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The Secret to Getting More of What You Want

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What if I told you there was a simple way for you to have more of what you want? What if I told you much of what you experience in life is ordered up by your subconscious mind? Have you ever been in a situation where you saw the possibility of attaining something good, but found that your fear or insecurities where whispering discouraging words to you? (Yeah, she likes you and you could probably have a good time for a while, but you know you’re kind of boring and she would just end up leaving you for someone else.) (You better hope they don’t pick you for the management position because even though you want to earn more money, you likely wouldn’t be able to handle the job.) (Sure you’d like to generate more income, but then you would lose your government benefits and wind up having to pay more for insurance, groceries, and taxes, so what’s the point?)

Here’s another one for you; how many times have you tried to do something or become something, and it became an endless struggle? The key word here is try. Yes we must apply effort to things, and self discipline in doing so is a necessary component, but rather than “try” what if you could just do or simply be? When we “try” to achieve something we immediately create a barrier between where we are now, and where we want to go. If you wanted to start a business for example, it would benefit you more to see yourself as an individual starting a business or even already in that business and growing, rather than someone who is “trying” to start a business. While these differences may seem subtle, the impact of thinking and believing in such a way is profound. The difference in this example is the word trying suggest struggle or difficulty, while doing or being removes this blockage allowing you to get excited about what you are accomplishing. Fear and doubt are low vibrational emotions, whereas excitement and thankfulness resonate at a much higher frequency; emotion is the language of the universe.

Many people today are stuck in a victim mentality. (I don’t have enough. I can’t afford to pay my bills. The world is unfair. We can’t get along. I’m not doing as well as other people. I hate my job. Money is evil.) Moving through life in this way ensures that you will always remain powerless; life happens to you rather than for you. In the Audible book The Awakening Course by Dr. Joe Vitale,https://amzn.to/31K08Z1 it is explained that the first rule of psychology is that whatever you focus on, you get more of. In other words, if you always focus on what you don’t have, that is what you will get more of. If you focus on what you do have, and are thankful for it, then that will be what you get more of. Dr. Vitale does an amazing job of explaining all of this and so much more. Another Important tip from The Awakening Course is to pay attention to what ideas you allow to permeate your personal beliefs. One example given is your television. It’s no secret that the news groups receive higher view ratings when covering stories about disasters. The unbalanced coverage creates a narrative that mirrors the negative thoughts I gave examples for earlier, which confirms your fears and creates more barriers in your life. (Everyone is fighting. The world is in chaos. We’re running out of resources.) Humans are emotional beings. The Latin derivative for the word emotion (emotere) literally means energy in motion. It becomes difficult to focus positive energy towards your goals and projects in life if you allow yourself to be bombarded with such negativity.

Whether we realize it or not, we all have beliefs. Many of those beliefs can be limiting. I’m not talking about religious beliefs, though those too can be a factor. The beliefs I’m talking about are more along the lines of (I’ll never turn pro playing basketball because I’m not tall enough.) the belief here is that only taller individuals can make it in professional basketball. (I can’t earn a higher income because I never went to college.) The obvious belief here is that one needs a college education to achieve a higher level of income. Dr. Vitalle has spent many years helping regular people dispel such limiting beliefs, and has made it his mission in life to share these life changing tips with as many people as possible. He has authored dozens of books, and was featured in the film The Secret, which gives insight concerning the power of the law of attraction. I personally found The Awakening Course to be of great benefit to me. Joe is a very personable guy and speaks in a way that is plain, straight forward, and easy to follow. I have listened to this audible book many times, and will continue to do so going forward as a reminder to myself. It’s often more beneficial to listen to or re-read a handful of books that speak to you so that you may retain every bit of them, than it is to read or listen to dozens and dozens and forget their wisdom.

