Make Up Your Mind

"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

-Abraham Lincoln

It's amazing and just goes to show that even back in the day, the people who had the right attitude on life are the ones who went far. The president for example, or famous inventors, explorers, and musicians. It has always been the people in life with the joyous, happy attitude who go the distance.

It is us who decides where we go, what we do, what we say, even down to what we think. And it is our thoughts that affect our possibilities. Our thoughts can hinder us, or bring us up... we make the decision. We can make up our minds to strive toward positive things and positive thoughts. We can choose to avoid negative images or circumstances. Most of all we can be a beacon of light for others around us. Live by example and show others how positive thinking really affects your life. Share your story with others, and maybe soon the rest of the world will catch on.

Our lives make a difference. Our thoughts make a difference. Choose your state of mind. Choose what you want in life. We are as happy as we choose to be!

Why isn't this working?

What we think about becomes our reality. The Law of Attraction is always working, and works every time. So why do we not always get what we want when we want it? There are reasons why some of the things that we wish for come to us, while others take longer or never seem to show. Why?

Well, I would say that the most common reason we do not receive what we want is because of our beliefs. What do we believe is true? For something to manifest in our lives we must truly believe that it is possible and that we deserve to have it. A lot of our ideas seem so far away and impossible sometimes. Because that is what we believe to be fact. When we change our beliefs then we can change our reality. What is on your mind? Abraham (Ester & Jerry Hicks) put it simply as "your habitual dominant vibration," this is what will create your world. What are you focusing on? What is attracting your attention? These thoughts are what will continue to create your world. Your dominant thoughts. But, the beauty of it all is that we are choosing what we think about, just like we can change our thoughts if we want to.

The next reason that could be causing our desires not to show would be a lack of patience. Louise L. Hays compares the Law of Attraction to a seed. When we ask for something, our desire, we must give it time to appear - just as if we were to plant a seed. It takes time for a seed to grow, it doesn't just happen over night. Some plants take little time, while others can take years. We must be patient and believe that it is happening. And we must not be so desperate for our desire to come about. Once again, Abraham (Ester & Jerry Hicks) says: "The most common misunderstanding that prevents people from getting control of a situation and gaining their personal balance is the belief that I need to get where I want to be right now or as quickly as possible. The urge works against you. When you feel an urgency to be somewhere else, you are pushing hard against where you are." And although we are asking for more we must continue to be thankful for all of the things that we do have. When we are in that happy, thankful, joyous mood then that is when the magic happens. Our positive mood is like fertilizer to our plant, it helps it along, gives it nourishment.

And lastly, another reason we may not be seeing our desires in our lives could be because we are focusing more on the bad then the good. If you are ill and want better health, yes you may ask for that better health but you are focusing on the uncomfortable situation, the pain, it's all you can talk about. Or if you need money - you ask for it, but then all you can think about are the things that you don't have instead of the things that you do. You keep thinking about those bills or how you never have enough. What are you focusing on? You can't ask for prosperity and then expect it to come out of your thoughts of being deprived. Sometimes it can be very hard to change our thinking patterns, but with practice it can soon become natural to us.

So ask yourself, "What am I really thinking about?" When you put forth those thoughts of desire, do you really believe it is possible? Do you really believe that you deserve it? Are you practicing patience, or doubting because it hasn't happened yet? Are you thinking about what you want more than what you don't have? These are all very important questions which will really steer you into the right direction when it comes to fully utilizing positive thinking and the Law of Attraction. Believe it is happening, your dreams are right around the corner!

Appreciation

I've recently been talking a lot about appreciation and being grateful for the things that we have. I have mentioned a few good techniques that were recommended by different authors and books. But what I have really come to realize now, after applying some of those ideas is just how much I really did take things for granted. Sure, I always thought of myself as a very appreciative and thankful person... that is until I really started reading and getting into some of these books about positive thinking. I am realizing now that there are so many different ways to show gratitude.

"The Secret", Louise L. Hays, Deepak Chopra, and Abraham all speak about being thankful for every little thing that comes into our life. It has also been mentioned that if we are not thankful for all of the little things, or the things that we have now then we will not appreciate all of the good things that are to come. New, great things cannot come to us until we are thankful for what we have. So I have really been thinking about that concept... because of course like many, there are things that I desire in my life that I have not come in contact with yet. So, I have been thinking about all the little things that I am thankful for and keeping a Gratitude Journal like I mentioned before. In doing so I have really noticed all of the things that I have that I am taking for granted. I have several examples in fact. The first one was my car. I have a very nice car compared to many. I have a 2001 red Chevy Camaro, with 20" rims. A nice ride. It wasn't the car I was originally trying to get, but it is still very nice. Anyhow, I don't remember which author said it, but they said that you can tell how people feel about their cars by the condition they keep it in. Some people keep their cars very clean inside and out, while others just don't seem to care. Well, I am very neat when it comes to keeping the inside of my car clean... I don't like trash, soda cans, papers, or any odd debris. But I did start to notice that I wasn't keeping it the way I should if I really did appreciate it like I thought. I noticed the outside was dirty, the rims could use a cleaning, and the inside was needing a good dusting. So I got to work on it, cleaned it all up... and boy it looks so much nicer. Other examples of things that I have been taking for granted would be my clothing and accessories. I have a closet full of clothes and shoes that I never wear. I just got into that "comfy" mode and only wore nice things on occasion. Well that is silly! I realized one of the things I have been wanting is to go shopping and buy new clothes and accessories. Well, if I don't appreciate what I already have, why should I go shopping? Well so now I am striving to wear a different outfit everyday. I wore a dress the other day, and I felt so good in it and looked so pretty. My boyfriend loved it! And it was about damn time I wore it, because I have never wore the thing since I bought it! In over a year! How ungrateful is that? Not only was I taking for granted my clothes, but all my different shoes too. I have so many, and in different colors, but I got into the habit of just always grabbing those black comfortable tennis shoes. And I have a whole jewelry box full of jewelry, most of which I haven't wore in years! WHY? I was organizing my jewelry box and I love all of it, and just never wear it. Rings, necklaces, bracelets... talk about unappreciative! And when I was styling my hair I noticed how many decorative hair ties, headbands, and barrettes that I own, some of which I have never even wore. How sad is that? But it just goes to show how easily we can take things for granted, and not even realize it. I was taking all of those things for granted, and now that I am using them I see that. Another example: finger nail polish. I used to have my nails done, and since I haven't been working that was something I have cut back on to save money. But I wish that I could have them done. Well, so I started painting them on my own, something I haven't done in years. But I am really trying to embrace what I have and be truly thankful. On the same lines, I have a foot spa, and foot scrubs that I've been wanting to use, but just haven't gotten around to. Well it is time that I do. It is time that I make time for the things that I want to do - and more importantly use and appreciate all the things that I own!

