In another lifetime I used to “therapy” shop to soothe myself, but the feeling of satisfaction didn’t last long no matter what I bought or how much money I spent. Now, I select lifestyle practices that help me shift my journey toward a continued happy and fulfilling reality.
I’ve implemented a few new practices that I thought I would share with you, in case you’re looking for new ways to transition to another phase in your life.
The Practices and How-to
Practice: redirecting your thoughts, this lifestyle choice is always woven into my daily practices, this way of improving thoughts is different than most, but it works. How to: to do this, I suggest that you find a spiritual teacher that you connect with that is focused on thought transformation. I have a few, Mike Dooley is one of them. I went to one of his presentations years ago; it certainly redirected my way of approaching my life. I had the book below with me, he autographed it, we chatted briefly, he was super nice and very humble. My book shows a lot of wear, it is for me a “bible” of sorts, whenever I’m ready for a new direction, I always read articles or pick up a book that I know will help me embrace my new path.
Practice: spiritual body washing, a practice I recently added that focuses on healing, nourishing, cleansing and purifying our body using the power of water. Whenever you take a shower or bath you just add the powerful practice of spiritual intentions. How to: make your next shower or bath a soul lifting experience; use naturally made products such as: plant based soap, incense, candles and/or beautiful music. You may either express your gratitude (before getting in, I say an intention, then while washing I sing the gratitude song or focus on a new way of dealing with a situation), you can choose to pray or create intentions, talk to your creator, these new rituals are empowering, and turns ordinary cleansing into a spiritual spa experience.
Practice: Eating one plant based meal a day. This new practice is a game changer for me, it came from Suzy Amis Cameron’s book “OMD (one meal a day) for the Planet“, a book focused on eating one meatless/non-dairy meal a day. Now this one is right up my alley, I love vegetables and have been seeking another way to reduce my footprint on the planet. How to:choose foods that have no dairy or animal based products for just one meal every day. I do choose to include eggs and cheese in small amounts, not every time or for every meal. There are a lot of cultures that eat vegetable based meals, so I also make international recipes, it makes a meal fun, they taste wonderful and they’re filling.
Author: Suzy Amis Cameron—environmental advocate, former actor, and mom of five—presents a clear-eyed and accessible guide for you to improve your health and shrink your personal carbon footprint simply by swapping one meat and dairy-based meal for a plant-based one every day.
To read an excerpt of this book, click on the link below:
Practice: Making a gratitude meal, whether daily or weekly. I recently created this to give a meal a bit more meaning. How to: whether you cook or don’t, it doesn’t matter, what matters is that you create a way to add gratitude similar to adding a special ingredient. I express gratitude for the process, the ingredients and the completed meal, I dress the table and I’m sure to enjoy every bite
Practice: aligning yourself with intentions. To amp up my self care/improvement I have four mantras I’ve written in my cellphone notes that I got from one of my spiritual teachers. I look at them every day to remind myself of the journey I’m on. My mantras arelessons, alignment, connection and health.How to: follow the instructions on the top of image below, after you’ve found your four mantras, write them somewhere where you can read them daily.
I thought I would share a wonderful vegetarian version of a classic Jewish Reuben that I recently made. I made this for one, it was delicious and a definite keeper ( I didn’t have Persian cucumbers, so I made an apple coleslaw as my side.)
Ingredients:
12 ounces mixed sliced fresh mushrooms, such as oyster, cremini, and shiitake (about 7 cups)
¼ cup olive oil, divided
¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 ½ teaspoons prepared horseradish
½ teaspoon soy sauce
½ cup plus 3 Tbsp. mayonnaise, divided
8 slices Jewish rye bread
8 slices Swiss or provolone cheese (about 6 oz.)
1 cup drained sauerkraut
Persian (mini) cucumbers, halved lengthwise, for serving
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°F with racks in upper and lower thirds. Divide mushrooms between 2 rimmed baking sheets. On each baking sheet, drizzle mushrooms with 2 tablespoons oil and season with ¼ teaspoon salt; toss to coat. Spread mushrooms in an even layer. Roast, rotating baking sheets halfway through, until mushrooms are golden and crispy in parts, 18 to 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, stir tomato paste, horseradish, soy sauce, ½ cup mayonnaise, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt in a bowl until smooth.
Spread 1 side of each bread slice with remaining 3 tablespoons mayonnaise. Flip and spread other sides of bread with tomato paste mixture (about 1 tablespoon per slice). Top each of 4 slices with 1 cheese slice, about ⅓ cup mushrooms, and ¼ cup sauerkraut. Top with remaining 4 cheese slices and 4 bread slices, mayonnaise sides facing up.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium. Cook sandwiches in 2 batches, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden and cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Serve with cucumbers.
A few years into my journey to consciousness I discovered that we could change our health through conscious choices. I also discovered that encompassed the functions of our brain. Prior to my life of mindfulness, the only health issue I knew I could control was my weight, I had no idea that I was able to improve the health of my brain. So, I began to research ways that I could accomplish that. I found Dr. Bruce Lipton and Dr. Joe Dispenza both educating on the brain and the many ways we can improve our brain’s functions. The work to care for myself will be a lifetime of dedication and I am taking responsibility for my health.
The processes for better brain health that I’ve learned have given me the ability to be observant, eat consciously, stay in the moment, meditate peacefully and be open to holistic ways to improve myself. Since mindful living is less about beliefs and more about practices I thought this information would add to your toolkit on your path in the direction of conscious living.
Brain Biology and Brain Functions
Our brain which is made up of billions of nerve cells, controls our thoughts, memories, emotions, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature, hunger and every process that regulates our body. A powerful, lesser known part of the brain are the neurons and what they do.
