Good News 12/7/2008

• Happiness might be contagious! – http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28058552/

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Good News 11/30/08

• Space Shuttle Home Safe! – http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/11/30/space.shuttle/index.html

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• Ancient Discovery in the Black Sea – http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27968305/

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Good News 11/28/2008

To keep yourself focused on the positive things in the world check out the following news links!

• Five Figure Bonuses Stun Employees – http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27958458/

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• Laughing can lower your blood pressure – http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27955969/

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• Venus & Jupiter; check them out on Monday 12/1 – http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27958792/

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• “America’s Attic” reopening! – http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/11/19/smithsonian.museum.opening/index.html

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It’s been awhile

With so much ick going on in the world I’ve decided that I’m going to use my blog to post only happy, positive, uplifiting news.  I think if we start recognizing that good is still going on around us maybe we’ll attract more of that good into our lives and into our communities.

If you have a good news story let me know and I’ll be sure to post it!

Affirmation 9/3/08

Life is not random.  Everything is happening for a reason!

Affirmation 9/2/2008

I have all of the patience needed to get through the day.  All of the patience in the universe is at my disposal.

End of Summer

It’s been a wild summer in my quest to improve my life. I’ve read a ton and have done a lot of soul searching and kind of lost my way in the process. I’m back on track and will be posting more media reviews soon.

I have a lot of life changing decisions to make in the next few weeks and I’ve been really torn apart by the thought of them. I finally decided to live in the NOW and tackle these decisions as they come along. The major one is work related and the co-workers who know about it have no idea what they would do if they were in my shoes (I’m being offered another position, but with that comes working with people who are very draining). I’ve decided not to decide on anything until the very minute I have to give my answer. I will know in my gut and whatever I decide I know I’ll be taken care of. I finally let-go and realized that everything building up to this is out of my control. Worrying about things I can not control is not necessary and drains me of energy that I should be using on something way more productive. The time to decide is coming soon, but I am at peace! I am actually looking forward to it because I have no idea what I’m going to do and rather than view it as something scary I’m viewing it as an adventure!

Positive Affirmations

To help me stay focused and positive, I’ve placed positive affirmation signs around my house. They are triggers for me to get back on track and not dwell on anything that isn’t serving me. I’ve uploaded a few of the signs I’m using for you to download. All files are PDF’s.

Energy Flows Where Attention Goes

James Arthur Ray says this often in his book Harmonic Wealth and it’s one of my favorites!

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Everything is Energy

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Create Your Day

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You Are Ready

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Return to the Now

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Be Grateful

The Joy Diet – My Thoughts

Book: The Joy Diet – 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life.

Author: Martha Beck

Publisher: Crown Publishers, 2003

What a great read! This approach is very simple, easy to follow and makes total sense (you’ll probably be thinking “Why didn’t I think of this). If your looking for ways to improve or just enhance your life, this is perfect for you! Martha recommends that you read one chapter a week until you’re fully comfortable with a step and then move on to the next. This is a great approach, I think if you tried everything at once you’d totally fall off of this diet, but the one step a week works for me.

The 10 Steps are:

Nothing – Not as easy as it sounds

Truth – This step is amazing and clicked right away for me. I never realized how many stories I made up in my head when there was absolutely no truth to them! Example of my internal voice: “My Sister hasn’t called me lately, I bet she’s mad at me, probably because I couldn’t watch the kids for her last week, what a bitch, I have a life too you know…” this could go on and on. But now I simply ask myself “Is it true that your Sister is mad at you?” The answer is “No! I have no idea why she hasn’t called!”

Desire – Pretty much a chapter of finding what you desire.

Creativity – Creatively reaching your desire

Risk- Take risks in your life. You’ve probably heard it before, “do something scary at least once a day”! I live a pretty risk-free life, so I had a hard time incorporating this step. But finally I just sucked it up and now I’m taking baby-risks and I’m so proud of myself! I’m actually looking forward to taking some big risks soon!

