Check out Debra’s Tip for Wellbeing for November 22, 2010 (link to the archives is at the bottom of this tip) where I said that Jeff Potter had read my mind and written a cookbook for geeks. I highlighted his tips for a stress-free Thanksgiving meal, and said this is a worthy goal for all of us. His tips include:
- Keep it simple
- Go potluck
- Use the microwave
- Buy your dessert
Being stress-free is a great goal, but sometimes stuff (including holidays) comes along. You can take a the Cranky Quiz to see just how you are handing the stresses in your life. While the quiz is f0rmally about men and anger and impatience, the information is really how you can take good care of yourself so you are able to avoid getting cranky.
Have you noticed if you feel anger? Is blame a habit? Would you identify yourself as dissatisfied with your life? Would those you work with (or live with) consider you moody? How aware are are you of feeling fear? These are all boxes you can tick off on the quiz, but a more simple way of being healthy this holiday and the next is to take some time to notice what you are genuinely happy about or appreciative of. Let go of everything else as you live the truth that everything (especially those things you had not expected) in life brings gifts and can be seen as something we can be thankful for.
While it is possible to be aware of having mixed emotions (one can feel both sad about a change and also excited about it), it is best to feel your feelings one at a time.
Mindfulness is a simple practice that really works. You can see basic mindfulness instructions from “meditation master” Thick Nhat Hanh and begin to work with the five steps:
- Concentration
- Mindful breathing
- Awareness of your body
- Releasing tension
- Walking meditation
While every week is a good week in which you can be mindful, holidays are often a time when we most need to remember. Whether you are traveling or staying local, hosting or being a guest, sharing with a large group or having a table for one, when you develop true mindfulness, happiness just comes more naturally.
He writes, “The opposite of forgetfulness is mindfulness. Mindfulness is when you are truly there, mind and body together. You breathe in and out mindfully, you bring your mind back to your body, and you are there. When your mind is there with your body, you are established in the present moment. Then you can recognize the many conditions of happiness that are in you and around you, and happiness just comes naturally.”
This week is Thanksgiving in the United States. Begin the week by being mindful and end the week by being less stressed and truly thankful for the life you have and the world in which you are living it.
 |
Rev. Debra BashamVoice: (269) 921-2217
Email: debra@scs-matters.com https://scs-matters.com http://ImagineHealing.info http://SurgicalSupport.info Small Changes … Infinite Results™
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” ~Mother Teresa Tips from 5 April 2010 to 6 August 2012 are here: Archived Tips |