2025

Wow! I can’t believe it’s been a quarter of a century since it turned 2000. Time really does go by so quickly.
 
The other day I had the pleasure of talking to a very young spirited 81 year old woman. When I told her my age, 63, she said “Ooh you’re so young.”  Everything is relative :). 
 
“Honey, life is so short, and it just flies by, do whatever it is you want to do now!” “Enjoy your life- don’t get caught up in nonsense.” 
 
I loved that conversation. That is how I try to live every day.
 
Don’t wait! Do what you want to do NOW! As we enter 2025- be proud, be appreciative and be brave.  Do what you have been thinking about doing for a long time! The universe has your back!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Clichere.

Sending you so much love!

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Melissa Garson
PEACEFUL HOLIDAY

One of the quickest ways to live more peacefully is to accept that not everyone thinks like you!
 
It’s as simple as that. Don’t be angry with those that don’t see things your way, and don’t try to convert them. They have come to their views and feelings their own way. You can (as lovingly as possible) share your views and feelings but do it without an agenda.
 
The pressure dissipates when you “let them be them”. Have a great peaceful loving holiday season!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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Melissa Garson
FOUR AGREEMENTS

I often recommend the book “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. It is life changing.
The main premise is that a person’s life is determined by the agreements they make with themselves, with others, with G-d, and with society.

Here they are : 
     1.  Do not take anything personally
     2.  Be impeccable with your word
     3.  Do not make assumptions
     4.  Always do your best
 
The key is to remember and practice them.
 
Take one agreement and be intentional about doing it for a week. Put sticky notes around your home to remind yourself. Then, the next week perform the next agreement, and so on…
 
The practices that I share can add so much inner peace, joy, and love to your life. The most important part is remembering to practice them.
Have a great week!


To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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Melissa Garson
LIVING IN THE PRESENT

I believe that living in the present moment while having something to look forward to is key to feeling joyful in life.
 
When you are being present- focusing on whatever you are doing – (without dwelling on the past or worrying about the future) and have a positive future activity in mind (perhaps a plan to go to the movies, taking an extra-long bath or looking forward to a trip) your days can become so much more enjoyable.
 
Try it this week: focus on being in the moment in whatever you are doing and make some plans for fun. Be present with positive anticipation! ENJOY!


To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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Melissa Garson
BE OPEN, BE FLEXIBLE

“Necessity is the mother of invention”. ~ Plato
 
I love quotes and this one came to me this week when a recipe I was making called for tomatoes. I was unable to shop for them. I found a can of roasted tomatoes in the cabinet and used them. The dish was delicious.
 
This can apply to many different situations.
 
This week, when things come up that aren’t 100% easy and obvious…..and you don’t have what you need, remember this quote and get creative.
 
Life is too short. Don’t take everything so seriously!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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Melissa Garson
MESSAGES & SIGNS

How would your life be different if you knew you were being guided?


We all get messages and signs. Some are big and some are small. As a wise person once told me: “There's no shortage of signs”. 


We just need to be aware of them; the song that you keep hearing, the license plate initials of someone special, the person you were thinking of that you “just so happened” to bump into.  


You can call them coincidences if you choose, but what if they were messages that you are connected to the universe, on the right path, and are being guided by something much larger than you? 


Imagine how your life might be different if you believed that a higher power had your back and…..along with your head and heart, was guiding you through life.  


Try it this week. Become aware of any sign. At all. Trust that you are being given a message.


To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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Melissa Garson
CLOSE YOUR SHADES

Sometimes we all need to just shut down for a little while.

Closing your eyes is like closing your shades. You shut out the visual distractions. 

Then... bring your attention to your breath going in and out of your nose. This will slow down some of the many mental distractions.

This week, set aside a few minutes each day to just… close your shades. Listen to your breath and be still.  Notice how you feel.

This week. set aside a few minutes each day to just close your shades, listen to your breath going in and out of your nose and be still.  Notice how you feel.

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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Melissa Garson
YOU DECIDE

People will treat you the way that you allow them to.  We all know that we can’t control what others say and do- but….. we can decide how we will allow them to speak and behave toward us. 

We do this by being clear about what is acceptable to us and as kindly as possible expressing our feelings. The key is not to engage if another is not respectful of our wishes. 

Sometimes it is easier said than done- but it is a practice. The clearer you are within yourself (about the way you want to be treated) and the more you hold on to your self -respect, honor your feelings, and stick with the practice- the easier it becomes. 
Watch and see how things can change!

If you are interested in an EXCELLENT online program to strengthen your communication skills- check out my colleague’s program:
https://www.therelationshipprotocol.com/my-communication-tools-debra-roberts

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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Melissa Garson
BE KIND TO YOUR MIND

I know that sounds weird but it’s true. We need to be more intentional about everything in our lives including taking care of our minds. 
 
With all the negativity in the world and all the distractions we have it’s challenging to keep a peaceful positive mindscape. 
 
Here’s a few ways to try: 

  1. Say something kind to yourself about yourself every day!

  2. Do a kind action for someone else every day! 

  3. Get outside and just sit still.  Look around you. Look up at the sky. Consciously appreciate the nature around you! 

If you nourish your mind, it will nourish you!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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Melissa Garson
YOU'VE GOT THE POWER

You may not realize that you have the power to make someone’s day better- but you do! 
 
It doesn’t matter who or where it is. This week be intentional about making someone feel comfortable or happy or even just heard! 
 
At night before you go to bed - ask yourself. Whose day might I have made a little better today? 
 
This releases your “happy hormones.”  Feel good and sleep well! 😴

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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Melissa Garson
NOT ALL STRESS IS BAD

Positive stress or eustress is a term used when you view a stressful situation as an opportunity that can lead to a good outcome. This “good stress” is in contrast with negative stress or distress which occurs when you perceive a stressor as a threat that will have a poor outcome.

The way a person responds to a stressful situation determines whether they will experience eustress or distress. Feeling resilient and knowing you have what it takes will make all the difference!

It is important to be proactive in managing the stress you are experiencing. Here are a few things you can do:

  1. Develop a Mantra – for example “I can do this.” Say it throughout your day – to reinforce your feelings of efficacy.

  2. Get Organized- Make a list of tasks and number them by order of importance.

  3. Stay Refreshed- eat healthy foods, drink plenty of water, move your body, get enough sleep, take breaks in your day, get into nature.

A positive response to a stressor can motivate you to deal with a challenge or accomplish a task. In the end, eustress can lead you to feelings of satisfaction, accomplishment and wellbeing. 

YOU GOT THIS!


To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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Melissa Garson
APPRECIATION IS CHEMICAL

It can be magical for both people when you say thank you for a specific “act” or “thing”.


For example, Thank you for listening. Thank you for going with me to test drive the car two times. Thank you for dinner. You get it. 


It feels so good to be appreciative and grateful. Being specific makes it even more meaningful. 


Feeling these positive emotions releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with pleasure, connection and trust, as well as dopamine and serotonin which contribute to an overall sense of happiness and well-being. 


This week - make it a point to share your appreciation for everything you can! See how you feel. ❤️


To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

PS - Stay tuned for info on my ~ (Zoom) Spiritual Wellness Bookclub 📗 💫  

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Melissa Garson