In our second episode of “Soulful Conversations with Gaia and Patti,” our monthly conversation of chatting with ease about life, we talked about Balancing Self-Care and How to Enhance it with Gratitude.
Gaia and Patti discuss:
*What Self-Care really is and to Enhance it with Gratitude
*What Self-care is to us
*What Gratitude has to do with Self-care
Let us know your thoughts about Self-Care and Gratitude.
Let’s think about – What are the benefits of being more grateful, thankful, light-hearted, friendly, kind, and positive?
Here are some possible benefits:
❤️ Positive thinking attracts good things to you.
❤️ A positive outlook creates meaningful relationships.
❤️ Being positive decreases depression and anxiety.
❤️ Positive thoughts increase motivation, inspiration, and creativity.
❤️ Being positive improves the immune system.
While, Reflecting on these benefits, why do you think society isn’t more positive?
How do we change a negative culture? Changing the focus to a positive, and an encouraging outlook towards each other, which increases motivation, creativity, better health, improves relationships whether at home or work, and it makes the environment a better place too.
What else can we do?
❤️ Affirmations are a great way to help change your outlook to the better. I would use Affirmation driving on my way to work and to get me through the day. Here is an example of an Affirmation. “Positive thinking is changing my relationships for the better!” Repeat it throughout the day, silently or out loud.
❤️ Self-reflection is another strategy to improve and change our attitude for the better. Here is a self reflection question to journal about: How am I creating more positivity in my life?
❤️ Pray to God for the change you want to see in your life, for the world and have faith it will happen. It may not happen the way you thought it would, it will probably be so much better. Keeping the faith in the good around us and not in the fear and anger being thrown in our direction. 🙂
❤️Spend time in meditation to calm and lighten your spirit. Smile, think good thoughts and speak kindly to those around you. By doing this it will change the way others treat you as well.
❤️ Tell your spouse/partner, children, and parents you love them every time you talk to them or see them. Love can change the world. People who feel loved, radiate love. How am I creating more positivity in my life?
We would love to hear from you about this topic. Leave us a comment or voice message on Anchor.
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Time for reflection, gratitude, and letting go (forgiveness). As a Life Coach, I discuss a variety of topics that many people push under the carpet. Sometimes these subjects are uncomfortable. They are even awkward to me at times, but awareness and having strategies to cope is important to move on, let go and live a happy life.
Journaling and reflecting on the past year gets us geared up for whatever 2019 brings our way.
Here are some journaling and reflections prompts to get you started.
Reflection: Looking back at 2018
How was 2018?
What were some of the changes that occurred in your life?
What is a major lesson that you learned from your job in 2018?
What will you do differently in 2019?
Having gratitude reduces the feelings of envy, produces happy memories, lets us experience good feelings and helps with reducing stress.
Gratitude: Looking back at 2018
What was your biggest accomplishment in your personal life in 2018?
What was your biggest accomplishment in your work life in 2018?
What was one thing you’ve learned in 2018 that you’re thankful for?
What was one aspect about your health that you’re more grateful for?
Letting Go and Forgiveness:Looking back on 2018
One of my latest blog post I discussed Damaged Relationships and suggestions on how to halt unkind words. Forgiveness is also part of the healing process.
In the past year, I have been seeing, reading and hearing about the Hawaiian Forgiveness Prayer called Ho’oponopono. From what I have read the forgiveness prayer can be said in any order. Repeating the prayer assist with moving forward toward forgiveness.
Ho’oponopono – Hawaiian Prayer of Forgiveness – Asking for forgiveness!
I’m sorry
Please forgive me
I love you
Thank you
Ho’oponopono – Hawaiian Prayer of Forgiveness – Forgiving Someone!
I’m sorry
I forgive you
I thank you
I love you
What am I grateful for? I am truly thankful for my family, friends, and followers who support me with my coaching business. 🙂 I hope the journaling prompts and the Forgiveness Prayer help you in your life’s journey in 2019. ~ Patti
Comments are always welcome and please share this post with your colleagues, friends, and family on your social networks! Sharing is caring.
The Practice of Gratitude Activities for Day 2 ~ Power of Positivity Challenge
Today’s challenge is about discovering gratitude. When we are grateful for what we have, we display positivity. Feelings of gratefulness radiates outwardly and creates more positivity within us. It is like an echo. What we shout out comes right back.
When one has a grateful heart, life is so beautiful! ~ Roy T Bennett
What do you appreciate in your life?
Gratitude is powerful. People who are thankful have more positivity in life. They feel happy, joyful and are much more compassionate towards others. The more you see your blessings. The more blessings you find.
Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses. ~ Alphonse Karr.
Some people could be given an entire field of roses and only see the thorns in it. Others could be given a single weed and only see the wildflower in it. Perception is a key component to gratitude. And gratitude is a key component to joy. ~ Amy Weatherly
Which person are you?
What is your inner-voice saying to you? Identify and recognize those feelings. When negative thoughts or emotions enter your mind. You have a choice to let them in or redirect those thoughts. Are those whispers good for the soul?
