Cartoon Tuesday: Just keep it to yourself!

Mind, Body & Soul Sessions (#41)

Boost your Mood

Are you unhappy, depressed, down or just in a bad mood? Don’t worry this too shall pass, it’s not like you are doomed to feel like this the rest of your life. Believe it or not, but the way you perceive things is a learned skill. Everyone can learn how to look at the world through more optimistic eyes. Over the next few weeks I will give you some tips which will hopefully improve your mood and make you feel more optimistic and upbeat.

Don’t worry, be happy!

The quickest way to fill your life with more energy and continuous happiness is to stop worrying because worrying is the biggest happiness and energy killer. So, don’t worry, be happy is the advice I want to give you today. Not an easy task, I know, but here are a few tips that might help you:

1. Write down all the things you are worried about. Imagine what the worst-case scenario could be by asking yourself this simple question “What is the worst thing that can possibly happen?” and write this down too.
   
2. Now think about how you would act if the worst-case scenarios would become a reality. Prepare yourself mentally to accept the worst, if necessary.
   
3. Take action and try to improve the worst-case scenario. Ask yourself “What can I change? What can I do to keep this from becoming reality?” Look at the things you can alter right now to have a feeling of control. Feeling in control reduces your worrying and focussing on a solution raises your energy level
   
4. You will probably encounter a few worrying thoughts that you feel you can’t take any action on. Look at them, one by one. Is it realistic to worry about them, or are the thoughts unrealistic, distorted and exaggerated? Ask yourself “What are the odds this is ever going to happen at all?”
   Write down each of those unrealistic worrisome thoughts and try to come up with an alternative thought that is more realistic. Every time you catch yourself worrying, remind yourself of the alternative thought.
   
5. Learn to accept what you cannot change or have no power to control in life. If you know a circumstance is beyond your power to change or modify, say to yourself: “This is how it is; it cannot be otherwise.” Move on!
   
6. Stop yourself worrying about the same things over and over again. Come up with a solution or let it go! You can’t saw sawdust.
   
7. Keep busy! Plenty of action is one of the best remedies; you won’t have time to think.
   
8. Don’t fuss about the little things in life.
   
9. Live by the day. Stop worrying about the past and don’t fret about the future. Live each day until bedtime and start a brand new day when you wake up!

Now, Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

and have a marvellous Sunday!

Next week in MBSS: Tip seven

Cartoon Tuesday: *sigh*

Mind, Body & Soul Sessions (#40)

Boost your Mood

Are you unhappy, depressed, down or just in a bad mood? Don’t worry this too shall pass, it’s not like you are doomed to feel like this the rest of your life. Believe it or not, but the way you perceive things is a learned skill. Everyone can learn how to look at the world through more optimistic eyes. Over the next few weeks I will give you some tips which will hopefully improve your mood and make you feel more optimistic and upbeat.

Positive words change your focus from the negative to the positive.

I have said it before and I am going to say it again, to feel happier you have to act like a happy and optimistic person. If you don’t know where to start, the answer is simple…..observe, aka watch and learn because happy people act and talk in a certain way.

Depressed and negative people use a lot of negative statements and sentences which they keep repeating to themselves over and over again. As a result they end up in unwanted situations. They feel drained, even more depressed, negative or they just feel plain incompetent and hopeless. It is almost as if the reality they express is the reality they are going to get. Luckily this (like most) works both ways; it can either build or destroy you. Negative words create a negative world and positive words on the other hand create a positive reality. All in all, it is the way we use words, sentences and statements that determines whether they are going to build or destroy.

So, back to the happy and optimistic people and let’s find out what we can learn from them. For example, happy and optimistic people use certain words. Like I have said before, words people use can affect their mood. Negative words can drain you and get you even more depressed or negative. Positive and uplifting words on the other hand can improve your mood and give you more energy. They can actually change your whole attitude and the way you feel. I guess it is time to start using some cheerful and optimistic words instead of saddening and pessimistic words. Actually, I think it is time to start expressing what you do want, instead of expressing all the things you don’t want.

To get you started, here are some words and sentences (often used by negative people) to avoid:
- ‘I can’t’, ‘it is impossible’, ‘who am I kidding, I can’t do it’, ‘it can’t be done’, ‘I am not capable’, ‘I tried and failed in the past, so….’, ‘I am never going to…..’, ‘I will try’, ‘but’, ‘I feel swamped’, ‘I give up’ etc, etc.

In its place, use some of these sentences (often used by happy people):
- ‘I can’, ‘it is achievable’, ‘others can and so can I’, ‘I am able’, ‘I am not giving up’, ‘I can do it’, ‘I am up for the challenge’, ‘I will keep going’ etc, etc.

As you can see, there is a lot of difference between those two but if you think that is too much to start with then try this one on for size. Stop using the words ‘try’ and ‘but’. Two short and simple words but also very powerful. These two are able to make people feel hopeless and powerless. They are actually excuses and we don’t need them. Start feeling hopeful, take responsibility , watch what you say and never utter words like ‘try’ of ‘but’

Have a great Sunday!

