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Get Back On Track After Falling Off the Wagon

Do you feel like you’ve experienced a bit of whiplash with how quickly these last two months have flown by?

I sat down the other day and reviewed my written goals for the year (which I strongly urge you to do at least once per month) and realized that of the 15 goals I set back in January, I’m only following through with eight of them.  I know I should be happy with the progress of the eight, but it’s the other seven that are staring me down and making me feel bad.

Here’s the deal–and I’m talking to myself just as much as I’m talking to you: There’s no time to sit around and feel bad about what could have been.  It’s time to get back on the wagon.  We can’t change the past, but we can certainly learn from it.

I’ve got three simple steps to get us back on the right track.  There’s no time like the present, so let’s get started!

NOTE: If you wrote your original goals in a journal, I suggest you do the following exercise in that same place.  It’s helpful when you can look back and review where you’ve been and what you’ve accomplished.

First Step:  Figure out what the stumbling block has been for you to achieve or move forward with your goals.  Warning…you’re gonna have to be introspective and honest with yourself in this step.  It might even be helpful to put the superhero cape aside during this exercise.

Ask yourself the following questions:

  1. Do the goals I came up short on, scare me somehow? What fears do I experience when thinking about those goals?
  2. Are my goals unrealistic? Have I set too many goals?  Have I set crazy timelines that I can’t possibly meet with the demands my busy schedule?
  3. Have I failed to set proper systems (time management, accountability, etc) in place to help me succeed?

Second Step:  Now that you’ve defined the problem, the next step is to figure out how to fix it.  Let’s address the three questions you answered above:

  1. Fears: Break down any fears you have associated with your goals. Oftentimes, when we break things down like this into bite-sized pieces, the “scariness” falls away. Now, these bite-sized portions of your big goal become manageable mini-goals.  Now you can begin working on each mini-goal, one by one, until completion.  This really works!
  2. Unrealistic goals: Maybe you were a little ambitious, like I was, at the beginning of the year and set too many goals. If that’s the case, list out and prioritize your goals.  Maybe keep the top 3-4 and drop the others.  You can always focus on those you dropped later in the year or even next year.  If the main problem is the unrealistic deadlines you set for some of your goals, then set new dates that are more realistic to match your lifestyle.
  3. No systems in place: Say your goal was to organize your house this year, but you didn’t set up a proper system to accomplish it. Now you’re sitting here a couple months later with the same mess and even more stress about it.  Make it your goal today to set up a system that will help you achieve success.  It may be as easy as creating a weekly project checklist.  Don’t overwhelm yourself by assigning yourself too many tasks each week.  Maybe set two 30 minute time slots per week to tackle a specific area in your home.  Once you finish that area, start on the next.Just as we talked about earlier, cutting your goal up into bite-size pieces will cut back on the overwhelm and make your project manageable.  This is key…Don’t forget to keep yourself accountable by scheduling this in your calendar and set a timer to work by.  Take your goals seriously and don’t let anything interrupt the time you’ve set aside to accomplish these goals.

As I mentioned earlier, I fell off the wagon on some of my goals this year, too.  Here is how I worked through the exercise we just outlined:

I’ve narrowed it down to two trouble areas for me:

  1. Problem: Wasting too much time online.  I would start to do some research for a blog post I was working on and next thing I knew I was reading about Madonna’s daughter’s new fashion line!  And just so you know, my research had nothing to do with fashion!  It’s super easy to get sucked into the online vortex, but admitting your problem is the first step, right?
    My fix:  About a month ago I began setting a pretty strict morning schedule for myself.  The routine has been great, but after the first month, I realized I needed a little more structure to ensure my success, so I incorporated tracking each of my daily tasks in a planner and using a timer.  This has worked very well.  Daily accountability in black and white and on a countdown!By the way, I plan to write an entire post on the beauty and benefits of setting a morning routine (even for you non-morning people) with some really great tips for you to consider, so be on the lookout for that in the future.
  2. Problem: I was overly ambitious and set too many goals.
    My fix: I had to reprioritize my goals and drop some of my overambitious goals off my list.  The ones I dropped are still important to me, but I dropped them in an effort to do better in certain areas and not spread myself too thin.  I will revisit those goals in the future.

I hope working through this exercise will help you to get back on track.  It has helped me!  Now, one last thing…

Third, stay positive!  Don’t dwell on what could have been.  As long as you made an effort to understand what the obstacles to your progress were, and have set some solutions, get back on the wagon and enjoy the ride!  Pat yourself on the back for the successes you’ve already had this year.  Even if you’ve only accomplished or have improved on one goal on your list–good job!

I’d like to hear from you.  How are you doing now that we’re two months into the year?  Are you doing well with achieving your goals, or can you relate to this post?  What have you struggled with?  Please do tell…you’re helping others by sharing.

As always, thanks for spending time with me today.

Jill xx

P.S.  If you haven’t already subscribed to my blog, please do so now by entering your email address in the form on my site.  You will receive a weekly post filled with inspiration, a fresh perspective, and a challenge to create the life you want and love.

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The Power of Ugly Words

A friend of mine, a gifted public speaker, recently received a hand-written “fan” letter in the mail.

The letter writer informed my friend that she was a terrible public speaker and that she needed to take a public speaking class.  Now let me interject here:  It is not only my biased opinion as a friend that she is an excellent public speaker.  She has humbly received multitudes of compliments on her speaking abilities and delivery.