Having a grateful perspective will become a beautiful reflection of you. An expression of joy, happiness and love. Be so happy that when others look at you, they become happy too. Life is good; when you open your eyes and actually see it.
What do you see?
Day 2 challenge is to make a gratitude journal (notebook), and write at least one sentence each day of what you appreciate in your life.
Share your gratitude experiences in the “leave a reply” below. I would love to see your expressions of gratitude and maybe it will inspire others as well! ❤️
How about creating A Balanced Life Especially for You; click on the link 21- Days Optimal Work/Life Balance Workshop to begin your special journey of creating more balance and positive life.
Want “one to one coaching” with Patti – email me at patti@coachingforinspirationwithpatti.com
How do we reflect positivity when surrounded by negativity? Negative thoughts are hazardous to our body, mind and spirit. Constant negativity can drag us down into depression, illness and so much more. We all go through times having a poor attitude. Bad things happen, disappointment occurs, betrayal takes place, and life sometimes plain sucks. How do we overcome the turmoil all around us, so we don’t get caught up in this vicious cycle? Well, we have to identify the unpleasant behavior and know when it is happening.
How do you know when you are in a negative environment?
You feel uncomfortable, unappreciated or disrespected.
Conversations tend to make you feel upset, angry, sad, aggressive or mentally exhausted.
No motivation of wanting to get up in the morning to go to work.
Feeling sick more and more often.
Here are a few tips to halt negativity:
Remove yourself from conversations which make you feel upset and mentally exhausted. If possible, change the subject to something else.
Limit contact with people who are passive/aggressive, critical, harsh, rude or sarcastic.
Replace complaining and negative self-talk with something you are grateful for in life.
Make deliberate choices to say no to things you don’t want to participate in.
What are the benefits of positivity:
Positive thinking attracts good things in life.
Having a positive outlook creates meaningful relationships.
Being positive decreases depression.
Positive thoughts increase motivation, inspiration and creativity.
Being positive improves the immune system.
Takeaway:
Having a positive outlook increases motivation, creativity, better health, and improves relationships. Negative thinkers tend to have more health issues than an optimist.
Reflection Question:
How can you have more positivity at work and at home?
Call to Action:
Take your answer to this question and continue to work on strategies to combat negativity in your life.
We all experience times of sadness, emptiness, anger, hurt, disappointment, negative thinking or a bad relationship. Learn from those experiences and challenge yourself to embrace the present not the past.
What did you learn?
What kept you going?
Tips for Letting Go and Moving On
Start focusing on want you want in life.
Be aware of your emotions and feelings.
Quit complaining, worrying and obsessing over it.
Spend time with positive, happy, funny and motivated people.
Create a gratitude journal and write something positive in it everyday.
Do things you really enjoy at least once a week.
Quote: You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present. ~ Jan Glidewell
Let go and release what is holding you back then move forward to create the happy life you deserve.
Call to Action: What tips will you put in place today to conquer letting go and moving on? Do you want more tips on letting go and moving on? If so, click on the link and sign up for the 21- Days Optimal Work/Life Balance Workshop.
Comments are always welcome and please share this post with your colleagues, friends, family and on your social networks!
To learn more about one to one coaching with Patti – email me at: patti@coachingforinspirationwithpatti.com
Two weeks ago I wrote about life changing subjects to consider incorporating into ourselves this year in the blog post It is a New Year. One of the key action steps was putting gratitude into our life and actions.
The other day I read a post from actor Keanu Reeves. It was absolutely beautiful about seeing life around you. Here is what he said about a photo of him and the background of a busy city and everyone rushing around:
“You see these people behind me? They are rushing to work and not paying attention to anything. Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to take the time out to enjoy the beauty in life. It’s like we’re zombies. Look up and take your head phones out. Say Hi to someone you see and maybe give a hug to someone who looks like they’re hurting. Help out someone. You have to live every day like it’s your last. What people don’t know about me is that I had depression a couple of years back. I never told anyone about it. I had to fight my way out of depression. The person who was holding me back from my happiness was ME. Every day is precious so let’s treat it like that. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, so live today! I hope you share this post to spread love this holiday.” ~ Keanu Reeves
So many people are lonely and/or depressed. Reaching out with a hello, a smile or hug could really change their day for the better. We make ourselves so busy we lose sight of what is really important in life. Look up, enjoy life and others.
I also read this wonderful story a few days ago and I don’t know who wrote it but I thought I would share:
“One day a very wealthy father took his son on a trip to the country for the sole purpose of showing his son how it was to be poor. They spent a few days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
After their return from the trip, the father asked his son how he liked the trip. “It was great, Dad,” the son replied. “Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked. “Oh Yeah,” said the son.
“So what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father. The son answered, “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.” The boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added, “It showed me just how poor we really are.”
What a great perspective. Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don’t have. What is one person’s worthless object is another’s prize possession. It is all based on one’s perspective. Sometimes it takes the perspective of a child to remind us what’s important.” ~ Unknown
Some people are not thankful for what they have and are wanting what others have. They are not grateful for the love ones they have in their life and are too busy wanting more instead of enjoying what they have.
