Let It Go

Hey positive ones! How's it going? Busy, I'm sure, with all the back to back holidays we've had recently, but I just wanted to take this time out to say that I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas! And I wish you and yours a safe and blessed New Year! This will actually be my last post on Mind & Soul for this year, but no worries, I will be returning in the 2011 with more posts and positive thoughts! I've been contemplating on what to write for this last post and it suddently hit me so I had to stop what I was doing and write it down.

I assume everyone reading this is a positive person, right? Or at least trying to make an effort to be? Well, in order to do that, there are 3 short words that will save you from any negative thoughts or negative people you encounter: LET IT GO. Sounds simple, right? Right. But those 3 words are much easier said than done. Although it may be a hard thing to do, the action of "letting go" is essential if you want to continue to move in a positive direction!

I speak for myself when I say that this is something I still struggle with. Someone may do or say something hurtful, and while I've never been the type to hold a grudge, I just can't let it go in my own head. I guess that comes from the fact that I'm someone who tries to live the motto: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", and it's hard for me to wrap my head around why certain people do the things they do. Don't get me wrong, no one's perfect, including myself, so I understand that we all may do or say hurtful things unintentionally, but when I find myself in a situation where I realize the hurt was intentional, I can't get over it. I continue to think about it, giving it a place in my mind and soul, never achieving true peace with it. But how can I stay positive with all that negativity in my head? It's impossible! You see, letting go is for YOUR OWN benefit, no one else's. Letting go of past hurts or negative feelings/thoughts is the only way to make room for positivity in your life! It's a hard lesson for some of us to learn but true.

So as we're about to close this old year and step into a new one, whenever you are faced with difficult  people or situations that are out control, think on these 3 words: LET IT GO. No matter what it is, it's just isn't worth your peace of mind and positivity. So let it go!

"I can and will handle any situation life throws at me in a healthy way."

Hello friends! It's December 9th, 2010, we've got less than 30 days left until a brand new year and with 2011 just around the corner, it's got me thinking about 2010 as a whole and I have to admit, for me, it's been a rough one. While this year has most definitely had it's "ups" there have also been some "downs." The ups? Well, let me start off by saying that God is always blessing me and I thank Him for it. There have been more ups than downs and that in itself is a blessing. In 2010 I accomplished a lot! Tried a lot of new positive things, made a lot of new positive friends and have learned a lot about myself in the process. I'm not the same person today as I was at the start of the year, I've changed for the better (mind, body and soul) and I'm grateful for that. The downs? Well, let's just say I've had my share of disappointments in people where if I didn't have a personal relationship with God would have really sent me into a deep depression. By most people's accounts I'm a "happy go lucky", positive, cheerful person, but everyone has their moments and I've had more than my usual share this past year. The enemy never wants to see you happy and is always trying to crush your spirit. But you know what? God is so good! He turned my bad situations into blessings in disguise because I learned a lot from them and became stronger, wiser, and more focused on Him. And anything that brings you closer to God is a blessing.

With the start of every new year, people are always making these "New Year's Resolutions", which is fine if that's your thing (it's never been mine) but the you know the problem is most people never stick to them. Well I have a resolution for 2011 that I think we all should make and if we support and encourage each other it's totally doable. The resolution? "I can and will handle any situation life throws at me in a healthy way."

Let's face it, life just isn't fair sometimes. In fact, most times. And it often seems the older we get, the more life throws at us. But during this upcoming year, whenever we find ourselves in a hard situation, put that sentence in your head: "I can and WILL handle any situation life throws at me in a healthy way." So instead of taking a negative approach to the situation (screaming, yelling, drinking... etc.), take a deep breath, relax, and know that no matter what, you're going to be okay. Choose not to respond negatively. You may be surprised at the blessings that could be in store just by choosing to deal with it in positive way. With God for you, who can be against you? NO ONE! So trust in Him and know that you can and will get through it!

