Don Miguel Ruiz And Dealing With Stress In Life

Don Miguel Ruiz, Author of The 4 Agreements, shared with me his story on dealing with stress in life during one of his most challenging times.

Find out more in this super short video!

David Essel Alive! XM Radio, guests Sat. March 23

Positive Talk Radio! David Essel Alive! Every Saturday, 6-9pm est, 3-6pm pst, XM Radio CH 168, and streaming FREE at www.davidessel.com . Proud to be a part of the Premiere Radio Network, celebrating 21 years in talk radio. This weeks guests:

........Brian Cunningham: Founder/Creator Gabatrol, A Stress reducing supplement...The #1 health issue today? STRESS@@@@!!!!......It affects our mind, bodies , income and relationships. Learn how this highly endorsed product can be one of the many tools you can use to decrease the stress in your life....now.

 www.RxStress.com 

......Erin Morgart: Supermodel tells it all............ It's not easy for someone to be named Miss Galaxy and Miss United Nations, earn a degree from Harvard Medical, be fluent in four different languages, and be a top rated personal trainer, but Erin did all of that and more. Tune in as she shares tips on how you can maximize your FULL potential in life as well........and have fun doing it!

 http://erinjmorgart.com

 https://www.facebook.com/ejmdragon

Twitter: @ErinJMorgart 

.......Gabe Cordell: Roll With Me....................Gabe Cordell: Roll With Me...Incredible!!!  Gabe will roll his wheelchair 3,300 miles from California to New York to join his high school class reunion.....yes in a wheel chair! A paraplegic for 20 years, he has faced sex and drug addictions as he rises to lead a life by example, with a mission that says no one has to be limited in life...ever. His trip is being filmed as a documentary, so that we can all lead a life filled with our own potential. 

(The budget for this massive undertaking nears $200,000. The team is seeking donations and sponsors. West Coast Chill (www.westcoastchill.com), makers of a sugar-free, caffeine-free energy drink by the same name, has donated $10,000. )

 http://rollwithme.org/

.......David Kiefel: Overcoming life's challenges with faith.........From job loss, to the loss of your child, to finding out your son in law is sexually molesting your grandchild, David is a stunning example of someone who has faced life's adversities and found a way to make a difference in this world, by creating a deeper path to faith. This segment, will move you....in many, many ways.

Contact: davechandler48@gmail.com

April O'Leary
David Essel Alive! Guest Producer
www.davidessel.com
239-777-3241 April cell
941-266-7676 David cell

"David is the radiant soul of radio. He is brilliant, insightful and easy to listen to. David makes a real difference in his listeners' lives."  ~Mark Victor Hansen, Chicken Soup for the Soul

Ask David: Calming Supplement? From David Essel Alive! XM satellite radio show:

Ask David: From David Essel Alive! XM satellite radio show:

Q. What is a good supplement I could take during the day to help me calm my anxiety around work, money. I meditate daily, pray, but the stress bothers me during the day.

A. My favorite supplements for calm, a release from stress, would be 1.calm aid, 2. gaba calm, and 3. gabatrol.  All are excellent. Check with your doctor if you are taking any form of medication, always. 

Blessings, David

(Email your questions for XM Radio Host David at david@davidessel.com . His show can be heard every Sat., 6-9 est, 3-6pm pst, on XM 168 or streaming live for FREE at  www.davidessel.com )

David Essel, Life Coaching, Motivational Speaker, Inspirational Speaker

www.davidessel.com

Why do "good people", sometimes struggle in life?

So, what are the reasons that "really good people", sometimes struggle throughout their entire lifetimes? Or, at the very least, for long periods of time, when they are truly trying their best to be successful, happy, giving?

These questions have been with us since the beginning of time, and the answers may or may not ever be found.

We offer just a few of the many possible reasons on this short video. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcrUxCLE69A

As we slow down, we see the path that we are on, as one to respect and have faith in.

Love, david http://www.davidessel.com

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: "IBS" Treatment

For the millions of Americans who suffer from IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the symptoms that include bloating, constipation, pain and or diarrhea, can sap us of energy, creativity and even our passion for life.

While there is no known cause for this condition, there are many natural and nutritional ways that we can treat the symptoms, as we discuss on this short video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5BycfksrJQ

Slow down, ask your doctor or naturopathic physician for assistance in the diagnosis and treatment of this challenging condition. Yes, there is help available.