The moral of these two stories is to be grateful, enjoy what you have and what is around you. Be kind and love others. Quit comparing yourself to others and appreciate what you have because what someone else has may not be right for you. Enjoy life to the fullest. ~ Patti 🙂
Self-reflection questions:
What are you grateful for in your life?
How are you going to show kindness towards others?
How are you going to stop comparing yourself to others?
What steps are you going to take to enjoy life?
Feel free to share your answers to the questions or your thoughts about the blog post in the leave a reply box below .
Coaching for InspirationwithPatti. com – TM
To contact me for a private confidential coaching session. Fill out the contact form below. In the comment section specify you would like a free 30 minute discovery session.
Coaching sessions can be conducted in various methods.
Welcome to another new year. How is this year going to be different from last year and the year’s before? What changes, challenges, struggles and acknowledgments are you going to face? Well, we can’t see into the future however we can strive to make things better in our lives.
Here are some life changing subjects to consider incorporating this year:
Putting gratitude into our life and actions
Acknowledging and thanking others
Using daily affirmations
Developing an achievable budget and change spending habits to relieve stress and overwhelm
Work on daily forgiveness practices – Forgiving yourself and others
Practice journaling
Connect with others and build friendships
Remove gossip, negative thoughts and self-doubt from daily life
Enhance personal development: update resume, take a class, join an association in your field, develop a retirement plan, and take up a hobby
Self-Care to improve health and wellness
Questions for self-reflection and action:
Which of these topics above would change your life for the better?
Are you willing to incorporate it?
Are you willing to stick with it and stay focused? Even if it is hard and you have to make sacrifices?
How would your life change for the better by incorporating this into your life?
How are you going to make this happen?
When are you going to start?
What obstacles may you face and how will you succeed to overcome them?
What would your life look like when you have incorporated this action into your daily life?
Life is full of challenges, obstacles and unknowns however if we have something to strive for daily it gives us purpose. With purpose we have something to look forward to even when those challenges can be overwhelming. Feel free to share what you will be incorporating in your life to make this year memorable. ~ Patti 🙂
Coaching for InspirationwithPatti. com – TM
To contact me for a private confidential discovery coaching session. Fill out the contact form below. In the comment section specify you would like a free 30 minute discovery session.
Coaching sessions can be conducted in various methods.
I wrote this speech in December of 2012, and I thought I would share “What a gift means to me?” this holiday season. Enjoy!
What is a gift to me? by Patti Oskvarek
A gift to me is not always a tangible thing. A gift is having true friends that love you no matter what you did in the past. A gift is finding an old friend you haven’t been in contact with for many years and it is like you never lost contact. A gift is having a friend to share your hopes and dreams. A gift is laughing with a loved one or a dear friend. A gift is having a pet that loves you unconditionally and is there for you when you get home from a rough day at work and is so happy to see you. A gift is finding your true love. A gift is walking on the beach with a special loved one hand in hand. A gift is watching the sunset or sunrise with that special someone. A gift is looking up at the stars or the moon and seeing God’s creation and smiling at the awesome beauty. A gift is sitting by a lake or stream with a peaceful easy feeling.
A gift is having children and watching them grow up into responsible adults. A gift is seeing that look on someone’s face and knowing they need a hug and reaching out to hug them. A gift is a smile when someone truly needs to see that smile and smiles back. A gift is giving a salute or thank you to a Veteran who serviced our country to give us freedom to enjoy this wonderful land. A gift is being there when a love one takes their last breath. A gift is having faith that the Lord will get you through that tragedy or circumstance that you just don’t think you have the strength to handle.
A gift is saying encouraging words to a love one, friend or co-worker when it is desperately needed instead of tearing them down. A gift is taking your son or daughter to lunch as a just because. A gift is being able to love someone unconditionally when they have failed to live up to your expectations. A gift is reminiscing about that funny or embarrassing moment with friends or family and laughing so hard you’re crying. Those are true gifts to me.
A co-worker of mine emailed me this poem recently and I would like to share it:
Take time to live; it is one secret to success.
Take time to think; it is the source of power.
Take time to play; it is the secret of youth.
Take time to read; it is the foundation of knowledge.
Take time for friendship; it helps the source of happiness.
Take time to dream; it hitches the soul to the stars.
The little things are gifts. Gifts don’t have to be that big diamond ring, a big fancy house, an expensive car in the driveway or a dozen red roses for every special occasion. The most precious gift you can give someone is your love and quality time.
I recently came across another famous quote and I thought it adds to the same principles:
I’ve learned….That money doesn’t buy class.
I’ve learned…That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I’ve learned… That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I’ve learned….That the Lord didn’t do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?
I’ve learned….That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I’ve Learned….That the less time I have to work, the more things get done.
I’ve learned…. That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.
I’ve learned…. That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
My wish for all of you is to find that special gift and give it to that special someone this holiday season. Just think, if we all took the time to realize and appreciate those special gifts in our lives we could change our lives and the world we live in.
