This blog post is a part of the following blog hops:
No Rules Blog Party
Happy Spring WW
Be Inspired
Share With Me
Tag Archives: positive living
Take 2 Steps Toward Success – Learning And Taking Action
A willingness to learn new things is the first step to success. The second step is to turn what you have learned into actions.
Finding information and the willingness to learn new information is important, even if it can be overwhelming. Thanks to the internet, and instantly available ebooks, there are not many true excuses anyone can have for not finding the answers to a problem you have. There are facebook groups, forums, and networks on just about every subject. Peer support is a click away, courses on every subject are available, in many instances those are free. Gathering information is time-consuming, yet easy and possible.
Taking action, however, even if they are laid out in front of you, in workbooks, course assignments, daily assignment threads, or action prompts are often ignored, or “postponed” until a later time. I have heard so many excuses, real or imagined why someone could not follow through upon what they learned – from, lack of time to kids, to other responsibilities. Yet, we find time to talk about our favorite television shows, follow our favorite sports team, or leave comments on funny youtube videos.
If you want success you have to take both steps. 
There are no short-cuts around that fact – no one will learn what you need to learn for you, and no one will turn off that television or gaming console that distracts you from taking action. YOU have to make that commitment, YOU have to make that choice, between continued stagnant existence or success. Those two steps are the prize you have to pay, in order to become the person, I know you want to be.
Take those two steps and you will find, that the harder you work for your success, the less competition you will come in contact with. You see, too many choose the couch, the video game, the excuses, leaving a lot of opportunities open for those who are willing to work for it. They choose convenience over success.
Which one will you choose?
Blessings!
Claudia
P.S. If you are interested in growing now, and taking action now, join me at Wealthy Affiliate Network for free. Taking the first step to creating a first-rate online presence takes knowledge which can be sometimes elusive and confusing. Wealthy Affiliate has created free step-by-step lessons on how to build a website, how to find your niche, how to create great content and more. With incredible peer support, you can ask for as much or as little help as you need. What are you waiting for? Join now!
V Is For Variety – Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary
Hi there, thanks for being back.
When practicing Tasseomancy or Tea Leaf Reading, you should experiment with the variety of teas you use that work best for you and the one you read for. Keep in mind that some teas create a stimulating experience, while others are calming. I suggest, as a practitioner, and someone who has read for quite a few people, that you should gage the person you are reading for before you choose your tea. Is the person agitated, give them a calming tea, do they look defeated, give them some energy. Always have a variety of teas available. Over the last few weeks, we have spoken extensively about the different types of teas, so feel free to visit those posts again, and compile a list of teas that work the best for you.
Here are today’s tea leaf reading symbols:
Letter V:
Van: Whatever you have been trying out, will work in your favor
Vase: A symbol of overall good health
Vegetables: After the current trouble ends, more pleasant times are on their way
Violin: A positive sign – if you are a musician it speaks of success in your niche.
Vulture: You have received a warning. Be wary, and be cautious in the proceeding. Also, can mean a more overall negative situation in your country or location
Meditation, Mindfulness And The Letter M: A to Z Blogging Challenge: Tea Leaf Reading Symbols
Today, I want to show you how tea can become a part of a mindfulness and meditation practice. Tea ceremonies and rituals are a form of this meditation, but they do not have to be as elaborate as these. A simple, yet effective tea meditation is shown in the video below:
Letter M:
Magnet: An attraction that is to the point of irresistibility toward someone – but they will not be a good match
Magnifying Glass: Stop exaggeration the situations. You are drawn to and create drama. A bad habit that needs to be dropped.
Maltese Cross: A continued struggle, going from one place or situation of trouble, to the next situation or place that is just as much trouble.
Man: An unexpected visitor
Mask: there are some unknown factors that are about to be known to you. None of these factors will be pleasant so be prepared.
Meat: financial worry and trouble
Medal: A well-deserved reward is coming your way
Mice: someone is stealing from you. Watch your possessions.
Monk: spiritual upset or quarrel of some kind
I hope you enjoyed today’s tea meditation and symbols.
ho
Wordless Wednesday – Persist
————————————–
I know today is Wordless Wednesday, but I have just been told about an offer that is too good not to share – Check it out!
Free Spring Beauty Gift ($106 value) with any $30 Julep Purchase
This Pretty in Paradise Gift with Purchase ($106 value) will be yours FREE with any $30 Julep purchase, today through Sunday 4/17. Get six full-size products including electric iris sheer polish Kayla, summer berry shimmer polish Lainey, Skip the Brush cheek stick in Golden Guava, Julep Lip Gloss in Enchanted, When Pencil Met Gel eyeliner in Blackest Black, all in a handy Julep cosmetic bag. That’s a $106 value!
