Showing posts with label being happy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label being happy. Show all posts

Friday, November 22, 2013

☺ Applying a Positive Mental Attitude to Your Life ☺


No one gets out of this life without having to deal with stuff...great stuff, wonderful stuff, happy stuff, crappy stuff, sad stuff, tragic stuff....and sometimes you look at other people and think..Wow, they are soooo lucky, their life is sooooo good. That is perception, what you are witnessing is how each individual deals with the circumstances of their life...that is the MAGIC of LIFE...you always get to CHOOSE how you react to the circumstances...because everyone deals differently. You get to choose your reactions. If someone reacts positively ...then they are seen as LUCKY...well their attitude is lucky..but life is life is life for everyone.




Life is life is life. For everyone. 
The truth is that everyone has to deal with ups and downs with life. No one person is more gifted than the other--unless they happen to be using the power of the Law of Attraction to their advantage (which is still Them putting life into action), but even then, sh!t happens. Such is life. But how are some people always so happy and positive and seem to be unfazed by the dark messes of the world? 

Firstly: they're not. 
Everyone has downs, everyone has a hard time with things from time to time, because no one is perfect and no one has perfect control over their emotions all the time. No one. Probably not even those wise old monks we hear so much about. Just because you don't see someone fall apart, doesn't mean they don't on the inside, or doesn't mean they don't go home with the need to unwind there instead. Everyone goes through things, everyone cries (in fact, crying is very helpful and healing and releasing), and everyone experiences the drops of their perfect moods. 
Everyone is human. Got it? Okay, let's move on. 

Secondly: Some people just know how to change Perspective.
Perspective is everything, and one of the most valuable and helpful lessons I ever learned was to change my attitude. As already mentioned, things happen to everyone, but the people who seem the happiest are the ones who know how to deal with their conflicts accordingly. This is when having a Positive Mental Attitude comes in. When shit hits the fan, you have two choices. One, you fall apart, get mad, get frustrated, and let it destroy your mood. Or two, (even if you have to first go through One) you pick up a smile and try looking at things from a different perspective. Perspective is Everything! No matter how bad a situation can be, there is always a bright side. Even if the bright side is that you get to learn a hard lesson that will make you a stronger person. 
It's not what happens to you in life, it's how you Deal With It that matters. Trust me. 
I have had happy times in my life where things were effortless and going right, and I've had times when I thought things couldn't get any worse. The irony is that during one of those periods of my life when things were falling apart, I was actually at my happiest--and it was all thanks to picking up an optimistic, Positive Attitude and putting things into perspective. That attitude saved me, absolutely and surely, because things at that point in my life were one of the worst points of my parent's messy divorce and custody battles of my younger siblings, and emotional traumas. That Positive Attitude allowed me to be resilient, allowed me to keep smiling, and made me more helpful to those around me as well. I took time to focus on the good things: the other great things I currently had in my life, as well as why the "bad" situation was a good thing--again, perception is everything. 


Put Things Into Perspective
Focussing on the outcome you desire is a good alternative to dwelling on the problem. If you can focus on the outcome, then your mind (or the universe) can help you get there much quicker and with much less heart-ache.  
Instead of allowing yourself to get overwhelmed and negative, take a step back. Try looking at things logically--which I understand isn't always easy when you're emotional, but take a few breaths, get out some paper (even if you're still crying when you start) and start scribbling down things that might be good about what's going on around you. There are always different angles that you can look at things from; if you don't believe me, just think about how one Same Situation can be perceived Completely differently by each individual involved. There are always different points of view. Your goal is to find the point of view that will help you. The Positive Side. The side that will get you through the mess and put a smile back on your face. 
Plus, if all else fails, remember: nothing is ever permanent, including emotions and feelings, and, after time, you Will feel better. 

Change Your Mind and you'll Change Your Life
If you can pick up this way of thinking then life will become much easier. Life is based on perception, therefore, if you can change your perception you will change your life. You have in your mind the power to do extraordinary things, and one of those extraordinary things is the capacity to change your life through simply Thinking. Think Happy, Think Positive. See what happens. It can really be quite magical and, well, life-changing. 
Practice makes perfect, and while this practice may feel hard at the start, the more you apply it, the easier it becomes. And it's always worth it. Simply taking a few minutes to sit down, jot down your thoughts, and find the positive means much less time wasted stressing yourself into sickness. 
Remember: your Attitude counts for everything. So work on that Positive Attitude at all times!  


A Personal Example:
Using one of my more recent experiences, I'd like to show you how changing your attitude can work… 

Just over a year ago, a flood rushed through our rental home. The entire basement was flooded in several feet of water, and the upstairs was washed over with grimy dirty pools and caked in stinky mud. It happened when I was up town (we live on a mountain and downtown is higher, while our apartment was at the bottom, very close to the lake). I came home to the mess and the mud washed right up to our front door--which was when the "no, no, no" panic began to set in. The entryway was a pool of murky muddy water, and, upon entering, most of our living room was in the same state, drifting down the hall and partly into our bedroom. 
Well, our landlord did nothing and was rather useless during this whole ordeal--we couldn't even get a hold of him for a day or two. So we began cleaning the mess ourselves--we didn't have a lot of options after all. Even after cleaning, the place Stank. The fire department was pumping the water out of the basement and the river that had taken over our backyard (not exaggerating here, it was a River!). After all of this was said and done, the basement was still so thick in mud that there was nothing that we could really do but to start salvaging the mess. All of my silkscreening gear (for my Job) was down in that basement, as well as our expensive camping gear, bikes, and the washer and dryer that we owned. 
Now, while our first reaction was indeed the panic and frustration of the whole mess and the ordeal to follow, we let it pass. We knew that stressing about it wasn't going to help or get us anywhere. 
So we started putting things into Perspective

First: it was the perfect incentive to Move the hell out of this place that we had been wanting to do for a while. 
Second: we started to list the things we were Grateful for: 
We had insurance coverage (which after some back and forth bickering and arguments, we were able to receive--bastard insurance companies trying to wiggle their way out of covering us--pfft), so anything that was damaged could be replaced. Our landlord couldn't say no to an early leave out of our lease because, well, our place was literally uninhabitable with the stench coming up from the basement of possible sewer water at that! My screens (for silkscreening) had at least been up somewhere where they remained undamaged by the water and my expensive inks were also still in tact--it was also summer still so I could silk screen outside (how delightful!). Our kitties were safe through everything, thank goodness! And so forth! 

So, with our gratitude and perspective in check, it was on to a Positive Solution: Moving! 
This was the biggest Positive Outlook out of the whole thing. We had a month to find a new place, no excuses allowed. And if it weren't for being armed with our Positive Attitudes and the Law of Attraction, we might have been screwed. My partner and I decided to write lists (things are twice as likely to come true when you write them down!) of what we wanted in our new home--after all, we were aiming for an upgrade and wouldn't settle for anything less. So we made our lists, and made sure they were in line with one another so that we were both manifesting the same thing. And we started looking. We looked at several places throughout the month, and even though it was a little discouraging at times, we didn't settle. And, guess what? We found our dream home. No joke. Pretty much everything that we'd written down on our lists we found--and if we didn't then we received variations! Our landlords are the nicest people we could ever ask for--for real, we adore them, they're the best! We even have a House to ourselves, in stead of some dingy duplex. We'd also made sure we wrote down how much we wanted to be paying for rent, and we even came within that range (which to the unbelieving, was an impossible find). 



So, moral of the story? 
Thanks to Perception, Positive Thinking, and Focussing on a Positive Outcome, our "Disaster" became a blessing in disguise. And this lesson applies to anything and everything in life. There is no point in stressing, there is only a point in turning your attitude around and Thinking Positive!
Give it a try, practice, practice, practice. Remember there is always a Positive Solution. Always.   


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Monday, April 29, 2013

☺ Motivational Mondays! ☺



. . . . . . . . . .

We're taking back Mondays!!!
"Motivational Mondays" are fabulous tips to get you excited and pumped for the week! 
Feeling low? Moody? Down on life? Well, that's what these posts are for! Time to feel awesome again and get some Positivity rolling! Just because it's Monday doesn't mean you can't have fun, smile, and enjoy Today! Apply these tips to your week and try to tell me that you don't start to see an improvement in your life! ;)
It's all about You! Change your perception, change your attitude, love your life! xo

. . . . . . . . . .


Make Feeling Good a Priority! It's sad to think that with all the things going on in our lives, happiness somehow gets placed on the back burner. Life is about happiness, it's about feeling good, this you must remember. And this is why you need to make feeling good a priority--nay, your Biggest Priority. Plus, when you feel good, all else will fall into place.          
Spend the day being Lazy.  Every so often having the laziest possible day is a necessity. We work ourselves into the ground with work and even play sometimes so it's good to have some down time simply to do nothing and just veg out. I like to do this on a cozy rainy day, but really any day will do. Make it a point to stay in your pyjamas and be lazy at home. Have a you day, a day to read, write, draw, sprawl out across your bed and stare at the ceiling. Just enjoy a lazy day. 
Stop Needing an Apology…  It was pointed out to me this week that apologies are selfish. This topic is something I want to write a full article on because it can play such a large role in our lives that blocks us from moving forward. But for now, learn to let go of needing an apology from another person. The second we need someone to apologize to us then we are placing our own happiness and state of life in someone else's hands, and that responsibility should only ever fall on you. Remember, you are responsible for your own happiness. So no asking for apologies, let it go, realize we're all going through something, and find new ways of acceptance and moving on.  
Send someone a surprise gift. I don't think anything excites me more than receiving surprise letters or little goodies in the mail from friends. It's such a lovely feeling to know someone is thinking of you. Likewise, I love sending people surprises in the mail as well, for no other reason then to let them know I am thinking of them and love them. So pass it a long, whether it's a lovely letter or a little gift. Make a new pen pal if you can too. :) 
Take part in the 30×30 Nature Challenge!  Join the David Suzuki Foundation’s 30×30 Nature Challenge by committing to spend at least 30 minutes a day outside in nature for 30 days in May. The more we connect to nature, the smarter, healthier and happier we are. Getting outside even makes us nicer and more likely to clean up the planet. Sign up here and take part!  
Let go of the bad and Begin again! You can let hate, anger, animosity, fear, or any other negative emotion eat away at you, Or you can let it go and learn to begin again. Your choice. 
Star your Next Chapter! We trap ourselves in the past, re-reading the events or refusing to let go. Most of our problems do come from our pasts: things we haven't resolved, bad habits we've formed, negative feelings about ourselves or others, and so forth. Working through the past is important to move forward, however you'll never actually make the first step onward if you keep returning there and don't leave. Make peace with your past, let it go, and start anew.   


Don't forget to get out there and Create a Nice Day!! 
Much Love from me to you! 



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Monday, April 1, 2013

☺ Motivational Mondays! ☺



. . . . . . . . . .

We're taking back Mondays!!!
"Motivational Mondays" are fabulous tips to get you excited and pumped for the week! 
Feeling low? Moody? Down on life? Well, that's what these posts are for! Time to feel awesome again and get some Positivity rolling! Just because it's Monday doesn't mean you can't have fun, smile, and enjoy Today! Apply these tips to your week and try to tell me that you don't start to see an improvement in your life! ;)
It's all about You! Change your perception, change your attitude, love your life! xo

. . . . . . . . . .


Change ahead! "When a big change comes in your life, you have to adjust to the new path and the new direction, which requires new qualities and strengths. These qualities are always exactly what we need to acquire in order to accomplish the great things ahead in our life!" From The Secret Daily Teachings by Rhonda Byrne. 
Start Eating Healthy! I hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend! That being said, I'm sure you stuffed your faces with chocolate and other not-so-great-for-you foods. Don't spiral by feeling guilty over this. It's just one weekend. But now is a good time to brush it off and get back to eating healthy. If you didn't eat all that well to begin with then now is a great time to start since spring is a cleansing period and perfect for change.  
Give yourself a Pep Talk!! This isn't a new tip, I've mentioned this one before here but it's such an amazing motivator to turn your day around. It's easy to wake up and feel grouchy and therefor start your day off all wrong and set yourself up for the rest of the day being the same way. Change that first thing in the morning or whenever you feel your mood drop. Stand in front of your mirror and tell yourself that you are amazing that life is amazing and that all is good. Do a little dance, jump up and down and repeat "I love my life, I love my life" while smiling and your mood will magically change I promise. ;)                  
Go on an Adventure! I don't know what your weather has been like but ours feels like summer. I went for my first hike of the year the other day with my friend and it was so much fun! We got outside in the sunshine and in nature, got some exercise, and shared some laughs. So get outside and go on adventure, no matter how big or small! 
Ground Yourself…  This one isn't a mentality thing, this tip is literally to ground yourself to the earth. Why? We are surrounded by positive ions (those are the bad ones that cause cancer, illness, imbalance in the body and mind, and so forth) and we don't get nearly enough negative ions (those are the good ones). Those positive ions fill up our bodies and stay there because they have no exit, which is usually our feet. We wear shoes and walk on concrete, things that separate us from the ground beneath us. So one of the best ways to release those positive ions and refill on the negative ions is to have your feet bare on the earth. Go outside, in your garden, the sand, grass, anywhere in nature and connect your feet to the earth. You'll Feel the difference, if you have a headache or a stomach ache or anything like that you'll start to feel it go away. It's amazing!  
Remember to Laugh! Laughter attracts joy, releases negativity, makes you feel good, and can miraculously heal your body and soul.    
"“You're alive. That means you have infinite potential. You can do anything, make anything, dream anything. If you can change the world, the world will change." ~Neil Gaiman. Remember that attitude is everything and that you can Do anything. Start by changing yourself first, that is the way you will change your world. 


Happy Fertility Pagan Zombie Jesus Easter Bunny Weekend! ;) 
Don't forget to get out there and Create a Nice Day!! 
Much Love from me to you! 

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Monday, March 25, 2013

☺ Motivational Mondays! ☺


. . . . . . . . . .

We're taking back Mondays!!!
"Motivational Mondays" are fabulous tips to get you excited and pumped for the week! 
Feeling low? Moody? Down on life? Well, that's what these posts are for! Time to feel awesome again and get some Positivity rolling! Just because it's Monday doesn't mean you can't have fun, smile, and enjoy Today! Apply these tips to your week and try to tell me that you don't start to see an improvement in your life! ;)
It's all about You! Change your perception, change your attitude, love your life! xo

. . . . . . . . . .


