To fully recognize and analyze situations, I need to remain calm and gather my stillness and quietness.

When life throws me trials along the way, I remain calm and enjoy the peace that is mine. Using specific tools that help me be calm allows me to let go of the necessity to panic or fall apart in challenging situations. Calm is something I can choose to be. I am strong enough to build up my stores of serenity for surprises.

I have a special reservoir within me. I either choose to fill this tank and keep it filled or to let it become empty. This special reservoir is my serenity tank. When it is full, I enjoy calmness in all situations. I can draw from my serenity tank when I need it.

I fill my tank with positive energy from maintaining a healthy body and mind, daily relaxation, and meditating on God’s word.

When I forget my physical and emotional needs, let negative energy into my life, or become over-stressed, I drain my serenity tank.

Today, I will add to my serenity tank for fu...

Happy July 4th. 

July 4^th,  America's Independence Day, is a day of family celebrations. It is a patriotic holiday for celebrating the freedom and liberties fought for by the first generation of many of today's Americans. There is no better way for a family to celebrate this 4th of July than hanging out in the backyard, enjoying games together, and creating great memories! 

Today's affirmation: I Love Being Outdoors

Outdoors, surrounded by nature, is a wonderful place to be. Coming face to face with the majesty of creation causes the burdens of my heart to lift away. Physically moving my body from inside to outside activates a shift in my emotional state.

The picture displayed in the sky can never be duplicated. The view found in nature is more beautiful than any painting an artist could create. Each time I look up at the clouds, I see a striking new scene. From that beauty, I draw inspiration for life.

Unlike in the predictable indoors, the sights, smells, and sounds ...

I achieve goals with a smile and a light touch. While others might find success through brute force and a hardened attitude, I can be successful while enjoying myself along the way.

Success can be fun, playful, and simple. The idea that the road to success is miserable is a myth.

I can maintain a positive outlook when I must deal with adversity. I enjoy the challenges that life brings my way. Each challenge I overcome fills my heart with joy.

I make goals to fill me with excitement and anticipation. This is one reason I can maintain a joyful heart. Life is too short to chase meaningless goals.

I know that happiness is a choice. Each morning, I choose to have a great day, to feel joy and happiness in my life. I adopt an optimistic, positive mindset. This is the way to be happy while chasing success, and I live this philosophy each day.

I find that my results are better, too, when I maintain a positive outlook!

Positive things are happening in my life. I am thankf...

My sense of well-being determines the quality of relationships in my life. This happiness is constructed on a strong base of communication.

I make deeper relationships, sharing my thoughts and feelings honestly. I have released the belief that people should be able to read my mind. I speak up when I feel upset or offended. I am confident our friendship grants us the ability to work through conflicts. I communicate my thoughts and ideas because I know we are strongest when we work together.

Communication is key to opening doors to happiness. I ask others what they are thinking and feeling. I actively listen and repeat back what I think they are saying until I am confident that I truly hear their words and the meaning they wish to convey.

I no longer hold the idea that I will be happiest when others say what I want to hear. I have no fascination with illusions, even ones that feel good. I am more interested in sharing the truth and creating bases, or foundations, that strengt...

I know laughter is good for both my body and mind. I make a point of developing humor within my life.

Occasionally humor comes to me in flashy neon pink, billboard-style, and cannot be ignored. But most of the time, laughter in my life springs from ordinary things: a toddler discovering to kick a ball or a dog chasing his tail.

I slow down and notice what is going on around me to not miss those moments.

If my niece paints her face with her mom's lipstick, I can wail about the waste or moan about the necessary clean-up. Or I can laugh at her youthful folly and grab a camera, opting to relish this moment.

I can select to laugh at myself, too. I keep away from taking myself too seriously and keep small frustrations in perspective by seeing the humor in occasional mishaps.

My clear enjoyment of life makes me more welcoming to others and leads to healthier and more productive relationships.

I release the notion that life must always be serious. I establish opportunit...

I enjoy my home. It is my place of refuge. I sense physical and emotional comfort from the moment I walk through my front door.

It is home, sweet home to me.

My home is in a great location for me. Work, family, and friends are all conveniently close. I am proud to live here and feel grateful whenever I arrive home. I live in a safe location and feel secure.

I enjoy the external appearance of my home. I like the floorplan and have all the space I need. I even have a pleasant yard for fun outside activities. I enjoy my home!

My home is just right for entertaining my friends and family. It is a warm and inviting place. I enjoy having company, and they enjoy spending time in my home.

After a long, demanding day, I look forward to going home. I keep my home neat, tidy, and pleasant, so it has an inviting atmosphere. I instantly feel better when I step inside my home and close the door behind me.

My home is decorated tastefully in a style that I love. I can enjoy just...

There are very few things that rattle my sense of contentment because it comes from within. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world,” John 16:33. I have a peaceful soul. 

When faced with a hindrance, I successfully navigate it with a calm mindset. It is easy to avoid being shaken by adversity when I commit to having inner peace.

I use that centered existence to think of solutions carefully. My mind is more open to finding answers when my soul is unstirred.

Until I can achieve the outcome that I am looking for, I find value in the situation that I am in at the moment. I know that I can be effective regardless of what is happening around me. There is an inner purpose that is rarely impacted by outside forces.

At the end of each day, I am sure of living the day with purpose and will. The gift of life produces the desire to live well.

I enjoy my current ...

Joy is my steady state of mind. I could certainly give in to feelings of anger, guilt, or sadness, but I feel so much better when I am happy. And because I think positively about life, I radiate joy, which in turn comes back to me.

In any situation, I take a minute to look at the value of my circumstances. I believe that there is a wealth of lessons and knowledge to be found everywhere. These teachings, whether positive or negative, help to shape me into a better person. Being the best person I can be, fills me with joy.

True happiness also means nurturing the well-being of my family. I pay attention to the impact my actions have on those that I love.

When my child gets injured or has a falling-out with a friend, I put on my nurturing hat. I offer support and unconditional love. The healing I see when my child’s face lights up again is more than enough to make me happy.

I know I am truly at peace when every breath I take brings fulfillment. My happiness comes from spiri...

I discover many opportunities to impact the lives of others daily. I live in a world filled with others trying just as hard as I am to live their best life. Therefore, I seek to do my part when it comes to encouraging them.

I introduce myself when I encounter someone new. I look for ways I can reach out. Touching someone’s life is very important to me because it enhances my connections with them.

It is fulfilling to know that I affect others in ways that make their lives easier.

One method of impacting others is by offering encouragement. I believe that everyone needs as much encouragement as possible. To encourage is to give hope to someone or inspire them with confidence. Encouragement makes us continue working towards whatever we wish to accomplish.

I encourage others to achieve their goals whenever possible.

I feel thankful that something I can easily do means so much to those who I encounter. I am happy that I have the power to give courage and hope to another ...

As I awaken, I am thankful for the new day and confident in managing the duties I must do today. I efficiently handle my work and home life so that both run smoothly.

I have a feeling of satisfaction, knowing that I can succeed on my own. My self-reliance gives me independence and permits me to live a life corresponding to my principles.

I am making it on my own, so I maintain reasonable expectations of others.

If I need something fixed at my house, I hire a professional rather than burdening my friends. I appreciate that everyone has families and responsibilities. Everyone deserves downtime.

I know that my responsibilities are mine alone. I trust myself to get the job completed effectively because I am confident in my success. I prosper through my hard work and take accountability for my life choices.

Because I am self-reliant and appraise each situation with a strong dose of levelheadedness, I am more contented than ever! It is not easy to disappoint me because I ...