Browsed by
Category: Articles

9 Top Las Vegas Hotels

9 Top Las Vegas Hotels

Comments 0 Comment

Travel to Las Vegas can be overwhelming and confusing. Too much and too many for a lot of us. But there’s hope. Here’s a list of hotels based on the kind of experience you prefer. Original post is at Oyster.com

Top 9 Las Vegas Hotels on the Strip for Every Type of Traveler

Christina VercellettoNovember 13, 2019

Sin City has a scene that’s unique among tourist destinations. In particular, Las Vegas Boulevard, otherwise known as The Strip, is famous for its mix of opulence, kitsch, and debauchery. And the hotels that line it have their own — often over-the-top — personality. So, whether you want to dance the night away, try your luck at a casino, or have a romantic getaway, check out our picks for the best Las Vegas Strip hotels for every type of traveler.

Best Las Vegas Strip Hotel for Gambling: The Cromwell Hotel Las Vegas

Casino at The Cromwell

SEE ALL PHOTOS

Casino at The Cromwell Hotel Las Vegas/Oyster

This five-year-old boutique hotel is somewhat of a well-kept secret among those who come to Vegas to roll the dice — literally and figuratively. The Cromwell is the only location on the Strip that offers 100x odds on craps, with affordable table limits. They also boast some of the lowest minimum bets on 3-2 shoe and double-deck blackjack. Visitors can also expect commission-free EZ Baccarat, as well as European roulette on the main casino floor, usually found only in high-limit areas. If you are looking to spend some time in a high-limit enclave, The Abbey is a secluded and posh casino lounge with 31 of the newest high-limit slots on the Strip, plus a private restroom. You’ll come out a winner at The Cromwell’s happy hour as well, which is more like a happy day — it runs from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Get beer specials and vodka cocktails at the Interlude lounge for $2. Thanks to its intimate casino and elegant jazz-club vibe, The Cromwell offers the Strip experience without the accoutrements of a theme park — a plus for many.

Pricing for The Cromwell Hotel Las Vegas

UPDATE PRICES$243VEGAS.comVIEW DEAL

Best Las Vegas Strip Hotel for Relaxing: The Venetian Resort

Gondola at The Venetian Resort

SEE ALL PHOTOS

The Venetian Resort/Oyster

Pricing for The Venetian Resort

The Venetian Resort is like a city unto itself. Everything you might want or need can be found here, making it a wonderful choice if you just want to plant yourself in one (palatial) place and de-stress. Top-flight restaurants, countless shops, authentic gelato, famous gondola rides, legendary nightlife at Tao, and, of course, a vast gaming floor, all await. The spa, a Canyon Ranch outpost, tempts with supreme relaxation and wellness offerings, like nutritional counseling, posture analysis, and acupuncture. Plus, if you feel like torching a few calories, there’s always the climbing wall. To top it off, the Renaissance-Italian style standard rooms are the largest on the Strip..

UPDATE PRICES$312VEGAS.comVIEW DEAL

Best Cheap Las Vegas Strip Hotel: Luxor Hotel & Casino

Pool at Luxor Hotel & Casino

SEE ALL PHOTOS

Luxor Hotel & Casino/Oyster

If you don’t need any frilly excesses when traveling, Luxor Hotel & Casino rings up relatively bargain rates for The Strip. Known for its imposing sphinx and nightly light beam visible from 100 miles away, this distinctive property offers plenty of bang for your buck. For starters, guests get incredible views of the Strip from an elevator that goes up at a 40-degree angle. Its 125,000-square-foot pool deck is one of the most expansive in Vegas — and that’s saying a lot. Furthermore, guest rooms are clean and comfy, newly remodeled in a minimalist design. And while there are no high-brow restaurants helmed by celeb chefs, visitors will have a multitude of dining options with a much lower tab. Plus, it’s the home to HyperX Esports Arena, the first dedicated esports venue in North America. Overall, it’s an inexpensive source of fun for Vegas: Gaming passes start at $15; spectators are free.

