GRATITUDE

Robert Emmons, defines gratitude as  “a felt sense of wonder, thankfulness, and appreciation for life.”
Gratitude encompasses many things. It is appreciation or looking at the bright side,  it is thanking someone in your life; it is thanking God, definitely it is counting blessings, and not taking things for granted.  Expressing gratitude is a lot more than saying thank you. It is opening our hearts to the enormity of life, to the bounteous blessings that are ours.

WHAT? You say you don’t have any blessings.... you don’t have the things that you want or maybe need!  Well then you aren’t looking hard enough!
Research has shown some interesting things in this area. People who are consistently grateful have been found to be happier, more energetic, and more hopeful.  Those very same people also tend to be more helpful and sympathetic , more spiritual and religious, more forgiving, and less materialistic than others who aren’t so grateful.
I listened to a teacher once telling us how to experience joy by expressing gratitude for everything in life.  I mean everything!!!  She said not only be grateful for the good, happy and positive things in life but to express gratitude for the hard, scary, and troubled times. 

Well I have to tell you I thought she was off her rocker!  Yup.... obviously she hadn’t struggled like I had or suffered like some.  But the more I listened to her the more I started seeing that life is meant to be lived – under all circumstances, and that learning to be grateful through it all opens our  hearts and minds more easily, so we can always be  looking and then finding that hidden blessing.  
It is also easier to feel deep and abiding love for God, for family, friends, and unique circumstances that bless our lives each day. 

Helen Keller said: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.  They must be felt with the heart.”

When you are full of true gratitude you build your self-confidence, because you recognize your blessings, the life and lessons that are yours to keep and learn from.   It builds your self-worth. 
There is a quote I have heard in the energy world that I like.....
BREATH IN LOVE..... BREATH OUT GRATITUDE!
It’s a good practice to get into!!

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HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOU

A positive way of thinking and acting, powered by a belief in yourself.
How often do you follow or listen to someone that is unsure of themselves.  Stumbling, and bumbling along, they are indecisive or uncertain.   Its because they lack confidence, they may really have the knowledge that you are looking for but they portray themselves in a hesitant and powerless way.   Here are a few things to practice to gain greater confidence:

GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD
Yup! That will get you every time.  When we have a loss of confidence it creates an energy field around us that everyone feels, thus they ignore or lose interest.  Be in the moment...  make no apologies and be totally at peace with who you are.  Express yourself clearly (this may take some practice, but your up to it) and connect with the other person. 

OWN IT!

Have you ever seen a performance or listened to a speaker that you could have listened to all night?  What grabbed your attention?  The topic might have been interesting but it was the confidence, earnestness, joy and charisma that the speaker had that attracted you. Now you say, sure, some people just have it.’ But I say, SO DO YOU!   Know what you are talking about, express it with feeling.  Don’t pretend to be something your not--just be you!

BE COMFORTABLE
I knew a lady that was an amazing teacher, it was her gift.  She got a new job and was very frustrated and uncomfortable with everything, she felt she wasn’t a good teacher, the students didn’t like her etc.    As we talked about it she said that all the other teachers wore suit coats, simple skirts and pants, low ugly shoes (at least in her opinion) and everything was dark and dreary.  Now my friend was not any of that!  She was a very stylish dresser.  Lots of color, fun shoes and jewelry.  When she walked into a room you noticed and enjoyed her uniqueness.  So she decided to BE HERSELF..... and BAM!  She had her confidence back.  She expressed her true self.   What makes you be YOU?  Find your authentic self and let it shine.

Confidence is our greatest resource.   No matter how overwhelming things may be,  you will know you can handle whatever comes at you.  Practice acting like you know what your doing..... who knows, it may surprise you that you really do. 

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DON’T COMPARE 

Be the best at whatever and whoever you are.
How often have you looked in the mirror and been content and satisfied with what you see?
Most of us would find many things wrong with our appearance, but that is just the surface, what we are really seeing is what we are inside.... how do you see yourself there?

We live in a competitive world.  It really started in our childhood experience, our families.  If you were the first, or second or third child it all dictate’s how we perceive ourselves. 
Did you grow up with great abundance or serious lack or something in between?   Again this teaches us many things about ourselves and who we think we really are.

WE ARE SO MUCH MORE....
Too often we let others determine who we really are.  But they don’t know, they just think they do.  So why do we give our power over to them and try to fit into the square that they have allotted for us.  Its because, for one reason or another we believe them, we see ourselves through their eyes.  We struggle to see that in a world of many millions of people, how could we  possibly be interesting, unique, funny, smart, etc.

BUT YOUR WRONG!
You are all those things and more!
First you have to WANT to believe it is true;  and second you have to LIVE as if it is true.

Martin Luther King, gave this great analogy.....
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry.  He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, “Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”

Everyone on this planet is amazing!  You are Amazing!  You must live and act that way.  Don’t hide your talent, your skills, your love and kindness. 
You don’t have any need to compete with your friends or neighbor’s because they are good at who they are, and you can applaud there uniqueness.  BUT don’t forget  you are uniquely amazing at who you are as well. 

Therese of Lisieux was a nun in the 1800's in France.  She said:
“The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm.  If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.”

You are that Rose, that Daisy, that Violet... you are smart, amazing, and unique!  Don't compare yourself.... Determine to be the best at whatever you are.... TODAY.
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 Believe in Yourself

Great minds have written about this topic from the beginning of time. Each has given their valuable insights and thoughts, yet we as individuals-- still deal with this very real self-sabotage!
I would love to snap my fingers and give you a look at yourself that would bring a smile of contentment to your face.  This post may not be able to do that completely, but I hope it will give you something to think about and to implement in your life.
 None of us are good enough, smart enough, strong enough, funny enough, pretty or handsome enough as we think we should be OR, as we see others to be. We are so busy looking for evidence that we are not enough, that we truly believe we don’t ‘stack-up”, or measure-up, or ‘stand above the crowd!”   
Why do we do that?  
That kind of thinking destroys the very beauty of your soul.  Life is full of competition and it can be rough, there will always be someone further along than you .
              SO WHAT!  YOU ARE ALREADY ENOUGH!
Many believe that it will take a lifetime to realize you are enough..... Bologna!! I say!
You are already there, you already have within you the very things that are enough, that speak of your magic, that uniqueness of you! . 
We weren’t born all at once from some splat of cosmic gel!  We were born individually (some twins, quadruplets, etc. Lets not get technical) By a loving God who gave us precious qualities.  I have the ears of my mother, I love to paint and draw, I like strange and unusual topics like, 'what made a scientist decide to look in a belly button for never-before-seen bacteria AND FIND IT!'   I like to eat potato chips covered in vinegar with a spoon.  You may say YUCK! But I say YUM!  Its because I am unique just as I am, and so are you.
Today I want you to start doing things that will change that negative sub-conscious thinking.

*Write on every mirror in your house; I AM ENOUGH!  and read it out loud whenever you pass.
* Start a **ME** journal; every day write 3 things about yourself you like...   be honest!
* Everyday give someone a compliment.  When they smile and receive it, that very act makes us feel powerful and good.
* Call me! :) There are often things that are buried deep in our sub-conscious that needs to be cleared.  Its fun and simple and can open up your ‘Enoughness’!

CELEBRATE YOU
Celebrate your own unique development.  You have within you all that you need, YOU know Enough, YOU have Enough, YOU are Enough!  And when your Enoughness is shining bright and someone recognizes it...... then you can tell them that they are enough too. 
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CHOOSE WISELY

Stop trying to find your worth in all the wrong places and with all the wrong people.

In the movie ‘Raiders of the lost Ark’, the English Knight told Indiana Jones to "choose wisely"..... and he correctly chose the challis that would give him everlasting life.

