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Our pets teach us the meaning of loyalty...
When you come home after a long day, they are waiting for you at the door, excited and adoring. They follow you into each room, awaiting your next move. Always by your side, their presence is dependable. You learn a few things about unconditional loyalty from your pets.
We should strive to achieve the same level of loyalty that your pets exhibit...
Remain dedicated at work and endeavor to be the co-worker your peers can rely upon. Your dedicated approach is applied to every task and encounter, without additional motives.
During the day, greet each person with optimism and enthusiasm. When you converse, and grant them undivided attention.
Unconditional loyalty is challenging. Your mind may fill with questions and concerns, thoughts and speculation. However, through practice, you can strengthen your ability to be impartial and open-minded. Like your pets, listen and refrain from interjecting (well maybe a Woof or two) and assist others solely for the purpose of being helpful.
In the workplace, exemplify loyalty to the utmost of your ability.
When you are in charge of a project, remain devoted to the company’s mission statement.
Today, plan to show your commitment to your peers by volunteering assistance, and continue illustrating your trustworthy, dependable nature. Be there to help, regardless of the size of the task.
Take a moment to relax with your pets and think about these
Self-Reflection Questions:
1. What other traits can you learn from your pet?
2. Is it possible to be ‘loyal to a fault’ in the workplace?
3. How important is loyalty in the workplace?
Pawsome pet events academy ~ blog
Why You're Still Waiting to Get Started on Your Dreams
Do you tell yourself that you’ll get started on your big plans at some future date?
You can start a business after the kids graduate from college?
Or, maybe you’ll just wait until Memorial Day to begin your exercise program.
We’ve all done it.
There always seems to be a good reason not to get started right here and now.
Are you sure you know the real reason you’re waiting?
If you’re waiting to begin pursuing your dreams, you’re likely just procrastinating!
Consider these excuses. Is one of them yours?
- You’re waiting for the perfect time.
● Are you waiting for the stars to align and the heavens to tap you on the shoulder and give you permission? You’ll be waiting for a long time.
● The time will never be perfect to get started on something significant, so just get started.
- You’re waiting for something else to happen first.
● Maybe you’re waiting for the kids to move out or for the mortgage to be paid off.
● Or you’re waiting until your next promotion.
- You’re waiting until you have more money.
● Regardless of your budget, there’s something you can do to get started today.
● Even if it’s just doing research and learning new skills, you can do something.
● You’ll find the money you need along the way.
- You’re waiting for Monday, or the first of the month, or the first of the year.
● So many people wait until Monday to start a diet, or the first of the month to begin an exercise routine.
● There’s nothing magical about any date on the calendar.
● Will you get more accomplished if you start today or wait three weeks?
- You’re waiting until you know more.
● Some people believe they need to know every shred of information related to their quest before they can get started.
● This simply isn’t true. It’s a procrastination technique.
● You don’t need to everything to begin.
- You don’t really think you’ll be successful.
● It makes sense that you won’t get started if you believe you can’t be successful.
● This is a sign that you might need to start with a smaller objective.
● A perfect goal is one that you believe you can achieve that also excites you.
- You’re afraid you will be successful.
● Many people are afraid of success.
● They’re comfortable with their current situation even if they don’t like it.
● They would rather have predictable life than uncertain success.
● There’s no way to predict 100% what your life will be like if you’re successful.
● Focus on the positive aspects of achieving success.
● List out all of the benefits and visualize yourself enjoying those benefits.
- You’re scared.
● If you’re honest with yourself, this is the most likely reason you’re postponing the pursuit of your dreams.
● Whether you dread the feeling of being hungry on a diet, sweating on a treadmill, or not being successful in business, you’re simply afraid.
● Make yourself more afraid of doing nothing.
● Think about how awful it would be to never test yourself or to never have a chance of living your dreams.
In most cases, it’s better to get started immediately, rather than waiting for just the right time to get started.
Even a little progress is better than no progress. Have faith in yourself and jump in with both feet.
You can’t be successful if you don’t get started.
Your dreams are waiting for you.
Practical Ways to Grow Your Gratitude
My Fur-Kids Give Thanks ... Let's Be Grateful with Them!
Have you ever tried to cultivate gratitude?
It can be more complicated than it sounds.
Our brains are usually wired to pay more attention
to negative events.
