THINK POSITIVE

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness."
-Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993)


How many times a day do you think negative thoughts without even realizing it?  Cursing the slow driver on the road (be careful, I might be that driver!), thinking negatively about your job, wishing the day would go faster, putting yourself down, putting others down, etc. etc. - you get my point. 

Negative thoughts can turn into negative actions - and we all know that isn't good!  Even if you aren't speaking your thoughts out loud, they are still unkind!  You are actually not being very kind to yourself - because when you think negatively, you are bringing yourself down more than anyone.  I used to be the QUEEN of negative thinking! 

Being kind is not just limited to being kind to others....you must be kind to yourself as well!

Today's Starfish


Today, I did an experiment.  I consciously tried to think and say only kind things all day long.  It was very interesting to actually notice a negative thought bubbling up in my head and then catch it before it became too real.  Like when I was driving in my car and someone didn't use their turning signal.... I started to say "Ummmm SOOO I guess your turning signal doesn't work?!!"  But instead, I told myself - "Maybe they are having a terribly busy Monday and their head is just somewhere else."  And how many times have I been that person who forgot to use my signal?  No use getting upset about something that you can't even control!

As I stated above, I used to be the best negative thinker around.  I am not so much anymore!  It really does change your entire view of life when you change your way of thinking.  People notice the change in you as well :) 

With that said, I want to end today's post with a very special saying that we said every morning in 4th grade. If you went to Jamaica Elementary School, you know just what I am talking about.  Mrs. Lenz was an amazing teacher, mentor and friend.  She was a huge advocate for showing kindness to everyone she encountered  She is terribly missed by many people - but her teachings and her wise words live on ... and on and on. 

Think Positive

    Say to yourself every morning:

Today is going to be a great day!

I can handle more than I think I can!

Things don't get better by worrying about them.

I can be satisfied if I try to do my best.

There is always something to be happy about!

I am going to make someone happy today.

It's not good to be down!

Life is great, make the most of it!

BE AN OPTIMIST!

MARCH MAD(kind)NESS

“Luck has a peculiar habit of favoring those who don’t depend on it.
– Author Unknown

If you are anything like me, you spent this last weekend watching the NCAA tournament and celebrating St. Patrick's Day.  Luck... the luck of the underdog.... the luck of the Irish.  Do you believe in luck?  Or does everything in your life happen for a reason? 

Why did #15 seed Lehigh beat #2 Duke and screw up brackets all around the nation?  And I don't know about you, but I had Missouri in the final four on one of my sheets.  Where is Norfolk State anyway!?!?!  Ten of my teams are still alive for the Sweet Sixteen - not bad ;)   So what is luck?  Swishing the three pointer at the buzzer?  Would it have mattered if that one guy would have made his free throws in the first quarter?  Or if the refs "would have been on our side?"   



Some people spend HOURS filling out their brackets, researching stats and trying to figure out the science behind March Madness.  Others pick the teams with the coolest names, highest rank, or cutest players ;).  Some favor underdogs and others have watched all season and think they have a pretty good handle on who is going to win. 

So why does the girl down the hall who has never watched a basketball game in her life end up winning the pot of money?  Is it luck?  Coincidence? 

Today's Starfish


Today, I wanted to stick with the theme of luck.  I don't really believe in luck.  I believe that everything that happens to us is happening just how it is supposed to be.  I think that the people I touch with my Starfish Mondays are the exact people I am supposed to be affecting on that specific Monday. 

Over my lunch break I went to Casey's and got a $10 gift card, stuck it in an envelope with a little note and taped it to the door of the mail room at my apartment complex.  I'm sure it helped whoever found it and brightened their day! 

SPRING into Kindness

"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to evaporate."

--Albert Schweitzer                                                 

Oh, Spring :)  Ever notice how weather really does affect people's moods?  When the sun is shining, people just seem to be happier.   The days are getting longer - the sun stays out longer, there is a warm breeze and you can smell the scent of spring in the air. 

This analogy might be pushing it a little... but could we compare how people feel with weather to how people feel after experiencing an act of kindess (or doing one)?  Let's try it :) 

Day in and day out, the weather is the same.  Windy, snowy, cold.  You have to let your car run for awhile before driving, put on your mittens and hat and scrape your windows in the morning.  Shove on your snow boots, winter coat, make sure you leave extra early because of icy conditions.  And on and on and on. 

And how do you feel when you finally have that nice, warm day you have been waiting for?  FANTASTIC!!!! Bring on the flip flops and sunglasses!!!!!

Day in and day out, everyday is the same.  Wake up, go to work, go to meetings, go to the gym, come home, go to sleep. Repeat.  Ever feel like your life is just on repeat?  Same everything, everyday.  Kind of like winter.  Drab, dreary, cold.

But how do you feel when something exciting breaks up the monotony of your day to day life?  When someone buys your Starbucks, or you receive a card in the mail or have a genuine conversation with a friend?  Or someone gives you the closer parking spot at the mall?  FANTASTIC right!!!? 

Kindness thaws the heart, just like Spring thaws the ice.  I love my Mondays. They really warm my heart.

Today's Starfish

Since today was 70+ degrees and the sun was shining when I got out of bed and we just had daylight savings so everyone is a little "off," I decided to do something that goes along with the theme of Spring. 

For those of you who know my mom, you know she is just the most amazing woman.  She has the biggest heart, strongest will, and kindest smile.  She is my best friend.  I would not be anywhere near the woman I am today without her!!!  I sent her a nice spring flower bouquet this afternoon, knowing she would be home and confused when the delivery truck came!  I was just waiting for that text from her saying she got them :)  And she was so excited to get them that she posted a picture on her facebook page. (Way to go Mom!!)

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."

--James Matthew Barrie



Gracias, Merci, Grazie, Danke, Chokrane

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
-Albert Schweitzer

Spanish, French, Italian, German and Arabic - THANK YOU.  They all look so different, but the words have a universal meaning. 
                                THANK YOU. 
                                           Thank you. 
                                                     thank you. 
Saying those two words to someone can make all the difference.  Recognizing someone for something they did by saying two itty bitty words ---- maybe they did something as small as compliment your shoes or your new hair style, or maybe they were there for you and showed you support in some of your most troubling times --- maybe a best friend, a parent, a co-worker, a stranger.  THANK YOU.  It means the same thing in every language, it holds the same emphasis in every act.  It is reciprocating an act of kindness someone did for you.



I know we were all taught to always say "thank you,"  but did you ever stop and think about what giving thanks really means?  Or has it become such a second nature that you say it without giving it much thought.  My challenge to you:  say thank you to someone and REALLY mean it.   Write a note, make a phone call or do it in person.  And be sincere.  The person you are thanking will know the difference :)

Today's Starfish

So, last week I talked about how I was involved in a class at my church.  We had a spiritual retreat a couple weekends ago and I met two of the most wonderful ladies.They really helped me to feel loved and cared for and accepted and worthy.  They prayed for me for many different aspects in my life and they prayed for my journey in my faith.  And they also did the same for me this last weekend at my class.  I decided to write them a thank you note today just to make sure they know how much I appreciate their thoughtfulness and kind words and that they really did touch my life.

Don't forget the challenge this week!  Say thank you to someone and really mean it!