Believe in yourself!

"You are a good person, that is the truth about you. It's good to remember that good people make mistakes. When you find you have made a mistake, do what you can to correct, repair, or heal and go on from there. You are not your mistakes. you are something wonderful, a masterpiece of the Creator." --Laya Saul

(From "You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way--What I Wish Someone Had Told Me")

Love,
Aunt Laya

Write a "love note"

Short simple activity for the day (what ever day you're reading this!): Love notes are one of my favorite things to send out into the world. It only takes a minute (we're talking note here, not a long letter). You can write a love note to anyone: parents, children, grandparents, friends, friends you've been out of touch with for a while, someone going through a hard time, someone who did you a favor...

A love note doesn't have to be mushy. It can even be a simple thank you note to someone that helped you out or touched you in some way.

Love notes in five easy steps:
1. Get a paper
2. Get a pen or pencil
3. Focus your heart's intention
4. Write something simple (see examples below)
5. Give it away to the person you wrote it for

Examples of what you can write:

• I love you so much
• I really appreciate having you in my life
• You're such a great friend
• I'm so proud of you
• You're doing great
• Here's a little hug for you, with love
• Thank you for being you
• You're the best

You get the idea. If you're still stuck, let me know.
You can do this.
On your mark...
Get set...
GO!
Love,
Aunt Laya
P.S. An unexpected piece of candy with a kind word can work too.

Gossip anyone?

Who hasn't been stung by the sharp words of another? Worse than that, who hasn't said words that pierce the heart of another? How you talk, or do not talk, about others impacts every relationship you have, even your relationship with yourself.

When you gossip, you say more about yourself than you do about anyone else!

If I could only pass on one tip to improve people's lives, this might just be the one. Gossip is not a fun way to pass the time. It is not kind. It is not harmless.

• When you talk about someone else you can harm them. Also, you do not allow for the growth and improvement of the person being talked about.
  
• You hurt yourself and the listener too. Gossip is an ugly thing.
  
• Understand that if something about another person is true, it is still gossip. Even if you would say it to the person directly, it is still gossip.

Listening to gossip is the other side of the coin and is damaging too. (tips on avoiding listening to gossip to come…)

Quote for the day: "Believe nothing against another but on good authority; nor report what may hurt another, unless it be a greater hurt to conceal it." --William Penn

Experiment: Pick one person in your life, a parent, sibling, spouse, child, friend, boss, co-worker or fellow student, and stop talking about or listening to gossip about that person. To make this really work, stick with this over time. How does your relationship change? How do your feelings about yourself change? This is not an easy experiment but it will change your world in unimaginable ways. It may be one of the greatest gifts you give yourself.

Love,
Aunt Laya

Exerpts from today's post come from the book "You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way" reprinted by permission of the author, me! Also, with gratitude for the use of this photo to my friend Mario at Soap Vision, where they have the coolest soaps ever. http://www.soapvision.com

What’s the difference?

Are you into world peace? How can you make a difference? Start in on your own doorstep.

Exercise for the day: When you are with someone who usually makes you feel impatient, be patient. (Keep breathing.)

Be patient with yourself too.

Love,
Aunt Laya

You ARE what you DO!

There is a story of a king who longed to marry a very beautiful and beloved princess. His advisors told him she'd never have him; he was far too ruthless and cunning. Ah, but he had a plan. He put on a mask that could fool the princess and he acted wise and compassionate, generous and kind--a way that would cause the princess to love and marry the king. And so she did.

After years of marriage to the princess, one of the king's old advisors threatened the king that he would reveal the truth about him unless he paid a handsome sum of riches. The king would not stand for being blackmailed, so he decided to tell his wife, the queen, the truth. Before he went to her, he took off the mask. Lo, there was no difference between the façade and what lay beneath! He had become that which he pretended to be all those years.

Question: What are the character traits that you want for yourself?

Act as if and it will be so!

Love,
Aunt Laya

Check out the Truth

THE TRUTH

because you matter!

If you want to have a little fun go see
www.ShardsOGlass.com

If you want to know the truth go to
www.TheTruth.com

Be well.

Love,

Aunt Laya