Archive for 'Good for YOU!'
Focus on your Goals
Whatever you focus on, expands. Focus on your business, it will expand. Focus on good health and your good health will expand. If you are focused on how poor you are or how scared you are, those thoughts expand and you will see more of those thoughts and people who support those thoughts around you.
Set an intention on what you’re going to focus on tomorrow morning. Write out a plan of action and even if your plans change or get postponed keep the end result in your focus. Write yourself notes, type up a to-do list, ask your friends to remind you, write it in your calendar or whatever you can do to remind yourself to keep the focus on what you want.
- I love this quote! “I believe in looking at reality straight in the eye and denying it”- Garrison Keillor
Distractions will come in looking like they are REALLY important or SUPER TIME SENSITIVE but if you look at them closely they can usually be priortized for a later date. My friend says to me often and I say it to back to just as often “we need to stay on target, keep our focus on our original goal” because if you get talked into starting other projects or things crop up that you think are more important you WILL get off track and the next thing you know it’s 4 months later and your onto another project and none of the projects you started are finished.
- Stay on target, keep your focus on the original plan.
Little things can distract you like e-mails or phone calls. It may not seem like it at the time but those interruptions can get you off course faster than you ever imagined. How do you keep on focus?
Keep your goal in front of you. Write it on a post it note and stick it on your computer, set up a reminder in your outlook calendar or set a timer on your clock to keep you going on your project for a specific time. Put a DO NOT DISTURB sign on your office door and let your co-workers or family know you mean business!
You will feel so good about your project or goal when you have completed it that it will be worth the added effort to resist tempting offers or well meaning friends phone calls/e-mails.
Sending this with ~LOADS of LOVE~
Marian
Posted on 28 December '09 by Joan, under Friends, Good for YOU!, Tips. No Comments.
Happy Relationships
My dear friend who was in a deep depression said to me one day that I should stop trying to make her happy and just be myself. My first instinct was “Well I enjoy making you happy and that IS who I am so, who am I if I can’t make you happy?” What kind of a friend lets someone they care about wallow in sadness without trying to help them feel better? I was miserable and allowed myself to get depressed right along side of my friend.
I gave this conversation a great deal of thought and finally realized that even though I truly do enjoy helping others and seeing them happy, I did have a responsibility to make sure that I get to be happy too. We had a few hard days where we just couldn’t see each other’s perspective but when I finally decided to just let her be unhappy if she wanted to, and assure her I was there for her when she wanted to FEEL better, why everything changed. Most of the time what people want is to be heard and understood. Let them know you understand but that you can’t join them in the sorrow.
- If someone chooses to be unhappy and we can’t get them to come into our happy state (vibration) then we can learn to accept it and let them know that when they are ready to feel better, we will be there for them.
Each person in your life is there for a reason, and that reason always has something to do with love.-Tut
- When we finally decide to show kindness and true empathy, that kindness inspires kindness in return.
Another dear friend of mine said to me one day after she had an argument with a co-worker “I decided I would rather be happy than to be right.” from that day on her so-called conflicts at work seemed silly and much less stressful. Her life changed for the better at work and at home. Contrast is a natural part of all relationships. Focusing on creating a balanced compromise rather than winning or losing an argument can draw you and your friends/co-workers closer together and allow deeper relationships to flourish in all areas of your life.
- Feelings of irritation and frustration grow when we remain silent so make your feelings clear but do so with empathy, a real honest look at their perspective.
The relationships you nurture with others will mirror the relationship you have with yourself. Learn to take responsibility for your own happiness and treat yourself with kindness and compassion.
Sending this with LOADS of ~kindnness and Love~
Marian
Classic Christmas Movie
It is that wonderful time of the year for a favorite classic Christmas movie. We can all appreciate a quality Christmas film. Don’t you remember spending a countless hours watching classic holiday movies? Christmas Eve after everyone went to bed was my favorite time to get teary eyed with a good “ feel good” movie. So what if Christmas movies tend to be a bit sappy? They warm our hearts and help us forget about the stress of the holidays, the possible loneliness of some, and if living up north, the snow piling up on the driveway.
We’ve unwrapped our five favorite classic Christmas movie flicks that will help even the stingiest Scrooge or crankiest Grinch crack a smile. Let us know what your favorite holiday movies were!
Here are some must-see favorite movies for your Christmas season:
Holiday Inn, 1954, this Bing Crosby classic includes the song “White Christmas” and has you watch as a once favorite spot for lodging is restored and brought back to life with music and entertainment to once again draw festive crowds.