Back to the letter…

The letter writer was also “kind” enough to point out very specific things (that weren’t true) that my friend needed to improve on.

The author of the letter chose not to leave a name or a return address.

What the letter writer did leave were words on a page that became imprinted on the mind of my friend (who, by the way, didn’t ask for this person’s opinion.)  My friend found herself going back to what was written and second-guessing her abilities.  The words on that page, from one single person, caused her confidence to fall.

How can the words of one person hold so much power over us?

I know of a woman who was told she was ugly her entire life–by her mother!  This woman would be considered very pretty by most standards, but guess what?  She believes she is ugly.  No matter what anyone else has told her over the years, she believes the UGLY lie her mother fed her.  You can imagine how believing this lie has manifested itself in her life.

Most of us have experienced the sting of an ugly word or statement.  Maybe it was someone telling you to give up a dream of going to college, because you weren’t smart enough.  Maybe it was someone telling you that you don’t deserve something because of something that happened in your past.  Maybe it’s someone telling you you’re fat and so that’s what you see when you look in the mirror.  Maybe it’s someone telling you that the way you talk is weird, so now you withdraw in social settings.

Whether we understand it or not, the words of one single person can have significant power over our lives.

Believing these lies can hold us back from living out our life’s purpose.  It can cause depression.  It can cause suicide.  It can cause us to stumble in places where we should be standing tall.  It can cause us to be less than we are meant to be.

So what can we do about it?

First, a few things for those of us that have been an ugly words target, and then we’ll address those of us that might be ugly word offenders:

Surround yourself with people that lift you up.  Choose friends who believe in you, who encourage you, and who make you a better person.  If you surround yourself with haters or naysayers, you’re gonna suffer the consequences.  Although we can’t choose our families, we can place boundaries on any unhealthy relationship.

Utilize words of affirmation.  When we use words or statements of affirmation, we are asserting that what we’re saying exists or is true.  So, for example, the woman who was told she was ugly by her mother, she might repeat the following to herself multiple times every day, “I am God’s handmade and beautiful creation who is worthy of adoration and love.”  When you utilize words of affirmation, you are filling your mind with good things and blocking out the ugly things that will pop up.  If you haven’t tried using words of affirmation before, give yourself some time.  You probably won’t notice a change in one day, but if you are consistent, you will see a wonderful change over time.

It’s helpful to write your affirming word, sentence, quote, or Bible verse on a piece of paper and post in areas where you will see it often: bathroom mirror, by your kitchen sink, on the fridge, on the dash in your car, etc.

Take the high road.  Don’t spew back ugliness in response to ugliness.  The person hurling ugly words can’t take back what they say and you won’t be able to either.

Seek professional help.  Sometimes the scars are so deep you might need professional help.  Seek out a counselor, pastor, or physician to help you

Take it to God.  I have personally struggled with some pretty tough things for a good bit of my life and it wasn’t until I took it to God a few years ago that I began to see real transformation in my life.  The best thing about this route: there’s no charge, it’s super confidential, and He’s available 24-7!

Be a model of grace.  Your friends, family, co-workers, etc., are watching you.  Always strive to be a good role model.

Now, let’s move along…

Are you an UGLY words offender? 

There are two types of UGLY words offenders.

  1. Those who will read this and call me an ugly name for writing about this. If this is you and you’ve gotten this far in reading this, please keep your mind and your heart open and keep reading.
  2. Those who realize they may have a problem, who oftentimes feel guilty for their behavior, but just don’t know how to stop or fix what they’ve done. Glad you’re here!  I hope these simple suggestions will get you on the road to recovery.

Whether you’re a one-time ugly words offender or you’re a perpetual offender, here are some guidelines for you to consider:

Don’t be afraid to try and repair what you break.  Have you ever seen a beautiful china dish with a crack in it?  The dish didn’t have to be thrown out when it was broken–it was repaired and utilized for its intended purpose–but the crack will still always be visible.  This is the same with people: The scars you’ve caused may still be visible after you say you’re sorry, but you might be able to restore a broken relationship.

Place some boundaries on your tongue.  Do you find it hard to hold back when you have something to say?  Know this: You have the power to reign your own tongue in.  Every time you feel yourself ready to spout off, take 10-20 deep breaths in and out and don’t say what you were going to say.  Just don’t say it at all.  Remember, you can’t take your words back.  If what you need to say is important, then give yourself 24 hours to think about the best way to say it.  Chances are, you will talk yourself out of saying anything if you give yourself a chance to reflect on what you were going to say, how it might affect the recipient.

Utilize words of affirmation.  When you use words or statements of affirmation, you are asserting that what you’re saying exists or is true.  So, if you repeat to yourself throughout the day, “I am loved and I will show love,” over time, you will see a marked change in how you feel about yourself and how you treat others.  When you utilize words of affirmation, you are filling your mind with good things and blocking out the ugly things that will pop up.  If you haven’t tried using words of affirmation before, give yourself some time.  You probably won’t notice a change in one day, but if you are consistent, you will see a wonderful change over time.

It’s helpful to write your affirming word, sentence, quote, or Bible verse on a piece of paper and post in areas where you will see it often: bathroom mirror, by your kitchen sink, on the fridge, on the dash in your car, etc.

