Category Archives: living positive lives

You’ve Got to Love It

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Humor is the great thing, the saving thing.  The minute it crops up, all our irritation and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place.  ~Mark Twain

Why is it that people think that those who practice a little faith have no room for humor?

In my opinion, I think it would help all religions to “lighten up.” After all, those who walk through the doors of a church, synagogue, temple or other place of worship on Sunday mornings are looking for insight and understanding into their lives – and sometimes if we look at things from a more light-hearted perspective it helps us to unload our burdens.

Every week  our minister manages to incorporate  humor into his sermons, and still does a fine job of getting a very meaningful message across. I got the biggest kick out of him during the Christmas season. As the congregation stood to sing  “We Three Kings,” he said “I want you all to listen up. We are going to sing verse #1 and #5 with the chorus part and verses #2, #3 & #4 without. Otherwise, the three kings will arrive with the gifts and go on back home, and we will still be singing this song.”

Reverend Tim, thank you for bringing your good-natured humor into the church. God gave us the gift of laughter and you, a good sense of humor. I am glad that you use it! It makes going to the United Methodist Church on Sunday mornings that much more inspiring and fulfilling.

Just sayin’… from underneath more than 225 inches of white fluff this season in  Steamboat Springs, Colorado….

advice & snow

See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling. The place where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Energized by Challenge

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“Stop focusing on what could go wrong and focus on what could go right.”  I like that adage. I am not sure who said it first.  I try to remember it along with having a little faith whenever I find myself looking at things from a negative perspective. With practice, it can change a person’s entire mindset.

Years ago, one of my business mentors said “there are no problems, only solutions.” To this day, this has given me invaluable confidence to press ahead whenever I feel dubious. In fact, I enjoy trying to find that “solution” that gives way to a different approach and perspective because then I am acting positively to solve the challenge, rather than bemoaning a “problem.”

be open to whatever comes nextIn the New Year I’ll have some interesting projects. I am energized by it! I look forward to seeing what I can do to run with it. As I approach these new tasks, I will keep in mind what Win Borden once said “If you wait to do everything until you’re sure it’s right, you’ll probably never do much of anything.” 

I can’t think of a better adage to bring about  motivation for positive action and along with it a fulfilling life.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.

Revisiting a Fulfilling Subject

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Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us. ~ Oscar Wilde

High school was not a fun time in my life. I could have cared less about academics. My theory why? At that time all my energy was being tapped into physical, and perhaps, emotional growth due to delayed development. Things changed when I became a college student, however. I began to excel and catch up.

joy de vivre Taking French in high school was one of my better subjects. I liked it, and studied it for four years. I’ve decided this year to reacquaint myself with the language. I’ve begun taking an on-line French class through www.duolingo.com.  My twin sister told me about the program, and we are having fun trying to advance ahead of each other in the lessons.

It’s been a blast except I have been hung up on the part about food. There are so many forms of the word “manger” or “eat.” Trying to match the right conjugation with he, she, we, they or you has been challenging. For a culture that makes cuisine such a fulfilling part of their lives – the French sure make things difficult when it comes to expressing the word “eat.” I wouldn’t care so much except that I am trying to keep up with my sister! Hummm….that sounds familiar, when you read my memoir you will realize why this lesson has maybe been especially frustrating – it stirs up the pot of my history. No, you won’t be reading a story about eating disorders. Its a story about twins and one helps the other to keep going.

As I mentioned in a recent blog, over the next year I have personal development goals that I look forward to achieving – continuing to brush up on my French speaking skills is one of them. Life long learning keeps us vibrant and mentally stimulated.

What fulfilling things do you wish to pursue for personal growth and development in 2014? I’d like to hear from our readers.

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Forget the Soap?

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“Life is good” represents the most beautiful, dramatic and heavy moments in life.” ~ Nas

bathtub3Please don’t disturb me, I’m scrubbin’! I’m getting rid of all negative thoughts left over from last year.  I have received the year end blog report and know just how many readers we had  and I am feeling very happy. Now – a clean slate and moving forward. A New Year always brings new possibilities and fresh opportunities. All the ingredients necessary for creating a fulfilling experience.

