1 Tim. 2:15 STUDY and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully TEACHING] the WORD of TRUTH. Amplified Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the SECRET PLACE of the Most High [EL ELYON] shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty [SHADDAI]. I will say of the Lord, “He is my REFUGE and my FORTRESS, My God, in Him I will trust.”
d. Joshua 1:8 This book of the Law [Torah] shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall MEDITATE on it by day and by night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall act wisely.
e. 1 Timothy 4:15 MEDITATE on these things; be in these things in order that your improvement may appear to all.
c. 1 Cor. 10:13 No TEMPTATION has taken you but what is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be TEMPTED above what you are able, but with the TEMPTATION also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear it.
d. James 1:12-14 Blessed is the man who endures TEMPTATION, because having been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one being TEMPTED say, I am TEMPTED from God. For God is not TEMPTED by evils, and He TEMPTS no one. But each one is tempted by his lusts, being drawn away and seduced by them.
Step 3 – APPLY THE PRINCIPLES OF YOUR TEXTBOOK [THE WORD OF GOD]:
a. Rom 2:13-15 For it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the DOERS of the Law will be justified. For when the nations, who do not have the Law, do by nature the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law unto themselves, who show the work of the Law [Torah] written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and the thoughts between one another accusing or even excusing one another.
b. James 1:22-25 But become DOERS of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a DOER, he is like a man studying his natural face in a mirror. For he studied himself and went his way, and immediately he forgot what he was like. But whoever looks into the Perfect Law of liberty (The Law [Torah] is Perfect” – Psalm 19:7) and continues in it, he is not a forgetful hearer, but a DOERS of the work. This one shall be BLESSED in his doing.
Think It, Say It & Do It!:
I READ, MEDITATE & STUDY THE PRINCIPLES OF MY TEXTBOOK, the Word of God, as I SEE MY TEMPTATIONS AS SIMPLY A TEST, and APPLY ITS PRINCIPLES in Yeshua’s Name! Shalom Y’all!
Showing posts with label positive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label positive. Show all posts
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
9 Ways To Become A Better, More Positive You
1. Say affirmations every day until they sink in and resonate within every cell of your being.
Sure, they may sound ridiculous initially, but overcome this and keep saying them until you absolutely believe them to be true! Every day I tell myself that “I am healthy, happy and energized; my mind is peaceful; my heart is full of love. I attract positivity, success, and abundance into my life.” This is a habit worth keeping!
2. Use visualizations to get clear on what you want.
Become a productive daydreamer — let your imagination become your best friend. When you add feeling to your visualizations (really believe it and feel it), you create positive energy, which helps produce positive changes in your life.
3. Create a vision board and place it where you can see it regularly.
In BIG writing, put the words "Thank You, Thank You, Thank You" on it to show the universe that you're thankful for everything you have, and for everything that's coming your way!
4. Practice expressing an attitude of gratitude for all that you have in your life.
Gratitude allows us to participate more in life; it allows us to reshape the meaning of any situation. You notice and appreciate the positives more than the negatives, and that magnifies the pleasures you get from life.
5. Listen to joyful music.
Music can energize or relax you, and experiencing inspiring audio can encourage you to be the best you can be.
6. Read motivational books.
These make you feel empowered and excited about your personal growth journey.
7. Put inspiring quotes around everywhere for you to see.
It's the same as above — if you surround yourself with inspiration, you're bound to be inspired!
8. Surround yourself with people who lift you up.
Finding the right people to share your life with is one of the most difficult areas of life, but if you make an effort to surround yourself with positive, uplifting people, you'll begin to feel the effects quite quickly.
9. Practice meditation.
Meditation will bring you peace in daily life and make you more conscious, aware and mindful — a huge relief in the midst of our chaotic, multitasking lives.
Do as much as you can every day to become a better and more positive you. Take notice of all the beautiful things around you, as opposed to being blinded by the chaos in your life. You'll be amazed at the positive feelings you will experience in your mind and body. The more intentional you are about thinking positively, despite the negativity you face, the more you will experience life in its true light. And thanks to you, the world will also be a better place because of your positive attitude and energy.
Sure, they may sound ridiculous initially, but overcome this and keep saying them until you absolutely believe them to be true! Every day I tell myself that “I am healthy, happy and energized; my mind is peaceful; my heart is full of love. I attract positivity, success, and abundance into my life.” This is a habit worth keeping!
