Saturday, January 24, 2015

Goal #3-Living A LIfe Of Gratitude


Goal #3-Be Grateful

This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  
Psalm 118:24





"Being happy does not mean having what you want, but wanting what you have."


 Thousands of years of literature talk about the benefits of cultivating gratefulness as a virtue and my intention today is to encourage you to be thankful even if you're going through a tough time.  There are multiple scientific studies that show how living with an attitude of gratitude really does improve your life.

In Robert Emmons book, "Thanks! How The New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier" he reports on several studies. In the first, he and his colleagues divided participants into three groups, each of which made weekly entries in a journal. One group wrote five things they were grateful for. Another group described five daily hassles and a control group listed five events that had affected them in some way. Those in the gratitude group felt better about their lives overall, were more optimistic about the future, and reported fewer health problems than the other participants. Results from a second study suggested that daily writing led to a greater increase in gratitude than weekly practice.

In another study he discovered how people using daily gratitude journals report more satisfaction with their lives and are more optimistic about the future than people who don't. Interestingly,  grateful people also report getting more sleep, spending less time awake before falling asleep and feeling more refreshed in the morning.

Researchers at the University of Connecticut found that gratitude can have a protective effect against heart attacks. Studying people who had experienced one heart attack, the researchers found that those patients who saw benefits and gains from their heart attack, such as becoming more appreciative of life, experienced a lower risk of having another heart attack.

Hopefully I've convinced you that living a life of gratitude is the only way to live.  There are so, so many reason to be thankful...always.  Oh...and don't forget to say "thank you" when someone does something nice for you or pays you a compliment!

For more specific ideas on how to set your goals you can read one of my posts from January 2014 here:
Goal Setting 101

"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving."
H.U. Westermayer


Gratitude turns what we have into enough. ~Author Unknown


To reach me you may write me at:Donna@DonnaSchuller.com 
If you need help with addiction go to: SchullerHelp.org 

Saturday, January 17, 2015

The #2 Goal To Live By


Goal #2-Be Generous




 Sometimes I hear people say that they don’t get involved in non-profits or charities because they just can’t afford it.  Or they say things like, “I just don’t have anything to give.”  I think we can all feel that way from time to time but I am going to challenge that belief because everyone has something to give.  Whether it’s to a lonely neighbor, a troubled teen, or an organization that feeds and shelters the homeless; giving back is critical to our well being.  Being generous with the gifts that God has given you will make you a healthier person in emotionally, spiritually, and physically.  It will create in  you a more grateful heart as you learn of the unique plights of those in your own neighborhood. Giving of your time and your talents is very helpful for others but just as critical for you.  Even a smile or a kind word can make a huge difference in the life of another.  It's also important to remember this:  it’s not all about the giving of your finances, although not valuing our money over human need is an important attitude to live by. I like the saying, “use money and love people but never use people and love money.”  At the end of the day it’s all about love.

“The emotional benefits [of generosity] are that we cultivate an internal sense of plenitude, enjoy positive feelings from those within our community, and experience an improved self-esteem. This goes for time, love, and attention just as much — if not more — than for money,” says psychologist Chloe Carmichael, PhD, who has a private practice in New York City.
The benefits of giving back don’t just apply to adults. A 2013 study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics examined how volunteering might affect the physical health of adolescents. Researchers divided 106 tenth graders into two groups — one group regularly volunteered one hour a week for 10 weeks, and the other group didn’t volunteer at all. After 10 weeks, the students in the volunteer group had lower levels of cholesterol and inflammation, and lower BMIs than the other group. 
Generosity improves our self-image, lowers our blood pressure, gives us better heart health, and improves our outlook, empathy, and intimacy towards others. Over and over we read about the many benefits of volunteering so make sure you put that towards the top of your list of goals for 2017.  Your children, grandchildren, and anyone in your sphere of influence will also benefit as they witness your example.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:38

To reach me you may email me at: Donna@DonnaSchuller.com
If you need help with drug or alcohol addiction go to our website: SchullerHelp.org

