Does joy feel warm like the sun? Rough like a tree? Light like the leaves in the fall? Does it feel like the wind in your hair? Like sand or snow underfoot? Does it feel wet like paint? Soft like a furry friend?
Read MoreWhat does joy feel like to you?
What does joy feel like in our bodies?
Read MoreThe sound of joy...
What does joy sound like?
What does joy sound like to you?
Read MoreGetting lost in joy
The challenge this month is to focus on and create time for things that bring us joy. As I was visiting with family this holiday season, …
Read MoreThe "Focus on the Joy" Challenge
Life isn’t always joyful. But we do have a choice about where we put our focus and how we build our daily routines.
Read MoreNew Year Reflection Challenge: goals
It's the end of January. What goals do you have for yourself for 2019? How are your resolutions coming along? Do you need to hit a re-set button?
For inspiration, check out this Thai Life Insurance commercial.
For ideas on how to build positive habits, check out The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life and In Business by Charles Duhigg.
Read MoreNew Year Reflection Challenge: adventures
What adventures would you like to have in 2019? Let's make a plan together!
Read MoreNew Year Reflection Challenge: learn something new
If you could learn something new in 2019, what would it be and why?
Read MoreNew Year Reflection Challenge: a re-do
If you could redo anything in 2018, what would you choose and why? What would you like to do differently in 2019?
Read MoreReflections on a new year
What was your proudest moment of 2018? What are you hoping for 2019?
Read MoreReducing stress by pretending
The art of pretending. I thought that as adults the days of pretending were over. But we can use it as a way to dream about the future with our partner to hear them better.
Read MoreAnother great stress reducer: meaningful touch
Making time to have intentional meaningful touch with our partner and children can be a great way to reduce stress. What rituals of touch do you use in your home?
Read MoreBeing a great listener - Understanding must precede advice!
Understanding must precede advice. A simple strategy for better listening.
Read MoreWhen is the best time for a stress reducing conversation?
Let’s make a plan to have regular stress reducing conversations with our partner and other significant friends or relatives.
Read MoreA ritual to keep stress from outside of our relationships from getting inside of our relationships
One way to reduce our stress is to find friends who are great listeners. Learn more about the stress reducing conversation this week at little-elf.org.
Read MoreThe December "Stress Reduction" Challenge
What can we do this month to reduce our stress and enjoy the holidays more? Stay tuned for more!
Read MoreA daily gratitude journal
How can we make the gratitude of Thanksgiving last all year long? How about a gratitude journal?
- Get a journal. Any journal will do, as long as it is dedicated for this purpose.
- Pick a consistent time of day.
- Pick a length of time that you want to focus on gratitude each day. It can be as little as 2-3 minutes, or as long as you would like.
- Write as many things as you can be grateful for in that time. If you miss a day, start again tomorrow.
Sharing gratitude at mealtimes
At Thanksgiving, many families take time to express gratitude during the meal. How about making this a daily ritual? How would your life change if gratitude were a part of family mealtimes?
Expressing appreciation with the Gottman Card Decks app
This week, your mission if you choose to accept it is to use the Gottman Card Decks app to express appreciation for one another.
Instructions: "Build fondness and admiration by using these simple phrases as examples of things to thank your partner for. Or just scroll through and show your partner the screen if it's hard for you to express yourself out loud!"
"You Rock"
I just can't enter the month of Thanksgiving without thinking about appreciation and gratitude. Your mission this week, if you choose to accept it, is to write someone a note of fondness, admiration, appreciation, and/or gratitude. For inspiration, consider this exercise.