Seeds for Change Wellness

Green Tea for Acne Relief

2010-08-02T16:09:00.004-04:00

Author: Susan Anderson

Having trouble with acne outbreaks? Tired of spending money on expensive treatments? Worried about the long term use of medications? Are you wanting to try a more natural approach to curing an outbreak? Try Green Tea!

Green tea comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference between green tea and black tea is in how they are processed. Whereas black teas are fermented, green tea leaves are steamed. This prevents the EGCG compound (epigallocatechin gallate), a powerful antioxidant, from being oxidized.

Green tea can be an effective aid in a variety of issues, and is recommended for use in combating acne for several reasons. It acts as an anti-bacterial substance, decreasing hormonal activity. Since acne is often caused by hormones, which produce excess oil and clog pores, causing blemishes, green tea may be a good remedy for this problem.

The antioxidants found in green tea are beneficial in acne prevention because they help the body fight against free radicals which create cell and tissue damage. It helps reduce inflammation and aids in detoxification, which is needed to help clear up acne. Green tea also has very few potential side effects, especially in comparison to other acne products and medication.

WAYS TO USE GREEN TEA FOR ACNE

Brew up a cup of green tea to drink and help cleanse your body from the inside out.
Splash cooled green tea onto your face, it is a good astringent, just apply with cotton balls.
After drinking a cup of green tea, rub the tea bag over the affected area for additional support or use as a compress.
Purchase a bottle of green tea extract and add a few drops to your favorite hot or cold beverage.
For topical use, add drops of green tea extract to an organic based, fragrance free cream or lotion, then apply to your skin.
Green tea can also be purchased in capsules form- making it convenient and easy to use any time

Green tea is easy enough to find on the shelves of your local grocery store, and the price is right- inexpensive. If you are in search of capsules and extracts, a local health food store or online supplier is your better resource. Regardless of what form of green tea you use, start to incorporate it into your daily routine, besides helping with acne it has the added side effect of boosting your health in a variety of other ways. But we will save that for another article.

Detox Yourself Through Dry Brushing

2010-08-01T10:13:00.004-04:00

Source: Dr Denice Moffit, Natural Health Techniques

DID YOU KNOW?

The skin is the largest most important eliminative organ in the body and is responsible for one quarter of the body’s detoxification each day?

The skin eliminates over one pound of waste acids each day in the average adult, most of it through the sweat glands?

That the skin is known also as our third kidney?

That the skin receives one third of all the blood circulated in the body?

That the skin is the last to receive nutrients in the body, yet the first to show signs of imbalance or deficiency?

Detoxification is performed by a number of organs, glands, and transportation systems, including the skin, gut, kidneys, liver, lungs, lymphatic system, and mucous membranes. The dry brushing technique deals with detoxification of the skin.

Dry brushing is a way to stimulate all the above organs of detoxification because it provides a gentle internal massage.

Dry Brushing was recommended by the Finnish Dr., Paavo Airola for his patients 30 years ago and is still popular in European spas and many cancer treatment centers today. The Russians, Turks and Scandinavians have used this treatment for centuries. Dry brushing is promoted as a preventative for dry skin and a way to exfoliate the skin, thus stimulating skin renewal that is super soft to the touch, but there are many other benefits as well:

BENEFITS OF DRY SKIN BRUSHING:

1. Removes cellulite

2. Cleanses the lymphatic system

3. Removes dead skin layers

4. Strengthens the immune system

5. Stimulates the hormone and oil-producing glands

6. Tightens the skin preventing premature aging

7. Tones the muscles

8. Stimulates circulation

9. Improves the function of the nervous system

10. Helps digestion

11. AND it’s easy, inexpensive and invigorating!

WHAT YOU NEED TO DRY BRUSH:

To dry brush, use a soft natural fiber brush with a long handle, so that you are able to reach all areas of your body. One with a removable head with a strap for your hand is a good choice.

A loofah sponge or a rough towel can also be used. Most nylon and synthetic fiber brushes are too sharp and may damage skin although I found a softer bath brush with nylon bristles that seems to do the trick. The important thing is to find something that is just right for your skin. Once your skin becomes “seasoned,” you can switch to a coarser brush.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR DRY BRUSHING:

Always dry brush your dry and naked body before you shower or bathe because you will want to wash off the impurities from the skin as a result from the brushing action.

You can do the brushing head-to-toe or toe-to-head. It really doesn’t matter as long as the entire body is brushed. Long sweeping strokes starting from the bottom of your feet upwards, and from the hands towards the shoulders, and on the torso in an upward direction help drain the lymph back to your heart.

Note: Be sure to brush toward the heart, brushing away from your heart puts extra pressure on the valves within the veins and lymph vessels and can cause ruptured vessels and varicose veins.

Use light pressure in areas where the skin is thin and harder pressure on places like the soles of the feet.

Skin brushing should be performed once a day, preferably first thing in the morning. A thorough skin brushing takes about 15 minutes, but any time spent brushing prior to bathing will benefit the body. If you are feeling ill, increasing the treatments to twice a day is good. You can also dry brush areas of cellulite five to 10 minutes twice a day to achieve cellulite dissolving but the technique needs to be done consistently for a minimum of five months.

Avoid sensitive areas and anywhere the skin is broken such as areas of skin rash, wounds, cuts, and infections. Also, never brush an area affected by poison oak or poison ivy.

Finish up with your regular shower and ending with three hot and cold cycles. That means turning on the water as hot as you can take it for several seconds, then as cold as you can handle it, then hot, then cold for three cycles. End with either hot or cold. This will further invigorate the skin and stimulate blood circulation, bringing more blood to the outer layers of the skin.

After getting out of the shower, dry off vigorously and massage your skin with pure plant oils such as olive, avocado, apricot, almond, sesame, coconut or cocoa butter. Add a little peanut and Castor oil to the mix if you have arthritis. Edgar Cayce says this works to take out some of the pain, and we’ve found that to be true over the years.

Clean your skin brush using soap and water once a week. After rinsing, dry your skin brush in an open, sunny spot to prevent mildew.

Any well designed program will take about 30 days to see and experience the changes. Please be patient and keep up the program! For a thorough lymphatic cleansing, perform skin brushing daily for a minimum of three months.

Unsuspecting Americans Guilty of Illegal Drug Use

2010-07-02T09:52:00.004-04:00

June 28, 2010 Author: Susan Anderson

My Confession
I am not one to describe myself as an illegal drug user, so you can just imagine how horrified I was to learn that I have been concealing and using an illegal substance in my home for years. On top of that I have also turned my beloved family members - my husband and two daughters- into drug users as well! Come to think of it I have even given some of our contraband to my elderly parents, as well as to unsuspecting guests who have visited our home. In regard to my family, their addictions can be directly traced back to me. And the biggest kicker-- I had no idea I was involved in such unlawful behavior.

Violation of the RICO Act
The past few nights have been especially difficult. Unable to sleep, tossing and turning, breaking out into night sweats, and once even scurrying under the bed to hide when an unfamiliar sound rattled loudly below the bedroom window. Why you might ask? My mind has been working overtime, probably from watching too many Lifetime Movies-- I am expecting at any minute that the FBI will come busting onto our property and arrest me for violation of the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations).

Ignorance is No Excuse
One of the offenses included under the RICO Act is drug trafficking- and for that my dear friends, I figure I can be punished to the full extent of the law. Although it is taking great courage for me to write this article, I feel it is my duty to inform you, that you too most likely, are as guilty as I am. Therefore let me remind everyone out there " Ignorantia legis neminem excusat " (Latin for "ignorance of the law excuses no one") is a legal principle in our country which holds that a person who is unaware of a law may not escape liability for violating that law merely because he or she was unaware of its content. And as far as criminal law goes, ignorance on our part is not likely to relieve us of a guilty verdict, but the good news is-- the judge may take this into consideration at sentencing. A little bit of hope lights the way before us!

