COLOR

 If energy cannot be created nor destroyed, then a picture creates a thousand words is quite apropos when it comes to color.  Color: the color of your eyes, the shades of makeup, the color of your skin and hair, and your clothes.  These are most memorable to the people you meet.  They may not remember all of them but, I can guarantee something about the colors you wear will permeate their memory storage unit.  Color can give you a certain vibe and provide a dynamic contrast. 

Color has meaning, definition, and initiates emotion.  A red tie worn by a man-particularly when worn under a dark suit accompanied by a crisp, white shirt sends a message.  I feel powerful-look at me-what do you see and hear?   A woman wearing a fiery red or cobalt blue dress or gown; elegant and gorgeous.  Color draws attention-especially, amongst a crowd of monochromatic colors of browns, blacks, and greys. Color possesses an audience.  Color attracts attention.  Color brings vibrancy to a dull look.  Color will  enhance and effect your skin tone, the iris of the eye, as well as your mood.

Try on two outfits.  One of monochromatic shades of brown or black.  Add a brilliant orange or red shirt. A single step may be all you can handle.  No worries; you are going in the right direction.  Perhaps a pair of fancy or bright colored socks to wear with those loafers.  Maybe go bare and no socks!  Go even further and compare an outfit of bright colors-add a few dazzling accessories and VIOLA!  You feel great, you look great, and others will both notice and remember you.  

Whether you are attending an important business event, going on your first date, meeting some very important people, or just meeting a friend for coffee; don't forget to wear your color!

ENERGY

 Look around you; not in your home.   But, outside-behold the beautiful scenes of mother earth. The grass is turning green.  The early tulips have peeked through the soil; their leaves formed and growing skyward.  The daffodils have already bloomed in yellow and cream colors enveloped in long, green leaves. The buds on the trees and landscaping bushes are formed.  Even the gardening plants, started indoors with artificial light, have been placed outdoors to enjoy the natural sunlight and fresh air.  It takes energy to make these things take place: formed from water, nutrients in the soil, and sunlight.  Energy; the first law of Thermodynamics-it cannot be created or destroyed.  Think about that for a moment.  Pause here.  Think about what has gone into those plants and trees and how sources of energy such as the suns power propels life; to thrive and grow.  

Your energy.  What propels you?  Do you have enough energy to get you through your day?  Now; are you serious about making a change or two to get more of it?  As a parent, you realized two significant aspects of life.  One; your children have endless energy and two: you have barely enough energy to get  to bed time. I'm sure there is a parent out there that may beg to differ; I applaud you.  If you don't have children you may have witnessed their little bodies scurrying across a playground while squealing in delight.  You may have smiled in admiration just wishing you could bottle it for consumption later.  Since energy theoretically cannot be created or destroyed you have access to a  variety of foods or sources of energy to complete your daily tasks.  It is the routines in our life and constant changes commanding strain on the body and depletion of energy.  The foods and liquids we ingest break down into nutrients and fats; the excess excreted and some stored while others give us the fuel to complete our tasks.  Sleep and rest allow the body to heal and replenish the blood, repair muscle tissue, and generate new cells to do it all over again the next day, and the next, and.....

I see my friends and others around me.  They can't sleep; they pop a pill.  They have high blood pressure; they pop a pill.  They have lower back pain; you get my point. That is their choice.  I watch as they walk slumped over in the early morning; their joints achey.  I see others with bloated faces and bodies from taking anti-anxiety medicine.  Their energy levels have declined.  The liver detoxes what you intake; the vital organs work harder to maintain function and largely suffer from the long-time usage.  May I suggest making an appointment with a nutritionist next time you feel run down or are concerned about your overall health.  They will be able to establish a plan of diet specifically for your health needs.  This could be a great enhancement to your quality of life and provide you with a return of energy unlike what you have experienced.  

If you feel your energy levels decline early in your day or form bursts throughout the day, perhaps a change in diet, exercise, or restructuring your activities will balance your mind and body.  I also realize genetics plays a significant role in our health.  Working consistently on diet can help offset some of the genetic predispositions.  My predispositions are belly fat, high cholesterol, and what was termed by my neurologist; fancy migraines.   Debilitating migraines. I have worked toward changing these genetic traits and will continue to do so.  I have found increasing water just by a couple of 12 - 16 ounce glasses in my day plump up my skin and reduce my desire to snack on sweets.  Although, anyone who knows me certainly has witnessed my preference to dark chocolate-in moderation. Life has too many simple pleasures to ignore.  Make some changes; even a small change-become amazed with your new energy level.  

CHALLENGING PERSONALITIES

 I grew up in a family with one member having a very strong personality.  He was not necessarily of the good sort.  He was the second son of six siblings.   Not very bright and had a serious jealousy streak of the siblings following him.  There were times I thought he was of criminal mind growing up.  He lied a lot.  He took every opportunity to take things from people.  No one else in the family was like this.  And, he had a mean streak that took you by surprise without a moments notice. He was my mentor of a challenging personality.  But, one thing he also taught me was bad people can have redeeming traits as well.  He would always be the one to get flowers for our mother on those special occasions.  She melted with his toothy grin, his smile showing the slight space between his two upper teeth, and forgave him for all things bad.  Christmas time was his most favorite time to buy her the most expensive gift and beautiful card.  I would meet his many life lessons through time.  

In my late twenties, I owned a retail business with multiple locations and was quite strict with the employees on their time to report for their schedule.  They had a heavy work schedule of six days a week from 10 or 11 in the morning to 9 or 10 in the evening.  They were also paid rather well and a high school education and honesty were the two major skills needed to be hired.  One young man spoke to me after being a bit harsh on him.  He was in his early twenties and was getting married soon.  He said, 'you will get more bees with honey than vinegar.'  I did not take his comment lightly.  My retail career lasted about seven years.  It collapsed due to a recession-I had grown to big too fast-I never looked back.

Most of my life has been working with the public and with multiple other employees.  I realized very young how difficult others could be as well as how difficult I could be.  I learned there are methods and useful tactics to compromise.  I wasn't taught that in my family growing up.  In the real world of working, there have been memorable managers.  I found the female managers the most difficult to work with.  I prefer a male in command.  They don't possess the estrogen laden decisions.  Don't get me wrong, two of my women managers I highly respected.  And, one of my male managers was an ignoramus at best.  He was a flip-flopper.   He said one thing-and did quite another.

Working with challenging personalities has become commonplace.  Most people leave their jobs-not because of their pay-but, because of their supervisor.  The workplace should not be a battle ground of wins and losses but, a mutually respected environment of problem solvers and producers.  For help, reach out to co-workers (not complainers) or a trusted mentor.  Reading literature on effective ways of communication and goal setting can be extremely rewarding.  Becoming consistent and practicing skills will help create positive outcomes for your future and the building blocks of a strong focus in your career.  Your family and loved ones will welcome the change!