10 Ways to Bring Meaning to Your Life Written by Elisha Goldstein
10 Ways to Bring Meaning to Your Life My life always appears to be so hectic. It's as if I purposely overload myself with more things than I could possibly ever accomplish. As I'm going to sleep I think about all things I need to get done And when I'm awake during day I think about all things that need to get done. Take a shower, make coffee, eat breakfast, brush my teeth, go to work, etc... It's almost as if at end of day I can truly ask myself, "where did day go?" Enough of these and I can ask myself same questions in weeks, months, or even years! So when I feel like these questions are coming up, I do some brief exercises that help bring me to present moment and remind myself that I'm living. For 5 minutes: Whatever you are doing, just do it slightly slower. At work we are all given tasks to do. One time per day, for 5 minutes do that task a little bit slower. Do not do task in slow motion, or take breaks from task, simply do it a little bit slower. Take 5 minutes at lunch to notice what you're eating. You can actually do this at an meal, or anytime you eat. You are going to notice what your food looks like, how it smells, feels, and tastes. As you pick up your food, notice texture of it, is it bumpy, smooth, wet? Notice what you smell. As you take it in your mouth notice how it feels in your mouth, notice tastes that are coming out of it, how your teeth break it down. As you swallow it, notice it going down your throat. Do same with drink. Take 3 minutes to just sit and notice your breath. Sit in a place of your choice, could be behind your desk, or anywhere. Close your eyes. For 3 minutes simply pay attention to your breath. For these 3 minutes your breath gets your undivided attention. If you notice yourself thinking about something, even thought "why am I doing this stupid exercise", just notice that your're thinking that and then gently bring your attention back to your breath. Wash Dishes. If you're not used to doing dishes, there will be many benefits to this one. As you begin to wash dishes, notice texture of plate and warmth of water on your hands. Inhale and notice if there is any scent. Listen to hear rush of water or any other sounds that are happening around you. Not only will you be able to practice being in moment, but many of your family and friends will be thrilled with you.
| | Achieving an Ambidextrous MindsetWritten by C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot
History lends us an ideal of ambidexterity: Leonardo da Vinci, Harry Truman and James Garfield were all known to be physically ambidextrous, but to what does that translate? In modern times, ambidexterity isn't a hot topic, but in fact, we are all - to a degree - ambidextrous. When we multi-task, juggle home and work, hold a phone conference and take notes simultaneously -- we are incorporating an ambidextrous mindset. No, perhaps we don't all use both hands to achieve these tasks, but we are using both brain hemispheres to accomplish our deadlines and goals. Some of us may have heard that we're 'right-brained' or maybe we lean more toward 'left-brain.' Funny as these terms may seem, they are inherently one in same. Though we may possess and exhibit more qualities from one side of brain opposed to other, we are still integrating both hemispheres in daily applications. Right-brain people are said to think holistically, subjectively and may possess heightened intuition. Left-brain people are more logical, analytical and tend to possess better rational skills. But what really sets two apart? And why is it that some individuals are more adept at some thought patterns than others? Relevent qualites of 'right-brained' persons may include an expansive imagination, artistic abilities, higher inclination toward risks, and possession of philosophical qualities. Whereas 'left-brained' individuals are more inclined toward safety first, are practical, have a sense of order, and possess good comprehension skills. Ironically, as children, human beings tend to innately migrate toward right-brain mode. Young kids are highly imaginative, trusting, and create limitless environments with conceptual power of their minds. It is interesting to watch a child at play. In their innocense, and subjective thinking, they illuminate spaces that surround them. There are no emotional battles in childrens' minds. Therefore, we can conclude that right-brained individuals are more accepting toward various cultures, races, creeds, etc., simply because right-brained persons, like children, are geared toward open-mindedness. A nearly-perfect example of an ambidextrous mindset: It is through analytical minds like that of Leonardo da Vinci, (who was ambidextrous) who obviously achieved a harmonious balance of ambidexterity, not only physically, but in mind as well. Leonarda da Vinci is most reknowned for his famous paintings of The Last Supper and Mona Lisa. While his right-brain permitted him to express his exquisite talents in arts, his left-brain mathematically and analytically went to work in his revolutionary concepts and inventions -- like first robot, submarine and even first mechanical calculator. But from where did his visionary inspirations derive? Of course, right brain. In my opinion, and by scholars throughout world, da Vinci was by far greatest genius in human history. His incredible integration of right and left brain hemispheres was an intellectual milestone in history of humankind. While we may not be Leonarda da Vinci, we do possess traits that may help us to achieve our daily routines, and overall lifestyles. The left hemisphere of our brains control our abilities to analyze and sum parts that are necessary for specific projects, while our right hemisphere amplifies our creative side, and keeps open positive expectations.
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