Teachers are only human, just like you and me. What makes teachers extra special, however, is that they actually care to share with others how to be a better human. Giving is their nature, generosity is their spirit. They don't get nearly as much credit as they deserve. Teachers are society's heroes. Yet they can … Continue reading Teachers
Tag: happiness
Safety
Safety is a state of mind. Someone could be enclosed behind steel doors and still not feel safe, while another could be sleeping out in an open field and feel perfectly secure. If a feeling of safety is what you're after, then you need start with just that, the feeling of it. Safety comes from … Continue reading Safety
Respect
Respect should be freely given, but in reality it needs to be earned. The best way to do that is to show respect yourself. Be respectful and you'll earn respect in turn. It's not a guarantee, but it does help your chances greatly.
Peace
The thing about peace is that you can't get it by fighting. You can get silence and capitulation by fighting, but that's run by fear not peace. And fear that hangs around long enough turns in anger, which turns into rage. Those are not recipes for peace. Peace requires a peaceful heart. Peace comes from … Continue reading Peace
Organized
Organizers are popular on TV and social media because what they offer seems to be more than just an organized space. They offer a way to peace of mind. Our personal environments can represent our mental state. A cluttered home or office oftentimes represents a cluttered and stressed mind. Getting our spaces organized feels peaceful … Continue reading Organized
New Beginnings
New Beginnings generally follow endings of some kind. So, the next time you find yourself coming to the end of something, don't despair. Realize that you're on your way to a new beginning just beyond this ending. Keep looking ahead, that's where the good stuff is happening.
Musical
Don't die with the music still inside you. Don't hide your gifts or even delay what you are meant to do. Make your life musical, let the music of your life be heard, whether that's literal or not. The time to begin is now, the place to start from is right here. Begin.
Love
We are meant to love while we are here. It isn't as complicated as people think. It isn't meant to be as complex or big or difficult as people think. It's the most natural thing to be. Be love. Give love. Receive love. Love. Start the new year out with more love in your life.
Kindness
It bears repeating: in the choice between being "right" or being "kind," choose kindness. There are just too many variables at play to guarantee you're going to be 100% right anyway, and sticking to your guns on this issue over being right will only make you look like a supreme jerk, so you lose anyway. … Continue reading Kindness
Jubilant
There are no rules that say you can't simply be jubilant for getting to live your life. So why not try it? Why is being jubilant just for the sake of it more weird than actively being bothered, disappointed and angry... just for the sake of it? You're choosing either way. Jubilant just sounds like … Continue reading Jubilant
Immediately
The decision to change for the better can happen immediately. Sticking to that decision and fulfilling the choice will take a lot longer. The thing about immediately made decisions is that they can just as immediately change. For a decision of improvement to stick, it has to be repeatedly acted on until a new habit … Continue reading Immediately
Help Others
Want to improve your life and feel great? Help others. Help yourself by helping others. It gets you out of your head, takes your mind off of your problems, and lets you accomplish some real good in the world. When you help others, you don't just help them, you help yourself and the world as … Continue reading Help Others
Gifts
Gifts are a fun part of holiday celebrations. It's exciting to get them, and just as exciting to give them. The shopping and planning the surprise are all part of the fun. And we usually gift the ones who gift us back, so it feels reciprocal. Beyond this we are gifted with so much more … Continue reading Gifts
Festive
You don't need to have a bunch of decorations and party food to be festive. All you need is a willingness to enjoy the moment and the people around you. That's what it's all about. Choose to be festive with what you've got right now, with your loved ones while they're here.
