Loving Kindness Metta Meditation

30 Day Challenge: Take a few minutes each day and just listen to this meditation.  Fill yourself with loving kindness and spread it throughout the world.

Report back and let me know the miraculous changes to begin to notice in your life!!

Namaste!!

Relaxation Meditation

Expect miracles

For some of us, it's that time of year when we think about miracles.  I've been thinking about how amazing life is, and how everything is truly a miracle.  I'm ready to spend more time expecting miracles.  Remembering that life is out to support me in my endeavors.  How about you???

Just for today, expect great things to happen for you.  See the beauty in nature.  See the beauty in other people.  See the beauty in yourself.  You are amazing!  You are pure love at your core and you deserve the best.  You deserve miracles and today is the day to allow those miracles to appear in your life!!

Let me know all the great things that do happen!!

Meditation

Meditation has so many benefits and it's doesn't cost a dime.   There are so many ways to meditate and all are beneficial.  I personally found that when my mind is racing it is easier to do a guided meditation than simply to try to quiet my mind.

Listen to this Relaxation Meditation and let me know what you think.  If you like it, please subscribe to my channel.  I will continue to add new meditations including some for kids.

Laugh - it's good for you!

Oh my... it's been forever since I've been out here.  I've been doing some amazing inner work and I'm learning new skills to help others with.  But today, I want to remind everyone to laugh.

Laughing is important on so many levels.  It is great for you physically.  It can offer a great workout if you laugh long enough.  It is great for the stomach muscles.  It helps to move stale air out of your lungs and bring in new air which is essential for physical well-being and healing!!

And not to be ignored... it feels great!!  It is good for the soul.  Allow yourself a good laugh.  In fact, go out of your way to make yourself laugh.  Laugh for no reason.  Feel silly - that's good.  You are adding cheer to your life and the whole world with your laughter and silliness!!  Enjoy!

Teachers open the door ...

Allow yourself to shine

It's kind of funny when you think about the fact that we stop ourselves from doing what we love to do because we're afraid of making a mistake. If we just have fun and be creative, there really are no mistakes. Sometimes we won't like the outcome but all we have to do is try again. Today I challenge you to go out and be creative do something that you love to do and have fun!

Don't Feed The Fears

It's amazing what we can achieve when we try.  The thing that holds too many people back is fear.  Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Fear of success.  The key is not to feed those fears.  Start imagining what you want instead if what you're afraid if and go after your dreams!

Thank you for existing!!

I appreciate you!! Thank you for being you!  Thank you for reading this!  Thank you for all the positive thoughts you think!  Thank you for all the smiles you give!  Thank you for being you!  You are special simply because you exist!!!! What are you grateful for today?  Please share here and with others!

Spread kindness today!

Remember that all your actions affect those around you.  Simple actions like a smile or a kind word can change someone forever!  Your kindness does change the world every day!! So I challenge you to go out today and show kindness to everyone but especially anyone who looks down or angry.  We all need love and we all deserve love!! May your day be filled with a world of blessings!! 

Let Go and Enjoy

I guess I could be called a Type A personality.  I have tried to control everything and get everything done. As a parent, I have quickly learned (although I resisted it and still do at times) that you really do not control everything or everyone.  In fact, you truly only have control over yourself. (And sometimes even that feels iffy!  But we do have control over ourselves.)

Lately I have started reciting the Serenity Prayer many times during the day.  God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference :)

It's important to just accept what is and welcome it. It will change since change is the only constant in life. But if you accept what is - even if you take steps to change it - you will be much happier.  That's kind of what Byron Katie's work is all about (although it goes much deeper).  But just for today, don't get angry about what is.  Accept it. Welcome it.  If you want it to change, then take steps to change it. But accept it right now because it is the way it is right now.  There is an incredible peace when we do that.  There is happiness and power.  Yes, power.  Because once we accept things the way they are, we can change them.  We can change our thoughts and our actions.  Enjoy your day and please remember to have fun.

Life is meant to be enjoyed.  Everything is okay!!  Everything works out for our highest good.  And so it is.

Something Wonderful is about to Happen!!

