Daily Gratitude: This is a good quote to use in the beginning of the year even though it’s applicable all throughout the year. All too often we get stuck in the past. All this talk about New Year’s resolution and goals is likely to depress many people and I would say most people have some kind of negative response to all the hype about goals etc. I’ve had enough of it for sure and i talk a lot about goals. But I don’t need someone shoving it down my throat 24 hours a day. It’s all about marketing and selling this program or that. So, we’re stuck with it I guess. But my advice is to take a look at where you’ve come from in the past year (or even a few years). Pick out what you liked and what you want to work on (avoid words like “change” because that automatically brings resistance). What you have as abilities is not what I have and that’s just fine. My goal are not yours and that’s ok too. It’s all about what you have and what you want to do. The most important (and hardest) thing is just to start. Once you’ve started, you can keep going. That’s what you’re after – just to start and to keep going. Start now.

Daily Gratitude: I keep talking about action and here it is again. This quote is accurate but it’s not only your actions. It’s also a feeling. You can think yourself into happiness, too. But, in a technical way, thinking is an action. The primary point is to not sit around waiting for something or someone else to “make” you happy. It’s your responsibility. It’s also a good idea to come up with different things you can do that make you happy. Maybe it’s taking a hike, volunteering to help others, reading a book, gardening, painting, or whatever. The reason you want to make a list of these activities is so you have them readily available when you’re feeling down. Just pick one from your list and set about doing it. Try also to make all your daily activities things you enjoy and that stimulate the happiness chemicals in your body!

Daily Gratitude: Are you the candle or are you the mirror? Did you know that when you share meaningful posts or articles, that is being the mirror. It’s fairly simple but almost as important as the original candle. When someone has made your day with some nice comment or smile, and it makes you happy, you’re being the mirror by doing the same for the next person you come across. How do you think things “go viral” (even though I don’t like that phrase because the universe doesn’t know you’re not talking about those little organisms that cause illness but anyway)? Nothing would spread like that if it weren’t for those who spread the word. After all, Typhoid Mary would not have been a very big threat had she not infected others who then spread it more and more and more. She was the candle and the others were the mirrors. It works whether you’re talking about positive or negative things. Never feel that you can’t change the world because you’re not as “good” or popular as others. You can change the world by helping to spread the word initiated by the “popular” and “smart” person. Mirrors are extremely valuable so never underestimate your impact.