When you are lonely
I wish you love.

When you are down
I wish you joy.

When you are troubled
I wish you peace.

When things are complicated
I wish you simple beauty.

When things are chaotic
I wish you inner peace.

When things looks empty
I wish you hope.

- Author Unknown

There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would
paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king
looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really
liked, and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for
peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky
with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it
was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and
bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which
lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming
waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a
tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird
had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water,
sat the mother bird on her nest in perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize? The king chose the
second picture. Do you know why?

“Because,” explained the king, “peace does not mean to be in a place
where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in
the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That
is the real meaning of peace.”

Author Unknown

The gift of signs of affection…
Be generous with your hugs, kisses and
gentle squeezes of the hand. Let these
tiny actions demonstrate the love inside of you.

The gift of a note…
It can be as simple as “I Love You” or
as creative as a sonnet. Put your notes
where they will surprise your loved ones.

The gift of laughter…
Just cut out a cartoon, save a clever article.
Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.”

The gift of compliment…
A simple “You look good in blue” or “Good supper”
can be of greatest value to those who
may feel they are being taken for granted.

The gift of a favor…
Help with the dishes, run an errand, etc.

The gift of leaving alone…
There are times in our lives when we
want nothing better than to be left alone.
Become more sensitive to those times and give solitude.

The gift of a cheerful disposition…
Try to be cheerful around those you love.

The gift of a game…
Offer to play your loved one’s favorite game.
Even if you lose, you’ll be a winner.

And then I stopped to buy some sweets.
The lad who sold them had such charm.
I talked with him. He said to me, “It’s nice
to talk with folks like you. You see,” he said,
“I’m blind.” Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two eyes. The world is mine!

Then walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue.
He stood and watched the others play.
It seemed he knew not what to do.
I stopped a moment, then I said,
“Why don’t you join the others, dear?”
He looked ahead without a word
and then I knew…. He could not hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two ears. The world is mine!

With feet to take me where I’d go,
with eyes to see the sunset’s glow;
with ears to hear what I would know –
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I’m blessed indeed. The world is mine!

Being able to stay at a high level of performance on a continuing basis is difficult for the majority of the population. It’s important to have the right mindset in order to stay at a high level of living day in and day out. There are certain mental techniques that you can use.

1. Make sure you are keeping yourself fit. Get out and exercise. This will enable you to deal with both mental and physical stress that may come your way.

2. Eat high quality foods. By eating right and healthy, your body will get the proper nutrients for physical and mental health.

3. Do deep breathing. Our blood supply needs constant oxygen that will energize our bodies and minds. This will insure that our bodies get the energy it needs and keep our lungs healthy too.

4. Do mental training. Meditation and self-hypnosis as well as visualization help to calm a stressed mind and to develop focus and awareness. The more you’re able to train your mind on a regular basis, the easier it will be to access that calm state whenever you need it.

5. Stay optimistic. Having a positive mindset is important for continued high level performance. Being around positive people will help you too.

6. Have positive goals. Having goals that you can stay focused on will help you stay focused on the task at hand and provide a target to aim for.

7. Do some extreme self-care. Taking care of you first is important for recovery. You’ve done some of it in the other steps. It’s important to take some down time. This recovery period will help raise your performance level when you are taking action.

© 2011 by Bob Choat

About the Author: Bob Choat, MS, CH.t., CTNLP, NASM-CPT does Peak Performance Coaching & Training and also works as personal trainer in Southern California. His training in hypnosis, psychology, and fitness enables him to best help in both mind and body towards complete fitness. He has a Masters in Psychology and degrees in business and leadership. He also completed leadership training from Rapport Leadership International and the U.S. Marines. www.HypnoMindPower.com

Pedro Arrupe (1907-1991);

“Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you! ”

Christian D. Larson -

New Thought Leader

Whatever the goal we’re pursuing,

no matter how rugged the climb,

we’re certain to get there

by trying our best,

and taking one day at a time.

“Forever” is hard to imagine,

“the future” may seem, far away-

but every new dawn

brings a wonderful chance

to do what we can on that day.

by Emily Matthews

When you have to put up with mean people
Think of them as sandpaper.
They may scratch you,
Rub you the wrong way
But eventually…

YOU end up smooth & polished.

And the sandpaper…?
It´ll be worn out & ugly!

Makes you think, doesn´t it?

Never lose sight of who you are,
because you are the best thing
God ever created!
Embrace the gift.

Eyes:
Will always see you for the way you really are, your true self.

Ears:
Will always have them open to listen.

Mouth:
To always tell you the truth and give their opinions, tell you when you
mess up or do something good.

Shoulder:
Will offer when you need one to cry on, will be your strength when you
find it hard to carry yourself. Will always let you lean on them.

Heart:
To love you for who you are and not judge, Will always have a place there
for you.

Hands:
To hold yours when you need a little guidance, to lend when you need
help, and to help you up when you may fall.

Arms:
Will always make you feel comfortable in them and to offer hugs when you
need one. Will try to warm when you are cold.

Feet:
To walk with you throughout your life and be the best friend they can be.