Economic crisis, plummeting markets, increasing un- employment, recession, depression, gloom and doom – it’s hard not to fixate on the news during times like these, right?

Nope, I’m not going there anymore.

Sure, for a week or so I was glued to CNN trying to make heads or tails of what was happening, wondering how this was going to affect my business, my husband’s job security, and my mom and dad as they prepare for retirement later this year.

But after about a week I noticed that I’d crossed some sort of tipping point.  A tipping point that positioned the news, at its best, as a source of useful information and, at its worst, as a feeding ground for that part of myself, which I call the “negative ego”, that thrives on negativity, chaos and fear.

But as they say, “where attention goes, energy flows.” Is this really where I want to place my attention… on gloom and doom?

Hell to the no!  So I decided to unplug and redirect my focus.

Quickly I began to reconnect with my virtual community of coaching colleagues and mentors.  They helped me remember what I’d temporarily forgotten - that this “chaos” is just evidence that we are on the precipice of a huge shift.

We are being forced to confront what we collectively created over the last few years, decades, and centuries, and with that, we have an opportunity to grow and transform.  We have an opportunity to awaken and evolve.

But to do that, we need to observe and learn while simultaneously redirecting our attention to what is possible and what we want to create moving forward.  It won’t happen if we hyper-focus on messages of fear and powerlessness.

Remember, where attention goes, energy flows.

So I ask you, where will you put your attention today - on the current circumstances or what is possible for the future?

Let today’s attention plant the seeds for positive change in your life and the world around you!

In the interest of all things natural, peaceful, and happy, I bring you laughter yoga.

On my college campus, there was a “Laughter Yoga” club, and I’d heard mixed reviews about it. However, one day when final exams rendered me incredibly grumpy, I decided to head over with my roommate to the “Laugh Chance” to participate in this club.

There were approximately twenty people all in a circle, in a grassy area on campus. As the meeting began, the sun was brighter than my mood.

Led by two other students, Sammi and Molly, we breathed deeply, in an adaptation of “yoga breathing,” and laughed as we introduced ourselves.

We then did a variety of games of “theme” laughter. For instance, “Kung-Fu” laughter involved pretending to kung fu fight, but instead of actually fighting we laughed. Each punch or kick was accentuated with a “Ha.” My personal favorite was “angry” laughter, in which we pretended to be angry, but instead of yelling, we laughed. My goodness, did we look awkward!

After the club meeting, we talked to Sammi, who turned out to be quite a kindred spirit. We chatted about a class we would be taking the next semester, the joys and frustrations of creating a Planned Studies major, and outdoor adventures. I made a new connection, sent out some positive vibes, and left feeling fantastic. Grumpy, to fantastic- here’s hoping the universe sapped up some of that positive energy!

If you are interested in learning more about laughter yoga, please visit: www.laughteryoga.org

Cheers to cheer,

~Amber~

And that means to relax and take three deep breaths.

As a triple fire sign (Leo sun, Aries moon, Aries, rising) I’m all about starting-up, movin’ and shakin’, and keeping the internal flame lit.  That combination, however, without balance can lead to burn-out. And that’s not good for me or anyone else. With the economy moving the way it has, and consumers now more careful and thoughtful about where their dollar is going, I started to think about the little joys in life that contribute to happiness on a daily basis.

Why not magnify those and use them as expressions of abundance?

Here are 3 ways to take pleasure in the small things in life:

Don’t obsess over numbers

For online entrepreneurs and bloggers (I’m speaking to myself, too) that means stop looking at your website traffic every hour. It’s draining and won’t do anything to speed up the process of creating your tribe. Tribes are what Seth Godin refers to as marketers and leaders, focused on building communities or creating products or spreading ideas. (He wrote a really awesome book about it.) By not looking at your numbers, you will also remove yourself from scarcity thinking (if your numbers are down and it happens to all of us at some point) so that you can focus on more important tasks at hand. It’s a simple thing that reduces stress which, in turn, makes us a lot happier.

For you budget-ers out there (that includes me), let your brain be free of numbers for several hours throughout the day. Thinking about it will simply reinforce scarcity thinking. Remember you are abundant in so many other ways, like community, friends, boyfriends and chocolate?

Think about what makes you happy

Happiness sometimes comes in the smallest of packages. It could be the simplest of things. For example, I’m way into the weekly show on ABC, ‘Brothers and Sisters’. I don’t have t.v. but I do have the Internet and once a week on Monday mornings, (while I’m making my crock pot dish for the week) I sit down at my kitchen table with the warm air of the heat blowing up onto my feet, and I watch it without any guilt. Simple, right? It’s also free and makes me happy.

