ISFJ personality characteristics

ISFJ
 

ISFJs are the people-centric doers, using their considerable organizational ability to make sure people are taken care of and protected.

They are extremely conscientious, hardworking, loyal, and dedicated to people, organizations, and groups. Once they are allied to the cause, they take their roles very seriously.

It may be possible to overlook the value of ISFJs, as they are the behind-the-scenes “glue” for organizations and groups.

Unlike ESFJs, who will be more outspoken, ISFJs will work steadily and quietly to ensure all the routine details are taken care of and that people are happy.

ISFJs remember specifics—details, names, faces—and store them in the pristine filing cabinet in their heads. Rarely will they share their own values, preferring to keep their own counsel and make their focus the needs of others.

To others ISFJs appear to be quiet, shy, gentle individuals, but behind the scenes ISFJs are the movers and shakers who keep things going but do not seek the glory.

ISFJs are loyal and devoted to the cause. They have an intense need to belong and will work tirelessly for the cause. They would prefer to remain understated, only needing stroking from those they trust and value.

They will channel their considerable energies into their work, or indeed into anything that has been asked of them.

They have incredibly clear and precise memories and are scarily accurate with facts, figures, names, faces—oh, and any person who has slighted them!

ISFJs gather facts and data and are painstakingly accurate with incredible attention to detail. They are methodical in their approach.

They will tend to be proud of “being good with money. They can accurately recite names, milestones, anniversaries, and birthdays.

Although generally shy and reserved, ISFJs take work—indeed, anything they do—seriously and much prefer it when others do the same.

They are caring, sympathetic, and want to help but do not need the kudos. They may be suspicious of those who try to confer compliments on them, especially in the early stages of a relationship.

Characteristics

• Quiet
• A sympathetic listener
• Dependable
• A real team player

Areas of Growth

• Take more initiative.
• Take care of personal needs.
• Be open to the “big picture.”
• Recognize the value of conflict.

Attitude

The basic attitude of ISFJs is one of fatalism: Things are what they are and little can be done to change them.

It is not uncommon for ISFJs to carry the sins of the world on their shoulders. They easily accept the blame for malfunctions and mistakes.

Energizers

• Organizing facts and details to accomplish a goal
• Reaching closure before moving to a new task
• Clear and stable structures
• Being in control of work schedule

Stressors

• Deadlines
• Being asked to make changes with no rational reason
• Ineffective processes
• Being asked to “wing it”

To function at their best

An orderly work environment with human interaction. Opportunities to respond to the needs of others. Harmonious relationships. Praise and appreciation.

Relationships

Sensitive, kind, and caring—in a very practical way—their at times over-accommodating nature means that ISFJs may be taken advantage of.

It isn’t so much that ISFJs are worried over confrontation; when a value is transgressed, the perpetrator may get an uncharacteristic verbal lashing, surprising those who thought that quiet and shy meant weak and fragile.

Values and feelings are at the heart of who ISFJs are, and they are not to be treated lightly.

It is more about their need to give, support, and care, for that means they may get taken for granted.

ISFJs are deep and caring with strong values, and these will be held privately until they allow people in.

What others will perceive are helpful, supportive, patient, and detailed individuals who are under the radar. ISFJs are sociable but don’t like the spontaneity of crowds.

They are an emotional type, but they may struggle at times to deal with these, as they are so private and reflective.

It may be possible to deeply offend ISFJs and not realize it, so private are they.

ISFJs will initially close down on conflict, as they prefer harmony, and will work hard at creating that.

ISFJs will be superb diffusers of conflict, but they themselves do not enjoy it.

ISFJs are often called “the defenders,” because they will stand up for what is right and the rights of others. While they may shun conflict personally, they will fight for other people.

Naturally more quiet and low-key, ISFJs will be conciliatory and seek consensus, preferring to see good in people. They will look to get to a resolution that makes everyone happy.

Altercations and excess interaction in general suck the energy of ISFJs. They will need some private “me” time to recharge their batteries and build up their energy levels.

ISFJ at work

ISFJs have a combination of strong work ethic and desire to help people.

They move step by step toward an agreed conclusion, preferring order to chaos, and in the absence of a plan will be happy to create one.

ISFJs are hardworking, organized, responsible, like things done properly, and will demonstrate extremely high standards. They prefer clarity. If there is none, they will create it. This means they will expect and set tangible goals that they will work steadily and methodically toward, with no deviation or shortcuts.

