News from Jude Bijou and Attitude Reconstruction™ Joy, Love, and Peace as we welcome in 2018 
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All Photos in this Month's Newsletter by Shaun Heffernan
Making your New Year Brighter January 2018
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Kind Words about Attitude Reconstruction
"Jude Bijou has given the most practical direction to deal with our emotions in her book, Attitude Reconstruction. Her teaching beautifully integrates eastern Vedic thoughts and the western approaches in order to heal the emotions in our daily life. Jude Bijou gives direct, applied ways to transform emotions into right understanding and love, in order to bring self-healing."
--Dr. Vasant Lad, Ayurvedic physician, scholar, author, and director of the Ayurvedic Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Attitude Reconstruction
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Greetings dear ones,
With all the uncertainty in the world today, why not take time to make your 2018 positive and uplifting. It's not trite to set January's intentions, especially if they make your life brighter.
I've recently been starkly reminded of the fragility of life and property.. Living in southern California, my little town of Santa Barbara narrowly escaped the raging Thomas wildfire. There is nothing like being caught up in a natural disaster to be reminded of the fragility of life and be grateful for the humanity of others. All in our community are thankful to those firefighters and law enforcement men and women who lay down their lives for the safety of others.
Hold the presses: Since writing the above paragraph, Santa Barbara got hit with intense rain over a 5 hour period early last week that is continuing to cause havoc in the area. Here's my report:
My house and neighborhood is fine but as you probably have seen, Montecito got slammed with rain and mud after the massive fires. This upscale town is without electricity, gas, cell service, and water and thousands have to evacuate because boulders the size of trucks destroyed the infrastructures to say nothing of the roads. Many parts of town have been told that it would be an undetermined time before they can return to their houses.
76 houses totally destroyed and 191 damaged, with only 35% of the mapping being completed. I heard on the news yesterday that our sweet retreat center, Casa de Maria, in the hills, is unrecognizable as is the San Ysidro Ranch, a lovely high-end hotel and restaurant, that boasts visits from the Kennedy's etc.
It's really unbelievable to look at all the mud and flood and remember that it's Highway 101. Now they are pushing back opening the road to indefinite as they are having trouble getting the water to recede so they can scoop up the mud and debris. To drive to Santa Barbara from the South, (think Los Angeles), now involves a five hour detour, though the tour boats shuttle people who work in Ventura and Oxnard. Also train travel has been restored.
Then there are the 20 people of all ages who died, with four still unaccounted for. The whole town has been impacted by the tragic loss of life and property. The stories are heartbreaking and heartwarming.
Looking on the bright side, people who know I live in Santa Barbara have come out of the woodwork to check in and offer their condolences and well-wishes. This is common among my friends and we are all grateful.
A Few Articles of Interest
Videos Guaranteed to Bring a Smile!
This first video is of James Corden and Kristen Wiig singing Hallelujah. It is both funny and uplifting. What a great duo.
ASK ME ABOUT MY BREAK FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
All cartoons "borrowed" from the Cartoonbank.
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Setting Intentions for a Bright Coming Year
In approaching resolutions, it's beneficial to step back and reflect on what we've learned and accomplished during the previous year. Be sure to do this, and keep looking until you come up with something you are proud of.
With that in mind, it's easier to set some intentions and goals for the coming year. The idea is to shift your attention away from your shortcomings, bad decisions and behaviors, and just focus on making yourself, your best self. Your ambitions don't have to be earthshaking, but should reflect how you'd like to grow towards your potential in the near future.
For me, it's asking myself, "What will bring me more joy, love, and peace for 2018?" I pose this question because all that is positive in life revolves around these three emotions. They are also the polar opposites of sadness, anger, and fear. Additionally, I've learned that I have the power to create more joy, love, and peace by what I think, speak, and act.
"I want the whole package--the little bowl, the colored pebbles, the plastic castle."
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Five Possible Intentions
Here are some suggestions for ways to create your new reality. I've also noted what emotion each enlivens.
