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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thanksgiving

We all have so much to be thankful for - our health, our children, our significant other, the health of all those that we love, a home to live in.  And then there are the little things -- the fact that we have heat on a cold day, food to eat when we are hungry, a car to get us to where we need to go.  Actually, try going without one of these, and we will find that these are not little after all.

This Thanksgiving, let us pause and truly give thanks for all that we are thankful for.  Let us pray for those who do not yet possess these things.  Let no gift that we have be taken for granted, for we are very blessed to have each and every one of them.


Wishing you and yours a very blessed Thanksgiving!





Tuesday, November 22, 2011

"Fulfilling Friday"

I have a confession:  The Black Friday advertisements that have been showing up for a week now really irk me.  Don't get me wrong, I am all about bargains, especially in today's economy with a very tight budget.  But there is something sacred about Thanksgiving.  After a day of working in the kitchen, entertaining and enjoying family, it's time to sink into bed with a grateful heart and well...go to sleep.  I find it almost offensive that it is suggested I go out when the clock strikes midnight into in the cold darkness -- in search of the best buys for the upcoming holiday.  What happened to celebrating the current holiday?

Several years ago, my family and I decided to revolt against Black Friday.  We decided to use that day as more of a "loving Friday," an extension of Thanksgiving with our children.  A day to spend one-on-one time as a family enjoying the extra day off.  To lounge, relax, go hiking in the woods (weather permitting), and spend quality time with the kids after a busy holiday.

So as we approach "Black Friday," here are a few thoughts.  If you enjoy waking up in the middle of the night or going to sleep really late for those bargains and have fun doing it, then by all means enjoy and have a great time!  Be safe.  But if you don't, I give you permission to stay in bed. You'll still have a month until the next holiday, there will still be bargains to be found.  Enjoy the day off.  Get the rest you didn't get the day before.

Regardless of our personal choices, let us remember:

On this day after Thanksgiving, let us purchase less, but give more.

Let us remember those really in need this holiday season -- those less fortunate than ourselves, and help in whatever way we can.

Let us remember that our loved ones don't really need the latest gadget, for our time and attention could be a more impacting and lasting gift.

Let us keep things in perspective - despite what all the advertising says, the greatest gifts do not come from stores.

Let us enjoy downtime with our family -- playing games in front of a fire, enjoying leftovers, talking a walk in the woods -- instead of what commercials say we should be doing.

Let us appreciate and enjoy more of the things we gave thanks for yesterday.


Have a beautiful day!



Monday, November 21, 2011

Snowflakes

"Snowflakes are one of nature's 
most fragile things, but just look what 
they can do when they stick together."
Vesta M. Kelly

Life is not always effortless, there are big challenges and small obstacles.  Sometimes having too many small obstacles can be just as stressful as going through a big challenge.

We have to remember that no matter what life throws at us, we never have to go through it alone.  Each of us has been blessed with people that care for us and love us.  They don't want us to burden ourselves, they want to help us.  

There is no shame in asking for help.  The job for many men is much smaller than one person handling the load alone.  We all have different areas of expertise -- one person's area of struggle could be another's ease.


Thought of the Day:  There are no awards for going it alone and not asking for help.  We all have different assets and helping a loved one may be a tiny thing to us, but may mean the world to our loved one in need.  Offer and allow yourself to receive assistance when you need it.  We are all in this together!

Have a beautiful day!



Friday, November 18, 2011

Be Your Own Hero


I came across this recently and thought you would enjoy.


Have a great weekend!



Thursday, November 17, 2011

Falling Off-Track

Life is hectic - despite our best intentions, we all have a tendency to fall off-track occasionally from the habits and goals that we set for ourselves. Sometimes we just get too busy, forget to be mindful, and temporarily fall off-course.  The good news is that we can recognize this before it's too late if we are in tune with ourselves, that is, if we are "checking in" from time to time.

Exercise, eating properly, getting adequate rest, sneaking in quiet moments to meditate or enjoy nature -- it's all important.  A healthy body = a healthy mind and a healthy mind = a healthy body, it's all related!  To live at our optimum health, we should be making time for all these things.  We can not wait for the day we have time -- we must make time in our current lives.  Your body has been loaned and entrusted to you.  You must take proper care of it, for the condition of your body will ultimately affect the condition of your life.


Thought of the Day:  It's time to recommit to the area of your life where you have fallen off-track.  We only have one body, we have been entrusted to care for it properly.  Decide today what areas of your life that you will recommit to for a healthier you.  Create a small plan and set reminders or affirmations to help you along the way.  Our body is our best friend as it helps us to experience and achieve many great things here.  We need to be the loving inhabitants that God entrusted us to be.

