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IS YOUR LIFE BORING? CHANGE THE RECIPE

2012-08-10T13:53:00.000+03:00

Last week I shared with you a post how to discover hidden talents . I’m happy to say that today I want to address limiting beliefs, which could seriously hold you back from achieving your goals if we don’t take steps to address it.

Does your life doesn't taste good? Simply change one or two ingredients of a known recipe. That’s all you need to do in your life. Change some little thing you’re doing. That one change will affect everything else for the better and make you a winner. If you have hit a bump in the road, you need these ten rules to help you do everything.

Change is happening every second whether we know it or not. Life is living with change. The first step may be hard to take, but take it you must. Stuff that fear down, open your eyes and go. There is a gold mine within from which every man can draw all that is necessary for abundant living. Why not use the great powers of your mind? Here is how amazing power of your mind works, are within everyone.

May be there are some setbacks holding you down. Don't blame yourself. It will just make you feel bad and damage your self esteem, find out how to deal with setbacks. Get out of your comfort zone; we all tend to stick with what we know, what feels safe. If this is how you feel and you hate it, here are the top 5 ways to break out of a boring life.

Try a recipe for home. A recipe for school. A recipe for work. A recipe for praying. A recipe for managing your time. A recipe for managing your people. A recipe for managing your cash flow. A recipe for lefting yourself to be you.

And the more you can learn about yourself and how you react to change, the happier you can become. Become a master of change; work at it like a craftsman who hones his skills. If your life is boring; change the recipe and also you need to be with the ability to get yourself to take action regardless of your emotional state, self-discipline.

As always, I'd love to hear your comments, thoughts and suggestions so be sure to leave them

at the bottom of the article. I'll read every single one, Honest!

"Resolve to be a master of change rather than a victim of change." - Brian Tracy

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

HOW TO DISCOVER HIDDEN TALENTS

2012-07-31T17:54:00.001+03:00

Before you rush into reading this article – you might also like to check out Discovering Your Talents. Everyone has hidden abilities. Your job is to discover and develop them. I believe that most of our problems arise when we lose faith in ourselves, giving that faith energy is what is required. Studies show that most people are dissatisfied with their lives in some way or another, most often with their work.

There are things you can do that can expose those hidden gems inside – those latent or forgotten talents waiting to be dug up. Here is how to go about discovering hidden abilities with 5 practical tips for helping you find your hidden talents.

Devote the next 30 minutes to writing down your good and less than perfect personality traits. You don’t want to dwell on what’s wrong with you, but you want to know your weaknesses and work to improve them while you search for your hidden talents.

Do you have something that you have accomplished that makes you feel proud? List the things you have accomplished and the things you wish to accomplish.

Write a one page biography on your life to this present day. Learn more about how to write a personal bio.

Make a list of the compliments you have received from your family and friends: pleasant smile, firm handshake, immaculate dress, ability to express your point of view and so on.

Make a list of the things at which you excel: hobbies, sports, and talents. Add to this list the things at which you will like to excel.

My friend Gilbert Ross on his article 10 Tips for Finding Your Hidden Talents said that, “People are meant to be happy, but so many never develop into all that they can be.” Now you have a composite of ‘the sort of person I am’ and ‘the sort of person I wish to be’. Carefully analyze what you have written and you will discover that you have qualities that you never imagined yourself to possess.

As I mentioned in The Power of Self-talk, pay attention to the thoughts you think. Do your best to allow into your mind only the thoughts that bring good, happy, and positive results, and avoid negative thoughts. Otherwise, you could be wandering through life missing out on valuable opportunities because of your failure to tap dormant talents.

Have a great day.

With your success in mind,

Robert Malugu

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

JUMP INTO LIFE

2012-07-27T16:40:00.006+03:00

It is my hope that you enjoyed my last article Discovering Your Talents.

Last night I was asking myself, Have I really jumped into life, or do I still shivering on the shore? What have I planned for today, tomorrow, next week? How will these things that I'm planning will affect my future? The future of others? And maybe the future of the world?

How about you? Just because you're breathing out and breathing in doesn't mean you're full of life. Life is an exciting affair. Do you feel fully alive?

How do you visualize yourself ten years from now? What do you want to become? What are you eating, drinking, thinking, saying, doing, and hoping that will bring you to your goal?

Lisa Canning wrote a blog post called “Ten Steps to Finding Your Artistic Voice.” Just one of her excellent points — good for everyone, not just artists, but all creative people — is this: “Be who you wish to seem. What type of artist (worker, pastor, musician, writer, professional, etc.) do you want to be? What audience will you serve? What will your medium be? Will you be politically oriented? Will you dedicate your energy to the classics? Will you serve as a bold visionary?”

Put in your own words for whatever fields of interest you have and want to pursue. Do you ever think about how your presence has an impact on the world? And don’t delay on the banks forever. Time does not stop for us.

"Avoid the crowd. Do your own thinking independently. Be the chess player, not the chess piece." - Ralph Charell

Have a great weekend with love and appreciation,

Robert

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

DISCOVERING YOUR TALENTS

2012-07-23T17:24:00.003+03:00

Everyone has talents. You can have a talent for writing, painting, listening, driving, acting and the like. Unfortunately in our society talents that make money are valued most. This is a shame, because many talents that don't make you money, can be valuable, not just for yourself, but also for the people around you. When you make music, you can make someone feel better.

Talent is a special natural ability that is been given unto those who can effectively and resourcefully make good use of them. Talent is a powerful weapon for everyone's future and it is only those who take their time to develop and maximize them find it.

Steps in Discovering Your Talents:

Find an activity you really enjoying. It might be an activity that you always wished you had time to explore, but never had the time or money required to pursue it. Ask yourself what you liked in the past. What did you like as a child? What were you doing at that moment? If you really don't know what you'd like, you might consider getting tested. Also ask family and friends what they think suits you, and what your strengths and weaknesses are.

Set goals. Developing your talents means to set a goal that is positive. You want to get better at something. That means you need to decide what you want. Your goals must be realistic, positive and very specific. Imagine what you're going to do, and when. Don't say "I am going to learn Swahili" but say "I am going to follow a Swahili language course in June at the Open University".

Write down your goals. Research shows that if you write down your goals your success rate is higher. When you write down your goal, you connect yourself with this goal, and you'll be more motivated. Write down which talents you want to develop, which goals you want to achieve, and set a time period.

Challenge yourself. Challenges in life bring out the best in people. It's most motivating setting a goal that is just above the level you're sure you'll reach. If you go out running, make it your goal to run a couple of hundred metres more than yesterday. This way you'll expand your limits, but in a realistic way. Challenge will bring you more inspiration in life and give it direction. Remember that you can create everything and change direction of your life anytime you wish by taking small steps and actions towards reaching your new reality.

"Quality questions create a quality life. Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers." Anthony Robbins

Get a coach. Expand your limits. You are never too old to start. For example if you always wanted to be competitive in swimming find a swim coach. It's necessary to follow a course in order to develop your talents. Go back to college. Enroll in workshops and seminars. Try finding a course that fits your learning style.

Selecting partners. Partners who have the same goals, can help you overcome obstacles, motivate you and inspire you. It's nice to develop your talents in the company of others. However, whether the reason for the partnership is to obtain assistance for a goal that you’re working on or providing support for someone else a good partnership is one where everyone benefits.

Believe in yourself. Many of people fail to live the life they have always wished to live. They fail to realize their ambitions and give up on their big dreams as soon as they encounter the first obstacle. One of the strongest causes for this attitude is that they do not believe in themselves. It is easier to develop your talents if you believing in yourself and your skills. You won't have a fear of failure and it's easier to concentrate.

Give yourself to trying. For trying does not murder but it generates a viewpoint in life. Try harder and harder to get your unseen talent, for no one is aimless. Then look at the obstacles, such as money, time, health problems, lack of energy, negative thoughts about yourself, lack of support or help. What is the biggest obstacle, and what can you do about it? Talk to people with the same goals, and learn from them. God created man to be talented, you are useful to God and note down that were God finger points, his hand will always make the way for you.

“Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor.” Dr. Alexis Carrel

In order to take full advantage of your life, you must identify and develop your talent. Its never too late to do those special things you have always wanted to do. Just go ahead and do them.

Have a great day.

With your success in mind,

Robert Malugu

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

HOW WISE PARENTS ENCOURAGE TEENAGERS COPING WITH LIFE'S CHALLANGES

2012-07-16T15:29:00.006+03:00

Frequently I remind myself as I remind others, that we have a responsibility to take these youngsters under our wings, to help them realize that they do have intellectual talents.

