photo credit: ShedBOy^

This time of year can be very stressful. Heck, any time of year can be stressful! Am I right, or am I right? Meditation is one of the best stress busters out there. But sometimes even those of us who meditate can use a fresh approach. Here is a simple and effective meditation to use to achieve the perfect chill-out.

Meditation without a Goal: Just Be

Sit in a quiet place in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and countdown from 10 to 1 while taking very slow deep breathes in and out, holding on both the inhale and exhale as is comfortable.

Once you are “there” then loosely focus on the following contemplation points, along with any others that open your mind beyond your daily struggles, goals, habits, and patterns. If you forget one or even all of the contemplation points, that’s ok. Just keep to the general spirit of the meditation.

Helpful tip: Very…..slooow….contemplation………..is…………….best.  Meditation can be done for 15 minutes or as long as feels right.

Contemplation Points:

Be. (just be. no intentional thoughts.  breathing. just be. “i am.”)

Be Slow. (slow heartbeat. slow breathing.  slow expectations. slow thoughts. slowwww.)

Be Open. (to yourself.  to messages from all around you and from inside you.  to new ideas.  to love.  to self-acceptance)

Be Enough. (for the moment.  in who you are.  in what you have.)

Just Be.

Please Share!

What would you like to say about this? All comments big and small are very welcomed!

Post from: Life Learning Today

Just Be

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

photo credit: Ana_Cotta

I love the song, “Maybe God is Trying to Tell You Somethin’,'” from the Color Purple soundtrack.  It is a very passionate and moving gospel song. Every once in a while, something happens in my life where I can hear a message from God. It’s not always earth shattering, but even when it is a simple message it is still a delightful intermission from my usual mundane thought patterns. Hopefully this story will spark your interest to  adjust the dial on your “tuner” in order to hear the messages you may be receiving right now.

I got a cold recently. The worst part was that it made me so tired. So tired, in fact, that I had to take a nap nearly each day. I never take naps so this means my body was really tired. After 5 days I thought it was gone and so I resumed my normal routine.

The following day the cold came back the next day. Arg. That was frustrating. This cycle of feeling better and then relapsing kept happening. Finally after the 3rd time it came back, I sensed there was a message and also some “assistance” from God. The message was “slow down” and the “assistance” was that I was finally able to sleep normally again after about a month of quasi-insomnia.

My insomnia was caused by worrying too much about, well, everything. Work, family, health, etc.  I would wake up at 2am and worry for 3 hours while wishing I could go back to sleep. The problem was that a habit had formed and I was getting better and better at worrying, a skill which serves no one well. The kicker was that I really didn’t have anything to be worried about. I was worried about possible problems. Not very productive!

By having this cold and a bonus case of poison ivy too, God effectively removed my ability to worry in the middle of the night. I was too tired at night and too itchy when awake to think of anything else. The worry habit was interrupted which is all I needed to kick the habit!

The situation of repeatedly healing and relapsing is similar to training a dog to do something  You must repeat the training over and over again. For a while the dog doesn’t get it. But as the training continues, at last, the dog finally understands the message and then they learn the lesson. Once the lesson is learned it is important to be reminded of the lesson and to practice it.

Each time I felt better, I was like my dogs. I wanted to go back to my normal routine, doing too much and not taking care of myself, but everytime I did God gave me a “correction” to convey his message of “slow down and stop worrying.”

Now you could say “All you had was a cold, there’s no ‘message from God’ there.” Maybe you’re right. But, here’s the thing, I find that when I finally “tune in” and listen to these little messages, which for me are usually “slow down,” and “stop worrying,” my life definitely improves.

I think it is God. I still have many questions and doubts about God, but for me I can’t dismiss the idea of God simply because my senses are not keen enough to perceive God in the way I think he should be perceived. Or maybe we are perceiving God all the time in the form of witnessing the amazing abundance of life on earth, but, like dogs in training, we are missing the obvious. We don’t see how life IS a manifestation of God.

In slowing down I had the opportunity to read a neat book that helped open my imagination up to the possibilities of what God and heaven really are. I recommend checking out “Life After Death” by Deepak Chopra. In the recent past when explaining heaven and God to my son with the explanation that they are “up there” in the sky, I found myself having difficulty imagining where that really is and what that’s really like. In “Life After Death” Chopra paints a picture that is more expansive, vivid, and believable than I have been able to conceive on my own.

So what about you? Have you experienced something recently that may have held a message for you? Please share your story with us. Perhaps telling your story will help someone. Or maybe telling your story will be like a key unlocking a message that you can  finally receive. Either way, thank you for reading and for sharing! May you hear the messages the universe is sending you, and may it bring you peace and joy!

Post from: Life Learning Today

Maybe God is Trying to Tell You Something

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

photo by Stitch

Did you know that a major key to happiness is giving to others? This is substantiated in an excellent book by Rick Foster and Greg Hicks,”How We Choose to Be Happy: The 9 Choices of Extremely Happy People–Their Secrets, Their Stories.” In the book, they describe the profound effect giving to others can have on your level of happiness.

I discovered this book through the Awakening Joy course which I highly recommend.

When was the last time you gave (your time, energy, love, assistance) to someone else and how did it make you feel?

Why not make a difference for someone today by helping to end poverty? Here are 88 ideas to get you started. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:

• Eat meatless meals 2x a week. Donate that grocery money to a local food bank.
• Make a loan on Kiva.org.
• Have a “sponsor me” day. Donate money to a poverty relief cause for everyone who leaves a comment on your blog that day.
• Skip a weekly trip to the grocery store and donate the money saved to a food bank. I do this once a year for my family of 5. For that week we only eat what is left in the pantry or fridge. By the end of the week, pickings are slim and we get a sense of what it feels like to not have the luxury of tasty, well balanced meals every night.
• Have dinner on the floor and make it a very small meal (like chicken broth, watered down milk, and maybe a small piece of bread?) Talk about the blessings you have and that the meal represents those who don’t get to eat “big” on a daily basis.
• Volunteer at a soup kitchen!
• Don’t just talk to your kids about poverty – get them involved by having them go through their toys and clothes to find concrete things to pass along. The next time they want you to buy something for them – talk about what that money could buy for someone who had no food… then follow through and donate the money you didn’t spend.

If you want to get started by making a donation or if you want to learn more, there are several organizations and educational information listed here. Also check out what one person can do to make a difference.

Post from: Life Learning Today

Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty, When You Help Others You Help Yourself

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

Online Happiness Course

I have discovered a wonderful “happiness course” that is available online. The course is called “Awakening Joy” and it is offered both online (for anyone, anytime) and on-site (for folks living in San Francisco). The course is taught by James Baraz, a mediation instructor and founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California.

Where and When

The course is a 10 month long experience with lectures, exercise, and meditations. The goal of the course is to “awaken joy through monthly principles and practices that incline the mind toward well-being, happiness and joy.” The course seeks to guide you towards natural happiness states by becoming aware of them and by adopting an intention to experience them.

About Awakening Joy

Much of the teachings stems from Buddhist principles such as Buddha’s saying “Go for the highest happiness” and “You become what you think about most.” Each month there is a different theme and corresponding exercises to incorporate into your life.

The exercises include things that naturally bring joy such as singing. Noticing what makes you happy and being present with those feelings is another. Active expression of gratitude is another exercise that has profound effects on students of this class.

The course highly recommends establishing a “joy buddy” as you journey through the course. This is someone with whom you can discuss your experiences and share mutual support.

How Much Does It Cost?

Pricing for the course is a suggest donation of $250, but scholarships are available. And the website claims that no one is ever turned away from the class for financial reasons. If you can’t afford the $250 you can pay whatever price you are able to pay.

Testimonials

There have been more than 2000 people who have completed this course and loved it. This is something you will hear more about in the future for sure. If you’d like to read feedback from others who have taken the course, click here and here. I’m looking forward to starting the class myself and will post about my experience here on Life Learning Today.

How Do I Sign Up?

Baraz doesn’t have a book out yet, but it is in the works. As soon as I hear about it, I will review it here on Life Learning Today. In the meantime if you want to look into taking this course, here is where you can find more information on Awakening Joy. (I have no affiliation with Awakening Joy and receive no compensation if you sign up.)

Please Share!

How do you awaken joy in your life? Have you taken this course? All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you found this post valuable, perhaps you’ll be kind enough to vote for this with a Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always appreciated!

You can Support Life Learning Today by visiting one of my sponsors, making a donation, or making a purchase at Amazon through one of my links. Thank you!

Don’t Miss a Single Tip!
Free Email Subscriptions:

Post from: Life Learning Today

Awakening Joy

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

The media has been having a field day with Britney Spears for the last few years and most especially over the last year. I’m not here to add to the gossip. I wish Britney all the best. What Britney is going through, under the media microscope, many of us also experience. We live through similar situations in our lives where we feel lost, can’t find our compass, and don’t know where to turn. When that happens there can be a lot of frantic frenzy like a puppy who’s just been let out of his crate. The puppy runs around and around, running into things, jumping up on people, and acting pretty crazy. Until he gets all his energy out. Only then is the puppy ready to listen to the guiding voice of his owner.

This happened to me a little bit in my early 20′s when, upon entering the real world, I needed to figure out where I was going. Being scared, I clung onto people, some of whom did not have my best interests at heart. I had some anxiety attacks and thought my world was caving in, when in reality, my body was trying to tell me to get some help. Over time I sought out the help of people who always loved me, my family. I learned about anxiety attacks and how harmless they really are and how easy they are to overcome.

So for Britney Spears and anyone else who feels lost, here are the things that helped me get back on track.

1. Slow Down and Stop Running Away. Trying to bury your problems underneath the pursuit of pleasure will not make them go away. Yes, you’ll feel good in the moment when you dive into chemicals, wild experiences, watching endless TV, new relationships, and sex, but every time the pleasure ends you will be right back where you started. The problems will still be there, still unresolved, and you’ll be looking for the next hedonistic experience to drown it out.

2. Let Go of Fear. If you are afraid to get off the vicious cycle described above, know that you can do it. You can handle it. Know that there is more than enough strength inside you. For many people, turning over their fear to God, a Higher Power, or to the Universe is a very powerful way to let go of fear. Another way is to imagine you are a child in your mother’s arms trusting her to take care of anything that comes along. Feel what that is like to release fear and to trust completely. Now do the same thing, but imagine being cradled by yourself. Feel and trust in your strength to handle anything in your life.

3. Let Go of the Notion That a Stormy Life is Romantic. Life is already stormy enough. You’ll have plenty of things in your life to keep it interesting. What you don’t want is factors that add unnecessary volatility to your life. Otherwise you’ll find yourself on the never ending cycle of chasing a high to heal your lows. See if you can identify what those factors are so you can begin to eliminate them one by one.

4. Return to the People Who Love You. These are the people you might be afraid will say “I told you so.” They might and they might not. Don’t worry about that. If there is any sense that someone has an agenda to exploit you then that is not the right person to go to. You want to go to the people who would be by your side when all the chips are down, when you are sick, and when you are penniless. Let your pride go and feel the relief of doing that. Go be loved. This means people who will listen to you, be with you, and support you.

5. Ask for Help. Don’t think you are burdening people. Don’t worry about people telling you “I told you so.” Don’t think you have to do work things out all on your own. Ask the people who love and support you for help. And don’t be afraid to ask a lot. Don’t worry. Pretty soon, once you’re feeling strong again, you won’t need to ask for as much help. But the good thing is you will have developed a very important habit of not being afraid to ask for help when you really need it.

6. Know Why You’re Trying to Change. Think of all the bad things in your life right now: the anxiety, the hangovers, the worry, the emotional turbulence and so on. Imagine how great life will be with all these difficulties eliminated from your life. “But,” you say, “I like the partying. I like chasing new relationships. I like the fast pace.” Changing your life doesn’t mean it will be without pleasure. It just means that you will be seeking a life that is more stable and less volatile. When you find purpose in your life and start taking care of yourself, you will have much more pleasure than you have today. You’ll still be able to laugh wildly, to do exciting things, to have fun, to have special romantic relationships, and so on. But it will all be in a way that supports a stable life. Stay focused on moving towards a better life and away from your current stormy life.

7. Find a Life Coach to Guide Your Life Planning. Purchase Anthony Robbins “Get the Edge” CD’s or Andrew Matthews tapes (my favorite self-help author) and start the fun activity of daydreaming what you want to do in your life. What is important to you? Start some life goal planning either on your own if you can or find someone who can walk you through the process. Planning your goals is fun. Go for it!

8. Take Baby Steps. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Change takes work and time. Go super slow. Be kind to yourself. Whenever you feel frustration emerging, remember the mantra “Go Slow.” Think about what is really important. Don’t worry about small things. Just take care of yourself. This will help break your knee-jerk reaction of diving into things that aren’t good for you whenever you are feeling low.

9. Exercise Daily. Get outside and either walk or jog everyday. Alternate listening to music and listening to your own thoughts. Use that time to enjoy nature and let go of your problems. It’s also a good time to plan solutions for your goals. Exercise makes people happier. It helps relieve anxiety. It makes you feel strong, which you are! Exercise is a great way to tap into your inner strength that is always available whenever you choose to plug into it!

10. Get Involved in Something Outside Yourself. When I was having anxiety in college, my campus job making sandwiches made me feel so good. I was too busy to worry about anything. It got my blood flowing and it stopped my brain from re-treading those worry paths over and over again. So find something to do that will keep you very busy for a period of time everyday or every other day. You could try volunteer work, a new hobby, a book club or some other social group. Just pick one and do it. And remember #5, ask for help if you need a jump getting started.

Wishing you, Britney, and all those who are going through a tough transition, much peace and success on your journey!

Please Share!

Were you ever lost? How helped you the most to get back on track? All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you found this post valuable, perhaps you’ll be kind enough to vote for this with a Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always appreciated!

You can Support Life Learning Today by visiting one of my sponsors, making a donation, or making a purchase at Amazon through one of my links. Thank you!

Don’t Miss a Single Tip!
Free Email Subscriptions:

Post from: Life Learning Today

Top 10 Tips for Britney Spears and Anyone Who Is Feeling Lost in Life

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

Many of us have the fleeting dream of living a simple life. That fantasy floats through our mind and just as it arrives, it floats out.

Stop putting off that dream. The idea is to start small and begin living the life of your dreams little by little. Read how in my article at Dumb Little Man:

The Simple Life Can Be Yours

Please Share!

Do you live the simple life? How? Looking forward to hearing from you!

You can Support Life Learning Today by visiting one of my sponsors, making a donation, or making a purchase at Amazon through one of my links. Thank you!

Post from: Life Learning Today

The Simple Life Can Be Yours

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

How often do people tell you to “Let It Go” when you’re upset about something? In many cases that is like saying “Don’t think of a pink elephant.” It’s almost impossible.

For a more effective alternative check out my guest article over at ZenHabits.net:

How to ‘Let It Be’ When You’re Upset

While you’re there check out Leo Babauta’s brand new ebook: Zen To Done. The book give you a “simple system to get you more organized and productive, and keep your life saner and less stressed, with a set of habits. ” I’ll be writing a review of this great book shortly.

Zen To Done teaches you:

1. The key habits needed to be productive, organized, and simplified … and no more than that.
2. How to implement these key habits … tips on forming a habit.
3. How to organize these habits into a simple system that will keep everything in your life in its place.
4. How to simplify what you need to do.
5. Minimal ZTD. Also includes an even simpler version called Minimal ZTD.

Please Share!

How do you handle life’s disappointments and difficulties? All comments big and small are very welcomed!
If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or make a purchase at Amazon through one of my links. Thank you!

Post from: Life Learning Today

How to ‘Let It Be’ When You’re Upset

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

In college I took a course on Zen Buddhism. I really loved it because it taught me to think of things from a different perspective.

One of the lessons that struck a chord in me was a meditation on “Such.� In a nutshell, the meditation calls upon you think of things as just “such,� simply for what they are and not relative to anything else. This is difficult to do because everything we experience is given meaning or definition by its function or by its relative proximity to other things.

For instance, if I show you a picture of a chair and ask you what it is you’ll probably say “a chair.� But if I place a knife, fork, plate, and some food on it then it becomes a table. And if I stand on it to change a lightbulb, it becomes a step ladder.

Another way that we experience the relative perception of things is as “good� or “bad.� Things are perceived as good when seen in contrast to bad things and vice versa. Here’s an example. Let’s say you are running late for the airport and you miss your plane. That’s bad right? Good = getting on the plane and not losing time and money. What if you later find out that the plane you were supposed to be on crashed? Now how do you feel about missing the plane? That’s good right?

The lesson I wish to leave you with today is to not fear or run from “the bad,� the uncomfortable, the frightening, the dirty, the smelly, from hunger, sadness, pain and so on. By experiencing these things this is how we come to know the good, the comfortable, the beautiful, the delicious, peace, luxury, love, happiness, and more.

For today, try to see “the bad� as just “such.� And know that by encountering “the bad� in life, you will come to know and, more importantly, appreciate “the good� in life. Also, ask yourself how you can reframe your “bad� experiences so that you perceive them, instead, as good. Ask yourself, what did I learn from this? What should I learn from this? Where is the good in this? Sometimes when bad things happen in our life, it is a gift that shines a light on what is really important and good in our life. Really feel and experience the good in your life today.

Life is challenging. Life is beautiful. Life is such.

Peace to you.

Please Share!

What are your thoughts? All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you found this post valuable, perhaps you’ll be kind enough to vote for this with a Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always appreciated!

If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or make a purchase at Amazon through one of my links. Thank you!

Post from: Life Learning Today

A Lesson in Zen: Such

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

What If…

…You had all the money you wanted?

• How would your life be different?
• Where would you live?
• What would you do?
• What would be the same?

…You already have all the money you need?

• How can you live the life you want with what you have right now?
• What is inside of you that is keeping you from being happy right now? How can you release that?

…You had all the love that you wanted?

• How would you feel?
• What would be different in your life?

…You already have all the love you need?

• Who already loves you?
• Who loves you that you take for granted?
• Who do you love?
• How can you relish the love that is already in your life more?

…You had meaning in your life?

• What would that look like?
• How would you be living your life?
• How would that feel?

…You already have meaning in your life?

• What is meaningful in your life right now?
• How do you make a difference to others in your life today?
• How could you make your life more meaningful today?
• How would that feel?

Please Share!

Care to share any of your answers? We’d love to learn what you discovered! All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you found this post valuable, perhaps you’ll be kind enough to vote for this with a Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always appreciated!

If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or make a purchase at Amazon through one of my links. Thank you!

Post from: Life Learning Today

What If….

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

Review: Shiva Rea Fluid Power: Vinyasa Flow Yoga

I was fortunate to try this new yoga DVD recently. I loved it so much, I want to share with you a review of this remarkable yoga DVD.

I’m a big fan of yoga beacuase of the total body and mind conditioning it gives you. And I’m a big fan of yogini Shiva Rea. Her yoga videos give you everything you could want:

• Inspired, organic, and unique yoga instruction.
• Background music that fits well with each portion of the practice from invigorating to meditative.
• Easy to use matrix that allows you to create your own custom practice.
• Preset practices for when you don’t want to make choices.
• Beautiful scenery and inspiring demonstration of the poses.
• Many extras including interviews and education.

Shiva Rea Fluid Power – the DVD

Shiva Rea’s latest DVD, Fluid Power, creates a wonderful follow up to her other 2 sensational yoga DVD’s, Yoga Shakti and Yoga Trance Dance. Fluid Power is a creative yoga DVD that celebrates and honors the fluid wave motion of our bodies and of our world. Shiva presents her yoga practices in vinyasa form which is a series of yoga poses that flow together.

There are over 3 hours of yoga sequences to choose from when creating your custom practice or choosing from the 6 preset practices. The matrix system that allows you to do this on your DVD player is very easy to use. The DVD comes with a beautiful booklet that describes each sequence and guides you in how you might want to structure your practice. If you want super easy, just choose from one of the 6 preset practices that vary in both length and level of intensity, from purely meditative to advanced.

What I really like about this video is how it combines creativity of motion, meditative poses, and also challenging poses that leave you feeling not only stronger and more flexible, but also like you tapped into a whole new part of your being, getting in touch with your fluid self. I found that this was very relaxing even while gently challenging. It is truly unlike any other yoga video I’ve ever seen. I would say that it falls somewhere between Yoga Shakti, which is quite challenging and Yoga Trance Dance which is highly creative. Fluid Power combines the best essences of these two DVD’s giving you creative yoga that lets you explore, while at the same time providing structure that is comforting.

This video is for beginners with some experience all the way up to advanced yoga students. If you want a Shiva Rea yoga that has it all, this is the one to buy. I have all 3 of her top videos and since each one is unique, I can recommend owning all 3. Below is a list of some of her popular videos. Which is your favorite?

Other Shiva Rea Yoga DVD’s

Shiva Rea – Yoga Shakti

Shiva Rea – Fluid Power – Vinyasa Flow Yoga

Acacia – Yoga Trance Dance – Exercise And Yoga

Prenatal Yoga With Shiva Rea

Sun Salutations with Shiva Rea

Please Share!

What are your favorite yoga videos? All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you found this post valuable, perhaps you’ll be kind enough to vote for this with a Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always appreciated!

If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or make a purchase at Amazon through one of my links. Thank you!

Post from: Life Learning Today

Fluid Yoga, Fluid Power

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

In A Rush?

Do you ever feel like your life is a constant rush from one activity to the next? Want to get rid of that stressed out feeling? Well, you can! You just have to make a commitment to slowing down.

Will this mean less success? No. But you’ll probably begin to redefine what success really is. We need to stop being busy long enough to realize what success means to us. For me it has meant posting fewer times per week on my blog so that I can enjoy some family time. I was really burning the candle on both ends, so this summer I have been writing about 3-5 blog posts per week as opposed the 7 per week I was writing last spring.

Just like our homes, our calendars can become cluttered too. We schedule every minute of our time leaving no time for transitions or relaxation. Slowing Down doesn’t mean stopping. It doesn’t mean lazy. It means a pace that is healthy for our body and soul, as well as for our need to achieve.

How to Slow Down

1. Adopt a “Slow Down Mindset.” Decide that you will not be rushed by life and that you will take steps to consciously go slower.

2. Daily Planinng. Leave open ample time between activities and appointments. Schedule in “slow time” for thinking, reading, walking, conversation, playing, etc.

3. Arrive Early. When you’re late, stress hormones course through your body and for many people it’s effect can be felt well after your late arrival as you internally berate yourself, fume about living in a rushed world, and/or worry about what others think of your tardiness. So do yourself a HUGE favor and plan to arrive early from now on. Here’s how:

• Leave 20-30 minutes earlier than you think you need to leave.
• Have everything you will need ready 1 hour before you need to leave.
• Bring reading or writing materials with you.
• When you arrive early, use that early time to relax, close your eyes, rest, think, write, draw, or even make a phone call if the place is appropriate.
• Bask the relaxing feeling of being early!

4. Don’t Be in a Rush. In general, try not to always be rushing. Pay attention and be aware of your pace. If you are already late, here’s how to handle it:

• Call ahead if needed and give a realistic ETA.
• Take a deep breath.
• Accept that you’re late and that you can’t change it.
• Don’t get mad at traffic or other people. It’s not their fault, and it will only drain your energy.
• Go Slow.
• When you arrive, apologize and then move forward.

5. Eat Slow. We eat like we live: fast. And look what it does to us. Many of us are overweight. One great way to combat this is to slow down your eating. Here’s how:

• Before you begin to eat, close your eyes and say to yourself: “I will eat slowly and enjoy this food.”
• Take a nice deep slow breath to slow down your pace.
• Leave work and worries behind while you eat.
• Eat slowly.
• Really taste your food.
• Enjoy.

