We all have strengths and weakness. Our strengths are usually referred to in positive terms such as "smart," "strong" or "talented." Rarely do we view our weaknesses or deficits as potential clues to our strengths. Some common and negatively perceived characteristics can actually help us ... Views: 7026
Sometimes it looks like things cannot get much worse. We may not be able to see how anything could possibly turn around. The world feels like it is crashing in on us from every side.
A man I know, I will call him Brad, hit rock bottom a little while ago. He lost his job of over ten years and ... Views: 1507
Conversation is probably the most important part of your dating experience. Sure, looking your best and having a good attitude matter, but most of your time together will in some way be spend in conversation. Following are a few tips to make your conversations more interesting, comfortable, ... Views: 1481
Whether you are watching a movie, riding in an elevator, listening to a commercial on the radio, or simply shopping, you will find that there is always some kind of background instrumental music playing. You may not even be aware of it, but it is there setting the mood. In a movie, it becomes a ... Views: 2319
We are often told to aim high in life, but we must aim at what we would hit instead. A general purpose is not enough. The arrow shot from the bow does not wander around to see what it can hit on its way, but flies straight to the mark. ~Og Mandino
We can aim for the stars, but without clear ... Views: 2007
To find the good life you must become yourself. ~ Dr. Bill Jackson
We all want to be liked by others. We want to be accepted for who we are, and we want to feel free to be our genuine selves around them. But sometimes we feel pressured to live up to a certain image or expectation of what we ... Views: 2271
Life can be hard, unfair, painful, and confusing. Sometimes it is overwhelming and we feel defeated. We may face situations that we do not think we can overcome and we just want to give up. We may lose faith and give up on ourselves, on others, and sometimes on life itself. Following are ... Views: 1634
Matt has an online relationship with a woman from another state. It isn’t anything serious, so why worry his wife? Katie has been hiding her spending sprees from her husband that has put them into serious financial debt. She is afraid if he finds out he will never forgive her. Jason never told ... Views: 1974
What is opportunity, and when does it knock? It never knocks. You can wait a whole lifetime, listening and hoping, and you will hear no knocking. None at all. You are opportunity, and you must knock on the door leading to your destiny. You prepare yourself to recognize opportunity, to pursue and ... Views: 1750
We’ve got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can’t just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it’s going to get on by itself. You’ve got to keep watering it. You’ve got to really look after it and nurture it. ~John Lennon
A special day is set aside every ... Views: 1826
Practicing gratitude is one of the best habits we can develop. It not only changes our lives, but it affects others around us. Our gratitude is like a positive energy that can inspire and energize others. I knew a woman who always confessed that she had a black cloud that followed her ... Views: 2115
One thing I absolutely love about a new year, or a new day for that matter, is that it gives us a fresh start to set new goals and implement new plans to pursue and achieve. I have recently set some new goals that have been keeping me very busy, motivated, and excited. One of my many goals ... Views: 1673
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. ~Winston Churchill
We live in a give-and-take society. When we give, we usually expect to get something in return. But sometimes we give for the sheer joy of giving. We don’t expect anything in return. It just makes us feel ... Views: 1569
We can all live with purpose because there is so much to live for. There are things we can pursue, discover, or accomplish that fill our lives with meaning and purpose. We can have vision for our lives, dream dreams, and fulfill our callings. There is always something for us to do. Pursuing ... Views: 1440
Ever wonder why people are the way they are or where they learned to be a certain way? We cannot discount the influence of upbringing, peers, environment and genetics. Although we have very limited or no control over some of the things that shape our children, we can do our part to make a ... Views: 4963
Before we set out to accomplish anything at all, we must begin with a clear picture in our minds of already having achieved our goal. We wouldn’t even imagine trying to glue broken pieces of pottery back together without any idea of what it’s supposed to look like. So, why should we go through ... Views: 1528
The holidays are some of the best times and opportunities we have to continue our family traditions. Many of us can recall how our families celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or birthdays every year. There are some extra special traditions we may remember. Maybe every Christmas we ... Views: 4666
What does it mean to be mature? According to Merriam-Webster, mature is defined as having completed natural growth and development. That is, being fully grown, complete, ready.
I do not believe that we arrive at a state of complete emotional maturity with no further need for growth and ... Views: 14663
I am thankful... for simple acts of kindness
Did you ever go shopping and get a survey request with your receipt? Most people don't take the time to give their input unless it's especially positive or negative. Well, I had one of those especially positive experiences yesterday. I was ... Views: 1674
How wonderful it would be if we could help our children and grandchildren to learn thanksgiving at an early age. Thanksgiving opens the doors. It changes a child's personality. A child is resentful, negative—or thankful. Thankful children want to give, they radiate happiness, they draw people. ~ ... Views: 1693
Can love be real without sincerity? Most would agree that sincerity is what makes love what it is. Genuine love is true. And it is true love that we all want. We want to know we are sincerely loved for who we are. We want to know that it is with sincere motives that those who love us say and do ... Views: 5121
Now that fall has arrived, I have been winding down a little and making time to watch some movies. A friend once recommended Walk the Line, based on the true life story of Johnny Cash, so that is what I decided to watch and I am so glad I did. I thought it was an excellent movie--very sad and ... Views: 1619
One of the greatest challenges in loving others is to forgive them when they have wronged us and caused us pain. Every time we are wronged, we have to choose how we are going to deal with the hurt. Ultimately, we have to decide if we will forgive the person or persons who have wronged us, or if ... Views: 2201
All sorts of things can trigger irritability in people, from minor traffic jams to major headaches. Everyone gets upset or annoyed sometimes. We all have lost our temper and reacted without thinking. We have succumbed to anger that drives us to say and do things we normally wouldn’t. And it is ... Views: 2296
To be demanding isn’t all bad, but there are many ways in which it can be unloving. It is one thing to be persistent in asking or requiring something, but excessively demanding one’s own way regardless of others’ rights or how they are treated indicates self-centeredness. Overly demanding people ... Views: 14670
You cannot be grateful and bitter. You cannot be grateful and unhappy. You cannot be grateful and without hope. You cannot be grateful and unloving. So just be grateful. ~author unknown
Are you experiencing some toxic emotions like anger, bitterness, irritability, hopelessness or ... Views: 2519
Happiness is itself a kind of gratitude. ~ Joseph Wood Krutch
When I first came across this quote, I had to stop and think about it. Why would happiness be a kind of gratitude? According to Webster's Dictionary, to be grateful or thankful is to be conscious of a benefit being received and to ... Views: 1732
Babies are always more trouble than you thought and more wonderful. ~Charles Osgood
Expecting a baby is a very exciting time in the life of couples wanting a child. As this precious new family member is carried in its mothers womb, the couple immediately begins to connect and care and ... Views: 1609
We are either the masters or the victims of our attitudes. It is a matter of personal choice. Who we are today is the result of choices we made yesterday. Tomorrow, we will become what we choose today. To change means to choose to change. ~John Maxwell
What kind of thoughts come to your mind ... Views: 2427
Although similar in many ways, jealousy and envy are not the same. Deep insecurities often lie at the root of jealousy. When someone is jealous they are afraid of losing something. They try to guard and protect what they fear losing. In doing so, they may become very possessive, competitive, and ... Views: 3736
There is overwhelming evidence that the higher the level of self-esteem, the more likely one will be to treat others with respect, kindness, and generosity. ~Nathaniel Branden
You may have heard it said that you can not love others if you do not love yourself. Having self-love means you care ... Views: 3777
It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth -- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up -- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had. ~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
We all have just one life to live. We ... Views: 3489
I am Thankful for… A Fit & Healthy Body
The first entry in this gratitude series focused on mental and emotional health. Here I will share my gratitude for physical health which I believe is a very significant part of our overall well-being. We sometimes overlook the mind and body ... Views: 3940
I am Thankful for… A Healthy Mind & Emotions
If we stop to think about it, there are so many things to be grateful for. As I was reflecting on all the good things, people, and blessings I enjoy, I starting compiling a long list. It seemed it would never end. In all actually, it never will ... Views: 4432
I have come across many articles and discussions on infidelity lately and find that there is a consensus. Infidelity, adultery, having an affair, cheating, betrayal... or whatever it is you want to call it, is a growing problem. Why is this? Some say that our culture has contributed to an ... Views: 5886
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. ~unknown
Anyone who loves and owns a pet knows the joy of companionship and ... Views: 3900
There is nothing that adequately prepares us for the most important job there is—parenting. Children and teens do not come with an owner’s manual, and most of our training is on the job. With our own parents as our most prominent role models, we tend to repeat what we have learned about ... Views: 1766
Before you got into a couples relationship, you had your own friends to hang out with and have fun. You never had to worry about a partner who did not like your friends or did not want to hang out with them. You never had to concern yourself with problems that could arise if you simply wanted to ... Views: 1636
Did you ever have so much to do that you didn’t know where to begin? So you just stared at what appeared to be a mountain before you, and you felt totally overwhelmed. Trying to take on too much at once can make you feel like you can’t handle any of it. It causes anxiety, distress and ... Views: 1437
Divorce is a major stressful event for children and adults. To children, divorce is confusing. They have so many concerns and questions about how their lives will change. They cannot control what is happening to their family, and they often think that they are responsible for their parents ... Views: 2126
People will forget what you did; people will forget what you said; but they won’t forget the way you made them feel. ~unknown
We all love to be around people who make us feel good. They may make us laugh and not take life too seriously. Their attitude and perspective may encourage us. They ... Views: 1498
Depression is very serious and often goes untreated in children and teens. Symptoms are commonly overlooked or minimized as part of growing up or something that will pass with time.
Child and teen depression has a negative impact on development, school performance, and relationships. ... Views: 2562
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. - John F. Kennedy
How trustworthy are our words if there is no action behind them? We can tell our kids not to smoke, but if they see us smoking, can we realistically ... Views: 3312
No one gets married thinking they will get divorced some day. Most people have goals and dreams of being together forever, raising a family, and sharing life for better or for worse. They plan on being a team, growing together, and supporting one another. But somewhere along the line, they ... Views: 1532
One of the most important decisions you will ever make is the decision of who you will spend the rest of your life with. Why is this so important? It is important because the direction of your life will be greatly influenced by that very choice. With time couples become alike in many ways. ... Views: 3205
Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy ~Leo Buscaglia
What is worry? Worry is negative meditation. To meditate is to be occupied in thought, to ponder and reflect. So when we worry, our thoughts are occupied with things that cause us distress, fear, or ... Views: 1484
Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses. ~ George Washington Carver
There never was and there never will be another person exactly like you. Your way of thinking, your appearance, you inherent talents and interests, your skills are like no ... Views: 1990
A person can live forty days without food, seven days without water, and a few minutes without air; but he cannot live one second without hope. ~unknown
Sometimes life can be so difficult, frustrating, and painful. There are times when we need someone to talk to who will listen, understand ... Views: 1464
We are either the masters or the victims of our attitudes. It is a matter of personal choice. Who we are today is the result of choices we made yesterday. Tomorrow, we will become what we choose today. To change means to choose to change. ~John Maxwell
What kind of thoughts come to your ... Views: 1488
Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something which must be done, whether you like it or not. Work breeds a hundred virtues that idleness never knows. ~Charles Kingsley
Work keeps our minds occupied. It forces us to set and meet goals that lead to a sense of ... Views: 1432