Why You Should Invest In Yourself

By Shazad

“The best investment you can make is an investment in yourself.
The more you learn, the more you’ll earn.”

Warren Buffet

We’ve all heard countless pieces of investment advice: save 10% of your paycheck every month, buy this HOT new stock, or invest in Bitcoin before it soars! Purchase a house and rent out the basement right away! And on it goes. What few people discuss is the effort involved in investing time, money, and attention into something far more significant that yields the highest return—an investment in yourself!

Why Is It Important?

No one will care about you as much as you do, so you might as well be receiving some of the best resources and attention you have to offer. When you personally excel in terms of health, relationships, education, and time management, everything else becomes possible as well.

How Do I Do This?

Dedicate some time each day to your well-being. Identify your strengths and consider how you can amplify them this year. Where do you feel you fall short? How can you improve on one or more weaknesses this month? For instance, if your focus level is currently a 6 out of 10, what steps can you take to elevate it to a 7 or 8 right away? How quickly do you fall asleep when you get into bed? How can you reduce the time it takes to fall asleep from 60 minutes to 30 or even 15 minutes?

Make a plan for each strength you want to BOOST and each weak point you want to improve. Now go and execute an action for each one of them. Do this every single day, every week, and every month this year.

When Can I Expect a Return on Investment?

In terms of confidence, you’ll get the ‘dividends’ right away. You will be working on yourself daily so you can see the gains stack up within the first week. In terms of your health, it can take a couple of weeks of consistent behaviour to feel your body make significant changes. In terms of your focus, attention, and mindset, you’ll also realize positive energy around you within the first couple of weeks you work on yourself. The wealth benefits also start to accumulate and compound over the months.

Once you become known as the person transforming himself into someone better on a consistent basis, you will attract more positive energy to you. People will want to talk to you about the changes. They will be more open to your ideas and things you want to pitch to them. You’ll be seen as someone who is getting things done and making waves. All of this attracts wealth and a network of people with resources so keep going. True wealth is when you have all the key aspects of your life dialled in and you keep investing for the long run. There’s no end to the growth potential and no finish line! Keep striving to be more Awesome and you will become that version of yourself!

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How to Eliminate Negative Thoughts and Boost Your Happiness

By Ahsan

Have you ever noticed how negative thoughts can sneak into your mind like a pesky fly? They buzz around and distract you, making it hard to focus on what really matters. But don’t worry! Here are some simple tips to help you swat those negative thoughts to the floor! It will also make you healthier!

1. Choose to Ignore Them

Sometimes, ignoring negative thoughts is the best way to deal with them. Like a magician who makes a rabbit disappear, you can vanish those thoughts by simply not acknowledging them. Not all thoughts are valid anyway.

2. Understand They Aren’t Facts

Remember, just because you think something doesn’t mean it’s true. It’s like thinking you’re a terrible cook just because you burned toast once. Setbacks and mistakes are events and not the full picture of our life. Remember, everyone has off days!

3. Trust in a Higher Power

If you believe in God, trust that you’ll be guided when you face something you’re worried about. Faith can be a great comfort during tough times. Besides, have you not noticed that your wisdom and common sense are ready when the going gets tough? Lean into what your soul is saying.

Even if you still have negative thoughts, you don’t have to let them control your life like some puppet master. Take back your power and cut the strings!

Recognizing them for what they are—just a bunch of thoughts you are currently experiencing. You can prevent them from making you feel bad. Changing your mindset and mood also has a profound effect on your health. No healthy but often sad or angry folks in the world. Those who constantly consume a brew of negative thoughts also have a long list of physical/mental health challenges. A coincidence?

The Power of Positive Thinking

If you want to feel more at peace, practice thinking positively. Good thoughts lead to good feelings, while negative thoughts can bring you down. Do something positive, even if it’s small. It will tip the scales in your favour.

Remember, life has its ups and downs. And it always will. Some days are fantastic, Awesome even! Some others can feel like a rainy Monday or a complete disaster…no matter. You just need to get past those and on to better days.

How you think about these ups and downs affects your happiness. You don’t need to be perfect or never think negatively. Instead, try to be aware that your thoughts shape your reality.

You are always creating your experiences from your thinking. Your experiences and circumstances are not creating your reality!

It’s true! Our thoughts can sometimes feel like facts, but we create things in our minds first and then we see the world around us reflected according to our ideas, beliefs, and opinions of the world. We are literally creating a version of reality each day.

Rise Above Your Thoughts

Thinking and feeling happen quickly, and it can feel real in the moment. But when you take a step back and observe your thoughts, you can diffuse the negativity and move forward.

Imagine your life is a movie—you can choose to be the hero who stops the bomb just 2 seconds before it explodes! Congratulations! You saved countless lives by staying calm, cool and collected! Just like a hero would!

Most people would rather be happy than unhappy. Once you understand where your thoughts come from, you can naturally lean toward positive thinking.

Positive Affirmations

One great way to boost positive thinking is through self-affirmations. Try saying to yourself,

“I am a positive person, and I think positively about everything.”

You can do this whenever you have a moment, like between classes or right before bed. Affirmations work best when you’re relaxed, so try them first thing in the morning or as you drift off to sleep.

By practicing these techniques, you can build a happy life filled with resilience against all that negative thinking.

If everything you read makes sense to you, chances are you know friends and loved ones who could also benefit from these tips.

Share This Article!

Spread the positivity by sharing this article with them. Together, we will help each other create a happier, positive, and more peaceful life!

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”

Marcus Aurelius

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Transform Your Mindset, Transform Your Life: The Key to Finding Happiness in Your Neighborhood"

By Ahsan

Have you ever paused to ask yourself, “Where do I really live?” Is your neighborhood a source of happiness and safety for you? Or have you ever wondered what it would be like to live somewhere even better?

Believe it or not, the answer might be simpler than you think. You’re not just living in a physical space; you’re experiencing the world through your thoughts.

You are living in the world of your personal thinking!

While most people might understand this concept, it often isn’t immediately obvious. However, once you grasp this idea, you can elevate your life to a whole new level—one that feels more comfortable and fulfilling than ever before.