1. Lavish praise on myself for what I do and who I am. (Joy -- honoring myself). This combats the tendency to compare oneself to the wonderful things others may know or accomplish. This can take the form of appreciating myself at the end of the day as well as whenever I notice I'm subtly, or not so subtly, belittling myself.
2. Vigilantly combat my negative judgments of others by looking for the positive. (Love -- honoring others and situations). Find something good in what they wear, say, or do. There has to be some positive thing I can substitute to counter my trashy thinking. The goal is to find commonality, not to accentuate our differences. This lovely practice expands our hearts.
3. Voice an appreciation in every interaction. (Love -- focusing on our connection and similarities). This is a corollary to number two. Saying something positive isn't being a Pollyanna but merely an opportunity to uplift myself and others. It feels good to be the sender as well as being the recipient. Giving voice to what you appreciate is an exercise to build positivity and good will.
4. Don't offer unsolicited advice. (Love -- offering respect for and acknowledging that everyone is on his or her own path). Sharing my "wisdom" is rarely received as I intended. I've learned (but sometimes forget) that I must ask for and receive permission before imparting my two cents to others. Otherwise, my sage advice lands with a thud since I'm out of my own territory. My goal is to feel more joy, love, and peace.
5. Procrastinate less. (Peace and joy -- I'm respecting myself, spending less time in my head, and taking care of business). If I know deep within that I'm called to do something or assume a responsibility; then I just do it. I waste less time battling myself mentally. If there is a call to make, pick up the phone. It won't get any easier tomorrow.
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Five More Suggestions for Making 2018 Bright
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Speak up when it matters. (Joy -- being true to myself and participating in life). Being passive and letting situations unfold in ways that don't resonate or feel productive will eventually leave you feeling angry and or sad. When I don't chime in, I notice I withdraw from the interaction. If speaking up is difficult, just gulp and take the leap. You can always preface what you say with... "This is hard for me and ..."
7. Set modest guidelines for exercise and eating. (Joy -- respecting myself by listening to my inner voice). It is a proven fact that feeding and moving the body increases health and feelings of wellbeing. Maybe just limit the amount of coffee, wine, ice cream, or chocolate you eat in a day. Try making it a priority to go for a walk every other day. Listen to and respect your body.
8. Live in the present. (Peace -- experiencing the wonder of being alive and just breathing). This could take the form of daily meditation, chanting, or just spending less time in my head. I will stay out of the past and the future and spend more time feeling grateful for what's right in front of me now.
9. Check-in with my intuition. (Joy and Peace -- following my inborn sense of what I know deep down is right for me). If and when I'm uncertain about a given course of action, I will pause, breathe, and ask within (not ask my mind) what I know when I'm quiet and still. This can be used whether it is accepting an invitation for a social activity, taking a job offer, leaving a relationship, or finding a new living situation; no matter how large or small the question.
10. Forgive transgressors. (Peace, Love, and Joy -- letting go and moving forward with a full heart -- honoring yourself and others). If someone has wronged you this year, seek to truly walk in their shoes and remember we are all just doing our best. After doing your inward work, which includes seeing your part and your lessons, determine what if anything you need to do to fully resolve the issue at hand and do it. See if you can make it all the way back to love.
"He's good with directions, but that's about it."
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Hey Jude!
I often start off the year with great goals, but seem to forget them quickly. Do you have any suggestions?
Please keep in mind that it's counterproductive to set too many goals. It's easier to stay focused on a couple of things rather than overwhelm yourself with too many good intentions. You can try using your intuition to choose what feels best for you.
I suggest you write your intentions on paper or your favorite electronic device and on the first day of each month, review and remind yourself of them. Focusing on two or three gems throughout the year will definitely help brighten your 2018 and keep you moving in your desired direction. I hope you'll join me in bringing more light and positivity to our world.
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I'm sending you best wishes for a coming year that exceeds all your wildest expectations.
Thanks for reading this newsletter. If you have any feedback, suggestions about a newsletter theme, or general comments, I enjoy hearing from you, so feel free to write me at:
jude@AttitudeReconstruction.com
With love,
Jude
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Shaun Heffernan check out the website
