Gratitude is the fruit of great cultivation
–Samuel Johnson
Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy and change ordinary opportunities into blessings
–William Arthur Ward
If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.
–Meister Eckhart
When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed. –Maya Angelou
Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity….it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow–Melanie Beattie
Wise men count their blessings; fools, their problems…Anonymous
A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues – Cicero
When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears–Anthony Robbins
To be upset over what you don’t have…is to waste what you do have…Ken Keyes, Jr.
For each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night
For health and food, for love and friends, for everything thy goodness sends.
–Ralph Waldo Emerson
This week, in my hometown, I attended an inspiring talk given by 2011 CNN hero of the year, Robin Lim. She is a true humanitarian, and hero for all women, working tirelessly for every mother, baby and family ensuring healthy childbirth for women everywhere.
In this season of Thanksgiving, may you remember, and write down all that you are grateful for. If you are so inspired, check out Robin Lim and support her efforts to bring peace to the world.
Photo: Harvest from my summer garden
Lenora's Italy Retreat blog | Lenora's Change Limiting Beliefs Website
Now You Can Awaken Your Dreams
Whenever I think of awakening dreams, I tell the story of my 4th annual Italy Retreat for Women. Whether or not you would even consider joining me in Italy this coming September 13-22, my hope is to inspire you to have a dream and then take action to awaken it.
Following our heart’s desire is like using a compass that activates a small light switch, from which we are able to chart our course. As our heart’s desires become more familiar and stronger, the light is brighter. So bright that the roadblocks are hardly seen.
Carl Jung states that you look outside and dream, then inside to awaken. He goes on to say that your vision becomes clear when you look into your heart. What that means is to be conscious of what YOU want. What is dear to your heart?
Awaken your dreams in 3 steps to make it as simple as possible:
Find a special 3 ring notebook with 3 dividers so the sections are separate. Keep it beside your bed to help you remember to use it at least weekly. Date the pages each time you make entries.1) Write a Blue Sky List. These are your ‘dreams’. Ask yourself: “If I could have it out of the clear blue sky, what would I welcome in my life?” This is not intense goal setting and precise action planning. It is simple brainstorming without editing, and without judging the possibility or viability of success. Free write to your heart’s content.
2) Gratitude Journal: You’ve heard this before, but do you actually do it at least weekly, or more often? Most people tell me that they give thanks quietly every day. However, according to research (yes, there actually is research on gratitude), the more details you write and the more frequently you write it, the greater the results, such as more happiness, energy and peace.
3) Log in your Successes, Synchronicities, Support you have noticed. If you skip this part, you may not have proof of your accomplishments. All the small successes noticed and recorded lift you up. Synchronities: did you run into someone today who gave you the missing link to the challenge you were facing? Each small win adds up to huge fulfillment. Otherwise, we tend to think not much is happening, because it’s not one grand explosion.
Find your heart’s desire and follow it, even with baby steps. “Take the first step in faith,” as Martin Luther King said, even though it may not be supported by others right away. It’s really a matter of self-respect to do what you love.
What is your heart telling you? Have you spent time dreaming and now it’s time to put it into action?
My “put into action dream” was to bring a group of women to Italy every year for part transformational workshop and part travel. We laugh, eat very well, live the sweet life (la dolce vita), and move past our limiting beliefs. The vision has been a reality for four years now.
I would love to hear about your dreams manifesting. If the roadblocks or limiting beliefs are still there, I am available for personal sessions to dissolve those pesky thoughts. And if you have any desire to come to the Italy Retreat, click to read about the Italy Retreat and write it in your notebook!
Enjoy the short Italy video below.
Happy Notebooking! Happy Awakening to Your Dreams!
QUOTES:
Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
–Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your heart. Who looks outside; dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.
–Dr. Carl JungLenora
Italy Retreat for Women 2012 with Lenora Boyle
Lenora's Italy Retreat blog | Lenora's Change Limiting Beliefs Website
“You have to go to this lecture on meditation next Tuesday night. My wife doesn’t want me to go,” Ralph, my fellow student whispered to me during classes at the hospital.