– Ben Carson

All of us need to have someone say to us, “You can do it. You can achieve.” Words like these empowering us about the important and valuable laws of successful living, the power of positive thinking. I remember in my childhood I always fall back on my parents when the going becomes tough. Luckily enough my parents were both still alive. My parents provide me with love, comfort, encouragement and protection against the impact of the outer world. On approaching adulthood children must struggle to become responsible, self-reliant and to find solutions to their daily problems. The parents may only shield them, guide them and caution them against repeating mistakes.

Teenagers want to be independent. Parents must train their children in facing life's challenges by themselves. For example, it’s very rewarding and satisfying for a teenager to make use of public transport. They are thus enabled to learn, and to overcome difficulties on their way to and from school, instead of being picked up and dropped every day. Parents also need to encourage their teenage children in their work, challenging them to do a better job next time. For example, I love the way how Sonia Carson was encouraging her son Ben Carson, author of Think Big, and The Big Picture, during his childhood: “Ben, you are a smart boy. I want to see you using that smartness,” “Ben, you become whatever you want to be in this life if you are willing to work at it.”

Children's ability to act correctly and wisely in the face of newly acquired responsibility and freedom does not come to them ready-made. Their growing abilities emerge as a result of childhood experiences. They have learnt by doing, watching and practicing. They also learn a lot about life from books, TV and films. Their religious formation and doctrine also exert greater influence in helping them develop their personal code and establish a frame of reference for taking decisions.

All children, regardless of their age, pick parents as their number one role model. It is natural for a child to imitate and assume the attitude and the ways of the parents later in life. Parents with a positive approach towards life automatically transmit confidence and assurance to their children. Parents who pass to their children negative attitude towards life instill in them fear of failure and unwillingness to spend their energies in worthwhile endeavors.

What can parents learn from this? Recognize your place as a significant role model in both healthy and unhealthy habits. It is your responsibility to encourage your children to aim higher than where their friends aim. Parents must patiently point out to them the advantages of the way of life they stand for.

The urge to imitate is a means for children to progress towards maturity. Children must pick a hero with good qualities. The parents are the first heroes children imitate, followed by the older children in the family. It is the parents' responsibility, with patience and loving kindness to guide them in selecting heroes. Children frequently develop a 'crush' on someone who is several years older and unavailable but whom they see as important in their lives. Such a person may be either a valuable role model or an unfortunate one. Parents should not condemn someone the children admire, for if they do the children will resent the parents' intrusion into their private. Parents must take a positive approach: express approval for characters they feel worthy of their children's imitation.

A family where there is free discussion and frankness among brothers and sisters will give the child a fairly good idea of what to give and what to take. Children must learn to cooperate. They should understand by now that they owe respect to their elders, particularly to those in authority like teachers, older members and friends of the family. They also learn that games go more smoothly when everybody plays according to the rules and obey the team captain. Parents need to help their children understand more about ethics in personally relating with people. Children have to learn to be cooperative even at the risk of disappointment. Parents should not humiliate or discourage children if they fail to do something right.

I have been concerned by the lack of financial educational our children receive in school. Since our schools do not teach people what the rich know, it is important to teach our kids about money for their future financial success. Where can you find a program that would help you to educate your children on financial matters? If you want your children to have a financially secure future and utilizing the power of positive thinking efficiently I encourage you to visit Rich Dad and learn more.

Have a great day.

With your success in mind,

Robert Malugu

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

HOW TO DEAL WITH SETBACKS

2012-07-09T16:51:00.001+03:00

We’ve all hit that bump in the road, the setback, the problem. What sets people apart is how they react to that bump. Are you one to spin out of control, in despair? Or do you grab a hold of that wheel and steer yourself straight? Whether it’s a school assignment, a work project, or a volunteer mission, we all encounter things that slow us down.

Setbacks are inevitable; the trick is to know how to recover from them quickly. How do you get back into the good space again? How do you get back into the good space again? How do you deal with setbacks?

What not to do when trying to recover from setbacks:

Don't blame others. It might make you feel a little better in the short term, but long its damaging to relationships and doesn't solve the problem;

Don't blame yourself. It will just make you feel bad and damage your self esteem, and

Don't try to numb out. You know what I'm talking about. Eating chocolate, having a drink because "you've had an awful day", watching TV or surfing the internet. It distracts you but doesn't solve the problem.

FIVE STEPS TO RECOVER FROM SETBACKS

This simple 5 steps will help you to recover from setbacks:

1. Give yourself some time to really what you feel.

We get socialized to block out and numb our emotions. We pretend not to feel them so we don't give ourselves time to feel our disappointment, upset, anger or whatever the emotion is labeled. Take some time out and really allow yourself to feel what you feel it.

2. Remember, all setbacks are there to help you learn and grow.

As the emotions start to ease off, start to ask yourself some questions that will empower you, like: What could I do differently next time? How can I change this? What do I need to learn from this? How can I grow bigger than this problem? Everything that happens has its root cause somewhere in the past. It might be a thought a word or an action. Ask the right questions and you can move away from being "problem focused". Feel ok, no matter is going on.

3. Develop a sense of trust that all is well.

Nothing is ever lost - it just gets moved around - so you never really lose anything. It will come back to you. You will recover. Don't think about things in terms of "mistakes". Imagine that nothing is a mistake, that everything is unfolding perfectly. Ask yourself "What if this was the best thing that ever happen to me? What would a likely outcome have to be for that to be true? Even if that doesn't happen, just thinking it will make you feel better and get you to think in a positive way.

4. Find the hidden opportunity; opportunity usually comes disguised as setback.

Dig a bit deeper and find the hidden opportunity. If you do this you will be one of the rare people who do so - and those rare people end up being the successful ones.

5. Consider doing some personal development work to improve your emotional resilience.

Just like exercising to improve your body, you can improve your emotional and mental strength. For example coaching is specifically designed to move people forward in all ways.

In order to recover from setbacks, be objective. Step back and look at the

situation. Take responsibility where it is due, but don’t place blame on

others.

Above all, don’t live with regrets. Approach life with perseverance and

dedication to the things that matter most to you. Success is never easy. It

remains up to you whether you will give up, or fight through the tough

battles to earn whatever it is you want.

"You can do what you believe you can not do." - Les Brown

Have a great day.

With your success in mind,

Robert Malugu

Have a great day.

With your success in mind,

Robert Malugu

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn
more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

WHAT IS POSITIVE THINKING?

2012-06-18T16:15:00.001+03:00

Most people think of positive thinking in rather simplistic terms: it’s just about thinking positive thoughts, right? Wrong!

Positive thinking is an optimistic state of mind, which sees the bright side of life. It strengthens your motivation, and increases your energy level. Positive thinking is about using your thinking for best effect. We may be thinking positive thoughts consciously, but if negative beliefs are running unconsciously they will act like a "thought virus" and sabotage our success.

SIX ESSENTIAL STEPS TO USING POSITIVE THINKING EFFECTIVELY

1. Set a positive goal

The first step is to set a goal that is positive. That means you need to decide what you want. Make sure its not something you want to avoid. For example "not go broke" is a negative goal. The unconscious mind cannot process negatives. Your goals must be clear, positive and very specific.

2. Keep focused on the goal and be aware of opportunities

Once you have set your goal, a part of your brain called Reticular Activating System (RAS) gets going. It starts to bring to your attention opportunities that will help you move towards your goal. Make sure you take advantage of them because you never know when they will disappear. The greatest risk is the one you don’t take. Everything that exists in the world today was started by a thought from someone like you and me.

3. Take action

Once you've noticed the opportunities then you need to take action on them. Sometimes these opportunities will take you out of your comfort zone.

4. When you're not getting the results you want - take different actions

Pay attention to the results you're getting. If things start to turn out badly, go back to the thoughts and actions you were taking. Were they truly in alignment with your goal? Check if any were based on fear. Fear is a negative thought pattern and actions based on this often sabotage success.

5. Don't let past emotions cloud current thinking

The only thing you can do with the past is to learn from it so you can be better prepared for your future. Focus on the future and all of its possibilities. Focus on the future and all of the results that you desire. You are the creator of your future. Don't let painful emotions from past events affect your current thoughts and actions. Emotions from the past are the quickest way to cloud your thinking, and lead you to take poor decisions, and actions. Most people make the mistake of simply suppressing or expressing emotions. Instead find a way to release them.

