Better Your Tomorrow Today~~~Susie Austin

 

Every day do something

 

 that will inch you closer

 

to a better tomorrow.

 

                        Doug Firebaugh

 

 

 One way to improve ourselves is to improve what we do for others. By making a decision to do something nice everyday we are improving ourselves more than we know. The benefits of making a conscious decision to do something everyday to improve our lives are countless. It can be a number of things from checking something on your task list to, random acts of kindness. Small acts of kindness will take you out of yourself and your problems or troubles, sometimes all it takes is the little things to make us better people. Try to be a little nicer today to the people around you. Make a decision to do something everyday to improve yourself and your life.

 

Susie Austin

Are You A Motivator? ~~~ Susie Austin

 

The greatest discovery  

of any generation is that 

 a human being can alter his life  

by altering his attitude.

William James

 

 

 

 

Positive people make natural leaders and are good motivators; people like to be around them.

Don’t you feel drawn to positive people and try to avoid people who complain all the time? Today take a look at yourself and what do you see? Do you see a person others would like be around, are you a good role model for others to follow?

 

I have a suggestion for you to try today, in your daily routine I am sure you come across negative conversations, instead of throwing in your own negative comments, try keeping your mouth closed or offering positive comments instead. This does not mean you should not have an opinion or not voice it, is simply means be careful what you say and don’t get caught up in the constant surge of gossip that a lot of people feed on.

 

Attitude is the key! Attitudes are contagious so how about spreading your day with happiness a good attitude and enthusiasm. You should find people like to be around you more, you will also note how good it feels to be known as a happy and positive person. I don’t think anyone likes to be known as a negative person and most people would deny they are one

 

Today fill your day with happiness, enthusiasm and a positive attitude, stay away from the negative people and make it a point to compliment the people in around you and feel good about the person you are on the inside.

 

Susie Austin

Life Is Not A Series of Random Coincidences~~~ Susie Austin

 

 

 

“There are no mistakes,

 no coincidences.

All events are blessings

given to us to learn from.”

Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

 

 

 

 What do you want out of life? When was the last time you have really thought about this statement and what are you willing to do to get what you want? Are your goals written down? I believe your life will be determined by the effort you are willing to put towards accomplishing your goals and realizing living the life of your dreams is entirely possible.

 

Life is not a series of random coincidences. We have to recognize in order to have what we want it is necessary to take certain steps to make this happen. It is necessary to have a plan or a blueprint to follow on our journey.

 

I also believe God has a hand in all that we do I am confident my life has been led by God and I am a living testament of God’s love and forgiveness. I have been privileged to have been granted a second chance in this life and am determined to live life to the fullest and hopefully help as many others as possible.

 

How about you? Are you living your life to the fullest? Are you doing all you can to help others? Are you kind and loving? These are questions to think about and possibly make a few positive changes to make your life just a bit better each day.

 

Susie Austin

Create a Vision~~~Susie Austin

 

 

“Vision without action is a dream.

 

Action without vision

 

is simply passing the time.

 

Action with Vision is

 

 making a positive difference.”

 

Joel Barker

 

 

 

 

Today I would like to talk about vision, and how to create one. Begin the process by getting comfortable and relaxing your body and your mind. Imagine what you would like your life to be like in the future. See yourself in this picture; hear yourself speaking as if you were already living the life you are envisioning. Feel the emotions as if you were already living the lifestyle. Sense happiness and peace, for example if you want to live in a house on the ocean, picture the house, what it would look like and you walking out the door taking a morning stroll down the beach. Smell the ocean breezes as you watch the sunrise. Feel the wind blowing in your hair and the waves around your feet, listen to the surf and the constant pounding of the waves. Imagine feeling comfort and peace that comes with living your dream.

 

Next imagine who you want to be to accomplish living the dream in your life. What are you like, how you are thinking, and what your attitude is toward your lifestyle? Next imagine why you want this lifestyle; what is required to have this lifestyle, and your reasons for wanting it.

