Skip to main content

Pollyanna Is NOT Dead.

"Consult not your fears, but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you have tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do." - Pope John XXIII

How many times has someone told you to "look on the bright side," or "think positive?" If you've been a consistent reader of my blog I know you've heard it from me at least once...

Recently however, I've been on the receiving end and I'm grateful for it. Last week I did one of the most difficult things I've had to do: close Muscle Mechanics personal training studio permanently. Am I sad? Scared? Depressed? Well - yes, but this is where I put my words and philosophy to the test. I can choose to give into those negative emotions or I can "look on the bright side." Which decision do you think will change my life for the better?

Pollyanna Complex aside, don't get me wrong. I am not delusional. I know the reality and feel the pain of loss, but because I can still choose my attitude; I can choose to focus on the good and learn from the bad.

With the employment rate at 8.1% at the beginning of May 2012, and when the estimated number of bankruptcy filings for this year are expected to match those of 2011 (1.5 million); I know I am not alone. However, I've got plenty of projects still left on my plate and thankfully I have even more friends and family to cheer me on.

The loss of a brick and mortar business does not diminish my experience or skill. I own those eternally. The knowledge I've gained in the near 20 years of building Muscle Mechanics from the ground up is all mine. The same could apply to you.

If you are experiencing a similar situation my advise is to keep your eyes on that which pulls you forward. Maybe it's your family, maybe it's the dream of going back to school, charity work, or (like me) following a new business idea or dream "of a different color." Whatever it is, positivity and enthusiasm can take you farther than you think. More importantly, they can move you away from depression and self-destructive actions.

I've lost a big chunk of my heart to Muscle Mechanics and I will miss it, but I'm so grateful for the time I had with it, the friends I've made through it, and for the skills & tools I've acquired over those years. These will be the materials I use to cultivate my plans for the future.

After all, we cannot simply rest our lives on any one achievement (fulfilled or incomplete). Instead, we've got to stand on them so that from this higher ground, we can see the future. A future filled with achievements we have yet to accomplish.

This is my driving force. I hope it is yours also.

As Always -(yes, even in difficult times)- Enjoy Your Life!

John Aaron Villarreal


The Legal Stuff: The content and information on this site is not intended to diagnose,
cure, treat or prevent disease. Please consult your physician
prior to starting any exercise or diet program.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What To Do When You’re Chronically Stressed

Of all the modern-day ailments that seem to affect us, none is more pervasive than stress. Everywhere you turn, there are factors lurking to redirect you from your peaceful pursuit of happiness and lock you in the clutches of “stress.” What exactly is stress—and what more insidious effects does it cause? The dictionary defines stress as “great pressure or force; strain.” In today’s world, we think of stress as the result of too much pressure laid upon us by life, causing mental worry or anguish. This, in turn, manifests itself in tight neck and shoulders, headaches, nervous stomach, etc. But these physical and mental conditions are really only the beginning. Studies show that stressful situations can develop into more threatening health conditions. For instance: A sudden or unexpected stressor can activate your adrenal glands, which sends adrenaline and other hormones into your bloodstream. This brings about an increase in your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood f...
Post a Comment
Read more

What to Do If You’ve Got High Cholesterol

As I've gotten older I've realized that takes more than an apple a day to keep the doctor off your back. If you've got high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, the good doc is going to pester you about it—apple or not (and he should!). But don’t blame him - he’s trying to save your life. According to the American Heart Association, 105.2 million adults have borderline to high risk blood cholesterol levels. In addition, nearly one in three adults suffers from high blood pressure and these numbers grow every year. Even more frightening; 82% of those at high risk are unaware of their condition. Could you be one of them? Whether you've had your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked lately or not, these conditions are deadly and sneaky—many people are unaware of the danger lurking in their own arteries. In fact, many firmly believe that what you don’t know can’t hurt you… They’re dead wrong. What’s so bad about high blood pressure and cholesterol levels...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ingredients That can Sabotage Your Waistline and Health

It can never stressed enough how important it is that we know exactly what we are eating. With today’s marketing it is so easy to want to what the labels and brightly colored packages of convenience foods say to us, but approach with caution. While a packaged meal may be advertised as healthy, it’s up to you to find out if it really is before you simply buy into a few good words that may or may not be true. People get very excited when they see that convenience foods are labeled as “healthy” or “low-fat,” (I’ve been guilty about this, too) but some minor research needs to be done before indulging. The following are 3 ingredients that I recommend be avoided as much as possible. Trans-fats Trans-fats are found in so many foods that you probably eat on a regular basis. Trans-fats can be found in baked goods, microwave popcorn, fast foods, and frozen foods. These items are all convenient, but they’re not worth risking your health for. Trans-fats can cause an increase in bad choleste...
2 comments
Read more