24 Things I Am Grateful For

While on the phone with my grandfather on my 24th birthday yesterday he jokingly asked, "so how old are you...34?" I laughed, it kind of feels that way though. Yet nevertheless there is so much to be grateful for up to now, even if some of those things are easily forgotten day to day. Maybe you can relate to my list...or maybe not. But, I'd invite you to practice gratitude. Even just a little bit creates a pretty cool feeling.

(In no particular order)

1. My family, I feel as if they will always be there. Love you all forever.

2. My friends. Some of the coolest guys and gals I know. Love you all forever as well.

3. My health. For without I'd, well...be dead and all that.

4. Leo. This little chihuahua I've been taking care of is an interesting fellow. Has me believe that my distaste for small pups isn't as strong as I thought.

5. Wealth. Not just with money, but just recognizing what you already have. 

6. Jurassic Park. Actually just all of my favorite movies, for they inspire me. I've just been listening to John Williams score for that movie a lot recently. It's gorgeous. 

7. Arnold. The Oak, the legend. I don't believe I even need to say his last name, which is an insane credit to his reputation in the world. Regardless, the moment I saw him in Predator and Terminator 2...I knew I wanted to get into bodybuilding. 

8. Elliott Hulse. One of my mentors and a man who has shown me so much in a so little time. And the crazy thing is, I've never even met him. Though I plan on to. 

9. My library. From books I bought to books I'm currently borrowing. I'm glad I took up personal development and started to read more material that would help me grow into the person I want to be. I'd invite you to do the same.

10. Music. Some believe that the music you listen to can define who you are. I believe it can at least have a hand in it. Which is why I am grateful that I stopped listening to lil Wayne and instead decided to listen more to Michael Jackson. But my moonwalk still needs work...I'll get there.

11. Audiobooks. Reading actual books can sometimes be difficult for me due to concentration problems or sometimes just laziness. But listening to audiobooks while walking is a blessing.

12. Meditation. I don't even know where to begin. All I'll say for now is if you haven't considered practicing it, I'd invite you to give it a shot.

13. Steve. A friend of mine in college who I unfortunately do not keep in contact with any longer, yet a friend of mine who showed me how to be a more sociable guy with men and women. I've been completely different since then, thank you bud.

14. Daniel Weaver. A former mentor and boss of mine. Though a man who gave me a lot of perspective when I came back home from college. And a cool guy to hang out with.

15. Helene France Combe. A woman who helped set up a path for me when I first started fashion modeling. Thank you sweetie, you taught me much.

16. My time with my grandparents. Recently spending almost a year in Idaho on and off with my grandparents has been relaxing and eye opening. 

17. Youtube. It can either be a great time waster, a rich video library of free content from people you in your chosen career that you can learn from.

18. Beaches. I love beaches, I love hearing the sound of the ocean. And I look forward to the next one I go to.

19. Water. Without it we'd again...just die and everything.

20. Nutrition. Learning about this has been fascinating. And a tremendous help to not only my bodybuilding goals but for my health in general.

21. Ben Pakulski. A bodybuilding mentor of mine. Single handedly revolutionized my approach to training forever. And the results have been awesome.

22. Our planet. It's beautiful, powerful, and our home.

23. My hair. I hate how rebellious and curly my hair can be. But I love what I can do with it. 

24. Photography. A recently discovered passion of mine. There's something about it that just draws me in.

There is always more to list, but these are the ones the popped into my head as I was writing. 

-A.W.

Illuminating The False Self

Illuminating the false self will bring light to your true self. This can happen at any moment.

When you find yourself in a moment where you think about beliefs that have made up who you are and realize that those beliefs...do not serve you in the most fulfilling way possible...you allow for the opportunity to develop new beliefs that will.

By : A.W.

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Constant Self-Reflection : Good or Bad?

Self-reflection is great, yet in moderation. I can say from experience that self-reflecting constantly can be distracting from "living in today" and even depressing if you always find a "reason" why you're not measuring up to your ideal self.

Self-reflect in moderation. Take 15 to 20 minutes one to two times a week and write down what you have done great on in the last 7 days and what can be done better. Always stay positive, motivated, and most importantly...disciplined with your goals.

By : A.W.

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Acceptance Of Will And The Inevitable

There are some situations or circumstances that are beyond the power of our will. Instead of resisting and rebelling against them, accept them for what they are.

Then, focus your energy and attention to what your will can do.

And worry will cease.

By : A.W.

https://www.facebook.com/LifeUnder30

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https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aaron-Watkins-Model/335979309822507

https://twitter.com/MrWatkins91

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http://watkinsworkout.blogspot.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/LifeUnder30

http://awatkins91.tumblr.com/

Stress Release Method Resulting In A Smile

At least in my view, emotion is held back in all of us. We listen to what our mind says instead of what our body says. In difficult times it can be seen as a routine with how you approach it.

Anger, sadness, frustration, etc. all build up and up and up until you feel as if you are at a boiling point of just exploding. What do you do? Usually nothing. You hold back until those emotions just wither down.

The problem with this is, those emotions will just keep coming back stronger and stronger until you have no choice but to explode. This can be detrimental to yourself and others around you.

In order to avoid this, just listen to your body. Take a moment when you're alone and just let out all the emotions that are boiling inside of you. Do this for about 5-10 minutes. Yell, scream, cuss all you want. If you do it effectively, you'll probably be exhausted afterwards.

The best form of release from depression or stress is expression. Elliott Hulse is a preacher on this, and I believe in it. Do this and you will feel relieved. Do this and you will have a smile on your face after.

By : A.W.

https://www.facebook.com/LifeUnder30

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https://www.facebook.com/watkinsworkout

http://watkinsworkout.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/MrWatkins91

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Problems And Rejection. What Do You Do With Them?

Problems in our lives come up everyday in at times unpredictable forms. Rejection does and will come up for all of our lives in again, many and different forms. What do you do to handle this?

Accept it. That's it.

Embrace the problems as ones to be solved, and you will grow. Embrace rejection for not making getting what you want too easy, and you will grow. Growth of the self will always be a grateful process to endure. Even if the process takes a lifetime.

By : A.W.

https://www.facebook.com/LifeUnder30

Making Sense Of Change

A quote from Alan Watts : "The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, dance with it."

Sometimes, or most of the time...it is our natural tendency to fear change. We like being comfortable and prefer to avoid being uncomfortable. For it is this reason why in certain areas of life, we do not grow. And the potential for what we can truly be is just that, "potential". Do one thing this week that makes you uncomfortable, yet that you want to do. And another next week.

By : A.W.