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Friday, September 30, 2011

The Silence of the Forest

The Silence of the Forest 

By:  Eunice Powe

The silence of the forest, the echo of the trees,
The whispers as the wind blows, just as you please!
I swirl around and around and look to the sky,
Through the tall branches, I see the clouds float by.

Can I be dreaming or am I just in a spin?
The peace that is before me, a chill upon my skin;
As I walk, the leaves rustle beneath my feet
Sending little notes of joy, a melody to beat.

I can only stop and stare and keep the memory mine,
The forest has it's mystery and I must keep in line;
I will sit beneath the tree and listen to the sound,
So many different messages are scattered all around.

The whistle of the wind rushing past my face,
Looking for the exit so it can leave this place;
The branches sway and the leaves begin to fall,
I can hear the birds now, sending me their call.

I must now follow and leave the forest too,
Day is nearly ended, the dark will spoil my view;
Tomorrow I can come again, enjoy the peace I seek,
The silence of the forest are whispers I can keep.


Have a beautiful day!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Gratitude...

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. 
It turns what we have into enough, and more. 
It turns denial into acceptance, 
chaos to order, confusion to clarity. 
It can turn a meal into a feast, 
a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. 
Gratitude makes sense of our past, 
brings peace for today, 
and creates a vision for tomorrow." 
Melody Beattie

Gratitude may be -- in my opinion, one of the biggest stepping stones to living a positive lifestyle.  So many people focus on what is wrong, instead of what is right.  So many focus on what they do not have, instead of what they do have. When your focus is on those things, you are prevented from achieving true happiness.

Happiness comes when you can make the best of what you have -- when you can give thanks for all that is right and focus on the positive, while trying to improve the cards you've been dealt.  Once you find a few things to focus on that you are thankful for, you will be amazed at just how many more come to mind. Gratitude and happiness both have a tendency to multiply.


Thought of the Day:  Are you focusing on the right things?  A grateful heart makes a happy heart!

Have a wonderful day!


Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The Mayonnaise Jar...

A fictional but touching reminder of how we must prioritize in our lives.  I hope you enjoy:

The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the two cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.  When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.  He then asked the students if the jar was full.  They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.  He shook the jar lightly.  The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.  He then asked the students again if the jar was full.  They agreed it was.

Next the professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.  Of course, the sand filled up everything else.  He asked once more if the jar was full.  The students responded with an unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.  The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.   The golf balls are the important things -- your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions -- and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.  "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.  The same goes for life.  If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.  Play with your children.  Take time to get medical checkups.  Take your spouse out to dinner.  Play another 18.  There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.  Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter.  Set your priorities.   The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.  The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.  It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend." 

 
Thought of the Day: 
Are you priorities in proper alignment?  Do they represent who you are and who you are striving to become?  We should periodically check to make sure we are headed in the right direction.

Have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Creating Our Future


"The future is not some place we are going, 
but one we are creating.  
The paths to it are not found but made, 
and the activity of making them 
changes both the maker and the destination."
John Schaar

Are you creating your future?  What will it look like?  How does that path you are making feel?  Does it feel alive and aligned with you?

As we head towards our goal, we are not the same person that we were at the start of our journey.  We are wiser.  We are more experienced.  Hopefully, we are a better version of ourselves.


Thought of the Day:  What type of future are you creating?  We have to create our future, not wait for it to happen to us.  Make sure the future you are creating is aligned with the person you wish to become!

Have a wonderful day!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Chapters and Seasons



"Life is like a book with many chapters we call seasons.  Some chapters tell the story of love, drama, comedy, mystery, loss, adversity, growth, disappointment, triumph, etc.  

Some chapters are dull and ordinary, others intense and exciting.  The key to enduring, persevering and being hopeful is to never stop on a difficult page, to never quit on a book or a chapter that seems too long.  Some chapters may be sweet but too short.  Your words, thoughts, actions, non-action and choices are the pens that write the pages in your book.  

Have the courage and faith to keep turning the pages believing better chapters lie ahead.  God is the author and finisher of your life.  Trust.  Listen.  Believe.  Grow in God’s word.  Activate your gifts and talents.  Be creative.  Be kind.  Be patient.  Be faithful.  Be grateful.  Be fruitful."

