I just looked up my zip code to see what is happening in our county (Maricopa):
I just looked up my zip code to see what is happening in our county (Maricopa):
I’ve been walking my dog around in my desert neighborhood and leaving my phone and music at home. Today, as I drank in the quiet, I spotted a baby hummingbird on top of a mature saguaro. I realized that listening to music (or podcasts) often distracts me from seeing the true beauty around me. My walks have become walking meditations.
I had my 5th graders reflect upon their work and productivity now that the first semester is closing.
Here is one response I think we can all relate to on some level (replace fortnite with Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, etc).:
“Whenever you are stressed, it is because whatever is happening at that moment is what you don’t want to be happening.”
Oprah Winfrey
A critical step in minimizing your own stress is to accept your present moment.
“Choose knowledge for the sake of knowledge over achievement. We are in an achievement-oriented society. We judge and value people based on their achievements. But most of the people who get caught up in that trap – always trying to “get ahead” – their reward for that is almost always high blood pressure, ulcers, early deaths and even things like cancer. Remember, it’s a perfect universe. There’s no stress in it. Only people thinking stressful thoughts.”
The answer to every “problem” is presence.
“Fifteen minutes of fun exercise each day is the equivalent of one anti-depressant.”
Shawn Achor, The Happiness Advantage