So, how does where you live connect to how you live? The answer lies in your thinking.

The Power of a  Realization 

Having this epiphany can significantly boost your mental well-being and overall satisfaction with life. It’s essential to recognize that external circumstances—like your neighbourhood, your job, or your relationships—are often beyond your control. 

Many people believe that if they can just arrange their lives to match their hopes and dreams, they will finally find lasting happiness. But this is a common misconception. 

Think about it: Have you ever achieved a major goal—like landing a new job, passing an important exam, or finally purchasing that item you’ve been eyeing for years? The excitement often fades quickly, leaving you wanting more. Why is that? 

The answer lies in the fact that external events are not the true sources of our internal happiness.

Discovering Internal Happiness

So, where does true happiness come from? It comes from your own thinking. Your thoughts are the silent architects of your feelings and emotions. 

When you realize that your feelings are a direct result of your thoughts, you’ll likely experience a remarkable boost in your happiness and satisfaction levels. Why? Because you’ll start to recognize where your emotions originate. 

By understanding that your feelings stem from your thoughts, you can decide which thoughts deserve your attention and which ones you can let go of.

This newfound awareness can radically improve your mental wellness. Many people struggle to recognize that their thoughts are the root cause of their feelings. Once you understand the profound impact of your thinking on your everyday experience, you can begin to address any mental health issues you may be facing. 

This realization is like having a giant bucket of water to extinguish a fire—it can bring you relief and clarity—instantly!

Take Control of Your Happiness

So, the next time you find yourself questioning your happiness or the quality of your living situation, remember that you have the power to change your experience. By shifting your thinking, you can transform your life. 

Recognizing low-ordered thinking and doing something about it is the master key to opening up the door to a better mental home. 

Embrace the idea that your thoughts shape your reality, and watch as your happiness and satisfaction blossom. You hold the key to a richer, more fulfilling life—one that starts right where you are! 

Let’s embark on this journey together, and discover how a simple shift in thinking can lead to incredible changes in your life and happiness.

Have An Awesome Day!

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Before You Set Goals for 2025, Make Sure You Do This!

By Ahsan

Hey everyone! As we gear up to make our goals for 2025, it’s important to remember that there’s one key step you shouldn’t overlook before diving into goal-setting.

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves thinking about our mission or, as some might call it, our purpose. Before you start writing down your goals, take a moment to reflect on what your life’s purpose is.

Now, you might think this sounds a bit too deep or complicated, but it can actually be pretty straightforward, depending on where you are in life. For instance, if you’re a young person starting your first job, your purpose might center around building your career and nurturing your relationships. Just consider what truly matters to you right now!

Understanding your purpose can help you align your goals with what really matters to you. It’s like having a guiding star that lights your path!

Defining your purpose during this season of your life is all about the impact you want to make. Even if your goals seem small, they can create a ripple effect that leads to significant changes in your life.

When you connect your purpose with your goals and actions, you create a space for positivity, kindness, and compassion in your life. It’s about being present and recognizing that every little step you take toward your goals contributes to a bigger picture.

Setting goals based on your life’s purpose is about creating transformation on a larger scale. It’s about challenging the status quo and pushing the limits of what you think is possible.

When you focus on turning your goals into reality, you tap into your passions and vision, making real changes in your life and environment.

Remember, purpose and goals are closely connected. Making a difference can spark change, and that change can enhance your ability to make a difference. Embrace your unique mission by blending these two ideas together!

Don’t forget to celebrate your small victories along the way, and recognize any challenges you face. Stay resilient and keep pushing forward!

In the end, your mission and purpose are uniquely yours. Embrace them, work on them, and never give up! Every step you take—big or small—adds to the beautiful journey of life.

Here’s to making 2025 a year where you look back and say, “I did way better than I thought because I tied my goals to my purpose in life.” Let’s make it an amazing journey together!

Have An Awesome Day!

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Are You Listening to Your B.S.?

By Ahsan

In the grand theatre of our minds, the most persistent voice we often hear is the one that whispers doubt.

This internal dialogue—our Belief Systems (B.S.)—can be a double-edged sword, guiding us and simultaneously imposing limitations on our potential.

Understanding and overcoming these mental roadblocks is essential for personal and professional growth. Do you agree?

In this article, we will explore three effective strategies to silence the negativity of our internal dialogue while drawing inspiration from historical figures who triumphed over their inner voice.

Please read on if you want to silence negativity and open the pathway to great things.

1. Recognize and Reframe Negative Thoughts

You have the gift of self-awareness.

It is essential to be aware of your thinking. Only then can you do this crucial first step.

The first step in overcoming the destructive effects of our internal dialogue is to recognize when negative thoughts arise.

Often, these thoughts masquerade as facts, feeding our fears and insecurities. By identifying and acknowledging these beliefs, we can begin to challenge their validity or even ignore them. Otherwise, we are bonded to them.

Once we recognize a negative thought, reframing it into a more positive thought can empower us. For example, if you think, "I will fail at this challenge," reframe it to, "This, regardless of the outcome, I will learn and benefit from doing this."

Maya Angelou once said, "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can control your attitude toward them."

2. Create a Growth Mindset

Cultivating a growth mindset allows us to embrace challenges and view setbacks as opportunities for learning.

The voice of self-doubt can be diminished.

All you have to do is think specific thoughts highlighting resilience and perseverance as rewards for facing challenges!

To foster a growth mindset, surround yourself with positive influences—people who uplift you, good books that teach you skills, workshops, mentors, and self-reflection.

Thomas Edison famously stated, "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is to try just once more."

3. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness and meditation practice can significantly help quiet our inner critic's incessant chatter. By focusing on the present moment, we can detach from the beliefs that hold us back. Regular mindfulness helps to create space for clarity and calm.

What's good about that, you say?

In a calm mind, inner wisdom can arise.

Your solutions never came to you when you were frantic.

Incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine, whether through prayer to God, meditation, deep-breathing exercises, or mindful walking.

By doing so, you can cultivate a sense of inner peace that counteracts the noise of self-doubt.

That's why we are told:

In case of emergency, remain calm.

