7 Ways to Stop Doing and Start Being
There is a madness in men and women today and it's spilling over to our children too. This madness is our constant need for change - with our relationships, our jobs, our possessions, our education, and our status in life. Striving for something better and never resting until that something is achieved is a modern disease. Competitiveness causes anxiety and stress, ensuring we constantly perceive a state of lack within ourselves and are never satisfied.
blvdone via dollarphotoclub
We are constantly doing, but what if instead we chose to be?
Being vs. Doing
Being is a sense of feeling present to exactly who you are in this moment, rather than doing something to try and make improvements because you perceive yourself or your life as imperfect. It may seem hard at first to make the switch, but the rewards will far outweigh the effort required.
Here are seven ways that you can start being today:
1. Decide what is most important to you.
Do you live life according to the plans or expectations of others? It might be your parents who decided what path your life should take, or it may be your culture's expectations that you feel obligated to live up to.
In order to truly live your being-ness, you need to decide what is most important to you in life and take steps to honor those things. Along with that comes no longer doing the things you think you should do.
In this way, you are acting more in alignment with who you are, with your being-ness and not doing what conflicts with your highest values.
2. Choose to be happy in each moment.
Many people believe happiness is something that comes from external sources -- a job or career, upbringing, finances or partner. I disagree. Happiness is a choice that comes from within. It is a decision you can make from moment to moment. This is living truly from a sense of Being.
If you expect happiness to be delivered to you by others or an act of serendipity, you'll find yourself pretty unhappy when those expectations are not met. What can you find in this moment to be happy about?
3. Honor your strengths.
When you are living your life focusing on your strengths, you are living in being. What you are good at -- your strengths -- comes naturally to you. The activities you struggle to grasp or never really achieve mastery of are examples of doing that just don't work. Stop telling yourself that you need to be good at everything and focus instead on what lights you up.
4. Reside in the present with an open heart.
vgstudio via dollarphotoclub
When you are present to each moment in your waking life with an open heart, you notice the colors, smells, textures and other nuances of life that you would otherwise miss if you were busy worrying about the future.
When you move your focus from your head to your heart, you open up a whole new way of Being that is centered in love, enjoyment, forgiveness and understanding.
5. Stop beating yourself up over past mistakes.
The past is in the past and that's where it needs to remain. There is no value in regret, guilt or shame. Acknowledge that whatever happened is over. Reliving past events and beating yourself up does nothing but bring those problems into the present, keeping the energy of them alive. Similarly, if you believe your best times were in the past, you need to let that belief go. Give yourself permission to create new adventures and achievements from a sense of Being vital and alive.
6. Let the being be the doing.
When you come from a place of being and you bring your awareness to every possible moment, then whatever activity you are engaged in will be infused with presence and will not be resisted. Resistance to the present moment is what causes anxiety, sadness, anger and despair.
Really practice being present to whatever you're doing. The easiest way to feel present is practicing meditation, but it's not the only path to presence. If you're sitting, enjoy the feeling of inactivity and your body in repose. If you're running, connect with the feeling of your feet hitting the pavement, your muscles propelling you forward, the air in your lungs and the scenery around you as you pass.
Notice your body and what is around you and you'll be surprised by how peaceful you begin to feel without the constant noise of your problems and mind chatter. Life itself becomes a meditation.
7. Take inspired action.
Once you've become practiced at just being, then you can start taking inspired action. Inspired action is when your intuition sends you a message to act. Oftentimes inspired action comes to you as a random thought that feels like it came out of nowhere. You'll start to notice what feels right and be naturally drawn to take those actions. When you learn to trust yourself and take inspired actions that naturally feel good, you will experience more success than you ever have before, and it will also feel better. It's a win-win.
If you focus on just one of the above steps towards Being each day, in a short space of time you will put an end to the Doing madness and find yourself on the path to consistent happiness and fulfilment.
from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1B1nnvf
blvdone via dollarphotoclub
We are constantly doing, but what if instead we chose to be?
Being vs. Doing
Being is a sense of feeling present to exactly who you are in this moment, rather than doing something to try and make improvements because you perceive yourself or your life as imperfect. It may seem hard at first to make the switch, but the rewards will far outweigh the effort required.
Here are seven ways that you can start being today:
1. Decide what is most important to you.
Do you live life according to the plans or expectations of others? It might be your parents who decided what path your life should take, or it may be your culture's expectations that you feel obligated to live up to.
In order to truly live your being-ness, you need to decide what is most important to you in life and take steps to honor those things. Along with that comes no longer doing the things you think you should do.
In this way, you are acting more in alignment with who you are, with your being-ness and not doing what conflicts with your highest values.
2. Choose to be happy in each moment.
Many people believe happiness is something that comes from external sources -- a job or career, upbringing, finances or partner. I disagree. Happiness is a choice that comes from within. It is a decision you can make from moment to moment. This is living truly from a sense of Being.
If you expect happiness to be delivered to you by others or an act of serendipity, you'll find yourself pretty unhappy when those expectations are not met. What can you find in this moment to be happy about?
