compassion
How To Practice The Art Of Gratitude
My life has not been without its challenges. Nevertheless, I love my job, have a beautiful son, an adorable husband and supportive friends and family. Therefore, irrespective of current world events, I genuinely have a lot to be grateful for!
Gratitude is beneficial for all of us, including physically, emotionally and spiritually. For one, appreciating the good things in our lives helps us to be more tolerant and forgiving, with a higher sense of life satisfaction. Grateful people also tend to have more hope and inner peace and feel less anxious and alone.
God, Spirit, the Universe loves gratitude! Those who are sincerely grateful are blessed with even more to be grateful for. Like attracts like.
How does one ensure that you practice the art of gratitude ever day? The following guidelines should help:
Seek Out The Positive
In my own personal research into positive psychology, I became aware of something referred to as negativity bias. In case you have not heard of this, it means that our negative thoughts tend to be more dominant than the positive ones.
An excellent way of counteracting this negative way of thinking is to seek out at least three things in your life every day that you are well and truly grateful for. Try to make this a daily habit. By doing so, it should have you smiling in next to no time!
I remember when I was about 26 years old and in a particularly challenging place in my life. I was advised by a psychic, whom I reached out to with my troubles, to watch the film or read the book, The Color Purple by Alice Walker. It is some of the best advice I have every received. Once I had read the last chapter, I felt so grateful for whatever I had in my life.
True Love Has No Time Limit Or Deadline
We live in a busy world where most of us have gotten used to a very hurried life. Everything is on a strict schedule and time limit, because we now judge everything this way. We have become a restless society demanding instant solutions and immediate gratification in all things.
If the line is too long at the supermarket or fast food restaurant, some of us get upset. If we have to wait for our doctor when we have an appointment, we become annoyed. Some cut in front of others, or even cross streets while the light is still red, because they hate to wait.
Similarly, if we do not get an immediate reaction from our latest love interest, some of us do not become just a little restless or anxious. No, they get really upset!
If this kind of hurried, rushed way of life plagues you, then you may definitely need an major attitude adjustment. Because your naturally loving heart and your capacity for love and romance may be in serious trouble.
Maybe your heart never got the memo that there was no need to constantly hurry up and adhere to time limits and deadlines. What happened to dating? Romantic chats? Patiently anticipated expressions of affection? Dozens of love letters, and more recently emails and test messages? The joint holidays and weekends away? The looking forward to new adventures together?
What happened? What happened to living wholeheartedly in the moment? What happened to just enjoying the ride without constantly watching the calendar or the clock?
The one joy that we all desire and cherish is being loved and feeling special in someone’s eyes. To be affirmed, to be accepted and appreciated, to belong. It gives us an inner peace and happiness that cannot be found in any other way. Love and belonging is a fundamental necessity in everyone’s life. No matter how busy you are. Continue reading
Astrology Forecast April 19 – 25, 2021
Today the Sun moves into Taurus, the sign that will inspire us to manifest our dreams over the next four weeks. Creative ideas will turn into tangible movement and we’ll have the power to reclaim our physical and financial balance.
Later today, Mercury will also join the Sun in Taurus, adding our logical and practical sides to this creative energy for the next couple of weeks. Problem-solving will become child’s play and accessing the information we need will be as easy as typing the issue into a search engine. Today’s Moon-Neptune Trine will further stimulate our creative impulses and imagination!
The Moon will travel through Leo on Tuesday and Wednesday, calling for us to make ourselves the priority. If we’ve been lacking in self-care, now is the time to regroup and put our own needs first. If you are highly sensitive, especially take heed the Leo Moon in opposition to Saturn in Aquarius on Wednesday, as it can trigger a low mood, or even sadness, loneliness or depression. If such feelings arise, reach out to someone you trust and remind yourself that you are never alone. There are kind people in this world who care.
Detailed work is best done on Thursday and Friday under the meticulous Virgo Moon. On Thursday Mars will move into the sign of Cancer, which tends to slow outer movement and direct us to work on our inner selves for the next two months.
Regrouping and restoring balance will be the theme this weekend as the Moon dances through Libra and illuminates where our focus needs to be; mainly on our relationships and personal surroundings.
Astrology Forecast April 12 – 18, 2021
The start of this week is a time to stand your ground and get productive as the first three days unfold under a determined Taurus Moon. As an earth sign, Taurus is brilliant at taking creative ideas and manifesting them in real life.
To add to this constructive Taurus Moon influence,Venus, the planet that rules Taurus, will move into this sign for a three week visit, enabling us to cast off restrictions and follow our heart’s desires. The sextile between the Sun in Aries and Jupiter in Aquarius on Thursday further promises to boost our confidence and energy levels to reach for our goals and be successful.
We’ll also be cruising the information highway Thursday through Saturday as the Moon dances through Gemini. This is the ideal time to research a project, learn a new subject, or start that blogging site you have been procrastinating on. We’ll be processing new information at record speeds later this week, and in the process, could discover the solution to a long-standing health or financial problem. So, pay close attention and keep lots of notes.
