Tina recently left her corporate job to focus on her passions fulltime. (link to TODO). She spends her time learning and teaching topics surrounding personal happiness.
Tina writes weekly at Think Simple Now on personal happiness and wellbeing. (link to http://thinksimplenow.com) Help her out and subscribe today for free.
See a more casual side of her everyday life and goals at SimplyTina (link to http://thinksimplenow.com/simplytina)
Which books, movies, or CDs have been most helpful or inspiring to you?
Books can be incredible teachers, packed with wisdom, value and inspiration. When you find ones that you connect with, your growth process accelerates. There are too many good ones to list, but here are the top four books. You can also see my complete list of highly recommended books.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Ways of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and Feel the Fear and Do It Anyways by Susan Jeffers. Movies: Definitely The Secret, and What the Bleep, and Waking Life.
What’s the feeling you’re usually trying to achieve? What helps you get that?
For the past two years, my target has been to feel clarity and deep contentment in the now. When I am in this state, I fall into the flow of the present moment and experience an abundance of joy, creativity and calming bliss.
Getting to this state is simpler than many people assume, and as with all things new, we get better at it with practice. Here are some triggers I use to connect myself to this state:
- Gratitude – Reflect on all the things, people, and situations that I am thankful for. It’s amazing how many miracles occur around us.
- Meditation or Quiet Alone Time – Take time each day to focus on your soul. When you are well from the inside, your exterior will reflect this glow. Take quiet alone time for yourself. It’ll clear your mind and calm the noise running in it.
- Inspirational Reading – I’ve found that reading something inspirational for 10-30 minutes is a phenomenal way to start one’s day and sets the tone for the rest of the day.
- Creative Expressions – Spending time deeply focused on something I enjoy, whether it is writing or photography.
What’s the advice that you’re always giving people?
You are not as stuck in your current unhappy situation as you may think.
What’s a repeating lesson in your life?
Focus on one thing at a time. Focus on one major project at a time. My natural inclination is to jump on all of the many projects that I get excited about. Problem is, I underestimate how long things will take, and overexert myself. As a result, I end up not making real progress on any single project.
What inspires you?
People and their stories inspire me. I love connecting with people who are passionate, authentic, brave, and compassionate. I believe that if we look, we can find something inspirational from every person we cross paths with. For every person we end up interacting with, consider asking ourselves, “What is it about this person that I admire?” or “What qualities does he/she have that I can learn from?”
How do you get things done?
Writing them down and scheduling tasks to complete each day. I’m a big fan of lists.
Just by virtue of being you, what are you teaching?
I am teaching personal happiness and fulfillment. I love to see the sparkle in people’s eyes when they are inspired, motivated and happy. Sometimes, seeing the results moves me to tears and encourages me to keep writing. People really are amazing.
We all have the stars of greatness twinkling within us, in a sky abundant with potential and possibilities. When we expect great things from others and see them as the shiny stars which they are, not only do we give them the encouragement they need to recognize their inner stars, but we are also giving them a priceless gift: Hope.
