Be Positively Inspired

Change ~ Doesn't Have to Be a Bad Thing

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:50:00 +0000

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And the day came when the rise to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~ Anaïs Nin

I haven't posted in a while. I felt that something with my blog here need to change. I wasn't sure what exactly that was; I just knew that something needed to be different. Posting to our facebook page has never been an issue; I do that daily, but simply re-posting what I posted there didn't seem to be the right thing. I thought maybe a change in venue would be the trick; but that didn't feel "right" to me. You will notice that I did re-design the page a bit tough.

I also added a couple of pages; one is an About Me page and the other is an BPI (Be Positively Inspired) Amazon Affiliate Store (please check it out here). There are a couple of categories - Kindle, Inspirational Books and Vicki's Picks. My wonderful hubby bought me the Kindle Fire - I LOVE IT, so I naturally had to include it. If you are buying it to use mainly as an e-reader you will love it. If you are buying it to use a tablet . . . there are other tablets out there that offer some other features that you may enjoy more. Inspirational books are by those who I love to quote and those who I love to read. And Vicki's picks are my books simply for the story. So far it seems I have a it may seem that there are a lot of vampire/witch/werewolf type books on there I have a broad range of things that I enjoy reading and I will add more later. If you have read something you'd like to share with me drop me a comment or message me on facebook.

I get comfortable in my routine so change can be a bit daunting. But sometimes change has a way of hitting you upside the head and resisting it . . . is just, well, futile. I worked last evening making changes to the design of this blog and thinking about future blog posts and then this evening some bad news that threw a monkey wrench into the works. I am hoping that everything works out the way that it should.

I hope that you will join me on my journey to see this through. I hope that you will join me on facebook at Be Positively Inspired or here on my personal page.

Nothing in its essence is one way or the other. All around us the wind, the fire, the earth, the water, are always taking on different qualities; they're like magicians. We also change like the weather. We ebb and flow like the tides, we wax and wane like the moon. We fail to see that like the weather, we are fluid, not solid. And so we suffer.~ Pema Chodron - Comfortable with Uncertainty

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Patience

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:28:00 +0000

Quotes

We cannot force the hands of time, but only comply with the clock of destiny. Everything takes place in its divine moment, however. We are not always aware of the wherefore or the why. ~ Dawn Silver

Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into practice with courageous patience. ~ Hyman Rickover

I wish for you a life of wealth, health and happiness; a life in which you give to yourself the gift of patience, the virtue of reason, the value of knowledge, and the influence of faith in your own ability to dream about and achieve worthy rewards. ~ Jim Rohn

Blog Posts

Listen to the Moment: Knowing What to Do Now ~ "Synchronicity ~ I think they’re actually reflections of our own spiritual, emotional, or mental output. We just need to learn to become aware of them, accept them, and interpret them in terms of our personal situation."

The Power of Intention ~ "There’s something incredibly empowering about realizing that what we really want doesn’t require us to cling to specific people and things—that we can experience the feelings we want over and over again in different relationships and circumstances."

10 Love-Filled Ways to Live From Your Heart ~ "When you live from the heart, you begin to touch into the universal experience of love. Love is the source of everything – the fabric which makes up our very existence."

Honesty ~ Are You Being Honest With Yourself?

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:41:00 +0000

The hardest person to be honest with is ourselves. We don't like to think that we tell ourselves lies. But we do. Or maybe they aren't lies they are excuses. Kind of like the reasons we resist.

If we were honest with ourselves there would be time for exercise - Instead of watching hours of TV or spending hours in front of Facebook how hard would it be to carve 30 minutes out of that time to take a walk, stretch or do some yoga poses?

What other things can you think of that we lie to ourselves about???

What are you lying to yourself about??

Quotes

Every day we slaughter our finest impulses. That is why we get a heart-ache when we read those lines written by the hand of a master and recognize them as our own, as the tender shoots which we stifled because we lacked the faith to believe in our own powers, our own criterion of truth and beauty. Every man, when he gets quiet, when he becomes desperately honest with himself, is capable of uttering profound truths. We all derive from the same source. There is no mystery about the origin of things. We are all part of creation, all kings, all poets, all musicians; we have only to open up, to discover what is already there. ~ Henry Miller

Responsibility to self simply means to acknowledge inner truth—our imperfections and our power, our beauty. ~ John Pierrakos

"This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy." ~ Susan Polis Schutz

Blog Posts

Stop Pushing: The Art of Relaxed Achievement ~ This is a great post . . . reminds me of my blog post from yesterday about resistance. Pushing really is just another type of resistance.

"Make the conscious choice to act from love, not fear. Fear is the pushing, manipulating, controlling force, and love is the pull in your heart that will guide you to the path of least resistance."

Don't Stop Believing ~ "Please don’t give up.
Don’t let the gremlins stop you.
Know that you are not alone. Please don’t quit.
Bring it on. We need you, we need your voice.
Please don’t stop believing in yourself.
Those gremlins are illusions."

Resistance ~ Oh How I Love Thee

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 03:24:00 +0000

I hope you hear the sarcasm in my voice about the title of this post.

Resisting feels to me like when you are trying to learn something new. You understand the mechanics of the skill and know in theory how it is supposed to work; but the harder you try the worse you seem to do.

Think of all the excuses that we use to fuel that resistance. Fear, not enough time, it's too hard, I don't have enough money . . . I'm sure we could sit here all night and list a lot more.

I guess the trick to fighting off resistance is finding a way to move past it. To let go of whatever it is that is keeping us from moving forward. Or maybe just figuring out what is keeping us from taking the next step.

