CONTROLLED CHAOS

My bus ride to work takes me on a highway interchange with an extremely high over-pass. Looking down from the over-pass, there is the feeling of fear coupled with an appreciation for the scene below. It’s a maze of colorful vehicles of different shapes and sizes.  I am awed by the inter-looping that allows motorists to travel to their different destinations. Yes, from high above it looks chaotic but it is controlled chaos. The roads intricate design allows drivers to navigate the roadway safely; enter and exit without harm. Our hope for safely navigating these highways lies in the genius of mankind; the hope that supports our desire to get from point A to point B safe and sound.

THE WARRIOR POSE

Some years ago, my job location changed and I was advised that when entering or leaving the area I needed to adopt a warrior pose. Yes, I needed to don a fight stance as this would help to deter attackers. I soon came to realize that a warrior pose is much more than physical security; it’s a way of life! Your warrior pose is important in many aspects of your life, so it’s essential that you adopt the right stance inorder to tackle your work-life challenges.

Emotions and Color

The academic research of Sutton and Altarriba on Color associations to emotion and emotion-laden words… , state that “individuals often associate colors with various emotional terms. For example, when participants are asked to associate an emotional response with a color, they often associate bright colors (e.g., white, pink) with positive emotions (e.g., happy, relaxed) and dark-colors (e.g., black, brown) with negative emotions (anxious, sad) (Hemphill, 1996). Meier, Robinson, and Clore (2004) found that we tend to infer the valence of a stimulus (good or bad) on the basis of brightness.” Positive emotions are the key to success so color-code your life with bright colors!

“Return to Normal”

Do you recognize me? I certainly don’t recognize many of the people with whom I work!  I can’t tell who they are by only seeing their eyes or the tops of their heads! Do you know I am smiling? My mask hides my smile but I hope it’s reflected in my eyes! We are strangers behind masks!

Goodbye Pandemic

We are healing; we are on the road to recovery! Many months ago the road to recovery may have appeared long and dark, but in every gloomy place the sun does shine! Going back to work in an office, away from the confines of your home environment, will require a high level of emotional correctness. You should project kindness and empathy towards others. There is success in kindness!

In April the world celebrated Earth Day, how did you celebrate the Day? Maybe you planted some flowers, a tree or tended to the environment in some other meaningful way. The actions of many are encouraging however; we can do so much more to protect our planet.  Our mental and physical wellbeing is increased when we have a healthy environment. Protect our other mother…Earth!

Three Good Things

Many of us from time to time need help with our happiness levels. To elevate your happiness it’s important that you focus on the good events and happy moments in your life. Take some time to notate your achievements and then take a look around at the people who have less than you do…Be grateful!  Start a gratitude journal!

You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Maya Angelou

“Women Rising” is the theme for the 2021 International Women’s Day and it is with this in mind that I decided to write a follow up to my last blog.

“Great ideas often receive violent opposition from mediocre minds.”

Albert Einstein, Physicist

Welcome to the 21^st century! The world has changed, more and more people are working from home, working remotely and companies are outsourcing.

Admittingly, it is a difficult time and it may seem that all odds are against you and there is no good in the world. There is…you just have to look deep within!