Tag Archives | pleasures

Gratefulness is the Key to a Happy Life

By on August 20, 2010 in Personal Growth

“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy — because we will always want to have something else or something more.” — Brother David Steindl-Rast

Office

In my office, which is my “private space” where I spend much of my time, I surround myself with reminders of all of the people and things in my life which I am grateful for. It keeps me grounded in the reality of what is important in life and helps to keep me out of the “something more” mentality. If we continue to look for happiness in something or someone else, we will never find it. Reflect this week on what you already have and ask yourself this question.

“Can I be happy with my life just the way it is right now?”

If the answer is no, then look inside yourself for the solution. You will never find it “out there.”

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Vacation Reminds Us of What’s Really Important

By on August 17, 2010 in Personal Growth

Vacation is a good time to reflect on what really matters in your life and how you want to spend your time on this earth.

“Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing.” -Jim Rohn

Kids in Montreal

Family

Hearts montreal

Love

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First Month: Lessons Learned

By on August 5, 2010 in Personal Growth

One Month Down

I can’t believe that over a month has passed since my husband left for Afghanistan. It has a been a whirlwind of late nights, restless sleep, an endless task list, chores forgotten, frequent frustration and yes, a few tears along the way. It has also been a time of tremendous personal growth, increased confidence, support from family and friends and a heightened appreciation for the beauty of my imperfect life.

Lessons Learned:

  • It is the small everyday comforts that make all the difference – my constant canine companions, my children, the aroma of morning coffee, the soothing taste of freshly brewed tea, a home that I feel comfortable in, the orchid blooming in my office, a scented candle, stirring music, flowers in bloom, wildlife outside my window and supportive family and friends.
  • I need to ask for help – support is available, but people won’t know what I need until I am willing to ask.
  • I cannot do everything – it is physically impossible with the 24 hours each day I am given to maintain my past level of responsibilities while adding in my husband’s. I have withdrawn from some volunteer activities and paired down my load.
  • I must lower my expectations – it is all right if the floor isn’t vacuumed every day, if the windows don’t get cleaned this month, if the cabinets don’t shine, if the cars don’t get washed and if the dogs didn’t get their bath. Cereal can be an acceptable dinner as long as it is high in fiber and you add fruit.
  • I need to be gentle with myself and my kids – I really need to take time to be with friends and family, but time alone is a must for me. My monthly massage is no longer a luxury and painting my toe nails is not frivolous.
  • I am capable of so much more than I believe – I have always been a fairly strong and independent woman, but I have surprised myself by stretching in so many ways already.

Stepping outside of my comfort zone when my world in turmoil is a very scary concept, but it is in that space of uncertainty where I will grow the most and where my best life resides.

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Nature’s Path to Gratitude

By on July 13, 2010 in Personal Growth

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.  ~Eleonora Duse

We are surrounded by the beauty of nature every day. It is free, available and takes nothing from us. Instead it only asks for us to open our eyes and enjoy. The work I do in the garden is a labor of love; a respite from the demands of the world.

Your slice of nature may be a sprawling country home with majestic gardens or a city park; even a potted plant in your window will do. Whenever you need a reminder to be grateful for all this life has to offer, immerse yourself in nature and be reminded…

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Gratitude for the Gift of Time

By on June 25, 2010 in Personal Growth

You’ve heard that old saying, “The best things in life are free.” I always thought it was kind of lame and not really an appropriate sentiment in this era of consumerism and material gift giving. Who doesn’t like shiny jewelry, new clothes, great perfume, a wonderful book or fresh flowers? I sure do!

Despite this sort of underlying cultural pressure, I underwent a drastic change in perspective several years ago. I had become so tired of the last minute, just run to the store and whip out your credit card for a gift type process. In a flash of insight, I requested “experiences” from all of my children for Mother’s Day one year. I thought this was the easiest holiday to start with since it was all about me! They seemed sort of confused at first and didn’t really know what to do with that request – even my husband groaned. But soon they caught on and the practice has now spilled over to other holidays as well.

picnicI have been given amusement park outings, picnics, horseback riding, photography hikes, massages, pedicures and historic garden tours. We have started giving this type of gift to others as well: lessons, concerts, mini-trips, shows, manicures, facials, wine tours and special meals. Just last week my youngest son took me on a picnic to our favorite spot for Mother’s Day.  It was an entire afternoon of food, photos, nature and fun. The conversation and connecting that happens on these outings is simply unrivaled. I couldn’t help but create my own “American Express type” commercial:

  • Picnic lunch at Dave’s Diner – $20
  • Entrance fee for Pratt’s Falls – $1
  • The smile on my son’s face – Priceless!

