True Balance

Image courtesy of Peter Forton

The sankalpa I choose during Yoga Nidra meditation is “I am Peace” or “I am Peaceful.”  Sankalpa is defined as the resolve, determination and good intention that resonates and aligns sublimely with your essence.  Cultivating and sharing teachings to create a more peaceful love filled existence means everything to me as a woman, wife, mother, author and life coach.

7  Steps to Create More Peace in Your Life:

Positive Thinking

• Attitude is everything … Why not start by choosing happiness?  The next time you are cranky, think about how funny you are all puckered up and pissed off. Angry? Get over it!

Breathe

• Breathe deeply for 5 or 6 rounds of your breath every hour. When you pay attention to your breath your world will settle down.

Emotional Energy

• Let go of any excess baggage and learn how to tap into your happy place. Everyone has a crappy day … Learn to let it go.  Say so long, bon voyage, later days to that big ugly sack of sticky darkness.

Self Love

• Love yourself as you are - in this moment. You are an amazing critter. You matter.  Embrace your quirks, strengths, deficiencies and human kindness. There is nobody in the Universe quite like you!

Gratitude Power

• Begin and end each day thinking about what you are thankful for. Consider writing letters of gratitude to the people you love in your life. Let them know you think they are all kinds of alright. Share your Love!

Meditation

• Get centered by creating time for guided or silent meditation.  As little as two minutes counting your breath daily will make a difference. Do it … No excuses.

Knowing

• Your life is more important than you know. You are the author of your life’s story. What kind of life do you want to create? Begin …

Consciously embrace each step and become aware of how much internal peace you can create.  Peace begins within you and radiates out to everyone you encounter.

“If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there’d be peace.”

- John Lennon

Ananga Sivyer is a new friend, prolific blogger and sister anxiety slayer. Check out what she has to say about adding some extra peace to your day.

We’re all too busy to fit everything we want to into our day. Over-committed and over-stressed, we rush from one task to the next with little thought for our own well being. And yet, we all want to be calm, peaceful and happy. Here are five ways to show yourself a little love and squeeze some peace into your busy day.

1. Put yourself on Pause

Sit, breathe and reflect. Take a step back from rushing and emotional intensity and allow yourself a few minutes introspection. You could watch your thoughts, or your breath, or set a timer and free-write for ten minutes. Literally sit and pour your brain onto a page, write out your thoughts, your ideas, your worries, whatever is on your mind let it flow onto the paper. Then sit back and savour the relief and clarity that comes from externalising your thoughts.

2. Indulge in Peaceful Pleasures

Yoga, meditation and walking in nature can leave you feeling calm and content in the knowledge that you’re doing something to take care of yourself, even 10 minutes can make a big difference to your day. Get up ten minute early and start your day with a breath focused meditation. For improved sleep and boosting your immunity try an oil massage, or wind down with a guided stress relief exercise before you drift off to sleep.

3. Grace and Gratitude

Take time out before bed each night to affirm “I am grateful for…” even if you only do it for a minute this simple routine will help you end your day with a grateful heart and peaceful mind. Going to sleep with a grudge or a gripe will spoil the quality of your sleep so be sure to make a habit of settling down with some thanks even if it’s for the most basic liberties like company, food and shelter.

4. Soothing Soundtracks

If you have an iPod or mp3 player, make yourself a peaceful playlist. You could use classical music, music for relaxation, self-hypnosis, or supportive podcasts. Anything you feel puts you in a good state of mind.

My iTunes library has several “mood” playlists set up with different themes: relaxing, meditation, music for writing, devotional music, lectures and pep-talk podcasts. I’m listening to my “writing support” playlist as I write this - that’s the one that keeps me going when I’ve got an article to finish and my mind’s thinking of lunch.

5. Hang out with Happy People

While it’s good to be supportive and lend an ear to a friend in need, it’s also important to look after yourself by keeping balanced company. Spending too much time with people who are stressed or depressed will eventually affect you negatively too. Make sure you spend time every day with someone uplifting. If you can’t be with them in person, call them and share a sweet exchange. Positive company can also come from people you don’t even know. Look out for authors, inspiration speakers, or even a personal development coach whose  energy, mood, and values are in tune with your own goals and aspirations. You can listen while driving, washing dishes, or preparing meals, and turn chore time into a time of learning and positive reflection.

Like what you just read?  Head on over to Ananga Siyver’s Blog - Living By Design

Sunset at Empire Beach

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”  -Jimi Hendrix

Create a Little Peace Today by focusing on:

Positive Thinking

- Attitude is everything … Start by choosing humor and happiness?  The next time you are cranky, think about how funny you are being all puckered up and pissed off.

Breathing

-Pay attention to your breath and watch your world settle down. Breathe in through your nostrils and fill your lungs to capacity and then exhale and let it all go. Repeat for 2 or three rounds of your breath.

Emotional Energy

-Let go of any excess baggage and learn how to tap into your happy place. Everyone has a crappy day … Learn to let it go. Say Ta Ta, Bon Voyage, Later to that big black hole of madness.

Self-Love

- Love yourself as you are - right now. You are an amazing critter. Embrace your quirks, strengths and short comings with kindness. There is nobody in the verse quite like you!

Gratitude Power

-Begin and end each day thinking about what you are thankful for. Consider writing letters of gratitude to the most important people in your life. Let them know you think they are … All kinds of alright.

Meditation

- Whether guided or silent, for one minute or one hour, make time to meditate for your soul. Do it … No excuses.

Knowing

-Your life is more important than you know. You are the author of your life’s story. What would you like to experience? Begin …

When you consciously embrace each step above you are cultivating peaceful awareness.

A little peace please …

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