Yesterday I was reminded of the importance of a smile, even if just for me. This all started when I decided to go to the grocery store. I was excited about shopping for healthy food choices for the week because I had not done any major shopping for awhile. This excitement changed once I got in the store and was reminded that it was a Monday, the day for restocking shelves and replenishing home supplies after the weekend. It was busy. The rainy day was also making it a destination place, adding to the blocked aisles.
I felt myself getting irritated, but then I smiled. Yes, I was wearing my mask, but I still smiled. The irritation I started to feel cued me to smile, and I immediately felt better. Instead of being miffed over the busyness in the store, I reminded myself to be grateful that I was able to be out and about in the store and that I could afford to shop for what I wanted. My smile led to a deep relaxing breath and away I went to fill my cart.
The reminder to smile actually started that morning during my reading. I came across the quote “…meet life head on with a smile.” It led me to think deeper about the value of a smile and the happiness it can bring. It brought up memories of my mother telling me to always smile and show my teeth, “It makes you look so much prettier”. If a smile can lead to a pretty attitude, then I am all for it.
Smiling and humor also has health benefits: improved mood, pain relief, lowered blood pressure, stronger immune systems, stress reliever, better relationships, and a younger appearance.
I spent the next hour in the grocery store smiling. And even if other shoppers could not see my smile, I know they could see the twinkle reflected in my eyes. Especially at the checkout counter when I saw the bill. Of course, I was smiling, twinkling, and having a nice conversation with the check-out lady, appreciative for the items I was able to purchase. I hope you find and share your smile today.
Smiles,
Jeanette
“Use your smile to change the world, don’t let the world change your smile.”
Chinese Proverb
Category: Balanced Lifestyle
My Morning Ritual
One of my favorite times of the day is early morning. With this spring season the birds also awaken earlier and fill the air with their morning songs. No alarm clock needed; their notes are enough.
I have a morning ritual that always helps me set a positive and energized tone for the day. With my first cup of delicious coffee, I begin with some spiritual reading; something that connects me with a universal power that guides me to a happier life. Authors who have been at my side this year include Borysenko, Williamson, Tolle, Dyer, Hicks, Richardson, Breathnach and Salzburg. Through the years I have enjoyed many others and look forward to discovering more.
In reading, I can be embraced by an entire chapter or two, a thought for the day or a single quote. Whatever touches my heart and gives me that loving spark for my day is what I am drawn to read.
Along with reading I write in my journal. I write quotes from what I am reading and how it relates to my life. I continue to have eye-opening moments prompted by my morning reading. Closing my eyes, concentrating on my breath, I will do a short meditation to allow that lesson to really sink into my body.
My morning continues with my yoga and stretching routine. Through years of sometimes inconsistent yoga and Pilates practice I have developed a routine that works for me and my achy hips. I end with relaxing meditation.
What I love about my routine, no matter how much time I spend with it, is that it wakes me up, it connects me with something greater than myself, it gives me a life lesson for the day, and it puts a smile on my face. All I know is that my days are more fulfilling and energized when I include my morning ritual versus when I do not.
Find something that works for you to help you seize the day.
Smiles,
Jeanette
Editing Your Life
I am sure everyone is ready to make some New Year’s resolutions or goals for 2021. The word resolution has some bad connotations. Most people start with their resolutions during the first week of January, only to let them lapse by the end of February.
We need to dump the word “resolution” – it sounds too strong and definite for us to really grasp the concept that we can change. A better phrase, thanks to the Daily OM newsletter, is “editing your life”. I can’t say it any better than the Daily OM did, so I share this article with you.
Editing Your Life
By Daily OM
You have the choice to accept your life script you’ve written thus far, or edit it so you can create a life that fulfills you.
Our lives can be compared to an ongoing movie script over which we have complete creative control. Within us lies the power to examine what works or isn’t working in our lives and make “edits” to our life’s script, accordingly. Choosing to actively edit your life can be incredibly empowering. As you evolve, you have the choice to accept the script you’ve written thus far or edit it so you can create a life that fulfills you. You can cut out from your life’s script what is no longer working for you. Acknowledging that you are responsible for the experience you create gives you the ability to create the life you’ve always longed for.
