Tag Archives: Positive Thoughts

Thoughtful Thursday Benefits of Lavender

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Lavender is one of my most favorite herbal plants. There are several varieties, each with a slightly different scent that produce beautiful lilac colored flowers. It has a delightful scent making it the most popular form of essential oil and it has a lot of medicinal benefits too.

Lavender came from the Latin word lavare which means to wash; and yes you guessed it, lavender was widely used in ancient Rome, Greece and Persia for bathing because of it’s disinfectant and antiseptic properties. It was also believed to purify the body and mind.

Dating back to ancient times, lavender has been used to combat a variety of ailments including:

  • boosting moods
  • headaches
  • acne
  • hair loss
  • insomnia
  • anxiety
  • stress reliever
  • eczema
  • dry skin
  • insect bites
  • wound healing
  • helps prevent digestive issues
  • reduces inflammation

You can use lavender in the form of tea, extract, essential oil or the plant itself. For example, chamomile lavender tea is a quick fix for a sleepless night. You can also put a few drops of essential lavender oil on a tissue and slip it inside of your pillow case to help you drift off into a somber sleep.

Lavender is an all around wonderful herb. I hope you’ll give it try. Just remember herbs can be more potent than we give them credit for so use them in moderation. When in doubt, check with your healthcare provider to make sure it’s a good fit for you.

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“Laughter, joy and kindness are the herbs to gladden the heart and delight the soul.” ~Unknown

Thoughtful Thursday “Act as if it were impossible to fail.”

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“Act as if it were impossible to fail.” is a quote by Dorothea Brande from her book Wake Up and Live! It’s a simple quote that is so very powerful. When you think about it, what would you do differently if you knew it were impossible to fail? Personally, I can think of lots of things I would have done differently in my life and I’m sure you can to.

It’s not a far fetched idea, but something that’s pretty basic if we’d only believe. We have a tendency to create so many obstacles in our minds that stop us dead in our tracks from reaching our goals and creating our dream life. But why?

The reasons can vary drastically from one person to next. But I think the first step is to look at ourselves in the mirror and be accountable for our actions, thoughts and attitudes. Because these are the things that brought us to where we are today.

The next step which is easier said than done is to dig deeper and look at where some of these beliefs and thoughts started and what started them. Is it something our parents taught us? Or is it a result of something that happened to us? Is it combination of both of these things or something else? But you must be completely honest with yourself if you are to move forward.

Once we have a better understanding of why we react a certain way to certain situations we stand a better chance of conquering the obstacles we created for ourselves. And as a result we can move on to bigger and better things.

I hope these words of wisdom by Dorothea Brande inspire you in some way today! Thanks for stopping by!!

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“All that is necessary to break the spell of inertia and frustration is this: Act as if it were impossible to fail. That is the talisman, the formula, the command of right-about-face which turns us from failure towards success.” ~Dorothea Brande

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Thoughtful Thursday – Reap What you Sow

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The mind is very powerful. It can create a happy life for us or an unhappy one. But it all comes down to what thoughts are you planting in your mind.

Mindfulness was and still is a big movement. But how often do you mind your thoughts? There is a constant chatter going on in your mind every minute of every day. Experts guesstimate that the brain has an average of 60,000 – 80,000 thoughts per day, which translates to 2,500 – 3,300 thoughts per hour. This in itself is mind boggling, so how can you be mindful with so many thoughts all the time?

Sadly, the majority of our thoughts are negative. It’s how we’re programmed as human beings. So how do you keep your thoughts in check? Because it’s very easy to have your negative thoughts take control of your daily life, which if left unattended day after day, will create an unhappy life.

Here are a few ideas ideas to help you plant seeds of happiness:

  • Before getting out of bed, visualize what a great day you will have.
  • Get up 30 minutes earlier and have some quiet time to relax your body and mind.
  • Everyday write down at least 3 things you’re grateful for.
  • Write down positive affirmations and repeat them to yourself throughout the day.
  • While exercising repeat positive mantras in your mind.
  • Read inspiring quotes and start a collection of them to have on hand.
  • Take time off from social media.
  • Take a break from your phone and set times to check in.
  • Go for a walk or hike outside, enjoy the sunshine and reconnect with nature.
  • Listen to a good Life Coach or Motivational Speaker.
  • Spend a few minutes every morning visualizing where you want to go in life and the person you want to be.
  • Meditate daily. If you’re not sure what to do, then start with a guided meditation.
  • Create art like painting, sculpting or drawing Zentangles.

