Running around definitely adds to the tension in your body. Most people have too much on their plate when it comes to schedules. Some don't have enough, but most have too much. Especially those in the 25-50 age range who are trying to balance jobs, kids, parents, homes, relationships, and other obligations. We can do it all, just not always at once.
Why can't we say no to things that are not essential at this point in our lives? We need to sometimes take a step back and reassess our lives. Are we happy? Are we being effective with the time we have? Are we utilizing our time in a way that allows us to enjoy life? Are we spending time with those we care about? Are we spending it on activities we really want to do?
People talk about a mid-life crisis happening around 40-50, but I think some experience it even younger now. It doesn't have to be a crisis, it can be more of a step back, a break, a reassessment if you will. We don't need to make major changes if we catch it soon enough. We designed the life we have; we just didn't realize as we were building it that it would become too heavy and weigh us down. That's when people start talking about fantasies of running away, living on an island, getting out of marriages, or how life will be once the kids move out. Some look to affairs, which don't carry the weight of commitment or the expectations or hurts often accumulated in marriages. It's not our spouses, kids or parents that are the problem; it's us. We need to check in with and find where we lost touch with ourselves and our deepest needs and desires.
When we can lighten our schedules and spend some time thinking of how we want to spend our time, we can make changes without hurting those around us. It really isn't about them. It's us. Sometimes we do find that we are in situations that are not healthy for us, such as a relationship, a job, a financial state or lifestyle that is weighing us down. But if we're too busy, we won't clearly see what needs to change.
Action
Look at your schedule and the way you do things in your daily life. See what can be shifted or eliminated to give you free time, then use that time to reassess how you are living your life. Start adding in fun things you like to do to start balancing out your life. But always keep some space, so you are not running around. At the end of my life, I'd like to say that I left the world a better place but also that I really enjoyed my time here. Are you enjoying your time?
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Clean Your House Out
Everything is made of energy, including the things in our home. By filling up our home, we are filling up our space with energy. Over time, we can feel this energy dragging on us. If we are using the things we have or are enjoying their beauty, they add to our life. If not, they are weighing us down. Even just looking at clutter, or a "forgotten" pile of stuff can weigh on us.
Take a hotel room for instance. When you walk into a nice, clean hotel room, don't you feel relaxed? It is free of clutter and things are always placed in ways that are pleasing to the eye, organized and functional. Only things that are essential or beautiful are in the room. There is nothing unnecessary piled up, needing to be fixed, or dealt with.
When you give away or throw away things, it frees up space and leaves you feeling lighter. Your body instantly relaxes. You also free up space for new things to come into your life. If you can recycle things, by either giving them away, selling them, or reusing them more effectively, you are putting them back into circulation in the world to be useful again. Either way, you are freeing up space and energy is able to circulate in your house again.
Action
Start cleaning out your house. You can do this in small bits or all at once. I find breaking it down into smaller projects is more practical for most. You can take a room at a time, or a closet, or a drawer. Along the way you must remember to ask yourself some key questions. Why am I keeping it? Will I ever use it? Do I need 4 pairs of scissors? Do I need a whole drawer of first aid items (how old is that ointment anyway?!)? By the time I lose the weight, will this outfit even be in style anymore? Do I need 10 pairs of jeans? When will I look at all those school art projects stuffed in that bin?
Either finish up projects, such as a book you started 3 years ago, or move on. Hang the pictures or put them away. Donate books to the library if you're not going to read them again. This will free up the shelves for beautiful objects and space. Do you need collections of things or are they cluttering up the house?
Help others by donating gently used items such as winter coats and blankets. There are so many ways to help others, while at the same time, helping yourself. Sometimes it's as simple as giving things away that others need and would be extremely grateful for. When you give, you will always receive back in some way.
Kitchen cabinets usually hold way too much stuff: plastic storage containers, mugs and random items we collect over the years. Bathroom cabinets hold old, expired medicine bottles, and fragrant lotions we thought we'd use. Basements should only really hold seasonal and household items such as stocks of extra paper towels, etc., not things we think one day we might need if we get another house.
Keep your things in the present time, not things of the past or things for the future. You will feel more relaxed, energized and ready to spend your energy on things of your choosing. Free your space and you'll see just how amazing you'll feel. Enjoy your new surroundings!
Take a hotel room for instance. When you walk into a nice, clean hotel room, don't you feel relaxed? It is free of clutter and things are always placed in ways that are pleasing to the eye, organized and functional. Only things that are essential or beautiful are in the room. There is nothing unnecessary piled up, needing to be fixed, or dealt with.
When you give away or throw away things, it frees up space and leaves you feeling lighter. Your body instantly relaxes. You also free up space for new things to come into your life. If you can recycle things, by either giving them away, selling them, or reusing them more effectively, you are putting them back into circulation in the world to be useful again. Either way, you are freeing up space and energy is able to circulate in your house again.
