I’m good enough. I’m smart enough. And doggone it, people like me.” (Al Franken as Stuart Smalley)
Not that this wasn’t a funny SNL bit (which sadly is nowhere to be found on YouTube, though you can still buy the classic mock self-help guru’s book). But if you believe that affirmations are merely a punchline, or maybe you’ve tried to do them and they didn’t work (that was true in my case) you may be missing out. Read the rest of this entry »
Do you doubt the power of words? I have a little exercise for you. First, read the following list of words, preferably aloud (unless it will get you in trouble at work or make people think you’re in need of a medication adjustment).
aglow, alive, amused, blissful, bright, bubbly, calm, cheerful, chipper, content, cozy, delighted, eager, ecstatic, elated, enthralled, excited, exuberant, fine, fortunate, frisky, funny, giddy, glad, gleeful, good, great, hilarious, hopeful, joyful, jubilant, lighthearted, lively, lucky, marvelous, merry, overjoyed, peaceful, playful, proud, sparkling, spry, thrilled!
How do you feel? Good? Uplifted? Most people end up smiling, grinning, and generally feeling hopeful after reading this list. Read the rest of this entry »
Does all of the family togetherness around the holidays sometimes make you feel like shouting from the rooftops? And I don’t mean ho, ho, ho. If your extended family is less like a Norman Rockwell painting and more like Munch’s The Scream, then you’re in good company. It is estimated that 75% of people have at least one family member that gets under their skin. It is also estimated that the other 25% are lying.
Of course we love our families, but at least some of the time, they do have an uncanny ability to push our buttons like no other. Sure you can limit your visits or artfully dodge certain people, but are there other ways of dealing with difficult people and familial tensions at the holidays? I think so. So, before you head home to face your Aunt’s disapproving glances, your Mother-in-law’s not so subtle critique of your parenting skills, or whatever gets your goat, here are:
3 New Strategies for Dealing with Difficult People at Family Gatherings Read the rest of this entry »
Though the origins of associating Friday the 13th with bad luck are unclear, many people are superstitious about both the day and the number 13. My favorite theory regarding its beginnings is that it came from Norse mythology, only because the myth sounds just like the set-up of a joke: “So there were these 12 gods having a dinner party at Valhalla…”
Whatever started the superstition, the truth is that if you convince yourself that any day or thing is unlucky, you can create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Often what we think about, is exactly what we tend to attract into our lives. So, instead of lurking around in fear today, why not decide to think differently?
Here are 13 positive ways to celebrate Friday the 13th, all involving the number 13. Take that Norse gods!…Whoa…my power just went out…hmmm?…Anyway, continuing… Read the rest of this entry »