Let’s Make it a Complaint-Free World

Go one day without complaining. Even better, go a week. If this is hard for you to accomplish, it’s time to make some changes in your life. Think positively, live in the present, and appreciate where you are and who you are. Today is a gift, so accept and embrace it.

Author Mark Bowen wrote a fantastic book on this very topic that I turn to when I need a reminder, as we all do now and again.. My copy came with a bracelet, a simple way to monitor how often you complain that helps you track your progress toward becoming “complaint-free” Put on the bracelet and every time you complain, switch it to the other wrist. The goal is to go 21 consecutive days without switching the bracelet. It is harder than you might think and I was a bit shocked at what a complainer I turned out to be. It was a really good exercise for me- I highly recommend it. I benefited enormously and I suspect those around me did, too!

Let's Make It a Complaint-Free World

    Go one day without complaining. Even better, go a week. If this is hard for you to accomplish, it's time to make some changes in your life. Think positively, live in the present, and appreciate where you are and who you are. Today is a gift, so accept and embrace it.

    Author Mark Bowen wrote a fantastic book on this very topic that I turn to when I need a reminder, as we all do now and again. My copy came with a bracelet, a simple way to monitor how often you complain that helps you track your progress toward becoming "complaint-free." Put on the bracelet and every time you complain, switch it to the other wrist. The goal is to go 21 consecutive days without switching the bracelet. It is harder than you might think and I was a bit shocked at what a complainer I turned out to be. It was a really good exercise for me- I highly recommend it, I benefited enormously and I suspect those around me did, too!

Cloth Napkins Are Nicer Anyway

     On average, America uses around six napkins each day- 2,200 a year! If every American used even less than one napkin per day, more than one billion pounds of napkins could be saved from landfills each year.

Giving To Those Who Are Willing to Give Their Lives

For Services Rendered

Send a letter to someone in the local law enforcement, coast guard or international military giving thanks for their hard work and dedication to our country. It’s simple and will be greatly appreciated. Go to www.LetsSayThanks.com

Today is National Forgiveness Day; Let Go, Move On and Heal

National Forgiveness Day

 If you have born a grudge for someone, forgive them or let it go. You don’t need that negative energy in your life. Remember that forgiveness is not absolution; what happened in the past still happened but what you are doing is relieving yourself of the burden that has been weighing you down. Now you can heal. Our society is also in need of lessons in forgiveness and a dramatic reminder of this can be found in the film and foundation behind www.unlikelyfriendsforgive.com where we learn the real power of atonement and the art of forgiving, even after brutal acts of violence. 

Now is the Time for Kindness and Simple Acts of Goodness

Live Aloha@

In the beautiful paradise known as the Hawaiian Islands, there is a tradition of “Living Aloha.” This one encompasses all of the aforementioned good deeds, which is why it’s the most important of all. In the Hawaiian tradition, “aloha’ stands for the akahai, lokahi, olu`olu, ha`aha`a, and ahonui—in English, these words translate to kindness, bringing unity, politeness, humbled, and enduring. If you live your life with simple acts of goodness every day and follow the tradition of native Hawaiian islanders, you will surely become a good in the world.

Done to the Mercy Corp and Help the Texas Flood Victims

Donate a gift through Mercy Corps. It’s as simple as this: choose a gift on the website for someone you know needs it or choose to whom you wish. The recipient gets a card that explains the gift and donation made in their name, and your gift helps families in need. Visit http://gifts.mercycorps.org/ to view the gift selection, ranging from clean water to giving a goat to a family. You can choose to remain anonymous or you can personalize with a friendly note to the family in another part of the globe. People have developed nice long-distance friendships through the kindly organization and are really nice to see how your gift is of benefit. Often, the daily headlines are reflected in the regions in need and currently families affected by Hurricane Harvey and the flood in Texas need all the help we can give them. 

The Universe Has Your Back

I (re) learned this truly vital lesson from Imperfect Spirituality blogger and author Polly Campbell: Once today say “yes” to something unexpected that comes into your life.

Know that you are enough to handle whatever emerges from the yes. Know that you have the whole Universe supporting you. Believe that you will have a good time and learn something that you need to know. Exercise your faith by taking the Universe up on the good things that come your way and practice your optimism by believing that there is more to come. 

Just. Say. Yes.

Power Your Life With the Positive

When life gets you down, remember to look on the bright side (and there is always a bright side). Be strong not just for yourself but for those around you as well. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “It is better to light a single candle than it is to curse the darkness.” Look into the meaning of this quote: focus on the light in your life—and if there is none, try to be that light.

 “Attitudes are contagious. Make yours worth catching.” –David Mezzapelle

Talk Less, Listen More

 Listening is one of the greatest gifts you can give anyone. As humans we all want to be heard. So, start by listening a little more each day. Listen to your children, your spouse, your friends, even the Chatty Cathy in the office. You, in turn, will be repaid by being listened to with far more attention and care.

How do you serve the greater good?

“To Be of Use,” Marge Piercy’s marvelous poem, suggests something of the human condition—that we all long to be useful, to help, to work together toward a common goal. This is surely the best part of the human spirit. Meditate upon this:

What is my true purpose? What am I here to do in this life?

I recommend that you contemplate this question deeply and for a very long time—days, weeks, months, and years even. Let the answer speak through your service to others.

Learn the Art of Letting Go

After all, we are all human and we have a little baggage. Or a lot, I sometimes will hold in my feelings until it is like a dam about to overflow. Luckily for me, I have had the opportunity to learn from great authors like Sue Patton Thoele, Melody Beattie and Mark Nepo that we just have to move on toward the positive. Release any repressed anger and pain that you have been harnessing. Allow yourself to let go of the past so that you can proceed to live in the present without worry, fear, or resentment. Remember that this isn’t a one-time event, but a process. Letting go is an act of kindness for yourself and from yourself. Once you can accept that life isn’t always something you can predict or control, yours will eventually become more positive and joyous.

“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.” –Maya Angelou

We Are Here to Love 24/7

I have seen this excellent exercise put into practice at work, family reunions, and dinner parties. It never fails to bring a group of people closer, and it brings out the best in anyone. It is especially effective among a group of fractious folk, and it calms roiling waters easily. Time your moment well; never at the beginning of a get-together. Whenever there is a lull would be best. Call everyone to attention and say you want to acknowledge your appreciation for the group.

Do so with simple statements.

Examples:

“What I appreciate about Julian is his humility; he is brilliant but never showy.”

“What I appreciate about Leslie is her kindness and generosity. She helped me out when I was in a bad way. I will always be grateful to her for that.”

Offer a positive appreciation for each person and encourage others to do the same. Talk about a “turnaround”—this can turn stormy skies blue in five minutes flat.

Go one day without complaining

This is really hard right now since the daily news is unstintingly negative. But it is so worth the effort. Go one day without complaining, even better, go a week. If this is hard for you to accomplish, it’s time to make some changes in your life. Think positively, live in the present, and appreciate where you are and who you are. Today is a gift, accept and embrace it. Author Mark Bowen wrote a fantastic book on this very topic which I have turned too when I need a reminder, as all of do now and again. My copy came with a bracelet, a simple way to monitor how often you complain and helps you track your progress toward becoming “complaint Free.” Put the bracelet and every time you complain switch it to the other wrist. The goal is to go 21 consecutive days without complaining or switching the bracelets. It is harder than you might think and I was a bit shocked at what a complainer I turned out to be.  It was a really good exercise for me and I highly recommend it. I benefited enormously and I suspect the people around me did, too!