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Be Yourself

Anonymous

Be understanding to your enemies.
Be loyal to your friends.
Be strong enough to face the world each day.
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone.
Be generous to those who need your help.

Be frugal with what you need yourself.
Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.
Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.
Be willing to share your joys.
Be willing to share the sorrows of others.

Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.
Be a follower when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty.
Be the first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.
Be the last to criticize a colleague who fails.
Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble.

Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.
Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you, and they may change.
Above all, be yourself.

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What would happen if you allow yourself to transcend, to evolve, and reach your full potential?

The following video beautifully illustrates what happens when we are open to the possibilities and believe what we know in our heart we are meant to do.

Enjoy!

“I believe that if one always looked at the skies, one would end up with wings.”

Gustave Flaubert

Video found on YouTube

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Did you wonder were I was for the last few days?

Last week was one of the hardest weeks I have had this year. The days were gray, the hormones skyrocketing and the feelings down. I was at war with the environment and myself. It felt as if I was trapped in a little space and yelling, Please, Let Me Out!

I had a Monkey Mind, I couldn’t focus on one thing, the ideas were pouring, the to do list at it’s worst and my energy levels at it’s lowest. I started writing, and could get anywhere. I had lost my compass, my mind and body were not in tune—they were asking for a break.

What a struggle, I usually do not stop and continue pushing till my last breath, but this time was different—something was changed, and I had to honor it.

I chose to take a break. Yes, I did!

For the first time in the past six months I can graciously say that I took a sweet break.

It took a lot of courage and positive self-talk to take those days off to re-charge, re-connect and continue on my journey, but I have to walk the talk—I had to let go.

Initially, I was hesitant to do it as I felt like the world was going to fall apart, my readers will be disappointed and everything that I have worked so hard for would dissipate, and guess what, it didn’t!

Instead, during the break, I learned a few lessons. I took time to meditate and reflect about where I am, versus where I am heading. I realize that I was spending a great amount of time visualizing the future, and missing out on the present moment. I understand it is necessary to look forward and envision where it is that we want to go, I am a true believer of that, but at the same time I also believe that in order to re-align one’s intention we have to fully stand as a whole in the present time, gather ourselves and put our best foot forward.

My excitement about all of the good things happening in my life and desire to help were in a way getting on the way. Yes, it doesn’t make much sense, but at some point I allotted the excitement to turn into sadness and frustration—and that turn didn’t serve me at all.

For a moment, I forgot that this is a journey, and my expectations were high. I forgot that life is not perfect, that I am human and that is okay to feel blue—and share it.

Today, I feel better than I felt yesterday and I am hopeful that tomorrow will be better. I am just focusing on the little things that bring me joy, re-adjusting my priorities and doing what I can.

I don’t know what tomorrow may bring, but I know that this very moment I choose to be happy with what I have.

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On Friday, we took a challenge to list the Top 20 Things that Makes You Happy. As promised here is my list, in no particular order.

1. God, Nature

2. My Family

3. Feeling Healthy

4. A warm hug from my loved ones

5. When my toddler says “I Love You” and “ Thank You”

6. The sound of the dishwashing machine

7. Getting under fresh laundered sheets

8. Acts of kindness, helping others

9. Empowering other people to go for what they believe

10. A bright and sunny day

11. The smell of fresh rain

12. Each and every day that I conquer perfectionism

13. Exploring, Discovering and Learning

14. Eating mochi

15. Visualizing what I want, and seeing it materialize

16. Outdoor activities with my hubby

17. Being present, and away from the confinements of my head

18. To listen and speak the language of my heart

19. A cup of coffee early in the morning

20. The gift of life, having a new opportunity every second to go in the direction that I envision for myself.

Really? This is it? I feel cheated, by my own rule, it should’ve been the top 100 Things That Makes You Happy, I have so many more things that makes me happy, and couldn’t fit it in the list. Well I guess that gives us a post for another day.

I hope that you have enjoyed this activity as much as I did. I love the “soul searching” effect and the realization that the things that make me happy are non-material, have no monetary value, and I can get it every day if I wish—almost every day, can’t control the weather!

I can’t wait to read your list!

Cheers!