It is so easy to say that we are thankful for all that we have, but are we really? I thought I was. What can you do in your life to show that you are grateful? Are there things in your life that have gotten neglected? We must appreciate all that we have before we can appreciate anything new.

Five Senses

Most of us are given five valuable senses for our existence. Sight, Hearing, Feeling, Taste, and Smell. We use these sense every day without even realizing it most of the time. We rely on what our senses tell us. Our senses are a direct link to our brain, which processes the given information. We live and learn through our senses. They immensely affect our lives. So, with as much as we depend on our senses we should also use them to our advantage, more than what we already do anyhow.

Many of the authors and supporters of the Law of Attraction and the whole positive thinking movement suggest and personally recommend using our five sense to help attract the things that we desire into our lives. They say that we are to use all of our given senses to feel how our dreams would feel. We need to hear it. We need to see it. We need to taste it. We need to smell it. And lastly we need to feel it! Feel how it would make you feel inside when you have accomplished your goal or finally have that something you've been wanting for a long time. The mind can conceive anything. And if we can imagine it, then we can make it our reality. They say that the mind cannot differentiate between reality and imagination. The mind knows no difference. So take that into consideration. The mind cannot tell the difference between real and unreal thoughts! So we can choose to think about whatever we like. They say we can trick our mind into believing something is real. I'm sure we are all familiar with the Placebo Effect. It's the same idea. The mind will respond to what we choose to believe is real. We can think about whatever we want, so why not think about the things that we enjoy, and want to come into our existence? We can imagine what our dreams feel like. We can see them in our mind. Use all of your senses to draw in whatever it is that you desire.

Our five senses are valuable tools that we should take full advantage of each and every day. Bring your dreams into your life by imagining them first, and see the results. What is it you want?  

Gratitude Journal

Recently I have been reading a lot of books all about positive thinking, the power of the mind, and the Law of Attraction. It is amazing how it doesn't matter the title of the book, or the author, but each mentions how important it is to live a life of gratitude. To live a life of happiness and joy we must truly be thankful for every little thing in our lives. If we are in a constant state of gratitude then we are consistently attracting more of it into our lives, more things and reasons to be thankful. If we would change our outlook to being appreciative for each and every thing then we would see what kind of a difference it makes in our lives.

Several of these books and authors recommend making a daily ritual of being thankful. Some suggest mentally coming up with ten things everyday that you are thankful for. Another suggested making a list, writing all the different reasons to be thankful for and continually adding to it as we think of things. Some speak of writing to the people in our lives and tell them what we appreciate about them. I liked one particular idea, which was making a Gratitude Journal. The object is to make a journal with all of the things that you are grateful for. You could do this many different ways. You could keep an online journal, you could write on lose leaf paper and put it together as you go, or you could use a notebook or journal. Whatever you choose, each day write about one thing in your life that you are thankful for and why. This should be extremely easy to think of reasons to be thankful. Each day write about a new idea, it should only take a few minutes. But the point is that when you are thinking and writing about thing in your life then you are expressing those thoughts of gratitude and the Law of Attraction will respond. The Law of Attraction will continue to give you things to be thankful about. Make it your focus in life to recognize the wonderful things that come your way. And don't be afraid to say thank you.

What a wonderful process. And its so easy. We can all make time to come up with 2-3 minutes a day to be thankful. And when is a better time to start then now? Try it, see how you feel about it, and see where it takes you. Whatever you choose to do, just remember how important it is to live a life of gratitude.

Strive to Be First

"Strive to be first: first to nod, first to smile, first to compliment, and first to forgive."

-Anonymous

When I read this quote I really enjoyed it. I thought others would as well. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone acted that way? If everyone smiled and complimented each other. Wouldn't it be great if we could forgive each other like our pets or small children? They hold no grudges. Neither should we. Wouldn't it just be a wonderful world if everyone strived to make peace with others and supported and encouraged everyone we met? Everyone would simply love each other. I say let's make an example. Put your best foot forward every time. Make a difference in each others lives by being such a positive example that others can't help but notice.

We choose how we live, and how we deal with situations. We should choose the best possible outcomes, and choose to want to inspire others. Our thoughts make us, and they make our world. We can practice everyday by choosing purposely to uplift everyone we come in contact with. We should make the conscious decision that we will live a positive life, in all aspects, whatever we do. Remember to be the first!

Affirmations

I recently watched a movie that I rented from my local library. It was called "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise L. Hay. And I personally recommend this to anyone who is striving to better their lives. Anyone who believes in positive thinking, Law of Attraction, or creating their own world.