Enjoy the Season
The holiday season is busy, full of activities, visits, and traditions to keep. It can make you feel stressed, anxious and ready for it to be over already. The thing is that it will be over before you know it. It's just a short few weeks, one season at the end of the year. And … Continue reading Enjoy the Season
Decide
The first step to creating anything you want in your life, is to decide you want to. Then decide on the course of action you need to take. And then decide to take the first step in that direction. The point is that you get to make these choices all for yourself. You just have … Continue reading Decide
Christmas Magic
There is an undeniable magic in the air at Christmas time. People focus on their loved ones, gathering around and bestowing gifts of love to each other. And it seems to lift the moods of most as they spread cheer thinking about actively being jolly. They decorate with festive ornaments and lights and indulge in … Continue reading Christmas Magic
Be Well
Be well. It's the only thing your loved ones truly want for you. They want you to be well. And, that's also what you want for them. Sure, success and things, even experiences are nice to think about for them, but at the base of it all, if we know our loved ones are well, … Continue reading Be Well
All Over Again
Things may start to seem repetitive. You find yourself getting up, doing the same things to get ready, starting your day, living your day, and ending your day, only to get up the next day and do it all over again. But don't fall for the trap of thinking you get to just do it … Continue reading All Over Again
Years
It's a funny phenomenon you discover the longer you live. Years don't last as long as they used to, the more they add up in your life. A year that once seemed to be significant length of time in one's life, begins to zip along as one ages. Pay attention to these days rushing by, … Continue reading Years
Worth
Worth is subjective. It can raise or lower depending on a lot of outside factors. Something may be worth a fortune in certain circumstances, and viewed as completely worthless in others. So, if you find that your own worth isn't valued, perhaps you should change the circumstances. Because that viewpoint has nothing to do with … Continue reading Worth
Visitors
A Christmas Carol is a classic tale about a man named Ebenezer Scrooge, and his life choices. It's set on Christmas Eve, when he is visited by the ghost of his deceased business partner who was just a selfish as he is and is now paying for it in the afterlife. Later he's visited by … Continue reading Visitors
Unity
Unity is the state of being united together to form a whole, and there's great strength in that. So, why does it seem like we are being actively divided against each other? Why are our differences pitted against each other? Why is the strength of unity so feared?
Teachable
Learning is growing. Growth is the key to life. If you aren't growing, you're dying, so it helps to keep learning. To do this, you need to choose to be teachable. Anything can be your teacher, especially struggle. So, have a growth mindset, be teachable, and you can see how much the world wants to … Continue reading Teachable
Say it Now
If you have anything you want to say to a loved one, say it now. If you have anything you want to say to anyone, say it sooner rather than later. We never know how much time we have left. It could be over in a flash. Don't leave with those things on your heart … Continue reading Say it Now
Rewards
The best motivating factors are the rewards you've decided on for yourself. Flashy prizes are fun and all, but unless they have a personal meaning for you, they're just all flash. A reward might not even mean anything to anyone else but you. It could be the thought that you made healthy choices for yourself … Continue reading Rewards
Previous Experience
Previous experience may help you gain a bit of wisdom, but don't make the mistake in thinking it's a reliable roadmap for what lies ahead. Life is creative, adaptive and surprising. And it's all about what's in front of you, not behind. So, previous experience is great for character development, but it is not something … Continue reading Previous Experience
One Step Forward
Sometimes all you can do is manage taking one step forward. That's all you need to focus on. In fact, all you can ever do is take one step at a time, even if it's a huge leap, it's still only the one. So, when the road ahead seems impossible, pull your focus back to … Continue reading One Step Forward
Nuance
For the most part, life is not black and white, either/or. There is nuance in any given situation. This means it can go any which way at any time. The sooner you get comfortable with that idea, the sooner you can enjoy the ride. Learn to accept the fact that with just the slightest degree … Continue reading Nuance
Make it Up
We are all co-creators of our own lives. Our intentions guide our thoughts. Our repeated thoughts form our beliefs. And those beliefs are what create how our lives look to ourselves. We're basically just making it all up. So, might as well get deliberate, and make it up how you really want it to go.
Learning
Learning can be painful. It can be hard to have to stumble and grow as you learn. But learning is vital to survival. If you aren't growing you're dying. So then, you really just have to make one fundamental decision. Would you rather deal with the struggle of learning, or the pain of decay?
Keep the Vision
Energy goes where attention flows. We create our lives by our thoughts and what we choose to focus on. What we choose to focus on is what we see, and what we see it what makes up our lives. So, create a vision of how you would like your life to look, and then keep … Continue reading Keep the Vision
Joy to the World
A true miracle would be for joy to reach the whole world. Most people would agree. What's interesting about that is, even though almost everyone wants joy, very few feel it. There has to be a reason for this. Could it be because joyful people are less gullible, and therefore harder to manipulate than unhappy … Continue reading Joy to the World
Impossible
Impossible is one of those words that becomes a self-fulfilled prophecy the moment it is spoken. A thing is only impossible if you believe it is. After all, anything is possible. Most things might not be probable, but they're only impossible if you decide that they are.
