They say that happiness is an inside job. In other words, your happiness has to come from within yourself. It doesn't come from any external factor. It's not really a hard concept to accept. It's not even all that mystical, or woo-woo. Everything we experience comes from our mind experiencing it. Every emotion we feel … Continue reading Inside Job
Tag: love
Grace
Grace is more than just a short prayer to say before a meal, it can be a way of life. Grace is showing kindness, love, and respect as often as you can, even if it seems undeserved. Grace is all about giving more than receiving. It's an elegant and charming intention. It has a personal … Continue reading Grace
For
The way to solve your problems is to not give them all of your attention. Focus on what you are for and pay no mind to what you are against. What you resist persists, so you're only helping to keep your problems with you if you're so focused on fighting them. Try focusing on what … Continue reading For
Empathy
There is not usually a "one size fits all" solution to complex societal problems, but there can always be empathy. We may each have our own unique perspective for understanding the world, but ultimately we are all still people. So, even though our perspectives may not be the same, we all still want to feel … Continue reading Empathy
Decide
Before you can be, do, or have anything in this world, you have to decide that you will be, do, or have it. Once you decide on what you want, you'll get clarity, and then you've just helped yourself get that much closer to it. It's only that you have to decide, you can't leave … Continue reading Decide
Compassion
There are more than enough aggressive know-it-alls out there, ready to show you how superior they are. What the world needs much more of is compassion. It needs more people who are willing to acknowledge that everyone has their own struggles, and nobody is perfect. And the world needs folks to not only extend more … Continue reading Compassion
Better
The goal should be progress, not perfection. "Perfect" doesn't even exist. But progress certainly does. You can approach each new day as a chance to improve your health a bit more, strengthen your physical fitness, and deepen your emotional intelligence. I love the mantra that was originally coined by French psychologist, Emile Coue: Every Day, … Continue reading Better
Attention
It seems that a lot of times when folks act out, or when they say something incendiary, what they're really after is simply attention. They want someone to pay attention to them, and they know they can get it if they provoke. I believe that most of the time these people don't want to be … Continue reading Attention
Golden
The "Golden Rule" is golden, because it is an incredibly valuable guidance for living your best life. Its message is simple: treat others how you want to be treated. It's simple, but can be easily forgotten when life gets complicated. But the way to create a kinder world begins with you. So start treating people … Continue reading Golden
Totally Possible
It's possible. It's totally possible. You just need to believe it. Can you believe it? Can you believe in yourself enough to make it happen? Yes, because it's totally possible.
Energy
I believe it was Tony Robbins who said: Energy goes where attention flows. I love this because it rhymes, so it's easy to remember. It's important to remember, because it's vital to know how you can create anything for your life. You need energy to create. You can direct energy by your attention. So, if … Continue reading Energy
Expert
The way to become an expert at anything is to put in the work, and to put in the hours. In other words, you need to establish a dedicated practice to it. The only way to do that is to get up and start. It may feel like you're a long way from being an … Continue reading Expert
Love, sweet Love
When you look at yourself in the mirror, do you pick yourself apart, pointing out all of the flaws you can find, or do you look with loving eyes at someone you adore? Either way, you will feel it. It would be a nightmare situation if someone else stood in front of you and stared, … Continue reading Love, sweet Love
Get Happy
If the way to manifest the life of your dreams is to think all the happy thoughts you would think once those dreams did come true, then it seems to me that anyone can afford to do it. If the cost of having your dreams come true is to be as happy as you can … Continue reading Get Happy
Be Present
I'm starting to realize that when I stop worrying so much about knowing all of the right answers, that they end up coming to me pretty easily. When I stop worrying about what would be the right thing to say, that's when the words come to me effortlessly. And when I stop thinking about what … Continue reading Be Present
Reaction
Whenever things seem like they are totally out of control, remember that the only thing we ever really have control over is our reaction to what's happening. That's actually the most powerful thing to have control over anyway. It means that our happiness is in our power. We get to choose if we want to … Continue reading Reaction
Gratitude
The best way to get out of a dark, funky mood, is to deliberately focus on gratitude. Start listing things that you are grateful for. It can be as seemingly simple as being grateful for the chair you're sitting in, or even for the socks on your feet. You can really get into it when … Continue reading Gratitude
March On
When I was a kid, I would often hear adults say that I "marched to the beat of my own drum." In other words: I didn't act, think, or behave in line with the standard, societal norms. Either I seemed decades older than my age in maturity, dispensing wisdom and opinions to any adult who … Continue reading March On
Now
Make a commitment to enjoy your life now, even if you haven't achieved all you want to achieve yet. Decide to love yourself now, even if you aren't in your ideal shape or weight yet. Make a commitment to feel worthy now, even if you don't have the job, degree or net worth you dream … Continue reading Now
Wonderful Life
If you stop to take a breath, and really look, you'll see that it truly is a wonderful life, if only because you're around to live it. Also, a great way to guarantee this, is to start claiming it. Start professing that it's a wonderful life, and watch as you've just made that come true.
