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Dream It, Then Do It: Go Find Your Niche In Life: Part 3 Of A 3 Part Series

May 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By Miriam B Medina -

This is the final installment of a 3 part series examining how we are in control of our own destiny and how we can positively compel ourselves to find our niche in life, getting our dreams and achieving our goals along the way. In this final article, I will share with you a real life example of how to use positive energy, effort and will power to turn a troubling situation into a positive experience. I call this:

“Mimi Bloopers” First Performance Experience

I decided to follow my dream of becoming a songwriter and performer while approaching middle-age. It was not a hasty decision based on a mid-life crisis, but one that laid dormant in my sub-consciousness for a long time. I loved performing and just waited for the right moment to bring this passion back into focus.

My desire to pursue a composing-performing experience before a live audience was originally pushed by my sister Rosemarie, who was a stroke victim at the age of 42 and also a member of OPUS (Organization of “People Undaunted By Stroke) in Westchester County, New York. She was my biggest fan, using all her influence to set me up for my very first public performance. I did not know how she did it, but the auditorium was packed to capacity with a terrific audience. I have to admit, I was extremely nervous that day, afflicted by a bad case of stage fright. I was so stressed out that I had developed a slight case of laryngitis. In my performance I utilized a variety of costumes, hats, wigs and props to convey the theme and mood of my personal compositions along with some Broadway tunes which I had planned to sing. I don’t smoke, but I decided to act real cute that day and puff away on a cigarette while singing, trying to inhale the smoke and push it out through my nose. That was the dumbest thing I could have ever done. I should have attempted to practice at home instead of before a live audience. I burned my nostrils, which made me cough terribly, bringing tears to my eyes. The more I choked on the cigarette, the more my wig would shift forward toward my eyes. I was terrified that it would catch on fire. What a sight, there I was on stage looking utterly ridiculous with my lop-sided wig, rotted sneakers three sizes too big and a massive feathered boa wrapped around my neck trying to sing “Elegance” from “Hello, Dolly.”

In my extreme nervousness my voice started to break as I reached the higher pitch, and while moving my arms I lost my balance and fell backwards. All of my weight crashed against the table prop, bringing a tall glass vase crashing to the floor. Luckily I didn’t cut myself when I fell. There was glass all over the floor and a chair next to the round table prop. Immediately, as if on cue, a janitor appeared from nowhere on stage and began whistling as he swept away the broken glass. My voice teachers always advised me that if I was ever caught in a distracting situation while performing, I should stay focused and continue with my singing. The crowd roared with laughter as they watched the ostensible comedy act of the janitor in the background sweeping while I was singing. How awful, they called my goof-ups COMEDY. Right then and there, I knew my so-called career was over just as soon as it had begun.

The career I was hoping to begin was as a professional singer, not as a comedian. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. Nothing was going well. I was so upset. I packed up everything and left the building as fast as I could.

In the car I didn’t say too much to my sister even though she was trying to sound cheerful. I was far from elated. On the contrary, I began to cry, mumbling that I shouldn’t have gotten into this business. Maybe I should have listened to Mama and just continued to sing with the church choir as a back-up singer. I began lamenting all the expenses I had incurred in order to arrive at this point. The purchase of a brand new piano, trained voice and private piano lessons, time invested in my musical compositions, 2 years of vocal training at the Leneve School of Music and Art, a professional recording of two of my songs, all wasted. I was in such a rotten mood, completely discouraged. Let’s face it, no one is immune to discouragement. It comes to all of us at one time or another, because “Life is an unfolding process, where we move from comparative ease to points of crisis.” My dream was starting to slip away as I allowed my positive attitude to be overpowered with negative emotions. I had a lot of anticipation for that first performance, but since I didn’t see the results I had hoped for, this fueled my discouragement.

