Tag Archives: Gratitude

Thank You 2012!

31 Monday Dec 2012

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Thank You 2012!

Last night, just before drifting off to sleep, I found myself reflecting on this year 2012, with a deep sense of gratitude for the wonderful experiences, and the not so wonderful ones, the gifts and the challenges.

For me, 2012 was a year of a lot of personal growth, including stepping out into the  world of blogging.  I will leave behind old beliefs, thoughts and habits, that no longer serve me as I welcome in 2013.  I am open to new adventures and look forward to seeing how the new year unfolds, especially in the area of being of service.

What will you leave behind with 2012, and what are you looking forward to in 2013?

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

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The Mind Doesn’t Know The Difference

26 Monday Nov 2012

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The mind doesn’t know if you actually did something or just thought about it. Research has shown that without a stressful event actually happening, we can create anxiety along with the chemical release of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, just by thinking about such an event. These hormones provide the “fight or flight” response, increased heart rate and increased blood pressure.

The converse is true.  When we have pleasant, calm or happy thoughts, the biochemical production and release of serotonin and dopamine occurs.

How you think has a direct correlation to how you feel. Since our thoughts create a cascade of chemical releases, and we know our thoughts can produce healthy or unhealthy hormones, we do have some control over our well-being.

Here are some ways to shift to calmer, happier thinking:

Focus on gratitude, being thankful, looking for the happiest moment of the day, or meditating. Ease up on perfectionism, laugh and play more. Remind yourself throughout the day to check in with your thoughts.  You could do this each time you reach for the phone, stop at a red light, just before you eat, or when you wake up and just before you go to sleep.

If you are feeling stressed, it may be time to look more closely at your thinking and choose to look at situations differently.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

Would You Trade Your Problems For Someone Elses?

24 Monday Sep 2012

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I was washing dishes not too long ago, helping out a friend who was recovering from surgery. I thought about how often I hear about different peoples’ problems that seem so challenging.

Whether it’s health, weight, relationships, work, a living situation, or finances, in the context of other peoples lives, these problems can look so much worse than what we are each dealing with. I am by no means suggesting you minimize your own challenges, yet by looking at someone else’s life, it can give you an appreciation of your own situation, even if it isn’t ideal or close to the way you would like it at this moment. While we all have our own struggles, we can appreciate the aspects of our life that are working as well as they are.

I think I’ll keep my own issues.  They are familiar and most days seem manageable. How about you? Would you trade your problems for someone elses?

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

It Only Takes 18 Seconds to Change Your Brain

27 Monday Aug 2012

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If you want something different… Imagine it! Maybe it’s a to lose weight, become more active, overcome an illness or injury, or to have a healthier body.  Perhaps you would like to have more money, an improved relationship, be able to perform better at school or at work, or a career change.

I was at a training the other day and an expert on brain research spoke about how our brains create long-term memory.  When we rehearse, imagine, or talk to ourselves about something for 18 seconds, it gets stored in our long-term memory.

How easy is it for us to focus on what’s not working, aches, pains, illness, past experiences that did not go well, failures, mistakes, traumas, and negative self-talk?  How foreign is it to focus on gratitude, being thankful, happy moments, positive experiences, successes, and self-praise, yet alone do it for 18 seconds?

Pay attention to what you pay attention to. Dwell on the what you want and what you have that is working, for 18 seconds. It will change your brain.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

Grateful For the Detour

06 Monday Aug 2012

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Grateful For the DetourHave you ever seen something that made you feel a deep sense of gratitude?

The other day while driving, I found myself in one of the deepest states of gratitude.

A police car was coming with its siren on and when I pulled over to let it go by I decided to take a different route home. That’s when I noticed this spontaneous deep feeling of gratitude for the beautiful neighborhood I drove through with tree-lined streets. I took in all of the nature and beauty of the nicely kept front yards. When I arrived home this deep feeling of gratitude continued as I went through the remainder of the day and evening.

May you find yourself in gratitude today!

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis