A recent series of events has reminded me how important it is to take care of ourselves and to nurture the elements that make us feel whole. I created this blog to be a place of inspiration and I try as much as possible to keep thing interesting. But we live in very busy times and it's easy to get too focused on the external demands in our lives and not pay enough attention to what is important.
Over the next week I would like to spend some time looking at those important things: our health, our personal connections and our passions. I believe these elements are key to living a happy, balanced life. And what could be more inspiring than that?
Today's Topic: Stress
The one thing that has always helped me when things start to feel a little crazy is to breathe. There are so many times when things like yoga, meditation or a hard workout are out of the question (like after a stressful office meeting or when you're in line at the grocery store) but breathing is something you can do anytime, anywhere. Check out this great article on coping with stress through breathing.
Now that we're breathing, let's talk about the giveaway! Monday through Thursday this week I will post a small assignment to help get you more focused on your needs. Post a comment to let me know you're participating (you don't have to share unless you want to) and at the end of the week I will enter your name into a drawing. The folks at allmodern.com have graciously donated a gift for me to giveaway to the winner of this little challenge. Exciting, right?
List up to 5 things that are stressful for you right now. Be very honest: if you break down the obvious things (love, money, work, etc.) you will find that there's usually more to it. My biggest stressors typically come from guilt.
Now look carefully at each of these things. What about it can you control and what can't you? I've always been told that if you can change something you don't like, do it and if you can't, let it go. That's easier said than done, and this will take a little work. But it's totally worth it.
Think about it and let me know. If you have some insight to share, please do. Happy Monday!
Over the next week I would like to spend some time looking at those important things: our health, our personal connections and our passions. I believe these elements are key to living a happy, balanced life. And what could be more inspiring than that?
Today's Topic: Stress
The one thing that has always helped me when things start to feel a little crazy is to breathe. There are so many times when things like yoga, meditation or a hard workout are out of the question (like after a stressful office meeting or when you're in line at the grocery store) but breathing is something you can do anytime, anywhere. Check out this great article on coping with stress through breathing.
Now that we're breathing, let's talk about the giveaway! Monday through Thursday this week I will post a small assignment to help get you more focused on your needs. Post a comment to let me know you're participating (you don't have to share unless you want to) and at the end of the week I will enter your name into a drawing. The folks at allmodern.com have graciously donated a gift for me to giveaway to the winner of this little challenge. Exciting, right?
List up to 5 things that are stressful for you right now. Be very honest: if you break down the obvious things (love, money, work, etc.) you will find that there's usually more to it. My biggest stressors typically come from guilt.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Now look carefully at each of these things. What about it can you control and what can't you? I've always been told that if you can change something you don't like, do it and if you can't, let it go. That's easier said than done, and this will take a little work. But it's totally worth it.
Think about it and let me know. If you have some insight to share, please do. Happy Monday!
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While family and friends are extremely important in my well-being, my spiritual connection is what grounds me. Without that, life tends to feel so 'random' - the puzzle pieces of my life don't fit together; the gaps keep me feeling disconnected. When I added spirituality back into my life, I got a sense of peace and confidence; I know I'm going to come out of this bigger, better and stronger! My time is HERE! I'm going to prosper - I have happiness in my heart - my friendships have grown - my concerns have lessened and so have my stressors. Life is good!
ReplyDeleteI think this is going to be a great series of posts. Thank you for doing this during a season of reflection. Can't wait to read more.
ReplyDeleteI like to breath too.
ReplyDeleteI'm confused as to whether our big assignment is to list our 5 stressful things as a comment or to confidentially slip them to you. At the risk of sounding ridiculous (a risk I'm quite familar with), I'll share just one stressful thing I battle with regularly these days. One thing that I'm sure that all of your readers will be able to relate to (sarcasm).
My obsession with going back in time and living with native americans. This idea has NOT been a big hit with anyone and caused some, not surprisingly, awkward conversations. How many meaningless conversations about snuggies must I have before I'm aloud to just sit and watch the sunset with my Indian brother Tatanka while we wonder when the next rainfall will come? The constant struggle to except concrete walls and consumerism values as my reality. "I don't know if you want to depend on more than leaves and berries", says Emile Hirsch while playing the role of Christopher McCandless in the movie "Into the Wild". Well, I'm not so sure either. How much further away from nature and our natural instincts will we wonder before we begin to reject how we live? Isn't the connection with nature more valuable than iphone apps, microwave pizzas and living until you're 95?
So I can't abandon my reality because that just wouldn't be a productive use of my life and I certainly don't think we'll take a step back towards the Indian ways by choice or be forced into it in my lifetime. All there is left for me to do is put up with it, I guess.
Dictated, but not read...
5 things I stress over...
ReplyDelete1. Being a good Diabetic
I swore to myself that I would never put myself in a situation to need insulin. Did not realize how hard that would be and how much work that would intale. Those of you that can eat whatever you want are truly blessed, while some of us are severely restricted.
2. Building business
This one that I think you can relate to. Its like you give up a piece of your sanity and dive into the unknown. I have to admit the ride has been awesome.
3. Having a mortgage
If I knew then what I know now... haha
4. Having an ailing father
My dad lives in a nursing home and the stress of dealing with him there sometime makes me want to cry but I just put on the brave face and pretend that eveything is giong to be ok even though I know that his life is soon fading.
5. I have spiritual stresses.