I would love to hear what helps you move past resistance? What keeps you moving forward?

Quotes

Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance. ~ Steven Pressfield

The pain that you create now is always some form of nonacceptance, some form of unconscious resistance to what is. On the level of thought, the resistance is some form of judgment. On the emotional level, it is some form of negativity. The intensity of the pain depends on the degree of resistance to the present moment, and this in turn depends on how strongly you are identified with your mind. ~ Eckhart Tolle from The Power of Now

When you talk about what you want and why you want it, there's usually less resistance within you than when you talk about what you want and how you're going to get it. When you pose questions you don't have answers for, like how, where, when, who, it sets up a contradictory vibration that slows everything down. ~ Esther Hicks

You cannot resist something to which you grant no reality. The act of resisting a thing is the act of granting it life. When you resist an energy, you place it there. The more you resist, the more you make it real—whatever it is you are resisting. ~ Neale Donald Walsch

The word "surrender" is often interpreted as giving up, as weakness, as admitting defeat. Although this is one way to use the word, we will use it in a different way. Surrendering means letting go of your resistance to the total openness of who you are. It means giving up the tension of the little vortex you believe yourself to be and realizing the deep power of the ocean you truly are. It means to open with no boundaries, emotional or physical, so you ease wide beyond any limiting sense of self you might have. ~ David Deida

Harmony ~

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 02:53:00 +0000

Quotes

Happiness happens when you fit with your life, when you fit so harmoniously that whatsoever you are doing is your joy. Then suddenly you will come to know: meditation follows you. If you love the work that you are doing, if you love the way you are living, then you are meditative. ~ osho

"Your purpose here on the Earth is to give the gifts that your soul desires to give; those that create harmony, cooperation, sharing, and reverence for life, no matter what form they take." ~ unknown

Celebrate that which you share with others ~ For their joy, happiness, and love shall bring you wealth beyond measure. ~ Rio Godfrey

Kind words and deeds will raise your consciousness and enable you to identify with the soul. Let yours be a message of joy and hope, for doing so will open you to the gifts of spirit. By creating an extraordinary life that fits your dreams you clothe your soul with enlightenment and inspiration. Write a new chapter and make the book of your life a story of happiness that celebrates love as a blessing. ~ Micheal Teal

You are what you want to become. Why search anymore? You are a wonderful manifestation. The whole universe has come together to make your existence possible. There is nothing that is not you. The kingdom of God, the Pure Land, nirvana, happiness, and liberation are all you. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Blog Posts

Bogged Down by Fear? The Two Step No-Fail Guide to Freedom ~ Where was this post when I was writing yesterday's blog post? It would have gone perfectly with it. In case you didn't read yesterday's post find it here. There are lots of great things in this post. I would call it a MUST READ. Here is a quote from it ~ "Any mind activity that interferes with your brilliant self-expression is, at its source, fear. If it reeks of “No,” makes you doubt yourself, or persuades you to stop what you’re doing, it deserves investigation."

Why Giving Up Can Be a Good Thing ~ “I am under the law of my own consciousness.”
~ Louise Hay

Making Big, Shiny Change ~ ". . . you can make changes or you can make excuses. Your choice."

Reclaiming SELF-ish ~ I post this with a little hesitation. While, I agree with the post for the most part, there are a few parts I don't agree with at all.
"Definition: in the spirit of ‘ish’ (the housework is done-ish, come by at ten-ish) so that SELF-ish is actually closer to the vicinity of Self, being in tune with what the Self needs and desires; getting into the ballpark of our unique gifts and offerings so we can get in the game we were intended to play."

Fear; How Long Will You Let it Steer Your Life?

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:10:00 +0000

I'm going to share a secret with you . . . I have let fear steer the direction of my life (on occasions and in certain circumstances).

This blog is almost always the words of others because I'm afraid.

I'm afraid every time I hit the publish button. What if no one reads my post? What if no one likes my post? What if you don't like what I post? What if you have something negative to say about my post?

What if the words I write are wrong? What if there is a typo? What if I can't make myself understood? What if? What if? What if?

I have a feeling that it is time for a change here at Be Positively Inspired. Oh My Gosh . . . there is another scary concept; Change. I am not completely sure what those changes will be and what the end product will look like; but I hope that you will all join me on this journey.

I'm tired of letting fear steer the direction of my life. It is time to let go of those what ifs and move towards what I really believe this blog on page can be.

Quotes

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

A further sign of health is that we don't become undone by fear and trembling, but we take it as a message that it's time to stop struggling and look directly at what's threatening us. ~ Pema Chodron

"I want to know if you've touched the center of your own sorrow, if you've been opened by life's betrayals, or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain." ~ Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Blog Posts

I Need a Hero ~ "Our world needs more heroes. We don’t need people to literally wear costumes, but we do need people to don their own superhero outfits by accepting their vast heroic potential. We need more heroes."

How To Meditate at Any Time Without Meditating ~ "By living in our heads, we’re missing opportunities to connect with our family. Opportunities to feel the pleasure of sunshine on our face while standing at the bus stop. Opportunities to feel our creative energy spark when we watch a child playing. Opportunities to be in nature, even for just a few minutes, and find our footing again."

Dalai Lama's 18 Rules for Living ~

Healing ~ Oct. 15, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 03:23:00 +0000

I haven't posted in a few days. There are a few reasons for that. I'd list them, but they kind of sound like excuses. If I'd really wanted to get a post published; I would have worked through those excuses and found a way to do it. I believe a couple of the excuses are legitimate; but you know they seem to pale to some of the obstacles that others face and still get on with their days.

