ONCE UPON A TIME

[Carol Anne Kincaid~Paradis]

Angel Message for August Dear Ones, You are often told to live in a state of gratitude, but for many of you, this is difficult to do.  Everything around you is focused on solving problems, but for this to occur, there must first be a problem needing a solution.      The news you hear, the television advertisements you see, the conversations in which you take part – everything is oriented toward problems and challenges.  It is true that there are challenges everywhere, but focusing on them diminishes the happiness of gratitude.   “I give thanks that I am not in that position” is certainly heartfelt gratitude, but is it joyful?  That is, does it feel joyful to give thanks for your situation not being as painful as another’s?   Rather than give thanks in such a manner, we suggest that you offer your gratitude for what you have.  Instead of “I give thanks that I am not homeless,” try “I give thanks for my home.”  Focus on the things you love about your home.  Even a shabby home has something to love.  It may the be color of the wall or the number of windows or the back steps where you may sit to watch the sunset, but there is something to love about it.  Putting your attention on those things for which you are grateful is the first step to recovering you joy.  As you do, shift from thinking grateful thoughts to feeling the emotion of gratitude.  It is such a happy feeling!  Find something for which to offer happy thanks and enjoy the blessings your happy thanks will draw to you. We are always with you.  All is well and shall be well.

Every minute someone leaves this world behind. We're all in "the queue" without knowing it. We will never know how many people are ahead of us. We can't move to the bottom of the row. We can't get out of line. We can't avoid the queue. So while we wait in line. Make the moments count! Make priorities. Make the time. Let your qualities be known. Make people feel important. Make your voice heard. Make big things out of small things. Make someone smile. Make the change. Make love. Make Peace. Get it together. Make sure you tell your people you love them. Make sure you have no regrets. Make sure you're ready. Very true. Live life and let live, enjoy, be grateful don't waste time arguing, fighting in doing bad things life is short, live it, be humble, love yourself and be happy with what you have. Have a happy life.

Once upon a time, a psychology professor walked around on a stage while teaching stress management principles to an auditorium filled with students.  As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the typical “glass half empty or glass half full” question.  Instead, with a smile on her face, the professor asked, “How heavy is this glass of water I’m holding?”

Students shouted out answers ranging from eight ounces to a couple of pounds.

She replied, “From my perspective, the absolute weight of this glass doesn’t matter.  It all depends on how long I hold it.  If I hold it for a minute or two, it’s fairly light.  If I hold it for an hour straight, its weight might make my arm ache a little.  If I hold it for a day straight, my arm will likely cramp up and feel completely numb and paralyzed, forcing me to drop the glass to the floor.  In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it feels to me.”

As the class shook their heads in agreement, she continued, “Your stresses and worries in life are very much like this glass of water.  Think about them for a while and nothing happens.  Think about them a bit longer and you begin to ache a little.  Think about them all day long, and you will feel completely numb and paralyzed – incapable of doing anything else until you drop them.”

The Moral of the Story: On days when you’re stressed out and feeling overwhelmed, learn to embrace the inevitable and let go. Some things cannot be controlled and no amount of worrying could put all your burdens away. Instead of letting stress get to you, embrace it and conquer it. Let yesterday’s worries inspire you to a productive day. Have a productive day ! Blessings x