FDA Issues Warning to Diamond Food
So by now you must be wondering what drug I am referring to, that would have each of us teetering on the brink of arrest? Why it is the our addictive cravings for the mighty, all powerful WALNUT! Although, at this point, the only individuals breaking the law are the users of Diamond Brand Walnuts. On February 22, 2010 the FDA issued a warning letter to Michael J Mendes, President and Chief Executive of Diamond Food, Inc. After reviewing their product label and website regarding Diamond Shelled Walnuts they were found in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

FDA: Walnuts Are Drugs
The FDA stated that "based on claims made on your firm's website, we have determined that your walnut products are promoted for conditions that cause them to be drugs because these products are intended for use in the prevention, mitigation, and treatment of disease."

The specific law breaking violations mentioned by the FDA that were found on Diamond Foods packaging labels or website, included:

" Studies indicate that the omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts may help
lower cholesterol;protect against heart disease, stroke and some cancers;
ease arthritis and other inflammatory diseases; and even fight depression
and other mental illnesses."

"[O]mega-3 fatty acids inhibit the tumor growth that is promoted by the acids
found in other fats ... "

FDA: "Walnuts- This Drug is NOT Generally Recognized as Safe"
"Because of these intended uses, your walnut products are drugs within the meaning of section 201 (g)(1)(B) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(B)]. Your walnut products are also new drugs under section 201(p) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 321(p)] because they are not generally recognized as safe and effective for the above referenced conditions. Therefore, under section 505(a) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 355(a)], they may not be legally marketed with the above claims in the United States without an approved new drug application. Additionally, your walnut products are offered for conditions that are not amenable to self-diagnosis and treatment by individuals who are not medical practitioners; therefore, adequate directions for use cannot be written so that a layperson can use these drugs safely for their intended purposes. Thus, your walnut products are also misbranded under section 502(f)(1) of the Act, in that the labeling for these drugs fails to bear adequate directions for use [21
U.S.C. § 352(f)(1)]."

Hmm, how many walnuts have I consumed lately in one sitting? I consider myself extremely lucky for not overdosing. The fact is- due to my addiction to this drug, I may have as many as a cup full of them at one time. Can anyone out there recommend a good 12-step program for Walnut addiction?

More Health Claim Violations
The FDA warning letter continues "Your walnut products are also misbranded under section 403(r)(1)(B) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 343(r)(1)(B)] because your firm's website also contains several additional unauthorized health claims. The following are examples of the claims made on your firm's website:

"Studies have also shown that omega-3s may lower the risk of stroke ..."

"[T]here's good evidence that omega-3s can increase HDL (good cholesterol),
further reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease."

Product Mislabeling
"Further, your "Diamond of California Shelled Walnut" product is misbranded under section 403(r)(1)(B) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 343(r)(1)(B)] in that your product bears health claims that are not authorized by the FDA. The front and back of your product label bears the phrase "OMEGA 3 2.5 g per serving." Within the context of this label, the heart symbols adjacent to information about the amount of omega-3 in the product, constitute implied health claims about consumption of omega-3 and a reduced risk of coronary heart disease [21 CFR 101. 14(a)].

The back of your product label also bears the following statement: "The omega-3 in walnuts can help you get the proper balance of fatty acids your body needs for promoting and maintaining heart health. In fact, according to the Food and Drug Administration, supportive but not conclusive research shows that eating 1.5 oz of walnuts per day, as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet, and not resulting in increased caloric intake, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Please refer to nutrition information for fat content and other details about the nutritional profile of walnuts." Although FDA exercises enforcement discretion over the last two sentences of this statement, which meet the criteria for a qualified health claim for walnuts and coronary heart disease, the last two sentences read in conjunction with the first sentence makes the entire statement an unauthorized health claim.

The statement suggests that the evidence supporting a relationship between walnuts and coronary heart disease is related to the omega-3 fatty acid content of walnuts. There is not sufficient evidence to identify a biologically active substance in walnuts that reduces the risk of CHD. Therefore, the above statement is an unauthorized health claim. This letter is not intended to be an inclusive review of your products and their labeling. It is your responsibility to ensure that all of your products comply with the Act and its implementing regulations."

Whew! I'm Glad the FDA is Looking Out For Us
Can you imagine what danger we would all be in if the FDA did not do this important work of protecting us against unscrupulous companies such as Diamond Food! We just might be forced to reduce the use of legalized, prescription medications endorsed by the pharmaceutical companies. Instead we could be backed into a corner and have to use more unproven, unrecognized as safe, natural substances such as, well, dare I say it- that four letter word that begins with an F.... FOOD.