It’s a Wonderful Life, 1946 – this is one of our favorite feel-good holiday movies. George Bailey along with the residents of Bedford Falls never fail to remind us that no matter how much money you have, life really is wonderful if you have friends and family to share it with.
Miracle on 34th Street, 1947 – there’s no time like the holidays to re-examine beliefs. Is there really a Santa Claus? Even if you don’t believe in Kris Kringle, this Christmas movie puts your beliefs to the test.
A Charlie Brown Christmas, 1965 –In this holiday classic, Charlie, Snoopy, and the rest of the “Peanuts” gang discover the true meaning of Christmas.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 2000 –this popular Dr. Seuss book was transformed into a movie, and it’s usually a great kid-pleaser. Enjoy the songs, rhymes, and antlers on the dog! See how the Grinch shows that nothing, not even a green grouch, can spoil the spirit of Christmas
Leave a comment below and tell us which holiday movies you enjoy!
All of us at the Good Life Guide wish you and your family a joy filled Christmas.
Power of Gratitude
“Appreciation and gratitude create miracles, and you can enjoy these benefits yourself every day. “Gay Hendricks
Start by increasing the kinds and amounts of gratitude you share with others. Write down what you appreciate by keeping a gratitude journal. When in Houston traffic, I use all the cars like rosary beads and recite for each one by saying, ” Thank you God ….( for whatever is appreciated).”
Practice daily to have a non-stop exchange of appreciation and gratitude. Affirm the good things in your life by appreciating them more. Acknowledge your friends and family, the warmth and beauty of your home, the taste and quality of your food, and all the other things we tend to take for granted. Just like the Tide commercial lady says as she is able to again be washing her clothes, “we tend to not appreciate things until we no longer have them.” Why wait until something is lost to begin to feel gratitude for it in your life? Grateful thinking turns things into more.
Practice appreciation at this time during the holidays when nerves can be tested, appreciate those people close to you, and then notice what occurs between you with this genuine expression of appreciation.
Melody Beattie says,“Gratitude turns negative energy into positive energy. We can start with who we are and what we have today, apply gratitude , then let it work its magic.” She goes on to say,“There is no situation of circumstance so small or large that is not susceptible to gratitude’s power.”
Notice how problems dissolve, people express more and more of who they really are, co-creativity blossoms, and harmony reverberates. What better present can you give?
We appreciate you for taking the time to read this post. Happy Holidays!
Recommended Readings and More:
Gratitude: Affirming the Good Things in Life, Melody Beattie. A small book with a big message about how we can “unlock the fullness of life” with our expression of appreciation.
Gratitude and Affirmation Cards, Melody Beattie, A small deck to assist you in expressing your appreciation for your life .
The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent: Esther and Jerry Hicks. Another favorite book which covers the teachings of Abraham and has positively impacted my life and the lives of many.
Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, Sarah Ban Breathnach. A book that gives you an inspirational reading for each day of the year. This is my very favorite book.
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Mystic Way
Socialogist and author, Andrew Greely, calls America, a nation of closet mystics. In the last decade, we have started coming out of the closet. Movies have been created about angels,life after death and the presence of a Universal Intelligence. Many people define an interest in such things as New Age when actually mystical experiences are more old age as reports exist from thousands of years ago.
Mystics, not theologians who are people studying religions, have been aware of a concept called SECOND SIGHT. Most religious leaders were simply satisfied with knowing this possibility exists, they did not take the steps necessary to apply this to the improvement of their own lives.
Second sight is defined as your mind seeing into itself. In Eastern practices, this is also known as the “THIRD EYE” or also called the eye of the SOUL. This third eye is said to be located between your two eyes. When one practices meditation in this way, some of the following might be experienced. Know that experiences will vary between individuals.
Individuals who meditate regularly may see:
- Cloud like formations of different colors
- Images of things, either flat or three dimensional, or an inner light.
Suggested methods for making contact with Universal Intelligence is through the consistent practice and application of meditation. The type of meditation where an attempt is made to make conscious contact with the Source of energy that makes worlds.
We have barely touched the surface of understanding this process. If you have an interest in meditation, many books are written on the topic and we will continue to discuss more of what can be experienced in future posts.
Joan Borysenko says.” There are moments in life that are watersheds, points of no return, when ones view of the cosmos is forever changed…. Experiencing life as a precious gift enables us to grow in love and wisdom.”
