Page 282 – Tiny Buddha

10 Creative Ways to Express Gratitude

By Dani DiPirro in Blog, happiness & fun, love & relationships, mindfulness & peace

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” ~William Arthur Ward

It’s probably no surprise to you that gratitude is one of the most effective ways to increase your own happiness—and the happiness of others. But did you know that practicing gratitude can also make you healthier, less stressed, and more optimistic? Plus, it’s even been shown to have positive effects on your career and relationships.

Gratitude is clearly a worthwhile practice, and there are tons of wonderful resources online (even here on Tiny Buddha!) filled with insights, inspiration, and ideas for …

Choose to Shine: Your Smile Is More Powerful Than You Think

By Hailey Yatros in Blog, love & relationships

“Shine like the whole Universe is yours.” ~Rumi

I had a revolutionary experience at a grocery store. Yes, a grocery store. I’ll never forget that day.

I believe that some of the most mundane and unimportant places I’ve visited have been the bedrock of my spiritual growth.

There is so much to witness at a store: people frantically trying to load up for the weekend, elderly in their motorized carts, people in line glued to their smart phones, and then of course the workers that 90% of the time seem achingly miserable and sad.

It was like any other day …

Show Up Anyways

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

The Most Important Thing is to Show Up and Do Your Best

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

True Love Isn’t Found, It’s Built

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

You Can’t Have a Rainbow Without a Little Rain

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

Trying to Be Everyone Else’s Anchor

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

A Surprising Way to Let Go of Painful Feelings and the Past

By Maria Stenvinkel in Blog, letting go

“We do not heal the past by dwelling there; we heal the past by living fully in the present.” ~Marianne Williamson

I’ve struggled with it.

Letting go, I mean. I’ve struggled with moving on from my past. I’ve struggled with ridding myself of guilt, shame, and grief. I’ve struggled with freeing myself from mistakes, past relationships, and worries about the future.

It’s not that I haven’t tried. Believe me, I’ve tried really hard. I’ve written goodbye letters, mentally cut the energetic cords, and fiercely gone back into the pain to free myself fully from it. I’ve cried my eyes …

It’s Okay to Do Absolutely Nothing

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

Let the Past Make You Better, Not Bitter

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

The Self-Analysis Trap: Stop Dissecting Your Every Thought and Action

By Avery Rogers in Blog, mindfulness & peace

“Explanation separates us from astonishment, which is the only gateway to the incomprehensible.” ~Eugene Ionesco

We are taught from a very young age that it is our responsibility to reflect on the motives behind our actions and behaviors. From the time we can form sentences, we are asked the questions: “Why did you make that choice?” and “What made you do that?”

These questions often follow bad behavior and punishment. Our parents were trying to teach us, with the best of intentions, that we are responsible for our own actions.

This is a necessary lesson for young children, who are …

You Must Love in Such a Way That the Other Person Feels Free

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

Stop Waiting for Better Days Ahead

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

Healing from Heartache: How to Ease the Pain

By Michelle D'Avella in Blog, love & relationships

“Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.” ~Max Ehrmann

If you looked at your broken heart and allowed for tenderness, you would feel better. Maybe not completely better, but there would be a softening. Compassion for yourself is soothing. When our hearts are aching, we need all the soothing we can get.

If you looked at your broken heart from the perspective of the loving mother within you, you would see that the only thing you need right now is …

Let It Be

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

I Choose to Walk Away Because I Want Peace

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

How to Stop Measuring Your Worth in Achievements

By Malia Bradshaw in Blog, happiness & fun, mindfulness & peace

“The better you feel about yourself, the less you feel the need to show off.” ~Robert Hand

The first vivid memory I have of anxiety is when I was only seven years old. I sat in math class, gripped with fear that I wouldn’t get a perfect score on my test. If I got even one answer wrong, I would feel worthless.

This striving for achievement followed me all the way through college. I not only graduated with a 4.0 grade point average, but I had an impressive Curriculum Vitae filled with awards, extra curricular activities, publications, honor societies, and …

Leave Footprints of Kindness Wherever You Go

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

Some People Will Never Change

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

“Nice” Isn’t a Compliment: Letting Go of the Need to Please

By Sarah Powers in Blog, love & relationships

“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others.” ~Brene Brown

When I was in the seventh grade, I moved to a new city and started a new school. I was terrified and filled with anxiety about navigating this new world without a single friend. What if no one liked me?

My first week there, I walked through the cafeteria some when two girls called me over to their table. I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking maybe I would be able to make a friend. I went over smiling …