Oh, and one more thing, you know how I mentioned that "New Year's Resolutions" have never been my thing? Why put off tomorrow what you can do today? Don't wait until 2011, make "I can and will handle an situation life throws at me in a healthy way." your new mantra and start living it today!

Food For Thought: TRY EVERYTHING!

Hey positive people! As some of you may know, especially if you are one of my Facebook friends, I usually have an "Affirmation of the Day" which will be my positive thought or declaration for that particular day. Well, today's affirmation is "I see every opportunity that comes my way." and I can't tell you how true that one is for me!

In the past few years my life has drastically changed. Some of you may already know my weight loss story (and if you don't, please feel free to check it out, hopefully my story gives you the motivation and faith you may need to overcome any obstacles you may be having), I've lost over 60 lbs and with that weight loss, I not only changed on the outside but the inside, too. Starting any weight loss journey, whether it be to lose 10 lbs or 100 takes courage and as the weight began to shed, I gained a lot of confidence in myself! Losing weight is hard work! With every pound lost, I gained the self-confidence to know that I can truly do anything I set my mind to. "Seeing every opportunity that comes my way" has kinda' been my mantra every since.

The affirmation, "I see every opportunity that comes my way" basically means TRY EVERYTHING! Just think, what if I had never ceased the opportunity to try a new weight loss program? Or begin exercising? I know that I wouldn't be the same person that I am today! And I most definitely wouldn't be sitting here writing this post to you. We've only got one life to live people! There's no going back. Never let fear hold you back from doing something that could potentially change your life and the lives of people around you in a positive way. In the past year I have tried so many things! Let's see... I've tried out to be a fitness instructor (and passed!), I've went back to school in hopes of becoming a Dietitian, tried my own at home fitness business, inquired about becoming a makeup artist and looked into entering cosmetology school for that, I've started two blogs,... the list goes on and on. Some have been fails, others successes, but nothing beats a failure but a try!  Everything's not for everybody, there's no getting around that, some people have a talent for some things that others don't, and you may give something a try and realize that although you can do it, it's just not your cup of tea and there's nothing wrong with that. But how will you ever know unless you give it a try?

Thanksgiving Thoughts...

My favorite holiday is just around the corner. No, I'm not talking about Christmas (although I love that one as well for what it stands for alone) but I'm actually talking about a holiday that often gets overlooked between the Halloween and Christmas craze and that's THANKGIVING! Thanksgiving is the time to feel gratitude to God for all the good things in life. It is a time to acknowledge the good deeds of fellowmen and be thankful. Life can be very trying. When your child is hungry, your body wracked with pain, or you have no idea where you and your family will find a place to sleep, it's hard to find something for which you can be thankful. So, for just a few minutes on Thanksgiving Day, step outside your situation and just "be". Find something, no matter how small, to be thankful for because in giving thanks, you will be lightening your load, even if for only a moment.

Thanksgiving thoughts are the kind of thoughts that we should have all year long. We should take time for kindness and extend a helping hand to others throughout the year. Don't wait until Thursday, start today! And fill yourself with Thanksgiving Peace that lasts the whole year through!

Life Is Good

You know, sometimes with all the trials and tribulations in our life (we're often overworked, stressed out, worried, bored, the expectations that we had for our life didn't quite work out the way we originally planned... etc.) we forget that life is a blessing and we should just be thankful that we're here. It's no accident or coincidence that we were put on this planet - no matter what the circumstances surrounded around your birth were. Every life is a blessing and carved out way before any of knew any better. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE!!! Hold on to that true statement and never let it go! Many of us do not know what it is yet or some of us know but are finding it difficult to get there, but God's got this! Let Him do the planning for you, all we ever have to do is open our eyes and ears to Him and He will show us the way. Now don't get me wrong, these words are easier said than done, but it can be done if we just trust and believe in Him to order our steps. I say all this to say, LIFE IS GOOD! We, myself included, complain so much about the little everyday things, we often say or think to ourselves that life isn't fair, but as my mother once told me,"who ever promised you that life would be fair?" The answer would be NO ONE. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that because we follow Him our troubles will be light, in fact, it's very much the opposite. BUT (and this a big but) with Him by our side we can endure this world and all it's troubles much easier than without Him.