Love, david http://www.davidessel.com

Trusting the path we are on

TRUSTING THE PATH WE ARE ON As I write the above title, I feel a little "cringe" go through my body . . . I smile and laugh to myself, knowing that I need to be reminded so often to trust this path of life that I am on. I believe we need to let go of the "wheel" and understand that God's plan is always so much better than our own. I also know that I have to be honest with myself and you. I have to be vulnerable and tell you that this can be really hard. To not have control of my life is something that is hard to accept. If I was pursuing a goal I truly desired, from buying a specific house, obtaining a certain job, making a specific amount of money, or having a relationship with a woman I desired to be with, I would rarely accept no. And, of course, what followed usually was a stressful experience if I did not receive what I wanted. Instead of relaxing, letting go of the end result and trusting that all was in place, I would push, pursue relentlessly, and go after the goal. Before, I couldn't trust that if it did not come after one, two, or three healthy attempts . . . that maybe this wasn't the time to have what I thought I needed at that moment. Several months ago I was in the hot pursuit of a new career opportunity that I knew I needed to have. So I pursued. I was anxious daily. I needed this. I wanted this. I pushed. I was stressed out for 30 days. And then, on day 31, I awoke with this intuitive feeling that shouted "No, this is not the right move at all." The path was set out all along, and yet I did not want to trust. I believe that if I would have let it go and trusted that God knew what was best, I would have handled it quite differently and with a lot less anxiety. In relationships, we often pursue someone who is not at the same place that we are. We jump through hoops, knowing, just knowing that this is the one. We push. We pursue. We become anxious. We do not trust and let it go. It will come, or it will not. And yet, that's not enough for us to know. Not that we will necessarily get what we want in life by sitting on the sidelines, because that rarely happens. We need the balance of pursuit and rest, surrounded by the ultimate in trust. Trust the path that you are on at this very moment. Relax. Smile. Let it go. Trust. If you believe this article can help someone you know, please pass it on. Search. Grow. Love. Love, david http://www.davidessel.com

Our search, for Inner Peace

Release the end result. Stay in the moment. Live each day mindfully. Be aware of your surroundings. Be open to small joys daily. Live in gratitude. Serve the world. In any instance, in any situation, do what Jesus would do. Or Buddha.

All of these statements, if pieced together, would lead us daily to a life full of inner peace. But, what is inner peace? To each of us, it might be slightly different. Have you ever paused and asked yourself what your concept of inner peace is? If we haven't, how will we know if and when we ever get there? Or even if we are close? As many wise sages, holy men and women have said from the beginning of time, the answers to our prayers may simply lie in the asking of the question, for if we do not regularly ask the question, we begin to live a life that is clouded, monotonous.

So, I ask you today, what does inner peace mean to you? What would your life look like, feel like, if each day was lived with a sense of peace? Focus on this question daily, for the answer may simply lie in bringing yourself back to this question every morning which will lead to awareness and inner peace.

To me, it seems that this search for inner peace is simply the search for our true, or our pure self. Did you ever stop to think that right now, what we are all searching for is already with us? The more we search and ask ourselves these questions daily, the closer we come to peace. For without slowing down our world, which unbeknownst to most of us we have total control over, we continue living on automatic, falsely believing that a life full of peace is something only the great religious chosen ones have access to. How sad and how untrue. We all have complete control of our reaction to any given situation, person or event. Peace, true inner peace, comes from knowing this truth and then acting on it.

Look at the way our wise elders in this country react to each day. The ones who have knowingly asked these questions are living peacefully in each moment in their gardens, woodworking shop, or just sitting. They have learned the futility of rushing, scrambling, fretting. They look at faces and pictures on the wall in the long line at the bank, while the rest of us nervously stare at our watches and worry about the time. Our wise elders have come to the realization that inner peace has been a choice all along, one we did not know we could grasp or snatch out of the air at any moment.

The wait in line will not speed up regardless of how agitated we become, so why do we go there? At any moment, we can choose a life filled with inner peace. Are you ready to question your outdated beliefs? Are you ready to let go of misconceptions? Follow the wise ones, the living sages today. Follow your own path starting in this moment to continual inner peace. Ask yourself the question daily, what would my life look like if it was filled with inner peace? Act on this today.

