Zen Commuter

We all have faced challenges in our lives.  We should hope to.  We grow when we are faced with adversity.  How many times have you been tested and triumphed when you are either on a vacation at the beach or at work with everything going perfectly.  Never, right?  You find out what you are made of when you are faced with difficulty

Many people forget this.  They get dragged down in drama of their own creation.  They either bemoan the fact that life is hard as they plod through their calamities, or they simply give up and settle: all the while cursing the life that was handed to them.

There is a great quote that may sound cliche, but holds a multitude of truth.

"It's not the hand your dealt that matters, it's how you play your cards."

This week I want to share five stories with you of people who have overcome tremendous obstacles and gone on to literally change the world for the better.  What is the purpose?  So you can hopefully follow their lead when things seem overwhelming for you.  It is the hope that these stories inspire you to not get bogged down in your drama, but to stand firm and persevere to the end.

• The challenges of Helen Keller
• The heights to which she rose despite her disabilities

Helen Keller Wikipedia Page

Speech given by Keller at Harvard Commencement

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Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.

We are constantly told by media what is beautiful. But you do know that all that media wants to do is sell, right?  To them, beauty is shiny hair, a red sports car, a sexy thin girlfriend or tall dashing boyfriend.  

Beauty goes much much deeper.  In fact I would say that it is absent in those things I just mentioned unless you can see something different, perceive something different.  Beauty isn't something that is seen, it is felt.  But advertisers don't know that, or if they do, they are keeping it hidden because they have not found a way yet to have you truly feel beauty.

I may not have all the answers, but I am going to help you what is beautiful for you so that you can become calmer.

• The advantages of being able to TRULY experience beauty
• How to sense beauty without your eyes

How Do Philosophers Think about Beauty?

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.

Today I was supposed to be joined by Nancy Colier who was going to talk about disconnecting from technology.  However, I had an unexpected emergency come up and had to reschedule.  For today, I am going to talk about how to have a stress free and productive work day.

I am going to talk about all the things necessary for planning, executing and reviewing a perfect day of work.

• How to limit distractions at work
• How to plan for a new day
• Review of the 20-20-20 rule for resting your eyes

How to Create a Stress-Free Desk at Work

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.

When you need to reduce your level of stress at work there are certain things you can do.  I talked about them yesterday.  Today I am going to talk about things you can do at home to reduce your level of stress.  

Why am I separating it that way?  It will become clear as the episode unfolds.  The good news is you now have ways to relax, regardless of where you are.  

• What neurotransmitters are released during a hug
• What Oxytocin is
• Two ways to reduce Cortisol
• The purpose of the limbic system
• Why visualization works

Dogs help Reduce levels of Stress

10 Reasons Oxytocin is So Amazing

Essential Oils and the Limbic System

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.

Okay, I get it.  Not everyone knows how to meditate to relax.  But real quickly, learn.  if not from me from anyone who is qualified to teach.  Even if you don't know how to meditate you still have options for relieving stress, and i am going to go over them with you today.

This is not some cheesy thrown together list that has no backing or references.  The things I will talk about how been scientifically proven to reduce stress.  These methods impact your physiology and brain chemistry to get you to calm down.  It is you and your brain that is getting you revved up, so it stands to reason that your very same brain and body can get you unstuck.

Let's talk about it today.

• What a Duchenne smile is?
• What happens in your brain when you are in the sun
• What smells activate the relaxation response
• What chemical is released when you hug someone
• Why your pet is the best thing in your house for relieving stress
• How hot hands signal relaxation

Simply Smiling Can Reduce Stress

Sunlight and Seratonin

How to Be Mindful with a Snack

Overview of the Limbic System

What is Seratonin

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.

I love epiphanies, and today I had a great one for all of us. I picked up a journal of mine and read what I had written some twenty years back.  Boy was it an eye opener.  I realized that some of the things I was stressing about never came to pass.  On a more positive note, I learned that who I was as a person back then was just as awesome as the person reading the journal today.  Not only was I kind and positive then, I am exponentially more giving and loving today.

Journals are a great way to time travel, and so is writing a letter to your future self.  it contains some of the ingredients of a journal entry and a bit more.

Today I read two articles: one about the benefits of writing such a letter, and the other how exactly to do it.

• 5 Reason to writ a letter to yourself
• The steps to take for writing a letter to your future self
• Why it's important to write at least five years in the future

5 Reasons to Write a Letter to Your Future Self

Write a Letter to Your Future Self

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.

The verdict is in; our lives are better because of cell phones. However, that verdict needs to be determined individually.  As a tool, the smartphone, tablet or computer is a great thing. But excessive use doesn't make anyone's life better or easier

In kids especially, excessive use of devices actually changes the structure of the brain, and not in good ways.  

Today I talk about the damage excessive use causes and ways that all of us can curb our device addiction.

• Five ways that device use is damaging your child's brain
• 5 Ways device usage alters the structure of the brain in children
• Effective ways to limit screen time for everyone

A New App Called Moment

Kevin Holesh talks about FOCUS

Kevin Holesh talks about MOMENT

Too Much Screen Time Damages the Brain

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Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.

I was thinking the other day if cell phones are improving our lives or making them worse.  Everyone seems to be glued to their devices, opting out of real conversations, moving less, etc.  So are they really helping us be better.  Like anything, there is an up side and a down side.

Today I start a two part series about our devices.  Today I am going to talk about the pros and cons of devices and tomorrow, talk about ways to curtail our overuse.

• The amount of pressure your cell phone exerts on your cervical spine
• How many hours a day a typical teen is consuming media via a device
• How cell phones impair sleep

Why is Blue Light Before Bed Bad for Sleeping

How to avoid Smartphone Slump

Onnit - Premium supplements for optimal performance.

LoveGoodly - Personal care products that are helping you and the world

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.

There is one thing we are all guilty of at one time or another: we have said yes to something when we wanted to say no.  We didn't want to appear confrontational or rude so we just gave in.  Today with the help of Blogger Chatalle Blikman I talk about how to say no.

• 8 Tips for saying NO
• How understanding your values will help you say no

How to Stop Saying Yes When you Want to Say No

Say NO so You Can Say Yes

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Better World Books - You can get current bestsellers at a discount and help others learn to read

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.

Before the internet (try and remember) we didn't have access to everyone's life.  We didn't know what they were doing unless they actually told us or wrote a postcard or letter.  I know, I sound ancient.  LOL.  

Now though, we are bombarded with information about everyone, not just our family and friends. You can go online and see so many people doing amazing things, exciting things.  

We compare ourselves to those people and think our lives are boring.  Here's the thing; you are the only one to determine if your life is lacking in excitement.  Don't compare yourself to anyone. With that said, today I want to help you understand if your life needs a pick me up...BASED ON YOUR THOUGHTS.

Come Listen

• 6 Questions to ask yourself about your life's satisfaction
• 4 steps to take when you are feeling life is boring
• How to learn if you are living your life or someone 

14 Reasons You are Bored In Life 

Eight Sleep Products - Finally you can get a good night sleep without being connected to your smartphone.

Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page.

Also, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful, they help it reach a wider audience.  The more positive reviews the higher in the rankings it goes.  Of course that means more peace in the world.  So please let me know what you think.  I read ever one of them.