Thinking well

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-10-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year! I love that attitude shifts to gratitude in the fall! I love that around the bend is Christmas, which for most, brings a sense of peace and joy and love.

I have so much to be grateful for in my life. My family, my husband, kids, job, clients, school, house, friends, new cars, travel, and the list goes on and on.

Life is really good right now. I talked to a friend about this and she said, its about time! lol We've earned it ;) Thanks D. Life is great....

Happy Thanksgiving!

give away....

2009-10-01T08:47:00.001-07:00

Head over to A Balance Lifestyle blog for a free give away!!!!

A Balanced Life Style

2009-09-18T08:11:00.000-07:00

We've launched!!! Please go here to check out our new site!!!!

I'm so excited! Good things to come!!!

Just when...

2009-08-24T15:16:00.000-07:00

you think life is going great something WHAM hits you right smack in the face. I let some idiot give me grief today. Drama. Unecessary. The worse part is I let it affect my oldest son. :( Because he was involved with the drama. We're all human and I one of the most positive, healing, affirmation kind of people around, but it took a butt kick from several friends to get moving.

So thank you to Shannon, Annette, Minda and Maria. All four of you are very different but awesome ladies. You gave me what I needed. Butt kick, confidence and motivation. You are all so right. Life is good. Don't let the stupid people bring you down to their low vibrating level and remember that the best revenge in life is LIVING A GOOD LIFE.

Life is good!

I love you gals

jenn

:)

2009-08-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

Okay yes I know I promised a new blog and it hasn't happened yet... IT IS COMING! lol

We want to work on it a bit! We're having a photo shoot on friday ;) so exciting!

Its terrific tuesday!

What is terrific in your life???

Mine?
family
friends
ball
hockey
business
new business partners ;) (you rock shan)
new adventures
traveling (thanks tim)
wine!!!!! (yeah vino good!)

almost time...

2009-07-31T06:09:00.001-07:00

Almost time that we will be launching a new site!

But until then.... I leave you with this awesome quote!

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success. Norman Vincent Peale

change

2009-07-18T07:35:00.000-07:00

I haven't been posting on here on purpose. I'm getting ready to launch a new blog with a friend and now my new business partner! Yes I'm still practicing reflexology on my own, but I'm starting something else too.

Stay tuned, updates and new site to come!

Life is good!

xo
jenn

sorry

2009-07-08T06:14:00.001-07:00

Sorry so long between posts. I'm currently working on another blog with a new business partner! I'm excited about it, but I haven't done much to this one!

So I'm going to list some gratitude things ;) Never anything wrong with that!

Thankful for:

-my new roof
-my family
-my 'good' friends
-life's little treats
-travel
-clients

What are you thankful for today???

Thankful thursdays....

2009-06-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. Albert Einstein

I'm a quote collector, but this one really strikes a cord with me today. Its so true. In the midst of all difficulty lies opportunity. Opportunity for advancement, learning, grace, love, forgivness. Whatever the situation, there is always an opportunity you can take out of it.

Today is thursday. I call it thankful Thursday.

thankful for a hot cup of coffee on a cool day
thankful that rain stopped for my sons field trip
thankful for my friends and family
thankful for my clients that make me smile on a daily basis
thankful for the fact that its almost the weekend :) Weekends rock!

What are you thankful today???

so true...

2009-06-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

I was just going through twitter and I follow the "joy of living" blog on twitter and they tweeted...

What is the last thing you do before you go to bed at night? Whatever it is, make sure it feels good.

and it made me think. What do I do?? Well I read from two daily inspirational calanders. One is a quote from Palsms and the other is just a daily does of positive info. I love both. Both make me go hmmm.

I also try to read. Now those that know me well know lately I only read things that make me happy. Generally that is self help books, books on reflexology, marketing or along that lines. I don't read a lot fiction. Sometimes I will pick up a novel, but for the most part I get very few mins a day to read, so when I read it will be something that is going to expand my mind :)

So my question to you today is.....

What do you do before you go to bed??? Does it make you happy? Care to share? ;)

cheers

jenn

p.s. for those who wondered about the elastic band around my wrist, it was in place of the braclet. The stop complaining braclet. So every time I verbally complain, I switch the elastic band to the opposite wrist. The goal? 21 consecutive days without moving it. So far... 2 days in a row. Its a start ;)

Thankful Thursdays...

2009-06-11T08:59:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine called it that today and I thought what a great idea! What are you thankful for today??

for my business that allows me flex hours
for my healthy children
for a wonderful kind caring husband (yep you are that tim!!!)
for wonderful friends
that the sun is peaking out a bit today and its finally warmer
that school is nearing an end and summertime to start

Those are just a few of the things I'm thankful at the moment!

What are you thankful for today???

still going....

2009-06-07T07:19:00.000-07:00

I am still using an elastic band for my braclet. Yesterday it was only moved ONCE!!! I sighed too when I realized what I said out loud! lol How is everyone else doing???

Sunday....

2009-05-31T04:17:00.000-07:00

Do something today that makes you happy!

We are off to my sons ball hockey game! That makes me happy! Watching my boys play sports!!! Then I'm off to a spa party. I don't know what I'm in for, but its with a few girlfriends, so should be fun!

Then later today we're heading to the park for a picnic, why, because that makes me really really happy.

:-)
happy sunday!

Once a week....

2009-05-30T17:48:00.000-07:00

Once a week I tune into CNN.com to get my fill of the news. I really think I need to give it up period. Its so depressing. Yes I know that is news. Why do most journalist write like that? Doesn't anyone write "happy" news? Come on, I want to read things that are uplifting!!!

Sorry, my rant for tonight after going there and seeing some really depressing things.

The world is good at heart. Focusing on that good would be way better then reading the details of all the crap.

jmo

j

love this quote...

2009-05-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

Like what you do, if you don't like it,
do something else. --Paul Harvey

So true. If your not enjoying what you do 75% of your day, then do something else. I hear so many people complain about their job and my answer is always the same. Find something else. Then I hear the list of excuses. I figure your not happy, figure out what makes you happy and go for it! We only live once, life is short. Enjoy every moment that you can of it!!!

