life changing

Jan

2021

How to Move On In Life

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Almost all of us are wondering how to move on in life after the challenges we’ve been thru. Most of us end up lost and clueless after difficult times. We are usually uncertain of what our next steps should be. Life goes on but we feel stuck instead.

While we may not be in our best shape after going though life’s trials; we still need to do what we can to move on and get closer to the life we want. Here are some tips to help you get a move on and away from a negative life experience.

Accept and Be Thankful

Accepting that a situation is what it is should be your first step to moving on. That means accepting the fact that you and the other people involved made mistakes; that the situation maybe irreparable; and that it will take some time to mend each other’s hurts and clear up the situation.

Stop day dreaming about what could have been or the what if’s. Accept the fact that this chapter in your life is now a permanent part of your history. But remember that this chapter does not define your whole life. You can close this chapter whenever you want to.

Acceptance also means that you acknowledge your own flaws and mistakes but you don’t dwell on blaming yourself or the other parties. Remember that you are more than that one broken piece of you. Instead, you should use the situation to learn life lessons. What did you like and did not like about the persons/situation? What can you do next time to avoid the same issues? Take stock of what this person or situation has taught you and be grateful for it.

Being accepting also means that you allow yourself to feel what you feel. Don’t pretend like you’re okay. Cry if you have to; get a friend to whom you can rant to. Write a letter that describes all the gory details while you’re crying instead of bottling up your emotions. Just don’t send it to anyone though.

The point is to feel what you need to feel so that in the future, you can be more aware when a situation has taken a wrong turn; and that is, when you start feeling the same emotions again. Take the time to purge yourself of your negative emotions or to rechannel it. But don’t dwell too long in that negative space. Learn to forgive yourself and promise to do better.

Give yourself a day or two; then take a deep breath and take the next step on how to move on in life. This step is based on your own personal circumstances so it will be different for each one but the next tip should help.

Re-Invest in Your Self

Most of us forget to take care of our selves in our pursuit of success and happiness in the different areas of our life. One of the best things you can do for your self after a challenging life experience is to re-invest in yourself.

Take stock of your own self value. We often forget our own value as we try to please other people in our lives; be it our romantic partner, our work colleagues or boss, or even the expectations of our family members.

You have invested so much of your time and energy into other things that you might have forgotten to give your self some love. Now is the time to indulge in self-care practices to show yourself some love. This is also one way to start your own healing process.

Remember what you were passionate about as a child. As a child, what were your dreams then? What are you good at doing or making? What qualities do you like in other people?

Learning the wonderful things about yourself helps you to identify the qualities that you also value in others. This is what you can share with other people and what other people appreciate about you. We often forget these wonderful aspects of our personalities as we adjust our attitudes and behavior to blend in with our community and environment.

Remembering what makes you who you are and what you can offer to the world will not only boost your sense of self-worth and confidence; it will also help you to figure out how you can utilize your unique talents and abilities to transform your self into the successful person you’ve always wanted to be.

Focus on Change

The time after a storm is when you can see a clearer picture of what you can do and what you can change to transform things for the better. The same is true for personal challenges. When the storm of your life has passed, take stock of what you can do at the moment to change things and improve your situation. You can begin again.

Focus on what you can control. You can’t control what other people think, feel or do. So focus on what you can do on your own to start making change. Now that you have decided to close this chapter; it is the perfect time to start planning out the rest of your life.

Go back to your vision board; consult your bucket list. Review your goals and see which ones you still want to pursue and which ones to discard.

Define what success means for you. Plan out some fun times in your life. Envision the kind of people you want to hang out with; the relationships you want to have. Write down your ideal life story. Break down your goals into measurable chunks. Finally, outline the small steps that you can start working on to start making the change you want.

Of course, planning out the rest of your life will take more than a day. Taking the time to clarify what is important to you will be worth it in the long run. You are building the foundation for the rest of your future so don’t rush through the process. How you want to live your life is your personal responsibility so step up to the challenge.

Most importantly, be consistent in showing up for yourself and doing your best. Believe in yourself and trust that the Universe has your back.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash.

Nov

2020

10 Toxic People That You Should Avoid

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Toxins are everywhere – from the food that we eat to the things that we use. They are even in the air that we breathe and the water that we drink. Just like in the food, air and water; they can also be found in the people around you. Daily exposure to toxins is poisonous, harmful and dangerous to the body. It leads to sickness, diseases and even death if not flushed out from the body. In the same way, that too much exposure with toxic people can affect your overall health, happiness and success. We may not be able to totally avoid it but we can reduce our toxic exposures by doing things like not eating canned goods, avoiding plastic water bottles and going organic. Likewise, we should also avoid exposures to toxic people. But how to identify the toxic people? Here are 10 toxic people that you should avoid.

Generally, toxic people spread negativity. They are highly contagious. They drain your energy. You are better off avoiding them at all cost since they can create chaos around you. If you spend too much time with them, you might even end up like them. Remember, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with .

Toxic people will pollute everything around them. Don’t hesitate. Fumigate.
– Mandy Hale

1.The Arrogant

Arrogant persons are people who act superior than others. They think of themselves as more important, thus, they disrespect and put others down. They think that their thoughts, beliefs and experiences are way better than others. Some people become arrogant because of the success that they have accomplished in life. They want others to appreciate them to boost their self-worth. On the other hand, for some people, their arrogance is actually a self-defense mechanism to hide their insecurities and inferiority complex.

An arrogant person considers himself perfect. This is the chief harm of arrogance. It interferes with a person’s main task in life – becoming a better person.
-Leo Tolstoy

2. The Complainer

Complainers are people who think that the world is out to get them. They perceive themselves as perpetual victims. They don’t see themselves as negative people, instead they see the whole world in a negative light and they are merely voicing out their annoyance to all the unfortunate events happening around them. Complainers are people who are looking for understanding, sympathy and emotional validation.

When you complain, you make yourself a victim. Leave the situation, change the situation or accept it, all else is. madness.
– Eckhart Tolle

3. The Critic

Critics are people who are skeptical about things. They often criticize and oppose everything and everyone around them. They will sabotage any new ideas and they will keep you from achieving your highest potential. Critics are actually people who have a lot of fears in their lives. They don’t have the courage to take risks. Their statements are actually projections of their own fears and worries.

Don’t let someone who gave up on their dreams talk you out of going after yours.
– Zig Ziglar

4. The Envious

All persons experience an occasional feeling of envy. We are after all humans. This emotion arises when we see someone who is better than us whether it be their beauty, intelligence, wealth or success. Envious people however, take their jealousy to the next level. They let their feelings control them to the point that they begin to hate the other person. On extreme cases, they even harm the person they are envious of. This stems from their inferiority complex. They feel worthless deep inside that they subconsciously developed the habit of comparing themselves to others.

Envy is the art of counting the other fellow’s blessings instead of your own.
– Harold Coffin

5. The Gossipmonger

People who like to gossip derive pleasure in the misfortunes of others. It might be fun and entertaining at first but spreading confidential information and offensive judgements eventually gets tiring and uncomfortable. You will only end up hurting other people. Gossipmongers are persons who are unhappy, envious and attention-seekers. They want to feel superior and better about themselves by highlighting the problems of others.

Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.
– Eleanor Roosevelt

6. The Liar

Liars are people who lie all the time. They believe that they are smarter than everyone else and that their lies will never be found out. It is hard to trust these people because you never know what to believe. Doubt and mistrust will always be present in the relationship. Remember that they never keep their promises. If they lie to you about themselves and about others, there is a big probability that they will lie to others about you too.

When someone lies to you, it’s because they don’t respect you enough to be honest, and they think you’re too stupid to know the difference.
– Unknown

7. The Narcissist

Have you ever had a conversation with somebody whom you can’t get a word in? Narcissist people love to talk about themselves. They think the world revolves around them. They are not concerned about anything else. Narcissists don’t ask questions nor will they ask you how you are doing. Even if they do, they won’t wait for your responses. Professionals argued that a narcissistic personality is linked to a parent-child relationship. They are people who either have narcissistic parents or they received excessive pampering as a child.

