Category: Inspiration
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June 6, 2013
How to be Juicy and Delicious

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Illustration of Nasty Gal Lush Life collection

Summer is pretty much here and I am inspired by the juicy and lush fruits of the season, the delicious raspberries, peaches, grapefruits and tropical humidity that we had last week – everything just seems juicier!

It’s time ladies to feel just like the ripe picks of the season that we are and just feel all around gorgeous!

Confidence boost #1. Werk that Body.  I noticed over the winter my workout routine totally took a nosedive and it really effected how I felt. I felt too tired to work out, I was eating all the right stuff but still couldn’t figure out exactly why I was feeling sluggish.

Over the last few months I decided to rev up my workout routine for the obvious reasons. Among them were to get in shape for summer, but most of all to feel good every day.

I decided to start working out in the AM instead of the afternoon or night as I had been doing for years and I noticed a HUGE difference in my motivation, my energy, my mood and more!

Side note* Ladies if you claim you have no energy or time to work out, working out in the morning is the best thing to do.  By working out in itself you actually create more energy through out the day!  When you wake up just jump into your gym clothes and get sweaty. The best time saving bonus is you don’t have to take an extra shower after your workout because your post workout shower is also the first shower of the day!

After my change in workout time I have been jumping up out of bed really excited to get my exercise in.  I end up working out more times per week and I start my day already feeling accomplished and proud of myself for ticking that off my list – how’s that for a confidence boost!

NOTHING is sexier than confidence and the toned curves you get from upping your gym time wont hurt either!

I personally workout in my living room to some fun DVD’s so I don’t waste time getting ready for the gym. If you want to save time I highly recommend it!

Confidence boost #2. Pop of color. Ok so we all have some clothes in our closet that are really bright and funky right. It’s been the trend plenty of times and for sure we have accumulated some fun vacation ready garb. Time to break it out. I don’t care if you are going to the office or only to get some groceries but forget that tendency to grab some neutrals. If you want to feel juicy and delicious inside and out add some color, even a bright lip gloss and stroll out that door. Confidence boost #2 right there!

Confidence boost #3. Unleash your inner sex kitten. Now that you are toning up and breakin’ out the brights, time to be unafraid of dressing for YOU.  You know… like you used to do when your mom let you dress yourself in pre-K.  Do the grown up version of that!  Wear fun dresses, don’t be afraid to be sexy, take fashion risks, pile on the accessories and “special occasion shoes”.  You only live once and your closet surely isn’t enjoying the clothes as much as you would be wearing them.  I am not saying to commit a fashion faux pas but stretch beyond your comfort zone and put more fun into getting dressed.  Oh, and when people ask you “Where are you going dressed like that” just smile and give them a mysterious glance.

Confidence boost #4. Taking “Me” time.  This is so important not only to cure anxiety, boost your mood and feel more fulfilled, it can actually save your life!  Taking time just for you to think or relax is crucial for women especially. It lowers cortisol levels, which is great for your immune system, weight loss, blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, decreased risk of heart disease and other diseases. Try things like reading a book, taking a walk, journaling, having an uninterrupted cup of tea, or set time aside to do something you really love.

Confidence boost #5. Feeling fulfilled.  Of course we all have projects that we wish we could do or wish we had the time to do but that are not really relevant to the demands our daily lives. When life gets in the way it’s so easy to keep pushing off the thing you really want to do most but then resentment will build up. Blocking out 30 minutes to an hour once a week or more, solely devoted to doing something deeply fulfilling will make you feel ravishing and really boost your happiness.  By slowly chipping away at the project you are passionate about and putting it FIRST before your daily grind is finished you will feel so much more fulfilled about everything in general making your other to-do’s so much more pleasant. Feeling delicious and juicy comes from the inside first so when you are really proud of yourself you will radiate confidence.

Confidence boost #6. Get your sexy on and dance. I just recently was invited to a day long conference where a few times through out the day we were lead to move and dance in really crazy ways. At first my mind was totally against it, not wanting to look ridiculous in front of other women but then I got into it (once I realized I would look ridiculous if I DIDN’T partake) and started to have SO much fun! Ladies, lock your doors and put some music on. DANCE like no one is watching (when of course, no one is watching… I’d double check on this one) and shake those hips.  Get into it, get your stress out and have some fun. By the end of it if you are doing it right you will probably be hysterical laughing or at least smiling, and either one will be a huge confidence boost.