Louise L. Hay was one of the founders of the whole positive thinking movement. She is an inspiration to many and even uses her own life as an example. She has encouraged me with many of her great ideas. One that I particularly like and thought I would continue to share was her consistent use of Affirmations. Affirmations are basically just little saying that you say to yourself on a regular basis that make you feel good. You can do or say them at any time of the day, whenever you remember or find convenient. She recommends saying them to yourself everyday while looking in the mirror.

Another good example she had was writing the affirmations on post it notes and sticking them on your mirror or around the house where you will see them. Some of these affirmations that she suggests would include: "I love and accept myself just the way I am," "I am perfect just the way I am," "Only good lies before me," or "I see the beauty in my surroundings and I radiate joy and love." She has so many, and for all different topics.  I copied and pasted the links off of her page. Go ahead and take a look at some of the categories that you may be interested. Write some of those affirmations down on some post-its and put them around your house. See if they will make a difference in your mood and feelings.


Here is a list of affirmation topics:


Click on a selected title topic for a list of example affirmations relating to that topic.

Affirmations for Love 

Affirmations for Joy 

Affirmations for Health 

Affirmations for relationships 

Affirmations for Prosperity

 Affirmations for Career

Affirmations for Forgiveness

 Affirmations for Letting Go (releasing)


Affirmations are a great way to do positive thinking, and to feel better about ourselves and our surroundings. Ppositive thoughts bring about more positive things, so the more we are feeling good, the more "good" will come into our lives. Practice affirmations in your life and see what good it can do.

Look for Reasons

Look for reasons to be happy!

We need to take the time throughout each and every day and find reasons why we should be happy. There are so many reasons we could come up with to be thankful for. It should be a relatively easy task. Where ever we are we should be able to look around and say "Boy, I really enjoy having this," or "Gee, I sure do love where I am at." How about being thankful or happy for different life experiences. The good times in life are always something to be thankful for and remember with fond memories. How about our close friends and our wonderful family? How about that shiny car in your driveway, or even just the fact that you have a car - who cares what it looks like! There are so many reasons. The food we eat and take for granted everyday. Our clean drinking water. Our well paying job. Our loyal pet. The list could go on and on. But what is important is that we take the time to be thankful and we take the time to look for these reasons and be happy. We are happy in the moment, and continue being happy as we are blessed with more and more things. Being grateful is something we should never get tired of.

We should enjoy everything that we have, every little blessing in our lives. There are so many special things in our life experience; don't take it for granted. Enjoy what you have, and live each day with a thankful heart.

Appreciate Again and Again

"Appreciate again and again, freshly and naively the basic goods of life with 
awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy."

-Abraham Maslow

This is a wonderful quote that should remind us to be thankful for all of the simple pleasures in life. The basic goods Maslow says. Everything, all the small things. It is so easy for us to take for granted all of the little things that we have that not everyone else is blessed with.

There are so many things that we don't even think about that we should be thankful for regularly whenever we use them. Some ideas of this that people easily take for granted would include things like simply having shelter to live, heating and air conditioning, running water, even a toilet! There are people that do not have these luxuries that we use everyday! There are people in countries who live on way less then we could imagine. Even here in America there are people who are homeless and spend their nights on the streets. We are so lucky to have so many things that many would love to have. Other great examples would be a closet full of clothes, our shoe collections, toiletries, our movies and books.... there are so many material items that we just expect to have. And then there are other things that we should be continuously thankful for such as our health, the clean water that we drink, our food, our sight, and our hearing. The list could go on and on. There are so many reasons to be continuously thankful for. Until we are thankful for the things that we have now, we cannot appreciate more in our lives. The Universe will give us more as we become truly grateful for all that we have. It is then that we deserve to have more. Think about all the things in your life that we take so easily for granted and begin to feel appreciative. Everything that we come across in life should be looked upon with "awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy."

When we live a life of gratitude then we will be truly happy. How do you feel? How do you view life? Are you truly thankful for all the little and big things in your life? Change your perspective. Appreciate, value, and be grateful for everything. We have been given so many blessings, and there are so many more to come. Rejoice and be thankful!

Live in the Now

Days come and go. But how many more will we have? What are you doing today? What will you choose to do with the day?

Each day is special. Every day we have new opportunities in front of us. What do we choose to do with our pastime? What should we be doing? Is there anything that you wanted to accomplish?

We need to look at each day as a stepping stone to the next. What can I do today that will help me reach my goals for tomorrow? It is so easy to put things off, or even hope or plan for future events. But why put them so far off? Why not start now? Why not make today count and start toward your objectives now? We all should have hopes and dreams that we want to someday accomplish. But why someday? Why not start now? What can I do today to help me reach my goal? What steps can I take now that will get me closer to where I need to be? Take the time to think about what you really want in life. Think about all the wonderful things that you can have or be, or do. Start living your dreams. It all starts with just a simple thought. If we can dream it, and imagine it then we can create it. There is nothing we can't bring about. Miracles happen every day. Why can't you experience these miracles? It takes thought, and it takes a believing mind and heart. Anything can happen, if we only truly believe it. Focus, and start now. Be the miracle. Don't put it off. When we put things off for another day, another time then we forget. We get caught up in our daily lives and we just never get around to it. So start now.

What are your dreams? What do you want in life? Think about it. Maybe even make a list. But start now, there is no better time. Believe in yourself and believe in your dreams. Make them a reality. Live in the now!

