APPRECIATIONG APPRECIATION

Being Thankful Can Change An Internal Feeling That!!! 

There’s a song called “Thank God for Dirty Dishes” that makes the point that if you’re lucky to have enough food to make dirty dishes, you should be grateful.

So instead of grousing about your property taxes, be thankful you own property. When you have to wait in line at the bank or are stuck in traffic, just be grateful you have money in the bank and a car to drive.

It makes sense, but that doesn’t make it easy.

I have to admit that appreciation has not been a natural attribute for me. In my more ambitious days when I believed that excess was not enough, gratitude seemed like a form of surrender and a very poor life strategy. After all, if you’re satisfied with the way things are, you’ll never make them better.

What a pity I had to reach my 50s before I began to appreciate appreciation. I finally began to see that it was irresponsible and irreverent not to realize how many things I should feel grateful for. I also came to realize how good it feels to acknowledge how good I have it.

Real gratitude is much more than politeness, like saying thank you when someone passes the salt or conveys good wishes; it’s a deeper psychological state of genuine thankfulness.

Whether we believe whatever good fortune we have is the product of our own labor and talents, random luck, or a gift from God, the fact remains that each of us could spend a full day identifying all the things that merit gratitude.

According to an old proverb, “If you never learn the language of gratitude, you’ll never be on speaking terms with happiness.”

I’m still a beginner, but it’s true; the more I appreciate, the happier I am. That’s a lesson I want my children to learn.

Communication: How To Be A Great Marketer in Business and Love

When it comes to business and love, marketing through communication are not dis-similar! Read on below, from T Harv Eke for more insight and a perspective you may not have thought about before!

A lot of business owners shy away from marketing because they view it as a gross, inauthentic way to trick people. But marketing is totally natural, and all of us use it every day.

One of the biggest places marketing shows up is in our personal lives. For example, let’s look at the similarities between marketing a business and marketing yourself in dating.

Marketing is the most important skill in business. But just like any relationship, it has to be done right.

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The Power of Spaced Repetition to Remember What You Read

In order to learn from a book, it is best to read through that book more than once. This is where speed reading will help tremendously. When first starting to read a book, look at the cover. Read what it says on the back of the book. Open up the book and read through the initial pages, then look through the table of contents. Flip through the pages, look at some pictures. Prepare the mind for what you are about to embark on. On your first reading, you can speed read, and don't worry about understanding or remembering everything. It is like when you build a house. At first you lay the foundation with the cement, but you don't expect to sleep there the first night.

On your second reading, have a notebook and pen or pencil to take notes. You may even want to highlight or underline if that is possible. You may not want to read as fast as the first time, and of course you want to stop and take notes. Don't be too concerned with remembering everything right away. Through the power of spaced repetition, you will be able to remember and retain more each time you read through the book or your study notes. Reading a chapter two or three times in a row is a great way to remember much of what is being read. The more you read or hear something, the better chance you have of remembering it. Have you ever seen someone who looks familiar? You may have seen him once before. You may have seen him at the mall, or maybe even on television. This may be the second or third time you are seeing him. If you should see him again, he will definitely be familiar.

It is the same thing with reading. On the second reading, many things will look familiar, and you will remember some things. When you write your notes, it will strengthen the memory even more. Even if you never looked at your notes, just by writing it down on paper, it will make an impression in your mind and will help to remember it. By reviewing your notes between readings, you are strengthening the recollection. By your third reading, you will have a much better understanding of the material than the first time. The more you read and review, the stronger the memory becomes.

Many people wait until the last minute to read and study the night before a test. This is a tough way to learn. Each day, put a certain time aside for your study time. Thirty to forty-five minutes is usually a good time to focus and learn until you may want to take a break. Remember, they don't build a house in a day, and you don't become a great sports champion in a day.

Each time that you read or speed read, when you focus, study, and learn, you are developing your skills, as a reader and a speed reader. You are also helping to build a strong memory, as well as learning about the subject you are reading about. Use the power of spaced repetition to learn much more than you ever thought possible.

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JACK MA: You Need To Hear This (INCREDIBLE SPEECH!)

Memory: How to Sharpen It

Memory is the mental capacity or faculty of retaining and reviving facts, events, impressions, etc. Alternatively, it can be defined as the mental faculty of recalling or recognizing previous experiences. It is essential in our everyday lives. We would not be able to function in the present without relying on our memory.

Human memory involves three components:

1. Encoding - Encoding is the first step to creating new memory. It allows information to be converted into a construct which is stored in the brain. It is a process that begins with perception through the senses. The creation of memory begins with attention. A memorable event causes neurons in the brain to fire more frequently, making the experience more intense and increasing the likelihood that the event is encoded as a memory. Emotion tends to increase attention.

2. Storing and retaining information - Storing and retaining is the more or less passive process of retaining information in the brain, whether it is the sensory memory, the short-term memory or the more permanent long-term memory. The more the information is repeated or used, the more likely it is to be retained in long-term memory.

3. Recalling - Recalling of memory refers to the subsequent re-accessing of events or information from the past, which have been previously encoded and stored in the brain. In common parlance, it is known as remembering.

However, memory is malleable and it tends to decay with age. So, one can stay sharp by learning about the science of recollection.

The human brain has an incredible ability to reshape itself when it comes to learning and memory. The brain's natural power of neuroplasticity enables us to learn and improve our memory at any age.

Ways to sharpen memory -

The following are some of the important ways to sharpen memory:

Exercise your brain - Memory, like muscular strength, requires one to "use it or lose it." The more one works out one's brain, the better one will be able to process and remember information. To strengthen the brain, one needs to keep learning and developing new skills. The activity has to be something that is unfamiliar and out of our comfort zone. The activity should be challenging one. An activity, which allows starting at an easy level and works our way up as our skills improve, pushing us to continue to stretch our capabilities, is more suitable. However, we should choose activities that, while being challenging, are still enjoyable and satisfying.

Do physical exercises regularly - Exercise reduces stress hormones. Perhaps, exercise plays an important role in neuroplasticity by boosting growth factors and stimulating new neuronal connections. Aerobic exercise is particularly good for the brain, so we should choose activities that keep our blood pumping. On the whole, any physical exercise that is good for our heart is great for our brain. A year of regular aerobic exercise can up the size of an adult's hippocampus by 2 percent, says research from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The researchers have also found that regular strength training can boost short¬ and long¬ term memory performance and attention. Physical activities that require complex motor movements are particularly beneficial for brain building.

Go for the joe - The researchers have found that caffeine blocks inflammation in the brain, specifically adenosine receptors, which can start a chain reaction that begins the mind's cognitive decline. The amount of caffeine we drink depends on the strength of the coffee and the size of the cup. One should not exceed the limit of drinking three cups of joe of standard size daily to derive the benefit. On the contrary, consuming more coffee than this may negatively affect mental health.

Develop healthy sleep habits - Over 95% of adults need between 7.5 to 9 hours of sleep every night in order to avoid sleep deprivation. Even skimping on a few hours makes a difference! Memory, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking skills are all compromised. The research shows that sleep is necessary for memory consolidation, the key memory-enhancing activity occurring during the deepest stages of sleep.

Make friends - Humans are highly social. We're not meant to survive, let alone thrive, in isolation. Relationships stimulate our brains. In fact, interacting with others may be the best kind of brain exercise. Research shows that having meaningful friendships are vital not only to emotional health but also to brain health. Researchers have also found that people with the most active social lives has the slowest rate of memory decline.

Keep stress in check - Stress is one of the brain's worst enemies. Over time, chronic stress destroys brain cells and damages the hippocampus, the region of the brain involved in the formation of new memories and the retrieval of old ones. Studies have also linked stress to memory loss.

Eat brain-boosting food - A diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats (such as olive oil, nuts, fish) and lean protein will provide lots of health benefits. Such a diet can also improve memory. For brain health, it is significant that it's not just what we eat, it's also what we don't eat.

Improve skills to memorize - We can take practical steps to support learning and memory by the following:

• Paying attention,

• Involving as many senses as possible,

• Relating information to what we already know,

• Focusing on understanding basic ideas for more complex material,

• Rehearsing information we've already learned,

• Using mnemonic devices to make memorization easier.