I LOVE my job :-) and I'm off to work a few hours right now. Yep its Saturday, but that is okay. I truly LOVE what I do and feel blessed that I get paid to do something I love!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

WOW

2009-05-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

What an amazing book! I just finished it. I really think I'm going to start to re read it tonight! I didn't even realize how much I complain/gossip/state negative thoughts out loud till I started moving my elastic back and forth! LOL

We're not talking the self doubts. I still think someone needs a "zapper" for that!!! I'm talking about stating in your voice a complaint, groan, moan, negative statement or gossip. WOWSERS. A friend called today and I actually sat there and said nothing because I realized we would just gossip or complain non stop. Awkward silence I tell you. So I told her about my experiment and gave her the website to check out. She actually hung up on me and right before she did she stated that I was no fun if I wouldn't gossip with her! LOLOLOLOL Oh that made me howl.

So far today I've moved it 6 times. Yeah SIX already!!! I know!

Keep me posted if your trying this!!!!
Happy Thursday!!!

Love it...

2009-05-27T05:18:00.000-07:00

A Complaint Free World.

Shannon from BC left a comment here about this book. I went out to Chapters last night and bought it! I'm already half way through. It is about the idea I was stating the other day. Only no bzzzz. You wear a bracelet (they have purple ones) and you switch it to the other hand every time you complain, gossip or say a negative though. Same idea, no shock! Click on the the top there and it will link you to their site!

So the idea is to have 21 consecutative days without having to move that bracelet!!! Easy? No. I tried yesterday breifly and I switched it 16times! I thought I was a pretty positive person.

I'm still in the midst of reading the book. I'll be back tomorrow after I finish it, with a more detailed review. In the meantime, you don't need their bracelet to start. Use an elastic, use a cancer bracelet, use a coin and put it back and forth in each pocket!

Just start somewhere and try :)

Can you imagine if we had a Complaint Free World??? Could imagine how much happier would be??? I love this idea!

Happy Wednesday!

We do it to ourselves!!!

2009-05-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

Ever notice how when things are running along smoothly that little voice pops up and says, something is going to go wrong!!!??? Seriously that is when I need to just bitch slap that voice and ignore it. Every once in a while I will doubt myself and give into that voice. Then of course all hell breaks loose. Things do start falling apart. I hate it. I need to get re-centered, re-focused, and in a positive mind frame. It happens more then I would like to admit!

I had a friend in tonight and she said something very VALID. Would it not be fabulous if people caught us saying something negative, about ourselves or situations that they just made a "buzz" or "BEEP" sound??? Wouldn't that be a fantastic way to see how much negativity flies out of our mouths and minds?? Yeah would be annoying, would also make us realize what we are doing. I thought about what she said (thanks Shannon your rock sister) and I thought maybe I will do that to people! No worries, but I am going to try to do it to myself. AS SOON AS that little negative voice enters... BZZZZZ ;-)

I have a challenge for you, try it. Buzz yourself when you here the negative voice. See how many times your doing it. Might make you stop and think a little harder on how we put ourselves down so much.

Let me know if you try it!

jenn

How do you bring balance....

2009-05-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

I'm wondering how do you bring balance to your life?

It is a struggle I seem to be having as of late. Although tonight I feel good about balance, I often don't. I feel pulled in about 20 directions.

-gratitude (always makes me feel in check)

-fieldhockey (i'm playing again this summer after many years off)

-spending time with my children playing

-reading

-yoga and meditation

-dreaming

-vacations

-being in my pool or at the beach

-writing

-loving

-creating

Those are some of my ways of feeling balanced. How about you?

decluttering....

2009-05-19T20:09:00.000-07:00

This weekend I spent time in my boys rooms. Their closets actually. Decluttering. I'm always grateful for hand me downs! Love them, but how many size 6 pants do we need? How many tshirts? I got rid of SIX bags between their closets. Now lots was from Ben's and he had out grown them, but still that is a lot. Their rooms look great now! Its like BREATHING easier. Have you noticed that???

Clutter = tension, feeling of upset
Clean/clear = clear mind, relaxation

I swear when I declutter the ommmmm feeling comes in my house. It just feels clearer.
Silly??? I don't know but I love the feeling and I'm going to keep it up!!!!

Next time you feel tense, stressed just go declutter a bit and see how you feel afterwards :)

Live well...

2009-05-14T21:08:00.000-07:00

Smile! If you can smile, your happy and if your happy your moving towards living well!
Gratitude! If you can be thankful that means you have things/people/love in your life!
Relax! If you can relax you are able to enjoy life.
Live in the Moment! If you can be present and live in the moment you can enjoy more.
Laugh! It really is good medicine and cures the soul.

small list... but do a few and see what happens!!!

cool

2009-05-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

Check out this video its only one min long.

Press here.

enjoy

random thoughts

2009-05-12T18:33:00.000-07:00

Things making me happy right now!!!!

1. picnics...wanting to go on a few

2. pools opening

3. thinking of beach trips!

4. tulips blooming

5. seeing my kids biking up and down the street

6. baseball starting!!!

7. romantic dinners with my husband!

8. walks

9. friday flowers (my dh gives me friday flowers most weeks) god i love him

10. friends :-)

Feeling good...

2009-05-11T19:55:00.000-07:00

Today was hectic. I mean really hectic. A bank glitch, clients canceling, life just feeling like it was brutal. A monday morning I read about on facebook from people. Not my normal monday morning. BUT I'm happy to say I practice what I preach. I flipped that switch and stopped those negative vibes!

By the end of the day I had two new clients booked in and an opportunity to go to a health fair!

Life is good. My work life rocks!!!

:-) Monday's still rock!

smile....

2009-05-06T07:30:00.000-07:00

There is something to be said about a smile to start your day. Or a smile to those you meet on the street. I walk a few nights a week with a girlfriend and one of her pet peeves is when people you pass while walking don't smile and/or say hello. She has a bright smile and a lovely "hello" to each every walker she meets. It takes some people by surprise!!! We live in a relatively small town, so one would think this isn't hard to do, but most people won't take the time to look up and make eye contact. If you want a smile, you need to send out a smile. If we all did that it would be a better place, a better day and possibly a better life.

