A safe harbor where beliefs are respected and kindness prevails.

Detox From Negative Thinking

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detox from negative thinkingWhat is the first thing you think of when you awaken? What is the last thought you have before you go to bed? Those are two of the first questions I ask my clients when they are in a funk.

Choosing to be soul-cially conscious, to live a more blissful life, takes work. How we begin and end each day sets the tone for our daily lives.

Abraham-Hicks said, “You have the ability to pivot under any and all conditions. But most of you are habitual in nature, and your patterns are so well entrenched that at times the fastest path to the joy you seek is for you to take your pivot as you sleep. By reaching for good-feeling thoughts before you go to sleep and then experiencing the benefit of the quiet mind that occurs while you sleep—and then upon awakening, immediately turning to good-feeling thoughts—you can accomplish the ultimate Pivoting experience.”

Whether you are spiritual/religious or not, every minute gives you an opportunity to count your “blissings”, those little (sometimes big) things in life that bring a sense of peace, joy and contentment.

Studies have shown that by practicing being grateful we experience lower levels of depression and stress, we are more optimistic about the future, we exercise more, we are more likely to reach personal goals, and we increase our capacity for compassion and forgiveness, including forgiving ourselves.

Additional research shows that in as little as 21 days we can form long-lasting habits. A habit is merely pattern of behavior that we have either consciously or subconsciously adopted.

We are creatures of habit. You can create a new habit and detox from negative thinking by beginning and ending each day with a joyful, positive thought, one that includes gratitude for the abundance in your life.

The first and last words I say to myself everyday are very simple:   “Thank you, God, I am breathing, I am alive, and I am connected to something”.

For the next 21 days, I challenge you to begin a new habit of detoxing from negative thinking by waking up and falling asleep with a grateful heart! One simple thought could be all it takes.

Time To Listen

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Singing Tufted Titmouse JawDroppingPhotography“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” – Bryant H. McGill

As spring finally arrives I am reminded of the importance of listening, deep listening, the kind of listening that awakens your soul.

Even though it’s still a little chilly in my neck of the woods, most mornings I put on my winter coat, grab my coffee and head outside before the sun comes up.  The dogs and I silently listen to the beautiful sounds of the birds as they wake up, singing their morning song.  I know they are speaking to me, telling me to embrace the day with love and gratitude.

As humans, we tend to get so caught up in our “own minds” that we don’t always take the time to deeply listen to another soul.  Being present, with an open ear, is one of the greatest gifts you can give to another being.

For years my husband and I have been following the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, who offers a simple yet profound way of being present in the world, with mindfulness, meditation and deep listening. When we began the process we realized that we really didn’t listen deeply.  We realized that many times we were, in essence, pretending to listen, with simple responses like, “oh, wow, and uh-huh”.

Listening is a skill that can be learned, and “good-listening” will enhance the quality of every relationship, whether personal or professional; your loved ones will realize that you really care and your clients/customers will appreciate that you actually pay attention to their wants and needs. Think about how you like to be treated and you’ll know that this feels true.

How do you practice deep listening? Here are 10 tips to begin:

  1. Set the intention to listen deeply, include listening to yourself
  2.  Be sure to allow enough time for the conversations you share – remember it’s a conversation and allow ample time for BOTH parties to converse
  3.  Be present – keep yourself tuned in to the moment
  4.  Minimize outside distractions – turn your phones off
  5.  Focus on what they are saying
  6. Don’t think about what YOU want to say
  7. Ask questions, the basics: who, what, where, why, when and how
  8.  When you ask a question, be patient for the response. Don’t anticipate what you think the response will be
  9.  Don’t give advice unless you are asked
  10. Notice how you feel when others offer deep listening to you.

Every day I catch myself not practicing these suggestions (a few years ago, I wouldn’t have) especially number 9, particularly when I’m talking with my adult children. It’s my nature to want to solve their problems and see them shine. Simply being aware of the moment that you really need to “be present” in a conversation is a great way to begin.

