Kaizen philosophy has made an indelible impact on my life and it can be applied to every aspect of your life.  It is about making a commitment and willingness to change.  There is always room for improvement.  It’s about moving forward; one small step at a time.   

Write it down.  What needs improvement in your life?  Write it out!  Do you need improvement in your business, finances, health, relationships?  Make the commitment and gradually start implementing these changes.  At the end of your day, ask yourself: What did I improve?   

Live in the moment.  The past is gone and the future is not here. Focus on living in the moment, being open to seeing the lessons around you and having the willingness to learn and improve.  Every day I work at improving my life. 

Every one of us is here in this world to be happy and successful!  I am constantly learning, growing and wanting the best in my life. When I know better, I do better. I never stop trying to improve.   Are you getting results you want in your life? What needs improving?  

 Small improvements are believable and therefore achievable! – Anthony Robbins

So why is life-long learning important?

1. First of all, life is dynamic. If you are static in the area of knowledge, you will quickly become obsolete. Learning is expansive and keeps your mind flexible and adaptive to change and growth.
2. Learning facilitates your creativity. As you learn, you can take that knowledge and blend it with your previous experiences and create something totally unique for you.
3. Learning stimulates and strengthens the neuron connections in the brain. The stronger you maintain these connections, studies show that you lower your risks of dementia-type disorders as you age.
4. Learning reinforces that “child-like” curiosity that keeps you young at heart. If you approach learning with reluctance and dread, you lose that joy and fascination that is available to you otherwise.
5. Learning keeps you engaged and relevant in society. You will have lots of topics that you can talk about in any social situation you find yourself in. You will be able to make those around you feel comfortable and valued.

Tips for making learning more joyful:

1. Sit close to the front in a class.  You will be more likely keep your focus and be engaged with the speaker to take away more nuggets of information.
2. Learn speed reading techniques. As you increase your speed of reading, you increase the rate at which you can acquire new information.
3. Choose to learn something that seems interesting and challenging to you. The biggest expansions in life usually show up when we find ourselves outside our comfort zone or our typical “box” so to speak.
4. Learning is most joyful and successful when you pass that information on to someone else. Improve someone else’s life by sharing what you know.

Add depth to your life this week by challenging yourself to learn something new. You will find that you deepen your thoughts, your creativity, your relationships, and your joy.  That is truly the gift of learning.

Traci Vincent

Keep it in perspective

Your money beliefs lead to your money habits. Take some time to examine your money beliefs and where they are rooted. Look for patterns over the course of your life. Did your parents or someone else influence your money beliefs (i.e., saying that “money doesn’t grow on trees”), or your money habits (i.e., buying unnecessary items using credit cards)? Become very aware of your underlying money beliefs and how they are affecting your current financial picture.

Don’t keep it all in your head

Have you ever thought about how making more money would resolve all of your financial woes, only to find that when you do make more money, you continue to experience the same financial stress? Many people loosely track their finances and they are unaware of all of the “money leaks” that they are creating. Gaining control of your finances is a way to greatly reduce your level of financial stress. Know what your financial picture is and have it written down. This is just like the mall directory map, which has the large arrow that says, “You Are Here”. Know where you are and where you want to go. Keep a log of the money flowing in and out, preferably on a daily basis, but at least weekly.

Create a workable plan

The act of worrying is equivalent to sitting in the driver’s seat of a sports car and revving up the engine, but never shifting out of neutral. It is an extreme waste of time and energy, and much more importantly, it is a major contributor to stress. Instead of focusing on what might happen, take some time to think about what financial obligations are coming up in both the near and distant future and how you can begin to take action now.  Be creative here! Do you have a skill that you could capitalize on? Do you have something in your garage that you are no longer using that you can sell? Are you able to pitch a new deal at your office? Spend some time brainstorming and let your imagination run wild!

