De-Stressing Habit # 4

Appreciate...!

Everyone you meet and almost everything you see has a flavour, presence and impact. Have you thought about that lately? The poker faced druid who poses as my cook churns up his usual array of mildly flavoured lentils and 'fluffy' Indian pancakes with deceptive ease, so much so that the delicious lunches have become a habit. But today, I decided to appreciate, and to really let him 'feel' my pleasure. "Cook', said I, 'The chicken gravy dish was simply delicious" .

Silence.....No response. I thought he hadn't quite caught it and so I repeated my thanks. "Hmph" said the cook turning away. Gathering up my bewildered feelings, (I expectd at least a thanks), I thought I saw his left cheek heave itself up a fraction.

W..ell! I thought! I was just trying to appreciate, I shrugged. The next evening, as the bowl seemed licked clean of its contents, the dour faced fellow, actually revealed his broken teeth "every last bite eaten up!" he exclaimed.

"Demonstrate your appreciation" This is what I learnt that day.Verbal expressions mean little unless accompanied by actions. Increasing positive thoughts and actions minimises stress and genuinely appreciating someone or something, however small, adds a positive anywhere.
I went off to spruce up my little collection of thoughts on 'De-stressing"

De-stressing Habit # 3

Forgive.....I know that's easier said than done.

So your boss seems hell bent on making life miserable.Every one of your brilliant ideas were trashed in the bin and you were left feeling desolate until you heard somebody mentioning how your boss had 'stolen' your idea and taken all the credit for it.

Same old story!

You've probably got many more to share.......and where does it all lead? Anger and simmering resentment makes you walk off in a huff. You swear all the way home, nearly ramming your car into a trailer, snap at your spouse, scare off the kids and get a rumdingger of a headache. That's the end of your quiet relaxed evening. Whew! Vicious circle!

Yet, just try and forgive. Tell yourself that in the end excellence surely wins....Oh...you needn't wait till the end. Just continue to build goodwill, come across as someone who's 'amiable' instead of uptight and complaining. Forgive....and you'll be surprised how others are humbled. Just try it...once....! And tell me what happened when you actually forgave.