Oh, it is so frustrating when we want to achieve something and things just don’t go fast enough or right enough. We get mad or depressed and sometimes even give up.
The key to these situations is to keep going and never give up:
1. Patience and persistence do pay off, if we only persist. I know, people keep telling us that, but how long can we stay patient? It’s a TEST.
2. Think of this. There is time for everything. There might be a lesson to be learned on the way or people to meet. Everything happens for a reason, at their own timing.
3. If one way does not work, there has to be another way. Be innovative, think outside the box, in multi-dimensional ways. Be creative. We can always find a solution if we persist.
Tags: being creative, finding a solution, innovation, inspiration, keep going, never give up, patience, persistence, post and photo by Ineta Mcparland, right timing, test, think outside the box
Posted by ineta on Jun 10, 2010 in
How to,
Something to think about... 
Our minds are so super-busy, that they would not shut up when we lay down to sleep. They work over-time, like that energizer bunny: keeps going and going and going…
It’s great when our minds work to help us to achieve things, when we get a brilliant idea and go for it. Then sleepless nights are great.
However, what keeps most of us late at night is useless stuff:
1) “I’ll think about it” stuff;
2) Worries;
3) Uncompleted “To Do” lists.
Earlier that day, we see something in the store or online that we really like. We tell salesperson to put it on hold. Then, we rack our brains, “Should we get it? Do we really need it? But it looks so good.”… After thinking, we decide to go back and get it.
Now imagine if we do not need to “think about it” and buy it on the spot. By night, we would enjoy what we bought; we would avoid the aggravation of thinking; and at the end, we would save our time, salesperson’s time and gas. We would have a free mind and be able to sleep at night.
The key is if we like it, we should go for it right now, not later. Why to put our enjoyment on hold?
The most major useless thing that keep us late at night is worry. We worry about major things and minor things. We worry about health, money, family – you name it. Think about it… Does worry do anything good? It gives us headaches, sleepless nights, stomachaches, ulcers, unclear thinking, black circles under the eyes, nervous breakdowns, breathing problems, anger outbursts, depression. Nothing good comes out of worry. Worrying is usually looking at the worst case scenario of the situation.
So, instead of worry (that does not do any good), look at positive and find a solution. Granted, some problems are out of our control – might take awhile to solve. Some things we just have to let it be. However, most problems can be solved one way or another. With little innovation or different way of thinking, there is always a solution.
Instead of filling our minds with worry (that is hazardous to our health and sanity), how about to look at solutions.
To us that are busy-bodies, To-Do list is pretty essential. There are not enough hours in a day to accomplish everything we want. Therefore, the To-Do list is not finished – again. We regret not be able to accomplish it all. So now, we add undone items to tomorrow’s To-Do list, which probably will be unfinished – again. What we do not realize is that we have become over-achievers.
What if we would throw that To-Do list out of the window and concentrate on stuff that really matters to us. What if we do not depend on it anymore? What if instead of multi-tasking and overextending ourselves, we concentrate on one task at the time that is most important? Would life be so much easier?
At the end of the day, then we can breathe easier knowing we achieved what was important to us. It’s great to be imperfect. Without “To-Do” list, there is no more pressure to be perfect – in that, there is a peace of mind.
We got to get rid of the useless junk that clogs our mind. This way, we can make a space for more important stuff, like joy for life.
For more inspiration, you can log in to living on impulse to see what is possible.
Tags: "I'll think about it, anger outbursts, black cicles, breathing problems, depression, finding a solution, hazardous to health, headaches, insomnia, inspiration, mind, multi-tasking, nervous breakdowns, overachieving, overthinking, peace of mind, post and photos by Ineta McParland, sleepless nights, solutions, stomachaches, ulcers, unclear thinking, uncompleted "To Do" lists, useless stuff, worries
On the way to the ranch, I saw unusual sight that warmed my heart. A horse was lovingly licking a newborn calf sleeping in the grass. That was so sweet.
Tags: friendship, horse licks calf, post and photo by Ineta Mcparland
Can you name a few? It could be our family, friends and even strangers. They are always there to help or some of them even will stop their lives and come unexpectedly for a rescue.
I got a flat tire the other night. I put my “blinkers” on. In about 15 minutes to half an hour many cars passed, but nobody stopped. Even a cop car slowed down but did not stop to help. I thought, “Fine, I’ll try to change it myself.” I put “jack” under the car by feeling the “spot” with my fingers, and I started to lift it. Unfortunately, I was not strong enough to lift a car. All of the sudden, three young men (18 to early 20s) stopped and offered to help. They changed my tire in great teamwork. One was holding a cellphone as a flashlight, while I and other guy showed drivers to slow down. The side street was dark. To our surprise, one driver even sped up not paying any attention. A man at neighboring house where I stopped, closed curtains and peeked through the window, as my “heroes” finished changing the tire. They were such a young gentlemen, and I felt so blessed. I thanked them for their help and we parted our ways. I felt so grateful.