Treats – Reward yourself with 3 treats a day. 2 for no reason and 1 for taking a risk! I’m not very good at this step yet. I do reward myself when I do something risky, but I haven’t been very good at rewarding myself for no reason. I just don’t remember to do it! That’s my goal this week is to figure out a way to reward myself and not see it as a chore.

Laughter – What a great thing to incorporate into your life everyday. After reading this chapter you’ll realize that you actually laugh more than you thought you did, but it still isn’t nearly enough to be on the Joy Diet. I’m lucky, I have a pretty funny family so I usually have a few good laughs throughout the day and although I didn’t really pay attention before, I do feel better after laughing at my family members

Connections – This is a tough one for me! I’ve shut down in most of my interactions with just about everyone I know and I haven’t figured out the source of why yet. I’m someone who is always there for everyone else, but I never (and I mean never) open up about myself. I can’t say this chapter was a major breakthrough for me, but it least got me to recognize my issues and get me excited about reconnecting with people.

Feasting – 3 times a day! What I took away from this chapter is relish all the good that is in your life! I surprised myself on this, I do “Feast” several times a day (at least for the last year or so). For me running through “Gratefuls” is the best feast! I try to do this several times a day especially when I’m in a rotten mood or when I’m trying to focus my mind, little did I know I was mastering a Martha Beck step!

I recommend this book for everyone. It doesn’t have to be for someone who’s trying to “find themselves” as in my case, but for anyone who wants to celebrate their day! Every chapter I’d think of a new person who I think should read this book and when I was done with the book my list included just about everyone I know.

Quantum Wellness – My Thoughts

Book: Quantum Wellness A Practical and Spiritual Guide to Health and Happiness

Author: Kathy Freston

Publisher: Weintstein Books

I saw Kathy Freston on Oprah promoting her book and was intrigued. A few days later I saw the book at the store and picked it up. This is an excellent book to continue your growth if you’re new to the Law of Attraction as I am. It’s not really about the Law of Attraction but many of the principals are talked about. Kathy breaks down her approach into 8 pillars of wellness; Meditation, Visualization, Fun Activities, Conscious Eating, Exercise, Self Work, Spiritual Practice, and Service.

I love this approach! A lot of what I read only covers a few of those aspects and I don’t think any of them talk much about having fun! This Pillar really got my attention. When was the last time you really had fun? Why is fun for adults reserved for vacation or holidays? When I thought about the last time I had fun, I was saddened to think how long it had been since I actually had some fun. Kathy said to set aside some time everyday to have fun! For me this was difficult, I have no clue what I could do on a daily basis for fun. The first couple of days I was stumped, so I decided to dance. I used to love to go dancing at the clubs, and it is just as fun to dance around your living room to some great music! I’m at the point right now where I realize I can’t dance everyday, so I’ve been examining my past to figure out what else could fill the fun category. I remember I used to love to go on bike rides, so this week I’m going to buy a bike. Hopefully it’s as great as I remember

Another pillar I took to heart is Eating Consciously. I must warn you, that by reading this book, it will be hard for you to keep your same eating habits. Kathy talks about how being a vegetarian (or even better, a vegan) is a compassionate and kind way to live. She talks in length about the horror’s cows and chickens go through to get to our plates and I must admit it was so horrific, I couldn’t read it all. I’ve decided that I’m going to “lean” into a vegetarian lifestyle. I’ve been meatless for a week now and it’s really not that hard. Being a vegan (No meat, dairy or other animal products) would be a true struggle for me, so right now I’m just aiming for vegetarian. Life on the dairy farm is no easier for the animals who provide us eggs, milk and cheese, so now that I am aware of it, I will be limiting my intake of those products too.

One of the great things that Kathy mentions often is “leaning into” these new things. She doesn’t expect everyone to read her book and start eating plant only meals and doing a month long cleanse. She says to “lean into” your new lifestyle. Just those simple words makes life changes a whole lot easier to get started.

Each pillar in the end seems (at least to me) about kindness, being kind to yourself (Body, Mind and Spirit), to the people around you through service, the animals who provide us food and kindness to the world as a whole. It really helped focus my mind and my life mission. What better message could you ask from a book?! This book is a must for everyone who wants a more fulfilled life!