April 14th, 2010
The “information age” has made it ridiculously easy for individuals to transfer information freely, and sometimes it is just “too much!” I’m sure you can relate. Fortunately, you are at choice (even if you forget sometimes.) Just because information is coming at you, doesn’t mean you need to absorb it all now.
1. Become CLEAR about what information you most want and need. What are you inspired to learn about? What new information will most impact your life or business?
2. Pay attention to the medium you learn best from. Do you prefer reading, listening to audios at your leisure or attending live events? Do you learn best when participating in an interactive group setting where you can ask questions and hear how others are applying new ideas? Do you like to learn independently?
3. Become selective about which information sources have access to you, especially via email. Unsubscribe from those you’re not reading or absorbing. Also, set up individual folders and filters, so new email newsletters go directly into that folder. This way you can go to the information sources when you’re ready, and they won’t continually tempt you throughout the day.
4. Know your limit. Give yourself a time-out to integrate information periodically. Go on an “information diet” for 30 days.
5. Trust your subconscious. Often we think we can’t possibly take in anymore information (i.e. at a multi-day workshop). However, the brain works in mysterious ways and continues to take in new information even when our conscious mind is ready to head for the door. Trust the process.
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Practices | Comment (1)
April 9th, 2010
Finding Peace in the NOW…
Monday, April 5th was my birthday. Typically birthdays are a day to take-off work, get a facial, pamper oneself and bask in celebration…right?
Well, sort of.
This year’s birthday came in the middle of LOTS of projects coming to fruition. Launching a 5-city tour, 4 JV calls next week, introducing a new affiliate program (coming soon!) and a whole bunch of other “still top secret” projects! With everything on the schedule, there was exactly ONE full free day left between now and a trip to Cabo in less than two weeks. Talk about pressure.
As I slipped into my office chair Monday morning, the flurry of birthday emails and calls added another level of overwhelm. (I WANTED to respond to everyone…but it became clear quickly that wasn’t going to happen.) And as much as I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them all — the truth is — sometimes it’s just plain overwhelming! (Anyone with a Facebook account has had this experience, right?)
Meanwhile I sent off numerous emails to my team, as I responded to as many “business” emails as possible (plus quite a few birthday emails – I couldn’t help it!)
About 1:30pm, I pulled myself away from the computer for a delicious smoked salmon salad with Goddess dressing (YUM!)
As I sat there, I noticed something.
Even though, my reservoir of inner peace has been at an all-time high lately (attending two different 5 day retreats last month helped)…in THAT moment, my life wasn’t feeling so spacious and peaceful. I almost used the “S word” ==> STRESS (you must know America’s Inner Peace Coach doesn’t like to give that word energy if at all possible). What a drag! Especially since it WAS my birthday. Wasn’t I supposed to be happy and peaceful all day?
So, what did I do?
Continue reading »
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Practices, Inner Peace Strategies | Comment (0)
March 31st, 2010
Set yourself up for a good night sleep, by planning the “wind-down” process earlier. Think of getting a three year old ready for bed. This means avoiding rigorous exercise late in the evening. Avoid mental stimulation, such as business planning or television (just the emissions from a television stimulate the brain and can be enough to keep you wide awake for hours). Avoid other obvious stimulants such as sugar or caffeinated drinks.
If you’re really stressed, I have two additional recommendations. One, pull out a sheet of paper and write down all the key thoughts running rampant in your mind. Writing them down, slows the mind down. And, it serves as a placeholder to pick them up in the morning.
Secondly, stretching can be your biggest friend, particularly deep forward bends. Simply sit on the floor with your legs outstretched in front of you. Lean forward and try to touch your toes. You can also stand and lean over to touch the toes (you don’t have to touch your toes for this to be effective). Deep forward bends compress the spine which causes the body to relax. You can also try “Half Tortoise” or “Rabbit” posture (Google it or ask your local yoga instructor to demonstrate).
BTW, these deep forward bends were the ONLY thing that finally worked the night before my wedding. I only wish I’d done them sooner, so I could’ve had a few more hours of sleep!
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Practices | Comments (5)
January 15th, 2010
Perhaps you’re anticipating a brilliant article about how to find inner peace when the harsh vibrations of weed-eaters, chainsaws and tree shredders invade your neighborhood…and your eardrums.
Well, America’s Inner Peace Coach cries “Uncle” in a sigh of defeat. I am humbled. Helpless in my human reaction. In the face of THIS “inner peace culprit,” I got whooped!!!
Maybe you can relate…
I live in a condo complex here in Southern California. Every week, without fail, the lawn maintenance team comes with their trusty weed-eaters and grass grooming devices. Each Thursday, I find myself mildly annoyed by the revving up and down of this “helpful” invention. But, it’s typically only a FEW hours each week, so I hadn’t given it TOO much attention.
But, being as passionate about inner peace as I am, and more importantly, committed to reducing suffering where ever possible…I decided to buy noise-canceling headphones as a Christmas present to myself.
I THOUGHT this would help.
And, it did…a little.
But, a big “Inner Peace Test” was coming my way.
For some reason, our Homeowners Association thinks it’s a good idea to trim trees. Why purposely scalp a perfectly beautiful tree? Seems silly. Not to mention… NOISY!!!
