​Most of us have never seen the Himalayas, climbed in the Andes or stood next to Switzerland’s Matterhorn. But a majority of individuals and families have faced disaster, tragedy, debilitating illness, an accident or other trial, some personal mountain that at one point seemed insurmountable.

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​When Your Problem Feels Like Mt Everest
Author: Gary Sinclair

Most of us have never seen the Himalayas, climbed in the Andes or stood next to Switzerland’s Matterhorn. But a majority of individuals and families have faced disaster, tragedy, debilitating illness, an accident or other trial, some personal mountain that at one point seemed insurmountable.

People of course respond in a variety of ways. Some are immediately overwhelmed and give up. Rather than even start the climb, they give way to depression and despair uninterested in the help of friends, professionals or fellow-strugglers.

Others panic. They want to overcome but don’t know where to begin so they run from person to person, idea to idea, without a plan making little headway towards the summit.

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A third group gets angry. They spew their rage at life, God, friends, family or all of the above, furious that life has taken this precipitous turn.

While each of these responses is somewhat extreme, they are normal. They are emotions that erupt when we face a mountain that scares us because we don’t believe we have the resources to conquer it.

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​My wife Jackie and I encountered a Denali over a decade ago now when it was discovered she had stage three colon/rectal cancer. There was a tumor growing inside her and the devilish cancer cells had begun to spread. Ironically, she and I had climbed her first fourteen-thousand-foot peak in Colorado just three months before.

We now had a new mountain to climb. It took some weeks for us to figure it out, but we finally realized that we must climb her cancer mountain the same way we ascended those of granite. While climbs and climbers are unique, there remain principles that undergird any successful summit bid.

The same is true with personal mountains.

Let me discuss three of the key principles as they impacted our Mt. Cancer.

One, never climb alone. Most every experienced mountaineer will tell you that you are foolish to in high altitude by yourself. People do it, yes, but many of them die, some needlessly. During Jackie’s illness, we knew we must invite others to walk this trail with us, some being people who had faced a similar journey to ours. Others simply wanted to be there with us.

Two, climb one part of the trail at a time. Get through the next switchback before worrying about the next one. On a mountain trail, we would give each other candy once we reached the place on the mountain where we reached our next waypoint. In the same way, as we started her cancer journey, we focused on the next doctor visit, the chemo, surgery or radiation treatment rather than think about what might be down the road.

No, we couldn’t perfectly excise from our minds the possible future implications, but we became pretty good at keeping them at arm’s length until later. The mountain didn’t disappear but we could face it more and without unnecessary, unhelpful distractions

Three, be honest about your mountain. Some natural mountains have more snow and ice than others; some are steeper; some have false summits. In the same way our personal trails will vary from those others hike. We must face the difficulty of our mountain and not look the other way or try to make it seem easier than it is.​

The good news is that there is also hope for you to conquer personal mountain if you’ll learn from those who climb the big peaks. Your ascent can be a long and arduous one but remember: the view from the top is worth it!

​Bio: Gary Sinclair is an author, leadership coach, speaker and avid climber/hiker. He has summitted nine fourteen thousand foot mountains and hiked with his wife Jackie in beautiful places like Yosemite, Alaska, Colorado, the Canadian Rockies and the Alps. He has an ongoing passion to help those who are hurting face life challenges that seem beyond their ability to conquer. He and his wife currently live in the Indianapolis, Indiana area. His website is: http://www.neverquitclimbing.com and he has recently written a book entitled, "Never Quit Climbing," available at Amazon.com.

As positive thinking affects almost every situation in your life's, how can one begin incorporating it into your life?

1. Do yoga or meditate.
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Clearing your mind to allow you to focus your thoughts can bring your attention to what you need to be focusing on.

2. Look for the positive.

Be loving toward yourself and to others. Focus on your strengths and assets. Maybe you felt nervous when going to a particular event, but then you received lots of positive comments from others who were happy to see you.

