Tag: self-care

Read. Write. 27 Things I Like…

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As I look over the circus of things I like, I realize that though I enjoy them and they bring me satisfaction, I find myself not doing them as much and in some cases at all. For over two decades I have been caught up in work, work, work. So this prompt helped me pull away and ponder the things I once enjoyed, or get to enjoy on a rare occasion.

But even as I finalize the list I realize that life’s not promised, so I intend to start doing the things I like and stop leaving them for …one day soon.

Watch The Waves By The Sea

That said, the things I like are:

    1. People watch
    2. Explore the world
    3. Simple things
    4. Enjoy a good laugh
    5. Acting | Participating in drama presentations
    6. Wearing a smile
    7. See people mentored achieve their best potential
    8. Watch movies
    9. Write, ponder, reflect
    10. Decorate the house
    11. Go shopping
    12. Watch HGTV | Travel channel
    13. Learn new things
    14. Read
    15. Cook
    16. Enjoy the company of my two young adult kids
    17. Dream of Venice | Alaska
    18. People watch in downtown Disney, Washington DC Parks
    19. Watch the waves by the beach
    20. Nature – stare at birds, squirrels, and circus of trees
    21. Christmas Lights
    22. Look out at the horizon from a hill or mountain
    23. Capturing candid photos (new experience)
    24. Finding a new route after getting lost in a new place (yikes!)
    25. Quiet time
    26. Solving a mystery or a problem
    27. New baby hugs
    28. Listening to that Still Small Voice Of Faith

Any of the above resonate. Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Register now to attend Writers Retreat and boost your writing project.

 

Stop. Sharpen The Saw….

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Stop. Sharpen the saw. Then move ahead. What does it mean too sharpen the saw? The concept arose from celebrated Author Steven Covey who wrote the best selling book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He shared this story to clarify his point:

Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree.

“What are you doing?” you ask.

“Can’t you see?” comes the impatient reply. “I’m sawing down this tree.”

“You look exhausted!” you exclaim. “How long have you been at it?”

“Over five hours,” he returns, “and I’m beat! This is hard work.”

“Well, why don’t you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen that saw?” you inquire. “I’m sure it would go a lot faster.”

“I don’t have time to sharpen the saw,” the man says emphatically. “I’m too busy sawing!”

 

So the concept to sharpen the saw highlights the point that when you have been going, going, going, and going …and you can’t seem to see any results. Acknowledge that it’s time to stop. It’s time to refresh. It’s time for a break to get the rest you need to start thinking so you can be productive again.

So stop. Sharpen the saw. So you can move ahead.

Cheers!

The Thing About Depression And Suicide: The 10 Signs…

When all seems hopeless

In their careers my friend and her hubby deal with fatalities everyday. She shared an incident of a woman whose car was severely damaged when it crashed into a Guard rail. The woman reported that she was trying to commit Suicide. She survived.

On the other hand my friend’s hubby who is in law enforcement shared reports about a man who after investigation, authorities discovered it was attempted Suicide. He succumbed to his injuries and died.

A Pastor in his message recently shared statistics of the number of police officers who have committed suicide since 2019, in New York. An unbelievable rate of 24% as at mid-year.

Those Who Smile

I share this to ask prayers for those who SMILE or laugh out loud with us outwardly but deep down inside are hurting or depressed due to finances, job loss, relationships, or for one reason or another. Comedian Robin Williams is an example. Anthony Bourdain, celebrity author and travel documentarian is another. Not to mention the silent ones who go crazy with mass shootings of the innocent. All suicides. Sad indeed.

The Signs

WebMD shared these Behavioral warning signs. Read their complete article for further details.

  1. Excessive sadness or moodiness
  2. Hopelessness
  3. Sleep problems
  4. Sudden calmness
  5. Withdrawal
  6. Change in personality or appearance
  7. Dangerous or self harmful behavior
  8. Recent trauma
  9. Making preparations
  10. Threatening suicide

If you are among the depressed, please seek help. Using wisdom, if you recognize the signs in a Friend, relative, or co-worker, don’t wait. Do something. Get the person the professional help they need. Usually they can’t think clearly.

When All Seems Helpless, Pray

And while you’re doing all of the above Pray. Pray, and pray even more. Prayer changes things. There’s no doubt about that.

Let’s together do what we can in our small corner. But above all, Keep the Faith.

For God has not given us a spirit of Fear but of Power, Love and a sound mind.