Hurricanes and heartbreaks create deeper impressions
than rainbows and dinners with family and friends.
Sometimes, you’re just so busy that you forget
about your resolutions on your way to work
and don't realize it until you’re brushing your teeth at night.
With a little help, you can make thankfulness more automatic.
Try these ideas for increasing your gratitude.
Benefits of Growing Your Gratitude If you want to
change your habits, it’s important to build your motivation.
Keep reminding yourself of the advantages of being more appreciative. It will give you a powerful sense of purpose.
Consider these benefits:
1. Boost your mood. Gratitude can make you happier. It increases your energy levels and reduces daily stress.
2. Enhance your wellbeing. Many studies have found a connection with physical health too. Gratitude may strengthen your immune system, lower your blood pressure, and protect you from diabetes and other chronic conditions.
3. Deepen your relationships. Expressing your thanks also helps you to bond with others. You’re likely to feel more empathetic and experience a greater sense of belonging.
Daily Practices for Growing Your Gratitude Work out your gratitude muscles the same way you train your body.
Gradual and consistent actions help you to accomplish big goals with less stress.
These techniques will help you to include gratitude in your everyday life:
1. Keep a journal. You’ve probably heard suggestions about starting a gratitude journal. It can be an effective tool for staying on track and evaluating your progress. That’s especially true if you update it each day and review what you write, so you can spot patterns and reinforce positive choices.
2. Write letters. Did your parents remind you to write thank you letters? It’s a tradition worth passing on to your own kids. Let others know how they’ve made a positive difference in your life. Tell them in person too. Okay… you can text them.
3. Minimize materialism. Being overly concerned with possessions and physical comfort makes it more difficult to feel grateful. Focus on spiritual values and personal relationships rather than retail therapy. Try to be happy with what you have.
4. Resist comparisons. Envy is another obstacle to counting your blessings. Take pleasure in fortunate events that happen to others. It will make you feel happier in the long run. Examine your feelings to see if they’re pointing to some changes you want to make in your own life.
5. Welcome setbacks. You may even find yourself being thankful for things that seem like disappointments at first. Challenges teach us how to build character and resilience.
6. Reflect and pray. What does your faith teach you about being grateful? Create your own personal prayers of thanks. Explore what gratitude feels like for you.
7. Live purposefully. Slow down and savor small miracles. Notice the beauty of nature and the kindness of strangers.
8. Help others. Put your troubles in perspective by assisting others who are struggling.
9. Acknowledge yourself. Saying thanks can feel awkward when you’re starting out. Warm up by practicing on yourself. Give yourself credit for eating nutritious foods and riding your bike to work.
10. Grow older. You might like knowing that gratitude usually increases with age. Increasing your gratitude levels could transform your life.
Make giving thanks part of your daily routines. You’ll be glad that you did!
Enjoy Your Life & Be Yappy!
A PET'S LIFE WITH CHEF LALY & FRIENDS BLOG
Get Fit Together in the New Year!!!
Is Your Dog Out of Shape? Get Fit Together in the New Year!!!
An out of shape dog often may have an out of shape owner.
While there are ways to exercise your dog while you don’t, it only makes sense to get in shape
together. Just like people, dogs that are healthy and fit are happier and live longer, and of course eating Healthy Meals and Treats from the Doggie Bag Café… (Just saying!)
Your dog doesn’t ask much from you but provides so much.
Give your dog and yourself the gift of fitness and longevity.
Get fit with your dog and share some quality time together with these activities ; )
1. Swimming. Most dogs are naturally excellent swimmers. Swimming is a very
healthy, low-impact exercise for you and your dog. (Remember I’m in Miami…)
Be sure to keep an eye on your dog. It’s not always easy for them to figure
out how to get out of the pool when they start to tire.
2. Hiking.Dogs love to go for walks, but they love to hike even more. The variety
of terrain and smells is more interesting to the average dog. The natural surface
is much easier on their paws than a concrete sidewalk. Hiking is a great stress
reliever for dogs and humans. (Especially with all the Hills and Valleys in Miami…)
Consider how much time wolves, coyotes, and foxes spend “hiking” each
day. It’s a very natural activity for your dog. At one time, humans spent
most of their day hiking, too.
3.Camping.Dogs love to camp. Camping goes great with swimming and hiking.
Try it once with your dog and see how much you both enjoy it.
