renewed life
Tap into the Whole YOU!
Robert Fulghum says it best, “Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day SOME.
When we take the time to break from one aspect of living to equally engage in others (Physical, Emotional, Career, Spiritual, Intellectual, Social), we then begin to tap into balanced living. Although living in balance is not always easy to achieve much less maintain, it can be very rewarding.
A balanced life is living a life of harmony where all things in life work together to complete the whole you. When your life is in balance, you will be more healthy, more energetic, happier, motivated, and satisfied.
Physical
A perfect example and probably one of the most popular in which we lack motivation, is that of the physical aspect of balanced living. Statistics shows that regular exercise or physical activity helps the body to function better. However, only 30 percent of Americans get leisure-time physical activity.
Spirituality
One Hundred and sixty people were surveyed from different faiths (Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists). The results show that religious experiences such as prayer, meditation, yoga, etc. was significantly linked to better mental health and helped people to better cope with everyday stress.
Intellectual
When it comes to intellect, it is sad to say that for some of us, once we graduate from high school or college our pursuit of/for new knowledge deteriorates. Yes, we may be masters at what we do, but we are not learning anything new. Research clearly shows that education and learning produce favorable changes in the brain.
Social
Socializing, considered a form of mental exercise, provides stimulation for the brain, keeps one sharp, have been associated with lower blood pressure and contributes to longer life expectancies.
Career
When achieving work life balance neglecting your mental well-being, relationships, and health can affect your productivity. Instead plan ahead, give yourself ample time to complete projects, set a work start and cut off time and define clear expectations with others.
Emotional
Improving your emotional health can too, be a rewarding experience. People who are emotionally healthy tend to be in control of their emotions and their behavior. Able to handle life’s challenges, build strong relationships, and recover from setbacks.
Tap into the Whole YOU!
A few tips; Remember to Set Priorities. List all your tasks if not daily then on a weekly basis, organize them according to priorities. When prioritizing, be sure to consider each area (Physical, Emotional, Career, Spiritual, Intellectual, and Social) pertinent to living a balanced life. Be Flexible. It is pertinent to take a break from routine. Be flexible and adjust your schedules and priorities accordingly. Mind Your Mind. Subconscious beliefs are known to be self-limiting and self-sabotaging. Purposefully embrace the process of positive thinking, especially in the areas of behavioral/habit change, wellness and stress reduction. Establish Accountability. Enlist the help of an accountability partner to encourage you along the way.
My hope in 2014 is that YOU Tap into the Whole YOU!
Empowering YOU to Nurture the Vision in today’s YOUth
VISION is pursued in YOUth achieving what is most important to YOUth. As Albert Einstein said, “I have no special gift, I am only passionately curious.” It is with that passionately, curious outlook on life that we Dream and Dream BIG. Such passion and curiousness begin early (infancy) on in our human existence.
If we are not careful as parents, caretakers, grandparents, mentors, leaders, we can hinder that curiosity and thus stifle a child’s ability to Dream and Dream Big. Dreaming allows both them and you to grasp the VISION for life….
The Bing dictionary (online) defines vi•sion [ ví’n ] “as the eyesight: the ability to see”…..I venture to say, its one’s ability to see their future being, to forecast what it is they want in life, it simply gives direction to activities and motivates one to move forward to achieve a desired goal.
These are a few tips to help in nurturing the Vision in today’s YOUth!
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Give them the Freedom to think, to feel, to be them.
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Be an Example of a Creative Person in Action, we are our children’s primary role models therefore be creative and open to new adventures, activities. Follow your own interests and passions.
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Respect their imagination, for that is where creativity begins.
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Practice affirming them in their Vision. Such affirmation statements nurtures a creative environment in which to allow them to pursue their Vision; You are so creative, Tell me more about your dreams, visions, and Wow that sounds like a great idea.
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Appreciate their Creativity and encourage inquisitiveness and a sense of wonder.
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Envision them as the wonderfully unique individual that they are. Such self-fulfilling prophecy is a strong influence on children’s behavior, including creativity.
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Maximize Success by giving children every opportunity to develop their interests, experience new things as well as build new skills.
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Have Fun by laughing, having fun while they Dream and Dream Big, encouraging more creativity and a sense of enjoyment while they pursue their VISION.
Let it be okay, let it be great, let it be the norm for YOUth to express themselves in whatever (healthy) way that feels good to them. Then will come the Albert Einstein’s, the Steve Jobs, the Michael Jordan’s, the Barak Obama’s, and the Oprah Winfrey’s of the next generation…. When we foster a “Free To Be You” environment and allow the same for ourselves, life takes on a greater meaning, a meaning of Purpose.
It never too late to pursue your vision as an adult neither is it too soon to help our YOUth in pursuing theirs. I believe that former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt said it best “You rarely achieve finality. If you did, life would be over, but as you strive new visions open before you, new possibilities for the satisfaction of living”. As long as there is breathe in your body, you have another chance at Dreaming and Dreaming BIG…. Enjoy your today to the fullest!
