Back by Popular Demand: A Quote for a Refreshing Night’s Sleep

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Science is confirming something mothers have known and encouraged for millennia: Get a good night’s sleep! Getting enough restful sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.

Below is a post with a quote that will help you get a good night’s sleep. It was published on April 16, 2016.

 

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“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson.

This is excellent advice. Reviewing your day to look for ways to improve is one thing but going over your day and agonizing over it does no good whatsoever.

Berating yourself over the day does not turn back the clock and give you a second chance at it. It doesn’t erase what you did or did not do. The only thing agonizing and berating does is punish and torture you.

Where’s the good in that? There isn’t any–it doesn’t uplift you.

How does that help you move forward? It doesn’t.

How can you tell the difference between a healthy review of your day and agonizing over the day? With a healthy review, once you are finished, you put it aside and forget about it. When you are agonizing, you don’t put it aside. You keep poking at it, stirring it up, and you can’t leave it alone. It stays with you for hours–sometimes even through the night, disturbing your rest.

In order to train yourself to let the day go, post this quote on your bathroom mirror. As you’re washing up and getting ready for bed, read it and think about it. Let it’s simple wisdom loosen your grip on the day.

You can do it!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Back by Popular Demand: 10 Quotes for When Fear Has You in Its Clutches

 

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We’ve all been afraid, especially when we’re going after our dreams. Fear seeps into our thoughts not only when we’re outside our comfort zone but even when we’re just thinking about maybe stepping a tiny bit outside, perhaps….

Below are 10 quotes that can boost your spirits and help you take the next step in spite of the fear and terror you may be feeling. The quotes below were originally posted on September 15, 2015.

Enjoy!

 

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”– Dale Carnegie

 

“Most obstacles melt away when we make up our minds to boldly walk through them.” – Orison Swett Marden

 

“It’s all right to be afraid. You just don’t let it stop you from doing your job.”– Jim Butcher

 

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”  – Confucius

 

“We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them by action. Fear is nature’s way of warning us to get busy.” – Dr. Henry Link

　

“Don’t be afraid of your fears. They’re not there to scare you. They’re there to let you know that something is worth it.” – C. JoyBell C.

 

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt

 

“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” – Rosa Parks

 

“Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.”  – Doug Firebaugh

“Fear isn’t an excuse to come to a standstill. It’s the impetus to step up and strike.” – Arthur Ashe

 

Keep these quotes handy during the week. When you become worried, fearful, or terrified, pull them out. Let their calm wisdom comfort and soothe you.   Then take the next step!

You can do it!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Frenemies: Pep Rally from Mr. Rogers

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I was looking in the archives of Yes I Can Pep Talks and came across the post below. It’s perfect for our chat about frenemies. Thank you, Mr. Rogers, for thoughts that are a powerful antidote to a frenemy attack.

 

The post below was originally published on March 22, 2017

 

Copyright 2015 Artisans Workshop Designs

 

 

In case you need a mid-week boost or if you need a reminder of the essentials of live, here are a few quotes from Fred Rogers.

 

It’s not the honors and the prizes and the fancy outsides of life which ultimately nourish our souls. It’s the knowing that we can be trusted, that we never have to fear the truth, that the bedrock of our very being is good stuff.

 

If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.

 

It’s our insides that make us who we are, that allow us to dream and wonder and feel for others. That’s what’s essential. That’s what will always make the biggest difference in our world.

 

As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has—or ever will have—something inside that is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression.

 

Justice is taking care of those who aren’t able to take care of themselves.

 

Both Joanne (Mr. Rogers’ wife) and I can recall many times when we wish we’d said or done something different.  But we didn’t, and we’ve learned not to feel too guilty about that.  What gives me my good feelings is that we always cared and always tried to do our best.

 

It’s you I like,
It’s not the things you wear,
It’s not the way you do your hair–
But it’s you I like.
The way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you–
Not the things that hide you,
Not your toys–
They’re just beside you.

But it’s you I like–
Every part of you,
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new.
I hope that you’ll remember
Even when you’re feeling blue
That it’s you I like,
It’s you yourself,
It’s you, it’s you I like.

