There is great joy in the little things in life.  Little things make me laugh and bring me great joy. Joyous events of great magnitude make me happy, of course, but the small events add up in life and become the foundation of what brings me happiness and peace.  I partake in the little joys that happen around me each day. My baby's smile, my puppy's exuberance, and even the aroma of my morning coffee bring me happiness. If I look around, I can always find something to be joyful about in that m...

I am allowed to cry.  I know that crying can be good for me. I give myself permission to let my tears fall.  Crying relieves my stress. My tears help to wash toxins and stress hormones out of my body. I feel cleansed and refreshed. Crying shows me where I want to make changes in my life. I look for the reasons behind my anger and sadness. I work at becoming more assertive or dealing with rejection. I find more constructive ways to handle situations that disturb me.  Crying gives me an opport...

I owe it to myself to manage my anger in acceptable ways to avoid regret. Although anger is a completely natural life process, what I do with that anger rests on my shoulders.  Anger has tangible physical effects on the body, such as a rise in blood pressure, tightening of the muscles, and clouded thoughts. I use three simple relaxation techniques to assist me in managing my anger so I can remain calm: breathing exercises, muscle stretching, and mental reasoning. When I find myself face to fac...

Spending time by myself is an excellent way to recharge my battery. I feel relaxed and energized whenever I have the opportunity to spend time alone. Solitude has many wonderful advantages. There are numerous things I can accomplish alone that would be difficult to do in the presence of others. While others may feel lonely, I cherish the time I have to myself. I use my time wisely by reading about topics that enrich my life. I also love to spend the time exploring my hobbies. Sometimes, I can e...

Being present in each moment allows me to have days that are fulfilling. Conscious involvement in each thing that I do encourages positive decision making. When I meditate, it helps me to set my intentions for the day ahead. Each morning gives me a chance to define my purpose in life. The quiet time when I wake up helps me to formulate a plan for making the most of my time. Meditation allows me to connect to my inner beliefs. Having that connection reminds me to focus on what I truly value. I ...