Too often we worry about what could go wrong.  Today I challenge you to think about all the things that could go right.  Let your imagination go wild.  Have fun.  Imagine outrageously wonderful things happening in your life.  Expect them!  Don't be disappointed if you don't see it immediately.  Know that it is on it's way.  Let me know how this goes and what good things popped up in your experience today!!  Keep it up for a month and see the results.  Wonderful things are on their way to you right now!

What are you telling yourself?

Listen to your internal dialogue today. Are you supporting yourself or criticizing? Are you gentle or harsh?  You can be your own best friend or your own worst enemy.  You get to choose.  Choose wisely because it makes all the difference to your state of happiness and the quality of your life. 

Today is a new day

It's easy to get caught up in the same ol', same ol' every day BUT each day is a brand new beginning.  It's a chance to start all over and pursue all your dreams!  It's a chance to choose happiness.  It's a chance to look for the good in your life.  It's a chance to begin a gratitude journal and focus on all the things you have now, are experiencing now, or have ever had that made you happy.  Life is made up of all our experiences and we are programmed to look at the one's that aren't working to try to fix them.  However, the reality is that if we focus on what isn't working, we get more of the same.  If we focus on what is working, we get more things that are working as well as fresh ideas and ways to fix what isn't!!

Today is a new day!!  Make the most of it.  Treat people with love and kindness and you'll see it come right back at you!!  Practice compassion and know that if you see someone being less than nice, it's only because they are hurting inside.  Silently send them love and you will actually make a difference even if you don't see it.  Remember that all people have feelings and emotions and just want love and kindness in their lives.  We are all same at the core even though our experiences have us act and think differently.  But deep down, we are the same.

Today is a new day!!  Be kind to yourself.  Watch your internal dialogue and turn it around whenever it is not loving and supportive!! Remember to laugh and allow joy to flow freely in your thoughts and your life.

Today is a new day!  It's time to realize that we can achieve all our goals and they actually manifest more quickly when we also remember to be of service to others.  Helping someone who needs it benefits us as much as it benefits them.

Today is a new day!!  It's time to allow our dreams to come true!!

Namaste!!

You've got to try

"Don't worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try." ~ Jack Canfield

Too many people give up on their dreams because they think it will take too long or be too hard!

What is it that you really want out of life?  What are you doing to get there?  If you don't try, you'll never get there.  Take some steps today to move toward that dream.  Try!  If you keep at it, you'll eventually get there or to something even better,

What's holding you back? Right now, get a piece of paper and pen and write down at least one step you can take to move you toward your dreams!!  Get started today.  Take little steps if you need to.  Take time to identify what you really want.  Go for it.  Have fun.  Remember this is your life and you deserve to be happy!!

Keep me posted on your successes because I know there will be many.  May you have as much faith in yourself as I have in you!!

Running

I haven't been posting much about my running but I've been running/jogging/walking regularly.  I completed my first half marathon on May 4th!  It was fun.  I definitely felt like I should have done more training and running longer distances but I felt great after it!

If you think you want to do that - I highly recommend it because it is truly a wonderful accomplishment.  Don't focus on your time, just focus on finishing the first one.  I read so many books and articles that talked about your first half marathon (or marathon) should be one with no time limits.  I panicked when I realized mine had one and if I didn't complete it within that time there was no record of my completing it!! Yikes!!  I wanted my medal :)  Luckily, I did fine and completed it on time but I highly recommend not putting that pressure on yourself.  If you run it fast, it doesn't matter but if you end up slowing down, you don't want to stress about the time limit.

The best advice I received from other runners is to make sure you enjoy the journey!!  I had a beautiful course to run and without that advice I can see myself not even noticing it.  That advice obviously can be applied to all areas of our life.  We don't want to be so focused on the end result that we don't enjoy life.

Have fun!!  Enjoy!!

Hugs for Health

Are you feeling down?  Did you get your hugs today?

For a long time, I didn't initiate hugging people because I didn't know how they would respond but then I just started.  I'd hug people when I'd see them in the office.  I'll admit some people found it weird but more people looked forward to my daily hugs and even started hugging other people, too.  It completely changes the mood of the office.  Try it.

