Think, Be, Glow

Being thankful is so easy, but because it is so easy...it is also so easily forgotten. Without much trouble, we can go hours, days, even weeks and not thank anyone. We have built a society in which it is too easy to not even think thanks.  Sad. Really sad. 
Today I'm dedicating this post to grace; to being grateful. By thinking thanks you not only ease stress and by default, enter a state of optimism, but also glow thanks. It's true. Thankful people look different. They smile more, walk taller, and glow. Keep watch for this. And the more conscious a person is about this phenomenon, the more potential they have to glow. And that's just thinking thanks.
By being thanks you run your life. You are the leader. Being grateful means sharing grace. And sharing grace is to truly understand thanks and live it. Let yourself feel thankful and let others know when you do. Being thanks is thinking thanks to the fullest.  Reflect upon actions, happenings, events. How did someone else impact you, your day, your time? It is amazing what you'll find. 
Being thanks is to truly glow. To shine. To sparkle with presence, optimism, and grace. Being thanks means carrying yourself differently in a world lived differently. It is a life of peace. Being thanks simplifies the world into a society of ease, of nice, of beautiful.  *Simple*, small alteration have the potential to change your life. Be thanks today. Share your grace. Glow.

Hope (with a smile)

This quote found me today; funny how somethings happen just like that - at just the right time.  I couldn't help but take it in and then send it along.... perhaps it will find you in just the same way. Applicable to every single person - amazing. (Especially calling out to all with migraine!) Maybe these words came today for a reason? I think they did.


One day you will see that it all has finally come together.
What you have always wished for has finally come to be.
You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself,
"How did I get through all of that?"
Just never let go of hope.
Just never quit dreaming.
And never let love depart from your life. 
~ J. Campi


Powerful. True. Peaceful. Happy. Hope. Enjoy!

Today's wisdom

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. - Buddha

Daily goals offer opportunities for Daily Success

Did you set a goal today? A mini goal - nothing big, nothing too hard, not a 'goal of the world'...an achievable goal. Why not? 


Today seems to be a life of big, better, best....always. A life of more, faster, now....always. No matter what, the world today instills 'dream big', rather than, 'dream to achieve'. We are constantly set up for failure - and we set ourselves up for making it almost perfect, just a second too late, not quite good enough. Why work towards disappointment?


Perhaps we are trying to do too much? Be too much? Own too much? Hard to confess too - especially today - in a world where the standards are set miles above the clouds.  Perhaps we need to be reminded of *simplicity*. When life was *simpler*, did it go wrong? - No.  So what caused the change from *simple* to go, go, go? To be, be, be? To do, do, do? .... we did.


This week I too found myself 'stuck' in this cyclic bout of sadness.  Why wasn't I smiling enough? Laughing enough? Controlling my emotions enough? Yesterday I realized how sad I had made myself.  I know I smile everyday, and have been recently laughing more than I have in years. But I came down on myself for crying.  Crying? What's wrong with crying? 


Reflecting today, I realized that I was being too hard on myself. Crying is fine. Crying is extra fine during the ups and downs of cancer and chemo.  Rather than letting myself really cry, I held back because 'if I cried then it would alter my healing'....what the heck was I thinking? Crying is natural. And cancer is scary, chemo is difficult and it is my Dad with two types of cancer. Not to mention how much my migraine was pounding.


Dad reminded me yesterday about the little things that are often overlooked. I had become caught up in fear. Fear about my healing just because of a little set back - one bad migraine.  And without knowing it, I let my fear spiral and my energy was spent in anxiety rather than in living and without knowing it chemo scared me more than ever.  


Thanks for the chat Dad - today I'm back on track and setting daily goals. Goals that I can achieve without being swept up in the world of the 'unachievable' or the world of 'perfect'. Goals add self-esteem, self-worth, and a sense of satisfaction, especially in world of healing.  They slow the world down, even for a second, to help be in the moment.  And the best part - fear doesn't exist in the moment. 


Have you set a goal today?  

Sending Easter Joy

heaven

    peace

         soul
 spirit

     blessings

         renewal

I found an Easter card with this blessing - couldn't be more perfect to send to my parents.  I was so touched by the simplicity and depth of the saying and want to share this *Wish for Happiness* to all. 

Happy Easter come this Sunday!

Best Friends Create the Power to Heal

Who is your Best Friend? Think deep. Who can you always rely on? Who is always there for you, through sunny days and mud slides, through laughs, tears, fear, worry, true happiness? The one that shares your hopes and dreams and challenges you everyday? Who is your Best Friend?....

Many are quick to think a favorite girlfriend, a spouse, even their Soul Mate. But going deeper, would these relationships exist if you were not your own Best Friend first? The power of self-belief, self-esteem, self-worth is priceless. And realizing, seeing, understanding your inner self is the key to all relations. For how can you offer yourself to others if inside you are not 'worthy'?

And once this idea is captured, it's power is limitless. The Self has no boundaries, no borders, no stop signs. Once the Self is released, a new 'person' is born. Confidence has a new meaning. Not pride. Confidence. Knowing that no matter what, you can get through. And that no matter what you have all of the tools to live, to be, to survive, to master yourself, to master your life.

Would you ever leave your best friend's bedside during terminal illness? - No. Be that Best Friend to yourself. The Self has incredible healing powers - all just waiting to be trusted. Have faith and take a leap; let go. You'll find the Self has amazing offerings. Believing in yourself alone opens doors for healing and growth.

Trust yourself. Be your own Best Friend. Accept all hope and inspiration from within. Create your own power to heal.

Update by studio mr

Many new and exciting additions are in progress in studio mr! Please hang tight and continue to send support, subscribe, and share my site with others. 


In the meantime, please visit the new Inspiration Journal and Gratitude Wall. Join me in giving thanks and sharing inspiration via 'comments' on this post and the previous post officially introducing the Gratitude Wall. I look forward to both ongoing 'open' projects! 


Thank you again for your support, consistent readership, and don't be shy - share your 'thank yous' and 'inspiration of the day'....and get EXCITED for the future of studio mr! 

Come visit the new renovations of studio mr!

Introducing the Gratitude Wall, by studio mr. Please take a visit (link is listed on the right) and share your Thank You's, Lucky's, and Appreciation. Take a second and reflect on your day, your life, opportunity for a delicious lunch outside, an extra great yoga session, and/or the wonderful people in your life ...friends, family and those who inspire you....the wall is open to all gratitude.

Please feel free to visit anytime and share the things you're grateful for....this project is an ongoing *Thank You Simple*.

This post is dedicated to everyone who has helped me through this website. I am so lucky to have such an awesome readership - thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Perfect. What is Perfect?

Seems we throw the idea of 'Perfection' around in every aspect of life. How did this happen? Where did it come from? Why is 'Perfect' so important; all the time?


Yesterday a great friend reminded me how obsolete Perfect is. Nobody is Perfect. No need to be Perfect. No need for anxiety to reach Perfection. Rationally all makes sense. But Perfect exists everywhere. How can this be if Perfect isn't even 'real'?

What was everything but a conversation about Perfection, has had me thinking about Perfect all day. What is Perfect? I think I've figured it out. Perfect is everything but what we make it to be. Perfection is not reaching the 'perfect weight', having the 'perfect pair of jeans', baking the 'perfect batch of cookies', hosting the 'perfect party', 'color-coordinating perfectly (the decor, this evening's outfit, every kitchen towel)', owning the 'perfect home' or looking outside at a 'perfect backyard'.

Perfect is a realization. Perfect is being conscious of the moment and grateful for that moment, in that moment. Perfect is a sense of awareness - an understanding of time and true being. Gratitude, consciousness and Perfection are hand-in-hand. Without gratitude Perfect does not exist. And without realizing how much the 'now' has to offer, Perfect does not exist. Living 'now' revels true Perfection. We can not 'live' for a Perfect world - rather let's 'live' the Perfect world.

I thank you Friend for reminding me about Perfect. It is amazing how easily we can become (and how easy it is to fall) so out of touch with something so, so, very *simple*.

How to be 'extra' Irish + blessings and luck

   

Sending a few of my favorite Irish blessings...

For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way-

Good health, good luck, and happiness

For today and every day.

May joy and peace surround you, 
Contentment latch your door, 
And happiness be with you now 
And bless you evermore.

Dance as if no one were watching,

Sing as if no one were listening,

And live every day as if it were your last.

Tips to be 'extra' Irish today - appreciate all you have, the world around us, family and friends....

Wear GREEN today! (and be sure to pinch anyone not)

Take a deep breath of nature...and appreciate it; even for just a moment.

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle

Share an Irish blessing with someone you love

Spend as much time enjoying nature as possible today

Drink a beer!

Wear GREEN :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Are you Soul Mates?

Tough question - Easy answer....

And when one of them meets with his other half, the actual half of himself, the pair are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy and one will not be out of the other’s sight even for a moment.

-Plato (2,500 years ago)  

You know you've found your Soul Mate, Twin Mate, Perfect Other Half when:

1. Laughter is part of everyday; no matter what - rain or shine, tragedy, loss, pain, pleasure - laughter comes natural.
2. This person makes it into every thought you think, everyday....somehow!
3. You have utmost trust in each other.
4. You've found your Best Friend. Someone you can always count on.
5. Sharing is so easy. Share hopes, dreams, chores and dishes, funny times, sad minutes (hours, days, years)....and somehow the laughter is still surfacing daily.
6. Silly has a new meaning and a permanent part of life.
7. Random days are so much easier because you know you're so in love with your Perfect Other Half and at that very moment, your Soul Mate is thinking the exact same thing.
8. You've found a happiness that you never knew existed.
9. Growing old (even 30!!) is now so exciting - Imagining all time together has to offer undoubtedly makes you smile.
10. Laugh together in the morning, laugh together in the evening, and secretly laugh together every minute in between.

I dedicate this to my Soul Mate - I love you. And I send hope and patience to everyone still searching for their Twin Mate. Patience pays off.

Be a survivor

My Dad is my Super Dad. He is living through both brain cancer and colon cancer...isn't one cancer enough? Through the past 4 years I have learned more from my Dad than ever. Most of all, I learned the importance of a strong soul and that positive pays off. I read these few bits and pieces from a couple of articles today and don't think the thoughts could be better said.

Life is both magic and tragic. We all have to face loss, failure, and disappointment sometimes. People who are optimistic find a way to recover. They develop resilience. Life is a series of recoveries. 

Dad you are my inspiration everyday. I've seen proof that smiling more, believing in the 'unbelievable' and looking forward to miracles not only strengthens daily life, but it gives hope to everyone you touch. You are so much more than a 'survivor' to me - you're my Super Dad. I look forward to everyday and the lessons I'm going to learn from you. I hope this collection of words give hope, faith, and a smile to everyone 'recovering' from any of life's twists and turns.


Most of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dad! I love you.

Make today a *Thank You Thinking Day*

Gratitude - There is so much in this world we are all so lucky for....and probably never think twice about it. Have a *Thank You Thinking Day* today. It's the little things that really mean the most....a hot water shower, friends near and far and family, even those you haven't talked to for years. They care. Just take a second a *think thanks* for these people. Feel lucky for the flowers that you thought would surely die that are now in full bloom. And for (in my case, that the rain didn't completely overflow the my backyard - 'our bog').

Everyone is entitled to sadness. So let yourself have a sad day - but be thankful that sadness comes and goes and think an extra thought of thanks for your health.

Today I feel lucky that my orchids are growing! Blooming? - No.  Do orchids ever re-bloom?  But they are loving life...no worries, no let downs, no gripes. Nature has a way of taking full advantage of *thank you thinking*. Something in our face daily, and yet why is it so hard to learn from? Maybe take all that's needed is a 'closer look'.

And I'm also thankful for the ability to realize 'thanks'. So easily overlooked. Today, stand still for a second. Look around...and enjoy. And more than ever enjoy your *Thank You Thinking Day*.

PS- No thinking about tomorrow....*thank you thinking* is about the now. For me again, thanks for reading! I'd love, love to hear about your *Thank You Thinking Day" - feel free to leave a comment.