4.Rollerblading.Rollerblading isn’t as popular as it once was, but it’s still a great
activity to do with your dog. It’s a great way to pick up the pace, which your dog
will love, without being too hard on you.
5.Biking.You’ve probably seen a few people on bikes with their dog trotting
beside them. This is another way to give your dog the speed they crave without
overextending yourself.
Biking together might take a little practice and training to make it work,
but it’s worth the effort.
6. Trail running. Think of trail running as hiking at higher speed. It’s a great
workout for both of you.
Take it easy if you haven’t been running recently and consistently.
Consider this to be an (advanced activity) for both of you.
7.Walking.The old standby is always available (and more my speed…)
Every dog is excited by the prospect of a walk. Just pull the leash out of the closet
and watch your dog go bonkers.
Some owners have taught their dog to walk on a treadmill, but that
doesn’t help the owner get in shape, BOL!
8.Road race. Once you’ve both increased your conditioning, consider
participating in a short road race with your dog. 5k is a popular distance for
human-dog running teams. (Always check with your Vet and Dr. first, train well, warm-up, start slpw and always have plenty of water available for both…)
9.Playing fetch. Traditional fetch is great for the dog but doesn’t do much for the
owner. Mix it up a bit. Throw the ball, and then you both run after it. You’ll
never win, but you’ll get some great exercise in the process. Get the ball back
from your dog and repeat.( See who decides to give up first!
Well, I can answer that one for me right now…)
Dogs love to be active, but they’re quite content to sleep the day away if there’s
nothing interesting going on. (That sounds like our Chef Olover BEAN…)
Just because your dog is content lying around all day doesn’t make it acceptable.
Also, look into so many other opportunites in AGILITY GAMES...
(You can share time and get in shape together. Lose a few pounds and increase your fitness together. You’ll both have a great time)
***Always Consult Your Dog’s Vet and Your Doctor before starting any Exercise Programs***
www.DoggieBagCafe.com
For added Healthy Eating for your Dog…
Join our Doggie Foodie Recipe Club at ; )
https://forms.aweber.com/form/08/1392695908.htm
Featuring: "LILY"
Photo Credit: Lisa Smets
Enjoy Your Life & Be Yappy!
A PET'S LIFE WITH CHEF LALY & FRIENDS BLOG
a pet's life with chef laly...
Amazing Career Advice from Dogs…
What Your Dog Wants You to Know About Using Social Media
What Your Dog Wants You to Know About Using Social Media
You can learn a lot from watching dogs. If you want to be happier at work and move ahead in your career, try to think more like a dog. Yes, for real!
Become Happier at Work:
1. Show your enthusiasm. Learn to love whatever you're doing. When your job seems routine, remind yourself of its purpose, whether that's to provide for your family or invent a new medicine. Sometimes just smiling will make you feel more joyful.
2. Greet everybody. Take the time to wish everyone a good morning before you settle down to your tasks. Your relationships with your co-workers play a huge role in your job satisfaction. Create a friendly atmosphere by exchanging daily pleasantries.
3. Lend others your support. Take a break from your own concerns to notice how your colleagues are feeling. When stress levels are high, offer your assistance and encouragement. You'll feel good about helping out, and people will be more likely to reciprocate when you need a hand.
4. Give early warnings. Minor workplace conflicts can escalate if they're allowed to fester. Speak out tactfully at the first sign of a misunderstanding. This will make your work environment much more pleasant than just growling right before you bite.
5. Bounce back from conflicts. Forget about holding grudges. Put any unpleasant experiences behind you and demonstrate your willingness to cooperate with everybody to get the job done.
6. Follow your instincts. Sometimes you have to respond to unfamiliar situations without much time to prepare. Trust your instincts when you need to take a risk. If it's your first time giving a staff presentation, boost your confidence by adapting what you already know.
7. Get plenty of sleep. You may never be able to arrange your schedule to get as much sleep as your dog, but you can still strive for 8 hours every night. Adequate rest is critical to your mental health.
How to Advance in Your Career:
1. Show off your accomplishments. Humility is an admirable quality, but sometimes you need to promote yourself. Watch how dogs soak up positive attention without looking like they're bragging. Use your success stories to your advantage in job evaluations and interviews.
2. Follow the rules. How does a dog know which objects are okay to chew? The logic behind some rules may elude you, but it's usually best to go along with them to preserve order in the workplace.
