Personal Growth Cafe

The world around me is a blank canvas on which I paint with the colors of my attitude and character.

As the artist of my own world, I choose to create hope with each brush stroke.

Every decision I make leaves a mark on my portrait that will adorn or tarnish it.

When I act kindly toward others, my picture is enhanced with grace.

I know what I want out of my life; therefore I make a conscious effort to transmit those dreams onto my canvas.

When I look at my canvas, I have the power to see things from a positive perspective.

I appreciate the unique beauty in those around me.

Each one of my loved ones contributes a different element of style to my work of art.

Like the colors of the rainbow, the people in my life make the picture come alive with vibrant splendor.

I have the ability to create my own environment by what I contribute to the world and receive from others.

But first, I have to express happiness and joy to others if I want those feelings to be reflected back to me.

The message I send out to the world will come back to me like an echo.

Today is a fresh canvas upon which I choose to paint something beautiful.

With each stroke I make today, I am creating a masterpiece out my life.

I am making an everlasting mark on this world by displaying a positive attitude and genuinely loving others.

How can you enhance the picture of your world?

What are you going to paint today?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

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December 18, 2017

Leading by example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing. – Albert Schweitzer

December 18, 2017

The Aftermath of Burnout: How to Rejuvenate Yourself

If you’ve recently suffered burnout, you’ll likely be looking for ways to restore your peace, health, and happiness.

It’s important to treat yourself lovingly after such a trauma to your system so you don’t develop chronic health conditions.

Burnout can cause all sorts of mental and emotional issues, including anxiety and depression.

You should try to recognize the signs that lead to burnout, but this may not always be possible.

If you concentrate on restoring yourself after burnout, you can avoid these issues and get your true self back.

Consider these burnout tips to help you regain your strength:

1. Find a new direction. The best, most permanent, way of dealing with burnout is to focus on making sustainable life changes.

Ask yourself whether or not you’re happy in your current situation. Perhaps it’s time to make a major life shift, such as a new career or downsizing your home.

2. Take a break. It’s best to get away from the situation that has caused you to burn out.

This may mean going out for a walk and getting away for a few hours, or it may mean giving yourself a full blown vacation.

You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money for a vacation.

Your goal is to relax and clear your mind. You can certainly do this at home or in your local community.

3. Solve the problem. If you’re currently in the middle of a stressful situation, take action to solve the problem right away as best as you can.

Consider the possible solutions to the problem and ask for help from others if necessary.

4. Gain control. Take control of the situation where possible. Realize that you can solve your problems and you’re not doomed to remain in this state forever.

Also, have the wisdom to accept that there are situations that are beyond your control.

Do what you can to improve your situation, but avoid worrying about the things out of your control.

5. Be open and honest. Sometimes it’s best to set your pride aside and ask for help when you need it.

Open up about the issues you’re facing with a close friend or relative. If that’s not an option for you, seek the help of a counselor.

6. Stress Management

If burnout tends to be a common occurrence for you, it would be in your best interest to start studying some stress management techniques.

There are certain things you can do to combat stress:

Don’t take on too much at work or at home.

Remember that you can – and should – tell people “no.”

Make time for yourself.

Ask for help from others.

Know Your Warning Signs

Once you’ve suffered burnout, you’ll certainly want to know how you can avoid a similar situation in the future.

Study the factors that led to burnout, and identify your mistakes so you can avoid making them again in the future.

In the End

These strategies will help you regain peace with yourself. If there are any outstanding issues that you need to resolve, seek solutions so you can achieve peace.

You can do so through self-reflection, prayer, meditation, and communication. And once you do, you’ll avoid burnout altogether!

What happens when you feel burnt out?

How can you regain energy through a tough day?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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December 18, 2017

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. – E.E.Cummings

December 18, 2017

Surviving the Holiday Crunch

The holidays are supposed to be a wonderful time for you and your family, though sometimes the stresses leading up the holidays make it seem like quite the opposite.

Remember that even in poor economic times there are ways to enjoy yourself and survive the holiday crunch.

Spending Money

Chances are you’ll be spending at least some money during the holiday season.

With careful planning, you can make a small budget go quite a long way.

Consider the following holiday money saving tips:

Save Throughout the Year. Most people let the holidays creep up on them. All of a sudden they realize it’s two weeks before Thanksgiving and they need to begin preparing.

You can’t pull money out of nowhere and you should resist the urge to put all of your purchases on credit.

If you’ve done this in the past, you know first hand that you’ll still be paying off last year’s gifts for years to come!

Automatically withdraw a small amount of money from each paycheck that goes toward your Christmas savings.

Those small amounts add up to something big at the end of the year.

Shop Early. When you shop early you can avoid the stress of the crowds and the urgency of having to make decisions quickly.

Start by making a list of gift ideas for everyone. This way, as you see the items throughout the year, you can pick them up.

You may even find that they’re cheaper during off-peak times than during the holiday rush.

Handmade Gifts. If money is extra tight this year, consider giving your loved ones handmade gifts.

Handmade gifts are given straight from the heart.

They’ll provide memories that last a lifetime and are important reminders that the holiday season is not just about spending money.

Shop for Deals. While it can end up taking a great deal of extra time, make sure you do your homework when it comes to shopping for deals.

Prices can vary greatly from vendor to vendor. Luckily, the internet can be your best friend when it comes to shopping for deals.

It allows you to comparison shop quickly and easily from the comfort of your own home.

While you’re shopping online, always remember to stay safe.

If you haven’t heard of the website you’re purchasing from, make sure that you’re shopping on a secure server and do additional research into the company to seek out reviews and opinions.

Planning Your Budget

Whether or not you’ve saved throughout the year, it’s always a good idea to put yourself on a strict budget.