6. Bounce back quickly from setbacks

When aiming for success you will fail at times. Life is what you make of it. There is usually something positive that you can discover from every negative situation. Successful people fail as often as unsuccessful people the difference is that successful people bounce back and keep going. It all depends on your outlook. Make sure you are an optimistic person. Look for the positives instead of the negatives. Remember what Martin Luther King said, “Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” Difficulties strengthen the soul so look at the positive side of your pain. What doesn’t break you will make you.

"Don't give up! It's not over. The universe is balanced. Every set-back bears with it the seeds of a come-back." - Steve Maraboli

Have a great day.

With your success in mind,

Robert Malugu

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

THE POWER OF SELF-TALK

2012-06-15T17:37:00.006+03:00

In science there is something known as the law of causality. The law of cause and effect states that every material effect must have an adequate antecedent or simultaneous cause ("Tsunamis," 2000, p. 1064).

Most people imagine that the cause of all effects is an action, the physical actions we take and our behaviours. Stop for a moment and ask the question: who’s the number one person you communicate with on a daily basis? What causes us to take those actions? What causes one person to take the kinds of actions that lead to success, whilst others take the actions that lead to failure?

It’s you! Our internal conversations characterize how we view the world and influence every part of our lives- relationships, achievements, attitude and ultimately our degree of happiness. At some point before you take an action you make a decision to take that action. That decision is usually some kind of thought; all actions stem from thoughts. As your thoughts are, so is your life. So thoughts lead to actions, which lead to success or failure. Thoughts are pretty important for getting the kinds of results we want.

You have to be careful of what you think. Thoughts are like a video cassette that is played in the VCR of the mind. What you play is what you see and experience. What you think is what you live. To make changes in your life it is necessary to eject the old video cassette, and insert a new one that you like.

Let's take the thought: "the economy is bad so no one is spending any money". Imagine a business person has this thought running through their mind. How motivated do you imagine they will be to make sales calls? Not very - what’s the point if no-one is buying. How motivated would they be to invest in marketing? Not very! And ultimately how successful are they likely to be? Not very!

Now let’s imagine another business person with the thought: "The bad economy puts me ahead of the game because other companies are marketing less" and "I can succeed no matter what the economy is like, because people will always invest in value". This business person invests in marketing, makes lots of sales calls and takes all kinds of actions that will lead to their success.

The strange thing is that even if you're taking the right actions, if you don't fully believe success is possible, you lower your chance of success. Pay attention to the thoughts you think. Do your best to allow into your mind only the thoughts that bring good, happy, and positive results, and avoid negative thoughts.

Remember, we all make mistakes. We all have set backs. We all experience failures. We all have bad things happen to us. The key is to learn from every experience and to use our self-control to stop thinking about them.

“It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.” - Dale Carnegie

Have a great day.

With your success in mind,

Robert Malugu

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

HOW OUR SELF-TALK AFFECTS OUR LIVES

2011-09-05T15:30:00.004+03:00

The primary cause of any emotion is not outside events, but self-talk that you give yourself about out-side events. Learning to control undesirable emotion via self-talk has immense therapeutic value.

How you can improve your life by using rational self-talk at work, in your marriage, at school, and in raising children. Your sexual functioning is primarily determined by your self-talk.

The basic concepts of self-talk are presently revolutionizing traditional psychological thinking and have the power of substantially improving our lives.

Ways in which self-talk affects our lives:

a) Placebo effects

There is strong evidence that the self-talk "I'm being treated, therefore I'll get better" does help some people who have certain medical conditions to improve (Freese, 1976, p. 196). In medicine it is recognized that a strong will to live (self-talk of "I'll recover") has an important effect in the recovery of those who are critically ill.

b) Positive Thinking

Positive thinking appears to be a consequence of a certain kind of self-talk, "I'll be able to do this," "We'll win," etc. This kind of self-talk is designed to make athletes positively believe they'll win, and that is also designed to increase their motivation.

Positive thinking is the key to achieving success and happiness in both your personal and business life (W. Clement Stone - Publisher of the magazine Success Unlimited).

Success identities versus failure identities people. Success identities results from such self-talk "I'm a worthy person," "I have accomplished much of what I have tried in the past," "Trying something new is challenging and stimulating," "I look forward to trying something more complicated and involved." Failure identities result from such self-talk as "I can't accomplish anything I try," "I'm a failure," "I hate to try anything new as it will reveal my weakness to others." Failure identities leads to loneliness, frustration, and depression (William Glasser, 1972 in The Identity Society).

c) Motivation

What we want out of life, and our desire to achieve what we want, primarily determine what our life will be (Glasser, 1972). Example, positive motivation "I'll give it my best shot," "I want such and such," "I'll succeed." Furthermore, a lack of motivation ir indicated by such self-talk as "I don't wan't to do that."

In counselling, the key variable in determining whether a client will improve his or her situation is the client's motivation to improve and put forth the necessary effort (Losoncy, 1977).

d) Success in sports

Every competitive sport is composed of two parts, an outer game and an inner game. The outer game consists of mastering the mechanics of how to play the game (how to block, swing a racket or bat, how to throw a ball, and so on).

The inner game, on the other hand, take the place in the mind of the player and primarily consists of the self-talk that one has while playing. Self-doubt and self-condemnation, for example, relaxed self-confidence is a key to winning. Relaxed self-confidence is not only important in playing competitively, but also substantially facilitates learning any new games (W. Timothy Gallwey, The Inner Game of Tennis, 1974).

e) Physiological Reactions

It appears self-talk has a substantial effect on physiological reactions.
For example: "I worry that." - Leads to anxiety, peptic ulcer, hives, face flushing, diarrhea, etc.
"I have got to lift that car which just fell on my friend." - Leads to adrenalin, lifting a weight that requires superhuman strength.

"I'm pregnant (when a woman actually isn't)." - Leads to certain physiological changes may occur such as sickness, missing a period, and even a pseudopregnancy.

These few examples suggest self-talk has substantial influences on the functioning of physiological processes.

f) Mood effects when using alcohol and other drugs

A wide range of emotional reactions may result when a person becomes physiologically aroused from taking drugs:

A person may become elated, more cheerful, more relaxed, depressed, morose, hostile, belligerent, angry, tense, or show mood swings. How can the same drug cause such a wide variety of emotional reaction? The answer would appear to be the nature of self-talk that the aroused person is concentrating on.

Self-talk, as described above, not only has substantial effects on our daily life; it also influences our life in a variety of ways, each having a powerful effect. Our self-talk makes us what we are, and we can change our self-talk to become what we want to be.

I hope these tips help you realize that your self-talk, as described above, not only has substantial effects on our daily life; it also influences our life in a variety of ways, each having a powerful effect. Our self-talk makes us what we are, and we can change our self-talk to become what we want to be.

With admiration,

Robert S. Malugu

P.S: I love comments on this blog. They are as important as anything I write myself. They add to the knowledge and community that we have here. If you want to comment then you are more than welcome; whether you feel you are a beginner or an expert, feel free to have you say. Relevant links in comments are actively encouraged. If you are leaving a comment on my blog and want to point to a link on your own or someone else’s site that is relevant to the topic then please feel free to do so. This adds to the conversation and improves the blog.

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

http://www.swissmetalassets.com

BEATING THE BLAHS

2011-08-12T13:33:00.003+03:00

Everyone feels a little down once in a while. It’s part of life. But those down times should be temporary, and we have more control over them than we sometimes think we do. The seminary class of the Kirkland Ward in Montreal, Canada, has some suggestions for snapping out of those blahs.

The Holy Ghost is called the Comforter for good reason, and there are a number of suggestions for inviting His healing influence. They’re not new, but when you are feeling low, you may be tempted to ignore them because Satan does not want you to be happy. So remember these basics:

· Pray. God’s love for you is perfect, and He can communicate that love to you through the Spirit.

· Read the scriptures. They help you feel the Spirit and help put your problems in perspective.

Other suggestions include:

· Listen to good music: Pick music that won’t offend the Spirit.

· Exercise: Ride your bike, go jogging, or just take a brisk walk. It stimulates brain chemicals that improve your mood.

· Get some perspective: Read your journal or look at your scrapbook. Remember all of the good things that have happened to you and you’ll see that down times are temporary.

· Write in your journal. This helps you to sort through your thoughts and feelings.