3. Smile.

Force yourself to smile. It really does help to change your mood. And it relieves stress too.

4. Surround yourself with positive people.

Get away from the negative people in your life. Talk to people who are positive.


5. Halt negative thoughts immediately.

When you catch yourself with negative thoughts, give yourself permission to stop it. Instead of thinking, “I can’t do that. I’m not talented enough,” say “I can do that. I am just as talented as anyone else.”

Follow our positivity board on Pinterest

6. Don’t play the victim.

You are responsible for creating your life. If you don’t like the situation, change it. 7. List five things you are grateful for at this moment.

Being grateful is a form of positive thinking.

8. Be nice to yourself.

Treat yourself with respect. Treat yourself the same way you would treat someone else. Would you call someone else names like ugly, fat or loser? Probably not. Then don’t do it to yourself.

9. No one is perfect. Move on.

Don’t dwell on your mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Learn a lesson from each of them and then move on.

​10. Learn to accept compliments. Build your self-esteem, self- image and confidence.

Take the compliment as it is meant to be given; as a gift. Compliments can help you build your self-image and self- confidence.​

11. Focus on what's possible.
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Get rid of the negative words like “can’t.” Remind yourself that you don’t need others approval for your accomplishments. Focus on your own capabilities and what is possible.

Incorporating positive thoughts into your life can change your future. You can become happier, healthier and more successful if you believe you can.

​Also read: How To Encourage Positivity Around You

​What happens when you’ve changed your thinking into positive thoughts, but those around you are still negative? How do you change (or at least encourage) positivity around you?

​There are a few ways you can encourage positivity in others with your own actions. These work in not only workplace situations, but in the home and other places as well.

A few ideas to encourage positivity. What works for you? Please comment below.
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• Show gratitude towards others. Recognize others’ work and their contributions to your own success. Expressing gratitude can set a positive tone of respect from others.

 

• Focus on your strengths, as well as the strengths of others. Using our talents is a big confidence builder. Helping others use their talents to excel can boost their confidence too.

 

• Encourage others, especially children, to try or to keep trying. This can build their confidence and make them more positive.

 

• Balance out the negatives. We have a tendency to dwell on negative thoughts. Refocus your thoughts on the positive successes you have.

• Use positive words when speaking. Replace negative words with positive ones. Speak to others with positive words.

 

• Use words that suggest strength and success.

 

• Praise others when they do good things or achieve an accomplishment.

 

• Use visualization techniques with children. Visualization uses their imagination to help them see the positive.

 

• Encourage them in private. Don’t bring up their mistakes in front of others.

 

• Explain others’ value.

 

• Stop finding fault with what is wrong and applaud what is right.

Follow our Positivity Board On Pinterest 

​You can encourage positive thinking and attitudes in your surroundings by being positive in how you speak and act towards others. Praise others, offer encouragement when they do something good and stop finding fault in others.

​What is Your Predominant Sense?

Do you know what your predominant sense is? 
​Work through this quiz to determine your main sensory tendency.

Circle the statements below that best describe you:

1. I base my important decisions on:
a. My instincts
b. The choices that seem most sound to me
c. Whatever looks right

2. I rate the success of a presentation or meeting by the following criterion:
a. The presenter has illustrated the key points in a clear manner
b. His argument is viable
c. He has understood the real issues

3. People can tell whether I'm having a bad or good day by:
a. The kind of clothes I'm wearing
b. The feelings and thoughts I share with them
c. The sound of my voice

4. In a disagreement, I'm most affected by:
a. The other person's tone of voice
b. The expression on their face when they look at me
c. Their feelings

5. I am most aware of:
a. The shapes and colors around me
b. The noises and sounds in my environment
c. The way my clothes feel on my skin

You will find how to add up the numbers and what it means in the below download of the free workbook “Transform your Life With The Power Of Your Senses"

Also Read: Using your Senses To Transform Your Life
Also Read: ​Your Sense Of Touch - MUCH more Powerful Than you Realise
Also Read: Get in touch With Your Soul By Using your Sense Of Sight
Also Read: 10 Incredible Facts About Your Sense Of Smell

 This is the second-last part in the series "Using Your Senses To Transform Your Life.”

