R and R for Sunday, May 6th, 2012

Don't be dismayed at goodbyes.  A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.

  And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.  

Richard Bach

R AND R TIP #100:  RELAX, It really isn't goodbye.

Celebrating my 100th entry on the Motivation Station is a bitter sweet affair.  After my 100th tip on Rest and Relaxation, I'll be ending my posts here on this blog.   

The Motivation Station has always been a blog about encouraging others and my small part of it was to encourage you to get some R and R time in for yourself so that you can be the best you can be.

Hopefully something I've written helped you to do just that.  100 ways to rest and relax...who would have thought it possible?  I certainly had no idea where I was headed when I started making my Sunday entries here.  Time flies and so must I...

Goodbyes are not forever.

Goodbyes are not the end.

They simply mean I'll miss you

Until we meet again!

Author Unknown

but certainly expressed by me...

Many thanks to all the Motivation Station Team for letting me share my thoughts each week.  It's been a pleasure to be a part of such a great group.  And my thanks to everyone who has taken the time to refresh, relax, renew, rest, restore, regain, reboot, reduce, refocus and regroup... to get plenty of that wonderful R and R!

Be the BEST you can be!

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!!!

ma

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R and R for Sunday, April 29th, 2012

R and R Tip # 99:  REFOCUS your thoughts and unwind

Sometimes we feel like our brain is tied up in knots.  Our thoughts resemble a massive ball of string, wound messily and tightly together.  When we get so busy with the details of our lives and the countless things we need to complete, we end up feeling exhausted and disconnected.

Our minds becomes clouded and unable to focus and we start to make poor decisions regarding our priorities. We end up working hard instead of working smart.

Here a few simple tips to clean your mind, untangle, unwind, and refocus to  get your mental house in order.  

Deep breathing is a well documented way to regain some mental clarity.  Deep breathing increases the oxygen levels in your body and the brain benefits from more oxygen.

Walking might be the perfect way to exercise and it provides man of the same benefits of deep breathing along with the benefits of exercising your muscles.  Sometimes that movement will burn off some of the excess energy that anxiety squeezes into our minds

Very often we need to rethink the way we do things.  Think about your schedule, responsibilities and daily tasks.  If you have too much on your plate, distinguish between the shoulds and the musts.  Drop tasks that aren't truly necessary.

Don’t over commit. Whether in your personal or professional life, learn your limits and set boundaries. Know when to say, No

Reframe problems. Try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Rather than fuming about a traffic jam, look at it as an opportunity to pause and regroup, listen to your favorite radio station, or enjoy some alone time

Focus on the positive. Take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts.

No single method works for everyone.  Try one and if it doesn't work, try another.  Many things in life are beyond our control. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to problems.  If you regularly make time for fun and relaxation, you’ll be in a better place to handle life’s stressors when they inevitably come.

This is the next to the last tip I'll be sharing with you all.  Next week will be the final post on why Rest and Relaxation is so important in our lives.  I guess it's a good way to end - 100 tips on how to rest and relax, restore, refresh, repair, renew....  I've just about covered every thing I can think of to remind you about why you need R and R in your life.  

Please make sure to check in next Sunday for my farewell entry.

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!

ma

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R & R for Sunday, April 15th, 2012

R and R tip # 97:  RETREAT

Retreat:  A place affording peace, quiet, privacy or security

Most of us never bother doing such a simple act of spiritual care. But undoubtedly most of us are in need of that thorough downtime that’s dedicated to repair, reflection, creation. Our world has never been so frenzied and frenetic. We need to take that downtime, because no one is going to take it for us! Our mental, spiritual and physical health require time to unwind in a thorough manner.

Remember the three r's:

Retreat

 Reflect 

Revive

Sometimes in order to retreat you simply need to pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read. Write about any old thing in your journal. Go for a long walk. Reflecting on your past and how it’s lead you to where you are now. Being at peace with yourself.

Stop the world and take in the beauty around you.  

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!

ma

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R & R for Sunday, April 8th, 2012

A smile is nature's best antidote for discouragement. 

It brings rest to the weary, 

Sunshine to those who are frowning,

 And hope to those who are hopeless and defeated.

A smile is so valuable that it can't be bought, 

Begged, borrowed, or taken away against your will.

 You have to be willing to give a smile away

Before it can do anyone else any good.

So if someone is too tired or grumpy to flash you a smile, 

Let him have one of yours anyway.

 Nobody needs a smile as much 

As the person who has none to give.

Dale Carnegie

R and R tip # 96:  Relax and SMILE!

How wonderful to give and receive the priceless gift of a smile. It brings rest to the weary, sunshine to the sad and hope to the hopeless.  Did you know there is power and strength in a smile? An act that takes only 17 muscles, possesses the power to transform attitudes, makes us stand taller, and encourages millions.

Smile, even when you don’t feel like it. Your smile is one of your most effective offensive weapons. It makes your enemies wonder what you are thinking. 