There are a few heroes that walk amongst us. It’s a part of their nature to help someone in need. While many people are oblivious to their surroundings, there are those who will do everything to help. As I was going home, I wished so hard that something really good would happen to these three young men, my heroes. The world is such a better place because of them.
Tags: angels in disguise, being thankful, flat tire, gentlemen, grateful, help, heroes, kindness, post and photo by Ineta Mcparland, rescue, teamwork
Posted by ineta on Jun 3, 2010 in
How to 
Most of us are usually the followers. We want to be like somebody. We want to fit in in the crowd. If we differ in something, we think something is wrong with us. How can we be different, why can’t we be like everyone else? What we do not realize is that by thinking like this, we put ourselves in the box. We become average people, looking average way, doing average things – we become like everybody.
Actually, not fitting in – is not a bad thing. That means, we are different. We have our unique personality, unique style – we are our unique ourselves. Instead of hiding our uniqueness, we should celebrate it. Being different is a gift. Being different opens up all the new doors. When we stand out from the crowd, we get different opportunities that no average person will ever get: from getting a job to having a successful business to having a great life simply by being ourselves.
Think about it. Do you know how many job applications employer gets? Many applications and resumes never even get read. How many businesses there are selling the same things? Do you know how many average people there are having routine jobs they hate, and never differentiate showing the actual talents they have because they are afraid to be different? Unfortunately, many.
If we look for a job, we usually do it backwards. We look for any job that pays. Then, we get stuck with it, hate it, but we can tell ourselves, “Well, at least it pays the bills and we get benefits.” We get a job and we adjust to it.
The better way would be to look at our passions and skills, our gifts, our strengths and look for the job accordingly. This way we will stand out and we will enjoy our jobs. Employer will see right away the enthusiasm we have and how much we can contribute to the company.
Next, we got to promote ourselves. Going for the job is like a sales job. You are selling yourself. If you would be an employer, would you hire yourself? Stand out from the crowd:
1. Learn about the job and industry.
2. Go talk to employees to find out important people’s names, insider information like new positions opening up. Also, when talking to them see if they are happy with the company. If most of them are not, that means the company does not treat people right. Look at other options, if you get a bad feeling.
3. Always trust your instincts.
4. If you need to learn some needed skills, sign up for classes. Find out details what company and employer needs and show them what you can offer.
5. Show employer you’re enthusiastic. Attitude is everything.
6. Most importantly, be yourself. Be confident in your skills and who you are.
Now, if you have your own business, how to stand out? As I mentioned before, there are so many ordinary businesses offering ordinary products we can find anywhere. Some businesses even steal other business ideas or product lines to be more competitive. Their mentality is, “if competition can sell these items, why can’t we? We even can sell for lower price.” Some owners even sneak to competitor’s supply trucks to steal supplier’s names. What they do not realize is that in long run, they not only ruin competitor’s business, they ruin themselves. They want to be ordinary and copy others.
The same, like with a job, if you go to business just to make money, the business will never survive and you’ll be miserable in the process. Now, if you utilize your gifts and skills, and you’re passionate what you’re doing, you not only enjoy what you’re doing, but your customers will see that through you. To stand out, you got to offer something unique: product or service that nobody has. People love different things, something that is out-of-ordinary. One real great example is Dalia Koss at daliakoss.com. Dalia makes the most extraordinary jewelry. In 5 years of business, she never runs out of her creativity. She makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and never makes the same. Not only she dazzles customers with her creations, but she gives the best service. She will match customer with a necklace, what will look good. She even transforms a non-jewelry wearer to one who never leaves home without her jewelry. Dalia creates magic with her shop and she is passionate what she does. That’s a true example of standing out from the crowd.
When you’re passionate about your talents and who you are, you naturally stand out from the crowd. This becomes your way of living – being passionate for life. It transforms in everything you do. It becomes your lifestyle. Another great example is Markus Urban in living on impulse. Markus’ lifestyle represents his way of being. He is curious about everything, travels all over the world, takes on adventures and inspires people on the way. Markus does not let anything stop him from achieving what he wants. He has a great outlook on life, and he turns his dreams into reality. He is go-getter and inspires people by being him. Many people ask, “How does he do it?” He always finds the way – and that’s his way of life. He stands out from the crowd by being him.
Both Dalia Koss and Markus Urban are my family. I’m so proud of them, and they are the biggest inspiration in my life. I love them with all my heart. They inspired me to write this article.
To sum it up, to be extraordinary rather than ordinary and to stand out from the crowd, we got to:
1. Use our talents, gifts, passions at work and life;
2. Be different than everybody else;
3. Believe in ourselves, and most importantly, be ourselves.
There is nobody like us, and we should utilize it to our advantage.
Tags: adventures, average, being different, being unique, business tips, Dalia Koss, daliakoss.com, gifts, having a business, inspiration, instincts, job applications, lifestyle, LivingonImpulse.com, Markus Urban, not fitting in, one-of-a-kind, opening new business, passion for life, passions, post and photos by Ineta McParland, resumes, skills, standing out from the crowd, strengths, talents, tips for getting a job
We usually make excuses to sabotage ourselves. We think we are too young or too old to do anything. When we are the kids, we can’t wait to grow up, so we would be allowed to do something we wish. We can’t wait for that freedom.
Yet, when we grow up we completely forget what we were after. We get overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities, and at times we even forget who we really are. We do everything to pay the bills, take care of partner, kids, parents. We bury our dreams deep and we do not even have time to look at them.
Time flies so fast. We get in older years, and now we regret of not taking chances. We make now excuse that we are too old. We wasted our time. What we do not realize is that age does not really matter. We can achieve anything we wish regardless. All we have to do is to act on our dreams. Dreaming alone does not do anything. We got to back it up with actions.
Here are some inspiring videos from Britain’s Got Talent that shows that anything is possible, no matter how young or old you are:
Six year old angel that moved the world with her singing
80 year old singing sensation
Tags: achieving anything, act on dreams, actions, age does not matter, britain's got talent, burrying dreams, Connie Talbot, dreaming, dreams, excuses, freedom, grow up, inspiration, Janey Cutler, kids, overwhelmed, post and photo by Ineta Mcparland, responsibilities, sabotage, taking chances, time flies, too old, too young, videos, wasting time
Today sun took my breath away. WOW! That was amazing phenomenon!
For more information about it, you can read here: Sun Halo
Tags: circle around the sun, out of this world, post and photo by Ineta Mcparland, rainbow, Sun Halo, taking my breath away, wow
Think about it… How easily you’re influenced by others? Do you have your own say? Or you let others say things for you? Do you stand your ground? Or you think others know better?
Of course, some influence is great. We become better people because of it; we learn something from our heroes or people we admire. We become who we want to become.
There is also another type of influence that works quite opposite. If we do not have our say in anything, do not stand for our own beliefs, others will influence us any way they want to. They can shape us in any way and form if we allow them. We become who we really not.
How to tell a difference? How to resist unhealthy influence? How to stay who we truly are despite constant influence from others?
Here are the answers:
1) Follow your instincts;
2) Do not do anything that feels not right for you;
3) Have your own opinion;
4) Stand your ground;
5) Do not let others change who you are or your work that you stand for.
You are unique, and nobody is like you. Why change yourself or your work according other person’s expectations? If it is no longer you, do not do it, do not let others to influence you.
Tags: admired, being influenced, beliefs, change, constant influence, heroes, influence, instincts, opinion, standing ground, unhealthy influence
Silence… It seems so easy, yet for some of us it is almost unattainable. We are used to so much noise. When all of a sudden, power goes down, we realize how quiet actually feels, if only for one moment. There is so much man-made noise: refrigerator, faucet, washing machine, etc., etc. It is in our mind’s background, humming or dripping, but we’re so used to it, we do not even hear it. It is also usually overpowered by blaring TV or music. Some of us even fall asleep by TV. This way, we can block all the noise that is in our heads: recaps of the day, worries, what ifs, arguments. Even if we would shut off all the appliances, we still would hear the endless chatter of our minds.
What if we would shut all that noise down? Would that be possible? How that would feel?
The best way to do this is to go out into nature: could be a park, by the lake, pond, the beach – anywhere away from the busy city life. Leave all technology at home or in the car. Once there, enjoy the moment:
1) Take the shoes off (just watch out for fire ants, if you’re in the south 
) and feel every blade of grass or grain of sand under your feet.
2) If worrying thought crosses your mind – observe it and let it go for now – this moment is yours – free.
3) Feel the sun or breeze on your skin or in your hair.
4) Breathe.
5) Close your eyes for a moment. Then, open them and see every detail around you.
6) Try to pick up sense of smell – perhaps the blooming tree or flower nearby.
7) Listen – listen to the silence. Listen all around you.
Feel the moment with all your senses. Walk where your feelings tell you. Walk and listen.
You just got re-connected with nature. You got re-connected with essence of you. Your head is all clear of junk and noise. Silence… – Oh, so precious.
You feel totally refreshed and re-energized. Your head is clear. Once your mind is uncluttered, perhaps you can find a solution, an answer, get a brilliant idea. Most importantly, you feel totally alive and ready for anything.
Silence is brilliant. It is like an empty canvas ready to be filled with the brightest of colors. In silence, we can find wisdom…
Tags: answer, appliances, arguments, blaring TV, breathe, breeze, brilliant idea, canvas, chatter of our minds, colors, dripping, essence, feel, feeling alive, feelings, humming, junk, listen, music, nature, noise, post and photo by Ineta Mcparland, quiet, re-connection, ready for anything, recaps, senses, shoes off, silence, silence is brilliant, solution, sun, unattainable, what ifs, wisdom, worries, you
Posted by ineta on May 24, 2010 in
Little Things that matter 
I am surrounded by beautiful orange roses, cheerful wildflowers, fragrant gardenias and thinking how thankful I am to have such a great family and friends. I had the most fantastic birthday weekend filled with love, fun, dancing and awesomeness. Thank you, my family and friends for being you. I love you!
Tags: being thankful, birthday, family, friends, grateful
