Way of thinking...

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact.
Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.

When you arise in the morning, think of what a
precious privelege it is to be a live - to breathe, to
think, to enjoy, to love.

Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all
within yourself, in your way of thinking.

- Marcus Aurelius (Roman emperor from 161 - 181, and the last of the so called "Five Good Emperors." His writings are considered by many to be one of the greatest works of philosophy. His death in 180 is widely cited as the end of Pax Romana and the beginning of the eventual "Fall of the Western Roman Empire.")

The most successful and fulfillling days of my life began with positive changes and an increased investment in my own inner and outer world. Just sayin' :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Ego patterns...

"Discover the ego patterns that have run us and our relationships into the ground. We begin to move from being baffled, righteous, or victimized by our love lives to taking 100% responsibility for the state that our most significant relationships are in. All of our dynamics and imposed barriers to real intimacy, committed love and monogamy are faced."

- Joel Brass (Therapist and seminar leader).

I can't recommend Joel's work enough. Looking into this stuff isn't easy, fun or cheap, but holy cow, what a life changer. Just sayin' :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

The mind...

The eyes are useless when the mind is blind.

- Unknown

A lot of wise people say we are what we think about and that limiting beliefs can really hold us hostage. Just sayin' :)

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Something to be learned...

A wise person knows that there is something to be learned from everyone.

- Unknown

I continue to notice how much I learn from my colleagues and friends. It seems so simple after the fact. I wonder why I didn't figure it out on my own ;) Just sayin'!

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Being a good person...

Never regret being a good person, to the wrong people.
Your behaviour says everything about you, and their behaviour
says enough about them.

- marcandangel (founders of Marc and Angel Hack Life, a website that offers inspiring messages)

I've always found inspiration to be a powerful motivator. Just sayin' :)

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Ignoring things...

Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.

- Robert J. Sawyer (Award winning Canadian/American author).

My favourite therapist says there are things we cannot change and so we must accept them and move on. If we get fixated on the past or stuck in fear, we will suffer even more. Just sayin' :)

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Scapegoat...

Psychologists say most people need a scapegoat -- a personification of wickedness and ignorance onto which they can project the unacknowledged darkness in their own hearts.

- Rob Brezny

The old blame game. My favourite therapist says we need to own our choices in order to empower ourselves and make happy changes. Just sayin' :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Total control...

The two things in life you are in total control over are your attitude and your effort.

- Billy Cox (Keynote speaker, author and sales trainer. "Billy Cox is undeniably one of today's leading authorities on the power of human potential and an expert on the mental aspects of winning.")

It's up to us isn't it. We're adults now and no one's coming to get us out of bed in the morning, or nag us to do our homework. Just sayin' ;)

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Being honest and genuine...

It takes so much energy to lie.. I wish people could grasp the sense of freedom and liberation that comes with being honest and genuine.

- Mama Zara

My favourite therapist says if we wanna be truly happy we need be completely honest with ourselves and others. Not sure why this isn't easy and natural. Maybe we're too busy trying to measure up to others' expectations and/or fit in? It's very liberating once you get the hang of it. Just sayin' ;)

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Love it....

Here is the simple truth that will move you most expediently through absolutely every unwanted and unwelcome feeling, state or condition you may descend into. It works like a charm with every single one of the so-called negative feelings or states. It works with anxiety, fear, sadness, anger, hurt, shame, pain, guilt, and grief. It works with jealousy, nervousness, despondency, disorientation, loneliness and discouragement. Here is the simple way to "pop", like a floating bubble, any of these inner feelings or states that seem to plague and torment you.

Love it. That's right. Love it and love the person who is experiencing it. Love it. Accept and embrace the feeling or state. Whatever arises, love it. If you truly love it, it will leave you and disappear as the ephemeral illusion that always was. Every time.

- Joel Brass (Therapist, Seminar Leader).

I highly recommend Joel's two seminars; The Inner Child Workshop and The Relationship Workshop. They'll change your life. Just sayin' :)

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Most dangerous...

The most dangerous person is the one who listens, thinks and observes.

- Bruce Lee

I think we underestimate learning. We think we should know everything already. Just sayin' :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Saving people...

You cannot save people, you can only love them.

- Unknown

The old saying "God helps those who help themselves" comes to mind. A savvy coach of mine said that rather than "save" people, we tend to enable them. Just sayin' :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Noise of others...

Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice.

- Steve Jobs

When I was younger, I was more hesitant. I don't think I could tell the difference between gut instinct (inner voice) and fear. My favourite therapist says to trust what we feel in our body (anxiety, just feels wrong or off), rather than what our mind is telling us. Just sayin' :)

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Accepting what comes...

Spiritual guru's (and my favourite therapist) talk about accepting everything that comes our way. We don't have to like it, but we cannot change the things that happen, and so in order to achieve peace, joy and love, we must find it within ourselves to accommodate what life brings. We also don't know what each event may lead to. The worst moment in our lives, may bring us to the person and/or life of our dreams. I happen to have had such an experience. Just sayin' :) Hugs. xo

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

Fact or opinion?...

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is perspective, not the truth.

- Marcus Aurelius

My favourite therapist says we all wear a certain pair of lenses, or filters, based on our upbringing, life experiences, genetics, attitude. Just sayin' :)

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Love the one you're with...

How we see and feel about ourselves determines so much of our experience of life and love. Self-love, as opposed to self-judgment or self-attack, is in my opinion the single necessary and often the most difficult path to the continuous experience of personal happiness and inner peace. For many it is even easier to forgive and love another than to forgive and love oneself. This need not be.

- Joel Brass (Therapist and seminar leader extraordinaire. If you want to change your life and enjoy better quality relationships, look him up. Joel has offices in White Rock and Vancouver, British Columbia).

Blessings,

Chatgirl

We rise...

We rise by lifting others.

- Unknown

Hmmm. I get that. It feels good to give back and to help those in need. Not at our own expense and well-being though. Just sayin' :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Talk to yourself...

Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.

- Brene Brown

When I remember to be kind and forgiving to myself and I remember to think my best is good enough, I feel more comforted than I could possibly have imagined. Now I just have to make it a habit of it. Just sayin' ;)

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Happiness a choice?...

Happiness is a choice, not a result. Nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy.

- Unknown

I get the idea. Thing is, sometimes life is very, very heavy and stressful and it can go on for a while too. Post 2008 financial crisis, I experienced such a time. I was put to the test in a big way and I wouldn't say I sailed through it like a champ. I had no choice but to tackle each day and endure the sleepless nights and life limitations due to lack of funds. As I look back, I can see the strength and resolve I've gained. I think I'm more capable in my career and I have a deep knowing that I can survive. I surprised myself with the capacity to be creative, resourceful and imaginative and I'm the better for it. Let me just say, there wasn't great comfort along the way, but things are pretty sweet on the other side.  Just sayin' :)

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Put out good...

Keep putting out good. It will come back to you tenfold in unexpected ways.

- Unknown

What have we got to lose, right? I don't see the downside ;) Just sayin'!

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Inhale courage...

Inhale courage, exhale fear.

- Unknown

So simple... but I think these sentiments require much discipline and focus. Just sayin' :)

Blessings,

Chatgirl

A great attitude...

A great attitude becomes a great mood. Which becomes a great day. Which becomes a great year. Which becomes a great life.

- Unknown

I've always thought attitude is everything. A big chip on the shoulder seems to come with a lot of set backs. Which comes first? Where does it lead? Just sayin' :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl