To Everything there is a Season

 

To Everything there is a Season

Behold Fall in all its finery;

Bold, bright and colorful;

Welcoming cool nights

and warm hearts.

Our minds slow;

Our hearts open

as we invite warm thoughts

of loved ones to linger.

The season lulls us 

into a time of quiet reflection

in which past hurts and hardships 

can be examined and released

to make room 

for new seasons 

of joy and cheer.

The Season of Forgiveness

Behold the glory of the season!

In the Fall parade

the wood fairies arrive 

in their brightest outfits

to dazzle and cheer us on

as the crisp morning air 

brings the chill of excitement.

Renew your heart,

Make peace with life and yourself,

and choose to start afresh.

"The Beauty Within"

Original photo of fall leaves in the Willamette River

by Gayle Anderson

Lightarted Living: Overcoming a Case of the Blahs: How to Regain the ...

Lightarted Living: Overcoming a Case of the Blahs: How to Regain the ...:     If Everything is so Good, Why Do I feel so Blah? We've all been there.  There's nothing wrong. But work is stressful 

Overcoming a Case of the Blahs: How to Regain the Fire in Your Belly

 

 If Everything is so Good, Why Do I feel so Blah?

We've all been there. 

There's nothing wrong. But work is stressful and you've been working too many hours trying to finish one project before moving on to the next one. Oddly enough you might even be thinking of quitting.

As someone who prides herself on going all out at work and in life, your focus on excellence has brought you praise and landed you a great position. Everyone loves your work and sings your praises, saying "You're smart, responsive, creative and productive" and "You have all the makings of a superstar".

So why are you now nursing a case of the blahs--feeling anti-social, wanting to take naps instead of socializing, and turning inward when you finally take time off?

Burnout and the Blahs

When you feel you've lost that fire inside driving you to excel and enthusiastically jump into working with the next project or client--or you secretly fear you're in over your head and are soon to be discovered as incompetent--you've come down with a bad case of the Burnout Blahs.

Like so many others who desire to make their mark on the world you've given your all without sufficiently replenishing your energy along the way. When we fail to adequately engage in non-productive play to re-balance, our fire and drive can extinguish quickly. 

When your emotions flat-line into a case of the blahs you know it's time to re-balance.

"Burnout is nature's way of telling you, you've been going through the motions and your soul has departed; you're a zombie, a member of the walking dead, a sleepwalker. False optimism is like administrating stimulants to an exhausted nervous system."

Sam Keen, Fire in the Belly

How to Regain the Fire in Your Belly

You already know you want to excel and be the best you can be. So why is it so difficult for you to do what you already know you need to do to maintain that fire in your belly more often than not? 

What is the secret to regaining the Fire in Your Belly?  

   Engage in non-productive play in your private persona.

Times of drive must be balanced with times of idling, and you must give yourself equal time living as your private self as you do as your public persona. Staying on 24/7 is crazy-making behavior that leads to burnout, self-doubts and the blahs.

      The antidote is to practice doing nothing--regularly. 

You must consciously plan fun private time into your week or you'll find the subtle ever-pervasive infiltration of work into your mindset. 

Train yourself to keep a reserve of relaxing and pleasurable moments in your daily life. Life isn't always about moving forward. Sometimes you have to stand still and clear your mind to be your best going forward.

"Find a place you trust and then try trusting it for a while."

 Corita Kent

💓Stop

💓Do nothing

💓Unplug

💓Give in to that nap

💓Unplan

💓Have a dream-free day

💓Lose the expectations

💓Accomplish nothing

💓Putter

💓Lolly-gag

💓Tinker

💓Find your FLOW
💓Listen to the wind 

Overcoming a Case of the Blahs: How to Regain the Fire in Your Belly

 

 If Everything is so Good, Why Do I feel so Blah?

We've all been there. 

There's nothing wrong. But work is stressful and you've been working too many hours trying to finish one project before moving on to the next one. Oddly enough you might even be thinking of quitting.

As someone who prides herself on going all out at work and in life, your focus on excellence has brought you praise and landed you a great position. Everyone loves your work and sings your praises, saying "You're smart, responsive, creative and productive" and "You have all the makings of a superstar".

So why are you now nursing a case of the blahs--feeling anti-social, wanting to take naps instead of socializing, and turning inward when you finally take time off?

Burnout and the Blahs

When you feel you've lost that fire inside driving you to excel and enthusiastically jump into working with the next project or client--or you secretly fear you're in over your head and are soon to be discovered as incompetent--you've come down with a bad case of the Burnout Blahs.

Like so many others who desire to make their mark on the world you've given your all without sufficiently replenishing your energy along the way. When we fail to adequately engage in non-productive play to re-balance, our fire and drive can extinguish quickly. 

When your emotions flat-line into a case of the blahs you know it's time to re-balance.

"Burnout is nature's way of telling you, you've been going through the motions and your soul has departed; you're a zombie, a member of the walking dead, a sleepwalker. False optimism is like administrating stimulants to an exhausted nervous system."

