Posts Tagged ‘inspiration’

Ray of Sunshine Offers Contentment

June 6, 2012

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How often have you found yourself catching a glimpse of sunshine and felt ten times better? Do you work indoors, step out at noon and walk to a local cafe for lunch? Perhaps this restaurant has outdoor seating that allows you to soak up some sun. Basking in the sunshine for just 10 to 15 minutes a day can have a positive effect on the mind, body and soul.

Sunshine is a natural mood booster and tends to raise my energy level. The warm light feels good on my skin and I feel relaxed yet energized. Even when I have been feeling under the weather with a seasonal cold, I have found that some time in the sunlight has helped to strengthen my immune system by providing a germ-acidic effect to kill off bacteria.

I often find complete contentment just sitting in the sun. Contentment is the emotional state when we are not bored but also not highly interested in anything other than being in the situation or place that allows for the contented moment to continue. While goals are important, feeling content with your life, who you are and what you have is just as important. That isn’t to say, stop trying to improve, for that would mean that we have stopped growing. No matter how happy we are in life, we should continue to improve. But contentment is necessary as well.

Summer time can offer the perfect time to unwind and appreciate all you’ve worked for and achieved so far this year. Making sunshine a daily priority here in Redondo Beach isn’t too difficult on most days. Soaking up our natural mood booster can be a simple abundance of pleasure nearly every day. And just a few minutes is necessary for the highly beneficial effects.

To find some sun-induced contentment try the following:

  • Bathing in the sun on Redondo Beach and feeling the warm light on your skin, lounging with your eyes closed, is an activity that offers pure emotional contentment.

  • Watching the sunset and feeling the cool night ocean breeze is one of life’s most simple pleasures that offers rich contentment.

  • Taking a drive up the coast and listening to your favorite music or enjoying quality conversation with a companion.

  • Walking through the Farmers Market on a Sunday in Palos Verdes allows you to feel the warmth of the sun while enjoying the scent of fresh cut flowers, tasting fresh strawberries and looking at the colorful produce.

  • Writing in a park while enjoying the sunlight streaming through the trees can provide a peaceful state of mind. Write down all your blessings. Focusing on all the things that are going right in your life and not only on what is wrong, can help you feel content.

  • Enjoying a hobby outdoors whether it is gardening or home improvement projects, anything that allows you to be in the moment while in the sunlight can provide contentment.

 While some exposure to sunlight can be enjoyable, too much can be dangerous. Be sun wise and take precaution if you plan to spend time in the sun longer than 10 or 15 minutes. How do you find contented moments in the sun?

Enjoy more Inspirational reading in my Uber Empowerment Books! 

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Simple Pleasures in Summer

April 11, 2012

Notice how everything seems more vibrant hopeful and liberating during Summer? When I think of Summer I often have images of bright golden sunshine, sinking my feet in the sand and indulging in a easy reading beach novel. I often remember those warm starlight nights sitting by the pool or strolling on the beach. Maybe you have enjoyed that perfect Summer day, you know that day I’m referring to – feeling the breeze blowing, hearing the birds singing and feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin.

Indulging in Summers simple pleasures can be healthy for your Mind, Body and Soul.

Allow yourself to fully sense Summer’s present and enjoy unhurried mornings, restful afternoons and leisurely evenings.

Summers simple pleasures can also be beneficial in strengthening the bond in your relationships with your friends and family.Create some wonderful times to be remembered. Cherished memories are important because they help connect the past with the present and the future. Memories help us know who we really are. Creating memories with your friends and family that will last forever is important, but so few people ever even consider it. Times spent with friends and familiy are some of the most precious moments and memories you will hang onto forever. Finding ways to spend quality time with those who mean the most to you is not only important, but vital to the stability and unity of your relationships.

What memories of Summer come to your mind?

Perhaps some of your memories go way back to childhood and you can recall the smell of hotdogs and hamburgers on the BBQ, sticky pop cycles on children faces and little hands, enjoying ice cream cones in the park.

The warm Summer evenings make it a perfect time to enjoy outdoor live music. Many cities have free outdoor concerts in the park or on the beach. I have had some wonderful times shared with family and friends listening to outdoor concerts on the beach.

Some of us may remember Summer time when we smell Hawaiian Tropic Dark Suntanning Oil. Or the scent of freshly mowed grass evaporating in the sun.

Maybe you are lucky enough to have had picnics with the extended family in the backyard of the house your Great Grandfather built and this house is still in your family. Perhaps in this same yard you remember playing, as kids, with all your cousins and running around the huge yard filled with every kind of fruit tree and picking what ever you wanted, then found yourself swinging all afternoon on the swing!!


Maybe you recall drinking from the well your Grand Father had in the backyard and it tasting like the best water on the face of the earth!!!

