Make Change Work for You

 Transformation is a universal constant that affects our lives from the moment we are born until we leave our earthly existence behind. At the root of all growth, we find change. Occasionally, change and the circumstances leading up to it are a source of extraordinary joy, but more often than not, they provoke feelings of discomfort, fear, or pain. Though many changes are unavoidable, we should not believe that we are subject to the whims of an unpredictable universe. It is our response to those circumstances that will dictate the nature of our experiences. At the heart of every transformation, no matter how chaotic, there is substance. When we no longer resist change and instead regard it as an opportunity to grow, we find that we are far from helpless in the face of it.

Our role as masters of our own destinies is cemented when we choose to make change work in our favor. Yet, before we can truly internalize this power, we must accept that we cannot hide from the changes taking place all around us. Existence as we know it will come to an end at one or more points in our lives, making way for some new and perhaps unexpected mode of being. This transformation will take place whether or not we want it to, and so it is up to us to decide whether we will open our eyes to the blessings hidden amidst disorder or close ourselves off from opportunities hiding behind obstacles.

To make change work for you, look constructively at your situation and ask yourself how you can benefit from the transformation that has taken place. As threatening as change can seem, it is often a sign that a new era of your life has begun. If you reevaluate your plans and goals in the days or weeks following a major change, you will discover that you can adapt your ambition to the circumstances before you and even capitalize on these changes. Optimism, enthusiasm, and flexibility will aid you greatly here, as there is nothing to be gained by dwelling on what might have been. Change can hurt in the short term but, if you are willing to embrace it proactively, its lasting impact will nearly always be physically, spiritually, and intellectually transformative. (Daily OM)

Glimmers of Calm

 Stress touches all of us — it’s part of being human in an imperfect world. It might appear as an unexpected deadline, a difficult conversation, or even the quiet reminder of ongoing to-do lists that live in the back of our minds. But our bodies are wise; they hold a remarkable capacity for resilience and remind us of the strength each of us carry within.

One way the body supports us is through cortisol, or what’s known as the stress hormone. In short bursts, it helps us wake each morning, navigate challenges, and focus deeply when life calls for our attention. But when stress becomes constant, cortisol stays high — and over time, that can start to impact our entire well-being — including our faces. Puffiness, fine lines, dull skin, and even a tired, sagging appearance can all be linked to what experts call “cortisol face.” And while the mirror may reflect the toll, the good news is: Renewal is always possible.

We can join in that renewal with the simplest of gestures. A slow exhale. Nourishing self-care. A gentle, restorative face yoga practice. These simple shifts tell the nervous system it’s safe to let go. And in that safety, we begin to release tension stored in our face and body, and cultivate a new sense of presence, peace, and beauty. We begin to look and feel our best again (Daily OM)

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Being Your Own Voice of Meaning

 The meaning we assign to our experiences — whether pleasant or distressing — is a very powerful factor in determining the quality of our lives. What we imagine events to mean will color the way we feel about ourselves, about the people in our lives, and about the world at large. If we want to encourage a positive outlook, well-being, and a sense of self-confidence and even trust in the universe, we can begin by assigning more peaceful, loving meanings to what we experience.

Imagine, for example, that a friend fails to show up to a lunch date. You have choices as to what you will make this experience mean for you. You could allow being “stood up” to reinforce your feelings of unworthiness. You could begin to mentally attack your friend’s character, or you could assume that something big must have happened to cause them to miss the date. Then, you might open yourself up to enjoying some relaxing time alone. If you were recently laid off and are having difficulty finding a new job, consider that you might have hidden gifts or passions that were untapped in your regular career that you are now available to explore. The universe might simply be moving you in a more fulfilling direction. If you have recently lost a loved one, gained weight, lost money, or gotten in a fight with your partner, see if you can infuse the experience with meaning that feels loving and empowering and opens a door for you to embrace life and the world a bit more.

When we begin to bring consciousness to what we are making things mean, we may be shocked at the messages we have been feeding ourselves all these years. Try taking the reins and begin assigning a kinder meaning to the events in your life, and you will likely find yourself on a much more pleasant ride....<<<Read More>>>...

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Making Choices From a Place of Balance

 Each of the myriad decisions we make every day has the potential to have a deep impact on our lives. Some choices touch us to our very cores, awakening poignant feelings within us. Others seem, at first, to be simple but prove to be confusingly complex. We make the best decisions when we approach the decision-making process from a balanced emotional and intellectual foundation. When we have achieved equilibrium in our hearts and in our minds, we can clearly see both sides of an issue or alternative. Likewise, we can accept compromise as a natural fact of life. Instead of relying solely on our feelings or our rationality, we utilize both in equal measure, empowering ourselves to come to a life-affirming and balanced conclusion.