You could always think of others who have overcome considerable odds an imagine how they must have faced their BS and doubts. People like Helen Keller who was deaf and blind, or Walt Disney who was brushed off with his original Mickey Mouse character, or Nelson Mandela who was put behind bars for 27 years only to become South Africa's President!

Do you see the possibilities for your life?

Navigating the complexities of our belief systems is a lifelong journey, but it can lead to profound personal transformation.

By recognizing and reframing our negative thoughts, fostering a growth mindset, and practicing mindfulness, we can nurture resilience against negative thoughts that undermine our success.

Slay your inner critic. Our most outstanding achievements lie just beyond the confines of our B.S. It's time to listen to the voice of calm instead.

As you enter the new and unknown territory of 2025, reflect on your current Belief System and make it more Awesome!

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No Matter What, Keep Moving Forward!

By Shazad

“Nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks. Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success.”

Denzel Washington

“But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much can you take and keep moving forward? That's how winning is done!”

Sylvester Stallone

The New Year is almost upon us. Maybe it is already here by the time you read this. Whatever the date is, we need to remind ourselves to keep moving forward in life. Never stay in your current state for too long because that leads to decline, decay, and depression. So how can we keep advancing into the New Year and Awesome Life?

Start by figuring out where you are today. Right here, in this very moment! Look back just once a year to see how far you have come on your grand journey. What great adventures, feelings, and connections have you made so far? How many times do you feel you have levelled up in life? What do you like about yourself and your life so far?

Take Stock of Your Progress. Where do you want to go, and how far away is your BIG goal? What are you going to do about it in a month, this week, and this very day to make progress? What is your passion or Mission in Life? Calibrate yourself, decide on what’s important, and then take immediate action every day. Progress will be easier if you do something, even small things, every day in the direction of your goals.

Celebrate the WINs. Did you make some progress today? Celebrate! Did you overcome an obstacle or that feeling of not wanting to try again? Victory! Did you wrestle with competing responsibilities and choose the one that moves you forward? You are a champion! Don’t stop now. Rinse and repeat this daily!

And the last ingredient in your Forward Journey is to realize that time is flying by whether you like it or not. Whether you notice it or not. Might as well have some epic challenges and meaningful struggles as you keep trying to make some daily progress in the direction of your hopes, desires, and mission. Start today!

“Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today. You are arranging what lies in Fortune’s control, and abandoning what lies in yours. What are you looking at? To what goal are you straining? The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.”

Seneca. On The Shortness of Life

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How Fast Did 2024 Zoom By For You?

By Ahsan

Can you believe it? 2024 has sped by like a car in a rally race, leaving us in the dust of a whirlwind year.

Did you achieve what you set out to do in 2024? I am sure you gained a lot but could you have done better?

Let’s Shift Gears for 2025!

As we navigate the twists and turns of life, it’s essential to take a moment to reflect on our journey and gear up for what’s ahead.

With that in mind and with 2025 just around the corner, here are three ideas to help you realize your goals in the upcoming year!

1. Embrace the challenges: Just like a rally car needs a skilled driver to navigate the course, you have the power to steer your life toward your goals.

Just press the gas pedal and make progress, no matter how small.

Remember, it’s the start that stops most people! It’s all about taking that first step!

2. Navigate the challenges of your 2025 goals: In rally racing, obstacles are expected, and overcoming them is part of the process.

Are you embracing these challenges as learning?

Keep in mind that “Something done consistently is much more important than you think; Consistency is your best ally!

3. Celebrate Your Wins: As you zoom toward your goals, take time to celebrate each accomplishment.

Acknowledging your achievements fuels your motivation and will cause you to see what your next move is.

Take these ideas as you please and pass them along to others if you see fit. Don’t wait for January 1. Get the wheels turning now.

So, as we shift gears into 2025, let’s strap ourselves into our goals and commit to making our dreams a reality.

The finish line is always ahead, and with real commitment we can cross it triumphantly!

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How to Unlock Your Health Potential: A Friendly Guide to Excellence!

By Ahsan

Hey there!

Have you ever wondered what the best way to optimize your health is? In our fast-paced world, the journey to better health is a personal one, and it all begins with your unique approach.

If you have a goal in mind, honing in on the right strategies is key. So, why not embrace the pursuit of excellence as your guiding principle? Striving for excellence can transform your efforts, making them more efficient, successful, and fulfilling.

Let’s take a moment to focus on one essential goal that should always be at the forefront—your health. Are you excited about seeking excellence in your wellness journey? Let’s explore what that strategy might look like!

Is there a specific protocol that resonates with you? Whatever methods you’re currently using, there’s always room for improvement! Aiming for excellence fosters a mindset of continuous growth, leading to greater fulfillment and success across all areas of life.

Think about the incredible benefits that come when you strive to find the optimal path to better health—or any other goal you have in mind. When you seek out excellence, you naturally cultivate thoroughness in your approach. This mindset has brought me steady results while saving me valuable time and energy.

As the inspiring Zig Ziglar once said, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” This quote really resonates with me and serves as a reminder of the importance of taking that first step toward your goals.

Pursuing excellence has also given me a deep sense of purpose. This sense of purpose is what keeps me committed to my goals, even when the going gets tough. Remember, achieving greatness often requires hard work, but that’s what makes it all worthwhile!

In my health journey, I’ve learned to filter out the noise of trendy ideas and focus on a few fundamental principles that work for me. It all starts with having a clear purpose. I follow a system that mirrors the way we lived in simpler times, and I commit to that process consistently and efficiently.

For me, nutritious eating and regular exercise are not just routines; they’re essential parts of my mission. My health truly is my wealth—it's my most valuable asset! With robust health, I can enjoy everything life has to offer even more.

Instead of viewing workouts as a chore, I see them as opportunities to grow stronger. As Mahatma Gandhi wisely stated, “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” This mindset fuels my journey and helps me push through challenges.

Remember, striving for excellence in health isn’t just about physical fitness—it encompasses mental well-being too! By increasing focus and reducing stress, I find that my productivity at work improves, creating a beautiful cycle of health and success.

In summary, striving for excellence in health is a powerful motivator that enriches your life, fosters personal growth, and cultivates a sense of achievement. As I continue on my journey, I hold onto Ralph Waldo Emerson's words: “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” With this mindset, the future looks bright!

So, I encourage you to take a moment to inspect what you expect and seek out the most optimal path for yourself in whatever you pursue. This is your unique journey toward excellence. Remember, it’s not just about what you achieve but also about who you become along the way.

If you ever want to chat about ideas for optimizing your health, feel free to reach out! I'm always on the lookout for excellence, and I’d love to hear from you. Together, let’s inspire and support each other on this journey!

Have An Awesome Day!

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You Do YOU!

By Shazad

I'm not in this world to live up to your expectations

and you're not in this world to live up to mine.

Bruce Lee

Many people today focus on trying to impress, please, or conform to the opinions of others. We constantly seek likes, praise, and confirmation that we are “cool,” “normal,” or “stylish,” among other labels. Measuring ourselves against our peers, relatives, or neighbors can be emotionally and financially draining. Surely, there’s a better way to live!

The first step is to realize that you are stuck in this hamster wheel of trying to make everyone happy. Once you acknowledge this, you can work on stepping off it and stop spinning aimlessly. You need to appreciate the world for its beauty and imperfections, understanding that humans shouldn’t spend every waking moment worrying about what others think of them. It’s neither practical nor healthy—and importantly, it’s simply not true! Most people are not focused on you or me; they are preoccupied with their own issues, responsibilities, and concerns. You are not someone’s property or puppet so stop thinking so much about them and give more space to yourself and your own thoughts. What’s happening in your own head is much more interesting!

Once you let go of other people’s judgments, it’s important to also remove their images from your mind. Stop worrying about what celebrities are wearing or how they travel. Don't be overly concerned about who is dating whom or how much that sports hero earns. Instead, try to tune out all celebrities, business tycoons, and grandiose politicians who are constantly in the news. Kill your FOMO and embrace not knowing everything that is happening for a week. You’ll feel lighter, more grateful, and happier!

Consider taking a media break for a week. Focus on just three simple things: What’s the weather today? What do I feel like eating? What is the best place I would like to visit? Shift your focus to yourself and what brings you joy. Reflect on when you were happiest in your life and what contributed to that happiness. This is where your freedom lies.

Now you’re prepared. A week of a media diet, combined with letting go of worries about what others think of you, will set you up for success. This time is for you to connect with who you are and what makes you happy. Next, think about who you want to become. Do you aspire to be a better dad, a more successful business professional or student, or perhaps a fitter person who can keep up with the kids and manage daily chores without getting tired?

Identify what you want to strive for because it truly matters to you. Make a list of those goals, and then outline the steps you can take to make progress in each area. Remember, your goals are your concern alone, and you don’t need to be preoccupied with what any famous person is posting on social media. Reject the urge to get caught up in the latest news about their lives.

Embrace a little apathy toward much of what people discuss, as it often revolves around gossip, rumours, or idle chatter that doesn’t lead to any real changes. Most conversations do not address serious issues like world hunger or lasting peace in conflict zones. Instead of engaging in that empty chatter, focus on yourself. Live your life to the fullest based on your priorities.

This is how you break free from the feeling of being a rodent in a cage, spinning a wheel all day. Be free and LIVE Awesome!

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2025 and The Next Chapter of Awesome!

By Shazad

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

Seneca

It’s that time of year again—the end of one year and the beginning of another. It’s a moment to say goodbye to the past year and courageously welcome the new one. This is also an opportunity to decide what the next chapter of your life will be about. You can consciously shape your reality and strive to manifest your goals. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of your life moving forward.

Start by taking stock of where you are right now—today. What are you thinking about? What are your concerns? What are your wishes and dreams? Make a note of it all, and then review what you have written.

Next, envision what would constitute an incredible, memorable, and amazing year—one that you would talk about for many years, perhaps for the rest of your life. Take notes on what this year would look, sound, and feel like. This is your target for 2025 and for every year beyond that. You need to create a plan right now, before January 1st. Consider what you need in terms of time, money, relationships, and health to make your best year a reality.

The next part can be the most intimidating. This is often where many people get tripped up or stop before realizing their vision for the year. This is the "Make it Happen" moment. It's about executing what you need to do and saying no to anything else that detracts from achieving your best year. People who reach their goals understand time management, fitness, mindset, and how to allocate resources like money effectively, ensuring that winning becomes a consistent outcome. You can achieve this level of success too if you commit to the discipline and daily effort required.

Don't wait until the calendar changes. Start your journey today and get ahead of most people who are still contemplating what they want the new year to look like.

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The Next Version Of You

By Shazad

“How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?”

Epictetus

As the end of another calendar year approaches, many people start contemplating their New Year's resolutions or the goals they want to set for 2025. If you find yourself in this situation, you're not alone. Like many individuals, you may have experienced the cycle of setting goals only to struggle with achieving them or sticking to your resolutions. However, there is a more effective way to approach this new beginning that significantly increases your chances of success. Let me show you how.

First, you need to recognize that identity is key to our personality and habits. We have an imagined version of ourselves, and we engage in behaviors that align with that identity. This could be a person who is young or middle-aged, tall or short, light-skinned or darker-complexioned, active or lazy, persistent or complacent, and so on.

To better understand your identity, make a list of all the characteristics that you believe describe your personality today. Write these words or phrases on a sheet of paper without judging or altering anything. Once you’ve finished, review your list from beginning to end to ensure it accurately reflects who you are today.

“But don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth”

Jalal ad-Din Muhammad ar-Rumi

Next, to form new habits or become something different we have to act and think differently. If we want to become a healthier, more active, and resilient person, we need to become that through a process. This means doing, saying, and thinking like the person we wish to become and less like the person we believe we are today. There will be a struggle inside your mind between the current/old you and the New You. You have to let that play out and observe your thoughts. To make the best of the transformation journey, write down all the words and phrases that describe the person you want to become sometime in the future and be realistic with the time frame like perhaps the next 2 years. Look at this page daily to remind yourself what you wrote and sincerely want.

"The universe doesn't give you what you want in your mind; it gives you what you demand with your actions."

Steve Maraboli

Now the fun part begins. You have a starting point (the current version of yourself) and a destination (the better version of yourself). The habits, routines, and mindset are the vehicle that take you from start to your desired state. The clarity of knowing who you are today and the detailed description of knowing where you want to end up is powerful. Simply having goals like “Get Healthier” or “Quit Smoking” and so on are weak and bound to fail because they are not strongly attached to an identity you want to have. When you think of your habits and routines aligning with the New You that you are seeking to become, it all makes much more sense and is far more motivating than something on a calendar or on social media posts.

Make a detailed list of the things you believe you need to say, think, and do in order to become the person you envision as your future self. Each day when you wake up, review those habits and remember that the future version of yourself is emerging from within you. Your transformation will naturally involve shedding bad or unhelpful habits to create space for the essential lifestyle changes required to move forward.

You may not notice changes on a daily basis, but you will certainly feel yourself becoming better, stronger, and happier each week as you build good habits over time and draw closer to your future self. Conduct monthly and quarterly check-ins to evaluate your progress in areas such as health, sleep, mood, and happiness levels. If you find that you are not making progress in a particular area or feel that you're not advancing quickly enough toward your desired self, consider making adjustments to your daily routine. Think of these adjustments as a 'tune-up.'

There is no need to set habits at the beginning of the year and stick to them rigidly like a robot. It is beneficial to adjust, replace, and optimize your routine over time to better suit your needs than the initial template you started with. As you gather more information and make progress toward your goals, new techniques, tools, and mindsets may emerge, enhancing your journey and potentially speeding up your progress.

Don’t wait for January 1 to begin your journey of transformation. Start your Human Transformation roadmap now by assessing where you currently are and where you want to be. Identify the best practices, habits, and mindset that will lead you to your ideal future. Approach each day with purpose as you work towards your goals. I’m confident that by aligning your identity and habits consistently, you can achieve a better place by the end of next year. Remember, a New Year signifies a New You waiting to emerge! We’d love to hear how you’re doing, so feel free to write to us. Good luck on your journey! on your journey!

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What is Your Potential?

By Shazad

“What would have become of Hercules do you think if there had been no lion, hydra, stag or boar – and no savage criminals to rid the world of? What would he have done in the absence of such challenges? Obviously he would have just rolled over in bed and gone back to sleep. So by snoring his life away in luxury and comfort he never would have developed into the mighty Hercules. And even if he had, what good would it have done him? What would have been the use of those arms, that physique, and that noble soul, without crises or conditions to stir into him action?”

Epictetus. Discourses

Many people discuss the concept of potential and what it means to "live up to your potential," but what does that really entail? How can you tell if you're beginning to understand your abilities? Additionally, how can you avoid going overboard or experiencing burnout? Let’s explore these ideas together.

I like to use this definition from the Cambridge Dictionary English which defines the word “potential” as:

“someone's or something's ability to develop, achieve, or succeed”

What are you meant to do or become? This is something you discover by living life to the fullest. The possibilities are vast, and many individuals are said to have 'reached' their peak in various fields such as sports, business, art, or education. However, many others are still on that journey of discovery, which is often more exciting than actually achieving a specific goal.

What are you meant to do or become? This is something you discover by living life to the fullest. The possibilities are vast, and many individuals are said to have 'reached' their peak in various fields such as sports, business, art, or education. However, many others are still on that journey of discovery, which is often more exciting than actually achieving a specific goal.

There’s a risk involved with seeking potential and fully committing to a goal. However, I believe that this risk is worth taking. It’s known by various names such as burnout, overwhelm, and obsession. This is the risk that all great achievers face in their pursuit of reaching their true potential, and it’s something you must consider if you wish to join their ranks.

To become elite in a particular field, you will need to sacrifice your time and resources, and at times, set aside important relationships. As long as you approach this journey with sincerity, humility, and a clear plan, your inner circle will appreciate your commitment.

It’s crucial to avoid grinding away in your 40s and beyond as you did in your teens and 20s. A shift in methods and resources is necessary as you age, allowing you to prioritize a well-rounded life. This approach helps you avoid burnout and fosters meaningful relationships.

For most people, the 40s represent the second half of life, a period where you must focus on playing smarter, not just harder. It’s a time to optimize your journey and smooth out any rough edges as you strive for higher levels of achievement. Unlike sports heroes who may reach a peak and retire, truly great potential seekers can continue to grow in their field throughout their lives. They possess the wisdom and mental resilience to keep developing until the very end.

This shift in mindset is essential when you have a family, responsibilities, and a life outside the hustle of your youth.

I hope this inspires all readers to not just start but keep going pushing themselves into higher states of achievement. You have it within you as a human being to learn, grow, and excel. You can discover it and Live Awesome! The Sky is NOT the Limit!

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How To Perform Like a Champion And Live Calmly

By Ahsan

Have you ever felt like you were getting anxious and stressed from all the things coming at you?

Have you also felt the opposite, where you felt relaxed and stress-free?

How did you perform in the negative state versus the positive state?

All people everywhere perform differently depending upon their mental state.

Being relaxed is usually accompanied by being less busy in your head, like when you go for a walk in nature, play with a baby, or watch the sun setting and notice that the sky is not only red but purple as well.

One way I relax is by listening to podcasts. I recently came upon a podcast featuring Psychologist Dr. Dicken Bettinger, who used a memorable expression to describe being frenetic.

He referred to the mental state we sometimes hear of as being on the Hamster's Wheel as: "static in the attic?"

When your mind is overthinking and ruminating on all the things coming at you, and you are in a mental replay, life gets "frantic!"

Don’t do that!

I thought you would enjoy reading even more clever expressions that describe "static in the attic."

Here are 25 expressions that convey the feeling of being mentally stressed or overwhelmed:

1. In a fog

2. Running in circles

3. Caught in a whirlwind

4. Overthinking everything

5. Tangled up in thoughts

6. On edge

7. Burning the midnight oil

8. Feeling scattered

9. In a mental maze

10. Stretched thin

11. Drowning in worries

12. A mind full of clutter

13. Walking on a tightrope

14. Caught in my own head

15. Spinning my wheels

16. Juggling too many balls

17. Suffocated by stress

18. Like a hamster on a wheel

19. In a pressure cooker

20. A storm of thoughts

21. Mental overload

22. Running on fumes

23. Treading water

24. Feeling like a deer in headlights

25. A mind racing a mile a minute

These expressions capture the state of mental stress and feeling overwhelmed by thoughts and, therefore, your emotions.

