Inspirational Thoughts |

March 2, 2015

| by Ronda Del Boccio ("The Story Lady")

7 Keys to Writing a Profitable Book

Want your book to bring you PROFITS?

It’s not just about writing a good book. There are 7 key elements in nonfiction, 6 in fiction, you can add to boost your book’s profits.

For example, you need to write a page turner, so give the reader a reason to turn the page at the end of each chapter.

Find out what they are so you can implement them in this FREE mini-course, which includes a printed special report + a quick video tutorial to help you implement.

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Follow your BLISS,

Ronda Del Boccio

best selling author, speaker and mentor

See original here:
7 Keys to Writing a Profitable Book

Stress Management |

May 21, 2011

| by Wendy Guess, Ph.D.

Idle Minds and Stress: Is There A Connection?

“Idle minds are the Devils Workshop.”

I heard this proverb recently and it sparked some reflection. Another version of the proverb uses idle hands, but the idea is the basically the same. Typically it is referenced with the idea that the mind and hands will become sinful if not kept busy. Don’t stop…or those thoughts will attack your mind. To me, there’s a disconnect in this angle.

So what is it about idleness really? How many people have you met that cannot sit still, must be always doing “something” or going “somewhere”? From a stress management point of view, that kind of activity is multi-tasking without meaning, and leads to the same physiological responses as chronic stress:

blood pressure issues,
digestive issues,
sleep issues,
short term memory issues,
brain activity issues and
depression issues

What does the proverb really mean? Multi-tasking without meaning seems more like running away from everything. Juxtapose these other two quotes and let’s examine their slant.

However, a busy mind at work, at school or both will stay occupied and will go about life in a happy typical manner, NOT falsely imagining problems in their life.

Idleness means you have no particular goal in mind and thus you can be easily distracted.

Idleness” may be more about the lack of a goal, purpose or direction in life; not the amount of activity we have in that life. Living life without meaning is merely existing as the Hildebrant’s Principle suggests:

“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.”

The Circle of Balance model introduced in Dancing Away Stress, supports the concept that when you are engaged in purposeful, life-balancing activities aligned with your goals, values and passions, you are reducing stress. So idleness is more than concern about being inactive, its more about the pursuit of activities that are not supporting your goals, passions and purpose in life.

Circle of Balance

How do you know if you are engaged in life-balancing, meaningful actions? The following activity from Dancing Away Stress will give you some insightful directions:

Activity: Discover More of Your Passion

Benefits: Fills you with life and purpose, and gives you a really good reason to get out of bed every morning.

Directions: Research is supporting what the soul inherently knows. When you have a purpose – a passion that is a cause or meaning outside and bigger than yourself; your life is more fulfilled.

Answer these questions to find more of your passions:

A. What activities give you energy and joy?

B. What activities make you feel complete?

C. What activities fill you with a sense of purposeful meaning?

Now when you are faced with idleness….choose the activities that will give your life meaning, joy and purpose and most critically, help you manage the stress that pulls life out of balance.

And as always….dance with your soul! Dance is the hidden language of the soul….Martha Graham.

Dr Wendy Guess, PhD, CSH, CLC

Life Choreographer, Speaker, Educator, Dancer

www.DancingAwayStress.com

View original post here:
Idle Minds and Stress: Is There A Connection?

Stress Management |

December 13, 2010

| by Wendy Guess, Ph.D.

Will Stretching Exercises Manage Stress?

Will stretching exercises really help manage stress?

That’s a great question! One that my students ask all the time. Want to know the answer? Good, you’ll be glad that you asked.

But first, let’s find out why. Dancers go to technique classes to train their bodies to move with style and graceful strength. Gymnasts also work to train their bodies to move with explosive power and strength. Yoga practicioners also push their bodies into massive stretches.

These performers push themselves far beyond the limits of normal activity and as a result need to ensure that their muscles will support this massive activity. Can you imagine the idea of jumping on the dance floor or mat and going full out on a routine without doing any stretching exercise? Ouch!

Talk about sore, ripped, stressed muscles! Not to mention a poor performance! What, you ask…dancers are not born that way? Although it might seem so, dancers and gymnasts spend literally YEARS stretching and practicing and stretching and training and yes, more stretching. Yoga practicioners also spend hours involved in stretching exercises. And for what purpose? To protect their muscles and bodies.

Ready for the answer? Does stretching exercises really help manage stress?

Ask any dancer or yoga enthusiast how they feel after their practice – at least 90% will tell you they are so much LESS STRESSED!