The Gift
There a countless trinkets, gadgets and baubles that you can gift to your loved ones. You can spend an exorbitant amount of money on presents. But ultimately, the most precious gift you could ever give someone is your pure, loving, heart-felt, full attention. Your attention is the most valuable commodity in the world. Just ask … Continue reading The Gift
Connections
Check in with the people you care about, and make a point to visit with each other. Social media is great, but it can deceive us into thinking we are actually checking in with each other, when really we're just following a curated narrative. So, if they are really important to you, check in with … Continue reading Connections
Now
The way I figure it, since we only get to go through this particular life once, we might as well be sure and do the right thing now. It's like those people who put plastic on their furniture, so it stays nice. Nice for when? What are they waiting for? Some "special occasion" that might … Continue reading Now
Living
I was a volunteer for a hospice for a while, visiting with the patients and keeping them company whenever their family couldn't be there, so they wouldn't be alone. What struck me the most about those experiences, were that these people, who were in the last weeks and days of their lives, all seemed to … Continue reading Living
Love
Share love, because that's what helps the world grow. Love doesn't have to be transactional. Love doesn't have to be about romance. Love doesn't control, guilt or shame. Love isn't about shallow attention. Love is that glowing feeling you get when you know that your well-being matters to another. Love is that warmth you feel … Continue reading Love
Towards Love
There are times when I let the hateful noise that I've convinced myself I'm hearing from the world scare me. I feel vulnerable, desperate and unsafe. But those are times when I've merely created a dark, illusory vision of the world. It's all in my head, made up of phantoms and paper tigers. I'm actually … Continue reading Towards Love
Decide
You have to make a decision that you are going to love your life. You can't just want it. If you just want to love your life, then you're going to start to settle with being okay with it. And that leads onto a slippery slope then, of mostly being disappointed with it. The whole … Continue reading Decide
Party
I have one of those day-to-day calendars. This one has a fresh quote each day from author Jen Sincero, who wrote the bestseller: You are a Badass. Today's quote is "LOVE YOURSELF And life becomes a party." It's a great quote, and considering that today is my birthday (I actually write these posts the night … Continue reading Party
Push or Pause
Our society is so fast-paced, that it feels like pushing through it is the smarter way to stay ahead of the game. But then you're not even participating in the game of life. You're pushing to get ahead, and missing the whole point in the process. There are so many unknown variables to life that … Continue reading Push or Pause
Return to Love
A Course In Miracles says: "only love is real." And yet we tend to get caught up in the world of illusions, when we are anything but loving to each other. Forgiveness is more than just something that's nice to do. Forgiveness frees you from the illusions of anger and fear, and brings you back … Continue reading Return to Love
We Are Love
I read an incredible quote from Deepak Chopra today. He said: "A person desperately searching for love, Merlin said, reminds me of a fish desperately searching for water." In other words, love is all around us. It's what we breathe. Love is the force that gives us life. We don't need to search for love. … Continue reading We Are Love
Choose Kindness
The only way to know you've made a good decision is if your heart feels light and free after making it. You know what is the right choice. Any confusion you have is because there is a disconnect between your heart and your ego. A difference between love and fear. Here's a clear way of … Continue reading Choose Kindness
Listen