Self Talk
According to Burley-Allen (1995) “When we listen to ourselves we can increase our self awareness and begin to understand why we behave the way that we do. Early in life we formulate beliefs that affect how we behave, those beliefs then influence how we talk to ourselves”. (pp. 88)
On this day, I would like to stress the importance of (negative/positive) self talk. Our internal thought process not only affects the way we behave and the way we feel but it can also be a major contributor to lack of productivity in our lives. When thinking back over my life experiences and how they have affected me, I am reminded of the following scripture and chose it to mediate on this week;
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and prove…
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The Bullies of Life
I remember some years ago when my mother (God rest her soul) was dying of colorectal cancer and the doctors had informed us that the cancer had spread throughout her body. It was then, that I was rendered mentally and intellectually deficient. Not only did I not know what to do but it seemed like for days, I existed inside a bubble, never really interacting with the outside world.
Although life existed all around me (people, places and things were going on about their daily living) I was at a standstill. My emotions were in turmoil, my thoughts jumbled, my heart was hurting and words escaped me. I myself -was being bullied on this journey called life. The intimidation, the torment, the oppression was too much for me to handle.
It was then that II Corinthians 12:9; “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” helped me tremendously.
Weaknesses are defined as;
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Not able to resist external forces or withstand attack
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Mentally and intellectually deficient
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Resulting in or indicating lack of judgment or discernment
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Chink in someone’s armor, weak point, limitation, fragility
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His Strength is defined as;
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Power to resist force
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Power of resisting attack
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One regarded as embodying or affording force or firmness
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The quality or state of being strong
Gradually His (God’s) peace diminished my anxiety; His words became my hope and the Holy Spirit my Comforter.
Isn’t it funny how the bullies of life in which we hope to avoid, have a way of traveling right down our lane? They work themselves into our daily living so much so that we have no choice but to deal with them head on. Till this day, I have learned that there is no way around them and they won’t just go away. Yes, you have to deal with the bullies of life that come to steal, to kill and to destroy and deal with them you must- Today.
In doing so my friend, keep this one thing in mind – bullies are oh so unkind. But this one thing I know and have the scars of life to show! With Jehovah-Sabaoth, the Lord of Host as your source, no bully in hell or otherwise, can stop your flow!
Blessings to you in all your endeavors as you press through to becoming, the vessel of purpose you were always meant to be. Live on Purpose in 2013! #LEAP
Works Cited
The Holy Bible, New King James Version. (1982). Thomas Nelson, Inc.
A Daily Revelation of Self
According to Burley–Allen (1995) “a stroke is any form of recognition or attention one person gives to another. Strokes are either positive or negative, expressed through physical touch or nonverbal behaviors (i.e. winks, frowns, smiles, gestures). Strokes can also be compliments or criticisms”. (Burley–Allen, p. 26).
What an interesting approach to illustrating how we interact with one another. Not quite, what I had in mind before reading this text. However once read, it really struck home with me. All at once, I was able to see my reflection in the mirror.
My oldest daughter (who loves communicating) one day told me that she was reluctant to share certain things with me because the frown on my face automatically made her think that I was angry. Although I had explained to her several times that I am not angry, rarely have I thought to say “this intense look is me concentrating on what you’re saying to me, it is not an angry look at all”.
Just from this interaction with my daughter and a personal revelation of Self, I am constantly reminded to be attentive in my listening manner. I have come to know that my strokes affect all four of my children. It either hinders or enhances their ability to communicate not just with me but with others, which in-turn affects their overall self-esteem.
Since becoming aware of Self, I have had several opportunities to practice this technique by stopping to face my children, looking them directly in the eyes and in some situations turning the frown upside down. By doing this, I am practicing positive stokes and at the same time teaching them how to be better communicators themselves.
In my profession and observation of family relationships, I have come to believe that “Children really do what they see and not what they are told”. I am convinced that my children’s future really does begin with my daily revelation of self therefore my prayer is;
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”
(Excerpts from the Serenity Prayer, Author Unknown)
Works Cited
Burley-Allen, M. (1995). Listening The Forgotten Skill A Self Teaching Guide.New York Chicester Brisbane Toronto Singapore: Joyhn Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Inhaling and Exhaling
John Stewart (2012) used two very interesting terms (Inhaling and Exhaling) to describe the communication process. He further describes the communication process as ever-changing, multidimensional, sometimes confusing, continuous, etc. The term Inhaling refers to the perception and listening portion of the communication process and Exhaling refers to self-expression, or our ability to be open within the communication process or to self verify. (pp. 158)
I find that I am becoming more and more aware of the communication process and the importance of communicating effectively. I understand that at each stage of communication whether inhaling/exhaling we all have a responsibility. In the past, I saw communication as an aggressive opportunity to get my point across. Not realizing that the information that I received was equally important as the message I was sending.
Stewart teaches that at this stage of communication the listener and the speaker should have equal power in the communication process. This is no doubt a far cry from today’s society and how we as a people see and/or engage in the communication process.
Proverbs 18:13 says “He who answers before listening–that is his folly (stupidity) and his shame (embarrassment).” On a regular basis more so than not, we commit lawless acts of stupidity which all too often results in embarrassment.
My prayer: As we progress through this life; that we as a nation, as a society, as a people, as the human race simply learn, to communicate effectively. That we learn this in order to preserve life, preserve character and preserve relationships.
Works Cited:
Stewart, J. (2012). Bridges Not Walls. New York: Mc-Graw-Hill.
The Holy Bible, New International Version. (1984). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Biblica Inc.
Beware of your “Self Talk”