Relaxing Links To Soothe, Inspire and Motivate

Put on the kettle, make a cup of soothing tea,

Sit back, Take a deep breath and Relax

Relax

Breathe

Make Some Tea & Contemplate

September 11, 2001 -Resources for help

Helping.org

Help is also available from :
the National Mental Health Association

Such as helping Children cope with disaster

Pediatric groups provide resources on talking to kids,
dealing with PTSD.
The American Academy of Family Physicians has compiled some resources
that hospitals and others can use to help cope with the recent tragedies
and their long-term consequences.
For an explanation of Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder, go to
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000901/1035.html;

AAFP also has posted an article on treating PTSD at
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000901/1035.html.

Get a variety of facts about PTSD>> http://www.nami.org/helpline/ptsd.html.

For advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to communicate with children and adolescents about disasters, visit http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/disastercomm.htm.

FirstGov.com Resources

Online Articles: from Bottom Line Secrets

• 10 Essentials of Personal Peace
• Calming Sounds to Soothe Our Very Troubled Souls
• Leading Security Experts Tell How to Protect Yourself from Danger in the US... and Overseas
• How to Be Emotionally Safe... in an Increasingly Unsafe World
• How to Harness the Healing Power of Faith... Yes, Faith!
• Practicing the fine art of Relaxation

HHS offered the following general advice:

For children: Answer questions honestly, but without dwelling on
frightening details -- but don't be afraid to admit you can't answer everything.
Encourage expression of feelings and give opportunities to talk.
Acknowledge your own feelings.
Try to maintain normal routines while also reducing sources
of tension where possible.
For younger children especially,
cuddling as well as verbal support may be important.
Teens especially may need to understand that hateful language
and striking back can cause harm rather than help.

Visit:
http://www.talkingwithkids.org
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/
http://www.msnbc.com/local/pencilnews/default.asp

For reassuring affected adults: It is important to acknowledge that
reactions of grief and fear are normal -- fear, irritability, crying,
confusion.
It is important to know "it's not your fault, you did the best
you could."
Acknowledge that things may never be the same, but they
will get better.
Things to AVOID saying: "It could have been worse.
You can always get another [pet/car/house/etc.].
It's best if you just stay busy. You need to get on with your life.
I know just how you feel."

Additional counseling resources are available at the SAMHSA Web site,
http://www.samhsa.gov,
and the National Institute of Mental Health Web
site at http://www.nimh.nih.gov

FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency
offers tips on dealing with terrorist threats
and alert notices on emergency plans

**Also Remember **
Sometimes there are people who will choose
these times,
when "we" are most vulnerable
to take advantage of us:
ALWAYS!! Check out the legitimacy of Charities,
and of "email messages" regarding Virus'es,
Charity/Fund Raising or Causes,
or "efforts" to do something "together" and,
"heartwarming" stories or
stories of "crimes" & "scams" happening to people
- that are usually totally untrue.
Please!
Don't automatically "forward" messages or "respond"
until you have checked
out the story, or source completely!

Relaxing Soothing Sites on the Net

Relaxation & Stress Reduction : Articles & Tips

"5 minute-Vacation" Imagery-Relaxation Technique.

Bottom Line Secrets

How to Give Yourself A "Rest"

Don't Worry!
Learn how to Be Happy!

From HGTV.com Smart Solutions tips
For a quick stress-reducing stretch,
lock hands behind head while sitting
at a desk or while watching television,
then gently pull head down toward chest and hold for 15 seconds.

Six Second Mini-Relaxation

The quieting reflex is a 6 second Mini-relaxation technique that is
designed to counteract emergency stress reactions.
It relieves - muscle tightening, jaw clenching, and breath holding.

It can be done with your eyes open or closed.

Step 1
Become aware of what is annoying you:
A ringing phone, sarcastic comment,
urge to smoke, a worrisome thought, whatever.
This becomes the cue to start the "quieting reflex"

Step 2
Repeat the phrase, "Alert mind, calm body" to yourself.

Step 3
"Smile"! inwardly with your eyes and your mouth.
This stops facial muscles from making a fearful or angry expression.
The inward smile is more a "feeling" than something obvious
to anyone observing you.

Step 4
Inhale slowly to the count of three,
imaging that the breath comes in through the bottom of your feet.
Then exhale slowly.
Feel your breath move back down your legs
and out through your feet.
Let your jaw, tongue, and shoulders muscles - go limp.

With practice - the "quieting reflex"
will become an "automatic skill"
To keep on hand in the "emergency medicine cabinet" of your mind.

Adapted from: Dr. Charles Stroebel
And Mind/Body Health Newsletter
v. 7 c.1998

Learn 52 Relaxing Rituals from Thrive Online

"Exercise" is probably the best thing you can do
for YOURSELF
To Relieve Stress, Lose weight, and Keep You Healthy
Check out all the resources available from this site:
www.nih.gov/nia/health/pubs/nasa-exercise/
Exercise, can be done For FREE,
in the privacy of your own home!
Or you can go outside and Walk, Run
or get involved in Community Activities
Try starting a Regular Exercise Program today
and Stick with it!

If you're in front of a computer or stuck at a desk
ALL Day
try these sites for ideas/ on Stretching Exercises
For your Hands and Wrists

• Workstation Ergonomics
• Hand Stretching Exercise
• Wrist Stretching Exercises
• Stretching Exercises
• My LibrarySupportStaff.com page

"Ergonomic" links for on the Job

Still More! Soothing Sites
And - Words to live by
plus - Rules for Office Politics
to help avoid job stresses
on my Link2Mary.com site

Spirit Web.org Resources

Free resources on calming the mind,
enlivening the Spirit,
and relaxation secrets.
Relax-Online.Com
Also offering Beautiful & Powerful - "Healing" Audiotapes

Quote for TODAY!

"Finish each day
and be done with it.
You have done what you can.
Some blunders and absurdities
no doubt crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it
well and serenely".
Ralph Waldo Emerson

KeyBoard Yoga Even us
Netter's gotta relax & take a break at the keyboard..

Relax & Control Stress Tips

Easy Stress Buster Ideas

From Women's Wire
Take Five! - Quick Fixes for fighting stress

Motivating/Inspirational Moments Great Quotations to Inspire!
Tell Marlene - I said Hello, from a BuffaloGal-
send her your best/favorite quotes or motivational experiences.
She has a wonderful page ~ Just for Teens!..Enjoy!

Interlude an Internet Retreat

From Dream Life.Com take the FREE - Anthony Robbins course
"Twin Pillars of Happiness"
Physiology & Focus.

Some of The recent tragedies in American Schools
and the most recent "terrorist" attacks
by "extremeists"
that have transpired in the United States
has most folk,
stressed and asking why??,
how, when ??-
Do people learn to Hate, Fear, &
Over-react to situations, religion, politics, or lifestyles?
If we (the adults) learn how to react,
to relax, to accept differences -
to accept difficult situations
and make better choices in dealing with each other
-Perhaps we can be the "type of people"
that teens will look upon as the kind of people
they will Dream of Growing up and Becoming..
If WE Seem at War with
Our own Feelings and Insecurities,
We Offer Them - No Hope!!

From Tony Robbins:
"Why do people do what they do?
It's all a matter of their beliefs.
As amazing as it sounds, if people believe
that drilling holes in their heads
will cure sickness, they'll do it (and have!)
--whether that belief is well-founded or not--
and if they believe instead
that their happiness depends on helping others,
they'll be equally driven.
Beliefs make the difference
between a lifetime of misery
and one of joyous contribution.
Beliefs separate a Mozart from a Manson,
causing some individuals
to become heroes
while others resign themselves
to wondering what could have been.
What beliefs are at work in the actions
of those around you? Which beliefs do you share
with your colleagues?
your children?
your parents?,
Which differ?

Please start sharing your beliefs
and understanding others,
lets start the dialog today!

Powerful ideas on self improvement, personal growth,
relaxation and meditation, enlivening your spirit,
and how to live your dreams
Dreams Alive.Com

5 Keys for Managing Change & Reducing Burnout

Relax..and Learn about Resilience, Thriving and Gaining
Strength through adversity - at ThriveNet!

Virtual Meditation

ARISE Associates for Research into the Science of Enjoyment -
Newsletter.
By creating a better understanding of the benefits of pleasure,
ARISE, aims to help people make choices
and enjoy life without worry or guilt.

Yoga Fundamentals..From the HomeArts Site

Two Sites for bettering your life..
Self Improvement Online..and Science of Mind

Do YOU know Someone who is
Under a great deal of Stress
Here is a Simple Gift Idea
To Let that "Someone" Know YOU Care!
Emergency Stress Relief Kit
put these together using little
baskets from craft stores
Fill with: (and, a card stating these ingredients)

• A chocolate kiss to remind you that you are loved!
• A match to light your fire when

you feel burned out.
• A tootsie roll to remind you not to

bite off more than you can chew.
• Smarties to help you on those

days you don't feel so smart>
• A starburst to give you a burst of energy

on those days you don't have any.
• Snickers to remind you to take time to laugh.
• A bag to help you keep it all together
• and to give you food for thought.
• And most importantly, a candle to remind you

that you can brighten someone's day!

Patrick Comb's Good Thinking..motivational writings.

Take the Time
Why don't people stop and think
Why don't they ever see...
That one of life's most perfect gifts
Is theirs each day, for free?

Take the time to watch a sunset
Or walk through a summer shower
There's nothing so important 
That it cannot wait an hour...

Take the time to say a prayer
Make love or make a friend,
Play with children, read a book
The learning shouldn't end.

Take time to say "I'm sorry"
And learn how to forgive.
Let justice, love and loyalty
Dictate the way you live.

Take the time and use it well
Or one day when you wake;
You'll find that when you need it most
There's no time left to take!!

-Dusty Tincher
cc  1985

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Laughing in the face of stress..can be very relaxing ..
Pay a visit to the Stress Doctor..
the office is open 24 hours a day, no appt. needed!

The Enchanted Mindoffers thoughts to inspire you!

Please Visit a joyful and peaceful site
Wise Hearts! ~ Universal Hope for a Wise Hearted Planet

Do you need a kind word, a letter of encouragement,
a sympathetic ear, prayer, or help with local agencies..
then please allow the folk over at Partners in Support to assist you.

Chicken Soup For Your SoulTreat yourself to a daily helping of love, laughter, hope and inspiration with Chicken Soup for the Soul: Home Delivery... a free inspirational e-mail service from Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of the New York Times best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

To Read Good News for a change Click On - The Positive Press

"Never speak of yourself to others;
make them talk about themselves instead:
therein lies the whole art of pleasing."
-- J.E de Goncourt, "Idees et Sensations," 1866

To recieve a Free Daily Positive Saying..
give your e-mail information to Positive Press.Com

To handle yourself,
use your head; To handle others,
use your heart.

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

If someone betrays you once,
it's his fault;
if he betrays you twice,
it's your fault.

Great minds discuss ideas;
Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people.

God gives every bird its food,
But He does not throw it into its nest.

He who loses money, loses much;
He who loses a friend, loses more;
He who loses faith, loses all.

Beautiful young people are acts of nature,
But beautiful old people are works of art.

Learn from the mistakes of others.
You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

The tongue weighs practically nothing,
But so few people can hold it.

Friends, you and me....
you brought another friend...
and then there were 3...
we started our group...
Our circle of friends...
and like that circle...
there is no beginning or end..

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Take a Deep Breath.."Breathing"
for Stress Reduction & Relaxation Sites

Relax in 60 Seconds Flat!
Taking a full, deep breath throughout the day
can prevent stress headache and muscle tension.
Deep breathing has a relaxing effect
on the sympathetic part of the nervous
system—the part that triggers
an adrenaline rush when
you're frightened, angry or stressed.
To counteract stress, simply hold
your breath between the inhale
and the exhale for a count of three
or a little longer.
Then let the breath out in
one easy soothing exhalation, like a huge sigh.
This simple exercise signals
the heart to slow down.
Next, sit back quietly with your back straight.
Place one hand on your belly
breathe deeply and imagine the breath
going into your hand as it
gently rises and falls with your abdomen.
Do this for one minute.
For the rest of the day, try to be "mindful"
of your breath, see what happens

From Breathing.Com..try their
Breathing Exercises

More Breathing Techniques - from Authentic-Breathing.Com

Breathing Tips & Research from Breath.org

Breathing Secrets To Stave off Stress

Self Help & Psychology Magazines' Breathing Exercises

Dr. Weil's Relaxation Breathing Technique

Breathing YOGA style

Introduction To Insight Meditation Amaravati Buddhist Centre, U.K. (1988)

Learn : More Meditation ideas & suggestions

Visit the Holistic Healing site on About.com

I hope you found a site to Sooth and Inspire..
Please Sign my Guest book....
and let me know what link(s) proved the most useful
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Would you like.. A "Spot" of TEA!
Well, here is a listing of several spots

Making the perfect pot of tea
Seeds of Knowledge: Recipes & Much More for Comforting the soul
Many more Tea Related Links..on a page of their own

I have some ideas and recipes for a.. Tea Party
Have Tea With Friends, Family and Neighbors..Relax, Enjoy!

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Vows of Peace

If no one holds a vision of war, then war cannot exist.
The same can be said for hatred, greed, indifference, etc.
Thus came the vision for the Vows of Peace.

These vows started as a collective effort of seven people
and will be ever evolving with input from anyone that
feels called to add their suggestions.

The idea is that the more people that can take the vows
(and write them in their own handwriting,
read them as often as possible, and keep a copy with them at
all times to share with others),
the more peaceful we will be as individuals
and the more peaceful the world will be.

