Attitude of Gratitude
Attitude of Gratitude
Most of us begin our days with a continuous list of things we need to do to keep our lives running smoothly, but we rarely take time to note all the things we don’t need to do. For example, we don’t need to figure out how to breathe. We don’t need to find a way to make sure the earth continues to revolve around the sun. We don’t need to concentrate to ensure that our heart beats and our cells regenerate. All of these things, and many more, take care of themselves without our having to think or do anything at all. This is the miracle of life on earth.
Beyond the wonder of the natural world, we have the wonder of human-created conditions such as indoor plumbing, electricity, automobiles, airplanes, telephones, and the Internet to name a few. Someone living just a hundred years ago would be overwhelmed by the ease with which we can communicate with people all over the world. Every day, millions of us jump on airplanes and fly to distant locations in a matter of hours. If we have access to a computer, we can read obscure information about any subject, free of charge, at any time of the day or night. And yet, it’s only when one of these miraculous inventions fails that we notice it at all.
When you wake up tomorrow, take time to notice how many things are running smoothly, how many small miracles compose your day. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, as you put them on, take a moment to appreciate the fact that without them, you would be unable to see. Your life would be entirely different if someone hadn’t invented corrective lenses. As you take in your world, you might feel a moment of gratitude for the basic fact that, once again, the sun has risen to illuminate the abundant earth. The simple fact that you woke up this morning means that already 1000’s of things are working right for you! The awareness & attitude of gratitude will go a long way for your health & LIFE
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10 Way To Create Wellness
10 Ways To Create Wellness
1. Often we are so accustomed to stress that we are unaware of the precise triggers. Keep a diary in which to record situations that cause frustration or anxiety. Note what occurred, how you felt, and how you reacted, and then contemplate ways to avoid similar situations.
2. Endlessly pondering what might have been is not only stressful but futile as well. Acknowledge and accept that your life is what it is only for the present and be willing to commit to a step by step plan of active change for the future.
3. Reach out. Too many people suffer through stress in solitude though they are surrounded by a network of loving support. Friends and family have the power to diffuse stress with a simple kind word, embrace, or receptive ear.
4. Your own habits may be triggering stress. Two cups of coffee each day can activate the flow of adrenaline, causing tension and anxiety. Sleep deprivation and long sedentary periods can lead to heightened sensitivity to frustration. Exercise and a healthy diet are natural stress reducers.
5. Taking care of or working for others can often feel as much a stressful burden as a joyful challenge. Making time to pursue solitary activities and nurturing your private goals will help you be more at ease both at home and at work.
6. Take in the sunlight. Increasing your exposure to natural light, even in the chill of winter, encourages your body to release uplifting endorphins. A few minutes outdoors will leave you feeling more centered and better prepared to deal with unpleasant situations.
7. A positive, realistic, and non-judgmental attitude can ward off stress. When you expect too much from yourself or others, it becomes easy to feel frustrated or disappointed. Recognize and accept limitations and set achievable goals for yourself and others.
8. Just as stress negatively effects the mind, it negatively effects the body as well. When anxiety becomes palpable, deep progressive relaxation, in which muscle groups are tensed and relaxed one at a time, can calm breathing, reduce physical tension, and ease palpitations.
9. Give in. LET GO! Compromise and flexibility can keep small disagreements from becoming large, stressful situations. When conflict arises, remain calm and rational, and attempt to meet others halfway.
10. Fun has the unique ability to take the edge off of stressful days. When the world seems overwhelming, take a play break and work at a puzzle, toss a ball, doodle, or tell a joke. Laughter not only reduces negative emotions, but also clears the mind.
Cultivating Inspiration
Cultivating Inspiration
We all know inspiration when we feel it. It is a force that enlivens us and activates us to do something—we might dance, sing, paint the house, or envision a new career. We might call an old friend or plan a trip abroad. Whatever the case, doing what we do from a place of inspiration makes all things seem possible. Inspiration sometimes comes out of nowhere, landing unexpectedly in the midst of your life and lifting you out of your habitual mind and into a higher level of seeing. However, we can be more intentional with our relationship with inspiration than just waiting for it to come to us. There are many ways to cultivate its presence, from journaling to scrap booking to visiting with a particularly interesting friend. Finding what inspires you and consciously cultivating it will give you access to new ways of thinking and energy you didn’t know you had.
Some people find that frequent trips into nature inspire them. Others have a box full of objects—a seashell, an old photograph, or even a collection of rocks—that does the trick. There are as many ways to find inspiration as there are people looking for it. If you already know what inspires you, find a way to incorporate it into your life on a regular basis. If you aren’t sure what inspires you, or if it has changed, take some time to think about it. When was the last time you felt the spark of your imagination? When was the last time you acted on an impulse that felt totally right? When we are in the presence of what inspires us, we hear our inner guidance more clearly and we have the energy to follow its cues.
If it has been a while since you have been touched by inspiration, you may feel listless and dissatisfied. Know that you can turn things around by remembering what lights you up and bringing that into your life.
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What we feed ourselves
What we feed ourselves
By Clea Shannon
What we feed ourselves is more than simply fuel. Our food is a reflection of how we choose to live our lives and treat ourselves each and every day. When we are mindful with what we put into our body our body rewards us with good health, radiant skin, abundant energy and consistent moods. There are many ways that we choose to feed ourselves. When we take time for our food we are making ourselves a priority. When we celebrate, enjoy and gather together over food, we create a sense of community and feed not only our body but also our mind and spirit. We would not expect our car to perform well on cheap gas. Too often we expect our body to perform well on low-grade foods.
Celebrate food and health with these nourishing tips to Eat Inspired Today:
1. Eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods. Each day include a diverse variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Our body responds to meals built around real, whole foods instead of processed or fast foods. Replace white rice with brown or wild rice or alternative grains such as quinoa.
2. Drink more water. Hydrating throughout the day sustains our overall health as well as improving our skin, balancing our moods and satisfying our hunger. Buying a PBA-free re-usable water bottle that we love encourages us to drink more water.
3. Eat regular meals. Skipping meals can lead to out-of-control hunger, often resulting in overeating. When we’re very hungry, it’s tempting to forget about good nutrition choices. Including small healthy snacks between meals may help us to stay on track.
4. Adapt, rather than restrict foods. Eating is a pleasurable activity. When our favorite foods are high in fat, salt or sugar, the key is moderating how much of these foods we eat and how often we eat them. Allowing ourselves treats in moderation prevents us from feeling deprived or guilty when we cheat.
5. Read labels. Build awareness around what we are putting into our body. The shorter the ingredient list, the more real, whole foods we are getting. Skip food with lengthy ingredient lists or ingredients that we cannot pronounce or define.
6. Balance food choices over time. Choose foods that complement one another over the course of an entire day. If we choose a food high in fat, salt, sugar or carbs for one meal, choose foods that are low in these ingredients for the next meal. This way our food choices over several meals will fit together into a healthy, well-balanced pattern.
7. Make changes gradually. Small changes on a consistent basis lead to success. For example, if we want to reduce the amount of coffee we drink, slowly shifting to decaf or tea. If we are shifting from white rice to nutrient-rich brown rice, mixing the two and gradually substituting brown rice will help to ease the transition. Our palette will adjust to these changes over time.
Days of Affirmation
Days of Affirmation
Sending Love Ahead to Your Day
Upon waking, many people consider the coming day with trepidation. Because of the natural human tendency to focus on what we fear or dislike, it is easy to unwittingly send a message of unease into the future that negatively impacts the quality of your day. However, while our lives are busy and frequently replete with challenges, they are also rich with joy and experiences worth savoring. We can attract this natural bliss into our lives by starting each day with a message of love. When you send love ahead to your day, that love will manifest itself in your interpersonal interactions, your professional endeavors, and your domestic duties. Tasks and circumstances once made trying by your own anxiety are transformed by your love, and you will find yourself approaching life’s subtle nuances with great affection.
Each morning, when you have cast off the fog of sleep, take several deep, grounding breaths and reaffirm the love you have for yourself. Speaking a loving, self-directed blessing aloud enables you to access and awaken the reservoir of tenderness in your soul. Before you leave the comfortable warmth of your bed, be sure to tell the universe that you are eager and ready to receive the blessings it has set aside for you. Then as you prepare to meet the day, visualize yourself first saturated by and then surrounded with a warm and soft loving light. Gradually widen the circle of this light until you are able to send it ahead into your future. If you are commuting to work, send love to the roads upon which you will drive, your fellow commuters, and your parking space. If you have colleagues who arrive at your workplace before you, send them love. Likewise, a day spent being a parent or addressing household chores can benefit from the sentiment that precedes you. Sending love ahead to everyone you will meet and everything you will do can ensure that your day is suffused with grace.
If you have difficulty sending love to those situations and individuals you deem particularly frustrating, consider that the warmth and tenderness you project can change your life for the better. Each morning, in sending this love, you will exercise your power to control the ambiance of your existence and to color your day with positivity
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The Amazing Body
Wonderful Vessel
The Amazing Body
As human beings we have been given a wonderful gift. Our incredible minds and internal spirits are housed in a body that enables us to physically connect with this beautiful planet we inhabit. We are able to see, hear, taste, smell, and feel through our bodies and convey all those senses to our minds and souls so that we may learn and grow and ultimately evolve.
The human body serves us the best to its ability, everyday of our lives, allowing us to breathe in the oxygen that is our life force, most of the time without us even having to thinking about it. That breath fuels a complex system that not only allows our body to function, but to renew itself. Our bodies actually have the capacity to remake themselves at a cellular level every seven years. That we can heal from major injury, severe illness, and physical trauma is a feat that we often take for granted. When the mind and spirit are one with the body, our ability to heal ourselves is truly miraculous.
The conditions to which we humans are able to adapt are beyond that of many other creatures on our planet. Our bodies continuously cleanse toxins from our system, whether environmental or self-induced. We push them beyond their limits to perform incredible feats, jumping to heights unimaginable, running at speeds that break records, and bending into yoga postures that are beyond comprehension. Even without sleep and nourishment our bodies continue to function until there is no more to give. When one of our senses or organs cease functioning, others are quick to step up to the plate and compensate for any loss. If we lose our eyesight, our hearing and/or other senses become more astute. When one kidney can no longer function, the other does the job for both of them. The human body is an incredible team that is on our side in the game of life.
We are blessed to be here, now, as human beings that can bring love and compassion to all the creatures we share this earth and universe with. Honor your being and use it to do good. The spirit and mind are willing, and so too, is the body.
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Cultivating Peace Within
Cultivating Peace Within
In our noisy world, we often find ourselves longing for peace and searching to find it somewhere else. While it’s true that there are places we can visit where we can experience peace, such as sacred sites or buildings, we do not need to wait until we get to one of these places to feel at peace. Instead, we can learn to locate the seed of peace inside ourselves and cultivate it so that it grows into a reliable source of serenity that we can always access, no matter where we are.
We experience peace when we are in a state of mental calm and serenity. It might surprise you to notice how infrequently you allow yourself to be free from anxiety. Realizing this is the first step to inner peace. If you wait until all the details of your life are taken care of to allow yourself to experience peace, you will never feel peaceful because there is always something that your mind can grab onto to create anxiety. It is important to consciously set aside your worries and make time to cultivate inner peace.
Ideally, you could schedule time each day to meditate on peace and experience what it feels like to be calm and serene. It takes practice to learn how to let go of your worries, so give yourself some time. Inhale deeply, and feel your worries dissolve with every exhale. Remind yourself that soon enough you will be able to take care of everything you need to, but right now you are taking a break. As the clutter of your thoughts and concerns clear away, you will start to feel more serene. Allow yourself to move deeper into this state with each inhale. Realize that you have the power to free yourself from anxiety simply by deciding to do so. The more you practice feeling peaceful, the easier it will be for you to feel at peace.
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Courage
Courage
The situations, activities, and individuals that frighten us remain static. Their relative intensity does not change. Fear, on the other hand, self-magnifies. It is when you are afraid and envisioning all that might go wrong that the energy underlying your fear grows. A tiny flicker of anxiety can easily develop into a terror that manifests itself physically and eventually paralyzes you into inaction. Though frequently, in walking through that fear, we discover that the strength of our fright was out of synch with reality. And we learn that doing what frightens us can lead to great blessings. Confronting your trepidation head-on will help you accept that few frightening scenarios will ever live up to the negative disasters that we sometimes play out in our minds.
Though fear is literally an evolutionary gift meant to sharpen your senses and energize you during times of great stress, it can nonetheless become a barrier that prevents you from fulfilling your potential by causing you to miss out on rewarding, life-changing experiences. During the period before you face your fear, you may have to deal with a barrage of negative thoughts and emotions. Walking through it, whether your fear is public speaking, taking part in an activity that makes you nervous, or asserting yourself when the odds are against you, may be equally as difficult. But once you have emerged unscathed on the other side, which you will, you will likely wonder why you assumed the worst in the first place. As you spend time worrying about what might happen, it’s good to know that your fear probably won’t happen at all. It may feel like a great weight has been lifted from your shoulders, and you will likely feel a sense of passionate pride. Walking through your fear can mean taking risks and can require both practice and patience. Since it is challenging to act when you are gripped with fear, start small.
Each step you take into fear will strengthen you and help you confront future fears with poise, courage, and confidence. You will also find that when you are willing to stare your fear in the face, the universe will always offer you some form of aid or support. When you see the heights of accomplishment and personal evolution you can attain when you walk through your fears, your faith in yourself will grow, allowing your next step to be easier.
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Inspiration
Bringing Inspiration Into Form
Putting Our Tools To Use
Every craftsperson has a toolbox full of tools and a number of techniques to help them bring inspiration into form. In the same way, throughout our lives, we have discovered our own life tools and techniques—the ways and means that have helped us create our lives up to this point. Sometimes we forget about the tools and skills we’ve acquired, and we wonder why we aren’t moving forward. At times like these, it might just be a matter of remembering what we already know, and rediscovering the tools we already have at our disposal.
In the process of becoming who we are and creating our lives, we have all gone through the experience of being inspired to do something and then finding the tools we needed to do it. If we look back, we may be able to remember that we used, for example, the tool of writing every day in order to clarify our intentions. We may also have used the tools of ritual, meditation, or visualization to make something happen. In addition, we may have been fueled by a new idea about how the universe works, which is what gave us the inspiration to use these tools.
In order for ideas to be powerful, they must be imbued with the energy of our engagement with them, and in order for tools to be effective they must be put to use. This sounds obvious, but often we fall into the habit of thinking we are engaging with ideas and using tools by virtue of the fact that we are reading about them, or listening to other people talk about them. In truth, using our tools is a very personal action, one we must take on behalf of ourselves. Like artists, we are each unique and no two of us will receive the same inspiration, nor will we bring it into form in the same two ways. To discover the truth of our own vision, we must take action by remembering our tools and putting them to use.
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Community
Community
It’s important for us to remember how important it is to co-create & sustain the communities we live in. We have an obligation to be responsible members of our communities. For some of us, expressing this responsibility is so interwoven into our personal lives that it is simply a natural extension of who we are. Others may need to take a moment to consider how to be more responsible for the communities in which we live. For those of us who live in large cities, we can start with our neighborhoods. Anything we do on a small level will automatically ripple out into the larger system.
Communities thrive on the talents of their members, so one approach to community responsibility is to consider what you have to offer and find ways to bring that into your community. If you have a special gift when it comes to bringing people together, you might agree to throw a party or event once a year that includes the whole community. Even a small open house in an apartment building can accomplish a lot in terms of making people feel more connected and comfortable with each other. If you have a talent for organic gardening, you might offer to help people in your neighborhood plan their own organic gardens. You might be the go to person for neighbors who need someone to water their plants or care for their pets when they’re away. You might take an abandoned space in your community and galvanize others to help you transform it into a community garden or a playground for children. In an area where there are many homeless people, starting a soup kitchen or organizing a holiday meal makes a big difference not only to those in need but to those who want to help.
All holiday parades, picnics, and ceremonies started somewhere, with someone who wanted to give back to the community in which they lived. It’s not too late to propose and execute a new tradition in your own community, whether it’s a block party or an annual picnic. Your particular vision, gifts, and strengths are part of what makes your community unique, so as you recognize them in yourself, feel free to offer them to those who live in your vicinity. Whether your offerings are visionary or practical, they are the very essence of community.
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