I also will hug other parents at my kids sporting events.  Again, at first they don't know what to make of it but soon, they look forward to it and even seek me out to give me a hug.

Try it and let me know what your experience is with it.  I think you'll find that you are happier and the people around you are, too.  And magic begins when we are all feeling happy and loving!!

Don't forget to report back.

Be Happy - That's What Life is All About

I absolutely love this John Lennon quote.  It is so true.  Today, as you go through your day, remember that life is meant to be enjoyed.  Are you enjoying your life?  Are you making choices that make you feel happy?  What can you do differently today to feel good, really good?

I know I am often guilty of looking and planning and getting to my next "achievement" that I forget to enjoy the process.

The perfect example is that I'm doing my first half marathon on Sunday.  Some wise and wonderful friends reminded me to just enjoy the run.  Look around and enjoy the beautiful scenery.  I'll get the finish line but it's more important that I enjoy the process than that I worry about getting it done.  My training has very much focused on getting to x miles during the run.  That's not fun!  If I keep that up, I definitely will not keep up running because it needs to be enjoyable.  In this case, it's especially true for me since I'm not trying to win.  I'm not even trying to be in the top half of of the people who complete it!!  My goal is to complete it so why not slow down and enjoy the process.

When we live life only focusing on the end result, we miss years of fun and enjoyment and happiness!!  That's not the way it needs to be.  It's not the way I want to live my life anymore!!  How about you?  What are you going to do?  You can still set high achievement goals and reach them but please remember to enjoy the process.  Enjoy life.  That's what it's all about!!

What's Life About?

Sometimes we get so caught up in achieving more and more that we lose sight of what's really important.  Life is a journey.  Take time today to stop and smell the roses.  Enjoy your life!!

Remember that your life is made of all the little things that happen every day.  It's not only about the achievements.  Just don't let it pass you by!!  Enjoy every moment along the way.

Take a break today and just enjoy the moment.

Let me know how it goes and what you took the time to enjoy today!!

Let Go of Things You Cannot Change

10 Happiness Habits

Happiness really is a choice and even though it doesn't always seem like it, it is in our grasp at every moment.

Here are some things to try when you are not feeling happy:

1. Smile - the act of smiling produces physical changes in your body that automatically improve your mood even if it is a fake smile.
2. Laugh - yes, laugh for no reason.  I love laughter yoga which is basically that - laughing for no reason!  And just for the record, fake laughter helps you as much as real laughter.  I have usually found that my fake laughs quickly turn into real laughs!
3. Read an uplifting book - the topic is personal to you because it needs to be something that makes you feel happy, hopeful, inspired, loved, etc.
4. Write in a journal - getting your thoughts on paper has been shown to be very healing on all levels.
5. Help someone else - helping people and being of service provides us with a feeling that can not be matched.
6. Write or think about what you have to be grateful for - this may seem obvious or if you are really down, you may have to work at this.  It can be that you are alive; that we have running water and electricity and indoor plumbing; that you can walk, think, talk, hear, see; that you have someone you love or that loves you; that you have food to eat; that you have a roof over your head; or, that you have a means to read this.
7. Exercise - get moving.  Even going for a simple walk will improve your mood.
8. Go out in nature - Being in nature has a way of grounding us and improving our mood.  It doesn't matter if it is the beach, the mountains, or a city park, it will help.  Take in your surroundings and feel your mood improve.
9. Meditate - If quieting your mind seems impossible, try a guided imagery type of meditation.  There are so many different ways to meditate and you can find the one that works for you. Just spend some quiet time with a simple focus.
10. Pray - If you don't feel comfortable with praying to God - think of it as asking your highest self to answer your prayers.  It can also be angels, saints, ancestors, whomever you feel comfortable to call on for assistance.  Studies have shown that prayer works.

I invite you to incorporate these into your daily life and let me know what results you notice.  You will start to feel happier.  I am certain of it.

Never give up on your dreams!!

Download my novel for FREE

A Cruise to Paradise

Do you or anyone you know like romance novels? If so, I invite you to download my book FREE from Story Cartel with the hope that you will provide a honest review for it.

