Life's Simple Pleasures!

It is the little things in life that tends to get overlooked by the over-achievers and over-worked populations. As over-achievers, we tend to think BIG, want MORE, go FURTHER… There is never, or very infrequently, a moment of appreciation or DESIRED SUCCESS, because as we achieve/earn/reach/gain, we always have the subconscious drive to push to the next level.

As over-workers, we never get a break, we are always forced/pushed to think BIGGER, get MORE, go FURTHER, DO, DO, DO, & continue to DO, with VERY little appreciation, hence, we HAVE to strive to the next level!

Therefore, the over-achiever & over-worker never get to enjoy the simple pleasures of life... They are always pushing forward or being pushed.

So, I say to you... TAKE A MOMENT...

As the phone rings insistently & the email alerts ding overwhelmingly, close the door, sit back in your chair (or on a toilet seat, if that's the only quiet place around J), close your eyes, and breathe DEEPLY, from the stomach, not the chest. Do this for 5 minutes, as you clear your lungs and your mind...

Did you know that a sigh, is the body's automatic response to clear out the excessive CO2 out of your lungs (learned that from my Anatomy & Physiology professor)? We tend to do it most when we are stressed or anxious, but try to be mindful of it as you go about your day, and you will realize that you impulsively sigh throughout the day.

Hence, even when we are not thinking about it, our body is constantly going through different physiological motions to maintain a state of homeostasis, so why not help the process along?

Guess what, after your 5 minutes of relaxations, the emails will still be there, the caller will call back, or leave a message, all the work will still be there. However, you might actually be more accomplished for the day, as your mind is a bit clearer, your heart rate is a bit lower, and you may be able to better focus on the tasks at hand.

Appreciate the small things, like the smile that you get from a stranger as you walk down the hall, or just the fact that you have a job, in our ever-changing economic state. Hey, if you need something to look forward to, log into WA, help someone that has a question, commend someone's work, and watch your ranking get better :-)

LET'S ALL LEARN TO DEVELOP A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE, NOT JUST MORE QUANTITY OF DAYS LIVING!

My challenge to you ---- try to go a full 24 hrs without complaining about a single thing! When you get the urge to complain, thing of some thing in life to be grateful for.... challenge on.

P.S. - I will be doing this as well, as I too am an over-worked, over-achiever J

To HAPPY, HEALTHY living

- Monique