That being said, Audible books is an amazing resource for those who are working full time, raising kids, going to school, or are just too tired to sit and read. I have included secure links to Audible in this writing. Without a membership, one time purchases of books can be quite expensive. Depending on the devise you’re on you may have to scroll down for cell phone or slide right on a computer, but by clicking the Audible links on this page you can sign up for a free trial. Usually free books are included, some they just give you, and others you choose. You do have to put in your information to get the free trial, but as long as you get rid of it before the trial is up, you will never be billed. It is so worth taking for a spin. If you’re like me you will find that there are so many other interesting Audible books to hear. People are the happiest when they are learning and growing as an individual. Say good bye to silly radio jockeys and listen in your car! Put your ear buds in and clean house, do art, work on your truck, take a bath, or whatever your heart desires while learning something new. I love to keep a note pad close so I can write things down. I believe in doing things that ad value. This is what my web page is about, and why I choose to share my thoughts on the things I do. With so many negative voices, I want to be one that is positive. If you do try the free trial and listen to The Awakening Course,https://amzn.to/31K08Z1 I’d love to know what you thought of it. Please feel free to leave me a comment. Remember to scroll down for the secure Audible link and promotion. Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoy!

 

The Importance of Sleep! What Happens When We Don’t Get Enough.

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Brandon Peters M.D. author of Insomnia Solved https://amzn.to/2GihowJ and speaker at Stanford University discusses the Importance of sleep in this Life Years guest article. Brandon is a leading expert in the area of sleep and one of the great minds of our time. I feel very fortunate to have him share his thoughts with all of us. Please click the link above to check out his new book. Thank you all so much for your support; both Dr. Peters and myself greatly appreciate it! Hope you enjoy this article.

Sleep: Pillar of Health and Well-being

By Brandon Peters, M.D.

Sleep is a pillar of health. With nutrition and exercise, it supports the optimal function of the body and mind. Poor sleep diminishes well-being and can precipitate and even worsen chronic medical conditions like weight gain, hypertension, and diabetes. How do sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea undermine health?

The Vital Role of Sleep

In the past century, we have begun to more fully understand the importance of sleep to health. It is not a state in which the body shuts down. On the contrary, our very health is restored with sleep of sufficient quality and quantity.

There are two recognized states of sleep: rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep. REM is when the mind is active but the body remains paralyzed. Memory is consolidated. Learning is reinforced. Vivid dreams flood the mind, like movies in which you participate.

During non-REM sleep, which constitutes upwards of 3/4 of the night, the body is repaired. Growth hormone is released during slow-wave sleep. This predominates in the first few hours of the night. Physical conditioning, muscle growth, and important physical repairs occur then. Athletic performance is enhanced by adequate sleep. In addition, the brain’s tissues are cleansed as metabolic byproducts are cleared by the glymphatic system.

Sleep needs for adults range from 7 to 9 hours. Inadequate sleep can quickly lead to symptoms of sleep deprivation.

When Things Go Amiss

If you need 9 hours of sleep to feel rested, but you only get 8 hours, you will be sleep deprived. This can lead to important changes that affect health.

With acute sleep deprivation, there can be hormonal changes. Increased cortisol levels may provoke insulin resistance, contributing to high blood pressure and diabetes. Appetite-regulating hormones are disturbed. Ghrelin levels increase, stimulating appetite. Leptin levels decrease, also increasing appetite and weight gain.

Beyond the effects on weight regulation, there are other impacts. Sleep deprivation contributes to:

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Poor concentration
  • Short-term memory problems
  • Mood changes (anxiety, depression, or irritability)
  • Hallucinations
  • Paranoia
  • Physical pain
  • Poor performance, errors, and accidents

Not sleeping enough may provoke these symptoms. Unfortunately, sleep disorders may also have an impact. Insomnia and sleep apnea are two conditions that deserve special attention.

Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling or staying asleep. If it occurs at least 3 nights per week for more than 3 months, it is termed chronic insomnia. It may take someone with insomnia more than 30 minutes to fall asleep. After waking, as much time or more may be spent lying awake at night. Severe insomnia can result in hours spent tossing and turning. Some people feel like they haven’t slept at all for extended periods. Chronic insomnia may affect about 10 percent of the population. The resulting loss of sleep can contribute to the symptoms of sleep deprivation.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the other major sleep disorder that should not be overlooked. It is often associated with snoring. It may lead to fragmented sleep, undermining its quality. Witnessed pauses, gasping, excessive daytime sleepiness, frequent urination at night, teeth grinding, night sweats, and morning headaches may also be present. The condition requires testing to identify, and may be missed by the affected person and his or her bed partner. If sleep is of poor quality, no matter how much is obtained, an evaluation by a board-certified sleep physician is indicated.

