Boost Your Mood In Less Than 7 Minutes (Fast & Easy)

Do you want to know how to turn a frown into a smile in the shortest amount of time?

No need to run to the grocery to buy mood-boosting food...

No need to meditate (and get weird stares from people at the office while you hum)...

Read on for a technique that's quick, inconspicuous and so easy you can do it anytime, anywhere.

Instant and free mood-enhancer (no medication required - that's why I said free!)

Have those days when you feel nothing is going your way? Where you feel a sense of despair or betrayal that the universe has seemingly conspired against you?

Do you feel you're at the breaking point? That one more incident can push you into losing your sanity?

If so, you're definitely not alone; there are tons of people who feel this way.

Everyone has their bad days and what's worse is during those times, people just let negative emotions take over. Not good.

When that happens, you focus on negativity and refuse to acknowledge the good things that are happening. How unfortunate. Because it's the positive thoughts that can get you out of the slump.

{If you want to read more about how positive thinking can lead you to success, click here.}

So what's this awesome and practical technique? Simple! 

List down all the positive things in your life:

It doesn't matter whether you're in the office, at home, at a grocery line or anywhere else (as long you're not driving). You can do this. Right now.

1. List 'em down!! Think of at least 5 things you are grateful and thankful for. You can jot them down on a piece of paper or type them into your smartphone.
2. Read them twice or thrice to internalize them. There's something about writing and reading words over and over again that makes them sink in faster.

Oh, and keep the list handy so you can glance at them several times more. 

If you're in a slump today - though I really hope this isn't so - try this method and see how it you like it. 

Then, feel free to let me know how it worked on you!

{If you haven't read this yet: how positive thinking can you successful... do so now :)}

Photo credit: creative commons flickr via creative commons flickr via katerha

The #1 Secret to Being Successful That's Rarely Taught to Us

What if the key to success is something so simple that...

...you'd smack your forehead in disbelief because you didn't think about it?

I don't hold the secret to the universe, unfortunately, but I do want to share a technique that's not taught often.

A shame, if you asked me.

Why? Because this method is effective!

Did you know that you can write your way to success*?

Are you tired of being negative Nancy? Of having projects fall through because fear and doubt get the better of you?

Perhaps you've been worrying too much? About not having enough finances, not spending enough time with kids, fighting a lot with your husband, or not getting the dream job you want.

Maybe you just want good things to come to you but don't know how and where to start

Harness the power of positive thinking! (It works)

The power of positive thinking is undeniable. There is no need for scientific research because I can assure you it works. I've done it one too many times.

Why listen to me?

Because like you, I'm a just another person who wants a better life. And here's how I'm doing it.

{This post was inspired by Lynn Reilly, a professional school counselor, who reminded me about this writing technique which I read about last year. You can read more about how she uses this on kids here.} 

Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts.

Negative thoughts are equally as powerful as positive ones. How do you get rid of them?

1. Hello Negative Thoughts

On the left side of a piece of paper, write down thoughts that bother you the most right now. It could be 5, 10 or 15. Whatever they are, just: Write. Them. Down. And be as specific as possible.

How do you know what negative thoughts are? (a) Thinking about them make you feel bad or heavy, (b) They usually contain words like: can't, won't, not. Examples:

• I probably won't get a job I want and love. I'm not as lucky as my sister.
• I can't be patient with my kids because they just don't cooperate, especially during the times when I'm most stressed.
• I won't lose weight so why bother. 

2. Hello Positive Thoughts 

Next, write down the opposite and positive version of your negative thoughts on the right side of the paper. Again, be as specific as possible.

How do you know what positive thoughts are? (a) They make you smile or feel lighter just by thinking about them, (b) They usually contain the words or phrases such as: I will, I can, and I am good enough.

• I will get a job that I want and love.
• I will and can be patient with my children.
• I will achieve my ideal weight.

3. Attach Specific Goals to Positive Thoughts

Think of this step like adding virtual train tracks to your life so you can guide the train to a desired destination.

Include realistic and positive goals (are there negative ones?!?) to your positive thoughts.

• I will get a job that I want and love by continuing to look for it every week.
• I will and can be patient with my children by taking it a day at a time and remembering that it may take a few reminders - okay, a LOT - before they follow.
• I will achieve my ideal weight by setting aside 30-minute, simple work-out sessions three times a week.

Why will this work? Reading this daily or weekly keeps you and your efforts focused on the big picture. Besides, having a plan and goal to stick to is more productive than wallowing in fear, doubt and self-pity - so pick yourself up right now!

Negative thoughts are like swarming mosquitoes! Gotta get them out of the way so you can focus on being awesome.

Ready to start?

Give this a try now, even for just a week. If you notice a difference in your disposition - and you will - be sure to come back and tell me about it.

"You are what you think. So think well, and think good thoughts." -- tweet this now!

*Success is a relative term. We each have different definitions of it and the beauty of this "writing technique" is that it will apply to your version of success.

Photo credit: creative commons flickr via glassdesk

Why you should hug your pet now, even before reading this post

Something caught my eye as I zoomed passed by.

It lay alone and frozen amidst the busy road, as if time wanted to capture its saddest moment on Earth, even just momentarily.

****

Twice a week, I venture out to the world I've left behind. Yes, majority of my hours are spent indoors, writing. And writing even more.

But it was time to take my child to one of his summer classes - a task which I committed to. So, I entered the car, sat behind the driver's seat and pulled my child close to me.

My lips curled into a smile as my eyes feasted on people we passed by, colorful cars whizzing about and tall buildings soaring.

It was nice to be out again.

But unbeknownst to me, my little joy would soon turn into something else.

Immediately after we turned left into a corner, something out of place, laying along the center island, made my head snap towards its direction.

There lay a dog's lifeless body.

I didn't recognize the breed, but what I did recognize was the pang I felt when one of our dogs' journey on Earth ended.

This dog on the street probably died alone. Our little dog didn't. He died in the loving arms of his carer, though, he died in pain after sustaining serious injuries.

This dog lay on a hard dry piece of soil where noisy engines roared by every minute. Our little dog died peacefully and quietly in the car as he was being rushed to the veterinarian.

This dog had no one to shed a tear over him as he passed on. Our little dog left the world with many pairs of eyes weeping at the misfortune.

Despite the our dog's death being better than the poor white dog's I saw on the road, it didn't seem to matter.

L,our dog, didn't know how fear gripped us when he was being rushed to the veterinarian.

He didn't know how much we pleaded God he be spared from death, to come back in our home so his high-pitched barking could fill our home again.

He didn't know how we would have to force ourselves to snap out of disbelief. Disbelief that he was gone.


Why?

Because all of these expressions of love happened after he passed on. And no, we weren't mean to him, but most of us in the household didn't show him how much he was appreciated either.

That is something I will ALWAYS regret. And I hate regrets.


So, today's challenge is to ponder on this: Are you treating your pet the way you should be?

Yes, some may say these are only pets, but they become such a part of your life that when they're gone, things are never the same again.