#138

Don't take anything personally....

It's hard to understand not taking things personally when it involves you. When you feel that the remark or action was directed at you, it can cause hurt feelings, anger or resentment.

When it is a stranger, it usually is a domino effect. A build-up of small incidents that end up in your face. It has nothing to do with you. 

But when it is someone close to you, it is a different matter. They are usually just using you as a sounding board or trying to deflect the focus to you, rather than them. So everything gets turned around, and they act as though you are at fault. 

Nothing others do is because of you.  What others do and say is a projection of their own reality...

It usually has nothing to do with you. They choose to react the way they do and you must make it a choice, as well. Taking something someone has spouted off about, personally, is causing you needless pain, and setting you up to be a victim. The way people treat you is a statement about them, not you.  When you know who you are, their opinion of you, will quickly diminish in value, and your opinion of yourself will increase. So, refuse to take it personally and avoid the upset that it could cause. Their opinion of you is just that, their opinion. It is not a fact.

"Each person’s opinion is solely the product of their own life and reality.It’s hard to imagine this. It’s way easier to get offended or mad or to internalize and believe what they said. Rather than getting consumed by it, obsessed over it and letting it affect you, just let it go. Hear what they say, accept that it is a reflection of their world, and poof. See the thought disappear." 

Jackie Vecchio

#137

I'm done feeling weighed down....

How about you? All that baggage, all those issues, addictions, and dead weight you are dragging along behind you. My Mom always said, "everyone has their sack of rocks," and one thing for sure we all have something. We have something that is holding us back, keeping us from: happiness, freedom, success. love or whatever it is we are working so hard to achieve. 

If you go into the ring with the same mind set and belief system that created the problem, you will never be able to solve it. You need to change your mind, your ideas, your opinions, your beliefs AND THEN you may create a shift in the current situation. 

If nothing is going right, go left! If you find yourself banging your head against the wall because nothing works, nothing changes and you just don't know where to go from here, this is what you do..... Let it go...

How many times have you heard that? Just let it go, don't take it on etc. It sounds so simple, but how do you do it? 

1.The first thing you do is identify the problem; it is always about you, no one can direct your course, unless you let them. You are dragging around some issue or belief that is causing you react as you do. 

2.Once you identify the problem, make a conscious decision. Is this belief/issue valid in my life at this moment or am I simply running an old program? Is it contributing to my growth in any way whatsoever? 

3.If it is not contributing, then you have one more conscious decision to make.. to let it go. Just say good bye to it, wish it well, thank it for being there for you when you needed it and kick it out the door.

When you are done feeling weighed down, let it go!

#136

You've been criticizing yourself for years....

This is so true. Our self talk needs work. So many critical thoughts run through your head each day; especially when you dress, bathe or look in the mirror. 

It has been said that this is solely a

women's problem, I'm not sure if solely is completely accurate, but generally, at least.   Men seems to be much more self-satisfied than women. They are usually showing off in front of the mirror, while we are picking ourselves apart. Women are very hard on themselves. Even women with supreme self-esteem seem to feel as though something is wrong with some portion of their being.

We are critical of our bodies, our face, or some part of it, our hair etc., and how is that working for us? It's not, it's working against us. Acceptance, is the answer. We need to accept and be grateful for all we are given. We need to learn to work with, not against our perceived flaws. If you love yourself, all the many parts of you, inside and out, you will reap the rewards.

This story was told to me (to my deaf ears) about twenty years ago by my sister. She had had trouble for years with acne. There is nothing more frustrating for a young women than to have her face breaking out regularly. She invariably found herself looking at her face, at a new break-out, and devaluing herself because of it. She decided to turn it around and love her face and all it's flaws; be gentle, instead of rubbing her skin raw, and kind and considerate at all times. She told herself that she was beautiful, just as she was, until she believed it. Her face cleared up and she has not had any problem with blemishes since. Thank you, Coralee, NOW I understand what you were telling me.

Try approving of yourself and see what happens...

#135
Sometimes the healing is in the aching....

