Forgiveness can change your life . . . .

At some time or another, we all get hurt by a person who either treats us badly, betrays our trust or breaks our heart.  And while this pain is normal, sometimes that pain lingers for too long. We get trapped in a cycle of anger and hurt, and miss out on the beauty of life as it happens. As hard as it may be, we need to learn to let go, to forgive, to allow ourselves to move on, and to be happy. Forgiveness can change your life. It doesn't mean you erase the past, or forget what has happened.  It merely means that you are letting go of the anger and pain, and moving on to a better place. 

When you allow yourself to carry a grudge, it is you who suffers. You give power to the other person by allowing the hurt to rule your emotions. Holding on to a grudge allows the wrongful event to repeat itself in your head, and prevents you from moving on with your life. It literally handcuffs you to that negative past, and that's a heavy load to bear.  It will eventually devour you from the inside out! 

I understand that it's not always easy to forgive an offense, but what if your health depended on it? A grudge can take shape in your mind, then in your body, and if carried around long enough, the long-term stress can begin to make you physically sick. It can drain your energy, and leave you constantly fatigued. It will take a toll on your body, your mind, your happiness and your future. Things happen, and there will always be times when you are disappointed in people. Commit to letting go, and understand that you cannot control the actions of others. You can, however,  control your actions and your thoughts. You can stop reliving the hurt, you can choose to move on, and begin to focus on the things that bring you joy.

"To forgive is to set 
a prisoner free, 

and discover that 
the prisoner was you."

-Lewis B. Smedes

Partial text via zenhabits

Photo via J. Crew

Partial text from the book Live Good by Kobi Yamado

It's called choice . . . .

. . . . and it's all yours.  Happy Monday! Not only is it the beginning of a new week, but it's a perfect  time to begin making changes in our life that might enhance our day, create a new path, or change the way we feel. There is nothing more empowering than the moment you realize that IT IS possible to re-create your life. It is possible to turn that poor attitude in to a more positive outlook. It is possible to begin that exercise program that you've been putting off. It is possible to be a happier person, more peaceful, more in touch with the love and the wisdom that is at your core......because that's where your beauty lies. And that's where you'll find the very essence of who you are, and who you were meant to be. Begin to listen to your heart, and trust it. Realize that you can make choices that will allow you to begin living your life in a happier and healthier way. What changes would you make in your life, and what are you waiting for?

"If you limit your choices 

only to what seems 

possible or reasonable, 

you disconnect yourself 

from what you truly want, 

and all that is left is compromise."

-Robert Fritz

Photo by James Strack via One League Artists

Happy Friday!
May your weekend be 
filled with sunshine!

Photo by James Strack via One League Artists

Just breathe . . . .

Are you feeling like there are too many pressures and demands on you? As you know, those pressures can cause stress. As a matter of fact, stress can be caused by a number of life factors that are quite common, and if you don't know how to deal with it, it can wreak havoc on your well-being....both physically & mentally. The negative consequences on your health can be substantial. Your health is your responsibility and you owe it to yourself to learn to relax. There are so many relaxation techniques that will help you slow it down, get clarity, and begin again. Try doing what you can to be more positive. I know....it's hard sometimes, but you will reap so many benefits from it; probably more than you realize. Spend less time with people who try to guilt you in to doing things, or tell you that you're not good enough. And the same goes for those people who are constantly complaining or miserable. Stop feeling guilty. Guilt is a potent source of stress. Take care of yourself. Make healthy food choices and exercise regularly. Laugh! Laughter is the best medicine, so go ahead and rent that hilarious movie that you've been wanting to see.  Spend some time alone doing what you love, whether it's reading a good book, taking a hot bath or listening to your favorite music. And last but not least....breathe. Close your eyes, and just breathe.

"Smile, breathe, and go slowly."

-Thich Nhat Hanh

Photo via Being Brazen

It's all a matter of perspective . . .

Photo via Getty Images

To thine own self be true . . . .

No one can ever know like you do what your dreams are in life....what you aspire to do. No one else can know what fulfills you or what drives you; and no one except you can know what potentials & talents lie dormant inside you. If you feel that you're so far off track that you have no idea who the real you is or what your greatest potentials are, then you're probably asking one of the most asked questions of all time. "What should I be doing with my life?"

Here are a couple thoughts from the book Infinite Possibilities that will help anyone get back on track.....

1) Be yourself. It doesn't matter what "hat" you wear as long as you're you. And by being your real self - true to yourself - you'll automatically be led by your own inclinations and impulses to the roles that will please you most at any given point in your life.

2) Deal with what's on your plate. Embrace your current situation for what it is, and for as long as you remain there, be your best and shine like there's no tomorrow. Don't fight it or you'll create such an attachment with your negative thoughts and feelings that you'll anchor yourself in place! Instead, accept it, go with the flow, approve of yourself, and understand its worth and value, and you will rise above anything unpleasant you may now be facing, releasing yourself from the past and the grip your resistance has had on your present circumstances.