So the next time your out for a walk, jog, bike ride. Take time and look up and smile and say "hello" to all those that pass you by. See how you feel. See how they react. Spread joy.

"If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out.
To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it."
~Mother Teresa

Important...

2009-05-03T17:08:00.000-07:00

A number of years ago I wrote down this passage on a sticky note. I look at it often and it still blows me away with power. Its just part of the passage but it still makes me think. We have to have faith.....

Matthew 17:20

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed ... Nothing will be impossible for you."

Worry....

2009-04-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

I wish people wouldn't worry so much. When you focus on that worry, you attracted and it becomes true. I know it is hard not focus on worry, trust me I know!!! BUT if you really can flip the switch and not worry... have faith. Everything will be fine. Attracted it. Want it. :)

Life is good.

Rhymes with Orange

2009-04-27T07:42:00.001-07:00

I'm a reflexology practitioner. LOVED this comic strip ;) hehe

How appropriate!

quote

2009-04-20T08:46:00.001-07:00

It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
J. K. Rowling

Relax...

2009-04-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

I have a sign over my office wall. It says "RELAX" then to the left of it I have one that says "BREATHE". It is the two things that I am always reminding clients to do. Relax and just breathe. I should really tape it to play over and over! ;)

Relaxing is so hard for so many. Really all it takes is a few mins of deep breathing to unwind and chill. Think about what makes you happy. Shut your eyes. See the the thing/person/place that makes you happy. Be there. Breathe..... be still.

Mini vacations :) LOL That is what I call it but it works!

Happy thursday!
j

quote

2009-04-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be happy. I'm going to skip. I'm going to be glad. I'm going to smile a lot. I'm going to be easy. I'm going to count my blessings. I'm going to look for reasons to feel good. I'm going to dig up positive things from the past. I'm going to look for positive things where I stand. I'm going to look for positive things in the future. It is my natural state to be a happy person. It's natural for me to love and to laugh. This is what is most natural for me. I am a happy person!

Jerry and Esther Hicks

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter today! Remember attitude is half the battle! Stay positive!

Life is good...

2009-04-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

I just need to keep repeating that today... life is good... life is good... life is good

:)

Happy wed.

quote

2009-03-31T05:17:00.000-07:00

Everything in this world was declared
impossible before it was actually done.
--Author Unknown

How true is that quote? At one point EVERYTHING was impossible and the dreamers/believers set out and just do it. Do they know how?? Not always. They have a vision and don't loose site of it. Amazing. Love this. So powerful!!!!

The positive high...

2009-03-27T09:33:00.001-07:00

Have you ever noticed once you can get yourself into that "high" feeling everything just goes FANTASTIC. Even if there is something cruddy going on it just doesn't bother you. That is how I feel today!!!!

Its Friday
Last hockey this weekend (although I will really miss it)
Happy kids
Crazy hair day at school ...they made me howl
Working out and feeling good
Eating better
New friends
Old friends that ROCK
Inspiration every where around me
Spring in the air!!!

I mean seriously! I love spring!

Inspired?

2009-03-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

I feel so inspired at the moment. Really not sure why, but I feel creative, energetic (maybe its the 30day shred dvd i've been doing LOL) and I feel like I can take on anything!

Don't you love when you get that kind of energy/passion? Maybe its spring coming up that makes me feel this way? Maybe its connecting with old and new friends who have a ton of positive energy?

Whatever it is I just want it to keep coming this direction! Lots of new things on the horizon!!! I'm loving it! Life is good my friends..... life is good!!!!!!!!!!!

212 degrees

2009-03-26T05:57:00.000-07:00

From www.walkthetalk.com

I love that site for positive business motiviation. I run my own practice. I am a healer but I am also a sales person. If I don't work hard at my business, it doesn't fly.

turn up your volume and enjoy

press here

Flip the Switch

2009-03-25T09:29:00.000-07:00

Have you read the book by Peggy McColl called "Your Destiny Switch". If you haven't, you should. I found it at Chapters in the bargain book section for 5.99 and trust me its worth WAY more then that. You can find Peggy's site here.

The book talks about how you have to "flip" that emotional switch to get a positive attitude in order to attract more positivity. Positive thinking isn't easy. Even on my bad days I find it hard, but if I managed to flip the emotional switch it really can turn around your day.

The book help me understand things I already knew, but just made it very clear. It explains in order to attract anything positive you have to be in a good emotional spot. When I say attraction I don't mean things always either. It can be people, situations, whatever. It doesn't necessarily mean material things.

She has you picture a light switch the bottom has one negative emotion Anger/anxiety/stress/fear/poor/impatience/discouraged and then see the top of the switch. It will be the opposite of the bottom. So for those it would/could be Happiness/peace/relaxation and prayer/faith/abundance/calm/inspiration.

Look at them together. Even reading the positive side makes you feel better.

I will list the negative emotion first and then the positive emotion second.

Anger - Forgiveness/Happiness
Anxiety - peace/Faith
Stress- Relaxation/Prayer
Fear - Faith
Poor - Abundance
Impatience - Calm/patience
Discouraged - Inspired

Its a good read. I will be reading mine very soon! Go out and pick up a copy! It will be the best 6 dollars you spend in a long time!!!

Simple Pleasures...

2009-03-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

Some of my simple pleasures are...

-sitting on my deck soaking up the sun or shade reading
-enjoying a timmies (coffee) with friends
-reading my magazines that I love
-enjoying the moments
-smelling the flowers
-watching my kids play hockey or ball
-internet time
-starbucks chai's
-sitting on the Huther patio having a beer (and wings lol)

all those things bring smiles to my face right now....

:-)

2009-03-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

I came across this blog... Zen habits and they have all kinds of cool stuff. One of them was this list of 75 simple pleasures. This is their list... but what would be a few things on yours? Read the list see if it inpires you to write your own. I'll be back tomorrow with mine.

Berries … mmmm.

Walking barefoot in grass.

Listening to good music in the car.

Taking a long, relaxing shower.

Coffee.

A good novel.

Popcorn and an old movie on DVD.

The smell of fresh-cut grass.

Watching the sunrise.

