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Shazad Ahmad 8/16/23 Shazad Ahmad 8/16/23

What Do You Do Between Dying And Living?

By Ahsan

“I don’t fear death, it must be like a long sleep.”

Katherine Hepburn

“O God, with Your name, I die and I live” is the Islamic prayer before falling asleep

Did you catch the mistake in the title of the article?

It's not a mistake.

It may not make sense because you believe you only die once. That's what we all think. But the other day, I woke up and had this epiphany that when we wake up, we wake up from a sort of death.

You might believe that you live every day and then die one day, which is a problem.

Recently, I got to play a game of golf with my high school buddy. It was a beautiful day. I had been looking forward to it all week.

I enjoyed myself immensely, and honestly, I took it in because I was thinking about genuinely living my day, not rushing through it, based on my recent epiphany that slumber is a sort of death.

My friend, on the other hand, was off. He was there in body, but he was not there, which is highly unusual for him. I asked him later what was up, and he said he did not like that course and its setup (narrow fairways and wicked hard undulating greens.)

What? "But you were golfing on a gorgeous sunny day on the Niagara Escarpment, with brand new clubs, an electric cart, with your buddy, and you were GOLFING!" I thought to myself.

That's the problem: we all know we will die one day, but we don't think it might come sooner or happen suddenly. And so, we live in our head and sometimes as busy fools and, to top it off, oblivious to the gift of life we live.

In a sense, a day is a lifetime but we don’t see it that way.

Because we know we will die someday in the distant future, we squander our life being busy, hurried, sometimes happy, sometimes sad, and not entirely satisfied with every moment we get to live.

You, too, might be under the mistaken impression that you will die one day, but what if you consider the state of sleep a sort of death that happens to all of us every night?

Isn't it true that when you fall asleep, you are gone in a sense, and isn't it a miracle every morning that you even wake up?

Not everyone gets to wake up to live the next day. You don't know if you will be here next year to enjoy that pre-booked trip or for that wedding you plan on attending. I am not trying to bum you out; I am trying to point out that each day we are given is a miracle!

Each day you live is a lifetime itself.

It is a "gift of a lifetime."

Are you treating it as the gift that it is?

You may not be here tomorrow.

Why are you so busy? What do you miss out on when you are annoyed by petty issues?

What good is it to be upset or sad about anything if life could end tomorrow?

Tomorrow may never come!

What do you get to do today with the gift of a lifetime⎯the "ultimate present?"

Here is the truth about life⎯Life Is Not A Rehearsal! Go Live Life To the Fullest Today!

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Shazad Ahmad 8/9/23 Shazad Ahmad 8/9/23

People are Like Cars

By Shazad

I love cars and also love humanity in general. Recently I started to see how people the automobile are so similar in many ways. Below are some observations.

Cars have a maximum lifetime of around 20 years.

A person has an average lifespan of around 80 years old.

Cars are brand new in the first year and need a break-in period for everything to settle as they are driven.

People are new at birth and need to develop to get to prime around 20 years old.

Most Cars reach 10-year mark and then major repairs start to occur to keep the car running. Note the 50% of car’s lifetime.

Most People reach their 40s and have various health issues come up that require one or more prescription medications. Note the 50% milestone in a human’s average lifetime.

Some cars completely fall apart and fail around the 10-15 year mark. This can be due to serious engine problems or rust on the chassis.

Some people become very ill and die around the 45-60 age due to illness or complications from a disease such as a heart, brain, or liver problem.

A handful of cars make it to the 20-year mark or higher with good engine performance and a smooth ride. They have lost some paint luster and have very minor creaks or none at all, when driving.

A small number of people make it to their 80s and beyond with full mental awareness and mobility to get around on their own. They have some wrinkles and grey hair but don’t show any signs of serious illness or mental decline.

A few rare cars are celebrated for their longevity and honoured as driving legends by the people that experienced them. They go into car history books and have the highest market value at the end of their life compared to the beginning.

A few rare people are considered living legends by the people who knew them. They become the most valuable members of society and are celebrated as one of the GOATs (Greatest Of All Time) even after passing.

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Shazad Ahmad 8/2/23 Shazad Ahmad 8/2/23

What Should You Do With Your Life?

By Ahsan

“Life's like a road that you travel on
When there's one day here, and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind

There's a world outside every darkened door
Where blues won't haunt you anymore
Where the brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore”

Tom Cochrane, “Life is a Highway”

I came across a discussion on the internet about a guy in his mid-30s asking what he should do with his life.

This is not an unusual question to ask at any point in one's life, but a good point to ponder for just about anyone.

Interestingly, the guy had a minimum-wage job, no significant other, no hobbies, did not get along with his family or have good friends.

So people offered their suggestions for this fellow.

What would you suggest?

Many people said he ought to have a life goal or purpose which would make all the difference.

Is having life goals the magic ticket?

I tend to agree, but what if you can't think of an inspiring vision for your life and are just in a hamster wheel with a view of a brick wall?

Here would be my advice: Recognize, Relax and Ride.

Recognize that you have a challenge or problem that needs a solution. In this case, finding fulfillment or direction for a "short, nasty and brutish" life is a challenge.