Pricing for Luxor Hotel & Casino

UPDATE PRICES$133VEGAS.comVIEW DEAL

Best Las Vegas Strip Hotel for a Young, First-Time Visitor: The LINQ Hotel & Casino

Pool at The LINQ Hotel & Casino

SEE ALL PHOTOS

The LINQ Hotel & Casino/Oyster

Newbies tend to want to soak up as much as possible in just a few days — and do it in style. If that sounds like you, then this hipster crash pad may be your best bet. It’s near some of the most popular casino resorts, including Flamingo, Bellagio, and Treasure Island. The LINQ Promenade is full of diversions like Brooklyn Bowl, as well as sumptuous snack havens like Sprinkles and Haute Doggery. You’ll also be able to get the lay of the land on the world’s biggest observation wheel, the High Roller, and relax at the 21-and-over pool. Tip: Consider booking a cabana room with a private patio.

Pricing for The LINQ Hotel & Casino

UPDATE PRICES$176VEGAS.comVIEW DEAL

Best Las Vegas Strip Hotel for Over-the-Top Luxury: Encore At Wynn Las Vegas

Pool at Encore At Wynn Las Vegas

SEE ALL PHOTOS

Encore At Wynn Las Vegas/Oyster

The Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, which sits beside its sister property, Wynn Las Vegas, is all about opulence. The unparalleled extravagance begins with the Wynn Dream Bed, which has 507-thread-count linens, a heavenly mattress, and overstuffed, high-end pillows. Golf enthusiasts can spend quality time at the renowned 18-hole course, while those seeking a bit of retail therapy will discover shops like Chanel, Prada, and Dior. The giant suites are some of the biggest on the Strip (starting at 745 square feet) and one-up even the Wynn’s. Two nightclubs regularly host top DJs,  plus there’s a luxe casino, decadent spa, and attractive outdoor pools (including a European-style option with topless sunbathing). Of course, it all comes at a high price.

Pricing for Encore At Wynn Las Vegas

UPDATE PRICES$331VEGAS.comVIEW DEAL

Best Las Vegas Strip Hotel for a Romantic Getaway: Bellagio Las Vegas

Fountain at Bellagio Las Vegas

SEE ALL PHOTOS

Bellagio Las Vegas/Oyster

Best known for its iconic dancing fountains, which appear in movies like “Ocean’s Eleven,” the Italian-themed Bellagio is the perfect place for a romantic vacation. Start your stay with a couples massage at the spa, then reserve a cabana or daybed and snuggle up poolside. Guests can also stroll the naturally-lit, sweet-smelling Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, which transform with the seasons. To complete the fantasy-world feel, Chihuly stained-glass flower sculptures are suspended overhead. Be sure to request a patio table at intimate eatery Lago. Here, you’ll be so close to the fountains that you can feel the mist if the breeze is blowing in the right direction.

Pricing for Bellagio Las Vegas

Best Las Vegas Strip Hotel for an Adrenaline Rush: Stratosphere Hotel, Casino and Tower, BW Premier Collection

Stratosphere Hotel, Casino and Tower, BW Premier Collection

SEE ALL PHOTOS

Stratosphere Hotel, Casino and Tower, BW Premier Collection/Oyster

Thrill-seekers should head straight for this skyline-dominating resort at the northern tip of the Strip, where the real fun happens 1,000 feet in the air. The main attraction here is the SkyJump, in which harnessed guests can jump to the ground from the tower’s edge (it holds the world record fro highest decelerator descent). You’ll also find a cloud-grazing zip-line and three other daredevil-courting rides, one of which is aptly named Insanity. The Top of the World observation deck and 107 SkyLounge display vertigo-inducing views. Even the rooftop pool may have your heart in your throat a little.

Pricing for Stratosphere Hotel, Casino and Tower, BW Premier Collection

UPDATE PRICES$88VEGAS.comVIEW DEAL

Best Las Vegas Strip Hotel for Partiers: MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

Pool at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

SEE ALL PHOTOS

MGM Grand Hotel and Casino/Oyster

If you and your friends have something to celebrate, you’d do well to drop your bags here. The MGM Grandis one of the biggest hotels in the U.S., making it ideal for large groups, like bachelor and bachelorette parties. Its size also means you’ll find a wide range of room rates, from less than $100 to more than $1,000 per night. It’s easy to accommodate your entire crew’s budget, whether your best friend just got a huge bonus or your cousin recently got laid off. The MGM Grand also hosts Wet Republic, one of the wildest pool parties on the Strip. Late-night mischief is also in full swing at Hakkasan. After an epic night, spend the next day relaxing at the six-and-a-half-acre pool area, which has five pools, one of which is a long winding river for inner tubes.

