In a time-obsessed society such as ours, personal freedom is oftentimes sacrificed to a life of too much structure.

Yet, focusing on mundane, seemingly endless tasks can seem overwhelming and result in feelings of anxiety about how to get it all accomplished.

Energy arises from the wellspring of inspiration. Exhaustion stifles that source.

It would be unrealistic, not to mention uninspiring, to live without having thoughts or hopes about the future.

However, many people fear they may never reach their objectives no matter how hard they “work on themselves,” how much wealth or status they acquire, or how generous they are toward others. So they drive themselves relentlessly.  …read more of How Much is Enough… And the Constant Quest for More here

Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish?  Nothing else. Epictetus

Some people function well under pressure. Others think they function well but don’t realize the toll that daily stressors take on their minds and bodies.

And still others, like the minimum wage employee scrambling to make ends meet or the single mother juggling more than she can possibly handle, actually do run on fumes.

If you enjoy living in the fast lane, relish the experience. But if you suffer physically, emotionally, or spiritually as a result of your lifestyle, determine how you would prefer to feel each day of your life. …read more of Creating More Time for Yourself here

Anxiety occurs, not only from feelings of insecurity about the future, but also as a result of feeling trapped, with no way out.

Sometimes anxiety can be a consequence of unrealistic expectations. Asking yourself “what if” and then answering with worrisome thoughts will surely result in emotional distress.

Attempts to control aspects that are not within your capability will inevitably result in frustration, and also in conflict with those you might feel are in control.

You hold the key to your own emancipation. If you can “what if” yourself in the negative, you can just as easily “what if” yourself in the positive! …read more of Anxiety about Change During Times of Loss and Challenge here

Where does creative inspiration come from? And how can we harness it to use when we really need it? Ideas, solutions, that “ah-ha” moment that comes to us, seemingly out of nowhere.

Inspiration often presents right in front of us, but we can’t see it or recognize it, because we’re not paying attention. Our minds are cluttered with all the “stuff” that fills our day.

Creative inspiration comes from the wisdom of the universe. It can come at any time, wherever we are. It is available to all of us when we are ready and willing to accept it. …read more of Recognize and Harness Creative Inspiration here

In Ayurveda, India’s 5,000-year old Science of Life, everything is connected, mind-body-spirit, therefore one aspect will affect all the others. Mental health is an important aspect of Ayurveda and there are certain techniques that are recommended to keep mentally fit and to function optimally.

The philosophy behind Ayurveda is based on the principle that we have the freedom to choose our mental state and that we can practice keeping our mind in good shape. Here are some tips to help achieve a balanced state of mind:

1. Meditation
Meditate regularly, every day, twice a day for 20 to 30 minutes each time. The idea is to “sandwich” your busy day with a state of calm. For tips on how to meditate and the various kinds of meditation, visit psmeditation.com …read more of Ayurvedic Psychology: 6 Tips to Keep your Mind in Balance here