Most of us don’t know anything about the brain’s neurons, which are what changes how our brain operates and the way it processes information, termed by the medical world as rewiring. So, what are neurons and why do you need to know about them?” Humans can actually regulate the activity of specific neurons in the brain, increasing the firing rate of some while decreasing the rate of others.” (UCLA Health.Org)
“Neurons are responsible for the transport and uptake of neurotransmitters – chemicals that relay information between brain cells. They are information messengers. They use electrical impulses and chemical signals to transmit information between different areas of the brain, and between the brain and the rest of the nervous system.” (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Part of the process of changing the way your neurons is termed “Neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural pathways throughout life and in response to experiences. While the brain usually does this itself in response to injury or disease, when humans focus their attention enough, they can slowly rewire these pathways themselves.” (Colorado State University Research and Eduction Department)
Your Brain Biology and Rewiring It
Without knowing it, the way your brain experiences life when you’re young determines how you’ll be as an adult. What few people know is everything that happens around us when we’re children determines the person we become and has an effect on our physical, mental and emotional health.
Between birth and around the age of seven, the experiences we’re exposed to effect the biology of our body, particularly the biology of our brain. This is where your knowledge of neurons and how to rewire them is very important, especially if you want to want to live more peacefully and mindfully.
What all of this means is your brain is hard-wired with connections made by what you see and hear and until you’re aware of that, being able to make improvements or achieve peace or stillness is very difficult.
To better apply techniques to rewire your brain, I am sharing a couple of options, a video with Dr. Bruce Lipton. an American developmental biologist and a series of videos by Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. of Chiropractic. I discovered his change/rewire techniques several years ago when I watched a video published by Dr. Lipton talking about the way our body health is brought on and by reading Dr. Joe Dispenza’s book, Evolve Your Brain. If you decided to practice the rewire process and hit the right core issues you’re dealing with, you will transform your neural pathways improving your life and your ability to achieve serenity.
Empower Yourself
“In the beginning, it takes focus, effort, and more energy in your brain, but after you make the swing or say hello enough times, it becomes effortless. Thus, to rewire your brain you’ll have to stay with the new behavior long enough to make it become fairly automatic. In time, practice will make it effortless. John B. Arden
The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art. – Leonardo da Vinci
This post is rather long, but I found so much useful information that it grew from a few paragraphs.
For some reason I began paying attention to my feet decades ago, I guess having flat feet with sore arches made me take notice. After years of wearing heels and the abuse that most women do to their feet, I developed Achilles Tendonitis around my left heel and ankle, while it isn’t too painful, it compromises the strength around that area of my foot and my leg buckles at times.
With all of the daily lumps, bumps and movement our feet take, It’s important to set aside time to treat them with some loving attention each day. The tools to care for your feet are affordable, readily available and easy to use. All you need to give is about 20 minutes a day to maintain great foot health.
Did you know that the first part of your body to grow older is your feet? Your feet are where your kidney, liver, heart, brain and spleen nerves end. Poor foot care such as wearing the wrong shoes, wearing high-heels and ill-fitting footwear can cause thick, cracked nails and dried cracked skin. Did you know that not resting your feet when they’re tired can lead to serious heart problems and can result in a higher risk of disease such as heart disease, diabetes, reduced endurance and loss of muscle mass?
“Good foot health is essential for an active life. With 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 muscles, ligaments and tendons, your feet are incredibly complex. And they serve as the foundation for your entire body in terms of support, balance, posture, and overall well-being. You can experience pain in your knees, hips and lower back when you have ongoing foot problems. Foot issues can also cause imbalance, poor posture, and even problems with organ function.” Martin Foot and Ankle
Stock Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock
Practices for Healthy Feet From Dr. Christine Schrammek Kosmetik.com
Footbath: Treat your feet with a relaxing footbath, either with a readily mixed addition or with an essential oil. Bathe your feet approx. 15 minutes. In summer, the water can be slightly cooler, this additionally refreshes.
Foot peeling: Apply the peeling with circular movement. Afterwards, wash off with water and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes. The first cornea scales are removed, a good preparation for the next step.
Remove cornea: Remove the cornea with a special cornea file, this one is larger and usually has two different grain sizes. Take the rough side for the grossly removal of the cornea at the heel, ball and other difficult cornified areas. Take the fine side for the final touch.
Foot Cornea – Image Courtesy of Shutterstock
Cut and file nails into shape: Cut your nails with nail scissors, nail clippers or a file. Who uses the scissors or the clipper, should additionally take the file to smooth the nails. What is important: Always cut the nails straight and round off the corners, otherwise there is a risk of nails growing in.
Remove cuticle and push it back gently: Push the cuticle back gently with the help of a so-called “hoof stick” or a rosewood skewer. Excess cuticle can be removed with a cuticle clippers.
Cream your feet: Treat your feet with a moisturizing foot cream. For dry skin and torn heels, use a skin cream specifically for extremely dry skin.
Polish your nails: If you want to polish your nails afterwards, remember to degrease the nails before applying the nail polish, otherwise it won’t stay on your nails. Use a few drops of alcohol from the pharmacy or nail polish remover on a cotton pad and lightly clean the nail. Furthermore, it is important to use a base coat under the nail polish. The base coat protects the nails from discolourations and forms an optimal basis. After that, apply the nail polish, usually in two layers for an even look. To extend the durability, apply a top coat at the end.
Yoga for your Feet
You can sit in a chair, on the bed, or the floor, cradling one foot in your lap, if possible.
Pull each toe gently but firmly straight ahead several times.
Bend the 5 toes as one toward the sole, gently but firmly, then back toward the top of the foot, holding each position for a few seconds
Place the right hand on top of the right foot and interlace the fingers with the toes as best as you can. Then circle the wrist to take the toes in a circle clockwise a few times. Then counterclockwise.
Place the left hand on the bottom of the right foot, interlace the toes as best you can, and again move them clockwise and counterclockwise several times. To unlace fingers, try to pull your fingers through the space between the toes, thus stretching that area, too. (reverse hands to massage toes of left foot)
Practice extending the toes as far as you can, hold for 6 seconds then curl the toes under as far as you can and hold. Repeat several times.
If you have time, a foot massage feels great. Press around the perimeter of each sole, paying special attention to the arches, the balls of the feet, and any place that feels tender. There are tools, little balls, or pencil-like implements with a rounded end, that make this easier if your hands are sore.
Reflexology
The definition of reflexology, a type of therapy that uses gentle pressure on specific points along your feet (and possibly on your hands or ears as well) to help you feel better. The theory is that this eases stress, and that helps your body work better. It’s also known as zone therapy.
The Benefits
#1 – Encourages Relaxation – Reflexology can flood the neural pathways with relaxation, inducing a state of peace and tranquility within the body and mind. This physiological change results in the reduction of stress.
Stress reduction through reflexology therapy is frequently associated with relieving sleep disorders. This is accomplished by helping your body return to a more relaxed and balanced state, simultaneously working to restore a healthy Circadian rhythm, which is needed for sufficient sleep.
#2 – Promotes Nervous System Stimulation – Open neural pathways benefit our central nervous system in a variety of ways. The brain is able to handle inputs more effectively, essentially speeding up cognitive strengths; thus, increasing the speed of physical reactions, which boosts your memory. Overall, the entire brain is able to work faster and more efficiently.
#3 – Relieves Migraines and Headaches – Reflexology is often sought after by people in pain, because reflexology can reduce the severity of migraines and headaches by increasing blood flow and relieving muscle tension. Since stress and psychological factors often manifest themselves as migraine symptoms, stress-induced headaches can also be eliminated.
#4 – Revitalizes Nerve Function – Nerve endings lose sensitivity in parts of our body as we age (more so in the extremities). Reflexology has been associated with the stimulation of more than 7,000 different nerve endings during a 1-hour session, naturally increasing nerve functioning and reactivity.
The opening and cleansing of neural pathways helps improve overall functionality and reduces toxicity within the body.
#5 – Improves Circulation – Probably the most well known and verified results of reflexology is an improvement in circulation throughout the entire body, which means blood and oxygen are being cycled throughout the body more effectively.
Due to this benefit, oxygen reaches vital organ systems, optimizing their function and increasing the metabolism.
#6 – Increases Energy Levels – By aligning functions of organ and muscle systems, reflexology has the potential to increase the metabolism and energy creation. In other words, reflexology sessions can help to re-energize your body and mind.
#7 – Relieves Plantar Fasciitis Pain – Reflexology can help ease the pain and discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis. Reflexology is beneficial as it uses pressure point techniques to release tension, relieving the heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis. A natural cure for plantar fasciitis is a professional foot massage. To learn more, read yourfootpalace.com/how-foot-massage-can-relieve-your-plantar-fasciitis-pain/
The Organ and Body Connections to Your Feet
1. Head and Brain
As shocking as it might sound, the tips of the toes, according to reflexology are directly connected to your head and brain. If you have a headache or you are stressed, massaging the toes and especially the tips and the bottom of the toes can help relieve the stress. It also helps relieve headaches and has a positive impact on the overall health of the brain
2. Small Intestines
The small intestines, according to reflexology are connected to the area between the heel and the ball of the foot. Massaging this place leads to a healthier intestinal tract and improved digestion. Massaging this place on the feet is highly beneficial to those people who suffer from severe indigestion and bloating.
3. The Heart
It’s one of the most crucial parts of the body, and it’s what keeps the body alive by pumping blood. The heart is one of the organs whose health should be taken seriously by everyone. On the left side on the ball of the foot is said to be the place connected to the heart. It might be a bit difficult to nail but its right below the bottom of the toes. Massaging this place improves blood flow in the body and is highly beneficial to the overall circulatory system and heart health.
If anyone experiences heart palpitations or chest pains, they should see a doctor right away.
4. The Lungs
Reflexology places the connection between the feet and the lungs at the middle of the balls of the feet. Focusing on this area improves the overall health of the lungs, and it’s also beneficial to people suffering from asthma.
5. The Neck
Neck aches and pains are some of the most common in the human body. The connection between the neck and the feet lies just below the big toe and massaging this point helps ease the neck pains and discomfort. Reflexology is great, and it’s well known to have health benefits. However, it’s not scientifically proven to have medicinal benefits. If you experience any pain or discomfort in your body, it’s good to see a doctor as fast as possible. The connection between the feet and the body can’t, however, be ignored.
Ouch! High Heels
On a lunch break years ago I walked to the park where there was a camera crew photographing a model that had just taken a break, the first thing the model did was remove her stilettos. As much as high heels that are higher than two inches look good and increase the curve of your leg keep in mind they can cause a variety of health problems such as hammertoes and bunions, and back pain. And they can cause:
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“There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others.This, for me, is how we become.”Michelle Obama
I thought about this post for a while before writing it. Since I write about ways and ideas to achieve peace and tranquility to be who we uniquely are, I thought why not share my passage to authenticity.
When One Door Closes, Another Opens
I was unknowingly frustrated all of my adult life, I was unhappy with either myself or my life; my behavior always seemed to be off and I couldn’t figure out why. My frustration came out in a variety of ways, defensiveness, wanting to be alone, trusting too much and too much focus on what everyone else needed.
Every choice we make takes us on a journey that helps us to discover who we really are. In July of 2014 just a little over a year after my mother died, I decided to join a spiritual/consciousness group that a friend recommended. The members appeared to be kind and friendly just what I thought I needed. After several months with the group, I chose to volunteer to help the spiritual leader. I didn’t realize I was in emotional limbo and I was neglecting my needs, so that decision took me down a path of some pretty tough lessons. The woman I was helping took advantage of my need to help others, but rather than just quit, I pushed through. After nearly a year of constantly being surrounded by members of the group and over-working I was exhausted and my latent frustration started to surface. I began to treat the volunteer position like a paid job, I became too invested by becoming very business-like. The members of the group didn’t like or understand my behavior; they all complained about me to the spiritual leader. So in September of 2016 after the woman got wind of how the members felt, she was angry when she told me that I was no longer welcome to be in the group, I was actually quite relieved.
I know everything happens for me not to me, so afterward I decided to isolate myself and take my life into my hands. I put all of my energy into healing and becoming more aligned with my needs. Even though the situation I’d been through was difficult I had gained a lot over the time I was involved. But the way things transpired made me realize that It was time I practice what I’d been advising others to do, live authentically and be true to the life I was meant to live.
My Journey
In 1974 at the age of 22 I was rather naive about men and thoughtless of the consequences of intimacy. I met a guy at a bar (that sure does sound like a cliché) I went to with a friend. The guy bought me a drink, we chatted briefly and I went home. I’m fuzzy on the details of our relationship but I do remember our first encounter because it was my first time and it was very un-romantic. Several weeks later after I’d developed flu-like symptoms, I went to the doctor and found out that my big night of intimacy resulted in pregnancy. I was scared but kind of excited at the same time, not once did I consider terminating my chance at motherhood. Being pregnant meant that I would have to leave single life behind, not that I had much of one, to live with my parents. The baby’s father disappeared for a time, then resurfaced and asked me to marry him. I was gullible and said yes, we got married and divorced within one year. I knew I would be okay as a single mom, things were’nt going to be easy but I was determined to have my baby. I really had no idea how being a single mom would effect my life and my future, but I knew that I felt joy and contentment.
Becoming a mom was as natural for me as breathing when in December of 1974 my son, Scott, was born. He was a beautiful and joyous little boy who ignited a love I’d never known. I knew immediately that I wanted to devote my time to him for as long as I could but I just didn’t know how. We did some research and found a state run program to help single moms receive childcare financial aid. I didn’t know how long the aid would be available to me, but I chose to accept the unknown and just enjoy our time together.
We enjoyed a good, quiet life through Scott’s first year, it was soul satisfying to care for him as I began our adventure into family life. Then in 1975 my life changed abruptly when my 14 year old sister Carol was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a life-threatening cancer of the blood. I didn’t know anything about leukemia and I had no idea what we were going to be faced with. Sadly, family friends disappeared but my family was pretty close so we stood together beyond the circumstances. My mom went through all of the medical processes with Carol throughout her ordeal. My life changed as I took on my mom’s responsibilities along with mine and caring for Scott. Thank goodness Scott was just a baby, he kept me laughing and cheerful. When my sister came home after a long stay at the hospital, still very ill, my life was a constant state of uncertainty. Scott was very social and loved to be the center of attention, making him a light in Carol’s life giving her a break from her illness. Not much was known about Leukemia then; after a year long battle Carol lost remission and passed away on August 4th 1976. I was devastated but I had to maintain my focus on my son who was just about two. This is where I believe the Universe works its magic, because of Scott being just a toddler, he was a blessing for my grieving family. After that significant loss, along with gratitude and appreciation, I gained a different sense of the life going on around me, my heart opened up. As time passed and my son grew into a self-sufficient young man, I grew as a person becoming more resilient yet unsettled. I was blossoming into someone who wanted a more diverse life for myself and my son.
I’ve always looked forward to the changes that were necessary to improve my life. In 1987 the next opportunity for growth came when the state notified me that they were terminating the financial support for my son. Life was pushing me in a new direction, I was anxious but excited. Included with the letter was an outline of a state run back to work program schedule with the date and time of the introductory meeting I was expected to attend. My quiet life became hectic, I created ideals for myself and I knew that I didn’t want a job for someone with just a high school education anymore. I had a strong interest in the state-of-the-art technology, personal computers, I wanted to learn all about them. I had no money or knew what I could do to get the financial support I needed, but through my fear I believed that beyond the circumstances I was faced with that I was capable of achieving more.
I didn’t know it at the time, but an extraordinary event was about to happen. As I left the state mandated meeting for a job, a person walked toward me with a clipboard, stopped me and asked if I had any interest in learning how to use a computer. I got a little excited and added my name and contact information to the list without any idea of what was to come. Within days I got a call and a meeting was arranged to pursue the financial support I would need to attend their business college. My biggest fear was returning to school, but I didn’t let that stop me. By February, financing was secured to cover the first two quarters and I was now a student. I was completely out of my comfort zone, but I was determined to push past my fear and go. In the spring of 1988 I graduated as a certified Wordprocessor with a 3.9 GPA and within a couple of months of graduation I landed my first job, not as a Wordprocessor, as a receptionist for a small software development company. That first job redirected my career from a data entry specialist to an administrative professional for the next 28 years.
My career was never a passion for me, I chose what I did for a better life and a steady income. Over the nearly two and a quarter decades my positions increased in responsibility with higher skill requirements, the jobs were demanding with hundreds of challenges to work through. It was exhausting and strenuous; after 22 years I felt disconnected and dissatisfied with my career. I felt a strong urge to go in a new direction. In fact in December of 2008 I told my mom how I felt and that I had no idea how to change things. Then, In February of 2009 once again the Universe stepped in and my position was eliminated. Within two weeks I walked away from a career in Corporate America that had improved my life but wasn’t what I wanted or who I was anymore. This was going to be more then just a job change, it felt like a personal revolution.
From that point forward I was on a bumpy path of awakening and learning how to better follow my gut instincts. I was uncharacteristically uncertain, I stopped wearing a watch, looking for a job because of the income and I began thinking beyond the obvious. I wanted to make a difference, I was for all intense purposes lifting myself out of the fog of an unintentional life. When my first few attempts to do something different failed, I was unhappy, my son advised me to hold my head up, be strong, decisive and to keep pushing on. In the next six years, I created an online assistant business with a self-created website that lasted for two years. Then in 2011 I chose to volunteer then work for Public Broadcasting Service for a year, followed by working for a nonprofit medical clinic for a year. During that time I started to write and I began taking photos seriously.
The milestones in my life have always been big changes that turned my life around in ways that I never saw coming. In early 2013 my new daughter-in-law suddenly passed away and just a few days later my mom passed away after a year of harrowing medical problems. Along with the grief of two family losses, without any life insurance from my mom, I dealt with eviction. Over the next three and half years I moved into eight different places with people I didn’t know anything about. In 2014 after a contract job with a large business I chose to retire from corporate life to pursue a life of consciousness. That was when my life became more tumultuous and I became more determined to live my life my way. After the eighth move and complete exhaustion in late 2017 an opportunity arose to leave the east coast to move out west where I chose to live rather than moving somewhere to adapt to the circumstances of my life. Even though the people I knew warned me away from moving knowing I was fearful of driving a moving truck across country alone, I forced myself to say yes and grabbed the opportunity.
All of the heart-felt choices I’ve made, even though some seemed like the wrong thing to do, led me to where I am today. I am genuinely happy, surrounded by nature and connected to authentic, loving, kind people. For me, every choice has led me to a situation that instilled life lessons that helped develop my character. I now am more aware of the transitions and how I am effected, they’re not quite as dramatic as it has been in years gone by, none-the-less impactful, exquisite and meaningful.
Words fall short to accurately summarize how I feel about my journey to authenticity. The tough times I experienced will never be forgotten but the magical outcomes have left me speechless.
Update from the Homefront
As spring tries to make its way in, things have changed here at home. My son, Scott, left his long distance truck driving job for a job where he’ll be home every weekend. My 17 year old grandson Wyatt has moved to Mesa, just a couple of hours south of here to live with his aunt until he graduates. He came to spend last weekend and plans to come visit on as many weekends as he can, giving me the chance to cook for my family, what a joy and a way to introduce my grandson to international and varietal cooking, Once I chose my happiness and living authentically, the opportunities to grow into who I am have been many.
Whenever there are challenges I have no control of, I turn inward and to my surroundings. It lifts my soul and it changes the direction of my focus. My surroundings parallel how I want to feel using the practice of Feng Shui. Because I am naturally inclined to maintain an open flow, it makes sense for me.
I grew up in a clean clutter free home, so it was natural for me to apply the practices of Feng Shui, in fact I was quite excited when I discovered it. Over the years, I’ve learned to use Feng Shui no matter what the circumstances to echo the way I feel and how I want to experience the world around me.
Feng Shui is a simple common sense way to improve your environment, it’s not about decorating but is focused on natural energy flow and a clean, clutter-free home. It’s simple, fun and there’s a feeling of fresh energy everywhere once you’ve begun the transformation. The life-giving joy of Feng Shui is a great way to create an environment that has a favorable impact on you and your everyday life.
Feng Shui is a combination of an ancient art and science that goes back thousands of years. I know from first-hand experience that there is a significant change in the feeling and flow of energy when it is applied.
The philosophy of Feng Shui is a practice of looking at our living spaces and working environment and striking a balance with the natural world. The Chinese words “feng” and “shui” translate to mean “wind” and “water,” respectively. This concept derived from an ancient poem that talks about human life being connected and flowing with the environment around it. Anjie Cho
How to apply Feng Shui to any room
Step 1 – Commanding Positions That means the direction of the important furniture in each room. While your kitchen appliances have to remain where they are, you can rearrange other rooms to create a better flow. Never line anything up with a door or put your back to the door, simple and practical advice as you begin to choose new locations for your furniture. I suggest imagining it first before you move anything, consider the function and the outcome so you don’t have to move something heavy more than once.
Step 2 – Keep the house free of clutter – “Clutter is an energetic anchor that impedes the best things from unfolding in our lives,” Laura Benko Keeping a space devoid of clutter makes it feel light and easy , Feng Shui is not about a perfectly decorated home, but creating a happy, healthy space to enjoy your life.
Step 3 – Remove negative symbolism – Evaluate your space for any symbolic representation of anything showing up in your space that reflects any challenges and difficulties you’re been faced with, replace them with items of what you want to attract.
Step 4 – Maximize natural light – Natural light makes us happy and more positive, so the more of it the better. For this step, adding mirrors in room to reflect it will add light where it may not be as bright as you’d like it, the reflected light will lift the feeling of the room.
Step 5- Balance your work areas in the kitchen – While certain areas of the kitchen are unchangeable, organizing the work areas and other areas in the kitchen will make a big difference in the feeling of your space. As well you can change the color, any decor and improve the light. The time and effort to get that feeling are well worth it. I am just finishing making several major changes in the kitchen/dining space and it feels much better.
The experts in these videos on Feng Shui share other ideas and how to use the five elements in your space. Remember you can also use Feng Shui concepts outdoors as well, giving you a world of peace, joy and harmony.
To better understand and apply the elements by Ivy Marie Lim
For the right feng shui color palette for your home, Rodika Tchi
Furniture rearrangement and placement tips by Carol Hyder
Enjoy your journey and the increased energy flow for a happier, healthier life.
Any action becomes a cause of the events that will follow — the effects, and they in their turn become the causes for something else again. This understanding translates into a very simple formulation of Karma without any flavors of esoterism and religiousness. Chengeer Lee, Life Coach
Karma shapes and effects every aspect of our lives and of those around us. Every choice we take action on is the beginning of the law of cause and effect. Karma, the outcome, is a neutral energy that is neither good nor bad. It is the energy created by an action that is returned in the form of the outcome.
Our actions come from an initial thought or response, it is only when we act that the energy of cause and effect begins, Living a mindful and heart-centered life will change your karma. When your choices are made with purposeful intentions instead of hasty or impulsive reactions, you’ll remove the tendencies from past habitual behaviors that brought an outcome other than what you deserve.
The secret to understandingthe way of the Universe;
The process of cause/effect and karma can serve as a way to understand the importance of the mind-heart connection. When you live mindfully, you’ll realize that every situation you’re in has the potential to gain wisdom from the experience. Karma is never meant to be a form of punishment or reciprocal pain and misery. When an unfavorable circumstance reoccurs each time you make a choice, that is the Universe’s way of showing you there’s something to learn from the experience to help you break the reactive/impulse pattern. This is why it is highly recommended that you avoid outside advice and suggestions which will only impede your progress.
For me, being in a state of peace when preparing myself to make important decisions is key. I clear away everything going on in my mind and focus on my innate wisdom and my instincts. I also disregard any distractions or unwanted advice by firmly holding in my mind what I know is the best outcome for me.
Life is a series of events and situations that are not in our control. How we respond to those circumstances that come before us, is. We can either react without thought or carefully respond. It helps to remember that there are a variety of situations that will naturally occur either way.
Every facet of your life, relationships, health, growing older and career all come from the energy that your choices determine. Empower yourself by going with your wisdom and instincts to enjoy the benefits of a heart aligned outcome.
Tips to Help You Consciously Choose:
Conscious choice begins with being present in the moment, sitting alone in stillness, considering your options and how you’re lining up with what is best for you
Think about how the choice/outcome you’re considering will effect your life and the lives of those around you
Don’t allow the advice or suggestions of others make your decision for you. You are the only one that will have to live with the result of your choices
Check your impulses at the door, from personal experience, reactionary urges have unfavorable and adverse consequences
Remember begin the actions of cause and effect responsibly, It is never anyone else’s fault or the way of the world that our lives end up going in the wrong direction
Carelessly made choices become habitual inevitably shaping the consequences of our actions over and over again. This habitual behavior arises from being in a clouded state of mind that colors our every action. When we apply consciousness to our life choices we are aligning ourselves with the way things actually are and seeing clearly the path we prefer
Every time you have the urge to react impulsively, take a breath, ask yourself if you’re absolutely sure and imagine the outcome of your choice. Everyone wants to live their lives with purpose and intention; peace and a better life are just a conscious choice away.
Relationships are complex, challenging and a source for growth. Going into any relationship in a state of unawareness, guarded and carrying baggage comes from making the same choices over and over again which only leads to heartbreak and turmoil. Stripping away habitual behaviors to become open and vulnerable is the only way to experience healthier, happier relationships.
Without vulnerability, relationships struggle. Vulnerability is, ‘Here I am – my frayed edges, my secrets, my fears, my affection. Be careful – they’re precious.’ In return, it invites, ‘Oh, I see you there. It’s okay, you’re safe. And here – here’s me.’ It builds trust, closeness and a sense of belonging. Relationships won’t thrive without it. Karen Young
Being vulnerable isn’t easy, exposing our most vulnerable self is a lot of work and doesn’t happen overnight, it is a process that happens as we build confidence and certainty that it’s okay to be ourselves and genuine around others.
If you view relationships as a way to become a better person instead of a way to fill a void or to make you happy, they will function better and differently and all of the relationship stumbling blocks most people experience will eventually fall away. This is effective for all relationships, not just those of a romantic nature, love and vulnerability aren’t limited to romance, in fact, they are the true nature of humanity.
Healthy relationships are always growing and changing allowing for introspection, personal growth and the ability to shift our way of being. The key to healthy relationships is that they be backed with consciously chosen meaningful intentions where everyone is always seen and heard and feels secure knowing that no matter what is said or discussed, there are no judgments, conditions or opinions that will diminish the heart of the connection between you.
First, we should be in a strong and wholesome relationship with ourselves, that will open the door for healthier relations. As we become vulnerable we will learn that our happiness and accountability in a relationship is our responsibility. then we will lift the burden of expecting anyone else to care for our happiness and feelings. Unfortunately, a majority of relationships are unconscious, revolving around feeling safe and relying on the other person to make us happy, that is what we’ve come to expect and what strains most relationships. Healthy relationships of any kind are grounded in consciousness, unquestioning trust, giving space to each person to be authentic and feeling completely accepted.
Vulnerable relationships are different asking that we be conscious, aware of our emotions, actions and words and that we are able to be ourselves. I recently read a quote that helped me put into words the way I approach relationships now, it was something like we must understand that relationships are not to make us happy but a part of our lives for us to learn and grow from.
Redefining a relationship isn’t easy, no matter how mindful we are. For me, the best way I’ve found not to conditionalize a relationship based on past experiences is to work on myself towards well-being and self-confidence and always remind myself this is a different person and situation. Because I live in awareness, I make sure to treat people as I want to be treated. Being aware and conscious is a great part of vulnerability and a constant effort meaning we can never slip into unconscious oblivion again. I can suggest trying what I’ve discovered, ask yourself questions like what will happen if say this or how would I feel if someone treated me this way before I say or do anything.
A major factor that changed the dynamics and the type of relationship I have with myself was when I chose to create boundaries such as not letting what others thought of me or my choices interfere with what I decided or how I thought of myself. I also took another big step toward being true to myself by reducing the number of people I was surrounded by. For me, that was a fairly significant move that led to a smaller circle of trusted friends. Becoming conscious and vulnerable is going to bring an obstacle course with everyone in your life, this is where you will experience the most change and weed out those people who aren’t on the same page with you.
Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”― Brene Brown
Being vulnerable is tricky, we can’t configure or manipulate our authenticity in any way to be accepted by another. We have to be happy with ourselves and then do the work at remaining genuine to attract the healthy relationships we deserve. Another major step is to not allow the years of self-protection from pain and toxic behavior that caused us to shut down and close people out prevent our progress to being a happier person.
Finally, I’d like to close with a video I watched and another part of the process of developing healthy friendships/relationships, Frientimacy: The 3 Requirements of All Healthy Friendships by Shasta Nelson
Thank you for reading my post, always live your life with your mind and heart connection in the forefront.
Hi we’re Griff and Mandy. We’re brother and sister and boy are we a handful, that’s what our new “grandmom” says. I guess we bark a lot that’s because we are used to living on a big truck that goes all around the country and guarding our dad. We don’t know any other way, so “grandmom” is helping us learn not to worry that someone will hurt our family.
Our dad Scott has given us to his mom so he can do a better job and we can have more fun, run and play and learn new things. We’re part lab and part shepherd so we are pretty set in our ways. But now we have a back yard to play in and eat at the same time every day, “grandmom” even gives us snacks sometimes and she’s teaching us lots of things and she has to tell us to behave. She gives us lots of love and even gives us space on the bed with her.
We miss our dad and can’t wait til he visits but we love our new home and being able to nap in the sun or just laze in the house watching “grandmom”. We love to come in the kitchen when she’s cooking, we keep waiting for food to fall on the floor, she sure is a good cook.
Maybe we’ll ask “grandmom” if we can visit with you once in a while and tell stories about our new adventures.
I’m Griff, aren’t I handsome?I’m Mandy, I am a Princess
Imagine how different life would be without birth certificates, birthdays or knowing that we’re old or young. What if we lived based on how we feel and our purpose, would our chronological age matter? If you believe it does, ask yourself why and what age related dogmas you think are stopping you.
According to a variety of studies, your subjective age is more relevant, because your attitude is not really about how old you are, but how old you feel. Did you know that an advantage to feeling younger fosters openness, conscientiousness and agreeableness?
Dr. Becca Levy, at the Yale School of Public Health, has done research on the health impacts of negative age stereotypes. Her experiments suggest that ageist beliefs have a measurable impact on older people’s physical and mental abilities, including handwriting, memory performance, balance, gait speed, hearing, risk of cardiovascular event and recovery time from such an event, self-care, and will to live. Oxford Academic
Common Misconceptions and Insults We Endure as We Grow Older
Old people live under rocks
Waiters, doctors or other service providers talking to younger people when they accompany an older person as if the older people are unable to understand or comprehend what they are saying
Unkind praise, “you look good for your age”, you’re young at heart”, “you’re still able to dance and exercise”,
Old people are demented
Birthday parties with black balloons, headstones and the focus is on death
Comments like,”Your’re too old to do those things, you’re still driving, your clothes don’t match your age
Being referred to as a biddy, geezer, codger, old bag, pops, old bat or old timer
Terms like “over the hill”, having a senior moment, no spring chicken, no fool like an old fool, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, act your age, past your prime
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOUR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH
From Dr. Christiane Northrup “Your beliefs and thoughts are wired into your biology. They become your cells, tissues, and organs. There’s no supplement, no diet, no medicine, and no exercise regimen that can compare with the power of your thoughts and beliefs. That’s the very first place you need to look when anything goes wrong with your body.”
10 Keys to an Ageless Mind
Our lifestyle determines the state of our body and the way we function daily. This video offers ways to improve your choices to create a healthier mind, adding years to your life.
The Three Pound Universe – Your Brain
Healthy Bones and Your Mind: Your brain never stops regenerating cells no matter your age. the opinion that as we age brain cell development slows is nothing more than a cultural belief. Did you know that osteocalcin, a molecule produced in our bones has a critical role in our memory ability? Osteocalcin carries a message to our hippocampus that says, boost memory power” in turn our brain responds by increasing its ability to memorize, your bone health equals memory health.
Did you know that one third of your memory is predetermined by genetics and biology but an impressive two thirds is in your control?
THREE VITAL ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO SUPPORT YOUR BRAIN’S HEALTH:
1.Sleep Well – Sleep is a miracle drug for your brain. When you sleep well your mood improves and your mind is clear.
It is a myth that as we age we need less sleep and for most it’s a challenge to get a deep, restful sleep. To improve those odds, it is necessary to control light because we are programmed to be in bright light during the day and much less light at night.
For Better Sleep – Regulate light by aligning it with nature.
During the day – get at least 1-2 hours of bright light, if not from the sun, you can purchase an inexpensive dawn stimulator light or blue spectrum light.
At night – Take measures to greatly reduce your exposure to light
Turn bedroom lights and electronic devices off a couple of hours before you go to bed
Use a booklight or a backlit screen to read in bed
If you have a nightlight in your room use a dimly lit without blue spectrum light.
2. Become Curious – A well-rested brain will cultivate curiosity and helps you to enjoy, engage and even be enchanted by the day’s opportunities. Being curious stimulates your brain, the challenge excites your brain and delights your brain’s pleasure centers with molecules of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps you focus on a new solution and locking into your memory.
Try this exercise, the next time you’re faced with finding a solution, be creative push your boundaries instead of relying on the same answers, try seeking a new and different way to solve a situation. This is defined as neuroplasticity, your brain’s ability to change and adapt. A new discovery found that new neurons can appear in certain parts of the brain up until the day we die.
3. Deeply Connect to Life,- A more deeply connected life can result in a more youthful brain and joyful life. We are naturally social beings so profound connections creates powerful and advantageous, protective benefits for your brain.
Living open-heartedly activates empathy circuits in our brain. Strong, companionable connections with others reduces the fear and anxiety of being alone and misunderstood. Seeking positive,healthy social connections regularly strengthens our brain’s centers of emotion, reasoning, and judgment.
