Pistole is a best-selling author, blogger, coach and motivational speaker who describes herself as a "joy-fanatic".
The national news has been so negative for so long, we can begin to wonder if things will ever return to normal. Headline after grim headline, story after unpleasant story, the media hits us over and over again with messages about the pandemic that are depressing, pessimistic and filled with doom and gloom scenarios for the future.
While the effects of the pandemic have been catastrophic on a national scale, it is on a personal level where we can consciously choose to take another path; a path that is very different. We do not have to wait for the pandemic to be over to return to a state of equilibrium. We can instead find joy in the very midst of adversity, if we consciously choose to do so. Best-selling author Louise Pistole recently offered 15 tips to find joy in our lives, regardless of any external event:
"While reading a C|Net article titled, 'COVID-19 pandemic causes devastating drop in global life expectancy, study finds,' I was struck with sadness. So, not only is the pandemic claiming lives every day, but those who survive now likely have a shorter life span.
"The article goes on to state, “In July, the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics also reported that life expectancy in the US fell by 1.5 years in 2020. That's the biggest drop since World War II, according to NPR.”
"The closing comment in this article said, “As of last week, the COVID-19 pandemic had killed as many Americans as the Spanish flu in 1918 -- about 1 in 500 Americans. Unvaccinated people have accounted for more than 97% of hospitalizations and deaths.”
"What does this information mean to us? Do we read it and just continue to go on with our lives? Or do we stop to consider the impact it could have on our lives?
"Personally, I am alarmed to see how many people have died from the pandemic. I am confused by the varying opinions of whether to get vaccinated or not. And, I am saddened that our life spans are potentially shortened.
"After giving some thought to this article, here are my tips and ideas for dealing with the pandemic, shortened life spans, and everything else around this topic.
Tip #1 - The one thing we all can do today is to treat others with KINDNESS. Not everyone will have the same opinion that we do and that’s ok. Use kindness to offer others hope and encouragement instead of attacking those who may think differently.
Tip #2 – Don’t stress over everything in the news. I believe we need information and knowledge in order to make intelligent decisions. But worrying over the news headlines causes stress, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and a host of other medical issues.
Tip #3 – Relationships are important in our quest to deal with the pandemic. Reach out to family and friends regularly and let them know they are important. Take time to chat with neighbors. Phone a friend for sharing and support. Check on the older members of the family or those who live alone.
Tip #4 – Make every day count by doing the things you love. Have breakfast in bed. Buy fresh flowers for the table. Learn to make an exotic meal. Read about far away places to visit. Laugh out loud. Take a road trip. And, always sing in the shower.
Tip #5 – Enjoying nature is one of my personal favorites. Take a walk to watch the squirrels play, listen to the birds sing, and smell the flowers. Sit on a bench for a while to enjoy the sunshine. Being out in nature is sure to bring peace and calm to our lives. By putting the phone aside and being fully present outdoors, we return to our day refreshed and re-energized.
Tip #6 – Being grateful for everything we have brings more things to be grateful for into our lives. Make it a daily habit to say ‘thank you’ several times during the day and name a few blessings. Amplify gratitude by saying it out loud or writing it down. There’s always something to be thankful for. And, remember to say grace at mealtime.
Tip #7 – Forgive anyone who may have wronged you. Forgiveness is often difficult to do, but is definitely a powerful source for freeing our minds and hearts of the turmoil. Sometimes we also need to forgive ourselves. Believe you are doing the best you can at the time.
Tip #8 – Look for the positive in people and situations. Don’t get caught in a downward spiral of negativity. Instead, rise above it by spending time with positive minded people. Focus on the good things in life. This one tip will keep our spirits high which releases all the good hormones into our bodies.
Tip #9 – Prioritize health by consuming a healthy diet and drinking lots of water. I know these are good habits that we all need, but I am one of the worst about eating anything green and drinking enough water. I battle it every day. I’ll try to be proactive and do better in an effort to inspire others to follow likewise.
Tip #10 – Take time for yoga or meditation. Both of these activities have a way to calm the chatter and turmoil in our brains. Even doing one of these activities for short periods of time on a regular basis will calm the mind and body. The quietness will nurture the soul.
