Read by Nelson Mandela
at His Inauguration
“Our deepest fear
is not that we are inadequate.
It is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness what most frightens us.
You might ask yourself,
“Who am I to be so brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?”
Actually, who are you not to be!
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won’t feel unsure around you.
We are all meant to shine as children do.
We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.
As we shine our own light,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.”
Marianne Williamson
This is my favorite Inspirational Message that Nelson Mandela read during his inauguration. I often read this message and think that I am special, important and a gift to others. My favorite line is “As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” What it means to me is that when I let my fears stop me I am not taking advantage of opportunities which may be beneficial to me and others.
Please let me know what your feelings and discoveries when reading this inspirational message. I look forward to hearing from you.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Feeling Sorry for Yourself Produces Miracles
“One has just to be oneself.
That’s my basic message.
The moment you accept yourself as you are,
All burdens, all mountainous burdens,
simply disappear.
Then life is a sheer joy,
a festival of lights.”
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
Indian spiritual master
What I think Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh was saying in the above quote is to accept yourself as the person you are and happiness will follow. Speaking from experience I know it is very hard sometimes to accept myself as a beautiful person. I can find a hundred things wrong with me. Sometimes I can be my worst enemy.
What do you accomplish by allowing yourself to beat you up? Following are some good reasons?
1. Give yourself permission to feel sorry for yourself.
2. Don’t have to take any risks.
3. Taking a mini-vacation from life.
4. Spend time alone.
During the time you are feeling sorry for yourself, miracles can happen. What am I talking about? While you are feeling sorry for yourself you are constantly thinking about your life and what is happening. Many ideas surface at this time, which you are examining.
Let me tell you a story. Mary, name changed was trained as a computer programmer. Not being able to get a job in her field, she was working as an assistant nursery school teacher. Everyday after school she would go home more depressed than the day before. This situation continued month after month. Until one day during our coaching session she had the bright idea of asking her neighbor, who worked for a computer programming company, how she could get into the field. He was delighted to speak with her. He helped Mary write her resume and also spoke to the human resources director at his company. A miracle happened and Mary was offered a job at the same company. Another miracle happened she started dating her neighbor and they are planning to get married.
In this situation by feeling sorry for herself, Mary came up with ideas that produced miracles.
Today is your day for a miracle to happen. Just for Today if you are feeling sorry for yourself take the following steps:
1. Write about your unhappiness. (Example: I can’t lose weight.)
2. Write down ideas that can change your situation. (Examples: Exercise 20 minutes a day, eat healthy and stop eating chocolate.)
2. Examine each idea and chose one.
3. What small action step are you going to take today? (Example: I am going to walk outside for 20 minutes.)
Let me know how you make out by leaving a comment on the Love Yourself – It Matters! Blog or sending me an email at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net.
Remember you are a beautiful person and can accomplish anything you want by taking one some step at a time.
That’s my basic message.
The moment you accept yourself as you are,
All burdens, all mountainous burdens,
simply disappear.
Then life is a sheer joy,
a festival of lights.”
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
Indian spiritual master
What I think Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh was saying in the above quote is to accept yourself as the person you are and happiness will follow. Speaking from experience I know it is very hard sometimes to accept myself as a beautiful person. I can find a hundred things wrong with me. Sometimes I can be my worst enemy.
What do you accomplish by allowing yourself to beat you up? Following are some good reasons?
1. Give yourself permission to feel sorry for yourself.
2. Don’t have to take any risks.
3. Taking a mini-vacation from life.
4. Spend time alone.
During the time you are feeling sorry for yourself, miracles can happen. What am I talking about? While you are feeling sorry for yourself you are constantly thinking about your life and what is happening. Many ideas surface at this time, which you are examining.
Let me tell you a story. Mary, name changed was trained as a computer programmer. Not being able to get a job in her field, she was working as an assistant nursery school teacher. Everyday after school she would go home more depressed than the day before. This situation continued month after month. Until one day during our coaching session she had the bright idea of asking her neighbor, who worked for a computer programming company, how she could get into the field. He was delighted to speak with her. He helped Mary write her resume and also spoke to the human resources director at his company. A miracle happened and Mary was offered a job at the same company. Another miracle happened she started dating her neighbor and they are planning to get married.
