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    Change is inevitable. It may come as a shock, or as something that's been planned for months, but it'll happen & you'll change with it. Every experience you have - good & bad - is sculpting you... & you get to choose not only a great majority of the paths you end up on, but how they will shape you - simply by how you choose to view what's in front of you.

    For optimists, change is exhilarating. It may be powerful & sometimes painful but, with it all, comes that slight feeling of anticipation for that amazing something waiting around the corner. It's exciting & scary & sometimes emotional... but it's what we live for. With change comes possibility & opportunity. Change has become an addiction, leading us to any & all of the places we've ever wanted to go.

    Somehow we know that if we accept the changes in our life now, things might just be easier in the future. Instead of panicking about a bad haircut we've just received, we remember that it will grow out; instead of allowing ourselves to criticize ourselves for something we have no control over, we search for & find the things that we do have control over... & get our butts in gear. We look at the bigger picture & decide what's most important to us in the world... & then we fight for it because we can.

    If change is inevitable & attitude is everything... If opportunity is knocking & anything is possible... Then why the heck not?

    Are you willing to go the distance?

    Now that we've really thought about how a complaint can affect your life, I thought I would give you details as to how I've been avoiding complaints. Keep in mind that we all complain... especially in horribly difficult times, but these are things to put your mind on the right track for all of those minor complaints, the ones that action could get rid of.

    Many do not realize the power of a complaint. Though we may be thankful for what we do have, a complaint can make it seem as though we are not thankful at all. Several can make us seem shallow, and complaints on an hourly basis can make us seem not only unbelievably selfish, but in dire need of attention.

    Why do we complain? There are several reasons. One might feel as though they deserve something that they do not have, perhaps be jealous that someone else has it, or even complain because they are simply bored. But what's the point? Although complaining may get you temporary attention, action is the only thing going to possibly fill that void. If you want something, go get it.

    Perhaps you're thinking that you don't care how you're viewed by others, and good for you. However, the complaint has more power than just how friends, family, and even employers see you. Below are 5 other ways that complaining can hurt you personally.

    Instead of keeping yourself, and possibly others, from accomplishing the things they've always dreamed of, take time and step forward on your own. Accomplish something, then another - without the help or opinions of others - and see how you feel. You may be pulling yourself out of that complaint pool just yet. :)

Are you willing to go the distance?

By Lee Davy
NeedyHelper.com

The first time I learned of the term Bucket List was while I was participating in a Jack Canfield Success Principles training course. It was an exciting time, because my mind had started to open and my reserves of belief were overflowing. I grabbed my piece of paper and pen, and like a good student, sat down and started writing.

At first my mind tried to close again. I would enter an activity onto my list and my mind would tell me that it was stupid. The goal was unachievable so why write it down? This then got me thinking about the ease of achievement. Would I feel like a failure if I created this wonderful list and then never achieved any of them? As the time ebbed away writing the list become more difficult. Then my mind just gave up and I was staring at this piece of paper for a long while, no ideas spawned and no movement came from my fingers.

I decided I needed inspiration and so I headed online to see what other people were putting on their bucket lists. I noticed that the one theme that seemed to be overly abundant was travel. My mind kicked back into gear and I started to think about all of the places I would like to visit. Las Vegas, Florida, Hawaii, Venice and Monte Carlo were some of the locations that I scrawled on my piece of paper. As the actions started to increase, my mind opened more and I was eventually able to write 83 actions with relative ease.

In 2012, I set myself a goal to achieve five of the actions on my list. Remember, these are things that my mind told me are so important that I MUST do them before I die. A list of everything that is enjoyable to me. A list of actions that will provide me with love, excitement and an abundance of life energy. Why then did I choose Monte Carlo? Why did I choose any of the places on the earth as bucket list actions? I had never traveled anywhere in my life, never felt the urge to do so and never felt like I was missing out on anything.

