Dare to Be Healthy Series: Step 4

Created By Susan Anderson

I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

So How's It Going?
If you have arrived here at Step 4 of the Dare to Be Healthy Challenge, it means you have done quite a bit so far to get this new life program off the ground. So Hooray! Cheers! Yaaay! Time to pat yourself a little bit on the back. Just a word of caution: I would not suggest moving onto this step until you have gotten into the rhythm of the prior steps. Which means... You are reviewing every now and again Step 1, creating your new vision of yourself. You are working with active awareness to achieve the daily contract with yourself. You are writing everyday for 5 minutes in your journal. Once these have become established, daily routines in your life you are ready for the next step

Going to Try With A Little Help From My Friends
John Lennon had it right! With a little help from our friends, our life's journey can be much better--fuller, happier, enriched, supported...and we can accomplish extraordinary feats. When we are facing life struggles, they are easier to handle knowing we have a friend nearby. When we have something wonderful to celebrate, the joy is greater when sharing with a friend. When we are just getting tired of the same-ness of day in and day out routine, humor, joy and fun become part of the equation, if we are walking the same path with a friend. Have I convinced you yet?

What Is Your Weakest Link?
When I wake up in the morning and say to myself, I am getting a shower and then going to the gym, by the time I have brushed my teeth, at least 10 great excuse have surfaced as to why that can't happen. So my success rate rapidly decreases to about 25% for weekly attendance, (cough, cough) if I am lucky. BUT when I am paired with a friend, a partner, who is depending on me to have someone to share a workout with, suddenly my success rate reaches about 95%. For me it is the gym and workouts, for someone else maybe its the food plan, for another person it may be the stress in their life. Regardless of what we may consider at this moment in time to be our weakest link, it suddenly becomes reinforced with greater strength in numbers...one friend, accepting this Dare to Be Healthy Challenge..is fabulous! Several friends in an online community supporting each other is fabulous plus!

So Here's The Task
Find a friend who is looking to make healthy lifestyle changes. Invite them to take the challenge. Have them look over the program. If they decide to participate, ask them to be your Dare to Be Healthy Partner. If they agree, then together write out an agreement of how you will support each other. I am not here yet, since I am writing this program as I go along...I'll be back hopefully in a few days, now I have to go out and find a friend...

So Final Question...
As Mr. Rogers used to say...Will you be my friend? Post a comment, join in and lets mobilize an online support group. I would hate to take this walk all by myself when I know that there are others out there that would also benefit from a supporting friend as well.

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Dare to Be Healthy Series: Step 2

Moving Forward, One Day at a Time
Ok so by now you have finished the first step of creating your healthy image in your mind. We will begin to Dare to Do Something Healthy each day as we move forward in our personal challenge to make changes. Remember this: we are looking to make life long changes that stay with us rather than jumping in with a big splash that produces no noticeable long term results.

Commit to the Journey
Today is about writing a contract to yourself to commit to this challenge, to agree to work every day toward self improvement. So here is today’s task- write a one paragraph only contract, that is both inspirational and binding, stating your intention to accomplish to this goal. Include your own personal philosophy that will help you in the days to come. Sign and date it. Make copies and post them everywhere. Put one on the bathroom mirror so it is the first thing you see in the morning, Put a copy on the refrigerator, to help you remember your plan. Put another copy in your purse or wallet so it is there when you are tempted to make a questionable purchase. Think of the strategic places a copy should be within eyeballs view: at work, near the computer, in the car, wherever temptation lurks to pull you off your course.

Why All This Crazy Posting?
Well, we want to be able to keep our plan first and foremost in our mind. We want a positive set of thoughts to replace any self recriminating thinking that may have been occurring previously. The first part of manifesting our new reality is achieved by energizing our thoughts in the format we want to create.

Here is My Personal Contract
I, Susan Anderson, believe my life is an endless stream of opportunities and possibilities for good health, personal happiness and spiritual growth. I today choose to live my life fully from this perspective. I commit to make healthy choices today that empower me to be the person I am meant to be, so my life brings out the best in me and all those whose lives I touch through my actions.

So off you go now...
Do your contact, and come back later to find out the next step. And as always, if you wish to share your personal contract with us, please post a comment. I would love to hear from you.

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The Year of Creative Energy

Wow! It feels as if we have been shot out of a time cannon from the year 2000 into 2010. It is exciting, depressing, challenging, mysterious and adventurously curious all at once. So the big questions are What will this year bring? and Are we ready for it?