So, I geared up for Day 1…
Continue reading »
Filed under Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Moments | Comment (0)
May 29th, 2009
Now, don’t laugh. While you MAY not have had this EXACT experience, I suspect there is something in your life where you’ve had a similar experience.
Last Tuesday evening I found out that the new season of The Bachelorette had begun…on MONDAY night, the night before!!! Being a big fan of the show (one of my FEW indulgences on television), I was both excited (yeah…new season!!)…and panicked. Did my DVR record last night’s episode? Gulp.
Before we dashed to dinner, I HAD to check the DVR. Was it or wasn’t it recorded?
As I watched myself, I was quite amused.
In that moment, I was CERTAIN my life would’ve been SO much better and more peaceful had I either: 1) Watched the season premiere of The Bachelorette the night before or 2) If my DVR had been wise enough to record the show for me.
But alas. It was NOT recorded!!!!! Darn it.
For a moment, it felt like I was missing some MUCH needed oxygen. My life was a little less whole and complete.
Now, of course, moments before I realized The Bachelorette’s new season had begun…all was quite well in my world. Hmmm.
This small, harmless, momentary reaction caught my attention and got me thinking.
How many times in our lives do we convince ourselves for a moment, for hours, for days or for years that our lives would be SO much better IF ONLY ____________(fill in the blank) had happened or hadn’t happened? “I would be expriencing so much more JOY, so much more WHOLENESS, so much more INNER PEACE and so much more LIFE…IF ONLY.”
Or conversely, I would be experiencing so much LESS pain, so much LESS suffering or so much LESS inner turmoil IF ONLY______________(fill in the blank) had happened or hadn’t happened. Continue reading »
Filed under Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Practices | Comment (1)
May 16th, 2009
Energy conservation is one of the biggest conversations of today. Yet, few are talking about conserving the most precious resource of all — your personal energy. And, you need it more than ever before. Especially if you value inner peace.
Everyday there are countless demands vying for your personal energy and attention. How much energy do you need to sustain your household, finances, health, families, businesses, marriages and friendships? How much more energy is needed if your intention is to thrive in these areas? Throw in a surprise health emergency, uncertainties with the economy or another family crisis and you’ll soon be running on empty. Perhaps worse, you’ll be cranky, argumentative and snappy with those you love.
As important as personal energy is, we all know how easy it is to waste precious energy with procrastination, fear, stress, worry, preoccupation or emotional reactions. It happens, doesn’t it?
These three traps could be unnecessarily zapping precious energy from you. Energy that could go toward growing your business or navigating your biggest challenges. Energy to ENJOY your life more fully and more peacefully.
Once aware of each trap, you can choose to bring your attention and energy back into the present moment where you’re best able to make powerful choices.
Trap #1. Artificially Speeding Things Up.
You artificially try to speed things up when you resist the here and now, while simultaneously wishing for a future that can’t occur in this moment, but — that inevitably WILL come to pass as part of destiny.
It’s a lot like trying to force bread to bake before its perfect time. You can pace, open the oven door, hope or pray, but in the end the dough becomes bread when it does. And, by artificially trying to speed things up, we may actually be slowing the process down! Continue reading »
Filed under Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Practices, Inner Peace Strategies | Comment (0)
November 21st, 2008
It has happened to you, right?
Hours upon hours lost, wasted, G – O – N – E, while waiting in a doctor’s office.
It can be annoying enough to drive your blood pressure up, up, up!!
Sometimes the waiting happens in the waiting room, where there are televisions and magazines galore to entertain you — along with a room full of other nice people waiting for the same doctor. Other times, you get to wait hours in the examination room. Often, while wearing only a gown with ties that don’t match up in a way make sense – OR cover you up.
So, what is one to do? Continue reading »
Filed under Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Practices, Inner Peace Strategies | Comment (0)
August 11th, 2008
What? Inner Peace and PMS!!!
Those two sets of words and letters don’t typically go together!!
For nearly my entire life, I’ve flat out denied the phenomena of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome. Or shall we just call it, the beloved (or is it wretched) PMS?
For decades, I colluded with the male population saying, “It’s simply in women’s heads.”
Wasn’t it?
Surely any woman with a little grit and self-discipline could “mind over matter” this monthly disruption of hormones. No big deal. Right?
HA!!
More than minimizing the disruptive PMS experiences of other women, I DENIED it in myself. After all, who wants to admit that you’re even temporarily insane for a day or two each month? Who enjoys admitting to the moments where you want to scream at the top of your lungs or crawl under a rock to die?
Who wants to admit that every worldly demand is magnified by a factor of 100 and compounded together into an illogical, emotional mush-pile? And, who wants to admit that an invisible set of hormones is hijacking your body, imploding it with gut-wrenching pain and a massive deflation of productive energy?
Certainly, not I.
Perhaps, I’m not alone. Continue reading »
Filed under Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Practices | Comment (0)
July 30th, 2008
Yesterday, at 11:42am Pacific time the walls started shaking vigorously.
As millions of southern Californians, I wondered what this was about.
My first thought was our beloved neighbor. When he runs up and down the stairs, our condo shakes and reverberates throughout. Perhaps it was his washer or dryer going haywire? Could he be blaring his music LOUDLY, once again?
Uh, no.
This was something more.
An earthquake?
Uh, maybe so. Continue reading »
Filed under Inner Peace Culprits, Inner Peace Moments | Comment (0)
