if you believe fate/destiny are in control of your life, then your life has pretty much been mapped out. If you were destined to be poor then why try to be anything else? Not everyone can be poor or rich, unless you are a member of the United States congress. There you go in poor and come out rich.

“It is what a man thinks of himself that really determines his fate.” – Henry David Thoreau

I think of fate like sin. Christianity teaches that one must repent from sin to enter heaven. They also teach that God gave everyone “free will”. In other words it is up to the individual to decide where they want to spend eternity or if they want to play the hand that fate dealt them.

To defeat fate one must do it through power. Emerson wrote:

“He who sees through the design, presides over it, and must will which must be. We sit and rule, and, though we sleep, our dream will come to pass. Our thought, though it were only an hour old, affirms an oldest necessity, not to be separated from thought, and not to be separated from will. They must always have coexisted. It apprises us of its sovereignty and godhead, which refuse to be separated from it.”

Now I know there are those of you a lot smarter than this here old horseshoer and feel free to tell me if I am way off base. I think that Emerson is saying that to overcome fate, we need power, a combination of thought and will. I believe here “will” is truth and the desire to exist or overcome (fate) and when combined with thought one creates the power to write their own chapters in their life.

Through this opening is your Book of Life. Who is going to be the author? Fate or you?

I am sure there will be those who will not agree with my interpretation of fate so we will have to just agree to disagree. I like it when I can write something that is thought provoking. I think there is a majority of folks out there that need some stimulation of the thought process. I don’t mean it as an insult. Technology has pretty much created a life where folks don’t have to think as much anymore.

“I suppose that the great questions of “Fate, Freewill, Foreknowledge Absolute,” which used to be discussed at Concord, are still unsettled.” – Henry David Thoreau

I hope you enjoyed reading my blog. Thank you for taking the time to do so. You are deeply appreciated. Remember to spread the love.

A Little Bit About Henry David Thoreau

November 18, 2017November 18, 2017 / doubledacres / 7 Comments

Monsanto Lake

“I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of the time. To be in company, even with the best, is soon wearisome and dissipating. I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.” – Henry David Thoreau, Walden

I think one reason that I find the work of Thoreau so magical is because of the many things I feel we have in common, I too love to be alone. Is it indicative of a selfish person? I would hope not. I personally don’t consider myself a selfish person. I would like to think of it as a trait of someone that is independent and a survivor. I am not what I would call a very materialistic person. I am just a simple man who isn’t fond of drama and keeps negativity at a great distance.

In 1845 Thoreau built a cabin upon the shores of Walden Pond, a lake in Concord Massachusetts. For the next two years, two months, and two days he would record his experiences as he learned to eliminate the material and spiritual details that trespass upon our happiness. I can’t help but think what conclusion he would have come to today in a world dependent on modern technology? Would he have been able to pull it off? Yes I think he could have.

Walden: Life In the Woods was published in 1854. It was a reflection upon the two years he spent living the simple life as a way of declaring self-reliance and independence. Some folks have even referred to it as a manual for self-reliance. During this time he wrote his first book, “A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers”.

Monsanto Lake

“I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary.” Henry David Thoreau

I can’t emphasis enough, how envious of Thoreau I am. In a situation such as he created, I would think that one would learn to love themselves. I am a firm believer that if one wants to succeed in life they must learn to love themselves. I have spent two weeks by myself in the woods living the “simple life” and learned a lot about myself during that time. I can only imagine what one would learn in two years.

I suppose though that this “alone time” could be detrimental to some folks suffering from depression. It is hard for those folks to be alone and some definitely don’t need all that time to think. If those people could train themselves to live this time alone and at the same time deal with depression I think it would be very beneficial to them. Maybe, just maybe it would be a good avenue to use to defeat their demons and learn how to keep them away.

Thanks for reading my blog and I hope you enjoyed it and the pics I shot. The pictures are of Monsanto Lake located in the St. Joe Park located in St. Francois county near Park Hills, MO. I could just see myself living in a cabin on the shores of the lake for two years. Don’t forget to spread the love.

