YOUR LIFE A-Z:HOPE

HOPE SHOWS UP IN THE DESERT

HOPE

Certainly at this time of the year HOPE is an important word.  Traditional Christian and Jewish stories speak of HOPE ranging from the miraculous conception of the   Christ child to the Jewish Hanukkah story of the one day supply of holy oil miraculous turning into the necessary eight day supply needed.  The word HOPE seems to align itself with the word miracle.  HOPE springs eternal especially when the chips are down and every resource has been explored.  It is fine line walking the balance of HOPE and despair.  Despair is never helpful or useful and HOPE helps you stay away from the brink of despair when life is looking fairly bleak. Taking positive action one-step at a time helps build HOPE from the inside out. HOPE activates action and action activates HOPE.  You have nothing to lose by investing in HOPE.  Even if things don’t work out the way you want them to, HOPE helps your mood and keeps despair at bay. HOPE can be practiced and increased when you build positive resources around you. 

·                Reading other people’s stories that are going through what you are going through can fertilize        HOPE.  

·             Watching biographical movies that tell stories of struggle and success can increase you HOPE         thermometer.

·               Going for a walk in nature can uplift your mood and help return HOPE.

·             I also recommend reading: The ANATOMY OF HOPE by Jerome Groopman MD.

This time of year is filled with mystery, magic, lights and music.  Let it saturate your soul and fill your heart with HOPE.

YOUR LIFE A-Z:XENIUM

XENIUM

LET THE STRESS GO!

XENIUM is a compulsory gift.  By compulsory, I mean it is a required gift.  It is customary for gifts to be purchased and given, especially to ambassadors and Heads of State.   This custom started in ancient Greece and travelled throughout Europe, becoming an international unwritten requirement.  During holiday seasons, weddings, and birthday celebrations the common folk have adapted the XENIUM rules of gift giving. Most of us have participated in the compulsory gift practice of XENIUM. There are two ways for us to explore the phenomena of XENIUM.  First, it is important to acknowledge the truth.  Some gifts must be given.  XENIUM is an important practice in family dynamics. Sometimes XENIUM is important in the work place environment. By intentionally choosing not to practice XENIUM, you are choosing to make your life more difficult.  What is important for you to figure out is:  Who needs to be on your XENIUM list?  Who are the Heads of State in your family system?  Mother in laws, like it or not, require XENIUM gifts.  However, gifts to all of your friends, acquaintances, colleagues, and all of your family members are not XENIUMS.  What gifts falls into the category of an XENIUM and what gifts fall into the category of should is important to know.  Use this holiday season to drop your should gifts and to honor your Heads of State in your family system. Don’t let your critical monkey-mind run-a-muck, get clear within yourself and then gift accordingly.  What XENIUM practices will make your life less stressful?

YOUR LIFE A-Z:NESTING

MANY STORIES WILL BRING CONNECTION

NESTING

NESTING is a necessity for a well-balanced life.  During our busy lives where each detail of our day is demanding our attention it is important to push the off button and stay home for the day.  Don’t just stay home, NEST at home.  Turn off your cellular devices and electronic apps and curl up by the fireplace, pool, or sofa and enjoy being home.  As you begin to notice your space allow gratitude to settle in around you.  Be grateful for what you have.   As you allow the essence of the day to open up to you do whatever it is you want to do in the comfort of your home.  Cook a great meal or order in Chinese food.  Read, write, even write old-fashion letters to people you have been meaning to say hello too.  Listen to music, chant, meditate, sing, dance, or relax into a bubble bath.  Learning to do nothing but NEST is often a challenge because you are not use to having a whole day to do nothing but be.  However, if you put a NESTING day in your calendar once ever six weeks you will learn to look forward to it and you will enjoy making sure that you have some special things around to help you enjoy the NESTING day.  I suggest having a basket full of crayons, paper, fun magazines, candles, bubble bath, and teas to help you move naturally from one thing to another, developing a natural rhythm for being present and relaxing.  Your NESTING day will recharge you.

YOUR LIFE A-Z:PEACE

PEACE

It is important to have inner PEACE.  Inner PEACE is a state of being content with whatever the situation is.  If you panic about something you are wasting valuable resources of time, energy, and action.  When something comes your way that is upsetting it is easy to lose your inner PEACE.   When you do lose your PEACE you can get it back easy too by practicing your mantra or your breathing.  Unsettling situations require a presence of mind otherwise you can make decisions and take action that is not helpful because of that deep inner need to fix things or control them.  When you are insisting on control, you will lose your PEACE often.  Practicing PEACE is an effort of intention that requires mindful action.  PEACE does not have to be illusive.  PEACE is something you aspire to achieve on a daily basis.  Take an inventory of the issues in your life that steal your PEACE.  Ask yourself how these PEACE stealing issues continue to harass your ability to enjoy your daily life?  Where do you need to shift your focus in order to maintain a sense of PEACE, regardless of the situation you are facing?  What do you get out of being hysterical about any situation?  Life happens.  People die. People betray you. People get horrible illnesses and have life changing accidents.  That is reality.  Reality is not powerful enough to steal your PEACE if you don’t allow it.  PEACE is an attitude and a practice.  PEACE is acquired by action.

YOUR LIFE A-Z:YOUTHFUL

YOUTHFUL IS A STATE OF MIND

YOUTHFUL

 Being YOUTHFUL has its privileges.  YOUTHFUL is important but not paramount.  The goal as you age is to stay YOUTHFUL and happy.  Being YOUTHFUL does not require plastic surgery nor Botox.  Being YOUTHFUL is a state of mind and activity. The more active you stay the more YOUTHFUL you will be.  Movement is the key to maintaining YOUTH. The phrase, “act your age,” is intended make kids act like adults, so perhaps you think acting YOUTHFUL is showing immaturity.   A little immaturity won’t hurt you.  If you want to wear clothes that are intended for younger people, wear them proudly and with taste.  For instance, let your capris take the place of your shorts but be stylish with them.  Get a YOUTHFUL haircut.  Practice a YOUTHFUL walk.  Be around YOUTHFUL people.  If you are feeling like an old person then it is time to get out and be around YOUTHFUL people to help you remember life can be fun. Life can be fun if you get off of the sidelines and into the center of it. Rejoice in whatever number your chronological age is and live it well.  Your age number should never define you.  With each year you add wisdom.  As long as you keep moving, stretching, walking, dancing, and exercising you are investing in a YOUTHFUL presence.  If you are bored perhaps it is because you are not acting YOUTHFUL or trying new ideas.  Trying something new that you have never done before and let your YOUTHFUL self help you explore new territory.