Muses Top 10 Ways To Change The World:

(just in time for spring)

1. smile~! show those pearly whites everywhere, a smile begets a smile. negative emotions are eased when smiles are present. hope exists in a smile. smiles are immediate ice breakers and help put others at ease. studies show individuals who read smile emoticons, subconsciously physically return the smile. proof positive smiles are contagious. :)

2. share~! use what you have, be it monetary or other, and give selflessly. don’t give with the intention of becoming a “i did that so you owe me” type of giver. let your sharing be an un-tethered gift.  and remember, sharing your time, your heart and even your prayers can be the most important gift of all.

3. compliment~! who among us doesn’t treasure a compliment? it is the acknowledgment of value – a surefire way to make others understand you are truly looking at them and their accomplishments. this is not say constructive criticism cannot be given when required, but let’s be honest hearing “that really is an awful color on you” … what about, “i have always liked the way you set that (insert color here) dress ablaze, yes i’ll always remember you in that!”*    *truth in a muse’s marriage, “the early years”. compliments are sincere while flattery is the feigning of truth. be sure your compliments are unmarred by fictitious  pampering.

4. encourage~! lift up those around you who seem disenchanted, depressed or lackluster. encouragement can be made with cards, letters and (cringe) yes, even an email to someone you know who needs to hear a voice of kindness. advise if appropriate, but a resounding “i know you can” or “i have faith in you” works wonders to a discouraged heart.

5. courteous~! this is ever so easy to do. simple thank yous, yes sir (mam/miss), no sir (mam/miss), pardon me…and a myriad of little actions, such as holding a door or picking up someones dropped property..all take nearly no effort.  people are often amazed when they are treated with good manners. try it, you’ll see.

6. eliminate~! purge yourself and your belongings. now, i don’t  mean to the extent of a cheapo “hollywood 10 hr cleanse” nor am i suggesting you become devoid of all material objects (your home etc.) – i want to explore ridding oneself of burdens. lets do that together! is there something in our lives that feels weighty? is there a big STOP sign along our life’s path? are we surfing in the negative wake of negative people? if so, we need to break free! stamp out that which has turned us into emotional/physical hoarders. shining the light on whiners and debbie downers has an uncanny way of making the rats run for cover. by using your illuminating lamp of elimination, those around you will feel compelled to become sunbathers of positivism rather than night-crawlers of negativity.

7. appreciate~! oh goodness, does one ever tire of hearing how much they are appreciated? i really don’t think we can say it enough. too often we get wrapped up in how to say it differently, but there really is no need. imagine yourself being told by someone, “i appreciate you – i appreciate your time, your engagement – i appreciate your presence in my life”.  the sincerity of appreciation goes (imho) deeper than a thank you. appreciation expresses your heart ties to an act or to an individual. voltaire stated this, “appreciation is a wonderful thing: it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”

8. inspire~ ! this could also be entitled motivate. look around your world, look at family, friends – no doubt there is one or more individuals who are feeling less than enthusiastic about, work, life or their future. being sympathetic  and feeling empathy are key factors in any relationship, but there also comes a time when you need to lift another human being spirit ~ to hoist them onto a level footing (where they catch sight of that brass ring once more). from tangible gifts to words of wisdom, inspirational remedies are as varied as the maladies. inspiring that lost craving of life’s desire will, more often than not require a tactile or sensory input. remember, inspiration comes in the most quiet of whispers to the loudest of marches. whether you choose to be a songbird or a symphony, your one primary goal … light a spark!

9. ask~ ! don’t expect answers if you never ask the questions. seems divinely simple, but sadly many of us do not follow this very basic premise. we talk, we talk more, we keep on talking ~ never pausing to ask anyone’s opinions, thoughts or feelings. if we are truly wanting to impact the world in a better way, does it not seem plausible that we would want to inquire about the emotional and creative well being of those around us? how does it make you feel when someone you care about asks you “how are you feeling today?” … perhaps someone you admire inquires, “can you give me your thoughts on this?” you feel valuable. your thoughts matter. you have worth. personally, i follow this rule, ‘ask before i tell’.  seeking wise counsel benefits us all.

10. repeat~ ! ask, inspire, appreciate, eliminate, be courteous, encourage, compliment, share, smile …. over and over ~ again and again. without fail. the world will be touched by you … it will be changed by you … and you shall be all the better for doing just that.

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