Envy/Jealousy

How often do we see what others have and wish we had the very same thing? New car? Big home? Great career? When we get the things that we want, it never seems enough, there is still that other thing that other's have that makes us wish we had the very same thing. We spend most of our lives envying other people's achievements. I don't think there is anything wrong with desire (wanting things in life and working to attain it), it's the reason to wake up in the mornings. However, I do think it's sad when we fail to appreciate the things that we do have in life because we're too distracted by focusing on what we lack. We are all guilty of it. And I think this stunts us.

I think part of the key to happiness is accepting and loving who we are. How can we say we love ourselves if we keep focusing on what we lack? Lacking could mean we are not good enough just yet.....

Just some random thoughts I've been entertaining lately. There are some people around me who seem so unhappy because jealousy just eats at them. Wanting things is healthy, it motivates us to go after it. But when it consumes your entire being and everything you do get is just not enough, and it makes you a bitter person and angry towards others, it might be time to reevaluate life. Happiness shows up on a person's face. There is a glow and honestly it's a beautiful sight to see when you see someone radiating from their own inner happiness.

Breath

Life keeps moving at a lightening pace. It's so nice to have a moment just to relax with my eyes closed. Ever notice when we are in a stressful situation or feeling tense about something, we clinch up and hold our breathes? That can contribute to feeling even more stressed. That's why people rave about meditation. It quiets the mind and helps us to only concentrate on our breaths. But meditation takes a lot of discipline. I don't always have the energy for it, but what I do try to remember everyday is to practice deep breathing.

Ever since I have become more aware of my breathing, it has helped calmed me in many ways. Every cell in our body needs oxygen. We breath shallow breaths many times during the day and if you become aware of this, you will see how often you do it. Shallow breaths are just the small intake of breathing we do without even realizing it. By inhaling air and pulling from the stomach you take in more oxygen and this rejuvenates our entire body and mind. You will see how much more relax you become if you do this a few times a day. Keep practicing this and eventually you get to the where everyday life's ebb and flow won't ruffle any of your feather's. It's such an easy concept but difficult to remember. We start life by taking in a breath. Doctor's even tell us to keep our stress levels down. Why? Because we tend to hold our breaths too much when we're feeling stressful. When the body doesn't get what it needs, it becomes sick. So remember part of the nourishment your body needs is also oxygen. That's why daily walks are also good for everybody. It REQUIRES us suck in more air.