Practicing Gratitude And Mindfulness Are Keys To Reclaiming Your Inner Peace
Reclaiming your inner peace and regaining control over your life starts by showing daily gratitude and being aware of your thoughts.
By: Sydni Hatley
In our world, everything is so fast pace. It all started with the Industrial Revolution and somehow we ended up with iphones and social media at the forefront of our progress? Either way, American culture values quantity over quality, work over rest, and expensive lifestyles over good mental health.
With everything moving so fast and a lack of “enjoy-the-moment” culture, losing yourself is easy. Not to mention the fact that you have constant reminders of everyone else’s rapid success in the palm of your hand. We get so caught up in what everyone else is doing, or what the newest product available for clout-consumption is, that we lose ourselves in the process of living.
Too many people walk around feeling depleted and low on confidence, energy, drive, and optimism. The reason for this is because so much of our energy and sense of self-worth is measured by what the next person is doing and what’s happening around us---it is not coming from ourselves. This is where the practice of gratitude and mindfulness come in.
When we as people begin reflecting on and acknowledging all of the amazing things that we do have in our lives, what we “don’t” seem to have becomes futile. Many times we have already achieved so much in life that gets undermined because we are too busy looking at someone else’s life and comparing, thinking what we have is not enough, or we feel we can’t enjoy what we already have because something new is always trending around us.
People also tend to think that reflecting on what they have measures up to material things like money, cars, or clothes, however showing gratitude can simply be recognizing just how lucky you are to have a loving family, and friends that care about you. Giving thanks for a roof over your head, food in your home, and even your health are also ways of showing gratitude for the things we don’t always pay attention to in our culture. Not everyone wakes up every day, or can say they have people that love and care about them. So, instead of focusing on the next person or material thing that is trending, reclaim your life by counting your blessings and not taking the little things for granted.
You reclaim your inner peace and regain control over your life by showing daily gratitude and also by practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is simply being aware of what you think and which thoughts you internalize. You have all types of thoughts daily, good and bad. What matters is that you feed into the good ones, and let the bad ones pass.
For instance, if you continuously compare your body to someone on instagram and think things to yourself like, “my waist is not as tiny as hers” or “I’m not as good looking as him”, you start to believe you are not of as much worth as that person or the next person to look like them---you have a bad thought, and hold onto it. This causes you to vibrate lower and lose sight of what actually matters in life. Practicing mindfulness means the minute you think something negative about yourself, you release it.
Regard these thoughts as nothing more than negative mentalities that do not serve you, and begin to show yourself love instead. Combat negative thoughts about yourself or your life with positive affirmations like “I am good enough”, “I am smart enough”, “I am worthy”, and more importantly, “I don’t have to look or be a certain way to still be successful in life”. Mindfulness will allow you to slow down and realize your truest value, while gratitude reminds you that all you have is just enough.
The moment you release the need to keep up with the crowd and internalize the social pressures of our society, the more you will put yourself first, appreciate your life, and truly flourish in it. Show love to yourself and your life because you only get one! When you stop to smell the roses and fully appreciate your existence, you’ll see your life is more abundant with goodness than you ever realized.
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9 Tips For Increasing Your Energy in Low Times
During this rising pandemic, it can be easy to fall into a funk or experience lack of motivation. Here are 9 tips for increasing your energy in low times!
By: Lauryn Bass
During this rising pandemic, it can be easy to fall into a funk. With this new social isolation, a lot of us are challenged with our priorities. The atmosphere of summer is being toyed with the work that is being stacked on our heads. Students and adults are having to telecommute within the comfort of their beds which may lead to distractions or a lack of motivation. This transition has plenty of opportunity to go left or right, but it is up to you to steer the course into a successful direction. All that is needed is a shift of energy in a couple of different ways.
1. Keep Water In Your System
Staying hydrated will keep you on task. When the body gets dehydrated, the body becomes lethargic. It slows down progress when the tank isn’t full, so fill up on some h20!
2. Set Goals
Work tends to pile up as things are balancing out. For example, with online classes becoming the predominant form of teaching for students who are used to on-campus learning, to compensate for the homework, lectures have transitioned to packets, worksheets, and other unnecessary assignments. As you try to tackle each project, plan how to reach the long-term goal with short-term goals.
3. Take Breaks
In between each set increment, take some time to breathe. Get up and move around. Sing or do a little dance. Check on your notifications, plants, pets, or just walk around to unwind for a minute before refocusing back to your target.
4. Get More Sleep
Now that beds are a lot more convenient to use, take advantage of power naps! Get that little wink of sleep in between the day’s duties. Also, at night, try to get more sleep. Aim for that 7-8 hour mark of shut-eye so that while you're busy with objectives, the bed won’t be calling your name.
5. Eat Clean
Don’t fall into a pit of unfulfilling foods. With the scarcity of food, try to snack on items that give you lasting energy over sugar-filled items that run through you. Indulge here and there, but keep your meals centered around nutrients and vitamins.
6. Go On DND
This alone time can open up a space for creativity. Ideas can flow and there is ample opportunity to build new things. Take a break from social media and allow your time to be used up by other interests of yours that may have become an overlooked hobby.
7. Stay Optimistic
Fake news is real honey! Trying to fish through what is made up from the darkness of the truth can be very overwhelming and begin to spread negativity. Continue to keep high-spirits by constantly reassuring yourself. Staying grounded can be achieved through reciting positive affirmations or posting them around you to keep you uplifted. Things ARE going to get better and you WILL succeed!
8. Reach Out To Friends
Even though you’re separated physically, communication with your besties can be achieved via technology! Find innovative ways to call them as we did with Oovoo, Houseparty, and Skype. Send iPhone games, start streaks, schedule FaceTimes and truly catch up with your loved ones in an intimate way that may not have been explored when life as we knew it was on a different track.
9. Exercise
Get yourself moving! Even if it’s for 15 minutes a day, take a nice walk, jog, or run! Stretch and use joints that would be dormant on a norm. Dance, jumprope, bike, skate, etc. The list is endless!
The coronavirus may have shut down society but it does not have to shut you down! Little by little, this challenge will be overcome with our perseverance. This reality check is only helping us come face-to-face with who we are as people and helping us use what we have learned and built for better. With these few reminders to attach to our day, society will soon return to a new way that we appreciate and we will be stronger from it.
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New Year, New Energy! Switching Up Your Work And Living Spaces Creates A Positive Vibe
It is scientifically proven that your psyche is affected by what is around you! Here are a few ways that you can set up your home to benefit your life in the best way possible!
By: Lauryn Bass
It is FINALLY 2020, the year we have all been waiting for! Whether it is “The year of vision” or “The year of clarity”, this new decade is sure to bring ideas into fruition! Goals are being set and everyone is ready to chase the bag, but no one is truly considering how to strategically plan for a successful year. The dream starts and ends at home, so let’s get the house in order!
It is scientifically proven that your psyche is affected by what is around you. For example, you think more clearly in a clean room than you would in a messy one. There are a few ways that you can set up your home to benefit your life in the best way possible!
Clean your space
Get rid of the clutter! Throw away old utensils, shred old files, and toss that project from the second grade. Anything that does not coincide with your 2020 success HAS TO GO! Periodically wipe down your laptop monitors and desk, dust your window sill, and lysol everything else! Things can get untidy throughout the year but taking the time to get rid of unnecessary items is key to excelling. When you are in a dirty place, you are uncomfortable and unfocused. Bring back the sense of organization and urge that grind mentality to soar with fresh new start!
Rearrange your space
With the items that are needed for your growth and matriculation, give each one their own home. Every place should be organized in a safe way that is easily accessible for you. From your pens and pencils, to your mics and interfaces, everything should have its own destination. Also, switch things up! Stimulate your brain with a funky set up. Catercorner your desk or move something to a shelf. If we can adapt to new updates on our apps and devices, we can surely adjust to a desk being placed on a different wall and our beds turned another direction. Trying out a little feng shui can give your workspace a touch of liveliness.
