gratitude

The Importance of Positive Self Talk

What do you tell your loved ones when they make a mistake?

You did the best you could, or everything will be just fine.

Now, what do you tell yourself when you make a mistake?

Do you give yourself the same level of care and compassion – or are you a little hard on yourself?

It’s so common to be our own worst critics and get stuck in a spiral of negative self-talk.

Learning how to embrace mistakes can change the way we deal with them.

Here’s how…

Reflect On The Scenario 

Once we have made a mistake, there is nothing we can do to change what happened. 

All we can do is alter our mindset at the moment and seek the silver lining.

Every single event that happens to us is part of our story and can teach us something. 

Access Our Strengths 

You have so much strength within you.

You can do anything you set your mind to! 

You have recovered from old mistakes in the past, and you will again. 

Acknowledging that you are human and will face challenges again can help you feel more prepared for them! 

Practice Positive Affirmations 

Setting aside even a few minutes a day to practice positive affirmations can help us feel better about ourselves and help change negative thought patterns into positive ones. 

You can say your positive affirmations out loud, write them down, or do a bit of both.

When it comes to affirmations, there are no set in stone rules – however, you will want to ensure that they spotlight you in a positive light.

Here are a few examples that can help you get started:

1) I am confident.

2) I am proud of myself and all of my accomplishments.

3) Today is going to be an amazing day.

4) I am excellent at what I do and am grateful for all of my opportunities.

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International Human Rights Day

December 10 marks International Human Rights Day. It is a time to familiarize ourselves with and recognize the rights that everyone is entitled to as a human, regardless of race, religion, gender, nationality, or social status.

This day was created after the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948. It was the first legal document that advocated for fundamental human rights to be universally protected.

The United Nations website indicates that the themes of this year are Equality and Article 1 of the UDHR that states “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

Additionally, they promote the idea that the path to a more fair society that addresses poverty, inequality and discrimination is by adopting measures that are grounded in human rights. You can find more information on their website International Human Rights Day.  

Explore additional resources below:

Human Rights Day Information & Resources For Kids 

Universal Declaration Of Human Rights Timeline 

11 Books To Read For Human Rights Day

What Are The Universal Human Rights? – Benedetta Berti | YouTube

Building Bridges

We live in a world that has become quite polarized. 

Despite the frustration that can come from interactions, there are positive things to learn from differing perspectives. Have you ever noticed that when you meet someone with a different viewpoint in person, rather than online, you have more empathy for their point of view? Taking the anonymity out of an interaction can help the other side seem more real.

Some guidelines for embracing diversity:

Have an open mind: If someone has a different outlook than you, take the time to hear them out and try to understand where they are coming from.

Show empathy: Try to get to know the person better without judgement.

Challenge stereotypes: Become more aware of the language you use to describe others. Is it accurate?

Share your beliefs: Try to share in a way that is non-judgemental to those with different beliefs.  Help people understand where you are coming from.

Accepting others as they are:

  • Increases your own personal growth.
  • Decreases resentments as you can focus on what is positive instead of what is negative.
  • Brings about closeness with others
  • Allows you to let go of control of the situation

Embracing the diversity in our society is how we can learn and grow. By accepting each other regardless of our differences, we can find ways to connect genuinely.

Embracing differences might mean trying to understand different opinions without judgement.  And it can be challenging as others might not be as dedicated to making changes as you are. 

At the end of the day, we are all human. We all experience fears, joys, and laughter in our own way. 

We may not all be the same, but that’s why it’s even more important to acknowledge and embrace these differences. They are what makes everyone special. 

You can explore these resources to learn more: 

Empathy – Accept Other For Who They Are

6 Steps For Building An Inclusive Workplace

11 Books To Read If You Want To Be A More Inclusive Leader

Teaching Kindness And Acceptance Toward Differences | For Parents 

How To Seek Out And Celebrate Diversity In And Out Of Your Community

Feeling Stuck in Life?

Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you worked, you continued to stay stuck in the same spot in life?

It can almost feel like you are stuck living on autopilot.

Routine and consistency don’t have to be perceived in a poor light.

It all comes down to the mindset we have behind our life and actions.  

Regain Your Power

Large goals simply are the outcome of many mini-goals.

Now, when you work towards mini-goals, you may not see significant results on a day-to-day basis. 

That does not mean your hard work isn’t paying off.

It simply means you have to measure your work on a different scale.

Instead of comparing your progress on a weekly basis – you may have to compare your progress on a monthly basis. 

