Happy New Year :)

Hello,

As we say good-bye to 2014 and start off the New Year, I wanted to share with you an inspirational poem, "The Invitation."
This much loved poem is about making the most of life, every day. It is about accepting that life will bring you pain and life will bring you joy. Letting yourself experience both is what real living is all about. Remember, you will need humor, insight and compassion to face life's difficult moments and to heal from them as well.

It is my wish that you find the courage and the commitment to embrace all that life has to offer. Be inspired. Love much. And don't let fear stop you from taking the necessary risks to live fully and honestly. Pursue your dreams and never give up on becoming all that you can be. May you find what you need and discover what really matters.

Enjoy your travels and thank you for reading.

                                                          The Invitation
                                                By Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
And if you dare to dream of meeting
Your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
For love, for your dream,
For the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring
your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of
your own sorrow,
If you have been opened by life's betrayals,
Or have become shriveled and closed from fear of
further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain,
Mine or your own,
Without moving
To hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy,
Mine or your own,
If you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers
and toes
Without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic,
or to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be
true to yourself,
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not
betray your own soul.
I want to know if you can be faithless and therefore
be trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty
Even when it is not pretty every day,
And if you can source your life
From its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure,
Yours and mine,
And still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to
the silver of the full moon,
"Yes!"

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how
much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after the night of
grief and despair,
Weary and bruised to the bone,
And do what needs to be done for the children.

It doesn't interest me who you are, how you came to
be here.
I want to know if you will stand
In the center of the fire with me
And not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
From the inside
When all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
With yourself,
And if you truly like the company you keep
In the empty moments.



I wish you and those dear to you the best for the coming year.

Cheers!


                                        

Wake Up to Gratitude!

Hello,

Each day we wake up is a miracle and a time to feel grateful. Choose to recognize it as such and you will see the power of gratitude as it begins to shift your perception of the life you see. I invite you to consider living the life you have today with a conscious sense of gratitude for this is what really matters. It truly is the best possible way of looking at life. Try it!
Think of all the good that is already present in your life and be Thankful every chance you get. Think and Thank is gratitude at its best. If you want to feel good, focus on the abundance that is present in your life instead of what your life lacks. You will notice your life improve considerably. But first, understand living in gratitude needs to be reinforced regularly. Pause often to count your blessings and remember to stop and smell the roses. Many of us are more grateful than we think but just the same may lose our way. When this happens redirect your focus toward gratitude. Yes, let yourself Wake Up To It!

There is nothing like gratitude to lift your spirits. Gratitude is the way! Gratitude in the morning. Gratitude throughout the day. Gratitude at night and before bed. Practice and discipline is the key to having a grateful outlook on life. Effort is the only requirement. A daily dose of gratitude can turn it into a habit for life-the best one ever. Imagine a new lease on life by choosing to be thankful for and appreciative of what you have and where you are right now in your life. Simply wonderful and amazing. An attitude of gratitude is a precious gift and you're the only one who can give it to yourself. It is a feeling described by many as an awakening to what is truly important. It comes from within your heart. It does not depend on life turning out a certain way, on particular circumstances, or the presence or actions of others. It is a deeper kind of gratitude. A gratitude that exists no matter what happens or doesn't happen in your life. But BEWARE, your gratitude will be tested.

Even the most faithful followers of gratitude face difficult situations that challenge their ability to be thankful all the time. They have their share of low moods, setbacks, disappointments, or traumas. Whatever their individual troubles may be they have an awareness that this too shall pass. They forge ahead with a spirit of gratitude that helps them not only to get through it but to come out of it stronger. They know without a doubt that having a gratitude mindset is the path to happiness, peace of mind, and satisfaction. Those who practice gratitude understand that it is when they feel least thankful that they need to look within to find the healing powers of gratitude. Gratitude puts situations into perspective. It helps us see that whatever struggles we are facing someone always has it worse than us-always. Gratitude helps us to quickly let go of a victim mentality; to see the "good" and "bad" in life as the way of things; and to weigh in the positive over the negative. The focus is on what is left and not what has been lost. Remember, there is always something to feel grateful about in your life.

The Science of Gratitude

The research has been summarized by leading expert, Robert Emmons in his best selling book, Thanks! How The New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier (Houghton Mifflin, 2007).

The results? People who practice gratitude experience:

*Less depression
*Stronger immune system
*Reduced stress levels and better management of it
*Stronger social/partner relationships
*Better sleep
*Greater inclination to help others
*More optimism about the future
*Quicker recovery from adversity
*More positive emotions;greater happiness
*Increased energy levels;exercise more regularly
*Fewer health complaints and symptoms of illness

Although genetics plays a role on our grateful temperament, research shows that we can actually raise our gratitude levels through disciplined use and practice. This is definitely great news!

A Few Suggestions on Cultivating Gratitude

*Write down what you're grateful for and take with you wherever you go.
*Give thanks continuously. It will make you happier. It works.
*Support those in need; the giver benefits as much as the receiver.
*Appreciate those you love and make sure to let them know.
*Keep a gratitude journal and don't forget to include yourself.
*Choose to be grateful. Yes. It is that simple a decision.
*Do a gratitude exercise: imagine losing someone or something that is precious to you. Then imagine getting a second chance at having this person or thing back in your life. Trust me, your gratitude levels will go up big time.
*Find joy in the "small" things instead of waiting for the so called "big" things to happen.
*Bring gratitude with you wherever and in whatever you do every moment of each day.
*Gratitude grows stronger with use and practice. Think it. Speak it. Feel it. Breathe it.
*Acknowledge the goodness in your life continuously.
*Pray. Meditate. Focus on what you're grateful for. Your life will change more than you ever thought possible.

Concluding Thought

The root of happiness in life isn't the money or the things you have. It is absolutely the amount of gratitude that you feel.

Quote of the Day

"You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you."
                                                         -Sarah Ban Breathnach

                                      Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Enjoy!


Related Websites

www.happierhuman.com/the science-of-gratitude/
www.health.harvard.edu/mentalextra  "In praise of gratitude"
www.cfidsselfhelp.org/library/counting-your-blessings-how-gratitude-improves-your-health
www.greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/pay_it_forward

Related Movies

It's A Wonderful Life
Forrest Gump
Pay It Forward
Mr. Holland's Opus












 

Friend yourSelf

Hello,


                           
                                             " I, _____, take you, _____, to be
                                               my (best friend). I promise to be
                                               true to you in good times and in
                                               bad, in sickness and in health.
                                               I will love you and honor you
                                               all the days of my life."

                                                                    - Rite of Marriage


Consider taking the vow to love and honor your partner for life...you, yourself. Go ahead, take the pledge. There is no better time than right now. After all, the longest relationship you will ever have in your lifetime will be with yourself. And guess what? You get to decide the choices that you make every step of the way. For instance, when the going gets tough, will you pick yourself up or keep yourself down? Are you for or against yourself? How we treat ourselves is up to us. Yes, we are in charge and therefore responsible for our own treatment of ourselves. The fact of the matter is the only person you truly have control over is yourself.

All too often our focus is on "other" and not enough on ourself. We need to get our priorities in order by understanding a fundamental truth: To care for yourself is to take care of yourself. By doing this well, we can then do the same for others. This is what being a Friend to Self is all about. Always remember this cardinal rule: Never, ever, is it acceptable to neglect yourself for the sake of others. This is true even under extreme circumstances. For example, in an airplane they instruct passengers to put on their oxygen mask first before assisting anyone else. In other words, make sure you do what you need to do for yourself so that you can best help others in need. Make this your basic protocol in life! To do otherwise is futile.