The narcissist doesn’t question himself. He never wonders if he is at fault. Why? Because in his mind he is never wrong. You are.
– unknown

8. The Party Animal

It is all right to party, have fun and go out occasionally. The body needs to unwind every now and then to relieve some stress. However, doing it excessively can be disastrous not only for your wallet but also for your health, productivity and overall well-being. Party animals are sad and depressed individuals. They try to escape the reality of their lives and seek temporary comfort through heavy partying.

IF you want to become a party animal, you have to learn to love in the jungle.
– Kelly LeBrock

9. The Puppeteer

Puppeteers are expert manipulators. They deliberately exploit the other person for their own benefit. Be careful, puppeteers are disguise as good friends. They are the friendliest, most accommodating and they will flatter you with words that you want to hear. Unfortunately, they are only nice to you because they want something in return. You will be taken advantage of over and over again as long as you let them control you. They are self-centered individuals whose words and actions are intended to seduce and impress you so they can achieve their aim.

People who feel the need to control others, don’t have control over themselves.
– Unknown

10. The Temperamental

Temperamental persons are persons whose moods change very quickly. One minute everything seems perfectly normal, the next thing that you know that person can turn into a monster. They are very hot-headed and irritable. They are also bad-tempered and moody. Controlling their own emotions is not their forte. Being with them will make you the receiving end of their negative emotions. They can even embarrass you in public or worse, they can hurt you. As a result, you will forever be walking on egg shells being around these people.

You don’t ever have to feel guilty about removing toxic people from your life. It doesn’t matter whether someone is a relative, romantic interest, employer, childhood friend or new acquaintance – you don’t have to make room for people who cause you pain or make you feel small. It’s one thing if a person owes up to their behavior and makes an effort to change. But if a person disregards your feelings, ignores your boundaries or continues to treat you in a harmful way, they need to go.
– Daniell Koepke

Updated version. First published in Pinoy Smart Living on 19.09.2018.

Feature Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay Images.

Oct

2020

How a Crisis Brings Out the Best in People

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Have you ever wondered how a crisis brings out the best in people? We know a challenging situation can also bring out the worst in people. Compare that to how many people you know who successfully overcame difficult circumstances. Most of these people even came out of the experience in better shape than before they encountered their challenge.

Our personal challenges helps us grow individually. A crisis that affects a whole community of people can bring out both the worst and best in people. The media mostly highlights the negative, so let’s focus instead on the bright side – how a crisis brings out the best in people.

Awakening Compassion

Most of us may see people, even ourselves, as essentially selfish and cruel. Then we find ourselves sharing and giving aid to other people who are in need. We even do so without asking anything in return. This seems to be a conflicting picture. This is even more noticeable in times of crisis.

Disasters overhaul our negative assumptions about human nature. Deep down, we know that human beings are compassionate and can be selfish when they choose to be. We tend to suppress this compassionate nature and develop an instinct for selfishness to survive instead. The world is harsh and people can be cruel after all. We protect ourselves from these elements by being harsh and cruel ourselves.

A crisis unmasks in us all these layers of protection that we have put on through the years. Disasters have brought about so many acts of kindness and self-sacrifice. Through the suffering of other people, we are shown a reflection of our own vulnerability and our own need for some one, other than ourselves, to help us and protect us.

Seeing other people struggling because of things that are not under their control makes us realize that this can also happen to us. We resonate even deeper with their situation if we have gone through a similar experience. This is how a crisis unlocks our sense of compassion and brings out the best in people. Even if the disaster is in another country, the human struggle we know is happening beyond the news, still tugs heavily at our hearts.

Realizing Fellowship

A crisis shows us our vulnerability as humans. It also shows us the weakness of other human beings. We expect people to fend for themselves when a natural calamity strikes. More often, the opposite is what actually happens.

There are many stories of people following instructions calmly instead of panicking as they go out a burning building. They calmly file out instead of shoving each other forward. They let the elderly, children and women go out first instead of running ahead themselves.

Stories of unsung heroes who carried injured fellows on their backs to help them survive a natural disaster abound. Complete strangers taking care of others who are injured in a cave-in always brings tears and pride in our hearts. The disaster almost cost them their lives but it also taught them a lesson in kindness and caring. They end up being lifelong friends because of overcoming a shared challenge together.

