The Joy Of Gratitude

The Joy Of Gratitude
By Annie Tornabene


Every day is a good day...it can be depending on the way you look at it. With the joy of gratitude, I experience good days with what use to be "bad days"... days full of frustration, despair, disappointments and discouragement. I call those days an "unbelievable" day. This habit keeps me from being overwhelmed with stinking thinking and emotions. Why does this work?

Repetitious thoughts and words create feelings ... positive or negative behavioral patterns and increased thinking of those feelings. If I dwell on stinking thing, I feel the gloom and doom; thus increasing my level of depression and I end up moping around. If I tell myself it's an "unbelievable" day this keeps my mind open to possibilities, gratitude, hope, solutions, resilience, and even laughter. The buoyancy creates joy within me.

So if you are having an unbelievable day like the kids are screaming, you are ready to kiss your boss goodbye, the financial crisis just won't go away or you are crawling in traffic at a snails pace; just take a deep breath and reorganize your thoughts. If you are in the car don't take time to mediate, wait until you are in a safe spot to take a 2 minute meditation. If you are at a safe place, then take a few minutes to mediate and get back on track. If you can't find a place where you can be alone with your thoughts, slip away into the bathroom with the doors locked. A few minutes spent in quiet mediation refreshes you and allow you time to create a more positive feeling within yourself and that you can display to the world. Believe me it helps. You feel stronger and more confident. I think there were days that I could have killed someone without those quiet times. Breathe in peace, hope and tranquility. Allow the joy of gratitude to flow through you and around you.

I don't know all the answers...I do know that it is worth it. In an attitude of gratitude, count your blessings. Never give up. You can make it. Miracles happen every day...we just have to focus on them...look for them. Focus on health, wealth, good friends and family, and anything that you feel make life worth living for. While these blessings are temporary, they do get you in the habit of thinking in an attitude of gratitude.

Having tested this for myself extensively, I found there was an effective way to practice gratitude and an ineffective way. There is a deeper understanding of gratitude and a more effective way to practice it, one that yielded much greater the joy of gratitude.

Genuine gratitude isn’t my feeling because let's face it; my circumstances may not be that exciting. More often than not, it's complicated and it leaves me feeling empty or complacent. This gratitude may be the catalyst for a major attitude change or temporary relief that I need. You can enjoy this state of gratitude temporarily, but overall you’ll remain stuck in your old habits of stinking thinking.

Genuine gratitude is independent of situations and circumstances. The joy of gratitude is a feeling of gratitude for life itself, for our existence, for anything and everything we experience. It is more of an underlying attitude... it becomes part of who we are. It is a sense of charisma or enchantment with the journey of life no matter what the outcome. It is looking at life through the eyes of a child. It is no fear of loss and an enjoyment of the journey of our life, the universe, time and space, our obstacles, trials, and tribulations, our imperfections and bloopers, our realizations, our psyche, our inner child, the difficult people in our lives, our thoughts and angers and happiness, our rights, responsibilities, ideas and concepts, and even the fog.

Gratitude becomes the canvas upon which we paint our life. It doesn’t matter how it looks because we enjoy the experience of painting. We say wow to life.

If we can remain in that state of wonder of a child, we’re likely to find the joy of gratitude...the enjoyment of life. Together we can make a difference in living beyond anger, fear and depression and living our best life now. We will feel the joy of gratitude that resonates with who we are.

Happy Birthday, Annie

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Choose To Be Happy

Choose To Be Happy
by Annie Tornabene




Today I Will Choose to be Happy

How many of you are stuck in a dark fog of depression because you did not choose to be happy? Wow, that was like a shot between the eyes. Or it was for me when I first realized it.

It's time to wake up and smell the roses. If you're not smelling the sweetness of life, it's your stinking thinking that you are smelling. After my accident, I blamed the car, the driver, etc. It was if this hadn't happened or if that hadn't happened... none of it was me. I just sat there day after day getting darker and darker and more depressed. Then one day one of my friends told me about the days which turned into years, she had been in depression and how she decided one day that she was tired of being depressed. She told herself that she was not going to be discouraged, she was not going to be depressed. From that day forward she was going to be happy. She talked to me like I'm talking to you.

