Tag: how do i cope with stress

You Gotta Fight!

When the going gets tough, take the advice of the Beastie Boys and “Fight for your right to PARTY!”
 
No matter what your life is filled with right now, add some fun, even if you don’t feel like you can, or should! Fight with yourself and win! Give yourself permission to TAKE the time and enjoy your life, even when you feel like there is just “no time for fun”. All work and no play will add up to a meltdown of unhappiness. Fun is a stress reliever. Smiling and laughing increases your positivity, which will add energy and vitality to your life and propel you forward.
 

Yee Haw Cowboy!

This week, I have been invited to attend an event called “Bull Bustin'” with my Unky. While I am feeling overwhelmed in other areas of my life, I am making time to hang with my Unky and enjoy some good ‘ole Stampede fun. Living in Calgary, we get used to all kinds of “rodeo-themed” events during our world famous Calgary Stampede. This annual event is aptly termed “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”, and is something I think everyone should have on their bucket list to attend. Free pancake breakfasts all around town for 10 days straight, a license to party any time of the day, and a city dressed to the nines in jeans with over-sized belt buckles, cowboy boots and hats will have you shouting “Yee Haw” until the fireworks go off each night.
 
Let yourself have a little fun each week. (not too much, though, or you’ll regret it!) Let go of any guilt you may have about allowing yourself this time. It is essential for your well-being. Namaste.

Let Go.

Throughout our lives, we take things on because we think that these things will fulfill us. We may end up spending our time doing things we don’t really want to do because we feel obliged. We may be hanging onto certain objects because we feel obliged, or emotional about them. I would encourage you today to think about how you fill your time, and how you fill the spaces you live in. Choose to let go of something today that is just no longer fitting in your life, whether it is a thing, or an activity. Releasing yourself from the emotional ties that you have to certain things in your life is an incredibly freeing experience, and one that will open you up to the possibility that less is always more. Give yourself more by letting go. Freedom is yours for the taking.

You get to decide.

4 years ago, I felt like the rug of my life had been pulled out. To avoid a complete mental breakdown, my wonderful mother suggested that I get a babysitter and go out for lunch with her. I agreed, found a sitter, and away we went. I had the most awesome afternoon, and I felt so much better. The following week, we met for lunch again, and my sister Brenda joined us. During that lunch, we asked ourselves if we could make this sort of thing work every Wednesday. Could we really pull off lunch together every week?
 
I am happy to report that 4 years of Wednesday lunches later, we have made it work almost every Wednesday, and we only reschedule if someone is out of town. We make Wednesdays a priority, and we have all consciously made a choice to find a way to make it work.
 
You can make these kind of choices in your life too. Start by asking yourself a question, like “could I write a book?, or could I take 1 afternoon off a week?, or could I work from home?” As soon as you answer yes to the question, you will be on track to actually do it. Make your dreams a priority. You can have, and do whatever you want if you think you can. So go for it! Namaste.

You can’t force it.

There will be times in your life when you are desperate for answers, or desperate for something to change, or happen. First, you need to write down what it is you need or want. Then, ask the Universe out loud for what you need. Lastly, take action to get what you need and want, but try not to force it. Everything will come, but it will take time.

The Beatles sum up this important point in one of their songs…
“There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be”

If you have asked for it, and put things into place to get it, just let it be. Take a breath, relax and feel good that it is all on its way. Let the feelings of frustration and impatience go, and embrace a confident, calm, secure feeling. Trust the Universe. It’s got you covered. Namaste.

Activate your opportunities.

How can I become a millionaire? The best books on self help encourage you to activate your opportunities!
 
This weekend, Ryan and I attended the Calgary Women’s Show and actively promoted Be That Girl in our booth. At the end of the show, we had a tonne of stuff to haul out. I went looking for a trolly to help ease the move out process. There were trolly’s available, but there was a wait list with 15 people ahead of me. “No problem”, I thought. we’ll just make 3 trips out to the car together. On my way back to our booth, I noticed a girl still actively taking down her booth and a very empty trolly sitting inside her booth. Now, I could have just kept on walking past, but I didn’t. I stopped and asked if I could borrow her trolley. She was hesitant, at first, but then agreed to let me use it as long as I was really fast.
 