6. Audit Your Schedule. How are you spending your time? What does your average day, week, month look like for you? Write down a rough outline of it. Now, what can you cut out? Appointments, mindless TV time, what else? Keep the things that line up with your values, that you really enjoy. We can’t do it all, so why not just do those things that you really love? Less is more. Be at peace with this, knowing that you’re spending your time thoughtfully instead of frantically.

7. Caffeine? Does caffeine serve you well? For some, it does. For me, it doesn’t, and it took me a while to accept that. So now, I only have caffeine as a special treat occasionally. How does it affect you? Does it increase your tendency to rush? Does it make you agitated? If so, you might want to consider cutting back or eliminating it. Try cutting back for a day and see how it feels. I just drink decaf now if I want coffee or tea, both of which I love.

8. Here & Now. Learning from the past is important, and so is planning for the future. The problem is we don’t spend much conscious time in the present. The present is the place where we find the true joy of life. Children and pets live in the present moment. They notice little things, they wonder about their world, and they delight in whatever they are currently experiencing. If they get hurt, they move on pretty quickly whether it is a wounded knee or a wounded pride. Let’s take a lesson from them and aspire to discover this magic daily.

Resource
SlowDownNow Blog – I was recently inspired by this blog which has many great stories that will inspire you to slow down.

Please Share!

Please share your “Slow Down” story with us. All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you found this post valuable, perhaps you’ll be kind enough to vote for this with a Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always appreciated!

If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or make a purchase at Amazon through one of my links. Thank you!

Post from: Life Learning Today

Slow Down for Peace of Mind AND Success

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

• When you’ve done all you can.
• When circumstances are out of your control.
• When you are tired and exhausted.
• When you’re taking on more than you need to, especially a lot of little things that are not your real priorties.

Turn It Over to Whom?

• Turn It Over to God
• Turn It Over to Fate
• Turn It Over to the Universe
• Turn It Over to Science
• Turn it Over to Other People

Allow yourself to be comforted by a belief that good will prevail in the end. Expect the best. Know that you can handle anything that comes your way. Take each day, and each moment one at a time. Truly. Try to live just in this moment. A good book to check out is The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. If you’ve done all you can and you can no longer influence the outcome, then let it go. If you’re trying to control too many little things and it’s wearing you out, focus just on what’s really important, and let go of the rest. Put it in a higher power’s hands. What have you got to lose? Only worry. It’s not about giving up or not trying anymore, but allowing ourselves to let go of our grip of control when it doesn’t serve us well.

Stop Trying to Control Everything

How do you do this?

• Imagine a higher power that cares about you. (If you reject this, ask yourself why you do and what do you have to lose by trying?)
• Imagine your intentions carrying good results your way.
• Believe in good outcomes. Meditate on this and then imagine actually handing over your worries to this higher power. You can do this in combination with a Meditation Nap.
• Let go of fear. Allow your body to rest and relax. As the body goes, so goes the mind. Release your muscle tension and you can release the tension in your mind.
• With your eyes closed, try a series of tensing and then releasing of your muscles. Start with the face, eyes, jaws, neck, then upper back, arms, hands & fingers, lower back, abdomen, legs, and feet.
• After doing this either rest if it’s night time or if it’s during the day the best thing might be to focus on other work that you can control and that needs to be done. Or if you can afford to do it, take some time off with something fun to distract your mind, further cementing the habit of letting go. For workaholics it can be a great lesson to learn that the world doesn’t fall apart when you take some time off. Go ahead. Give yourself permission to feel good.

Feel the Relief

If you are truly letting go, you should feel a sense of relief and also a sense of release as your muscles begin to let go of tension. Where do you feel the release? Your jaw? Neck? Shoulders? Your mind? You may feel it in your heart. And don’t be surprised if when you let go that you feel a cry coming on. That’s good. That’s part of the release. Let it out and you will feel much better. The thing with letting go is that it is tricky – the task is essentially to try “not trying” – and it can also be fleeting. One moment you’ve got it, you’re relaxed. And the next, you’re clinging to control again, worrying. But letting go is a habit that can be developed and strengthened. Take your time. Be easy on yourself. Be kind to yourself. Believe in good outcomes, even if it means going through a challenge to get there. You can do it!

Wishing you good luck and peace of mind!

Please Share!

Please share how you let go of control! All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you found this post valuable, please SHARE THIS below with a Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always appreciated!

If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or make a purchase at Amazon through one of my links. Thank you!

Technorati Tags: Control, Frustration, God, Letting Go, Personal Development, Personal Development, Positive Thinking, Worry, Turn It Over to, Universe, Universe, Universe

Post from: Life Learning Today

Letting Go of Control

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

Friday Is A Good Day To….

• Tap into Your Maximum Energy

• Play Hooky

• Think About Your Goals

• Start Writing that Book

• Pay It Forward

• Forgive Someone

• Be Happy

• Really Have Fun with Your Kids

• Travel! – which is what I’ll be doing today. Please enjoy one of my past posts that you haven’t read yet. See you tomorrow with a new post.

• Say Thank You! Thank you Life Learning Today subscribers!! I’m so honored to have the privilege of writing for you! If you’ve made a comment recently, thank you! I will respond as soon as my move is over, this weekend. Wishing everyone a great Friday! 

Please Share!

Please share how you’ll be spending your Friday! All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you found this post valuable, please SHARE THIS below with a Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always appreciated!

If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or make a purchase at Amazon through one of my links. Thank you!

Technorati Tags: Creativity, Fun, Goal Setting, Happiness, Play, play hooky, Smile

Post from: Life Learning Today

Friday Is A Good Day To….

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

Yoga Class vs. Yoga Video

Personally, I prefer a yoga class to a yoga video, because of the personal instruction and the community of like-minded people moving in the same direction. But, I haven’t been to a yoga class in years! Why? No time! I know, I know, I should make time. It’s on my list. But in the meantime, I have amassed a good collection of yoga (and pilates) videos which have many benefits over going to a class: no drive time to the class, only have to pay for them once (usually about the price of a class or 2), no need to look your best, you can practice any time of day, you can choose which style you feel like that day, and more.

Last Saturday I shared with you some Free Yoga website resources. This week I am going to share with you my Top 10 Yoga Videos plus a bonus of 4 pilates and other videos I like too. The videos are in no particular order. Enjoy!

Shiva Rea – Yoga Shakti (above photo)

My Top 10 Yoga Videos

Ali MacGraw – Yoga Mind & Body This is an older video, but there’s nothing old about it. It is filmed on a very pleasing scene: white sands and blue blue sky. All the yogis are interesting. The narration is done by yoga master Erich Schiffman who is famous for not wanting to be famous. The music is very upbeat and kind of tribal.  50 minutes. Not aimed at beginners, but doesn’t exclude them either.

Total Yoga – This is another older video, but it is good. It is a hatha vinyasa flow series which means multiple poses are connected in continuous routines. It will get your heart rate up, but it is also good for the beginner. This one is narrated. There is just one person performing the poses. 60 minutes.

Baron Baptiste Live!: Core Power This live video takes place in the Baptiste Power Yoga Studio in Boston. Baron is a yogi born of parent yogis! He’s very good. His yoga is a real workout. It will get you sweating. At the same time Baron gets you to relax your inner self while your body is working so hard. This is power vinyasa yoga which means the poses flow from one to the next more quickly than say Inyengar yoga where poses are held longer. Music by Krishna Das. 30 minutes. All levels.

Baron Baptiste: Journey Into Power, Level 1 More of Baptiste Yoga. This one takes place at one of his offsite retreats in a tropical environment. You are right there with his yoga retreat, sweating with his many students of all levels. 30 minutes.

Baron Baptiste – Journey Into Power Level 2 Same tropical retreat as above, except this class is longer and more strenuous.  “Sculpt your ideal body, create a deep inner calm, and transform your life.” I like Baron’s because I feel like I not only stretched my body and calmed my mind, but I also got a good workout. 45 minutes.

Shiva Rea – Yoga Shakti If you can only afford one video, this might be the one to get. Excellent instruction, very intuitive approach, by yogini Shiva Rea. She is amazing to watch. The video is filmed in Kerala India on this very beautiful and unique beach at sunset and at dawn. The music is amazing. The video has a matrix of different sequences which you can choose from to create a custom workout. Or you can choose from 4 different preset programs. Shiva’s program is vinyasa flows which focus on being lead by the breath. Modifications are provided for beginners, but this is strenuous yoga. There are many cool extras. This is an A+ video! Multiple time lengths from 30 minutes to 90 minutes and more if using the customized matrix.

Kripalu Yoga Dynamic DVD Classical series of 30 asanas in Kripalu’s meditative approach. Poses are held longer than in vinyasa flow style. This is a more quiet type of yoga. Not aimed at the beginner, but doesn’t exclude either. Poster with all the asanas comes with this DVD. Narrated by Stephen Cope while several diverse yogis perform the asanas. Good for when you want a slower approach. 85 minutes.

Insight Yoga with Sarah Powers This is a slower more meditative yoga too like Kripalu, except there is a more intimate feel with this. Sarah Powers is talking to you and her small class inside her studio, whereas Kripalu is narrated, giving a more distant feel. Sarah has a unique blend of Yin yoga, vinyasa yoga and meditation in this video. There are over 4 hours of practices that you can mix and match from the matrix provided. There are also preset programs ranging from 10 minute guided relaxation up to 1 hour vigorous vinyasa sequence. Buddhism and Chinese medicine are integrated into her approach. All levels. Very unique. Very healing feeling. Very close to the feeling you get from a real class.

Kundalini Yoga for Beginners & Beyond If you’ve never done Kundalini yoga, it’s really worth trying. It’s very different from what most people have experienced with yoga. So what is it? Well it’s multiple sequences of 2 opposing poses or sort of yoga in action at a pretty fast pace. An example is going from downward dog to upward dog many time in a row. There’s some strange breathing techniques. Let’s put it this way, whenever someone in my family sees me doing this video they say, “What the heck is that!” Visually you are watching Ana Brett perform these exercises in an ultra modern all white space on a non-traditional mat. Narrated by Ravi Singh. Up tempo music. If you want something different, try it. If you don’t like doing silly things, stick with traditional. I like rotating it in for variety. And the silliness factor can’t be beat. It makes you laugh at yourself! Two 25 minues sets. All levels.

Ashtanga Yoga the Primary Series I don’t use this one as often, because it is very mechanical and some of it is quite difficult. Richard Freeman presents the “primary series” of poses as taught by K. Patabhi Jois. Richard is amazing to watch. He is very athletic and unbelievably flexible. He instructs in the classical Ashtanga yoga which is “a precise union of breath, alignment, and flowing sequence of postures.” It give you a lot to aspire to, although my guess is most students of this video won’t come close to where this master is. If you want a challenge and/or precise instruction on yoga poses, this is a classic to own. 120 minutes.

Bonus Pilates Yoga Combo Videos and More

Crunch – Super SlimDown: Pilates Yoga Blend This is a fun, moderate workout to do when you want yoga, but you want something new or different. Yoga and pilates are combined nicely with upbeat music. The instructor Ellen Barrett leads a class of fit women of all shapes and sizes. She is very upbeat. This 42 minute program flies by. I like it a lot.

Mat Workout Based on the Work of J.H. Pilates Denise Austen can’t be beat for her positive, upbeat, and encouraging instruction. This pilates workout has a small amount of yoga in it. It has two 20 minute workouts. A lot of the work is on the “core” which is basically the tummy. Boy does this work your middle! This is great for if you don’t have a lot of time to work out. It’s not very aerobic but if you do this a few times a week you will definitely see a difference in your stomach muscles!

Hit the Spot – Pilates Also Denise Austen. This one has seven 10 minute segment pilates workouts that target different areas which you can mix and match for a customized workout. Three segments are abs related. There’s one segment each for: hips, thighs, buttocks. And the seventh segment is a combo of the three lower body areas. Again this is great because you can break up your workout throughout the day if you need to. And 10 minute segments make it seem so quick and easy. Great one to own.

Shiva Rea – Yoga Trance Dance This is something very different by yogini Shiva Rea. If you’ve been doing yoga for a while and want something new, try this. It combines traditional vinyasa yoga with yoga trance dance which is a very unstructured movement exercize of tribal like dance. You might feel a little silly at first, but it is cool. The music is great. The film location is beautiful (desert, white sands, different times of day) and the dancers are all very visually interesting. If you only like structure, then skip this one. But if you want to explore, give it a try. It’s cool. Also has a Matrix menu like her Yoga Shakti (above) where you can customize or choose from 6 preset programs from 28-41 minutes.

So there you have it. I hope you have an opportunity to check these out and enjoy them like I do.

Please Share!

Please share your favorite yoga and/or pilates workout videos! All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you found this post valuable, please SHARE THIS below with a Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always appreciated!

If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or make a purchase at Amazon through one of my links. Thank you!

Technorati Tags: Reviews, DVD, Yoga, Yoga, Yoga

Post from: Life Learning Today

Top 10 Yoga Videos + Bonus Pilates Too

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

Life is not easy. But life is beautiful, even when it is difficult. The beauty comes from giving your best. You may have seen these before, but take a look at them anew today. Print them out and put them where you will see them everyday. Wishing you a great day with lots of love and gratitude!

The Paradoxical Commandments

by Dr. Kent M. Keith

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
    Love them anyway.

2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
    Do good anyway.

3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
    Succeed anyway.

4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
    Do good anyway.

5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
    Be honest and frank anyway.

6. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
    Think big anyway.

7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
    Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
    Build anyway.

9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
    Help people anyway.

10. Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
     Give the world the best you have anyway.

© 1968, 2001 Kent M. Keith

“The Paradoxical Commandments” were written by Kent M. Keith in 1968 as part of a booklet for student leaders.

 

Do It AnyWay

Mother Theresa Version
This version was reportedly found written on the wall in Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta:

1. People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

2. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

3. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

4. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

5. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

6. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

7. The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

8. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

9. In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

Please Share Your Inspiration!

Please share your testimonial for “Do It Anyway.” All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you found this post valuable, please SHARE THIS below with a Digg, Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always noticed and always appreciated!

If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or visit Amazon through my “Books� page at the top of this page. Thank you!

Technorati Tags: Good, Love, Manifesting, Motivation, Spiritual, Peace

Post from: Life Learning Today

Do It Anyway!

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

Are your muscles stiff and sore from hours in front of your computer? Is your mind often scattered and frantic? If so, let Yoga come to the rescue. I’ve put together a quick online guide about yoga, it’s benefits, and a few online resources that are free. There’s so much that could be said about Yoga, but I’ve kept this post short intentionally. The focus is on inspiring you to use it today!

What is Yoga?

Quoting from Yoga Journal’s FAQ on Yoga:

“The word yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj means to yoke or bind and is often interpreted as “union” or a method of discipline. …The eight limbs of yoga: the yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). As we explore these eight limbs, we begin by refining our behavior in the outer world, and then we focus inwardly until we reach samadhi (liberation, enlightenment).

Today most people practicing yoga are engaged in the third limb, asana, which is a program of physical postures designed to purify the body and provide the physical strength and stamina required for long periods of meditation.”

Benefits of Yoga

There are so many benefits:

• Improved: Flexibility, Strength, Balance.
• Relieves stiff muscles and joints.
• Increased breathing capability.
• Increased sense of calm and well-being. Reduction of anxiety.
• Keeps your body young.

All I know is that when I do (asana) Yoga, I feel great. I highly recommend Yoga to everyone. If you’re beginning and hesitant, just take it slow . And if you’ve been away from it, come on back to it! Take it slow.

Free Online Yoga Resources

1) From Hatha Yoga Lesson: Check out the cool mini animated meditation and yoga poses and descriptions.

• 40 Animated Yoga Postures
• 10 Animated Yoga Breathing Techniques
• 20 Animated Stress Postures
• Yoga Pose of the Day

2) Ladies Home Journal’s “Yoga at Your Desk” 11 easy poses to get out the kinks.

3) Yoga at Your Desk from MSN and WebMD different routines depending on how much privacy you have. Easy to follow. Animated demonstrations

4) Expert Village - Office Yoga – mini videos include pilates too.

