Posts

Living In Gratitude: Laughter

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Laughter is important, not only because if makes us happy, it also has health benefits. And that’s because laughter completely engages the body and releases the mind. It connects us to others, and that in itself has a healing effect. ~Marlo Thomas

There is nothing quite as enjoyable or amazing as laughter. The ability to laugh is an incredible gift. Laughter doesn’t need to be learned, it’s an innate ability that we all possess, from the youngest baby to the oldest adult. As Charles Dickens once said, “There is nothing in the world for irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.”

Laughter takes many forms, from a giggle to the full-blown, doubled-over, can’t breathe belly laugh. Laughing allows us to let go of our stress and tension, release anxiety and live in the moment. Laughing is therapeutic and lifts our spirits. In addition to being the best medicine, its also an instant vacation! Read more

Living In Gratitude: So Many Reasons To Give Thanks

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With Thanksgiving just a few days away, it seems like the perfect time to talk about giving thanks. After all, that is what this special day is all about: gathering with family and friends and expressing gratitude for all the blessings and abundance in our lives.

Each year brings with it a cornucopia of things, challenges, changes, adventures, opportunities, losses, renewals, laughter, sadness, lessons and stresses.

It is always easier to appreciate the obvious positives – a promotion, wedding, graduation or birth – but many of us do find ourselves lacking when it comes to being thankful for life’s hardships, losses and even day to day irritations.  Read more

Living In Gratitude: Don’t Look Back

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Don’t allow yesterday to take up too much of today.

Too often, we focus on the past and things that happened rather than focusing on the here and now. We beat ourselves up or worry about what could have been, what we should have said or done. Or, we dwell in the past, reliving what was and not living what is.

This is like reading the same chapter in a book again and again, not making progress because we never move forward.

We’ve all had things happen that we regret or wish we could change. Often, these lessons are very challenging and we continue to dwell on them, looking back and reexamining every facet of the situation and asking “What if?” 

What if I had taken that job or done better on that project?

What if I had helped that friend in need?

What if I hadn’t spent so much time working?

What if I hadn’t reacted in anger?

What if, what if, what if…. The list is an endless one if we allow it to be.

It’s okay to ask ourselves these questions as a way to acknowledge and accept our past so we can make a change for the better as we move forward.  But dwelling on all of our what ifs doesn’t allow us to participate in today.

Read more

Living In Gratitude: Authenticity

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Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are. ~Brene Brown

Being our authentic self doesn’t sound like it should be difficult. After all, we are who we are, right?

Yet there are numerous outside influences that impact us, many of which make us feel we have to modify who we genuinely are. By succumbing to these external pressures, we are not being true to ourselves, our gifts talents and potential. It takes practice to  be true to yourself, your values and ideals rather than bending to what others (be they friends, family, colleagues or the media) want or expect us to be.

Below are 9 steps to living an authentic life and embracing the wonderfully unique person that you are.

1. Self awareness

Acknowledge and accept everything about yourself, both the good and the not so good. This acceptance and understanding of your imperfections creates a deeper comprehension of yourself as a unique individual, bringing you closer to your values and making you more resilient. Read more

Living In Gratitude: Admire Without Questioning

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Admire someone else’s beauty without questioning your own.

Studies show that women frequently compare themselves to other women and in doing so, come up short and feel lesser than. On the other hand, when men compare themselves against other men, they generally place themselves as better than.

The comparisons we make are many: physical, social, parental and career-based among others.

When we as women look at other women, we judge ourselves against them and find fault in ourselves.

We see physical attributes, their abilities as a mother, their successful career, their talent, their fitness, the car they drive, the house they live in…the list goes on.  Read more

Living In Gratitude: Change Your Whole Day

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One positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.

Starting you day off on the right foot can be as simple as beginning your morning with a positive thought.

Many of us begin our day watching the news, a primarily negative influx of information. Rather than waking up and instantly immersing ourselves in negativity, which can perpetuate itself, try doing something that will make you feel happy and uplifted.  Read more

Living In Gratitude: Power Of Gratitude

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Gratitude in advance is the most powerful creative force in the Universe. ~Neale Donald Walsh

It makes sense to be grateful for the things we already have:

  • A roof over our head.
  • Food on our table.
  • A job that pays our bills.
  • Our health.
  • Our family and friends.  Read more

Living In Gratitude: Be Proud of Who You Are

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Be proud of who your are rather than what you have.

What we own doesn’t define us.

The home we live in, the car we drive, the title on our business card, the clothes we wear. None of those material things truly reflect the person we are. Read more

Living In Gratitude: When You Arise

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When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light.

Give thanks for your food and the joy of living.

If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies within yourself.

~Tecumseh

Each and every day, we awake to new opportunities. By starting our day with gratitude, we chose to accept all that day has to offer with an open mind and open heart.  Read more

Living In Gratitude: The World Is Changed…

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The world is changed by your example not your opinion. ~Paulo Coelho

We all have our ways of thinking and to each and every one of us, our opinions are very important. Yet our individual beliefs impact the world much less than our actions. What we do speaks so much louder than what we say. Read more