Pricing for MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

Best Las Vegas Strip Hotel for Casino-Haters: Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas

Room at Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas

SEE ALL PHOTOS

Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas/Oyster

Seeking a casino-free hotel in Sin City? Yes, it’s possible. If you’re visiting Vegas for the shows, stellar dining options, and general spectacle, look to the Art Deco-inspired rooms at Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas. Occupying the top four floors of the Mandalay Bay Resort, this property is a gaming-free sanctuary at the southernmost end of the Strip. It has a completely separate entrance and lobby, as well as a serene pool and stunning spa. (Your blackjack-hungry companion need not worry, though, as the host hotel’s casino craziness is just a private elevator ride away.) Another perk: Charlie Palmer Steak and Veranda’s breakfast buffet won’t disappoint.

Pricing for Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas

3 Reasons to start Walking in Nature as part of your exercise routine..

3 Reasons to start Walking in Nature as part of your exercise routine..

Comments 0 Comment

Take a Hike!

As a college student and in my 20’s and 30’s I discovered the joy and peacefulness of hiking.  I started hiking in the nearby woods, then pastures and cliffs above the Northern California Pacific Coast.  Then I expanded to trails in our awesome National Parks.  Needless to say, I was hooked for life.

I found that I could add Photography at the same time.  There are so many places photo subject found on these walks and hikes.  Many are hanging on my and others walls right now.

The greatest benefit is the way I feel when I return home.  I find both my body and mind are refreshed.  I have more energy and stamina, a quieter mind.  Many times solutions to problems and questions I been struggling with now come easily to me.

So, if you want to jumpstart your like, start walking and hiking anywhere you can, in your neighborhood or in nature.

Seventy Years Loving and Helping One Another

Here’s a great article to inspire starting, https://amp.mindbodygreen.com/articles/heres-why-hiking-is-the-best-workout-for-your-mental-health.

See you on the trails, John

This Workout Can Seriously Improve Your Mental Health

By Ray Bassmbg Associate Movement & Wellness Editor
April 13, 2019 — 9:03 AM

Too often when we weigh the benefits of exercise, we tend to focus on the aesthetic. There’s a persistent pressure to exercise to look “good”—to whittle ourselves down to a smaller size and to shape our bodies in a way that pleases someone else. Not only can that mindset be detrimental to our physical health by encouraging destructive habits, but it also takes our attention away from a far superior benefit of exercising: the betterment of our mental health.

Fortunately, the tides are starting to shift (albeit slowly), and more people are beginning to use exercise to improve their mental health—not just as a means to a fitter end. And one of the best workouts for your mental health, as it turns out, is hiking. Here’s why.

How exercise improves your mental health.

If you’ve read anything about the benefits of exercise, there’s a 99.85% chance you’ve come across the word “endorphins.” Yes, those are released through exercising, but there is so much more to unpack when it comes to the positive impact exercise has on our brains.

“Exercise is probably the most underutilized antidepressant,” says Ellen Vora, M.D., a holistic psychiatrist and mindbodygreen Collective member. “It’s been shown in large clinical trials to be just as effective as antidepressants (if not more), and it has benefits like improved sleep, focus, cardiovascular health, and life span.”

There’s also a long list of mental health conditions that exercise can help mitigate, Vora adds, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, stress, and bipolar disorder—all of which affect millions of people every year.

Any sort of exercise will, in theory, improve the state of your mental health and make you feel better. But if you can combine the benefits of exercise with the benefits of nature—like going for a hike—that’s when the true healing happens.

How hiking improves your mental health.

Beyond being an enjoyable solo or group activity, hiking combines two of the most potent antidepressants: exercise and nature.

“Nature is critical to our mental health,” Vora says. “Studies have shown that staring at trees and greenery can decrease stress and anxiety and improve your mood.”

And given that many of us spend our days toiling away behind computers and swiping for stimulation on our phones, getting out in nature, Vora notes, is more important for our mental health than ever.

“We as humans evolved while surrounded by and in tune with the natural world. In our modern existence, we’ve gotten so out of touch with that, spending our days in windowless cubicles and staring at screens. This disconnection with nature can make deep parts of ourselves feel alienated and very far from ‘home.'”

Hiking gives us the best of both realms—the natural and physical. As Vora notes, it reconnects us with nature while getting our hearts pumping and causing a burst of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA secretion.

So the next time you’re in need of an all-natural pick-me-up, first tell yourself to (seriously) take a hike, then gather yourself and go for it.