Finding Solutions to Improve Sleep

Fortunately, there are ways to improve sleep to avoid the effects of sleep deprivation. Ensure that you are meeting your individual sleep needs. Protect your bedtime, go to bed feeling sleepy, spend enough time in bed to meet your sleep needs, and keep a consistent sleep-wake schedule. Try to get 15 to 30 minutes of sunlight upon awakening, every day, to reinforce your circadian pattern.

For those with insomnia, consider participating in a cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) program. This 6-week education course can be guided by a psychologist, and online programs and books also exist. It is the most effective treatment for chronic insomnia and teaches a set of skills that can improve sleep for a lifetime.

If other symptoms are present, or if sleep deprivation persists, seek evaluation and testing with the help of a sleep physician. If a sleep disorder is identified, appropriate treatment may be the key to finally getting the healthful rest that your body and mind need to function at their best.

Brandon Peters, M.D., is a double board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine physician who practices at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. He is the author of Insomnia Solved https://amzn.to/2GihowJ, an online CBTI program and book available through Amazon. He is also an adjunct lecturer at Stanford University, the birthplace of sleep medicine.

Don’t Take it Personally

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“There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you

when you take nothing personally.”

- Don Miguel Ruiz

We’ve all been there; someone at work, school, on the bus, or waiting behind us in line at the drug store lashes out as if we have committed a crime against them. It’s amazing how quickly such a simple event can ruin our day. Long after the incident has occurred we find ourselves replaying it over and over in our minds. We think about things we wished we had said or done, or perhaps what we will say the next time we experience such an encounter. Our stress level swells, and before we realize it; the rest of our day has been taken hostage by our feelings of anger and confusion.

It’s important to remember that in most cases it has absolutely nothing to do with you. Its usually misguided anger fueled by an event or events in the other person’s life. Maybe its an angry older man who has recently lost his wife, and is struggling to cope. Maybe its a teenage girl who cut you off in traffic because she is emotionally distraught after having an argument with her best friend. The point is we don’t know! If we’re going to make assumptions; let us assume that most people are of a decent nature and do not set out to ruin our day. It behooves us to understand that every individual is a soul on their own unique journey. When you learn to see others as a soul, rather than just someone who has inconvenienced you in some way, you may actually find some sympathy for what they may be going through. Understanding in this way is an act of love, and brings about forgiveness, which allows you to let things go, and voila’… you’re back to having a good day. Okay, it may take some practice, but fortunately for you, there will be plenty of opportunities.

Sometimes taking things personally goes much deeper and is a bit more difficult to wrestle with.

This is the case for the man or woman who as a child suffered under an abusive parent, and for the individual who has been in (or is currently in) an oppressive relationship. In both cases, the individual is lead to believe that they are not good enough, or that they may not even deserve to be loved at all. Taking on such a toxic view of one’s self can be debilitating in many ways. The offender in these examples has often been the recipient of similar abuse and or oppression in their own life. Sometimes individuals like this either consciously or subconsciously pass along that which has been impressed on them as a way to relieve their own pain and anger. Again, understanding and forgiveness are going to be paramount in helping you to not take it personally when someone wrongs you (or has wronged you) in either of these two situations, or in a similar situations. Understanding that it’s them, not you who has the problem, and forgiving them even if they don’t ask for it can be quite freeing. Forgiveness in this case is not about making right that which has been done to you, but rather it is about releasing that which keeps you from your own happiness.

The next time someone hurls and insult at you, attacks you in some way, or acts without regard or consideration for your feelings; take a moment to experience that feeling. Then remember there is a choice to be made. You can act from a place of anger and frustration by taking it personally, or you can choose to not take it personally and move about your day in peace, and without the burden of shouldering the negative energy of others. I am not suggesting that you be a pushover if someone is firing at you intentionally. It’s important to know when to stand up for yourself. I am merely suggesting that you not give others power over you by letting them decide how you are going to feel. It is rather appropriate (in my opinion) to be selfish where your health and happiness are concerned.

There will always be words spouted in anger, and hurtful actions taken against others as a way to mask one’s pain. Learning to not take things personally could be monumental in setting you free. Here is A link to my E-Book (A Happier You) https://amzn.to/2zoSdEq along with some other books I highly recommend. Thanks for reading!   https://amzn.to/2P0sCqk   https://amzn.to/2SaSj9H     https://amzn.to/2Se6zP7