Change is possible.  No matter what anyone told you, change is possible and it’s never too late to begin that change.

So, whether you’ve doled out the stinging words or you’ve received those words, today is a new day and the perfect day to start the restoration process.

I am guessing most of you reading this are adults.  Would you please share this post with the younger people in your life?  There is a serious bullying epidemic among our young people, and it will only get better when we talk about it and bring it out into the light.  Click here to watch an awesome anti-bullying message created by a 14-year-old teen from Texas.

As always, I appreciate you spending time with me here.

Have a great rest of your day!

Jill xx

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The Benefits of Being a Good Neighbor

We live in a day in which it’s not uncommon to talk on our cell phones as we walk out to get our mail, avoiding eye contact with the lady walking her dog.  A day in which our schedules are so packed we don’t allow for time to sit on our front porches and visit with our neighbors.  A day in which, if asked, we might not know our next door neighbor’s name.

I believe that, now more than ever, it’s important that we are intentional in building and strengthening the relationships with our neighbors.  A strong community benefits us, the individual, the community (our neighbors), and ultimately, society as a whole.

So, what’s the key to being a good neighbor?

I live in an AWESOME neighborhood!  If there were a most congenial and fun neighborhood award, our neighborhood would most likely win it.

Although our neighborhood isn’t perfect, I’ve learned some valuable lessons from my neighbors, a whole cast of characters, on the importance of being neighborly and what that looks like.

The following suggestions may seem obvious, but sometimes the most obvious are the most overlooked.

Trade contact info.  If you don’t have your neighbors’ phone number and email address, then make it a point to trade that information with one another.  Whether you are out of town and need to call on a favor, or you need to let your neighbor know that their dog has busted out of their fence, it’s important to be able to keep in touch.

Our neighborhood has a Google Group email list that is utilized to share news regarding unruly bears, car break-ins, annual picnic or cookie exchange information, etc.  Click here to find out how to set up one for your neighborhood.

Be direct in your hopes and expectations.  My husband and I have an agreement with our neighbors that if our dogs are barking incessantly when we’re not home, that they’ll give us a call so we can remedy the situation.  Maybe your neighbor is gifted in drum playing at 2 a.m. and it’s keeping you up.  Find a way to initiate a friendly conversation to see if there is a way for them to be able to practice and for you to get some sleep.

Be nice.  You may not be best friends with all your neighbors, you may not even like them all.  That’s ok, just smile, say hello or wave when your neighbors pass by.

Show support in good times and bad.  Support comes in all shapes and sizes.  Whether it be through the emotional support through the loss of loved ones, the sharing of wisdom with someone going through financial difficulties, monetarily supporting the neighborhood girl scout’s endeavors, or celebrating the success of a neighbor’s business venture, there are a variety of ways to build and strengthen your community bonds.

Love the unlovable.  Do you have a curmudgeon in your neighborhood?  You know, the one that grumbles and frowns every time you see them.  They’ve probably even called the city on you for leaving your garbage can out for more than one day.

Oftentimes, these type of people are dealing with pain or loneliness that manifests itself into ugly behavior.  One of Jesus’ greatest commandments was to “love our neighbors as ourselves.”  LOVE is a powerful thing.  Try this: next time they grumble, show them love.  Ask them to stop by for a cup of coffee or ask them if they would like to join your bookclub.  If you can figure out a way to cut through their harsh exterior, you will probably find a scarred heart that could use some love balm.

If you haven’t seen the movie St. Vincent, with Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy, go see it.  It’s great!  It’s about a single mom and her son that move next door to a real curmudgeon.  A surprising and beautiful story of love and redemption unfolds.  (Have your hanky handy for this one!)

Take it out back.  Chuck Brodsky wrote a song called Take it Out Back and the chorus goes like this: “Take it out back…and keep the front yard looking good.”  Plain and simple, don’t make your neighbors have to look at your mess each time they pass your house.  Clean it up and take it out back (or in the basement).  The lyrics are metaphorical in nature as well…meaning don’t air out all your dirty laundry for all your neighbors to see.  Be sensitive to what should be kept private—“out back.”

Watch each other’s back.  If you see someone trying to get into your neighbor’s car or heading around the back of their house with a duffel bag, call the police.  This is also a good time to utilize the phone numbers you traded by giving your neighbors a heads up on what’s taking place.  Maybe the guy turns out to be an innocent “duffel bag salesman,” but it’s better to be safe than sorry.  Our neighborhood uses the Google Group email list to alert each other of these type of shenanigans.  You might want to start an official Neighborhood Watch program as well.  Click here for a checklist from the National Crime Prevention Council on how to start a program in your community.

Lend a helping hand.  If you know someone recently had surgery, offer to bring in their newspaper each morning for a few weeks or cook them a meal.  Maybe you notice a single parent who appears to be completely overwhelmed–an offer to watch the kids while he or she enjoys some free time or runs errands untethered may be just what they need to fill their parental energy tank.  When it snows, send your kids out for some fresh air and to shovel your neighbors’ driveways.

Pay special attention to the elderly, especially those widowed or alone.  My 85-year old widowed stepdad was recently found unconscious and unresponsive in his home by his daughter who hadn’t been able to reach him for a couple days.  He is currently in the hospital recovering, but this type of thing happens every day.  When we develop relationships with our neighbors (some who don’t have family in the area), we might be the one who is there to help in a great time of need.  They say it takes a village to raise a child…we could say the same for some of our elders.

