2010 was full of experiences...
from new friends to old friends
love, love, love
health scares, healing
new hopes to old hopes
a year of growth
hellos - goodbyes
a year of lessons
a year of hurts
a year of happiness
but in the end, 2010,
we lived.
Carpe Diem!
Don't diet
Stress less
Go for a goal
Move
Keep moving
Celebrate family
Choose something small to adjust
Eat one family meal a day
Daydream
Savor moments
Be genuinely interested in others. Talk about what interests your friends and relatives. Note what another enjoys and feels good about. Ask about a garden, hobby or other neutral topic. Give up needing others to change in order for you to be happy or feel loved. Keep your heart and ears open.
Treat others like they are royalty. For whatever reason some people never change. Remember we are all doing the best we know how to do. Instead of complaining hold a vision of peace and happiness for difficult friends and relatives during the holiday season. Love them for being themselves.
Keep your ego in check. Become aware of the temptation of thinking you're better than others. Become aware of the ways we are the same. For example, we all love to be validated, loved and appreciated. We all want the best for ourselves and our children.
Give yourself permission to shine. Don't dim your light for anyone. On the other hand don't brag. If someone lost their job don't blurt out how well your job is going. Instead genuinely care about others. Offer your help in any way you can.
Take a time out if the coversation gets heated or others bring up the past. Excuse yourself from that conversation. Change the subject. Find something to do in the kitchen.
Bless everyone. Take a moment while sitting at the table and silently look at each person and be sincerely grateful. These people are in your life for a reason. They will teach you how to love unconditionally. They will mirror positive and negative traits you may otherwise not see in yourself. Silently thank them.
Play. Bring something fun to do. Bring bubbles to blow, a simple craft to make or a book to read to the children. Be the fun you wish to have at the party.
Be prepared. Spend time in silence before you leave. Put a few affirmation cards in your purse or pocket. As you catch yourself thinking or feeling negatively excuse yourself. Recenter yourself and stay calm by reading your cards.
Listen to others. We all want to be heard. Be the last to speak and the first to listen. Genuinely care what the other person is talking about. Robin Easton becomes one with the speaker. I can't think of a better time or place to practice that exercise!
Share. Bring a favorite childhood dish. My Aunt Lucy used to make English Toffee that melted in your mouth. It was my sister's favorite dessert. I'm going fill a small gift box for Cher to take home.
Be on your best behavior. Practice what you preach. Be your spiritually mature self. Leave your feelings of being unfairly treated, resentment or envy, in your journal. This leaves room for calm, peace and contentment.
Enjoy the moment. Breathe in six counts and pause. Breathe out. Practice this anytime you feel anxious. You have the power to bring joy with you to any situation.
Forgive your past and everyone in it. Begin doing forgiveness work today. If you have a problem with someone your goal is to be at peace with them before the family event. Each night before falling asleep wish this person well. See them with a smile on their face. Silently offer them peace. Fill a helium balloon with the problem. Let it drift away.
Feel the love. Fill your love tank prior to arriving to a dinner or party. Spend time with friends and have fun. Exercise and get enough sleep. Read a great book. Spend time in prayer.
Fill the home or restaurant with love prior to arriving. Visualize everyone having a good time. Make your intention to be loving and choose to feel loved.
You will receive what you give to others over the holidays. You will get what you expect. Spread joy. Expect love. Have fun.
20 Little Attitudes
of Gratitude
Mind your manners. Say please, thank you and excuse me.
Smile when you see your family. Turn your frown upside down.
Pick up after yourself and for someone else too. Be happy you have someone to pick up after!
Notice when others do kind things for you, show gratitude by action or words.
Say I love you before you leave in the morning and before bed at night.
Give hugs daily.
Don't worry about tomorrow. Focus on what you are happy about today.
Create gratitude journals to keep track of daily blessings.
Show thankfulness for even the little things others do for you.
Leave love notes in unexpected places like lunch boxes and under pillows.
Encourage someone with a compliment.
Verbalize what you are grateful for when you feel like complaining about life.