***Story Cartel is giving away 5 Kindles and $470 worth of gift cards in April and each review gets an entry into the giveaway.***

I am so excited to get feedback and I hope everyone who reads it enjoys it as much I enjoyed writing it!!

http://storycartel.com/books/a-cruise-to-paradise

Join the Healthy Living Challenge for May 2014

During the month of May, I would like to invite you to join me on a healthy living challenge.  I'll send email and post the tips here.  There will also be a closed Facebook group to support you during the month.  I welcome feedback since everyone is starting at different levels in this challenge.  For some of you, many of the suggestions will not be challenging but I'm hoping you'll join anyway and it will serve as a nice reminder of the importance of healthy living and loving self-care!

Subscribe to the Healthy Living Challenge

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

Book Review - Joyous Expansion

Joyous Expansion: Unleashing Your Passions to Lead an Inspired Life - Brett Dupree

 I received this book for free from Story Cartel in return for an honest review.

Since one of my goals is to read 50 books, I decided that perhaps I will share my reviews here, too.  

I really enjoyed this book.  As you may know if you've been reading my blog for a while, I have read many personal development books, done many workshops, and personally trained with Jack Canfield, America's #1 success coach.  Having said that, I really like Brett's approach. He gives you straight-forward steps to take which will lead you to live an inspired life. I love the detail and the layout. I feel like this book is great for anyone who is just starting to delve into personal development as well as those of us who have been doing it for decades :)  I highly recommend the book and following the steps to live a joyous life filled with passion and purpose.  Just like with any of the personal development work, however, it is up to you to do your own work.  Reading the book without following the steps will be enjoyable but won't necessarily lead to an inspired life.  

Dare to Dream

It's funny how we often have dreams but don't pursue them.  Sometimes we may think it is not possible for them to come true or sometimes we may think it's too hard and we don't know if we can do it.  The fact is, we can do anything we put our minds to IF we believe in ourselves and take the steps to get there.

People often struggle with believing in themselves which is understandable to some degree when based on past experiences.  The important thing to remember is that the past is just the past and it is behind us.  The future is filled with endless possibilities.  People who have achieved great accomplishments "failed" many times before they got there.  That's part of the process.  Thomas Edison is known for saying that he didn't fail, he just found many ways that did not work.  It's all how we look at things.  We can choose to be optimistic - it IS a choice.  We can keep going until we reach our goals and we will get there as long as we keep moving in the right direction.

So today, I want you to write down your most important goal.  Once it is written, read it.  Imagine how you will feel when it is achieved.  Really spend some time in that feeling!! Smile.  Feel it.  What is one thing you can do today that will move you in that direction? Write it down and do it.  You can pick something small - just pick something and do it today.  Do it right now if you can.  If you are motivated and have time you can certainly pick more than one thing.  Just get started today and make a commitment to yourself and your happiness and success to do at least one thing a day toward that goal!!

Dare to dream and follow that dream until it is your new reality!!

Take Action Today

What can you do to take action toward your goals today?  Pick 5 things that will move you in the direction of your goals and do them.  If you have only done one, you will still be moving in the right direction.  Too often we get caught up in every day life and not only fail to take steps toward our goals and dreams but sometimes even forget that we have them.

Today, join me and recognizing your ultimate goals and taking at least one action in that direction!  You can do it!!  Let me know what your goals are and what step you are taking to make them a reality!!

To be beautiful means to accept yourself

I think the quote speaks for itself.  Accept yourself right now exactly as you are and see how beautiful you really are.  You are pure love and you are beautiful.  Don't wait until you have the house, partner, or job of your dreams.  Don't wait until you get to your ideal weight, health, and energy levels.  Love and accept yourself right now.  You are a miracle and you are amazing!!

Feel your own love and acceptable and embrace the power you have to achieve any goal.  Your beauty, awesomeness, and power do not depend on anything that you don't already have!  You are fabulous.  You are special.  You are wonderful and you are lovable and loved and loving.  You are beauty.

What are you going to do to celebrate yourself and your magnificence today?  Do something today and let me know what it is and how it made you feel!!

I love you!

