32 Keys About Life - Day 32 Meditation

Meditation

Meditation has long been known in Eastern religions as a way to reduce tension and attain peace of mind. There are variations some of which might not be suitable to everyone or if practiced in the extreme. This topic is worth studying if you are having trouble breaking the anxiety and stress habits.

Some basic meditating might easily replace stress and tenseness with peace of mind and relaxation.

An over simplified effort might be:

• Find a quiet place by yourself.
• Get in a relaxed position.
• Rest your eyes downward, almost closed, not tight.
• Breathe slowly and naturally.
• Do not think about anything else except what you are doing.
• Do this for 15-20 minutes.

When lying wide awake in bed, or taking a calming break, try fixing your eyes and thoughts on an insignificant mark on the wall, a small glittery area, or perhaps a shadow. Keep staring at this and think of nothing else. As your eyes wander off bring them back to the object. With practice this will often send you off to a dreamy, peaceful state. (This is not advised while on the job or in the classroom.)

“Meditation has been defined as the cessation of active eternal thought” - Helena Blavatsky (1831-1891)

—————————–

You can buy the full 32 Days from Ken N McIsaac here.

32 Keys About Life - Day 31 Health

Health

Professional medical advice should always be a first consideration with a physical or mental problem. There may be a solution to an ailment that could only be determined by a qualified professional.

There are also a wide variety of books written, many by doctors and specialists, that present ideas for self-improving our health. This vast amount of knowledge is worth checking out. A common thread in many self-help books seems to be the enormous effect that our thoughts and attitude have on our physical and mental well being.

“We ought to be more concerned about removing wrong thoughts from the mind than about removing tumors and abscesses from the body.” - Epictetus. (50-138)

Some health problems are more receptive to an improved mental attitude than others. A dependency on street drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, robs most users of their best health. It can be extremely difficult to get rid of the habit disease, but fortunately there is a lot of help. Read books on addiction and other self-help topics, go to support groups such as AA, and talk about it with someone.

You know you’re getting old when people keep telling you you’re looking good. Aging has its special problems, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take pleasure in it. It can be a time when you are able to say “I don’t care” about certain problems. So many of life’s anxieties and troubles lessen or fade away in later years.

Every season hath its pleasures;
Spring may boast her flowery prime,
Yet the vineyard’s ruby treasures
Brighten Autumn’s soberer time.
- Thomas Moore (1779-1852)

So don’t just sit around watching TV. Get up and about, but relax and don’t rush. Be positive and friendly. Read and learn to improve your wellbeing. Develop and follow healthy eating habits. Sleep well!

—————————–

You can buy the full 32 Days from Ken N McIsaac here.

32 Keys About Life - Day 30 Humility

Humility

A certain amount of humility is helpful in moving on through the stages of life. It gives us a realistic approach to interacting with other people in our lives.

Sometimes competing with others or stressing ourselves to prove that we are better, can be a lot of fun and provide enjoyment and rewards. Friendly competition with friends, when all are participating with goodwill, is entertaining. There is a downside in trying to win or achieve more just for the sake of feeling superior to another person. The result can be a loss of much needed self-esteem in the long run.

“There is nothing noble in being superior to some other person. True nobility is being superior to your former self.” - Hindu Proverb

Accepting that we made a mistake puts it behind us, and we can then quit pretending or wishing that it hadn’t happened. We should realize that we make mistakes just as others do, and we will make more in the future. So there’s no need to be embarrassed or worried.

“A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is by saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.” - Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

By not acting better or more important than other people we will receive respect and friendship that is so worthwhile. Over-confidence can get us into trouble as we will appear conceited, and prospective friends will be wary. But have respect for yourself and take pride in doing good things.

“He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.” - Ben Franklin (1706-1790)

A good balance of humility and self-confidence is an ideal way to exist.

—————————–

You can buy the full 32 Days from Ken N McIsaac here.

32 Keys About Life - Day 29 Cheerfulness

Cheerfulness

Cheerfulness is a state of mind in which we feel content and confident and are free of stress, anxieties and fear. A prolonged state of being cheerful is happiness.

Cheerfulness is wearing a smile and therefore easy to distinguish. It is usually contagious and will often be returned, so that the positive feelings flow both ways.

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity.
They are but trifles, to be sure, but, scattered along life’s pathway,
The good they do is inconceivable.” - Joseph Addison (1672-1719)

It is said that laughter is the best medicine. It is an excellent medicine. When you are low and perhaps feeling sorry for yourself, find something funny to laugh at. You can’t feel really bad and laugh at the same time. Laughter just feels good. When things are a bit sour between friends, what better way to set things right, than to have a good laugh together.

“The most completely lost of all days is that on which one has not laughed.” - Nicolas Chamfort (1741-1794)

We may not feel like smiling or laughing because we have too much upsetting us. This is a condition that we can usually do something about. Since we are happy when we have pleasant thoughts, we can change our thoughts to something that is enjoyable. Sometimes it is difficult when we are in a deep rut but it can be done with practice.

“Thus the sovereign voluntary path to cheerfulness, if your cheerfulness be lost, is to sit up cheerfully and to act and speak as if cheerfulness were already there.” - William James (1842-1910)

—————————–

You can buy the full 32 Days from Ken N McIsaac here.

32 Keys About Life - Day 28 Faith

Author: Ken N McIsaac

Faith

Faith is defined as having complete confidence, trust and belief. For a strong and rewarding journey through life we should have a generous amount of faith. Faith in ourselves, our families and friends, our God.

“Have faith, hope, and charity. That’s the way to live successfully.” - 1950’s song.

Believe in yourself, a unique individual having personal preferences and talents. Have a deep belief that your days will be completed as you wish and imagine they will. This has a very strong and positive influence on your actions. It is just the opposite of feeling anxious and worried that you will fail. This is not a guarantee, but an excellent advantage working in your favor, available for every occasion and for life itself.

“It’s faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes life worth living.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894)

Believe in your fellow human beings. They are special people with special problems, different lives and backgrounds, different beliefs. Live by the golden rule, expressed in many different ways in other cultures and religions. That is basically - treat others the way you would like to be treated. A time proven way to feel better about our lives and the road ahead.

Religion has long been recognized as a comforting haven in a stormy environment. It can provide comfort for the harshness and hardships encountered in our modern hectic lives. Faith is of special importance to us when we are down. It picks us up and gives us confidence.

“Religion gives me a new zest for life, it gives me faith, hope, and courage. It banishes tensions, anxieties, fears, and worries. It gives purpose to my life - and direction.” - William James (1842-1910)

—————————–

You can buy the full 32 Days from Ken N McIsaac here.