If you make a difference in one individuals life, you've accomplished a lot. Why not make that one individual yourself? I use this saying with many of my clients. Most don't understand the meaning at first. I explain that it's not about being selfish, it is about sharing. How one thinks and believes about oneself is a reflection one how one treats others.
Sayings such as "To thy self be true" and "Do unto others as you have them do unto you" are just a couple examples that indicate that our lives begin and end from what we become and who we are from within.
First, we must accept the wonderful gifts that God has given us. Once we do that, we can honestly begin to be thankful. By being thankful we can put what we have been given toward good works.
Make a list of how blessed you really are, then each day after make it a point to add to the list. Soon you will experience growth, just like the list that is in front of you. Graditude will change attitude. So today and everyday, give thanks for what God has given to you, and go out and use it. Beware, if you don't use it, you will lose it.
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Free Video Reveals #1 Secret On Absolutely Conquering Stress Today! Click Here Now!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Tips On Dealing Effectively With Stress
Sometimes it seems as if life is a series of losses--the loss of a spouse, the loss of a job, the loss of a brother. You may realize you need to take time to grieve all of these losses. But what you may not realize is that such losses can also lead to chronic stress--a great deal of it. To remain emotionally healthy, you must learn to deal effectively with stress induced by traumatic life events.
For instance, you might decide to delay a major decision such as the purchase of a new home until you've successfully battled the stress from your divorce. Or you may decide to wait before taking a new job until you've dealt with the stress from your wedding. This self awareness can enable you to reduce your stress level and to maintain your equilibrium as you go through life’s struggles.
One of the healthiest things you can do is to draw up a list of stress causing life events and post it in a place where your entire family can see it. That way, you'll have a constant reminder of just what you're up against. This can also serve to encourage your family at a time of great heartache. Family members will be able to see that the event is a normal part of life–one that many other families face. As a result, they'll be able to put the event in perspective.
Another important thing to do is to verbalize your feelings about a stressful event. Talk to your mate, your parents, a friend, or your pastor. If you feel as if there's simply no one to confide in, you might consider therapy.
Talking about your feelings is an important part of the healing process, and will enable you to deal with the stress much more efficiently. Another good option is to commit your feelings to writing. Keep a journal and use it to express your innermost thoughts. You might be surprised by how therapeutic this can be.
Another important strategy is simply to "take it slow." Don't hurry when making major life decisions, particularly when you are faced with a crisis. Recognize that most things in life do not require instantaneous decisions. You have the luxury of time, so use it to your full advantage. In the end, you'll be happy you've taken the time to think things through, rather than making rash decisions. If you're in a "calm mode," you'll also be better able to handle the stress of difficult situations.
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Free Video Reveals #1 Secret On Absolutely Conquering Stress Today! Click Here Now!
For instance, you might decide to delay a major decision such as the purchase of a new home until you've successfully battled the stress from your divorce. Or you may decide to wait before taking a new job until you've dealt with the stress from your wedding. This self awareness can enable you to reduce your stress level and to maintain your equilibrium as you go through life’s struggles.
One of the healthiest things you can do is to draw up a list of stress causing life events and post it in a place where your entire family can see it. That way, you'll have a constant reminder of just what you're up against. This can also serve to encourage your family at a time of great heartache. Family members will be able to see that the event is a normal part of life–one that many other families face. As a result, they'll be able to put the event in perspective.
Another important thing to do is to verbalize your feelings about a stressful event. Talk to your mate, your parents, a friend, or your pastor. If you feel as if there's simply no one to confide in, you might consider therapy.
Talking about your feelings is an important part of the healing process, and will enable you to deal with the stress much more efficiently. Another good option is to commit your feelings to writing. Keep a journal and use it to express your innermost thoughts. You might be surprised by how therapeutic this can be.
Another important strategy is simply to "take it slow." Don't hurry when making major life decisions, particularly when you are faced with a crisis. Recognize that most things in life do not require instantaneous decisions. You have the luxury of time, so use it to your full advantage. In the end, you'll be happy you've taken the time to think things through, rather than making rash decisions. If you're in a "calm mode," you'll also be better able to handle the stress of difficult situations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey, don't leave me in the dark! Leave a little comment here for me. Did you like it? Hate it? Do you have anything else in mind? Let me know, right here. It's very easy: just click on the "comments" link immediately below. I would love to hear from you. :)
Free Video Reveals #1 Secret On Absolutely Conquering Stress Today! Click Here Now!
