Beyond 254

Refreshed and Energized

For the first time in a long time, I feel refreshed and energized. Even though these last few months have been busy, since I obtained my new job, I still feel really good. I guess when you are working in a pleasant and professional environment, you feel more alive. When I was in my previous job, the environment was so toxic that I felt drained some days. I thank God everyday that he opened the door for me to move out of that negative environment. The difference between the two companies is like night and day. After 90 days, I have no complaints. At my previous company, I remember people quitting after one week! I suffered through three years, but that past hardship makes me appreciate what I have now. This has truly been a blessing.

Tip of the Day: While you are making that transition to live out your passion, seek out a pleasant, work environment that will make you happy. Not only will you feel better, but your mind will now be clear to create new ideas that will move you toward your vision.

Still Going Strong

We are now into the third month of 2010 and I have noticed good changes already taking place. As I mentioned in my January posts, I decided to add "fun activities" to my list of resolutions and goals for this year. I have noticed that adding "fun activities" to my schedule has made a difference in my attitude and outlook. My goal was to try to add one fun activity per month, well that grew to at least one activity per week! I sometimes have more than one fun activity planned per week! It is great to get out more and meet new people. Now that I "have a life", I noticed that I feel more upbeat and energized. It seems that energy is attracting the right type of people into my life and more abundance in other areas of my life. I read a quote from Wayne Dyer that states, "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. The way you perceive things is an extremely powerful tool that will allow you to fully bring the power of intention into your life." I alluded to that when I talked about Focusing on One Good Thing. So remember to add more fun in your life and it will help change your perspective on your situation. By changing your perspective you will be able to attract ideas, think more clearly and figure out ways to transform your situation and bring your dreams into reality.

 

Fun and Refreshing

Last week, I took a much needed vacation to the Bahamas. It was a great time to relax and have a good time. I also met some new people and made new friends. For the first time ever, I fell asleep on the beach. You will not believe how truly relaxing this is. The sound of the waves crashing along the shore was quite enjoyable. I did not think about work or any other stresses of life. Based on this fun trip, I decided to make sure I have at least one fun activity planned per month. As I mentioned in New Year, New You, I plan to have breakfast once a month at a high-end restaurant as a treat to myself. By the way, I had the first breakfast last Saturday and it was absolutely enjoyable. Well, now I plan to add a fun activity with my friends at least once a month. So far, I have at least one event planned per month for January, February, March and May. In addition to relaxation, having fun is also good for the soul. So I recommend that you lighten up and have some fun today. Your body, mind and spirit will thank you. 

Can Nature Make You a Better Person?

I was reading an article at www.MSNBC.com about how looking at nature can improve your mood and behavior. Click on the link below and as you read, think about how nature can play a role in your personal life and how it can be improved just by making a few organic adjustments.

MSNBC link: Looking At Nature Makes You Nicer

A Retreat for the Soul

Not too long ago, I was talked to one of my co-workers about Qigong. She mentioned that she first tried Qigong at a health and wellness spa retreat in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. The name of this retreat is called the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. She went to Kripalu a few years ago and stated that it was one of the best and most relaxing experiences she ever had. The Kripalu Center offers class, seminars and rest/relaxation packages focused on health and wellness. They also offer spa treatments, such as massages. When I checked out Kripalu's website (www.kripalu.org), I was hooked and said to myself I have to go here. My co-worker told me about a lady who visits Kripalu every year to rejuvenate and de-stress. The Kripalu Center is located on some of the most breathtaking surroundings. Just being in this environment would bring peace and tranquility to anyone, no matter how stressed they maybe. I intend on going to the Kripalu Center in Spring 2009. Massachusetts gets pretty cold during the winter months and I am not sure if I want to brave the chilly arctic-like breezes. Springtime should be nice up there (not too cold and not too hot). If you or anyone you know has visited the Kripalu Center, please contact me and let me know about your experience.