Listening is the most underrated superpower in the game. True listening is more than just hearing the other person out before you get your chance at the mic. True listening allows the other person to reveal themselves even more than they realize that they may be doing. If you really listen to the other person, … Continue reading Listen
Something to Think About
It seems to me that we get divided as a society when we start seeing each other as ideas, blanket principles and policies, rather than as people. We are all still people. And at the end of the day, we all laugh, cry, and love. We all have these powerful hearts that can swell with … Continue reading Something to Think About
Phenomenon
Is love like a public utility, where you have to be fortunate enough to have a home to then get the privilege of paying for it each and every month lest you risk the power company shutting it off? Or is love like the electricity itself, a natural and consistent phenomenon just waiting to be … Continue reading Phenomenon
Moments
It's becoming more clear to me that when I miss a moment by being stuck in worry or fear, that I won't be getting that moment back. Our moments are precious pieces of our lives; to be lived, fully in the now. We can't afford to miss a moment. It's not like a TV show, … Continue reading Moments
You Are Loved
I know that I am loved. I am too blessed to not know. So when things looks dark and scary, I only need to remember what I already know, which is that I am loved. It's this knowing, and the reassurance that it gives me, that propels me to want to share love with my … Continue reading You Are Loved
Choose Love
A Course in Miracles says: "There is only one problem, choosing fear over love." The world seems to be chock full of problems, or as ACIM points out, it's full of fear. Even all of the anger that's coming up in our distressed society is really just a cover for fear. The answer to this … Continue reading Choose Love
Compassion
Being frozen with fear and anxiety, left immobilized and numb, is not the same as simply loafing around, doing nothing with your life because you have no ambition. In that regard, you're not lazy, you're overwhelmed. So, the last thing you need is to beat up on yourself further for being incapacitated from doing anything … Continue reading Compassion
Expiration
This has been an extremely challenging year. That is not a surprising statement to anyone reading it and currently living through this year of so-called perfect vision: 2020. In fact, "challenging" may be an understatement. Regardless, we're going through it, and soon it will end. Just like each of our individual stories will eventually come … Continue reading Expiration
Choose Kindness
Choosing to be kind is practicing mastery in your life. It's such a low and easy choice to be cruel. But being kind is a powerful choice that can elevate everything in your life. Being kind can improve, and even eliminate the situation you thought required cruelty in the first place. But it's impossible to … Continue reading Choose Kindness
Authenticity
I used to push myself to be good enough to belong in a life I didn't really like. I thought I would finally like it if only I got better at navigating it. It was a convoluted expression of impostor syndrome. Impostor syndrome is defined as a psychological pattern in which one doubts one's accomplishments … Continue reading Authenticity
This Moment
Eckhart Tolle says: Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. If we were to truly heed his words and realize this statement deeply and consistently, then I believe that most of our suffering would cease. Suffering comes from resistance. And what we are resisting most consistently is the present moment. We're … Continue reading This Moment
Less Imperfect
If there's one thing I've learned, it's that doing the thing you think about doing, and not quite doing it as great as you'd like to have done it, is still so much better than just thinking and dreaming, plotting and planning on how to do it perfectly. All of that thinking is just a … Continue reading Less Imperfect
Forgive Often
Forgiveness is not a one-time act. Forgiveness will set you free, and sometimes you will just need to repeatedly forgive another as the same hurt may come up again and again. Each time you forgive, you release yourself from that pain. So forgive, and forgive often.
