2013-05-22T18:55:49-04:00 Barbara Berezowski http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/author/index.php?author=barbara-berezowski Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Barbara Berezowski Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2707490 2013-02-19T13:18:03-05:00 2013-04-21T05:12:02-04:00

Barbara Berezowski http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-berezowski/
I know we are all busy going about our daily tasks, sometimes in a mad rush, with no time to think. We miss meetings with friends because of work, we sometimes skip meals because of deadlines, and there are times when we should take a vacation but cancel that, too. Stress is a major concern in today's society and there are too many of us falling by the wayside as a result. Learn to handle matters in a more reasonable way. Don't lose perspective on life, and be kinder to yourself. How can you function effectively if you continue living at this pace? How can you be healthy living with all this stress and negativity? To experience an exceptional life on the outside, you must nurture exceptionally positive values on the inside. You cannot be angry or resentful and expect to achieve true happiness.

It's a cliché, but stop and smell the roses. Remember to take the time to relax and breathe. Love life, love your family, love your significant other, love your pets, love your friends and even your enemies. You must put yourself into a better place and be in a positive frame of mind at all times. Know that we all have an incredible amount of infinite love inside of us and we were given that gift to share.

Love is happiness. Disperse some of that powerful energy throughout your daily routine with everyone you come across today and every day. Be passionate about life -- when you are, you will find your actions will open all sorts of possibilities for you to succeed. You have another chance every day to start over. As you awaken, decide to be the best you can be. If you failed the day before it doesn't matter, because you tried. Today you will have the chance to try again. With this attitude, you will eventually succeed.

A smile, a thank you, a compliment, a helping hand, giving an ear to listen, giving a shoulder to cry on -- these are all the little things that you can do. Share your goodness and love with everyone you meet, even if it is someone you've just met. A warm, heartfelt, sincere greeting and a big, beautiful smile have a tremendous effect. That is my simple, inspirational message to you. It doesn't take much effort to share love, and the surprising thing is that the level of love in you to give will never run out. The love tank is never empty. The more you share of yourself and the more love you give out, the more love comes back to you! Find inspiration in that fact. It's an unlimited supply; it's a never-ending cycle. Be happy and share the love!

We all just recently celebrated another Valentine's Day. To many, it was a day to express love and affection. Unfortunately, for some others it was viewed as another reason to complain about commercialism. However, all that aside, loved ones everywhere, both young and old, do rejoice in the fact that they have found that special someone to share their life with. Traditionally, it is a day for sweethearts and is celebrated with cards, letters, hearts, flowers, chocolate and jewelry. How nice, another chance to celebrate the beautiful things in life.

To my dismay, I hear so many complaints about the day: "It's so commercial!" and "Oh, it's just another excuse for the stores to hike up the prices of roses," etc. Personally, I am a fan of Valentine's Day, but not merely for the tokens and gifts expressing love. It is for the message of the occasion itself. It delivers such a positive message. Do not lose sight of the purpose and the importance of showing kindness and affection; and if you're passionate about life, you'll understand that feeling and continue it through the whole year. All gifts from the heart, whether they are tangible or little acts of kindness, show others how much you care and appreciate them.

There are so many ways of expressing your love and you can be really creative in your delivery. This is a big world and life is full of ups and downs but through it all, there is one universal emotion that helps you get through it: love.

Always remember that love is the core to everything wonderful. Anything and everything is possible when you remember to add a bit of love into the recipe. Celebrate your love each and every day. Do it by expressing your feelings and thinking of little things to do to show how you feel. Make a cup of coffee for your mate, or leave a little love note before you go off to work. Be creative and have fun. Use your imagination when thinking up different ways to show how you feel... always. If you live your life with goodness and gratitude, you will realize that love is all around you.

Let your actions be that ray of sunshine in someone's day. When you have a passion for life and you are feeling good, it is so easy to be generous with that emotion. Love, in all its forms, is meant to be shared.

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Barbara Berezowski http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-berezowski/
I realized early that I seemed to have a positive effect on people. I never sat myself down to try to figure out why; it was just a nice feeling, and I went with it. I was just being me. Now, as an adult, I see that I have always lived my life this way. It has come to me in the most natural of ways. There have been many people that have mentored me along my path, and I am grateful to have received their love, encouragement and teachings. I truly believe that I was put on this earth to receive and pass along these messages of motivation and to help others to be happy. Having a positive attitude toward life is the foundation of living a happy life.

