Isn't It Time to Give Yourself Permission?

By Lois GallowayRemember back in school days when you needed a permission slip to do almost anything outside of the classroom? Things like simply being able to visit the washroom, attend a sports meeting or going on a field trip? As adults we don't need someone to give us a permission slip. We already have a whole supply at our disposal.Now the trick here is to remember to use them.Sounds simple right? Well, I have to tell you it's not always that simple. Actually I'm quite sure most of you haven't even thought about giving yourself permission to do much of anything lately, let alone permission to have some fun. Am I right?Remember that there are some old beliefs that probably crop up when you are tempted to give yourself permission to do something, change something about yourself or ask for something.Here's a list of some of those beliefs that show up and cause us to deny ourselves permission.What will people think?I'm sure I can't afford to do thatI don't really deserve thisI'm afriadI'll be considered selfishWhat if I fail?What if I'm successful?That's way outside my comfort zoneLet me share with you an example from my own life experience.About 8 months ago I was attending a womens networking seminar and while I was there, I met up with Carol, a Personal Fitness Trainer. She was so interesting to chat with and I was really enjoying our conversation until she suggested that I come out to the gym and experience working out.Oh boy, that was definitely something I never gave myself permission to do. Actually, that was one area that I was way out of my comfort zone because physical fitness has always been a big challenge for me. I just knew that I would feel uncomfortable working out in a gym.
But I have to tell you, I decided to put myself out there and took her up on her offer. And after three weeks of consistent training, I started to feel very comfortable. In fact, I felt extremely comfortable, energetic and especially proud of myself. It was great!Now after 8 months of working out I am really seeing the benefits and am so happy that I took the chance and gave myself permission to step outside my comfort zone.Here's some permission slip ideas you might want to incorporate into your own life.Permission to do something that pleases YOU. (Yes, that's right, something that pleases you, how wicked!)Permission to say no. (Not always easy to do but WOW, the benefits are tremendous.)Premission to take an occasional day off from whatever it is you do. (And remember, stop checking those emails.)Premission to check your emails. (Ok, ok, I'm guilty of this one too.)Premission to become that fearless person you have always wanted to be. (This is BIG but so worth developing.)So the moral of this information is that YOU are the only one who can sign your own permission slips.What will they be? Will you give yourself permission to have some fun days, take a day off and enjoy it with a friend, give yourself permission to have a day with no interruptions, a day to kick back and just read?All of these are possible, you just need to develop the skill and use it!

Self Improvement And Motivation Positive Attitude

Charles Lindbergh

(February 4, 1902 – August 26, 1974)

Charles Lindbergh Jr. , known as "Lucky Lindy" and "The Lone Eagle", was a United States aviator famous for piloting the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927.Some believe Lindbergh tarnished his good name by his leadership in the movement to keep the US out of World War II. Others credit Lindbergh for his brave championing of a respectable view that was losing popular support.

Lindbergh was born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Swedish immigrants. He grew up in Little Falls, Minnesota. His father, Charles Lindbergh Sr., was a lawyer and later a U.S. Congressman who opposed the entry of the U.S. into World War I; his mother was a chemistry teacher. Early on, he showed an interest in machinery, especially aircraft. Lindbergh, for a short time, attended Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, California [1].In 1922, he quit a mechanical engineering program, joined a pilot and mechanics training program with Nebraska Aircraft, bought his own plane, a World War I-surplus Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny", and became a stunt pilot. In 1924, he started training as a pilot with the Army Air Service. During this time he also held a job as an airline mechanic in Billings, Montana working at Logan International Airport.After finishing first in his class, Lindbergh took his first job as lead pilot of an airmail route operated by Robertson Aircraft Co. of Lambert Field in St. Louis, Missouri. He flew the mail in a DeHavilland DH-4 biplane to Springfield, Peoria, and Chicago, Illinois. During his tenure on the mail route, he was renowned for delivering the mail under any circumstances. He even salvaged stashes of mail from his burning aircraft and immediately phoned Alexander Varney, Peoria's airport manager, to advise him to send a truck.In April 1923, while visiting friends in Lake Village, Arkansas, Lindbergh made his first ever nighttime flight over Lake Village and Lake Chicot.

Benjamin Franklin

(January 17 [O.S. January 6] 1706 – April 17, 1790)
Benjamin Franklin was one of the most well known Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a leading printer, scientist, inventor, civic activist, and diplomat. As a scientist he was a major figure in the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As a political writer and activist he, more than anyone, developed the idea of an American nation, and as a diplomat during the American Revolution, he secured the French alliance that made independence possible.

One of the oldest Founders, Franklin was noted for his curiosity, his writings (popular, political and scientific), and his diversity of interests. His wise and scintillating writings are proverbial to this day. As a leader of the Enlightenment, he gained the recognition of scientists and intellectuals across Europe. An agent in London before the Revolution, and Minister to France during, he more than anyone defined the new nation in the minds of Europe. His success in securing French military and financial aid was the turning point for American victory over Britain. He invented the lightning rod; he was an early proponent of colonial unity; historians hail him as the "First American". The city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania marked Franklin's 300th birthday in January 2006 with a wide array of exhibitions, and events citing Franklin's extraordinary accomplishments throughout his illustrious career.Born in Boston, Massachusetts to a devout Anglican tallow-maker, Franklin learned printing from his older brother and became a newspaper editor, printer, and merchant in Philadelphia, becoming very wealthy. He spent many years in England and published the famous Poor Richard's Almanac and the Pennsylvania Gazette. He formed both the first public lending library and fire department in America as well as the Junto, a political discussion club.

He became a national hero in America when he spearheaded the effort to have Parliament repeal the unpopular Stamp Act. A diplomatic genius, Franklin was almost universally admired among the French as American minister to Paris, and was a major figure in the development of positive Franco-American relations. From 1775 to 1776, Franklin was Postmaster General under the Continental Congress and from 1785 to his death in 1790 was President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. Towards the end of his life, he became one of the most prominent early American abolitionists.Franklin was interested in science and technology, carrying out his famous electricity experiments and invented the Franklin stove, medical catheter, lightning rod, swim fins, glass harmonica (not the harmonica, which was invented long after Franklin), and bifocals. He also played a major role in establishing the higher education institutions that would become the University of Pennsylvania and the Franklin and Marshall College. He was elected the first president of the American Philosophical Society Held at Philadelphia for Promoting Useful Knowledge

the oldest learned society in the United States, in 1769. In addition, Franklin was a noted linguist, fluent in five languages. He is typically recognized as a polymath.Inventions and scientific inquiriesFranklin was a prodigious inventor. Among his many creations were the lightning rod, the glass harmonica, the Franklin stove, bifocal glasses, and the flexible urinary catheter. Although Franklin never patented any of his own inventions, he was a supporter of the rights of inventors and authors and was responsible for inserting into the United States Constitution the provision for limited-term patents and copyrights.In 1743, Franklin founded the American Philosophical Society to help scientific men discuss their discoveries. He began the electrical research that, along with other scientific inquiries, would occupy him for the rest of his life (in between bouts of politics and moneymaking).


Benjamin Franklin
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