10 Motivational Quotes to Fire you up!

Do you know why we read motivational quotes? For motivation, of course! You might need a little bit of motivation, when you realize that last year’s list of goals also apply to this year. It’s important to get off on the right foot, know your baseline (add link), have a plan (add Link)  and be ready to stay on track. All of us can benefit from inspirational thoughts, so here are ten great ones that will help motivate you to make the changes your desire.

Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are. – Dale Carnegie

Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right.’ Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along. – Napoleon Hill

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

For Every Reason It’s Not Possible, There Are Hundreds Of People Who Have Faced The Same Circumstances And Succeeded. – Jack Canfield

Opportunities don’t happen, you create them. – Chris Grosser

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. – Carl Bard

I’m not telling you it is going to be easy – I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it. – Art Williams

There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. – W. Clement Stone

All progress takes place outside the comfort zone. -Michael John Bobak

You Are Never Too Old To Set Another Goal Or To Dream A New Dream. – C.S. Lewis

Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning. – Mahatma Gandhi

These are quotes that mean something to me. Hopefully one or two of them is also inspiring to you. If not, maybe they will motivate you to create a list of your own motivational sayings. Need some more support, join the Violet Buddha Tribe Facebook group.

Inhale. Exhale.

Violet Buddha

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The 2 keys to Achieving your Goals – Motivation and Vision

A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more. – Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Motivation can take you far, but it can take you even further if you find your vision first! Your vision will motivate, guide you and keep you on track for your journey to success! Trying to succeed at anything without first having a clear vision of what it is you want to accomplish will only lead to you going around in circles and eventually giving up in frustration.

Vision comes from within, from the spirit or subconscious, whatever you choose to call it.To develop your vision, you must look inside yourself. Everyone has a vision that is uniquely their own, and you are no different. The challenging part comes in exploring your personal vision and how it applies to your personalized motivation plan.

Your vision will most likely not come suddenly like a bolt of lightning from the sky. Instead, it will grow from your experiences, talents, dreams, and desires, so don’t try to rush it. Instead, keep your motivation and allow your vision to reveal itself through you.

Here are five steps you can use to effectively find your vision:

Step One

Learn to listen to your inner voice. Learn to tune in, reflect on and eel what your mind and heart truly desire. Start by asking yourself these questions:

• What energizes you?
• What is your greatest desire?
• What kind of dreams do you have?

If what you want does not really come from the inner depths of your heart and soul, then you will find it tough, if not impossible, to not give up before you achieve it.

Step Two

Prepare yourself mentally. Your vision begins in your heart and mind. It’s something that needs to burn within your soul. Your vision of what could be should be greater than your all of your past memories, mistakes, and accomplishments. If you have a clear vision, you will have a purpose and won’t get lost on your journey towards your goal.. If you don’t know where you’re going or how to get there, the journey will seem a lot longer and harder.

In order to seek your vision, find a quiet and tranquil place, a place that will allow your mind to think creatively and concentrate on your vision.

Step Three

Seek out other motivated vision seekers. Greatness breeds greatness, and it is for this reason that you should surround yourself with others who can appreciate and support your vision. Your circle of like minded people will keep your motivation high.

Step Four

Keep a notebook and pen handy. You never know when your vision is going to come to fruition and you’ll get inspired, so keep a small notebook with you at all times. My two keys places are on my nightstand and in the bathroom (stop laughing! – it gets lots of ideas in the shower), write down whatever comes to mind, no matter how silly it seems at the time. You may write down a hundred crazy ideas but number one hundred and one just might be the vision you were searching for.

Step Five

Don’t try to fully understand your vision. The vision you are looking for will most likely come to you in ways that you won’t fully understand at the moment. That’s okay. Just follow as much of your vision as you can right now, and more will be revealed to you as time goes on.

All truly successful people have a vision that they follow, no matter what challenges they may face, to its eventual outcome. Start by following the steps above to start establishing your vision today and remember that true, lasting success will never come to you until you know what your vision is and how you will make adjustments to your thoughts, routines and lifestyle to your follow it. 