So what do you choose?  What will make your life everlastingly happy? Everlastingly content? For starters you can be happy with yourself!  
You are amazing and you will always be amazing!
It's time you stop and reflect on your tremendous value and worth.
You are unique and special in your own individual way. You don't have to prove yourself to anyone!  You don’t need the wrong kind of people in your life to drag you down, feed your self-doubt and just complicate your dreams. Choose wisely those people who support you.

So, to realize your tremendous worth you may need to immerse yourself in a little ‘self-love’.
That might include accepting a complement when someone says "good job,” and not trying to talk them out of it.
Maybe prayer… If asked, God is more than willing to tell you how precious you are.
Take time each day to look within you to find the happiness you seek.  When you are happy and content with yourself, then you can be a light to others around you.

When we start accepting our own true value everything starts to change for us, people will recognize your worth, they will lift you with their positive thoughts and encouragement.  You will become your very best self.  Choose to love yourself!

“As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all Beings.”

                                                                                                          – The Dalai Lama

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Be The Best Of Whatever You Are

I was in the forest the other day and noticed a small pine tree, a sapling. It was about 2 feet tall and was surrounded by towering mature Pines.

I thought about how it might feel, was it intimidated by the more majestic trees around it, did it feel frustrated at being so small? I don't know how a tree really feels, but that little pine tree was beautiful to me... full of potential, protected and cared for by its elders. It was EXACTLY what it should be and where it should be.

Don't compare yourself to those around you. You are strong and beautiful just the way you are. Raise your chin up and move forward in your life with confidence.
The only person you should be comparing yourself to is you.  Are you doing better today than you did yesterday, last week, 5 years ago?  

Comparison is the fast track to unhappiness. We all grow at our own pace.  No one ever compares themselves to someone else and comes out even.  We bring our own unique qualities to the picnic of life.  How can you compare a frog to a swan.... you can't, but each is needed and fills a purpose.

Mark Twain said:  "Comparison is the death of joy."

This little pine tree will take years to become what its elders are, and in the process it will weather storms, and wind and rain and snow.  It will have years of less water than others, but it will continue and learn how to survive.  It will learn to stand straight, and reach for the sun.  Don't let people put labels on you, don't allow yourself to be compared.

You are special and unique!  It doesn't matter how old you are, you have years of experiences left in your life.  Find peace with yourself, love your differences and your unique qualities,  find joy in who you are.   I believe that we don't realize how many people look at us and admire one or more of our qualities.    You are enough just the way you are.

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An Attitude of Happiness and a Spirit of Optimism



I was raised with the saying, “Just give it time, things always work out.” 
That is true, but I always worried about HOW it was going to work out! 
Was it going to be what I hoped  for or was it going to be just bad.  

Well I have learned that however things work out there is a purpose and reason for it.  Whether it is for the overall good, a personal learning experience, or many times its just out of our control, then we just deal with what we must.  Its just called life!

The key it to all is to look a little closer for the good.   You can’t create anything good out of pessimism or cynicism.   Look for the sunlight peeping out through the clouds.  Being optimistic is the key to allowing the world to flow around you.  It is the key to seeing opportunities. 
Tragedy is always around us, YES!  Problems are everywhere, YES!  Yet there is much fun, joy and laughter in living, if we will cultivate an Attitude of Happiness and Optimism.

“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed.  Most putts don’t drop.  Most beef is tough.  Most children grow up to be just people.  Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration.  Most jobs are often dull than otherwise....  Life is like an old-time journey– delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.  The trick it to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”   – Jenkins Lloyd Jones

Believe in yourself.  Believe in God and his love for you.  Believe in your capacity to do great and good things.  There is so much of good and decent in our world, look for those things. 
Look for those people, just like you, who are trying to make a difference.  Who are reaching out with encouragement and love and making a difference in their lives as well and so many other lives around them.

Don’t let that bad day take you out of the game.  Don’t let the negative voices around you slow your progress forward.  Believe that no trial, struggle, or heartache is so great that you cannot survive it. 
You have infinite possibilities, You are the captain of your life.

Do it with a smile on your face, hope and optimism in your heart and happiness will never be illusive.

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