July 31st, 2009 by aaks
It is important that you do what is right for you, that you choose to do the things in this life which suit you as a person. There is no point in doing what you do not like, or do not believe in, in order to please another person. If you do, then you will usually end up resenting the person whom you had chosen to try to please.
We humans do what we want in this life (generally speaking) but we do not always admit to ourselves that this is the case. It is easy to say that it is another person’s fault that something happened, and so on, and yet in reality the truth is that we chose to go along with whatever it was. There are many situations which I think the majority of people will relate to as ones in which we knew didn′t quite feel right and yet we never the less went along with it.
It is easy in hindsight to see that the wrong choice was made, and possibly that choice was made based upon the wrong reasons. How many people know of someone who stays with their partner because they are afraid of being on their own? Or perhaps you know someone who leaves a good and stable, loving and successful relationship because “something” (which they cannot quite identify) is missing?
In the world of business, how many people go into a job because it is expected of them as opposed to what they are really passionate about? It is so easy for human beings to be swayed by what other people think, or by the local “norms” in our community, or by what we think that others expect of us. It is also easy to be swayed in our very beliefs about what is right or wrong, and perhaps it is also easy to alter our own beliefs in the hope that we will change the beliefs of others.
When the chips are down, the most important thing is to be true to your own path in this life, and this means not being swayed too much by others and also not swaying others to go along with you. We are all on our own paths, and we all have to take our individual course through this life. Your own beliefs should change only because you are discovering more and more accurately who you are as a person and not because you are purely aligning with the beliefs of friends or associates, or because you are trying to impose your beliefs on another.
This does not mean that you should not change. To not change would be to stagnate and die. This is a world which constantly moves and changes and everything within it moves and changes too. Human beings are no exception. The important thing is to have the confidence to move and change in a manner appropriate to you, in a way which suits you and affirms your true beliefs about yourself.
Nor does it mean that you should not compromise in certain circumstances or situations. Compromise is inevitable in a world where everyone is an individual living their own life, upon their own path. The key is in having the ability to compromise without compromising your own beliefs or those of the other person Balance has to be sought. There has to be give and take in every relationship in life. Life is like a see-saw; as one end goes up there is another end which goes down…but there is an optimal point where both ends are level and everyone is happy. This is the equilibrium which everyone should seek to achieve in their relationships with others.
This equilibrium can only happen if you have self-confidence. To have the confidence to be yourself and to continually grow in your understanding of yourself and the world is the basis of what life is all about.
Roseanna Leaton, specialist in hypnosis downloads for self-confidence.
With a degree in psychology and qualifications in hypnotherapy, NLP and sports psychology, Roseanna Leaton is one of the leading practitioners of self-improvement. You can get a free hypnosis download from http://www.RoseannaLeaton.com and peruse her extensive library of hypnosis mp3 for self-confidence.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/having-the-confidence-to-be-yourself-1084927.html
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July 31st, 2009 by aaks
I came across a quote the other day by Denis Waitley, the American motivational speaker and best-selling author. It was “Purpose is the engine powering your life”. I had only a few moments earlier been discussing with my mother the importance of having a project, or something which “you can get your teeth into”.
In my mother’s case it is very important because she is the grand-mother of worriers, and unless she has something interesting to distract her attention, worries will not only creep in, they will run riot in her mind and cause havoc in her life. Worries and anxieties do not only impact upon one’s psyche, they affect your sleep patterns, your nervous system, your digestive system and your entire physiology. Unfortunately as we get older, we tend to worry more and the impact of anxieties can be seen in high blood pressure, insomnia, trembling and so on.
One may say that we worry more as we get older because we have more to worry about; others may say that we worry more because we have less going on which distracts our attention and hence have too much time to think. Either way, it pays dividends in terms of health, emotional equilibrium and well-being in general to learn to let go of worries and to distract oneself.
I am very aware of letting my mother continue to worry about certain little things because I know that she does worry a lot and that it is often better for her to worry about something minor than to latch onto something else. At other times though I do try to step in and get her to try to change her perspective the worst case scenario is in reality NEVER even 10% as bad as the horror movie which she has managed to create. We talk through her worries logically and look at the real “worst case scenario″ and then decide if it is really worth the worry. Then we use a little mental technique to move the worry to the side of her mind and literally “put it in the bin”.
Once worries have been relegated to the bin, the next task is distraction; a keen focus upon something else which is interesting and provides you with a sense of purpose and being needed is the key. In my mum’s case she now has a task which will be wonderful it will take months to complete and will be so worthwhile. My dad was a keen photographer and we have literally thousands of slides tucked away in chests. My mum is going to look through these slides and sort them into categories and scan them onto a computer (providing we can find an uncomplicated scanner as my mum does not “do” technology!).
To have a sense of purpose is all important to everyone in life. I’m sure you, like me, have heard others say that the only reason they get up each day is because of their cat, or dog, or child. Without a sense of purpose how would you spend each and every day? And what leads from this sense of purpose is also a feeling of being needed, or being necessary, which implies too that you are important and valued.
