TikoshiaMarie.net

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When I first decided I wanted to move away…far, far away…from Michigan, I was trying to decide between three places.  Those places were New York, DC, or Atlanta.  I have a list of reasons why I love each…but a year ago, I decided upon Atlanta because of the undeniable go-get-em energy, the opportunity to further my music career, the wonderfully warmer weather, and the temptation of a possible love…;-)  Yet, and still, DC was still in the back of my mind, and NY wasn't too far behind it.

So…I guess I was subconsciously playing with the Law of Attraction last year because now I get to experience the best of all three worlds…all at the same time…yippee for me!!  My job has moved me out to the metro DC area for the next 2-4 months.  I'm just a hop, skip, and a jump away from New York, so I can definitely visit on the weekends.  And, I still reside in, and can fly back at my leisure to, Atlanta.

I must admit, at first I was caught by surprise…I was only given 4 days notice.  I was sooo tempted to complain a little.  I had to quickly decide what to do with my two little babies, Rocko and Precious.  I had to quickly get all my affairs in order.  And then, I had to prepare to enter a long distance love affair (I thought I was done with those…lol…).  

But, I know that when the Universe moves my cheese, there's usually a very good reason.  When the Universe moves my cheese, I know that all the travel arrangements have already been made, everything is already in order.  There is nothing to worry about, nothing to do…expect sit back, relax, and go with the flow.  I'm excited to see what is in store for me.  This is an awesome experience and opportunity!  I'm blessed…yes!!

Has the Universe moved your cheese?  In what ways are you thankful and grateful for your new beginning??? 

image by Shayan (USA)

I was watching the Real Housewives of Atlanta the other day.  It was the episode where one of the mothers was throwing a birthday extravaganza for her preteen daughter.  She mentioned that the event cost her $18,000, and then later expressed her disappointment that her daughter didn't seem grateful.  I must admit…at first I was like, see…she's ungrateful because you're doing too much for her.  But, I caught myself…how often are WE ungrateful on a daily basis?

Anytime we open our mouths to complain, we're being ungrateful.  Anytime we're not in a state of peace, love, or joy…we're being ungrateful.  For, there is ALWAYS something to be happy about.  There is ALWAYS something praiseworthy in our lives.  No matter how hard things may be, there is always, ALWAYS something to be thankful for. 

Being grateful really helps to put things into perspective.  When we're truly grateful…how can we be upset?  When grateful, common perceived nuisances simply roll off our back.  Being in a state of gratitude shows God that we appreciate our blessings, no matter how small we may think they are.  And when we show appreciation for the little things…we show that we will also appreciate the big things.  Not appreciating is in fact stunting our growth because it is an expression of a belief in lack.  And, where there is lack, abundance cannot reside!

I started to complain yesterday about how much I hate to clean the kitchen after I cook.  It's such a pain, right?  But, I quickly checked myself.  I have beautiful plates that I love.  I have wonderful pots and pans that I love (got em from Macy's )  I have a beautiful kitchen.  I'm so thankful for all these things.  And, I'm also thankful for the people that worked to make it all the things that I enjoy.  I'm thankful that I'm blessed to be able to have these things.  I'm thankful that I have food to even prepare for dinner.  I'm thankful that it was yummy!  I'm thankful for the farmers that worked hard to provide this food that I just ate.  I could keep going, but I think you get the point. 

I was then able to wash the dishes with a smile…because I was grateful…for the little things.  This is my goal for this week.  When I start to complain, I'll catch myself and focus on being grateful instead.  What are you grateful for? 

So…it's final.  I've made a resolution in my life.  I'm only going to do things that are an absolute YES!! in my life.  If part of me isn't feeling it…if I'm not excited about it…if I have to question whether I really want it, or really wanna do something…it's not for me.  Period.  I'm not wasting anymore time, energy, and precious resources on people, places, and things I do not love.  No more doing things out of guilt, no more settling for what I don't really and truly want. 

I find that when I fill my life with things that don't make me happy, I start complaining.  Then, I start looking forward to the day when things get better.  Or looking forward to the day when I have certain things.  I essentially begin to suffer.  I essentially begin to create MORE suffering!

