Guest Author - Barbara Gibson

Rediscover the extraordinary gift of your ordinary, busy, crazy, wonderful life. Maybe that sounds like it is easier said than done. It is, in fact, easier than you think. Don’t believe me? Read the following tips for simple changes that can change your life.

Get rid of or scale back cable, DVD subscription and DVR services.
Sure we all enjoy a mindless good laugh at the end of a long day, but are there better ways to use that time and money? All together those service cost about $12,000 annually and rob you of countless hours that can be spent dreaming, planning, learning something new, getting a decent night’s sleep, or reading a good book. Invest the money for early retirement, in a college fund or let the savings support your goal of working less and enjoying family and friends more. While you’re at it, why not look for other ways you can cut back?

Keep a Gratitude Journal
It is harder to take all the things that make your life wonderful for granted when you make a commitment to notice the big and small joys every new day brings.

Choose Satisfaction Over Constant Reaching and Discontent
You may not ever get everything you think you want, but you probably have almost everything you need and more. Revel in it, enjoy it; remind yourself that happiness isn’t about how much money you have in the bank, the kind of car you drive or your ability to buy the latest and greatest must have of the moment. Happiness begins within. It is about your attitude, not your acquisitions.

Know What You Are Doing…and Why
Sometimes we constantly reach and we even get what we are reaching for, but we still don’t feel satisfied or fulfilled. Avoid acquiring, acting or accumulating randomly. Instead, decide how what you are doing, getting or spending today can help you get where you want to be tomorrow. Not sure where you want to be tomorrow? It isn’t too late to make a plan.

Slow Down
I’ve heard it said that even the muddiest water becomes clear when standing. Just as dirt in water settles to the bottom when the jar is still, so too can your mind become clear when you choose to slow down and listen for your inner guidance.

Give Some Thought to What You are Thinking
Sometimes it is less about what is happening and more about what you tell yourself about what is happening. A shift in attitude and/or perception can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your life.