It is not my intention to come across as some kind of mythical fairy sprinkling pixie dust over the world, magically making people walk around with perma-smiles on their faces. That happy image, where everything seems perfect in a sanitized world, where everyone has a perfect little family, lives in perfect little houses on perfect little streets, wearing their perfect little outfits and so on, is more like an opening scene of a Hollywood horror flick... and just as fake. Quite the contrary, life can be difficult at times, and I have had my share of trials and tribulations, but I have always looked at the big picture and dealt with issues the best way I knew how.

I am convinced that we all have a choice: to be positive and work through it, or not. Allowing your inner child to always shine through is a powerfully-wonderful positivity factor. Don't be afraid to be a grown up kid at times -- let your guard down and just be. It is a quality you'll find in the most endearing people.

Have faith and be open to the possibilities and everything will find its place. How many times have you heard someone say, "Don't worry, it'll work out," but you didn't feel confident that it would? You most likely felt that way because you didn't believe that it would. With positivity, you look at that same statement in an entirely different way. I want to encourage you to look at life and live in a positive way so that you can become a believer in the possibilities. It is not a unique or new concept. In fact, over the years, it has been a subject visited and revisited many times over, yet somehow the simplicity of the plan is still lost on so many.

If you find yourself in a place where you are hungry for change and you know in your heart that it is time to take on something new, then I congratulate you. This is progress, and when you progress, you are accomplishing. Your motivation will lead to achievements make you feel more alive. You need to act on these feelings.

Welcome everything with open arms. Be open to possibilities. Life is wonderful, and there are so many doors to open and windows to peek through. Why not do more than that? Be brave and adventurous and take a step outside. When you apply the positivity factor to live your life, your mind, your body and your spirit will be in synchronicity with one another, and this will make you more open to exploring something new. You will have harmony and be at peace. Imagine all the adventures that lay ahead.

How exciting!

For more by Barbara Berezowski, click here.

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Barbara Berezowski http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-berezowski/
I am on a mission to make this world a kinder, more gentler place. I am witnessing so many incidents lately where a simple act of kindness could have resolved the situation with a much more positive outcome.

In today's world, there is such a fast pace to keep up with and there is a stress level that is raising the roof. People have become overwhelmed with the pressures of life resulting in a cold and selfish environment. It's detrimental to life, happiness and health. There is too much indifference to the core values that we were taught and unfortunately, it is becoming commonplace. It's not right.



Don't accept this outcome. Make an effort to change this. Kindness does matter. The act alone is good spiritual practice is something that always has a win-win outcome. It's simple and it doesn't take much of an effort. In fact, we should all be doing our part by consciously doing something nice for someone each and every day.

A good place to start is by practicing good manners. Be more aware of the good manners you were taught as a child. Lead by example and influence everyone around you. Young children are taught good manners but for many, it is a forgotten art by the time they hit their teens. Kindness and good manners are lifelong activities and it shows respect to each other. Consistency is the key when making something a habit and kindness and good manners are a good habit. I want to make this second nature to everyone.

Have you witnessed any situations where you saw good manners lacking? What actions do you think could have made a difference? I am committed to living life in a positive way and I want to influence others to do the same. I find it sad that some people are so oblivious to their actions and lack of manners, that they go about their day in a self-absorbed bubble. How many times have you approached a doorway and the person ahead of you lets the door close quickly behind them and in front of your face? What happened to good manners?

Instead, isn't it nice when that person ahead of you takes a moment to hold it open for you, knowing that you are just one step behind? What does that act result in? That first do-gooder showed an act of kindness, the second person realizes this and expresses gratitude. It's a win-win situation. There is a great positive energy in this activity. Both these people are in tune with positivity and as a result will become more aware of the goodness in that.

This positive event is contagious; every person has the ability to spark that positive flame by continually acting in this manner. Now look at the second person in this scenario...they will now be more conscious of holding the door open for the person behind them, and so on and so on.

Practice good manners. It's that simple! Delivering this message is something we need to be more aggressive about or the status-quo remains. Let it begin with you and me. Make a difference. You can all do your part by actively and passionately living your life with this positive action.

If you already live your life this way, I congratulate you! I need you to help me get my message out there.

A call to action: Bring back good manners!

I want this blog post be a starting point to raise the awareness of the importance of good manners.

Tell me about what you did today to make a positive difference.

Use this as a guideline:

My act of kindness today was...]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2076581 2012-11-06T10:27:37-05:00 2013-01-06T05:12:01-05:00

Barbara Berezowski http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-berezowski/
Regardless of how frustrating it can be, you owe it to yourself to find a way to make it work. Rather than buckling under the pressure of an impossible to-do list, you should take a moment to view the larger perspective.

Picture the CEO of a large organization doing every single task on his/her own to make that company operate. Can you realistically envision this as a successful operation? Impossible - it can't and won't happen. If left to that one individual to do it all, it will have the end result of one of two outcomes; a company that goes under because it is not running to optimal productivity or a CEO that has failing health because of trying to do it all alone. You know that it takes a good plan, extreme organization and a great strategy to operate effectively and prosper at anything.

You must first realize that you have to lighten the load or it will weigh you down, both physically and mentally. The first step to sanity and inner peace is learning how to delegate some of the responsibility to other people. You may choose to hire a virtual assistant or ask someone to take on some of your chores; for example, trading childcare duties with another parent. In addition, you might find places where you can shift your expectations in ways that make life easier. For example, expecting yourself to create a healthy home-cooked meal every night after a full day of work, errands, or caring for an infant or toddler may be a bit excessive. Allow yourself to order in food once in a while, without any guilt. Accepting the adjustments needed to make your life work is an essential ingredient to being at peace with your situation.

At the end of the day, you must come to terms with changing what you can and accepting what you cannot change. Sometimes the laundry piles up, a sick child demands more of your attention than usual, and you temporarily get behind with your schedule. Accepting this momentary state of affairs and trusting in your ability to get back on track when the time is right, you gracefully accept your life as it is, letting go of perfectionism and embracing life as it stands.

Helpful Stress Management Tips:

Prioritize your tasks
- tackle your most important issues first and get them out of your way

Break projects into small steps
- with each action item checked off your list; you are closer to completion

Be open to the possibilities
- be willing to compromise - there may be a better way or solution

Balanced schedule
- plan out your day to accomplish the most

Don't over commit yourself
- keep your workload manageable to better handle stress

Plan regular breaks
- it's always good to re-energize, it leads to better performance

Good food choices and exercise
- a good maintenance plan will ensure longevity

Love your family, love your friends, love your pets, love your life but most importantly, love yourself! You are as precious as a diamond, allow yourself to sparkle. It is important to feel happiness. If you don't love everything in your life, make some changes to enable yourself to do it. If you hate your job, look for ways to make it more enjoyable or look for something else. It does no good to feel miserable about something and just let it be. Be motivated to take some positive action to make things better. When you love yourself, you will see and experience everything in a more positive light. Be inspired and motivate yourself to live a better and more positive life.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1732592 2012-08-02T09:27:09-04:00 2012-10-02T05:12:06-04:00

Barbara Berezowski http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-berezowski/
The event was very entertaining with a lot of special effects that left one constantly wondering what was next. Personally, I liked how the individual petals were brought into the stadium with each country and then placed onto the arms of the Olympic Torch. The design was quite artistic and watching the individual arms raise together to form a caldron was beautiful, however, I do believe that the placement of the caldron should have been somewhere outside the stadium for everyone to see and experience.

The Londoners have all contributed to these games in some way and it is a shame that this symbol is hidden away to only those lucky enough to be inside the stadium walls. All in all though, it was a great opening night and a great success to start off these 2012 London Olympic Games.

As an Olympian, there is a very special emotion that I feel when I see the Olympic flag being marched into the stadium. It symbolizes everything that the hours, days and years of hard work and dedication lead up to. This is as big as it gets; the top of the mountain. Every athlete there, wearing the colours of their homeland, understands this emotion and it is an incredible sense of pride that is felt. The feeling in the air is one of positivity and hope. The dreams have now become realities and the jobs they are there to do have now begun. Canada's representation has been amazing. Our athletes are wonderful Ambassadors both on and off the playing field and we are assured of a new crop of fans with each showing.

When you watch these games, I'd like you to look at each event with a new perspective. Look deeper into what you are witnessing. Imagine the pressure these athletes are feeling to perform at their best. It is incredible. Viewers don't realize how difficult it is for competitors to get a restful sleep or proper nutrition when there is so much nervous energy and millions of butterflies in their stomachs. They are seasoned but they are still dealing with the same emotions that you feel. Yes, they have been trained and you expect them to perform but it's not as easy as Ready, Set, Go... and WIN. Think of it a different way... imagine yourself doing what you do best, whether it is your job or a hobby and now do it in front of millions and remember you only get one chance to do it right.

