11 Things to Making the Most of Life

Life is a song – sing it.

Life is a game – play it.

Life is a challenge – meet it.

Life is a dream – realize it.

Life is a sacrifice – offer it.

Life is love – enjoy it.

~ Sai Baba

 

Life offers so much, sing, play and enjoy.  Read more

Awesome Autumn

Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence.
Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.
~Yoko Ono

For those of us who have experienced the magical change and richness of color that comes with autumn, “reverence” is a very fitting word. Another might be, “Wow” or maybe, “Awesome.”  For all of us, there are so many images that put us in touch with the magnificence of nature’s change.  Read more

Less & More, More & Less

Fear less, hope more,

eat less, chew more,

whine less, breathe more,

talk less, say more,

hate less, love more,

and good things will be yours.
~ Swedish Proverb

Hope More:

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul – and sings the tunes without the words – and never stops at all.  ~ Emily Dickinson

Know that even in your darkest hour, there is always hope. Keep hoping even when everything seems hopeless. Keep positive dreams before you. Think good thoughts. Notice and appreciate the miracles and beauty that surrounds you. Watch the sunrise and the sunset. Smile.  Read more

Expressing Meaningful Gratitude

Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.  ~ G.B. Stern

Letting people know you are grateful to them goes a long way.

Studies show that when people feel appreciated and valued, they are more inclined to reach their goals, strive toward bigger achievements, are happier, healthier, and have stronger relationships with significant others, children, friends, family and coworkers.

How we communicate our appreciation is important. Quite often, we offer generic thanks with statements such as, “Great job!”, “I’m so proud of you”, “Well done”, and “I love you”.

Read more

Risk Allows Us To Blossom

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ~ Mark Twain

To fully experience life, we must take risks. Risk means getting out of our comfort zone and that is different for every person. It means taking a chance to explore, dream, discover and yes, even fail.

As influential author and thinker, Peter Drucker said, “People who don’t take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year. People who do take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year.” Read more

Stand, Jump & Splash About In Awe

He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed. ~ Albert Einstein

Take time to open your eyes and really see all of the amazing, wonderful things and people surrounding you. Read more

20 Things That Will Strengthen Your Relationships

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.  Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.  ~ Jane Howard

Eleven years ago today, thousands of people lost loved ones, members of their ‘family’, in one of the most tragic events in United States history.

Family doesn’t have to mean blood related or related by marriage. Family are also those people who lift you up and encourage you, make you smile, know when to offer a bear hug or a silly joke, the ones who accept you for who you are and loves you for you.

All of these relationships, especially the ones that encourage growth, acceptance and appreciation, need nurturing. Below are 20 bits of advice to ensure those relationships continue to bloom and flourish as well as to seed new, healthy connections. Read more

Happiness Means Giving Up These 15 Things

Letting go of the things that cause us stress, worry, pain and suffering allows us to embrace change, experience gratitude, and open our hearts to happiness.

Make your life easier and happier by giving up these 15 things:

1. Blaming

Take responsibility for your life instead of blaming others for what you have or don’t have, what you feel or don’t feel. Read more

Celebrating The Newly Redesigned Gratitude Habitat Website & Shop

We are excited to unveil the newly redesigned Gratitude Habitat website and Gift Shop.

The remodeled website is filled with motivational quotes, ideas and activities that coincide with stunningly beautiful photos. All are designed to inspire an ‘attitude of gratitude’. Read more

Standing on Shoulders

“No matter what accomplishments you achieve somebody helped you.” ~ Althea Gibson

We are all proud of our accomplishments, as we should be, and for the most part, each of us has worked diligently to get to where we are. But when we really stop to think about it, many people have helped us achieve our goals and successes. Teachers, family, mentors, co-workers, friends, coaches, advisors…the list is endless. Read more