Article from tinybuddha.com

“Commitment in the face of conflict produces character.” ~Unknown

We all face obstacles in pursuing our goals, whether they’re professional or personal.

We think we’re on the right track but realize we’ve chosen the wrong approach. We’re enthusiastic and hard-working, but our support system disintegrates when we need them the most. We’re just about to make significant progress when we run out of time or funding.

Tenacious as we may be, we all have our breaking points—that moment when the potential rewards stop justifying the effort. Usually that’s the hump that separates your best shot and your best reality.

Before you throw in the towel and go back to something safe and far less taxing, ask yourself the following questions:

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(Source: believeinrecovery)

Understanding our Core Values is a stepping stone toward leading a conscious life and a life filled with purpose and meaning. 

What are Values though? 
Values are our priorities that tell us how to spend our time, everyday, 24 by 7, 365 days of the year.  

Why are Values important? 
Values help us in better understanding who we are and enable us to become more conscious of how we want to lead our life. They set the stage for drafting our journey towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life, a life that is filled with actions to enrich ones relationship with their environment. 

How do we go about defining or refining Values?
Applying the following process will help create or modify values.

1. Elicit your values by asking - 
What is truly important to me in my life?
By answering this question repeatedly, identify a set of about 10 to 20 values that are most important to you. 

 2. Prioritize your values by asking -
Which of these are truly the most important to me?
If I could satisfy one value, which one would it be?
What would I rather do (Building scenarios to identify tough-to-prioritize values)
This initial list is your current list of values that are driving your life and you are now aware of it. This is the first level of conscious living and self-realization. 

3. Reexamine your values by asking -
Are these the values I want to continue to live beyond this moment?
Do these values enable me to enjoy the best possible life?
If the answer to the above is YES. Great! You are leading a fully satisfied and conscious and successful life, and you are fully aware of it.  However, if the answer to any of the questions is NO, it means there are some aspects of your life that you are not fully satisfied and you are consciously aware that living by your current values will not take you to the destination(s) you want to go to. 

5. Modify your values by asking -
Where do I want to go from here?
What are the destination(s) I want to reach?
This is the time when you begin to set short and long term GOALS for the future and extract your future value list from the goals. Check out here on how to go about setting goals that matter. 

(Source: sadiqshariff)

Change is inevitable.  We have all heard that at some point in our lives.  I’m sure we are aware of the fact that change will happen during our lives.  However, it is change during already difficult periods, which is very challenging.

You may feel “why me?” or the saying, “when it rains, it pours” might fit your situation, but it is how you handle the changes that makes all of the difference.

To face adversity head on takes strong character, unshakable faith and confidence in the universe that it will all turn out right in the end.

If you are facing some difficult changes, this information might be helpful for you:

1. Remember the “bigger picture” - Seek out the benefits of the changes you are experiencing. Remember all of your blessings and focus on what is working in your life. Resist fighting the change, and find ways to make it work for you.

2. Adopt a new attitude - Focus on learning or adopting the new change. The more you resist it, the more it will come.  You are putting all of your energy focusing on what you don’t want.  Focus and visualize on what you do want and watch it manifest.

3. Stay positive - It is easy to find fault with suggested changes when it is not what we want to do or, what we want to hear. However, stay focused and the more positive you are, the more quickly you will be able to embrace the change and see the positive impact it will have on your life.

4. It’s okay to go through different emotions - Recognize that you are not your thoughts.  Accept them for what they are and remember that sadness, etc. too shall pass.  We all know that changes can be stressful. Give yourself permission to feel uncomfortable. Surround your self with a support network who can help you work through it.

5. Own your attitude - You are your own person. The stress you feel is there because you let it in. We are in control of our emotions and thoughts, but it can be challenging I know. If you can control your attitude and emotional responses, you will give yourself a better chance of maximizing the power of the changes around you.

