Feeling overwhelmed? Take @NNP_W_Light's advice

“Take life day by day and be grateful for the little things. Don’t get stressed over what you can’t control.”

Are you feeling overwhelmed? 

Take my advice. 

#1: Breathe. Hyperventilating does nothing to alleviate your stress, only compounds it. Instead, slow down your breathing. Breathe in, breathe out. Repeat until your heartbeat slows down and you feel calmer. 

#2: Be grateful for the simple things in life. When your stress level is pouring out of your pores and all you're focused on is the stress, you have tunnel vision. To get out of that mentality, meditate on three things you're grateful for. Not only will it switch your obsession with the stressful situation, it will calm your spirit. 

#3: Take life day by day. Life is chaotic, especially when you're stressed out. The best thing you can do is make a list of everything you have to accomplish today and then as you work through your list, check off what you've completed. This exercise will compartmentalize your day into a series of smaller tasks. It will ease your stress level because you'll be forced to only concentrate on one thing at a time. 

Stress is a horrid creature and if we don't handle it, it will devour us. I use these actions every single day and they help me keep stress on a leash. 

How do you handle stress? Any tips to conquer stress?

MRS N

Never lose your passion... @NNP_W_Light

Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don't lose the passion and the love for what you do. ~ Nadia Comaneci

Have you lost your passion for what you do? 

Maybe it's time to make a change.

Every since I was a little girl, I had a passion for words, more specifically, writing. I loved putting words together and watching people's reactions. As I grew older, I knew I wanted to be a writer. When it came time to publish, I wrote a paranormal romance. I thought since I loved to read it, this is where my destiny would lead me.

As time went on, it became harder and harder to write in the paranormal romance genre. I tried contemporary but still, it was like pulling taffy. Push, pull, yank, push, pull, yank. Without realizing it, I was yanking my passion for writing out of me.

What am I doing wrong?

I started questioning myself and my passion. Maybe I wasn't cut out for writing. But then, I remembered my inspirational thoughts. I wrote one a day for four years. I enjoyed doing it and my words inspired others. Then it hit me. My passion isn't to write mainstream fiction but to inspire others through my words.

See, my passion didn't change, I changed. Instead of trying to force it, I let it happen. I let my passion guide me. Words flowed out of me faster than I could write them down.

Are you struggling like I was?

Maybe it's time to re-acquaint yourself with your passion. Give it the keys to your life and let it guide you through the journey.

MRS N

Be like the sun... by @NNP_W_Light

When you do something beautiful and nobody noticed, do not be sad. For the sun every morning is a beautiful spectacle and yet most of the audience still sleeps. – John Lennon 

I remember a time in my life where I got up so early in the morning, I saw the sunrise.  It would literally take my breath away.

Spreading the Light and being kind are like the sun rising.  They are beautiful and yet most people miss out on them because they are sleeping.  I get asked a lot, "Why do you do it?  Why are you so kind to people?"

My answer is simple: I do it because it is what I do.  I am a Light Spreader.  It is a part of me and it doesn't matter to me if anyone notices or thanks me.  I don't do it for that.  I spread the Light because it's as natural for me as breathing.

Be like the sun and spread the Light for all to see! You will make a difference even if no one tells you.

MRS N

Advice to your younger self @NNP_W_Light

What three things would you tell your five year-old self?

#5yearoldselfie was trending on Twitter yesterday and while scrolling through some of the answers, a image of myself at that age flitted across my mind. I was a shy five year old, with my nose in a book.

I've learned so much about life, love and myself over the past four decades. What would I tell my five year-old self?

1. You are beautiful. You are beautiful, inside and out. Never forget that and don't let anyone tell you differently.

2. Shoot for the moon. Your dreams are attainable and you'll never believe what you'll achieve forty years from now.

3. Love with all your heart. I know you've been hurt by others but don't let your heartbreak prevent you from loving others. Love will heal past hurts and will give you the strength to accept the greatest love of all: unconditional love.

What would you tell your five year-old self? 

Take some time to mull it over. I think you'll be surprised by your own advice. In fact, you might even take your own advice and make your current self a better person.

MRS N

Find the good in today @NNP_W_Light

Every day may not be good… but there is something good in every day.

Are you having a bad day?

Bad days happen.  I've had my share of bad days and a lot of good days.  It's the fun of life.  The key is to see the good in every day.

I have a friend of mine who is having what could be described as a series of bad days.  I hug her and tell her it will get better.  I pray for her and her family.  I also pray that she sees the good in each and every day.  There is goodness all around, I tell her.

I believe that with every ounce of my being.  Changing your focus from the bad to the good does wonders.  Being grateful for what you have.

Go on, try it! Find the good in each day.

MRS N

Quotes on Wisdom by @NNP_W_Light

A goal for many of us is to gain wisdom. Whether it is in our personal or professional lives, wisdom guides us. I've compiled some of my favorite quotes on wisdom and want to share them with you.

