HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Fact or fiction?

I wanted to share a tip which was just given to me by the lovely Leiza.  It is in regards to when your mind is making 'stuff' up.  What does that mean?  Well, you know when your friend says they will call you back and they don't.  Then, you start thinking they didn't ring me because........(they don't like me, I've done something to uspset them, they are sick, etc).
Leiza asks herself this question; Is it fact or is it fiction?  That is a great question, isn't it?  Do you have proof?  Usually the answer is know.  Go with the facts.  They haven't rung you back because they haven't rung you back.  It's as simple as that.  Thanks for sharing, Leiza.
What do you think about this question?  Leave me a comment or contact me direct.  You might have another great one to share.

Working in the 'Now'

I had a bit of a revelation yesterday.  Most of my blogs are about how, as a person, you can utilise living in the present to create a peaceful and calm life.  In my coaching business, I coach individuals (who, incidentally are usually owners of small businesses) to bring peace, calm and fun into their lives.  After hearing someone's story today, I have realised the importance of linking the two; living in the present and getting more from you work. 
I, personally, discovered living in the present as a fantastic tool to increase the success of my coaching.  I have a practice I use before my coaching sessions to ensure when I coach, I am totally present and fully focused on each and every client and their own agenda (not mine or whatever is happening in my life at the time).  I never made the connection before though, of how this could benefit others in businesses other than coaching.
So, I hear you ask, what was this story I heard?  I heard about a guy who owns his own business and used to constantly take his work home; constantly thinking about work no matter where he was.  To avoid thinking about work other than at work, he created a practice of writing a 'to do' list of things he has to do the next day, before leaving work and then he does a sort of 5 minute "meditation" if you like, where he just focuses on his breathing and nothing else.  Then he goes home to his family and feels life is much more fun as work stays at work.  It removes the constant stress from his life and he feels much more relaxed.
That is when I realised the practice of being present at work for everyone could have loads of benefits.  What would being present at work mean for you?  Would it mean closing more deals?  Would it mean making less mistakes and thus increasing productivity?  Would it mean you might actually enjoy work?  I would love to hear what this could mean for you.  Please email me or comment on this blog. 

1001 Ways to Live in the Moment

by Barbara Ann Kipfer. It's the title of a new book I have found. I thought I would love to share bits and pieces as I get to them. In the introduction it talks about what living in the now is (and isn't). I love the description it gives; "Living in the now, for a mature being, is about appreciating the passing moment as a fundamental of existence, accepting whatever comes our way, whatever we cannot change-including our own aging."
It also goes on to say it's not about our possessions, people, habits or past times. The writer also says that it's about being positive, not about living in the past (or being overwhelmed by nostalgia or regrets is how it is put in this book) or having delusional hopes or anxieties.
It also talks about 'Clock Time'. If you have read 'The Power of Now' you will be familiar with this phrase. Clock time , Barbara says, is an artificial order which we have put on the organic flow of experience. As we all know, 'Clock Time' can rule our lives, if we allow it. In coaching, something people often seek is 'Time Management' skills. Some find Time Management is important however sometimes with strict time management, we lose our freedom. The freedom to 'be' ourselves. Isn't that what being totally present is all about. Just being?
Take some time out for yourself today to just 'be'. Rest not rust! How can you change your busy schedule today to fit in 5 or 10 minutes of 'being'? If you are out and about in the car today, stop off at a park or the beach or some other place you love and just 'be'. If you are working in retail or in an office, maybe it might be on the way home from work this afternoon or during your lunch break. Kids at home today? Maybe they could practice 'being' with you. They are sometimes experts at 'being'. Maybe tonight when you get home you can go outside and lie down in your backyard and look up at the stars and just 'be'. There are lots of simple ways to 'be'. Grab yourself 5 or 10 minutes and love what you get from that time. In a busy world, often it's the simple things that make our day peaceful and calm.

Can exercise help to stop stress and worry?

In a survey by the University of Sydney, they say absolutely! There are many benefits. The first is probably the most obvious; being physically fit and healthy which in turn increases self-esteem. Exercise also releases endorphins which are kind of like a happy drug for the body, making you feel calm and exercise also burns up the stress hormone call 'cortisol'. Muscle tension and headaches can also be relieved by exercise, especially if that includes stretching. And what happens when you exercise, you usually get a more restful sleep. It increases your metabolism, makes you concentrate (or live in the present) whilst you are doing that task and therefore you have an almost forced break from stress and worry.
So what can you do? Well, if you haven't exercised for a while, you won't want to run a marathon. Start with light exercise, something that you feel is within your capabilities. Perhaps a light walk. Of course this isn't going to make you feel like Mr or Mrs Universe today, but you will notice a change. Now that it is coming into summer, it might be a great time to go for a swim or do some water aerobics. If a gym is more your cup of tea, many gyms are offering specials now coming into summer. They will also advise the best program for your ability. Get your pushbike out and go for a ride, bring the kids or partner if that makes it easier to fit it in or maybe more fun. Or maybe ask a friend to join you. All these things will get you moving at your own pace and help you move toward a more fun, relaxed, calm life. Remember, if you have any health issues or are unsure, get yourself checked out by a medical professional before you start.
If motivation or dedication is the struggle for you, that's where I can help. That's what I do. I help people to free themselves from stress, worry and guilt so if it's motivation you need or direction or perhaps persistence, call me.

Get Happy!

When you have a spare 8 mins, have a listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umxO5YK5NSU&feature=related

Is your mind running the show?

Many of us who are completely identified with our mind, feel incomplete. Our unhappiness is driven by our mind telling us over and over again just how incomplete we are.
I will be successful if I have a mansion on the hill. I will be happy when my kids do what I want them to do. I’ll be satisfied when my husband/wife/partner says ‘sorry’ or buys me a particular gift. I will feel fulfilled when I get my next promotion. I’ll be better when this is all over/life is back to normal. Have you heard your mind saying any of these things?
Perhaps some of those things have even happened for you and you experienced feeling success, happiness, fulfilment or better but only briefly. Then it was gone and you were back to being unhappy again. Perhaps the feeling seemed bottomless.
Whilst you allow your mind to feed you these negative random thoughts, this pattern will continue. It’s basically similar to a craving for something. The mind has cravings mostly with external things, possessions and status; things like the assets you have or want, your career, your social life, what you know, how you look, what you can do, your relationships, your history, the list goes on.
None of these things ‘are’ you. They are ‘things’ that your mind identifies with.
By living in the present and switching the mind off when not required for action, you can be happy right now. You have everything you need. You are everything you need; physically and mentally speaking.
For this concept and others relating to living in the present, please refer to ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle.
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