How to communicate under stress.

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10 signs that you’re truly happy.

It doesn’t take much for us to be happy in life. And often, it won’t even cost us any money. Here are 10 signs that you’re a truly happy person and if you’re not, here are 10 simple things to start adding to your day:

©2015 Susie Lee

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Words to Live By.

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words to live by

Let love guide you in your pain and struggle.

More often than not, we’d rather run away from our pain, problem, or hurt than to face it head on. But I believe a lesson never goes away until we learn what they’re supposed to teach us. We can avoid difficult people or we can learn how to love them beyond our capacity. We can be frustrated at a problem or think of a creative solution to get through it. We can stay mad or we can learn to let go. We have choices everyday, and these choices will either make or break us. It’s not always easy to do the right thing or be the better person but for the sake of our spiritual growth and mental peace, we must let love guide us in our decision making process. And when we do, we’ll find that our pain won’t have a grip on us any longer because we’ve been set free.

©2015 Susie Lee

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Ruthlessly downsizing.

The other day, I was helping a friend move their parent’s stuff out of their 40+ years house. Twelve hours later, it seemed as though we hadn’t even dented their place. The next day, this forced me to reevaluate my own stuff throughout the rooms, closets, and crawl space. What am I holding on to that I don’t use anymore? And why am I still holding on to it? So I began to ruthlessly get rid of clothes, books, and knick-knacks that I don’t use, look at, or need.

Why do we hold on to unneeded stuff? I’m not just talking about physical stuff but emotional and psychological baggage in our lives such as anger, resentment, fear, regret, worry, pride, or jealousy. The consequences of holding on to these will eventually clutter our minds and occupy space in our emotional living room. It’s not easy getting rid of these destructive feelings because we’ve either grown accustomed to it, attached to it, or it’s too much work to get rid of. And we may even justify keeping our feelings. But at some point, we must honestly ask ourselves, ‘Why am I still holding on to this? Is it helpful, useful, or productive?’ If the answer’s no, get rid of it – it’s just weighing you down. For the sake of our wellbeing, peace of mind, and the health of our relationships, we must ruthlessly de-clutter our emotional baggage on a regular basis.

©2015 Susie Lee

Be a team player in the game of life.

Being a sports fan in the audience is easy – there’s no risk, pain, or skill required. It’s easy for us to critique and criticize the players from the comforts of our living room or from the stadium seats. We have very little riding except for the victory we expect from the team we’re rooting for. We share in their victory or defeat but there are no rewards, contributions, or sacrifice on our part.

The same applies to the game of life. Our lives weren’t meant to be lived from the sidelines, watching and criticizing others – we need to get out on the field and contribute to the team. We may not think we have much to contribute and we may even feel insecure or insignificant. But I can assure you that each one of us are here to make a difference – to love, create, help, heal, and give beyond ourselves.

We have to get out there and give it our best shot in the game of life! We have to stop worrying about what might go wrong and start thinking about what might go right. Play hard but play fair. The team needs us. Let’s take chances, follow our convictions, and most of all, have fun!

©2015 Susie Lee

Anything worthwhile takes dedication, discipline, & determination.

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Two months ago, I posted an article on how to unveil your 6-pack. Well, since then I’ve increased my physical activity and decreased my candy/chips consumption. And I’ve exhibited impressive self-control whenever I’ve watched friends indulge in mouth-watering treats. But during the two months, I felt as though my bouts of sugar cravings and hunger pains were all in vain as I looked the same, felt the same, and (sigh) weighed the same.

This article isn’t about losing weight but rather not to be discouraged or give up in life. Results take time. The seemingly small choices we make each day will contribute to the greater overall picture. We may not see immediate results now but we will as time goes on: our bodies will feel lighter after months of healthy eating, we’ll run longer distances without huffing and puffing, emotional wounds will slowly heal with each passing day, and relationships will grow stronger through daily sacrifice and love. Anything worthwhile will take dedication, discipline, and determination.

It seems as though time is the answer to everything – to mend, to heal, to grow, and to flourish. And it’s a lesson in developing perseverance, character, strength, and faith within us. So be patient and don’t give up on what you want in life, work, health, and relationships – for only time will tell…

©2015 Susie Lee

PS I hope you’re all having a great summer so far – whatever you’re doing, wherever you are, and however you’re feeling.

My Musings for Today

Don’t do it, don’t do it – don’t second-guess or doubt yourself. Better to take risks than to do nothing at all. Move forward with confidence but take things in strides. Know your worth then surround yourself with people who know it too. Take risks. Have the courage to express the voice within. Work with people who you like and respect. Don’t say yes when you really want to say no. Stop being a people pleaser. Never compromise your values, beliefs, and convictions. Put love before work. Always work on your craft. Find a hobby in the midst of pursuing your dreams. Forgive yourself and others. Lessons learned, no regrets. Foster gratitude everyday. Instead of making assumptions, ask for clarification. Make time for people, especially those who could use a helping hand. Fill your heart with so much love that there’s no room for hatred. If you’re unhappy with some part of your life, change it. Don’t complain. Never ever put yourself down in thought, word, or deed. Replace pride with humility. Be generous with your time, money, and resources because you can’t take it with you once you’re dead. Invest in people through kindness, gentleness, and patience. Always be hopeful, joyful, and thankful.

©2015 Susie Lee

10 Tips for a Happy Relationship

Here are 10 simple tips that can transform any relationship, not just marriages. If you’re happy at home, chances are you’ll be happier in life and more successful at work. But unfortunately, the pressures, demands, and expectations of everyday can rob you of the joy, love, and peace that you desire in your relationship. So continue to do the little things as they’ll make a big difference down the road, make a conscious choice each day to love them despite your lack of feelings, and never grow tired of showing them how much you care. May these tips bring you closer and stronger together for a brighter and happier future.

©2015 Susie Lee

Offended? Ask for clarification!

IMG_2342Sometimes, it’s easy to misunderstand what people are saying and we can easily get offended by their words – especially from those who are closest to us. But before we judge, condemn, or scold them; it’s wise to ask them for clarification on what they meant rather than assuming the worst. This act alone will clear up any misunderstandings, open doors to effective communication, and save us a lot of heartache. So before we get offended by someone’s words, let’s ask them what they meant in a non-threatening way.

©2015 Susie Lee