Start Out Your New Year By...

thinking in a new way!

It's an exciting time of year because we have the chance to start all over. Even if our external life doesn't change a lot, certainly we have the control to change how we think. Isn't this the first step to changing how we live, afterall? We can do this any time of the year, of course, but what better time then right now at the start of 2010!

If you follow this blog at all, you know that I'm a book junkie. I have all kinds of information about books, CDs, Kindle reading materials and such from amazon.com. Yes, your purchases help me to keep my websites and blogs alive (thank you!), but I also love to talk about the books I read and the CDs I listen to when I'm driving about.

I've been reading Wayne Dyer's latest book, Excuses Begone!: How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defeating Thinking Habits. Hay House, 2009). I started reading this book on my Kindle New Years day and even the introduction really spoke to me. If ever there was a paragraph that describes just how would like to be, this would be it. The only thing better? If I had written it myself! ha! I read this paragraph, and knew I would have to finish the book soon. Our thoughts, afterall, do create our reality.

So ponder Dr. Dyer's writings about how he practices what to think and his experience studying the Lao-tzu ...

"I find I now choose thoughts that are flexible, not rigid; soft, not hard. I think with humility, not arrogance; with detachment, not attachment. I practice thinking small and accomplishing big things, as well as thinking in harmony with nature, rather than with my ego. The idea of not interfering replaces meddling and advising. I prefer peaceful solutions over the notion of fighting to solve disputes. I opt for contentment, rather than ambition; arriving, not striving. And most significantly, I choose thoughts that are congruous with the Great Tao (God), rather than the illusions of self-importance conjured up by ego." (Excuses Begone!: How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defeating Thinking Habits. Hay House, 2009).

Love this! If you would like to read more, click on any of the links to purchase your own Wayne Dyer gems. You won't pay any more, but your purchases help me to keep my blogs and websites (www.naturally-holistic.net and www.pray-with-beads.com ). I have devoured all of the books and meditations on the carousel below. Enjoy!

My Gift

Writing blogs and websites works for me in so many ways:

I enjoy it

I make extra money

I have hope for the future-more free time to enjoy the things that bring me joy!

What brings you happiness? Have you ever considered writing about it-sharing it with the world? It is so easy! Just click on the link above or below to learn more!

PS- The Special is my gift to YOU!

What Can I Give?

It is getting to the season where we think more about gifts. Sometimes we don't know 'what' to give to our coworkers, friends, those who help us out all year long (paper-delivery person) or even our loved ones.

Gift Giving Made Easy

Give to others because they need it, not because you need to provide it.

Sometimes we give gifts because it makes us feel good, not because we are giving someone what they really need. Most people have simple needs, whether they realize it or not. One thing we all have in common is the need to feel acknowledged and appreciated. This means we are understood. If you are a good listener, you will know what to give. The simplist, most thoughtful gift will be the most appreciated.

I recently had surgery and when I talked about it to my friends, I mentioned just how much I would love to have egg drop soup when I'm not feeling well. In fact, I mentioned it more than once. After surgery, someone very close to me offered to bring me something special, and brought me a couple cans of chicken noodle soup. I was appreciative, of course, but when I said that I was really craving egg drop soup, the reply was, 'oh, I didn't know you liked that.' The rest of the conversation was about his particularly bad day at work. The BIG GIFT I needed was simple acknowledgement. How often do we really give that gift to one another?

Prayer example for choosing the best gift for those we love:

Lord, please open my heart and my ears so that I may give the gift that _____ really needs from me. Release me from my need to provide this gift for any other reason. Amen

or repeat this mantra on every beads of your rosary or prayer beads:

I hear ___

Visit pray-with-beads.com and naturally-holistic.net for even more information

Kindle Magic

Click on any item above to learn more and order.

I've had my Kindle for almost 2 years and just love it. I can take all my favorite books with me and pick out new ones to be downloaded in just seconds. Did I mention that the downloads are yours forever and costs much less? I still love to hold a real book sometimes, but I just can't resist my Kindle.

Is this the year for you to experience some of the Kindle Magic?

Click on any amazon.com link to learn more and order your own Today!

Perspective!

Remember that question I ask myself to keep things in perspective?
Will I remember this on my deathbed?

So, what did I remember and think about on my 'deathbed?' (Okay-a little drama Queen here!)

I thought about my son and how I couldn't leave him alone. He has friends, but no other family for support. Since he was born and his father left, it was just the two of us.

I really wanted to see my husband. I felt very alone. I didn't expect to feel alone.

As I wrote, I try to live each day as if it could be my last, however I've failed miserably. This event really brought this home to me. Most of my days are spent working, and I certainly struggle with balance in my life.

I did not think about my work at all. This isn't to say that I don't love my work and put 100% or more into the relationships I have with my patients and coworkers. It is just that in the end, my work didn't matter. How I touched others and how they touched me did matter, though.

I remembered only good stuff, by the way. I really wanted to hang around for more!

Ways to Remember

Do you ever have a hard time trying to focus on what is really important? I do. The pull of the chaos and drama of the world seem to be so strong that I forget about what is really important. I heard a coach tell a player the other day to 'shake it off' after a player made a bad play. Sometimes we need to just 'shake it off' too.

How about a few ways to try and shake it off and remember what is really important?

I like to surround myself with simple beauty. I've created some beautiful bookmarks that really do the trick. First of all, I love to read. Taking the time to read is a little gift I give myself. Reading with a bit of bling or natural beauty-ah, perfection!

Visit Carmen's Treasures to see more examples. Each one is a one-of-a-kind, and they make great gifts.

Do You Have a Passion to Share?

Would you like to:

Spend more time with friends and loved ones?

Get a jump on holiday shopping?

Earn extra holiday cash for next year?

Share your Passion with the world and start a potential new career with a product that truly changes lives!


Learn about the Thanksgiving Special.

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Visit Pray-with-Beads.com to see what I did about my passion!