(Source: feedthysoul)

Article from marcandangel.com

Just a few simple truths we learn on the road of life…

1. The route to our destination is never a straight one. – We take questionable turns and we get lost.  But it doesn’t always matter which road we embark on; what matters is that we embark.  Either way life will likely get a little complicated, and bring unexpected hurdles and changes.  But that’s okay.  Sometimes you have to stumble and feel weak for a little while to realize how strong you really are.
2. Real friends won’t ask you to change who you are. – The RIGHT people for you will love all the things about you that the WRONG people are intimidated by.  Don’t change so people will like you.  Be patient, keep being your awesome self, and pretty soon the RIGHT people will love the REAL you.
3. Cheating is a choice, not a mistake, and not an excuse. – If you decide to cheat, and you succeed in cheating someone out of something,don’t think that this person is a fool.  Realize that this person trusted you much more than you ever deserved, and they learned a lesson about who you really are.
4. The past can’t hurt you anymore – not unless you let it. – Forgive and move on!  Forgiveness allows you to focus on the future without combating the past.  Without forgiveness, wounds can never be healed, and moving on can never be accomplished.  What happened in the past is just one chapter.  Don’t close the book, just turn the page.  Cry when you must and push forward.  Let your tears water the seeds of your future growth and happiness.

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(Source: believeinrecovery)

Article from marcandangel.com

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
- Mae West

You know you’re on the right track when you can repeat each of the following headlines to yourself, honestly. (And if you can’t, this list gives you something positive to work on.)

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.

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(Source: believeinrecovery)

todayievolve:

I’m always ready to appreciate a new viewpoint. I find that most people are eager to condemn other people’s views and assert their own opinions. While there is some value in this, I believe there is 10x more value in listening and learning. I challenge you to respect and value the perspectives of everyone around you, even if it is incredibly far from your own.

“Shall I tell you the secret of the true scholar? It is this : Every man I meet is my master in some point, and in that I learn of him.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

What good does it do to reject someone’s opinion and force your own upon them? It only makes that person upset and causes you to lose perspective. There is so much to learn from others. In many cases it would probably only strengthen your argument later in the game. I have so much respect for people who can debate both sides of an argument. If you choose to value other people’s perspectives you will definitely evolve more and more every day.

Article from psychologytoday.com

How can we live more in the present?

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Article from anitafiander.com

It’s very easy to get caught up in the negativity of people around you, but if you can implement these four little steps, you’ll find yourself having a great day that will rub off on those around you.

Try these techniques to bring you joy throughout your day: 

1. Wake up with a smile on your face. How many of us wake up and groan at the thought of the day ahead? Tomorrow morning try doing something a little different.

• Set your alarm five minutes earlier than normal.
• As you wake up, luxuriate in the warmth and softness of your bed.
• Smile to yourself to set your inner mood.
• Before you get out of bed, think of five things you’re grateful for.

2. Treat your chores as opportunities. If your day seems to be an endless round of cleaning, cooking, shopping, and picking up the kids after school, escape the perceived drudgery and take advantage of the opportunity each one of these chores can give you.

• When you’re cleaning the house, play some loud party music and dance as you go – you’ll get more exercise and have some fun while cleaning.
• If you have kids, ask them to help you prepare meals. You’ll enjoy quality time with them and teach them something at the same time.
• When you’re shopping, have a friendly smile on your face. Avoid rushing around and take the time to thank the checkout operator for her time – she likes to feel appreciated too.

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(Source: believeinrecovery)

Article from tinybuddha.com

“When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt.” ~Honore de Balzac

A while back I began to feel out of sorts with my writing. It happened after coming down from the high of creating almost nonstop with my inner muse. I noticed that I began to feel down, like the feeling one gets after being at the amusement park when the excitement is over.

Creating and finishing my projects had been a wild ride. It was exciting and intense at times. But once done, an insidious feeling began to over take me.

My thoughts began to wander to “the dark side” questioning my abilities.

What if I can’t create something new? What if people don’t like what I have done?

Like after any expenditure of energy, there is always a lull. Lulls have been known to drain ones creative energy if you let them. I know from experience that if I let myself I can easily slip into a creative stupor.