You’re not in this alone

Discussing your personal finances at a party would be about as welcome as a bull in a china shop. Let’s just face it – most people would rather talk about their sex lives then discuss their money situation. However, this could be partly to blame for their financial woes. Gaining another perspective on your financial situation can be very valuable in helping you to change your financial habits. The way you behave with money affects every aspect of your life, so it deserves its due attention. Seek emotional support from a respected family member (one who is much better off financially than yourself), or a financial coach/mentor who can help you to reset your financial thermostat.  Always remember that whatever your situation, you can discover what is holding you back and create a shift in your money mindset! ~ Tanya Mundo

Thankfully, I found the strength and courage to leave that unpleasant situation and with guidance, patience and love I learned how to live and “chill-out”.  I would like to share the tools that helped me accomplish complete relaxation:

Laughter – the body’s natural relaxant.  Watch comedies, join a laughter group it has proven to reduce stress and increase your immune system. Studies have shown that it reduces the levels of the hormone cortisol in your body. I love to laugh!

Deep Breathing Exercise – When I find myself getting anxious or tense I do a deep breathing exercise. This exercise can be done anywhere.  It calms the mind and balances the emotions.  Sit straight with your hands on your lap and close your eyes. Focus on your breathing.  Start inhaling slowing and deeply to a count of 4 seconds.  Hold your breath for a count of 7 seconds and then release and exhale slowly for a count of 8 seconds.  You will instantly feel a sense of calm.

Get moving – Any form of exercise will regenerate your energy and help release stress from your life. Get moving whether it be a light walk, a slow swim, yoga class or dance! You will feel wonderful.

Music – Any genre of calm music will help you quiet the mind; keep you focused in the present moment and slow the pace down to relaxation. 

Naturally, it has taken patience and practise to cut out the drama from my life.  These techniques have served me well over the years.  I respond differently now to situations in my life.   When I take a couple of minutes to relax with any of these strategies it keeps me centered and once relaxed it allows my creative energy to flow.  I now live with complete gratitude and I’m most definitely a more peaceful person to be around!  This too shall pass.  Let Go and Trust.  – A Course in Miracles

So how can we decrease our stress levels and still be productive and successful in school, at work and at home?

1. Stick to a maximum of 4-6 projects period. If you say yes to more, than you have to be willing to give up another. Lose the guilt and stop getting sucked in by peer pressure to do more than is healthy for you. Be honest with the other person asking for your involvement or help and also be honest with yourself. It’s perfectly okay to say that the project is great, but just not right now. Honor yourself. You are worth it.

2. Organize the project or class work into smaller tasks. Spend a dedicated amount of time consistently to the task. Perhaps it is 30 minutes a day or 2 hours a week or whatever is in alignment to get the results you need.  Make sure this time is uninterrupted time as well.  If you set aside 4 hours a week to start building a side business, for example; it needs to be 4 hours without interruption of texting, emails, Facebook, phone calls, etc. Many of us are technology addicts and lose focus each time we get off track. We then have to spend time getting refocused which uses up valuable time that can leave us anxious and in a time crunch as a result.

3. Breathe deeply and often. If you take a moment to observe your breath, especially when you are feeling stressed, you will likely find that you are breathing very shallow and possibly using your neck accessory muscles to lift your rib cage up as you inhale. Try instead to place one hand on your belly and as you inhale, feel your belly expand into your hand. This is diaphragmatic breathing. You will take in much more oxygen to feed the cells in your brain and your muscles and also ease tension and anxiety.

4. Smile. If you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed, smile. It is amazing how a simple smile or some laughter can change everything. Your body relaxes and stress levels melt each time you laugh or smile. Take notice for yourself as you try it right now.  Smile…Laugh. Is your stress level equal or did it decrease a bit?

