33 Ways to Simplify Your Life

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1. Turn off your mobile. 

2. Try to process emails only twice a day. 

3. Go to bed early. 

4. Get rid of {or at least reduce} commitments that you do out of obligation. 

5. Create a weekly meal plan. 

6. Automate your finances. 

7. Purge as much unneeded clutter as possible.

8. Just say no.

9. Tell the truth. 

10. Keep your list of addresses and phone numbers up to date. 

11. Consolidate debt. 

12. Create an organising system that works for you. 

13. Keep a bag for garbage in your car. 

14. Cary a notebook and pen with you where ever you go. 

15. Unsubscribe from emails, newsletters or RSS feeds that don’t provide value anymore. 

16. Apologise immediately when you realise you’ve done wrong. 

17. Enjoy the present moment as much as you can. 

18. Take time to really see the little things in life. 

19. Reduce the amount of TV you watch. 

20. Create morning, daytime, and evening routines. 

21. Ask for help. 

22. Don’t get caught up in other people’s drama. 

23. Let go of the self-imposed need to be perfect. 

24. Focus on a simple, but healthy, eating plan. 

25. Share responsibilities. 

26. Reduce your wardrobe to a few versatile items. 

27. Be positive. 

28. Finish old tasks before taking on new ones. 

29. For every new item that enters your home set two free. 

30. Want what you have not what you don’t. 

31. Revisit what you carry with you in your purse or wallet. 

32. Focus on one thing at a time. 

33. Store new garbage bags at the bottom of your garbage can.

{Source: ZenFamilyHabits} 

- See more at: http://www.bellamumma.com/2013/05/33-more-simple-ways-to-simplify-your.html#sthash.W86vlDlp.TObSuZmS.dpuf

Letting Go of Negativity

Lately, I have been surrounded by it. It's an all-encompassing aura that infects an entire room within minutes. I myself, have tried to stay immune to it. For others however, negativity has become an accessory they wear day in and day out. 

Life, yes, is hard. There will always be obstacles, things that we cannot handle. But the more I think about negativity, the more I realize how paralyzing it can really be. Why waste precious hours dwelling on it? Is complaining really going to change the situation? Are there ways we can be more positive each day? 

I recently had a conversation with one of my closest friends and I came to this conclusion: We are not granted tomorrow. Each hour we spend dwelling on what weighs us down is another wasted hour; another wasted opportunity. 

So how do you "snap outta it?" How do you "get happy" and live the life you know you deserve? 

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1. Believe that everything will turn out just fine in the end, because it usually does

Take a deep breath. 

The storm, darling, will always pass. 

2. Learn the basics of investing, so that you’re able to grow your wealth

Money creates A LOT of stress. But if you can figure out ways to invest your hard-earned money or save it, you will have less stress. Save, save, save. You DON'T need that extra pair of shoes. You want them. 

3. Say exactly what you mean with kindness

Take a second before you speak. Think about the words and how they could come across to the listener. DON'T text. So many things you are trying to say cannot be accurately portrayed within the context of 140 characters or less. Actually engage in conversation. Turn your phone off when you are sharing a cup of coffee with someone. 

4. Believe in something bigger than yourself

This can be hard. But believe with everything you have in you. 

5. Be a peacemaker, not a warmonger
Don't stir the drama, offer to mediate. 

6. Before making any major decision, sleep on it
Never make big decisions on temporary emotions. 

7. Pray, meditate or reflect every day
Enough said.

8. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all
This goes back to middle school ladies and gents, it is better to keep your mouth shut.

9. Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you

10. Find a reason to laugh every day
It truly is the best medicine. 

October Dreaming

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"You create beauty with your attitude, your behaviors, your actions, it's all up to you."

I love the start of a new month. It's almost like a new year, I can tuck away all the things I failed to do the previous month and start over. Generally speaking, that's what I long to do this October, start over. The last couple of years have been chaotic and I've finally found myself in a situation where I can take a deep breath and start moving towards the direction of my dreams. For a long time I was plagued with stress and a weight that prohibited me from having motivation. The start of a new month is the perfect time to start acting on my daydreams and stop pouting! 

-xO Kristina

Something We All Need to Learn How To Do: Accept Reality, Release Expectation

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"Let go of expectation. When you have expectations of something-a person, an experience, a job, a book, you put it in a predetermined box that has little to do with the reality. You set up an idealized version of the thing, (or person) and then try to fit the reality into this ideal, and are often disappointed. 

Instead--try to experience reality as it is. 

Appreciate it for what it is, and be happy that it is."

(Source)

6 Ways to Live a Life of Passion and Adventure

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"I've come to believe that in everyone's life, there's one undeniable moment of change, a set of circumstances that suddenly alters everything." 