We like and need to feel important, useful, and necessary and liked. This is all integral to our self-confidence. It pays to keep as many interests as possible in one’s life, so that we have more to entertain our minds as we get older. It also pays to learn mental techniques which allow one to let go of worries and anxieties, and hence to sleep well and feel relaxed in mind and body.
Purpose powers your life in many ways. Purpose for some gives you focus, and allows you to aim for the stars. Purpose for others allows you to keep busy or allows you to feel needed and necessary. Whoever you are and whatever your lifestyle is, to have a sense of purpose is integral to your health and well-being.
Roseanna Leaton, specialist in hypnosis downloads for health, self-confidence and well-being.
With a degree in psychology and qualifications in hypnotherapy, NLP and sports psychology, Roseanna Leaton is one of the leading practitioners of self-improvement. You can get a free hypnosis download from http://www.RoseannaLeaton.com and peruse her extensive library of hypnosis downloads for self-confidence.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/purpose-is-what-powers-your-life-1084938.html
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July 31st, 2009 by aaks
I came across a quote the other day by Denis Waitley, the American motivational speaker and best-selling author. It was “Purpose is the engine powering your life”. I had only a few moments earlier been discussing with my mother the importance of having a project, or something which “you can get your teeth into”.
In my mother’s case it is very important because she is the grand-mother of worriers, and unless she has something interesting to distract her attention, worries will not only creep in, they will run riot in her mind and cause havoc in her life. Worries and anxieties do not only impact upon one’s psyche, they affect your sleep patterns, your nervous system, your digestive system and your entire physiology. Unfortunately as we get older, we tend to worry more and the impact of anxieties can be seen in high blood pressure, insomnia, trembling and so on.
One may say that we worry more as we get older because we have more to worry about; others may say that we worry more because we have less going on which distracts our attention and hence have too much time to think. Either way, it pays dividends in terms of health, emotional equilibrium and well-being in general to learn to let go of worries and to distract oneself.
I am very aware of letting my mother continue to worry about certain little things because I know that she does worry a lot and that it is often better for her to worry about something minor than to latch onto something else. At other times though I do try to step in and get her to try to change her perspective; the worst case scenario is in reality NEVER even 10% as bad as the horror movie which she has managed to create. We talk through her worries logically and look at the real “worst case scenario” and then decide if it is really worth the worry. Then we use a little mental technique to move the worry to the side of her mind and literally “put it in the bin”.
Once worries have been relegated to the bin, the next task is distraction; a keen focus upon something else which is interesting and provides you with a sense of purpose and being needed is the key. In my mum’s case she now has a task which will be wonderful; it will take months to complete and will be so worthwhile. My dad was a keen photographer and we have literally thousands of slides tucked away in chests. My mum is going to look through these slides and sort them into categories and scan them onto a computer (providing we can find an uncomplicated scanner as my mum does not “do″ technology!).
To have a sense of purpose is all important to everyone in life. I’m sure you, like me, have heard others say that the only reason they get up each day is because of their cat, or dog, or child. Without a sense of purpose how would you spend each and every day? And what leads from this sense of purpose is also a feeling of being needed, or being necessary, which implies too that you are important and valued.
We like and need to feel important, useful, and necessary and liked. This is all integral to our self-confidence. It pays to keep as many interests as possible in one’s life, so that we have more to entertain our minds as we get older. It also pays to learn mental techniques which allow one to let go of worries and anxieties, and hence to sleep well and feel relaxed in mind and body.
Purpose powers your life in many ways. Purpose for some gives you focus, and allows you to aim for the stars. Purpose for others allows you to keep busy or allows you to feel needed and necessary. Whoever you are and whatever your lifestyle is, to have a sense of purpose is integral to your health and well-being.
Roseanna Leaton, specialist in hypnosis downloads for health, self-confidence and well-being.
With a degree in psychology and qualifications in hypnotherapy, NLP and sports psychology, Roseanna Leaton is one of the leading practitioners of self-improvement. You can get a free hypnosis download from http://www.RoseannaLeaton.com and peruse her extensive library of hypnosis downloads for self-confidence.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/purpose-is-what-powers-your-life-1084943.html
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July 31st, 2009 by aaks
Let’s look at this much dreaded word.
F.A.I.L.U.R.E
Is it really that bad?
Having trained tens of thousands of people around the globe, the answer usually varies depending on who you talk to, their upbringing and their culture. This usually determines their views on failure. Over all though, failure is seen by many in a negative context.
Not many people like the idea of thinking of themselves as failures or having had to experience failure in an aspect on their life. But, I have to bring to your attention one of the very few guarantees we will all have in life.
As sure as the sun rising from the east and setting in the west, we all will experience many failures through out our lives.
When talking about failures here, we are talking about failure on any level. It can be anything from love, financial situation, friendships, academic or business to name a few.
With that in mind, you can choose to either dwell on why things haven’t gone according to plan, be overwhelmed, develop anxiety and live with immense stress. You can let your days, weeks, months and years slip by this way, or you can decide to take control of your life and learn how we you use a failure you experienced as a launching pad to move ahead in life.