2. Use visualizations to get clear on what you want.
Become a productive daydreamer — let your imagination become your best friend. When you add feeling to your visualizations (really believe it and feel it), you create positive energy, which helps produce positive changes in your life.
3. Create a vision board and place it where you can see it regularly.
In BIG writing, put the words "Thank You, Thank You, Thank You" on it to show the universe that you're thankful for everything you have, and for everything that's coming your way!
4. Practice expressing an attitude of gratitude for all that you have in your life.
Gratitude allows us to participate more in life; it allows us to reshape the meaning of any situation. You notice and appreciate the positives more than the negatives, and that magnifies the pleasures you get from life.
5. Listen to joyful music.
Music can energize or relax you, and experiencing inspiring audio can encourage you to be the best you can be.
6. Read motivational books.
These make you feel empowered and excited about your personal growth journey.
7. Put inspiring quotes around everywhere for you to see.
It's the same as above — if you surround yourself with inspiration, you're bound to be inspired!
8. Surround yourself with people who lift you up.
Finding the right people to share your life with is one of the most difficult areas of life, but if you make an effort to surround yourself with positive, uplifting people, you'll begin to feel the effects quite quickly.
9. Practice meditation.
Meditation will bring you peace in daily life and make you more conscious, aware and mindful — a huge relief in the midst of our chaotic, multitasking lives.
Do as much as you can every day to become a better and more positive you. Take notice of all the beautiful things around you, as opposed to being blinded by the chaos in your life. You'll be amazed at the positive feelings you will experience in your mind and body. The more intentional you are about thinking positively, despite the negativity you face, the more you will experience life in its true light. And thanks to you, the world will also be a better place because of your positive attitude and energy.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
A place for negativity.
"Life is like photography. We develop from the negatives."
~Unknown
Ah, man. I just fell in love with this one, the moment I saw it. How's this for a perspective shift: What if that horrible thing you are going through right now or that awful person you can't stand... what if all that negativity is meant for your DEVELOPMENT. Meant to really teach you something? Make you stronger? You may not know what it is yet. It may take some time. But, if you find yourself stuck in a murky place, start toying with the idea that you WILL be a stronger person because of it. What if you start looking for the lesson instead of focusing on how shitty it is? Or better yet, what if you start CHOOSING that this will not define you. Not destroy you. And CHOOSING that you WILL overcome. You're move, ace.
"Life is like photography. We develop from the negatives."
~Unknown
Ah, man. I just fell in love with this one, the moment I saw it. How's this for a perspective shift: What if that horrible thing you are going through right now or that awful person you can't stand... what if all that negativity is meant for your DEVELOPMENT. Meant to really teach you something? Make you stronger? You may not know what it is yet. It may take some time. But, if you find yourself stuck in a murky place, start toying with the idea that you WILL be a stronger person because of it. What if you start looking for the lesson instead of focusing on how shitty it is? Or better yet, what if you start CHOOSING that this will not define you. Not destroy you. And CHOOSING that you WILL overcome. You're move, ace.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
A Powerful Lesson in Self-Compassion: Are You Allergic to Honey?
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” ~Dalai Lama
When things don’t go as planned, is your go-to explanation that it’s because you did something wrong, or because there’s something wrong with you? For many people, self-compassion is a real challenge.
Most of us want to be kinder to ourselves, but our self-critical, perfectionistic patterns are often well-established, and it’s hard to know how to interrupt them.
When I was in graduate school, I was driving home from school one evening when I noticed that my car was overheating. Just as I arrived in front of my building, the engine stalled completely.
It was 5pm on a Friday, I was blocking the bike lane, and traffic was backed up behind me. Two cars sped past beeping their horns, and then a cyclist turned and waved his fist as he rode around me. I flipped on my hazard lights.
As I dialed Triple A, the self-critical thoughts and stories started to spin:
“Why didn’t I notice earlier that the car was overheating? I should have had it serviced. If I had been more on top of things, this wouldn’t be happening.”
I heard more car horns beeping as the woman at Triple A promised that a tow truck would be there within 30 minutes. After I thanked her and hung up, the self-critical stories resumed:
“I’m in the way; inconveniencing everyone around me. I’m taking up too much space.”
I was startled by a knock at the passenger window. A guy with a goatee and a beanie stood next to my car, and I suspected that he was going to give me a hard time for being double-parked. Reluctantly, I lowered the window.
“Hey,” he said. “I work at the cafe right here—do you want a latte or a chai or something?”
I stared at him, speechless, blinking through the beginnings of tears.
“We’ve also got hot chocolate and tea,” he said.