Walking on the beach.

A gentle morning run.

Yoga or stretching or meditation.

Snuggling in bed with your partner.

Watching the sunset.

Hugging your child tightly.

Good wine.

Dark chocolate.

Dancing like you’re crazy.

Telling jokes till your sides ache.

A long conversation with a good friend.

Root beer float.

Kissing in the rain.

Being lazy on a Sunday.

Waking to a clean house.

An uncluttered room.

Banana split.

Pillow fights.

Fries and a chocolate milkshake.

Singing in the shower, loudly.

Dancing in the rain and stomping in puddles.

Watching your child play.

Fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies.

Helping someone in need.

Making someone smile.

Homemade pie.

A nature hike.

Laying back and watching the stars.

Making a sandcastle.

Floating in the water.

Taking an afternoon nap.

Serving your spouse a surprise breakfast in bed.

Watching your children on Christmas morning.

Laying back and looking up at clouds.

Watching the ocean.

Getting a massage.

Reese’s peanut butter cups.

PB&J sandwich.

Iced green tea.

Playing footsie.

Acting crazy in public.

Seeing your savings account grow.

Seeing your debt shrink.

Taking a hot bath.

Blowing bubbles.

A gentle breeze.

The feeling after a good workout.

Checking something off your to-do list.

Snuggling together under the covers on a stormy day.

Coen brother movies.

Watching your kids play soccer.

Playing a good game of basketball.

The smell of a new Moleskine notebook.

Writing on good paper with a good pen.

A clear desk.

Fresh popped popcorn.

A fresh snow.

Swinging on a swing.

Homemade strawberry shortcake.

Watching animals in nature.

An empty email inbox.

Playing hooky.

A very slow and sensual night with your partner.

Staying up all night talking.

Having a picnic.

Swimming at night.

Gratitude

2009-03-10T13:24:00.000-07:00

Gratitude lists.

Do you make them? I have a little blue note book that I write mine in. I was doing it daily for January and seem to have slacked off. But when I read what is in that little book it is pretty powerful. Its funny how being thankful for what you have in life attracts more good things. It works is all I know. I use to think it was fine to just keep my gratitude lists in my head, but now I realize its more powerful in written words where I can reread it often!

What do you have gratitude for? Do you write down?

A SINGLE CANDLE

2009-03-06T05:36:00.000-08:00

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

Just be happy

2009-03-02T11:58:00.001-08:00

Being happy is a choice. I read this on createablance.com and thought. Absolutely. So why aren't more of us happy? I put some of their suggestions into loose terms. Read through them, see if you can do any more of them and feel free to leave me your suggestions.

There suggestions

Live in the moment

Let go of the idea that happines = consumption

Meditation

Ditch the 'fears' We live with too much fear...fear of health, fear of not enough of this and that. Lose it.

Laugh more

Get involved in the slow movement. We're all busy I COMPLETELY get that one (hockey say no more) but I still take the time to get my family to the dinner table and eat a slow cooked meal. I would say 5 nights a week we eat a slow cooked meal. Get involved read up on the Slow movement.

Love more

Socialize more

Ditch doing what you don't want too. aka don't burn the candles at both ends

Take time for youself

Exercise

If you can think of more, leave it in the comment section.... go be happy my friends!!!!

2009-02-21T10:41:00.000-08:00

Message

“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.”

—Roy Disney (b. 1930); former Disney executive, nephew of Walt Disney

attitude

2009-02-13T18:34:00.000-08:00

Attitudes ....

Turn up your volume and sit back and relax!!!

press here

From the site Walk the Talk

Twelve Commandments for a Good Life!

2009-02-01T15:04:00.001-08:00

Twelve Commandments for a Good Life! (from Eily's blog)

1. Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.

2. Make the best of your circumstances. No one has everything, everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with gladness of life. The trick is to make the laughter outweigh the tears.

3. Don't take your self too seriously. Don't think that somehow you should be protected from misfortune that befalls on other people.

4. You can't please everyone. Don't let criticism worry you.

5. Don't let your neighbour set your standards. Be yourself.

6. Do the things your enjoy but stay out of debt.

7. Never borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than real ones.

8. Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish jealousy, Avoid people that make you unhappy.

9. Have many interests. If you can't travel, read about new places.

10. Don't hold postmortems. Don't spend your time brooding over sorrows or mistakes. Don't be the one who never gets over things.

11. Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.

12. Keep busy. A busy person never has time to be unhappy.

Welcome the rain...

2009-01-21T08:15:00.000-08:00

click here and take the 2mins to watch it. :-) so very powerful and true....

40 tips for a better life in 2009

2009-01-18T06:55:00.000-08:00

This email was passed to me from my dear friend and cousin Eily! Thanks girl...enjoy the read..

Some good thoughts for the new year.

40 Tips for a Better Life in 2009

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild salmon, broccoli, almonds and walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. God heals almost everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!)

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for ________. Today I accomplished ________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Please forward this to everyone you care about.

May your troubles be less,

May your blessings be more,

May nothing but happiness come through your door!

love

2009-01-11T19:12:00.000-08:00

Love can do funny things. Like make your day perfect. Light up the room. Fill your heart. Go ahead and share some love. Fill your heart, make yourself happy. The world needs to focus a little bit more on happiness and love ... it would be a better place!

Words

2009-01-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

Words are powerful. Ali Edwards is an artist and a scrapbooker (i love her work) and hero of mine. Yep I love her stuff and greatly admire her. This is from here blog which you can find here.

Its a list of words. Every year she asks people to choose a word to represent the year. In the past I've had 2007 BELIEVE and in 2008 GRATITUDE. Why?

BELIEVE - was important to me that year because I was really focusing on getting my business up and running. I started in 2006, but the following year it really took off. I needed to believe in myself and those around me. I still go back to this word even this year. It has so many different meanings to me from believing in God to believing in myself and others... just BELIEVE.

GRATITUDE - I picked this because I realized I had so much to be thankful for in my life. Its filled with really great things/people/feelings. I still use that word. Every day I'm trying to write out at least 30 things I'm grateful for, from the little things to the big things!!!