Life has a funny way of helping you out when you give it a nudge. A few weeks ago I was asked to travel to Monte Carlo to work at the Monte Carlo Beach and Resort, for the European Poker Tour (EPT) Grand Final. I was so happy that I was going to achieve my goal. The visit to Monte Carlo would mean that I had achieved five things on my bucket list this year. I flew to Nice, traveled over to Monte Carlo and spent the next ten days working my gluteus maximus off inside a casino. I flew back home, proudly told all of my friends and readers of my blog that I had achieved one of my bucket list items and ticked it off my list.

I feel like a fraud! Surely the bucket list is not about writing a list of things to do and then crossing them off one by one? Surely a bucket list is about achieving wonderful life experiences, and not just any old experiences, but the very best experiences you can think of. Activities that will make you cry make sweat pour from every pore and allow life energy to shine throughout your body like a beacon. I didn’t feel any of those things when I went to Monte Carlo and so why was it on my list?

It is not just me that suffers from this loss of bucket list identity. One of the greatest and most inspirational blogs in the market place, at the moment, is the Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau. Chris has a goal to visit every country in the world by April 7th, 2013. Now that is what I call a bucket list goal. At first I was in awe of this challenge and followed it with great excitement. Then something happened that made me stop and think. Chris had arrived in the airport of the African country of Eritrea when he was refused entry and deported for not having the correct visa documentation. When he wrote his blog post he asked his readers to decide whether or not arriving at the airport actually counted as a visit to Eritrea? Reading through a few of the 454 responses to this question, I believe his readers were happy for him to count it as a visit. I don’t know if Chris actually did, but the fact that he asked at all brings the whole quest into question just like Monte Carlo. Why is he traveling to every country in the world? Is it to tick off a list, or is it to experience the culture, sights and community of each country? You would imagine that it would be the latter and I am sure Chris started off on this tangent. Unfortunately, when you start wanting to tick things off your list like this, you have to question the whole point of the exercise in the first place.

Bucket lists are amazing. They allow you to create goals to achieve the most wonderful things in life. The structure of the list helps your mind to sub-consciously weave a way of achievement. Just make sure you don’t fall into the same trap as I have. Don’t fill up your list for the sake of filling it up. A bucket list is like a genie’s lamp. Your items are wishes and your mind is the genie making sure that they all come true. Don’t put places like Monte Carlo on your list unless there is a specific reason you want to go there. Your mind will try and make your list easier to accomplish. This is human nature and I want you to fight against it. Don’t let fear turn your list into 83 things that would be nice to do. I would rather you had a list of five things that would take you a lifetime of luck, organization and money to achieve.

To learn more about Lee Davy you can visit his blog at www.needyhelper.com or follow him on twitter: @needyhelper.

    One thing I've always been certain of is that accomplishing your goals is all about quality, not quantity. This year, it may seem like I'm moving at a slow pace with my goals, but it's because I'm moving forward on big important ones.
   
    These past few months, I've been working on accomplishing the following long-term goals of mine. They're taking a while but are completely worth the effort. - Whatever it is you're after in life, go for it!

    There was a time when I used to want to be a celebrity... who am I kidding? There are still days when I want to be a celebrity - to sing in front of millions of people & have albums that go platinum.

    What I could never handle is being under a microscope, constantly having everyone bombarding me with questions about my relationship status & whether or not I'm going to see a certain movie. What does that have to do with their singing or acting ability? ... it has nothing to do with it. It doesn't matter.

    Then there are those that want their 15 minutes of fame, & are selfish enough to possibly use someone to get it. My thoughts go out to John Travolta at this particular time, an amazing actor & pilot. No, I don't know him personally. I don't know how he feels about men & women; what I do know from the two seconds I got to see him in person, is that he's so shy & so kind. He would give anything for those he loves & as much as he can for those he may not even know.

    So John, if you're out there reading this somewhere... by any tiny chance... I want you to know I'm on your side. Don't let these desperate people get to you; don't let them tear down anything that you've built. Stand strong & move forward. Though it's easier said than done, you've been through harder times than this, & you can get through this as well. It's the obstacles that make us stronger.

    For everyone else: I once believed that being a celebrity is the best - all the money you could ever want, getting to meet other celebrities, going to award shows every few months... what I didn't realize until I got older is that money really can't buy happiness or love... those things you still have to work for.

Are you willing to go the distance?

