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Feeling Lost in the Universe

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Spirituality takes many forms for each of us. It means different things to different people.

So often we lose our way in life and work.  We get bogged down in the complexities and the busyness of life.  It seems easy to lose track of ourselves.  Are we in the right job or do we intuitively know that we are meant for another purpose?

 

We may feel unfulfilled, unmotivated and uninterested.  People around us may be negative, crabby or gossipy.  The environment may be de-energizing, chaotic, or emotionally unhealthy. Yet, we can not make that career change for whatever reason.  Feeling lost in the universe? What do you do?

 

You can do one of the following:

1)      Continue to think the way you are thinking or

2)      Change your thoughts.

 

Sounds pretty simple doesn’t it?  Actually, we have the power to make any change we chose.

I love the quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “We must become the change we want to see.”  If we want to see change, we must become the change and therefore we demonstrate change.

 

To experience spirituality in the work environment and at home I must become it.  To do this I must first create my own awareness.  For instance, each time I view judgment or negativity I must look within. (Because it is truly about me, not anyone else.)

 

Try these universal steps to spiritual change in your work life.

1)      Say Good Morning to everyone you greet on the way to work.  Put on your biggest and most sincere smiling face.  (No faking here!)  Save the biggest smiles for those you have been avoiding.  (Notice how you feel!)

2)      Think ONLY positive thoughts of others..  Each time you think, “What a jerk!”   Stop your thoughts and tell yourself, “OK, I’m judging and this drains my own energy.  I will think only loving thoughts of this person.”  Loving thoughts add positive energy.

3)      When feeling overwhelmed with all that must be completed, know that is your EGO side wanting to keep you in the pits of self-judgment!  When your thoughts sound like this, “I can’t do all this”, “I’ll never finish by then”, or how about “I might not do this right”?  Be aware, these thoughts keep us in the famous victim role of “poor me”!  It is very self-defeating and is an enormous energy drain.  (We are much more capable that we give ourselves credit for.)

4)      Compile a daily list of three to six important tasks and focus on their completion.  You will feel accomplished staying focused instead of feeling scattered or overwhelmed trying to do everything at once.

5)      Be aware that whatever job you are doing at the moment is the task that is meant for you in that particular moment.  Look for the higher spiritual meaning in all that we do.  Do each task gracefully even if it is sharpening your pencil!  (This is practicing consciousness.)

6)      Keep your life uncluttered and tidy!  Organize your desk top, office, your purse or wallet, etc.  Clean up those relationships that have unresolved clutter by being honest and loving.

7)      Take a five minute break when necessary and refocus your thoughts through meditation and/or conscious breathing.

8)      Create or find convenient short meaningful prayers or affirmations to read throughout each day to keep your thoughts centered to be positive and loving to yourself and others.

 

Marianne Williamson’s prayer book “Illuminata” is excellent for daily reflections.  I particularly found this prayer quite powerful and comforting.

“Dear God,

As I go to work today, may Your spirit go with me.

May my work in the world be a vehicle for your love.

Go with me, Lord.

Show me how to love and forgive each person, that I might carry Your light to all I meet.

This is a new day, may it not be darkened by yesterday’s unforgiveness.

Instead, dear Lord, may we begin anew with new strength, new creativity, new power, new love.

If I am the employer, make me kind and compassionate.

Show me the art of leadership.

If I am the employee, make me kind and compassionate.

Show me the art of service.

For we are all in Your service, Lord, and here to lead the earth out of darkness into light.

May our work do this, through Your power with us.

And so it is.    Amen”

 

Any change we seek in our life starts with our own thoughts and our willingness to change them.

It is always our choice to change or not to change.  Say yes to the heavens!    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take an Inventory to Successfully Deal with Stress

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Everyone everywhere has fears and stressors that can influence their daily lives to a greater or lesser scale. Many people do not deal with stress that has entered their lives. Stress can pop up in your life in a multitude of ways. Stressors ignored can build beyond the point of manageability. Understanding where your stress is coming from will help you reduce the pressure.

Stress can come from your family, from your kids, from work responsibilities, or from added activities that you place on your own shoulders. Some stress is internal, and can be controlled by daily practices such as meditation, rest, journaling or active communication. Other stress comes from external sources and needs to be dealt with by figuring out active strategies to prevent these added sources of stress from overtaking your life.

Yes, as we see, stress is a part of everyone’s life and cannot be avoided entirely, but by making a few simple choices, you can easily reduce the level of stress in your life and deal with stress once and for all.