3. Honor your strengths.
When you are living your life focusing on your strengths, you are living in being. What you are good at -- your strengths -- comes naturally to you. The activities you struggle to grasp or never really achieve mastery of are examples of doing that just don't work. Stop telling yourself that you need to be good at everything and focus instead on what lights you up.
4. Reside in the present with an open heart.
vgstudio via dollarphotoclub
When you are present to each moment in your waking life with an open heart, you notice the colors, smells, textures and other nuances of life that you would otherwise miss if you were busy worrying about the future.
When you move your focus from your head to your heart, you open up a whole new way of Being that is centered in love, enjoyment, forgiveness and understanding.
5. Stop beating yourself up over past mistakes.
The past is in the past and that's where it needs to remain. There is no value in regret, guilt or shame. Acknowledge that whatever happened is over. Reliving past events and beating yourself up does nothing but bring those problems into the present, keeping the energy of them alive. Similarly, if you believe your best times were in the past, you need to let that belief go. Give yourself permission to create new adventures and achievements from a sense of Being vital and alive.
6. Let the being be the doing.
When you come from a place of being and you bring your awareness to every possible moment, then whatever activity you are engaged in will be infused with presence and will not be resisted. Resistance to the present moment is what causes anxiety, sadness, anger and despair.
Really practice being present to whatever you're doing. The easiest way to feel present is practicing meditation, but it's not the only path to presence. If you're sitting, enjoy the feeling of inactivity and your body in repose. If you're running, connect with the feeling of your feet hitting the pavement, your muscles propelling you forward, the air in your lungs and the scenery around you as you pass.
Notice your body and what is around you and you'll be surprised by how peaceful you begin to feel without the constant noise of your problems and mind chatter. Life itself becomes a meditation.
7. Take inspired action.
Once you've become practiced at just being, then you can start taking inspired action. Inspired action is when your intuition sends you a message to act. Oftentimes inspired action comes to you as a random thought that feels like it came out of nowhere. You'll start to notice what feels right and be naturally drawn to take those actions. When you learn to trust yourself and take inspired actions that naturally feel good, you will experience more success than you ever have before, and it will also feel better. It's a win-win.
If you focus on just one of the above steps towards Being each day, in a short space of time you will put an end to the Doing madness and find yourself on the path to consistent happiness and fulfilment.
from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1B1nnvf
Stanford Program Helps Vietnamese RN Realize His Eldercare "Calling"
SAN JOSE, Calif.--At only age 28, Chi Mai, is a dedicated registered nurse, but it's not just his profession. "It's my calling," he emphasized. "I'm a devout Catholic and my ultimate goal being a nurse is to save as many lives as possible and to make as much improvement and changes for as many people as possible, especially immigrant Americans."
In particular, through a special program at Stanford University, Mai focused on helping Vietnamese seniors and family members to create advance directives for health care--documents enabling people to state how they wish to be treated at the end of life, if they become too ill to speak for themselves, and who should make their medical decisions.
An immigrant from Vietnam, who came to the United States at the age of nine, Mai grew up in a tough neighborhood where he saw many gang activities and people suffering without healthcare.
"Backpack Nursing"
Mai originally wanted to be pharmacist and was accepted to Boston University, but he changed his mind. "I found nursing to be more of my temperament," he said.
Chi Mai.
An active member of his church, Mai devotes even his extra-curricular activities to health-related projects. Mai practices what he called "backpack nursing." On his free time, he carries a big backpack full of unexpected goodies. "I go to San Francisco, San Jose and San Leandro and bring homeless people socks and pain-relievers," he said.
Are there homeless Vietnamese? "Yes, quite a few," he answered. "It's sad. Some choose a homeless lifestyle, others lost their livelihood because of their gambling or alcohol addiction." But the saddest part, Mai said, is to see "a whole family falling into homelessness."
In 2012, Mai attended a Palliative Care Education and Training program for improving end-of-life care, held at Stanford University School of Medicine, His participation turned out to have a big effect on the Vietnamese community in San Jose.
According to V.J. Periyakoil, MD, director of the program, Mai's project for training course "addresses the issue of how Vietnamese adults are unaware of the existence of advance health care directives. Those are documents that aid older adults in planning ahead for their towards-the-end-of-life care and guarantees that their standards of care will be met by hospitals and medical facilities."
Mai, who works at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and is a certified translator at the county hospital, originally intended his advance-directive project to help 10 people, but it ended up going beyond that number.
"I've helped countless numbers of people and patients on filling out their advanced directives so I don't have a specific number," he said. "However, within the Vietnamese population, I'd say it was about 20 families, which seems like a very small number but think about how withdrawn our people are."
The 'Silver-Brown Tsunami'
According to Peryiakoil, "The boom in U.S. seniors is often described as the 'silver tsunami.' In fact, it is a 'silver-brown tsunami' as the population of ethnic older adults is exploding. It is important for all ethnic communities to work to promote successful aging for their seniors."