As I write this, it is 28 degrees with snow on the ground.  If it is extra cold or hot for extended periods of time, don’t forget to check on your elderly neighbors…they may need you.

Have fun with your neighbors!  Host a game or movie night.  Start a book club.  Organize an annual summer picnic.  Walk your dogs together.  This is your community!  Enjoy one another!

Tell me about your neighborhood.  Do you have tips to share that would help unite and strengthen the bonds of our neighborhoods?  Please share in the comment section below.

Don’t have a strong neighborhood?  This is your chance to turn that around.  Organize a neighborhood meeting and use this post to get ideas for your neighborhood flowing.

Have a great day!

Jill xx

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Learn the Best Way to Show Your Love

Today’s post is critically important!

I’m posting this on Valentine’s Day because it’s the big LOVE day of the year.  For many, this is a day set aside to shower your special love with romance, so this post will definitely help you, but this post is really intended to help anyone that loves someone and that has someone that loves them.  I hope that includes all of us.

The ideas shared here today will transform the relationships with those you love—spouses, friends, children, parents, siblings, co-workers, neighbors, roommates, etc.

Ok, think of someone you love…anyone from the list above.  How do you show them you love them? Hugs? Kind words? Gifts?

In general, most of us show our love, depending on the nature of the relationship, in a certain way.  If you’re a hugger, everyone you love is gonna get a hug, right?

Now think about what makes you feel most loved by others.  Hugs? Kind words? Gifts? Time spent together?

Do you realize that how you give and receive love can be different?  You may be a hugger, but when someone gives you a small thoughtful gift, you are over the moon.  This doesn’t mean you don’t love receiving a hug, it just means that there is a more direct, meaningful way in which you are designed to receive love.

Can you see how important it is to discover how those you love best experience and receive love?  You may think you know, but don’t leave that to chance.  I have been wrong on several occasions.

Lucky for us, author Gary Chapman wrote a book called, The Five Love Languages.  In his book, he explains the five “love languages” and teaches us how to express love in our loved one’s language.

Here’s how he breaks the five different languages down:

5 Love LanguagesYou really should get a copy of Dr. Chapman’s book, but here are some insights from me on the five different languages.

Words of Affirmation: “You are so awesome!” “You really look great today!” “I love the way you teach our kids to be kind.” “You are THE BEST cook in the world!”  “You are such a good friend, I’m so glad to know you.” You get where I’m going with this–A simple word of appreciation or praise can go a looooooong way.

Acts of Service:  “Let me help you take those groceries in.”  “Honey, I’m gonna take your car to get the oil changed.”  “Let me pick up your dry cleaning.”  “Son/Daughter, let me help you pick up your room today.”  Hint: You don’t have to tell your loved one what you’re gonna do–surprise them with an act of service: unload the dishwasher, pick up the house, mow the lawn, run an errand for them, clean up their mess without complaint.

Receiving Gifts:  This doesn’t need much explaining—shower your loved one with presents!  It doesn’t have to be big or expensive (well, maybe for some it may be!), you can make something too.  The main idea here is to be thoughtful with your gift.  If someone loves flowers, that may be your go-to gift.  Someone else may appreciate a hand-made card.

Quality Time:  The operative word here is quality.  Spend time together.  That means, put your phone down and give your undivided attention to your loved one.

This is my husband’s love language and it took me forever to figure it out, but one day we spent a big chunk of time in the garden planting and weeding.  Time in the garden for him is heaven, time in the garden, especially weeding, is not exactly my dream afternoon.  I was holding my tongue from complaining–my back hurt, the dang gnats where bugging me, and it was hot!!  Boy, was I glad I kept my mouth shut, because at the end of our gardening time, he told me that our time in the garden was one of the best days he’d had with me.  That was the day I learned his love language: quality time.  It may seem like this was an act of service, but for him, it was just about spending time together, whether we were chatting while pulling weeds or just being in the same space together silently.  I’m going to make up a new love language for him called “Productive Quality Time!”

Physical Touch:  Depending on who the loved one is, this can obviously be different.  With your spouse, this may be intimate touch, but it can also just be holding hands, or putting your arm around their shoulder.  For your child, this could be rubbing their head while you’re watching tv together.  For a friend, this could be a hug or just a touch to their arm when you’re talking to them.

Remember the point here is to speak the language of your loved one…not your own. 

Reread that last sentence—it’s really important.

Many of us will fall back into showing love the way we like to receive love.  Our intentions are good, but when we do this, we are actually spinning our wheels and minimizing the effect of our efforts.

What’s your love language?  Does one of the five jump right out at you?  Not sure?  Take this quick online quiz (click on the area where it says “Discover your love language.”)

Send this post to your loved ones, so they can take the quiz too.  If you are a parent of a younger child, the quiz I linked to will allow you to take the quiz for your child to figure out their language (note: their language will probably change as they get older.)

I really recommend you pick up a copy of the book because it’s a fun read and really dives into what we’ve talked about here.

If you’ve already read the book, today is your chance to revisit this crucial “formula” to building and strengthening the relationships with those you love the most.

Have a wonderful day filled with your kind of love!

Jill xx

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Why you should act more like a child.