The Year of Creative Energy?
As I was researching the many interpretations of the numerological meaning of 2010, the idea of creativity kept popping up. So I figured, it needed to be summarized. A few short words, were required that could be easily remembered. As I venture into the unknown region of middle middle age, either my memory is getting worn out or I am developing ADD....so a few short words is both good and absolutely necessary.

Not only do the words have to have the shortness requirement, but they need to hit strongly. The magic wand was spun and out came The Year of Creative Energy. It has a nice feel and ring to it, don't you think! So what exactly does this mean?

As I pondered this question, I found myself in a paradoxical state. Normally I have more creative juice flowing through my veins than I know what to do with. The problem has always been to stay focused enough to finish the task once the idea was generated. My tendency too often has been to immediately ride the next creative wave that came crashing into my mind, rather than waiting for the subsequent one, so I could fully complete what I was doing. But over the last few months a strange change has been looming on the horizon.

I can feel it but can't identify it. A change that is edging closer but is still completely out of focus. As I observe this, it has put me into a holding pattern. I feel a transformation of mammoth proportions edging closer but as it does I am in a freeze frame of non-ideas. Now this is really strange. Where once the onslaught of new ideas were streaming in non-stop, it now is difficult to describe it as even a trickle. Have you been experiencing this?

I remember sitting with a group of friends years ago and one said " I have no passion." She felt she needed a passion to keep life interesting and exciting. I thought then, there will never be a time when I am wanting for something exciting to do, there are so many things that excite me that I may never get to them all before this life term expires.

Fast forward to the present and I am struggling with these questions: What really excites me? What do I want to do now with my life? What is it I want to create? And on top of it all, I am pressured by the arrival of 2010 The Year of Creative Energy! So, yes it is very much a paradox! Let me ask, at the risk of being overly redundant, am I alone in this or are you going through something similar?

And that being said, it is time to move along...to begin the thaw from frozen state to flowing water..to fully explore this new landscape..to begin this decade with a blueprint of trying to define what it is I was to create as I move forward. How about you? Where are you in this flow of creative energy? Frozen, thawing or flowing?

Creating is a Verb
Creating is a verb. Energy is a verb. Both will require some type of movement and action in order to manifest into a unique life form. So how do we get there? It involves a bit more than waking up one morning, opening up the bedroom window and shouting loudly out into the world, " Hey world, I am going to be the queen of creative energy today!!" How do I know? I tried it. It didn't work. After almost 10 minutes of trying to blaze a path through the clutter to the window so it could be opened, I was hit with a strong blast of cold air that took my breath away. The words that came streaming out were barely audible. I quickly slammed the window shut. Then I waited and wandered around the house all day. Waiting for what? Why-- that creative light beam to boomerang back from the universe -- to come in and poof! Like magic, ignite me with a fountain of creativity that would put me in a manic state of activity. Hmm, did I mention, it didn't work

Steps to Get Started
So if you have a front row seat at the same show I am currently attending- let's just get up and walk out. Let's start something new. Let's get a fire lit under us. Let's declare "Time for a Change". So what do we do? How do we start? Well with one action step at a time of course!

Here are some suggestions of ways to shake things up a bit, move away from the routine, stir up some creative energy, and hopefully in the process ignite a new passion, perspective, or direction that will propel each of us into new heights of life.

1: Develop a Different Routine
Pick one aspect of your daily ritual of routine and decide to intentionally do it differently. It doesn't have to be a big life altering part of your day just something simple. As a result of this change in routine, it may spark something inside, you may see something in a new way, or you may encounter an opportunity that would have never presented itself before. When we are out of our comfort zone/routine, we see a fresh new canvas before us.

2. Practice Daydreaming
This has always been one of my favorites, daydreaming. The possibilities are endless, like magic anything you want appears. I become it all-- lion tamer, lead actress in a blockbuster movie, head negotiator at the peace talks, Olympic skater, jackpot winner, thrill seeker, astronaut, crime scene investigator, criminal profiler, etc. I can daydream in techno-color with full details and dialog between characters. A lot of great ideas have come from tapping into this pool of resources.

3. Go Some Place with Lots of Eye Candy
Is there a place near by that is just filled with a lot of inspirational things to look at? I can remember last year when we were on a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico I was nearly jumping out of my skin with excitement and really looking forward to getting home to create. The town was just bursting with creative development. Walking through the shops, the streets, the museums, the attractions was such an adrenaline rush of ideas. Find an environment close by to where you live that can do the same thing for you.