They are efficient and reliable, and although they may take time to understand what is required, this is so they grasp all the facts to ensure they are clear and will not get it wrong.

Risk-averse, traditional, factual, and detailed, ISFJs are best suited to more established, stable, and traditional organizations that value hard work, attention to detail, and adherence to known rules and protocols, with a strong people element.

Although quite quiet, ISFJs really do care—seriously care. They will need a more people-centric environment that is team-focused where their efforts, though often understated, are appreciated.

Their traditional nature and desire for clarity and fact means ISFJs will fit best where the norms are clear, the culture is people driven, and where there is a place for everything and everything is in its place.

Deviation from the norm is not for ISFJs. They prefer working with facts, details, and the known, where the product or service is tangible rather than conceptual, and where there are clear lines of responsibility and a planning process.

They do not like to “wing it” or take risks without being in possession of the facts and having thought things through so that they are clear.

They do not like ambiguity or harsh environments, wanting to make sure people are supported.

http://www.16personalities.com/isfj-personality

Owl tattoo idea

Random DIY treatments

1. Budweiser beer conditions the hair
2. Pam cooking spray will dry finger nail polish
3. Cool whip will condition your hair in 15 minutes
4. Mayonnaise will KILL LICE, it will also condition your hair
5. Elmer's Glue - paint on your face, allow it to dry, peel off and see the dead skin and blackheads if any.
6. Shiny Hair - use brewed Lipton Tea
7. Sunburn - empty a large jar of Nestea into your bath water
8. Minor burn - Colgate or Crest toothpaste
9. Burn your tongue? Put sugar on it!
10. Arthritis? WD-40 Spray and rub in, kill insect stings too
11 Bee stings - meat tenderizer
12. Chigger bite - Preparation H
13. Puffy eyes - Preparation H
14. Paper cut - crazy glue or chap stick (glue is used instead of sutures at most hospitals)
15. Stinky feet - Jello
16. Athletes feet - cornstarch
17. Fungus on toenails or fingernails - Vicks vapor rub
18. Kool aid to clean dishwasher pipes. Just put in the detergent section and run a cycle, it will also clean a toilet. (Wow, and we drink this stuff)
19. Kool Aid can be used as a dye in paint also Kool Aid in Dannon plain yogurt as a finger paint, your kids will love it and it won't hurt them if they eat it!
20. Peanut butter - will get scratches out of CD's! Wipe off with a coffee filter paper
21. Sticking bicycle chain - Pam no-stick cooking spray
22. Pam will also remove paint, and grease from your hands! Keep a can in your garage for your hubby
23. Peanut butter will remove ink from the face of dolls
24. When the doll clothes are hard to put on, sprinkle with corn starch and watch them slide on
25. Heavy dandruff - pour on the vinegar !
26. Body paint - Crisco mixed with food coloring. Heat the Crisco in the microwave, pour in to an empty film container and mix with the food color of your choice!
27 Tie Dye T-shirt - mix a solution of Kool Aid in a container, tie a rubber band around a section of the T-shirt and soak
28. Preserving a newspaper clipping - large bottle of club soda and cup of milk of magnesia , soak for 20 min. and let dry, will last for many years!
29. A Slinky will hold toast and CD's!
30. To keep goggles and glasses from fogging, coat with Colgate toothpaste
31. Wine stains, pour on the Morton salt and watch it absorb into the salt.
32. To remove wax - Take a paper towel and iron it over the wax stain, it will absorb into the towel.
33. Remove labels off glassware etc. rub with Peanut butter!
34. Baked on food - fill container with water, get a Bounce paper softener and the static from the Bounce towel will cause the baked on food to adhere to it. Soak overnight. Also; you can use 2 Efferdent tablets , soak overnight!
35. Crayon on the wall - Colgate toothpaste and brush it!
36.. Dirty grout - Listerine
37. Stains on clothes - Colgate toothpaste
38. Grass stains - Karo Syrup
39. Grease Stains - Coca Cola , it will also remove grease stains from the driveway overnight. We know it will take corrosion from car batteries!
40. Fleas in your carpet? 20 Mule Team Borax- sprinkle and let stand for 24 hours. Maybe this will work if you get them back again.
41. To keep FRESH FLOWERS longer Add a little Clorox , or 2 Bayer aspirin , or just use 7-up instead of water.
42. Gatorade is good for Migraine Headaches (PowerAde won't work)
43. When you go to buy bread in the grocery store, have you ever wondered which is the freshest, so you 'squeeze' for freshness or softness? Did you know that bread is delivered fresh to the stores five days a week? Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each day has a different color twist tie.
They are:

Monday = Blue,
Tuesday = Green,
Thursday = Red
Friday = White
Saturday = Yellow.