The deaths of both of my parents at an early age led to a long overdue daily practice of meditation. This coupled with a deepening of my understanding of life’s mysteries through books which are now complimented with a circle of like minded friends brought me to that incredible point of no return.
” A mystic sees beyond the illusion of separateness into the intricate web of life in which all things are expressions of a single Whole, You can call this web God, Universal Intelligence, Source, the Tao, the Great Spirit, the Infinite Mystery, but in can only be known as true love.”Joan Borysenko
” I was in a state of quiet, almost passive enjoyment, not actually thinking, but letting ideas, images and emotions flow of themselves, as if it were through my mind. All at once I found myself wrapped in a flame colored cloud…there came upon me a sense of exultation, of immense joyousness immediately accompanied by intellectual illumination impossible to describe…I saw the Universe as composed of a living Presence…that the cosmic order is such that works together for the good of all things…that view or may I say consciousness has never even during periods of deepest depression, been lost.”
Richard Bucke, Cosmic Consciousness, 1873
Recommended Readings:
The Ways of the Mystic, Joan Borysenko. This books provides seven paths to the sacred. Shared are spiritual teachings that do not follow any religious doctrine.
The Experience of Insight, Joseph Goldstein, Here is a modern classic with unusually clear, practical instruction for the practice of meditation.
Seeker, Traveling the Path of Enlightenment,Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious Volume Three, Exploring our Spirit through American Literature and Art. An interesting read which addresses America’s take on Spirit.
What are you focused on?
I Love this quote-
“If we threw our problems in a pile with everyone else’s we would grab ours back” Author Unknown
I often wonder when I’m going through a tough time what kind of lesson I will learn when I’m on the other side. If you stay focused on the outcome and take the time to think thoughts like this, it really does help you get through the most challenging times. We all have them and they are different for each of us. My fears and negative thoughts might seem silly to you and the same goes for yours, so don’t try to compare your life with anyone else’s.
- Stay Focused on the outcome or goal
Staying focused on the outcome can be hard if you just try to remember but if you turn it into a habit, it will come to you quicker and easier. When I first started trying to remember- as I was experiencing a problem, it might dawn on me a week later or even a month would go by, but as I stayed with it and continued to study and learn the principles of the Law of Attraction it got easier and came faster. Soon I was able to hear myself say “Oh that’s right I’m staying focused on the outcome” or “In my old life I would have reacted that way” and snap out of my funk or feel soothed instantly. The feeling of being connected to source and ALL THAT IS, is so comforting that it’s worth the time you take to make it a GOOD HABIT!
“In order to attain balance, we have to learn the art of patience even as we strive to achieve our highest vision of who we are” Daily OM
- Stay focused on the outcome or the goal and everything else will fall into place.
Sending this with LOVE….
Marian
Recommended Readings:
The Attractor Factor by Dr. Joe Vitale. A book which presents the step by step process to manifesting and attracting what you want into your life.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, this book revealed how many people use the secret to achieve success.
Application of Modern Mysticism
Have you ever learned something and then never taken the action to apply what you learned to your life? There is an entire world that opens up to you as you study each new subject. If you sign up for a cooking class, you learn about new tools and new terminology and new skills. If one pursues an art class, the same is true. For over forty one years, my interest has been in the area of metaphysics. What is in life beyond our physical body? What is that energy that creates worlds?
My discovery lead me to a body of work to study called mysticism. Mysticism is described as the absolute power available to human beings. As you begin taking steps down this path of study, what begins to unravel are life’s deepest mysteries. It is as though you have walked into a classroom of the greatest minds who ever lived. However, no matter how much you study or how much you learn, it will make no difference in improving the quality of your life or the lives of others unless you can take the necessary steps to apply this knowledge.
If there is a Higher Power that can perform miracles in each of our lives then why don’t we apply this knowledge therefore demonstrating it?
In today’s society, mysticism is a much abused word. Put simply, it represents one’s highest quest of human growth and awareness. It wakes one up to the potential inside oneself. Many place other practices within this same category which can include tarot cards, fortune telling, crystal gazing to tea leaf reading. It is not these things, it does however include the following;
- discovering the nature of reality within the relationships of man-woman, mind, and the Universe.
- discovering and confirming the presence of a Universal Intelligence that resides within the deep levels of the human mind,
- making direct contact with this Universal Intelligence,
- experiencing this presence, to know Universal Intelligence exist and can be contacted,
- applying the creativity, and power of the Universal Intelligence to improve life,
- intuitively be guided in all of life’s endeavors
As you begin to study mysticism, a whole new world opens up to you with a far greater understanding of your potential and yourself. Modern books that discuss spiritual laws which include the Secret, The Law of Attraction and many others are based on an understanding of how to use these ancient truths in ways that can benefit one’s life and the lives of others.