Practice Makes Perfect
They say that hatred is a learned response. It comes from letting fear run your thoughts, and by practicing the feeling of hate. So, if that is the case, then love and kindness can be practiced just as well, so that they are our (re)-learned automatic responses. Our actions and our behavior come from what … Continue reading Practice Makes Perfect
Great Expectations
Have you heard the advice on how expectations can affect your happiness? It's usually meant to advise against setting yourself up for disappointment by having expectations that are bound to fail. And these expectations are most always about others and their behavior. But what if instead, we had expectations for how we've decided to see … Continue reading Great Expectations
Love First
It seems logical that we should love our bodies, every inch of them, since they're the thing that we have to work with as we navigate life on planet earth. Of course it seems logical to love our bodies, but that's not what the advertisers and drug companies want us to do. They want us … Continue reading Love First
Love in my mind
I'm going through the workbook for A Course in Miracles (that is, I've started it again - hey, third times a charm) and the lesson for day #30 is: God is in everything I see because God is in my mind. One of my favorite authors on the subject of ACIM is the very entertaining … Continue reading Love in my mind
Better
We think everything happens out there, and that the world out there has too many things that need to be fixed. And it's a big world. And needing to fix such a big world makes it seem like a really big job. But it's important to remember that we each are a part of this … Continue reading Better
Freedom
Don't you feel exhausted? I do too. It's from trying to keep up with all of the noise that's out there, while also constantly bracing ourselves against it. Resistance, being on guard and blocking out any and all of the injustice out there, takes a lot of energy. And that leaves us exhausted. What if … Continue reading Freedom
Amazing
Isn't it amazing that there is some force that cares so much about us that it makes sure we breathe regularly, our hearts beat, and that our blood circulates, supplying the energy needed throughout every area of our body? Isn't it amazing that this is all taken care of for us seamlessly, so we can … Continue reading Amazing
Love One Another
We have to Love One Another. The way we're going to lift our society, the only way, is through the Power of Love. That may sound like one of those 80's pop ballads, but it's still true. When it seems like the fight is insurmountable, and nothing is changing for the better, that's because there … Continue reading Love One Another
Vitality
Love is a vital element in sustaining life. Just like any nutrient, when you're deficient in it, you get sick. Just like sunlight, if you keep yourself blocked off from it, you weaken. Just like oxygen, if you cut yourself off from it, you wither and die. Love is vital to life. So be sure … Continue reading Vitality
Healing
There is a beautiful Hawaiian prayer for healing, called the Ho’oponopono Prayer. It's simple, short and powerful. By repeating it's four phrases over and over, it helps to calm you, and clear anger, hurt and negativity. It's about forgiveness, but it calls on you to take responsibility yourself, as any emotions you feel ultimately come … Continue reading Healing
Peace
The Dalai Lama says World Peace begins with Inner Peace. It all begins with you. How peaceful are you inside? There are so many things in the world to be angry over. So many things to judge. So much evil to hate. But those emotions do not bring peace to you, and will never bring … Continue reading Peace
Integrity
I think one of the main reasons that animals are so appealing to us, is their pure integrity. They don't speak with words, so they don't lie. When they interact with people, they show us exactly how they feel about us, whether its favorable, or not. There's no subtext, no passive aggressiveness, no labeling, and … Continue reading Integrity
Change
Wayne Dyer would always say, When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change. It's helpful to remember that we have this power, especially when the things we look at don't look so great. And, oftentimes the world around us looks so troubled because there's a lot of noise … Continue reading Change
Attention
I learned a technique that I'm putting into practice, which is to notice where my attention goes. I don't know about you, but I can get wrapped up in fearful thoughts and then suddenly I lose the time and place that my body is actually in. Or I'm sucked so deeply into the vortex of … Continue reading Attention
Forgiveness is not One-and-Done
Practicing forgiveness is so important for your mental health. Forgiveness helps free you from the burden of being weighed down by anger and resentment. But it doesn't have to be such a significant and ultimate decision. I recently heard author Glennon Doyle give this great description of forgiveness. She said, Forgiveness is not a before … Continue reading Forgiveness is not One-and-Done
An Empowering Choice
One of the most powerful pieces of advice I've ever received, is that it's vital to mindfully give your energy and attention to what you are for, rather than what you are against. There's a lot of bad behavior out there, and too much negativity, but it does no good to feed it your energy … Continue reading An Empowering Choice
Make a difference
There's so much chaos going on in the world right now, moving at such a fast pace, and it feels overwhelming. It feels so big. If you ever think the world's problems are so insurmountable, and that you have no power to affect any change, just remember this gem of quote from the Dalai Lama: … Continue reading Make a difference
Focus
It's been said that on the other side of fear is your freedom. So why is it so hard to get to that other side? Do we not really want our freedom? Or is fear so captivating that we can't seem to see past it? It's also been said that the opposite of fear is … Continue reading Focus
