Small Things with Great Love

“We must be the change we want to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi

I have a very simple but powerful suggestion on how to be that change. Be the change by focusing on Small Acts with Great Love! Now, I did not come up with that. It was Mother Teresa who said, “We can do no great things –only small things with great love.” Here is a true story example:

An old woman walked with a ramble as she pushed her shopping cart full of her worldly possession. She was dirty, her hair unkempt, her cloths torn, she reeked of alcohol and cigarettes. Most of her teeth were missing. She stopped and asked Jill for some change. Jill wanting to display a small act of kindness invited her to lunch and she agreed. They went across the street to an outdoor café so the old woman could watch over her shopping cart while they ate. When they were ready to leave, Jill felt good about herself but then the old woman asked her for a hug. It was then that Jill had to face herself and all the hidden repulsion and bias that she had for this woman. She gave her a passing type of hug and instantly felt shame. The old woman thanked Jill for lunch and began to ramble off. Jill stood there for a moment and realized that she had failed to give this woman the one thing that cost nothing, Love!

She called to the woman and caught up with her and asked her if she could give her a real hug and she agreed. She got past, and I quote “her own stench and gave that woman the best hug she has ever given anyone.” This was a small act with great Love.

Listen intently without interrupting, smile at a stranger, or waive to a neighbor. These are all small acts with great love. Quoting Mother Teresa again she said, “Do not worry about why problems exist in the world – just respond to people’s needs. We feel what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean, but that ocean would be less without that drop.” It is time NOW for everyday people to stop feeling powerless about doing some grand thing in the world and be empowered to see the impact of their small actions, all adding up collectively.

http://www.twentygems.com/
Denna J. Shelton, Copyright 2010

Natural Prozac

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everday life." - Max Heindel


Dr. Joel Robertson in his book, "Natural Prozac", states that listening to soothing music is a powerful tool to instantly change the chemistry in your brain with no negative side effects. He says, “If chosen correctly, it can be medicine for the mind and the soul.”

20 years ago scientists experimented with plants and the music of Bach. They found that his music caused the plants to grow faster and healthier, while the hard rock music had a negative effect on the plants. It stands to reason then that music also affects the human organism in ways that we may not realize.


The next time you feel your stress levels climbing, tune into soothing music and just see how quickly your mood changes! Add some deep breathing to that and I guarantee you will feel a whole lot better.

A moment of soothing music....
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Denna J. Shelton, Copyright 2010

Energy Vampires

"Two men look out the same prison bars; one sees mud and the other sees stars." - Frederick Langbridge

Have you ever heard the phrase, “We become part of what we are around?” The people you associate with have a profound affect on how you feel and ultimately what you achieve!

How do you feel after listening to negative people? You probably feel listless and drained, right? Renowned Psychologist and Motivational Speaker, Jack Canfield, describes them as “energy vampires” – they suck all the positive energy out of you. On the other hand, how do you feel when you’re around people who are positive and enthusiastic? I’ll bet you have more energy and are encouraged and inspired.

We have a choice in who we hang out with. I’m not talking about your spouse or significant other. I’m referring to relationships both at work and in your leisure time. I have a relative who is very negative. She is as Canfield describes an “energy vampire." I’ve had to put limits on my involvement with her. I haven’t abandoned her but I do not go out of my way to call her. I am in favor of trying to help those who are negative. I think we should make efforts to steer them in a more positive direction. But if we’ve tried for many years and that person insists on being negative, maybe it’s time to severely limit the amount of time we spend with that person. Those who occupy your time have a significant impact on your most priceless possession…your mind!

In the last few years there has been a growing body of psychological research bearing out the power that one individual’s mood can have on others. Psychologists call it “Emotional Contagion." A long term researcher, Richard Saavedra, from the University of New Hampshire states, “It is one of the most robust phenomena I’ve ever seen. And it’s all unconscious.”

We become part of what we are around! Surround Yourself with Positive People.

Positive reflection...
http://www.twentygems.com/
Denna J. Shelton, Copyright, 2010