On the other hand, here are 25 expressions that convey mental equanimity and being present in the moment:

1. Grounded in the now

2. Unshakeable resolve

3. Calm amidst the chaos

4. Centered and focused

5. Steadfast in purpose

6. Embracing the present

7. Resilient Mindset

8. Clear-headed and composed

9. In control of my thoughts

10. Stronger than the storm

11. Mind like a steel trap

12. Living in the moment

13. Focused like a laser

14. Anchored in reality

15. Inner peace

16. Present and aware

17. Standing tall

18. Unwavering determination

19. Deeply rooted

20. Attuned to the moment

21. Fearless in the face of adversity

22. Embracing challenges

23. A pillar of strength

24. Steady as a rock

25. Mindful and intentional

These expressions highlight the ability to remain present and engaged in the moment.

So, you will no doubt want to remember some of these expressions.

But first and foremost, ensure you know the truth: Whatever you feel, you are thinking in the moment. It's not due to your circumstance.

All your stress, tension and upset are created by your personal thinking, not by circumstances or people.

These negative feelings are like the check engine light of your car that tells you YOUR car and not cars around you need to do something:

Namely, diffuse extra thinking so that internal wisdom can surface and new and fresh solutions become apparent.

In other words, these off or negative feelings are a gift!

A gift to those who understand the true nature of mind, consciousness and thought.

The way to live calmly like a champion is to drop into the present with less static in the attic.

The implication of doing this is that you will do better at the sport of life and not get tense when you have to make the winning point with the few seconds left in the game.

Be here, not there, and enjoy life everywhere!

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How To Rise in the Fall

By Shazad

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.”

Michelangelo

As the year comes to an end and fall sets in the Northern Hemisphere, the leaves are changing colours and falling off the trees. The flowers are almost gone, and the grass is preparing to hibernate for the next few months. While it may be tempting for you to also slow down and relax until the end of December, you must resist the urge! All the big goals and achievements you set for yourself in January can still be accomplished. We can still make this year a success by focusing on 3 key things to finish the year strong so we can celebrate on New Year’s Day!

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”

Benjamin Franklin

The first step is to assess your current situation. Rate your progress in life on a scale of 1 to 10 for Health, Wealth, Relationship, Personal Development, and Adventure. Where do each of these aspects stand in October? Be completely honest and don’t gloss over anything.

“We are drowning in information while starving for wisdom. The world henceforth will be run by synthesizers, people able to put together the right information at the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely.”

E. O. Wilson

Make a list of 3-5 important things to focus on for a successful year. It's not about achieving perfect 10/10 but rather, making significant progress in those key areas. Improving your health from 6/10 to 8/10 or relationships from 7/10 to 9/10 would be satisfying. Don't forget to prioritize fun and adventure to enhance your overall satisfaction with life.

“Execution is not just about getting things done, it’s about getting the right things done.”

Jeff Weiner

The third step is the most interesting and is all about execution. Spend 7-10 days working on each of the 3-5 items you chose as the most important for 2024. Do this with an intense focus on each item. Drop everything else that is non-essential. Figure out if you can discard it, delegate it, or delay it until next year. You have to free up time, energy, and possibly some more resources like money to achieve your important items for the year, so be ruthless with everything else.

By following the simple yet effective method outlined above, I believe you will be able to make the most of the time remaining in the current calendar year. You will also be able to welcome the New Year with a greater sense of accomplishment by aligning with the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year. There's no better feeling than fulfilling your intentions and making progress towards becoming the person you aspire to be, or at least getting much closer to that ideal by December 31st.

As a Bonus: Start working on a list of 2025 Goals and Ambitions by writing them out in late December to motivate you for the New Year. Just start making a list of everything you want to have, become, or experience and then spend some time in January refining it to just the 3-5 Most Important things that you will commit to for another year of Awesome Adventures! Good Luck.

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What Is Stressing You Out?

By Ahsan

If I were to ask you this question, what would you say?

I suppose it would depend on the moment I asked you. If you were getting going in the morning, you might think of everything you must do that day at work or the people you must deal with once you arrive.

A student may answer that their assignments and exams are piling up and they are stressed out. A mother might say she is stressed out by her kids and all the demands they put on her in a day on top of taking care of her responsibilities at the office and for her parents.

A golfer might say that the pressure of putting into the hole from four feet away causes unusual stress.

In other words, something must be stressing you out, and many things are quite understandably stressful, like situations, people we interact with and life itself!

I believe President Lincoln said, "Most people are about as happy as they make their minds up to be." He was probably stating that life is bound to be stressful and to be happy despite it, one needs to use the inner strength of one's mind to JUST BE HAPPY.

Abe was on to something.

The question "What is stressing you out?” to ascertain your personal list is a good one, but the better question to ask yourself is not this one.

The better question is: What do you allow yourself to get stressed by?

This question is the best question you could ask yourself today and every day because it will likely remind you that people and situations are not the actual cause of our stress.

If we allow others to upset us and cause us tension, we become puppets on a string and slaves to these people.

If we allow situations and circumstances to make us feel stressed, then we will never live happily or joyfully. We will only enjoy brief moments when everything seems to be going well and fear what is around the corner.

Life is a gift, as a friend recently commented. He has terminal cancer and knows that his days are numbered. Fortunately, he also lived his life saying for years that he is the happiest person alive because he has a purpose and never allows others to influence his behaviour. He chooses to be happy.

Life is a gift, and you do have a choice to make. That is the choice to view life as an experience that can trigger a stress response or an exhilarating experience where you grow and thrive. You can choose to ignore and reframe the event into something that can be useful and even fuel your progress in some way.

The other day, I listened to a song that asked the following question: Who set the world on fire?

The next verse was: It was me who set the world on fire!

To me, the song's words meant that life or the world is not in our control. Things are bound to happen that we don't like, but it is really up to us how we take it all in. Do we stay happy regardless or become stressed out?

