Are you stressed right now? There are many things that can stress a person such as: their job or no job, finances, relationship, or illness. Stress can cause body aches, high blood pressure, irritability, fatigue, sickness, and low productivity.
I’ve developed a plan to decrease stress that works pretty well for me. This process is not simple and it will require discipline on your part. It will work if you consistently stick to the plan and don’t give up.
1. Pray. You do not have to be a religious person to pray. There are benefits to feeling free and talking openly. This will require you to release (not hold on to) your worries. Practice praying two to three times a day or you may want to consider keeping a prayer journal.
2. Meditate. You do have to be patient when it comes to meditating. Meditation requires you to be still, turn off the TV, cell phone and radio, clear your mind, relax, and listen. During prayer and meditation, answers may be revealed to you.
3. Laugh. Laughter is good for your body and soul. It relieves stress and releases a natural chemical in your body for mental wellness. If the people around you aren’t laughing, leave them.
4. Stop/Think/Respond. When a person is stressed it can be easy to flip off at the mouth. Begin to be mindful of your thoughts. More than likely your thoughts are negative when you are stressed or worried. Negative thinking leads to feeling negative and behaving in a negative manner. Change the negative thought to a positive statement. Please remember that I am not asking you to ignore how you are truly feeling. Acknowledge the feeling but encourage yourself afterward. You can stop or decrease the drama in your life just by controlling and changing your thoughts.
Lastly, listen to what your body is telling you. Do not put off resting, eating healthy, exercising, and visiting the doctor.
Have a sweet day,
Shaneka
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
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Sunday, January 9, 2011
Rest, Reflection, and Preparation
In November 2009, I took a much needed vacation and during my daily meditation three words strongly resonated within me- Rest, Reflection, and Preparation. I ignored those words for a few days, but by the end of the week I scribbled the words down in my journal. Little did I know that those three words had a purpose.
In January 2010, I fasted and prayed for 21 days. February 2010, all hell broke loose and in March 2010, I came out of the storm. Interestingly enough, I was prepared for the storm and was at peace during it. There was a lesson for me to learn. I learned to be still (Psalm 46:10) and share my worries and fears (Psalm 55:22). I had to be patient (Psalm 37:7). The resting period was difficult for me, I had to learn to trust (Proverbs 3:5) in the process. I could see obstacles being moved for me in the reflection stage once I began to search inward (Psalm 51:10). I watched what I said(Psalm 34:13,14) and how I said it (Proverbs 18:21, 22). There were some people I had to let go in order to move forward (1 Corinthians 15:33). By the time March came around I knew what I was supposed to do (Psalm 37:23) and was unafraid to start a new journey. Believe it or not, this journey has new experiences and opportunities each day- good and bad. Nevertheless, those three words are ever evolving in my life.
Now its your turn. I want you to make this year the year of rest, reflection, and preparation. Don't hesitate, get going.
Have a sweet day,
Shaneka
In January 2010, I fasted and prayed for 21 days. February 2010, all hell broke loose and in March 2010, I came out of the storm. Interestingly enough, I was prepared for the storm and was at peace during it. There was a lesson for me to learn. I learned to be still (Psalm 46:10) and share my worries and fears (Psalm 55:22). I had to be patient (Psalm 37:7). The resting period was difficult for me, I had to learn to trust (Proverbs 3:5) in the process. I could see obstacles being moved for me in the reflection stage once I began to search inward (Psalm 51:10). I watched what I said(Psalm 34:13,14) and how I said it (Proverbs 18:21, 22). There were some people I had to let go in order to move forward (1 Corinthians 15:33). By the time March came around I knew what I was supposed to do (Psalm 37:23) and was unafraid to start a new journey. Believe it or not, this journey has new experiences and opportunities each day- good and bad. Nevertheless, those three words are ever evolving in my life.
Now its your turn. I want you to make this year the year of rest, reflection, and preparation. Don't hesitate, get going.
Have a sweet day,
Shaneka
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Stick to It
How many times have you made a new year's resolution only to never achieve it? You might have wanted to lose weight, save more money, buy a house, get out of debt, or go back to school. Nevertheless, at the end of the year you sit and reflect on what you didn't do and feel like crap. Have you ever wondered what held you back?
Ask yourself, "What got in the way? What kept me from doing this?" Get a pen and paper and write your answers down. You may have a long list of excuses. Double check your the list for procrastination, distractions, laziness, and fear.
In 2011, commit to establishing realistic goals that can be achieved. Your goals should be specific. You may want to lose weight but that's not specific. Saying you will lose 20 pounds this year is specific. Develop objectives (or steps)to help accomplish the goals such as exercising for three days a week for one hour, eating baked food versus fried, etc. Next, get support from people you can trust who will motivate and encourage you.
This year you have to do something different. Your way hasn't been working for you. Set your goals and stick to it.
Have a sweet day,
Shaneka
Ask yourself, "What got in the way? What kept me from doing this?" Get a pen and paper and write your answers down. You may have a long list of excuses. Double check your the list for procrastination, distractions, laziness, and fear.
In 2011, commit to establishing realistic goals that can be achieved. Your goals should be specific. You may want to lose weight but that's not specific. Saying you will lose 20 pounds this year is specific. Develop objectives (or steps)to help accomplish the goals such as exercising for three days a week for one hour, eating baked food versus fried, etc. Next, get support from people you can trust who will motivate and encourage you.