Our sense of smell is 10,000 times more powerful than the other senses - merely a sniff of a smell can raise powerful emotions from your past. Fragrances have the power to cure one’s body, mind and soul. Maybe this is the explanation for the use of incense in churches and spiritual rituals.

​Just like finger prints, everyone has their own unique smell

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​Your Sense of Smell

• Fragrances were made use of to heal the sick in historical Egypt. Frankincense detoxifies, myrrh is made use of to heal and draw in love, and Dragon's Blood is thought to attract love and inspire bravery and strength.
• Healing and mood-changing smells are found in cleansing soaps, shower gels, fragrance lamps and candles. 
• It is claimed that Cleopatra used fragrance to attract her lovers. 
• Building and construction firms in Japan use fragrance to de-stress their staff members. 
• During the Black Plague in Europe, it was discovered that perfumers were untouched by the dreadful disease.
• People are able to detect at the very least 1 trillion unique scents as discovered by scientists from Rockefeller University (posted in the journal Science)
• Your scent tissues are completely renewed each 30 to 60 days.
• One can smell fear and dislike. You can smell emotions of fear and dislike by means of sweat, and then afterwards you may experience the exact same feelings, according to a 2012 research study posted in the journal Psychological Science.
• Canines have almost 44 times more scent cells than people.
• Just like finger prints, everyone has their own unique smell.

If you struggle with heart disease, asthma, epilepsy or other chronic illnesses, consult your physician before using aroma therapies. Pregnant women and young children also need to be cautious with breathing in certain fragrances and should not try to self treat - even with aromas.

Some of uppermost enjoyable or pleasurable fragrances include vanilla, cinnamon, crayons, and cookies.

Search in your public library, best-loved book shop, or on-line to discover more of these kinds of treatments. I found some very handy essential oil inhalers available at ETSY, pictured below.
 
Aroma therapy can assist you put an end to stress at the end of a very long day, get you moving when you initially get up, stimulate perceptions of wellbeing, and a lot more - all with a simple scent!

Also Read: Using your Senses To Transform Your Life
Also Read: ​Your Sense Of Touch - MUCH more Powerful Than you Realise
Also Read: Get in touch With Your Soul By Using your Sense Of Sight
Also Read: Free Workbook: Transform Your Life With The Power Of Your Senses

There are many proven benefits that you can gain by keeping a gratitude journal. The time that you take to purposefully think and write down the parts of your life that fulfill you can pay substantial dividends. Research-based tips and your favorite pen can help you create a gratitude journal. Here are five tips for maintaining a gratitude journal.

​Here are five tips for maintaining a gratitude journal.

1) Make it a Routine Scientists have extensively studied the science behind creating habits. Keeping a gratitude journal as a way to feel happier, over the long term, has to be a part of a daily routine. Select a time to write in your journal and plant cues to remind yourself to write in it daily. Write in the journal often enough to create a habit, but not so often that you become immune to the impact. 
 
2) Write in Detail Writing in your gratitude journal shouldn’t be just another thing that you have to cross off your list. If you are approaching your gratitude journal in this way, your denying yourself the benefits that you can gain from the practice. Be present and conscious of the notations you are making. Be sure to journal in detail and think deeply about the things that have recently impacted your life. 

​Also Read 4 Remarkable ways gratitude will change your life

​Also Read: 5 Unexpected Health Benefits Of Gratitude 

3) Acknowledge the Negative You will never be able to escape the challenges of life altogether. Any number of difficulties can affect our feelings of gratitude. However, if we try to rush through these struggles, or fight to find gratitude, we can end up fueling emotions of defeat and anxiety. So, when you are facing challenges allow yourself to feel the negative. 
 
