Life – Page 36 – Personal Growth Cafe

April 23, 2019March 13, 2018

How to Break Out of a Bad Mood

Bad moods are the dumps.

No one likes bad moods and even more so, no one wants to be around someone who’s feeling sour.

A bad mood is a great way to bring you – and everyone around you – down a dwindling spiral.

So how do you shake off a bad mood?

It’s easy! Just try out one of these simple ideas to turn your frown upside down:

1. Get dressed. That’s right.

Get up, take a shower, put on some nice clothes and gussy yourself up to the nines.

Studies have shown that your mood has a lot to do with your self-image.

How different do you think your self-image is between a just-rolled-out-of-bed look and a ready-to-hit-the-ground-running look?

By getting dressed and doing what it takes to make yourself look good on the outside, you feel better on the inside.

When you feel better on the inside, your mood changes significantly and you’re ready to face the day.

2. Get moving. Exercise releases hormones that help alter your mood.

Cleaning your space gets you moving and makes you feel better about your surroundings.

It doesn’t really matter what you do; just get up, get out, and get moving.

Many times your bad mood can be amplified by your lack of movement.

Getting up and doing something, whether it’s exercising or even walking over to the nearest coffee shop, can give you a big mood boost.

3. Read a book.

Reading a book takes you to a different place and allows you to step into someone else’s shoes.

Why not pick up a book by your favorite author and let them transport you out of your bad mood for an hour or so?

3. Meditate.

Deep breathing exercises and a focused mind can break you out of any sour mood.

Remember back in grade school when you were taught to take deep breaths and count to 10 when you got angry?

It was actually for a very good reason.

When focusing on one thing and breathing deeply, our bodies tend to respond in a positive way by relaxing and releasing tension.

4. Hang out with friends.

What are friends for?

Be around any of your good friends for any length of time and you’ll be snapped out of that bad mood so fast you won’t even know what hit you.

5. Laugh. There’s no possible way that you can laugh and stay in a bad mood.

It’s proven that your emotions follow your actions, which is why many therapists recommend taking action to cure things like anxiety and stress.

Next time you’re in a bad mood, try laughing.

I guarantee that you can’t stay in your bad mood after more than 5 minutes of continuous laughter!

6. Treat yourself. Do something just for you. You deserve it anyway.

The key is to just go a little overboard and do something you wouldn’t ordinarily do.

Have fun with it and make it memorable.

Go shopping for one of your favorite articles of clothing and splurge a little if you can afford it.

Have a massage or spa treatment.

Similar to the meditation, this is a great tool to relax and break you out of whatever might be dragging you down.

If you’re short on funds, go dream shopping.

Go to one of the most expensive stores around and try on clothes or go test drive your dream car.

Give yourself a reason to get back into the swing of things and get rolling again.

Get a hot fudge sundae with extra hot fudge.

While there are many other ways to shake yourself out of a bad mood, these are a few great ways to start.

Try some of them next time you’re feeling down.

Better yet, see how many of them you can make it through before your bad mood has completely vanished.

My guess is you might only make it to the second tip, then you’re just doing it because it’s fun!

What can you do to get you back into the right mood?

How can having a good mood help you be happier despite the challenges you face?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

Before you leave…

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April 22, 2019March 13, 2018

If you don’t like something, change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. – Mary Engelbreit

April 20, 2019March 13, 2018

Find Inner Peace in Chaos

Life can be truly hectic, even chaotic, if we don’t stop now and then to take a few minutes for ourselves.

With the invention of computers, our work lives were supposed to get easier, but it’s gotten busier than ever before!

The original mentality was that computers would allow us to get the same amount of work done in half the time.

That idea went out the window when we realized we could now get twice the work (or more) done in the same time.

Now our world has become so fast paced that it’s hard to keep up.

If you don’t stop the pandemonium, you can begin to feel as if your life is descending into a chaotic jumble.

Luckily, there are ways to deal with these overwhelming feelings and put some order back into your life.

