Finding Happiness in Ordinary Life

Most of us feel that the ideal emotional state is one of intense, manic euphoria, and that we should feel that way most of the time.
Well, it isn't and we shouldn't.
Excitement is a great and necessary thing; without it life wouldn't be complete. But real happiness is something different, much more calmer and rewarding.
When the Powerball winner starts shaking and screaming, we call that happiness, but it's actually that their "fight or flight" mechanism has been triggered. Mania can create maniacs, that's why sports fans seem to riot more violently after their teams win than after they lose. Our "fight or flight" system predisposes us to violence. Switching this on, switches off the process that allows us to relax, connect, and absorb joyful experiences.
These types of high excitement experiences are often followed by a mood crash. This helps explain why thrill seekers are always searching for their next high. With or without drugs. Some prize to top all other prizes. The only remedy to maintain that mania is another intensely exciting experience.
True happiness is found in the simple things of everyday life. The things we've learned to take for granted. When you watch someone you love sleep, the smell of the rain,catching something before it hits the ground, feeling the warmth of the sun on your face, being told you made someone's day, watching another netflix episode, your dog's excitement when you get home.
Be mindful of the little things that make you smile throughout your day. This is where you will find life's simple pleasures and true happiness.
Enjoy!

Train Your Brain To Stay Positive

Your brain produces about 70,000 thoughts per day. If you spend a few minutes monitoring your thoughts, you might be surprised by how negative you can be. Basically, we're habitually negative without even realizing it. So how do we stop ourselves from thinking negative thoughts if we don't even realize it's happening?

Here are five tips to make sure most of your 70,000 thoughts are positive:

1.  Observe your thoughts. You can't fix a problem you don't know about. Once you observe your thinking you will know where to start.
2.  Choose a mantra for the day.  Every morning, choose a mantra and repeat it to yourself throughout the day. It can be something as simple as "I'm a happy person." Repeating your mantra trains your brain to think positively.
3.  Use an app.  Check out apps like Louise Hay's Stress Free Life and her I Can Do It Calendar. These apps will provide you with an affirmation for the day.
4.  Transform a negative into a positive.  All of us have one thought that dominates our minds. It's that extra 10 pounds we need to lose, our out of control finances. Take that main thought and turn it into an affirmation. This will help give you confidence and motivation.
5.  Make a gratitude list.  Come up with five things you're grateful for and write them down. Making a gratitude list can alter your mood and keep you focused on the positive in life.

Put these tips to use and you'll reap the physical, mental, and performance benefits that come with a positive frame of mind!

Why We Rehearse Tragedies in Our Minds

All of us have experienced anxiety at some time or another. This is normal. But it becomes an issue when we let our negative thoughts have too much power. We can no longer distinguish between a problem-solving thought and a nagging worry that has no benefit. We might start with the thought of being late for work, then we'll lose our job, then we'll have no money to pay bills, etc. etc.

Mindfulness teaches us to recognize when we are having those type of thoughts and realize exactly what they are. Just thoughts. Not a part of who we are. Learning the art of mindfulness will help you learn to control your thinking and focus on what is happening now. At this moment. Because you learn to focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts crowding your mind and causing stress. This process results in enhanced physical and emotional well-being. It allows you to observe your thoughts and emotions and let them pass without judgment..

Meditation is an umbrella term for the many ways to a relaxed state of being. They all share the same goal of achieving inner peace.

Ways to meditate include:
Guided meditation, mantra meditation, mindfulness meditation, Qi gong, Tai chi, Yoga, and Transcendental meditation.

The sense of peace and calm you experience as a result of this practice benefits your overall health. And these benefits don't end when your session ends. Meditation will help carry you more calmly through your day. And the next. So make it a part of your daily routine.

Meditation teaches you how to control your thoughts and make sense of them. So the next time you find yourself focusing on something that has brought you much unhappiness, a tragedy in your life,

Meditate.

Become an observer in your own life.

Just Breathe.

10 Things To Let Go for 2016

This upcoming New Year can be the best you've ever had. This can be the year when you finally feel content .Here are a few things to release and help you start the New Year out with a bang..

1.  Spending more than you have. Set a budget for yourself so you don't feel guilty and overwhelmed.
2.  Overindulging with food and alcohol. Keep fruit, sparkling water, and healthy food on hand.
     Always. Don't buy the foods you binge on. Chips, chocolate, sugary snacks.
3.  Trying to do too much.  Cut back on commitments and pick the events you really want to do.
4.  Regretting the past.  The past is over. Focus on being productive and having fun.
5.  Taking things personally. You aren't the cause of other people's behavior. Let it go and move on.
6.  Self critical thinking.  Choose to only focus on what you know is positive and good about yourself.
7.  Taking the people you love for granted.  Make them the centerpiece of your life.
8.  Neglecting your physical and emotional health.  Eat well, workout, meditate, and make yourself a priority.
9.  Letting fear rule you.  Use your good judgment and wisdom, rather than your fear, when making choices for your life.
10. Seeking happiness outside of yourself. Happiness is a mindset. A mindset of positivity will help you move through hard times quickly.