When a life changing event, such as a major illness, accident, job loss, financial crisis or a death, takes place, you tend to completely shut down. In these situations, it is just too much to process. It has been a shock and it is difficult to function for a period of time. 

You simply move around from place to place without awareness or all you want to do is sleep. You are not 'of' this world for awhile, until you finally feel able to return and function with some level of clarity. AND then the aching starts.

Aching is a process we all have to deal with at some time in our life. Some things seem to be just too much to bear. But, of course, you will bear them, but it takes time. You need to respect the process and be kind to yourself. If a death has occurred, don't assume that it will all be forgotten within a certain time period. Everyone grieves at their own rate and if this is your first time dealing with devastating news, you have no idea how it will affect you. Your greatest wish during this time is for things to go back to normal, but there is a loss to contend with and someone is missing from your life. 

If the situation is an illness or an accident, there is still a grieving period because things are not the same as they were before. This is life, but that doesn't make it any easier. The whole scenario is difficult to accept and there is still an ache in your heart for your loss. Job loss and financial problems are a blow to you and your family, and you also need time to recover from these setbacks. They are also a loss.

During the healing process, the aching is a reminder of your loss, and although it is painful, it reminds you that you are alive and you will carry on. Crisis happens, celebrations happen and we learn to deal with life. Once the process is complete you will be awed by the awareness you have achieved during it. Again, be kind to yourself, there is a delicate balance to be maintained. Don't try to push through the process, allow it to flow through you and finally heal the ache. 

#134

View your life with KINDSIGHT...

Take it easy on yourself, you have been walking the path of learning. Everything you went through, has led you to where you are today. Each step you take is for a reason, there are no mistakes.

Make a choice to change your life, and go digging for the answers. Many past memories are extremely painful, and it takes a real commitment to make it happen. There is a place inside you where you store all the pain, resentment and anger that you have been unable to deal with. Be kind, you can only deal with things of this nature when you are ready, and you will only receive what you can handle. Opening yourself up for healing, is a courageous step.

Take responsibility for your actions and be personally accountable for any pain you may have caused. Forgive the people of your past in order to release the burden. Likewise, forgive yourself, you did what you needed to do at that time. When you know better, you do better. No regrets.

You can only work on what you are aware of, so be patient with yourself. It takes time to located the pain. Remember it is harder to contain the pain, than to set it free. Sit with it, express it (however you feel you need to) and then let it go. 

“You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were never in control anyway.”  Steve Maraboli

“Renew, release, let go. Yesterday’s gone. There’s nothing you can do to bring it back. You can’t “should’ve” done something. You can only DO something. Renew yourself. Release that attachment. Today is a new day!”  Steve Maraboli

#133 - Faced with inevitable change....

I am looking at change, in this case, as any type of movement. Formerly, if I felt stuck in any process that was not moving forward, for example: if I thought what I was doing was the right thing to do, or I felt something was my responsibility, I would fight until my spirit was weary, before I would finally give it up to the universe and try to let it go.

I don't know whether this was stubbornness, control issues, determination or tunnel vision. I would try to make it right, even to my own determent. But at the time when you are 'in' the circumstance, you don't realize that you are fighting a losing battle. You seem to think that you are fixing things and keep right on fighting. 

After some time, after some self-awareness, you begin to learn to stop beating your head against the wall and accept the fact that things will work out more advantageously if you get out of your own way. Stop resisting 'what is', and go with the flow. 

This was a hard fought lesson for me, I was the one to get things done, to fix things, to create harmony and when I hit a brick wall, it still didn't stop me. It had always worked, or so I thought, until it no longer did. I had to start to consider myself and my stress level and surrender some of the difficulties and complications. I had to stop making mountains out of molehills, making such a big deal out of every little hiccup. Eventually, if you work on it, you reach the trust level... you trust that things will work out, that nothing is that big a deal, and that you can handle it no matter what the outcome. You end up being grateful, you realize that all the hurdles were just lessons, nudges, trying to get your attention. 

And the lessons were to accept, surrender, and trust. 

You are OK, all is well.

#132

The one person I am with forever is me.....