Confidence boost #7. Work on that Posture.  Annoying as it may be, check yourself multiple times a day and roll your shoulders back. Do it when you are sitting, standing or walking and do it often. Good posture will make you look and feel more attractive, taller, thinner andddd you will breathe and actually digest your food better making you healthier which gives you glowing skin.  There’s research behind this.. check it out!

And now ladies reset and repeat. Do these things as much as possible and you will feel so juicy and delicious that your date/boyfriend/husband will find you irresistible. Just be careful… with power comes great responsibility – and you may have to try extra hard to thwart them off (or not!)

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

 

May 30, 2013
Extra-ordinary

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Are you living in the ordinary or the EXTRA ordinary?

Being extraordinary means going beyond yourself in a way that stretches you just outside your comfort zone.  It means having a deep “knowing” of what you need to do or what should be done and doing it regardless of the social norms; regardless of what people tell you and regardless what excuses you create. It’s going beyond yourself in a way that is scary and all-knowing at the same time.  Knowing that what you are doing is the right thing for your path and for future.

Understanding that the “right thing” is different for everyone and trusting in yourself and your core gut that your vision is your calling and stopping at nothing until you get there.

It’s when you notice something is missing from the world you live in and you decide to create it. To create it for yourself with a consciousness and the trust that if you want it and need it, others will want it and need it too.

Being extraordinary and going the extra mile is when miracles happen.  It’s when you have conviction in yourself and don’t listen to the nay-sayers. It’s when you don’t stop three feet from gold.  It’s when you remember the very word impossible says I’M POSSIBLE.  It’s when the better portion of all the sales or jobs you have made or landed were after people said NO!  It’s what happens in the space between defeat and getting back up again.

Extraordinary is in the brilliance of being a leader and an instigator.  It’s in driving to Nashville Tennessee with a hope and a dream (Ahem Taylor Swift).  It’s in the heart of a young body builder named Arnold when he decided he needed to be an actor and was told over and over again that muscles are not for movies and his accent would never be commercialized – but yet he is remembered for his famous line “I’ll Be Back.”

The driving force that keeps you up at night, the gut wrenching feeling that if you DON’T somehow make it happen, you are doing a disservice to so many people out there. When you would risk everything to make it, and you do take that leap – that is extraordinary.

What can you do to live an extraordinary life?

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

 

 

May 23, 2013
Memorial Day

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Ready for fun? Memorial day weekend is the OFFICIAL start of summer and it is upon us right now!

I am SO excited for this holiday because it brings back so many memories for me. It’s about family, barbeques, beach trips, fireworks, national events and the start of wearing white pants and shoes!  (Even though I don’t follow the white shoe rule).

Remembering. More than any of that, Memorial Day is really about remembering our soldiers and our great Nation. It’s about remembering all that we have been through, remembering all that we have lost, who we have lost and reminiscing about the great many things we as a nation have overcome resiliently.

“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.” Thomas Campbell.

I remember every year when I was little, my mom would take my sister and I to our hometown Memorial Day parade. It was so fun. Me being a glutton for glitz and glamour – it was all about that – I loved watching the dancers and Twirlers, the marching bands and soldiers. It was really a spectacular sight.

I was so happy to be there and always found a renewed sense of patriotism for all of my rights and my country.  It’s pretty amazing when you think about it; all the sacrifices our soldiers have made to fight for our freedom.  I would like to make a HUGE shout out to the people in my life who fought for our country, my cousin Alex, my Grandpa, my friend Danny from my hometown, my boyfriend’s cousins and so many more people that we all know! Thanks to them for standing up for what they believe in.

Stand up!  How can you stand up for what you believe in?  It can be for our country; our rights, bullying, and it can even be for the little things that go on.  “If you see something, say something” as the NYC subway adage goes. I for one take it to the sometimes-obnoxious extreme, but it’s important – telling a cop EVERYTIME I see an unattended backpack on the subway and even a man with hospital tags and a hospital gown on looking like he just escaped. (This is a good reason to tell the cops, right!) Take a stand for what you feel is right.  I don’t care what people think. I know I will sleep better knowing I did my part.

