Good Morning by Brook Noel

I happened upon this book in 2009 while perusing the Self Help section of Borders on my lunch break. Having recently watched The Secret, I was at the beginning of my spiritual transformation. I didn't know anything about this book but I followed my intuition and seven years later, I still read it most days. I give this book a lot of credit for helping me transform my life into one of optimism and gratitude, and I've written about it before. 

I thrive with structure and routine - this is the first way Good Morning has helped me. I'm a morning person, so dedicating a chunk of time to myself after I first wake, for coffee, writing, list making and intention setting has transformed my days.

The times I strayed from this routine, (because I love sleep and hated my job so stayed in bed as long as possible each morning) my quality of life decreased. In turn, other parts of my life suffered including my relationship and my physical health.


The book's format is simple and easy to follow. For each day of the year, there is a page with a theme. Fitting into that theme is a quote and a "message" which is the author's entry.  Then there's "Your Turn" which is a paragraph or two on how to apply this Good Morning theme to your daily life. At the end, there is a positive affirmation, which is my favorite part.

I highly recommend this book, or one similar to it, if you feel your life is lacking a structure you would like to have. Establishing morning routine could likely be a first step in making other changes.

Q is for Quotes

As an avid reader and writer, I have a passion for words. When I read, I'm often highlighting lines that reach out to me or writing them in my notebook. When I write, I get a little thrill each time I put together a string of words that fits with exactly what I was trying to say. It's not always as easy as it seems. I like to use these "perfect words" to motivate me and remind me what's most important in my life. Things like appreciating my life's journey and focusing on practicing kindness.

Here are what I've determined are my three favorite quotes:

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say, and then don't say it. ~Sam Levenson



It isn't what happens to us that causes us to suffer, it's what we say to ourselves about what happens.  ~Pema Chodron


The last one was passed on to me by my life coach during our work together and it has truly changed the way I look at things when they happen. I like the fact that there are so many amazing people in the world, and many more who have come before us, whose words have been preserved over time to continually remind us that we all share the same experiences. I like to pass these quotes, and others I like, on to people who need them.