Dear Friends:
Happy November.
It has been one year since I set out on this journey of sharing Positive Living themes via social media to help you enhance your life and the lives of others.
As you know, I have been trained through the Holistic Alternative Psychology Home Study Course “Mind Inspired New Dynamics System” (M.l.N.D.S); developed and directed by Dr. Dolores Seymour and derived from the “original” Holistic Alternative Psychology Course; copyright 1998 – 2010 by the American Institute of Holistic Health and Wellness (AIHHW).
Dr. Seymour served as my holistic counselor for about 30 years, and I am proud to say that I am carrying out her work to help enlighten others. Last year, I created this multimedia experience based on my book A Handbook for Positive Living A through Z. Weekday posts along with monthly blogs have been the framework to help promote awareness of steps and strategies to use daily for Positive Living.
I hope that some posts have encouraged you to reflect on life situations and perhaps helped you make small positive changes, while others served as inspiring messages. The purpose was to allow participation on social media within your own level of comfort. A special thanks to everyone for reading posts or blogs. Feedback via FB responses or comments communicated to me personally are all greatly appreciated.
Watch for some exciting changes in 2022 as blogs and posts will do more than inspire; they will encourage you to be more action orientated,
This month’s theme is: Build a Better Self Through Gratitude. The blog was easy to write I chose to share a favorite Chili recipe with you that was passed down through my husband’s family and has been enjoyed by many. The concept of a recipe also serves as a theme for Positive Living actions.
Food helps feed our hearts and soul. Showing gratitude for simple things in life can satisfy our deepest hunger. Things such as family, friends, a fulfilling career, enjoyable physical activities, and spiritual practices all contribute to a meaningful life.
Chili
1 tbs olive oil
2 lbs ground beef
2 cups chopped onion
¼ cup chili powder
2 tsp minced garlic
2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
2 (8 oz) jars mild or medium taco sauce…I use medium
2(15 oz) cans kidney beans
Shredded cheddar cheese
Tortilla chips
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- Cook beef in frying pan with oil for 3 minutes
- Add onions and cook for 2 minutes
- Drain beef and onions and place in a large stove top pan
- Add chili powder and garlic to beef and onions/ cook 1 minute
- Stir in tomato sauce and taco sauce and bring to a boil
- Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes
- Stir in kidney beans and heat through
Serve with cheese and chips
If using 1 or 1.25 lb of ground beef, just use 1 can of tomato sauce and 1 can of beans…keep all other ingredients as noted above.
Pass on this recipe to others and be grateful for the blessings in your life.
Why I am sharing a recipe.
First, many years ago I shared a recipe with a colleague. She thanked me and explained that whenever she uses a recipe given to her, she always says a prayer for the giver and one for another in need. A prayer is an earnest hope or wish. When using recipes given to you consider prayers for others or prayers of gratitude for all the blessings in your life.
Second, this Chili is delicious. It’s simple, hearty, and comforting on a crisp autumn or cold winter day. The beef can be eliminated for a vegan or vegetarian diet.
Third, I encourage you to create an imaginary Positive Living recipe that will promote actions on themes you select. Write it on an index, recipe card, or document you design and post it in your kitchen as a daily reminder to you. Change it weekly, monthly seasonally or annually. Whatever you choose, it will make your life so much richer.
My Recipe for Autumn is:
Embracing Change Through Gratitude
Take 12 ounces of experiences from the past year and have each ounce represent one event; positive or negative.
Divide these experiences into three groups by writing them on the recipe card. The first group are those happy events to keep. The second are so called negative experiences that taught a lesson. The third are thoughts or situations that are no longer needed.
Imagine baking the first group with love and referring to it often especially when things seem down, as a reminder of all the good in life.
“Season” the second group with autumn spices using colored markers. Put dots around this group with shades representing autumn herbs and spices such as pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, and sage. Use this group as a reminder that negative circumstances can have positive results. The colors represent the positive outcomes or lessons learned for which to be grateful.
Pray over the third group and think about how differently things may be now because of these thoughts or experiences. When ready, remove this group from the list and discard it in the trash. Congratulate yourself for being able to let go of things from the past that no longer serve you well.
Remember: We build a better world, by building a better self.
With sincere gratitude for joining me on this Positive Living journey. 
Lora