“I am determined to practice deep listening. I am determined to practice loving speech.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

For more information on how you can incorporate meditation into your life and practice Soulcial Living, visit the resources page at TeriGriffinWilliams.com

Fearlessly Positive

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Teri WilliamsA few years ago I read something about positive attitudes “not being all they’re cracked up to be”.  If you know me, you know I think that’s just crazy. If you don’t know me, you should – I love my Pollyanna attitude and believe 100% that it has been my life saver on many occasions. They don’t call me The Bliss Lady for nothing!

Having a positive attitude does not mean that I am in a constant state of euphoria. There is an  evil twin lurking somewhere deep inside wanting to get out to spread a little (or maybe a lot) of negative energy around. Occasionally, she pops her head out to scream in the car, punch a pillow or throw something far across the room.  My best tool for getting it all out is a kick boxing session – hitting or kicking a punching bag a few times can make a big difference when those nasty little gremlins in my head start chatting.

What being fearlessly positive means, to me, is that I remain optimistic by choosing to:

  • Smile, even when I don’t feel like it
  • Maintain a cheerful countenance
  • Look at the bright side
  • Get creative
  • Take responsibility for my own actions
  • Choose wisely
  • Never stop reaching for the best
  • Practice impeccable soul care

When I am down in the dumps and feel like I can’t go on I silently chant Sarah Ban Breathnach’s mantra from Simple Abundance: This too shall pass and this too shall pass! I’ve practiced it  many times.  I am human, after all, and have had my share of drama and trauma.

Everyday I make a conscious effort to surround myself with like-minded individuals, as well as symbols of the love and joy in my own life.  Included in my personal space are constant reminders that have the potential to instantly lift my spirits and ignite my passion.

Walk into my sacred space and you will find photos’ of my family and pets, crystals, candles, books and quotes from my  teachers like The Buddha, Depak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Steve Jobs,  Albert Einstein, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oprah and so many more.  On the corner of my altar sits a miracle jar and a box that contains personal treasures and dreams.  Each item in my line of sight represents something to smile about and be thankful for.

As a member of this incredible community called Earth, I know I have more than enough tools and resources available for looking beyond the negative headlines and daily drama to remain fearlessly positive.  Mother Nature, season after season, doesn’t give up, neither will I!

Create A Ritual Of Light And Love

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light and loveGreeting the day ahead

The other day my mom and I were discussing how some people naturally bounce out of bed with a  smile on their face ready to take on the day, while others can barely muster enough energy to put one foot on the ground.  Fortunately both my mom and I are the former.  As an extra bonus, my father was also one to wake up extremely happy – sometimes too happy, says my mom.  At 82, she still wakes up with a smile on her face, eager to greet the day ahead.

So, when people ask me how I can remain so positive, so blissful, I can honestly reply “I come by it naturally”.

Obviously that is not the case for everyone.  What does one do when they don’t wake up with a spark?

Create a ritual of light and love.

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to witness the sun rising over the water or a mountain top, then you have experienced the beauty in the Universes daily ritual of light; the beauty of those small rays’ of brilliant light that swiftly expand into a golden ball, illuminating the morning sky.  This ritual takes place all over the world, every single day of the year, whether we witness it or not.

Taking our cue from Mother Nature, we can illuminate our own lives by creating a private ritual of light and love each morning in the privacy of our own home or space.  Even though I naturally wake up in a good mood, I still practice a morning ritual.  For me, it seals the deal on the day ahead.  Life will still happen;  there will be bumps along the way.  Knowing that I have established an intention for my day makes those bumps a little less painful.

My ritual goes something like this:

Before I even set a foot on the ground I begin thanking God/Source/Divine/Universe whatever you call it for another night’s rest and another day ahead.  I thank my tribe, both seen and unseen, the angels, all divine beings, ascended masters, elders and Mother Earth.  Then I make coffee!

While my coffee is brewing I light a candle, look out in my yard and begin radiating love to my community, to the entire world, and see that light expanding through the day ahead in how I interact with family, animals, clients, colleagues and friends, bringing that love back to me.  I greet the day, grounded in a loving embrace.

This is the ritual I have created for myself.  Any practice offered on a regular basis soon becomes a habit.  Create your own ritual of light and love and soon you’ll be waking with a sunny disposition every day of your life!

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