In this situation by feeling sorry for herself, Mary came up with ideas that produced miracles.
Today is your day for a miracle to happen. Just for Today if you are feeling sorry for yourself take the following steps:
1. Write about your unhappiness. (Example: I can’t lose weight.)
2. Write down ideas that can change your situation. (Examples: Exercise 20 minutes a day, eat healthy and stop eating chocolate.)
2. Examine each idea and chose one.
3. What small action step are you going to take today? (Example: I am going to walk outside for 20 minutes.)
Let me know how you make out by leaving a comment on the Love Yourself – It Matters! Blog or sending me an email at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net.
Remember you are a beautiful person and can accomplish anything you want by taking one some step at a time.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Family Parties
“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be.
If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing,
it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it.
On the contrary, if I shall have the belief that I can do it,
I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it,
even if I may not have it at the beginning.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Reading this quote, it all comes down to what we tell ourselves. If we say no way am I going to lose weight or I will never get a new job or my life is hard and it will never get easy we expect things to remain the same.
I remember telling myself never look for a positive outcome to a situation because if it doesn’t happen I won’t feel bad. Guess what I always felt bad if something did not turn out the way I wanted it to.
On the other hand if we think positively and look for the opportunities in every situation we are always receiving many gifts.
Today is Easter and some of us are spending the day with our families. Sometimes our old tapes start replaying and we compare ourselves with our family members. Susan married a rich Doctor and doesn’t have to worry about money like we do. Paul has a great job and never married so he has not responsibilities. It goes on and on.
This year let’s play a different game and make a grateful list before going visit our family members. Making the list reveals to us that we are pretty lucky. Also, no one knows how another person feels. Just because your sister is married to a doctor does not mean they don’t have money worries. Also, your brother may feel lonely and wish he was married.
The secret is to keep reminding yourself of what you do have and treat yourself with loving kindness. There are no better gifts in the world.
Today at the family function bring your special gifts and compassion for everyone.
Have a beautiful day!
If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing,
it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it.
On the contrary, if I shall have the belief that I can do it,
I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it,
even if I may not have it at the beginning.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Reading this quote, it all comes down to what we tell ourselves. If we say no way am I going to lose weight or I will never get a new job or my life is hard and it will never get easy we expect things to remain the same.
I remember telling myself never look for a positive outcome to a situation because if it doesn’t happen I won’t feel bad. Guess what I always felt bad if something did not turn out the way I wanted it to.
On the other hand if we think positively and look for the opportunities in every situation we are always receiving many gifts.
Today is Easter and some of us are spending the day with our families. Sometimes our old tapes start replaying and we compare ourselves with our family members. Susan married a rich Doctor and doesn’t have to worry about money like we do. Paul has a great job and never married so he has not responsibilities. It goes on and on.
This year let’s play a different game and make a grateful list before going visit our family members. Making the list reveals to us that we are pretty lucky. Also, no one knows how another person feels. Just because your sister is married to a doctor does not mean they don’t have money worries. Also, your brother may feel lonely and wish he was married.
The secret is to keep reminding yourself of what you do have and treat yourself with loving kindness. There are no better gifts in the world.
Today at the family function bring your special gifts and compassion for everyone.
Have a beautiful day!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Smiles and Kindness
“Life is not made up
of great sacrifices and duties
but of little things in which smiles
and kindness given habitually
are what win and preserve
the heart and secure comfort.”
Sir Humphry Davy, 1778-1829
English chemist and inventor
This is a great quote, all we have to do is smile and be kind to secure comfort. Some days it is so hard to just smile and be kind to ourselves and others. Others days it is easy. Our attitude determines our actions.
When I am feeling good about myself, self-confident and giving. I usually smile most of the day and am kind to myself and others.
Some small steps you can take during the day that will create a feeling of well being:
1. Do something nice for yourself the first thing in the morning.
Example: After getting out of bed make yourself a cup of coffee or tea and drink it in a room by yourself. It only takes about 5 to 10 minutes and the rewards are numerous. When you are kind to yourself it creates the feeling that you are important. Then you are able to share your smiles and kindness with others.
2. Have a healthy breakfast. The food will fuel your body and provide a feeling of satisfaction. Feeling content will unlock your smiles and you are able to give them freely.
3. Positive thinking. When having a negative thought stop, acknowledge it and think of something positive. Thinking positively you are being kind to yourself and creating a feeling of self-confidence.
4. Acknowledge your resentments towards others. Resentment is the feeling someone is taking advantage of you or has been hurtful. I know we sometimes feel we have the right to be angry because the someone was mean, hurtful or uncaring. I once heard a statement, “Resentment is drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.” This sums it all up. Being resentful only hurt us. We are more important than the other person. What I usually do is have a conversation in my head with the other person and then picture a bright healing light around us both for a few seconds. I usually feel better.
Taking the time to care for yourself brings smiles to your face and the feeling of kindness. Having these feelings you are able to share them with others.
Now it is your turn to try all or any of the above suggestions. Please share your experiences with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community by leaving a comment or sending me an email at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net.
of great sacrifices and duties
but of little things in which smiles
and kindness given habitually
are what win and preserve
the heart and secure comfort.”
Sir Humphry Davy, 1778-1829
English chemist and inventor
This is a great quote, all we have to do is smile and be kind to secure comfort. Some days it is so hard to just smile and be kind to ourselves and others. Others days it is easy. Our attitude determines our actions.
When I am feeling good about myself, self-confident and giving. I usually smile most of the day and am kind to myself and others.
Some small steps you can take during the day that will create a feeling of well being:
1. Do something nice for yourself the first thing in the morning.
Example: After getting out of bed make yourself a cup of coffee or tea and drink it in a room by yourself. It only takes about 5 to 10 minutes and the rewards are numerous. When you are kind to yourself it creates the feeling that you are important. Then you are able to share your smiles and kindness with others.
2. Have a healthy breakfast. The food will fuel your body and provide a feeling of satisfaction. Feeling content will unlock your smiles and you are able to give them freely.
3. Positive thinking. When having a negative thought stop, acknowledge it and think of something positive. Thinking positively you are being kind to yourself and creating a feeling of self-confidence.
4. Acknowledge your resentments towards others. Resentment is the feeling someone is taking advantage of you or has been hurtful. I know we sometimes feel we have the right to be angry because the someone was mean, hurtful or uncaring. I once heard a statement, “Resentment is drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.” This sums it all up. Being resentful only hurt us. We are more important than the other person. What I usually do is have a conversation in my head with the other person and then picture a bright healing light around us both for a few seconds. I usually feel better.
Taking the time to care for yourself brings smiles to your face and the feeling of kindness. Having these feelings you are able to share them with others.
Now it is your turn to try all or any of the above suggestions. Please share your experiences with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community by leaving a comment or sending me an email at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Opportunities
“The past cannot be changed.
The future is yet in your power.”
Mary Pickford
Do you sometimes think about the past and wish things were different? You are not alone! Sometimes we get stuck in our thinking and feel nothing is ever going to change.
You can break your train of thought and think of ways to change your situation in the future.
I have a client who always says, “When one door closes, it is hell waiting in the hallway so open the shade and look out the window.” Let’s take her advice and look for the opportunities that are presenting themselves today.
The first step is to become aware of these opportunities. How can you do that? Following are some small steps you can take to find those hidden opportunities:
1. Be in the present moment.
Every so often take a deep breath and see what is happening around you.
2. Grateful List
Make a list every night of three things you were grateful for during the day.
3. Conversations
Listen when you are talking to someone for the opportunities that are being presented.
4. Letting it out to the Universe
Ask for help. Example: if you are looking for a new job let other people know.)
5. Faith
Instead of feeling nothing will change trying telling yourself, “Things are getting better everyday.” Have faith that your dream will come true.
I invite you to try this experiment and see if being aware of opportunities and taking advantage of them makes a difference in your life. You can either leave a comment on this blog or send me an email at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net.
The future is yet in your power.”
Mary Pickford
Do you sometimes think about the past and wish things were different? You are not alone! Sometimes we get stuck in our thinking and feel nothing is ever going to change.
You can break your train of thought and think of ways to change your situation in the future.
I have a client who always says, “When one door closes, it is hell waiting in the hallway so open the shade and look out the window.” Let’s take her advice and look for the opportunities that are presenting themselves today.
The first step is to become aware of these opportunities. How can you do that? Following are some small steps you can take to find those hidden opportunities:
1. Be in the present moment.
Every so often take a deep breath and see what is happening around you.