“The best things in life really are free.”

Pratts Falls

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What Do You Look Forward to?

By on May 4, 2010 in Personal Growth

gardenDo you have something to look forward to?

Do you have inspiring goals and plans? A “want-to-do” or “like-to-do” list? When you are submerged in the daily drama of living; marriage, raising your children, working or building a business can you see beyond that? What comes after? There is more to life than what is happening today although I understand that many days it feels like just getting through the day is all you can handle. I know, I get it. I have felt that way too. But if you never look beyond today, then what incentive do you have?

I am not saying that you should not be happy or content wherever you are in life. Certainly be present in your daily life and enjoy the experiences you have, but also take time to look forward. There is nothing wrong with planning for the future or contemplating the path you need to take to achieve your goals. As long as you don’t become so obsessed with your future to the exclusion of your present, then it can be very healthy actually. People who don’t ever look to the future stop growing and invariably lose their zest for life.

Your “something to look forward to” may be a weekend trip next month or the vacation of a lifetime in 3 years. It may be that you’ve always wanted to have a certain career, live in a different place, build or buy your dream home. There are so many possibilities, so many experiences available.

What do you look forward to?

My list is almost endless: a weekend trip with my husband, a vacation to Hawaii, a visit to tour Italy, books that I want to read, the garden oasis that I envision in my backyard…..

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Do You Have a Bucket List? 101 Things to Do Before You Die

By on February 2, 2010 in Life Balance

listWhat is a bucket list you ask?

If you haven’t heard about the Bucket List, also called 101 Things to Do Before You Die or a Life List, it is simply a list of all of the things you want to do, be or have, places you want to see, experiences you want to live, goals, dreams, etc. before you “kick the bucket.” I believe the term was inspired by the movie, The Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman who play terminally ill men that attempt to fulfill their bucket list before they die. (It’s a great movie if you haven’t seen it.)

Why a bucket list?

Life passes us by in a blur of commitments and everyday tasks without leaving much time for thought of what we’d really like to experience in life. Our worst fear is to lie our deathbed lamenting that “someday” never came and we never got the opportunity to do all of those things we intended to get to eventually. The painful reality is that we can’t achieve what we don’t know we want!

How do you create a bucket list?

This week, set aside some time to create your life list and stop putting off your goals, dreams and wishes until “someday.” Ask yourself what you’d like to do before you die. If that is too hard to fathom, then start by asking what if you only had a year left to live? If you already have a list, then take time to review it. Look at it on a regular basis, at least yearly, but I recommend monthly or quarterly. You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish.

Some questions to get the juices flowing:

  • What have you always wanted to do but haven’t done yet?
  • What would you do if time or resources were not an obstacle?
  • What are your major goals and aspirations?
  • Any places you want to visit or things want to see?
  • What experiences do you want to have / feel?
  • What activities or skills do you want to learn or attempt?
  • Are there any particular people you want to meet in person?
  • What do you want to achieve in the different areas: Love, Family, Career, Finance, Health, Spiritual, and Community?
  • What do you need to do to lead a life of the greatest meaning to you

Some suggestions from other’s lists:

  • Learn a new language
  • Try out a new career
  • Run a marathon/triathlon
  • Take up a new sport.
  • Learn horseback riding
  • Start your own business doing something you love
  • Achieve financial abundance with your passion
  • Be a mentor to someone
  • Try an extreme sport – Bungee jump, Skydiving, Parachuting, Mountain climbing
  • Make a difference in someone’s life
  • Write a book on something that means a lot to you
  • Sing your favorite song to an audience
  • Public speaking in front of a crowd
  • Get a complete makeover!
  • Play a new musical instrument
  • Take dancing lessons
  • Learn a martial art
  • Go on a road trip
  • Fly in a helicopter
  • Go on a cruise
  • Learn sign language
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