Sunday, March 31, 2019

Life hacks...

Life hack # 2426

5 Reasons to drink water in the morning

1. Drinking water on an empty stomach makes it easier to absorb nutrients.
2. It increases the production of blood and muscle cells.
3. Helps with weight loss.
4. It helps purge toxins from the blood which helps keep your skin glowing/clear
5. It balances your lymph system, which helps balance your bodily fluids, and fight off infections.

— 1000LifeHacks.com

Great info! Coffee’s my go-to drink in the morning, but looks like I’ll try drinking some water too, Lol ;) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl




Sunday, March 24, 2019

A role for everyone...

In life, you will realize there is a role for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you, some will love you, and some will teach you. But the ones who are truly important are the ones who bring out the best in you. They are the rare and amazing people who remind you why it’s worth it.

— Unknown

My favourite therapist says that people who “trigger” us can provide a wonderful opportunity for growth. He says if we want better quality relationships we have to be willing to take a deeper look at ourselves, learn new communication skills and make meaningful changes. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 


Saturday, March 23, 2019

What you think...

What you think about yourself matters more than what others think about you.

— Sandeep Maheshwari (Young Creative Entrepreneur Award by the British Council, a division of British High Commission, One of India’s Most Promising Entrepreneurs by “Business World” magazine, Star Youth Achiever Award by Globa Yourth Marketing Forum and more. Maheshwari is also a guide, mentor, role model and youth icon, whose philosophies are “To Never Fear of Failures” and “Be Truthful to self and others,”)

I do think we are hardest on ourselves. Are we measuring up to our own expectations of who we thought we’d be and what we thought we’d achieve? Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl


Friday, March 22, 2019

Failing all the way to success...

I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

— Michael Jordan (The best basketball player of all time, I believe.)

Thank you for sharing Michael Jordan. Puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? Just sayin’ ;) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl


Thursday, March 21, 2019

Overcoming adversity...

What a beautiful thing it is, to be able to stand tall and say, I fell apart, and I survived.

— Unknown

I overcame intense adversity post 2008 financial crisis. It was a terrifying and anxious time and it went on for quite a while. Many years later, I can look back with pride. I realize I had more strength, courage and resourceful than I could have imagined. I feel the richer for it. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Hope...

Sometimes it’s all you have when you have nothing else.
If you have it, you have everything.

— Dodinksky (Author of In the Garden of Thoughts)

My favourite therapist says we need to believe in something bigger than ourselves. I have leaned on faith and hope a lot, especially when I’m anxious and feeling afraid of the unknown. Just sayin’ :)

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Retire your brain...

Life hack:
You can “rewire” your brain to be happy by simply recalling three things you’re grateful for every day for twenty-one days. Try it!

— 1000LifeHacks.com

I’ve tried it and it works! Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Monday, March 18, 2019

Find solace whenever...

I truly believe that within us, there is a Garden of Thought in which we can find solace whenever we are going through a storm. The response to my work shows that there are many on the same path. Each of us needs words that bring comfort, and an understanding that one is not alone when facing adversity.

— Dodinsky (Author of In the Garden of Thoughts. “Dodinsky’s intent, like the man himself, has blossomed.” Amazon.com)

My favourite therapist is also a seminar leader, guiding individuals to healthier skills, in a safe and supportive group environment. He believes we can learn more more from each other than we may imagine. Even when we are “triggered” by others, we can learn about what comes up for us and why it’s getting under our skin. We can find strength together and greater stability on our own two feet. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl




Sunday, March 17, 2019

Intimacy...

People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize that you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them and their response is “you’re safe with me” — that’s intimacy.

— Taylor Jenkins Reid (American essayist and novelist best known for her novel The Seven Husbands).

My favourite therapist talks a lot about “having your own back” which means being honest with ourselves first and foremost. From there, we can be honest with others and set meaningful boundaries. Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl


Saturday, March 16, 2019

Handling criticism...

Learn how to take criticism seriously but not personally.

— Hillary Clinton

We don’t necessarily learn the best communication skills from our family of origin. I don’t think public schools are focused on teaching us how to better relate to one another either. I have a huge interest in psychology and why we do (or don’t do) what we do. I’m also interested in the dynamics between people. Above all, however, I thank my most contentious relationship for leading me to improved relationship skills. Whatever our differences, we were both interested in learning how to successfully navigate our relationship. In the end, we parted, but I learned how to invite feedback from my loved ones and care about their experience, rather than feel defensive. I learned that we can share “information” and our feelings/desires without judging one another, which often leads to a more pleasant negotiation and outcome. One footnote: I also learned that it is absolutely essential to begin this exercise with a compatible partner. Just sayin’ ;) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Friday, March 15, 2019

Walking away...

 A lot of walking away will do your life good.

Walk away from arguments that lead you to anger and nowhere.
Walk away from people who deliberately put you down.
Walk away from the practice of pleasing people who choose to never see your worth.
Walk away from any thought that undermines your peace of mind.
Walk away from judgmental people, they do not know the struggle you are facing and what you have been through.
Walk away from your mistakes and fears, they do not determine your fate.
The more you walk way from things that poison your soul, the healthier your life will be.