My sister was getting annoyed with me and said: “What is wrong with you, will you, please stop with all this drama. Enough of this “woe is me” mentality. For being such a positive minded person, you amaze me. This was your very first show and you are already calling it quits? That’s the way it goes! Sometimes it’s okay, sometimes it’s awful. You have to learn how to go with the flow. You need to crawl before you walk and walk before you run. So stop being so hard on yourself. To be honest, I thought you were superb and funny. I almost wet my pants when you were choking on the cigarette and at the part where you fell and broke the glass. The audience roared. You want people to remember you, don’t you? Look at the bright side. Here’s a terrific idea… why don’t you try adding some comedic situations to each of your shows. Make it something like a vaudeville-style comedy variety act.” I remember saying “Isn’t that a little old-fashioned?” “Who cares? People need to laugh, and you can always knock them dead with the songs. Go for it, girl.” Thank God, for my wise older sister and the humbling lesson that I learned from all of this.

Since that first experience, despite all the obstacles, setbacks and failures which I had encountered during my years as a songwriter-performer, I was still able to write and perform more than 25 original songs. I was beginning to feel a lot more confident about my progress and future in the entertainment field. There were some years that were more successful than others, until, regrettably, an accident brought closure to this chapter of my life.

Once again I found myself standing on the precipice of making a conscious decision to follow another dream with an intense desire to stick with it. Although my performance as a website administrator and blogger may seem less attractive, I have had no regrets about my career changes. Now I have added another heart’s desire to my list of accomplishments as I am working on becoming a successful writer. This is my goal, this is the hollow I want to fill, and when I get there that is where I will remain.

As you can see for yourself, having a positive or a negative thought process does make a significant difference in finding your niche in life.

Positive minded people take advantage of all opportunities available to them, releasing themselves from all self-imposed restrictions. These individuals not only have a clear picture in their minds of what they want but also of where they are going. They know if they hold onto that dream long enough, clearly enough and confidently enough, it will attract everything that it needs to materialize. The person who has a positive attitude toward his role in life will wake up feeling good about himself or herself and will expect incredible things to happen. Occasionally he or she will have unfortunate experiences along the way, but the secret of success is not to allow those experiences to govern one’s daily thoughts. They just continue expecting that more good will happen, and sure enough, it does happen because “like attracts like.”

I am hoping that as you read this article you will become all fired up, finding a new determination to make something successful out of your life. If you are, then everything that I have said has been worthwhile. You are now on your way to progress. Dream it, Then do it: Go Find Your Niche in Life. It’s already there, just waiting for you to claim it.

“Hold to that dream Don’t ever let it go… For it is your strength and courage When traveling down life’s road.

Patience is a virtue, But hope is far better. So hold onto that dream Hold fast to that dream No matter how old.”

Miriam B. Medina

Miriam B. Medina is a successful website administrator and blogger, a strong woman with a Positive Mental Attitude who is not only a dreamer but an achiever as well. She strongly believes that anyone can fulfill their dreams as long as they are persistent in their efforts armed with the right mental attitude. She invites you to share in her worthwhile experiences at http://mimispeaks.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-followed-my-dream-reflections-of-late_09.html. Anyone who wants to develop or improve a positive mental attitude and anyone who is simply seeking happiness shouldn’t want to pass this opportunity up. So get yourself a hot cup of coffee and a comfortable chair, kick back and come meet “MIMI”.

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May 25, 2011 – Dreams

May 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.

– Dale E. Turner

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12 Effective Ways to Instantly Feel Great

May 21, 2011 By 1 Comment

By Mena Rose Baines -

This article had been written to assist you in shifting your mood for the better whenever you feel down, discouraged, demotivated or simply need a quick ‘pick me up’. We all get sad from time to time and below you will find 12 ways to feel better -guaranteed!