Stanford University, Periyakoil said, is offering this free mini-fellowship in palliative care for all members of the community. She observed, though, "While we have many participants from the Chinese and Asian Indian communities, not many Vietnamese have applied for the successful aging training."
"When Chi Mai applied, I was happy to see that finally a member of the Vietnamese American community was interested in helping seniors with aging well," she said.
"Mr. Mai's project focused on helping Vietnamese American seniors to complete advance directives. Once he started the project, many, many seniors expressed interest and completed advance directives with our help. I wish more Vietnamese Americans will complete the Stanford Successful Aging min-fellowship as they will then be able to help their community."
Mai first had a difficult time making inroads, however. Although he talked to many from all walks of life--"from church leaders to gangsters to lawyers, nobody had an idea what I was talking about." So Mai made a poster in both English and Vietnamese and talked about the importance of filling out advance directives at his church, as well at various Vietnamese centers.
No one has ever heard of the term "Ke hoach suc khoe cho tuong lai," which is a translation of advance health care directive, Mai recalled. It took a while for people to catch on. He invited two other nurses to his workshops to share their experiences working with seniors and the importance of the health care directive.
Many Vietnamese patients are withdrawn, he said. "They don't know that there are such things that can be asked [when you are hospitalized]. That they can request for more morphine, for instance. They didn't know that they can assign - verbally - that 'this person will make decision for me,' in case they are not conscious."
Vietnamese Make Family-Based Decisions
Periyakoil agreed: "Doctors just talk to patients and don't usually consult with their families. But Vietnamese often are family oriented, and they are family-based when comes to making decision."
Although Mai is making inroads, she noted, the needs are there and the education regarding end-of-life care and decisions are tremendous.
For his part, Mai is currently pursuing a doctorate in nursing: "I am doing research to look at hospital policies and how to implement change to help patients, especially within the Asian community."
Andrew Lam, author of "Perfume Dreams: Reflections on the Vietnamese Diaspora" and "Birds of Paradise Lost," wrote this article supported by a New America Media fellowship in collaboration with the Stanford In-reach for Successful Aging through Education Program.
from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1AtkrDP
In particular, through a special program at Stanford University, Mai focused on helping Vietnamese seniors and family members to create advance directives for health care--documents enabling people to state how they wish to be treated at the end of life, if they become too ill to speak for themselves, and who should make their medical decisions.
An immigrant from Vietnam, who came to the United States at the age of nine, Mai grew up in a tough neighborhood where he saw many gang activities and people suffering without healthcare.
"Backpack Nursing"
Mai originally wanted to be pharmacist and was accepted to Boston University, but he changed his mind. "I found nursing to be more of my temperament," he said.
Chi Mai.
An active member of his church, Mai devotes even his extra-curricular activities to health-related projects. Mai practices what he called "backpack nursing." On his free time, he carries a big backpack full of unexpected goodies. "I go to San Francisco, San Jose and San Leandro and bring homeless people socks and pain-relievers," he said.
Are there homeless Vietnamese? "Yes, quite a few," he answered. "It's sad. Some choose a homeless lifestyle, others lost their livelihood because of their gambling or alcohol addiction." But the saddest part, Mai said, is to see "a whole family falling into homelessness."
In 2012, Mai attended a Palliative Care Education and Training program for improving end-of-life care, held at Stanford University School of Medicine, His participation turned out to have a big effect on the Vietnamese community in San Jose.
According to V.J. Periyakoil, MD, director of the program, Mai's project for training course "addresses the issue of how Vietnamese adults are unaware of the existence of advance health care directives. Those are documents that aid older adults in planning ahead for their towards-the-end-of-life care and guarantees that their standards of care will be met by hospitals and medical facilities."
Mai, who works at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and is a certified translator at the county hospital, originally intended his advance-directive project to help 10 people, but it ended up going beyond that number.
"I've helped countless numbers of people and patients on filling out their advanced directives so I don't have a specific number," he said. "However, within the Vietnamese population, I'd say it was about 20 families, which seems like a very small number but think about how withdrawn our people are."
The 'Silver-Brown Tsunami'
According to Peryiakoil, "The boom in U.S. seniors is often described as the 'silver tsunami.' In fact, it is a 'silver-brown tsunami' as the population of ethnic older adults is exploding. It is important for all ethnic communities to work to promote successful aging for their seniors."
Stanford University, Periyakoil said, is offering this free mini-fellowship in palliative care for all members of the community. She observed, though, "While we have many participants from the Chinese and Asian Indian communities, not many Vietnamese have applied for the successful aging training."
"When Chi Mai applied, I was happy to see that finally a member of the Vietnamese American community was interested in helping seniors with aging well," she said.
"Mr. Mai's project focused on helping Vietnamese American seniors to complete advance directives. Once he started the project, many, many seniors expressed interest and completed advance directives with our help. I wish more Vietnamese Americans will complete the Stanford Successful Aging min-fellowship as they will then be able to help their community."