He actually meant it.
“Oh,” I said. “Wow. Thank you. I’d love some chamomile tea.”
“You got it,” he said and headed back to the cafe.
I sat there, stunned. This experience did not fit into the story my inner critic had been telling. All of my self-criticism had been completely silenced by this stranger’s spontaneous impulse of kindness.
Suddenly none of this was my fault; it was just something that was happening, and I could allow it. All the stories had been just that: stories.
A few moments later he reappeared with the chamomile tea and handed it to me.
“Here you go,” he said.
“Thanks.” I pulled a couple of bills from my wallet.
“Oh, no, don’t worry about it,” he said.
“Really?”
“Yeah,” he said.
I looked at him and took the tea.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Hey, I’ve been there.”
He tapped the passenger door twice as a goodbye. I put the window back up. The tea was too hot to drink, so I held the paper cup as it warmed my hands.
I let it register some more: This wasn’t my fault. It wasn’t evidence of me having done something wrong. It was just something that was happening, and it could just be that.
And what was so wrong about taking up space, anyway?
I was startled again by another knock. He was back. I lowered the window.
“Hey, are you allergic to honey?” he said.
“Huh? Mmm, no.”
“Oh, good. I put honey in it. I didn’t think to ask if you were allergic. If you are, I can make another one.”
“Oh, no. I love honey. Thank you,” I said.
“No worries, then.” And back to the coffee shop he went.
I smiled and blinked through a few more tears. He had put honey in my tea without me even asking? This baffled my inner critic even more; it had nothing to say.
I thought about how the self-critical stories had flared up as soon as I found myself in a challenging situation, how automatic it was for me to think that the coffee shop guy was there to criticize me, and how immediately the trance of self-judgment was broken by his act of kindness.
In five minutes, he had given me a life-altering lesson in how compassion alchemizes criticism. He had no ulterior motive: he was simply being kind and generous, and he inspired me to be more kind and generous with myself.
If you struggle with self-judgment, tuck this simple phrase into your back pocket.
The next time you notice that critical thoughts are present, experiment with asking your inner judge, “Hey, are you allergic to honey?” It just might help you interrupt those all-to-familiar patterns, and start creating new, self-compassionate ones.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
5/14/13 Pain.
Pain in the...
"Pain makes people change, but it also makes them stronger."
~Unknown
This quote couldn't be truer for me at the moment. And, I'm pretty sure I'm not alone. The Universe has been toughening me up over this past weekend, and you know what? I feel pretty badass that I rose to the occasion. Here's the thing that I always come back to: No matter how bad a situation is, there is almost always something that could be worse. And no matter what, we always, ALWAYS have the conscious choice of how we view our situation. We can wallow in the pain and label ourselves victims. Or, we can allow ourselves to feel what we feel and CHOOSE an empowering perspective that catapults our healing. Even if more pain is on the way. We forget how much choice we have in how we view our circumstance. But choice is never broken. And, it's always our call. I dig.
"Pain makes people change, but it also makes them stronger."
~Unknown
This quote couldn't be truer for me at the moment. And, I'm pretty sure I'm not alone. The Universe has been toughening me up over this past weekend, and you know what? I feel pretty badass that I rose to the occasion. Here's the thing that I always come back to: No matter how bad a situation is, there is almost always something that could be worse. And no matter what, we always, ALWAYS have the conscious choice of how we view our situation. We can wallow in the pain and label ourselves victims. Or, we can allow ourselves to feel what we feel and CHOOSE an empowering perspective that catapults our healing. Even if more pain is on the way. We forget how much choice we have in how we view our circumstance. But choice is never broken. And, it's always our call. I dig.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Dare to Live: 10 Unconventional Ways to Be True to Yourself By Kavetha Sundaramoorthy
1. Cherish those special friendships.
I had (and still have) friends who knew and loved me unconditionally. This is truly invaluable. Make and keep good friends and be honest with them. They can be your moral compass during stormy times. Not just psychologically, but literally, like in share-her-last-sandwich-while-reading-poetry-on-long-afternoons kind of support.
2. Don’t hate those who stumble; we all do sometimes.
It would have been so easy, and actually it was, to hate my dad for a while. But as time passed, I was able to see his side too. This guy was so poor while growing up that he had only one meal a day and wore torn rags to school.
He had to sneak to elementary classes from his day job herding sheep. From there, he had risen to be one of the top surgeons in the country and built an empire. Me rejecting it felt personal, like I was rejecting him.