To redeem your free gift, add the Pretty in Paradise Gift with Purchase to your cart along with $30 of other Julep merchandise, then enter in promo code ONBOARD at checkout.
Offer expires 4/17/16 at 11:59 PM PT, or while supplies last. Promotional code ONBOARD must be entered at checkout, and is valid for 1 free gift per order. To receive free gift, add the Pretty in Paradise set to shopping bag, in addition to $30+ of other julep.com products. Promotion excludes the Jule Box, Savvy Deals, Julep add-ons, Sweet Steals and Secret Store catalogs. Not valid for purchase of julep.com gift cards, gift boxes, Gift of Maven, or Mystery Boxes. Orders placed for the Monthly Maven Reveal (e.g. monthly Maven Boxes, Upgrade Boxes, and add-ons) are not eligible. No exchanges or returns on free gift. No adjustments on previous purchases. Taxes vary by location.
**************
This blog post is a part of the following blog hops:
Happy Spring! Wordless Wednesday
Tea Leaf Reading Symbols “I”: An April A to Z Blogging Challenge Post
The following post may contain affiliate links
Hi and welcome back to another week of the A to Z Challenge. While green and black tea are widely known, it’s cousin the white tea sometimes gets ignored. However, white tea has many health benefits that warrant a closer look. From cancer-fighting and antibacterial properties to cardiovascular benefits, this gentle tea is also used often in skincare and cosmetic products. So the next time you are looking for more variety in your tea consumption, consider adding the white tea to your repertoire.
But let’s get back to our tea leaf reading symbol dictionary. Today’s Letter is I.
Letter I:
Inkpot: A symbol of a state of positive acceptance. Potential symbol for pregnancy.
Iris: A positive flower, this symbol speaks of hope and upcoming good times
Iron: any obstacle occurring in the near future will be overcome in a quick manner
Ivy: This plant is a symbol of patience and long-lasting endeavor. A steady path filled with long lasting prosperity and deep, meaningful friendship are an additional meaning of this.
Valentia Skin Care line has a wonderful External Youth Exfoliating Scrub containing the above-mentioned white tea, as well as green tea. I love this scrub as it gently exfoliates my skin, leaving a smooth and clean feeling, relieving some of the redness and unevenness that comes with having hypothyroidism. It is gentle enough to not irritate my skin, and like everything in the Valentia Skin Care line, it is cruelty-free.
I received the External Youth Exfoliating Scrub for free in return for an honest review.
4 Gemstones And Crystals For Stress Relief
Disclaimer: The following post contains affiliate links – see disclosure page for details
It is hard to escape stress – our busy lives are filled with times of hustle, responsibility, and multiple goals, that are begging to be followed through upon. Any tool that can aid us in managing the stress – and through that the negative health implications of chronic stress – is a welcome tool in my book.
While I think that mindfulness, meditation, gratitude, and affirmations are the essential tools of an overall less hectic lifestyle, gemstones can also aid us in unexpected ways on this journey.
I have compiled 4 of my favorites here for you today:
This beautiful stone balances emotions when kept in close proximity to a person, or centered in a space that tends to experience a lot of energy and “traffic”, especially when multiple people frequent the room. Its calming influence is a good fit for an open office space, a principle’s office, or the kitchen.
A warm, pink stone, that aids in emotional healing. Let’s face it: Stressful situations can bring up responses that can stem from past trauma, leaving our responses more controlled by what happened in our past, rather than what is happening right now. Rose quartz can give you healing in that regard, making it easier for you to respond to the current situation and not a fear from long ago.
No matter how much we wish it was not the truth, we all allow our temper to get the best of us, at least on rare occasions. Red Garnet is the stone to carry when you need to calm your anger – this can be particularly helpful when you are entering a hostile business meeting or are dealing with a co-worker or boss who adds to your daily level of stress. Rub it between your fingers whenever you feel the need.
This beautiful dark blue stone is a communicator and allows you to express yourself and your needs with more clarity. Stress can be created by not feeling heard, or not knowing how to make your needs known to others. Carrying this stone, which has a healing effect on our throat chakra, can aid you with this task. It is most effective when carried as a necklace.
Check out the following book on the subject:
Crystal Healing Energy by Mary Solomon
available on Amazon on Kindle and as Paperback
You can find gemstone jewelry here:
Finding Happiness In Gratitude
Happiness can not exist in the absence of gratitude.
If you are looking for happiness, you will not find it in the search for new experiences, nor in the absence of desire. Happiness is found within the moments of appreciation, the time when we stop and express with every aspect of our being, a deep felt thank you.
No need for a deity or special place, just a simple act of thankfulness for what is right in front of us, can be the most profound spiritual act of your daily routine.