Sometimes the smallest changes can guide us towards a newfound confidence. 

Love What You Do

You can get back in touch with yourself by doing what you love and by being yourself. 

If you’ve been putting something off for far too long – now is the time to jump back in. 

Getting back into the swing of doing things for ourselves can change our outlook on life. 

Keep in mind – it can be just as easy to procrastinate on activities we love as it is to procrastinate on activities we fear. 

The longer we procrastinate on anything in life, the harder it can be to take the plunge.

No matter what we say or do, time is going to pass.

We might as well spend our days doing things that make us happy. 

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The Power Of Bucket Lists

Goals come in many forms. 

We have big goals we’d like to accomplish in the next few years, mini-goals we’d like to accomplish every few days and then we have those dream goals we’d like to accomplish “one day.”

You know what? 

That “one day” goal may feel out of reach right now – but you are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for. 

Did you know that we are much more likely to accomplish goals that are written down? 

Writing down goals or dreams can help make them feel more tangible and within reach.

Creating a dream list – also known as a bucket list can be a fun way to map out our goals, no matter how big or small they may be. 

There Are No Limits

You can do anything you set your mind to.

You have the power to create a life you love. 

Never stop thinking about and imagining all the endless possibilities.

Joy + Satisfaction 

How great do you feel after crossing something big off your list? 

Pretty great, right?!

Bucket lists are designed to bring joy and satisfaction. 

Every time we cross something off our list, it signifies a new milestone.

A New Sense Of Purpose

Bucket lists are a great way to map out the activities and experiences we want for ourselves. 

Don’t be afraid to dream!

Sitting down and reflecting on what you really want can give you a new sense of purpose. 

The future is bigger and brighter than any of us can imagine. 

You have the power to open your door to opportunities. 

“One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.”– Michael Korda

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Understanding and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Do any of these thoughts sound familiar?

“Everyone is better than me.” 

“I can’t do anything right.”

“Sooner or later, my peers will realize I don’t know what I’m doing.”

The above are common thoughts associated with imposter syndrome. 

Those who experience imposter syndrome often feel like they are underqualified, inexperienced or simply not good enough. 

Remember, a thought is not a fact. 

Just because something feels true doesn’t mean it is. 

It all comes down to shifting your mindset. 

Recognize All Efforts

All of your accomplishments are a result of your hard work!

You got hired because you were the best candidate for the position.

You got a good mark on that test because you put the work in.

It’s so important to be mindful of how we think about ourselves and be our own cheerleaders. 

The next time you catch yourself experiencing some self-doubt – finish the following sentences. 

“Today, I am proud that I…”

“I can’t believe that I achieved…”

“Wow! … really paid off.”

Redefine Success

There is no set-in-stone definition of success.

Success comes in many forms and means different things to different people.

Our journey to finding success isn’t measured by what we achieve. 

It is measured by our progress. 

Instead of thinking about how much you have to do, think about how far you’ve come. 

“Success is a process for all of us, and as long as you are making consistent progress towards your goals – sincerely giving your best effort more often than not – then you are already successful and deserve to feel proud of yourself.” – Hal Elrod

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Ways to Get Your Energy Back

Have you ever had one of those days that left you feeling emotionally and physically exhausted?

If you answered yes – you are not alone. We all have those days. 

We have more control over our energy than we give ourselves credit for. 

Just because you wake up one morning with low energy doesn’t mean that feeling will last the entire day. 

There are several little things you can do, starting from the moment you wake up that can help increase your energy – even if it’s just a little bit.

Remember To Smile

You know that saying fake it till you make it?

Well, smiling (even when you don’t feel like it) is the perfect example of that saying in action. 

Smiling can trick our brains into thinking we are happy and in a great mood. 

The next time you’re feeling drained or not your best, walk on over to your bathroom mirror and smile for 5 minutes. 

It may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but don’t knock until you try it. 

Take Your Time Getting Ready

Our morning routine can significantly impact the rest of our day.

Waking up ten minutes before you have to leave the house can be quite stressful and exhausting in itself.

Taking 30 minutes to an hour to take a long shower, pick out an outfit that makes you feel good and have a nice breakfast can help you walk into the day with a relaxed and upbeat mindset. 

Start Small

Not everything has to be done all at once. 

Knocking items off our list at a steady pace can help those more draining tasks feel simple and even fun.

The act of ticking items off of your list can be very motivating, which in turn can help increase our confidence and overall energy levels. 

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