Dear friends, live this life that could end at any time with a new way of responding and thinking.

Your ability to think is also a gift.

When you feel stressed, tense, or upset, you are thinking about your circumstance and/or the people you tango with on a daily basis. That is the root cause of your levels of joy and anxiety in life.

Choose happiness and joy and relaxed thinking so you can sink more putts and smell more roses along the journey of life.

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Thinking Into Success

By Shazad

“Success in both business and life is not a destination, but a journey,

one that starts in the mind”

On September 30, 2024, a long-awaited event occurred. Atiq Ahmad, the President of AA Group of Companies, launched an amazing business book called “Thinking Into Success”. It was years in the making, and it was a great pleasure for Ahsan and me to be part of the writing team that shaped this great chronicle of Mr. Ahmad’s business and life journey so far.

“Good thoughts bring a life of cheer, bad thoughts make misery near”

The book contains very personal stories and life lessons that Atiq wants to share with his audience to inspire, motivate, and sincerely guide them so they may also begin their business journey. Atiq meets many great people in his life and shares the valuable wisdom he learns from each of them, as well as his experience of becoming the successful business owner he is today.

“No wall of doubt and fear can stand before a person with an unshakeable belief in

his Creator and supreme self-confidence”

This one stands out in a world with no shortage of books to buy and read because it’s very compelling and based on the true story of a highly successful man who achieved so much. Atiq’s journey is far from over as his businesses continue to thrive, and his empire grows with more service offerings for a diverse audience. We hope that all of you will get your copy of this excellent book, which will inspire you as it did us. Please use this email to get your copy: thinkingintosuccess2024@gmail.com or www.aagroupofcompanies.com/contact/

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How Tough Are You When You Get A Soft Life?

By Ahsan

“Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful.”

Zig Ziglar

No one likes to be in a tense or difficult life situation, like losing a job because of a lousy economy or, being down with the seasonal flu. All of these adversities make life something more than this thing we hope goes smoothly.

A life without problems and challenges might be nice, but when these bumps come along, we should actually feel some relief.

Why on earth would I suggest looking at them with a sense of relief?

Because you know that every time you came through adversity, you learned something about being tough; you learned how to tackle the situation so that when the same kerfuffle happened again, it was less of an issue, and you realized that you had more in you than you thought.

What could be better than starting as “average you” and emerging from adversity as "awesome you!"

As the saying goes, hard times produce tough people, and easy times produce soft people.

Let others be afraid of life, hoping things go smoothly so they never have to face hardships.

Let us be truly awesome in the sense that we know that we have had many challenges that we overcame and hardened ourselves like diamonds transforming from coal. We took on life with a brilliance and attitude that made us shine in the end.

“Life is just one damn thing after another!”

Mark Twain

When life gets tough, you learn about self-confidence, managing the unpredictability of life and your capability to get through problems. A challenging life situation is a good thing. You benefit from tough situations.

Everyone wants a good life, but not everyone will handle it by thinking about adversity and its benefits, as I described.

Just imagine if you have never read this article or heard about the benefits of a tough life situation in some other way how you might just suffer quietly or become depressed about life, as many other people do.

How we think about situations makes a difference to the quality of our lives, so we can live in well-being even when things don't go our way! That’s what the truly strong people do.

Stay strong in mind, consciousness and thought.

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Life Is A Verb

By Shazad

“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

Nelson Mandela

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Get a Life!” You may have even said that a few times to someone in a state of excitement or frustration. But what does that even mean? Life is not an object or noun that can be neatly defined and put into a box. Life is not something we write down in a few paragraphs or even a short book. Life is the very act of existing 7/24 and learning to surf the waves of whatever comes our way. How do we do that?

“What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him.”

Viktor Frankl

The first thing to understand is in the title and that’s the most important thing. Life is a verb. It’s an action or behaviour so you can consider it the process of being, growing, and living. There’s nothing to “Get”. It’s all about becoming something. Truly self-aware people become their authentic selves and achieve the full potential of their mission in this world…or they die trying to achieve it and get pretty close.

“The first step: Don’t be anxious. Nature controls it all. And before long you’ll be no one, nowhere—like Hadrian, like Augustus. The second step: Concentrate on what you have to do. Fix your eyes on it. Remind yourself that your task is to be a good human being; remind yourself what nature demands of people. Then do it, without hesitation, and speak the truth as you see it. But with kindness. With humility. Without hypocrisy.”

Marcus Aurelius

The next thing to understand is you need to get off the hamster wheel and step away from the Rat Race. Humans are not rodents; we’re not meant to be on the Go and ruminating on things constantly. You have to take a break, collect your thoughts, evaluate the situation, and then plan your next step in important aspects of your life. Don’t overthink or get stuck in a mental loop but don’t rush into a tunnel or run towards a prize. It could be a Mouse Trap! Take a breath, look around, get some quality sleep each night, and move forward with confidence rather than anxiety.

“The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!”

Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa

The third aspect of life is that it’s supposed to be challenging, at times. You are supposed to struggle, sweat, and even get knocked down at times. Maybe some suffering is in your history or your future and that’s unfortunate but understandable. These things happen to the best people and often more than once in a lifetime! The great legends and heroes of history and perhaps our family are those that get right back up, dust themselves off, and keep moving forward, or die trying. There’s great honour even in the attempt to stand up again after a loss or some major struggle. This is true courage and leadership. No one should expect angels or God to do everything for them without the need for a person to work, get tired, and grow some muscles in the process of living up to their true potential in life. Just like a gym, your life in this world is the place we work things out, stress our minds and bodies, and then appreciate the daily progress. We do this to get to the best version of ourselves. So that we can become who we are meant to be in the process of living.

No one is going to hand you or me a complete and ready-to-go kit that says, “Here’s your life. Now go and enjoy it while it lasts.” Instead, you will have to take the 3 ideas above and craft your own story about what your life is going to look like from now on. How are you going to feel, learn, and grow each day? What Mission are you trying to fulfil and who is on your Team to help you achieve that mission? How are you going to become more resilient so you can get back up after the known challenges and unexpected blows come your way? Make a plan and learn to keep moving forward. Life is meant to be experienced which includes some pleasure, some pain, many lessons, and a lot of growth! That’s how you Live Awesome!