Yep, that’s me skipping down a wooded lane!  I’ll explain later…

Have you ever sat and watched children playing at a playground?  It’s been a while for me, but if I stop to remember, I can vividly hear the sound of feet running from place to place, the sound of joyful voices calling out to one another, and the ringing of laughter echoing across the park.

In an instant those sounds become hushed tones of excitement–the children, with their ever-curious minds, discover a colorful, fuzzy, multi-legged creature and enter into detailed discussion on how best to build a new home for him.  It doesn’t take long to formulate a plan…off they go with the unsuspecting creature in tow!

Ok, now imagine this same playground scene, but instead of kids running around, the park is filled with adults running and playing.  Ever driven by a park and seen that happen?  I haven’t.

Why is it that at some point, we as adults, turn a corner and the childlike wonder and enthusiasm we once had dissipates or disappears entirely?

I’m thinking we might want to take ourselves a little less seriously so we can experience the joy and freedom that comes with acting more like a child and less like an adult.

Take a look at the “childlike” qualities I have listed below and consider how adding a few into your adult-life repertoire will enrich your life:

Live in the moment.  Put the past behind you and don’t worry about the future.  We are adults after all, so I’m not suggesting you shirk all responsibilities, but practicing being present in the moment will greatly benefit your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Be curious.  Never stop asking questions.  Never stop learning.  If you think you have everything figured out, think again!

Laugh a little louder and longer.  Laughing is good for your soul.  Don’t stifle it!

Skip instead of walking.  I am a huge fan of skipping…yes, that’s me skipping in the picture above.   Sometimes, when I take the dogs out for a walk and when I think no one is looking, I’ll skip along for a block or so.  Talk about aerobic exercise!  Try it…it’s an awesome workout—it can burn up to 900 calories per hour.  It’s also a mood booster–just try to skip and not smile.  I know the neighbors might think you’re a kook, but If you’re thinking like a kid, who cares.
  
Trust a little easier.  Have you built up a wall of distrust based on past experiences?  That wall can rightly be a valid means of protection and self-preservation, but don’t allow that wall to block you from forming trust in all relationships.  Trust is the foundation in which we build strong relationships and bonds.  Try giving someone the benefit of the doubt…you just might be pleasantly surprised.

Play on the playground.  The next time you see a playground, get out there and play.  Get on that swing, pump your legs, and swing high.  Climb up the play structure and take a ride down the slide.  If you’ve got kids, don’t sit on the sidelines—get in there and play around with them.

Speak from your heart.  As adults, we create filters and if/then scenarios that can hinder authentic expression of our emotions.  Now, don’t get me wrong, filters can be a good thing, but sometimes just saying what you mean is the best way to go.

Play hand clapping games.  Remember “Say, say, oh playmate. Come out and play with me!”?  I have found that kids have a little more coordination with hand clapping games, so this exercise always provides lots of laughter!  My teenage son, who is always down for a good laugh, and I often try to set and break “clapping round” records.  Need a reminder of how to do or words to some of the songs?  Click here for some inspiration.

Slurp your spaghetti noodles.  I know there are some etiquette people out there cringing, but trust me, slurping spaghetti is liberating!  Just do your slurping at home!

Have sleepovers with one of your besties and talk until the wee hours of the night.

Cook like a kid.  Make pancakes in the shape of a snowman, a bunny, or a lizard.  Make a sandwich and cut it out in the shape of a heart or a star. 
Paint with your fingers.  Yes, finger painting is messy, but painting with your fingers takes away any rigid “art rules” or creative boundaries that you may impose on yourself.  Click here to see some REALLY AMAZING art in which the artist, Iris Scott, only uses her fingertips.

Wear a tutu over your jeans.  Seriously, I don’t think this awesome look should just be reserved for cute little girls.  If you wear a tutu, you are bound to bust out a little twirl or dancer’s leap, which is never a bad thing.

Wear a superhero shirt and remember what it feels like to believe in your “power”.

Get a coloring book and a fresh pack of crayons and color to your heart’s delight.  I used to LOVE to color.  Why would I have chosen to give that up?  I remember when my mom retired, she got a really fancy coloring book and would use colored pencils to color.  Here are some really cool coloring books like the one she had.  You can also pick up a variety of fun coloring books at the supermarket or dollar store for less than a dollar.

Take a mid-day nap.  Enough said.

Life is filled with lots of moments that require us to act like serious adults, so embrace the moments when you can let your hair down and act like a kid!

If you follow my lead and try out a few of the ideas above and hear someone say, “Don’t be so childish!” or “Act your age!”, just smile and encourage them to try it out for themselves.

I hope your day is filled with childlike joy, enthusiasm, and belly laughter!

Don’t miss a post! Sign up to receive these blog posts in your inbox every Saturday.

Jill xx

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Never Stop Learning

 

“The greatest enemy of learning is knowing.” John Maxwell

What do you think about Maxwell’s quote?  It’s a little counter-intuitive, isn’t it?

Knowing is good, right?

Socrates said the only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing.

Hmmmm….

The point Maxwell and Socrates are trying to make is to never stop learning.

The moment we claim to know all that we need to know is the moment we should fear, not celebrate.  There is, and always will be, more to learn.

One of the most beloved and revered coaches of all time, John Wooden, put it this way, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”

When’s the last time you learned something new?  Are you working on something now, or has your life grown a bit stagnant?

