Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Hello!
So, how’s the “holiday season” going for you?
Busy? Really busy? Really? Honestly?
Don’t get stuck in the “When-Then Trap!”
I want you to try an experiment…just a little something that’s super easy…
The next time you say to yourself or to someone else,
“That will have to wait until after the holidays” or
“I’m not even going to think about that until after the New Year,” or
“When the holidays are over then I will deal with that,”
I want you to visualize “hearing” a big buzzer going off in your head, and then a loud, “Stop!”
Notice that you are putting off something and using “the holidays” as an excuse (they certainly are tempting, I know!)
Next, quickly do the math…if you continue with your procrastinating plan, how long would you actually be procrastinating this particular new idea, project or task?
Go ahead…so, if it happened today…
Christmas Day is 15 days away, more than two weeks!
New Years Day is 22 days away, more than three weeks!!
(By the way, if your holiday season kicks off with Hanukkah tomorrow December 11th, that's no excuse! It's still more than 3 weeks of procrastinating before the New Year!!!)
Reassess what it is that you are putting off...does it really need to wait two, or most likely, three weeks???
It really may be that what you are putting off actually is too big, and therefore feels too cumbersome so your brain just shuts it out. Break it down!
Then, decide right then and there that you will take a baby step; the littlest, teensiest movement toward whatever it is that you are putting off.
Remember, motivation comes after action!
You will feel so incredibly great if you just address the smallest piece of it, rather than push it all aside…
What will it really take? A phone call? An errand? Jotting down a couple of ideas? Just get the ball rolling and then make a realistic plan to get it done.
Just think of all the little tasks, ideas and new things that you can get moving on in the month of December that you would have otherwise just blown off! You won’t believe how much control you take with the littlest bit of action…you will love it!
Think about the way you think about things!
Let’s say that I was going to have a party sometime in the next three weeks and I sent you an evite…would you come if you were available? Honestly, if you thought that it would be fun, wouldn’t you work it out and come along? Or would you go on and on about how long it might take and how hard it would be to pick out an outfit and find my house?
See, we make time for what we want to make time for…it’s all in the way that we think…so why do the gutters have to wait? How about that project at work? Isn’t time off way more fun when a yucky something isn’t waiting on your desk at work? And how about that garage? Let’s get real, here…if you were having a party and everyone had to walk through the garage to get inside, you may “find’ the time to get it clean, right?
We tend to think of our time like we think about our money…can I afford these designer shoes? Well, sure! But I can’t afford to eat at that 5 star restaurant, are you nuts??? I need to be able to buy designer shoes!
Remember, we have time for the things we want to have time for,
just like we afford the things that we want to afford.
I’ll be in touch super soon, until then and during the lovely holiday season;
Let it go, stay pumped, get it done, be you and go get it!
Wishing you the most wonderful holiday season and a joyous New Year,
Cheri
Teaching you the habits you can't wait to pick up!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
This Is So Simple!
Hello!
I just wanted to quickly post a little something for you to think about...
You know how your friend had a baby and your neighbor is having a birthday and your boss is having a party and you have to pick up a onesie, a gift and a bottle of wine???
That puts you in three different retail situations this week!
Why not scope out a Holiday gift or two while you're at Toys 'R Us, Macy's and Trader Joe's???
It's perfectly ok to hang on to a gift for a month or two and you will just love it when you go to get organized and see that you have already knocked off a few gifts!
I think it's hard sometimes for a lot of people to start buying holiday gifts as the season gears up...it seems the early carols and loud Christmas trees at the mall give us all flashbacks of the misery that holiday shopping has been in the past. Why not nip that anxiety in the bud and start handling the holidays little by little???
You don't need to tackle the whole season in one trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond...but wasn't my mother-in-law just saying that she needed a new alarm clock??? Hmm, I'm here...the alarm clocks are on sale...
See what I mean?
That's the super cool thing: you may actually get something that you think your recipient will love! This isn't scrounging around at the last minute desperate for something...anything! This is actually being open to whomever is on your list and buying what you really think they would like...what a concept!
I hate it when I'm with a friend and they say, "Oh, my sister would love that!" and then don't buy it...what is that about? Always, when I try to encourage my friend to just buy it, I hear, "Oh, not now..." or (the dreaded), "I'll come back later." Um, hello??? You're here...right now...with a good gift idea (that you will probably forget about)...this is you adding stress to your life!
