Monthly Archives: July 2010

Weekend Be-Happier Tip #31

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SPECIAL NOTE:  Starting this Sunday, I’m participating in another daily “Blog Challenge” — this time it’s for the 31 days of August. If you have a question or issue you’d like me to discuss in a blog post, submit it at askevelynbrooks.com Thanks!

Take a break to enjoy life.

Too often, we give ourselves an exhausting list of chores and errands to take care of on the weekend. And we forget to put aside time in the schedule for just “being.”

This kind of “me time” isn’t the same as dinner with friends or going to a movie or concert or party. So even if you have fun things on the calendar, that’s not enough.

Here’s why…

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Coping with chronic pain (guest blogger)

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A challenge many people have is that they suffer from chronic pain — arthritis, sciatica, fibromyalgia, etc. And they want to know how they can be happy in spite of all that pain. My guest blogger, Irene Roth, is here with some terrific tips about just that, particularly if you suffer from arthritis or have a friend or family member who does. Print out this blog or send them the link to share it. They’ll thank you for it!

to your happiness,

Evelyn

Here’s Irene…

How Can I Be Happy When I’m Always in Pain?

Hello.  I am Irene Roth from www.arthritisselfmanagement.wordpress.com. I am here on my friend Evelyn’s blog to reflect on how individuals who are
constantly experiencing arthritis pain still be happy.

I have been leading arthritis self-management workshops for over eight years here in Ontario, Canada. One of the sections of the six-week workshop focuses on how to ensure that arthritis sufferers live a balanced and content life, despite the fact that they are constantly in pain with arthritis.

Time and time again, I have participants who complain of having so much pain that it sucks the life and happiness right out of them.

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Be-Happier Hummingbirds

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My first YouTube video!

I filmed a swarm of hummingbirds at my two feeders one evening.

Yesterday there were even more birds, but this video is cool. I  hope you’ll take a moment to check it out and leave a comment for me.

http://budurl.com/hummers

I used the free “AudioSwap” feature at YouTube to include a music track without risking copyright infringement. I wanted to use the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” but it would have cost a lot to do so (or else risk a fine by simply using it without permission). The song I picked is called “Happy” by a Hip Hop group, Real Life.

An important technique in stress relief and stress management is to take breaks throughout the day to get away from what is making you feel anxious. Getting in touch with nature, such as bird watching, is a terrific way to get out of your mind and into reality. Try it, and you’ll see what I mean.

your happiness guru,

Evelyn Brooks

Do you glide thru life or swim frantically?

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Stress relief for the exhausted

When you are constantly busy with one project after another, and each waking hour of the day is crammed with things to do, you can quickly find yourself in a burnout state.

When we watch swans on a lake or pond, we know that  the swan’s feet are swimming under the water, but they appear so graceful and placid. It’s like watching a trained ballerina leap across the stage — they make it seem effortless. And yet their hard working muscles and long hours of work make that leap possible.

Q: What can we learn from both swans and ballerinas?

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Weekend Be-Happier Tip #30

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Plant the right seeds.

This weekend, take time to “seed” a new project or new relationship carefully with what you would like to see grow.

Just as you would plant tomato seeds if you expected to harvest tomatoes eventually, you have to lay the groundwork for other things in life and then tend it carefully in the growing stages.

If you want more love in your life, then be loving and kind to people around you.

If you hope to get along better with your kids, plant the seeds of togetherness by playing a game with them and listening to what’s on their mind instead of just nagging them about chores.

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