Tuesday, July 21, 2009

How to slow time down


Welcome to my Contented Life Blog
Do you think the pace of life is speeding up? Are you constantly busy with no spare time for your self? Do you want to know how to get more time for your self.? Do you find your self looking to the future at the next holiday or next job that needs to be done.?

I remember as a child, time did pass so slow and it was a long time between birthdays. As I got older time did seem to go faster and faster. We all seem to think that as we approach retirement we will have more time to do the things we want. I think this is a fallacy as many retired people I speak to seem to be very busy with grand children, and the usual things in life. I also thought that when I left my full time job, I would have all the time inn the world and I would be drinking cups of tea everyday. I quickly found that the reality was quite different.
How to make time Slow down.
When we think of the way we spend our days, we are constantly looking into the future at the next job , next holiday, next whatever. This does tend to make us live in the future and we do not fully appreciate the here and now. If we only had a few months to live, I think our focus would be to enjoy the moments we have and to live them in the present .We would not be looking too far in the future ( as in reality we know that the future is never ours).
My advice on how to make time go slower is to simply slow down, what is all the rush about. Why do we want to cram so much in to our every day activities, are we afraid that we won't get them done ? Make time for important things like friends and family.
cheers
Lina

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Only what's Done with Love With Last

Welcome to my Contented Life Blog.

I hope you are not really needing my advice and that you are leading and happy and fulfilled life. If nothing else I hope I am striking a chord with you and that you can relate to what I am writing about. After all we are all the same when it comes down to our feelings and what is really important.

I like to begin with a statement that was the last thing I read in my book of Maximum Achievement , by Brian Tracey, found in the last chapter tittled 'The power of Love'.



Only one life, that is soon Past

Only what's done with love will last


or another way


Life that is too soon ended,
Only what's done in love will be remembered.

I happen to read this about the same time of Micheal Jackson's Death and when you think about it, the above is so true, he has left some good things behind( not his money) but his wonderful gift of music for all to continue to enjoy. He will long be remembered for his music than anything else.


When you get to a certain age ( usually about 40) you start to reflect on your life, on your achievements, on your goals and usually on the meaning of life itself. You may decide to change direction with a new job , new ambitions , new dreams. It seems once you have decided to do something new, everything seems to come by happenstance that re-enforces the new idea or decision that you have made. Sometimes this change of direction comes as a result of a life changing experience such as a serious accident, death of a loved one and so on.

When you look back on all the things you thought were important before the life changing experience , you suddenly realize that they were not so important. Living life in the moment and letting the little things go become more a way of life. This is harder than it sounds and needs constant practice. I find I am always brought back to earth when I hear of others misfortune and I re- analyse my situation and all of a sudden I don't feel quite so bad, and I have a different perspective on it.

Brian Tracey advises that " if you truly want to be successful and happy in everything you do, in every part of your life, you must learn and practice love on every occasion, at every opportunity. The expression of love and kindness must be as natural to you as breathing in and breathing out.".

I must say that I have to agree. I feel great when I have done an act of kindness especially towards someone obviously needing it to the point that I get a swelling of emotion rising through my body that I am moved to tears ( happy tears). Every time we do something nice for someone else, we make that person happy and we enhance the quality of their life. You are also enriching your life as what you give always comes back. You are making the world a better place to be. You make you life a blessing to others.

I have some Helen Steiner Rice poems and was at St Vincent's De Paul store recently and came across another volume. These poems are wonderful. I had forgotten how timeless they are and how well written that you can find solace in the simple words.

Tips on giving the simple things in life and being happy.

1. Be thankful for all you have, especially your health. List all the good things you have in your life.

2. Smile at a complete stranger- it's free. You will always get a smile back.

3.Do something nice for someone without expecting anything in return. The key to living is in Giving.

4.Tell someone that you love them- always nice to hear these words.

5.Be genuine- always follow through with your promises- you will love yourself for it.

6.Decide to be happy, its a mind game. Do things that make you happy. Did you know , happy people have less health problems and live longer.

7.Create your own future by listening to your inner voice.

8.Be kind and compassionate as you never know when you will need someone to do the same for you.

9. Don't be afraid to say sorry- we all make mistakes.

10. What could be more important that being here and knowing you are making a difference to someone and that you are loved.

To end this post I have found a poem by Helen Steiner Rice , titled 'the Magic of Love'.

Here are the last two verses that say what I want to say to you all.

Love is the answer

That everyone seeks-

Love is the Language

That every heart speaks-

Love can't be bought,

It is priceless and free,

Love like pure magic

Is a sweet Mystery!

It seems that in life the simple things are free and if you have these things in your life, you will be rich in happiness, health, love. These things are available to rich and poor alike, there is no discrimination.

cheers all, don't forget to comment- love to hear what you say or think.

Lina