Many of us think of gratitude around Thanksgiving, and we count our blessings for a few days or maybe a few weeks. The rest of the year we leave this wonderful tool gathering dust in our hearts and minds without awareness of what a gift it truly is. Gratitude brings comfort and joy to life. Gratitude provides perspective in difficult … Read More
How to have a happy and healthy holiday season
The holidays are both a wonderful and awful time of the year. There are celebrations and joy but also struggle and stress. The holiday hustle and bustle is no joke and it leaves many of us overextended, exhausted, and depressed. Why not get a jump start on your goals for next year? Make healthy goals to get you through the … Read More
Complain Refrain for 14 Days!
Oh, how we love to complain. I’ve got problems, you’ve got problems. We’ve got problems! And annoyances. And inconveniences. And frustrations. And on and on and on. Photo by Robert Labonte I learned years ago that whatever I focus on becomes the focus of my life. Duh, right? The thing is, when I complain I am oh-so-aware of whatever it … Read More
6 ways to a kick-ass day!
What makes a kick-ass day? Is it everything going your way? It is luck? Is it everything happening according to plan- no way! Most of the time you choose what kind of day you’re going to have. In some cases, you don’t actively choose but by not choosing you end up having a reactive day- being knocked around like a … Read More
7 ways you create unhappiness
For years I was unhappy with my life. Overall I had a positive attitude but I felt trapped by the circumstances of my life. I tried to look on the bright side but I was still mostly unhappy. What is happiness? How happy or unhappy I feel is determined by the way I relate to the world. My behavior creates … Read More
42 Ways to Practice Gratitude
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” ~Melody Beattie Gratitude is the best attitude there is, and it’s not just for one day, or every once in a while- gratitude is for every day! Gratitude gives me perspective, balance, and peace of mind. It’s not about getting what I want, it’s wanting … Read More
Get Going! Get Gratitude! A 30 Day Gratitude Challenge
I don’t need a reason to be grateful, even though there are plenty of reasons for all of us to be thankful. Gratitude promotes health, improves our outlook on life, helps us handle stressful situations (with less stress), strengthens relationships, and promotes a balanced life. Do you want good health? How about a positive outlook on life? Do you want … Read More
How to get what you want in life
What do you want in life- happiness, comfort, health, safety, success, love? I want all of these things, and more! I used to think these things came to those who were most deserving, but I know I haven’t always gotten what I deserved. For a time I thought these things came to those who did what they were supposed to … Read More
Living and loving the life you have
I wasn’t happy most of my life. I worried about what what other people thought of me. I attached my well-being to other people’s behavior. I was troubled by my thoughts and feelings. I worked hard every day to be perfect, to be worthy, to be whole. I wanted a better life yet I believed I wouldn’t be happy until… … Read More
How to find beauty in life’s ups and downs
Coming off a “down” last week, I was struck by the beauty of life. Faced with a difficult family situation I was overcome with sadness, frustration, and anger. I struggled with the situation for several days, on the edge of tears much of the time. After several difficult days I found a renewed sense of purpose and motivation in my … Read More