Health
Your health is the greatest treasure you've been given. When it's compromised, nothing else matters. People can have unimaginable wealth and it won't matter to them if they are ill. They'll spend every last cent to heal, or at least feel better. Guard your health for the treasure that it is. And under no circumstances … Continue reading Health
Giving Season
'Tis the Season for being merry and bright. It's the season for celebrating and giving. And in this modern, materialistic world, that giving can feel more stressful than jolly. So it's important to remember the whole reason for giving in the first place. It isn't just supposed to boost merchant sales. This is a time … Continue reading Giving Season
Fairness
Hinging your happiness on whether or not you'll be treated with fairness is a good way to prevent yourself from ever getting it. It's impossible to achieve ultimate fairness for everyone at all times. Because for as many people as there are in the world, there are at least that many ideas on what "fair" … Continue reading Fairness
Exits
Exits have to be clearly marked in public buildings so people know where they can get out quick, in case of an emergency. They're not as clearly marked for social situations, like toxic relationships. This is because any relationship that you're in also includes yourself, and anywhere you go there you are, so leaving is … Continue reading Exits
Devotion
Part of being human is having strong preferences. You're going to be devoted to something. Knowing this, you'd be wise to choose pursuits that are good for your health and safe for the world around you. Choose devotion towards being a wonderful human, and watch your focus create just that.
Choose
Each and every moment of your life, you're presented with a choice on how to act. You may not think you have a choice when you're constantly reacting, but that is still a choice. You get to choose whether to act rude or kind. You get to choose whether to be loving or cold. You … Continue reading Choose
Blocks
The thing that makes our hidden mental blocks so hard to deal with, is they're hidden. The way to realize you have them, is when something seems impossible for you yet it's possible for others. If it's possible, it's possible for anyone. If you can't seem to overcome it you might have mental programs, or … Continue reading Blocks
Allowance
Allow for mistakes and human fallacy. Nobody's perfect. But when the same mistakes are repeatedly made, they're not mistakes, they're thoughtless choices of disrespect. Allowance of that is a mistake in itself. That's why they say, "fool me twice, shame on me." Allowance is nice and all for the first fool, but don't let them … Continue reading Allowance
Year-end
We're approaching the time when businesses start preparing their fiscal year-end. It's a way for them to assess how they did in the previous year, and plan for an even stronger one ahead. This sounds like good advice for your own life. Perhaps you could review how you did over the last year, and then … Continue reading Year-end
Whispers
The loudest voices are often connected to most afraid people. All of that noise is just fear talking. Anger is only an outward expression of fear after all. So, loud shouts may grab your attention, but they don't have a lot of substance. It's the whispers that hold the wisdom. Because whispers require concentration, both … Continue reading Whispers
Visits
Family visits can seem like a hassle. There's the preparation and the consideration for all of the different personalities. It seems like those visits can be such a burden, until you realize how few of them you actually get in a lifetime. If you knew that the next family visit would be the last one … Continue reading Visits
Understanding
We all need understanding from others. The irony is that most of all we need to understand that everyone will have their own perspective in understanding. Understand?
Tension
Stress isn't fun. Stress can be a killer. But, a stress-free existence is pure fantasy. And, it wouldn't be much fun either. A little bit of tension is just enough to help with creativity. Remember, diamonds are created under tension. So, don't stress out, but also don't hide from the pressure of everyday life. Keep … Continue reading Tension
Security
It's an insidious fact that the more measures you take for security, the more you can virtually imprison yourself. Gates work both ways, to keep things out and to trap things inside. It's true that the world has a lot of moving pieces, and with that there's bound to be a hefty percentage of them … Continue reading Security
Reprogram
If things aren't going well in your life, remember that it runs on a program. The program is made up of your beliefs about how the world works and your part in it. So, if that program is making your experience miserable, then you need to reprogram your beliefs. You do that by noticing your … Continue reading Reprogram
Possible
Keep that glimmer of hope alive. Even when it seems the darkest, when it seems like a win is highly improbable, it's important to stay hopeful. Because it might not be probable, but that doesn't mean it isn't possible. Anything is possible. And, miracles happen all the time. Your existence is proof of that. Keep … Continue reading Possible
Open Up
They say that a mind is like a parachute, it only works if it's open. This can apply to your heart as well. And, a closed fist can only cause pain, it can't grasp and receive anything good until it opens up. Open up, that's how you let the blessings in.
