Friday, December 21, 2012
Hearing and Listening
Some people never hear what you say.
Most people do hear what you say.
Friends listen to what you say.
Intimate friends also listen to what you don't say.
Most people do hear what you say.
Friends listen to what you say.
Confirmation Bias
The best way is to get into the habit of thinking consciously. How many times have you driven home from a place only to find an hour later that you are home, yet do not remember a single moment of the drive?
When you walk around in autopilot mode, it can cause “confirmation bias,” a facet of human intelligence that’s been evidenced by countless studies. The brain can only handle so much information, so it will take the path of least resistance whenever possible.
The easiest way for the brain to process something without expending extra energy would be to process information that confirms the info you have already stored, as opposed to interpreting new experiences based purely on their own merits.
For example, if you often have a negative outlook on the world, you’ll tend to pull that negativity—unhealthy skepticism—into any new information you encounter.
Once you start living consciously and avoiding confirmation bias, you can start using your brain as the powerful tool it is.
The “placebo effect” is evidence of this. In the medical field, placebos have worked in countless ways, including sugar pills used to cure depression or, in some cases (over 40 years ago), surgeons would perform placebo surgical procedures that produced positive results for the patient.
Time and time again research shows us how powerful this tactic can be on a human being. For our purposes, this is confirmation that our minds are powerful tools that can take us places as sacred as healing the body.
Happiness and fulfillment are choices as close as your thoughts. I believe that living consciously can certainly affect your interpretation of life and even help you with choices that will make your life more fulfilling.
Choose your thoughts carefully and mindfully cultivate them.
When you walk around in autopilot mode, it can cause “confirmation bias,” a facet of human intelligence that’s been evidenced by countless studies. The brain can only handle so much information, so it will take the path of least resistance whenever possible.
The easiest way for the brain to process something without expending extra energy would be to process information that confirms the info you have already stored, as opposed to interpreting new experiences based purely on their own merits.
For example, if you often have a negative outlook on the world, you’ll tend to pull that negativity—unhealthy skepticism—into any new information you encounter.
Once you start living consciously and avoiding confirmation bias, you can start using your brain as the powerful tool it is.
Time and time again research shows us how powerful this tactic can be on a human being. For our purposes, this is confirmation that our minds are powerful tools that can take us places as sacred as healing the body.
Happiness and fulfillment are choices as close as your thoughts. I believe that living consciously can certainly affect your interpretation of life and even help you with choices that will make your life more fulfilling.
Choose your thoughts carefully and mindfully cultivate them.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Rich
If you want to feel rich,
just count all of the things you have that money can't buy.
We tend to forget that happiness doesn't
come as a result of getting something we don't have,
but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.
just count all of the things you have that money can't buy.
We tend to forget that happiness doesn't
come as a result of getting something we don't have,
but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.
Downtime
Make time for downtime every day.
Downtime could involve meditation, light exercise, listening to music, reading something for fun—anything that puts you at ease and allows you to check out for a while.
The recharge time will help you become more receptive to new ideas and inspiration, and will allow you to do a more mindful and complete job on all of the other things you need to do each day.
Downtime could involve meditation, light exercise, listening to music, reading something for fun—anything that puts you at ease and allows you to check out for a while.
The recharge time will help you become more receptive to new ideas and inspiration, and will allow you to do a more mindful and complete job on all of the other things you need to do each day.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Awareness and Appreciation
Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head,
and knows not that it brings abundance
to drive away the hunger.
Saint Basil
and knows not that it brings abundance
to drive away the hunger.
Saint Basil
Transformation
If you want to awaken happiness in the world around you, start by living a life that makes you happy, and then radiate your happiness outward.
If you want to eliminate suffering in the world, start by eliminating the dark and negative parts of yourself, and then radiate your positivity outward.
Truly, the greatest power you have in this world is the power of your own self-transformation.
It begins with the one in the mirror.
If you want to eliminate suffering in the world, start by eliminating the dark and negative parts of yourself, and then radiate your positivity outward.
Truly, the greatest power you have in this world is the power of your own self-transformation.
It begins with the one in the mirror.
Volunteering
Embrace the holiday spirit by volunteering and you’ll be giving a gift to yourself as well.