If you take a close look at anyone winning their game in life, you will realise that they have all had failures in their life. In fact, they experience more failures than the majority of people. So with that in mind, all you have to do is simply have a better understanding of failure.
Here are is a COUNTDOWN for those of you who have made a serious decision to use failure as a launching pad for your success.
10. Failure is simply an expensive lesson
We have all paid to take different lessons in life like driving, music, swimming etc. Look at your mistakes and failures in this light. Look at them as a lesson you have take, a real life seminar, workshop and experience. You are coming out of it a smarter and more capable person. Accept the price you paid for your lesson. The price can be emotional, it could be monetary, it could time spent. Look at your position as a lesson, no matter how big or small. It is a price you pay to operate smarter from now on.
9. Failure is ok- it takes courage to make mistakes
Understand that failure is ok. If you have failed, the chances are that you have been making a move forward. Those who live a dismal life with no risk of failing are not even living their lives, they merely exist. The regret one would have for not giving something a go in life far outweighs the pain of doing and failing. Be proud that you have the courage to take a chance in life and failed. It’s ok. You are still here to face another day.
8. Focus on the pleasure
Human nature has it that we would do something to either avoid pain or to gain pleasure. Instead of focussing on failure, focus on how you can launch yourself towards succeeding. Think of what will your next attempt bring for you? What will it do for you? What will it mean to you? Have something inspiring that will keep you driven to focus on your next success rather than dwell on your failure.
7. Failure is always the meaning you choose to give it.
Our lives are full of events. Any two individuals will have different takes on any certain event. One will see an event as a lesson on how to operate smarter. The other will take failure personally and think that they are incapable of ever achieving a task. The first individual will try again, knowing that they simply need to change the method to get it right. The second one will give up and complain. Which of the two would you rather be? Here’s a hint, life works in favour of the first individual.
6. Attitude- There is no true failure
There are only mini failures in your life. Why? Because failure are only stumbling blocks that you can and must get over.
Failure in reality shouldn’t exist in your mind, for the only time you truly fail is when you give up. If you accept failure with a positive mental attitude, you are destined to propel forward. Your attitude towards failure will determine your altitude in life.
5. Drop the baggage
To move lighter through your day and your future, you need to leave your excess baggage of failure behind. How can you check in on your plane to take off, if you are 50Kgs above your baggage weight limit? Enjoy a light travel in life, literally. Nothing is worth it if you don′t enjoy it.
4. You are NOT who you were yesterday
The person you are today as a result of your experience is not the same person you used to be. Most people trap themselves in the thinking that because they have failed, they are bound to do it again. That does not hold true if you learned from your mistakes and are choosing to operate smarter. You are stronger than yesterday. You have done it once before. This is your second run at it. You can make it better with a stronger you. Fight with a bigger hunger.
3. You have discovered something
Albert Einstein was asked why he didn’t give up after failing nearly over 10,000 times before inventing the light bulb. His remark was something to this effect, ‘I haven’t failed 10,000 times. I have discovered 10,000 ways of how not to do it’. So if you have failed in any aspect, look at the bright side, you can make a claim to have discovered a way of how not to do something. How can you appreciate light, if you haven’t experienced darkness? It is by having these failures, that you can measure success when you achieve it.
2. Ask yourself the right questions
Most people make the mistake of asking themselves questions that are disempowering. They ask questions like, ‘why did this happen to me? Why did it happen now?’ None of these questions or variations of will help you move forward. Instead practice asking yourself questions that will get your mind thinking of how you can stand to benefit, stand strong and even launch yourself into success. Some of the questions could be, ‘What can I learn from this? How can I operate smarter now as a result of this event? What matter’s the most to me?’
1. This too shall pass
Failure is never permanent unless you choose for it to be. Think of your last day in this world when you will look back and reflect on your life. If you ask yourself, ‘Did this event really matter in the longer context of my life?’ You will find that it won’t.’
Relax. Fasten your belts, and enjoy the TAKE OFF.
By having A Winning Mind and comprehending how to use your mini-failures to your favour, you will experience a take off in your results.
Do the above and you will be well on you way to achieving more in your life
Here is to you, winning your game in life.
Kevin Abdulrahman is The Man Inspiring Millions. He is an International Author of a series of books. He is a world class Inspirational Keynote Speaker, a sought after Mind Nutrition Expert and a Mind Coach to the elite.
Kevin provides customised trainings for his clients that include individuals, universities, companies and athletes, helping them breakthrough to The Next Level.
You can contact Kevin on Request@MeetWithKevin.com or by jumping on http://www.KevinAbdulrahman.com/Winningthegame
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/the-dreaded-word-1080793.html
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July 31st, 2009 by aaks
I would like you to think about how you would operate your day to day life, both personally and professionally if you knew that failure was not an option?
If you knew you had no way of failure, and that sooner or later, you would attain the success you desire, what would you dare to do? More importantly, how would you dare to think?
If you begin to think of failure as a mere challenge and not an end point, could it possibly be that your views on certain events become different? Could the actions you take begin to change? Could this in turn alter your results?
