#ThursdayThoughts: Happiness

Good Morning and Welcome to the last Thursday Thoughts for October 2014! Still can't believe this year is nearly over.

As I sit here in the quiet, early morning hours and take a moment to connect with my soul one thing is abundantly clear.... I AM Happy.

Writing that, emotions swell in my body... a lump in the throat, tears in my eyes, gratitude overflows my heart, my mind is awhirl.

I look back over this past year and recall a conversation with a friend when he said, "happiness is the greatest attraction" and I realize how true that is.

People are more drawn to those who exude happiness, joy and peace.

Just as misery loves company and depression darkens the brightest day, the vibrant energy of happiness permeates the atmosphere and has the ability to raise up everyone around you.

Knowing this, why wouldn't you choose happiness as a way of life?

Now, I know as well as the next person you can't be happy all the time. Things will happen, sad memories will rise up and put a damper on your mood. Some will even try to convince you that you have no right to be happy.

Give yourself permission to feel those feelings then let them go! Do NOT allow the thief to come in and destroy your innate happiness and joy. Afterall, joy is powerful, and happiness is infectious.

So how would someone whose been in a depressed state choose happiness and joy?

One way is to get up every morning and say Thank You, Thank God for even the smallest blessing in your life. Even if that means finding and focusing on one simple thing, do it!

Another is to keep a prayer/gratitude journal. Begin your list with "I'm so happy and grateful that/for (fill in the blank)."

Write affirmations of your choice to be happy.... "I let go and let God, I choose to be happy." I am happy. I am joyful. I am peace. I am gratitude.

Writing and speaking are very powerful tools of change.

Put on some happy, upbeat music and dance every chance you get! Movement is essential for good health and as you loosen up and feel the music down in your soul, realize this is a form of worship too.

These are just a few ways you can increase the level of happiness and joy in your life. Try one or two and I guarantee you'll come up with several of your own.

But bottom line.... Happiness and Joy are a choice. Therefore, choose wisely.

Have a Blessed & Happy Day!!
PamT

Thursday Thoughts: Overwhelm

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed all you want to do is sit down and cry? Emotional overload can do that as can daily stress, physical pain, or any combination of these.

So what do you do?

Here are a few suggestions....

Cry: Yes, go ahead and have a long crying jag. You may look like hell afterward but you will feel better. Studies have proven that crying is a great way to release stress and keep toxic emotions from building up.

Pray/Meditate: Goes without saying right? But if you're like me and most people, prayer seems ineffective when you're in the midst of a meltdown but do it anyway! I've found prayer is a great way to center myself after the crying jag.

Exercise: Take a walk, jog, run, bicycle or horseback ride, work in your garden, cut the grass. Whatever you choose but get out and do something! Physical exertion eases the mind and gets you "in the moment" and oftentimes, the solutions come when your mind and spirit are at rest. 

Have Sex: Okay bet you didn't expect that from me LOL! Of course I am NOT advocating casual relationships or one night stands, but seriously, making love with your spouse, partner or significant other is one of the best ways to relieve tension, boost your immune system, and fight overwhelm! 

Read: The Bible or other spiritual/emotional material. Or better yet, indulge in a romance, suspense or some other work of fiction. Losing yourself in a great story works wonders for refreshing your mind and easing emotions.

Get creative: Paint a room or a picture, tear down a wall or old building, clean & reorganize a closet or rearrange furniture, change things up a bit. Also known as Feng Shui, moving things around changes the energy of that area. Write a letter or a blog post or begin (or resume) a gratitude list. Journaling is very therapeutic.

Visit: A friend or family member or even just sitting in a coffee shop or mall among strangers can help shift your focus away from what is going on. Again, solutions come when your mind/emotions are at rest.

Rest: Sometimes emotional overload is due to so many factors the best way to combat it is take a long, hot bath or shower, drink a glass of wine or cup of hot tea or take an OTC sleep aid and just go to bed. Things normally look better when you wake refreshed. I wouldn't recommend making any of these a nightly habit but occasionally you need something to help you relax and get a good night's rest. 