Keep a basket of small slips of paper on the table. Write notes of thankfulness during the week and read them to each other during a family meal.
Remember to thank God for blessings each day.
Surprise your family (or friends) with little gifts or treats to show you thought of them.
No grumbling about minor annoyances around the house.
Do special things to cherish time with your family. You never know what tomorrow will bring.
Reflect on happy memories regularly. Make inspiration boards or photo walls of special times.
Help someone out without them having to ask you. Watch for someone in need.
When you are doing household chores, be grateful you have a home to clean.
By making a list of 20 attitudes of gratitude and putting them into them into practice, we can make our homes a much more pleasant place to be!
Hungry 8 year old's version:
"Who wants to say grace?"
"I do, I do!"
"OK, go ahead."
"GRACE!"
Cleless 4 year old's version:
"Thank you for this bounty we're about to receive....Mom? Why are we praying about paper towels?"
Wiseguy 11 year old's version:
"Thankyouforthisturkeynottobeconfusedwithmysistertheturkeyamen."
He's all grown up but having my baby home for Christmas would be magical...
This spoke to me this morning when I came across it. Nothing flashy or Hollywood. Today a friend of mine lamented she will turn 50 this year. May I suggest (and she doesn't even know my blog exists) that this is the best part of your life sweet Lori.
Today I read a review of a summit my husband is speaking at and it listed him as a world reknowned speaker. May I suggest, this is the best part of his life.
Heading out into a blue sky sunny day in Michigan with my 53 year old self to inhale the beauty of this day. May I suggest....
So sad. Share forward the Smile Train information! :)
As we approach Thanksgiving, I would like to share this video fromNorah Jones which I'm just now seeing. Too late for Veteran's Day and yet something I am always thankful for....Semper Fi!
TEN TIPS TO BE A BEST FRIEND FOREVER
By Irene Levine
What does it take to be a best friend forever (BFF)? Whether you are 6 or 66 years old, the same rules apply for forming and keeping lasting, meaningful friendships. The following top 10 tips to be a BFF were gleaned from insights culled from more than 16,000 essays submitted in the No nonsense® Between Friends Contest. For more information, visit www.nononsense.com.
The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth. Whether your friend has spinach in her teeth or a cheating boyfriend, an authentic best friend doesn’t take the easy way out. A real best friend dishes out the unvarnished truth, recognizing that when it comes to best friends, tact is less important than honesty. But, be prepared to receive it, too.
Give What You Take. We’ve all heard the tales of one-sided friendships. It’s not fair for one friend to bear the burden of perpetually orchestrating plans. And never keep a friend waiting. Best friends recognize they are equals in their responsibilities and need for respect. Strive for an equally balanced, give and take friendship.
Keeping Secrets. If you harbor big secrets, such as financial worries, a health scare or a marriage crisis, it’s important to share your worries with your best friend. Don’t expect to be a BFF for long if you choose to hide life-changing events from those who want to be there for you.
Accept Your Friend for Who She is, Not Who You Want Her to Be. Embrace a best friend for the gift of who she is. Don’t expect a BFF who loves modern furniture to leap at the chance to join an antique hunting expedition. Understand it’s okay to be different than your best friend and cherish the unique aspects she brings to the friendship.
Be There. Being a great best friend is knowing when it’s best just to listen. Often the mark of a good friend is one who is silently present.
Bask In Her Success. There’s no room for competitive jealousy with friends. Show her you are sincerely happy for accomplishments and even celebrate her good luck.
Show Up. Respond to invitations, calls, emails and texts. Be there for the small moments and the big events. Involvement in the day-to-day minutiae of each other’s lives keeps friendships on track. Attend to the friendship and make it flourish.
Quote Scarlett. Friendships, like marriage, have natural cycles of ups and downs and a best friend is mindful that tomorrow is another day.
Say “Thank You.” Don’t take the friendship for granted. Take time to say thanks, send cards and give hugs.
Fish or Cut Bait. A true friend is there for you when you need her and has your best interests at heart. Be honest and know when it’s time to cut a toxic friendship loose. Lend your best friend skills to someone else deserving.
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