Finding Peace In Today’s World

Finding inner peace in the modern world is a challenge.

Everything about modern society feels like an obstacle to experience peace of mind,

But there are some ways to find and peace.

If you work a full-time job five to six days a week, you need to find a balance to keep your sanity especially if you have a family at home.

Always remember inner peace is a choice and many of your habits can determine how much peace you have in your daily life.

Balance and Peace is not only a thing you must achieve but it should become a lifestyle.

I will share with you some ideas to develop inner peace on a deeper level:

Focus your attention on the things you can control.

Why worry about those things you cannot control? Worrying won’t change the outcome. It only takes you peace away and makes you less capable to change the things you can change.

Ask yourself – Is this something I can control? Will worrying help in any way?

As human beings, we have to know which things are within our control. Anything beyond that can distract you and add stress to your life.

Spend some time in nature

The original people didn’t have a 3 bedroom house and have pizza delivered to them at 9:00 at night.

There is something very peaceful about spending time around the birds and the trees or mountains.

Be true to yourself b

Few things are more disconnecting that living the life you weren’t meant to live.

It continually gnaws away at you. It’s peace when you live a life that follows your values. It’s too easy these days to allow society to dictate your choices.

You don’t have to spend your life on a career that impressive to others. You don’t have to chase after a dream that goes against your value system because it will make you popular in the worlds eyes.

Make your own decisions about what’s important to you.

Mind what you eat

You might not realize how bad you feel because you’re used it eating.

I know when I eat too much chocolate i feel horrible the next day. I have no energy I’m sluggish and usually have a headache. Somethings you eat can give you negative feelings for up to three days after.

Try eating the way you know you should for a week, and note the change in how you feel. Some foods improve your memory so do a little research. When you eat good healthy foods you won’t feel like you’ve been run over by a truck. Say no to junk food and soda.

Exercise on a regular basis

Have you ever notices how good you feel as your walking out of a gym, or even walking every day. I know most gyms are closed, but try doing a workout from a DVD or off of u-tube. Exercise is not only good for your body but also your brain.

Do good deeds

This is a good way to take your focus off yourself and on something or someone else,

When you do good deeds, you become aware that others are struggling too.

When you are kind, you receive kindness in return. You will feel a sense of satisfaction when you help someone else.

Do unto others are you would have done unto them.

Here’s a big one, that’s a hard habit to break, at least it was for me.

Be assertive

Be open and forward with your needs and desires. You’re not only more likely to get what you want, but you’ll also feel more in control of your life.

Being passive equals having less control which runs counter to having peace. Be bold without being aggressive.

Don’t let others stand in your way, take full charge of your life. You are in control.

Meditate

Meditation is calming. It helps you see life and it’s challenges more accurately.

Listen to calming music, read a book or just be still for a couple minutes. I read my Bible and think about what the verses are trying to teach me. Some get mediation cds or a phone app.

Things are often better than they seem. Meditation can prevent your mind from making a situation seem worse that it is.

If it seems what you are doing is stressing you out for hours after you do it. Stop and meditate for a few minutes and you will see the difference it will do.

Avoid trying to change others

You already have stress in your life. Then trying to change someone just adds more stress.

I tried to change my husband for about 10 or so years. He didn’t change and I was miserable. Don’t ever think I can be with someone because I can change them, realize they are who they are, and be okay with that.

It’s hard enough to change yourself. How will you ever manage to change someone else.

November 6th- I am thankful, I have fuzzy socks and warm jammies, and a day of peace and quiet.

Signs You’re A Slave To Your Emotions

Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions.

Our emotions have a big amount of power over our choices and actions. And we either become a master or a slave to them.

When you are a slave to your emotions, they can motivate you to do things the are negative and destructive. Such as feeling angry while in a heated argument then retaliating with insults of aggression.

