Having a Quiet Mind

Lao Tzu said, “ Man was meant to sit quietly and discover the truth within” and  Pascal, the great French mathematician of the 17^th century wrote, “ All of man’s problems could be solved if he could just learn to sit alone in a room with himself for an hour”

The mind is a chatter machine. There are about 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts that goes through it everyday. No wonder inner peace seems so elusive.

There are several benefits to be gained from having a quiet mind.

• ·         There will be less stress in your life.
• ·         Mental clarity. This means you will be able to concentrate and solve problems better.
• ·         Increase your creativity.
• ·         Freedom from unwanted thoughts and  habits
• ·         Inner peace. Of course.

There are several ways you can achieve a quiet mind. Here are a few:

• Meditation. 
• Writing things out. Take it out of your mind and put in on paper. Do reflective thinking.
• Intensive exercise. Exercise releases natural hormones that make you calmer and this helps to control the inner chattering.
• Lowering your gaze. Yes this actually helps. If you limit what you see, you will not think about what you don’t see.
• Do not watch news or read newspaper. Most of it are useless and if there is something important you need to know, you will hear it anyway.
• Avoid alcohol.  Alcohol, even in small quantities causes havoc to your mind in the long term.
• Focus on the now. One day at a time. That it. That is all we have anyway.

Setting CLEAR goals

You have heard of SMART goals, yes? 

SMART stands for:

Specific (Goals must be clear)

Measurable (Results must be able to be measured in some way)

Attainable (Goals must be realistic)

Relevant (Goals must relate to your organization's vision and mission)

Time-bound (Goals must have definite starting and ending points)

It is a useful tool, but the 21^st Century demands something more fluid, more dynamic is a better tool to use. It is call CLEAR. It stands for:

Collaborative (Goals should encourage employees to work together collaboratively and in teams)

Limited (Goals should be limited in both scope and duration)

Emotional (Goals should make an emotional)

Appreciable (Large goals should be broken down into smaller goals so they can be accomplished more quickly and easily for long-term gain)

Refinable (Set goals with a headstrong and steadfast objective, but as new situations or information arise, give yourself permission to refine and modify your goals)

By working in collaboration with others, we get things done faster. Tasks also become easier. We simply achieve more.

Limiting our goals gives our goal depth and allows us to focus. This is also prevents our resources from being stretched thin.

Goals must be emotional. The why is important. An emotional goal is important to make us connect with our passion and will drive us.

By making goals appreciable, we can break it down to more manageable units

Goals should be firm but not rigid. It should allow refinement and modification as necessary.

10 Ways To Deal With Peer Pressure

1. Ask  questions.

For example, if a friend pressures you to smoke, ask him why he is killing himself

2. Just say “No”

Make eye contact, then say “No” with conviction and  authority.

3. Counter with a  positive statement.

For example, if you’re turning down an offer to smoke, say that, “I love my lungs”

4. Get away from the pressure zone.

Just walk away

5. Avoid pressure scenarios

If you know that you are going to be pressured to do something you don’t want, avoid getting yourself into that scene

6. Have a friend.

Find a friend who shares your values support each other.

7. Think for yourself.

Take a moment to think about the consequences of your actions.

8. Get support.

Talk out any peer pressure you’re experiencing with people who feeling the same

9. Speak out

Fight peer pressure by voicing out

10. Find new friends.

 Always know that this is your life and you have the right to be yourself. You do not have to do what others are doing. Always, always, think for yourself. I repeat, always think for yourself.

A little thought

Been a while since  I wrote here. It is not that I have not being writing elsewhere. I try to do it everyday in a little diary I keep.

Writing makes things clear. As a boy growing up I have always found writing out my thoughts  makes things clearer. I just wrote whatever was in my head. The grammar was a lot more screwed up then it is today but it was therapeutic. It still is.

So here we are. In a brand new year. All fired up, yes? Good. Then this might be a good time to think about this: Are we living the live we are meant to live? Are we doing our best everyday or are we just getting by? Going about our lives in a daze. Getting caught up with materialism. Being distracted by everything and everyone.

Think hard about this. Take your time, don't rush. Look at yourself and answer honestly whether you are living the life you are meant to live. Is this your life or is it designed by Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger? Is it your script or is the storyline of the glam magazine you have been reading? Are you trying to keep up with Joneses and losing your direction?

Today is as good as any day to give a little thought on this and start changing your life bit by bitand start living it as you want it.

How To Do Great Things

"The greatest things ever done on Earth
have been done little by little."
- William Jennings Bryan

..And that is how you do great things. Little by little....

Herbs That Help To Lower High Blood Pressure

There are several ways to control high blood pressure. Medications coupled with lifestyle changes is one way  including lifestyle changes and/or medications. You can also use supplements and/or herbal remedies.

Remember, whatever you choose, always get your doctor's advice.

Here are some herbs and supplements that can lower high blood pressure.

BASIL

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

CINNAMON

CELERY SEED

HAWTHORNS

Cardamom

GARLIC

FRENCH LAVENDER

CAT"S CLAW

 

14 Ways To Achieve Your Goal

1. Read Your Goals at Least Twice a Day

2. Think about way to achieve them while showering

3. Be a Giver - give what you want to get

4. Spend Time Alone - meditate on what you have to do

5. See yourself as you want to be

6. Think, talk and act positively - eliminate negative words- you are either building up or tearing down

7. Post a Sign - "what is the most effective use my time right now"

8. Are you actions neutral, punishing or rewarding

9. Expect the best

10. Recognize and give attention to behaviour you want to repeat

11. Always give your best

12. Compare what you are doing to what you want to get

13. Think, talk and act on what needs improving and not what is wrong

14. Act as if your goals have been achieved.