What the...?????
Don't wait or put it off! Have a little fun shopping now while you can before everything gets so crazy! Plus, it's super fun weeks later to look through all your early finds...it's like Christmas for the giver!
Give it a try and let me know how much more fun holiday shopping can be...
Have a lovely, lovely!
Peace,
Cheri
I just wanted to quickly post a little something for you to think about...
You know how your friend had a baby and your neighbor is having a birthday and your boss is having a party and you have to pick up a onesie, a gift and a bottle of wine???
That puts you in three different retail situations this week!
Why not scope out a Holiday gift or two while you're at Toys 'R Us, Macy's and Trader Joe's???
It's perfectly ok to hang on to a gift for a month or two and you will just love it when you go to get organized and see that you have already knocked off a few gifts!
I think it's hard sometimes for a lot of people to start buying holiday gifts as the season gears up...it seems the early carols and loud Christmas trees at the mall give us all flashbacks of the misery that holiday shopping has been in the past. Why not nip that anxiety in the bud and start handling the holidays little by little???
You don't need to tackle the whole season in one trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond...but wasn't my mother-in-law just saying that she needed a new alarm clock??? Hmm, I'm here...the alarm clocks are on sale...
See what I mean?
That's the super cool thing: you may actually get something that you think your recipient will love! This isn't scrounging around at the last minute desperate for something...anything! This is actually being open to whomever is on your list and buying what you really think they would like...what a concept!
I hate it when I'm with a friend and they say, "Oh, my sister would love that!" and then don't buy it...what is that about? Always, when I try to encourage my friend to just buy it, I hear, "Oh, not now..." or (the dreaded), "I'll come back later." Um, hello??? You're here...right now...with a good gift idea (that you will probably forget about)...this is you adding stress to your life!
What the...?????
Don't wait or put it off! Have a little fun shopping now while you can before everything gets so crazy! Plus, it's super fun weeks later to look through all your early finds...it's like Christmas for the giver!
Give it a try and let me know how much more fun holiday shopping can be...
Have a lovely, lovely!
Peace,
Cheri
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Dealing with Difficult People
Hello!
Nothing gets a stress level soaring like a nasty interchange with someone that just seems impossible to get along with...
We all have to do it at some or another and as the holidays begin to creep up on us, it may be good to have a few more tools in your toolbox, if you know what I mean...
Here's one of my favorite ways to get someone to drink a cup of "Zip it," without being bossy or confrontational.
De-escalating is the tool that allows both parties to be heard without yelling...what a concept! Whooohooo!
Here's how it usually goes...two parties are conversing...as the obvious disagreement becomes apparent, someone gets louder...in order to be heard and to compete actively in the argument, the other person gets slightly louder...next, a button may be pushed, a retaliation may occur and alas, both parties become even louder...next thing you know, screaming match=no one is listening, no one is getting heard, everyone is mad and nothing is resolved.
Next time you find yourself on this path...slowly beginning to escalate with your mom, or spouse or teenager (yes! This even works with teenagers!), try this...
Instead of getting louder than the other, get softer. Yes, softer. Drink a cup of "Zip it" yourself! Even if someone is a super escalator and starts off yelling at you, speak very softly...don't whisper, but speak softer than your normal speaking voice.
What happens??? You'll love this...whoever is escalating will stop, perhaps even cock an ear, lean in and actually try to determine what it is you're saying!
If you can converse quietly, regardless of what anyone else is doing, it remains the natural response to continue the "I can be louder than you" behavior. This means that whomever you're dealing with will present themselves as a bit louder than you're speaking (which is softly) and thus, no yelling occurs (if, you can keep it up and not lose control!). Since there's no yelling the potential for a discussion rather than an argument has become a viable option.
A few points to remember when de-escalating:
Once your listener begins actually listening, you better have something to say! You finally have their attention, so it's imperative that you are saying something that:
A. You really want them to hear (what is it you are really trying to say anyway??), and
B. Will not shoot the situation into hyper-escalation mode.
That means no sarcasm or name calling!
Remember, just like you're toddler that is learning a new behavior, it could get worse before it gets better. That means, you could have someone get really nasty in an effort to get you riled up...stick to your guns and it will subside...you have to just hang in there and let it de-escalate!
