Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...It's all small stuff.

[Sunny]

I continue to look for inspiration from insightful quotations and use them in various aspects of my life, especially for stress reduction. A few years ago I discovered Dr. Richard Carlson's series, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, and it's all small stuff" (1997).

In researching his works, it was a bit disturbing to read that he died at the young age of 45 from pulmonary embolism resulting in cardiac arrest.  His wife of 20 years, Kris Carlson, continues to carry on his legacy and authors her own books (although I haven't purchased any of those yet).

From his initial works, Lesson One:

Often we allow ourselves to get all worked up about things that, upon closer examination, aren't really that big a deal. We focus on little problems and blow them out of proportion. ... Whether we had to wait in line, listen to unfair criticism, or do the lion's share of the work, it pays enormous dividends if we learn not to worry about little things. So many people spend so much of their life energy "sweating the small stuff" that they completely lose touch with the magic and beauty of life.

Along the same line,s I try to encourage stessed co-workers, friends, family members to ask themselves the infamous question "How important will this issue be in a month? In a year? In 10 years?

What stress relievers are helpful for you in stress management?

[Sunny]

In the meantime, a quote that rocks!:

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances.
The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they
want, and, if they can't find them, make them." - George Bernard Shaw

Intrinsic motivation at its finest!

[Sunny]

I strive each day to be "mindful". In the fast-paced world we live in, it's sometimes easy to get caught up in planning the "NEXT"...the next big project, the next vacation, the next birthday party, the next day....so much that we don't actually enjoy the "NOW".

I subscribe to a mindful mothering newsfeed and enjoy the gentle reminders/nudges to live in the moment. It also provides affirmations and  insightful perspectives to keep a healthy balance.

Here's one of my favorite insights:

"There is magic in letting go of who you 'should' be and BEING WHO YOU ARE."

So many people are their own worst critics...present party included. We set our self-expectation so high, to a level of perfectionism, that we don't appreciate the many things we contribute to the world.

Please share any mantras or quotes that help keep you in check.

[Sandy Eggo]

I have identified living in the now to be the most difficult thing for me to do. I've recognized it and I'm mindful of it, but still often find myself 10 paces ahead mentally. If I'm not there, then I'm in the past. I call it "reevaluating" to prevent the same mistakes or I revisit happy memories as an escape, but I've. Discovered that it's a comfort zone because I spend too much time there.

Being mindful helps, but it's a constant struggle.

[Sandy Eggo]

I'm not sure if you ever feel this way, but there are times when I remember what it was like to be a kid and think like a kid. They live in the moment and as adults, I think we're trying to recapture that feeling. I blame it on the fact that we get so caught up in being responsible and mature that we let go of everything child like and that feeling gets caught up in the bathwater, so to speak.  I feel like I'm caught up in a struggle between the past and the future. The past because either there are lessons learned there that I need to hold on to or sometimes it's just a pleasant place to visit. The future, well, there's plans, goals, appointments, things we have to do today to make tomorrow successful, both on the minor and major scale. That being said, there's not a lot of time for today. I've been working on enjoying the moment and what I've discovered is that every now and then I actually connect. I'm living and doing my thing and then I realize...I'm in the moment and I'm viewing the world in real-time like I did as a child, this is life. 

Gosh it's a cruel twist of fate to have to become older for everything our elders told us to make sense. LOL

[Anne]

 

[Sunny]

I just read an article today about being genuine. If we have to constantly stop & think about what we are going to say, are we truly be authentic and genuine?  Children are so genuine because they just speak their minds...they have an infectious laughter...and they truly live in the moment.