What do you mean, I have a choice? You don't understand, I can't move...I have a horrible disease...I've been ... Oh yeah, I know all the excuses. I tried them too. It's not what has happened to us, it's our reaction to what happened to us that makes the difference. You can choose to be happy or you can choose to be depressed. Which do you want?

After my accident, my Mother would tell me to smile. I couldn't smile. She would tell me to stop frowning. I couldn't change the look on my face. True the accident had altered some things in my life but it was my reaction to them that made the difference. When I decided to quit sitting there, my life changed from within.

It wasn't easy. I took each step with great effort ... each tiny little baby step and sometimes just a little wiggle is all I could muster. Sometimes I had to fake it in order to make it. Looking back, I see how far I've come. There were days that I felt like I took two steps backwards but I was still farther ahead than I was. Sure there are bad moments, but they don't keep me held hostage to the heavy mist of dark fogs of depression. I choose to be happy. No I may not be manic happy but I choose a happiness from within that brings me joy, peace, tranquility, contentment and a little laughter. The setbacks in my life are never as bad as my bad days in depression. I look back with pride at how far I've managed to come. It almost seems like a dream now. What am I talking about ... it was a nightmare.

Oh sure, when the doctors tell me things that I must go through, I stop for a moment and think "how can I handle this?" Fear sits in for a moment and then I think, I've been through far worst. We sometimes have to push fear aside and choose to be happy about the situation. Being depressed about it certainly doesn't help! I know because I've tried it. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. It is certainly better to be in control over the choices I make. Each choice I make makes me stronger. It's a great feeling not be on an emotional roller coaster ride.

Every day you can choose to be happy... wait a minute... you can choose to be happy every moment of every day! The choice is yours. Choose to be happy that you are alive. There are no guarantee in life so live your best life now. No one else can make me happy. It is simply a choice - my choice and my choice alone. That goes the same for you too. Live for today! Everything you do for yourself today makes for a better tomorrow. No matter what! Your choice will make a difference. Together we can make a difference because we choose to be happy!

Remember to say to yourself as many times as it takes, "I will greet each day with laughter, I will smile at every person I meet and I will do everything in an attitude of gratitude. I will choose to be happy." You may not make it everytime, but you'll still land among the stars.

A Decided Heart

A Decided Heart
by Annie Tornabene


I Have a Decided Heart

A key to understanding depression is to have a decided heart ... a heart full of passion... a reason to live ... a reason to endure the struggles along the strings of life. Buddha said it so simply that I had to repeat it here. "Your work is to discover your work and then, with all your heart, to give yourself to it." And so it is, our reason to live is to discover what makes us happy ... what are we passionate about and then dedicate our life to it.

If we are passionate about our life, then we jump out of bed in the morning and are eager to begin the day. In other words, we look forward with great anticipation to do what we do... our free time as well as our job. The happiest and most successful people in the world are those with a purpose for living. They are driven by their passion. Can you name some of those who you feel have or had a decided heart? I'm sure you can name a few... such as Mother Teresa, Princess Diana, Max Lucado (after all he wrote, A Purpose Driven Life), Joel Osteen, Oprah and I'm sure there are sprinkles of CEOs as well as others.

Not always what we are passionate about makes us the most money. Money doesn't buy happiness. Follow your heart and the money will follow is what I heard as a child. I think that really means that if you follow your heart, you realize money is not as important as other things in life. The only power money has is the power we give it. When you are passionate about something, you give it the power to drive your life. It's that passion that sparks life from within when you are exhausted and have worked your fingers to the bone. It's that passion that enables us to endure hardships and struggles in the strings of life. A decided heart brings peace, joy and contentment to our lives.

Maybe you are sitting there thinking, "What am I passionate about?" "What drives me?" "What gets my mojo going in the morning?" "What keeps me going and going and going?" No, it's not the Energizer Bunny.

You can find your passion by meditating. The best way to get to know yourself is to get quiet and listen to your heart's desire. As Shakespeare said, "To thine own self be true." This may take a little time.

Take a week or so to reflect on your reactions to the things around you such as television shows, newspapers, conversations, books you read, and any other stimuli that causes you to react in a passionate way. If you come across something that has been of interest to you for a long time, make a note of it. If something grabs your attention, make a note of it.