Have a magnificent day!



Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Paying it Forward

Uplifting video with a great soundtrack that shows what happens when one person "pays it forward."  Hope it puts a smile on your face today!  :-)



Have a great day!



Tuesday, November 15, 2011

No Regrets!

Life is complex.  We are not the same person we were yesterday.  Thankfully, we are always evolving.  But so often we regret the choices we have made in the past and beat ourselves up over these decisions and their consequences.  We need to stop doing that.

We need to realize that our choices in the past were made with the best knowledge and skills that we had at that time.  We can be thankful that things change -- just our realization that those choices were not the best fit for our life shows that we've evolved.  We are capable of making better choices now because we have grown greatly from where we were.  We have a better sense of direction now as to where we are going.


Thought of the Day:  It's time to stop beating yourself up over past mistakes.  Forgive yourself and move on, for the decisions and actions you took in the past were the best you could do at that time.  You are better armed now -- with knowledge, confidence, and a clearer direction of who you are and where you are going.  Let this realization free you from guilt.  Allow it to show you just how far you've grown.

Have a great day!



Monday, November 14, 2011

Keep in the Sunlight


"Do not anticipate trouble or worry 
about what may never happen. 
 Keep in the sunlight."
Benjamin Franklin

I like Benjamin Franklin's advice.  Worry can become an addicting and destructive habit.  Most of the things we have a tendency to worry about are not even real, meaning they are not even in existence in our current life.  The majority of things we worry about do not end up happening!  So why should we spend the time and energy on them?


Thought of the Day:  Don't play that game!  Spend your time on the things you CAN control and don't worry about the "what-if's."  Use your time and energy enjoying the life you have.  Have confidence that things will turn out the way you expect.  Pray and trust that God and the universe will provide.  Keep in the sunlight!

Have a beautiful day!




Friday, November 11, 2011

Honor


Veterans Day - a day to honor the brave men and women who are currently serving or who have previously served for their sacrifice.  Without these brave individuals, we would not be enjoying the freedom and luxuries we have today.  These men and women are true heroes.

Please take a moment to pray for all those serving and give thanks to those who have served.  Please pray for the families of those who serve, for they also make tremendous sacrifices.  Veterans and your families, we salute you and give thanks -- today and every day!

Have a wonderful weekend!


Thursday, November 10, 2011

Applying Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a very powerful word.  It really can be a life changer.  It is the difference between being just here, and actually being present.

We all need to employ mindfulness into our day.  If we are not being mindful, we are not fully living our experience.  To be mindful in our work means to actually be focused and productive.  To be mindful with the loved ones that surround us means to be actually paying attention to what they are saying and feeling.  Being mindful with what we eat and drink means to actually taste what is nourishing our body, and being thankful for receiving it.

Applying mindfulness in our lives can be the difference between just being here and truly being present.  To be truly experiencing all that we are living in and that which surrounds us.  It's like a sense of awakening -- to where we are no longer ignoring, but rather appreciating, that which life is gifting us with.


Thought of the Day:  This is a reminder to employ mindfulness in your daily life.  There are many gifts that you are missing out on.  Choose to be more mindful in everything you do.  See the goodness that is surrounding you!

Namaste!



Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Taking Rest


"Do you feel guilty when you take time to rest?  
Even God took a day off when 
He was creating everything, 
so why can't you?  
Know that doing no thing 
is still doing some thing."
Bernie S. Siegel

Do you often feel guilty for doing nothing?  If you do, then know you're not alone!  So often I try to keep going despite my body and mind sending signals that I'm tired and need to rest.  I often feel I can't afford to do nothing.  I couldn't be more wrong.

It's when I'm tired and still trying to accomplish things that I realize that I'm not actually accomplishing anything -- just wasting time.  If my mind is unfocused then I am just going through the motions, with little or nothing in the end to show for it.  This is not accomplishing anything but fatigue.

Rest is critical for energizing and recharging us for the moments ahead in our day and week.  We must learn to listen to our bodies to give them what they need.  Sometimes just a short breather will give us the momentum we need and help us to regain our focus.


Thought of the Day:  Learn to listen to your body.  If it's telling you you need a break, try to honor it's request.  Do not feel guilty for doing "nothing."  As Bernie Siegel states:  "Doing No thing is Doing Something." Our body needs rest to continue serving us properly.

Have a great day!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The Pace of Nature


“Adopt the pace of nature; 
her secret is patience.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

We can learn a lot from nature.  It works according to its own schedule.  Nature can not be rushed, the leaves unfold in the spring when they are ready, and drop in the fall according to their own timetable.  We know that each day the sun will rise and by days end, the moon will appear, signaling the closure of another day.

