My niece came to visit me last week and because the weather outside was really beautiful, I decided to take a break from writing on my book and just go for a walk with her.

As we were walking, laughing and being silly with one another, a young woman with a child in her arms came and asked us if we had any money to give to her. Without waiting for her to ask again, I reached for my wallet and gave her some money.

How to Transform the Lives of Those You Love in a Positive and Healthy Manner

As I was putting my wallet back in my purse, my niece looks at me and with a smile on her face, she says:

“You know, this is why I like you.”  to which I replied:

“You like me because I have money in my wallet or because I have a wallet?” and I started laughing.

“No. I like you because you are good to people. Whenever I go out with you, if you see someone asking for money, you always give them. I like this about you.”

“Well, I really hope that’s not the only thing you like about me,” I said to her while giving her a big fat hug.

“No, I also like you because you always seem to get what you want. I don’t know how you do it, but you say that you’re going to make something happen and you do. It’s like you have magic powers or something. It’s very strange but in a good way…”

We both started laughing and we continued to enjoy our walk.

Hearing my niece say those things to me made me realize how big of an impact our words, actions, and behaviors can have on the people we interact with.

We learn from observing those around us. Our beliefs and our perceptions of the world are shaped based on what we see and based on what other people tell us to be true or false, possible or impossible. Our children, family members, friends and co-workers, they are all watching us, not in a creepy way I hope, but they are. And through our actions and behaviors, we have the power to inspire and empower them to live their lives in a more meaningful and healthy way. By improving the quality of our lives, we automatically help improve the quality of their lives.

So get in the habit of taking good care of yourself. Seek to be a role model, not just for those around you but for yourself. Treat your body with love and respect. Pay close attention to the food you eat and the liquids you drink. Take time to exercise and if you can’t because you’re too busy, just go for a 10-15 minutes walk at least once a week.

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” ~ Jim Rohn

Purify the thoughts you think and the words you speak. Treat yourself in the same way you would want to be treated by those you love. Work on improving the relationship you have with your inner being. Become your own best friend. Forgive, accept and love yourself fully, for who you are and for who you are not.

“Believing in our hearts that who we are is enough is the key to a more satisfying and balanced life.” ~ Ellen Sue Stern

Take risks. Embrace change. Get out of your comfort zone and dare to step into the unknown. Instead of running away from the many things your heart desires, run towards them. Don’t let your fears keep you paralyzed and stuck in a place you don’t enjoy being.

“For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.” ~ Steve Jobs

Spend less time in front of the T.V. and more time outside in nature. Take a walk in the park. Stop and smell the roses. Look at the trees, the plants. Watch the birds flying freely in the sky. Allow nature to get you out of your busy head and into the present moment.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” ~ Albert Einstein

Take deep breaths throughout the day, pay attention to your breathing and know that by doing so, not only will you improve your health, but you will also train yourself into becoming more present in the now, more present and engaged in your own life and the life of others. Breathe in and breathe out.

“As soon as you honor the present moment, all unhappiness and struggle dissolve, and life begins to flow with joy and ease. When you act out the present-moment awareness, whatever you do becomes imbued with a sense of quality, care, and love – even the most simple action.” ~ Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now

Let go of the need to blame, criticize and condemn forces outside of you for the many things that are wrong with your life. Take full responsibility for your life. Instead of pointing the finger and instead of clinging on to this “poor me” mentality, seeking to take control over your own life.Be the master of your own fate, the creator of your own reality.

Talk less about your problems and more about your joys. Don’t burden yourself and those around you by constantly talking and focusing on the things that seem to be going wrong in your life and in the world around you. And what’s most important, don’t burden your little children, if you have any, with the heavy problems of the world. Let them be carefree. Let them play and let them be happy. Don’t steal away their sweetness.

“You take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame.” ~Erica Jong

Look for things to appreciate, about yourself and about the world we live in. Seek to give at least one honest compliment per day to someone you work with. Tell your partner how much you enjoy having him or her in your life. Criticize less and appreciate more. Learn at least one new thing every single day. Use your mind in a creative and constructive manner. Read more often, at least one book per month.

Follow the advice of Socrates and “Employ your time in improving yourself by other men`s writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for.”

Feed your brain. Don’t let it hibernate. Make good use of your imagination. Use your mind to create beautiful things and beautiful experiences for yourself and those you love. “You possess what the rest of Nature does not possess—Imagination —the instrument by which you create your world. Your imagination is the instrument, the means, whereby your redemption from slavery, sickness, and poverty is affected.” ~ Neville, The Power of Awareness

Wear a smile on your face wherever you go. Be cheerful, kind and playful. Don’t take life too seriously. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Do less, be more. Be kind. Be loving. Be grateful. Be a source of inspiration for everyone you come in contact with. Be an example for your children, your partner, your friends, family, and co-workers.

Dare to do things differently. Get out of this big bubble most of us live in and decide that it’s time for you to create your own reality, your own bubble. Don’t wait for the whole world to change just so you can finally take good care of yourself and be happy. Decide to be happy now!

Lead by example. Embody all the qualities you want the world around you to reflect back at you. Become that which you want to see in the world. Be the change you want to see in the world.

Become a better YOU and by doing so you will automatically become a better parent, a better partner, better friend, and better everything. Because by being happy and by taking good care of yourself, by embracing your authenticity and by living your life in a healthy, positive and meaningful manner you can’t help but inspire others to do the same. And just like Marianne Williamson said it, “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Do you think it’s possible to transform the lives of those you love in a positive and healthy manner if you yourself aren’t happy and at peace? Do you think it’s selfish to take put your oxygen mask first before trying to help anyone else? Do you think it’s selfish to take care of your own needs before taking care of everyone else’ s needs? I really want to know what are your thoughts on this. You can share your insights by joining the conversation below 🙂

~love, Luminita💫

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