People who give back to their community live longer than those who don’t, with one caveat. Researchers found that if you volunteer to help others rather than yourself, you may reap the rewards of a longer life. But if you’re motivated by selfish reasons, such as networking or improving your resume, the health benefits of volunteering may not be as great.
Volunteering as a way to connect in a meaningful and social way, however, does appear to offer life-extending benefits.
Whatever your motives, you can still do your community good by offering a helping hand this holiday season.
Volunteering as a way to connect in a meaningful and social way, however, does appear to offer life-extending benefits.
Whatever your motives, you can still do your community good by offering a helping hand this holiday season.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The "Controllables"
Control the "controllables".
Change what you can and don’t stress about the rest.
You cannot change things that happen to you, but you are always in control of how you react to them.
You cannot change others but you can change how you respond to them.
Change what you can and don’t stress about the rest.
You cannot change others but you can change how you respond to them.
Identity
“As long as you make an identity for yourself out of pain,
you cannot be free of it.”
you cannot be free of it.”
Eckhart Tolle
Holiday Stress
The holidays are a time to celebrate and to be thankful for family and friends.
Though it can be a joyful and relaxed time to reflect on the gifts in our lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the gifts that we purchase and the food we are planning to ingest.
This year, make the holidays a time to take care of yourself and your family. Lower your stress level by keeping a check on over-committing, overeating and overspending. How do you do that?
Come up with a game plan, and try to stick to it. Getting plenty of sleep is also key; being well rested makes every obstacle that much easier to tackle. Give yourself time to play hooky from holiday duties: Hitting the gym or watching a movie can be just the mental reboot that you need.
Though it can be a joyful and relaxed time to reflect on the gifts in our lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the gifts that we purchase and the food we are planning to ingest.
This year, make the holidays a time to take care of yourself and your family. Lower your stress level by keeping a check on over-committing, overeating and overspending. How do you do that?
Monday, December 17, 2012
Addressing Negative Thoughts
When negative thoughts arise it is best to address them rather than pushing them down where they will surface again.
When we repress parts of ourselves, they don’t go away so much as they get buried deep within us, and they often come out when we least expect it. I am fond of saying they will come out "sideways".
On the other hand, if we allow ourselves to be fully human, honoring all the thoughts, feelings, and moods that pass through us on a given day, we create a more conscious relationship with ourselves.
Instead of blocking out thoughts and feelings that we label as negative, we can simply observe them and then let them go. They only get stuck when we react to them negatively, pushing them down and out of sight where they get lodged in our unconscious minds.
A healthier solution might be to develop a practice of following any negative thought we may have with a positive thought. This works well because positive thoughts are many times more powerful than negative thoughts.
When we repress parts of ourselves, they don’t go away so much as they get buried deep within us, and they often come out when we least expect it. I am fond of saying they will come out "sideways".
On the other hand, if we allow ourselves to be fully human, honoring all the thoughts, feelings, and moods that pass through us on a given day, we create a more conscious relationship with ourselves.
Instead of blocking out thoughts and feelings that we label as negative, we can simply observe them and then let them go. They only get stuck when we react to them negatively, pushing them down and out of sight where they get lodged in our unconscious minds.
A healthier solution might be to develop a practice of following any negative thought we may have with a positive thought. This works well because positive thoughts are many times more powerful than negative thoughts.
Alcohol and Weight Gain
To avoid holiday weight gain, limit your cocktail consumption.
Gram for gram, alcohol contains more calories than sugar — and, like most beverages, those empty calories won’t nourish you. Besides, getting tipsy can lower inhibitions and cloud your judgment so that a second helping of everything suddenly seems like an excellent idea.
When you arrive at a celebration, make the rounds before getting a round. Before piling food on your plate, take a quick look at all your options. Devise a plan that will allow you to sample your favorite foods without going overboard.