Here are a few tips on how to turn your chaos around:

1. Take a break. Give yourself a chance to take in everything going on around you.

Even if your break is a nice hot bath instead of a shower, it can help.

Find a little time here and there to get some peace and quiet while you reflect on the events of the day.

2. Meditate. Meditation can be very helpful in bringing you peace.

Meditation doesn’t mean sitting uncomfortably and chanting like the monks in the movies.

Instead, it’s a very comfortable and soothing way to calm your mind and bring you the serenity you desire.

With a little practice, anyone can meditate. Just find a quiet, dark room and close your eyes.

Picture yourself on a bridge. Imagine you’re carrying chains with heavy weights at the end.

The weights represent your problems and the chaos around you.

Now imagine throwing those chains into the water and watching them disappear forever.

This imagery will help you settle into your meditation. Once you’ve cast away your burdens, you can imagine how peaceful your life can be.

3. Find the positive. No matter how chaotic things get, you can always try to find something good and positive in your situation.

Actively look for the silver lining. It could be something as simple as a favorite song, a picture, or the smile of another person that gives you some inner peace.

Look for these things and you will find them.

4. Slow down. While we have to multitask almost constantly these days, doing so tends to wear us down even faster.

Multi-tasking adds to the chaos around us.

Take one thing at a time and allow yourself to focus on that task alone.

While you may be able to handle three or more things at once, the quality won’t be nearly as good as if you focused on them one at a time.

5. Don’t let anyone drag you down. Be wary when considering the opinions of others.

Don’t ignore everyone, but don’t let yourself get bogged down with other people’s baggage and their issues, either.

Remove your personal chaos causers, even if one of the causes is other people.

6. Take out the drama. Eliminate the drama in your life, especially other people’s drama.

It’s not your concern, so stay out of it and don’t get caught up in it.

Focus on solving your concerns positively rather than enjoying pity parties. This will reduce the drama and turn your focus to something positive.

Everyone has some chaos in his or her life. It isn’t always a bad thing. Stress can be productive as well.

In fact, without stress and responsibilities, some people would never get out of bed!

Life will always have stress and problems, but how you react to them can dictate the level of chaos in your life.

The first step is realizing that you need to make some time for yourself. If you don’t, nothing you do will really make that much of a difference.

You can’t be there for everyone else if you aren’t taking care of yourself.

Use these tips every day to bring order to your life, and soon you’ll find peace instead of chaos.

How important is peace in your life?

How do you find inner peace during busy and tiring days?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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April 20, 2019March 13, 2018

Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness. – James Thurber

April 18, 2019March 13, 2018

Through my example, I bring joy to others.

April 17, 2019March 12, 2018

What seems impossible one minute becomes, through faith, possible the next. – Norman Vincent Peale

April 15, 2019March 12, 2018

How to Free Yourself from Anxiety

Anxiety and worry can take over your life if you allow it to.

Whether we like it or not, constant stress and worry can physically make us sick.

The good news is that there are ways to help alleviate anxiety.

The first step is to figure out exactly what you’re stressing about.

Is it something you can change? Is it something you have no control over?

By determining the root of your anxiety, you can better understand how you can overcome it.

For example, if you’re feeling anxious about losing your job, you have the capability to change this worry.

You can work harder to prove that you’re an indispensable part of the team or you can start searching for a new job.

Taking action is the surest way to defeat anxiety.

The truth is, there are plenty of situations in your life that you can change with some effort.

For example, if you’re concerned about your weight, the good news is that you can change it!

You already know it takes a healthy diet coupled with regular exercise.

Little by little, your weight will melt away and your health will improve.

By determining the root of your anxieties, and developing ways to turn them into something positive, you can often overcome them.

Here are some tips and techniques to help you manage your anxiety:

1. Know your anxieties. Write down exactly what’s causing your anxiety, then note down ways you can change the outcome.

Knowing what you’re up against is the key to feeling better about yourself and your current situation.

2. Breathe. Once you’ve pinpointed the things you need to change, sit back and take a breath.

This form of relaxation can help you calm your racing heart and give you peace of mind.

