Blog & News

Category: Thought for the Day

One Year On – Taking Personal Responsibility

I started posting blogs just over one year ago and I am delighted to say that I am still blogging. Ā I have been told in a kind comment from Evelyn Lim that most bloggers don’t reach the year mark. For me I hope to continue and create many more blogs in the coming years. Ā Most of all thank you the readers for continuing to visit my website and provide support with your kind comments and suggestions.Ā  They are well received and I look forward to your comments and feedback in the future. One of the most beneficial aspects for me personally is that I am living my blog and making those changes I want to make in my life. Believe in yourself and your dreams and don’t forget to make someone smile today. Please pass on my www.melclifford.com web address just to one new person today as a good recommendation is priceless.Ā  Thank you in advance

Read More Ā»

Please do not disturb – I am on my laptop

Sitting in the Coffee and Chocolate CafĆ© in downtown on a beautiful sunny morning, while I wrote it reminded me of the song by Stealers Wheel and the words Clowns to the left of me and jokers to the right stuck in the middle with you. Why because to my left of me sat three men all busy working on their laptops. Ā There was also one young lady with a book titled ā€œArt & Fear, her pen in hand marking pages and writing about the chapters, what a beautiful sight. Ā To my right sat three other men with their laptops and guess what another young lady with a book reading and writing. Coffee shops are supposed to be places of meeting people good conversation and discussion.Ā  But not here as all the people with their laptops may as well of had a sign saying ā€œplease do not disturbā€ they were busy connecting to the world outside.Ā  It would be easy to say to the young ladies reading their books ā€œwhat are you reading is it of interestā€ and guess what we have a conversation going. Then two men walked in and sat down with their coffee and just started talking and having a conversation and laughing what a beautiful sound of conversation. Ā I do have to say I have often sat in coffee shops on my own laptop – but I think now I will make more of an effort to bring back the art of discussion and conversation. Remove your ā€œplease do not disturb signā€

Read More Ā»

Don’t wait for one day in the year make it every day

Last year on this very day I wrote a blog called Remind me again – its Valentine’s Day and wondered what I would write for today and I have chosen the same post with very minor changes as it is valid today as it was 365 days ago. Happy wishes to all lovers – and remember there are no limits when it comes to love.Ā  Love is in the eye of the beholder.Ā  Just think of the barriers people have placed before them as they seek to choose that special person in their life.Ā  They think that the person must be this or they must be that or they must look like this or that, they must have this or must have that. Ā These false believes, looking for the Hollywood image. If we all closed our eyes and listened to the person’s heart, forget about the looks, forget about the money and forget all those false images and wants.Ā  Just listen to their heart – for it is from there they will speak to you. When it all comes down to it, most of us just want to feel loved, have fun and be happy in our world.Ā  The person that will do this for you is the person that is right for you.Ā  One can have all the others false images but if you don’t have real love they have nothing.Ā  So make sure when you have found this in your life that you work hard to keep it and deliver on your commitments in this relationship.Ā  One way is to communicate on all levels, if you can’t do this then work at it, for communications is vital in a meaningful relationship. So for Valentine’s Day, one should not need just one day in the year to remind us to look after the one we love.Ā  One day to tell them that they are loved or to make a little fuss about them just on this day. Ā Or on this special day to have fun with them and make them laugh.Ā  For one day it will be your last day with the person you love, so do you need just this one day in the year called Valentine’s Day to remind you or will you remember every day. Change is in your hands don’t wait for Valentine’s Day for next year it may not come. Accept the divine imperfections of your beloved we all have them

Read More Ā»

Overcome

Change your thoughts and change your life, it is better to have thought differently than to have died inside. Our fears are there to help us grow, it is better for you to grow rather than your fears.

Read More Ā»

Reactions –why don’t you just say something nice today

How do you feel when someone pays you a compliment?Ā  Sometimes you might not pay any attention to it or you may feel a little embarrassed say nothing and shyly blush. Ā Most of the time when someone says something nice about us we will feel good within ourselves. When someone pays me a compliment, I feel that the best way is to say thank you very much and accept it and to accept the good feeling it gives me. But don’t wait for someone to pay you a compliment – you pay someone a compliment today and notice their reaction. By the way you have a great smile.

Read More Ā»

Mel Clifford | Stories of the Day | e-book to download

At the beginning of February, my blog will be a year old. I hope that in that time you have enjoyed reading my Stories of the Day. I have taken great pleasure sharing them with you, and am encouraged by all of your kind comments. To mark the first year of Stories of the Day, I have compiled an e-book of all my articles to the end of 2010 which I encourage you all to download from the link at the end of this post. For those of you familiar with my stories, you can catch up on your favourite bits. For those visiting for the first time, this e-book will give you a flavour of these stories, ranging from my daily life, to some more personal quips on the state of the world as it was at the time of writing. Click on the image to the right to download my e-book. I hope you enjoy.

Read More Ā»

Social Media – Where has the art of good conversation gone?

The growth of communications via social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter LinkedIn, blogging and others has been unbelievable over the past few years.Ā  Facebook is now claiming that its fastest growing group are females between the ages of 55 – 65.Ā  Those born in the mid 1990’s have grown up with cell phones, texting, email and Facebook as part of their day to day lives. Yes where there is an upside there is a downside – where is the art of starting or holding a good conversation with someone face to face gone? Ā From what I can observe the teenagers and early twenties are holding the majority of their discussions over the internet using social media networks.Ā  Young couples are texting each other from within the same room both working on their laptops or iPhones.Ā  Is this the way of the future? What has happened to just being able to actually start a conversation and talk face to face with someone.Ā  Even talk over the telephone instead of texting.Ā  I feel that these qualities and skills might disappear and the main form of communication will be via technologies networks.Ā  How will individuals related to each other as couples and as work colleagues?Ā  Maybe in years to come we will be running classes again on the art of communications teaching people how to just talk to each other again. Communication is vital in our lives but not by social media alone – so lift your head or dial that number and just talk to someone today – maybe this post is a few years too soon?

Read More Ā»

Happy New Year

As they say in Ireland the fitness centres are full in January and the Pubs are empty, in February the fitness centres are empty and the pubs are full. This year make the differences in your life and have the commitment and determination to see them through. May I wish you all a very happy and healthy 2011 There is a crack in everything thats how the lights gets in – L Cohen

Read More Ā»

Inner You

Listen to those from within, what are they telling you?Ā  Ask the questions you need answers for, they will come if you listen.Ā  Remember the saying ā€œI have a gut feelingā€ the body is never wrong when it is trying to tell you something. Therefore we have to be in tune with the listening. No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place – Zen

Read More Ā»