maralascottsblog Happiness, Helping Others, kindness

Make Time to Live With Gratitude

People wonder why good things don’t happen to them, but they happen every day. It merely takes being in the moment or giving a moment of reflection to notice them. Think of the countless times that you’ve held the door for someone, without a word of gratitude returned. Perhaps you’ve given useful advice, helped a friend with their relationship, or created a better opportunity for someone. Maybe there is something that you’ve done or given so often it has become expected, and gratitude from others is no longer there. While people may accept your actions with a lack of acknowledgment, don’t let it change you.

The absence of gratitude is an indication that they are missing those beautiful moments or making a choice not to see value in them. When they’re in a rush, distracted or focused on something negative, their mood or disposition at that time won’t let them feel, see, or acknowledge anything else. When people don’t pause to recognize these moments, gratitude may not be instinctive to them––but it’s never too late to change. 

Gratitude is something you feel deeply; it is not a meaningless combination of words. When you have an appreciation for others and life in general, you’re in that moment, and appreciate things regardless of what is going on. You know the value of being grateful, and you seek the opportunity to show it. When you don’t, you will sustain the ability to see more of the negative things in your life. There are tremendous benefits to being grateful––happiness, improved mental health, and spiritual wellness are just a few.

Three Ways to Live a Life of Gratitude:

1. Be in the moment and care to notice, feel, and then acknowledge the good things happening to and around you so that you can appreciate them.

2. Regardless of what you do for others, understand that they may not reciprocate, but don’t let it change you because this journey is about you and your appreciation for life. 

3. Seek opportunities to express gratitude throughout each day; even for the smallest or most basic things. Including time alone, nature, opportunities, your health, loved ones and so on.

To Learn More Visit: https://www.maralascott.com/

With Gratitude by Marala Scott Available: Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon and wherever books are sold. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1449497276/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BFROCb0YZGNK8

maralascottsblog Happiness, Helping Others, kindness, relationships, Self-Love

The Write Way to Help Others

pexels-photo-1I love writing and I love why I write. I have a system and process that works. I don’t wake up at a set hour and begin writing, nor do I write eight hours a day. That’s not exactly how it works for me. Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night and continue writing with one piping cup of tea after another. I write when it hits me, even if I dig my toes into the cool sand and listen to the ocean waves while I tap on my keys. When my thoughts are stirred and I’m motivated to develop a story, I write. But why, is another story.

Today, I write with passion and purpose, but initially, it was for freedom. It was my way of freeing myself from the burden I carried from one year to the next without realizing the damage it created. At times, we become prisoners of our thoughts, which is why I found writing to be cathartic. When I began taking everything I held inside of me and placing the words on paper, I experienced an innovative transformation and a great sense of relief. The burden of my history was gone. When I typed my last page, it represented the end of an era that I had lived in for too long. I could serenely breathe and move on.

From that point, I realized there are countless people who need to do what I have accomplished if solely for the emotional release and comprehension that honest writing can bring. Whether or not the writing is published is your choice. It’s the process that is restorative. Writing out feelings, ideas, and thoughts to express whatever has been a burden to your soul can be a tremendous release. It can create a point where you can begin again with clarity.

The beauty of writing is that it caused me to have a deeper reflection of my life. I analyzed situations from a perspective I was incapable of doing years prior. In a sense, it was as if maturity helped me to understand my history, who I am, and how I got this way. I loved what I learned about myself and I use it to help others.

Writing inspires and motivates people on many levels and a variety of subjects. The books that I select to ghostwrite are from clients that want to add powerful elements of positivity to the world. My writing is meant to help people learn something that I want to share or that others want me to express for them. After all, it’s our responsibility to share what we know to help others avoid adversity, deep pitfalls, or simply gain knowledge about something that can help them throughout their journey. It doesn’t matter if it helps them build or grow a business or heal and develop in their personal life; writing is about teaching people the lessons that life taught us.

 

Here are a few reasons why writing is beneficial:

-It is cathartic or healing

-To educate or help others

-For passion or creativity

 

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For questions about ghostwriting, consulting, and publishing, please contact Jeff@seraphbooks.com or call (866) 861-2442.

maralascottsblog God, Helping Others, inspirational stories, kindness, Self-Love

Without Judgment

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Most of the time we think we know people but is our judgment an accurate and fair assessment? Just because it’s a family member, friend, co-worker, or someone you routinely come in contact with it doesn’t mean you know what their reality is. People have problems or situations that they don’t share. If they do, it may not be the complete version. Some people keep their personal life private; they don’t believe anyone will care or can help them. Sometimes, they don’t want to be judged. Instinctively, most people are quick to judge, but that judgment can keep you from showing compassion, especially when it may be needed most.

