Slowing Down In Life

Slowing Down In Life

Slowing Down In Life isn't just becoming popular these days but it has become a trend, in fact.  BUT if at all, the basic message resonating around is more about consuming LESS and taking a slower approach in our everyday life.  And that SLOWDOWN is becoming an unabated trend.  We see fast food outlets now offering vegan menus and both AppsStore and PlayStore are offering apps about meditation and about reducing our screen time💷💵

In fact, to dissect this trend, SLOWING DOWN in life is becoming a lifestyle that encourages a lower approach to everyday life.  From my personal experience in SLOWING DOWN so far, I've found that it had helped me connect with myself deeply and even increasing my self-awareness.  Obviously, it seeps and spreads into other areas of my life impacting them significantly and today, let's take some time to look at all the areas it can touch and impact generally.  It can and does look different for everyone📘📙📗

So, let's rattle off the most obvious UPSIDES when we SLOW DOWN in life.  That elusive LUXURY OF TIME.  This goes without saying, the moment you slow down, you begin to see the amount of time you have at hand in your day and life in general.  It also allows you to make more intentional use of your time while leaving enough for life's UNPLANNED moments and spontaneity💎💎💎

Your IMPROVED HEALTH. We've all at some point come across the downsides of hustle culture.  Slowing down gives us both the TIME & SPACE to focus and work on our health, take a breath from the constant rush in our daily life and even practice SELF-CARE.  It also gives us a window to really embrace the SLOW LIFE as it impacts our health❎❎❎

BOOSTED PRODUCTIVITY.  This is one of the first noticeable signs when we indeed SLOW DOWN.  It keeps away stress, anxiety and overwhelm.  And when we're focused on the task at hand, it becomes easier to complete the said task efficiently as opposed to being bogged down by doing everything at once.  Lastly, fostering meaningful relationships is a beneficiary where no costs and little effort is needed from our end.  Talking about SLOWING DOWN IN LIFE❗❗❗

The Pitfalls Of TRYING

The Pitfalls Of TRYING

How often have you tried to change a habit OR achieve a goal, only to fall short time and time again?  The thing is, no matter WHAT it is you're trying to do in life, it is pretty much a guarantee that it will take a ton of hard work, focus and commitment.  Nothing worth doing comes easy, and you're going to have to be prepared to overcome any number of obstacles in your path as you pursue your goals.  What we need to be aware of are The Pitfalls Of TRYING📌📌📌

This is something that we're all told pretty often, BUT it can still be frustrating and discouraging when we stumble and seem to lose PROGRESS.  Sometimes, it can feel like we're NOT getting anywhere at all, and that can prevent us from moving forward.  NOT all obstacles are created equal, however, and there are some PITFALLS that we can learn to avoid as we're pursuing our dreams💴💷💵

Let's start with IDEAS.  How many IDEAS have you brainstormed, feeling energized and eager to start, only to feel your own MOTIVATION slowly dissolve as procrastination kicks in?  Indeed, CHANGE is hard.  BUT what if it DIDN'T have to be so hard?  WHAT IF there was a simple mindset shift that could help you finally break through BARRIERS  and manifest CHANGE📗📙📘

 With regard the Pitfalls Of TRYING, we often seek CHANGE through EFFORT, even summoning willpower.  BUT relying on sheer effortful striving is an exhausting way to live.  It's constantly white-knuckling, hoping our determination outpaces our cravings OR inertia.  So, the cycle goes like this:  We start STRONG, applying the rules and restrictions meant to curb the bad and accelerate the good.  That initial excitement and enthusiasm carries us BUT only for awhile though❌❌❌

BUT before we know it, we're back to square one, left wondering WHERE to find motivation take two.  BUT WHAT IF there is another way?  Instead of disciplined effort, WHAT IF lasting CHANGE was the natural consequence of our conscious commitment?  This approach flips the script by shifting first NOT our behaviors BUT our beliefs.  In Psychology, this is also called the 100% RULE when we make wholehearted commitment without caveats OR compromises.  That snaps off the PITFALLS of TRYING, dude❗❗❗

We CAN'T Control The Wind BUT We Can DIRECT THE SAILS

We CAN'T Control The Wind BUT We Can DIRECT THE SAILS

We CAN'T Control The Wind BUT We Can DIRECT THE SAILS.  This is one of the most widely quoted one-liners.  To date, it is credited to Dolly Parton, Jimmy Dean, Thomas Monson, Bertha Calloway and several others.  indeed, to take a leaf from the 1859 quote from spiritualist Cora Hatch, YOU COULD NOT PREVENT A THUNDERSTORM BUT YOU COULD USE ELECTRICITY.  YOU COULD NOT DIRECT THE WIND BUT YOU COULD TRIM YOUR SAIL SO AS TO PROPEL YOUR VESSEL AS YOU PLEASED, NO MATTER WHICH WAY THE WIND BLOWS💴💷💵

Indeed, everyday is an ADVENTURE .  Everyday life gives you a different perspective, leading to another experience.  We DON'T know exactly WHAT it will bring us today, OR tomorrow.  We might influence some things based on our previous experience.  BUT the totality of it is something we CANNOT control.  And BTW, that is just OK.  Having less to control OR even NO control over what will happen is definitely OK.  We DON'T want to handle everything because we DON'T know everything.  Having less to NO control DOESN'T mean though that we DON'T have control in our lives.  WE DO📗📙📘

The CORE message here is that WE ARE THE CAPTAIN OF OUR OWN SHIP.  We are the OWNERS of our life.  NO one lives on this body scientifically.  It is just us.  Like the captain of the ship sailing his own ship, he DOESN'T have control over other elements that might interfere with his adventure.  BUT, he does his best to control the ship.  The captain does his best to manage the ship and to NOT try to control the external elements.  BTW, what's outside of us CANNOT be controlled.  We can influence it BUT we CANNOT control it💎💎💎

It is the nature of life and it's supposed to be that way.  A little bit my way, a little bit your way.  That metaphor of adjusting our SAILS is a particularly apt one, as it suggests that SUCCESS often requires flexibility and adaptability.  Just as a sailor must constantly adjust their SAILS in order to take advantage of shifting winds and changing weather conditions, we must be WILLING to adjust our approach as circumstances change✅✅✅

So what's our takeaway today?  THAT we need to be OPEN TO FEEDBACK and/or constructive criticism, and being willing to make changes to our plans as we learn and grow.  It might also mean being PATIENT and PERSISTENT, even when PROGRESS seems slow OR setbacks would hit you.  On the same breadth, to adjust our SAILS also means being PROACTIVE and taking CONTROL of our own destiny.  We CAN'T control the wind BUT we can choose the direction we want to go and then take deliberate steps to move in that direction.  Ultimately, the key to SUCCESS is NOT in having PERFECT CONDITIONS or a foolproof plan BUT in being able to adapt and adjust as needed.  By doing so, we can stay FOCUSED on our goals and achieve our dreams, regardless of the challenges in our journey❗❗❗

A 'Serial Killer' Named STRESS

A 'Serial Killer' Named STRESS

Allow me share these shocking statistics:  As of 2022, 55% of Americans are STRESSED during the day.  Globally [across 135 countries], 35% are STRESSED.  And in the U.K., 51% of the STRESSED adults reported suffering from DEPRESSION while 61% reported feeling ANXIOUS.  Do we agree that  there is A 'Serial Killer' Named STRESS?  Ooops I'm not leading  my readers towards a 'BLAME GAME', NO sirrrrs.  And we should NOT feel guilty because this has been prevalent till now💵💴💷

Changing lifestyles, financial pressures, workload issues, multi-tasking whether at work, at home or even when on the road, all these are the very common CULPRITS leading us all towards STRESS which, when it worsens, leads to DEPRESSION.  At the end of the day, you feel unhappy, non-productive and withdrawn WHEN you are DEPRESSED📗📙📘

Experts do advise that before we deep-dive to find the very ROOT CAUSE[s] of this vicious cycle which starts off with STRESS, establishing routines filled with HEALTHY HABITS is a great way to move more efficiently through your day while expending less mental ENERGY and even WILLPOWER in the process.  Even following simple routines like exercising, eating the right food, taking ENERGY supplements, meditating, and getting sufficient sleep can considerably help to manage STRESS and even DEPRESSION💎💎💎

Cutting the crap, let's single out the low-hanging triggers of STRESS and DEPRESSION and we can start with the endless turn of STRESSFUL events like personal problems [especially financial and relationship woes], work-related pressures, amongst others.  All of these events can trigger STRESS which can lead to DEPRESSION📌📌📌

BAD LIFESTYLE is another culprit.  Drowning your sorrows with alcohol and booze is NOT a solution to your problem[s].  Unfortunately, many people make LOUSY lifestyle decisions like excessive alcohol and smoking, which can result in a spiral of DEPRESSION.  LONELINESS too is another trigger where being cut out can cause a feeling of LONELINESS.  Even a lack of social life can be a culprit too.  BREAKING NEWS though:  That 'SERIAL KILLER' named STRESS has been cornered and caught [BUT only if you have that WILLPOWER] dude❗❗❗

WHAT IF You're Not Progressing?

