Sunday Gratitude

Don't we all love waking up everyday feeling awesome? Especially on a quiet Sunday morning while savoring a cup of hot green tea on one hand and scrolling my iPhoto on the other hand. Sunday is the day where I can just BE. It's kind of ME day to reflect and refresh. Whether simply be reading posts on twitter, checking on facebook or even trolling people on the internet while watching Super Soul Sunday on television can be self medicating experience. It's time to acknowledge the peacefulness and gratefulness in our hearts. I will then start digesting self talk that are both negative and positive. My mind starts wondering about all the things that had happened and things of what is going to happen. At the same time, I recognize the beauty around me and all the blessings in life. I find it challenging to remind myself that thoughts will come and go so I need to replace that negative thoughts with positive words all the time. And if out of words, simply saying 'thank you' is enough. How do you express your Sunday gratitude?

We should always express gratitude to the simplest things in life such as the smell of fresh cut grass, bright sunshine, clear blue sky, the sound of waterfall, or singing birds in the background.

Thank you is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you express extreme gratitude, humility, understanding. ~ Alice Walker

From Marc and Angel Hack Life's book: 1,000+ Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently - Here are the list of ten useful reminders (that can change our attitude towards life):

1. Let go of what isn't helping your soul. Smile and grow. - Life is to be enjoyed, not endured. Follow a path that moves you. You are always free to do something that makes you smile.

2. Let go of the baggage you know you need to leave behind. - As we grow older and wiser, we begin to realize what we need and what we need to leave behind. Sometimes walking away is a step forward.

3. Let go of feeling like you aren't making progress fast enough. - No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn't trying.

4. Let go of the idea that you have too much to lose. - In the end, you won't regret the things you've done nearly as much as the things you didn't do when you had the chance. I'd rather have a life of "OH WELLS" than a life of "WHAT IFS". Wouldn't you agree?

5. Let go of worrying about everyone else's opinions of your life. - When writing the story of your life, don't let someone else hold the pen.

6. Let go of your tendency to avoid problems. - You cannot change what you refuse to confront.

7. Let go of all your empty complaints. - If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

8. Let go of the excuses. - If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't you'll find an excuse.

9. Let go of lazy attitudes and routines. - You can't underestimate a person who always works hard. Be that person. In life, you don't get what you wish for; you get what you work for.

10. Let go of the idea that it's too late to start over again. - Remember, it's always better to be at the bottom of the ladder you want to climb than the top of the one you don't.

"You are responsible for what you hold in your mind, not for what goes through it". ~ John Roger

Personal Rituals

When something feels missing in your life and you can't quite figure it out, what do you do? How much time do you spend with yourself? Usually not much time. We are all busy with work, family and life responsibilities that can be overwhelming. Take time to get in touch with yourself and learn about things that can rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. Whether it's mediation, yoga, reading or even just simply be yourself doing nothing. Create a set of time for "personal rituals" pursuing your hobby or to do the things that make you happy. There are many ways to unwind and nurture your soul.

When feeling overwhelmed or out of touch, take two minutes and do one, or a combination of, the following:

2-minutes to Mindfulness. Speaking of no judgement, mindfulness is “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally,” as defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn. I learned two mindfulness practices for regulating attention and getting in touch from Chade-Meng Tan’s “Search Inside Yourself.”

Way One: Bring gentle and consistent attention to your breath for two minutes. That’s it. Start by becoming aware that you are breathing, and then pay attention to the process of breathing. Every time your attention wanders, just bring it back very gently.
Way Two: Sit without an agenda for two minutes. Life really cannot get much simpler than that. The idea here is to shift from “doing” to “being,” whatever that means to you, for just two minutes. Just be.

Establish Personal Rituals. Get clear on energizing rituals that turn you inward. A few of my ideal favorites include: morning visualization of how I want the day to feel and what is dying to be born, reading quotes, going through my pictures on iPhoto, savoring a cup of tea, 2-hour blocks of creative time, and yoga.