Here are the top reasons why stretching and/or yoga poses will help manage stress:

allows for elasticity in the muscles. This elasticity will also provide a safety net against accidents.
massages lactic acid build up in the muscles. Lactic acid can create sore, clogged muscles
breathing associated with stretching also invigorates the lungs and oxygenates the brain
stretching helps the body re-align in better posture – which allows for better communication throughout the nervous system
muscles that have gained more elacticity will support the skeletal system, eliminating the stress of poor posture

Now, you might be wondering …..which stretching exercises are the best for calming stress and tension? Here are a few stretches that you can do from your chair, standing, on the floor that research has shown will improve your management of your stress:

Standing and reaching arms toward ceiling. Add a big yawn for fun
Sitting or standing and reaching your hands toward your feet (yawning is good here too). See how far you can reach- knees, ankles, toes….
Curl up on the floor (or chair) facing the floor with your arms wrapped around your knees/legs. Feel the joy of being childlike.

One word of caution…stretching exercise or yoga poses are NOT about having a contest with anyone else for how much and how deep you can stretch. Each exercise has a purpose and intention to benefit only you and each day your body’s ability is unique in terms of its abilities and stress levels.

Let each day be a journey of purposeful intention. Adding a short phrase of how you want your day to go or an affirmation will also powerfully impact how you react to your stresses. For some examples of phrases or affirmations just click here to sign up with your best email.

To your de-stressed joy,

To Your Balanced Twirling,

Dr Wendy Guess,

Life Choreographer

DancingAwayStress.com

View original post here:
Will Stretching Exercises Manage Stress?

Stress Management |

November 13, 2010

| by Wendy Guess, Ph.D.

Seek Creativity. Find Balance. Feel Joy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdSA-mrBGmI

It’s Time to Re-Think Stress, by Choreographing Your Life with Creativity!

Dictionary.com defines a Choreographer as the person “To plan out or oversee the movement, development, or details of; orchestrate”

A Choreographer navigates through a variety of options, people or situations to create a successful end result by choosing from a unique collection of options or steps. The outcome? A magical work of art. Just like the choreographer, we can take certain steps that turn our own life and business into a creative art. It just takes the right set of tools and skills. In business and personal interactions how we present ourselves to others has long been a key factor in successful communication. Especially in this world of savvy buyers, lightning internet information and challenging economics, we must make sure that we are “in charge” or choroegraphing our actions.

All you really need to know about life, you learned on the Dance floor!

“Life is a moving experience” – doesn’t it make sense that living should be as well? We learn best through activities, and meaningful stories. Using stories, humor and movement will allow us to better embody life’s wisdom. Learning dances from around the world teaches us that they are truly a reflection of life. Each dance has a story that relates to some aspect of tradition, culture, health and education.

Social dancing is the rhythmic activities that people use in social settings. They could be games, group dances, partner dances, line dances, songs, and stories. These activities and dances serve to bring people together, create bonding and solidarity within that group or community. In short, they are a major part of the rituals we use to reserve tradition. When we focus on having “intention” in our daily rituals, we really come alive!

To Your Balanced Living,

Dr Wendy Guess,

Life Choreographer

DancingAwayStress.com

Read the original here:
Seek Creativity. Find Balance. Feel Joy

Stress Management |

October 13, 2010

| by Wendy Guess, Ph.D.

Master Your Stress

Desire to master your stress right now and dance through life with more energy?

Great! You’re in the right place.

Years ago, I had the Super Hero mindset – with two young boys to raise as a single parent, I took on the challenge of pursuing a Ph.D. in Health while working full time and continuing dancing. Can you see where this is going? Out of the clear blue, POW! An auto-immune disease showed up! Wow, my world came crashing down around me! I wouldn’t even wish that upon my worst enemy (even if I had one). Ironically, I was painfully reminded that as a dancer who relies on balance to perform, I was completely out of balance in my life. I had become a victim of my stressful, out of balanced living. Every day, arriving home, the children would want to play and share their news. All I could do was sit and mumble something like “just a few minutes more of rest.” Oh the agony of missing those precious moments with them.

So How Do You Master Your Stress?

Chose to face it head on!

During that journey of healing the most amazing ”aha” took place. Like a choreographer, I too many options for my life’s dance. During that journey, I conquered that disease, completed my Ph.D. and even managed to gracefully experience several other life-changing events including my mother losing the battle against cancer. Throughout this journey I experienced first hand the power of dance and yoga to:

inspire health,
healing,
joy,
fitness,
creativity
and most of all … balance.

That Super Hero mindset is much tamer and I have discovered the secrets to maintaining balance on and off the dance floor. I am passionate about sharing those secrets with everyone I can to make my world a better place – one step at a time.

Using the joy and power of social dancing as her tool, Dr Wendy helps people “choreograph” or manage their life to enhance performance skills, including health, confidence, communication and academic skills.

Invite Dr Wendy to speak or emcee at your next event to get your groove on! Discover the Four Most Essential Skills In Building successful Business & Personal Relationships. Take part in a live event hosted by Dr Wendy or conveniently in an online webinar. Dancing Away Stress Coming Soon – watch for updates and excerpts!

To Your Balanced Living,

Dr Wendy Guess,

Life Choreographer

DancingAwayStress.com

Originally posted here:
Master Your Stress