I’m not much for making resolutions. I never seem to keep them and just feel discouraged when I break them. Perhaps it’s because I’ve set goals that are too lofty. Or maybe resolutions are often too restrictive. Usually we try to give something up or promise to stop a certain behavior. It’s often what we think we should do and not what we really would like to do. These days, instead of making resolutions, I make a list of things I’d like to do or explore in the new year. It’s feels less prohibitive and more positive to me. I’ve Read More
Category: gratitude
You Are Special: Mr. Rogers Says So
My husband and I recently watched Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, a highly acclaimed documentary about Fred Rogers and his long running public television show, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. I have childhood memories of watching the show, but they are pretty vague. As a child, I did not realize what Mr. Rogers was trying to teach me. I only saw the show as entertainment. One thing that stood out to me while watching the film was how much Mr. Rogers wanted children to know they were valued and important. Mr. Rogers and his show have been the subject of many books, films, Read More
New Gratitude Challenge for 2018
November is National Gratitude Month. Two years ago, when My Cup of Cocoa began, I created a Gratitude Challenge. It is still one of my most popular posts. But I thought an updated version was in order for 2018. What is a gratitude challenge? It’s simply a list of questions to help you think about what you have to be grateful for in your life. And what better time to do that than during November and National Gratitude Month. The idea behind the gratitude challenge is simple. For each day in November, answer the question listed. You can answer question Read More
101 Ways to Be Kind And Promote Kindness
Lately, I’ve been thinking about kindness. In a world that seems increasingly angry, cruel, and unforgiving, kindness is needed more than ever. So I started making a list of easy ways to be kind. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money. And the returns you get for being kind are always bigger than the effort you spend. Did you know that in September the world celebrates several special days that focus on kindness, charity, and serving others? It starts on September 5 with the International Day of Charity. This day focuses on alleviating poverty in the Read More