We all make mistakes. It’s part of being human. If you can, forgive and allow compassion into your relationships. It makes the ride more beautiful.
3. Take responsibility for your own life.
This is the beginning of self-esteem. Although stuff happens, ultimately you are responsible for your actions.
When we deeply and utterly understand that to be true, life takes on a whole new meaning. Whatever has happened until the past moment is gone. This present moment is again yours. And you have the power to do whatever you want with it.
4. Have a big vision and keep your goals aligned with your vision.
I struggled with this one for a while. First, I had no big vision. In fact, I didn’t even know what that meant. So my goals and actions went in circles for a while.
Make sure to know what kind of person you want to be and what kind of job/life you would like to lead. Then shape your short-term goals so it is moving you in that direction (or at least not away from it).
5. Remember that death makes life real.
In the words of Steve Jobs, “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
Death can come at any moment, to any of us. We don’t have forever to be who we are. In fact, we owe it to ourselves and those we love to be truly alive and authentic in each moment. It is the only legacy we can be proud to leave behind.
6. Don’t worry too much about making mistakes.
It is better to have tried and failed than to not have tried at all. Think and analyze your decisions carefully, but once you feel reasonably sure you have made a good choice, just trust yourself. Be bold and go forth into the wilderness.
Whatever happens, you will have gained an experience from it that only the courageous can boast of.
7. Know your strengths.
You are unique. There is only one you in this entire universe. No one has exactly your strange and magical mix of genes and experience. Learn what makes you tick. And keep building on that. You will make wonderful things happen.
8. Be kind to yourself.
We all mess up once in a while. When it happens and you finally catch on, drop your ego, admit your mistake fully, and make amends. Learn from it so you don’t repeat that same lesson again. Then forgive yourself and move on. Life is hard and we are not made to be perfect.
9. Be in the moment.
This present moment is alive and full of potential. Learning to be mindful has helped me tremendously by keeping me in my life, as it happens.
Whether you are playing, sleeping, working, lazing, watching TV, or hanging out with someone you love, give your awareness to it 100%. I highly recommend a daily mindfulness practice. It has changed the way I relate to life.
10. Don’t forget to laugh.
It has gotten me through many a sticky situation. And created hours of pure fun. Include as much good humor in your day as legally possible. And that’s a doctor’s order.
So dear readers and future friends, don’t wait to be who you are. You are special and there is a reason you are on this earth. No matter what your situation is, there is something you can do today to move toward your true self.
Dare to live; your dreams are counting on you.
I had (and still have) friends who knew and loved me unconditionally. This is truly invaluable. Make and keep good friends and be honest with them. They can be your moral compass during stormy times. Not just psychologically, but literally, like in share-her-last-sandwich-while-reading-poetry-on-long-afternoons kind of support.
2. Don’t hate those who stumble; we all do sometimes.
It would have been so easy, and actually it was, to hate my dad for a while. But as time passed, I was able to see his side too. This guy was so poor while growing up that he had only one meal a day and wore torn rags to school.
He had to sneak to elementary classes from his day job herding sheep. From there, he had risen to be one of the top surgeons in the country and built an empire. Me rejecting it felt personal, like I was rejecting him.
We all make mistakes. It’s part of being human. If you can, forgive and allow compassion into your relationships. It makes the ride more beautiful.
3. Take responsibility for your own life.
This is the beginning of self-esteem. Although stuff happens, ultimately you are responsible for your actions.
When we deeply and utterly understand that to be true, life takes on a whole new meaning. Whatever has happened until the past moment is gone. This present moment is again yours. And you have the power to do whatever you want with it.
4. Have a big vision and keep your goals aligned with your vision.
I struggled with this one for a while. First, I had no big vision. In fact, I didn’t even know what that meant. So my goals and actions went in circles for a while.
Make sure to know what kind of person you want to be and what kind of job/life you would like to lead. Then shape your short-term goals so it is moving you in that direction (or at least not away from it).
5. Remember that death makes life real.
In the words of Steve Jobs, “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
Death can come at any moment, to any of us. We don’t have forever to be who we are. In fact, we owe it to ourselves and those we love to be truly alive and authentic in each moment. It is the only legacy we can be proud to leave behind.
6. Don’t worry too much about making mistakes.
It is better to have tried and failed than to not have tried at all. Think and analyze your decisions carefully, but once you feel reasonably sure you have made a good choice, just trust yourself. Be bold and go forth into the wilderness.
Whatever happens, you will have gained an experience from it that only the courageous can boast of.