  1. Remind yourself of your past victories and successes.
    Remember the times when you successfully dealt with your problems, overcame obstacles or adversity. No matter how big or small were your achievements try to revisit the feeling of satisfaction that you felt at that time. Relive the moments when you felt especially proud of yourself and welcome that warm, fizzy feeling you get when things fall into place.
  2. Discover the power of good music.
    Put on your favorite tunes at home and try singing along with them. Listen to some energizing music in your car, when you’re exercising or right after you wake up. Find a song that has a positive effect on you, one that has a great vibe to it or soothes your nerves. Program your mind to the right outlook within minutes by choosing the appropriate type of music you listen to. Why not trying something like lounge music, reggae or salsa? Remember that music stimulates the creative part of your brain and creative equals imagination which in turn will instantly put you in that feel-good feeling.
  3. Exercise.
    Cannot stress the amazing effect exercise has on your mood. All those endorphins that are created during exercise sessions have an immediate positive effect on your emotional state. Try combining exercising with outdoors and you will not only get an energy boost but the fresh air will clear your mind. Aim for at least 30 45 minutes and your mood will definitely improve.
  4. Do something for yourself.
    Get a new haircut, have a manicure or a bubbly bath. How about learning something new? Maybe doing that photography course you always wanted to do or going to a concert you’ve been putting off for so long? When you’re engaged in interesting activities you will have no time to think about your troubles. Whatever it is you decide to do for yourself make sure it’s something that you enjoy doing.
  5. Clean and de-clutter.
    Yes you did read this right. Many people feel much better after a session of cleaning out their apartments, cars or even handbags. De-cluttering your surroundings gives you a sense of control and accomplishment. Try it and it might work for you.
  6. Laugh, laugh and laugh more!
    Laughter is the best medicine for any sorrows. Why not renting out a comedy? Or maybe watching a cartoon that use to bring a smile to your face when you were a kid? Alternatively get together with friends who are capable of making you laugh. Sharing jokes and funny stories with others will not only make you feel happier but will make others feel better as well.
  7. Call a friend, a relative or a loved one.
    Speaking to someone you care about will shift your mood. Tell them about your doubts, try sharing your sadness and you will immediately feel like you’re not alone and the support they will provide you with will make you feel less negative.
  8. Go through your old photo album.
    Choose photos from a particularly happy period of your life and flick through them to improve your mood. Bringing back vivid, happy memories will remind you how great life can be. Looking at your holiday pics with a glass of pina colada will create that magical feeling of relaxing bliss.
  9. Make someone else feel better.
    It is a very simple but effective way to lift up your emotional state. When you send a positive vibe to somebody else it will mirror your own mood too. Try giving a compliment to someone. Help them in something important. Tell your spouse that you love them without occasion. Give a small gift of gratitude to someone who lent you a helping hand when you needed it. Try volunteering or visiting a nursing home. People who appreciate your presence will remind you what an important human being you are and what a difference you can make in other peoples’ lives.
  10. Develop your own affirmation to make you feel better.
    Try something short but powerful, something that sounds confident but suits your own personality. Remember to make your affirmations positive rather than negative.
  11. Read success stories and inspiring quotations, poems and personal biographies.
    Someone else’s path through adversity and challenges and their ultimate victory will make you feel like you too can succeed. Words of wisdom can put your mind at ease and bring that positive attitude back into your life.
  12. Write up an action plan.
    Have a detailed plan outlining your goals and plot the steps you will take to achieve them. This will make you feel like you have a purpose. Visualize yourself achieving your desires. Being in control of your own destiny sure feels uplifting.

Hope that you can use some or all of these simple ways to get yourself in a better mood. I sure do!

Mena Baines

I also advise that if you want to start feeling more fulfilled with your life and embrace happiness psychology, you read “Start Where You Are” – visit http://www.ideas2actions.com

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Happiness Comes From Within

March 28, 2011 By 1 Comment

By Arnold Quickley -

Whenever I start feeling like the world is too heavy for my meager shoulders, I try to think about all of the people who continue to live wonderfully happy lives, despite very adverse circumstances. How do they do it? How can they still manage to laugh and play in the midst of an incredibly stressful life? The answer to this question is not hard. True happiness comes from within, and internal joy is rarely affected by external events.

How does one become genuinely happy? The first, and often not so obvious, step is to start loving yourself. My brother, a Catholic priest and religion professor, once told me that “real love requires acceptance.” So, if you truly want to start loving yourself, it means accepting the fact that you are not perfect. People make bad choices all the time. Genuinely happy people always manage to find the courage to recover from their mistakes. If you’re really serious about finding true happiness, it’s important for you to accept the fact that you’re only human. From time to time, you will mess things up.

Genuine happiness also comes from contentment. If you are truly contented with your job, the way you look, your family, your friends, the place you live, your car, and all the other things in and around your personal space, you already know the answer to the question “How do I find genuine happiness?”