If nothing’s coming to mind, this may be the perfect time to commit to learning something.

Maybe in reading this, something popped in your mind immediately that you’d like to get started on.  If so, go get ‘em!

Need some inspiration to get your “learning” juices flowing?  Here’s a list of 20 ideas to get you started:

  • Learn a new language.
  • Learn to cook. Too broad?  Learn to cook Asian food.
  • Learn to plant and grow a vegetable garden.
  • Learn a new productivity system to be more effective. (I’m working on this one now.)
  • Learn to play a musical instrument.
  • Learn to play tennis.
  • Learn to blog. (I did!)
  • Learn to sail.
  • Learn to listen. (Don’t laugh, this one can take a lifetime for some.)
  • Learn to take good photos.
  • Learn to tile a floor.
  • Learn public speaking. (I tried this and bailed after a couple months.  Bailing can be ok for the right reasons.)
  • Learn to build wooden birdhouses.
  • Learn something new to help your business grow.
  • Learn to budget and manage your money well.  (Working on this one too.)
  • Learn a photo editing software to “play” with your photos.
  • Learn to knit or crochet. (I’ve always wanted to do this!  Saving for retirement.)
  • Learn to whittle.
  • Learn to upholster a piece of furniture.
  • Learn to restore old books.
  • Learn to __________________. You fill in this one.

The possibilities are endless.  Find something that sounds fun–even challenging–and go for it!

How to Start/Continue the Learning Process Today:

  • Read. Read. Read. Learn from the “masters.”
  • Take an online class or a class at your local community college, community center, craft guild, music center, etc.
  • Ask a friend to teach you something they know well.
  • Ask questions of those you are learning from. Lots of questions!
  • Listen to podcasts. There are podcasts on pretty much any topic you can imagine.
  • Browse the web for DIY how-to sites, pick a project, and get to work.

If any of this seems overwhelming, just focus on taking one step at a time.  Always keep your end goal in site, but break down the steps to get there into manageable pieces.

I’d love to hear what new things you have been or will be learning about.  Please share in the comments section below.

Have a great day!

Jill xx

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Treat Each Day Like a Special Occasion

The next paragraph is best read using a soft, breathy, British accent.

When the world closes in on you and your head feels a size too small, apply just two dabs of Origins mind-clearing formula on the back of your neck, temples and earlobes. You’ll feel a tingling sensation as pressure, tension and tightness begin to melt away.

This is the online description for a special sensory therapy lotion I came across in my bathroom cabinet the other morning.  This lotion is so “special” that I have only used about seven “dabs” over the last nine years, when I received it as a gift.  I just discovered the little bottle costs $12 for .5 fluid ounces!  I think it may contain unicorn tears.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about why I (we?) have a tendency to save up “the good stuff” for…. for what?  To use for a special occasion, I suppose.  The thing is, the special occasions that I (we) somehow deem worthy of breaking out the “good stuff” don’t seem to present themselves too often, so the “good stuff” remains tucked away unused and unappreciated.

No more!

So, with a NEW and IMPROVED mindset of making every day a “special occasion” day, I grabbed that special bottle of lotion and took it to the office to share!

I spotted a few ladies in the hallway and decided that they would be the lucky ones to experience the “sensory therapy” I had been hording all these years.  First, I dabbed some on my wrists, smiled and headed over to the lucky ladies.  Holding up the bottle, I said, “Y’all want a peace-filled day?  Try this!”

Mind you, these people have learned to trust me over the years, so they threw their wrists out to be dabbed with my special ‘Peace of Mind’ lotion.  As soon as I dabbed each of them, I brought my own wrist back up to my nose to inhale the loveliness.  Ahhh, the aroma of peace… the aroma of…

Cat urine!!

My wrist smelled like cat urine!  Or a meth lab, depending on your experience!

It took about a minute for the full cat/meth effect to grace each of their wrists.

Apparently, “special” lotions don’t smell as advertised after being stored away for nine years!  I figured it might’ve been like good wine and only gotten better.  Not the case.

Don’t worry the horrid smell was easily scrubbed away with soap and warm water.  : )

The lesson?  Don’t wait to use the good stuff.  Treat each day as it should be—as a gift.  A special occasion day.  A day deserving celebration.

I encourage you today to:

Burn the “special” candles while you sip on your morning coffee.
Use your fine china to serve your grilled cheese sandwich on at lunch.
Use the almost expired gift card to get that massage.
Grace your everyday table with the table linens that belonged to your great-grandmother.
Frame or display something that is too delicate to handle, but too special to ignore.
Carry and use the pocketknife that belonged to your granddad.
Write in the pretty journal that you have been saving for just the “right” words.

Can you relate?  What have you tucked away that you would like to bring out and celebrate this special day with?  I’m curious and would love to hear your answers.  Please leave your comments below.

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It’s Never Too Late For a Kind Word

“The word that is heard perishes, but the letter that is written remains.”  Proverb

When is the last time you received a handwritten note that actually arrived in your mailbox?

According to a US Postal Service survey, 650 million personal letters were sent in 2012, down from 850 million in 2010.  That 650 million breaks down to one personal letter per average household every seven weeks.  The downward trend continues as electronic communications have become a preferred method by many.

We are blessed with amazing technology that keeps us connected day to day, but some things deserve more than words pecked out on a screen or keyboard and sent off with the click of a button.