Breathing

Breathing - it is something we do all the time, everyday, every minute, every second. So what is so special about it? Well for starters it keeps us alive and keeps our blood flowing through our bodies. Breathing can also be a wonderful stress reliever. Have you ever stopped and taken the time to listen to your breathing? Have you ever noticed the patterns? Have you ever taken the time to think about what actually goes on inside your body and how we can actually help it?

Well there are at least two ways we can help our breathing. One way is by realizing what we are actually breathing in. Toxins from our lifestyle can really affect us. There are toxins in some of the things that we choose to breath such as cigarettes, cleaning products, or other chemicals. We can try to avoid, reduce, or even demolish some of these things from our lifestyle by choosing healthier alternatives. Also, the city that we live in can also affect us negatively. Smog is a big issue in some parts of the country. Substances in the air we breath can hurt us. That is no surprise. So why do people choose to live in these areas? Is it really worth it? Are you willing to sacrifice your health to live in a populated city? We make these choices everyday.

The second way that we can actually help our body is by our breathing techniques. It is amazing to think about, that we can actually improve our lifestyle by the way we breath. Yes it is true. Most people when they breath take short, quick breaths that only protrude into their upper lungs. We are actually supposed to be breathing more deeply and slowly. When we breath we should strive to breath all the way in and all the way out, using all of our lungs. You can feel the difference when doing it correctly. When we do this, the oxygen is then able to flow better and further throughout our bodies. Slow breathing is actually a way of stress relief. So if you are feeling stressed out, take a few minutes and really concentrate on your breathing and see how you compare. Maybe after listening to how you breath you can start practicing breathing more properly. Soon it might become a habit to you and you won't even realize it. And just think of how much better the air will flow through your body when you utilize your organs the way they were meant to be used.

Other breathing techniques are used in other situations as stress relief as well. One example would be expectant mothers in labor. We are taught to breath in patterns and to "take deep breaths." Hospitals even specialize in unique classes which focus specifically on teaching breathing in preparation for child birth. Another fine example is meditation. When meditating many instructors refer to the breathing. We take the time to settle our bodies and we focus on the breathing. In and out, slowly. We are to feel the motions and center our attention exclusively on our breathing. Now why would they have us do that? Because our breathing patterns affect us!

It is no coincidence that our breathing patterns influence us. We can learn to reduce our stress just by taking the time to breath correctly! How easy is that? If we only take the time to pay attention. How are you breathing? Is there anything you can change? Breath right. Live right.

Touch

The power of touch is amazing. We never really think about it, but when we are touched we feel loved. There are sensors in the brain that are stimulated whenever someone or something touches us, and it is good for us. Hugging, kissing, holding hands, getting a pat on the back.... are all ways of touch that can surprisingly release stress.

There have been many studies on the subject of touch. Like mentioned before, when we are touched our nervous system is stimulated and responds to our brain. Humans, and even animals show positive reactions when being touched in a loving way. One study showed the improvement of premature babies that were touched regularly compared to those who were only tended to their basic needs. And the results showed that the babies that were touched grew faster and improved their conditions better than those who were not. Babies in general, will calm when being touched. When my son is crying and I come to nurture him, the first thing I do is gently touch his face with my hand. Right away his breathing will change and his crying and screaming dull. Why do babies love to be held and close to their mother's body? Touch is comforting. Nothing compares to a loving embrace. Doesn't that make sense? Don't we all want to feel loved and pampered?

Another interesting study that I found pretty neat myself was actually conducted by the author John Gray, who is famous for his book Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus. In his teachings of loving and healthy relationships he tells couples that they should strive to touch each other ten times a day. Just touch, it doesn't have to be sexual. But just holding their hand, a quick back rub, resting your hand on their leg, run your fingers through their hair, anything. Just touch each other ten times a day and see what kind of difference it makes in the relationship. Just touching someone shows them that you acknowledge that they are there and that you care enough to show them. He swears by touch, and that it will improve a relationship when done regularly. Touch is also one of the best ways to flirt, so doesn't that make sense that we should remember to touch our partner regularly to keep the flame alive?

I have a great example of my own too that I would like to share. Several years back my grandmother died from cancer. I remember going to the hospital to visit her while on her death bed. All of my family and relatives came to see her. No one was for sure how much longer she had, or even if she would make it through the night. She was non-responsive, and had been for days. She just lay there still as could be, resting. I don't think that my family believed that she was conscience. For the most part all the relatives talked amongst themselves and were speaking as if she was already dead. In fact it bothered me. I believed as long as she was still alive, she was capable of understanding what was going on and could hear us. I think the family was mostly scared. I think people get scared when someone is so close to dying. Yes it is sad, and it can be hard to deal with, but I think she or anyone else needs to be loved up until the very end, regardless. Well when I was there visiting her, before it was time to leave, I sat next to her bedside and I talked to her as if I knew she could hear me. And I held her hand, and I rubbed her arm gently. I gave her a kiss on the cheek and I stroked her hair a bit. And from the actions I took she actually opened her eyes, just for a few seconds and her breathing patterns changed to becoming more regular. My relatives were amazed and could not believe that she actually moved and responded to me. It is the power of touch. Our bodies naturally and positively respond. And when would be a better time than when you are dying and in pain? That is when we need it the most, when we are scared or dying! Show love by touching.

Take the time to touch someone you love. Don't be afraid to show emotion by touching someone. We all naturally enjoy being touched. See what kind of difference it makes in your life.

Opportunities

Opportunities are all around us. Every day we are faced with many choices and opportunities that can make or break us. We make choices all the time that affect where we are now.

