BACK TO SCHOOL at the UNIVERSITY of LIFE

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE


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" IT'S TIME FOR SPRING 'CLEANING "!

Most of us are anxiously awaiting the signs of spring; sighting the first robin, green grass, budding flowers and trees.
While some groan at the task of Spring Cleaning, I know many more who truly look forward to this time to start fresh--out with the old, in with the new! I am always amazed by how much "lighter" I feel when I condense and throw away all of that "stuff", or that I could possibly even HAVE 10 trash bags worth to get rid of!

I suggest starting small...one room ( or even cabinet/closet) at a time.
Don't make it a monumental task. I know some who make it more fun by wearing a silly hat as they clean. (whatever works!)
Donate clothes and other items your aren't using; check the cupboards and medicine cabinets for expired items, change the batteries in your smoke detectors, and of course clean, sweep and vacuum. (Don't forget to clean out the car, too.)
My favorite part is opening up all the windows to get all the fresh air in! (If its too chilly, just do it for 5 minutes.) Take a deep breath and fill your lungs with it. Afterward, treat yourself to a long soak in that sparking tub.

Once you begin to cleanse your physical environment and feel the refreshing change it brings, you may be inspired to do some "Spring cleaning" in other areas of your life...which is where I will pick up in the next issue...

Happy Spring!!!

“Spring Cleaning”, Part 2

Spring has definitely arrived!
Now that we have cleansed and de-cluttered, we can look forward to cleaning out the cobwebs in other areas of our lives.
Is there anything that you have been putting off for another time? Something positive OR negative? I have found by diving into the photo’s that need organizing, completing the mending that needs to be done, utilizing an efficient filing system, or tying up other loose ends seems to set me in motion for all the other tasks to be taken care of…books to finish reading, conversations/discussions that keep getting put off, the “diet’ that never seems to get started (or is forgotten 2 days later!) This even helps to prompt self-care or indulgences like a long bubble bath, a luxurious nap, or maybe even a long weekend retreat!
One small change has the power to create a powerful ripple effect, in your life and the lives of those around you. When we release our “baggage” (physical or emotional), we have more room for joy and happiness to share with those around us.
What made you happy as a kid? That is a terrific place to start. Usually, the simplest pleasures and dreams are the most profound.
What do you want to add into your life? What do you want to let go of?
Look at the world around you with the fresh, new eyes instead of those weary with the trials and tribulations of daily life, and be filled again with the wonder of children…
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Embracing The Spirit of Giving  By Nita Keesler, As published in Times Publishing Newspapers.

How do we embrace the spirit of giving from the heart?
First, let me ask you--is it simply a coincidence that the season of
giving follows the holiday we set aside to give thanks and acknowledge
gratitude for all that we have, and are striving to achieve? Once we
give honest, heartfelt appreciation for our blessings, it is only natural to want to share it with those special people in our lives.

How much more fulfilling is it to give AND receive a gift given from  the heart, rather than out of obligation? We have all experienced both sides of this at some point; whether it is a tangible present, or the gift of one's time, energy, or to lend and ear to listen, or a shoulder to lean on...
It is not much fun to give something solely based on "having to buy for
so and so...." and the gift usually reflects the thought in the form of
being something that the person really wouldn't want, need or use.

(We started a tradition a while back of giving an "Oh, gee thanks..."
kind of gift. An inexpensive, terribly useless gift that NO ONE would want, but the receiver has to look grateful and gives the obligatory response..."Gee...Thanks...".
This is strictly for the amusement of the giver, of course! Then the receiver is instructed to pawn it off on someone else for their own enjoyment!)

Kidding aside, there are a few options to get out of the trap. ONLY give
to those you are truly inspired to give to (special family members, friends, charities, donations, volunteer organizations, visit with someone who has no family, etc.) Keeping it small and intimate. Or if this would cause too much friction for your comfort, then play with changing your attitude about those less than
optimal relationships--try to view them in a softer light ('tis the season, right?) Try to look beyond what you see on the outside to the possibility of something grand on the inside.