The bottom line: If we are to be a good friend to others, we must learn to be a best friend to ourselves first. This point can't be emphasized enough: Friend yourSelf! This is not just another self-help tool or psychobabble; it is literally a life skill that can turn your life around by making a profound change in your relationship with yourself. The fact is self-friending is self-love and there is nothing more powerful than loving yourself. It is from a place of self-love that the standard is set for all other relationships. So there it is, strengthening your self-relationship can change your world. But here's the thing, friending yourself isn't something that just happens. It is something we must actively engage in and be willing to do for our sake and well-being. To learn this skill you must first make the decision to want to be a friend to yourself. Furthermore, you must be willing to try out new behaviors that promote growth and positive change. Once you commit, you must continue to act as a good friend to yourself even at times when you may not want to. Is this beginning to sound like a marriage? Well, you might say it is, sort of a marriage to self. Truth be told, in order to have a loving, supportive, and long-term relationship with someone else, you will need to love and friend yourSelf first.

The greatest thing about friendship with oneself is that you can handle what happens in your life because you "got your back" whatever your circumstances may be. You get to be the one person you can count on to stay with you no matter what. It's true, life is easier when you befriend yourself. It is important to know that being on good terms with yourself is an inside job. That is, you must focus on doing the things that make you feel good about yourself instead of the things that make you feel bad. Make sure to pay attention to the relationship between what you do and how you feel. To change, you must look within to understand what is going on and acknowledge what you're doing wrong.  You must take full responsibility for your life and practice the honor code to stay honest with yourself about yourself. Strive to look for the best in you and in time you will become the person that is in you to become. Remember, change is up to you!

Loving ways to treat ourselves:

-Treat yourself the way you want others to treat you.
-Speak to yourself in ways that show respect, compassion and kindness.
-Choose to do the things that make you FEEL GOOD about yourself and STOP doing the things that make you feel bad.
-Appreciate what you do in all that you do.
-Surround yourself with loving and supportive people who bring out the best in you.
-Serve as a good companion to yourself. There is a sense of relaxation that comes from hanging out with ourselves. Try it!
-Forgive yourself for your mistakes. Learn from them and move on.
-Focus on your strengths and build your life from them. We grow from a place of self-love, not self-hatred.
-Listen to yourself and follow your gut feeling. Your inner friend knows what's best.
-Focus on what you have and not what you lack. Gratitude is the surest way to happiness and self-love.
-Stop comparing yourself to others; it is never okay to devalue who we are.
-Have all your feelings, but don't hold on to the unpleasant ones.
-Stop putting yourself down. Don't tear yourself up when you do something that makes you feel bad inside. Pause. Rethink. Taking steps to make yourself feel better is the best approach.
-Feel good about your accomplishments; when you do something you are proud of, make sure to take it in and enjoy.
-Give yourself recognition; what you say to yourself counts more than what others may say about you.
-Stay clear of self-sabotage; don't undermine your positive efforts and good results.
-Show self-regard, not self-reproach.
-Meet your own expectations. Do what needs to be done; don't procrastinate on what's important to you. Enjoy the feeling you get from getting the job done.
-Carry out your intentions; don't slack off on things that truly matter. Enjoy the experience of being in charge of yourself.
-Dwell on your victories, not your defeats.
-Believe in yourself; trust there will be better days; tell yourself, you can do it!
-Have hope that change is possible, real and doable.
-Be willing to DO for yourself.
-Let yourself cry; tears bring about self-healing and self-love.
-Pay attention to self in ALL the right ways.
-Smile more.
-Feed your hungry heart with LOVE. No other substitute will do.

Sadly, for many people being a friend to themselves presents a real challenge. If this is the case for you, it may help you to see it as your life purpose to learn how to love you, yourself, with an open heart. Decide how you're going to live. Now.

Concluding thoughts:

To treat ourselves in the most thoughtful, nurturing, caring way when we are in pain just as we would treat another person who is hurting is our greatest gift to ourselves.
Always remember, you have a friend for life. Take care of your precious self. There is only one you.
It is my wish that you discover the magnificence of self and realize how truly special you are.

