I’m happier when I take a few moments to focus on what’s good.
For the last few years I have been taking a moment to focus on something really small and really good every day. Yesterday this photo was taken during one of these moments.
It’s more than just gratitude. Acknowledging the good stuff, however minor, and being thankful is an energy changer. A mindset shifter.
In 2012 hubby and I decided it made sense for me to leave Corporate HR and Training communications behind. It was the right decision but the shift in routine and a series of illnesses threw me for a loop. Anything like that ever happen to you? I was accustomed to feeling great and serving others and feeling relatively happy, then suddenly it was all gone. Even though I was busy concentrating on getting well, it was almost unbearable. I had to think of something. Scaling back from trying to find my perfect life and instead working to embrace the present was a much better choice.
A little later I started keeping a list of 5 things each day that I loved or experienced or appreciated or enjoyed. The rule I set was I couldn’t make the list in advance (I cheated a few times) and I would take 1 minute to just reflect on each of the 5 things. Guess what? It was magical.
I put the list on my original blog with the goal of recording 3000 positive memories and experiences. I invited others to participate. It was beautiful how a few moments spent mining for gratefulness changed me and those around me. That’s why I always hashtag “focus and take time”.
Daily we simply cannot “overcome” all the difficult people and encounters or inner feelings we meet. But we can use the law of substitution to shrink the present negative circumstances. Just by creating this simple practice and teaching others how to do it got my is shift in gear. 5 little thoughts are amazing when you want to quickly move the energy in an otherwise negative room. Or yourself.
Mining yesterday was easy. I took off my consultant hat and put down the laptop and toured a historic factory in upstate New York with my family. I found so many but here are just 5:
Construction workers waving hello
Huge red-orange Flowers
Meeting Matilde from France 
Groundhogs in the garden
Ice cream sandwiches by the fire truck
Try this. Focus and take time. Challenge your employees and teams and kids and spouse and self. Who knows what might make tomorrow’s list?
We pass treasures every single day. Be determined to see them.
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As a small biz owner, are you reluctant to tell your brand story on livestream? Are you gripped with uncertainty at the suggestion of using IGTV, YouTube or creating edited video? Do you get sweaty palmed when you think about scripting daily social media posts, your next blog, or your “about me” page or bio? No need. Helping you lose the negativity while finding your voice is what I do best. Get on my calendar for a free 20-minute catalyst session. Together we can do this.
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Or perhaps it happens to you before you even leave the bedroom! Between the shower, the closet and the vanity mirror, do you sometimes bring the claws out? Are you your best friend when you start your day? Or if you were to be judged by the things you say under your breath would someone deem you the enemy?
what they don’t want to hear. Have you taken on this childlike behavior? Is it wrecking havoc on your self-esteem and confidence? You can get so busy hearing what people you don’t know are whispering to you that you don’t hear what those who know and love you are screaming. This social media monster is in a constant chase for our hearts. It’s a necessary evil that can replace the human interaction in our lives if we let it. Next stop? No longer listening to important people who know you, love you, understand where you have been and where you are going. Hand over ears and eyes, you make others out to be wrong; no longer believing the truth. It’s gradual and insidious and happens way too often! It’s annoying when kids do it. (Newsflash: It’s annoying when adults do it too!)
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Feeling pretty good aren’t you? You understand the value of borrowing instead of buying! You are green! You are saving the planet! Unfortunately you are also broke, one step away from losing your home because of the fines. One mom told me she recently paid $85 for one overdue book. Why didn’t she just buy the book? She did. She paid for a replacement, but then the book filed for lost wages in court and won. Seems that since no one could read it for 6 months, damages needed to be paid!
tter time than the present.
Princess of Positivity - Chatone Morrison 