Make sure your mind is clear, your heart is ready, and you have the positive mindset to achieve your goals and dreams for the new year.

Learning to let go is the first step in self-creation.

Make 2016 YOUR year. The year you accomplish more than you ever imagined!

Faith and Grief

We all need to grieve the physical finality of losing a loved one and face the reality that we will not see that person again in this life. But the spiritual life goes on. If your loved one was a Christian, not only will you see him again in the life to come, but he or she is now in the Lord's presence, with no more pain, fear, or sorrow.                                                                       
Use your pain to end the pain.  Avoiding grieving will eventually lead to some form of depression or physical issues. Fully experiencing your pain will help provide relief . Remember that God encourages you to mourn.
Now more than ever is the time to lean on your spiritual habits. Look beyond your grief to an eternity with God. All the heart-breaking pains of life in a broken world will some day come to an end. You have a bright future that does not include sadness and death.
Reinvest your emotional energy in other relationships. God, old friends, new friends, family and support groups all help provide a sense of purpose and comfort.
Spiritual transformation and growth will follow your journey of grief. Your journey will give you greater strength and deeper hope.
The beauty in life may lie in its mystery and the unknown. That is why it is important to have faith and look at the world each day with love and gratitude.
Maybe it is OK to not have all the answers. To not know everything. Perhaps our purpose in this life is so very basic.
To learn to love.

Understanding Teen Depression

Whether the incidences of teen depression are actually increasing, or we're just becoming more aware of them, the fact remains that depression is more common in teens than most people think. Although depression is treatable, only one in five depressed teens receive help. Teenagers must rely on parents, teachers, or other adults to recognize their suffering and get them treatment. So, if you have a teenager in your life, learn what teen depression looks like and what to do if you spot the warning signs.

Warning signs and symptoms of depression in teens:

Sadness, irritability, frequent crying, withdrawal from friends and family, loss of interest in activities, changes in eating and sleeping habits, agitation, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, lack of motivation, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, thoughts of suicide.

If you're unsure if an adolescent is depressed or just "being a teenager," consider how long the symptoms have been present, how severe they are, and how different the teen is acting from his or her usual self. While some growing pains are to be expected as teenagers struggle with the challenges of growing up, dramatic, long-lasting changes in personality, mood or behavior are red flags of a deeper problem.

Depression is very damaging when left untreated, so don't wait and hope the symptoms go away. If you see depression's warning signs, get professional help. If there are no health problems that are causing your teenager's depression, ask your doctor to refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in children and teens. A mental health professional with advanced training and experience treating adolescents is the best bet for their care. If the teenager tells you they are not connecting with their specialist, listen. Ask for a referral and try someone else. No one therapist is a miracle worker..

Failure Free New Year's Resolutions

Tired of the same old failed New Year's Resolutions? I totally get it. I am too. I'm not getting out of debt or becoming an amazing person. But there are some things that we can look forward to accomplishing. It's all about making your list of resolutions attainable...

1.  Finish a chap-stick. Hold on to it for 6 months or longer. Keep it out of the laundry and the trash. It actually does run out.

2.  Grow a plant.  Plant something and watch it grow. Think of it as a fish. Chia pets count.

3.  Take a nap instead of work.  Learning to not feel guilty is the key. Make sure no one can see you.

4.  Take a selfie that doesn't look like your grandmother. This one is hard. You may need to take several hundred to find a flattering angle.

5.  Don't save your fortune cookie message. When have you ever hunted it down for reassurance?

6.  When you find something funny on social media, don't reply with lol!, an emoji, or lmao. Enough already.. Use your words.

7.  Don't send a text to someone within a 10 foot radius. If they can hear you, shut it down..

8.  Check your breathing more than your facebook. (Reading this doesn't count)

9.  Stop asking dumb questions to Siri. She's not real.

10.  Do not think you are above autocorrect. Resolve to use it, but double check as it often changes your message to something quite funny.

11.  Stop tagging your friends in your group photos. You always look good, they don't..

12.  Do laundry less often. It will wait for you..

13.  Vow to lose between one and ten thousand pounds. This gives you lots of leeway.

14.  Don't fall victim to infomercials at 2 am. Don't do it. It's late and you're tired. The product doesn't work, that's why it's on at 2 am.

15.  Be a part of the human journey. Be a better person than you were yesterday, be accepting and tolerant of those with different views and outlooks on life. We are all human and have an obligation to show love and compassion for one another!

Wishing You the Best Year Ever in 2016!!!!!