Thought For Today - December
 

When People Don't Support You

It’s natural to want support from the people around you, but sometimes there isn't the support you want. When this happens, it's disheartening, but try not to take it to heart or let it defuse your enthusiasm. Let it be an opportunity for you to become more supportive of yourself. Continue to believe in yourself, whether people support you or not.

What do you do when people around you don’t support you?

The Integrity Gap

The gap between what you say and what you do acts like a drain; a drain where your integrity and people’s trust in you, seeps away.

If you want to strive towards integrity and gain people's trust, close the gap between what you say and what you do. Avoid compromising your values or making promises you can’t deliver. So, a) know if you have gaps of integrity, and b) work out how to close the integrity gap.

December 3

A Relaxation Tip That Works Wonders

If you're tired and stressed, a soak in a hot bath works wonders. But if you have no time, then here's a tip: take two minutes to sit quietly and visualize it. It'll take you only a couple of minutes to feel as if you've had a thirty minute bath!

Visualize immersing yourself in a hot bath. As you lie in the bath, feel the warmth of the water soothe your muscles. Loosen your arms, release the tension from your back and relax your hips and legs. Immerse yourself in the warmth and relaxation, and let it work not only on your body, but on your mind too.

December 4

Are We There Yet?

Are we there yet? How often do you find yourself focused only on the destination? To reach that goal, whatever it may be?

Often, in our hurry to reach our goals, we get impatient and we also pace ourselves unsustainably. As a result, we don't enjoy the journey.

Instead of focusing on "Are we there yet?” focus on reaching your goals at a sustainable pace. Then you'll enjoy the journey, as well as the destination.

Remove the Label

We are so quick to put labels on people. Labeling them as someone who is logical, creative, caring, friendly.... But labels are for cans and jars, not people.

Come on, remove the labels and get to know the person behind the label. Be open to who they are rather than what you think of them, and see what happens.

Abundant and Prosperous

Abundance ‘believes’ that you already have everything you need, regardless of how much you actually have. It's all about how prosperous you feel. So, make a list of all the things in your life that makes you feel prosperous.

Make an abundance list and you'll realize that you're much more prosperous than you thought. Feel abundant and prosperous and you’ll do and be more.

Soothing the Monkey Mind

The mind is often like a monkey, jumping from one thought to another, and if you ask it to stop, it just becomes more wild and wilful! To soothe the monkey mind and make it work for you, here's a simple trick: feed it.

Feed it bananas, that is, read something nourishing and let it munch on the words. Feed it peanuts, that is, affirm nutritious thoughts, such as, 'My mind is calm', or 'I am the master of my mind.' Feed the monkey mind something wholesome and healthy and it will focus and think better.

What You Say

What you say matters, so choose your words thoughtfully and also think about how you say it. This includes your body language, tone of voice, and the attitude and emotion behind the words. As they say, 'It’s not what you say that matters, but how you say it', but have you ever thought about when and where you say it?

When and where you say something matters, because there is a time and a place for everything. So it’s not just what you say but how, when and& where you say it that also matters.

Time to Play

Playtime, it’s not just for kids, it's for all of us. Make time to play, and it will boost your mood and creativity, and it makes life more fun and joyful.

So, go on, find ways to bring more play into your life; dance and skate, get coloring and crafting, play sports and board games... How will you bring more play in your life?

December 10

Challenge Your Dislikes

We all have likes and dislikes…. activities, people, tasks, food…. But do they limit your life experience? How about, challenging your dislikes. Can you like the dislikes? If you can't, then can you dislike a little less?

Of course, it’s good to know what you like and don’t like. At the same time, keep challenging your dislikes and keep refining what you like and don't like. We don't have to like everything, but it’s good to broaden our life experience, isn’t it!

December 11

The River of Life

Like a river, life has its twists and turns and obstacles. Yet the river keeps flowing.

Like a river, accommodate the twists and turns of life. When obstacles come your way, your challenge is to find or create a way forward. Keep flowing forward and enjoy the exciting adventure that is life.

Take Stock of 2016

As we move into the last weeks of the year, take stock of 2016. Reflect on:
- What went well and what didn’t?
- What were the biggest challenges?
- How did you grow over the year?
- What were the most meaningful moments?
- What insights served you best this year?

Find the lessons and use them to move forward into 2017.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Often what works best, is small changes rather than big ones. Usually, it's these small changes that make a big impact in your life. It may be waking up 10 minutes earlier, or taking 15 minutes to eat your lunch without working at the same time, or going for a 20 minute brisk walk everyday....

What's the smallest change you can make, that’s going to make the biggest impact?

Like the Ocean

Sometimes we get tense or stressed when we're spending time with family and friends. When this happens, try and be like the ocean, and accept everyone as they are.

Be more accepting and you'll find it easier to be pleasant and patient, and enjoy the time you spend with family and friends.