Friday, November 5, 2010
What's the Big Deal With Stress?
Numerous medical and psychological studies have shown that a large percentage of visits to doctor's offices are because of acute or chronic stress.
Stress is a normal process we use to appraise and attempt to cope with emotional threats and challenges. Stressors--events and situations--may be blamed for the uncomfortable effects of stress. But the way we perceive stressors determines whether stress is experienced as a panic or a challenge. While normal stress protects the body in times of threat, prolonged stress may potentially damage the body, including the brain.
When a stressful situation occurs, the body reacts with an outpouring of hormones, such as adrenaline, cortisol, and others. These hormones increase heart rate and respiration, send more blood to skeletal muscles, dull pain, stimulate the immune system, and turn sugar and fat into energy.
The stress response is the normal mechanism for addressing stressors in the body and the mind. In most cases, this response occurs for a limited time to aid the individual in dealing with a specific situation, then the body returns to its normal, relatively non-stressed state.
Sometimes, however, the presence of sustained stressors--abuse, combat, perceived unrealistic pressures, illness, anger-producing situations--can have markedly damaging effects on the body and the brain. Studies have showen that a prolonged flood of stress hormones can actually cause shrinking in certain areas of the brain, particularly in the hippocampus.
A major role of the hippocampus is in memory. It is not unusual for persons with prolonged stress to report forgetfulness and difficulty learning. A hopeful discovery is that certain portions of the hippocampus can recover once the stress response is reversed.
Since catastrophes, life changes, conflicts, and the myriad things that produce a stress reaction are a part of most people's lives, it is how we learn to interpret and control stressors that is crucial.
Coping with Stress
Exercise strengthens the body. It can reduce the experience of stress, depression, and anxiety. Dozens of scientific studies have demonstrated the relationship between exercise and mood. Exercise promotes arousal and relaxation, and improves quality of sleep. These conditions help the body recover from the stress response.
Relaxation through meditation, biofeedback, and a variety of other activities and techniques promotes lower blood pressure, slower respiration, reduced metabolism and muscle tension. These counteract the effects of stress.
Social contacts, friends, and family relationships can help in creating emotional trust, support, and relaxation. Even caring for a pet can provide significant emotional comfort that helps reduce stress.
Attitudes of confidence, positive ability to solve problems, and balance allow the cycle of stress response to resolve now and then instead of being sustained.
Healthy lifestyle–for example, abstinence from smoking, moderate use of alcohol, balanced nutrition and weight control, and slowing down and taking time to smell the roses–can promote a sense of peace and control over one's life. Stress is often related to the anxiety caused by a feeling of being out of control.
If one finds oneself in an ongoing state of stress, it may take qualified, outside help to put these measures into effective action. In this case, I heartily recommend it. It would surely beat the dangerous alternative.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey, don't leave me in the dark! Leave a little comment here for me. Did you like it? Hate it? Do you have anything else in mind? Let me know, right here. It's very easy: just click on the "comments" link immediately below. I would love to hear from you. :)
Free Video Reveals #1 Secret On Absolutely Conquering Stress Today! http://www.ConquerStressToday.info
Stress is a normal process we use to appraise and attempt to cope with emotional threats and challenges. Stressors--events and situations--may be blamed for the uncomfortable effects of stress. But the way we perceive stressors determines whether stress is experienced as a panic or a challenge. While normal stress protects the body in times of threat, prolonged stress may potentially damage the body, including the brain.
When a stressful situation occurs, the body reacts with an outpouring of hormones, such as adrenaline, cortisol, and others. These hormones increase heart rate and respiration, send more blood to skeletal muscles, dull pain, stimulate the immune system, and turn sugar and fat into energy.
The stress response is the normal mechanism for addressing stressors in the body and the mind. In most cases, this response occurs for a limited time to aid the individual in dealing with a specific situation, then the body returns to its normal, relatively non-stressed state.
