It's Time...
Photo by: Austin Chan @austinchan
to bring your daydream into reality. Everyone has something they are envisioning in their minds as they do their every day stuff. Maybe it’s writing a book, a career change, a product idea or a performance piece. Whatever the daydream is, it can be attained through small steps starting with research. Next, it’s important to set non-negotiable time blocks aside to explore the necessary shifts in your lifestyle to bring the daydream to life. During this “day in the life of” process, it may be discovered that you don’t really want to do all the work required to have the daydream part of your life. This is your life and your design of everything in it so you get to decide what parts of that daydream get to take up space and your time. You can call it your Franendream or something more clever. It will probably be better than you envisioned in your head since you took the parts that most inspired you. Keep attempting to bring your daydreams to life since you’ll never know what could be if you don’t try to make it happen.
Weekend Design & Wellness Project
Photo by: Kelly Sekkema @kellysikkema
Create and execute an act of kindness this weekend. What is something that you could do that would bring joy, happiness or relief to someone else? Here are some ideas to show kindness in simple and inexpensive ways; bake something for a friend or neighbor that could use some cheering up, pay for the coffee or meal of an unsuspecting stranger, donate to your favorite charity or for purpose foundation… Use your natural skills to express kindness in your own unique way. You will impact someone’s life in ways you’ll never understand. Be kind.
Heal Your Body
Photo by: Elia Pellegrini @eliapelle
There are many natural ways to help your body heal with natural foods, herbs, spices, movement and meditation to name a few. A healthy lifestyle is created with small gradual shifts followed by minor course corrections over time. There are so many healthy practices that can be implemented while receiving conventional treatments prescribed by medical professionals. We have more power over our physical and mental health than we will ever realize. Always ask questions when it comes to treatments whether it’s natural, holistic or conventional. Tune into to your intuition to hear your body, ask your body what it needs from you and practice loving yourself they way you love your family, children and pets. You are worthless to them if you’re unwell so make your health a priority…it’s for you/for them!
Cheat sheet of anti-inflammatory foods and spices:
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:
Broccoli, Spinach, Kale, Dandelion, Wheatgrass, Collard Greens, Celery, Peppers, Blueberries, Aronia Berries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Cherries, Oranges, Red Grapes
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY HERBS, SPICES, GRAINS & OILS:
Turmeric, Garlic, Red Onions, Ginger, Ginseng, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Cloves, Sage, Thyme, Basil, Oregano, Marjoram, Spirulina, Moringa, Cacao, Chamomile, Green Tea, Horseradish, Rosemary, Barley, Amaranth, Oats, Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil
Meditation:
Here is a meditation to heal the body…this is the full audio book, “Heal Your Body” by Louise Hay, the godmother of self-love and healing the body.
Designed Solutions
Photo by: Prophsee Journals @prophsee
What annoys you? So many things are flooding your brain right now and your blood pressure is probably rising. It’s ok. Choose one for now and then make a list of all the other annoyances later.
This design and creativity exercise taps into the brainstorming compartment of your brain. Warning, lots of synapses will occur between your left and right brain hemispheres. Just allow the magic to unfold regardless if you’re dominant in logistics or creativity. They will balance in this process.
It’s time to think big and work backwards to create your own doable baby steps to create a solution to this annoyance.
By asking and answering questions pertaining to a specific problem, you will be minimizing the grandiosity of this issue. The anxiety will gradually reduce with each answer and the solution will feel more attainable.
Questions to ask/answer:
What is the most frustrating/anger-some/annoying aspect of this (blank)?
Where (geographically) is this a problem?
What change or shift in my daily life can I make to have any impact on changing this annoyance?
Feel free to add more question as necessary to guide you through this process of solution design.
Great job, you just solved a problem, imagine what else you as one little person can do!
*Keep in mind that what annoys you can include interpersonal relationships with coworkers, your partner, friends or family members. The best way to deal with difficult personalities, is to adopt a very difficult zen practice called, “is that so?.” From personal experience, this is a challenge, but once you fully detach from what is annoying you about another person, you will have a beautiful sense of freedom.
Here is the story behind “is that so.”
“A beautiful girl in the village was pregnant. Her angry parents demanded to know who was the father. At first resistant to confess, the anxious and embarrassed girl finally pointed to Hakuin, the Zen master whom everyone previously revered for living such a pure life. When the outraged parents confronted Hakuin with their daughter's accusation, he simply replied "Is that so?"
When the child was born, the parents brought it to the Hakuin, who now was viewed as a pariah by the whole village. They demanded that he take care of the child since it was his responsibility. "Is that so?" Hakuin said calmly as he accepted the child.
For many months he took very good care of the child until the daughter could no longer withstand the lie she had told. She confessed that the real father was a young man in the village whom she had tried to protect. The parents immediately went to Hakuin to see if he would return the baby. With profuse apologies they explained what had happened. "Is that so?" Hakuin said as he handed them the child.”
Weekend Design & Wellness Project
Photo by: Corina Ranier @corinarainer
Watch a scary movie this weekend and forget about your real life fears for a moment. If you get inspired by the rollercoaster of emotions and drama filled suspense, come up with your own horror movie idea. Share it with a friend, partner or family member and let them add to your idea. Some of the greatest movies, products and business ideas come from silly banter. Enjoy scaring the bejesus out of yourself!