Much of the stress we take on in day to day life is related to our own psychological issues about control. There was a time when stress had a very useful purpose. Hormones would kick in and the rest of the systems of the body would shut down when sy, we were being chased by a bear. Fight or flight. Our reserves would be channeled toward escape or … we were eaten. Once the situation came back to normalcy, our levels would balance out and we would get back to hunting or gathering or whatever it was that the more anciet “Us” were up to.
Somewhere along the time line the system glitched. The same responses that were designed to kick in in times when life and death decisions were to be made, now kick in when we sit in traffic, when the line at the grocery store is too long, when we feel overwhelmed at ork and when we cant make the payments on our mortgage. Though these are not life and death situations, something in the body/mind does not know this any more. Whats worse, we are not good at turning it off.
The hormones released during high levels of stress bring down the immune system, they make us age faster , they kill brain cells and tax the heart. It is in our absolute best interest to keep these things in check.
Stress generally creeps up on us when we are feeling out of control. When you notice these feelings bubbling, remind yourself to breath. Try to find the humor in the situation. Humore gives perspective and it heals. And, most importantly, remind yourself often that This Too Shall Pass.
Sometimes the most certain thing is uncertainty, the only order lies in chaos and the deepest calm resides in the center of the storm. When things feel out of control to you, remind yourself that they’ve always been so.
The best way to change any situation is to change the lense through which you are viewing it.
Posted on 11 November '11 by Administrator, under Uncategorized. No Comments.
Wait. It’s not what you think. Really. I’m Talking about the “Helpers High”.
The “Helpers High is a euphoric rush followed by a long period of calm that comes just after you’ve done some good for someone. When you do good for others you do good for your self. One of the most immediate antidotes for the ravages set about on the body from stress is altruism. Doing good deeds releases positive hormones that battle stress hormones and restore systems that have been battered by the negative hormones. Acts of altruism engage emotions that are instrumental in bringing about god health in the body. When you commit an act of kindness your body will release natural pain killing endorphins that will alleviate any chronic symptoms that might be plaguing you. In short, Helping others is some of the best medicine you can give yourself.
“TRUE HAPPINESS COMES FROM A SENSE
OF PEACE AND CONTENTMENT,
WHICH IN TURN MUST BE ACHIEVED
THROUGH THE CULTIVATION OF ALTRUISM,
OF LOVE AND COMPASSION…
~H.H. DALAI LAMA
If you are looking to make an immediate positive impact on the world and on your own life, make an effort to give to someone or some organization who could use the help.
There is no shortage of places to go to offer you help, and you will reap as much benefit as you are giving to others.
Our duty in this life is to leave the world a better place than we found it. By improving your life and performing acts of altruism you are single handedly raising the baseline consciousness of the planet and literally making the world a better place.
It was believed among ancient Egyptians that at the time of their death they would be asked two questions that wopuld decide whether or not they would continue their journey into the afterlife…
”Did you bring Joy?”
and
“Did you find Joy.”
I like to ask myself this question at the end of each day. The excercise helps me to keep things in perspective. Though it is not always easy, it is always good to help others and often, it is the person giving the help who will receive the greatest benefit.
Posted on 11 November '11 by Administrator, under Uncategorized. No Comments.
Picture this. It’s 5:45pm, Friday night. You’re having a dinner party at 8:00. Lots to get done before then. You swing quickly into the supermarket to pick up some crackers for your cheese plate. The place is jumping! You sprint down the aisles grabbing what you need and bolt to the register. 10-Items or less Yes! only one person in front of you. She’s unloading her basket (exactly ten items) … her cell phone rings, she answers it “hello,… oh, …. no problem, I’ll just grab some…” She hangs up, says “I’ll just be a second”… the cashier looks at her a little befuddled but says okay. All the other lines are long… here you are with your two items. The cashier can’t ring you up because she is in the middle of helping miss “The Whole World Revolves Around Me” who has gone back to finish her shopping. A few minutes pass which seem like years and here she is, casually strolling back to the line with a box of dogie treats and two jars of pickles. She cuts back into the line, holding up the jars and says “I just couldn’t decide….” She smiles and finishes her transaction. 13 items in the “ten items or less” line and she stole your valuable time because she didn’t know what pickles to choose.
At this point you… REJOICE!
You are in the presence of a Saint Maker.
A saint maker is a person who has an uncanny ability to drive everyone around them completely crazy, all the while being oblivious that they are doing so.
Saint makers are put on earth to give us the opportunity to develop our ability to be more saintly.
Everyone knows a saint maker. They could be your neighbors, your friends, your parents or your spouse.
When I was living at the Sivananda Ashram some years back, one of my teachers made the astounding and briliant decision to put one of the more difficult people in our group into a position that demanded that he work directly with almost everyone in the ashram. Many were dumbfounded. How could he give this bufoon such an important roll…
Turns out the teacher knew exactly what he was doing. By putting a saint maker into a central roll in the community, he provided each of us with uncountable opportunities to become more saintly.
As you go about your day today, notice the saint makers as they pop up and rather than cursing under your breath as they pass, breath easy and smile and see them for exactly what they are.
Lets Hear It For The Saint Makers!
Posted on 11 November '11 by Administrator, under Uncategorized. No Comments.
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