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If you believe this article can help someone you know, please pass it on.
Search. Grow. Love.

love david http://www.davidessel.com

Living a Stress Free Life. Here's how.

Yes, it is possible to live a life free of negative stress, to be stress free, although most of us never slow down enough to look for the steps to take to make this our reality.

We've been conditioned to believe that rushing, fretting and complaining about all that is not working well, is the way to muddle through our existence.

A number of years ago, I had the chance to listen to a lecture given by the spiritual teacher, Ram Dass. And, he literally blew me away with the following thoughts, that I recorded for you. Watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w56BlY6tK7s

Slow down, start to believe in the concept of a life free of the stress that drives most of our lives. Yes, it is possible.

Love, david http://www.davidessel.com

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

As we go through challenging times in life, many clients will ask if there truly is a light at the end of the tunnel. When will they get a break? When will the stress end?

Sometimes, the stress becomes self created. We become what we think about, so if we focus on all of our challenges, we'll get even more more stressed.

Watch this brief video, to see how you can find the light, in your own tunnel of life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIOxxagDDow

Slow down, there is a light.

Love, peace, david http://www.davidessel.com

Yoga for weight loss, stress reduction and more!

YOGA for weight loss, stress reduction and more!

Exercise to many means drudgery. Running, swimming and lifting weights have captured the hearts of the exercise addicts, but as of today only 30% of our population exercises often enough to receive health benefits. Yoga's rising popularity, though, may help encourage more people to begin taking care of their minds and bodies all at once. According to a Yoga Journal/Roper Poll, six million people currently practice Yoga and another seventeen million respondents say they are very interested in participating in this activity.

Fitness expert and video star Kathy Smith believes in totality, the power of Yoga. A practitioner for 24 years, she began using Yoga as a way to add balance and flexibility to her long distance running workouts in college. Consisting of deep breathing exercises, combined with particular poses (asanas) that are held from 25 seconds to 5 minutes each, Yoga embraces both relaxation and strengthening exercise to challenge the mind and body simultaneously. Listed below are Kathy's top eight benefits for people of any age who regularly participate in Yoga:

• Reduction of stress and anxiety.
  
• Feeling of being centered, focused.
  
• Increase in muscle flexibility, decrease in lower back discomfort.
  
• Increase in muscle definition, tone.
  
• Reduction in injuries due to sports, exercise programs.
  
• Increase in mobility as we age.
  
• Better sleep patterns.
  
• Increase in emotional bonding for couples.
  

Kathy also found some of the benefits of Yoga surprising to her. For instance, Yoga assisted in the delivery of her children, enhanced her own feeling of sensuality, helps her to stay calm in raising her children, and increases her energy levels and immune system functioning. She believes that anyone can benefit from Yoga by participating at least three days per week for 10 minutes each day. Her newest video Yoga Basics is the perfect match for the beginner.

In my book "Slow Down: The fastest way to get everything you want", Hay House, I tell the story of a top television producer who finally lost the weight he desired, after years of failed diets and exercise programs, through a 1 hour per day yoga routine!

If you are interested in any or all of the aforementioned benefits, this may be the perfect time to give Yoga a try. Open your mind to the potential that lies within this ancient practice and start enjoying the results immediately. Choose a class or video that is congruent with your current level of physical conditioning, as Yoga can be a gentle "walk in the park" or an extremely challenging form of mind/body exercise. If you are over 40 or currently have any health concerns, check with your physician before beginning any exercise program.

For more information on Yoga, check out the American Yoga Association web site.

If you believe this article can help someone you know, please pass it on.
Search. Grow. Love.

love, David http://www.davidessel.com

Are You a Thermostat or a Thermometer? Let's See

ARE YOU A THERMOSTAT OR A THERMOMETER? © David Essel

One of my favorite motivational teachers over the years has been the late Earl Nightingale, one of the founders of the educational resource company, Nightingale-Conant. Earl had a wonderful way with analogies in life. One of his most memorable analogies was the thermostat/thermometer question.

So let me ask you, "Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?" The importance of this question may astound you!

A thermostat type person sets their own "temperature" so to speak. They are in control of their reactions to life and realize the importance of being able to regulate the amount of energy that they put out at any one time. If they are about to get involved in a "heated" argument, they understand the importance of "cooling down" their reaction to the situation. They have a wonderful understanding that no one can make them react, that it is their choice to respond in a way they choose. While no one is perfect, the "thermostat" type person is in control of their own "temperature" most of the time. Have you figured out what type of a person you are yet? Without even explaining what type of person a "thermometer" is yet, you can probably imagine where you fit in.