For example, a sympathy note…

I can’t tell you all the opportunities I have missed over the years in sending someone a handwritten note, but let me tell you about the one that has prompted me to write this post.

Last year I found out through a Facebook post that a friend of mine had lost her father.  Along with many others, I sent an electronic message to her immediately in response to the sad news.

This was a close friend who I had lost touch with over the last couple of years, but regardless of the distance in seeing or speaking to one another, I loved her and I knew her heart was aching.

What I didn’t do, what I should have done, what I still haven’t done, was sit down and write her a handwritten note expressing my sympathy.  It wasn’t that I didn’t think about it.  I did!  I worried over not using the right words in the note, so days turned to weeks and weeks to months…still no note.

As time went on, I became embarrassed that I had not properly acknowledged this huge loss in her life, so that became the reason I didn’t send the note.

Guess what?

I am 274 days late, but I am sending my friend a proper sympathy note today.  There are no statute of limitations on kind words, right?!

Here’s what I’ve learned:

There are no perfect words.  It is especially hard to write to someone who has suffered a loss.  My best advice is to write from your heart and keep it simple.  The words matter, but the effort matters more.  Don’t be afraid of white space on a page…it’s the quality of your words that matter, not the quantity.

If you get stuck and are at a loss for words, click here for some wording suggestions that you can use for sympathy notes as well as a variety of other occasions.

Act quickly.  Oftentimes we don’t take action because we aren’t prepared.  Keep a stock of notecards/stationery and stamps handy so that when an occasion arises in which a handwritten note is necessary, you are ready.  If you don’t have anything on hand, a plain piece of computer paper will do.

You may want to print out some of those phrases or messages that we discussed earlier and have them right there with your stationery.

Write the note and get it sent out within a few days of the announcement or notice.

It’s never too late.  Don’t wait 274 days like I did, but if you do, don’t let your shame or embarrassment stop you from taking action.  You will never regret showing kindness.

Do you have a note that needs to be written?  Whether it’s acknowledging someone’s loss, the birth of a baby, a new marriage, the breakup of a marriage, or any other major life event, remember that written words are powerful and yours will mean more than you know.

Headed off to the mailbox now!  Have a great day!

Jill xx

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Overcoming Slumps, Depression, and the Blues

Can you relate?

The holiday hoopla is over, family and friends have left, and you have read one too many “depressing” articles on how great this New Year is going to be.

Great for who?

Those who “have it all together”?

Here it is the New Year and you’re still trying to figure out what went wrong last year and how you will fix those problems, much less launch into goals for the New Year!

Did you know that depression, ranging from moderate to severe cases, affects nearly 350 million people worldwide?

Maybe you can relate.  Maybe you know someone else who might be able to relate.  Either way, it’s important to read and share the following bit of information and encouragement intended for those who are in a season in life in which they are in a slump, are depressed, or are struck with the blues.

I suffered from moderate depression and anxiety after my mother died unexpectantly several years ago.  I can tell you from experience, when you are down, it seems that everything is in a conspiracy to keep you down.

As there are varying degrees of depression, this post, is in no way meant to be the fix-it-all piece of advice.  What I am offering here are suggestions that I pray will help even one person.

Ask for help.  Let’s get one thing straight…there is NO shame in asking for help.  Whether it be from a trusted friend, a professional counselor, medical doctor, or pastor, there are people who have either spent a great deal of time learning how best to help people just like you, or in the case of a friend, love you and want the best for you.  Please allow someone to help you.  I talk about perspective later, but sometimes all you will need is the perspective of an outsider to help you break through the fog that has settled over you.  (Finding a reliable professional source of help can be overwhelming; ask a friend or family member to help you with this process.)

Don’t allow negative self-talk to perpetuate lies. Did you know that we have 50,000 thoughts running around in our heads each and every day?  Most of these thoughts, both positive and negative, are automatic, so since you can’t stop the negative thoughts from coming altogether, you best figure out a way to deal with them.  I wrote an article with four specific ways to overcome these negative thoughts; click here to read.

Remember the good.  Every single one of us has a reservoir of good memories to pull from.  For some it may be more than others, but the point is to find a few memories that you can draw from to make you smile, to lighten your mood, to remember that happiness is possible.  Now, don’t go walking down memory lane and get stuck there…you will be creating NEW good memories in the future.  Remembering things fondly (meditating on them) is merely a tool you can use to help increase your mood.  Meditation (not just clearing your mind of all thoughts, but being mindful of a good memory), certain foods, and exercise have been proven to increase your body’s dopamine (a chemical in our body that can increase motivation) levels.

Get moving.  You may have to force yourself to get up and out, but exercise is critical to feeling well, both physically and emotionally.  Research shows that exercise can improve your mood.  Endorphins, hormones released when you exercise, will trigger positive feelings.  This is what people are referring to when they talk about the “runner’s high.”

Get a new perspective.  There are times, whether you are naturally a positive or a negative thinker, that you will need a new perspective to get you on the right track.  As I mentioned earlier, this help may come through a friend, a counselor, or a pastor, but there are other ways you can help yourself.  Read uplifting, helpful, funny books, and surround yourself with positive people.  Sometimes books with short, easy to read chapters with encouraging, simple positive actions highlighted may be the best.  Other times reading a story of an inspirational person may help.