Next week in MBSS: Tip six - Don't worry, be Happy!

You just got to hate them?

I do! I really do and I don’t even like to use the word hate and that’s why I don’t use it that often. Unfortunately I can’t come up with another word so here it is I hate slugs and snail with a passion and this is why


This was supposed to be a lovely bright red flowering Lobelia by now, but the wet and damp conditions have turned my garden into the place to be for snails :(

I think I’ll have to check all their usual hiding places again and remove them all…..grrr!

Escargot anyone?

Cartoon Tuesday: So, what do we do with men?

Mind, Body & Soul Sessions (#39)

Boost your Mood

Are you unhappy, depressed, down or just in a bad mood? Don’t worry this too shall pass, it’s not like you are doomed to feel like this the rest of your life. Believe it or not, but the way you perceive things is a learned skill. Everyone can learn how to look at the world through more optimistic eyes. Over the next few weeks I will give you some tips which will hopefully improve your mood and make you feel more optimistic and upbeat.

Exercise - get sweaty.
You've probably heard it before, but here it is again: aerobic exercise like walking, biking or jogging will cheer you up no matter how bad your mood is or how miserable you may feel.

Just thirty minutes (or an hour, if you feel like it) of exercise, at least three times a week, releases feel-good chemicals such as beta-endorphins and dopamine. Workouts like these also influence the activity of serotonin (a molecule of happiness) and norepinephrine, which can mimic the effect of antidepressants like Prozac.

Have a sweaty and lovely Sunday!

Next week in MBSS: Tip five!

Look what I found (#3)

Okay, I think it’s time for some light entertainment so here is another instalment of Look what I found



Ever wanted to create your own Simpson? Well, here is your chance. When you visit The Simpsons Movie site you can create your own Simpson Avatar. You can also tour Springfield or play little mindless games like Wrecking Ball in which you have to help Homer save his family from police quarantine by using the first thing at hand……. A wrecking ball!



Will it blend? That’s the question.
The iPhone experiment!

For other blending experiments, go here
This one is probably not for everyone, but have you ever wondered what that guy in the movie just said? Well, if it was an (good) insult you can probably find it right here in the list of winning movie insults. How does a movie insult become a winning insult? When it can be used by every man according to the site!

I forgot the cartoon on Tuesday, so ………
And finally one more commercial.
Love your heart!
I don’t like Becel, but I do like this commercial and the message they try to get across.

There might be a lesson in there somewhere.

The other day I was talking with someone about the lousy autumn like weather we are having and then, out of the blue, she started talking about what a lousy life she was having at the moment. Actually, the whole first six months of this year were filled with tragedy, according to her. Now you must know, she is known for making a mountain out of a molehill, but this time around I actually felt for her.

In the beginning of the year her best friend suddenly died of an Aortic aneurysm. Only a month after that, one of her relatives died of a cancer related disease and just last week her brother (she lost her Mum and sister in the previous years) died of Esophageal cancer. And just when you think that’s enough tragedy for one person, her son got sick (a thing that comes and goes over the years) and she finds out that her daughter might have Hodgkin's disease. Well, I think it’s only fair to say that her life has been quite dreadful over the last six months.

We talked a little more and she told me how all these people passed away while their heads were still filled with all their hopes, plans and dreams and how they were never going to be able to fulfil them. She also told me how she had cancelled their holiday and was thinking about cancelling their wedding anniversary family trip later this year. Okay, I can imagine her not wanting to go on holiday right now, but I think they still should go on that family trip (if/when her daughter turns out to be just fine). Isn’t there a lesson to be learned from all that tragedy? Like: Life is too short and time is fleeting! Or: Carpe Diem quam minimum credula postero! Or: You should live your life to the fullest! Or: Memento mori! Or: eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die!
Okay enough of that, you get the point I am trying to make here. I hope she gets it too. I tried really hard to get the message across, but I still feel like she didn’t hear me.

Still, I hope the rest of the year will treat her a lot better and that she will be able to go on that trip. I really hope she is going to live a little.

Mind, Body & Soul Sessions (#38)

Boost your Mood

Are you unhappy, depressed, down or just in a bad mood? Don’t worry this too shall pass, it’s not like you are doomed to feel like this the rest of your life. Believe it or not, but the way you perceive things is a learned skill. Everyone can learn how to look at the world through more optimistic eyes. Over the next few weeks I will give you some tips which will hopefully improve your mood and make you feel more optimistic and upbeat.

Get rid of emotional vampires.

What is an “emotional vampire”?

There are many definitions but for the most part, an “emotional vampire” is anyone who seems to be determined to “feed on you” emotionally in an attempt to build up their own self-esteem and emotional strength. They are a drag on your life and they will keep you from being successful in whatever you do. They are negative people who are willing to destroy your life because they want you to be as miserable as them. They tend to put you down, criticize or mock you and sabotage your hopes, dreams and aspirations. They tend to complain and not just once, they usually have one issue that they repeat 10 times. They just can’t stand to see anyone happier in their lives than them. They tend to hunt for empathetic, caring, compassionate and unselfish people.

