RACE

In sports and particularly during the OLYMPICS, the most eagerly looked forward to events are the races. A RACE is perhaps the simplest form of showing of superiority for all one has to do is Rush Ahead Challenge Everyone and the one who comes first is the winner. What makes a race even more interesting is the variety, innovations and complexities that have transformed races to become the pivot of sporting jamboree the Olympics.

The marathon has always remained a major symbol of the triumph of the human spirit and endurance, and the race most associated with the Olympics. However, over the years the races have evolved to broadly encompass the short distance races, the middle distance races, the long distance races and then endurance races. Walking race too has become an important race. The swimming events have made races even more exciting with the varied styles of swimming posing challenges for even the best. The hurdles and relays are innovations that have enhanced the variety and added luster to make the races more intriguing. With the introduction of the steeple chase the races have embraced complexities that add glitter and glitz to the simple and pure form of basic human entertainment and achievement.

For sheer ecstasy and emotion, nothing is comparable to the short sprints be it the hurdles or the 400, 200 and 100 meter races. While the timing of the top most athletes participating in these events is almost identical, what makes the race a sheer joy is the very high probability of upsets that can happen, These could be from the basic error of being disqualified for a false start or lane violation or it could be due to injury or a tumble that could prove decisive in having upsets hold centre stage. At the end of the day, it is the photo finishes that result in a whisker thin victory that sends the adrenaline of the officials, spectators and supporters racing.

A bit of glitz and sheen has been taken away from the races of late with athletes resorting to dubious means like doping and use of performance enhancing drugs to win the race. Despite these hiccups, whether you are sports fan or not, chances are that you will never miss out on seeing the races especially at the Olympics for you would be just as keen to bet on who would with the RACE and Rush Ahead Challenge Everyone.

Action Points:

1. Do see the movie Chariots of Fire which uses the backdrop of race to tell a tale.
2.  Check up the meaning of the following phrases which have the word race in them

• Racing against time
• Race to the finish
• Feel my heartbeats race
• The race ended in a dead heat
• A one horse race

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Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

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FUN

There is no substitute to having FUN be it at work or play, when having company or when all alone, be it sunshine or rain and there is nothing as effective as a dose of fun when stressed for that is when each of us gets to Feel Upbeat Now no matter what.  The old adage ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ lay stress in a subtle way on the importance of having fun in life. Of course in today’s day and age more and more enlightened corporate and organizations are ensuring that fun is a key ingredient in the work environment. No one is more blessed than one who has fun doing his daily work and enjoys equal fun otherwise too. 

 

So how does one try to have fun and feel upbeat now? The quickest way is to stop reading this post anymore unless you are having fun reading it.  If you are still continuing to read this post let me suggest 3 ways to have fun no matter what the situation.

Refocus on positives. When feeling low and depressed or if caught in an apparent vicious circle, keep in mind this one phrase ‘ this too shall pass’. Now try to see the reality as to what could have been worse? E.g. If you are stuck in what you believe is the worst job in the world, be grateful that unlike the jobless at least you have a job. Also focus on some positives in the existing situation e.g. you are diagnosed with an incurable illness be grateful that you have time to prepare for the worst unlike someone who has a sudden heart attack an is no more. Note that by refocusing on positives you are not getting rid of the problem but instead making an attempt to Feel Upbeat Now

Attract fun.  Transform yourself into a magnetic personality that attracts positives vibes, exudes refreshing energy and conjures creative ways to enjoy the moment. Not for a moment am I suggesting that one takes a nip or two (which often provides a similar effect immediately) but the key here is ensuring that you are surrounded by dynamic energy, positive vibes and enthusiastic vigor. Simple techniques include reading jokes, sharing jokes, dressing well, partying, entertaining, indulging in a passion etc. You spark the FUN and be certain that you will enjoy the warmth of the bonfire you have lit.

Stay grounded. The essence of balance is to ensure one does not tilt to any side. This means that troubles should not be seen as calamities nor the joys that come one’s way as a perennial gift. Yet, one must be able to feel the real pain that accompanies any sorrow and relish the ecstasy of the fortuitous blessings. Not enjoying the moment robs one of the gift of bliss and by not grieving when one must, there will be an emptiness that can never be filled. Life thereafter will never be fun because, one will live with remorse. Being grounded merely ensures that effects of lightening are felt in all its intensity but without permanent damage to one’s self confidence and personality.  FUN then is Feeling Upbeat Now because you turn yourself into the lightening rod that keeps you grounded to reality.