We are often told when we were young to be our brother’s keeper. To take care of our fellow humans. We often don’t take these words too seriously. Disasters make us realize the value of these words. It gives us clarity on what’s most important in the moment. The value of another person’s life takes on even greater significance. The value of more lives takes on greater importance than our own life. This is where the capacity to sacrifice for others comes from. This is how heroes are born, both known and unknown.

Community Solidarity

The news is almost always filled with the negative side of a crisis. We see acts of violence and selfishness, panic and fear. Some of these scenarios are true but there is a bright side to all of this. Amidst all the desperation, there are moments of joy.

A crisis usually results in a surge in solidarity among people of different backgrounds. We see people supporting campaigns to help the affected community. Some offer financial help, some are there to help physically and some provide support by providing supplies in kind. Everyone comes together in their intention to alleviate the condition of other people in difficulty. There is a sense of collaboration that is created when everyone is willing to listen to everyone else. Each one is only interested in how they can help. Most importantly, they offer their help without complaint and without expecting anything in return.

Even organizations take the initiative to show support. Sometimes it’s because the disaster is within their area or is of interest to them. In most cases, simply because they genuinely want to help.

The affected group of people themselves become even more solid in their sense of community. They take care of each other in various ways. Family members tend to prioritize the children and the elderly when distributing basic needs such as food and shelter. Those physically able take in extra effort to provide and help those who are weak and injured. The youth who are usually complaining at the small discomforts exert effort to work together to entertain or to help their community. Everyone acts as though they are a member of one community. There is solidarity to work towards a single cause.

Genuine Gratitude

The giver and the receiver benefits during a disaster. The giver is able to practice and express their kindness. The receiver is able to express their gratitude for the helping hand.

The giver also experiences gratitude in these trying times. They realize that they are lucky compared to the other. The giver becomes grateful for their luck. They see that they have more than the other. Their act of sharing is also an expression of gratitude for the good opportunities they have.

Everyone wants to give and share what they can in a disaster. The recipients are genuinely grateful. They too realize that they are lucky to survive the situation. Lucky enough to be able to receive help and to express back their thanks.

Both sides realize the things that they have to be grateful for. Both parties give each other hope in different ways. The disaster may have resulted in huge losses for one party. As a result, two parties end up gaining more in life experience and hopefully, in wisdom.

A lot of what is most beautiful about the world arises from struggle.
– Malcolm Gladwell

A disaster makes us realize that humans are deeply kind and compassionate. That strangers are actually caring and nurturing. That a community can act as one for a common goal.

A crisis can be life-altering. It shows us the ugly side of life and the worst side of people. It can also be enlightening and beautiful. A crisis is an opportunity to act and care for others. It helps us recognize that we need others but also that others need us. A crisis allows us to remember the things that we should be grateful for. It reminds us that there is hope and joy to be found even in the darkest times, and that we can be the source of both. This is how a crisis brings out the best in people and in groups of people.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash.

Sep

2020

Signs From the Universe That You Are on The Wrong Path

Reading Time: 4 minutes

We have all experienced ‘coincidences’ in life. They often affirm our strong belief that something was meant to be or not meant to be. How many times have you had a gut feeling that you should do or not do something? These are what we call signs from the Universe (or from God, the Divine Source, etc.). Have you also experienced getting signs from the Universe that you are on the wrong path?

The Universe is always communicating with us but sometimes we aren’t aware about it, or we don’t trust it. If you’ve ever had a good or bad feeling about a situation; that is a sign from the Universe. Sometimes, the signs are not as subtle as a ‘gut feeling’ but a long-lasting phase or mood. If you are feeling or experiencing any of these things in your life right now; then it is a sign from the Universe that something has to change.

1. You’re Always Stressed Out

The mot common sign that most of us ignore is when we always feel stressed out about something. Especially if this stress is constant, that means that you need to leave the situation. It may also mean that you need to do something you’re afraid of doing to change the situation.

Sometimes, it’s a person or a thing that stresses us out. If it’s a thing that stresses you out; like the sight of the clutter in your room, then you can easily do something about it. Clearly, it’s a sign from the Universe that you are on the wrong path. So don’t be lazy and clean your room.