This is the one belief that we all need to download, once again, into our inner networks. We started out knowing our worth, but life handed us other systems that we chose to believe instead. Many of us have lost ourselves in detrimental doctrine, trusting the esteem damaging words and actions of others. 

We enter the world perfect and whole, but it doesn't appear that way to us because life steps in, buttons are installed, issues are implanted, and we end up a hot mess. Many are raised in/with: Abuse, Addictions, Poverty, Adoption, Illness – mental or physical, Handicaps, or some circumstance we have no control over.

We acquire feelings of abandonment, low self-esteem, unworthiness, a multitude of complexes, syndromes before we ever reach adulthood. These feelings will decide which direction we will take on our life’s journey. We stockpile hurts, injustices, resentment and anger to build colossal walls around ourselves. There is always some cross to bear 

It's hard to understand why we would take the word of someone else, instead of trusting our inner core, but to quote Julia Roberts in Pretty Women: "It's easier to believe the bad stuff." It's a conditioning, a brainwashing, carefully planting ideas in your head about who you are.

This may be where you stand today, with complex issues keeping you from having a life filled with love and joy. How do YOU get back to YOU?   Self-awareness .... your hurts and pleasures, your attributes and accomplishments, your beliefs, etc. will start the process. And it is a process, it takes time. It will be worth it.... Respect the process, you are important, and it starts with YOU loving YOU

#131

It's the rocks in the bed that give the stream it's song....

The rocks in the stream are responsible for the bubbly sounds you hear. If the river bed was smooth sand, it wouldn't have the same musical quality. But the water has to travel over and around the rocks, which produces a cheerfully soothing melodic tune. 

This could be a metaphor for our lives... the rocks are the bumps in the road that give us perspective. They allows us to see both sides of the coin, without the hard times we wouldn't celebrate the good times. And if we travel over and around the obstacles (rocks), simply flow naturally, our lives will take on a smooth, soothing melodic tune.

We encounter obstacles throughout our lives, real or imagined, things go 'wrong'. You may be challenged with; accidents, illness, financial ruin, betrayal, or any number of drawbacks. Each of these stumbling blocks create an opportunity for us to enrich our knowledge of life. It's the obstacles that prove to be the greatest gift of all.

Everything you go through, grows you...

Embrace the struggle. Realize that it is a lesson, and will contribute to your growth. Let it make you stronger. 

You can always change the way you look at things. What is your perception of the rocks in the stream of your life? Are they obstacles or a soothing song? 

"Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change" Wayne Dyer

#130

Broken crayons still colour..

I believe that this quote is stating that a broken person still functions. And in most cases they do, dysfunctionally maybe, but they usually continue to function.... until they don't. 

A broken person is not living their life, they are merely existing.

I truly believe that keeping our issues under lock and key inside of us will manifest into illness. The illness may only be a 'warning' of sorts, to get you to pay attention to the buried issues or it may be a sudden exit point. The 'warning' is a second chance, an opportunity to work on your 'stuff' and find some forgiveness, resolution and gratitude.

I believe that we create disease for ourselves, by ourselves. We were born perfect and we are perfect; but keeping everything inside will cause stress and result in disease. Hanging on to anger and resentment will cause disease. Release is the answer. Release all the inner conflict, release the anger. Forgiveness, of others and of yourself, will open you up to healing. You WILL still be able to function, as a broken crayon, but what kind of life is that for you? Where is the joy? Work on whatever broke you in the first place, figure out what is the culprit and work on letting it go, release all the negativity, forgive whomever you need to and start to live your life as a WHOLE person.

This reminds me: A man was on the stage delivering a parable, with a $100.00 bill as the prop. He asked the audience who wanted the bill, and most put up their hands... He then took the bill and ripped it in half, crumpled it,  threw it on the floor and stomped on it. Then he showed it to the audience crumpled, torn and dirty and asked who wanted it now. Most of the people just sat and looked at him. What he explained to them was; even though the $100.00 bill was torn, dirty and crumpled, this did not diminish it's value. It is still worth exactly what it was, brand new. 

No matter how broken you are, you are still worth everything that the world and the universe has to offer. 

Life may have beaten you up a bit, but it can never diminish your value.

