PERSPECTIVE

What we say...... I hate doing dishes
I hate vacuuming
I hate doing laundry
...
What we should be saying.....
I am glad I have food to eat and dishes to serve them on.
I am glad I have carpet and a vacuum to help make cleaning easier.
I am glad I have clothes to wear and keep me warm, and a machine so I don't have to clean them by hand.

 

 

Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you. ~Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Struggling

Have been struggling a lot in the last day or two with a lot of stress. Trying to remain calm. I have been keeping a positive attitude and trying to help my husband do the same. It is hard sometimes. But I know I must hold true. I refuse to let myself give into the negative energy that seems to surround me.

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.” -Buddha

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/on-creating-positive-energy-for-positive-change/

Worries

Hey we all worry from time to time. Here lately it seems worry is a constant in our lives. How much do you worry each day? Does it accomplish anything? Sometimes yes, most of the time no. It's so hard not too, when everywhere you look, there is problems. I am starting to realise how much I worry. When I am conscious of it, I'm going to start acknowledging it. Take a deep breath and let it go. Trying to be more aware of things that steal my joy.


No one can get inner peace by pouncing on it. ~Harry Emerson Fosdick


If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today. ~E. Joseph Cossman


Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere. ~Glenn Turner

Diamonds take work

Thoughts make our world

Sing

There's no half-singing in the shower, you're either a rock star or an opera diva. - Josh Groban

Be Water My Friend!

At first meditation seemed hard. It took me forever to quiet my brain. It always seemed to wonder off. I still struggle sometimes. It must take years and years to conquer every thought that inters your mind. But when you get the hang of it. It is amazing. I feel so peaceful and free. I am more energized and ready to take on the world. It's like I have organized my base, my mindset. You can always work and complete things if you have some organization.

Here are a few tips to help get started.

1) Make it a formal practice. You will only get to the next level in meditation by setting aside specific time to be still.

2) Start with the breath. Breathing deep slows the heart rate, relaxes the muscles, focuses the mind and is an ideal way to begin practice.

3) Stretch first. Stretching loosens the muscles and tendons allowing you to sit (or lie) more comfortably. 

4) Meditate with Purpose. Beginners must understand that meditation is an ACTIVE process. The art of focusing your attention to a single point is hard work, and you have to be purposefully engaged!

5) Notice frustration creep up on you. This is very common for beginners as we think “hey, what am I doing here” or “why can’t I just quiet my mind already”. When this happens, really focus in on your breath and let the frustrated feelings go.

6) Experiment. Although many of us think of effective meditation as a Yogi sitting cross-legged beneath a Bonsai tree, beginners should be more experimental and try different types of meditation. Try sitting, lying, eyes open, eyes closed, etc. (I sit in a chair, as my knees won't let me get in the floor)

7) Feel your body parts. A great practice for beginning meditators is to take notice of the body when a meditative state starts to take hold. Once the mind quiets, put all your attention to the feet and then slowly move your way up the body (include your internal organs). This is very healthy and an indicator that you are on the right path.

8) Pick a specific room in your home to meditate. Try not to use the same room where you do work, exercise, or sleep. Or the bathroom, especially the toilet. because like Oprah said once. "It then becomes something else," lol. 

9) Read a book (or two) on meditation. Preferably an instructional guide AND one that describes the benefits of deep meditative states. This will get you motivated.   (I have meditation for dummies, I kid you not)

10) Commit for the long haul. Meditation is a life-long practice, and you will benefit most by NOT examining the results of your daily practice. Just do the best you can every day, and then let it go!

11) Listen to light music if it helps.

12) Generate moments of awareness during the day. Finding your breath and “being present” while not in formal practice is a wonderful way to evolve your meditation habits.

13) Make sure you will not be disturbed. One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is not insuring peaceful practice conditions. If you have it in the back of your mind that the phone might ring, your kids might wake, or your coffee pot might whistle than you will not be able to attain a state of deep relaxation. (that's right turn off the cell phone)

14) Notice small adjustments. For beginning meditators, the slightest physical movements can transform a meditative practice from one of frustration to one of renewal. These adjustments may be barely noticeable to an observer, but they can mean everything for your practice.