It would be best if you also recognized that your thinking about it is holding you back. You need to change your thinking about being stuck in the hamster wheel.

But how do you think differently? You are bored because your life is how it is, and you need to see a way forward to a more engaging life. You are stuck in the mud, and your wheels spin.

That is why you need to relax because good ideas do not come to you if you are tense and upset. You cannot clean up the streets when a storm is coming through.

When you relax, your mind often offers solutions to your challenges. It's a magical by-product of the relaxed mind to present wisdom and insight that creates a breakthrough. That's why some of your best ideas and solutions come to you after the storm passes and you do something relaxing, like taking a hot shower.

And so, life improves because you recognize your issue as something that comes from thinking about it. Rather than get more tense and upset, you say to yourself, it's my thinking generating the feeling of being rudderless and empty. I need to think differently. And so you call on the mind's mechanism of giving you wisdom by relaxing.

Having been offered a game plan from your inner wisdom, you need to ride the journey of life from there. Hop on your vehicle, strap in, and enjoy the scenery along the way!

We all deserve to enjoy the ride of life and have an easier time of it.

Hey, if you are like me, you will always ask: What do I do with my life? Until the next stop on our ride of life, we might invoke the simple idea: Recognize, Relax, Ride.

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Shazad Ahmad 7/24/23 Shazad Ahmad 7/24/23

How To Be A Superuser

By Shazad

(R)ead/(W)rite/(E)xecute

In a computer system, there are certain permissions that are given to users and files for administrative purposes. A Superuser is a user that has complete control over the entire system. This type of user has the ability to carry out any action they desire. Whether a Superuser is a valuable asset to the system, like an Administrator, or a harmful actor, like a Cyber Criminal, depends on their actions.

Do you have proficiency in multiple languages? Are you skilled in writing in both short and long forms? Can you create visual and audio media, or produce short videos? Do you possess the ability to make autonomous decisions? Can you allocate your time each day as you see fit? If your answer is yes to these questions, then you have been granted Superuser privileges in this world. Congratulations, you now hold immense power!

Utilize your literacy skills and ability to articulate ideas to effect positive change within the various systems that make up our world. Empower yourself to take action towards this goal.

The ability to READ means you can explore the world of literature and immerse yourself in great books. Discover insightful ideas and delve into them through study.

WRITE your genuine thoughts whenever you share any form of creative work, such as creating videos, podcasts, pictures, or books.

EXECUTE on your life's purpose by taking the right actions every day. Allocating just one hour of personal time can help you make significant changes to both your own life and the world.

The system is full of all kinds of “users” but Not all of them are Super!

Now that you are aware of your potential, you can join the ranks of Superusers!

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Shazad Ahmad 7/19/23 Shazad Ahmad 7/19/23

How Much Time Do You Have Left?

By Ahsan

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.”

Michael Altshuler

Ask yourself this question: If this was the last month of your life, would the thing bothering you today matter?

The human journey eventually ends. However, it is a journey full of wonder and joy, or it can be squandered in self-imposed misery. Our life journey and its quality in terms of how happy we experience it are influenced by many things, including one very non-obvious force: time.

I had the good fortune of listening to a podcast, Hidden Brain; the episode was titled "The Best Years of Your Life." This gem of an episode features Laura L. Carstensen, Professor of Psychology, Director of Stanford Center on Longevity. She had a life-altering situation at age 21 that left her in the hospital with a bleak outlook.

In short, she began to see life differently in the sense of what to put her attention to, life’s meaning, and preciousness. She went on to develop a career in psychology and academic research that continues to focus on time left in life and its impact on our mental well-being.

Everyone deserves to live a happy life and have an easier time of life. Keep reading to see how this can be achieved, and pop on the podcast if you have "time.”

You can check it out here: https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/the-best-years-of-your-life/

If you are like me, you will undoubtedly remember one or two critical points from anything you read or hear.

What stood out for me is Professor Carstensen’s observations that younger people have a sense that they have all the time in the world. A sort of "time abundance" mentality.

After all, you have your whole life ahead of you when you are young.

Young people have dreams to fulfill, goals to achieve, friends to hang out with, robust health and energy levels, no significant aches or pains, and have the world as their oyster! They ought to be the happiest campers in the campsite.

And yet this is not necessarily so.

On the other hand, older people in their senior years of life, with fewer years left to live, seem happier and more cheerful. This may seem strange to a younger person by virtue of the paradox of aging: older people are getting closer to death, physically weaker, and have fewer levels of social engagement, especially as they retire and see their friends dying.

Surprisingly, psychological health is higher in older people than in younger people.

Why might that be?

It could be that younger people tend to be more anxious, thinking about the future, while older people seem to be more present, not thinking much about the future or the past.

As Professor Carstensen says, being present tends to be very good for mental health.

In short, your time horizons shape how you think. And how you think is how you feel.

So, what are the implications?

Here is an insight: tell your younger self to act old in this respect. Get your head out of your head and be present!. Continue to make future plans and take exciting detours on your journey because life is an oyster for you. Discover the pearls and collect them on a string to admire and adorn yourself with.

Life is not a rehearsal. Live your best life with the time you have left on this earth. Don’t wait to get older to chill out.

This may be why they say “youth is wasted on the young”.

Here is my simple advice to you and me. If you are young and know that time affects your outlook on life, you could be happier and enjoy your life more. If you are older, you should recall your wonder about being younger and adopt a sense of adventure for the next week and month.

You are here for a good time, not a long time.

So, “Get old while you are young and stay young when you are old.” >> Ahsan

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Shazad Ahmad 7/12/23 Shazad Ahmad 7/12/23

The Secret Ingredient You Are Not Using Enough

By Shazad

“Don't expect to be motivated every day to get out there and make things happen. You won't be. Don't count on motivation. Count on Discipline.” Jocko Willink

We’ve all been motivated by a poem, a speech, or a movie to go and start something. Perhaps it’s to accomplish something like getting in shape or maybe it was about starting an online business and growing it into a multi-million dollar company. Whatever it is, you are probably still dreaming about it or have stopped taking action on it. Why? You are lacking something very important. It’s the secret to success that keeps winners going after the adrenaline rush from that action movie has faded and the cheering of friends has stopped. That ‘secret’ ingredient is discipline. I’m going to share why this is the most important thing in the short run and long run if you want to be a high achiever or just be happy in family life.

Let’s start with a definition. Here’s one that I really like from Collins Dictionary and it’s not about punishment, fear, or mindless obedience to laws and rules.

“Discipline is the quality of being able to behave and work in a controlled way which involves obeying particular rules or standards. “

Discipline helps you stay focused on your goals

So why bother with Discipline as part of your success strategy in life? Because it’s the constant drumbeat that will drive you to keep moving forward each day. Fast or slow, tired or not, you use discipline to keep moving forward toward your goal. Without discipline, you get lost and have inconsistent behaviour. You will also lack in visible progress which will likely cause you to quit long before you really start to move towards your goal achievement.

Discipline helps you overcome obstacles and challenges

Stuff happens. Things go wrong and people get sick, lose money, or just get bored. Discipline is that inner drive that sounds like Sly Stallone yelling “Keep Moving Forward!” And “You’re Better than This!”. With the power of Rocky in your head, you are going to get past hurdles and you will go through walls, metaphorically.

“Discipline Equals Freedom” Jocko Willink

Discipline helps you become more efficient

So you accept that you need discipline but you have so much going on in your life and so much stuff to do. Here’s another reason why fully embracing a disciplined approach is going to save you. By striving for a goal with discipline, you have committed to a certain standard and set of rules in your life. Things that violate or don’t measure up to your standards for achievement get dropped. You stop doing useless things and low-value exercises. You worry less about the noise of the world and the many opinions on social media. You realize you have the ‘freedom’ to do what you need to do and stop giving your precious attention or time to other things that are known time wasters and just plain distractions trying to stop you from achieving your life goals. You become ruthless about your vision, your goal, and your daily routine to the point where you become efficient at doing what needs to be done. That other stuff just drops and is off your plate. This is how the elite performers get big WINS in life. They don’t worry about the minutia of every little thing. They stay focused on the main goals and steps to achieve them. Eyes on the Prize mindset.

The fact that you are reading this means you are at least interested in how to level up and go beyond motivational videos to fuel your progress. I hope you buy into the concept of Discipline as your secret and even your “Super Power” in life to achieve what you want to. All the greats have demonstrated this from sports to business and many other aspects of personal life. Use this power wisely and frequently to get what you want out of life and Live Awesome!

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Shazad Ahmad 7/5/23 Shazad Ahmad 7/5/23

How To Use Your Instincts and Gut Feelings

By Shazad

You have probably heard of the fuzzy concept of Intuition but what is it really? Intuition is the ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for concrete facts and measurable data. It’s a powerful tool that can help you make better decisions and live a more fulfilling life. It’s also the way to get unstuck when you are faced with a tough decision and the objective measurements don’t help you make a clear choice.

Why Use Intuition?

Intuition can help you tap into your experience and inner wisdom to make decisions that are aligned with your values and goals. It can also help you navigate complex situations with more than facts and data points. Having subjective reflection and personal connection to your environment can help in making important choices in life.

Ways to Harness the Power of Intuition

1. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in what you are doing now. It can help you tune into your intuition and become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. This is a key part of self-awareness which is essential to your fulfillment in life.

2. Listen to your body: Your physical body can provide valuable clues about what’s going on inside your mind and heart. You should first have a healthy baseline idea of what you are like when you are calm, confident, rested, and positive about life. Pay attention to physical sensations like tension, butterflies in your stomach, or a racing heart that are deviations from your baseline. Why are you really feeling those things? Could these be related to a decision you need to make that you are struggling with or postponing? Get in touch with yourself and figure it out.

3. Keep a journal: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you process them more effectively and gain insights into your inner world. The act of taking notes frees up the mind and helps you review your ideas and options about something important. You can also have a reference for the future when something similar comes up and you need guidance from yourself on how to think about the situation.

4. Trust yourself: When it’s time to act, trusting yourself is key to harnessing the power of intuition. Believe in your ability to make good decisions and take action based on what feels right for you. You have years of experience making choices and many things have probably turned out good or even Awesome for you so have the confidence that you can do this!

I have a “gut feeling” [pun intended] that you will find at least one valuable tool in the advice above. Make some Awesome choices today. It can change your whole life!

