Babies!

Tiny babies do not worry about things beyond their control.  They are in survival mode.  Sleep, eat and diaper changes are their entire world. Spending time with these amazing creatures can help us to remember what matters.  Not whether or not we get a raise, or if our partner is going to rememeber our anniversary, or how to make up with a close friend.  These thoughts never run through a baby's brain.  Think more simply.  And be happy no one has to change you!

When is it enough?

Is it ever ok to be completely happy with where you are in life and to coast in that comfortable space for awhile? Do we always have to be doing more, being more, getting better? What if we could be content with now and give thanks for being in the spot we are in this moment? Would we be giving up or being lazy?  I don't think so.  I think we've earned the right to rest once in awhile and lounge in the space we've created for ourselves.

People keep asking me, "what's next"?  Are you going get your doctorate?  Are you going to apply for a manager's position?  I say, "hold on, I like it here, let me rest".  I think it's completely fine to do this. What about you?

Team up

We are such proud creatures.  We believe we have to complete our tasks alone in order to be worthy.  This is simply not true.  Spread your request for help in a wide circle and see who joins you.  Often, you may just want to bounce ideas off another person's ear.  People generally love to help and enjoy feeling part of something.  You will enjoy the success a team effort can bring.  Don't go it alone, phone a friend.

Share a little good

What's your first response when people ask you how you are?  Do you say, "busy"? "Alright?" Next time try to share a bit of good news, "I am wonderful, my friend is taking me to the mountains this weekend" or "I received a funny email that made me smile. I should send it to you". You might be surprised about how far the little positive interaction might go.

Be in body, not in mind

Our body and mind are completely different worlds.  Living in the mind takes us flying into the future or reliving the past when what we really want is to live in the moment.  To feel the beauty of now. Our body is breath, the constant in and out of oxygen and carbon dioxide, filling our blood with life. The mind worries, gets frustrated and becomes easily overwhelmed.  The body continues its perfect rhythm all throughout the day and night. So how do we stay in the body?  Watch your breath.  Feel it filling your belly and slowly releasing.  Feel cool air touch your nose and warm air exit seconds later. Feel the moment, feel now, feel yourself in all your perfection.

Walk the line

There is a fine balance between stress and idleness. We need to constantly monitor ourselves to ensure we can correct our energy from moving too far in one direction. If we've spent the day running errands and flying from one appointment to the next, maybe we could grab a book and wind down.  If a whole day is spent in front of the television, perhaps we could take ourself for a brisk walk. If our week ahead looks stressful, we could perhaps books a massage to unravel our clenched energy. How do you create balance in your life?

Team up

I am writing this with my niece and nephew... it is important to have community.  Join up with a group that you can connect with and share experiences together. Join a church group, join a dodgeball team, join book club.  Anything to feel like a bigger part of this planet.

Get real

We all know how cathartic it can be to divulge information while sitting in the hair stylist's chair.  Why can't we share our real feelings to other people too? Tell your fitness instructor how you are doing, or tell the lady in the flower shop why you are purchasing a dozen roses, or share your emotional state with your doctor, espcially share with your doctor.  Who is the most interesting person you have opened up to?

The transporter

Fear, worries and anxieties can stop us cold and make it difficult to move let alone think. In these times of inner crisis it is important to escape and place ourselves outside of these ideas. If you are afraid of flying, try to imagine the island that you are heading to.  Feel the sand on your toes, watch the waves roll in and let the sun warm your skin. Go somewhere other than the fear. If you have a presentation at work that is scaring you try to imagine the presentation going well.  Visualize people clapping and nodding and smiling as you command the podium. Are your housemates being loud and upsetting you? Transport yourself to a calm home with soft music playing maybe someone serenading you with a guitar.  What do you to to escape your thoughts?