SIMPLIFY - That is my word for 2009. Why? Becuase there is so much in my life I just need to simplify from work, house, diet... you name it. See how this word works for me this year.

Below is a list of words that other women (and maybe a few guys ) choose and posted on Ali's site. Words are powerful and these are good words. I encourage you to read through and maybe choose one for yourself or post your own word.

Blessings for 2009 :)

Able
Abundance
Accept
Acceptance
Accomplish
Accountability
Achieve
Act
Action
Actualize
Adapt
Adjust
Adore
Adventure
Affirmative
Allow
Appreciate
Aspire
Attack
Attitude
Authentic
Authenticity
Aware
Baby
Balance
Be
Beautiful
Become
Begin
Beginnings
Belief
Believe
Beloved
Better
Blessed
Bliss
Blossom
Bottom
Bounce
Boundaries
Brave
Breathe
Brevity
Brighten
Calm
Can
Capture
Care
Carpe Diem
Celebrate
Centered
Challenge
Change
Cheerfulness
Cherish
Chill
Choice
Choices
Choose
Clarity
Clean
Commit
Commitment
Communicate
Complete
Confidence
Connect
Conquer
Conscious
Consistency
Content
Continue
Courage
Cozy
Create
Cultivate
Cure
Dance
Dare
Dash (It's All About The Dash)
Declutter
Dedicated
Deeper
Define
Deliberate
Delight
Determination
Determined
Devote
Devotion
Dignity
Diligence
Discipline
Discover
Disentangle
Do
Dolce
Downsize
Dream
Dynamic
Edit
Effort
Elevate
Embark
Embrace
Endeavor
Endless
Endurance
Energy
Enjoy
Enlighten
Enough
Enrich
Enrichment
Enthusiasm
Evolve
Example
Excellence
Execute
Explore
Facilitate
Faith
Family
Fearless
Fierce
Find
Finish
Fitness
Flexibility
Flourish
Flow
Fly
Focus
Follow-Through
Footprints
Forgive
Forward
Fresh
Frugal
Gentle
Gentleness
Give
Go
Good Enough
Goodness
Grace
Grateful
Gratitude
Grow
Growth
Happiness
Happy
Harmony
Heal
Healing
Health
Heart
Hold onto Love
Home
Honor
Hope
Humility
I’m Okay
Idle
Imagine
Imminence
Independence
Initiate
Inner-Strength
Innovate
Inspire
Integrity
Intend
Intention
Intentional
Involve
Journey
Joy
Kindness
Laugh
Learn
Less
Let
Let Go
Life
Light
Lightness
Listen
Live
Love
Loving
Lucky
Marathon
Material
Matter
Maturity
Me
Memory
Mercy
Mettle
Mindful
Miracle
Moderation
Moments
Momentum
More
Motivate
Motivation
Move
Mute
Nascent
Nature
New
No New, Make Do
Non-Reactivity
Notice
Now
Nourish
Nurture
Observe
Open
Opportunity
Optimistic
Optimism
Order
Organize
Organized
Others
Overcome
Pace
Passion
Patience
Pause
Peace
Perseverance
Persevere
Perspective
Plan
Play
Positive
Positivity
Possibility
Potential
Pray
Prayer
Precious
Prepare
Presence
Present
Preserve
Prevail
Print
Prioritize
Progress
Promise
Prosperity
Pumped
Pure
Purge
Purpose
Purposeful
Pursue
Push
Quiet
Reach
Read
Ready
Realize
Reconnect
Reduce
Reflect
Regenerate
Reinvent
Rejoice
Relationships
Relax
Release
Remain
Renaissance
Renew
Resilience
Resolve
Respect
Restore
Results
Revitalize
Revive
Rhythm
Rise
Roll
Run
Save
Savor
Search
Seasons
Seek
Seize
Self
Self-Assured
Self-Discipline
Sensitive
Serendipity
Serene
Serenity
Seriously
Serve
Shalom
Share
Shine
Simple
Simplicity
Simplify
Smile
Soft
Sparkle
Start
Stay
Steadfast
Step
Still
Stillness
Strength
Strive
Structure
Success
Surprise
Surrender
Surround
Sustain
Sweeten
Tackle
Ten
Tenacity
Tenderness
Thankful
This is my year.
Threshold
Thrive
Time
Today
Together
Tolerance
Transformation
Treasure
True
Trust
Truthful
Try
Turn
Uncomplicated
Understanding
Unite
Unload
Unplug
Unwritten
Valor
Value
Vision
Vitality
Voice
Wait
Walk
Warmth
Welcome
Why
Wisdom
Worth
Yes
Zeal

So true...

2009-01-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Message

Don't let the low times keep you down. Learn
from them and reach for the high times.
---David Wiemers

2009 Goals

2009-01-01T07:54:00.000-08:00

I don't like setting "resolutions" I like to call them Goals. It is just easier for me to task them and focus on them. Makes them more relastic too!

This year I have serveral, some I'll share on here!

-to continue to grow my business (practice)

-to continue to learn for my business

-to become more healthy in our eating and excerise

-to declutter our home (part of my word of the year SIMPLIFY)

-to work towards some sort of publishing my positive quotes/thoughts

-to travel more (italy is my dream)

-to continue to build healthy relationships with friends and family

What are yours?

Happy New Year....

2008-12-31T11:24:00.000-08:00

As tonight comes to a close I hope everyone can look back and reflect on the past year.

For me 2008 started off as a fantastic year. Near the end its had some hiccups in regards to work, but I'm back on track.

So many things to be grateful and focus on.

-family health
-kind friends
-growing business
-ds making the rep hockey team
-rep ball
-fantastic husband
-trip to the wheels inn
-impromptu trips overnight to Toronto (3 of them!!!)
-new computer for mom (laptop)
-pool
-spiritual growth

Gratitude was my word for 2008 and its been so true. I've had so much gratitude!!! Thank you 2008 for being a great year.

I'll blog tomorrow about my goals for 2009 and my new word ;)

10 Dares from Staurt Knight

2008-12-30T10:09:00.000-08:00

10 Dares for 2009!

1. Write your own perfect eulogy. Commit to one page. How would you like your eulogy to read when that inevitable moment comes for all of us?

