If you are looking for a parenting handbook, look no further. The Family Virtues Guide written by Linda Kavelin Popov offers you a manual that delivers the best foundation possible of how to raise a child in any culture or society.

Her ‘Simple Ways to Bring Out the Best in Our Children and Ourselves’ contain valuable insights in who our children really are, parenting principles and practices and how to apply The Family Virtues Guide in your family.

A description of 52 ‘Gifts Within’  helps to understand each virtue, why to practice it, how to practice it, how to recognise when a virtue is practised and when it needs more attention as well as an affirmation and a drawing to visualise an example.

It is a book that should be given or at least recommended to each new parent – the earlier the better.

Have a look inside and find out why The Family Virtues Guide is one of those books that have the potential to make the world a better place – one person at a time!

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. – John F. Kennedy

How is Gratitude related to the relief, management or prevention of stress?

It has been a big challenge for me to be grateful when I was younger and when things happened that either made no sense at that time, that confused me or that I did not like/want to be an experience in my life.

When I was challenged I tended to get upset either with myself, others or the situation.

As you can imagine neither of this was very effective in terms of moving on. The worst experience was when I found out that my (then) husband had an affair with my best friend. That moment I felt like drawn into a black hole, spiraling downwards.

I went through the whole spectrum of negative emotions: anger, sadness, frustration, self-pity, fear, grief, aggression and once through started all over again. Only a few friends who really cared about me dared to be physically and mentally close when the ‘fire horse’ in me came out and the volcano was braking loose.

Today I have the deepest respect for these friends – I really wasn’t a pleasure to be around.

Fast forward 10 years. A few months ago I reconnected with ‘the adulteress’. To be honest, I was very surprised myself when I felt the need to get in contact with her. Even more as she tried to apologise for what happened and there was no way I would have even listened.

It feels really odd now to use the word adulteress, because this is not how I see her any more. Today I can see the pain that she went through herself. I no longer feel any kind of stress calling her name, while before I almost felt physical pain when I even only thought of her.

Besides time of course, there is one virtue that helped me to see this event differently now:

Gratitude

By practising Nuad Thai – Traditional Thai Massage and studying its roots in Buddhist tradition as well as becoming a life coach I learned to take responsibility for my actions and my non-actions.

Instead of blaming others, I rather look for the gift in the situation and ask myself better questions:

What can I learn to avoid/do better next time?
How does this help me to grow?
How can I use this to become a better person?

By establishing some resources like a trusted source, a coach I can share insights with, journaling and meditation it is now easy and almost effortless to tap onto the power of Gratitude.

A heartfelt Thank-You to whoever you pray to invites harmony and instant relief to your life. The answer is often a knowing deep inside, that once you have accepted the gift of the situation as an opportunity for learning and growth, it will no longer cause any physical or mental stress.

How to practice Gratitude

Practising Gratitude is very easy. To start with, ask yourself a simple question:

What happened today that you could choose to be grateful for?

Maybe a you got a smile from a stranger, someone picked up your bag when it fell down, you got a nice call from a friend…

Even the simplest things can be a great source to experience Gratitude: the song of a bird, the beauty of a tree, the blue of the sky, a raindrop on a leaf…

Once you get in the habit of practising Gratitude for the small things, you will find it easier see the hidden presents in a situation that is more challenging.

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. – Albert Schweitzer

Every person has a story and we are all connected.

The story of ‘The Little Soul And The Sun‘ by Neale Donald Walsh gives an insight of how each of us is a shining light and why sometimes the ones that bring us the biggest pain are those we need to show our deepest appreciation. (A review and summary will be available soon).

The Gift Of Gratitude

By practising Gratitude you will connect with your higher spirit. This is one of the most powerful resources to increase the balance of your body, mind & spirit and will help you to stay much more relaxed when the road of life gets a bit bumpy and challenging.

I would like to share my gratitude for the organiser of the eco fiesta and lifestyle expo, who put together a wonderful event that enabled me to connect with new prospective and re-connect with existing friends.

