Lux Thinking Aloud Monday Gratitude List 2 2:05 AM Another Monday. A brand new start for everyone. What better way to start this day than having a heart full of gratitude. So here's my... Monday Gratitude List 1. As I've mentioned in my last Monday Gratitude List, I started on a new social entrepreneurship (dream big, start small). Since then, the orders are just coming in. It's amazing! What I love about this business is that I don't just profit from it, I'm also promoting goodness. The company supports The Filipino farmers, uses purely organic and natural ingredients and supports charities including building villages for the poor. Also, I've been a loyal user of their products since they launched. So it's so easy for me to promote them. Talk about profit, pleasure and purpose rolled into one. Update: My online dealer shop Human Nature Lucky Shop is now open! So you can order from me wherever you are! 2. I met two good friends without planning to. It was a brief meeting, just a hi and goodbye kind of meeting. But it's knowing that despite the distance and the long time of not seeing each other, you're still friends that gives a certain feeling of belonging and comfort. 3. Another beautiful and enlightening talk at The Feast with their brand new series Haunted House Talk 2: Monster Kids. The big message of the talk: To hold on, you must let go. 4. I've just received my dividend from my insurance. Hurrah! 5. Receiving heart warming comments and emails from readers I don't know. Oh, such delight! What are you grateful for? See also: Monday Gratitude List 1 Monday Gratitude List 2 Monday Gratitude List 3 Monday Gratitude List 4 Monday Gratitude List 5 Happy Thanksgiving! Join the Grateful LinkUp. Get the InLinkz code here. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Listicle Monday Gratitude List 10:45 AM Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance. -Eckhart Tolle Monday Gratitude List Normally, people are grumpy on a Monday. It's the start of another pandemonium; Manic Monday. As for me, I choose to start my week with a grateful heart. Gratitude changes your outlook. Gratitude makes you appreciate even what others consider as insignificant things. Gratitude opens your eyes to blessings and makes you anticipate for greater things. Gratitude makes everything seems possible. Here's my Monday gratitude list: 1. I just ventured into a new microbusiness last week. Already, orders are pouring in! My cup overflows! Update: My online dealer shop Human Nature Lucky Shop is now open! So you can order from me wherever you are! 2. If I can only be in two places at once. My weekends are always full of invites for meet ups, reunions and trips. A beautiful dilemma. 3. Having the privilege to attend the happiest gathering of the faithful. Every Sunday, I go to The Feast to celebrate the Holy Mass and listen to life-changing, motivational, inspirational and hilarious talks on life, health, relationships and money. Practical teachings for practical individuals who want to live a phenomenal life. By the way, everybody's welcome to attend. 4. Every time I check my blogger dashboard, I'm grateful to see the number of page views from different traffic sources. I started blogging for my own pleasure, as a coping mechanism, and as a portfolio for my virtual assistant part-time job. Then I started sharing about my own failures, my mishaps and the lessons I've learned. The emails I received from strangers from across the globe are just overwhelming. Sure, there are people who criticize my work from my grammar to my opinions, but they're nothing compared to the "thank you" messages I get. Believe it or not, I also get emails asking for my advice! I don't think I'm qualified enough to do so as I know I have so much to learn myself. But, if sharing my two cents worth can make a difference to other people's lives, I'll do it anytime! 5. God's plans for my life that are yet to be revealed. People are losing hope and faith everyday. I'm just increasing mine every time. God has always been faithful to me even when I was not. I've ran away and fell a thousand times, but He has never stopped chasing me and picking me up. How can I say no to a love so great and faithful and true? What's on your gratitude list? Join the Grateful LinkUp. Get the InLinkz code here. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Listicle Monday Gratitude List 3 10:38 AM Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for. -Epicurus Monday Gratitude List Monday! Time for another Monday Gratitude List. This Monday is special because... 1. Today is Labor Day in America! No work for me since our company follows the US timezone. So today is "pamper-me" day for me with a girlfriend. Thank you, America! 2. My blog traffic has never been this high! Thanks to all the bloggers from the blogging communities I have joined in for being supportive and generous with their time and inputs. 3. Since I became a social entrepreneur for Human Nature, I get orders non stop. When your product is really good, you won't have a hard time convincing people to try it. They will be coming after you and loyal users endorse them to others themselves. 4. I hear stories about women who are struggling in their relationships (or a lack thereof). I can only thank God for bringing me where I am right now. No, I don't have everything I want but He sees to it that I have exactly what I need. 5. I met two of my closest friends whom I haven't seen for a long time. We went to celebrate mass, attended The Feast and swapped funny and stories and juicy scoops (who's dating/flirting with who haha) over sumptuous local pizza and pancit at Buddy's. It was my first time to dine there and I wasn't disappointed. The service was superb, the food was heavenly, and the place looked festive. A new found favorite! There's something about gratitude that magically changes everything. It makes you more open to more blessings and makes you see more opportunities. Start your week with a grateful heart and watch how it turns your life around. Some photos from yesterday Us at The Feast Buddy's in Makati Pizza has never tasted this goooooood! Lucban longganisa (sausage with special spices) with kesong puti (cheese from unskimmed carabao's milk) with bell pepper. #foodgasm If you think this pancit couldn't taste better, pour on some Lucban vinegar. Excuse me while I drool. Great to be united with good friends over great food Join the Grateful LinkUp. Get the InLinkz code here Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Life Lessons My Birthday Gratitude List 5:07 AM I don't mind getting older; it's a privilege denied to so many! -Chris Geiger Thank you for all the birthday wishes! Turning another year is a HUGE blessing. Not everyone is blessed to wake up and enjoy life. Or live long enough to experience more of God's love. As I got older, I've realized that quality can outweigh quantity. So now I am more thankful because I see the value of small things. I know that they are what really matters most.Here's my birthday gratitude list. Birthday Gratitude List I am thankful for: My perfectly imperfect family Long time and new friends My faith has grown not as big as the mustard seed but is surely bigger than it used to be The right people He has brought into my life who are helping me realize and acknowledge my purpose The heartbreaks, losses, rejections, failures, and betrayal that made me wiser My job and the people I work with every day My investments that are growing and even those that have gone wrong Great books that have molded, entertained, and kept me company when I'm alone Chamomile tea Our crazy loyal dogs God's Divine Provision All the trips I made this year and for more travels to come The courage to face my fear My resilience in facing challenges, and the will to move on The silence and peace when living alone Good health in general The rising traffic in my blog (I have you, readers, to thank for that!) The good and the bad feedback I get on my blog even from the people I don't know Good food I get to enjoy with good company My thriving social business The passion in my heart that never dies down God's love that's everlasting and overwhelming (indeed, You are enough for me) GiphyI am SO blessed! Thank you is not enough but that's all I've got. So, thank you universe for being so kind and generous to me. Thank you, God, for loving me this much. I could not ask for more. Happy birthday to me indeed! I'm thankful every day but more so on my birthday.Do you have a birthday gratitude list? Share it in the comments below.
Fashion & Style Simple Things To Do To Improve Your Life Right Now 9:00 PM You may have written down the things you need to leave in the past for a lighter life journey (like I did). But how about things you need to do and bring with you? Here's a list of some simple things to do to improve your life right now. Simple Things To Do To Improve Your Life Right Now Be grateful Bring gratitude with you. I've always been a believer of the power of gratitude. It makes you a blessing magnet. Gratitude fills your heart with joy and makes you ready to receive more. It is a product of abundance mentality and changes it your perspective on life. The more grateful you are, the more you attract the things you are grateful for. That's how the universe works. (Thanks to Bo Sanchez for this wonderful idea) Be teachable Bring your openness to learning and willingness to be taught. If you believe you know everything then you stop growing. Be humble enough to know that you need other people to teach you, that each person you meet has a lesson for you to learn, that you don't know everything. Because seriously, you don't. Be an eternal student. Learn from your mistakes, learn from other people's stories and examples, learn from the expert, learn from children, learn from animals, learn from the past. Use what you have learned in making better decisions, in improving your skills and thus increasing your career value, in avoiding detours by hanging out with the wrong people and being in the wrong situations, and in speeding up your way to a better life. Be more optimistic Bring your humor and optimism. Author Elbert Hubbard said it best, "Don't take life too seriously. You'll never get out of it alive." Cut yourself some slack. Don't be too hard on yourself (a lesson I needed to learn). Learn to laugh at yourself and your boo boos. Nobody's perfect anyway. Everyone has tripped and slipped---alone or in front of a crowd. I have. Everyone has had a fashion flop history (except maybe for some like Selena Gomez and Audrey Hepburn who can't go wrong with fashion). Everyone has a flaw. You may not be perfect but you are made exactly as God intended you to be. Always remember that things work out even when you think they don't. If your life is on a detour, it is God's redirection, and not His rejection Always look at the bright side. Never lose your sense of wonder. Be more trusting Bring your faith and trust. You may not see where your path takes you. You may be struggling for so long, trying so hard, working double and you are tired and discouraged because it seems nothing is happening. Your life feels like running on a treadmill. You're exhausted but you're still stuck. But you look around and everyone around you seems to be moving forward. Like in a marathon. I know that feeling so much. Have a little faith. Never compare your story with theirs. God has a different plan for you. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9) Things will not always go your way but it always works for the best. Trust the process. Trust God's plans no matter how difficult it may seem. Remember who you are Bring your value wherever you go. Remember who you are. Never shortchange yourself. You are worth more than gold. You're worth every drop of blood and sweat of God's only Son. You are the apple of God's eyes. "The Lord will rejoice over you with gladness, He will renew you in His love." (Zephaniah 3:17) Keep your standards high. Have non-negotiables. "Never apologize for having high standards. People who really want to be in your life will rise up to meet them." (Ziad K. Abdelnour) In short, don't allow other people to treat you like crap. It's not about arrogance. It's staying true to who you are. It's about self-respect and self-love. It's about knowing you are meant to live an abundant life. Are you ready to improve your life right now? It's not that complicated. As for me, I'll be bringing a pocketful of sunshine, a heart full of hope and gratitude, and an expectant mindset. I'll also be bringing my water-resistant elegant black Zaful satchel perfect for anywhere, and my red Roman numerals Quartz watch to remind me that every minute spent on earth is precious. Simple fashion for a look that never goes out of style. What are you doing and bringing to improve your life? Satchel bag and wrist watch from Zaful Photos by Carlo Vicente Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Guest Blogger 5 Things You Can Do To Be Happier Right Now 5:55 PM Many of us believe that happiness is a destination that one must reach in order to enjoy it. We’ve been taught that happiness is that new job, that bigger salary, or that handsome/beautiful partner when in reality, true happiness comes from the inside. Since happiness is internal, you can experience right now. The best part is that no one can take it away from you. Here are 5 simple things you can do right now to experience a little happiness today. 5 Things You Can Do To Be Happier Right Now 1. Express Gratitude Start each day saying one thing you are thankful for. Is it your family? Is it your job? Is it your cat? Whatever it is, just express gratitude. In doing so, you slowly began to appreciate the small things that bring you joy. These little moments of gratitude become little moments of happiness. Over time, saying thank you can become a habit and ultimately lose its impact on you. Each time you thank someone, reflect on what their actions mean to you and think about the little piece of joy they have granted you. 2. Be Generous There is a saying that goes, “you make a living from what you get, but you make a life from what you give.” This saying is true. In order to feel happiness today, try being generous. You can be generous with so many things. Your time, your attention, your words and your skills are all things that can only be found in one place in the world: YOU! Being generous is a sure fire way to be happier and you have so much to share with the world. 3. Identify One Thing You Love About You Your uniqueness is a gift worth sharing. At no point in history will there be another person quite like you. You have talents and gifts that make you special. Identify them. Are you patient? Are you empathetic? Are you dedicated to self-improvement? Find your gift and cherish it. Understanding that you are fortunate to be yourself, even in small ways, allows you to be a little happier. 4. Tell Someone One Thing You Love About Them Just as generosity brings happiness, so does kindness. When you tell someone about something special you see in them, you turn on a light for them. You let them know that they are special and that you appreciate them. This metaphorical light in turn becomes contagious and shines unto you as well. This shining creates both a feeling of accomplishment because you made someone else happy, and a feeling of closeness because you’ve reminded yourself of the value another person brings into your life. 5. Smile This tip may seem mundane, but it is scientifically proven that you can alter you emotionally state just by smiling. By physically acting out happiness, you can actually begin to experience it. Added bonus: smiling is contagious. When you smile, you subconsciously give others permission to do the same. This means that you’ll will be making others happy with your presence. About the Author: MarQ Jeffries is a poet, writer, and lifestyle coach. You can find out more about him at www.callofliberation.com. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Listicle Monday Gratitude List 4 11:24 AM Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. -Marcel Proust Get your grateful hearts ready! Monday is here! Monday Gratitude List 4 1. I'm grateful for people like Jon Morrow. I've been benefiting a lot because of his generosity in sharing his blogging knowledge and experiences. 2. Writing keeps me sane. The world plus PMS (!) can be really really tough. Thank God writing is so therapeutic. 3. Reaping the goodness that I sow. What goes around comes around. So I make sure that I plant as many good seeds as I can. You'll never know what's going to get you someday. 4. The Word that guides me when everything seems blurry. It's like a lighthouse on a dark stormy night. 5. I am grateful for the supportive and encouraging messages I get from friends and strangers alike. Words are so powerful. It can do wonders. What are you most grateful for today? Join the Grateful LinkUp. Get the InLinkz code here. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Listicle Monday Gratitude List 5 12:17 PM Mon in French means "my". I declare that Monday is my day. My day to start being grateful for many things. Monday Gratitude List 5 1. My ads finally got approved! What took me so long? I was hesitant because I was thinking small. Blogging is just a hobby, I often say. Then I thought, why not profit from this thing I take pleasure in doing? So I applied for ads and after 20 days of proof that my site is often visited by people from different places, my ads finally got approved. Thank you, God! 2. Yesterday it was raining really hard and the wind was really strong. After fighting the weather with our frail umbrella, my friend and I gave in, closed it and walked in the rain. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed walking in the rain. I forgot how magical it feels. 3. Finally feeling better after almost a week of discomfort. Fever, headache, pain I couldn't quite locate where. A woman's body can get really weird sometimes. Glad it's over. 4. My business is really really really doing well. Thanks to my loyal customers who not only buy the products but also endorse them to others. I'm happy whenever they tell me how happy and satisfied they are. Profit, pleasure, purpose. Value for money! 5. Slept in last weekend. I also watched (for the nth time) one of my favorite comfort movies; Julie & Julia. I love how two lives from different generations seems to be so interconnected. I love how two women made a dent in the world by just being who they are and doing what they love, being perfectly imperfect in their roles. Most of all, I love how perfect their husbands are. Makes me hopeful that indeed Good Men Still Exist. What are you grateful for today? Join the Grateful LinkUp. Get the InLinkz code here. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
How-To Here’s How You Can Become Your Best Self In 2021 8:18 AM There’s never a better time to wipe the slate clean and start again than at the end of a year. After everything that happened in 2020, that’s especially the case this time around. The last 365 days certainly haven’t been great for many of us, but that just gives us all the more reason to approach 2021 with the determination to be our best selves. If you’re interested in how to put 2020 behind you and make the most of the next year, here are some ideas to consider. Here’s How You Can Become Your Best Self In 2021 Set Worthwhile Goals Most people set themselves goals at the start of the year, such as losing weight, taking up a new hobby, or finishing a passion project. The problem, though, is that these goals are typically less motivated by what people want to do, but rather by what they feel they have to do. It’s no good setting yourself resolutions that you aren’t completely sold on because otherwise, you’ll just end up ditching them before the end of January. Sit down and ask yourself what it is that you really want out of the year, and then focus on your goals for the next 365 days. Speak With A Therapist Too many people view vulnerability and a willingness to seek help as a weakness when it’s actually a sign of strength. There’s nothing wrong with admitting that you’re struggling and allowing others to get you back on your feet. Whether you were having trouble before 2020, or the last year was the cause of it, it may be in your best interests to speak with a therapist. If you’re looking for someone with decades of experience in the Austin area, you’ll find a good match in therapist Dr. Mike Brooks. His client-centric approach to therapy will help you to break through whatever’s holding you back, so you can end 2021 feeling like you’ve conquered some of your demons. Find A Work-Life Balance If it weren’t for our jobs, a lot of people would struggle to pay the bills. However, just because work is an essential part of our lives, that doesn’t mean it should dominate our every waking moment. To be the best version of yourself in the new year, it’s important that you learn to balance your work priorities with your personal ones. You need to remember that relaxing and doing the things that you enjoy are just as important as reaching those deadlines and hitting your targets. If you find it impossible to take a step back from work during your downtime, you may want to consider whether your job is really what’s right for you or not. How can you feel truly fulfilled if you never have any time for yourself? Share Your Gratitude A lot of people went into 2020 believing that it would be the year they finally got everything that they wanted. However, by December, many of them realized just how grateful they were to have all the things that they do in their lives. All those months being locked inside and trying to stay safe during a worldwide health crisis really put a lot of things into perspective. For 2021, one of the best things you can do is hold onto that gratitude and share some of it with the world. Gratitude combats negative emotions, so if you treat every day like it's Thanksgiving, you might find the new year a lot easier to deal with than this last one. Plus, there are probably plenty of people in the same position as you who could probably do with a reason to smile. There are so many ways that you can become your best self, some of which might require more than just a new year to be realized. These are great starting points to consider for the start of 2021, though, and they should help you to find plenty of happiness and fulfillment moving forward.
