I have a challenge for you.

I want you think about all the places you can sit and do nothing. That’s right; do nothing, and just enjoy peace and quiet. Yes, I am “double-dog” daring you. Please, don’t get caught up in the position of doing nothing. You can sit or be lying down, kneeling, etc.. The point is you are doing nothing; you’re just being.

Where are you? Are you “chillaxing” in the grass?

Are you soaking in the bathtub?

Perhaps you visualize yourself curled up on a nice big sofa?

Go ahead! Make your list. It’ll be good for your mental health. Pinky promise! Come up with a list of at least five different restorative happy places. If you make it to ten and beyond, you’ll receive extra credit!

Here’s the purpose behind my prodding.

When life gets challenging, or you feel overwhelmed or are searching for answers, BE STILL!

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Do nothing.

Let’s bring back the art of being still, shall we? Honor yourself and those around you by taking a small sabbatical. Soak up some silence; be still with God. Soak up silence in sunshine, in a dark room, in water. Simply soak up some sanity!

Treat this challenge much like the “emergency preparedness plans” we know schools generate to lower stress levels and control challenging circumstances as much as possible. Before the storms come (and they will), we need to prepare ourselves. Let’s pretend you have kids who keep you on your toes. How do you refuel? You wish you had hours but that’s not the current reality. Sometimes five minutes of breathing and soaking up one of these pre-planned special “time out” places can rejuvenate you or prevent a straight jacket. 😉

One of the greatest gifts we can give our self is a daily dosage of silence.

Indeed, it is golden. Sadly, silence isn’t appreciated, as it should be.

We can hardly leave our homes and find a restaurant without televisions mounted to walls blaring out bad news or adrenal pumping, action-packed entertainment. We can’t make a quiet trip to the Supermarket. Instead we are getting conditioned by upbeat music spurring us to buy more. The noise is everywhere.

We are suffering from overstimulation. What we need is a break from the noise pollution. Our minds and bodies need to enjoy the silence and regain our centeredness. We need to hear ourselves feel emotions and think and process about life.

It’s time to breathe deeply. We need to soak and be still.

To be reminded that life is fleeting, yet, at the same time, it’s can also be very long. We need to pace ourselves. It’s time to check in, lower our stress levels and embrace a little kindness through the silent humming airwaves of warmth.

It’s my deep desire that you would love yourself and others enough to identify your very own five or more quiet places of refuge. Places you know you can quickly retreat when life seems a bit awry or you need to recalibrate so you can stay in the game by being still in silence. I want to hear from you! Please tell me some of your favorite places are in the comments below.

Here’s to a little more sanity and less stress!

“I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.”

These are the words of Mother Teresa. They inspire me.

They stir my soul to stay in my purpose, to remain ever so cautious of being lured away from what I am supposed to be doing. Doing something that matters…Something that rescues me from my own selfishness… Something that grips my heart enough so I may lay hold of what’s truly life…

Recently, my husband and I were invited to attend the Children’s Hunger Fund Presidential Retreat with Dave Phillips and team. For many years we have loved and supported this cause. Today that love is deepened. I agreed to attend not exactly knowing what to expect.

Gratefully, I found myself surrounded by those who daily serve in the trenches.

It’s what drives my passion for entrepreneurship even more. It was a weekend that provided deep insight into my hero’s hearts who courageously and incessantly tend to needs of the poor; take care of the orphans via shelter, food and vitamins; provide hope in times of natural disaster; and rescue children’s lives from the brutalization of the sex trade industry.

This retreat was not about showing graphic pictures or stories like many may assume. It was a time to share how needs are being met, how lives are being changed all through the compassionate love and mercy of people who care. Inspiring would be an understatement.

I listened to how team members are equipped, resources are used and troops are mobilized. All I can say is the Mercy Network doesn’t mess around. They mean business! They are ready and willing to make a difference. It served as a personal call to action.

I am convinced. Each of us holds the power to do the same; to make a dent in the Universe by making a difference. Together I saw first hand how donations large and small help enforce human rights, give widows dignity and keep families from slipping into more brokenness. I saw how I too could be hands and feet to serve whether by means of giving time, money or business resources.

Each of us holds the power to make a dent in the Universe

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What became more real to me than ever before, was the story of the Good Samaritan. Awkwardly it was two religious people who passed up the beaten and afflicted. And, without a red cape, it was a Samaritan who came to the rescue. The one who was the cultural misfit that stopped to render aid. The religious leaders weren’t moved by compassion even though they saw the pain. It was the Samaritan who stopped going about his busy schedule. He took time to serve. I want to be like him.

What fascinates me is the Good Samaritan didn’t do it alone. He asked for help from the Innkeeper. Often, I feel overwhelmed in a quest to make a difference. It’s easy to say there’s just too many people with needs. Truth is, I can make a difference. We can, if our hearts remains tender.

An open heart cannot maintain a closed hand.

I believe we all have the ability to contribute. It may be our skills, our money, or our intellect to solve big problems. My desire is to see a more caring world. I want to see people who will risk having their hearts broken when they’re affronted with suffering and somehow dig deep as to how they can help alleviate it. This is real courage.

I hope you will join me. I hope you will take action like the Good Samaritan. My desire is that we will be willing to see and feel pain just long enough to find out how we can serve.

Here’s my call to action for you and me.

Partner with a non-profit you trust. It could be the Children’s Hunger Fund. Did you know Forbes magazine recognized them as one of the most cost effective organizations? Or Perhaps consider joining me serving first hand on a trip to Zoe’s Children’s House in Thailand; a refuge from sex trade predators. Friends, it’s time to mobilize however that looks to you. And I understand it will look different to each of us and that’s okay.

Do me a favor, share your ideas and thoughts about how you desire to deepen your life purpose. I’m curious as to the way you will channel your little pencil just like Mother Teresa. Write about it. I want to read a small part of the love letter you choose to write to the world.

Category Archives: Encouragement

How to Lower Stress & Maintain Sanity