Category: Gratitude

Writing about family is somewhat unfamiliar territory for me, and it’s important to acknowledge that what I’m about to discuss doesn’t apply universally; there are numerous exceptions.

When it comes to our families or even discussing family matters, we find ourselves at our most vulnerable. Some people readily embrace the topic and share stories about their families, while others seek to change the subject as quickly as possible if family is brought up in conversation.

Within families, there are siblings who are best friends, practically inseparable, and parents whose relationships with their children are akin to cherished friendships. Conversely, there are those who have gone years, even decades, without speaking to one another.

In my experience, and for many people I know, we often find ourselves somewhere in the middle. This middle ground can be characterized by sentiments like “we’re family, not friends” or “we’ll do anything for each other but don’t communicate frequently between family events and holidays.”

Here’s my perspective on the matter: except for our intimate relationships, we are at our most vulnerable when it comes to our family. The pain we feel when we hurt or are hurt by a family member can be deeper than any other. Conversely, we often want to share our good news or achievements with our family before anyone else.

Families love one another unconditionally, but navigating familial love can be tricky because we are all individuals with our own beliefs and communication styles. Sometimes, we don’t recognize or understand how our family members are expressing their love for us, and we might feel misunderstood. It’s crucial to recognize that respect and love can be conveyed and defined differently by each family member.

I believe there are three key elements to fostering great, effective, and healthy relationships with family members:

1. Set and Establish Boundaries: Clearly define what you’re willing to tolerate and what you stand for. Boundaries are vital not just in family relationships but in all aspects of life.
2. Put Your Ego Aside: We often operate from our ego rather than our higher self. If you find yourself being overly sensitive, try to understand where others are coming from and put yourself in their shoes. Also, reevaluate whether your boundaries have been effectively established.
3. Never Question Anyone’s Intent: Questioning a family member’s intent or telling them what their intent should be can strain or even destroy a relationship. Have you ever had someone question your intent?

I know this might not be the most optimistic perspective, but if we want to share our lives with our family, it’s essential to come from a place of love and contribution. Accept the differences and imperfections, and trade expectations for appreciation. Remember, these are the people who have your back, just as you have theirs. Family is your tribe.

I welcome feedback and any additional suggestions in the comments. Have a fantastic Saturday! Much love.

I’ve been pondering a fundamental aspect of leading a life filled with fulfillment and meaning, and I wanted to share my thoughts with you all. In the hustle and bustle of our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to get caught up in our own world, especially in a bustling metropolitan environment like the one we live in. But amidst this urban chaos, there’s something truly transformative that we can all practice: valuing others when we’re in their presence.

Think about it – a simple gesture, such as making eye contact and letting someone know that we see them, can create ripples of positivity that extend far beyond that fleeting moment. Imagine the impact of acknowledging someone’s existence in a world where people often rush past each other without a second glance. We have the power to alter someone’s day for the better, just by showing a little consideration.

Admittedly, maintaining this sense of optimism in a bustling city can be challenging. Yet, it’s precisely in such environments that our actions can shine even brighter. Taking a moment to genuinely connect with another human being amidst the chaos can remind us of the inherent goodness that resides within us all. It’s these small acts that define our character and set us apart from the overwhelming rush of daily life.

And here’s the beautiful part: while we’re busy extending kindness to others, we’re also nurturing our own sense of self-worth. Every time we pause to value someone else, we’re reaffirming our capacity for empathy and compassion. This, in turn, fosters a sense of gratitude within us. It’s like a positive feedback loop – the more we give, the more we receive in terms of personal growth and emotional fulfillment.

So, let’s continue to prioritize these simple actions in our lives. Let’s make it a habit to make eye contact, smile, and acknowledge the existence of those around us. By doing so, we’re not only enriching their lives but also enriching our own. It’s a cycle of positivity that benefits everyone involved.

