by Cynthia Bischoff | May 5, 2012 | Heartliving
Communicating effectively whether at work or at home can improve your relationships and resolve all types of issues
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Being able to listen attentively through effective body language and eye contact is essential. It is likewise helpful to refer to the other person’s actions rather than to their sense of person. For example, if you use “I” statements rather than “you” statements, you are generally more effective. “I feel concerned. . .” is better than “You are doing that wrong.”
Here are some tips for more effective communication:
1. Listen carefully to what others say and refrain from thinking of your own response instead of listening.
2. Seek to resolve problems without being too emotional in your exchange.
3. Write down how you feel if you are emotionally charged and leave it aside for a few hours. Come back to it and re-evaluate your tone before sending any email or letter out.
4. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes in order to better understand the opposing viewpoint.
5. Be able to lighten up and even laugh at yourself in order to lessen tension.
6. Time your exchanges right. Don’t expect a person to listen when he/she is walking out the door.
7. Say you are sorry if you are: Being able to take responsibility for your errors will actually relieve your own stress.
8. Be kind not only to others, but also to yourself. Celebrate your communication successes!
by Cynthia Bischoff | Apr 28, 2012 | Heartliving
Dreams present you with images and feelings. When you dream, you are often finding answers and solutions to the problems that exist in your waking life. Tapping into and understanding this source of wisdom can enhance your understanding of your life issues.
A dream symbol is an image from the unconscious that is important for you to understand in the present. Symbols can have personal associations, and exploring these associations can help you to understand the dream’s message. It is helpful, though, to understand general objective associations of the dream symbol since it may be revealing.
For example, if you dreamed about a blue horse, you may first remember upon waking that your grandmother had a blue horse figurine that sat on her dresser when you were a child. Yet upon looking further into a dream book, you would see that “horse” reflects “travel, power, and freedom.” The color “blue” may be associated with the throat in energy medicine and may symbolize “speaking your truth.” So why did you dream of a blue horse? Perhaps your grandmother herself is significant to you in her role in your childhood, yet it may reflect a need for you to look at your authentic self–your connection to travel, power, freedom, and truth in your life.
Dream symbols and themes are common among people, and even though each dream may have unique meaning for the dreamer, here are a few “simple” dream meanings based on general dream dictionary ideas:
- Teeth (losing teeth or falling out): Loose teeth may relate to changes that are coming and this is considered a common theme in adolescence.
- House: The house usually symbolizes the psychological or emotional self. What is the condition of the house in the dream?
- Being chased: This may mean that you are being pursued by an aspect of yourself–maybe one that another part of you is avoiding.
- Attic: Usually symbolizes your mind or thinking.
- Bath: Taking a bath in a dream or attempting to do so may indicate a need for “inner cleansing.”
- Vehicle: (What type of vehicle—bicycle, car, airplane?) A vehicle reflects our passage or journey through life. What is our method of transportation? The vehicle may indicate the “speed” of the journey.
- Fences: Dreams of fences is said to indicate “boundary” issues: either a need for better boundaries or too much rigidity.
- Death: Your own death in a dream reflects new beginnings!
by Cynthia Bischoff | Apr 21, 2012 | Heartliving
Many religions in the world recognize angels as high spiritual beings. In certain faiths, it is believed that everyone has a guardian angel who guides, protects, and loves each of us.
The belief that God sends a spirit to watch over each of us was common in Ancient Greek philosophy and was alluded to by Plato. Passages in the Bible likewise support the concept of the angels who watch over us.
The following is a well known traditional Catholic prayer to one’s guardian angel:
- Angel of God, my guardian dear
- to whom God’s love commits me here.
- Ever this day/night be at my side
- to light, to guard, to rule and guide.
- Amen.
- Other beautiful quotes about angels inspire us:
Be an angel to someone else whenever you can, as a way of thanking God for the help your angel has given you. -Quoted in The Angels’ Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman
The reason angels can fly is because they take themselves lightly. -G.K. Chesterton
Angels have no philosophy but love. -Terri Guillemets
Pay attention to your dreams – God’s angels often speak directly to our hearts when we are asleep. -Quoted in The Angels’ Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman
The soul at its highest is found like God, but an angel gives a closer idea of Him. That is all an angel is: an idea of God. -Meister Eckhart
We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another. ~-Luciano de Crescenzo
All God’s angels come to us disguised. -James Russell Lowell
Know that you are divinely protected. Remind yourself how safe you are. -Cynthia Bischoff
by Cynthia Bischoff | Apr 14, 2012 | Heartliving
The following poem has always been one of my favorites. Enjoy!
Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson
Chapter 1
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost. . . .I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in. . . .It’s a habit.
My eyes are open. I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter 5
I walk down another street.
by Cynthia Bischoff | Apr 7, 2012 | Heartliving
When we are overwhelmed, it is difficult in that moment not to get caught in the minutia of life. Whatever is going on seems to BECOME our life–the whole of it. Our emotional response can be out of proportion to the events that are occurring.
It is important to be able to step back at any given time and take a “sacred view” of what is going on.
You can ask yourself:
–From a larger perspective, how does this problem or issue factor in to my whole life?
–Are my feelings and response to this situation appropriate given the meaning of the situation in regard to my life?
–How can I be “in this world but not of it”–in other words, participate in it but not be caught in the drama?
–Will I remember this on my deathbed?
When you are caught in a dramatic or fearful moment, take a breath, and remember to hold “a sacred view”! It will make those difficult times far easier.
by Cynthia Bischoff | Mar 31, 2012 | Heartliving
Most of us have hectic days that are often crammed with too much productivity. Your work and general rushed lifestyle can take a toll on your body, mind, and spirit. Incorporating relaxing music into your life can be a beneficial way to unwind and release tension and stress.
Whether you listen to music in the evening to unwind or before going to bed, choosing the right music can encourage deep relaxation. For example, music that has a slow, soothing beat can calm your body into a synchronized state with the beat.
Different types of music can have different effects, but in general, instrumental music is most helpful to induce calm that leads to restful sleep:
♥ The harp can be very melodic and can reduce stress and tension.
♥ Sounds of nature, often deep and slow rhythms, can be very calming.
♥ The sounds of water and waves can create a rhythmic state.
♥ Flutes and chimes can be soothing and relaxing.
♥ The right classical music in general can help produce a tranquil state.
Soothing music can be beneficial for anyone at any age. Babies respond very well to soft melodies. In general, soft, slow music induces the autonomous nervous system to slow down breathing and heart rate, bringing the body to a more relaxed state. And with the body and mind relaxed, feelings of anxiety and depression are lessened. Enjoy!
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