Personal Growth Cafe

Everyone at one time or another has experienced some degree of boredom.

Children are usually the quickest to say “I’m bored,” but as adults, we experience our share, too.

Don’t you sometimes wonder why you feel bored?

It may be a feeling of laziness, exhaustion, or even a lack of mental stimulation.

Whatever the case may be, we all want to keep our mind and body at its peak.

We also want to be an active player in our own lives.

When we’re feeling bored, neither of these needs is being met.

However, with a bit of creativity, there’s no reason why you ever need to experience boredom!

Here are some simple suggestions to help you conquer boredom and liven things up:

1. Read. This sounds rather obvious, doesn’t it?

Well, it is! But it’s often the simplest ideas that are the most powerful.

Reading is a wonderful activity for the mind that can transport you into another time, place or situation.

With so many genres to choose from, reading can be most interesting and even intoxicating.

If you’ve never been an avid reader, it’s possible that you simply haven’t found the right book.

Experiment until you find the one that gets you hooked.

You can also explore audio books and podcasts to keep your mind busy.

2. Sing. You may not sound like Whitney Houston, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying music.

Play some of your favorite tunes and sing at the top of your lungs!

Music provides fun, relieves stress, and can help you forget that the word “bored” was ever in your vocabulary!

3. Cook. Get in the kitchen and try some new recipes.

Remember, this isn’t about perfection.

It doesn’t make a difference if you’re a four star chef or can’t cook worth a dime.

This is about keeping the boredom at bay, while being an active player in your life.

Try a new recipe each week to add some interest to your dinner menus.

4. Adopt a pet. Animals are wonderful companions.

They’re loving, non-judgmental, and provide us with unconditional love.

Animals also keep us feeling active and young.

Most importantly, though, they keep us busy.

If you have a pet as a constant companion, you’ll never feel alone and you’ll make many wonderful memories together.

5. Cultivate your mind. Boredom is something we allow and hold control over. By actively using our mind, boredom won’t be a concern again.

Try expanding and cultivating your mind by taking a day trip to a museum, going to an art exhibit, or seeing a play.

6. Do something you’ve never done before.

Find an activity that brings you new knowledge and skills.

You may even discover some new talents you didn’t know you had when you take the initiative to try new things.

7. Take advantage of the Internet. The Internet is a pantheon of information, and can be a great “boredom terminator,” but there’s also a lot of mindless drivel.

If you decide to spend time online to combat your boredom, use that time wisely.

Each time you use the computer, attempt to walk away knowing something new.

It’ll not only keep you busy, but you’ll expand your mind as well.

No one enjoys being bored, but thankfully there are countless ways to overcome boredom and get our mind and body active again.

Use these tips to get you started, and enjoy a myriad of wonderful benefits in the process.

How have you discovered new things about yourself today?

How can you focus on living your life in the moment?

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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August 11, 2019March 26, 2018

Seven Secrets to Anti-Aging

Aren’t we all searching for the Fountain of Youth?

In a world that perceives intelligence, status, and beauty by age, people are clamoring for the latest anti-aging secret.

From low carbohydrate diets to Botox injections, everyone is waiting for the newest quick fix.

While, in reality, no one can be completely transformed overnight, there are some simple secrets that can assist in slowing down the aging process.

By incorporating these secrets into your daily life, you can retain your youthful look and vitality much longer than you imagine!

Here are seven secrets that can keep you looking and feeling young:

1. Diet. Focus your diet on fruits and vegetables – organic, raw, and fresh whenever possible.

Choose a variety of different types and colors to enjoy every day.

Different colored fruits and vegetables represent different vitamins that your body needs.

Raw fruits and vegetables also flush out toxins that your body may be harboring.

2. Exercise. This is common sense, but sense isn’t so common sometimes! Exercise is important for your body and mind.

You don’t have to lift 100 lb weights or run a marathon, you just need to stay active.

Whether that includes a daily walk, yoga, or swing dancing, do whatever it takes to keep your body moving.

Exercise strengthens the heart – a key component in staying young.

3. Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol dehydrates the body and weakens the liver.

It’s your liver that flushes impurities from the body.

If you want to stay young and vibrant for as long as possible, limit alcohol consumption.

An occasional glass of red wine does have nutrients that can prevent heart attacks and other afflictions, so if you choose to indulge, a glass of red wine a day would be a good choice.

4. Quit smoking. Everyone knows that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and many diseases.

If you’re a smoker and hope to live a long and fruitful life, stop smoking now before it’s too late.

Joining a support group online or in your community will aid you in your quest to quit.

There are programs that help you stick with your plan, as well as people who can give you the much-needed encouragement and help hold you accountable for your actions each day.

5. Limit sun exposure. Too much sun exposure not only causes lines and wrinkles, but also makes us appear older.

In addition to those devastating effects, it also increases the chances for skin cancer.

