Monday, January 31, 2011

GREAT POWER


TO HAVE GREAT FAITH IS TO HAVE GREAT POWER.
BECAUSE YOUR INTENTION, YOUR WILL, IS UNDIVIDED.
WHEN YOUR WORD ISN'T DISSIPATED BY DOUBT, THE POWER OF YOUR WORD BECOMES EVEN STRONGER.

One Flesh Of All Mankind


"Drop the sword - for there is but one flesh to wound, and that is the one flesh of all humankind."


Jonathan Huie


I Am One With Spirit and All Creation.
I give thanks for the unity of all creation and for everything that has brought me to this moment.
I release my entire being to the gentle nurture of Spirit.

Be Of Value


“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value. ”

Albert Einstein

We don’t have to meet some predefined idea of success to know we’re making a difference in the world.
We only need to stay authentic, live in accordance with our values, and trust that what we do matters.

Practice What You Preach!


Is your doctor a healthy role model? Research suggests MDs who follow a healthful lifestyle are more likely to advise you to do the same.

Does your family physician practice what he or she preaches? A new study published in the journal Preventive Cardiology suggests that doctors who take good care of themselves are more likely to educate their patients on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Doctors who exercised regularly were more apt to stress the importance of physical activity than those who never hit the gym. However, the researchers also found that overweight physicians were more likely to talk to their patients about the benefits of making healthy lifestyle changes — perhaps, the researchers say, because they were working on making those changes in themselves. When looking for a new doctor, choose one who would make a good health role model and takes preventive care seriously.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Never To Be Repeated


Part HE, part SHE.
A Divine manifestation of GOD and grace.
Singular combinations of magic stars and moonbeams sure to change the world.
Never to be repeated again.

SEEDS


THE HUMAN MIND IS LIKE FERTILE GROUND WHERE SEEDS ARE CONTINUOUSLY BEING PLANTED.
WHEN YOU ARE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD, YOUR MIND IS NO LONGER FERTILE GROUND FOR THE WORDS THAT COME FROM FEAR.
YOUR MIND IS ONLY FERTILE FOR THE WORDS THAT COME FROM LOVE.

Friday, January 28, 2011

ASKING QUESTIONS


IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO ASK QUESTIONS THAN TO MAKE ASSUMPTIONS.
HAVE THE COURAGE TO ASK QUESTIONS UNTIL YOU ARE AS CLEAR AS YOU CAN BE.
ONCE YOU HEAR THE ANSWER TO A QUESTION, YOU WON'T HAVE TO MAKE ASSUMPTIONS BECAUSE YOU WILL ALREADY KNOW THE TRUTH.

Tragedy


"The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal.
The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach."
Benjamin Mays

Stress Feeding


Stress Feeding

Ever made it through a stressful scenario only to be gripped with a sudden compulsion to eat? Those cravings probably come courtesy of cortisol, a hormone made in the adrenal glands and unleashed into the blood when the body faces a real or perceived threat. Elevated cortisol levels arouse the appetite, especially sugar and fat cravings. Just knowing that can make you more conscious of what motivates your food decisions.

Mind-Body Toll
Like an air traffic controller, cortisol signals where energy is delivered inside the body. And studies show that cortisol prefers to divert extra calories into deep abdominal fat (a.k.a. visceral fat), which is more detrimental to health than the superficial flab in, say, love handles.
Stress also reduces your gut’s acidity and, consequently, its ability to absorb key nutrients. A final insult? Not only does stress-induced cortisol damage your body’s ability to digest properly, it also decreases your body’s ability to repair itself.

Exercise your options
If stress sends you running to the refrigerator, remind yourself that eating won’t erase the stress, says May. Try making a list of things you find relaxing, such as a hot bath or taking your dog to the park, and keep the list on the pantry or refrigerator door. Next time you are stressed and tempted to reach for a snack, pause to look at the list and consider your alternatives.

Conserve your energy
Keep in mind that the setup for stress-induced splurges can build over the entire day, says Kay. Practicing self-awareness, such as noticing negative self-talk, and taking deep breaths at the first signs of stress, can put you on a different path. Taking more frequent breaks can also help dispel stress, making it more likely that you’ll get through the day with your self-awareness intact.

Cut yourself some slack
Beating yourself up after a stress-induced splurge only fuels negative feelings. Instead, acknowledge what happened and move on. Turning to food at times of stress is part of being human. Stress eating only becomes a real problem when it’s your only way to deal with stress.

White Tea Boosts Immunity


Boost your immunity with white tea.
Research suggests it fights germs better than green tea. Aim for five cups of tea daily.

Trying to stay healthy this winter? In addition to washing your hands regularly and getting your flu shot, drinking white tea could help you ward off infections. Research shows that sipping several cups of tea a day can help stimulate the immune system. People who don’t like green or black tea might enjoy the milder-tasting white tea, which is derived from the bud, rather than the leaves.

White tea beats green tea in fighting germs and boosting the immune system, according to research presented at the American Society for Microbiology. It also contains higher levels of the antioxidant known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which may lower the risk of intestinal cancers.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

GOSSIP


MAKING ASSUMPTIONS IS A SET-UP FOR SUFFERING BECAUSE USUALLY WE GOSSIP ABOUT OUR ASSUMPTIONS. WE MAKE ASSUMPTIONS, AND BELIEVE WE ARE RIGHT, THEN WE DEFEND OUR ASSUMPTIONS AND TRY TO MAKE OTHERS WRONG.

Seeing


"We don't see things as THEY are,

we see things as WE are."


Anais Nin

Taking The Time To Notice and Wonder

“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.”

Henry Miller


It’s funny how on some days there seem to be more signs that life is good–people looking out for each other, positive intentions yielding positive results, nature revealing small pieces of beauty. The truth is that there’s always something good there. It’s just that sometimes we’re not in the right head space to notice and fully appreciate it.
The question isn’t whether or not the world is a wonderful place; it’s whether or not we’ll take the time to experience the world with a sense of wonder.

Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids


Feast your eyes on fish. Research shows a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help protect seniors from age-related vision loss.

Eating plenty of seafood and fish could help keep vision trouble at bay. A new study published in the journal Ophthalmology found that seniors who ate the most shellfish and fatty fish were significantly less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration — the leading cause of blindness in older adults. This backs up previous research that suggests fish oil may be good for your baby browns or blues. Though more research is needed, adding a few servings of fish to your weekly menu is always a healthful idea.

Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, sardines, trout, tuna and mackerel. As for other ways to protect your peepers: Keep your blood pressure down, don’t smoke and eat several helpings of leafy greens per week.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

DRAMA FOR NOTHING


THE PROBLEM WITH MAKING ASSUMPTIONS IS THAT WE BELIEVE THEY ARE THE TRUTH. WE MAKE AN ASSUMPTION, WE MISUNDERSTAND, WE TAKE IT PERSONALLY, THEN WE REACT BY SENDING EMOTIONAL POISON WITH OUR WORDS. THIS CREATES A WHOLE HUGE DRAMA FOR NOTHING.

An Eskimo Proverb


"Yesterday is ashes.
Tomorrow is green wood.
Only today does the fire burn brightly."

Eskimo Proverb

Resentment and Forgiveness


''One forgives to the degree that one loves".

Francois de La Rochefoucauld


Anytime you’re filled with resentment, you’re turning the controls of your emotional life over to others to manipulate.

Removing resentment and blame from your life means never assigning responsibility to anyone for what you’re experiencing. If you take responsibility for having it, then at least you have a chance to also take responsibility for removing it or learning from it.

First, you have to get past blame. Then you have to learn to send love to all, rather than anger and resentment. Just as no one can define you, neither do you have the privilege of defining others. When you stop judging and simply become an observer, you will know inner peace. With that sense of inner peace, you’ll find yourself free of the negative energy of resentment, and you’ll be able to live a life of contentment. A bonus is that you’ll find that others are much more attracted to you. A peaceful person attracts peaceful energy.

At the root of virtually all spiritual practice is the notion of forgiveness. Think about every single person who has ever harmed you, cheated you, defrauded you, or said unkind things about you. Your experience of them is nothing more that a thought that you carry around with you. These thoughts of resentment, anger, and hatred represent slow, debilitating energies that will disempower you. If you could release them, you would know more peace.

You practice forgiveness for two reasons: to let others know that you no longer wish to be in a state of hostility with them and to free yourself from the self-defeating energy of resentment. Send love in some form to those you feel have wronged you and notice how much better you feel.

Antioxidants On The Cheap

Acai and wild blueberries out of your price range? Get your antioxidants on the cheap with nutrient superstars like black rice and beans.

You don’t have to eat the world’s most exotic superfoods to get the antioxidants you need. Nor do you need fancy processed foods that boast high levels of the latest and greatest nutrient. Some of the most healthful foods are also some of the cheapest.

Antioxidants aren’t found only in crimson-colored berries. They exist in several plant-based foods, including seeds, whole grains and beans. Ten bites of black rice, for instance, will deliver just as many anthocyanin antioxidants as a spoonful of blueberries, along with extra fiber and vitamin E.

You can supercharge your diet without breaking the bank by stocking up on these versatile, nutrient-packed foods: black and red beans; brown or black rice; fresh apples, tomatoes, carrots, onions and romaine lettuce; frozen spinach and broccoli; canned salmon; rolled oats; spices such as garlic, oregano and turmeric; cocoa powder; and tea.

Eating a colorful, healthful and minimally processed diet will earn you all the vitamins and antioxidants you need, even if you never sink your teeth into an acai berry.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

RESPONSIBILITY


YOU ARE NEVER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF OTHERS. BUT, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS. IF SOMEONE IS NOT TREATING YOU WITH LOVE AND RESPECT, IT IS A GIFT IF THEY WALK AWAY FROM YOU. YOU MAY HURT FOR AWHILE, BUT YOUR HEART WILL EVENTUALLY HEAL.

Given

"Talent is God-given; be humble.
Fame is man-given; be thankful.
Conceit is self-given; be careful."

John Wooden

Turning Inward


When we don’t feel ourselves shining, we can tune inward to find the block that prevents us from shining our light.

There are times when we may not feel at our best and brightest. At those times we can take a look at what we might do to let our inner light shine to the fullest. Because we are physical, mental and spiritual beings, we need to determine where our spiritual light is being filtered or blocked. We can work from the outside inward, knowing that we are the only ones with the power to dim our lights, and as we clear away the layers we can get out of our own way to feel the warmth of our own light shining again.

As vehicles for our mind and spirit, our bodies require proper maintenance. Caring for ourselves is like polishing--helping to clear away the accumulation of physical debris that keeps us from operating at our fullest capacity. A simple shift in our thoughts can positively affect our mental state, moving from complaints to gratitude and applying the powerful light of love to any shadowy thoughts. A change of scenery can allow us to see the world in new ways too.

Once we are free of our restrictions, we can become still and connect to the power at the center of our being. It is always there for us, but when we forget to connect, or siphon our power in too many directions, we cannot make the most of our energy. Starting from the inside out may direct us to take the right steps for our journeys back to the light, but sometimes it can be difficult to find the stillness if our bodies and minds are in the way. As we practice steps to keep our energy flowing freely and without obstruction, we shine our light brightly, illuminating our own paths and making the world around us glow as well.

The Importance of Smoke-Free Buildings

Lobby for a smoke-free building. Even if no one in their unit smokes, people who live in apartments are exposed to secondhand smoke.

Kids who live in an apartment complex are exposed to secondhand smoke, even if no one in their family smokes. That’s according to a study in the journal Pediatrics, which found that children take in their neighbors’ cigarettes through wall seepage and shared ventilation systems.

According to a study of nearly 6,000 children between the ages of 6 and 18, apartment living was associated with a 45 percent increase in cotinine levels for African-American children and a 207 percent increase for Caucasian children. Cotinine is a chemical released in the breakdown of nicotine.

According to the National Cancer Institute, there is no safe level of secondhand smoke for children or adults. Exposure to secondhand smoke in children is associated with mental health issues, as well as a greater risk for illnesses including respiratory infections, asthma and sudden infant death syndrome.

If you’re a smoker who lives in an apartment complex, consider smoking outdoors or, even better, quit. If you don’t smoke, ask your landlord to institute a smoke-free policy. As an incentive, let him or her know that it can lower their fire risk and insurance costs and boost market demand, since 80 percent of the population does not smoke.

