Elevate Your Mood on “International Happiness Day”

March 20, 2019 — Patrice

Today is “International Happiness Day,” so I am sharing Jack Canfield’s “How to Change Your Mood in 60 Seconds” video to make sure we are as happy as we can be today.  (You may remember Jack as the co-author of the “Chicken Soup” series of books.   He’s written many more since then and is an international motivational speaker, as well.)

I have posted many similar tips here at Wishful Thinking Works, and agree with Jack’s ideas and outlook. Why not jump on the happy train today by grabbing a cup of coffee or tea while you relax and watch his 9:12 minute video?

Let me know your thoughts and what works for you when you are trying to shift gears  or to ramp up your mood. Try Jack’s tips, and comment below. Everyone learns when we share!

You can follow Wishful Thinking Works here and on Facebook.
And, don’t forget,
“Your life is your once in a lifetime opportunity, what you do with it is up to you.” 
Patrice K. Robson

 

Posted in Awareness, Change, Confidence, Courage, Creating the life you really want, Dreams, Wishes, Encouragement, Fun, Happiness, Happy, Interesting stuff, Joy, Mindfulness, Perspective, Positive Psychology. Tags: , , . 2 Comments »

FREE 21 Day Meditation Series

March 18, 2019 — Patrice

 

yoga-1284657_960_720If you have never tried meditating, or if you meditate and would like to add to your current practice, join us for Oprah and Deepak Chopra’s upcoming, FREE 21-Day Meditation Experience, Manifesting Grace through Gratitude, which begins Monday, March 25. You can sign-up, here.

I have used Oprah and Deepak’s meditations in the past, and they are guided goodness and a refreshing way to calm your mind, comfort your soul.

Most of the meditations are 15 minutes in length – a small amount of time that can yield big results. There are thousands of studies showing the benefits of meditation. You do not have to meditate for long periods to begin receiving the benefits.

Benefits include:

• reduced anxiety,
• easing pain,
• and improving sleep.

To enrich your life and create new levels of awareness, insight and joy sign-up. You can participate from anywhere!

Then join the free Wishful Thinking Works Meditation Facebook Group, which is designed to help you develop the meditation habit by:

• providing accountability – studies how this is key when developing any new habit,
• and to give you a place to share your thoughts and questions with others going through the same process.
• to celebrate your successes – also so important when trying something new!

yoga-2176668_960_720It’s a virtual support group for your meditative journey!

The Wishful Thinking Works Meditation Facebook Group is open to everyone, it is listed as “closed” on FB, but that just means no one but members can see your posts. You have nothing to lose and so much gain.

Join us to find more peace in your heart and happiness in your life. You deserve this and more, and it is all FREE!

 

You can follow Wishful Thinking Works here and on Facebook.
And, don’t forget,
“Your life is your once in a lifetime opportunity, what you do with it is up to you.” 
Patrice K. Robson
Posted in Awareness, Change, Creating the life you really want, Dreams, Wishes, Encouragement, Events, Joy, Mindfulness. Tags: , , . Leave a Comment »

Happy Pi Day

March 14, 2019 — Patrice

piI think Pi Day is a mathematically perfect day to explore your dreams – happiness and purpose are all part of the same circle, and keep your life rolling in a positive direction!

Celebrate Pi Day by exploring possibilities and expanding your belief in how rich and rewarding your life can be.

 

If you were paying attention in grade school, you’ll remember pi is the number that describes how the circumference of a circle relates to its diameter (how wide a circle is if you draw a line straight across the middle). If a circle’s diameter is 1, then its circumference is π. If a circle’s diameter is 2, then its circumference is 2π. And so on. Here’s a helpful demonstration of that in GIF form:

This simple relationship has proved enormously useful for math and engineering throughout the course of human history. NASA uses π to calculate the trajectory of spacecraft orbits. It’s essential for engineering anything that involves the motion of circles (like wheels on a car), the area of a circle, or the volume of a sphere. Pi is also extremely useful for describing the motion and shape of waves.

www.vox.com

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Posted in Awareness, Congruency, Creating the life you really want, Dreams, Dreams, Wishes, Encouragement, Happiness, Happy, Joy, Perspective. Tags: , , . Leave a Comment »

Communication worth savoring

February 28, 2019 — Patrice
Me on trainI have been writing about savoring for years and have made it part of my daily life, because it is an amazing feeling and brings such insight and joy. But I never thought about savoring communication until I read this article, and checked out the research of University of Arizona researcher Maggie Pitts.

Pitts analyzed online responses after asking respondents whether or not they savored communication and if so, for a detailed example of an experience they had savored.

“Savoring is the process of (1) identifying a pleasant experience, (2) noticing that you are feeling pleasure about that experience, and then (3) feeling good about feeling pleasure” Maggie Pitts

From their responses Pitts identified seven different types of communication that people tend to savor:

1) Aesthetic communication. Survey respondents savored this type of communication because of some aspect of how it was presented—timing, delivery, choice of words or perhaps a surprise twist. An inspiring speech, good play on words or suspenseful announcement might fall in this category.

2) Communication presence. This category includes conversations in which participants reported being so deeply engaged and completely in the moment with another person that it felt as if no one else mattered. These types of exchanges often were described as “real” or “entirely honest.”

3) Nonverbal communication. From to physical contact to facial expressions, these exchanges emphasize nonverbal cues. A meaningful hug or smile might fall in this category.

4) Recognition and acknowledgement. This category encompasses communication in which participants were publicly acknowledged or offered appreciation, like an awards ceremony or a speech honoring an individual.

5) Relational communication. This category includes communication that establishes, confirms or gives insight into a relationship, such as a couple’s discussion about the future together or an intimate disclosure that brings two people closer.

6) Extraordinary communication. Many participants savored communication around special moments, such as a wedding, illness, birth of a child or other “landmark memories.”

7) Implicitly shared communication. This category includes unspoken communication experiences that may be more difficult to articulate, such as feeling the excitement of a crowd around you, or looking at someone and instinctively knowing that you are sharing the same feeling.

I love that learning something new about savoring has brought even more joy to my life, and I quickly realized that I do savor many of the conversations I have had with people throughout my life and each of those still brings me joy. Here are some of the most memorable as this moment:
  • a conversation we had in my 10th grade social science class about how people approach living and their choices;
  • a talk with a friend who was dying of leukemia;
  • listening to my sons when they were little and discovering the world around them and much later when they were in college and just after, as they explored a much larger world;
  • a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer on the train to Skopje – the capital of Macedonia;
  • talks with friends of shared books and movies;
  • a presentation on music, art and math by Richard G. Brown, the father of Da Vinci Code author, Dan Brown and a much honored math professor
  • the hundreds and hundreds of rich and wonderful conversations with my dearest friends at the happiest, most exciting, or the most trying times of my life,
  • and the deep, touching and heartfelt conversations I have with my husband almost daily.
I am now looking forward to reading the books Pitts edited on positive communication, which hopefully will create more conversations for me to savor. I already like the way she thinks, “Maggie takes a “bright side” approach to the study of human communication — asking questions like, “what is going right” here, and “how can we make good things even better?”
I hope you find lots of wonderful moments and communications to savor, today and all the days ahead for you.
As I was writing this post in the early morning hours, I took a moment to savor the water color view through the screen on my balcony on a softly unfolding morning in tropical Florida.
IMG_4786
Posted in Awareness, Dreams, Wishes, Encouragement, Joy, savoring, Self help. Tags: , , . 1 Comment »

Simple ways to make Valentine’s Day special

February 5, 2019 — Patrice

heart-762564_960_7201Would you like your sweetest Valentine’s Day ever? 

Here are 14 loved-based Wishful Thinking Works tips to make this year’s Valentine’s Day your best yet. 

♥ Mix and match them to your heart’s desire. ♥

♥ Using even one tip can up your happiness or that of someone special to you. ♥

  1. Plan ahead – having something to look forward will raise your spirits. If you do not want to be alone, reach out and plan something fun for friends or family. If you are looking forward to a quiet night by yourself, go for it – in style – by treating yourself to foods and activities you love. Add, candles and fancy dishes, and voilà, c’est magnifique!
  2. Broaden your scope – you can celebrate being in love with anyone on Valentine’s Day. Friends, family, your kids, your life, your job – whatever makes you smile is worth celebrating!
  3. Expand your options  – restaurants can be overbooked and way too busy on the 14th, why not go out earlier in the month, and exchange cards or gifts on Valentine’s? (We have already booked dinner at a new beachside restaurant for the 8th. The anticipation is just as fun, the sunset view will be as stunning and the food may even be better since the restaurant will not be overflowing.)
  4. Be creative – good times don’t require big budgets – think indoor picnic or cheese and crackers with wine before dinner at home to make it special.  If you can get outdoors – plan a picnic, a late night walk or a weekend hike.  Anything that moves you out of your comfort zone will be memorable.
  5. Relax – even the most romantic evening can be ruined by letting your expectations outweigh the circumstances. Breathe!
  6. Put the focus on others – this is a great time of year for Gratitude Letters, cards or notes to special aunts and uncles, neighbors, or co-workers – anyone who has done something caring and kind for you – ever! Buy a heart shape cookie and drop it by the neighbors or leave it on the desk of a co-worker.
  7. Memories make great gifts – find ways to bring great moments alive again through Facebook posts, photos, calls or visits. Remind loved ones of memories you share.
  8. Volunteer – studies show this can brighten everyone’s day, and may even lengthen your life. Make plans now to spend time helping others.
  9. Babysit – If you don’t have big plans – help make someone else’s night great!
  10. Pay-it-forward – Buy coffee for the person behind you in line. Let folks go ahead of you at the grocery store. Hold the door, give-up the parking space. (Remember, to keep it pure and simple no fair waiting or expecting a thank you!)
  11. Give an unexpected hug – it is good for everyone’s health! Hold it for 20 seconds to feel all of the warmth and richness.
  12. Ask for a do-over or apologize – now is the perfect time to undo something you said or did that you wish you hadn’t. Here’s how!
  13. Forgive – yourself or someone else! Take time to rethink and reframe a situation and then gently let it go.
  14. Give instead of receiving – donate to your favorite charity. One of the best Valentine’s gifts I ever received was a donation made in my name to fund a young girl’s school for a year – the cost was only $58, the memory and the feeling are priceless!