Whatever you do, let go of the daily stress and/or emotional turmoil in your life because it is too short and time too precious to waste staying overwhelmed.

Something to think about!
"Inspirational with an Edge! ™

Thursday Thoughts: + or -

Good Morning Friends!

No, the title of this post does not indicate a pregnancy test LOL!

We've all seen these little signs on batteries and electronics that require them. And we all know if you put them in wrong, whatever it is you're using the batteries for will not work. We are also aware that the + indicates a positive charge and the - a negative one.

We all have bad moments or even bad days. Heck some of us can attest to bad months or even not so good years. But in all of those times, there is always something to be grateful for, something positive.

For instance, in 2004 my daughter was suffering toxemia with a risky pregnancy, and on moderate bed rest, my grandfather died and we had to put our long-time pet down. On top of all that, an auto accident plunged me into a depression unlike I'd known before. The doctor termed it "situation induced."

Definitely a negative year and yet, God in HIS mercy blessed our lives with a beautiful baby girl!

2009 was another bad year. My husband was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, the easiest form of cancer to cure with the best rate of no re-occurrence. The minus side to that was he had a bad heart. You all know the story, on August 18th his heart succumbed to the added strain of chemo therapy. It simply stopped and he went home to the Lord.

By far the worst year of my life! But God.... (yes, there is something good) .... God blessed me with a brand new grandson!

In this life there will always be instances of negative circumstances that can knock us to our knees and, if not properly processed, can render us down and out for sometime. However, circumstances are not the only things that can drain the positivism right out of us.

People can too.

Much like a bad alternator can kill a perfectly good battery, negative people can exhaust us emotionally and spiritually until there is nothing left. We've all known (or know) folks like this. 'Negative Nellie's' or 'Energy Suckers' that siphon our emotions, and suck the very life out of our soul until we either join up and become one of them, or we shut them out of our life.

Neither is the best way to handle these type of folks.

Do what you can do to help, know when your hands are tied and yet continue to pray for them. Send them little messages of hope whenever possible, and do your best not to add to their misery, but surround them thoughts of light and love while nurturing your own emotional and spiritual health.

Protect your energy systems by prayer and clearing. Ask God and Archangel Michael to cut cords of negativity that have attached themselves to you. Meditate on Peace, Love and Joy.

In other words, do your best and let God do the rest.

Something to think about!

"Inspirational with an Edge!"

PS: It's still not too late to leave a comment and be entered in the drawing for a copy of the soundtrack from the brand new movie Grace Unplugged!

Thursday Thoughts: Random Ramblings on Being Single & Finding a Mate

Nearly 4 years ago I was thrust into life as a single woman, the future I'd planned aborted by the death of my husband. Let me tell you the journey from wife to widow to individual has not been and is not easy! Especially for someone like me, someone who from the moment she could articulate, wanted to be a wife and mother.

Of course I'm grateful for the years I spent as a wife, mother & step-mother and I'm eternally grateful for my children and grandchildren but I miss my husband and I do not like being single....There I said it!!

I don't know how to be single and am too tired to figure out the games men and women play with each other. I prefer being open and honest and true to myself.

What you see is what you get...You like it? Good!
You don't? Hit the road it's your loss!

That might sound harsh but to be even more blunt, life is TOO SHORT for pettiness, bullshit and drama.

Why is it that these men my age and older are so into young, petite, compact bodies, big boobs and long hair instead of being concerned with the HEART of a woman. A real woman who knows how to love and appreciate a man?

UGH!

When I questioned God about this the advice He gave me was.... "Do not look for a mate in the flesh. Look for a mate in the spirit and that mate will come to you in the flesh."

Last evening I spoke with a lovely young woman who laughingly said she had a list of qualities she desired in a husband. Earlier in the day I visited with a friend whose brothers wife had made such a list (before they met) and was blessed with her perfect mate.