The "thermometer" type reacts almost entirely to outside influences. Their quality of life, their ability to have a good or a bad day depends on the events going on around them. They react instantly to these influences. A rainy day can easily bring them down. Constructive criticism can ruin a week for them. They fluctuate like the weather in Syracuse, NY (if you don't like it, wait 30 minutes because it will change!) up, down, cold, hot. They are known as "reactors". They have very little sense of control over how they act or so they would like you to believe!

However, anyone can change! It may be an effort consisting of small steps, but it can be done. Our goal should be to react more like the thermostat, able to enjoy life more because we deal with life using a small sense of control. Follow these steps to become a thermostat vs. a thermometer in your life:

1. Write down the one or two areas where you need to show less reaction to outside influences that you allow to "get to you".

2. Now, watch yourself change your reaction. In the past, you would have become upset or mad but now visualize yourself reacting as a thermostat in control of your behavior.

3. Close your eyes and see yourself in that situation (in traffic, at work with your boss/co-workers, relationship issues, etc.).

4. OPEN your eyes and smile at this first successful step.

5. Carry this paper with you to reinforce this change.

6. Do this for 30 consecutive days. Do not hesitate to find a counselor to discuss this situation with. Become the person that is already inside you waiting to be set free. Being the "thermostat" in life can bring you the energy and joy you've always been missing.
   

If you believe this article can help someone you know, please pass it on.
Search. Grow. Love.

Love, peace, david http://www.davidessel.com

Mental Alertness, Spirituality, through Aromatherapy

MENTAL FITNESS WITH AROMA THERAPY

To help us stay alert, cut down on our errors and be more productive, we need to be open minded to techniques that we may not be familiar with, such as Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is taken from the Greek words "aroma" meaning spice and "therapy," meaning healing. Using the powerful fragrances extracted from plants and flowers, it is possible to stimulate different physiological reactions.

To connect more closely with God, try frankincense, or myrrh. Inhale, go within, let go.

In the magazine EXEC, a study in Japan was discussed in which the results were quite spectacular. The scent of lemon decreased workers' errors by 54% and when Jasmine was used, mistakes decreased by 33%. Whether you are studying for a test, reading business material or just trying to catch up with the pile of month old magazines in your living room, using scents makes sense! Jasmine and lemon both have stimulating properties that may make concentration a little easier.

Make sure you use pure essential oils with your diffuser. These products are available at most health food stores. Any products that are listed as "essence of . . ." are not essential oils and may not bring to you the effect you desire.

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If you believe this article can help someone you know, please pass it on.
Search. Grow. Love.

Love, peace, david www.davidessel.com

A Short Meditation : Join Us Now

There are so many benefits to doing even short meditations on a daily basis, so we created one you can do right now!

The "breath meditation", is one of my favorites, that with regular use, can take us to some amazingly deep levels of peace, bliss.

Join us right now, for this 5 minute version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j6TKyLUoZU

Slow down, experience the beauty of meditation on a daily basis.

Love, peace, Rev. David www.davidessel.com

Do you need a prayer right now?

Do you need a prayer said for you right now? Or do you know of someone else in need of the power of prayer?

Are you struggling with an addiction, money, housing, a job, transportation, love, forgiveness, inner peace, health, a relationship, self acceptance or more?

I would love to pray for you, and ask you to go to david@davidessel.com and leave me your request for a prayer to be said on your behalf or someone that you know. Everything will always be kept confidential.

One of my favorite interviews was with Larry Dossey, M. D., who wrote the book "Prayer is Good Medicine. " A phenomenal writing from a medical perspective on the absolute power of prayer.

Allow me to be one of the many who can, and will, pray for you today.

Don't delay, send your prayer to the email above, and let us help you with the magical beauty of prayer.

Love, peace, Rev. David www.davidessel.com

Dealing with Stress: There's Only One Way

When we are faced with great, or even minor stress, the only way I know that we can begin to overcome it is to feel and bless it at the same time. Let me explain.

There once was a man who had everything in life that anyone could ever desire. Great wealth, a wonderful family and a strong religious path. One day, almost like a great depression, or a stock market crash, all of his wealth was gone. Bam! Gone.