                                                       "Me myself and I
                                                  That's all I got in the end
                                                   That's what I found out
                                                  And it ain't no need to cry
                                              I took a vow that from now on
                                           I'm gonna be my own best friend"

                                                             - Beyoncé Knowles Lyrics - ME, Myself & I


Enjoy!
                                           




                                                       

When a mistake is NOT a mistake

Hello,

                                 " You can never make the same mistake twice
                                 because the second time you make it, it's not a
                                 mistake, it's a choice."
                                                                     ~ Steven Denn

To err is human...make no mistake about it! It happens to the best of us. We've all done it and will continue to do so...again and again. Let's face it, making mistakes is a fact of life and something we must all deal with. Don't be discouraged because of mistakes. See it as a learning process. Acknowledging mistakes and understanding them can bring about new insight and beneficial change while also teaching us lessons of wisdom. So you see, mistakes are not a bad thing. They are meant for learning and developing a good sense of judgment. Unfortunately, for many people, it takes repeating the same error of judgment over and over again to learn the lesson. Herein lies the distinction between a mistake and a bad decision. A mistake repeated is no longer a mistake, but a decision.

The decisions we make, whether good or bad, big or small affect our lives. Repeating the same mistakes over and over leaves us feeling inadequate, emotionally exhausted, and vulnerable. We start to view ourselves negatively, questioning our capacity for good judgment, and losing sight of our natural gift within: our common sense. The best recourse is to be willing to LEARN. It is critical to remember that we are in charge of our own learning and responses. Once you accept the fact that the life you lead is a direct result and consequence of the decisions you make day in and day out, you will be in a better place to turn your life around. You can learn from mistakes or repeat them...the choice is yours to make! 

A common mistake we ALL make from time to time is confusing a mistake with a bad decision. Let me emphasize that none of us are without risk of making bad decisions. We've been there, done that and more than likely will make bad decisions again over the course of our lifetime. As the saying goes, "strive for progress, not perfection."

A mistake and a bad decision are not one in the same. Although both are considered an error of judgment there is a vast difference; understanding what that difference is can lead to personal growth and greater commitment to self.

A mistake is defined as a misunderstanding; an action or judgment that is misguided; to understand something or someone incorrectly; something done without intent; doing something without any knowledge of possible negative consequences; oversight; an error in action or judgment caused by insufficient knowledge; to understand wrongly. In other words, if you do something by mistake, you do it accidentally.

A bad decision is defined as a poor choice; you override your senses and choose an option that on some level you know you should not.* You know something is not in your best interest and you do it anyway. It is done intentionally; doing the same thing with the same negative outcomes is a bad decision. This is similar to "insanity" as defined in the 12 step programs of recovery such as Alcoholics Anonymous: doing the same thing in the same way and expecting different results.

Here are a few examples:

Mistake = Getting into a relationship with someone who is not right for you.
Bad Decision = Deciding to marry this person regardless

Mistake = Revealing too much of yourself on a first date
Bad Decision = Deciding it's okay to take this person that you just met home with you

Mistake = To find yourself with someone who doesn't show you love
Bad Decision = To stay with this person and sacrifice your innermost needs

Mistake = You estimate incorrectly the travel time to your destination
Bad Decision = You speed just to make good time

Keep in mind: mistakes are unavoidable but bad decisions are within your control!

Actions you can take to make better decisions:

-Think before you act. Weigh in the pros and cons of your decision and consider the consequences.
-When in doubt, look within. Listen to your inner voice - Your natural ability for guidance. This internal guide knows what is best for us. You can call this voice, intuition, conscience, divine spirit, inner resource and so on.  It communicates mostly through feelings and may come in the form of a hunch, a gut feeling, strong sense and/or physical sensation. Listen to your body - it never lies. Learn to pay attention, listen, trust, and act on it. 
-Make decisions that support what is most important to you. In other words, what matters to you; decisions that reinforce your values. Don't half commit yourself. Be consistent about what you say and what you do. Talk the talk and walk the talk. Look at where you are and where you want to be and make decisions accordingly.
-In making decisions take into account your innermost wants and needs. Consider what is best for you - after all, if you don't who will?
-Take responsibility for your life and know that it is totally up to you to make better choices.
-Make decisions based on what is - what you are seeing and not what you hope to get. Deep down inside you know what is right for you and what is not. You know the truth and have the answer. Know this: when you can trust yourself to do the right thing you don't have to worry about whether or not you can trust others.
-If what you are doing isn't getting you what you want, change your behavior. Don't forget the old saying: actions speak louder than words. Change your thinking to change your direction.
-Be willing to learn, open to feel, and commit to change.

Concluding quotes:

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
                                                                      ~ Albert Einstein
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
                                                                      ~ Maya Angelou
"Trust yourself, you know more than you think you do."
                                                                      ~ Benjamin Spock
"The choices we make dictate the lives we lead. To thine ownself be true."
                                                                      ~ William Shakespeare, 'Hamlet'.

Your Decisions...Your life!

Enjoy :)

*www.decision-making-confidence.com/effects-of-bad-decisions








                                   

Our Inner Voice of Wisdom

Hello,


                                                        "THE VOICE"
   
                                            There is a voice inside of you
                                            That whispers all day long,
                                             "I feel that this is right for me,
                                             I know that this is wrong."
                                             No teacher, preacher, parent, friend
                                             Or wise man can decide
                                             What's right for you- just listen to
                                             The voice that speaks inside."

                                                               ~ Shel Silverstein

Although Shel Silverstein wrote for young readers, his lines are simple life lessons for ALL ages, beautifully stated and so TRUE. Everyone has an inner voice that speaks to them. Just listen and it will guide you to make the right choice.

Our inner voice of wisdom is the part of us deep inside that just knows. It is defined as internal monologue, internal speech or thinking in words ( a running dialogue in our heads, internal conversation with self). It goes by different names: intuition, wise voice, inner strength, inner guide, conscience, superego, whispering voice, small voice, a sixth sense, and inner knowing. If you look up synonyms for inner voice, you will see two interesting terms: code of honor and sense of duty. As you can see, our understanding of "inner voice" is expansive and rich in description. Whatever you wish to call it, one thing is for certain, that voice within is there for a reason - for our survival and success. It exists to protect YOU!

The voice of inner wisdom is REAL and represents the real YOU. It consist of feelings and instincts that help us navigate through life. It is understood by many as being a tool and inner resource that is part of our natural ability for guidance. It provides us with knowledge by intuition, as well as quick and ready insights. The voice I am referring to is one that builds us, not breaks us. It is the voice of truth. It uses our bodies to speak to us. It is committed to our well-being and most importantly, is the ever-present true friend in our time of need.

What great comfort to know we have an internal guide known as our true SELF who knows what is best for us. This small voice within communicates mostly through feelings. We may experience the voice as a gut feeling that guides us to act a certain way without fully understanding why. It may also come in the form of a strong sense, hunch, thought, dream, self-talk and/or physical sensation in the body. However this wise voice comes to you, learn to pay attention, listen, trust, and act on it. The more we listen to it, the clearer it gets and the better we become at letting our inner wisdom carry us through. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Everyone who wills can hear the inner voice. It is within everyone." Just listen to THE VOICE that speaks inside and you will know what to do. It KNOW(s)the solutions. Trust your own knowing and remember the old saying, "If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't."

Ultimately you must decide for yourself what feels right and what is best for you. Just remember, our intuitive voice is always there to help us and more often than not the voice of inner wisdom is right. In a recent study published in 2012 in the Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a research team led by Dr. Marius Usher of Tel Aviv University's School of Psychological Sciences found intuition to be a powerful and accurate tool and that it really does work. You'll be right 90% of the time. They concluded : "Gut reactions can be trusted to make a quality decision."