“What is meditation? If your wife does not want you to go, why should I?” He answered, ”It will be good for your consciousness.” I rolled my eyes, “What in the world is that?!”
That was 1973. I was 20 years old, and really had never heard of meditation. I don’t remember why I went to the talk, but I was intrigued, so I drove alone to a lecture given by a thin guy in his late 20′s . He had very clear eyes, was clean shaven, seemed very happy and wore a suit and tie. The room smelled of sandalwood incense although I did not know that’s what it was at the time.
I signed up to learn Transcendental Meditation and have practiced meditation twice a day for 38 years. I happily reported back to Ralph, but his wife still did not allow him to get involved.
As we come up to St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17, some of us think of the luck of the Irish and shamrocks. I’m not sure if it was luck, fate, or serendipity that I happened to leave college after one year, then take classes at that hospital where Ralph happened to be at the same time, but I am grateful for that moment in my life.
That moment of fate changed the trajectory of my life. I’m not sure what other path I would have followed, but I became more clear, centered, intuitive and happy. My decisions became based on following my heart. I moved to Florida which I had dreamed of doing, and once there, just happened to meet many meditators in that community.
I became more health conscious and became a vegetarian. After living in Florida for three years, I decided to finish my college degree in Iowa, where all the students and faculty meditated twice a day. My fellow students were a joy and delight to be with. We were not interested in the normal drinking party college scene, but we did have fun at dances and get togethers. Our conversations were interesting, thought-provoking and often philosophical. I’m not saying this is the best or right for everyone, but it worked for me and I am grateful for it.
I felt lucky then, and feel it now. Does that mean that everything goes my way? Not at all. I just choose to notice the serendipitous moments instead of the crappy ones.
Do you believe in luck, fate or serendipity? What are some of your ‘lucky’ moments?
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We’re Celebrating my 5 year blog birthday at: Be Happy Life Coach blog! I originally began my blog as The Happiness Zone.blogspot.com, but two years ago it morphed into BeHappyLifeCoach.com as I moved addresses from Blogspot to Word Press.
5 year old Lenora starting her coaching career at a young age. The phones were heavier back then!
For the past five years, readers have visited from small cities and large ones in countries around the world — India, Australia, Africa, Europe, all across North America and more.
I know I don’t write as frequently as the blog gurus suggest, but I’m doing what makes me happy! Which brings me to why I started writing here 5 years ago. Just wanted to share my tips, thoughts, ideas, what I’ve learned about creating an enriched life, what I now call la dolce vita, the sweet life. It’s been my life’s work, really, just called it by different names. Found myself teaching workshops for the past 28 years about marriage, parenting, happiness and changing limiting beliefs.
I began coaching 20 years ago, using the Option Method, and actually started coaching friends about their problems during high school, 40 years ago. Why? Simply to do my part in making the world and the fabulous people in it, happier and more successful.
I write about happiness but also fears, hurt, anger and other possibly unwelcome feelings. I encourage you to bring them to the table, otherwise they fester like a sore. Uncover what is bothering you, question it, see if it’s true, get the upper hand. Toss it around like a volleyball, bring it to the light of day. Realize you have more choices in your life. Dissolve limiting beliefs. Focus on your desires, and create an enriched life.
To celebrate this 5 year blog birthday, I’m doing 2 things:
1st: I’m offering a contest to win an 18″ chinese fresh water pearl necklace, with unique rectangular shapes, 9-10mm, with very high luster, and silver clasp. Deadline to enter is Monday, February 27 midnight, eastern time. Winner announced Tuesday morning, February 28 on this blog, and in person, if I have your email. So, check back in.
2nd: I’ve chosen 5 favorite blog posts from the past 5 years: Please follow the links, read (maybe comment) and enjoy!
HERE’S HOW TO ENTER the Blog Birthday necklace giveaway :
1.) Make a comment on this blog post, or any of the 5 blogposts that you click on. OR…
2.) ‘Like’ my Be Happy Life Coach Facebook fan page or make a comment on facebook.