This journey we call life is really about learning the difference between right and wrong, trying and failing, and even wining and losing. These are the things that happen to us almost as often as we breathe. In many of our lives, failure has become as abundant and necessary as air. Yet, these failures should never stop us from becoming happy.

Genuinely happy people don’t normally wallowing in their failures. Instead, they tend to look at failure from a more optimistic point of view. Optimists believe failure is just a temporary setback, and that the causes are confined to just one case. So, an optimist will only focus on and plan for the problem at hand. They often use a technique known as “positive reinterpretation.” In other words, they will most likely interpret a negative experience in a way that helps them learn and grow. People who embrace this optimistic outlook are rarely deeply affected by failure, since they perceive it as a challenge, and they will therefore try harder.

Genuine happiness isn’t about driving the hottest car, or living in the biggest house. In reality, true happiness has very little to do with the accumulation and possession of material things. Contrary to what you might think, the most sought after prizes in life don’t always go to the fastest, the strongest, the bravest, or even the best. Why? It’s because each of us has our own definition of happiness. For a writer, true happiness may mean creating a best selling novel. Happiness for a professional basketball rookie may mean getting the rookie of the year award. However, for a beggar, real happiness could be as simple as getting a hot meal.

While true happiness isn’t about having all the best things in the world, it is about doing your best, and making the most out of every situation. Until you learn to smile at your own mistakes and tell yourself you’ll do better next time, strong will and determination will never burn inside you. True happiness requires a willingness to stand up and try again, especially when you get knocked down.

Learning to accept yourself and your own faults, is the first step toward finding genuine happiness. And once you’ve learned to accept yourself, it won’t be much of a stretch for you to accept others. Remember, love is really about acceptance, and when you know how to accept others, you will also be accepted. One of life’s unchanging rules is the fact that you always get back what you put out.

“But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?” – Albert Camus

Arnold Quickley manages two websites: http://www.teasetsworld.com and http://www.origamiboxes.etsy.com

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Happiness Factors

March 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By Kelly Ballard -

Why are some people happy and others not? There are certain factors that contribute to one’s ability to be “happy” under most circumstances. These are a few…

1. Flexibility. The old saying “once you make a plan, God laughs,” has proven true time and time again in my own life. Being able to adjust to changing life events, even as minor as dinner plans, with flexibility and ease leads directly to happiness. Why? Flexibility means forsaking control – willingly. Quite a feat to be sure, but a gift – only to be received if you are willing to give up control first.

2. Don’t take it personally. As my father wisely once said, “Some people are just a@@holes.” You can be assured in your life that your will encounter some real “pains in the bottom”, difficult situations, unfairness, and other assorted crap. Promise. And the person sitting next to you, same thing. The same goes with any other person you meet in your life too. We are all stumbling through at times. So, relax, take a breath and imagine what you would like to happen in whatever situation is causing you difficulty. Focusing on what you want enables you to emerge from any frustration with clarity.

3. Humor. Once you are able to either laugh at yourself or whatever the situation, you bring lightness to your heart. Laughter feels good. Watch funny movies, read amusing books, talk to a friend who always makes you laugh, go bowling. Just by adding more laughter to your life and you will notice, gently a quiet lightness entering your thoughts and being.

4. Positive attitude. I am not suggesting to live like some annoying, over-the-top Polly-Anna, but to live your life on the foundation that, “all is well.” This isn’t to deny there are problems or tragedies in life, but it does focus on solutions instead of the difficulties.

5. Gratitude. Happy people are reminded each day of their blessings – the good and the difficult. As much as it drives me nuts, challenges are opportunities. Opportunities to learn, to grow and most importantly, to know yourself better. True gratitude is born out of compassion – just as much for yourself as others.

6. Confidence. Not swaggering, but a calm knowing of ones own abilities. Confidence also means knowing you will stumble on occasion, but the confident person knows not to make a habit of it.

7. Presence. Happy people live right now, in this moment – not dreaming about yesterday or fantasying about tomorrow. Here and now – laughing about the things that others might be frustrated by, and knowing all is well…

8. Choice. All happy people know happiness is a choice. Some days it’s easier to be happy, while other days may be a bit more of a struggle. However, knowing that you have the choice to lift yourself up or push yourself down – often leads to better decisions.