Spread the joy. We are unaware of the battles another person may have to fight. An act of kindness such as a genuine compliment, opening a door, or allowing a shopper with only 2 items to check out before you, can be the unexpected gesture that makes them feel valued and keeps them in the race.

Life is good,  especially as you smile and encourage others.  I may not always smile first....but I try to when I remember. I never ignore a smile though. If one is given. I give back.

I remember smiles that I've been given.  Some were from people I saw only once, yet they lightened and brightened my day.

Bring some rest to the weary today, be it yourself or someone else.  Smile!  You'll feel so much more relaxed!

The wish is old,

The wish is true,

Happy Easter

My friends to you!

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!

ma

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R & R for Sunday, April 1st, 2012

The real problem of leisure time is how to keep others from using yours.  

Arthur Lacey

R and R Tip #95:  RELAX and take a time out

If a time out works for children, it can work for all of us. It's not about punishing yourself, it's about pulling away from all the daily distractions, the frustrations, and the tantrum inducing surroundings you deal with every day. A true time-out requires the whole world leave you alone for a set period of time. Sound like heaven? To a kid, not so much. To an adult, absolutely! 

There are just times when I can’t hang it all together.  I don’t want to be reasonable. I don’t feel like being sweet. I want the outcome to be exactly as I say, and I want it now. I don’t want to explain myself or even be fair.  Those are the times, I'm learning when it might be good for me to take a time out myself.  I think we all are better for taking time out to rest and relax.  A good break helps you get back the ability to think straight.

Too many times I've said, I just don't have time for that, or found myself barely having time to talk to family or friends.   Those are thet times I know that I need to take deliberate steps to slow down and do less. 

Time outs are a healthy recognition that you’re running on fumes and need a strategic break.  Time outs are a way of reclaiming control and being responsible. Try taking some time out just for yourself, or some time out just for your family or friends.  Time out to do what you love.  Time out to rest and relax.

If you get upset, discouraged, or frustrated , I think that instead of staying that way that you should caringly, lovingly, and compassionately give yourself a time-out

 You can listen to music you enjoy, read a book, take in the beauty of flowers or a sunset, or just relax.  We all need daily time-outs. Not just the once a year vacations, or a weekend out with the family from time to time. We need this break daily

Recharge and relax for some time by doing what you really like or even better, do nothing at all. Give yourself a moment of time out in your day. Time outs do exist in life; there is no need to wait. As you feel overwhelmed with life, step back, breathe and enjoy the gift of life you've been given.

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!

ma

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R & R for Sunday, March 25th, 2012

R and R Tip # 94:  Relax, Remove and Simplify

Life is a risky enterprise. Sometimes we fly high, enjoying great success. But then suddenly we fall into deep disappointments and the haunting reality of failure, leaving our hearts wondering if there is anything worth looking forward to.

Instead of making everything so difficult, why don’t we decide to simplify our lives and enjoy the rest and satisfaction that comes through simplicity.  Somehow life gets so complicated it eventually drains us of our energy and produces frustration and fatigue.

The answer for the problem of multiplicity is a return to simplicity.

The resurgence of an old idea, living a simpler life,  isn't surprising at a time when many people feel overwhelmed by their busy, complicated lives.  It's not just your home that can get cluttered. Your life and even your mind can also become overcrowded with too much junk.

A simpler daily lifestyle is usually one that is pretty low in stress after all, but still plenty abundant in happiness!

Who doesn’t like to imagine sitting on a beach with nothing to do but watch the waves roll in. But unless you are really planning to move to an island on the next flight out, that is not going to help you much today. 

Leaning to appreciate more and accumulate less is one way to free yourself from clutter both mentally and physically.  Life is a journey not a destination so we need to live it like one.  Scaling back is the key to a to a better life and fuller lives.

Sundays are like a BEACH day for me.  I'll be relaxing and simply enjoying this day of rest and relaxation.

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!

ma

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R & R for Sunday, March 18th, 2012

 Warning: the Internet may contain traces of nuts. 

Author Unknown

R and R Tip # 93 : Read the warning signs

Have you ever seen signs along the beach that say:  NO SWIMMING 

It's a warning sign for people so that they don't go in the water...Something is wrong.  Maybe there is a strong undercurrent or polluted water.

We are often like the people that dive right in anyway.  Totally ignoring the warning signs.  We put on a wetsuit and dive into the ocean in an attempt to retrieve our hopes and dreams. We're more comfortable in the mucky waters than in heading the warning signs

Don't ignore the warning signs. If you are beginning to feel overwhelmed, tired out and are dragging your feet to get through the day , you may need to make a life change or amend your situation with a few small deeds. Take caution to see the signs that you are becoming overwhelmed before they are able to take a toll on your mental, emotional, and physical states.

One of the essentials that we tend to disregard is looking after ourselves when our burden becomes heavy. But self care is even more critical at times like this, so be kind to yourself. Remember that sleep and rest are not just important for coping with stress.  Numerous studies show that it is essential for good health.