15) Use a candle. Meditating with eyes closed can be challenging for a beginner. Lighting a candle and using it as your point of focus allows you to strengthen your attention with a visual cue. This can be very powerful.

16) Do NOT Stress. This may be the most important tip for beginners, and the hardest to implement. No matter what happens during your meditation practice, do not stress about it. This includes being nervous before meditating and angry afterwards. Meditation is what it is, and just do the best you can at the time.

17) Do it together. Meditating with a partner or loved one can have many wonderful benefits, and can improve your practice. However, it is necessary to make sure that you set agreed-upon ground rules before you begin! (My husband and I do this together)

18) Meditate early in the morning. Without a doubt, early morning is an ideal
time to practice: it is quieter, your mind is not filled with the usual clutter, and there is less chance you will be disturbed.  (I am not a morning person, and found it impossible to get this done. So I started when I would get home from work. This time works for and my husband. Maybe you will feel better at a different time. Play around with it and see)

19) Be Grateful at the end. Once your practice is through, spend 2-3 minutes feeling appreciative of the opportunity to practice and your mind’s ability to focus.

20) Notice when your interest in meditation begins to wane. Meditation is
hard work, and you will inevitably come to a point where it seemingly does not fit into the picture anymore. THIS is when you need your practice the most and I recommend you go back to the books.


“Pour some water into a tub and stir it up. Now try as hard as you can to calm the water with your hands; you will succeed in agitating it further. Let it stand undisturbed a while, and it will calm down by itself. The human brain works much the same way.”- Koichi Tohei



“Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless—like water.
If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup.
If you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle.
You put it into a teapot, it becomes the teapot.
Now, water can flow or it can crash.
Be water, my friend.”
- Bruce Lee

Positive Affirmations

Looks like I'm going to be off my feet for awhile, so lots of new posts coming up. Don't say I didn't warn you lol.

Have you ever thought about all the times you tell yourself you can't and then you actually didn't do something? Now think about all the times you have said, Oh yeah, I can do that," and you did! I'm working on saying more positive things. Even making myself say it out loud. I'm hoping as my ears hear it, It will pass through me and make it so. I have been doing some research on positive thinking and affirmations. So I went back to the basics a little: the word affirm  can be defined as "to declare positively or firmly; or maintain to be true." An affirmation is therefore a statement of something as a fact.

A positive affirmation then, is a statement of something positive about yourself or another person, said with utmost conviction, belief and emotion.

Just as our words are revealed thoughts and our thoughts influence what we say, so the reverse is also true. Our words become our thoughts and what we say ultimately can influence what we think and change our mental attitude. It is said that if you say a lie long enough you will come to accept as fact yourself. In essence your mind comes to accept the reality of what you speak.
This change in your thinking ultimately manifests itself in changed habits and behaviour. So the next time you catch yourself saying, "It's impossible". Try saying " I don't know how, but I will make this happen!"  When you get up in the morning, tell yourself "This is going to be a great day!"



Everything becomes a little different as soon as it is spoken out loud. - Hermann Hesse

Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.– George Bernard Shaw

You are what you think!

Negative thoughts only bring negativity to our life. How can we expect to get something positive, if all we do is dwell on negative ideas and thoughts. I know all of us can be hard on ourselves. Lets try and look at ourselves in a more positive way. How can we accomplish our dreams, if we are constantly putting ourselves down. If we can feel better about ourselves, then others will see us as more confident too! Maybe we can even influence others who need a boost to their self esteem. Just by taking a few moments to look at what we really do have, can help us realise how it's not so bad.

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become. - Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Small is important!

Saw this quote and thought I would share.....

"Pay attention to the little things. Great doors swing on little hinges."


You may think your life isn't important at times, but remember you are important. You are here for a reason!

Mayo Chicken

Hey Y'all, It's been snowing in my neck of the woods. I despise snow and cold. I always seem to find that one slick spot in the parking lot at wal-mart and fall every time. I have been told I was born with roller skates on! It's all a part of being a Sagittarius I guess.