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Goal #1 for 2015-Be Curious



Curiosity is tied to intelligence and health in body, mind, and soul in multiple ways.   Remember when you were a kid and you drove your parents or your grandparents nuts with all the questions?  You had to ask those questions as you developed as a person in order to know how to get by in this world.    What happens as we age is most of us lose that childlike quality of wanting to know "why?"  Sometimes we just aren't paying attention or other times we just aren't interested.  It could also be that we don't want to come off as being dumb or uneducated.  No ones knows about everything so the first thing I want to encourage you to do is to start asking "why" and "how" questions.   After doing so hopefully you will comment about some of your experiences so all of us can learn from it.
Being a curious person means that you have a thirst for knowledge and a desire to explore subjects and places that may be foreign to you.  Delving deeper into your faith life, learning a new language,  starting a garden,  finding out about the planets or the stars, or learning just about anything out of your comfort zone will help your life grow and prosper.  Curious people tend to have better and more intense relationships with others as well.   As an example there are many studies that show how studying anything new will help you prepare for a test, no matter what the subject.  Click here or here if you are interested in learning more.

Out of the "8 Goals To Live By In 2015" my first is to encourage you to learn something new.  If if frightens you to do so then that's probably a good thing.  The main thing is that you step out of your routine and learn about a new subject, start a new hobby,  travel to that far-away place you've always dreamed about,  or write that book you've always said you would write. 

Next time I will be sharing how generosity is one of the keys to happiness in 2015 and beyond!


"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Romans 12:2

**Make sure you join me on The Call on January 15th at 6pm Pacific time.  Dial 530-881-1300 and key-in 642848#   Can't make it this month?  Join me and my husband any month on the same day and at the same time.   Talk to you then!



Sunday, January 4, 2015

8 Great Goals To Live By In 2015


8 Great Goals To Live By In 2015



I’m a few days behind in talking about goal setting this year.  There’s good reason:  I have decided to recognize and celebrate the “12 Days of Christmas” this year and it’s made a huge difference in my gratitude quotient.  Maybe you’ve seen some of my husband’s 30 second videos that I produce?  If you’re interested you can see them here. Technically Christmas is not over until January 6th, which is the day of Epiphany.  (Read my last blog post for more information on Epiphany)  Most of us celebrate only on December 25th and then we can’t wait to take down the tree and box-up all that goes along with it.  I think there is a lot to be said for relishing and hanging on to the enjoyable things in life.  After all most of us run at full-speed most of the time and that’s just not good for any of us! 

This year I’m going to give you eight goals to strive for which aim to encourage your health and wellness in 2015 and beyond.   I am referring to leading a vigorous life emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The subjects will of course over-lap with some of the topics I covered in my newest book "Healthy Family Happy Life" but I'm sure you'll find a few new take-aways as there is always so much more to learn about leading a healthy and a happy life!  *If you want a book you can also buy it directly from me (and I'll sign it)

Here’s a list of what I’ll be writing on over the next several weeks.  This is a “to do” list which aims to help you feel more blessed, thankful, and productive.  You will learn more about creating an awesome environment for personal growth and well-being as you focus on how to:

1)    Be curious-new studies show why asking questions or learning something new is good for you.
2)    Be generous-how giving back promotes long-life and a sense of purpose.
3)    Be grateful-learn to concentrate on what all you do have.  Being aware of things around you.
4)    Be healthy-helpful tips for being all you can be in body, mind, and spirit.
5)    Be present-when you are with a person be with them.  Also... "digital detox."
6)    Be intentional-how to schedule and make time for those you love and the things you want to do.
7)    Be you-authenticity is the way to go, even when it's difficult to fit-in to popular culture.
8)    Breathe-discover ways to decrease your stress levels with proper breath. 


I’d love to hear more about what you think as well so please keep in touch with your comments and your ideas.   I will talk about my first point, the importance of curiosity in the next couple of days so get ready to experience many “things yet seen in 2015!”




To connect with me you can email Donna@DonnaSchuller.com