The following poem has always been one of my favorites. Enjoy!
Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson
Chapter 1
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost. . . .I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in. . . .It’s a habit.
My eyes are open. I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Most of us have hectic days that are often crammed with too much productivity. Your work and general rushed lifestyle can take a toll on your body, mind, and spirit. Incorporating relaxing music into your life can be a beneficial way to unwind and release tension and stress.
Whether you listen to music in the evening to unwind or before going to bed, choosing the right music can encourage deep relaxation. For example, music that has a slow, soothing beat can calm your body into a synchronized state with the beat.
Different types of music can have different effects, but in general, instrumental music is most helpful to induce calm that leads to restful sleep:
♥ The harp can be very melodic and can reduce stress and tension.
♥ Sounds of nature, often deep and slow rhythms, can be very calming.
♥ The sounds of water and waves can create a rhythmic state.
♥ Flutes and chimes can be soothing and relaxing.
♥ The right classical music in general can help produce a tranquil state.
Soothing music can be beneficial for anyone at any age. Babies respond very well to soft melodies. In general, soft, slow music induces the autonomous nervous system to slow down breathing and heart rate, bringing the body to a more relaxed state. And with the body and mind relaxed, feelings of anxiety and depression are lessened. Enjoy!
Crystals are composed of minerals and are part of the Earth’s energy. Each crystal with its own color, configuration, and properties is believed to hold a different Earth memory and energy.
Throughout history, most religions and cultures have used stones and crystals for both decorative and symbolic purposes. For example, the Celtic people understood that garnet gave a person courage and energy to take appropriate action. Certain Native American tribes placed turquoise on the breastplates of warriors to provide protection. In ancient Babylon and Greece, agate was used as a charm of healing and protection. Amber has been used in ancient cultures as a bringer of courage and honesty.
While wearing jewelry containing crystals and stones is an age-old tradition, more recently it seems as a society we have rediscovered the beauty and power of crystals not only for adornment, but also for assisting in healing the body’s energy.
Stones can be used to stimulate and heal energy in the body. For example, the following stones, among others, are associated with specific purposes:
To increase your general well-being: clear quartz and zircon;
To balance your emotions and reduce depression: jade, aventurine, rose quartz;
To aid in digestion and ease food allergies: citrine, turquoise, agate;
To ease pain, agitation, and stress: amethyst, sugilite, labradorite.
You can place these stones in your pockets, in the area where you sleep or work, or wear jewelry containing these stones.
By understanding the therapeutic and historical associations of stones and crystals, you can wisely choose stones that can bring both beauty and healing power into your life.
Whenever you feel really frazzled, it is helpful to take a 10-minute break in between stressful tasks in order to unwind. During this short break, perform the following activities to de-stress:
Breathe: Pay attention to your breathing. Whether sitting or standing, focus on your breathing. How full is your breath and are you breathing deep down in the bottom of your abdomen?
Tighten and Relax: First with your hands and then your arms, feet, and legs, tighten each part of our body and hold it tightly for about 10 seconds. Then release that area. Do this with each quadrant of your body—tighten and release.
Visualize: Think about a place or situation in which you remember feeling completely relaxed. Close your eyes and take yourself back to the scene and take a deep breath, focusing on the relaxing feeling you had there. Next, envision a stream of energy pouring through your body, washing away the stress, allowing it to leave your body with every out-breath.
Fresh Air: If you are working inside and it is possible to go outside, take a moment to breathe deeply some fresh air. If you are unable to do that or even in addition to fresh air, try smelling a few drops of naturally scented oil. It can rejuvenate you, particularly scents like peppermint and citrus.
Taking a break, even though short, can provide just the shift that you need to release tension and move into a more balanced state.
Most people have at some point had a dream of flying. The more creative you are, the more likely you are to have flying dreams.
Flying dreams are considered “spiritual” and are seen as symbolic of several possibilities. They may indicate:
your relationship to your ambition in the world—your spirit is soaring high;
that you are trying to gain psychological freedom from everyday life;
that you can triumph over obstacles.
A dream in which you fly would suggest that whatever the circumstances are in your life, that you are seeking to reach for greater heights. You can assess the dream by looking at basic factors: How high are you flying? How are you feeling about this experience?
Dreams are magical, and analyzing them is a fascinating process. When you dream, you are to some extent finding answers to problems that have carried over into sleep from your waking life. Using on-line resources for dream interpretation or a good dream dictionary can provide you with insight into the meaning of the dreams, and hence, the meaning of your life!
On rare occasion, less often than perhaps I wish, I live in perfect harmony with the universe. I feel connected with all around me, paying attention to signs and synchronicities that show me that I am protected and guided for by universal flow. This, I believe, is a reflection of the presence of love in my life.
When we allow ourselves to stop resisting what is around us (our reality) and we move into a greater state of peace, we become more open to love’s power and to love’s potential. We are better able to respond rather than to react, especially with others, and to let go of rigid positions in our thinking, overall being less judgmental in our relationships and more generous with giving and receiving love.
Many people think of love as an ideal feeling that they wish to have more of in their lives. One way to have more love is to cultivate a feeling of generosity in your life, allowing you to give love more freely. Some people believe that generosity is something they would do only after having all that they need for themselves. Actually, it is the opposite of that. For example, in the words of St. John of the Cross: “If there is no love between you, pour in love and you shall draw out love.”
If you wish to be heard, you can listen generously. If you wish to be understood, you can seek to understand. If you wish to be noticed, you can extend yourself to be more present.
It is the love we give away that creates the love we keep.