· Do something nice for someone else. When you serve others, you invite the Spirit and your own problems shrink or even disappear.

· Spend time with and talk to good friends: The kind who help you be your best self.

· Talk to God; participate in activities.

· What about eating chocolate or other favorite “comfort” foods? You need to be careful. Eating to fill emotional needs can lead to unhealthy eating habits and weight gain.

Illustrated by Scott Snow

NewEra, Apr 2007, 27

www.lds.org

Thank you for taking your time with me, its great being with you. But reading is not enough. If you really hope to attain a successful life, please keep your mind open, go back and practice persistently the suggestions. Keep at it. The results will come. It will give me great happiness to know that the article has helped you. We may never meet in person, but in this article we have met. We are spiritual friends. I pray for you. God will help you, so believe and live successfully.

With admiration,

Robert S. Malugu

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

WHAT IS LOVE?

2011-08-12T11:24:00.002+03:00

A few nights ago my friend Leisa asked me what I thought Love was. At the time, I thought that there were so many different types of love that I really struggled to answer her. The love of a child, the love of a parent, the love of a friend, the love of a partner... What I did say, was that I thought you had to first be truthful and show love to yourself before you could show love to another. I still believe this is true and now I have learned that there is only one type of Love.

Both Leisa and I have been hurt by men who deceived and lied to us. Leisa so wants me to walk away from the situation and from the man. She would like for me to turn my back and start afresh. She felt that if these men have lied to us, then they are not worthy of our love. I am now able to move on now and during this process, I found my answer for her about what l think love is.

Leisa has kindly allowed me to share this with you. So here is my letter to my friend Leisa...

Leisa,

I think I have finally found my answer to your question, "What is love?"

Real love truly is unconditional.

I have been looking back to the times I spent with my Grandmother. As you know, I grew up with her. I was not very nice to her at times - as most teenagers are not. As I was growing up, I really did do some nasty things to hurt her.

You know Leis, she was always there to forgive me, once I realised my mistakes.

She did this openly and honestly and with her arms wide open. Her love never judged me. Her love never condemned me. Her love never knew spiteful words. She would tell me that my actions had hurt her, but never did she lash out in retaliation by saying mean things or even to punish me - ever.

She held me up, she let me become myself and then she let me go.

To me, if you can't love without judging, then you do not love. If you can't love without expectation, then you do not love. If you can't love just because you can - then why would you do it? Does someone have to show you love in return, for you to feel it for them? My grandmother's never did. She just loved all of me. No matter what my actions displayed.

I believe that to love, you have to be patient. To love, you have to be kind. To love, you have to forgive.

I'm not saying that you should put your life on hold, but all the same, I don't believe that you should turn your back just because that person hasn't yet found the strength to know who they are yet. And let's face it - this is the only reason people lie. They are lying to themselves really - not to us.

You can still love them Leis.

Sometimes people just make mistakes. This is their walk - not ours. Their life lessons - not ours. Who are we to judge? And if you truly did love in the first place, then you will be there to forgive. To me, this is real love.

Leisa, I can let him go. I can walk away and start afresh now. But I do love Ian, so please don't ask me to stop.

Vicki

Written in 2006 by Victoria Muller
http://www.motivateus.com/

Best regards,

Robert Malugu

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

THE GIRL WITH THE BEAUTIFUL SMILE

2011-08-05T12:54:00.003+03:00

I was scared, but I found a secret weapon to overcome my fear.

For months I had prepared with my piano teacher for this day. I was participating in Achievement in Music, an annual competition that rates music students on all sorts of things—from knowledge of theory to the dynamics in a memorized piece. Finally the day had come and along with it my nervousness.

The scariest part of the competition involved performing pieces for judges. I knew my pieces, but my hands shook as I played.

The dreaded performance was over. I could relax because I just had to give my report on a composer. I found the correct area and waited in a line before two doors. Curiously, I looked in the door on the left. A friendly teacher encouraged students as they nervously entered and became acquainted. She obviously wanted to put them at ease.

Then I looked in the room on the right. There was another piano teacher, an older one, but she had a stern look that made my hands turn cold. The more I saw her interact with the students, the more scared I felt. All I could think was, “I hope I get the first judge.”

I read my report over and over. When I got to the front of the line, I hoped the person on the left would finish first. To my dismay, the student on the right started walking to the door. There was no way I could go in there. Then the thought came to me, “Just put on your biggest smile.”

I walked in with a bounce in my step and the biggest smile I’d ever shown. Like they say, by acting happy, you feel happy. I beamed as I shook the judge’s hand. Then I read my report in a clear voice, pausing now and then to smile at her. At the end of my report, I thanked her for her time. She did not seem scary anymore. As I walked out of the room, I felt relieved and happy.

A few months later I listened as my piano teacher read the comments from the judges. On the last comment she said, “Wow, you really impressed this judge. She wrote, ‘Michelle, the girl with the beautiful smile.’” I didn’t have to ask her who wrote that.

Changing my attitude helped me do my best. Whenever I have something difficult to do, instead of showing myself to be unwilling, I decide to make it fulfilling and enjoyable. I know that my attitude affects my experiences. By persevering with a good attitude, I have learned to enjoy my challenges.

By Michelle Glauser

www.lds.org

With admiration,

Robert S. Malugu

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

TORTOISE AND HARE – WHO WON THE RACE?

2011-08-05T12:01:00.005+03:00

Photo by English Channel - Teacher Julia

Once upon a time a tortoise and a hare had an argument about who was faster. They decided to settle the argument with a race. They agreed on a route and started off the race.

The hare shot ahead and ran briskly for some time. Then seeing that he was far ahead of the tortoise, he thought he'd sit under a tree for some time and relax before continuing the race. He sat under the tree and soon fell asleep. The tortoise, plodding on, overtook him and soon finished the race, emerging as the undisputed champ. The hare woke up and realized that he'd lost the race.

The moral of the story is that slow and steady wins the race. This is the version of the story that we've all grown up with.

But recently, someone told me a more interesting version of this story. It continues:

The hare was disappointed at losing the race and he did some soul-searching. He realized that he'd lost the race only because he had been overconfident, careless and lax. If he had not taken things for granted, there's no way the tortoise could have beaten him. So he challenged the tortoise to another race. The tortoise agreed.

This time, the hare went all out and ran without stopping from start to finish. He won by several miles.

The moral of the story? Fast and consistent will always beat the slow and steady.

But the story doesn't end here.

The tortoise did some thinking this time and realized that there's no way he can beat the hare in a race the way it was currently formatted. He thought for a while and then challenged the hare to another race, but on a slightly different route. The hare agreed. They started off.

In keeping with his self-made commitment to be consistently fast, the hare took off and ran at top speed until he came to a broad river. The finishing line was a couple of kilometers on the other side of the river. The hare sat there wondering what to do. In the meantime the tortoise trundled along, got into the river, swam to the opposite bank, continued walking and finished the race.

The moral of the story? First identify your core competency and then change the playing field to suit your core competency.

The story still hasn't ended.

The hare and the tortoise, by this time, had become pretty good friends and they did some thinking together. Both realized that the last race could have been run much better. So they decided to do the last race again, but to run as a team this time.

They started off and this time, the hare carried the tortoise to the riverbank. There, the tortoise took over and swam across with the hare on his back. On the opposite bank, the hare again carried the tortoise and they reached the finishing line together. They both felt a greater sense of satisfaction than they'd felt earlier.

The moral of the story? It's good to be individually brilliant and to have strong core competencies but unless you're able to work in a team and harness each other's core competencies, you'll always perform below par because there will always be situations at which you'll do poorly and someone else does well.

Teamwork is mainly about situational leadership, letting the person with the relevant core competency for a situation take leadership.

There are more lessons to be learned from this story. Note that neither the hare nor the tortoise gave up after failures. The hare decided to work harder and put in more effort after his failure. The tortoise changed his strategy because he was already working as hard as he could.

In life, when faced with failure, sometimes it is appropriate to work harder and put in more effort. Sometimes it is appropriate to change strategy and try something different. And sometimes it is appropriate to do both.

The hare and the tortoise also learned another vital lesson. When we stop competing against a rival and instead start competing against the situation, we perform far better.

Author Unknown: Submitted by Vishal Wahal, India

Inspirational stories to warn your heart MotivateUs.com

Have a great day.