If you are you a person who hangs on to bad memories longer than you ought to, please don’t do it!  It’s not good for your health. http://mayocl.in/1dPJmYZ . Wash those pessimistic and detrimental thoughts right out of your head, right now, while the year is young and history has yet to be made in 2014.

Jump in a tub of warm water, relax, inhale deeply and slowly exhale releasing stress, anxiety and discontent. Go on, now,  breathe again and let your troubles from last year go down the drain. Don’t forget to rinse off well. Bad memories, like soap leaves residue that makes you itchy.

Repeat after me …..”Life is good.” And believe it.

Film Friday: New Thought

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Ones destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things.  ~ Henry Miller

I when I get free time, I am often torn between watching a movie or reading a book. Books often win out. There is a movie that was on my list for 2013 that I haven’t gotten to yet. It’s unlikely I’ll find it playing in my local movie theatre, but that doesn’t mean it is not worthy of watching. So, I’ll put it on the top of the list for this year.

The movie is called New Thought.Click here for info and ordering  Many of the principles of the “Laws of Attraction” are incorporated in this movie, and if you enjoyed The Secret, I would highly suggest checking out this movie. I wholeheartedly endorse the concept that we can directly affect our life experience through our thoughts. Positive breeds positive and negative breeds negative.

A New Year is a great time to begin thinking in different ways, and making “attitude adjustments.” Here’s to a whole new you!Click here for info and ordering

Do return on Monday to All Things Fulfilling. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

How to Be 2014

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Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist. ~ Mary Kay Ash

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I don’t make New Years resolutions every year because sometimes I am still aspiring to reach some of the goals I have set for the previous year. For 2014 my goals are simply to be healthier, wealthier and wiser than the previous twelve months.

  • Healthier – to know if my work and personal life are out of balance. I tend to not realize when to set my work life aside and when to take more time to do the things I like to do.
  • Wealthier – more financial resources would be great, but primarily I am thinking I’d like to be richer through self development. It feels good to grow personally. I did well last year by tackling a public speaking course. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
  • Wiser – With age, comes wisdom, so hopefully the natural aging process will benefit me in positive ways. I hope discernment in all decision making will create exciting, new opportunities that will bring me even more personally fulfilling things in the New Year.

cornerstonesHere is an article I’d like to share with our readers about good habits to get into to start a successful day.  http://bit.ly/1cmR4ah

I hope you find the article informative and it will help you to be healthier, wealthier and wiser in the New Year. Cheers! May the year you create for yourself be one of the most fulfilling of your life!

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Conscious Decisions

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“Joy is the echo of God’s life in us.” ~ Abbot Coumba Marmion

Happy New Years Eve! If last year was a rough year for you, I am sorry. I hope 2014 will be much better. I’d like to share with you a story of someone who despite unimaginable trials and tribulations has managed to find fulfilling things in her life.

The other evening I was watching the news and Scarlett Lewis, a mother of a little boy who was shot and killed in the Newtown school massacre was being interviewed. She was so inspiring. I offer a link to a video of the interview -take a few minutes to watch it. http://bit.ly/1fCw9VA.

When asked how she gets through the day after having suffered such a terrible loss, she told of how an inspirational message her son, Jesse, had written on the chalkboard hanging in the family home before he went to school the morning of his death, has brought her joy. Jesse’s heroic actions in trying to protect other children and the teachers has also brought her a sense of comfort and peace. She feels that he was trying to fulfill his mission that day as a savior and champion.

choose joy1Lewis has written a book called Nurturing Healing Love: A Mother’s Journey of Hope and Forgiveness  that will inspire anyone who is dealing with hurt, loss, grief and difficult circumstances. She explains how making a choice to forgive has given her “an equation for moving forward in a positive way.”

Lewis has also started a foundation in honor of her son. Please visit this link. www.jesselewischooselove.org.

Stories such as these make us realize how precious life is and to embrace those we love with great joy this day and every day.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. Do return to a new year on All Things Fulfilling tomorrow!