Monday, January 24, 2011

IMMUNITY FROM POISON IN THE MIDDLE OF HELL


THE WHOLE WORLD CAN GOSSIP ABOUT YOU, AND IF YOU REFUSE TO TAKE IT PERSONALLY, YOU ARE IMMUNE.
IMMUNITY TO POISON IN THE MIDDLE OF HELL IS THE GIFT YOU GIVE TO YOURSELF.

Alone, But Not Lonely


Remember that being alone doesn't always mean being lonely; it can be a beautiful experience of finding your creativity, your heartfelt feelings, and the calm and quiet peace deep inside you.

Tell yourself that you're okay just the way you are.

Make friends who respect your true self.

A Poor Substitute

"Outer show is a poor substitute for inner worth."

Aesop

Volunteering and Usefulness

People who feel useful tend to outlive those who don’t.

Volunteering makes us feel helpful, which can be especially important for people with physical limitations, like the elderly. Research shows that older adults who have difficulty performing daily tasks have a greater risk of death — not because they can’t do things, but because their disability makes them feel useless.

Researchers at Arizona State University found that when these people started volunteering, their risk of death dropped. According to one of the study’s authors, psychology professor Morris Okun, a sense of usefulness predicts survival in older people. People with functional limitations experience a diminished sense of usefulness, he explains. “By helping other people, you are actually helping yourself.”

Find a volunteer program that the whole family can do together.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

LIVING WITHOUT FEAR


YOU GAIN A HUGE AMOUNT OF FREEDOM WITHIN WHEN YOU TAKE NOTHING PERSONALLY.

NO SPELL CAN AFFECT YOU REGARDLESS OF HOW STRONG IT MAY BE.
AND IF YOU CAN LIVE WITHOUT FEAR, IF YOU LOVE, YOU CAN BE CONTENT WITH YOUR LIFE.

Friday, January 21, 2011

OPINIONS IN YOUR MIND


EVEN THE OPINIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT YOURSELF ARE NOT NECESSARILY TRUE; THEREFORE, YOU DO NOT NEED TO TAKE WHATEVER YOU HEAR IN YOUR OWN MIND PERSONALLY.

Carrying It With You


"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Using It All For Growth

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there; they serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be; your roommate, neighbor, professor, long-lost friend, lover or even a complete stranger who, when you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.
Sometimes things happen to you and at the time they may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower or heart. Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests - whether they are events, illnesses or relationships - life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless. The people you meet who affect your life, and the successes and downfalls you experience, create who you are; even the painful experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.
If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally; not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love, and they are opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.

Runners Beware!

Do you love to run past the point of exhaustion? If so, look out. When tired, we change our running form, which can up the risk of injury.

Runners, take note.
If you’re the type of person who likes to keep chugging along even after fatigue has set in, you could be raising your risk of injury. According to a small study published in the Journal of Biomechanics, runners unknowingly alter their form when they’re tired — and not for the better.

Once exhaustion strikes, runners tend to display increased motion in their hips, knees and ankles. This kind of excessive movement in the joints, say the study’s authors, is generally associated with overuse injuries. Every year, up to 70 percent of runners develop injuries — often because they try to do too much too soon.

To reduce your risk, alternate difficult days with easier ones, and never increase your mileage by more than 10 percent per week.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

REFUSING TO EAT POISON


TAKING THINGS PERSONALLY MAKES YOU PREY FOR PREDATORS. THEY CAN HOOK YOUR ATTENTION WITH ONE LITTLE OPINION, AND FEED YOU WHATEVER POISON THEY WANT.

REFUSE TO EAT THEIR POISON!

Courage

"With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble.
Courage is the foundation of integrity."

Keshavan Nair

Regaining Power


Giving away our power is something we have been taught since childhood by unaware adults in our lives. In many ways, we are taught from the time we are children to give away our power to others. When we were told to kiss and hug relatives or friends of the family when we didn't want to, for example, we were learning to override our inner sense of knowing and our right to determine for ourselves what we want to do. This repression continued, most likely, in many experiences at school and in situations at work.

At this point, we may not even know how to hold on to our power, because giving it away is so automatic and ingrained. To some degree, giving our energy to other people is simply part of the social contract, and we feel that we have to do it in order to survive.

It is possible to exchange energy in a way that preserves our inner integrity and stability. This begins in a small way: by listening to the voice that continues to let us know what we want, no matter how many times we override its messages.

Other examples of how we give away our power are buying into trends, letting other people always make decisions for us, not voting, and not voicing an opinion when an inappropriate joke is made. But with not giving our power away we must also be aware of the opposite side, which is standing in our power but being aggressive.

Being aggressive is a form of fear, and the remedy is to let our inner balance come back into play.

As we build a relationship with our power, and follow it, we begin to see that we don't always have to do what we're being asked to do by others, and we don't have to jump on every trend. All we have to do is have the confidence to listen to our own voice and let it guide us as we make our own decisions in life and remember the necessity for balance.

Visualization and Weight Loss

Want to keep yourself from devouring everything in sight? Reduce the amount you eat by picturing yourself chowing down on it first.

Though it sounds counter-intuitive, you can reduce the amount of food you consume by imagining yourself eating it first. According to a new study published in the journal Science, visualization techniques in which we see ourselves eating a particular food can diminish our desire for it.

Fantasizing about a food — how it tastes, smells or looks — does whet our appetite, say the study’s researchers. However, going one step further by actually envisioning ourselves eating it may reduce our cravings and cause us to consume less.

If you’re still eating more junk food than you’d like, try going for a brisk walk. Past research has shown that short stints of exercise can temporarily curb cravings.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

SEEING OTHERS AS THEY ARE


WHEN YOU CAN SEE OTHER PEOPLE AS THEY ARE WITHOUT TAKING IT PERSONALLY, YOU CAN NEVER BE HURT BY WHAT THEY SAY OR DO, EVEN IF OTHERS LIE TO YOU. YOU CAN KNOW THAT THEY ARE LYING TO YOU BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID THAT YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT THEY ARE NOT PERFECT.

Thankful and Aware


We do not have to wait to be shaken to experience a state of being truly thankful for our lives. Tuning in to our breath and making an effort to be fully present for a set period of time each day can do wonders for our ability to connect with true gratitude.

We can also awaken ourselves with the intention to be more aware of the unconditional generosity of the life force that flows through us regardless of our circumstances.

Happiness From Within


''Most people are searching for happiness.They're looking for it. They're trying to find it in someone or something outside of themselves. That's a fundamental mistake. Happiness is something that you are and it comes from the way you think.''


Dr. Wayne Dyer

Back Pain and Excess Body Weight

Do you suffer from back, neck, hip, knee or other body aches? Losing as little as 10 pounds can reduce body pain by as much as 30 percent.

You know that there are long-term health benefits to losing weight, such as a reduced risk of cancer, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. But did you know that there are immediate health payoffs to even modest weight loss in overweight and obese individuals? Research shows that losing just 10 pounds can instantly relieve body pain caused by extra stress on the muscles, bones and joints.

Losing more weight could potentially reduce pain even further. Another study that tracked chronic pain in obese patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery witnessed a 50 percent reduction in the prevalence of symptoms following weight loss.

To get started on the road to weight loss, choose healthier foods, limit your portion sizes and exercise daily. If you have any health conditions, consult your doctor first before embarking on a new exercise or weight loss program.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

DIFFERENT DREAMS


ALL PEOPLE LIVE IN THEIR OWN DREAM,
IN THEIR OWN MIND.
THEY ARE IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WORLD FROM THE ONE WE LIVE IN.

Enabling The Future


“As for the future, your task is not to foresee it but to enable it.”


Antoine de Saint-Exupéry


Anything could happen tomorrow. That thing you’ve been dreaming about for weeks could suddenly come true. That thing you’ve been dreading for months could instantly be real.
If there’s one thing that can paralyze us it’s the knowledge that tomorrow is completely uncertain. While we can’t foresee right now whether the best or the worst will happen, we can decide to believe in the tomorrow we’re working toward; put our hearts into those possibilities; and then make the best of what will be.
We can also choose to use this moment in the most empowering, fulfilling, loving way possible, knowing that truly being here now is what really enables life.