My deepest appreciation goes to my husband Thomas and my son Noah, who support me unconditionally in everything that I do and who enrich my life beyond words.

To all my existing clients: your appreciation for my work makes my days. You are all precious to me and I cherish our relationship no matter how often or seldom we see each other.

Without the people who read this, I would just be talking to myself, so my Gratitude includes you as well.

And before this starts to sound like the acknowledgements in the foreword of a book, I stop here – curious to hear what you are grateful for today, tomorrow and the day after. Please share your thoughts and insights below. Thank you.

Lots of stalls where present who showed ideas, strategies or products that support a healthy lifestyle and at the same time live in tune with nature, reduce or avoid waste and overall be more sustainable.

Transition Guidance was represented through the Nuad Thai Academy – providing FREE Foot Massage during the whole duration of the festival.

Almost 100 people put their name down to get in the draw and win the Introductory Offer, the signature Package that gives an overview and an impression of the Nuad Thai Academy‘s specialty:

Nuad Thai – Traditional Thai Yoga Massage
Head Over Heels - Hand, Feet and Head Massage
Nuad Thai Aroma Oil Massage and a
Personal Energy Assessment

All together 2 hours of relaxation and balance, valued at $125!

The lucky winner is announced here.

S – Specific and Simple

Make it simple and specific. “I don’t want to be alone” is a simple statement, but it is far from being specific. With goal setting it is important to say what you want, not what you don’t want.

Have you ever heard the expression “What you focus on is what you get”? That’s what Specific and Simple is about: Say not what you don’t want, but what you want. Focus on the positive.

How would you like not to be alone? Do you want a partner, a lover, children, grand children, a friend, be part of a club or the community? What do you want, specifically?

M – Measurable

This one goes hand in hand with the one above. “I want more money” is simple, positive and more or less specific, but it is not measurable. How much is more? Is it one dollar or 10, 100 or thousands?

Make sure there is a number involved. In case it can’t be measured by numbers, imagine a scale from 1-10, where 10 is where you want to be. What are the criteria that need to be fulfilled for you to be at a 10? Write them down as a tick-off list.

A – Achievable and Attainable by you, As if now

Again, make it your goal, one that you can achieve by yourself. It is not about your partner, family, child or the world, it is not someone else’s goal, it is yours!

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present. – Babatunde Olatunji

Some languages haven’t even got grammar for future or past. They totally live in the here and now. Use present tense when you write down your goal. “I am…, I have…” are the most powerful words on earth, in any language.

R – Realistic

If you have set goals before and not achieved them, maybe they have been set too high. Making a million in a year could be a bit challenging if you are earning 50.000 a year and have no savings and no plan.

On the other side, if you have always achieved your goals without effort, it may be time to challenge your self. Stretch a little further than comfortable, you will grow into it.

T – Time frame

Give your goal a time frame, have a date involved. “By December 31st 2010 …” or “the 15th of May2015…” will make your goal even more measurable, specific and easy to plan for.

I – Inspirational

Often money comes up in goal setting. But is it really about the money? I don’t think so. Generally it is about what you can or want to do with the money. What is it that inspires you to get up? What motivates you to persevere when times get tough?

When a goal is not about money but what really inspires you, you may suddenly find other ways to achieve it.

Be open and allow the universe or God to provide for you in whatever way they may think is appropriate. Extend your opportunities by making your goal inspirational.

E – Evidence and Endstep

What is the final thing that needs to happen for you to know that you have achieved your goal? What is the picture that you see, what do you hear or tell yourself, how do you feel?

What is the evidence that proofs you have made it? For example when do you know you have lost enough weight? Is it when you see a certain number standing on your scale? When you fit in your favourite dress or pants? When you have achieved a certain fat percentage? Or when the tape measure shows a specific number?

Make your Evidence and Endstep very clear and involve as many senses as possible: see, hear, feel, smell or taste your success.

If your only goal is to become rich, you will never achieve it. – John D. Rockefeller

Wealth is so much more than having money. Wealth is about sharing, contributing, giving back. That can be financially, emotionally or spiritually. Creating financial wealth won’t work without a bigger picture, which makes wealth creation a tool for a greater purpose.

