Do you feel like you’re constantly under pressure? Do you feel like you can’t catch a break? If so, you’re not alone. 

Stress is one of the biggest problems facing people today. 

Stress can be a debilitating emotion – it saps away at your energy, clouds your thinking, and makes the simple task of day-to-day life more difficult. 

According to the American Psychological Association, stress levels are at an all-time high. This isn’t good news for your health or your wallet. 

This blog post will discuss an astonishing stress-release technique that I have personally used to reduce tension in mere minutes. 

The best part is, it can be done anywhere and requires only a fraction of your time! 

 Imagine being able to quickly eliminate the pent-up energy caused by trauma or anxiety – all within 5 short minutes!

I have a remarkably long tale to tell.

His raspy voice resounded throughout the ballpark, beckoning passersby with a special offer they couldn’t refuse: peanuts a dime! 3 for a quarter…15 cents in the ballpark.

 It was obvious that this was an unbeatable deal.

“Come here, little one,” he called to me. “Let me show you how it’s done and teach you the ways of selling.” 

I was no novice – twelve years old with my coveted spot outside Fenway Park, renowned as the most successful seller of scorecards around. 

Despite this confidence in myself, however, I couldn’t ignore the fact that this elderly man sitting on an empty milk crate was making a booming business. 

Out of curiosity, I wandered closer; ready for him to share his expertise with me despite being full of enthusiasm and energy already! 

And he had a captivating smile.

“Yes, sir. What would you be able to teach me?”

 “That depends. Could you please explain your method one more time for me?” he asked. 

I declared confidently, “Get your scorecard here! Hey, get your scorecard here!” 

He responded thoughtfully with a smile on his face, “Good voice and clear too – but what are the advantages of getting this card? Where is the why behind it all?”.

So, I proudly declared to him “The scorecards in the park are going for twenty-five cents but mine? – Mine only cost eight! And even better, everyone gives me a dime so it’s like an extra two cents profit on every sale!”  

He smiled and said “Now that is clever. 

Here’s your plan: “Scorecards here – just eight cents. Park? Twenty-five.” 

Smart move; with my newfound method of salesmanship, profits had never looked higher.

I couldn’t believe it – I was making twice as much money, and all for a mere 90 minutes of effort! And most importantly, that allowed me to attend the games at no cost.

In 1960s Boston, this truly was heaven on earth for a twelve-year-old like myself.  

What’s more impressive is that the income I made back then would be equivalent to $26 in today’s currency! 

Elijah shared countless valuable lessons with me. 

Yes, I was able to make more sales during that season and in the subsequent years but what truly made an impact on my life were his words: “See the miracles, kid”.  

He who came from Tennessee and served in a segregated unit of the WWI army urged me when asking about my preference for reading genres- “Do You have any idea of the reality of war?”. 

That question shook up all my past presumptions as if he knew something else was beyond it – which is why I will always remember Elijah’s teaching to ‘see the miracles’. 

But Barry, what exactly are miracles?

 Miracles are simple. They are moments of unexpected joy that can be found in every situation. 

It could be something as small as a smile from a stranger or something bigger like the birth of a child – it’s these moments that make life special and enjoyable.

It’s time to manifest the miracles you desire! To do so, start by discovering how to reduce stress and cultivate a calmer existence.  

Yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or even leisurely walking can help eliminate anxiety from your life – all it takes is determination and dedication.

Are you exhausted from trying tedious and ineffective ways to reduce stress? I have the answer for you!

SMILE-ing at the Miracles 

You can start lessening your stress by an astounding 70% if you hold fast to this strategy, which is my #1 recommended one. 

If you’re ready for a fresh perspective today, here it is – SMILE!

You no longer have to let your mood define who you are. Your thoughts should instead be the ones that direct and shape you, not some fleeting emotion. 

To emphasize this point further, consider how “mood” is just a word spelled backward as “doom”. Don’t allow them to become the same; don’t let your gloom imprison you or ruin what’s possible in life!

What an empowering way to engage with the world! 

Have you heard of a powerful acronym that can drastically improve your life?  

As someone who is utterly captivated by acronyms, I have found them to be particularly invaluable in freeing my mind and allowing me entry into the realm of creative exploration.

It’s SMILE; Seeing Miracles in Life, every day. 

Albert Einstein famously said: “There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle and the other as though everything is.” 

Training yourself to recognize everyday miracles requires dedication, but it will pay off when you experience the profound joy of living with awe and wonder for every moment!  

Recognizing each day for what it truly is – an extraordinary miracle – makes our lives infinitely richer.

I can proudly confirm this because I have been a witness to an extraordinary experience.  

Just think: going from having full capacity to being fully immobile within a few hours due to a rare disorder known as Guillain-Barré Syndrome or “French Polio” in the morning, then finding myself unable to even move my mouth by evening time!  

That was surely nothing short of miraculous – although it seemed like an impending disaster at first sight. 

You too can make wonders happen if you believe; just look up examples of Wilma Rudolph and Elijah for inspiration!

Today I’m able to move my arms and somewhat able to move my legs. 

I can walk a bit with the help of a six-and-half-foot walking wand made for me by a Zen master.  

Still can’t walk up a stair or a curb by myself, and I need help twelve hours a day, seven days a week. But I am filled with joy. Why?

Every day I am grateful that I can get out of bed in ten minutes—something that was impossible for me to do years ago. 

It is truly miraculous what individuals are capable of achieving when they have the right motivation and determination.

Exercise

If you want to practice this marvelous simple exercise, try it out:

Before you drift off to sleep tonight, lie on your back and for eight seconds think about what it would be like if you were unable to move any part of your body or speak louder than a whisper.

Consider the life-altering implications of not having access to food or water, family or friends – reflect upon the reality that this could become your new normal in just a few short years.

When we take time out to appreciate all that we have in life everyday luxuries such as sight and sound are brought into sharp focus; gratitude is sure to follow.

Ka-Boom! Don’t you find that the most difficult times in life are often those which offer us our most valuable lessons?

Now that you’ve taken a few minutes to yourself, take out a pen and paper and jot down your thoughts. How are you feeling in the present moment? 

Capture these emotions through writing as it’s empowering for you to have full control over your life.

Conclusion 

Everyone experiences stress from time to time, it’s a normal part of life. But when stress becomes overwhelming and chronic, it can harm your mental and physical health. 

The key is to find healthy ways to manage your stress like finding an outlet for creative expression or taking up meditation techniques. 

And what I came to understand through this process is my meditation.

When you prioritize self-care and dedicate some time each day to focus on your well-being, you can overcome any stressful situation with grace and dignity.

SMILE is a powerful acronym that will help you recognize everyday miracles, be grateful for them, and in turn reduce stress. 

So don’t forget to SMILE – Seeing Miracles In Life, Everyday!  

By taking a few moments to recognize the miracles around us, we can learn to trust that life has our best interests at heart and find peace by releasing stress. 

So remember, don’t forget to SMILE and be grateful for all of life’s gifts!