When you arrive at a celebration, make the rounds before getting a round. Before piling food on your plate, take a quick look at all your options. Devise a plan that will allow you to sample your favorite foods without going overboard.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Balance
Balance:
Activity with Serenity,
Wealth with Simplicity,
Persistence with Innovation,
Community with Solitude,
Familiarity with Adventure,
Constancy with Change,
Work with Relaxation,
Leading with Following
Activity with Serenity,
Wealth with Simplicity,
Persistence with Innovation,
Familiarity with Adventure,
Constancy with Change,
Work with Relaxation,
Leading with Following
Life Energy
Life energy flows through us like a swift stream when there is nothing to obstruct it.
The essence of all being is energy.
Our physical and ethereal selves depend on the unrestricted flow of life energy that is the source of wholeness and wellness.
Though the channels through which this energy flows are open systems and influenced by factors outside of our control, we ultimately choose what impact these will have in our lives.
It is up to us to identify and clear blockages in the energy field to ensure that flow is maintained.
A healthy, grounded individual absorbs some portion of the energy emitted by other people and the environment, but this does not interrupt the continuous stream of balanced energy sustaining them.
The same individual copes constructively with stress and upset, and they are not subject to the stagnation that frequently goes hand in hand with negativity.
When we keep the energy in and around our bodies flowing harmoniously, we are naturally healthy, vibrant, and peaceful.
The essence of all being is energy.
Our physical and ethereal selves depend on the unrestricted flow of life energy that is the source of wholeness and wellness.
Though the channels through which this energy flows are open systems and influenced by factors outside of our control, we ultimately choose what impact these will have in our lives.
It is up to us to identify and clear blockages in the energy field to ensure that flow is maintained.
A healthy, grounded individual absorbs some portion of the energy emitted by other people and the environment, but this does not interrupt the continuous stream of balanced energy sustaining them.
The same individual copes constructively with stress and upset, and they are not subject to the stagnation that frequently goes hand in hand with negativity.
When we keep the energy in and around our bodies flowing harmoniously, we are naturally healthy, vibrant, and peaceful.
Water Cardio
For a workout that puts less wear and tear on your body, just add water. Water-based activities, like swimming, water aerobics or hydro cycling, can be just as effective for boosting cardiovascular health, but with less force on the joints.
For people who are overweight or have arthritis or other chronic pain, water workouts can help take the ouch out of exercise and lessen the risk of injury — all while protecting your heart.
Sedentary people who begin a fitness regimen can reduce their risk of a heart attack by 35 to 55 percent.
For people who are overweight or have arthritis or other chronic pain, water workouts can help take the ouch out of exercise and lessen the risk of injury — all while protecting your heart.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Responding
Our own mind carries us away.
Our thoughts are like unruly children, constantly pulling us here and there.
This constant pulling is the source of our stress and pain.
Mindfulness is the skill that allows us to watch our thoughts and feelings without being pulled by them.
Initially in practice all this mental chatter preoccupies us.
Then we begin to realize that we do have control.
By noticing and observing, we stop reacting. We begin to learn, instead, how to RESPOND to these thoughts.
Our thoughts are like unruly children, constantly pulling us here and there.
This constant pulling is the source of our stress and pain.
Mindfulness is the skill that allows us to watch our thoughts and feelings without being pulled by them.
Initially in practice all this mental chatter preoccupies us.
Then we begin to realize that we do have control.
By noticing and observing, we stop reacting. We begin to learn, instead, how to RESPOND to these thoughts.
Switching
Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts.
It's a dreadful way to live.
Find a mental image that gives you pleasure, and immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasurable thought.
It's a dreadful way to live.
Find a mental image that gives you pleasure, and immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasurable thought.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Natural Flow
Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes.
Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow.
Let reality be reality.
Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they do.
Lao Tzu
Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow.
Let reality be reality.
Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they do.
Lao Tzu
Breaking The Habit Of External Validation
Before seeking external validation, ask yourself, “What do I hope that person tells me?”
WHY do I feel that I need this person to validate me?
Then tell it to yourself.
Essentially, you’re looking for someone else to see the best in you and believe in you.
Give yourself what you’re seeking from them before making that call. Then by all means, make it if you want to.
The goal isn’t to stop reaching out to others. It’s to also be there for yourself. Do that first.
The words you want to hear from someone else will be far more powerful if you fully believe what they’re saying.
WHY do I feel that I need this person to validate me?