If we know that things ultimately do get done, then why must we rush everything along?  Why must we get stressed when others are not moving quickly enough, or when life is not producing it's results quickly enough for our liking?

All things progress.  Nothing stays the same.  Things are always in motion, even if we are not aware of their movement.  We need to slow ourselves down.  We need to trust.  Everything is moving, it really doesn't need to move as fast as we think it does.
 
 
Thought of the Day:  We all need to have a little more patience in our day.  Patience in our day equals peace in our minds and love in our hearts.  Don't be in such a rush, all will get done!  Adopt the pace of nature.

Have a beautiful day!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Knowtions

A great piece with a valuable reminder for everyone!  I hope you enjoy!


Knowtions
By:  Dan Coppersmith
Reprinted with Permission
How our life
Turns out to be
Should not be deemed
A mystery

The epic saga
Will unfold
According to
The beliefs we hold

Merely accepting
A belief as true
Invests attention
In that view

After which
The world will show
What it is
We think we know

On this proof
The ego grows
Inflated by
This thing it knows

As it grows
Our minds close
And we see only
What we chose

Other views
No matter how pristine
Remain obscure
And can’t be seen

We can’t change
And we can’t grow
‘Till we look beyond
What we know

Our beliefs are reflected
In the world outside
Let your life
Be your guide

Question all
You take for granted
We only harvest
What’s been planted.


Have a beautiful day!

Read more of Dan's work at www.spiritwire.com


Friday, November 4, 2011

Your Dimension of Greatness


Your Dimension Of Greatness
Author Unknown

No one can know the potential,
Of a life that is committed to win;
With courage - the challenge it faces,
To achieve great success in the end!

So, explore the Dimension of Greatness,
And believe that the world CAN be won;
By a mind that is fully committed,
KNOWING the task can be done!

Your world has no place for the skeptic,
No room for the DOUBTER to stand;
To weaken your firm resolution
That you CAN EXCEL in this land!

We must have VISION TO SEE our potential,
And FAITH TO BELIEVE that we can;
Then COURAGE TO ACT with conviction,
To become what GOD MEANT us to be!

So, possess the strength and the courage,
To conquer WHATEVER you choose;
It's the person WHO NEVER GETS STARTED,
That is destined FOREVER to lose!


Have a fabulous weekend!


Thursday, November 3, 2011

Harmony in our Environment


“You are subject to your environment. 
Therefore, select the environment that will 
best develop you toward your desired objective.”
W. Clement Stone


We all have goals and dreams that we are working towards to make a reality.  We can do this if we believe in ourselves, are around people who support us, and are working in the proper conditions to help support our success.

Just as an artist needs the proper supplies, a gardener needs knowledge and seeds and a mechanic needs tools, we need to have the environment and supplies for success.  We can not work in an environment that does not match what we are trying to achieve.  We will end up with frustration and fall short of reaching our goals.



Thought of the Day:  Does your environment match up with your current goals?  If it does, you are on the right track towards achieving success.  If it doesn't, what can you do to make sure things are more supportive of making your dreams a reality?  We all need to invest in ourselves.  We all need supportive people and a place where we can thrive.  Simple changes can often support us enough to help us get to our desired outcome.

Have a wonderful day!




Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Making Time for Silence

Let's face it:  We live in a very busy world.  We have work demands, family demands, errands on the go, and to do list's for when we're home.  It can be really challenging to find time to silence ourselves and the environment in which we live in.

I have a tendency to be a workaholic.  I find that unless I enforce discipline upon myself, I can have a tendency to keep going and going -- until I get cranky.  So being aware of that, I try to never let that happen.

We all need some silence in our day.  Time where we can think and reflect without interruption.  Where we can plan, brainstorm, dream, think, and silence our mind from the chatter.  Time to put things into perspective.

Without my morning silence, I would not be able to productively plan my day ahead, deciding exactly how I want it to be and how I want to spend it.  Without my afternoon silence (I call this my quiet-time which is just a nice word for sanity time), I would not be able to come up with great ideas, plans, to do's that had been forgotten, articles, and then silence my mind for relaxation.  Without my evening silence, I would not be able to quiet my mind to prepare it for sleep.


Thought of the Day:  I know it can be hard, but silence is our friend and just like a friend, we need to make time for it in our lives.  Only through silence can we see and hear more clearly, and accept the messages our body, mind and soul are trying to tell us.  Start incorporating small chunks of silence into your day a few times a day.  The benefits are increased productivity, living more deliberately, and a more restful and peaceful you.

Have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

I wish you a rainbow!

I thought you might enjoy this absolutely beautiful video today, that helps keep it in perspective!



Have a beautiful day!