Brenda Rosaaen C.E.C. ~Personal Development Coach~

Personal Development - Gratitude

*Watching the sunrise while drinking a hot cup of coffee

*The sound of a baby’s laughter

*The smell of leather

*Crisp mountain air

*The peace and tranquility of being out in nature

*The smell of coffee brewing

*The incredible colors of an evening sunset…..

These are just a few things that I love.

This is a great little exercise to do when you are feeling in a funk, maybe out of focus and just have a minor case of the blahs.

A lot of people talk about having a gratitude journal. Where you list at the end of the day all the things you were thankful for that happened that day. It’s a great way to keep things in perspective and really appreciate all that is in your life.

This list is different.

You don’t have to wait till the end of the day. You can stop what you are doing right now. It doesn’t take but just a few minutes,(seconds actually) and think about things that you LOVE. There are probably hundreds of things you can list that you LIKE. Don’t list those items. Your list should give you a feeling, that when you read the words, it’s as if you are there and your senses are activated.

Take a deep breath, relax. What are the first things that come to mind when you think of things you love? That instantly puts a smile on your face and gives you a feeling of peace?

Notice how your mood begins to change when you take a minute or two, to focus on each one?

This is a great way to take a mini-mental vacation when you need to re-focus and re-group. Why not write them down, post your list someplace you see on a regular basis as a daily reminder when you start to feel frazzled or in a slump.

Make it a great day!

~Brenda

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Maintaining a Positive Attitude

Having a positive attitude is one thing, but maintaining it can be a bit more challenging in these changing times.

There is more to having a positive mental attitude, than just smiling at the people you meet and being friendly and cheerful all the time. Yes these things help, but it really starts on the inside.

There are several things that can affect your attitude in both positive and negative ways. It's all about creating awareness and catching yourself when you start to feel like you're falling into a slump.

What are some of the things you are telling yourself?  "I can't, I don't know how, It doesn't work, It's hard, I'm stuck"... Sound familiar?  When you find yourself starting your sentences this way, STOP. Think of a way to re-frame that thought, right at that moment.  It takes work to do this at first, after awhile it will become a habit.

Remind yourself, Why are you here in the first place? What are your goals? What drives you? Count your blessings. Where were you at this time last year? Celebrate how far you have come! The knowledge you've gained, the people that have come into your life.

Do you visualize what you want? Have you tried affirmations? Are you around positive uplifting people on a daily basis? What are you reading and listening to? All of these things can really make a difference in how you face the day.

Ask yourself, What is already working in your life? Write it down! Remember, what you focus on expands! 

Focus on the good things ;)

~Brenda

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What's your footprint?

What's your Carbon Footprint? That question has been surfacing more and more. According to Wikipedia, it is "measure of the impact that human activities have on the environment ..."

What I'm wondering is, What is your Emotional/Personal Footprint? I really don't know what I want to call it. However, there is no doubt that we always leave some sort of impression behind when we interact with others.

A Facebook friend shared a great story with me,that I'd like to share with you as well. In her own words...

"Many years ago when my daughter and I were driving from Denver to Seattle, in the wee hours of the morning, I stopped for fuel in Billings. Met a very kind person behind the counter. Very brief pit stop and back on the road.
A couple weeks later I received roses with the note;"... it was a blessing ...to meet you and your daughter, I wish you well always".
That is the opinion I have of MT as a whole. I was touched by the warmth and kindness of this stranger without expecting anything in return."

This story just goes to show we never really know the impact we have on others. She apparently made a positive impression on the person behind the counter. Not thinking a thing about it, just a stranger traveling along.

What a wonderful feeling that must have been to receive the unexpected note and flowers weeks later! Do you think that clerk behind the counter has any idea of the impression he has now made on her?

The good news is, we have a choice daily how we want to show up in the world and what kind of footprint we leave behind.

And on the flip side, when was the last time you told someone about the affect they have made on your own life? Chances are they might not have any idea. Not only will it make them feel good to hear it, you'll probably feel pretty good about it as well.

;) Brenda

 

P.S. Thank you, my new Facebook friend for allowing me to share your story!

 

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Gratitude

Have an attitude of gratitude! How many times have you heard that one? Unless you've been living under a rock, probably a gazillion times. Every personal development coach, trainer, speaker, self-help motivational guru out there tells you to do this.

Often times it can be easier said than done.  Challenges and set backs seem to come at us from all different directions. Maybe your relationship isn't working out the way you thought it should. You've hit yet another roadblock in your career. Maybe you've lost a spouse or family member. An unexpected illness has occured. Or maybe your car finally pooped out and you have no other form of transportation.  The list goes on.

Even in the most extreme circumstances, you can find something to be thankful for, some bright spot.  It just takes some conscious effort.  Take for example the various natural disasters that are so often shown on tv, there always seems to be someone being interviewed that has found a way to turn a devastating circumstance around.

One exercise you can do is, from the moment you wake up, start making a mental list (on paper is even better) of all the things that are good in your life. For example: #1) I am alive, #2) the sun is shining, #3) the newspaper is actually at the door, not in the bushes where the paperboy usually throws it, #4) that was a really great cup of coffee...

Stop and really think of the most simple everyday things. So often we go about the day and not even notice the little things. The funny thing about gratitude is, the more grateful and thankful you are about the things and events in your life, the more you will begin to the notice all the little blessings in disguse.

Here's to the little things. Cheers!

~Brenda

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