Why do we witness a variance in results across different organizations and different countries when faced with similar challenges? After all, we are all often hit with our share of opportunity, disaster, happiness, sadness and disappointment.
Every leader and organization is regularly faced with challenges. In fact if you are not facing challenges, then the chances are you’re operating well below your true capabilities. Some challenges arise as a result of poor choices made, whilst others are at times, out of ones control. Nevertheless, you must learn to understand that a challenge, no matter how severe, is simply part of the game you have chosen to play.
What about those who resign to being at the complete mercy of the challenges they face?
I would like to suggest that it’s not the challenges that define us. It is how we deal with those challenges that shape leaders and organisations that are built to last. Acknowledging there is a problem is fine. Staring at it and giving it power and shape by focussing on it is crazy. When faced with a challenge, you need to push through it, over it, to the side of it. You do what ever you have to do, to get to the other side. As difficult as it may seem, or as hard as it may feel to recognise this fact, just like a coin, an event will always have two sides to it.
Winning leaders address their challenges whilst still holding an immense focus of the organization’s vision and where they would like to be once they have passed a bumper ride. They have the end reward in mind. This is what marks whether an organization is a player worthy of being in business long term when more than 80% of businesses fall out in the first ten years of operation.
Take a large organization such as Google for a second. Do you think they let challenges hold them back? Do you think they bring everything to a complete halt because they are faced with a crisis? No, they continue to push forward, fine tuning and working on their challenges along the way. It’s important to note, that winning leaders still keep their eyes locked on their vision, and therefore are constantly moving forward as opposed to many who are taking the sit and wait approach.
Challenges in a way shakeout those individuals and organizations that jump on the ‘easy to earn and do nothing when the times are good’ bandwagon from those who are truly committed to doing what ever it takes to attain their vision. Challenges are the tests that separate champions from the field of players. How you deal with challenges will determine whether you make the cut.
For it’s not what we are hit with, but how we deal with the hit. It’s not how we are hit, but how hard we can hit back. It is not the size of the organization in the fight, but size of the fight in that organization that will determine whether it will stand the challenges in this shakeout period.
With every challenge comes breakthrough, if, as leaders you ask the right questions. It’s matter of a choice, a choice made by winning minds, a choice made by leaders in both their personal life and within their organization.
Ultimately we must remind ourselves that challenges have brought about the birth of great strategies, thoughts and processes which would have otherwise remained dormant in the unchallenged mind of many great leaders, happy to be playing the ever so familiar tune of complacency.
Welcome challenges in this world. Welcome challenges from your competition. The challenges you face will help expand your thinking. If we weren’t challenged, we wouldn’t have had the laptop, mobile phone, email, air conditioning and automobiles.
It’s through challenges that our thoughts are invoked. Through challenges, we are inspired to think. Through challenges we are inspired to dream. Through challenges, we are inspired to lead. Through challenges, we set forth towards victory, for nothing is sweeter than winning, especially when the odds are stacked against us.
If failure was not an option, and everything was simply a lesson learned along the way, then over time, success would be the only option. If you knew that without a shadow of a doubt, you would not fail, would you start to think and execute different actions within your organization? I believe that you would.
If you have to succeed one way or another, tackling challenges along the way, then you simply can not fail.
Have a winning day.
Kevin Abdulrahman is The Man Inspiring Millions. He is an International Author of a series of books. He is a world class Inspirational Keynote Speaker, a sought after Mind Nutrition Expert and a Mind Coach to the elite.
Kevin provides customised trainings for his clients that include individuals, universities, companies and athletes, helping them breakthrough to The Next Level.
You can contact Kevin on Request@MeetWithKevin.com or by jumping on http://www.KevinAbdulrahman.com/Winningthegame
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/are-you-passing-the-test-1080805.html
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July 31st, 2009 by aaks
We are at war. Sacrifices are made during war times that aren′t made at any other time. Delicate other halves give up hubbies for battle.
World War II was fought when I was just a boy. We got involved any way that we could. I was disappointed because I was too inexperienced to go fight. Other halves, mummies and dads willingly sacrificed kinsfolk in that war.
There will have to be many sacrifices made in this war. Some young people will announce to their parents that they will not be going to law faculty or maybe to the seminary. They’re going to have hearts delicate enough to get God’s call to go to war. They will give up their own plans and the plans of their parents, because we are at war.
Some priests will have to give up their local respectability to be known as a’holy roller.’ Some will need to be delicate enough to go where the sinners are, instead of expecting them to come to church.
To enter into the spirit life of God, all areas will need to be touched with sensitivity. We will all need to be delicate to ladies in the ministry. The devil has stolen the ministry of our girls away from us.
Our boys and our daughters will prophesy. I am married to one of them, and I am happy of it.
A man cannot preach from the perspective of a mother. God is as much a mummy as he’s a dad. Adam was made in the image of God. He was as much female as he was male. He was exactly like God.
There is a grace in a godly woman that’s not in man. A man dads a kid, but God builds a depth of character into a woman that causes her to nurture and love the kid she brings into this world. A girl has the grace of God that no other thing, made by God, can portray.
