The Gift!

https://www.ted.com/talks/stacey_kramer_the_best_gift_i_ever_survived?language=en

This Ted Talk by Stacey Kramer is just over 3 minutes long and has a surprising twist. Without giving it all away, she speaks of this amazing gift that she received that changed her life in many ways. But it is not a gift any of us would like to receive. Sometimes the things we don't want, have a gift in them if we look for it.

In this season of gift giving, look for the hidden gifts that have come to you over the years. Sometimes a job loss leads to the most rewarding career, the break-up to a better relationship, the disaster that made you start life all over forced you to create a new, amazing life.

When life gives you something that you don't want but you have no control over it, then try embracing it and look for the gift. It is not easy to do but you have nothing to lose. Sometimes the gift isn't evident at first, but if you look hard enough, you can find it.

What is something that you first perceived as horrible that later on served you well? What "problems" in your life today can you view as gifts?

Connection is the cure!

https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong?language=en

https://paulaverdicchio.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/connection.jpg

A friend mentioned she had seen an interesting Ted Talk on addiction and I decided to look it up today. I love watching Ted Talks for inspiration and information. They are all great but this is an exceptional one. Do yourself a favour and click on the link under the image for the Ted Talk and watch this video clip? It looks at addiction in a new way. Instead of judging loved ones or ourselves harshly for our addictions, it points out that the root of addictions is lack of connection. Connection is our fundamental human need. With it, we thrive and without it, we fail to survive.

As we approach this busy holiday season, it can get stressful when we focus on the presents and decorations and all the details that we think make up Christmas. But as every sweet and sappy Christmas movie points out, the purpose of Christmas is about connection. It's about connecting with our loved ones, connecting with ourselves and our spirit.

What are some ways that you connect with loved ones at Christmas? Do you have any quiet time during the holidays to connect with yourself? What is something that you could do today to foster your connection with someone you love?

Getting Back on Track

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I chose these quotes today for myself. After being out of my home for 2 weeks while getting some renovations done, I found it hard to get back into my daily routine. It was a challenge to manage our family's crazy schedule while being away and out of sync with the routines that make it possible for us to do all that we do. So my message today is for me and maybe it will resonate with you. 

Whenever I go on a holiday or something comes up that changes our daily rhythm, it takes awhile to get back on track. But I know how to get back on track from many years of experience. And that is what I am doing today by getting back into my blogging routine. Sometimes it helps to pick one habit that you want to welcome back into your life and then slowly add others. If you put too much pressure on yourself to try to do everything, you'll only end up disappointing yourself.

What are some things that you do to help yourself get back on-track with living your best life? I'd really like to know. Share your comments below.

Today, acknowledge yourself for your healthy habits and good routines. If you feel like something is missing, take one small step to bring the missing element into your life (or back into your life). Enjoy the opportunity to make today the best day of your life - and doing that every day leads to an amazing life!