Connections

Today is a day about connections!  But like many things in life, connections these days come about almost organically.  Whether you want them -or even welcome them- or not people connect with others mostly in ways that escape their control, and for younger people this can be hard to manage.  Being in control of your connections seems a hunting task, but if we look at it more closely, everything that comes our way CAN be managed, and it definitely should be.

So the question we need to answer is not "How do we manage connections that are out of our control?" but rather, "How do we keep in mind that every connection (good or bad) is indeed manageable regardless of its nature?"

This is the question that we have raised over and over again, because when talking about connections we have to define them as experiences involving external agents that are present and may have an effect in our lives. From that definition, we are already seeing it as a manageable external agent in our lives, specially when you realize the fact that they are "outside agents."  This is the key, and it is the root of our ability to manage them.

For example:  Imagine there is now, at this very moment, a negative situation involving bullying in your local high school.  Imagine for a second, that this particular event involves your child, and that he or she is being bullied, mocked, made fun of... or even hurt at school...  Not a pleasant picture in your head is it?

Now:  Imagine for a second your child turning around and recording this event in a notebook, date, place, people involved.  Imagine your child understanding there is an action and a reaction and that his or her reaction will need to be one step ahead of the initial upsetting agent, to the point that he or she is calm, is analytical about it, and is planning the solution to his or her problem... Imagine your heart beating so fast in pride and in awe at your child's ability to evaluate the situation, map a plan of action to solve it, and proceeding to keep record in order to put that plan into action!  That is a powerful image, one that goes from seeing your child as a victim and knowing he or she is a Strong and Confident child.

Keywords: Strength and Confidence

Inner Strength is the one trait that we need to instill in our children in order for them to go beyond survival mode and thrive in life!

Confidence is a closely related trait that comes with belief and  knowledge.  A child believes in himself and one that has knowledge about the resources available to him will be more likely to go through life less worried about outside influences because he would know how to manage them.

So how exactly do you manage the negative connections your children experience on a daily basis?  By showing them how to manage them on their own.

Some steps are:

1)  Educate them on the fact that we are all different, and that other's views are just that, "their views" not a determining factor on who they will ultimately become.

2) Instill confidence in your children by letting them know that they are capable of counteracting others' comments or negative feedback by consciously rejecting their own acceptance of the negative influence coming their way.

3)  Educate them about their resources, at home and outside, so that they can better understand how to proceed in a situation of high stress.  Let them know that the sooner they address a situation by utilizing the resources available to them the sooner it will come to an end.

4) Inspire them and encourage them to be creative.  Creativity is the root of all solutions, and it is a critical trait in thriving in society nowadays.  Encourage them to think outside the box, and to find avenues to navigate the situation while tackling it, not running from it.

5) CONNECT with them! Let them know they are not alone, and reassure them in the fact that asking for help is not a weakness, and that feeling blue, or hurt, or vulnerable, and admitting it takes a very, VERY strong person indeed!

We hope this has helped a bit in creating a new vision of yourself, your children, and all of those who can shift their focus, manage their connections in life, and thrive as individuals in any and every situation they face!


Much love and all the Strength to you!


Cristal.

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Finding the way...

Well...  I guess its true that nothing worth pursuing was ever easy!

Our cause remains active and strong, but our means are not necessarily all there yet.  I guess it takes time to find the way, even with a map in your hands.

I find it very hard to sleep these days, and I discovered that it had more to do with my lack of productivity than with the excess thereof.  I am working full-time and had felt that the job I am holding mostly to fund this company was consuming me and making me feel exhausted, but as it turns out, that initial exhaustion was nothing compared to the emptiness I felt when I did not work towards achieving the goals of my company.

So, I have decided to re-claim my life, as I wanted, and as I have planned it!  I guess I just had to remind myself why am I working at this other job in the first place.  I did not find my calling in life to see it die in the hands of a system that makes you "live to work"...  I want to really WORK TO LIVE!  And I want to live a fuller more meaningful life, just like I want to spread this better life to others through Strength Ave.

It is very easy to get consumed by the many to-do's of the day, the many appointments, and paperwork, and the phone calls, and the misunderstandings... And it is even easier to feel sorry for one's self...  Dwelling on self pity to justify the many ways in which a day does not go right.  Well...  I got me my very own Bully, so I cooked myself my very own, home-made piece of Inner Strength covered in Self Love, and Self Respect with some Perspective sprinkled on top... And I have to say, my Inner Strength Delight is a HIT!

So bring it on "you" and "all of you too"!  I found my way and will find it again any time I need to through the realization that life is not better or worse depending on other's views of your daily accomplishments, or your abilities... I remembered that life is always beautiful and full if you are able to find a way to walk through any situation with the same dignity with which you entered it.

Finding your way is not easy, but it is certainly worth trying over and over again until you feel it deep inside you.  Your way is your guide, your inner voice, and your companion.  You way is the you that knows better that anything, the instinct that guides you to the right places at the right times.  Your way is made from you and by you, and nothing and nobody can take it away...  Only you can.

So find your way!  Do whatever it takes to find your own answers, to pave your own roads, and to arrive at your very own destinations!  It is rewarding, fulfilling and charged with truth about who you are.

Best of luck and may love and strength fill your heart very day, no matter what!

Cristal.