Southern Cold

Did you realize multitasking can stress you out? That’s what they said in an article I recently read and if that’s the case, I’m in for one more stressed out week!

You see, we leave Saturday for a trip that takes me further South than I’ve ever been…all the way to Antarctica. No, this is my dream trip. To be honest, I’d never considered it. But when my husband saw a cruise to the region that would fit our budget since we’d have almost two years to save, I said sign me up.

Now, we’re down to the wire and I’m multitasking like mad. In addition to the decisions on what to pack since we cover temperatures from, “holy crap it’s cold” to “where’s my shorts and sunscreen,” there will be a lot of packing.

I admit to being a complete cruise/travel “slut” and while you’re at it, you can add, facials, massages, pedicures…well, you get the picture, to the list. If I’d married a different Bill, as in Bill Gates, I’d probably be indulging every day in one of the afore mentioned. But, I didn’t, so I’ll be happy with the cruise and finding a quiet corner of the ship to work on my latest book.

I do plan to share the adventure, but there have been ships where the internet connection wasn’t the best and my frustration level peaked quickly. So, if you don’t hear from me for the next few weeks, you’ll know I’m floating. And you can be positive I'm having a great time!

Lizzie

Continuing Miracles

How wonderful is it to continue to see vicitms in Haiti pulled alive from rubble after so many days. Definitely a strong case for miracles!

Lizzie

Smile...Even When It's Hard

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Fake it till you make it.” Research has shown this is true. Even if its not your most positive day and you want the world to go away, by taking the opposite approach and plastering on a smile, you’ll eventually get there.

If you woke up out of sorts and have already snarled at the kids, husband, dog (or in my case cat) and anyone else who dared cross your path, plaster on that smile and see how many you receive in return. Bet they lift your spirit just a little anyway.

My goal for today...count the smiles I receive in return.

Lizzie

My heart feels the pain

The news is filled with the earthquake in Haiti and the pictures of the people have filled my heart with pain. Seeing the suffering makes me even more grateful for what I have as I'm sure it does a lot of people. My prayers go out to the people of a country that has had its share of problems.

Lizzie

Too Careful

"Everbody knows if you're too careful you are so occuiped in being careful that you are sure to stumble over something."
Gertrude Stein

Breathing

I've come to the conclusion:

If I breathe and dream, I live
If I breathe without dreams, I exist

Today I live!

What about you? Which are you doing today?

Lizzie

An Eeyore kind of day!

I came across several booklets from a Dale Carnegie course the bank I worked for a number of years ago had their employees attend. The main focus of the course was live enthusiastically, or at least that’s what I remember the most. Yeah, there were other subjects covered, like speaking more effectively, how to have meetings with quicker and better results and remembering names. The last one didn’t take too well with me since some days I do well to remember my own name. Maybe its because I have so many…you think?

Anyway, I do remember the live enthusiastically part of the class, possibly because that was something I needed to hear frequently. Growing in an environment that made Eeyore seem positive, I strived to do the opposite in my day to day life. There were times when it was down right hard to focus on that ‘half full vs. the half empty glass.’ The conditioning of childhood got in my way a lot.

But Dale helped me to realize I was on the right track with my efforts to want to get the most out of life instead of rolling over to play dead and I still continue to work for that goal.

There are days, when for no apparent reason, I’m in the dumps. All the self doubts instilled from prior times sneak in and start their “what makes you think you can do that” or “why don’t you just give up?”

So today, I’m in a battle with self-doubt and determined to win. Life is short and I need to regain that enthusiasm that makes it fun and live the dreams, not just exist.

What are you facing the day? Bubbling with enthusiasm or fighting the battle of the ‘blahs’ and self-doubt?

Lizzie

Thought for the Day

Saw this on a card someone gave me.

"Focus your energy. There is amazing power in strong intention.

"Lizzie

Positive in a Negaive World

Saw this today and thought I'd share some of Tracy Brinkmann's tips. You can follow the link to read the full article

1. Understand that failure is an event, and not a person.

2. Become a lifetime, or better yet a perpetual, student.

3. Read something informational or inspirational every day.

4. Start the day and end the day with positive input into your mind.

Lizzie

Today's quote

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there”- Will Rogers

Will's right. In order to accomplish, we have to do. All the thinking in the world won't help us realize our goals and dreams if we don't act.

Positive New Year

Do you know that attitudes can be like a magnetic, attracting those of like minds? If you think “negative” most of the time, you’ll discover you’re surrounded by negative people. The same is true of “positive” thoughts and attitudes. Take a look at your friends and think about how their attitudes affect yours.

A few suggestions on staying positive:

Always use only positive words while thinking and while talking. Use words such as, 'I can', 'I am able', 'it is possible', 'it can be done', etc.

Try to disregard and ignore negative thoughts. Refuse to think such thoughts, and substitute them with constructive happy thoughts.

Watch movies that make you feel happy.

Associate yourself with people who think positively.

Walk, swim or engage in some other physical activity. This helps to develop a more positive attitude.

I put a link to a website that offered more suggestions, but I selected a few that I am going to work on for myself this week.

If we all strive to “think positive” maybe we’ll discover the not so great days this year are easier to handle. I don't know about you, but in today's world of conflict, anger and hatred, I can use all the help I can get.

Lizzie