Feel good stuff!

Good morning everyone. I got up early to get some work done, but I had the urge to read your blogs and comments that were left on mine. I am so grateful for all the supportive words you wrote. My cyber buddies are there for me more than my real life buddies. I realized it's taking the time to check in, and that's the beauty of the internet. It would take alot of time if we all called each other every day. But a few comforting, uplifting words written in a comment section can really make the difference in one's mood, and let them know you are there for them. It's a beautiful thing!  It helps me keep my eating plan at the forefront, and just checking in with others who support me can make all the difference.

I realized with all the stress I am feeling these days, and a mile long too do list, that I have to find ways to check in daily with myself and my faith in order to keep life in perspective and realize all the good things that are going on. I have a few books on my kindle that help me keep checked in and focused on the real important things in life.  Those are not the piles of paperwork, the mile long to do list, or the slew of emails and phone calls I have to respond too. The real things are my family, friends, my health and the beauty and goodness of the world around me.

There are three books I have on my Kindle, that are daily motivational books.  I really try to take the time to read them daily. On the mornings I have to hit the ground running, I try to catch up at night. And on those nights, when I just fall into bed exhausted, I'll spend any time I can get, to catch up on the readings.

The first is The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo. You may have seen this talked about on Oprah. It has a spiritual component to the daily readings, but is in no way preachy. It's deep at times, but gives you a lot to think about it a short page of reading.

I also have 2 books on my kindle by Joyce Meyer. One is called Starting Your Day Right, and the other is Ending Your Day Right. These have wonderful motivational daily sayings. There is a scripture verse at the end, but I don't feel you have to be overly religious to get the messages they give. I find them very comforting.

 Lastly there is a book, not for everyone, but Christian centered, that is called Jesus Calling. I love this book, and it is written as if it was Jesus talking to us in the first person. There is a passage for every day of the year. You would be amazed at how comforting this one is. I feel as if the messages are coming through those pages directed at me personally.Some days is is uncanny how the message seems to be written just for me and what's going on in my life.

This post is not meant to be a push on religious readings in any way. I'm just sharing  what comforts me. There are many books, music, meditative programs out there that will calm you down, bring what's important into focus and relieve stress. There are many ways to relieve stress and calm one's inner self. I wish I had time to do a full hour of yoga everyday,  get a relaxing massage, have the stress relieving end of the day hot bath, a nap in the middle of the day, or  spend some time in a meditative state.  It's not going to happen at this point in my life.

But I find I can grab my Kindle, even if it's while waiting for an appoinment, or during a lunch break, and read these daily passages that comfort me, and give me a moment to pause and focus on all that's going right these days! Just like checking in often with my cyber buddies, checking in often with these readings make me feel good!

Until next time, hoping you all find some time to do something that makes you feel good and calms your mind!

Thought for the day:  Our real blessings often appear to us in the shapes of pains, losses and disappointments; but let us have patience, and we soon shall see them in their proper figures.
- Joseph Addison