Mai first had a difficult time making inroads, however. Although he talked to many from all walks of life--"from church leaders to gangsters to lawyers, nobody had an idea what I was talking about." So Mai made a poster in both English and Vietnamese and talked about the importance of filling out advance directives at his church, as well at various Vietnamese centers.
No one has ever heard of the term "Ke hoach suc khoe cho tuong lai," which is a translation of advance health care directive, Mai recalled. It took a while for people to catch on. He invited two other nurses to his workshops to share their experiences working with seniors and the importance of the health care directive.
Many Vietnamese patients are withdrawn, he said. "They don't know that there are such things that can be asked [when you are hospitalized]. That they can request for more morphine, for instance. They didn't know that they can assign - verbally - that 'this person will make decision for me,' in case they are not conscious."
Vietnamese Make Family-Based Decisions
Periyakoil agreed: "Doctors just talk to patients and don't usually consult with their families. But Vietnamese often are family oriented, and they are family-based when comes to making decision."
Although Mai is making inroads, she noted, the needs are there and the education regarding end-of-life care and decisions are tremendous.
For his part, Mai is currently pursuing a doctorate in nursing: "I am doing research to look at hospital policies and how to implement change to help patients, especially within the Asian community."
Andrew Lam, author of "Perfume Dreams: Reflections on the Vietnamese Diaspora" and "Birds of Paradise Lost," wrote this article supported by a New America Media fellowship in collaboration with the Stanford In-reach for Successful Aging through Education Program.
from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1AtkrDP
7 Flaws That Make You Absolutely Amazing
I'm full of flaws. Actually, I'm brimming with imperfections: I'm a terrible liar, a hopeless romantic, and an awful singer (to my mother's dismay, who was the Brittany Spears of Europe in her youth). Such dire dilemmas should keep me up at night, I know.
And they used to, in fact. The young me was consumed with what everyone thought of her and obsessed with reaching perfection. I was so preoccupied with appearing perfect to everyone else that I became blind to what was already excellent within me. I ignored my inner gold while searching for silver in foreign places.
With time and spiritual elevation, I gave up on putting on an ideal show for the world and simply decided to become great for myself. I'm not the only one who has felt inadequate under the unrealistic obligations of society -- we've all tried to mold ourselves according to external pressures. But have you ever thought that your flaws are exactly what make you uniquely perfect? That perhaps that dreaded wrinkle and your tendency to overreact are precisely what complement the totality of your being?
The result of this way of thinking would create realistic expectations and a much-needed sense of tolerance of ourselves and others. Embrace and act on these seven "flaws" as your secret, treasured strengths:
1. Honesty. It seems that an honest person is a rare commodity in today's world. Lies are enforced more than the truth simply because they "sell" better. But those of us who would still rather tell it like it is should take pride in our unadulterated sincerity. Honesty reinforces our tremendous value as members of our community and offers us hope for collective progress.
2. Romanticism. Sleepless are the nights of hopeless romantics, we who view the world through the lens of love above all. But our romanticism means that we continue to believe in love even when it is frail, lacking, or false. To us, love is the undying trait and highest ability of humankind. We recognize that this emotion can mend all that is broken, if only we allow it. Love others, even if they've betrayed you. Love your partner, even if he or she has harmed you. Love yourself, even if you've disappointed yourself. Give love the chance to right all wrongs.
3. Sacrifice. As I've said before, there lies beauty in sacrifice. Doing for another instead of doing for yourself stirs up an indescribable feeling. Best of all, sacrifice is contagious. When you sacrifice for another person you are teaching by example. Perpetuate the cycle of doing good for yourself and for others. Allow the altruistic grace of sacrifice to resurface in a selfish world.
4. Sensitivity. As the saying goes, "It is both a blessing and a curse to feel everything so deeply." As one who feels beyond normal bounds, I can tell you that both aspects of this quote are true. Sensitivity isn't crying during the final scenes of a sad movie. It implies a heightened awareness to the world around you. You're "sensitive" if you literally feel the struggle of another person or you know just what to bring a loved one when they've had a bad day. To be sensitive is to be intensely aware of details and desires and helps us discover the grandeur of even the most minute things.
5. Consciousness. Living consciously means being alive in every sense of the word; it is acknowledging your divine nature and mission on Earth -- seeing yourself not as an individual person with self-imposed limitations but as a powerful vessel for good that's part of a greater whole. It is noticing not the rainbow of colors in springtime, but its divine inspiration. When we are conscious, or spiritually awake, is when we finally begin to understand the reasons of things.
6. Vulnerability. To keep from getting hurt, we are taught to be strong-willed and guarded at all times. In part, this is a natural defense mechanism against pain. But it makes us more machine than human. Recognize the times when it's okay to be susceptible -- to feel, experience, engage, empathize, and risk. You'll get hurt on occasion, yes, but you will also develop virtues that are inaccessible to the closed heart: wisdom, integrity, compassion, patience, and acceptance. Walk the fine line between shielding yourself and revealing yourself in order to experience all the wonders of life.