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Shazad Ahmad 6/28/23 Shazad Ahmad 6/28/23

Why Smiling Is Worth Much More Than $45

By Ahsan

“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.”

William Arthur Ward

In 1963, a graphic designer from Worcester, Massachusetts, was hired by an insurance company to come up with an image to boost employee morale. His name was Harvey Ross Ball. The design he created lives on to this day and is none other than the happy face ☺.

The story goes that it took him just 10 minutes to come up with the famous yellow smiley face.

Imagine an instant hit and an enduring impact created in the time it takes to boil an egg.

And so Harvey was paid for his work, a mere $45, but the rest is history. He created something he probably never imagined would become world-famous and valuable for our daily life :).

And this is the point of this story. If one person creates or does a thing, how far is its impact felt?

Let’s take a smile, for instance, or a good word you might give to someone.

Your act of smiling might lift someone's spirits. They might get through a tough day because you smiled at them.

The same might go for encouraging words you give your daughter or son. You never know what effect you might have when you do or say something.

In this sense, we are all potential creators, just like Harvey Ross Ball. The only thing is we did not get paid $45 or go down in history for making the epic happy face.

But then again, something we do or say might have a ripple effect that impacts others in a way we never imagined. How valuable is that?

Now that puts a smile on my face ☺. How about yours?

Want more Awesome writing from us? Go to this link and order your copy of the Awesome Life book today! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013VPAK8C

Shazad Ahmad 6/21/23 Shazad Ahmad 6/21/23

Don't Be A Donkey - Get Unstuck!

By Shazad

Buridan's ass is a paradox about decision-making and moving forward in life. It describes a hypothetical situation where an ass or donkey that is both hungry and thirsty in the same proportion, is placed precisely midway between a stack of hay and a pail of water. The assumption is that the donkey will always go to whichever thing is closer and since both are equal distance, it dies of both hunger and thirst. The donkey simply can’t make up its mind about the hay or water.

We all know people who suffer unnecessarily and even freeze into a kind of analysis paralysis because they can’t make up their minds. It’s self-inflicted torture and pain that can be avoided. Each person just needs to figure out what they want the most and take action which can then be followed by the second choice or another choice later. In a worst-case scenario, just flip a coin and go with whatever comes up - Heads or Tails! There is no reason to be frozen or stuck in your life because time is like a forward-flowing river and we can’t just stand in it. We HAVE TO make decisions so we might as well get good at the process.

The best way to make decisions involves realizing some things and I’m sharing these below for your benefit:

First, what’s the worst that can happen if we make the wrong decision on food or drink or anything else? Buying this property or that other property? Going to this school or that school? Certain decisions are truly profound and life-changing so they need to be made very carefully. Many others like what to wear, what to eat, or what show to watch, etc… are low risk and just need a decision to be made.

Second, figure out if the other option in front of you disappears or is just delayed a little if you picked wrong. Can you recover quickly from what you might consider a wrong decision or is it a very big recovery effort in terms of time, money, or effort? This will make decision-making a little easier and less painful.

Third, create a life with fewer trivial decisions. Do this by deciding ahead of time on clothes to wear or food to eat so it’s automated. Save your mental energy for truly significant decisions each day so you are not drained by all the small decisions you made leading up to one or two big ones each day. Have a uniform of clothes you wear on weekdays, make the same 2 or 3 breakfast items each day, and say “NO” to most tv shows or social engagements that everyone else is doing. When you develop mental space for making decisions and are not cluttering your life with too many things to think about, you will make better decisions on the things that matter.

In the end, decide to live your own life on your terms and according to your values. Don’t worry about what others will think of you or be scared to make a ‘tragic’ decision. Your daily choices are probably not “Life or Death” issues so don’t be so stressed about them.

Most of life is “fixable” by choosing wisely again if a mistake has been made and you immediately start to correct course. Don’t worry so much about being embarrassed or your public image because you made a few wrong turns. What really matters is how hard you are trying to do the right things and fix mistakes when you realize what happened.

Choices are a part of life so ‘choose your own adventure’ and enjoy the ride. In many cases, things will work out as good or better than you thought!

Want more Awesome writing from us? Go to this link and order your copy of the Awesome Life book today! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013VPAK8C

Shazad Ahmad 6/13/23 Shazad Ahmad 6/13/23

Why its' Better to be a Lark if you want to be Happy, Successful, and Pious

By Shazad

“The one who gets up early gets rewarded by God”

Polish Proverb

A recent study I read showed a connection between the wake/sleep patterns of humans and how successful as well as happy, they tend to be in life. The two camps or Chronotypes that can describe when we like to sleep and rise up are “Owls” and “Larks”. Those who like to stay up late and have energy mostly at night time but don’t like to get up early in the morning are called Owls. The people who like to go to bed earlier and wake up energized early in the morning are called Larks.

According to the study I read, the Larks tend to be disciplined and focused individuals who always strive to get things done right whereas an Owl personality might just want to get things over with however the task is complete. The Larks also tend to have the personal satisfaction levels high and it’s probably due to their spiritual beliefs and practices. The concept of a higher power and a purpose in life gives many people fulfillment in life. It’s no doubt that the Larks tend to be more successful human beings as a result compared to the Owl types. Having Discipline, Purpose, and Preparation are a winning combination for any personality.

