Like most people, you like to give more than you like to receive. But sometimes we like to be pampered, so we make an appointment with a massage therapist, go to the spa with some friends or just take a mental break and go for coffee.

Wouldn’t it be nice to know that some of that pampering can happen more often, it can be something small such has having someone do your grocery shopping. I have had the opportunity over the past number of years to help many people, starting when I was 12 delivering the Winnipeg Free Press (this kept them in touch with the world); to being there as a guide when someone passed away as a cemetery consultant.

The world today is fast paced, demanding and little time for meaningful family connections.

I had the opportunity to sit down with a gentlemen who just lost his wife, all his kids live out of province. We sat and chatted for 4hrs, he was so thrilled to be able to tell me about his wife and funny and I am sure embarrassing stories about his kids.

Isn’t that all we want…is our story to live on.

Remember: to err is human. Mistakes happen to the best of us. What matters is what you do next. Own your actions but don’t let any one moment define you. As Zig Ziglar once said: “Failure is an event, not a person.” Following this advice means viewing missteps as learning opportunities. Learn what you can from the experience and then move forward.

Look the part. Take pride in your appearance. Everybody feels better about themselves when they look like a million bucks. Dressing well will help you project confidence by setting the right impression. Getting enough sleep, eating right and making time for leisure or physical activity are important to tackling your workday with vigor and confidence.

Shift your perception. When stressed and caught up in the daily grind, it’s easy to focus on where you are falling short. Resilient individuals accept that things can go wrong. Rather than perceive setbacks as a reflection of your inability to get the job done, use them to learn how to avoid pitfalls in the future.

Balance work and play. In times of change, many of us focus solely on holding our own world together. Stopping to chat momentarily with a colleague or taking the time to share a compliment from a peer or client may seem like a waste of time. It’s not. Investing time in your colleagues will not only make the day-to-day more enjoyable but it will also give you relational currency which will come in handy in times of adversity.

Keep your eye on the prize. It’s easy to focus your energy on completing small tasks when you’re overwhelmed by big ones. Unfortunately, it is more difficult to feel a sense of accomplishment when you’ve spent your day putting out little fires rather than tackling larger initiatives. Resilient individuals revisit their goals and objectives on a regular basis, ensuring that their efforts pay off.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/video-games-ramp-up-brain-power-for-elderly-224527091.html

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”

Hellen Keller-