Learning to Relax!!!!!

I'm taking the day off today.  I'm sitting in Starbucks, listening to some mellow jazz music trying to wind down.  I just realize that I have not taken a day off in over a year and I don't know how to relax!!!!!  My mind is racing with all the things I need to do and could create.  I have a driven personality and I love being productive.  But I think what I am great at is starting to hinder me from relaxing!  Well.... as I sit here, I will share some thoughts of how to learn to relax!

Relax means to return to a "lax" state. Relaxing is a learned skill, that must done intentionally and regularly.  Here are some practical principles to start the process of RELAXING!!!!!!

Permission-our mind, from childhood, is conditioned to get permission to do anything. In school,  we have to raise our hands and get permission to answer a question, to be the leader of the line and to go to the restroom.  Now we are adults, we still subconsciously need permission to do things.  We need to develop "Self Permission".  Self Permission is giving yourself permission to do things that will keep you healthy and productive.  Say this: "I give myself permission today to relax".  You may have to say it three to four times to get it to stick!!!

Plan-Since I'm driven,  I can't just sit around and do nothing.  Seem like a paradox, but I have to be productive when I'm relaxing!!  Plan your relaxing day with activities that relaxes you.  I like to:

1. Eat lunch at a downtown resturant 

2. Hang out  at a coffee shop

3. Catch a movie

4. Dream

Program your mind- As I stated earlier, relaxing is a learned skill.  Relaxing does not come naturally.  You have to be intentional.  You program your mind with two principles: R&R (Resist & Rest).

You have to program your mind to resist guilt, obligations, distractions and negativity.  It's amazing, as soon as you start to relax, your mind overflows with all this stuff you need to do, should be doing and things you forgot to do.  You must decide to resist these thoughts and press into relaxing.  The next R is Rest.  Rest is consciously controlling your breathing.  You must take slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.

Take some time out of your busy, hectic day and develop these three components.  I have tried them and I am starting to relax!!!!  Until next time  

 

Great Insight

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect.
- Mark Twain

Friday's TIP

Friday's TIP (Thoughts Inspiring Progression)

Look in the mirror and say "I'm designed to move forward"

The Realm of The Unknown

Isa 42:16    I'll help the blind walk, even on a road they do not know; I'll guide them in directions they do not know. I'll turn the dark places into light in front of them, and the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do, and I won't abandon them.

How do you feel when you are being lead into an unknown place? The first emotional response is fear. Why does fear seem to surface first?  I believe it is how we have been conditioned.  We have been conditioned to resist change, settle with mediocrity and expect the worst!  Here are three keys to unlock the realm of the unknown.

Key #1 Revelation

It is imperative that you get a revelation that you were designed.  You must conquer how you have been condotioned and recieve how you have been designed.  You were designed to succeed, reach your destiny and make an impact in the world!

Key #2 Visualization 

Tap into your imagination and create a picture of the unknown.  See yourself doing something you have never done before. Get into a relaxed state and open your mind to the world of the impossibilities. 

Key #3 Activation 

I discovered a new concept, called "Intentional Pressure" (IP). Intentional Pressure is consciously creating events that will stretch you to go beyond the norm.  Examples are running a 5K or 10K, writing a book or doing something new.  Whatever is stretched, can never go back to it's original form!

Friday's TIP

Friday's TIP (Thoughts Inspiring Progression)

-Take the initiative to meet a Gatekeeper-someone who has influence and can usher you into a greater opportunity!

Thoughts!!!!!!

There are so many thoughts running around in my head!  There are thoughts of questions?????, thoughts of affirmations!!!!!!!!  There are thoughts of excitement, there are thoughts of discouragement! There are thoughts of ideas, there are thoughts of failures! Since I have so many thoughts in head, I choose to believe the best is yet to come!

Why do we????

If we want what's new, why do we hold on to what's old?

If we expect something great, why do we settle with good?

If we want change, why do we resist it?

If we want love, why do hold hate?

Noble Quote

"The quality of our expectations determines the quality of our actions."

-- Andres Godin

Do you know how to relax?

Do you know how to relax? Sadly, most people don't know how or they feel guilty if they do.  Relaxation is essential, rather than optional.  Here are some benefits of relaxing:

• gives the heart a rest by slowing the heart rate
• reduces blood pressure
• slows the rate of breathing, which reduces the need for oxygen
• increases blood flow to the muscles
• decreases muscle tension

Here are some ideas of how to relax:

-listen to soft music

-go for a walk

-golf

-go for a run

-take a scenic drive

-go to a park

-go workout

Take some time to Relax!