 

After you have visualized this for awhile, I would like for you to write it down into a very detailed description. Writing a description of your dream will transform it into a visual form. Post it someplace where you will see it everyday and possibly include a few pictures.

 

Finally share your dream with someone you trust, as verbalizing with words makes it real and moves it into the world outside your head. Memorize a written description of your dream and program it into your subconscious, this will remind you where you want to end up.   

 

Everyone should have a vision of where they would like to be. Enjoy this day as it was meant for us. Don’t forget to notice the beauty of the day and be nice to someone who needs it.

 

Susie Austin

 

 

Happy Mothers Day~~~Susie Austin

“Mother, you are the best gift that a person could want. Happy Mothers Day!”

Sarah Austin Shields age 9

 

Today us a day to celebrate mothers and reflect on what it means to be a mother. I have to laugh as I remember, I was the one who was not going to have children, I did not like them to much, and I did not think I would make a good mom. My sister still gives me a hard time because I have four children and I found when my first child was born I was meant to be a mom. There is so much more than anyone thinks and each age brings special memories along with new challenges. I wish I could take all their pain away, I wish I could make all their experiences happy however I know the only they will grow is by there own life lessons.

 

I have many memories of my mother and my grandmother, they were kind and gentle, they loved me very much there was no doubt in my mind. Thinking back to my most difficult days, how difficult that must have been for her knowing how sick I was and not being able to do anything about it. The unconditional love a mother has for her children is undeniable.

 

I can not tell you how fortunate I am to have the mother I have. My mother is an amazing person whom I respect and love. On this special day please tell your mother you love her today and to my mother, I thank God he gave me you as a mother, I love you.

 

Susie Austin

High School Prom~~~Susie Austin~~May 10, 2008

Just around the corner

in every woman’s mind -

is a lovely dress, a wonderful suit,

 or entire costume which

 will make an enchanting

new creature of her. 

 ~Wilhela Cushman

 

 

 

 

Have you ever been to a prom, or better yet have you ever had a teenage daughter getting ready for the prom? It is quite an experience especially if she has any drama in her life at all. It is all about the dress initially and take a hint from experience. Never order one on line because chances are it won’t be the one. It then becomes about the nails, jewelry, make up and never forget the hair.

 

I am the proud mother of such a young woman and am smiling happily as she is dancing her heart out as I write.

The day went off with out a hitch until she came home from getting her hair done and was hysterical and crying because it did not look good.  This is where the mother in me took over. I insisted she go back and have it redone. It was a battle to get her back there however I did not give up. It was beautiful the second time and I was relieved.

 

After the picture session was over, by the way every picture imaginable was taken including backs, wrists, and my nine year old daughter ever took a picture of her book.

 

We were off to the grand march where she looked stunning. I asked her is she felt pretty and she said yes. This was music to my ears as this is the only thing I wanted to hear, I was a happy and proud mom. I left a little note in her purse to let her know how I felt.

 

The moral of the story, always be a mom not a friend, do the right thing, be there for your kids and know when the right time is to jump in and take over.  

Susie Austin

Enjoy Spring~~~Susie Austin

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”

  Anne Bradstreet

This time of year I love the newness of spring, the freshness of rain and the flowers blooming with all the beauty that surrounds us. It is a wonderful time of year!

We have come from a very long and hard winter to a fresh new spring. How many of us can relate this to times in our lives where we have come from the dark storms to a new start with all the hopes and dreams of a wonderful and happy life. This time of year I like to look back over the years to how far I have come on this journey and how much I have grown.

I would like for you today to take some time and look back to some of the difficult times in your life, how far you have come, and do you appreciate the good times more because of it?

Take a look around and make a deliberate attempt today to enjoy the beauty of spring, the buds on the trees, the wildflowers and everything that surrounds us. Everyday is changing, don’t miss any of it!

Susie Austin

Read A Book~~~Susie Austin

“The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you the knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is a moral illumination.”