Noise
Noise can seem like a burden if you were hoping for quiet. But, not everyone is lucky enough to even hear it. There are some people who can only dream about what it's like to be able to hear noise. Anytime we get annoyed with something, rather than let it set us off, we should … Continue reading Noise
Move forward
Life only goes in one direction. You might as well not fight it. Move forward with it, even if you only move in tiny baby steps. The forward momentum is so much better for you than staying frozen in place, or struggling to backtrack. Move forward with life, and let it do its thing, which … Continue reading Move forward
Lessons
When you can look at everything you go through in life as lessons, you have a chance to feel empowered rather than put upon. Your struggles and triumphs are lessons that can help strengthen your resolve and give you greater wisdom. All of this strength and wisdom can only make you better, and more skilled … Continue reading Lessons
Keep Going
How do you know when it's time to quit? When it feels complete to you. Either when you've achieved what you were seeking to achieve, or when you feel resolved in your heart that you are done. But, if you quit because it's hard, and yet there's a nagging sense in your heart that you're … Continue reading Keep Going
Jovial
Jovial is such a fun sounding word, as it is related to the word joy. It means to be cheerful and friendly, and that's why it sounds so attractive. We are craving a more cheerful and friendly world, and yet it's rare to find a legitimately jovial person. What if you chose to be more … Continue reading Jovial
Happiness
The most exciting revelation of life is also the most rewarding. It has to do with happiness. Happiness can come from simply choosing to be happy. There is no need to wait for any circumstance in order to be happy. In fact, all the good outcomes have an easier path to you after you choose … Continue reading Happiness
Goodness
Goodness is simply being conscious. There is a lot of confusion out there. That's because a lot of people are unconscious. This can be labeled as evil. But, it's really just being confused, careless and unthinking. In other words, unconscious. Wake up, and see the goodness. Wake up, and be the goodness. The sleeping world … Continue reading Goodness
Fair
Everybody is looking to be treated fairly. But, it's important to be aware that everyone has their own idea of what exactly is fair. Never assume that whoever you're dealing with will have the same idea of what's fair as you do.
Ease
A lot of the time, we have to do hard things. Work, family, relationships, they all require attention, energy and effort. The thing is, that none of these will hold our focus for long if they are always difficult. We need to find ease with the things in our lives as much as possible. Actually, … Continue reading Ease
Details
Details matter. The smallest change can create the biggest effect. It's not wise to get caught up in chasing all of the many details, that's simply losing sight of the forest for the trees, so to speak. But, it is wise to remember that the details add up to the whole, the trees add up … Continue reading Details
Choose
Life is a series of choices. If you don't make the choices yourself, they will be chosen for you. There's no getting out of it, that's how life keeps moving forward. So, since a choice needs to be made, your best bet is to take ownership of the situation and choose.
Behave
Do you ever notice how when someone expects you to behave properly, it's only to accommodate their comfort? It seems selfish. Perhaps you should remember that whenever you expect someone else to behave.
Answers
There are as many answers as there are people who ask questions. Because people hear what they expect to hear. People hear what they're ready to hear. The answers match the perspective. If you want a different answer, change your perspective.
Your Time
If you feel like there's never enough time to get it all done, remember the most important part of this equation: you! It is your time. It may not feel like it, because you have obligations, but remember that you chose each and every one of those obligations. You chose to divide your time up … Continue reading Your Time
Wellness
Take care of your health. You can't enjoy anything else without it. Wellness is the biggest treasure you can attain in this life. Treat it as the treasure it is, and it will help you live a treasured life.
Vision
It's one thing to see what's in front of you, it's another thing to have a vision of it. Having vision means you see a story, the potential and the experience that makes something what it is in relation to you. It's a gift to be able to see. And, it's a superpower to have … Continue reading Vision
Umbrellas
Umbrellas are wonderful shields that can protect you from the harsh elements. The thing is, they can also shield you from any good getting through. It's important to investigate your shields and make sure they aren't keeping away what could be best for you. Sometimes it's better to come out from under the umbrella.
Trick or Treat
Life is a lot like the idea of trick or treating on Halloween. This idea of trick or treating, was that supposedly you go around offering a choice to people; either they give you a treat, or you play a trick on them. But, there's no need for the threat. All you have to do … Continue reading Trick or Treat
Spirits
We're all spirits in a sense. Some of us may be more spirited than others at times. Some of us may seem to haunt our own lives. Simply put, we're made of energy. And, it may just be that out-of-body spirits aren't so much as spooky supernatural entities, but rather run of the mill natural … Continue reading Spirits
Review
A tricky thing happens as we try to be enlightened humans by staying present in the now. Our human brains tend to want to be in a perpetual mode of review. It reviews past lessons, and similar circumstances we've either lived through, or learned about, all in an attempt to keep us safe and alive. … Continue reading Review
Pessimism
Pessimism is a particularly sinister addiction. It feels like it's protecting you. It feels like you're being discerning, like you're expressing a valid opinion. But, the more you judge things in a pessimistic light, under the guise of offering an opinion, the more you teach your brain to be pessimistic. It feels good to sit … Continue reading Pessimism
Obituaries
Obituaries sum up a life in highlighting its greatest hits. The more fabulous the life lived, the more stellar the obituary reads. While life is so much more dynamic than some neat summary, it is worth thinking about how you want your obituary to read. Just as the promise of death reminds us to fully … Continue reading Obituaries
Noise
There's so much noise in the world. It makes it a challenge to focus. All of that noise easily seeps in, and fills your head. You do yourself no favors by combating the noise with simply more distracting noise on your phone, in your headphones and on the TV. The answer to all of this … Continue reading Noise
Momentum
The key to getting anything done, is momentum. Sometimes it can take longer to convince yourself to get started than it does to complete the whole task. You just have to get yourself going, and let the momentum take you to the finish line. Start before you feel ready.
Lighten Up
Life trudges on the heavier you let it get. It's up to you to lighten up. It's your life. You are in charge of how it goes. Remember that, especially when things get heavy. Remember that you have the option to make it more pleasant for yourself. And, you can do that when you learn … Continue reading Lighten Up
Know What You Know
You can't know what you don't know, so don't sweat it at all. But, you must be confident in what you do know. Know what you know with such conviction, that your competence will not be questioned. What's more, your confidence will support you through any challenge, as long as you're clear that you know … Continue reading Know What You Know
Just in Case
We do a lot of things to insure ourselves just in case some catastrophe might happen. We pay numerous premiums for health, auto and home insurance, just in case a costly disaster suddenly strikes. We even drive around for years with a spare tire in our trunk, just in case we need it to rescue … Continue reading Just in Case
Investigate
If you aren't having fun, and if you aren't happy on most days, then it's on you to investigate the reason. And, there's an excellent chance that what you'll discover is that the reason you aren't having fun and having happy days, is because of you. You are making the choices that are preventing you … Continue reading Investigate
Happy
It's your responsibility to do what makes you happy. And, you find out exactly what that is by paying attention to what it feels like in your heart. It isn't what you think it is. It's what you feel. You may think a fancy car, or high-powered job, or a bigger salary is what will … Continue reading Happy
Great
This is your shot at life. It isn't a test run. It isn't a rehearsal. This is your real life. There's a lot of noise out there that makes it seem so difficult to navigate, and you've got choices to make. You've got to choose how you want to approach this gift of life that … Continue reading Great
Fun
Life is supposed to be fun. If not, then what's the point? When you bring a sense of fun to your world, it benefits everyone around you. Because, they all need to same reminder. We all need to remember to bring the fun into our lives. The little ones get it. That's why they laugh … Continue reading Fun
Earn it
We all want to be given an easy life. We want someone to lavish us with luxuries and to have an abundance of money and privilege. But, it's nearly impossible to appreciate any of it, unless we put in the work to earn it. If it is just given to us, no amount of it … Continue reading Earn it
Dedicated
In order to get any kind of substantial progress in a venture you need to be dedicated to it. You can't just add it to a list that you think you're multitasking with. Being dedicated means you have a single-minded loyalty or integrity. With that kind of integrity you can succeed far beyond your dreams. … Continue reading Dedicated
Charisma
For the most part, charisma is something developed, not innate. You have to put yourself out there, and work at it, in order to exude effective charisma. And, it can't be created in a vacuum. In order to develop charisma, you need to practice it with other people. Charisma is much more about what you … Continue reading Charisma
Beauty
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What you see is more a matter of how you see it. If you want to see a world full of beauty, choose to see beauty. You hold the key to seeing beauty in your world.
