Help Others By Helping You

Thought of the Day: When you thrive, you can help others. If you are struggling, you have nothing to give. We are sometimes told that we are selfish when we give to ourselves first but that is illogical. If we have nothing, we have nothing to give. If you lack sleep, you have no energy to give. (Parents know this very well!) When you lack time, you have no time to give. When you lack food, you have no food to give. When you don’t love yourself, you have no love to offer. Everyone loses and resentment begins when others demand of you and you have nothing to give. When you are depleted, you are not in a place to give.

Therefore, logically, when you thrive, you have enough to give. When you are full, when you are rested, when you are happier, when you are balanced, you have an abundance to give. Everyone wins. Uplift others by helping yourself first. When you have abundance, you can hold out a full hand to others, when you lack, you can only hold out an empty hand. Hold out a full hand. Thrive and be happy my friends!

Namaste

Quote of the Day:

“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand. The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.” – Audrey Hepburn, British actress and humanitarian

Keep Daydreaming

Thought of the Day: Most of us were told as children at one point or another by some adult we encountered to “stop daydreaming”. That never made any sense to me. Imagination is such an invaluable part of being human. Daydreams and imagination can allow a person to create a cure for cancer, a person without legs to run, an artist to bring us to tears with their beautiful creation and a poet to inspire us to love.

Daydreams are free. They are a wonderful use of our imagination. Daydreams can: 1) make us happy, 2) bring out our creativity, 3) open us up to new possibilities, 4) open our hearts to love and empathy, 5) ignite our passion, 6) bring peace to our hearts, 7) and on and on and on. Our imagination is a gift. Keep daydreaming my friends. Wishing you peace, well-being and love.

Namaste

Quotes of the Day

“You know what I worry about? I worry that kids today don’t have enough time to just sit and daydream.” – Judy Blume American author of children’s books, young adult and adult fiction

“I was delivering papers when I was, like, 10 or 11, and I’d always daydream about being an artist as a full-time thing.” – Flume, Australian musician, DJ, and record producer.

“I was trying to daydream, but my mind kept wandering.” – Steven Wright, American stand-up comic

“Everything starts as somebody’s daydream.” – Larry Niven, American science fiction writer

“Everything you can imagine is real.” – Pablo Picasso, Spanish artist, painter, and sculptor

“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” – Mark Twain, American author

“Growing up in the hot Las Vegas desert, all I wanted was to be free. I would daydream about traveling the world, living in a place where it snowed, and I would picture all of the stories that I would go on to tell.” – Amy Purdy, American actress, motivational speaker, and author

Smile For You

Thought for the Day: Smile today. Smile for You, not for someone else. Smile today to increase Your “feel good” vibes. Smile today when You recognize the beauty in You. Smile today when You feel happy. Smile today, for You.

Namaste

Quotes of the Day:

“Smile in the mirror. Do that every morning and you’ll start to see a big difference in your life.” – Yoko Ono, Japanese artist, singer, songwriter and peace activist

“A smile is the universal welcome.” -Max Eastman, American writer

“If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it.” – Andy Rooney, American radio and television writer

“When I look out at the people and they look at me and they’re smiling, then I know that I’m loved. That is the time when I have no worries, no problems.” – Etta James, legendary American soul singer

“I have witnessed the softening of the hardest of hearts by a simple smile.” – Goldie Hawn, American actress, singer, and producer

Live the Life You’ve Always Dreamed Of

Thought for the Day:

“Live the life you’ve always dreamed of. Be fearless in the face of adversity. Never stop learning. Use your imagination whenever possible. Recognize the beauty that surrounds you. Remember where you came from but never lose sight of where you are going.” – Author Unknown

Have a great weekend my friends.

Namaste

Lend a Hand

Thought of the Day: Help others when they are in need. Lend a hand (or a smile). It’s good for them and good for you too! Humans are social animals that require cooperation from other members to survive and thrive. Generosity and kindness foster good will and strong ties with other people. It might be that the person you help today, offers you a hand when you are in need in the future.

Helping others doesn’t always have to be a grand gesture or cost anything either. It can be a smile and kind word, it can be holding a door open for someone with their hands full, or it can be donating your time for a good cause. I enjoy writing my Thought for the Day blogs in the hopes that it may reach someone whom it can help or inspire. It doesn’t cost me a thing, just a little time.

It’s not hard to find news of the negative things happening in our world. It can be overwhelming at times. But if we all spread a little kindness and generosity today, we can share some positive energy with others. Through your kindness, you could make someone smile, find a new friend, or fill an empty tummy. Be generous today. Share your kindness.

Namaste

Quote of the Day:

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.” – Henri Nouwen, Dutch Catholic priest, professor, and author.

“In my life I’ve learned that true happiness comes from giving. Helping others along the way makes you evaluate who you are. I think that love is what we’re all searching for. I haven’t come across anyone who didn’t become a better person through love.” – Marla Gibbs, American actress, singer, comedian, writer, and producer. Known for her character of Florence on the tv show The Jefferson’s.

“All who joy would win must share it. Happiness was born a Twin.” – Lord Byron, English poet

“Never look down on anyone unless you’re helping him up.” – Jesse Jackson, American political activist and Baptist minister.