Because of the fall of man, woman was made to move under a curse. But, she’s been redeemed from that curse ( Galatians 3:13 ). Jesus has lifted womanhood to a place where the Bible says,’Obey your parents.’ it didn’t say,’Children knuckle under to your father.’ The position of authority in a home is a man and a girl, together in agreement, being sensitive to one another, not making independent decisions.
There isn’t space to go into all the explanation : but there are approximately 300 scriptures in the Bible establishing that women have an equal place with men in the ministry of the gospel. Become delicate to the wants of the girls in your life. Become delicate to your daughter, your better half, your mother, and the other women around you.
About Kenneth Copeland
For more than forty years, Kenneth Copeland has taught Christians worldwide the easy way to live successful Christian lives-spirit, mind and body. He is the owner of Kenneth Copeland Ministries, that has 6 offices around the planet, television broadcast and a monthly mag. Kenneth Copeland is the author of more than 150 books, CDs and DVD series, including the Healing & Wellness Lifeline Kit, which he helped write with his wife, Gloria.
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Since 1967, Kenneth Copeland has been committed to coach born-again Christians about their covenant rights in Jesus Christ. With a dedication to excellence in ministry, Kenneth Copeland is the owner of Kenneth Copeland Ministries with offices in the U. S. , Canada, Australia, SA, Europe and Ukraine. The Kenneth Copeland Ministries TV broadcast, believer’s Voice of Victory, airs monday through Fri. on 571 stations and on sunday to 536 stations worldwide .
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/sensitivity-to-sacrifice-by-kenneth-copeland-1082712.html
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July 31st, 2009 by aaks
Autonomic Stress Arousal
How do people work through the day with stress? Let us take a look at the simple daily things causing stress on our bodies, minds and emotions. The first thing to consider is the work day and what our posture says about the working environment. Many people are sitting though the day but even in the sitting position we respond to elements we consider impending danger. Remember the fight or flight reactions we have to stress, we first prepare to do one or the other in face of the circumstance. Early man, would crouch to prepare, what is it that our body does to prepare when the boss approaches with news about losing a very important client or a complaint from another employee about the work we are or are not doing? What things can put us in that crouching position? What does a crouching position look like for someone sitting at their desk? Imagine all the muscles tensing up, a headache my be getting started, pulse rate my be climbing along with blood pressure. In light of the stress we are no longer sitting in a relaxed position. We hunch in our chair, possibly with hands together in a wringing motion or even arms crossed and a position that leans us farther away from the “attacker”. The defensive posture braces for an attack, we raise our shoulders and puff out our chest and sit or stand in a motionless position for a period time. In class we may be stretching our necks to hear every word being said, our eyes follow the lecturer, we may lean over the desk in a fashion that imitates crouching. If working on the computer we might lean over the keyboard with our elbows up and fingers tight in a rigid position when typing. The physical results of this type of “crouching” stress can be described in general as “joint stress″. Here is the domino effect of joint stress in the physical body:
- Joints are connected in the body to tendons and muscles which during the stress can be pinched and given to muscle strain.
- Consider the nervous system with nerve tissue surrounding the joints. An employee or student can begin to feel cramps, pain and even numbness.
- In the presence of stress our bodies do not allow a good flow of blood and our joints are not lubricated naturally which makes movement limited. Other problems we experience is a slowness in healing and rejuvenation.
Sounds primitive and it is the same response as man has always had to stressful situations whether living in caves or in tents as Indians in the wild west. These reactions to stress have been named Autonomic Stress Arousal and it is important to be attentive and recognize the physical responses. When these physical responses are held for a long time, there is much damage that can be done because who entire system joins in the brace for action. Our heart, lungs, circulatory system and musculature system automatically prepare to engage or flee.
The Hypothalamus is Responsible for the Autonomic Stress Arousal
These responses are related directly to an almond sized part of the brain called the hypothalamus. This little piece of our brains which controls the autonomic stress arousal is very well placed in our brains next to the areas in the brain which control “worry” and “negative emotions”. Because of its location the hypothalamus is triggered by outside stress and also by negative thinking and emotions. These parts of the brain are responsible for release several types of chemical into the system that keep us holding our weapons and prepared for an external attack or an internally perceived attack.
We Must Lay Our Weapons Down
Being in a constant state of stress or Autonomic Stress Arousal returns some huge problems for humans who never lay down their weapons and relax. Here is a short list that has been identified to result from continued stress arousal:
- arthritis
- psoriasis
- asthma
- back pain
- cancer
- cardiac arrhythmia
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- fibromyalgia
- myocardial infarction
- Angina
- multiple sclerosis
- hypertension
- inflammation
- infection
- insomnia
- nausea
- peptic ulcer
- irritable bowl syndrome
- migraine headaches
- muscle cramps
All these chronic problems from the Autonomic Stress Arousal can make us more aware of the importance of “relieving stress” in ourselves and in our future clients. As a group of professionals we can see healing begins with a simple response to our daily stress. We may not be able to control our stressors but we can control our “response” to the stress. This is why the title of this section is “We Must Lay our Weapons Down”. We can’t get through life carrying our weapons at our side. There must be a quite, safe place to go and relax even if it is in our own minds.
