One Rotten Apple Spoils the Whole Bunch… Baby!
July 23, 2008
One Rotten Apple Spoils the Whole Bunch… Baby!
It seems to me that bad attitudes compound faster than credit card interest. I know from personal interaction that whenever I speak to people and especially when I do a one-on-one consulting job a good attitude spreads very quickly. A few motivational quotes, some positive words, a plan, the method and the means in which to succeed help in spreading the good mood and Ya-ttitudeTM around quickly. People really do want their worlds and their lives to be 
better and will grasp the Ya-ttitudeTM of positive life with both hands or embrace it wide arms wide-spread. I can vouch for it; I have seen it; and I live it every day.
There is still just one thing that is much more contagious than good attitude is and that is a bad attitude and negative attitudes. I really do have trouble understanding it. Is it “fashionable” or “cool” to be negative? My guess is that you can make many more “wise-guy-” or “smart-ass-” style comments while you are trying to show off your cool new negativity. Do they look smart? Do they think they look smart because they can argue the “negative” side of a conversation or drag someone down to their level? I am sure they believe they are - at least in their own eyes and mind. And then the mob-mentality takes over and each negative comment and commentator is busy trying to outdo the other.
I was recently part of a post-submission on Digg.com and it seemed that the submission got so hot that it hit the front page as a very popular piece. In order to get to the front page of Digg.com the piece has to be liked and voted on by quite a few people. So it was quite obvious that the article or the topic or something had the Diggers digging away; and then it went popular and hit the front page. A few people commented and then one or two made what they deemed funny but degrading comments on the topic and the writer and then the mob-mentality took over. And they had a blast with it - each negative comment trying to out do the other, and each time someone questioned the attitude or the reasoning they got blasted as well. Why? Because people with negative attitudes seek to drag you down to their level. They believe that there is no reason you need to be positive because they are sure there is no reason they should be positive. Their problem is that they are so stuck in the negative-rut that they cannot see the bright and beautiful positive light just in front of them.
This is why when we talk about the 4-step plan to success I emphasize the 3rd step: Your mind tightly closed to all negative influence. Those negative influences can come from places you least expect; friends, family and acquaintances. Many others have a three-step plan and do not include this step, but I feel that it is as important if not THE most important of the steps. It is definitely a step that can trip you up most easily, as we have become accustomed to listening to the opinions of others, especially where friends and family are concerned.
So as the Digger and the Writer found out. Take a stand, tell it like it is. Be confident in you and the things you do and never let anyone enter and take control of YOUR mind. It is yours and you are the only person who will or will not allow entry. Choose the information you assimilate and absorb wisely and above all else be YOU!
And because this post was made on such a sad day I will include a Special Estelle Getty Tribute (Sophia on the Golden Girls)
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A Spoon Full of Positive Makes the Medicine Go Down
July 13, 2008
A Negative Mind Only Spawns Negative Thoughts and Ideas!
Try a Spoon Full of Positive To Make that Medicine go Down!
I was going through a bunch of the comments and emails in regard to my most recent series on the Great Fears and so many of the comments or emails tend to lean towards the negative. So as a refresher to the main purpose behind your great 
Ya-ttitudeTM, I am taking a day off from the fear series and dropping you a reminder. A negative mind has not the ability to create positive or good thoughts. You will be mired in the negative because it is what you spend your time thinking about. No, this is not a link to the Secret, as that is a fairly useless set of instructions, you will get much further with a basic 4-step plan to success. I do not completely disagree with the premise that you must think positive thoughts to attract positive things, but I do disagree vehemently with the thought that your thinking things will automatically just bring them to you. You need to work at it. You need to give back equally and of valued service. You need to have an emotional tie to the thought and a drive and ambition. You have to work those goals and your plan and align yourself with others to make it happen, wishing upon a star only works in Disney Movies. Making your dreams come true happen everyday in real life; and there is absolutely no reason that YOU cannot make it happen for you.
When you allow yourself to dwell on the negative parts of your day or your life, your negative thinking expands to fill all of your thoughts and actions and will leave no room for positive thoughts and positive growth. Remember: The good news here is the opposite is also true. So as you fill your head with positive thoughts and actions it will leave no room for the negative to have any effect or affect on your life or your goals and dreams. Just as the negative thoughts can become an endless downward cycle, you need to realize that these positive thoughts do the same and give you an endless upward cycle. You can achieve anything you want when you put positive to the forefront; you can accomplish nothing when you allow the negative to be your driving factor.
I know you can and you know you can - so we can’t both be wrong!
You can because you will concentrate on the task at hand, using all of the past little tips on concentration and focus that we learned a few weeks ago and then you will break the task down into mini-tasks, each one with an goal and time-frame and a personal reward waiting for you upon its completion. And when your job, goal and task have been completed, you will realize that your planning, your effort and your elimination of the negative will become a driving force to your accomplishing everything you want to accomplish; Always!
