When someone else’s bathroom mirror inspires you, there is feeling of excitment and then an urge to find a pen in order to capture the new lesson.  The mirror I stared into just yesterday had a little sticky note with a quote from Mary Oliver:  ”What is your plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

When I read her words, I had to take another conscious breath.  The quote has been lingering in my head and in my heart.  You are on your own path in search of inspiration to validate your very precious self.  Using your bathroom mirror is another strategy to help you become your own best friend.  Imagine your best friend loving you unconditionally each and every time you look in your bathroom mirror.

Find some quotes to write on your mirror with lipstick or use those colorful sticky notes to carry messages that will energize your day.  The secret is to read them everytime you look in the mirror and smile back at yourself!

Here are a few messages that just might make the morning more fun and the day lighter.

*  Peace begins with your lovely smile!

*  Look deeply…listen with compassion!

*  Breathe, my dear!

*  Find some wild, crazy, delightful, fun today!

*  Look past those wrinkles…your essence is what matters!

*  Glad you are here, it takes courage to get out of bed!

*  Just look at you!  You are lovely!

*  Whatever you do today…laugh a lot!

*  Just breathe……. and be still!

There are hundreds of sites for morning inspiratioin, here is just one!

http://inspirationmorning.com/

Think about the morning and how you greet the day.  Some of us wake with an alarm and others of us wake up naturally, usually at the same time everyday.  It is a delicious attitude to come into the morning with the awareness of simply “being alive”.  When you actually think about it, aren’t you grateful for the chance to have a another day,  a second “go ’round”, an encore to what happened yesterday.

When you first awaken and are just coming into consciousness, you have a powerful opportunity to begin your day in a positive way. Those few seconds-from sleep to awareness- matter most. Those first moments, when you realize you are no longer sleeping, can make an positive impact on your reality for the entire day.

If you are getting this on February 14th, then Happy LOVE DAY to you!  Did you remember to give yourself a Valentine’s wish?  Will you take a moment to smile and acknowledge that you are very special…..do it now!  Thank your lovely self for all that you are and then read more about “How to Wake up in the Morning with a Blink and a Wink”

The monstrous snow storms here in New England have created a challenging adventure for traveling, either by car or by foot.  The ice under the snow can catch you by surprise.  Slipping and falling happens suddenly and you could find yourself in a precarious position if you are not mindfully careful.

The same is true for the love you are cultivating for yourself.  If you are not cautious and paying attention to that inner voice, your self talk can take you down in a breath, without you even realizing.

There is a skill that is simple, but often not easy.  Change your self talk to remind yourself that you are just enough, perfect exactly the way you are and that it is your own personal responsibility  to be happy.

Listen to Jewel’s sweet song;  ”What You Are”…and breathe in the words so you can begin to encourage yourself, as a best friend would do, to love who you are right now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDvO7-r3bOs

Be well and stay that way!

Our Meditation for Beginners will start February 8, 2011  Tuesdays at 3:30pm

Heartsong Yoga  264 North Main Street  East Longmeadow

Before the children head outside for a “snow day” of sledding  and the plows begin moving the mountains of fluff, there is a moment in time that the world is quiet and the silent stillness creates a space of luscious peace.

If you have not been able to witness the magic of the space between activity and stillness, make a promise to yourself to be there the next time it snows.  Step outside for just a few moments, or longer, and be present with the world as it waits for its next breath.

Claiming your own preciousness and acknowledging the self love you have been cultivating is like stepping into your own magical moment in time.  Declare a “snow day” for yourself.  You don’t have to wait for a storm, or the news station to do it for you.

Come to know that you are  very special and deserving of love from yourself.   Relish in the stillness, in the space between the in breath and the out breath, that you are pure love.  Make time to feel the magnificence of who you are and hold on to your noble splendid self with dignity and tender loving care.

Watch for Snow Angels!

Take a look:

http://www.fotosearch.com/IDX005/349141/

When the mechanics installed the devise, it took me a while to understand that I didn’t have to start the motor again.  The car was running and all I had to do was put  in the key and go.  For some reason, I kept turning the key and grinding the motor.  Patience and a second instructional lesson, helped me figure it out.

If I let my car run for fifteen minutes,the heater defrosts the windshield , the rear window melts the frost and I get into a toasty vehicle with gratitude and a big smile.  Great way to start the day!!

Why not install a starter for your own personal self love.  Before you even get out of bed in the morning, or periodically throughout the day, click your inner magical voice and remind yourself that you are warming up to be the best you can be.  Let the realization that you do love yourself, defrost all the self criticism, self doubt and self defeating language that has become so familiar.  Use your wisdom to install the programs for success, ease, peace, well being and delight in your life.

When you are warmed up, humming along, in the flow of things, there is no need to keep starting your engine.

Warmly enjoy the glory of winter!

http://bit.ly/ftepGo

My granddaughters live in Budapest, Hungary and before my trip, I was talking to Aliya, the five year old, on the phone.  She was very excited about my coming for the holidays and looking forward to our visit.  I was explaining my dilemma to her about bringing three suitcases.  Her enthusiasm for a solution was brilliant and she was emphatic that it would work.

“Just tape them all together, Nana, and then you just have to carry only one.”

I smiled at the thought of hoisting a Santa size bag over my shoulder as I trudged through the airport.  It would only weight 150 pounds, because I packed them all to the max.

Instead, I paid the fee for the additional bags and arrived in Budapest without any of my luggage.  I should have listened to Aliya, taped them together and given them to Rudolph.

The connection in Munich, Germany was much to short and ran all the way to the next gate.   I got on the plane to Budapest but all three pieces never made the connection.  I arrived without the presents, the goodies and my “stuff”.

