a tickle of words to create smiles

Posts tagged ‘Mental Health’

Share your emotions.

 

01DEC-2

Share joy and sorrow alike.
~ Duke Shanxiang, Zhou Dynasty

People, especially those who are close to you, want to be a shoulder for you to cry on when you have sorrow, just as much as they wish to share in your joys. Do not feel you are a burden to others when you have trying times in your life. Let others lift you up. As they lift your spirits, their own hearts are lifted. You are empowering them and giving them a sense of value and purpose. Share your joy and sorrow alike.

All rights reserved. ©2015 by A.K.Orobko

Grateful for Forgiveness (TY-28)

 

AKOBadMomentsRS

Bad moments do not make you a bad person. ~ Dr. Angi

We all have our “moments”, but those moments do not make us bad people. Each of us have our own unique sensitivities and coping skills. Another’s actions may or may not evoke a reaction from me; but, it would evoke a reaction from someone else.  That reaction does not make that person bad. It is only when he or she is not sorry for the reaction or bad moment that would taint his or her character.

Empower your loved ones. Give them the opportunity to forgive you and to need them. People feel valued and appreciated when you consider their emotions, ask for forgiveness and/or help. Our vulnerabilities such as bad moments make us human; furthermore, love yourself enough to forgive yourself. We cannot go on forever holding onto the bad moments in our lives. Why relive them? It is better to move forward and do better next time. How we choose to act after our bad moments is what really counts.

12novHTC3

I am deeply grateful for forgiveness. It empowers me to let go of hurts, fears and negativity, whether I am forgiving others, myself or giving others the opportunity to forgive me. A little compassion to ourselves and others goes a long we toward creating peace, harmony and joy. Lots of positive actions and feelings do come from letting go of the hurts and negativity. Forgiveness is key to happiness, which is a very good reason to appreciate it. Let go of the hurt and the shame. Forgive others and yourself.

Ready? To Let Go and Embrace!

31DecAKO-Fearless

Today is the perfect day to decide what you are ready to let go, release and forgive. Take a moment and ponder. Think about your year. Ask yourself the following questions: What are you ready to let go? What are you ready to release? What are you ready to forgive?

My year was filled with many ups and downs. I am ready to let go of all the hurts, the grief, the struggle, the unnecessary drama, poor communication and misunderstanding, pretenses and phoniness, disconnect, fear, the extra weight upon my frame that only serves to drag down my high spirits and energy.

I ready to let go of my resistance to change and avoidance of new experiences. I am ready to release seeking approval from others. I am ready to let go of criticism, especially self-criticism. I am ready to release my uneasiness around certain people and new situations. I am ready to forgive all the wrongs and negative situations of my past. I am ready to let go of ALL those things and actions that no longer serve me.

2013 will be a powerful year; a year that will allow me to shake out all the old ways and habits that no longer serve me. It is a year to fully step into creative self-expression and abundant support for my dream from all that is. 2013 is a time for my vision to become a reality. I am ready to appreciate, invite and embrace love in my life, success, great health, a fit body, successful publication of my books, travel opportunities and adventures into unknown territory that will bring me prosperity. I am ready to step into my life fearlessly and live!

What are you ready to embrace, invite and appreciate in 2013? Take this opportunity to really think about it. I invite you to narrow all your thoughts from all the questions in this article into one word you wish to fully live in 2013. My word of the year is FEARLESS. (To get the step-by-step directions on how to do your own “New Year Art” go to www.heartsthatcare.net, scroll down to image, FEARLESS, and click).

A Little Does A Lot!

AKO-KindHearts

I know I have shared similar sentiments about the importance of kindness, but I believe it bears to be retold over and over again as I find more and more on the positive benefits. Besides the obvious benefit of bringing joy to receiver, kindness brings joy to the giver; as I believe most of you know. But, did you know that people who witness kindness in action also get a benefit from this event? Yes, indeed. One act of kindness touches at least three hearts: the heart of the recipient, the heart of the giver, and the heart of the witness or observer. A little kindness does a lot!

Multiple scientific studies have shown that the act of kindness has a positive effect on the immune system and on the increased production of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter that has a calming, mood regulating, and anti-anxiety effect. Serotonin is considered a joy-inducing substance because it serves as a pathway(a catalyst) for delight in the brain. The function of most anti-depressant medications is to stimulate the production of serotonin chemically, which helps ease depression.

One of the most fascinating research findings to come out in recent years is that whenever a simple act of kindness is extended by a human being towards another, it results in a significant improvement in the functioning of the immune system and increased production of serotonin in the giver, recipient and the observer of the simple act of kindness. (Read more: http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/act-of-kindness#ixzz2FRdItP3o) A Harvard study called this the Mother Teresa Effect because a group of over 130 Harvard students were tested before and after viewing a film on the life of Mother Teresa for an important antibody found in their saliva important to their immune system. The students had a noteworthy increase in this antibody after watching the charity works of Mother Teresa in her life story.

