Stress - Don't Fall for It

by Karrin 

Stress is inevitable - it can be motivating, urgent, and useful - as long as we are aware of its risks. When we recognize our struggles, face our temptations head on, and pay attention to our regressions, we can slow down before we crash.  When we fill ourselves up with proper nutrients and meaningful activity, we don’t have time to feel the feelings of separation that often lead to illness.

The six signs of stress that can lead to depression: how to recognize and respond to them in order to keep yourself feeling light and lively.

·           Struggle: Struggle is a sign of an imbalanced mind. When we struggle our emotions release chemicals that can actually make us sick. When struggling, stop exaggerating and figure out the best plan of action.  The story can be told, complaints can be made, but what’s next?  Stop the struggle by focusing on what’s next.  

·           Temptation:  There are two ways to deal with temptation.  One is to indulge with moderation and be present during the experience. Stop judging yourself and learn something. The second is to create a superior environment in which the temptation is no longer tempting.

·           Regression: When we regress, we show varied signs of immature or even infantile behavior. Regression is a sign of unresolved emotional issues.  When emotional issues are resolved, the desire for healthy movement, sleep, and nutrients becomes a priority. Learning to feel and process emotions is a necessity, not a luxury.

·           Emptiness: The feeling of being separate or alone is the biggest illusion there is.  When feeling alone, find ways to serve others in meaningful ways.  Feeling that life has no purpose or meaning is a sign of poor nutrition mixed with lack of movement.  When we move in purposeful ways, we crave the nutrients that put us in motion and give us the energy we need.  

·           Sorrow: When sorrow zaps energy it is a sign that we are trying to get pleasure in unnatural ways. Go back to nature and cleanse the body and environment.  New birth requires a new attitude.  When feeling sad, empower yourself with beautiful music, human touch and Mother Nature.  Your true nature is balanced, not overly sad or happy.

·           Sickness: If your dance with stress has resulted in sickness, pay attention.  Keep record of how you feel, what you eat, how you are relating to others, and the ways in which you move.  If you are sedentary, with no plans to grow, you will atrophy.  If your body is sick, care for it like you would a small child: be patient yet guide with wisdom.

Stress only gets worse when it’s ignored or overreacted to as though it is a monster that won’t go away.  Stress is not bad, it’s necessary.  How we respond to stress can make us depressed or more fit to survive.  The antidote for stress is a life of purposeful activity and natural desires. Recognizing the danger signs of stress and taking responsibility to turn it around, is empowering. 

Serving Clients With Love - Part Two: The Follow Up and Back to the Basics

The transaction has been made.  And afterwards, ideally, both you and your client walked away feeling inspired, valued, and maybe even empowered.


After the exchange, contact the clients to insure they feel grateful.  Thank them for their decision to invest in your product or service. When people are inspired ask them for referrals.  A sign that you are meeting the values of your customers is that they refer you to others.


Then, go back to the basics:

• Start with your purpose.
• Sell to others by helping them get what they want.
• First see others feeling the way THEY want to feel. 
• Second, see yourself getting the results YOU desire.
• Study the features of what you sell.
• See the value to others in investing in your products and services.

Write out your goals as if they have already happened.  Read and re-read your goals.  Know them as clearly as if they have already happened.  The more you KNOW what you are inspired to do the more you figure out how to do it.  Look at your goals.  Look at your behavior.  Find the inconsistencies and examine your behavior.

Whenever you discover yourself having done something that is in alignment with your purpose give yourself a few moments of silence to acknowledge the results.  Be inspired about what you do and others will thank you for your service of love.

The Crazy Ones Lead the Way

by Karrin

I came across this YouTube video, posted by cherumaz and originally from Apple, and it got me to thinking about what it means to be different. We like to believe we are a curious species ready to learn and explore new territory.  The truth is, it’s not popular to question the current ways in which we live.  New ideas are not always welcome.  Those who go into unfamiliar territory are not always joined by others.  The unknown is dark and different; there is no way of knowing what will be there.  

If the few “crazy ones” go out on a limb, and either fall off or get some fruit, many others learn what’s possible.  Our human potential depends on those who are willing, to ask different questions, and go where the masses refuse to.  It is lonely to be one of the few, but the payoff in being “ahead of the times” is worth any feelings of isolation. To be ahead of the times is to be misunderstood by the many.  The many discharge emotions while the few make plans and execute them. 

The more people complain about new ideas the more it helps new ideas to spread.  In exploring new ways of doing things, experimentation is necessary.  The bold ones in this life are willing to experiment, mess up, and start over. They are willing to be laughed at and called Crazy for legitimate reasons.  The Crazy Ones teach the most.  They are the ones people are curious about, even if people don’t fully understand what they are up to. There isn’t much that can be said to the Crazy Ones that can stop them from pursuing what they know to be true.  Pay attention to the Crazy Ones; give it time, they may not be as crazy as you think they are.

New Generation New Relationships

Traditional relationships are not the norm anymore. Children today come from all types of homes with all kinds of people. It is not typical for a child to be surrounded by blood relatives and much more normal for children today to be cared for by a variety of rotating people. Parents, siblings, childcare providers, friends and relatives are not as well defined or consistent as they used to be. Kids today come from a variety of ever changing backgrounds. It’s a fascinating world out there.

Oprah Winfrey is a prime example of someone who defines relationships according to her own heart. She is not married yet in a long term relationship. Her friend and partner Stedman Graham is rarely spoken about or seen in public. Oprah offers no explanation and gives no apology for her lack of tradition in declining to be married. She does not hesitate to pronounce her love for Stedman. Stedman is a gracious man, recently demonstrated by his heartfelt tribute to Oprah in her grand finale show. His book You Can Make It Happen clearly identifies him as the man that sparks the magic. He is the underground hidden master while Oprah is a type of Diva or Goddess to many. Her ability to define her own relationship to her audience, the many issues in the world today, and the special people in her life has enabled her to find herself. People can relate to her and feel empowered in her presence.

Even traditional fundamentalists do not complain about Oprah’s personal relationship being out of wedlock. People respect Stedman. Stedman was ahead of his time writing and teaching powerful concepts that have clearly influenced Oprah’s core values. “Your spiritual well –being begins with you but it does not end there. It runs much deeper into the realm of how you relate to others; respond to others, and what you bring into the lives of others. It is a connection between your public persona and your innermost thoughts on what matters most in your life.”

Relationships are changing and have changed. The traditional model is one option but not the most popular. People have varied lifestyles, hobbies, opinions, knowledge and reasons for living. When it comes to relationships, we are all in new territory. Communication is more important than ever. The more we embrace people the more variety of relationships we will be exposed to. Exposure to others lives is the beginning of understanding the people and culture we live in and ultimately ourselves.

There are all kinds of people experiencing all kinds of extraordinary things in both traditional and non traditional ways. The important things in life, things like love and respect, are not limited to cultural beliefs. The new generation is open to a greater diversity of lifestyles and relationships. There is no turning back now. Learning to love people as they are sparks creativity in the heart of the individual which makes for a really cool culture.