4. Problem Solve
Take a nagging problem that tends to occur regularly in your life. Examine it from all angles. Look at ways you can solve the problem in an interesting or unusual manner. I kept getting annoyed at all the stuff we have around the house, so my direction now is to create functional artwork. Using the stuff I no longer want but can't seem to get rid of, I am attempting to recycle and re-purpose it and then sell it online or at craft fairs. Most of what I am making is art work for the yard-- such as bird feeders, birdhouses, yard plaques, signs and decorations.

5. Sit with Mother Nature
When all else seems to fail, finding some time to go out and seek a personal audience with Mother Nature, often provides the right combination needed. A reconnection at this level provides a deep sense of inner balance and harmony which then always helps us to move the clouds away and feel the spirit that flows within and surrounds us completely. When we reunite at this level-- all things are possible.

There you have it, a few ideas to start with, to hopefully get those of us needing some direction a springboard to jump from. I would love to hear from you if you have any ideas to share. I can be contacted at seedsforchange@comcast.net.

So, let's go off and make it one hell of a Creative 2010!

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Dare to Be Healthy

Author: Susan Anderson

Remember when you were a kid and somewhere along the line you played a version of the game Dare? In some format you would be dared to do something by one of your friends, and usually as a kid it didn’t always involve the best of judgment.

Well this game of dare is a lot more productive and wholesome for you…and it’s called Dare to Be Healthy.

So are you up to the challenge? Can I Dare You to Be Healthy ? Take it one step at a time and see how far you go.

STEP 1
Create Your Healthy Image
So take that first step….I dare you to figure out what a good healthy life looks like to you? What do you look like? What do you see yourself doing? How are YOU feeling- not only physically but emotionally, mentally and spiritually? What are you eating? What kinds of thoughts run through your mind? What is your daily mood like? How about your relationships with others, what are they like?

Create the Mind Pictures of This Space.
Then record it somewhere and somehow. If you like to write, put it down on paper, if you like Vision Boards, cut out pictures, if you like to daydream, create the mental movie to keep on file that can be replayed over and over again. Don’t leave out any details.

Tips:
Leave out comparisons to others.
This is all about you, so create this any way you want to
You are the megastar of this new reality.
I DARE you to do this and then come back later to find out what Step 2 is!

PS...Feel free to share your new reality with us, helping each other, inspiring one another, supporting each others efforts creates movement foward for everyone

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Girlfriends

THE SISTERHOOD
I come from a family of three children, two brothers and myself. Although this has been a fantastic journey, the biggest piece missing was that close connection with another female sibling growing up. Through the years, I been very fortunate to find a few very good, very close girlfriends. We refer to each other as sisters, to be exact as The Moonsisters. The interesting thing, is they don't have a sister either, so our bond is extra special.

We have celebrated our sisterhood over time in many joyous, fun ways. Not entering into this bond lightly, we had a special ceremony, held on an evening of the full moon, many years ago to formally establish and honor our Sisterhood.

We selected a weekend get-a-away from family and husbands so we could start this off in style. The ceremony was well thought out, and fun..we had a specially designated moon drink, we played moon music, had a special menu, and designed special hats for each other. Since there were four of us, we put our names in a hat, several months in advance to pick the sister we would honor and give a special tribute to on our initiation weekend. The funny thing...we did this way before the Red Hats and YaYa Sisterhood appeared on the scene.

These women have a special place in my heart...we have shared so many things...we have been there for each other through the good times and the challenges. Here is a piece written about girlfriends that I found in my files and would like to share. It sums up for me what this all means.

GIRLFRIENDS
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.

Love waxes and wanes.
Hearts break.

Careers end.
Jobs come and go.

Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Men don't call when they say they will.

BUT girlfriends are there,
No matter how much time and
How many miles are between you.

A girlfriend is never farther away
Than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley,
And you have to walk it for yourself,
Your girlfriends will be on the valley's rim,

Cheering you on,
Praying for you,
Pulling for you,
Intervening on your behalf, and
Waiting with open arms
At the valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you. Or come in and carry you out. My daughters, mother, Moonsisters, sisters-in-law, mother-in-law, aunts, nieces, cousins, extended family, and friends bless my life! The world wouldn't be the same without them, and neither would I.

When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Thank you to each of you for gracing me with your light!

If you have a special Girlfriend story, please share it with us!
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8 Keys to Maintain Your Balance

KEEPING BALANCED DURING THE SHIFT

"As consciousness shifts, there are certain requirements for those who choose to shift as well. Those requirements are of Universal Law, and cannot be denied. These necessities can be done only from the heart, for if from a mental nature will fail as untruth combative with perceived truth. As considered, these are also keys to the ascension process. They are not that which is new, but that which has always been. Only the perceptions of lack, of less than are new.

