Inspirational quotes
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All-inclusive gratitude
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson When we consider Thanksgiving, we usually think of our good fortune. But as my old friend Emerson suggested in today’s quote, “all things” have made us who we are today. That includes setbacks and struggles such as health crises, personal losses, career challenges, and other difficulties. We all face hurt and disappointment at some point. The pilgrims who left England to start new lives here — including my own maternal ancestors on…
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Do you believe in magic?
“Surrender to the way things want to happen next, even though this often involves a vast and terrifying loss of control. Trust the magic that was born into your soul.” ~Martha Beck, Finding Your Way in a Wild New World Now that it’s October, my email is brimming with lists of the best spooky movies I can watch this month, from Alfred Hitchcock classics to Practical Magic and John Carpenter’s Halloween. Get the popcorn ready — I’m in! Some folks don’t enjoy scary films or ghost stories — or anything else in which events are manipulated by unseen forces. Are you one of those people? According to research, if you…
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Random acts of authenticity
“Authenticity is not needing external approval to feel good about your actions.” ~Jess Lively, The Lively Show Once in a while, it’s healthy to question our own motives. How often do we take a beautiful photo that we don’t intend to publish or show anyone else? How often do we create a work of art, write a story, redecorate a room, or buy a “no-reason” gift for someone — just because it makes us happy? How often do we give generously of our time or resources without expecting acknowledgement, praise, approval, or something else in return? Just for today, try creating or doing something just for yourself. Start by taking…
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How big is your world?
“The world only exists in your eyes. You can make it as big or as small as you want.” ~F. Scott Fitzgerald Look around, and you’ll notice that the happiest people are those who stay fully engaged with the outside world. I’m talking about the ones who get out of the house, stay active, make plans with others, and indulge their curiosity. They’re not sitting on the couch waiting for someone to call. You’ll rarely catch them scrolling social media updates on their phones; they’re so busy doing something that they simply don’t have time. Today’s quote suggests that we have the power to design or redesign the world we…
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Make your bed
“When life feels like an emotional roller coaster, steady yourself with simple rituals. Make the bed. Water the plants. Rinse off your own bowl and spoon. Simplicity attracts calmness and wisdom.” ~Marc and Angel Chernoff, Marc and Angel Hack Life There’s comfort in creating order out of chaos. The effort it takes to launder your bed linens, for instance, is rewarded when you pull back your fresh sheets and retire for the night. I used to think that being tidy was overrated by professional organizers — but now I believe the hype. Whenever I’m struggling with bigger issues, clearing the clutter from my personal space improves my mood. Today I’m tackling the…
