Application Story 10: Positive Thinking a Key to Success Part 1

Have you ever heard the expression “You have to Think Positive”?

It is quite common to say it to someone who feels down and worried. Most people do not take these words seriously, as they do not know what they really mean, or do not consider them as useful and effective. But how many people do you know, who stop to think what the power of positive thinking means?   In this entry, I would like to share some ideas about these powerful words, so we can start imbedding them in our daily thoughts...but more often!

Why is Positive Thinking So Powerful?


I am a firm believer that “Positive Thinking” is a mental attitude that can be fostered into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. In fact, as define by experts: A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.

What are the benefits of a positive thinking attitude:
Helps achieving goals and attaining success.
Success achieved faster and more easily.
More happiness.
More energy.
Greater inner power and strength.
The ability to inspire and motivate yourself and others.
Fewer difficulties encountered along the way.
The ability to surmount any difficulty.
Life smiles at you.
People respect you.


What could we do with a more Positive Mindset?“Positive Thinking” is part of our internal tools to find success, improved relationships, have better health, and find happiness and satisfaction. It also helps the daily affairs of life to move more smoothly, and makes life look bright and promising.

“Positive Thinking” is contagious. People around us pick our mental moods and are affected accordingly. Think about happiness, good health and success and we will cause people to like us and desire to help us, because they enjoy the vibrations that a positive mind emits. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference, and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts, and vice versa. People are more disposed to help us if we are positive, and they dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.

On the other hand, negative thoughts, words and attitude bring up negative and unhappy moods and actions. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment. So if that happen to us in many occasions, let’s star shifting that mental stage for a more positive energy.

What’s your Story? Here is mine…I like to imagine that we have two sets of sun glasses. There are the ones with a black vision that make us look at things with shadows and black spots. Those are the ones that make us feel sad, frustrated and unhappy when facing situations that are hopeless.  They are really hard to take off, especially if we are in a negative mode. In fact, if we wear them so often, we can become ill and sick with negativity.

In contrast, we have another set that provides colorful vision and bright possibilities to view life in a more positive way. They do have some black spots but normally they are less darker and always provide a colorful vision. Those provide light to our feelings, and make us find solutions, understanding and comfort; although things are not going the way we plan. Those are the ones that I try to carry with me in any given situation to help me navigate things that are complex and not pleasant. They make me smile, and transmit good energy to the things I do.

What I mean with this story, is that when wearing the colorful glasses, I am able to think that facing hard things are a very important part of our learning process, that things happen for a reason and they are teaching me something. They help me feel conformable with my own emotions and remind me that the negative emotions are just emotions that will go away some time. They support me to view people and think about people with a more open perspective not only focusing on the negative.

But it is not easy! These colorful glasses are not easy to find when we are so focused on the negative. It takes effort and time to use them more often than the dark ones. However look inside you, and see that you have them, they have different shapes and go well with any given situation. The most important thing is that when wearing these glasses your outlook of life will project a rainbow of possibilities triggering happy feelings, and a positive mind set. They are free, and you can find them in you!

Action Item: What is your “Positive Thinking Story?

Enjoy!

Application Story 10: Positive Thinking a Key to Success Part 2

After our reflection on Positive Thinking Part 1, now let’s find additional resources and tips to help us foster a positive thinking stage of mind.

What could we do to foster positive thinking attitude?

Read about this subject, think about its benefits and persuade yourself to try it. The power of thoughts is a mighty power that is always shaping our life. This shaping is usually done subconsciously, but it is possible to make the process a conscious one. Even if the idea seems strange give it a try, as you have nothing to lose, but only to gain. Ignore what others might say or think about you, if they discover that you are changing the way you think.

These are some of my favorite books on positive thinking:
Positive Affirmations: 92 Affirmations That Apply Positive Quotes And Positive Words To Banish Negative Thinking by Gary Vurnum
Success Factors: 92 Affirmations For Learning The Success Skills That Will Take You From Failure To Success by Gary Vurnum
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
The Path to Success is Paved with Positive Thinking: How to Live a Joy-filled Life and Make Your Dreams Come True by Wally Amos

Practice Time:

1. Always visualize only favorable and beneficial situations. Use positive words in your inner dialogues or when talking with others. Smile a little more, as this helps to think positively. Disregard any feelings of laziness or a desire to quit. If you persevere, you will transform the way your mind thinks.

2. Once a negative thought enters your mind, you have to be aware of it and endeavor to replace it with a constructive one. The negative thought will try again to enter your mind, and then you have to replace it again with a positive one. It is as if there are two pictures in front of you, and you choose to look at one of them and disregard the other. Persistence will eventually teach your mind to think positively and ignore negative thoughts.

3. In case you feel any inner resistance when replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, do not give up, but keep looking only at the beneficial, good and happy thoughts in your mind. Another method to employ is the repetition of affirmations. It is a method which resembles creative visualization, and which can be used in conjunction with it.

Steps to develop a positive attitude:

Choose to be happy, and look at the bright side of life.

Choose to be and stay optimistic.

Find reasons to smile more often.

Have faith in yourself and in the Power of the Universe.

Contemplate upon the futility of negative thinking and worries.

Associate yourself with happy people.

Read inspiring stories.

Read inspiring quotes.

Repeat affirmations that inspire and motivate you.

Visualize only what you want to happen.

Learn to master your thoughts.

Learn concentration and meditation.

Action Item:

Effective positive thinking that brings results is much more than just repeating a few positive words, or telling yourself that everything is going to be all right. It has to be your predominant mental attitude. It is not enough to think positively for a few moments, and then letting fears and lack of belief enter your mind. Some effort and inner work are necessary.

Ask yourself:

What can you do to start implementing these changes?

Think about one thing you would like to do to start thinking in a more positive way?

How can you develop a mental power that can positively affect you, your environment and the people around you?

Remember! It does not matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results and situations, and circumstances will change accordingly. It may take some time for the changes to take place, but eventually they do.

Enjoy!

Application Story 9: Inspiring Thoughts - Motivational and Inspirational

“Inspiring quotes and phrases are like vitamins to the soul” - Anonymous  

Let’s ask first Why Quotes? Quotes motivate, inspire, teach, and help us to look at life from a different and often broader perspective. They are condensed pieces of wisdom, which enlighten the mind and awaken it to truth and wisdom. Moreover they bring hope and faith, and help in times of difficulties and in time of happiness and success. Following I will be sharing a selection of the top three themes I enjoy the most.

 Happiness is not something far away and unattainable, and its manifestation does not depend on circumstances.

Remez Sasson Quotes:

• Happiness is within you. When you stop the chatter of the mind and expel your worries and fears you find out that happiness surfaces from within you. Remember, happiness is one of the most important treasures. It is within your soul. All you have to do, is dig it out and enjoy it.
• There is no need to search for happiness or to create it. There is no need to undergo all kinds of external experiences in order to enjoy it. It is always here, deep within your soul.
• Happiness is experienced after a problem has been solved; a fear has disappeared or after realizing a desire. At this moment the mind is released from it fears, worries and desires and becomes quiet, letting the happiness emerge.
• Look at the happy side of life, and you will develop the happiness habit, and each day do something to make you feel happy, until this becomes a habit.
• Focusing your mind on everything that you do, increases your control over your mind, which makes it easier for the inner joy to manifest.
• When you wake up from deep sleep you feel happy. This is because the mind was quiet. If you are able to make your mind quiet during your waking hours, you will experience happiness.
• When you have a positive frame of mind, you broadcast positive thoughts and feelings to the world around you. 

PERSEVERANCE: How can you get anything in life if you give up easily?

Remez Sasson Quotes:

• Persevering is the act of going all the way, from having an idea in the mind to making it a reality. Remember that it is important to keep your enthusiasm at the start line, middle line and at the finish line.
• To accomplish anything, one must never give up in the face of obstacles or failures.
• Success is the outcome of desire, vision, action and perseverance.
• Most accomplishments were preceded by persistence and perseverance.
• Tenacity of purpose is one of signs of a great man or woman.
• Learn from failure and then courageously start again. This will lead you to success.
• Perseverance is made up of patience, willpower, self-discipline and self-control.

LEADERSHIP:

Control is not leadership; management is not leadership; leadership is leadership. If you seek to lead, invest at least 50% of your time in leading yourself - your own purpose, ethics, principles, motivation, conduct. Invest at least 20% leading those with authority over you and 15% leading your peers.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.  - John Quincy Adams

• Good leaders must first become good servants. - Robert Greenleaf
• The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there. - John Buchan
• Leadership is action, not position. - Donald H. McGannon
• A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. - John C. Maxwell
• The great leaders are like the best conductors - they reach beyond the notes to reach the magic in the players. -  Blaine Lee
• A leader is most effective when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, his troops will feel they did it themselves. - Lao Tzu
• If you go through life convinced that your way is always best, all the new ideas in the world will pass you by. - Morita Akio
• People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives. - Theodore Roosevelt

Action Item:
In addition, what things may help you stay focused and motivated?

Food for your thoughts…By reading inspiring quotes everyday will make you feel happier, stronger and inspired.  Enjoy!



Application Story 8: Life Matters – The Art of Letting Go…

Let me start by sharing this with you:

“Before you can begin something new, you have to end what used to be. Before you can learn a new way of doing things, you have to unlearn the old way. Before you can become a different kind of person, you must let go of your identity. So beginnings depend on endings. The, problem is, people don’t like endings” Chapter 3 - How to Get People to Let Go - Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change, 2nd Edition.

When facing and struggling with the fact of “Letting it Go”, here are six steps to help you with this process:

1. Write, talk, draw, paint or tap into your thoughts and memories. Letting go of your past means honoring your memories.
2. Let go the emotions and feelings of painful memories by letting them wash over you. You may feel very bad, but relieved add peace afterwards. Let go of your past by reliving it.
3. Go back and talk to the people involved, if possible. Letting, go can mean going back.
4. Share your real feelings; confess if it is appropriate. Letting go means expressing your emotions. If you have to deal with your mistakes, then own up to your shame or guilt.
5. Apologize and ask for forgiveness if you need to. Letting go also means being vulnerable.
6. Get help with uncontrollable urges that are getting out of your control, otherwise this can be complicated and compromise your health. Sometimes letting go means burying your pride.


In addition, here is a suggested book to help work on the let go process.  The Secret of Letting Go - By: Guy Finley. This book helped me cope with my feelings and emotions, and gave me tips to find that balance for a new beginning.

Lastly, here are some quotes that people tent to use during those moments. I personally have used them too:

1. This is my favorite: “When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us.” – Alexander Graham Bell

2. “We can never turn back the pages of time, though we may wish to relive a happy moment, or say goodbye just one last time, we never can, because the sands of time continue to fall, and we can’t turn the hourglass over.” – Unknown

3. “Change is never easy, you fight to hold on, and you fight to let go.” – The Wonder Years

Action Item:

1.   Think about a time you had to let go something or someone, what did you do, and what was the outcome?

2.   What else should we consider to help us move on in life and embrace the new?

Enjoy!

Application Story 7: Asking High-Value Questions

“If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first fifty five minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I knew the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.”

— Albert Einstein

I'm a firm believer that asking questions is the most productive way of learning in any given situation in our personal or professional lives. Therefore, the High- Value Questions Model is a concept that helps accomplish that. In fact, this is a concept I used at work to help managers and employees become more empowered to learn effectively about information they need. For example: when building relations, interviewing, working on projects, solving issues, having difficult conversations, selling a product, and more. In other words, is a way to ask “probing questions” and questions that cannot be answered with a “yes “or a “no”.

What type of questions we should use?

We may use the following type of questions:

1. Provocative questions
2. Mind-opening questions
3. Assumption-exposing questions
4. Mental model-challenging questions
5. Discovering-what-we-don’t-know questions
6. Attention-shifting questions
7. Market opportunities-attentive questions
8. Reframing questions.

Why this approach?
When learning about this approach, one of my mentors at work explained to me that the high-value question approach can lead to answers that are high-value knowledge. This is something I totally agreed with, and here are some examples for you:

1. Appreciating customers instead of just satisfying them, thereby converting customers to promote your products with their circle of friends with the end result of buying more of your products.
2. Changing how we see reality: this is why “reframing” questions are very powerful. For example, if we change how we view the market then it may enable us to see new market opportunities that we hardly saw before.
3. Challenging and changing the assumptions behind our business model, resulting in a better or new business model that can revive things.
4. Building better relationships at work, and in our personal lives. Understanding more about any given situation and becoming more effective to learn about the facts and the reasons behind those situations specially when interacting with people.

Action Item:
if you want to try this approach, here are some examples to practice next time you feel you need to gain more knowledge:

• How do you define success in this project or department?
• What is the ideal outcome you would like to see or experience?
• How does this compare with your current results?
• You mentioned that you want to improve employee morale with this initiative. Can you tell me what that looks like?
• You have stated that increasing market awareness is one of your primary objectives. How will you know that you have succeeded?

Let me know any thoughts.

Enjoy!

Application Story 6: Have You Ever… Wondered About the Multiple Intelligence Theory?

This is a subject that also fascinates me. During my Master’s program at U of I, we explored this concept in one of my courses. I was very thrilled to learn more about it, and decided to bring it up as part of my learning and development programs. So as part of this blog too, let me share with you more about this theory.

What is the theory of multiple intelligences (M.I.)?

“An intelligence is the ability to solve problems, or create products, that are valued within one or other cultural settings”.  – Howard Gardner FRAM OF MINDS (1983)

Howard Gardner claims that all human beings have multiple intelligences. These multiple intelligences can be nurtured and strengthened, or ignored and weakened. He believes each individual has nine intelligences:

1.      Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence -- well-developed verbal skills and sensitivity to the sounds, meanings and rhythms of words

2.      Mathematical-Logical Intelligence -- ability to think conceptually and abstractly, and capacity to discern logical or numerical patterns

3.      Musical Intelligence -- ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch and timber

4.      Visual-Spatial Intelligence -- capacity to think in images and pictures, to visualize accurately and abstractly

5.      Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence -- ability to control one's body movements and to handle objects skillfully

6.      Interpersonal Intelligence -- capacity to detect and respond appropriately to the moods, motivations and desires of others.

7.      Intrapersonal Intelligence -- capacity to be self-aware and in tune with inner feelings, values, beliefs and thinking processes

8.      Naturalist Intelligence -- ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals and other objects in nature

9.      Existential Intelligence -- sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here.

According to Gardner,

• All human beings possess all nine intelligences in varying amounts.
• Each person has a different intellectual composition.
• We can improve education by addressing the multiple intelligences of our students.
• These intelligences are located in different areas of the brain and can either work independently or together.
• These intelligences may define the human species

Why Am I Sharing This With All Of You?

In my opinion, we have to embrace our differences, and as human beings we are different! We learned in different ways, and with that we contribute to build better societies, relations, families, teams, employee relations, and work-related projects. When we were little we tented to learn things just in one way or two… and adjusted ourselves to one or two methodologies.  The truth is that we are individuals equipped with multiple tools that can make us successful in many ways. We can grow stretching those abilities, and developing our strengths in a more directed way, if we really focus on who we really are.  

Moreover, Gardner says that these differences "challenge an educational system that assumes that everyone can learn the same materials in the same way and that a uniform, universal measure suffices to test student learning. Indeed, as currently constituted, our educational system is heavily biased toward linguistic modes of instruction and assessment and, to a somewhat lesser degree, toward logical-quantitative modes as well." Gardner argues that "a contrasting set of assumptions is more likely to be educationally effective. Students learn in ways that are identifiably distinctive. The broad spectrum of students - and perhaps the society as a whole - would be better served if disciplines could be presented in a numbers of ways and learning could be assessed through a variety of means."

Action Item:

1.      To read more go to: http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm

2.      Also if you want to learn about yourself, take the following assessment: http://literacyworks.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html

3.      What do you think about this theory?

“I believe that the brain has evolved over millions of years to be responsive to different kinds of content in the world. Language content, musical content, spatial content, numerical content, etc.” – Howard Gardner

Enjoy! 

Application Story 5: In the Search of Happiness

Have you ever wondered how to be happier?

This is something I was meaning to write about. Because of my close relation with my sister, and inspired by that I found the drive to do it and share it with you…

A month ago I went to my favorite book store looking at the “Self-Improvement” section. I was searching for a book about HAPINNESS, and  I found a good one, entitled: Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill -  Written by Mathieu Ricard, and for-worded by Daniel Goleman.  After reading its pages and thinking about what the author expressed on Happiness, I was motivated to share it in my blog. Well to do so, I did more research and found other tips and ideas to practice in the search of happiness. In the next lines I will share with you some of the ideas I got from the book and other material.