With your success in mind,

Robert Malugu

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

A DANGER OF POSITIVE THINKING

2011-07-30T17:02:00.004+03:00

Positive thinking involves giving yourself a certain kind of self-talk in which you have a positive outlook on life, and on events that happen to you. It also involves self-talk in which you set big goals, and then tell yourself, “I can and I will accomplish this dream, I’m prepared to pay the price, no matter what it demands of me.”

Positive thinking is very helpful as a bright outlook and positive action will help you achieve your goals as it enables you to use your capacities to the fullest.

A danger of positive thinking is that every accomplishment requires certain abilities. If you set your goals beyond your capacities failure to reach those goals may be frustrating, depressing, and reinforce a sense of failure.

Thank you for taking your time with me, its great being with you. But reading is not enough. It will give me great happiness to know that the article has helped you. We may never meet in person, but in this article we have met. We are spiritual friends. I pray for you. God will help you, so believe and live successfully. As someone has said, the greatest room in the world is the room for self-improvement.

1. I love comments on this blog: They are as important as anything I write myself. They add to the knowledge and community that we have here. If you want to comment then you are more than welcome; whether you feel you are a beginner or an expert, feel free to have you say.

2. Relevant links in comments are actively encouraged: If you are leaving a comment on my blog and want to point to a link on your own or someone else’s site that is relevant to the topic then please feel free to do so. This adds to the conversation and improves the blog.

Remember, confidence comes from competence and competence comes from proper training and practice.

Take advantage of this now. Use this link to see all the details: Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site.

Serngeti National Park

To your success,

Robert Malugu

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

ATTRACTION

2011-07-13T11:27:00.002+03:00

Why do we be friend or fall in love with some people but not with others? Social psychology suggests some answers:

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF ATTRACTION

We endlessly wonder how we can win others' affection and what makes our own affections flourish or fade. Consider three ingredients of our liking for one another: Proximity, physical attractiveness, and similarity.

a). Proximity:

Is Geographic nearness, its friendship's most powerful predictor. Proximity provides opportunities for aggression, but much more often it breeds liking. Study after study reveals that people are most inclined to like, and even to marry. Those who live in the same neighborhood, who sit nearby in class, who work in the same office, who share the same parking lot, who eat in the same dining hall.

b). Physical Attractiveness

Personal beauty is a greater recommendation than any letter of introduction (Aristotle Apothegems, 330 B.C.).

Once proximity affords you contact, what most affects your first impressions: The person's sincerity? Intelligence? Personality? Hundreds of experiments reveal that it is something far more superficial: Appearance.

Men judge women as more attractive if they have a youthful appearance. Women feel attracted to healthy-looking men, be especially to who seem mature, dominant, and affluent.

c). Similarity

Let’s say that proximity has bought you into contact with someone and that your appearance has made a favorable first impression. What now influences whether acquaintances develop into friends?

Example, as you get to know someone better, is the chemistry better if you are opposites or if you are alike?

Love is best sustained when the lovers love many things together, and not merely each other.

Proximity, attractiveness, and similarity are not the only determinants for attraction. We also like those who like us, especially when our self-image is low. To be liked is powerfully rewarding.

Indeed, a simple reward theory of attraction that we like those whose behaviour is rewarding to us and that we will continue relationships that offer more rewards than costs. When a person lives or works in close proximity with someone else, it costs less time and effort to develop the friendship and enjoy its benefits.

Thank you for taking your time with me, its great being with you. But reading is not enough. If you really hope to attain a successful life, please keep your mind open, go back and practice persistently the suggestions. Keep at it. The results will come. It will give me great happiness 2 know that the article has helped you. We may never meet in person, but in this article we have met. We are spiritual friends. I pray for you. God will help you, so believe and live successfully. As someone has said, the greatest room in the world is the room for self-improvement.

Last but not list to all the professionals and authors that I have read their books, or listened to their many presentations and used their concepts and knowledge. Thanks to all of you.

LOOK AROUND!

Tanzania National Parks

With admiration,

Robert Malugu

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

TEACHERS

2011-06-16T18:19:00.004+03:00

The best place for anyone to learn human virtues is the home. Parents are the first and primary educators of their children, and the home is the first school for developing virtues.

The aim of family education is to foster the development of each child's talent and potential. The best inheritance parents can leave to their children is the ability to stand on their own and develop evenly through life.

Parents teach their children in matters of faith, manners, fashion, study, virtues and others. It matter will also be of value to school teachers, tutors, mentors and counsellors.

It is obvious that the development of any society depends on education. Education empowers people, providing them with strong analytical and problem solving skills. These skills are used to overcome challenges that a given society faces. Teachers give students knowledge and skills that would in turn be used to solve complex socio-economic issues. A good teacher produces students who are productive to society. The teacher is the main actor in learning process.

A teacher's influence extends into eternity. While Emerson declared that men are what their mothers make them. Aristotle placed teachers on a higher plane when he said: "They who educate children are to be honoured more than those bear them for these only give life, those the art of living well.

LET US OFFER A PRAYER TO OUR LOVELY TEACHERS:

"Lord, help teachers realize that a year of bad teaching in life of a child is a year lost. Enlighten teachers to bring the light of knowledge into the darkness of the mind. Grant all teachers patience and good health to be able to deal with the exuberance and waywardness of youth. May children respect and remember their teachers with gratitude and love, Amen."

Ms. Rose Makalla
Lifestyle Coach

To your success,

Robert Malugu

"Trusting God won't make the mountain smaller but it will make climbing easier.

Hope you will be able to climb all your mountains always."

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

EIGHT TECHNIQUES TO HELP YOU STOP WORRYING

2011-06-16T17:38:00.004+03:00

What is worry? It is simply an unhealthy and destructive mental habit. If you have it, you were not born with it: you acquire it. And since you can change any habit, you can cast worry from your mind.

In order to help you stop worrying, here are eight points, techniques that have proved helpful to other young people.

1. Say to yourself: "Worry is just very bad habit. I can change any habit with God's help.

2. You become a worrier by practising worry. You can become free of worry by practising the opposite and stronger habit of faith. With all the strength and perseverance you can command, start practising faith.

3. How do you practise faith? Every morning say out loud, "I believe." Say it three times.

4. Pray, using this formula: "I place this day in the God's hands. Whatever happens, if Iam in the God's hands is the God's will and it is good."

5. Practise saying something positive concerning everything. Do not talk negatively. Don't say, "This day's going to be tough." Say, "I am going to enjoy this day." Don't say, "I will never be able to do what I have to do today." Say, "With God's help I can do it."

6. Never take part in a worry conversation. A group of people talking pessimistically can infect person in the group. By talking things up rather than down you can drive away that depressing atmosphere and make everybody else feel hopeful and happy.

7. Cultivate friendships with hopeful people.

8. Every day conceive of yourself as living in partnership and companionship with God. Imagine Him walking by your side and saying, "I am with you always." Believe that you will never worry or be afraid.

To your success,

Robert Malugu

"We are disturbed not by things, but the views we take of them."

EPICTETUS, first century A.D.

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

GET TO KNOW YOURSELF - FOR GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN

2011-06-16T15:42:00.002+03:00

To grow is to change. In order to grow up properly there are three questions that every boy should ask himself: Who am I? Where am I going? How do I get to where I am going?

By constantly asking yourself these questions as you grow, you will be able to reflect on your life and make the necessary adjustments to help you pursue your life goal. This article is intended to help you find the right direction towards womanhood.

WHO AM I?
A HUMAN PERSON
Every human being is a total person, who is composed of body, mind and soul. These three aspects are inseparable. This human being is you or me from the moment of conception until natural death.
THE BODY
This is the physical aspect of the person through which human basic needs are expressed, e.g. the need for clothing, food, shelter, warmth, and security. Emotional needs and expressions, such as feelings and desires, are channeled through the body.

THE MIND
This represents your intellect. Because you are intelligent, you are able to learn new things, to make choices and decisions. God has given you a free will with which to make choices and decisions.

THE SOUL
God breathed into you the "breath of life" and because of this you have the potential for goodness, the knowledge of good and evil. You are therefore able to develop values and good intentions in life.
As a human person, you need to understand both the changes that take place in you as you grow physically and how to try to cope with them.

A DISTINCT PERSON
Being a human person distinguishes you from all other creatures because you possess an eternal soul and your intellectual powers are high. This is a gift from God, Who wishes you to live with him eternally. You are therefore expected to develop human values.
A SEXUAL BEINGS
The majority of young girls today have distorted ideas about their sexuality and hence unhealthy attitudes towards it. Most think of their sexuality in terms of the reproductive organs and their functions. However, sexuality is not what you do but what you are.
When God created human beings, He created the distinctly "male and female." By this definition a girl will behave very differently from a boy because she is feminine, while a boy is masculine. Our sexual nature is acquired from the moment of conception until death. As a girl you will undergo changes as you mature but your sexuality remain feminine.

CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

BEING IN RELATIONSHIP
You are born from the loving relationship of your parents, and God gave you an immortal soul. Humanly speaking, a boy or a girl as long as he or she is within human society will not survive without social relationships. It is normal and healthy to desire and develop relationships and friendships with other persons. One of such friendships may lead to marriage and family life.

UNIQUE
Each individual girl is unique in every way. God created you at your own time and gave you an immortal soul. You are totally different from any other girl; you have unique talents, weaknesses, strengths, abilities and ways of doing things.
God deals with you as an individual girl, not as part of a crowd. As a young woman, you occupy a very important place in your family, school and society. Among your peers, you mean so much because without you, socially, there is a vacuum which can be filled by no one else but you.

LIFE AFTER DEATH
You will also die a unique death and occupy a place uniquely reserved for you in heaven.

A GIFT FROM GOD
As an individual person, you are a gift from God to yourself. God has freely given you life with its many gifts so that you can share with others. Also He has given you the gift of life within a given cultural context: African, Asian, European or whatever which you need to esteem and appreciate.
WONDERFULLY MADE
You may look at your face and think that you looks ugly, but remember, "you are wonderfully made." As a young girl, you may sometimes get discouraged at what grownups say about you and your behaviour patterns, and be tempted to give up trying. On the contrary, you have the power in you to awaken the original goodness which you possess.
God has given you the power and the will to do good if you desire and if you make the necessary effort.
ACCEPTING YOURSELF
You can get into excessive trouble with yourself if you refuse to accept yourself just the way you are. You will be happy if you learnt to accept yourself just as you are.
YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOURSELF
There are things about yourself, including physique, size, the colour of your skin that you can never change. It is therefore very important for you to accept yourself as you happen to be.
There are those original, natural aspects of your bodily make-up which you cannot change, and any attempt to do so can only spoil their originality. For instance, some girls/women spoil their natural, strong hair by excessive use of chemicals which change its colour and texture.
For anything to be good, it has to be real or genuine. For a woman to be a creature created in the image of God, it may be wiser to refrain from attempting to drastically change her natural bodily make-up.
IMROVE YOURSELF
There are other aspects of yourself which you can improve or change. These are in the areas of personality and character development. You can look smart and attractive by being well-groomed, clean and well-dressed. People will admire you if you are polite, pleasant and well mannered. You can improve your habits and character by accepting feedback (positive and negative), criticism and corrections. You can also improve your physical, mental and spiritual well-being by doing exercises, reading good materials, acquiring proper values and by praying.
God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our own likeness..." - Genesis 1:24. This shows how special each person is, and the dignity God has given to us. God used dust to create male and bone to create female yet breathed the same spirit into each one of them. This means that girls should respect their own uniqueness and the uniqueness of others.

To your success,

Robert Malugu

"We are disturbed not by things, but the views we take of them."

EPICTETUS, first century A.D.

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

TEN RULES FOR OVERCOMING INFIRIOTY AND SELF-DOUBT FEELINGS AND LEARNING PRACTISE FAITH

2011-06-14T17:57:00.004+03:00

Trust yourself. You cannot be successful or happy without confidence in your own abilities. To succeed you need self-confidence. Then inferiority complex prevents the attainment of your hoper, but self-confidence leads to successful achievement.

You need no longer suffer from that painful sickness experienced by so many and which is popularly called inferiority complex. When proper steps are taken it can be overcome.

What can you do to build up your self-confidence? Thousands have used these rules, reporting successful results. Undertake this programme and you will build up confidence in your powers. You, too, will have a new feeling of power.

1. Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop this picture. Never think of yourself as failing; never doubt the reality of the mental image of success. The mind always tries to complete what it pictured. So always picture "success" no matter how badly things seem to be going at the moment.

2. Whenever a negative thought concerning your personal powers comes to mind, deliberately voice a positive thought to cancel it out.

3. Do not build up obstacles in your imagination. Depreciate every so-called obstacle. Minimize them. Difficulties must be studied and efficiently dealt with to be eliminated, but they must be seen only for what they are. They must not be inflated by fear thoughts.

4. Do not awestruck by other people and try to copy them. Nobody can be you. Nobody can be you as efficiently as you can. Remember also that most people, despite their confident appearance and actions, are often as scared as you are and as doubtful of themselves.

5. Ten times a day repeat these dynamic words: "If God be for us, who can be against us?"

6. Get a competent counsellor to help you understand why you do what you do. Learn the origin of your inferiority and self-doubt feelings which often begin in childhood. Self-knowledge leads to a cure.

7. Ten times each day practise the following affirmation, repeating it out loud if possible. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthened me." Repeat those words now. That magic statement is the most powerful antidote on earth to inferiority thoughts.

8. Make a true estimate of your own ability, then raise it ten percent. Do not become egotistical, but develop a wholesome self-respect. Believe in your own God - released powers.

9. Put yourself in God's hands. To do that, simply state, "I am in God's hands." Then believe you are now receiving all the power you need. "Feel" it flowing into you. Affirm that "the kingdom of God is within you" in the form of adequate power to meet life's demands.

10. Remind yourself that God is with you and nothing can defeat you. Belief that you now receive power from Him.

Rubondo Island National Park

To your success,

Robert Malugu

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

GET TO KNOW YOURSELF - FOR BOYS AND YOUNG MEN

2011-06-14T17:06:00.003+03:00

To grow is to change. In order to grow up properly there are three questions that every boy should ask himself: Who am I? Where am I going? How do I get to where I am going?

This article aims at helping boys to understand for themselves who they are, and how to grow up to so that they may become the kind of men that the society expects.

WHO AM I?

A human person

Every human being is a total person, who is composed of body, mind and soul. These three aspects of a person interrelate and interact. What affects one aspect of the person will also affect the other aspects. For instance, if someone is mentally upset, his soul or spiritual life will also be affected.

The body: This is the physical aspect of the person. It is where basic needs are expressed, e.g. hunger, feelings, sexual urges, desires.

The mind

This represents your intellect. Because you are intelligent, you are able to learn new things, to make choices and decisions. God has given you a free will with which to make choices and decisions.

The soul

God breathed into us his life-giving breath, and because of this life of God in us, we have the potential for goodness. As a human person, you need to understand both the changes that take place in you as you grow physically and how to try to cope with them. You need to acquire the knowledge to make positive decisions and develop good values in life.

Distinct

Being a human person distinguishes you from all other creatures because you have an eternal soul and your intellectual powers are high. You are therefore expected to develop human values.

Created in the image of God

God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our own likeness..." - Genesis 1:24. This shows how special each person is, and the dinity God has given to us. God used dust to create male and bone to create female, yet breathed the same spirit into each one of them. This means that boys should respect their own uniqueness and the uniqueness of others.

Sexual beings

Today many young people all over the world have distorted attitudes about their sexuality. Most think of their sexuality in terms of the reproductive organs and their functions. However, sexuality is not what you do but what you are. As a boy, you will behave completely differently from a girl, because you are living your masculinity. Girls are different from boys because they are naturally living their femininity. You may undergo changes as you mature but your sexuality does not change. You remain a male.

Being in a relationship

You are born from the loving relationship of your parents, and God gave you an immortal soul. Humanly speaking, a boy or a girl as long as he or she is within human society will not survive without social relationships. It is normal and healthy to desire and develop relationships and friendships with other persons. One of such friendships may lead to marriage and family life.

Unique

Each boy is unique in every way. God created you at your own time and gave you an immortal soul. You are totally different from any other boy; you have unique talents, weaknesses, strengths, abilities and ways of doing things. God deals with you individually, not as part of a crowd. As a young man, you occupy a very important place in your family, school and society. Among your peers, you mean so much because without you, socially, there is a vacuum which can be filled by no one else but you.

Life Hereafter

You will also die a unique death and occupy a place uniquely reserved for you in heaven.

A Gift from God

Each individual person is a gift from God to himself. He has freely given us his life, so in our turn we need to share this life with others.

Also He has given you the gift of life within a given cultural context: African, Asian, European or whatever which you need to esteem and appreciate.