These keys are based upon the sacred geometry of the star tetrahedron, each key being a point of the star. Eight truths which are eternal. Each without the other is only part of the whole, just as you are part of all that is and has ever been."


The Keys Are as Follows:

We must acknowledgement our self perfection – We are and always have been of the One both in Source and within our Journeys.

Accept the journey for which we have come – why fight the very things which we have come to learn?

Maintain Personal Integrity – That truth which is ours amongst all other things, that opportunity which we give ourselves to find the truth within us, not that which we have been conditioned by others to perceive.

Be that which you are, not that which you perceive others would see – You are created of light, of Grace, and of that there cannot be imperfection, only that which is of Spirit. You do not need to improve yourselves, only to acknowledge that which is your God self, your perfect being.

We must acknowledge our value – This is different than accepting perfection. Your value is how you fit within the world within and the exterior world in which you exist. To perceive that your value is greater than another’s, or less than someone else’s brings you to lack of everything else.

Accept Your Power – You are great and mighty. True Power comes not of ego, but the collective One of our Spirit. True Power is Gentle Power. You are of the light and in its seemingly nebulous construct is the essence from which all things are made. To fear inner power is to suggest that you are less than all other things. In Truth, power is of Grace, not of abusiveness or negative use and your Grace is born of unconditionality. True Power is that which is Love, the intentional living as co-creator from within all opportunities that are offered you.

Take Your value, Your perfection, Your power, Your Grace into your world – In the Now that always is, change only comes from practice of change. What this means is that to effect change we must embody it. You must walk your talk, not hide that which you know. Historically, that which is hidden is viewed as heresy in relation to the accepted norm. To change this, it is to create a new accepted norm with ease and Grace by virtue of your walking within the very light from which you are created.

Love yourselves and touch everyone you encounter with love – As all energy exchanges, what will You accept from others and what will you leave behind? You can see all others as mirrors of yourselves, that their pain also resides somewhere within us, that their joy is in our hearts as well. This is why random acts of kindness make such a difference. How many times have you said “There by the Grace of God go I”? It is true. It has always been so.

And of course, as we embrace these keys, we must remember to breathe. Our breath serves more than the purpose of oxygenating our body. Our breath clears and nurtures us energetically. Each breath is a cleansing and as weare cleansed, our energy system moves more easily and with greater clarity of communication within the universal consciousness, communicating what our experience is as well as what our experience may be. When we do not breathe because we are tense, our energies compact, becoming more and more sluggish. As a result, our manifestation becomes sluggish or even stalled.

Source: Spirit Light Resources Author: Dr. Meg Blackburn Losey

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Two Wolves

An Old Cherokee is Teaching his Grandson about Life....

"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride,superiority, and ego."

He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity,truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Source: The Spiritual Network

And here is the rest of it.

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Awaken Your Divine Power

Don't Miss this Very Powerful Opportunity!
If you know someone in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or the surrounding areas who would be interested in participating in this special occasion, do them a favor and let them know about this Free Seminar.

This seminar will take place the day before an unusually powerful full moon. This is important because Philadelphia is playing a critical role this year in helping the United States of America reclaim her Divine Destiny.

Please join with us, and add to the Light of the world as you awaken your Divine Potential.

FREE SEMINAR - AWAKEN YOUR DIVINE POTENTIAL

Presented by Patricia Diane Cota-Robles

SUNDAY, May 18, 2008

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Doubletree Hotel

37 South Broad Street,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107-5686.

Can you feel the winds of change stirring in the deepest recesses of your heart? This inner prompting is coming from the part of you that knows you have the ability to improve your life. It is coming from the highest aspect of your consciousness, the part of you that knows abundance, happiness, vibrant health, loving relationships, fulfillment, joy and purpose are within your reach. All you have to do is listen, and remember this Truth.

This free seminar will teach you how to do just that. It is a Gift to you. Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Space is limited so to guarantee seating please call to register now! Toll free number is 1-888-310-4488.

Website: http://www.eraofpeace.org/

And here is the rest of it.

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Food for Thought

Daily we are surrounded by opportunities
for growth, seeds for change, and lightbulb
moments. What we do with each of these,
is simply put, a matter of choice. The choice
can span a wide range of responses. Some
may be familiar to you:

• "I don't see, hear or feel a thing!" [Other wise known as Complete Denial]



• "Oh, that's nice!" [Hmm, maybe you need this, but I'm just FINE!]



• "I'll get back to this someday" [Ding! Ding! Ding! Alarm bells sound, but not ready yet]



• "I need to do Something!" [ Dive into exploration...read...attend classes...join groups..etc]



• "I'm ready and I surrender" [You begin to empty out, so you can fill up]

So here is a QUOTE that provides some food for thought:

“We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.”

—Carlos Castaneda (1925-1998), author, philosopher

Any thoughts on this?

And here is the rest of it.

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A Very Important Question

Today I attended a dowsing meeting and the speaker was a wonderful healer by the name of Nancy Russell. Although she spoke beautifully on many things, the most important point I got from her presentation was, at the end of the day ask yourself this question:

Am I bitter or am I better?

She spoke about the need to have fun and enjoy life. As I was taking my walk in the park this morning I was meditating...thinking about how every morning when I wake up I have the choice to make it a great day or not. I like to announce to the universe when I am showering that my choice for the day is that Today is the best day of my life! When I approach the day from this vantage point it is much easier to start off with an attitude that will take me forward. I am not suggesting that as the day rolls on I never am challenged because of this approach...but it does have an impact on my choice of how I decide to respond to my state of challenge.

When the day is started also with the intent of having fun and enjoying the moments, we see things differently. During my walk this morning, I enjoyed the sounds flowing through the air, I enjoyed watching the flights of the bluebirds as well as watching the fisherman on the banks of the stream, taking the time to feel, see, and smell my surrounding more deeply. This joy also allowed me to forget, that sometimes I rather be laying in my warm bed rather than walking outside on a brisk spring morning...so as I prepare to go off to bed tonight...I ask myself, am I bitter or am I better? I am better because of all the wonderful experiences I encountered in my life today. So how was your day?

And here is the rest of it.

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What Will Matter

What will matter is not what you bought,
but what you built;
Not what you got,
but what you gave.

What will matter is not your success,
but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned,
but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity,
compassion, courage or sacrifice
that enriched, empowered or encouraged
others to emulate your example.
What will matter is not your competence,
but your character.

What will matter is not
how many people you knew,
but how many will feel
a lasting loss when you're gone.
What will matter is not your memories,
but the memories that live
in those who loved you.
What will matter is how long
you will be remembered,
by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters
doesn't happen by accident.
It's not a matter of circumstance
But of choice.
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And here is the rest of it.

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Dance Like Nobody's Watching

ONE OF MY FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL PIECES
Jeff was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"

He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jeff was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jeff was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation .

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jeff and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Jeff replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jeff, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or You can choose to be in a bad mood.' I choose to be in a good mood.

Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," Jeff, said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."

I reflected on what Jeff said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that Jeff did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jeff was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center.

After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jeff was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body. I saw Jeff about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he said, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Want to see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jeff replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Jeff continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, 'He's a dead man.' I knew I needed to take action." "What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jeff. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Bullets!'

Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'" Jeff lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.

- Work like you don't need the money
- Love like it's never going to hurt
- Dance like nobody's watching
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10 Steps to Forgiveness

For many people forgiveness is one of the hardest steps of all in our progress toward freedom of spirit. Yet it is essential. For as long as we are unable to forgive, we keep ourselves chained to the unforgiven. We give them rent-free space in our minds, emotional shackles on our hearts, and the right to torment us in the small hours of the night.

When it is time to move on, but still too hard, try some or all of these steps.(Note that these steps are appropriate for events resulting from an ongoing relationship with anyone. They may not all be appropriate for the random act of violence from a stranger.)

1. Understand that forgiving does not mean giving permission for the behavior to be repeated. It does not mean saying that what was done was acceptable. Forgiveness is needed for behaviors that were not acceptable and that you should not allow to be repeated.

2. Recognize who is being hurt by your non-forgiveness. Does the other person burn with your anger, feel the knot in your stomach, experience the cycling and recycling of your thoughts as you re-experience the events in your mind? Do they stay awake as you rehearse in your mind what you would like to say or do to 'punish' them? No, the pain is all yours.

3. Do not demand to know 'why' as a prerequisite to forgiveness. Knowing why the behavior happened is unlikely to lessen the pain, because the pain came at a time when you did not know why. Occasionally there are times when knowing why makes forgiveness unnecessary, but they are rare. Don't count on it and don't count on even the perpetrator knowing why.

4. Make a list of what you need to forgive. What was actually done that caused your pain? Not what you felt, what was done.