We have the tendency to forget how blessed we are and that others may be going through a period of need. When we walk by a person digging through the garbage, trying to find something to eat, would you buy them something or ignore their plight? Can you imagine the difference that each of us could make if we did an act of kindness in a kind, non-judgmental way? We don’t know what we think we know about others. And we can be quick to determine the reason someone is homeless, struggling financially, quiet, withdrawn, or struggles with their academics. We don’t know if they have health issues, are dealing with a loss of a loved one, or depressed. We don’t know.

Since most of us have the inability to get into someone’s entire history and understand why, what, or when something may have happened that caused their situation, we should be without judgment. If we are going to offer our help, we should do it without condemnation. We never know the reason, season, or lessons that will come in our life and kindness offers much more than that individual may have at that moment in time. It could change or save a life. Find a way to make a difference without judgment. We owe it to ourselves to be a contributor to a kinder, more compassionate society.

maralascottsblog God, Happiness, Helping Others, kindness, relationships

Life Comes With The Responsibility…

It’s amazing how quickly time begins to pass and then you suddenly realize that you’ve become that very age you first thought your parents were old. It’s an eye-opening revelation that will cause you to reflect on your life with more depth. The thought of what you have or haven’t accomplished in both your personal life and career can cause you to feel that you’ve failed. On the other hand, you may be extremely proud of what you’ve accomplished. However, have you left a mark in this world that you can be proud of? Do you love the person you’ve become? Have you done something that spiritually connects you to what we are here for? Have you been able to positively impact the lives of others in some big or small way? Will people remember your contributions to society or continue your initiatives?

Considering where you are and what you have or haven’t done, it is never too late to do more and care about others by giving more of yourself. This opportunity we have, called life, is meant for us to live to the fullest and we are supposed to be happy. Nevertheless, life comes with the responsibility to show compassion for our brothers and sisters around the globe with understanding that compassion is without boundaries.

Keep in mind that as long as you are breathing, you are not finished and there is more for you to do. Take a moment each day just to ask yourself, ‘What can I do for others? How can I show that I care? How can I please God?’ and then begin your day from there. You’ll make a difference although you may never see it. Your destiny is greater than your goals and your goals are greater than you may realize as of yet. In time, it will all come together. Until then, make better use of your ability to impact the lives of others in some way.

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MaralaScott.com

maralascottsblog God, Happiness, kindness, relationships, Self-Love

Love Has The Ability…

When you think about how much you invest in loving someone else, it is quite surprising to find how much of yourself you can lose in the process. You may not realize it at first, but in time, you will. You are no longer living for yourself the same way as before. Your schedule changes, the way you think, care, and worry. Although loving someone is effortless, there is effort that goes into making sure that the person you fell in love with knows it with certainty. The amount of time you spend on yourself and the things you enjoyed may decrease and that’s okay when you are growing together and sharing his or her interests.

Is it worth it? What happens when you invest in doing everything you can but you are not the recipient of the same type of love you give freely? After everything you’ve given up, changed, shared and tried to do in order to make the one you love happy, you feel empty or that it was for nothing. Are you angry? Do you feel betrayed?

I believe that love is subjective and no one can dictate how you will come to love someone, who you will love, or why that person will even garner your attention but that gift belongs to you. Love has the ability to make the other person and those around you think that it is your weakness when in fact the ability to love is strength. Your compassion, or willingness to help someone through difficulties, doesn’t mean you are weak; it simply means that you love and feel profoundly enough to care, or want the best for someone. However, they may not understand it at that time. The ability to love is a gift that should not be manipulated or taken for granted. Sometimes, people need what they need for that moment and release it when that time becomes fleeting but don’t allow love to ever leave you. Many times, people forget that having the capacity to love is a gift from God.

 

 

maralascottsblog God, Happiness, Helping Others, kindness, relationships, Self-Love

Love Includes Honest Communication

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Love can be complicated and truly loving someone means you want what is best for those you love. Sure, the good times are great, but there will come those occasions that require your ability to deliver honest communication even when it is not often appreciated. Although it may hurt, you may be the only person that keeps them balanced or acknowledging reality when they need it most. Allowing someone to continue on a path that is detrimental to his or her well-being is not love.

Sometimes that destructive behavior is concealed, however, being tuned into someone will allow you to detect unhealthy or inconsistent changes in behavior or habits. If someone is hurting, they may be searching for something or someone to help distract them from their pain or to help find a resolve. Let them find you there until they trust you enough to submit to being helped properly. Continue to love them so they get it and realize your beautiful role in their life.