Browse for book recommendations from Amazon.com related to Wealth Creation or have a look at the ones listed here

My favourite Wealth Creation book of all times:

WINK – A parabel for wealth beyond words

WINK is a modern day parable of a nine year old boy being raised by his carpenter father who is sick and tired. Every day for the last 20 years the carpenter has visited the Well of Wealth and spent a dollar, believing that if he gives generously to the Well, it will give generously to him in return. …read full review

A beach day is one of these days, when you have the burning desire to be at a beach, on a mountain, in the desert – anything, that is wide an open and allows your mind to expand. We women experience these kind of days more often (and sometimes even regularly) than men and as much as they sometimes start out being a curse, they almost always contain the potential to become a blessing.

You have a bit of a cry – often without knowing why, let alone the ability to explain what is going on. Very confusing for someone who is around, especially if they never experienced it themselves. Have you ever heard of expanded awareness? It is a state of mind, where you focus on one point and allow your senses to experience the peripheral intuitively.

The desired outcome from being in that state could be greater awareness of what is going on around you, to get in a state where you can accelerate learning and soak in information quickly. If you are a trainer or presenter, this will be the state you ideally are or want to be in while you are sharing your information, because you can better sense the mood of other people and what is going on in the audience.

This is also the reason why knowing how to get into expanded awareness is essential for everyone in a leading role hence why it is part of the life leadership/management coaching program

Expanded awareness has another benefit that makes it an important tool for personal and professional development: in expanded awareness you create a space, where negative emotions or limiting decisions can rapidly be dissolved. This state can be achieved any time and anywhere, and it comes naturally and instinctively when we are at a place that is quiet or with calming constant sounds, like the one of waves washing upon the shore.

The great thing about these kind of states is that once we experienced them, we can always take them with us, wherever we go. You simply give it a special place inside you, lock it in and allow it to come to the surface whenever needed.

Initially I wanted to go to the beach or more specifically to “The Strand”, which is a beautifully built, 2.5 kilometres long esplanade that shapes the city beach, starting with the Marina at one end and the “Rockpool” at the other, with views to Magnetic Island and its forests all along the mind- and purposefully landscaped walkways. The island itself is a great target to focus on and let your mind drift away.

Because on this side of the earth it is summer in March, it was very hot outside and I chose to visit one of my other preferred places… …the Townsville Tropical Museum of Queensland, home of thousands of different corals, a constant exhibition about the famous HMS Pandorra including a reconstruction of a part of the ship as well as informative and educational sections like replica of the rainforest, mangroves or a typical Australian garden and its animal visitors.

The “science room” is a wonderful place to explore and experience gravity, measure how fast you can throw a ball, get confused by mirror effects, listen what someone is whispering at the other side of the room no matter how loud it is around, test your ability to match the frequency of a sound (my favourite!) and many other interesting phenomena. The changing display is always presented with sensible dedication and commitment to the topic and to detail.

Anyway, this building has a foyer with a really high, curved, wooden ceiling (to fit in the”Pandorra”) and glassed walls with a view over the new Marina on the one side and to Castle Hill on the other. Voila, a perfect place. Even more on a hot summer’s day, because the air condition produces a nice and comfortable room temperature.

Have you ever felt stuck and thought you need room to breathe? Did you ever want to be left alone but not necessarily needed total isolation? Do you sometimes feel like you will soon explode if you have to stay (wherever you are) for one minute longer? Then why not considering a beach day? Or a mountain day or desert day or whatever you prefer. It does not have to be the whole day. An extended lunch break in a gallery can be miraculous.

Expand your awareness now and then and give yourself the opportunity and the gift to “loose your mind and come to your senses”. You will thank yourself later.

If  such a place is hard to find in your area, you may want to learn how to expand your awareness for yourself and decrease, manage and prevent the unhealthy dis-stress as much as possible in your life.

Download the check-list  ’50 Symptoms That We Do Not Connect With Stress At First and explore how many apply to you.