7. Know your strengths.
You are unique. There is only one you in this entire universe. No one has exactly your strange and magical mix of genes and experience. Learn what makes you tick. And keep building on that. You will make wonderful things happen.
8. Be kind to yourself.
We all mess up once in a while. When it happens and you finally catch on, drop your ego, admit your mistake fully, and make amends. Learn from it so you don’t repeat that same lesson again. Then forgive yourself and move on. Life is hard and we are not made to be perfect.
9. Be in the moment.
This present moment is alive and full of potential. Learning to be mindful has helped me tremendously by keeping me in my life, as it happens.
Whether you are playing, sleeping, working, lazing, watching TV, or hanging out with someone you love, give your awareness to it 100%. I highly recommend a daily mindfulness practice. It has changed the way I relate to life.
10. Don’t forget to laugh.
It has gotten me through many a sticky situation. And created hours of pure fun. Include as much good humor in your day as legally possible. And that’s a doctor’s order.
So dear readers and future friends, don’t wait to be who you are. You are special and there is a reason you are on this earth. No matter what your situation is, there is something you can do today to move toward your true self.
Dare to live; your dreams are counting on you.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
5 Tips to Overcome Negative Reactions
“When you blame others, you give up your power to change.” ~Dr. Anthony Robins
1. Pay attention to your morning routine.
How we start our day affects how the rest of our activities unfold. Set your alarm for fifteen minutes earlier (don’t worry—I’ll make it up on the backend in tip #5).
Before you get out of bed, take a couple of breaths and say something positive. For example, “Another day. Another chance for a fresh start.” When you find yourself rushing throughout the day, remind yourself “there is enough time.”
2. Get in touch with your anger.
Do the following exercise when you have at least thirty minutes of uninterrupted time.
Find a comfortable seated position. Close your eyes and think of what your anger looks like. What color or images do you see? Where in your body do you store anger? Pay attention to body temperature, clinched fists, heart rate, muscle tension, and butterflies in your stomach.
Practice deep breaths throughout this exercise, and take a break if the feelings become too intense.
When you’re ready, open your eyes and take a deep breath. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Pick up a notepad and jot down all your angry thoughts.
Don’t overthink this—keep the stream of thoughts flowing without editing your responses. Spend at least five minutes recording what, where, when, and around whom you feel most angry.
Read the list and decide what are your three biggest anger triggers and/or situations. Make a circle around the top three.
On another sheet of paper, write three strategies for remedying each one.
For example: Problem #1:
I can’t stand my job.
Strategies:
Update my resume by Friday at noon.
Contact two people and network about possible job openings by Thursday at 5:00 pm.
Call my mentor today and invite her to lunch in exchange for business ideas. (Pick up the tab).
Repeat this exercise frequently, and don’t worry if some of the same issues show up. Problem-solving takes practice and patience.
3. Unplug.
Technology encourages us to react quickly. The minute we get that text or feel the phone vibration, we’re racing to respond. Reacting impulsively is a trigger for angry outbursts. Set aside time each day to be free from checking email, social media sites, and text messaging.
4. Train your mind to respond slower.
Think, speak, drive, text, listen, cook, eat, and walk slower. When you slow down, you’ll feel more in control of your options and your inner life.
Leave post-it reminders on the computer, your car dashboard, and your front door. Our brains are not trained to remember many things, so write it down.
5. Sleep on it!
Honestly, if I had to choose just one option to manage anger, it would be getting sufficient sleep. Sleep deprivation is a huge culprit in negative moods, including anxiety and depression.
Commit to going to bed earlier during the week. It’s nearly impossible to make calm, measured, responsible choices if you can barely keep your eyes open.
Bottom line: You have everything you need to change. With daily commitment, practice, and patience, you’ll increase problem-solving abilities so you can manage your anger, rather than have your anger manage you.
Remember, living in the past causes depression. Living in the future causes anxiety. Living in the here-and-now enables you to make healthy choices to increase emotional well-being.
And the future begins now.
1. Pay attention to your morning routine.
How we start our day affects how the rest of our activities unfold. Set your alarm for fifteen minutes earlier (don’t worry—I’ll make it up on the backend in tip #5).
Before you get out of bed, take a couple of breaths and say something positive. For example, “Another day. Another chance for a fresh start.” When you find yourself rushing throughout the day, remind yourself “there is enough time.”
2. Get in touch with your anger.
Do the following exercise when you have at least thirty minutes of uninterrupted time.
