Showing posts with label marc and angel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marc and angel. Show all posts

7.10.14

20 things to remember whren YOU THINK YOU ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH


Over the weekend I had a huge wake up call thanks to both my daughters. I honestly at time think I am not good enough. But deep down I know I am. I am being the best version of myself and trying to be the best Mother I can be. Yes we all have our moments but when Miss R and Miss B stated that I need to think better of myself made me realise I need to focus differently. This feature is to help me adapt and hopefully to those who need it as well.

Nobody is doing better than you because nobody can do better than you. – YOU are walking your own path.  Sometimes the reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes circumstances with everyone else’s public highlight reel.   Forget what everyone else is doing and achieving.  Your life is about breaking your own limits and outgrowing yourself to live YOUR best life.

Where you are right now is a necessary step. – Sometimes we avoid experiencing exactly where we are because we have developed a belief, based on our ideals, that it is not where we should be or want to be.  But the truth is, where you are right now is exactly where you need to be to get to where you want to go tomorrow.

Everything is coming together… maybe not immediately, but gradually. – When times are tough, remind yourself that no pain comes without a purpose.  Move on from what hurt you, but never forget what it taught you.  Pain is part of growing.  Remember that there are two kinds of pain: pain that hurts and pain that changes you.  When you roll with life, instead of resisting it, both kinds help you grow.

It is your resistance to “what is” that causes your suffering. – Remember, happiness is allowing yourself to be perfectly OK with “what is,” rather than wishing for and worrying about “what is not.”  “What is” is what’s supposed to be, or it would not be.  The rest is just you, arguing with life.  Think about that for a minute.  This means your suffering only ever occurs when you resist how things are.  You cannot control everything that happens to you; you can only control the way you respond to what happens.  In your response is your power. 

Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace. – Choose to be miserable and you’ll find plenty of reasons to be miserable.  Choose to be peaceful and you’ll find plenty of reasons to be at peace.  Think about it.  Are you skilled at making yourself miserable?  With those same skills you can make yourself motivated, effective and fulfilled.  Do so.

You are always good enough to try, and that’s what’s important in the end. – Everything you achieve comes from something you attempt.  Make the attempt.  Trust me, twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do.  Give yourself a chance.

There’s always something small you can do. – There is absolutely nothing about your present situation that prevents you from moving forward, one tiny step at a time.  Remember, vision without action is just a daydream; vision must be combined with venture.  It is not enough to stare up the steps, you must step up the stairs.  And all you have to do is take one step at a time.  Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life.  Tiptoe if you must, but take that step.

Failures are really just lessons that need to be learned. – No day is ever wasted when you live it with purpose and presence.  Value and enjoy the journey, even when there are detours along the way.

Yesterday’s impossibilities may be possible today. – Experience is the hardest kind of teacher; it gives you the test first and the lesson afterward.  But this is really a blessing.  It means you’re growing stronger and more capable with every passing day.  So don’t you dare give up on today because of the way things looked yesterday.  Don’t even think about it.

What “might happen” can only stop you if you let it. – Rather than worrying about what might happen, move forward and use your energy and intelligence to deal with what does actually happen.

The quality of your vision drives the quality of your life. – It’s up to you how you visualise things and what you focus on.  Forget what you don’t like.  Focus on what excites you.  If you see a possibility, explore it.  If you have a dream, live it.  Those who are passionate and excited about what they’re doing have an advantage that is nearly impossible to conquer.  Be one of these people.  

You don’t need to get everyone’s approval first. – Stop listening to what the world says you should want.  Start listening to who you are.  Truth be told, there are only a few people in this world who will stay 100% true to you, and YOU should be one of them.

What you’re capable of achieving is greatly based on how much you want it. – When it means enough to you, then you can do it.  When you are willing and committed and persistent, you will get yourself there, every time.  Success is neither magical nor mysterious.  Success is the natural outcome of consistently applying your focused effort to what you want.  The fatigue might be there sometimes, but you must understand that putting it aside is the single most important factor in succeeding.

Your best bet is to give yourself no other choice. – It’s amazing what you can do when you have no other choice.  In fact, achievement consists mostly of giving yourself no other choice.  You are more than good enough; you just have to own it – you have to own everything you are and everything you’re up against.  If you believe your troubles are too powerful, then you’ll never allow yourself to rise above them.  Stop fretting.  Quit worrying.  Don’t complain.  You know what you must do.  So do it.

You have to work hard on yourself too. – Self-respect, self-love, self-worth… there’s a reason they all start with “self.”  You can’t receive them from anyone else.  Earn the respect of others by having the audacity to respect yourself.  Dare to love yourself as if you were a rainbow with pots of gold at both ends.  It’s your responsibility, above all, to see your own value.  And this responsibility to yourself means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking, and deciding for you; it means learning to use your own brains and intuition to make things happen – hence, grappling with hard work. 

You are stronger than whatever is troubling you. – Use each setback, each disappointment as a cue to push on ahead with more determination than ever before.  When something bad happens, you can either let it define you, let it destroy you or let it strengthen you.  The choice is yours.  So pump yourself up!  You are a lot stronger than you think you are.  You may not be where you want to be yet, but look how far you’ve come.  Celebrate the fact that you’re not where you used to be.

For everything you’ve lost, you’ve gained something else. – Appreciate what you have today.  Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.  No regrets, just lessons.  No worries, just acceptance.  No expectations, just gratitude.  Life is too short.  The story of your life has many chapters.  One bad chapter doesn’t mean it’s the end.  So stop re-reading the bad one already, and turn the page.

You have made the best of some tough situations. – Smiling doesn’t always mean you’re happy with everything.  Sometimes it just means you’re strong and smart enough to accept it and make the best of it.

Your scars are symbols of your strength. – Don’t ever be ashamed of the scars life has left you with.  A scar means the hurt is over and the wound is closed.  It means you conquered the pain, learned a lesson, grew stronger, and moved forward.  A scar is the tattoo of a triumph.  So don’t allow your scars to hold you hostage.  Don’t allow them to make you live your life in fear.  You can’t make the scars in your life disappear, but you can change the way you see them.  You can start seeing your scars as a sign of strength and not pain.

You are still here trying. – If you have no other testimony right now, you have this one: “I’m still here trying.”  Be positive, patient and persistent.  The more you feel like quitting, the more there is to be gained by continuing to do all three.  Because the strongest people aren’t the people who always win, but the people who don’t give up when they lose.

Source : Marc and Angel || Image : This Is Glamorous

12.8.14

30 BEAUTIFUL THINGS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW


Take a moment or two to think about the beautiful things happening around us. The world is full of so much sadness that it is important to realise that beautiful things are happening around us all the time. Feel good moments to share.
Right now, at this exact moment…
  1. A newborn infant just took her first breath.
  2. Two teenage romantics just received their very first kiss, from each other.
  3. Someone is driving their car with the windows down and singing to their favourite song at the top of their lungs.
  4. Volunteers in different cities are actively assisting and standing up for the powerless, the homeless, and the neglected who need someone to speak up for them.
  5. Someone is in the middle of complimenting a stranger who desperately needed a reason to smile.
  6. Two coworkers are cracking each other up and laughing so hard they aren’t even making any noise.
  7. A high school guidance counselor is contributing her time, encouragement, and a listening ear to help a student realise their passion and ability.
  8. People near and far are holding hands with the person they love.
  9. A husband and wife who were drowning in debt ten years ago proudly hold a balance of zero on all their lines of credit.
  10. Someone is going above and beyond and doing a little extra work to make someone else’s life a little easier.
  11. People from all over the world are online at crowd funding sites like GoFundMe pledging online donations to help strangers in need.
  12. Responsible designated drivers are getting their friends home safely.
  13. A student tutor is volunteering her time to help a fellow student learn.
  14. Someone who has struggled with their weight for years is looking down at the scale, smiling.
  15. A long-term alcoholic just celebrated exactly one full year of sobriety.
  16. Somewhere someone is admiring a breathtaking sunrise, and somewhere else a surreal sunset.
  17. A friend is helping a friend rise above feelings of depression and suicide.
  18. Someone is holding the door open for the person behind them.
  19. A Good Samaritan is pulled over on the side of the road assisting a stranger who’s having car trouble.
  20. Someone is celebrating the fact that they just broke their own personal best record.
  21. An active duty military member stationed overseas just received an email from a loved one.
  22. Hundreds of people are spending a few clicks of their time online at Free Rice.
  23. Someone just accidentally overheard someone else say something nice about them.
  24. An emergency room surgeon just saved her patient’s life.
  25. Two best friends are hugging each other after being apart for a while.
  26. Honest people are working tirelessly at various government agencies to help protect the basic human rights and civil liberties of their fellow citizens.
  27. Someone who suffered from a severe injury a while back is back on their feet.
  28. Several of the world’s next great inventors, artists and entrepreneurs are working diligently on perfecting their breakthrough ideas and crafts.
  29. Someone is sitting quietly and smiling about the fact that there’s nowhere else in the world they would rather be right now.
  30. Somewhere on the Internet someone is writing an encouraging comment on a blog post that will make others smile.  -  Marc and Angel