Rapid breathing from anxiety can lead to a panic attack.

Don’t let it get that far. Breathe deeply and slowly as soon as you feel yourself become worried or anxious.

3. Visualize. Perhaps one of the most effective ways to overcome anxiety is the technique of visualization.

Choose a quiet space in your home, light some candles, and close your eyes.

Imagine yourself in your ideal situation.

Feel how calm you are and visualize letting go of your worries.

Think about how happy you’ll be once your source of stress has been diminished.

Positive visualization can help you move toward the happier vision you’ve created in your mind.

4. Use positive affirmations. When things get tough and you feel yourself losing control, repeat a positive statement over and over in your head.

For example, if you’re in need of a job, you can repeat something like: “I am a valuable and hard working individual who is worthy of a fulfilling new opportunity!”

Reaffirming positive thoughts repeatedly can help you believe that anything is possible. The power of the mind is endless.

5. Diet and exercise. Eating a well-balanced diet and exercising can physically help you handle stress and anxiety.

The stronger the body is, the stronger the mind is.

It’s a fact: if you abuse your body with junk foods or drugs and alcohol, your body and mind will react in a negative way.

Take good care of your body and it will help take care of your worries.

6. Seek support.

Talk to someone who has been in the same situation.

Reaching out to friends and family or seeking professional help can do wonders to help you get rid of your anxiety.

Once you’ve seen that someone else has gone through and overcome what you’re experiencing, it gives you great hope that you, too, can do the same.

Anxieties are a part of everyday life.

How you choose to manage them is what makes the difference.

Stop letting anxiety control you.

Take the reins and let anxiety and worries know that you are the one in the driver’s seat of your life.

What are things that cause you to worry today?

How can you use what you learned here to free yourself from worries?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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April 15, 2019March 12, 2018

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult. – Seneca

April 14, 2019March 12, 2018

How to Live Consciously

Have you ever seen ants marching in search of food?

They just follow one another in an almost endless game that seems to drone on and on.

Does your life feel like an ant’s life – as if you’re going from day to day, doing the same thing, the same way, and nothing ever changes?

If so, then there’s a very good probability you’re not living consciously.

Conscious living is being aware of your life and the things you’re doing.

It’s about taking the time to stop and smell the roses so you can see where you fit into the whole picture.

Living consciously is a vital component in enjoying the fleeting moments we have on Earth.

It’s important to take note of what’s going on around us and be aware of what we’re doing.

Living consciously brings us an understanding of what we’re capable of doing and paves the way for us to get where we want to go.

Benefits of Conscious Living

Perhaps you’re wondering, “What’s in it for me?”

Conscious living brings with it many benefits, which you may already be seeking in your life.

Here are just a few of these benefits:

1. Relieve stress. Conscious living can be a great stress reliever.

Not only does it make life more enjoyable when you alleviate your stress, but it also makes you healthier.

Stress affects every process in our bodies and can cause serious disease if it builds up within us.

2. Expand your horizons. As you become more aware of your surroundings, you’ll find that you can better understand the world and your place in it.

3. Live in the moment. Throughout the day, you’ll be more focused on your work because you’re consciously acting on a specific task in the moment.

4. Enjoy more passion in your relationships.

While living consciously, your relationships will become more meaningful because you’ll be appreciative of them as well as the other person.

You’ll be more in tune with your partner and aware of every want and need.

5. Know your importance. Your job will become more fulfilling because you’re more conscious of your role in the grand scheme of things.

You no longer just answer a phone or hand someone a photocopy, but you are consciously making a difference.

6. Bring color into your world.

Your surroundings will become more vibrant because you’ll notice things like the subtle differences between the shades of the trees and the direction of the soft breeze.

7. Being conscious of life makes life more fun. When you’re living consciously, bad days are few and far between.

Action Steps to Living Consciously

Luckily, transforming your humdrum life into one filled with vibrant joy is easier than you may think!

You can make some simple adjustments to your everyday routines to live consciously and more fully enjoy your life.

