Relax! Do You Sweat the Small Stuff?

Recovering my computer this past weekend (again) sure didn’t feel like the small stuff.  In the big picture, it isn’t something I will remember next week.

“Relax!” I kept telling myself.  Yet I kept barking at my kids, and I could feel the tension creeping up the back of my neck.

Finally, I’d had enough of myself (and so had my kids), so I sat myself down to be still in silence.  Twenty minutes later, I felt a whole lot better.

Most people don’t relax unconsciously.

Do you get anxious if you aren’t watching television, or listening to music, or reading a book, or busy with some other distraction?

If you will be still in silence, you will become aware of the tension that lives in your body.  That is, IF you can stand the stillness long enough to let yourself become aware of it.

This stored tension will squeeze the life out of you if you don’t release it!

The only way to keep up with it, is to practice relaxing.  I know it seems strange that you should have to practice, but that is the only way to let go of the tension your muscles are storing.  The conscious effort to release it, is well worth the effort.  (Yes effort, see how hard it is to sit with yourself!?)

So if you DO sweat the small stuff………

How do you relax? Read more

Definition Of Happiness: Did You Know That Your Health, Wealth, and Happiness Depend On Your Breath?

What is YOUR definition of happiness?

It may seem hard to believe, but your health, wealth and happiness most definitely depend directly on the quality of your breath.

Clinical studies prove that oxygen, wellness, and life-span are totally dependent on proper breathing.

Lung volume is a primary marker for how long you will live.

Past the mid twenties the average person loses 9–25% of their lung capacity per decade!

When I started teaching rehabilitation, I thought that the cause of this decline in lung function was from “couch potato syndrome”.  You know, from not moving enough.

Then as I got to know my patients, I noticed something else. Read more

How Do You Take Care of Yourself When You Don’t Have Time To Catch Your Breath?

Life can keep you running 24/7!

Even my retired friends tell me they just don’t know where the days go.

They say they got more done when they were chasing their tails.  Some have jumped into new activities that keep them just as busy as ever.

I’m sure this sounds familiar to you.

Do you take care of yourself?

Today I offer you some simple tips that you can use everyday to make yourself feel better. Read more

Do You Let the Comfort of the Cool Tall Grass Reduce Your Stress?

Sometimes life can bring more than we bargained for.

Life is too short to be swallowed up in stress.

Ever felt like you just couldn’t take another step?

I think I get to that point everyday.  You know what I mean?  Raising kids is exhausting 7 days a week!

Today my three year old reminded me to stop and embrace the shelter that life offers you.

My son and I were on our daily walk this morning.  We decided to go a bit further than usual and found a path we have never explored before.

It was over grown with grass, but we enjoyed the adventure, so decided to see where the path would lead us.  After a fun downhill, romp we came to a clearing and were treated with a beautiful view of the ocean.

We just sat and enjoyed it for the longest time.  By the time we headed for home, the sun was high in the sky.

We hadn’t realized it was going to be rough traveling up hill in the tall grass and the blazing sun.

The down slope had been quick and fun, but the trip back up to the main trail seemed much longer.

My little guy was getting frustrated fighting the towering grass.  To keep his mind off his struggle, I told him how it reminded me of walking in deep snow growing up in Montana .

Before long, he got his feet tangled and down he went.

He tried to get up and fell again.

Tears started at the corners of his eyes.  He’d just reached that point where he couldn’t go another step.

I looked down at his red little face, and took pity.

Scooping him up in my arms, I fell backward into the cool tall grass.  If we leaned into the grassy nest that I had just created we were completely shaded from the sun.

We both took a long sweet smelling breath and just laid there looking up at the clouds until we were cool but thirsty.

When we headed home for that cool glass of ice water, our feet were somehow lighter!  The trail didn’t seem so steep, and the sun didn’t seem so hot.

I encourage you to STOP, and let the comfort of the cool tall grass reduce your stress.

Many blessings,

Carrie

PS– Remember everyday:

1. Relax and Release tension
2. Take deeep breaths
3. Be active in a way that adds joy to your life

Plus pure water ~whole foods~sunshine~and laughter

Do You Want Less Stress In Your Life?

If you want less stress, then choose it. Choose less stress.

You can choose to grow from beneficial stress, and release destructive stress.

You have all the tools you need to make that happen.

Oh, life gives you a certain amount of stress. The only time you truly have no stress is when you are dead. Your stress load is your reality.

Whatever that looks like in your life, I trust that it has been made so, for your highest good. You have manifested what you need the most.

If you accept every situation, you can receive every lesson.

If you have done all that you can do in any situation, then it is time to find stillness so that you may receive those lessons. This is the way to manifest your highest potential.

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