2. Grateful List
Make a list every night of three things you were grateful for during the day.
3. Conversations
Listen when you are talking to someone for the opportunities that are being presented.
4. Letting it out to the Universe
Ask for help. Example: if you are looking for a new job let other people know.)
5. Faith
Instead of feeling nothing will change trying telling yourself, “Things are getting better everyday.” Have faith that your dream will come true.
I invite you to try this experiment and see if being aware of opportunities and taking advantage of them makes a difference in your life. You can either leave a comment on this blog or send me an email at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Dieting Tips for Parties
Are you tired of eating everything in sight from Friday to Sunday waking up feeling fat, bloated and hating yourself on Monday? Well, welcome to the human race. I was at a birthday party recently and watched everyone pick at food constantly, then complain about feeling stuffed. It took me back to many years ago and how I felt at parties. Either I ate too much and felt stuffed or ate nothing until I got home, then the flood gates would open and I ate everything. I knew even then that there had to be a better way!
The next day while working with one of my clients, she told me about her major concern, she was invited to a dinner party and was scared to death she would start binging again. After many years of struggling with food, “Judy” had finally started eating healthily, exercising and losing weight. Once in front of her friends and faced with her enemy, food, she was afraid her commitment to take care of herself would disappear and she would start eating everything.
I understood exactly how she felt. I asked her to describe how she would look shoveling the food into her mouth. Once she started describing herself she stopped and said, “No one is putting the food in my mouth only me. I have a choice and my commitment to be healthy is stronger than anything else in the world.”
We brainstormed about different tools to make sure she had fun at the party and without sabotaging her healthy choices. By implementing the ideas below, Judy was able to stay on her diet and enjoy herself at the party. Afterward, she sent me an email saying, a miracle had happened. By using the ideas we discussed she was able to stay on her food plan and had a fantastic time at the party.
1. Never go to a party hungry.
2. Take a bottle of water to the party and drink it before eating.
3. Talk to at least three people before eating.
4. Don’t sit near the food.
5. Always have a salad in your car in case no salad is served.
5. Take only a small amount of each type of food, and plenty of salad.
6. Have fruit for desert.
7. Never go back for seconds.
8. After you finish eating, take another bottle of water and socialize with the guests.
9. Don’t stay late.
10.As soon as you get home, do something nice for yourself.
Next time you go to a party, try some of these ideas and let me know what happens.
I would love for you to join me in writing “Love Yourself – IT MATTERS Blog,” by sharing your special gifts with the each other. All it takes is one little step; leave a comment expressing your ideas and experiences at www.theloveyourselfcoach.blogspot.com.
A special note to anyone who is struggling with food - please send me an email at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net or give me a call at 609.448.8828, we can discuss your specific challenges and how I can support you.
What are you doing nice for yourself today?
Warmly,
Helen
The next day while working with one of my clients, she told me about her major concern, she was invited to a dinner party and was scared to death she would start binging again. After many years of struggling with food, “Judy” had finally started eating healthily, exercising and losing weight. Once in front of her friends and faced with her enemy, food, she was afraid her commitment to take care of herself would disappear and she would start eating everything.
I understood exactly how she felt. I asked her to describe how she would look shoveling the food into her mouth. Once she started describing herself she stopped and said, “No one is putting the food in my mouth only me. I have a choice and my commitment to be healthy is stronger than anything else in the world.”
We brainstormed about different tools to make sure she had fun at the party and without sabotaging her healthy choices. By implementing the ideas below, Judy was able to stay on her diet and enjoy herself at the party. Afterward, she sent me an email saying, a miracle had happened. By using the ideas we discussed she was able to stay on her food plan and had a fantastic time at the party.
1. Never go to a party hungry.
2. Take a bottle of water to the party and drink it before eating.
3. Talk to at least three people before eating.
4. Don’t sit near the food.
5. Always have a salad in your car in case no salad is served.
5. Take only a small amount of each type of food, and plenty of salad.
6. Have fruit for desert.
7. Never go back for seconds.
8. After you finish eating, take another bottle of water and socialize with the guests.
9. Don’t stay late.
10.As soon as you get home, do something nice for yourself.
Next time you go to a party, try some of these ideas and let me know what happens.
