Stained Glass Windows

Elizabeth Kubler Ross once said, "People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun comes out, but when the darkness sets in, their beauty is revealed only if there is light on from within."

How is your life? Are you happy and full of joy? Is there darkness, sadness, or gloom? What prevents you from shining from the inside?

If you would like to sparkle and feel better, take some to feed your body and your mind. Ask yourself these questions.

Do I get enough rest?

Am I free from worry?

Am I eating well?

Do I know how to have fun?

Do I like myself?

Am I free from getting headaches too frequently?

Am I comfortable being around people?

Am I relaxded most of the time?

If you answered "no" to several of these, relax. This is just a way for you to get in touch with yourself and to explore strategies for self-improvement. Here are some suggestions to help you experience some joy and better self-esteem.

Go out to eat at a new restaurant. Treat yourself.

Call someone you care about but have not spoken to for some time.

Write a gratitude list.

Do some volunteer work or help another.

Write some poetry.

Listen to soothing music.

Avoid excessive caffeine and smoking.

Journal about your life and feelings.

Connect with your Higher Power. If you do not have one you can always pray, "I don't know if you are out there, but if you are, I could use some help." It's amazing what can happen!

And remember, Rome was not built in a day. Windows take time to accumulate grime and cloudiness. So clean carefully and thoroughly and begin to sparkle from within.

Copyright 2005
Karlynn Baker

Karlynn Baker is originally from California but moved to Arizona to receive her Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with a speciality in addictions. She owns The Employee Assistance Program of Tucson, Inc. helping contracted employees with mental health concerns. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor for the state of Arizona, and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She also shares a positive message every morning on KSAZ 580 AM. She enjoys life with her husband, David, her three daughters, and her two adorable grandsons.

In The News:


Cal still has plenty of motivation
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 7 hours ago
Cal's preseason goals of winning the Pac-10 title and playing in the Rose Bowl are no longer attainable, so senior defensive end Rulon Davis called a ...
Cal still smarts from '07 Big Game defeat Contra Costa Times
The Big Game will be a big game for Stanford Arizona Daily Star
Don't Know What You've Got Daily Californian
San Jose Mercury News - San Francisco Chronicleall 229 news articles

Army football preview: Mooney has plenty of motivation
Times Herald-Record, NY - 8 hours ago
But personal achievements aren't Mooney's motivation when he takes the field at Rutgers Saturday. "It's really for the program right now as far setting them ...

Bleacher Report

Oakland Raiders: 41-14 Will be the Motivation for Sunday's Rematch
Bleacher Report, CA - 19 hours ago
by greg pitsch (Columnist) When the season was just getting started, the Raider Nation was in full force to deter the haters that always seem to find us, ...

Washington Post

Michigan has plenty motivation to beat Buckeyes
Chicago Tribune, United States - Nov 18, 2008
"Our current players have not gotten a win over Ohio State, so that's probably the motivation for us, particularly our seniors. ...
OSU-UM Rivalry Up Close: Antwerp's Bryan Gray in his senior season ... Defiance Crescent News
Rich Rodriguez coached by many on OSU-Michigan tradition Detroit Free Press
OSU chasing Big Ten title Independent Collegian (subscription)
Toledo Blade - OSU - The Lanternall 1,063 news articles

Pitt State running back cites mother as motivation
Pittsburg Morning Sun, KS - Nov 20, 2008
His mother’s motivation does not take away the love he has for his son, who lives in San Jose, Calif. “I always think about him,” Brandon said. ...

The Gazette (Montreal)

Stamps plan to use lack of respect as motivation
TSN.ca, Canada - 11 hours ago
... feel is a lack of respect into a motivational tool for Sunday's Grey Cup game at Olympic Stadium (coverage begins at 3pm et/Noon pt on TSN and TSN HD). ...
Cohon spreads good news Toronto Star
Grey Cup finalists urged to 'enjoy the moment' Belleville Intelligencer
Grey Cup really a Matter of mInds Ottawa Citizen
Vancouver Sunall 604 news articles

Bleacher Report

Oklahoma's Stoops: This game is motivation enough
Dallas Morning News, TX - Nov 17, 2008
"We've got all the motivation you need without having to bring up the fact they beat us a year ago," Stoops said. "It's all about this year and what the ...
Sooners looking for victory, not revenge RedRaiders.com
Big XII Week 13 Preview (only 2 games this week) Protrade
Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma Football Betting Odds & Spread BetFirms
OnlineSportsHandicapping.com - Coversall 690 news articles

I look at acting more as motivation than inspiration: Katrina
Zee News, India - 57 minutes ago
Katrina: I look at it more as motivation than inspiration. For me beauty is a matter of opinion. It happens quite a lot of times that people tell me this ...

Round 2 bugaboo a motivation for SHS
Muskogee Daily Phoenix, OK - Nov 20, 2008
By Jeremy Short After watching their season come to an end in the second round of the playoffs in consecutive seasons, Sequoyah takes that step again toward ...

Gift Guide: Fitness gadgets to revive motivation
The Age, Australia - 16 hours ago
But now that winter is arriving, sapping my motivation to get off the couch, I've started looking at fitness gadgets that could help refresh my workouts. ...
motivation - Google News

Success -- The Key and the Fire

Self-discipline is a powerful tool that can help you accomplish... Read More

Violating Boundaries: Assert Yourself and Take Charge

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a... Read More

The New Morality

In a world where dynamism alters egos and principles in... Read More

Courage Is A Gift

"It is not what happens to you, but how you... Read More

Dont Let Failure Go To Your Head

I watched as an 8-year-old All-Star slid dramatically into second... Read More

Change Your Life, Release Fear, and Create What you Really Want

Do you have a dream? Or do you just have... Read More

Achieving Your Dreams

While most people spend most of their lives struggling to... Read More

Going The Extra Mile

There is one sure way to get what you want... Read More

Nurturing Your Vision

There is a new television show, called Blind Justice that... Read More

By Planning and Exerting Effort, You Can Change Things For The Better

Most of us plan to find the love of our... Read More

How To Harness The Awesome, Unstoppable Power Of Persistence In 4 Easy Steps

Never underestimate the power of persistence!If you persist you really... Read More

The Seven Keys to Motivation

Motivation. It's a complicated subject that is studied by many... Read More

Why Holding A Vision Magnetizes Great Achievement

The only reason some people enjoy success while others fail... Read More

7 Key Steps to Unshakable Confidence

Do you remember that day? Perhaps it was your first... Read More

Five Great Ideas From Aristotle

It was Socrates who said that the purpose of philosophy... Read More

The ONE Question Winners ALWAYS Ask?.

Over the past several years I have experienced my fair... Read More

I?ll Do It In A Minute... Or Maybe I Won?t

'Procrastination is like a credit card: it's a lot of... Read More

Get Negativity Out Of Your Life!

They say that the way to have a positive attitude... Read More

Are You Stuck?

You know the feeling.There's something you want to do. You've... Read More

Make The Most Of Today

"Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at... Read More

No, Fear! The Success is Yours (1)

Fear is the minds great mortal sin.And isn't it just... Read More

Dont Get Hysterical About The Historical

The tension was palpable in the room as I began... Read More

How Poor Are You!

Do you want to know your poverty graph? You are... Read More

Book Summary: If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

This #1 New York Times bestseller offers some useful and... Read More

Seven Habits Of Ineffective People

For maximum effectiveness in life, love or business, it helps... Read More