Happiness is not derived from one isolated event, but by attitudes and beliefs. Gratefully, like choice, each of us has the power to change our attitudes and beliefs with time and attention.

Happiness isn’t for someone else, it’s for you. It is for each one of us to sink deeply into the happiness of this moment, however mundane the pleasures. May you discover happiness already waits for you, deep within.

Kelly Ballard is a workshop leader, Intuitive Guide and Healer. Through workshops, private sessions and guided meditations Kelly specializes in helping others discover positive solutions for immediate change/growth in their lives thus drawing their most abundant life into reality. Find out more information about her services and meditation CDs at http://www.kellyballard.com Contact her directly at 720-984-4232 or email kelly@kellyballard.com She lives in Boulder, CO.

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January 26, 2011 – Positive Attitude

January 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment


If you don’t think every day is a good day, just try missing one.

~ Cavett Robert

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Happiness Factors

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

By Kelly Ballard -

Why are some people happy and others not? There are certain factors that contribute to one’s ability to be “happy” under most circumstances. These are a few…

1. Flexibility. The old saying “once you make a plan, God laughs,” has proven true time and time again in my own life. Being able to adjust to changing life events, even as minor as dinner plans, with flexibility and ease leads directly to happiness. Why? Flexibility means forsaking control – willingly. Quite a feat to be sure, but a gift – only to be received if you are willing to give up control first.

2. Don’t take it personally. As my father wisely once said, “Some people are just a@@holes.” You can be assured in your life that your will encounter some real “pains in the bottom”, difficult situations, unfairness, and other assorted crap. Promise. And the person sitting next to you, same thing. The same goes with any other person you meet in your life too. We are all stumbling through at times. So, relax, take a breath and imagine what you would like to happen in whatever situation is causing you difficulty. Focusing on what you want enables you to emerge from any frustration with clarity.

3. Humor. Once you are able to either laugh at yourself or whatever the situation, you bring lightness to your heart. Laughter feels good. Watch funny movies, read amusing books, talk to a friend who always makes you laugh, go bowling. Just by adding more laughter to your life and you will notice, gently a quiet lightness entering your thoughts and being.

4. Positive attitude. I am not suggesting to live like some annoying, over-the-top Polly-Anna, but to live your life on the foundation that, “all is well.” This isn’t to deny there are problems or tragedies in life, but it does focus on solutions instead of the difficulties.

5. Gratitude. Happy people are reminded each day of their blessings – the good and the difficult. As much as it drives me nuts, challenges are opportunities. Opportunities to learn, to grow and most importantly, to know yourself better. True gratitude is born out of compassion – just as much for yourself as others.

6. Confidence. Not swaggering, but a calm knowing of ones own abilities. Confidence also means knowing you will stumble on occasion, but the confident person knows not to make a habit of it.

7. Presence. Happy people live right now, in this moment – not dreaming about yesterday or fantasying about tomorrow. Here and now – laughing about the things that others might be frustrated by, and knowing all is well…

8. Choice. All happy people know happiness is a choice. Some days it’s easier to be happy, while other days may be a bit more of a struggle. However, knowing that you have the choice to lift yourself up or push yourself down – often leads to better decisions.

Happiness is not derived from one isolated event, but by attitudes and beliefs. Gratefully, like choice, each of us has the power to change our attitudes and beliefs with time and attention.

Happiness isn’t for someone else, it’s for you. It is for each one of us to sink deeply into the happiness of this moment, however mundane the pleasures. May you discover happiness already waits for you, deep within.

Kelly Ballard is a workshop leader, Intuitive Guide and Healer. Through workshops, private sessions and guided meditations Kelly specializes in helping others discover positive solutions for immediate change/growth in their lives thus drawing their most abundant life into reality. Find out more information about her services and meditation CDs at http://www.kellyballard.com Contact her directly at 720-984-4232 or email kelly@kellyballard.com She lives in Boulder, CO.