5. Acknowledge your part. Were you honest about your hurt or did you hide the fact that the behavior hurt you? Did you seek peace by reassuring the perpetrator that it was all right? Did you stay when you could or should have left? If so, then you, too, have some responsibility. (Here you start to move away from being a victim.)

6. Make a list of what you gained from the relationship, whatever form of relationship it was. Looking back you may be focusing on the negatives, the hurts. Yet if they were repeated, you must have stayed to allow the repetition. You did not remove yourself. Why? There must have been some positives if you chose to stay around. What were they?

7. Write a letter to the person (no need to mail it). Acknowledge what you gained from the relationship, and express forgiveness for the hurts. Allow yourself to express all your feelings fully. Do not focus only on the hurts.

8. Create a ceremony in which you get rid of your lists and the letter, so symbolizing the ending of the link between you. You may choose to visualize placing them on a raft and watching it drift gently away down a river. You may prefer to burn them and scatter the ashes. You may invent some other form of ritualized separation.

9. Visualize the person you are forgiving being blessed by your forgiveness and, as a result, being freed from continuing the behavior that hurt you.

10. Now that you have freed yourself from the painful links and released the pain, feel yourself growing lighter and more joyous. Now you are free to move on with your life without that burden of bitterness. Do not look back in anger.

Source: Diana Robinson, Coach University

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Stones and Crystals

UNDERSTANDING CRYSTALS
Through the past years I have come to work closely with a variety of stones and crystals to help augment the energy work I do on myself or with clients. I am attracted to working with these friends of the Earth because they are simple yet complex, gentle yet powerful.

Everything has its optimum vibrational frequency. If I am sick, my vibration begins to slow down, if I am healthy and energized, it is higher. " The human body is a symphony of sounds. Every chakra, every organ, every bone, every tissue, every cell has its own resonant frequency, its own sound. Together, they create a unified or composite frequency, with its own sound, like the instruments of an orchestra coming together. Ideally, the individual sounds and frequencies comprise a harmonious whole. That is when the body is functioning as it should, in health. However, when an organ is out of time or out of tune with the rest, then the entire body is affected. This disharmony leads to states of disease and disintegration." Massagetherapy.com

Each stone and crystal has its own unique vibrational frequency signature. When our body gets out of balance, we look for ways to restore harmony. Through the use of stone therapy, we can help to re-align the body, so it moves back to that state of homeostasis. So how does this happen? Through the entrainment process. For example, if you would line a wall of a room with a number of grandfather clocks, each one's pendulum would be swinging at a different rate. With in a short period of time, they would synchronize and all be swinging together in harmony. This is due to entrainment.

The same occurs when using stone and crystal therapy. If I dowse an area of my body and find a spot that is energetically showing a restriction in flow, I can place the correct stone or crystal at that spot. After a period of time, the energy in the restricted area begins to respond to and entrain to the level of the vibrational frequency of the stone. This process helps to re-energize the body.

Clear Quartz Crystals
Although I do work with a variety of stones, the clear quartz crystal is my favorite. When one first looks at quartz crystals they may notice they are different, but not realize the importance of these differences. Each one has it's own distinct personality, with unique personality traits, just like you and I have.

For example, when you first hold a crystal in your hand, you become aware of your physical and emotional response to it. It may speak to you loud and clear, or it may not leave you with any particular impression. As you study the physical characteristics of the crystal you begin to notice differences. Some have a point on each end, others have just one. Some are cloudy, some clear, some mixed. The largest face of the Crystal will vary, some have 5, 6 , 7, or 8 edges surrounding them. Some will have raised indentations, mineral inclusions, small growths, specific shapes. So what does all this mean? Well, each is a characteristic. Once aware of these particular meanings, it allows you to work with more knowledge and understanding.

Let me give you an example. Some crystals are very clear. This attribute would be considered Yang, or masculine. This type of crystal is said to represent actions, power, force, strength--male energy qualities. Other crystals are cloudy or milky in appearance. These would be Yin or feminine, and are said to represent receptivity, love, communication, negotiation, sensitivity--female energy qualities. Knowing this information is useful for yourself or when working with others using Stone Therapy. If you or another person is experiencing an imbalance of either masculine or feminine energy that is affecting the body, working with the crystal of the more depleted energy, helps to restore balance.

So when working with crystals, first learn about them--what are their qualities, attributes, vibrational frequencies, how do they look in raw form as opposed to cleaned and polished? Clear and cleanse the stones and crystals before using. Connect with their energy. Feel what they are saying. Follow your intuition, it will guide you to ways you can work with them.