“ The Mystic path is sunny. It is the way of genuine enthusiasm and lasting cheerfulness. So much awaits you. We finally learn why things happen to us as they do, which places us in control of our fortunes. Fear and tension vanish once and for all. No person and no circumstance can disturb our inner peace. “
“You, the reader, possess great capacities for miraculous self enrichment. You need only exercise these powers as best you can.”
The Mystic Path to Cosmic Power, Vernon Howard
Join us in achieving fuller, better lives. Each of us has a right to happiness, our intention is to help ourselves and each of us along the way in attaining it. What is it that YOU want in your life? You may want love, friendship, home, security or money. These can all be yours, if first you gain an understanding, then know what to do and how to use this incredible power that lays dormant within each of us. It can be awakened and knowing how to do this will transform each of our lives for the better. To each of our lives being better and better…
Recommended Readings:
Wisdom of the Mystic Masters, Joseph J. Reed. The most awesome secrets ever known to man are in this book—ready to be used by you to get riches, influence, and joy.
Divine Guidance, Doreen Virtue. This books serves to remind us that our minds give us messages if we can learn to listen.
The Mystic Path to Cosmic Power,Vernon Howard. This miraculous source of help can light your path and and banish crisis from your lives.
If there is one thing you can do to feel better about your life, it is to eliminate clutter in your environment. I confess that I have always been a “ pack rat.” I love to attend estate sales and auctions and seek out the unusual and unique kinds of items that some would call “ junk.” Over the years, this stuff starts to pile up and take up space where if the piles were not there, you could use this same space to serve some function.
After three decades of teaching art in the public schools, things in my classroom began to accumulate and the classroom overflowed into my home. The result was stuff everywhere. Does this sound familiar?
The last couple of weeks were spent going through drawers, closets and a storage unit with a strong “urge to purge.” At today’s garage sale, as people traded money for odd and unusual items, with each item taken, a new feeling surfaced.
Somewhere I read that nature abhors a vacuum. In other words, empty space does not stay empty space for long. For example if you want a new relationship in your life, you have to create an empty space to fill. Michelle Passoff says that as you lighten up and free yourself from clutter you are creating the space for miracles. Bring ‘em on.
“Once there is nothing to improve upon in the physical environment one can set about improving on oneself.” Henry Miller
Recommended Readings:
1. Lighten Up: Free Yourself from Clutter, Michell Passoff. Offered in this book is a look at how too much stuff robs you of energy and when the stuff is eliminated, you are free once more to create and to experience miracles.
2. Clutters Last Stand, Don Aslet. This book provides a whimsical approach to junk with a junkee’s exam to see if you qualify as a “ junkee.”
3. Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat? Peter Walsh, Here an interesting corelation between clutter and weight is offered.
If you have ever found yourself in a bad mood because something went wrong, before you let your mood spread out in a negative way and affect your life and others around you for days to come, take time to say to yourself WAIT….. Remember this article and pause.
Create a positive vibe that can influence your whole day. I’m not asking you to put a happy face sticker over your genuine feelings, what I’m asking you to do is to allow in a ray of sunshine to heal the cause of your bad mood, feelings of doubt, fear or frustration.
Acknowledge your dark mood in an observer role. Talk to yourself about doing things differently this time and from now on. Make it a game or a fun challenge. You can even say in my old life I would have stayed in this place of feeling bad, in my new life I am choosing to think differently. Say” I choose to be happy now.”
You CAN allow and accept your darkness and easily allow and accept a positive outcome too. As soon as you start to feel your blood pressure rise or your stomach to sink, STOP right then and say to yourself WAIT…. Oh that’s right I’m doing things differently now.
” Gloom we have always with us, a rank and sturdy weed, but joy requires tending.” Barbara Holland
By changing your thoughts you can change your mood instantly. Know that things can and will change just by changing the way we think about the issues and challenging people in our lives. You can reprogram your brain to remember to start this process just like you programmed your old response. Do whatever you have to do to remember.
- Put up affirmations that stick on your mirrors,
- write yourself notes,
- record your voice on a digital recorder and
- have your friends trained to remind you when you call to complain.
