“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher quote

So how are you feeling right now?  Be honest.  If it is not contentment and gratitude, then a change in perspective is in order.  No matter what you are going through, there is a ray of hope.  No matter what you have lost, all is not lost.  If you are in pain, my heart goes out to you; I hate to think that you are in pain.

Life

When life throws things at you - you might wonder what on earth is going on.  How much more can I take?  If you are having relationship problems they might seem overwhelming.  You might be on the brink. Breaking up might be in the cards.  In any event, as you sort through the swirling emotions, you can keep yourself glued together.

Look around at your community. Look around at the world.  The incredible toll that disasters have taken just this year is sobering to us all. So in many ways, you are blessed – even if it doesn’t always seem that way some times.

If you are part of a faith community, you can find a source of strength there. If you are more spiritual than religious, then look to the gifts that you have, the people who are still in your life, the things that you can still do, the resources that are available to you now.

Although the days might seem dark, a new dawn is on the horizon for you. Start out small. Give thanks for one thing that you appreciate on the hour – every hour – for 4 hours in a row.  It will start to shift your thinking.  Into gratitude – or another feeling of your choice.

You Decide

You can decide how you feel during this time – pick an emotion, identify a feeling.  Whatever works for you – the beach, the mountains, laughter, a pet, peace, calm, the breeze, the surf. And because you can decide for yourself, why would you not decide, of all the emotions swirling around out there, to make it a happy emotion?  So pick that feeling and hold that thought for one minute.  Develop that thought in your mind – let it flow.

Talk about an awesome power!  You can make a happiness minute part of each hour.  While you are at it, you can make a happiness minute part of each half hour. You can make a happiness minute part of each ten minutes.  You have the power.

So what are you waiting for? What is standing in your way? What problems lie in your path?

The Exercise

Imagine a scene that brings you joy – quiet or frenzied – it’s all up to you.  Guide your emotions there to sense the energy and feel the vivacious joy.  Wallow in the joyous feeling for as long as you can.

Now look back at what just happened – you’ve just changed the way you feel! All on your own. It is free.  It is easy.  And if you did it once, then you can do it again.  Do it whenever you want to – you have the power.  You can do a lot yourself.

There is hope and help. You can also seek out friends and family to listen.  And you can seek out trained professionals to help you reclaim the happiness that you deserve.   Make it a personal development goal to change the way you feel when you don’t like the way you feel.  What power you have!

Just Say No to the Status Quo^TM

Do you have a question on relationships?

Looking to bounce back from a break up?  Checkout the e-book: “Bouncing Back From A Break Up : 7 Essential Steps to Creating a Newly Empowered You” available now at http://www.BouncingBackNow.com/store

Donna Marie Thompson, PhD – The Bouncing Back Now Relationship Coach – is a best-selling author, a Certified Professional Coach, a Certified NLP Practitioner, and a Master Practitioner of the Energy Leadership Index. Donna Marie is listed as one of America’s Premier Experts in relationships and personal development. She is the host of the “Bouncing Back Now” show on the Real Coaching Radio TV network and the  “Bounce Back”show on webtalkradio.  Donna Marie is a featured relationship expert panelist on the new Living Consciously series on Denver cable TV.  She has been the special guest on many radio shows and on the Brian Tracy TV Show as seen on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox affiliates across the country.  Donna Marie will be showcased on the national TV show “World’s Greatest”  in July 2011 on the ION network.