Here are some action steps you can take to bring conscious living to your life:

1. Stop. Take some time to stop throughout the day and look around. Be aware of where you are and what’s around you.

Become conscious of your surroundings and notice how you fit into them.

Notice the details such as the green on the trees, or the condensation dripping down the side of the cup.

Become in tune with what your body feels and actually search out the sensations of your fingers and toes while feeling your chest rise and fall with each breath.

2. Breathe. Take deep breaths and be in the moment.

Don’t think about what you’ve done or what you still have to do, just take a minute or two to just breathe!

3. Learn. Take a few minutes each day to try something new.

Pick up a book you’ve wanted to read or learn a new skill.

By doing this, you’re starting to become conscious of your life and the things you can do with it.

There are many things you can do to live life to its fullest.

Living consciously is one of the easiest changes to make on a day-to-day basis.

Take a few of these ideas, integrate them into your routine, and begin enjoying the benefits of living consciously!

How much time do you give to yourself?

How are you living the life you have right now to your enjoyment?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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April 13, 2019March 12, 2018

How to Live Your Life with Intense Purpose

Wandering around aimlessly from day to day provides absolutely no benefit to you or those around you.

An unspecified purpose leaves you frustrated and lacking direction with everything you do.

If you don’t already know your purpose in life, take some time to reflect on what it may be.

Then make sure everything you do lines up with this purpose.

Discover Your Purpose

In order to find your purpose, look at the things you love to do and what makes you tick.

The trick is to figure out where you draw your internal energy from and where your gifts and talents are best used.

What do you do to recharge your batteries?

What do you absolutely love to do?

Take a little time to figure this out and then focus on it.

Choose Activities That Fulfill Your Purpose

Once you identify your purpose, look at the things you do on a day-to-day basis.

Do these activities add to your purpose or take away from it?

Everything you say, do, think and act on should complement your purpose and help fulfill you.

If it isn’t doing this, either drop the activity or delegate it to someone else.

An example of a purpose you might have is to provide a healthy and comfortable life for your partner and children.

What types of activities do you think fall in line with this purpose?

Let’s look at a few and see how they line up with your personal life purpose.

1. Cooking. Cooking your own food allows you to be the top chef.

You get to choose the ingredients in your food, rather than relying on some other person or company.

You can take out the salt, add flavor with herbs and spices, and reduce your portions to create something that fits within your family’s healthy lifestyle.

Plus you’re saving money, which can be used for your children’s education or a family retreat.

2. Cleaning. Keeping a clean house fulfills both the healthy and comfortable parts of your purpose.

By doing things like dusting, washing dishes, and taking out the garbage, you’re staying healthy.

Removing the clutter creates a more comfortable environment.

3. Exercise. Exercising, along with activities like yoga and meditation, help keep your mind and body healthy and comfortable.

These activities keep your weight down and make you feel better inside and out, which will also keep you strong for your family.

As you can see, each one of these activities adds to your purpose.

Things that distract you from your purpose might include eating out excessively, living beyond your means, and even sitting around doing nothing all day.

Negative or unfulfilling activities can be exchanged for the ones that supercharge both you and your life purpose.

Live With Purpose at Work, Too

For your professional purpose, you might have a passion to plan social events for you and your coworkers.

You can accomplish this by volunteering for your company’s activities committee or being on a board that plans events and meetings.

You can also start your own activity group and get things together for employee birthday parties in the office.

You can see how these ideas and actions fall directly in line with your passion and purpose.

Obviously you still have to get your job done, but you can certainly use your free time to fulfill your purpose.

Once you’ve identified your purpose, I challenge you to live your life with intensity toward that purpose.

Do everything you can to focus on your calling with the things you say, think and do.

If it isn’t necessary or doesn’t align with your goals, let it go.

Living your life with intense purpose renews your passion for life and enables you to be the best you can be.

It strengthens your self-confidence and, best of all, brings self-fulfillment.

Find your purpose today, and give it all you’ve got!

What is your purpose in life?

How are you making your life meaningful?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!