Learning to take a compliment is something that we struggle with our whole lives. As  children we hear about how pretty/strong/tall/happpy we are from strangers, and most of us would blush and hide behind the nearest parent. As adults we seem to find the quickest excuse as to why the compliment isn't true! Don't believe me? Does this scenario sound familiar...

Complimentor: " Wow! You look great! New workout plan?"
Self: "Really? No, check out this big zit, and I feel like a total cow this week!"

We all do it! Denying someone the pleasure of giving a compliment makes everyone involved feel bad! Learn to take a compliment! Say "thank you" and be done.

One of the greatest mood boosters we can do for ourselves, is give someone else and HONEST compliment! It doesn't have to be about looks, or clothes, it can be about something a coworker did, "hey- I really liked the way you handled that guy when he yelled at you- you should teach lessons on patience!" It makes you feel great because you know they are appreciative of being noticed for something good.

So here's your tip/task for the week! Give an honest compliment every day. And, when you get a compliment, accept it politely and say thank you. Remember, you don't have to give one back. Just take it and run! :)

And by the way.... Great shoes! :>P

I'm actually writing this blog piece on Tuesday night, because I found myself unable to stop thinking about the conversation I had today, and I wanted to capture it, while still in the moment.

Tonight I was at the gym. I struggled to get there, it was a rough Tuesday, I'm overwhelmed at work, and my body is still adjusting to the time change. But I went, because, well- because I never regret going to the gym.

While riding the bike, with every last ounce of energy I had, a friend from the gym plops on the bike next to me. He is also struggling, and we joke about our lack of motivation. He comments that he's having a really hard time with seeing everything going on in Japan and how things just keep getting worse. Before he really started the spiral downward, I stopped him.

"You know how I'm getting through this?", I asked. "I'm finding something good in each day to focus on! Today, I'm focused on my friend Joe and his wife, and how they are in Russia meeting their new daughter that they will be adopting. There IS GOOD HAPPENING IN THE WORLD-- just look for it!!"

And he said to me- "Russia? That's cool-- but I hope they don't get stuck there!" To which I said, "stop being so negative" and turned to my bike and my book before he sucked me in.

"You're right" he said, "and hey- we are here riding these bikes, and that's a good thing!" and I smiled... then he continued "I've alwasy been that way, bad things can happen to anyone".

Oh boy.

I won't bore you with the whole conversation, but I will leave you with this. Stay positive. Think positive. Yes, things might be bad for you right now, and it's scary, but you can't let it take you down! Find something good to focus on each day to get you through.  There are indeed, good things happening in the world, we just need to find them.

So, we are a day behind on the Wellness Wednesday tip... my internet was down and the computer is acting up. Crikey! So, this was yesterday's Wellness Tip.

Today is Ash Wednesday, celebrated by Catholics as the beginning of the Lenten season.  It's a time of year, where many of us, religious or not, make 6 week committments, or Lenten Sacrifices. It's like a mini New Years Resolution.

A resolution- that is what I would like you to do this week. Come up with a mini goal. A 40 day campaign to a better, healthier you.

Maybe you can give up chocolate, or your afternoon treat. But, it doesn't have to be a sacrifice (but it might still feel like one), I personally, am giving up eating dinner in front of the TV. It's a habit change. Swap an hour of TV for an hour with a book!  Or maybe try adding something to your life- vow to eat a fruit or veggie with every meal, or drink a glass of milk.

This goal is just a baby step toward a better you! Stick with it for 40 days and you are half way to the 12 week mark of creating a new habit!

There is a psychological principle out there that says, think about something and you move towards it. It's the theory of positive thinking.

However, many of us, do not think positively. We do our thinking in the negative; don't forget to bring your laptop back to work tomorrow! Because our minds work on pictures, immeditately after hearing yourself say, "don't forget" you get a mental picture of sitting at work tomorrow, cursing because you did indeed forget the laptop!

Try using positive mental imagines and words. Here are some examples:

Instead of "don't forget your laptop", think "remember your laptop"

When the children are screaming, instead of scolding them and saying, "don't scream!", use the phrase "Please be quiet".

As you are attempting that plate of spaghetti, think to yourself, "eat carefully!" instead of "don't let me splatter sauce on my shirt!".

This kind of positive reinforcement, does wonders for self-esteem and creates postive thought patterns.

So this week, when you find yourself using negative words, or phrases, stop, think, and see if you can turn it positive!