Sam Keen, Fire in the Belly

How to Regain the Fire in Your Belly

You already know you want to excel and be the best you can be. So why is it so difficult for you to do what you already know you need to do to maintain that fire in your belly more often than not? 

What is the secret to regaining the Fire in Your Belly?  

   Engage in non-productive play in your private persona.

Times of drive must be balanced with times of idling, and you must give yourself equal time living as your private self as you do as your public persona. Staying on 24/7 is crazy-making behavior that leads to burnout, self-doubts and the blahs.

      The antidote is to practice doing nothing--regularly. 

You must consciously plan fun private time into your week or you'll find the subtle ever-pervasive infiltration of work into your mindset. 

Train yourself to keep a reserve of relaxing and pleasurable moments in your daily life. Life isn't always about moving forward. Sometimes you have to stand still and clear your mind to be your best going forward.

"Find a place you trust and then try trusting it for a while."

 Corita Kent

💓Stop

💓Do nothing

💓Unplug

💓Give in to that nap

💓Unplan

💓Have a dream-free day

💓Lose the expectations

💓Accomplish nothing

💓Putter

💓Lolly-gag

💓Tinker

💓Find your FLOW
💓Listen to the wind 

Lightarted Living: Acting with Grace Under Pressure

Lightarted Living: Acting with Grace Under Pressure:   When you're well rested and secure with yourself you have no need to lash out at others and you're able to act with grace under pressure.

Acting with Grace Under Pressure

 

When you're well rested and secure with yourself you have no need to lash out at others and you're able to act with grace under pressure. 

The Desire to Slap that Person 

Okay, I get it--as pressure mounts and deadlines loom you desperately want to slap that critical, judgmental person standing on the sidelines telling you (and others) what you're doing wrong while failing to help move things forward. It would be so easy and feel so good to match her bad behavior--tit for tat; stone for stone.

But just because she demonstrates bad behavior doesn't mean you should. It doesn't help you in the moment of pressure and it doesn't help you in the long-run.

Learning to Act with Grace under Pressure

We all imagine what we'd like to do to other people when we're under pressure. It's only natural to imagine a quick 'fight or flight' reaction when you feel threatened.  But you're always training yourself--and your brain--by your choices. When you succumb to reacting under pressure you train yourself to stay in the part of the brain that is reactive instead of moving to that part that allows you to take a more even, graceful approach under pressure.

 Think of it this way: bad, reactive, obnoxious behavior is a result of feeling out-of-control while thoughtful, measured, graceful behavior is a result of feeling secure and in-control. You need to ask yourself which path you want to take--in-control or out-of-control.

People who feel out-of-control are easy to spot. They're the ones trying to control the environment and everyone else. They throw tantrums and blame others. Controlling people fear things are going to fall apart unless they force the situation and berate others. The truth is, it is the controlling person who feels most insecure and out-of-control.

"Choose to make life choices that result in you feeling more secure and in-control of your life."

You can learn to act with grace under pressure by making it a life choice that guides your daily actions.

"When you choose to act gracefully under pressure you commit to suspending judgment and practicing the pause whenever the urge to lash out comes over you"

Choose to act in a way you can look back in 20 years and be proud of yourself. When you make a life decision to take the path of feeling secure and in-control you'll slow down in moments of pressure, and pause to find your center.

Why 'practice the pause' when you're under pressure? 

We all need down time to clear our heads 

if we are to act gracefully under pressure.

In the short term, don't hand control of your emotions over to other people. When you're under pressure, the last thing you need is an energy-drain. Gather your energy and clear your head by removing yourself from the situation to center yourself. 

Acting with Grace Under Pressure

 

When you're well rested and secure with yourself you have no need to lash out at others and you're able to act with grace under pressure. 

The Desire to Slap that Person 

Okay, I get it--as pressure mounts and deadlines loom you desperately want to slap that critical, judgmental person standing on the sidelines telling you (and others) what you're doing wrong while failing to help move things forward. It would be so easy and feel so good to match her bad behavior--tit for tat; stone for stone.

But just because she demonstrates bad behavior doesn't mean you should. It doesn't help you in the moment of pressure and it doesn't help you in the long-run.

Learning to Act with Grace under Pressure

We all imagine what we'd like to do to other people when we're under pressure. It's only natural to imagine a quick 'fight or flight' reaction when you feel threatened.  But you're always training yourself--and your brain--by your choices. When you succumb to reacting under pressure you train yourself to stay in the part of the brain that is reactive instead of moving to that part that allows you to take a more even, graceful approach under pressure.

 Think of it this way: bad, reactive, obnoxious behavior is a result of feeling out-of-control while thoughtful, measured, graceful behavior is a result of feeling secure and in-control. You need to ask yourself which path you want to take--in-control or out-of-control.

People who feel out-of-control are easy to spot. They're the ones trying to control the environment and everyone else. They throw tantrums and blame others. Controlling people fear things are going to fall apart unless they force the situation and berate others. The truth is, it is the controlling person who feels most insecure and out-of-control.

