Simply Sawyer

Good things happen to those who appreciate. The only things that make us happy are the things we show appreciation for. It is easier to appreciate a cheque for a million dollars, or an award, or an attractive someone's phone number, but how long does it last? But, how long does it take before we take those things for granted like we do the oxygen in our lungs, and the wonderful people in our lives? There's no point in listing all that we can be grateful for, if we don't make an effort to focus on gratitude all the time. We can find reasons to appreciate everything that happens to us in life, because everything has a lesson attached to it. This shift of a mindset is not a lightswitch. We don't get to snap our fingers and immediately find the beauty of life from all angles, but we need to find a place to start if we want to get to that point. I've been around long enough to know that my ability to judge situations/people as good or bad is rarely accurate once things a

Every time that I am asked why I like Disney so much, I immediately become extremely defensive as if it is a crime to do so. How dare someone disrespect the Mouse, and the magic that comes with Disney? I take every negative comment against Disney as a personal attack, and I feel responsible to defend the brand with all my might. I don't know why, but I take ownership in the fact that Disney overwhelms a very large part of my life. If you didn't know that by now, you are in for a trip. You can imagine the response I get when I tell my family and friends that one day I will be working for the Mouse. I have never become so territorial over something, like I do Disney. I take pride in the fact that I know more about Disney, and it's history than I do about Canadian history (sorry Mr. Kiffman). Disney is a place where I can obtain copious amounts of joy and happiness. If you had asked me when I was younger, I would have responded with 'I like watching movies with my family.&

Do you ever notice when you have a great idea, or think of something a bit daring, these voices come into your head to tell you why it is not a great idea. Maybe those voices include an overprotective family member, or some "realistic" friends, or just a representation of society in general. Or even worse, the voice is yours. Now we have this invisible audience to justify ourselves to, even before we do anything, and it slows us down, if not completely blocks us from trying to create the life we want. Often when I meet people who are actually criticizing me, their not telling my story, they're telling their own. They need to make excuses for why they couldn't do what they wanted, and dismiss anything I've done for myself. I no longer view these people as detractors, or enemies. I view them with compassion, and see it tragic that they haven't been able to break free from the invisible handcuffs they're wearing, and instea

Be proud of yourself for how hard you are trying.  Remind yourself, remind someone else, then remind yourself again. Repeat when necessary.  Now, I may be the biggest hypocrite, but I am also my biggest critic. I do not know if it is the same for everyone else, but I do not think there is anything more accurate to describe the amount of pressure I tend to put on myself.  I like to have my hands in many baskets at once, and with all of that responsibility comes with an excessive amount of pressure. Even when you think you can handle it, most things are out of your control. I know that it is hard to compass. I am one of those people that need to be in control of everything I am involved in, or else I become anxious (and then normally get into a position where I can function).  One thing I know that I can control is something that many people do not consider. The one thing we have complete control over is our effort. Only we know if we're giving it our all, so if you are, that&

Fear is a habit, so is self-pity, defeat, procrastination,  despair, hopelessness and resignation. You can eliminate all of these negative habits with two simple resolves, "I can, and I will!"  The things that scare us can be the exact things we need to be doing. Fear can work like a compass, because it shows us where we can exit our comfort zones. We may not enjoy being uncomfortable, but that is the only place where growth exists. Sometimes we are thrusted out of our comfort zone without our consent, and other times we may take the adventure by choice. Either way, it is not something we should loathe. It is an opportunity to grow, learn, and live life on a whole new level. Do not let fears choose your destiny. Do not let fears choose your destination.  A companion of fear is often procrastination (some mark it as laziness).  Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahe