Aug 10th
August is my month for lots of “down time.” And,
by giving myself time to just “be”, I find the
most creative thinking starts bubbling up.
Today I was thinking about how any marketing
or public relations we’re doing for our businesses
begins with the foundation of our “message.”
My message is “you’ve gotta do what you love.”
It breaks my heart to see people trudging
through one boring or stress filled day
after another, filled with longing for
something better.
I’m compelled to say -you can have that
better life! Start now!!
What’s your message? What have you always
known and want to share? What do you wish
someone had told you years ago?
I’d love to see your messages -go ahead
and post them on this blog -share your
message with the world today…we need it!
Jun 9th
It used to be that psychology research focused on what was wrong with people and people with mental illness diagnosis. Starting in the 1950’s and really blossoming in the last 20 years is the field of Positive Psychology. Why should you care? Well the research coming out of this field can help you live longer, have better health, enjoy your relationships and live an authentic life. Here’s the deal. Each day you have lots of interaction with others -from your intimate relationships to the clerk at the grocery store. Each day has thousands of “moments”. And for the most part, you choose whether you are saying positive things or negative things in these encounters.
Research shows that in a marriage, a ratio of 5 to 1 (5 positive statements for each 1 negative statement) makes for a wonderful marriage -when you get to a ratio of 1 to 1 divorce is probably on its way. Now don’t get me wrong, Positive Psychology is not saying you have to walk around with a grin on your face all day spouting syrupy nonsense to everyone. No, you have to listen to your feelings and sometimes your feelings just plain suck. BUT, you can choose how you react to others. Here’s a few practical ways to increase the amount of positive encounters in your life.
First, become a gentle observer of yourself. Watch how many times you say something negative or criticize someone. Keep a mental (or written) tally for a couple of days. After that practice saying something kind or supportive….something positive to each person you encounter. Not only will they feel good, you will to…and it spreads! As each person you touch in a positive way then acts positive to another 2 people -the good feelings spread like amazing ripples.
Give it a try -and post a note here to let us know what happens!
Nov 25th
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I’ve been following the relatively new field of Positive Psychology for the last few years –imagine studying people who are healthy and thriving and not just those with disorders and diagnosis –about time!
There are powerful research results coming out about the idea of gratitude. Findings say that gratitude helps maintain close connections with others. Gratitude is linked to more helping behaviors, high positive emotions, life satisfaction, increased hope and lower feelings of anxiety and envy. Who doesn’t want that!
In a research study on happiness, people in one group were asked to write a letter of gratitude to someone, a 2nd group was asked to write down five things they were grateful for each day for one week, and a 3rd group was asked to write down five things they were grateful for on a single day.
There appeared to be more benefit to listing your blessings 1 day a week rather than everyday (I wonder if it was because it was easier to remember to do it once!). All three interventions worked, providing people with increased happiness and hope. And even more impressive –the benefits lasted up to 6 months.
Of all the happiness interventions to date– gratitude gives the strongest effects.
The affirmative prayer method that I practice daily has a gratitude component to it. Being grateful for what is right now and feeling what it’s like to already have what you have asked for. When I practice affirmative prayer and get to the gratitude part, my heart always fills up so full…no matter what circumstances are appearing in my outside world…it is a wonderful feeling and always transforms me to a higher place.
Enjoy this season of gratitude, and post a comment on our blog about your experiences with gratitude…I’d love to hear them!
Jul 1st
RT @TPEntrepreneur Still have that old bad habit? Here are 39 ways to finally bust through! http://budurl.com/njr9
Jun 17th
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Noble Purpose is listening for the inner call to use your unique gifts to serve others.
Noble Purpose is a matter of the heart. It is about your heart opening and feeling intimately united with others. James Hillman in the Soul’s Code gives us the “acorn theory”. An acorn must grow into an oak tree –it cannot be a pine or a palm. Each life is formed by a particular image, an image that is the essence of life and calls it to a destiny, just as the mighty oak’s destiny is written in the tiny acorn.
Some of you might not have connected with it yet.
Some of you know what it is but have trouble living it
Some of you are living it but might want to live it even more fully.
But NONE of you need to CHANGE or be someone you are not. There is nothing to change; there is only the return to your deepest, Essential Self.
What throws you off track from living your Noble Purpose?
We get in our own way when we think our purpose has to be BIG, or unique – it is not always a call to the extraordinary, though it will keep stretching you. More often than not it is the embrace of the ordinary, doing what makes you feel simply satisfied and good.
Your habits and beliefs can stop you although they don’t have to. Can you believe “there is no limitation outside of our own ignorance, and since we can ALL conceive of a greater good than we have so far experienced, we all have the ability to transcend previous experiences and rise triumphant above them; but we shall never triumph over them while we persist in going through the old mental reactions.” (Ernest Holmes)
Are your beliefs supporting your noble purpose? If not, choose a belief that is not supporting you and write out an opposite belief that feels better to you. As the old thought arises, don’t feed it –just replace it with the new belief. It does not matter how much patience it takes: persevere and be patient with yourself until you can see that each succeeding month your consciousness is evolving into a higher place that supports you.
Take time to get quiet and listen to the still, small voice within. Meditate and use visioning to ask how to use your unique gifts to serve others. Uncovering your inner purpose may look formidable. It is not. This call to serve is very familiar –even obvious. It’s an aspect of your life you’ve known and danced with since childhood, a completely original expression of your unique self.
What is at the center of your life? Carefully examine where you spend your attention, your time. Look at your appointment book, your daily schedule. These things, these meetings, and errands–this is where you dedicate your precious days, hours, moments. This is what receives your care and attention –and, by definition, your love. Is this what you wish to love? Are these the people and situations you hope will receive the gift of your life?
If you do not feel connected to your Noble Purpose right now –relax. You don’t have to agonize over it – your Noble Purpose is already a creative force within you –to fulfill it you might just need to get out of the way!