When you are a master of your emotions, they can motivate you to do things that are positive and constructive. Such as feeling inspired by someone and then using that to fuel something creative like design a room full of pictures, or writing a story about someone and then sharing it with them, or take piano lessons to learn how to play.

One central concept in emotional intelligence is finding a balance between our rational thinking mind-vs- our impulsive and feeling mind. When we learn how to learn how to use both of these then we have mastered our emotions, and not become a slave to them.

Here are some signs that you are becoming a slave to your emotions if you find these apply to you, then it may be time to change the way you approach your emotions.

You React Without Thinking

One of the biggest signs that your a slave to your emotions is to find yourself reacting to situations in your life without thinking.

Mine was my husband had a habit of every time something went wrong. He played the blame game, I would react by yelling at him, I would end up crying and he would end up leaving. Finally I got to where I could just tell him matter a of fact.

That when he wanted to sit down and have a calm talk this matter over I would be willing to do that, but until them I refused to speak of it again.

In psychology, there is a term known as amygdala hijack which refers to the phenomenon when the emotional parts of your brain have completely taken over the thinking part of your brain.

We seem to feel like things are worse that it is. And it reeks havoc on our emotional system. This is when you are so overwhelmed with emotions that your aren’t even capable of being reasonable.

Have you ever seen two people really arguing at the top of their lungs and their arms are flying every which way? And their voices begin to change as if someone else is speaking?

That’s one example of people becoming hijacked by their emotions. It can really bring outthink worst side of you when it happens.

It feels right in the moment, but wrong afterwards

When your caught up in the moment, your instincts may feel right when they are wrong.

It always feels like a good idea at the time to snap back at someone, or insult them, or punch them, but that short high is often followed by a long comedown.

We have all had emotional outbursts, and we tend to regret them soon after. We feel really awful for what we did, and we wish we could take it back. But we can’t.

High levels of regret is often a sign that your emotions are running the show in a certain area of your life. You don’t have good control over then, and you are always acting in ways that you let yourself down.

Your actions hurt yourself as well as others.

When your emotions get the best of you, it can often end up hurting yourself and others.

When people are a slave to your enemy they are rarely pleasant to be around. You’ll never know what your mood they will become engulfed in next, sadness, anger, jealousy, fear and you’ll never quite know how you may react to those emotions while around you.

Our emotional slave ends up acting in ways that spread their negative emotions like a virus. They walk into a room feeling gloomy and upset, and before you know it everyone in the room is feeling the same way.

When someone is a slave to their emotions, even their positive moods can become out of hand and destructive. Sometimes they become so caught up in their joy, spontaneity, and elation that they end up acting in risky and careless ways that scare people or turn them off.

You ruminate at night and can’t sleep

Another sign that you’re a slave to your emotions is if you spend a lot of time at night thinking excessively and not being able to get much sleep.

Staying up all night ruminating is often a byproduct of regret. It could be about how we expressed a particular emotion in a particular situation.

The other side of being to much of a emotional slave is not knowing how to express yourself at all and just suppressing your emotions.

So if you find yourself staying up many nights thinking about how you really need to talk to your boss, co-worker, friend, family, or whoever, it could be a sign you need to learn how to speak your mind more often. ( in a polite and healthy way).

People who are masters of their emotions aren’t in emotionless they know how to talk about their emotions and express them in a constructive way that’s appropriate.

Without healthy expression, you’re going to find yourself dealing with a lot of emotional baggage at the end of the day.

You keep repeating the cycle

Everything describing the above happens to everyone to some degree. No one is perfect and we all have moments when our emotions bring out the worst in us.

Mastering your emotions doesn’t mean you’ll never mess up, but it does mean that you’ll learn from those mistakes and you won’t keep repeating the same cycle over and over again.

When you start making active changes in improving how you respond to your emotions forever, those outbursts tend to become less frequent and less intense.

How To Be A Light To Others

Everyone knows a person who makes the room light up and helps everyone feel at ease. I’m sure you can picture that person right now. They are such a blessing to our lives. Their presence is like a warm hug and a pep talk all at the same time. You’re always happy hen you see around them and you feel blessed when you leave.

The interesting thing about people who are such a joy to be around is that they seem to have similar characteristics. In breaking these characteristics down it allows each of us to be able to focus on the areas that we need to develop. As all of us have the ability to be the light for others.

We need to be at ease with who we are, knowing who we are in Christ Jesus, because when we are confident with our identity we don’t flaunt our accomplishments or seek recognition.

Here are some things to get it.

Seem God’s Word.

Learn your worth in God’s eyes.

Know your talents and gifts.

Focus on positive talk.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ Jesus, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Joy from within

A person who exudes joy from within loves God, themselves, and the people around them. Their focus is on God. They understand the depths of God’s love and the grace He continually pours out for us. Joy from within comes from embracing that love and living life in awe and wonder.

If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so my joy may be in you and that yourjoy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as loved you.

John 15:10-12

Positive Attitude

A person who has a consistenly positive attitude knows that Gos is in control and He has a path for each one of us. They are able to look at the world from a close up view rather than struggling with a micro, day to day. Struggle.

Here’s how do get it:

Practice setting positive faith filled intentions for each day.

Start a gratitude journal to thank God daily for the blessing He had given. Kind of what we are doing by being thankful everyday leading up to Thanksgiving.

Try to find the silver lining in all situations.

Finally, brothers and sisters whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Empathy For Others

A person. Who exudes joy and is light for others truly cares for the people around them. Their focus is on encouraging and supporting people to know God and understand their worth in His eyes. Empathy doesn’t mean. Agreeing with what the people around you are doing. It means to understand why it is happening and then helping the person to live a better life.

Here’s some things to look at and do:

Seek Godyword in how He wants us to love others.

Pray for God’s guidance in who to comfort.

Practice viewing situations from different perspectives.

Ensure you are participating in self-care to avoid empathy fatigue.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12

None-Judgemental

A person who is none- judgement, meets everyone where they are and encourages growth lovingly without criticism. They understand the we are not called to judge as none of us are deserving of that role.

Here’s How to understand it:

Acknowledge and be aware of your own sinful nature.

Remember that you are no better than anyone else.

Understand that we all have battles to fight and issues to overcome.

It is by God’s Grace that you are in your current situation.

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Brothers and sisters do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law of the land and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting on it.

James 4:11

I pray that this helps you to develop and strengthen areas in your life so that you can shine your light on others around you. God bless you.

Effective Communication

November 3- Today I am thankful that I was able to sleep in a warm bed, and have a day off from all the hustle of life. Have some time for myself.

Effective communication skills are fundamental to success in many aspects of life. Many jobs require strong communication skills. People with good communication skills usually enjoy better interpersonal relationships with friends and family.

Effective communication is the key for interpersonal skill and learning how to improve your communication. But, people sometimes find it difficult to know where to start. This article will give the most common problem areas and may suggest where you might focus your attention.

This was a difficult area I struggled with. Since I grew up not being able to talk. I didn’t learn any social communication skills. Therefore I didn’t speak very much for many years. I didn’t learn the techniques until I was about forty nine years old.

Identifying Problems

Many people appreciate that they have a problem with communication skills but, struggle to start to improve. There are several ways that you can identify problem areas.

Ask your friends and family to advise you. Most people will be happy to help you towards self-improvement.

You can simply work to improve the most common problems area and see what happens. Which was what I did, I used my husband as a guinea pig. I just started talking and while he didn’t give me any advice he listened. At that’s exactly what I needed him to do.

Learn to listen- One of the most common areas to need improvement is listening. We all tend to forget that communication is a two-way process. We fall into the trap of broadcasting when we just have an issue with a message, and fail to listen to the response. Many times we are not listening to others in conversation, but thinking about what we plan to say next.

Improving our listening skills is likely to pay off to improvements in our relationships both at work and at home.

