"I have been a witness, and these pictures are

my testimony. The events I have recorded should

not be forgotten and must not be repeated."

-James Nachtwey-

"Know I am with you, ready to comfort, strengthen, and guide." –El Shaddai

“Know I am with you, ready to sustain, teach, and purify.” –Jehovah Jirah

heal this arrogant heart; I have not been a blameless ambassador for Your Great Name, please, let my foolishness not..

Stretch:: 1. Gracilis Muscle. 2. Iliopsoas Muscles. 3. External Abdominal Oblique Muscles.

Destress:: 1. Laugh out loud. 2. Clean the clutter. 3. Drink some orange juice. 4. Sing a song. 5. Take a walk. 6. Use Aromatherapy.

BetterDay:: 1. Make your bed. 2. Pack a snack (fruit,nuts) 3. Clear your desk. 4. Pump up the music. 5. Sniff a lemon! 6. Stretch! 7. Meditate&Breathe. 8. Keep a gratitude diary. 9. Turn off your electronics. 10. Prioritize.

5-10minEveryHour::

Change the scenery. If you're inside, go out. Upstairs? Go downstairs. The important thing is to move away from the desk or computer you’ve been glued to and focus on something else.

Take a good look around. Go outside, walk around, and really take in the sights, sounds, and smells. Describe the sky using as many adjectives as you can (fluffy, serene, wispy). How many birds can you count? What do you smell?

Get minty. Studies suggest peppermint makes you more alert mentally and physically. Enjoy peppermint candy or gum, take a whiff of peppermint oil, or even take a brain break to brush your teeth.

Be mindful. Meditation clears your thoughts and helps you focus your mind. It's easy: Sit or lie down in a quiet location away from your project. Breathe deeply and slowly through your nose. Focus your attention on a specific object (a pillow), image (a secluded beach), or mantra (a word like "calm" or "peace"). Keep at it until you feel relaxed and centered.

Energy:: 1. Eat your breakfast. oatmeal, grapenuts. 2. Do a downward dog. 3. Belt out your favorite tune. 4. Have a drink of water. 5. Go nuts. (almonds) 

The purpose of shifting your focus is to temporarily get your mind off whatever challenge has it tied up in knots. "Disengage from whatever is so stressful, and then come back to it," Fabick recommends.

Here are a few tricks that will help clear your mind and return you to problem solving refreshed and renewed:

• Choose something mindless. Play solitaire on your computer. Watch a funny video online. Clean out your refrigerator or organize your office filing cabinet. Give your brain a rest, and you'll have a clean slate for when you come back to problem solving.
• Switch gears. Instead of doing something mindless, another option is to do something mindful to get your brain occupied -- but in a different direction. Work on a crossword or jigsaw puzzle, or read a chapter of a thought-provoking book. The goal is to occupy yourself with a pleasant task, which provides the energy to regroup later.
• Walk away. Literally. Take a break from whatever you're doing and go outside for a walk. Exercise not only reinvigorates your body, but it also sends oxygen-rich blood surging to your brain. Research suggests that exercise might even trigger the growth of new brain cells. You’ll feel better after the physical activity, and the original problem will seem more manageable.
• Take a breather. If you're really worked up over a problem, what you need is some stress relief. Try whatever works for you, whether it's yoga, deep breathing, meditation, prayer, or just having a good laugh with a friend.

PEACE CORPS.

You need an understanding of people’s culture and a willingness to see things from their perspective, not require them to adjust to yours. -Dan McDonald (Volunteer in Thailand)

In many cultures, it’s the process that matters and not the outcome, so the ways in which you interact and communicate with people may become much more important than the things you actually achieve. -Karen Voetsch (Volunteer in Guinea)

It takes accepting that you don’t always have all the answers. You have to be willing and open to having your own assumptions, sensations, and world view challenged and questioned almost daily. -Helen Perry (Volunteer in Morocco)