Guard Your Integrity

Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.

Everyday we are faced with situations that challenge our integrity in one way or another. For some, it might be a struggle to find the courage to stand up for what's right. For others, facing adversity might not be challenging at all.

It's easy to make the right choice when we know people are watching. But, are we as quick to make good choices, be honest, or stand up for what's right when no one is around? Do we guard our integrity no matter what the cost?

Integrity defines our character. It's a value we should all be striving daily to develop and strengthen. If we let it fall by the wayside, thinking no one will notice, we are failing ourselves. It's not always easy, but the more we practice doing the right thing, the easier it will become. Anytime we want to incorporate a talent or character trait as part of who we are, it takes practice. Integrity is no exception.

Make sure your integrity is in tact no matter what situation you find yourself in. There is always someone watching, even when you think you're alone. Let your actions make a statement about who you are. It might even help eliminate stress. After all, if you're honest, you don't have to rely so much on your memory.

Integrity

Be Your Own You

Be yourself. An original is always worth more than a copy.

We will interact with many people throughout our lives who will influence us in different ways. Some might have a physique we envy, a style we want to adopt, or a talent we want to copy. But if we spend our time copying the lives of others, who will we become?

Although we all have someone we admire, today focus on who you are. What makes you unique? What separates you from the crowd? There are great things about each one of us that we need to take pride in. We need to spend more time saying, "I am proud to be me." And if this phrase doesn't roll off your tongue, you've got some practicing to do!

If you are someone who has a difficult time thinking positively about yourself, enlist the help of a spouse, close friend or family member. People who know and love you are sure to have a list of great and wonderful things to say about you. Just be sure to listen and say "Thank you," when they are done. Don't counteract the positives by disagreeing with them!

Once you have your list of positive features, put it someplace you will see it. Read it out loud. Read it often. If you think of more features, talents, or personality traits, add them to your list. If you receive a compliment, add it to the list. If you learn something new, add it to the list. You can even add one or two things you'd like to improve.

It's good to know what makes you YOU. It's even better to like what makes you YOU! Be proud of who you are. Own who you are. Emphasize your positives and work on the negatives until they become positives. Just make sure who you are is YOU. An original is always worth more than a copy.

Be Yourself

Using History to Find Our Place in the Present

It's easier to know where you're going in life if you know where you've come from. 

This isn't referring to the birds and bees, but a reminder to look into your family tree.

~ Stacy Coles

Studying the past used to be a confusing path of road blocks and unanswered questions; an intimidating journey that most people didn't dare venture. Today, technology has made family history so easy and convenient that anyone can connect to their ancestors, making it possible for family trees to grow ~ even if you don't have a green thumb.

There are many computer programs on the market that will guide you on your journey through time, giving you tutorials along the way. There are also websites and family history libraries you can go to for technical support. Once you find out how to navigate through your own history, watch how many doors open up and explore the new eras that you are connected to.

Invite your parents, children, or siblings to journey with you as you unleash mysteries of the past. You might find that you have links to royalty in England, or that your relatives were Vikings in Norway. Maybe you'll realize that your love for music comes from your ties to Beethoven, or your talent in cooking is because you're a distant relative of Julia Child.

A family history search might inspire you to try new things when you find out the occupation or hobby of a great, great grandfather/mother. New doors can open to the future by unlocking doors from the past. But, it's up to us to uncover those hidden secrets that our modern-day family members might not even know exist. Our ancestors' experiences and journeys can give us the inner strength and courage we need to find our place in the present.

Family History

The Healing Power of Positive Thinking

Every "brick wall" in life has a silver lining. 

To see it, look beyond the trials we can't change and

 focus on the attitude we can change.

Life dishes out new challenges, trials, and opportunities every day. Regardless of what hand you were dealt today, you have the power to make it a good day.

We all know we are responsible for our actions. But sometimes we forget that we are also responsible for our attitude. When things go wrong, it's human nature to look for someone or something to blame. This scapegoat process tends to feed our anger, frustration, and pain. These negative feelings continue to build until we say or do something we later regret.

The next time we hit a "brick wall" or find ourselves in a situation that is out of our control, (i.e. the death of a loved one, financial distress, loss of a job, a break-up, or fight with a friend), instead of wasting time and energy on wondering what could have been done or focusing on what was lost, look for the silver lining. If there doesn't seem to be one in sight, make a list of the blessings in your life. It might seem minuscule, but it helps to put into perspective what is going well in our lives when all seems lost.

As we review this list of positives, no matter how long or short it may be, other blessings may pop into mind that we hadn't thought of before. Studying this list over time gives us the mental ammunition we need to move forward. Eventually, we are able to see the silver lining of almost any situation. The heavy heart starts to heal; the weight on our shoulders feels lifted; the brick walls come down. As we help ourselves heal mentally and emotionally, we feel better physically.

Our minds are powerful tools. Focusing on the silver lining in bad situations opens the door to self-healing. It allows us to get back to the person we want to be. Positive thinking doesn't happen easily for some, but that doesn't mean it can't happen.