Whether you like to scroll through YouTube and Netflix late at night (early morning?) or whether you like to sleep and rise with the sun, it’s worth considering what values you hold dear and where you are in terms of success, happiness, and piety. I hope you consider becoming more of a “morning person” if you aren’t already. It could change your life in all the right ways!

Want more Awesome writing from us? Go to this link and order your copy of the Awesome Life book today! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013VPAK8C

Shazad Ahmad 6/7/23 Shazad Ahmad 6/7/23

Breaking the Four-Minute Mile: The Phenomenal Story of Dr. Roger Bannister

By Ahsan

"Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition - such as lifting weights - we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity."
Stephen Covey

What are the limits to your potential?

Can you do “that something” you always felt excited over but keep chickening out or putting off?

Why are you holding back or not even trying?

Maybe you don’t realize that you are good enough. You ARE strong enough, and just maybe, you could be breaking records like Dr. Bannister if only you tried hard enough!

The following story I came across is briefly mentioned in our book, Awesome Life:

Roger Bannister was born in Harrow, England, on March 23, 1929. As a young boy, Bannister

showed great athletic potential and went on to attend Oxford University, where he studied

medicine.

Throughout his time at university, Bannister continued pursuing his passion for running, becoming a dominant force in middle-distance running. However, one elusive goal had yet to be accomplished: breaking the four-minute mile.

At the time, the four-minute mile was considered an insurmountable barrier. Many believed that the human body simply could not run that fast. But Bannister was determined to prove them wrong.

On May 6, 1954, at the Iffley Road track in Oxford, Bannister lined up with two other runners to attempt to break the four-minute mile. Unfortunately, conditions were far from ideal, with strong winds and rain making for a challenging race.

But despite the odds, Bannister pushed himself to the limit, crossing the finish line in three minutes and 59.4 seconds. The crowd erupted into cheers as Bannister collapsed onto the track, exhausted but elated.

Bannister’s accomplishment was a watershed moment in the history of athletics. It proved that the limits of human potential were not fixed, and anything was possible with enough determination and hard work.

In the years following his historic achievement, Bannister continued to compete in and win numerous races, but it was his breaking of the four-minute mile that remained his most enduring legacy. He went on to pursue a career in medicine, becoming a respected neurologist and continuing to advocate for the importance of physical activity and fitness throughout his life.

Bannister passed away on March 3, 2018, but his legacy lives on as an inspiration to athletes and non-athletes alike, a reminder that anything is possible with the right mindset and a willingness to push oneself to new levels of performance.

Life is awesome and short. We are here, and then we are not. If you feel like there is a mountain you still need to climb, you should recall the story and accomplishments of Dr Roger Bannister. Imagine yourself beating your own 4-minute mile.

Start a 4 Minute Mile Challenge, personally or with a friend. If you like, you could start a 4 Minute Mile Challenge with a few friends or consider having a workplace challenge.

Feel free to post this entire article as an introduction to the concept: go ahead; I challenge you!

Want more Awesome writing from us? Go to this link and order your copy of the Awesome Life book today! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013VPAK8C

Shazad Ahmad 5/21/23 Shazad Ahmad 5/21/23

Are you Blooming Yet?

By: Shazad

It’s full-on Spring time in North America and it’s been a beautiful May in many areas. Flowers are blooming, the air is fresh, the grass is lush green and the forests are full of life again. How are you doing? What’s your personal development and growth plan for this year?

Until and Unless you take action, you will still be stuck in the “Winter” of life and all the struggles of that season. All seasons in life have their lessons and benefits but we cannot stay longer in one stage longer than required. It doesn’t serve us and certainly doesn’t serve our families or society so make plans to grow this season!

Figure out what your personal growth plan for 2023 needs to be and how far along you are. Where do you need to make adjustments and what things are going well that you just need to do more of? How many flowers and trees in your garden will be a reflection of the ‘gardening’ efforts you engage in this year. Once you establish your ideal growth plan and steps, you’ll need to maintain the ‘garden’ so it doesn’t become a victim of disease, neglect, and preventable risk.

Guard your personal growth space and share it with your family for their benefit as well. Cultivate a better nature and mindset throughout the process and imagine what beautiful things you will grow into this year before they arrive. Use inspiration from your past growth and the development of people similar to you. No two blooms will be the same and that’s ok. The best thing is to make sure you participate in the resurgence of life and beauty with purpose happening all around you. Live Awesome!

Want more Awesome writing from us? Go to this link and order your copy of the Awesome Life book today! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013VPAK8C

Shazad Ahmad 5/17/23 Shazad Ahmad 5/17/23

Make Room for Magical Moments

By Shazad

We all struggle with too much going on. So many people are always ‘too busy’ and have no time for the things that matter. The modern disease of so much to do and not enough time to do it all has spread everywhere. There is a cure worth considering.

Everyone needs to get real with what’s occupying all the hours of the day. Serious audits of who and what is sucking time away from us and filling up our calendars. Changing attitudes towards purpose-driven living can also help versus just going through the motions.

