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Dec 01 2008

Habits I Desire

Life is an echo, what you send out comes back.”
-
Chinese Proverb

I have decided that it is time for me to recommit to good habits that I let slide. I want to consistently live in a way that honors my core values and I have chosen activities that are in alignment with those values.

I am committing to a Power Hour each day. My daily power hour will consist of: Exercise (20 minutes), Writing (30 minutes), and Meditating (10 minutes). I can go above and beyond that - but I will do at least that each day.

I regularly participate in each of these activities now, but I often forget - and I know I feel best when I am consistent. In thirty days you can create new habits by creating new neural pathways. Throughout this month of December I am committing to these life giving activities and I will be beginning 2009 with a renewed shine to my life!

To reinforce myself and remind myself I have created my own special program - I’ll keep you updated on how it goes!

Nov 25 2008

Where am I looking?

I’m a believer in good things and I cannot look at bad things without hurting myself. – Abraham-Hicks

I was listening to my cds today and that quote felt very significant for me.

flowers I get to choose where I look - and so do you. So, when I make the choice to read or watch depressing news stories, or read sniping and bickering on a message board, or look at someone and focus on their pain - when I place my focus there I FEEL BAD. I am hurting myself because I have chosen it.

If I decide to feel good then I can choose to nurture that feeling by focusing on things that feel good to me. I can choose to listen to uplifting cds; I can choose to watch “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” rather than a violent drama or the evening news; I can choose to see the divine light within someone who is focused upon their limitations… I CAN CHOOSE.

This can take a conscious effort, an active awareness, to consistently choose the good feeling things over the bad feeling things - but it gets easier with repetition.

Look; Feel Bad; Awareness; Make a new choice. /  Look; Feel Good; Repeat.

In-Joy!

Nov 24 2008

Sharing

I am a kind of paranoiac in reverse. I suspect people of plotting to make me happy.

- J. D. Salinger

The world seems to be doing little backflips lately to make things work out for me! I love when that happens!

Today, I wanted to share a link that looks fun to me. It’s a free online language program and you can choose to interact with learning partners (or not). I have been studying Italian recently using the Rosetta stone program and it’s ok to a point - but I know I could benefit from some interaction. If you are interested in learning a new language check out LiveMocha

In joy!

Nov 04 2008

A day of Change and Choices

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.  - Lao Tzo

Today is a beautiful day – a day full of joy for me!


To begin with, it is my Grandma’s 97th birthday. Happy Birthday, Grandma!!

It is also Election Day here in the US, a day for change and choices. I now consider Election Day my “Rebirth” Day.

In 2004, on our last presidential election day, my life felt very different. I was obese, and frequently ill, just beginning to take little steps to move out of a gripping depression.

One of my “little steps” was to get out of the house every day and I wanted a reason to stay out of the house and away from the TV on Election day, so I actually invited a friend out to lunch. (That was a bigger step!) This friend had already made an appointment to visit LA Weight Loss for an introductory evaluation and invited me to come along with her before our lunch.

Since I went along with her, I received an evaluation also. My weight and my friend’s weight were within a couple ounces of each other. I then sat and listened as my friend spoke about how awful it was to be that fat… how much she needed to change her life… and, sitting there at the exact same weight, I heard it as if she were speaking to me:

“You’re too fat! You’re not healthy! You’re ruining your life! Do something about it before it’s too late!”

Yikes!! That sounds terrible, but it actually allowed me to see that my life could be BETTER. I could change things and I decided to do just that! 

I stepped onto a new path and kept moving forward at an easy pace. It started with weight loss, then joy and recognition of my creative power… I was in the flow that led to a spiritual awakening, and there’s still MORE TO COME!!!

Now, I am joyfully celebrating the anniversary of my Rebirth!

Oct 27 2008

Refund from the Universe

…write a letter to the Universe-at-Large asking for a cash refund. I’ll explain: In this lifetime, you have worked, you have helped people, and you have loved and cared for them. You have generated good energy, much of which you didn’t get paid for because, naturally, you didn’t expect to get paid for kindness. But you are entitled to a cash return for all that love and energy you put out, but only if you ASK for it. So ask. - from The Little Money Bible by Stuart Wilde

I love that quote from Stuart Wilde’s book and I wanted to share it with you today. Think of all the good energy you have generated in your life! Often times, those of us who give from the heart have a hard time accepting money. But, think about it this way: it’s as if you have been building up a bank account with this good energy and never withdrawn from it. It has just been building up and earning interest.