Accentuate
Manifestation is really simple. Whatever you think about most often, is what you'll bring into your life. Because of this, you tend to focus on it more, since it's right there in front of your face. So, the cycle keeps going. Knowing this is helpful. As what you think about most often is what you'll … Continue reading Accentuate
Young
The way to stay young is to be so busy enjoying your present life, that you have no time to think that you got old. Age is all about mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter. Keep young in your heart and soul, and you'll stay young for as long as it's … Continue reading Young
Work
Work becomes so much better when you think of it as something you get to do, rather than something you have to do. Remember that the same work you bemoan, is a treasure to someone who has lost their own.
Vanity
Vanity creeps into delusional territory. It involves being wrapped up in a glorified ideal of what you think you represent. It's wonderful to have good self-esteem, but it's troubling to fall into delusional vanity. Vanity is also a distraction. Get clear. Realize your true divinity. And, don't bother with vanity.
Ugly
Ugly is a thought and nothing else. It isn't a decree that holds any weight, it's just a thought. And, it's an extremely unproductive thought at that. It's best not to worry about it. This is a good practice to undergo for any thought that's less than ideal. Thoughts can be changed, or dropped altogether. … Continue reading Ugly
Teams
In order for a team to work effectively, all members need to acknowledge and realize that they are a part of the team! And, everyone is on a team of one form or another. No one ever really acts alone. Embrace your team.
Safety
Safety is a only a concept, there are no true guarantees in it. Even still, that's what makes it so powerful. You can only get safety from feeling safe. So, you're in control of that feeling. If it gets taken away, remember that you're the one who gave it to yourself in the first place. … Continue reading Safety
Release
Whatever you're clutching, release it right now. It may be an idea, or an object, or a person. If you're clutching it, then you're putting a strain on the thing, as well as on yourself. Nothing can live in peace under those conditions. You may think you're holding tight to it because you love it, … Continue reading Release
Place Your Order
It's been said that all things are possible for those who believe. In other words, when you ask, and believe it, you will receive it. This isn't just some new-age mumbo jumbo. No, this is found in a very old, and very good Book. So, then, what are you waiting for? Start believing in that … Continue reading Place Your Order
Organized
The best way forward is by having your thoughts and intentions organized in a simple and clean fashion. It doesn't have to be this way, but the opposite of organized is chaos. Some people say they thrive in chaos, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're moving forward. Get organized, and progress.
Never
The thing about the idea of "never" is that it can only ever be proven as a threat. Forever is a long time to check to see if something will never be. How could we ever really know if whatever has been threatened truly never comes about? It's hyperbolic at best, but really just plain … Continue reading Never
Move
You may think that being hesitant is playing it safe, but that's the fear talking. Hesitancy is cowardice. Being hesitant is a symptom of your head not being in the present moment. It's thinking too much of horror fantasies set either in the past or the future. If your mind was present, then you would … Continue reading Move
Levity
Life can get serious, if you take it seriously. Take it by the reigns, and bring a little levity to it. Of course, be thoughtful and respectful, but also, lighten up! There's enough seriousness in the world. Bring the levity that benefits everyone.
Keeping Up
It can feel like life is a rat race, and it's all run in the fast lane. It can be so hard to keep up. But, the only thing you actually need to be keeping up with, is with yourself. This is your life. You are in charge of its care. It's no one else's … Continue reading Keeping Up
Like a Fox! 