I am sure you have heard the saying “Use it or lose it.” How true it is! You have determination, imagination, confidence, self-esteem, joy, courage, faith, hope, curiosity, love, kindness, creativity, patience, compassion, honesty, cheerfulness and the ability to forgive. All of these are inside of you. Some might be buried under a ton of dirt, or afraid to peak their noses out and show themselves – but trust me, they are there. But you have to give each one of these characteristics the proper exercise or workout, this is called inner fitness. Don’t let these muscles get flabby from lack of use. If they’re buried, dig down deep through the mud and pull them up onto the surface, into the light of day. If they’re afraid to show themselves, give them a little prodding, or even a swift kick to the behind! That’ll get them moving!
Wherever you invest your energy is where you will see returns. I actually think it takes more energy to complain than to be grateful. Negativity is heavy—it’s a burden. Positivity is light—it’s like helium, and lifts you off your feet. Negativity and positivity are both feedback loops. Putting either of these energies out there doesn’t get rid of that energy. They’re like boomerangs and come right back to the person who tossed them out into the world. Good brings good, bad brings bad, like brings like. If you’re not paying attention, the boomerang will come back and hit you upside the head.
If it was easy, it wouldn’t be worth it. Obstacles will come, oh yes they will. For me, working hard is a daily business. It is a marathon, not a sprint. “Success is not a result of luck. It is a result of how you spend your free time.” I always have a few different goals, so that when I need a break from one I can focus on another. Very few painters work only on one piece at a time—they work on many. Put passion into all your actions, and have many actions devoted to different passions.
Tell yourself that you are going to have a life that counts. Be the master of your time. Let go of your mistakes; today is a new day. Be ground zero for an epidemic of positivity. You are going to be a doer and not a procrastinator. You are going to be a dreamer and not a dream-denier. You are going to hang out with others who lift you up and encourage your self-actualization. Shed your bad habits, and let good habits take root through repetition.
To your success!
Derek Clark