What are you really good at? What specific quality do you possess? Whom do you admire? Why? Who do you know that is doing something you would love to do? What's stopping you? What would you do if you were given the choice to do anything in life you wanted? How could you make this world a better place? The choice is yours.

Look around you, what do you collect in your home? Do you collect old photographs? Do you have a green thumb? We tend to hold on to things we love, so, what's in your closet? What are your hobbies?

Once you get involved in something, you'll either want to stick with it and grow your knowledge, or you'll lose interest and move on to something else. Keep in mind that our passions change throughout life. We are constantly growing, expanding, and wanting more. Some passions remain the same for a long time, and some come and go on a fairly predictable basis. Don't worry if your passion changes. Some passions are there for a season and others are there for a reason. Have a decided heart and go for it as long as your passion is there. Sometimes all you need is a season break and the passion stirs again.

Anything you attempt will get you closer to discovering your long-term passion. And some people are great at starting projects and getting others passionate about completing the projects. My Grandfather was like that. He would go into an area and start building a church. After the church was built and going, it was his time to move on. It was time for someone with the passion to develop it from there. That's OK too.

Right now, just focus on getting centered on what you want to do at this point in time no matter what is going on around you. Just start moving those feet, one step at a time. Take a step of faith into the light. Your leap of faith may show others how bright life can be. Feel the fear but step out anyway. You will never know how wonderful life can be until you have a decided heart that empowers you with peace, tranquility and laughter. You can make a difference.

When we spend time doing what we love to do, it is no longer work but empowerment beyond our wildest dreams. The results are worth it because you are worth it.

Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and living our best life now with a decided heart for our future. We will stay the course no matter what it takes because we have a decided heart. Do you have a decided heart?

Wisdom

Wisdom
by Annie Tornabene





Do you ever feel blue or down and don't know what to do? Do you wish you could find the magic code or wisdom secret to living a victorious life? Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of every day life, we get caught up in every day strife. There is a key to understanding depression. It is understanding that we need to seek wisdom. Wisdom is having gained the knowledge, understanding, experience, discretion, and intuitive understanding, along with a capacity to apply these qualities well to our lives and to those surrounding us. It is the judicious application of knowledge we have learned from our past as well as from others and their past.

Maybe that is why they say you learn wisdom with age. Some of us though go through life repeating the same problems year after year, day after day ... never learning from our past ... never picking up bits of wisdom from others and only experiencing a problematic life. Maybe that is because we never change anything. What is holding you back?

Erik Erickson stated wisdom was the last stage of his eight-stage theory of psychosocial development. Erickson's theory states each stage in the strings of life are in the form of internally-generated questions or tensions. Erickson claimed that in the last stage of human development, each of us must resolve a psychological conflict between integrity and despair. He proposed that attaining wisdom is a favorable resolution and product of this conflict. I don't know if I agree with Erickson about it being the last stage but I would say it is a key that we must learn.

Confucius stated that wisdom can be learned by three methods: by reflection of the past, by imitation of others that have had a similar problem and by experiencing the strings of life without the benefit of wise counsel. Some of us know the third one all too well. As I learned, sometimes you have to fake it before you make it ... imitation of others that have traveled the dark cloud of depression. This one you must be careful because some of those that have traveled that path have chosen the wrong path. Therefore we must choose our friends wisely. Hum? Friends of a feather flock together.

Wisdom, according to Christianity, Judaism and Islam beliefs, is represented by the sense of justice of the lawful and wise counsel. Wisdom consists in manifesting a clear character, loving the people, and abiding in the highest good. I believe all beliefs are consistent in knowing that wisdom is a mature integration of appropriate knowledge, a seasoned ability to filter the inessential from the essential.

Take control of your life by taking an active part in living and loving your life. If you play a passive role, you will be doomed to repeat the sorrows of yesterday. However if you take a stand, the robbers and naysayers will start to flee. You are learning wisdom. Let them know they no longer have control of your life. That you intend to live a life of victory. You can do it!

Take time to meditate for it lets you listen to your heart and spirit and reflect on the past and form your future. See your light from within burning brightly.