For an introduction into this topic, consider signing up for my Stone and Crystal class. It covers the main characteristics of the clear quartz crystal, with many samples of each type to study. You receive a booklet with detailed descriptions and a sampling of stones and crystals. We just had a wonderful class again last night. Check back for the next scheduled event.

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Spring Cleaning for the Soul

It is March Already--
Spring it Just Around the Corner

One day you open your front door and are greeted by the signs of spring. You notice the daffodils and crocuses have burst into bloom. The air around you feels noticeably lighter. The world of nature and all its creatures are stepping forward to begin the process of rebirth. You take in a deep breathe and feel exhilarated! Each smell is warm and inviting. Daytime is emerging from the shadows of winter, lasting longer, casting a green-golden light on all that is touched. Yes, this is the day you notice spring has arrived! Maybe you are taken back into time, to a memory of a spring day as a child. Suddenly you feel energized, ready to face the days ahead with new desire and enthusiasm.

Many of us welcome springtime with annual rituals. We often feel a strong urge to freshen up, organize, and make changes in our living environment...namely our homes. I would like to suggest that as you begin spring cleaning, whatever that may involve, to seriously consider taking time for yourself and do some spring cleaning of the soul. Approaching this annual event on a holistic level will engage your complete self—body, mind and spirit—in the renewal process.

Thomas Moore in Care of the Soul said “It is impossible to define precisely what the soul is. Soul is not a thing, but a quality or dimension of experiencing life and ourselves. Soul is aligned with love, care, genuineness, connectedness, compassion, intimacy and inner communication. Simple gestures that seemingly take place on the surface of life can have central importance to the soul.”

Often with the hectic schedules of our modern day lives, we forget our need to connect with spirit on a very personal level and that is when our troubles begin. All to often we become buried under situations, events, and emotions. Over time, this small pile of experiences becomes larger and heavier. We begin to struggle for breath. Eventually, we may feel a sense of loss, as if a piece is missing,. We feel a longing for something, but we can’t quite name what that something is. Solutions that used to work for us are no longer effective coping strategies. All these things happen because we lose that connection with our true Self.

It is when we take the time to look deeply into our Self and start to sort through the clutter, that we begin to dig our way back up to the surface. Our self image is programmed in our mind and memories, creating a reflection of who we think we are. This image begins to formulate early in life and is often build upon the good intentions of others—parents, spouses, children , friends. As time progresses, we grow and develop. What was once necessary, may now longer be needed, and in actuality may hinder real progress in staying connected to who we really are. Although it is never an easy task to look closely in the mirror because we may not like what we see, it is an essential task if we want to discover the true meaning and purpose of our existence. Make a clean sweep this season, by following some of the tips of personal spring cleaning listed below.

Personal Tips for Spring Cleaning
Soul Searching is a term one occasionally hears reference to when looking for answers. I have heard the terminology used more in conjunction with an individual who has gotten into trouble of some sort and the authority in charge suggests, in a very forceful manner, that the person better do some Soul Searching! The following checklist contains suggestions if you are beginning the quest of looking for your real Self that may be buried deeply in the foundation of who you. The tips do not contain anything you are hearing for the first time. The point is not to dazzle you with new ideas, instead it is simply, an opportunity to remind you of some beneficial strategies when reconnecting with Spirit

Pay Attention:
What feelings or emotions are creating stress? The first step in any process of growth is to accurately identify the issue. The question to ask yourself: Is there a prolonged emotional state or mood that I find myself trapped in for which I can not find a satisfactory resolution? Without knowing the real cause, you are only grasping at straws in seeking the solution.

Search for Meaning:
After identifying the issue, it becomes necessary to find the meaning that is attached. In this step we must experience the feelings here and learn their significance, only then will we be able to make changes in our behavior and attitudes.

Repattern Outdated Behavior
When reflecting on the state we are in and the meaning attached to it, we need to examine our current responses. Old patterns usually prove to be ineffective and do little to resolve the conflicting states we find ourselves in, so we then become obligated to repattern. If the old techniques no longer work, then we need to stop spinning our wheels. It is through this reflecting of past events and becoming open to the future, we become empowered by the insights and understanding that we gained through our struggles.

Suggestions to Help Shift Old Behavior Patterns:
Appreciate: Be grateful, express appreciation, give thanks.