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. ~ Audrey Hepburn

To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him. ~ Buddha

The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are: Hard work, stick-to-itiveness, and common sense. ~ Thomas A. Edison

We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started. ~ Henry Ward Beecher

We live in a society bloated with data yet starved for wisdom. We're connected 24/7, yet anxiety, fear, depression and loneliness is at an all-time high. We must course-correct. ~ Elizabeth Kapu'uwailani Lindsey

Those who improve with age embrace the power of personal growth and personal achievement and begin to replace youth with wisdom, innocence with understanding, and lack of purpose with self-actualization. ~ Bo Bennett

If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. ~ Michael Jordan

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark. ~ Michelangelo

All things must come to the soul from its roots, from where it is planted. ~ Saint Teresa of Avila

I'd love to know your favorite quotes on wisdom, too. Please share in the comment area below.

MRS N

Don't panic! Take a new approach @NNP_W_Light

"Panic causes tunnel vision. Calm acceptance of danger allows us to more easily assess the situation and see the options." ~ Simon Sinek

When an unexpected catastrophe happens, is your first instinct to panic?

Sunday evening was a little eventful for me. As MR N was finishing up his weekly fantasy baseball report to send out to the league, we heard a loud pop. We both looked out our windows (where the sound came from) and wondered what the sound was. I looked back at the television to find a black screen. No power in 2/3 of our apartment. The kitchen's power was still on, thank goodness. But we had no tv, no internet, no wi-fi, no lights. 

As minutes slipped by to an hour and still nothing, panic slid up and down my spine. I drove it down because I needed to stay calm. I called the electric company as well as our landlord. I had to have faith it was going to be fixed soon. Instead of focusing on our ruined night, we played Monopoly. It was a good distraction until the clock turned to 9 pm. Two hours and still no power. 

My self control slipped and I started to panic. My stomach felt like it was tied in knots and my body broke out in sweats. I closed my eyes and tried to meditate. I needed a distraction. So I lit two candles in the living room and MR N put on an old radio program CD. We listened to the comedy and started to laugh. It was the perfect distraction. The electricity was restored in twenty minutes. 

When something unexpected happens, do you panic or do you try to find a solution?

Listen, there are some things which are out of our control. Like the quote at the top says, when you panic, all you can see is your panic. It's only when you stay calm that solutions appear and you're able to stay level-headed about the situation. 

The next time something happens, take my advice and take a different approach. Shove down your panic and calmly access the situation. You might be surprised by how quick an outcome appears. 

How do you handle crisis? I'd love to know.

MRS N

No one has become poor from giving...

"No one has ever become poor from giving." -- Anne Frank

I am shocked!

I was talking with a few people yesterday about charity. This is how the conversation went.

Woman 1: I'm so tired of all these charities wanting money. Don't they know its hard times?

Me: I know, but its even worse for those families who are poor. Just the other day, I went to the **** food bank and I saw a neighbor of mine. She's a single mum with three young children. I felt so bad for her.

Woman 2: *wrinkles her nose* I don't know how you can go to those places. I'd much rather donate money than go in. *leans in* I could catch something.

Me: *mouth drops to the floor*

Woman 1: I know, it's not my job to help those that can't help themselves.

Woman 2: Amen sister. That's what the church is for.

I'm a Christian and was raised in the church. I was never taught that it was the church's role to help others. In all religions, it teaches believers to help those less fortunate and to be kind. I think many people forget that we're all people, rich and poor, and we all need help sometimes.

Charity begins at home and even if you're struggling with finances you can give a little something. I bet you know someone who is going through hard times. Take that $5 you were going to spend at Starbucks and give it to someone in need. It takes no effort and your kindness will not go unnoticed in Heaven.

Let's talk yearly goals by @NNP_W_Light

Let's talk about your yearly goals.

It's August 1 and we're more than halfway through the year. Time for a little check-in on how our goals for the year are progressing. Have you met any of your goals yet? 

When I wrote down my 2019 goals, I never thought my goals would be met, let alone by August. My professional goals were all about growing the N. N. Light Author Promotions brand and gaining more clients. I'm thrilled with the results but it's been a long time coming.

I've worked my bum off this year and there were times when I thought I might collapse. In the beginning, it was hard to see any results from my efforts. I began to lose my patience but MR N keep me calm and told me to be patient.

Eight months later, and I'm glad I kept calm while waiting. It wasn't easy as I'm prone to rushing ahead and not waiting. I kept my attitude in check and stayed busy. Today, I woke up happy and ready to take on the next project.

How about you? Are you remaining patient while conquering your 2019 goals?

Patience isn't wringing your hands with worry. It's having a good attitude while waiting. Patience is a trait we all must evoke to not only be successful but to be content.

MRS N

Overcome shyness by doing this... @NNP_W_Light

Are you holding yourself back because of your shyness?