Monsanto Lake

“I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Life in the Woods

Being Responsible

October 28, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

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“You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end, each of us must work for his own improvement and, at the same time, share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be the most useful.” – Marie Curie

I can’t speak for folks outside the US, but inside our borders shirking responsibility seems to be quite fashionable. It is always the fault of someone else.

One of my favorites. Six o’clock news. Interviewing the mother of a fourteen year old boy who stole a car and got injured when he lost control of the car while being chased by the police. Mother: “The police is picking on my son. They didn’t need to chase him. He is only 14 years old and that’s the first car he ever stole.” Oh no, not the boys fault. No siree. If the cops would have waited he would have probably just parked it back where he found it. After all it wasn’t like he was a career criminal. Mom said it was his first!

I hope you realize I am being sarcastic. Mother puts blame on the police not the son. I would say the parenting he is receiving could be some of the problem. What do you think?

“You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.” – Jim Rohn

Personal responsibility! Oh yeah baby! What, you want me to be responsible for my actions? Absolutely! If you are personally responsible for something then admit it and work it out.

I am a farrier and there was the case of a horseshoer who quicked a horse when he was nailing the shoe on. He pulled the nail finished shoeing the horse and left but didn’t tell the owner what he had done. To make a long story short, the hoof got infected, the owner had a large vet bill and it took the guy quite awhile to admit that he had quicked the horse. If he had took responsibility and told the owner they could have doctored it and that would have been the end of it. If the horse had kicked him, I bet he would have let the owners know.

“We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.” – George Bernard Shaw

We need to become more responsible, our future depends on it. Our actions, environment, children’s education, pets; all our responsibility and we need to be doing a better job. Schools send report cards home to show us how our child is doing. If the grades are bad, be a responsible parent and contact the school and teacher and see what needs to be done to improve his grades.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you enjoyed it. Remember to spread the love.

Time To Rant

October 22, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

My mind is whirling with all the BS going on in the U.S. today. I see friends arguing and calling each other names over politics. Friendships destroyed and families torn apart. For what? When did we let politics become more important than friendships and family? I see people who have no respect for anything and they are quick to criticize. I see a Main Stream News Media creating a massive divide in this country that is surely going to end in disaster. Hate seems to be more popular than love. It seems to me that America is circling the drain and I say to myself, is it too late to put the plug back in the drain. I hope so.

The top 5 pastors in America have a net worth of 960 million dollars. Really? I am a christian but this isn’t religion, this is big business. I am sorry but that is my opinion and I am sure someone will ream me for it. I know some pastors that have a great ministry and they do a fine job of preaching the “Word” and helping needy communities on a lot less.

Parents with children. I am sorry when you go out to a restaurant show the other patrons a little respect. When you let your children chase each other around the tables it isn’t funny, it is annoying. To you parents who take the time to teach your child to behave, thank you. Teach your children the word “no” so that when you tell them they can’t have a candy bar they will refrain from throwing themselves on the floor, screaming and kicking.

Hollywood, get over yourself! I don’t give a rat’s arse about what your political views are just like you don’t care about mine. I even respect you less when you use your “stardom” to influence John Q Public. All the actresses that came out condemning the antics of the POTUS where are you on the subject of Harvey Weinstein? Maybe I just missed your comments and if I did please forgive me but you seem to be pretty mute about his behavior. Football players, kneeling to get attention for police brutality. Where were you when your own was expressing his christian beliefs and got blackballed from football. He was kneeling. How about the football player who killed a mother/wife because he ran a red light because he was intoxicated. He got an eight game suspension. Really? I don’t condone police brutality but you have seemed to help alienate a lot of people from your cause.

In the past there has been some bias in the news world but come on. Can you be any more bias? Now tune in for the 6 o’clock opinions. Nope no news, just a bigger spoon to help stir the pot and create more hate and discontent. I find it kind of odd that you dropped the Vegas story so quickly. Did your story fall apart? Do John Q Public a favor and report the facts and be unbiased in your reporting. If you are going to be bias then at least do a better job of hiding it.

