mindfulness

Combating stress

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Throughout our lives we will meet stress head on and often without much notice. However, there are things in life which we do get an opportunity to prepare for and to help us keep stress levels down and sanity in tact.

I am surrounded by friends with children sitting exams and it is a very stressful time for students. Often those students who have a goal in life and their career options chosen apply so much self-inflicted pressure to do well. Whereas the student who may not know what they really want to do will appear to sail through their exams and many without a lot of revision…according to their parents.

However, there are things that can be done to help our children during these times by encouraging exercise and pleasure activities alongside. Even those mums that do yoga themselves could do a lot worse than teach their children simple breathing and relaxing techniques.

I know many exams are now drawing to a close this week but for the students the stress isn’t over as they tend to worry all summer until the results are announced. As I was discussing today with a colleague often what may appear a reluctant second choice may  turn out a better option. Indeed I remember blogging this concept last August with so many students  having to have remarks, but aside of the results many lost their first/preferred university options and were having to consider alternatives via clearing..for many this wasn’t the end of the world as they feared…it was a better option far beyond their imagination.

We know that worrying about things won’t change them and as parents we really feel for our children during exam period and the ultimate results day. Stay positive and open minded and try not to make yourself stressed worrying for them!

 

Negative thought processes

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So another bright celebrity decides to talk about what causes cancer! Not medically trained mind. Spouting that negative thoughts cause cancer is unbelievable. My wonderful mother and many people I know that are always positive have had and/or died from cancer.

Anybody trained in any holistic therapies will know that negative thought process can be altered through sessions of CBT or NLP. We don’t claim to be able to cure cancer though!

I also know a lot of depressive and negative people who are never ill though are always complaining they are -so I think this just proves what a stupid unfounded statement this was to make.

Indeed many people I know who had cancer and in recovery were positive before and even more so afterwards. Yes, we all know that being negative is not terrible helpful to our well-being which can in turn affect our health and state of mind but let’s not be hoodwinked by nonsense.

Stay positive, be kind to others and be mindful whatever your problems are this will help but anybody with an ounce of reasonable intelligence will not believe that if we are feeling down ‘we will go down with cancer!’ we may ‘go down with a cold’ but!!

 

 

 

Be still

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My amazing mentor mother often used to use the phrase ‘be still’ as a child I thought that just meant be quiet but as I grew older and wiser I realised it meant far more.

Sundays I love to watch and listen to ‘The Big Question’ instead of going to church and listening to one religion I listen to the debates of all religions and beliefs to learn more!

Too many great names of respected intellects and religious leaders to name, but the Hindu representative spoke of ‘Be still’ and ‘the chattering of minds’.

Many great comments made today including ‘we cannot have divinity if we have violence’.

Discussion often on how all religions are to some degree about control  of an empire and often based around fear and that is true whatever your religion may be.

One of the contributors wisely pointed out we shouldn’t separate the body from the soul.

Forgiveness and love should be present in all our lives and I definitely agreed with the point made by one participant ‘don’t let other people’s damage ..damage you’

I think the main thing is not to think of one’s self as a good Christian, Muslim, Jew or Hindu but as a good person respectful and considerate of others.

My mentor was right to bring us up to be eclectic in our approach to life and forgiving of others.

By the way the subject of the programme today was:-

Did man create god?  I think in many ways this was answered as a yes but as ever science and religion were running alongside questioning who is right and who can prove either way.

Advancement in science is certainly filling in some of the gaps as we go along and maybe leaving us with bigger questions to ask. Of course we will all know the answers in the next life…in this one we are all too busy still making mistakes.

Don’t worry

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For those of you worrying today a few statistics taken from one of my articles:-

40% Will never ever happen

30% Related to past events

12% Health issues which are unfounded

10% Tiny things too petty to even give mind space to

4% Matters which are really out of our control (somebody else’s)

Those of you reaching for your calculator…I make that a grand total of 96%

So let’s identify that remaining 4%!! Or have I covered it above?

Time for a cup of tea and a chocolate digestive (plain chocolate of course much healthier)

Now plan exciting things to do with your time instead of worrying unnecessarily.

 

Don’t worry be happy.

 

 

 

The reason we are here

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I am writing my blog tonight listening to the ‘birds’ evening song’ which I love..it is both peaceful and yet victorious at the same time.

Another great night with the ‘Friday club’ a group of great friends and brave debaters. Tonight we were reminded how one is not supposed to talk about religion, politics  or sex. But…as I voiced that all three affect our lives to a certain degree so how can we avoid them? Obviously the ‘in’ and ‘out’ discussion took place and I am not talking belly buttons! Though that would be far more interesting than the Europe debate.

My great minister pal and I had our usual discussion about one’s purpose and how many do not only never get the meaning of life but do not understand the reason they are here either.