The bottom line is that human memory tends to decline with age but, on the contrary, it is malleable due to brain's remarkable power of neuroplasticity. We can sharpen our memory by taking appropriate measures, which are within the reach of everyone but they need to be practiced regularly and effectively.

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A Quality Life Demands Quality Questions!

The quality of your life is based partly upon the quality of the questions you ask yourself daily. If you are not inspired about your life or if you are not living the life you truly dream of, it may depend on the type of questions you ask yourself. The moment you do is the moment your life begins to change.

Most people who struggle through life ask themselves such uninspiring questions that their lives become exactly that, uninspiring.

Asking low-quality questions leads to a low quality life.

“To ask yourself high quality questions is one of the keys to living the more self-actualized life you dream of and deserve.”

Seven high quality questions you could ask yourself daily

I have asked myself these seven questions for many years. I am able to fulfill many of my dreams through this method, and so have many of my friends and students using the same questions.

These questions demonstrate that the quality of people’s lives around the world increases. Let’s take a look at these seven high quality questions.

1. What would I absolutely love to do in life? 

   This question helps bring clearly into your conscious mind one of your heartfelt and meaningful dreams or objectives.

2. How do I become handsomely or beautifully paid to do it?

   This question helps you awaken your creativity and helps you reward yourself in return. It helps make your vocation your avocation. Why not get financially rewarded for doing whatever you love?

3. What are the seven highest priority actions steps I could complete today that would enable me to do it?

   This question helps you see how possible it is to accomplish this or any other meaningful dream or objective. It helps you organize your actions.

4. What obstacles might I run into and how do I solve them in advance?

   This question helps you plan more effectively and prepares you for the challenges you might face in advance. It enables you to act more than react along your journey.

5. What worked and what didn’t work today?

   This question helps you refine your actions and keep them on priority. All great endeavors require such feedback.

6. How do I do what I would love more effectively and efficiently?

   This question helps you consistently think of more effective and efficient ways of accomplishing your meaningful dream or objective.

7. How did whatever I experienced today – whether positive or negative, serve me?

   This question helps you realize that all great endeavors come with both supportive and challenging consequences both of which act as feedback mechanisms to assist you along your accomplishment journey.

Yes, there is a bit of thinking involved in asking and answering quality questions. But with a little effort and refinement you can certainly accomplish a great number of objectives and fulfill great dreams.

Don’t you deserve to live your dreams?

Begin asking yourself the same quality questions and see what answers they lead you to. Be as specific and concise as you can. Watch how your creativity begins to soar.

The quality of your life is based partly upon the quality of the questions you ask yourself daily. Your quality of life also depends on the quality and quantity of actions you take daily. Begin to ask higher quality questions and begin to act on your dreams today.

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To Have And Be

Each of us is given a different starting position in life. There are those born in abundance, those failing and those in the middle. This, for some, is the exact and simple reflection of the injustice of life. However, it is also true that from an economic statistics viewpoint, our starting conditions are only potentially important and numerically irrelevant. What really matters is what we do with what we have; therefore our ability to grow. A 100% profit is an equally deserving success, regardless of the initial availability of those who participate, which have in any case doubled.

This way of seeing things, which naturally applies to all levels of being and not just financially, gives us our current position, if we pause for a moment to analyze it, and the consequent future projection, if we continue to do what we are doing. When we evaluate our work and what we have achieved with this refined art of modeling our personality, comparing them to our initial possibilities, we know that the same economic statistics also apply to the life of every other human being. Evaluating the starting point is to lose sight of what really matters, which is our ability to grow.

To congratulate ourselves and our family, if we are born in abundance, or curse life if we are left to fail, or not knowing which way to go if we are born in the middle, is a waste of time and resources, when it lasts longer than necessary; that is to say, if it becomes the attitude or even the purpose of our life. Calculating then that we are a compound of different levels of awareness, even our qualities and talents are certainly differentiated; otherwise, we would all be the same. Here's why some of us have different propensities, destinies, and needs of the soul, which we could never measure, know and judge.