Other ideas include drinking your favorite tea while sitting cross legged on the floor with a blanket draped over your shoulders. Or Skyping with your best friend on the phone who lives across the country in New York. (That’s free, too).

Magnify what you do have

This means get into the material things you’ve got around you in your home, room or apartment without any guilt. These ‘things’ are a reflection of you and have meaning. For example, I love my electric stove. I bought her when I moved into my home almost two years ago at George Smith, in (what they called) the Boneyard area; the place where perfectly good (and new) floor samples with scratches and dents find their way. It was love at first sight and every time I clean her I get really happy and grateful. That makes me feel abundant at a lower price. Take a look around you and focus on that lamp, chair or painting that you love and everytime you think about what you don’t have, shift back to what you do have. It works and contributes to happy times.

I know these small things don’t always make-up for the vacations we won’t be taking this year or the purchases we won’t be making because of new financial burdens. But life is so much more significant than that. We have so much abundance all around us like our friends, family, homes, pets, significant others, our health and much more. Let’s focus on that, shall we? It’s a challenging but great practice, and its benefits are many.

I’ve always been one to eat out. When I was a kid, it was McDonald’s; (okay, I admit it).

My mom would throw five bucks my way and I (the latch key kid) would skip my way over to the golden arches about ten blocks away with the biggest smile on my face. That was decadence back in the late 70’s, early 80’s.

As an adult, I became a vegetarian and, still, I liked to eat out. Portland is great that way with it’s abundance of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free restaurants and cafes.

Lately, however, I’ve been experimenting more with eating in and I’m feeling very abundant. My boyfriend and I decided to share crock pot meals each week. On Monday I make my crock pot dish and his turn is on Wednesday. We split both dishes which last for several meals.

I thought at first, I might feel scarce not treating myself to eating out. After all, the reason we started thinking this way was to save money and become more mindful where we were spending our dollars. The opposite has happened. We treat ourselves to organic ingredients and with all those yummy left-overs, I feel decadent and rich. The refrigerator seems more full than usual and I like it.

I noticed the difference this week in particular.  I’ve only spent $35 (so far) at the market and tomorrow, I’ll be treated to vegetarian Chili that I can’t wait to try.

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t ever dine out. I still do and I love it.  But now, I’m more particular about where I go, who I’m supporting, and where I’m spending my dollars.

It’s a important lesson in savings, sharing and getting creative. As we practice this ritual each week, I look forward to my next recipe and get excited about my new creations. In the process, I feel rich and very, very grateful.

Sounds simple right? Not so, say most humans. It’s just that time of the century when the speedometer of life is so accelerated, who has the time, right?

Wrong. It’s more important now than ever to take a day off, at least once a week or more (if you can) to restore your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

How does one take a day off exactly? Here are some dos and don’ts.

Stay away from your computer and cel phone

Probably the most challenging thing to do right? What I am suggesting is to make a habit of NOT going near your computer or cel phone on your day off. Actually, turn it off so you won’t even be tempted. Five minutes of computer time (just to check your e-mail) interrupts the relaxation process and balance that you are trying to achieve. Everything will be there just as you left it, when you return the following day.

Don’t get in your car

On your day off, choose to walk or stay home for the day. It’s a nice break when our mind can stay off the road, away from traffic and any stress associated with it.  Walking and biking are great forms of exercise, release stress and are a great excuse to breathe in some fresh air.

Hang out at home alone

This is one of my favorite things to do on my day off. It’s free and you can wear your pj’s (all day if you like). If you have kids, try and pre-arrange an activity for them to do away from the home. This day is all about you. Here are some ideas:

1) Light a fire and stare into it.

2) Read an engrossing novel.

3) Cuddle with your cat or dog.

4) Listen to soft music.

5) Read angel or tarot cards.

6) Take a bath.

7) Read your favorite magazine.

Indulge in chocolate.

9) Drink tea.

10) Wrap yourself in a blanket.

11) Meditate.

12) Stretch or do some yoga poses.

13) Write in your journal.

14) Be grateful.

15) Take a nap.

At first, your mind will challenge you and want you to do all the things on your to-do-list. Acknowledge the voice, accept that it is pressuring you, and just keep relaxing anyway. After a few times of taking ‘your day off’, your mind will start to calm down and the next thing you know you will be looking forward to your special day.

One last suggestion: No guilt allowed

Do not let any feelings of guilt or obligation get in the way of your day off. You work hard and deserve it. Wouldn’t you agree?