Sorry for all the ranting but I could go on all night. Folks whether you believe it or not the country is falling down around us. Our politicians are failing us. MSNM is failing us. Parents are failing their children. Most of all, we are failing each other.

We need to think about what the consequences our actions will cause. Example, protesters. Protesting is a powerful tool when used correctly. I am sorry but when you invade shopping malls screaming your demands or blocking a freeway you aren’t making friends. You are causing more hate to be cast your way. Those people can’t do anything for you. If you are protesting the government and receiving government benefits, send your checks back or don’t pay your taxes. This will get the attention of the people who can help you. Protest in front of city hall every day. We protest bullying and your protests that you are using is just another form of bullying.

Well I am going to shut up. In a world full of opinions someone is probably going to get their feelings hurt. I hope I didn’t make anyone think less of me. Bottom line is that we need to come together and heal the divide in this nation, not create a bigger abyss. We are not only destroying our planet but also respect, trust, and integrity. I am not a Democrat or Republican. I am an American(gun toting, Bible thumping, redneck I think I was referred to) that wants everyone to come together and heal this great divide within our borders. United we stand, divided we fall.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Spread the love.

So You Want To Be A Farrier?

October 3, 2017October 3, 2017 / doubledacres / 5 Comments

I remember when one of the local colleges offered an eight week course for folks that wanted to be a farrier. Over time I had a few clients who told me,”Well this will be the last time you will have to shoe ole Dobbin.” Me: “Oh yeah. You selling him?” They would go on to tell me that they had signed up for the 8 week course at the college and they would be doing their own shoeing. Out of 6 clients that signed up for the class I only had one client shoe all four feet of his horse. He then hired me back, said he had enough.

Then there are the ones that sit there and watch you as you work and they tell you, I think I can do that. Looks pretty easy. Then there is that age old question, ever get kicked? Really?

Then there are the bargain hunters. They have no loyalty to their farrier. They are just looking to get the cheapest price they can. I remember one time while fueling my truck a guy hollers over at me and says, how much. I said $2.55 a gallon. He said no, how much? I said, well it will probably hold around 30 gallons today. He immediately says, NOOOO! How much do you charge to shoe horses. I said, do you have a farrier now? He said yes but I thought you might be cheaper at which I immediately replied, you couldn’t afford me. Yep, they are loyal to the end.

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Then you have the internet farrier. Yep you read it right. This is the group that cruises the internet to learn everything they can find concerning ” How to Shoe Your Horse”. So while you are shoeing their horse they are standing looking over your shoulder telling you what you are doing wrong. I mean geeze, these guys are pros. They learned from that all important school “Lame Horses or Us.”

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Then you have the farrier that if someone doesn’t agree with your assessment of his/her shoe job they swell up like a little bantee rooster and get their feelings hurt. Bring a horse into a room of 4 farriers and you will get 10 different ways to shoe the horse. The lovely world of horseshoeing. Also be prepared to be told you charge too much.

Then there are the great things you get to experience. I remember one such time. I was on the back end of the horse with its back leg over mine when all of a sudden the horse made a gut sound that sounded like a freight train roaring down the track. I just got out of my mouth, well he shouldn’t colic any time soon, when all at once its tail went up and yep, liquid road apples come out of the back end like it was coming out of a power washer. Before I could get out of the way it hit me on the side of the head and my back and…..never mind just trust me it was a mess.

Seriously though, I am proud of my trade. I am a firm believer in continued education. It is hard work and you have to be well disciplined. It is too easy to get up in the morning and say, I think I will call in sick today. You have to be a business man and be able to deal with the public.

