I feed my spirit each day with positive thoughts

I feed my spirit each day with positive thoughts.

I feed my spirit each day with positive thoughts.

Positive thoughts keep my mind in the right space. When I have positive thoughts, I have positive moods. A positive mood leads to courageous actions. 

My spirit has the best chance to soar when I keep my mind filled with positive thoughts.

It can be difficult to hold positive thoughts when life is challenging. However, I know that positive thinking is the best medicine for troubling times.

Everything begins to shift when I engage in positive self-talk and positive thinking. A bad day can become great quickly if I take control of my thinking.

I strive to think positive thoughts from the moment I awake until I fall asleep. When I catch myself thinking negatively, I immediately replace the negative thought with a positive one. I find that this is enough to put my day back on track.

Good things happen when I think positively.

I keep positive thoughts in my head by asking myself positive questions. 

What is the best thing that happened today? What can I be thankful for in my life? 

What is the most exciting thing in my life right now? 

Such questions feed my spirit and allow me to smile.

Today, I am focused on keeping a positive attitude from sunrise to sunset.
My thoughts are positive, light, and hopeful. 
My spirit is soaring. 
I feed my spirit each day with positive thoughts.

Self-Reflection Questions:

What can I do when I find myself thinking negatively?

How can I start each day with a positive attitude?

How would my life be altered if I constantly thought positively?

I can build a firewall that filters out stress and reclaims success.

I Can Build A Firewall That Filters Out Stress And Reclaims Success

I can build a firewall that filters out stress and helps me reclaim my success when I cooperate with the way my Creator made me.

I have let go of the idea that I need to be able to see my whole life at once. That’s simply impossible. But I know my talents and interests were put in me for a purpose: so that I can use them!

By taking the time to discover my talents and pursue my interests, I am working with my natural bent rather than trying to force myself to be something I was never intended to be.

I invest in my own dreams. Because I am here for a purpose, it only makes sense that I do whatever I need to do to fulfill that purpose. Undoubtedly that costs time, energy, and money, and I am open to that.

Once I have discovered my purpose, I give myself permission to pursue it wholeheartedly. I enjoy the journey. I am open and flexible to exploring different avenues as my interests grow and develop.

I resist the tendency to want to become a slave to my goals. Instead, I use them as a compass, remaining eager to fully explore and experience each step of my journey.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Am I allowing myself to be what I was created to be?
2. Do I have goals that I use to focus my plans and activities?
3. Do I serve my goals or do they serve me?

How to Keep Going When You Feel Like Quitting

How to Keep Going When You Feel Like Quitting

The most successful people have an uncanny ability to keep going when everyone else would quit. Your success is tied your ability to keep working after you have the urge to quit. Quitting is a bad habit, and it’s often learned at a young age. Learn how to continue making progress no matter how strong the urge to quit grows.

Consider the reasons you feel like quitting in the first place:

You lack energy.
A lack of energy isn’t just a reason one might quit a marathon. It’s also a common reason for quitting other pursuits. Exhaustion can be physical or mental. To help counteract your exhaustion:

  • Get a full night of sleep
  • Get better control over your schedule.
  • Streamline your life.
  • Eat more nutritious foods.
  • Learn how to relax.

You lack focus.
Too many distractions can result in the desire to quit. Are you trying to accomplish too many other things? Some people can deal with more goals than others. If you feel overwhelmed, narrow your focus to your most important goals.

It’s not that important to you.
Do you have a good enough reason to keep going? Why are you doing this activity in the first place?

Remind yourself of why it’s important to keep going. Maybe the best motivation you can find is setting a good example for your children. Maybe the most important issue is self-respect. Find a good reason to continue.

Understand the reasons you feel the desire to quit. It’s natural to want to quit. And most people do. Will you be one of the few that’s able to persevere? It’s just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other until you’re finished.

