344 What I Surround Myself With Is What I Get Used To December 2017 Sunday Week 3

Smiling Sundays - #344 December 10 The Strong Within Daily Affirmation Podcast What I Surround Myself With Is What I Get Used To I live by a set of train tracks. If you walk deeper in my neighborhood, you’ll get closer to the train tracks. My house is close enough that when I hear the train whistle blowing while I’m recording my podcasts, I turn it off for about 5 minutes. I’m not so close to the tracks that it’s overwhelming, but on somedays those conductors will lay on the horns as they pass road intersections. I was walking the other day and a gentleman was outside hanging Christmas reefs on his brick mailbox. I said hello, and I stopped and asked him a question. I said, “how do you deal with being so close to the train tracks, is it hard, or have you just gotten used to it?” And he replied that the first few years were harder, but now he doesn’t even hear it anymore. And living closing to train tracks is like our lives, what we surround ourselves with is what we get used to. There are two sayings that I think about and they are you will be most like your 5 closest friends, and the second is you become what you think about consistently. And those lessons, are like those trains—what you continually surround yourself with will become natural to you. I interact with a lot of people during week. I deal with a lot of people in different walks of life and different ways that they look at life. I was recently chatting with a nurse, and I like to start a conversation of positively. And so I decided to ask her what were the 3 best things about being a nurse? The reason I’ll ask a question about someone’s profession is not just small talk, but for me it’s a purposeful way to help people remember why they do what they do, and to get out of the funk of sometimes looking only at the negative things they have to do in their jobs. And so the nurse answered me back right away, by saying…”I can’t answer that right now. I’m having a bad day.” I said, “oh, I’m sorry…I’ll keep you in my prayers that your day gets better…” Which she then responded, “I don’t believe in God.” I could tell this was a woman who was having a very hard time, and used her hard exterior shell of negativity to protect her. So I just replied, “well you don’t have to believe in God to receive good energy, so whatever you do believe…whether it be in the Universe, a higher power, or even in science…I’ll be sending great energy your way for your day.” I usually don’t get that type of response when I meet people. Most people will mindlessly say I’m fine when they aren’t, or they will find something good to look at…but I could tell this lady was hurting, and it was my hope that I could share some kindness with her to change her day. And it wasn’t my place at the moment to tell her this, but she surrounded herself with negativity, and so it became natural to her…and then it became all that she could see. I don’t know her story, and I’m sure there are some hard things going on with her…but until she can learn to see her world differently, until she learns that what she surrounds herself with…then she will always be surrounded by her focus. And I’m not judging her, I feel a love and hope for her that she can find peace, beauty, and kindness in her life. I could tell that her answers weren’t just a negative outlook, but someone who was really hurting. Being a coach, and being open with people I’ve found that I get a lot of people airing their issues with me…and later they’ll tell me that weren’t sure why they shared their issues so freely with me…almost as if they were apologizing to me. I reassure them that it needed to be said, and I thank them for trusting me by letting me know those things. And in the end it’s my hope that by listening, by being open for them, that they could get out what they needed to say. And it’s my hope that I might help them change their perspective a little bit, to begin surrounding themselves with things they truly want to be surrounded with. A great life isn’t fallen upon by accident…a great life is purposefully chosen every moment as we decide to surround ourselves with emotions, actions, and words that align us with where we want to be going. You don’t have to share all your problems with me, but I’m here if you do need someone to talk to. And what I really want to know is, are you aligning and surrounding yourself with things that are helping you to get you where you want to get going? Today’s Personal Commitment:What do you surround yourself with? What are the thoughts you surround yourself with during the day? What vocabulary do you use regularly? Who are the friends and acquaintances you keep in your company most times? And after you look at all of those things, and work to become more aware of it, ask yourself… if they’re in alignment with becoming the person you most want to be. One of my favorite Chinese proverbs says, “if you want to know the future, take a look at what you are doing right now.” So what are you surrounding yourself with right now…and what will help align you with being who you most want to be? What I Surround Myself With Is What I Get Used To     Thanks for listening.  I'm sending great energy your way as we become Strong Within together, Personal Development Life Coach- Chris O'Hearn Contact info- email: [email protected]  phone:865-219-3247     Music by: - Zest by basematic (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. - I Have Often Told You Stories (guitar instrumental) by Ivan Chew (c) copyright 2013 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. Location: Knoxville, Tennessee USA but available worldwide