I picked healing as a topic because I've been in physical pain for the last few days and am trying to figure out some way to heal that pain. None of these quotes really address that kind of pain. As long as I can get out of my bed in the morning and continue with my day I have something to be grateful for. I am grateful that the pain is not as bad as it was yesterday, or the day before. And while I may hurt, I can still get up and do the things I love and try to be a lamp, a ladder or a lifeboat to help heal someone's soul.

Quotes

Love heals the world one heart at a time. ~ Mr. Prophet

While holding positive thoughts and emotions is advantageous, positive thinking itself is not "Hallmark Card thinking." It's really an ongoing awareness that all truly is well with the world, with life, and with oneself. It's also a commitment not to mindlessly pass on fears but to bring positive energy, images, ideas, and feelings into the lives of others, to help them attune to the wellness at the heart of the world. ~ David Spangler

Be a lamp, a lifeboat, a ladder. Help someone's soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd. ~ Mevlana Rumi

Loving ourselves is the miracle cure we are all looking for. ~ Louise Hay

Blog Posts

Tired of Being Tired ~ "We have gotten good at ignoring our body’s signals — much of our lives is training our minds to pretend our bodies aren’t tired, so we can be more productive."
"This is wrong. It ends up in burnout and less production, because we inevitably run out of energy. Listen to your body — your long-term health and sanity depend on it."

Tiny Wisdom: If You Knew This Would Be Your Last Day ~ "Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and then see this day anew. Wipe the slate clean. Take the pressure off. Put a smile on. Today is a new opportunity to be who you want to be and do what you want to do."

Tiny Wisdom: See, Do, Explore, Learn ~ "There are inevitably going to be times when we retreat into ourselves, to regroup, to recharge, or to heal. There’s nothing wrong with that as long as we don’t dwell in that place. The best things in life happen when we consent to participate. The biggest opportunities find us when we’re open to receiving them."

Roots ~ Oct. 12, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:44:00 +0000

Other FB Pages

"I don't believe you have to be better than everybody else. I believe you have ...to be better than you ever thought you could be." - Ken Venturi Via Positive Inspirational Quotes ( PIQ)

Peace
Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

We can never ob...tain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.
- Dalai Lama

Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. - Saint Francis de Sales

At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want. - Lao Tzu

The outer world will always attempt to pull you this way and push you that. There will always be external pressures from financial issues, career issues, health issues, relationship issues and more. Further, the TV news will always attempt to manipulate your emotions to increase your upset and anger at the seemingly rampant injustices of the world.

Nonetheless, you do always have the ability to resist these external stressors, and to live in inner peace and happiness. You can choose how you prefer to respond to external events, and you can train yourself to minimize your stress and maximize the joy you receive from life.

Stop! Breathe deeply. Begin bringing peace to the outer world by regaining your own inner peace. Choose love, choose gratitude, choose forgiveness, choose peace. Begin with your own inner peace. Then use that inner peace as a platform from which to approach the outer world with perspective, understanding, and patience.

Via Daily Dose of Inspiration

Quotes

Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are the roots, Kind words are the flowers, Kind deeds are the fruits, Take care of your garden And keep out the weeds, Fill it with sunshine Kind words and kind deeds” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The fairest thing in nature, a flower, still has its roots in earth and manure. ~ D.H. Lawrence

The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness. ~ Dalai Lama

Blog Posts

Native American Code of Ethics ~ "Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first."

Cherish Your Challenges and Find Your Authentic Self ~ "The word challenge leaves a very different taste in my mouth nowadays. It feels like a dare, more playful and less painful. An excuse to meet a part of me I haven’t yet had the chance to bump into."

Opportunity ~ Oct. 11, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:06:00 +0000

A lot of great things today . . . even some blog posts in this post that weren't shared on facebook. I hope you will check them out.

Quotes

We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

You could wait for the world to invite you to the banquet and the ball. Or you could just show up in your red dress and your headdress ready to boogie. ~ Tama Kieves

If an opportunity scares you, that's God's way of saying you should jump at it. ~ Anna Quindlen

Change is a challenge and an opportunity, not a threat. ~ Prince Phillip of England

~ I like this one . . . Not a big fan of change, in fact, I tend to resist it. But, I'm also willing to admit that it is part of life; and that we are constantly changing. My birds, however, really not big fans of change. We received a stand up cage on wheels, that is a bit bigger than their other one. Two of our birds have changed cages before so are adjusting nicely now, the other two . . . not so much. We have had a bit of yelling and screaming I know they will settle in, but they, like a lot of us, are creatures of habit. Our habits comfort us and help us feel like all is right in the world.

Blog Posts

7 Little Things That Make Life Effortless ~ There are some great tips here . . . I like the Do Less one. Learning to do what is important makes it easier to do some of the things you really want to do. Not Creating busy work; is a hard lesson to learn, since we are trained to always look busy in our jobs.

Giving Myself a Time Out ~ When was the last time you gave yourself a Time Out? A time to "listen to the song of my (your) soul."

*****Bonus Post****
Life, death, and the hero within us all ~ "But I prefer to listen to the hero. And what I hear the hero say – in a moment when I am still, and quiet within – is this: “You are a spiritual being and you are alive forever more.”"

How to Give Yourself a Second Chance ~ It's not so much that we're afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it's that place in between we fear . . . It’s like being between trapezes. It’s Linus When his blanket is in the dryer. There is nothing to hold on to. ~ Marillyn Ferguson

****Bonus Post****
Tiny Buddha: Lori Deschene Interview #4 ~ I decided to post this since this is one of my favorite blogs.

