We need to be more like children. 

I was watching my 19-month-old granddaughter walking through the park the other day. She was saying hi and delighting in the joy of the flowers. 

She was so appreciative of her newfound skill of walking. She was not thinking about what happened on her way to the park or what she was going to do after. She was right there feeling her feelings of joy. 

We could all use a little more presence and joy.

This week find a time to consciously think like a child. Delight in the wonder of beauty around! Notice how freeing and light you feel! 

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

Read More

Change is inevitable. Just as the world changes around us so do the circumstances and situations in our lives. Change is the way nature and the universe lead us to our next adventure and lesson.
 
That may sound a bit woo -woo but think about it. Everything that happens offers us an opportunity to learn something. Just as the earth is in constant motion and change, so are we!
 
Don’t fight it. Sometimes change happens so quickly and other times it happens more slowly. Practice trusting and allowing change to happen!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

Read More

People with a strong spiritual core tend to view good things that happen to them as blessings, whereas those that don’t, see them more as deserved or perhaps just lucky.

How do you view the good things that happen to you? Do you stop to acknowledge and appreciate them?

How do you view the challenges or difficulties in your life? Do you see them as being your fault or bad luck?
Or……..do you see them (eventually) as opportunities to learn and grow from?

This week, start becoming more aware of what you say to yourself in the up and down moments in your life. Don’t judge yourself! The beauty is that you can choose how you interpret these events. Becoming aware is the first step toward any kind of change!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

Read More

When we did finally speak it was truly as if no time had passed. She still had the same beautiful positive energy that she had then! Sometimes that happens – we lose touch with important people in our lives, but it’s always worth a try (if your gut tells you to) to try again. 

It’s wonderful to make new friends of course, but it can also be wonderful to restore a past relationship. There was a reason we connected in the first place!

The number one predictor of happiness is having good relationships.

Research has found that people that have strong social connections are better at coping with stress and adversity and have an increased sense of belonging and purpose, lower blood pressure, and improved brain function.

This week- go ahead reach out to someone that you have lost touch with- maybe you can connect again!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

Read More

If you can view the universe as a support system, you're acknowledging that you're a part of something much bigger than yourself.
 
This can offer a sense of trust, knowing that you're not alone in facing challenges. It may sound strange but instead  of relying solely on your own strength or resources, you can draw on the idea that there's a broader flow of energy, wisdom, and guidance available to help navigate through life's obstacles.
 
It's almost like surrendering control and trusting in the process, while still actively participating in your journey.
 
We often take the power of the universe for granted and focus on what’s not “working”.  This week notice when things kind of just “fall into place”.  Maybe think or say: “Thank you universe”!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

Read More

Take a pause this week; notice the sights, sounds, smells, feels and tastes with more intention. 

Our nervous system is miraculous. It receives and processes information about the outside world in order to react, communicate and keep our bodies healthy and safe! 

Make this week a sensual one. Start right now whether you are cooking, walking, driving, taking a bath or whatever you may be doing - tap into your five senses and experience everything even more!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

Read More

Do you say things to yourself like “ it’s too late for that” or “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. 

Well….research shows that because of the neuroplasticity of our brains we can learn new habits and ways of thinking.  

Start now…notice the “way” you think. If it’s negative and thwarting to your personal growth - start by becoming aware and then you can practice new more helpful thoughts and habits! 

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

Read More

Think of an important person in your life. What qualities do they have that impact you in a positive way? Maybe it’s your partner, your child, your friend….  Perhaps you appreciate their loyalty, honesty, kindness, thoughtfulness.

Think about it and find a way to let them know. Maybe give them a call, write a note or even a text just telling them how you are grateful and why.

Notice how you feel when you are sharing these meaningful words with someone. Expressing gratitude increases the release of feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, leading to improved mood and happiness! And then you can share your gratitude with others as well! Have a grateful week!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

Read More

TO MY MOTHER

33 years as your daughter, I’ve learned so many important lessons from you. Here are 10 of my favorites:

1. Diffuse the drama.

2. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

3. Make a list every damn day. No detail is too small. Get it out of your brain and on paper. Then, cross that shit out!

4. Seriously, making a list will do more to manage anxiety than anything else.

5. Well, maybe meditation. Meditate every day.

6. Be friendly to EVERYONE. you never know what a smile or compliment can do for someone else.

7. There is always a lesson to be learned.

8. Be grateful. Instead of focusing on the annoying and upsetting moments during your day, notice all the good things that happen to you and write them down at night (you’ll start to notice that you are constantly looking for the good and it will shift your mindset).

9. Be present. Mom did a TedX talk on the importance of mindfulness. (Google “In the moment in under a minute TEDxAllendaleColumbiaSchool” to see it).

10. You’re never too old to do something new and completely different. (The same weekend I graduated college, my mom graduated with her masters in positive psychology at UPenn. She is a life coach and published author of “The Recipe for Real Happiness: Four Simple Ingredients.)

Happy birthday mom! Thank you for being my teacher, giving me roots and giving me wings!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

Read More

Mindful is a way of living. You can look at various aspects of your life and choose one at a time to practice your mindfulness. 

For example. You can decide to be mindful about what you eat, when you go to bed or even what you think about . The list is endless. But practice is essential for any kind of habit change. 
 
This week practice being mindful about what you focus on. Notice your repetitive thoughts. Do you keep reliving an upsetting encounter or a challenge you may be facing?
 
Pick a time to think about it (if you need to) but…. change the repetitive thoughts to more positive and self-loving ones. 
Adopt a mantra - “I’m doing my best and I’m doing great” or whatever will encourage and support you!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

Read More

I was recently with a woman that was saying how her significant other is so chill and laid back and unphased by what other people think of him (in a healthy way).
 
I asked her how she thinks he got this way. She immediately said- he told her that his mom told him when he was a little boy- to remember the saying “sticks and stones”.
 
I never really thought about it……. but what a way to live. Yes, sticks and stones may break your bones- but not to allow names to hurt you…. is a very empowered way to live with greater inner peace.
 
Not so easy- but with practice- remember that when people hurt you with words- it’s up to you to know that they are just words- (if there is value in their words- then take heed and do something about it) – if not then remember they are just words... not sticks or stones!!
 
To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

Read More

Schedule time in your day to relax. It is so important for your mental and physical health. Block off time in your calendar (as silly as that sounds) and have a list of a few things that help you to unwind. 
 
It could be doing some deep breathing (inhaling deeply to help clear your mind), meditating, reading, listening to some calming music, or even just lying on the couch for a little bit.
 
Treat this time as non-negotiable and communicate that with others around you.
 
This week look at your list of relaxing activities and schedule some “down, me time!”

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

Read More