#HIKING#ANXIETY#DEPRESSION#STRESS
Ray Bassmbg Associate Movement & Wellness Editor
Ray Bass is the associate movement and wellness editor at mindbodygreen. Originally from the Philly area, she has a B.A. in creative writing from the University of Pennsylvania, with…
Have You Told Her You Love Her?

Have You Told Her You Love Her?

Comments 0 Comment

Parents and kids!  There’s two sides here, both with the same need.  Have you told you Mom you lover her lately?  When’s the last time you told your kids you love them?

Everyone needs to know they are loved!  It’s so easy to say.  It doesn’t have to be hard, just hug them and say it – before it’s too late!

I have things I wish I told my parents before they passed.  I have things I’d like to say to my kids and hope they hear it.  Listen to them, and tell them you love them.

Here’s a short video about telling someone you love them before it’s too late.

 

15 Ways To Get Re-Inspired

15 Ways To Get Re-Inspired

Comments 0 Comment

My Life Path
My Life Path

We start out having a plan, a dream, a goal to achieve something great.  With all the twists and changes that life sends us, sometimes, we get lost and lose our inspiration.

Here’s some great advice I found that will help you get back on track.

15 Ways To Get Re-Inspired
by  Chad Howse –

1. Be in nature

Be in nature at least once a month. It’s in nature that we find inspiration. It’s where we remove ourselves from the noise of our day to day lives, find clarity, and focus.

If you’re constantly “in it”, you’ll find your mind will clutter, and your inspiration will flee. Venture to the great out doors and let adventure inspire you.

2. Surround yourself with motivated people

You are the average of the 5 people you hang out with the most. If you hang our with millionaire’s, odds are you’re one as well. If you hang out with motivated people, you’re probably a motivated person as well.

Be very cognizant of who you hang out with. Choose your friends wisely. They’re influence on you is unavoidable.

3. Never think you’re “there”

I’ll always think that I have to improve on my writing – and that I have a long way to go to being a good writer. It keeps me inspired to learn and grow. If I thought I was a good writer I’d not only be lying to myself, but I’d be allowing laziness to peer its head into my life.

Laziness is the devil. Don’t think you’re great, be great.

4. Don’t attempt insignificant feats

Do you get excited by small goals that you know you can accomplish with ease? Of course not. It’s the big, audacious, bold goals and dreams that excite you, so don’t waste your time with the small stuff. Think bigger and be bigger.

5. Be healthy

Be healthy and active. If you’re healthy you’ll have more energy, and if you have more energy you’ll find that you’re far more motivated and inspired than you are if you’re tired and sluggish.

Take pride in your health and your work. Being healthy is a tool that you can use to your advantage, or something that can work against you. What’s great is it’s completely up to you.

6. Read often

Great men have always been voracious readers. Napoleon was, as is Gates, and so was Jobs. If you want to be inspired, pick up a book, it never fails. If a paperback book slows you down then you can always listen to self development audio books.

7. Have tunnel vision

Don’t have a back-up plan, a floor, or a ceiling. Failure shouldn’t be an option, nor should you put a limit on your success.

Focus on one goal, and let that one goal be the only thing that matters.

8. Get excited by adversity

It’s in struggle that we grow. Get excited about this. Too many allow adversity crush their enthusiasm and motivation, but it shouldn’t. It’s a challenge, and challenges are exciting.

Rise to them. Don’t get pushed back by anything.

9. Love problem solving

The road to success is, essentially, one big problem you have to solve. Let that problem excite you. Don’t look at your long, arduous road to success as a negative, instead look at it as a positive journey.

Your mindset will dictate how inspired you are and whether or not you remain consistently inspired and focused.

10. Remove negative people from your life entirely

Negative people are the cancer of society, but they don’t need to be a negative influence on your life. Just get rid of them, and get rid of them now!

If you’re only surrounded by inspired people, you to will be inspired, motivated, and happy.

11. Write 3 things you’re thankful for everyday

We far too often focus only on what we don’t have, rather than everything we do have. The problem with that approach is that happiness will forever elude our grasp.

If our happiness and motivation is contingent on a future accomplishment, when we accomplish what we’ve set out to do, we’ll then make our happiness contingent on an even greater accomplishment. Thus, happiness will always be out of our grasp.

Be happy and thankful first, then let that enthusiasm and energy inspire you to accomplish greatness.

