Character Traits - what type of person do you want to be?

Each and every day we are presented with personal situations which serve to challenge and as a result help us grow as individuals. Many of these scenarios involve others; work colleagues, friends, relatives, lovers, husbands, clients – people who directly or indirectly influence our emotional state whether we like it or not.

The insensitive ex-lover who flaunts his new partner, the selfish colleague who thinks only of their own desires, the friend of many years who rarely asks how you really are, or more importantly never waits for your answer. Seemingly small but significant hurts and disappointments that build over time and which can leave you un-trusting, unsure and in many ways a victim of others.

Reflections on these interactions can offer little self-comfort – in fact, dwelling, hating, resenting the people who have deeply hurt and disappointed you in a way no words can adequately describe only leaves the already suffering more distressed. Meanwhile, the ignorant dealer of pain and suffering walks free inflicting their less than ideal human behaviour on others.

In such instances of deep sadness it may be useful to consider that the only real reprieve from such pain is to concentrate on developing the very character traits you wish that these visitors to your world possessed. The strong and respected personal characteristics coveted by many but rarely embraced in life.

Honesty, integrity, loyalty, dignity, courage, humility along with a deep belief that your own strength of self will help you survive any personal pain graciously as long as you embody these qualities each and every day. It is then you can say goodbye to each day knowing you have done your very best, and have remained true to self without knowingly causing pain to others.

Honesty = fairness and straightforwardness of conduct
Integrity = the condition of being whole
Loyalty = faithfulness or devotion to a person
Dignity = sense of self respect
Courage = ability to confront fear or pain
Humility = the quality of being modest

Food and stress

How many people do you know who are not functioning at their best physically because of the direct or indirect effects of stress? Those with distinct medical issues – back and neck pain, migraines and headaches, insomnia, weight gain, inactivity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and then conditions such as fibromyalgia, PCOS, thyroid and pituitary issues, MS, coeliac, irritable bowel syndrome – all diseases that are on the rapid rise in modern society and which would suggest are at some level lifestyle related.

It is interesting to observe clients who have not eaten well or looked after their body for many years who come to the clinic, and who are keen to finally make some serious lifestyle changes when they have been diagnosed with such issues. Such a reality check reminds them that they actually have a lot of control over how their body feels and functions on a daily basis and have to admit that stress, bad food and a lack of activity can no longer continue if they are to live wholly and fully for many more years to come.

There are a number of dietary interventions known to benefit a number of these conditions including fatty acid therapy, various supplements, carbohydrate typing, avoidance of various additives and stimulants and of course, weight control. Surely these changes are a lot more appealing than many drugs and doctors appointments for years to come?
The time to look after your weight and your body is now.

Are you living consciously?

Living in a country in which things come relatively easily compared to more poverty driven communities’ poses us with an interesting situation. On one hand in general we live a pretty lovely life with enough food, shelter and clothes to live comfortably, if not very well.

The down side of this is that we tend to take things for granted. In our search for more money, bigger houses, better jobs, better suburbs we easily forget about the small but meaningful acts of day to day life. Saying good morning to the neighbours; taking our secretary a coffee or thanking her for her special effort, letting someone in when driving or letting a runner cross the road in front of us - appreciating the small things that indeed make us human and a deeper appreciation of the fact that we are very blessed here in Australia.

So next time you find yourself winging that you need more money, a bigger house, a better relationship – it may be time to take stock, pay more attention to the way you treat the people you interact with on a daily basis and be grateful for what you do have.