Category Archives: Health & Body

Without good health, our life changes dramatically. It is a curse of modern life that we do not ‘take care’ of ourselves enough while healthy. We wait until our lives change due to illness, injury or poor health.

Unmet Expectations

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It’s February 14th and the woman has high unspoken hopes that her man will make this day very, very special.  She anticipates either a romantic getaway or a fine dining experience or perhaps a long awaited engagement ring.  But when he fails to meet her expectations, she becomes sorely disappointed and deeply hurt.  She assumes he does not love or cherish her.  She tries to persuade him that if he did what he was supposed to do, she wouldn’t be feeling this way.  She finally lashes out at him in rage and anger because she feels unloved, unheard, misunderstood or all of the above.  This special night soon turns into an ugly battle of accusations.  Of course this is just a hypothetical scenario but I’m sure it happens to some couples every year.  Unmet expectations.

How many times do we set ourselves up for misery and loneliness when we have unmet expectations?  We want things to be a certain way or people to behave in a certain way and when they don’t live up to our expectations, we begin to blame, criticize, compare, make assumptions, hold grudges, or play the victim – driving the wedge deeper into our pain and in between the relationship.  Expectations can be unrealistic because unconsciously we’re asking people to be perfect.  And no one is.  And it can also, be self-centered because it focus’ on our needs and wants.  And if unmet, our reaction can be selfish and destructive because we’re more concerned about what we didn’t get, at the expense of harmony.

We cannot rely on others to fulfill our hopes and dreams, and deceive ourselves that they will make us happy.  It’s a vicious trap that will only lead to strife and much pain for us and involuntary for the other person.  Expectations may rise from a deeper issue:  Do you love me?  Do you respect me?  Am I important to you?  Am I priority in your thoughts and in your life?  The next time you feel an expectation creeping up, step back and ask yourself these questions.  If you start the conversation from there, it’ll save you a lot of pain and heartache.  Love never demands but requests.  But you’ll have to accept the fact that the answer may sometimes be a “No.”

Always remember whenever we set expectations, we set people up for failure and we set ourselves up for disappointment.

© 2012 Susie Lee

We Become What We Think

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It’s been said that struggles in life build character but I’m slowly learning it actually reveals character.  Especially after watching these three trailer documentaries:  Undefeated, This is Not a Film, and The Island President.  It inspires us to believe in ourselves, hope against the odds and know that people do not define us.  You can preview these trailers on http://trailers.apple.com/

We’re capable of so much more than we ‘think’, especially under pressure, confinement or survival.  Yet this strength is not rooted in our hands or the weapons we use but rather rooted in our minds.  It is where will power and impossibilities are created.  Our mind is the springboard that motivates us, triggers solutions, stimulates creativity and instills hope.

Overtime, what you think about constantly will grow within you, whether they are positive or negative.  Those thoughts will create feelings of joy or unhappiness.  And eventually move us into action or inaction.  And so this cycle begins, from the outflow of thoughts come feelings, and from feelings come actions.  We slowly become what we think:  Optimistic or pessimistic, happy or depressed, grateful or ungrateful, loving or bitter and the list goes on.

But there’s hope because we can break this cycle anytime.  We have a choice in every thought, in every feeling and in every action.  We are responsible.  We can never really blame anyone for how we feel, for where we’re at, or what we do (or don’t do).  At any given moment you always have a choice and it all comes down to your attitude.  Will you stay angry or forgive?  Blame or take responsibility?  Complain or be the solution?  You must start with yourself.  Pointing your finger at others even if you’re ‘right’ or have the best intentions will not change them or the situation.  Starting with you will be the first step towards your happiness, sanity and future.  Remember whatever you’re not changing, you’re choosing.

Mind over matter application : :
We can’t control how others treat us but we have a choice in how we react to them.
We are not upset by what people say.  We are upset by what we make it mean.
The body manifests what the mind harbors. Think positive thoughts.
Your positive or negative choices will affect the other person.
Give people the benefit of the doubt.  Think the best of them.
Focus on people’s strength rather than their weaknesses.
Choose for your communication to be effective.
Others are as you think they are.
You are what you think you are.
Encourage rather than criticize.
Accept it or change it.
Let love lead you.
Always.

© 2012 Susie Lee

Recommended Reading : :
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen

“When you give someone a book, you don’t give him just paper, ink, and glue.
You give him the possibility of a whole new life.”
–Christopher Morley

12 Secrets of Being Happy

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Today, I’d like to share someone else’s article with you. Linda Kelsey takes 12 secrets of being happy from The World Book of Happiness by Leo Bormans, which offers practical ways to make your day brighter. I believe these simple choices will be life altering. I dedicate this article to my sister, Diane and to all who are in the pursuit of happiness in their lives.

To read the article click the link:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2090271/12-secrets-happy-Using-research-100-world-experts-new-book-shows-look-bright-side.html

We have the power to choose today!

Quotes of the Week: Do It Now!

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“What you are planning to do tomorrow, do today;
what you are going to do today, do right now.”
-Indian Proverb

“The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers.
But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.”
-Sarah Ban Breathnach

This week I encourage you:
Don’t procrastinate. Don’t wait. Don’t fear. Don’t doubt.
Take the risk. Do it now. Seize the moment. Dream BIG.
And take positive steps towards it.
-susie lee

Have a great surprised filled week!

