Feeling Down During The Holidays?

The Holidays are a time of reflection; to be thankful and happy for all that you have in your life. Therein lies the problem for those who have experienced loss during the season. It can be difficult to get over the feelings of loneliness and sadness that are only amplified by the idea that happiness is a requirement for the holidays.

Studies show the more value placed on happiness, the more likely you are to be unhappy. Instead, remember another reason for the season: family and friends. Reach out to those around you, remember the losses, but also take the opportunity to look ahead to the future.

#Flex5 #BeTheChange

If the holidays are hard for you, doing these 4 things could really help.

Final Wishes Fulfilled by Ambulance Driver

Living a long, healthy life surrounded by those we love is all that we can ever ask for. Unfortunately, some people are not as fortunate when they are stricken by terminal illness. This often robs them of the many day-to-day tasks we all take for granted.

Kees Veldboer, an ambulance driver in the Netherlands once met one of those very patients whose final wish was to see the Vlaardingen Canal again before he died. With a simple gesture, Veldboer made it happen, and soon realized the impact it had on the man as he cried tears of joy.

That was the beginning of the Ambulance Wish Foundation. Using several custom ambulances and a trained medical staff, the foundation has been fulfilling the final wishes of many terminally-ill patients. For many their wishes are strikingly simple; enjoying an ice cream cone, to see their favorite painting, to look out over the ocean one last time.

Veldboer's foundation has taken the time to change the lives of others and in return those they've helped have shown the world that it's often the simple things that should be cherished the most.

#BeTheChange #Flex5

via Upworthy

7 powerful photographs of terminally ill patients living out their final wishes

Being Good To Yourself

There's a saying that goes 'You're your own worst enemy'. In many ways it's true. Nobody knows you better and has higher expectations for you than yourself. Because of that, we are often too critical of our actions, shortcomings, and mistakes. It's important to recognize those times and give yourself the same compassion you would give to others. #BeTheChange #Flex5

4 simple ways to be a good friend ... to yourself. Take a step back and try 'em. They work.

9 Year Old Changes Lives Forever

When you're going about your day-to-day life, you may often take the simplest of tasks for granted; opening doors, driving, writing, even lifting weights at the gym. For others it can be daily struggle, especially if they're missing a hand. Luckily, one 9 year old girl is changing the world one step at a time by creating cheap, durable prosthetic hands with her father. Through her efforts, she has given many others a new lease on life, and a chance to do the very things many of us take for granted each day. "Everybody can change the world. You don't need to do something huge to change it". #BeTheChange #Flex5

This 9-year-old girl is changing the lives of children by helping her dad build them prosthetic hands. (Via E-Nable)

Posted by Upworthy on Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Teenagers React To Being Called Beautiful

Open your eyes to the beauty around you!

As a society we tend to impose unrealistic expectations of what true beauty means, especially on kids and teenagers, setting them to feel inadequate, unappreciated and always feeling inferior to those who are considered “prettier” by society standards.

Beauty has no gender, color, sexuality, age or societal standards and is present anywhere you go and in everything that surrounds you.  It doesn’t cost us anything to give a compliment and call someone beautiful, yet it makes a massive difference to that person’s self-esteem and this video could not have captured the rawness of beauty and what it truly means to someone.

Be generous, be kind and genuine in complimenting others and #BeTheChange, as one little word can often make or break someone’s life for years to come.

PS. I dare you to look in the mirror tonight and say “You are beautiful”

~Coach Petro