The report for missing luggage was filed hoping the suitcases would arrive soon.  No such luck, as of this writing, the bags are still in Germany because of snow storms and canceled flights and the girls know that I am disappointed.

Aliya climbed up into my arms to cuddle.   “Nana”, she whispered in my ear, “don’t be sad.”

“It’s really okay that your suitcases are not here….you are here and I think you are the best present ever!”

The wisdom of my granddaughter should be a headline on the nightly news.  When you are taking stock of your worth, learning to be in love with yourself and coming to know  your own preciousness there is no need to take extra baggage.  Realize the truth from the heart of a child.

Young children know they are special!  You were young once and you are beginning to realize that  all you ever need is to love yourself first. Although this idea of loving yourself might seem very simple, it is not easy.  Many of us struggle to even admit that we are lovable and deserving of love.

Try this idea on for size.  Bring a picture vividly into your mind of actually being a gift….and begin to remember that indeed YOU ARE THE PRESENT!

Be well, stay that way and radiate your own lovely light for the holidays!

No matter what the season, self care is a vital part of loving yourself.   Too often the stress becomes hysterical  and you begin to compromise your health and your well being.

This post is simply a reminder that paying attention to stress is the first step in making healthy choices to balance your life and move towards personal power.

Over 60 years ago, Dr Edward Bach, recognized the need for an emergency treatment to help people cope with such everyday stressful situations and created Rescue Remedy.  Check out the website:

http://www.rescueremedy.com/

RESCUE

If you feel like you’ve “had enough”, follow these simple tips to restore focus and regain inner calm wherever you are:

Relax – Take 10 deep breaths. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly.

Exercise - Learn some basic yoga techniques or just take a 10 minute walk.

Smile - Think of a happy time. It is near impossible to keep frowning while smiling and laughter stimulates the production of mood enhancing endorphins.

Calm – Let your imagination take you to a calm and tranquil place that exudes peace, serenity and beauty.

Use Your Lunchbreak – Take time out for yourself. A walk in the park, especially if it is sunny, can do wonders for your mood. It will help you work more efficiently in the afternoon too.

Escape – If you are able to, walk away. Removing yourself from a stressful situation can give you time to restore some perspective.

Know that you are one of the most significant people in the lives of the children you teach.

Practice “Excellent Self Care” …for your sake and for all those who love you!

Including yourself!

Gifts for TEACHERS:  sign up for a Free Report at   loveyoursignificantself.com

More create tips on how to take care of yourself!

www.lysscentral.com/teachers/blog/page/2

Perhaps this might be the first step
in learning to be in love with you.

Brian Tracy, who is one of the leading
authorities on development of human
potential and personal effectiveness,
says there are four types of choices.

1. The choice can only be made by you..
the Commander and Chief.

2. The choice can be made to delegate
the decision to someone else.

3. The choice where “No Decision” can
be made because the outcome would be
so severe that the consequences could
possibly cause death.

4. The choice is so obvious that the
decision is a “No Brainer”!

And a fifth type of choice can be made in
consolation with someone who knows the situation.

I am here as your coach and consultant.
We all need to choose to love the person
that we are at this very moment.

This falling in love with yourself will
be the most important, life-changing and
fun love affair you could ever have!

Imagine that the only person you need
to please is yourself.

You truly are amazing, very special,
unique and deserving.

Choose to love your precious self and
give the gift of becoming happy and
at ease in your life.

Take a look at the tips and hints on
my site: http://lysscentral.com

Just do it!  Make it a  CHOICE and love yourself.

Be well and stay that way,
Gena

TEACHERS and CareTakers!  Sign up to learn
ways to take care of yourself
now that your are in love with you!

http://loveyoursignificantself.com

Science and research has validated
that daydreaming can be extremely
constructive and support individual
success and productivity.

Brilliant minds have developed
amazing ideas just by daydreaming
about their challenging subjects.

Psychologists have estimated that
we daydream between one third and
one half of our waking hours.

It’s time to take claim to your
right to daydream and produce movies
in your mind for splendid health
and well being.

By loving yourself you can choose to
daydream about what you would like to
happen in your life.

Daydreaming is the stuff that reality
is made from.

If you have a headache, daydream
that you are pain free.

If you are late, daydream
that your timing is always perfect.

If you are over weight, daydream
that you feel good in your slim body.

If you are angry, daydream
about feeling compassion,
calm and in control.

If you are frustrated, daydream
that everything is making sense.

If you are hungry, daydream
that you would like a glass of water.

You get the idea….

You can choose what you want to
daydream about.

Make your daydreams wonderful,
delightful, glorious visions
that will sustain and assist your
effort to love your precious self.

Read more about Daydreaming at:
http://bit.ly/pBgFa

Dream on!
Smiles,
gena

P.S.
Join the site:  http://loveyourslimself.com

If the pools were still open we might
be swimming in Halloween costumes.  

The weather feels like Indian Summer,
but the leaves have not turned their
brilliant colors and we have not had
a killer frost.

In 1817, John Bradbury described
Indian Summer well when he wrote:
“The air is perfectly quiescent
and all is stillness, as if Nature,
after her exertions during the
summer, were now at rest.”

Perhaps you can honor the wisdom
of mother nature and allow yourself
a period of REST before the
next season gets underway.  

Bridge the endeavors of the busy
past and give your precious self
a loving break.  

Find time to simply REST and
luxuriate in the stillness.

May you have a glorious today
so that tomorrow will be laced
with the gratitude of yesterday.

Be well and stay that way,
gena

p.s.  Please visit the website:  http://www.lysscentral.com
and tell friends to sign up for these Fr*ee reminders
to become your own best friend.  http://www.loveyourslimself.com