Were you one of those kids who got to enjoy bike rides to the small town swimming pool and finding joy in swimming and hanging out with friends all afternoon?

Precious summertime memories for some of us are when we remember hanging out at grandma’s in town and listening to her stories while falling asleep on the couch. Maybe your grandma allowed you to watch MTV or anything else you wanted at her house and have whatever you wanted from the grocery store.

Were you one of those kids who would get up early to pick corn in the fields with your cousins, siblings, parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents on the family farm. You may have gotten up very early to beat the sun into the fields and would have it done before noon with everyone working together to shuck the corn, boil and can it for the winter. When family is all around it makes it fun and the day goes by fast.

Summer is here. Indulge yourself with some mind, body and soul therapeutic moments and allow yourself some leisurely time to read, walk on the beach. Relax with friends and family and create some cherished memories. 

© 2011 Nancy Hovde. Read more Inspiration in my Uber Empowerment BooksImagei.

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Inspire Others Through Gratitude

December 11, 2011

I found several holiday cards at Arico’s Gold Crown Hallmark in Redondo Beach the other day that not only offer warm holiday wishes—they also deeply express my gratitude for a few important people in my life.

The holidays offer the perfect time to tell someone how much you appreciate him or her. We often show our appreciation for others through cards or gifts. Nevertheless, holidays do not have to be the only time we show our appreciation with others. Look for opportunities to acknowledge others each day.

Think of all the people in our lives who help enhance your world. Perhaps we are grateful for those whom we work with that have helped build a strong, supportive team. We appreciate our kids for helping out with household tasks when we are feeling under the weather.

Sometimes we’ll have a friend who we haven’t heard from in months call us up to tell us how much she appreciates having us in her life. If the call comes on a day when we’re struggling, often our day suddenly gets much better.

What about that person in our lives who consistently goes above and beyond? Showing our appreciation lets them know we are not taking them for granted. Then there are those who make your life easier and more enjoyable by regularly doing simple little actions.

Acknowledging others is always a win-win. We should let them know why we appreciate them. It doesn’t have to be a long list—sometimes all we need is one specific reason we truly appreciate having someone in our lives—as long as the list is genuine. It can go a long way in sharing good feelings.

Here are some simple, sincere ways to show your appreciation:

  • When someone has done an outstanding job, passed a test or received a reward you know they worked hard for, acknowledge them with words of praise. “You rocked!” or “You were awesome!” are motivating phrases and chances are, the recipient will continue to strive at performing their best.
  • We all know when we are really being heard—we feel it in our hearts. Don’t just hear someone—focus on really listening deeply with your ears and your heart. You can do this by placing all your attention on this person and listening to their words, feelings and sometimes what is not being said.
  • When you are showing someone how to master a new task or activity, provide encouragement and tell them when they did something right or when they are showing progress. Your reassurance will add spark to their motivational fire and give them added hope and inspiration.
  • We all get crazy busy at times, so during the extra busy times, remember it is the little things that make a big difference. Show someone you care how he did on his test or how her day was by sending a simple text message or brief email consisting of “How was your day?” or “I was thinking of you today” followed by a smiley face. It’s a small action that can lift someone’s spirits in a big way.
  • Remember to acknowledge yourself when you’ve done a good job. Give yourself a pat on the back for your progress all you’ve accomplished. Just as it is important to acknowledge and appreciate others, so is recognizing your own achievements.

Our relationships with others enrich our lives. When we take the time to share our appreciation for others, we can inspire the recipient to believe in himself or herself. 

Read more Inspiration in Uber Empowerment Books. 

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Learn Lessons From Failure

May 24, 2011

Sometimes we’re averse to trying new things because we think we’ll fail—but failure can teach valuable lessons.

We all make mistakes. Sometimes things just don’t go the way we had planned. Failure can be a very painful and traumatic experience, and the sense of failure may cause us to feel embarrassed or hurt. Failure can’t always be avoided, so we must learn how to handle it—it’s part of life.

Sometimes you may notice yourself resisting certain things in life, such as pursuing your dreams, because you have thoughts that cause negative feelings. Failure can cause unpleasant emotions, which we try to avoid at all costs; however, this only leads to getting stuck in a rut, doing the same things over and over and hoping for different results.

Have you felt you failed just because you didn’t see the results you wanted to see? Often, we view results we don’t like as failure. Results we like, we view as success.

All results can be viewed as lessons as long as we’ve learned something and have become a better person for the experience. At that point, we know our time and effort were worth it. Failures can offer more knowledge, wisdom and insight for the next time.

Many times we might get overwhelmed and stop trying. We might stop dreaming and learning and growing in business, in love or even in life in general. Sometimes, trying something differently might give us different results—possibly a better outcome. When we see ourselves succeed once, we see that we’ve achieved the goal; learned the skill, knowledge and wisdom; and enjoyed the experience.

