the Universe delivered to my email box the following from Bob Proctor yesterday and probably this is the best place to post it as the issue was mentioned here few times - enjoy :



Saying Your Thank-Yous

A year ago, at a get-together of a dozen girlfriends from college, I saw my old friend, Therese Gibson. When I told her I was writing a book called Happy for No Reason, which focuses on the 21 core habits of unconditionally happy people, she told me about the daily gratitude ritual she practices with her 95-year-old father, Charlie, that keeps them smiling and feeling good.
Therese moved in with Charlie, who's still sharp as a tack, during a bad time in both their lives. Charlie's wife had just died, Therese was at the tail end of a painful divorce, and money was tight. They were as glum as any two people could be. But both had heard that gratitude was a great way to feel better, so they decided to sit together for a few minutes each morning before Therese headed off to work and tell each other three things they were grateful for in their lives.
"It was slow going in the beginning," Therese told me. "The first time we did it, I had a hard time thinking of even one thing I was grateful for." Finally, she looked around the room and saw a vase she liked. She told Charlie, "I'm grateful for how pretty that vase is." It sounded silly, but it was the best she could do. Charlie wasn't any better at it, often waiting for Therese to give him a clue about what to say. But she and Charlie both noticed that even a thank-you for something superficial had a good effect.
Soon, their decision to focus on what was right in their lives began to pay off. Both Therese and Charlie started to feel happier, and to notice that more and more things were going their way. Even their money situation improved. Three thank-yous became five, then ten, and soon they had to stop listing the good things in their lives long before they ran out of things to say-or Therese would be late for work.
One day, they were feeling so light and happy after finishing their lists that Charlie, who'd always liked the musical Oklahoma, started singing "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning." Therese joined in. It was the perfect expression of how being grateful made them feel. They added this song to their ritual and now "saying their thank-yous" and singing together has become one of the highlights of their day.
I've experienced myself just how powerful gratitude is. Once, after going through a heartbreak, a friend told me to write down five things I was grateful for each night before I went to bed for three weeks straight. I knew that psychologists say it takes 21 days to change a habit, so I agreed. At first I struggled to come up with anything, but I continued doing it every night and over time the pain in my heart eased.
Try doing the gratitude exercise yourself. Every night before you go to sleep, list five things that you're grateful for that day, and notice how you feel when you wake up the next morning. A grateful heart can send your happiness level soaring.
Marci Shimoff

hey jen. happy new year! just started reading over your new journal. i know what you mean about the fit but not healthy and healthy but not fit. at the moment i'm exercising a bit but not eating well. what sort of yoga are you doing?

Oh no! I hope you feel better soon - sending healthy vibes to you - sleep well! 

Susan

I blazed through this afternoon after my smoothie. I only wanted a lite dinner at around 4 which is normal for me. I had a salad of lettuce, green and red cabbage, a huge tomato, some cucumber, olives and some Japanese mayonnaise which I am still addicted to but for the small amount I have and the huge amount of pleasure I get from it, I am not going to worry about it.

I was still a little nibbly so munched away on a handful of olives and was happy again!

I've had a bit of a day. Testing myself. As you know I need to balance and to learn to find balance and I am looking forward to the challenge but sometimes it all feels too hard. That's when I leave the challenge alone and go and do something else!

Now I feel better.

Here is todays pic....


xoxoxox

Thanks Eve! It's great to be feeling better I can tell you...

I found my sister! We are not long lost or anything. I copied this image from the internet so I don't think she will mind me posting here...


She is an amazing girl.

I've had a busy day and have Sacha, Swami and Travis coming over for dinner so I had better rush! Hopefully I will have some photos to put up here of the food later!

kiss kiss!

Oh Jen, what gorgeous vibrant kids you have!!! And yourself too!!!

...and your fridge looks like heaven!!!

We have 2 fridges but I'm afraid they're a mixed bag of lush and not so lush! Working on it though!!

Brian was up making the kids fruit smoothies before I even got out of bed this morning (wonders will never cease!!) and Finn (my 8 yr old) came in to give me a bright orange sloppy smoothie kiss to wake me!! lol was so cool to see... a kodak moment!

Susan x

fruit salad, yummy mummy..