12. Practice success

Practice success by identifying the little goals that you accomplish in your life. Write down your accomplishments, even if they’re small like going for a run or writing an article for a publication.

Practice success everyday and you’ll live life as a successful person.

13. Be a fighter

I love a man who grins when he fights. Winston Churchill

I love that quote. It reminds me of the song Fighter, by Bruce Springsteen. Enjoy adversity. Welcome it. Adversity is what will make you stronger. It’s only through great adversity that great men and women reach accomplish what they’ve set out to accomplish.

If success was easy, everyone would be there. Get inspired by your struggles just like a fighter gets motivated to step into the ring and see what he’s made of.

14. Eat healthy

Eating unhealthy leads to depression and obesity. It’s nearly impossible to be inspired when your body is uninspiring or you’re depressed.

As a simple rule for eating healthy, eat only things that you can pick or kill. Your diet should be made up of things that come from the earth. Stay away from anything man-made or packaged.

15. Study greatness

There are patterns to success. The more you study great people, the more you’ll see these patterns and incorporate them in your own life. Don’t, however, merely read about great people, study their lives. If you can, read about what others close to them have said, read articles about how they accomplished greatness.

Greatness inspires. The more you see that success can, indeed, happen, the more you’ll be inspired to accomplish your own audacious goals.

You can even read inspirational quotes, that will be sure to motivate you and shift you into the right frame of mind to be openly inspired.

It’s those few who are consistently inspired by a greater purpose beyond their own gain that shape the world we live in. So how do we join these few in forging not only our own successful endeavors, but seeing such profound success that the world benefits as well?

(from http://addicted2success.com/life/15-ways-to-rediscover-your-inspiration/)

Are you ready to get back on your life path now?  Let’s go!

Thanks for stopping by, John

 

 

 

5 Steps to Building a Tree House – Step 1

5 Steps to Building a Tree House – Step 1

Comments 0 Comment

Family Maple Tree - Winter
Family Maple Tree – Winter

A great activity for vintage Baby Boomers and Boomer Grandpas is to design and build a Tree House with your kids, grand kids and other family members.  It’s a awesome bonding and teaching experience.  I plan on having the little kids do the painting and accessories when it’s time.  That way everyone can be involved.  When it’s finished we’ll have something for the family to use and have fun with for a lifetime.  Here’s my story, sort of a documentation of how we are building it.  Each stage will be a separate post.

Our family is blessed with a beautiful Maple tree in our back yard.  It’s part of our kids’ heritage and memories from growing up around it.  There have been hundreds of picnics, barbecues, tea parties, games of tag, birthday parties, and celebrations under our tree and in its cooling shade in the hot summers.  It shares it’s beauty in each season.  Summer is big green leaves and lots of comforting shade.  Fall is the only season when our tree requires our work or maintenance.  As fall progresses the big green leaves turn orange and then yellow, finally dropping from the branches, landing on the grass.  Here’s where the work comes in, someone, as in Me or our Kids.  I choose the kids for this job as they need to learn to work and care for what we are blessed with, right?  Hear that kids?

You see our tree above after the last snowfall of this winter.

All the snow has melted now and it’s time to build a Tree House

Step 1 Choosing your tree –  In our case we have only one tree to choose from.  By tree house standards this is a small tree which won’t really support much of a structure up in the tree.  So, we decided to build around the tree rather than in the tree.  You’ll need to choose a good strong tree, the right tree, then build the right tree house in or around it.  The formation or structure of the tree will determine the size and elements you will be able to have in your tree house.

That’s Stage 1.  Hope it gives you some ideas to build your own tree house.  Stay tuned for the next stage, Planning Your Tree House coming soon.

Thanks for stopping by, John

 

 

Live Epic with Lisa Nichols

Live Epic with Lisa Nichols

Comments 0 Comment

Lisa Nichols is one of the nicest and enthusiastic people I know of.  I always feel hopeful and inspired after watching one of her talks.  Hope you enjoy this one.

Here she shows how you can Do Good, Live Epic and really enjoy life without selling your soul to the devil.  She says, “I used to think it was all about making money, but that was because I was broke!”

Hope you enjoyed this and feel Inspired to live your Authentic Life.

Thanks, John

 

How to Believe in Yourself

How to Believe in Yourself

Comments 0 Comment

Believing You Can Do It!
Believing You Can Do It by Yourself!