      3 Indicators it’s Time to Talk

  • Passion turns to frustration
  • Plagued with a lingering sadness
  • A preference to be alone if it is not typical behavior

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If you note that they need professional help or if you are unsure, recommend that they seek it or help them find it. Love cares through the best and worst of times.

Love can see what most cannot. –Marala Scott

maralascottsblog children, Forgiveness, God, Happiness, Helping Others, inspirational stories, kindness, relationships, Self-Love

The Truth About Parenting: 10 Simple Tips

family-vacation-less-stressful_47_900x600I have a passion for life! I love who I am and above all, I love God. It is God that taught me to love myself. Then, the need for others to love me didn’t exist, but I learned why it is essential for me to love others. I was apprehensive about becoming a parent. It wasn’t something that was natural for me since my childhood had a narrative that was nothing less than horrific and scarring. Once I was, the test began and the one thing I wanted to get right in life more than anything else, was parenting. As a mother, the choice became mine to submit to what I was familiar with or do something to change the lucid visions that could hurl a fragile and scared little girl into her own dark world. I was determined not to replicate the abuse and pain. I made the decision to leave it behind, taking only the good experiences and memories, although it wasn’t easy.

I remembered my painful tears as a child and promised myself that I would provide my children with the things I prayed for. I wanted them to laugh from their soul, smile because it’s their natural expression, and inspire others because they know how. It didn’t mean they would be without challenges, but I gave them unwavering love, complete trust, and confidence as tools. Then, I taught them to have compassion, persistence, goals and why a relationship with God is an essential part of their existence. Every single day, I told them I loved them and I made a constant effort to make sure they could see it. I shared the mistakes I made throughout my life so they would trust coming to me for advice when they made theirs. My children had to learn how to be fearless because as a child, I lived in fear. They needed to know it was okay if they fell as long as they got back holding their head high. They were pulled close to understand me and talk about their day just as I shared mine with them while we cooked and ate dinner together. We prayed together, laughed together, cried together and lifted one another. They both think they are my favorite because neither of them felt I loved the other more.

The truth about parenting is that you will make mistakes, as I’m sure I’ve made my share. However, learning to correct parenting skills by listening to your children and learning from them helped shape me into the mother I am today.

  1. Love them as God loves you.
  2. Encourage them to be better than you and give them the tools to accomplish that.
  3. Keep them close rather than pushing them away when you get busy. Allow them to share in your success and understand your failures.
  4. When they ask you a question, don’t lie. Tell them the truth so they learn to do the same.
  5. Take time to ask questions before jumping to conclusions.
  6. Don’t assume they know you love them because you are their parent. Tell them, and more importantly, show them.
  7. Be the example that you want them to become. They are learning from you and they see and hear more than you think.
  8. Don’t tell them about God. Show them His work and help them build a relationship with God.
  9. Try not to react or discuss situations when you’re upset. Give it time and revisit it when you have a better mindset. Allow them to share their perspective as it may change yours.
  10. Remember, you were a child once.

With Love,
Marala

Marala Scott with her children
Marala Scott accepting The Shory Award for Best Parent

Watch Marala Scott at The Shorty Awards

Read Marala’s Books

 

maralascottsblog Happiness, Helping Others, inspirational stories, kindness

A Simple Courtesy

I often hear people say, “no one does anything for me”, which is difficult to accept when there are an abundance of blessings in front of us. Part of the problem is whether or not we chose to see them. I was walking into a store and watched a little, sandy hair boy with wide eyes struggle to hold the door open for a woman with a grocery bag and large purse in her arms. She didn’t look down and she didn’t thank him, but I’m quite sure she knew the door didn’t open itself. When I was having lunch, a gentlemen dropped his napkin on the floor and looked down, but left it there. The server came over, politely picked it up, and placed a fresh one next to his plate. The gentleman failed to look up and acknowledge him. He continued talking as if the server was invisible.

I observe these types of things more often than I see polite exchanges of appreciation. It is as though people feel entitled to courteous behavior, but fail to acknowledge it with a simple “thank you” or nod of appreciation if they are on the phone. Some type of acknowledgement is better than none.

  • The next time someone communicates with kindness, return the kindness by acknowledging it and passing the courtesy along to someone else.
  • Use the words, “thank you” more often.
  • Look someone in the eye when they are doing something for you, even if you didn’t ask for their help.
  • Because someone is serving you, doesn’t mean they are subservient or beneath your acknowledgement. We all serve someone in one way or another.