Getting Centered

Thought of the Day: What does “getting centered” mean? Getting centered is a feeling of balance, a feeling of rightness or centeredness in emotion as well as thought. It is neither excitement nor sleep. It is the in-between. Some definitions of “getting centered” include the idea of feeling in control however I tend to think of “getting centered” as a release, of not feeling the need to control but a feeling of releasing the need for control and rather a feeling of quiet calm peace. Finding your center is getting in touch with the inner You. I tend to think of “getting centered” as a time to just be, instead of a time to be something.

How do you “get centered”? This is different for each person. I tend to find my center when I go for a run, during yoga, or when I meditate. Any one of these practices will make me feel calm and centered. Peaceful. What makes you feel centered and peaceful I cannot tell you. That is something you must discover on your own. For you “getting centered” might be something like writing in a journal, taking a swim, or walking your dog. Have some fun and test different activities to find out what works best for you.

Getting centered allows your mind and body to relax and find its own natural balance, like a boat on the water. The boat may rock back and forth a bit due to a wave every now and again but it will soon quiet again to its own natural balance. If you allow it, your mind and body can do the same thing. Hope you find your center my friends!

Namaste

Quote of the Day:

“At the center of your being you have the answer, you know who you are and you know what you want.” – Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher and writer

“I have begun to think of life as a series of ripples widening out from an original center.” – Seamus Heaney, Irish poet, playwright, and professor.

“I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being.” – Confucius, Chinese philosopher and politician

“You are the center of your universe, and you can make anything happen.” – Ashley Smith, American author and speaker

Hugs Matter

Thought of the Day: We humans are social animals that require physical touch. Science has proven that it is essential to human survival. There is a complication called “failure to thrive’ that can affect infants that are deprived of physical touch, even if their other needs are met. Growing up and maturing does not diminish this need. Men, women, and children need physical touch and affection. That’s why hugs matter.

Hugs are one way in which we greet one another, show solidarity, console one another, show acceptance, and show affection. It is such an important and necessary part of our well-being. Everyone needs hugs. Give a hug, get a hug. Wishing you lots of hugs this weekend. Be healthy and happy my friends.

Namaste

Quotes of the Day

“HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so you can shake their hand and give them a hug; Heaven knows they need it.” – Princess Diana

“…What I want to do is go home and hug my kids, talk to them and engage with them.” – Kevin Bacon, American actor

“A fan will grab you and hug you and will not let go. When that happens, you wish it could be that way all over the world.” – Charley Pride, American singer and musician

“I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words.” – Ann Hood

“A hug is like a boomerang – you get it back right away.” – Bil Keane

Relax, You’re Good

Thought of the Day: Know that today, right now, at this very moment, with all your strengths and weaknesses, you are exactly who you are supposed to be. You couldn’t be anything more or less. Relax. You’re good.

Understand that tomorrow, with all the experiences you have today, you will have changed, and you will be tomorrow, exactly who you are supposed to be at that time. Just relax. It’s all good.

Quotes of the Day

“If there’s any definition of being perfect, you’re perfect at being yourself.” – Zendaya, American actress and singer

“To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle.” – Walt Whitman, American poet and humanist.

“Everything is perfect and there is always room for improvement.” – Shunryu Suzuki, Japanese Zen Buddhist monk

Your Joy Should Be Your Goal

Thought of the Day: If life is trying to take you in a direction that feels right to you, go with it. Go with the flow. For example, you are offered a great job, you are so excited, and it feels right to you, but when you tell your family or friends about it, they give you excuse after excuse as to why you shouldn’t take it. Their excuses are not about you, it’s about them. Understand that good or bad, they have their own agenda. They might be jealous of your opportunity, fearful of being alone, or stuck in a belief system that stifles individual happiness for conformity. Remember that you are not responsible for their happiness. YOU are responsible for YOUR happiness. If it feels right to you, go for it!

Life will send you opportunities that will make you happy if you are willing to go with the flow. Only you can determine what’s right for you. If something feels right to you, follow your heart and go for it. You only get this lifetime once, make your joy in this lifetime your goal.

Namaste

Quotes of the Day

“Don’t let the expectations and opinions of others affect your decisions. It’s your life, not theirs. Do what matters most to you; do what makes you feel alive and happy…” – excerpt from The Light Iin the Heart by Roy T Bennett, author and writer known for sharing positive thoughts.

“It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.” – Author Unknown

“Never put the key to your happiness in somebody else’s pocket.” – Author Uknown

Let Go to Be Free

Thought of the Day: Let go of the past to set yourself free to experience the present. Sometimes as humans, we get too caught up in past events to allow ourselves to freely experience the present.

The past is no longer. It is the past. It does not exist in the present. Do not forget the lessons of the past as they help to shape your future choices, but don’t live in the past. Let go of the past to live your life now, in the present. Set yourself free.

Namaste

Quotes of the Day

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Buddha

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.” – Eckhart Tolle, German-born spiritual teacher and author.

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Esther Hicks, American inspirational speaker, author, and channeler.