Thought For Today - April

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Reframing Memories

Memories pop into our minds out of nowhere, bringing with them buried feelings. If it's a happy memory, it gives us a boost. If it's not, it triggers the associated negativity, causing heaviness in our minds.

Reframe the negative memories & free the mind. How? When a memory comes up, accept it & then spotlight the positive. What good came out of this? Did I gain something new, a skill, a friend, an opportunity, a lesson, resilience, confidence?

Reframing takes the sting out of the memory. If reframing doesn't work with certain memories, talk to someone you trust.

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Fear or Caution

Sometimes fear can help us weigh up risks and caution us to be careful.

So listen to those little tugs of fear. Check whether the fear is rational or irrational. Accordingly decide whether you need to:
a) honor your fear and step back from the potential risk or
b) challenge and push through your fear, and take action.

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Escape to Engage

When it all gets too much, take 10 minutes to escape it all. Let your mind escape to a desired state of being or a desired destination.

If its serenity, joy, power, whatever you want to be, then focus on it and let the feeling grow and flow through you. Or take your mind to a sunset in the mountains or a warm tropical island.

Escape for a moment. Expand the horizon of your mind. Then you'll be ready to fully engage in life!

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Housework, Tension or Harmony

If you live in a shared space, you might find that often the issue that creates tension is housework. But like it or not, household chores need to be done. So try to divide the chores fairly & agree on who does what around the house.

Keep in mind that everyone does things differently & has different cleanliness standards. So relax your expectations & trust each other to get on with the chores. And when someone neglects to do their bit, give a friendly reminder, lend a hand if you can or communicate without nagging.

How do you create housework harmony?

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The Goal of Contentment

Contentment is to be satisfied with what we have and who we are. This doesn't mean that we have no ambitions or goals. It means that we have our eye on the goal, but at the same time, we can be content. Be content and you'll have the power to achieve and be more.

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No Strings, No Expectations

Generosity gives without expectations and gets everything. So avoid attaching strings to any generosity you extend. Give without wanting anything in return and simply accept whatever comes back, or doesn’t come back! Actually, what is right and what you need comes to you naturally, at the right time.

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Gaining Self Respect

We gain self respect when we live our values.

Define the values that are truly important to you. Prioritize the values you would like to emphasize and live by, at all times.

Live life aligned to your values; even when no one is looking, even when the choice isn't easy. Then you'll be inspired and most importantly, you'll have earned self respect.

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Symphony of Noise

How do you cope with the noise that surrounds you? The traffic, people talking, dogs barking, birds chirping.... Can you hear the music in these daily symphonies?

Embrace the variety of sounds and you might just hear a symphony. You see, all the noise must originate from somewhere, so whatever or whoever is behind the noise, wish them well. Pretend you're the conductor of the noise symphony and move your arms in appreciation and good wishes.

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Practice, Practice, Practice

Want to get better at something? Practice.

Practice, regularly and consistently. It can amount to astounding results over time. It can make you outstanding.

So what will you practice? Make a thoughtful decision on what you practice, how you practice and why you practice it.

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Handling Negative Feedback

Receiving negative feedback is not pleasant or easy to hear, but it is part and parcel of life. So we may as well handle it effectively. How?

1. If possible, try not to respond immediately. Give yourself a few seconds, minutes or more to cool down and to process the feedback.

2. If it feels right, say "Thank you for your feedback."

3. Assess the feedback. Is there any truth in it? Is it highlighting any blind spots? If you take the bits that seem useful for self improvement, you flip negative to positive.

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Feel Good Fix

Feeling out of sorts? Need a quick fix? Reach out and find a way to help someone.

When you help someone, you help yourself. Do good and you feel good. Feel good and you're more likely to do more good!

Today think of simple ways you can help others, especially when you're not feeling good.

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Stretch Yourself

Ever noticed how wildflowers stretch above the crowd, towards the light? The unexpected reward for this natural process for the wildflower is a broader view of its surroundings! How far are you prepared to stretch yourself in order to 'grow' and gain a wider perspective?

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Like the Rain

Drop by drop, the rain washes away all that is old, making all the colours brighter and everything cleaner. In the same way, be like the rain and wash away the old stuff. Clean out the negative thoughts and feelings so that your inner positivity can shine.

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Count Blessings, Not Sheep

Worried? Can't sleep? ".... just count your blessings instead of sheep, and you'll fall asleep, counting your blessings." Bing Crosby

When you can't sleep because you're worried, don't sleep on it. Get out of bed, write down what you are worried about, put it away for tomorrow and say good-night to your worries.

As your head hits the pillow, instead of counting sheep, start counting your blessings.... experiences, events, people, things.... Count your blessings, and soon appreciation and contentment will emerge. This will help you to relax into sleep.

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Key to Deadlines

To accomplish anything.... tasks, personal change, projects.... create deadlines for yourself.

Even to write this 'Thought for Today,' a deadline is set. Otherwise we'll just keep tweaking words and sentences to make it all sound better.

The key is to:
1. Set realistic deadlines. Think through all the steps, the time and the
challenges involved.
2. Set the deadline earlier than the real one. The extra space relieves the
pressure and makes the process more enjoyable.