I am semi-retired now. I still have around 40 head of horses on my books. I am thankful for all those who helped me better myself. Dr. Don Walsh, Dr. Amy Rucker, Dr. Joanne Kramer, Kelly Case, Bob Schantz, Dr. Thomas Loafman to just name a few. If you decide to walk the path of a farrier I urge you to seek out continued education through clinics. Bob Schantz, owner of Spanish Lake Blacksmith Shop, along with Homestead Veterinary Hospital, Dr Kramer and Dr Rucker have some great workshops during the winter months. Be sure to check them out.

Thanks for reading my blog. I deeply appreciate it. If you are considering a career shoeing horses I wish you well. It is hard work but take pride in yourself and your work and it can be a real rewarding experience. Spread the love!

Spread the Love!!

September 10, 2017September 10, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. That’s what I hope to give you forever.” – The Notebook

Some one asked me the other day what I meant by “spread the love”. What is your passion? Is it reading? Fishing? Equines? Cooking? What ever your passion is “spread the love.” Let the whole world know.

Don’t keep it to yourself. Spread it around so everyone can see what your passion is. If it is crossword puzzles or taking a horse back ride on a moon lit night. I don’t care if it is “makeup artist” or librarian. Keep a journal of the things you think are important. Even if you think it is unimportant. Maybe it is to you but someone may learn from your passion for fishing, mending fences or perfectly content sitting at home. Maybe someone is depressed because they seem to be so content sitting at home doing nothing then they find out from you that you do too and all of a sudden because of the relief you provided them, they are ready to face the cold cruel world again.

Don’t be afraid to compliment someone. That may be just what they need at the time. Say “Hi” to people. Be kind to others and help each other. Read a good book lately? If you have then share it with the people around you. It is about you taking what you love and spreading it around and sharing it with others. The sweet part about it is it doesn’t cost you a penny. Nothing!

So you ask, why spread the love? What difference does it make? Good questions. You may never know if it touched anyone or not. See the elderly couple sitting in the corner booth? They look as if something is bothering them so when you go up to pay for your meal you also pay for theirs. Then you leave without saying a word. Did your act of spreading the love touch them? You will never know.

See the young lady staring at you as you do some sketches in the park? She seems really interested in what you are doing. Art is your passion so you call her over and share your sketch with her. You can see her face light up. Did you sharing your artwork with her touch her life? You will never know. However, what if I told you that the day you showed that young girl your work she became so mesmerized with it that she grew up to be a famous artist? Just because you took a few minutes to spread the love, you changed that young lady’s life.

One of my passions is photography. I usually have a pic or two in my blogs. Sometimes they don’t even have anything in common with what I am writing about. I put them in there hoping that they might inspire someone to pick up a camera and find a passion for photography. Spread the love!

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I hope I have been able to impress upon you that by taking the time to “spread the love” you are making the world a better place. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you enjoyed it. Surround yourself with positive things and stay focused on your dreams. What ever you do, when you are following that dream “spread the love”!

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein

Friendship Explored

September 4, 2017September 4, 2017 / doubledacres / 3 Comments

“The strong bond of friendship is not always a balanced equation; friendship is not always about giving and taking in equal shares. Instead, friendship is grounded in a feeling that you know exactly who will be there for you when you need something, no matter what or when.” – Simon Sinek

Close your eyes. I want you to think of your friends. Bounce them off your mind and think of where you met them. How long have you known them? Out of all of them who is your BFF? Do you do a good job of staying in touch with them? Does your BFF live across the country or across the street? How often do you get together with old friends? Most importantly remember that distance is no excuse. I know I have let that be an excuse myself. As far as distance; it is only as far as we let it be.

“A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him, I may think aloud.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson “Friendship”

“Two elements that go to the composition of friendship, each so sovereign, that I can detect no superiority in either, no reason why either should be first named.” Truth and Tenderness, according to Emerson.

As I meander down the back roads of my life I have been lucky enough to forge a few friendships along the way. I have seen friends turn their backs on each other, throw each other under the bus, and much more. Have you ever felt you were getting cheated by a friend? That they just don’t give as much as you do to the friendship. Then you really need to take a long hard look at yourself.

“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” – Thomas Aquinas

Then we have the fair weather friends. You know the one that is there when everything is ok and you don’t need anything. The friend that is always looking for a handout. Let us not forget the one that stabs you in the back every chance they can.

I know I covered all these things in a blog I wrote a while back. I decided to revisit friendship because I just don’t feel that folks really know what friendship involves. I am not talking about a friend as in an acquaintance. I am talking the BFF. The kind of friend that you don’t keep track of who bought the last time. The friend that needs a kidney and you are a match so the search is over. The friend that mows your grass because you were laid up in the hospital. The friend that you share your closely guarded deer sausage with. The friend that you go read Emerson or Thoreau too every day not even knowing if they can hear you.

“True” friendship is to be cherished. That kind of friendship is a gift. Don’t abuse it. Don’t take it for granted. I see so many people who use “friendship” so loosely and lightly. When is the last time you saw your “bestie”? Can you remember? Folks I would just like to point out that there is no guarantee that your friend is going to “rise and shine” in the morning or for a matter of fact, yourself. You haven’t heard from your BFF, but YOU called last time and it is their time to call now. Really? Is this how you treat friendship? Pick up the phone and call them. I promise no one will put you on a hit list or in jail. Warning: Tomorrow may never come.

Thanks for reading. I appreciate it immensely. Spread the love.

Life Is What You Make It! Be Happy

August 31, 2017August 31, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

Equine Activities

“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it is at your work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.” – Earl Nightingale

Henry David Thoreau told us in Walden, “Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify, simplify! I say let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumbnail.”

Now what an idea. It seems we want our children to participate in every sport there is. I think it is kind of sad that these young people do not really get a chance to really enjoy life going on around them. They don’t have the time to watch a simple sunset or sunrise. Do they ever get the chance to participate in a family meal?

Then there are those who become workaholics and get so wrapped up in their work that they really never learn how fun life can be. They miss out on so much in their family life and all because “they want their children to have it better than they did.” Really? Then start eating together and discussing each other’s day, start taking vacations in the great outdoors. Hug your children and tell them you love them. Most importantly teach them to love themselves and have confidence in themselves.

Photography

“Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.” – Jim Rohn

So many people look at happiness is a thing of the future, after Johnny graduates, when I get the time, when I get some bills paid off, etc.. Ok, when you get up in the morning, if happiness doesn’t exist in your life then I want you to look in the mirror and say, ” Today is going to be filled with happiness and the only way that can change is I HAVE to let someone change it.” There are so many things you can fill your life with to nurture the happiness in your life. I have posted some of those things under my pics.

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Kayaking

Fishing

Cooking

These are a few examples of what I do. Believe in yourself and assign yourself a dream. A dream that will fill your heart, soul and spirit with pure joy. Live for that happiness now and not for 20 years in the future. You are your own boss and you are in charge of your happiness. Surround yourself with people who are genuinely happy and will lift you up and not pull you down. For those of you that suffer from no happiness in your life don’t give up. Find it. Nurture it. Discover the healing power of happiness.

Thanks for reading my blog. It means a lot. To those of you who take the time to make comments, thank you so much for taking the time to do so. Spread the love!

A Changing Society

August 26, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

“Society never advances. It recedes as fast on one side as it gains on the other. Its progress is only apparent, like the workers of a tread-mill. It undergoes continual changes; it is barbarous, it is civilized, it is christianized, it is rich. it is scientific; but this in not amelioration. For everything that is given, something is taken. Society acquires new arts and loses new instincts.” Self Reliance Essays and Poems by Ralph Waldo Emerson

When I first read this I thought what do you mean society never advances? Has Mr. Emerson lost his mind? I spent the next couple of weeks hashing his writing over and over in my mind. Then just like the cartoon, a light bulb went off over my head. I have to agree with Mr. Emerson that “Society never advances”. Oh my gosh I could hear all the eye rolls out there. You think I have lost it now.