You will be unstoppable if you combine your personal vision with a healthy dose of motivation!

Inhale. Exhale.

Violet Buddha

How to Say No at Christmas

The oldest, shortest words – “yes” and “no” are those that require the most thought. – Phythagoras

From the toy aisle to the dinner table, the holiday season is full of “no’s.” It’s important to be able to say no when it comes to things that you can’t do, do have time for or even don’t want to d at all. Unfortunately, expectations run high during the holiday season which makes saying no to friends, family, or even complete strangers very challenging. After all, everyone knows that Christmas is all about giving and thinking of others before ourselves. Don’t be afraid of coming across like a Grinch because its important to take care of your mental and physical health too. I’ve put together some tips to help you say no – even at Christmas time.

Stay Positive

Even if you need to say no, you can still state your case in a positive way. If someone is asking you to organize a holiday party, bake or to set up decorations, try to highlight the benefits of doing things a different way rather than the negative aspects of their plan. You could suggest a girls day to tackle the tasks together. Like John Heywood said “many hands make light work.” You can also propose getting the kids involved in baking, decorating and meal prep.

Be Confident

People can often tell when you’re feeling unsure of yourself and this can make them less willing to take no for an answer. If you want people to take you seriously, it’s important that you project confidence and speak assertively. When you need to tell someone no, say it with clearly without wavering so they can see that you’re serious. This doesn’t mean that you need to be aggressive or rude. Just be firm and concise, and stand up for yourself.

Find a Better Solution

If you’re telling someone no about something but you don’t have an alternative to suggest, the person you’re talking to isn’t likely to come up with a new plan. Instead, they will probably try to find a way to make their initial suggestion seem more logical to you. While a compromise may be better in some situations, you’ll still end up doing something that you didn’t want to. Instead, try to come up with an alternative plan for the person to consider. They just may go along with it, and that way you can avoid their request without actually saying no.

Avoid an Argument

Any disagreement can turn into an argument at any moment, especially during the stress-filled holiday season. With tensions running so high, even the smallest issue can turn into a Christmas confrontation. If saying no causes an argument, ask if you can discuss the subject once things have calmed down. Arguing isn’t likely to lead to an agreeable solution, and can also cause feelings to be hurt unintetionally.

Stick to Your Guns

Stick to your guns, no matter how hard someone tries to sway your decision. Remember that you don’t need to feel guilty about saying no. There’s no reason to be upset about it either. The majority of the time, it really is in everyone’s best interest. Simply explain that you’re not saying “no” to be mean or difficult. Reiterate the reason or reasons why you’re saying no, as gently as you can.

Yes, believe it or not, it’s entirely possible to say “no” at Christmas. Armed with all of the tips listed above, the task is probably easier than you think.

Inhale. Exhale

Violet Buddha

A Season of Depression

It is during our darkst moments that we must focus to see the light.

`Aristotle

Don’t act surprised when some of your friends seem to be grumpy these nest few weeks.  We have definitely started the winter weather that occurs during the months of November to February, the days are shorter and colder, and the nights longer and darker. Many people are already dealing with a considerable amount of snow already. As the climate changes, many people actually feel the effects of the season change and feel gloomy or miserable. Many feel the need to hide away and hibernate like a grizzly bear hoping for Spring. In many occasions, this isn’t simply a disdain for winter, but actually, a mood disorder is known as winter depression, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Based on statistics released by the SAD Association, approximately 12% of Canadians, 9.7% of people who live in the northern states of the  USA, and 8% of people in the United Kingdom have experienced some form of winter depression. According to world statistics, the incidence of SAD increases dramatically as you go 30 degrees of latitude further north or south, while the condition is virtually unheard of in the tropics.

What is SAD?

Winter depression has a sound medical basis that involves changes in the body’s mood centers brought on by shorter daylight hours and a lack of sunlight. Most people suffering from this depressive illness experience a sense of utter isolation and loneliness. The only consolation is the fact that many people go through the same feelings during this time of the year. It provides a sense of comfort and assurance that sufferers are not alone.