Decorate your space
Now for the fun part: It’s time to spruce up your home with some eye-catching features! Don’t be afraid of color-coding, the more the merrier! Add an interesting painting to your wall, buy a new calendar, and most definitely purchase yourself a plant. Create a vision board of all the goals that you would like to achieve this year or within this new decade and pin it up as your daily motivation. Place sticky-notes of positive affirmations around the home to constantly remind yourself that everything that you wish to come true, will--there is power in the tongue!
This new year of 2020 is going to be prosperous. It’s going to bring forth so many good things for everyone who is prepared to receive challenges and overcome them with ease. To aid in this journey, keeping your work and living quarters aligned and clean will embark you into a happy new year!
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Keeping A Positive Mindset During Times Of Adversity Is Not Easy, But Necessary
Somethings are just out of our control, but what you can control is attitude and how you respond! Here are some tips to help you change your perspective towards adversity!
By: Omar Cook
One of the hardest things to do is to stay positive during times of adversity. The easiest thing to do is to look at your current situation and start to overthink all of the negativity that could be surrounding you, instead of looking at it from another angle. Sometimes life can become so overbearing that it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. There has been many times where i’ve posed the question “why is this happening to me?” (or not happening for me"). Asking this question to myself enough times, only left me with the option of changing my perspective.
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The first thing a lot of us do when something bad happens, is complain about it and sit in that energy for just a little too long, which of course attracts more bad energy. Shit happens, and there’s absolutely nothing you can do to stop adverse situations from coming into your life; it’s inevitable. Somethings are just out of our control, but what you can control is attitude and how you respond.
I mentioned perspective, and changing your perspective towards situations is a major key for a positive mindset. It’s almost impossible to keep a positive mindset at all times, but knowing that you have the power to shift your own perspective can change your own life. Imagine that every negative situation that happens to you, you looked at that situation as an opportunity to better yourself? Lost your job? An opportunity to find a better one. Wrecked your car? An opportunity to get a better car or something more affordable. Lost a relationship? An opportunity to set new boundaries for yourself to attract a relationship that better serves you. Setbacks are just opportunities for you to recreate yourself, and thats the way you need to think in order to turn negative situations into a positive.
At the end of the day, each of us are in control of our own lives and the way we think. Your own mindset puts meaning on things that happen in your life; basically you create your own reality by the way you view the world. A negative person will continue to attract negative situations because they can’t see themselves out of certain situations. A positive person attracts successful situations because no matter what, that person knows that they can turn just about anything into a situation that serves them in the end.
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One thing that has worked for me is speaking highly of my own self. Positive affirmations works wonders for your mindset and speaking affirmations to yourself daily, can change your life. Meditation is also great as it gives you time to spend with yourself in silence and process your thoughts. Being able to sit in silence and block out distractions is major for seeing things in a better light, and can help your decision making especially if you’re an overly emotional person that acts impulsively. Take time to quiet your mind each day, and do yourself a favor and speak life into yourself. Life is crazy enough, there’s no need to beat your own self up.
Every single person goes through adverse situations, but the people that are able to keep it pushing no matter the circumstances are the people that you see winning. Whatever comes your way, just keep going! Hard times will pass and with the right attitude, you can overcome any obstacle. I want each and every one of you reading this to be the best versions of yourselves, and it’s impossible to be the best you when you’re operating on a low vibration of energy. Think positive, speak positive, and watch your life take a new direction!
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The Power Of Your Thoughts: How To Manifest Your Own Reality
To change your reality, you need to change the way you think and what you think. Manifesting the life you want starts with understanding the power of your thoughts!
“Today I begin a new life for I am the master of my abilities and today is going to be a great and beautiful day!”