What is listening? Listening is not the same as hearing. Learning to listen to messages not only paying attention to the words being spoken but also how they are being spoken and the non-verbal messages sent with them. It means giving our full attention to the person speaking, not genuinely concentrating on what they are saying- and what they are not saying.

In today’s world, people are allowing their mobile devices to distract themselves and not communicating with the people sitting right next to them. It is very bad for interpersonal communication and we will someday regret it.

Good listeners use the techniques of clarification and reflection to confirm what the other person has said and avoid any confusion. These techniques also demonstrate very clearly that you are listening.

It is very important to consider and understand non-verbal communication particularly when it’s absent or reduced by phone conversations.

Non-verbal communication is often thought of as body language, but it covers far more. It includes, for example, tone and pitch of the voice, body movement, eye contact, posture facial expression, and even physiological changes such as sweating.

You can understand other people better by paying close attention to their non-verbal communication. You can also ensure that your words and body language are consistent.

Then there is the issue of questioning skills. Questioning is a crucial skill to ensure that you have understood someone’s message correctly. This is a way of obtaining more information about a particular topic or simply starting a conversation and keeping it going. Those with good questioning skills are very good listeners because they tend to spend far more time drawing information out from others that broadcasting their own opinions.

How Hope Can Help You Heal.

November 2nd- I am thankful for my little dog. Because when I come home tired and stressed out, he is always there to sit on my lap and release my stress and lift my spirits.

Hope may buffer us from stress, anxiety, and the effects of negative life events.

Studies have shown that hope promotes healthy daily behavior.

Few things a more beautiful than hope. It isn’t tangible, easily measurable or available in pill form.

That’s likely why the idea that hope may wield a significant influence on healing and even survival may be tough to take from our small-minded brains, hardwired by evolution to seem certainly at any cost.

When I talk to some people their eyes glaze over more often than not. None the less if you believe that hope is stuff of change, recovery and healing.

There is absolutely something to having an animal to treat depression and stress.

Believe and expectation is the key elements of hope this can block pain by releasing the brains endorphins and enkephalin, mimicking the effects of morphine. In some cases, hope can also have important effects on fundamental physiological processes like respiration circulation and motor function.

Studies has shown that during the course of illness, belief, and expectation- two mental states associated with hope have an impact on the nervous system which in turn sets off a chain reaction that makes improvement and recovery more likely. This process is fundamental to the widely accepted placebo effect. Which is created by a hopeful out look.

For example: say Pete was in a horrible accident and lost his legs. When he woke up at the hospital he didn’t know what happened when the to Doctors told him they had to amputate his legs because they are crushed in the wreck. He had only two options at that point he could have no hope at refuse to be rehabilitated. And stop caring about anything and die of depression and grief from what had happened Or he could have hope and try everything in his power to strengthen his upper body so he could move himself in to a position for further surgeries for prosthetic legs and walk again. And be at peace with what happened and move on with his life. One option leads to death and the other leads to life. Which would you pick? I would choose life. It’s a harder road no doubt but I would not want the pain that goes along with giving up.

It is less of a stretch to contemplate the link between hope and emotional well being. Have you ever met a happy hopeless person?

Hope does not just involve a mind to body connection, where neural input about singles physical condition served as a moderator of positive and negative emotions.

Training The Brain To Stress Less

Hope may buffer us from stress, anxiety, and the effects of negative life events. A study of workers showed over time suggest that hopeful employee experience more we’ll-being. Hope promotes healthy behavior including fruits and vegetable consumption, regular exercise, safe sex practices, and quitting smoking.

Therefore, hope for the future is clearly linked with daily habits the support health and prevent disease.

Hopeful people conjure a vision that sustains them, which causes them to show up for the hard work and accepts setbacks.

So if you make an investment in the future that pays off in the present in the way we eat, exercise, conserves energy, take care of yourself and stick to you plan.