This year you have to do something different. Your way hasn't been working for you. Set your goals and stick to it.
Have a sweet day,
Shaneka
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Dressed up Garbage Can
Lindsey Lohan's substance abuse issues has landed her in jail again. America's Idol, Fantasia, allegedly attempted suicide and was unsuccessful. The best golfer of my generation, Tiger Woods,went from number one to multiple sex scandels. Terrell Owens has worn over three NFL team jerseys and battles abandonment issues related to his father. All of these people have fame and money. They are beautiful and hansome with many opportunities in their hands. The problem is that they are dressed up garbage cans. We all are in some sense.
No one wants to place their hands inside a garbage can. The garbage can is where we place our trash; things we do not want or things we want to hide. Sometimes people can appear to have it all together. So much so, that others may want to be just like them. I admire a lot of people, but I do not want to be a dressed up garbage can. I want to be renewed and whole on the inside. I don't want to carry around "stuff." Stuff becomes trash if not recycled. Look at yourself. What do you need to recycle and resolve? Are you a dressed up garbage can concealing your hurt and pain from the world? What issues are buried at the bottom? Its time to take the trash out; its time to clean yourself up from the inside out. If you don't, your pretty little trash can will run over and all your "stuff" will fall out for everyone to see. Empty the trash.
Have a sweet day,
Shaneka
No one wants to place their hands inside a garbage can. The garbage can is where we place our trash; things we do not want or things we want to hide. Sometimes people can appear to have it all together. So much so, that others may want to be just like them. I admire a lot of people, but I do not want to be a dressed up garbage can. I want to be renewed and whole on the inside. I don't want to carry around "stuff." Stuff becomes trash if not recycled. Look at yourself. What do you need to recycle and resolve? Are you a dressed up garbage can concealing your hurt and pain from the world? What issues are buried at the bottom? Its time to take the trash out; its time to clean yourself up from the inside out. If you don't, your pretty little trash can will run over and all your "stuff" will fall out for everyone to see. Empty the trash.
Have a sweet day,
Shaneka
Sunday, December 19, 2010
You Sound So Sweet
This past week, I saw a common theme with several people- hopelessness, defeat, and fear. My heart was grieved at the end of the week because so many people are hurting as a result of how cruel someone has been to them. People are wanting to walk away from their jobs because of how rude their supervisors are. Relationships are broken because of how demeaning one's partner is. It is sad to watch a person's spirit be abused and victimized.
Words are so important and powerful. You must believe this. Positive statements can affirm someone. We need to become encouragers of one another. Let your words be gentle and sweet as honey. "How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119: 103). Everyone needs to hear positive words because they sound so sweet. Positive talk soothes pain, it gives us the motivation to go on a little further, it inspires us, and it lifts us above our problems. Positive words reaches down and pulls us up, straightens our backs, lifts our head up, aligns our shoulders, and lifts our leg to step forward. It stirs our spirit up positively.
This week, make sure someone leaves your presence feeling that you sounded so sweet to their soul because you do not know what they are going through in their lives.
Have a sweet day,
Shaneka
Words are so important and powerful. You must believe this. Positive statements can affirm someone. We need to become encouragers of one another. Let your words be gentle and sweet as honey. "How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119: 103). Everyone needs to hear positive words because they sound so sweet. Positive talk soothes pain, it gives us the motivation to go on a little further, it inspires us, and it lifts us above our problems. Positive words reaches down and pulls us up, straightens our backs, lifts our head up, aligns our shoulders, and lifts our leg to step forward. It stirs our spirit up positively.
This week, make sure someone leaves your presence feeling that you sounded so sweet to their soul because you do not know what they are going through in their lives.
Have a sweet day,
Shaneka
Monday, December 13, 2010
Don't Give Up
Years ago, there was a woman who had a problem that needed to be resolved and she went to the judge everyday. The judge didn't want to be bothered with her or even consider her issue. She refused to give up. This lady basically bugged the heck out of him because she knew that he was the only one that could help her. The judge said, "even though this woman bothers me I will give her what she wants otherwise she will continue to wear me out." This woman was persistent.
This week I want to impart a message of perseverance to you. There are times when giving up may be the best thing for you to do; however when you allow fear to become the determining factor for giving up then it is unacceptable. Fear is the opposite of faith. You must first acknowledge that you are afraid. It could be that you're afraid of failing or losing something or someone. Once you identify what you are fearful of then affirm that you can do anything through your Higher Power who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13).
When you feel like throwing in the towel and walking away, find the courage to pray(1 Chronicles 17: 25).
Next understand that you must not be distracted by negative thoughts, people, or things. Be focused (1 Corinthians 15:58). Keep pushing and believing. Don't give up!
Have a sweet day,
Shaneka
This week I want to impart a message of perseverance to you. There are times when giving up may be the best thing for you to do; however when you allow fear to become the determining factor for giving up then it is unacceptable. Fear is the opposite of faith. You must first acknowledge that you are afraid. It could be that you're afraid of failing or losing something or someone. Once you identify what you are fearful of then affirm that you can do anything through your Higher Power who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13).
When you feel like throwing in the towel and walking away, find the courage to pray(1 Chronicles 17: 25).
Next understand that you must not be distracted by negative thoughts, people, or things. Be focused (1 Corinthians 15:58). Keep pushing and believing. Don't give up!
Have a sweet day,
Shaneka
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