I would love for you to join me in writing “Love Yourself – IT MATTERS Blog,” by sharing your special gifts with the each other. All it takes is one little step; leave a comment expressing your ideas and experiences at www.theloveyourselfcoach.blogspot.com.
A special note to anyone who is struggling with food - please send me an email at helen@loveyourselfcoaching.net or give me a call at 609.448.8828, we can discuss your specific challenges and how I can support you.
What are you doing nice for yourself today?
Warmly,
Helen
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Loving Kindness
This, Too, Shall Pass Away
"When some great sorrow, like a mighty river,
Flows through your life with peace-destroying power,
And dearest things are swept from sight forever,
Say to your heart each trying hour:
This, too, shall pass away.”
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Do you ever feel that things will never change, I will never lose the weight, I will never find the right job, or life is so difficult why even try. The list can go on and on and the only result we are creating is that we feel sorry for ourselves. By sharing with your heart “This, too, shall pass away,” gives you faith to get through anything.
This is a time of transition in my life. For those of you that don’t know, my husband and best friend, Bob moved on to another world January 10, 2008. Last weekend was very hard as my daughters and I donated Bob’s clothes to a thrift shop and sold his car. While going through the process of writing down the items of clothes and watching the person from the thrift shop bag and take the clothes, I was so involved in the present moment I felt fine. Then after everyone left my body felt exhausted. The next day when they took his car I felt this great hole in my heart.
Feeling like a brick wall come tumbling down on me, my first thought was how I can make this feeling go away. At that moment, I had a choice to either deny my feelings or feel them. My first reaction was to go food shopping, which I did and had a struggle concentrating and pushing the cart around the store.
While putting the food away, I realized it was time for self-care, I started being kind to me instead of pushing myself. After finishing my food project, a friend called to see how I was doing. We chatted for awhile which gave me time to rest and regain my lost energy. How lucky I am to have friends and family members who are there to support and love me.
My Special Gifts
• Alice, my cat, is staring at me with love in her eyes.
• Friends and family members are understanding and keep saying, “You don’t have to do things alone we are here to help you.”
• I am being kind to myself and feeling my feelings.
• New opportunities are presenting themselves everyday.
What are your special gifts? Please share them with this Love Yourself – IT MATTERS! Community and together we can all learn from each other.
REMEMBER YOU ARE FANTASTIC JUST THE WAY YOU ARE! Have a great day.
Helen
"When some great sorrow, like a mighty river,
Flows through your life with peace-destroying power,
And dearest things are swept from sight forever,
Say to your heart each trying hour:
This, too, shall pass away.”
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Do you ever feel that things will never change, I will never lose the weight, I will never find the right job, or life is so difficult why even try. The list can go on and on and the only result we are creating is that we feel sorry for ourselves. By sharing with your heart “This, too, shall pass away,” gives you faith to get through anything.
This is a time of transition in my life. For those of you that don’t know, my husband and best friend, Bob moved on to another world January 10, 2008. Last weekend was very hard as my daughters and I donated Bob’s clothes to a thrift shop and sold his car. While going through the process of writing down the items of clothes and watching the person from the thrift shop bag and take the clothes, I was so involved in the present moment I felt fine. Then after everyone left my body felt exhausted. The next day when they took his car I felt this great hole in my heart.
Feeling like a brick wall come tumbling down on me, my first thought was how I can make this feeling go away. At that moment, I had a choice to either deny my feelings or feel them. My first reaction was to go food shopping, which I did and had a struggle concentrating and pushing the cart around the store.
While putting the food away, I realized it was time for self-care, I started being kind to me instead of pushing myself. After finishing my food project, a friend called to see how I was doing. We chatted for awhile which gave me time to rest and regain my lost energy. How lucky I am to have friends and family members who are there to support and love me.
My Special Gifts
• Alice, my cat, is staring at me with love in her eyes.
• Friends and family members are understanding and keep saying, “You don’t have to do things alone we are here to help you.”
• I am being kind to myself and feeling my feelings.
• New opportunities are presenting themselves everyday.
What are your special gifts? Please share them with this Love Yourself – IT MATTERS! Community and together we can all learn from each other.
REMEMBER YOU ARE FANTASTIC JUST THE WAY YOU ARE! Have a great day.
Helen
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