5.8.14

12 THINGS YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SAY ABOUT YOURSELF


1. I am following my heart and intuition
Don’t be pushed by your problems.  Be led by your dreams.  Live the life you want to live.  Be the person you want to remember years from now.  Make decisions and act on them.  Make mistakes, fall and try again.  Even if you fall a thousand times, at least you won’t have to wonder what could have been.  At least you will know in your heart that you gave your dreams your best shot.Each of us has a fire in our hearts burning for something.  It’s our responsibility in life to find it and keep it lit.  This is your life, and it’s a short one.  Don’t let others extinguish your flame.  Try what you want to try.  Go where you want to go.  Follow your own intuition.  Dream with your eyes open until you know exactly what it looks like.  Then do at least one thing every day to make it a reality.And as you strive to achieve your goals, you can count on there being some fairly substantial disappointments along the way.  Don’t get discouraged, the road to your dreams may not be an easy one.  Think of these disappointments as challenges – tests of persistence and courage.  At the end of the road, more often than not, we regret what we didn’t do far more than what we did.  

2. I am proud of myself
You are your own best friend and your own biggest critic.  Regardless of the opinions of others, at the end of the day the only reflection staring back at you inthe mirror is your own.  Accept everything about yourself – EVERYTHING!  You are you and that is the beginning and the end – no apologies, no regrets.People who are proud of themselves tend to have passions in life, feel content and set good examples for others.  It requires envisioning the person you would like to become and making your best efforts to grow.Being proud isn’t bragging about how great you are; it’s more like quietly knowing that you’re worth a lot.  It’s not about thinking you’re perfect – because nobody is – but knowing that you’re worthy of being loved and accepted.  All you have to do is be yourself and live the story that no one else can live – the story of your own unique life.  Be proud, be confident, you never know who has been looking at you wishing they were you.

3. I am making a difference
Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does.Is it true that we all live to serve?  That by helping others we fulfill our own destiny?  The answer is a simple ‘yes.’  When you make a positive impact in someone else’s life, you also make a positive impact in your own life.  Do something that’s greater than you – something that helps someone else to be happy or to suffer less.You are only one, but you are one.  You cannot do everything, but you can do something.  Smile and enjoy the fact that you made a difference – one you’ll likely remember forever.

4. I am happy and grateful
Happiness is within you, in your way of thinking.  How you view yourself and your world are mindful choices and habits.  The lens you choose to view everything through determines how you feel about yourself and everything that happens around you.Being grateful will always make you happy.  If you’re finding it hard to be grateful for anything, sit down close your eyes and take a long slow breath and be grateful for oxygen.  Every breath you take is in sync with someone’s last.

5. I am growing into the best version of me
Judy Garland once said, “Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of somebody else.”  Live by this statement.  There is no such thing as living in someone else’s shoes.  The only shoes you can occupy are your own.  If you aren’t being yourself, you aren’t truly living – you’re merely existing.Remember, trying to be anyone else is a waste of the person you are.  Embrace that individual inside you that has ideas, strengths and beauty like no one else.  Be the person you know yourself to be – the best version of you – on your terms.  Improve continuously, take care of your body and health, and surround yourself with positivity.  Become the best version of you.