Let’s start by defining “Happiness”: From the book this is what the author describes about happiness: “Happiness means an exceptionally healthy stage of mind.  Not a feeling, not an emotion, mood, but an optimal stage of being” – (Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill, Pg. 19).  When I read that I agreed with the concept, and make me explore more about this subject. I will really agree that happiness is not a feeling, an emotion, or mood and goes beyond that. So here is my own thinking about what happiness means to me:  Happiness - It is who we really are in the inside and what we project outside ourselves.  It is basically a stay of mind where we understand the world the way it is, and find ways to make it better.  In other words, happiness it does not mean that everything in our lives is perfect. It means that we have decided to look beyond the imperfections…  Now I would like to ask you, What is happiness for you?

Besides the book I shared, here are some tips I highly recommend to keep in mind and follow:

1. Be Optimistic. No matter what happens, good or difficult, thinking positive is a great way to foster a good stage of mind. The world is not perfect, so enjoy all the imperfections and find them as a way of learning and growing.
2.  Exercise. I am firm believer that endorphins make you feel better, and it will make you happy. Any kind of exercise like walking, running, dancing, doing yoga, swimming, etc.
3. Follow your Gut. Listen to your instincts, more than just waving facts and multiple options. Those are important, but trust also your feelings and your instincts so you can do what feels right. So next time you have a decision to make, and you’re down to two or three choices, just pick the one that feels right, and go with it. But never regret the decisions you make though. Here is a good tip: Use the 3 C’s of life: Choices, Chances, and Changes - You need to make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change. That is a great approach!
4. Be Close to Family and Friends. Our relationships with friends and family have a greater impact on our happiness. It is important to have friends, and family supporting us and giving us comfort. However aim for the healthy relationships, those that help you grow, and feel appreciated regardless of who you are, and those that are not conflict oriented or energy draining.
5. Let Go of Grudges. This is a hard one. If people have hurt you, forgive them and let it go. People make mistakes, including ourselves. We want others to forgive us when we do wrong, so we need to forgive others. I have a great mentor who told me once: Keep your expectations of people realistic”. We will appreciate people much more when we lower our expectations of them. In the process of forgiving or letting it go, don’t forget to start with yourself. People, who are hard on others, are often hardest on themselves.
6. Find Happiness in What You Do or The Job You Have. If you have a positive outlook, you will make the best of any job, and if you have good relationships with people, you won’t depend on your job to give your life a greater sense of meaning. Now that doesn't mean you shouldn't aspire towards a job that will make you happier; it means you should understand that the capacity of your job to make you happy is quite small in comparison to your outlook on life and your relationships with people. 
7. Smile. Science suggests that when you smile, whether you feel happy or not, your mood will be elevated. So smile as much as possible!
8. Share your happiness and express gratitude. Sharing, and expressing appreciation is Caring. Most likely people who are true to you will radiate back your happiness! 
9. There is always something to be happy about. Whether it is a friend you’re so appreciative of, your current plans and projects, how far along you’re getting in school, there is always something to appreciate or be proud of in your life.
10. You can't always look at the negative side and just expect everything to turn out perfect. You have to make it happen! If you’re sad about something, then try to turn it around, find other ways to improve things, or try to do it better the next time.

Other Resources: Here is a great article that I recommend you to read from the BNET Report: % Scientifically Proven Ways to be Happier: http://www.bnet.com/blog/business-research/scientifically-proven-ways-to-be-happier/711?promo=713&tag=nl.e713

Let’s take some action: Reflect on the following…

1. Do these tips and resources sound like guidelines you can follow in your own life?
2. Share what activities make you happy, and help you find a great balance in your life?
3. What else do you think should be on the list is shared with you?

“I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances." - Martha Washington

Enjoy!

Application Story 4: Relax the Body, Calm our Minds…

When was the last time we truly felt connected with our heart and at peace?...

In this application story I would like to share with you some ideas and helpful tips about relaxing ourselves and calming our minds; specially this time a year when we may be facing a lot of pressure, stress and busyness in our lives. A while ago when searching for some ideas and tips for myself, I read that an important stress management technic is the idea to calm our minds and our bodies. “The calmer our mind is the more peaceful we will feel in our inner self”. And that resonated to me for a while…

Well it is true that when we calm our body that will improve our health and mood. In fact if we relax our body with things that make us feel tranquil our body will be calmer. But that sounds like the question: what is first, the chicken or the egg? Well that depends you may say.
What I believe is that if we really want to find a balance in our life, we have to start by finding peace in your inner self, and becoming satisfied with who we are in the middle of our busy lives. It is a matter of wanting to be healthy and happy in our heart with simple things that can help us relax and enjoy life in a better way.