To effectively connect with others, avoid superficial greetings and offhanded small talk, instead engage in a heart-felt, genuine and sincere conversations to give the experience more meaning.
Savor life and engage in pleasurable, sustainable rituals such as a standing meeting with a friend or family member and see the immense benefits of strong social connections. Awakening your heart to express your true and authentic self will give your brain a reason to sing at any age!
REDUCE STRESS – ENHANCE THE QUALITY AND LONGEVITY OF YOUR LIFE
Stress doesn’t just make a person feel older. In a very real sense, it can speed up aging. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that stress can add years to the age of individual immune system cells. – Consumer Health Daily
Stress is the body’s way of protecting itself, during periods of stress, the body starts pumping adrenaline, the heart rate goes up, blood vessels dilate, breathing and sweat production increases, metabolism slows down, and muscles become tense. To learn more about identifying the causes of stress and reducing it, click this link, https://commhealthcare.com/reducing-stress-and-enhancing-quality-of-life/
AGELESS LIVING CREDO
I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to read my post.
Free Resources on REVERSING the Effects of Aging
Enjoy this mindfulness meditation, one of the methods that can help quiet your mind and maintain balance and a harmonious environment.
Deepak Chopra – A Tip to Living Agelessly
Mary Walsh gives a spirited and profound Ted talk on the joy of aging.
Celebrate the wisdom that comes with growing older and banish terms such as “anti-aging” or “having a senior moment” from your vocabulary. Dr. Christiane Northrup
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ― Albert Einstein
What is a miracle to you? There is no real definition of a miracle, we each have our own understanding of what a miracle is. If you think about it, we are a miracle, nature is a miracle, life is a miracle, there are numerous miracles around us, all we have to do is be open and look.
One of My Many “Miracles” – When my career began shifting in the early 2000’s, for some unknown reason, memories of the Arizona mountains and the wide open spaces of the west began coming to the forefront of my mind. Then in early 2016 my memories turned into vivid nightly dreams, something I’d never experienced. I knew in my heart something bigger than I could imagine was taking place. A little more than a year later a window of opportunity opened to take what I call guided action. Even though the path was filled with unexpected but necessary challenges, what I consider a series of miracles took place and I am now back home in Arizona and less than 10 minutes away from those beautiful mountains.
Miracles happen all of the time, many don’t appear to be significant, but every one of them is connected with belief and concept. In 2016, after a sequence of experiences, I wanted to spend time learning to recognize miracles. What an inspirational and powerful way to experience life. I’d read an article about recognizing and listing miracles that we experience throughout our lives, I was amazed at what I discovered. Because of that exercise, I left behind a life of worrying and living in the past by turning my attention to recognizing miracles every day. No matter what challenges and hardships I’m faced with, it has become a part of my daily routine. I love the energy of that focus and retraining myself to see the gifts that life brings. While many people think of miracles as something earth shattering, most are small but meaningful and can shift our way of experiencing life.
Transforming Your Life – Miracle Awareness
One of my daily practices is an on-going dialogue I have with God that keeps me on my toes by being grateful and identifying miracles throughout my day. Those dialogues eliminate negative thoughts, feeling sorry for myself and help me to remember the many challenges that I and millions of people are faced with are all part of the intricate path we are on in what I’ve come to call the school of life. How we use that education can make a considerable difference in how our life story goes.
My belief is that miracles come in all sizes, shapes
They have a variety of ways of showing up. If you’re open and allow life to run its course and for the flow of the Universe to happen in its own way and time, miracles will be obvious to you, if you’re lost in depressive feelings, anxious or disconnected, they will go unnoticed.
Stay open to life
When you’re open and notice what’s going on around you, you’ll realize that there are no hidden meanings in events, miracles will occur in many ways and through unexpected circumstances, they are fascinating and curious. Even when things seem bleak, awareness of the magnificence around you will bring your attention to the miracles that we can experience every day.
Example: As a photographer I had spent several years on a journey learning how to compose, respect wildlife and to experience little everyday miracles. When I left the east coast, the door opened for my photography to grow in ways I could have never imagined. My first stop was Wyoming to spend time with my sister. While I was there we took a couple of trips to one of the two places where we could see wild buffalo. On one of the trips a small herd was grazing along the road. I excitedly turned on my new camera and began shooting, I was in seventh heaven. About nine months later I discovered Wildlife Photo of the Day, a division of the World Wildlife Fund and an online community that showcases the best wildlife photos. Images are submitted by thousands of photographers but I decided to take a chance anyway and submitted the photo above. A day later it was unexpectedly selected as Photo of the Day and exhibited on all of their social media sites, for me that was a miracle.
The Discovery of MiraclesFrom Deepak Chopra:
Place significance on opening up even more.
Notice the little miracles, synchronicity and unusual events.
Value these anomalies for what they are—clues to a higher reality.
If you keep these steps in mind, tiny, isolated events will start to form larger patterns. Think of how you respond to music. We all hear catchy tunes, but some people go further and think, “I really feel drawn to music.” They value music as more than a passing moment of pleasure. So they take lessons and delve into how music works. The more they delve, the greater their ability grows. In the case of consciousness, there is no limit to your growth. Yet as with music, you can’t let the small beginnings slip away. That’s what the parable of the mustard seed teaches in the New Testament. Jesus points out that most seeds fall on stony ground, but a few land in the right place and grow from an invisible seed into a flourishing plant.
I see life as a gift, an opportunity to make use of the best within ourselves to make a difference in the world.
“Seeing a miracle will inspire you, but knowing you are a miracle will change you.” ~ Deborah Brodie
Thank you for reading my post, I sincerely appreciate your time.
Wisdom of a Woman's Heart 