So if today was Thursday, you would want red twist tie; not white which is Fridays (almost a week old)! The colors go alphabetically by color Blue- Green - Red - White - Yellow, Monday through Saturday. Very easy to remember. I thought this was interesting. I looked in the grocery store and the bread wrappers DO have different twist ties, and even the ones with the plastic clips have different colors. You learn something new everyday! Enjoy fresh bread when you buy bread with the right color on the day you are shopping.

Some favorite quotes

“Some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright.”
—Arnold Bennett, The Shawshank Redemption

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times. If one only remembers to turn on the light.”

“A laugh can be a very powerful thing. Why, sometimes in life, it’s the only weapon we have.”
—Roger Rabbit, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

"The Flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all."
- Mulan

“You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.”
—Eames, Inception

“Some infinities are simply bigger than other infinities.”
—Hazel Grace Lancaster, The Fault In Our Stars

“How wild it was to let it be.” 
—Cheryl, Wild

“I know, it’s almost impossible to succeed, but who cares, really? The answer must be in the attempt.”
—Celine, Before Sunrise

"The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all."
- The Princess Diaries

“Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around.”
—Sofia, Vanilla Sky


“Our lives are defined by opportunities. Even the ones we miss.”
—Benjamin Button, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

19 Charts That Will Help You Be An Actual Adult

http://www.buzzfeed.com/annaborges/what-is-adulting?utm_term=.rkBQwPDrY#.usZYJZ09b

25 Tiny Habits That Could Totally Change Your Life

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/25-tiny-habits-that-could-totally-change-your-life.html

Tiny Habits for Better Physical Health

1. Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. We often don’t get enough water in our systems, and get so busy throughout the day that we don’t think about stopping to replenish our supply. Or we replenish with soda or coffee or tea but not water. Trigger yourself by leaving a big glass out on the counter or table. Or do what I do, and get a big travel mug with a lid. At night, I fill it up with a lot of ice and a bit of water, and in the morning it’s waiting for me: a nice, cool cup of water. Flush the toxins, kickstart your system, wake yourself up.

2. Park as far away as you can from the door. Fight the effects of a sedentary lifestyle by getting more steps into your day whenever you can. In fact,simple things like a longer stroll from the car to the door might be more effective than a vigorous work-out at counteracting the effects of long hours at a desk.

3. Eat raw fruit or vegetables with every meal. Think: a green side salad, a slice of melon, some berries, a few carrot sticks and cucumber slices. Not only will you get more nutrients in, you will also be getting in more fiber and potentially helping your body lose weight, retain energy, and decrease hunger.

4. Stand up and stretch every hour, on the hour. Trigger yourself with a beep on your phone or watch (do people still wear those?) or computer. Sitting for extended time periods is a bad idea for both your body and your brain. You need a mental and physical break, and it doesn’t have to be a big deal. Just stop, when your on-the-hour beep sounds at you. Stand up where you are, reach over your head, take a deep breath, touch your toes, roll your shoulders.

5. Carry a small bag of nuts or beef jerky everywhere you go. Something protein-rich will help stave off hunger as well as keeping you from getting to that ravenous point when you’ll eat anything in sight, no matter what the calorie count is. Getting a little more protein in your diet can help boost your metabolism and build your muscle, as well.

Tiny Habits for Better Mental Health

1. Ask open-ended questions. Instead of throwing out questions just so you can insert your own opinion, ask bigger, better questions. Avoid asking questions that can be answered with a simple Yes or No. Try questions that start with “What do you think about…?” and “How would you….?” or “What is your experience with…?” Then listen to the answers with the attitude that you are here to learn. Having an open perspective and initiating deeper conversations will help you to relate with others, cultivate empathy, keep your own problems in perspective, make new friends, and learn new ways of approaching life. Imagine the wisdom you would gain in five or ten years if you just have one of these conversations every week.

2. Keep a tray of art supplies out on your table/desk/shelf. Don’t force or even expect yourself to clock in a certain number of minutes or productions. Just keep them out, in reach, so that when you feel like doodling around with something artistic, it is effortless. Bonus points: switch the art medium out every week or month (pastels, crayons, watercolors, ink, clay, playdough, carving knife & wood block).

