Just Noise

Responding

You are NOT your thoughts.
You are simply how you respond to them.

If one attempts to sit still and have "no thoughts" one will soon discover it is quite impossible. We all have thoughts all of the time. In fact, we cannot even escape them when we sleep as they will soon enter our dream-state. We cannot control our thoughts and the thoughts themselves are not us. If one is angry and one has a thought of killing another person does this make him a murderer? If one has a sexual thought towards another does this make him a rapist, adulterer or a fornicator? One is how they respond to their thoughts. The key is to notice any thought and then to choose how one will respond to it. One can feel angry and not BE angry. One can become aware of thoughts of vengeance, but choose to be compassionate.
We must make peace with our "shadow" thoughts, our dark side.

The Idea

Materialism

A psychology study (Nickerson et al.) conducted in 2003 is suggests that seeking materialistic desires do not usually equate to one's contentment.

  The study examined the attitudes of 12,000 college freshmen when they were eighteen, and then measured their life-satisfaction at age 37.  Those who had expressed heightened materialistic aspirations as freshmen – always wanting something they did not have – were far less satisfied with their lives two decades later.

Real Food

Just Beautiful.

http://za.news.yahoo.com/watch--the-most-touching-mandela-tribute-came-from-the-least-expected-place-070947330.html

Sense

Lead

When you follow your heart and intention, I guarantee someone will try to discredit you for it.
 When you finally find something that makes you content, not everyone will be happy for you. When you show unwavering kindness to others, some people will question your motives. When you are honest to the core, some folks will attempt to use your honesty against you. and possibly see it as weakness. When you look for the best in everyone you meet, a few of them will take advantage of it.
Don’t let any of these people stop you from doing these things. 
These people don’t matter.
In the end, what does matter is how you feel about yourself and the life you lead and have led. 

"Normal"

Toxic People

If you know someone who insists on destructively dictating the emotional atmosphere, then be clear: they are toxic.  If you are suffering because of their attitude, and your compassion, patience, advice, and general attentiveness does not seem to help them, and they don’t seem to care one bit, then ask yourself, “Do I need this person in my life?”

When you delete toxic people from your environment it becomes a lot easier to breathe.  If the circumstances warrant it, leave these people behind and move on when you must.  Seriously, be strong and know when enough is enough!  Letting go of toxic people does not mean you hate them, or that you wish them harm; it simply means you care about your own well-being.

A healthy relationship is reciprocal; it should be give and take, but not in the sense that you’re always giving and they’re always taking.  

Vacation

In a recent survey, 35 percent of participants felt better about their jobs and were more productive at work after taking a vacation. It makes perfect sense, really. But according to the same survey, the average American uses just 14 of their 18 allotted days.
 Compare these numbers to the Europeans: German, Spanish and French citizens receive 30 vacation days each year, and only the Germans leave any of it on the table. 

Together

Life

Life is about finding a balance between what we can and cannot control.  
You must learn to live comfortably between effort and surrender.  
Life does not owe you anything; it has already given you everything you need. 
 Freedom is not overcoming what you think stands in your way; it is understanding that what is in your way is part of the way.

Addicted

Opportunities

Shine

Don’t sell yourself short. 

 Don’t save face and then lose yourself in the process.  

Doing so does not serve the world nor yourself. 

 There is nothing helpful about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.  

 Shine in a way only YOU can. 

 And as you let your light shine bright, you subconsciously give others permission to do the same.  

As you are liberated from your own fear of standing out, your presence automatically liberates those around you too.

Long Term

Mindfulness

Results

 Your body and mind need to shut down every now and then to recuperate. 
 It’s simple: slow down, breathe and get more sleep. 
 Results = work + rest.

Question

Cages

Strong

1. Giving up does not always mean you’re weak.
2.  Sometimes it simply means you are strong enough and wise enough to let go and grow.

Health Insurance

Storm

Mindset

It is your responsibility, and yours alone, to recognize that regardless of what has happened up to this point in your life
You are capable of making choices to change your situation, or to change the way you think about it.

Turn

A Truth

Real

It’s better to be disliked for who you are than loved for who you are not.
  In fact, the only relationships that work well in the long run are the ones that make you a better person without changing you into someone other than who you really

are.

Outrunning

Risk

Real

Sometimes we try to show the world we are flawless in hopes that we will be liked and accepted by everyone, but we can’t please everyone and we need to let go of this delusion. 
 The beauty of us lies in our vulnerability, our complex emotions, and our authentic imperfections. 
 When we embrace who we are and decide to be authentic, instead of who we think others want us to be, we open ourselves up to real relationships, real contentment

 and real success.

Holiday Self-Care

• Set realistic goals and plan ahead. Establish small, concrete steps to handle holiday tasks. Don’t overwhelm yourself with lofty goals that are too time-consuming for the hectic holiday season.
• Keep things in perspective. Put stressful situations into context by taking a long-term perspective. Work to avoid blowing events out of proportion.
• Take care of yourself. Pay attention to your own needs during the holiday season. Participate in activities that you enjoy and find relaxing.