There is a whole plethora of feelings and emotions and thoughts to control. Firstly, there is the anticipation of competing and that in itself can be quite daunting. Your mind never rests because there is a constant barrage of thoughts. Meditation and visualization is key, when it comes to the preparation that leads up to the start of any event. Everything must come together, at the perfect moment, in perfect synchronicity, to give it your best shot. These athletes are very prepared and the adrenalin is pumping.

There are many differences, even with elite athletes, when a management plan is developed. Each individual has their own unique style of handling the situation at hand. There are some that become very quiet and don't mutter a word; there are some that talk non-stop. In the moments leading up to stepping into the starting blocks, some move about like a caged animal and there are some that remain motionless. All the while, there are thoughts racing through the mind at an incredible speed.

Coaching staff are extremely aware of the fact that each individual is unique and flexibility in how athletes are handled and prepared is imperative. Some need that last push of motivation and inspiration, others need to be left alone. It is a delicate balance. One thing is for sure, there is drive and passion in each participant there, so whether they win, place or show...or not... they are all champions.

They have all honed their skills to an incredible level and that's why they are all Olympians.

Canada's first medal win of the London games has come with the bronze medal performance by Emilie Heyman and Jennifer Abel in synchronized diving. How wonderful to see this pair on the podium. A veteran and virtual youngster teamed together with a very successful finish. They have made their friends, family and country extremely proud. More than that, they have realized their dream, one now that they will forever hold dear to their hearts. There are many more events to watch, many more athletes trying to achieve their goals. I'd like you to watch with a new perspective; try to imagine what it is these athletes are feeling as they give it their all. You'll have a better understanding of what they are experiencing. Let's send them some positive energy and cheer them on.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1701740 2012-07-27T12:31:54-04:00 2012-09-26T05:12:33-04:00

Barbara Berezowski http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-berezowski/
As many other children growing up in Canada often do, I was involved in sports as an extra activity. I chose to focus on figure skating and took lessons and practiced for tests and local competitions but never did I ever imagine that I would become an Olympian. That is what indeed happened and my journey to the Olympics was an amazing adventure to say the least.

Even before I became aware of the possibility of becoming a Canadian Olympic team member, I always felt the Olympic Games were amazing. Fast forward the time machine to today's age and one could safely label the Olympic Games as an outstanding extravaganza. It is always evolving into something bigger and better than the one before. With the Olympic Committee's wise decision to change the schedule for the venue to be held every two years now, splitting the winter and summer games into their own four year intervals, we no longer have to wait the long four years to enjoy the experience. With this change, we have the opportunity to witness unbelievable bouts of strength, speed, skill and endurance every two years and with each host country taking the Olympic reins, we are invited into a new culture.

I was so excited that first moment I heard my name announced as a Member of the Canadian Olympic Team. I felt an unbelievable sense of National Pride when I put on my Red and White Team uniform with CANADA written across it. I had to pinch myself to prove I wasn't dreaming. The Winter Games I competed in were in Innsbruck, Austria and that meant a trip to Europe which excited me because it was always fun to experience life in a different environment. It meant different food, a different language, a different audience and a different view.

I still vividly remember arriving at Olympic Village and registering as a participant. Around me were athletes and officials from all over the world and from all different sports. This was much bigger than even a World Figure Skating Championship because there were suddenly skiers, speed skaters, hockey players, ski jumpers, bobsledders, etc. all around me. I found it difficult to absorb everything because there was always so much activity around me. To help explain that, I was so taken aback by everything that I managed only to take about two snapshots the entire time I was there. Hard to believe because I have always been someone who takes countless photographs of even a simple trip to the beach! What was I thinking? To this day, I cannot believe it. It was even difficult to sleep because of all the emotions. Today, when I see athletes at the Olympic Ceremonies taking countless pictures, I can appreciate their enthusiasm because I have felt that very same thrill and then I smile and say, "good for them... they'll have pictures to look back on, one day!"

The media coverage today is exceptional. They really capture the essence of the movement. They bring all sorts of human interest stories and mini travelogues into our living rooms and we learn to appreciate and embrace the world's differences. From the first moments of the official Opening Ceremony, with all the sights and sounds and creativity of the show to the entrance of the athletes and lighting of the flame, the spirit builds. With the daily events with all the stories and results and interviews, there is a constant energy force that is continually fed and it builds and grows until it reaches the peak of excitement. Sadly though, it does come to an end but before the media coverage is over, we thankfully get one last dose of exhilaration. We get to experience the final Closing Ceremony.