Find a comfortable seated position. Close your eyes and think of what your anger looks like. What color or images do you see? Where in your body do you store anger? Pay attention to body temperature, clinched fists, heart rate, muscle tension, and butterflies in your stomach.
Practice deep breaths throughout this exercise, and take a break if the feelings become too intense.
When you’re ready, open your eyes and take a deep breath. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Pick up a notepad and jot down all your angry thoughts.
Don’t overthink this—keep the stream of thoughts flowing without editing your responses. Spend at least five minutes recording what, where, when, and around whom you feel most angry.
Read the list and decide what are your three biggest anger triggers and/or situations. Make a circle around the top three.
On another sheet of paper, write three strategies for remedying each one.
For example: Problem #1:
I can’t stand my job.
Strategies:
Update my resume by Friday at noon.
Contact two people and network about possible job openings by Thursday at 5:00 pm.
Call my mentor today and invite her to lunch in exchange for business ideas. (Pick up the tab).
Repeat this exercise frequently, and don’t worry if some of the same issues show up. Problem-solving takes practice and patience.
3. Unplug.
Technology encourages us to react quickly. The minute we get that text or feel the phone vibration, we’re racing to respond. Reacting impulsively is a trigger for angry outbursts. Set aside time each day to be free from checking email, social media sites, and text messaging.
4. Train your mind to respond slower.
Think, speak, drive, text, listen, cook, eat, and walk slower. When you slow down, you’ll feel more in control of your options and your inner life.
Leave post-it reminders on the computer, your car dashboard, and your front door. Our brains are not trained to remember many things, so write it down.
5. Sleep on it!
Honestly, if I had to choose just one option to manage anger, it would be getting sufficient sleep. Sleep deprivation is a huge culprit in negative moods, including anxiety and depression.
Commit to going to bed earlier during the week. It’s nearly impossible to make calm, measured, responsible choices if you can barely keep your eyes open.
Bottom line: You have everything you need to change. With daily commitment, practice, and patience, you’ll increase problem-solving abilities so you can manage your anger, rather than have your anger manage you.
Remember, living in the past causes depression. Living in the future causes anxiety. Living in the here-and-now enables you to make healthy choices to increase emotional well-being.
And the future begins now.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Monday, October 1, 2012
Positive thinking: Reduce stress by eliminating negative self-talk
Positive thinking: Reduce stress by eliminating negative self-talk
Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. Practice overcoming negative self-talk with examples provided.
By Mayo Clinic staff
Is your glass half-empty or half-full? How you answer this age-old question about positive thinking may reflect your outlook on life, your attitude toward yourself, and whether you're optimistic or pessimistic — and it may even affect your health.
Indeed, some studies show that personality traits like optimism and pessimism can affect many areas of your health and well-being. The positive thinking that typically comes with optimism is a key part of effective stress management. And effective stress management is associated with many health benefits. If you tend to be pessimistic, don't despair — you can learn positive thinking skills. Here's how.
Understanding positive thinking and self-talk
Positive thinking doesn't mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life's less pleasant situations. Positive thinking just means that you approach the unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst.
Positive thinking often starts with self-talk. Self-talk is the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through your head every day. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information.
If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is more likely pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you're likely an optimist — someone who practices positive thinking.
The health benefits of positive thinking
Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:
Increased life span
Lower rates of depression
Lower levels of distress
Greater resistance to the common cold
Better psychological and physical well-being
Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body. It's also thought that positive and optimistic people tend to live healthier lifestyles — they get more physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and don't smoke or drink alcohol in excess.
Identifying negative thinking
Not sure if your self-talk is positive or negative? Here are some common forms of negative self-talk:
Filtering. You magnify the negative aspects of a situation and filter out all of the positive ones. For example, say you had a great day at work. You completed your tasks ahead of time and were complimented for doing a speedy and thorough job. But you forgot one minor step. That evening, you focus only on your oversight and forget about the compliments you received.
Personalizing. When something bad occurs, you automatically blame yourself. For example, you hear that an evening out with friends is canceled, and you assume that the change in plans is because no one wanted to be around you.
Catastrophizing. You automatically anticipate the worst. The drive-through coffee shop gets your order wrong and you automatically think that the rest of your day will be a disaster.
Polarizing. You see things only as either good or bad, black or white. There is no middle ground. You feel that you have to be perfect or that you're a total failure.
