http://www.wordle.net/

Ever wonder what your thoughts look like? This is a “word cloud” generated from today’s blog posting. A pre-self-regulation visual representation of my jumbled morning thoughts.

Want to play? Go to Wordle and add all your strengths. Play with the fonts and colors till you find a combination that makes you smile. Use it as your screensaver for a daily dose of positivity wordplay.

© 2010 Dr. Judy Krings

What do you wake up thinking about? Or are you one of the lucky ones who just gets up and begins your day in peace?

I woke up thinking about self-regulation. Yep, in those words. Clear as a bell. Huh? Well, it is a character strength. But it’s not one of my highest. Basically, it’s exerting self-control. And I always want to let ‘er rip.

A more exact definition by Positive Psychology founding fathers, Dr. Chris Peterson and Dr. Martin Seligman is:

“Self-regulation refers to how a person exerts control over his or her own responses so as to pursue goals and live up to standards. These responses include thoughts, emotions, impulses, performances, and other behaviors.”

My brain has never wrapped itself around conventionality. That’s why it’s 3: 07 a.m., and I need to get my ideas written down.

And my first thought was so strange. As I awoke from a rare scary dream, it hit me, “I know enough to know that I will never know everything I want to know, so why not just let go of the desire to keep knowing more?”

Then, “Who gets it all done? Who gives every thought in their brain credence?”

A train of thoughts was dancing upon my neurons “My printer hasn’t been working since my old laptop crashed two weeks ago just before I went to DE to see Mom. Ken is working on it, bless his heart. But I nave loads I want to print out to read and study. And I have a new client from yesterday to send coaching forms to, a birthday card to send via email (no mail from Vallarta would get there!), and I want to finish reading and taking notes from the the book  Play, which I love. I need to answer over 100 emails, organize my desk, see a few clients, and most of alI, I want to go swimming this a.m. as I am too lax on my exercise. ” And that was just a few seconds’ worth of thoughts.

I could have laid there for ages mentally going over my “To Do List”. Instead I got up to write about it. I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet, for Pete’s sake.

Now, and that word is a lulu, now, I am listening to the roar of the surf below our condo’s mountainous jungle perch. The gecko just chortled, I feel a gentle breeze, and I shall have some tea.

Life is good. There is just a lot of it. Smiling about it and appreciating it plays a gentler tune than obsessing.

I am really curious:

• How do you start your day?
• Thinking or doing?
• What makes you feel self-regulated?

Hot diggety dog! Exciting new research on using your signature strengths. Did you remember, your top 5 VIA strengths are often the personal values you use most often in the course of your day?

Here’s the new deal. Using your bottom least used strengths may also increase your subjective feelings of well being. Like exercising your body, exercising your strengths helps you feel better in your life.

Here’s an example from my VIA results.

I use art and excellence every day. If I am feeling low, or pooped and sad, I look at any pretty or fascinating art object. Or I spin a kaleidoscope, look at a peacock feather, or play my “Over the Rainbow” music box. Ah, that so takes me to my happy place. Yes, even these little things wake up your brain to pleasure.

One of my lower strengths is caution and prudence. So if I am upset or feeling negative emotion, I pause. I ask myself the question, “How could I be more careful here?” Or, “How can this hurt me if I do it?” Or “Is this really helping me live my values?” OK, usually I just plow on through stuff.

This new research tells me I can look at my least used strengths to brighten up my mood, too. Super! 24 values all mine for the taking to get me back on the trail of feeling good.

Keep out your VIA results to remind you how to live your best life. To notice which values you are using and celebrate how much happier and meaningful your life can become if you are mindful of them?

So which one of your values are you going to have fun with today?

Did you watch the Oscars? Bummer that we can’t get local TV in our Puerto Vallarta condo. But my gratitude strength kicked in, anyway. I can log onto my computer and see who won. Perhaps I’ll even pick up a replay. Then my brain flashed me, “Eureka!”, power-up-positivity thought.

What if you proudly accepted using your strengths as an Oscar-worthy performance? Every time you became aware of using one, you’d praise yourself. Need more awareness?

Get started now!

Here’s some sample dialog:

“Hey, teamwork, nice to notice you today!”

“Howdy, honesty, you could of told a lie here and you opted to tell the truth.”

“Good for you, love of learning, you persevered until you found that article you wanted to read!”

Your reward?

Give yourself an “Oscar” every time you use your strengths. Put gold stars in your journal next to the strengths you used today. Or perhaps gift yourself a colored paper clip. Put them in a pretty crystal bowl, and watch your happiness heap expand.

And remember to take deep bow for your stellar performances. I can see you on stage now! The applause is deafening.

You are a star!

It’s Monday….are you in a daze? Eat a banana and feel better while you are deciding which values to use. A double whammy of wondrous ways to wear your well-being!

Banana Trivia:

• Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.
• Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.

Try A Banana For Your:

Mondaze Blues: Smile! Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

Mondaze Sluggishness: Power-up! High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood.

Mondaze Pressure: Bananas are extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to lower blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Mondaze Brain Drain: Try eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch to boost your brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit increases your alertness.

Mondaze Hangovers: Overindulged this weekend? Whip up a banana and honey milkshake. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels. Re-hydrate your system.

Mondaze Heartburn: If you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief. Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body.

Mondaze Nerves: Serenity now! Bananas are high in B vitamins and that helps calm your nervous system.

Mondaze Stress: Deadlines! Your metabolic rate is up, your potassium levels are dropping. Re-balance yourself with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

The Banana vs. The Apple

• 4x the protein
• 2x the carbohydrates
• 3x the phosperous
• 5x the vitamin A and iron

“A banana a day keeps the doctor away!”

Here are the nominees! This weeks top 10 inspirational and informational positivity picks. So power-up your love of learning strength this weekend and savor these choice selections.

1. Positive Psychology “Oscars”: Honorable Mention
2. Which Comes First? The Inspiration or the Well-Being
3. Is Positive Psychology at work?
4. Origins of Purpose in Life: Refining our Understanding of a Life Well Lived
5. Surprised? How the brain records memories of the unexpected
6. How Humor Makes You Friendlier, Sexier
7. What’s In A Smile?
8. Sand Art – Fun and artistic!
9. Make your conversations serious for more well-being
10. Resilience reigns and raises the roof as your happiness expand

© 2010 Dr. Judy Krings

On my recent trip to Delaware, Mom and I took a play break when my sister unexpectedly brought Mom’s dog, Katie, for a visit. Katie took over the laptop for awhile and decided to become a Coaching Postivity  fan.

How about you? Are you a fan of Coaching Positivity? Katie says it is easy to become a fan. If you are logged in to Facebook  just scroll on down to our toolbar and use the “Become A Fan” button. Not logged in? Then you can do that on my fan page.

Power-up your positivity! Have fun and get it done.

© 2010 Dr. Judy Krings

Who said learning new computer skills has to be frustrating work? When you feel your patience beginning to wear thin it is time for a bit of positivity play.

Mom used to playfully threaten to swat us a wee bit (but only when we needed it!) with the fly swatter. You can see she has not lost her touch! True, in this photo, I asked her to give me a crack when my patience was wearing thin. We put our humor strengths to work, and continued our lesson later.

In reality, Mom was and is the most accepting and kind Mom I know. I talk to Mom twice a day, email her, and have her picture plastered everywhere.

Count your blessings to feel so good during frustrating times? You bet I do. With gratitude!