Let’s think about it. We have had several technological advances over the years however, has our society advanced? Our clothes, hair styles, automobiles, etc. have changed, but has society advanced? I think not. I know we could argue that point all day. I could agree that in some areas it has advanced but it has digressed in a lot of areas too. In today’s society it seems that human life was valued more 100 years ago than it is today. Children were certainly better behaved then and knew respect. Jobs were certainly harder and a handshake was better than a contract today. Life was harder but at the same time it was simpler.

Christianity was even different. Today a lot of religious faiths are more liberal than they were 100 years ago. Religion wasn’t a big business then either. My great grandfather was a minister and he had to have a job to support his family which was pretty much the norm then. The Bible didn’t change, society did. Society was open to a new set of beliefs and new interpretations of the Word of God. Incomes became larger so they were able to give more money to the churches. In essence the Word of God was interpreted differently to meet new life style changes that were happening in a changing society. Now please don’t get a bur under your saddle, I am not arguing religion and I am not saying that 100 years ago they were right and today they are wrong. I am not taking sides. The point of this blog is to bring awareness to Mr. Emerson’s works hoping that someone might pick up one of his books and read it. If I offended anyone I apologize.

There have been many protests and riots throughout the years and it amazes me how society has changed so much in its view of such events.

On May 4, 1970 unarmed college students Kent State University were protesting the Vietnam War when 29 Ohio National Guardsmen fired 67 rounds at the protesters. Four students were killed and nine wounded. In the days that followed 4 million students, universities, high schools and colleges, went on strike in protest of the shootings.

On August 10, 2014, the day after Michael Brown was shot by a white police officer, riots and protests started and lasted for two weeks and two days. The Missouri National Guard was called in but stationed some distance from the riots and were not used to stop the looting and destruction. Eric Holder even got the DOJ involved and they confirmed that Officer Wilson shot Brown in self defense. Then in June of 2017 Michael Brown’s family was awarded $1.5 million in a wrongful death law suit.

I could go on and on but I think these are examples of a society that are constantly changing. It is also happening in the field of education, music, medicine, etc.. I want to thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you enjoyed reading and if you haven’t read Emerson yet, I hope you now have the desire to pick up one of his books.

Leave Negativity Behind

August 21, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

When you look at this picture do you see a storm approaching and run to batten down the hatches or do you drink in all the colors and become mesmerized by the beauty?

“I realized that if my thoughts immediately affect my body, I should be careful about what I think. Now if I get angry, I ask myself why I feel that way. If I can find the source of my anger, I can turn that negative energy into something positive.” – Yoko Ono

I know I have written about negativity before in my blogs however, I don’t think enough has been said about it and the affects it has on peoples’ lives. I see it enslaving so many people in these trying times. It becomes their “master” and drags down their self-esteem and emotionally drains them and leaves them no hope of a life filled with joy. Depression runs rampant in their life and once it takes control the downward spiral begins.

Thunderhead or dragon head?

“Haters never win. I just think that’s true about life, because negative energy always costs in the end.” – Tom Hiddlestone

I am a very negative person, how do I change? First off I am no doctor, counselor or therapist. I am just a “been there done that” kind of guy. My first suggestion would be to sit down and look at all the peeps you hang with. Positive or Negative? Don’t surround yourself with negative people. Keep a journal of your day to day activities and thoughts. At the end of the week, sit down and calculate how much negativity is in your journal. Don’t dwell on the negative things n your life, past and future.

“People tend to dwell more on negative things than on good things. So the mind then becomes obsessed with negative things, with judgments, guilt and anxiety \produced by thoughts about the future and so on” – Eckhart Tolle

Now I know there are those of you sitting there thinking, “I know someone like this. What can I do to help?” Every time they do something good, praise them. Help them to regain their self-esteem. Give them respect, love and something to bring them out of their depression. Be their sounding board. Be patient and don’t push them.

Remember folks that YOU decide what kind of day you are going to have. Nobody is going to PP on your parade unless you let them. You are going to have some tough times and decisions. Once you get negativity under control and replace it with positive energy you will see a big difference in your life.

Thanks for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed.