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Index of Articles: Gentle Touch Produces Miracles Step Outside the Box Enhancing your Self-Esteem LOOKING BACK HELPS US MOVE FORWARD Self-Healing Basics Making a difference - it is up to you! How Visualization and Affirmation Can Backfire The Process of Becoming 10 Paths To Becoming a Passionate Self Care Practitioner The Secrets of the Universe The Power of Perspective Brain Fog - Memory Loss - Alzheimer's A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION: YES or NO? ____________ Brain Fog - Memory Loss - Alzheimer's
Can something be done about it? It's a sad day when someone you love can't drive because they can't think
clearly.
It happens everyday. They say nothing can be done about it.
Or, can it?
At the age of 68 my mother wanted so much to drive, but my father wouldn't
let her. I loved her dearly and felt I could let her drive with me.
Her concentration was so poor that she looked everywhere except in front
of her. It was a frightening day and very heartbreaking for me, but
I decided my father was right. She couldn't drive anymore.
My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, a horrible disease affecting
the mental ability to direct the body. Over the years, I saw the
anger, the frustration and disappointment in her eyes, because she
was unable to communicate coherently. A heartbreaking experience
for both my mother and those who loved her. Ten years later
she passed away.
I have since been looking for something to prevent or even reverse that
sort of thing. There has been a lot uncovered about the disease since
my mother died, memory problems are being resolved today including Alzheimer's.
Here's something I learned recently. Tom Warren was diagnosed with Alzheimer's after having a CAT scan.
Four years later, another CAT scan showed a normal brain. And,
he was living a normal life again.
Tom has written a book, "Beating Alzheimer's" in which he gives
his full story. Anyone who knows an Alzheimer's or memory loss victim
needs to read this book. It gives an overview of what to do and further
research. The book will open the door to hope and possibly save a
person's life and spare the family much stress and horror which accompanies
this disease.
Tom’s story will capture your attention and inspire you to move beyond
the world of futile destiny.
Similar to an Electrical Connection
The nerve endings in the brain, must be exposed and in good condition to
transmit impulses similar to electricity moving from an outlet onto the
receptors of a plug. When these nerve endings are tangled and coated,
they lose their ability to function as transmitters and communication becomes
garbled.
Research over the last 15 years indicates that, “brain fog” memory loss
and Alzheimer's are the result of foreign substances and/or allergic reactions
in the brain causing swelling and the accumulation of plaque residue.
Research shows brain tissue of Alzheimer's victims as tangled nerve fibers
coated with plaque residue. This plaque can come from many sources
- toxic metals like mercury and aluminum, petrochemicals, hydrocarbons,
foods, pollens, etc.
These tangled nerve fibers coated in plaque residue are found at the nerve
endings (synapses) where the transmission of impulses occurs. These
synapses, disfigured and coated, will not send and receive impulses, thus
communication breaks down.
A lot can be done!
To aid your memory, start by balancing your body's pH (acid alkaline balance).
Having the correct acid alkaline balance throughout the body will ensure
the body's internal communication systems function properly, which helps
the body heal itself and grow old gracefully.
Healthy blood is slightly alkaline. When too much acid accumulates
in the body, it acts as a poison. The body has to deal with the acid overload
by neutralizing it, storing it or excreting it through various channels.
The liver can become sluggish doing a poor job, allowing the acids to accumulate.
This results in many health problems like brain fog, joint pain, weight
problems, etc.
If you want to reverse memory problems, it’s tricky, but can be done.
Learn all you can and map out a program to take you or your loved one through
to recovery. This would include:
*Bringing the pH's back into the normal range,
*Removing foreign substances and/or allergens causing the problem, *Detoxifying the body, *Ensuring a daily intake of appropriate nutrition, vitamins and minerals, *Maintaining a mild exercise program on a daily basis. A hour walk is wonderful. It may not be easy, but if someone wants their life back, it's well worth
going for. Progress has been made. There is hope. Life
can be taken back from this dread disease.
I encourage you to look further for yourself and those you love.
Janis Ihrig
writer/publisher Student of Healthy Living – a Lifetime Education Newsletter: "Health Talk – Uncovering a Lost Treasure" - information and practical steps to a balanced pH http://www.arkadias-choice.com/subscribe.htm ________________ A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION: YES or NO? I've heard it said that by the end of January, over 90% of individuals who make New Years resolutions don't remember what they were. Why is this so? People are often sincere, however, they are not yet in the right place for big changes in their lives. Many others want to continue same behaviors, such as eating the wrong things, and still reap the rewards of increased levels of energy and weight loss. The most important question for you is... are you ready for a change? And, if the answer is "yes," the second question is... how ready are you? You have your own pace. I respect that in you. I hope you do too. Too many folks know they need to make a change and beat themselves up because they are not on the schedule they feel they "should" be on. You're on the schedule you're on. The "New Year" provides symbolism for "clearing out the old" and "bringing in the new." In that capacity alone, it is a golden opportunity for a fair review of your life. But, if there's one thing I'd wish for you it would be that this year you take your learning to a new level. A year is too long to wait to complete a personal inventory. Several of you will have a few too many drinks on New Years Eve to really be serious about personal change. And life truly is too short. Do you only clean your house once each year? I suggest you utilize the symbolism of the New Year to evaluate your life every 3-6 months. Cleaning yourself out, making yourself new is a wonderful gift to give yourself and those around you. Don't you think? GUIDELINES TO KNOW IF IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE: 1. Are you ready to make a change? 2. On a scale of 1-10, ten being powerful desire, how ready are you? If you are at 7 or above you're ready to begin on your goal. If you're a 6 or below, ask yourself, "What needs to occur for my passion to rise above 7?" 3. Why are you considering making this change? 4. Do you feel an increased level of energy when thinking about this goal? 5. Have you considered what tools/resources you will need to accomplish this goal? 6. Can you see what your life looks like once you've accomplished your goal? 7. Are you ready to make your goal known to family, friends, God... for support and accountability? 8. Have you written your goal down in explicit detail? 9. Have you set a start-time and an end-date for the goal in mind? 10. Do you have a heartfelt commitment towards this goal? 11. Is this goal in alignment with the what's in your best interest, and the best interest of those around you? 12. Are you willing to do "the work" it will take to accomplish this goal? There you have it! A twelve-step guide for discerning personal transformation. Print it out and keep it handy throughout your new year and beyond. If the questions fed an already burning fire inside you towards that next change in your life, that's fantastic. I look forward to hearing of your success. If the questions assisted you in knowing that now is not quite the right time to move on a new goal, then I wish you patience, gentleness and self-acceptance in the new year. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW is an author, university faculty member, success coach and veteran psychotherapist whose passion is guiding others to their own success in life. For weekly doses of the webs HOTTEST success tips, sign up for Dave's powerful "Feeling Great!" ezine at http://www.Overcoming-Depression.com \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ ________________ 
Gentle Touch Produces Miracles by Gerri Shapiro, MS Ed.
History
A Bowen Session
Surprising and Unexpected Recoveries * * * * * * * * *
By Ted Schredd Creativity is the ability to generate new ideas and ways of looking at problems or challenges. Being creative can also mean being resourceful, imaginative, inventive, ingenious, innovative and unique. It means breaking rules and making mistakes. Some people think creativity is something that comes from outside their bodies. When it’s flowing, it’s like you are merely channeling the information as it comes down the pipes from heaven. Now, you might be saying that you aren’t very creative. That creativity is for the artistic community. You know, artists, musicians and architects. Well, that’s just not true. Society may assign the job of creation to the so-called “artists,” but everybody is creative to some degree. Single parents use their creativity to make ends meet, politicians create the illusion of leadership, accountants are creative with numbers and engineers are creative with their concepts of physics. Everyone is creative. Yes, you may not be very good with a paintbrush or writing hit songs, but there’s something in your life that you’re very creative with. Any time you solve a problem, you are reaching the highest peak of creativity. Creativity lets you look for better ways to live your life. Creativity begins with a problem that needs solving or an artistic vision that needs to be released. Adversity will motivate creativity. If you are experiencing a potential disaster in your life, your mind will work at lightning speed to create ways of getting out of it. Desire for money is a fantastic stimulation for creativity. If you’re short on rent money, you will probably come up with a solution to avoid living on the street. Whatever it is that you desire, if you want it badly enough, your brain will work overtime to create a plan for how to get it. Dreams and goals help you to be creative. They give you a target to aim for; then you have to figure out how to get there. Problems stimulate creative solutions, but so will love. When there is a potential for love, the heart opens up and inspires the brain. You may create poems, make gifts or bake a cake, whatever it takes to win the heart of your sweetheart. In business, smaller companies win out over big companies in contract bids using their creative minds as their only tool. Creative advertising can make the difference between a company being successful or bankrupt. A creative mind helps to even the playing field. How do you start this so-called “creativity”? The more you challenge your creative instincts, the more powerful your brain becomes. The more exercise you give your brain, the more neural connections it will make. Create good times by avoiding routine in your life. Craft new ways to play, love, cook, work, socialize, live, eat, exercise, whatever. Commute a different way to the office; wear a different style of clothes; get up half an hour early for no reason. There are books, courses and people that can teach you how to be creative. When you express your creativity, you reveal the most wonderful parts of your being. You can use your voice, your mind or your body in a creative way. Your tools may be a guitar, a kitchen, a workshop or your hands. You can sculpt, carve, paint, sketch or whatever you please. Figure out how to release your creativity and be proud of your creativity. Each creative endeavor you undertake will expand your creative abilities in all parts of your life. If you look around, you can see creative inspiration everywhere. When you can see ingenuity in others, you can have more yourself. Take a car, for example. What a fantastic creation. Admire creative clothes, advertising, mall displays, parenting and architecture. Go to the local art gallery and have a high regard for the creative spirit of the artists on display. Enjoy the skills of bridge-builders, musicians, moviemakers and homemakers. You can be anywhere on the planet and appreciate the creativity around you. Just because you don’t own the bridge doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. Whether it is God’s creation of the earth or the creations of humankind, enjoy them all. Every single thing that has been created by humans has begun inside somebody’s imagination. Spark your imagination and discover more of life’s jollies. Your imagination can take you on journeys of unfathomable proportions. It is one of the few things in the whole world you have absolute control over. You can go anywhere, be with anybody or do anything for free (no tax either). At any time of the day or night, you can discover a wonderful part of non-reality. How much do you use your imagination? How much could you use your imagination? Imagine in your head what a wonderful life you could create, then begin. Use your imagination to visualize where you want to go. You have a fairytale factory right inside your head. Great lives start with great dreams. There is a difference between dreams and fantasies. Dreams are something you yearn for and you somehow believe them to be possible. Dreams are where you want to go and fantasies are an entertaining trip into the world of imagination. Fantasies are a vision that will probably exist only in your head. When we think of a fantasy, it is usually sexual. When people act out their fantasies, it can be fantastic or it can be detrimental. If you have fantasies about “doing” the milkman, it might go over well with the milkman but not your spouse. But if you experience that fantasy in your head and nobody gets hurt-what’s the big deal? As a kid you probably played cops and robbers. Just because you pretended to be a robber, it didn’t officially make you one. Just because you have a dirty thought or two, it doesn’t make you a bad person. A healthy imagination is a great happiness catalyst. If you’re stuck, enjoy the imaginations of others. Like children or children’s television. Movie companies like Disney are the mark of hundreds of minds coming together to create fantasy worlds. My favorite source of imagination inspiration is the Weekly World News, a supermarket tabloid published in Boca Raton, Florida: “Grandpa Trades His Wife for a Ride in a Space Ship,” “Dog That Talks and Does the Dishes Too.” I certainly would like to get me one of those dogs. Do these magazines have any credibility? They certainly do, in the imagination department. There are plenty of reasons to expand your imagination and plenty of inspirational sources around you. If there aren’t, go find some. Your imagination may be sparked in times of reflection, while walking, driving or when you’re in the shower. Do not edit your ideas, just go with your imagination and see where it takes you. Being playful encourages you to come up with your most creative ideas. Exercise your imagination the way you exercise your body. Often, the only time people use their imaginations is to create the dreaded “Worst Case Scenario.” All we can think of is what could go wrong. Actions and emotions follow thought, so you are actually moving the worst-case scenario into reality. Why rehearse for the worst when you could be imagining the “Best Case Scenario” instead? You have tons of potential to encourage your creativity and solve your problems faster. You have that ability within you, so if you don’t like your options create new ones. You create your life, so why not create magic and delightfulness? You can imagine your way to happiness. Step outside the box in your thinking. Stretch your limits. Your imagination will lead you to wherever you want to go. Create, live, love and laugh! Excerpt from “Gramma Knows the F Word” How adults can discover more fun in their lives – by
Ted Schredd. His books are available at www.Amazon.com or www.discoverfun.com Enhancing your Self-Esteem Your self-esteem plays the biggest role in your life and influences your thoughts, ideas and decisions. You hear time and time again about how important having a high self-esteem is, yet most of us tend to find ways to lower it and keep it as low as it can possibly get. The reason behind this behavior is simply that you do not give yourself the credit you deserve and have not made yourself a true friend to your being. In getting to know and love yourself, you will then determine whether or not you are stable enough to enter in a relationship. In order to become one with someone, you need to be whole on your own. Let us begin with your physical being first, since that is what society looks at most. How do you feel about your physical appearance? Most likely, you will first point out the things you do not like about yourself. Well, you are not alone. Almost everyone automatically puts himself or herself down first when looking in the mirror. Have you ever stopped and observed the things you do like about your physical self? You probably have not. It is time to start doing that. The next time you look at yourself, find the physical qualities you like and accept in your being. Why are we so hard on ourselves? Well, the truth is, we were not born with the attitude of putting our selves down. We adapted and taught ourselves to do so when we watched what being perfect meant in the eyes of others. We are constantly being flaunted with people who are thin, big on top, muscular, small waists and long legs on television and other advertisements, that we got convinced into believing that we must look a certain way in order to be admired, accepted and perfect in society. Remember beauty and perfection is in the eye of the beholder and you should be that first beholder. When you look at yourself in a mirror, all you see is the outside, but who is that person looking back at you? What does that person like and dislike? What goals does that person have? What are his or her hobbies? How could another being get to know you, if you do not even know yourself? What do you have to offer? Nothing if you lack the knowledge and information of who you are! This is why going through a self-check is important. You must dig deeper than your physical existence in order to realize your true self. Enter your mind and soul and find out what really makes you the person you are. If you have nothing to offer as far as your being is concerned, how can you have a relationship? You cannot! Not all negatives thoughts are bad. Sometimes, occasional negative thoughts help us open doors for improvements in our lives, which is wonderful. It is always important to remember not to give those negative thoughts more focus though. Pay most attention to the positive things about yourself and about the good things that are going on in your life. Is it hard for you to fill your head with positive thoughts most of the time? Then you need to see what is getting in the way of it. Do you put yourself in situations that make you neglect the positive thoughts? Take a look at how you feel when doing certain things, and if they keep you from feeling positive…get out of that situation!!! What you then need to do is start looking at the beautiful things about life. Spend time with people who make you feel good and feel good about themselves, of course! You could even read books that make you feel great after reading them, because after reading them, you will put them down and look at the world in a more positive way, with much positive thoughts. Only you know what truly makes you feel good about life and yourself, so start providing yourself with those things. Give yourself the make over your mind and soul deserves! Take pride in the things you have done and the things that you know and continue to learn. Never look at yourself as less intelligent as others or stupid for not knowing certain things. You are not Superman and neither is anyone else. No one can possibly know every single thing there is to know. What you know is what you took an interest in knowing and that is what builds your special character and you should be joyful about it. If you want people to respect you and consider you knowledgeable, then you yourself need to believe and realize that you are respectable and full of knowledge (and you are once you have looked for it and found it). When you feel good about yourself, you have a high self-esteem and when you have a high self-esteem, you shine and tell people how to treat you through your actions and behavior. If you go some place knowing what you need and what you want without fearing to ask for it, people will see and know that you are confident and intellectual because you know what you want and they will respect you for it. So make time to dedicate your efforts into making yourself feel more confident and more attractive both physically and intellectually, and do not make excuses for yourself. Once your self-love has been discovered, you will then be able to give other people the attention and concentration they deserve. When two people have complete and stable self-health, they can complete each other in many ways they never thought possible! Be the best you can be and do you and your partner or future partner a favor by knowing and loving yourself so that when they are in the picture, you may fully offer and give yourself to them. Alina Ruigrok is an independent relationship expert for http://www.love-sessions.com helping those in need of dating, love, relationship, marital, sexual and other personal advice through e-sessions. Back To Top ________________________ <>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<> LOOKING BACK HELPS US MOVE FORWARD by Leslie Karen Sann, MA, LCPC LIVING BY DESIGN http://www.living-bydesign.com <>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<> WHAT DO YOU WANT? --Quote --Practically Speaking --Wonder Questions <>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<> Most people don't think of their life as a creation. Yet YOU can be a predominant creative force and create a life of your own design. In fact, we can and DO create all the time. Creativity is a human given. The issue: is are we creating what we want? Look at your life. What have you created? Is it the way you want it to be? If it is not, then you can change it. But first you must have a vision of the result you are seeking. The most POWERFUL question you can ask yourself is, "What do I want?" Asking this question helps focus your attention on the outcome you desire. (Another way to ask the question is, "What result do I want to create?") If you want to create deliberately, it is essential to choose what you want, not what you don't want. Some people tend to focus on and complain about what they don't want. The problem here is that what we focus on, we create. When we focus on what we don't want, we end up experiencing more of that. Try this. Tell yourself not to look at the floor. What happens? Part of you wants to look at the floor. Now tell yourself to look at the ceiling. Your focus is easily guided to look up. So, if you don't want your car breaking down continually, what you probably want is a car that consistently runs well. If you don't want a boring job, you probably want a job that excites and motivates you. It is essential to tell yourself the truth about what you want. Focus on the outcome you desire. Point yourself in the direction you want to go. - - - - - What Do You REALLY Want? - - - - - If you want to be successful in manifesting your goals, it is important that you get in touch with the ESSENCE of the goal. What is the underlying drive for your goal? What experience are you looking for? What about the outcome, experience, result, is attractive to you? When I ask clients, "What do you want?" they often respond with something like, a promotion, a new car, a vacation, more money. But there is usually a desire deeper than these things. We may want a new car, but is it the thing itself, or what it represents to us? Is it the way we'll feel when we drive the car, the ease of getting around, the experience of luxury, or something else that really motivates us? Because we are often unaware of these hidden drivers, we may be dissatisfied when we finally achieve a goal. Have you ever had the experience of working hard to attain something, only to feel let down once you finally got it? Often it is not just the achievement itself we're after, but the experience we're hoping it will provide. If we're not clear about the experience we're looking for then the result will be empty of meaning and satisfaction. - - - - - - Form Versus Essence. - - - - - - Often knowing the experience we want, the ESSENCE of the goal, will open up other options. For example, for years I have been wanting to build a small cottage on our property to use as my home office. I have a very clear image of this cottage, complete with fireplace, porch and large windows overlooking our flower gardens. I have discussed this with my husband. We've talked about size, design, logistics. I'm aware that this vision is something that is still in the future, as I'm not yet in alignment with doing everything I need to do in order to bring this dream into reality. In recently revisiting this goal, I asked myself the question: "What EXPERIENCE am I looking for?" The answer was, to get out of the house, have a space of my own, to be close to the garden when I work, and freedom from the confines of my home office. Well, duh! I can get a lap top and not be confined to my work station at home. I can take it outside in the good weather and work under the trees. I can sit by the flower gardens and work. I can have most of what the cottage was going to provide for a fraction of the cost! That, plus my cordless headset phone and I'm golden. Guess what. I'm in the process of shopping for a lap top. Now, I'm not giving up on my cottage. I still have that as a "sometime maybe" goal. In the meantime I can create much of the experience I was looking for by shifting from the symbol, the form of the cottage, and going for the ESSENCE of the experience I am wanting. - - - - - - Practice Knowing What You Want. - - - - - - We do not ask ourselves what we really want often enough. PRACTICE asking yourself this question in many types of situations. Don't save it only for those times of great importance. If you are in the habit of working with this question, you will develop an instinct for knowing what you want. - - - - - - Begin Your Own Life Creation. - - - - - - Begin creating a life of your own design by asking yourself, "What do I want?" often and regularly. Happy Creating, Leslie <>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<> 2. QUOTE: "If you don't know where you are going any road will do and you probably won't get there." ~ Unknown ~ <>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<> 3. PRACTICALLY SPEAKING: ~ Ask yourself often, "What do I want?", no matter what the circumstances. ~ Remember to focus on the outcome you desire. ~ Begin to ask yourself, "If I ruled the world, what would my life look like?" Include the following in your wonderings: *health *finances *relationships *home environment *work *expression *travel/adventure/fun/recreation *spiritual *personal development ~ find a clean journal, use a legal pad, or make a file on your computer and begin to write down exactly what you DO want. ~ Take your time. Allow this to evolve as you gently and with care place your intention and attention on knowing what you want. <>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<> 4. WONDER QUESTIONS: ~ Am I willing to be the predominant creative force in my life? ~ What do I really want? ~ What experience am I looking for? ~ How could I get it? <>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<> --COPYRIGHT/CONTACT INFO/REPRINT PERMISSION ©Copyright 2002 by Leslie Karen Sann, Living by Design. Additional information: leslie@Living-byDesign.com . Reprint permission granted in part or whole when the following credit appears in full: Copyright 2002 by Leslie Karen Sann, Living by Design. All rights reserved. http://www.living-bydesign.com Back To Top ================================== ================================== The Power of Perspective by Peter Murphy You limit yourself. Yes, it is true. Each day you behave in much the same way as you have always done. You act out your habitual ways of dealing with people, and you communicate as well or as badly as you normally do. Although you know better, you do not apply all that you have learned when it comes to making the most of yourself. If this is true for you, then how are you going to improve? Awareness is key. Until you spot what you are doing you will not know where to make changes to how you talk to people. How can you change what needs to be improved if you do not see it yourself? There is a very simple way to generate awareness of how you behave with other people. A way to develop perspective that is not clouded by your biased perceptions. Three Steps to Powerful Perspective: 1 Be a neutral observer Choose a recent conversation you had which did not go as well as you would have liked. Next, pretend for a moment that you are a neutral observer of the conversation. In your imagination go back in time to that incident and see yourself talking to that other person. Picture the surroundings, hear the sounds and feel the atmosphere of the place. Then run through the entire conversation again, only this time imagine that you are the neutral observer. See yourself and the other person talking and listening to each other and notice the dynamics of the conversation. Pay special attention to the non verbal reactions. By doing this you will be gathering a lot of information that will be helpful in noticing what works and what does not work in your communication. 2 Be the other person Revisit the conversation again only this time cycle through it as if you were the other person. Imagine what it was like to be there looking at you and listening to you. You are now walking in their shoes so as to get a close up look at what it is like to deal with you. You may find that you spot the reasons why the conversation did not go as well as you would have liked. 3 Ask yourself - how did I get the result I achieved? In this stage of the process you put the responsibility on your shoulders alone for the outcome of the conversation. Blaming others will not help you to think creatively for solutions and ways to better your conversational skills. Revisit that conversation one more time as the neutral observer and one time as the other person. In each case look for the answer to the question: how did I get this result? Then ask yourself: what could I do differently to get what I really want? You will discover ways to change your approach that can dramatically improve how you communicate when it matters most. By using this approach I often spot opportunities to use more emphasis on key points and the value of being enthusiastic when I want someone to consider my opinion. At other times I notice that I could listen more carefully instead of just getting carried away with my own agenda. Play with this way of developing perspective for yourself and have fun spotting all the little differences that add up to a big difference in your ability to speak with impact. Peter Murphy is a freelance business writer. He publishes a free weekly ezine full of practical tips for communicating at your best under pressure. All new subscribers receive a free e-book with powerful strategies for being at your best. To subscribe send a blank email to: <AbolishShynessToday-subscribe@topica.com> <http://www.topica.com/lists/AbolishShynessToday/> ___________ The Process of Becoming You've heard it many times that you need to TAKE TIME OUT For YOURSELF. But for what? To have fun? This author suggests directing your attention toward Becoming, instead. Doing so will help you grasp the meaning of your life, the reason for the values you adhere to, integration of what you've learned and take you a step closer to Becoming who you want to be. Without any time devoted to YOU, for such a process, you cannot progress to BEING and will stay stuck doing. Therefore, this article is about helping you start and stick to a process in your life of Becoming. Benefits of Becoming: *You become more conscious of your surroundings - you feel more, smell more, see more, sense more and love more *You gain courage to go through the darkest days * You will express yourself without fear of reprisal * You will let go of taking things personally, understanding that each person has their own struggle and it's not always about you * You will know who to trust and who not to trust * You will be able to look in the mirror and say, I LOVE ME. * You will be able to look into your partner's eyes and say I LOVE YOU *You will reach your children in the way you always wanted your parents to, but never could *You will sing, pray, and demonstrate grace *…and be loved by many How do you get here? *By taking time to listen to your inner voice. Often, we are caught up in life's demands - paying the bills, taking kids to events, going to dinner with your significant other. All of these "distractions" take you away from hearing your own needs. So, some of the things you can do to tap into YOURSELF are: * Take a bath - with candles lit, incense smoldering and music in the background *Take a walk and get in touch with your feelings - about your day, your life *Write in a journal and ask yourself questions like: am I happy with my life? If yes, then look for areas where you would like to improve your life *Go to your favorite bookstore and look for a title that will inspire you in the area(s) that you want to grow * Meditate * Draw a map of your life of what you've done and make the connection between where you have been and how it has led you on the path you have taken *Then extrapolate where this might take you - dream of possibility * Look for the larger meaning of your life - where you are needed and find a way to Be there more for this purpose When do you get here? * You will never get THERE but you will enjoy the journey if you take time for reflection, integration and implementation. And the process: * Reflection is what you need to explore your possibilities. This is done through the steps listed above. * Integration is what you do when you take those possibilities and decide how to incorporate them into your life. You do this by assessing where you are and how what you want to do fits together with it. * Implementation is the process of putting your possibilities into a practical process of doing. This is done by proactively doing the process of Becoming. All of this is possible and necessary to lead a fulfilled life. Otherwise you will look back in your life with regret for all the things you did not do, did not say, or did not even try. Begin today with reflection - the rest will follow! (Adapted from the "Empathology Training Manual" by Bernie Day - available at Empathology, Inc., http://empathology.com This book and other writing can be viewed at http://empathology.com where you can also download FREE articles and a FREE eBook.) Private consultations are also available. Class schedules are also posted for those interested in a caregiver career. Email: bernieday@empathology.com Back To Top ____________ 0 Paths To Becoming a Passionate Self Care Practitioner © 2002 Julie Jordan Scott One of the most sure methods to stay on a focused, purposeful course in your business, relationships....in all of your life, is to take extra special care of yourself. Oftentimes what happens is exactly the opposite: everyone and everything else in our lives takes precedence over our personal needs. What happens then? Everything crumbles. Nothing works. The entire system shuts down. I challenge you to take to heart each of these Paths towards Passionate Self Care. Print this list out. Add any other specific methods you use to care for yourself. And next? Apply them! Yes, DO them! Without fail! This leads us elegantly into our first path: 1. Recognize that Self Care is simply NOT optional. In order to keep all of your life balanced and running smoothly in the same way you schedule maintenance for your car or regular hair cuts for yourself and your children, you MUST be sure that you are respecting and caring for yourself exceptionally well. It is of EXTREME importance. So get out your calendar and plan some of these activities into your life. 2. Just as physical clutter can get in our way, mental and emotional clutter has the same result. De-cluttering or de-clogging will come in personalized forms. Some that I use regularly include shifting my environment from indoors to outdoors, taking a walk, de-cluttering my physical space, crafting with my children, telephoning a friend who makes me laugh. Try various methods and be sure to prevent mental and emotional clutter. If it shows up, immediately take action to clear it away. 3. Arrange some "Play Dates" not for the children in your life: for yourself! One of my goals is to have lunch with friends at least once weekly. This is an adult play date. Another play date for me and my children is to go skating at the local roller rink. We have several other mutual parent/child combinations who also enjoy skating, so we meet them at the rink to delight in the exercise and the company. Invite friends to your home and get out the Pictionary or play Charades or whatever game you particularly enjoy. Believe me, you will laugh harder than you have in a LONG time when your intention is simply to have a great time. 4. Develop and practice a hobby. One of my favorite newer hobbies is painting. No, I am not a gifted visual artist and no, I do not paint canvas. I enjoy painting terra cotta pots. Yes, this might sound unusual at first. I enjoy painting pots and then using them for plants that I glean from clippings from my indoor plants. Lately I have been painting pots and planting small indoor plants in them to give away. My intention is to encourage people to create Gratitude Gardens inside their homes. The joy is simple AND immense. 5. Get adequate rest. (If you started laughing, stop!) Get on a regular pattern of sleep and stick to it. Realize that you truly WILL have plenty of time even if you do not stay up later than feels good to get "just this one last thing" accomplished in your day. When you become a Passionate Self Care Practioner, you will be amazed at your increased productivity. 6. Keep your arms open to receive the people into your life who are there, ready to support you in continuing to grow in Self Care. There are people in your extended circle right now who are waiting for an invitation to serve you in some way. Its up to you to recognize who those individuals are and to invite them in with specific ways to empower you and lighten your load. Practice making simple requests at first, and then grow accordingly. Be sure to complete the process by opening your arms to them in a big hug and lots of verbal gratitude. There is no other rewarding gift like a face that is lit up with joy and embracing arms. You deserve both. 7. Take time to be pampered on a regular basis. What does that mean to you? Maybe its a regular manicure and pedicure. Possibly its a weekly massage. It might be creating a dinner co-op group. (Five families each cook one night time meal weekly for all five families. This makes one big night of cooking and the other four nights of no cooking!) Or it may mean having an evening to spend exactly as you want to with your partner once a week or monthly. Like all of these ideas: it is up to YOU to experiment and see what suits and serves you. 8. Write a love letter to yourself and read it aloud daily. Remember during courtship when deeply felt letters of love arrived in the mail? There is nothing like it. Take the time to romance yourself through recognizing what is special about YOU. One way to start is to write a Top 10 List. My friend, Glenda, practices writing "The Top 10 Things I Love About You" for others especially when they are feeling low. You may start there: writing Top 10's for others. Then write a Top 10 for yourself. Finally, write a standard love letter. To YOU. Read it aloud. Even record it and listen to it with your eyes closed. Revel in self love. 9. Respect yourself in thoughts and in action. Merriem Webster defines respect in this way: "to consider deserving in high regard". Becoming a Passionate Self Care Practitioner will empower you to see yourself in this way. Unless you respect and care for yourself adequately, no one else will either. And do not even pause or hesitate. You DO deserve high regard. 10. Prove to yourself that Self Care is of utmost importance in your life so you can serve others from your most heart centered self. Take two tall glasses from your cabinet. Take several smaller glasses out of your cabinet as well. Fill one of the tall glasses almost completely with water. Put a small amount of water in the second glass. Now pour the water from the tall glass into the smaller glasses. Read one of these tips and think of ways to apply it into your life. With each application option you create, put more water into that tall glass: replenishing it. Fill more small glasses. Think of more ideas. Continue to fill. Look at the almost empty glass. See how many small glasses you can fill with it. Do not replenish. The large and perpetually refilling glass represents the Passionate Self Care Practitioner. The large non refilling glass is the person who has chosen to ignore his or her own needs. It is obvious to see what the results are both in filling glasses and in having a fulfilled life. Now, the choice is yours. Become a Passionate Self Care Practitioner. ******************************************************************* Julie Jordan Scott is a Personal Success Coach who left her career as a government bureaucrat and built a successful business in less than six months. She inspires people worldwide with her books, ezine, teaching and personal coaching. To subscribe to her newest ezine, Daily Passion Activator, the Little Ezine with the Powerful impact send a blank email DailyPassionActivator-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or via web: http://www.5passions.com to subscribe today. Back To Top _____________ The Secrets of the Universe by Brad Jensen 1. The big secret first: our physical world is a dream world, and it works just like dreaming, but generally slower. As you acknowledge the dreaminess of it, and begin to work with it from that perspective, the apparent speed of action increases. The way to direct the world is through your imagination and will. Exercising your will strengthens it. You can exercise it by doing something unpleasant until it becomes pleasant. 6. You are wealthy now with an abundance of what you are thinking about. The world is a creative engine, and will create whatever you are really thinking. Every thought in your mind is a prayer about you, no matter who the subject seems to be. The only way to manifest lack is to hold something against someone else. Give up all thoughts of offense, revenge, of being injured, of self-justification, of needing to defend yourself against others' expectations, of the unfairness of life, of others getting some unearned advantage. Joy breeds joy and sorrow breeds sorrow. When you hear of someone's good fortune, think "Good for them! God is blessing and prospering them, and I bless them also!" 7. Trust yourself consciously. You really do anyways! The key to mastery is to acknowledge reality. Reality is a simulation. The future pours into the past thru the funnel of your thinking. Change what you are thinking now, and the future will take care of itself. 8. Your life is in a dynamic balance, based on your present thinking. What happens when you take 2% of the amount on one pan of a balance and put it on the other side? Of course that side goes down and the other goes up, and the change is complete. 2% of your waking life is ten minutes a day. Ten minutes a day of concentrated thought will change your life completely. As a starting point, you might print this message out and read it daily for one full month. When things start to change, don't get excited and distracted, but stick with it. Don't talk it away to others. Let the energy concentrate and build. The only thing God knows how to make is a miracle. 9. You don't earn it, you learn it. "When you understand karma, it goes away." In any challenging situation, ask yourself "What am I trying to learn here?" Then begin to act on that principle. Experiment with your life. Invest in your relationships by taking risks in your communication. 12. The only limitations are self-limitations. Let abundance begin right now. Watch out for tendency to "Name it and blame it." Responsibility is the opposite of blame. When you blame yourself or others, you temporarily deny your power to change (which is wasting energy on the impossible again.) Sooner or later everyone in your life that you think is preventing you from being or having whatever you want, will either die or move away, and you will find out that the condition is made in your own mind. Why not act on this awareness now? 15. Let go of what you aren't really using. If you are holding on to something (person, place or thing - or even an idea) because you think you might need it later, you are really telling yourself that you do not own that thing, you do not deserve it, and you do not believe you can recreate it in the future. These are all poverty thoughts. Clean out your closets, have a garage sale or give to Goodwill, but let go of all that spiritual cholesterol that is clogging your arteries of good. The full version of this article is available for free at www.actasif.com Your are hereby given permission to copy, email, print, or reproduce this in any form without restriction. Put it in your newsletter or bulletin, print it out and send it to your mom, hang it up in your cubicle at work, use it as the basis of a talk or sermon, read it yourself and practice the ideas. --------------------------------------------- Brad Jensen is a metaphysical writer and teacher with a worldwide audience. Find his free articles and his latest ebook at http://www.actasif.com ------------------------------------------------ Back To Top ________________________ _________________________ Self-Healing Basics by Cristin Snyder Through this article I would like to explore some very basic methods that can be used to relieve tension, stress, and depression, as well as sharpen intuition, clear the mind, and increase energy. These methods can be used by anyone to help restore a general sense of well-being. ***As with all material of this nature it is not intended to diagnose or cure any illness. Conditions requiring medical attention should be treated properly through conventional channels. Please use discretion.*** All beings require equality. There must be a balance between the spiritual, emotional, and physical being. When the balance is off, we are off. We feel the repercussions through physical pain, discomfort, anxiety, anger, and depression. When we go to the doctor to seek pills for physical ailments, typically we are focusing treatment on the symptoms and not the underlying problem. Again, I am not discouraging anyone from going to the doctor, however most doctors would agree that a well-balanced person tends to be a healthier person. Nothing that improves the outlook and helps reduce stress can hurt you. There are various natural methods that can be used by anyone in even the busiest lifestyles, to help restore a sense of balance. I will be touching on the basics of light meditation, visualization, affirmations, and journaling. Meditation: There are many misconceptions about meditation. Many feel it takes a lot of time or that it is a serious religious practice. It definitely does not have to be and is one of the most powerful tools anyone can integrate into their lifestyles. It takes a little effort, but the rewards are immeasurable. The truth is even a moment or two a couple of times a day will allow the mind a chance to regroup. This is particularly helpful for those who suffer from anxiety or problems with short-term memory. Meditation is the practice of stilling the mind, and controlling where ones thoughts flow. Through doing this you can gain a better perspective on situations in your life, as well as become clearer and more focused throughout your daily activities. There are dozens of other benefits to this practice as well, which I cover more in some of my classes. For beginning meditations I recommend sitting in a comfortable position in a location as free from outside noise as possible. Close the eyes and simply focus on clearing your mind of all conscious thought. If this is difficult you can repeat a word that makes you feel comfortable and at ease. My word is "repose". If you catch your mind starting to wander gently pull it back to your word or to the stillness. When you first start try doing this for only a minute or two, and then as you do it more you can increase the time. This helps to avoid frustration and will help you stick with it. If you are patient and persistent, you will find that the benefits are well worth the effort. Your mind will thank you for the break. Visualizations: Next I would like to move on to Visualizations. All of us know how to daydream. The truth is when you daydream you are doing a visualization of sorts. You are removing the conscious mind from all the hustle and bustle of its thoughts and placing it somewhere else. In visualization exercises the purpose is to control where you put your thoughts. It can be used to aid in pain relief, depression, (I am seasonally depressed and use visualization therapy a lot to help me get through winter) and in anxiety reduction. Bring into vision in your minds eye a place that relaxes you, a place that is all your own. It can be an actual place you have been to, or a place you create. This will be your sanctuary. Picture the place in your mind. Now go deeper into the picture. What do you see? Look for the details of your special place. What is the temperature like? If you are outside, how is the weather? What do you hear? What do you smell? Reach out and touch the ground or the floor, what does it feel like? Touch; hear, smell everything here. Spend a minute or two exploring your senses and familiarizing yourself with this special place. Really develop this place to the tiniest details. If it helps you, write a description of it. It is very important to bring it to life in your mind in a way you can always go back to it and see it in its fullest details and unique beauty. This place is the center of your soul, a sanctuary for you where you can relax and be free from everyday worries. Affirmations: Next I would like to cover affirmations. Affirmations are brief, positive statements developed to help us to reprogram certain parts of our subconscious. We have all heard that inner critic kick in with " You're not pretty enough, you're not smart enough" etc. This can be a very powerful voice and the more negative thoughts we have the more we feed it. Many people are not aware of just how much negativity they consume, self-inflicted or otherwise. I recommend keeping a pen and paper close to you for one hour. During this hour be conscious of your thoughts, as well as external influences. For every negative statement you take in, make a mark on your paper. Once this exercise is finished multiply the number of marks on your page by at least 16, which will give you a small idea of the amount of negativity you are continually bombarded with. One of the most powerful tools to use against this ingrained negativity is to reprogram our thought patterns. Our subconscious minds don't care what they are programmed with, negative or positive. When you hear something enough you start to believe it and those negative thoughts can become self-fulfilling prophecies. Our goal here is to fight fire with fire so to speak, and come back at the negatives with positives, almost like reprogramming a computer. An affirmation should have the following qualities: * Must be brief * Must be concise * Must not have the word no in it or any negative connotations * Must be easy to remember Must be repeated An example of a good affirmation would be I have all I need and I am thankful, or I love myself unconditionally. As a general rule I say to keep the same affirmation going for at least a week. Learn to say it with conviction. Pay attention to what you are saying every time you repeat it. When you have a few minutes to yourself go look in the mirror and say it to yourself and mean it! Yes, you will tell yourself you look silly, that's OK, do it anyway. The more you do the less silly you will feel and the more empowered you become. When we face ourselves we find our true strength! Journaling: I cannot say enough how much writing helps. There are many different ways to do this, and the best method is to find your own method - one that is comfortable to you, as this is a very intense, very personal experience. When you first start just write/type whatever comes into your head, no matter how silly it might seem. This is the key to unlock the floodgates. Gradually as you get into it and time progresses you will open many doors of self-discovery, and through this begin to regain your balance. To develop a habit of writing set up a 5 - 15 minute period in your day where you sit and write. You can make this a part of your nighttime ritual, or do it first thing in the morning when all is quiet. With a little self-discipline and practice you can make yourself a happier more balanced person through just a few simple practices. I know from personal experience that taking time for the Self is so vital to personal empowerment and wellness. It is easy to get so involved in our "roles" that we forget to remember our true Spirit. Take some time for yourself and get to know your own best friend, he/she has been right there with you all along. ___________________ Cristin Snyder is a Spiritual Guidance and Personal Empowerment coach who offers a wide variety of Spiritual and Personal Growth Resources through her website Mystical Treasures. Visit Cristin today at www.mysticaltreasures.net. Back To Top ____________________________ Making a difference - it is up to you! -------------------------------------- By Nisandeh Neta "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Those powerful words are part of a speech given by Martin Luther King in August 1963. Those are the words of a man who was persecuted and then murdered for preaching non-violent civil disobedience whilst fighting for black peoples civil rights in the United States during the turbulent early sixties. His dream was manifested a year later, when President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, which (also) guaranteed blacks the right to vote. In that same year, at age 35, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. We all have a dream. Or more accurately, we all had a dream. As children, not preoccupied with what is possible, sensible or logical, we all dreamt of making a difference. I remember myself dreaming of being the best brain surgeon in the world, saving people - making a difference. At the age of 15 I become a vegetarian, determined not to kill anymore. We all had a dream! It involves 'growing up', some falling down and too much listening to those who never made a difference to arrive at the 'conclusion': "I cannot make a difference." Think for a moment, how the world would be if all people had chosen not to strive for their dreams and make a difference. People like Martin Luther King, John Kennedy, Mohandas Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa... You may look at these names and feel somewhat intimidated and be tempted to ask : "Can I really make a difference? Is it worth the price I would have to pay?" It is easier to live a compromised, mediocre life, hoping that someone else makes a difference, while you read about it. However, if that was your choice, you wouldn't be reading this article now. Now is a time for action. As Barbara Streisand said, "Remember, one voice can save Mother Nature. It can help bring about peace. Even one voice... this one voice... can make the difference." It is time to confront our upbringing, conditioning and circumstances. We all had and have people in our life, telling us that dreams are for children, encouraging us to 'grow-up'. It is time to share with them the old Chinese proverb, "Man who says it cannot be done, should not interrupt man doing it." Making a difference is like throwing a pebble in a pool. The ripples spread from the center to larger and larger circles of influence. It begins within you. Find your dream again. Shake off the dust. Put it before you and say, "Hello, I'm back! " Get reacquainted! Feel the energy, excitement, enthusiasm, fire and passion, overflowing within, calling you to movement and action. Take a stance! Let people know what you think and what you believe in, remembering the old phrase: "Stand for something or fall for anything" - Words are not enough - let your actions talk. Making a difference challenges you to think and act differently. To be different! It requires daring. Being different is rarely considered a quality. It requires commitment. Commitment both to yourself and to your integrity. It requires persistence. As Winston Churchill said, "Never, never, never, never give up!" If you're not sure yet, why you should make a difference, let me put it simply: It stretches you to fulfill your potential It gives a meaning to your life It lights your being and actions; and It encourages others with their dreams so that they can make a difference too. If more of us would make a small difference, this planet is bound to become a better place. Article by Nisandeh Neta - trainer, success coach and healer ----------------------------------------------------------------- Start living each day at a higher level of success, passion and fulfillment. No Hocus Pocus! Just awareness and open mind. Learn how, on his site http://www.inspiration2go.com Send a blank e-mail to mailto:subscribe@inspiration2go.com to get his newsletter and receive a BONUS - inspirational digital book. Back To Top How Visualization and Affirmation Can Backfire
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