Revise Your Assumptions

Energize Yourself- take the time to care for your needs in a way that will help you connect with your feelings, emotions, body and spirit

Replace Negative Self-Talk: use positive imaging and affirmations

Feel the Interconnection to everyone and all things in the universe

Visualize What You Desire

Release and Let Go of that which is not serving you in a beneficial way

Choose Your Attitude: Choose to replace feelings of helplessness and doubt with feelings of empowerment and connectedness with your Higher Self

The search for who we really are is a lifelong journey of discoveries. It is a path strewn with many emotions, struggles, and opportunities to learn our own particular lessons of truth, that resonates within each of us. It is through this ongoing process of self investigation that we are able to transform the meaningless into the meaningful and find peace, happiness, and the Divine in all that surrounds us! So why not prepare for some deep spiritual spring cleaning this time around?



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Stuff, Stuff, and More Stuff....

Ohhh! Noooooo! Not again…trying to maneuver my way around and
through the rooms in our home…STUFF, STUFF everywhere…on the
tables, chairs, cabinets, counters, closets, floors.. Room after room of
clutter…a problem that grows like a sour dough bread starter…
unrelentless and out of control…

My husband and I are too much alike in many ways… which allows the
STUFF problem to multiply unchecked…each in our own way-- packrats…
well, let’s strike that…I think I prefer collectors…sounds more
sophisticated to the untrained ear….

When we were first married 21 years ago we lived in a nice size apartment
that quickly outgrew our STUFF…I lamented, “Oh if we only had a house
with more room, we wouldn’t be so crowded!”….Six months later we were
in our first house….six months after that we had filled each and every
room with more, exciting new STUFF…now mind you, although I am
saying new STUFF, we generally collect old STUFF…you know the kind
that is used from the thrift store, flea market or garage sale… that STUFF
is such a great bargain…and because it is usually so cheap…you can buy
tons more of it…even though we don’t need or necessarily want the
STUFF … it looks and feels cool at the time…and who knows when we
can have a real purpose for this STUFF.

Oh yeah….let’s not forget the other STUFF that comes into our lives as
well…when someone is moving and they are trying to get rid of their
STUFF they have accumulated over a lifetime…we somehow become
a STUFF magnet…whup! quick, duck your head, here comes another
piece of beaten up shabby furniture into the house….

Then there is always the person who comes and shares your driveway for
a garage sale, where most of the STUFF doesn’t sell and so their STUFF is
left for you to bring to the thrift store but somehow it never makes it there,
preferring to take up residence in your storage unit that was once known as
a garage….now let’s not forget the inheritance STUFF we get when a family
member passes on…now this is STUFF that we just can’t get rid of…
imagine what Uncle Roger would think if we gave away his collection of
old bottles that he found when he was dump picking old foundations…

Talking about dump picking….my husband has a keen eye for the treasures
retrieved from the trash or the side of the road….mind you I would never
tell anyone they are sitting on an antique chair that came from, well never
mind…and last but not least is the trash that is thrown out at work…it
could be where my husband works…where a friend of his works…or
where a friend of a friend of a friend works…Scott has definitely elevated
the art of networking to high levels…because you just never know when
you are going to need all this STUFF….

Then after two children we out STUFFed our first home….I lamented,
“If we only had a bigger house with a layout that made sense, we would
have plenty of room.” Guess you can say I am a real slow learner in
some areas…it didn’t take too long before our new house could no longer
hold all the STUFF we had….we trained our children well...they are
STUFFers too…so we bought a shed…then another…then filled the
garage…then rented a storage unit a few miles from the house...
Ok! Ok! Ok!

Now I have to admit…. I am just as bad as all the other STUFFers in
our house…I have my large collections of STUFF…my books…my stones
and crystals…my crafts…my healing tools…my gizmos and gadgets….but I
finally think I have reached my limit and I am STUFFed out!

Enough is enough!
2008 is the year to Zen-ize my life…
Simplify … Reduce… Release …

I found this great website that is inspiring for the other STUFF collectors
out there like me who have had the light bulb moment….check out
Fly Lady at http://www.flylady.net/ and see what you can do to
inspire yourself as well!

I just felt I needed to get this out there…to have it float around through
cyber space so that I can make myself feel accountable to do what I am
saying I am going to do..

The Steps I Intend to Take:

1. Go through each room as described by Fly Lady to get my STUFF
that I plan to get rid of…

2. Then what to do? To keep it out of the trash…

….Donate back to the Thrift Stores
….Give to charity or organizations that can use the STUFF
….Put what I can on E Bay

3. Take Pictures and Record the Process to help keep myself
accountable

One of the things that really got me going in this direction was the great
video that I have posted below…it is called The Story of Stuff… a
must see!

Until next time….

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