3. Sit in silence for a few minutes every day. We don’t have to call this meditation, because that might be a little too intimidating. You don’t have to sit cross-legged. You don’t have to close your eyes. You don’t have to be Zen-like in anyway. Your brain can be flying a hundred miles an hour, but don’t say or do anything. Just sit, comfortably, and breathe for a few minutes.

4. Jot down everything on your mind for a few minutes at the end of the day. This is a brain dump in the easiest way possible. It’s not a big deal like a daily journal or to-do list or planner might feel. Keep a simple notebook by the bed, and give yourself a few minutes to pour out everything that’s on your mind before you go to sleep. Don’t edit. Let it all out, in any format, in any order. It doesn’t have to make sense, even to you. Studies show that this type of writing can reduce anxiety and depression. Alternative: use a voice recorder and simply talk, in unedited stream-of-consciousness style, for a few minutes into your recorder.

5. Repeat a personal mantra to yourself when you hit stress points. Make it something simple to remember that calms you and reminds you of the important things in life. This is a simple way to retrain your brain and tell it how to respond to stress. Instead of letting stressful points send you into a panicked mode, you pull out your mantra and tell your brain that it’s going ot be okay. A few of my favorites: This too shall pass. I am stronger than I think. I can learn what I need to learn when I need to learn it. I’ve handled worse than this. I am not alone. There is freedom here. When I take responsibility, I take power.

Tiny Habits for Better Productivity and Work

1. Pretend to be your hero. When you’re faced with a challenging situation, an intimidating project, a new career leap, an important meeting, think about a hero in your industry or career. Then ask yourself what this person would do in your situation. How would she handle it? Would he be intimidated? Fearful? Or confident and calm? Now imagine yourself doing exactly what you think your would do. This helps to clarify what the right actions are for you by removing the self-doubt and negative self-talk that can bog you down in uncertainty.

2. Do a 5-minute daily review at your desk at the end of the day. Before you leave work, or from your desk at home before you wrap things up for the day (or night!), take five minutes. Write down what you accomplished in a quick, bulleted list. Write down what you didn’t accomplish that you had hoped to, and what stopped you. Don’t beat yourself up for your failures, just notice, if you can, what caused you to get off track. And notice how much you did accomplish. This type of review is a way to help your brain focus on the positive (I did accomplish something today) and will help you to become more aware of the things that tend to derail you or distract you from productive work.

3. Turn off all notifications for at least one long block of work time every day. Our brains are not adept at switching from one task to another. The single ding of an email notification or text, even if it’s about something completely unimportant, can cause you to lose up to 40% of your work time. Is it really worth it? Maybe if you have infinite time at your disposal… But we all know that you don’t. So do yourself and your career a favor, and silence all the dings and chirps for at least one long block of time (2 – 4 hours).

4. Respond to all invitations and opportunities with “I’ll check my calendar.” Stop the knee-jerk response that you give, whether it is negative or positive. Maybe you’re too quick to say no (I am). Or maybe you’re a people-pleaser and you’re too quick to say yes, and find yourself over-booked and overwhelmed. Give yourself time to evaluate each opportunity by simply making it your practice not to answer right away. Instead, say, “I’ll check my calendar and let you know.” Then, when you have a little time, check your calendar, your priorities, and determine what you can fit it in.

5. Spend 5 minutes a day thinking about the process you will take that will get you to your career goals. This is the right kind of positive visualization. Visualizing the end result doesn’t usually help you get there. But visualizing yourself doing the steps you will take to reach your end goal can help you to actually follow-through on those steps when it is time.

Tiny Habits for Better Relationships

1. Call, text, or email one friend or family member a day. Staying in touch has never been easier, but it’s all too easy to only connect with the people we see at work or the ones who just won’t stop showing up in our Facebook feed. Reach out a little further than that to stay connected with the friends and family members you value. It only takes a few minutes to invest in a relationship, with the result that you have a strong network of people around you, both near and far.

2. Write a thank you note every week. This can be an exercise solely for you: write a thank-you note to someone who’s passed on but impacted your life, and tell them all the things you wish you could say in person. Or write a note of thanks to someone who is or was part of your life and send it to that person. Cultivating gratitude helps to lessen the fear in your life. How much better would your life be if you had trained yourself to be appreciative instead of afraid?