Tip #11 – The benefits of regular exercise are amazing. Along with burning calories, exercise also strengthens our bodies, increases flexibility, and keeps our hearts humming along. Exercise is one thing most of us dread adding to our schedules. But it is one way to add back those extra years to our lives.
Tip #12 – Another personal favorite of mine is journaling. By writing down thoughts and feelings regularly and releasing them to paper, we clear the pathways in our minds and hearts. Over time, themes or patterns emerge from our writing which can lead us to ideas, inspiration, or ah-ha moments.
Tip #13 – The one tip above all is to serve others and serve them with love and kindness. Our mission here on Planet Earth is to care for our fellow mankind. The list of ways to serve is truly endless. We can do many things from working in a soup kitchen to checking on a sick friend. Find the service that fits your interest or skills. Then go out into the world and serve.
Tip #14 – We all deserve and need time for self-care. Just like flight attendants always tell us to put on our own oxygen mask before helping others, we must take care of ourselves in order to be able to take care of others. If we are depleted of energy or enthusiasm, everything else in our life suffers. Read, relax, refocus – we deserve it.
Tip #15 – For those who believe in a higher being and eternal life, prayer is the ultimate source for living through a pandemic and everything else in life. As we turn our cares over to the Creator of the Universe, our hearts and minds are filled with inner peace.
Rather than allowing the pandemic to cause worry or anxiety, especially over the possibility of shortened life spans, use some of these tips to guide you to living a joyful life instead. Choose one tip to start today, then gradually try to add all of them to a daily routine. Conscious choices and positive living are the pathway to joy!
Discover Your Joy
How does one actually live a life filled with joy? Best-selling author and motivational speaker Louise Pistole has discovered the key to doing just that. She gives us that key in her best-selling book, 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace'. It is a book unlike any other you will ever read.
While many of us believe that happiness is found at the end of some long, arduous process, it is instead that we begin from a state of joy. Some of us have it backwards. Joy is not a reward - it is a choice. And because it is a choice, it is something over which we hold total control. That choice can be made now - today.
Many of us feel hopeless and joyless. Perhaps our intentions are out of alignment with our actions. Surprisingly we can live in joy every day of our lives, but again - it is a choice.
"I made my choice one Sunday morning about 12 years ago when my minister spoke about being joyful and watching out for joy-stealers," Pistole stated. "His message resonated with me and I began my journey to joy through reading, studying, and writing. As I began choosing joy day after day, it gradually became a habit in my life. Now my mission is to guide others to discover their own joy through these daily inspirational readings."
In Discover Your Joy, readers will:
• Enjoy daily inspiration for happiness and joyfulness,
• Learn how to live an abundant life filled with gratitude, hope, and joy,
• Discover inner peace through encouraging words,
• Discover how to become a Joy-Fanatic and enjoy one's best life.
A quick inspirational read every morning helps readers discover ‘moments of joy’ each day. Chock-full of encouragement and motivation, readers will learn to seek and experience gratitude, hope, and true joy.
Readers and reviewers alike have praised 'Discover Your Joy'. One said, "Each page in "Discover Your Joy" is a simple and beautiful reminder that the world may not be perfect, there will always be the ups and the downs, but we have the ability to CHOOSE each day how we will use this gift we call life. I highly recommend this book!!" Another stated, "Pistole gives great insight into ways to remind us that our joy is important and to beware of “joy stealers”. This book is a great way to start your mornings with a great cup of coffee and to discover your joy each and every day!"
Louise Pistole is available for media interviews and speaking engagements and can be reached using the information below or by email at pistole9@gmail.com. 'Discover Your Joy: Daily Splashes of Inspiration for Living an Abundant Life of Happiness, Blessings, and Inner Peace' is available in several formats at Amazon and other book retailers. More information is available at her website at https://www.louisepistole.com.
About Louise Pistole:
Louise Pistole is a best-selling author, blogger and motivational speaker who encourages others to seek their own joy, no matter where they are on their journey through life. She and her husband reside in North Carolina.
Contact:
Louise Pistole
pistole9@gmail.com
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