5) Yoga Break at Your Desk – 7 minute video. I rate this one highly for something to do on a quick break at work!!

6) Yoga Journal’s Online Pose Finder – extensive library with pictures, and detailed drill-down descriptions. You can search by pose type, body focus, ailment focus, or contraindications.

Additional Resource

Visit this Yoga Journal FAQ for more information on questions such as:

• How many times per week should I practice?
• How is yoga different from stretching or other kinds of fitness?
• Is yoga a religion?
• I’m not flexible–can I do yoga?
• What do I need to begin?

Please Share!

What do you love about Yoga? Do you know of any other free online Yoga resources? Please share!

If you found this post valuable, please SHARE THIS below with a Digg, Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always noticed and always appreciated!

If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or visit Amazon through my “Books� page at the top of this page. Thank you!

Technorati Tags: Exercise, Free, Online, Yoga

Post from: Life Learning Today

Free Online Yoga

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

Would You Visit a “Nap Cafe?”

When I was working in the city for a big corporation, there were many days when I was wishing there was a “Nap Cafe” I could go to instead of having lunch. I was working A LOT and never getting enough rest so I was always tired….just like everybody else! So this idea sprung in my head, a “Nap Cafe,” where you could go to take a nap, in a small quiet room. All my friends laughed at the idea saying it would be too difficult to keep people from doubling up in those small quiet rooms, wink, wink. I don’t think so. But my idea never got implemented. I was busy with other projects.

The Next Best Thing- Meditation Naps

Fast forward a few years later, rocking my baby to sleep. Still tired, maybe more so, from all the night-time feedings. That’s when I “accidentally” discovered an amazing thing: Meditation Naps. Every time I would either be rocking or feeding my new born baby, I would close my eyes for the 10-20 minutes that it would take to feed or get the baby to sleep. I started to notice something very powerful. Simply by closing my eyes, I instantly felt better. OK, so maybe you say “no kidding Sully, of course you feel better when you close your eyes when you’re tired.” Well, I’m with you, but read on, because there’s more.

Do You Ever Rest Your Eyes At Work?

Try this for one minute. Sit back in your chair, relax your arms away from your desk, and close your eyes, taking a few nice slow deep breathes. After a minute, open your eyes. How do you feel? Better, right? You probably want a little more of that. And you should get more of that!

See, when most people when they are tired at work, what do they do? They Power Through. And, of course, this works to a certain extent, but not as good as if you take a “Meditation Nap.” So what is this Meditation Nap?

How to Take a “Meditation Nap”

You can benefit from this in as little as 5 minutes, but optimal time would be 10-20 minutes.

1. STRETCH your legs for 30 seconds.
2. SIT on a chair or couch. If you’re at work back away from your desk a bit.
3. CLOSE YOUR EYES.
4. STRETCH your arms above your head, slowly roll your head to stretch your neck.
5. DEEP BREATHING – take at least  3 deep breaths in and  out. Do this slowly and hold in between the in and out breath.
6. REST and RELAX your face, jaw, eyes and whole body.
7. BE AWARE HOW YOU FEEL as you relax.
8. CALM THE MIND. Let go of all thoughts. As thoughts come into your mind, just repeat this gentle reminder to yourself “Empty The Mind.” You may want to switch over to a word of your choosing to focus on (mantra) that will help push out other thoughts. Examples of words are Peace, Calm, Rest, Empty, Power, Strength, Love. Any word is fine. In fact the word “OM” can be helpful because it is not attached to other meanings. Whatever works for you is what is best at that moment!
9. IGNORE NOISES in the same way that you ignore thoughts. Repeat your mantra or “Empty the Mind.” Don’t get mad at noises, just flow with them as if they are waves under your boat of meditation.
10. OPEN YOUR EYES slowly after about 10-20 minutes. Take a few more deep breaths and stretch again: arms, neck, legs.
11. AHHHH. Feel the rejuvenation!

Benefits of a “Meditation Nap”

You will feel amazingly refreshed from this exercise. It will give you an increased ability to handle the rest of your day. And you can do this right at your desk, on a park bench, in your car, or anywhere you can find a small bit of peace. I recommend doing this mid afternoon as a “pick-me-up.” It’s a great coffee alternative. It’s also helpful if you are trying to quit smoking. The other time this is especially helpful is the transition time between work and evening when you may be going home to your “second job” of family, fixing dinner, housework, and helping kids with homework. Please try it if you regularly struggle with stressful dinner time. This will CURE that problem. I promise!

Please Share

If you found this beneficial, please SHARE THIS below via Email, Digg, Delicious, or StumbleUpon. All sharing is recognized and appreciated!

And Please Share your comments below! All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or visit Amazon through my “Books� page at the top of this page. Thank you!

Technorati Tags: Energy, Health, How To, Meditation, Peace, rejuvenate, Rest, Work

Post from: Life Learning Today

How to Nap at Work – or Anyplace You Need a Rest

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

Pay It Forward – What Is That?

According to Wikipedia, Pay It Forward “refers to repaying the good deeds one has received by doing good things for other unrelated people.” The idea was first put in writing in 1784 by Ben Franklin in a letter to Benjamin Webb. In 1951 science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein used the phrase in his book Between Planets and today the Heinlein Society preaches and carries out this philosophy.

Most recently the idea was the title of Catherine Ryan Hyde‘s novel Pay It Forward which was adapted into the film starring Helen Hunt Pay It Forward in 2000. According to Hyde, the idea is to perform 3 acts of kindness for each kindness you receive. And then each of those people would then offer 3 acts of kindness and so on and so on, creating an exponential social movement that makes life better for everyone.

Why Should I Do It? -What’s In It For Me?

Doing good for others will make you feel good. Do you remember the last time you let someone cut in front of you in line? How good did that make you feel, especially if the person in front of you smiled and said thank you? That’s actually a bonus. You should simply do it to help others not in return for gratitude, because you might not get it. Take Karma into your own hands. Help others and you’ll see it come back to you.

A Lesson I Learned – Don’t Worry if They Don’t Say “Thanks.”

I remember once when I was a sales training coach, I was working with an employee who did not want any coaching, but I was required to work with each person. I gave him as much guidance and help as everyone, but the vibe he was throwing back to me was “Get out of my face. I don’t need any help.” And this young man really did need some help. He had some major blind spots when it came to his perception of his performance versus his actual performance. I really cared about this fellow and wanted to help him improve. But I left that coaching session feeling as if I had failed because this employee didn’t seem to be accepting of the help.

Well the next day he sought me out to talk. He wanted to apologize. He said “You did a really great job yesterday, and even though it may not have seemed like it at the time, you made a great impact on me. I went home and really thought about what you said and I’ve decided to make some changes in my approach. Thank you.” And then he added, “Don’t be discouraged if this happens to you with other people. Just know that you are getting through, even if you can’t see it at the time.”

So with regards to Pay It Forward, don’t worry if you get the “Thank You” at the time of giving the kindness. Just know that you are making an impact and that person will probably be thinking of it for the rest of the day. Let that carry you. And keep paying it forward to others.

How Should I Do This?

Here are some ideas for Paying It Forward:

• Smile. This is one of the best gifts you can give someone.
• Let people go ahead of you in line both in the store and on the road. The side benefit is that it makes you slow down and realize you don’t need to be in such a hurry always.
• Pay for someone else’s coffee who seems to be in a rush.
• Offer your seat to someone who is standing – on the bus, in a waiting room, anywhere.
• Make a meal for someone who just had a baby. Or offer other household help.
• Take someone to lunch who has lost a loved one and just listen or just be there if they don’t want to talk.
• Invite a live-alone older neighbor to dinner or for a walk, shopping, whatever. This could be huge! For both of you!
• Donate blood. Imagine, someone’s life will be hanging in the balance tomorrow and you can take action today to save his or her life! Wow!
• Join a volunteer program like Meals on Wheels or Volunteer Driving for the American Cancer Society.
• Become a mentor or Big Brother/ Big Sister to a young person in need.
• Write letters to the troops serving in Iraq.
• Buy lunch for a homeless person.
• Visit a nursing home and spend some time with a lonely person.
• Buy someone flowers that needs cheering up.
• Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

Check out other ideas from “Pay It Forward Movement” or “Pay It Forward Foundation” or “The Heinlen Society.”

