When we are bogged down with our stresses and anxieties it can feel almost impossible to remember to do one very important thing for ourselves: have some fun. Whether we decide to hang out with some friends, family, a pet or just have some alone time, we need some fun to recharge and reconnect with our happy side. It allows us to better handle those everyday and occasional stresses that bring us to our max. It reminds us that there is more than deadlines, heartbreak, financial crises, and grief. Fun shows us that we still have the capacity to smile and feel warmth from the inside. So, try your best to do something this weekend that will bring you some joy 

Are you someone who feels that being the best is the only option? That exceeding a goal, rather that meeting it, is the only acceptable action? That even when you exceed and are the best, you still have not reached the level you feel you need to in order to be deemed a "success?" Perfection is a problem. The idea of being perfect affects an individual's whole being and prevents them from being present in the moment, gratified by accomplishments, and happy with who they are. The would-be perfectionist's problem is that his or her fear of failure and quest for the impossible -- yes, impossible -- permeate his or her identity and change it. Gone are the days, if they ever existed, when the would-be perfectionist is content with how an event turned out. Gone are the days when the would-be perfectionist can give him or herself a job well done pat on the back. The challenge is to reach beyond the stars and you know what's beyond those stars? More stars. The would-be perfectionist's quest is never done, never satisfied and creates such an unhappy, unfulfilled way of life that can result in anxiety, depression, stress, and isolation. Below is an article written by one such would-be perfectionist. Her point of view may resonate with you and may even help you to see that life does not have to be as you have chosen to make it. There's another way that will lead to gratification and success.

Empathy is a powerful tool that allows us to relate and grow in our relationships. Through empathetic listening and responding, we are better able to let another person know that we understand them. We've walked in their shoes, or something similar, and are willing to mentally do it again so as to deeply connect. It makes someone feel less alone, more heard, and, again, understood. Having someone in our lives that can pull us out of the isolation we've either created or found ourselves in is profound. It has the potential to help our emotional and mental well-being. It reminds us that our circumstances are not entirely unique. And, maybe most importantly, it shows us that we can and will come out on the other side eventually. Having a support system that is able to effectively empathize is invaluable. 

When have you needed to feel understood? Is there someone who consistently is able to reach out and empathize or someone who tends to miss the mark? Life can sometimes feel isolating. It doesn't have to. By practicing empathetic listening and responding we can be better friends, partners, and family to those who are reaching out. We can model true empathy in hopes that those who are good at it continue and those that miss the mark eventually hit it. The tip to remember is to allow yourself to be vulnerable. By being willing to share your dark experience -- as either the one needing empathy or the one communicating empathy -- you are able to connect deeply with someone all while continuing to heal yourself. Each day is an opportunity to gain greater mental health and stability. Reach for it!

Have you ever had a moment where you felt it would be helpful to have someone who has walked your path before guide you through it? Sometimes the desire to know what to do to make "it" work out before you start can be strong and even debilitating. This is the point in time when a mentor, someone to guide you, becomes significant and life changing. A mentor has the potential to provide wisdom and instill confidence. He or she can help you believe you can do something when you may not know if you can make it. They show you the way, give helpful tools and skills, and then support you while you walk on your own. Be it someone from work, a social group, or a family member, a mentor can provide a hand when you desperately need one...and that hand will still be there when you don't.