To help stop the aging process, stay out of the sun and be proud of your peaches and cream complexion.

6. Consider becoming a vegetarian.

Though the final jury may still be out on the harmful effects of consuming meat, the reports of those who’ve stopped eating it are no less than astounding.

At a minimum, limiting your consumption of meat will help slow down aging.

Lower cholesterol and a lower risk of diabetes and heart disease are only a few benefits of a meatless diet.

7. Reduce stress. In today’s world of constant stress and pressure, you need to slow down and breathe.

Large amounts of stress can age us more rapidly than we’d like to admit.

Though very few of us can live a stress free existence, it’s beneficial to cut out as much stress as we can.

Schedule free time, either by yourself or with your family, so you can do something enjoyable and relaxing.

Life is a gift and we want to enjoy it for as long as we possibly can.

Though there are many scams and potions out there claiming to make you live forever, we know that this isn’t truly possible.

Strive to implement these tried and true common sense tips in your daily life.

They may not work instantaneously, but they’ll help slow down the aging process.

How do you give yourself as much nurturing as you need?

What else can you do to live a healthy life?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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August 11, 2019March 26, 2018

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. – Mark Twain

August 10, 2019March 26, 2018

Eight Simple Strategies to Motivate Your Children

Our children are one of the most important and precious people in our lives.

We want the best for them and hope they strive to do well in all things.

Children, just like adults, can develop motivational roadblocks that hold them back from achieving what they’re meant to do.

Since the inception of the Internet, television, video games, and social networking, motivating our children has gotten progressively more difficult.

To have them complete schoolwork, do some chores around the house, get more involved with school activities, or even just go outside to get some fresh air can be a struggle.

Here are some simple strategies you can use to help you motivate your children:

1. Praise your child for their accomplishments. When your child accomplishes something, no matter how big or small, be sure to express how proud you are of them.

If they know that they’ve made you happy, they’re more apt to strive to make that happen again.

2. Avoid focusing on the negative. We all make mistakes, so it’s much more productive not to harp on them.

You’ll receive much better results by focusing on what your child does well rather than the few mistakes they may make.

3. Show pride in your child’s work. Display a good grade or report card.

Placing their work on the refrigerator door, believe it or not, still works wonders!

When his accomplishments are proudly displayed, he’ll be motivated to achieve as much as he possibly can.

4. Brag. Call a grandparent, aunt, or uncle and tell them about your child’s recent accomplishment.

When your child sees that you take the time to make a special phone call because you’re so proud, it encourages them and boosts their confidence.

5. Use rewards. Every child likes to be rewarded for good work.

You can try things like a weekly allowance or a special treat, like a movie or ice cream, as a reward for good behavior.

Whatever the reward, children will strive to do their best to obtain these special treats.

This can be used for just about anything from a good grade to washing the family dog.

Children enjoy being able to receive something tangible for a job well done.

6. Show sincere enthusiasm in the things your child enjoys. As a child grows, his interests may change frequently.

As a parent, it’s important that you keep up with your child’s likes and dislikes.

7. Sit down and talk with your child. Find out why they’re interested in certain things and how you can help them with their activities.

If you show sincerity and really listen to what they’re telling you, it’ll be a big motivating factor.

8. Don’t overwhelm your child with goals. Naturally, we want our children to succeed, but sometimes we can overdo it.

After the homework, chores, and after-school activities, children deserve time to just be children.

If you give them some free time to do what they want, whether it be playing video games, watching television, or anything else they choose, it will keep them motivated to do other things as well.

Children are each a unique individual and have different interests and goals in life.

Though at times their motivation may waiver, we, as parents, will be there to point them in the right direction.

Using these motivation tips will make that process just a little bit easier!

When was the last time you spent time with your children?

How did you show them they are valued?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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August 10, 2019March 26, 2018

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. – Judy Garland

August 9, 2019March 26, 2018

Attracting Positive Relationships Into Your Life

As we travel through our life’s journey, many relationships will come into our lives.

Some of them will be wonderful and long lasting; others, unfortunately, may be short term or unhappy.

Do you tend to attract more negative relationships than positive?

Though we strive to develop good, solid, and happy relationships, it seems we sometimes end up with exactly the opposite.

Wouldn’t you love to attract more positive relationships?

The good news is, you can!

Try some of these simple tips to enjoy more positive relationships in your life:

1. Patience. Wonderful relationships don’t occur overnight.

They take time to nurture and develop into something that’s long lasting.

To allow these relationships into your life, you must have the patience to let them grow.

When you begin a relationship that you perceive as being a positive one, don’t rush it.

You may be very pleased to see what develops down the road.

2. Believe that you’re deserving of it.

Be positive and avoid negative feelings or perceptions about yourself.

Know that you deserve to have happy, stable relationships in your life.