6. I am making my time count
Time is the most valuable constituent of life.  Make the time for what does matter today.  Really being in the moment, finding passion in your life, seeing the world and traveling, or just seeing the world that’s around you right now, being with great people, doing amazing things, eating amazing food and savoring life’s little pleasures.Remember, your time is priceless, but it’s free. You can’t own it, but you can use it.  You can spend it, but you can’t keep it.  Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.  You really do only have a short period to live.  So let your dreams be bigger than your fears and your actions louder than your words.  Make your time count!

7. I am honest with myself
Be honest about what’s right, as well as what needs to be changed.  Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become.  Be honest with every aspect of your life, always.  Because you are the one person you can forever count on.Search your soul, for the truth, so that you truly know who you are.  Once you do, you’ll have a better understanding of where you are now and how you got here, and you’ll be better equipped to identify where you want to go and how to get there.  

8. I am good to those I care about
In human relationships distance is not measured in miles, but in affection.  Two people can be right next to each other, yet miles apart.  So don’t ignore someone you care about, because lack of concern hurts more than angry words.  Stay in touch with those who matter to you.  Not because it’s convenient, but because they’re worth the extra effort.When was the last time you told your family and close personal friends that you loved them?  Just spending a little time with someone shows that you care, shows that they are important enough that you’ve chosen — out of all the things to do on your busy schedule — to find the time for them.  Talk to them.  Listen to them.  Understand them.Many times it’s our actions, not just our words that really speak what our heart feels for another.

9. I know what unconditional love feels like
Whether your love is towards a child, a lover, or another family member, know the feeling of giving love and not expecting anything in return – this is what lies at the heart of unconditional love.  Life through unconditional love is a wondrous adventure that excites the very core of our being and lights our path with delight.  This love is a dynamic and powerful energy that lifts us through the most difficult times.Love is beautiful and unpredictable.  It begins with ourselves, for without self-love, we cannot know what true love can be.  In loving ourselves, we allow the feeling to generate within us and then we can share it to everyone and everything around us.  When you love unconditionally, it isn’t because the person you love is perfect, it’s because you learn to see an imperfect person perfectly.

10. I have forgiven those who once hurt me
We’ve all been hurt by another person at some point or another – we were treated badly, trust was broken, hearts were hurt.  And while this pain is normal, sometimes that pain lingers for too long.  We relive the pain over and over, letting them live rent-free in our head and we have a hard time letting go.Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness, it causes us to miss out on the beauty of life as it happens.  To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you.

11. I take full accountability for my life
Own your choices and mistakes, and be willing to take the necessary steps to improve upon them.  Either you take accountability for your life or someone else will.  And when they do, you’ll become a slave to their ideas and dreams instead of a pioneer of your own.You are the only one who can directly control the outcome of your life.  And no, it won’t always be easy.  Every person has a stack of obstacles in front of them.  But you must take accountability for your situation and overcome these obstacles.  Choosing not to is choosing a lifetime of mere existence.  

12. I have no regrets
This one is simply a culmination of the previous eleven…Follow your heart.  Be true to yourself.  Do what makes you happy.  Be with who makes you smile.  Laugh as much as you breathe.  Love as long as you live.  Say what you need to say.  Offer a helping hand when you’re able.  Appreciate all the things you do have.  Smile.  Celebrate your small victories.  Learn from your mistakes.  Realise that everything is a lesson in disguise.  Forgive.  And let go of the things you can’t control.

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8.7.14

11 WAYS TO UN-COMPLICATE YOUR LIFE






“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” - Leonardo Da Vinci

Life is actually pretty simple, but we insist on making it complicated. 

Here are a few easy ways to un-complicate it:

Learn from the past, and then get the heck out of there! – Past mistakes should teach you to create a wonderful future; not cause you to be afraid of it.  Don’t carry your mistakes around with you.  Instead, place them under your feet and use them as stepping stones.  Never regret.  If it’s good, it’s wonderful.  If it’s bad, it’s experience.  Success is not about where you are standing at any given point in time; it’s about how much you’ve learned and how far you’ve come to get there.

Focus on what’s truly important.  – Identify what’s most important to you.  Eliminate as much as you possibly can of everything else.  No wasted time, no fluff, no regrets.

