Productivity Creativity and Rest

Productivity, Creativity, and Rest—Finding a Balance

Time is an enigma. We either have too much of it or too little of it. You can go from not finding a spare second to breathe to bemoaning a long, uneventful Sunday afternoon with nothing to do. Too little time can be overwhelming and exhausting, but too much time can be frightening. Busy people dream of a time when they can relax and recoup, but resting all the time quickly becomes tedious and unfulfilling. You might have productivity goals and be intentional about periods of rest, and ideally, these are balanced. On top of these, you might have creative endeavors that add meaning to your life, and these activities must be added to the equation. It seems straightforward, but for many, finding this balance is almost impossible. 

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Understanding Your Reactions

Understanding Your Reactions to Hardship and Tragedies

You are in control of your life. It may not always seem like it—you don’t have control over all the circumstances that may impact your life. However, you do have complete control over the determining factors—what circumstances influence your decisions. Everyone faces tragedies, heartbreaks, and hassles, but not everyone reacts to them in the same way. You can bounce back even if it doesn’t always feel that way. You can continue to love yourself and make the best life for yourself, even when circumstances seem dire. 

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Saving Your Energy

Saving Your Energy for the Good in Your Life

Your time and energy are precious. How you spend them is key to how you live and feel, and what you achieve. There will always be times when you are angry or hurt and feel the need to expend energy to try to “fix” those situations. But you may be feeding a part of your life that you’d rather offload. You’re acknowledging a person, problem, or challenge in a way that may give it legitimacy rather than denying it as part of your life. Conditions feed on energy, including negative energy. When you expend energy, you feed the beast instead of starving it until it goes away.  

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Choosing a Path of Peace

Choosing a Path of Peace

Peace as a concept is underrated. It is often defined by war—specifically, the absence of war. But peace is so much more. Peace is not just the absence of something but a significant presence. Peace doesn’t require the absence of conflict; it requires that it is handled respectfully and open-mindedly. From a personal perspective, peace is not the absence of challenges, heartaches, or stress; it is coming to terms with them. Peace is not a switch—it’s a path you can take. 

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Direct Your Thoughts

What are you thinking?—How to Direct Your Thoughts

What are you thinking about… right now?

It’s a simple question, but it’s so important. Our thoughts are the content of our consciousness. They are how we process the world and our experiences. We can choose our thoughts, but only to a certain extent. Errant thoughts will always arise, and some will be unpleasant and unwelcome. Some thoughts may cause worry, sadness, or anger. The relationship between our thoughts and our emotions is direct and often uncontrollable. However, with focus and practice, we can better control our thoughts and the emotions they stir. 

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