Whatever it takes to remember, DO IT. You can reprogram your subconscious to handle whatever is happening around you in a positive, delightful manner. Each day program your mind with positive affirmations that you know are true and have a feeling of joy and love.
This is a great way to give yourself a gift that will last a lifetime and will come in handy when you are working through tough times and hard feelings.
As soon as you wake up in the morning say to yourself, I’m doing things differently today. You will pre-set your day BEFORE anything has a chance to bring down your mood. No matter where you go, who you see, what you do, if you do whatever it takes to remember to change your thoughts, your life will get better and better.
Remember, you can change your life in more ways than you ever thought possible just by deciding to do things differently today.
I leave you today with some positive affirmations you can use to start this process TODAY.
“My positive thoughts are changing my life and it feels so good”
“All day today I will remember to do things differently”
“My possibilities are an endless source of joy”
© Marian LaSalle and Joan Maresh Hansen,Swirl Girls, 2009
For more positive thoughts and processes, join our weekly newsletter and Good Life Guide and visit our sister site. www.reachingnewrealities.com
Recommended Readings:
- You Can Heal Your Life by Dr. Louise L Hay, A small journal with inspirational quotes for recording your insights.
- Every Word Has Power—Switch On Your Language and Turn on Your Life by Yvonne Oswald. The book title says it all, a good read to support the process.
- Your Word is your Wand by Florence Shovell Schinn. This 1924 metaphysician gives you insights into the power of your words.
- Change your Thoughts, Change your Life, by Dr. Wayne Dyer. Another Dyer masterpiece which with application can lead us to more joy filled lives.
Sometimes when we are feeling blue, some of us tend to soothe ourselves with comfort foods. We all know that emotional eating is not the way to feel better in the long term and yet we do it anyway. Why do we do it? Because we want to feel good— and, there’s not much more depressing than the guilt we feel right after a big bowl of ice cream.So, we did our research and found some foods that can boost your mood. Eaten in moderation you might even notice yourself perking up.
Scientists are sharing their knowledge about foods ability to alter the production and release of neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers that carry information from one nerve cell to another. The foods you eat can affect your mood, including your level of alertness and your perception of pain.
Next time you’re feeling a little blue try these different kind of comfort foods.
- Oatmeal: A warm bowl of oatmeal can help elevate your mood because it’s rich in soluble fiber, which helps to smooth out blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of sugar into the blood. Try sprinkling on a dash of cinnamon to add to the aroma.
- Walnuts: These are an excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids, a type of fat that’s needed for brain cells and mood-lifting neurotransmitters to function properly. Toast your walnuts and sprinkle them over your salads. Try another one of my favorites by mixing some in your yogurt or cottage cheese.
- Chai Tea: This is one of my favorite mood lifters. It’s an Indian tea made with regular black tea plus spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. The spices also add a natural sweetness, which helps curb that sweet tooth. Also try any aromatic herbal tea for a chance to breathe in the relaxing fragrance.
- Salmon: In the past few years, research has suggested that vitamin D may increase the levels of serotonin, one of the key neurotransmitters influencing our mood. Salmon is also an excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Added bonus: it tastes delicious!
- Steamed Spinach: Warm and tasty, steamed spinach has enough folic acid to be an important counter to depression. As little as 200 micrograms of folic acid was enough to relieve the depression in clinical studies– that amount is easily obtained in a cup of cooked spinach or a glass of orange juice.
So if it is true that you are what you eat, then why not be happy, healthy and energized by making choices that feel good in you and for you. Also, always try to go organic when possible!
” The discovery of a new dish does more for the happiness of the human race than the discovery of a star.” Jean Anthelme Brillate Savarin
Savor these affirmations— comfort food for the mind,
- I listen with love to my bodies messages.
- My body is always working toward optimum health.
- My body wants to be whole and healthy.
- I cooperate and become healthy, whole and complete.
© Marian LaSalle and Joan Maresh Hansen, Swirl Girls, 2009
Recommended Reading:
- 8 Weeks to Optimum Health by Andrew Weil, M.D. This book will help you understand foods and nutrition and what’s good for you and why.
- It’s Not What You Eat It’s What’s Eating You, This book provides information on why we overeat.
- Flat Belly Diet by Liz Vaccariello, Prevention Magazine, this breakthrough book makes a meal plan both economical and easy to follow. I feel better while the weight is dropping off. Also available are the Flat Belly Pocket Guide which provides shopping lists, and the new Flat Belly Cookbook. You won’t believe that you are dieting.