I had spoken about this to a certain degree with one of my followers earlier today when I expressed how my great mother was here for a reason. She was a ‘master’! For those that have read ‘Many lives, many masters’  (a great spiritual read) will understand that one and for those who have not then read it and awaken your spirituality this summer!

Life is good the birds outside just confirmed that.

Feet firmly on the ground

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Body language as we know reveals a lot of how we are feeling and what we are thinking all the time. When we are nervous we can quite easily become foot twitchers.

One of the simplest things any of us can do is keep control of our feet. I learned many years ago that if one keeps both feet placed firmly on the ground we are as they say ‘grounded’. I know a lot of holistic practitioners apply this simply theory when working with children and it helps. This not only improves our concentration and focus but it gives us a feeling of confidence in a situation where we may feel nervous or out of our comfort zone.

Summer is exam time for a lot of students of all ages; for many it has started already. Aside of my continuous tips to keep hydrated and those sugar levels up. Try and think about what you are doing with your legs and feet. Tying one’s legs in knots or worse still sitting on them will not help blood circulation.When our body is under stress and the old adrenaline racing we need the blood pumping at its best.

My tip today to all students is to keep your feet firmly on the ground…try it and see!

Would I fib to my young followers? No!

You know this stuff you can do it good luck to you all.

Knowing our limitations

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I know like many I am terribly hard on myself and always setting the bar high to achieve and be the best I can be.

However, there are some days where we may not be so full of energy and our dynamic streak seems to be having a little nap. So on these days do we look at the list of things to do and cherry pick? Yes, why not!

I have always maintained that at times we may not be able to deliver our very best so recognising that isn’t an admission of failure but more of a case of knowing our limitations…even if for one day.

Tomorrow will be another day and not only will we achieve that higher level but we may be inspired to do something a different way…and perhaps that breathing space is just what was needed.

I am applying this to my own projects today, one is very demanding and I am thinking my level of chocolate intake may not be high enough to cope! My torture instead will be the neglected admin stuff. Ugh!

Now knowing one’s limitations where chocolate concerned is a whole other subject for a blog…another day.

Remember followers please keep hydrated we all under-estimate the value of water balance in our bodies..I am certain I was a mermaid in another life.

 

Third time lucky…believe achieve

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How much of our life’s achievements are based on luck? Good question, but often people say third time lucky and today it was for me I passed my driving test.

With huge thanks to Nigel Smart my driving instructor for his patience and positive encouragement. As a mature student who had put off driving for ages I needed all the encouragement I could get. I would highly recommend Nigel to anybody of any age; http://www.nigelsmart.co.uk

Also to my wonderful friends that came out driving with me and some of them are still friends!! Joking aside, my female friends have been brilliant with ‘you can do this’ mantra and a special thank you to Mr Twocups… who prompted me to start driving again.

Even very positive people who are not normally nervous are nervous on their driving test it’s  a fact. I made the examiner laugh as I confessed to being nervous, but have passed five counselling qualifications…explain that one!

But today I went armed with a photo of my amazing mum for luck and I would like to think aside of my safe driving skills that she was with me today and helped me bring home my certificate.

Believe achieve; as my favourite young friend says! Today I wrote that down before leaving the house and it was the first thing I said to my instructor.

 

 

 

 

Exam time…keep hydrated

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All over the country students of all ages have started to sit their exams. A stressful time and I always feel sorry for those students who suffer with hay fever too. The nicer weather has arrived finally and aside of feeling flushed with anxiety  students will be working through these difficult times even more hot and bothered.

Keep cool, keep calm, balance studying as best you can with getting your rest.

Stay focused…you know this stuff!

My first tip is to keep hydrated: stating the obvious but water in-take is grossly under-estimated. Ensure you drink plenty of water leading up to exam schedules and don’t forget to take your clear plastic water bottle (labels removed) into exam rooms/halls.

If you start to feel overly stressed during an exam; breathe slowly  and imagine for just a few moments you are paddling your feet in cool sea water…now that your heart beat is becoming more regulated time to re-focus and calmly read your next question.

For those of you that know yoga or have tried meditation this can come into its own.

Wishing you all luck…they will soon be over and you can begin to party, holiday and enjoy the summer.

 

 

Being that friend

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At a retreat last year the guru explained how to have those great friends you have to first be that great friend and never a truer word was said.

In life there are those that give of themselves effortless then there are those that are takers. We were encouraged as children not be selfish and naturally gravitate to positive optimistic individuals.

However, we have to be generous of heart which can be tiresome when those we try to support and help really cannot or will not help themselves. So what is the answer?

Life does not knock on your door unless your kerb appeal is good (as Estate agent’s say) Even making a little effort to be friendly and kind to others will reap rewards and I constantly remind people that kindness is a strength.

Life is indeed what we make it and the more we try new things the more we grow and even surprise ourselves of our hidden abilities.

Action speaks the priority: “If the goal in our life is very important, and we are not taking any step to complete or fulfil that goal, then we need to reassess our priorities.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Time for hot choccy before supermarket dash..