Making the simple, special this Valentine’s Day will make you and others happier!  

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Posted in Awareness, Change, Creating the life you really want, Gratitude, Happiness, Happy, Interesting stuff, Perspective. Tags: , , . 2 Comments »

5-minute mood enhancer

January 31, 2019 — Patrice

cold-1284028__340I know it is cold. In some places polar cold. But a new study recently published in the Journal of Positive Psychology studies show just 5 minutes in nature will elevate your mood.  Yup, simply being outside, breathing fresh air, looking around and noticing nature will elevate your mood.

5 minutes

You don’t even have to move around, you can simply sit in nature and feel the effect! (Now I know it is probably way too cold to sit outside where many of you are living, but for those who can – go for it, and the rest of you throw on a jacket or two and step outside your front door.) The key is not to think about it – but to DO IT!

5 minutes

And, I have learned from personal experience that when I am feeling down or I am ruminating about real or perceived problems, and I drastically switch gears for 4-5 minutes, I always feel better. It works every time!

4-5 minutes can make all the difference in your day and eventually in your life.

yoga-2683522__340Exercise, dance, hula hoop, stretch, run up and down the stairs, clean a drawer, vacuum, take a shower, or laugh along with comedy on YouTube.

Get up. Move. If you want to check out nature, but it’s too cold, stand inside with the door or window open and feel the rush of the cold air. Even taking the time to look out each window in your home without opening them, will give you a totally new perspective. It’s invigorating.

Getting out of your comfort zone indoors or out can be a wonderfully effective mood enhancer – and it’s free!

Doing something different for 4-5 minutes dramatically increases the likelihood that you will feel energized and ready to take on other changes in your life.

Go for it, I am sure you have 5 minutes to spare.

 

Start now to change your life by Spring!

Register for your Free 2019 Wishful Thinking Works Discovery Session!

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Change your life!

 

Posted in Awareness, Change, Courage, Creating the life you really want, Encouragement, Happiness, Happy, Perspective. Tags: , , . Leave a Comment »

Sunday musings

January 27, 2019 — Patrice
butterfly-1127666__340

“A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts. . .

As the plant springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of a man springs from the hidden seeds of thought, and could not have appeared without them. This applies equally to those acts called “spontaneous” and “unpremeditated” as to those, which are deliberately executed.

Act is the blossom of thought, and joy and suffering are its fruits; thus does a man garner in the sweet and bitter fruitage of his own husbandry.“  As a Man Thinketh, James Allen, Free Library

Give your character and your soul a chance to grow, treat yourself and others kindly in your thoughts.

The key is to become aware of the differences in your body when thinking soul enhancing thoughts vs thoughts that cause you stress or worry.

 

When you can feel the difference in your body, the choice will become easier. The path to character opens up and rewards you with positive responses from the universe.

 When you stray from the path, gently and kindly remind yourself your goal is to build character and to stretch your soul, and ask yourself how your current thoughts are making you feel.  Are your feelings in alignment with your goal?

If your thoughts are causing you strife, breathe deeply and kindly redirect your thoughts, taking a moment to applaud yourself for shifting gears. Peace is character building and joy helps shine a light on the path you want to follow. 

It’s scary, I know. To trust yourselves so deeply that you believe you are the master of your feelings and your path, but the rewards are so great it is a shame to not give it a chance.

 

 

Posted in Awareness, Change, Confidence, Congruency, Courage, Creating the life you really want, Dreams, Wishes, Encouragement, Good words to live by, Joy, Mindfulness, Perspective. Tags: , , . Leave a Comment »
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