        I've seen those 30 Day Facebook Challenges; daily photo posts & memories that last a life time. But what about challenges that have you moving forward, changing you with every step?

    This is one challenge I'm sure will change you & those around you for the better. Perhaps you'll even be willing to share this challenge on the 2147Miles Facebook Fan Page.

    Enjoy! :)

Day 1: Celebrate May Day (It's tomorrow!) or send someone you care for a gift.
- Leave a gift on someone's door step, even if it's just a flower.

Day 2: Accomplish two things you've been putting off for a really long time.
 - Mine would be sanding down the kitchen window & repainting it.

Day 3: Pick up five pieces of garbage on the side of the road.

Day 4: Learn something new.
- Do you know how to tie a neck tie?
- How to make a good lasagna?

Day 5: Give someone a hand.
- Even holding the door open for someone. :)

Day 6: Celebrate an odd holiday.
- May 3rd was Lumpy Rug Day... I really don't know why.
- May 6th is Beverage Day or No Diet Day.
- May 7th is National Tourism Day
- Check out more here: May, 2012 Bizarre & Special Holidays.

Day 7: Tell someone your most embarrassing moment.
- We ALL have them! If you'd like, you can even anonymously post it here.

Day 8: Meet someone new. Yet to meet a neighbor?
- Introduce yourself to someone like you would've in first grade, like it's nothing.

Day 9: Eat something you wouldn't normally try, or something you hated as a kid.
- Mine was Elvis' Grilled banana & peanut butter sandwich. I then tried black liquorish... I still don't like it but taste buds do change.

Day 10: Turn off your phone & go without internet for an entire day.
- You heard me. It's time to take a break from technology. :)

Day 11: Catch up with an old friend.
- Facebook, email, good old fashioned mail... either way, check in.

Day 12: Get lost on StumbleUpon or Pinterest.
- Spend the day looking through all of your favorite things.

Day 13: Give a high five.... just because.

Day 14: Safely take a walk alone with your iPod.
- Sometimes that long walk on your own can be the most peaceful place.

Day 15: Let go of a grudge. - What are you letting go of?
- We all hold them. If something's bugging you, today's the day to let it go.

Day 16: Write a letter to a soldier - Send your support through A Million Thanks.

Day 17: Give a great review.
- Know a restaurant you absolutely love? Leave a review - it seems people only leave reviews when they're angry. Lets change it. (This can be done through yahoo, google, local newspaper sites & my favorite: Urbanspoon.com.)

Day 18: Contact me!
- Tell me something you would like to accomplish this year & why. I'll be sure to respond to everyone on how I might be able to help. :)

Day 19: No more complaints!
- Post on Facebook what you're thankful for.

Day 20: Be proud of your body today.
- Eat something you've been avoiding today and be proud!

Day 21: Send a thank you note, card, or gift.
- Has someone really helped you out lately, even in the slightest? Thank them.

Day 22: Give a compliment to someone you don't know.

Day 23: Plant something.
- A tree, a flower, pumpkin seeds, strawberries. Enjoy!

Day 24: Take a stand. Sign a petition on Change.org.
- Have something you stand for? Show your support. Worried about spam mail? Don't be. Change.org may send you reminders, but they can be easily taken off of your email by simply hitting the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of the email.

Day 25: Gimme A Break Day!
- Go get a Kitkat bar. :)

Day 26:Enter a contest.
- Check out CMT.com for some fun ones if you like Country music.

Day 27: Learn a random fact. - I've always been curious why pilots say "Mayday."
- There are all sorts of random things to learn on the internet.

Day 28: Like the 2147Miles' Facebook Fan Page.
- Alright, this one isn't mandatory, but I thought you'd still enjoy it.

Day 29: Find out how well you know yourself.
- Check out Chatterbean.com for a fun 'know yourself' quiz or make a list of your favorites. Eggs? Color? Car Make & Model?

Day 30: Find out what makes you happy & take a leap of faith.
- Afraid to ask a girl out? Not sure about your career path? Do your research; find out what is going to make you happy for the rest of your life & take that next step. Giving it a shot is better than never knowing what could've been.

Are you willing to go the distance?