Stress may kill, but stressful situations can bring out the absolute best in us. If we can identify our heightened sense of focus in emotionally elevated situations while staying below our personal redlines, we can use our stress like a powerful drug. From artofmanliness.com: If you’re like many people, you likely experienced small cognitive and physical breakdowns due to fear … [Read more...]
Happiness and Success
It is not success which begets happiness, its happiness which begets success.We often tie our happiness to external events. We look at people around us and think that we’ll be much happier if only we get that promotion at work, make more money or lose more weight.Today, I received an email from a friend. She was sharing some thoughts on optimism and its correlation with … [Read more...]
Enjoy the Rain
It rarely rains in Southern California, but when it does, it may bring with it health benefits.I’m generally inclined to enjoy all weather, but rainy, chilly days feel especially healthy to me. I’d dig the drizzle regardless, but the studies help crystalize my visceral feeling. From redlandsdailyfacts.com: Negative ions are tasteless, odorless and invisible molecules that … [Read more...]
Slow Down
Rushing to do anything won’t contribute to your goals of peak well being. In fact, it may contribute to an unhealthy state. From simplepersonaldeveloment.com: Rushing increases stress hormones and also increases inflammation in the body My JV baseball coach (with unreasonably short PE shorts and a whistle) used to preach, “Be quick but don’t hurry.” Mr. Gunny never gave John … [Read more...]
Effective Listening
If speaking is silver, listening is gold. This Turkish proverb is correct. Among the most significant gifts one human being can give to another is listening. From Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.: Listening is the oldest and perhaps the most powerful tool of healing. When we listen, we offer with our attention an opportunity for wholeness. Our listening creates sanctuary for the … [Read more...]