Focus on being productive, not being busy. – Don’t just get things done; get the right things done.  Results are always more important than the time it takes to achieve them.  Stop and ask yourself if what you’re working on is worth the effort.  Is it bringing you in the same direction as your goals?  Don’t get caught up in odd jobs, even those that seem urgent, unless they are also important.  

Give what you want to receive. – You get the best out of others, and every situation, when you give the best of yourself.  Start practicing thegolden rule.  If you want love, give love.  If you want friends, be friendly.  If you want money, provide value.  It works.  It really is this simple.

Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – Don’t try to be friends with everyone.  Cultivate closer relationships with fewer people.  Start focusing on being everything to someone.  Helping or pleasing everyone is impossible.  But making one person smile can change the world.  Maybe not the whole world, but their world.  So narrow your focus and be yourself.

Do what you know in your heart is right. – Stop doing immoral things simply because you can.  Start being honest with yourself and everyone else.  Don’t cheat.  Be faithful.  Be kind.  Do the right thing!  It is a less complicated way to live.  Integrity is the essence of everything successful.  When you break the rules of integrity you invite serious complications into your life.  Keep life simple and enjoyable by doing what you know in your heart is right.

Organise your space. – Start clearing clutter.  Get rid of stuff you don’t use and then organize what’s left.  Keeping both your living and working areas organized is crucial.  If you have a cluttered space, it can be distracting and stressful.  A clear space is like a blank canvas, available to be used to create something great.

Be efficient. – Stop being inefficient simply because you’ve always done it that way.  If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.  Many times we live with unplanned, complex systems in our lives simply because we haven’t given them much thought.  Instead, streamline your life by finding better ways of handling common tasks.  Focus on one system at a time (your cleaning system, your errands system, your paperwork system, your email system, etc.) and try to make it simplified, efficient, and logical.  Then, once you have it perfected, stick to it.  

Let things be less than perfect. – Smile every chance you get; not because life has been easy, perfect, or exactly as you had anticipated, but because you choose to be happy and grateful for all the good things you do have, and all the problems I know you don’t have.  You must accept the fact that life is not perfect, that people are not perfect, and that you are not perfect.  And that’s okay, because the real world doesn’t reward perfection.  It rewards people who get GOOD things done.  And the only way to get GOOD things done is to be imperfect 99% of the time.

Let go of needless drama and those who create it. – Never create unnecessary drama, and don’t surround yourself with those who do. Choose friends who you are proud to know, people you admire, who love and respect you – people who make your day a little brighter simply by being in it.  Don’t walk away from negative people, RUN!  Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.

Forget what everyone else thinks and wants for you. – One of the greatest freedoms is simply not caring what everyone else thinks of you.  Sometimes you need to step outside, get some air, and remind yourself of who you are and what you want to be.  The best thing you can do is follow your heart.  Take risks.  Don’t just accept the safe and easy choices because you’re afraid of what others will think, or afraid of what might happen.  If you do, nothing will ever happen.  Don’t let small minds convince you that your dreams are too big.  They aren’t.


10.6.14

7 POSITIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD SAY TODAY


Sometimes we just need to take a step back to refocus and indulge in a little positivity. Last week I spoke about being judgmental and how to refocus our thoughts to become more positive. We all have our own life story to express who we are by the words we choose to shape our very own story. The words you use create the essence of your inner culture and the centre of your identity and what you are destined for. Focusing on positive outcomes can help change your negativity into a positive.


1. 'I have a choice.'
It is not your talents or abilities, but your choices that ultimately decide your fate. You ARE your choices. Until you can look at yourself in the mirror and honestly say, 'I have a choice.  I am here now because of the choices I’ve made in the past,' you will never be able to say, 'I choose differently.'

2. 'Lets get started.'
You can’t build anything wonderful with ideas of what you are going to do someday.  If you want something, you have to make a little noise, declare it andthen get started. A goal is far more than a mental exercise.  In fact, without the intent of action a goal is nothing more than a lie.  Make your decisions real and present in your life; give them the time and attention they deserve. In the end it doesn’t matter what you’re thinking, it matters what you’re doing.  Whatever you want to accomplish, it’s time to get started. 