Persevere when you want to quit:

  1. Revisit your original purpose. Is that motivation enough? If it’s not, you’ll need to find a new reason. If you can’t think of one, that might be a sign that you should be doing something else. But don’t give up too quickly. Look deeply. You’ll almost certainly find a compelling reason to continue.
  2. Create small successes. Nothing is more motivating than success. Set yourself up for regular success by setting easy goals that move you forward. These baby steps can result in the momentum you need to carry you to the finish line. Just focus on the immediate task and forget about the rest.
  3. Focus on the endpoint. The path might not be enjoyable, but the end result should be. Keep your eye on how great you’ll feel when you’ve reached the end. By focusing on the endpoint, you can maintain your motivation more easily. Visualize your ideal endpoint twice each day.
  4. Stay on schedule. Once your motivation begins to wane, it’s easy to lose track of your goal. Other activities seem to take over your schedule and it becomes easier to procrastinate. So, make a schedule that will ensure you stay engaged. Make time so you don’t have an excuse to quit.
  5. Ask yourself how you’ll feel if you allow yourself to quit. Quitting sounds good in the short-term, but we usually regret it later on. How will you feel in a week, month, or year from today if you let yourself quit?

Learn to keep going, no matter how strong the desire to quit grows. This is the best indicator of your ability to be successful. You will eventually succeed if you can continue moving toward your goal. You don’t have to quit just because you feel the urge to stop.

Walking Around In Fear Limits My Potential

Walking around in fear limits my potential.

When I look in the mirror, I see someone who is destined for greatness. I breathe confidence into myself to go after goals.

Excessive internalization puts doubts in my mind, so I act quickly when I make a decision. This keeps me from building up fear and shirking any commitments.

The world sometimes looks scary, but in reality, there is hardly anything to be afraid of. The possible outcomes of each situation are limited. I am willing to accept whichever one that comes because they are all outside of my control.

Doubting myself on the job prevents me from accessing great opportunities. Sales calls are intimidating, but the worst scenario is that I hear, them say “no”.

When I consider how insignificant that response is to my existence, I regain confidence. The person on the other end of the line has little significance to my life. Confidently calling one after the other eventually leads to success.

It is great to be liked by others, but that falls very low on my priority list. I act according to my own standards and beliefs. How another person views that is irrelevant.

I place very little focus on pleasing others. I present myself as I sincerely am. It is okay when only some people accept that. What matters is how I feel about myself.

Today, each step is guided by the belief that fear is a figment of my imagination. I challenge my mind to think positively and take courageous steps. My potential is immeasurable when I do that.

Self-Reflection Questions:

  1. What are the things that I tend to be fearful about?

  2. How do I encourage myself to put aside feelings of nervousness?

  3. How does it feel to overcome a fear?

Managing how I respond to stress is key to my peace of mind

Managing how I respond to stress is key to my peace of mind.

Each day brings its share of stressful situations. I understand that I am unable to control what happens to me, but I am resolute in managing how I respond to situations.

This approach contributes to my continuing peace of mind. My reaction to situations dictates how well I am able to combat stress.

I know it is easy to get caught up in difficult situations at work. External factors can make my workplace untenable. But I learn to separate the situation from the reaction.

It is important to me to display a positive attitude to unfavorable circumstances. I am convinced that how I respond determines the impact on my health and well-being.

There are times when stressful situations get the best of me. When that happens, I counteract that feeling with healthy activities. Exercise at the end of a hard day makes me feel very relaxed.

Meditation and pampering also help me to unwind and release stress. I treat myself to a long soak in the tub after a rough day. Pampering helps me to forget the cares of my world.

Today, I manage my response to stress with positive techniques that work well for me. Living a less stressful life keeps me youthful and vibrant. I want to maintain my peace of mind, so I do what is necessary for that to happen.

Self-Reflection Questions:

  1. How do I cope with stressful situations?

  2. Do I rely on the support of others to get through a challenging time?

  3. How can I lessen the impact of a stressful issue?

I Deal With Stress Constructively

I deal with stress constructively.

I am calm. I protect my mental and physical well being. Managing my stress levels helps me to think more clearly and perform more effectively. I build my strength and resilience.