Then tell it to yourself.
Essentially, you’re looking for someone else to see the best in you and believe in you.
Give yourself what you’re seeking from them before making that call. Then by all means, make it if you want to.
The goal isn’t to stop reaching out to others. It’s to also be there for yourself. Do that first.
The words you want to hear from someone else will be far more powerful if you fully believe what they’re saying.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Forgiving Yourself
Forgive Yourself.
Let the past go.
You did the best you could at the time with the understanding, awareness, and knowledge that you had.
Now you are growing and changing, and you will live life differently.
Let the past go.
You did the best you could at the time with the understanding, awareness, and knowledge that you had.
Exercise and Memory
A small new study suggests that exercise can make middle-aged people smarter.
When sedentary adults were put on a four-month exercise routine, their ability to think, recall and make quick decisions all improved significantly. The fitter people became, the sharper their mental skills became as well.
For this study, participants who were initially overweight and inactive worked out four times a week — with stationary bikes and resistance training. Though the findings are preliminary, it’s not the first study to link regular exercise with increased brain function.
Recent findings also suggest that regular physical activity helps keep the brain from shrinking as we age, and it may protect against other damaging changes.
Aim for 150 minutes (or more!) of moderate to strenuous physical activity each week.
For this study, participants who were initially overweight and inactive worked out four times a week — with stationary bikes and resistance training. Though the findings are preliminary, it’s not the first study to link regular exercise with increased brain function.
Recent findings also suggest that regular physical activity helps keep the brain from shrinking as we age, and it may protect against other damaging changes.
Aim for 150 minutes (or more!) of moderate to strenuous physical activity each week.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Example
Your example is far more influential and inspiring than any words of instruction, or threats,or even words of encouragement.
"The full measure of a man is
not to be found in the man himself,
but in the colors and textures that
come alive in others because of him."
"The full measure of a man is
not to be found in the man himself,
but in the colors and textures that
come alive in others because of him."
Albert Schweitzer
Toxicity
Whenever you aim to grow and improve yourself, if your partner responds with mockery and disbelief you need to ask yourself if you are in a toxic relationship.
If there is little or no encouragement or support for your efforts, and instead, they keep you stuck in old judgments insisting that you will never be any different than you are now you need to look more into these patterns.
If you’re experiencing even just one of these signs, check in with yourself to see if the relationship is doing more damage than good.
Evaluate the relationship and what it’s worth to you.
If there is little or no encouragement or support for your efforts, and instead, they keep you stuck in old judgments insisting that you will never be any different than you are now you need to look more into these patterns.
If you’re experiencing even just one of these signs, check in with yourself to see if the relationship is doing more damage than good.
Evaluate the relationship and what it’s worth to you.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Know Where You Are Going
"If you don't know where you're going,
any road will take you there."
Lewis Carroll
any road will take you there."
Lewis Carroll
(Alice in Wonderland)
"Losing"
“When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.”
Sometimes life can seem like a constant race–a race against time, a race against other people, and a race against the people we no longer want to be. When you look at everything with this sense of competition and urgency, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by losses, as if they mean something about your worth and potential.
Far more proactive than letting our losses limit our future is to let our lessons shape it.
Every loss provides something to be gained, whether it’s a new perspective or even a new possibility that you might not recognize until you stop dwelling on what never was.
Everything that happens contains within it the seed of opportunity.
Everything can teach us something that we can use as we move forward.
Far more proactive than letting our losses limit our future is to let our lessons shape it.
Every loss provides something to be gained, whether it’s a new perspective or even a new possibility that you might not recognize until you stop dwelling on what never was.
Everything that happens contains within it the seed of opportunity.
Everything can teach us something that we can use as we move forward.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Awake
Appreciate again and again, freshly and naively,
the basic goods of life, with awe,
pleasure, wonder and even ecstasy,
however stale these experiences may have become to others.
Abraham Maslow
the basic goods of life, with awe,
pleasure, wonder and even ecstasy,
however stale these experiences may have become to others.
Response
Everything in your life is a response to your feelings.
How you feel about yourself is how you shape your perception of reality.
How you feel about yourself is how you shape your perception of reality.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
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