How to Face Life's Unexpected Challenges

So how is your month going? Overwhelmed with the start of another season and all the decisions, activities and to-dos? Not to mention the strange weather patterns, the fires in California, Europe, and Canada, and seasonal health concerns. It's all a bit much, isn't it? Well, you are not alone. We are all facing challenges that can feel overwhelming. So this week, I am offering some suggestions on how to maintain our peace and our joy during these challenging times. 

1. Slow Down and Regroup

Now I know this seems contrary to what our normal tendency is, but when things get overwhelming, and we keep pushing, there is an increased chance of a mishap. Slowing down gives us time to think about what is really the most important. To reprioritize. I bet the folks in California are reprioritizing right now. My top priority is "keeping my peace." 

"But I can't slow down. There's too much to do." you may say. Let me tell you this. If we don't slow down, the powers that be will slow us down; we'll get sick, get a flat tire, have an accident. We are not meant to run on overdrive, especially when added factors like cold, bitter weather are added in to the mix, adding more stress to everyday life. 

2. Put Yourself First

As a woman, I know women tend to put other people first most of the time. But the older I get, the more I realize how important it is to take care of myself first. I ask myself these questions:

- What do I need now?

- How do I feel now?

- Do I need to take a break now?

- Do I really need to deal with this now?

Don't pressure yourself to go, go, go, do, do, do. After 30+ years in the workforce,  I have a sticky note that says "Take the pressure off." Much of the time, we put the pressure on ourselves and it is unhealthy. We are human beings, not human doings. If you're a guy reading this, encourage the woman in your life to take care of herself. Give her a massage. Take the kids out for the day. She'll appreciate it so much. 

3. Take a Few Deep Breaths

When life is pressing in on you, step back and take a deep breath. Take a few in fact. Slowing down our breathing helps slow down our minds. It calms our heart rate. We gain clarity. We get off the rat wheel mentally. 

4. Give it to God 

Often, we try to control the uncontrollable. The fires in California are UNCONTROLLABLE. Our relatives and family members are UNCONTROLLABLE. 

Basically, the only person we have control over is ourselves, and even that is a challenge. 

One of my favorite verses from the Bible is Philipians 4:6 which says "Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in all things with prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God and He will give you peace that surpasses all understanding."

Faith is believing that God is on our side and that he is working all things ultimately for our good although it may not seem like it at the time. God does have a plan and a purpose for these trials, just as he did with Job. God is still in control and he is the one who allows these things to happen. Our job is to discern the lessons he is trying to teach us in the process. Otherwise we are doomed to repeat the same sorry situations.

For Reflection 
So, dear friends, take heart. Be encouraged. If your situation is particularly challenging, ask the Lord what he may be trying to tell you and what actions you need to take. My favorite verse these days is Romans 8:31 which says, "If God is for us, who can stand against us?" And the answer is no one and nothing. What do you need to turn over to Him today?

Stay tuned for more on how to ignite the power within, keep your peace, and discover YOUR destiny!

Until next time, 

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

8 Benefits of Cultivating a Spiritual Practice

When was the last time you felt stressed? If you're like most, stress is a part of our daily lives and it is a major factor in many health issues today. Our fast-paced lifestyle and goal-oriented society leaves little time for solitude, reflection, prayer and meditation. Yet, it is these very habits that protect us against the constant bombardment of stressors in our daily lives.

We all have 24 hours in a day and everyone seems to be so busy all the time. Yet, how often do we stop to consider if we're making time for the right things? Often, we're on auto-pilot carrying out our daily routines. What if we're not working on what would make the most difference in our lives? 

Today, I'd like us to press the pause button so we can think about that question for a few minutes. What is really most important in my life? Is it my friends? My career? My family? My finances?

All of these are important but what lies at the crux of being successful in any of these?   Maybe, just maybe, there is something more important above and beyond anything else. By far. And that is...

Developing our relationship with God. 
On a recent visit to Morocco, I happened to catch these devout Muslims worshipping at the 5 o'clock call to prayer. Speechless, I stopped in awe to observe. After, I asked a shop owner about the practice and he said people can pray anywhere. There was no need for icons or statues or candles. The faithful simply took off their shoes and dropped to their knees. Now you might not understand, agree or accept other religions, but this act of  sincere and humble worship struck me. How different would the world be if everyone stopped several times a day to acknowledge God? Think about it.

We are all spirit. As author and spiritual guru, Wayne Dyer, puts it, "We are spiritual beings having a human experience." I have studied most of the major religions and have found several principles they all have in common: compassion, faith, worship, giving, and service to name a few.

Rather than focus on our religious differences, wouldn't the world be a better place if we focused on common ground? This is what is so great about America - freedom to worship who and what we choose. In the end, each of us will stand before God and give an accounting of our lives so let's not wait till then to meet him.

Reasons why we need a spiritual practice:

1. Helps us become more peaceful, resilient, calm. 
2. Improves our relationshipswith others. 
3. Helps us connect to ourselves.
4. Helps us connect to God. 
5. Helps us handle life's problems. 
6. Provides hope in the hard times. 
7. Gives us guidance.
8. Helps us to grow. 
9. Helps us stay positive despite negative circumstances. 

When we put our main focus and energy towards our jobs, our kids, our relationships, everything suffers because our spirit is what infuses every aspect of our lives. It affects our emotions, our moods, and our energy. When we neglect our spiritual self, we are basically ignoring the very core of who we are. Then we wonder why the world is in such a state of turmoil.

Activity vs. Connection 
Sure we go to church, pray the rosary, give our tithes, go to yoga retreats. All of these are fine and dandy, but what really matters is am I developing a relationship with my spiritual self? With God?  Just as human relationships require time and effort, so does our spiritual relationship. If we want to reap the benefits listed above, we must make time to cultivate this aspect of ourselves however that manifests itself for each one of us.

Whether we realize it or not, our relationship with our spiritual self is truly is the most important thing in life, In fact, I would go as far as to say that our human relationships can only be as healthy as we are spiritually. In fact, we can only be as healthy physically and emotionally as we are spiritually.

For Reflection
Do you have a spiritual practice? Is it working for you? Do you consider spirituality an important part of your life? I once asked a good friend this question and her answer was "No comment". I know this isn't you or you would not be reading this blog. What actions can you take to improve your spiritual life? 

If you'd like to join our blog community, enter your email in the box provided and you'll receive my weekly posts. You'll also receive a copy of my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". 

Have a great week and remember - keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

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