Don’t get caught in the bystander effect.  When people are in a crowd, or even a group of 3-4 people, responsibility becomes diffused. If this happens, people in a group assume that “someone else will make the call” or “someone else will handle it” or even assume that “someone/the police/the fire department probably already knows/called/etc.” This is best described in the book “The Tipping Point” by Malcom Gladwell and explains an infamous stabbing of Kitty Genovese in NYC in the 60’s.  Read more about it here.  Don’t assume someone else has taken care of it, ever.  Kitty’s death could have been avoided if any one of the thirty-eight witnesses picked up the phone to call the cops, but because of the bystander effect – no one did and everyone assumed “somebody else had”.

In honor of… This Memorial day especially take some time to remember the lives we lost in America, on 9-11, Hurricane Sandy, Sandy Hook Elementary school, the Aurora Movie Theatre, the Boston Marathon, the tornado in Oklahoma and now, off our shores to our friends over in London, the horrific murder of a young soldier.

Some of these things are natural disasters; some are mankind disasters. Although we rarely have any control over these circumstances, when we have the opportunity to help out, in any way possible – do it!

In times like these we sometimes feel helpless, not knowing what we can do.  “All you can do is what you can do”, a yoga teacher once said.

So what can you do?  Ask yourself how can your work be of service to the world, to finding peace or finding hope.  For me it is writing to you here and telling you a little about the bystander effect and how you can stand out from the crowd and make a difference. This is something that really bothers me when sh*t could have been avoided.  I hope you tell a friend, tell a cop when you see something, write a letter to your government if something bothers you, and vote when you have the opportunity to.  Just like the soldiers, we as individuals can fight for what we believe in.

“The secret of happiness is freedom, the secret of freedom is courage.”  Carrie Jones.

Don’t think your voice doesn’t matter, your vote doesn’t count or your cry will not be heard.  It just takes one to make a difference sometimes.  On this Memorial Day, and everyday, be the one.

Hope this inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

May 16, 2013
Expand Always, in All Ways.

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The introduction line of one of my favorite characters from the show Million Dollar Listing New York on Bravo goes something like this:  “My motto is to expand always, in all ways.”  And every time I hear that, I love it!

It’s totally true that if you get caught in repetitively doing “what works” you will get fixated in the mundane and actually become ‘stuck’ – even if doing “what works” is what originally brought you success.

The formula for success is not necessarily doing the same thing that gave you ONE success over and over, but it’s in taking risks, leaps and in giving it your all that you got there in the first place.   And, in retrospect, it’s trying NEW things that will get you there again.

Expanding always, in all ways in your life is what will get you to live the life of your dreams!

In the process

Give yourself “permission to suck” when trying new things and know that

Mastery is a life long process. Each day you will get better and closer along on your path to “mastery” but you will never actually get “there” because each new step is the beginning step to your next phase of learning.

“There” is an illusion. Getting “there” is actually being “here”. Make the most of where you are right now because taking the right action “here” and “now” will become your tomorrow.

One of my allllll time favorite quotes (probably because my amazing, extremely educated, and multi talented grandfather who was a college Professor of Education, Cantor, Rabbi, swimmer, volunteer at multiple soup kitchens, and dedicated family man all at the same time and all while being retired from his previous career told me this one…) “He who knows all, knows that he knows nothing.” – Socrates.

And that my friend, is the truest of the truth.  Just think about all the things that go on in our world, in our solar system, in our UNIVERSE that even the most ingenious rocket scientists have yet to figure out.  We all obviously have much to learn.  We all have room to expand!

My mantra, and my mantra for you is this:

“I expand in abundance, love and success today and every day as I inspire others to do the same.”

This is from my new favorite book “The Big Leap” By Gay Hendricks, which if you have been reading my blogs; you know I like to rave about.  This mantra WORKS. It really puts things into perspective about what our main goal is as human beings.  Other than that, it also has this calming effect whenever I repeat it to myself.  It kinda makes me realize that I am hooked up, I am taken care of and that this is my purpose to expand in these ways.  When you realize that, you can revaluate what you have been centering your thoughts or worries on.

Unleash your inner demons.

In what ways are you not expanding? Get it out there. Talk about it, journal about it or just plain vent about it some how.  When you do it – go deep.  I recently did that last week and let me tell you, I released some more blocks I didn’t even know I had. This lead me to live even more fully, more passionately, more happily and more abundantly.

Do more fun stuff!

The way to expand in love, abundance and success is really to enjoy doing everything you do.  When you are having fun, you are immediately expanding in love because you love what you are doing.  When you love what you are doing it creates more wealth in your life, in all kinds of ways (financial and not financial), and when you have more wealth or abundance in your life that equals success.