Loving Ourselves

One thing I found working with different people, as well as from my own experience, is that often we don't even realize that there's a part of us that really doesn't love and accept ourselves for who we are. That lack of love and understanding and acceptance are often what holds us back from achieving our dreams. That lack is also what often causes dis-ease in our bodies.

Today I'd like to invite you to say, "I love you and accept you unconditionally, ______!" (fill in your name) every time you pass a mirror. I want you to look yourself in the eyes and say it like you mean it. If you do this for 30 days, you will be able to see miracles occurring in your life. You may find that you see aches and pains disappearing. You may find yourself noticing miracles happening every day. I would love to hear how this works for you. The key is to keep at it even if it feels silly or if you think it's pointless. Just try it. Think of it as an experiment.

You may find things come up that you didn't realize. This may give you insight into what else is holding you back. Some limiting beliefs may emerge. Sometimes people see that even though they really thought they loved and accepted themselves, there's that time that they yelled that their parents, a coworker, a fellow driver, or their children and they still feel really bad about it. Let whatever comes up, come up and just acknowledge and accept it. Tell yourself how you love yourself anyway. Sometimes we have done things we haven't forgiven ourselves for yet.  It doesn't matter what you've done or who you are you deserve love especially from yourself! When you start loving yourself more you'll also notice that you feel loved from other people a lot more too.

Report back in the me know how it goes. In the meantime, know that I love you! You are wonderful and lovable simply because you exist! That is truth!

Happiness

Look around you next time you are out.  How many people look happy?  I'm often astounded because so few people really look like they are happy.  The same goes when you talk to them.  I believe one of the main reasons for this is that they are looking for happiness outside of themselves. Happiness comes from inside. As Denis Waitley says, it comes from a sense of love and gratitude and grace. It is also a choice which we often forget. We are taught to focus on the things that have gone wrong so that we can fix them, however, when we do that were always thinking of things that don't make us happy.

I remember one of the first things I read about parenting is never to tell your kids to think about what they did wrong. The reason for that is because then that's all they are thinking about. Instead we should tell them to think about what they could have done differently that would've been a better choice. The same is true for us when we've done something that we would rather done differently. Rather than focusing on what we did and beating ourselves up about it, reliving it over and over again in our minds, we should focus on what we would have liked to have done.

A great exercise that I invite you to try is tonight when you go to bed if there's anything that went "wrong" in your day, think about how you would've liked that situation to go. Think about what the outcome would've been if you could change it.  Remember to think about the whole situation and make the changes.  In other words, if someone yelled at you at work, instead of thinking about the perfect comeback you could have made - think about how you would prefer to be treated and see them treating you that way.

Let me know how it goes.

Pursue Your Dreams and Find Your Passion

It's funny all the stories we tell ourselves to keep us "safe" and not following our dreams!  The truth is "safe" and "secure" are illusions that keep us in the known which is not always what we want.

If you are not living a life that you absolutely love - what's holding you back?  Are you afraid of suffering if you pursue your dreams? What's can happen? What are you telling yourself?

Today I want you to write down exactly what your ideal life would look like. Where would you live? Be specific. Would you live in a house or an apartment? What city or state would you like to live in? What is your home look like? How do you spend your days? What do you love to do? How do you serve others? How do you make money?

I want you to dream big! This is an about what you think is possible this is about what do you want, what is your dream?

Let me know how it goes.

Allow Yourself to Love

Ask yourself today what you are doing to avoid feeling love.  Have you blocked any love from coming to you?  Just look and be aware.  If something comes up, ask yourself how you can release this and go from there.

Affirm that love comes to you easily and effortlessly and that you feel and share your love easily and effortless.

Let me know how it goes.

Love

Today I ask you to just take 5 minutes and think about how you can show love to yourself and others.  What random acts of kindness can you do?  How can you show compassion and understanding to others? How can you use what you are passionate about to be of service to others?

Think about it and take action.  Do something, even if it is small, and let me know how it made you feel?

A Loving Heart

When we have a loving heart, we are open to everything and it is in being open that we can have anything we desire!

Today, allow yourself to be open to the infinite field of possibilities.  Be open to loving everyone and everything simply because they exist.  Be open to light-heartedness.  Be open to learning and being.

Enjoy the day and let me know how it goes.  Be gentle with yourself and just allow awareness to enter.

Namaste!

Spread Love

"Spread love wherever you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." ~ Mother Teresa

I found one of the best ways to have people feel happier after interacting with me is by letting them know how important they are. The way I like to do that is to ask them questions about them.  Give them the opportunity to talk about what is important to them and really listen.  Don't listen with the intention of commenting or responding but listen with the intention of letting them know they are heard.

We are all important and we are all so busy that sometimes we don't spend the time truly connecting to people and seeing what is going on in their life.  Sometimes we leave interactions feeling "unimportant." Genuine interest and concern and listening, along with a glowing smile, will do so much good for the person receiving those gifts.  (The giver benefits, too, since it is in giving that we receive.)

Today, take an extra few minutes to really listen to the people in your life.  Listen closely to your kids, your partner, your neighbor, and the clerk at the store.  We are all people.  We all have ups and downs.  We all have emotions and hopes and dreams.  We are all connected. Feel that connection and let others know you feel it and they will always walk away happier having connected with another human being.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

I love Valentine's Day because it's the one day of the year that we are reminded to focus on love. While most people tend to focus on loving somebody else, I think it's more important to start with loving yourself.

This Valentine's Day I'd like you to know that you are loved and to remember to show yourself love, compassion, and understanding. Take this day to appreciate all that you do and to acknowledge yourself. Do something special for you. Once you've done that, it's a great day to also show everybody else that you love them! While Valentine's Day is traditionally about romantic love, it's just as important to focus on unconditional love with everyone you meet.

Have a spectacular Valentine's Day!

I love you!

P.S.  It's okay to treat every day as Valentine's Day!!

"Do all things with love."  ~ Og Mandino

Would You Rather Be Right or Happy?

A Course in Miracles asks, "Would you rather be right or happy?"  It's really amazing how many people choose right over happy and then wonder why they aren't happy.

Sometimes you are right but you insist everyone else knows you are right rather than being happy and just knowing it yourself.  I see this all the time in work situations but my favorite example is from when my kids were young. They would decide to have a race, and the one who came in second would say that he won. The one who knew he came in first would get so upset and angry because he knew he won and yet his brother insisted that he won. I remember saying, "Did you come in first? Do you know the came in first? Does that mean you won?" Of course the answer would be, "Yes, I won!" Then my response would be, "Then what difference does it make what he says? Why are you getting so upset?"

Too often we search outside of ourselves for recognition rather than just knowing what we know and being happy. Nobody else needs to know what our accomplishments are all the time, we need to just be happy in our own knowing. Of course that does mean we need to recognize and acknowledge ourselves.

The other thing that happens when you insist that you are right (even if you are) is that the other person often becomes defensive and uncooperative.  Hard feelings often emerge. Most times, it doesn't really matter.  There is no need to correct people when they make a mistake, it only makes them feel bad.  (I do recognize there are times when you do need to correct someone if safety is an issue or because you are training them but those happen less often.)

Today, look for the opportunity to choose to be happy!

More smiles

"I will never understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish." ~ Mother Teresa

I know I just wrote about the importance of smiling but I wanted to post again about it.  Smiling has such an amazingly positive impact of others.  It really has the power to change the direction of someone's day and even their life.  It costs nothing.  It has a physical impact of the person smiling, too.  

Who took me up on the challenge to smile at everyone you met the other day?  Who will do it now?  Also, for the ultimate affect, try your most genuine smile.  For everyone you meet, imagine they are you long lost favorite relative or friend.  Imagine that seeing them is the most amazing thing ever.  You can even say, "Hi, it's good to see you!"  Trust me you'll make a difference.

I remember when I was working in Boston and I'd walk down the sidewalk with a big smile on my face and make eye contact with people and acknowledge them as I walked by.  It felt strange when I started doing it and I know a lot of people wondered if I was mentally unstable but... I also know that it made many, many other people smile, too.   I could feel how their smile helped melt some of the stress they were feeling.  That might be even more so for the people who thought I was crazy :-)  The fact is, I felt great, too.  So many people who I saw regularly began to respond as if we were long lost friends.  They knew that they were special and that they made a connection.  That's what we all want and need - connection with others.  So go ahead and make sure you smile at everyone you see today.

