Hello Everyone, 
It is so important to work hard and to push ourselves to thrive. It is a great thing to work hard and to put our effort into the work that we do. It is also important to learn to relax after we have worked hard. Some of us have a difficult time relaxing or unwinding and it does help when we know what we like to do to relax. Finding things that you enjoy that are relaxing makes it easier to relax when you are done working and also makes it more likely that you will relax after working hard. Some ways of relaxing may include; reading a book, meditating, taking a hot bath, going for a walk, going for a swim, laying down and taking a nap, drawing, knitting, meeting a friend for coffee etc. 
This week, let's all focus on working hard and also on what we are dong to relax. Maybe try something, and if you are not sure how you relax try something off the list until you find something that works for you. 
Take care everyone and thanks for reading...

Hello Everyone, 

In Alice Miller's book, The Drama of the Gifted Child, she states that we can accept admiration as a substitute gratification for our primary needs. Miller identifies our unconscious needs that may have been present since childhood as; respect, understanding and being taken seriously. When we do not understand and identify our true needs, we continue to struggle to find a symbol of what love is. We will accept a false sense of gratification that can come from admiration. Having another admire us and compliment us can feel like love, but if that admirer does not show us respect or attempt to understand us or take us seriously, we will begin to feel confused, frustrated and disappointed. We may also feel like we are less, which can be confusing. If someone is giving us admiration but not meeting our needs, it can be more difficult to identify and advocate for our needs. Admiration is nice to get, but we need to be careful that we are not calling admiration love, or accepting admiration as a substitute for love. 
Take this week to try to determine if you are getting love from your relationships and if not, think of ways to set boundaries so that your needs can begin to be met. 
Thanks for reading and take care everyone! 

Hello Everyone, 
In Paulo Coelho's book, The Alchemist, he states that we strive to become better than we are when we love. Too many times, we define love in ways that defile love instead of honor love. We allow others to say they love us when they do not treat us in loving ways or with love. Or we say that we love others but treat them in a way that is closer to hate than love. Loving another is not always easy. It can be very difficult to set aside our needs and desires to show another care, there is sacrifice in love. Loving someone and wanting more for them, wanting the best for them and the willingness to show them the care that we would like to receive. Loving someone is work, it involves self discipline and self control. When we learn discipline and self control we grow and become better than we were. 
I challenge each of us to focus this week on striving to become better than we are through loving someone. Take care everyone, I hope you find your strength through loving. 
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