Mindfulness=Present=Happiness

"Mindfulness helps you go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that

 you have, happiness comes."

Tich Nhat Hahn

How to Manage Job-Related Stress

• I run. It is incredibly therapeutic. Sometimes I take my dogs with me and sometimes I run with my husband, but I never listen to music while I run because I like to immerse myself in the outdoors and just let my mind be free. Running in the morning and watching the sun rise as it paints amazing colors on the mountains is a fantastic way to start any day. When I'm under more pressure at work my runs become even more important. Along with the immediate benefit of a runner's high, running also keeps me in great shape and in good health, energizes me during the day, and helps me sleep better at night.
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• I practice Transcendental Meditation in the morning and afternoon (20 min. each).  I can do it at work if I have to come in early and/or stay late because all you need is a chair and a sign on the door that says "please do not interrupt; available in 20 minutes"
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How Do I Manage Job-Related Stress? It's simple: I don't work.

I'll tell you, being forced not to work for the past year and a half has been liberating. I wake up when I want; I do what I want in a day, and I've been more productive and happy than any other time in my life, despite the crushing debt looming large in my mind.

• There is, or was, no better way to lose myself & step out of the world of mayhem that we practice in, than to go to my beloved Gulf Coast to watch and listen to the waves roll in & walk along the beautiful white beaches & watch the gulls & birds play. A few days to a week along the Alabama Gulf Coast or Northwest Florida coast would do wonders for my mind, my body & my soul - anytime of the year. It was my therapy & fortunately, not too far from my front door to run away for a long weekend when needed. Sadly, those days are history, I'm afraid.

             Thank you BP & the politicos who let this happen - our beautiful Gulf is a cess pool & ruined.

Sage Meanderings

Overcoming Disappointments TODAY'S SCRIPTURE "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past" (Isaiah 43:18, NIV) TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria The Bible tells us that every person, no matter how much faith they have or how good they are, will face disappointments. It may be something simple like not getting the promotion you hoped for, or not closing a business deal you worked so hard on. Maybe you didn't qualify for a house you really wanted, or maybe something more serious happened like a relationship not working out, the death of a loved one, or some kind of illness in your body. Whatever it may be, the reality is that we're all going to suffer some setbacks. I believe one of the main keys to overcoming disappointments is learning to let go of the past. If you feel "stuck" today, you may want to examine what you're holding on to. Be willing let go of past disappointments by choosing forgiveness. Who hurt you? Who wronged you? Release it to God. Do you need to forgive yourself? Do you need to receive God's forgiveness? Make the choice today to forgive. Let go of the past so you can overcome disappointments and experience the bright future God has in store for you! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Heavenly Father, search my heart and mind today. Show me any area where I may be holding on to the past. Help me to receive Your forgiveness so that I can extend forgiveness to others and move forward in the wonderful plan You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.