I meditate and pray. I slow down and breathe deeply. Connecting with the divine helps me to recognize my true power.

I think positive. I remember that setbacks are temporary. I look for the advantages in any situation. I value learning from experience.

I accept uncertainty while taking control of my actions. My peace of mind depends more on my decisions than on external events. I persevere through obstacles. I figure out my options and adjust my strategy.

I reach out for support. Talking about my struggles helps me to learn and grow. I gain insights and see events from a different perspective.

I rest, relax, and laugh. I remember to take breaks on busy days. I sleep for at least 7 hours each night. I look for humor in difficult times.

I work out. Moving around releases tension. I visit the gym or take a yoga class.

I express my creativity. I develop an outlet for my emotions. I write in a journal or spend time on my hobbies. Enriching activities lift my spirits and reduce my anxiety.

Today, I have the skills and strength to cope with stress. I set reasonable expectations and meet challenges head on. I nurture myself with healthy habits and a cheerful outlook.

Self-Reflection Questions:

  1. Why is it important to avoid reckless behavior as a way of dealing with stress?

  2. How does gratitude help me to deal with stress?

  3. What is one kind of support group that I would like to try?

I breathe in calmness and breathe out anxiety

I breathe in calmness and breathe out anxiety.

Each breath I take cleanses my mind. Calmness fills my lungs and spreads throughout my body with each inhalation. Stress and anxiety leave my body as I exhale. I spend the entire day constantly renewing myself as I breathe.

Breathing is my anchor to peace and serenity.

I am always at peace, because I can take my breath everywhere I go.

Focusing on my breathing keeps my mind in the present moment. There is nothing to worry about in the present, only in the past or the future. By remaining present, I naturally feel calm and relaxed.

My ability to relax in stressful situations continues to grow. I sometimes feel anxious in the most stressful situations, but I am strengthening my ability to cope with them. I am so pleased with my progress.

I know I can handle anything life may bring my way.

My ability to enjoy my life is increasing, too. My true-self is being revealed by my calm mental state. I am free of stress and anxiety.

Today, I remember to be aware of my breath and the many benefits it provides. I allow all of my stress and worries to leave my body with each breath. I welcome the soothing powers of each breath of fresh air.

Self-Reflection Questions:

  1. What is causing me the most stress in my life right now? What can I do about it?

  2. Do I allow my mind to focus too much on the past or the future?

  3. How would my perspective change if I avoided dwelling on the past or the future?

I allow myself to experience peace and relaxation

I allow myself to experience peace and relaxation.

My life is filled with peace and peaceful thoughts. My natural physical and emotional state is relaxation. My life is one long, easy breath.

I reduce the stress levels in my life through relaxation. I use a variety of techniques to experience deep relaxation. I find that meditation, deep breathing, and exercise relax my mind and body.

My ability to relax is expanding each day. I am beginning to forget what stress feels like.

I have the ability to feel peaceful and relaxed at any time, regardless of my current situation. Peace and relaxation are inside of me. I simply need to allow them to flow over me like a warm bath.

I use each moment as an opportunity to relax. I can relax my muscles and think pleasant thoughts whenever I desire.

I have stressful days, but I know how to manage them effectively. Stressful feelings are a reminder to use to relaxation skills. These skills work quickly and effectively.

I face stressful situations confidently. I am able to face any situation that may occur in my life.

Today, I allow my mind and body to relax completely. I enjoy a greater level of peace than I have ever experienced before. I can handle any stressors that may come my way.

Self-Reflection Questions:

  1. What are the most effective ways I have found to relax?

  2. What in my life is preventing me from experiencing peace?

  3. What are some things I could introduce to my life to feel less stress and anxiety?

Fear is an illusion

Fear is an illusion.

Fear is an illusion in the mind, and I know I can overcome it. I refuse to listen to the inner voice that tells me to be afraid.

Instead of allowing my fears to be in charge, I control my body and mind.