But, what happens when you decide to get rid of all the things that you don't love?  What happens when you stop spending time with people you don't love.  What happens when we stop giving energy to thoughts that aren't of love?  What happens when we decide…I'm only going to be around, attain, and create LOVE in my life?

At first…it may seems like our lives are a bit empty.  But, this is the time where you begin to really APPRECIATE and practice GRATITUDE for the little things in life.  You are joyful for the people that really mean something to you.  You have your priorities in order.  You're finally able to put FIRST THINGS FIRST.  Then, with your new found joy…you begin to want to spread the love to other people.  You want others to feel the way you feel.  Then, you begin CREATING more of this peace, joy, and love in your life.  Before you know if, your life fills up more, and more, and more.  You finally see what true ABUNDANCE means!

This is what I want.  This is what I have.  I have everything I need.  I'm so thankful and grateful for all the people, places, and things I love in my life.  I'm so thankful and grateful that at every given moment, I'm creating more and sharing more of the love that's in my heart.  YES!!! 

It's been almost a month since the official start of the fall season.  The weather is starting to change noticeably…so this weekend I'm putting away my spring/summer clothes, and pulling out my fall/winter clothes.  I have one major rule…Only put away what you love, only bring out what you love.  Anything else, I give away.  I then make a list of necessities that I'll need to purchase to add to to my wardrobe.  I do this mainly to eliminate clutter.  Clutter is nothing but old energy, taking up room, hogging up space, blocking the flow of new energy into your life.

While I'm preparing to do this, I wonder…what about the clutter in our lives?  Not just our physical lives, but the clutter in our minds, our emotions, and in our spirits?  What old energy are we holding onto that we should've let go and given away to God a long time ago?  How many past season, too tight, too big, darn right ugly, should've never bought it, never made you feel good, looked good on the rack but not quite right on you clothes (people, places, things, emotions, memories, etc.) do we let take up room in our closets (lives)? 

This fall season, lets take the time to be aware of what we're bringing out and putting away in our hearts.  Let's take inventory of what we have and are holding onto.  Do we truly love everything about our lives, or is it time to let them some things, people, or habits go?  What is continuing to help us grow…and what is holding us back from growing to higher heights?  Like plants, we have to take the necessary time to prune away what's keeping us from fully blossoming and being the people that we are truly meant to be.  Like forests, there is a necessary time to burn away the old to enhance the health of the new.

When you let go…you make room for so many blessings, new experiences, and much deserved happiness.  What are you letting go of this season??? 

I know that I've been MIA for awhile.  Things have been very, very busy and hectic in my life lately…but somehow, I've managed to keep my sanity.  Here are a few random things that have helped me…hopefully they can help you too…:)

1.  Stop criticizing.

2.  See the bigger picture.  When it seems that every little thing is going wrong…maintaining a vivid picture of your goal, and focusing on that, can really keep you going. 

3.  Forgive those who have hurt you. 

4.  RESPOND, don't react.

5.  Reward yourself.  Don't wait for someone to give you a pat on the back…you won't always get that.  Instead…pat YOURSELF on the back.  If you've been keeping up with your budget, go ahead to splurge on something you've wanted in a long time.  If you've been keeping up with your exercise program…go ahead and have a piece of cake.  (Within reason, of course…;-) )

6.  Maintain a balance in your life by knowing and keeping your priorities.  Only you can define what is important to you and only you can maintain those priorities.  Doing this will help you feel at peace with your life.  Doing this will help you in making a choice between, say…working late and spending time with your family.  Which choice will you be able to sleep with at night?  Which will leaving you feeling resentful?  Will you regret this decision 5 yrs from now? 

7.  Don't give unsolicited advice.  Nuff said…just don't do it…

8.  Have integrity.

9.  Invest in yourself.  This isn't just about money.  This is about taking the time to take care of yourself.  Listen to your body and your spirit.  If you need to rest, REST.  You know what you need to maintain your wellbeing…do it.  Nothing is more important than YOU.  You can't help someone else if you're sick and worn out. 

10.  Remember that YOU are the creator in your life.

11.  Be CONFIDENT!

12.  Expect great things.

13.  Exercise.

14.  Eat what truly makes you feel good and energizes you.

15.  Continue to learn and to grow.  Look at EVERY life experience as a chance to learn something and to grow to another level.  Everything happens for a reason.