Less Stress in 2011

New Year's Resolutions:  Trying to have less stress is probably at the top of the list for most people.  It's there for me.  But how can we lessen the stress?  What can we change to make that happen?  We can change jobs, but the new job will bring its own kind of stress.  We can let the housecleaning go, but we'll eventually have to dive in and do it anyway and there will be more of it.  We can take a vacation, but we'll have to come back home sometime!  It occurs to me that we literally have to stop and take the time to relax and renew our energy... and make it a daily practice. Here are some ideas that seem pretty simple, but they'll make a difference if we make the time for them:

• Find a room or a corner where you can be comfy, light a candle, and read a good book.
• Breathe deeply.  Breathe in and out, and concentrate on your breath.  Have a background of soft music and... light a candle.
• Walk.  Walk along a path in the woods.  Walk the labyrinth at St. Marks UMC in Charleston (everyone is invited to enjoy it).
• Just sit.  Sit on a park bench, sit on the back porch or sit on a log... and listen to the sounds, breath in the fresh air.
• Watch water!  Stare at a lake, watch the river flow, sit by a waterfall and be mesmerized both the movement and the sound of the rushing water.  Or trickling water, as the case may be.  :-)
• Light a candle!  Just sit quiety and watch the flame... think peaceful and happy thoughts only.

Just a few ideas.  Again, they seem simple, but they'll work if we make the time to be quiet for a little while each day... calming our bodies and our minds.  Yes, we'll then go back to our daily tasks, but with renewed energy.  If we get into the habit of doing something that's meditative each day... we'll gain more and more peace and energy. 

That's my plan.  Watch out 2011... not because I'm charging into you!  But because you might trip over me while I'm chillin'...