Meditation & Anxiety - Exams and Study. What you can do to reduce anxiety and stress

(c) Dawn Meredith 2012

Quite a lot of people suffer with anxiety. Its much more common than you think! And because the physical symptoms are so REAL, (such as sweating, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain) we feel like something is terribly wrong with our body. Stress, especially over a long period, (and I'm talking about real stress, not the dilemma of whether you should buy those red shoes/new computer game or not) depletes many helpful, feel-good chemicals in our brains and even slows conductivity between neurons in the brain, resulting in sluggishness, poor concentration, poor memory, depression and anxiety. Some people can also become hyper-active, fidgety and unsettled.

I've been reading about IBMT, developed by a Chinese doctor and researcher, Dr Y.Y. Tang, who has scientifically proven through use of MRI and other methods that certain types of guided meditation can reverse the above symptoms. Yes, that's right, you can make them go away!

IBMT involves cognitive therapy, using your thoughts and awareness of your own thought patterns, to affect how your body feels. Music and a coach are components for this program, but any meditation CD that supplies music and instruction on how to focus your attention on your breathing, visualisation and thought patterns will be of benefit. Here's a four minute beginner exercise you might like to try. mindfulness exercise
If this is all new to you, it might seem a bit weird at first. You might not even be aware of your own thoughts, while you're even thinking them, such as, "I wonder what that is, on the carpet?" or, "My arm feels a bit sore". You think you're focusing completely on something, like that PDHP assignment, but you're actually distracted by every little thing around you, including your own body!

Give it a go. If you're stressed about exams or study, this 4 minute exercise could make a huge difference to how you feel, right now. mindfulness exercise

There are also other practical things you can do to increase your brain power and boost your health.
1. - instead of hitting the coffee at all hours and feeling decidedly frowsy, try fresh juices instead. First thing in the morning, whip up a carrot and apple juice, with fresh mint leaves, if you have them. I guarantee you'll feel perkier straight away and your digestion will be a lot happier too.
2. - get adequate sleep. If you have to take a sleeping pill to break a bad sleeping cycle, try an over the counter preparation before heading to the doctor's for a script. Also, make sure your bed is a place of rest, not a study bench or an eating place. Sprinkle some drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow and read, rather than playing computer games or catching up on emails.
cheers, Dawn

Kumiki Wooden Robot

This little guy was a birthday present and I love him! He's made of wood and collapses to form a perfect cube.
 think geek

"Cubebot is a kumiki-style robot toy made from sustainably harvested cherry wood. A perfect 2.5" cube when at rest, Cubebot sits unassumingly on your desk. When it's time to play, simply unfold his hardwood frame, stretching his elastic muscles and move his limbs into place. He's 6.75" tall with an arm span of a whopping 9.25". Use him to crush your enemies and then fold him back into a cube when you're done.
Product Specifications

• Wooden robot toy made from sustainably harvested cherry wood
• No batteries required for this bad boy!
• Inspired by Japanese Shinto Kumiki puzzles
• Made by designer David Weeks
• Hardwood frame and elastic band "muscles" - extremely durable
• Folds into a perfect 2.5" cube when at rest
• Dimensions when in robot form:  6.75" tall with a 9.25" arm span." 

- www.thinkgeek.com
cheers, Dawn

Resilience and Self-Control. The Modern Epidemic of Obesity & Addiction

I came across a radio interview with Daniel Akst the other day which blew me away! This guy has created a bit of a storm with his views on modern life. I've mentioned him on my ADHD and Aspergers page
Essentially, we live in an age of excess, which is making people incredibly unhappy and unhealthy. Our well-off lifestyle has created sick people. We don't formulate long term goals and work steadily towards them, enjoying that fabulous feeling of achievement when we reach it. No longer do we follow precepts such as restraint, self-denial, frugality, moderation. We obey, blindly, the advertiser's maxim - 'Don't wait, have it now!' There's a lot more to this topic. A powerful podcast interview is available here:  interview with Daniel Akst. If we understood how this modern way of thinking affects the lives of the next generation detrimentally we might change the way we behave and the values we espouse. In his book, 'We Have Met the Enemy - Self-Control in an Age of Excess' Daniel describes the modern crisis of super abundance: obesity, diabetes, overspending and addictions. It amazes me how we spend our leisure time in shops, wandering around looking for things to buy, rather than being out there in the world experiencing life!
Daniel says the crux of the crisis is a fundamental inability to control short term impulse for long term goals. In other words, if you've had to fight for it, plan for it, wait for it, then you'll appreciate it so much more and feel a sense of contentment, rather than this constant restless urge to have more stuff. In reality, we don't need much to be content. A comfortable home, enough to eat, sufficient clothes, a reliable car, hobbies, interests, good friends and a loving family.