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How to Choose Happiness Every Day

October 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

By Evelyn Roberts Brooks -

Someone anonymous once said, “Being happy doesn’t mean everything is perfect. It means you have decided to look beyond the imperfections.”

The philosophy is one you may share and yet not know how to put it into effect in your own life. For example, some people feel that their happiness is dependent on how things are going at any particular time and how others are behaving towards them. They become good at smiling — but the smile doesn’t reflect their true feelings.

Inside, they feel out-of-balance and perhaps even cope with a lot of turmoil and distress. On the outside, however, they manage to appear cheerful and on top of things. At least they are on the right track, because many times when you act as if you feel more happy, that habit leads to happy feelings.

When you decide that you would prefer to be happy more often than not, you can take certain steps to make sure those happy feelings are attracted into your life.

Take time to notice how your day is going, not on an obsessive basis of checking your emotional temperature hourly, but merely take a quick look at how you are feeling and whether you are at peace. If you’re not, take another moment or two to figure out why. Many times, it will be obvious to you.

Perhaps someone at work just made a big mistake and the whole department needs to work this weekend to correct it. So you feel out-of-kilter, annoyed that the plans you made for a fun event will have to be cancelled. However, in this example, you can get back on track by reminding yourself that you’ll make time for fun next weekend instead, and try to be philosophical about the delay rather than bitter about it.

When you cling to negative emotions and tell yourself over and over how angry or upset you are, the happy feelings cannot even get near you. You will attract more and more negative energy into your life, and feel even worse. Your gloomy outlook will repel friends and family as well, and make your life miserable.

If you are not certain why you are feeling restless, it may be that you have been putting off an important goal or dream, and it is calling to you. Pay attention to your whole life. In order to choose happiness every day of your life, it means knowing yourself well enough to realize when you are shortchanging yourself by doing too many things for others and not enough things that are important to you.

By making a stated decision, either out loud or in writing, that you choose happiness, you will set in motion a new way of approaching your life, with a positive and cheerful attitude. You will be able to take the ups and downs in your stride without becoming devastated easily by the downside or overly elated by the upswings.

Balancing your emotions to feel at peace with yourself and contented with your life will enable you to be happy all the time. It’s your choice.

Evelyn Roberts Brooks is an Amazon bestselling author of inspirational self-help books. She’s also a motivational speaker, novelist and screenwriter. To get a free downloadable happiness gift and learn more about how to be happy no matter what, go now to http://gethappytoday.com

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Positive Attitude and Health

July 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

bluebutterflyBy Rich Megale -

The brain is the most powerful organ in the body. The brain controls and influences every other organ in the body and, in certain situations; it can even have an effect at the cellular level. When we are stressed, there are particular hormones that are produced by the body. When these hormones are released infrequently, they are essentially harmless but when they are produced too often, they can cause physical damage to our bodies. Studies have shown that cardiovascular disease can be provoked by the continuous bombardment of these bad stress hormones. Arterial damage can also result from the free radicals that are created, as part of this process. The mind can be a powerful tool, if it is used properly and overall health is greatly affected by it.

University of California researchers conducted a study focused directly on this concept. They found that actors could actually influence their immune systems by the emotions that they portrayed. In addition, Harvard, Duke University, University of Chicago, and others found that there was a relationship between improved health, a sense of well being and having a positive, happy attitude toward all things in life. In these studies it was determined that the attitude of the brain was a cornerstone to the healthy, productive functioning of the rest of the body.

We have all heard the old cliché: When life throws you lemons, make lemonade. This adage may seem trivial but there is really much more importance to it than you might think. When you send “bad vibes” into your body, there is often a residual effect that you get back. Depression, for example, can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle. The lack of an active, vibrant life can create a variety of other physical health related issues based on the mental condition that created them. Laughter is good medicine for all this. Getting in a good laugh promotes a happier outlook on life. The better you feel mentally, the more energy you will have to live an active, productive life. The more active and productive you are, the happier you will be. It is the mental “mindset” that starts this entire cycle into motion.

