Thursday, December 13, 2012

The holiday season is a time to think back over the past year and stay mindful of the family and friends in our life. Think about what they have added to our life, ways they challenged us and supported us. Remember gratitude. Think about what you have learned about yourself and finding your own happiness over this past year. Enjoy the holiday season!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

"Each one has to find his peace from within. And for peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances,"   - Mahatma Gandhi

This quote expresses what I have been experiencing over the past month. I have been trying to find a way to express it in words and this quote sums it up. Over the past month I have noticed spontaneous brief episodes where I feel content with my life. The thought that goes along with the feeling is, "Everything is as it should be." This does not mean my life is perfect or that I don't experience distress brought on by outside circumstances. We all struggle with difficult times. I have been making an effort to increase these moments throughout every day. I stop what I am doing or thinking about and relax my body and mind by focusing on a word such as peace, contentment, happiness.

Over the next month, try to increase your peace from within. At least twice a day stop what you are doing and focus one or two of the words I mentioned. You might think of others which bring a sense of peace to you. Do this exercise without judging yourself or outside circumstances.
Give it a try.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."   -Theodore Roosevelt

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best," and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called. - A.A. Milne

Ah Pooh! We know what that is called, mindfulness! Pooh is practicing mindfulness without even knowing it. So for the remainder of this month, just before you are about to do something that makes you happy, stop and savor the moment.

Monday, July 16, 2012

I am lacking creativity this month of July but this quote will help you find inspiration to be happy about something and share it. Sharing your happiness with someone else will increase the intensity of your happiness!

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
Buddha
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/happiness.html#tQQjJBiRiGWkW5rh.99

Monday, June 11, 2012

"It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy."
                                                           - Lucille Ball

I'm late with my post this month so we have just three weeks for  assignments.


Week 1: Go for a swim or wade in a pond. You might not be able to do this everyday but try for once or twice during the week.

Week 2: Spend 5 to 10 minutes observing your breathe. Notice how the air fills your lungs, notice the temperature of the air.

Week 3: Eat a piece fruit mindfully. First look at it, notice the texture of the skin, the fragrance of the fruit, notice how it feels against your lips as you bring it to your mouth, take a bite, notice the taste and texture of the fruit in your mouth.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Spring is fully in bloom. Be mindful of the flowers and trees, notice the color, texture and scent when admiring these spring gifts.

Week 1: Watch the sunrise. Notice the colors in the sky as the sun rises and remember this day is a gift.

Week 2: Eat a meal or snack outside. You can go to a park or sit in your backyard.

Week 3: Donate some food to a local homeless shelter or food pantry which distributes to others in need.

Week 4: Watch the sunset. Notice the colors in the sky, the shadows in the landscape and remember at least one good thing happened today.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Remember, it is not only the big things that make you happy!

Week 1: Take one picture every day. You can use your digital camera, buy a disposable camera, or use your cell phone. Take a picture of a pretty landscape, animals, something that makes you laugh or looks weird. At the end of the week you can print out any of the pictures that you really like.

Week 2: Share your pictures with a family member or friend. All of those pictures you took last week can be shared with someone to make them smile!

Week 3: Write down one thing you are grateful for every day.

Week 4: At the end of each day, find meaning in something that went wrong or upset you. If you think about the deeper meaning of upsetting events it can help you let go. Maybe you were meant to learn something about yourself, your strengths, your needs.