Magical moments come when we least expect it but there is a way to create more of them. Have space in your calendar. Stop being ‘busy’ all the time and say NO to more things so you can say YES! when it matters. We all know that we should live in the present moment. Few know how to do it. Saying NO to most things is a BIG part of that. What’s left in your calendar is what you should passionately pursue so you can thrive. Don’t let your whole calendar be filled up with other people’s agendas. Have your own plan for the days and life in general. Guard your time more than you do your assets or money.

When’s the last time you felt AWE in your day? When was the last time you paid attention to something beautiful like the spring blossoms in a forest or park. Have you been able to just focus on the new leaves and the smell of the blossoms on the tree? Have you enjoyed the feeling of new grass on your bare feet on a warm day? Try going to a beach and go at least knee deep in the lake or ocean to feel what that feels like. All of these are magical moments you are missing if you are just ‘keeping busy’ all day long. You are not only cheating yourself but your family of the moments they need to thrive. Take time off work or school and create some magical moments of your own this week. You won’t regret it!

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Shazad Ahmad 5/10/23 Shazad Ahmad 5/10/23

The Magic of Living Better Not Just Living Longer

By Shazad

“I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in a magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.”

Poem by Jack London featured in James Bond, “No Time to Die” movie

Many people are talking about life extension, longevity, and living beyond 100 years old. Few are talking about living better lives with the time we have. Life is not something to merely stretch out but a process to learn, adjust, and enjoy the time we have been given. No one knows for certain how many birthdays are left and everyone will likely say they want to ‘live longer’ but I believe they really want to Live Better.

Well-Being should be our focus in life and all efforts should be aligned on this goal.

Living well and being happy as you age is about some key principles. Three of these are: Being in the Present Moment, Having a Healthy Mind and Body, and Living with Purpose.

Being Present in daily tasks and considering all time as valuable. Brushing teeth, preparing kids for school, taking public transit somewhere, doing groceries, etc. are all mundane parts of our daily routine and can be enjoyable if we pay attention.

Having a Healthy Mind and Body is not negotiable. No one enjoys any day they are sick or tired, or suffering from anxiety. Self-care to manage mental health as well as being physically fit is required to live well. Two to Three Strength Training sessions each week and regular walks will benefit everyone. Mobility or stretching as well as breathing exercise go a long way to achieve all that is needed every day to relax and improve blood flow. Digestion, sleep, and mood also get better with these habits.

Knowing your BIG WHY or reason for living is a fundamental part of the Well Being Formula. You need to be very clear about what you are trying to accomplish as a big life goal or a handful of goals (no more than 3) for the rest of your lives. Writing this down and reviewing it daily sets our internal guidance system so we just spend each day “Driving” a little closer to our destination instead of figuring out what we are supposed to do and what the meaning of life is. Talk with family and make sure everyone is aligned on things that matter. This will help to get them on board to either support your Life Purpose or even make it part of their own!

Making the years longer and celebrating more birthdays would be Awesome for most people but what’s even better is to make the best use of the time we have. To live with purpose, presence, and vitality each day knowing that we may not have another one, is how we truly Live Awesome!

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Shazad Ahmad 5/3/23 Shazad Ahmad 5/3/23

Is Your Life Meaningless Or Magical?

By Ahsan

I came across a quote by Franz Kafka, a novelist who said,

“The meaning of life is that it ends.”

I thought the quote reminded me to live life to the fullest, which certainly resonates with me. Others feel that this was Kafka’s meaning for his statement.

However, after googling, I discovered that he felt that life was absurd and meaningless.

That got me thinking. Is he right?

Let me add to this thinking about life.

“Life is meaningless, absurd, and random or it can be purposeful, adventurous, and magical; take your pick.”⎯Ahsan

I'll be the first to agree that some days seem like a repeat of the last, and boredom can set in. But does that mean life is meaningless or absurd?

Other days are surprisingly fulfilling and leave you with a sense of wonder and gratitude for getting to be alive one more day.

So who and what is responsible for making life magical and magnificent or miserable and meaningless?

Start by looking at the person in the mirror.

Life is what you make it and, more accurately, what you think of it.

We experience life as we think about our circumstances and what is happening to us. When we think well of someone, we feel love or kinship with that person. We feel irritated when we think negatively about a situation like being stuck in traffic. What we think we experience.

So, dear friend, please try to think yourself into a great experience of life.

That’s it. That’s all.

Life is what you think of it, and I have a sneaky suspicion that those who think life is magical are doing life much better than those who knowingly or unwittingly pontificate that life is meaningless.

So get off the path that leads to meaningless absurdity and stay on the track of purpose and magicalization.

I will try my best too. Have a magical week.

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Shazad Ahmad 4/26/23 Shazad Ahmad 4/26/23

The Magic of Smiling

By Ahsan

Have you ever thought about the major benefits of smiling?

Why is it that we smile and is it even useful? I am sure you have gone a whole day without smiling at someone or being smiled at. But what if smiling disappeared from the world? Would it matter?

Let me assure you that smiling is an important thing that we cannot lose. I would even say that it is more valuable than gold and as important to the functioning of life on Earth as water, air, or sunshine.

Allow me to make my case with the following poem given to me by an old friend named Paul.