Be Nice! I rambled about this topic in my last "life reflections" post and I think it's an appropriate reminder. Always choose to be nice to others. Being nice is your best friend. You don't have to agree with someone, you don't even have to like someone, but you can still be nice to that person. So choose to do so. It's what you and those around you need most. 
☺ Spring Clean! Spring is in the air, and you know what else is? Spring cleaning! Time to clear out the closet, clean your home, and take out the trash from your soul and life. Extend your spring cleaning to all aspects of your life. If there are people in it that are causing you harm, clean them out. If you have some bad habits that don't benefit you, clear them out. Clean out and start fresh! It's the most wonderful thing about spring!               
You can't have the sun without a little rain… Life is a roller coaster, even if you are on top of the world and the happiest person around, there are still bumps. This is important to remember, so that the bumps past quickly and so that you aren't hard on yourself when those bumps do occur and you feel as if you've done something wrong. The bumps are the lessons and the contrast. Without the lows we wouldn't appreciate the highs. 
Start Composting!  Come on now, it's 2013, and it's the year for positive change and innovation. It's time to do one of the best things you can do for the planet in your kitchen. Compost! We cut down our waste to one black garbage bag a year by starting our compost (and buying in bulk and being more conscious of packing, and recycling of course). Don't worry, there are stink-free options, indoor options, outdoor options, options for everyone anywhere. So no more excuses! Click here to find the right composting system for you! :)  
Speak from your heart. The next time you have a conversation, or just speaking, with someone, focus on your words coming from your heart. As you speak each word imagine that the words are coming right out from your heart. This practice places you in the moment and puts you in a space of love. The more love you can welcome into your life the more beautiful it will be.     
☺ Get Outside and turn off the Wifi! It's crazy how dependent we are on electronics, on our little devices, computers, and cell phones. What happened to the days of being outside in nature, and of leaving your phone at home? It wasn't that long ago that we didn't all have cell phones. Learn to become less attached to it. Instead of carrying it around with you all week, learn to leave it in one spot and only check it on occasion. If you're leaving your house, try leaving the cell phone at home. Try only checking your Facebook or going on your computer once per day (and for a minimum amount of time). And on the weekends, ditch the electronics and get outside! That is your goal for the week!   
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." ~John Wooden. We care far too often what others think of us when we shouldn't. If you feel judged, know that the person is merely judging themselves. So stop belittling yourself to the views of others. Be yourself, be the best version of yourself and don't let anyone else get in the way of that. 


Don't forget to get out there and Create a Nice Day!! 
Much Love from me to you! 

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Thursday, March 21, 2013

☺ Buddha and the Angry Man ☺



“One day Buddha was walking through a village. A very angry and rude young man came up and began insulting him.

“You have no right teaching others,” he shouted. “You are as stupid as everyone else. You are nothing but a fake.”

Buddha was not upset by these insults. Instead he asked the young man “Tell me, if you buy a gift for someone, and that person does not take it, to whom does the gift belong?”

The man was surprised to be asked such a strange question and answered, “It would belong to me, because I bought the gift.”

The Buddha smiled and said, “That is correct. And it is exactly the same with your anger. If you become angry with me and I do not get insulted, then the anger falls back on you. You are then the only one who becomes unhappy, not me. All you have done is hurt yourself.

“If you want to stop hurting yourself, you must get rid of your anger and become loving instead. When you hate others, you yourself become unhappy. But when you love others, everyone is happy.”

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Saturday, March 2, 2013

♥ {life reflections} ♥

. . . . . . . . . . 
{life reflections}
 Weekly thoughts and rambles. A glimpse into my mind and world. 
These are entries that I might jot down in my Happy Diary; what happens when we put our fingers to the keyboard and allow our thoughts to flow uninhibited. Reflections from the soul. 
Reflections of life.  

I hope to leave you inspired. 
If you want to share your own reflections of the week please leave a link to your "life reflections" entry in the comments for all to find and see.
. . . . . . . . . .


Ah life. The roller coaster. It's funny, the more I embark on this journey through my soul, really getting to know who I actually am, the more I find the ups and downs to be more frequent. At least in this phase of my journey. But the ups and downs also come and go more easily--my lesson to continue practicing. Life truly gives us whatever it is we need to learn or work on. This is why I think it's important to take a step back and really appreciate what life is giving you, whether it feels beneficial or not at the time. It is. And so, I watch the ups and downs, get emotional, observe, and continue on. A passing wave. It's all a journey, a lesson, and it takes practice and persistence. But it certainly does get easier. It just seems to flow more smoothly. Life happens. It's important not to resist but to go with the flow. Adapting. Learning. Bending with the flow of life. Not stopping things from happening, not stopping yourself from feeling angry or sad, but allowing such emotions to be felt, expressed, and then released. It's the only healthy and sane way to live life. 
This is the phase I feel to be in at the moment. Phases come and go, such is life. Winter is a time where I hermit quite a lot, I wrap myself up in the blanket of imagination, of drawing and writing… and basically nerding out. I think I'm a fairly introverted person. I like my "me" time. Like really like it. If I don't get time for myself in a week to enjoy my hobbies and hear my own thoughts then I think I'd go crazy. The more I realize this, the more I realize art has always been my outlet. It's a good outlet. I love it. I love creating. I love allowing my imagination to run all over my world. However, I know the value of balance. Balance is something I try to keep in mind. There are some times it's easier than others. I think it's also human nature. To become attached… and to not want to let go. We have obsessive personalities many of us. This gets in the way of balance and sometimes realizing what is actually good for us. Balance. I truly think it's the key to maintain an effortless level of happiness. Practice makes perfect. 
The snow has mostly melted, though it has made a few dramatic reappearances, dancing in and out with a stubborn lingering. Like human behaviour I suppose. Attachment. Anyways… it's felt like spring for a while now. Spring excites me. I love being outside, but I don't like being cold so I don't get out as much in the winter time as I'd like to--or feel motivated to. Spring brings back the colour in the world, that fresh scent in the air that washes us over with memories of previous years. Spring feels like new beginnings. Fresh starts. I like that. Our lives can be so scattered and bumpy, but we always have the choice on when to make a fresh start, to clean the slate. We can choose when to stand up and say "this is how my life is going to be." It's really quite amazing. Inspiring. We choose our lives. We choose our attitudes. The only one responsible for our own lives is ourselves. It can be overwhelming, and I've written about this before, but it's an amazing thing to realize. It's liberty. It truly is. 
So, what's your new beginning? 