Sometimes opportunities come when we don't expect them, or in a way that we didn't anticipate. We have to trust that things will come to us at the right time and that we will make the right decisions. We must trust our gut feelings and do what we feel is right. Opportunities come to us all the time, but sometimes we are afraid to take the next step and act upon them. Sometimes things happen to us that we weren't expecting or we might not have been ready for, but there are so many great chances that we have to be open to. The universe gives us these opportunities to take us places. So next time an opportunity comes our way and we feel the impulse then we should take the chance and act upon it. You never know what or where it could lead you.

The world has its way of working things out in amazing ways. Trust your gut and go with your feelings. Keep your mind open and don't be afraid to take chances.

To Do List

"Life is not one big to-do list."

-Val, Houtson TX

This is a big one! We are not living a big to-do list. We can not live life that way. So many people do though. They have their whole day or life planned out. They don't leave any room for unplanned events. This is not positive thinking, and it actually can cause a decent amount of stress on a person for trying to always accomplish that something by a deadline. We should not put such drastic expectations on ourselves. There should be plenty of flexibility in our lives. We must make time for fun. We can't always stick to our to-do lists.

Don't get me wrong, it is good to be proactive and strive to achieve our goals. But all within reason. I will use myself as an example. I am a stay at home mom, so during my average day I work on keeping our home clean. Sometimes it can be challenging to keep up with. I have a young baby so my time is very limited. Sometimes I will get disappointed in how much I can accomplish. But then I just stop and think how thankful I am to be able to be home with him and spend the time with him. I love being at home. I love my role of "housewife and mother." I always try to keep a positive attitude. I just strive to accomplish a little bit every day. I just do what I can, or what I feel capable of. I don't allow myself to get worked up over something so petty. I also make time for myself. You have to remember to take time for yourself if you want to have a healthy stress level. I take time at least five days a week to exercise. This is something that is good for me and it is helping me get back in shape after my pregnancy. Other things I do to take time out for myself would include reading a good book, taking a nice long shower, talking to a good friend on the phone, or even writing in this blog. There are unlimited things you can do for yourself.

Life should not be on a strict schedule. Life is not a big to-do list. Don't be upset if everything doesn't always work out the way you planned. Trust that life will happen the way it should. Make time for yourself when you need to. Enjoy each and every day.

Exercise

Exercise! I know... it's the word we all hate to hear. Why are we all so inactive anymore? Why don't we exercise and keep our bodies in good physical strength?

It is so greatly accepted to be overweight anymore. Why is that okay? The obesity rate is ridiculously high now. And so is the rate of people who are overweight. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define obesity as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. They also state that BMI is calculated from a person's weight and height and provides a reasonable indicator of body fatness and weight categories that may lead to health problems and that obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes. USA Today claims that one out of every three adults is now obese. Not just over weight, but obese! They also say that about 34% of U.S. adults, almost 73 million people were obese in 2008. And that was two years ago! Imagine what it is at now! Unreal! What are we becoming? Lazy! We need to take the time to exercise, not only for our physical health but as a stress reliever. And what two reasons could be better than that? Your health is something very important. And stress goes hand and hand with health. When we exercise we are releasing stress. We are keeping our bodies in physical shape. We should want to have reasonably strong muscles and have a good endurance. Why don't we respect our bodies and tend to it the best we can with proper exercise and nutrition? When did exercise stop being fun for us? They have done studies on the fetus in the womb, and have found plenty of their movements to be in patterns. The baby fetus actually practices different exercises in the womb to become strong as it grows. Children love to play and love to run outside.We as adults like to watch TV or get on the computer. Why not get outside and go for a walk, enjoy nature. We just want to sit. I heard a jaw dropping statistic on the radio. They said that Americans sit for 90% of their day. Crazy! Exercise, it is something we dread, something no one wants to do. But we need to! If you start exercising more regularly it will become more natural to you. It is natural to be active. Soon it will become part of your routine, make sure to incorporate it. And hopefully soon you will begin to actually enjoy it. Maybe not so much when you get going, but after each successful workout you will feel good. You will feel success, you have achieved something. It takes effort and you should be proud of yourself when you complete each workout. Then you will begin to push yourself further as you notice your body strengthening. It is a great stress reliever. And you will see the results. And you will feel it. When you are fit, you will feel better and you will be more confident in your body. Soon you will be saying "Wow! That was a great workout!"

There is no reason not to be active and get in shape. Exercise is good for us for so many different reasons. Which reason do you need? Do it as a stress reliever. Do it for your health. Do it for your confidence. Do it for your partner. Do it for your family. Do it for yourself!

Meet Someone

Take the time to meet new people. Don't be afraid to talk to other people. Why are we so afraid to talk to strangers? I mean really, most people are good people just like you and me. We need to take some time every now and then and step out of our comfort zone and just talk to new people.

Socializing with others is good for us. It actually is a stress reliever. We are meant to be a corresponding society. Why do we close ourselves up to most and only open up to only so few? Why are we so afraid to talk to people anymore? Everyone is always on their cell phones texting to each other anymore. No one actually calls you anymore. It's like "Hey, text me." Seems like nobody likes to talk on the phone anymore. Why is that? Why don't we want to hear the other persons voice, response, or expression? Its almost like we are afraid to talk to each other anymore. Just Yesterday I was on my morning walk with my son and there was a guy walking the opposite way as me. As we approached the point where we had to pass each other I smiled toward him. He just walked by with his head down. Didn't even look up, was looking at the ground. He didn't notice me smile, he was too afraid to even look me in the face and make contact. I find that somewhat weird, or maybe sad. But I've noticed it a lot with people. They space themselves out and don't leave themselves open to others. Look at when you go to the DMV, or the doctor's office, or anywhere there is a waiting area. How do people sit? They spread themselves out and give themselves and others as much space as there can be. People will sit every other chair until they fill in. Nobody wants to sit next to someone and be too close to them, or possibly talk to them. Or they will even put their purse or briefcase on a chair next to them as to have others sit elsewhere or make sure they have enough space of their own. It's just interesting. Interesting how we act around each other.