If you are always stressed out when you’re around a certain person, examine why this is so. What is it that this person does that stresses you out? Is it something trivial, then maybe it’s your reaction that you can change. If it’s something that not only affects you, then maybe you can talk with that person to stop doing it. If they are unwilling, then maybe you need to stay away from that person or that group of people. Or maybe you just need to take a break from seeing them for a while. This way you can sort yourself out and be able to deal with them better next time.

2. You’ve Lost Interest

Do you feel you’ve lost interest in the things you once loved doing? Take a break from it and see if you can come back to it with renewed interest. If this is not the case, then perhaps you need to move on to something new, or to bigger things.

We sometimes feel guilty when we feel the need to move on from something that we once had a passion for. It’s almost as if we are betraying them and ourselves because we are turning our back on them. So we try to stop the process from happening. But we are only prolonging our agony (and maybe everyone else’s) as a result. This is one of the signs from the Universe that you are on the wrong path.

Whenever you have a feeling that you need to move on from something or someone, your gut is probably right. You are not betraying them or yourself. You only feel this way because you regret all the time and effort you spent with them. Moving on feels as though you invalidate all that you did before. The truth is that all your time and effort has prepared you for the next step or phase. Just be thankful for the experience and move on without regrets.

3. You’re Longing for Change

Did you suddenly wake up one day feeling or thinking that you want things to change? Then they probably need to. Most of us have a sudden realization like this; but we brush it aside and just go on our usual activities. We wait until this thought or feeling becomes a strong longing. Then we either get depressed or frustrated over it, or we do something about it.

The best way to deal with this kind of realization is to do something about it quickly. But figure out what change you want to make first, then start with the small things. Think about what you can do today to implement the change you want for the long-term. Do you wan to start exercising again? Start by doing some light, stretching exercise first or go for a walk or a short jog.

Embrace your longing for change. Do something about it every day instead of putting up with it until it becomes a stressful experience. Define what that change means for you. Set up a plan and a strategy on how you are going to do it. Then start implementing your plan. You future self will thank your old self later on for responding quickly to a nudge from the Universe.

4. You’re in Chronic Pain

We are all aware of the phrase ‘listen to your body’. The Universe also speaks to us through our bodies. If you are experiencing chronic pain that you can’t explain, then take it as a sign from the Universe. You need to do something to make that pain go away.

Have you tried exercising and eating healthy to improve your condition to no avail? Then maybe it’s one of the signs from the Universe telling you that you are on the wrong path. Maybe you need to stop self-medicating and see a doctor instead? Maybe something has to change in your environment.

Sometimes, physical pain can be a sign of other underlying conditions. You may have an emotional issue that you have not addressed. Maybe the Universe is telling you that now is the time to take action to resolve these issues.

There are always signs from the Universe that you are on the wrong path or the right path. It helps to be mindful of your body and your habits so you can easily identify these signs. Try to act on these signs as quickly as you can. That way, you can get back on the right track quickly too.

What other signs from the Universe have you experienced that helped you identify you were on the wrong path? These signs are often very personal and only we can identify them. Don’t take it negatively when things don’t go as planned. Think of it as a sign from the Universe that you are on the wrong path. It’s the Universe’ way of nudging you back into the right path so you can accomplish your goals.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels.

Sep

2020

How To Be Happy in Difficult Times

Reading Time: 3 minutes

This pandemic has caught everyone by surprise. We woke up one day and the world is different. Suddenly, it is like we are all living inside a science-fiction movie. We watch in horror as we see the number of people dying all around the world. What is COVID? How did this thing even happen? And even if we find the vaccine soon, the world will no longer be the same again. As we struggle to adapt to the new normal, another crisis is in the corner – the global economic crisis brought about by this pandemic. It’s not just a health issue now; there is still the challenge on how to survive this economic crisis. In times like this, it is difficult to be happy, much less stay sane. So, how to be happy in difficult times?

Below are some tips on how to be happy in difficult times:

1.Focus on What you Have NOT on What you Don’t Have

What’s the first thing that you do in the morning? if you have a habit of watching the news or checking your social media, then it is time to change your habit. The news will be full of bad things happening around you while your social media will contain things that others have that you don’t have. Instead of that, why not start a gratitude journal and write down at least three things that you are grateful for. By doing this simple thing, you are shifting your focus from the negative to the positive. Then you are starting your day on a positive note. Through this habit, you will be surprised that you can easily find joy in the little things in life.