5. Have gratitude. Often, when we are stressed out, it is easy to forget all the things we should be grateful for in the first place.  Stressed over school? Take a moment to be grateful for the opportunity to learn and build your foundation for the future you aspire to reach.  Stressed about work? Maybe look around for a minute. Probably your job helped pay for the clothes you are wearing, helped pay for the car that transported you there, helped pay for the place you live in and paid for the food that you put in your stomach that day.  As tough and stressful as your day might be, lots of valuable things come from your work, so be grateful. Stressed out over kids and activities? Think about all the joy and laughter that you have had. This period of stress will pass as you learn to react and respond differently. Tip #3 also comes in handy when dealing with kids!

6. Eat healthy. Eat lots of fresh vegetables, nuts and fruits to keep your immunity strong and your body running smoothly. During times of stress, it is easy to reach for sugary foods or fast, convenient, processed foods. These foods do nothing to improve your body’s immune system or improve your performance.  Feed your body real foods for real results.

Stress is part of life, and certain amounts of stress can actually motivate us. However, its up to us to take steps to help make stress more manageable and less harmful to our bodies. Remember, don’t procrastinate, stay organized, honor yourself and limit your commitments, eat right, breathe and smile all along the journey!  Traci Vincent

First, I would like you to take a minute to sit somewhere comfortable and quiet, close your eyes, and begin to imagine that you are checking your bank account balance. For many, this is a stressful situation, so don’t get ahead of me here! Imagine that when you see or hear your balance, it is way more than you expected (you pick the number here). I like to insert the number $50,000, as most might not have this amount in their checking account on a regular basis. Notice the way that you feel knowing that you have that amount in your account. Do you feel a sense of calmness, a sense of excitement, a sense of validation? Really pay attention to this feeling in your physical body and in your mind. This is the way that people living in abundance feel every day. Whenever you are feeling negatively about your finances, go back to this exercise and tap into that feeling of abundance.

Second, I would like you to evaluate the amount of “financial clutter” in your life. The term, financial clutter, refers to many things, such as not knowing how much money you owe or is owed to you, having loose change just floating around all over your house, car, or at the bottom of your purse, not having your bills/mail organized, not knowing how much you have in your bank accounts on a daily basis, avoiding discussing the subject of money with loved ones, being generally disorganized, or paying bills sporadically or not knowing their due dates. One of the most sensitive topics of conversation is money. If this is the case for you, get clear about and organized with your money so that you can begin to gain control of your money situation. When you learn to manage what you already have, the universe will begin to trust you with more.

Third, begin to prepare for increase. If you have taken the two simple steps that I discussed above, you are on your way to living more abundantly. If you are not already, begin to look at allocating a portion your finances to account for things such as contributing to your spiritual source and creating a “cushion” for yourself. Keep a money journal or track your money online or through financial software and become aware of what is coming in and what is going out daily. If you are living “paycheck to paycheck”, you might need to allocate only 1% each to your spiritual source and your cushion. The key is that you have to allocate something, as this shows the universe that you are ready for increase.

Feeling comfortable with the subject of money is key to creating financial peace, as financial peace begins inside of you and resonates outward. Remember that you live in a world of abundance, and it is all around you just waiting for you to tap into it! ~ Tanya Mundo

Have you ever noticed that sometimes you feel out of sorts, unhappy or even resentful but really have no idea why?

Intrinsically, we are all a lot more than just what meets the eye. There are many aspects of our lives that need our attention in order to feel complete so we can be at the top of our game and feel at peace.  When off balance for a period of time, we start to feel the effects manifesting as resentment, depression, anger, anxiety, etc.

In order to decipher the cause of our imbalances, we need to know ourselves from the inside out. For instance, I have discovered I require an adequate amount of time to myself.  My mind is always going a million miles per minute, and I require time to process and organize my thoughts and feelings in order to feel at peace.  When my physical schedule keeps me running from activity to activity, I start to become anxious or down unless I make sure to carve out some time for me, even if it requires me to decline some invitations, get up earlier or stay up later.  I have realized that this is one way I truly connect to my center and gain clarity.  Whether I am meditating, sitting in a quiet room or soaking in a bubble bath, I cherish and need my alone time to regroup and recharge.