Smiles

Perhaps you never stop to think

How much a smile can do.

A smile can make a moment bright,

Or help a dream come true.

A smile is like a priceless gift

That can be passed along;

It makes a burden lighter, too,

And often rights a wrong.

A smile can say “I understand,”

Or simply, “I’m your friend.”

A sincere smile can sometimes bring

A quarrel to an end.

A smile cannot be bought or sold,

Or lost, or thrown away.

So why not keep some smiles on hand

To share, day after day!

If you analyze the poem, you will see that smiles do the following things that bring light to our lives:

They celebrate moments.

They put you in a positive state of mind that is conducive to achieving your goals.

They are a gift to be given with a never-ending supply.

They can alleviate stress and hardships.

They can make peace.

They convey empathy and sympathy.

They signal the type of person you are.

They can end war.

They cost nothing and are yet invaluable.

They are abundant and always around us.

They should be valued, treasured and shared.

So dear friend, take note of how smiling is magical and something to appreciate.

In fact, go forth boldly today knowing you have found a universal gift that will enrich you.

Please be sure to like and share this idea of smiling with all those you come into contact with each day! ☺

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Shazad Ahmad 4/19/23 Shazad Ahmad 4/19/23

Ramadhan and The Benefits of Doing Hard Things

By Shazad

The Muslim holy month of Ramadhan is coming to a close and I have learned to appreciate the life lessons from daily fasting that span the time just before Dawn to Sunset each day. It was definitely challenging and no two days were exactly the same for me. Being hard rather than easy was the point of the month. Beyond the spiritual aspect, we have a human element related to being difficult for our own benefit. But why do hard things make us better human beings?

We have lots of conveniences and comfort in life. Some would say that we have too much of it and have become soft or ‘fragile’ societies. The antidote is to inject some toughness and challenges into our lives to remind us what that feels like and how great it feels to do hard things. There’s no better satisfaction that compares to working hard to achieve something. True fulfillment in life comes after accomplishing a series of hard things over and over again.

Doing hard work frequently makes people more immune to and tolerant of daily stressors in life so we develop patience, perspective, and practical ways of living. If we only did easy things and always got our way, we would become like little children who often cry when things frustrate them or they are told “No”. There is no good reason for an adult to behave like a spoiled child. Ever!

The best part of challenging yourself such as daily fasting, focusing on prayers, and shunning materialistic things for some length of time is the human transformation you experience. A person who frequently does hard things regularly changes into a stronger and more capable person as part of the journey. There is no end to the life-changing benefits of living a challenging life with some trials and hardships woven in there whether it’s intentional or unexpected. Human beings are capable of so much mental, spiritual, and even physical growth in terms of becoming better human beings. So, what hard things do you have planned for this year?

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Shazad Ahmad 4/12/23 Shazad Ahmad 4/12/23

Unleashing Your Inner Child: How to Have a Fun Day at Any Age

By Ahsan

Can you recall a particular day when you were a child that was the best day ever?

Was it a day filled with friends playing at the park in the morning, followed by a basketball game in the afternoon, and then going out to have footlong kababs and naans in the evening with your family?

Wouldn’t it be nice to recreate that kind of day every day?

Sometimes our days start to feel like a repetition of the previous day, and we feel like we are driving through a flat stretch of road for hours on end. No scenery, no music to listen to, and no exciting conversations.

That wouldn’t just be boring but cause a person to feel like life is equally flat!

Perhaps, we can break out of this repetitive rut by taking on a mental approach to having a fun day called “Fun With Intention Planning” or FUNTENTION PLANNING.

Introducing: FUNTENTION PLANNING

This is a new and revolutionary method of creating zest and zing in your life!

It requires prompting yourself to think about your day uniquely, generating endless possibilities and the greatest probability of lying in your bed every night thinking, "What a fun day I had!”

You will never have another dull day in your life again.

So here is the template that is required to successfully make Funtention Planning natural and effective:

First, divide your day into its natural parts: Morning, Afternoon and Evening.

Next, for each part of the day, identify and include an activity you will engage in or will be engaging in if it was planned for you. Hey, sometimes you got to visit the in-laws, right?

Finally, think of a way to make that thing you will be doing more fun! I love talking to my mother-in-law, honest!

For example, you might start the morning with an excellent breakfast that you would have anyway, but instead of just eating it in a rush, you add an extra fifteen minutes to sit down and savour your steak and eggs and fresh black coffee.

Eating breakfast can be fun!

In the afternoon, you might have a client meeting, but instead of just going through the motions, you ask them, "What's going well in your life?" Having a meaningful conversation with someone adds colour and dimension to your meeting.

Memorable meetings make things fun.

For the evening, instead of just coming home, rushing through dinner, and watching your show afterward, why not plan an after-dinner walk with your spouse, followed by listening to some relaxing music?

Enjoying some exercise and listening to good music can definitely be fun.

Life should be fun! You don't have to be locked in a replay of rinse-and-repeat days. You don't have to live a flat and boring life. Instead, make the mundane…marvelous.

Funtention Planning is all about dividing and conquering. Divide your day; look at what is possible to enjoy and conquer boredom by adding that “funness” with intention and have a more awesome life.

