SERENITY FOR JUST ONE DAY:  Try one (or all ten) of these ten ideas and see if your day doesn't become more serene....Ten ways to deal with stress today:

1)  Call a friend to say hello

2)  Listen to your favorite music

3)  Take a walk outside - it is gorgeous!

4)  Eat something really healthy today

5)  Breathe.........take 5 deep breaths and let your worries go!

6)  Laugh:  Find a funny cartoon on the internet and laugh--a big, huge belly laugh and share it with your co-worker!

7)  Try drinking a soothing cup of tea

8)  Be mindful...write down something you really want to accomplish in life

9)  Get some extra sleep tonight - turn off the TV, light a candle and sleep.......

10) Make a Gratitude list!  Find at least 3 things you are grateful for and write them down!

Don't forget to take a journey today as well......go to the grocery store a different way and see what the Universe has for you!!!

ENJOY..........

Surroundings

Think about what and who you surround yourself with each day....have you created a place of repose where you can sit and truly unwind?  Think about surrounding yourself with those little things that make you smile - a photograph, a card, a plaque with your favorite saying on it, a wall hanging, a bible verse, a book, your favorite tablecloth, a feather............Then, ask the people who bring you joy to stop over for a cup of coffee or tea.  Ask someone over with whom you can laugh with - that's right a big, belly laugh! 


Consider creating a sacred place just for you somewhere in your house!
Surround yourself with the items that remind you most of the people and places you love!  Remember that candle your best friend gave you?  Or, a glass figurine from your childhood?  A pillow you can lay your head on?  A special comforter or throw blanket to keep you warm?  A room where the sun shines beautifully on the book you are reading?  Create a space where you can relax, unwind and let the cares of this world disappear....


Consider it, contemplate it, then create it!
Enjoy!!!

Energy.......what is it and where does it come from???

Think about the definition of energy:  Vigor or power in action; Capacity for action or accomplishment; The work a physical system is capable of doing when changing from one state to another...
When was the last time you felt energized?  Full of vigor and vitality?  Ready for action?  Ready to accomplish something important?
Well, if it's been a while, then perhaps you need an energy break!
Sit at your desk, close your eyes, take some deep breaths, and relax your entire body from head to toe.  Allow yourself to completely relax and let go of the tension you have been feeling...
Squeeze your hands together and release them five times in succession.  Point your toes toward your knees and then, release them five times.  Rotate your feet in circles five times. Let your neck relax by looking down for 5 seconds, to the right side for 5 seconds, to the left for 5 seconds and looking up for 5 seconds.  Now, stand up and reach for the stars - that's it!  Reach your arms up above your head 5 times.  Shake your shoulders, arms and hands.  Now, sit back down and see if you don't have a bit more energy than you did 5 minutes ago!!!
Do this exercise OFTEN!!!  Allow your body the time to re-energize itself by taking a short break for YOU!
Share these ideas with your co-workers or team!  Then, enjoy the rest of your day!!!

Have you had your DeStress break today?

Fifteen minutes ALL to yourself - have you taken that time today?  Think about it...........what keeps you from taking a few moments to sit back, relax and enjoy life?  Is it the stress of work?  Finances? Relationships? Too hectic of a schedule?  Feeling of being overwhelmed???

Well.............take a load off and RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRelax!  Take the time to do your favorite activity - even if it is for JUST 15 minutes today!  Read a book, take a hot bath or shower, go for a walk, take 5 deep breaths, close your eyes, let your shoulders sink down,  listen to music or nature - listen for the birds tomorrow morning, watch a sunset, smile at your children, hug your dog, laugh - a big, belly laugh!!!  

Find little ways to take a moment throughout the day.....give yourself a break! You are worth it!!!
Fifteen minutes................that's all!!!  Then, make it a habit for 21 days and see if you don't feel better!

DIVINE

Divine.....being of or having the nature of a deity.............where is the divine in your life?  Who is the Divine in your life?  What is supremely good to you?  Magnificent?  Heavenly???

Can it be possible that we each can find God in our lives?  Yes, absolutely!  Each day, in some small way, God is speaking to us.....through a still small voice......reading a devotion meant just for you..........through the wind in our hair........through your son's smile......through your daughter's laughter........stop.......listen..........just for a moment and hear the voice of God speaking to you....yes, you.

Look up!  See that beautiful sunburst in the clouds?  The gorgeous sunset?  Ahh...yes, that is God's signature on the day - a sign or symbol of  His incredible love for us!

Feel the gentle breeze upon your face....listen for the cardinals' call in the morning....gaze upon the extravagant promises of God all around you!  And, enjoy finding the Divine each time you look with new eyes.........

DIVINE

Divine.....being of or having the nature of a deity.............where is the divine in your life?  Who is the Divine in your life?  What is supremely good to you?  Magnificent?  Heavenly???

Can it be possible that we each can find God in our lives?  Yes, absolutely!  Each day, in some small way, God is speaking to us.....through a still small voice......through the wind in our hair........through your son's smile......through your daughter's laughter........stop.......listen..........just for a moment and hear the voice of God speaking to you....yes, you.

Look up!  See that beautiful sunburst in the clouds?  The gorgeous sunset?  To me, that is God's signature on the day - a sign or symbol of  His incredible love for us!

Feel the gentle breeze upon your face....listen for the cardinals' call in the morning....gaze upon the extravagant promises of God all around you!  And, enjoy finding the Divine each time you look with new eyes.........

SERENITY

What brings you serenity?  Think about it!  When was the last time you took a moment to rest your weary body, mind or soul to contemplate what serenity means to you?  


What conjures up an image of a "serene repose" for you?  
Consider taking time to watch a family of ducks or geese with their babies swimming across a pond...watch an entire flock of baby lambs frolicking across a meadow... sit on a park bench and watch the sunset...Walk through a field full of sunflowers...Listen to a waterfall...Feel a gentle breeze on your face...


When was the last time your mind was unclouded?  Bright??  Tranquil???


Read the prayer below and allow it to sink into your heart, mind and soul:
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And, wisdom to know the difference...."
Have you ever found acceptance?  Courage?  Wisdom?  It is yours for the asking!!!


Find a photo or picture which allows you to take a moment and reflect......pause.....and consider all that is good, beautiful and lovely.....


http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/special/serenity.html
Hang it up on the wall at home or put it up in your cube at work!!!  
Take a few minutes to reflect on what is good, beautiful and lovely!!!
Try it today......you may find your place of repose...even if it is just in your mind or on the wall!  Enjoy!!!