Sometimes, however, the presence of sustained stressors--abuse, combat, perceived unrealistic pressures, illness, anger-producing situations--can have markedly damaging effects on the body and the brain. Studies have showen that a prolonged flood of stress hormones can actually cause shrinking in certain areas of the brain, particularly in the hippocampus.
A major role of the hippocampus is in memory. It is not unusual for persons with prolonged stress to report forgetfulness and difficulty learning. A hopeful discovery is that certain portions of the hippocampus can recover once the stress response is reversed.
Since catastrophes, life changes, conflicts, and the myriad things that produce a stress reaction are a part of most people's lives, it is how we learn to interpret and control stressors that is crucial.
Coping with Stress
Exercise strengthens the body. It can reduce the experience of stress, depression, and anxiety. Dozens of scientific studies have demonstrated the relationship between exercise and mood. Exercise promotes arousal and relaxation, and improves quality of sleep. These conditions help the body recover from the stress response.
Relaxation through meditation, biofeedback, and a variety of other activities and techniques promotes lower blood pressure, slower respiration, reduced metabolism and muscle tension. These counteract the effects of stress.
Social contacts, friends, and family relationships can help in creating emotional trust, support, and relaxation. Even caring for a pet can provide significant emotional comfort that helps reduce stress.
Attitudes of confidence, positive ability to solve problems, and balance allow the cycle of stress response to resolve now and then instead of being sustained.
Healthy lifestyle–for example, abstinence from smoking, moderate use of alcohol, balanced nutrition and weight control, and slowing down and taking time to smell the roses–can promote a sense of peace and control over one's life. Stress is often related to the anxiety caused by a feeling of being out of control.
If one finds oneself in an ongoing state of stress, it may take qualified, outside help to put these measures into effective action. In this case, I heartily recommend it. It would surely beat the dangerous alternative.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey, don't leave me in the dark! Leave a little comment here for me. Did you like it? Hate it? Do you have anything else in mind? Let me know, right here. It's very easy: just click on the "comments" link immediately below. I would love to hear from you. :)
Free Video Reveals #1 Secret On Absolutely Conquering Stress Today! http://www.ConquerStressToday.info
Monday, November 1, 2010
Shadows on the Wall . . .
There once was a little girl named Sissy. She was like any other little girl her age. Sissy was a pretty girl with long, curly hair. But one thing stood out and ruined everything: Sissy had epilepsy. This caused her to have seizures. She would fall down and shake, then wet her pants. The other little children always made fun of her. They did not understand why she did those things.
Sissy could never remember what had happened. So she could not understand why they treated her so badly. All she knew is that she wanted other little girls and boys to like her. Yet nobody wanted to give Sissy a chance. This was worse than any thing else.
No matter how she tried, Sissy could not find a friend at school. She was always the last one chosen to a team in her P.E. class. Lunch period was even worse. Sissy would sit at a table, only to watch the others move to another one. Sissy was left to eat alone. During recess, Sissy sat off to the side as others laughed and played games. Many laughs were directed at her. Yet the smiles from the other faces put a smile on her own. This made her content as she witnessed their fun. But she often asked herself, "Why doesn't anyone like me?"
Sissy tried to get answers from her classmates. But the answer would not come. Nobody would tell her why. Sissy took the last resort. She went home and asked her mother the same question: "Why doesn't anyone like me?" Her mother replied, "You are just hard to get along with." Her mother's answer left Sissy even more confused. This led Sissy into her bedroom with tears in her eyes. No matter how sad she felt Sissy would not give up. She needed to find out why. Besides, Sissy knew that someday the answer would come.
Suddenly, Sissy looked up from her pillow. A shadow was dancing on the bedroom's wall. She felt comforted, no longer all alone. The shadows became her friends. Sissy came up with an idea. By using her hand the shadows could be any shape or form. They patted her on the shoulder. They rubbed her head when it hurt.
Sissy could share anything with her shadowy friends because they listened to her. Her seizures did not cause them to stop liking her. They were always there for her when she needed them. The warmth, filling her room, dried her tears and made her feel better.
Sissy no longer had to ask, "Why doesn't anyone like me?" Now, Sissy had friends to laugh and play with. The shadows turned the sadness into happiness. Her new friends gave her a chance. They gave her love. They made her feel special. Sissy's new friends would never turn away. They would be friends for life.