3. Practice active listening. Your co-workers are bound to value you more if you take a sincere interest in them. Listen respectfully to what others may be able to teach you.
4. Persist. Persistence is a big part of success. Stay focused and keep on the trail no matter what obstacles arise. If you get blocked from digging under the fence, maybe you can persuade someone to open the gate for you.
5. Reduce waste. Mail carriers and couriers perform valuable jobs, but many dogs obviously would prefer a paper-free world. Some dogs also regard as edible the many things that humans throw away. Impress your boss and help the environment by cutting down on paper waste and recycling more.
6. Contribute to the pack. Above all, think beyond your own interests to participate as a team player. Take satisfaction in working together to achieve common goals and improve everyone's well-being. You can accomplish much more working with others than you ever could on your own.
Although chasing your tail may not get you anywhere in life, dogs are otherwise great role models for becoming more content and productive at work…
Enjoy Your Life & Be Yappy!
Chef Laly & Friends...
What Your Dog Wants You to Know About Using Social Media
What Your Dog Wants You to Know About Using Social Media
What Your Dog Wants You to Know About Using Social Media
Social media is a wonderful way to stay in touch with family and friends, but it can have its downside. Numerous studies suggest that overdoing it on Facebook or similar sites can make us unhappy.
For example, having more than 7 social media accounts triples the risk of depression among young adults, according to researchers at The University of Pittsburgh. Maybe it’s the multitasking or the pressure to look cool in multiple venues with different rules. Either way, that’s one mistake your dog wouldn’t make. They’re content with playing in the same park each afternoon, and eating their usual for dinner each night. (Unless of course, they are Lucky to have their own Private Chef from the Doggie Bag Café)
If you’re going to use social media, there are a few more things your dog could teach you. After all, they are a man & woman’s Best Friend, so take a look at these ideas they want to share with you.
Play Nice:
Online spontaneity can lead to regrets if you say something insensitive. Even dogs benefit from being socialized.
1. Think first. Ask yourself if what you’re typing is encouraging and constructive. Imagine how you’d feel if you were on the receiving end.
2. Consider your audience. Context matters. Avoid misunderstandings by choosing the appropriate platform for your remarks. Puppy pictures will get more laughs on Facebook than LinkedIn.
3. Take the high road. You’ll probably run into some rudeness and aggression online. Try to elevate the conversation or leave gracefully if necessary.
Accept Yourself:
The average mutt can have just as much confidence as any Westminster Kennel Club winner. Loving yourself protects you from feeling inferior online and off.
1. Be authentic. Know that you are worthy of happiness and respect just the way you are. Celebrate your strengths, and enjoy exploring the areas where you want to grow.
2. Resist comparisons. Sometimes it looks like everyone else on Facebook is taking exotic vacations and bragging about their gifted children. Count your blessings and pursue your own definition of success.
3. Think positive. Think of challenges as opportunities. Wake up with a smile and be kind to yourself. When you talk to yourself, choose words that comfort and inspire you.
Stay Active:
Being sedentary takes a toll on your mental and physical health. Maybe you need to step away from the computer.
1. Take a walk. Exercise each day. Walk your dog an extra mile or visit the gym.
2. Move around. Incorporate more physical activity into each day. Climb the stairs or do some extra chores around the house.
3. Interact offline. Cultivate relationships face-to-face. Meet up with friends for a regular coffee or lunch date. Throw a potluck dinner with your neighbors. (We will return to these fabulous days, God willing again soon…)
Engage in Meaningful Activities:
Your dog can find fulfillment in chasing a stick. You may need to aim a little higher. If you’re feeling down about squandering the last 2 hours on celebrity gossip, devote your time to finer things.
1. Live mindfully. Any activity can be profound if you keep your purpose in mind. Enjoy preparing breakfast for your family or giving your dog a bath.
2. Find a hobby. Fill your leisure time with projects that expand your knowledge and skills. Play a musical instrument or study a foreign language.
3. Focus on giving. True gratification comes from helping others and contributing to your community. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen or library. Tell a retail worker when their patience and kindness helped to make your errands more pleasant.
If your dog can figure out how to avoid Facebook depression and Instagram anxiety, so can you. Monitor your social media use and pay attention to your life offline. You and your dog will both benefit!
Enjoy Your Life & Be Yappy!
Chef Laly & Friends...