Stress Management and Relaxation Tools
One of the best tension releases is meditation. Most everyone has heard of it but not everyone practices it or has even tried meditation. There are several types of tools for meditation such as relaxation imagery, body relaxation, and breathing. It’s possible most have encountered these tools even if it was not intentional. How many times in life do we day dream about being in calm, beautiful surroundings? How about lying in bed and out of fatigue or stress the muscles naturally contract and then with intention they are released to a calm state? Perhaps just lying in bed or sitting quietly at our desks we just close our eyes and breathe deeply. It is so relaxing.
- Relaxation imagery involves creating a quiet place to go in your mind, either real or imaginary. Often it is accompanied with reoccurring self statements. There is very little demand for thought, activity or effort so imagery therapy allows for greater focus.
- Body relaxation often includes Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). This activity of relaxation instructs the patient to tense up one of the muscle groups. For instance, “Tense up the muscles in your left hand. Become aware of the tension, then release.” Each muscle group in the body can be focused on as moving through each group brings relaxation.
- Breathing relaxation has been around for centuries as it is a key part of Yoga. Breathing allows us to clear our minds and focus on one point in time, the present. The here and now. All troubling thoughts are replaced by slow and deliberate breathing. Breathing relaxation requires proper breathing in through the nose and releasing the air through our mouths like a whisper.
Often people can use these techniques at their desk in the office or in a quiet room with some meditation instruments like a table top fountain, a candle to direct focus or a chime of some sort can help with focus. These techniques can be practiced during the day during short intervals between work or home responsibilities. If you have children teach them to do some relaxation exercises with you. Relaxation can refresh better than naps during a busy day. Remember to take time to clear off the table top of your mind and relax.
Professionals and Relaxation: Focus and Be Successful in a Stressful Career
Attorneys and relaxation. These two words almost seem contradictory at first sight, but actually they are becoming more congruent. Currently it is well documented that attorneys have one of the most stressful professions. Many attorneys are learning to relax to combat the stress that is the legal life. These are the lawyers who like to gain control of their legal lives as opposed to their legal life controlling them.
Studies have shown the stress levels in the legal field are some of the highest because of the nature of the profession. The scene is beginning to turn around for many lawyers. Recently a former attorney, turned meditation Guru, American style, has written a book called 8 Minute Meditation which has received accolades from Time Magazine and the best selling author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. The author, Victor Davich has a seminar called ”Eastern tools for Western Results” and teaches his 8 minute meditation to attorneys and corporations. Davich worked as an attorney himself for Paramount, Universal TV and Y&R. Victor Davich has become an expert in meditation and received training from America’s best, Shinzen Young and Sharon Salzberg.
Training 400 attorneys in one room to meditate is a big step towards less stress for California Attorneys who went to Victor’s seminar at the Westin Palm Springs Hotel in the Grand Ball Room. The two top cities who employ the most attorneys in the nation are New York and Los Angeles. Victor Davich is himself a native of Los Angeles, California where Paramount and Universal are located. He schedules his seminar, ”Eastern Tools for Western Results” for any organization interested in his presentation. He has done training for the healthcare profession, civic and church organizations and life change groups.
Meditation is one very big tool for relieving stress and Victor Davich is getting responses to his book from readers who have said it is the best meditation for Americans who are used to quick fixes. Can I learn it fast? Can I do it in 10 minutes or less? Victor has brought meditation to a country that needed to fit meditation into a time schedule. His book says no more excuses, it takes 12 minutes to learn and then you are ready for your first 8 minute meditation. The book coaches you through 8 weeks of meditation. Most people claim having seen results before the 8 weeks are through.
What are the Benefits of Meditation?
- Meditation is taught to many who need to reduce stress.
- Meditation does not belong to any religion but it used by almost all religions
- Studies show Meditation can be helpful for stress, insomnia, backaches and headaches.
- Meditation teaches you to focus
- Meditation is the opposite of multi-tasking
- Time is needed to learn to tune out the chatter around you and find a quiet environment to focus.
- Gaining focus gives you inner spiritual strength
- The table of your mind that was cluttered with lots of ”things” is cleared off
- You think clearly, you focus at work, you are better able to respond to stress
Many of us are not in tune to doing just one thing and you will be surprised to learn it could take several weeks to go a place in meditation where other thoughts do not creep into your mind during the quietness. This is why people who do meditation often work with tapes that provide music conducive for focus
Conclusion of Stress and Stress Management
In this brief paper on stress and stress management we have looked at the Autonomic Stress Arousal and a few of the tools man has used throughout the ages to relieve his stress. Image Relaxation, Body Relaxation and Breathing Relaxation are the three described. Meditation uses several of these techniques and the legal profession has offered a technique for relaxing from a fellow member who wrote the 8 Minute Meditation. Busy legal professionals are incorporating meditation in their work days and are learning to lay down their weapons and relax.