Rest for Zest

Before you step into 2017, make sure you get some well-deserved rest. Sleep, read, light a candle or do a little bit of nothing. Get cozy, comfortable and enjoy a bit of Hygge, the new wellness trend.

Get some rest and you'll have more zest. Then you'll be ready to face the New Year with new zest.

The Season of Giving

'Tis the season of giving! One of the best gifts we can give, this festive season, is the gift of time. Give your time to an elderly neighbor, friend or family member. Whoever you are with, give the gift of your time.

December 17

Nutritious Thoughts

We all like to feel good don't we? And we all have our health conscious stints! But have you thought about the health of your mind? Just about everything evolves through our mind, revolves around our mind and involves the use of our mind.

Get mind conscious. Start feeding your mind nourishing, nutritious, healthy thoughts. It's not only good for you, but it will also make you feel good. Are you ready to go on a health stint?

December 18

Avoid the Trap

Most of us fall into the trap of making last minute New Year's resolutions. As a result, our resolutions are based on what’s bothering us at that time, rather than things that are really going to make a difference. You can avoid this trap by giving your resolutions some thought beforehand. Rethink where you need to go in the next year. Then make resolutions that will make a difference in your life.

To increase your chances of keeping your New Year's resolutions, you may want to set resolutions that are achievable, rather than over ambitious.

Unwrapping the Gift

Don’t you love unwrapping gifts…. the anticipation, as you wonder what on earth could be inside?

Now, with that same anticipation and excitement – unwrap each day as a gift.

Even if the day is not how you want it to be, unwrap it as a gift, and you might just be surprised, delighted and maybe even grateful.

December 20

Rehashing Decisions

Do you have the habit of rehashing decisions already made? If the decision is not working out for you and you’re not happy, then see if changing your decision is an option. If it is, then change it. If you don’t have the option to change your decision, then like with anything else, just take the opportunity to make it work for you!

December 21

Sense and Spirituality

Sense is practical intelligence. Some of it is learned, yet the implication is that we have an inbuilt idea of right and wrong that enables us to act accordingly. Spirituality is about understanding the self and realigning our sense of self with how we relate to the world around us. When we integrate sense and spirituality, we engage meaningfully with a spiritual sensibility.

December 22

Accepting criticism

When someone criticizes you, learn to listen – don’t interrupt or start giving excuses. If there’s any validity in the criticism – agree, apologize and see what you can change. If the criticism is wrong or unfair say: ‘That’s an interesting point of view but, I don’t agree with you.’

December 23

Festive Pressures

Reduce festive pressures by planning well, but try not to have expectations that are too unrealistic. And remember that if things go wrong, don’t get so uptight about things – it’s not the end of the world. Let Christmas just happen. And don’t forget what it’s all really about, fun and celebration. So, go on, have fun and celebrate!

December 24

Everyday Angels

Sometimes it feels as if angels appear right on cue. But perhaps for most of us, it’s the recognition that the solutions are more likely to be found in everyday things around us and in our friends. It may well be that it is we ourselves who are in the position of being an angel. A kind word, a smile or simply our presence can touch another person and set off a ripple. By maintaining sensitivity for the well-being of others, we may give ourselves the opportunity to see life through an angel’s eyes.

December 25

Something to Give

Today, make sure whoever you come into contact with doesn’t go away empty handed. They should feel that they’ve gained something from the interaction. Find something to share that will benefit them and make them feel better. It doesn’t have to be a physical object, it could be an encouraging word, a solution or even a positive thought or a good wish.

December 26

Introvert or an Extrovert?

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Or are you a little bit of both? Whichever way you lean, try to balance your introversion-extroversion. Enjoy solitude as well as the company of others. Be active and reflective. Understand yourself and thrive.

December 27

A Pantomime Mindset

“I can’t!” Believe you can’t and you most likely won’t! Instead, get into a pantomime mindset and face your doubts with amusement and fun. So every time you hear “Oh No, You Can’t!” say to yourself “Oh Yes, I Can!” Believe you can and you most likely will!

December 28

Music Moods

Music has an effect on your mood. Music soothes the soul and guides you to reminisce. Music fills you with optimism and motivation and boosts your focus endurance. But music can also have a negative effect. It can be distracting, agitating…. Why not use music to your advantage. Pick the right kind of music to create the mood you want.

December 29

Stop. Think. Respond.

Rethink before reacting. Don’t say the first thing that comes into your head, but slow down and think carefully about how you want to respond. Stop. Think. Then speak.

December 30

Forward Thinking

As the new year approaches, it’s almost impossible not to think ahead in some way. Our thoughts will certainly influence how the year will unfold; after all, our thoughts are the starting point of all that we create. The quality of our thinking today shapes the quality of our life tomorrow. What are your thoughts about the future?

December 31

Celebrate Good Times

Everyday is a celebration because instead of waiting for happy endings, we open our eyes to the wonder of life, to see the humor and magic in each moment. Delighted in the way things turn out, amazed at the beauty of it all.