Extraordinary Living
I have a treasured book of quotes from one of my heroes, Dr. Wayne Dyer, titled: You Are What You Think (365 Meditations for Extraordinary Living). Tonight I read his quote where he asked, "Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?" I can't help but wonder why we're not asking this … Continue reading Extraordinary Living
Be cool
Most of the great teachers advise to let go of desperately wanting so much, and relax. It seems tricky, but it's true. If I'm focused on wanting something desperately, then I'm focused on the fact that I don't have it. I can't get it, because I'm busy wanting it. Wanting and having are two different … Continue reading Be cool
Perspective
Are you living from a perspective of lack, or from a perspective of abundance? Lack causes your energy to contract and close in. Abundance causes your energy to be open and expand. Living with abundance doesn't necessarily mean that you're suddenly a billionaire. Living with abundance means that you feel open, expanded and at ease. … Continue reading Perspective
Yesterday is Gone
Yesterday is gone. Whether it was good, bad, ugly or any combination of it all, it's done, gone and no more. It's only still bothering you if you're looking at it in the rear view mirror. The thing about that is, if you're focused on the rear view mirror, then you can't see what's ahead, … Continue reading Yesterday is Gone
Compassion
Little kids are supposed to learn and grow each day. It's perfectly understandable that they will stumble, wobble, and fall as they learn to walk. It's expected that they won't have all of the words yet to be able to describe what they need. Or even to be able to pronounce them properly. We think … Continue reading Compassion
We need more light
A dark side to social media is how hostile and divisive it can be in even the most harmless-seeming posts. Under the cover of online anonymity, people can get belligerent, arguing with strangers and spewing venom. And to what end? You can't really win an argument. "Winning" over someone else, only proves to make them … Continue reading We need more light
Don’t forget
We forget all the time that this day could be our last. We forget all the time that we're not guaranteed another Monday, whether manic or chill. We forget all the time that the last text we sent, video we uploaded, or comment we posted could very well have been our final one. We forget … Continue reading Don’t forget
Show, don’t tell
Actions speak louder than words. It's a true statement, but looks funny written out. After all, words are what we use to communicate. But they often fall short in telling an effective story. Isn't it a picture that's worth a thousand words? That can mean that a picture is an extremely valuable source of information, … Continue reading Show, don’t tell
Grow Through It
We grow from discomfort. We might prefer to always stay comfortable, but comfort can lead to stagnation which stops any kind of growth. And if we're not growing we're dying. Building strong muscles and a tight waistline comes from pushing past your comfort zone, lifting heavy weights, and breaking a sweat. Building new professional skills … Continue reading Grow Through It
A Life Worth Living
I make sure I laugh every day because I want a life filled with days that I had laughed. I make sure to think of all the people that I love, every day, because I want a life filled with days that I had loved. I make sure to see posts of puppies and kittens … Continue reading A Life Worth Living
True Colors
I read this quote that says, If someone shows you their true colors, don't try and repaint them. This hit home for me, because I've made the mistake of trying to "fix" people in a misguided attempt at helping. I've also confused the idea of "seeing the best in everyone" to mean that I can … Continue reading True Colors
A loving world
More than anyone I've come across, Wayne Dyer had a knack for speaking truth that I felt directly from the heart. One notable truth-zinger of his, was the quote below that perfectly sums up my thoughts about the way of the world. These thoughts form a perspective I've had ever since I was a kid, … Continue reading A loving world
The Best Defense
The answer is love. You could get angry for all kinds of reasons. You can get fed up. You can prove how wrong the other side is. Or you can focus on love. Simply focus on what you can love. One way is about contraction, resistance, and darkness, which is a health-killer. The other is … Continue reading The Best Defense
The choice is easy.
In the Bible there's a famous story of King Solomon's judgement. Solomon had been gifted wisdom from God, which he demonstrated when two women came to him, each claiming that they were the true mother of this baby. He suggested taking a sword and cutting the baby in two, so each woman could take home … Continue reading The choice is easy.
Appreciation by Default
Look for the Good. Look for what you like. Look for what you what you Appreciate. There is always something to celebrate! Look for the good everywhere. These statements could have been pulled from the script of any self-help guru. (Of which I have studied many!) I love reading those statements. Even when they pop … Continue reading Appreciation by Default
Control Freak
Confession Time: I am a recovering Control Freak. I grew up thinking that the way to become successful (which I equated with happiness) was to control every aspect of my life. And I tried to excel in the controlling of how others acted around me. Let's just say that early on I got smacked upside … Continue reading Control Freak
Defending yourself is a waste of energy
I'm sure you've heard the sage advice to not worry about what others think of you. Someone has even effectively put it all nice and blunt, perfectly phrasing it to fit inside a fortune cookie with these words: What others think of you is none of your business! It's great advice. And you know what? It … Continue reading Defending yourself is a waste of energy
Like a Fox! 