3. 'I have what it takes.'
The worst enemy of today is your self-doubt.  The moment you doubt whether you can do something is the moment it becomes impossible for you. You have to believe in yourself.  You have to trust yourself.  You might be nervous, but don’t you ever let any source of negativity in the world convince you that you don’t have what it takes. Give yourself a pep talk if you need to. State some facts and evidence of your greatness. Recall your past victories and speak them out loud. Give yourself a positive voice to your past and you will find the strength to repeat history.

4. 'Hello, how can I help you.'
In life, you get what you put in. Generally speaking, the unhappiest people you will ever meet will be those who are utterly self-absorbed; the happiest people you will ever meet will be those who lose themselves in the joy and challenge of helping others. Happiness is always attained by giving it away without expectation.  Those who help others are eventually helped.  You have two hands, one to help yourself and the other to help those around you.  If you can lie down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone’s day just a little brighter, you have something to smile about.

5. 'Look how far I have come.'
The way you move a mountain is by moving one stone at a time.  Every stone you move, no matter how small, is progress. Sometimes it may be hard to see your progress.  Sometimes it will be frustrating when the results you seek don’t appear as quickly as you had hoped.  Still, you are advancing.  You may be moving along slowly, but you are still moving a mountain. Achievement, after all, is an enduring process, not a single event.  To achieve any worthwhile goal you must cover a lot of ground.  You need to learn what works by trial and error.  You must explore possibilities, many of which will only show you what doesn’t work.  Just keep in mind that the mistakes and setbacks are a vital part of the process. Take a break every now and then and pat yourself on the back.  Applaud yourself for doing what needs to be done.  And be careful not to spend so much time looking at how far you still have to go, that you forget to appreciate how far you’ve already come.

6. 'I have more than enough to be HAPPY.'
The happiest of people aren’t the luckiest, and they usually don’t have the best of everything either.  They simply make the most of everything they do have.  The reason so many people are unhappy is because they tend to look at what’s missing in their life, instead of what’s present. Take a stand and flip the switch.  Stop wishing you had more.  Stop wishing you were somewhere else.  Stop wishing you looked like someone else.  Love your quirks enough to let them shine.  Appreciate your body and use it to it’s full potential.  Appreciate the things you have that so many others dream about.  Scream it out loud if you must:  'I am lucky to be alive!  I am happy to be me right now!  I have way more than I need and so much to be grateful for!  My life isn’t perfect, it’s just pretty darn good!'

7. _____________
That space represents silence. Silence is soothing.  Silence is peace.  Silence is divine. The more silent you are, the more you can hear yourself think. Have you ever heard the silence just before the sun peaks over the horizon?  Or the hush of a country road at midnight?  Or the peaceful calm just after a thunderstorm ends?  Or perhaps you know the silence in the back of your city library, or the eager pause of an auditorium full of people when the lights dim for the main event, or, best of all, the moment just after the front door shuts and you suddenly have the whole house to yourself? Each silent moment is different, yet all are beautiful if you listen carefully.  Leave enough space in your day to enjoy the space between the commotions.  Say nothing, think quietly, just be and breathe.

8.4.14

12 WAYS TO CENTRE YOUR LIFE AROUND LOVE + HAPPINESS



Everyone has to conquer the good and bad throughout life. Life may not turn out how we planned but choosing how you react to certain situations can make a difference in the outcome of how you handle those obstacles. 

I have been struggling quite a bit lately with so many aspects of my life and I am choosing and try so hard not to dwell on them too much. People tend to say that as time progresses it gets easier and I do believe this but it takes longer some times than a year or two. I have been trying to keep my emotions in check with the occasional welling up of tears in my eyes. Sometimes life can be so hard and getting through each day is a challenge. 

Everyday is a new day and you get to start that day new with new and refreshed vision. Let everyday be worthwhile by spreading love, joy and happiness to those around you. I find posts and uplifting words like these below help me change my focus and clear my head of the negativity and sadness. I hope they inspire you as well.

Be kinder than necessary. 
You will never fully understand some things until these things actually happen to you.  So be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of unique battle.  And remember, you will come across some people in life who always seem to create conflicts.  When you meet them, smile and walk away.  The battle they are fighting isn’t with you, it’s within them.