Ever since I was little, I've been shy. I think it might have started in the first grade. It was the first time I was asked to speak in front of the whole class. I remember waking up feeling like a slew of butterflies were flying against my rib cage. I couldn't eat, couldn't talk. My mom tried to ease my anxiety but it didn't help. When I got to school, it got worse. By the time it was my turn to speak in class, my tongue swelled and my head spun. I grabbed ahold of the teacher's desk so I didn't pass out. Instead of looking out at the audience, I looked down at my shoes. I mumbled through my speech and when I was done, I rushed out of the classroom in horror. I had a bladder accident and terrified.

Ever since then, speaking in public has been difficult. Go figure.

Twenty years ago, I got the opportunity to speak at a book conference. I was petrified. Flashes of that horrible first grade speech flashed in front of me. While I hyperventilated backstage, a hand rested on my shoulder. I looked up into the eyes of Jonathan Kellerman, the bestselling mystery author. My jaw dropped. He started a conversation about books and before I knew it, my anxiety disappeared. He walked on stage with me and introduced me to the crowd. I gave my speech with no accidents or passing out. It was an amazing experience and I have Mr. Kellerman to thank. His compassion brought me out of my shyness and distracted me from my inner demons.

Overcome shyness by getting involved in something you're passionate about so you forget to be afraid.

This is exactly what happened to me and I am proof positive it works. When you're engrossed in something you love, your zeal will squash your shyness. It may still feel weird, at first, but you'll get used to it. Your shyness won't hold you back and you'll be able to do the things you want to do.

How do you overcome shyness? 

Share below. I'm always looking for new tricks.

MRS N

You have the power! @NNP_W_Light

But even with the inspiration of others, it's understandable that we sometimes think the world's problems are so big that we can do little to help. On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine. ~ Queen Elizabeth II

Did you know you have the power to change the world?

I'm a big believer in the impact of several small acts of kindness and how, when millions of people come together for a cause, great things happens. I've been witness to a multitude of world-changing events. I've seen first-hand how one person's idea for change can grow to a movement. 

When we first started the POTL blog back in 2014, it was just MR N and myself sharing our vision of what the world would look like if everyone spread the Light and showed compassion to those in need. It blossomed into a movement. Five years later, there are millions of people spreading the Light and asking others to do the same. I'm too humble to take credit for this change but I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

There will be people who will scoff at your idea or your actions. They'll try to put you down saying you don't have the power to make change. Don't listen to them! They're afraid of your power and will do/say anything to squash you. Don't let them steal your power. Instead, combine your efforts with others to make real change.

What are you going to do today to change the world? 

You have the power. All you have to do is harness it.

MRS N

5 things I learned on vacation @NNP_W_Light

“Sometimes, the most productive thing that you can do is to step outside and do nothing... relax and enjoy nature.” ― Melanie Charlene

I am back from my summer vacation and I feel so relaxed, so rested. When trying to remember all the things I did while on vacation to tell my friends and family, five life lessons popped into my head. I'd like to share them with you.

1. Leave your device at home and unplug. I can't tell you how rejuvenating it was to not have to look at a screen for ten blissful days. My eyes ceased burning and my vision was no longer blurry. My mind floated on a bed of fluffy clouds and the most it had to do was choose what to eat for each meal. Ahhh.

2. Greet everyone with a smile. I walked around and said hello to everyone I met, including the staff. Why? It's a small act of kindness which reaps huge benefits. I am no better than the housekeeping staff yet most people don't agree. Even if you believe you're better than the maid who cleans your room, show some compassion and thank them for a job well done. Trust me, a tiny drop of kindness goes a long way.

3. Go with the flow. No matter what happens on your vacation, don't fly off the handle. Things out of your control happen. For a full day, the cable television stopped working. We calmly contacted the front desk who contacted the cable company. Did we freak out when the tv stopped working? No, we turned on the radio and read the paper. We took an extra whirlpool bath and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. Go with the flow.

4. Naps are healing therapy. I can't tell you how many naps I took on my vacation but trust me when I say a lot. 😂 Naps are healthy for your mind, body and soul. They allow you to relax and rejuvenate. The stress oozes out of you and you'll feel like a king or queen.

5. Tip generously. Before we left for vacation, we had a co-worker tell us we over tip. I say, there's no such thing. There are people in the hospitality industry who work hard for very little money. We budget tips into our vacation budget so we can over tip. Our generosity not only gives us incredible service and catered attention but we're helping those who work hard to make our vacation the best it can be. If you can't afford to tip generously, you might want to rethink your vacation plans.

I hope you'll take these lessons to heart and use them the next time you take a vacation or travel someplace. Or better yet, use these bits of advice in your everyday life. They apply to anyone at anytime.

Have a life lesson to share? I'd love to hear it.

MRS N

I'm on summer holidays #vacation

"A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in." Robert Orben 

After a year filled with new adventures, immense growth to our business and overwhelming success, we're taking a full ten days off and escaping to our summer oasis. We (just Mr. N and myself)need time to reconnect, relax, and pamper each other. No devices, no screens to look at, we're fully unplugging. 

I'll be back on July 29.

Stay inspired, my friends.

Mrs. N