Remember, this is just a tool to keep things from getting out of control...not a lot of resolution technique, but who can even think about that with all this yelling and screaming going on?!
I'll get back with you with specifics: what to say exactly when your listener is perking up in a brilliant effort to end arguments...for now just practice this tool.
I'm telling you, it's alarming how well this works...from the first time you try it...it's satisfyingly immediate.
Try it!!!
Let me know how it goes!
Hit me up with an email at cheri@thestresstherapist.com and tell me your de-escalating stories!
Peace, peace and more peace,
Cheri
Nothing gets a stress level soaring like a nasty interchange with someone that just seems impossible to get along with...
We all have to do it at some or another and as the holidays begin to creep up on us, it may be good to have a few more tools in your toolbox, if you know what I mean...
Here's one of my favorite ways to get someone to drink a cup of "Zip it," without being bossy or confrontational.
De-escalating is the tool that allows both parties to be heard without yelling...what a concept! Whooohooo!
Here's how it usually goes...two parties are conversing...as the obvious disagreement becomes apparent, someone gets louder...in order to be heard and to compete actively in the argument, the other person gets slightly louder...next, a button may be pushed, a retaliation may occur and alas, both parties become even louder...next thing you know, screaming match=no one is listening, no one is getting heard, everyone is mad and nothing is resolved.
Next time you find yourself on this path...slowly beginning to escalate with your mom, or spouse or teenager (yes! This even works with teenagers!), try this...
Instead of getting louder than the other, get softer. Yes, softer. Drink a cup of "Zip it" yourself! Even if someone is a super escalator and starts off yelling at you, speak very softly...don't whisper, but speak softer than your normal speaking voice.
What happens??? You'll love this...whoever is escalating will stop, perhaps even cock an ear, lean in and actually try to determine what it is you're saying!
If you can converse quietly, regardless of what anyone else is doing, it remains the natural response to continue the "I can be louder than you" behavior. This means that whomever you're dealing with will present themselves as a bit louder than you're speaking (which is softly) and thus, no yelling occurs (if, you can keep it up and not lose control!). Since there's no yelling the potential for a discussion rather than an argument has become a viable option.
A few points to remember when de-escalating:
Once your listener begins actually listening, you better have something to say! You finally have their attention, so it's imperative that you are saying something that:
A. You really want them to hear (what is it you are really trying to say anyway??), and
B. Will not shoot the situation into hyper-escalation mode.
That means no sarcasm or name calling!
Remember, just like you're toddler that is learning a new behavior, it could get worse before it gets better. That means, you could have someone get really nasty in an effort to get you riled up...stick to your guns and it will subside...you have to just hang in there and let it de-escalate!
Remember, this is just a tool to keep things from getting out of control...not a lot of resolution technique, but who can even think about that with all this yelling and screaming going on?!
I'll get back with you with specifics: what to say exactly when your listener is perking up in a brilliant effort to end arguments...for now just practice this tool.
I'm telling you, it's alarming how well this works...from the first time you try it...it's satisfyingly immediate.
Try it!!!
Let me know how it goes!
Hit me up with an email at cheri@thestresstherapist.com and tell me your de-escalating stories!
Peace, peace and more peace,
Cheri
Friday, September 12, 2008
Did You Love Your Trapper Keeper Like I Did?
Hello!
I thought I would post an edition of my newsletter from about a year ago...
Enjoy!
I certainly hope that the beautiful fall weather is inspiring you and motivating you to start on some of those “someday maybe” projects and or thinking through some of the cool ideas that you’ve been having lately…
Autumn always seems to take me back to those “Back to School” days. Even though the holidays are just a few months away, autumn has a way of feeling like a whole new year has just begun. It must be the ingrained school year schedules all through our childhoods and into our adult years that does it. I just loved going out to buy all the various items that I would need for the school year. As much as I loved to shop for clothes and shoes (and still do!), nothing really got me as excited as the prospect of brand new school supplies.
Thankfully, my love of new school supplies is not something that I have outgrown, nor will I ever let myself even consider outgrowing it! There is something about a brand new pen…a new notebook opening up for the first time, just for me. The Care Bear folders and Madonna notebooks have only been replaced with a new pattern or color that I like but with the same effect: the lovely feeling of organization (did you too have a separate color for every class?) and new beginnings (I just knew that a Melrose Place organizer would help me get an A in Statistics).
