Category Archives: healing
Everywhere Has a Thing
Everywhere has a thing, a thing that is most common, a thing that is most celebrated, a thing that serves as the core of what it takes (a group of people) to exist. Whether in Australian where the tall poppy syndrome is hard to resist, or in the In Filipinos where bayanihan practice exists.
When we encounter Everywhere in person, via television or on the world wide web, we soon recognize that there exists a culture. The culture then becomes at best, the norm or standard. The norm evolves and thus affects virtually every part of daily living, and quite often becomes so routine that participants are unaware of their specific behaviors and actions.
Everywhere has a thing, a thing that is most common, a thing that is most celebrated, a thing that serves as the core of what it takes (a group of people) to exist. There is beauty beyond measure in Everywhere if we would just take the time to see. To see, beyond what we’ve grown to be. Everywhere has a thing, a people poised to embody an internal culture, either they’re of a growth or of a fixed mindset. As an evolving civilization, we can do one of two things; we can shun the culture of others, refusing to embrace or accept it because of the difference, OR WE can embrace what is meant to bring us together in the spirit of wisdom, unity and overwhelming peace.
“The recognition of a common humanity is the first step in the celebration of our differences – differences that inform our cultures, our values, our minds, and all our ways of being in the world. Diversity is the chief informant of the creative life force and the central reality in our understanding and stewardship of it.”
References:
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Tall poppy syndrome refer to a tendency in Australian society to try and cut down people who are considered to be too successful or prominent – cutting the tall poppies down to size.
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In Filipino culture bayanihan is the practice of literally moving an entire home to a new location. The villagers gather to lift up the structures, carrying them over quite a distance.
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Appalachian State University. Why Celebrate Diversity. http://diversity.appstate.edu/celebration/why/. May 28, 2018.
Tap Into The Whole You!
When we take the time to break from one aspect of living to equally engage in others (Physical, Emotional, Career, Spiritual, Intellectual, Social), we then begin to tap into balanced living. Although living in balance is not always easy to achieve much less maintain, it can be very rewarding.
Physical
A perfect example and probably one of the most popular in which we lack motivation, is that of the physical aspect of balanced living. Statistics shows that regular exercise or physical activity helps the body to function better. However, only 30 percent of Americans get leisure-time physical activity.
Spirituality
One Hundred and sixty people were surveyed from different faiths (Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists). The results show that religious experiences such as prayer, meditation, yoga, etc. was significantly linked to better mental health and helped people to better cope with everyday stress.
Intellectual
When it comes to intellect, it is sad to say that for some of us, once we graduate from high school or college our pursuit of/for new knowledge deteriorates. Yes, we may be masters at what we do, but we are not learning anything new. Research clearly shows that education and learning produce favorable changes in the brain.
Social
Socializing, considered a form of mental exercise, provides stimulation for the brain, keeps one sharp, have been associated with lower blood pressure and contributes to a longer life expectancy.
Career
When achieving work life balance neglecting your mental well-being, relationships, and health can affect your productivity. Instead plan ahead, give yourself ample time to complete projects, set a work start and cut off time and define clear expectations with others.
Emotional
Improving your emotional health can be a rewarding experience. People who are emotionally healthy tend to be in control of their emotions and their behavior. Able to handle life’s challenges, build strong relationships, and recover from setbacks.
Tap Into The Whole You!
The following are a few tips for tapping into the Whole You this new year;
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Set Priorities. List all your tasks if not daily then on a weekly basis, organize them according to priorities. When prioritizing, be sure to consider each area (Physical, Emotional, Career, Spiritual, Intellectual, and Social) pertinent to living a balanced life.
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Be Flexible. It is pertinent to take a break from routine. Be flexible and adjust your schedules and priorities accordingly.
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Mind Your Mind. Subconscious beliefs are known to be self-limiting and self-sabotaging. Purposefully embrace the process of positive thinking, especially in the areas of behavioral/habit change, wellness and stress reduction.
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Establish Accountability. Enlist the help of an accountability partner to encourage you along the way.
“Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day SOME.” –Robert Fulghum
Living a balanced life is living a life of harmony where all things work together to complete the whole you. When your life is in balance, you will be healthier, more energetic, happier, motivated, and satisfied.
Happy Thanksgiving Day 2017
Happy Thanksgiving Day 2017 to you as you celebrate with family & friends. I encourage you to give thanks for “Everything” that you have encountered this year, thus far. Whether good or bad, small or large, significant or insignificant. That (everything) has helped to catapult you to the space/place = splace in which you occupy today. That splace is one of awareness and forced conscientiousness.
If it weren’t so, then you would not have realized the pain that it caused, the joy that you gained, the peace that it ushered or the growth that you’ve experienced…Think about it… selah
Now give thanks for the “Splace” and “Everything” in and of it….. Therefore in all things give Thanks….. 
When your Now Outweighs your Later
When having it Now outweighs the discipline of waiting until Later, we allow the pains of anxiety to consume our rational mindset, delivering us into a valley of emotions. Emotions are defined as “a natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.” Our natural instinctive response to life’s situations are accompanied by two types of emotions. The first, primary emotions (fear, sadness, anger, happiness). They are immediate, without conscious thought, instinctive responses. The human mind and body transitions within a matter of moments from primary to secondary emotions. In between the departing of one (primary) and the arrival at the other (secondary), there exists a bit of confusion. The mind questions the heart, “what did we do? Was it the right thing to do? This begins the procession of secondary emotions. With it comes a more in-depth thought process.
Examples of secondary emotions;
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When the fear of a threat turns to anger and the body resorts to the fight or flight mode
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When news of a wartime victory may start with feelings of joy, but then enters sadness for the loss of life