Action Points:

1. Make a list of all the synonyms for the word FUN. Now carry that list with you and also paste it where you can see it often. You can attempt to try and quickly move into one of those moods/ feelings when you are stressed, feeling low, annoyed, irritated etc.
2. From the list of words given below, identify 3 words that closely replicate your most negative feelings. Make a practical plan to tackle these negative feelings and improve your fun quotient.

Quick temper/ impatience/ jealousy/ sarcasm / negative attitude/ fear / spiteful/ egoistic / acidic tongue/  

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog

http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

LAUGH

One of the most distinctive features of the human race is our ability to LAUGH. Invariably a good laugh as often as possible is recommended as the best therapy for a long, stress free and wholesome life. The essence of laughter lies in its uninhibited spontaneity and its accessibility to all, no matter what the circumstance or time. Laughter is usually reserved for comic happenings, a sharing of a joke or a wit and is the best stress buster if judiciously indulged in. It lightens the mind, frees the heart of anxieties perhaps momentarily and creates a bond between those around even if they are strangers. More than anything else, the strength of a good laugh lies in its positivity, its dynamism and its ability to help people share in the happiness of the moment by   the Loud Appreciation Usually Given Heartily.

Can one leverage the power of laughter? The answer to this question holds the key to the success of many people.  All of us spontaneously laugh when we see a comedy movie, read a good joke or enjoy the funny antics of a clown or some clownish behavior. However successful people leverage the power of laughter to enhance our self esteem, leadership skills and popularity. You too can enhance your popularity rating, improve your interpersonal skills and accelerate the pace of your growth and success by paying attention to the following 3 mantras related to your ability to LAUGH.

Learn to laugh at yourself. There will invariably be times when you become the butt of jokes unwittingly perhaps. One’s ability to laugh at one’s self determines how others view your maturity, your ability to take criticism and your temperament. Those who have perfected the art of laughing at themselves, occasionally use this art to poke fun at themselves and thereby endear themselves to the public at large. Gandhiji for example has drawn attention to his rather shabby handwriting and his ungainly features especially his ears and thereby making himself endearing to his audience. It was Pope John XIII who refereeing to his impoverished family background stated that there are 3 ways to poverty; farming, gambling and womanizing and then he went on to add with a chuckle, my father chose the most boring method of the three.

Ensure sarcasm as a means to evoke laugher is avoided. Sarcasm is actually making fun of others and thereby evoking laughter. The trouble with sarcasm is that its intent is suspect, the target is usually someone who cannot hit back and while there could a roar of laughter, there would be at least one individual who would be seething with rage for being picked upon. Sarcasm as a means to evoke a good laugh is fraught with the danger of others becoming wary of the sharp wit, the hurt to the individual outweighing the peals of laughter and an unspoken heaviness in the atmosphere despite them laughter.

Share, spread and sprinkle laughter wherever you go. There is a popular misconception that most of us are not naturally gifted to contributing to a good laugh. The simplest thing that one can do is heartily laugh at what one finds funny. If possible even compliment the person evoking the laughter. With a little daring you can even share a good joke or make a pertinent wisecrack and lighten up things. However avoid all tendencies to share smutty jokes, forward indiscriminately sms jokes and email jokes and watch out for jokes with racial, religious, cultural overtones. It is also rude to interrupt and tell the punch line of a joke told by another just because you have heard it. Nothing spreads as much cheer and evokes an uproarious laughter as telling a joke on yourself. You can be sure that if you are the butt of the joke you share, there will definitely be Loud Appreciation Usually Given Heartily.

Action Points

1. Think of your three favorite jokes. Can you narrate this in an interesting way without forgetting the punch line?
2. Think of three people who you have a healthy respect for. Is their ability to laugh or evoke a laugh one of their strengths that endear him/ her to you? Can you think of 2 people who are really fun to be with? Can you think of why they are so popular?

 Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on - 

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now. 

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/