Books have the power to transform lives but you have to read them for them to work! Don’t be so easily “entertained” by the television, open a book instead! I am actually reading 6 books right now. I am reading 4 which I use as references for the course I am teaching about step families. The other 2 books are audios: 1 that I listen to at the gym on my iPhone, and the other I listen to in the car because it is on CD.
Here is the list of my current reading:
Reading for FUN:
Outwitting The Devil by Napolean Hill
Your Kids Are Your Own Fault by Larry Winget
Reading for research:
Mom’s House, Dad’s House by Isolina Ricci
The Secrets Of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler
Joint Custody With A Jerk by Julie Ross and Judy Corcoran
Co-Parenting With A Toxic Ex by by Amy Baker and Paul Fine
I often hear people “say” they want to make changes, or “say” they want to better themselves, or “say” they want to make things work out, but I don’t “see” them taking action. All the answers to all the problems that anyone faces, are available in books! In addition to my extensive coaching programs, I often “prescribe” books to my clients. My best selling book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness, is always first on the list! 🙂 If you would like to start to transform YOUR life, please pick up a copy today: http://liveinspirednow.com/the-book/
*Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness has an extensive bibliography that lists all of my favorite transformational books, and movies!*
Don’t wish for a new life, create one, start with a great book, and Live Inspired Now!
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!
So many people, walking around day in and day out, without a clue of who they are, what they like, or what they want. Don’t be a zombie. Discover YOURSELF. Look deeply into your own soul, ask it some questions, listen to the responses, and make changes as needed. I can’t tell you how many times in my life I have continued to do something that was displeasing, only because I was used to doing it. Or how long I stayed in relationships that were devastating only because I didn’t know what else to do. Who want’s to live like that…. I sure didn’t! I changed, you can too!
Wake up now, do NOT ignore INSPIRATION…. it is everywhere! It is a cliché’ post on Facebook, it is a smile from a stranger, it is a joke that wasn’t funny but made you laugh, it is a realization, it is a cold day that reminds you to be grateful for your warmth, it is really noticing the sun setting, it is silence that makes you finally hear what others are saying…. inspiration is in every moment if you allow yourself to discover it. What messages are you seeing over and over again, and why are you ignoring them?
I love this quote: “One may understand the cosmos, but never the ego; the self is more distant than any star.” ~G.K. Chesterton To me, it speaks volumes! People understand everything but themselves. Invest some time in self-discovery and self-awareness so you can truly enjoy life, and live with ease. Chaos, unhappiness, unrest, stress, and misery SUCK! Choose inspiration, practice self discovery, and Live INSPIRED Now!
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!
“Hey Heather,
I am a hot mess! I am separated from my 3rd husband and ready to move on. I am tired of moving on with the wrong people. I find myself with people just for the ‘comfort’ but they are unhealthy, and I know they are not for me. In relationships, I feel like I am often either the doormat or a major bitch! I don’t want to get hurt again, but I also don’t want to hurt another person. I am just starting to enjoy being alone for the first time since I was a teenager. Is this normal? I’m too old to keep making dead-end mistakes that leave me heartbroken. Any advice or suggestions?” -Hot Mess
Dear Hot Mess,
Welcome to the “hot mess club!” It’s actually a really beneficial place to be because now you have learned all the lessons, and gone through the hard part!! Time to move past the hurt and start to really experience all the love, joy, and happiness that life has to offer!! You can start this journey by doing some “self-awareness” work. Time to ditch the people who are holding you back or hurting you in any way! YOU DESERVE TO BE HAPPY! Sounds like you have already started to create some boundaries with the unhealthy people in your life, good job! Feel free to delete, block, or ignore the rest of them! I went through this too. I had to “upgrade” the people I let be in my life. Self empowerment: just do it! Do things that might be a little scary but will get you out of that “comfort” that you mentioned. Comfort is for couches, not personal growth! Get out there and start meeting new people, trying new things, and take courses that will teach you more about yourself. You have been a mom and a wife for so long that you forgot that you are also a woman with your own dreams too! It is time to start doing things that YOU LOVE, that will excite you and help you remember to laugh and be happy! Sounds like you are a very strong lady, let that strength continue to help you grow and learn so you can go out and grab life by the balls! I was a hot mess for a while too! I was married 3 times before I met my current husband. I did it. So can you!!!! You just have to be willing to take a few steps to improve your life!