4) Uncover Gratitude in Unexpected Moments Challenge yourself to find gracious qualities in your life's more difficult events. The purpose of having a gratitude journal is to help you savor the fruits of life, but there is more gratitude that you can uncover. For instance, were you getting ready to leave for work only to find out your car has a flat? Find gratitude in the fact that you weren't driving the vehicle when the tire gave out.

Instant Download Gratitude Journal
 
5) Practice Gratitude for the Right Things People who are consumed with the accumulation of material acquisitions and wealth are less likely to be happy compared to those who are grateful for what they currently have, according to research. Rather than showing gratitude for the material things for the sake of ownership, focus on what you are afforded with those items. ​

​Keeping a gratitude journal will help you focus on the positives in your life and result in you being happier and overall, healthier. 

 This is Part THREE in the series "Using Your Senses To Transform Your Life.”
Utilising the Sense of Sight to Your Advantage Trough Nature

​Nature can cure, give one peace of mind, revitalize, restore, and motivate. A journey into the hills, woodlands or the seaside will allow you to take pleasure in these benefits as you look upon nature's beauty. Green is unwinding for the eyes and the color of Nature and wealth,  and the color green also rejuvenates nerves, blood circulation and the heart.
 
One do not need to have a special journey to achieve these advantages - just grow your own garden.
 
What you see in your very own garden also carries these benefits:  

• When you grow plants, you are getting in touch with your soul.
• When you weed your garden, you're eliminating needless luggage from yesteryear, regardless if they're habits or unfavorable emotions.
• Working in a garden helps remind us to be well-balanced and patient as we take a look at the altering of the seasons and the germination, development and death of plants. So too should we change and conform according to the time.

For even more benefits, consider these tips when planning and working in your garden:

For even more benefits, consider these tips when planning and working in your garden:

1. Select different colors that resonate with you. Select different colors that resonate with you. Give yourself added delight and peace by organizing your garden around your preferred colors. Encircle yourself with colours you enjoy and your garden can quickly become your "happy" place in which you can go to unwind, reflect, and clear yourself of your troubles.
   
2. Plant one thing you can eat – fruit, herbs, berries or vegetables.Plant one thing one can eat-- herbs, fruit, berries or vegetables. Consuming something you've grown on your own is very rewarding. It tastes a lot better than eating produce from a shop. Besides, it's much healthier and without chemicals.  
3. Give and receive. Give and receive. Motivate wild creatures like birds, frogs, butterflies, ants and slugs to explore your garden.

Do you know what your predominant sense is? 
​Download this free quiz below  determine your main sensory tendency.

Also Read: Using your Senses To Transform Your Life
Also Read: ​Your Sense Of Touch - MUCH more Powerful Than you Realise
Also Read: Free Workbook: Transform Your Life With The Power Of Your Senses
Also Read: 10 Incredible Facts About Your Sense Of Smell

Everyone wishes to improve something in their lives. This may vary anywhere from personal improvement, learning how to lead a happy life, or perhaps advancing his or her career.  This short article has some helpful ideas to get you started with personal development training.

​How to Lead a Happy Life: Interesting Truths About Personal Improvement  How It May Benefit You
 
The Art Of Happiness
 
People typically lose joy and happiness to stress and anxiety. Whenever we are becoming stressed out, it’s not only our minds getting impacted. Our whole physical bodies are. If we want to know how to lead a happy life and pursue our goals smoothly and systematically, we need to get rid of the tension inside our heads. Set up a time each day in which you can unwind, be just by yourself, and clear your thought and feelings. A calm, revitalized psyche is important to internal calmness and confidence.
 
Happiness Must-Have Audiobooks

Personal Development Training
 
Carry out some studying on personal improvement. Ensure you select books in line with your goals and select books that has gained good reviews.
 