Love your life. For with love, all things are possible. Live, love and laugh for they invite peace, joy and tranquility to flow through and around you. Wisdom flourishes with love and laughter.

Don't be afraid of taking a step forward - even just one baby step at a time. The journey gets easier with each step you take. Have courage. Have no fear. As Helen Keller said, "I do not want the peace that passes all understanding, I want the understanding that passes peace." Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and passing on peace with wisdom that we have learned.

CyberFriends

CyberFriends

You accepted me without Question,

I could feel your welcoming Smile,

Coming through my monitor,

Fingers
typing messages of friendship offered.


Miles separate us,

we may never meet,

but we have bonded.



May Our Cyber Friendship Last..

Till the END of the account..

Hugs in an attitude of gratitude,Annie This message was created before Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coastal shores. If you are receiving this message, know that Hurricane Ike hit and I may be down for a few days.You are in my thoughts and prayers. I'll be back as soon as my computer is able to get a connection. In the meantime, keep on keeping on one baby step at a time. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and empowering our lives.Let's live an abundant life victoriously!

Be Patient

Be Patient
by Annie Tornabene

Click to Pass On

Looks like we made it! We just had to be patient and wait out the storm. So it is with life. We need to be patient, our Creator isn't finished with us yet. Be still, have patience. Know that all things are possible but it takes time. Rome wasn't built in a day. Any great masterpiece has taken time. The great artist, Leonardo da Vinci painted three Mona Lisa's before he finally painted the Mona Lisa that we know today.

Each stroke of the brush was done with patience and care. He was reminded to be patient and not rush. Taking time with a Master's touch makes a difference.

When we take our time, we complete our task. Remember its not how fast we do it, it's just that we complete it. If we rush through it, it may only get half done or we have to do it over. So be patient.

When you are tempted to call it quits, be patient. All things work together for the better. Time is on your side. You see things in a different viewpoint tomorrow. Some of the things that you worry and fret over never come. So be patient.

Give love a chance to grow. Build on your successes. Take one step at a time. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and learning to be patient. Love your life and be patient.

Dodge Ball

Dodge Ball
by Annie Tornabene

Click to Pass On

Have you ever played dodge ball? Of course, you have or probably did as a child at least. Life is a little like playing dodge ball. Right now, I feel like we are playing dodge ball with the approaching hurricane Ike. Or at least I hope we dodge it. Oh, well, I know we can't dodge it, we just have to make the best of it. I am grateful for the opportunity to face another storm.

The only difference is that you can't play the strings of life dodging the struggles and troubles of life. Struggles and rough times are as sure as breathing or the air we breathe.

People who try to live their life hiding behind a rock or shelter themselves from every storm in life, miss the joy of living and playing dodge ball. Remember how much fun it was to play in the rain? Remember the spontaneous joy and laughter you felt during the storm?

So why not play dodge ball in the strings of life now? When the storms come, remember you can experience joy, laughter, peace and tranquility in the mist of the storm. Feel the love and gratitude for each step you take, for each struggle you make. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and playing dodge ball in the strings of life.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as we face the storm and dodge whatever is thrown our way.

What Is Within?

What Is Within
by Annie Tornabene



Are you struggling with negative thoughts? Depression? Anger? Anxiety? Hatred? Fear? What is within you? Take a good look at what is within you.

You are like a stain glass window that you never realize its true beauty until darkness sets in and the light from within shines through. How beautiful is you stain glass window that is within you? Is the light that is within you barely a spark of light? Is it almost dark or does you light shine brightly from within?

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a present. Every day of you life should be an empowering affirmation of you best life now. Love your life. Each step you take, every though you have and every action you make needs to ring true what is within you. Love, love and laugh. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and expressing what is within your life.

Truth Will Set You Free

Truth Will Set You Free
by Annie Tornabene


White Lies? There is no such thing as a white lie. It's like being a little bit pregnant. Either you are or are not. Knowing the truth will set you free.

Telling a white lie is still being dishonest. Would you say that you are a little bit pregnant? No, just a drop of urine can tell if you are or are not pregnant. And no amount of urine will make a difference.

