Roberta Macdonald

(1)  Let go of the control of others but be 100% in charge of yourself.

(2) Lower your voice – speak softly but not in a whisper.  Let your breath be even when you talk.

(3) Breathe slowly and deeply, inhale through your nose and out your mouth until the old breath is “replaced” with new.

(4) Close your eyes and “look” for a color.  The color you see will be an indicator of your stress level:  Black: very stressed; Green: at peace; Blue: feel loved.

(5)When you are upset/stressed/angry you need to be alone.  Step away, step out of the problem.  Choose to disentangle.  Let go of being “right”. Be alone to let go of the emotional “electric charge” and return when you are clamer. “Rule of the Universe (should be):  When I am angry, I am alone”.

(6)  Slow, deep breathing is like a safe “Valium” to your body/mind.  Your nervous system will respond when trained.  Your mind needs to be trained first.  When stressed, angry or upset:  train your mind to go to a peaceful place and take 30 slow, deep breaths.  You will be asleep before the 30th as your mind becomes a good student.

(7) When stressed, write down who and what is the stressor and “brain storm” answers.  Put as many “answers” as you can – randomly- no sentences–just words all over the page.

(8)  When stressed, begin to train your mind to let go of thoughts.  Say a nonsensical word like: “so-hum” or any two syllable word that has no meaning.    Breathe in and think “so” and breathe out and think “hum“.  This is a mind-clearing technique that works if you use it.

(9) Worry is a bad habit, a waste of time as most worries don’t materialize.  It is a negative use of your imagination.  Worry is negative prayer –a lack of faith in the Universe, God, Higher Power –whatever you believe–. It is a very fatalistic view of yourself and Life.  If you focus on what you worry about you will, unconsciously, draw the worry to you (to be resolved).

(10) Each day give yourself at least ten –10 minute “little joyful moments” as I call them.  Little things that make you smile.  It doesn’t have to be big–making your granddaughter laugh, giving someone a piece of your homemade pie, going  to your favorite place and meeting a friend, talking with a friend, reading a good book, etc.  Just do it!

Happy Holidays!  Roberta