 

Remember to keep handy the quote(s) that resonated with you.  Refer to them often; let their simple wisdom infuse and empower you.

You can do it!  I believe in you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

 

Frenemies: What to Say to Yourself When a Frenemy Attacks

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Have you ever suffered a frenemy attack? Perhaps a colleague at work–someone you’d worked well with previously–throws you under the bus; now it’s you the boss is unfairly zeroing in on. Maybe, in confidence, you told a friend something very personal only to find when the whole group gets together that everyone knows….

After you recover from the shock and embarrassment, what do you say to yourself?

I’m sure you have thoughts of anger and you may even think about revenge how you’ll avenge yourself.. You may feel fear or worried because this may negatively impact your career. You may be sad and disappointed that someone you thought was a friend turned around and betrayed you.

These thoughts and feeling can lead to you telling yourself lies such as:

 

Maybe I am less talented;

 

Maybe I don’t have what it takes to be team leader;

 

Maybe I’ve been deluding myself all along and maybe I truly am an idiot…

 

NONE OF THESE THOUGHTS ARE TRUE!! THEY’RE ALL LIES!!!

 

Here are a few things to tell yourself instead:

 

This says more about them than it does about me;

 

This will show me who my true friends and allies are;

 

I am talented, I am intelligent, I do have a lot on the ball;

 

I am a child of the Universe, no less than the trees and the stars. I have a right to be here. (from the Desiderata by Max Ehrmann)

 

 

Choose on of these thoughts to keep handy–or one that you’ve thought of for yourself. When a frenemy attacks, repeat to yourself the positive statements about yourself.

You can do it!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Frenemies: 7 Quotes for the Upcoming Week

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Last week we started to talk about frenemies. With my computer and Internet troubles, we didn’t finish that discussion so we’ll continue it this week.

Here are 7 quotes about frenemies for this week. Let me know which one(s) ring true for you.

 

Thank you fake friends! You’ve only made me stronger and wiser. ~Unknown

 

Time will prove the worth of friendship. As time goes by we lose the false ones and keep the best. True friends stay when all the rest are gone. ~Ritu Ghatourey

 

Don’t worry about those who talk behind your back. They’re behind you for a reason. ~Unknown

 

An honest enemy is better than a false friend. When in doubt, pay more attention to what people do and less to what they say.   Actions not only speak louder than words, they are more difficult to fake. ~Zero Dean

 

An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind. ~The Buddha

 

A friend who stands with you in pressure is more valuable than a hundred ones who stand with you in pleasure. ~Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

 

Better to have an enemy who slaps you in the face than a friend who stabs you in the back.   ~Unknown

 

Tomorrow we’re going to be talking about handling the feelings you have after being with a frenemy.   Come back and join the conversation!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Frenemies: Another Tip to Deal with Them

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Yesterday we talked about 5 techniques to help us deal with frenemies. Today we’ll talk about one more: meditating.

Scientists have shown that meditating is good for you. A regular practice can help to lower blood pressure, fight insomnia and lead to a better night’s sleep, among other things.

Another thing meditation can do is to help us calm down and press the reset button after an attack by a frenemy.

No, you don’t have to twist yourself into an uncomfortable position and hold it forever; no, you don’t have to chant or “ohm”. All you need to do is to sit quietly and tune into the serene part of yourself.

Focus on that part of yourself that’s timeless and limitless. Doing this can help to put the situation and the frenemy in perspective.   In doing this you’ll see that your frenemy is someone to be pitied, rather than punched. It’s a sad, insecure person who’s worried about their prospects in the future who tends to be a frenemy. People who are creating a soul-prospering life tend to be authentic, helpful, and optimistic.

Also, when you go within, you’ll be reminded of your talents, gifts, and the soul-prospering life you’re crafting for yourself!

You can do it!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Opportunity by Walter Malone

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The world would have us believe that opportunities are rare and that if we don’t grab them when they come along, not only are they gone forever but there may not be other ones coming our way any time soon.

I like this poem because it tells us that the sentiment stated above is not true–not at all.   While certain opportunities may pass us by and be gone forever, each day brings with it not only a clean slate, but also a whole slew of new opportunities.