Regroup

Taking time for “Morning meetings” with yourself are key to success.  Sometimes there is just so much going on in your day-to-day life and you have tons of things to do.  Tunnel vision grasps you by surprise and when that happens, good luck getting the important things done.  You will tend to focus on small, detail-oriented tasks that seem super important at the time, but in the long run will not create the life you want to live.  Taking your morning meeting seriously, just as seriously or if not more seriously than the one you may have with your boss will refocus you on your life’s big picture and will help you achieve your goals for expansion in your life.

That’s it for now but I hope all of that inspires you to live the life of your dreams!

Thanks to Mastin Kipp and Gabrielle Bernstein for some of these pieces of advice that I picked up along the way.

Xoxo

Emily

May 9, 2013
Everything you need for an inspiring Mothers day

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So it’s Mother’s day this Sunday and what better way to celebrate your Mom than to do something special and inspiring!

Moms are the people who inspire us when we are growing up to be the best that we can be and they are the ones that are the wind beneath our wings.  Celebrate Mother’s day this year and especially cherish all that your mom, and all the mother figures in your life have done for you!

When I was little my sister and I used to create treasure huts for my mom and hide clues sprinkled throughout the house.  We’d always start in the same room and always end in the same room because we wanted to keep some kind of order to the madness of our clues.  It was soo much fun for both my sister and I and for our mom as well.  We know she loved the creative touch we used to put on her special day (and sometimes we even did this for her birthday).

Now that my sister and I have both moved out of the house, those treasure hunts would not be the easiest thing to pull off.

Doing something from the heart is way better than buying a gift (any mom will tell you that), even though I’m sure your mom would love anything you got her.

Here are a few inspiring ideas (if you are bored of the usual dinners or lunches out) to do something really special for mom and the ladies that raised you!

1) If your mom: Loves to cook and host friends and family then…

Host a brunch or lunch in her honor! Take the time to set up a nice little gathering at your place, let your mom attend a get-together so she can revel in the fun of it, instead of doing all the leg work. This is what I will be doing on this mother’s day for my mom, grandma and my boyfriend’s mom!

2) If your mom: Is very visual, loves photos and/or especially cherishes memories then…

Make a collage or scrapbook.  Time flies by so fast and by taking the time to get out the glue, scissors and perhaps the glitter, your mom will be totally taken aback and appreciative of the hours you spent on this meaningful gift.  Added bonus: you will be able to spend some EXTRA precious moments reminiscing through your creation and being reminded of your great times together!

3) If your mom: Loves to catch up one-on-one to chat then…

Do a Mani-Pedi spa day. Make an RSVP at a fabulous day spa, book an in-spa-lunch between treatments, (some places will happily set this up for you) then relax and socialize together. What a fun way to spend the day!

4) If your mom: Works really hard and just wants to relax then…

Offer to do something nice for your mom that only you know she really likes, or offer to do something for your mom that you know she hates doing.

Here are some ideas:

-Offer to plant some flowers for her if she wants to do it herself but hasn’t gotten around to it.

-Treat her to a house cleaning so she can relax. Either a hire professional or do it yourself.

-Hire her a handy man and give them a list of all the things she has been meaning to get fixed and surprise her with it being done.

Be creative. Only you know what would mean something to your mom so find sweet and thoughtful ways to make her happy on her day!

5) If you are: going to your Mom’s house or out to dinner on Mother’s day…

Treat her to bath salts, body scrubs or at home beauty treatments. Buy something for your mom you know she wouldn’t buy for herself but that she would love to get as a gift.

Flowers are always a nice touch but make sure to write a meaningful and beautiful card to go along with it!

Obviously any gift would work just as well as long as you get to spend some quality time with your mom or mother figures in your life.

So go on and get inspired. Remember all the ways she was there for you when you needed her, let yourself get teary eyed (hehe), get creative and do something to show her your love on this Mother’s day!

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

May 2, 2013
Get Festive

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Original Fashion Design & Illustration By Emily Brickel

It is time to get festive and I have some major spring fever (you might have guessed from my previous posts.)

This weekend is Cinco De Mayo, a favorite holiday of mine, a celebratory day in the Mexican heritage, and furthermore a really good reason for us to grab some margaritas and guacamole and dig in! Also my puppy will be 2 years old so I have some extra celebrating to do!

For me it feels like Cinco De Mayo is really the start of the summer celebrations we are about to embark on. It’s the first time since the winter months that we are really getting out there to celebrate in spring weather for us folks here in New York.