Remember to tell yourself: I could do it, and I did!
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The Fear of Old Age: Growing Pains!
July 7, 2008
The Fear of Old Age: Growing Pains!
The Fear of Old Age and those Growing Pains is very closely related to and influenced by three or more of the other Great Fears. The Fear of Poverty, the Fear of Illness and the Fear of Death all have a place in the birth of this Fear. All have a place in the manifestation of this fear and all have a great influence on how we feel about growing old. These three fears have the pleasure of calling themselves the parents of the Fear of Old Age, but in our more modern time the Fear of Criticism and Embarrassment as well as the Fear of the Loss of Love and Loved ones also plays a great part in keeping the fear alive and growing. The fear of Old Age is almost like a review of many of the fears we have previously discussed and of the one big universal one that we will be getting to shortly; The Fear from Death.
In essence this fear of Old Age will serve as a great way to review our understanding of some of the topics we have recently covered, as well as a great way to increase our knowledge surrounding these fears and how to understand and handle them in our every day lives.
My perspective on this fear is a bit different than the classic perspective and with that thought in your mind I feel much more comfortable calling the Fear of Old age, The Fear of Growing Older. It is not purely Old Age that is a fear, but growing “Older” that scares most of us. The fear of Growing Older encompasses many smaller fears that finally create the great Big One! Whether we are in our teens or our sixties the fear is almost the same. Though certain aspects of the fear are heightened at different ages, the components of the fear basically remain the same. And the interesting part is that some of the larger parts of the fear (as in the fear of poverty - translated into “paying our bills”) weigh heavy on all age levels in this fear. 
I remember being about seventeen and hanging out with a bunch of my closest friends one night at a park in Brooklyn that we called home. Amazingly enough that conversation skewed its way into wondering how we are going to pay bills and things when we finished High School for some and college for others. It was a deep and wide spread conversation for a bunch of kids that ranged from 15 to 18 years of age. I remember talking about being the accounting major and taking all those classes on how to write checks (remember those) and balancing books and such and being sure that “this is no big deal.” While others wondered where does the money actually come from? The teen mind is active and moving forward, but still wonders how it will be as they grow older and where their wealth and happiness will come from once they have left the cozy nest.
There are two age groups that seem to be the ones I work most with; those in their late twenties and those who have crossed the line at forty and slightly beyond. The interesting thing about those two groups is that they fear much of the same as it involves growing older. The twenty-something’s are afraid that they have reached their creative and work-worthy limits. At this point in their lives, if they are not “set” then they are in trouble is exactly what they fear. Now as for the twenty-something’s that fear is probably one that comes from times gone by. It was not all that long ago that a “future-forward” person was married, had their children and their career in full swing at 28. In today’s ever-changing world it is not a necessary. I work with many people between the ages of 25 and 31 trying to show them that the “great veil of the future” starts to lift itself at around thirty. From that point you can start to see what it was you did and how you need to work on those goals, and what it is you want to do with your life and start setting a focus and plan to attaining it. It seems that at the tender age of thirty life starts to show itself in full transparency to an individual. Your thoughts become more focused and your work ethic hits a much higher note. This is a fantastic point in your life to overcome the issues that make us fear growing old and old age. It is the perfect time to get your plan in place, start to work hard at attaining it, this is a great time to gather that group of like-minded people to work with you and you work with them in the attainment of you goals and this is a sensitive time where negative influences are concerned. It is a sensitive time as many people are now in full career swing and friends and even family can come down hard on you when you want to go for a major change and move forward with your life’s-goals. If it is something you really want and really intend to work at it - then work hard to block out those negatives and keep the positive outlook. It will allow you to be much more comfortable with old age and growing older as it happens each and every day.
When working with the group that is slightly older and in their early to mid forties things are remarkably similar, but in a slightly different aspect. This group seems to find fault with itself more than any other (except teenagers - but that is a whole other book). There is a definite tendency to “slow down” and develop a false inferiority complex solely based on age. They feel they are “slipping or losing touch” which is very strange because at this ripe “young” age (between forty and sixty) the greatest use of our mental and spiritual assets and attributes are available. Many forty-something’s speak apologetically about their age as if age is an excuse; Instead of realizing that reaching the age of forty, fifty and sixty is an advantage and a gift of wisdom and understanding. How many times have you said “if Only I was Younger?” This is a period in your life when you can use all of the knowledge and experience you have gained as well as all of those friends and contacts and build it into your dream. It is a perfect time to apply everything and get everything as you have now entered the age-of-wisdom and can now be exactly that which you have strived for and if you have not yet started - it is a PERFECT time to get that plan down and move forward. 