You can do your own research. How do you feel after watching a program like Extreme Makeover Home Edition or Touched by an Angel, where people are uplifted by other people? I am willing to bet you feel wonderful. I also believe that as we approach significant holidays like Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas where you people see more goodwill and acts of kindness, there is a greater amount of joy in the hearts of all the people involved. Furthermore, there are more heart-warming movies being broadcast on television and shown in the movie theaters. How do you feel after doing a good deed? How do you feel when you see someone performing a good deed? How do you feel when someone helps you out?

According to the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, “Non-pharmacological methods of raising brain serotonin may not only improve mood and social functioning of healthy people — a worthwhile objective even without additional considerations — but would also make it possible to test the idea that increases in brain serotonin may help protect against the onset of various mental and physical disorders.” According to experts, the following strategies to raise serotonin levels are worthy of further investigation: the power of suggestion (viewing acts of kindness or suggesting to yourself to be joyful), exposure to bright light (like being outdoors in the sunshine), exercise (runner’s high comes to mind), and diet (eating well-balanced foods that you enjoy).

The benefits are many, but the take home message is: A little KINDNESS does A LOT! Now, the task is to narrow the list of what you can do to spread kindness around because the opportunities are truly endless. What are your favorite acts of kindness to do, observe or receive? My favorites are sharing and receiving a heartfelt smiles, sincere compliments and undivided attention.

 

Happy, Thank you, More please

AKO-HappyTYMorePleaseSome of the best life lessons can be learned from the most unlikely of places. That happened to me last night, as I watched a really great, but unremarkable (not popular) movie, “happythankyoumoreplease”. The movie stirred my spirit and reminded me of the very important life lesson of gratitude. I had a profound realization of the power of those 5 simple words: happy, thank, you, more, please. Halfway into the movie, one of the characters, Annie talked about it during a dinner conversation with Sam #2. It was a a-ha moment for me.

When anyone asks you, “how are you today? (or some related question) and you are fine; take a pregnant pause and really experience it. You can do this by: 1) completely embracing the moment and say aloud, “I am happy.” 2) Be grateful and reply “Thank you.” 3) then, ask for more, “More please?” Let God and the Universe know how you truly appreciate the moment and how you wish to have more of it in your life.

Everyone deserves to be happy. And, when we are happy/content; we need to acknowledge it and appreciate it by expressing gratefulness; furthermore, it is more than okay to ask for more. That is part of the secret to the law of abundance….gratitude and appreciation. It is important to acknowledge absolutely everything in your heart…ALL that you have that comforts you, sustains you and makes you happy and who you are.

Starting at this very moment, observe and become truly aware of who you are, what you have going for you and what you deserve. You deserve love and happiness. As you experience and receive the things that make you happy, acknowledge the happiness. Mark it in real-time and proclaim, “I am happy!” Appreciate it, “thank you!” and invite more into your life, “more please?” Be open to receive the happiness. Then start this cycle over and over again in your life. Visualize the process: the happiness, the gratitude, and the openness to receive more, because you deserve it. We all do. And you know what?

I am truly very HAPPY! THANK YOU so very much! MORE PLEASE?

(For an opportunity to work with a fabulous creative Life Coach, seek Dr. Angi at www.HeartsThatCare.net)

 

How Do You Say Goodbye?

AKO-HowDoYouSayGoodbye

How do you say good-bye to loved ones, those who have left their earthbound bodies? How do you let go of your companions and family (four-legged or two)? The answer is… you don’t, nor do you need to let go or say good-bye.

Memories of our loved ones are in our minds; and, their spirits are in our hearts. They are always with us. We only need to think of them and feel them. Yes, their physical bodies are no longer with us; but, they are indeed with us… without pain, without disease, without any earthbound limitations. They are with us as pure love and positive energy. Yes, it is hard to embrace that concept.

We miss seeing their physical presence! They are no longer where we expect them. We are grieving the change. The tears are good. Do not be ashamed to cry. Release the sadness, so you can make room for the serenity that will follow.

Your loved ones are just a thought and a prayers away. In fact, your loved ones are always with you, watching you, supporting you and loving you the best way they know how. Invite their spirits into your heart. Talk to them aloud, in a whisper or in your head; they will hear you. Feel their love envelop you. Feel their warmth pour into your heart. Hold onto those moments and savor them. You will feel the peace, as you feel tears stream down your face. Does it get easier? I cannot answer that question because each of us grieve differently and on our own timelines.

I do wish to send out my love, my prayers and my positive energy to all those who are missing loved ones. I miss my aunt who passed this past January. Christmas was her favorite holiday, as it is also my cousin’s (her daughter’s) birthday. This is going to a very difficult time for my cousin. My love and heart goes out to her and her family.