By: Omar Cook
We live in a society that is more advanced than ever, but with these new advancements come more distractions. The millennial generation is pushing society into the next level of humanity, which includes the freedom of thought and expression, and tearing down old societal norms. In a world that’s extremely fast paced, it seems that people are on a quest to get somewhere fast, always on the move, and always looking for the next advancement in their career and life. The quest for the next best thing in life can take a toll on you mentally if you don’t have the proper mindset for the journey you’re on.
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Where exactly are you going? Do you even know? Have you thought about it? Can you see what the destination looks like? If you can’t see where you’re going it’s virtually impossible to get there. Understand that the power of your thoughts will take you exactly where you want to go in life. The way you perceive things in your mind whether positive or negative will be manifested in your life.
Whether you accept this fact or not, as humans, your mind is connected to the universe. The energy you give off vibrates through you and sends messages to the world around you. How many times have you thought, “I’m going to get pulled over” and it actually happened? What about when you had someone on your mind and instantly you received a text or call from that person? The energy and thoughts you put out will always come back to you, whether instantly or eventually.
Training your mind to think positive and think progressively takes practice but mastering this can help you change the world around the you. You can literally create your own reality and manifest the life you want to have. Sounds cliche but it’s a simple truth. You might ask" “well why hasn’t this happened for me yet?” Whatever you’ve been praying and hoping for hasn’t happened yet because you don’t believe in it enough to keep pushing through to manifest it. If you can see it in your mind, it can be had and created. The next step after a creative vision is to work for it, work through it, and watch the vision you have manifest into reality. Nothing good comes easy, but with time, patience, and creativity, you can create yourself a better life.
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Two easy ways to practice training your mind is speaking positive affirmations daily and meditation. With daily affirmations, you are speaking life into yourself, your current situation, and your surroundings. What comes out of your mouth is a direct correlation to what’s going to happen in your life. Meditation is time spent with yourself in a quiet environment that allows you to step away from distractions and focus on your vision. It is in this time that you can spend seeing what it is you’re looking to attract in this world and play it out in your mind.
The daily distractions of this world keep people from vibrating on their highest frequency and seeing themselves clearly. If you don’t see yourself for who you are, the creator that you are, it’s impossible to create your own reality. You become what you think about. If you want to know who are going to be in 5 years, listen to how you speak about yourself now. Listen to what comes out of your mouth.
To change your environment, you need to change the way you think and what you think. Focus on what’s positive and open up your mind to allow what seems impossible to become possible. Understand the power of your thoughts and how your reality is already set out for you if that’s what you believe.
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7 Powerful Affirmations For Black Millennials
Powerful affirmations are necessary for a healthy mindset and in this day and age, black millennials need positive reinforcement! Here are 7 powerful affirmations for black millennials that will help you have the right state of mind!
By: Omar Cook
Powerful affirmations are necessary for a healthy mindset and in this day and age, black millennials need positive reinforcement! Daily positive affirmations can help propel you into a positive state of thinking which can be a key factor in your success and happiness! Here are 7 powerful affirmations for black millennials that will help you have the right state of mind!
1. I can face whatever obstacle that comes my way
African American people by design have to jump through more hoops than others. But that’s okay, God didn’t give you more than you can handle! Take a positive approach to every situation and and take every adverse situation head on! There is nothing too big for you to handle!
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2. My Black is beautiful
Whatever shade of melanin you are, you are top notch! Never let anyone tell you different. You are a king, a goddess, and your skin holds power that your ancestors passed down to you! Embrace your skin and live in royalty, the way you were meant to live!
3. I am better than I was yesterday
No one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes! One of your everyday goals should be aiming to be better than you were yesterday! Don’t make the same mistakes twice and learn from every situation. Success is guaranteed if you do things just a little bit better each day! What can you switch up in your routine and what do you need to cut out to propel you forward?
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4. I will not let society dictate who I am
Society has tried to engrain into the minds of American people, that black people are inferior, but guess what? That’s fake news! No fake stereotype should ever dictate who you truly are as a person! Your greatness will overshadow every naysayer and every negative comment meant to drag you down! You are not inferior so don’t let the lies of this country bring you down! Walk in power and confidence!