2. Sign up for one course. It could be a cooking class, french lessons or a self development course. ANYTHING! I dare you to search the internet after reading this newsletter and sign up for something with your credit card and make the commitment.

3. Eliminate one thing for an entire year. It could be alcohol, a certain food or a draining person in your life. Take one minute and write something down that you would like to remove from your life and do it for one year.

4. Plan and invite people to an appreciation party. Choose five to ten people in your life that you truly appreciate and invite them to this party. At the party do a little speech telling each person why you love them so much. If this scares you then write it down and give it to them in a card. BUT, set the date and invite those people now!

5. Go on a date with yourself in the month of January. Set this date aside now and plan a day where you get to do everything you like doing. At the end of that day, take a moment to write to yourself. While writing, talk about what you want for the rest of your life.

6. Go to the bank and tell them that you would like to have $100 (or more) automatically taken from your account each month and put into a separate account. In the month of December, 2009, buy someone a gift that they could never afford but have always dreamed of!

7. Go online and learn a simple card trick and then have fun doing this trick at parties.

8. Start a conversation with a stranger once a week.

9. Buy tickets to a show or an event that is unlike anything you would normally buy tickets to.

10. Stand up for yourself. If someone acts inappropriately and you know it then say something about it. You are too big to be small.

by Stuart
www.stuartknightproductions.com

Merry Christmas...

2008-12-24T19:23:00.000-08:00

"There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions."
Bill McKibben

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
Norman Vincent Peale

"May peace be more than a season,
may it be a way of life"
Author Unknown

Advice that is worth sharing

2008-12-21T19:46:00.001-08:00

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
'Today my purpose is to __________ .'

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years will this really matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19.. GOD heals everything.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for __________.
Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

:)

2008-12-20T06:07:00.000-08:00

Keep repeating... and it really is/will be

2008-12-16T19:43:00.000-08:00

Life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good,life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good,life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good,life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good,life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good,life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good,life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good,life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good,life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good, life is good......................... Life is what you make it. We make choices. If you decide LIFE IS GOOD, then it will be :)

short movie of appreciation

2008-12-10T09:17:00.000-08:00

go here

watch it, its only a few mins long. WOW. How true and how good.

2008-12-10T05:29:00.001-08:00

"Sometimes you've got to let everything go - purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything - whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self comes out."

Tina Turner

Energy Vampires

2008-12-10T05:21:00.000-08:00

This was from Oprah a while back, but I love it....

Energy Vampires

Some people bring unexpected lightness and comfort to your life. They crackle with energy, practically electrify you with their presence. And then there are those who leave you feeling stressed out. Or guilty. Or exhausted down to your very last molecule. I call them energy vampires, and obnoxious or meek, they come in all forms. The sob sister, for one, always considers herself the victim. The world is always against her, and she'll recount every horrible thing that has happened to her, wallowing in every perceived slight. The charmer is a constant talker or joke-teller who has to be the center of attention. The blamer, on the other hand, doles out endless servings of guilt. And then there's the drama queen, the co-worker who claims she almost died from a high fever or the neighbor who lives in extremes of emotion—life is unbelievably good or horrifically bad.

No matter which type of energy vampire you're dealing with, you're allowed to walk away. Many of us find this really hard to do. We're afraid of being thought of as impolite; we don't want to offend people. But there are plenty of ways to remove yourself from a killing conversation. When leaving isn't an option, you can still maintain your energy level by making a few minor adjustments.

Recognize the Signs
One of the first things to do is to recognize when you're being drained, and that begins with tuning in to your physical reactions. Is there a tightening in your chest when a certain person enters the conversation? Do you feel tired when you hang up the phone after speaking with someone? Does your head ache, or do you feel what I call "slimed" when another guest at a cocktail party starts talking to you?

Take a Deep Breath
The moment you feel zapped—or hemmed in, or stressed out—I recommend taking a breath. Breathing is a wonderful way to center yourself. Just follow the breath and tell yourself that you know what's happening and you can deal with it. It's important to remember our individual power. I know from working with patients that we can lose it easily. The minute somebody comes in who's bossy or blaming, we feel diminished and tense up. If we can focus on the breath, or on an image of a striking sunset or a view from a mountaintop, the tension will drift away.

Use Your Energy
You can also use some of your own subtle energy to counter the effects of an energy vampire. Visualize a protective white light around you: an energy shield. You can still hear the person who's yelling at you or blaming you or pushing herself into your sphere, but she won't cut into you so viscerally anymore. You've created a buffer zone, where her negative influences can dissipate.

Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries is another way of protecting yourself; you draw a line saying, for instance, "This is what I can do for you, and this is what I can't." You don't have to convince the vampire of the rightness of your stance. Getting defensive simply adds to the negative charge of the encounter. You want to remain neutral. When someone starts pushing your buttons, and you start sizzling inside, you've got to make the decision not to react.

Step Back
I also suggest you step back and think about what type of people aggravate you, because I believe that one law of energy is that we attract what we haven't yet worked out in ourselves. If I'm a very angry person, I'll find myself surrounded by angry people. By paying attention to the people who seem so draining, you might discover something you need to address. It has been my experience that once you've worked through a particular issue, you're no longer worn out by that kind of energy vampire. And the vampires, robbed of a source, move on to more easily drainable audiences.

By Judith Orloff, MD

OMG

2008-12-08T05:46:00.001-08:00

Okay so this below quote just sums up what I try to tell people! SERIOUSLY! Pick your friends that don't drain you. Leave the energy vampires at home ;) or better yet their home. Say positive things! Don't say negative thoughts! I so love the below quote! LOVE IT!

the quote:

"You will find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people. Why not make earnest effort to confer that pleasure on others? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy."

Lydia M. Child
1802-1880, Abolitionist and Writer

Abraham Hicks

2008-12-08T05:39:00.000-08:00

Is harmony one note that everybody is singing? Or is it a whole lot of notes that are in vibrational harmony with each other? When you give your attention to anything, the Universe responds to it. When two of you are giving your attention to it, and there is no contradiction, it is a powerful vortex. That's why a gathering such as this can achieve a great deal as you come together in greater and greater harmony and take thought beyond that which it has been before.
--- Abraham Hicks

Excerpted from the workshop in Chicago, IL on Sunday, April 25th, 1999

his site here

Seasons...