Youth Alive Tanzania

To your success,

Robert Malugu

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

TWELVE THINGS TO DO IN A SLUMP

2011-06-13T17:02:00.003+03:00

Do you ever feel let down, and without any particular reason? Of course there is a reason: something that has happened, or something that somebody has said, or perhaps just the reacting from over-excitement. But isn't a pleasant state to be in. And there are things that can be done about it.

Since irritation, anger, hate and resentments have such a powerful effect in producing ill health, what is the cure? Obviously to fill the mind with goodwill, forgiveness, faith, and love. How is this accomplished? By following some practical suggestions:

1. Remember that anger is an emotion and an emotion is always warm, even hot. Therefore, cool it. How? Notice that when you are angry you clench your fists, your voice rises, and your muscles become tense. Really you are poised to fight: this is a cave-man hangover in the nervous system. So deliberately, unclench your hands, speak in a lower tone of voice-even reduce it to a whisper if necessary. It is difficult to quarrel in a whisper.

2. Say aloud to yourself, "This won't get me anywhere: skip it." It maybe had at the moment pray but try it, this effort will puncture your mood.

3. Grace Oursler suggests the first ten words of the Lord's prayer, Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name." She says it works better than counting ten.

4. Anger is often an accumulation of a multitude of a multitude of minor irritations. Therefore try to check them; see how silly each of them is. Make a list of them. By drying up these rivulets you will keep them feeding a river of anger.

5. Make each separate irritation a special object of prayer. Get victory over each, one at a time. Snip a way by prayer the little annoyances. In this way you will weaken your anger to the point where you will gain control over it.

6. Train yourself, when you feel yourself getting angry, to say, "Is it worth it? I'll only make a fool of myself. I will lose friends. Why spend a mass of emotion on a paltry irritation?"

7. When a hurt-feeling situation arises, get it straightened out as quickly as possible. Don't brood over it for a minute longer than you can help. Do something about it. Don't allow yourself to sulk or indulge in self-pity. Do as you would do to a hurt finger - immediately apply a cure. Unless you do, the situation can become distorted out of all proportion. Put some spiritual iodine on the hurt; and say a prayer of loving forgiveness.

8. Open your mind and let grievances flow out: that is, go to someone you trust and pour it all out. Don't let a vestige of it remain. Then forget it.

9. Start praying for the person who has hurt your feelings. Continue this until you feel all the malice fading away. Sometimes you may have to pray quite a while before getting this result. But it will work.

10. Say this prayer: "May the love of God for (insert the name) flood my soul." Pray this and mean it; you will get relief.

11. Actually take the advice of Jesus to forgive seventy times seven. That means literally four hundred and ninety times. Before you have forgiven a person that many times you will be free of resentment.

12. Finally, your emotions can be tamed only by allowing God to take control. So complete this lesson by saying this prayer: "Even as you can convert a person's morals, so now I ask You to convert my nerves. Bring my temper under Your control. Give me Thy healing peace in my nervous system as well as in my soul."

Mkomazi National Park

To your success,

Robert Malugu

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK

2011-06-13T16:47:00.004+03:00

You are what you think. That is one of the most important fact of yourself. Someone once said, "The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind."

Following are seven practical steps for changing your mental attitudes from negative to positive; for releasing creative thoughts; and for shifting from a pattern of thinking that brings failure to a pattern of thought that brings success.

1. For the next 24 hours, deliberately speak hopefully about everything: about your work at shool, about your home problems, about your friends, about your future. If your habit has been to talk pessimistically, or if your usual associates are those who expect the worst and say so, it will take an effort of will to change the pattern. But try it. You will be surprised.

2. Having succeeded in establishing for yourself the hopeful pattern for 24 hours, give yourself the task of continuing the practice for a week.

3. You must feed your mind even as you feed your body. You eat a wholesome food in order to have a healthy body. You must give your mind nourishing thoughts in order to have a healthy mental outlook on life. Take any kind of good material at a time and underline, or copy off on a card, every sentence that has in it a word faith. Repeat them frequently several times every day.

4. Commit to memory all the underscored sentences. This will take time, of course, but how could you spend your time to greater advantage? When your mind is full of your powerful thoughts your subconscious mind will become of that character and nothing can defeat you ever.

5. Make a list of your friends and decide to cultivate the ones among them who are optimistic, positive; rather than pessimistic, negative. Do not abandon your negative friends; they need you and you may be able in time to win them to your side. But see more of the positive ones until you become so positive yourself that negative people can no longer affect you.

6. Avoid argument. But when you are drawn into a discussion, express optimistic rather than pessimic opinions. If the other fellow wants to postpone some expedition because it might rain, you suggest that he go through with it because it might be fair weather.

7. Pray a great deal. Pray as you are walking about the house, or on the way to school; in fact in any spare moments. Keep your mind occupied with prayer; that is one sure way to avoid negativism. Remember to thank God whenever some plan has turned out as you would have it. It easy to ask for help, but so many of us forget to say "Thank you, God."

The secret of a better and happier life is to get rgd of all your old, discouraged, unhappy thoughts and fill your mind with new and positive thoughts: thoughts of goodness and success and joy. God can make your life like this if you ask Him and believe. Such thinking will re-make your life. You will become whatever you think.

Lake Manyara Nationa Park

To your success,

Robert Malugu

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

HOW TO APPLY THE COSMIC LAWS THAT GOVERN LIFE

2011-06-13T16:34:00.003+03:00

The laws life belongs to the Wisdom of the Ages. They have been revealed to man through the years as the underlying principles from which all philosophies, religions and methods of living spring. They stem from the Infinite Mind of God. They are His laws presented to man so that he might live an orderly existence.

When man works in harmony with the laws of life he guarantees for himself health, happiness and abundance. To oppose them is to have conflict and disorder reign. Harmonize with the laws of life and you will experience a life of positive good.

LAW 1: ENERGY

The force behind all life is energy. Everything we touch, taste, smell, see, hear and think is energy. We cannot create or destroy energy but we can change it.
The use of energy is centred around our thoughts which motivate activity. We think and create ideas, make decisions, then churn thoughts into action. The force behind this is energy. We cannot create this life force but we can change its pattern when reserves of energy are at low ebb.

There is always an abundance of energy at your disposal to complete every task regardless of how down you may feel. Enjoy life more by calling up your unlimited reserves of energy. Release the valve and allow the life-pressure to surge through your system rejuvenating your mind and body for health, happiness and greater accomplishment. Controlled energy multiplies your power to get from life that which you most desire. It is driving force behind all monumental accomplishment.

LAW 2: ATTRACTION

In seeing the end result of a goal, the means to the accomplishment of the goal is created. This law demonstrates that man attracts to him the necessary elements for the accomplishment of goals, if he is able to see and feel the reality of his desires.

Apply the law of attraction to get affirmative results in your life. Feed your subconscious with definite ideas of what you want. Visualize yourself in the role you wish to play in life and affirm in your mind that you’re capable of success.

Your subconscious will respond by finding the means to the end, attracting more health, more prosperity and more happiness.

LAW 3: OPPOSITES

Things come in pairs. There is a positive and negative effect on all things. All opposites are the same is nature but differ by degree: sickness and health, poverty and wealth, good and evil, etc.
Knowing that there is a positive and negative side to everything gives us hope for better things to appear; perfect smile following tears. Realizing that ill-health has its opposite will being, encourages to confidently work for a state of well being by controlling negative emotions such as, fear, anxiety, tension and worry.

The law of opposite might also be called the law of substitution, knowing that something good can be substituted for something of a negative nature. When we apply this law by calling for the positive opposite to the negative situation, we can expect: love for hate and confidence for fear.
Wherever negative conditions enter your life apply the law of opposite: substitute the affirmative opposite for the negative condition.

LAW 4: VIBRATION

All things in this universe are in constant motion. Everything vibrates. All matter regardless of apparent solidify, is made up of atoms that, in turn, are made up of protons around which electrons are spinning.

We can use this principle to advantage by realizing that vibrations can be transmitted from one person to another in the form of thoughts and feelings. Humans radiate a magnetic energy, revealing their true personality which others can sense.

Understanding that everything is in motion and balanced in the universe, gives us a clue in the care of the mind and body. When we are out of sorts, it is because our thought vibrations are negative. We are off-balance with nature. We are projecting negative attitude that return negative circumstance, which in turn, brings about highly destructive emotions such as fear, frustration, anxiety, jealously, hate and hostility. Refrain from projecting negative thoughts and feelings.

Two things produce a third. There is male and female principle behind all creation. The masculine and feminine principle gives rise to a third form. Relating this principle to our goals, we find that ideas originating in the conscious mind (male principle) and accepted by the subconscious, (female principle) are brought to life in the form of the action that takes place. It is important to sow thoughts of an affirmative nature, for as they are accepted by the subconscious they are born as affirmative conditions. In like manner, when the subconscious is impregnated with negative thoughts, negative conditions are born into your life.

LAW 6: RHYTHM

Everything in the universe is in perfect balance and rhythm; seasons, tides and even our emotional moods, when we adhere to a constructive pattern of thought.
When a negative state of mind occurs we are physically and mentally off-balance and out of rhythm with the orderly rhythm of things by reversing the pattern of thought. Accentuate the positive one refuse the negative. An affirmative thought pattern keeps your emotions in balance.

LAW 7: CAUSE AND EFFECT

Every cause has its effect. Other descriptive terms might be: sow and reap, give and get, action and reaction. This law establishes clearly that there is no such thing as chance.
Whatever you do and say, returns to you in a like manner. The law of cause and effect is one of fair play. Choose thoughts and actions wisely, for you will reap what you sow.

LAW 8: RELATIVITY

There is a direct relationship between the thoughts we think and the acts we perform. Look at your thoughts, check them before they manifest as outer circumstance in your life. Man creates ulcers, heart attacks and various other illnesses, because of the way he thinks and feels about himself and his environment, rather than what he eats. See situations as they really are in true perspective rather than as they appear to be.

LAW 9: GRAVITATION

Gravitation is to tend towards a centre of attraction. Use this principle to attract the good things of life. Establish a mental picture to attract the good things of life. Establish a mental picture of yourself as a centre, toward which health, happiness, riches, gravitate. Your centre of gravity will be strong if your consciousness pattern is an affirmative one.

LAW 10: MIND

The law of mind is the law of belief. Everything which happens in life begins as a thought in your conscious mind. There is no power in anything. The power is within man's mind; the way in which he thinks, feels and believes.

You have the power within your mind to override all obstacles. As you think, feel and believe, so will be your outer circumstance.

You win success by believing you can succeed. Your life is guided by what you believe to be true about yourself, things and other people. Belief is the power behind all great accomplishment. In belief lies the secret of all valuable exertion - Bulwer.

IMPORTANCE OF COSMIC LAWS TO YOU:

The reason so many people are in conflict with themselves, things and other people, is because the misuse the laws of life. Laws govern our existence. We cannot escape them, for there is principle working through everything we come in contact with. No one, yet, has been able to plant an orange seed and bring forth a carrot; its contrary to principle - like attracts like. Observe the laws, obey the laws and you will enhance your existence.

Kitulo National Park

With love and appreciation,

Robert Malugu

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

TEN PRACTICAL RULES FOR WINNING RESPECT AND REGARD OF OTHERS

2011-06-13T16:10:00.002+03:00

Everyone wants people to like him. It is a basic need with you and with me. It is a natural and a healthy instinct, and when someone says he doesn't care whether others like him, he isn't telling the truth to you or to himself.

The basic principles of getting people to like you are very simple. They are not difficult or complicated. Anyone can master them. Bellow are ten practical rules for winning the respect and regard of others. Practise them and people will like you.

1. Learn to remember names. It is a most delicate form of showing esteem and always pleases. Listen carefully when the name is given; try to associate it with the face of the person so that one calls up the other in your mind. Rehearse it to yourself, concentrate on the person, remembering the face, repeating the name.

2. Be a comfortable sort of person; someone whom it is easy to meet, easy to talk to, pleasant to see again; in other words an old shoe sort of person.

3. Be relaxed. If you have learned to be an easy-going sort of person whom nothing upsets, then people are going to like seeing you, being with you.

4. Don't pet your own ego; pet the other fellow's instead. Don't think you know it all. Learn to be humble.

5. Be an interesting person from whom other people get something of value. Read a lot; talk with people who know something you don't know; get about. Keep your mind open. Listen more than you talk. To be interesting you must be interested.

6. Don't be scratchy or difficult. A person who is irritable isn't a pleasant person. Nobody wants to associate with him.

7. Don't let misunderstanding grow. With honest God's love in your heart, try to come to terms with anybody with whom you have had trouble. Forget your grievances. Don't carry them in your heart.

8. Practise liking people. If you keep at it, you will make it true. Try to be like Will Rogers who was able to say, "I never met a man I didn't like."

9. Never miss an opportunity to congratulate another on his achievements, or on his good fortune. Remember always to express sympathy when he has cause for grief. Share other's good and bad days. Practise real spiritual fellowship with people.

10. And this is the most important of all. Get a deep spiritual experience. Get God into your heart and life. When you know God you have something to give other people that is priceless. With Him and His help, you can help them.

Give love to people; and you will give them strength. And they in turn will give you affection. It's really easy to get people to like you. You have only to like them.

Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park

With love and appreciation,

Robert Malugu

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.

TEN RULES TO HELP YOU DO EVERYTHING THE EASY WAY

2011-06-13T15:34:00.002+03:00

These suggestions will help you to relax and have easy power. For just relaxation isn't the point: the point is to make use of our maximum ability through added strength that comes of relaxing our bodies and minds and letting God do it, through us.

1. Don't get the idea that you are Mt. Kilimanjaro, carrying the weight of the heavens on your shoulders. Don't strain so hard; don't take yourself so seriously.

2. Determine to like your work. Make yourself like it; you can. No matter what you are doing, studying a subject in which you aren't interested, cutting the grass for your father, going on an errand for your mother, make up your mind that it's fun.
A lot of us have chores to do that don't interest us at all. But we can tell ourselves how necessary they are; we can imagine what things would be like if they went undone. And presently, we will find that they are done. And we haven't minded. Find ways to help yourself to like your work.

3. Plan your work. And then follow your plan; make it come true. Lack of planning, procrastination, doing only the things we enjoy doing and putting off untill last the things we don't like - that's the way we gets that swamped feeling. Let's say you like biology but hate mathematics. All right. Begin with mathematics. You will be doing the disliked thing when you are freshest, and also, with it out of the way the rest will come easier.

4. Don't try to do everything at once. For example, you have four preparations for tomorrow's lessons. Forget three of them and concentrate on the one you have decided to take first. Pretend to yourself that is the only one you have to do; and that ynu don't need to hurry. Your preparation will go not only better but more quickly. Because you will be giving the whole of your mind to the task.
Time, you know, is spread out. No two minutes occupy the same space. They come along one after the other. And one can't appear until its predecessor is out of the way. Heed this example from the Bible: "This one thing I do" - Philippians 3:13.

5. Get a correct mental attitude. Remember that the ease or the difficulty of the work ahead of you depends on how you think about it. Think it's going to be hard, and you make it hard. Think it's going to be easy, and you will find it tends to be easy.

6. Become efficient at your work. Recall section 3, the thing you learn to do well, you learn to like to do. Don't bother about thinking whether you like it or not; don't waste time trying to get out of doing it. Get down to it. And learn to do it so well that you will be proud of the result.

7. Practise being relaxed. If the job ahead of you is something you dread, relax. If you let it make you tense, it will be twice as difficult. If it is something you hate doing and know you must do, relax. The sooner you get at it, the sooner it will be finished. Take it in your stride; start at it. And if it's something you aren't sure you are able to do, all the more will you need to relax. For you will need the extra skill that comes of "Easy does it."

8. Discipline yourself. Life grows easier, more interesting and we grow more efficient as we form the habit of doing what we tell ourselves to do. Don't let yourself dodge and evade the job you don't like. Do it. Keep your work up to schedule.
A person never is very proud of himself when he goes to bet at night, knowing there was something he had to do that day which he has not done. Self-discipline is very important, not only to efficiency but to personal satisfaction as well.

9. Pray about your work. This means praying frequently, even while you're at the job. For example, "If the answer to this problem is wrong, God, make me uneasy about it so I shall know it's wrong and go over the work and find the mistake." Pray all the time about everything.

10. Remember that God is really your unseen partner. All that is needed is for you to ask Him and open your mind and heart to Him. He knows more about the jobs you have been given to do than you do. Take His help. It will make your work easy.

Arusha National Park

With love and appreciation,

Robert Malugu

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso

About the Author

Robert Malugu is the founder and editor of Malugu Robert - The Positive Thinking Site. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.