Reflections Reflection: Forget God 8:00 AM Being sick. Being broke. Being heartbroken. Those are a few times when I remember I was holding on to God so tightly. In my hurting, I never fail to remember Him. But here's a confession: when things are going well, I sometimes forget God. I forget how faithful He was not leaving my side when it seems the world has abandoned me. I forget how generous He's always been not letting my cup run dry. I forget about how He's healed me many times. I was a sickly kid. Yeah, I'm one of those nine lepers who were healed and never returned. As a result, when things go bad again, I worry. As if I haven't been saved by His grace a million times before. How not to forget God I strive every day to change for the better. I've realized I have so little faith because I'm not remembering the good things God has done for me in the past, but I do dwell on the times I felt let down. Having known this problem, I have figured out the solution. Reminder Tenor I know God is busy solving the planet's problems. Who knows how many universes are there in the vast multiverse. And He's in charge of all of them. But I boldly ask Him of this trivial, teeny tiny request: to remind me of how good He is. Seriously. When something good happens, and I know it's Him at work, I ask Him to remind me of that moment. Especially when tough times come up. Guess what, He does help me remember. Gratitude Journal Tumblr What I do so as not to forget God when things are going well is that I keep a gratitude journal. I'ts a simple list of what God has done for me in the past that seemed impossible for my limited human and imperfect faith and understanding. Things like: When I was traveling and was worried sick that my valuables will be stolen from my luggage, God kept them safe and secured. When I needed a new phone but buying a new one is out of the budget, God helped me win a contest where a sleek smartphone is the prize. When I was sick, God healed me. Sometimes I would add declarations on this journal, proclaiming what I believe God will do for me. No it's not magic, it's allowing God to work miracles in my life. I always forget about that beautiful fact. That's why writing them down helps me remember. So is reading reflections from other people's blogs. Reading blogs Tumblr As most of my time is spent online, I have to be wise about spending it. Aside from working for clients, managing this blog, and of course chatting with friends, I read blogs that are soul-nourishing. There are a lot of good stuff around the world wide web. You just have to find them. I'm glad I have. Here are a some of my favorite blogs that remind me how God works amazingly in our lives: The Dreamer Writes Everyday Gyaan Recklessly Alive Julie Garmon Bo Sanchez There are a LOT of great bloggers out there that I try to visit on a weekly basis (if I'm not busy) to get my soul nourishment, but I won't be writing them all down here. They know who they are. Hint: they're always leaving a sweet comment here on my blog. Go find them there. Video Reminders Giphy I always jump into work the moment I wake up, sometimes most of the time skipping breakfast because I want to finish early and complete the tasks ahead of schedule. That means skipping on reading the daily scripture too. I know, I used to be a good girl. What happened to me? LOL. I make up my listening to a 5-minute or so talk of my fave preachers on their Facebook pages. Yeah, social media can be your friend if you use it wisely. My calendar also has a daily reminder of how good God is and how beautiful this life could be if we decide to make it so. Check out these short but faith-filled videos on Facebook for daily inspiration and reminder of how amazing God is: Full Tank by Bo Sanchez Gognuts by Arun Gogna M3SY by Alvin Barcelona Joel Osteen Ministries Judah Smith What about you? When things are going well (or not), who do you turn to? Who do you remember the most to thank, to ask a favor from, or just to talk with? Any other blog sites or Facebook page that you can recommend? I'd appreciate it so much if you can leave the link in the comment. If you write about your personal experience or create short videos which you think can help me remember God, please let me know where to find you in the comment too. Looking forward to your reminder! Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Health & Wellness The 7-Minute Routine That Will Leave You Feeling Amazing All Day 8:20 PM Wake up 4 AM. Eat power breakfast. Meditate for an hour. Work out for another hour. Shower and get ready to work refreshed, ready and rejuvenated. In a perfect world, that’s how our days should be. Right? In a perfect world. But this world is far from perfect. Honestly, who's got that time...and energy? Who are we kidding? We barely even have time to get a decent breakfast and just rush straight to work. But here’s the thing. You don’t need an hour or more to feel good. Here’s a 7-minute routine that will leave you feeling amazing all day. 7-minute Routine to Feel Amazing All Day Of course you do your usual; shower, prepare for the day, check your to-do list, eat. But you can improve your day by doing some simple short hacks in between. First of all, don’t start your day with your smartphone. Don’t open your email or check your messages especially if you’re not out of bed yet. Don’t stress yourself out before your day even starts. Make wise choices. 1 minute – Drink lemon water when you wake up Prepare your lemon water ahead of time or before going to bed. But if you can’t, that’s fine. Squeezing lemon in your water wouldn’t take you a very long time. Half of fresh lemon into 8-12 ounces of water is good. Why start your day with lemon water? It cleanses your digestive system from all the food you had the previous day. It’s also full of vitamin C that can help boost your immune system so you are more protected from diseases during the day. As an effect of the nutrients found in lemon (and the amazing properties of water as hydrating agent), you get healthier skin, your calories are burned and you are even protected from cancer. All these benefits in 1 minute! 2 minutes – Thank the universe It’s amazing what gratitude can do. A grateful heart is more open to blessings and possibilities. A grateful heart is a healthy heart. There is instant joy if you start thinking about all the great things in your life and be thankful for what you have. Contentment follows, so does peace of mind. What could be more amazing than that? 2 minutes – Stretch You don’t need to have a daily hard work out or a run (although you can if you have a lot of time). But you can always have a few minutes of stretching in the morning. Stretch those muscles that have been sore or sleeping. Some uses the testosterone cypionate online for to improve performance in athletics and bodybuilding. Stretch to let your blood circulate better. When you have healthy circulation, oxygen is well distributed all over your body including---and most of all---your brain! Stretching is also a form of exercise and exercise releases happy hormones in your brain. Of course you will feel amazing! To make stretching more fun and the experience even better, play on your favorite track. Music does so much goodness to your being. Your favorite music can set the mood for a beautiful start of the day. It can also help keep you motivated. Music uplifts the mood instantly. 2 minute – Find your Zen It is important to keep your focus. What are your goals? What are your long term and short term goals? Before you do what you need to do, remember your ‘why’. It is your purpose that will give you the drive to keep going. You can’t get through the day without being focused or finding your center. Meditate. Find your Zen. Try reading some good morning quotes to fill your heart with gratitude. good morning quotes to fill your heart with gratitude. Your whole day depends on how you start it. Begin with a good kick-start. Begin with your health and well-being in mind. Don’t just get on the day like a robot or zombie. Be intentional. Be mindful. Do what makes you feel good and help yourself. At the end of the day, it is our choices that determine how our day—and life would go. As American author Annie Dillard say, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” Spend it wisely by starting it right with this easy to do routine. If you like this blog post about life and love, please share the article using the social media buttons below or on the left. Thanks!
Listicle Top 10 Blog Posts In The Past 10 Years 11:51 PM Can you believe it? We've been together for a decade now!Ten fantabulous years of writing for you. Time does fly when you're having fun. If you're new here, welcome! I'm glad you've stumbled upon this site. I hope you stay. For 10 years or more.To celebrate my 10th blog anniversary, I'll be writing 10 things about different topics. Kicking it off with my top 10 blog posts in the past 10 years of blogging (according to stats). I hope you enjoy revisiting them or reading them for the first time.Top 10 Blog Posts in the Past 10 Years1. About Hush Puppies and Finding Your One True LoveIt seems only yesterday...I was fresh from a heartbreak. In an unfamiliar place. Surrounded by the most toxic people I've ever known. I felt like Eeyore. With a constant storm cloud above me. GfycatAlas, one day...a silver lining! I received a bonus. And since my shoes then were at the end of their life, I went shoe shopping. While looking around for a good pair, I realized that shopping for shoes is like finding your life partner. Finding your one true love as with shoe shopping could take longer and could be frustrating. But in the end, it's rewarding.This is where I shared why. Pinterest2. 