Intend Kindness

Like many people this past week, I watched coverage of Pope Francis’s visit to the United States. What I was particularly struck with was the Pope’s consistent message both in words and actions of inclusion and kindness.

This post is going to be very short because the message is very simple.

When you read this, set an intention to treat everyone you meet with kindness.

This post is going to be very short because the message is very simple.

When you read this, set an intention to treat everyone you meet with kindness.

Be mindful of your thoughts.

Be mindful of your words.

Be mindful of your actions.

I’m not saying being kind to everyone in thoughts, words, and deeds will be easy but give it a try.

See how it changes your world and the world of those around you.

And, if you want to challenge yourself make the commitment to treat everyone with kindness for a week. I’m going for the week because I have several days in a row when I’ll be writing and therefore not out and about.

I’d love to know how this challenge worked for you.

What was easiest?

What was hardest?

My final question is: How would your life and the world be different if treating everyone we meet with kindness was practiced by everyone?

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

She is also on the Senior Teaching Faculty for TheWilliam Glasser Institute International.

Follow Judith on Twitter @JudithAshley19

Learn more about Judith’s books here.

Judith is on Facebook here.

Take Charge of Your Own Happiness

We are less than twenty days from an event that has the potential to be life changing.

October 10, 2015 is the Second Annual Mental Health and Happiness Summit. The Summit is hosted by Mental Health and Happiness, a subsidiary of The William Glasser Institute.

If you've followed this blog, you know I've been involved with Dr. William Glasser since 1978, have served locally, regionally and on the international board of directors. Currently I am on the senior teaching faculty of WGI-International.

In Jim Roy's biography of Dr. Glasser, Champion of Choice, the growth of Dr. Glasser's ideas from inception to his death in 2013 are described. Dr. Glasser believed there is a high correlation between being happy and mentally healthy.

Dr. Nancy Buck, Kim Olver and others in the WGI organization put together both the Mental Health and Happiness website but also The Summit.

I invite you to click on the links and find out more!

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women's Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

Because she's been involved with The Institute for over thirty-seven years, you'll find several of Dr. Glasser's core concepts incorporated into the stories. Judith also offers trainings leading to certification in Dr. Glasser's Reality Therapy and Choice Theory and is available for shorter presentations and workshops. For more information click here.

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Bring Back Snail Mail

If you’re like me, the path from the mail box to the recycling bin is well-worn. Sometimes I don’t even bring the mail in for a day or two. Why?

Advertisements for one.

Magazines that come with memberships another.

Flyers and notices about events and opportunities in which I’ve no interest.

However, within the last two months, I’ve had a couple of surprises – surprises that had me smiling.

Why?

I had actual mail. Small envelopes with handwritten notes inside.

Reading them, reminded me of my trip to Ohio in May. On my friend’s desk were two handwritten notes from me. The notes were written on cards with spectacular pictures of the Pacific Ocean, a place that is dear to her heart.

Spend the money and buy a real stamp – it does make a difference. (I have a roll of stamps with hearts on them which is appropriate for a writer of romance!)

Bring a smile to someone’s face and a measure of joy to someone’s day. In this age of emails and text messages, the fact that you took the time to actually pick up a card, write a note, address the envelop and put a stamp on it makes your message even more potent.

Judith Ashley writes romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nourish the soul. The author of The Sacred Women’s Circle novels, Judith also has short stories in 3 Anthologies.

Judith’s website

Judith’s author page at Windtree Press

Follow Judith on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

Friend Judith on FB: http://on.fb.me/1UPFonE

Language + Words = Communication and ...

Can Lead To Happiness! By Judith Ashley

Last week I asked you to think about three words

Joy

Happiness

Pleasure

Specifically I asked you to think about what is similar and what is different about them.

If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you’ve seen me refer to The William Glasser Institute and Dr. William Glasser, founder of Choice Theory, an explanation of how and why we behave.

Glasser defines Happiness as our feeling good because of the choices we are making, specifically choices that get us or keep us involved with the people who are most important to us. 

He defines Pleasure as often associated with addictions (drugs, alcohol, gambling, casual sex, food or whatever we choose to do that numbs us from the pain in our lives). For short periods of time we feel better and often experience a heightened sense of pleasure that feels better than happiness.

Judith and Special People

However, happiness which has several layers, can be maintained without external drugs, etc.

One layer is our connection to other people. Caring, committed relationships with people who are important to us is a key foundation.

Being satisfied with who we want to be and having self-respect that comes from recognizing our power of choice and or continual learning from those choices.

Diana McCollum, Judith, Sarah Raplee

One thing that is important when pursuing happiness is that those feel good feelings can lead us to an unhappy place. The danger is putting all of our ‘happiness eggs’ in one basket. 

For example: that drink after work or before bed can lead to alcoholism. Or, rewarding ourselves with a shopping spree or favorite foods can lead to compulsive behaviors. If we derive much of our self-respect from our work the danger is becoming a work-a-holic.

Without vigilance, we can become addicted to the behavior that ‘feels good’  let other aspects of our lives, mainly our relationships, fall by the wayside.

Taking control of your own happiness takes work but it can be done.

Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to listen to your words.

How often do you say something like “S/he made me feel __________?” or

“That made me feel ______________?”

When you make those statements to yourself or out loud, you are saying the people around you are in control of your happiness. If that is true and you do not see that it is up to you to create your own happiness, you are at the mercy of the world around you.

It takes work. Sometimes more than you may want to put into it. But a great resource is the Mental Health and Happiness blog. You can check it out here.

Consider one of their 21 Day Challenges to show you ways to create the happier life you envision for yourself.

Next week I’ll be back with more of my own tips on how to brighten your day.

Check out Judith’s website here.

Check out Judith’s author page here.

Follow Judith on Twitter: @JudithAshley19