I’ve personally found that these small moments of connection have made a significant impact on my outlook on life. They’ve reminded me of the value of human connection and the immense power that we hold in shaping each other’s experiences.

Let’s all strive to cultivate meaningful connections, one gesture at a time. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positivity that transforms not just our lives, but the world we live in.

With gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose, Jamie Sierra

“This is probably going to be the best moment of my life.  Playing a final here in Wimbledon is something I dreamed about when I started playing tennis.”

Carlos before the final match.

***Amazing Accomplishment***

I know I am a little late on this. Tennis has a new champion in the men’s game. The men’s champions have been dominated by three men for almost 20 years now by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

I am not saying that Djokovic is done nor even Nadal. Novak is still the Michael Jordan and Tom Brady of men’s tennis. However, we now know the future or men’s tennis is in good hands. Of course, Alcaraz needs to remain healthy and hungry. In addition, he will need rivalries which is already developing.

Novak refuses to lose. No question, he is hungry for titles and can seem invincible at times. Novak is never going to lose a match. Someone needs to win and not be afraid to lose and of course have that incredible belief.

Carlos Alcaraz was the man to do it, at least last Sunday he was. How did he do it. Yes, he is an incredible talent with tremendous shotmaking ability.

Yet, Carlos won because he has:

1. The ability to learn from his mistakes on the fly

2. Naturally he has the belief system

3. Lastly and most importantly, he embraced the process and detached himself from the outcome of the match.

These are certainly principles we apply in our daily lives such as our health, fitness, relationships, emotional, spiritual as well as our vocation.

Last Sunday’s win might not happen had Carlos lost the Roland Garros semifinals to Novak and cramped up. This is what I mean he learned his lesson so fast. Carlos mindset going into the Roland Garros match was being too nervous and focused on the result.

Carlos did the complete opposite last Sunday. As emphasized by his quote below, Carlos decided to enjoy the moment no matter what happens, stay present, and completely detach himself from winning or losing the match.

That joy was completely evidenced throughout the match. Even, Novak looked stunned at times.

Congratulations Again Carlos!!!!

Today I want to talk about the power of a mission statement.   For those that do not know what a mission statement is, it is a sentence or phrase that defines your life and who you are.  It is what your life is about, why you are, and your identity.

Creating a mission statement is very powerful and very simple.  It is a phrase or sentence which of course is your purpose in life.   Here are some guidelines to creating a mission statement as well as my own personal mission statement.

Your mission statement must have the following:

• Be stated in the positive
• Have “Be” and “Do” statements
• Include yourself and others
• Experience and live it everyday
• Be brief (only a sentence or phrase long)
• Eliminate Universals
• Use emotion “charged” words.
• Gives you goosebumps, energy, and joy.

My mission statement is:  I Jamie Sierra see, hear, feel, and know that the purpose of my life is to serve God by being joyful, outrageous, passionate, and love and inspire others to fulfill their dreams.

Eight years ago when I was going through a difficult period of time in my life, I decided to pick up a notebook and write down all my thoughts, feelings, and emotions.  As a result, I continued to write up in the notebook which eventually became my journal.  To me, this notebook is the most priceless possession that I have.  What eventually replaced sorrow and despair were words of encouragement, grace, and gratitude.

At the point, I decided that I was going to become a student of gratitude.  Like anger, sadness, and joy, gratitude is an emotion.  It is an emotion though that not many of us experience, especially on an everyday basis.  Yet, it is an extremely powerful emotion to have.  Having gratitude frees up everything in your life.  It shifts your perception on how you see your external and internal world.  Gratitude erases negative emotions like stress, irritation, anger, anxiety, and depression.   The key is to practice it consistently throughout the day, not just in the morning or evening.

As a result of having a journal and practicing gratitude, there was a shift in my life.  The despair and the negative emotions did not completely disappear.  Yet, I know had a practice and my life has been more fulfilling on a consistent basis.  The key is not perfection.  The key is for mastery.