Sissy's friends showed her how to love others. When others treated Sissy badly she would love them anyway. The feeling of love was all around. Sissy got to where she could handle her seizures.
The answer to her question helped her to understand more about herself. Sissy realized that she was different. She also learned that everyone was different. Sissy no longer had to rely on others. She could rely on her heart. Her love made her heart grow. It kept growing. Sissy learned to be there for others. Her smile put smiles on other's faces.
As she kept growing Sissy's illness did not matter. Sissy even came across others where the seizures did not matter. More people began to not turn away, but instead wanted to stay. Many became her friends also.
All this started with the shadows on the wall. They became her friends and they were willing to give her a chance. Sissy learned what friendship was all about. She learned that just because someone is different does not mean they cannot be a friend. And Sissy's shadowy friends taught her that everyone deserves a chance.
Before jumping to conclusions, take a moment and find out more about one another. The best gift we can give each other is a friendship that lasts, and understanding will help make this happen. Love is no good unless it is shared. And when it is shared it keeps growing from that time on. Remember I need you; you need me; we need each other to share with.
(Retrieved from "Shadows on the Wall" by Lora Morrow, 2001.)
Sissy could never remember what had happened. So she could not understand why they treated her so badly. All she knew is that she wanted other little girls and boys to like her. Yet nobody wanted to give Sissy a chance. This was worse than any thing else.
No matter how she tried, Sissy could not find a friend at school. She was always the last one chosen to a team in her P.E. class. Lunch period was even worse. Sissy would sit at a table, only to watch the others move to another one. Sissy was left to eat alone. During recess, Sissy sat off to the side as others laughed and played games. Many laughs were directed at her. Yet the smiles from the other faces put a smile on her own. This made her content as she witnessed their fun. But she often asked herself, "Why doesn't anyone like me?"
Sissy tried to get answers from her classmates. But the answer would not come. Nobody would tell her why. Sissy took the last resort. She went home and asked her mother the same question: "Why doesn't anyone like me?" Her mother replied, "You are just hard to get along with." Her mother's answer left Sissy even more confused. This led Sissy into her bedroom with tears in her eyes. No matter how sad she felt Sissy would not give up. She needed to find out why. Besides, Sissy knew that someday the answer would come.
Suddenly, Sissy looked up from her pillow. A shadow was dancing on the bedroom's wall. She felt comforted, no longer all alone. The shadows became her friends. Sissy came up with an idea. By using her hand the shadows could be any shape or form. They patted her on the shoulder. They rubbed her head when it hurt.
Sissy could share anything with her shadowy friends because they listened to her. Her seizures did not cause them to stop liking her. They were always there for her when she needed them. The warmth, filling her room, dried her tears and made her feel better.
Sissy no longer had to ask, "Why doesn't anyone like me?" Now, Sissy had friends to laugh and play with. The shadows turned the sadness into happiness. Her new friends gave her a chance. They gave her love. They made her feel special. Sissy's new friends would never turn away. They would be friends for life.
Sissy's friends showed her how to love others. When others treated Sissy badly she would love them anyway. The feeling of love was all around. Sissy got to where she could handle her seizures.
The answer to her question helped her to understand more about herself. Sissy realized that she was different. She also learned that everyone was different. Sissy no longer had to rely on others. She could rely on her heart. Her love made her heart grow. It kept growing. Sissy learned to be there for others. Her smile put smiles on other's faces.
As she kept growing Sissy's illness did not matter. Sissy even came across others where the seizures did not matter. More people began to not turn away, but instead wanted to stay. Many became her friends also.
All this started with the shadows on the wall. They became her friends and they were willing to give her a chance. Sissy learned what friendship was all about. She learned that just because someone is different does not mean they cannot be a friend. And Sissy's shadowy friends taught her that everyone deserves a chance.
Before jumping to conclusions, take a moment and find out more about one another. The best gift we can give each other is a friendship that lasts, and understanding will help make this happen. Love is no good unless it is shared. And when it is shared it keeps growing from that time on. Remember I need you; you need me; we need each other to share with.
(Retrieved from "Shadows on the Wall" by Lora Morrow, 2001.)
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