True Balance

Stress Reduction Sunset at Esch Beach

Several of my entrepreneurial friends and coaching clients feel extra stress as they move through seasonal transitions.  The slower paced days of summer kick in to the high paced energy of Autumn immediately after Labor Day weekend. The abrupt change, no matter how well planned for,  can be stressful.

Stress is defined as a state of mental or emotional strain resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. Science has proved that stress damages our DNA and can shorten our lifespan.

Have you ever been so stressed out that you notice a change in your complexion, body weight, or sleep patterns?

Getting control of stress is paramount to living a healthy lifestyle.

If you are experiencing a lot of stress, act now to eliminate as much anxiety as possible. I’ve found the best way to handle stress is to learn to relax your body with stress management techniques. Regular exercise, yoga, soothing music, meditation and breathing exercises can be very helpful in relaxing your body, mind and soul.

Lower transitional stress levels by implementing some of these stress busting ideas today.

Seasonal Stress Reduction Action Plan:

1. Create a Joy or Gratitude Journal

Observe and record ten things that bring you joy or that you are thankful for every day.

2. Be Quiet

Schedule 15 minutes every day to get centered and attract the feeling of peacefulness.

3. Move your Body

Schedule time for some sort of body movement every day.

If you don’t like to exercise, consider these options: Dance to your favorite song, walk on a woodland path, stroll on the beach, ride your bike. Just get moving.

4. Listen to Music

When you are feeling overwhelmed, listen to your favorite music to lift your spirits. Soothing music is a universal stress buster.

5. Make Time For Extreme Self-Care

Plan a minimum of 30 minutes every day to do something just for YOU.

6. Add More Healthy Foods to Your Diet

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, eating leafy green vegetables and
snacking on lots of of fruit every day.

When you start to live a lower stress lifestyle, you will be amazed by how much better you feel. Your friends and colleagues will notice your transformation and you will be walking on the path of true balance.

You deserve to take better care of YOU.

I just finished reading the Skinny on Willpower - how to develop self-discipline by Jim Randal, and thought it was a quick and fun read.  The Skinny is filled with bite sized nuggets of wisdom.  All you need to know about developing self discipline, packed into one easy read.

Learn how to:

• Set and achieve goals
• Stop procrastinating
• Take action
• Identify challenges
• Beat negative habits
• Find the courage to take action

The Skinny on Willpower teaches you how to get clear and discipline yourself to achieve your personal best.

Check out some of the main talking points in the book:

1. Be sure you are totally committed
2. Prepare yourself for the journey
3. Prepare by reducing the instances in which you need to exert willpower
4. Identify your goal and the process to get there
5. Divide your challenge in small, manageable pieces

… Plus 10 more tips on life’s most important lessons.

You can learn more about the Skinny On Series at www.theskinnyon.com.

The Skinny on Willpower is a great little book to help you get on track, develop self-discipline,  and begin living the life you always dreamed of.

Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend or a meaningful day. - His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Lama Lobsang Palden

I just returned from my first Tibetan healing massage session with Lama Lobsang Palden Rinpoche.  I was graced by good fortune to reserve the last remaining appointment while the lama is in Leelanau County for his annual Medicine Buddha Healing Retreat.

My session felt like a rare gift of peace and healing. I am in awe of the lama’s kindness, powerful energy, compassion, and strength. I highly recommend experiencing authentic holistic bodywork in a Tibetan Healing Massage Ceremony with Lama Lobsang Palden.

Lama Lobsang brings his unique experience as a Tibetan lama to his bodywork, incorporating years of Dharma practice in his sessions. He works on a deep, spiritual level, utilizing ancient healing sounds such as Tibetan singing bowls, cymbals, and sacred mantra. His naturally intuitive style includes energy work for emotional and spiritual healing.

I am grateful for another meaningful day…

More about Lama Lobsang Palden

Lama Lobsang Palden was trained as a lama in the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Born in Tibet, he entered a monastery as a boy after his recognition as a Nyingma tulku, or reincarnated lama of the Nyingma school. At age 18 he escaped Tibet, which was under military occupation by the People’s Republic of China. He made an arduous three-month journey across the Himalayas, fulfilling his dream of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

He lived in monasteries in India for over a decade, studying Buddhist Dharma and Tibetan Medicine. He studied Tibetan Yantra Yoga in Tibet. He has traveled extensively, teaching and practicing the precious Dharma. To learn more about Lama’s journey, click here to read “Midnight Fire Puja in the Snow.”

Lama Lobsang Palden with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Tibetan Healing Massage Sessions

Tibetan Healing Massage Sessions are available Monday through Saturday at 1741 W. Columbia Ave., Chicago, Illinois.

Contact Patricia Palden for fees and appointments:  773-262-8191 or 773-458-6354 Please call between 8am and 8pm Eastern.

Visit Lama Lobsang’s website at www.lamalobsang.com.

If you are interested in Tibetan Buddhist teachings and practices, or want to embrace holistic health with traditional Tibetan healing, please visit the Blue Beryl Dharma Center website at http://blueberyl.org.

Blue Beryl Dharma Center is a Rime Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center. BBDC was founded in 2003 by Lama Lobsang Palden, Patricia Palden, and a Board of Directors.
BBDC is a charitable and educational organization. It was formed to provide a space for Tibetan Buddhist practice and to help preserve Tibetan culture. Blue Beryl moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 2004 where it became Chicago’s first and only Dharma Center with a specific emphasis on Medicine Buddha and Tibetan Healing.
The center was named Blue Beryl because of its emphasis on Medicine Buddha and Tibetan healing.