3. End your night with a word of thanks or encouragement. This is the kind of simple habit that can make or break a lifelong relationship. Before you roll over and go to sleep, let your significant other know you accept and value him or her. You don’t have to be elaborate: “I love being with you,” or “Thanks for being there for me,” sends the right message. If you’re not in a relationship, give yourself a word of thanks or encouragement. Sounds silly? Maybe. But it can help build your confidence and keep you from letting one bad day spiral into depression.

4. Pause before you answer or respond to people. Train yourself to listen well, by giving yourself time to think up your response in that pause, not while the other person is talking. This not only shows that you value what the other person is saying (which communicates acceptance and respect) but it also gives you time to weigh your attitude and words. In a high-tension situation or stressful conversation, a simple five-second pause might be what keeps you from blowing up and ruining a relationship you value.

5. Give yourself a time out. Life happens. You’re going to hit points when you feel stressed, frustrated, angry, or impatient. That’s okay, because if you can give yourself a time-out then you can keep things in perspective. You can’t expect yourself to be a non-emotional robot, but you can train yourself to take a five-minute break from humanity when things are getting to you. Walk around the block, lock yourself in the bathroom, take a quick drive with the windows down and the music blaring. Find the “time-out chair” that works for you, and use it.

Tiny Habits for a Better Community and Environment

1. Take a short walk around the block with a trash bag and pick up litter. This weekly or daily ritual will help you to be more aware of how you treat your daily environment, and you never know the effect it can have on others. Sometimes just one person taking the time to make something better can spark others to take better care of things, as well.

2. Stop and say hi to your neighbors. Make it a habit to do a little more than a nod or smile. It takes just a moment, whenever you see them out, to walk over and say hello. Create a friendlier community and help the people around you get plugged in, too. Some of my best friends are neighbors who were willing to lean over the fence and chat for a minute. Now they’re the ones calling to see if I need anything when they run to the store, or offering to babysit my kids if I’m not feeling well.

3. Borrow before you buy for big purchases. It’s not always possible, but why not try it? Save money and help the environment. Make it a habit to borrow first, try it out, and see if it’s what you really need/want/must have. Then try to buy used before you buy new. Obviously this won’t apply to every big purchase… but it will apply to a lot.

4. Set aside money for giving. It can be a small amount. Really. Five dollars can make a big difference to somebody. Out of every paycheck, or every month’s total income, put aside a small bit for giving. It has to be no-strings-attached, and anonymous is the way to go whenever possible. Help out your neighbors. Donate to a charity. Buy that homeless guy a meal. We are all part of the same human family.

5. Keep your bike out where you can see it. No, you don’t have to use it… Just put it out there, in front of you, where you can eyeball it. Every day, when you run to the car and hop in. Wait, you don’t have a bike? Hmmm. Maybe call up a neighbor and see if you can borrow one.

40 ways to let go of anger right now

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/40-ways-to-let-go-of-anger-right-now/

40 Ways to Let Go of Anger 

1. Look at your rulebook.

If you never explained your rules to the person who angered you, how can you be upset that they broke them? Maybe their rules are different.

2. Use aromatherapy to create a calm environment.

Candles and diffusers alleviate stress and anxiety. Or try a couple of calming drops of essential lavender oil on your pillow.

3. Buy a recordable alarm clock.

Wake up to a soothing self-recorded message. Alternatively, use an app.

4. Recognize that others say and do harsh things out of jealousy.

Change your anger to compassion because they are obviously struggling with their own negative emotions.

5. Personalize a keep-calm mug.

Choose some anger-defeating text for your mug. Use it at work or home.

6. Let your anger fizzle out with a bath-bomb.

Relax in a warm bath as you watch the bath-bomb and your anger fizzle away.

7. Quiet your anger.

If you’re likely to fall into a rage when speaking up, say nothing at all. “Silence is sometimes the best answer.” ~Dalai Lama

8. Visualize your anger as a drop of water.

Close your eyes and see your mind as a crystal-blue ocean of calm. See your anger as a single drop of water falling into your calm ocean, barely causing a ripple before being absorbed.

9. Create a universe of peace in your bedroom.

Make a night sky with luminous stars and planets. Lie on your bed with the lights off, and pick a star to project your anger onto. Now re-focus to see the whole galaxy with your anger as a tiny dot among a universe of peace.