As a lifestyle coach I have shared with my clients various ways to understand and learn from mistakes and failures:

  • Always do the best you can. If your heart is not in it, reconsider your options. It may even be time to pack up.
  • Commit to self-discipline and take the best care of yourself during tough times. Eat healthily, choose exercise you enjoy and manage your stress. Reach out to family and friends.
  • Accept the failure by being fully aware of the emotions you are feeling—pain, fear, embarrassment, anger, disappointment, frustration or sadness. Writing what you are feeling in a journal can help you process your thoughts and gain a better perspective.
  • Be aware of your thoughts and recognize how to change your attitude.
  • Understand how to handle and overcome rejection.
  • Distinguish between what you did and who you are. Remember what you learned from this. Failure doesn’t make you a bad person.
  • Sometimes failure can take away your motivation to try again. Learn new information and try a different approach.
  • Read about others who have failed again and again before they reached their grand moment of success, such as Michael Jordan, Thomas Edison, Napoleon Hill and Henry Ford.
  • Plan for the future. Don’t allow your past failures to keep you from trying again in the future. Refer back to the lessons you’ve learned along the way.

Even when you haven’t yet seen the outcome or results you wanted, remind yourself there is something even better coming your way. Don’t give up too soon; keep going!

How do you turn failure into success?
Read more Empowerment here Uber Empowerment Quotes: 500 Inspirational Quotes for Knowledge, Insight and Wisdom.

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Speak Your Language of Success

May 16, 2011

As I sat in the Redondo Beach Public Library last week, I pondered the word “success.” There are so many books on how to gain success, be it through material goods, career, leadership, honors or social status. Success can be reflected through being a parent or in having fulfilling and enriching relationships. As I thought about it, I realized how many different perspectives there are of success.

Your definition of success is uniquely yours. Have you ever thought your time here on Earth is limited? It is, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t get trapped into the “shoulds” that society and the media can put upon us, leading to living with the results of other people’s thinking. Everyone has his own opinion; don’t allow others’ opinions to smother your own beliefs, values and most of all, your view of success. Your unique values and beliefs on success are what keep you aligned on your true path, and by following your true path, you will live a more fulfilling life.

Take a few minutes to reflect on and answer the following questions regarding success:

  • When in your life have you felt success?
  • Which of your accomplishments stand out the most to you? What were you feeling when you achieved that goal?
  • What has been your most challenging life lesson so far?

Now, take a look at your answers. Do you notice any similar emotions, feelings or thoughts you felt about success during these achievements? What is your language of success? Ask yourself what success means to you.

It is important to keep in mind that you want to focus on the experiences that you want to achieve for yourself—not an idea that someone else might value or a goal that was forced on you. True, authentic success is when you fulfill your goal and your values.

Keep focusing on what energizes and fulfills you. This usually means focusing on your natural gifts and strengths in addition to your goals. Continue to feel empowered to live your life through your own unique language of success.

When we hold ourselves in high regard and focus on who we’ve become—not only on what we have accomplished—we find true success. Success can also be achieved in knowing that the more you help and inspire others, the more you help and inspire yourself. To your own life, be you. Be true to yourself and see what might happen.

What is your language of success? Enjoy more Inspiration and Empowerment in my Uber Empowerment Books.
http://redondobeach.patch.com/columns/morning-motivation

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Celebrate Life with Simple Pleasures

May 4, 2011

In today’s on-the-go, nonstop world, it can feel like you are constantly rushing. You may find your focus is on achieving one thing only to have to complete another goal and then quickly move onto the next thing. This can create a feeling of lack. You may find yourself asking, “Why do I feel unfulfilled when I have been actively achieving some wonderful goals?”

Take a break to celebrate and appreciate your achievements. Even the simple little joys that make up your daily life deserve to be acknowledged.

Remember to celebrate what you did accomplish—even the little steps count. I have a method I like to refer to as Success-Building Motivators. This method encourages us to celebrate all our accomplishments, no matter how small they may appear to others. Certainly, we don’t need to have big celebrations every day, but even minor challenges we overcome, such as dealing with a difficult customer, deserve recognition. Smaller accomplishments need to be acknowledged and celebrated as well as the larger goals.

Why are rewards important? Rewarding yourself for a behavior where a positive outcome follows will help you form a habit. Choosing to reward yourself throughout the goal process will help keep you on track and stick to your positive habits, core values and goals.

Celebrating along the way can help you recognize that you actually did go from “there” to “here.” Take time to acknowledge and reflect on the lessons you may have learned along the way and to commend yourself for how well you overcame obstacles to stay on your path and reach your goal. One of the most important things I tell my clients they can do is to ask themselves the following questions:

  • What authentic, true value or positive habit have I accomplished that I am proud of?
  • What were the lessons I learned along the way?
  • What were the roadblocks I overcame?
  • In what areas of my life have I grown? How have I grown?

