Sometimes I Forget to Breathe!

By Bill Shade

Saturday night and things are really getting ready to

rock! I have four 4-tops working, am getting ready to

pick up someone elses 6-top, and it looks like I

could get double seated with two more 2-tops!! The

kitchen is not backed up, the bell seems to ring every

two seconds, and the back waiters are helping other

staff. Now the 6-top is seated and a gentleman wants

to have an in depth conversation about the wine list.

My jaw is getting tight, my mind is racing, "Next

right thing, next right thing" and suddenly I realize

I have not taken a deep relaxing breath for at least

an hour!! I am flying on the waiters high adrenaline!

Hating the chaos, yet loving the feeling. Wondering

if I can avoid a total slam, wondering if I can make

people happy enough to leave at least 18%. This pace

continues for several more hours. The kitchen gets

backed up and now I must mix diplomacy with the chaos

as a guest begins to get the "WHERE IS MY FOOD" look!

Then, almost as quickly as it started, it is over. I

present checks, see how I rated with my critics the

tips, and start to break down and reset for tomorrow's

madness. The question I ask myself is, "Is their

another way to do this?" If there is, would I use a

new calmer method or do I really just love the rush?

Can I manage myself in such a manner that I travel on

a more even plane or am I simply an adrenaline junkie

disguised as a waiter? Yes, it is fun, yet is it

healthy? Playing chicken with 18 wheelers can be

exhilarating, yet it can be life ending!! The things

that used to thrill me in my youth, I now sometimes

question their value in my maturation process! Could I

do this work with a little less stress and some

greater peace? I have a feeling I am going to give it

a try! BREATHE BILL, BREATHE!

For more info contact Bill Shade at  wwshade@bcinet.net

His business is One Who Waits. "Turning plate

carriers into professional servers"

Today, Western medical and scientific studies are

proving again and again what the Eastern health

traditions have known for centuries: when we breathe

well, we create the optimum conditions for health and

well-being.

Let It Go!

By Suzie Dawson

Last issue I spoke about feeling stuck and change.

This issue, I would like to give another solution to

feeling stuck. If you are having a problem in your

business or in your life and have not been able to

find a solution; I offer this. Let it go.

Too often we go around and around in our heads trying

to figure out the solution to a problem. All this

does is cause frustration. Besides that, it is

ineffective. Too many times I have spoken to clients

with this same issue. They will say things like, "No

matter what I do, things do not seem to change." The

answer is to let it go.

This does not mean to not take action. This means to

state what you want, ask for guidance from within or

above, and trust that the answer will come. What do

you have to lose? Spinning circles in your head isnt

working. Why not try something new?

My challenge to you this week is to try out this idea.

Take something that has been a persistent challenge

to you and LET IT GO for a day!! That right,

completely release it and trust that the answer will

come. If it doesnt, what have you lost? One day of

frustration from constantly thinking about it? You

can probably spare that. I guarantee that if you will

completely let it go, and TRUST that the answer will

come- it will. Maybe not immediately, but certainly

sooner than if you keep trying to figure it out in

your head. By doing this, you may actually allow

yourself to enjoy life for a day!

The dessert pick for the week is "The Breathing Book"

by Donna Farhi. This book has many exercises and

insights to help you learn to relax and let go. If

you are interested in a more peaceful existence,

proper breathing is the place to start. It is the

perfect tool for reducing stress and instilling a

sense of peace within.