It’s normal to try something new and go right back to your old habits. But pay attention when this happens and make the decision to get back on track. The choice is yours, sow some positivity.

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“Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality.” ~Earl Nightingale

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Thoughtful Thursday – Keeping a Positive Attitude

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How do you stay on the path of positivity when there is so much negativity around you? How do you find that ray of hope each and every day? It’s hard, no doubt. Not something to be taken lightly either.

I’d like to think everyone starts their day on a positive note but depending on what your day was like the day before, that may be a tough thing to do. You may still be carrying all of that luggage. But I look at each day as a clean slate, a chance for a new beginning and a chance to make a positive change. Leave yesterday’s problem in the past and focus on a better today.

A few years ago I started listening to podcasts and grew to really love them. I go for the ones that grow my mind and spirit and a few business ones. Brendon Burchard is a life coach and is one of my favorite podcasts. He came up with a mantra that he uses first thing in the morning. I slightly changed it to fit my needs but here it is:

“Thank you God for this opportunity to serve today. Grant me the strength to focus. To be mindful and present. To serve with excellence. To be a force of light and love.” ~ Brendon Burchard

These words when spoken from the heart most definitely have a positive affect on your day. They don’t guarantee nothing will go wrong, but if it does, you can get back on track easier.

The podcasts are free and are a great resource for inspiration and spreading the happy! If you don’t have access to the podcasts on your phone, check YouTube.com, you can find a lot there. I highly recommend trying them out if you haven’t done so already. You may be pleasantly surprised!

A few of my favorites:

  • The Brendon Show
  • On Purpose with Jay Shetty
  • The Highest Self Podcast with Sahara Rose
  • The Marie Forleo Podcast
  • The Design You Podcast with Tobi Fairley

Thanks for stopping by!

Share the Happy!!

“Your life is simply a collection of all your thoughts and actions. Which direction to steer it in, is a choice you make every day and every moment. Be positive, live happy.” ~Unknown

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10 Ways to Share the Happy

Everyone can use a little cheering up, especially these days. So I’m sharing with you a few thoughtful ways to brighten someone’s day. Again, these are just ideas to help get your creative minds going:

  1. Help a neighbor in need by bringing them a meal.
  2. Call a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in a while and chat for a while.
  3. Create a bookmark with inspiring words and leave it in a library book for someone to find.
  4. Buy the person behind you in the coffee line, a cup of coffee or a cookie or both!
  5. Create a small piece of happy art and leave it in the park or by a tree for someone to enjoy.
  6. Let someone having a tough day go in front of you at the check out.
  7. Buy a small bouquet of flowers and give them out to those who need a little happy in their day.
  8. Hold the door open for someone who needs a helping hand.
  9. Leave a note with kind uplifting words in a friend or family member’s bag to brighten their day when they least expect it.
  10. Smile at the beautiful souls you pass by throughout your day!

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” LaoTzu

How are can you brighten someone’s day?

Thanks for stopping by, Share the Happy!

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Here’s another idea, give your loved one a morning greeting with their coffee!

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Benefits of Chamomile

Growing up mom always gave us Chamomile tea for anything that ailed us. Whether we had a cold, stomach flu or just feeling blue, there wasn’t anything that a cup of warm Chamomile tea with honey couldn’t fix. I still drink a lot of it today, especially if I’m starting to feel a little sick.

Chamomile works great to relax you at the end of the stressful day. It has also been shown to be antiseptic against bacteria and helps to bring down fevers and relieve achiness due to flu’s. Chamomile is great for relieving nausea, upset stomachs and head aches. These are only a few of the benefits of Chamomile and I hope this helps you get through the cold and flu season a little better this year.

However, a word of caution. Chamomile is considered to be a ragweed and anyone with ragweed allergies should avoid Chamomile altogether.

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” Jim Rohn

Thanks for stopping by, Share the Happy!

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THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

Power of a Smile

Researchers have found that smiling, evokes a feeling of happiness and has many positive effects on our overall wellbeing. On my morning walks I’ve encountered many people on the road especially these days. But to my surprise, a lot of them were, well, grump misers. I would smile and give them a nice “Good Morning” a few would respond but a lot would just grunt and keep going.