Go ahead and joyfully ask for your cash return today!

Oct 21 2008

How do your thoughts feel?

If you think thoughts that feel better, things will soon be better for you. - Abraham

How do your thoughts FEEL? That is the key to unlocking the life of your choosing.

There has been so much talk about positive thinking - but if you are thinking positive while feeling bad about it, you will continue to be surrounded by bad feeling things.

I believe that genuine thoughts of appreciation are an easy way to work myself into feeling good. Keeping an appreciation journal can really help to stay focused because it creates a habit of appreciation. And, maybe my appreciation blogging can serve as a reminder of the value of appreciation - and inspiration for others.

Changing the way our thoughts feel, changes everything!

  • I appreciate sunshine on a fall day, highlighting a rainbow of colorful trees.
  • I appreciate my family and the joy they bring me.
  • I appreciate music to lift my spirits.
  • I appreciate the magnificent flavor of the final organic heirloom tomatoes of the season.
  • I appreciate my laptop computer that connects me to the world.

What do you appreciate today?

Oct 13 2008

Stay Happy by Choice

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…the secret to all success is keeping yourself happy.
        Many of you have been taught that your own happiness is a selfish and inappropriate quest, and that your real objectives should resolve around commitment and responsibility and struggle and sacrifice… but we want you to understand that you can be committed and responsible and an uplifter - AND happy. In fact, unless you do find a way of connecting to your true happiness, all of those other quests are usually just empty, hollow words not backed up by any true value. You only ever uplift from your position of connection and strength. - from Money and the Law of Attraction

I love the power that comes from keeping yourself happy! I believe that it is the most valuable action step that we can take in life. By aligning our vibration with joy we allow in things that feel good to us!

Where do you find joy in your day? Do you enjoy something just for the fun of it every day?

I have been inviting joy nudges into my life. A joy nudge is that thought that flits by quickly saying “That would be fun!” As adults in our society, I believe that we tend to frequently shush those thoughts and behave responsibly in a controlled manner. We can get so good at shushing the thoughts that we no longer even notice it.

I know that as the mother to two teenaged daughters, that I got really good at behaving - so as not to embarass them. But, now I am hoping to spread my wings and allow my joy.

 

 

Sep 16 2008

New Beginnings

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Joy is prayer – Joy is strength – Joy is love – Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.

- Mother Teresa

 

Last Monday was a day of new beginnings for me! It was the first day of the school year for my younger daughter - and a beautiful opportunity for me to schedule my own time.

 

I truly enjoy having the freedom to do what I want, when I want - but I would love to have a rhythm and flow that will also allow me to take the action steps that I choose.

 

I choose exercise, meditation, writing & creating, studying Italian, connecting with others, and FUN. I’m even happy to throw in a little home upkeep and releasing “stuff” to keep my surroundings feeling good!

 

It feels like New Year’s - a celebration of possibilities and opportunities!! I did it and I am giving you permission also. You can choose to make any day your “New Year’s day” or the First Day of the rest of your life. It’s your life and you can choose to make changes any time you feel like it - or not!!

 

“In joy!”

Sep 03 2008

Choosing Bliss

Choose to be optimistic.
- The Dali Lama

I am choosing bliss in my life on a more consistent basis by maintaining my consciousness. This means paying attention to my emotions/feelings in the moment and choosing better feeling thoughts and activities.

This morning I got back to the gym after spending most of the summer away from it. Sometimes it can be a struggle to get back into the swing of things, but this morning I meditated with a guided visualization while I was on my eliptical. It was truly amazing! My body was just flowing in the rythm of the movement as I meditated.

There were no aching muscles, or concerns about “how long have I been doing this?” “can I stop now?” I was blissed out and loving it! It is a great way to combine two activities that I like to fit into each day.

I have also begun to run. (It’s ok to laugh!) I have never been a runner before, but I have begun thinking that maybe… maybe I could try it… Luckily, Leslie told me about ChiRunning and WOW! They have a video and book explaining how to do this running where you are pulled along by gravity. If you have ever had any interest in running, or are currently a runner, and you would like to run safely and more easily check out: http://chirunning.com

Aug 26 2008

Light Seeker

light thru the trees by Marissa

There are two ways of spreading light:

To be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

-          Edith Wharton

It is my intention to consciously seek to see the light shining forth. I look for the light in the people in my life; I look for the light in each moment.

There is no source of darkness. Our Source is one of light and goodness! I choose to flip the switch and lighten up!

  • Stephanie Griffin

    Inspirational Life Guide © 2010 Email Steph