by Betty Deerwester
10 – PUT ON A HAPPY FACE – Sometimes you have to fake it until you make it. I’m not suggesting that you are not to be honest, real or authentic, but I am suggesting, sometimes, you just need to put on a happy face and keep moving forward. If you act like you are happy then you can experience greater joy and happiness in your life.
9 – DON’T OVERDO IT – Know when to say when. What gives you fulfillment the first time may not work the second or third time. Too much of a good thing may begin not to feel as good if the “thing” becomes more of a routine, or an expectation. Set healthy and reasonable boundaries for yourself and don’t overdo it.
8 – NOTICE WHAT IS RIGHT – Some of us see the glass as half-full while others see the glass as half-empty. The next time you are caught in traffic, think how nice it is to have a few moments to reflect on the day, focus on a problem you have been attempting to solve, or brainstorm for your next idea. Take what life gives you and reframe it with what is right about the situation. At the end of the day you will be more peaceful. When you begin to notice what is right, watch the world change in front of your eyes.
7 – SAVOR THE MOMENT – To be in the moment is to live in the moment. Instead of thinking of things you need to do, or things that have happened to you, or worrying or planning, or regretting, think about what you are doing right now. Too often we are thinking ahead or looking ahead to the next event, meeting or circumstances in our lives. We fail to appreciate the “here and now.” When we savor every moment, we are savoring what life God has given us.
6 – BE KIND TO OTHERS AND TO YOU –Acts of kindness creates a significant increase in your moods and increases the desire for others to perform good deeds as well. Kindness is contagious and when you make a commitment to be kind to yourself and to others you will begin to experience new heights of joy, happiness and enthusiasm for your life.
5 – HALT – (hungry, angry, lonely or tired) – When you are experiencing any of these four emotions you need to “halt” and take care of which one of the four you are experiencing so you can function in an effective manner.
4 – BE POSITIVE – Learn to recognize the negative thoughts you are having. The self-doubts, the criticisms of others, the complaints, the reasons you can’t do something. Stop yourself when you have these thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts, solutions. You can do this!
3 – SLOW DOWN, PAUSE, AND BREATHE – Life moves at a very rapid pace these days. It’s not healthy. It’s not conducive to living. Practice doing things slower – everything from eating, to walking, to driving, to reading, to working. Enjoy what you do. Notice your surroundings – the smells, sights, sounds. Meditate for a few minutes on what you are feeling and bring your focus back to the present as much as you can in everything you do.
2 – GRATITUDE – Count your blessings. Learn to be grateful. At the end of a busy day think of three things that you are grateful for. Gratitude changes your attitude.
1 – IS WHAT I AM DOING BRINGING OTHERS TO CHRIST?
The line starts forming when the doors open at 5 PM with closing at 7:30 PM. Adoration is at 6 PM in the Church.
We have hit nearly 33% or our goal in just our first 6 weeks. We continue our journey with the Archdiocese towards our goal of 3.2 million for our 5 Parish Projects. As of Monday, December 20, 2009 we have received: $1,034,265 in pledges or 32% of our goal. This comes from 286 families or 20% of our 1380 families. This project is about equal sacrifice not necessarily equal gifts. St. Edward Parish has always found a way to grow and give back over the past 125 years. Together we are building a future of hope for St. Edward.
Would you be interested in helping perform 