We’re excited to bring you a new guest author, LaShonne Greene, who has tips on how to create and maintain a positive state of mind. 

There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will. ~Epictetus

Why not begin your day with a positive thought to cultivate positive feelings? Our happiness is OUR responsibility. We don’t have rights to it, we are not owed it, and we are definitely not guaranteed to receive it.

We may not be able to control all of the circumstances around us but we are able to control what we think and how we feel about it.

I decided several years ago not to wait on a delivery of happiness. I realized that if I wanted a healthy balance in my life I needed to begin creating happiness amidst the situations and opportunities that were already before me. In the words of Maya Angelou, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. ”

Before I was on social networking sites like Facebook, the first thing I did every morning was to write down one positive thought, quote, or self affirmation on a sticky note and post on my bathroom mirror. Each time I entered the bathroom I would read it and it was uplifting. My mood stayed healthy and happy throughout the day, no matter what challenges I faced at work or during my commute.  This suddenly became an unconscious ritual for me. I not only kept my Acts of Faith book written by Iyanla Vanzant on my nightstand along with some others for easy access, I carried a copy in my handbag as well, in case I needed a pick me up during the day.

Fast forward to present day and now I’ve challenged myself to post on Facebook a positive, uplifting, or thought provoking status at the least 4-5 times a week. I rely not only on my books of quotes, but I also share quotes from Facebook pages like, Positive Inspirational Quotes and Life Love Quotes and Sayings. With social networking, it has become easier to reach 100′s of people at once with a few strokes if the keyboard and simply hitting the send button. I’m encouraged by the responses I receive from my friends on what my positive word does for them.

So, I encourage you to begin your day with quotes or sayings that will put you in a positive state of mind. To get you started, I will leave you with two of my favorites:

Happiness is inward and not outward; and so it does not depend on what we have but on what we are. ~Henry van Dyke

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. ~Maya Angelou

About The Author

LaShonne C. Greene is a Licensed Social Worker with over 15 years experience working in the human services field. She started out in Child Welfare as a case manager for the New York City Administration for Children’s Services. After several years, she moved into the Private not-for-profit Sector where she gained supervisory and directorship experience overseeing programs that worked with indigent families in need. Ms. Greene holds two Masters Degrees, an MS.ED from Long Island University and an MSW from New York University, Silver School of Social Work. Currently Ms. Greene is employed as a Site Director for a Supportive Housing Facility in Brooklyn, New York, which houses 99 Low Income individuals living with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness and or Chronic Substance Abuse and Health Issues. She is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Connect With LaShonne: Facebook