My parents always told me stories of how I was the happiest baby, always laughing and smiling and I still am. Truth be told, it just makes you feel good. Sure, life isn’t perfect and things go wrong for all of us, but it comes down to what are you going to do with that curve ball life just threw your way. Are you going to be miserable or are you going to make the best of it and find something to smile about. Personally I prefer to find that silver lining in the cloud.

With all these morning grump misers, I thought I can’t let them be this unhappy, because happiness and positive energy is contagious. So I upped my game. I started giving everyone a big smile with a resounding “Good Morning!” And if that didn’t work, the next time I’d add in a twinkling little wave along with my big smile and greeting. I was determined to share the happy!

Funny thing started to happen, even the grumpiest people would get happy when they saw me coming their way. The happiness and positive energy has been so contagious, that they are now, seeking me out for that “Good Morning” smile and it’s just really nice to know that your smile and positive energy has the power to brighten someone else’s day.

We have unusual circumstances these days where many of us are in environments where we have to wear masks a lot but you can still see a smile in a person’s eyes and you feel the positive energy radiating from them. So don’t use that as an excuse not to smile and share the happy. Imagine how different the world could be if more people would share a smile and positive energy.

Who did you share your smile with today?

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” Thich Nhat Hanh

Thanks for stopping by, Share the Happy!

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THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

Fear

I read an interesting article written by Chip Gaines in the Summer 2020 issue of Magnolia Journal. In the article he posed a good question: “If fear wasn’t a part of the equation, how would your life look different?”

It really got me thinking. Fear always plays a pretty big role in all of our lives everyday. We don’t move forward with projects out of fear of failure. We hold back on meeting new people because we’re afraid of being rejected. We don’t sing, create art or dance to our hearts content because we’re afraid of being ridiculed or laughed at.

But ultimately, we end up hurting ourselves. We lose out on life, by sitting on the sidelines allowing fear to grip us tight and hold us back. I’m not saying that fear is bad, it’s also a good thing because fear keeps us safe. But often times we let it get out of control when it isn’t necessarily needed. We need fear but we also need to keep it in check. We need to be sensible but when it comes to living our lives and being in the present moment or sitting it out on the bench, please choose to enjoy life! It is so much more fulfilling and it’s one of the reasons we’re here. So live your life to the fullest everyday!

“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.” ~ Lewis Carroll

Thanks for stopping by, Share the Happy!

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THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

Words of Wisdom

I am a collector of quotes. They inspire and motivate you and touch your heart and soul. These are a few of my favorites from “Inspirational Quotes illustrated” by Lesley Riley.

This book quickly became one of my favorites. Lesley did a magnificent job collecting 130 quotes and paired them with beautiful illustrations by various artists. The pages in the book are perforated so you can easily tear them out and frame them if you like.

Click on the above image to go directly to Amazon

“We are not human beings have a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” ~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” ~Helen Keller

“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as the attitude you bring to life.” ~Khalil Gibrain

“Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.” ~Emory Austin

“We have a tendency to obscure the forest of simple joys with the trees of problems.” ~Christiane Collange

What is your favorite quote?

Thanks for stopping by, Share the Happy!

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THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

Confidence

Not sure if you read last week’s Thoughtful Thursday Post but I entered a virtual challenge for the week from Garmin, competing against 9 other runners. The goal was distance. It officially ended on Monday and I walked 33.9 miles and took 1st Place!! That was such a milestone for me. I was never able to do this when I was younger, much less win 1st Place but I was determined. I wanted to throw in the towel a few times but I had to reach down deep and find the courage and perseverance to keep going. Everything in my body was starting to hurt. But I really wanted to win.

I had no intention of walking this much but Jon, who was in 2nd Place was absolutely relentless. Every time I tried to put a little more distance between us he up’d his game and closed the gap. I am very thankful for Jon because he pushed me to do more and more. More than I ever thought I was capable of. Almost 34 miles in 1 week!!! It was unbelievably hard and I’m so glad it’s done because I’m exhausted.

After finishing this race, my confidence in myself definitely went up a few notches. I now know that that I have the drive and ability to tackle what may appear as a monumental task and come out victorious. Even if I don’t know how to go about it, I’m more than capable of figuring it out and that’s a very good feeling.

This wasn’t an official race. There were no trophies, no one cheering you along from the sidelines. It was just me and my Garmin, tracking my miles. But I’m very proud of my virtual win because for me this was so much more than just winning.

What area of your life do you need to boost your confidence in? Take on that monumental task and prove to yourself that you CAN do it!

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