Diamond Taylor


Have a beautiful day!



Friday, September 23, 2011

A Single Candle



Thousands of candles can be lit from 
a single candle, 
and the life of the candle will 
not be shortened. 
Happiness never decreases by being shared. 
Buddha


You are a light in this world.  Your light is visible to everyone you come in contact with.  If you shine, you help their light shine a little brighter.  If they shine, they help someone else's light shine a little brighter.  And so it continues.  All due to one flame.

Happiness does not decrease by being shared, but it does increase.  The best way to make yourself happy is by doing something for someone else.  It feels good to give.  It feels great to help people.  It makes their light shine.  It makes yours shine even brighter.  

You never know what the person sitting next to you is going through.  Everyone is usually going through something.  They just may not tell you about it.  So you may not realize the enormous impact your light may have on them.


Thought of the Day:  Be the light that lights up someone's darkness.  Be the light that makes other's light shine brighter.  In return, you light will shine brightly for all to see.

Have a great weekend!




Thursday, September 22, 2011

Be Thankful...

Be Thankful
Author Unknown

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.  If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.  During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for your mistakes.  They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.  A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.  Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.


Have a beautiful day!


Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Don't Wait!

“Don’t wait until everything is just right.
It will never be perfect.
There will always be challenges,
obstacles and less than perfect conditions.
So what. Get started now.
With each step you take, you will grow stronger
and stronger, more and more skilled,
more and more self-confident
and more and more successful.”
Mark Victor Hansen

Mark Victor Hansen is right.  If we wait for perfect conditions, we may never get the opportunity to start our task.  We risk missing our chance altogether.

Don't wait.  Get started now.  With each step you take, things will get easier.  The task at hand will come easier once you take the first steps towards completing it. The universe will step in and meet you part way.  There is no time to waste.


Thought of the Day:  If you're waiting for the "perfect moment," don't!  Stop putting off your dreams in hopes that the perfect day will come along.  The "best" day is today.  Get started and the universe will step in and help provide you with what you need.

Have a great day!  

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Banana Nut Bread

I said I didn't have an article for you all today.  My 9-year old daughter had a rough Sunday.  She wasn't feeling very well and it carried over into her Monday. Since she had went to bed with a tummy ache and awoke in the middle of the night having an asthma attack and then woke up with a headache, and through it all still has a her primary arm broken, I decided to keep her home.

The truth is she could have gone to school.  But she really needed the rest.  She needed a break.  She was overwhelmed.  Instead of writing my article in the morning, I juiced us a big healthy breakfast to help get her immune system up. Instead of writing my article at noon, we had a "girls brunch" together with fancy glasses and had a lot of laughs.  Instead of writing my article in the afternoon, we baked together and made our grandmother's banana nut bread recipe with added figs and chocolate chips.  It was DELICIOUS!  Then we had some snuggle time, while the fall breeze blew through her window and she fell asleep, which was what she desperately needed.

Really, it was the perfect imperfect day.  It wasn't the day either one of us imagined - but we chose to see it and receive it as the gift it truly was.  Really, I didn't get a thing done.  But yet I did so much more.  Really, I didn't think I had an article for you today.  But since there is a lesson to be learned in all of lives moments -- whether perfect or imperfect, really, I did.  Really, I had the perfect day after all.


Thought of the Day:  Some days are not as we imagine they will be.  Go with the flow.  There are gifts to be had if you do.

Have a great day!



Monday, September 19, 2011

Believing is Seeing


Believing is Seeing
Dan Coppersmith
(Reprinted with Permission)
Though your eyes and mine
Work the same way
More than just vision
Comes into play

The viewpoints we take
The judgements we hold
Greatly determine
How life will unfold

Beliefs we hold dear
Be they helpful or not
Attract what is needed
To fill in the plot

Bending and shifting
What you perceive
Your world will conform
To what you believe.


Have a beautiful day!

Friday, September 16, 2011

You!