 

Some people are very confident in themselves right from the start of live.  Others aren’t so much, and many are in between.  Here are some tips on how to turn that around and truly believe in yourself and do the things you love and create your perfect life!

Here we go….

How to Believe in Yourself in the Face of Overwhelming Self-Doubt

By

Stand Strong

“When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt.” ~Honore de Balzac

You know what that voice in your head says…

You can’t do it. You’ll never be good enough. You’re going to fail.

This voice taunts you whenever you set a goal. It criticizes you when life gets difficult. It beats you down when you struggle to stand up against its running commentary.

You know you shouldn’t let self-doubt bother you, but it’s a sneaky critter. Sometimes, you just can’t contain it and it slips past your barriers.

And self-doubt is greedy. When it’s loose, it devours your confidence, strips logic and reason from your mind, and steals happiness from your heart. In return, it leaves you with only fear and insecurity.

You try to remove self-doubt by forcing yourself to “think positive,” which usually doesn’t work as well as you think it should.

The more you fight your self-doubt, the more it fights back. However, with self-knowledge and understanding, you can use self-doubt for your benefit.

A Story about Crushing Dreams and “Being Realistic”

When I was a child, I was in love with drawing. For me, drawing was as exciting as going to the playground.

At some point in my childhood, I decided I’d become an artist of some kind. But the critics in my life were quick to cut me down. I’ll bet you’ve heard the same kind of clichés:

“Art is great but not a ‘realistic’ future goal. While it’s a nice hobby to have, you can’t really make a living out of it. You’ll just be another starving artist.”

As children, we internalize these negative messages and parrot them back. If the adults say so, it must be true, right? By adulthood, every time we have a small hope, we’re the first to snuff it out:

“Drawing is nice but not necessary. I’ll never be as good as the real professionals anyway. I don’t even have a degree from an accredited art school.”

For years I stopped myself before I even tried. I did it because I was afraid.

I was afraid of what people would say. I was afraid everyone would hate my art. I was afraid of failing as an artist.

When fear grabs you, your beloved goal forever feels out of reach. But it doesn’t just stop there, does it?

If left unchecked, the infectious bite of fear and self-doubt can spread. You unconsciously start questioning your knowledge and abilities in everything you do. And if you’re like me, you desperately want to find a cure.

One fateful day I realized that trying to beat out my self-doubt wouldn’t rebuild my confidence.

If I wanted to believe in myself, I needed to face my self-doubt and be willing to take care of it.

Before, I imagined self-doubt as a life-sucking monster. Now, I realize it’s actually a fearful, angry, and lost creature secretly crying for help.

Like fear, joy, and sadness, doubt is part of human nature, and it needs understanding. If you want to improve yourself, you need to tame your self-doubt, not fight with it.

That means paying attention to how you react to things, understanding the root of your insecurities, and taking steps to address your fears.

Now I no longer tell myself, “I’ll never be a good enough artist.” Instead, I ask myself, “What can I do to become better?” And I take baby steps.

I went from drawing every few weeks, to every week, and now every two to three days. Re-framing self-doubt has also helped me cope with other challenges, like successfully starting a small business.

Self-doubt doesn’t have to be as monstrous as we make it out to be. It’s all about perspective. The following tips will help you manage your self-doubt.

Identify and ease your doubts.

Learning how to recognize when your self-talk takes a turn for the worse is crucial. When you hear yourself saying, “I can’t,” or, “I don’t know,” or, “What if,” a red flag should go up.

Instead of telling yourself, “I can’t do X,” say, “I can’t do X yet. But I’m working on it.”

Or if you start wondering, “What if I fail?” you can respond by saying, “Then I’ll try again.”

Doing this transforms a negative situation into an opportunity for growth. In the end, it’s about giving yourself a chance.

Stop listening to toxic people.

Toxic people are convinced that everything is impossible, and they are quick to shoot down ideas. They’ll poison your mind into a state of hopelessness.

Don’t let them steal your energy just because they’ve lost theirs.

Instead, surround yourself with supportive and passionate people who can both inspire you and bring out the best in you. You can find them among friends, family, books, or blogs like Tiny Buddha.

They will lift you up when you feel down and help you see the bright side of your darkest fears and doubts.

Recall your successes.

This one is tough. When you’re down, you’ll more easily remember the bad instead of the good. And oftentimes, the “rah-rah” pep talk just doesn’t cut it.

