With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life.
I want to inspire you to see life in a different and/or better way.
*** Remember, to read past blog posts,
go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
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check out my blog on my website.
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*** Thank you, my wife, Beth, for adding to the blog each week.
*** I was hit by two different trucks, one involving a 37-day coma.
*** The happiness I am experiencing in my life is a marvelous thing!
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** Secrets to unfold and good news!
BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!
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INTRO TO THIS WEEK
Challenging myself, I believe, is one of the main ways I made a good recovery from my accident and 37-day coma. When I could not walk, I forced myself, in my hospital room by myself, to hold onto the bed and work on balancing and walking.
Later, when a therapist was helping me learn to walk again outside, I saw my chance and jumped over a bush; I knew I could do it, and another challenge was achieved. But, I had to push myself to make things happen more quickly, so I did.
Challenge—could I ride a bike again? I had a friend help me get on, and it worked. After I started showing up at outpatient therapy by riding the twenty miles round-trip, my therapy sessions soon ended.
The unicycle was my next challenge. I rode in a hallway, holding onto the walls. In a day, I was riding all around on the single wheel once again. I guess it’s true what they say, “Once you can ride a unicycle, you never forget.”
Challenging myself started when I was still young. In high school, I did the pole vault. My best was going over the bar at 18 feet, 6 inches, way up there. Another challenge was accomplished.
And running track, I had a personal challenge to run a mile in under five minutes. My best was 4:52, so I guess I met that challenge.
Juggling, being a constant challenge to advance, had been my passion for many years. I practiced many hours daily (some days up to 12 hours) and advanced to a high level. Juggling 7 clubs was a world record at the time. I practiced much and got about 50 throws with the 7, so I had achieved that challenge, too.
To this day, I continue to challenge myself. It has been 181 weeks since I started putting out this blog for you, and I have never missed one week. I’ve learned much about writing and communicating, it has been a good challenge.
One of my future challenges is to grow beyond the age of 100 (I am currently 63). Nowadays, more are able to achieve that goal, as I want to do, too.
Challenging yourself is a habit that you can bring on yourself to keep advancing in your life. What is something you could work toward and/or achieve?
Hi Phyllis!
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Here are a few challenge ideas for you to go toward.
Tackle as many as you can; it will add to your life >>
1. Be more open about how you feel
We often choose to believe that people should be mind-readers and understand how we feel based on our actions. But most people aren’t. Practice being more open with those in your life to friends and family about how you feel.
Studies have shown that keeping our emotions silent can harm our well-being. Helping people understand how you’re thinking can make your relationships operate a little more smoothly.
2. Read more and better books
We have access to all sorts of knowledge in books and with computers more than we ever did before. You can find a book or search topic on anything that interests you and you can learn something new.
Along with nonfiction, it’s a good idea to consider reading fiction too. Research from Harvard Business Review found that reading fiction can increase your social acuity and better understand other people’s motivations.
3. Take more time for your health
You only get one body to take care of, yours, and as you get older. The decisions you make now determine your quality of life in your future. Some of the ways self-care can help you include:
Being able to live longer
Fostering resilience
Managing stress
Keeping happier in life.
We can often let things such as work or school get in our way of the necessary things we need to live well. Make it a challenge to decide that no matter what you have made you busy in life, you’re going to put your well-being first.
That means pushing yourself to get your sleep, eat well, and exercise. Do all the things that will make you feel your best. Doing these things will add to your life.
4. De-clutter your closet (along with your life.)
You will find >>
Increased confidence
Increased energy
Reduced family tension
5. Accomplish new goals and plans that would make you feel better about yourself.
Think of different experiences and activities you’ve never tried to do before. What are some things that would make you feel happy to say you can do?
I can’t imagine how much less meaningful my life would have if I had never learned how to juggle. Try something new. Learn a new language. You might be surprised how much it enhances your life. Much of the value we get from life is from gaining new experiences and developing ourselves in ways you thought you couldn’t.
6. Intensify your creativity
Believe it or not, being creative is good for your well-being. Creativity can boost your moods, make you more intelligent, and improve your physical well-being. Learn about how to be more creative in all areas of your life.
7. Take difficult classes
Perhaps one of my regrets in my life was limiting my education. I guess I took it easy and didn’t look at the hard classes as something that could help me develop my study habits or improve my critical thinking abilities.
Instead, I looked at them as just something that would be a difficulty in my life and chose to avoid if I could. Next time you start a class and, after the first day, you feel like it’s going to be hard, look at that as a good thing.
9. Take part more
Some people are naturally comfortable raising their hands to ask or answer questions in class, like me, as I am always curious. Being more on the extroverted side, I was one of them.
Even with slight nerves about speaking up and learning, I did. Usually, the more you do something, the easier it can get. In life, you’re going to have to speak up at times, so you might as well get some practice. Always build your confidence.
10. As you can, take the lead on work projects.
You can show yourself how well you can lead others on a task by taking on more leadership roles at your work and in life. You never know what opportunities it will open up for you in your current career or your next career.
Even if you fail to lead things as well as you would have liked, you gain great lessons from it. You’ll potentially help yourself be better at leading in the future. Once again, building confidence.
11. Work extra hours when you can.
We often underestimate how much we can really do with our time if we put our mind to it. Of course, we shouldn’t become workaholics. But we can test our ability to put in more work in our day and see what we can accomplish.
12. Have side work, as you will.
Working for yourself, as I have done most of my life, can be a rewarding experience. The rewards include being proud of yourself when things go well. It’s also possible that as you develop your side-work, and can eventually become your full-time hustle.
13. Exercise at least three times a week
When you keep a regular workout schedule, it can be a challenge for most people with how busy our schedules can be. But the benefits of regular exercise are many, and you should not avoid physical exercise.
No matter much you may have to do throughout your day, you can spare 15 to 30 minutes of time for your wellness. You will feel better about it. Exercise as much as you can and as often as you will.
14. Do weight-lifting as you can.
Building your muscles can be a good aid to your confidence and is good overall for your body. If you don’t have weights at home, you can use heavy objects you have around your home as a weight. Just start lifting!
With juggling, I limited my arm exercises. And, it’s always been a fun challenge for me to see if I can increase the amount I can lift from week to week. It could be fun for you too.
15. Gain or lose some weight.
Weight can be a tricky challenge for many of us. I see so many Americans who have too much weight. And, for those who need to lose it, it’s probably one of the hardest things you’ve ever had to do.
The same is the case for those of us who’ve also had a hard time “gaining” weight (or losing the pounds.) And getting yourself to the weight you want to be can be one of the most satisfying challenges to overcome in life. So, reach the weight you are aiming for.
LIFE IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME – ARE YOU KEEPING UP?
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WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>
Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have an amazing ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.
This is why I find them so interesting, challenging, and important on our path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire ourselves as well as others.
Inspirational quotes and ideas provide us with a quick and timely burst of wisdom to get our focus back, offering the inspiration needed for the day or occasion.
I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.
You see, the way you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible for you, determines everything that happens in your life. It all derives from your quality of thinking.
When you improve the quality of your thinking,
you change the quality of your life—sometimes instantly!
Just as positive words can make someone smile, and/or a well-timed amusing quote can make someone laugh, your own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!
In fact, you have complete control over only one thing in the universe — Your Thinking — and that’s where motivational quotes come in!
To keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity for improvement, to be better, and to get a little bit closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it!
Self-talk is so important—THINK RIGHT!
Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.
But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.
Remember, you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind.
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.
VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.
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I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS ABOUT CHALLENGE INSPIRE YOU
You see, challenges come to us to make us better, not bitter. There is wisdom in challenges; you must look at them that way. Challenges often can make you or break you. May the quotes below inspire you to grow to be the best that you can possibly be. Keep up your confidence and never give up.
“We don’t grow when things are easy;
we grow when we face challenges.” Anonymous
“Don’t limit your challenges.
Challenge your limits.” Anonymous
“When life gets harder,
challenge yourself to be stronger.” Anonymous
“If you don’t challenge yourself,
you will never realize what you can become.” Anonymous
“Be thankful for each new challenge.
Because it will build your strength and character.” Anonymous
“If it doesn’t challenge you,
it doesn’t change you.” Fred Devito
“Challenges are what make life interesting.
Overcoming them is what makes them meaningful.” Anonymous
“There is no challenge more challenging than the challenge to improve yourself.” Anonymous
“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change.” Paulo Coelho
“When you face difficult times, know that challenges are not sent to destroy you. They’re sent to promote, increase and strengthen you.” Anonymous
“There’s always a new challenge to keep you motivated.” Sean Connery
“I’m accepting the challenge.” Robert Whaley
“Running away from any problem only increases the distance from the solution.” Anonymous
“The biggest challenge of life is to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you like everyone else.” Anonymous
“The bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity for growth.” Anonymous
“Challenge yourself every day to do better and be better.
Remember, growth starts with a decision to move beyond your present circumstances.” Robert Tew
“We are not defined by our challenges but lifted up by them.” Anonymous
“The moment you stop accepting challenges is the moment you stop moving forward.” Anonymous
“A challenge only becomes an obstacle when you bow to it.” Anonymous
“Sometimes those who challenge you most teach us best.” Anonymous
“The soul always knows what to do to heal itself.
The challenge is to silence the mind.” Anonymous
“A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.” Anonymous
“Constantly challenge yourself.” Anonymous
“Everyone faces challenges in life. It’s a matter of how you learn to overcome them and use them to your advantage.” Celestine Chua
“Don’t run from challenges; run over them.” Anonymous
“All of my past challenges have helped me become who I am today.” Demi Lovato
“Sometimes overcoming a challenge is as simple as changing the way you think about it.” Anonymous
“Be your biggest competitor; challenge yourself daily to be better than you were yesterday.” Anonymous
“You don’t become enormously successful without encountering a number of extremely challenging problems.” Mark Victor Hansen
“What if your current challenge is a call to action,
a rallying cry that will prepare you for the next phase.” Anonymous
“Don’t run away from a challenge. Instead, run toward it; the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet, and the more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.” Kemmy Nola
“The most challenging times bring us the most empowering lessons.” Karen Salmansohn
“Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew.” Cicely Tyson
Remember, life is about accepting the challenges along the way,
choosing to keep moving forward,
and savoring the journey”
STOP MAKING EXCUSES—YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE STOPPING YOU!
COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!
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MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Not much happened this week. Or, I should say, I didn’t “make” much happen. You see, it is up to each of us to make things happen in our life.
7/17—I put a better roof on the two-story rabbit hutch.
Now the rabbits are safe from any rain.
Here is me and Marigold. Our new baby bunny, hopefully, she won’t grow up to harm us.
7/19—Tomatoes are growing well, but something has been eating the leaves. They are so hard to see, but the very big tomato hornworm has been invading.
These are scary big creatures which I pulled off the plant, gathered a few, then took them to a different part of the land and released them. I do not like to kill anything, so I just relocated them. They really are quite beautiful, though.
Here they are, enjoy >>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM-smywYsJQ
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YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>
This week figure out five challenges and achieve them.
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NEXT BLOG >>
Beth and I MUST get outside to somewhere in the wilderness.
That is my joy, as you know.
Will you join us and get to the wilderness, too?
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THIS WEEK,
MAKE YOUR LIFE
SOMETHING
THAT YOU CAN
WRITE ABOUT!
