Change is a constant, reliable force in our lives.  Our life is changing all the time.  As we go about our daily life, the unexpected happens. Try as we may, we can’t avoid it.   The good news is we can embrace it.  Change is an invitation to not let our circumstances control us.  It is an opportunity to lift  ourself up, act with integrity, and move forward.  What will you choose?

The things in life that matter most become clear to us when we are faced with hard decisions.  When someone says or does something out of the ordinary, how will you respond?  When you receive news that is upsetting, what will you do?  You response will determine the outcome.  Use those moments to learn and grow  — for yourself and for those around you.

What will you do different today?  Before you decide, review your options.  Then pick the one that is kind, is necessary and best for everyone involved.

Singer-songwriter,Tim McGraw said, “We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere.”  That means every person you come in contact with has an affect on you.

Whether we are feeling good or feeling bad, being positive or negative, we are contributing to those around us, and to our own well-being.  What affect are you having on those around you?  What thoughts are you feeding your mind?

In times of such uncertainty, it behooves us to monitor our thoughts.  We experience peace of mind when we can filter out fearful thoughts.  Refuse to allow fearful thoughts about the future to weigh you down.  Cancel those thoughts and replace them with positive and encouraging thoughts. Find one that works for you and repeat it often.

Here’s one I use:  I may not know exactly every step I will take in the days ahead, and what the result may be, but I am assured a divine plan will unfold with incredible beauty and grace.  Feel free to use it.

Are you happy with how you spend your time?   Everyday we are gifted with 24 hours.  We decide how to use that time.  We need to eat regularly.  We require an appropriate number of hours of sleep, and then there are the things that have to be done.

Is there something you would like to include in your daily or weekend routine?  The first step is committing to giving time to yourself.  Taking care of yourself is the first step to knowing what you want and what you don’t want.  Once you know what you want, you can stop giving time to what you don’t want.

Make your happiness a priority.  When you are happy the people around you will notice.  They will want to be around you.  Your attitude of happiness will rub off on others and will motivate you to want to be happy.

New scienfic studies show we are actually hardwired to feel good, to live longer and to help others.  Helping other and giving have their own reward.

Here’s how you can benefit from giving.
Science discovered:

1.  Those who learn the power of giving in their teen experience improved physical and mental health.
2.  People who volunteer live longer, even after sifting out age, gender, exercise, smoking and eating habits.
3.  Giving produces a sense of belonging.
4. Stress levels are reduced when we know we’ve helped another.
5.  Giving helps us forgive ourselves, which is necessary for having healthy self-esteem.
6.  Negative emotions like anger, jealousy, blame are reduced when we give.
7.  Giving creates healthy bodies.

Here’s my challenge to you.  What can you give away?  What can you do for someone that no one else can do?  Pick a day and give three things away to three people.  You choose the gift.  Give to three people in one day.

Here are some ideas.  Give a compliment to someone who doesn’t expect it.  Give a flower to someone you love.  Who would love some of your time and attention?  Or how about all that stuff you haven’t used or touched for years.  What can you give away?

Give three things to three people in one day and see how you feel.  I can guarantee you will want to do it again and again.  I’d love to hear your story, so write me and share!

We all have experienced adversity and difficulty. Maybe through the loss a loved one, someone who betrayed our trust, or because a job ended. During these times, it is easy to become negative and lose our motivation for life. It is during these times when we need to look inside for strength and ask ourself, “How do I want to react to this problem? To this person?”.

Your whole life has prepared you for who you now define yourself to be. Your past has prepared you for today. How do you define yourself? Inside of you is strength and vision. Instead of reacting to that person or situation, stop. First, decide how you want to react. Your reaction will determine what happens next.

Even though unfair things happen to us and we can’t find a “good enough” explanation, remember in time, things work together for our good. We don’t always know what is the bigger picture is for our life. Remind yourself everyday to look for the good in your life. Look for the good in others. As you do, your focus will become more positive. You will see goodness naturally because you have trained your mind to do so. As a result, your choices will model your positive attitude. When that happens, your mere presence will motivate others.