Pushed Outside of my Box

I had quite an interesting experience yesterday. Since I was off Friday, I wanted to try out the Cardio Ballet class at my local YMCA. The class is held during the time I am at work, so I was excited that I had the opportunity to try it out. I was running a little late and as I rushed to the front desk to check in, I asked the 'Y' coordinator where the Cardio Ballet class was held. She stated, "Oh great, you are the instructor, the class is in the room behind you." I told her that I was not the instructor; I was just attending the class. So, I proceeded to walk in the class and as I walked in the class, the attendees shouted, "Great, the instructor is here." I told them I was a class attendee and not the instructor. One of the ladies stated that the regular instructor could not make it and that she sent a substitute. They thought I was the substitute. Then they asked me, "Maybe you can teach the class." I told them it has been years since I took ballet and I was never an instructor. I was very reluctant and said maybe we should wait to hear what happened to the substitute. A couple minutes went by and the 'Y' coordinator came in the room and stated that the substitute had strep throat and could not attend. So, again the ladies looked at me and said, "If you instruct the class, we will follow your lead." So I was basically pushed outside of my comfort zone and I reluctantly agreed to teach the class. There I was, actually teaching an exercise class!! I was able to figure out enough moves and routines to create a 35 minute class. We actually worked up a sweat and got our heart rate going. I really surprised myself. It felt rather good to step outside of my comfort zone and the ladies in the class were really grateful. After the small impromptu class, one of the ladies came up to me and said, "The regular instructor is good, but I was able to follow along with you alot easier!"  It felt good to step in and help out. Health and Fitness is one of the many things I am passionate about. I already made plans to start incorporating my passion for healthy living in my business plans. This experience is letting me know that I am on the right track. I believe that this experience will attract more situations and events into my life that will open the right doors for me to pursue my dreams. So, if someone pushes you outside your box, just surrender to the moment, because you never know what you will learn or what doors can open from the experience.

Enigmatic Pain - Part 3

I wanted to give a final update on an issue I have been having with my collarbone area. I mentioned in Part 2 that I was trying to figure out what was causing the pain and ways to make it go away. I think that a slight case of fibromyalgia was causing this pain, but it has decreased significantly since June. I finally think I discovered what has helped heal my body and get rid of the pain.

I started drinking Turmeric tea. I remember drinking this tea earlier this year and the pain went away, but I did not relate it to this tea at that time. Then for some reason, I stopped drinking the tea and the pain came back with a vengeance. So back in May, the thought came to me to start drinking the tea again. As I started, I noticed that the pain was going away little by little until it eventually went away. I thank God and count my blessings everyday that this tea was brought to my attention. I even told a co-worker about the power of turmeric and she has noticed the pain going away in her shoulder area, since she started taking it. Healthy Living is also a passion of mine, in addition to fashion. So whenever I discover something that is natural that has a tremendous impact, I like to share it.

As I share my healing with you, another thought came to me. Whenever people need healing or something to manifest in their lives they look for a touch from a pastor or spiritual leader to suddenly make things better. Miracles do happen that way, but I think God also gives us the tools, ideas and resources that will help heal our bodies or manifest good in our lives. So, the thought that came to me about the turmeric tea was God's way of alerting me to the tools and resources that helped heal my body. I thank God because it was his wisdom that guided me in the right direction. So when a thought pops in your head that directs you toward something that will benefit you, do not dismiss it as a random thought, it might be God leading and guiding you to your manifestation.

Tip of the Day - Whenever a thought pops into your head that will benefit your life, you need to act upon it. It could be God's way to move you to your destiny and you cannot arrive at your destiny without making a move.

FEAR

After the announcement last week of employee pay cuts and the possibility of more layoffs, fear could have taken hold of my emotions. Instead of letting fear grip me, I decided to celebrate. I decided to celebrate the great and wonderful things that are ahead of me.

Fear can paralyze you and cause you to remain stagnant. This stagnation comes as a result of not being able to think clearly, because fear clouds your vision. After the pay cut announcement, I decided to accelerate some of the things that I planned on pursuing later this year. Instead of letting fear over take me and hold me back, I decided to become fearless and move forward. To be honest, I have not given the impending pay cuts much thought, because I know that the best is yet to come. I mentioned earlier that I decided to celebrate the next day after the announcement. I went out and bought a custom-made, double chocolate cupcake and celebrated the abundance and good times that are coming my way. I feel very confident and at peace. In addition, I feel that many good things are going to happen this month that will help me toward my ultimate goal. I know that I will reach my goals, because I did not allow fear to stop me from moving forward.

Tip of the Day: Worrying will not accomplish anything. Instead of focusing on the problem, focus on the solution.

Being Tested

During these last few weeks, I have been stating how things are getting better since I had a shift in attitude. The books I have been reading have helped me change my outlook on things and taught me how to handle tough situations. Well these last couple of days, I have gone through a testing period to see how my new attitude can stand up to difficult situations.

Yesterday, I had a major disagreement with one of my colleagues on a conference call. The stress on this particular project was building up for the last couple of weeks and it finally came to a boiling point yesterday. After the call, I was "totally done" and I had enough. We had another call later that afternoon and I was still frustrated after the call earlier that day, that I kept quiet. When I went home yesterday, it was very hard for me to get my mind off of work, but I did not complain about the situation to family and friends. Later that night, I prayed and went to bed thinking that this was behind me. Well today, early this morning, I got hit with more bad news, our company announced pay cuts for all employees. All I could do was chuckle to myself and just be thankful that we did not get laid off. Just when I thought it was all over, I heard that the colleague that I "butted heads" with was still complaining (behind my back of course). Due to all the stress from yesterday and today, I decided to have a long lunch. After I ate, I noticed that my stomach felt queasy. So to top this day off, I became ill later this afternoon. Even though I went home early, I still managed to attend all my meetings. On the way home, something happened, it seemed like that negative energy was broken. It feels like it literally broke off in small pieces and flew off my body. I felt free. I was able to forget about all the problems from work. Yesterday I had a hard time shaking things off, but today, after all these troubles, I started to feel a sense of peace. Even now, as I write this, the anger and fear are gone. I am not angry at my co-workers and I do not feel a sense of fear about the upcoming pay cuts. I know that better days are ahead and God has a wonderful plan for my life.

I feel these troubles came in order to "test" me and apply all the knowledge that I have learned. How can you have a testimony without a test? Also, these situations help push and propel me to my destiny. Now I have an even stronger desire to escape Corporate America. One of my goals is to do some freelance writing. I intend to start doing some freelance writing; in addition I plan on looking for contract work. These are small steps to help me move toward my goal of escaping Corporate America.

Tip of the day: When you go through troubles and stress, you will experience some anger and discomfort at first, but do not wallow in it. Negative energy will hinder you from seeing things clearly. If your mind is clouded, how will you know what direction to take to reach your goals and dreams?

Enigmatic Pain: Part 2

I almost forgot to give an update of the enigmatic pain I experienced back in May. The doctor's visit was for recurring pain in my collarbone and upper-back region that has been present for the last couple of years. As I suspected, the results of the test turned up nothing.

It is good that there is nothing wrong, but it still bothers me to not know what is going on. The doctor told me to take an anti-inflammatory medication for one month and if it does not clear up, then get an MRI. Since I do not like to take medicine, I did not take the pain medication and decided to see if the problem can be solved naturally. I am starting to wonder if what I am experiencing is stress related. I noticed that since I am handling things better on my job, the severity of the pain has decreased. Also, I noticed that when the stress level does go up, the pain level increases, but not as severe as earlier this year. I will continue working on my attitude, reading my daily inspirational books, going to church and writing in my gratitude journal. The more that I work on myself and gain a deeper relationship with God, the pain will continue to decrease and my body will heal. This will be a journey, so I will keep you posted on my progress.

Tip of the day: Try to eliminate stress in your life by taking time to pray more, meditate and finding other channels that bring joy and relaxation into your life.