Books for Expanding the Brain

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A great life is born in the soul, grown in the mind, and lived from the heart. ~ unknown

Looking for a book that makes you contemplate all kinds of things? Books that incorporate a multi-disciplinary approach expands our ways of thinking of the world, and the meaning of life. Publications that stir our emotions, our intellect, as well as broadening our rational thinking skills are good for us.

Brainpickings.org has listed thirteen best books in 2013 which enrich the readers mental capacities. Here is the list. To read descriptions of these publications, please visit this website http://bit.ly/1lpSGWb.

  • On Looking: Eleven Walks With Expert Eyes
  • Advice to Little Girls by Mark Twain
  • Self Portrait as your Traitor
  • Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation & GPS Technology
  • Codex Seraphinianus
  • My Brothers Book
  • Don’t Go Back to School: A Handbook for Learning Anything
  • Susan Sontag: The Complete Rolling Stone Interview
  • Letters of Note
  • Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking
  • Eighty Day: History Making Race Around the World
  • Time Warped: Unlocking the Mysteries of Time Perception
  • This Explains Everything: Deep, Beautiful & Elegant Theories of How the World Works

I will forewarn you – you may find all kinds of subjects that you hadn’t thought much about before until these books set your mind in motion.

If you are a person who has put “personal, emotional or intellectual growth” on your New Years resolution list in 2014, pick your brain with the concepts that are held within the covers of these fascinating books. Begin fulfilling your New Years resolution by enhancing an area of your life that needs developing. No procrastination allowed!

my goals

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling!

Literary Benevolence

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More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness.~ Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) Comedic Actor, Filmmaker, Writer

Happy Thoughtful Thursday. Today I am thinking about seasonal opportunities for sharing literacy. If you are a library patron or a book lover, these ideas might appeal to you – acts that you can do for others that will mean a lot.

  • Write a literary letter from a beloved literary character about the true meaning of Christmas.
  • Leave post-it notes in random places with uplifting quotes from inspirational writers.
  • Pay off someone’s late fees at the library
  • Drop-off free, pass along books on buses, at a table in a restaurant, on a park bench, in a senior citizen center.
  • Pick-up an extra newspaper at the newsstand and give it to the person behind you in line.
  • Arrange a book swap in a public place and invite anyone walking by to join in, even if they come empty handed. Make sure you have a good supply of  pass-alongs.
  • Put a pass-along book in someone’s mailbox, gift wrapped. What a nice surprise!
  • Create a gift for a loved one – a Shutterfly book of memories. www.shutterfly.com
  • Check out an extra book from the library and take it to a shut-in.
  • Set up a Book Angels program in your community to give new or gently used children books at Christmas time.

book angels

Photo: Book Angels from www.deviantart.com

These random acts of literary kindness can be given at anytime of the year but will especially be appreciated during the holidays.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.

Putting Faith in a Move

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You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.” ~- Mary Manin Morrissey

tell us your storyThis winter marks my fifth year in Steamboat Springs, CO. I’ve enjoyed it immensely. I like the positive energy of the people – they seem to live with purpose and intention rather than just going through the motions. Healthy mind, body and spirit is the focus in this place of awesome beauty. Besides recreation, the arts and entrepreneurship reign supreme. The people are so friendly and there is always something to do in this community. The wonderful library is a hub of activity. I’ve gotten quite involved all around.

Friends and family ask me all the time “Do you think you will live there the rest of your life?” Since I can’t answer that, I’ve decided I’ll live with the attitude that my mother-in-law used to have. She always said “you live till you die.” Alrighty, then! So I’ll say “I am here till I go somewhere else.”  By the way, my mother-law fulfilled her promise by living to the ripe age of 92.

Next Monday on All Things Fulfilling I am going to share a piece of writing from a creative writing class I took last winter. It’s about first impressions – arriving in this town of Steamboat Springs the day after Thanksgiving, five years ago, sight unseen. People ask me all the time – “How did you do that? Move to a place you had never seen before?” My reply….”I just put faith in the fact that I would like it.”  And so it happened, just like that!

Here is a great article called Living with Faith and Making a Great Landing. http://bit.ly/18wEp9O.

Do you have a story you could share about taking a leap of faith? Start writing!

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