-Nicholas Sparks, Safe Haven

1. Just do it

2. When faced with sink or swim, choose swim. 

3. Erase expectations from your mind. 

4. Make mistakes as often as possible.

5. Live in a constant state of wonder

6. Stay in touch with those you love. 

6 Powerful Questions to Ask Yourself This Weekend

"This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up."

-Marilyn Monroe

1. What do I absolutely love in life?

List anything that you love about the world and the people in your life. Think about any activities that get you excited and enthusiastic and make you feel most alive. This can be absolutely anything: music, sports, cooking, teaching others, learning, watching movies—anything. Within your love for these things lies deep passion.

2. What are my greatest accomplishments in life so far?

List all of the moments that you are proud of as well as the times that you’ve succeeded. To have accomplished these, you would have used some of your key strengths. See if you can identify why you succeeded. Also, list any activities, hobbies, or anything else that you do that you complete with ease. Within these lie greatest strengths.

3. What would I stand for if I knew no one would judge me?

List everything that you would do if you weren’t afraid, even your wildest dreams. This will help you discover your greatest values.

4. If my life had absolutely no limits and I could have it all and do whatever I wanted, what would I choose to have and what would I choose to do?

Describe your ideal lifestyle. List what you would do throughout the day if you knew that you were bound to be successful, what kind of person you would be, how much money you would earn, and where you would live.

This question allows you to realize who you would truly want to be if there were no limits. By aligning with this you can begin working towards the life that you truly want to create. Know that you wouldn’t have a desire if you didn’t also have the ability to fulfil it.

5. What would I do if I had one billion dollars?

List everything that you would really love to do if you had all the money in the world. Okay, so you would probably travel the world, buy a house or two, and give some money to your family. Then what would you do with your time?

This question helps you to think without limitations. When we are able to remove limitations and boundaries, we can discover what we really want to do.

6. Who do I admire most in the world?

List your greatest inspirations and the qualities that you admire about these people. Think about what really inspires you in this world. What you admire about others is also a quality that is in you. Know that you admire someone because they have similar qualities to you.

Taking the time to answer these question will change your life. The more that you can implement your passions, strengths, values, desires, and motivations into your days, the happier your life will become!

You can study to become a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or anything else, but this knowledge will only take you so far. Meanwhile, discovering the deep wisdom of self-knowledge will ensure that your life is far more meaningful and fulfilling. I’ve got a feeling that is what Einstein meant when he said “Information is not knowledge.”

The most valuable knowledge that you will ever discover is, and always will be, within.

About the Author & Source

TinyBuddha

James McWhinney is the author of The Wellbeing Revolution. James is committed to living an incredible life and empowering others to do the same. If you want to boost the love, happiness, and fulfillment in your life, check out his website at www.thewellbeingrevolution.com

Balance: The Art of Finding & Maintaining

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“You get what anybody gets - you get a lifetime.” 
― Neil Gaiman, The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes

I regret that I have been abandoning this blog. For a very long time it was my project, the thing that I looked forward to every morning as I was enjoying my cup of coffee. Lately however, I have spent much of my time and focus on another blog; a writing project that I am not prepared to show all of you yet. Surprisingly, I have built quite the audience and it has fueled my desire to continue writing and to continue cultivating. Despite my enthusiasm, I have realized that I have been neglectful of previous passions and long to find balance in the symmetry of all my endeavors. 

My goals for May can be summarized in one word: Balance.  Balance for many can be a difficult thing to maintain. It's easy to get sidetracked, to find yourself quitting. After all is it worth it? Am I wasting my time? The answer is simple. No. 

A few weeks back I read a quote that smacked me in the face. 

"Do one thing a day that makes your dream a reality."

Regardless of what that one thing should be, it makes perfect sense. It won't happen overnight. You won't roll over one morning and find your dream wrapped in a big, beautiful red bow. It takes small efforts, day in and day out. Even if you don't want to commit to the time to make it happen. Excuses, will not make you successful. 

There have been many times over the last few weeks where I have sat behind a keyboard and cursed at my inability to put something on the page. It was like pulling teeth, which in hindsight would have be more appealing. But, I did it anyway. I wrote and I wrote crap. But I still did it. 

Balance. 

Such a hefty word. 

Is there a simple solution? One can argue that there is. But in my opinion it takes time, and takes skill. One can find balance by prioritizing and finding the time to make each of your goals more attainable. Again, excuses need to be left at the door. Easier said than done, but again, small efforts will be rewarded in the long run. 

My goal is find balance. With this blog, with my other blog, my 5 mile runs that I have committed myself to at least 3 times a week. 

Happy Hour Readers: Have you abandoned a passion lately? How do you maintain balance?