Lifestyles have changed in the past decade. For most of us it is like living in the fast lane every day. There is so much to be done and there is so little time. As a result, we become stressed and this results in many illnesses and even death.

Studies show that stress is the common cause of anxiety. It damages our body and mind, causing panic attacks, lack of sleep, phobias and many more. Apart from these, it also triggers health diseases such as heart problems, high blood pressure, asthma, eczema, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and alopecia.

Other signs of stress include headaches, palpitations, wheezing, irritability, low energy, poor memory and increased emotions.

Stress is often caused by finance, work and relationships. Treatments vary and drug induced ones can sometimes cause more problems instead of fixing it. We must keep in mind that in the end it is up to us. Our perspective and choices lead us to the kind of life we choose.

Here are some tips to reduce stress:

Identify what causes you stress and do something about it. It may be easier said than done, but let’s face it, we only get stressed if we let it get to us.

Reduce stress by being more organized. Make a list of personal and professional priorities and make time for them. Keep an organizer, so that you won’t forget anything.

Allow yourself to be emotional at times. You are human and it is normal to laugh or cry when needed. Keeping these emotions can result to long term issues.

Learn how to value yourself. Make a list of your positive qualities and go through it whenever you feel down.

Find your passion. It may be a hobby, a sport or even volunteering for a cause. Outlets help you cope and make you feel good about yourself.

Learn to relax wherever you are. If you feel like losing control, take deep breaths until you feel better.  Meditate when you can. Simply close your eyes and imagine yourself in a beautiful spot where you would want to be.

Write down how you feel. It lets you release your feelings and makes you feel better. Keep a journal. It is always nice to look back and know how you were able to cope.

Take a break. Go on a holiday whenever you can. It allows you to recharge. It also helps you learn new things and gather new experiences. Plus it gets you away from stress.

Lastly, learn how to do nothing. Keeping quiet and still helps you think clearly.

Image from judacoregio

Confucianism is a philosophical and ethical system or a way of life taught by Confucius in the 5^th-6^th century BC. Some see it as philosophy or religion, as an “all-encompassing humanism that neither denies nor slights heaven”.

Confucianism is known to be a combination of ren also known as “benevolence or humaneness” of people within a community. It is a reflection of excellent character in accordance to li or ritual norms, yi or the moral disposition to do good, zhong which is loyalty to one’s nature, shu or reciprocity and xiao filial piety. Altogether they are seen as de or virtue. Confucius also believes that it is necessary to give up one’s life “passively or actively for the sake of upholding cardinal and moral values.

These beliefs are all characteristics of a positive view of human nature and faith that all human beings are gifted and can do wonderful things. They are all capable of improving, being taught and reaching a certain level of perfection through ‘self-cultivation and self-creation’.

Confucius saw heaven or T’ienas a personal universal force and he regarded it as positive. This belief was contrary to what people assumed that he was a skeptic or agnostic who did not believe in a higher power.

Confucianism does not have specific rituals or practices apart from its ‘ethical principles’. Most of these so called practices are a combination of Taosim, Buddhism and Chinese religion.

This way of thinking has a huge following. It has become a moral compass, even influencing political and spiritual life in China. It has even spread out to neighboring Asian countries such as Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam and Japan.

Image from eerkmans

Meditation is a state where the made goes into a deeper level of thinking or awareness. Through meditation you gain a better hold of your emotions and reactions towards things and situations. It helps you become more patient and allows you to easily let go of negative attitudes such as anger.

The first thing you should do is to make time to meditate. Set a certain time of day, preferably in the morning to meditate. Making it part of your daily routine will yield better results. A friend once told me that meditation is spiritual hygiene –a way to let go of negative feelings.

Next, find a quiet and relaxing environment that is free from noise or other distractions. It will help you calm your mind and clear your thoughts. If you have a strong sense of focus and you can meditate amidst the hustle and bustle then feel free to do so.

Sit on level ground preferably on a cushion with your back straight so that you can breathe easier. Let your arms fall freely on your sides or put them on your lap. Make sure every part  of your body is relaxed. Find a better posture or position if needed.

Focus on how you breathe. Get into the rhythm and recite a mantra such as “uhm” repetitively if needed. You may say it out loud or in your mind. Visualize a relaxing place and allow yourself to be there. Calming thoughts and images make meditation easier.

Lastly silence your mind. Let thoughts and feelings flow without judgment. Send off the negative things and keep the good thoughts and feelings. Let it envelope you. Maintain the fuzzy and warm feeling from the positive energies and allow them to flow.

Image from  lisadragon

By now, most everyone has at least some reference point for the Occupy Wall Street phenomenon. This post is not intended to decipher whether the protesters are right or wrong. That’s a different blog. That being said, there is an interesting ethical dilemma involving these events that have spread to many cities and towns throughout the United States and a few other countries.

The growing movement started at a small park off Wall Street in New York City when a number of protesters peacefully took over Zuccotti Park and vowed not to leave. There cause seems to run a gauntlet of ideas and covers a litany of concerns although it appears to be rooted in anger with corporate greed and government corruption. The two-month-old protest in New York City’s financial district has grown to include thousands of participants. Continue reading »

Alice came to a fork in the road.  “Which road do I take?” she asked.
“Where do you want to go?” responded the Cheshire cat.
“I don’t know,” Alice answered.
“Then,” said the cat, “it doesn’t matter.”

~Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

At one point in our lives, there comes a time when we are confused and we do not know what to do. We rethink our past and have “what ifs”, after we move forward aimlessly, just moving with no final destination. Seasons change and time pass and yet we still feel that we are in the exact same place where we started.

One thing we have to accept about life is that it is full of choices. Roadblocks are part of the package. They are there so we can pause and think about what we really want. Worse, they will appear again and again until we learn our lesson. We must continue to move forward and become better.

We must be open to change.  It may seem as if we have no direction, but in reality we are learning. Each day and experience is full of new things to see or do. We just have to be open.  Options will always be there. We must accept that we cannot take both roads at the same time. There are things we can and cannot do in a personal capacity, but either way it contributes to our well-being if we allow it to.

So if you don’t know where you are heading, just live. Take it easy and enjoy the ride. In the end the road you took will not matter and most likely there will be no regrets because you have probably gained so much more than what you have asked for.

Photo Courtesy Of:  whale05

Today we are all sticking to the usual philosophies of trying to survive. It is apparent that we are now at the stage of being tempted to go beyond our principles thanks to the hard times. Many are trying to live up to their principles but it should not be surprising when all of these personal philosophies suddenly find themselves out of the window.

Such is the situation that we all find ourselves in. Times are hard and despite such philosophical beliefs and traditions through the years, the fact remains that some adjustments that include having to suck up our pride and live according to how we can today is apparent.

People who are hard-headed and want to stick to their original philosophies are commendable. But it has been months now and the future looks bleaker by the day. We see the realities of an economic catastrophe and even the big names in the business and entrepreneurial industry are following suit. Given all these factors, how long can we hold out before we admit that we must make the necessary moves to adhere towards wise living moves?

It is not easy to go back on your original personal philosophy. Some would even call it sheepish. But today you just have to make the adjustments and find a way to survive. Pride certainly will not help and if people are mature and rational, they would agree that today is not the best time to be hardheaded.

One thing we cannot avoid these days are setbacks to which we cannot discard easily. But one thing you will note, living in the past will not change anything and bringing along those shortcomings to your future endeavors will not help in molding you as a better person and make you wiser.

Such is a trend that some people cannot avoid. Personal or not, leaving past issues such as conflicts of interests and prior misunderstandings can be set aside and help you move on towards better tomorrows. Some people find it hard to do, especially if they are stubborn. Depending on cultural beliefs, it is indeed a hard thing to do for people who find it difficult to get by their past problems and drawbacks.

For sure, most of us live in the present with entirely different perspectives. Some of us may be living the better life while others may have gone into worst situations. But while finance issues can be worked on, would it not be better to live life easier and stress-free knowing you don’t have any hang-ups as far as your past relationship with peers or business partners is concerned?

It is hard for sure but it can be easier if you just let go of these issues and focus on what is there in front of you now. Don’t let these past problems hinder your overall evolution. Living in the past will never be a means to go forward and expect better outcomes in the personal ascension of development.

Recall the all-time hit song of Madonna, “Material Girl” and you may find the lyrics properly depicting what materialism is really all about. While the song points more towards females, there are men who have their share of being materialistic as well.

Why do people become materialistic? A lot of it stems from how they were brought up and of course being exposed to various lifestyles and needs to which jealousy is included in the mix of being lured into materialistic issues.

Indeed we cannot tell anyone not to be drawn to materialism. Anyone is susceptible towards it. Noteworthy are the hard times and of course the lack of satisfaction as far as personal wants is concerned and perhaps you may understand why their differing beliefs have classified them as being too materialistic rather than being good overall individuals.

There is not theoretic claim that materialism is something can be avoided. Even the external factors like social and cultural issues do not have an actual point in it all although they are sure to have contributed towards its evolution in people.

But what really catches the ire of many is the fact that materialism can sometime become overly pitiful. Some people fail to realize how it can affect them as a person and in fact deprives them from fending off materialism as well.

What really makes it entirely pathetic is people losing their personal values in lieu of materialistic desires. Some have gone past it while others have not. Whatever it cases, I am sure no one wants to be branded a materialistic person.

Last time I discussed perfectionism as a concept and as a pathological state. I may have come across as a critic of perfectionism due to the focus on the negative effects. I guess this stems from the fact that I really do not like perfectionism since I am one (not referring to the philosophy!) and have to battle with the negative effects I do see the value in striving for the best possible in everything. What I am saying is that as long you believe in perfectionism but don’t end up a pathological perfectionist then it is quite possible to be pretty happy with life…as long as you don’t force your idea of what’s best down everybody’s throat or have someone force you into striving for their own idea of best.

As for the pathological perfectionist though the negative effects may be many (i.e. negativity, anxiety, obsessive behavior, low productivity, etc.) note that these negative effects can be fought with a healthy dose of realism, courage, and lots of encouragement. Note too that being a perfectionist can result in a lot of positive things as Rodell said, “in a positive form, perfectionism can provide the driving energy which leads to great achievement.” So as long as things are put into proper perspective and you don’ let it bog you down you can harness the drive for excellence to achieve much success in your endeavours. But if it gets out of hand, do seek help.

Reading Suggestions for the Perfectionist:
Be Happy Without Being Perfect by Alice Domar
The Key to a Balanced Recovery by Ann W. Smith
Perfecting Ourselves To Death: The Pursuit Of Excellence And The Perils Of Perfectionism by Richard Winter

People like through around the world perfectionist nowadays but when you use the word are you really referring to – the philosophy or the psychology? Chances are that you’ve used the term perfectionist in both contexts at different times.

Perfectionism in psychology is defined as “a BELIEF that perfection can and must be obtained.” On the other hand, in philosophy it is defined as “the persistence of will in obtaining the optimal quality of spiritual, mental, physical, and material being.” Though they may sound pretty much the same since both aspires for the best possible results, however the major and critical difference lies in that the philosophy of perfectionism does not believe that perfection can actually be obtained.

Another thing that the term perfectionism share whether as a philosophical concept or as the psychological state of a person is that it does not always result in happy people. When it comes to psychology most people are already probably aware of the problems perfectionism can bring. Pathological perfectionists tend to obsess to much about perfection believing that anything less than perfect is as good worthless and since, unless you are a perfectionist, we know that perfection is unattainable then the person ends up disappointed time and again. When it comes to philosophy perfectionism can end up in discord primarily because people usually have differing ideas on what constitutes the best possible life, hence, an individual belonging in group may end up unhappy since the group has decided to strive for something that is not really what that person values in life.