NYMuse

Good Reads...

The last few weeks have been kind of grey, and I'm not just talking about the weather!  Of course, I'm referring to that book you're probably reading Fifty Shades of Grey.  Maybe you heard about it at the office, or saw someone's post on it on Facebook.  There's no denying the endless talk & the equally endless pressure to find out what all the hype is about.  But not all books get such a crazy buzz with a frenzy of friends quickly able to share what they've been reading.

 Most often you're probably pretty curious about what your friends are reading, but you have no idea.  Wouldn't it be nice to just browse through their book shelf & find some good reads?

NY Muse has found the perfect site for you:  Goodreads -- a free website for book lovers.  It's that virtual library of bookshelves you've dreamed about. And not only can you browse, but you can also share what you're reading, post reviews & read reviews others have written too.  

But wait....there's more!  Do you know how you've always wanted to start a book club but couldn't figure out how?  On Goodreads you can join a discussion group or start a book club.  And get this, you can even contact an author, and, if you're so inclined, even post your own writing!

Find something good to read today!  Wishing you Good Reads!

Turn Your Photos Into Canvas Art!

GOOD IDEA:  If you're like most people these days, you've probably got some of your favorite photos posted on Facebook. 

A digital printing company called CanvasPop can help you print these favorite pics on canvas!  Lots of different sizes & styles.  Very cool!

And here's another cool thing -- you can get 20% off your order with promo code MASHABLE20. The code is valid until 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday, March 18.

<sup>Are you looking for inspiration on something in particular? Happiness? Faith? Wisdom? Courage? Integrity?

NY MUSE has a quote for it! 

Type any word into the SEARCH window at the bottom left & find exactly what you need to hear Today & EveryDay!</sup>

Put It In The God Box...

There are times when we all need a God Box - a place where we put all our worry & concern for safe keeping, for God to take care of while we try to go on with our daily lives.

I read about this practice of bringing our concerns to a Higher Power some time ago, and you may find it useful.  Try it out!

A God Box is any container – a shoe box, a glass jar, wooden container, metal can, or a paper bag – anything you can decorate and put slips of paper in & take them out.  Make a list of those things that you are worried or anxious about today – your relationship to a particular person, your money, your health, your livelihood, etc. 

Take a piece of paper and cut it or rip it into smaller pieces.  Write down each concern you have on its own slip of paper.  One at a time, place each concern into your God Box while saying a prayer, surrendering that concern to God. 

Your prayer might sound something like this:  "Dear God, I am giving this concern to You for Your keeping.  Please resolve this issue in the best possible way for all involved."  

Once you’ve given your concern to God, you no longer have to worry about it.  Now it’s God’s concern.  If you decide that you want to start worrying about that concern again, you literally have to go to the God Box, take out the slip of paper with that particular worry on it, and hold it in your own hands.  When you are finished worrying, surrender your concern again to God by placing the slip of paper back into the God Box and repeating the prayer.

~NY Muse

Make a List...

Take some time today to write a list of things that bring you joy and make you laugh.

It can be anything from listening your favorite songs, reading an inspiring quote, looking a picture of a loved one...to going to the movies with friends, going dancing, or hanging out at the beach.

Choose at least 2 small things you can do EveryDay. Take breaks and find some happy time so you can release daily stress and start allowing. You deserve it!

~NY Muse

Wash Away Worry...

I read this in a magazine awhile back, and I'm sharing it with you because I think it's a cool way to try to relieve stress...  Try It:

1. Get comfortable in a quiet place.  Or wherever you are at the moment.  Close your eyes and take a few full breaths.

2.  Think of a beautiful, peaceful beach on a warm, clear day.

3.  Place yourself in this setting.  Imagine standing where the sand meets the water.  Use all your senses:  Smell the salt, hear the waves.  Feel the sand under your toes, sun warming your face, gentle sea breeze in your hair.

4.  Now, think of your biggest stressor.  Boil it down to a single word -- for example, "bills" or "job."

5.  Write in the wet sand.  And now watch the lapping waves gently erase it, smoothing over the sand.  See and feel the word -- and the worry -- disappear.

Wash Away Worry.

~NY Muse

HAPPY DAYS!

 

Keep a "Happy Moments" journal.

Write down all your best memories, funny moments, successes, achievements...just anything that stands out for you as times when you've felt great!

 

GOOD IDEA: Keep a journal of all your Happy Moments.  It's a great way to keep a record of all the good stuff.  And if there's a day when you're feeling down, you can read them, smile & feel good again!

 

~NYMuse

How To Use Your Dreams To Solve Your Problems

 
If you'd like to get more in tune with your intuition, try this Listen-to-Your-Dreams exercise I just read about:

Each night before going to sleep, pose a specific question to yourself about something that's on your mind.  For example "Is this project right for me?"

In the morning, try to recall your dreams as soon as you wake up, writing them down in a dream journal.  You may be able to find answers right away.  But if not, keep trying every night for a week.  The more you practice in this dialog with your dreams, the more you'll start to hone your intuitive skills.

Sweet Dreams! :-)

~NYMuse

SAY CHEESE!!!

 
Smiling can trick your mind into changing your mood.  Why?  Because Smiling is a natural drug that releases all sorts of good stuff in the body that make you feel good!

Try it now: Smile! And now think of something negative without losing the smile. It's really hard, isn't it?

 Today & EveryDay Remember:  You can avoid feeling sad, stressed, & worried just by putting on a SMILE.  Say Cheese!  And Feel Good!

~NYMuse 

Nudge Your Neurons

Try doing some simple things that push your brain to get out of its comfort zone:

Learn a foreign language.  Take a different route to work.  Make your brain exercise to learn something new. 

GOOD IDEA: Train Your Brain to Stay Sharp!