7. Simplicity. In a world that covets the complex, gorgeous, and expensive, it's hard to stand out as a "simple" person. But simplicity fosters authenticity, and no amount of elaboration can match the force of a genuine spirit. Be simple in your intentions. It's a lot of fun to live a fast-paced, flamboyant life, but remember to slow things once in a while. Living simply reminds us of our true reasons and roots us in purpose.
We're all laden with what others label as flaws, but what are in reality our secret strengths. When we understand this, we can begin to act on these imperfect parts of ourselves to produce perfectly positive results. Accept your personal faults today and discover the world of good they can deliver tomorrow.
To your secret strengths,
Alexandra Harra
For more by Alexandra Harra, click here.
To connect with Alexandra Harra on Facebook, click here.
To connect with Alexandra Harra on Instagram, click here.
For more on self-empowerment, click here.
from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1DqniQf
And they used to, in fact. The young me was consumed with what everyone thought of her and obsessed with reaching perfection. I was so preoccupied with appearing perfect to everyone else that I became blind to what was already excellent within me. I ignored my inner gold while searching for silver in foreign places.
With time and spiritual elevation, I gave up on putting on an ideal show for the world and simply decided to become great for myself. I'm not the only one who has felt inadequate under the unrealistic obligations of society -- we've all tried to mold ourselves according to external pressures. But have you ever thought that your flaws are exactly what make you uniquely perfect? That perhaps that dreaded wrinkle and your tendency to overreact are precisely what complement the totality of your being?
The result of this way of thinking would create realistic expectations and a much-needed sense of tolerance of ourselves and others. Embrace and act on these seven "flaws" as your secret, treasured strengths:
1. Honesty. It seems that an honest person is a rare commodity in today's world. Lies are enforced more than the truth simply because they "sell" better. But those of us who would still rather tell it like it is should take pride in our unadulterated sincerity. Honesty reinforces our tremendous value as members of our community and offers us hope for collective progress.
2. Romanticism. Sleepless are the nights of hopeless romantics, we who view the world through the lens of love above all. But our romanticism means that we continue to believe in love even when it is frail, lacking, or false. To us, love is the undying trait and highest ability of humankind. We recognize that this emotion can mend all that is broken, if only we allow it. Love others, even if they've betrayed you. Love your partner, even if he or she has harmed you. Love yourself, even if you've disappointed yourself. Give love the chance to right all wrongs.
3. Sacrifice. As I've said before, there lies beauty in sacrifice. Doing for another instead of doing for yourself stirs up an indescribable feeling. Best of all, sacrifice is contagious. When you sacrifice for another person you are teaching by example. Perpetuate the cycle of doing good for yourself and for others. Allow the altruistic grace of sacrifice to resurface in a selfish world.
4. Sensitivity. As the saying goes, "It is both a blessing and a curse to feel everything so deeply." As one who feels beyond normal bounds, I can tell you that both aspects of this quote are true. Sensitivity isn't crying during the final scenes of a sad movie. It implies a heightened awareness to the world around you. You're "sensitive" if you literally feel the struggle of another person or you know just what to bring a loved one when they've had a bad day. To be sensitive is to be intensely aware of details and desires and helps us discover the grandeur of even the most minute things.
5. Consciousness. Living consciously means being alive in every sense of the word; it is acknowledging your divine nature and mission on Earth -- seeing yourself not as an individual person with self-imposed limitations but as a powerful vessel for good that's part of a greater whole. It is noticing not the rainbow of colors in springtime, but its divine inspiration. When we are conscious, or spiritually awake, is when we finally begin to understand the reasons of things.
6. Vulnerability. To keep from getting hurt, we are taught to be strong-willed and guarded at all times. In part, this is a natural defense mechanism against pain. But it makes us more machine than human. Recognize the times when it's okay to be susceptible -- to feel, experience, engage, empathize, and risk. You'll get hurt on occasion, yes, but you will also develop virtues that are inaccessible to the closed heart: wisdom, integrity, compassion, patience, and acceptance. Walk the fine line between shielding yourself and revealing yourself in order to experience all the wonders of life.
7. Simplicity. In a world that covets the complex, gorgeous, and expensive, it's hard to stand out as a "simple" person. But simplicity fosters authenticity, and no amount of elaboration can match the force of a genuine spirit. Be simple in your intentions. It's a lot of fun to live a fast-paced, flamboyant life, but remember to slow things once in a while. Living simply reminds us of our true reasons and roots us in purpose.
We're all laden with what others label as flaws, but what are in reality our secret strengths. When we understand this, we can begin to act on these imperfect parts of ourselves to produce perfectly positive results. Accept your personal faults today and discover the world of good they can deliver tomorrow.
To your secret strengths,
Alexandra Harra
For more by Alexandra Harra, click here.
To connect with Alexandra Harra on Facebook, click here.
To connect with Alexandra Harra on Instagram, click here.
For more on self-empowerment, click here.
from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1DqniQf
The 5 Fears Successful People Kick to the Curb
Your brain's threat response is as old as the human race. Because it evolved to deal with a life so different to that which many of us face today, you could almost call it outdated. As your survival tool, it still does a number of things that made a lot of sense in the lives of our ancestors.
But the unfortunate side effect is that many of these default threat responses hinder your efforts to thrive. Now your brain searches not just for direct threats to your physical safety, but it is alerted by many common experiences that have been linked over time to your physical survival. This is where those who experience success intervene and take things back into their own hands. They feel the fear but make the conscious choice not to be paralyzed by the following common threats:
1. Fear of failure.
It's probably the most common and crippling mindset that can prevent people from achieving success. Fear of failure is seen in artists who never finish their piece of work, because they don't believe it will ever be perfect.
Business people put off important decisions, waiting for more information and the perfect conditions that never actually come. Partners stay in unsatisfying relationships because they fear they have missed the boat and are too old to start again on the road to love. Young children avoid trying something new, in case they get it wrong and bring disappointment to the eyes of their parents.
But here's the problem. Learning and growth is at its peak when you are out of your comfort zone. If you don't learn to fail, you'll fail to learn. And learning is a precursor to success in any form.
2. Fear of losing control.
We all know one. The friend who organises your social events down to the last detail, but irons out all the opportunities for spontaneous fun. The boss who wants the report to look a certain way, and doesn't listen to new ideas. The parent who has their children in every sort of after-school activity and operates the household like a military camp.
The brain loves certainty, but those who thrive make an important distinction between what they can and cannot control. They direct their energy towards the things they can control, and respond to resistance by looking for alternatives, not just sticking to the path they prefer. They are able to let go of control, even if it does not feel particularly comfortable. And ultimately, they recognize the only thing they really do control is themselves.
3. Fear of standing out.
The old adage of 'safety in numbers' is where this one stems from. If you blend in you won't get noticed and potentially rejected. If you go with popular opinion, you wont get criticized. If you live a life of mediocrity, you won't be judged. But at what cost? Standing out offers you the chance to be heard.
Whether it's a conversation around the dinner table where you do not shy away from stating your beliefs, or an international stage where you put a case for change, embracing opportunities to stand out is worth the risk. It doesn't always lead to applause and acclaim. In fact, it well might fall flat and people will roll their eyes. But you won't get eaten by wolves and there will still be people who think 'Good on you.'
Your willingness to find your voice and be authentic can open new doors, deliver life lessons, and bring the sort of peace of mind and satisfaction that comes from living a full life.
4. Fear of missing out.
Have you had that twisting feeling in the pit of your stomach, when you hear news that someone has been recognised for something that you have been aspiring to yourself? Maybe a manager has praised another team member for a good idea and you've said to yourself 'I was thinking about something like that' while you stare daggers at the praised staff member.
Or someone launches a product in your industry that your clients are raving about, and you feel the niggling fear that you have missed the boat. Or maybe you have just heard that your friend is getting married or having a baby, and the fact that it hasn't happened for you taints your happiness for her. It's as if someone else's success and happiness reduces your chances -- but that couldn't be further from the truth. Start swimming in your own lane and realize that there is enough to go around for everyone.
5. Fear of facing the truth (or the victim mentality).
'Why do these things always happen to me?' This question is a sure sign that the victim mentality is at play. In your circle of friends and associates you probably see examples of the victim mentality more than you realize. A friend who continuously goes for 'bad boys' then wonders why she keeps getting hurt. A mate who complains he's badly done by at work, but has said the same thing about his last three jobs. Or the person who whinges about always running late, and blames the government: not enough public transport, poor roads, too much traffic.
When someone believes that external factors are responsible for their dissatisfaction and that someone else is to blame for the position in which they find themselves, they are embracing the role of the victim. Believing themselves to be powerless to change their circumstances, frustration, anger, confusion or distress is directed outward, and onto any target other than themselves. Victims waste time and energy living in the past. Successful people take responsibility for their share and focus on their personal power to change the situation.
Which fear is holding you back? Name it, say good-bye and watch your fulfilment flourish!
This blog is adapted from the author's book "Wired for Life: retrain your brain and thrive"
from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1aHs8Se
But the unfortunate side effect is that many of these default threat responses hinder your efforts to thrive. Now your brain searches not just for direct threats to your physical safety, but it is alerted by many common experiences that have been linked over time to your physical survival. This is where those who experience success intervene and take things back into their own hands. They feel the fear but make the conscious choice not to be paralyzed by the following common threats:
1. Fear of failure.
It's probably the most common and crippling mindset that can prevent people from achieving success. Fear of failure is seen in artists who never finish their piece of work, because they don't believe it will ever be perfect.
Business people put off important decisions, waiting for more information and the perfect conditions that never actually come. Partners stay in unsatisfying relationships because they fear they have missed the boat and are too old to start again on the road to love. Young children avoid trying something new, in case they get it wrong and bring disappointment to the eyes of their parents.
But here's the problem. Learning and growth is at its peak when you are out of your comfort zone. If you don't learn to fail, you'll fail to learn. And learning is a precursor to success in any form.
