Our lives can get very dull when we feel trapped in the mundane tasks and routines of daily life. It is easy to get bogged down in our responsibilities and the work that simply must get done. Yet, too much of the mundane will dull our senses and suck the life out of us, leaving us dry and bored. The solution? We must find ways to engage our creativity on a regular basis so we … [Read more...]
Lessons from Your Big Toe on Work-Life Balance
We all want to know how to achieve balance in our work-life spheres, hoping that when we do, we will be able to move smoothly between work and life activities. While some have criticized the balance metaphor, Michael Hyatt, in a recent blog post titled What No One Ever Told You About Work-Life Balance, challenged the “magic bullet” misconceptions about balance and reframed the … [Read more...]
Secret Ingredients for Relaxation
In our busy lives, it is important to take time to relax. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s hard to slow down from the frenetic pace at which we often move through our days. Our minds and bodies may desperately want a respite, but the tension that has built up must be diffused first. Sleeping pills and relaxants may do the trick, but with the risk of side effects and even … [Read more...]
Change Your Mantra, Change Your Life
I’m always amused when I catch my husband talking to himself. Sometimes it’s in the morning when he’s getting ready for work, reminding himself what he needs to do that day. At other times he’s in his office expressing frustration about an unsuccessful call to the cable company to resolve an issue. Hearing him alone in the room talking to himself amuses me; I have to smile. Of … [Read more...]
How Much Is Your Job Costing You?
When we evaluate our work we usually look at how it suits our skill-set, whether the schedule fits our needs, and if the salary is fair. We may not consider how much a job is costing us. I’m not talking about the intangible aspects of a job like health or commuting time. Sticking strictly with dollars and cents, every job has a cost. Weighing the costs against the benefits can … [Read more...]
Making Peace with a Never-ending To Do List
Lately I have been reflecting on my to do list, and the fact that it never ends. For every item I cross off, there seems to be two items that take its place. Each day I work to finish the list, but each night there are still items leftover, waiting for the next day to start again. As a goal-oriented person, having items left is like failing to accomplish my goal. I want to … [Read more...]
Cultivating your Calling
When my oldest daughter was 18-months-old, she had defined abdominal muscles. It was not because of anything we did; she simply loved to move and stayed very active. The day my son was born I took one look at his long fingers as he waved them in the air and knew he must play the cello. My second daughter often reminds me that she was “born to dance.” And my youngest son is our … [Read more...]
Mapping Your Money to Fight Debt and Find Peace
Of all the things that steal my peace, money is pretty high on the list. In fact, trying to figure out how to pay for stuff takes up more of my mental space than I would like to admit. One of the biggest problems in managing finances is debt. It is so easy to get into and so difficult to get out of. Debt is probably responsible for more sleepless nights, broken marriages, and … [Read more...]
Six Compelling Reasons You Should Go Back to School
We all face the challenges of keeping our certifications current and our skills marketable in an ever-changing job market. To do this, many people make the choice to return to school for additional training. Going back to school presents unique challenges to adult learners, especially when they have to juggle work and family in addition to their classes. However, it also … [Read more...]
The Secret Power of Silence
Our lives are noisy places. Between the hustle and bustle of work and life, we are bombarded by constant noise. In our 24/7 world, silence is of little value. The radio blares music or commentary and television beams images and stories and news. The noise level has reached such staggering levels that silence may even seem scary. We may say we yearn for peace and quiet, but when … [Read more...]