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Shazad Ahmad 4/5/23 Shazad Ahmad 4/5/23

Why You Need To Think Better So Can You Achieve Your Goals

By Ahsan

I have had many coaches and mentors in my life, but one of them stands out and stands the test of time.

He is the most famous personal development coach and motivator that you can think of.

Can you guess? Who comes to mind?

Of course, the one and only Tony Robbins.

Over the years, I have invested in some of his at-home study materials and heard from him through social media. Most of what I learned through him has been usable and impacted my personal success and achievement in life.

I even have had the unique honour of attending a live presentation of Tony's mentor, the late Mr. Jim Rohn. Being the enthusiastic student that I am, I made notes of that 2-hour speech by Mr. Rohn and have kept them over the last 27 years. Tony's book, “Awaken the Giant Within” was something I read and made notes on over 29 years ago.

The stuff these gentlemen teach is gold, and it works.

But do you know why it works?

What is the key to making it work? Is it taking massive action? Is it about having a great attitude? What about discipline?

Keep thinking.

I will reveal what the key to all this is soon. But for now, let's look at some recent advice I came across from Mr. Robbins.

The gist of what I read was that to achieve the greatness in life that you seek, you should challenge and overcome your limiting beliefs. You should face your fears and see how that way of thinking impacts you negatively and your mindset for success. It would be best to shift your perspective on what meaning you give to things in life. And that you should change your self-talk by changing your internal language and beginning your day with positive affirmations. And that getting a coach will be one of the most effective ways to change your mindset.

I can’t argue with any of the points above. How about you?

It all makes sense to me.

But why is it going to work? What is the operating principle behind this magical stuff that Tony rightfully guides us to?

It is simply this. Your reality and the experience you have of life are constantly and consistently coming from one source: your thinking.

We are thinking beings. Your gift of thinking enables you to challenge your limiting beliefs, face your fears, shift your perspective, and change your self-talk and mindset.

You do what you think. You feel what you think. You act or don’t act based on what you think, your attitude comes from your thinking, and your discipline can also be traced to your thinking.

Here is the operating principle to living an awesome life: Think Thoughtfully!

Just follow these 3 rules:

Know that you were given a gift from your Creator: the gift of thinking.
Use your thinking as a gift that it was designed to be.
Become consciously aware that whatever you are doing, not doing, feeling, or achieving is 100% coming from your thinking.

Thoughts are responsible for our emotions and behaviours. Our environment and situations are not the sources of our reality; rather, our thinking about our environment and situations is. Positive and constructive thoughts eliminate fear, shift perspective and change limiting beliefs.

Your entire life up to this point and until you leave this world is and will be based on your thinking.

You may as well get comfortable with the idea that you have the power to change your thoughts. This will awaken the giant within you like nothing else.

Personal growth and transformation are possible by managing and influencing your thinking!

I hope you think what I am saying makes sense. You don't have to just believe me, but please spend time thinking about it and see for yourself!

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Shazad Ahmad 3/29/23 Shazad Ahmad 3/29/23

3 Powerful Life Lessons From The Month of Ramadhan

By Shazad

The Muslim month of Ramadhan started last week and for over a Billion Muslims, this is a very spiritual time of the year. The communal prayers, fasting, and charitable giving are common themes shared by all Muslims around the world. There are at least 3 life lessons I have learned in this holy month and I’m going to share how everyone can benefit from these regardless of whether you are a Muslim or not. Consider these the literal equivalent of 3 juicy dates to break your fast today.

The first important lesson is “Less is More”. As we observe fasting from before dawn to local sunset time, we realize how to survive on less food, water, sleep, and free time. We understand the benefit of quality food and having space in our calendar for fewer but more meaningful things like contemplation about our spiritual life. Muslims are instructed to give up bad habits and shun entertainment as well as vain discussions. This allows us to find what is meaningful in life. This elimination of unnecessary thoughts and activities helps the believer realize what is truly essential and how to return to these things whenever we need to.

The second important lesson is made possible after the first one. It’s the ability to go deep in study to focus on something. For practicing Muslims, the study of the Holy Quran and participation in additional congregational prayers allows for greater spiritual understanding and brotherhood. In a distracted world with so many things competing for our attention, we’ve lost the ability to go deep in thought and actually study anything in great detail. By taking the time each day to read, contemplate, and integrate knowledge into our daily life, we become wiser and happier.

The third important lesson we should all learn in Ramadhan is compassion for others. By experiencing this voluntary hardship of hunger, thirst, and disturbance in sleep, we should develop an understanding of what other people of the world are going through. The ability to empathize with the poor, the sick, and those suffering from various mental issues should encourage us to behave better in society. Muslims are encouraged to give more to charity as well as volunteer their time on a regular basis. Everyone can develop more consideration for fellow human beings if we just remember what struggles and pain we have faced in life. We should feel connected to everyone else and live in a way that benefits society as much as possible.

So there you have it. Ramadhan is not just about staying away from food and drink during daylight hours or having big feasts with family and friends at sunset. There are powerful life lessons about what is truly essential, how to focus attention, and the ways we are all connected. To our Muslim readers, we say Ramadhan Mubarak! To all of the rest of you, we wish you a purposeful, prosperous, and pious life.

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