While technology is a crucial tool for human beings to connect to the outside world, build businesses and stay informed our pace has reached such a point that over-connectivity can be a very real problem for all of us. Incessant phone calls; endless Internet overload and constant noise–all of these things have brought a lot of chatter to our lives.

It is essential from time to time to slow down, unplug and heal our minds so we can hear our own inner voice and listen to our spirit. For this reason, I have been looking at different areas of life where I can slow down and unplug. I will be taking a fall sabbatical from writing LI weekly tips. Please enjoy blog archives to stay inspired with your health and happiness.

Take a moment to look at your own life and ask “what would be the benefit for unplugging?” Where can you unplug, in small and big ways, to get reconnected to your spirit? Can you turn off your phone for a few hours on the weekend? Take a day off from being on the computer? Take some action to do so. The benefits can be profound. Unplug!

Summer is a great time of year to focus on feeling good and finding humor in your life. Make a point this week to laugh at least once a day. Laughing will trigger a release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, and help you to feel optimistic.

Here are some fun ways to create laughter in your day:
Tell a joke.
Watch a comedy.
Practice “laughter” yoga.
Smile, just because.
Be silly.
Hang out with kids.

Not only will a laugh a day keep you young, it will keep you healthy.

I could hear that what Joe needed was some prodding questions to help him shift his perspective. By shifting his perspective, Joe could begin to see where he needed to take action in order to move forward and deal effectively with his emotions, creating an even better situation for himself.

If Joe continued to ask himself the question, “What is wrong with me?” he would likely find himself facing few proactive options, obscuring his view of his talents, and what next action step might be most advantageous for him to take.

How does Joe’s story relate to you and me? Think of a time when you have faced a challenge or ventured into unknown territory. Now, recall the questions you asked yourself that helped you to chart your direction. The questions you asked yourself, or, more importantly, the questions you didn’t ask yourself, have a monumental impact in shaping your life’s direction.

It’s simple. Ask better questions. Get better results. You will go further, faster by focusing on the right questions. Asking the right questions helps you to transform your challenging life situations, unveil new opportunities, and reveal possibilities you may have otherwise missed.

And what might those questions be, you may ask yourself? According to Dr. Adams, founder of the Inquiry Institute, we get the best results by using “Learner Questions,” which lead to discovery, understanding, connection, and accountability versus “Judger Questions,” which more often lead to overwhelm, narrow-mindedness, regret, and blame.

I consider “Learner Questions” to be life inspiring, which add energy to your life and “Judger Questions” to be life draining, which suck the life force energy right out of you.

For example, the difference between asking, “Why is this happening to me?” (a life draining question) to “What can I learn from this situation?” or “How is this situation useful for my personal growth?” (a life inspiring question) will make all the difference in how you feel about your circumstance and, therefore, how you respond to it.

Where life-draining questions evoke a feeling of victimhood and a loss of power, life-inspiring questions presuppose that you are in a place of power, creativity, and possibility.

Take a look at this list of life draining questions and life inspiring questions.

How can you apply life inspiring questions to your personal process? Where are you feeling stuck or frustrated? Do you have a relationship that is getting you down? Are you burning out at your job? Notice if you are being a judger or a learner. Make the switch from asking life draining questions to asking life inspiring questions. It is a simple strategy. You can do it!

The goal is to integrate life inspiring questions into your daily life.

Switching from asking life draining questions and being in “judger” mode starts with observation. When you catch yourself judging, which is perfectly normal, pause, take a deep breath, and shift into your “learner” mindset by asking life inspiring questions. Pull from the list above, print it out, put it in your pocket, and place it on the fridge.

Joe discovered that asking himself “What do I want?” got him back on track and out of the dog-chasing-tail question loop of “What’s wrong with me?” Joe then asked, “How can this be my best opportunity ever?” Joe connected to his deeper passions, which were not being fulfilled at his old job, and then asked, “What are my next best action steps to achieve my new career goals?” Joe gave himself time to vent his frustration appropriately and found it helpful to write out his feelings, so he could move on with a clean slate.

“Way to go Joe!”

Got good questions? What are some of your favorite empowering questions? Write in and share them…

Come up with great questions for self-inquiry and simplify your life. Ask yourself, “What one question will take me to the most effective answer and action for my desired outcome?” For example if I would like to improve my wellness, I may ask, what one thing can I do today that will make the most difference in my overall wellness? While the answer may change daily, the effectiveness of the question (to deliver good answers) remains consistent.  Today’s response, for me, was to drink a tall glass of water.  Gulp, gulp, done.

Where do you need to smarten and simplify your life? If it’s in the area of wellness ask, “What one thing can I do today that will make the most difference in my overall wellness?”   Now, do it.  If there is another area of your life that needs simplification ask a great question that pertains to that area of your life. Get your answer and take action.

Have a great week and remember to make a point to ask great questions!

Poor neck posture leads to head, neck, and shoulder pain. Daily activities such as working on the computer, driving, and sleeping (with bad posture) all promote a forward head posture.

Give your head, neck, and shoulders a break this week. Practice awareness, stretch, and get your head back over your shoulders, not in front of them!

1.

2.  “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” – Eckhart Tolle

3.  “Believing what you want equals what is best for you is a dead end. It makes the mind stiff, inflexible, caught in a picture of reality, rather than open to the wisdom of the way of it.” – Byron Kaitie

4.  “When things look like they are falling apart, they are actually falling into divine place.  The divine place they should be for everyone involved.” – Iyalana Vanzant

5.  “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” – Denis Waitley

The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they’ll ease
Your will they’ll mend
And charge you not a shilling.
~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990

Be sure to visit the “doctor” this week!

Oprah is a woman who shamelessly speaks her truth while paving the path for others to do so. In addition, Oprah’s self-honesty coupled with her interviewing skills have helped millions of people create shifts in the way they see themselves and their lives. Oprah truly demonstrates the power of authentic living.

While I haven’t owned a TV in over ten years, I became an Oprah fan by viewing The Oprah Winfrey Show: 20th Anniversary Collection DVD set. On a whim I checked out the series from my local library. The collection compiles some of the most touching and surprising moments of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Viewers are taken behind the scenes while Oprah talks about some of her most memorable “a-ha” moments, celebrity interviews, and Oprah creations such as “Oprah’s Angel Network.” Talk about inspiring!

Last week, through synchronicity and divine timing, I discovered that Oprah is continuing her timeless pursuit to help you and me have a better life. The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) is generously offering a free series of “lifeclasses” to help individuals OWN and reclaim their personal power.

The series includes five, sixty minute classes, featuring experts on personal growth. Speakers include world famous authors Eckhart Tolle, Cheryl Richardson, Martha Beck, and Iyanla Vanzant. Topics include identifying the power of the false ego, letting go of anger, you become what you believe, the truth will set you free, and creating a joyful life.

If you have been experiencing any challenges, feeling blocked, or stuck in any way I highly recommend participating in this learning opportunity. Give yourself the gift of watching the free replays OWN is now offering online. You may just discover some of the hidden territory that has been holding you back. I certainly did. I found so much value in the class series I simply had to pass it on to you! http://www.oprah.com/oprahs-lifeclass/oprahs-lifeclass-classes.html