Focusing on positive thinking
You can learn to turn negative thinking into positive thinking. The process is simple, but it does take time and practice — you're creating a new habit, after all. Here are some ways to think and behave in a more positive and optimistic way:
Identify areas to change. If you want to become more optimistic and engage in more positive thinking, first identify areas of your life that you typically think negatively about, whether it's work, your daily commute or a relationship, for example. You can start small by focusing on one area to approach in a more positive way.
Check yourself. Periodically during the day, stop and evaluate what you're thinking. If you find that your thoughts are mainly negative, try to find a way to put a positive spin on them.
Be open to humor. Give yourself permission to smile or laugh, especially during difficult times. Seek humor in everyday happenings. When you can laugh at life, you feel less stressed.
Follow a healthy lifestyle. Exercise at least three times a week to positively affect mood and reduce stress. Follow a healthy diet to fuel your mind and body. And learn to manage stress.
Surround yourself with positive people. Make sure those in your life are positive, supportive people you can depend on to give helpful advice and feedback. Negative people may increase your stress level and make you doubt your ability to manage stress in healthy ways.
Practice positive self-talk. Start by following one simple rule: Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to anyone else. Be gentle and encouraging with yourself. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with affirmations of what is good about you.
Here are some examples of negative self-talk and how you can apply a positive thinking twist to them.
Negative self-talk Positive thinking
I've never done it before. It's an opportunity to learn something new.
It's too complicated. I'll tackle it from a different angle.
I don't have the resources. Necessity is the mother of invention.
I'm too lazy to get this done. I wasn't able to fit it into my schedule but can re-examine some priorities.
There's no way it will work. I can try to make it work.
It's too radical a change. Let's take a chance.
No one bothers to communicate with me. I'll see if I can open the channels of communication.
I'm not going to get any better at this. I'll give it another try.
Practicing positive thinking every day
If you tend to have a negative outlook, don't expect to become an optimist overnight. But with practice, eventually your self-talk will contain less self-criticism and more self-acceptance. You may also become less critical of the world around you. Plus, when you share your positive mood and positive experience, both you and those around you enjoy an emotional boost.
Practicing positive self-talk will improve your outlook. When your state of mind is generally optimistic, you're able to handle everyday stress in a more constructive way. That ability may contribute to the widely observed health benefits of positive thinking.
Mayo Clinic
Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. Practice overcoming negative self-talk with examples provided.
By Mayo Clinic staff
Is your glass half-empty or half-full? How you answer this age-old question about positive thinking may reflect your outlook on life, your attitude toward yourself, and whether you're optimistic or pessimistic — and it may even affect your health.
Indeed, some studies show that personality traits like optimism and pessimism can affect many areas of your health and well-being. The positive thinking that typically comes with optimism is a key part of effective stress management. And effective stress management is associated with many health benefits. If you tend to be pessimistic, don't despair — you can learn positive thinking skills. Here's how.
Understanding positive thinking and self-talk
Positive thinking doesn't mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life's less pleasant situations. Positive thinking just means that you approach the unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst.
Positive thinking often starts with self-talk. Self-talk is the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through your head every day. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information.
If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is more likely pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you're likely an optimist — someone who practices positive thinking.
The health benefits of positive thinking
Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:
Increased life span
Lower rates of depression
Lower levels of distress
Greater resistance to the common cold
Better psychological and physical well-being
Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body. It's also thought that positive and optimistic people tend to live healthier lifestyles — they get more physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and don't smoke or drink alcohol in excess.
Identifying negative thinking
Not sure if your self-talk is positive or negative? Here are some common forms of negative self-talk:
Filtering. You magnify the negative aspects of a situation and filter out all of the positive ones. For example, say you had a great day at work. You completed your tasks ahead of time and were complimented for doing a speedy and thorough job. But you forgot one minor step. That evening, you focus only on your oversight and forget about the compliments you received.
Personalizing. When something bad occurs, you automatically blame yourself. For example, you hear that an evening out with friends is canceled, and you assume that the change in plans is because no one wanted to be around you.
Catastrophizing. You automatically anticipate the worst. The drive-through coffee shop gets your order wrong and you automatically think that the rest of your day will be a disaster.
Polarizing. You see things only as either good or bad, black or white. There is no middle ground. You feel that you have to be perfect or that you're a total failure.
Focusing on positive thinking
You can learn to turn negative thinking into positive thinking. The process is simple, but it does take time and practice — you're creating a new habit, after all. Here are some ways to think and behave in a more positive and optimistic way:
Identify areas to change. If you want to become more optimistic and engage in more positive thinking, first identify areas of your life that you typically think negatively about, whether it's work, your daily commute or a relationship, for example. You can start small by focusing on one area to approach in a more positive way.