The lovely part of growing up is that as you get older, “school supplies” just keep getting better and better! Pencil holders (which incidentally, I still use and love) are replaced with a PDA, and who needs glitter pens or colored pencils when nothing says “I’m organized,” like an electronic label maker?
So, indulge your inner child and embrace the "New Year!" Go shopping for your new school supplies! Slowly peruse the “office” and “school supplies” aisle at Target. Bookstores and dollar stores are the goldmines of shiny, new school supplies for all ages.
Just be sure to never skimp on two things - a calendar that works like your brain does (You may notice that you tend to think in “weeks,” like me…Or are you more of a “daily” thinker?) and smaller notepads to leave in various locations to write down thoughts, quotes you like, a grocery list, or a book you want. Buy separate notebooks for separate subjects, just like in high school - one for your ideas on redoing the kitchen, one for ideas on holiday gifts (Real Simple, my all time favorite brand of school supplies, makes a lovely gift ledger), one for your dreams, one for the family to write their vacation ideas, one for the brilliant ideas that you have at work…whatever you’re pondering…whatever subject you are currently studying.
So take on a few new, shiny palettes to inspire some new, shiny thoughts and ideas. Projects and tasks take on a new meaning when they have space and room to breathe…perhaps, some organizing trays or accordion files will help to blossom more ideas if they have a place to be...the fun tasks of getting your new supplies together will probably then motivate you to reorganize or straighten up your work area. In the wise words of my Sociology professor in college, “If your space is messy, your mind is messy.”
On a side note, when relishing in the newness of an unused notebook or journal, go ahead and skip the first couple of pages…you may shy away from writing anything at all without a teacher over your shoulder. The first page can come with an inhibiting pressure to write something profound. When you’re feeling creative you just want it perfect, don’t you?
That’s why you’re such a cool person.
Welcome back! It’s a whole new school year…Give it a try and hit me back with what you get!
I would love to hear about what’s holding you back or any ideas you would like addressed in my newsletter. Feedback and comments are always welcome. Just shoot me an email at cheri@thestresstherapist.com.
I’ll be in touch, until then:
Let it go, stay pumped, get it done, be you and go get it!
Happy Thoughts,
Cheri
Teaching you the habits you can't wait to pick up!
Be sure to click here www.guidinginneraction.com/procrastination.pdf to get my FREE REPORT for my newsletter subscribers:
“Stop the Procrastination Already! – 5 Tricks to Get it Done”
P.S. I apologize, we are still working on a few links on the website, stay tuned!
If you would like to subscribe to this ezine, click here: http://www.guidinginneraction.com/newsletter.php
Be sure to click here www.guidinginneraction.com/procrastination.pdf to get my FREE REPORT for my newsletter subscribers:
“Stop the Procrastination Already! – 5 Tricks to Get it Done”
P.S. I apologize, we are still working on a few links on the website, stay tuned!
If you would like to subscribe to this ezine, click here: http://www.guidinginneraction.com/newsletter.php
for Cheri’s newsletter, “Guiding Inner Action: Teaching you the habits you can't wait to pick up!"
With tips and tricks about staying motivated, avoiding stress outs and keeping up with healthy habits!
Cheri Augustine Flake, LCSW
Guiding Inner Action, LLC
1790 Century Blvd., Suite A - Atlanta, GA 30345 - (practice address)
PO Box 265 - Decatur, GA 30031- (mailing address)
404-275-8352
cheri@thestresstherapist.com
With tips and tricks about staying motivated, avoiding stress outs and keeping up with healthy habits!
Cheri Augustine Flake, LCSW
Guiding Inner Action, LLC
1790 Century Blvd., Suite A - Atlanta, GA 30345 - (practice address)
PO Box 265 - Decatur, GA 30031- (mailing address)
404-275-8352
cheri@thestresstherapist.com
Monday, September 8, 2008
Am I Still Breathing???
These days a lot of talk is rolling around about being "present" and "mindful," what does it all mean anyway??
I really like the way Eckert Tolle suggests finding your present moment. He says to just ask yourself, "Am I still breathing?"
See, it's impossible to be totally focused on your breath and doing something else. Even if it only lasts for a few seconds, I beg you: give it a quick try.
Why?
Easy.
It's a HUGE stress reducer to simply focus on the very moment your experiencing...not later when make dinner, not tomorrow when you have a big meeting and certainly not yesterday when you wish you hadn't said something stupid. Just now...
It's strange, I think...we spend so much time working for, thinking about and preparing for events in the future and we never even really get there...I mean, once the event arises, we still insist on focusing on what's coming next. Do we ever really enjoy what we continuously work so hard for every day?
Can we ever just be right here, right now???
Yes. This is a start.
Be stress free right now...not tomorrow or the next day or when you have time (that's a biggie!)...right now, take a moment...just a second or two...ask yourself, "am I still breathing?
Breathe,
Cheri
Monday, August 4, 2008
Popular Homework
Hellllllooooo!
When I begin to notice that I am assigning the same homework a few times in a week, I tend to think that the presenting problem that prompts the assignment in the first place may be "going around."
So, what's in your drinking water? A recent bout of dramatic negative thinking? Yuck!
I thought I might share a popular homework assignment with you today.
The next time you're feeling rotten or negative, complaining a lot or just downright angry, try this:
Pretend for the next 24 hours that everything that you think will absolutely come true...and I'm talking soon, like sometime between immediately and within the next day.
Here's how it goes...you're driving down the road and someone cuts you off...you immediately think and visualize a fender bender...YIKES! You don't want that to come true! Do you???
So, go ahead and really imagine the sound of brakes in your head...a high pitched aaeeeeeeerrrrt! (that's my phonetic car brakes sound, you like?) and change the thought and visualize exactly what you would like to be true....
How about, "a safe, pleasant ride home." Much better!
Do this for an entire 24 hours.
Why?
Here's why...first, you will learn a bit about what exactly you are thinking...how negative you are thinking and about what in your life exactly. This is very useful in examining the relationship between negative thoughts and negative feelings. This is simple, if you are thinking yucky thoughts you will have yucky feelings. Sweet news! The reverse is true: postive thoughts yield positive feelings. Good to know if you want to make a change, you know?
You will also begin to get very careful about what you're thinking. This is important for a ton of reasons. Here's a biggie: If you're a Law of Attraction fan (and I recommend joining this fan club!), you will begin attracting what you want, because that's all you'll be thinking about!
Also, you will, in general, by definition, begin to feel better all the way around when you are thinking pleasant thoughts. This, my friends, is the name of the game!
Give it a try...let me know what happens...
Peace,
Cheri
When I begin to notice that I am assigning the same homework a few times in a week, I tend to think that the presenting problem that prompts the assignment in the first place may be "going around."
So, what's in your drinking water? A recent bout of dramatic negative thinking? Yuck!
I thought I might share a popular homework assignment with you today.
The next time you're feeling rotten or negative, complaining a lot or just downright angry, try this:
Pretend for the next 24 hours that everything that you think will absolutely come true...and I'm talking soon, like sometime between immediately and within the next day.
Here's how it goes...you're driving down the road and someone cuts you off...you immediately think and visualize a fender bender...YIKES! You don't want that to come true! Do you???
So, go ahead and really imagine the sound of brakes in your head...a high pitched aaeeeeeeerrrrt! (that's my phonetic car brakes sound, you like?) and change the thought and visualize exactly what you would like to be true....
How about, "a safe, pleasant ride home." Much better!
Do this for an entire 24 hours.
Why?
Here's why...first, you will learn a bit about what exactly you are thinking...how negative you are thinking and about what in your life exactly. This is very useful in examining the relationship between negative thoughts and negative feelings. This is simple, if you are thinking yucky thoughts you will have yucky feelings. Sweet news! The reverse is true: postive thoughts yield positive feelings. Good to know if you want to make a change, you know?
You will also begin to get very careful about what you're thinking. This is important for a ton of reasons. Here's a biggie: If you're a Law of Attraction fan (and I recommend joining this fan club!), you will begin attracting what you want, because that's all you'll be thinking about!
Also, you will, in general, by definition, begin to feel better all the way around when you are thinking pleasant thoughts. This, my friends, is the name of the game!
Give it a try...let me know what happens...
Peace,
Cheri
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Journey Into Healing
Aaaah...
I've just returned from a Deepak Chopra conference entitled, "Journey Into Healing"...what a cool experience!
Vegetarian meals, twice daily meditation and yoga, classes on healthy living and happy living...now there's a de-stresser! Check out the Chopra center events at http://www.chopra.com/.
It was a pleasure to meet Deepak and hear him speak after reading a few of his books. My favorite book by Deepak Chopra is "Quantum Healing." In this book of vignettes featuring various patients he saw mostly in typical medical settings, you learn how very powerful your mind is in healing, as well as perpetuating illness. I appreciated the wonder and possibiltity that Deepak alludes to by including some stories that don't necessarily fit in with the theme of the rest of the book. A must read if you or someone you love is suffering from a chronic or recurring illness.
I will be sure to mention some killer tips and advise that I learned at Journey Into Healing in my newsletter...Guiding Inner Action: Teaching You the Habits You Can't Wait To Pick Up!. Feel free to sign up for my newlsetter here... http://www.thestresstherapist.com/.
Have a lovely, lovely day!
Peace and Namaste,
Cheri
I've just returned from a Deepak Chopra conference entitled, "Journey Into Healing"...what a cool experience!
Vegetarian meals, twice daily meditation and yoga, classes on healthy living and happy living...now there's a de-stresser! Check out the Chopra center events at http://www.chopra.com/.
It was a pleasure to meet Deepak and hear him speak after reading a few of his books. My favorite book by Deepak Chopra is "Quantum Healing." In this book of vignettes featuring various patients he saw mostly in typical medical settings, you learn how very powerful your mind is in healing, as well as perpetuating illness. I appreciated the wonder and possibiltity that Deepak alludes to by including some stories that don't necessarily fit in with the theme of the rest of the book. A must read if you or someone you love is suffering from a chronic or recurring illness.
I will be sure to mention some killer tips and advise that I learned at Journey Into Healing in my newsletter...Guiding Inner Action: Teaching You the Habits You Can't Wait To Pick Up!. Feel free to sign up for my newlsetter here... http://www.thestresstherapist.com/.
Have a lovely, lovely day!
Peace and Namaste,
Cheri
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Lessons how you like 'em...quick and easy!
Hello my relaxation and meditation experts!
; p
Just kiddin'...no pressure.
What a beautiful day it is today in Decatur, Georgia! On perfect days like this one, being stuck or stressed out can seem a million miles away...until the rain comes once again.
I'd like to share a story with you that I heard from a talk by Dr. Wayne Dyer recently. Here goes:
Chapter One of My Life
I walk down the street. There's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost. I am helpless. It's not my fault. I still take forever to find a way up.
Chapter Two
I walk down the same street. There's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again, I can't believe I'm in the same place! It isn't my fault, but it still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter Three
I walk down the same street. There's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it there and I still fall in! It's a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It's my fault. I get out immediately.
Chapter Four
I walk down the same street. There's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
Chapter Five
I walk down a different street.
There are no accidents, huh?
Peace,
Cheri
; p
Just kiddin'...no pressure.
What a beautiful day it is today in Decatur, Georgia! On perfect days like this one, being stuck or stressed out can seem a million miles away...until the rain comes once again.
I'd like to share a story with you that I heard from a talk by Dr. Wayne Dyer recently. Here goes:
Chapter One of My Life
I walk down the street. There's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost. I am helpless. It's not my fault. I still take forever to find a way up.
Chapter Two
I walk down the same street. There's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again, I can't believe I'm in the same place! It isn't my fault, but it still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter Three
I walk down the same street. There's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it there and I still fall in! It's a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It's my fault. I get out immediately.
Chapter Four
I walk down the same street. There's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
Chapter Five
I walk down a different street.
There are no accidents, huh?
Peace,
Cheri
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Ah, Holiday...
Hello there!
So, I have just returned from quite a vacation!
Part of my time off included a cruise. As I was saying my good-byes to a few new friends, I noticed many commenting that they feel like they need a "vacation after my vacation."
Often, vacations or "holidays," (a seemingly more appropriate term that I love) can be rigorous and filled with activity after activity with the effort of trying to "get it all in." This may be especially true if you are attempting to include some leisure time or sight seeing into a work-related trip (which, by the way, I highly recommend). A busy trip may leave you feeling quite drained at the end of your "holiday" that was supposed to get you relaxed and recharged.
This can be the case even if you are a beach for a week...getting that Serotonin and Vitamin D flowing naturally through you can really make you feel quite serene and even a bit sleepy...certainly, not exactly where you need to be to "get right back in the swing of things."