Start by doing an inventory of all the added stressors in your life. Try to pinpoint where your own personal stress is coming from. Once you have made your list, begin to target each stressor one by one, to actively find a way to remove it from your life or to find an way to deal with stress specifically.

Do you have to take too many stressful phone calls throughout the day? If so, designate a specific time of day where you will return all your calls, and allow yourself to remain focused at work.

Does your partner or spouse pick fights at home? Schedule some time to sit down and communicate your issues once a week, allowing the rest of the week to be stress free!

Make a list of things that bring joy into your life. Is it taking walks, relaxing with friends, catching up on reading? The more positive energy you bring into your life, the more your stress level will decrease.

Begin the Day with Mindfulness Meditation to Calm Stress at Work

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The work climate is sometimes a difficult one, and many people may find it hard to cope with the pressure of dealing with stress while at their job. It makes sense. Most people spend the majority of their day at their job, and the stressors of co-workers, bosses, and  looming projects and deadlines sometimes contribute to a difficult working environment.

It’s easy for a small issue at work to become a larger one very quickly, and if you don’t take time to deal with stress at work as it comes, you might find yourself feeling the pressure. While dealing with stress at work may seem like an insurmountable obstacle, it is one that can be easily overcome simply by adding a few  simple steps to your day.

In the morning, when you wake up, think about your morning routine. Is there any time for you to stop and give thanks for the blessings you already have in your life? Most people jump from task to task to task throughout their day, and never have even ten minutes to stop and think about things they can be grateful for. Stopping and taking some time to ruminate and give thanks is called Mindfullness Meditation.

Simply reminding yourself of the good things will help you not focus your energy and attention on the negative aspects. Take ten minutes every morning to practice Mindfullness Meditation, and you will quickly see the benefit this practice can have on  your day to day life.

You need to make it your goal to not sweat the little things. When confronted with a difficult or stressful situation while at your job, take time to think before you react. Think back to your morning practice of Mindfulness Meditation. By channeling the positive energy you brought with you from the morning, you will be able to deflate some of the mounting frustrations that may arise while on the job.

Remember that everyone deals with their own stressors in different ways, and sometimes their reactions may have nothing do with you. Mindfulness Meditation can be a good addition to your morning routine and can help you when dealing with stress at work.

Choose Mindfulness Meditation When Stressed by Difficult Co-Workers

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Dealing with difficult co-workers in the workplace can add increased stress to anyone’s life. Everyone knows that  one person in their office that they may find it difficult to communicate with. Maybe this is a co-worker who constantly tries to trump you in the office. Perhaps it’s a boss that doesn’t lead successfully, or an assistant that you simply cannot see eye to eye with.

Day to day pressures become more intense, conversations with these individuals can become more strained, and the relationship can begin taking a toll on your work performance. Don’t allow these negative relationships to take over your life! Begin by dealing with stress in the workplace in a positive way!

The first  suggestion on dealing with stress in the workplace is to begin practicing Mindful Meditation. Mindful Meditation is a quick and easy way to relax your body and mind, while additionally creating a space that is incredible positive.

Start and end your day with some simple thoughts of what you are grateful for. Try to clear your mind of any negative energy, and surround yourself with positive energy. When you know that you have to interact with this person at work, prepare yourself. Realize that you may become frustrated, but that no situation will be insurmountable. Take a few moments to use Mindfulness Meditation here as well.

First think of the positives. Then you can begin by playing the conversation you are about to have in your mind. Now analyze what part of this conversation might cause you undue stress. Prepare your answers in advance. This way, if the stressful situation does arrive, you will already be prepared.

Next, think about different ways you might be able to communicate with this individual. Finding the best method of communication with difficult co workers is a terrific step in dealing with stress at work. For example, if face to face contact causes a more intense reaction, try communicating mostly over email, or over the phone. If you feel calmer in the morning, try scheduling meetings or talks with this co-worker at that time.

If your other co-workers spend time talking negatively about the office, or specific individuals, choose not to participate. Try to remain as positive about your co-workers and your working environment as you can. The more positive energy you can bring to your job, the easier it will be to deal with the stress at work that does occur in a less taxing manner.

There are many ways in which you can turn a difficult relationship into a positive one. Taking simple steps to relax yourself, practice mindfulness meditation, and carefully choose your method of communication, can have you well on your way to a more upbeat and productive working environment.