2008-12-06T20:00:00.000-08:00

A question on a message board I read asked what your favourite season is? Funny. For me for years it was never winter. Hated it. Too cold, too much snow, too much (wha wha you get the picture) lol. This year I decided I was going to say I love winter! I love the snow. I think happy hockey, skiing, outdoor fun. I picture the driving good. Even tonight, we had to drive through a snow storm and you know what both Tim and I thought, this isn't bad and kept going. I even went out and got groceries later on!

I guess what I'm saying is so far, so good! Its all in the attitude ;) it really is!!!!

Fav seasons?

I love spring because its the fresh renewal.
I love summer because the heat and beach and my pool ;)
I love fall because of the crisp air and smells.
I love winter because of the fun and in an odd way, the warmth it brings me.

Life is good. Enjoy it all.

2008-12-04T08:12:00.000-08:00

Practice hope. As hopefulness becomes a habit,
you can achieve a permanently happy spirit.
--Norman Vincent Peale

Holiday Survival....

2008-12-02T08:51:00.000-08:00

1. Time Is the Best Gift

This year, put "quality time" at the top of your to-do list: quality time with your family, friends, neighbors, and special coworkers. Just taking a quiet moment to tell someone how important they are to you can mean so much more than any gift. Consider organizing a casual potluck for your friends and neighbors -- each can bring their favorite holiday dish, and perhaps you can spread the spirit by caroling after the meal. If entertaining stresses you out, get together for lunch at your favorite diner or coffee shop. And whether you've got teens or toddlers, a family movie night is a relaxing way to spend time together.

2. Keep It Simple

Probably the No. 1 reason for out-of-control stress is trying to overdo it. If you're planning your own shindig, or sorting out gifts for your extended family, don't feel obligated to make it to every single party, or buy for the whole office. Try our quiz to see if you're in danger of overdoing it.

3. Forget Perfect

Does your daydream holiday feature you as the ideal, apron-clad hostess presiding over a magazine-style home? Forget it. Trying to attain perfection could be a recipe for disaster. Better to focus on friends and family, and leave the super-hostess mantle to the professionals.

If you're dedicated to throwing the best party ever, then plan ahead. Decorate the weekend before. Plan a simple menu so you're not slaving in the kitchen while your guests are enjoying the party. Ask your guests to bring appetizers so you can focus on the main course. But ultimately, remember that the best parties happen when the hostess has fun, too.

4. Give Yourself a Gift

It's fun to give to others, but in doing so we often forget to treat ourselves. So go ahead and splurge on that sexy red sweater you've been eyeing. Schedule a 30-minute massage. Bake that chocolate cake you've been craving. (You could share the leftovers with your coworkers!) Or plan a quiet evening at home with a special someone and just the lights of the Christmas tree to keep you company.

5. Get in Touch with Your Spiritual Side

Whether you're religious or not, the holidays can be a time for giving thanks, and for taking stock of our lives and the larger world around us. Many people find themselves drawn back to church at this time of year. The ritual of the ceremony and the quiet moments of prayer can be soothing, and even humbling; a reminder of the spirit of the season. But if you don't wish to attend an organized religious event, meditation can be an outlet for your psyche. No matter what you decide to do, set aside some time for reflection.

Wayne's World, party time, excellent....

2008-11-30T15:58:00.000-08:00

How funny is this picture? But how true is it for a happy life??? LOL it is!!

De-convenience your home – lose the remote, buy a light garage door and lift it yourself, use a shovel instead of a snowblower
Eat Nuts – Have a can of nuts around your office or home, eat a handful daily
Drink Sardinian wine – Sardinian canonau wine has the world's highest levels of antioxidants. Drink a glass or two a day
Play with your children – this is excellent low intensity exercise and will strenthen a family. Both associated with longer life expectancy
Grow a Garden – This proven stress reducer will put your body through the range of motion and yield fresh vegtables
Hour of Power – Downshift daily with a nap, meditation, prayer or a quiet walk--destressing is a proven way to slow aging
Eat Tofu – Arguably the world's most perfect food, eaten by the world's longest lived women. Contains a plant estrogen that makes skin look younger
Get a Tan – Doctors are rethinking the notion of slathering yourself with sunscreen. Up to half of Americans are Vitamin D deficient--a condition that can double your chance of dying in any given year. A tan not only looks healthy, it is.
Donate your large dinner plates – eat off 9 inch plates as the Okinawans do and reduce calorie consumption at dinner by 20-30%
Write Down your Personal Mission – Know and putting into practice your sense of purpose can give you up to a decade of good life.

I can't take credit for this. I found it on the site the Blue zone an absolutely amazing site for living well. It struck me that if Wayne's World can figure out how to live well, why can't we???

Out of this list of ten, what are you going to do this week???

Thanks giving...

2008-11-27T05:14:00.001-08:00

Today in the states its thanksgiving. I really hope that means there is a whole nation shinning with gratitude! How powerful would that be??? Talk about lighting up the darkness!!!

Thankful today for:

my family
my wonderful husband
my job
a warm house
my friends :)

today

2008-11-25T06:45:00.000-08:00

Well, today I get to put my own theories to test. BAD morning ;) My youngest lost his mitts and hat apparently when his dad grabbed him yesterday at school. Normally I pick up but I was sick. Then I come home to my first client being a no show. See where this is going???

Now I'm stopping there. I'll be back to post how the rest of my day goes ;)

I'm concentrating on the things that make me happy. I'm working on some xmas stuff. I'm reading where Tim and I want to go this weekend (little get away to Toronto). Lets see if the day turns around???

Edited***

Well Success!!!! I started focusing on Tim and the kids and what makes me happy (our up coming trip to Toronto) and boom. Two clients booked for this week extra, went to a friends for chai latte and went out and bought benny a new hat! Life is good. Just need to focus on that.