Enjoy the poem then afterward, in the comments section, let me know what you thought of it. Enjoy!

 

Opportunity

by Walter Malone

 

They do me wrong who say I come no more

When once I knock and fail to find you in;

For every day I stand outside your door

And bid you wake and rise to fight and win.

 

Wail not for precious chances passed away!

Weep not for golden ages on the wane!

Each night I burn the records of the day;

At sunrise every soul is born again.

 

Laugh like a boy at splendors that have sped;

To vanished joys be blind and deaf and dumb;

My judgments seal the dead past with its dead,

But never bind a moment yet to come.

 

Though deep in mire, wring not your hands and weep;

I lend an arm to all who say: “I can!”

No shamefac’d outcast ever sand so deep

But yet might rise and be again a man.

 

Dost thou behold thy lost youth all aghast?

Dost reel from righteous retribution’s blow?

Then turn from blotted archives of the past

And find the future’s pages white as snow!

 

Art thou a mourner?   Rouse thee from thy spell;

Art thou a sinner?   Sins may be forgiven!

Each morning gives thee wings to flee from hell;

Each night a star to guide thy feet to Heaven.

 

Let me know what you think!   Thanks!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Master of My Fate, Captain of My Soul

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I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.

 

Did you ever wonder where that phrase came from? I was poking around the Internet the other day and I found it, the quote above.   It’s from a poem entitled Invictus by William E. Henley:

 

Invictus

 

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

 

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

 

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

 

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate;

I am the captain of my soul.

 

 

What do you think of the quote now that you see it in context? How has the meaning and impact of the poem changed for you? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.   Thanks!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Thinking Thoughts, Part 1

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We’ve all heard that controlling our thoughts is the key to living the life of our dreams–our soul-prospering life. This is true; I can attest to it.

In my current situation, I find myself thrown together with someone who has a very strong personality and is incredibly opinionated. When I’m with these types of people I’m often overwhelmed by the force of their personalities. This current situation is giving me ample opportunity to learn at a deeper level how to control my thoughts.

When I feel overwhelmed it’s because I’m using the world’s judgment, values, and measuring tools to decide whether or not I’m good enough. I’m letting someone else decide my worthiness–or lack of it. I’m forgetting that, just like everyone else, at my core:

~I am good enough.

~I am awesome at being me

~I am valuable

~I am needed

~I am fully loaded with awesome gifts and talents

~I am capable and competent

~I am destined to make my mark

 

These statements are true about you, too!

Feel free to use the above statements and say them to yourself over and over and over again whenever you feel overwhelmed, intimidated, not good enough, or any other emotion that makes you feel less than. You are much, much more than you realize.

You are awesome!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Back by Popular Demand: Wisdom from the Farm: The Strawberry Patch Part 2

Copyright 2014 Artisans Workshop Designs

 

This post was originally published on June 16, 2014.

 

 

Let Ideas Ripen

Last week I used the strawberry patch at my local CSA as a metaphor for ideas (click here to be taken to that post). Today’s post is another thought I had inspired by the ripe and juicy berries!

Strawberries don’t ripen well if you pick them when they’re unripe or only partially ripe. They don’t fully sweeten. This is why the farmers at my CSA instruct us to pick only the berries that are red all the way to the tip of the fruit. These are the sweetest, juiciest, and most tasty strawberries.

Obviously, this means we have to leave the unripe ones alone, carefully moving them to the side in order to reach the ripe ones. We still have to check all the berries closely because, although they may be a luscious red at the top, they are still white and unripe at the tips: not yet ready!

Copyright 2014 Artisans Workshop Designs

It’s the same with ideas. Many require our patience so they have time to grow and develop. Even so, there are always a few that are ripe to the tips—ready and waiting for your action!

Your homework today is to put to the side the ideas that are not quite ready to be acted upon. They still need time for your skills and knowledge and events to come together in such a way that the time is perfect for action.

In the meantime, there are plenty of ideas that are ready to go—juicy red to the tips—and they’ll keep you plenty busy. Act on these ideas! As you move forward, you may find that working on these ideas hasten the ripening of the ones waiting in the wings.

You can do it—you can take action on those juicy ones as you patiently wait while other ideas ripen!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren