R & R for Sunday, November 28th, 2010

FINISH WHAT YOU START! 

My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of chips and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.

R and R Tip # 25: RESIST putting things off until another day
Ninety-nine percent of all failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses ~George Washington Carver, Chemist
 
Procrastination makes you feel both indecisive and guilty. You're indecisive because you choose to postpone what must be done and guilty for not doing, now, what you need to do. The more often you procrastinate, the weaker you feel.
 
Our world gets this way sometimes, too. Life happens in unexpected ways and the road we're traveling makes unexpected turns. Before long, we find ourselves in places we never anticipated, wondering exactly where we are. If we are not careful, we panic and make things even worse
 
All the noise and distraction around us makes it difficult to remember to stay focused and take action every day. So we stall and drift back into those old habits and patterns. Your goal is relegated to your wish list and you become frustrated again.
 
Rise above any disappointments and keep trying.
 
One of the great things about our Motivation Station is that there is always someone around to try and keep us accountable. The folks here are just like lots of you with real problems and I am blessed to be a part of them. I read that one way to stay focused is to have an accountability buddy and in some way I hope that I can be one of your buddies and I hope you'll be one of mine too.

I was going to procrastinate, but I put it off. 

See you all next Sunday!
Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!
ma

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BLACK FRIDAY aka NIGHTMARE at the MALLS

Jen talked yesterday about black Friday and I wanted to expand that a bit today.

The term BLACK FRIDAY appears to have been coined in Philadelphia by the police, where it was originally used to describe the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic which would occur on the day after Thanksgiving. Use of the term began around 1966 and was used primarily on the east coast It began to see broader use around 1975. Later an alternative explanation began to be offered: that "Black Friday" indicates the period during which retailers are turning a profit, or "in the black.

I know many of you probably love to participate in Black Friday.  I for one, can't stand it.  I like to enjoy my Thanksgiving weekend in its entirety!  That means sleeping in on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at least until 7.  I refuse to get up and go shopping at 3 AM for anyone or anything!

More importantly, at least to me, is that I don't want to rush through an important family holiday just so I can get up at 3 AM (if I got to bed at all) and go stand in line all day to spend money.

Thanksgiving in the United States was observed on various dates throughout history, but by the mid 20th century, the final Thursday in November had become the customary day of Thanksgiving in most U.S. states. It was not until December 26, 1941, however, that President Franklin D. Roosevelt, after pushing two years earlier to move the date earlier to give the country an economic boost, signed a bill into law with Congress, making Thanksgiving a national holiday and settling it to the fourth (but not final) Thursday in November.

Traditionally, for me anyway, "Black Friday" has been spent sleeping in, eating turkey sandwiches, putting up the Christmas tree, wrapping gifts (because I am done shopping by Thanksgiving since most of my items need to be shipped), watching old movies, baking and any other thing that comes to mind.

So if you participated in black Friday, I hope it was safe and enjoyable for you.  May I suggest next year though that you take it all a bit slower and enjoy the weekend long and leisurely?  Maybe take that weekend to make your gifts or holiday cards and enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday AND the beginning of the Christmas Holiday season with your family.

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Frugal Fridays With Jen- Thoughts For Black Friday

""He who does not economize will have to agonize"- Confucius

Today is the biggest shopping day of the year in the US, but I want to remind everyone that one of the biggest and best tools of saving money, is not to spend it in the first place.

One of my favorite sources of motivation to spend less is reading success stories. My well-thumbed Complete Tightwad Gazette is full of them. You can read more online at Dave Ramsey's website here.

What is more fulfilling, having the latest gewgaw, or having one less monkey on your back?

As a child, we always lived hand to mouth, and I remember being filled with worry when I was in grade school, that we could lose our house or not have money for food. Living now without credit card debt and with a healthy savings account is 800 times better than living in fear.

As you head out to start your Christmas shopping, take a moment to think about your motivation for what you are buying. Does it add or detract from your family's security? Will it make you feel better in the long term or worse? Is it helping your family become the next success story?

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Thursdays With Linda: Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing Everyone a A Very Happy Thanksgiving from All Of Us here at The Motivation Station from our Homes to Yours!!

Share your Thanksgiving Traditions and What you are Thankful for in the comment section…  Happy Eating…

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An Exercise in Gratitude for the Other 364 Days

I read a wonderful article in the Wall Street Journal today, "Thank you. No Thank you.", that described the many physical, pyschological, and sociological benefits of practicing sincere and mindful gratitude for those of all ages.

There were many appreciation exercises described including keeping a gratitude journal, making a list like Kris shared Tuesday, or expressing appreciation with a personal visit.

Other techniques to develop gratitude included being accountable to a friend to share gratitude lists, reflect on good times with stories and photos, and to be mindful of any negative inner self talk towards others and yourself, which can really lower your mood.

I am engaged by this Buddhist self reflection exercise that asks us to ponder daily -
"What have I given to?

What have I received?

What trouble did I cause?"

So in the spirit of mindfullness and deep heartfelt appreciation for the gifts each of you so abundantly possess and generously share, Thank You.

May your blessings be many, and your troubles few.

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential

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Giving Thanks...

Thanksgiving is this week and I always like to really sit back and think of what I am thankful for. It seems cliche, maybe trivial, but it's really the only way to visualize what we have and realize that we have it pretty good.

Good things and bad things happen all the time but I have to count my blessing and be thankful for:

... the roof over my head.
... the boyfriend that makes me laugh the moment I get home, fall asleep, and wake up.
... my father who supports me so that I can achieve my dreams.
... for my job, for no matter how it makes things difficult it pays rent and puts food on the table.
... my cat Martin for being my best friend.
... my legs, for being able to get me to where I need to go everyday. I am working to make you stronger!
... the sun, and it's energy.
... certain friends of mine, for listening and being interesting.
... my blog friends, for sharing insight and creativity.
... America, no matter how much I complain about you I know how important my rights are here and how in many places it just would not be so.
... the printed word. I love getting more information. A brain (unlike a tummy) can never be too full!


What are you thankful for? Go ahead and write it down!

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A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING & EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE

Hi everyone, Tamy here again for Martha.  You all know how Martha and I have been reminding you to get your affairs in order for your families?  Well, Martha has been working at sorting out her mother's life since her passing and asks you to forgive her but she is just not ready to come back yet as she has been working diligently to make sense of it all.  She will be back next Monday though!

Several years ago I bought my mom one of those books, "What my family should know".  She has been great about getting it all filled in though I already pretty much know where she keeps everything, but not everyone does.  It really doesn't matter how old we are either.  If you have kids you need to be organized and prepared which brings me to my point today.  Have you seen the new Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel movie, "Life as we know it"?

I don't think it got very good reviews, but I thought it was cute and it proves my point here.  As parents, having those ducks in a row, wills in place, insurances paid up, college funds in place, god parents chosen and prepared are essential.  OOPS, that's kind of what this movie is about - the parents forgot to mention the plans to the god parents and get them prepared.  

In the end we can always work it out, but life moves so much smoother if we're prepared.  So if you need a cute rental, I recommend this movie to lighten your mood and maybe it will help you get more prepared.

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