My hubby is so sweet, he knows how much I hate the cold, and how much I stress over it. So he made me the best chicken dinner ever. I just had to share the recipe. He found it on Hellmans.com, but he tweaked it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Mayo Chicken

4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1 cup of your favorite mayonnaise (My hubby used Duke's)
1 cup parmesan cheese
dash- Italian seasoning
dash- Mrs. Dash original

Mix mayo, cheese, and seasoning together. Cover each breast with mixture. Bake on 450° for 20 minutes or till done.

Yummy!

Energy and Karma

The peace I have in my life now, was not always easy to get to. My world always seemed to be turning upside down. But then there was a moment that was almost like, when you are swimming and going along and then suddenly your foot hits the bottom and you can stand up. You are still weightless, but you have something to hold too. I was desperate for something in my life to make sense. My parents teachings no longer helped me but instead seemed to hurt me more. A friend of mine told me this   "It is for the best that I don't believe in god, because if I did believe I would have no other choice but to hate him."  It was true.

Most of my life was spent in fear. I was always waiting for the worst to happen, and then it usually did. Being raised in a strict religious household, you would think I wouldn't be so paranoid. But I'm afraid it only made things worse. My parents I know were only trying to do what they thought was right. I was bitter for some time, but I now realise they were trying the best they could.

My fear of God, at times was so severe, I would have major panic attacks. If I heard any loud noise, such as a train or plane flying overhead. I would cry and think that the rapture was happening and that I was being left behind. I was forced to believe if I did the slightest thing wrong, this would cause "God", to turn from me. My salvation seemed constantly in jeopardy. I began to blame "God" for everything that had and was happening to me. Which was considered a major sin as well.

But then I took a step back and tried to see the bigger picture. How could "God" let all of this pain and suffering in the world happen. Why wouldn't he do something about it. I know it says there is a plan for everything and we all have free will, but come on!!!  And then there is the devil. When something went wrong or your faith was failing, it was just so easy to blame it on a devil. 

Then I began to think, what if "God" isn't responsible for all of this heartache. What if WE are the cause. In one word "KARMA."  At that moment I felt such peace. It all seemed to make sense. The more I read and researched, the more I felt complete. I no longer had to blame "God" but realised some things just happen. As energy filled beings we put off a certain energy with everything we do and think. It can be positive or negative. I truly believe that whatever energy you are giving off is what you will be attracting back. Some Karma isn't effected by our energy, but just by being in certain surroundings. We can only control what we do, and try and effect the ones around us.

Please know these are only my opinions. I am on a journey to find a way to be a better person for me. I want to live in peace. I want peace for all of those around me. These are just ideas from one person, while there are so many others with great ideas and beliefs as well. I am interested in what others believe. I hope your beliefs make you a better, stronger person.

A to Zen Life

I am starting this New Year with a new zeal for life. I have been on a path in the last year or so that has taken me away from everything I was taught as a child. After loosing my third child to miscarriage in 2010, I began to look at myself and my religion very closely. I started researching and reading about lots of different beliefs. I wouldn't say I am one certain religion, but have found I am open to a lot of possibilities. Meditation has been a key thing in helping me work through so much. I am hoping to pass along some of what I have found and some thoughts as well. My husband says I lean more toward Buddhist ways, but I haven't proclaimed that faith 100 % yet.  I have friends in many different religions, and I embrace each one of them. Whatever you believe, I hope it makes you the person you want to be.

I want to start with A photo I found. It maybe hard to read so I will enclose what it says. It speaks for it's self.

A-Avoid negative sources, people, places, and habits.
B- Believe in yourself.
C- Consider things from every angle.
D- Don't give up and don't give in.
E- Everything you're looking for lies behind the mask you wear.
F- Family & friends are hidden treasures. Seek them & enjoy their riches.
G- Give more than you planned to.
H- Hang on to your dreams.
I- If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.
J- Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
K- Keep trying no matter how hard it seems.
L- Love yourself.
M- Make it happen.
N- Never lie, steal or cheat.
O- Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
P- Practice makes perfect.
Q- Quality not quantity in anything you do.
R- Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
S- Stop procrastinating.
T- Take control of your own destiny.
U- Understand yourself in order to better understand others.
V- Visualise it.
W- When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
X- Xcellence is all your efforts.
Y- You are unique, nothing can replace you.
Z- Zero in on your target and go for it.