“You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be.” Marianne Williamson

Show gratitude.  There is and will always be something to be thankful for.  During World War 2, Corrie ten Boom and her family were arrested for hiding Jews from the Nazis and ended up in one of the worst concentration camps in Nazi Germany, Ravensbrück.  Do you want to know one of the things she found to be thankful for during her time at this concentration camp?  Fleas!  Corrie and her dormitory mates had fleas so badly that the guards avoided them.  They saw this as a form of protection and chose to give thanks in all circumstances.  Corrie writes about her experience in The Hiding Place.

Even in the worst situation, there will always be something to be grateful for.  Dig deep.  Maybe you will express gratitude for running water, a roof over your head, a source of heat in the winter, a friend that checks in on you, a bowl of cereal…you get the point.  It’s a good idea to write down what you are grateful for.  This practice will reinforce positive thoughts and will change your life.  Start by getting a pen and paper and writing three things you are grateful for right now.  Continue with this daily and you will notice the benefits.

Help others.  You may be thinking that you are having a hard enough time helping yourself, how can you help someone else??  When you extend help to others you will feel useful, and connected.  There are all types of volunteer opportunities in your community, from working at a homeless shelter, to tutoring a student, to walking dogs at an animal shelter.  Find something that interests you and get started as soon as possible.

Celebrate the small victories.  In the morning when you get out of bed without crying, celebrate!  When you have a good conversation with a person you are constantly in conflict with, celebrate!  When you make it one day without having a drink, celebrate!  When you are able to enjoy a meal without obsessing over the calories, celebrate!  When you begin putting $15 from each paycheck into a savings account, celebrate!  Never discount a single, small victory in your battle to gain control of your life.  It’s a good idea to keep a journal recording these victories (put them right in there with your gratitude journal).  Chances are, if you don’t record them, you will forget the positive strides you are making.

If you have thoughts of suicide please call The National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Lastly, if you are reading this and know someone who may be depressed, please reach out to them.  Sometimes knowing someone cares makes all the difference in the world.

I appreciate you sharing this post.

Jill xx

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How To Set and Achieve Your Goals in the New Year

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”  – Henry David Thoreau

As we approach the New Year, 45% of Americans will set a New Year’s resolution.  The most common resolutions involve losing weight, getting organized, and spending less and saving more money.  The bummer is that only 8% of those will be successful in achieving their resolution.  Only 8%!

The dictionary defines resolution as a firm decision to do or not to do something.  Whereas, a goal is defined as the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.

In years past I have resolved to exercise more and boy oh boy, those first three or four weeks were awesome!!  Next thing I knew excuses would slip in as to why something else was a better use of my time.  Sometimes that “something” was nothing but catching the latest episode of House Hunters International!

What went wrong?

Most people who fail in their New Year’s resolutions set unrealistic goals and/or expectations and oftentimes resolve to do something that they are not really ready to do.  In the case of my failed resolution attempt, it was not taking into account the type of exercise that would be fun and motivational for me, and setting overambitious, unrealistic goals—a surefire way to burn out.

As Thoreau points out in his statement above, it’s what you become by achieving your goals that is important.

We all want to be the best version of ourselves and lead meaningful lives, right?  If so, we must first get serious with deciding on what it is that we will resolve to do to become that best version of ourselves.

How do we do this?

We set goals that get to the heart of who or what we want to become.

Following are some tips and points to consider as you set your goals in an effort to be the best YOU for the New Year and beyond!

REFLECT on the past year—the good, the bad, and the ugly.  What were you most proud of, what did you enjoy the most, what failure can you learn from, what helped you to become more of the person you want to be?  Reflection will help you to examine and learn from your past experiences in order to fine-tune your future steps.

DON’T COPY someone else’s goals just because you think they’re awesome.  It’s ok to look to others for inspiration, but it’s critical to set goals that are realistic and unique to you.  As Oscar Wilde put it, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.”

BE INCLUSIVE.  It’s important to give attention to all areas in your life when setting goals.  If your goals are all centered on finances and you ignore the relationships in your life, then you will never achieve a life of balance or be the best version of yourself.  I broke down my goals this year into four categories: Well-being (includes exercise, diet, and spirituality), Relationships, Business, and Financial.  I then included 3-5 goals under each category.  Be careful about setting too many goals—overwhelming yourself like this can cause you to abandon ALL your goals.

THINK SMART.  S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting is a method used to define and break down goals in the following way: Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Bound.  Click here for an in-depth post I wrote about using this method.

WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN and you will be 42% more likely to achieve success with those goals.  Enough said.  Click here to check out Dr. Gail Matthews’ research on the subject.  By the way, I wrote my goals in a journal a friend gave me for Christmas and then I use this goal-setting worksheet I created to work on the details.

SHARE WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST.  I am a firm believer in having an accountability partner for certain goals.  This person can be someone actively involved in helping you to achieve your goals or they can be someone you periodically count on to bounce ideas off or receive a word of encouragement or advice from.  Please choose this person carefully–forget about the “smoke-blowers” and the naysayers and choose someone who has your best interest at heart.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!  You are your best advocate.  Don’t let negative self-talk make you believe something that is not true.

Wishing you a New Year filled with blessings!

One last thing…I’ve got some great stuff planned this next year for my blog. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing!  Just enter your email in the box above or below this post and you will receive new posts via email each week.

Jill xx

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