Balance within and balance without go hand in hand. When you are called upon to choose between two or more options, whether they are attractive or distasteful, you should understand all you can about the choice ahead of you before moving forward. If you do not come to the decision from a place of balance, you risk making choices that are irrational and overly emotional or are wholly logical and don’t take your feelings into account. In bringing your thoughts and emotions together during the decision-making process, you ensure that you are taking everything possible into account before moving forward. Nothing is left to chance, and you have ample opportunity to determine which options are in accordance with your values.

Though some major decisions may oblige you to act and react quickly, most will allow you an abundance of time in which to mull over your choices. If you doubt your ability to approach your options in a balanced fashion, take an extended time-out before responding to the decision. This will give you the interlude you need to make certain that your thoughts and feelings are in equilibrium. As you practice achieving balance, you will ultimately reach a state of mind in which you can easily make decisions that honor every aspect of the self. (Daily OM)

Glimmers of Calm

 Stress touches all of us — it’s part of being human in an imperfect world. It might appear as an unexpected deadline, a difficult conversation, or even the quiet reminder of ongoing to-do lists that live in the back of our minds. But our bodies are wise; they hold a remarkable capacity for resilience and remind us of the strength each of us carry within.

One way the body supports us is through cortisol, or what’s known as the stress hormone. In short bursts, it helps us wake each morning, navigate challenges, and focus deeply when life calls for our attention. But when stress becomes constant, cortisol stays high — and over time, that can start to impact our entire well-being — including our faces. Puffiness, fine lines, dull skin, and even a tired, sagging appearance can all be linked to what experts call “cortisol face.” And while the mirror may reflect the toll, the good news is: Renewal is always possible.

We can join in that renewal with the simplest of gestures. A slow exhale. Nourishing self-care. A gentle, restorative face yoga practice. These simple shifts tell the nervous system it’s safe to let go. And in that safety, we begin to release tension stored in our face and body, and cultivate a new sense of presence, peace, and beauty. We begin to look and feel our best again. (Daily OM)

Making Choices From a Place of Balance

 Each of the myriad decisions we make every day has the potential to have a deep impact on our lives. Some choices touch us to our very cores, awakening poignant feelings within us. Others seem, at first, to be simple but prove to be confusingly complex. We make the best decisions when we approach the decision-making process from a balanced emotional and intellectual foundation. When we have achieved equilibrium in our hearts and in our minds, we can clearly see both sides of an issue or alternative. Likewise, we can accept compromise as a natural fact of life. Instead of relying solely on our feelings or our rationality, we utilize both in equal measure, empowering ourselves to come to a life-affirming and balanced conclusion.

Balance within and balance without go hand in hand. When you are called upon to choose between two or more options, whether they are attractive or distasteful, you should understand all you can about the choice ahead of you before moving forward. If you do not come to the decision from a place of balance, you risk making choices that are irrational and overly emotional or are wholly logical and don’t take your feelings into account. In bringing your thoughts and emotions together during the decision-making process, you ensure that you are taking everything possible into account before moving forward. Nothing is left to chance, and you have ample opportunity to determine which options are in accordance with your values.

Though some major decisions may oblige you to act and react quickly, most will allow you an abundance of time in which to mull over your choices. If you doubt your ability to approach your options in a balanced fashion, take an extended time-out before responding to the decision. This will give you the interlude you need to make that your thoughts and feelings are in equilibrium. As you practice achieving balance, you will ultimately reach a state of mind in which you can easily make decisions that honor every aspect of the self. (Daily OM) 

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Life’s Scales

Like pieces of a puzzle, the many different aspects of your being come together to form the person that you are. You work and play, rest and expend energy, commune with your body and soul, exalt in joy, and feel sorrow. Balance is the state that you achieve when all of the aspects of your life and self are in harmony. Your life force flows in a state of equilibrium because nothing feels out of sync. While balance is necessary to have a satisfying, energetic, and joyful life, only you can determine what balance means to you.