But it’s more than just that, this time of year means it’s occasion enough to get up and celebrate what you have goin’ on in your life!

Lets face it, we worked hard all winter, we sowed our oats and now is the time to get really grateful for everything in our lives.

Some of you may be like, what? My life and my options are totally sucking for me right now, but the truth of the matter is “In any given moment you can choose to see what’s right about a situation or what’s wrong about a situation, and either way you’re gonna find evidence to support what you’re looking for….. Not having the best situation, but seeing the best in your situation is the key to happiness.”– Marie Forleo.

If your not feelin’ in the festive mood – go down your gratitude list and really feel grateful for every SINGLE thing you have from your bed sheets, the roof over your head, your six senses (I like to count intuition as the sixth – not the scary ghost stuff), the fact that hopefully everything is functioning right in your body, for your clothes, your internet, EVERYTHING and literally thank God or the Universe for everything you have, every single night!  This will make you super happy on the inside and it will radiate to the outside!

The more comfortable you get with being happy and experiencing gratitude for the little things and the things we take for granted, the bigger your heart threshold can grow.  What is your heart threshold you may ask? It is the amount of happiness you are comfortable with accepting and once you pass that threshold we sometimes start to self -sabotage.  (Read The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, so many great points I will be quoting him for months!)

The more happiness you are comfortable accepting, means the more success, love and abundance that will come to you.

Finding reason to celebrate exactly where you are, right now, no matter what the circumstance is absolutely reason to Get Festive!!!

Now go on, get grateful and enjoy life!
Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

 

April 26, 2013
Live out LOUD

Screen Shot 2013-04-25 at 1.56.05 AMSometimes you just have to Live out LOUD.

I just watched a youtube video from Carli Bybel and she has been one of those people who have inspired me ever since I started watching her vlogs. She is a beautiful beauty vlogger who teaches you makeup and hair tricks to look gawwwgeous on the outside, but more than that she also vlogs about inner beauty. Her optimistic outlook on life actually reminds me a lot of myself when I was younger. I was curious to see what her video  “Draw My life” was all about.

Watching the video reminded me about what we all forget when we are in a happy place. It reminded me that we’ve all been thorough rough patches in our lives but we emerge from our cocoons an even more beautiful butterfly.

When you are happy, and believe me, it takes plenty of work to get there – I guess sometimes you overlook the hardships that you have overcome in your life and the things that shook you to the core.  I myself have had many obstacles from age 2, up until a few years ago.  From dealing with divorce, my father passing away when I was 12, repeated near death family health issues, loosing my grandfather, self-confidence issues, immense heartbreaks in love and business and more; you have to keep rising to the occasion and remember that this too shall pass.

But what about when it DOES pass? Although we as humans don’t want to go back and think about hard times when we are experiencing massive amounts of JOY right now, it is pretty awesome to glance it over and give yourself credit for how far you have come. Be proud of yourself for the amazing human being that you have evolved into, and the process that you are in. In the grand scheme of things, you are only a baby in this world; we (hopefully) have so much more to live.

We all never know how much time we have here on earth but time is what you make it.  As an entrepreneur I am always learning, always reading and scouring the internet and books to discover anything I can about growing as a person, an artist and growing as a CEO.

Tony Robins said something in Haute Time Magazine about time that really stuck with me.  “I tell people – If you’re having a good time, time flies. But a minute can feel like an eternity if you’re miserable at what you’re doing. Time is emotion, but most of us trying to manage our time don’t realize that it’s really about getting what you want out of life. That’s how I look at time – I make sure that time serves me, and I don’t serve time… Time is emotion and life is finite duration, so it’s amazing how long a minute can feel, or how short it can feel – and it’s all based on how much enjoyment you extract from your life.”

And in the book that I am reading The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks it says “You’re where time comes from.” This profound statement may take a while to sink in but when it does, it changes how you see time.

We are the creators of our life, perhaps with some divine intervention but when we say no to life’s opportunities we block the flow of reaching our calling.  When we say yes to life and trust that there will always be enough time and resources we open up a creative capacity to grow and soar way beyond what we could have even imagined.

In times like these, and in life we must live OUT LOUD. We must give it our all. We must give it our personality, our struggles, our victories and our own flair.  If you ever question yourself along the way and think why me, am I being too out there, why is what I have to say important – remember that the world needs EXACTLY what you have to give. Be completely original because the world has only one YOU and you were given all your quirks not to blend in, but to show them off like the unique gem you are.

