The BOWA Blog

Why Me?

by Bert Oliva

Why me? Why is my life so hard? Why does this always happen to me?

Do you know of anyone who is a victim in their own life? Someone who continuously complains and asks “why me” all of the time? Odds are, you probably do. In fact, odds are, there are at least moments in your own life where you allow yourself to be a victim.

Not every situation in our lives is perfect. Many of them are down right painful. But harping on the negative things that happen in our lives does nothing but bring more negativity to us. We are each magnets. Whatever we focus on we become charged with and we attract more of that into our lives.

No matter what happens, do not allow yourself to continue to focus on the bad things that occur in your life. Instead look for the positive. There is always something positive, even if it is simply a lesson to be learned from a bad situation.

The beauty of our lives is that we are not victims. We always have a choice. We are in charge of our own lives. We always can decide what we want to put our energies toward.

Stop giving your power to other people, situations, and circumstances. You are in charge of your own life.

Live Life,

Bert Oliva

Are You Living Life?

by Bert Oliva

One of my favorite quotes is “Live life, don’t let life live you.” However what does it mean to truly live life? What is your definition?

My definition of living life is not just merely existing but experiencing every single aspect of life fully. Instead of allowing yourself to blow around in the winds of life’s situations like a fallen leaf, you choose your actions and how you will react to life’s situations. Whether you are going through an amazing situation or even a very painful one, you allow yourself to feel every extent of your emotions.

The truth of the matter is that we are the creators of our own lives. Yes things happen in each of our lives that we are not in control of, but we can choose how we react to those situations. There is an opportunity in everything we face, but to take advantage of those opportunities we must live our lives as active participants. We must take responsibility and stop allowing ourselves to be the victims of circumstances.

Today, I challenge you to be present in every moment of your day. Allow yourself to feel everything. Allow yourself to realize how many things you have in your life to be grateful for. Allow yourself to realize just how powerful you are in your ability to create things in your life.

Live Life
Bert Oliva

How Is Your New Year Going?

by Bert Oliva

So, how is your New Year going? Have you been able to keep the momentum going thus far? Or are you already finding yourself slipping backwards?

I love the New Year. It is such a powerful time. Not only is it a fresh start for you, but it is a fresh start for everyone, so you get to enjoy and tap into the momentum of everyone around you. Having people around you who are committed to making changes within themselves is very helpful if you want to succeed with your New Year’s resolutions or any commitments you make. This is because we all need support at times and we all need someone to push us when we are losing our momentum.

Do not lose the progress you have made already. Keep moving toward your goals and your commitments. Even if you have fallen backwards, begin again. Though it is no longer the first day of the New Year, you can start right now, this very moment. That is the beauty of us as human beings and the power we have within ourselves. We can always start again. All we need is to make a commitment to ourselves, create a plan, and start moving towards it.

I truly believe this is going to be your best year yet. You are going to achieve more than you set your mind to. Now it’s time for you to believe in yourself and take action.

Live Life,
Bert Oliva

Times Have Changed

by Bert Oliva

The New Year is just around the corner. And with it comes all new opportunities and fresh starts. This year, it is time for us to realize just how powerful a time we live in. We can connect with anyone anywhere through the power of social media and technology.

If there is someone out there – a celebrity, a fellow business person, even a classmate – that you want to connect with, but have been intimidated to do so, take the chance. Reach out through social media. You will be surprised at how often you will get a response.

Times have changed. We are no longer isolated from one another, but completely interconnected. Make this year about collaboration and partnerships. Take the chance and connect.

Happy New Year from the BOWA Team and myself. Thank you for all of your support, encouragement, and inspiration. I look forward to connecting and collaborating with more of you throughout 2016.

Live Life,
Bert Oliva

How Aware Are You?

by Bert Oliva

How aware are you?

How often does it feel like things just “happen” to you?

How often do you feel like the victim?

How often do you feel out of control?

Remember, situations and circumstances are what build your character to get you ready for what is about to come.

However, you must take action. You must make decisions.

For the most part, things do not just “happen” to you. They happen as a result of your choices or lack of choices; your actions or lack of actions.

You are not a victim. The only one who can make you feel like a victim is you. Stop allowing that to happen.

Try one or all of these PowerTools™:

1) If you are having a difficult time with someone in your life, the next time you are upset with them, just step back and take notice. Were they being themselves or were they out to hurt you? Sometimes it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them.

2) Next time something like a speeding ticket happens to you think, “Is this a bad day or did I make a wrong choice?” If it is a wrong choice, who controlled that situation?

You are in control. You are in the driver’s seat. Open your eyes and choose to start living your life your way.

Live Life,

Bert Oliva

Courtesy

by Bert Oliva

We are all human beings on this planet and we all have equal needs. We all need food, water, shelter, and love. We all crave human contact and a deeper purpose. We all get sick. We all feel cold. We all feel hurt.

So why do we spend so much time separating ourselves from others? Why do we feel the need to make ourselves feel better than while making others feel less than? Why have we forgotten how to give common courtesy to our fellow humans?

This week I challenge you to be truly courteous with everyone you come into contact with. That includes the person who cuts you off in traffic (instead of getting angry and wishing them harm, give them the benefit of the doubt—perhaps they didn’t see you, perhaps they just left their home in a hurry because someone they love is in trouble, etc.). That also includes the telemarketer who calls you on your break and the person who runs into you in the hallway accidentally.

Try one or all of these PowerTools™:
1) Wave at everyone you see in your neighborhood and say good morning, good afternoon or good evening and smile.
2) Hold the door open for anyone you are walking with and let them go ahead of you.
3) If you stand in line this week just let the person behind you go ahead of you, smile and tell them to have a nice day.

This week, treat everyone kindly and with respect. Think of each person first before yourself. You will be amazed at how others will start to treat you and how much lighter and better you feel on a whole.

Live Life,
Bert Oliva