10. Put your anger to bed.

Anxiety and irritability are instigated by lack of sleep. More sleep can be as effective as conscious meditation. “Sleep is the best meditation.” ~Dalai Lama

11. Take responsibility for your anger.

Someone can influence your anger response, but only you control it.

12. See your anger as a boiling kettle.

Flick the switch to off as if you were turning off your anger. Let your temper cool down like the kettle.

13. Look at who you’ve become.

See how letting go will allow you to be true to yourself and finally at peace.

14. Paint an angry mouth on an hourglass egg timer.

Now paint a happy mouth on the other half. Turn your angry mouth upside down and watch the happy mouth fill.

15. Understand that you are only hurting yourself.

“Holding onto anger is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” ~Unknown

16. Recognize their inner angst.

This is the real reason they acted like they did. Heal your anger by setting out to help them feel better about themselves.

17. Blow up a dozen balloons.

Write an angry thought on each one and step on them until they pop, leaving only the shredded remnants of your deflated anger.

18. See your anger as a runaway horse.

Imagine it trying to break out of your “mind paddock.” Rein it in.

19. Use wise words to halt angry words.

In confrontational situations, remember: “Speak in anger and you will have made the best speech you will regret.” ~Dr. Laurence J. Peter

20. Wear a calming color.

Avoid confrontational colors like red and black. Instead wear calming blue or soothing green.

21. Have a calming message engraved on a ring.

Avoid anger by playing with your ring and thinking of those soothing words.

22. Use a mirror for self-reflection.

Look in the mirror and let your anger out. “The more you hide your feelings, the more they show. The more you deny your feelings, the more they grow.” ~Unknown

23. Shred a physical representation of your anger.

Take those hurtful letters, print off those emails, or write out your angry thoughts. Push the pages through a shredder, and reduce your anger to tatters.

24. Record yourself describing your anger.

Capture your angry thoughts on your phone or computer. Listen back to this as if it were a good friend telling you theirs. Offer yourself the empathetic advice you would give a friend.

25. Repeat a happy mantra.

Regain control of your emotions by repeating, “I’m a happy person who does not see the benefit of staying angry.”

26. Choose a positive, healthy outlet.

Use feel-good endorphins to dispel anger by going for a run or singing loudly and dancing energetically.

27. Express your anger to a friend.

A supportive environment can be hugely beneficial in getting your emotions out safely.

28. Use a self-hypnosis video.

Hypnosis can help you get your anger under control. Alternatively, try a registered hypnotherapist.

29. Shift your perspective.

If you cannot change the events that have made you angry, change your perspective for the sake of your peace of mind.

30. Take a soothing shower.

Wash away your anger with calming ylang ylang or chamomile shower gel.

31. Personify your anger.

Imagine it as a fiery-tempered troll in your path. Push it away.

32. Remind yourself that you have a choice.

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” ~Viktor E. Frankl. Decide that your response will not be anger.

33. Keep this quote on you at all times:

“He who angers you, conquers you.” ~Elizabeth Kenny. Repeat it to yourself when you feel anger rising, or pull it out and read if possible.

34. Take a step back.

In a confrontational situation, physically take a step back.

35. Be honest with yourself.

What are you achieving by holding on to anger? Is it a case of injured pride that you would really love to swap for forgiveness?

36. Picture angry thoughts as bitter, poisonous seeds.

Stop these from taking root in your mind. Instead, raise a happy, forgiving “mind garden” by populating your thoughts with anger-defeating quotes.

 37. Plant a Garden of Compassion.

Take the idea above a step further with a flower border or window box. For your own well-being, plant a flower for anyone who has angered you to signify your wish to forgive them.

38. Weed out your anger.

When you tend your Garden of Compassion, picture each weed you root out as further uprooting your anger.

39. Seek help to defeat your anger.

If you feel stuck in a cycle of resentment and anger, consider taking a course.

40. Laugh at your anger.

“People are too serious. All the time, too serious.” ~Dalai Lama. Anger is sometimes just injured self-pride. It’s not easy, but try not taking yourself so seriously.

Lazy human health tips

http://www.buzzfeed.com/carolynkylstra/lazy-human-health-tips

1. Stock up on frozen veggies and berries to have on hand when you might need them.

2. Buy a season (or a series) of a very addictive TV show. Force yourself to watch it ONLY while you’re running on the treadmill, using the elliptical, or pedaling a stationary bike.

3. Eat from small plates, bowls, cups, and jars to help manage your portion sizes.

4. Or eat from plates and bowls that are a different color than the food you have in front of you, also to help with portion sizes.