Setting Goals Can Be Life Changing or Paralyzing

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“That which matters the least should never give way to that which matters the most.”

‘That which matters the most’ looks different for each person.  How we choose to spend our time, days, resources and energy usually reflects what we value in life.  That’s why goal setting is personal.  If you’re one of those people who have difficulty setting goals, it maybe helpful to ask these questions:  What are my core values? What is important to me?  What do I want out of life?  Where do I want to be in 10 years?  How can I contribute to the world?  For some people, this process of self-reflection and self-realization is life changing and liberating and for others, it’s a challenging and frustrating endeavor that paralyzes them.

Whether your goals are to contribute to the greater good of mankind or lose a few pounds, one thing to keep in mind when setting goals is to set S.M.A.R.T goals.  There’s a saying ‘If you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time.’ That’s why it’s important to set Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely goals.

For example:
I will get in shape this year.  NOT SMART.
I am running 2 times a week for 45 minutes and hiking 2 times a month for 3 hours.  SMART.

Another important aspect in setting SMART goals is to write them in the present tense, this triggers your brain to subconsciously get you moving towards your goals.  Write them on a poster board and hang it up where you’ll see it as a daily reminder.  Placing pictures of your goals will, also help you visualize them better.

If you really want to keep goal setting simple then pick one word to live by this year.  For example, my word for 2012 is strength.  It’s easy to remember yet powerful because it will guide me in my actions and decisions.  And at the end of the year I can ask myself, ‘Did I have strength this year?’

The purpose of goals is to enrich our lives, not a burden of rules to keep.  It stretches us to our fullest potential, not serve as a reminder of our limitations.  It builds character, strength, and skill that cannot be stolen or destroyed.  This confidence creates beauty within which then reflects itself in the work of our hands.  Continue to dream and pursue!

Conversations welcome!  I would love to hear any comments, goals or questions you may have from this article.

Poster of the Week: This Is Your Life

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Small Decisions Contribute to Long-Term Goals

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As I set long-term goals for the New Year, I do not want to underestimate the impact of small decisions I make everyday. These positive or negative choices will either contribute to or hinder my goals. The daily choices I make will eventually form into a habit, which will then turn into a lifestyle. I want my goals to be more than just for this year but for the many years to come. To have an effective long-term goal, it must be coupled with positive short-term decisions I make in the moment. I want to share an excerpt from this book I read over the holidays that describes it so well:

“We also need to make better choices in the moment. As Nobel Prize-winning economist Thomas Schelling described, we behave as if we’re two different people: one who wants a lean body and another who wants dessert.

Even small short-term differences in how we allocate our time can result in better days. An extra half-hour of sleep or an extra hour of social time can be the difference between a great day and a mediocre day. Changing our daily routine a little can have a big impact on the quality of each day.

On a given day, we might sit around and respond to problems at work instead of initiating. We might passively watch TV rather than getting out and exercising. Or maybe we spend on something now that creates stress in a few weeks or months. We might even think about doing something to give back to our community, but decide we’ll do it later and never get around to it. Days like this start a vicious cycle.

Just one day when we eat poorly, skip exercising, are stressed at work, don’t get enough social time, and worry about money leads to a host of negative outcomes. On days like this, we have less energy, we look worse, we don’t treat people well, and we get a lousy night’s sleep. As a result, we miss the reset provided by a sound night of sleep, and the cycle continues.

When we break this downward spiral and get a good night’s sleep, we’re off to the right start. This allows us to wake up refreshed and increases our chances of exercising in the morning. If we can use our strengths at our job every day, this connects our daily activities to a much higher purpose and allows us to get more done. Between work and time with our friends and family, if we can get in six hours of social time, chances are, we’ll have 10 times as many good moments as stressful ones.

One of the best ways to create more good days is by setting positive defaults. Any time you help your short-term self work with your long-term self, you have an opportunity. You can intentionally choose to spend more time with the people you enjoy most and engage your strengths as much as possible. You can structure your finances to minimize the worry caused by debt. You can make exercise a standard part of your routine. You can make healthier decisions in the supermarket so you don’t have to trust yourself when you have a craving a few days later. And you can make commitments to community, religious, or volunteer groups, knowing that you will follow through once you’ve signed up in advance. Through these daily choices, you create stronger friendships, families, workplaces, and communities.”

-Well Being The Five Essential Elements by Tom Rath & Jim Harter (pgs. 110-112)

Happy New Year!

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The New Year traditionally has been associated with new beginnings or bringing about change. Resolutions generally revolve around relationships, health, career or finances.  It’s a time to start over or for second chances by setting personal goals for the New Year.  Beginnings bring hope, clarity, possibilities and newfound energy. It seems easier to set goals in the beginning of the year but harder to practice as the months go by.  And sometimes the newfound enthusiasm turns into complacency in the daily grind of life.

This year, AquaTerra TV wants to inspire people to live the best life they can live:  To enrich relationships, thrive in career and finances, and strengthen all aspects of health.  It’s a place that will offer hope, clarity, inspiration, and joy in the walk of life.  Join Peter and I in this journey of wholeness and wellness through our blogs, videos and quotes.

We wish all the goodness and beauty this New Year has to offer you and your loved ones!