In an attitude of gratitude, give thanks for the truth. A drop of truth sets you free. Your truth will ripple through the course of your actions, thoughts and conversations to affect your life and the world around you.

Stand for truth, freedom, and happiness. The joy of knowing the truth will set you free. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and freedom of the lies that hold you back. The truth will set you free.

Grain Of Sand

Grain Of Sand
by Annie Tornabene

Have you ever seen a pearl? Probably you have. You admire its color, its glimmer, and its smoothness. It all started with a tiny grain of sand. A little grain of sand logged in the clam. It irritated the clam but he turned it little by little (one baby step at a time) into something beautiful.

That little grain of sand became a beautiful, radiating pearl - a priceless gem. So can you. Those troublesome, irritating things that get under your skin. Those rough edges of anger, anxiety, fear and other issues can be smoothed and polished.

Don't worry if you feel that you are not finished. Just take one baby step at a time. It's the process that you are working on turning that grain of sand into something beautiful not the completed product that is important.

Be patient. Enjoy peace, tranquility and laughter. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression with a grain of sand.

Count Your Blessings

Today I started a taking a water aerobic body flow class. The great thing about water aerobic exercise is that if you are overweight or recovering from an injury or illness that has left you very weak, it is very hard to hurt yourself doing them. The water is supporting your weight instead of your lower limbs so a workout is less painful. The aerobic water exercises are increase muscular stamina and improve cardiovascular fitness in general. It can also help build strength and increase your flexibility. It is the type of exercise where you can work at your own pace. It is also up to you how hard you will work out in the water making it difficult to overdo it. It is also difficult to get overheated as the water is always cooling you off.

After class, a lady started asking me questions about how she can rid herself of depression. After talking a while, I asked her if she knew it was her last day on earth could she count her blessings. This is what she came up with:

1. I would stress less about the little things.
2. I would categorize everything as little things.
3. I would do more to escape from the pain instead of complaining.
4. I would invest the time I lose in unproductive and dangerous thoughts into planning creative outings for myself and for the family.
5. I would worry less about what others think.
6. I would make more time for coffee or tea and phone calls with friends.
7. I would visit my mom and my sisters more.
8. I would eat more dessert and not care as much about my waist line.
9. I would laugh more - make a point to laugh every day.
10. I would publish my journal online every thought I have, no matter how stupid.
11. I would spend more time outdoors.
12. I would eat breakfast with my kids, lunch with husband, and dinner with my family.
13. I would keep a mood chart that would track how I feel from day to day.
14. I would identify some possible triggers for my bad days.
15. I would invest in some friends like a support group that won't tire of me talking.
16. I would say to myself, "There is a better way. Together we can make a difference."
17. I would learn to take baby steps one day at a time.
18. I would learn to live in an attitude of gratitude.
19. I would write a journal so that I could remember my good days and count my blessings more.
20. I would learn to distract myself more so I could turn myself around.
21. I would make a bucket list and do everything I wanted to do.
22. I would make sure I made a list of the reasons I want to live so when I get down, I can pick myself up again.
23. I would thank my Creator each day for another day to live.
24. I would dance to the music.

What would say to count your blessings?

Give Gratitude First

Be thankful in all things. I know you are busy, but alway live your life in an attitude of gratitude. Even those events and circumstances in our lives that don't look pleasing. Sometimes we should be thankful for something that looks like a disaster. One time, I was in the five o'clock traffic approaching an intersection. Suddenly, my car started to overheat. Which was surprising since it was a realitively new car.

I turned into the service station that was on the corner. Shortly after turning in, an explosion happened at the intersection. BAM! I got out of my car and turned to my surprise, the car that was following me, had been hit by a speeding car going in the intersecting street which had no traffic. I had to be thankful for my car overheating.

Not always do we know why something happens or why one door closes. I have found when one door closes, a better door opens.

Know if you live your life in an attitude of gratitude first, abundant living will be attracted to you. I know it takes a little more effort to prioritize your life and get into the habit of giving gratitude first. Take a few minutes each day to quiet your mind, mind healing and renew your spirit. You will be amazed at the sense of peace, joy and tranquility that will flow in your life. In an attitude of gratitude, work hard, play hard. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression and life.

Are You Connected?