So, I suggest writing a list. Grab a piece of paper or small notebook, or open a blank document. Now write down your successes, big or small.

If you’re a bit bashful about your achievements, ask someone you trust to tell you the great things they think you’ve done. It’s refreshing and a great confidence boost.

And finally, keep your list with you at all times. It will help you find your way back to yourself whenever you get lost.

Trust and love yourself.

You probably spend more time being your own worst enemy instead of being your own best friend.

But you deserve to treat yourself better. After all, you have the rest of your life to spend with yourself.

Think of it this way: Would you mentally abuse or condemn your loved ones? Would you let them suffer in their time of need? If not, then why would you do it to yourself?

So, be kind to yourself. You are more capable and worthy than you give yourself credit for.

Give yourself permission to try…and try again.

Self-doubt never disappears. Over time, you just get better at dealing with it.

It will greet you every time you fall out of your comfort zone and whenever you strive to do something great.

But know that it’s not something you have to fear or resent. Your doubts are only thoughts, not your future.

Sure, something may go wrong. But if you never try, you’re losing an opportunity to improve your life.

Are you willing to risk that instead?

This advice came from our friends at Tiny Buddha.com.  A great blog, worth following.

How to Believe in Yourself in the Face of Overwhelming Self-Doubt

Thanks for stopping by, come back soon, John

6 Tips To Help A Dying Parent

6 Tips To Help A Dying Parent

Comments 0 Comment

Saying Goodbye
Saying Goodbye

As we grow older, so do our parents and loved ones.  When they are nearing the end of this life, it can be stressful for them and us.  Now is the time to remember, comfort and forgive.

My Mother died last year and my Father is in his last days.  Through this experience I’ve found a few things that will ease their transition to the afterlife.

#1.  Focus your efforts on listening to what they want.  Really listen to them and they’ll tell you how they want their last days to be.  Focus on making them comfortable physically and emotionally.

#2.  Mend the hurts and misunderstandings that have come from both sides through-out your lives.  Take the high road and smooth things out.

#3.  Thank them for all they’ve done for you since you were born.  Tell them how grateful you are that they’re your Mom or Dad.  Thank them for all they’ve taught you about life and relationships and making a good life.  Ask them to forgive you, tell them you forgive them.  Tell them they’ve made a positive impact on you and your family and all those they’ve interacted with.  Put them at ease, that their life was important.

#4.  Memories are important.  Sit and talk with them and remember specific times and events and tell them how they made a difference in your life.  Take note, record their words, go through old photos.  Talk about their legacy and how they’ll be remembered.  This is the time to embelish a little if you have to and make them feel loved and wanted.  They need to know they’ll be missed.

#5.  Estate.  Make sure their estate is in order.  They need an executor or trustee with access to all financial accounts.  Put these is order now for face the courts and red tape by yourself after they’re gone.  It’s much easier now.  Decide who will get the favorite chair and dining room table, etc.  Find out what their wishes are.

#6.  Say Goodbye.  At some point in time, you’ll know when, it’s important for you to say goodbye.  Tell them they are loved and appreciated and will be missed.

These are the most important things to do and say before your loved one passes on.  It will mean a lot to both of you when you share your love with them.

Thanks for stopping by, John

Words Change Your life

Words Change Your life

Comments 0 Comment

So, when you have a hard decision to make, or you’re struggling at your job or with your finances. Maybe you think your spouse is being mean or unreasonable or you just found out you have a serious physical problem.

Who do you go to for help and how do you listen to? You have lots of choices. Some are better than others. But, I’ll bet you are forgetting the most important person to list to.

Do you know who it is?

It’s YOU! Your brain is the most sophisticated computer in the world. It’s the words you use when you talk to yourself. Our parents gave us our original programing and it’s probably out of date. Is your software program up to date. Is it telling you the right things, for the current day? Probably not. Your original programing is filled with limiting factors that are holding you back from getting everything you want from life.

What can you do to improve your self talk? Upgrade to Operating System 2012.1. Wipe out your old limiting self talk and upgrade to enabling self talk.

Here some help to get you started. Enjoy.

Your Words will bring Your Victory

I hope you enjoy the video. It pretty powerful.

Bottom line, talk nicely to yourself, use powerful words to create the health, happiness and wealth you deserve.

Thanks for stopping by, John, the Messenger.