Our way of evaluating others should be the same with which we evaluate ourselves, considering progress and growth based on reciprocal starting positions. If we happen to have much, we must make good use of this, and if we happen to have little we must make good use of this all the same. The apparent difficulties are always related to the real ability to do the best possible with what we have, then to wisely administer our intrinsic wealth - whatever it is and always considered as our propensity of incarnation - and to realize our birth's individual possibility. The choice is clearly ours; stay seed or bloom, are the only two available options.

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Sanity in a Money Crisis

Stressed out about money?

It feels like a tidal wave of panic. It sucks you down farther as you wonder how you got in this mess. You really start drowning, searching for air, when you can't seem to find clarity on how you'll fix this TODAY! Everywhere you turn seems like a dead end.

I understand. I've been there more than once!

My advice? Stop the head trip. Put the analyzing on hold for a moment... or two. Allow yourself to fully experience the emotional reaction you're having to this situation. If you feel helpless, let it bubble up.

Mad as heck? Let it rip. Full permission here.

It does feel AWFUL. It feels like you have no control. It really feels like crud when you know you could've done some things differently to avoid this mess.

But you're here. So be here fully.

NOTE: Don't allow this process to happen in front of anyone who'll try to fix this or get stressed out with you.

Once you're done having your reaction, then you can move forward. But don't take action just yet.

You have to not only be thinking clearly before you act, but you must be able to give all your attention to where you want to land on the other side of this crisis. Clearly outline the results you want-not just to solve this crisis but to also discontinue the behaviors and habits that helped you arrive here.

Begin by looking backward to see what actions and thinking patterns need to change. You can do this on your own or use your financial planner, accountant, and/or coach to sort through the rubble.

Next, ask yourself if there's any action that will give you some breathing room. You may have to ask some hard questions of people you don't want to ask. I've had to call my financial planner, on more than one occasion, to pull money out of my investments to pay for unexpected tax bills.

Take the time to truly assess your overall financial picture... without emotional reaction. Knowing your numbers is very powerful even when you don't like what they say. It may even soothe your nerves. If you've been in denial, this may be a wake-up call. Either way, it gives you a sense of control.

Now you're ready to brainstorm solutions that'll feel good. The first few options that come to mind are generally the ones that feel like a negative trade-off if you take them. Don't move forward yet.

Do you feel confident that you are up for this change? Do you see the possibility of becoming a person who consistently has a good relationship with money? You don't have to feel totally sure about the future, but you have to have a glimmer of hope.

Give yourself a break with the amount of time this process may take you. One foot in front of the other. Breathe. Deep breaths.

There is always light at the end of the tunnel, although you may have to look really hard to see it. It'll be important to have someone to check in with during this process.

I turned around a three-year financial fiasco in less than a year. As a result of thinking differently and taking consistent baby steps, my income doubled. The main focus was appreciating every small effort I made. I did not allow myself to sink into a black hole, thinking about how slow the process was for me.

I stopped judging myself.

You can do this too. You're not stuck. Consider yourself unstuck, perfectly sane, and take a baby step right now. When you're done, breathe some more.

I'm rooting you on!

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Four Steps on Surviving Job Loss

Loss of Routine

Most people don't realize how important routine can be in our lives. That morning cup of coffee you carry to your desk or workspace, your favorite break and lunchtime routine, the other people you encounter in everyday interactions, and the full calendar that organizes your work time are things you may not be aware of unless something goes wrong and you are annoyed. But all the things that go smoothly on a daily basis and pass beyond your attention or awareness, are what you'll miss when they're gone. The enormity of this loss can be a total surprise because you may have been resenting the time at work which makes it even more upsetting.

To cope during your search for a new job, give yourself a chance to grieve for your old job. Spend a little time noticing everything that you miss. Replicate whatever you can; get up at the same time, make yourself the morning latte you would get on the way to work, take a lunch break at a regular time, perhaps go out to a coffee house with your laptop to do job search, so you're around other people and don't feel so alone. Establish a routine for job search, so it's not hit and miss, and feels more like the time structure of a job. Also focus on using the extra time you have in constructive ways. In addition to job search, explore some of the hobbies and pastimes you wished you could do when you were so busy working. This is a great time to clean out some closets or start that patio container garden you've been thinking about.