Taking a few moments of deliberate gratitude throughout the day, not just a part of your morning routine, brings back a more level-headed approach to live. When there is so much recognition of what there is to appreciate, there is less worry, less stress, less fear.
At no point and time, does this imply not thriving for more. The opposite is more the truth. In these moments of gratitude, we make space for more, more life, more kindness, more openness for ideas, a deeper focus.
When gratitude is chosen, the happiness it brings with it can be life changing. All we have to do is start with a simple “Thank you”.
I recommend the following books about Happiness and Gratitude
This blog post is a part of the following blog hops
Celebrate The Small Things
Thankful Thursdays by PepiSmartDog
Thankful Thursdays by Frog Lilypad
No Rules Weekend Blog Party
Monday of Many Blessings
Be Inspired
Disclaimer: The above post contains affiliate links, see Disclosure page for details.
How To Be More Patient – 5 Tips
Disclaimer: The following post contains affiliate link, see disclosure page for details
If you are working on a big project, are following through with action steps toward your goals, or when you are in need of
change that just does not seem to happen, you need patience. Patience in those hard times is often a hard thing to have, yet with the practice of the following 5 steps, you can be patient, even during those trying times.
1. Examine your schedule. Are your expectations for when things are to be done realistic? Have you given yourself enough time to truly finish the task at hand (or have given others enough time to follow through)? If you adjust your schedule to a more realistic approach, anger and frustration often disappear on their own. I can understand, wanting to set tight deadlines, but there is only so much work that can be truly done within a certain time frame. Be mindful of that, when you set your schedule.
2. Make those deadlines concrete. Once you know that you have arranged your schedule to a workable timeline, stick with it. Work on only the projects that need your attention now, and are to be completed first, rather than going back and forth between ideas. Even if it might seem at times tedious work to do, to take action steps on the same project every day, you will get more done in the long run.
4. Allow yourself some time during the day where you can rest – may it be by drinking a cup of tea, or going for a walk, or meditating. Clearing your mind not only will give you a better perspective on the tasks at hand, you will feel more refreshed, and ready to concentrate efficiently on your project
5. Use affirmations – either memorize or write them on a little index card that you can take with you in your purse or pocket.
Affirmations repeated often can have a stress-reducing effect, especially when you feel that you are about to loose your patience.
Try the following affirmations or write your own:
- I choose to be patient with and kind to myself today
- My patience is an attribute
- I have much patience and understandingI possess deep patience
- I now have the patience I’ve admired in others
- Today I stay patient through all things
- I have patience to spare
- I find the time to be patient today
- I am the epitome of patience
- I am patient with myself and others today
- I am patient with allowing myself to forgive myself
- I am patient with my lack of patience
- I remain patient in all areas of my life today
Source: The Book of Affirmations (Sharon Elaine)
Extra tip: Try some adult coloring books as a relaxation and stress-reduction tool:
Adult Coloring Book: Relaxation Templates for Meditation and Calming (Volume 1)
Have a wonderful day!
4 Health Reasons You Should Add A Pet To Your Life
Having a pet changes many aspects of your life. I purposely did not write “own” a pet, because most pet owners can tell you that most likely you are owned by them, rather than the other way around, especially if you have a cat in the family.
But did you know that pets can also affect your overall health?
Here are a list of 4 ways a pet has a positive affect on your health:
1.According to Dr. Silke Wechsung of the University of Bonn, Germany, simply being close to a dog can have a lowering effect on your pulse rate, which is a sign of relaxation. Instantly, the overall well being begins to improve, no matter what happened before the contact with the animal.
2.She also suggests that active engagement with your pet, via play, stops negative self-talk, by interrupting and redirecting it. This is especially helpful for someone who suffers from depression, and has a hard time disconnecting from negative train of thought without an outside influence, preventing spirals into even deeper depression.
3. It brings needed structure into a daily routine. Especially older people, people who live by themselves and suffer from that loneliness, or have depression, creating a positive structure can have a very positive affect on their overall health. A pet, no matter which type, forces the individual to create and follow a routine, no matter what.
4. Dog walks, having to take your pet outside no matter what the weather is like, also strengthens the immune system, according to Dr. Wechsung. Regular outdoor exercise with your dog, becomes a preventive health measure.
If you are considering to add a pet to your family, please always consider getting a pet from a shelter. There are hundreds of animals waiting for a home, and to give back to you, by being your companion and healthy support.
Thank you.
Check Out This Great Dog Bed From Our Affiliate ActiveDogToys.com
Disclaimer: The above post contained affiliate links to ActiveDogToys.com – see Disclosure Page for Details
Avalon-Media - A LifeStyle Blog 