Here are the three keys that I found to be essential to have to master your internal world.

1. Keep a journal.  Journaling is very powerful and fulfilling.  I look forward to my times alone, when I can write and share in my journal.  I also love reviewing my journal including all the quotes that I have written down throughout the years.
2. Practice gratitude and forgiveness.  Forgiveness is the foundation to living a spiritual life according to Gabrielle Bernstein.  I find that it goes hand in hand with gratitude because we cannot have one without the other.
3. Listen, read, and watch things that are empowering and uplifting.  What you feed your mind is every bit essential as the type of food in your body.  If you feed your mind with mindless television, the news, or social media, our minds become toxic.  As they say, it is garbage in and garbage out.  It is imperative that we stand guard at the door of our minds.

Are you living your life to please others.  Are you constantly saying yes, when you want to say no.  If you are doing these things, my advice is simple: Stop doing this.

Those who are consistently pleasing each other have tremendous challenges speaking the truth in uncomfortable situations.  They are usually internally passive aggressive (externally at times as well).  As a result, they lack self esteem, self love, and are unfulfilled.  Unconsciously, they are pleasing others to get something in return.  However, they are not communicating to the other person their needs or desires what they want in return.

Also, pleasers say “yes” when they want to say “no”.

Here are some strategies to stop people pleasing:

1. Get real with yourself:  identify your intent and why are you pleasing.  Right down a journal and have the courage of being honest with yourself that your life conditions do not match your blueprint.  Create the blueprint and life you want to live on paper.
2. Know who you are pleasing:  identify the people in your life that you are pleasing and why are you pleasing them.  Is it to keep peace in the family?  Is it because you believe that person could give you something in return?
3. If you say “yes” all the time when you want to say “no”, start saying instead, “let me get back to you”.  By doing this, you can evaluate on the cost and benefits of saying “yes”.  If saying “yes” serves your vision and life desires, then “yes” is the answer.  If saying “yes” is going to cause an inconvenience to you even short term, “no” has to be the answer.
4. Know and review your goals:  Need to clarify and understand the direction of where your life is going.  When you have goals that are transparent, you will know what direction you want your life to go.  Thus, take action towards getting these goals achieved.  Know where you want to be next year, next month, one year, and even five years.  Then say “yes” when a task is meeting these goals and objectives.

I heard an inspiring quote from Marie Forleo, “Stay on your game, and keep pursuing your dreams.  The world needs that special gift that you only have”.

We need to stay on our path with our goals and dreams no matter how difficult and frustrating it gets.  There are always going to be bumps in the road.

If we stay with it long enough, naturally good things are going to happen.

I have been one to give up in the past, and I can tell you that giving up is never the answer.  We have a tendency to start something new, stop, and start another new project and never get anywhere.  This pattern can lead to regret,  and regret is a very painful emotion.  We never get to the finish line in this pattern.

I also had some great wins too, when I stuck with something and persevered.  When I started running in middle school, I always finished in last place.  Yet, I never gave up and as a result I improved my running.  I started finishing races in the top three and even won some of these races.

We have to know that we cannot just focus on ourselves and that our dreams are not just for us.  Our dreams are for our loved ones and for the world.  By living our dream, we are serving others.

When we focus on serving others, we will be pulled into the direction of our dreams.  We need to remember the world needs us.

The first quarter of 2018 is completed.  Thus, I have completed the first ever quarter of my goal setting: setting them, recording them, and sharing my goals so I can hold myself accountable.

March was not the best month for me.  I fell significantly behind on my business and learning goals.   I know that I will need to have a strong April to get myself back on track to have a very successful and prosperous 2018.

My wins have been completing one 30 day challenge and making charitable contributions.  In addition, I did a letter to a stranger initiative as well.  Paying it forward is a fulfilling practice.  I cannot wait to continue to participate in that.

There are some goals where I will need to adjust the future deadlines on.  Yet, I am confident that I will get all these goals accomplished.