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Thursday, February 28, 2013

☺ Ways to Create a Better Life ☺



STOP:
-Complaining all the time. 
-Playing the victim and "poor me" card. 
-Changing yourself or expending yourself trying to make others happy
-Relying on others for your own happiness
-Doubting yourself
-Apologizing for or being ashamed of who you are
-Worrying
-Saying "I can't"
-Focussing on what you Don't Want

START:
-Positive Thinking
-Being Grateful 
-Believing in yourself
-Making your own happiness
-Enjoying alone time
-Being Yourself 
-Turning off gadgets and going Outside
-Working less and playing more
-Expressing your creativity
-Acknowledging your desires/dreams/wishes
-Making everything you want to happen happen
-Believing in Karma
-Helping others to realize they can make their own happiness
-Focussing on the Good. 


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Monday, February 18, 2013

☺ Motivational Mondays! ☺



We're taking back Mondays!!!
"Motivational Mondays" are fabulous tips to get you excited and pumped for the week! 
Feeling low? Moody? Down on life? Well, that's what these posts are for! Time to feel awesome again and get some Positivity rolling! Just because it's Monday doesn't mean you can't have fun, smile, and enjoy Today! Apply these tips to your week and try to tell me that you don't start to see an improvement in your life! ;)
It's all about You! Change your perception, change your attitude, love your life! xo

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥



Have a Damn Good Day! Remember remember that You You You are in control of your day. Only You have the power to create a damn good day. Only You can wake up in the morning and Decide that you are going to have an awesome day. If you wake up in the morning, drag your ass out of bed and start off in a fowl mood and then have a shitty day, well guess what? That's on You! Change your attitude and you'll change your life. So if you want to have a Damn Good Day, then make that decision and go out and have a Damn Good Day! Stop with the excuses and make it happen!    
Have a Good Cry. When stress and emotions build we often bury them. For whatever reason we feel the need to stop ourselves from crying and truly Feeling emotions. Well, if you don't let them out then they build in your body as stress and illnesses and you're just burying your problems instead of resolving them. Learn to resolve your issues by first working through your emotion. If you need to then have a good cry and let it all out. Find ways of releasing emotions in a good way so that you do not release them in self-destructive manners. Choose to Be True to your emotions so you can truly heal and move forward.  
Value Yourself! I've talked a lot this week about loving yourself and getting through insecurities. Well, I want you to continue with these practices. It is too easy to feel insecure so make it a habit to practice self-love, to focus attention on loving and appreciating yourself. You are super duper wonderful, never ever forget that!   
Be in the Present Moment! Am I repeating myself? Absolutely! Why? Because this is a lesson that needs to be engraved into your minds. Practice makes perfect, and reminders help you to remember to practice. When we are torn from the present moment our minds easily worry, become stressed about the future, or sad about the past. The present moment is a place of good things, of receiving what you want or need. If you are not in the present moment then you could be missing out on what is most important and valuable. Plus, if you're always in the past or future then you truly are missing out on what's right in front of you and Life in general. After all, Life is Now!    
Be Spontaneous! I just got back from a very spontaneous trip with one of my besties this weekend. I was wishy washy about going and then decided that I needed to get back to being more spontaneous and saying yet again, so I did it. And who new? Had a fantastic time! ;) It's far too easy to make up excuses not to do fun things when we are feeling lazy. We get so stuck in habits and comforts that adventure sometimes doesn't entice us. Make more effort to be spontaneous and just say "Yes" to invitations and there to life. 
Make Others Happy! I take it upon myself to write these Motivational Mondays posts and all my other Inspirational posts because if it changes one person's life then I feel my job is done. Take it upon yourself this week to make someone else happy. This can be as simple as just Listening to a friend, offering some advice, and being completely non-judgmental and open. 
Listen sans Judgement… So many people have a hard time talking about their problems out of fear that they will be judged or seen as weak. Talking is great, listening is just as important. Be an open ear for people to turn to. Show them that you are supportive and always there. Lending an open ear means leaving your judgements at the door. If you haven't been in another's shoes (which you never will) then you simply cannot judge. Judging is insecurities and your insecurities are for you to deal with, not unleash upon others. So, be supportive and listen with an open heart and mind. Put yourself in their shoes. It's not difficult, and you'll learn a lot about life and yourself by just listening to other people, And you get to be a good friend. Wins all around! 
☺ "Be happy for no reason, like a child. If you are happy for a reason, you're in trouble, because that reason can be taken from you." ~ Deepak Chopra