Put sincere effort into your relationships.
Don’t confuse the people who are always lingering around with the ones who are truly there.  Good relationships don’t just happen, and they aren’t built solely on a foundation of convenience.  They take time, patience, effort, and two people who want to be together and are willing to meet in the middle. 

Remind your loved ones that you love them every chance you get. 
It doesn’t always matter where you go, what you do, or how much you have.  Sometimes all that matters is who you have beside you.  So be grateful for the wonderful people in your life, and let them know how much they mean to you on a regular basis.

Stretch yourself, and make yourself proud. 
You can’t grow unless you do.  Yes, as you stretch you will feel some discomfort.  You will have to deal with the pain of the unknown as you work new emotional and intellectual muscle groups.  But don’t let that stop you.  Far too many people are fearful of the unknown, comfy with putting in the least amount of effort, and not willing to put up with short-term pain for long-term gain.  But not you – you know better.  Stretch yourself, be all you can be and seize your true potential.

Let your tears nourish your healing. 
If tears could talk, this is what they would say:  I am the raindrop that nourishes your healing.  Open your door to me in times of angst.  I will not stay forever.  Only long enough to clear the path of debris so hope and joy can reach you.  Only long enough to cleanse your eyes so your vision will be clear enough to recognize goodness when it comes.

Don’t wait for a reason to be grateful. 
Just be grateful for everything you have now, and the reasons will quickly find you.  Being happy doesn’t always make us grateful, but being grateful will always make us happy.  And if you’re finding it hard to be grateful for something, sit down, close your eyes and take a long slow breath, and be grateful for oxygen.  Every breath you take is in sync with someone’s last.  

Express your appreciation daily. 
Before going to bed tonight, take a moment to appreciate yourself for three things you accomplished today.  If you are in a relationship, take moment to openly discuss and appreciate three things you each accomplished today.  What we focus on expands.  What we appreciate, appreciates in value.

Say less when less means more. 
You are as beautiful as the love you give, and you are as wise as the silence you leave behind.

Rediscover your inner child. 
If you’ve forgotten the feel of joy, and don’t remember when you last felt wonder, let a child lead you back to the days when rocks breathed, and leaves sailed, and happiness was watching water dance through your hands.  Back to a time when you knew that every treasure worth having could be unearthed in your own back yard.

Be good to yourself. 
Look at yourself in the mirror and say, 'I love you, and from now on I’m going to act like it.'  It’s important to be nice to others, but it’s even more important to be nice to yourself.  When you act as your own best friend, you allow yourself to be happy.  When you are happy, you become a better friend, a better family member, and you inspire others to be happier too. 

Stop waiting for the perfect moment. Take each moment, appreciate it and make it perfect.  If you want to get really good at something or get somewhere new, let go of the notion of perfection and replace it with the notion of endless, playful exploration.  And don’t be afraid of change; oftentimes we will shed something good, and gain something even better.

Inject a little goodness into the world whenever you can. 
When you become overwhelmed because it seems the whole world is exploding with hatred, violence, ignorance, and apathy, you have two choices:  You can either bury your head in the sand, or you can rest your cheek upon it, breathe until you feel whole again, then lift your head and ask, 'How can I add some goodness?'

I have taken all these tips on board as I do love to start each and everyday a fresh and with new vision.

What will you take away from reading the ways to show more love and spread happiness?

18.2.14

challenge yourself TREAT EVERYONE NICELY


Treat everyone nicely, even those who are rude to you. – 'Most of us are taught to treat others how we would like to be treated' so taking the extra step to treat those who treat us not so nicely with extra care can only benefit us all in every way. 

Being nice to someone you dislike doesn’t mean you’re fake.  It means you’re mature enough to control your emotions.  Treat everyone with kindness and respect, even those who are rude to you – not because they’re nice, but because you are.  Do this for 30 days and I guarantee you’ll see the rudeness around you dissipate.


Some say it takes 30 days to change a habit. There are habits I would like to change for myself and I have altered my life in many ways in 2013. I found 30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth on Marc and Angel Hack Life. I have broken it down to one at a time so it can be easier to focus on, depending on how and where you would like to grow.