More Illegal Drugs
As I explored the FDA's website section for Inspections, Compliance, Enforcement, and Criminal Investigations, I was dumbfounded at the some of the other products I am currently using in an unlawful way, in particular homeopathic remedies and supplements. Guess I am going to need to put this website on my favorites list so I can check out the new warning letters regularly issued. Now that my criminal activity is out in the open for all to read about, I want to make sure I do not repeat the same crimes over and over again, because I know that my ignorance of the law will not save me.

Don't Believe Me?
Well if you think I am making this all up, check out the letter sent to Diamond Foods yourself. Then go to the left side of the page and begin to check out the warning letters under the Enforcement Actions column. All kidding aside, although I have tried to put a humorous slant to this article, in a nutshell, it really is no laughing matter. We need to be aware of what is going on, stand up for our beliefs and support those who are taking a proactive approach to protecting our rights.

So What Can I Do?
Participate in the various action alerts that are available on the internet letting your voice be heard. One organization working diligently and effectively to protect our natural health rights including health freedom threats from Codex, the FDA, vaccinations, and GMO is the Natural Solutions Foundation.

1. Visit their website to become familiar with the issues.

2. Sign the Citizens Petition- Read what it is about here.

So in conclusion, I would like to end with the words regularly spoken by Jeff Frank, Director of the Nature Lyceum : "We are all in this together."

.

Dare to Be Healthy Series: Step 4

2010-02-21T08:48:00.004-05:00

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.

Dare to Be Healthy Series: Step 3

2010-02-16T08:11:00.006-05:00

The Once a Day Look in the Mirror

Let's Review First
Alright, you should only be back here now if you have written your 1 paragraph pledge to commit yourself to this program and have those pieces of paper plastered all over the place. Ok, ok, yes, you can start will a few postings, but promise yourself you will put them in very strategic places. Posting in the garage if you don't spend much time there, or if it is not place of temptation to lead you astray, is not a really good idea. Right now I have my pledge posted on the bathroom mirror, the fridge, by the TV, in my car, on a kitchen cabinet, in my wallet and as a bookmark in the book I am reading. I want to keep this first and foremost in my mind's eye as I walk through each day. It won't guarantee that I will always make the best decision, but will will guarantee that I am making a conscious choice about that decision.

Mirror Mirror On the Wall
The next step in the program is the daily look into the mirror, not the literal one hanging around, but feel free to look there too. It is the figurative mirror. Remember in Step 1 we jotted down our thoughts, ideas, doodles, etc about a healthy new image we are creating? Well we are going to go back to that book and commit to a daily review of our actions. Ah, how many of these daily things are going to be required everyday? Well I didn't say this was going to be easy. But it does require making some lifestyle changes that hopefully will develop into new habits.

We Don't Know Where We Are Going, Unless We Know Where We Have Been
The reason to make a daily commitment to recording our program experiences is to help us stay the course in several ways. It is about recognizing the pitfalls, it is about venting, it is about patting ourselves on the back, it is about translating thought energy into action energy. So what are the guidelines?

5 Minutes A Day
Decide on a time of day you can easily fit 5 minutes in for this reflection time. Maybe it will be the first thing in the morning, or as a mid afternoon break, or in the evening. What ever you decide this has to be a cornerstone of your program, meaning that everything else will rest upon your ability to keep this aspect of the course going. It is very important to establish this new routine so it easily and effortlessly incorporates into your life. Hey, you in the back there, I hear the grumbling! Let's face it, 5 minutes a day is very doable, so no complaining!!!

So once I decide on the time slot, what do I use it for you may be asking?
Good question! We use the 5 minutes to reflect upon how the program has worked for us over the last 24 hours. We rate the day on a scale of 1-5. A very challenging day, with difficulty holding on, would qualify as a 1 and a very successful day, which we sailed through easily would represent a 5. We make the call for what goes on in between. Remember we are assessing what we have been doing so far in the steps we have taken. So that means we can use our personal commitment pledge as a guideline if needed.

