GARISH GUMPTION.

Quick Outfit Scope:

H&M glasses, half placket shirt, and chelsea boots.

American Eagle burgundy chinos.

Sass from God knows where!

Some things have been so heavily on my mind lately. Two specific strong subjects:

change and control.

Two subjects that frighten many. Two subjects that some have mastered and others have only develed with. No matter your personal experience with either of these, you are built to have control over certain matters and not have control over others.

Some days I have to say that simple statement under my breath, “I am only in control of me.” Most of the time this is in situations at work, but also when my roommates don’t clean up after themselves lol. I stumbled upon a quote by Billy Cox last week, “The two things in life you are in total control over are your attitude and your effort.” Your attitude and effort really influence everything. They guide you where you go and guide the decisions that you make. Choosing to have a good attitude is an easy choice, even in a difficult task. Your chosen attitude is your chosen happiness and your chosen destiny.

My friend recently recommended a book to me, titled, “Codependent No More”. It is an ode and manual “to stop controlling others and start caring for yourself.” I seriously plan to read this and hope to grasp more on this subject. Let me know if you decide to read it or are reading any books that you would recommend. Maybe we’ll start a little book club 🙂

In covering the second subject, you are literally designed for change. Think about how the body changes from birth to death. Think about how your brain changes. These are examples of natural change. I want to tell you a little more about self-started and self-imitated change. Think of an action that you do habitually and is part of your daily/weekly/monthly routine…my question for you is, what would happen to your internal center if you were to change that action? What would happen to your happiness if you were to make that change?

I found this cute little list (on Pinterest nonetheless) of things to change/add to your routine and I wanted to share it with you!

drink a lot of water
eat a big breakfast
eat fruits and vegetables + natural food
go for a walk/swim/bike ride
read a book or 10 (YES PLEASE)
go to bed earlier
stop thinking negative thoughts about yourself or others
don’t dwell on the past…turn it into ART (love this idea soooooo much!)
enjoy little things in life
Do no judge or compare yourself to others
Begin yoga or mediation (expect a post on this one :))
Do not put things off
Avoid processed food
stretch daily to increase flexibility
listen to peaceful music
live in a tidy space
wear clothes that make you happy
throw away things that you don’t need
remember that all the efforts you are making now will pay in the end
GO OUTSIDE!!

I hope that you’re already doing one or two of these things. I hope that you will decide do a couple more too! *List from Life is Crafted

One of my favorite people/idols said “When we choose to do things differently, we see ourselves differently and our identity shifts.” – Dr. Jeremy Goldberg (Long Distance Love Bombs Podcast)

The validity in this statement is exactly what I want to convey to you today. I hope that you can come to build a relationship with changes, controlling the things you can control, and doing things differently.g

I guarantee that you have the gumption and courage within the fibers of your being to instill any change you can think/dream of, in turn changing your perspective and overall identity.

Happy today to you and even happier tomorrows to you 🙂

-jake