A Smile

A smile is such a simple gesture yet can bring so much to both the giver and the receiver. It is like that small ray of sunlight that peeks out from the storm clouds, a glimmer of hope, a spark of a new friendship, a positive affirmation of thanks.

A smile is such a universal sign of happiness and joy. It looks good on people of all ages, colours and genders - basically a smile does not discriminate, while it adds beauty to those people who share one with someone who does not have one of there own.

Also a smile costs nothing to give, so is not affected by the global economic situation, but it can make everything seems so much better.

Why not trying wearing one today and see how your world improves.

A Smile

Praise is the Food of the Soul

So often I have seen how it is praise for the small steps along the way, praise for the little things that make a big difference. We all like to know that we are appreciated and what we are doing is "good". And it is important that we praise our loved ones, friends, work mates and especially our children so that they will know that we are happy with their efforts.

I came across a small piece by Bernie Siegel, in his book 365 Prescriptions for the Soul, about the importance of praise.

Praise is seen in your eyes when you look at your beloved. Praise is felt in your touch when you embrace. Praise is heard in your voice when you speak to the one you adore. Praise is about your loved one's potential and the hope you have for that person. Praise is like helium; it lifts us up above the troubles and obstacles of life. Praise does not say you are perfect. It says I admire you and what you have accomplished and what I know you will go on to do. Praise is the food of the soul. No one survives long without it.

So, who have you praised and lifted higher today? I have found that when we praise from our hearts, the effects are magnificent. A few words is often all that is needed - a thank you, a well done or that's great. A genuine compliment lives long after it is said.

I will leave you with colourful quote from an unknown author:

Praise is like fertilizer....... Sprinkle it freely and those you love will grow, bloom and blossom.

Praise is the Food of the Soul

Snap Out Of It!!

There are times the majority of us experience that crazy cycle of feeling like things are too hard and we just want to curl up and cry and then move to feeling pissed at the world and that everything is against us. You know that up, down, round and round - stop the world I want to get off type of feeling. Or at least I hope I'm not the only one who has ever had this feeling.

If you have ever been in this crazy cycle of sadness and anger, by reassured that there are ways to snap yourself out of the funk.

These three simple ideas were shared with me, by one of my mentors, Mr Bob Allwright. Bob is one of Asia Pacific's leading personal development speakers and author of an awesome little book called Brilliant Attitude. And I am very grateful to be able to call him a friend as well.

The first thing to do, is to do something that serves someone else. In the words of Abraham Lincoln "To ease another's heartache i to forget your own." Meaning that when you are focused on helping others, all of your 'problems' melt away. So what can you do, that benefits another person? It could be going into a school to help kids read, or a homeless shelter, an aged care facility a charity or a hospital. Or closer to home, a young single mum, a elderly neighbour or even a member of your own family. There are so many people out there crying out for assistance and attention, you just have to be open to giving them an opportunity and your your gift of presence.

If that seems like too big a challenge, then there is a second way out of this crazy cycle. And that is to do something that truly serves yourself. Think of something that you really, really, really love to do. Now go and do it. For me it is photography, for you it might be cooking, running, dancing, sitting on the beach or playing a sport. Please note that sitting in front of a television set with a large block of chocolate rarely can be justified as being of true service to yourself as much as we might like to think it is. Because when you lose yourself in something that you are passionate about, there is no room for sadness or anger, just the magic of the moment.

If you are still stuck, thankfully there is a third and really simple way out of the cycle. Something that everyone over the age of three can do, and that is to SKIP!!! Yes you read that correctly... go for a SKIP. It might be around the block, through the park, across the backyard or just up the hallway. But if you take the example of any 4 or 5 year old skipper and use your whole body, huge steps and giant arm swings while you skip, you will find it next to impossible to be either miserable or peeved at anything.

So there you have it.... three simple, readily available ways to snap out of your funk and get on with things in a more positive frame of mind. The third one while seeming to be really silly will prove to yourself that your inner child still has the ability to come out and play, that you still have a sense of humour and can laugh at yourself and when you can know this, there is still hope and with hope comes a belief that things can and will improve.

Snap Out Of It!!

Possibilities

When nothing is sure, everything is possible.
Margaret Drabble

When this quote showed up in my in box, I was reminded of a good friend of mine who is a constant source of inspiration, challenge and love. I would like to share with you his story. Last year he went from having it all to losing the lot. By the lot, I mean what most people would consider everything - his home, his marriage,, his financial security, his business.

How would at the age of 30, or 40, or 50 or even later in life react if all you had in terms of material assets was $100 and a bag of clothes that you could carry on you back? Would you be feeling some stress? Would you be asking "why me?" Would you even possibly be considering ending it all because you could see no way back up? or maybe you would play the victim card and blame everything and everyone else.

Let me share what this amazing man thought....

He considered this an opportunity to start again with a clean slate and become who he really was meant to become. Because he knew without a shadow of doubt that although he had lost all his material possessions, nobody could take away the lessons and knowledge that he had gained along the way. He knew that he had the skills to make it to the top once, so the next time would be so much easier.

In one conversation, he admitted that now that he had "nothing" there were people that he considered to be friends that were not returning phone calls and apparently didn't want to know him anymore. This he said, was a chance to find out who his true friends really are.

What many would see as a problem, he sees as a challenge. It's all about how you perceive the events that come your way. I have learned that it is when you think you have nothing, it is when you can really find what is meaningful in your life and be grateful for it. I am not mentioning any names because I feel that it is not my right to do so, however I know he knows that I am talking about him. What I'm not sure about is if he knows what a source of inspiration he is not only to me but to everyone that is gifted by his true presence. Someone, that I will always be honored to call a friend.

So I ask that you consider when you feel that life has thrown you a curve ball and knocked the wind out of you - how can you use this opportunity to inspire others? And where will you decide to take your life on its next leg of the journey?

Possibilities