The road to success is always under construction. ~ Lily Tomlin

In the mist of the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the chaos, the kids, the job, things can be quiet stressful and create tension and friction on our world. As we become older, we try to cram as much as we can in our 24 hours a day. If you are zapped of all the mojo of your life, it is difficult for the flow of joy, laughter and all the good things to grow in your life.

Together we can make a difference in our lives by giving support to each other. Reminding ourselves to do our daily rituals which help us renew our strength and mojo. You are not an island unto itself. The difference is that we are all connected by life force. The better you are, the better I am and everyone we meet or are acquainted with.

At anytime you can choose to unplug yourself and start living a life based on your human nature. When you choose to disconnect yourself from the support, the synergism, the love, the strength dries up. You may not notice it at first, but gradually, your spirit is not encouraged, not empowered and becomes weakened. It's like a flower that is planted in a dessert. It grows until there is no more water to feed it. Without water it will shrill up and die just like our spirit.

Consistency in doing our daily rituals such as yoga, meditation, a morning walk, reading inspirational messages, or even a leisurely breakfast and cup of coffee. Peace, tranquility, joy and laughter can flow easily and help you can gain control of the chaos in your life.

By doing these daily activities until they become second nature, you will find you will experience less bouts of insomnia, relief from anxieties, increased mind healing, and improve you physical as well as your mental health.

What are your daily rituals?

Reading is good. By reading inspirational material, you help create a more positive mind. When the dark clouds roll in, you have inspiration to help your mind heal and push back the clouds of disparage. Read inspirational messages on the Internet or read a good book. If you can't read, the listen to a good audio-book. Audio-books were created for that purpose.

Simple stretching or taking a walk can improve blood flow, tension, mind healing and help you unwind and escape the rat race. Any thing you can do to reconnect with yourself will help you keep yourself as the number one priority.

By setting aside some time for yourself each day, you will definitely see a difference in your personal happiness level. Are you connected?

To Thine Ownself Be True

You can run, but you can't hide from yourself. Sometimes we learn as children not to be totally truthful. We think we are being good, but the truth is we are hurting ourselves. We are lying to ourselves and those around us when we don't face the truth.

It is important to know our true feelings in order to manage a happy life. You can't ignore our feelings or repress them. They are still there. It is best to express those feeling and emotions.

What are you feeling? Why do you feel that way? By expressing your feelings and emotions, you are understanding your depression. By listening, you understand anger, fear, anxiety, blues, joy, peace and laughter. When you try to repress them, they will simply return later in a more forceful manner which sometimes gives us a yo-yo effect on our life. Sound familiar?

Our minds get conflicted when we try to repress our feelings and emotions. Instead we need to learn to control our feelings and emotions. Our thoughts create our beliefs. Our beliefs create our actions about ourselves and those around us. Our actions create our environment. Our environment creates our communities. Our communities create our world. See how we effect everyone? Together we can make a difference in learning "to thine own self be true" with our feelings and emotions. Something can be done about it. We can empower our lives.

Are you true to yourself? Or are you sending mixed messages to yourself and those around you?

The Treasure Chest

Did you know you have a treasure chest waiting to be discovered? It's like buried treasure. When you're sailing your ship in search of that treasure of happiness, don't be afraid of the rough winds of depression, the trouble seas of discouragement or the storms of life. Do not fear the fog of depression. Keep moving toward the teasures of life which are priceless. Have courage.

What are the treasures that I am talking about? The gold of your life, the silver of your joy and the priceless gems of laughter and friendships are but a few of the many treasures you will find.
You are worth far more than all of these.

Keep your sails up, stay the course, the anchor holds and you will find the light from the lighthouse will guide you to safety. Abundance flow from your treasure chest.

The Power that created you has the power to guide you. Empower yourself today.

Are You Prepared?

Were you ever a boyscout or girl scout? What kind of general would send his soldiers into battle with no weapons, no strategy and no information about the enemy operations? He would either be cruel or stupid. Our motto is "Be Prepared."

Your Creator is your Commander in Chief and wants you to be prepared. Life on planet Earth is quite literally a daily battle. Depression attacks daily. It is a battle between good and evil, right and wrong, truth and lies. You will need to arm yourself to stand against the enemy.