So, do you attract “emotional vampires” or losers into your life? Are you a vampire magnet? If the answer is yes, read on!

“Emotional vampires” and losers slow us down and make us feel less happy, they literally drain our batteries. If we want to be happier, more optimistic and energetic we have to avoid “emotional vampires”. Depressed and negative people allow “emotional vampires” to suck their positive feelings right out of them.

Take stock by making a list of people, habits and situations you expose yourself to. Try to place everything and everyone in two categories in other words, try to find out how they make you feel a) happy/optimistic/energetic or b) unhappy/negative/drained.
Then, dispose of or limit people, habits or situations that keep you from feeling optimistic and happy. That may well mean you have to burn some bridges, but sometimes you do have to take some drastic measures to achieve your goal and boost your mood. Remember: Happy and optimistic people hang around with personal cheerleaders, and we all want those. Unhappy people tend to surround themselves with “emotional vampires”.

So, try to avoid “emotional vampires”, burn bridges if necessary, but if you can’t, below you will find some tips on how to deal with “emotional vampires”:

• Remind yourself constantly that their behaviour is their problem and not yours.
• When a complainer starts complaining over and over again, listen once, and say, ‘I hear you. Now what are you going to do about it?’ Help them come up with a solution if you like, but dump them where they stand when they only can come up with even more problems.
• Don't get sucked into their everlasting series of melodramas.
• Limit your interactions with them as much as possible. Don’t go looking for them if you don’t really have to.
• Always keep your cool.
• Use a tone of voice that is not cold or cruel, but that does send the message that you be determined to keep your emotional distance.
• Once they see that they cannot simply engage you or bug you, the “emotional vampires” will likely figure out that you are on to them and chances are that they will stop targeting you for emotional harassment.
  
  
  Next week in MBSS: Tip four.
  

They don’t make me go weak at the knees…….

but they do have a certain something! Let’s call it attractiveness.

Since DoGGa asked so nicely, I am going to answer his question in this post. For those who missed the question in the comment section of the previous entry: “I think you should add a 'woman'! If you were to, who would it be?”

Good question, isn’t it?! So here is my answer (again in random order) in another weird and scary selection ;)

Anouk


Sela Ward


Anne Heche (Marin Frist - Men in Trees)

Sandra Bullock

Charlize Theron


So there you have it, another scary (or boring) selection! Now that I showed you mine, why don’t you show me yours :)

I am actually quite amazed that I could come up with five women, so I took a little Dutch test. De result said: You may think that you are heterosexual but you are also attracted to the same sex. You are probably bi-curious. I never knew that, it’s news to me!

OMG, those eyes and that smile, she thought, her knees weakening…...

Okay girls (and boys too if you wish), Aoj is a bit bored today and fancied being a bit mindless. So now she wants to find out which celebrity sets your spine a-tingling and your knees a-weakening.

So, here is my weird and wonderful selection ;)
(in random order)

Scott Patterson (Luke Danes - Gilmore Girls)


Patrick Dempsey (Dr. Derek Shepherd – Dr. McDreamy - Grey’s Anatomy)


Josh Holloway (James 'Sawyer' Ford - Lost)


Johnny Depp, need I say more…….


George Eads (Nick Stokes – CSI)


Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, better know by his stage name Sting


So there you have it, my scary selection! Now go off, enjoy yourself and ehmm…. oh yeah, consider yourselves tagged!

Cartoon Tuesday: Getting older......

Yep, no S1ngle this week. Hope you enjoy this one just as much.

Mind, Body & Soul Sessions (#37)

Boost Your Mood.

Are you unhappy, depressed, down or just in a bad mood? Don’t worry this too will pass, it’s not like you are doomed to feel this way the rest of your life. Believe it or not, but the way you perceive things is a learned skill. Everyone can learn how to look at the world through more optimistic eyes. Over the next few weeks I will give you some tips which will hopefully improve your mood and make you feel more optimistic and upbeat.

Tip two: Detox.

As most of you probably know, a lot of people detox their bodies. But did you know you can detox your mind too? Believe it or not, you can get rid of toxics that like to live in your mind. When you want to get rid of bad, negative and interfering thoughts, in other words toxics, you have to remember this golden rule: You can only keep one thought in your mind at a time and it’s you who decides what type of thought you focus on. You have two choices.

Option one: You can focus on the unhappy/pessimistic thoughts
or
you can go with option two: focus on happy/optimistic thoughts.

See, you do have options and the choice is completely yours!
Happy and optimistic people focus on solutions and always expect the best. Unhappy and pessimistic people focus on complaining and worst-case scenarios. So, when disaster strikes, problems or setbacks pop-up, it’s up to you to put a stop to every negative thought that pops in your mind. Don’t waste time by complaining or working on doom scenarios, it will only get you down. Instead, stay calm, don’t panic and focus on finding a solution because there is a solution for almost everything.

Cleanse your mind, steer your thoughts in the right direction and boost your mood!

Next week in MBSS: Tip three.