Yey, Its Friday! Today I feel like a ray of sunshine, full of energy, love and kindness to give. I have so much energy that I want to hug someone and squeeze him so hard to pass on all of this energy and love that I am feeling. Is as if something big and wonderful is about to happen, I just have to open the door.

Last night while searching for an illustration of the sun that depicts the energy and light that I am feel inside, I came across the ABC Of Genuine Happiness by The Happyself.com, and it beautifully defines happiness in an ABC. Literally!

Since I am feeling this way and I want to extend it for as longs as possible, I set out on a mission to explore the nature of this feeling and how I can bring it forward during the days that I am feeling blue—like I did in Wednesday.

It is an amazing contrast to see how one can go from feeling blue to feeling great in almost “no time” and the effect that a ray of sun has on this feeling.

Are you up for a challenge?

I invite you to make a list of the Top 20 Things That Makes You Happy. I will do the same and share my list with you on Monday.

To help you get going, ask yourself:

♥ What makes me happy?

♥ What am I most grateful for?

♥ When was the last time that I felt most happy? What was I doing? What is special about that time?

♥ What makes me feel alive? or complete this sentence. I feel alive when ___________________.

♥ For me Happiness looks like_____________________.

I can’t wait to hear about your list, don’t shy away! If you feel a bit shy about leaving a comment, send me a message here or via the Contact Me button to the right of the page. I’d love to hear from you!

Happy Friday!

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Hello my friends,

Today is a nice and sunny day and I am feeling great! I hope you are too!

A very special person shared this video with me thinking that I might me touched by it, and I was.  This is a heartwarming video that illustrates how the power of our words and the way we present our message could have an effect on people.

Have a lovely day!

Enjoy,

Video found on YouTube

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The other day my family and I went to Babies R’ Us to check on a toddler bed for our daughter. Once there we couldn’t find the bed that we wanted —be sure that there was no way that we could be able to walk away the same way we had walked in—empty-handed. The little one knew what it meant to be there, and immediately turned in to a “shopping spree” mode and grabbed everything that she liked without discrimination—then continued to the register.

I guess she is very familiar with the shopping process! “I pick, then mommy and daddy pays, and they give back to me. If it doesn’t work the first time, I persist, and if needed cry, throw a tantrum, floor included, get what I want and then say, “Thank you graciously”.

Lesson I: Shop as if you have all of the money in the world, then have someone else pay for it! Ah and never forget to say Thank You.

Well, to make things more interesting, she not only got a plush bear, she also got a “Dora Adventure Hut”, a pop up tent house, with a crawl in tube, for side access—a little heaven for her to be alone, to have some quiet time.

I set up the tent and she jumped in, she came in and out several times—like someone that is trying to decorate a space. She selected a few of her favorite toys and brought them in there as well as her Dora blanket and mommy’s laptop with a Dora’ video playing.

All I could hear was giggles; she was in heaven, finally a space that is her own, no sharing with the dogs, the bird or mommy.

I wanted to be part of it so I crawled in through the tube—really don’t know how I made it in—and sat next to her. I was excited for her, and wanted to celebrate her happiness and joy, but there was a small detail. She did not like the idea, I had invaded her space.

To make matters worst I occupied 2/3 of the space inside her tent, and she did not like it. My invasion only lasted 2 seconds; actually it took me longer to get in than to get out.

Once I made it in, she said. “Mommy no, mommy no” and then lifted the fabric door, pointed to the outside of the tent, and said, “Mommy here”.

I couldn’t believe it, I was shown the way out by my little one. Really, she courteously asked me to leave, and I had to follow.

I crawled out and then she said “ Thank you mommy”, fixed her door straight and continued enjoying herself.

Unknowingly I had invaded her personal space. I was not allowed in there and came in uninvited.

Lesson II: Set boundaries, respect your personal space, and others will follow.

One thing that really strikes me is that she kept her cool at all times and knew that it was her space I had invaded and kindly asked me to leave in her own little words. She could’ve had thrown a tantrum, but she didn’t.

She felt confident of herself and knew that she had the right to her personal space. Next time, if there is one, I will ask her permission, before I try to come in.

And lastly,

Lesson III: Always finish the sentence with a kind and genuine Thank You!

It demonstrates respect for yourself and others.

At the end of the day, I learned my lessons and continue to learn through the eyes of a toddler!

What has a little one taught you?  Share your thoughts with us!