This theory applies to business just as much as it does personal.  When you are truly yourself, you may rub some people the wrong way – and they may not even want to work with you or hang out with you. However, in the long run THAT IS A GREAT THING because you don’t want to ever have to change WHO YOU ARE to fit in some job or to fit in with someone.   You create the career and life you want by expressing yourself fully and you will attract the perfect fit for whom you are and where you can make the most impact for the world.

So don’t hold back. Be proud of yourself and always, Live out LOUD!

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

April 18, 2013
Wishful thinking

Screen Shot 2013-04-10 at 8.12.36 PMDo you ever wake up, open your eyes and before you even get out of bed – stress about the day to come?  Or, some days do you open your eyes and get excited about the day because of something you are looking forward to?

Most mornings we open our eyes and our brain immediately starts to play catch-up with the soon-to-be events of the day.

What if I told you, you can actually control how your day goes by those first few thoughts that pop up into your mind before your feet even touch the floor?

“Worrying is a prayer for chaos.” Says my mentor Gabrielle Bernstein.

Wishful thinking is a prayer for your wishes to come true.

Sounds ridiculous? Try it!

When you prep your mind for the day to come, instead of checking your emails and messages you can choose what your day will be like.

Getting up on “the right side of the bed” starts with simply saying something to yourself like: “Today is going to be AWESOME” or “I am going to be SO productive today.

And guess what, it works… for me and many other people!

I can prove it. If you listen to a song first thing in the morning, all day long your mind will go back to that song – unconsciously. Same is true for the first thought you have.

If you think about all the stressful things you need to do today, your day will be stressful. If you think about how productive you will be today, you will be productive. That first thought will stick in your mind all day and basically act as the day’s instructions.

What kind of instructions are you giving your brain?

The same is true with Positive Expectation, read here, here, or here.

Action precedes feeling, says expert Bob Burg.

He goes on to say “For example, a person is sad ( or stressed). Do they need to have a happy ( or calming) incident occur to them before they can be happy (or calm)? No, it’s been proven that if you act happy, you will become happy….”

And if you act calm, you will become calm. If you act productive – or THINK productive, you will be productive.

Bob continues, “Happiness is independent of external circumstances (which doesn’t mean there aren’t external circumstances that can legitimately cause sadness, but not as a general way of being). Change your actions (and thoughts) and you’ll change your emotions.”

Gandi said it best:

“Your beliefs become your thoughts, 
Your thoughts become your words, 
Your words become your actions, 
Your actions become your habits, 
Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.

So there you have it, wishful thinking… what internal dialogue do you need changing?

How would your destiny be different if you changed your beliefs and thoughts every morning?  Take it a step further, how would your life be different if you changed your beliefs and thoughts on a moment-to-moment basis?

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo

Emily

April 11, 2013
How to Zap Stress

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So last week I had been incredibly stressed.

I had been dealing with an unusual work situation and one that was causing major havoc in the moment.  My stomach has been in knots, and it has caused a migraine, backache, major stomach ache and definitely sleep loss.

How do you come back from a stint like that? Remember that you need to get back on your game and get back to work.

1. First address the Giant.

You have to learn to face confrontation head on and stand up for what you believe in a way that is authentic and true to how you are feeling.  Get it off your chest, but always play fair. Remember karma is a bigger b*tch then you or I could ever be! Let the flow of energy run its course. Do what you can to clean up your side of the street. When you have done all you can do and the ball is not in your court, give it up to the universe. Try to relax and trust that everything will work out. If you can’t do anything about it, don’t worry; instead pray for it to be resolved for the highest good of both parties involved (as my mentor Gabrielle Bernstein would say).

Now that you did what you could…

2. Warm it up.

The best thing to do to reduce stress; as soon as you feel it coming on is to get warm. Go put on a cozy sweater, take a walk over to the heater in the winter or go outside for a stroll in the sun.  Warming up your body will get that frigid chill of your back, release muscle tension, and calm your anxiety levels.

3. Eat your cravings.

I know it sounds counter productive and a surefire way to gain weight if you emotionally eat every time you are stressed, so DON’T.  However, sometimes if you are REALLY stressed and you eat SMART cravings you can actually reduce the levels of chemicals in your body that are in freak-out mode and increase the one’s with calming effects.