WHAT IF You're Not Progressing?

WHAT IF You're Not Progressing? Oh, this is a question NOT so often asked due to its sensitivity.  When I was in the middle of my high school years, I often felt that I was still the same year on year.  I just then kept doing the same thing over and over again but I felt that despite my GOOD FAITH, I seem to be just GOING THROUGH WITH THE MOTIONS💴💷💵

As a post-mortem, I noticed then that sometimes I only achieve one goal and then kept procrastinating and making bad habits.  Then, when I stepped into university, I knew it that that was the start of the homestretch of my formal studies, at least.  And I thought I should WALK THE TALK.  At the start of the academic term, I'll write in my journal notes my TARGET FINAL GRADE for each subject.  At the end of the term, I'll compare my TARGET versus ACTUALS, assessing my performance📘📙📗

My dilemma is sometimes, I DON'T feel it and I think "I JUST DO THE SAME THING EVERYDAY".  Was I right to think that way?  Today, me thinks I was WRONG then.  I then realized that even if in a worst case scenario I was doing NOTHING, it DOESN'T mean I was NOT making PROGRESS because whatever are the circumstances, we are doing something, CONSCIOUSLY or UNCONSCIOUSLY💎💎💎

At hindsight, indeed, I was actually making PROGRESS but likely, it's different depending on HOW I judge it.  In fact, in life, we always make PROGRESS.  Even during those times you felt you were kind of stagnant, even IF you feel like you DIDN'T make any PROGRESS, you are actually compounding yourself to start moving.  If you keep doing the BAD HABITS where you feel much worse over and over again, you are actually making PROGRESS.  Eventually, you will realize THAT what you do is stupid and you start moving on❌❌❌

Sadly, there are people WHO never realize that they're PROGRESSING, even until they die.  NOW that we're aligned on that aspect, the tricky question is why does PROGRESS differ?  Some make BIG PROGRESS while others make SMALL PROGRESS.  Is SMALL PROGRESS that BAD?  NO sirrrs not at all.  Even SMALL PROGRESS can help in the building blocks for your FOUNDATION.  BUT don't make that SMALL PROGRESS as your comfort zone because SELF-LIMITATION is NOT conducive for your IMPROVEMENT.  That's akin to the GROWTH MINDSET.  Start visioning BIGGER than you could till you'll realize you made big strides in PROGRESSING❗❗❗

Coffee For Your MEMORY WOES?

Coffee For Your MEMORY WOES?

Coffee For Your MEMORY WOES?  Before we jump into that, let's agree that MEMORY is indeed a fickle thing.  Sometimes we will remember something significant that did happen a decade ago BUT not what you had for dinner last night OR maybe, you're simply FORGETFUL with those little things, like misplacing your keys, reading texts/SMS but forgetting to respond, and oh yes, forgetting to pay the overlapping bills💴💷💵

Yes it's true, everyone FORGETS things every now and then BUT if you're often FORGETFUL, with important things just out of grasp in your mind OR words right on the tip of your tongue, it can feel debilitating and beyond frustrating.  BUT here's the breaking news.  We got an unexpected ally in COFFEE!  Yes, COFFEE!  Multiple studies showed this. That 1948 research at University of Colorado found in its epidomiological study that COFFEE is associated with the decreased risk of developing forgetfulness, heart failure or even having stroke📗📙📘

 A 2018 study of University of Toronto determined that another chemical produced while brewing coffee, called PHENYLINDANES, seemed to stop the buildup of toxin proteins in the brain that have been linked to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.  Recently, the 2022 report from the Annals of Internal Medicine determined that drinking from 1.5 to 3.5 cups of coffee daily had up to 30 percent lower chance of dying from any cause💎💎💎

A 2018 study of University of Toronto determined that another chemical produced while brewing coffee, called PHENYLINDANES, seemed to stop the buildup of toxin proteins in the brain that have been linked to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.  Another recent study from University of Tsukuba say they investigated how TRIGONELLINE [TG] , a plant alkaloid found in coffee, affected the memory and spatial learning📌📌📌

Setting aside the results of these various studies, one COST-FREE practice with direct impact to help address FORGETFULLNESS is having SUFFICIENT SLEEP.  Experts say that SLEEP has many health benefits, including improving memory.  NOT to have sufficient SLEEP can affect our ability to learn new things, UP TO 40% and it can affect the HIPPOCAMPUS part of your brain which is responsible for making new MEMORIES.  And that certain sleeps, including REM SLEEP, are directly associated with MEMORY CONSOLIDATION or that process of newly learned information being transformed into long-term MEMORY.  Our takeaway:  SLEEP WELL and drink reasonable cups of COFFEE and you'll have lesser MEMORY WOES❕❕❕

PRESSURE, Anyone?