Commitment To Excellence

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor."


Vince Lombardi

Eating Fish and Mood Disorders

Improve your mood with fish. Depressed people may benefit from fish oil supplements that contain extra EPA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid.

A new study has found that, when it comes to treating mood disorders, some omega-3s may work better than others. If you are suffering from depression, taking a fish oil supplement that’s high in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) might help. According to a meta-analysis presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Annual Meeting, people who took fish oil pills that contained more EPA than docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) experienced mood improvements, while those who took supplements containing more DHA did not.

Though more research is needed, the findings suggest that depression relief from fish oil may come down to a specific ratio of the two fatty acids. The study also found that fish oil did not boost the moods of people who are not depressed. Though people with depression shouldn’t rely only on fish oil to relieve symptoms, taking a supplement with EPA may help. To get more EPA in your diet, eat fatty coldwater fish, such as salmon, sardines, tuna, trout and halibut.

Monday, January 17, 2011

PERSONAL IMPORTANCE


PERSONAL IMPORTANCE, OR TAKING THINGS PERSONALLY, IS THE MAXIMUM EXPRESSION OF SELFISHNESS BECAUSE WE MAKE THE ASSUMPTION THAT EVERYTHING IS ABOUT "ME".

Not Taking Things Personally


Even when a situation seems so personal, even if others insult you directly, it has nothing to do with you. What they say, what they do, and the opinions they give are according to the agreements they have in their own minds. Their point of view comes from all the programming they received during domestication.

When you take things personally, then you feel offended, and your reaction is to defend your beliefs and create conflicts. You make something big out of something so little, because you have the need to be right and make everybody else wrong. You also try hard to be right by giving them your own opinions.

In the same way, whatever you feel and do is just a projection of your own personal dream, a reflection of your own agreements. What you say, what you do and the opinions you have are according to the agreements you have made--and these opinions have nothing to do with me.

Health

"He who takes medicine and neglects his diet wastes the skill of his doctors."

Chinese Proverb



"A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools."

Spanish Proverb

Chronic Pain and Meditation

Coping with chronic pain? Meditation could help. People who regularly meditate are less sensitive to physical discomfort.

If you suffer from chronic pain, you’ve probably wished you could close your eyes and make the aches go away. Though it’s not quite as simple as waving a magic wand, research shows you may be able to think some of that pain away.

Several studies have shown that people who meditate regularly have a higher tolerance for discomfort. Even though they still feel the pain, their brain processes the sensation differently so it doesn’t hurt them as much. Meditation is a skill that takes patience and practice.

Friday, January 14, 2011

OPINIONS AND TRUTH


YOUR OWN OPINIONS AND POINT OF VIEW REFLECT YOUR OWN AGREEMENTS AND ARE PERSONAL TO YOU.
IT IS NO ONE'S TRUTH BUT YOURS.

Choosing Our Response

"We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how to respond to them."

Epictetus

Forgiveness and Holding Onto Anger


Forgiveness is about releasing your negative emotions and perceptions about the painful events. Otherwise you keep yourself chained to those events or people - you keep it alive within you - and you carry it with you where-ever you go. It is a very heavy burden to carry around and you end up crippling yourself emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically.

Holding on to anger, resentment, etc. keeps you in "victim" mode - powerless. It means you are letting those people who have hurt you in the past dictate who you are in the present moment. You can take your power back by releasing these negative emotions and no longer let them hold sway over your thoughts, feelings and actions.

Breakfast and Colds/Flu

Fight colds with breakfast. Eating that first meal of the day may help keep colds and the flu at bay. It may also prevent weight gain.

Do you rush out of the house every morning without a bite to eat? You could be compromising your immune system. Research suggests that people who skip breakfast come down with colds and the flu more often than those who eat the so-called most important meal of the day.

Another immune system sapper: stress. Though you may not be able to remove all the sources of stress from your life, you can minimize its effects on your health by maintaining healthy habits. Boost your immune system and fight stress by getting enough sleep at night, exercising regularly and eating healthful, balanced meals.

Your best bet for breakfast: something that includes protein and whole grains, such as peanut butter on toast or a bowl of high-fiber cereal with low-fat milk and fruit.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

TAKING THINGS PERSONALLY


WHEN YOU REFUSE TO TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY, YOU AVOID MANY UPSETS IN YOUR LIFE.
YOUR FEELINGS OF ANGER, JEALOUSY--AND EVEN YOUR SADNESS--WILL SIMPLY DISAPPEAR IF YOU DON'T TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY.

Peace From Within


Peace comes from within.
Do not seek it from outside of yourself.

The Buddha

Nothing is worth losing your inner peace.
Take action as circumstances require,but never surrender your inner peace.
Stop. Breathe deeply. Close your eyes and breathe deeply again.
Then, and only then, take action - from a peaceful heart.

Beginning Today

Beginning today I will look in the mirror and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration.This capable person looking back at me is someone I enjoy spending time with and someone I would like to get to know better.


Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life. I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world and I will unselfishly share this gift with others. I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others.

Beginning today I will take a moment to step off the beaten path and to revel in the mysteries I encounter. I will face challenges with courage and determination. I will overcome what barriers there may be which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement.

Beginning today I will take life one day at a time, one step at a time. Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.

Beginning today I walk with renewed faith in human kindness. Regardless of what has gone before, I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future.

Beginning today I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experiences. I will meet new people. I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else: perfection does not exist in an imperfect world. But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.

Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy; admire the beautiful wonders of nature, listen to my favorite music, pet a kitten or a puppy, soak in a bubble bath. Pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.

Beginning today I will learn something new; I will try something different; I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer. I will change what I can and the rest I will let go. I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be.

Author Unknown

Preventing Strokes

Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. Luckily, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk by as much as 80%.

Want to slash your chances of ever having a stroke? By maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, exercising regularly and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, you can reduce your risk of a first-time stroke by 80 percent, according to the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association.

Also key in preventing a stroke: keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol down. A healthy diet should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of protein. Focus on reducing your sodium, sugar and saturated fat intake. You can do that by cutting back on red meat, full-fat dairy products, baked goods and fried food.

Practicing healthy habits won’t just reduce your risk of stroke, it will lower your chances of developing other chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes as well.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN


IMPECCABILITY OF THE WORD CAN LEAD YOU TO PERSONAL FREEDOM, SUCCESS, AND ABUNDANCE.
YOU CAN ATTAIN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN FROM THIS ONE AGREEMENT.
BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORDS.

Nearest To Perfection

"The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What You Resist, Persists

“Whatever you fight, you strengthen, and what you resist, persists.”

Eckhart Tolle


No amount of strength will change the fact that we are human, and to be human means to hurt. We won’t hurt always, and we don’t have to suffer endlessly, but we will feel emotions all through our lives.
Even if we become really adept at dealing with uncomfortable emotions, we will never completely transcend them. And would we even want to? The ability to feel the darkest of moments gives us the capacity to enjoy the lightest.

Only in experiencing and then taking power away from our emotions can we then let them go and move on.

After Dinner Family Walks

Even if your kids play sports, they may not be getting the recommended daily hour of exercise. Organize after dinner family walks.


You might think your children are getting plenty of exercise because they’re on the cheerleading or football team. But according to a study in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, only one-quarter of kids who participate in organized sports achieve the recommended daily dose of exercise during team practice.

National guidelines advise children and teens to get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Physical inactivity is associated with an increased risk of obesity and chronic diseases among youth and adults. Research shows that active parents are more likely to raise active children.

Help get your kids moving by inviting them on a daily walk or bike ride instead of camping out in front of the TV. Not only will it encourage your kids to exercise, it will help get you fit too.

Monday, January 10, 2011

NEEDLESS SUFFERING


WHAT OTHERS SAY AND DO ARE A RESULT OF THEIR OWN REALITY, THEIR OWN DREAM.
WHEN YOU ARE IMMUNE TO THE OPINIONS AND ACTIONS OF OTHERS, YOU WON'T BE THE VICTIM OF NEEDLESS SUFFERING.

Utilizing ALL Our Moments

“Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.”

