Constantly Improving Your Body and Mind
February 17, 2009
Welcome back!
Even if you look and feel great, there are always steps you can take, every day, to improve your body and mind. It takes constant work to improve your life, even when you have achieved what you believe is your personal best.
So with that said, we all can use some healthy living tips to ensure that we are the best we can be every day.
Healthy Living Tips to Improve Your Body and Mind
It doesn’t matter if you are in perfect shape – or you have created your own unique “shape” over the years – there are always simple strategies that will continue to improve how you look, feel and think. After all, without constantly improving your body and mind, you won’t be able to reach greater heights and experience new things.
The most essential mental and physical health tip is to enjoy quality sleep. Getting enough sleep will boost your health and productivity, and it will rejuvenate your body and mind. Some people may believe that sleep is overrated, but study after study has shown that those who get at least eight hours of sleep look and feel better than those who don’t. It can be tempting to skimp on the number of hours of sleep you get, but it isn’t worth it. Skipping sleep takes a toll on your brain’s ability to function, your appearance, and on your overall long-term health. So do yourself a favor and skip the late night talk shows and midnight snacks tonight!
There’s another easier-said-than-done tip that I’m sure you’ve heard many times before. Any guesses? Exercise, of course! Whether you are trying to lose weight or you’re at your target weight, it can be tempting to skip exercise. No matter how you slice it, it’s not going to do you any good. Not only does exercise help you look good, but it also helps you feel good. Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel good from top to bottom and stress literally drips off you!
It can be difficult to incorporate these healthy living tips into your life, but there is one tool that ties everything together: the power of positive self-talk. You can use positive affirmations to help remind you of your healthy living goals. Affirmations are short statements that encourage you to sharpen your mind and body while conquering your goals and improving on your weaknesses. Affirmations can help you focus on creating and maintaining the healthy body and mind you desire because it gives you the motivation you need to focus on your most important asset – you!
Some examples of affirmations include, “It is okay for me to take care of myself first,” or, “I am healthy and deserve the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.” You can use these simple positive statements throughout the day to stay motivated and focused. After all, we all need some motivation from time to time.
When you implement these strategies in your life, you’ll begin to realize just how easy it can be to lead a healthy lifestyle, especially once you have gained the right set of tools in your self-improvement toolbox!
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February 17, 2009
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Things Don’t Change, We Do!
February 16, 2009
by Janie Behr
I have been going to the same bank for 25 years and have become known by many of the long time employees there as a good listener. Recently I had an interesting conversation with one of the tellers, which I would like to share with you.
I had no sooner extended my normal, “How’s it going?”, then she began an instant download about her thirty two year old son whom she can’t get to leave home. She went on about how he does not work, help with living expenses or even clean up his room. I just smiled and listened intently to her story until she said something so juicy so ripe for a reply. I could not let it pass.
She said, “I can’t wait for next year to get here.” I asked why, she replied, “Because it has to better than this year.”
“Why is that?” I asked,
“Just because it is a new year, I guess; maybe things will change.” She responded.
I told her that the only problem with her theory is that life is much like watching a poorly written and produced play: The next act will be no better than the last one. Likewise, she will have the same son living in the same home in two weeks as she does now- nothing will change but the dates.
If thirty years hasn’t done it, a week, a month, another year doesn’t stand a chance. At that point, I was moved to share one of my favorite sayings with her, “things don’t change, we do.”
She laughed and said, “Exactly right…. now, tell me what that means.”
I told her that it meant that if she did not address the problem now, next year would be a repeat of this one. Beyond that, perhaps the real problem isn’t her son, but rather how she feels about herself regarding her son. I suggested that she had two choices. Either one of them would work if she could make peace with them.
1. She could change her mind about her willingness to tolerate the situation even a day longer and muster up the courage and self acceptance to request that he leave and mean it.
2. Or, she could choose to change her perception and accept him and the circumstances just as they are and turn it into a non-problem.
Either choice would require a certain degree of acceptance and change on her part, but the result would be some sense of inner peace.
How about you?
Is there an issue going on in your life today that you are hoping will just sort of magically change by itself next year? Generally, that is not how to rid yourself of your problems, is it? As Mark Twain said, “Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.”
Perhaps, like my teller friend you need to look clearly at your issue, thus bringing you the most authentic experience of inner peace possible. What can you do today to begin to deal with your problem in a proactive manner? What action can you take? It might include, asking a trusted friend, mentor or counselor for some support, and honest feedback. It could also include making space available in your mind and heart for God’s presence to be more fully revealed. With your willingness, that presence becomes an incredible guidance system. Isn’t it great to know you always have a choice?
Make a decision today to either accept what is or do something about it. Stop swimming in the river of denial because it is polluted with hidden resentment (toward yourself as well as others) and fear and because it gets you nowhere fast.
It is time to Experience the Power of Positive Change…and the decisions are yours. Finally, you are the captain of your own ship; you are in control. It is time to get started on this new voyage…
Let me invite you to share this exciting time in your life with me – I have created an all new weekly ezine just for you with stories and tips that will change your perspective and banish the fear of “growing old” – helping you live a vibrant and exciting life, each and everyday with spark and vitality.
As a thank you gift for your subscription, download my latest report on The Single Most Powerful Attraction Tool No Matter What You are Going Through That will Move Heaven & Earth In Your Favor! – include your phone number in the sign up to receive a free 30 minute coaching session ($75 retail value). Click here http://www.jblifecoach.com for immediate access.
Help Me Help a Friend
February 9, 2009
I have the opportunity to help a friend, will you take a moment to listen?
A friend of mine that I met a few years back was diagnosed in the Fall with Stage 2 Hodgkins Lymphoma. I get chills when I think about it – she’s a young mom just like me.
I’d love for you take a minute to head over to her blog and read her story as my words will not do it justice.
As soon as I heard the story, I knew I wanted to help in some way. Being that we are a distance apart and can’t help in a personal way, I have decided to donate 10% of my sales for those who mention Jenn Ford in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” box on the order page of my website.
I am also currently booking home and office parties (as well as virtual parties). During the month of February and March for those people who book a home/office/or virtual party I will also donate 10% of the party total to Jenn.
I would be most grateful if you could share this story with your friends to see how far we can reach to help this wonderful mom.
Here are some helpful links:
The Gratitude Circle Home Page
In gratitude,
Deanna
P.S. My new collection will be online very soon – I know you will love it. Why not book your own gathering, share some gratitude, and help someone in need?
Here’s what one of our raving fans recently said about our new collection:
When I saw the necklace from Deanna’s new Gratitude Eclectic Collection for the first time it was on her neck and I *knew* I had to have one for myself. It is just my style. A beautiful silver toggle clasp, a black choker, and a gorgeous bead that is so signature in Deanna’s work. PERFECT. It is understated and funky all at the same time. Just like me. I can wear it with jeans and a t-shirt or with a simple black dress. I cannot wait to purchase other bead charms to allow me to wear my necklace with even more colors. The beautiful hand painted beads used in the Gratitude Collection are the most beautiful I have ever seen. This collection is my very favorite! Great work, Deanna!
Dorothy
P.S.S. Check out Jenn’s blog for other offers to help raise funds for Jenn. There may be something there that may interest you as well.
Gratitude Journal App for the Iphone
February 9, 2009
I am such a sucker for technology. I am a bit of a gadget junkie and love applications and gadgets that especially keep me organized.
Having said that, I stumbled upon an application recently that I thought I would share with my readers. It’s a Gratitude Journal for the Iphone. I am a blackberry addict – but I thought it was neat and wanted to share it with you. According to the article it does work with the ITouch as well (which I do have Woo Hoo!) – but I have not tried that yet. I’d love to hear thoughts from anyone who has tried it.
Here’s the link for more info:
http://www.macworld.com/article/138675/2009/02/gratitudejournal.html
P.S. Oh, and it’s cheap, too only $1!
Simplifying Your Life
February 6, 2009
When you are stressed out and you can’t seem to find a moment of peace for yourself, you probably need to simplify your life. We often take on much more than we are capable of doing (or at least I do anyway – can you relate?) I am a multi-tasker and the “go-to” gal to get things done, but you know what? Sometimes I need to take it down a notch and just say no…and guess what? It’s okay to do that sometimes! I find that when I do that, my stress levels come down and it makes my life much more manageable and enjoyable.
Many times we think everything is of equal importance in our lives, but there are some great ways to evaluate what really matters so we can gain a new perspective on life.
6 Simple Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Determine what is important. Make a list of all activities you have going on in your life right now. I often recommend that you keep a log of your life for a week. Track what you do personally and professionally. Don’t make this another thing to do and keep track of, but simply get yourself a little notebook that you can throw in your bag or purse and jot quick notes.
I made this suggestion at a seminar once and a lovely lady shared with us that she did this once for herself and also for her husband. When she presented him with her findings, she actually got him to start helping her with the laundry when he saw how much she did!
What does your list look like? Determine your top four or five areas and put your energy into those on a day-to-day basis (i.e., family, relationships, spirituality, work or whatever that looks like for you).
Once you do this exercise, it’s a whole lot easier to see where you’re spending most of your time (and where you should be spending more time). It’s helps to cut out a lot of the unnecessary “clutter” in our daily lives.
2. Reconsider your commitments. Many times we simply over-commit ourselves. You should look at the “extras” in your life and see how they align with the things that are most important to you. If there are things that you are committed to doing that you don’t enjoy or don’t add meaning to your life, consider giving them up. You can reduce stress and make your life more relaxed when you release yourself from commitments that are only tying you down.
3. Say no. Okay, so this one may make you a little uncomfortable, right? I think learning to say no is like “developing a muscle,” it’s certainly not something that happens overnight. I know it has become a learned behavior for me over time and experience and I’m okay with it. Saying no to kids, family, friends, and even the boss is important. I know it can be tough to say no, but you can say it with grace or by delegating the request to another capable person – share the wealth, right?! If you’re finding it difficult to stay firm, remember that you are not superman or superwoman. You can’t possibly take on the world by yourself!
4. Simplify your work. Every day when you’re at work (or at home) you likely have a 10-page to-do list. In reality, there are things that just aren’t all that important and aren’t worth the effort. There will always be some things that you’ll never get around to, but that’s okay! Accept that fact and re-evaluate your activities to determine what is really essential and do away with the rest. Imagine how freed you’ll feel?
5. Involve the family. There is as much to do at home as there is at work. Make your family your team and involve them in the home activities. Get everyone involved in the little tasks around the home such as taking out the trash, dusting, and doing the dishes. For example, you can require that each family member pick up their own things around the house before bed. This way, “tidying up” is a lot easier and not just left to one person. You can then spend more of your time relaxing instead of worrying about every little task around the home.
6. Clear the clutter. Clutter can be quite a beast, right? Well, I’m sure that in your home and/or office there are probably a lot of things that are cluttering your space. Everything must have its place – even if it’s in the trash! When you clear the clutter from your space, you’ll find that cleaning, finding things and simply going about your daily life is a lot simpler and a whole lot less stressful.
As you can see, simplifying your life does not have to be difficult. You just need to get back to basics and do away with everything else. Living a simple life is living a happier, less stressed life and that’s something that we can all aspire to do.
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Top 10 Inspirational Sayings
February 5, 2009
We all have those moments when we need inspiration to gain confidence and build momentum. That’s why inspirational sayings are so popular!
When you live a life without inspiration, it can be a life without any real joy or passion. In those moments where you need a little pick me up or a reminder of the many great things you have in your life, you can turn to the power of inspirational words. You need to have a collection of inspirational sayings in your toolkit that resonate with you so you can get more done and still feel great!
There are a lot of great motivational sayings out there that we can turn to when we are feeling down, but we should be using them all the time, rain or shine! Strive to incorporate inspirational sayings into your every day life, using them to inspire you to reach higher and push harder so you can achieve all of the things you have set out to do and more.
Some wonderful inspirational sayings include:
- There is a beautiful light at the end of my tunnel.
- I take small steps in life and value my time.
- In order to share happiness with others, I must also be happy.
- As I let go of dissatisfaction, I feel happiness in my life.
- My life is full of purpose, exciting change, and many recognized deeds.
- No matter the challenge, I will see it through.
- I am becoming more focused and confident every day.
- I welcome positive energy and I use that feeling to accomplish more.
- My life is already full of success.
- I keep only two mental snapshots of myself: where I am and where I want to be in life.
These are all very simple inspirational sayings that work to affirm positive thoughts and attitudes in your mind. Affirmations are simply positive statements that remind you of your goals and positive uniqueness so you can boost your self-confidence.
Accomplish More with the Power of Inspirational Thinking
Inspirational sayings and affirmations can help us move forward in life and accomplish greater things than we could have ever imagined. After all, we can’t deny the power of a can-do attitude. If more of us incorporate inspiration into our lives, we would all be happier and more successful people. When you incorporate positive sayings into your life, you’ll find that you’ll respond on a subconscious level and you’ll no longer need to look very far for inspiration!
If you’re down or lacking confidence, you can use inspirational sayings to find the courage to move forward and force out any negative thoughts that may be cycling through your mind. When you say these statements with gusto, you are re-affirming positive thoughts in your mind, making them a part of who you are. Remember to use these sayings at any and every occasion to give you the inspiration you need to get through any challenge, both big and small.
Join the Twitter #gratitude Party!
February 5, 2009
Join the Twitter #gratitude Party! Sunday Feb 8, 4:30 PM Pacific.
New studies reveal that regular practice of gratitude can increase your happiness by 25%! Gratitude helps combat stress, heals the heart, and helps those who practice gratitude to notice the good things in their lives.
With Oprah and many other gratitude enthusiasts at the helm, gratitude journals, gratitude blogs, and gratitude practice of all sorts are sweeping the country.
And it’s not just a popular movement, but a scientific one, too. Many hospitals and heart health programs recommend keeping a gratitude journal as part of treatment programs for recovery from heart disease, heart attacks, and heart failure. Study after study is finding the proof that supports the practice.
There are so many reasons to practice gratitude! And so many ways to do it, too!
I invite you to join us for a gratitude celebration on Twitter! Sunday February 8, 4:30 PM Pacific time. It’s easy! All you need to do is show up at Twitter with your gratitude, and tweet it out, early and often. And, remember to put #gratitude in all your tweets.
Curious about how the #gratitude movement got started on Twitter? Click here to learn more!
Oh, and just to make it a little sweeter, we will have many fun gratitude themed giveaways….so be sure to join us.
If you’d like to follow the Gratitude Circle on twitter, just click here.