We all have to live here together and the world is only going to get more populated, so shouldn't we make an effort to enjoy each other? Don't be afraid to talk to someone new. Step out of your comfort zone and make a conscience effort to speak to new people. Interact with the world more. It's good for you!

Positive Conversation

We talk to people everyday. We talk with our friends and family mostly, and sometimes strangers. We need to remember to always and only have positive conversation, unless absolutely necessary of course.

This is important if we want to conduct ourselves in a positive manner. If we want to live a positive life then we need to live by it as well. That means we are only talking about positive subjects. Of course there are exceptions, but I am talking about for the most part on a regular basis we can "edit" not only our thoughts but our conversations as well. When we think about what we are talking about then it becomes evident what we are really thinking about. When we have conversation it stems to our thoughts and we are reflecting either positive or negative ideas if we realize it or not. And even more importantly we are spreading around our thoughts through conversation, so we do not need to be distributing any negative energy. Many people like to complain to others, but who really wants to hear that? And it doesn't help either party to hear the grievances. Ask yourself next time you are about to tell someone something that isn't constructive, will it really make me feel better by sharing this? How will the other person feel when I tell them? Will it benefit either of us? Choose your conversation by deciding if it is favorable to both parties involved. Another great outcome of keeping your conversation positive is that people will see you that way. Don't we all want to be the person who always has something good to say? People will view you as an optimistic person. They will want to talk with you and be around you.

Remember our thoughts and words reflect us. Positive thoughts will attract more positive things in your life, and the same with negative thoughts. Let's filter our thoughts and words so that we are positive the majority of the time. Think about what you are sharing with others. Positive conversation is one way we can spread optimism. Try it out!

The Longer I Live

"The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes."

-Frank Lloyd Wright

And what a beautiful quote. But isn't it the truth? It seems like now that I am older I appreciate the Earth more. All of the wonders such as the oceans and all of their creatures, the trees and the plants, all the different animal species, the different seasons, everything this earth has to offer is just so beautiful. Nature is such a wonderful gift. It is something we can enjoy everyday. Every time I see the mountains out here I look at them in amazement, living in Colorado has been such a wonderful experience. The mountains are just so beautiful. But I also love going back to Michigan to see all the green! Green everything, plants and trees, there is just so much life. And the woods and the lakes. A whole different kind of beauty. The last time I was in Michigan I had to stop and listen and just appreciate what I was hearing. It was so neat to hear again, it had been so long. It was the wind blowing through the leaves of the trees. I couldn't remember how long it had been since I had heard the wind blowing through the trees. And I just loved it. But isn't that kind of sad? It had been so long since I had actually been able to observe nature in that way. When I lived there I took that for granted, never even thought twice about it. But now that I don't hear it, how beautiful it is when I do. But now I have different things of nature to appreciate such as the Rocky Mountains which are wooded and are usually accompanied by streams flowing along them. Very beautiful as well. And the sunsets! I don't think I have ever seen more beautiful sunsets. When the sun sets here, it drops right down into the mountains. So amazing beautiful. The colors are so vibrant. But I do agree with the quote from the beginning. Life does get more beautiful with age. I think as we get older we learn to appreciate things more. I think we also realize that life is fleeting. We tend to look at things different. I know I do. I can't believe that I am almost twenty-five years old. Now of course I know that isn't old at all.... but for me!? I don't feel twenty-five years old. Where has all that time gone? Has is really been six years since I graduated high school? I've been married and divorced. And I presently have a family, I have a son now. Amazing. Amazing how fast life comes and goes. Hard to believe sometimes. And then it just makes me wonder. How does my mom feel about where she is in life? How does my grandpa view the world? Or others for that matter. We can only imagine until we get there, to that age.

Well hopefully, life is beautiful to you and hopefully you can appreciate everything this world has to offer. Don't take it for granted, who knows how long it will be there, or even how long you will be here. Life is a wonderful experience we should treasure everyday as well as enjoy and appreciate the many gifts we have been given.

Patience

Patience is necessary if you want to achieve anything. Patience is a virtue that we don't see too much anymore as a society. We all want everything right now. We live in the fast food, fast lane, in and out, on the go, convenience of this world. Nobody has time anymore. What has happened? Either we have gotten ourselves so busy in life to where we can't take some time out to do these things or we have become lazy and stopped earning, doing, or making something. We need to slow down and look at the big picture.

What are we missing out on? What would we gain if we practiced more patience in our lives? Well for starters if we slowed down a bit and took some time out to do the things we enjoy then we would first of all notice a difference in our stress level. When we relax and take our time on something without being rushed, then we are more likely to do a better job, and possibly even enjoy the task we are doing. So our stress level goes down when we practice patience. We would also see the benefits of what we are working on. One example may be taking the time to make a home cooked meal. A real meal. So many people now are regularly eating out. Several times a week many are going to a restaurant of some sort and having their meals. Although it is fun to go out and the food always tastes great, the food is not usually a healthy choice. Honestly, how many of us can actually say that we choose the healthy foods when we go out? Maybe... a little bit here and there or you may have a vegetable on the side of your main course. And then we get into the issue being that, even the foods we think are the healthy choice are not always because of the way they were processed or cooked. But anyway, if we were patient and planned out our meal at home and cooked it our self then we would benefit from the health factors. And not only that, we will feel good about our choice and the fact that we took the time to make that meal. We should feel proud of our self for every accomplishment. Another great example would be making a gift or a card instead of buying one. Yes, it is going to take time and effort to do that, but just imagine how much more special that gift will be. Imagine how much more it would mean to a person to know that you spent your time and energy on making them something nice. Get creative and have some fun. There are so many other unlimited possibilities we can practice with. Some other examples could include waiting in line at the grocery store, heck even letting someone with less items go ahead of you, being tolerant and polite to that person who is obviously new to the job, trying to empathise with others when they make mistakes, or even driving in bad traffic situation are all more ways we can work on being more patient.