5. I am here for a reason
That’s right, you are here for a reason! You were born where you born at that exact location and time for a reason. You were born to the parents you have for a reason. You were born in the skin you walk in for a reason! You were born in this very time frame in history for a reason! Focus on finding your purpose in life, and live out who God called you to be! Do not go through this life waiting for something to happen! Making a difference in the world is your calling, so use the gifts and talents God gave you and start making positive changes today! Your time is now.
6. I will live life to the fullest
You can live everyday to the fullest while still working towards your goals! Do not be so consumed by work every minute of the day that you lose sight of living the best life possible! Happiness comes from daily life experiences. Do not miss out on true happiness by working yourself to death. Grind with a purpose, but prioritize time for yourself over anything!
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7. I am unstoppable if I set my mind to it
Being unstoppable is a mindset! Set your mind on things above your expectations, and believe you are a conqueror! The sooner you believe this, the sooner the doors to your dreams will open up! One success leads to another, and putting together a string of successes will give you all the confidence you need to take over the world. You are what you think, and if you believe you are anything less than unstoppable, you will be just that! Your mind will defeat you before anyone else. Take control of your mind and watch the world unfold in front of you!
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Change Your Mood: 6 Tips To Uplift Your Spirit
Being stuck in a bad mood can keep you from being who you need to be! Here’s 6 ways to help you change your mood and uplift your spirit!
By: Alyssa Cole
Having a hard day at work and everything just seems to be keeping you down? Does your family get on your nerves? Just got a bad grade on an assignment you worked hard on? Any one of these scenarios are an easy way to damper a mood! But how are you getting rid of that frown and bringing back a smile? Here’s some ways to help you get out of a bad mood and uplift your spirit!
1. Inspirational Reading Quotes
One of my favorite things to do is write quotes or search for quotes online. Positive words and affirmations are a great way to change your perspective and mood on a lousy situation. Words after all create thoughts that create actions!
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2. Dress With Confidence
Wear that something that you know you look great in! How you put yourself together can really impact your self esteem especially depending on if you feel you look nice in your outfit. Nothing is wrong with taking a few minutes to put a nice outfit together with your favorite perfume/cologne to match! Who doesn’t feel good when they know they look good right?! Wear clothes that make you feel good! This is a sure tip to uplift your spirit.
3. Listen to Upbeat Music
Listening to music that gets you moving is a nice way to shift your mood from sad to happy. Be selective about what you listen to because music is powerful. Instead of listening to a sad love song, turn on your favorite empowering song or your go to playlist for when you’re going out that you know will have you dancing in your seat and uplift your spirit!
4. Exercise Makes You Feel Good
Have you ever heard someone say they felt way better after they work out? For many this is true! It’s something about putting your frustrations and issues from the day into a nice lifting session or run on the treadmill. This is an immediate spirit lifter! However you blow off some steam in the gym, try that routine to help you clear your mind, get active, and change your mood!
5. Get Some Fresh Air
Sometimes something as small as taking a break to step outside and take in that amazing sun while looking at that clear blue sky, does something to the mind. It can help relax your mind as well as bring you a sense of peace. Depending on the person, being out in nature can really help soothe and calm one’s body and spirit. Taking a moment to get some fresh air is an easy way to uplift your spirit!
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6. Talking To Friends
Talking to someone that you know has a reputation of motivating and uplifting others is a great way to help you get out of bad mood. We have people that come to mind even if it’s someone you admire on social media that is encouraging. Talking to friends who a positive spirit is a sure way to uplift your spirit. Take the time to speak or listen to that friend that has a way of cheering you up when you find yourself down!
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You Attract What You Are: Using The Law Of Attraction To Better Your Life
You attract what you are and to attract better things in life, you have to make life changes and understand the law of attraction! Here are some tips that will guarantee great success and an abundant life!