Undoubtedly, problems arise when we ignore our intuitive voice - in its many forms. Think back to the times in which you continued to do things that didn't feel right, or when you stopped doing the things that made you feel good. What about the other times you were guided by outside voices instead of your own or perhaps caught up with thoughts of your past or worries about your future? How many times did you ignore warnings or red flags that warranted a pause or change in course? If you can identify with any of this, you are not alone. It's okay, that's part of life. What's important is that you truly understand what's at stake here - To ignore our inner wisdom is to disregard our true self and this never feels right nor good. Be aware of any distractions that serve to disconnect you from your intuitive sense. It takes courage and commitment to be honest with ourselves about ourselves. Doing so makes it possible for us to hear what we are saying from inside. As Steve Jobs said, "Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice."

This doesn't mean we shouldn't look outside ourselves for guidance and consider the wisdom of others we trust. Stay open to other perspectives, suggestions and good advice, but not to the exclusion of checking in with your inner knowing. It is always best to consider how the message you are getting feels in your body - the body never lies.

Trust yourself to hear and respond to your inner voice. Stop trying to be the person you think others want you to be. Instead, live by your code of honor and sense of duty to know thy self. Live your life doing what matters and has meaning. Anything different is a betrayal of your inner truth. Remember, the worst betrayal is self-betrayal. So, stay true and in tune to you. In the words of Gloria Steinem, "There is always one true inner voice. Trust it."

The following are simple ways of using your inner voice to make good decisions. When feeling stuck, confused or facing a difficult and challenging situation, ask yourself:
-How would the BRAVE, WISE, and SELF-LOVING me handle this situation?
-If this were happening to...(think of someone you love deeply), what would I honestly say?
-What is it I need to know?
Allow your trueSELF to speak and be heard!

One other approach is to hold the thought of whatever it is you are trying to decide on. Notice the emotions that come up for you and how it feels in your body. If something is right for you, you will generally feel a sense of peace, relief or joy. If something is wrong for you, you may feel a tightness, tension, or other signs of distress.
In silence we hear the truth and know the solutions!

A wise person once told me, "If you listen to the voice within, it will show its presence and help you in your time of need." The question is, will you listen?

Concluding quotes to help you along the way:

"If something on the inside is telling you that someone isn't right for you, They're NOT right for you, no matter how great they might look on paper. When it's right for you, you will know. And when it's not - it's time to go."
                                                                                   ~ Mandy Hale

"Give yourself permission to walk away from anything or anyone that gives you bad vibes. There is no need to explain or make sense of it. Just trust the inner voice when it talks to you."
                                                                                    ~ Unknown

"Intuition literally means learning from within - All of us knows well that "gut" feeling. Learn to trust your inner feeling and it will become stronger. Avoid going against your better judgment or getting talked into things that just don't feel right."
                                                                                    ~ Doe Zantamata


Enjoy!

"QUOTES...WOW!"

Hello,

Quotes are words of wisdom that use the written word and the spoken to exemplify the gift and power of language. One of the great things about reading quotes is that if we recite them often they can affect our thinking and behavior in a positive way. Yes, a positive mindset can be a mere quote away. Best part of all, quotes can be used as a self-healing tool that is readily available for our benefit. This is why for many, myself included, quotes can best be described in just one word - WOW!

There is power in words that inspire us to think and see life from an improved perspective. A quote that resonates with us can help us find new meaning, inner strength, hope, and courage to change. All good things for the soul.

Quotes can be life changing. Try them!

Here's my extensive collection of favorite quotes. Don't worry; It's an easy read. If you like, use them or create your own and turn them into your life mantras.
It is my hope the powerful messages found in these wise words will help you keep going when the going gets tough.
Enjoy these power lines for wellness.