Much Love from me to you! 
Now get out there and remember to Create the Best Damn Day ever! ;)


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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

☺ Valentines Edition; Part 1: Outlooks & Relationships ☺



I say screw it to the typical lovey dovey Valentine's Day; the let's spend money on silly red hearts, candy, and feel sorry for ourselves if we don't have someone to spend the supposedly romantic day with. I'm not much one for traditions and holidays that tell us how to feel and when to feel it. If you want a romantic evening with someone then go have a spectacularly romantic evening with someone, don't wait for Valentine's Day to pull out all the stops. If you want to be extra caring and buy a special someone a gift, then do it! Don't wait until Valentine's Day to do so. Be romantic whenever the hell you want. Yeah, you get to choose when to be super romantic, what a concept! ;) 
This is actually a long subject that I want to talk about so I've split my Valentine's Day Edition into two Parts. I will get to the self-love importance (and not crying the night away in a box of chocolates if you don't have a date), but first I want to talk about the Relationship aspects--and the way in which we set ourselves up for disappointment and create defeating expectations on Valentine's Day. I want to ask the questions; why do we set ourselves up for disappointment? Why do we get our hopes all high, and/or make these ridiculous expectations of a romantic day or evening? Here are a few reality checks I'd like to share that may help you survive Valentine's Day--and gain a new perspective.


Part One: Relationships!

First, let's be real about our partners--should you have someone to spend Valentine's Day with. I'd like to point out that guy's don't tend to be all that romantic. It's not like the chick flicks and movies where the guy is standing outside your window playing your song with a beatbox on his shoulders and a horse-drawn carriage waiting to whisk you off into some perfect sunset. I'm not saying that there aren't guys out there who do ridiculously romantic things, but there's a hell of a lot more guys who just aren't so romantically inclined. There is nothing wrong with that, they just have different parts of their brains working than women. Our expectations that men are just like in the movies is not a healthy expectation to have and usually sets us up for disappointment. Instead we should try focussing on the positive qualities of our partners, and focus on the things they Do do for us, instead of focussing on all the things we feel they do wrong.  
I'm always intrigued as to where this fairytale idea came from to begin with. That a girl must get all gushy, want presents and gifts from their partner, that their partner must do immensely romantic things all the time? Personally, I'd like to blame the movies and media, but it's hard to say at this point. There may be an innate nature within us females already that places importance on attention and caring from their partners--which in itself, is not unreasonable. Perhaps it is even some primal inner nature, like when male animals need to win over the female before courting. The male must impress the female. Truly, I'm not quite sure where it all started, but it certainly exists in many of us. Really, I don't think it matters where it came from, what does matter is doing something about it. 
Balance! The answer to all. 
In many cases guys do super sweet things for their ladies, bringing home flowers, making them breakfast, washing the dishes (??). But often these things get overlooked, comes with that negative attitude that makes you think he is not trying hard enough or cares because you have some other expectation in your mind of something he should be doing to wow you but hasn't. So you miss the things he actually Is doing. Tisk tisk. Perhaps like your expectations that he will put together some elaborately romantic date on Valentine's Day but instead he brings you home some flowers and tries to be romantic in his own way. But it wasn't what You had wanted or expected so you miss the sweetness altogether. If you want your partner to do more for you then appreciate what they do for you already, because you are probably missing it. Appreciation will make them feel good about what they're doing and encourage more nice behaviours. It's also simple Law of Attraction stuff--appreciation for what you do have so that you receive more good things. 
The other piece of advice is to let go of materialism. You don't really want to be won over by Things now do you? I understand that once upon a time the "thought" behind a gift is the important part, but let's face it, today there are plenty of girls who just want lavish gifts that they pick out themselves instead of even giving the guy a chance to pick out something thoughtful. Tell me how is this romantic again? You don't want to force your partner into buying you things, it takes away any notion of romance and caring. Let them appreciate you in their own way. If they surprise you with a gift, fantastic! If they don't, still fantastic! Remember that your love is not something that needs to be bought. Love should be showed, not bought.
On the other end of things, you don't want your partner to not put in any effort at all either. Balance, remember? And this goes both ways! Too often women have this expectation that their partner should be pulling out all the stops and dazzling her with splendid gifts and surprises. Well, what have you done lately? It may be wise to take a look at your own actions before you go judging theirs. Regardless, both people should be putting effort into the relationship, otherwise there isn't a relationship to be had. Love needs to come pouring in from both people. Otherwise it's not a relationship, it's a mildly dying friendship. Know when enough is enough or whether there is something worth saving. You are never stuck in a relationship, remember that. You get to choose. Always. 
But, again, both people should be putting in some effort. You should be doing nice, thoughtful, loving things for each other, as people often do at the beginning of the relationship because you're trying to win them over, but the longer you are together the less you feel like you need to do these things. I mean, you've won them already, so why keep trying? Do! Because it shows that you are actually still in love and care about the other person, that they are still worth the effort. Just because you are together, even "tied the knot" "til death do you part," doesn't mean you should just conclude that you don't need to try in the relationship anymore. Effort will keep a relationship strong. You Do still need to win each other over, or else the relationship becomes boring and stale and eventually the spark goes out. Keep the spark going. Do nice things for your partner! Period. Not just on Valentine's Day!


