Recharging your body, mind, and soul

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”
— John Muir (1838-1914)

Most of the people I know would agree with me when I mention that getting away from the city and surrounding oneself with nature is one of the best ways to recharge the body, mind, and soul. It is my best prescription for relief of everyday stress.

But also, just like most people I know, it isn’t always that easy to get away to recharge as often as I would like. So my solution is to take mini nature breaks by just getting outside for walks around the block soaking up as much “fresh” air as possible, and looking at the well-thought out gardens along the way.

Just a little bit of nature everyday can help to balance out the surge of technology that we are faced with most days. Treat yourself with a daily dose of nature — walk, look out the window, or even get a few plants in your office space. It doesn’t take much, but it will have wonderful benefits for your body, mind, and soul in the long run.

And on the more serious side of things — we are quickly forgetting as a society the importance of nature with our energetic balance. More and more children are plopping themselves in front of digital media to experience life, when they really would benefit from running around in a forest.

Here are some books on the importance of aligning yourself and your children with nature again.

A case for peace

“Of one thing I am certain, the body is not the measure of healing — peace is the measure.”
— George Melton

Researchers claim that quarrels with your partner may stop your body’s ability to heal quickly. Hostility, depression, and stress all promote the release of an inflammatory protein in the blood that works two-fold. At healthy levels this protein helps in the healing process. However, chronically high levels of this blood protein can contribute to cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and some forms of cancer.

Take steps to boost your emotional and physical well-being by working on promoting a peaceful relationship and doing things you enjoy together.

Your spirit needs a rest too

“Has your schedule been lopsided lately? Be sure to balance your time between work, play, spirtuality, exercise, and relationships.”
— Doreen Virtue, Ph.D., Healing with the Angels

I understand that you are busy. We all have so many demands for our time, so many responsibilities. However, when our schedules become overwhelming and out of balance, our energy levels drop. We then feel like we are running around always trying to catch up on a day that is slipping through our fingers.

Our spirit is shouting out for rest to restore and renew our physical, emotional, and spiritual lives. Our bodies need rest to function properly. Our minds need rest to perform at peak efficiency. We need rest to enjoy our relationships.

Check your pattern of living right now. Be sure to add in regular intervals of meditation, exercise, and play — yes play — into your days. This fine balance of work, live, play will help you grow and feel the joy of life.

What creative ideas can you come up with to renew yourself? Here are a few ideas to get you started.  However, I encourage you to create your own list based on your passions and hobbies:

•  Schedule a massage with a professional massage therapist
•  Have a spiritual growth weekend.  Retreat into nature.  Plan some alone time.
•  Go for a drive with no particular destination in mind.  Explore the countryside, slow down and observe what you see.
•  Treat yourself to a night in a hotel or bed and breakfast.
•  Visit a museum or a zoo.
•  Take an afternoon off and go to the movies—maybe even a kid’s movie!
•  Go to a yard sale or auction.
•  Go rollerskating or rollerblading with a friend!
•  Enjoy a photographic retreat.  Take your camera into nature and shoot away.
•  Watch cartoons with a child. 
•  Visit a farmer’s market and shop for fresh produce.
•  Drop by a health food store and walk the aisles.
•  Go dancing.
•  Take a horseback ride.

The power to change your world

“The most powerful thing you can do to change the world is to change your own beliefs about the nature of life, people, reality, to something more positive… and begin to act accordingly.”
— Shakti Gawain, Creative Visualization

You’ve heard it before, and you will hear it again, and again — you have the power to change the world starting with you. As Wayne Dyer points out, “There is no stress in the world, only people thinking stressful thoughts and then acting on them.” This is a powerful concept, but even more powerful is the reality that you don’t need to live in that stressful world.

Start changing your own beliefs and thoughts to something more positive and act on those thoughts. Right there, at that very moment, the world just changed.

Is stress taking over you life?

“There’s an infinite amount of work. The big question is what do I have to do today, this week, this month, this quarter?” — Christine Comaford-Lynch

We have all most likely done it more than once in our life. We decide to sacrifice lunch with a friend or figure it’s not that important to get that sleep you so desperately needed. Or what about the classic, “Sure I can do that” when you already have a full agenda… and that new task isn’t even in line with your personal goals.

What would you gain with those choices? There will always be more work tomorrow. This doesn’t mean you should slack off. It is all about real life balance though. And what “real life” balance means, is that things don’t have to be perfect. There may have to be a slight lean on your table when one leg tends to take more attention than the other three at times. It means that you shift and adjust.

But you need to remember that it is supposed to be about joy. It’s supposed to lead you to your happiness. And if somewhere along the road that you find yourself now traveling you realize that you are no longer heading in the right direction, you need to make some real life changes.

And remember, it’s ok to say “no thanks”. It’s ok to say “Hey, this isn’t what I want to be doing now”. “This is not taking me to my joy, my goal, my passion.” Breathe, and get back on track — YOUR track.

Music heals

Beautiful music is wonderful for the mind, body, and soul. If you are feeling bad, down, overwhelmed or stressed, music can truly take you to another state of being.

For me, music changes everything. Listening to it is one thing and it can lift my mood almost instantly, and singing truly nourishes my soul. Sing — anywhere, anytime. Help your immune system and actually change your brain by singing. Just sing.

And plunk in your favorite CD right when you get home from work. Dance around in the kitchen while you prepare dinner. Let music be the medicine of choice.

Check out all the innovative Music to Care for Your Life products on their official web site right now. If you want to bring this music into your life take advantage of a 5% discount at check-out with discount code: 7151.

Are you having fun yet?

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.”
— Dale Carnegie

This may come as a surprise to you and you may even want to resist truly hearing this message, but I will share it with you in hopes that it will stick with you if you hear it often enough — life is supposed to be fun!

I myself tend to forget this simple message when I allow myself to get caught up in the messes and stresses of day-to-day life. But I have been hearing this repeatedly the last few weeks and it has finally started to sink in.
If you are doing something with your life that does not bring you joy, why are you still doing it? Or what can you do differently, think differently to make it fun? Life is not supposed to be about suffering and pain. Think of your life as a big sandbox. What do you want to build today? What do you want to play with in the sand?

Stop taking life so seriously that you miss out on all the fun there is to do. Enjoy playing with your family and friends. Live with love and have fun! And the way to do that is to figure out what you love to do!

Now is the time to get absolutely clear about what really matters to you in your life and go for that. What will your life look like when you pull out all the stops, really push the pedal to the floor, and go for your passions with no holds barred?

Ultimately, you’re the only one who can answer that question. And one great way to help you figure it out is to take “The Passion Test”. The Passion Test is first and foremost a decision-making tool. Take The Passion Test as often as you want, and at least every six months. Then, “Whenever you are faced with a choice, a decision or an opportunity, choose in favor of your
passions.” (Janet Attwood).