Why not go ahead and plan for your "vacation after your vacation" before you leave? I mean it...ease back into life, just as you allow yourself to ease into the beginning of your holiday. I know for me, it always takes a day or two to really "feel like" I'm on vacation.
Come home a day early and perhaps, shoot a few holes at a local golf course while you do a load of vacation laundry.
See the movie that you've been wanting to see after a 20 minute planning session of your upcoming week.
Plan for your first day back at work to be minimal.
Just let your holiday linger a little...it's OK to let it all stay with you a while longer...just allow all those benefits of a lovely break ease into your work and home life.
Half the battle in life is knowing what you need in order to be a better you...take advantage of situations when you actually know! You need a break after your break? Well, than take it...
This may get you into a nice practice of taking mini holidays...a whole day off...a few hours away from the office...a lunch with an old friend...5 minute moments of silence...
By the way, it was very therapeutic to watch the enormous wake of a 951' ship fall away into the ocean. The past really is, "just a trail you've left behind...nothing more." -Dr. Wayne Dyer
Have a lovely holiday,
Cheri
So, I have just returned from quite a vacation!
Part of my time off included a cruise. As I was saying my good-byes to a few new friends, I noticed many commenting that they feel like they need a "vacation after my vacation."
Often, vacations or "holidays," (a seemingly more appropriate term that I love) can be rigorous and filled with activity after activity with the effort of trying to "get it all in." This may be especially true if you are attempting to include some leisure time or sight seeing into a work-related trip (which, by the way, I highly recommend). A busy trip may leave you feeling quite drained at the end of your "holiday" that was supposed to get you relaxed and recharged.
This can be the case even if you are a beach for a week...getting that Serotonin and Vitamin D flowing naturally through you can really make you feel quite serene and even a bit sleepy...certainly, not exactly where you need to be to "get right back in the swing of things."
Why not go ahead and plan for your "vacation after your vacation" before you leave? I mean it...ease back into life, just as you allow yourself to ease into the beginning of your holiday. I know for me, it always takes a day or two to really "feel like" I'm on vacation.
Come home a day early and perhaps, shoot a few holes at a local golf course while you do a load of vacation laundry.
See the movie that you've been wanting to see after a 20 minute planning session of your upcoming week.
Plan for your first day back at work to be minimal.
Just let your holiday linger a little...it's OK to let it all stay with you a while longer...just allow all those benefits of a lovely break ease into your work and home life.
Half the battle in life is knowing what you need in order to be a better you...take advantage of situations when you actually know! You need a break after your break? Well, than take it...
This may get you into a nice practice of taking mini holidays...a whole day off...a few hours away from the office...a lunch with an old friend...5 minute moments of silence...
By the way, it was very therapeutic to watch the enormous wake of a 951' ship fall away into the ocean. The past really is, "just a trail you've left behind...nothing more." -Dr. Wayne Dyer
Have a lovely holiday,
Cheri
Friday, March 21, 2008
Skip A Blog or Two...
Hello!
So, I'm blogging now...I'm a blogger. That's me. Hmmm, it suddenly feels like a lot of pressure.
Posting my first blog reminds me a lot of writing your first journal entry...there's far too much pressure to write something profound.
My advice? When you get your new journal, skip a few pages right off the bat and write something purposely mundane. Reject the idea that it must be a brilliant poem, or a beautiful quote you heard (and somehow remembered!) and start by just write a grocery list or your plan for the day.
So, my blogging equivalent to that?
I'm skippin' this blog! That's right, I skipped it!
Whoohooo! No pressure, less stress...and we're off to a good start!
; p
Peace,
Cheri
So, I'm blogging now...I'm a blogger. That's me. Hmmm, it suddenly feels like a lot of pressure.
Posting my first blog reminds me a lot of writing your first journal entry...there's far too much pressure to write something profound.
My advice? When you get your new journal, skip a few pages right off the bat and write something purposely mundane. Reject the idea that it must be a brilliant poem, or a beautiful quote you heard (and somehow remembered!) and start by just write a grocery list or your plan for the day.
So, my blogging equivalent to that?
I'm skippin' this blog! That's right, I skipped it!
Whoohooo! No pressure, less stress...and we're off to a good start!
; p
Peace,
Cheri
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