Here are some things I like to do when finding my inner peace and trying to relax myself:

There are moments in my busy life that I need a break, for that I find myself wanting to run and release energy by pumping my heart rate. Running is something I loved very much. So I like going for an outside run when the weather allows me here in Massachusetts. I have an area close by call the Shaker Village a History District, where I enter a path full of trees, and nature. It is my oasis of peace and tranquility. I run with my favorite music, U2, and enjoy the ride. That is the best for me!

On other occasions I like going to my favorite Yoga Class at my local gym, and being with myself in that moment help me clear my mind. Also I am an addicted reader to books, any kind of books, business, well-being, romance, mystery, fiction, self-improving and history. Some times this is the best to do when I need to go away in my thoughts and think about something else.  I always said, a good book with a nice glass of red wine, is a wonderful combination when we need quiet times.  So what works for you?

Now let’s talk about calming stress management technique that could help us calm quickly, that is called mindfulness meditation. In mindfulness meditation we try to pay attention to how we feel, what's happening and any sensations we have including sounds. We try to live in the present moment (which is sometimes called be here now) and feel what is happening in the time period.  Let’s try to be very attentive, alert and conscious of what is happening in the present moment. Pay attention to what we're doing and how it feels. This technique should help us to be more centered and peaceful. Try it!

Here is what I do:
Throughout the day I pause and do some kind of calming or mindfulness exercise. I like stretching and looking around the room. I also like massaging my hands and. Some other times I count to ten, do things more slowly or carefully or try to be more calm and peaceful. It works for me.

Another thing I do before I have to present, or to talk in an important meeting... I breathe deeply. Slow breathing helps me relax, exhaling more slowly than I usually do. This helps me calm quickly.  Suggestion for you: Take three deep diaphragmatic breaths several times a day to relax and calm your body and spirit. You will notice the difference.

No matter what we do, the most important thing is that we find ourselves expressing happiness from our hearts when doing any kind of thing that involves our mind and body bringing harmony.  Any kind of thing you try is what matters the most... In fact, I have very good friend who loves dancing specially salsa, we call her the Dancing Queen and she does this for fun and for stress relief. That is a good thing! I have other friends and coworkers, who love to watch movies, take a long walk, doing Pilates, stretching, riding a bike, play with their kids, and meditate. Anyway, whatever works for you is what matter the most to relax your body and calm your mind.

Lastly, I would like to share with you more information about meditation. This is a new thing I am trying to incorporate in my life.

“Meditation is the process whereby you are able to still and quiet your mind. During meditation you travel inwards and with practice, you are able to fully experience a deep sense of inner calm, focus and stillness”.

I have found that for some people, their meditation practice forms part of their spiritual awakening or reconnecting to a higher source of being;  It is used as a form of stress relief and a way to cope better with the everyday stresses and tension…

Let’s try it: How to Meditate in Seven Steps

1. Decide you want to experience a period of calmness, inner quiet and stillness in your life.
2. Find a quiet comfortable space in which you can sit undisturbed for a period of 5 - 20 minutes.
3. Sit on the floor, on a cushion in a comfortable cross-legged position. If this is too uncomfortable, then sit on a chair. Place your feet firmly on the floor and sit with a straight back.
4. Close your eyes and take a deep steady breath in through your nose and as you breathe out allow your jaw, shoulders and hands to relax.
5. Stay focused on your breath. On the next out breath, allow your buttocks, thighs, calves and feet to relax.
6. Maintain this awareness on your breath as you slowly and gently breathe in and out through your nose. If your mind wanders and you lose your concentration, just return your awareness to your breath. Stay in this position for at least 5 - 10 rounds of steady breathing.
7. Slowly return to normal breathing. Stay still and gently open your eyes. Keep a soft gaze and stay seated for a few more moments before getting up and re-engaging with your day.
This is just a very simple introduction into meditating. The more regularly we practice, the easier it is for us to relax our body and calm our mind - whether we are looking for a deep spiritual experience or simply a few moments of calm during our day at work. What else do you suggest?

Enjoy!