2. Fear of losing control.
We all know one. The friend who organises your social events down to the last detail, but irons out all the opportunities for spontaneous fun. The boss who wants the report to look a certain way, and doesn't listen to new ideas. The parent who has their children in every sort of after-school activity and operates the household like a military camp.
The brain loves certainty, but those who thrive make an important distinction between what they can and cannot control. They direct their energy towards the things they can control, and respond to resistance by looking for alternatives, not just sticking to the path they prefer. They are able to let go of control, even if it does not feel particularly comfortable. And ultimately, they recognize the only thing they really do control is themselves.
3. Fear of standing out.
The old adage of 'safety in numbers' is where this one stems from. If you blend in you won't get noticed and potentially rejected. If you go with popular opinion, you wont get criticized. If you live a life of mediocrity, you won't be judged. But at what cost? Standing out offers you the chance to be heard.
Whether it's a conversation around the dinner table where you do not shy away from stating your beliefs, or an international stage where you put a case for change, embracing opportunities to stand out is worth the risk. It doesn't always lead to applause and acclaim. In fact, it well might fall flat and people will roll their eyes. But you won't get eaten by wolves and there will still be people who think 'Good on you.'
Your willingness to find your voice and be authentic can open new doors, deliver life lessons, and bring the sort of peace of mind and satisfaction that comes from living a full life.
4. Fear of missing out.
Have you had that twisting feeling in the pit of your stomach, when you hear news that someone has been recognised for something that you have been aspiring to yourself? Maybe a manager has praised another team member for a good idea and you've said to yourself 'I was thinking about something like that' while you stare daggers at the praised staff member.
Or someone launches a product in your industry that your clients are raving about, and you feel the niggling fear that you have missed the boat. Or maybe you have just heard that your friend is getting married or having a baby, and the fact that it hasn't happened for you taints your happiness for her. It's as if someone else's success and happiness reduces your chances -- but that couldn't be further from the truth. Start swimming in your own lane and realize that there is enough to go around for everyone.
5. Fear of facing the truth (or the victim mentality).
'Why do these things always happen to me?' This question is a sure sign that the victim mentality is at play. In your circle of friends and associates you probably see examples of the victim mentality more than you realize. A friend who continuously goes for 'bad boys' then wonders why she keeps getting hurt. A mate who complains he's badly done by at work, but has said the same thing about his last three jobs. Or the person who whinges about always running late, and blames the government: not enough public transport, poor roads, too much traffic.
When someone believes that external factors are responsible for their dissatisfaction and that someone else is to blame for the position in which they find themselves, they are embracing the role of the victim. Believing themselves to be powerless to change their circumstances, frustration, anger, confusion or distress is directed outward, and onto any target other than themselves. Victims waste time and energy living in the past. Successful people take responsibility for their share and focus on their personal power to change the situation.
Which fear is holding you back? Name it, say good-bye and watch your fulfilment flourish!
This blog is adapted from the author's book "Wired for Life: retrain your brain and thrive"
from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1aHs8Se
9 Great Yoga YouTube Channels
Interested in yoga but don't want to pay for an expensive class or be seen flopping around on your mat like a fish out of water?
YouTube has tons of yoga channels that are great for yoga enthusiasts who prefer to salute the sun from their own backyards.
Of course, not all yoga channels are created equal, nor are they right for every person. Many may lack the proper instruction and expert leadership needed to make them particularly helpful to you. However, there are some truly standout yoga YouTube channels you should look into, nine of which are listed below.
1. Strala at Home
This channel is led by Tara Stiles, who introduces viewers -- along with guest instructors -- to yoga moves that range from basic to challenging.
Strala is dedicated to making yoga a fun experience for all people who want to get the physical and mental benefits of this ancient fitness method.
The best thing about Strala? The examples are easy to follow, so it isn't hard to understand what's occurring or to start to emulate what you see.
While you will need to pay to download Strala's complete yoga workouts (about $15 a video), you can preview the different workouts on the YouTube channel to decide which ones are right for you, before you pay for them.
2. Yoga Journal
This YouTube channel is an extension of the magazine and website of the same name. It's especially popular with beginning yoga devotees because of the simple way the videos instruct viewers.
There's a nice mix here of instructional videos and down-to-earth interviews that make yoga come alive.
3. PsycheTruth
PsycheTruth has its roots in Swedish massage, but integrates yoga videos as well. These yoga videos often focus on yoga sessions meant to achieve a particular end, whether it be yoga for relaxation, yoga for energy, yoga workouts for your abs or even yoga for menstrual cramps.
An attractive feature of subscribing to this channel is that there's a new video just about every day. This provides a wealth of variety for viewers who constantly want to up their games.
4. Yoga Online
One of the first aspects of Yoga Online that stands out is that it focuses on the mind-body connection of yoga, not just the purely physical benefits of this type of fitness regimen.
Yoga Online has a mix of female and male instructors, which offers a different perspective for viewers who may be accustomed to seeing mostly female YouTube yogis.
5. Yoga with Adriene
Adriene, the host of this YouTube channel, presents herself and her art with a down-to-earth easiness that will make even newbies relaxed from the start.