The earlier you learn that you should focus on what you have, and not obsess about what you don’t have, the happier you will be.
– Amy Poehler

2.Accept Things That You Cannot Change

Many of us gets frustrated with things that are beyond our control. The pandemic, the past and other people are just some of the things that we have no control over. The sooner we accept that we cannot change these things, the sooner we will be happy.

In order to fully accept the situation, you need to go through a process of grieving first. Go ahead, cry your heart out. Feel the sadness and the pain. It’s okay to not be okay for some time. But don’t let it consume you. After some time, you need to start living your life again.

Focus on the things that you can change. You cannot control the pandemic but you can protect yourself from diseases. You may be buried in debt but you can slowly improve your finances through financial literacy. Learn to differentiate the things that you can and cannot change.

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
– Reinhold Niebuhr

3. Surround Yourself with Happy, Positive Individuals

Did you know that you are the average of the five people you spend the most of your time with? If you surround yourself with positive people, you will also have a positive attitude in life. In the same way that if you spend too much time with toxic individuals like those people who complain a lot, then you will also end up feeling down. Be wise. Be choosy about the people you hang out with.

You are the average of the five people you spend most of your time with.
– Jim Rohn

4. Find your Purpose

It may sound cliche, but things really do happen for a reason. There is a lesson with all this like how important our health is as well as the environment. The important thing here is to learn the lesson and move on. A purpose will give us the reason to move on. Life is not a steady path, there will always be bumps and obstacles along the way. Having a clear goal, will keep us walking on that path amidst the challenges. So, find your purpose. Unleash the genius within you. Your purpose is always connected with your gifts, talents and passion.

He who has why to live can bear almost any how.
-Friedrich Nietzsche

Feature Image by Enrique Meseguer from Pixabay Images

Apr

2020

How to Overcome Challenges

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Life is full of of adversities. It is all part of our journey in life. Challenges are crucial for growth and success. Without them, we will never have a chance to improve and become better persons. Conquering them is not easy but it is possible. What is important is the will to find ways on how to overcome challenges.

Adversity has the effect of drawing out strength and qualities of a man that would have laid dormant in its absence.
Herodotus

Unfortunately, not all people bounced back. There are those who got stucked in the past. These people tried to relive the pain of the past over and over again. They are not making progress in life. They are also unhappy. You don’t want to be like them.

At the other side of the fence are the champions. They are the ones who survived the adversities that came their way. The challenges that they have encountered in life became their stepping stones for success. They conquered and were able to rise above the storm. You want to belong in this group.

Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.
Roger Crawford

Yes, it is possible to overcome adversities. It is going to be hard. It will be painful and very difficult. You must be unshakeable. You need to persevere. Don’t be discouraged by defeat or failure. That’s the only way to survive and conquer adversities in life.

Here are some tips on how to successfully overcome adversities:

1. Take Responsibility for Your Life

Be responsible for your actions. You are where you are right now because of the decisions that you have made in the past. Acknowledge what happened. Take ownership of your past behaviours. Stop blaming others. Accept the fact that there are some things that are beyond your control. Instead, ask yourself what are the things that you can control and could have done differently. Learn the lesson and move on. The sooner you will take responsibility for your own life, the sooner you can get out of that predicament.

Don’t play the victim to circumstances you created.
Unknown

2. Focus on Your Goals

What do you want to accomplish in life? Many people have a hard time overcoming adversities because they don’t know what they want in life. It is difficult to focus when you don’t know what you want. It is like driving your car without a clear destination. So before anything else, you need to first start creating your life goals.

If you are focus on your goals, you won’t get distracted easily. You will only pay attention to things that will help you achieve your goals. No matter how hard, you will search for solutions to problems.

3. Have the Proper Mindset

Your mindset affects the direction of your life. Whether you become a success or failure in tackling life’s challenges relies heavily on your mindset.

Your mindset is your mental disposition. It includes your values, thoughts and beliefs. It determines how you response to events that happen to you. If you think you can overcome it, then you will. In the same way, that if you think the problem is too big for you to handle, then it is going to be too big for you to handle. That’s why it is very important to have the proper mindset in times of crisis.

