I had the pleasure of meeting this fine gentleman one morning.
I asked him about his resources and he pleasantly stated that it would be great if I would post his article on my site.

So here it is…

The Attitude Of Gratitude
By: Earl Erickson

The New Year brings with it a host of Christmas
and New Year celebration problems. Weight is

gained from all the good food you eat, economic
stress from over spending and the lack of daily

exercise routine. New Year’s resolutions are usually forgotten by mid-year. It is time to sit yourself down and take inventory of where you are in
life’s journey.

Focus on all the positive aspects of your life.
Dreams of the future should not diminish appreciation for the present. Do you have a place to
live, transportation, a job, food and people that
care about you? If you acknowledge each item, then you are wealthy with
blessings earned. Every morning recharge your appreciation with a positive
attitude and thoughts. Put a smile on your face and greet people you meet by
saying, “have a grateful day!”

Maintain an “attitude of gratitude” daily. Overweight, worry, heavy heart,
overspending and exercise problems are quickly overcome by having a positive attitude. If there is a will, there is a way to overcome things in a beneficial manner. Negative thoughts, fears, denial, jealousy, disrespect and lack of
personal integrity bring despair. This leads to emotional and physical health
problems.

In communication it isn’t what you say, but how you say it that is most meaningful. The wrong words spoken to others may hurt their feelings and bring
resentment to you. Think about what you are going to say before you say it.

Cultivate an “attitude of gratitude” in your life. Keep things in perspective.
Consider all the people that have overcome difficulties far greater than yours.
Try not to be consumed by your problems, and know there is always a solution. Be open minded and consult with people of experience. Your mind will

devise a resolution to your circumstances if you take the time to concentrate.

It is always the “darkest before the dawn” of each day.

Make every day a day of Thanksgiving for what you have. Start each day with
time for yourself in meditation and prayers. You will be amazed at how much
better your life will become. This is called an “Inside workout for mental fitness”

** Try not: to become a person of success, but a person of value.**

– Albert Einstein

This article went through many emails and I wanted to share some fun and laughter with everyone! Enjoy!

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we’re kids? If you’re less than 10 years old, you’re so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

‘How old are you?’ ‘I’m four and a half!’ You’re never thirty-six and a half. You’re four and a half, going on five! That’s the key

You get into your teens, now they can’t hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

‘How old are you?’ ‘I’m gonna be 16!’ You could be 13, but hey, you’re gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . . You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony .YOU BECOME 21 YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There’s no fun now, you’re Just a sour-dumpling. What’s wrong? What’s changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you’re PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it’s all slipping away. Before you know it, you  REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.

But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn’t think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30,PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.

You’ve built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it’s a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80′s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30 ; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn’t end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; ‘I Was JUST 92.’

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. ‘I’m 100 and a half!’
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay ‘them.’
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop’ And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,but by the moments that take our breath away.

Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘holy cow…What a ride!’

Sometimes life just happens. Everyone around you is saying when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Just forget it all happened. Yeah right. Pretty hard to do when things are going sideways. However, you can change your state of mind rather than dwelling on the negative aspects of it all. This is far from the rah rah articles that you read all the time, the “just think this way and your life will flourish.” This is REAL! It’s about changing your whole thought process.

Anything familiar in here?

1.‘My life sucks’ Way of Thinking – You are not happy with anything in your life. Everyone and everything that you associate with is bad. All the people have an agenda and it’s not positive. All is wrong in the world

2.‘Jumping to the wrong conclusions’ Way of Thinking– You jump ahead and making decisions without any substantial evidence. This is such a negative and destructive pattern that can effect you in all aspects of your life. Reality is so clouded that you create your own visions of events without thinking sensibly. You tend to make a lot of conclusions without any evidence to back up your conclusions.

3.‘Poor me syndrome’ Way of Thinking – Nothing good and worth while will ever happen to you. You’re not worthy. This is such a self destructive thought process and is stemming from a serious lack of self esteem.

4.‘Everyones’ negative thoughts ’ Way of Thinking – You think everyone around you is thinking negative thoughts about you and how you are. This leads to your own self depleting thought process and everything around you is bad.

5.‘I should have, could have but didn’t’ – Way of Thinking – You know exactly what it takes to succeed and move forward to change your life. You have all the tools and are quite capable. The only thing you are missing is the action to move things in the right direction. Stuck in the IF ONLY syndrome.