#129

A beautiful fake smile...

I have no way of knowing when this quote originated, but it is certainly poignant now, after the fact.

No one knows just how broken someone is. Broken people usually have their armour firmly in place and their face set in stone. It is a learned response of protection and survival that they have perfected. It is not necessarily the appropriate response in all situations, but it keeps them going. It is hard to imagine the intensity of the pain that these people have suffered, and the day to day struggle to keep it together. 

My heart goes out to all of the wounded souls on earth, but I am well aware that this doesn't help their situation one bit. There is a helpless feeling when you are confronted with the frailties of our fellow humans. It is even harder when their hurt is so deep, it doesn't show on their face. You have no way of identifying the fact that it's there. In many cases they wouldn't appreciate acknowledgement, as that could be considered an unwelcome confrontation. Many broken people don't seek help because they cannot bear the suffering all over again; therefore, it remains locked away deep in the depths of the soul.

These poor souls simply cannot download the emotions of life: can’t see or feel love, contentment, compassion etc. and yet it is what their souls yearn for. They just want to be loved and yet do everything in their power to make sure they are not. They have been so beat up at soul level, that they cannot trust anyone. It is a sad truth that no matter how hard you try to show them love, they cannot accept it. They 'know' they are unlovable or unworthy, because this is what they have been led to believe. "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it."

#128

A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet....

Soul mate - "A person with whom you have an immediate connection the moment you meet -- a connection so strong that you are drawn to them in a way you have never experienced before."  - Urban Dictionary

Many people have stated that there is no such thing as a soul mate, that it is just a fantasy that there is someone perfect for you. 

Conversely, the accepted version of soul mate - someone you have a natural affinity with. 

You are attracted to someone, obsessed probably, at least at the beginning. They are a perfect fit, everything you ever dreamed of. You finish each other's sentences etc. etc. etc.  You may or may not be onto something.... time will tell.

"A real soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life."

So it is deeper than obsession, you are together for a reason. We are all here to figure out who we are, and the soul mate is the perfect person to open you up to yourself. You will be thrust in different directions, exposed to different emotions, everything is more significant and every desire anticipated  by this   one perfect person. You wander around in a euphoric state throughout your day. Any separation from this person is traumatic and because your reactions are so profoundly heightened, it may induce anxiety, grief, despair and/or  frequent stormy periods. 

It can be a tumultuous ride, with deep feelings and overwhelming gratitude.  

"They tear down your walls and smack you awake."

#127

Is that your problem or theirs????

First of all the people that you are not 'good' enough for, are the people you need to walk away from. They are not good enough for themselves, so they want to put you down to build themselves up. You don't want any part of that.

The point is don't get yourself locked up with someone that makes you feel 'less than.' This is their problem to work out and you don't want them working in out on you.

But, nevertheless, this is something you need to realize ... some people will not be your greatest fans and that is OK. 

Do not spend your life trying to figure out why they don't like you, or trying to make them like you. You can't make anybody do anything, your concern is you. You are perfect, and they need to be themselves .... preferably somewhere else. There is no point in telling them how perfect you are either, they have their own agenda, all you need to do is make sure that you are not part of the inventory. 

It is just a fact of life that some people will not be attracted to you, even if you are attracted to them. We are each programmed differently.  You may not require the lessons this person would give you and there is simply no benefit to any association. It is only a problem for you if you allow it to be one.

Don't take it personally, there is nothing personal going on. They just have a different path than you do. Let it go, move on, the right people will arrive, right on time. Part of self-awareness is realizing that when the time is right, the right people will show up. Be patient, allow the universe to handle the situation for your highest and best.


Is it your problem or theirs? It is not a problem, at all. 

#126

Look closely at your enemies....

'They' say that each person you choose to have around you will teach you something. Traits of these people are mirrored in yourself. What you see in your friends, for example, the things you love about them, or the things that you dislike are traits that you have as well.

If you react to something that someone says or does and label them controlling, you are recognizing the controlling tendencies in you. If you find them to be loving and generous, you can claim these qualities, as well. Everything is mirrored back at you. 

Others reflect parts of your own consciousness back to you, giving you an opportunity to really see yourself, which will ultimately help you to grow.

The qualities you admire or dislike in others are your own

So, if you feel that someone is treating you badly, in actuality they are showing you who you are. This leaves no room for blame, judgement, or even forgiveness but simply the realization that you have received a gift of knowing, understanding and love. And it puts the onus right back on you. 

It is up to you to be the change.

You cannot change anyone else's behaviour, you can only work on yourself. If someone is insulting, intimidating, or disrespecting you, it is not in your power to make a difference in them. See yourself in their behaviour, and choose to work on that. At the same time, take a look at the most loving, kind, and compassionate people in your life, and know ... that is you also. 

Honour yourself, in all your frailties, honour the lesson, and be grateful for the awareness to even notice there is a lesson.

#125

Surrender...

Surrender, doesn't mean giving up, or that you aren't trying. You gave it your best shot, the old college try, but you feel you have nothing left to give. And you finally STOP. This is the crucial moment, when you let go of the obsession, the worry, every last bit of angst and just leave it alone. It is extremely liberating and leaves you with an abundance of free time.

If only we had the foresight to give it up at the onset. If only we could look at the problem, assess it, and realize the effects of it, and then just let it go. We could completely avoid the hours, days or weeks fretting about it. But we don't seem to be programmed that way. We hang on to it, like a dog with a bone, until we use up any reserves of patience and tolerance that we had accumulated. 

Nonetheless, once you have surrendered the problem, the universe has the opportunity to work it's magic. The problem is under new management. You can carry on your life without the baggage. Whatever is meant to happen, will happen. 

Let go and let God.

Once you get out of your own way, everything is open for resolution. We tend to make life a struggle, and it was never meant to be. We over evaluate, over analyze and over think every little detail. Over thinking leads to negative thoughts. We need to leave some things alone and allow them to work themselves out. 

Say yes to possibilities, and trust that all will work out for the best. It will definitely be the best thing for you, not always what you want, but what you need. Let life unfold with magnificence and celebrate!

#124

I will never apologize for being me.... 

This is a very important statement. You never need to apologize for who you are. You never need to even "think" you should apologize. You are perfect, just the way you are. If people don't understand you, or don't seem to 'get' you, that is their issue. If you are kind and considerate, that is all that is required. You don't have to dance any faster, and most importantly not for anyone else's approval.

This is more common than we would like to believe; that someone actually would have the audacity to ask you to change who you are. You are not fitting in to their idea of what you should be. This is a huge red flag. 

Do you have someone in your life that thinks he/she knows what is best for you? Are they trying to change the way you act or simply change the way you are?

There are people that actually think they can change you or that you will want to change in order to please them. If someone has chosen you, and then attempts to change you, the relationship is not viable. Nobody has the power to change anyone. You are setting yourself up to be a victim of someone else's behaviour, and you will end up sabotaging the relationship. What you need to do is stop choosing people that are wrong for you so that you can try and fix them. 

Then, and only then, will you be strong enough to demand an apology from anyone asking you to be anything but your wonderful self. You need to be loved for who you are, not who someone wants you to be. And you will be.

#123

Nothing lasts forever....

I agree wholeheartedly with Marilyn on this, there is no point in regret. At the time of the event, whatever it might have been that changed your life forever; you did exactly what you wanted or needed to do. That was what you chose to do at the time. 

Further down the road, it may not look like the right decision at all, but at that time it was the ONLY decision. So live with it, accept it, celebrate it, it paved the way for what was to come. It may have contributed to the most profound lessons you ever experienced, or it may have led the way to the peace and contentment you have enjoyed. Either way it was right at the time, for YOU.

People inevitably make statements like: "if only I hadn't done/said....." It simply doesn't matter.  Whatever it is that you are lamenting about doing or not doing, don't waste any more of your time on it. You can't change it, it's done. Don't beat yourself up, just let it go and move on.

