Are you feeling a little down?  Gratitude truly IS a secret weapon!  Stop and think of five things right now that you appreciate in your life.  Keep searching until you find them. (Clue: “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude” -Cynthia Ozick.)

Feel that shift that comes as a result?  It’s a priceless strategy!

BUT…for those times this practice is not enough.  It helps tremendously to have a “Dear You” file on hand.  I’m talking…game changer for lifting your mood!  Here’s how to do it:

Create a file on your computer (or use a journal if you prefer) where you’ll keep positive messages for yourself.  In it write compliments people give you and achievements you’re proud of.  Add to this file whenever you feel inspired, upbeat, motivated, and especially happy or excited about…YOU!  When some aspect of your life is really going well, take a few moments to write down your positive thoughts. 

You will LOVE the way reading the entries in this file will rejuvenate you just when you need them most!  Call it “Dear (Your First Name)” and set it up as letters to yourself.  You’ll find it incredibly inspiring to read these letters when you’re in need of a boost.

THIS WEEK why not get started? Create the file and just get it going with one entry. You’ll see it’s easy to quickly add new entries once you get it set up.

It’s a lifesaver. You’ll see…!

To your brilliance,

Taking just one more step to get what you want can really pay off!  Often we don’t realize how close we are to great success right at the point when we quit trying.  READ MORE

I know many of you are gearing up for final exams.  And some of you are intently focused upon getting that coveted job after graduation!  Whatever you’re working towards right now…please consider the following words an important part of the plan: READ MORE

Ever notice how your thinking can get in the way of your happiness sometimes? READ MORE

Author Jim Rohn suggests, “you become the average of the five people you associate with most.”  Remember, if you’re surrounded by people who believe in their own success and yours, you give yourself a tremendous advantage.

This week — seek out positive people.  READ MORE

“Tension is who you think you should be.  Relaxation is who you are.” -(-Chinese Proverb)

The beauty of this quote is that you can have it both ways…in a way.  READ MORE

“And I’d like to give my love to everybody, and let them know that the grass may look greener on the other side, but believe me, it’s just as hard to cut.” (-Little Richard, Singer/Songwriter)

Oh, how I love this quote because he is so very right…and because this is something we need to remind ourselves of over and over again. READ MORE

 “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it now. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now” (Goethe, 1749-1832).

Wow…genius, power, and magic!?  All from being bold?!  READ MORE

“You only lose energy when life becomes dull in your mind. Your mind gets bored…Get interested in something! Get absolutely enthralled in something…The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.” (Norman Vincent Peale, 1898 – 1993)

If you’re already involved with something “bigger than yourself,” then you know just what Peale is describing here! READ MORE

“We lift ourselves by our thoughts. We climb upon our vision of ourselves. If you want to enlarge your life, you must first enlarge your thought of it and of yourself. Hold the ideal of yourself as you long to be, always, everywhere.”(Orison Swett Marden, 1850 – 1924)

I’m reminded of a young woman I know READ MORE