Recently in Inspiration Category

Here is a beautiful little movie that examines the reality of world change, the destruction of life as we know it, and the potential that we have to create real transformation.

by Lynn Hayes

by Lynn Hayes

by Lynn HayesFor years, researchers have been studying optimists and pessimists, and they have found that an optimistic outlook carries certain advantages. Optimistic people are better achievers, are more resilient in the face of difficulties and cope with stress more easily than their more negative counterparts. And now, there appears to be one more reason for wearing those "rose-colored glasses"--a longer, healthier life!

In a new study, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh reviewed questionnaires that surveyed the personality traits of more than 100,000 women aged 50 and over who are participants of the Women's Health Initiative, an ongoing government study that began in 1994. They tracked the women's rates of death and chronic health conditions for an average of eight years. What they found was a strong link between optimism and a person's risk for cancer, heart disease and early death. ...

So, where does optimism come from? For some lucky people, being optimistic comes naturally. But experts say that for those who aren't as fortunate, optimism is an attitude that can be learned and practiced. By avoiding negative environments, making every effort to seek the company of positive individuals and celebrating your strengths instead of bemoaning your weaknesses, even pessimists can begin to exercise their optimistic muscle. Just remember: It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.   

Last night at dinner, my friend Andrea said "Don't you feel that we need to do something to help the new President make the change we are looking for?  He will need our help!"  Here is an opportunity to do just that.  The Declaration of Service says, in part: 

WE BELIEVE in the ideals that define America: liberty, equality, and justice. 

WE BELIEVE the idea of America is ennobled, and the future of America is strengthened, when Americans come together to serve their country. 

WE BELIEVE there is no challenge that cannot be met with the energy, creativity, and determination of the American people. 

WE BELIEVE all individuals can make a difference and anyone can be great because anyone can serve. ...

WE ARE READY TO SERVE WE CALL on each other and leaders from all sectors of American life, private, public, and non-profit, to work together to create ample opportunities for citizens to serve their communities, their country, and the world. 

WE ENCOURAGE all communities to build upon the strength of our nation's diversity of ideas, experience, and perspectives as we unite to serve. 

WE ARE READY to meet the challenges of our time. We are ready to do our part in America's timeless quest for a more perfect union, and I am ready to begin now by adding my name to this Declaration.

I signed the pledge, and committed to provide at least 50 hours of service annually to my local community, which is about an hour a week.  There's something very different about donating your actual time and physical body to a cause, rather than just throwing money at it.  In the past I have volunteered at animal shelters, tutoring middle school children, and in nursing homes.  My mother has been looking for a volunteer opportunity recently, and in volunteering together with her perhaps I can accomplish two goals at one time.

by Lynn Hayes photo taken by Eric Nguyen. Back in early 2007 I did a reading for a woman whose husband of many years had just left her.  She called me because she wanted some help in figuring out...

From Beth Owl's Daughter's newsletter this month:[T]ere is a lovely interpretation of the 59th hexagram of the I Ching, Huan or Dissolution, which I think illuminates the lessons we've been experiencing in this Wheel of Fortune year:"Crisis means opportunity, but...

I have long believed, and now teach, that happiness and joy are habits that can be learned.  Depression often runs in families, but it is my belief that this is because of belief systems and habits of reaction that are...

" In a world of beginnings, middles, and endings, all beginnings force an ending. Beginnings push through middles and roll on to endings. And what do endings do? Does the energy of the event disappear?No, it doesn't. It goes on...

art by Melanie WeidnerAs many of you know, one of the paradigms by which I live is that we are the co-creators of our reality.  A healthy capitalist economic system is based on this premise:  When consumers feel prosperous, they...

This incredible video is about 8-1/2 minutes, but well worth watching.  The makers of the video have created a beautifully accessible learning tool for education about the energy grid and the bioelectrical changes that are occurring within human beings.  Astrologically,...

The Saturn/Uranus series will conclude tomorrow. The Hopi Indians have long understood the need for an Age of Purification to return our world to a more natural state. As we watch the Zeitgeist movies and contemplate the upcoming  planetary cycles...

photo from Nature's Wallpaper. (I bumped this back to the top for a bit of Sunday inspiration.) Whether we are experiencing a difficult time in our own lives or watching the world change before our very eyes, it is easy to...

Randy Pausch died on Friday after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.  He skyrocketed to fame after he delivered "The Last Lecture" to a standing-room-only crowd at Carnegie Mellon Institute in Pittsburgh.  The lecture, an inspiring film on life's...

This morning I sat down to set my goals for the year, something I used to do New Year's Day but due to various social obligations this sacred process has now been relegated to the 2nd day of January instead....