“Working hard for something
we don’t care about is called
stress;
working hard for something
we love
is called
passion.”
-Simon Sinek-
Posts tagged photography
Take a break
How do you know that you need a break? Have a look at this foto: What comes to your mind?
When I was studying many years ago and working as a teacher, I felt the stress very often – I would even say almost constantly. There was a lot of pressure to get things done and to be always prepared. When I look back, I think: How in the world did I manage all this workload? Yes, it’s true: when you don’t pay attention to your body and the stress “signs” and when you don’t recharge the “battery” early enough, than it will cause damage in some way.
“The human mind and body tell you through emotional and physiological reactions when it’s time to slow down and take a break. Watch for your unique reactions to stress such as fatigue, upset stomach, pounding headaches, canker sores, or your back going out. Take the time to recognize these signals and recharge your emotional battery before your stress causes damage to your system.”
Right now I am taking an online university course in nutrition and disease prevention and it is very interesting to see, that what you eat and put into your body has a great effect on your health. I think many people are sick, because of many reasons: stress, overworking, poor nutrition and many other factors.
The best thing is to have a balanced life! But it is not that easy to realize. Right now I have the privilege to practise a balanced lifestyle: enough sleep, exercise, walking, healthy cooking, spending time with friends (in real life or on skype), exercising my mind (online studies)… This is great!
The last 6,5 years I worked as a flight attendant and I realize now even more how stressful this was in general. There was no routine – every month, every week, every day looked different. Yes, it was very exciting at times, but after a while my body was really tired.
Even I as an extrovert became more introverted in my free time, because in my work environment I was constantly surrounded by hundreds of people. Also on each flight: different colleagues, different bosses, different passengers, different destination. After a while this was quite tiring.
I am very thankful that I can live a more steady life at the moment, which is probably more healthy than my lifestyle before
??? When do you know that it is time to take a break? How and when do you feel stressed?
??? How do you take “time out”? How do you live a healthy lifestyle???
Looking forward to hearing from you!
(Quote from the book: Emotional Intelligence 2.0, Strategy #15)
Handling differences and disagreements
A long time ago I heard from a book: Men are from Mars, women are from Venus (John Gray).
I never read this book, even if it was very popular at this time. But the last 6 years I lived in a house with 3 other people and one of them had this book, so I started to read it and was very surprised . It describes men and women in general – and in many described examples I could find myself.
I haven’t finished reading the book yet, but once in a while I read a few pages.
A few weeks ago I read a bit further where I left off the other day. It was chapter 9: How to avoid arguments.
I don’t know if you ever have arguments in your relationship? If not, you don’t need to read it, if yes it could help you =) – to understand yourself better and also your partner. Reading it can also help your general understanding about men and women.
A challenge in relationships is handling differences and disagreements. Often the couple stops talking in a loving manner and begin:
- hurting
- blaming
- complaining
- accusing
- demanding
- resenting
- doubting
each other.
Communication is very important in a relationship and „arguments can be the most destructive element.“ The „closer we are to someone, the easier it is to bruise or to be bruised.“
John Gray recommends: never argue! „Instead discuss the pros and cons of something. It is possible to be honest, open and even express negative feelings without arguing or fighting.“
What happens when we argue? When we don’t understand that men and women are different it is easy to get into „arguments that hurt not only our partner but also ourselves.“
„The secret to avoiding arguments is loving and respectful communication. The differences and disagreements don’t hurt as much as the ways in which we communicate them. Ideally an argument does not have to be hurtful; instead it can simply be an engaging conversation that expresses our differences and disagreements (…). But practically speaking most couples start out arguing about one thing and, within five minutes, are arguing about the way they are arguing.
Unknowingly they begin hurting each other, what could have been an innocent argument, easily resolved with mutual understanding and an acceptance of differences, escalates into a battle. They refuse to accept or understand the content of their partner’s point of view because of the way they are being approached.
Resolving an argument requires extending or stretching our point of view to include and integrate another point of view. To make this stretch we need to feel appreciated and respected. If our partner’s attitude is unloving, our self-esteem can actually be wounded by taking on their point of view.”
??? What is your experience with this topic???
(Kindle e-book: Men are from Mars, women are from Venus, John Gray, Loc 2644-2673)
Change
Did you go through a change in the last months or the last year? What kind of change was it? How did you feel?
I had a few changes in the last months. Usually I find that change is good and gives me new opportunities. But at the same time it is also sometimes a bit scary, because of the unknown – but overall it is exciting and opens new doors and new possibilities.
Here is a quote I read a few days ago which I found very helpful and accurate:
„Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful, it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful, it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident, it is inspiring because the challenge now exists to make things better.“
– King Whitney Jr.-
??? Which “type” are you? The fearful, the hopeful or the confident???
One life to live
Last week I finished reading an e-book about people at the end of their lives: what they wanted to say before they die and what was important for them – also some things what they maybe never expressed to other people before.
Honestly – it was one of the most depressing book I have ever read. Almost all people in the book, who wrote their last words down didn’t believe in God and they did not believe that there will be a life after death.They thought, when they die, that’s it!
The book was „easy“ to read, but because it was so sad what I read, I could only read a few pages each day. It made me so sad!
Some people said, what they regret and what they would have done differently and some people where ok with the lives they lived and didn’t expect anything after death.
I think a lot about my life and about the purpose of life. When I was about 28 years, I wrote down in some sentences, what I would like that people say about me when I am not here on earth anymore. Or better: what would I like that people say about me on my 60th birthday.
When you write down these sentences it really shows: what is the most important for you here on earth? What do you want to be known for? What is your purpose in life?
A few years ago I read this sentence, what I wrote down when I was 28, every day – I did this for a few years. I want to start it again in 2014: because it puts right in front of your eyes: what is important for me today? What is the bigger picture here? What is important in my life? Then I don’t get caught up so much in the daily „sorrows“ and „problems“ or superficial things, but have the bigger picture in mind.
Yesterday I went to a contemporary gospel concert in Vienna and they where singing
songs that reminded me so much of my childhood and teenage years and the songs really touched my heart.
They where singing for example one song that I always loved so much: it is from Andrae Crouch: My tribute (To God be the glory).
This is also my desire: to honor God in all I do! To God be the glory!
The song expresses what I feel and what my desire is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiB4SEgOkow
This song brings tears to my eyes, because I think of what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross and that he died for me in order that I might live!
I am very thankful that my parents lived a life that showed me for who it is worth living for: God – the Lord of my life!
I have one life to live and I think constantly: how can I live my life best for the glory of God! What is my calling?
What is your desire for your life? Do you know what your calling is?
Feedback
Do you like to give feedback to others? Do you like receiving feedback?
Yesterday I read a quote and want to ask you: what do you think about it?
“Feedback is a unique gift. It can be exactly what you needed to hear or it can miss the mark
entirely. To take feedback well, first consider the source. Listen closely to what’s really being said.
Ask questions or ask for examples to better understand. Whether you agree or not, thank the person.
Take time to absorb it and then decide what you will do or not do about it.”
( Book: Emotional Intelligence 2.0)
Timing…
Lately I am very busy, and I only post very short posts, but in a few months I try to do it more frequently again.
I read a quote lately which is very helpful for me:
“When dealing with people and their emotions, timing really is everything. You don’t ask for a favor when someone is angry or correct someone who feels threatened by you. To practice your timing with others, ask the right questions at the right time with the right frame of mind, all with your audience in mind.” (Strategy #35,in the book: Emotional Intelligence 2.0, )
I guess I have to learn a lot finding the right timing when to talk and to be silent when it it not the right timing yet to talk!
