by pam | May 14, 2014 | Uncategorized
Spring is a season that reconnects me with my inner child. I see the world with new eyes; with child-like wonder. I get “spring fever” and find it hard to focus on work. This is partly because I live in a climate that has long, cold winters; and bursting of buds, appearance of robins and the sun’s warmth beckons me to play.
Many of us were raised to believe that childhood is the time for play and as adults work “should” be our focus. There is an increasing body of evidence supporting the importance of play and laughter throughout our lives.
When we laugh, we release endorphins and also encourage energy to move throughout our body. In the words of Candace Pert, a neuroscientist and pharmacologist who spent much of her scientific life studying the mind-body link:
“Play and Laughter are vital to feeling good. Recreation isn’t merely a frivolous addition to life or a hard-earned reward for work… I believe that in a society driven by a strong work ethic, with so many individuals burdened with workaholism, people aren’t getting enough endorphinergic surges through their bodymind on a regular basis … For you to not be laughing and playing during some part of every day is unnatural and goes against your fundamental biochemistry” (excerpt from book by Pert – Everything You Need to Feel Go(o)d), 2006)
Stuart Brown, Founder of the National Institute for Play – http://www.nifplay.org in this You-tube video: http://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_brown_says_play_is_more_than_fun_it_s_vital.html outlines different types of play and provides evidence of the importance of play throughout our lives. His research shows that play is not only energizing and fun; it is important for human physical, emotional and cognitive development and intelligence.
Based on research by Brown, Pert and others, it is recommended for the health of our minds and our bodies that we engage in play and laughter every day of our life.
Play includes jumping, skipping, tickling or being tickled, being curious, creating and sharing a fantasy story with a child … .
How about you? Does spring connect you with your inner child? What types of play do you engage in? What strategies do you use to connect you with your inner child? What do you notice when you engage in such activities?
I welcome your comments and insights below.
by pam | Apr 29, 2014 | Uncategorized
When you think of “finding inner peace” you may visualize yourself on a mountaintop in lotus position, far away from your current reality. Realistically though, as appealing as that image may be, most of us don’t have the time or money to spend our lives meditating on mountaintops. … A poem that for me describes inner peace is:
Peace.
It does not mean to be in a place
Where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.
It means to be in the midst of
these things and still be calm
In your heart.
(Source: unknown)
What does inner peace look and feel like for you?
For me it includes:
- Feeling centered and grounded
- Feeling and believing that I am enough
- Feeling like I belong and am safe
- Believing that I’m part of something greater than myself and am here to make a difference in the world
- Being grateful for all that I have
- Believing the Universe is friendly and is here to love and support me
- Viewing life transitions and changes as opportunities to learn and grow
- Embracing and learning from life’s challenges
- Being responsive rather than reactive in situations
- Being okay with uncertainty
- Instead of feeling guilty when I take time for myself, feeling loved and nurtured
- Instead of worrying about what others will think or say, standing in my power, confidently expressing what I believe and asking for what I want
- Having balance in my life
- Listening to and trusting in my body’s wisdom
- Knowing what my passions, core values and life purpose are.
What strategies do you use to find and return to inner peace?
Here are several strategies I use to find and return to inner peace:
- Tap into and express my creative side regularly (daily if possible)
- Surround myself with people who nourish me rather than “sap” my energy
- Spend time regularly in nature (at least three times a week).
What does inner peace look and feel like for you? What strategies do you use to find and return to inner peace? I welcome your comments below.
by pam | Apr 1, 2014 | Conscious Living, Entrepreneurship, Health & Wellbeing, High Achieving Women, Uncategorized
For many years my life was all about work. I worked crazy hours, went to bed thinking about work and awoke with work on my mind. I would “hit the ground running”, rather than take time to “ground myself” and quiet my busy mind. In interactions with others, I was often thinking of the next thing on my “to do” list, rather than being totally present with the conversation. I was like a “spinning top” always “doing” and rarely “being”.
I typically took work home on weekends when I had a “real” job; and worked night and day when starting my consulting businesses and later my coaching business. I would finish one project, check it off the list and “get on” with the next one, rarely taking time to bask in the joy of my accomplishments.
Reflecting on those days, the birth of my two children were likely my “saving grace”. They “made me” take time off on weekends and some evenings to spend special quality time with them. If I hadn’t had kids, who knows what a “crazy” person I might have become!
Do any of these scenarios ring true for you? At this phase in life, I’m called to reach out to and support driven women who have made work a priority over their own health, their relationships, the rest of their life … . I know from personal experience the toll being a High Achieving Woman can take on your body, mind and relationships at home and at work. I’m called to share strategies that work with women like yourself and to create a global community and platform for women to share their experiences and support one another. I now know that there is more to life than living it “like a spinning top”.
Do you relate to any of the above? Do you have any similar experiences you’d like to share? I welcome your comments in the box below.