Opportunities are presented to you all the time, but you need to be watching for them. Recognize each opportunity, and then do something about it! Do not be afraid to ask for what you need, or want. Grabbing onto opportunities as they are presented is the key to your success. Keep your eyes open and don’t second guess yourself by just walking past opportunities that are being handed to you. Things are put in front of you for the taking if you are daring enough to take them. Activate your opportunities and you are guaranteed to succeed. Namaste.

The Great Exchange.

This morning, our three daughters were up early and Ryan and I were desperate for a half hour more of sleep. So, I asked my oldest daughter to help us by getting breakfast for herself and her younger sisters. A blissful half an hour later, we walked into the kitchen to find cereal all over the floor, and our kids dining on a crazy oatmeal concoction laced with chocolate chips, honey and marshmallows out of soggy paper muffin cups. The kids were happy, and high on sugar. The kitchen was a disaster. Ryan and I eventually felt like it was a fair payment for the extra sleep.
 
Remember that nothing is FREE in this life, and in order to get, you must be willing to give. This is the great exchange. Realizing the inevitability of this exchange can change your perspective on everything that happens in your life. So, what are you willing to do, or give up, to get what you want? It is always your choice, and in your control. Have a fantastic week!

When in doubt…

When in doubt, write it out!
 
Having a journal that you keep on you at all times is a powerful way to talk to yourself and to the Universe. If you are questioning things, you have a decision to make, or when you are experiencing doubt, simply write down how you feel about the situation, without over-analyzing. After you write down your feelings, sleep on it. Assess your feelings again in the morning. This process can really activate the Universe, and you! Namaste.

 

Just add Fun.

The Best Books on Self Help will teach you how to get happy.  One way to do this quickly is to add fun!

I was volunteering at my daughters school the other day and in gym class the kids were doing skipping. I was immediately taken back to the asphalt of my elementary school and I vividly remembered skipping my lunch hours and recesses away. The challenges of learning to skip double dutch and doing double- and triple- unders while singing silly rhyming songs had me reminiscing and giggling to myself. And I found myself wanting more of it!

As we age, the pressures of work and family and home life leave little time for fun. But fun is what keeps us going. Fun is what motivates us to hop out of bed in the morning. Creating fun in our lives inspires us, makes us smile, and helps us learn in a positive way. Fun is what it’s all about.

Think back to your days as a child and think about an activity that you really enjoyed, like skipping, softball, hockey or dancing. Remember the fun you had. And start creating some of that fun energy in your life right now!

My birthday is coming soon, and this year I am asking for 2 long skipping ropes and a couple of friends willing to take turns skipping double dutch. I am already imagining the conversations that we can have, and the laughter that will ensue from an afternoon of skipping on a chilly spring day.

Add some fun to your life today. Namaste.

How can I deal with stress? Consider your needs.

Life can be hectic, and our own lofty goals can sometimes interfere with our feelings of happiness. Consider your happiness definition.

My 6 year old daughter Kayley reminded me tonight that “all you need to survive is food, and life and love”.

While we are frantically chasing down other things in our lives, we can forget that the simplest of things are often the most desirable and the most rewarding. Most of the time, we already have these simple things, but we are too busy to enjoy them.

Make some time to enjoy a relaxed, healthy meal with the people you love.  Truly savor the food that is nourishing your body and giving you the energy you need to live your best life.  Be grateful for the health you enjoy everyday.  And tell the people you love how much you love them.  And when they tell you how much they love you, let your heart swell with happiness. To be loved by anyone is an amazing feeling.

Be thankful for everything you already have in your life, and do not take anything for granted. Don’t forget to smile, especially if you feel like you don’t want to.  Namaste.