On Friday, take heed when the Aries Sun squares Pluto in Capricorn. This aspect may cause us to be impulsive, bossy or egotistical. Please also drive with caution today, as the risk for traffic accidents and road rage may be heightened. Whatever you do, do not give in to the temptation of misplaced arrogance and avoid unnecessary disagreements and conflict.
This potentially disruptive energy influence may be further aggravated by the Moon conjunction Mars in the early hours of Saturday, which may lead to additional irritability or the potential for emotional outbursts and even violent behavior. So, as the end of the week approaches, aim to stay calm and do what usually work best to calm your nerves. Remain grounded and keep your emotional center.
Sunday’s Cancer Moon will invite us to step back and relax a bit, cuddling up with loved ones or diving into a good book or favorite movie, as we regroup from a mentally and emotionally challenging week.
We Can Co-Create A More Caring World
Each part of our body has many functions, many parts. Some we can see and some, of course, we cannot. Each has a very important function and serves a role that helps our body to work and operate well.
For our body to continue to run well, we have to take care of all the parts. We must ensure, for example, that we don’t drink too much alcohol, or eat too many processed foods, because if we do it could ruin our health. But healthy living goes beyond our physical lifestyle. If we think negative thoughts, or are emotionally bitter or cynical, then we also promote disease in the human body.
It also goes beyond our own life and body. Our planet is also a living, breathing body and all the smaller parts of our wonderful world must also run smoothly, in order for nations and countries to survive and grow, and for all to live in peace and harmony.
If we all do our job, and we are all on the same team with the same values, such as harmony, love and peace, we could have a gloriously peaceful, harmonious world. We are aware of things like corruption, greed and dysfunctional politics. These evil practices go on and make for ripples of constant negativity. Sometimes we see it in horrible ways, where lives are ruined and destroyed.
We all have different talents and gifts. If we all listened to the messages from our higher consciousness, and acted on them, we could co-create a meaningful change in the world. If we all did our part, and maybe weren’t so complacent, and really listened and heeded our true calling, we may be able to work together – just like our body uses all of its parts to function. We are all one in spirit and we are all connected. We must all contribute.
Astrology Forecast April 5 – 11, 2021
The Sun will be moving through creative Aries this week, inspiring our hearts and minds and giving us a glance into the possibilities for the future. We can also expect an easy-going and smooth-flowing week ahead, as the Moon touches base with many of the planets and tones down any conflict or worries.
An upbeat mood is sure to surround us as the Moon saunters through Aquarius the first three days of this week, emanating friendship, cooperation, and joy. But instead of engaging in frivolous social activities, today’s Lunar energy could be channeled into more meaningful social interaction with those In our circle who need it most. The cool thing to do today would be to reach out to someone you know who may be in need of some social support and friendship. Unconditional love is also a gift of this Moon, making it easy for us to embrace the differences, as well as the similarities of all who cross our paths.
The Pisces Moon on Thursday and Friday evokes our spiritual side, evoking a sense of being one with the Universe. Beware however the Pisces Moon Square Mars in Gemini on Friday. This planetary aspect could cause conflict, moodiness and even unexpected temper tantrums. Avoid getting into unnecessary arguments with your partner or spouse. To resolve differences or speak your mind, wait for the Aries Moon Sextile Mars in Gemini on Sunday, when there will be an air of greater openness and honesty to discuss unfinished business.
The rest of the weekend unfolds under an Aries Moon, culminating in a new Moon on Sunday. This is a great time to reconnect with loved ones, dive into something creative, or simply practice the art of being.
Reach Out And Touch Someone’s Life Today
It has been nearly a full year since many countries started going into their first lockdowns due to the global pandemic. Some people have endured much suffering and loss, especially due to the passing of loved ones.
Some have also become ultra-stressed working on the front lines in healthcare facilities, nursing homes and many other essential services. Many have lost income, jobs and businesses. Many are facing mental health challenges. Many schools have been shuttered and teaching became virtual. Parents have been struggling to multi-task between working at home and entertaining or educating their kids.
Regardless of where we find ourselves on this stress continuum, it is important to try to find some order in all the chaos. Although it might be hard to reconcile with the state of the world as it is today, it is still vitally important to carve out a little time for self-care and putting yourself first.
Just a few brief minutes of deep breathing, visualization, meditation, reading uplifting books, journaling, or a perhaps the luxury of a quick walk outside to clear the cobwebs can all work wonders! Whatever is feasible on any given day, it is important that you create a little oasis of calm for yourself. Reduce the pressure of the day by showing yourself some love and respect first.
If you are in doubt as to where to start, you can begin by just focusing on some gratitude and appreciation. Despite all the loss and heartache many of us have suffered in recent months, there is always something for which we can be grateful. Whether it is something grandiose and eventful or small and precious only to our hearts, give thanks for whatever comes to mind.
Love can be a wonderful motivator. We often do things for the people we love, rather than doing those same things for ourselves. It can feel wonderful to see the reaction of our little ones, spouses, elders, colleagues, or neighbors when we say or do something special to surprise them or acknowledge them. That is all it takes to show some love, compassion, appreciation and friendship.