QUOTES ABOUT ACCEPTANCE:

"Accept what is, let go of what was and have faith in what will be."
                                                                                        - Sonia Ricotti
"Learn to let things you can't control...go."
                                                                                        - Author Unknown
"We all have flaws. The end."
                                                                                        - Author Unknown

QUOTES ABOUT CHALLENGES:

"Life will keep bringing you the same test, over & over again, til you pass it..."
                                                                                        - Author Unknown
"The most effective way to do it, is to do it."
                                                                                        - Amelia Earhart
"She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails."
                                                                                        - Elizabeth Edwards

QUOTES ABOUT CHANGE:

"If You don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."
                                                                                        - Maya Angelou
"Change brings opportunity."
                                                                                        - Nido Qubein
"When you blame others, you give up your power to change."
                                                                                        - Robert Anthony

 QUOTES ABOUT CHOICES:

 "Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace."
                                                                                        - Joan Borysenko
 "The choices you make in life will make your life."
                                                                                        - Michael Josephson

  QUOTES ABOUT COURAGE:

  "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."
                                                                                       - Nelson Mandela
  "You must do the things you think you cannot do."
                                                                                       - Eleanor Roosevelt
  "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
                                                                                       - Winston Churchill
  "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear."
                                                                                       - Mark Twain

  QUOTES ABOUT DEATH:

  "Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them."
                                                                                       - George Eliot
  "Death ends a life, not a relationship."
                                                                                       - Mitch Albom

  QUOTES ABOUT DETERMINATION:

  "The strongest people aren't always the people who win, but the people who don't give up when they lose."
                                                                                       - Ashley Hodgeson
  "Stop with the "IF ONLYs" and start with "I WILL."
                                                                                       - Author Unknown
                                                                                       

  QUOTES ABOUT FAILURE:

  "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
                                                                                      - Winston Churchill
  "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail."
                                                                                      - Ralph Waldo Emerson

   QUOTES ABOUT FAITH:

   "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
                                                                                      - Martin Luther King, Jr.
   "Let your faith be bigger than your fears."
                                                                                      - Author Unknown

   QUOTES ABOUT FEAR:

   "Always do what you are afraid to do."
                                                                                     - Ralph Waldo Emerson
   "To fight fear, act. To increase fear - wait, put off postpone."
                                                                                     - David Joseph Schwartz

   QUOTES ABOUT FORGIVENESS:

   "Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and... realizing you were the prisoner!"
                                                                                     - Max Lucado
   "Forgiveness means letting go of the past."
                                                                                     - Gerald Jampolsky

   QUOTES ABOUT GRATITUDE:

   "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."
                                                                                     - Oprah Winfrey
   "If you want to find happiness, find gratitude."
                                                                                     - Steve Maraboli

   QUOTES ABOUT GRIEF:

   "I still miss those I loved who are no longer with me but I find I am grateful for having loved them. The gratitude has finally conquered the loss."
                                                                                     - Rita Mae Brown
   "Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of life."
                                                                                     - Anne Roiphe

    QUOTES ABOUT HAPPINESS:

    "Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."
                                                                                     - Gerard Way
    "Happiness is when what you think, what you say & what you do are in harmony."
                                                                                     - Gandhi

    QUOTES ABOUT HEALING:

    "One of the most courageous decision you'll ever make is to finally let go of what is hurting your heart and soul."
                                                                                     - Brigitte Nicole
    "I am not what has happened to me. I am what I choose to become."
                                                                                     - C.G. Jung
    "The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love."
                                                                                     - Hubert H. Humphrey

  
     QUOTES ABOUT HOPE:

     "Hope is the feeling that the feeling you have isn't permanent."
                                                                                     - Jean Kerr
     "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."
                                                                                     - Desmond Tutu

     QUOTES ABOUT JOY:

     "Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within."
                                                                                     - Eckhart Tolle
     "Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are."
                                                                                     - Marianne Williamson

     QUOTES ABOUT LIFE:

     "Some people come in your life as blessings, others come in your life as lessons."
                                                                                     - Mother Teresa
     "Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck."
                                                                                     - Dalai Lama
     "You did then what you knew how to do, and when you knew better, you did better."
                                                                                     - Maya Angelou
     "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."
                                                                                     - Robert Frost
     "If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse."
                                                                                     - Author Unknown