So, taking the advice of my Father I described my soul mate.... A spiritual man, loving, kind, healthy, energetic, attractive, financially secure, emotionally available, loves to laugh, love, play, grow, help others, travel and DANCE!

Not sure how long it will be until this man enters my life but until he does, I am not up to playing games with the rest of you guys.

Love you ALL but not happening.

I pray you single ladies and gents take courage and recognize what you truly desire in a life partner then work on healing your soul and life so that you will be ready when he/she comes to you!

Something to think about... "Inspirational with an Edge!" (tm)

Thursday Thoughts: Abundance

When you hear that word, what do you think?

Yeah, me too...

When abundance is the topic of conversation, the majority of us immediately turn our thoughts to money.

But there is more than one way to be/feel/experience abundance.

How about Abundant Health, Abundant in Friends, Abundant Joy, Peace, Love and Blessings?

Abundance can be experienced in any number of ways if we're open to them. For instance, have you ever considered the abundance of nature or the ocean?

Now I have absolutely nothing against abundant wealth or money but let's enlarge our vision and think of the many ways we already abound  in Abundance!

Something to think about....

Pamela S Thibodeaux
"Inspirational with an Edge!"

Tuesday Treasure - Meditation

Good Morning Friends!

You may be wondering how on earth Meditation can be a treasure. Well let me explain.....

Like many, I've wondered at the benefits of meditation and balked at what seems like an incredible waste of time. I mean, after all, who has hours (or even minutes!) a day to sit in silence and think nothing? Is it even possible to think nothing? Have no thoughts? What's the use? I've got so much to do, just thinking of thinking about nothing is a stretch of the imagination! (No  I'm not going to try and say that again LOL!)

Isn't it funny how we get all bent out of shape thinking about sitting around and doing nothing? And yet....yet...isn't that what we do when we embrace the quiet and sip a cup of coffee or hot tea? Isn't that what we do when we sink chin-deep into a hot bath or Jacuzzi? Isn't that what we do when we immerse ourselves in a good book?

Meditation has the same benefits of all the things we do to relax. The main difference I've found is between relaxing and letting your mind wander or center on the bliss of the moment or bliss in your life compared to 'focused' or 'intentional' meditation.

We've all enjoyed those moments of pure relaxation, pure bliss where you heave a huge sigh and just be still and listen to the quiet. Focused or intentional meditation has the same effect but a different result because focused meditation makes an impression or cements an idea into your subconscious mind.

The Bible talks extensively about meditating on the "law of the Lord (which is LOVE)."

The dictionary defines meditation as "continued or extended thought; reflection; contemplation and spiritual introspection."

Focused or intentional meditation is taking a simple thought or word, (mantra) and keeping it uppermost in your mind. This can be done in the traditional way (sitting quiet, low or no lights, soft music, etc), but here's the good news! It can also be done any time, any where, for ANY length of time! Even mere moments throughout the day is beneficial.

How?  Simple.

Write your intention down, carry it with you and keep it in front of you throughout the day. Every chance you get, breathe deep and repeat the intention. Keep it simple - a single word or short sentence. If possible begin your sentence with "I AM" (ie; I am love, I am blessed, I am healthy).

Visualization is another form of meditation as is writing affirmations. Meditating on Scripture strengthens faith. Meditating before bed induces better sleep.

Want to experience the benefits of meditation but don't know where or how to start? Here's a couple of great CD's to check out.....

Prayer of the Heart - Meditating to the "Jesus" prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me."

I Am Wishes Fulfilled - tuning forks subscribed to the letters in I Am set to soft, lyrical music.

Well known wellness expert and spiritual leader, Deepak Chopra has several CD's and often does a 21 day FREE Mediation challenge.

I hope you'll check out some of these resources and find your own special form of meditation because the peace and well-being that results from doing so is truly a treasure to behold.

Until later...take care & be Blessed!
PamT