The 10 Key Tips To Beat Workplace Woes…

Some days are just a mess. It’s even worse during prolonged Quarter or month-end report preparations or during times of change. It’s at those times that anything we can do to lessen the stress is welcomed. I fell aghast when I bumped into Amy Jackson’s 10 tips to beat workplace woes repeated by writer Ariana Huffington. Read the full piece here. For those who gotta have a quick peek, here I share the abbreviated list.

  1. Brighten up your Desk (make it personal)
  2. Do Something you enjoy during your Lunch Break (not errands)
  3. Plan things to look forward to (weekend getaways, vacations)
  4. Eat & Drink to boost your mood (water is good)
  5. Meditate (breathe)
  6. Make use of Perks (if you’re lucky to get them…check HR to see what exists)
  7. Chat to your Colleagues
  8. Laugh (look at memes or YouTube video)
  9. Look at your work life balance
  10. Identify if there’s an underlying problem

 

I found this list interesting to beat the workplace woes and I hope you will too. Any burning tip missing? Do share! We would love to hear.

Cheers!

 

I’m Too Old…

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I’M TOO OLD

I’m too old for a new career

I’m too old for changing what they say

I’m too old for finding sweet love

I’m too old for my dreams to come through

I’m too old

I’m just too old

Silly…

You’re never too old to live your dreams

You’re never too old to change your life

You’re never too old to go after your heart’s desire

You’re never too old to do anything you want

You’re never too old.

Never. Ever. Too Old.

~Dr. Shelly C

The Passion Test…

When my life is, I am………………That’s the statement that helps you find your passion. Chris and Janet Attwood developed The Passion Statement which can help you to identify our passion. You are encouraged to start with the phrase:

When My Life Is…

“when my life is ideal, I am……………

You are expected to write the statement 15 times and fill in the blank by each statement starting off with that phrase. Once done, you select the top 5 that you feel is most important. Then review it closely to see whether you are living your ideal life. That will help you identify your passion.

For a clear picture, Jack Canfield shared his top 5 

  • My life is ideal when I’m being of service to massive numbers of people.
  • My life is ideal when I’m helping people with their vision.
  • My life is ideal when I’m speaking to large groups.
  • My life is ideal when I’m being part of a spiritual leaders network.
  • My life is ideal when I’m creating a core group of ongoing trainers who feel identified with my organization.

Why not try this simple test. It’s a sure way to help you find your purpose 

Cheers!

Take A Day Away. Separate The Past From The Future…

Every person needs to take one day away.  A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future.  Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence.  Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.  Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.  ~Maya Angelou 

Take Time For You…

You’re the only you you’ve got

A member of the writers group and a university administrator complained of a tummy ache, and went to urgent care. She was then rushed to the emergency room. She died of a heart attack by morning.

Rest. Exercise. Smile Often

When the going gets tough, Do the best you can. Breathe. Don’t sweat it. Just take it easy on the job, studies or in relationships. Rest. Exercise. Smile often. Life’s too short.

Forget those who attempt to discourage. Some people are there just to test you. Don’t give the enemy a foot into your life.

Keep going. Take care of you.

Cheers!

Self-Care: The 4 Attributes…

Take care of you. A member of the writers group and a university administrator complained of a tummy ache, went to urgent care, then rushed to ER. She died of a heart attack by morning.

Take Care of You

Do your best. Breathe. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Just take it easy at work, school, home. Here are four (4) key attributes to sustain you:

  1. Diet. Eat well
  2. Exercise. It is beneficial to your life
  3. Rest. It’s not for the lazy
  4. Think Pure Thoughts

Reflections

So reflect on these four (4) attributes and make an effort to focus on those areas that you need to. Then make it a habit to smile often for it goes deep into your soul. It releases positive vibes. Forget haters. Some people are there just to test you. Don’t give the enemy a foot into your being because life’s too short to dwell on the bad.

Need help? Lets connect.

Cheers!

Success Carries Weight. Find That Balance…

The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life. ~Steve Jobs

Success is a joy. It brings satisfaction beyond measure. But as we progress we find it can become burdensome as in the case of celebrities, burnt-out executives missing family time, entrepreneurs, career enthusiasts, and myriads more. Sometimes success carries weight.

Reflect On Your Why

Today, reflect on your why. Why you want to go where you want to go. Reflect on why you want to do what you want to do. Then go… find that Success. But as Steve Jobs learnt, create that balance. Only then you will find that lasting peace. That solace that’s sure to bring you joy.

Cheers to the new you!