You are a unique and magnificent human being. 
Of all the billions of people on the planet, 
there is not another you, and your very 
existence is vital to the functioning of our universe, 
because you are one part of the whole universe. 
All that you see, and all that there is, 
could not exist without you!
Michelle Leonard

This is a fascinating reminder.  So often we forget our true uniqueness.  There is no other you.  You are an original and you are here for a reason.  You were created to be just the way you are.  Your presence here is  important to not just the universe, but to everyone that knows and loves you.  You are a work of art.


Thought of the Day:  This is such an easy thing to forget.  Think about it and realize the magnitude of what you bring into the world.  We are all connected.  

Have a wonderful weekend!


Thursday, September 15, 2011

Treat Yourself

My daughter has been telling me since last week: "treat yourself today." Honestly, I keep forgetting.  But my daughter is wise beyond her years.  She has a point.

We're often so on the go that we forget to stop and do something nice for ourselves.  These are the precious days of our lives, we have to treasure them. We don't get to repeat them.  So today I shall treat myself.  I plan to treat myself with snuggles with my children this morning as they are just awaking.  I plan to treat myself with a nice big pot of jasmine green tea and a stay-home day (mostly) to watch the rain coming down.  I plan to treat myself by opening the neglected book that has been sitting on my night table for five weeks.  I plan to treat myself and my family to a nice, homemade pot of spaghetti sauce because we've done such a good job of juicing our dinners for the past 10 days.  I'll also make my children's favorite garlic bread.  I may even treat myself and my husband to a Starbucks coffee for dessert.

Am I going overboard?  Well, maybe.  But all work and no play does not make for a Positive Living Chic.  We all need to stop and treat ourselves occasionally. It is in doing so that we can give to others after our needs are fulfilled.  And after all, I've been ordered to by my daughter!  ;-)  Who am I to set a bad example?


Thought of the Day:  You have been ordered too!  It's time to treat yourself. Take a few minutes out of the day (or the whole day, I won't tell!) and do something nice for yourself.  You are always doing for others, today it's your turn.  Don't feel selfish -- when we care for our own needs, we will feel reinvigorated to care for others.  What will you do to treat yourself today?

Have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Blowing wishes...


This is my wish for you: 
Comfort on difficult days, 
smiles when sadness intrudes, 
rainbows to follow the clouds, 
laughter to kiss your lips, 
sunsets to warm your heart, 
hugs when spirits sag, 
beauty for your eyes to see, 
friendships to brighten your being, 
faith so that you can believe, 
confidence for when you doubt, 
courage to know yourself, 
patience to accept the truth, 
Love to complete your life.
 Author Unknown


Here's wishing each and every one of you this today and always.  Have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

It's never too late...


It is never too late to be what you might have been.
George Eliot

Great news -- if you are reading this, then are you alive.  If you are alive, then there is still time to change "what could have been" into what can still be.  As long as you are alive, then almost everything is possible!  

Our life is a journey, and too often we put limitations on ourselves without reason.  Anything is possible with determination and drive.  Oftentimes the limitations we place on ourselves can be removed and replaced with a dose of confidence to help us achieve our goal.  


Thought of the Day:  Are you living up to your expectations?  If you are moving towards your goal, then you are well on your way.  If you think it's too late to become what you might have been, revisit that to make absolutely certain that it's true.  Replace your limitations with the confidence you need to help you achieve your goal.  Move forward at once and don't procrastinate.  It's never too late!

Have a wonderful day!





Monday, September 12, 2011

Your Journey


I saw this recently and it really struck a chord.  So many of us have fought many battles in our life -- so many of us are still fighting battles.  Oftentimes, people feel as though these battles have delayed them in life.  They feel that they are behind in life because of them -- that they have held them back from achieving things according to their perceived schedule.

I do not believe this is true.  Without our battles, we would not be the person that we are today.  These battles have made us stronger.  They have given us a finer appreciation of the goodness that we do have in our lives or will have in our lives.  These battles have shaped us and continue to shape us -- into the magnificent being that we are becoming.  We are not behind, but simply where we need to be.  These battles have given us a unique perspective, a wealth of knowledge, and a deep appreciation of the things in life that others who have not weathered such battles are unable to appreciate.  We need to trust that we are exactly where we are meant to be.

