I Love You Just the Way You Are?

Remember Billy Joel's song, "Just the Way You Are"?  The song encourages one's love to NOT change and remain who they are always.  Yet, there is no sadder person in life than the one who refuses or neglects to change.  As long as we are still alive, we are capable of changing and growing. We can do anything we want to do, be anything we want to be with the proper mindset.  It is essential that we accept responsibilty for our own growth; for no one can do it for us.  What we do today will determine our readiness for tomorrow.  Here are a few self-development tips for us all:

• Take time every day to do something for yourself;
• Take classes to stay current in your field of expertise. The world is changing rapidly and you must learn to manage change to avoid obsolescence. The way Will Rogers put this was that "even if you are on the right track, if you just sit there you will get run over" ;
• Read materials and listen to audios on personal and professional growth topics;
• Never look back to the past.  You only can control your actions in this instant, so what should you be doing right now? ; 
• Learn from "other people's experience" rather then having to try everything for yourself. It shortens the time needed to learn.

"I need to know that you will always be, the same old someone that I knew... I love you just the way you are," sings Billy Joel.  However, there is no sadder person in life than the one who refuses or neglects to change and grow.  Yes, we should accept and embrace ourselves and others just as we are BUT we can't stay there.  Each new day is an opportunity to become better than we were yesterday but not as good as we'll be tomorrow!

Here's to a great today and an even better tomorrow!

Jerry