Please print and make copies of these vows and give,
post up, hand out, mail, e-mail
(you can copy and paste the words on this page into an e-mail message)
and distribute them in every way possible to as many people as possible.

You could even make a button, t-shirt,
sign or bumper sticker that says something like,
"Have you taken the Vows of Peace?
Ask me about it!" Be creative!

Together we CAN bring peace to the Earth.

• I vow to always do what I know in my innermost self to be right.
• I vow to make eye contact with and smile at, or wave to, very one I see.
• I vow to treat others as I wish to be treated.
• I vow to treat myself as I want others to treat me, to take care of myself and my body, to work on healing my emotional wounds so there is more room for peace in my being, and to look in the mirror and say, "I love you" at least once a day.
• I vow to do whatever I can to make myself a more peaceful person.
• (Examples: taking a class in, or reading a book about, yoga, tai-chi, meditation, breath work or reading a book.)
• I vow to release myself from the pain of things I cannot change.
• I vow to do more and try harder than I ever have in the past.
• I vow to use my time wisely and to prioritize the tasks in my life in a way that is of most benefit to all.
• I vow to concentrate on the positive aspects in my life.
• I vow to respect all living things and to help all living things that are in need.
• I vow to see the good in everyone and help each person bring forth their best self.
• I vow to treat everyone as my sister or brother and to do my best to learn something from everyone I meet.
• I vow when I feel someone is "doing something wrong," to mentally and emotionally "put myself in their shoes" to understand why they have chosen that course of action.
• I vow to defend the rights of children and others unable to defend themselves and to do my best to empower them to defend them selves.
• I vow to help all the children in my life become more peaceful, loving adults.
• I vow to use all the talents that I have been blessed with in a way that is in harmony with the highest possible good in the universe.
• I vow to help create a peaceful and harmonious environment at home, at work, and everywhere else I happen to be.
• I vow to abide by divine law above and beyond all other laws.
• I vow to put forth-loving effort in all that I do and insure the quality of service that I provide to others.
• I vow to be thankful for all that I have, especially the food that I eat.
• I vow to make a conscious effort to have peaceful thoughts because my thoughts create my reality.
• I vow to Visualize World Peace at every free moment throughout the day.
• I vow to focus only on positive possible outcomes of the future because the future is not yet written and our collective thoughts create our reality.

Relax,

Breathe, and have some Tea

Sites & Resources to help us deal with the
events of September 11, 2001 - that happened in the United States

The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old
farmhouse had just finished a rough
first day on the job.
A flat tire made him lose an hour of work,
his electric saw quit and now his
ancient pickup truck refused to start.
While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.
On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family.
As we walked toward the front door,
he paused briefly at a small tree,
touching the tips of the branches with both hands.
When opening the door,
he underwent an amazing transformation.
His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and
he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
Afterward he walked me to the car.
We passed the tree and my Curiosity
got the better of me.
I asked him about what I had
seen him do earlier.
"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied.
"I know I can't help having troubles on the job,
but one thing for sure,
troubles don't belong in the house with my wife
and the children.
So I just hang them up on the tree every night
when I come home.
Then in the morning I pick them up again.
"Funny thing is," he smiled,
"when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up,
there ain't nearly as many as I
remember hanging up the night before."
By Author Unknown
from A 4th Course of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Copyright 1997 by Jack Canfield,
Mark Victor Hansen,
Hanoch McCarty & Meladee McCarty

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A favorite quote of mine..said often to my kids..
"Do it the RIGHT Way! HAPPY the Rest of Your Life
-- Do it the WRONG Way,
and Sooner or Later- "You!", pay the PRICE!!"

We'd like to think that for every difficult problem
there is an easy answer.
Yet most easy answers are a trap.
They may seem easy on the surface,
but they usually demand a serious and substantial compromise.

For example, telling a lie can often seem to be the easy way out
of a difficult situation.
Yet when you tell a lie
you become a slave to it.
You must forever bear the burden of maintaining the lie.
That usually involves telling more involved lies,
each of which compound your burden.

The easy answers are only easy in the short term.
The short term is over far too soon, and you are
left with the continuing legacy of your reckless haste.
When something seems too easy, it probably is.

In the end, the true "easy way out" is to avoid the shortcuts
and the too-easy answers, and to do what is necessary and right.
Difficult problems require commitment and persistence to overcome.
Great accomplishments require great effort.
Be willing to pay the price up front.
The sooner you do what needs to be done, the more effective you will be.

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• Relax,
• Take a Deep Breath,
• Have some Tea,
• and Comptemplate These Thoughts

Thank YOU for Linking BY!

---

Please e-mail me with your comments
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Ahhh!