My bad day went to a pretty good day!!! Once my attitude changed!

good thoughts

2008-11-23T17:40:00.000-08:00

I send out a daily quote that is all about positive thinking. I realized after talking to a client why I do this. To insert a wee bit of positivity into peoples daily lives. I can't believe how many people go around saying all these negative things??!!??? And how many start the day off negative!!! If you think self doubt about yourself IT WILL HAPPEN. If you think you will become sick, IT WILL HAPPEN. If you think you are going to have a bad day IT WILL HAPPEN. That little voice you hear in your head should be saying good things. I know for some this is a hard concept, but it so true.

There is hope. You can change it around. Even in the middle of a truly crappy moment. Find your happy place. Go to it just for a few moments in your mind. Think of some gratitude...think of love...think of something good! It will turn that day around ;) TRUST ME. It will...

Message

If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it, even if I did not have the ability in the beginning.

--Mahatma Gandhi

Whether you think you can or think you can't ... you're right.

--Henry Ford

believe

2008-11-19T04:58:00.001-08:00

"If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won't, you most assuredly won't. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad."

Denis Waitley

2008-11-18T09:51:00.000-08:00

Zest and Enthusiasm
If you have zest and enthusiasm you attract zest and enthusiasm. Life does give back in kind.
Norman Vincent Peale

Thankful...

2008-11-16T07:54:00.000-08:00

I am on a message board that lately has a lot of negativity on it. Energy vampires. Just ugh. I wish I could post over there a post to make them realize for all the negativity, complaining and whining they do they only attract more of that. SOOO to combat my feelings I just read I went to another message board and they have a daily thankful or gratitude thread. WHAT AN AWESOME IDEA!

Gratitude is a good thing. What are you thankful for today?

I'm thankful for a warm house

for a hockey loving family

for friends that are true and dear

What is on your list today?

3900 Saturdays

2008-11-08T21:34:00.000-08:00

An email from a friend, I loved it, so I'm sharing it here :)

3900 Saturdays

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.

A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems
to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:

I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whom-ever he was talking with something about 'a thousand marbles.' I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say

'Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It's too bad you missed your daughter's 'dance recital' he continued. ;'Let me tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities.' And that's when he began to explain his theory of a 'thousand marbles.'

'You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.

'Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now, stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part.

It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail', he went on, 'and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays.' 'I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1000 marbles I took them home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear.'

'Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life.

There's nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.'

'Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time.'

'It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. This is a 75 Year old Man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!'

You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter.

Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. 'C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast.' 'What brought this on?' she asked with a smile. 'Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. And hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles.

2008-11-08T15:40:00.000-08:00

Here's one of the very few generalizations I believe unconditionally: There is not one useful thing we can do that we don't do better when we're relaxed.

— Martha Beck

4 Steps to Forgiveness

2008-11-05T17:59:00.001-08:00

By Dr. Ned Hallowell

Step 1: Pain and Hurt
Dr. Hallowell says the first step to forgiveness is acknowledging what happened.

Talk to someone you trust and open up about how hurt, sad or angry you may feel. Let your emotions out and don't apologize for them.
Don't withdraw or isolate yourself. Stay connected and feel the pain, even though it hurts. With someone there to listen, the pain is more bearable.

Step 2: Reliving and Reflecting
Once you've had the chance to vent, you are ready to appeal to your rational side.

Ask yourself: What do you want this pain to turn into?
Look for the hook. Dr. Hallowell says the hook is what is holding you back—it's the portion of the misdeed that is causing you to hold on to your anger and resentment.
Empathize with the person who hurt you.
Remember that forgiveness is not the service of condoning. It's a service to yourself—free yourself from the poison of hatred.

Step 3: Working It Out
Dr. Hallowell says this step is difficult, but you need to analyze your anger and put your life back into perspective.

Flatten the hook and rid yourself of the anger that is keeping you from forgiveness. Praying and mediating can help.
Take inventory and give thanks for all the things you do have.
You can imagine vengeance—just don't act on it.
Think of your future. Know that you and your loved ones will be better off once you have rid yourself of any vengeful thinking.

Step 4: Renounce Your Anger and Resentment
Dr. Hallowell uses the word "renounce" because your resentful feelings may never permanently go away.

Acknowledge that your anger can come back.
If your anger does comes back, go through the process again and flatten the hook to keep moving forward.
Try to teach others the skill of forgiveness in an empathetic way.

The Law of the Garbage Truck

2008-11-04T08:25:00.001-08:00

Beware of Garbage Trucks
by David J. Pollay

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly one can get back their focus on what's important.

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here's what happened.

I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches!

The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly.
So, I said, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'

And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

'Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you.

When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did.'

So this was it: The 'Law of the Garbage Truck.' I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, 'I'm not going to do it anymore.'

I began to see garbage trucks. Like in the movie 'The Sixth Sense,' the little boy said, 'I see Dead People.'

Well, now 'I see Garbage Trucks.' I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled.

He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best. Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting.

Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.

What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?

Here's my bet. You'll be happier.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...
Love the people who treat you right.
Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe that everything happens for a reason.
If you get a chance, TAKE IT!
If it changes your life, LET IT!
Nobody said it would be easy...
They just promised it would be worth it!

daily positive quote

2008-11-04T04:17:00.001-08:00

Worry is like a rocking chair;
It gives you something to do,
But doesn't get you anywhere.
--Author Unknown

from the secret website....

2008-11-02T12:37:00.000-08:00

"I am asked very often by all types of people how to stop negative thoughts. The answer is so simple: plant good thoughts! As you plant more and more good thoughts, the negative thoughts will be wiped out. Don’t focus on the negative thoughts, just deliberately think more good thoughts every day."

Words to live by

2008-10-28T09:34:00.001-07:00

Message

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt

friends blog

2008-10-25T08:40:00.001-07:00

21 Days to Change the World.... pretty cool. Check it out here

Intro

2008-10-11T14:33:00.001-07:00

Welcome to a new spot. This is a new journey in my life. I feel that there is a need out there for more positive thinking. There is not enough positive thinking going on. I cringe when I go to message boards and they are full of negative posts on life, the economy. People need don't seem to realize that thoughts/words become reality. What you say and think will become reality.

So sit back and enjoy the journey on the positive side!

yours in wellness

jenn