When in that lull or in that space between creativity, it may seem like nothing is happening. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. We need that break.   

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(Source: believeinrecovery)

When I was 13, I asked my mom for help and I didn’t receive any. Self-harm wasn’t well known 11 years ago like it is today. Maybe if I received the help I needed I wouldn’t have had so many struggles throughout my life, who knows. I blamed my mom for a very long time even though she did the best she could with me. In recovery I realized by blaming her, I was only hurting myself. There is a quote from Buddha ”Remembering a wrong is like carrying a burden on the mind.” and that is exactly what resentment is.

In order to forgive someone, you need to actually want to forgive them. They didn’t know about your self-destructive behavior, so why even blame them? I’m sorry if that’s not what you want to hear but what I honestly believe is that you need to find gratitude. I am not saying they didn’t mess up here or there but what you need to focus on is what they DID do for you. Here are a few articles that might be helpful for you:

• Forgive so You Can Let Go
• How to Forgive Yourself and Others
• Stop Being a Victim and Start Creating Your Life

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” - Gandhi

Article from marcandangel.com

When you quit doing the wrong things, you make more room for the things that make you happy.  So starting today…

1.  Quit procrastinating on your goals.

Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it.  Action and change are often resisted when they’re needed most.  Get a hold of yourself and have discipline.  Putting something off instantly makes it harder and scarier.  What we don’t start today won’t be finished by tomorrow.  And there’s nothing more stressful than the perpetual lingering of an unfinished task.

The secret to getting ahead is simply getting started.  Starting, all by itself, is usually sufficient to build enough momentum to keep the ball rolling.  So forget about the finish line and just concentrate on taking your first step.  Say to yourself, “I choose to start this task with a small, imperfect step.”  All those small steps will add up and you’ll actually get to see changes fairly quickly.

2.  Quit blaming others and making excuses.

Stop blaming others for what you have or don’t have, or for what you feel or don’t feel.  When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility and perpetuate the problem.  Stop giving your power away andstart taking responsibility for your life.  Blaming is just another sorry excuse, and making excuses is the first step towards failure; you and only you are responsible for your life choices and decisions.

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(Source: believeinrecovery)

Hey! I can give you a few tips to help you go in the right direction but it’s up to you to do the work. In all honestly, it’s a lot easier said than done. If you really want to love yourself, you can do it! 

1. Treat others with love and respect. Bringing joy to other peoples’ lives will help you find joy in your own. In addition, those that you treat well will likely repay you with the same kindness. Gradually you will start to feel your worth through the smiles of gratitude. However, don’t just be very kind to people so you can recieve royal treatment.
2. Post positive statements up someplaces where you will see them each and every day. “I am beautiful.” or “I have the courage to love.” Read them outloud, every day, at least once, ideally at least ten times each time you notice one of them. Sticky notes are fabulous for such affirmations and goals.
3. Learn to let go of past events. You deserve a fresh beginning! There are a lot of people out there that have had hard lives/bad beginnings or moments. Don’t close yourself out of grief, disappointments, or fears of future ridicule. Acknowledge your feelings, but work to put them behind you. Cherish what you have learned from your challenges, and how you have changed and grown from them.
4. Do what you love. What do you love to do? If you could find something that you love to do and spend time doing it, you will experience love, joy, and happiness in your heart. That is when you truly connect with your authentic self. As a result you become happier and more loving.
5. Trust yourself. Don’t just blindly follow other peoples suggestions. Learn to trust who you really are.
6. Forgive yourself. Don’t punish yourself for something you have done in the past. Instead, look at the mistake as a learning experience. Say to yourself now: “I forgive myself for _______.” Go look in a mirror and say it out loud to yourself, look yourself right in the eyes and speak forgiveness like you mean it. Don’t ever demean or ridicule yourself, or if you do then laugh realizing that was then and this is now. Every day is a new beginning.
7. Think of five positive words that describe you. Try not to use words like “pretty” and “nice”. Try variety.
8. DON’T Define yourself by what you’ve done or do. Celebrate your accomplishments but let go of the things you haven’t…yet? Remember that success is not a destination. Success is making progress (toward the desires of your heart). Accept yourself, and others will follow your lead. You are not your deeds, appearance, or bank balance.
9. Start working toward how and what you want to do and be. Do so with a positive attitude by working toward your higher purposes and greater appreciation of your problems as motivating your finding new and better opportunities.
10. Stop comparing yourself to others. Everyone on this earth is unique. We all have different gifts. When you compare yourself to others, it makes you feel bad about yourself. When you compare yourself to others for what they have, whether it is a car, a house, a mate, children, money, or a job, it makes you feel low self esteem, lose your confidence, and perhaps depressed, envy or jealous. A way to stop comparing yourself to others is by focusing on your own strength. Get to know yourself and discover what is your greatest gift that you are meant to share with the world. Another great way is by practicing gratitude. Be happy for what you have. Really be grateful about everything that you have; people in your life, job, relationships, material, etc. Gratitude keeps your heart open to love.

Hope some of those will be able to help you! When I truly wanted to love myself, the first thing I did was I turned off those negative messages I would tell myself. Also, I hung up a picture of myself on my mirror from when I was a little girl. She is so cute and innocent. I want her to live a happy healthy life, I do everything in my power to give her that. Give that little kid in you a good life. Small steps in the right direction is all you need to get there <33

Article from tinybuddha.com

“Maybe the key to happiness is to focus less on making moments last and more on making them count.” ~Lori Deschene

Over the years, I have had my fair share of trials, many having to do with being bipolar and having OCD and ADD.

These illnesses combined have made for a rough go. One day I might feel spontaneous and want to take a trip to Disney World, the next day I may want to end it all.

Going back and forth with happiness and despair is an emotionally draining process. Knowing that it’s all in my mind is the most frustrating thing to deal with.

It’s hard to describe an emotional illness that takes you up and down to those individuals who might not understand, but keeping your perspective in tune is the best solution. When I read Lori’s blog on focusing on making moments count, I knew I needed to write something in response.

So I want to share with you how I find my keys to happiness because we all know keys go missing from time to time.

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(Source: believeinrecovery)

Article from marcandangel.com

1. Start spending time with the right people. – These are the people you enjoy, who love and appreciate you, and who encourage you to improve in healthy and exciting ways.  They are the ones who make you feel more alive, and not only embrace who you are now, but also embrace and embody who you want to be, unconditionally.
2. Start facing your problems head on. – It isn’t your problems that define you, but how you react to them and recover from them.  Problems will not disappear unless you take action.  Do what you can, when you can, and acknowledge what you’ve done.  It’s all about taking baby steps in the right direction, inch by inch.  These inches count, they add up to yards and miles in the long run.
3. Start being honest with yourself about everything. – 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. 
4. Start making your own happiness a priority. – Your needs matter.  If you don’t value yourself, look out for yourself, and stick up for yourself, you’re sabotaging yourself.  Remember, it IS possible to take care of your own needs while simultaneously caring for those around you.  And once your needs are met, you will likely be far more capable of helping those who need you most.

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(Source: believeinrecovery)

Article from positivityblog.com

“It’s no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense.”

“Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”

“When your friends begin to flatter you on how young you look, it’s a sure sign you’re getting old.”

You may know Mark Twain for some of his very popular books like Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He was a writer and also a humorist, satirist and lecturer.

Twain is known for his many – and often funny – quotes. Here are a few of my favourite tips from him.

1. Approve of yourself.

“A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.”

If you don’t approve of yourself, of your behaviour and actions then you’ll probably walk around most of the day with a sort of uncomfortable feeling. If you, on the other hand, approve of yourself then you tend to become relaxed and gain inner freedom to do more of what you really want.

This can, in a related way, be a big obstacle in personal growth. You may have all the right tools to grow in some way but you feel an inner resistance. You can’t get there.

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(Source: believeinrecovery)