Your answers will provide great insight to you about your focus in life; they’ll show you your personal progress and where you can improve, tweak, change and, most of all, celebrate what works in your life. Taking time to observe and honor all you’ve accomplished and acknowledge your growth along the way is part of enjoying a fulfilling life.

Here are just a few simple pleasures you can enjoy daily to celebrate the big achievements and the small joys:

  • Have a dinner party or barbecue with those who helped you and supported you, as well as those whom you wish to share with in honor of reaching your goal. Connecting with people who have supported you helps to build rewarding relationships. Share some good laughs. You may find yourself inspired to set a new challenge for yourself.
  • Take a walk in nature—a park, garden, mountains or beach—and enjoy the beauty.
  • Read by the fireplace or lounge in bed while enjoying your favorite sudoku or crossword puzzle. These activities can offer a feeling of pure contentment and fun mental stimulation.
  • Listening to the birds chirp in the morning outside the bedroom window offers a peaceful way to begin your day and offers some quiet reflection.
  • Taking a nap in a hammock under a shady tree or enjoying the warmth of the morning sun on your skin can offer replenishment for your soul and create a feeling of celebration within.
  • Reward yourself with a nice lunch at an outdoor cafe. Invite someone to join you.
  • Buy some fresh flowers at the Farmers Market for yourself or for someone you know who just completed a goal. This can be a kind gesture that makes their day—and yours.

I recently enjoyed a celebration with friends at Kincaid’s on the Redondo Beach Pier. We enjoyed several appetizers on their happy hour menu at a very reasonable price. Seeing the sunset made for a very simple, yet spectacular evening.

Celebrate every success and milestone along the way. It is important to have something to look forward to. Taking time to celebrate allows you to recognize the personal growth you’ve experienced during the goal process and you will sense more fulfillment in your life.

How do you celebrate life’s simple pleasures? Please share your comments.
Thanks,
Nancy
Read more Inspiration and Empowerment in my book “Uber Empowerment Quotes”.
http://redondobeach.patch.com/articles/morning-motivation-celebrate-life-with-simple-pleasures

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Reduce Negative Inner Chatter

March 22, 2011

Sometimes I wake up to an inner chatter that won’t stop. My remedy is going for a walk between “Rat Beach” and the Redondo Beach Pier. This distance seems to be the perfect length for the waves to drown out doubts within me and stoke a sense of inner peace.

Sinking my feet into the sand helps me feel grounded and aligned once again with my true self.

Where we are at in life is a direct result of our self-talk, that inner chatter we carry around with us. Self-chatter is our inner dialogue, playing out in each of our heads, every single day.

Choosing to become more aware of this allows us to squelch the negative self-chatter and replace it with positive, empowering self-talk. We must be aware of our choice of words. It’s very important.

Ever wake up with a conversation buzzing inside your head that goes something like this: “I’m so furious with myself for being late AGAIN for work. I am always running behind. I am terrible with time management. … I need to lose more weight to feel good about myself. I can’t believe I ate that huge dinner last night. What was I thinking?”

This is just the first part of your day. Imagine how the rest of your day will go.

How aware of our own self-talk are we? Accepting the fact that we are having these negative inner dialogues leads to asking if we are willing to make a change.

What good does it do to continually criticize yourself? Would you allow a stranger to talk like this to you? What about your self-esteem?

Changing your negative words into more positive, empowering phrases will take some discipline, but if you really want to make this change and have the discipline, you can make it happen. Start putting a limit on the negative words you use.

Sometimes it’s easier said than done. Awareness is key. Forming new habits takes time.

Here’s an incentive: We often treat others the way we treat ourselves. If we show ourselves more self-love, we often find the world loving us in return. Self-love is an ancient path toward peace.

Commit to an action plan. Each time you catch yourself having a negative conversation in your head, turn it around by rephrasing with more positive, empowering words. Start simple, using “when” instead of “if.”

Your self-esteem loves to hear “I am” statements. “I am successful.” “I am happy.” Avoid thinking, “I can’t,” or “I won’t.”

“I am” statements are stronger and manifest in your life faster than “I wish” or “I want” statements. Remove the thought: “I can’t do this because…” Instead, ask yourself “What if I COULD do this…” Our words can be self-defeating or they can be self-motivating. Choose to use empowering words that uplift and inspire you.

http://redondobeach.patch.com/articles/reduce-negative-inner-chatter

Discover additional inspiration and empowerment:

Uber Empowerment Quotes: 500 Inspirational Quotes for Knowledge, Insight & Wisdom

Uber Empowerment

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Posted in Empowerment, Healing, Holistic, Inner Chatter, Inner Wisdom, Inspiration, Mind-Set | Leave a Comment »

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