When he went home, he went to prayer thanking God for all that he did still have.

The very next day, his children were killed in a freak accident. Through his tears, he still thanked God for all that he had remaining, as you can imagine a very difficult thing to do.

His friends came to ask him the reason for his extremely bad luck, assuming he had been the cause somehow of all of his troubles. But, in fact, he had not personally done anything that would have created the havoc he was going through.

A short time later, he came down with a serious illness, life threatening, but still managed to find the strength to give thanks in his prayers.

His wife and friends asked him to just give up, to let go of holding onto life, and his gratitude so strongly, so that he could end his personal suffering. But he refused, and instead everyday just went deeper into gratitude for what he still did have.

Yes, he also questioned God, wondering how all of this tragedy could have entered his life. And right after that, went to praise.

A while later, his life began to turn around. His health returned, his wealth returned even greater than before, and he had more children with his wife. An amazing experience!

The one grounding force during all of his trials was his daily gratitude for what he did have in life. A powerful testament to the power of thankful prayers.

Slow down, as you deal with stress today, feel the discomfort and then go to praise, to prayers of gratitude for all that you do have in life.

Love, peace, Rev. David www.davidessel.com

(the above story, is the story of Job, from the Old Testament)

One Book: A Life Changing/Life Crisis Experience

The following story is true, as are all my articles, yet this one is about how one book changed someones world. And, how in the midst of crisis, if we are open to the messages in the books around us, our life can be changed too.

After our weekly church service a week ago(please see www.churchofspirituallight.org ), a very dear friend John, who I had not seen in several months, came to me to purchase a copy of my spiritual novel "Heaven on Earth: God Speaks Through The Heart of A Young Monk." That afternoon he went to visit his father and was surprised to see him in an angry and upset mood.

When he found out the reason for his upset, he spent several hours trying to help him to calm down, to no avail. On his way out of his dad's home, he turned and offered him my book and said if you want to read it great, if not call me later and I'll come back and pick it up. He really had no reason to believe his dad would read it in his current state, but had no idea of what else he could do to help him out.

Several hours passed and then surprisingly his dad did call and in an amazingly positive mood! He went on to tell John that the reason for the drastic change in his attitude was the book about the Monk! He went on and on to his son about how the book changed his life, and how he wanted all of his friends to read this book as well.

As the author, I can tell you that this story meant the world to me. You see, in the creative arts, or the healing arts, many of us do the work out of pure love, not just to get the accolades of these fields. And quite honestly, if we were in it for the applause, the waiting might get pretty depressing! Doing what you love, because you are drawn to this type of work is the reason we follow our dreams. If we write a best seller, then our first thanks is always to the notion that maybe we can help more people to change their lives versus fewer, then secondly would be the financial rewards, or the notoriety of fame.

I know that the same thing that happened to John's dad has happened to me as well. Books have changed my life. From Viktor Frankels "Man's Search for Meaning" to the biography of Helen Keller, reading about people on deep spiritual paths, as The Monk showed us in my book, can lead us deeper and deeper into a path of peace, love and joy.

I share this story with humility, and gratitude for John's willingness to let me know how his dad has changed. And the hope that if you are in a stressful place, that you too might grab a book to lift your spirits as well.

One book, might be all it takes to change your very existence right now.

Love, peace, David www.davidessel.com

The Joy of Sex ...Now

As I listen to my clients concerns on a weekly basis, there seems to be an overwhelming loss of connection sexually with many of them and their partners.

Some blame the stress of the economy, others the rising responsibilities of family, school, and the juggling of other activities.

It concerns me greatly when I see a trend like this, as sex, sensuality and the deep intimacy that arises from this between two people is one of the greatest gifts relationships offer.

We hold, kiss, stroke and join in sexual union as to experience the divine and the human in one beautiful dance.

So when this is gone, or diminishes greatly, what are we left with???

Instead of answering that question, I'd rather have you focus on what we have, how deep our relationships can go...when we make sure that physical intimacy of all types.... from the holding of hands in public, to the text just to say hi, to a slow kiss, gazing in your lovers eyes, to the joining, releasing, and then joining again in sexual union ...stays a priority in your life right now.

Slow down.

Create a deeper bond regardless of what's going on in your outer world, by committing today to keep your inner world fulfilled through the regular act of sexual intimacy.

Love, peace, David Essel www.talkdavid.com