3) Follow the fun. This advice may sound irresponsible to some, but it's probably the most responsible thing you can do. Whether or not you feel lost, always follow the fun. That doesn't mean that life should be one nonstop party. Some of the greatest fun can come from the satisfaction of a job well done, like being a good parent or spouse, or growing a flourishing garden. Almost anything can be fun with the proper perspective. You know what gives you peace and fulfillment--you remember the kind of things you liked as a kid--and in this regard you probably haven't changed much. Think back to those times. Scan your life, past and present, and reacquaint yourself with making fun a joy and a priority.

4) Begin it. Whatever you decide to do, begin it. Even if you're not sure what you should be doing with your life, take baby steps, today, in any direction that may possibly resonate with you. Do something. Anything is better than nothing. Move. Take action. Be the spark. Just do what you can. Weave new steps and thoughts into your workdays and throughout your weekends, and inch forward however possible. Be gentle on yourself, forgiving and compassionate, and don't expect overnight enlightenment. It will come, and it will light your way; that's inescapable. And you can accelerate its arrival by simply busying yourself in each moment, addressing what's before you and simply expecting it soon rather than later.

From the book Infinite Possibilities 

by Mike Dooley

Photo by PETRA VAN RAAIJ  via One League Artists

You will know when you've been touched by a beautiful soul. . . .

I recently read someone's description of a beautiful soul.  I loved it, and wanted to share. . . . "A beautiful soul comes with a beautiful mind. It is someone that is selfless, compassionate, genuine and pure. Their inner beauty shines, and you feel comfort and warmth in their presence. When you have been touched by a beautiful soul, you will know....they will be the one that you will always remember, with much fondness, love and admiration." Isn't that beautiful? I have a friend with a beautiful soul, and that, to me, is an absolutely perfect description. It is my hope that you too, are blessed to have someone who's soul touches yours.

"Your own soul is nourished

when you are kind;

it is destroyed 
when you are cruel."

-King Soloman

Photo by Alexa Singer 

Enjoy the ride . . . .

Just once, perhaps . . . .

Sometimes the heart

should do things

without the brain's permission.

Photo by Anna Kern

Consider a new view . . . .

We live in a world that is constantly changing! In order to keep up, we must be open to new experiences and at least have a willingness to consider a new view on things. Being open-minded will help. To have an open mind simply means you are willing to consider new and different ideas. It means we are able to be more flexible and adaptive to new experiences and thoughts. Choosing to be open-minded, without necessarily accepting it all, can expand our intellectual capability, and if we choose to seek new ways of doing and looking at things, it can certainly make life more interesting. Making a choice to be inflexible, or unwilling to further explore new experiences, I believe, puts a huge limit on so many wonderful possibilities. I'm not saying that you shouldn't stay committed to your decisions, but by learning to be more flexible in your approach could leave you scratching your head....saying....what took me so long to consider this? Leaving the door open for that worthwhile thought could take you down a path that you never considered before, and hey,.....it could have an amazing view!

"An open mind leaves a chance

for someone

to drop a worthwhile thought in it."

-Anonymous

The big secret in life is . . .

. . . . that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work.

Motivation is when your dreams

put on work clothes.

-Unknown author

Finding balance in you life . . .

I don't believe that 'having balance in your life' means that everything in your world is perfect. In my opinion, it simply means that you are giving enough attention to the things that are important to you. . . . consistently, regardless of what your circumstances are. We all know that life gets hectic. It just does! We are all trying to figure out how to balance our work life, our personal lives, raising kids, taking care of our aging parents AND ourselves. It's a lot to manage, but finding balance in the midst of our daily responsibilities can be done. It takes focus, and the willingness to set priorities. First, try letting go of the need to be in constant control. It is a sure-fire deterrent to managing stress and having balance. Also, we can rest assured that things in our life will change, no doubt.....life is ever-changing! Try being more open to inevitable changes and it will greatly reduce your daily stress.

If you are doing too much, or saying yes when asked to take on yet another project, understand that it is okay to say no. Otherwise, it WILL take a toll on you physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually. One of my favorite coffee mugs has a saying on it that makes me laugh every time I read it. It says ...."No, I cannot make 4 dozen cookies. Next question." Believe me, when my boys were in school, I made my share of cookies, but I realized that I didn't have to say yes every time I was approached. If you really want to help, make it easy on yourself and buy them instead. The kids will love them just the same. Saying no more often will make room in your life for the things that are more meaningful to you. Invite simplicity into your life, and realize that it will present you with a chance to have balance, a sense of peace, certainly less stress, and much more joy. And by the way, having a sense of humor can't hurt either, so lighten up!