Your body intuitively knows what foods you need and if you are craving chocolate – there’s usually a scientific reason why.

Dark chocolate reduces the levels of stress hormone cortisol as well as the “fight-or-flight” hormones called catecholamines.  Coco is also rich in antioxidants called flavonoids which are linked to numerous health benefits.

Peanut butter is high in tryptophan, a chemical that helps the body relax and the brain produce “mood improving chemicals”.  Nuts are full of vitamin B, the vitamins that help stress.  Almond butter is especially high in these vitamins so reach for that healthy alternative if you crave peanut butter frequently and down want the high glycemic rush.

Bananas are rich in calcium and potassium, which helps to relieve anxiety, stress and lower blood pressure.

So when you’re stressed make a lethal anxiety killer on a plate – Bananas topped with peanut butter and chocolate. Oh what a torturous Rx indeed! (Sarcasm)

4. Meditate.

Now that your body feels nourished, time to relax your soul. Sit for 5-10 minutes in meditation or listen to some zen-ed out music.  My favorite meditation choice right now is Oprah & Deepak’s 21 day meditation challenge. The free Challenge just ended but you can purchase the meditations here. They. are. AWESOME.

5. Write it out.

Now to calm our mind.  Now that you have given your body and soul a chance to get back in balance, take pen to paper (or hand to keyboard) and vent it out.  It’s not likely other people will relish in your stressed out angry venting so don’t rub that energy off on them.  Write it out to clear your mind, write what you are feeling and what you are going through.  If you need to do this before and after you meditate, the meditation will surely give you a clearer perspective on things and the ability to forgive your foes so you can get back to better things, like being happy!

Just remember, when you are stressed on a work day its hard to step away and calm yourself. However – if you don’t you will be carrying those stressful vibes with you on everything you do.  Imagine this: Your work project will get some fiery comments, perhaps some errors and any phone calls or in-person meetings you may have – the person on the receiving side may get the brunt end of the stick.  You could lose a deal, a client or just blow your lid in front of an important decision maker.  Not a cute look!

Warning: Don’t let this happen to you!

Step away from the situation and take some time out to regroup. It could be 10 minutes or it could be an hour but you will leave that stress at the door and be able to get back in the groove in no time! Everyone will appreciate it.

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

April 4, 2013
Reflection

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Your outer world reflects your inner world

When you take the time to stop and look at what you are experiencing in the world around you, it becomes clear that your outer world tends to look a lot like what is happening internally to you.

If you stub your toe, spill coffee all over yourself (or the person next to you), even loose your voice or have a health condition – ask yourself if there is something you are avoiding or suppressing in regard to a specific area of your life. Are there emotions you are burying inside of you?

If you are feeling positive, thinking great and beautiful thoughts of the future, feeling gratitude for everything you have and where you are, if you are confidently dreaming about how you can do your job better and help more people in the process; beautiful things will sprout up, opportunities will present themselves, creative solutions will come to you and your outer world will reflect your inner thoughts.

What negative or positive experiences are happening for you in your life?

Reflecting on your experiences can provide major insight to you.  These clues can be pinpointing if you are headed in the right direction towards your goals or if the universe is trying to give you a knock on the head and telling you to turn around.

If things are going awry in your life, try to create an even more pleasant atmosphere for yourself.  Start small.  Decorating, cleaning, organizing, adding flowers, lighting candles, painting a wall or adding or a bowl of fruit are not just for external pleasures.

Setting the scene of your life starts with your immediate surroundings. If you are not inspired by or comforted by the room you work in or go to sleep in chances are you will not feel inspired or comfortable in your work or sleep patterns.

Simply being brought back to our basic fundamental needs, having them met and upping the anti by incorporating scents, spices, candles, visual stimulation and more are incredibly important for your brain and how it functions.

Deepak Chopra says “(Scents, textures, sights and sounds) Nourishes the brain, which takes care of us so we can better take care of our bodies.”

A positive outer environment allows us to make positive choices in the little things we do. The small choices become the things that fill our day. The days we fill become how we spend our lives.

When things are going haywire in your life it signifies that something is wrong, something is out of alignment.

Get comfortable with expressing your true and deep feelings. Become aware that everyone holds a difference of opinion and if you just suppress yours you will never feel heard or supported.  Accepting more love, abundance, and greatness is your job so that your internal abundance can reflect an outer abundance.

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo

Emily

 

Copyright Emily Brickel Edelson 2018. All Rights Reserved