Positivity

  • Choices and decisions,  Positivity

    Have a little hope

    “Hope is a renewable option: If you run out of it at the end of the day, you get to start over in the morning.” ~Barbara Kingsolver Have you ever had a long conversation with a chronic complainer or a critic who finds fault with everything? If so, you know how easy it is to return home feeling deflated, exhausted, drained, or pessimistic. Negativity is as contagious as the norovirus — so it’s wise to avoid exposure if you can. Today’s quote reminds us that we can choose to steer toward a better outlook. Have a little hope — and a wonderful weekend! ~CL

  • Personal growth,  Positivity

    How to brighten your dark thoughts

    “I once had a garden filled with flowers that grew only on dark thoughts, but they needed constant attention, and one day I decided I had better things to do.” ~Brian Andreas To prepare yourself for disappointment, do you usually expect the worst rather than the best outcome? Sometimes it’s not a bad idea to lower your expectations. But if you’re not careful, pervasive gloomy thinking can become a habit or a way of life. And when you lower your expectations along with your mood, sometimes your standards get lowered at the same time — which is never a good thing. Negativity is lazy and self-destructive. Positivity takes tremendous effort, which is why so…

  • Friendship and relationship advice,  Personal growth,  Positivity,  Rumi

    Luminosity

    “Look carefully around you and recognize the luminosity of souls. Sit beside those who draw you to that.” ~Rumi Other people’s moods — and viewpoints — are contagious. In fact, there’s a clinical study suggesting that we become like the five people with whom we spend most of our time. (This might explain why so many married couples and lifelong best friends actually resemble each other.) According to this theory, if your spouse and peer group are serial pessimists and complainers, you might be one too. It’s also likely that you share the same political views. Psychological studies aside, I’m always drawn to folks who spread their sunshine and draw…

  • Health & wellbeing,  Kindness quotes,  Motivation,  Positivity

    Get glowing!

    “Remember that you are, indeed, as the stars. You glow with the same intensity. The answers that you seek outside of yourself may very well be found within the cosmic intelligence inside you. Go ahead; show the world what you are made of! Sparkle, shine, light the way, and brightly blaze as you are meant to do.” ~Mishi McCoy Lately I’ve been obsessed with sequins, stars, and glitter. The way I see it, “sparkle and shine” shouldn’t be limited to Christmas ornaments, Fourth of July fireworks, or cocktail dresses. Though the holidays are over, I’m still carrying a Vera Bradley tote bag that’s embellished with sequins. And my new Skechers…

  • Health & wellbeing,  Positivity

    What if …?

    “You’ll never get anywhere if you go about what-iffing like that.” ~Roald Dahl In a yoga class earlier this month, our instructor began the morning practice with a short talk about dealing with anxiety. Many of us focus on negative outcomes when we’re worried, she explained, which only makes us twice as anxious. And then she posed the question, “What if we focus instead on what it will be like when everything turns out OK?” In so doing, we could change the tone of our day. It was such a simple idea — yet it stayed with me ever since and has been a useful tool for quieting the waves of…