101 Exercises for the Soul

Approach life like a child, take the first step, and learn to walk. If you don’t try, you won’t succeed.

asked the audience to tell me who or what they thought was their greatest teacher. There were many answers; some of the most poignant were pain and loss. My answer is death. I refuse to let other people and circumstances impose on my joy, because I know, as we all should, that I have a limited time to live.

ick up a book by a famous person you admire

Why should you have to learn the hard way when there are wonderful coaches and teachers who have preceded you?

Post your favorite affirmations where you will see them every day — on your bathroom mirror, on your refrigerator, on your desk, and so on. For thirty days, read them aloud or repeat them silently to yourself several times a day and before bed. Every month re-create your list and choose new affirmations to focus on. As your attitude improves, your body and life will become what you affirm.

Take a sheet of paper and draw a vertical line down the middle of the paper. Then take a few minutes to think about all of the major aspects of your life, such as your body, your job, your mate, and so on. Note any negative thoughts, even if they are just momentary, and write them down in the left column. When you’ve finished your review, read through the negative thoughts you’ve collected. Now take these thoughts and turn them into positive statements in the right column. For instance:

When you finish, display the list where you will see it often, especially when troubling thoughts start surfacing. Keep adding to your list over the next several weeks, and take the time every day to read it to remind yourself of all the things in your life you are grateful for.

Start by making a list of at least twenty things you are grateful for in your life. You might start with basic necessities like having a roof over your head, a chair to sit on, food to eat, a warm bed at night, and so on. Then continue with the more meaningful and personal areas of your life, such as your friends, family, work, pets, and health.

You can’t be troubled and grateful at the same time. This exercise can be repeated often and will always obtain the same results.

Gratitude is one of the best ways to improve your attitude and feel better.