More recently, my sister had to put down her fur-baby kitty-cat, Gracie.

Gracie was just 5 years young, still a kitten in many respects; but, Gracie has suffered this past month from an unknown condition. Gracie could not eat, unassisted. She was having difficulty breathing, too. It was discovered Thursday night that Gracie had a rare disease, which was causing Gracie to basically starve to death. It was very painful. My sister had no choice. She had to let Gracie’s physical body die, so Gracie would no longer suffer. This transpired late Friday afternoon. This weekend has been difficult for all of us.

Gracie was a very special kitty cat. My sister rescued Gracie when she was a tiny kitten from a hot engine of a hospital van. My sister immediately took her to a veterinarian who saved her by the grace of God…thus her name, Gracie. Gracie became the hospital mascot and my sister’s fur companion. Gracie’s life touched many. Gracie was a sign of hope and lived a wonderful life filled with love. Gracie will be missed, but we all know she is in a better place where pain and suffering will no longer touch her. Rest in peace, Gracie. We love you.

 

Make Time…for YOU!

AKO-MakeTimeForYou

Make time for those things you truly want to do. Worry not. The things that need your attention, will get it, but with more joy! The key is to schedule your time with balance in mind. I have found this to work really well for me! I find that I am getting so much more done because I am able to put forth more enthusiasm and energy to all my tasks because I scheduled in some “fun”.

I know during this time of year is a season of preparations, parties, shopping, decorating and loads of busyness. It does not have to take the wind out of your sails if you take the time to take a breather or two daily. And, yes, life happens when you make plans.

So, keep it flexible. You already know what you need to do. Just include an activity or two that will give you a spark. For me it is creating art to music. One song takes 5 minutes maximum. With a bit of set-up and clean-up, it is a total of ten minutes; and, wow, I am ready to do the next “need-to” task. What activities can you “squeeze-in” that will make you blissful? Balance is the solution!

Shine Upon the World

We are ALL natural beauties; it stems from within our heart and spirit; and shines upon the world if you allow it. It starts with a smile in your heart. When you are in a blissful state of mind, and you are not harboring any negativity, your natural beauty shines brightly upon the world. You really do glow!

If you take a moment to pause and release the stresses of the day, you will feel it. A great way to do this is to take one to three long, deliberate breaths as you really experience and delight in that moment. It is yours to enjoy. No matter how busy our lives are, we can take a full minute for ourselves, even if it is in the privacy of a bathroom stall (and what a great place to release all your stress).

Remember, your thoughts become things. When you think joyful and beautiful thoughts, then joy and beauty become reality. You will feel a warmth in your heart and being. Really, you will. You only need to embrace it, choose it and believe it. Let your inner beauty shine upon the world.

(The image is from my art journal; you can find out more about my art journal experiences on my Blissful Art blog as I will be posting more on the process and my techniques in the days to come.)

Bless the Stress ~ Feeling Grateful

Why not bless the stress in your life. Some stress is good as long as it is in moderation. In order to stay tone and fit, we need to add a little stress to our muscles. Varying types of exercise and activity exerts a bit of stress on our muscles. It is healthy.

This same concept can apply to life as well. A little stress in my life reminds me that my life has purpose. I am needed. A moderate amount of stress keeps me creative and productive.  I only get into trouble when I expect too much from myself. I sometimes need to remind myself to do things at a steady pace; and, that life is not a race! Yes, bless the stress. When I reassess the stress and find humor in it; then it no longer affects me in a  negative way. Appreciate the role of stress in your life.

Be Gentle…

We can be our own worst enemies. I find myself wanting to accomplish so much and then mentally berating myself for not meeting my daily goals. I have the choice to be gentle with myself and celebrate everything I did do! I have found that I am doing other worthwhile activities that were not even on my mental to-do list (Aside…I made a typo just now, and it read do-do list…maybe that is exactly what it is). In an article I wrote back in February I suggested creating a Ta-da List.

The point of that article was to share a couple of tools to help us gain a sense of accomplishment by creating a mental shift. The first thing we did was reorganize our way of thinking on “what we NEEDED TO DO” and then  we proceeded to reinvent or recreate the familiar honey-do/to-do lists into something fun. We discovered the best way to get anything accomplished was to create a visual organizer or map to help us focus on the main item or items among all those daunting tasks that vied for our attention.  This was a mental shift from the standard To-do List to a Map of Hocus-Focus, which made it fun and fanciful. (for more go to To Do or Ta-Da?)

This is a lovely way to be gentle with myself and others. Another fabulous way is to accentuate the positive in our lives. It is uplifting to appreciate all the wonderful people, things, and events that have taken place and count our blessings. It stirs enthusiasm and it can be self-inspiring to spark the energy we need to get us through the challenges and tasks at hand. How are you gentle with yourself and others?

 

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