Hope this encourages someone today to know that no matter what the circumstance or problems you may be facing in this life, that life really is good and a blessing that we should not take for granted.

Consider The Source

Hello positive people! This post will be short & sweet. One piece of advice my father gave me a long time ago that I find helps me deal with any negative person I come in contact with is this: "Consider the source." 3 small words that hold a lot of weight! 

I'm the type of person who has always had a pretty positive attitude. Why wouldn't I? I have no real reason to complain. I was blessed with wonderful parents who gave me a safe, loving home to grow up in, always had clothes on back, food on the table and my home was never short of hugs or kisses. Not everyone is this blessed and I think when you really realize this it gives you a better outlook on life in general.

Have you ever known or met someone who just never seemed to be in a good mood? Their mood depends on day (or even the hour in some cases), they always have something complain about, never a good word to say about anyone or anything, never short of a snide remark or comment to say behind someone's back, jealous, petty...  I could go on and on but you get the picture, just plain negative. I know have! And I'm pretty sure that everyone reading this has encountered people like this as well. I used to get so upset when I came in contact with people like that. I just didn't understand it. Don't get me wrong, I've never been so naive to to think that everyone's life has been like mine or that bad things don't happen to innocent people because in fact they do, and quite often, but my brain never made the connection until I really understood the meaning behind my father's words: CONSIDER THE SOURCE. Consider the source meaning, everyone hasn't had it easy and due to certain life circumstances some people are just going to be the way they're going to be. But you also have those people who have had a great life but are just negative, hateful people for no real reason at all. Either way, they're not changing until they're ready and in the meantime they're really not worth you're time or effort. Being around people like that results in one of several things, you either wind up getting into an argument and/or fight with them, become emotionally drained from their drama causing you to become depressed or upset, or worst of all, start to become just like them! Don't let the negativity rub off on you in any way! The best thing you can actually do is pray for them and keep it moving.

So the next time you find yourself confronted with a negative person, perhaps someone being spiteful or hateful to you or others for no reason at all, take a deep breath, relax and consider the source.

Positive Thoughts For 2010

I received this at the beginning of the year and although I realize that this year is almost over, I also know that it is never to late to begin a new positive way of living and/or thinking, so I thought this would be the perfect thing to post for my first real post on Mind & Soul. So here are some positive thoughts for 2010 and beyond! Enjoy!

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's - Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy!

Welcome

Hello all! Welcome to Mind & Soul! For those of you who don't know me, my name is Jonelle, I'm a web designer and health & fitness junkie from St. Louis, Missouri. I believe that my mission in life is to help people succeed in fitness. So what do I mean by "succeed in fitness"? Well, in other words, I want to try and help others achieve a healthy mind, body and spirit through exercise, nutrition and positivity - one of the ways that I'm accomplishing this is through blogging. I've discovered that I can reach a large number of people through just doing one of things I do best and that's writing. My mother always thought I'd be a writer one day and I guess she was right because here I am! If you'd like to know a little more about me and my story, check out my blog: "Confessions Of A Fit Girl" (and of course if you like, please feel free to follow). While that blog focuses more on the "body" side of succeeding in fitness, this blog focuses on the mind & spirit. I plan on writing positive posts that will hopefully inspire, encourage and motivate myself and others to be the best that we can be.

Just an F.Y.I, I am a Christian and a good majority of my posts will speak of God. He is definitely the source of all my positivity and I believe the only true way to achieve joy and peace. Just wanted to put that out there now so they'll be no surprises or complaints.

I've got a feeling this blog is the start of something big for me and I hope you'll join me! Please keep coming back for more positive words and thoughts that will be food for your mind & soul!