Be prepared to jot down any thoughts you may get does not matter what the location. Carry a pen and notepad with you at all times or download a notepad app on your mobile phone. When an idea comes to mind, write it down, and whenever your feel creative later on, you can act upon it.
 
Recognize what your fundamental views are and live by all. Every person has ideas central to their way of self. If you live up to your standards in your every-day life, you will feel far better about yourself and the decisions you make. Enable your personal improvement journey to be moulded by your fundamental views. 

Concentrate on things you are good at, and work to strengthen those things. Look at each change you make as a long-term improvement to your lifestyle. 
 
Make every day a much better one than the last. Try to develop yourself continually. Regardless of what you accomplished yesterday, do it that far better today.
 
Except if you look after yourself, you cannot take care of anyone else. No matter what point you may be in on your life, it is essential to look after yourself.
 
There is only one thing you HAVE to do during personal improvement. You need to take an enthusiastic role in your own life, and not passively approve the things you are not happy with. Don't only be an onlooker in your own life, take charge, and be in authority over your life.

​Also Read: The Cornerstones Of Personal Success
 
Find out what other successful people have done that has made them a success. You can build on the routes they illumined and prevent the same missteps they made by learning how they reached success. By finding out about the various strategies that other individuals have made use of, you can remain motivated and inspired.
 
Taking a few modest risks might be the secret to your joy and happiness! 

Lots of people remain in their comfort zones to prevent failure, so they may not be as happy or satisfied as they could be. When you take a risk, you are proving for yourself that you possess courage, which is vital to the art of happiness.

​How to lead a happy life
The art of happiness
Become happy
Personal development training
Personal improvement

 This is Part TWO in the series "Using Your Senses To Transform Your Life.”

 
​Your Sense of Touch Is Much More Powerful Than You Realise

Your Sense of Touch

​Your Sense of Touch Is Much More Powerful Than You Realise - As French poet and film writer Jacques Prevert says, "Millions and millions of years would still not give me half enough time to describe that tiny instant of all eternity when you put your arms around me and I put my arms around you."
 
It really holds true. A hug is a transfer of positive energy. Hugging definitely makes a difference.

Think about these facts:

• Scientific research backs the fact that babies and children who are hugged frequently establish a sense of confidence, so vital for any type of success. In contrast to before, pediatricians are recommending parents to pick up their babies whenever they cry rather than saying to them to ignore them.
• Also touching (with no hugging) brings positive advantages. Therapists are starting to integrate touch into their treatments with their clients. It's a far cry from when the client stretched out on a sofa some distance off of the therapist.
• In a fascinating research study, librarians gently touched the hands of a number of students as they returned their library cards and stayed clear of touching others. The students who had been touched reported emotions that were much more favorable about the librarians, themselves and the library. The unconscious had detected the briefest contact which these students could not even remember.

Do you know what your predominant sense is? 
​Download this free quiz below  determine your main sensory tendency.

​Also Read: Using your Senses To Transform Your Life
Also Read: Get in touch With Your Soul By Using your Sense Of Sight
Also Read: Free Workbook: Transform Your Life With The Power Of Your Senses
Also Read: 10 Incredible Facts About Your Sense Of Smell

​In an interesting study, librarians lightly touched the hands of some students as they handed back their library cards and avoided touching others. The students who had been touched reported feelings that were more positive about the librarians, themselves and the library. Thesubconscious had picked up on the briefest contact which these students couldn’t even recall.
 
Thus interact and touch someone! You'll be happy you did!

The Science of Hugging

How To Relax When Life Is Out Of Control?

With the new year in front of us, many people may ask this question - Just how to relax when life is out of control. The best answer to this question is to concentrate on growing new habits which will help you relieving stress and promote harmony in your life - This worksheet is designed to help you cultivating specific habits that will relieve stress and promote harmony, where ever you go.

​Our habits influence our health, happiness, and future.
 
Answer the following questions on the free downloadable worksheet to gain a better perspective of your own personal habits.