Watch your self-talk

If you are prone to periods of depression, learn to watch what you're silently telling yourself. It's a major factor in depression; and job loss can trigger a flood of self-blame. Everyone has running dialog in their heads, which can be negative and self-defeating, or positive and energizing. If these messages are negative, you will feel dissatisfied and depressed, and it will bleed out in what you say to others, and how you appear on job interviews. The good news is that you can choose to replace your negative monologue with something more positive. Self-talk is the most powerful tool you have for turning your negative feelings to positive and your negative interactions with others into positive exchanges.

Take charge of your negative thoughts (that's one thing totally in your control) and turn them around: argue with them, fight them off, wrestle with them. Put energy into it. Let go of whatever you can't control such as other people, life's events, loss, disappointment. Stop trying to change what won't change, accept what is, let it be and live life as it is. I know it's easier said than done, but once you get a handle on it, life itself is easier. Fretting about what you can't control is an endless, useless waste of energy you can use elsewhere.

To stop blaming yourself for your job loss, go through those thoughts one at a time and rebut them. You can analyze what went wrong and what went right without being negative about yourself. Most job losses are not the laid-off person's fault, they're corporate financial decisions. If you think you might have been able to forestall this loss by getting more pro-active, or looking for a new job while you were still employed, then become determined to do that now.

Don't collapse and mope around

Don't sink into apathetic laziness and hopelessness. If you take some time off, treat it like a vacation. Don't just mope around home, go out and do things. Be active. Network with friends and family for job search and fun. Go through your wardrobe, and clean out things that are no longer useful. Go over your work attire and make sure it's ready for job interviews and that new gig. This is a great time to think "out with the old, in with the new" as you clean and clear your closets or your home, it can symbolize letting go of the old situation and preparing for the new. This is a great time, especially if your subsidized by unemployment compensation, to try things you always wanted to do when you were too busy. Take some classes, try new sports, do yoga. Anything positive is a good use of your extra time. Contact friends you haven't seen for a while and spend time with them. Make a sandwich and some coffee or sun tea and have a picnic lunch out somewhere. Fill your days with fun and productivity.

Get pro-active about interviewing

When you go to a job interview, think in terms of you interviewing them. Go in prepared with the questions you want to ask, what you'd like to know about the prospective new job, and speak up. Remember that you are searching for a situation that's good for you, not just a job. If you don't get called back, then assume it wasn't good for you. Research companies you are applying to, so you know something about the specific company and job when you go in. Get help from an employment counselor "head hunter" person you feel good about. Interview them, too, until you find a good one. Talking about a job interview with the counselor can be a great way to debrief and gain perspective. Don't just rely on online job hunting sites to find your new place. Network, talk to people you know, go to industry meetings like the Chamber of Commerce or a professional association or union group to find out where the jobs are.

Look at this as an opportunity to re-structure your work life. Have you thought about moving somewhere else? Getting training for a new line of work? Starting your own company? This may be the opportunity you were waiting for. Take the loss of your job as a message from the Universe that it wasn't the right place for you, and take advantage of this new chance to do something better.

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Be Perfect in Your Imperfection | Lisa Nichols | Goalcast

10 Steps to Detox Your Life

1. Frequently late

The cure to lateness is twofold: learn to estimate time better, and get more organized, so you are not delayed by looking for last minute items. "How to Stretch Time" can help. Perhaps the most important reason to cure yourself of lateness is that it is rude to others, and costs you their good opinion. If your partner is late, stop waiting! Set a reasonable grace period (eg: 15 minutes) and then leave; leaving a note about how to meet you wherever you're going. That way, you are not forced to operate on the other person's time schedule. You'll be surprised at how quickly he or she will learn to be on time.