Please let me know how it goes!! 

You can make easily make a big difference in this world - all you need to do is smile.

Enjoy Life

Don't be so intent on achieving your goals that you forget to enjoy life!  Goals are super important but too often people move through life trying to make more money and get more "stuff" but they forget to enjoy life.

Every day is a gift and no matter what you have or where you are, you CAN be happy.  Focus on what you do have and you will get more plus you'll be much happier in the process!!

Look around and see the beauty that exists.  Slow down and take a deep breath.  You are alive and you have the power to create your life the way you want it every day.  Be present.  Enjoy!

Let me know what steps you take today to stop and smell the roses!!

Follow Your Bliss - Love Your Life

Many people find themselves dreading going to work and they are simply miserable.  Most heart attacks happen on Monday mornings!!

Many people have given up on being able to really follow their bliss and they settle for a "good job" and a "good life" that leaves them feeling empty and unfulfilled.  It doesn't have to be that way and in fact, it's the opposite of how it's supposed to be.  Life is meant to be enjoyed.  We are supposed to LOVE life!!  We are supposed to be happy!

We get so caught up in our limiting beliefs that we actually believe we don't have a choice.  We may think, "There is no way to make a living doing what we love."  That's simply not true.  I firmly believe that we can make a living doing what we love and have seen it over and over again.

If you are not waking up every morning excited to start the day, we can change that and I challenge you to take the first step towards living a life of passion and purpose.  The first step is to be abundantly clear about exactly what you want.  Don't worry about the how, simply write down what your ideal day would be like.  Think about what really makes you happy.  Decide what steps you can take today to move in the direction of your dreams.  Write them down.  Write down as many steps as you can think of and start checking them off one by one.  You can live a life you love!!

As always, let me know what you come up with and what action steps you are going to take today.

Smile

Remember to smile.  Smiling releases chemicals in your brain that actually improve your mood.  In addition to that, smiling at others makes them happy and they tend to smile back which also improves your mood.  The ripple effect of one smile can make a world of difference.

So today, make an effort to smile at everyone you see.  Let me know how you feel and how your day goes!

Laughter

Laughter is the best medicine. Sometimes we forget the importance of laughing and as a society we've become way too serious for our own good and for our health! Laughter brings joy to us and to other people who see us laughing. It's been medically proven to help people who are sick. Norman Cousins healed himself from two "terminal" illnesses by laughter alone. One of the reasons for that is because it allows oxygen to get deep into our lungs and for us to expel the old stale oxygen that's in there .  Oxygen is the most healing thing we have. They actually have oxygen tanks now that they put people in to heal because when cells have the appropriate amount of oxygen they can heal anything that's wrong with them.

Another very important thing about laughing and one of the premises for laughter yoga is that it creates peace. The goal is world peace. There been studies that show that prisoners that do laughter yoga become much more calm and much less violent. That is also been shown that people cannot be mean to other people while they're laughing and in that state of happiness.

I am looking to bring laughter yoga into schools. I know my children are often told not to laugh at school and I think that's kind of sad. It's important to laugh and it's important to find humor in all situations. When we stop being able to do that, we lose a big ability to heal physically, mentally, and spiritually.  Also, in this age of bullying, if we allow students to laugh together and create that bond, connection, and sense of community there will be a lot less meanness and bullying happening because of those friendships formed through laughter.

Laughter provides you with a great aerobic workout as well as an ab workout!  

Laughter is a universal language. 

Laughter is a sign of happiness and joy .

Spend some time laughing today!  You don't need to have a reason and nothing actually needs to be funny to start laughing.  If you pretend laugh, the positive effects are the same on your body and your health!  And most people start to laugh for real after pretend laughing because it's funny just because it's fun!

Forgiveness: The Other F-word

The funny thing about forgiveness is that we often think it's about the other person or situation. Sometimes we also don't want to do it because we know we are right and they are wrong!  The fact is, that's irrelevant to forgiving.  Right and wrong don't come into play with forgiveness. As Louise Hay says, "Forgiveness opens our hearts to self-love."  It in turn opens us up to joy and success.  

