Embraceable You
Comparing Yourself To Others

You are unique. There is no one else like you in the entire universe. In honor of your unique self, it is good to acknowledge and embrace the special qualities that make you the person that you are. One way to do this is to not compare yourself with other people.

It is human nature to want to see how we measure up in comparison to others – especially if we think that they are better than us or have more of something that we want. Yet the truth is that it is not a good use of time to compare ourselves with others because there is no one like us and this makes us incomparable. It is sometimes almost easier to look outside of ourselves and feel like we are deficient in comparison to other people rather than taking responsibility for our own progress in relation to the fulfillment of our life purpose. It actually takes more courage to be self-referential and look at ourselves to see whether we are measuring up to our standards or meeting our full potential. Each of us has very special gifts, and we are here for very specific reasons. We each have a life purpose to fulfill and with this come the lessons that we must learn and the circumstances that we must go through in order to evolve as spiritual beings. To compare our lives to other people’s lives when we have no idea of what they are here to learn or fulfill doesn’t benefit anyone – especially you.

Instead, if we can accept ourselves, appreciate the special talents and qualities that we alone possess, and realize that each of us is going through certain kinds of experiences for a reason, we are less likely focus so much on what other people have or are doing. Realizing and valuing our uniqueness enables us to bring out the best in ourselves so we can get on with living rather than preoccupying ourselves with meaningless comparisons. Try to not compare yourself to others, and you will see how much you have and how special you are.

DailyOM article of March 6, 2009

It not only feels like forever since I’ve blogged, but really, feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve done anything!

I had the February month from hell as I know for sure that I’m not the only one! With 2 colds back to back, and the 2nd one keeping me from doing anything for 2 weeks. My anemia acting up and a bogus inflamation in my knee in the past week and of which I’m still babying but every is getting better. Does it ever end? What a joke 2009 has been already! If it continues like it has been… I’m ready for 2010 already! I didn’t even have the energy to be on the PC much at all… how pathetic… not even to sit and surf!

Only this week have I been back to about 50% of my usual chores and activity. Everything I looked at bugged me because it was so messy, but I just didn’t have the energy to do anything about it… but I’m slowly and surely making progress… It feels good to get some things back in order! What I missed the most though and that I will never take for granted again is ability to breath clearly and sleep comfortably without any congestion and/or sleeping without sounding like a truck is ramming through the bedroom!

I don’t even think I gave my desk a good cleaning since we’ve moved it from the living room to the laundry room (yes, I said laundry room ) in mid-January until now… I don’t remember and it didn’t show anyway! We had to move it to the laundry room because I started my at home market research position again. But I did clean it and dust it good today and it feels great! The poor thing and I can breath again! I hate working in a hectic setting for too long at a time, and maybe now I’ll actually have some quality time with my muse and creativity again!

Some may think my desk is still hectic… but I call it orderly decorative chaos. Besides… it’s 200% better than what it was! And all the items make me smile… including my junk box!

Click to view Larger… The heart shapped vase and flowers were a gift from my mom for valentine’s day! Ain’t she sweet?!

Maybe the snow melting has also had an effect on me starting some Spring Cleaning… I’m so READY for Spring! I’m looking very forward to seeing some green grass again!!

siggie by berliner-baerin

I’ve been thinking more and more that it’s time that I work out a manageable schedule by incorporate my house caring duties, going to the gym, working part-time, taking care of my website and all the responsibilities attached to it, and making sure that I am actually making quality time for myself and family. But I’m beginning to think squeezing some nap time between all that will help me resolve possibly feeling tired and/or overwhelmed during the day too and help me manage all my responsibilities much and easier.

Since we’ve moved to this house in May of last year… I’ve often said that I don’t have time to nap, and often felt cheated when my MIL or hubby napped. It’s time to MAKE time! My body will thank me for it, but not just that, at the end of the day, and week, my sanity will most likely thank me for it too! And not to mention, I’ll be proud of my accomplishments throughout the day.

The snow plows ran during part of the early hours of the morning as they cleaned and prepared the streets and sidewalks for snow removal. They were so noisy between 4am and 6am, it was impossible to get any quality sleep between then. I managed to dose off every now and then, but I’m desperate need for a nap already!

This subject was brought on by the following excerpt from the Daily OM.

Restorative Slumber
The Importance of Napping

As we focus on the many obligations we gladly undertake in order to create the lives we want, sleep is often the first activity that we sacrifice. We’re compelled by both external and internal pressures to be productive during many of our waking hours. While this can lead to great feats of accomplishment, it also disrupts the body’s natural cycles and leaves us craving rest. Napping represents a pleasurable remedy to this widespread sleep deprivation. Though judged by many as a pastime of little children or the lazy, the need for a nap is a trait that all mammals share and an acceptable part of the day in many countries. It is also a free and effortless way to improve our health and lift our spirits. A nap is relaxing and can improve our mood, vision, reflexes, and memory.

Lack of sleep, whether ongoing or the result of a single night’s wakefulness, puts stress on the body and mind. It can negatively impact your physical and mental health. At one time, napping was considered a natural part of life. In the past hundred years, however, electricity and modern conveniences have provided us with more time to engage in personal and professional activities. Consequently there is now less time for sleep. A mere ten minutes of sleep in the middle of the day can leave you feeling more cheerful and alert. A half-hour long nap can sharpen your senses and refresh your energy reserves, and a shorter nap can even sustain you through a long day. Napping can help you make up for lost sleep and serves as a supplement to your usual sleep schedule. You may need to give yourself permission to nap by making naptime a part of your day.

Feelings of guilt about napping or being preoccupied with other activities can keep you awake when you are trying to take a nap. If you need help, surround yourself with soft pillows and blankets or soothing music. Try to take a nap at the same time each day and use an alarm clock to ensure that you don’t fall into too deep a sleep. Learning to nap and enjoying its benefits can help you reclaim your natural right to nap. You nourish your being every time you take a nap.

Although I never had any specific words for it, I simply generalized it as prayer and/or spirituality. It was a type of goodness that I could feel in the pit of my gut, and strongly within my heart. But as I read the latest column from the Daily OM, I now know that it truly was Heart Meditation I was doing and feeling. When I practice heart meditation, it is when I feel the most calm and how I feel I can get a grasp on something that is bothering me emotionally the most (whether if involves me personally, to a friend or family member, or even just an acquaintance.) Somehow, things also seem to resolve themselves much quicker than they would usually if I wouldn’t have taken the time to let go, speak and think from the heart. The depth of power in this has even reached levels where it has brought my physical pains and troubles to a managable level, or at some occasions, halt all together. I still can’t help to be astonished over this phenomenon, but I love every moment of it, and am always grateful for every opportunity that strikes me!

Wondering how you can reach this sort of peacefulness within yourself?

Read on! I hope it helps you!

~~~

Heart Meditation
Afraid of Opening Your Heart

It is not easy to have an open heart in a world that offers us a full plate of experiences. This life gives us much joy, love, and light, but it also shows us a fair amount of pain, sadness, and suffering. When our hearts are open, we take everything into ourselves, and we are deeply affected by what we see. We do not hold ourselves separate from the pain of others. In addition, our own personal disappointments may begin to take their toll. We may feel small, alone, and overwhelmed. Most of us may feel like we are not up to the task of living with our hearts open, and we might begin to close down, little by little, so that we can get through our days without having to feel too much.

One thing that can help us turn this situation around is an awareness of the power of empathy. To open our hearts to another person’s suffering is a revolutionary act that has energetic implications. Many experiments with meditation have proven that we can reach far beyond the boundaries of our selves and heal others when our hearts are open. Heart meditations awaken this power and heal the person meditating as well as anyone who is the focus of the meditation.

You may want to experiment with this the next time you see or hear something painful. Instead of shuttering your emotions, resolve to hold your feelings in your heart. Tap into the divine energy of universal love that resides in your heart. This energy makes you powerful, for it is your protection that will transmute the pain of others. Breathe deeply, and let yourself feel the pain of the situation, knowing that your heart is big and strong enough to hold it. As you breathe, visualize healing light emanating from your heart and touching all that are suffering. You will heal your heart in the process.

http://www.dailyom.com/

I made the yummiest dessert the other day. I had such a sugar craving!

The best part? They really do taste like peanut butter cups!

They are so easy to make! Without a joke, I made them under 5 minutes!

I can’t wait to make them again! What a great treat!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Peanut-Butter-Bars-I/Detail.aspx