Action
Start cleaning out your house. You can do this in small bits or all at once. I find breaking it down into smaller projects is more practical for most. You can take a room at a time, or a closet, or a drawer. Along the way you must remember to ask yourself some key questions. Why am I keeping it? Will I ever use it? Do I need 4 pairs of scissors? Do I need a whole drawer of first aid items (how old is that ointment anyway?!)? By the time I lose the weight, will this outfit even be in style anymore? Do I need 10 pairs of jeans? When will I look at all those school art projects stuffed in that bin?
Either finish up projects, such as a book you started 3 years ago, or move on. Hang the pictures or put them away. Donate books to the library if you're not going to read them again. This will free up the shelves for beautiful objects and space. Do you need collections of things or are they cluttering up the house?
Help others by donating gently used items such as winter coats and blankets. There are so many ways to help others, while at the same time, helping yourself. Sometimes it's as simple as giving things away that others need and would be extremely grateful for. When you give, you will always receive back in some way.
Kitchen cabinets usually hold way too much stuff: plastic storage containers, mugs and random items we collect over the years. Bathroom cabinets hold old, expired medicine bottles, and fragrant lotions we thought we'd use. Basements should only really hold seasonal and household items such as stocks of extra paper towels, etc., not things we think one day we might need if we get another house.
Keep your things in the present time, not things of the past or things for the future. You will feel more relaxed, energized and ready to spend your energy on things of your choosing. Free your space and you'll see just how amazing you'll feel. Enjoy your new surroundings!
Friday, September 6, 2013
Love life!
Fall in love with life! Think about all the things you love in life. Wake up each morning saying "What are you going to show me today God?" Expect good things to happen each day. Each morning, take time to think of all the things you love and are grateful for. You can think of things you've experienced, things you have, things going on in your life now, and things you'd like to experience or have. Think about anything that makes you feel good.
By starting your day this way, you are starting on a positive note. Even if things are not going well right now. Forget those things and focus on the good. Focusing on the bad or negative will not get you out of it. Even if you can't think of a lot right now, focusing on the good will start to shift things in the right direction.
By thinking about good things, you are flooding your body with good energy. The energy is already inside you, it just needs some waking up to get circulating. As you think on these things, imagine energy throbbing or pulsating through you. You can imagine it as swirling around you as a positive force field or as a magnet attracting good things to you. You can feel it as it flows up and down your body, grounding you and giving you roots and branches. You can feel it radiating out of you to touch people around you. You can imagine it anyway you want.
You will be amazed how things will begin to shift in your life little by little, and sometimes even dramatically. Doing this is very good for your health as well. It brings nourishment from the inside.
Action
Start today. You can do it anytime of day. You can do it all day. The more you do it, the more good things you'll see happen and the better you will feel. Those around you will benefit as well, feeling the good vibes emanating from you. You can help others just by doing this for yourself. Energize yourself and enjoy!
By starting your day this way, you are starting on a positive note. Even if things are not going well right now. Forget those things and focus on the good. Focusing on the bad or negative will not get you out of it. Even if you can't think of a lot right now, focusing on the good will start to shift things in the right direction.
By thinking about good things, you are flooding your body with good energy. The energy is already inside you, it just needs some waking up to get circulating. As you think on these things, imagine energy throbbing or pulsating through you. You can imagine it as swirling around you as a positive force field or as a magnet attracting good things to you. You can feel it as it flows up and down your body, grounding you and giving you roots and branches. You can feel it radiating out of you to touch people around you. You can imagine it anyway you want.
You will be amazed how things will begin to shift in your life little by little, and sometimes even dramatically. Doing this is very good for your health as well. It brings nourishment from the inside.
Action
Start today. You can do it anytime of day. You can do it all day. The more you do it, the more good things you'll see happen and the better you will feel. Those around you will benefit as well, feeling the good vibes emanating from you. You can help others just by doing this for yourself. Energize yourself and enjoy!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Be Yourself
When we allow ourselves to be who we truly are, and not who we think others want us to be, our bodies can relax. When we try to accommodate the expectations of others by pretending or straining to be someone we are not, we waste vital energy. Our bodies cannot maintain such inconsistencies without becoming both mentally and physically drained.
Would you expect that of another? Wouldn't you prefer others to be themselves around you? Why then do we think we have to be someone we're not in order to make others happy?
It takes too much energy to be someone you are not. Our bodies become tense when trying to put on a show for others. As you now know, tension wreaks havoc all over the body. It is so important to remain true to yourself, to your likes and dislikes, to your dreams, your quirkiness, and your needs.
Take time to think about who you really are. What music do you like? What do you enjoy doing? It's not necessary to fit into one neat little mold. You can pick and choose the activities you most enjoy, regardless of how disparate they might seem to others. It's okay to like to watch TV. You don't have to be involved in a dozen activities, tiring yourself out, just to make a "good impression" on others. You don't have to be the next Martha Stewart decorating, cooking, or crafting from dawn 'til dusk. Stay true to your own interests and capabilities. Take a moment to listen to your thoughts, your heart and your body.
