YOUR LIFE A-Z:BOW

PUT A BOW ON IT

BOW

Sticking with the theme of the holiday season, a little reflection on the word BOW.  In our English language this word has a duplicitous meaning.  First let’s explore how adding a BOW to a package spruces up the package.  Imagine a package that is wrapped in bright red Christmas paper and then imagine adding a white BOW to it.  The BOW brightens the package adding a little flair.  Next imagine adding a green, gold, silver, or multi-colored BOW. Each BOW changes the visual image of the package, each eliciting a different visual appeal.  What could use an addition of a BOW in your daily life?  What has become boring or mundane, but still necessary?  Add a BOW to it.  Change  your tooth- brush by choosing a bright and colorful one.  Buy yourself a new journal to start off the new –year.  BOWS are a pleasant addition to what already exist.  BOWS take little effort, but compliment the package with that extra touch of tender loving care.  Treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure.  BOWS bring a smile to your face and raise your level of anticipation.  Do you need a new plate to enjoy your same old breakfast?  Do you need to add color to a room that drags you down?  You are beginning to get the idea, so now allow yourself to be creative with the idea of decorating your daily life with the multi-faceted BOW.  BOWS are used in archery and help the velocity of the arrow.  Then there is the word BOW.   BOW your head in gratitude and be thankful for the BOWS in your life.

YOUR LIFE A-Z: DE-STRESS

ENJOY THE FLIGHT AND DE-STRESS

DE-STRESS

 I often ask my clients to tell me what they think his/her stress level is like on a scale of 1-10.  When he/she is asked to scale the question I most likely hear the answer 8-10.  If at first I ask the client to detail the stressors in his/her daily life, often I hear, “Well my life is not all that stressful.”  Asking someone to scale the amount of stress is a less invasive question, instead of what is stressing you?  We have talked about many DE-STRESSING tools already but I want to bring you back to the most important tool, which is deep breathing.  To DE-STRESS your body you must learn to relax your entire body.  This is best done with focused attention with your breath from the top of your head to the very tip of your toes.  I suggest you set the timer and begin with five minutes of focused attention breathing in and letting the belly rise and exhaling pulling the belly in against the backbone.  If you lose count just start over until the timer stops.  Learning to DE-STRESS and practicing DE-STRESSING techniques when stress levels are between 3-5 help you prepare to practice correctly when you really need to DE-STRESS.   A really good organic herbal green tea can help the cells feel massaged and restored.  Stress tears our body down at a cellular level and we must repair the body at a cellular level.  DE-STRESSING techniques need to be broad focusing on every angle of your life.  What will you need to do to bring the scale down to a 5-6?  Activate that plan. 

YOUR LIFE A-Z:VOLUNTEER

THESE CHARACTERS ARE ALWAYS READY TO MAKE YOU SMILE

VOLUNTEER

Each of you is very busy and has little discretionary time left to give one more ounce anywhere. This blog is not about burdening you with one more thing.  First let’s look at the little things you already do that fall into the category of VOLUNTEERING.  Make a list of everything that you did this week and look for the hidden VOLUNTEERING in the list.  Did you call a needy friend?  Did you take food to a sick neighbor?  Those are actions that fall into the category of VOLUNTEERING. Give yourself praise for the small things that you already do in within your normal schedule and congratulate yourself for your small acts as a VOLUNTEER. Next, notice the ushers at museums, plays, concerts, and sporting events the next time you go.  Most of those positions are VOLUNTEER positions.  Pretty sweet deal isn’t it?  VOLUNTEERS get to see amazing performances for only directing you to your seat. Being a VOLUNTEER can be fun and relaxing.  In many scenarios the VOLUNTEER receives so much more by giving.  If your life is lacking something,  I do encourage you to make room in your life to VOLUNTEER.  You don’t have to VOLUNTEER weekly or even monthly.  You might discover that serving the homeless on Thanksgiving or Christmas once a year is sufficient for you.  I believe many VOLUNTEER’s feel guilty if he/she is not VOLUNTEERING.  If that is the case, take a break from VOLUNTEERING and go play golf or see the latest movies instead. Guilt is not the reason to VOLUNTEER and may be a sign you are burned out. Enjoy your life.

YOUR LIFE A-Z:UNNECESSARY

BE KIND

UNNECESSARY

How much stuff is in your life that is completely UNNECESSARY?   How much chatter is in your head that is completely UNNECESSARY?   Ironically the first question to ask your self to any UNNECESSARY question is,  “Is it necessary?”  If you find yourself answering, “yes.”  Stop and think for a minute.   Really, is it necessary?  When was the last time you used it?  What do you need it for? What do you get out of it?  Learning to toss UNNECESSARY stuff (regardless if the UNNECESSARY is stuff or chatter) is a learned skill for most people.  Rather than make the decision to toss something when you are through using, most people save it for later.  For instance,  “Don’t throw that used jacket away, you don’t know when you might need it?”  But the truth is you hate the jacket and it has a hole in it that makes your feel ashamed to wear it.  Toss it.  It is UNNECESSARY to wear stuff that makes you feel ashamed.  If you can’t afford new stuff, don’t worry.  Thrift stores have awesome deals on great gently used stuff.  However, if you go to a thrift store, buy only what you need.  Just because it is a deal does not mean it is necessary.  Most of the stuff we buy is completely UNNECESSARY.  UNNECESSARY stuff, comments, and inner chatter need to be fully examined and managed in ways that help you feel positive about your environment, actions, and self. If it is UNNECESSARY, it needs to be discarded.

YOUR LIFE A-Z:KIOSK

THE CENTER TELLS THE STORY

KIOSK

The word KIOSK is a Persian word that means a pavilion or garden area that is open on all sides.  That word seems fitting today because many KIOSKS make our life easier.  There are computerized ticket KIOSKS at the airport that move human traffic through the check-in lines much faster. There are breakfast KIOSKS in Europe that make it easy for fast paced train commuters to grab a bite before his/her commute. Magazine and news KIOSKS have been around many years making it easy to purchase something to read and now those KIOSKS suffer due to personal tablets that allow readers easy access to everything and anything they want to read.  KIOSKS make life easier and important needs and information readily available.  Think about your home as a KIOSK.  Organize departments in your home as if each department was a KIOSK.   For example, most of you have your jewelry stored in a KIOSK sort of way.  You open your JEWELRY box, draw, or stand and inside can view and choose your jewelry for the day.  Filing cabinets are your personal KIOSK for important papers, such as deeds, wills, medical information, and anything else that you don’t want to keep just electronically.  One day filing cabinets may go the way of newsstand KIOSK but for now they are still necessary.  Other areas in your home that are easy to KIOSK are your pantry, spices, and kitchen gadgets.  Think if you had a KIOSK for your keys, sun- glasses, and remote you would never have to go looking for any of those items again.  KIOSK your life!