"Those who see the cosmic perspective as a depressing outlook, they really need to reassess how they think about the world. Because when I look up in the universe, I know I'm small but I'm also big. I'm big because I'm connected to the universe, and the universe is connected to me."
- Neil deGrasse Tyson
How do you feel when you look up at the night sky? Do you feel small and unimportant? Or do you feel big and connected? As seen here, our outlooks not only affect how we view the situations, people, and places around us, but also how we view ourselves.
Cambridge Dictionary defines OUTLOOK as "a person's way of understanding and thinking about something." On its own, an "outlook" is not inherently positive, negative, or neutral. Rather, we shape our outlooks based on our backgrounds and experiences and on the information and people around us.
By recognizing how we determine and adjust our outlooks, we can influence how we take on the challenges and obstacles that will inevitably come our way. This past month, we explored how we can find HOPE and INNER CALM in difficult times, embrace POSSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES, and FACE THE DARKNESS OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE. Now, as we enter the new year, we will continue shaping our outlooks in a way that allows us to grow and learn.
3 TOOLS TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY OUTLOOK
- Have a hope-centered mindset. Hope reminds us of our inner strengths and ability to enact change. As the world shifts around us, our hope can also wax and wane, but remember that hope is not a finite resource. We can always find hope in ourselves and in our surrounding environments and communities.
- Cultivate inner peace. Our days can be filled with chaos and it is easy to feel as if we have no control over our own lives. However, by taking the time, even if it's only five minutes, to find our inner calm, we can feel more prepared to tackle the challenges we face.
- Embrace possibility thinking. By engaging with possibilities, we can allow ourselves to recognize what we want to happen in our lives. Once we recognize what we want, we can then understand the steps we have to take to make those wishes come true.
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"Outlook determines outcome."
- Warren W. Wiersbe
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THEME AFFIRMATIONS
Use affirmations to inspire you or reframe your thoughts
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I exhibit hopefulness when I take action to meet my goals
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In finding my inner calm, I accept all parts of myself
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I take advantage of the opportunities and possibilities that come my way
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During the winter solstice, I find beauty and strength in myself and around me
APPS FOR GUIDED MEDITATION
- Motivate - This app provides five daily videos along with a library of speeches, videos,
music, etc. that will motivate and inspire you.
- Healthy Minds Innovations - This app provides podcast-style lessons and meditations all for free and backed by science that will help you develop skills for everyday use.
- Make Me Better - This app helps you stay motivated and offers articles on self-improvement, health, productivity, and more!
- Solstice - This app allows you to see how much daylight there is in a day so you can enjoy the sunshine you will have and look forward to more days of sun.
PODCASTS
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- Winter Solstice - This podcast episode broadcasts a radio show from the 1980s that discusses ancient solstice traditions.
BOOKS
- I'm Laughing Because I'm Crying - This memoir by Youngmi Mayer explores her life growing up mixed-race and finding joy in difficult moments by laughing while crying.
- The Teller of Small Fortunes - This novel by Julie Leong follows a fortune teller who finds an “unexpected family.”
- The Jewel of the Blues - This novel by Monica Chenault-Kilgore takes place in the 1920s jazz era and follows singer Lucille Arnetta Love as she becomes a star. However, her family’s past still comes back to haunt her.
- A December To Remember - This novel by Jenny Bayliss explores three sisters reconnecting during the winter solstice.
ARTICLES
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January's theme is SETTING INTENTIONS. By mapping our journeys, holding realistic expectations, and keeping our minds open, we can set healthy goals for ourselves that provide opportunities for growth. With micro-goals, it’s easier to take the next right step - as Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step.” Check out the January's Micro-Challenges Calendar here.
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Courage to Caregivers Breathing Practice for January: Breath Awareness
As we support caregivers to make breathing and meditation a practice, we're pleased to share our Breathing Meditation Facilitator Cathy and her monthly breathing practice how-to videos. You can join us for January's Breathing Practice - with this practice, we can relieve feelings of being overwhelmed and panicked. This breath is particularly helpful as a prelude to sleep. You can watch January's instructional video for Breath Awareness here, and remember to subscribe to our 2025 Monthly Breathing Practices playlist to stay updated each month. You can also subscribe to our Breathing Meditation playlist, where we have our breathing meditation recordings, and follow along on our Spotify Breathing Meditation playlist.
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The mission of Courage to Caregivers is to provide hope, support, and courage to caregivers and loved ones of those living with mental illness. We're in the caregiver burnout prevention business!
©2024 Courage to Caregivers, Inc.
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