PRESSURE, Anyone?

Many of us DON'T hate PRESSURE.  Truth is, ALL OF US hate PRESSURE.  PRESSURE, Anyone? The GOOD NEWS is that studies show that PRESSURE is a PRIVILEGE.  For most of us, the thought of being under any sort of PRESSURE can be overwhelming.  However, the brightest diamonds are formed under PRESSURE💴💷💵

Let's talk about our careers or any aspect of our life.  It is imperative and important to understand that PRESSURE is a good thing.  That said, it is also important to know HOW to avoid collapsing under its weight.  Despite the NEGATIVE stuff and connotations that come with it, there are zillion reasons WHY PRESSURE is indeed a GOOD THING for us📘📗📙

And one of the obvious reasons WHY PRESSURE is a GOOD THING is that it reflects the person's status of their ABILITY-LEVEL.  If you're in a situation where you are being put under a lot of PRESSURE, it probably means you have proven yourself to a certain level so MORE is expected of you.  In addition to giving you a major confidence boost, this level of PRESSURE also lets you know WHERE you are in the FOOD CHAIN.  If a lot of people need you for a variety of tasks, that is a clear indication that they have confidence in your abilities and can count on you to get it done✅✅✅

BUT here's the catch.  PRESSURE has its downsides!  There are times WHERE too much PRESSURE can be applied to someone due to unreasonable expectations and in some cases, people find themselves in a position they DIDN'T earn because of either luck or a mistake.  In those situations, PRESSURE can take a heavy toll as the person DOESN'T need the position they are in❌❌❌

PRESSURE usually reveals a person's TRUE COLORS.  If they are incapable of doing WHAT needs to be done OR willing to do dishonest things to reach their goals, those are the signs they AREN'T suited for the role and eventually it will all become too much of a PRESSURE for them.  So WHAT'S our takeaway?  It is important to remember WHAT got you there in a situation.  And there are many ways that you can work with your PRESSURE in order to make the most out of it❗❗❗

Do You START Strong? OR Do You FINISH Strong?

Do You START Strong?  OR Do You FINISH Strong?

I've got a giveaway question for this weekend.  Do You START STRONG?  OR Do You FINISH STRONG?  Surely, we'll receive mixed answers to this quite polarizing topic and if I look at the landscape, I would hear more clamoring to FINISH STRONG and not far away from the wilderness, I could hear a motley group pushing to START STRONG.  So, where do we stand here📗📙📘

In competitive sports and athletics, they never cease to scream FINISH STRONG.  And that's NOT debatable at all.  BUT I am very much convinced that that tells us only HALF of the story.  Let's look at the annual BOSTON MARATHON which gathers no less than 30,000 marathoners.  If at the START, you are already at the tail-end, how can you expect yourself to FINISH STRONG?  That means you will run twice as fast as the next 29,000😌😌😌

Well, in life, if you want to SUCCEED, you must COMMIT to three things.  First you must START STRONG.  Second, you got to be CONSISTENTLY STRONG.  And lastly, you got to FINISH STRONG.  Too bad there is no middle-of-the road case here.  You need to be willing to do the things necessary to SUCCEED your pre-set goals no less✔✔✔

I DON'T need to look at anyone except my life.  I humbly admit that I started off STRONG.  I left my supposed laidback life in the province at the raw age of seventeen.  To cut the long story short, I was focused with the lofty goals I set for myself to achieve and along the way, I was garnering SMALL WINS while I was on-track for that FINISH LINE✅✅✅

BTW, I need to qualify my definition of that FINISH LINE.  It doesn't mean I'm referring to the retirement time, nope, not at all.  I equate my FINISH LINE to my pre-set timelines to achieve my pre-set GOALS, name it, being successful in your career, running a stable life after planting the solid foundations of your family.  And obviously BUT most importantly, STAYING HEALTHY.  So, yes, I START STRONG and I FINISH STRONG❗❗❗

