Shining Through the Clouds

Shining Through the Clouds

When we're in a good mood, we shine like the sun. But if we find ourselves
in the presence of a person, or people, in a grumpy mood, it can feel like a
dark cloud approaching to dim our radiance and block our positive way of
seeing the world. We can remind ourselves that clouds pass, while the sun
and stars continue to shine above. Then it's easier to think of these
'grumps' affectionately, knowing that they only have the power to affect our
mood if we allow it. With the power of change firmly in our hands, we can
choose how to respond to a grumpy person, or a grumbling group of people,
with confidence and understanding. Like a lighthouse, we can continue to
shine through the darkness, offering our light to help others find their way
back to their own. We can send them a silent prayer of peace or a
sympathetic smile. We may sense that reaching out to offer a comforting
touch or hug can ease their frustrations and cause the clouds to dissipate.
If they need understanding, we can sympathize without reinforcing the
negativity they may be experiencing by directing their attention someplace
more positive. Helping them find the humor in their situation might be
appropriate and is a great way to lift spirits, or a logical approach may
help them see all the good in the situation, in their lives and in the
world. We might find that someone we encounter often seems to be in a
perpetual state of gloom. Our tendency in such cases may be to try to avoid
them, but instead we can make the choice to offer support that comes from
the heart. We may be inspired to ask if they would like some help or to
offer suggestions that have helped us in the past. We can include thoughts
of their health and happiness in our times of prayer and meditation. When we
lend our energy to uplift another in any way, we improve our own lives while
making the world a better place for all of us.

Sending Yourself Sunshine

Sending Yourself Sunshine

Good Thoughts For The Day

When things go wrong, it is easy to get
into a bad mood, and that bad mood has a way of spiraling
out and affecting our life for days to come. In the same
way, when we feel badly about ourselves, we tend to act in
ways that have repercussions, again creating a negative vibe
that can negatively influence the next several days. While
it is important that we allow ourselves to feel what we
feel, and to be genuine, we do not have to completely
surrender to a dark mood or feelings of self-doubt. In fact,
the more we simply allow and accept our darkness as one part
of the picture, the more easily we can also allow and accept
our light. In this vein, we can temper our grey moods with
an injection of sunshine in the form of sending good wishes
to ourselves for the next 24 hours.



If you feel a bad mood coming on or find yourself plagued
with negative feelings, take a moment to acknowledge that.
At the same time, recognize that things can and will change,
and that you can still have a good day, or a good week,
especially if you take the time to visualize that for
yourself. This is a great way to support yourself when you
are working through tough times and hard feelings. When you
visualize good things for yourself, you are sending yourself
love and warmth, as well as encouraging yourself to keep
going.



Before you even get out of bed in the morning, you can take
the time to send good wishes to yourself all the way through
to the next morning. As you picture your day, take the time
to fill in the details—where you are going, who you will
see, what you will do—and send love and good wishes ahead to
yourself, as well as everyone you encounter. It will be like
arriving in a new place and finding that an old friend has
sent a bouquet of flowers from back home to welcome you and
remind you that you are loved.