6.‘Losing control of your Emotions’ Way of Thinking – Everything you are thinking and doing is based on your emotions and the inability to focus on what is real. This links to your lack of self esteem and you not being worthy of success.

7.‘It’s all my fault’ Way of Thinking – You blame yourself for everything bad that is happening around you and your friends and family. You are the cause for every negative event that transpired in your life. Everything is your fault.

8.‘Nobody else is as capable as I am’ Way of Thinking – Nobody can do anything as you. You feel that everyone around you is incompetent and that you just do everything yourself so you don’t need to rely on anybody else.

I just revealed to you some of the most common ways of thinking that we all go through in our lives. I was very fond of the drama and the emotions way of thinking. In fact, I was a master of it. Then the poor me would kick in and we would all have a big party together! Wow what a productive and fun life that was! But I made a decision to change all that. I chose to become a coach and that action alone began my life changing process. Don’t get me wrong, I’m far from perfect but I am real and I am human. I am learning and growing all the time. I made the decision to make those changes and change my “state” once and for all. I love my life and I want you to be have the ability to change that thought process as well, once and for all.
This is how I did it!

Admitting there is a need for change – It’s called denial! I don’t have a problem, I don’t need to change. If you like the way you are and do not feel the need to change, then don’t. If you want this change then you have to see how you perceive your life. We are all different and everyone’s life and circumstances are different. This all comes down to how we think in our daily life. If you think that things are outstanding then they will be outstanding and you will manifest things as such.

How you use these destructive ways of thinking – We make the decision to think positively from a powerful place. Using different thought processes and patterns depending on the circumstances and events that occur. Recognizing when you use our negative thinking process supports you in changing the thought patterns and changing your state.

Changing your “state” – Your state is where you are in your thought process, your state of mind. How to change it is an exercise, that with practice will come you to you naturally. You can choose to do it slowly or use this thought process to speed up the results.

Get sad…and as soon as you get sad, get sadder, and sadder and then even more sad…almost weeping. The think of something that instantly makes you feel happy. Now repeat this process with quicker changes…make sense? Practice this exercise on an ongoing basis and when you start to think of anything that is less than happy, you know how to instantly change your state.

It’s all in the action and the desire to change, nothing else. If there is the want to then there is a way to. Always is!
The new Ways of Thinking
Now that you have been able to recognize some of the destructive thinking patterns that you have acquired throughout your life, you also have the a few ideas on how to change those patterns.
It’s a choice…you either want to be happy and live a fulfilling and joyful life or you don’t. It really is that simple.
In a short period of time you will notice on how you react to events and people in your life, and how they react to you.

Remember, do onto others….

You will also attract like minded people. Do this little test and see how it works out for you.
Smile at several different people throughout your day, say good morning or just say HI and see what reaction you get. Then do the opposite, be grumpy and ignorant and see what happens. Bet you like the first reactions more.

Just don’t think about wanting to be happy, make a powerful decision to change today.

Nicole Gruendl
Life Success Coach
E: Nicole@NicoleGruendl.com
W: www.NicoleGruendl.com

Life Coaching is an effective way of establishing where you are in your life, where you are going, and how you will get there. By focusing on the Present and Future it supports you in recreating your self confidence, enjoying your work and creating time for yourself and your family.
Why would you need to pay someone to support you through this? Ask yourself this question:  “If I continue doing things as I have been, will I create and achieve my goals? Will I have that fulfilling life that I’ve always wanted?”

Life coaching is not about changing you but becoming who you REALLY are. Being successful is not just about having a great career, or a wonderful family.  It means that you adapt your world to a world that suits you. The more you know about who you are, the easier it will be to achieve what you want and to find what fulfills you.

Clients of Life Coaches experience positive change by revealing what is hidden. Imagine what it would be like to feel more in control, organized, clear about your choices, and that life is filled with unlimited possibilities. You can have all that and more!
The result is a more fulfilling career, more satisfying relationships, more spirituality, and the motivation to reach one’s greatest potential. If you know that something’s holding you back from achieving this in your life, you can find a way to break through those barriers and fears.
Once you’ve made the decision that you want to work with a coach, it’s a good idea to shop around for the right coach. Interview several coaches before making your selection. Ask about their training, background, experience, and philosophy. Then make a commitment to yourself to live a more fulfilled and peaceful life.