Next time life confronts you with a warning sign , take a deep breath, slow right down and attend to the simplest things that are important to keep you going. Gather your strength, remembering that you are definitely up to the challenge and eventually this too shall pass.  Life is sometimes compared to a journey.  On a journey, we heed the warning signs and head toward our destination.  We go forward to arrive there.  The choice is always ours!

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!

ma

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R & R for Sunday, March 11th, 2012

Work is not always required. 

There is such a thing as sacred idleness, 

the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected.

George Macdonald

R and R Tip#92:  Yesterday is gone; tomorrow is uncertain; today is here. Use it wisely

I hope you all remembered to spring forward this morning!  Daylight Savings Time began this morning,  Most of the US begins Daylight Savings Time at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November .

Spring is just a few short weeks away and I'm sure that I'm not the only one looking through seed catalogs and garden shops making plans for what we want to grow this year.  Each spring, I love seeing my little planters on the back patio overflowing with colorful flowers. 

The planters never look better than when I first set them in the pots. I water them well each day for a week or two, happy for rainy days when nature does the job for me. But I am soon distracted and forget to keep the flowers watered. After just a few warm, dry days, every flower stem bends and the foliage droops down the sides of the pots. I fear the worst. But I’m thankful that if the soil is not completely dried up, I can water the plants and see them revive.

Just as water is necessary for our plants to survive, so is rest and relaxation is essential for us to flourish and grow.

Sometimes we begin to feel like those unwatered flowers.  We droop when we work too much and stress out about what isn't getting done in our lives. A quick fix for the flowers was to water them.  A quick fix for ourselves isn't always as easy as that. Be gentle with yourself and take time to relax and rest.  Short breaks may refresh you enough to get through the day, but for longer lasting effects, a good 7-8 hour sleep is needed.

There is a time to everything in life.  There is a time for work and a time for sleep.  There is a time for fun and a time to be serious.  Every day has 24 hours and every week has 7 days.  And in this time period, we must balance all the things for which we need to make time.  The average adult needs 7-8 hours of sleep a night.  Many of us cheat on that equation and end up suffering adversely for it.  

There is a time to work.  Everyone needs to do some work, not only to contribute to society but to remain mentally focused.  So, even the person living in retirement does some work to contribute and stay mentally sharp. 

 There must be a time to laugh and let loose.  We can’t be bogged down with stress all day long or we will suffer adversely in our health.  There has to be a time to be serious, otherwise, what can be accomplished merely laughing our way through life.

Life is a delicate balancing act, especially as we fill our lives with more and more things, more responsibilities.  When one gets married, or has children, or moves, or gets a new job, or gets an illness, it necessitates a rebalancing of the equation to reflect the new situation but still maintaining the basics of the time for work and time for rest, the time for seriousness and the time for fun and laughter. Perhaps one of life’s greatest challenges is maintaining this balance at all times.  

For me Spring will bring busier days.  We have lots planned to do our our family as the weather gets nicer.  The days of lingering over a good book with a cup of hot chocolate on cold days will be gone.  More things to do and more work too as my yard will be crying for some attention.   So I'll be looking to balance out the changes of the season and remember  to get the rest and relaxation needed too.

Rest and Relax!  Think of it as something you need to do for YOU!

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!

ma

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R & R for Sunday, March 4th, 2012

Stress is caused by being here but wanting to be there.

Eckhart Tolle

R and R tip # 91:  YOU DESERVE A BREAK TODAY

If you have ever felt brain dead, burned out, stressed or or just plain worn out, then you deserve a break today.  You need more than a quick and easy break, you need a deep quality break.  You need a time of rest relaxation and rejuvenation.

If we pause for a brief moment and briefly forget all that we have to do. If we can pause for those few moments and forget everything. We will then make a surprising discovery, that the world actually goes on without us. This means that all we do and all our rushing about is not as important as we imagine. If we can realize this, that the world will actually go on without us, a healing process begins. We begin to relax. We realise that the most important thing is just being ourselves. We are at peace. Even our dreams are put to rest.

If you love something, set it free.

When we free ourselves of everything that weighs us down, we have to love ourselves enough to release any notions that we should have been different or should have acted differently in the past. We can relax and renew ourselves in a comfortable and nourishing environment.  For some it may be time spent in reflection.  Others will turn to calming activities that help them remember their purpose, such as journal writing, being in nature or studying.  Grant your self permission to relax and savor the stillness.

Remember the old adage that When one foot walks, the other rests

Our bodies have a natural inclination to rest.  We need to keep that balance going so that we don't stumble and fall.  Take a well deserved break!  Keep balance in your life.  You will be so much better for it and the effects will reach out to those around you

Relax, Max.  Make time each day to do absolutely nothing.  When we are on the go every hour of the day, we wear ourselves out mentally, physically, and emotionally.  Allow yourself enough break time each day to unwind and relax.  

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!

ma

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