Share YOUR Experience!

Please share your ideas, testimonials, and experiences for “Pay It Forward.” All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you found this post valuable, please SHARE THIS below with a Digg, Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always noticed and always appreciated!

If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or visit Amazon through my “Books� page at the top of this page. Thank you!

Technorati Tags: Happiness, Helping Others, Pay It Forward, Karma, Volunteering

Post from: Life Learning Today

Need A Boost? – Pay It Forward!

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

The Original Self Improvement Gurus
Dale Carnegie  and Norman Vincent Peale were two of the original self improvement leaders and their lessons are still valid and useful today. I present to you here today a summary of their guidance from 2 of Carnegie’s many best selling books and one of Peale’s. I highly recommend taking the Dale Carnegie course. It is not just a public speaking course. It is a course in how to live your best life possible. And it applicable for all people.   

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale 
Summary

1. Believe in Yourself – Make a list of the factors that are “For You” not “against you.”
2. A Peaceful Mind Generates Power – Immerse your mind with peaceful thoughts, memories, words and ideas.
3. How to Have Constant Energy – Be in tune with The Infinite, with God. Get enthralled with something, pour yourself into it and your energy will never lag.
4. Try Prayer Power - “Prayerize, Picturize, Actualize.”
5. How to Create Your Own Happiness – Every morning you have two choices, to be happy or not be happy. Choose to be happy.
6. Expect the Best and Get It -Affirm daily: “I expect the best and with God’s help, I will get it.” Repeat 10 times daily.
7. I Don’t Believe in Defeat - Persevere until you have success. Problems? Go over, around, under or if you must “plow right through them.”
8. How to Break the Worry Habit – Worry is a learned habit. Replace it with better ones such as being with positive people, putting your faith in God to carry you through, and helping others with their worry habits.
9. Power to Solve Personal Problems -Take God as your partner in all that you do.
10. When Vitality Sags, Try This Health Formula – Release any grudges you are holding for an increase in health.
11. How to Get People to Like You -Find ways to genuinely like others, demonstrate your appreciation of them, and they will like you.
12. Prescription for Heartache – Be physically active. Live Life. Don’t avoid “sad places” if grieving. Find solace in the belief that there is no real death and that you will see your loved one again.
13. How to Draw Upon That Higher Power – Believe that God gives us power and yield to that power, let it flow into you. Approach life with confidence in a relaxed and easy manner.

Click on these links for purchasing: the condensed version of this book or here for the full length book.

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
Summary

Fundamental Principles for Overcoming Worry

• Live in Day-Tight Compartments: Just live in the moment. Only allow your mind to focus on your immediate task/situation.
• Face Troubles: Ask What’s the worst that can happen, be prepared for it and see how you can improve on that scenario.
• Remember the high health price of worrying, so “just say no” to worry.

Basic Techniques in Analyzing Worry

• Gather the Facts.
• Define the problem and solutions.
• Make a Decision and take Action!

Break the Worry Habit Before it Breaks You

• Keep Busy.
• Don’t worry about small stuff.
• Accept the inevitable.
• Don’t worry about the past.

Cultivate a Mental Attitude that Will Bring You Peace and Happiness

• Fill your mind with thoughts of peace, courage, health and hope.
• Never try to get even with your enemies.
• Expect ungratefulness.
• Count your blessings, not your problems.
• Don’t imitate others.
• Try to profit from your losses.
• Bring Happiness to others.

The Perfect Way to Conquer Worry

• Prayer.

Don’t Worry About Criticism

• Unjust criticism is simply a disguised compliment.
• Do your best.
• Review your mistakes and critique yourself.

Prevent Fatique and Worry and Keep Your Energy and Spirits High

• Rest before getting tired.
• Learn to relax at work and at home.
• Good working habits: clear desk, organization, no procrastination of decisions, delegation, supervision.
• Be enthusiastic about your work.
• Don’t be concerned with insomnia.

Click here for a link to purchasing this book.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Summary

Become a Friendlier Person

• No criticizing, condemning or complaining
• Smile
• Give honest sincere appreciation
• Be genuinely interested in other people
• Remember a person’s name – the sweetest sound to their ears.
• Listen well. Encourage others to tell you about themselves
• Talk in terms of the other person’s interests.
• Make the other person feel important – with sincerity

Win People to Your Way of Thinking

• Avoid arguments.
• Respect others’ opinions.
• Admit when you’re wrong – quickly.
• Begin in a friendly way.
• Get the other person saying yes.
• Let the other person do a lot of the talking.
• Let the other person feel that the idea is theirs.
• Try to sincerely see the other person’s point of view.
• Appeal to their more noble motives.
• Make your ideas come to life.
• Suggest a challenge.

Be a Leader

• Praise and honest appreciation.
• Only refer to others’ mistakes indirectly.
• Talk about your own mistakes first.
• Ask questions instead of direct orders.
• Let the other person save face.
• Praise even the smallest improvements and be hearty in your praise.
• Give the other person a great reputation to live up to.
• Make faults seem easy to correct.
• Make the other person happy about doing things you ask.

Click here for a link to purchasing this book.

Please share your comments, experiences, and tips on Dale Carnegie or Norman Vincent Peale. All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you found this post valuable, please SHARE THIS below with a Digg, Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always noticed and always appreciated!

If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or visit Amazon through my “Books� page at the top of this page. Thank you!

Technorati Tags: Dale Carnegie, Goals, Personal Development, Success, Positive Thinking

Post from: Life Learning Today

The Original Self Improvement Gurus

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

The Problem with Not Forgiving

Most people have at least one person in their life that they harbor anger against for some reason or another. For some the anger is due to a serious hurt, whether physical or emotional, such as assault or abuse. For others the anger stems from less important issues, but the anger is just as real and just as debilitating. For instance the resentment that can build up in a relationship over many years over many small and large differences. For some, maybe it is a co-worker that angers you, they ask too much of you, they sabotage you, or they just annoy you.

Why do we hold onto anger? At it’s root, it’s because we want to hurt that person back. The problem with this strategy is that it doesn’t hurt the intended. It only hurts us. Think about it. Can you be happy when you are angry? Have you ever noticed that you have more accidents the more angry you are? So how do you get rid of this anger? By forgiving.

The Problem with Forgiving

If forgiving is the answer to releasing your anger, why don’t we do it? Well, because forgiving someone is hard! Another reason is that we don’t know how to do it properly. And then there is the fear that by forgiving someone we are inviting them to hurt us again or that we are saying what they did was ok.

How to Really Forgive Someone

1)Examine Your Anger - Take some time to understand your anger. It’s easy to say, “Well I just hate that person” or “That person drives me crazy.” For some the reason for the anger is very clear as in the case of assault, for instance. But other times, the root of our anger is not so clear. Why does this person “bug you?” Why do you get angry at your boss? Why do you flip out when your spouse parks the car “the wrong way.” The reason it is important to understand your anger is that if you identify clearly what the root is, then you can go about finding a possible solution. This doesn’t work in all cases. But try this first anyway. Then ask yourself what can YOU do to make the situation better? If it’s about trying to change a person, the only way to really impact a person is to love them, praise them and continually discover and focus on the good in that person. This takes time, but try it!! It really works. If it’s an intolerable situation and you can’t ignore it, find a way to not be around this person.

2) “Thank You for This Experience.” Have you ever noticed how good can spring up from bad experiences? Just like after a forest fire the first thing you see is lots of little green plants starting to grow. What did you learn about your inner strength from your negative experience? What did you learn about yourself that has made you a stronger person? This doesn’t make wrongs against you right. But it puts you back in the position of power, not victimhood. Remember, you have survived. Build on that! And little by little explore where you see small bits of green sprouting up in your life. Focus on that, have gratitude for that good, and you will be in the process of forgiving.