Five favorite posts over the last five years:
ONE: BE GRATEFUL TO BE HAPPY. November 30, 2008
TWO: INTERVIEW WITH HAPPINESS AUTHOR, MARCI SHIMOFF. August 20, 2009
THREE: FRAGILE COURAGE. January 18, 2010
FOUR: MOTIVATE YOURSELF WITH DAILY AFFIRMATIONS. July 26, 2010 (fun video)
FIVE: ARE YOU AN OPTIMIST? September 1, 2011
Thanks for celebrating with me and for stopping by! Remember to enter the contest before midnight Eastern time, Monday February 27.
What would you like me to write about in future blog posts? How do you navigate through the challenges of life?
Lenora's Italy Retreat blog | Lenora's Change Limiting Beliefs Website
1. Stay with your exercise routine: Or at least do not quit altogether. If you usually exercise four times a week, at the very least, exercise twice a week during the holidays. This will actually give you more energy to accomplish all the extra work, like buying and wrapping presents, decorating, giving and attending holiday parties, and probably cooking more.
I really did not have time to go to my yoga class, but after I went, I was so much more at peace in body and mind, so all the additional items on my to do list were more enjoyable. When your heart is pumping, you deliver more nutrients and oxygen to your brain! The result will be a stress-free holiday.
2. Take your vitamin D: As many of you probably know, I am a strong advocate of Vitamin D and have written four blog posts about it. As winter is upon us, we do not have 40% of our skin exposed to sunshine 20 minutes every day. Vitamin D supports a healthy immune system and uplifted mood. Vitamin D affects 200 genes, helps diabetes, heart, prevents some cancers, and helps improve your moods.
3. Give to others: To help keep everyting in perspective, reach out and help those less fortunate than yourself. Some possible choices are to give a gift that keeps on giving to Kiva. You are actually investing in a micro loan of $25 that will “help someone to fish for a lifetime,” instead of just “giving them a fish for a day.” Once they pay the loan back, it can be borrowed by another entrepreneur.
Another possibility for giving back is to donate to the rebuilding of Monterosso and Vernazza, Italy, two of the beautiful Cinque Terre villages where I teach my Italy Retreats each September. Any, and I do mean, any small amount will be appreciated. 100% of your donations will go directly to rebuilding these two towns that were devastated by mudslides and floods. Travel expert, Rick Steves, said that Vernazza had the most idyllic piazza(town square) in Europe. I agree. However, all that is changed. The people of Vernazza were forced to evacuate on October 25.
I am feeling quite overwhelmed with my “to do” list this season because I leave in three days, to visit extended family 12 hours away. So, the last thing I wanted to add was a community service project. Not now, some other time, yes. But, some friends and I decided to volunteer at a local organization that provides clothing and toys for 200 families. In the fulfillment of that, the items on my “to do list” somehow became more enjoyable and gratifying. This leads me to my fourth step for having happy holidays.
4. Practice the art of gratitude. If you’ve read some of my other articles, you know I encourage you to have a journal by your bed, so that each day you can jot down what you are grateful for. Writing it down is more powerful than thinking it, but if you can only stop and reflect on what you’re grateful for, then go for it.
5. Eat healthy foods. I would include this in any list for feeling happier. Last weekend, I actually went to four holiday parties. I only ate dessert at one of them, even though I love sweets. Of course, I’m eating holiday sweets, but much smaller amounts than usual. Try eating more fruit instead. The extra desserts can weaken your immune system, add pounds to your belly, and bring you down. I managed to bake only one batch of cookies. Even though they are the thin and delicious Florentine Lace, I have resisted eating many of them.
I hope this helps! May your holiday season bring you laughter, warmth, and peace in your heart. If it does not come to you, bring it to another.
Wishing you an enriched life!
What do you do to create Happy Holidays?
Lenora's Italy Retreat blog | Lenora's Change Limiting Beliefs Website
Every Thursday I post a quote or thought for all of us to ponder. Today’s quote is:
There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in …Leonard Cohen
I heard these words on the radio several weeks ago, jotted down the line from the song, and it kept floating through my days, like a hot air balloon that got stuck in a tree somewhere. It’s so true. There’s a crack right now. A dear friend and mentor passed away last week, very suddenly. Her New Years card sent the 2nd week in January said “Happy Enlightened New Year. Call me at this number. “ I tore out the part of the card that included the number, and left it on the shelf above my blue kitchen desk for 5 months. Everyday I looked at it and left it there because I knew when I had a moment I was going to sit with a cup of tea and talk with her.
Then a few weeks ago, I decided to clean off my shelf. I added her cell number to my cell phone, so I would always have it with me. I realize now that throwing away the torn card coincided with her going into the hospital.
I don’t regret that I didn’t call in time to talk with her. It just was one of those things. What I focus on is her sparkling eyes, giggles, and laughter. I’ll always be grateful to her because she turned me on to my coaching career by bringing the Option Method into my life in 1991, then introduced me to Mandy Evans, who I then studied with for many years.
Karling’s gift of teaching and inspiring others reached around the world. She taught meditation from Hawaii to Spain and places in between. Her new years letters were filled with names of all of her 10 children and stepchildren, their spouses, children, grandchildren and how she and her husband had visited most of them that year.
There’s a crack in my heart, but the light is coming in. Broken open, broken free. She will always represent fullness of life, love and laughter. I feel her presence very tangibly. I know I felt the essence of St. Francis in his church in Assisi also . I wasn’t expecting to, especially since there were hoards of tourists stomping through the church, passing the pew where I sat crying soft tears. But it was clearly palpable.
Is it love that’s left behind? Love from the flash of light?
Karling drove to Chicago once with me, my husband, and my son. My son was 3 or 4 years old. When he asked how much longer and I said, 3 hours, he cried, “Oh my GAW” He had a little problem saying some letters like “D”. Karling roared with laughter from the back seat she was sharing with him. It was our personal joke whenever she and I were together, and something outrageous happened, we’d look at each other and say, “Oh my GAW!”
I did call her to give her my love, but later found out she had already made the transition. I left a message.
If you’re thinking of getting in touch with a loved one, do it now. If everything has a crack, then may lots of light come into your space..
How have you allowed the light to enter after you have dealt with death of a loved one?
Lenora's Italy Retreat blog | Lenora's Change Limiting Beliefs Website
THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY POST:
I’ve been thinking about courage lately as I focus on organizing a transformational retreat on the Italian Riviera in September. Anytime I take on something new, I have to learn so many details. I ask others, research online, read books, interview those that have already done it. And it takes courage to go out of my comfort zone, and risk failure. Even the women who decide to take the plunge, travel to Italy to experience something new and adventurous, are being courageous–some more than others. To be courageous doesn’t mean “without fear.” It just means doing it even though we may be afraid.
My friend, Julie, sent me this article from Chritine Kane’s blog post and I’m re-printing it with permission.
66 Ways to Build Your Courage
Posted By Christine Kane
Lenora's Italy Retreat blog | Lenora's Change Limiting Beliefs Website
Happy New Year. May you be filled with inspiration and take action to manifest your dreams in 2009. Let’s focus on what we want and not what we’re upset about. Here’s a fun exercise I use in my workshops:
You might start your sentences with: “I welcome,” “I choose,” “I’ve decided.” Refrain from using “I want.” (more…)
Lenora's Italy Retreat blog | Lenora's Change Limiting Beliefs Website
An excellent teacher who inspires us to relish the attitude of gratitude is Brother David Steindl-Rast, who serves a worldwide Network for Grateful Living, an interactive website with several thousand participants daily from more than 243 countries.
Be grateful especially when you feel down, because it’s difficult to feel grateful and unhappy at the same time. Gratefulness inspires happiness.
During this season of thanksgiving, join me in keeping a gratitude journal. What are you grateful for? Let’s continue writing in our journals throughout the year, and also noting the synchronicities and successes we experience. Click “comments” to share your list of what you’re grateful for. I’m grateful for my family, for fresh air, the walking path around my neighborhood, for organic apples, my local farmer’s market, and for my readers and students from around the world.
Lenora's Italy Retreat blog | Lenora's Change Limiting Beliefs Website
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