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The True But Lost Lesson From Pinocchio

By Ahsan

“Frame your thoughts like this— you are an old person, you won’t let yourself be enslaved by this any longer, no longer pulled like a puppet by every impulse, and you’ll stop complaining about your present fortune or dreading the future.”

Marcus Aurelius

Everyone knows the childhood story of Pinocchio! It is a story about the little boy, his father, the shoemaker, and the cricket. And when Pinocchio lied, he could not hide it because his nose would grow longer!

The lesson of the story was not to lie. Right?

I would say that is one of the lessons, but the real lesson is much more important, and many people will understand it as adults even though they missed it when they were kids.

Recall for a moment that the shoemaker, Geppetto wanted to have a son. So he took a block of wood and carved from it a boy puppet. The puppet was a marionette, the kind of puppet that moves with the strings that the puppet master moves. All the puppet master does is jerk the string, and the puppet responds on command. The puppet has no choice but to do the master's bidding.

But as stories go, something miraculous happens, and one day, the puppet becomes a real boy!

When Pinocchio becomes a real boy, he no longer has strings. He is free to do what he wants.

He is free, he has the ability to be who he wants to be, and he has his own mind, consciousness, and thoughts.

From there, the young boy gets into many interesting situations and adventures.

So, how does all this relate to you as a grown person who may have missed Pinocchio's profound meaning and lesson as a kid?

Please give it a think. What is it?

Well, I'll tell you, won't I? Come closer.

The subtext of the original story was that Pinocchio wanted to break away from the strings

and become a real boy.

Pinocchio's various adventures or misadventures show him going right through and back from what would appear to be Hell and experiencing a metamorphosis in the process. A rebirth. A classic old you vs. the new and wiser you transformation after being led by the strings that control you.

This is what life entails. At some point, you realize you can be so much more, but some strings control you.

Those strings are the beliefs, habits, and thinking you have picked up along the adventure of life that does not help you live the best life. You and I must cut those strings and emerge as the person we can and should be.

Be Free of strings!

So, The Adventures of Pinocchio is a story much deeper than "Don't lie," "Pay attention to your moral compass," and "Do the right thing." It's about a hero who experiences symbolic death and rebirth through life's lessons and ultimately changes.

We all have strings that need to be cut to move how we want to. Cut those strings!

Cut, snip, release and grow.

All of us have some strings.

The main string is thinking. Our thoughts determine how we live and experience life. We live life from moment to moment from personal thinking. The content of the thinking matters, but what matters most is knowing that we are thinking into what we experience and call that our life.

Your true emotions, feelings and experience of life is all coming from your internal thinking; not from external situations and the people around you, although that’s what you think is the true cause.

When you begin to understand that you have strings and live reactively to thoughts, you can catch yourself doing the thinking and choose to cut it out.

Cut it out! Snip.

Be the real boy or girl you want to be.

Just like the baby elephant, which is held by a string or rope that he can easily walk away from, we, too, have strings attached to us from childhood that fasten us to the ground with iron chains.

But the chain is just a rope that can be cut with the knife of awareness and new and fresh thinking.

We might like to break away from the strings and beliefs jerking us around.

You have the ability to live in well-being. There is nothing wrong with you. All you need to do is realize what was discussed above.

If there is one thing I am excited about in my life, it's helping people actualize their potential to live more joyful and meaningful lives. Learning this was very helpful to me.

Was this explanation of Pinocchio helpful to you? If it is, would you do me a favour and share this article with a friend who needs to cut some of their own strings so they can Live Awesome!

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Why Learning Never Ends

By Shazad

"Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it."

Albert Einstein

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

Mahatma Gandhi

“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.”

Socrates

It’s back-to-school time for young and older kids every September. Parents have been preparing their little ones for the new year of learning skills and making friends. Older students have been preparing themselves with the right notebooks, software, and trendy clothes. Soon this will be a distant memory as everyone graduates with their degree or diploma…but it doesn’t have’t have to be this way.

I believe the purpose of school and higher education is not simply the memorization of facts, formulas, and well-known works of literature. The true purpose should be to develop the ability to consume, learn, explain, and think critically about a variety of topics. It’s not enough to just memorize key facts about a moment in history or know state capitals and historical leaders. We need to understand the critical moments of history and why certain decisions were made. It’s important to also understand the many connections between seemingly unrelated things that brought about significant changes in healthcare, science, transportation, and literacy. There’s so much to explore and so much to think about, like why it took so long for certain social changes to occur and what were the conditions for a revolution happening at the time it did. Why didn’t humans figure out some obvious facts about the universe until very recently? Who were the actual authors of certain books, plays, and rules of law? I could go on and on with the many questions that come to mind, and so could you! That’s the joy of learning – it leads to more great and curious questions about the things we think we know or have at least come across.

Education should be viewed as the beginning of our intellectual journey rather than having an end date or a formal completion like graduation day. We should consider Phase 1 complete when we officially graduate with a diploma or bachelor's degree. There's so much more learning, thinking, and growth that is possible and necessary to become a well-informed and educated person. By considering human existence as an ongoing education process, we continue to study, think, and question the world around us as well as our own thought processes. Why did we think certain things in our 20s that clearly don't align with who we are in our 40s? How will our thinking, attitudes, and feelings change in another 20 years? What's influencing us? How much is the learning media or format shaping our education and where is it more harmful than beneficial? There's so much to understand, consider, and navigate in today's elementary schools and universities. For this reason, we can never say, "I'm done with school," because what does that even look like?

Ancient philosophers also remind us that learning and changing ourselves through education should lead to greater wisdom, which leads to true happiness in life. If the aim of our pursuit is simply a better-paying job, a piece of paper to hang on the wall, and some bragging rights about attending an Ivy League school, we've missed the point. On the other hand, if what you seek is a better understanding of the world you live in, your place in it, and ways to constantly improve throughout life, you've "graduated" to a higher level than most people. Some would even say you are soaring to new heights. Don't stop now—there's so much more to know and become!

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