Live it up, drink it down, and laugh it off. Wow! this is just perfect. This is precisely what we  need to do. Stop worrying, regretting, analyzing, crying and whining, this will only create illness. You really need to find some way of making yourself happy. This is the secret of a long life... happiness. Relieve the tension and bring happiness back into your life. Be grateful that you are here and that tomorrow is another day. 

Stop taking life so seriously. If you do something 'wrong', apologize, if you say something hurtful, ask for forgiveness ... take care of whatever you have done and go forward. That is all you can do ... with as little drama as possible, take the next step, because nothing lasts forever. You have no idea what may take place tomorrow, or even in the next hour; so live, love and enjoy the time you are given. 

#122

You will find your way...

You are on a path, you will do what you are meant to do. You may feel as though you will never get there, that you are always veering left when you should have gone right. It may look like things are always going 'wrong' for you. But in fact, those things that are 'wrong' are the best lessons you will ever have. 

You find that you are sailing along with no worries and BAM!! the whole world comes crashing down. No one is 'out to get you'. The universe does not say 'whoa, he's having far too good a time, I think I'll put his breaks on." It does not work that way. Everything that happens is a lesson, whether good or bad. You are here to learn. 'Bad" things are going to happen, that's life, it's how you react to them that makes the difference.

Usually you find that when things are swell you really don't learn much. But when the 'bad' times hit, you gain a bit of clarity, things are clearer and you realize you have new understanding, at a deeper level. This is growth.

You are programmed to find your way, you will do it. 

“Every adversity, every failure and every heartache carries with it the seed of an equivalent or a greater benefit.” Napoleon Hill

Don't worry, go with the flow, all is well. I'll let you in on a little secret.... NO ONE knows what they are doing. 

“You are the master of your destiny. You can influence, direct and control your own environment. You can make your life what you want it to be.” 
― Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich

#121

Healthy Lifestyle....

We are all fully aware of how important it is to eat properly and exercise; but is that where it ends? In the process of hiking, biking and running, is there any time for the inner body health regime? What are you doing for you emotion, spiritual and mental health?  

The benefits of outdoor activities are considerable for your inner health IF you are actually noticing your surroundings, not so much if you are just obsessing about surpassing your best time. BREATHE. 

You can try and run off the stresses of your life, you can take a bike tour to a different location, or hike to the highest peak in the world, but you have to be "IN" the environment, smell it, feel it, see it, hear it.... become one with nature to have it nourish your soul.

If you make time to walk in the woods, and see all there is to see, you will notice a calming effect come over you. Nature is a healer. 

'Being in nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical well being, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. In addition, nature helps us cope with pain. Because we are genetically programmed to find trees, plants, water, and other nature elements engrossing, we are absorbed by nature scenes and distracted from our pain and discomfort.'
www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu

So, consume some nature, hug a tree, drink from a stream, listen to a bird's song, breathe the air and see the difference in your sense of well being. Get off the treadmill and run for your life into the woods.

#120

 "I am convinced that the only people worthy of consideration in this world are the unusual ones. For the common folks are like the leaves of a tree, and live and die unnoticed"-The Scarecrow -Wizard of Oz

Who are these people? The unusual ones... the artists, the actors, the rebels, the explorers, the daring, bold, adventurous, courageous ones. These are the people that are usually 'out there', the movers and the shakers of society. They are willing to take a risk, put their face on display and fight for a cause. They get things done. They make sure that they are noticed; they will not die with their music still in them. 

"Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out." Oliver Wendell Holmes

"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."  Henry D. Thoreau

Don't put your life on hold. Don't wait for next month, next year or the culmination of your five year plan. Do what you want to do NOW. Now is all you have, this is the time to live. Do whatever you have been dreaming of doing. If it is important, you will find a way. Take the road less traveled. 

What is stopping you from doing what you want to do? Is it talent, money, degrees, confidence, handicap, ability, laziness, insecurity or FEAR?  Most people are not living their dreams, because they are living their fears. You will not be happy until you address the fear.  Hesitation, procrastination, excuses are all pointing to the fact that you are afraid. That is nothing to be ashamed of, everyone is afraid of something; but you are the only one that can feel the fear and do it anyway. 

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue. Dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true. Do not live and die unnoticed.