Give yourself a total dollar amount and then decide how much you’ll spend on each person.

If you need money for entertaining, decorating, food, or other things, budget for that as well.

Remember to check in with yourself from time to time to make sure that you remain on budget.

While it may be extra work, it’ll save you the stress of dealing with big credit card bills in the new year.

Dealing With Stress

If the stress of the holidays has gotten you down, you’re certainly not alone.

It’s not fun to have to deal with the financial aspect, but it’ll help to keep the reward in mind.

If you’ve spent your money well, and your family gets through the holidays in a peaceful manner, then you’ve done your job.

You’ll be adding to the memories that will last a lifetime. Remember that you can’t place a price tag on memories.

When you keep that positive goal in mind, it’ll be worth the stresses you have to endure.

How excited are you about the upcoming holidays?

What do you do to help lessen the stress from the holiday rush?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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December 18, 2017

A joy shared, is a joy doubled. A sorrow shared, is a sorrow halved. – Unknown

December 18, 2017

Strategies to Conquer Fear of the Unknown

Worrying about what the future holds is one of the most common fears.

Often times you’re anticipating the worst while, at the same time, realizing that a life in fear is not very pleasant at all.

Fortunately there are certain strategies you can use to conquer your fear of the unknown.

Try implementing some of these techniques to conquer your fears:

Think about the outcomes. When you’re approaching an unknown situation, it helps to make a list of all the possible outcomes.

Some of the results may be good and some not so good, but feeling like you have just a little foreknowledge about the future will help to ease your fears.

Clear the mind. Make an active effort to clear your mind.

One of the reasons you feel fear is that you’re worried that something bad is going to happen.

This could be because of a situation from your past that you’ve projected into the future.

You need to take these thoughts off the table and approach your fears with a clear head.

Take positive steps forward.

It sounds easy, but it may be difficult to put into practice. Strive to visualize everything turning out positively.

If you concentrate more on the positive aspect, you can actually turn your fear into excitement.

Study fear. Fear has a real purpose in appropriate situations.

The experience of fear makes your heart rate rise and you’re better able to escape threatening situations.

However, humans have built many unnecessary and non-life threatening fears.

Once you realize that these types of fears serve no purpose, you’ll be stronger for it.

Talk it through. You might be feeling alone with your fears. It helps to talk through your problems with someone close to you.

Perhaps it’ll help to discuss your fears with someone who has experienced a similar situation.

Just knowing you’re not alone can ease your fear, even if the person doesn’t have any especially helpful advice to give.

Start small. If you’re afraid of the unknown in a general sense, starting small will help reduce your fear.

Instead of tackling a seemingly huge insurmountable task, just try doing something small first.

Break out of your comfort zone for a little bit and try something new you’ve never tried before.

Give up control. The future can be frightening when we think we must control every aspect of it.

While there are certain actions you can take to maintain some kind of control, there are many things you have no control over.

When you accept that the future will be what it will be, regardless of how you feel, it may not seem quite as scary.

Present Thinking

When your thoughts get caught up in the future, whether it’s the near future or the distant future, it clouds your current situation.

If you’re especially fearful, take a step back and focus on what is going on in the present moment.

Your present thinking automatically allows you to take things one step at a time.

If you’re currently doing the laundry, for example, the only thing you should focus on is getting stains out or putting clothes in the dryer – or positive things you look forward to.

Brush other worries away and live in the here and now.

This isn’t to say you should never think about the future.

When you think about the future, do it with a clear head and positive thoughts and without letting the fears bury you.

Following these strategies can alleviate your fear of the unknown and bring you a life full of enthusiasm for the future instead of fear.

What a difference this can make! And there’s no better time to start than the present. Go for it!

What excites you today?

What have you learned from the mistakes in your past?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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December 17, 2017

In life you need either inspiration or desperation. – Anthony Robbins

December 17, 2017

Relationships are my greatest treasures.

Relationships are far more important than riches. There is nothing in life more valuable than relationships.

Possessions are temporary and passing, but relationships make life-changing marks on our hearts.

I choose to spend my time and money on the people I care about.

When I receive an invitation to connect, I make the necessary arrangements to meet with my loved ones.

Rearranging my schedule to make time for my loved ones is a sacrifice I am glad to make.

Daily, I seek to make long-lasting memories with my family. When we are together, I ignore small annoyances and focus on joy.

My camera is always within arms reach so that I can capture memories to remember for generations to come.

I forgive my loved ones quickly of any offenses because life is too short to waste on frivolous disputes.

Relationships are my safe haven from life’s torrential rains. Good friends can turn even the toughest situation into an endurable adventure.

My friends and I help each other laugh through the storms and relax during the calm because that is what we do.

It takes a lot of effort to maintain relationships; therefore I work hard to be a good friend.

I have a tight grasp around those I love because life is full of distractions that can pull me apart from my friends, unless I make the conscious decision to hold on to them.

Today, I choose to make time to invest in my relationships.

I stay in touch with old friends because a well-tended friendship has the ability to outlast all other things in life.

What can I do to strengthen my relationships?

What can you do for someone you have lost touch with?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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Posts

Whenever I hear, “it can’t be done,” I know I’m close to success. – Michael Flatley

The world around me is my canvas.

Leading by example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing. – Albert Schweitzer

The Aftermath of Burnout: How to Rejuvenate Yourself

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. – E.E.Cummings

Surviving the Holiday Crunch

A joy shared, is a joy doubled. A sorrow shared, is a sorrow halved. – Unknown

Strategies to Conquer Fear of the Unknown

In life you need either inspiration or desperation. – Anthony Robbins

Relationships are my greatest treasures.