Don't forget to let others partake in the joy of giving as well! As wonderful as it is to receive presents, it feels great to give someone something that they have always wanted (and it doesn't necessarily mean a gift of monetary value). You can allow someone else this joy by receiving graciously This, I believe, is how we embrace the true essence of sharing during the season of giving, with joy, from the heart.
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Embracing The Spirit of Giving...to Ourselves

By Nita Keesler

While I firmly believe in embracing the spirit of giving—to be able to give freely from our hearts and to allow others that same joy of giving back to us—I also believe in the necessity of giving to ourselves.
This is so important year-round, but especially so during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
The gifts we give ourselves could range from the extravagant (perhaps a trip to the islands?), or a special something we may ~hope~ to receive from someone else (that charm bracelet or power tool?), or a simple act of self-care that we may have been neglecting. Most often, the most profound will cost little to nothing except for a few moments of your time.
A few of my favorites are a long soak in the tub, an early walk before my neighborhood wakes up, a well-deserved nap, playing with my dogs in front of my fireplace, and aromatic candles. Of course massage is at the top of my list, whether I go to another professional, or grab a friend and give each other a shoulder massage. A great stress and tension buster—take a deep breath into your abdomen as if you are filling a balloon while crunching your shoulders, hold for 5 seconds and release your breath and contraction.
It is crucial to take a few moments each day, or a few longer moments each week to rest, decompress and rejuvenate as a gift to yourself, which will also benefit those around you!

Back To School at the University of Life

For most of us, long after we leave traditional academia, we still associate the coming of Autumn with “back to school”. We certainly can’t miss it with all of the sale signs to remind us in early August! For me, Fall has always been about new beginnings, new possibilities, to acknowledge the potential in trying something new and different and seek out opportunities to grow. Life seems to hand us challenges that will allow this growth to happen, and we may also choose our challenges more selectively. Life is so much fuller and more complete when we continue to learn and make strides to improve ourselves on many levels. This is, in essence, the “University of Life”. Perhaps we are learning from our mistakes (or are fortunate enough to learn from the mistakes of others!) Maybe we are learning to experience more joy and fun and laughter. Or we could be challenging our self-imposed limitations. We could be learning more about ourselves and what we truly want out of this fleeting life. Are we fully experiencing our lives, or merely existing and living the same day over and over? Have we learned to practice the art of gratitude? And maybe, we simply just want to go and “learn” something that we have always wanted to learn…once out of “traditional academia” we have the ability to pick and choose any subject that interests us, and that in itself enriches our lives. It is one aspect of self-care, and that will always bring good things to fruition that we can share with those around us. We will “reap what we sow”…a joyful, contented, quality life.
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An “Attitude of Gratitude”

 How often do we get caught up in our daily routines, or chaos without stopping to take a moment to think of all of the gifts we have in our lives? It is so easy to focus on all that we DON’T have, what we have not accomplished, what is not working in our lives or “mistakes” we have made, the “if only’s and “maybe when’s” This can only make us feel weaker and unhappy.

 To focus on the lack is truly a waste of the bounty that is before us, and the person that we are. And at risk of sounding like Pollyanna---to quote from one of my favorite sayings, “The sun is always shining, even when the clouds are in the way”.

 I have found that each “negative” experience in my life has given me a wealth of good at another time in my life. Yes, sometimes much later, and often it is tough to see that silver lining in the midst of a tornado—but it can eventually be found.

 What is going on in your life, and what do you have to be grateful for? This is the perfect season to begin thinking about it, but try to make a habit to find 5 things each day that brings you joy, or enriches your life. When you have mastered this, challenge yourself and go up a step—find your own silver linings from the more trying experiences of your life…When looked at with an open mind, and an open heart, most likely you will notice---that you did, in fact, become stronger or learned something valuable from each situation.

 What we focus on is what we attract to us. So, rather than focusing on the lack in our lives, be truly grateful for all of the abundance that surrounds us each day…the loves in our lives, the simple beauty of nature, inspiring stories, and being able to just take a breath each day. Find the extraordinary in the ordinary of your daily life.

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