Here are a few small steps:
Read self-help books (I hope you will start with mine, you will like the stories! Live Inspired Now: A Field Guide For Happiness)
Put notes all over your house with positive messages on them!
Ditch, delete, and disregard Debbie Downers, then DISCOVER new, more positive people! (maybe look for a positive meetup group in your area at meetup.com )
Exercise a little each day…. even if it’s just a short walk.
Crank up some fun music and dance, sway, or move in some way….. smile, laugh, and enjoy it!
Put on some comedy! Do whatever makes you laugh!
Spend a few minutes each day in gratitude for all that you are. You woke up today…. that alone is enough to be grateful for!
Turn off the news. There will always be bad in the world, but there will also be good. Focus on the GOOD!
Just try these few things and notice how your life turns around! Life is what WE make it… so go make your life awesome! Instead of a “hot mess” just be hot…. red-hot, on fire for life! Your life, your rules my dear! Live Inspired NOW!!!
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!
Lately I have read a lot of posts in which people are complaining about their “ass of an ex,” partner who is “not stepping up as a parent” or “cancelling out on visitation” or “who is still drinking.” BLAH BLAH BLAH!!! I just want to take a moment to mention that while your “EX” may very well be an “ass,” that makes you an “ass picker!”
Isn’t it time we step up and take some personal responsibility for picking the “ass?” I certainly made the wrong choices in my past, and I used to blame my “EX”, too. However, in time, I came to learn that taking personal responsibility for the people I let into my life is far more empowering than assuming the role of a victim. Once I accepted that I MADE BAD CHOICES, then and only then, did I have enough awareness to start making better choices for myself. Sure, I could blame my ex-husband for being an alcoholic, or I could take responsibility for the fact that I thought I could “fix” him, and married him with that intention. I beat myself up for years for making dumb decisions, but that didn’t do me any favors either! It wasn’t until I put on my big girl pants, did some personal development through learning, reading, and letting go that I realized I CREATE MY WORLD. I could either continue to blame everyone else for my problems, or I could step up, set a new standard for my life, make better decisions, and move forward! That is what I did, and you can too!
Stop calling your “EX” out on Facebook. So what if he is an “ass”. Guess what? Calling him an “ass” hasn’t helped the situation yet! When is the last time you called someone a mean or hurtful name and they all of a sudden jumped up and said “You are right! I am an ass! Based on your criticism and public humiliation, I think I will step up and become a better person!” Let’s face it, that is not how it works. I get it, we all need to bitch and complain sometimes to get our feelings out. Call a friend and discharge all that negativity, but stop calling your “EX” mean names in public. It hurts a child to see his parents publicly ridicule one another, and it makes you look bitter and petty.
Just because you picked the wrong person in the past, doesn’t mean you are doomed to repeat the process. Not all women/men are bad. Not all relationships have to be ugly. But if you have a history that seems to make this true, it’s time to step up, read some books, take some courses, hire a coach, and do some personal growth! You deserve to be happy, fulfilled, and in a healthy, happy relationship in which you feel like the most important person in the world to someone. But first, you have to start focusing on the positive and create a healthier, happier new environment for you and your kids! Model happiness, compassion, and kindness. Let go of the ass from the past and start picking better people to have in your life, and Live Inspired Now!
PS: If you need some help dealing with new family dynamics, please check out: You’re Not My Real Mom!
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!
Personal responsibility is a lesson that all children need to learn, otherwise, they will have a hard time as an adult. Let’s face it, nobody likes that one guy who blames everyone else for his crappy life instead of taking responsibility for his own choices. The prisons are FULL of men and women that blame, shame, or play games. Teach your kids to be responsible, accept consequences, make better choices and to Live Inspired Now!
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!