This author is a freelance writer and concurrently finishing a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/we-must-lay-our-weapons-down-1083020.html
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July 31st, 2009 by aaks
I remember the first time I was deployed to Iraq during Operation Southern Watch. I sat in an intelligence mission briefing with 50 of my fellow fighter pilots (my wingmen) where we were briefed on the multiple threats that scattered the enemy terrain in Iraq. The SAM’s (surface to sir missiles) and AAA (anti-aircraft artillery) were everywhere - each with the reach and power to shoot us out of the sky.
I couldn’t help but notice the anxious feeling that was in the pit of my stomach. The dread, panic, and fear were almost overwhelming. For the first time in my military career, I was going to be tested in combat. It was ‘go time’…time to put all my training…the years of study, focus, sacrifice, and sweat…to the test. From the Air Force academy where I learned the fundamentals of discipline and teamwork, to the 79th Fighter Squadron where I learned to fly the sophisticated F-16 and the complicated tactics necessary to defeat the enemy. All of this training would soon be put to use.
But deep down I wondered if I was ready. How would I perform under this real pressure? Would I get shot down? Was I truly prepared for this ultimate test? I thought to myself, what good was my military and fighter training if I wasn’t able to execute when it really counted? I had to get focused!
Despite my insecurity, the bottom line was that I was ready. When I reflected on all of my training and preparation, the more confident I became. All of my previous work would allow me to win in Iraq. I didn’t need to be afraid.
Each day, we’re faced with missiles of business and life that are being shot at us as we execute our missions. How will you deal with them? Will you take action, or shirk away in fear? Do you have the foundation of training, preparation and mental focus necessary to face those missiles with courage and confidence?
Winners work hard and plant seeds of success long before the enemy strikes. That’s why WIN stands for Work it Now!
I recently received and e-mail from a friend who works in real estate (she is a very successful time share salesperson). She wrote, “Waldo, I sure could use a sale (and some motivation from you) right now. I know I’ll get over this slump, but business is terrible!”
I felt for her.
Yes - business is bad all over. Look at the economy and it’s quite clear that these are tough times. It’s a huge missile and it’s pointing at us all.
How we deal with this missile will ultimately determine whether or not we’ll defeat it. For it’s the tough times that determine the true character of a winner. If you want to test the character of an individual in business, see how they act when the sales are down, when they’re having bad month, or when the competition is taking away their business.
Will you Forget Everything And Run or Focus Energy and Accept Responsibility?
Here are a few wingtips to help you to take action with courage:
- Flight plan your day - Get up earlier, schedule your action items, reduce or eliminate your TV time, take a course on sales. Get focused on the preparation fundamentals that lead to business success.
- Surround yourself with positive, successful wingmen – eliminate the Naysayers and attract the “Yaysayers.” These are your comrades of confidence who will lend you their wings to fly, but who will also hold you accountable for your actions.
- Be a WingGiver - Help others. Remember, there are folks like you who are struggling (personally and financially). Find a way to help ease their suffering with your skill, connections, and compassion
- Be thankful – Appreciate all your blessings and take inventory where your life is going well, and don’t focus on the negative.
Life has its ups and downs. As soon as we think we have it under control…BAM! Another missile gets launched at us. Don’t resist it. Rather, accept it as a challenge to upgrade your flight status and strengthen your wings. Remember that winners deal with adversity by ensuring they have done the necessary work and relationship building before the missiles of life are launched.
If you wait until after the missiles are in the air, then it’s probably too late.
PUSH IT UP!®
Waldo Waldman is a dynamic professional keynote speaker Inspirational Speaker and Motivational Speaker with over 18 years of leadership, training, and sales experience. A highly successful professional keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and entrepreneur. He is also a former combat-decorated fighter pilot with corporate sales experience, he brings an exciting and valuable message to companies by using fighter pilot strategies as building blocks for peak performance, teamwork, leadership, and trust.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/work-it-now-how-winners-deal-with-adversity-1083145.html
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July 30th, 2009 by aaks
Have you ever woken up in the morning and thought to yourself, “Oh No, not another day, I really don’t feeling getting up”, “I wish I didn’t have to work”, “I’m so tired, I could sleep forever”.
From time to time, we will at some time or another find ourselves in a state of boredom and disinterest. It feels as though we have no “Get up and Go” in our lives, no zest, no drive or ambition. We would rather pull the covers over our heads and go off into “Noddy land”. May be you feel overwhelmed by your work, or sad about the world in which we live with all its pain and suffering, or maybe you are just bored and fed-up with your daily life.
You are not alone, we all find ourselves in a situation where we feel that life is sometimes just a waste of time, and would rather find a cave or dig a hole somewhere so we can hide away from the world.
The Great News is that you can do something about it.
Here are some pointers on how to break out of that rut and inject some zeal and good “mojo” into your life:
1) GIGO = Garbage In Garbage Out. I am a great believer that what goes into my life is what I get out, if I am going to fill my life with negative, distasteful and discouraging things, then that’s what I am going to get out. So, be careful of what you read, listen to and watch before going to bed in the evening. Remember the last thing you need to go to bed with, is thoughts and images of violence, accidents, rape, war, murder and how bad people and the economy are. I guarantee you a restless night and a bad start to your morning.