"A well-developed sense of humor

is the pole that adds balance to your steps

as you walk the tightrope of life."

-William Arthur Ward

Happy Easter!

Time to slow it down . . . .

"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why."

 -Eddie Cantor

Happy Friday!

Have an amazing weekend!

Love your own backyard . . . .

Traveling is so great! I am just returning from two of my favorite cities ... New York and Chicago, and as always, it feels so good to get out of my daily routine, enjoy a new environment, and explore. But there is always something really wonderful about coming home. I am always reminded of just how much I love what I left! I find myself looking at my surroundings with a new eye, almost as if I'm a guest in my own home or community. The following quote reminds us of that very thing; that there is much to enjoy in our own backyard, especially when you can look at it with a fresh mind. Travel through your own surroundings today with a fresh approach, and see if you don't feel inspired.

Bon voyage!

Photo taken myself

It's bottomless . . . .

-Pema Chodron

Photo by Ray Wise via flickr

While putting together today's post, I remembered a previous post from November that relates to the above quote. It's entitled How much can the heart hold? and it always reminds me of just how bottomless the heart really is. The amount of what the heart can hold is truly immeasurable!

Ten words . . . .

Photo via Google Images

LovethisLife...

LovethisLife...

is about celebrating the moment

and that we're not guaranteed or owed another day

and how cool it is that what we hide

can actually be the fuel towards our glory

and that it's not so bad being proven wrong

LovethisLife...

is about welcoming the blind turn

and the possibility

that there's no such thing as coincidence

and that empathy is incredibly sexy

and that it's never too late

to pick up a guitar or a paintbrush

or to make an amend or to make a new friend

LovethisLife...

could be about rekindling a past flame

or igniting a new one

or shapeshifting from a dreamer into a doer

or savouring the caress of a love long gone

LovethisLife...

means whatever it is you want it to mean

because

LovethisLife...

is a celebration of you and your path

LovethisLife...

'cuz it could go at any second

you rock.

-David Culiner

-Photo via One Eyeland

For your viewing pleasure . . . .

Beauty comes from within,

but sometimes,

well, you just have to enjoy the view!

Happy Friday!

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Photo via The Sartorialist

Today looks really good on you . . . .

-Via Notes from the Universe

-Photo by Cameron McDonald via One Eyeland

Life is here . . . .

. . . and it is now.....either we meet it, we live it or we miss it. All life resides in the narrow margin and the broad expanse of the moment. It is in the doing, the dreaming, the feeling and the caring. It is always present in a glorious attemt, a lofty dream, a brilliant insight, an irreplaceable experience, a calming breath, an unbelievable feeling and an irrepressible passion. An unlived life is littered with "could haves," "should haves" and "if onlys." Each moment greets us full of possibility and leaves us hoping we are better for having met. While it is true that we only have right now, there will never be a time when it's not now. Grandma Moses said it best, "Life is what we make it, always has been and always will."

-Kobi Yamada

From the book "be"

Oh, the experience of this sweet life.

-Dante

Photo via Getty Images

Do yourself a favor . . . .

Are you putting too much pressure on yourself to be a perfect parent? Do yourself a favor, and STOP! We're not perfect...no one is!, and we need to stop putting that kind of pressure on ourselves. We can start by focusing on giving our children the best of who we are. Learn to let go of judgements, both from yourself and others, and give your child one of the best gifts available........the best of who you are.

Photo via Melanie Acevedo

"Live" is a verb . . .

Life is waiting for you to live it--your way. There is no "life" without you--only an inert potential that needs you to give it meaning, shape, and purpose. "Live" is a verb; it means to take action, and that's the point. Life is waiting for you to take action, to exercise your free will, to choose your path by using its principles to invoke the magic behind creation in order to live the life you've always dreamed you could live. This is why you're here!

Our actions are our beliefs in motion,

linking the present we know

to the future we expect.

From the book Infinite Possibilities

by Mike Dooley

Photo via Getty Images

From the book "be"

Happy Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Make it genuine . . . .

Via Quote Book

May you never forget what is

worth remembering,

or remember what is best forgotten.

-Irish blessing

Pure pleasures . . . .

Reading in bed on a rainy day.

The laughter of children.

Having time.

Chocolate.

The warmth of a hand.

Happy thoughts.

Photo credits:

Photo #1 unknown

Photo #2 by mosippy via flickr

Photo #3 by Yvette Inufil via flickr

Photo #4 via Google Images

Photo #5 via Most Beautiful Darling

Photo #6 via Getty Images

Give it a try . . .

I'll bet you could do something for someone today who'd remember it for the rest of their life. In a good way.

On your mark, get set . . .

-via A Note from the Universe

-Photo via Google Images