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.
Henry Ford

4. Practice Gratitude

You need to practice gratitude especially in tough times. Gratitude helps you feel good. It diverts your focus from the negative to the positive. You begin to look at what you have rather than what you don’t have. You will feel blessed. It will become helpful especially during times of anxiety and despair.

5. Surround Yourself with Positive People

Have you heard of the saying that “you are the average of the five people you spend most of your time with”? The people you surround yourself with has an enormous power to influence your life. They directly affect your mood, mindset, motivation and decisions.

For example, you have decided to improve your wellness. You made a promise to yourself to start eating healthy foods but every time you go out with your friends, they kept on eating fast food. Compare this in a scenario wherein all your friends eat organic and fresh produce. In which case do you think will you be achieve your goals?

The same is true if you surround yourself with positive people. Positive people will support you, encourage you and compliment you while negative people will criticize you and put you down.

6. Be One With Nature

Did you know that there is a new wellness model called Ecowellness? Ecowellness pertains to psychotherapeutic activities that involves nature. You can go to the beach or the mountains, take a walk in the park or do gardening in your backyard. In other words, it is using nature to heal and reduce stress. It is allowing yourself to experience calmness and in the process cultivate deep awareness of one’s self. Before you know it, you will that moment of clarity wherein you will know what to do with the challenges ahead.

Feature Image by Posted by A.L. Jonas in Emotional, 0 comments

Mar

2020

How Keeping a Gratitude Journal Can Change Your Life

Reading Time: 3 minutes

It is no secret that an attitude of gratitude has positive effects but we seldom take the time to express gratitude in our daily lives. One way to incorporate this habit is by keeping a Gratitude Journal. Keeping a gratitude journal can change your life. Even Oprah Winfrey keeps such a journal:

…whenever there’s a grateful moment, I note it. I know for sure that appreciating whatever shows up for you in life changes your personal vibration. You radiate and generate more goodness for yourself when you’re aware of all you have and not focusing on your have-nots.
– Oprah Winfrey, Oprah

Starting a gratitude general is easy. Just get yourself a notebook and pen and write down 3-5 things that you are grateful for in your day. You may do this right before you sleep or you can out your notebook whenever you feel there’s something good to be grateful for throughout the day.

Here are some of the ways, a Gratitude Journal, can change your life.

1. Increase Positivity

Writing down the things that you are grateful for increases your positive vibes. It makes you more optimistic about your life as you focus on the good things that you are thankful for, taking time away from dwelling too much on negative thoughts and emotions. As you write down your blessings, you may even find yourself smiling more.

2. Improve Confidence

By seeing the good in things, you will also be able to easily see the good in you and be more appreciative of yourself. In doing so, you tend to lessen the impulse to compare yourself to others. Writing down your thoughts also increases your confidence in communicating with others as you are able to practice expressing your thoughts and feelings unto paper which in turn, can help you express them verbally to other people.

3. Improve Memory

At least, it helps you improve your memories of good experiences. The habit of reviewing your day to look for things you are grateful for enhances your associative memory. It is easier to recall things that you have strong feelings for than those that you don’t or just experienced in passing. This habit may even help you get rid of phobias from past traumas as you slowly start associating things that were previously negative in context with new experiences that are now more positive.

4. Reduce Stress

Developing a grateful attitude even in tough times inevitably results in feeling less stressed about life than usual. As you see more good things around you, noticing more positive things happening around you, you also tend to look for the positive in every situation. The time you spend worrying is gradually reduced and replaced with time spent observing and being grateful for what’s good in the moment.

A habit of gratitude also enhances your innate sense of faith that things will eventually turn out for the best and you go about your day with a more positive outlook of the future than you did before.

5. Better Sleep

As you review your day and ponder over the things that you are grateful for, you are less likely to dwell on your worries and enjoy a more sound, restful sleep. Writing down on your Gratitude Journal for just 15 minutes before going to sleep is a good way to wind down and put your mind into a calm state that encourages restful sleep.

You will see that as you practice being grateful, you will attract more things that you will be grateful for. Try keeping a Gratitude Journal for a at least a month and see if you experience the life-changing results.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Freshh Connection on Unsplash.