Be the ember, not the ash

Burn out.  It can happen to the best of us. It is important to stay level and burn slowly rather than overwhelming our body and mind.  If you have a day full of running errands, perhaps make one of those errands into a coffee with a good friend to help you unwind. A rough day at work?  Go for a walk or read a good book.  Kids taking up all your time? Set aside time for play.  Throughout the day make a mental note of what you have accomplished and make sure you are balancing yourself.  Rewards are the fuel for our ongoing labour.

What do you do to unwind?

Pull the chute and escape

We are sometimes overwhelmed with thoughts that begin to affect our mood and our actions. If we are nervous about an upcoming meeting at work, if our children are acting out, if a friend of ours is going through a hard time we can become upset and let our thoughts dance us into a frenzy.  This is the time when an escape is necessary.  Blasting good music, watching a movie or reading an exciting novel can allow our brain to coast into a land of imagination and of course, no worries.

What do you do to escape?

Stranger danger?

We may not realize it, but the world is filled with interesting stories and warm hearts. Around every corner there is a man or woman who might be able to intimately connect to us if we gave them a chance. Waiting in the doctors office, why not strike up a conversation with the person in the chair next to you? Waiting for a bus, say "Hello" to others standing nearby. You truly never know when you might discover something bout yourself, or maybe even make a new friend.  Explore, ask questions and always smile!

Stay regular

There's nothing like the feeling of walking into a restaurant and having the waitress recite your order from memory. It's like being part of a family. Is there a Mom and Pop shop, tiny grocery store, butcher or cafe in your neighbourhood?  Take some time to frequent these places and you just might feel better for it.

Share the pain

Negative emotions are no walk in the park.  The terrible things we tell ourselves sometimes we wouldn't wish on our worst enemy.  When we find ourselves in a place of spiralling wicked thoughts it is important to seek those who will listen.  Don't be afraid of burdening people with your energy, it will wash off them like water off a duck's back.  Once you seek one person, seek another, then another until you've extracted all the bad blood coursing through your veins. Share and be renewed.

Phone a friend

We need our friends.  Like we need water and air, we need their support to survive. We are often so busy with our to do list that we forget to nurture these precious relationships.  Just as its important to move for your physical health, it is equally important to talk with friends for your mental health. Talk, vent, hug, laugh and smile with your friend.  Your world will be better for it.

Love heals

We all have parts of our physical self that we would like to change.  But rather than embrace our flaws as part of us, we tend to focus negative energy into the area of our bodies that isn't perfect.  Maybe there's a scar from an incident we would rather forget, or our tummy is a little too round for us, or there's that pimple that just won't go away.  Focus in on these spots and radiate love into them.  Say out loud "I love you" and channel as much positive energy as you can into this flaw.  You will find that their importance tends to fade away over time.

Positive osmosis

When you are feeling blue try to seek out other bright colours to lift your mood.  Visit a greenhouse and inhale the sweet fragrances, call up a bubbly friend and ask to go for a walk, go to an animal shelter and watch the staff lovingly care for their inhabitants.  Placing yourself around people and positive energy will ensure that some of that energy will be transferred to you.

What do you do to gain positive energy when feeling down?

Ta-Da

We often will receive a complement only to lock it away and never think of it again.  A compliment or kudos can be very healing.  It holds the power of raw positivity that we can then use in our lives as fuel to light the fire of hope. Create for yourself a ta-da book.  Write or paste thank yous, compliments and jobs well done.  When you feel low, pull out this book and let the positive energy circulate through your veins.

I am amazing

These three words can really create a positive chemical reaction in our brains.  For three seconds you will be filled with hope, happiness, and most importantly, love for yourself.  Choose a trigger to remind you of this mantra.  Maybe a black truck.  Everytime you see a black truck say "I am amazing". Its a fun game and its a practice that will lift you up.

Note:  I have been away for five months.  I wasn't in a healthy place and I couldn't bring myself to blog.  I feel happy and strong and I hope this feeling lasts so I can be a part of this blog world with you.