cheers, Dawn

Tall Ships leave Sydney Harbour - Chilean ship The Esmeralda

I was privileged to be aboard the tugboat 'Bronzewing' the other week, when the Chilean tall ship, The Esmeralda, left Sydney Harbour. In order for our own tall ship, "The James Craig' to maneuver, she needs a tug, so we went along for the ride on a rather historic day. The weather was perfect! Conditions, calm. And we were lucky to have a naval artist onboard, Jane Bennett, who worked tirelessly the whole cruise to capture moments of sky and sail so beautifully. more of Jane's paintings here

How fantastic to be in the presence of two spectacular ships of yesteryear, powered (mostly) by sail. The James Craig is owned, maintained and operated for harbour tours and longer treks around the Australian coastline by The Sydney Heritage Fleet, a volunteer organisation run completely on donations. The Esmeralda is used by the Chilean Navy to train their recruits and has an active social life. Enjoy my pics! 
cheers, Dawn

Esmeralda (c) Dawn Meredith

Esmeralda (c) Dawn Meredith

Esmeralda & The James Craig (c) Dawn Meredith

Esmeralda & The James Craig (c) Dawn Meredith

The James Craig, Sydney Harbour (c) Dawn Meredith

The James Craig (c) Dawn Meredith

Sydney Harbour Bridge (c) Dawn Meredith

Sydney Opera House (c) Dawn Meredith

Artist Jane Bennett (c) Dawn Meredith

Gotye - Heart's a Mess

I am such a fan of Gotye's artistry: the seemingly effortless melody, unusual rhythms and quirky animation of his songs. Love it! For once, a popular recording artist is popular for the right reasons! And these little stick figure robots are superb.
Enjoy the video: heart's a mess
cheers, Dawn

Brilliant Story Questions for Novel Writing

 As writers we are prone to follow behind the muse, lapping up every drop of inspiration she deigns to let fall from her slender fingers. And then she disappears. Argh! What to do? It appears she's led us up a very interesting path, full of twists and half-obscured objects we cannot resist, but where are we actually going? Thanks to writer Nicole Murphy, I have found Michael Hauge, script writer for Hollywood and awesome, awesome, awesome teacher! (that was a little pathetically worded, I know). There is so much fabulous free advice on his website. Check it out here: story questions for novels. or read below. Michael's website is packed with brilliant ideas, some of which are so simple and obvious, yet we need reminding sometimes and Michael has the experience and wisdom to put it onto digestible chunks.

Who is the hero or protagonist?

Why will we immediately empathize with the hero? In other words, why will we identify with her when she is introduced?

Where is the hero at the beginning of the story, before anything new occurs to get the plot going? What is the everyday life she’s been living, and how does the story show that?

What is the hero’s longing (deep desire he’s just paying lip service to) or emotional need (which the hero won’t admit or is unaware of -- usually this is to connect with others in some way).

What opportunity is presented to the hero at the first key turning point?

What new situation is he placed in as a result of that opportunity? Is it by choice, or is the hero forced into it? What will the hero have to figure out, or adjust to, in this new situation?

What specific, visible goal or finish line does the hero want to reach by the end of the novel – in other words, what’s the outer motivation?

What’s the outer conflict -- what makes that goal impossible to achieve?

What is the hero's greatest emotional fear?

What wound – what painful event or situation in his or her past (usually in adolescence) – led to that fear?

If the novel contains a love story, why is the romance character the hero's destiny? Why did they choose each other, out of all the other people they've been involved with?

What is the hero’s identity – what protective persona keeps the hero from facing and overcoming her emotional fear?

What is the hero’s essence or truth? Who would she be if her identity were stripped away? In other words, who does she have the potential to become, if she’s courageous enough?

What is the hero’s arc or character growth? How does she gradually make the transition from her identity to her essence? What gives her the courage to do that?

What is the story’s universal theme – how does the arc for the hero provide the reader with a prescription for living a more fulfilled life?

What deeper issues – political or social -- does the novel explore?

What are the successful antecedents for the film -- recent, successful novels similar in market demographic, genre, style, tone and/or story, that you can point to and say, "Because those made money, this one will make money."

What is the passion for this project – what do you love about it?

What are the biggest weaknesses in the story right now?

What makes this a novel – why will thousands of people want to spend their time and money to read it?

www.StoryMastery.com © 2010 Michael Hauge

Enjoy!

cheers, Dawn