If you begin to think negatively, you must turn these negative thoughts around immediately.

Clear your mind and regain your self-confidence.

Remember, positive attracts positive.

When you think positive thoughts, you’ll be rewarded with positive results.

You’ll ultimately attract positive relationships into your life with the positive energy you’re giving off to others.

So be a good example of the friend or partner you look to attract!

3. Be true to yourself and others. If you’re not true to yourself, whether you believe it or not, others will sense this.

Don’t try to be something that you’re not; this is a negative way of portraying yourself to others.

As mentioned before, positive attracts positive, but negative attracts negative as well.

Show others your true self, including your flaws.

They’ll appreciate your open and willing heart and be able to form a strong bond with you more easily.

Be genuine to others and allow them to see your true feelings and personality.

Trying too hard to act like someone else could lead to embarrassment for you.

4. Don’t take relationships for granted. Remember to always give thanks for the valuable relationships in your life.

They may not be as numerous as you’d like, but rather than complaining, be thankful for the ones you have now and have had in the past.

By professing your gratitude genuinely, you’ll have an easier time attracting future positive relationships.

5. Be honest. If you’re in a negative relationship right now, that will tend to keep positive relationships from coming into your life.

Be honest with yourself and others.

Make a conscious decision to either improve that relationship or end it.

Honesty will pave the way for more positive, trusting relationships to enter your life.

As the old saying goes, “Nothing worth having in life comes easily.”

Attracting positive relationships – and weeding out the negative ones – may not be an easy task, but it’ll make for a better and more fulfilling life.

How important are the relationships you have right now?

How are you showing these people they are valued?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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August 9, 2019March 26, 2018

A goals is a dream with a deadline. – Napoleon Hill

August 8, 2019March 26, 2018

A person’s worth in this world is estimated according to the value they put on themselves. – Jean De La Bruyere

August 8, 2019March 26, 2018

Becoming a Master of Self-Discipline

Self-discipline is a powerful attribute to have, yet challenging to obtain.

Self-discipline is the ability to do whatever it takes to overcome obstacles and reach your goals, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable.

It may involve saying: “no” to things you want or saying: “yes” to things you hate, but with the power of self-discipline, it becomes easier to stand up for yourself.

Most individuals would love to be more self-disciplined, yet very few people actually take action to acquire it.

Perhaps you start your day with good intentions, but veer off as the day progresses due to challenging issues, stresses, or distractions.

Thankfully, there are some strategies you can incorporate into your daily life so you can become a master of self-discipline and stay on task.

Follow these techniques to strengthen your self-discipline:

1. Be committed to the cause. Are you truly unhappy being undisciplined?

Is this something that you’re committed to improving?

Many times people claim they want to be more self- disciplined, but the truth is, they honestly don’t mind being the way they are.

2. Be honest with yourself. If this is something that you definitely want to improve in your life, it may take a bit of time and effort, but it can be done.

The only way you’ll succeed is by staying committed to the cause.

3. Write it down. The process of writing your ideas and goals helps you clarify the thoughts in your mind so you can come up with an action plan that you can stick to.

Write down all the areas that you wish to improve – your finances, relationships, career, or anything in between.

Include what changes you would like to see and how you believe will be the best way to make it happen.

4. Enlist the help of others. It’s absolutely wonderful that you’ve committed to make a positive change in your life, but don’t keep it under wraps.

Tell others that you want to make a change and boost your self-discipline.

Don’t be ashamed that you weren’t more self-disciplined from the beginning. The important thing is that you’re now taking positive action!

Those who love you will be there to support you and help you celebrate your successes.

Your support group can also help you get through the bad days and put you back on track to achieve your goals.

5. Believe in yourself. Have faith in yourself and know that if you can master your self-discipline, you can do anything!

There will be both good and bad days, but as long as you remain focused and committed, you’ll be successful in strengthening your self-discipline.

Remember to focus on the big picture and concentrate on how your body, mind, and energy will change for the better when you stay committed.

Many people admire those who are self-disciplined. These people can stay on a schedule and never seem to lose focus on what they need to accomplish.

They make more wise decisions, take action when they need to, and achieve their goals with relative ease.

Implement these strategies into your daily life and they’ll soon become habits.

Self-discipline can become your way of life – if you want it!

In what areas do you need to practice self-discipline?

How do you feel when you’ve controlled yourself in a challenging situation?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

Posts

When faced with a wall, I work hard to carve a window.

Seven Simple Ways to Overcome Boredom

Seven Secrets to Anti-Aging

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. – Mark Twain

Eight Simple Strategies to Motivate Your Children

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. – Judy Garland

Attracting Positive Relationships Into Your Life

A goals is a dream with a deadline. – Napoleon Hill

A person’s worth in this world is estimated according to the value they put on themselves. – Jean De La Bruyere

Becoming a Master of Self-Discipline