The Ugly Step Forward ~ "It’s not always glamorous and it’s not always pretty, but you move forward. And that’s what matters."

Existence ~ Oct. 10, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:24:00 +0000

Had a great day . . . wanted to talk a little about gratitude today. The BPI page on Facebook hit another milestone. 7,000 likes. I am so grateful for all the love that you show. For sharing my posts and mentioning the page to others. I am also grateful for the support of other page admins who share my posts and suggest or page to their fans.

I went to knitting group yesterday and am blessed and grateful for such great knitting friends. I was gifted a hat, a pattern for a beautiful sweater (I've never done a sweater . . . I'm a little scared by the idea) and I was also given the yarn for the sweater. Now I just have to dive in and start it. Wish me luck.

I hope that you found something to be grateful for in your day today. I know I found many things to be grateful for today. Thank you all.

Quotes
You are what you want to become. Why search anymore? You are a wonderful manifestation. The whole universe has come together to make your existence possible. There is nothing that is not you. The kingdom of God, the Pure Land, nirvana, happiness, and liberation are all you. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Spirituality means waking up. Most people, even though they don't know it, are asleep. They're born asleep, they live asleep, they marry in their sleep, they breed children in their sleep, they die in their sleep without ever waking up. They never understand the loveliness and the beauty of this thing that we call human existence. ~ Anthony De Mello

~ This is kind of sad . . . I bet we all know people like this.

Philosophy is speculation, Zen is participation. Participate in the night leaving, participate in the evening coming, participate in the stars and participate in the clouds; make participation your lifestyle and the whole existence becomes such a joy, such an ecstasy. You could not have dreamed of a better universe. ~ Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

~ Beautiful . . . Share this with the people that are like the Anthony De Mello quote.

Blog Posts

Tiny Wisdom: Enjoying How We Work ~ "I realize we all have different obligations and options, but for each of us, there are options. Some of them will work with our temperaments and likes, and others will engender internal resistance. Perhaps the key to loving what we do is not just enjoying the work itself, but to also paying attention to how we choose to do it."

What Aren't You Cut Out For? ~ "Somethings in life you’re a natural at, somethings you will have to learn, somethings are going to have to be worked at and are a challenge, and then there’s plenty that you’re simply just not cut out for and never will be.

So don’t be cut out for it. Just cut it out and go be brilliant at everything else!!"

~ I like to believe that I can do anything I put my mind to . . . but, this post is right on. There are just some things that I will never be good at.

Beauty ~ Oct. 8, 2011 Problems ~ Oct. 9, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 16:14:00 +0000

Quotes

We are caretakers of the earth and as such we must use our minds in the highest way by embracing the beauty of all living things. Hear the winds whispering words of wisdom that inspire and instill hope for a brighter tomorrow. The sunshine in our souls radiates in a way that allows each of us to light a path of heavenly wholeness. Plant seeds of love and the earth will reap a harvest of happiness and joy. ~ Micheal Teal

In my heart there are visions of hope and beauty that celebrate the human imagination. Imagine Peace and you inspire the purpose within, Imagine Love and the seeds of possibilities will enable you to live your true nature and evoke your own greatness. Let us all be inspired to Imagine a world of unbridled joy and shared humanity for doing so will lead us to a rose garden of spirituality where happiness is a way of life. ~ Micheal Teal

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. ~ Mother Teresa

Never forget that you are one of a kind. Never forget that if there weren't any need for you in all your uniqueness to be on this earth, you wouldn't be here in the first place. And never forget, no matter how overwhelming life's challenges and problems seem to be, that one person can make a difference in the world. In fact, it is always because of one person that all the changes that matter in the world come about. So be that one person. ~ R. Buckminster Fuller

Eventually you will see that the real cause of problems is not life itself. It's the commotion that mind makes about life that really causes problems. ~ Michael Singer

Blog Posts

The Voice of Patience ~ "Patience isn’t an easy thing, but the alternative is much worse. Love will triumph if you let it."

Present ~ Oct. 7, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 14:46:00 +0000

Quotes

. . . all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon – instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today. ~ Dale Carnegie

You and I are standing this very second at the meeting place of two eternities: the vast past that has endured forever, and the future that is plunging on to the last syllable of recorded time. We can’t possible live in either of those eternities – no, not even for a split second. But, by trying to do so, we can wreck both our bodies and our minds. So let’s be content to live the only time we can possible live: from now until bedtime. ~ Dale Carnegie

Nothing ever happened in the past that can prevent you from being present now; and if the past cannot prevent you from being present now, what power does it have? ~ Eckhart Tolle

Blog Posts

Are You Building Something That Matters ~ I can't tell you how many posts in my blog feed were about Steve Jobs yesterday. I think this is one of the best that I saw.

Tiny Wisdom: Stumbling on Unexpected Joy ~ “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” ~ Henri Nouwen

Choice ~ Oct. 6, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 02:16:00 +0000

We make choices everyday. Some of our choices are good for us and others not so much. Some of them are easier than others. What choices did you make today that lead you towards your goals?

I really like the first quote posted here. It really is true if you aren't changing something that isn't working in your life you are choosing. In order to move forward in life we have to admit that some of the things that are not so great in our lives have been directly related to the choices we have made. I am physically out of shape and could stand to lose a few pounds; I know that the choices I have made have lead me to be that way. Choosing to go for seconds; when one plate was enough. Choosing to sit around and watch TV all evening instead of going out and being physically active.

I'm ready to be accountable for my choices. How about you?

Quotes

Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing. ~ Laurie Buchanan

~ This is a tough quote to wrap your head around. But it is kind of true right?