— Dodinksy (Founder of the blog In the Gargen of Thoughts and author of the New York Times Best Selling book In The Garden of Thoughts)

I’ve found it takes focus, practice and a routine to maintain a healthy outlook and action plan. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl




Thursday, March 14, 2019

Compliment your life...

Stay single until you meet someone who actually compliments your life in a way that makes it better. If not, it’s not worth it.

— Unknown

You hear that no one is perfect and relationships take work. It took me a while to realize I’d rather be alone than be with someone who didn’t suit my life. On the advice of a very smart life coach, I wrote out a crazy long and detailed description of how I wanted to feel and how I wanted to live in the ideal relationship (rather than naming specific qualities of a mate, such as height, attractiveness, career etc.). It’s amazing how this list came to life and I actually ended up with a better match than I ever thought possible. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl


Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Deep inside you know...

Listen to your own voice, your own soul. Too many people listen to the noise of the world, instead of themselves. Deep inside, you know what you want. Let no one decide that for you.

— Unknown

My favourite therapist says that some form of faith is essential to recovery, whatever it is we need to recover from. He says in his 30 - 40 years of clinical practice, faith in something “more” has been critical in the journey to better health and well being. Apparently, going “inward” to our “higher self” or “Spirit” can offer much support. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Monday, March 11, 2019

What are we holding?...

Suffering is not holding you, you are holding suffering.

— Buddha

Interesting mind shift, which makes me think about my family of origin. I’ve long since struggled with a difficult dynamic. One of my trusted coaches says the situation will not likely change, so it’s on me to change my response. I believe she’s right and I’m working on it. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Friday, March 8, 2019

Happily ever after...

A wise woman once said “fuck this shit” and she lived happily ever after.

— Unknown

Ha ha ha. Seriously though, my favourite therapist says we should never do anything out of duty and obligation. He says self-care comes first... unless we consciously choose to devote our time and energy as an act of giving. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Being stuck...

Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as being stuck somewhere you don’t belong.

— Unknown

Boy did I ever learn this lesson the hard way. Three years into my last relationship, I began to have reservations. I procrastinated ending the relationship, probably because we were living together as well, and it really bit me in the butt. I had moved on in my heart, but he moved on with someone from our circle of friends, which was quite humiliating to say the least. They say if we don’t take care of our own business, life will take care of it for us, and maybe not in a way we appreciate. Just sayin’ ;)  Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Overthinking...

Overthinking is the biggest cause of our unhappiness. Keep yourself occupied. Keep your mind off things that don’t help you. Think positively.

— Unknown

In my experience, this takes practice and dedication. Just sayin’ ;) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Monday, March 4, 2019

Care less...

If at first you don’t succeed, try drinking a glass of wine. You’ll be amazed at how much less you care.

— Unknown

Ha ha ha. But seriously though, it can take a while to tackle our goals. Some of them may need to be adjusted as well. Most importantly, there is only so much we can control. I learned all about these things during the post 2008 financial crisis of my own. There was no quick fix and I had no choice but to find enjoyment in life each day, despite the ongoing duress. A big part of my coping strategy was to disengage from thinking in whichever way I could  for at least part of the day; a daily routine of writing and reading the paper over coffee, lunch or drinks with friends, yoga, swimming (because I find the water soothing), keeping my home tidy, reading or watching inspirational stories. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Your freedom will begin...

When you come to a point where you have no need to impress anybody, your freedom will begin.

— Unknown

Having suffered greatly post-2008 crisis, I learned a lot about doing without and worrying about what other people think. More importantly, I realized what makes me truly happy. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate and enjoy financial freedom and flexibility in my life. I just know that my loved ones and self-care regime bring me more stability, fulfilment, and well-being than buying things and looking the part of success ever did. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Inside job...

Happiness is an inside job. Don’t assign anyone else that much power over your life.

— Unknown

It is said that anything external to us may be fleeting, and therefore should not be relied upon to fulfill us; possessions, people, jobs. I think it’s quite the paradigm shift to embrace this philosophy. A few years back, however, I lost a safe relationship and a very high paying job. I had to suddenly downscale my life in a big way and it felt like the worst thing that ever happened to me. It was actually the best thing that happened to me. It sounds so cliche, but somehow I learned to enjoy the simple things; coffee and writing in the morning, spending time with treasured loved ones, puttering around the house, dreaming about my perfect life. It all came true! Just sayin’ :) Hug. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Friday, March 1, 2019

Eliminates stress and heals...

Did you know

Gratitude...

- Sheilds you from negativity
- Makes you at least 25% happier
- Rewires your brain
- Eliminates stress
- Heals
- Improves sleep
- Boosts self-esteem and performance
- Enhances the law of attraction
- Improves relationships

— Unknown

Great reminder. I know I can get caught up in wanting certain things, and wanting them like yesterday, Lol. Just sayin’ :) Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl