How Not to Take Yourself So Seriously: 5 Practices

Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.

-- Elbert Hubbard

Last week I was offered another lesson at the indoor pool where I swim. Sunday, it seems, has become everyone's favorite day. The pool was packed. Lane designations are important when it's crowded, and two lanes are reserved for slower, leisurely swimmers--like me.

So, I was in the first leisure lane with two other swimmers, while another very slow swimmer was in the second lane. Things were flowing well until three guys got into the second leisure lane with the slower swimmer. They were much faster and kept running into him--literally.

I got upset and finally spoke to the guys, who had gathered at the end of the pool as I was getting out. I was fairly centered, friendly, curious, and assertive. I asked if this was a new pool for them (no, they'd come a few times), and if they knew that some lanes were reserved for slower swimmers (yes, they knew that). Then, as if in reply to my silence, they said, "We're slow!" I laughed and said they seemed pretty fast to me. At the same moment, they noticed a swimmer leaving the medium lane and decided to move over.

I felt okay about the interaction. Glad that I'd had the courage of my convictions, and also wishing I'd been maybe a little more centered. I like to practice centering by thinking in percentages. And I was maybe 60-70% in that moment. If I'd been 100%, instead of laughing, I might have listened more, and then explained that in my experience at this pool, they were fast swimmers for that lane.

Rule #6

Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic, author and motivational speaker, writes about creating a life that works, and the influence we have in helping others to do the same. One of his lessons and best stories revolves around what he calls "Rule #6", which is:

Don't take yourself so g--damn seriously.

5 Practices

I'm pretty familiar with this mental habit of taking myself too seriously, and have five practices that help me catch myself. They fall into two categories:

Committed Practices

1) I meditate daily. A brief time to sit quietly and do nothing each day is restorative over the long term.

2) I exercise. Personally, I enjoy swimming and walking, and do one or both every day.

Rituals and Spontaneous Practices

3) I catch myself. I notice the mental or physical tension and relax. Try it now: lower your shoulders, lengthen your spine, and feel the weight of gravity rooting you to the earth's surface.

4) I breathe and smile at myself. You can do this anytime: exhale and focus on your breathing. Notice how it moves in and out of your body. Count breaths and smile internally. You'll begin to get your perspective back.

5) I do something for me. Have a cup of tea. Take a walk. Read a book. Move. Dance. Sing. Go out into the garden. Look out the window. Do what works for you.

So maybe I could have chosen one of those practices last Sunday at the pool. I could have noticed myself winding up, smiled and relaxed. I could have minded my own business instead of designating myself the "lane police." That's what lifeguards are for.

Did I really need to speak? Was I taking myself too seriously? I'm still not sure. It was a ki moment, and I'm still learning from it. Maybe next time (there will be a next time), I'll smile at myself, relax, take a deep breath, and--like Dory says--"just keep swimming."

What practices help you to stop taking yourself too seriously?

About the Author: Judy Ringer is the author of two books, Turn Enemies into Allies: The Art of Peace in the Workplace and Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10020104

10 Ways to Raise Your Vibration

What does it mean to raise your vibration? It means, simply, to improve the way you feel. To shift from a negative state to something that feels more positive. To change your thoughts from weakening worry to empowering gratitude. To express love and kindness instead of anger or judgement. When we feel good, we radiate goodness. And right now we need a whole lot of goodness in this world!

Here are some suggestions. Find what works for you. Practice daily.

And remember, any time you feel even a little happier, better, lighter, or more peaceful, you are raising your vibration.

Smile. Smile in the mirror. Smile at people. Smile at animals. Smile at people in the store. Smile as you read something inspiring. Smile because you're you. Smile right now. Smiling tells your brain to release feel-good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.

Journal. Journaling will help you release whatever is nagging at your mind. Release it and let it go. No need to re-read.

Commit Acts of Kindness. Practice kindness. Open doors for people. Let people go ahead of you in traffic. Do something nice for an elderly neighbour. Call or text a friend to tell them how much you appreciate them. Acts of kindness don't have to be enormous. When done spontaneously they bring joy to both you and to your recipient.

Clear and Cleanse. Use tools such as dry brushing, shower, salt bath, sauna, and sound bath to help you detoxify. By releasing toxic stagnancy, you will naturally raise your vibration.

Chant. Chanting a yogic, or Sanskrit mantra, repetitively, will help boost brain function, and reduce stress and anxiety. These mantras are designed tune your system to a higher vibration. Choose a mantra that appeals to you, and chant it for 108 times daily for maximum benefit.

Move. Movement moves stagnant energy. Exercise. Dance. Do yoga. Take a walk in Nature, where you'll get bonus points from all the high-vibe negative ions. Any time we release stagnant energy, we feel better. The better you feel, the higher your vibration.

Meditate. Meditation helps you tune into Divinity within you. It can also assist you in receiving guidance from invisible (or visible) sources. Meditation helps you tune into the higher vibrations of love, peace, and gratitude.

Use EFT Tapping. EFT Tapping will help release unwanted 'negative' emotions that pull down your vibration. Sometimes we're not even aware that we have underlying low feelings such as shame, anger, or self-doubt. EFT can help us pinpoint and release these feelings, so we can raise our vibration.

Practice the Heart Breath. The Heart Breath is a beautiful way to bring yourself into heart energy, the energy of unconditional love. Unconditional Love radiates at a very high vibration.

To practice this breath, close your eyes, breath slowly and deeply, and imagine you're breathing from your heart. Breath this way for 30 seconds or as long as you like.

Express Gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful way to help us shift from a place of lack and scarcity. By appreciating even the smallest things in our lives, we fill ourselves with sweet gratitude, and a feeling that all is well.

Best Wishes for Your Highest Vibes Ever!

Marian

Hi! Thanks for taking the time to read this article. I'm Marian Buck-Murray and I specialize in helping sensitive, empathic people boost confidence, courage and success. I am a certified EFT Practitioner and Matrix Reimprinting Practitioner. To find out more about my services, and my THRIVE programs for sensitive people, visit my website at https://marianbuckmurray.com/. Peace.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10174243