#119

You had the power all along, my dear - Glinda

We have always had the power, that is, until we gave it away bit by bit.

"As children we were born loving ourselves.  We knew how to clearly ask for what we needed and it was important to us that our needs were met.  As toddlers we had confidence that held no apologies or modesty.  We expressed what we thought in the moment without censorship.  If we felt it needed to be said, we said it, without judgement, but in a way that expressed our feelings. We celebrated ourselves and had appreciation for our physical form.  Having a negative self image was impossible to us.  We were filled with courage and adored ourselves."  article - Learning to Love Yourself

This is the power... this is how we started out. All that, and more is still within you. Everything you have ever needed or wanted is within your power to receive. You have the power to create miracles.

What happened to all that confidence and celebration? It is amazing how much of ourselves we give away for nothing throughout the course of our lives. But at the core, you are still you. All the love of yourself is within, it can be accessed. It is not just a desire to be like you used to be, it is attainable. 

Start by celebrating yourself, your accomplishments, achievements and abilities. Be kind to yourself, find time for yourself and honour yourself. You are important to everyone. Appreciate your body, enjoy your body and love your body. Speak your mind, enjoy yourself, dance, sing, run, play and laugh. You are not here for a long time, you're here for a good time, so have a good time. Channel your younger self, all that confidence and silliness, live your life and express yourself in any way that feels good. You are the master of your own universe, take charge!

"Everything you were looking for was right there with you all along" The Wizard of Oz

#118

Look on the bright side...

Since you are in charge of your own life, running your own show, you can decide how you feel every day. You can also choose how to react to every situation. Doom and gloom will get you nowhere, you'll simply feel bad. Why do that to yourself? 

It may seem rather Pollyanna-like, but really wouldn't you rather be happy than outraged? Laughing not crying? Calm not upset? If you choose the happiness path, it is better for your health as well. What could be better? 

You don't have to jump on the stress mobile, even if it stops for you. It is your choice. Day to day life creates many stress related experiences, but you don't have to take any of them on. Don't allow anything to disturb your peace of mind. Take an optimistic approach to the next situation you are invited to. 

Things are only stressful if you sanction them.

Focus on the positive. When stress is paramount in your life: Reflect on what you appreciate, including your positive qualities and gifts. Be grateful. This will help keep things in perspective. Avoid people, situations and subjects that stress you out.Accept what you cannot change.Get plenty of sleep and exercise. Volunteer, do something for someone else, get out of your head. Go outside. Walk in the woods, go for a hike, a run, hug a tree, meditate BREATHE

“For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use to be anything else.”  - Winston S. Churchill

And that is the truth. There IS not much use to be anything else... you can go through life being upset, angry, frustrated or you can enjoy your life - your choice.

#117

Problem: a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome -Internet

A problem, by definition, is unwelcome or harmful and needs to be dealt with. If you have a problem and you go over and over it and are unable to come up with any sort of solution; it is most likely because the problem was created in fear. You are responding in fear and therefore there will be no solution. It will continue to get worse.  

If the problem was not created in fear, just bad luck, but fear was the result of the problem, it is the same scenario.

So it's back to .... "change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change" Wayne Dyer

If you find yourself in someone else's problem, you need to drop it, it is not your business. BUT if you find yourself with your own unsolvable problem, you need to change the way you are approaching it. 

When something is important, you are the one to take care of it, and there seems to be no solution; it becomes an obsession. Obsession creates fear, or fear creates obsession, either way, fear is the winner; it is running the show. Everything worsens, the problem is taking on a life of it's own, and you no longer have any idea of what to do. You find you can't even think of anything but the problem, and have no insight into any way to solve it. You have landed head first into a 'Catch 22' (unsolvable logic puzzle) situation. No solution. 

So the problem is the elephant in the room, that you can't figure out how to fix. Is there another way to look at it?  Are you attacking the problem, rather than approaching it? First of all, you will have to calm yourself, breathe  and look at it differently. Change your attitude and your outlook and come at it from a different angle. What you have been doing, is not working. So go in a different direction.  If nothing is going right, go left.