Do you like being alone or spending time with others? Do you enjoy relaxing activities or exciting activities or perhaps a mix of both? Do you like your hair long, short, or bald? Do you like to wear makeup or not? Do you dress according to the latest styles even if you don't like them, or are you more comfortable in classic pieces?
Do you ever take the time to wonder what motivates you to make the choices you make without fear of judgement? Do you sometimes wonder why we do what we do?
Action
Be who you want to be and be proud of who you are. We cannot please everyone. Why not please ourselves by remaining true to ourselves; and allow others to be themselves? Take the time to consciously choose. Enjoy yourself!
Would you expect that of another? Wouldn't you prefer others to be themselves around you? Why then do we think we have to be someone we're not in order to make others happy?
It takes too much energy to be someone you are not. Our bodies become tense when trying to put on a show for others. As you now know, tension wreaks havoc all over the body. It is so important to remain true to yourself, to your likes and dislikes, to your dreams, your quirkiness, and your needs.
Take time to think about who you really are. What music do you like? What do you enjoy doing? It's not necessary to fit into one neat little mold. You can pick and choose the activities you most enjoy, regardless of how disparate they might seem to others. It's okay to like to watch TV. You don't have to be involved in a dozen activities, tiring yourself out, just to make a "good impression" on others. You don't have to be the next Martha Stewart decorating, cooking, or crafting from dawn 'til dusk. Stay true to your own interests and capabilities. Take a moment to listen to your thoughts, your heart and your body.
Do you like being alone or spending time with others? Do you enjoy relaxing activities or exciting activities or perhaps a mix of both? Do you like your hair long, short, or bald? Do you like to wear makeup or not? Do you dress according to the latest styles even if you don't like them, or are you more comfortable in classic pieces?
Do you ever take the time to wonder what motivates you to make the choices you make without fear of judgement? Do you sometimes wonder why we do what we do?
Action
Be who you want to be and be proud of who you are. We cannot please everyone. Why not please ourselves by remaining true to ourselves; and allow others to be themselves? Take the time to consciously choose. Enjoy yourself!
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Trusting that all is well
Trusting that all is well is one of the best things you can do for your health mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. It releases tension, which is harmful to your body, mind, and spirit. Believing "all is well" is sometimes easier said than done, but worth the try.
Saying "all is well" to yourself means not only saying it, but also hearing it and letting it sink in. You have to say it until you feel it, so the thought can infiltrate through your cells. This simple practice allows your body to relax and get out of stress mode, which I've described in past blogs. It allows you to trust that though you may not see the whole picture, things can be working themselves out right now. Some people believe that things only work out if they themselves do something about it. They think that they are fully responsible for something to come to fruition. They don't feel as though there is a larger power out there that can help them. It can be very tiring when you feel that you are your only resource. And it can feel very lonely.
Imagine that there is a force that helps expedite or fix things that you can't figure out how to handle? Wouldn't that be amazing? Wouldn't you be able to relax a little? Wouldn't you feel relief? Take a moment to feel what it feels like if that were true right now....because it is true. And it is very healthy for your body to experience that feeling throughout the day.
Action
Try it for one day. Keep repeating "all is well," and allowing that to sink into your body. You can add "everything is working itself out," "the money will come from somewhere," "my relationship with this person can change," "the answer will come to me," or "the right person, people or opportunity will come into my life."
Doing this takes the stress out of trying to figure things out and releases a lot of the burden we tend to carry. It's true when they say "ask and it shall be given to you." It happens, but we have to remember to give it time to work.
Saying "all is well" to yourself means not only saying it, but also hearing it and letting it sink in. You have to say it until you feel it, so the thought can infiltrate through your cells. This simple practice allows your body to relax and get out of stress mode, which I've described in past blogs. It allows you to trust that though you may not see the whole picture, things can be working themselves out right now. Some people believe that things only work out if they themselves do something about it. They think that they are fully responsible for something to come to fruition. They don't feel as though there is a larger power out there that can help them. It can be very tiring when you feel that you are your only resource. And it can feel very lonely.
Imagine that there is a force that helps expedite or fix things that you can't figure out how to handle? Wouldn't that be amazing? Wouldn't you be able to relax a little? Wouldn't you feel relief? Take a moment to feel what it feels like if that were true right now....because it is true. And it is very healthy for your body to experience that feeling throughout the day.
Action
Try it for one day. Keep repeating "all is well," and allowing that to sink into your body. You can add "everything is working itself out," "the money will come from somewhere," "my relationship with this person can change," "the answer will come to me," or "the right person, people or opportunity will come into my life."
Doing this takes the stress out of trying to figure things out and releases a lot of the burden we tend to carry. It's true when they say "ask and it shall be given to you." It happens, but we have to remember to give it time to work.
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