Mindfulness

Sunsets

Just because someone has been in your life for many years, does not mean there cannot be a point at which you finally decide to let go.
Be mindful of when a relationship has reached its natural and organic ending.

Glow

Physical activity increases circulation throughout the body.
 Better blood flow to these regions means an influx of nutrients and a flushing of toxins.
 For the skin, this means quicker healing and cell regeneration, which promotes a more youthful glow.

Haunting

You

Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you. 

 When you free yourself from negative people, you free yourself to be YOU – and being YOU is the only way to truly live.

A Pound of Fat

Words

Persistence

Persistence is the single most common characteristic of high achievers.  They simply refuse to give up.
  The longer you hang in there, the greater the chance that something will happen in your favor.  Success is the good fortune that comes from aspiration, desperation, perspiration and inspiration.
  No matter how hard it seems, the more you persist, the more likely your success. 

Fruit

Researchers found that people who ate at least two servings a week had more than a 20 percent reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, compared to those who ate less than one serving of fruit per month. However, drinking fruit juice was linked to a greater risk of diabetes. 
The study found that one or more servings of fruit juice each day increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by more than 20 percent. Eliminating juice and adding whole fruits to your diet is a great way to stabilize your blood sugar levels and keep them under control.

Thinking

Negative Habits

Your negative habits – the ones that hurt your health and happiness – are 100% dependent on YOU for their survival. 
 Stop allowing these habits to control, limit, stifle, and discourage you from being your best self. 
 Today is YOURS to shape; own it! 
 Break free from the bad habits that are poisoning and diluting your potential.

Exercise and Insomnia

Regular physical activity is a wonderful prescription for insomnia.
However, one sweat session on the treadmill is not likely to lead to better sleep that night. Researchers have found that, though effective, exercise is a long-term treatment for insomnia. 
Exercise can help you sleep longer and more soundly, plus feel more awake during the day. People who are physically fit also have

 better quality sleep. 

Serendipity

Direction

You control the direction of your life.
  Only your intention limits you from achieving your fullest capacity. 
 Since changes in behavior generally precede changes in attitude, action directed toward your vision will increase your sense of purpose and belief in the possibility of success.

Switch

Research suggests that years of eating the usual Western fare may affect the area of the brain that regulates metabolism. Specifically, it confuses the messaging system, so that you may not be able to accurately assess things like hunger, appetite and fullness. 
The good news is, there are ways to overcome it. For one, omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish, may help regulate those changes. Adding fish, flax seed, nuts and soybeans to your diet is a good place to start. 
Taper your use of artificial sweeteners and start eating more fruits and vegetables to keep your blood sugars stable. Adopting a healthy diet high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and low in healthy carbohydrates, saturated fats, and sodium can retrain the brain. Exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management help cut cravings too. 

Underneath

Say

1. Say what you need to say. 
2.  Speak your truth. 
3. There is no greater sadness than holding on to the words you never had the courage to speak.

Mascot Foods

Value

Delete

Give, but don’t get used.  Never waste too much of your time on someone who doesn't value it.

A good relationship does not drag you down, it lifts you up.  

Listen to positive people and ignore negative ones.  People that doubt, judge and disrespect you are not worth your time and attention.

  Life gets easier when you delete the people that make it difficult.  All failed relationships hurt, but losing someone who does not appreciate and respect you is actually a gain, not a loss.

Being alone in the long run is far better than being with someone who doesn't appreciate your worth.  

Know your worth.  Know the difference between what you’re getting and what you deserve.  

Non-Animal Based Protein Sources

Perspective

Paths

Happiness and success is all about spending your life in your own way.

  Always be yourself and walk your own path. 

 No one can ever tell you you’re doing it wrong. 

 Everyone has their own dreams, their own struggles, and a different path that makes sense for them.

Agreed

Friends

Excuses and Inaction

 Stop making excuses for why you can’t get it done and start focusing on all the reasons why you must make it happen.  Stop talking about what you have done or what you are going to do.  Just do it and let your actions speak for themselves.  Most great things in life don’t happen by chance, they happen by choice.  You never know what’s possible until you risk finding out.

Remember, it’s always better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.  In the end, there is only one thing that makes your dreams and goals completely impossible to achieve:  Your lack of action.

Process

Progress

Prisoner

You are not your past failures.  You are not your past habits.   You are not how others have at one time treated you.  You are only who strive to be right now in this moment.  You are only what you do right now in this moment.  

Stop allowing yourself to be a prisoner of your past.  Become the architect of your present and future.  Learn from your regrets, but do not punish yourself with them.  Live beyond your fears and focus on the profound possibilities that await your immediate

attention.

Turn

Bridge