Achieving balance requires that you assess what is important to you. The demands of modern life can push us to make choices that can put us off balance and have a detrimental effect on our habits, relationships, health, and career. In creating a balanced lifestyle, you must ascertain how much time and energy you are willing to devote to the different areas of your life. To do so, imagine that your life is a house made up of many rooms. Draw this house, give each part of your life its own room, and size each room according to the amount of importance you assign to that aspect of your life. You can include family, solitude, activities that benefit others, healthy eating, indulgences, exercise and self-care. You may discover that certain elements of your life take up an inordinate amount of time, energy, or effort, and leave you with few resources to nurture the other aspects of your life. You may want to spend less time on these activities and more on the ones that fulfill you.

A balanced lifestyle is simply a state of being in which you have time and energy for obligations and pleasures, as well as time to live well and in a gratifying way. With its many nuances, balance can be a difficult concept to integrate into your life. Living a balanced existence, however, can help you attain a greater sense of happiness, health, and fulfillment. (Daily OM)

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Unlock Your Brain’s Potential

 The human brain is a marvel of nature, a finely-tuned instrument that governs every aspect of our being. From managing our basic bodily functions to housing our thoughts and emotions, its capabilities are nearly limitless. And like any other muscle in the body, the brain benefits profoundly from exercise and stimulation. Why is it essential to keep our brain fit? Our brain's plasticity allows it to adapt and reorganize itself, forming new connections and even generating new neurons throughout our lives. This adaptability enables us to recover from injuries more quickly and maintain cognitive functions as we age. By regularly exercising our brain, we not only strengthen our memory, focus, and problem-solving abilities; we also fortify it against degenerative conditions like Alzheimer's.

Various activities can boost brain health like engaging in mental exercises, such as solving puzzles, reading, or learning new skills. Physical exercises, including cardiovascular and somatic-type workouts, improve our mind-body connection and blood flow to the brain, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen that enhance its function. Social interactions and maintaining a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants are also great ways for sustaining brain vitality. Each of these activities helps in keeping the brain agile, responsive, and resilient.

In a world that demands our constant attention and presence, making brain fitness a priority is essential. A well-exercised brain responds better to stress and challenges, and it also contributes to overall well-being and happiness. By investing time in brain exercises, we lay the foundation for a more vibrant, fulfilling life. It’s never too late to start.(Daily OM)

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Glimmers of Calm

 Stress touches all of us — it’s part of being human in an imperfect world. It might appear as an unexpected deadline, a difficult conversation, or even the quiet reminder of ongoing to-do lists that live in the back of our minds. But our bodies are wise; they hold a remarkable capacity for resilience and remind us of the strength each of us carry within.

One way the body supports us is through cortisol, or what’s known as the stress hormone. In short bursts, it helps us wake each morning, navigate challenges, and focus deeply when life calls for our attention. But when stress becomes constant, cortisol stays high — and over time, that can start to impact our entire well-being — including our faces. Puffiness, fine lines, dull skin, and even a tired, sagging appearance can all be linked to what experts call “cortisol face.” And while the mirror may reflect the toll, the good news is: Renewal is always possible.

We can join in that renewal with the simplest of gestures. A slow exhale. Nourishing self-care. A gentle, restorative face yoga practice. These simple shifts tell the nervous system it’s safe to let go. And in that safety, we begin to release tension stored in our face and body, and cultivate a new sense of presence, peace, and beauty. We begin to look and feel our best again. (Daily OM)

The Upside of Irritation

 There are many stories of spiritual masters embracing the presence of an annoying student in their community. There is even one story that documents a teacher paying an irritating person to live among his students. From an everyday perspective, this is difficult to comprehend. We generally work hard to avoid people and things that we find annoying, so they don’t bother us.

From a deeper spiritual perspective, however, irritation can be an important teacher and indicator that we are making progress on our path. Being able to remain centered and awake even when we feel uncomfortable is much more impressive than doing so in an environment where everything is to our liking. 

No matter how good we are at controlling our circumstances, there will always be factors and people that we cannot control. How we respond to these experiences determines the quality of our lives. The goal of spiritual development is not to learn to control our environment — which is more of an ego-driven desire. And while having some measure of control over our external reality is important, it is when we are confronted with a person or situation that irritates us, and we choose not to react that we know have made progress spiritually. When we master our internal reality, we will become the masters of our lives.

The more we try to eliminate annoyances, instead of learning to handle them gracefully, the further we get from developing the qualities that come with spiritual growth, such as patience, tolerance, and acceptance. It is often in the presence of people and experiences we find annoying that we have an opportunity to develop these qualities. Fortunately for most of us, our lives offer an abundance of opportunities to practice and cultivate these traits. (Daily OM)

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