“Don’t worry about where or who you’re going to be in five years. Like high school, you will look back and wish you had done so many things differently. Know that and do them differently now. Focus on what’s in front on you. Work on the relationship you have with yourself first. Slow down. Enjoy today. It’s okay to not know. Eat alone in restaurants. Stop trying to prove something. Seek growth instead of validation. Be heard. Have non- negotiables. Go somewhere. Pull from your Solid Self as much as you can. Process (get therapy). Don’t compartmentalize people. Love fearlessly, even if you’ve been crushed before. Eat clean. Toss your scale. Pull yourself out of the victim role. Exercise your forgiveness muscle (you will need this). Don’t be concerned with what others think of you. Accept your story. Don’t chase paper. Seek truth. Be patient.” — THE ANGRY THERAPIST: Twenties 

Every day I would remind myself of this "to-do" list:

1. Trust your journey.
2. Breathe.
3. Nourish your soul.
4. Smile.
5. Be love.

"You need not worry about your worries. Just be. Don't be restless about ‘being quiet’, miserable about ‘being happy’. Just be aware that you are and remain aware - don't say: “Yes I am; what's next?” There is no ‘nex’t' in ‘I am’. It is a timeless state". ~ Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Love of One Self

People tend to focus on feeling good which is 'positive' thing to do. We do things that make us happy. But often times, we also focus way too much on 'negative' issues that always pop up to mind. The mind is amazing.. which is why we must watch our beliefs and from time to time, change all our negative beliefs into positive and empowering ones. I personally love reading affirmations quotes and using them to change my belief system.

People are constantly changing and growing. Do not cling to a limited, disconnected, negative image of a person in the past. See that person now. Your relationship is always alive and changing. - Brian L. Weiss



One of the best days of your life (if you have not yet already experienced it) will be when you discover beyond any doubt that your thoughts and feelings are creating your life. The universe keeps throwing challenges at us until we finally get the lesson and move on.

Life is miraculous progressive journey where life gives us with countless stormy times in the highway of life and success. You must dare to rise above every stormy circumstances being positive to discover your true self. As every stormy circumstances gives birth to great achievers. You are divine being in the form of human gifted with infinite intelligence but you can be who you desired to be only when you take massive passionate action on your dream purpose rising above stormy circumstances.

With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose. - Wayne W. Dyer

Honor your past and embrace your journey. You've grown on your path. Have the courage to let go of control. Choose to forgive yourself for mistakes made and learn from each one. You are empowered. Challenge and face fears, embracing opportunities as they come. Change can happen in a moment. Be present and ready. You are exactly where you need to be. Embrace the present moment as if you've chosen it. Live the present moment as if you're choosing the next.

There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life. - John Lennon

These are two of my favorite quotes by Marianne Williamson:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Stand YOUR ground today.
Stand on your wisdom.
Stand on your principles.
Stand on your clarity.
Stand on your compassion.
Stand on your flexibility.
Stand on your serenity.
Stand on your love.

Simple Truth

“I think it's very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not defined by another person.” ~ Oscar Wilde

“Manifest Plainness
Embrace Simplicity
Reduce Selfishness
Have few Desires.” ~ Lao Tzu

For one minute, please stand in silence and look at the sky and contemplate how awesome life is. Find a quiet spot everyday and breathe.

The truth is we all want to have joy, creativity, energy, love and acceptance.

Sometimes a meaningful silence is always better than meaningless words... Being open to the currents and waves takes stillness and quiet of mind. “To the quiet mind all things are possible. What is a quiet mind? A quiet mind is one which nothing weighs on, nothing worries, which, free from ties and from all self-seeking, is wholly merged into the will of God and dead to its own.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

It's interesting how we doubt our own ability based on what others may think of us. We have negative thoughts that consume our perception and somehow we seem to attract things that we don't want to see rather than seeing positive outcome in life. We need to remind ourselves again of action that needs to be taken. Find the time to be alone, slow down and focus on what truly matter the most. At the end of the day, the only thing we can do is live our truth, speak that truth, and be that truth. When we live from a place of deep honesty, first with ourselves, we can never be rejected.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I would tell my younger self these simple reminders:

• WHO you are is what makes you special. Do not change for anyone.
• WHAT lies ahead will always be a mystery. Do not be afraid to explore.
• WHEN life pushes you over, you push back harder.
• WHERE there are choices to make, make the one you won’t regret.
• WHY things happen will never be certain. Take it in stride and move forward.

“Wouldn’t it be powerful if you fell in love with yourself so deeply that you would do just about anything if you knew it would make you happy? This is precisely how much life loves you and wants you to nurture yourself. The deeper you love yourself, the more the universe will affirm your worth. Then you can enjoy a lifelong love affair that brings you the richest fulfillment from inside out.” ~ Alan Cohen 
 
I do the very best I can to look upon life with optimism and hope and looking forward to a better day. Here's to another decade of unlocking the pursuits of happiness, goodwill and true purpose.

You are the only one that creates your reality. That's the truth!