Some Key SAD Symptoms

Be on the lookout for:

• Low mood that occurs daily for an extended period of time lasting more than two weeks straight and is affecting your performance at work, school or your desire to socialize
• Changes in appetite and weight (gain or loss)
• Sleep problems/Insomnia
• Withdrawal from family members and friends
• Feelings of  hopelessness, excessive guilt, pessimism or having low self-esteem
• Agitation or feeling slowed down
• Irritability
• Overwhelming Fatigue
• Trouble concentrating, remembering and/or making decisions
• Oversensitivity or feeling like crying but not being able to
• Thoughts of suicide (which should always be taken seriously)

Can Light Therapy Help?

Light therapy, one of the most effective and clinically proven treatments for SAD, has been shown to benefit some 80-85 percent of SAD cases. It may sound very simple but the process involves more than just turning on a light and sitting beside it while twiddling your thumbs as you wait for that renewed energy to power up your whole well-being.

The average home or office light emits a paltry 200-500 lux (a lux is a unit of illuminance) whereas a minimum of 2,500 lux is required to alleviate the symptoms of SAD. In comparison, a clear summer’s day can reach an intensity of 100,000 lux.

Using these measurements as a basis, a number of specially designed lightboxes have been invented that emit precisely the right amount of illumination. Symptoms of SAD gradually subside by sitting in front of one for about 30 minutes to several hours throughout the day, depending on the severity of the condition.

When it comes to the treatment of SAD symptoms, light therapy could be the best approach to consider. But to those with severe symptoms, addressing the root causes of the condition may involve the use of both antidepressant drugs and psychotherapy treatments. There are some other ideas to consider:

• Moving to a warmer climate that does not have high amounts of rain or snow
• Vacationing near the equator 
• Watching movies that are set in warm, sunny, summery climates, marked improvements in mood are demonstrated. Any film with clear blue cloudless skies, palm trees, and an absence of snow may qualify for a movie therapy.
• Watching outdoor sports like cricket or golf

 I hope that the information above can have a mood-enhancing effect and improve your overall well-being. If you are feeling the effects of the time or season change, please contact your doctor and discuss your symptoms.

Inhale. Exhale.

Violet Buddha

Can Yoga Help you Sleep?

“Sleep is the best meditation.“

Dalai Lama

Take action to create a sleep routine!

Many people believe that yoga is all about experiencing alignment of mind, body, and soul. The majority of yoga teachers would agree that apart from providing relaxation and serenity.  Yoga is about the limitless ability of a person to control and unite with their inner self. With this in mind, more and more people with high-stress levels, mental health challenges, and insomnia are turning to yoga in order to alleviate some if not all of their symptoms.  Most yogis believe that in one way or another, the ancient discipline makes it possible for the breath, the mind, and the senses to merge in creating balance.

The Yoga/Sleep Connection

More and more people are practicing yoga so that they can get better sleep. Other reasons why many people practice yoga is because they can explore the limitless possibilities of yoga types to find the right. They can also explore yoga into its depths as a meditative practice, as a spiritual discipline or use its philosophies as an exercise to be fit and healthy.

Yogis agree that the potential benefits of yoga may include the increase of strength and flexibility, creation of balance as well as the improvement of breathing and overall posture. On the spiritual aspect, yoga can serve as an exercise that can help you soothe your nerves, calm your mind while increasing your focal and concentration skills.

Before starting your yoga practice, please schedule an appointment with your Doctor. A check-up is important for you to discuss with your physician the advantages and disadvantages of yoga in your overall health and well being.

If you are aiming to get better sleep through your yoga practice, please make sure they listen to your needs, discuss your physical and emotional limitations, and guide you to the best type of yoga for you to practice. Ensure that you begin with the basic yoga poses then slowly advance to the more challenging positions. Now go get some gear: clothes, a colorful mat, foam blocks, and a yoga pillow so you can catch some much needed ZZZ’s!

Inhale. Exhale.

Violet Buddha