Everyone is unique, but specific areas that may be calling out for attention are time for fun, organization, sleep, creativity, studying, hobbies, self care and beauty, working out, social activities with friends and/or family, accomplishing projects, travel, volunteering, deeply connecting with another, speaking your truth, etc.

The next time you find yourself in a mood or feeling off kilter or uneasy, stop and ask yourself what you are currently requiring that is not being fulfilled. The answer is within and will definitely speak to you if you take the time to listen, trust, and then follow through.  The awakening to this understanding can be very enlightening and even life changing, but you must  follow through.

For those of you who may not know, I am a multiple credentialed nurse practitioner currently practicing high-risk pediatrics for our local hospital.  Life can take a fast dramatic, life altering turn at any moment.  I am constantly reminded of the very fragility of life and the deep gift of each day.  I never know what will happen when I walk through the door or when the phone rings.   Here at the hospital, there is no place happier on the planet when things go well and there are few sadder when they do not.  For the first eighteen years of practice, I did not know how to handle the stress.  I simply carried it in my body. I was SO serious, the perfect example of how not to do it!

I know, all too well, we are all here on this planet for only so many minutes, hours, days, months, and sometimes years.  I like the priest in the movie Rudy have learned two things from working here: 1. There is a God and 2. I am not Him. When you work with children, you learn they play even in the midst of unthinkable pain.  They smile, laugh, and joke.  They can make a toy and game of almost anything.  After years of watching, I have learned to relax and trust.  I am in no way cavalier.  I practice expert, evidence based, medicine and include the parents in my decisions. I have contagious quiet joy with me wherever I go.

If you were to follow me around all day you would find me talking happily to my patients, their siblings, and parents.  I am gentle and cheerful with the staff.  Should you happen into my office you might be surprised to see amidst the text books and photos,  a group of toys, strategically placed up on the bookshelf at eye level so I can see them. There is a can of purple silly putty, an orange bouncy ball, a yellow rubber duck, a slinky, and white bunny finger puppet. There are also a few rocks I have collected while out on walks to clear my brain and a sea shell or two. Front and center you will see half or a board I broke last year with JB, Billy Beck III and my morning coach compadres. If you turn on my ipad you will find all the medical apps and of course games and puzzles.  These are my reminders. You do not quit playing because you get old, you get old because you quit playing.

I know how to play and love it.  Do you?  Do you take yourself or your life too seriously?   Take it from one who did for years and paid a high cost. It just “ain’t” worth it! Look at me, the grandmother of ten!

So how did I do it?

I became more like my patients

I learned to be child-like

I made peace with God and myself

I realized (gasp) I am not perfect (never will be)

I rediscovered I love toys

I love to play

I love to turn the music up really loud and dance and sing

Now it is your turn:

Lighten up!

So buy some toys!

Turn up those cheesy old songs that make you laugh

Get outside even if you need foul weather gear like we do.

Play!!!

This is the only shot we get at this life.

Have some fun.

Find it in the least likely of places!

One last thing should you find a motorcycle jut sitting there with a cute French Air Force Officer near by in Paris, ask him if you could hop on!  Need any hints?  Contact me!

Grace and peace,

Lori

LoriElgin.Com

Without getting too technical and deep into physiology here, pain is generally a protective signal sent from a nerve to the brain warning it that there is a situation of injury, inflammation or damage occurring in a particular muscle or tissue. Typically, the brain responds by telling the muscles to contract to pull away and protect or to shut off to avoid further damage or injury.