Of course, not everything that I have to say applies to everyone, different parts will apply to different people. Or perhaps not at all. But I have a feeling that chances are at least part of this applies to most people. 
Balance. It is always the key to happy equality in all aspects of life. And a smile and positive attitude of course, that good attitude will allow you to enjoy all of your relationships and see which ones are worth having. So, to summarize a bit:
Express Gratitude for the other person and seeing their good side instead of focussing attention on their negativities. 
Let go of Expectations and welcome what actually comes.  
Always put effort into the relationship, it should be coming in from both partners. 
Spend quality time with your partner. Be attentive, loving, caring, and thoughtful always. Be respectful. Communicate. 
Oh yeah, and say "Screw it!" to traditions! ;) 

Join me for Part Two--being loving towards yourself and having a positive attitude when you're single. Basically, how to survive Valentine's Day with a beaming smile on your face! ;) 

Have a beautiful day! 


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Monday, February 4, 2013

☺ Motivational Mondays! ☺



We're taking back Mondays!!!
"Motivational Mondays" are fabulous tips to get you excited and pumped for the week! 
Feeling low? Moody? Down on life? Well, that's what these posts are for! Time to feel awesome again and get some Positivity rolling! Just because it's Monday doesn't mean you can't have fun, smile, and enjoy Today! Apply these tips to your week and try to tell me that you don't start to see an improvement in your life! ;)
It's all about You! Change your perception, change your attitude, love your life! xo

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Appreciate and Love your Own Body! While you’re busy coveting someone else’s body, someone else is busy coveting yours. Imagine how much happier we’d all be if we could embrace and love the bodies we have. Self love, body love, they are so important to make our lives more beautiful, to truly appreciate ourselves. No more jealousy or envy, love the body you were given.   
Do the 30 Day Photo Challenge! No, it's not too late for me to tell you to do this if you haven't already started ;). And yes, I know it's a 30 day challenge and there are only 28 days in February. If you're getting caught up in the details then you're clearly not busy enough enjoying life and therefor this challenge is a must for you! ;) Here's why you should; because inspiration and beauty is all around you and I truly want you to start seeing it and using your imagination and appreciating the moment. Taking a photo is so much more than just an image before you, it's capturing a moment in time, it's cherishing a memory, it's appreciating what's right in front of your eyes. People sometimes think I'm crazy for taking as many photos as I do, but I love it and I'm appreciating the moment. :) So jump start this moment and take a photo! Look for inspiration and beauty everywhere! 
Embrace the Dark to see the Light. We all have dark and light inside of us. We are human. Humans are multi-faceted, complicated beings. When we hop onto the train of happiness, working to improve ourselves we sometimes forget that balance is always needed and always within us. We are not perfect, we are not always smiling. We have sides of us we may not like. Side we find less flattering. And most of us have vices. Not liking those sides and pushing those sides out of the way isn't always your best defence. Continually working on your Self is fantastic and should always be a part of you, but becoming self-aware means not being ashamed of all your other sides either. Explore all the different sides so you can work on things.   
Be a Superhero Fairy! I felt inspired by a post my sister wrote about her 2.5 year old daughter. She is just learning to use her imagination and it is a positive reminder for us adults to never lose sight of that childish bliss. Dressing up is fun, using our imaginations to transform ourselves into a whole other person is exciting. Continue to use that imagination! Run around with a cape on, dress up like a princess or superhero or whatever you'd like. Be a kid for a day. Never lose sight of true untainted imaginative bliss!    
Tag! Around Christmas my husband and I got a bottle of wine for our landlords (because they're awesome and we love them) and we ended up listening to vinyl and drinking wine with them. It was an awesome evening. They let us use their hot tub while they were away, outside under the big moon--it was fantastic! But our landlady (?) mentioned how she wanted the hoodie I was wearing (one of my ReLove ones). So on the first when I was dropping off rent I also left her a little surprise gift of a ReLove hoodie of her own. She came up to the house the next day with a beautiful vase of flowers. They were from a sustainable company so she went out of her way to get them because she knows that I'm all eco-conscious. I thought it was the sweetest thing ever. She also said "tag" and laughed. So! Go ahead and play tag of your own! Pass on a thoughtful gift to someone! 
Pay Attention. Following the last tip, I think it's a good time to remind you to pay attention. Pay attention to what people tell you, to what people like. Those small things in any relationship are so much more meaningful than a big extravagant present. The gifts that I've received in my life that came from a place of true thoughtfulness were always so much more memorable and so much more touching. But this is a practice to carry with you beyond gifts. Paying attention and knowing the people around you shows you care and listen. I mean, how many of you even know the colour of your friends' eyes? So be more observant and listen more. 
"Some people are afraid of what they might find if they try to analyze themselves too much, but you have to crawl into your wounds to discover where your fears are. Once the bleeding starts, the cleansing can begin." ~ Tori Amos.  We are so easy to point out the flaws in others yet have such a hard time accepting our own. If you are constantly criticizing others then chances are it's because there is a lot about your own self that you have yet to accept and work on. So dig deep. There is nothing wrong with any parts of your self but there are always things you can work on. Don't be afraid of self-discovery, the deeper you dig the faster you can let go and heal. 