When depression creates a person to lead a more sedentary life, the body does not operate efficiently. Lack of exercise, poor eating habits and a lack of focus and direction can eventually lead to your metabolism slowing down. A slower metabolism means that your body is not getting food and nutrients to all the various cells, organs, tissues and muscles as efficiently. This affects not only the immune system but also your attitude and outlook on life. It is this very process that seems to create more “lemons” for you. Learn to laugh and smile when things are “not quite right.” Sulking about things doesn’t change them for the better. Smiling and laughing will. Your positive attitude will attract others who have a similar mindset. Being around those types of people will create a support system that will prove to be invaluable during tough times. Your brain is very powerful. It is wise to use it to your benefit. Positive thinking is not just a “fad.” It is an important tool that will benefit your mind, body and soul.

Rich is an expert in the field of Herbalife. Rich manages the weight loss site beststarttoday.com which is a health nutrition and weight loss website. Rich continues to help people throughout the world achieve their weight loss goals using Herbalife products.

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How do you start your day?

June 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

journalBy Irene Conlan -

Sometimes the way you start your day determines  how it runs its course.  If you get up snarling, for instance, you will most likely snarl all day. If you get up fearing what’s ahead of you you will carry that fear into everything you do. If you get up saying “Good God, it’s morning” it will be vastly different than if you start your day with, “Good morning, God.”

One way to start your day on a positive note that will last for the next 24 hours is with appreciation.

The best way to do this is to get a notebook and every morning write down at least five things in your life that you appreciate. Make it current. The entries don’t have to be about great accomplishments or great ideas – small things will give you as big a buzz as the huge.

For example, this morning I got up, checked email and put on my walking shoes. I had an email  from a dear friend who is traveling and that set the tone for a great day.  It was a glorious morning.  At a time when mornings in Arizona can be 90 degrees it was a cool 70, quiet and still at 5 a.m. It was as close to what  I consider perfect as it can get. I had a great 20 minute walk and returned to have a breakfast of quiche my son had made the day before and a ripe, fresh tomato. Yummmmmm.  I answered email, put a book review on Amazon, and then heard a tiny little knock at my door. My grandson,  Jack, was the first one up and, not wanting to wake up anyone else, came to see me. (We have a duplex that has the two units connecting on the inside, so it’s easy for Jack to go from his dad’s house to mine).

We had a great  time. His six year old passion is about cars and he loves NASCAR so we turned on the TV and watched the SPEED channel, then looked up NASCAR on the computer. We found a map of Phoenix International Raceway and looked. I showed him were we live and where PIR is. We looked at pictures and had a running conversation about cars and racing. It was one of those delightful times – a perfect time between a gramma and her grandson -  that you don’t forget for awhile.

Usually I would have my list of things I  appreciate done  long before now but life takes precedence sometimes and you do things when you can. But from the first hour of this morning my list would look something like this:

I appreciate:

  • a nice message from a traveling friend
  • cool mornings in an Arizona summer
  • a neighborhood where walking is safe
  • good health that allows me to go for a brisk walk and do it with  ease
  • walking shoes  that take care of my feet and let me walk properly
  • fresh air and sunshine
  • walking meditations
  • the freedom to walk anywhere I  wish to walk at any time I wish to do it
  • people I may meet on an early morning walk who almost always smile and say hello
  • a son who can cook gourmet meals
  • eggs (one of my favorite foods)
  • breakfasting on homemade quiche
  • tomatoes that taste and smell like the tomatoes you had when you were a kid (if  you’re old enough to have ever had them)
  • Jack – Jack is  always at the top of my appreciation list but today this is  in chronological order
  • TV that lets you see things you enjoy, even if you can’t be present at the event
  • the Internet that lets you explore new and interesting things
  • and more

This represents the first hour of my day and I could find many more things to list – this doesn’t begin to cover all the things I can find to appreciate in this one hour.

I am psyched for the day.

How can I start a day with this much appreciation and not keep the feeling with me until bedtime? If I get pounded on by something negative or disruptive, I should be able to survive it with some degree of grace and ease.

Appreciation is a key tool for self improvement. It isn’t hard. It costs you nothing except the price of a notebook. It can change your day and it can change your life for the better.

What do you appreciate? Take some time each day to be aware and write it down, Notice how appreciation changes your day.

Filed Under: Gratitude/appreciation, Self Improvement Tagged With: , , , ,
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