Count Your Blessings

We are always told to count our blessings? But do we really do so? I try to thank God (or whatever the higher power that is out there) for the good things that happen to me. Even if it is being on time for work when I am running late. We have to try to think about how lucky we are. Good things happen to us every day. We don't even notice it half the time. I consider myself a pretty lucky person. No, I have never won the lottery, I haven't gotten a dream vacation to the bahamas, but there hasn't been too many bad things in my life, and I am still alive. I am always thankful. I am healthy, I have a kind and loving family. That's really all I need in the world. Unhappiness comes from wanting more and more out of life. I get upset sometimes because things aren't going exactly the way I want them to, but that OKAY. I am lucky that I have a job, that I get good health benefits, I am lucky that I have the resources to go to school and further my education. We should all be greatful for the good things in life. They outweigh the bad, even if we don't see it. Negative things can cloud our judgement and make us resentful. We need to get past that cloud, recognize the positive. If we keep doing that, life with be ten times better.
Namaste

We Don't Need Excuses, We Just Are

Why do so many people think that it takes something to make them happy. There has to be a reason that we are happy. We just got paid, we got a new house, a new Tv, a hot tub. Those things make us happy, but for how long? Then we keep buying things, because money buys happiness? We have all heard the saying "Money Doesn't Buy Happiness." Well, it doesn't. We make our own happiness. Happiness is not something that is a gift, its not something that comes around once in a while. It is there and it is there for the taking. We just have to work harder at being happier people. We as human being need to stop having excuses for being happy. We find so many reasons to be upset with others and with ourselves. Why not find the many reasons there are to be happy? Look at the positive, not the negative. Stop finding reasons to be unhappy. People always remember the negative things in life and tend to overlook all of the positive things that go on throughout the day. I challenge you to make a list of all the good things that happen to you in a day, big or small. Next to that, make a list of all the bad things that happen. Chances are, there will be a lot more good things than bad. Be grateful for the good things in life.
Namaste

"Never, never, never give up"

There are people in the world who accomplish great things. They become great people, inspirations to others. Many of us think that it must take a really really special person for them to get what they want out of life. That isn't the case. We can all get what we want. They say that if you want something bad enough, you will get it. Yes, you will, but don't think that its just going to take some really hard wishing, it will also include hard work. I have talked to so many people who told me that they can't become a nurse because they have kids, life is too hard. Those are excuses, anyone who wants to be a nurse, or anything else for that matter, can be what they want. It's just not going to always come easy. I know a nurse who told me that while she was in school she was working sixty hour weeks! But she made it, and she said the reason was because she always thought about the people who had it harder than her, the single moms with children and a full time job. People are accomplishing things everyday. If you are knocked down, pick yourself back up and keep working towards your goal. Like Winston Churchill said, "never, never, never give up." This is why I know that someday there will be a cure for cancer. There are people working so hard to find it. Think about all the wonderful things that have been invented. Where did the iPod come from? Someone had an idea in their mind and they never gave up on that idea. They made it work. I was reading an article about the actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt (He plays in the movie Inception) and he was telling an interviewer how hard it was to make it in the acting business. He said that because he had been a child actor, people didn't want to hire him for roles. He said the even though people kept shooting him down, he would just keep going. Now he's famous, people love him as an actor. There are so many examples of people making it in this world. Success never came without a struggle. So, if you have to struggle, struggle hard, you will achieve your dreams!
Namaste

You want to fly? First learn to walk.

Hm, what to write, what to write. My best friend lectured me on keeping up with my blog the other day, so I am trying to get back to blogging everyday (or as much as I can). Don't get me wrong. I love to blog, but I think I worry too much about WHAT I am going to write. I know that people read this, at least two..., so I do want to keep this up. I would love it if more people followed my blog, but I guess it is a good thing that at least some people follow it. ^^ One thing that I haven't shared yet is that my Dad has started taking Yoga with me. I think it's a great thing. Yoga is such a healthy way of life, and it makes people more aware of the unhealthy things that they do. My dad has admitted to that one. He says that he is enjoying it a lot, and feels better after practicing. We go to a yoga class once a week. He drives to my mom's house and we walk to the studio together. It's not only beneficial for our health, but for our relationship as well. We get to do something one-on-one together once a week. My dad is a beginner yogi, so there are some poses that he is not ready for. I worry when he tries to push himself to do things that he shouldn't do. I wish that I could say something to him, but I don't want to offend him or hurt his feelings. If I were his Yoga instructor I would say something. One thing I want to point out is that in Yoga we should never push our limits. Yes, a challenge is okay, but take it step by step. Jumping the gun could end with an injury that could take weeks to heal. The same amount of time that it could take to master a pose. Patience is a key figure in yoga. I cannot stress this enough. I want so badly to learn the scorpion pose, but I know that before that, I have to master the headstand, the dolphin (one of my least favorite) and the peacock. Patience, patience, patience. There was one time that I pushed myself too hard, I slid right into Tortoise Pose (you can google it) with hardly any preparation and I was so excited that I did it two more times. I ended up having a horrible cramp that remained for about a month and a half. Was it really worth it? No. My leg was hurting so badly that I limped when I walked. I cannot stress enough! Patient preparation! It is so important!!! I know that it will take me a long time before I can do the Scorpion. But I am willing to wait. As for my Dad, I think I may have to have a talk with him about the same thing. Thank you for reading!
Namaste

Sleep Well

I may not be an expert on the subject of sleep, but I do have a thing or two to say about it. One, I sleep too much, but I think it's better than being an insomniac. I work in a hospital at night, so I know that there are a lot of people out there who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. I kow that there are a lot of people who rely on taking pills to get them to sleep. That includes not only the patients that I work with, but my co-workers. Does it not seem like taking a pill to knock you out is not really the healthiest idea? Taking sleeping pills can help people sleep for a while, but then they rely on those things. Let's say that someone gets admitted into the hospital. They go to their temporary room, lay in their temporary bed and toss and turn for an hour or two. They are in an unfamiliar place, they can't sleep next to someone who is snoring or moaning in their sleep. They ask for a sleeping pill. I'm not saying that it's a bad thing to ask for a sleeping pill when it gets to that point. All I want to point out is that there are alternative methods to put oneself to sleep. There are many people who work at night and can't sleep during the day. The reason is because when they work at night their circadian rhythm is being messed with. For some reason I haven't had that problem. I consider myself lucky. For people who can't sleep during the day I have a couple things to suggest. Trick your mind into thinking its night. Splurge, buy blackout curtains, make your bedroom look like it does at night. Sleep in a quiet and disruptive environment if able. Try not to pop the pill. As for night sleepers who can't fall asleep or wake up in the wee hours of the morning, try excercising before bed, then take a hot bath with chamomile. Do not drink coffee or caffeinated tea. Do not watch Tv. I see too many patients telling me that the only way for them to fall asleep is by watching Tv. I always shake my head. What a bad bad habit to get into. Turn off the computer at least an hour and a half before bed. The computer is another factor that keeps people awake. Another thing that makes falling asleep easier is stretching. Do some Yoga poses, legs-up-the-wall pose is often recommended to help people get to sleep as well as supported seated forward bend. Meditation is another good way to fall asleep. Why do people fall asleep during savasana in Yoga class? Because it is so relaxing! It's meditation. I'm not saying that we should be falling asleep during meditation, but it can be used as a tool to fall asleep. Count your breath, use a mantra. Even counting sheep is also a meditation! So, if you're one of those insomniacs, why not give at least one of these points a shot. I did not invent these ideas, so I am not taking credit. These alternative methods have appeared in Yoga magazines countless times, so I want to spread the word. Hopefully it helps.
Namaste