Patience. We all could practice a little more patience in our lives. There are so many examples we can practice with every day. We all want others to be patient with us, so we need to in turn practice the deed ourselves. What goes around comes around. Wouldn't things be so much better and more pleasant if everyone was patient and kind?

Daily Victories

"Rejoice in your daily victories."

-Debra

Forest Hills, NY

What does that mean? Rejoice in your daily victories? That means to praise yourself when you accomplish something. Whether it be big or small, we need to give ourselves credit for all of our victories.

Everyday we should set our self a goal. It could be to vacuum the living room or get an extra task completed at work. At least one goal a day should be sufficient. And whenever we complete this goal we need to praise ourselves, rejoice and be happy and thankful that we were able to do what we needed to accomplish. If we can accomplish one goal a day, then soon we will be adding more tasks and opportunities for ourselves. Soon we will have several goals a day and achieving them. But most of all we need to make sure to give ourselves credit. We should be proud of ourselves even for the small tasks that we achieve. No goal is too small, and we should not be too hard on ourselves when we don't always get something done right away. But when we do, then we need to rejoice in our daily victories.

Be proud of every little thing that you accomplish. When we are proud of ourselves and our actions then we will continue to do more to stay on that track. Set your goals and rejoice when you have met them. Make yourself proud.

Music

Music is such a wonderful gift to our world. What a magnificent creation we are blessed with; music. There are so many ways that music can help us in our daily lives.

What kind of music do you enjoy? Do you like to hear soothing instrumental, punk rock, or even the blues? There are even so many more kinds to choose from. There are so many different varieties that we can listen to and enjoy. They are all ways of expression. Music is a form of expression not only for the composer but for the listeners as well. We all have different opinions about what we like and don't like, and what we choose to listen to. A lot of times we enjoy the beat of the song, the guitar solos, or maybe we feel like we can really connect with the lyrics. Whatever kind of music we listen to, it is good for us and it is a healthy way of expressing ourselves.

Music is also a great way to relax and release stress. So many people turn to music when they are sad or angry. It is a way of letting go of our emotions. Connecting with music is a way of releasing our stress. When we feel like we can identify with the lyrics or tune of a song, then we feel bonded, like we are not the only one in our situation. Music is also great for us when we are already in a good mood. A lot of times it will continue our positive feelings, and possibly put us in an even better mood. This is something that works well for me. When we listen to a song that we really enjoy it makes us smile, it makes us feel good. A lot of times it even causes us to sing along with it, or possibly even dance, which are two other great stress relievers. Singing and dancing are healthy for us. They are all ways of releasing emotion and having fun. Music is also a way of inspiring people. Many great artists listen to music as they create their masterpieces. A lot of people listen to music as they work out, to keep them on pace with an upbeat tempo. And plenty of people listen to music as they work to help pass the time, or keep them motivated. Whatever it may be, music is a wonderful way of relaxing.

So next time you are feeling down, turn up the tunes! Even when you are feeling good, turn on some music and you will feel even better! Music is always around us, open up to the different kinds and see what moves you. Most importantly, enjoy the gifts of life.

"Music is well said to be the speech of angels."

-Carlyle

Love

Love is not love until you give it away.


Love is a word that gets thrown around a lot. But what does it really mean to love? To love someone is something special. And not just romantic love, but any kind of love. They say love is the most powerful force. So what does love really mean? If you really love someone what are you willing to do for them? How do you show them?

If you love someone then you are willing to put the other person's needs or wants before yours, which isn't always easy. That is what it means by love is not love until you give it away. Some examples of giving love away may include giving gifts, helping a loved one catch up on chores, cooking a meal for others, donating to a good cause, or even giving up your last cookie to your significant other. And that can be really hard to do sometimes! Sometimes it really is hard to be selfless and put someone else before you. I think if everyone practiced selflessness a little more than we would see a big change in this world. Imagine if everyone chipped in, if everyone did a little extra, or gave of themselves to help others.

Of course there are limits to giving and being unselfish. We do have to draw the line somewhere because unfortunately there are people who will take advantage of a person or situation. Sadly, some people will allow us to keep on giving and will continue to receive whatever they can. We need to be able to recognize when this is happening. Hopefully it is not something we find regularly, but it does happen. When we notice we are giving and giving of ourselves and nothing is appreciated then we need to cut ourselves off from that person and persist elsewhere. We do not need to be taken advantage of.

What goes around comes around and we need to be sure we are doing our best at being a truly good person. When we extend our love out to others then it will come back to us. Love is a wonderful emotion to have and to share. Let's contribute to this world by giving our love.

Determination

Determination is a very powerful force that we all have inside of us. It is the strength that keeps us going when things get tough. Determination is also key to positive thinking.

Failure in people is caused more by lack of determination than lack of talent.When we are determined to have something, or to make something happen, then it is more likely to come about rather than non-believing, or giving up. When we have something put in our minds, and we set a goal, then we are more likely to achieve this ambition. It is so important for us to be motivated and determined to reach our goals. How do we do that? We set our minds and keep focus on our purpose, and do not forget how bad we want it. If we want something really bad, then we will try almost anything to get it. We will try different ways and different approaches. How bad do you want it?  Determination means continuing on regardless the obstacles. Everything is not always going to be easy. With determination we will reach our goals. Determination brings us to our wishes. If we continue to think positively and believe, then with determination we will soon find what we have been looking for.