    QUOTES ABOUT LOVE:

    "It is a risk to love. What if it doesn't work out? Ah, but what if it does."
                                                                                    - Peter McWilliams
    "Eventually you will come to realize that love heals everything, and love is all there is."
                                                                                   - Gary Zukav
    "When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there?"
                                                                                   - Thich Nhat Hanh


    QUOTES ABOUT MOTIVATION:

    "Don't wait for your feelings to change to take action. Take the action and your feelings will change."
                                                                                   - Barbara Baron
    "The secret of getting ahead is getting started."
                                                                                   - Mark Twain
    "Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."
                                                                                   - Jim Rohn

     QUOTES ABOUT PAIN:

     "When something bad happens you have three choices. You can let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you."
                                                                                  - Author Unknown
     "Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it."
                                                                                  - J.K. Rowling
     "Don't make a permanent decision for a temporary emotion."
                                                                                  - Author Unknown

     QUOTES ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS:

     "Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience."
                                                                                  - Victoria Holt
     "Don't let past relationships ruin your future happiness. Scars remind us of where we've been, not where we are going."
                                                                                  - Author Unknown

     QUOTES ABOUT RISKS:

     "Our lives improve only when we take chances and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves."
                                                                                 - Walter Anderson
     "If you are never scared, embarrassed, or hurt, it means you never take chances."
                                                                                 - Julia Soul

     QUOTES ABOUT SADNESS:

     "The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but thought about it. Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking."
                                                                                 - Eckhart Tolle
     "Action is the antidote to despair."
                                                                                 - Joan Baez
     "The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keep out joy."
                                                                                 - Jim Rohn

      QUOTES ABOUT SELF-ESTEEM:

      "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
                                                                                 - Eleanor Roosevelt
      "You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anyone."
                                                                                 - Maya Angelou
      "Self Knowledge is the beginning of Self improvement."
                                                                                 - Spanish Proverb
      "The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique."
                                                                                 - Walt Disney

      QUOTES ABOUT STRENGTH:

      "Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential."
                                                                                - Winston Churchill
      "Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go."
                                                                                - Hermann Hesse
      "You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."
                                                                                - Marcus Aurelius
      "Determination will get you through this."
                                                                                - Author Unknown
      "The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. Don't give up."
                                                                                - Robert Tew
      "Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy."
                                                                                - Robert Tew
      "No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again."
                                                                                - Buddha

      QUOTES ABOUT STRESS:
    
      "The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another."
                                                                                - William James
      "Don't stress over past mistakes because there's nothing you can do to change them. Focus on you present and create your future today."
                                                                                - Author Unknown

       QUOTES ABOUT THOUGHTS:

       "I know for sure that what we dwell on is who we become."
                                                                                - Oprah Winfrey
       "Nothing is either good or bad but thinking makes it so."
                                                                                 - Shakespeare
       "What you think of yourself is much more important than what people think of you."
                                                                                 - Seneca
       "He is able who thinks he is able."
                                                                                - Buddha
       "Change your thoughts and you change your world."
                                                                                - Norman Vincent Peale

        QUOTES ABOUT WISDOM:

        "View your life with kindsight. Stop beating yourself up about things from your past. Instead of slapping your forehead and asking, 'what was I thinking,' breathe and ask yourself the kinder question, 'what was I learning?"
                                                                                - Karen Salmansohn
        "The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem."
                                                                                - Theodore I. Rubin
        "You can't have a positive life and a negative mind."
                                                                                - Joyce Meyer
        "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."
                                                                                - Carl Jung
        "Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself."
                                                                                - Rumi

        QUOTES ABOUT WORRY:

        "When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened."
                                                                               - Winston Churchill
        "Worry is a total waste of time. It doesn't change anything. All it does is steal your joy and keeps you very busy doing nothing."
                                                                               - Author Unknown
        "Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow. It only saps today of its joy."
                                                                               - Leo Buscaglia