As an Olympian watching the Games on TV now, I still remember the feelings and thoughts I had in Innsbruck and I reflect back on it fondly and with great pride. The most difficult part for me to watch is the extinguishing of the flame, it gets me every time. For an athlete, there is an unexplainable sadness that comes with that manoeuvre, perhaps it is because that dream is done.

The remedy is to cherish the memories and look forward. With every Olympics, we are assured to have an action packed, thrilling experience filled with amazing stories of hopes, dreams and wishes. There will be those that will see their dreams come true, perhaps resulting in a gold, silver or bronze medal and with that the promise of fame and fortune. Every dream is different, there may be some of just finishing and that should be looked at as a success, too. There will also be hopes dashed and dreams crushed. There is always the dreaded possibility for injury or disqualification or for a finish of fourth, or seventh, or 19th, or 115th place. Not all of these stories will be of those that are medal worthy; however, they are successes nonetheless. These gifted athletes represent the best their countries have to offer and they achieved greatness the moment they qualified as an Olympic participant.

Every participant at the Olympics qualified as the best. The medals simply go to the best of the best.
Viewers must not lose sight of the fact that there are no losers at the Olympics. As you watch these athletes march onto the Olympic stage in the Opening Ceremony, appreciate all the years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice that was necessary for them to make this journey. They are already successful, they made it. There are many more back in their home countries that had that same dream of qualifying too.

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London is just about to begin and it promises to be a spectacular event. I await the Opening Ceremony with great anticipation and I will be glued to my TV to take in as much as the airwaves will bring me. As an Olympian, I encourage you to tune in as well and enjoy the experience. As you watch, take in all the excitement, feel the positive energy and remember to appreciate the efforts of the organizers, committee members, officials, coaches, athletes and their families. It is a monumental task taken on by so many to make this a success.

Realize whether these athletes and teams medal or not, they have achieved greatness in their field, every one of them is already a winner. After all, as they step onto the Olympic stage, they will become Olympians and they will forever be known as Olympians.

"Once an Olympian, Always an Olympian."]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1440381 2012-04-20T10:28:22-04:00 2012-06-20T05:12:02-04:00

Barbara Berezowski http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-berezowski/
Believe it or not, there is a simple solution. To find your way through the stressful situations in life, you must first take responsibility for your actions. Are you feeling stressed because of the challenges or by the way you are dealing with them? Your mismanagement of the issues is most likely the problem.

Take a deep relaxing breath and decide today to look at life with a positive outlook. Everything is possible. There is always a solution, especially when you are in a good place mentally, physically and spiritually. First, think about everything good in your life and be grateful for that. Then, roll up your sleeves and make the decision to do something about those energy-zapping stressors. Decide to tackle your chores with a positive attitude. When you focus with a positive approach, you will see that what is needed is a better management plan to ensure your life's journey is a little more enjoyable, with a lot less stress.

My advice to you is to always look at the big picture. Realize that life is short and you have to make the best of it. When you come face-to-face with a problem, don't stick your head in the sand like an ostrich waiting for the sandstorm to blow by. Face it and deal with it, as quickly as you can.

Challenges turn into problems, if they are left to fester. Procrastination fuels stress. By dealing with issues in a timely manner, you are effectively turning them into opportunities. With every opportunity, you are learning, growing and achieving. You will no longer be stuck in the mud. You will be moving onward and upward. Those items on the "To Do" list will disappear and you will be viewing your "Jobs Completed" list will pride and a great sense of satisfaction.

Negative sensations can enter into your life and become the unwanted guest that won't leave. Surround yourself with everything positive. Do things that make you happy. Remember to have fun and laugh a little. It's indeed good medicine and keeping things positive is a good health benefit. Follow the lead of the positive souls out there. You will find that is a great way to handle life's stressful moments.

There are a few simple things you can do to be ready to handle the stresses of life. A good place to start would be to seek out motivational messages, quotes and stories to lift your spirits. Make the commitment to develop and maintain an outlook that is positive.

Stay close to positive people and spend time with them. Their positivity will rub off on you and you will deal with issues in a more proactive way. They have managed life's challenges and are still smiling. There's a positive message in their happy demeanor and be receptive to that. Turn your life into a happy journey and enjoy each moment. With a positive attitude, those stresses of life will just be passing through and not taking up residence in your space.]]>