PEACE...JOY...LOVE

The Key to Peace...

So many times I've found myself in situations where I'm either really, really angry...or really, really depressed.  All I want in those moments is a bit of peace.  But, what I have learned along the way is that the key to peace is not is found in any person, place, or thing.  The key to peace is found in something that I'd thought I was the queen of...but, apparently I am not. 

This wonderful thing that brings instant peace is Effective Communication.  If you can effectively communicate something...it won't stay bottled up inside you.  You'll lose the need for an argument or a sad, pathetic, and dramatic episode. 

To determine if you're an effective communicator, ask yourself these questions:

1.  Do you truly know what it is that you want, or need?

2.  Are you allowing yourself to truly feel your feelings (as opposed to escaping them by doing other things to distract you)?

3.  Are you able to be vulnerable and tell others how you truly feel WITHOUT being mean, confrontational, manipulative, whiny, or embarrassed?

4.  Are you able to be your own cheerleader and encourager, and bring yourself out of a funk WITHOUT outside help?

5.  When you pray to God, do you ask for assistance in reaching your goals (as opposed to helplessly asking God to rescue you)?  

I am going to begin a blog series on Effective Communication being the Key to Peace.  I'll begin my next post expounding on the first question and how it plays an important role in effectively communicating and bringing peace into your life.

Stay tuned!!  :) 

Quickie but goodie...

So...I found myself complaining today.  I was doing a great job of it too...picking out all that was wrong, not going right, and could've been better.  But then, I quickly pulled out a pad and paper, and just started making a list of all the things that were going RIGHT!  I made a list of all the positive things happening so far.  And, I immediately felt better!!  I realized that when you complain, you're only focusing on the negative...so much so, that you actually start to create more of it.  Instead of complaining next time...focus on all the positive aspects, and you'll certainly create more of that!!  Try it! 

Have a great weekend!!  :) 

If only...

Many of us hold ourselves back with regrets about our past and/or anxiety about our future.  We let our "shoulda, coulda, woulda's" validate our choice to be sad and depressed.  Then we fool ourselves into thinking that it's the situation that's making us feel this way.  But, really...it's our THOUGHTS about that situation that's holding us back. 

Try this exercise the next time you're feeling down.  Sit still for a moment and really think about the situation that's bothering you.  Really take the time to feel all the emotions, and write them all down until you've gotten them all out.  Now, imagine that this situation never took place, or imagine that it's not gonna take place (if it's a future anxiety)...how would you feel without the thought of this situation?  What would you be doing differently right now without that situation?  Notice how drastically different you feel...write down all these wonderful feelings and all the things you'd be enjoying if you really had things go your way.

It would be great, right?  Do you see that when you remove your THOUGHTS about the dreaded/regretful situation, how much BETTER you feel?  Yes, it's your thoughts about the situation, not the situation itself, that's holding you back.  Now you see you have a CHOICE...you can choose the gloomy thoughts you first wrote down.  Or, you can chose the second set of thoughts...and have a peaceful day!!

It's not what happens to you that determines your happiness.  Happiness is a CHOICE!  You can be happy every day of your life if you so CHOOSE!  You will not change the past, but you can create a much better future when you are in a place of peace and love.  So, today...CHOOSE peace, joy, and love, and BE HAPPY!!  Claim your power to create your reality!  Don't give it away!!