Feeling Hurt By Others

There are many famous but one of my favorites is:

"A truly compassionate attitude toward others does not change

even if they behave negatively or hurt you." Dalai Lama

We all come across people who hurt us or behave negatively.  Perhaps our first reaction is to lash out at them.  Or, become angry with them.  Especially when we feel hurt or disappointed.  But the Dalai Lama's words are ones that could be considered as a quote to live by as if we maintain a compassionate attitude we are not feeding into the negativity of the individual. 

When people respond with a negative attitude or they do something to hurt, it truly is them who has the problem.  They have some issue that they need to resolve, and the issue is not you it is within them. 

Surround yourself with positive people, people who encourage and appreciate you.  Don't let your energy be consumed by those with a negative attitude - life is just too short.  Showing compassion and feeling sorry for the individual will take away your anger and hurt, but there is no need to be subject to their negativity!

So the next time you are feeling hurt by others remember this wonderful quote by the Dalai Lama!



Wisdom from Norman Vincent Peale

Wisdom tells us to count our blessings.  To be thankful for all that we have.  I was recently reading a book, The Tough-Minded Optimist written by the famous Norman Vincent Peale.  There are many quotes in this book, but the one quote that stuck with me is:

"Thoughts and words form your mental image.

 And since we become what we picture be sure your thoughts and words express

prosperity and blessing rather than poverty and defeat."

How true Mr Peales words are.  How we think and what we say are one that can determine our succcess or failure.  If at the end of the day we stop and count our blessings it will help focus our attitude on the positive aspect in our life. 

If we fail, we should learn from it, rather than thinking we are defeated. All of life is determined by our own thoughts, how we view things. We can focus on the positive and be thankful, or we can focus on the negative and life is difficult. 

Reflect on the quote from Norman Vincent Peale and ask yourself what you focus on!



A few other quotes you may enjoy from the book:

Strike the T off your CAN’T and you will develop what it takes to take it. This is the way tough-minded optimists are made.Norman Vincent Peale, The Tough-Minded Optimist

Become a possibilitarian.  No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities – always see them, for they’re always there.Norman Vincent Peale, The Tough-Minded Optimist

Thoughts and words form your mental image.  And since we become what we picture be sure your thoughts and words express prosperity and blessing rather than poverty and defeat.Norman Vincent Peale, The Tough-Minded Optimist

Remember you can make yourself sick or well by the habitual thoughts you think.  Don’t drain back into your body the disease thoughts of your mind. Norman Vincent Peale, The Tough-Minded Optimist

What Are You Thankful For

We all have those magnets that we put on our fridges.  I try and put ones that are inspirational or make me think, ones that sayings have a positive influence on my day. I recently saw some magnets that had sayings on them, and the one that stuck with me said, "what are you thankful for today".  It got me thinking and made me realize that there are many things in my life that I am thankful for.  Here is my list for today:

I am thankful for:

 - my health - without our health life can be limiting

- my husband - my biggest support, my soul mate for life, my best friend
- my children - they are now adults but I count my blessings every day that I have them in my life
- my grandchildren - they are the best thing that has ever happened in my life, a wonderful experience becoming a grandparent
- my business - while we work long and hard, it is worth it
- my home - while not big and fancy, it is home filled with treasures that reflect good memories
- my family - you can always count on them!
- the country I live in - Canada - a great place to live
- food on my table - when you look at countries around the world where one meal a day is sometimes not there we are really fortunate for the food we have
- my friends - my greatest supporters

And there are many more things but my list above are top of mind today.  If you were to make a list what would you say you are thankful today? 



Inspirational Magnets

Thanksgiving Prayer

written by Robert Louis Stevenson

Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,
for the peace accorded to us this day,
for the hope with which we expect the morrow;
for the health, the work, the food and the bright skies
that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth.

Give us courage and gaiety and the quiet mind.
Spare to us our friends,
soften to us our enemies.
Bless us, if it may be,
in all our innocent endeavours.
If it may not, give us the strength
 to encounter that which is to come,
that we be brave in peril,
constant in tribulation, temperate in wrath,
and in all changes of fortune, and,
down to the gates of death,
loyal and loving one to another.

Robert Louis Stevenson - A Poetry Selection

Life's Made Up of Little Things

Poet:  Mary R. Hartman

Life’s made up of little things,
no great sacrifice or duty,
but smiles and many a cheerful word
fill up our lives with beauty.

The heartaches, as they come and go,
are but blessings in disguises,
for time will turn the pages o’er
and show us great surprises.


Love the words in this motivational poem.  The poet reminds us that it is the little things in life that are important.  A similar message as the saying, "Cherish The Simple Things in Life." Often we don't appreciate or are not thankful for  the little things until we no longer have them.


And the second verse reminds us that problems are many times opportunities.  The next time you have an issue or challenge remember it is actually a blessing.  If you think that you will find your attitude will change towards your challenge and you will find a solution.

It's the Little Things....An Appreciation of Life's Simple Pleasures