Read and listen to positive possibilities and stories. Listen to and seek the truth. Live right. Turn negative thoughts into positive thoughts and actions. One step at a time. Meditate on happiness, peace and truth. Empower yourself with joy, inspiration and laughter. Be prepared for daily battles of anger, anxiety, panic attacks, depression and defeat. Never give up! Never, never, never give up!

Let Your Heart Dance

Someone once defined joy as peace dancing. Can you relate to that? Imagin a joyful child. See how they dance for joy. Hear the sounds of laughter.

Unlike happiness, joy is not influenced by what 's happening around you. It's an inner assurance that you are the blessed controller of all things. It's a grateful realization that you were given by your Creator . . . an unbounded love that can never be taken away.

When you are dwelling in joy, there will be no room for fear or depression. Your face will wear a new expression. Your head and your heart will know a new serenity. Let go of anger, anxiety, panic and fear. Cultivate a new feeling of joy. Let your peace rise up in joyful dance. Dance to the music you hear in your heart. Let the abundance of joy flow through you.

Don't Worry

Worry is an enemy that arrives on your doorstep disguised as a friend. When you're in trouble, Worry says, "Stick with me, kid. I'll help you deal with this." Worry brings his friend, Depression and Anxiety. The longer worry sticks around, the more depression and anxiety will loom.

What a lie! Worry never contributes anything positive. It's a circular thought pattern that only leads to more worry. In the end it leaves you with a knot in your stomach and no plan of action.

When you hear the knock, knock, knock of worry at your door, don't answer it. Instead think of positive possibilities. Meditate on good possiblities. Empower yourself. Ask for the help of your Creator. Trust in your Creator. The Power that created you has the power to guide you to safety. Count your blessings. Be grateful for the little things in your life. Ask your Creator for a solution, and peace will stand guard outside your heart to keep worry off the premises. Ask. One step at a time. You will notice, that depression and worry will leave to have peace and happiness surround you with laughter.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Laughter is the best medicine. It is free...readily available to us whenever we remember a funny story or act in a silly way. Or maybe we see something in life, on TV or at the movies that is magnified in are own lives. Just watch our children or grandchildren. Like the time, my granddaughter hit the aquarium with her head and she said, "The fish bit me." If we are lucky, we continue to share our laughter with our family, friends and those we come in contact.

We talk about fun things or going somewhere that is fun for us. How many of us actual take the time to find humor in each day or laugh about anything? How many of us schedule into our today list a time for fun. It's important to work, but don't forget to play. We feel less stressed and feel more at eased when we laugh. Laughter is contagious. Don't think so? Try laughing and see what happens. It is like a drop of water that causes a ripple effect that courses through the depth and breath of water. Just as our words positive or negative can makes such an impact on the people around us. Our laughter can plow a course through the universal depression. It can inspire hope and reduce the number of suicides.

Of course, it is also important to allow ourselves to stay balanced. My motto is work hard, play hard.

Living a life of positive thinking and laughter is bound to have you feeling happier and more successful throughout your day-to-day routine. In fact, those that make positive thinking and laughter a key goal in their lives tend to experience more daily success and more happiness than anyone else. Visualizing goals and going after them are a key component to positive thinking. Keeping a light attitude towards life is a great way to keep laughter as the soundtrack to your life and have things looking a little bit brighter. When it comes to a healthy state of mind and body, positive thinking and laughter work hand in hand.

Having daily happiness and success are all about developing a habit. You'll need to start making a few changes in your life if you want to experience positive thinking and laughter on a regular basis, and you'll want to create an environment that encourages both those qualities, too. This may sound like work, but don't worry; it can actually be a lot of fun! One of the first things you'll want to do in developing your "happy habit" is to change the way you look at things in your life. Keep the focus on the bright side and think of the good side all the time. You may find that your mind will try to drag you down and look at the negative things in life more often than you'd like, but you have the power to change that focus and keep it on positive aspects. If you try to make your first thoughts about the bright side of the situation, you'll find yourself well on your way to developing your "happy habit". I'm checking on you and I'm gonna tell Santa!



Live, love and laugh!

Hugs in an attitude of gratitude