“In a novel, the author writes the conclusion. In a self-help book, the reader determines the conclusion.”
Who doesn't love a good self-help book? They are an excellent way to inspire, motivate and elevate you. My shelves are full of well-known and little known authors that have impacted my life in many ways.
To get the most gain from the book you must study, understand, and APPLY the principles. Most authors will provide you with a suggestion on how to navigate their book.
Follow their instructions and if you really want to maximize your growth, follow the tips below.
Read the book from beginning to end. Some authors will tell you that you can skip around. I find that reading the entire book provides the best perspective and understanding of the topic and the author's thought process.
Connect & Concentrate: Read as if the author is a close friend that is speaking directly to you. Don't think of it as a teacher to student conversation, or an educational pursuit. Connect with the author's "voice" and make an effort to relate to what they are sharing.
Journal: Jot down any inspiring ideas or potential solutions that spark emotion or come to mind. Capture these thoughts in writing as they come to you. Don't wait until you have finished the book.
Question Yourself: What does this mean to me? How does this relate to where I am or what I am going through? How can I use this information to assist me? When can I implement these ideas?
Complete an entire chapter before you take reading breaks. Reading a chapter all the way through helps the concept to gel.
Continue to Journal: Identify self-motivators and write them down. Make a written plan of how you will incorporate what you have learned in to your life.
Now that you have been inspired and have the information, embrace the concepts and work to actively use them in your day to day life.
Read the book again in the future for additional studying, so that you can understand and comprehend the information.
Listening to the audiobook version is a great option too! Additionally, pair this with an Inspiration Box to enhance your reading and wellness experience with any of the ones listed below to reach peak inspiration and motivation within yourself.
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Giving gratitude and being thankful is the cornerstone of personal growth and development. Taking a moment to pause and give thanks can create a shift in your circumstances, change your perspective and motivate you to move forward.
Creating space for gratitude in your daily life opens your eyes to see your world in a more fulfilling and bountiful way. What you notice or give your attention tends to expand and grow. An attitude of appreciation inspires the awareness that as things come to you, they are exactly what you need, whether it be people, circumstances or challenges. This awareness will heighten the good times and help you weather the challenging times. Each day brings a multitude of opportunities to feel gratitude and appreciation which makes your potential for joy and contentment limitless.
Daily gratitude journaling is an excellent on its own but to create an even more powerful practice add Gratitude Breathing. This practice "opens" you open and syncs your heart and your thoughts.
Make a regular practice of gratitude journaling and breathing. Use this dynamic duo especially when you feel down, depressed, stressed or you are just having an off day. Gratitude makes a good day great and a bad day better.
Journal about something that you are grateful for, someone that you are grateful to or something that you appreciate about yourself. You can also journal about appreciation that has been shown or said to you by someone else. After completing your journal entry move on to this breathing exercise.
Begin in a seated position with your feet on the floor. Release any tension in your body by inhaling and exhaling a few times. Stretch your arms, neck and back for a further release.
Next, you are going to slowly take in a deep breath through your nose for a count of six.
As you breathe, focus on your heart in the center of your chest and imagine that your heart is taking in the oxygen. Actually feel your heart expanding as you take in the deep breath for a count of six. Put your hand over your heart for an even greater connection.
As you breathe "into your heart", think of someone or something that you are grateful for. In your mind, say, “I am grateful for _________________.”
Holding the “gratitude thought” in your mind, breathe out through your nose for a count of six, and as you do, imagine the gratitude flowing out from your heart and into your whole body.
Continue to Gratitude Breathe until you sense calm and connectedness. Try practicing this when you wake up in the morning and right before you go to bed. With an ongoing practice this exercise will come naturally when you really need to utilize this simple but powerful tool.
Take this gratitude breathing exercise up a notch by pairing it with the art of journaling. A journaling practice added to this breathing exercise can make this entire experience come full circle.
The Gratitude Inspiration Box can be perfectly paired with this. It includes bonus elements in addition to journaling to create the ultimate gratitude experience. Click here to learn more about the Gratitude Inspiration Box or check out my other Inspiration Boxes below that will work perfectly as well.
]]>Partner breathing synchronized exercises are my favorite partner practices. You simply try to breathe at the same time as your partner. A synchronized breathing exercise can help you feel more connected to your partner, enhance your mood and create feelings of openness, gratitude, love, and peace.
During breathwork, you intentionally change your breathing pattern. When you engage in breathwork with a partner, you are willfully engaging in a practice that will strengthen your awareness of each other, enhance your relationship and strengthen your bond.
Breathwork is the use of breathing techniques and exercises to control breathing consciously. A regular breathing practice has numerous benefits for your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being but similar to other wellness strategies, it can help to have someone engage in the practice with you. Fortunately, breathing together has some specific benefits for your health and the health of your relationship.
Click here for the audio guided experience.
This practice is an easy and comfortable activity that offers loving, supportive contact. Let me guide you.
Create a calming environment around you. I suggest dimming lights, lighting candles, and ensuring a comfortable room temperature. Agree upon what feels right for you and your partner.
Find a comfortable space to sit, preferably on the floor. Use pillows, blankets, or mats to provide support where needed.
Sit back-to-back with your partner. You can place your legs however is most comfortable for you.
If it is comfortable for you, close your eyes. Alternatively, you can rest your gaze on an object in the room or on the flame of a candle.
Sit quietly and focus on how your breath moves in and out of your body. Don't force it in any way. Allow your breath do what it does best.
Place your right hand on your heart and your left hand on your belly. If you prefer to let your hand rest by your side or in your lap, you can do that too. I find that having your hands over your heart and belly can help you connect better with the breathing pattern.
After focusing on your breath for several moments, begin to notice your partner's breathing. Explore the pace and pattern of their breath (long/short, shallow/deep, choppy/smooth, etc.) and perhaps where you feel it most strongly connecting to your body.
Gradually synchronize your breath to your partner's breath. Notice how it feels to be breathing together.
After a minute or so of breathing in sync, begin with a 5 :: 5 :: 7 breathing technique. You will slowly inhale through your nose for a count of 5, then hold your breath for a count of 5, then breathe out through your nose for a count of 7. Repeat 10 times.
Focus your mind on your breathing and your partner's breathing. As you continue the breathing exercise, you will notice that you will become more relaxed. Tension will leave your body, and you will feel more connected with yourself and your partner.
When you have completed 10 repetitions, remain seated. Be present in the moment and allow your mind to think of only being next to your partner. Allow your breath to disconnect from the synchronization and breathe normally. Be aware of your partner's presence. Awaken your senses to the space around you and reconnect with your body by moving your arms, legs or stretching your neck.
Next, do what feels natural. You may want to discuss the experience with your partner. You may want to journal your experience or any emotions that came about. Do what feels good.
In addition to enhancing your relationship, partner breathing reduces stress, creates feelings of openness, love, peace, gratitude, clarity, communication, and connection. It helps to release mental, physical, and emotional blocks, manages mood, reduces stress and feelings of anxiousness. A consistent breathing practice can even improve your sleep and boost your immune system. What better way to show love for your partner and yourself than to engage in activities that will enhance health and wellness?
In doing the last step of the partner breathing exercise, I recommend journaling as the perfect pairing to acknowledge the emotions that transpire.
Don't know where to start with journaling? My free Journaling Jump Starter PDF is here to help too. Click here to get started.
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