Elizabeth Hardwick

 

When was the last time you read a good book? Reading is awesome as you can read for knowledge, entertainment, and many reasons. I enjoy reading and usually I have reading a good fiction book on my goal sheets because I read a lot of educational and self help books. If you’re anything like me, it is very difficult to put a good book down. I enjoy book stores especially used book stores and never seem to leave empty handed. Books are a never ending source of fun and education. Reading takes me away from my life to a fantasy world in which I can escape from reality. How would you like to curl up with a book and a blanket on a chilly day?  

I am looking forward to the day I can say I have written a book. This is another of my goals that I am very much looking forward to accomplishing.

What are you doing for fun? What are you doing toward accomplishing your goals? Take a little time today and think about these things today. Read a book and enjoy!

Susie Austin

A bit About Character~~~Susie Austin

“Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.”
Senator Henry Clay

 

 

Yesterday we talked about integrity; today I would like to talk about character.

 

 

Character can be described in a variety of ways such as, the inner feelings to do what is right, to be the same person even when no one is watching. How many times have you found yourself acting differently around other people?  Developing good character traits is essential in today’s society.

 

Having a conversation with my third grader this morning she tells me of a child in her class who is very rude and tells everyone to shut up and even talks about the teacher under his breath,. She said she told him to shut up and I was a bit surprised as that is not allowed in our house. It was a perfect teachable moment to discuss how to answer this student when he calls her names. I told her in order for him to be this way all the time he was most likely taught that way and how fortunate she was to have learned good character. We then discussed different responses to answer to him when it happens next, they ranged from Forest Gumps lines, “stupid is as stupid does” to being overly nice to the boy and asking him if he is unhappy and needs to talk to someone.

 

 
After we had a good laugh we discussed what good character is, and why even when people are rude and mean it is important to not lose sight of the person we are on the inside.

 

It is important to develop character traits and today I will give you a few to think about.

 

Responsibility which is being accountable in word and deed, being dependable, reliable and trustworthy,

Caring, is showing by compassion, understanding and kindness.

Respect, treating others in the way you would like to be treated.

Courage, doing the right thing in the face of difficulty.

Integrity, as we discussed yesterday focuses on moral ethics.

 

These are a few on a list of many to get you to think and maybe take a look at your own character; there might be things you would like to improve on. Remember we are all a work in progress, God created us this way. Enjoy the day and make it a point to remember how special you are, be nice to others. Don’t forget to find teachable moments to help others along the way.

 

Susie Austin

Life With Integrity~~~Susie Austin

 

“Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are magic keys to living your life with integrity.”

W. Clemet Stone

 

 

Integrity generates trust and is a base for living a life of honesty and good character. Integrity goes a step beyond honesty. Honesty is telling the truth while integrity is living the truth. Keeping promises, being honest, dependable, and leading by example are all signs of integrity.

                                                                            

I had to smile when someone told my children they questioned my parenting skills because my children did not have enough discipline. My teenagers have integrity meaning they are honest and are good role models to their fellow students. I believe one of the worst punishments they can hear is I am disappointed in them. They get good grades, they are kind, and they are always quick to volunteer to help wherever needed. Does this mean they are saints? Absolutely not however this is where guidance and my role as a parent come to play. It is our responsibility to teach our young people, how to live a life with integrity. I am sure we all know young people and we all have wonderful examples and teachable moments to share with someone in the younger generation. I believe we all have a responsibility help mold our future leaders.

 

As Mr. Stone says, have the courage to say no and teach your children to say no, have courage to face the truth, and do the right thing which may not be easy. These are the foundations of integrity, and living a life with pride and courage. Today look around you, are you living a life with integrity? Are you the person you want to be?  What steps would it take for you to become who you would like to be, and if you feel you are living an honest life with integrity are you sharing and teaching those around you? Be a good example and life will be rewarding and complete.

 

 

Susie Austin