You must realize though, that if you are to use your skill and wisdom and all the knowledge that being a forty-plus individual has given you, you must also dress and act the part. Do not try to hide behind fashion-forward clothing and try to be 21 when you are 41. The effect is more ridiculous than advantageous. I am not telling you to not be fashion conscious, just be age appropriate. Dress like the expert you now are. When you are trying to project confidence and expertise you need to look the part. You need your potential “customers” realize that they NEED you because YOU are the expert. If you are going to be the expert - play the part well! You are now at a stage in life that affords you the spoils of expertise, do not give it away by trying to be someone or something you are not; take advantage of what you have learned. That is the way to ward off the fear of Old Age.
Remember: You control all that you want to be. You are the master of you ship, so set sail for success. Do not fear old age and do not fear growing old, as both should be embraced and taken advantage of so that you can prosper.
My Good Friend Nicole from Kitchen Table Medicine would also love to help you. Take a look at her Anti-aging Diet.
Do not be embarrassed about your age - no matter what your age is! - You are better today and everyday - in every way!
Do not fear poverty - You are on the track to defining your goals and your future - poverty does not stand a chance against your force of effort!
Do not fear Illness - as at this age - at any age - you are better than you were yesterday and getting better every day!
Do not fear the Loss of Love - You are better and smarter and wiser with age - all attributes that the ones that you love and that love you appreciate!
Do not fear growing older - It is exactly like your plan - it gets better, focused, defined and refined each and every day!
Do not Fear Old Age - Embrace it, as it is coming regardless - so why fear it - use it to your advantage!
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Three Times the Charm - Arte y Pico Awards
July 2, 2008
Three Times the Charm
Three Times the Charm
It was definitely the great week for Ya-ttitude. I guess this is the give positive - get positive - give positive-award. Ya-ttitude.com did not get one or two but three of the amazing awards this week. And what makes them so special is that they are give to you by your peers. You have to be hand-selected by another amazing blogger and I feel so honored and lucky to have been selected to receive three of these awards this week.To my surprise Amy from Amyoops.com was the first to honor me and then I received another shortly after from Heather of Azure Islands Design and to round out the amazing week an incredible blogger Rob over at Rob’s Megaphone just bestowed one on me as well. Wow - What a week and what an honor!
The “Arte y Pico” award was created and to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their creative energy and their talents, whether it be writing, artwork in all media’s. When you receive this award it is considered a “special honor”. Once you have received this ward, you are to pass it on to at least 5 others.
1) The winner of the award must choose 5 bloggers that they consider deserving of this award for the creativity, design, posts and contribution to the blogging community, no matter the language.
2) Each award given has to have the name of the author and a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
4) Award winner and the giver of this award must show the link of the Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5) Post these rules.
The following are the perfect artist to receive this award as they are artists “who inspire others with their creative energy and their talents.” As the rules state it is my turn to go positive and bestow this award to 5 fantastic people with fantastic blogs.
This is not easy to do as I read so many blogs every week. I thought that maybe I would try to go with different categories for the awards.
1. From the world of business blogging: Erik Johnels from The Weakest Link Consulting is working hard at showing all of us how to conduct ourselves in the business world and has most recently spent much of his time teaching us just how to make money from our blogs.
2. Joe, Joe, Joe what can I say about the Crotchety Old Man - Oh Ya! Richard Simmons he is not - but funny - He Is! This is my World of Comedy Winner.
3. Christine from Live Passionately is my Self-Help winner. Her blog is always inspiring and a must read on my schedule - should be on yours too!
4. Kevin at Next Gen Dads gets my Personal Blog Award. This is great stuff for the family man and even woman. Down home heart felt writing!
And finally -
5. My Naked Blog Award goes to Robin of Naked In Eden. Because her blog is incredible, her writing fantastic and - well - she does everything naked! Thanks again to everyone for the accolades and I really do encourage you to visit these sites I have listed and enjoy their different outlooks on life!
Addendum: 7/9/08:
It looks like Ya-ttitude Just received another one - Is that a 4-PEAT? Or was it a Quattro? I really do not know but I know I am so honored by all the love. First I have to thank that adorable artist Sue from Soul-to-Soul. Her blog is not only amazing it is quite unique, I think you should all go there and have a look around - well worth the trip and I will reimburse your gas money. The one thing that is great about getting another one of these is that I am going to take advantage and give some shouts to some other great blogs you should be reading every day!
1. Principles for Peace is just an amazing site. Go there and learn how to make the most of yourself!
2. Holly Traveling - those of you who have been here a while know that I love her blog - so now you need to go there and love it too!
3. Wheres My Damn Answer - 5 women drunk on wine - c’mon who doesn’t love that! I am not going to take advantage of my nominations - so I will only add these three for now.
Go there and read and enjoy - I know that I do!
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Awarded by Amy to Ya-ttitude