Forgiveness doesn't mean the other person was right or justified or that their behavior is acceptable and should be condoned.  Forgiveness is about letting go of the anger and the resentment which live inside you.  It's like the old saying that resentment is like swallowing poison and expecting the other person to die.  It doesn't work that way - you are the one affected and resentment and unforgiveness eat away at you every day whether you realize it or not.  They take away your joy and your life.  

The past is over and it only exists now in our minds.  Yet we let it keep tormenting us on a daily basis.  It's time to let go.  It's time to forgive everyone who has done anything to hurt you.  You can start by just affirming, "I am willing to forgive _________."  It also sometimes helps to remember that no one hurts another person if they aren't hurting inside.  While that doesn't make it right, perhaps we can have understanding and compassion.  

It's also important to forgive ourselves. Sometimes we feel bad because we yelled at someone or we didn't do something we said we were going to do.  It happens, it's part of being human.  We need to let it go.  We need to forgive ourselves and love ourselves unconditionally. When possible, it's great to apologize if we feel bad about something or to make it up to someone if we can.  But either way, you must forgive yourself.  When we feel bad about anything, we are more likely to do things that make us feel bad again.  

Your assignment today is to think of someone who you need to forgive and start the process.  Remember, this is about you, not them.  They don't necessarily even need to know you are forgiving them.  If the situation is such that you want to tell them and that will help you and not cause any issues then by all means you can.  The most important part of the exercise is to forgive.  Feel what you need to feel about person and the situation and then let it go.  It's important that we acknowledge our feelings.  Allow them because they are important but then release them so you can move on and live freely.

As always, I welcome your feedback and would love to hear about your successes and challenges with forgiveness.  It is a wonderful teacher if we are open to its lessons!

Kindness

To continue our February focus on love and heart health, I need to talk about kindness which is way too often underestimated.

A simple smile at or kind word to a stranger may brighten their day.  It may help them to remember they are connected to others.  It could save their life.  I have heard several stories about people who were planning their suicide but a random act of kindness, sometimes from a complete stranger, changed their outlook on life.  That not only affects that person but everyone in their life that their suicide would have impacted.

Every interaction we have has a ripple effect and we need to be aware of that so we can have a positive effect.  When you are going through the line at the grocery or department store (or anywhere), smile and make eye contact with the cashier.  Ask them how their day is going?  Make small talk - ask them about their life and watch the change on their face.  Notice the change in their energy.  You have just made their day with a simple act of kindness.  They will in turn treat the next person in line differently and the ripple begins.

Just a quick note about "bullies".  People who are feeling love do not hurt other people.  If someone is playing the role of bully it is because they are hurting and need to feel loved.  Your smile or kind words may have a bigger effect that you know.  It's easy to get mad (rippling in the wrong direction) but feeling love and compassion for them will make a much bigger difference.

It is really easy to show interest and caring for another person and it doesn't cost any money but you will both benefit more than you can imagine.

I challenge you to do at least one random act of kindness after you read this.  You'll be glad you did.  Report back and let me know what you did and how you feel.

15 Benefits of Almonds - Heart Healthy Nuts

I've been called a "nut" on more than one occasion but that's not what I'm talking about today.  Nuts sometimes get a bad rap.  Most nuts are actually really good for you.  Today I will focus on almonds.  I am also going to suggest having a serving on them today and every day.  Preferably raw almonds.

Benefits of Almonds:

1. Lower Cholesterol
2. Reduce risk of heart disease
3. Reduce risk of cancer
4. Provide Vitamin E, copper, magnesium, and protein
5. Help to boost your energy level
6. High in fiber
7. High in healthy fat
8. Build strong bones and teeth
9. Protect arteries from damage
10. Alkalize the body
11. Lower the rise of blood sugar and insulin after meals
12. Good "brain food" and may reduce risk of Alzheimer's
13. Helps maintain a healthy weight
14. Anti-inflammatory
15. Good during pregnancy because they contain folic acid which decreases birth defects

Try eating these for a snack - they are nice and easy to bring with you.