Rodin



John Lennon said time you enjoyed wasting was not wasted. The same can be said for time you didn’t enjoy if you decide to find value in the experience of the moment.

It’s easy to do this retroactively–to look back and ascertain that a frustrating moment taught you patience or a disappointing moment taught you humility. It’s a lot more difficult to ground yourself within a less than ideal moment and decide then to use it wisely–not to remember it wisely later, but actually do something with it right then.

Inspiration From Others

"Find people who will challenge you, believe in you and inspire you to improve. No matter what's going on in your life, another person can help you shoot higher, laugh louder and look forward to tomorrow much more than if you go it alone."

Vickie Hitgezs




"A lot of people have gone farther than they thought they could because someone else thought they could."

Zig Ziglar

Snoring and Your Health

Loud snoring may be linked to metabolic syndrome, a precursor to heart disease. If you snore like a jackhammer, consult your doctor.


Common sleep problems, like difficulty falling asleep and frequent loud snoring may be signs of future health conditions. According to a study in the journal SLEEP, having either sleep issue predicted the development of metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

People with metabolic syndrome have at least three of the following risk factors: high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low “good” HDL cholesterol, high blood sugar levels and abdominal obesity. While the study suggests that trouble sleeping could be a sign of metabolic syndrome, it found that snoring may actually contribute to the condition.

Being overweight, smoking, drinking, and using muscle relaxers or other drugs could be to blame. If losing weight, quitting smoking and cutting back on alcohol don’t help, talk to your doctor, who may refer you to a sleep specialist.

Friday, January 7, 2011

DEFENDING


WHEN YOU BELIEVE SOMETHING, YOU ASSUME YOU ARE RIGHT, AND YOU MAY EVEN DESTROY RELATIONSHIPS IN ORDER TO DEFEND YOUR POSITION.

LET GO OF THE NEED TO DEFEND YOUR POSITION.

Excellence

"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise,
risking more than others think is safe,
and anticipating more
dreaming more than others think is practical,
and anticipating more than others think is possible."

Anonymous

Eating With All Five senses

Be Aware of Your Senses

Eating is more pleasurable when it is a multi-sensory experience.
Use your eyes and notice what is on your plate.

Smell the aroma.
Chew slowly so you can appreciate the flavors and experience the textures.

Full-On Attention

“The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”

Thich Nhat Hanh


When the day gets busy and the to-do list seems never-ending, attention can be a scarce commodity. Life becomes an exercise in multitasking, with technology as a constant diversion.
Yet there is nothing more valuable than the feeling of truly connecting with the people we love. Everything we do, all the goals we set, all the projects we juggle–it may lead to a great tomorrow but it need not cloud the good in today. There is so much good in today, and people are at the center of it.
Reserve a little attention today for the ones you love. Never do we feel as alive, loved, and appreciated as when we are fully seen and engaged, without any distractions.

Vitamin D

Are you getting enough vitamin D? A low level of the nutrient is linked to higher all-cause death rates in adults.

Have you had your vitamin D level tested? If you’re not taking a daily supplement, chances are, you’re not getting enough of this essential nutrient. Three-quarters of U.S. teens and adults are lacking in vitamin D. Research at Johns Hopkins shows that people with a vitamin D deficiency have higher rates of heart disease and death from all causes. In addition, a low level of vitamin D has been associated with an increased risk of stroke in Caucasian people.

The best food sources of vitamin D include fortified milk, cereal and orange juice, as well as fatty fish like salmon and sardines. But chances are they will not provide enough of this vitamin to reach good blood levels. Next time you visit your doctor, ask to have your vitamin D level measured with a simple blood test. While we do not know if supplementation with vitamin D can impact heart disease, stroke and all-cause mortality, it seems like a pretty simple, low-cost and low-risk .

Thursday, January 6, 2011

TRUTHS

WHEN YOU HEAR AN OPINION AND BELIEVE IT, YOU MAKE AN AGREEMENT AND IT BECOMES PART OF YOUR OWN BELIEF SYSTEM.
THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BREAK THIS NEW AGREEMENT IS TO MAKE A NEW ONE BASED UPON TRUTH.
ONLY THE TRUTH HAS THE POWER TO TRULY SET YOU FREE.