Heaven on earth is a choice you must make, not a place you must find. ~ Wayne Dyer

~ Another tough one. You can choose happiness or you can choose sadness. I don't know about you, but, I choose happiness.

You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go. ~ Dr. Suess

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. ~ Steve Jobs

Blog Posts

Tiny Wisdom: Worrying About Future Regrets ~ "Today if you find yourself worrying about the path you’re taking, remember: You made this choice for a reason. You can only enjoy it if you choose not to stress about it."

7 Common Habits of Unhappy People ~ “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” ~ Marcus Aurelius ~ The title of this one bugs me a bit because it screams of negativity . . . but the point of the post I think is about choice.

Chirp Anyway ~ Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. ~ Henry Van Dyke

4 Prerequisites for Living Your Life Purpose ~ "In any given moment, we have an infinite number of choices about what to do. Our choices either serve our life purpose or they do not. If you make enough choices that do not serve your purpose, you are living an unfulfilled, purposeless life." ~ Another post about choices . . .

My Favorite Blogs

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 03:18:00 +0000

Okay, I'm thinking it is time for something a little different. Today I'm relying on me to write a post; not relying on the words of others. Not to worry though, after the list of my favorite blogs, I'll run down the quotes and log posts I posted to the page.

I can hardly believe it myself, but I have about 98 blogs that I follow. Holy cow! No wonder I don't have time to exercise (okay, that's an excuse, but reading these blogs posts is much more fun than exercise).

1. Zen Habits ~ He isn't posting to it as much as he used to, but it still definitely one of my favorites. I just about always share his posts either here at Be Positively Inspired or on my own page. From his "About" page ~ "Zen Habits is about finding simplicity in the daily chaos of our lives. It’s about clearing the clutter so we can focus on what’s important, create something amazing, find happiness."

2. Tiny Buddha ~ As you know I share these post pretty often to; sometimes daily. From their "About" page ~ " Tiny Buddha is about reflecting on simple wisdom and learning new ways to apply it to our complex lives–complete with responsibilities, struggles, dreams, and relationships." You can also find them on Facebook here.

3. 1000 Awesome Things ~ I don't always share these ones here; I do on my personal page sometimes. I love the way ordinary every day things can be turned into something awesome here. It helps me find the awesome in my day when it has been a bit rough.

Quotes

Don't let your mind bully your body into believing it must carry the burden of its worries. ~ Astrid Alauda

We call them "consciousness movements" because of their common intention to throw open the windows and doors of the musty old mind-sets we live in, shake the dust out of the covers we wrap around our bodies, and in a thousand old and new ways, guide whoever is willing to show up and pay attention to a fresh experience of being human. ~ Paul H. Ray, Sherry Ruth Anderson

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, not to anticipate the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly. ~ Buddha

Blog Posts

How to Stop Doing What You Hate ~ Do you Love what you do? I am happy to say that I do. I am also grateful that I can say that. ~ "It starts with this: Stop doing what you hate and find a way to do that which you love. Will you do that?"

10 Wise Choices to Skyrocket Your Happiness ~ “The amount of happiness that you have depends on the amount of freedom you have in your heart.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

11 Simple Ways to Supercharge Your Time in the Now ~ “To be alive is to totally and openly participate in the simplicity and elegance of here and now.” ~Donald Altman

Tiny Wisdom: What it Means to Be Free ~

Beginning & Courage ~ Oct. 3rd & 4th, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 01:47:00 +0000

Spent a wonderful day with my hubby. Was kind of dreading it a little because we had to do the grocery shopping. Shopping is a CHORE; but we had a great time. Drove a little out of our way to check out a variety shop and even got to peek into an antique store. Then we tackled the shopping. Had a bite for lunch, hit the bread store and then went to Home Depot for a bit of a walk. Then on to the more shopping.

Quotes

~ Yesterday I chose courage. I slept poorly the night before. Had strange dreams and woke up feeling anxious about everything. I needed a bit of courage to not just crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head. Not sure where the anxiety came from; glad it isn't with me today.

Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow. ~ Alice Makenzie Swaim

Many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them. ~ Brendan Francis

~ Beginning

Life is a celebration of awakenings, of new beginnings, and wonderful surprises that enlighten the soul. ~ Cielo

It began with the Wisdom of Foolishness, a commitment to remain fluid, receptive, in process, part of the Membrane of Things as I struck out on that spiritual Route 66, the Experience Trail, determined to follow it to the end. It began with yours truly spontaneously ceasing to be myself and becoming someone else, assuming in the blink of an “I” the role of a drifter, a rolling stone, a wayward mariner lone and visionary on the High Seas of Chance and Possibility. ~ Sol Luckman

Blog Posts

How to Read More: A Lover's Guide ~ I'm sharing this one because I love to read. These are all great tips if you want to read more . . . I could learn a lot from Number 8. I usually read books cover to cover and very rarely do I start one without finishing it. But recently I have been unable to finish some. Books by some of my favorite authors, books that I've wanted to read for a while. One I got to about a chapter from the end and I just quit reading it; mostly because I realized I didn't really like the story at all. So got out and read for the joy of reading; and if you find you aren't finding the joy in a particular book don't be afraid to let it go.

Tiny Wisdom: The Triggers that Lead to Pain ~ “The world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.” ~ Helen Keller

Talking About 2 F-Words ~ "Two F-words we hear far too much in my opinion. Fear and Failure. It’s even worse when we put them together in a sentence. Fear of Failure." ~ It is kind of scary huh? Starting something new and wondering if you will SUCCEED or fail. I'm not sure fear of failure should hold you back . . . Jump in there and prove the little voice in your head wrong and succeed. I don't believe failure is an option. I can't and wont accept that.

Truth - Oct. 1, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 02:26:00 +0000

October already . . . Fall already . . . Today was a beautiful day at the beach. One of those days that's a little cloudy, a little sunny and a little brisk all at the same time.

Around here fall can be a tough time of the year. We go from being a busy tourist destination to being a sleepy little small town as soon as the kids are back in school. I'm not mentally ready for the slow down. Not sure what I'm supposed to do with all the down time.

It may be the perfect time to catch up on some reading. I went a bit nuts this year at the Friends of the Library sales (it is hard to resist when most books are 3 for $1.00). It is probably the perfect time to finish some of the craft projects I've started. The quilt I've been working on for what feels like years (I'm doing it all by hand and it is a bed sized quilt), the pair of socks I started knitting months ago, or even some of the jewelry that is in progress. I'm just not sure where I want to start.

I'm not going to worry about any of those right now though. I'm looking forward to tomorrow; having a day to myself . . . maybe to just sit and do nothing, maybe to work on some of those projects or maybe I'll do something else entirely who knows. When did you last take some time just for you? Some time to just do nothing? Or meditate? Or . . . I guess the possibilities are endless. I hope that you will take some time for yourself soon.

Quotes

A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be. ~ Albert Einstein

I cannot tell you any spiritual truth that deep within you don't know already. All I can do is remind you of what you have forgotten. ~ Eckhart Tolle

Responsibility to self simply means to acknowledge inner truth—our imperfections and our power, our beauty. ~ John Pierrakos

The kingdom within is a lush garden that fills your soul with awe. An inner landscape of truth, beauty and love that if acknowledged and appreciated will transport you to a higher level of being where the glow of greatness will guide you to the essence of true wisdom. Find your wings and let your soul fly across a rainbow bridge of divine grace and harmony to a place where love is life and life is love! ~ Micheal Teal ~ Create your own Wordle here. I'd love to see yours . . .

Blog Posts

In The Pursuit of Happiness ~ I really like this post. I really believe that happiness is a choice. It is not dependent upon anything outside of ourselves. "You have many things to be happy about right now, right here today if you only shift your mindset to one of gratitude instead of one of want. "

Believe Shift ~ I love this post; definitely a MUST READ ~ "So when you’re weary and feeling small, make a believe shift – a shift in direction that is grounded in your belief in your own greatness, in your own unique and goofy momentum. Walk gently towards something that gives you more lightness, peace, time, and joy in your life. Make a believe shift."

Peace ~ Sept. 30. 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 03:21:00 +0000

I was reading through my blogs this morning; I use a firefox add-on called Live Bookmarks to keep up with them. I'm not sure exactly how many I follow, but if I miss a couple of days overwhelm can set in. Anyway, I had finally gotten all caught up and there was one post I decided not to read; went to click "Mark feed as read" and clicked on "Mark the whole list as read" instead. Sooooo maybe I didn't really want to read those posts after all. At first I wasn't to happy about it. Now I'm at peace with it. There must have been a reason why I wasn't supposed to read those posts.

Quotes

Life is a celebration and if we attune ourselves spiritually we can experience meaningful transformation. The peace within you is a blessing to be shared. Step joyfully into the future and know that as you embrace your magnificence you raise the consciousness of humanity. Love your divinity and let every moment of every day be a mystical experience that takes your soul to the next level. ~ Micheal Teal

We could learn alot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others bright, some have weird names, but they all have learned to live in the same box.
~ unknown

Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace. ~ Albert Schweitzer

Blog Posts

How to Achieve Unexpected Success ~ “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

You Pass, You Fail ~ "Instead of you pass, and you fail, we ask “What would you really like to share?” “What is it that you’d like to teach?” ”What is your offering?”"

Gratitude ~ Sept. 29, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 03:00:00 +0000

It looks like I posted gratitude quotes exactly a month ago. I think it is time for some more. Yesterday we received a rather negative response to one of our posts. We chose to delete it. This page was started because I personally was fed up with all the negativity coming up in my personal feed and all the negativity from the outside world. I felt it was time for me to put out something positive out into the world.

I haven't always been a glass half full sort of gal. In fact, there are some days when it is very difficult for me to maintain even the slightest positive attitude. Those are the days when I most need the things I post. The days I most need to search for things that are uplifting or inspiring. Hopefully, then one negative attitude doesn't spiral into a lifetime of negative attitudes.

Gratitude is a great way to turn a negative into a positive. Remembering all that we have that is good in our life makes it hard to stay in a negative frame of mind. I have good days and bad days, as we all do. There are days when things don't go my way. Through it all though, I am grateful. I am grateful for all the gifts that surround me. And no matter how bad things get, I can always find something to be grateful for.

Quotes

Gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts to finding peace of mind and happiness inside. No matter what's going on outside of us, there's always something we could be grateful for. ~ Barry Neil Kaufman

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. ~ Brian Tracy

God help us to be grateful for our blessings, never to be guilty of the sin of ingratitude, and to instill this same gratitude into the lives of our children. Someone has said that an ungrateful man is like a hog under a tree eating apples and never looking up to see where they come from. ~ Ezra Taft Benson

I remember hearing in a talk that the more we express our gratitude to God for our blessings, the more he will bring to our mind other blessings. The more we are aware of to be grateful for, the happier we become. ~ Ezra Taft Benson

Blog Posts

4 Simple Ways to Experience Great Happiness and True Freedom ~ "What if you lived life fully? Engaged your dreams fully? Didn’t cheat it and just went for it? What if you kept finding your edge? Stopped playing it safe and stretched a step beyond your comfort zone?
What if it didn’t matter what will happen later because you know that it will change?"

Wow What a Difference ~ "What if you chose to ignore the clamor of the urgent to sit calmly in the serenity of what’s important?"

Go Ahead Ask for More ~ "Is there bad stuff? You bet. Tons of it. But it’s the good stuff I want more of. Don’t you? You know the saying “what you focus on expands?”"

The Easy Way Out ~ "In our darkest hours, we’ll always be tempted to take the easy way out. But if we believe that there’s a light at the end of a tunnel, we’ll find a way to weather the storm, get our shit together, and go the whole nine yards. So I’m not taking the easy way out for now." ~ How about you are you taking the easy way out?

Friendship ~ Sept. 28, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 03:37:00 +0000

Quotes

A friend is someone who sees through you and still enjoys the view. ~ Wilma Askinas

If you begin the day with love in your heart, peace in your nerves, and truth in your mind, you not only benefit by their presence but also bring them to others, to your family and friends, and to all those whose destiny draws across your path that day. ~ unknown

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” ~ Pericles

Blog Posts

Set Yourself Free ~ Two great quotes about letting go.

Stuff ~ Sept. 26, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:55:00 +0000

Not much of a post today. Quotes weren't yelling at me to "pick them this morning. Blog Posts . . . if you knew how many I subscribe to, you'd understand why I just can' t seem to get through them today.

Plus I'm Really Excited! We get to go see my daughter at college tomorrow. We dropped her off a little over a week ago; and miss her tons. So we get to go for a visit. And to take up some items that were left behind just in case there wasn't room for them. She has class most of the day but from early afternoon until sometime in the evening we get to visit. Maybe have dinner or something.

Dropping your kiddo off at school is tough. The transition from having a child in your home to it being just you and the hubby is rough. As my sister said we are all trying to find our places in the world again.

So no post tomorrow . . . and no apologies for such a short post today. I hope that you all have a great day tomorrow. Find one thing to be positive about and post it on our facebook page or leave a comment here.
Blog Posts

The Three Vital Keys to Unlocking Yourself From Fear ~ "Living in fear feels bad – have you noticed? Decisions fueled by “I can’t” and “I shouldn’t” bring only confusion and dissatisfaction to our lives. We lose focus, let go of our dreams, and accept mediocre as good enough."

There's Work And There's Work ~ "Work isn’t about just making money or being noticed. It’s about having pleasure every single day you get up. To have fun and meet great people minus any semblance of stress like peacefully serving smooth coffees and organic Dorset Apple Cake yards from the sea." ~ I am grateful to be able to work this way and to live on the coast where life is slower and more laid back. I'll take a bad day at the beach over a great day in a cubicle in the city any day

Heart ~ Sept. 25, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:56:00 +0000

Well now . . . went to publish yesterday's post and it wouldn't save for some reason. So I refreshed the page thinking that would fix whatever was going on. Boy was I wrong . . . the post must not have saved at all yesterday. Because now I am left with a blank page.

It is a new day, so I guess it is time for a new post. Apparently yesterday's post was not to be.

Blog Posts

A Different Kind of Magnet ~ "I realized that life does not have to be perfect to be pretty good. There are so many bright spots if you expand your view and open up to meet them. I was able to open up to the magnet experiment by acknowledging that there is possibility in every new angle and perspective."

How to be Positive Even If the Doomsayers Tell You to Be Miserable ~ “Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life.
A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.” – Author unknown

Quotes

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart. ~ Kahlil Gibran

The template for happiness is to offer goodness to the world for true happiness is achieved when one gives freely of their heart and soul. ~ Micheal Teal

To awaken each morning with a smile brightening my face; to greet the day with reverence for the opportunities it contains; to approach my work with a clean mind; to hold ever before me, even in the doing of little things, the ultimate purpose toward which I am working; to meet men and women with laughter on my lips and love in my heart; to be gentle, kind, and courteous through all the hours; to approach the night with weariness that ever woos sleep and the joy that comes from work well done - this is how I desire to waste wisely my days. ~ Thomas Dekker

You ~ Sept. 23, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 02:48:00 +0000

Quotes

"This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy." ~ Susan Polis Schutz

Life's like a movie, write your own ending
Keep believing, keep pretending
We've done just what we set out to do
Thanks to the lovers, the dreamers, and you.
~ Kermit and the Muppets

The most common ego identifications have to do with possessions, the work you do, social status and recognition, knowledge and education, physical appearance, special abilities, relationships, personal and family history, belief systems, and often political, nationalistic, racial, religious, and other collective identifications. None of these is you. ~ Eckhart Tolle

Blog Posts

Simplify Your Life By Eliminating These 7 Problems ~ I just realized that I have a bit of a problem with the title of this post. The problem is the word "problem". They are challenges certainly and obstacles to be overcome and life lessons to learn from. Problems just seems like such a negative word.

Right Now, I'm Scared. Are You? ~ I know I am. Every time I'm ready to hit the "share" or "publish" button. What if you don't like what I post? What if there is a typo (sometimes there are)? What if I post something you find offensive? I don't know about you, but I don't want to live my life in fear. So I'm going to hit the "share" button and share it anyway. How about your? Are you going to look fear in the face and do it anyway?

Gardening 101: What Seeds Are You Planting ~ "By planting a new seed, you are starting small. There is no need to make a revolutionary change or have a huge epiphany. Simply survey your landscape. See what you are doing that detracts from your happiness and well being, and plant a new seed."

Wisdom ~ Sept. 22, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 02:28:00 +0000

I know I picked wisdom for my topic today; but change is what I really want to talk about.
I tend to resist change; I like my routines and the comfort of things being they way I expect them to be. While I admit that change is inevitable and we are changing daily, that isn't always easy for me. So the recent changes to Facebook have caused changes to my usual routine. I don't like that.

The control freak in me though is really enjoying some of these changes. I can now pick and choose what posts I want to be my top stories. I can pick what posts I want to see from my friends. And most especially I can pick which posts I don't want in my feed at all. It may take a little time to go through all of my friends and individually choose which types of post I want to subscribe to, but it is certainly better than some computer program deciding what I might be interested in.

I mean really, did that program think I didn't want to see the posts of my husband or daughter? Did it really think that posts related to farmville, hatchlings, adventure world or mafia wars was more important than them? Seriously? I'm making the best of these changes; how about you? What are you doing to make the new Facebook fee work for you?

Quotes

Make me strong in spirit,
Courageous in action,
Gentle of heart,

Let me act in wisdom,

Conquer my fear and doubt,
Discover my own hidden gifts,

Meet others with compassion,
Be a source of healing energies,
And face each day with hope and joy.

~ unknown

Perhaps the highest human potential is only realized when we no longer require the world to conform to our fantasies of how it should be. ~ Earon Davis

~ I really liked this quote when I read it this morning. I had some really wise words to go along with it too . . . somewhere between this morning and this evening those words went away. Procrastination is not my friend.

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. ~ Gandhi

Blog Posts

Why Curiosity is the Way to a Better Life ~ "Life is a constant state of learning. You learn by being curious. When you were a toddler, you learned about the world around you by being curious and getting your hands dirty. Get involved with the society around you and don’t let it tell you what to do all the time. Get on a plane and go somewhere that you’re not comfortable with (where they don’t speak… *gasp* ENGLISH!), and see how they do things."

Value ~ Sept. 21, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:18:00 +0000

Quotes

Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"You are valuable just because you exist. Not because of what you do, or what you have done, but simply because you are." ~ Max Lucado

Blog Posts

5 Reasons It's Ok to Not Know What the Future Holds ~ Not knowing is tough for some of us. I admit that sometimes it drives me crazy, but I agree knowing the outcome of everything would mean lessons lost, connections and relationships not made.

Tiny Wisdom: Not Taking the Easy Road ~ "Today I’m opening that door by not taking the easiest road. Today I will make an effort. Will you?" Besides, the easy road isn't as scenic as the rough road.

Tiny Wisdom: Stressing and Pushing for Success ~ "Maybe it’s more than just believing in our ability to succeed; maybe happiness is believing in our ability to be content and satisfied whether we do or not. Today if you feel fixated on the success you want to achieve, remember: the greatest success is doing what you love and believing that’s enough."

Tiny Wisdom: The Time is Now ~ “To be alive is to totally and openly participate in the simplicity and elegance of here and now.” ~ Donald Altman

Unity ~ Sept. 18, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki Casal) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:33:00 +0000

Just the quotes today . . . been trying to get caught up on blog posts; but when you take a couple days away from them they tend to build up.

Quotes

Ubuntu is very difficult to render into a Western language... It is to say, 'My humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in what is yours. ~ Desmond Tutu

When we contemplate the whole globe as one great dewdrop, striped and dotted with continents and islands, flying through space with other stars all singing and shining together as one, the whole universe appears as an infinite storm of beauty. ~ John Muir

Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known. ~ A. A. Milne

Today is a day for celebration, no matter what your religion or your culture. Learn to celebrate today: celebrate the fact that you are alive, that you are breathing, that you have friends, family, angels and spirit guides in your life. ~ Margaret Neylon

Be Positively Inspired

Change ~ Doesn't Have to Be a Bad Thing

Patience

Honesty ~ Are You Being Honest With Yourself?

Resistance ~ Oh How I Love Thee

Harmony ~

Fear; How Long Will You Let it Steer Your Life?

Healing ~ Oct. 15, 2011

Roots ~ Oct. 12, 2011

Opportunity ~ Oct. 11, 2011

Existence ~ Oct. 10, 2011

Beauty ~ Oct. 8, 2011 Problems ~ Oct. 9, 2011

Present ~ Oct. 7, 2011

Choice ~ Oct. 6, 2011

My Favorite Blogs

Beginning & Courage ~ Oct. 3rd & 4th, 2011

Truth - Oct. 1, 2011

Peace ~ Sept. 30. 2011

Gratitude ~ Sept. 29, 2011

Friendship ~ Sept. 28, 2011

Stuff ~ Sept. 26, 2011

Heart ~ Sept. 25, 2011

You ~ Sept. 23, 2011

Wisdom ~ Sept. 22, 2011

Make me strong in spirit, Courageous in action, Gentle of heart, Let me act in wisdom,

Conquer my fear and doubt, Discover my own hidden gifts, Meet others with compassion, Be a source of healing energies, And face each day with hope and joy. ~ unknown

Perhaps the highest human potential is only realized when we no longer require the world to conform to our fantasies of how it should be. ~ Earon Davis

~ I really liked this quote when I read it this morning. I had some really wise words to go along with it too . . . somewhere between this morning and this evening those words went away. Procrastination is not my friend.

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. ~ Gandhi

Value ~ Sept. 21, 2011

Unity ~ Sept. 18, 2011

Make me strong in spirit,
Courageous in action,
Gentle of heart,

Let me act in wisdom,

Conquer my fear and doubt,
Discover my own hidden gifts,

Meet others with compassion,
Be a source of healing energies,
And face each day with hope and joy.

~ unknown