Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - September 16th

On Sunday, I was reading The Alcalde, which is the Official Publication of the Texas Exes.  As I was reading about the new University of Texas Football Coach Charlie Strong, I read this quote and thought it was a good reminder: 

“I’ve been around some really outstanding football coaches,” Strong says, “from Steve Spurrier to Lou Holtz to Urban Meyer to Bob Davie to R.C. Slocum. You can’t ever be them, you can only be yourself, but you can always draw something from what they have and use it in a way that it could be very successful.” From September 2014 The Alcalde (http://alcalde.texasexes.org/2014/09/strong/)

There are thousands of self–help books on amazon.com to give us ideas of how “to improve” or online magazine articles that can help us discover how other ladies have been successful in life.  Over the last couple of years, our society has discussed how women can “Have It All” including family, career, etc. Many books and articles have been written about it also.  

This quote spoke to me because it reminded me that I will never “be” the ladies that I am reading about.  I was created to be Terri.  I can learn what these ladies did and incorporate lessons and ideas they learned into my life, but I will still be the unique Terri Flow.  My path will be a different path from the ladies I read about because I have a unique Purpose on this earth and there are certain things I must accomplish as I complete this Journey in Life. 

As you have the unique opportunity to be on this earth for such a time as this, remember that you were put on this earth for a Purpose.  Go after it with all you heart and never try to be someone you are not.  

As a disclaimer, I may read the Official Publication of the Texas Exes, but I am still an Aggie….Gig’em!

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - September 9th

Toes in the Sand - Part 2

Last week, I talked about simply taking time to unplug from life and having fun.  We are now back to work, getting back in to our daily schedules with kids, etc. and the next time you may have a vacation could be Thanksgiving or Christmas.  With the daily stress of life, it is important that we simply take a daily “vacation”.  If we don’t release the burdens and yokes of life, we will not be able to enjoy all aspects of our lives and accomplish the amazing purposes we were put on this Earth to accomplish. 

I have been told that I am one of the most intense individuals that some people have ever met.  I am goal-oriented and know what my purpose in this live is.  When I left Thursday afternoon as I prepared to go to the beach, I was absolutely worn out.  I needed the vacation, but I also know that I should not have allowed myself to get to absolute burnout.  As I pondered how I could have prevented this and find ways to relax since I am not taking my vacation until December, I decided that I daily need to have a “vacation” to help me relax. 

Here are ideas of how to take a “Daily Vacation”:

•  Meditate

"Within yourself is a stillness, a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself." - Herman Hess 

Meditation is a mental exercise that allows one to focus on one’s breathing and clearing of the mind.  Start out meditating for 5 minutes a day and you will see major changes in your life. 

• Unplug for 24 hours from technology

Computers, TVs, iPhones are all great.  However, our society has become so controlled by them.  We are constantly checking to see who liked our post on Facebook or Twitter.  We watch the latest reality TV show to see who got kicked off Dancing with the Stars or see the latest joke from Uncle Si on Duck Dynasty.  It will be there tomorrow.  TURN IT OFF!  Your life will be different and you will be able to do other fun things in life.

• Have an attitude of gratitude!

Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you. - Eileen Caddy

• Listen to calming music

Listen to classical music or the sounds of nature.  I love having beach waves going throughout the day to remind me of the wonderful time I had at the beach and provide a calming atmosphere.   

• Hang Up Reminders

Throughout my apartment, I have pictures of the beach and seashells as decorations to remind me of the wonder and beauty of the ocean.

By incorporating a couple of these ideas, you can daily take a “vacation” to help recover from the daily stress of life.  

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - September 2nd

Toes in the Sand

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  ~Ovid

There was a recent study that said 40% of American workers will leave paid vacation unused this year (http://traveleffect.com/research/overwhelmed-america).  The article talks about why people choose not to take time off and the benefits of taking time off.  It is a good read….

Until this past weekend, I was going to be part of that 40%.  I have a long vacation planned in December, but I truly had not unplugged (turned off email, cell phone, etc.) this whole year until Thursday night.  After a political event, I packed by bags and Friday morning left for a long weekend at the beach.  While I was gone, I didn’t go see any of the museums or historical landmarks of the city I was in.  Instead, I took time to go sit on the beach, read a book, listen to the crashing of the waves and remember the limitless beauty of the ocean. 

The best part of the weekend was Saturday morning when I visited 3 different beaches.  I had a wonderful time walking along the beach, playing in the waves and kicking up the water.  I never would have thought that simply having my “Toes in the Sand” could be so amazing, refreshing and reenergizing!

The summer is over and vacations are not top of mind.  As kids go back to school and we get back into the daily “grind of life”, think about ways that you can daily take “a vacation”.  Simply taking a rest can reenergize us to become more productive and fulfill our purpose on this earth. 

A couple pictures from my trip…yes, those are my toes in the sand…

  

 

Next week’s blog post will provide ideas of how we can daily have our “Toes in the Sand”.