Interestingly enough, could emotional pain be viewed in a similar way? Don’t we often contract and pull away or just shut down when we suffer from emotional pain? Something else I have observed over the past 25 years working with people in pain is the connection between physical pain and emotional pain and the immense power of the mind. Have you ever been upset with your spouse or co-worker and ended up with a stiff neck, headache or upset stomach? Would you say that is emotional pain showing itself as physical pain? Have you ever been worried over finances or bills and somehow woke up with back pain? Did you wonder what the reason was for the back pain or did you think you simply slept “wrong”? In our society, physical pain is the only pain that is acceptable to discuss openly, and emotional pain is somehow viewed as a weakness and something to be hidden and covered up.  Our bodies are nothing short of wonderful masterpieces and powerfully controlled by our mind. When we become more aware of what the mind is doing, we start to see why things sometimes manifest themselves in our bodies as pain.

Here are some basic tips to think about when you have pain:

1. Breathe. Take slow deep belly breaths.  Allow your belly to rise as you inhale.  This increases the amount of oxygen flowing into your tissues, adjusts your nervous system and calms your mind.

2.Observe. Take a look a the situation. Are you stressed or upset about something? Are you doing something you don’t want to do? Are you operating from a position of fear or avoidance? Are you doing something your body is not currently flexible or strong enough to endure?

3.Get the Facts. Obtain knowledge about your body, how it works and your condition. Ask questions! I can’t tell you how many people I treat who are reluctant to ask questions about their bodies.  If you understand, for example, how the shoulder joint works, you probably are going to have a better understanding of what to do and what not to do to avoid further injury or damage. Changing behaviors and movement patterns can completely change the mechanics of the situation and significantly impact your pain level.

4.Journal. Write down what type of pain you are feeling.  Is it burning, throbbing, stabbing, aching,etc? What type of activity have you been doing? Write down any stressors you have had at work, at school or at home. When you write things down you can begin to see patterns and this will be very useful in helping you and/or your healthcare practitioner to better understand what’s going on in your body.  It makes my job more challenging and difficult to be effective when I first treat a patient and for example they tell me nothing happened to cause their back pain and then 2 weeks later they  nonchalantly mention that they fell 4 months ago and fractured several ribs or that they got fired from their job and are suing their employer.

5.Take Action. Whether it’s adjusting your computer station, learning proper body mechanics, reviewing a new technique in your sport, opening up and communicating your feelings, speaking to a healthcare professional, your teacher, a coach, or your supervisor about your situation, take action to make a change.  Nothing will change until you do.

When you start to observe how your body speaks your mind, you begin to unlock the power of healing. Your mind put you where you are today and it will put you where are a going to be tomorrow. So next time you hear someone say, “No pain, no gain,” think about what you are willing to gain by looking at pain in a different way.

Traci Vincent

I consider being a positive role model one of the most potent forms of helping others.  I  like to call it “being a beacon”. I think Marianne Williamson said it best in her letter titled Our Deepest Fear; “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same, as we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Even though I believe that the original thought of helping others can provide needed assistance, I believe that becoming a beacon for others to follow is not only helpful for others but for ourselves as well.

It’s amazing to see the capacity of humanity at work.  One of the best examples of human “beaconism” is that of Roger Bannister. Roger Bannister was the first man to ever break the 4-minute mile in track and field. At that time the common belief was that it was humanely impossible to achieve that feat.  On May 6, 1954, Roger achieved the impossible; he ran the mile in under 4 minutes. This had never been done before in the history of track and field. However, once Roger broke the record, the ‘four-minute barrier’ has continued to be broken by many track and field athletes and is now the standard of all professional middle-distance runners. It’s amazing what happens when one person chooses to break limitations; it creates a new reality and a beacon for others to follow.  I believe we are all capable of this in some way, shape or form.

I would like to help as many people as possible, but unfortunately, resources are limited.  In addition, you can only help a person so many times before they become dependent on your help.  Instead of taking an external approach to this scenario, what if we approached it in an unconventional way?  Instead of giving fish to the needy, why not teach them how to fish by serving as an example?

I challenge you today to allow your true light to shine and become that beacon that so many people desperately need. It’s a small act that, if done collectively, can truly make a difference in the world.