Why Is It Important to Improve Yourself

Sometimes, when all our doubts, fears and insecurities wrap us in knots, we sometimes tend to think “I wish I was somebody else.”  More often than not, we think and believe that someone or that people are more secure than us. When in reality, the fact is, most people are more scared than us.

You spot a totally eye-catching girl sitting by herself at a party, casually sipping on a glass of wine. You think to yourself, “She looks so perfectly calm and confident.” But if you could read her mind, you would find  her revolving thoughts and you might just be amazed that she’s thinking “are people talking about why I am seated here alone?... Why don’t guys find me attractive? …I don’t like my ankles, they look too skinny… I wish I was as intelligent as my best friend.”

We look at a young business entrepreneur and say “What else could he ask for?” He stares at himself at the mirror and murmurs to himself, “I hate my big eyes… I wonder why my friends won’t talk to me… I hope mom and dad will work things out.”

Isn’t it funny? We look at other people, envy them for looking so outrageously perfect and wish we could trade places with them, while they look at us and think the same thing. We are insecure of other people who themselves are insecure of us. We suffer from low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence and lose hope in self- improvement because we are enveloped in quiet desperation.

You notice that you have an irritating habit like biting off your finger nails, having a foul mouth, and you are the last to know.

I have a friend who never gets tired of talking.  In most conversations, she is the only one who seems to be interested in the things she has to say. So all of our other friends tend to avoid getting trapped in conversations with her, and she doesn’t notice how she has become socially handicapped – gradually affecting the people in her environment.

One key to self-improvement is to LISTEN and TALK to a trusted friend. Find someone who you find comfort in opening up with even the most gentle topics you want to discuss. Ask questions like “do you think I am ill-mannered?”, “Do I always sound so argumentative?”, “Do I talk too loud?”,  “Does my breath smell?”,  “Do I ever bore you when we’re together?”.  In this way, the other person will obviously know that you are interested in the process of self-improvement. Open up your mind and heart as well. And in return, you may want to help your friend with constructive criticism that will also help improve their inner self.

One of Whitney Houston’s songs says “Learning to love yourself  is the greatest love of all.” True enough. In order to love others, you must love yourself too. Remember, you cannot give what you do not have.

Before telling other people ways on how to improve themselves, let them see that you are a representation and a product of self-improvement. Self-improvement makes us better people, we then inspire other people, and then the rest of the world will follow.

Each and everyone of us has to stop thinking of oneself as a second-rate  being. Forget the repetitive thoughts of “If only I was richer… if only I was thinner” and so on.  Accepting your true self is the first step to self-improvement. We need to stop comparing ourselves to others only to find out at the end that we’ve got 10 more reasons to envy them.

We all have our insecurities. Nobody is perfect. We always wish we had better things, better features, better body parts, etc. But life need not to be perfect for people to be happy about themselves. Self-improvement and loving yourself is not a matter of shouting to the whole world that you are perfect and you are the best. It’s the virtue of acceptance and contentment. When we begin to improve ourselves, we then begin to feel contented and happy.

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

I recently received a message on my website that I use to publish interesting articles on the Bizarre and Unique Holidays throughout the year. So I decided to honor the request and will publish similar articles from time to time.

March, 29, 2014 is "National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day". This is a day to celebrate small business owners. These individuals spend countless hours nurturing and growing their young enterprises. The workload demands and lack of a hired staff, often translates into long and late hours, but, all in all, they love what they do.

New businesses have always been a vital part of the U.S. economy. Celebrate National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day by showing your support....shop their stores today, and every day.  After all, they are the backbone of what created this country.

As we move on in the week and end of the month, March 30, 2014 is "I am in Control Day". On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was wounded in an assassination attempt. In the White House, then Secretary of State Alexander Haig was taken a little out of context when he said "I am in control here".  As is the nature of people and the press the only words remembered where those few words.  On that infamous day, "I am in Control Day" was born.

Of course, history usually fades with time and Alexander Haig's statement was all but forgotten. Meanwhile, this special day continued on, and evolved. People came to think about this day in a different context. They personalized it into a day to get their life in control. In that sense, today is definitely a call to action.  "I am in Control Day" is your chance to get things in order and under control.

April brings us a great variety of reasons to celebrate with our family, friends, and business associates.  April starts with a great first day. April 1 is "April Fool’s Day".

 April fool’s Day is an opportunity for playing jokes or tricks on one another. The stranger and the more absurd the better. The challenge is to carry out a trick that is believable, if only for a little while. Tricks are most successful if played earlier in the day before a person is wise to what is going on.

Any tricks or jokes must be harmless and in good taste for the unsuspecting "victim". And, we suggest you think twice before pulling one on the boss, even if he or she is known to be of good humor.  

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

Vacation on the High Seas

As I have stated before the only true vacation, is a Cruise for me. No computers, no phones and only those on the ship with me can find me. If they look hard enough that is.  My friends can usually track me down, if there is music and dancing, I am there.

This past cruise we were back with our Florida family and cruise buddies. When we are together you can expect a lot of laughter and practical jokes. It is always someone’s birthday or anniversary while on board. Whether the true date or not, we have to celebrate while together.  This trip was no different but we did have an actually upcoming anniversary for our new friends Kathy and Karl.  Nancy, for some reason, blamed me for her surprise birthday celebration. Go figure.

This trip I took a Waltz Ballroom class since I had already done a class in Tennessee.  I was surprised when they started on the wrong foot, then realized that they were teaching international version.  Now you would think they would tailor class toward those on board, we sailed from Ft. Lauderdale and not from a European port.

The line dance class I took was taught by a girl from England so I felt that I was back in Stella’s Class in Tamarac. I took up the back row and the ladies back there wondered while I seemed to know the dance already.  “Waltz across Texas”. Try doing those turns on a rocking floor, looked more like a drunken sailor turn.

Part of our group did an extreme Obstacle Zip Line course in St. Marten and we all succeeded in completing the course. The best part was watching an elderly couple, Helen and her husband Frank both in their 80’s complete the course and Helen stating it was not part of their Bucket List because they had already completed that list. Now that is a couple you want to be when you grow up.

It was a great 8 days with old and new friends and as usual we have all scheduled our next cruise together. The destinations really do not matter as long as we are all together and making the most of our time together. Whether sitting in the Schooner lounge playing cards on sea days, dancing, working out, and playing in the casino. We all do our own thing and eventually hook up throughout the day.  We are more than friends, cruise buddies, we are family.

Keep Dancin’   Larry B