2) Take care of your body. I cannot stress the importance of physical exercise not only on the physiological side but also on the psychological. Exercise strengthens our bodies, improves or cardiovascular output, helps the body remove toxins, increases blood flow and reduces Hypertension. “Regular physical activity can also help counter the potentially damaging effects of stress on the body and may help prevent stress-related illnesses,”
3) Take some “Time Out” – Being exposed for long periods of time to stress and the mundane can put a damper on even the most positive of people. Go somewhere where it is quite and you want be disturbed, even if it is only for ten minutes. Take some deep breaths, relax and gently push out any negative and destructive thoughts. Take slow deep breaths, be aware of you, your breathing, and your heart beating continue to relax.
4) Get some Inspiration. Remember GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out) well, instead of watching the news in the morning on TV or reading the Newspaper. How about reading something more motivational and humorous. You need to consciously move your thoughts to a more positive place. Read or listen to a devotional, read or listen to a motivational CD. My wife while getting ready for work listens to the audio Bible in the morning; this is a great way of lifting your spirit for the day.
5) Get Excited. Think about projects and things you did, past successes and achievements that made you happy and enthusiastic. Over time we lose our enthusiasm and need to take a trip down “Memory Lane” to rekindle the excitement and enthusiasm we once felt. Even if the tasks aren’t anything to get excited about, I am sure you can find some positive benefits in them. How will it benefit your family, yourself, your home your planned holiday. Identify the payoff, and focus on that you’ll be surprised how it will affect your attitude toward the task.
6) Eat a healthy breakfast. Not many people realize it but eating breakfast is the SECRET to STAYING HEALTHY. No matter how busy you are, it’s important to fuel your body so that you can have energy throughout the day. Eating a good breakfast sets the tone for the rest of the day. So don′t overlook this important meal. Select healthy options that fit your taste and lifestyle.
7) Take baby steps. Sometimes the hardest part of any program or life changing decision is getting started. The effort seems so large, and we cringe at the thought of all that effort and time we have to put into it. Take small steps start with 15mins and then stop- if you want to. Most of the time once we get started we begin to enjoy it, and as we start to feel the difference in our bodies, we actually start looking forward to it. Do everything in small bite size chunks, this is the one time you don’t want to overwhelm yourself with the “Big Picture”
Finally, remember to be gentle with yourself!! There will always be work, there will always be things to do and things that require our attention, but some of us “Bite off more than we can chew” and then our lives turn into the mundane and boring drudgery we can so do without. I was always amazed at the way the Zulu people would work, they seemed to take everything so easy, and in fact I would always think that they would never finish any project on time. In speaking to them, I was told that the work would always be there but they wouldn’t. That’s their philosophy, so just remember, that if you don’t take care of yourself and you get sick, there will always be someone else to do the job.
Enjoy Life. Be merry and enjoy the fruits of your labour!
Visionary with wide experience in all aspects of Life, able to communicate and elaborate goals and objectives clealry and concisley.
Have vision, motivation and drive to see what ever I do succeed, but most off all to help, lead and guide others through life to success.
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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/overcome-the-morning-blues-1078809.html
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July 30th, 2009 by aaks
Understanding the problems of others
The train has started moving. It is packed with people of all ages, mostly with the working men and women and young college guys and gals. Near
the window, seated a old man with his 30 year old son. As the train
moves by, the son is overwhelmed with joy as he was thrilled with the
scenery outside..
” See dad, the scenery of green trees moving away is very beautiful”
This behavior from a thirty year old son made the other people feel
strange about him. Every one started murmuring something or other about this son.” This guy seems to be a crack..” newly married Anup whispered
to his wife.
Suddenly it started raining… Rain drops fell on the travelers
through the opened window. The Thirty year old son , filled with joy “
see dad, how beautiful the rain is ..”
Anup’s wife got irritated with the rain drops spoiling her new suit.
Anup,” cant you see its raining, you old man, if your son is not feeling
well get him soon to a mental asylum and don’t disturb public
henceforth”
The old man hesitated first and then in a low tone replied ” we are on
the way back from hospital, my son got discharged today morning, he
was a blind by birth, last week only he got his vision, these rain and
nature are new to his eyes.. Please forgive us for the inconvenience
caused…”
The things we see may be right from our perspective until we know the
truth. But when we know the truth our reaction to that will hurt even
us. So try to understand the problem better before taking a harsh
action.
Well what a beautiful way to express something. We do tend to forget that harsh words do hurt, whether said by us or somebody else. If someone were to hit us, the wounds would heal, but even after years have gone by the spoken words are still remembered. That’s the reason elders say, “think twice before you speak” and when you speak, speak well for all that you give out, will come back to you one day.
Regards,
Farida H B
Farida HB is a Certified Handwriting Analyst and Grapho analytical therapist who has been practicing this marvelous science the past 4 years. She has been qualified from the Handwriting Institute in India which is in affiliation to Handwriting University USA.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/understanding-the-problems-of-others-1082841.html
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