Her 30 days of yoga series is a terrific place to begin learning about yoga, as well as practicing simple-to-moderate moves.
6. Interval Yoga
Strength is a key focus of Interval Yoga and inspiration is around every corner. A new video is posted approximately once per week, and are meant to get viewers as buff as possible.
This channel may be better suited for yoga aficionados comfortable with the basics and seeking more challenging moves.
7. Fightmaster Yoga
Variety is the spice of life, as well as the proper seasoning for viewers who want their personal yoga routines to reflect their days.
If a day is particularly hard, a tough yoga workout with tons of activity may be beneficial. If a day has been stressful, calming yoga poses may be a nicer fit. This channel can provide any yoga routine for any mood.
8. Cosmic Kids Yoga
Moms and dads who want to do their yoga exercises but have younger kids to entertain will appreciate Cosmic Kids Yoga.
The moves are geared toward the younger set and feature brightly colored backgrounds and easy-to-follow instructions, but parents can join in on the fun and get a workout, too. It's family time at its healthiest!
9. Yoga House
Yoga House is less about the cosmic link between yoga and the surrounding life forces and more about pure movement and poses.
For those looking for a variety of moves from different types of yoga, such as bikram, power and ashantanga yoga, Yoga House is an ideal channel to bookmark.
As you become more attuned to your own yoga leanings, you may want to start a YouTube channel yourself! In the meantime, seek out soem experts and embrace the adventure. Namaste.
All videos are from YouTube.
from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1DqnkaP
YouTube has tons of yoga channels that are great for yoga enthusiasts who prefer to salute the sun from their own backyards.
Of course, not all yoga channels are created equal, nor are they right for every person. Many may lack the proper instruction and expert leadership needed to make them particularly helpful to you. However, there are some truly standout yoga YouTube channels you should look into, nine of which are listed below.
1. Strala at Home
This channel is led by Tara Stiles, who introduces viewers -- along with guest instructors -- to yoga moves that range from basic to challenging.
Strala is dedicated to making yoga a fun experience for all people who want to get the physical and mental benefits of this ancient fitness method.
The best thing about Strala? The examples are easy to follow, so it isn't hard to understand what's occurring or to start to emulate what you see.
While you will need to pay to download Strala's complete yoga workouts (about $15 a video), you can preview the different workouts on the YouTube channel to decide which ones are right for you, before you pay for them.
2. Yoga Journal
This YouTube channel is an extension of the magazine and website of the same name. It's especially popular with beginning yoga devotees because of the simple way the videos instruct viewers.
There's a nice mix here of instructional videos and down-to-earth interviews that make yoga come alive.
3. PsycheTruth
PsycheTruth has its roots in Swedish massage, but integrates yoga videos as well. These yoga videos often focus on yoga sessions meant to achieve a particular end, whether it be yoga for relaxation, yoga for energy, yoga workouts for your abs or even yoga for menstrual cramps.
An attractive feature of subscribing to this channel is that there's a new video just about every day. This provides a wealth of variety for viewers who constantly want to up their games.
4. Yoga Online
One of the first aspects of Yoga Online that stands out is that it focuses on the mind-body connection of yoga, not just the purely physical benefits of this type of fitness regimen.
Yoga Online has a mix of female and male instructors, which offers a different perspective for viewers who may be accustomed to seeing mostly female YouTube yogis.
5. Yoga with Adriene
Adriene, the host of this YouTube channel, presents herself and her art with a down-to-earth easiness that will make even newbies relaxed from the start.
Her 30 days of yoga series is a terrific place to begin learning about yoga, as well as practicing simple-to-moderate moves.
6. Interval Yoga
Strength is a key focus of Interval Yoga and inspiration is around every corner. A new video is posted approximately once per week, and are meant to get viewers as buff as possible.
This channel may be better suited for yoga aficionados comfortable with the basics and seeking more challenging moves.
7. Fightmaster Yoga
Variety is the spice of life, as well as the proper seasoning for viewers who want their personal yoga routines to reflect their days.
If a day is particularly hard, a tough yoga workout with tons of activity may be beneficial. If a day has been stressful, calming yoga poses may be a nicer fit. This channel can provide any yoga routine for any mood.
8. Cosmic Kids Yoga
Moms and dads who want to do their yoga exercises but have younger kids to entertain will appreciate Cosmic Kids Yoga.
The moves are geared toward the younger set and feature brightly colored backgrounds and easy-to-follow instructions, but parents can join in on the fun and get a workout, too. It's family time at its healthiest!
9. Yoga House
Yoga House is less about the cosmic link between yoga and the surrounding life forces and more about pure movement and poses.
For those looking for a variety of moves from different types of yoga, such as bikram, power and ashantanga yoga, Yoga House is an ideal channel to bookmark.
As you become more attuned to your own yoga leanings, you may want to start a YouTube channel yourself! In the meantime, seek out soem experts and embrace the adventure. Namaste.
All videos are from YouTube.
from Healthy Living Blog on The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1DqnkaP
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