Brick Wall, Positive Attitude

Spring Clean the Winter Blues Away

A little spring cleaning today can make the winter blues go away.

Depending on where you live, this time of year can leave people feeling trapped with the winter blues. If you're not fortunate enough to take a mid-winter vacation to a tropical island or a state/country that enjoys 80 degree weather all year 'round, try a different method to brighten your mood ~ spring cleaning.

Before you start rolling your eyes, keep reading! Even if you aren't a "cleaner," and cringe when you hear the word, this can work. Start with one drawer in one room, like the junk drawer in your kitchen or office (you know you have one somewhere ~ we all do!).  File or throw away coupons that you put aside months ago. Put loose coins into a saving jar. Make a file for your kids' school papers. Place receipts into a zip-loc bag. Tame unruly cell phone charging cords with a twisty tie or rubber band. Once you have emptied the drawer, thrown away the garbage, and organized what's left, carefully place the "keep" items back into the drawer.

Now take a step back. Don't you feel a little better? A little "lighter?" If you answered "No," keep cleaning. I promise your mood will improve.

Next, go to the cabinet under the kitchen or bathroom sink. Throw away old, empty bottles that you forgot you had. Toss the old, dusty rags (that you haven't touched since the last time you dusted) into the washing machine. Once all the hair products or cleaning supplies are out, get a damp rag and clean the bottom of the cabinet before placing the items back in.

Now, open your coat closet. Is it full of coats and filled with a musty smell? Pull out any coats that haven't been used in a few years and place them in a "donation" bag. Vacuum or sweep the floor of the closet. Now, to get rid of the musty smell, try this trick: tape a fabric softener sheet somewhere in the closet. I tape one (not so discretely) to the top of the molding piece inside the closet. This way, every time the door is opened, the scented sheet swings and freshens the air. When the door is closed, it ensures the coats will stay fresh. Replace the fabric softener sheet about once a week.

These spring cleaning jobs are EASY! They don't take a lot of time, but the little time that you spend can help boost your mood. Doesn't it make you feel better, and your home to seem fresher, when things are clean and organized? It's easy to make sure the dishes are put away, beds are made, and the living room is clean. So why not challenge yourself and see if cleaning out those junk drawers and closets that don't usually get attention will help you break out of the winter blues.

And if you're still not convinced, book a trip to Hawaii!

Spring Cleaning

Time For A Techno Self Check

Life goes by fast, but not staying up on technology trends will leave you in the dust.

In today's economy, a good job that you love and are well qualified for can be hard to come by and difficult to hold on to. Technology is replacing many jobs that were once thought of as mainstream, leaving well-educated men and women wondering what to do next.

Use technology to stay afloat on the new trends that seem to appear daily. Don't let the new apps and gadgets scare you. Instead, learn how to use them to your advantage. Get onto Google and type in the name of an app that interests, frustrates, or annoys you. Download a tutorial and read up on how to put it to use. Invest some money in an upgraded phone, computer software, or tablet and learn their functions. Check out other social media trends that seem to be taking over society. The fact is, they're not going away. They're only improving!

While technology makes life easier, it can also be used against us. Remember that today, anyone can be a detective. Employers are going to do their research before hiring and if your night on the town is displayed with raunchy photos on your Facebook page or fowl language on your Twitter account, you might look less desirable than what your resume portrays. So, while you are enjoying the ease of online sharing with your social media BFFs, keep in mind that you are also marketing yourself to the business world (whether you intend to or not). Don't post anything online today that might embarrass you tomorrow. Always put your best self out there, because you never know who is watching!

Techno Self Check

Break Through Your Glass Ceiling

For years, without knowing, I've built a glass room:

Four walls and a ceiling, but no room to bloom.

I know there's more to me than what meets the eye,

So I'm going to be brave; new things will I try. 

~ Stacy Coles

We all know about the figurative glass ceiling in the corporate world. But there is also a glass ceiling in our personal world. A barrier we make ourselves that we, alone, have the power to break through.

It becomes so easy to limit ourselves when we get into a comfort zone. Not many people like the idea of change or trying something new. But, if we sit idle in our everyday routine, we don't grow. We need to dig down deep and find what our true potential is.

Think about what you do daily, whether you are busy at home with kids or work a 9 to 5 job. Then, ask yourself if you're happy doing what you're doing. If you are, think of what you could do to step it up. There's always something we can do to challenge ourselves. If you aren't happy, decide what you would rather be doing or think of something else you'd like to try. Once you have an idea in mind, take actions to make it happen.

Some may decide to change careers. Others may just want to change their attitude about what they're doing. Our personal glass ceilings are as unique as we are. Because of this, it's up to us to break through the barrier that keeps us from reaching our full potential. Once those barriers are broken, the sky is the limit to reinvent ourselves. Not a total transformation ~ just take what's already great about you and make it fabulous!

Glass Ceiling