2. Often angry or irritated

Being easily angered or irritated is a great way to punish yourself. It raises your blood pressure, and tends to create unnecessary problems with others. Anger interferes with clear thinking, and being irritable makes it unpleasant and difficult for others to work or socialize with you. To reform this habit, you must develop more emotional maturity. Understand that your anger is not seen as power by others, but as childishness and petulance. It will lose you far more than you will gain. Learn to slow down, and reduce your overly high expectations. Allow others to be themselves, and don't expect them to march to your drum. Counting to 10 works wonders, as does taking three deep breaths when you are upset.

A discipline like yoga, meditation, tai chi, or another calming pursuit will teach you patience. Strenuous physical activity is a great way to burn off excess anger. If none of these work, see a therapist or join an anger management group.

3. Unsure of ability to do something

Insecurity and feelings of incompetence are definitely stressful, but they may also be useful. Find out if you really are unprepared for the task ahead. Don't be afraid to ask questions, or ask for help. It's OK to be a beginner, even if you're an expert in other things. If you don't try to pretend you're better than you are, you will get more help from others. Take it slowly, and allow yourself to learn as you go. Above all, be supportive to yourself, and don't subject yourself to harsh internal criticism.

4. Overextended

Frequently becoming overextended can be a sign of grandiosity -- overblown expectations of your abilities -- or of trying to control everything. Reduce your expectations of your own accomplishments, and allow others to help you in their own way. In the long run, being a team player is usually more efficient than trying to do it all alone and becoming overwhelmed.

5. Not enough time for stress relief

This is an aspect of being overextended, and may be a sign that you always come last in your own life. Learn to schedule time for yourself to relax and to play. If you write personal time on your schedule the same way you do appointments with others, you'll be more likely to actually do it. Join a class or group that meets regularly for a relaxing activity such as dancing, stretching or meditation, or schedule a regular massage, manicure or facial, so you'll have a guaranteed place to relax.

6. Feeling unbearably tense

If your anxiety is this high, you may need therapy. Anxiety and panic attacks are among the easiest things to fix in counseling sessions. Anxiety is usually the result of non-stop negative self-talk, which keeps you anxious about everything. Try affirmations and/or prayer to counteract the running commentary in your mind. Learn to breathe deeply from your diaphragm when you feel anxious -- it slows your heartbeat and calms you down.

7. Frequently pessimistic

A negative attitude is a result of negative self-talk, and of a negative attitude probably learned in childhood. There are many self-help books which will guide you in learning to change the nature of your approach to life, including It Ends With You. Techniques such as prayer and affirmations, counting your blessings, and setting small goals every day will help you turn this around.

8. Upset by conflicts with others

All conflict is upsetting. The key is to reduce the amount of conflict in your life. Many of the above techniques, such as anger reduction and positive self-talk, will contribute to improving your relationships with others. In addition, you can learn better social techniques such as active

listening, positive regard, win-win negotiation and clear communication which will eliminate the source of conflict. Learn to listen to others (even when you don't agree) and, before speaking, consider how your words might feel to the other person. Treat other people more as you would like them to treat you, and, most important, stop and think before reacting to someone else.

9. Worn-out or burned-out

Burnout is the result of feeling overextended or ineffective for a long period of time. Most of us can deal with small amounts of frustration or feeling overwhelmed, but if it goes on too long, we lose all our motivation, and become burned out. Motivation comes from celebration and appreciation, so learn to celebrate each little accomplishment, and seek appreciation when you need it. If you have trouble doing that, perhaps it's time to make a career change or to change some other aspect of your life.

10. Feeling lonely

Loneliness may not result from actually being alone, but more from feeling misunderstood or not valued. People often isolate themselves because they feel inadequate in social situations. Value the friends you do have, and make new friends by attending classes or other group events where you can focus on a task or assignment. This will take the pressure off your contact with other people, and give you something in common with them. Be wary of spending too much time on your computer, in chat rooms, etc. These activities absorb time, but do little to dispel loneliness. Make sure you schedule some time with a friend at least once a week, and if you don't have friends, then use that weekly time to take a class or join a group (for example, a book club or sports group) which will give you a chance to make new friends.

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Do Not Set New Year Resolutions If You Want To Succeed! DO THIS INSTEAD

How to Improve Yourself Right NOW (and Why) - Prof. Jordan Peterson