16 Reasons Why The Feast Is The Coolest Place To Recover Your FaithThe Catholic faith is boring and superficial. They worship sculptures. They're blind followers.That's what they say.The Feast will show you otherwise. What's The Feast? It's a weekly gathering of the LOJ Family. There's live music and worship, fun and moving talks, and it's lightyears away from boring.I went through a phase when I was thirsting for more, spiritually. I wanted to seek God on a deeper level. Going to mass wasn't enough to quench my thirst. I searched for God in other religions. I'm glad I've found The Feast. I saw God in a different light. A loving Father more than a ruler. A generous provider.An invincible protector.A loyal friend.My vindicator. God is the best life-planner and matchmaker ever.He looks at me with adoration. He's been waiting for me to return without question or judgment.I've met some of my lifelong friends at The Feast, too.The Feast truly is the best place to recover your faith. Check out the other reasons why here.Tenor3. I Choose To Be HappyThis was written when I was down in the dumps and have had enough of my situation. Dramatic but true.I realized...God didn't knit me together in my mother's womb so I'd wake up feeling dejected every day. I've had enough of the dark times. I wanted to see the light. And I realized the only person stopping me from doing so is...Myself.So, I made a choice.I chose to get up and make things happen.I chose forgiveness even when I never received the apology I needed.I chose to be happy then, and I keep choosing happiness today.Read here and find out why you should too.Tenor4. 13 Things You Should Never Apologize ForDo you catch yourself apologizing even when it's unnecessary? I'm sorry, I just have a question.I'm sorry, but I think you should leave.I'm sorry, but that's not funny. It's offensive.It's like we're too scared to rock the boat. And to show how we really feel.Women, especially.GiphyI love this quote from Marianne Williamson:Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? We shouldn't apologize if we shine too brightly for others who choose to stay in the dark.You should not apologize for being yourself (as long as you're not hurting anyone).What are the things you don't apologize for? Here are mine.Shine bright, baby!Giphy5. Life Lessons From Maleficent MovieAnother post about making a choice and how our choices affect our lives.Hold a grudge or forgive?Love or hate?To vindicate or to let go?In every choice we make, there's a consequence. Especially choosing the words that come out of our mouth. Because words are extremely powerful.Maleficent is also about the importance of not judging others based on their appearance.She may have a menacing look but she's got a good heart.She was only temporarily hateful because she was hurt. And you know what they say about women scorned.No? Read about it here.Pinterest6. The Power Of An IntrovertI scored 99% introvert in the personality test I took. No kidding.I'm at peace and at my best when I'm in my own little bubble. When I finally realized that choosing to stay home over partying is not being a killjoy but just being myself, I felt more powerful. In control. And blissful.Oh, the quiet power of an introvert and the fun things we can do.I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. -Henry David ThoreauAre you an introvert or know someone who is? You should read this.Tumblr7. 25 Powerful Declarations To Shape Your Day & Change Your LifeWords can shape your day and change your life. We all need motivation. Every day.Do you speak encouraging and kind words to yourself? Or do you wake up feeling defeated?This could help you. I love what Annie Dillard said: How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.Copy and paste these 25 declarations here.Giphy8. 10 Signs Your Partner Is A Man-Child And Not A ManBig thanks to guest blogger Tracey Clayton for this enlightening and fun read. Could it be that there are more "man-child" than we think there are? Why the interest in knowing the signs? If you're in a relationship and you're not sure if your partner is a man-child or not, this article is for you.Save yourself from a lifetime of headaches and tears. If you see a red flag, run.Gifer9. Dogs Are Family, Not FoodI wasn't vegan yet when I wrote this. I found out that there is a festival wherein people feast on dog meat. As disgusting and preposterous as it sounds, it's true. It's happening. Every year. I wrote this as a petition. Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow-creatures are amusing in itself. -James Anthony FroudePLEASE sign the petition because sadly, it's still happening.Tenor10. My Birthday Gratitude ListThankful every day but especially during my birthday. I would look back at the year that has passed (because my birth month is December), and think about how blessed I am. My heart is filled with gratitude as I'm listing down my blessings.Writing down a gratitude list improves your life.You become more mindful and focused.You're more cheerful and optimistic.You'll have fewer worries. Have more energy. More motivated to do more. And you feel more confident that no matter what happens, everything's going to be okay.Make it a habit to write a gratitude list, especially on your birthday. You'll feel more special and you'll appreciate life more.TenorRereading these articles is a trip.I could picture my younger self hunched down on my laptop and baring my soul. What a wonderful 10 years of blogging it has been!Thank you for being a part of it. 😊Tell me which of these top 10 blog posts you enjoyed the most. What has resonated with you? I'd love to read your thoughts in the comments below. This post here may contain affiliate links. Meaning I get a commission if you purchase through my links at no additional cost to you. This helps me maintain my site. 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