Plant a Tree

Plant a Tree: According to ancient Eastern thinking, to live a fulfilling life, you must do three things: have a son, write a book and plant a tree. By doing so, the thinking goes, you will  have three legacies that will live on long after you die.  While there are clearly many more elements of a happy and complete life (I would add the joy of having a daughter to the list), the idea of planting a tree is an excellent one. Watching a tree grow from a sapling into a tall oak will keep you connected with the daily passage of time and the cycles of nature. Just as the tree grows and matures, so too will you be able to mark your personal passages and growth as a human being.  If you have children, you might also wish to plant a tree in honor of each of them. As they grow, you can carve notches on the trunk to mark their different ages. Each tree then becomes a living record of a different life stage. Planting a tree for each child in your family is a wonderful and creative act of love and one that your kids will remember for many years to come.

Re-frame Your Situation

Re-frame Your Situation: This might be hard to believe, but nothing is actually stressful in itself. Stress lies in the eye of the beholder. In other words, if you see a person, situation or event as threatening you will register stress. Think of a personal situation which is a problem for you right now.  Visualize the problem in glorious technicolor. Now, drain all the colour out of the picture. Shrink the picture until it disappears.  Replace it with a bright, new, positive image in which all your problems have  been resolved. Re-frame your negative pictures to take the stress out of your life.  Just stop thinking about the problem anymore and instead, only think about the solutions. Visualise that your problem has been resolved resulting in that much awaited relief. Remember that worlds biggest successes have been the result of the biggest difficulties.

Remember... Be Here Now

Remember... Be Here Now: If you get so organized and together that you are busy living in the future or you are rushing to keep track of time, then you are missing the true pleasure of the moment.  Whenever you feel that your life is running out of control, stop and say to yourself: ‘Remember, be here now‘!  The power is always in the moment. Stop reading and recognize the moment, feel now.  'later' never actually exists because we are never really conscious in the Present moment and 'later' always lies in the future.  Appreciate this precious moment of your life.  This reminds me of Jason Mraz's song: 'Living In The Moment'This life is one actWhy do we lay all these trapsWe put them right in our pathWhen we just wanna be free...

Forgive Your Parents

Forgive Your Parents: Number of times I've heard people say "If my parents had taught me this, I would've been very successful." Or "If my parents were good looking, I would've been good looking too." Remember, your parents did the best they could. We can only teach and pass on what we already know or have and that's what they did. You may have recognized some of your own negative behaviours, thoughts and feelings in your parents. You cannot let go of negativity and replace it with positivity if you are still blaming your parents. Since you're now aware of your negativity, why don't you fix it? Maybe your parents were not aware of this. Let go of whatever you think your parents 'did' to you. I repeat, your parents did the best they could. Start to forgive your parents and you will start to feel like a new person. Remember, your parents had parents too!

Believe That You Deserve The Best

Believe That You Deserve The Best: If you don‘t believe that you deserve the best then you will not allow good things into your life. Do you think that you deserve to fulfill your dreams? Do you deserve the best that life has to offer? Do you believe that you don‘t deserve very much or, in fact, that you deserve nothing at all?  Closely examine your beliefs about what you think you deserve. Repeat this affirmation over and over: I deserve the best in life. Say it in the car, sing it under the shower. Believe that you deserve the best and you will get it! Period!

Expect a Miracle

Expect a Miracle: Miracles are love in action. lf you don't believe in them they will never happen to you. We can attract miracles into our lives but only when we truly believe they are possible.  Forget about not really allowing yourself to believe in case you are disappointed. Fear of disappointment will stand in your way forever! Expect a miracle for a week. Wholeheartedly believe that one will happen and keep trusting. The miracle might not be the one you were expecting but I can assure you that something  amazing will happen.  Belief is the most powerful magic of all.

Accept a Compliment

Accept a Compliment: How do you react when someone says 'You are looking beautiful or handsome'? Or 'You're looking slim'? Do you reply like 'No no, it's not like that'. If yes, then think why do we find it so hard to accept a compliment gracefully?  How do you actually feel when someone pays you a compliment? Perhaps you don't believe them. Do you make throwaway comments that spoil the effect of the compliment?  How do you feel if you compliment someone and they don't accept it? Would you bother to do it again? Learn to accept a compliment. The next time someone says something nice about you just say ‘thank you‘. It might be difficult but keep on trying. Accept a compliment and you will feel wonderful and so will the person giving  it.