3) Relationship Resentment -Let it Go: Advice from the book “Follow Your Heart” by Andrew Matthews (one of my favorite books) is brilliant. In his book he talks about how we make up rules for how others should behave. If they don’t behave that way, we make them “guilty” and we hold a grudge. But does it change the situation? No. All it does it “ruin our lives!” He uses humor to make a good point, “When a seagull craps on your head, do you resent the seagull?” Do you resent the weather when it rains? So why resent people?

Whatever the “guilty party” got wrong, it is history. The question is, “Do you want your life to work or don’t you.” And he also takes on the hard situations too. For instance, he a friend who found forgiveness after having his 3 teenage daughters murdered. It wasn’t easy, but in the end he realized that only he had control over how he moved forward with his life. He didn’t want his life to be miserable so he “let go of anger” for his “own sake and his own survival.”

4) Meditate on Compassion: Imagine your antagonist as a baby. What has been their life? Why do they act in ways that hurt you or others? If you can find a small place of compassion, of understanding, then perhaps in seeing them as a victim of their circumstances, you may find a place of peace about what happened. Buddhism says: “for the victimizer is, truly, the most unfortunate of all.”  Buddhism urges us to focus on loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity as “a means for avoiding resentment in the first place.”

The Dalia Lama lives a life of forgiveness in action. The book, “The Wisdom of Forgiveness” gives an account his life in this regard. Again this doesn’t make crimes committed right. This doesn’t mean that you should necessarily befriend a person who hurt you or that you should take your guard down in protecting yourself from a dangerous person. But if you can find a place where you can wish for their healing, you will find your own healing. If this doesn’t work, move onto #5.

5) Turn it over to God: Put your trust in God that God will take care of this situation in the long run. God will provide you strength. God will bring justice in the end. And hopefully God will heal the offender too. Take comfort in God’s love for you. If you have trouble understanding “why God let’s bad things happen” take a look at my post on Christianity and scroll down to the heading “Why Do We Have to Suffer.”

6) If you don’t believe in God, then at least know that in science all things eventually come to equilibrium. And so, turn it over to the universe. Turn it over to your friends’ and family’s love for you. Allow yourself to be comforted and strengthened by their love.

7) Write it Down. Take all these suggestions and journal about your feelings and then write down the answers to the questions: How will I forgive? What will I gain by forgiving? What is the good in all this? What have I learned? How will my life be better by forgiving?

What Have You Got to Lose? – Only Peace

Who are you holding resentment against? Who are you angry at? Who do you hate? Do you want release from this heavy yoke around your heart? Do you want peace and happiness? Try forgiveness… for your sake. Take it slow. It is a process. Over time you can watch your anger melt. The Dalai Lama is said to have the heart health of a 20 year old according to his doctors. Why is that? Perhaps it just might be that he holds no anger. Imagine what it could do for you!

Please share your comments, experiences, and tips on Forgiveness! All comments big and small are very welcomed!

If you found this post valuable, please SHARE THIS below with a Digg, Stumble or Delicious bookmark. Votes are always noticed and always appreciated!

If you want to Support Life Learning Today, you can visit one of my sponsors, make a donation, or visit Amazon thru my “Books� page at the top of this page. Thank you!

Post from: Life Learning Today

Do You Know How to Really Forgive Someone?

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook

Why Some People Bristle at The Secret

The Secret has great appeal with the masses. It is totally empowering. It essentially tells you that you can do or have anything you want. “You are limitless.”  So why do some of us still not feel completely won over by The Secret?

It’s not because we are lazy and don’t want to do the “work” to gain the things we want. (Ask, Believe,Receive) It’s not for lack of “faith” in the concept either. I think the whole reason people buy The Secret book and DVD in droves is because so many of us are believers looking for something to believe in.

The reason we can’t buy into The Secret 100 per cent is because it tells us that Everything that happens in our lives is a result of our thinking attracting those things into our lives. And Everything includes the horrible things that happen to people, such as murder, rape, disease, random crime, genocide, famine and so on. The Secret, as it is written, assigns responsibility to the victims of these dread occurrences.

Frequency of Thought

According to The Secret, these unfortunate things happen to these people because they are on that particular “frequency of thought.” I think most of us have a hard time swallowing that .How could little children be on the frequency of thought to get cancer? How could the masses of people in Darfur be on the frequency of thought to be slaughtered and raped, especially the children?  

What does Christianity Teach Us?

All human suffering is related to original sin. But God continually reaches out to us to strengthen our relationship with him. And the greatest example is Jesus’s suffering on the cross. Our suffering shapes our spiritual character. It is very difficult to understand why this happens when we  experience suffering. And many ask why does God let people suffer. The answer is because he gives all people free will, the potential for suffering exists. But God loves us so much that he suffered for us. We are not alone in our suffering. 

For a superb in-depth explanation of this I recommend The Case for Faith: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity by Lee Strobel. In chapter 1, “Objection #1: Since Evil and Suffering Exist, a Loving God Cannot” he documents his interview with Peter John Kreeft, Ph.D., “the un-philosopher.” Peter Kreeft presents a moving and compelling explanation that reconciles suffering and the existence of a loving God.

The Difference Between The Secret and Christianity

The Secret tells us that all suffering is attracted to us by our thoughts. Christianity says that suffering is a result of God giving us Free Will. That means that some of our suffering comes from our own free will, but not all. Some of our suffering comes from other people exercising their free will. And some of our suffering comes from natural disasters, some would say from God. Perhaps. This type of suffering that we can’t understand is explained well by Kreeft in The Case For Faith. He uses an analogy to help us understand the big “Why!” of suffering.  

Why Do We Have to Suffer?

Peter Kreeft explains it this way. Assume that we are a bear who has gotten stuck in a trap. God is the hunter who, out of sympathy, wants to free the bear (us). In order to free the bear from the trap, the Hunter must press the bear’s foot deeper into the trap in order to release the tension in the spring. The bear, not being a human, doesn’t understand why this creature, the Hunter, is causing him more pain. The bear (us) assumes that the Hunter (God) is cruel and wants to hurt him. Because the bear is not human, he can’t understand that the Hunter is actually trying to help him in the long run. Our suffering is like that. We can’t see the finish line yet. Our suffering is temporary, although it may feel otherwise. This is where faith comes in. Faith is not easy. I highly recommend  The Case for Faith: if you are searching for answers.

Similarities Between The Secret and Christianity

The Secret tells us the Law of Attraction will bring into our lives anything we focus on in our thoughts. The simplified formula is “Ask, Believe, Receive.” In the Bible Matthew 21:22 tells us “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Also Luke 11:9 “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” And John 16:23 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

The Secret says to ask “the universe” and Christianity tells us to ask in God’s name. Isn’t God and the Universe the same? I think so. It’s just a matter of semantics. If people who have been turned off by religion find their way to spirituality through a word other than “God” won’t they benefit just the same. I believe they will.

The Bottom Line

I believe the law of attraction can bring both good and bad into our lives, but I don’t believe that all bad or all good that we experience is 100% from our own thoughts. I believe that God is involved, sometimes with suffering and sometimes with gifts of grace.  I don’t think it is helpful for victims to bear misguided guilt along with their suffering. I think it is more productive to understand that there is a reason for the suffering we have. That reason will be revealed to us over time as we look for the answer.

If you’ve found yourself having a tough time buying into The Secret whole heartedly, that’s OK.  The Secret still has a lot to offer. It is a powerful reminder for Christians and non-Christians to ask, to believe, and to receive the goodness they are seeking. Maybe you find The Secret focuses on material goals too heavily. That’s OK too. Just use The Secret in the way that feels right with your beliefs and morals.

Universally, I think we should all seek Love, Peace and Joy. We should seek and give Love with friends and family. We should seek and create Peace in our relationships. And we should seek and experience Joy in the beautiful life that we have.  We should believe that we are worthy of these things and we should open our hearts to receive them.

Thank you for reading. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. And if you liked this article, there is a link below to easily email it to a friend.

Resources:

 The Case For Faith by Lee Strobel

 The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Post from: Life Learning Today

The Secret and Christianity: Can They Be Reconciled?

Delicious Digg This Post Facebook