"Choose to make life choices that result in you feeling more secure and in-control of your life."

You can learn to act with grace under pressure by making it a life choice that guides your daily actions.

"When you choose to act gracefully under pressure you commit to suspending judgment and practicing the pause whenever the urge to lash out comes over you"

Choose to act in a way you can look back in 20 years and be proud of yourself. When you make a life decision to take the path of feeling secure and in-control you'll slow down in moments of pressure, and pause to find your center.

Why 'practice the pause' when you're under pressure? 

We all need down time to clear our heads 

if we are to act gracefully under pressure.

In the short term, don't hand control of your emotions over to other people. When you're under pressure, the last thing you need is an energy-drain. Gather your energy and clear your head by removing yourself from the situation to center yourself. 

Lightarted Living: If You're Too Tired to Speak Sit Next to Me~I Too ...

Lightarted Living: If You're Too Tired to Speak Sit Next to Me~I Too ...: 

If You're Too Tired to Speak Sit Next to Me~I Too am Fluent in Silence

"So, if you are too tired to speak,

Sit next to me, because

I, too, am fluent in silence."

R. Arnold

Sometimes when life speeds up, 

and you're overwhelmed keeping up with 

multiple life changes and expectations, 

you forget to take your down time right when

you need moments of quiet in your day.

  When you're tired; 

When you don't want to interact;

When you don't want to speak or think; 

Take moments in your day to do nothing.

Lose the expectations. 

Regain your center.

Take that lunch break; 

Don't allow others to invade 

your much needed down time.

Start your day and week with a plan. 

When others unwittingly attempt 

to disrupt your scheduled lunch break

give them other options. 

If they must meet with you 

during your scheduled lunch,

schedule your lunch at another time

or leave work earlier. 

Failing to take your break 

is not an option.

To be your best productive self

you need to approach 

your work with a fresh mind.

You are not doing yourself or your work

any favors when you give up your

much needed work break.

When you're healing from surgery or illness

let others know how you want to communicate.

People want to support you 

but text and email messages 

may be better than phone calls.

No matter our situation, 

we all need the healing of silence daily. 

To be your best and offer your best,

replace the expectation of 

always being available to others

with the expectation that you'll always 

take time for yourself.

Taking care of others and doing your best

on the job requires you to first and foremost 

care for yourself.

Silence is Golden.

Thank you to Colleen McGinn for the

photograph of ice cream tulips. 

If You're Too Tired to Speak Sit Next to Me~I Too am Fluent in Silence

"So, if you are too tired to speak,

Sit next to me, because

I, too, am fluent in silence."

R. Arnold

Sometimes when life speeds up, 

and you're overwhelmed keeping up with 

multiple life changes and expectations, 

you forget to take your down time right when

you need moments of quiet in your day.

  When you're tired; 

When you don't want to interact;

When you don't want to speak or think; 

Take moments in your day to do nothing.

Lose the expectations. 

Regain your center.

Take that lunch break; 

Don't allow others to invade 

your much needed down time.

Start your day and week with a plan. 

When others unwittingly attempt 

to disrupt your scheduled lunch break

give them other options. 

If they must meet with you 

during your scheduled lunch,

schedule your lunch at another time

or leave work earlier. 

Failing to take your break 

is not an option.

To be your best productive self

you need to approach 

your work with a fresh mind.

You are not doing yourself or your work

any favors when you give up your

much needed work break.

When you're healing from surgery or illness

let others know how you want to communicate.

People want to support you 

but text and email messages 

may be better than phone calls.

No matter our situation, 

we all need the healing of silence daily. 

To be your best and offer your best,

replace the expectation of 

always being available to others

with the expectation that you'll always 

take time for yourself.

Taking care of others and doing your best

on the job requires you to first and foremost 

care for yourself.

Silence is Golden.

Thank you to Colleen McGinn for the

photograph of ice cream tulips. 

Lightarted Living: Birthing a Butterfly

Lightarted Living: Birthing a Butterfly:   With the Gentleness of a Butterfly Wing   Fiona, butterfly # 62 whispers goodbye and thank you, Debi.   Such a small act of kind...

With the Gentleness of a Butterfly Wing

 

Fiona, butterfly # 62 whispers goodbye

and thank you, Debi.

 

Such a small act of kindness

you provide

one caterpillar,

one cocoon,

one butterfly at a time.

 

Such tender loving care

you provide;

giving us a safe environment

with food and shelter

as we morph

from one stage to another;

watching over us daily

to set us free at the moment

of our destiny.

 

With great care, 

and the gentleness of a butterfly wing,

You release us back to nature

and watch as we spread our wings

and fly away

on our long journey

and short life

to continue birthing butterflies 

for the goodness and beauty of life

for many generations to come.

Care for nature and those around you 

with the gentleness of a butterfly wing.

We are all birthing butterflies in our lives.

What are the butterflies that you're birthing now?

What beauty are you nurturing now 

to release into the world for the good of us all?