By: Omar Cook
To attract better things in life, you have to become a better you and change your life around! Sounds simple right? A lot of what you attract and who you attract to your life has to do with your energy and what you're putting into the universe. The law of attraction is real, and you will attract exactly what it i you're looking for if you set your energy towards that. Have you ever left a relationship, got into a new relationship and felt like you were dating the same person or dealing with the same issues? Has one drastic negative event happened in your life that led to another negative event and it begins to feel overwhelming? It’s time to change your mindset and your surroundings.
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Successful people do things that put them in the best situations. Many people have problems with how to break bad habits, recognizing your bad habits is important to elevating your life to the next level! We are all searching for ways to have nice things and live an abundant life, and to achieve this we have to be aware of what we put our energy into. Positive energy will more often than not produce positive results. Sometimes we get so caught up in our lives that we don’t even realize that we aren’t attracting what we need to and that what’s around us isn't healthy. You have to be able to eliminate distractions and go into solitude. To eliminate your distractions, you have to figure out what exactly is a distraction to you. Ask yourself these questions:
What is disturbing my peace?
What am I giving my focus to that I know I can do without?
What takes your attention away from doing what you need to do?
After you figure out the answers to these questions, you will know what needs to go. These answers could be life changing. Practice being in solitude and focus on what makes you happy and what brings you peace. If it disturbs your spirit, most likely you don't need it. This can apply to activities, and people as well. You’re only as good as the people you associate with. If your friends aren’t living up their potential, how is that helping you live up to yours? Where is your motivation to do better if the people around you aren’t pushing you to be better?
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Human nature is to become a product of our environments and our surroundings. Take a look at your inner circle and evaluate; are these the people that are going to help me get to the next level in life? Surround yourself with people who have similar goals to you, and are constantly making positive leaps in their lives. Surround yourself with people that are doing better than you, and watch how your motivation to do better changes.
Positive Affirmations
Smart Goal Setting
Smart goal setting is one of the easiest and most critical keys to getting what you want. You may be asking why is goal setting important? Writing down your goals in life makes them real and you will be on your way to becoming a successful person. Many people are unfamiliar with how to set goals, so here a few tips. Start by writing a list of smart goals; short term goals and long term goals. Next to each of these goals, write down how you plan to accomplish this goal. Post the list somewhere visible where you can see it each and everyday; a healthy reminder that you made a promise to yourself to accomplish something.
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After you accomplish a certain goal, cross it out. This system of goal setting and reading your goals everyday and crossing them out when they're accomplished will push your life to the next level. Success is like a drug; as soon as you get a test of something good you will continue to want more of it. Accomplishing your goals will become second nature to you and positive after positive will begin to happen for you. Just watch how things change in your life!
Postive Affirmations
Speaking positive affirmations into your life everyday is a major key to a mindset shift. Start speaking positive words on your negative situations and your approach to adversity will change. Positive thinking is extremely important for your mindset shift. The power of positive thinking is underestimated, and implementing this into your life will produce positive life changes. Positive affirmations should become a lifestyle. Thinking positive in all situations is how successful people think, and this helps them to accomplish great success. Speaking things into existence is one of the best habits of successful people.
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People are attracted to positive people, and the energy they put out. Nobody wants to be around a debby downer all the time, a party pooper, a mood killer. When you start to speak positive about every situation, the impossible becomes possible so do not underestimate the power of positivity! Break the habit of negative thinking and negative self talk and replace this with positive self talk! What seemed like a major giant, a mountain, now just becomes another hurdle for you to jump over. Positive affirmations are a definite life changer.
How do I attract better and be better? Eliminate distractions. Smart goal setting. Speak positive affirmations and positive self talk. Once your surroundings and habits change, you will change. You will attract better if you become better. This is a process and with every great thing comes work and time but will guarantee that you are a success in life. Speak life into your endeavors and practice good habits! Push through the adversity and become who you were destined to be!
THIS ARTICLE IS RELATED TO: positive thinking, law of attraction, abundant life, positive affirmations, positive words, the power of positive thinking, smart goals, goal setting
Meet Lauryn Bass, contributing writer to 247 Live Culture!