Some great examples of determination were the inventions of electricity and then the light bulb. I'm sure we have all heard the stories. How many times did it take those men to get their invention right? Did they get it on the first try? No way! They tried hundreds of times to get it right! And just imagine where we would be if they gave up on their ideas. Some of the greatest inventions took many tries to get them right. So let's remember that when we don't always succeed on the first try. It is possible, and it can happen. We just have to believe and have the determination not to give up.

Don't let set backs get you down. Don't let complications hold us back from getting what we want. Continue forward and don't give up. Believe in yourself and have faith in the universe that your needs and wants will be provided. Determination means never giving up.

Smiles

Smiles are a wonderful way of expressing our happiness. And smiles don't lie. We all know when we are smiling for real or when it's a fake smile. Smiles are a way of showing the world that we are joyful and in a good mood.

We have probably all heard by now that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. So why aren't people smiling all the time? Why are we choosing not to smile? It is so easy to smile, but most of us are not even thinking about it. It doesn't even cross our minds that we are not smiling. We need to make it something we do regularly. Add smiling into your daily routine of things and you will find that your mood will transform. Its hard to believe how easy it will change your mood. Even if no one is looking, even if you have to force it, try smiling for as long as you possibly can. See how you feel. When we are smiling we can't help but to be happy. The two things go together, smiles go hand in hand with a good mood. You will find that there is no reason we shouldn't be smiling! Try it! Try smiling for as long as you can, just for no reason. And then try to incorporate it into your lifestyle until it just comes natural to you.

Smiles are a way of communicating. When we smile we send out the message to the world that we are happy. So why not spread the happiness around? Could you imagine if everyone naturally smiled all the time, how happy we would all be? When we smile at someone we pass on the positive energy. When we smile at someone, how often is it that they usually smile back? Almost every time! People are naturally good, and when we come in contact with each others we want to make a good impression - most people that is. So of course we are going to smile back. It is a nonverbal message exchange between to people. Almost even as a greeting many time. A smile to someone is an all around positive statement so why don't we apply it to our way of life? We have an opportunity to pass on joy to others. So what is stopping us? Let's smile and pass it on!

So whether its smiling at others or just smiling more in our lives, its a good idea to smile whenever we are in a good mood. And we should be in a good mood most of the time. So smile more and see how much of a difference it makes in your life. Everyone will welcome your smile. Smiling is contagious, so share your beautiful smile with the world. Spread the love around.

The Real You

Let people see the real you. One of the best ways to free ourselves is by being ourselves. Why is it so hard to be ourselves around others? Why are people so worried about impressing others? Why can't we just be the person that we are?

We are all unique in our own ways. There are so many characteristics that make a person.  And that is what makes us all so interesting and fun. There are so many kinds of different people, and its our differences that makes us unique and beautiful. Enjoy who you are, and enjoy what makes you diverse. Unfortunately as a civilization we are doing the opposite and trying to be all the same. We have a set idle image of what is appropriate to society and it becomes the trend. Why can't we all just be who we are?

We should be who we are, and honest about the things we are passionate about. Let our real personalities shine. We don't need to censor ourselves for the public. We need to show who we are by expressing ourselves in whatever means necessary. It is important to put our real selves out there because we do not want people in our lives who attract otherwise. If someone doesn't appreciate the real you, then you really do not need there company after all. Why spend time with those who are expecting something other than yourself? If someone then sees the real you and likes you for who you are then you know that they are a genuine friend or companion. And those are the people that we need to find in life. Those are the people who are always there for you, even when things get rough. They are the person who takes the time to be your friend, not only when its convenient. Family members and friends are the people who will be there when you really need someone. In all reality, all we need are a few good friends. The friends who love and enjoy the real you.

So be yourself, share your personality with the world and see what kind of people you attract your way. Being the real you is freeing yourself. Don't be scared to show who you are.

Nature

Nature, it is one of life's most beautiful gifts. Nature is such a wonderful blessing that too many of us take for granted on a regular basis. We really need to slow down with life and take time to appreciate the beauty of nature. There are so many neat things that we can enjoy and experience.

Being outside is great for our bodies and minds. When we take pleasure in being outside noticing the plants and the animals then we can truly understand the value of life. Life is such a special gift, and when we come to terms and realize this then we can have a much more fulfilling existence. Nature is so amazing and such a wonderful remedy for chasing our blues away. Just looking at nature and seeing the patterns and the science behind everything is just so astounding. The complexity of many organisms and the ecosystem are enough to take our breath away. And when we can appreciate this, then we are more likely to notice the changes and not take for granted what our world has to offer. Our Earth is a marvelous place with so much to offer. The beauty of nature should be enough to inspire us. Being in nature really is a wonderful stress reliever. The fresh air, the colorful plants, the water and all the different animal species are naturally calming to our bodies. If we can take the time to enjoy nature more often then we will have less stress in our lives. Every now and then we need to get away from our everyday lives and see what is really out there. Get away from work, the city, or even what you are familiar with and find a place where you can get away. Escape for a while into natures serenity and just enjoy being.

Enjoy what life has to offer us, especially through nature. Nature has healing properties and we can all incorporate a little more into our lives. You will feel the difference when you are outside. You will feel it in your body. We are meant to experience the world, and we are meant to be outside enjoying life and all of its resources. Spend more time outside and you will see changes in your attitude, and it will help encourage positive thoughts.