[myself when I was little, always playing dress up and being a hero]


Much Love from me to you! Now get out there and Create the Best Damn Day ever! 
Love Love!

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Thursday, January 24, 2013

☺ 5 Points to Live Happily ☺


Very quick post, but I felt it was worth sharing ;) xoxo



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Monday, January 7, 2013

☺ Motivational Mondays! ☺



We're taking back Mondays!!!
"Motivational Mondays" are fabulous tips to get you excited and pumped for the week! 
Feeling low? Moody? Down on life? Well, that's what these posts are for! Time to feel awesome again and get some Positivity rolling! Just because it's Monday doesn't mean you can't have fun, smile, and enjoy Today! Apply these tips to your week and try to tell me that you don't start to see an improvement in your life! ;)
It's all about You! Change your perception, change your attitude, love your life! xo


Declare Your Awesome Day! When you first wake up in the morning declare "I am going to have an Awesome Day!!!" Before you go to bed at night, give thanks for the awesome day that you just had, even if it wasn't perfect, give thanks for what went well and imagine that it Was perfect. Then start over again. Before you even open your eyes in the morning, before you get out of bed, announce to yourself that you are going to have an awesome, magical, loving, joyful day! And watch the magic happen! ;)   
Set your Intentions! Okay, let's start the New Year off right, shall we? I love revisiting this exercise because it's incredibly powerful and motivating, and sets you on the right track. Get out a big piece of paper, or several pieces of paper, and write down what you want your life to be like, and what you want your Self to be like. Write it out in the present tense, as if this is the life you Do have right Now. Get very specific and clear, and write down as much as you'd like--better to go too big than too small. Revisit this list as often as you'd like, adding things to it as you please and saying to yourself this is Now.  
Foody Food Helpful, or not? People worry so much about all the food they eat over the holidays, but what they really need to worry about is what they eat the rest of the year. I cannot emphasize how much food affects your mood. I cannot cannot cannot. Because it's something you will not realize until you stop eating crap or things that your body has a hard time with. For myself, I cannot eat refined sugars, cane sugar, wheat, or spelt without feeling tired, irritable, and unsettled in my stomach. These are subtle, and I used to eat these things all the time. It is not until you cut them out that you realize what a huge effect they have on our bodies and minds. Figure out what you can and can't eat, what should be eaten in extreme moderation, and so forth. Trust me! It is one of the best things you can do for your Happiness! 
Watch "Sick, Fat, and Nearly Dead" My mom has been telling me to watch this documentary for forever. I finally did. Now I will tell you what she told me; You Must watch this movie! It is incredibly inspiring and insightful and makes you Want to do something good for your health and eat right. It will motivate you and realize why food is so important. So watch it… immediately! ;)  
Waking up feeling not so great? At least Try to alter your mood. I get it, sometimes it's difficult, but trying means you're climbing back out instead of spiralling out of control so that the whole rest of your day is horrid. Do whatever it is that you need to do to uplift your mood. For me, if I wake up feeling kind of tense and super tired, I haul my ass out of bed and jump on my elliptical for a hardcore workout. I almost always wake right up and feel better. Sometimes I still need to pay attention and work on things throughout the day if it's "one of those days." But like I said, trying means you're doing a better job than spiralling and moping and complaining. So climb dammit! Climb!!! 
Make Someone Smile! It is your goal this week to make someone smile, or even better, laugh, every single day. Do whatever you need to do, but do it. I'll start… by sharing this absolutely adorable and silly photo of this kitty below. ;)
There is a saying by Virginia Satir, a respected family therapist, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.” Have you gotten in your hugs today? Put in a conscious effort to get in more hugs, both to receive and give. Everyone could use more hugs after all. :) 


Hope your New Year is off to a beautiful and positive start! :) 
Much Love from me to you! 
Create a Nice Day and Create a Nice Year! xo


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