The purpose of a Life Coach is essentially to help you:

-Make changes for the better
-Set appropriate goals and achieve them
-Develop your full potential
-Define your idea of a more fulfilling life
-Change negative habits and beliefs
-Voice what you really want – even if you don’t know yet
-Find a new career or direction, if appropriate
-Clarify boundaries at work and at home
-Know yourself better – and perhaps like yourself better!
-Manifest some mushy dreams as well as serious ambitions
-Really live life to the full with passion and conviction

With this powerful client/coach alliance, clients find themselves:

- Doing more than they would on their own
- Taking themselves more seriously
- Creating momentum and consistency
- Taking more effective and focused actions
- Becoming more balanced and fulfilled
- Discovery and experience of life and
- Allowing love and creativity
- Noticing what is so and being with it
- Effortless, flow and peace
-New relationship to chaos, problems,
- Mature, adult relationship with self and others
- Willing to take risks and be vulnerable
- Deepening of intimacy and closeness in relationships
-Purpose is clear and actions are now
- Making dreams come true
-Getting you out of your own way

Do you need life coaching?

-Do you feel overwhelmed?
-Are you stuck in a life rut?
-Are you neglecting yourself, your family, and/or your work?
-Do you feel the stress of too many conflicting forces?
-Do you just react to life versus creating the life you want?

Are you READY:

-I am ready to create more balance in my life.
-I am ready to improve my personal or business relationships.
-I am ready to make real and positive changes in my life.
-I am ready to find and live my life’s purpose.
-I am ready and willing to overcome self-limiting beliefs and behavior.
-I am ready to create plans and take action to achieve my goals.
-I am ready to achieve a sense of fulfillment at work and in my life.
-I am ready for more fun and enjoyment in my life.
-I’d like to work less and make more money.
-I can benefit from someone who will help me to stay on track

So if this sounds like you, please take the initiative in hiring a coach and start creating the life that you really want to live!

Life Coaching is known as a newer and upcoming career.  Only until the past decade or so, many of the coaches mentioned and that we were familiar with were sports oriented.

A life coach generally works with tools and projects for individual growth and self improvement so the results are created by the clients themselves.  Coaching is about finding and being yourself; who you are from the inside.  This also supports the successes in your life.  Being successful can mean so much more than accepting the life that you have. The more you know about who you are, the easier it will be to achieve what you want and to find what fulfills you.
Personal development has become so popular; from movies to books, to DVD’s and workshops.  You see, most people don’t think with that expanded view. Instead we are taught that we need to work harder to make better results. This is old school thinking, and the world is opening up to all sorts of growth and possibilities.

When we look at personal development, self improvement, and life coaching, we have found that they integrate well together.  Life Coaching is about finding a way to establish where you are in life and where you are going.  Many of us have been “lost in the life shuffle” that we have these ideas and thoughts about where we want to be, but have no idea how to get there.   With life coaching you gain support in areas such as your self confidence, enjoying your work, creating time for yourself or creating and living your dreams.

More and more people are learning the benefits of personal development and the increase of Happier and more loving societies are on the up rise.  The internet has facilitated this also Not so long ago, having access to this information was limited to books and cds and some workshops, but now with Internet access, we have this unlimited access to all the greatest of information. This accessibility has allowed the population to research life coaching and see if it’s a fit for them and their own personal situations.

Life coaches have the access to the clients as well with the ability to advertise, creating websites, blogs and selling their personal products. This is has all been created for people who just want more out of their lives – both personally and professionally. All and all it’s a win win situation for everyone involved.

This fusion has all come together to create a new industry of life coaches. And the trends speak for themselves. As more people want to get ahead in a competitive world, they need a life coach.

Some of those in personal development are looking at the possibility in becoming a life coach. You perhaps may be in such a position yourself. And the life coaching industry now has more and more life coach certification and life coaching training that is making it easy to get into life coaching, and start your own practice.

The end result is about the impact that Life Coaching has on our society.  The change it makes in one person’s life can alter their life environment forever.  Life Coaching allows connection, transition, change and life altering experiences to happen.  Some are more intense than others, but change none the less.. You don’t have to be stuck in a formal learning method, but can simply get help in the areas you need, and find the solutions you need now. So take action in creating the life that you really want and deserve!

Nicole Gruendl
Life and Success Coach
Nicole@NicoleGruendl.com