10 Strategies for Stress-Free Living

1. Identify and live by your values.

When we know what our values are, and our goals and actions
are in harmony with our values, we are seldom stressed or
in conflict about what we are doing.

2. Complete the Past

Sometimes we hang on to voices or perceived injustices from
the past, long after the person or situation is dead and
gone. By bringing closure to these events, we are free to
move forward.

3. Plan for the Future.

It is important to know where we want to go and to have a
rough idea of how we plan to get there. While it is
important to give up final control to God or the Universe,
we need a sense of focus and direction to our lives.
Planning for the future gives us that sense of direction.

4. Live in the Present.

This is key. Once we have completed the past and planned for
the future, we need to stay focused in the here and now.
There is very little that we cannot handle in the moment.
(A clue: if you are feeling guilt, you are in the past. If
you are feeling fear, you are in the future. The absence of
those feelings generally means you are planted firmly in the
present!) .

5. Understand that if you can dream it, you can achieve it.

If we are -- truly -- not capable of something, then it is
practically impossible for us to dream about it. Knowledge
of what we are capable of is in each and every cell of our
being. So no matter how wild and far-fetched your dream
appears, the very existence of the dream means that you can
achieve it if you are willing to commit to it.

6. Allow others to live their own lives.

Allowing others to be themselves and to live their own lives
is the first step in being able to be yourself and living
your own life. If you have any 'shoulds' or expectations
of others, let them go. Shoulds kill relationships faster
than any weapon I know of and fill our lives with
unnecessary stress.

7. Recognize God in everyone.

Everyone (literally, everyone!) is a reflection of God.
Sometimes we have to dig a little deep to see it as our
perceptions, expectations and fears cloud our vision. But
when we can recognize how God is mirrored in each person,
our lives are calmer and freer!

8. Create reserves where you need them.

Stress is often created through lack, either right now or
right around the corner. Create reserves of time, space,
money, love, vitality and meaningful action, starting where
you feel most stressed.

9. Focus on being and not doing or having.

When we are focused on who we are, what kind of person we
are, we tend to be on a journey of spiritual evolution,
which in itself tends to have less stress (or the stress is
less stressful!). When we are focused on doing or having,
we are not focused on our higher selves, but only on
certain dimensions of who we are (and usually on what we
think that means). Be a being, not a doing!

10. Choose to be the best you possible.

Making a choice to be our best selves, to live life to our
fullest potential, typically allows us to transcend our
lives and reduces much stress because we understand that
the source of stress is temporary. Also, don't forget that
today, you are the best you've ever been! Revel in that
fact.