When You're On A Ledge

When You're On A Ledge

How often do hear someone that he's On A Ledge?  Likely NOT so often.  In fact, very RARELY, if at all.  Swinging back to ourselves, have you been there?  So, IF and When You're On A Ledge, how is it?  Are things as crystal clear as the potable waters?  OR are they as murky as the polluted or stagnant canals?  Seriously though, When You're On A Ledge, this is the worst ever situation one can ever get into.  Think of the worst-worst ever scenarios.  Someone who's contemplating to quit a job although he's got NO alternative income-earning option yet.  Someone who's gonna go on a sabbatical leave [WOW, what a polite and professional tag]💵💷💴

From a science perspective, if you jump OFF THE LEDGE and accelerate towards the Earth, in turn, the Earth will accelerate towards you at the same time.  That's NEWTON's Third Law. BUT throwing away all the scientific jargon, let's take a step back and envisage that YOU'RE ON A LEDGE.  And the obvious upside is that the closer you are to the LEDGE, the less you're able to see the danger and the more alluring the view gets📗📙📘

From a hiker's perspective, you would hear like:  THE BIGGER AND MORE DRAMATIC DROP OFF, THE BETTER.  Which is really ironic to the typical Tom, Dick and Harry because most of us are afraid of heights.  Imagine in real life, edging closer to the edge, to the ledge, and much as you want to look down [for curiosity sake].  Let's to run a sampling.  An eating disorder.  One's negative coping skills.  If we're in either of those predicaments, the better you're doing, the farther away you are from the LEDGE.  Though, from a safe distance, you can still see the LEDGE but you can also see how dangerous that LEDGE is as you look out into the abyss from a safe place😒😒😒

So, indeed we are at the precipice of getting closer ON A LEDGE, what are our FIXES?  So, when life starts to get HEAVY, and you start to use eating disorder behaviors, OR your mental health is suffering in another way, you start EDGING close and closer to the LEDGE.  The CLOSER you are to the LEDGE, the less you are able to see the danger and the more alluring the view gets, right?  You completely forget how dangerous the LEDGE is because you get so smitten with the view as you look out and down.  You edge CLOSER and CLOSER and the view gets enticing, that you end up having a hard time staying ON THE LEDGE❌❌❌

And as you look down, you see things that are beautiful, like control and lack of pain.  Eventually, the time comes that you get too close, the view becomes too enticing to stay away from, and you jump OFF THE LEDGE.  BUT at the bottom of that LEDGE is PAIN and DANGER and LACK of CONTROL.  The tricky thing is that all those things are disguised as you look down on them.  ONLY when you reach the bottom do you realize that things ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEMED as you looked down FROM THE LEDGE.  Tough Calls, dude❎❎❎

Containing Loneliness

Containing Loneliness

Loneliness itself is a weird feeling.  Sometimes we feel LONELY in a room full of people.  Sometimes, we feel LONELY in an empty room.  Sometimes, the memories haunt us.  Sometimes, the future haunts us.  Sometimes, something does NOT make sense.  Sometimes, that same thing makes sense.  BUT most of the time, we're NOT comfortable with this feeling.  Feeling LONELY sucks, honestly.  Then we start to believe that there's something fundamentally wrong📗📙📘

No exception, surely everyone of us would have gone through some situations when we feel insignificant or worse, unworthy.  Then, we start thinking how FLAWED we are.  Then, in our attempt to fix things, you browse with Mr Google everything about LONELINESS.  And expectedly, some of our browsing results will resonate with us while others DON'T

Then, somehow, we tend to navigate through this overwhelming feeling of LONELINESS until it hits us [AGAIN!] and again and again, UNTIL one day we will realize we've transformed into an entirely different person.  So how do we fix this?  Honestly, I am NO expert in counselling so I'll dip into my past decades of life.  Here we go.  Primero, let's remember and realize that we remain connected to many more millions who are going through the same things like us💧💧💧

Segundo, let's realize WE ARE IN CONTROL.  Let us use our inner power to make positive changes in our life.  Relaxing, reflecting or doing a new hobby, these are cost-free and almost effortless.  Tercero, EMBRACE CREATIVITY.  Many studies ended up with this FIX.  Own your experience.  Take its power away💥💥💥

Cuarto, remember you are CARED FOR.   You may be living on your own now but surely, most of your loved ones are either a call away, a message away, a tweet away, an emoji away.  In these times when social media's takeover of our lives CAN'T be denied, containing loneliness should NOT like a steep mountain to climb, NOT ANYMORE!!!