Knowing Yourself
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Five Ways to Regain Focus in Trying Times
Living in crisis mode takes a toll on everyone. The Mayo Clinic cites the many physical effects that chronic stress can have, but cognitive effects can be just as debilitating. Depression and anxiety are common. However, with the uncertainty of when and if things will return to normal, one effect that I’ve noticed more often is just an inability to focus or concentrate on anything long-term, whether it is a work-related project or plans to visit my kids. If this is you, too, here are five ways I am trying to help regain focus during these trying times: Step away from the internet. While spending more time at home may…
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Are You Finding Peace or Avoiding Life?
Virginia Woolf once said, “You cannot find peace by avoiding life.” And of course, she is right. Peace as we generally think of it can be elusive at best, changing with circumstances and mood. But true peace, lasting peace, is earned through the hard work that comes with facing and walking through life’s challenges. The trouble is “finding peace” can look an awful lot like avoiding life. We “keep the peace” by avoiding difficult decisions, delicate discussions, and painful circumstances. We “make peace” with something that if we were honest about it, we would admit makes us uncomfortable, angry, or discouraged. We search for “inner peace” by creating a facade…
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Monday Morning Inspiration: Ten Blessings
“Every experience, no matter how bad it seems, holds within it a blessing of some kind. The goal is to find it.” — Buddha It’s Monday morning and here in Illinois, we are beginning our fifth week of stay-at-home orders and social distancing. It is gray and cold, and the wind is literally howling. The word ‘bleak’ comes to mind. It’s a good morning for a little inspiration, so challenge accepted! After a little bit of thought, here are ten blessings that I recognize on this otherwise bleak Monday morning: I am inside. No kidding – the wind is howling and it is 35 degrees. I am on my couch…