Thought of the Day:  You are not behind because of your battles, but rather, they have helped mold you into the dynamic person that you have become or are becoming.  See the gifts they have given to you.  Perspective, appreciation, knowledge and insight are just a few.  Our battles have made us who we are today.  I accept all my battles in life and I am now thankful for them.

Have a wonderful day!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Success

What Constitutes Success
by Bessi Stanley, 1905

"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction."


Thought of the Day:  Success.  A tricky little word, whose definition may vary from person to person.  What's your definition of success?  Whatever it may be, to be "successful," one must ensure that their priorities and allocation of time align with their vision.  It is by so doing that we will achieve success!

Have a wonderful weekend!




Thursday, September 8, 2011

Realize

Realize
by Positive Living Chic

That today is a gift,
tomorrow a promise
and yesterday a beautiful memory.

That the only way to live
is by being present in the moment.

That if there's something about your life
that you don't like,
it's up to YOU to change it.

That there's no greater gift than love
and no better way to give love,
than the gift of your time.

That everything happens for a reason
and although we may not understand or agree,
there are larger forces at work.

That you are part of a bigger picture
and your life here means something.
You are irreplaceable to those who love you.

That each and every one of us
is capable of changing the world we live in.
There are no limits to your success.

Realize that anything is possible 
-- because everything is!


Have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

You Are Stronger Than You Think

"We are like the little branch that quivers during a storm, 
doubting our strength and forgetting we are the tree -- 
deeply rooted to withstand all of life's upheavals." 
Dodinsky


We all undergo challenging moments.  Moments that feel like they can make or break us.  They may not always actually BE that powerful, but the fact that they FEEL that powerful is enough to make us doubt ourselves.

It is so much easier to feel strong during the good times.  But the fact of the matter is, it's who we are during the challenging times that really matters the most.  We have to remember we are stronger than we think.

It's easy to feel like a tree branch that's about to break during stormy times.  But that isn't who we have to be.  We are much more rooted than that.  We have weathered many storms before.  This is not our first.  We have survived those in our past; we will survive this one too.


Thought of the Day:  When going through challenging times, remember you are stronger than you think.  Remember that you are the tree, not the branch that quivers in a storm.  You have the power to withstand anything!

Have a great day!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The Right Direction

If we are facing in the right direction, 
all we have to do is keep on walking.
Zen Proverb

I absolutely love this quote.  It really is that simple.  If we are headed in the right direction in life, we just need to keep taking it step-by-step until we reach our destination.

We all have an inner compass that tells us whether we're headed in the right direction; we just need to refer to it.  With large goals that seem complicated, we just need to take it step-by-step.  By doing so, our goal will be met.  We will arrive.  But, we must ensure we are making progress.  We can never meet our goals if we are standing still, or worse, going in the opposite direction.


Thought of the Day:  Are you headed in the right direction?  Check your compass to be sure.  If your journey seems long, don't feel overwhelmed.  Taking it step-by-step will ensure that you WILL arrive at your destination.

Have a wonderful day!


Friday, September 2, 2011

Cheerful and Contented


"How true it is that, 
if we are cheerful and contented,
all nature smiles,
the air seems more balmy,
the sky clearer,
the earth has a brighter green...
the flowers are more fragrant...
and the sun, moon, and stars 
all appear more beautiful,
and seem to rejoice with us."
Orison Swett Marden


Thought of the Day:  I love it when nature follows suit.  When we project happiness, it seems like nature is in full agreement celebrating with us.  Here's hoping that you experience this today!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

The Power of Belief

We are what we believe.  Our beliefs can encourage or dissuade us.

If we believe we have the power to do or become something, we do.  If we believe we have been beaten, then we have.

Someone once said:   "It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not."   I could not agree more.  So often what really holds us back is us.  So often we believe we're not good enough when we truly are.  In reality, if we are not believing in ourselves, who else will believe in us?


Thought of the Day:  Are your beliefs working FOR or AGAINST you?  You MUST believe in yourself or no one else will.  You can do anything you set your mind to if you believe you have the power -- because you do.  Today, reset your belief system if you need to.  Make sure it's working for you!

Have a powerful day!