HOW OFTEN DO YOU DO THIS? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 123

Living a thankful life can make each day joyful, each burden lighter, each relationship better, and relieve the stress that plagues so many of us these days. With all the trouble in the world today it is too easy to think only of what is wrong in our lives.  I know it is easy to be bogged down with unhappy thoughts, angry reactions, bitter feelings, and despair over things that are not as we want them to be.  In spite of these things, however, there is one thing each of us can do to help ourselves.

Being thankful is not just for religious people, but it is for all people.  I truly believe that every person can find things each day for which to be thankful.  Beauty, music, art, nature, and kindness are available to all of us at no cost so even the poorest of the poor can enjoy them.  Family, friends, work, health, opportunities, and so many other things to be thankful for are truly blessings.

Today's message is:

COUNT BLESSINGS!

WHO INSPIRES YOU? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 74

Are you a creative person who looks for inspiration?  Inspiration can be found in music, nature, literature, religion, art, and conversation.  It can come to you suddenly out of nowhere.  Do you provide inspiration to others?  Do you provide inspiration to yourself?  You should be the first person from whom you seek inspiration.  Find a quiet place and think your own thoughts.  You will be surprised at what happens.

Today's message is:

INSPIRE MYSELF!

ARE YOU STRESSED? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 23

Life seems to be particularly filled with stress these days.  No matter your age, occupation, health, family, or income we are all susceptible to stress.  Stress is very damaging to  health and well being so it is crucial that you take care of yourself and find ways to relieve your stress.  Exercise, hobbies, music, volunteering, resting, reading and meditating are all known to be stress relievers.  Find what works for you.

Today's message is

Defeat Stress

DO YOU WANT EVERYTHING TO BE VANILLA? - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 17

Are you set in your ways?  Do you dislike change?  Are you fearful of things you do not understand or with which you are unfamiliar?  Do you willingly try new foods?  Are you a fan of only one type of music? Are your friends just like you?  Do you try new ideas?  Do you make new friends wherever you go?  Do you always visit the same section of a bookstore or library?  Do you tend to wear the same colors all the time? Do you always vacation in the same place?  Can you discuss politics or religion with someone who has opposing views?

We live in a world which offers abundant choices and opportunities.  You don't have to be wealthy or even solvent to try many things which cost little to nothing.  Open yourself up to new experiences, people, sounds, vistas, foods, cultures, and changes in general.

Today's message is:

Love diversity!

It Is Friday, Time Is Flying, But Enjoy The Anticipation

Today is the 16th. Hanukkuh begins on the 21st. Christmas Eve is on the 24th. New Year's Eve is on the 31st. Now I realize all of you know these dates .......so why am I writing them in this post, you ask? If you are like I am, then your to-do lists are overly ambitious and guaranteed to cause stress and anxiety as the days on the calendar go by and the hours on the clock tick louder and louder. When this happens I seem to try to kick everything into high gear and just get it all done (must have been all those years in retailing that did this to me). Well, not this year.......I have decided that I want to enjoy the anticipation of the holidays, the actual preparations for them, the shopping and baking and wrapping and decorating, the parties and music........I will not just rush to get it all done this year. Life is so fragile that we never know what can happen between these holidays and those of 2012. Slow down, take some deep breaths, kiss your children and grandchildren, turn off the lights and sit in front of your Christmas tree or your Menorah and remember what the holidays are actually about and why we acknowledge and celebrate them. Enjoy peace, tranquility, togetherness and happy memories. That is what I am going to do!!!

Adults Robbing Our Children

Isn't it incredible the way music can transport us to a specific time or place in our lives or make us think of a special person or event? I have always thought life would be better with background music.........not elevator music, but music appropriate to our daily lives. Perhaps the saying, "Music soothes the savage beast" is correct. I think it might be very difficult to be filled with hate,rage or violence if people could hear background music that is happy, uplifting, and that makes them want to march or dance. I enjoy listening to music of different types depending on what I am doing and/or the mood I am experiencing. I have downloaded onto cd's and iPod the music that has special memories for me from throughout my life. I have not yet captured all of the songs, but enough so that I can enjoy, reminisce, tap my feet, smile, weep, or be uplifted depending on which selection is playing. In elementary school I learned to sing and the basics of how to read music from a wonderful teacher (Fiona Calder). I then learned more about singing and being part of a choir from Mrs. Kemp, the director of the junior choir at our church. In junior high school I learned about opera and classical music from Mrs. Wallach, a no-nonsense teacher who knew a great deal about music. Although I don't have a great voice and never learned to play an instrument, music has made a major contribution to my life. I am not artistic in any sense of the word, but I still remember art teacher August Pagel who taught in elementary and junior high school To remove music and art from public schools is doing a grave injustice to today's children and robbing them of the chance to learn what can make a monumental difference in their lives. Music and art can not only broaden the horizons of children from all backgrounds, but can also soften the hard edges of poverty and difficult home lives. Why do we think athletics are more important than the arts? I think athletics are important for the health and well-being of children, learning teamwork and sportsmanship. However, I don't think athletics should be saved at the expense of the arts because in truth our children need athletics, art and music to become well-rounded individuals. What do you think? Comments are welcome!