I have the power to stop fear before it takes over. I put together a list of all of my fears so I can be on the lookout for them and stop them in their tracks.

I can let go of my fears. My mind is strong and able to see beyond a moment of fear. I recognize my talents and pursue my dreams regardless of any fears that may arise.

I can avoid panic because I know I am strong and powerful.

My mind is open to the truth about self-imposed limits. Fear is one of these limits, but I am stronger than the illusion. I leave fears behind and let my creativity blossom. I avoid creating boundaries for my spirit.

My mind is a unique vessel that functions without fear.

Today, I am free. Free to go after my dreams. Free from the illusion that tries to make me afraid. And free to create the life I desire.

Self-Reflection Questions:

  1. How can I recognize fear before it takes control of my mind?
  2. How can I help my friends eliminate fear and pursue their dreams?
  3. What can I do to stop the fear of failure and achieve my goals?

What You Need to Know About the Physical Effects of Anxiety

What You Need to Know About the Physical Effects of Anxiety

Anxiety affects your body as well as your mind. In addition to worrying and feeling nervous, you may experience changes in your immune function, circulatory system, and other areas. Anxiety may also be caused by physical conditions and may increase your risk for certain disorders.

It’s an important issue, because anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting an estimated 40 million adults each year. It can take many different forms, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, or phobias.

Whatever the cause, anxiety usually responds well to medical treatment and lifestyle modifications. If you or someone you know is being treated for anxiety, consider these physical changes that you may want to address.

Managing the Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, that prepare you for fight or flight. Since such physical responses are rarely required in modern life, those chemicals now wind up interfering with natural body functions.

While you can’t eliminate stress, you can use strategies for dealing with it more constructively.

Try these ideas to relieve anxiety:

  1. Breathe deeply. When you’re tense, your breathing tends to become rapid and shallow. Remind yourself to slow down and breathe from your abdomen instead of your chest. You’ll feel calmer and increase the supply of oxygen and nutrients to your brain and other organs.

  2. Avoid infections. Anxiety may hamper your immune system. Take extra precautions against catching colds and other bugs. Wash your hands and keep them away from your face.

  3. Dress in layers. Blood vessels sometimes constrict as the result of chronic stress, making it more difficult to regulate your body temperature. Keep a sweater or wrap handy if you’re prone to sweats and chills.

  4. Eat well. Anxiety has a major impact on your digestion. You may overeat or lose your appetite. You may experience irritable bowel syndrome or stomach churning. Plan out your meals and snacks to give your body the nutrients and calories it needs.

  5. Limit caffeine. Does coffee give you the jitters? Try cutting back on caffeine to see if you feel more at ease. You may want to avoid coffee completely or limit yourself to one cup a day.

  6. Exercise regularly. Physical activity is one of the most effective and constructive methods for dealing with stress. Find a variety of activities that you enjoy. Invite a friend or family member to work out with you so you’ll have more fun and increase your chances of being consistent.

  7. Rest and relax. Anxiety often interferes with sleep, so remove any obstacle you can. Go to bed at the same time each night and keep your bedroom dark and quiet. Relax during the day with meditation, instrumental music, or a warm bath.

Identifying the Physical Causes of Anxiety

Anxiety disorders usually develop in childhood or early adulthood. You may want to see your doctor if you begin to have excessive anxiety later in life, so you can rule out physical causes.

These are some of the issues to look for:

  1. Overactive or underactive thyroid. Overactive and underactive thyroids are among the most common physical causes of anxiety. Your doctor can perform simple tests to help you receive appropriate treatment.

  2. Issues in the brain. Brain tumors are rare, but they can cause psychological changes. An early diagnosis increases your chances of recovery.

  3. Chronic conditions. Struggling with a chronic condition can make you more vulnerable to anxiety. Let your physician and loved ones know if you need extra help.

Understanding the physical effects of anxiety can help you heal your mind and body. Talk with your doctor about your individual concerns and learn to manage stress so you can enjoy greater physical comfort and peace of mind.