Granted, editing your real life isn’t always as easy as erasing a line of text. If you’ve carried emotional baggage or held on to an unhealthy relationship for a long time, these may be difficult to edit out. But when you do cut out what isn’t working from your life, you’ll feel lighter and more alive. Editing out activities that you find stressful, disassociating yourself from people that drain your energy, and letting go of your emotional baggage are all beneficial cuts you can make. In the empty spaces that are left behind, you can add in anything you like. Just as you have the power to edit out negative situations or beliefs that you no longer wish to have as part of your life, you can now include the kinds of positive experiences, people, and beliefs that you would like to fill your life with. The manifestation of these thoughts and images as realities in your life will inevitably follow. As you make changes to your life, you can also add in the bits where you choose more intimate, healthier relationships, seek out adventure over tedium, and are no longer negatively impacted by old experiences.
To begin editing your life, simply think about your positive and negative experiences. When you determine what parts of your life are no longer serving you, make the commitment to remove them — though, it is important to remember that there is no proper timing or way to do this, and patience and compassion for yourself are always important during this process. Then, ask yourself what has brought you profound bliss and consider how you can make those experiences and beliefs part of your life now. With a little editing, you’ll be able to clear out what is no longer serving you and make room in your life for more happiness, love, and wisdom.
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Thank you Daily OM for your wisdom. To you readers, I leave you with the loving question of how will you edit your life in 2021? What good things will you make part of your life?
Happiness always,
Jeanette
Cultivating Happiness Now
There are times when my mind wanders to the thought “I can’t stand these restrictions and will be happy when this pandemic crisis is over.” I am sure you also have had thoughts like this or maybe even worse.
When I focus on this thought it makes me feel icky, alone, trapped, frustrated, and stuck. I have put conditions on my happiness; I cannot be happy unless everything is in perfect order.
I am fortunate that I do not have a physical job to go to, but I do have work that I desire to do and share. I want to make connections, I want to create content and programs, and I want to inspire others to lead energized and creative lives. If allowed, my thoughts of negativity and despair would prevent me from doing the work that I love.
There is a saying I embrace, “What you think about comes about”. This means if you focus on the negative you will not be open to positive opportunities and more negative and challenging situations will be thrown in front of you. Feelings of happiness will elude you.
The pandemic is real. We all want it to go away. We can do our part by listening to public health guidelines, wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing. We can also cultivate our own happiness right now regardless of the circumstances. This will help decreases stress, raise resiliency, and helps us help others.
I have found that I am in control. I can harness more positive thoughts and I can create a supportive environment. Here are some practices that help me cultivate my happiness:
I have a morning routine of reading something inspiring, journaling, and meditating. When I begin my day this way, I always feel energized and positive about how my day will unfold.
I get outside at least once a day for a nice walk or hike. The fresh air and seeing nature invigorates my spirit and tames any negative thoughts, replacing them with inspiring and creative ideas.
When I feel rushed and stressed, even in my house, I consciously slow myself down and concentrate on the task at hand. This mindfulness exercise of being in the present moment relaxes me and helps me appreciate my life. You cannot think a negative thought while focusing on something positive.
I find time to do things that I enjoy like reading, painting, gardening, and cooking a great meal.
When I have an unpleasant thought, I take a deep breath, I acknowledge the thought and the feeling, then I make a conscious choice to replace it with a more positive thought or perspective. I do not dwell on the negative because it only gives it more power to grow and fester.
There are times I feel frustrated and think things like “My house is too small and noisy. I cannot get my writing finished!” I fix this by having conversations with Phil about the importance of my quiet time, I set boundaries and I use a headset with music.
And last, but probably the most important practice, is that at the end of the day I think of the good things in my life. I am grateful for a warm house, food, fur babies that love me and a partner that keeps me entertained. Showing gratitude brings more things into my life to be grateful for and adds to my happiness.
I am not perfect, but each day I get better at making choices for my actions and my thoughts that support a happy life. I hope the pandemic gets under control soon. Regardless, I will be cultivating my happiness and I hope you will find ways to cultivate yours too.
Stay safe, healthy, and happy.
Jeanette