5. Prepare a box of grab-and-go snacks on Sundays so you always have something healthy to nosh on every day.

6. Make good friends with a slow cooker.

7. Carry around a big old water bottle wherever you go.

8. Drink a cup of black coffee before you work out, because it’ll help you burn more fat.

9. And eat some protein within half an hour after you work out, so you can build muscles ~faster~.

10. Keep your hair dryer in your gym locker.

11. Prep all your workout gear the night before, so it’s all ready for you when you wake up.

12. Go ahead and sleep in your workout outfit, if you have to.

13. Fill half your plate with vegetables for lunch and dinner, and then make sure you eat the vegetables first.

14. Leave your blinds open at night, so the sunlight helps wake you up in the morning.

15. Prep your lunches for the week on Sundays so you can just grab them without thinking when you’re out the door in the morning.

16. Set an alarm about an hour before you want to be asleep, so you can harass yourself to get moving on your bedtime routine.

17. Lower your thermostat before you go to bed to about 65 degrees for a better night’s sleep.

18. Put your phone on airplane or do not disturb mode before bed.

19. And take a few minutes every day to unwind.

Lipsticks to make your teeth look whiter

http://beauty.allwomenstalk.com/fantastic-lipsticks-to-make-your-teeth-look-whiter

Stick with cool tones, and blue undertones - no reds/oranges

Affordable:
Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Cupcake $8ish

Wet and Wild MegaLast Lip Color in Don't Blink Pink $3ish
L'OREAL INFALLIBLE LE ROUGE LIPCOLOR IN TENDER BERRY $10ish
CLINIQUE HIGH IMPACT LIP COLOR SPF 15 IN PEACH POP $15ish (Sephora)
MAYBELLINE COLORSENSATIONAL HIGH SHINE LIPCOLOR IN CORAL LUSTRE $8ish

31 Times You Need To Say ‘No’ And Choose To Do What’s Best For You

http://elitedaily.com/life/culture/times-life-say-no-go-instead/1042029/

Tiny houses to visit!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mallorymcinnis/teeny-tiny-houses-that-want-you-to-visit-them#.lwoL9zgyy

12 toxic behaviors - "Letting Perfectionism GO"

http://www.the-open-mind.com/12-toxic-behaviors-that-push-people-away-from-you/

The twelve most common toxic behaviors we see are:

1. Being envious of everyone else. – Don’t let envy (or jealously) get the best of you.  Envy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own.  There is nothing attractive or admirable about this behavior.  So stop comparing your journey with everyone else’s.  Your journey is YOUR journey, NOT a competition.  You are in competition with one person and one person only – yourself.  You are competing to be the best you can be.  If you want to measure your progress, compare yourself to who you were yesterday.
2. Taking everything too personally. – People are toxic to be around when they believe that everything happening around them is a direct assault on them or is in some way all about them.  The truth is that what people say and do to you is much more about them, than you.  People’s reactions to you are about their perspectives, wounds and experiences.  Whether people think you’re amazing, or believe you’re the worst, again, is more about them.  I’m not suggesting we should be narcissists and ignore all feedback.  I am saying that so much hurt, disappointment and sadness in our lives comes from our taking things personally.  In most cases it’s far more productive and healthy to let go of other people’s good or bad opinion of you, and to operate with your own intuition and wisdom as your guide.
3. Acting like you’re always a victim. – Another toxic behavior is persistent complaining that fuels your sense of victimization.  Believing you’re a victim, that you have no power to exert and no power over the direction of your life, is a toxic stance that keeps you stuck.  Working as a life coach with people who have suffered major trauma in their lives but found the courage to turn it all around, I know we all have access to far more power, authority, and influence over our lives than we initially believe.  When you stop complaining, and refuse to see yourself as a helpless victim, you’ll find that you are more powerful than you realized, but only if you choose to accept this reality.
4. Hoarding pain and loss. – One of the hardest lessons in life is letting go – whether it’s guilt, anger, love or loss.  Change is never easy – you fight to hold on and you fight to let go.  But often times letting go is the healthiest path forward.  It clears out toxic thoughts from the past.  You’ve got to emotionally free yourself from the things that once meant a lot to you, so you can move beyond the past and the pain it brings you.  Again, it takes hard work to let go and refocus your thoughts, but it’s worth every bit of effort you can muster.
5. Obsessive negative thinking. – It’s very hard to be around people who refuse to let go of negativity – when they ruminate and speak incessantly about the terrible things that could happen and have happened, the scorns they’ve suffered, and the unfairness of life.  These people stubbornly refuse to see the positive side of life and the positive lessons from what’s happening.  Pessimism is one thing – but remaining perpetually locked in a negative mindset is another.  Only seeing the negative, and operating from a view that everything is negative and against you, is a twisted way of thinking and living, and you can change that.
6. Lack of emotional self-control. – An inability to manage your emotions is toxic to everyone around you.  We all know these people – those who explode in anger and tears over the smallest hiccup or problem.  Yelling at the grocery store clerk for the long line, screaming at an employee for a small error she made, or losing it with your daughter for spilling juice on the floor.  If you find that you’re overly emotional, losing your cool at every turn, you may need some outside assistance to help you gain control over your emotions and understand what’s at the root of your inner angst.  There’s more to it than what appears on the surface.  An independent perspective – and a new kind of support – can work wonders.  (Angel and I discuss this in detail in the “Happiness” chapter of 1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently.)
7. Making superficial judgments about others. – Don’t always judge a person by what they show you.  Remember, what you’ve seen is oftentimes only what that person has chosen to show you, or what they were driven to show based on their inner stress and pain.  Alas, when another person tries to make you suffer in some small way, it is usually because they suffer deep within themselves.  Their suffering is simply spilling over.  They do not need punishment or ridicule, they need help.  If you can’t help them, let them be.
8. Cruelty (or lacking empathy and compassion). – One of the most toxic behaviors – cruelty – stems from a total lack of empathy, concern or compassion for others.  We see it every day online and in the media – people being devastatingly unkind and hurtful to others just because they can.  They tear people down online in a cowardly way, using their anonymity as a shield.  Cruelty, backstabbing, and hurting others for any reason is toxic, and it hurts you as well.  If you find yourself backstabbing and tearing someone else down, stop in your tracks.  Dig deep and find compassion in your heart, and realize that we’re all in this together.
9. Cheating and cutting moral corners simply because you can. – Cheating is a choice, not a mistake, and not an excuse!  If you decide to cheat, and you succeed in cheating someone out of something, don’t think that this person is a fool.  Realize that this person trusted you much more than you ever deserved.  Be bigger than that.  Don’t do immoral things simply because you can.  Don’t cheat.  Be honest with yourself and everyone else.  Do the right thing.  Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
10. Hiding your truth. – People cannot connect with you if you’re constantly trying to hide from yourself.  And this becomes a truly toxic situation the minute they become attached to your false persona.  So remember, no matter what age, race, sex, or sexuality you are, underneath all your external decorations you are a pure, beautiful being – each and every one of us are.  We each have light to shine, and missions to accomplish.  Celebrate being different, off the beaten path, a little on the weird side, your own special creation.  If you find yourself feeling like a fish out of water, by all means find a new river to swim in.  But DO NOT change who you are; BE who you are.  Don’t deny yourself, improve yourself.  (Read The Untethered Soul.)
11. Needing constant validation. – People who constantly strive for validation by others are exhausting to be around.  Those men and women who get caught up in the need to prove their worth over and over and over, and constantly want to win over everyone around them, are unintentionally toxic and draining.  Know this.  Over-attaching to how things have to look to others can wear you out and bring everyone else around you down.  There is a bigger picture to your life, and it’s not about what you achieve in the eyes of the masses.  It’s about the journey, the process, the path – what you’re learning, how you’re helping others learn too, and the growing process you allow yourself to participate in.
12. Being a stubborn perfectionist. – As human beings, we often chase hypothetical, static states of perfection.  We do so when we are searching for the perfect house, job, friend or lover.  The problem, of course, is that perfection doesn’t exist in a static state.  Because life is a continual journey, constantly evolving and changing.  What is here today is not exactly the same tomorrow – that perfect house, job, friend or lover will eventually fade to a state of imperfection.  But with a little patience and an open mind, over time, that imperfect house evolves into a comfortable home.  That imperfect job evolves into a rewarding career.  That imperfect friend evolves into a steady shoulder to lean on.  And that imperfect lover evolves into a reliable lifelong companion.  It’s just a matter of letting perfectionism GO.
    
    

- See more at: http://www.the-open-mind.com/12-toxic-behaviors-that-push-people-away-from-you/#sthash.T9vnVARD.dpuf