Check yourself. Periodically during the day, stop and evaluate what you're thinking. If you find that your thoughts are mainly negative, try to find a way to put a positive spin on them.
Be open to humor. Give yourself permission to smile or laugh, especially during difficult times. Seek humor in everyday happenings. When you can laugh at life, you feel less stressed.
Follow a healthy lifestyle. Exercise at least three times a week to positively affect mood and reduce stress. Follow a healthy diet to fuel your mind and body. And learn to manage stress.
Surround yourself with positive people. Make sure those in your life are positive, supportive people you can depend on to give helpful advice and feedback. Negative people may increase your stress level and make you doubt your ability to manage stress in healthy ways.
Practice positive self-talk. Start by following one simple rule: Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to anyone else. Be gentle and encouraging with yourself. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with affirmations of what is good about you.
Here are some examples of negative self-talk and how you can apply a positive thinking twist to them.
Negative self-talk Positive thinking
I've never done it before. It's an opportunity to learn something new.
It's too complicated. I'll tackle it from a different angle.
I don't have the resources. Necessity is the mother of invention.
I'm too lazy to get this done. I wasn't able to fit it into my schedule but can re-examine some priorities.
There's no way it will work. I can try to make it work.
It's too radical a change. Let's take a chance.
No one bothers to communicate with me. I'll see if I can open the channels of communication.
I'm not going to get any better at this. I'll give it another try.
Practicing positive thinking every day
If you tend to have a negative outlook, don't expect to become an optimist overnight. But with practice, eventually your self-talk will contain less self-criticism and more self-acceptance. You may also become less critical of the world around you. Plus, when you share your positive mood and positive experience, both you and those around you enjoy an emotional boost.
Practicing positive self-talk will improve your outlook. When your state of mind is generally optimistic, you're able to handle everyday stress in a more constructive way. That ability may contribute to the widely observed health benefits of positive thinking.
Mayo Clinic
Friday, September 14, 2012
How to Minimize Negative Energy in Your Life
I am all about giving second, even third chances, but sometimes there just comes a point where cutting someone out of your life is the ticket to your self esteem and happiness. No one deserves to drive away all of your positive energy, so don’t let them.
Never forget that what you chose to focus on gets lit up with the spotlight that is your intention, and you have the power to decide where that spotlight is pointed. Try to tackle hardships with sensibility rather than letting them get the best of you, because most things in this life can be overcome if we chose to do so. I see our energy as an internal flame that can be burning bright or barely flickering. Commit to grabbing the steering wheel of your life and driving towards the things that ignite that fire, and away from the things that douse the flames.
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-3656/How-to-Minimize-Negative-Energy-in-Your-Life.html
Never forget that what you chose to focus on gets lit up with the spotlight that is your intention, and you have the power to decide where that spotlight is pointed. Try to tackle hardships with sensibility rather than letting them get the best of you, because most things in this life can be overcome if we chose to do so. I see our energy as an internal flame that can be burning bright or barely flickering. Commit to grabbing the steering wheel of your life and driving towards the things that ignite that fire, and away from the things that douse the flames.
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-3656/How-to-Minimize-Negative-Energy-in-Your-Life.html
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
What Scars Do You Let Define You?
What Scars Do You Let Define You?
Oftentimes, we don’t have control, but we can choose to react in a positive way to what life throws at us—to embrace the difficulties, to embrace the heartache, to embrace everything we face and learn and grow from it. I think that is when I began to appreciate what I have, whom I am becoming, and this beautiful world we live in. That is also when I realized that if there is something I don’t like about my life, I have the power to change it.
When I found that inner strength and began to come to these realizations and when I began to study myself and get to know myself, that’s when I stopped letting that one-inch scar define me, and that’s when I think it disappeared.
Oftentimes, we don’t have control, but we can choose to react in a positive way to what life throws at us—to embrace the difficulties, to embrace the heartache, to embrace everything we face and learn and grow from it. I think that is when I began to appreciate what I have, whom I am becoming, and this beautiful world we live in. That is also when I realized that if there is something I don’t like about my life, I have the power to change it.
When I found that inner strength and began to come to these realizations and when I began to study myself and get to know myself, that’s when I stopped letting that one-inch scar define me, and that’s when I think it disappeared.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
life lessons
If you need to explain yourself in depth and you feel your perspectives on life are not the same, cut them out. DO YOU and give your precious energy to those who will properly receive it.
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