Appreciation and thanks

"This world is fast-moving, constantly changing and all-absorbing -- appreciation and thanks have a way of slowing things down." - Ross Levin

Levin has a simple strategy for achieving mindfulness, appreciate what you have and give thanks. In order to be thankful and appreciative, we have to do two important things: get outside ourselves and pay attention to others around us as well as the scenery of our lives.

Thinking With Purpose

"To begin to think with purpose is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment." ¾ James Allen

Allen was an early writer in the long tradition of positive thinking. He is still a major figure in this field. He understood the importance of thinking with purpose and intentionality. His voice is a serious challenge to those who drift through life while believing that some form of fate controls their destiny.

Your right to be wrong

"Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life." - David M. Burns

Dr. Burns understands the importance of freedom from judgment. Too much concern over avoiding mistakes sucks the life from us and turns our souring creative impulses into a pile of dead leaves.

self-confidence

"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right!" - Henry Ford.

The founder of the American automobile assembly line understood the importance of confidence and optimism. What we believe about our hopes and dreams has a profound impact on the likelihood of our success. It is important to help our children build their self-confidence through encouragement and affirmation.

Acceptance

"Be willing to have it so. Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune." -- William James

This seems so obvious. What benefit could possibly come as a result of resisting reality? After all, you can go nowhere from where you are not. You can only move forward from the place your standing. To accept your misfortune is to stand on solid ground, the only meaningful starting place for a new tomorrow.

Meditations for Parents in recovery

Tree Frogs

Happiness is a Choice

“Happiness is not an ideal of reason but of imagination.” — Immanuel Kant

The great German philosopher got it right. Happiness is not based on logic, facts or reason. Happiness is the result of imagination and decision. Happiness is a choice. We can choose to be happy by choosing what we focus our attention on. Attention is a choice, much to the surprise of some.

Real Peace

“If we are not peaceful, if we are not feeling well in our skin, we cannot demonstrate real peace, and we cannot raise our children well either.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

This Buddhist monk speaks to the importance of the life we live in the presence of our children as their parents. Our children imitate the attitudes and behaviors they see us live in their presence, regardless of what we may try to teach them with our words. Let us live peaceably with our children that they may experience peace in their lives.

Children are Artists

“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up…” – Pablo Picasso

"Children dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music." — William Stafford

Both of these artists recognized the joyful creativity of young children. In their innocence and spontaneity they freely and joyfully create from their imagination. They are not inhibited or worried about what others think. They avoid the poisonous trap of comparing themselves to others. Too bad we can’t be more like these children.