Next is our Atta Girl! or Atta Boy!
We will write down one thing we did successfully during the last twenty four hours. It doesn't have to be this big, major achievement, something small is good. Remember a home is built with a lot of small bricks and not one large stone. It is important to value the small steps we take and recognize that it is about how well we organize these steps that will make this plan work for us.

Zoning In
After that we will write down one thing we would like to improve in our self over the next twenty four hours. It should be simply stated in a positive way, indicating what we would like to incorporate more clearly throughout the next segment of time. It can be something that presented itself as a challenge in the previous days or it could be some aspect of self we are working on developing more fully. The idea is for it to be realistic and manageable for a 24 hour time frame.

Summary
Just these 3 things at this time.
1. Rate the Day
2. Atta Girl! or Atta Boy!
3. Zone In
Later on we will add some additional things. And of course, please don't feel boxed in by the 5 minute time limit, feel free to spend more time in refection anytime you want.

Dare to Be Healthy Series: Step 2

2010-02-14T08:25:00.005-05:00

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.

The Year of Creative Energy

2010-02-13T07:46:00.007-05:00

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!

Dare to Be Healthy

2010-02-11T11:38:00.006-05:00

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

Girlfriends

2008-05-27T08:20:00.005-04:00

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

2008-05-23T14:15:00.003-04:00

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

Two Wolves

2008-05-13T23:25:00.004-04:00

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

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Awaken Your Divine Power

2008-05-13T02:38:00.004-04:00

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/

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Food for Thought

2008-04-25T05:38:00.008-04:00

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?

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Views of April

2008-04-24T08:08:00.010-04:00

Garden Journal: April 24, 2008
As I sit here this morning having a cup of coffee, I decided to download some of the garden photos I took yesterday. These are pictures from sections in the Elemental Garden. (Photo to the Right: Wild Violets)

These violets make my soul smile...they are pure love and beauty. Last year as I was clearing the space for the garden, there were a few of these beauties.

It was decided to make room for them, invite them in to spread, and see what would happen the following season. I can not even begin to tell you how gorgeous they look and how abundant they are. So in this garden, as well as many of the other beds on the property, they are one of the first flowering arrivals to spread their seeds of happiness.

The Elemental Garden
She is awakening for the first time. Last summer she was created with much love and focus, as I worked together with the Deva of the Garden to create a retreat for the Elementals who have worked so hard to keep our skies overhead clear and our land flourishing with abundance. If you are interested in the full story about the origins of this amazing space, read Elemental Garden Retreat Project.

I have been amazed at the ease of preparation as I cleared her beds from the long winter's nap. Also, I am so excited and anxiously awaiting each new development as I see who pops up each day.

So why not grab a hot cup of whatever your choice is and join me as I share just a few of the photos from the Elemental Garden.

PHOTO: Meditation Bench

I am thrilled with this section and can't wait until it is in full bloom. A trellis was placed at each side and then bamboo laid across the top. Last year's clematis is coming up nicely, and will travel up and over to create a shelter from the strong afternoon sun. In front of the bench are two woodlike tree cravings, each with grasses planted beside them. Two Tiki Torches are also placed in this area, so we can sit out at night and enjoy the garden under the moonlight!

PHOTO: Tool Shed

What a joy it is when I can take something that was trashed or is soon to be trashed and give it a second life and purpose. It thrills me to take on the challenge of creating something from seemingly nothing.

It was becoming a hassel to constantly run back and forth from the garden for all the tools I needed while working, so I dedicated this back section to house the tools.

Using an old section of fencing that my husband found on the side of the road, we cut it up to form a small enclosure. Hooks were put inside to hang the tools. There is space to stack some empty plastic pots inside on the ground. The wire fencing that surrounds the garden also provides storage for the assorted piles of stakes and bamboo poles that can be weaved into place there. A piece of plastic tarp covers the top but it is rather flimsy. This year we are upgrading to a roof, my husband the great trash finder, has a discarded plastic roof from an old golf cart that he will attach to the top.

PHOTO: Tiled Storage Unit

This unit is off to the side of the Tool Shed. We got this old beat up

cabinet from a garage sale last summer, then using grout and tiles,
covered the top. It was my first attempt at a tile project and I
am proud of the results. It is used to store the smaller stuff...seed
packets, scissors, ties, lables, pens...It blends in nicely with the
surroundings.

PHOTO:

Center Garden: Section 1

The garden was started with the intention of just being a small center circle. Agh, that's not enough! So four small beds surrounding the center circle were added. Agh, now that needs more defination, so four more sections were added, with a pathway between the center circle and the outer surrounding beds.

This photo is the first bed outside the center circle. I put together a trellis system out of bamboo. This will support morning glories. Last year I did this and it was strikenly beautiful. The problem was the bamboo trellis design was not strong enough to support the weight of the flowers and at times any strong wind that blew through. This year I slighlty altered the design and provided additional support with more stakes...I think I have a winner.

Well my coffee has long been done and I need to move along with the work of the day. Thanks for joining me. Hope you will stop by again soon to see what's new.

Let me leave you with this Seeds for Change Thought to ponder:

"Criticizing another's garden doesn't keep the weeds out of your own" .

Now go ahead and make it an amazing day!

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Let the Weeding Begin!

2008-04-23T13:01:00.009-04:00

Garden Journal: April 23, 2008
A Weeding Meditation

Here is one view of the outside of the Elemental Garden in need of weeding. Off in the back right corner is a shed we constructed last year out of a piece of old fencing. This is where I keep my tools stored so it isn't necessary to run back and forth out of the garden. A piece of plastic tarp that was laying around was used for the top. Worked ok for last year, but this year we are headed for an upgrade. My husband has a piece of used roof from a golf cart that we will place over top. The advantage...we won't be sticking our head into the tarp with each entry into the shed.

Inside in the foreground is a wooden bench and anchored beside it on each side is a wooden trellis. Last year a clematis was planted at the base of each late in the season. So they have come back this year and are looking strong and healthy. Laying across the top are just bamboo poles sitting on the top of each trellis. The plan is to have the clematis grow strong and hardy up and across the trellis providing a natural bit of shade to sit under on the bench, as well as something beautiful to look at.

To the left and right of the bench I planted quite a few perennials last year that hopefully will make a strong return this spring. The paths were a challenge to keep weeded. Don't be fooled by those beautiful magazine photos! I have tried, unsuccessfully to discover the Lazy Gardener's Way to Weeding, and frankly, I don't think it exists. There are techniques that can be done to help make the task less labor intensive, but it will never be weed free by wishing.

So after many different ideas and approaches last year, I decided to work smart and settled on laying thick layers of newspaper and cardboard boxes down on the paths. This was then covered with pine bark nuggets. It blew my initial budget out of the water, with the purchase of the mulch, 'cause I was determined to do it for pennies, but like I said, I decided to play it smart which meant not being penny wise and dollar foolish. It overwintered well, and requires little in the way of maintenance at this point. This year the plan is to pull back some of the bark, add more cardboard and newspaper, then reapply the mulch.

One trick I learned was to have a big barrel of water beside me and soak the paper and cardboard before laying it down. This kept it in place and made it easier to work with. Also this approach has the benefit of recycling material as well as creating more of a barrier between the weeds and mulch. Weeds do make their way through, but hand picking regularly when the weeds are small and few in number keeps it manageable.

So the last few days I have been spending my time doing what I call Weeding Meditation. First I connect with the Deva of the Elemental Garden so we can work together and have asked to be guided and inspired as I do the clearing. This activity is helping me to empty my mind of all the clutter and baggage I am carrying around and get in tune with the energy of the land. This will help to set the foundation of what to plant and where to plant it once the weeds are clear.

I have already filled in the compost area rather fully and am asking for guidance and suggestions on how to get this compost down to a manageable useable state in just a few weeks.

( To the Left) This compost pile that runs the length of the outside of the garden fence, contains all the weeds, leaves and sticks from the various beds and gardens around the property. My husband, when I wasn't paying attention, put all this years compost on top of last years, now I need to go back and reassemble the compost piles...like I said, really no easy way... Guess I'll be doing Weeding Meditation alot longer than I originally had anticipated!

( To the Left) Here is one of the overflow compost piles that needs to be cut up into smaller pieces . This contains mostly cut off branches from shrubs and of course our Christmas Tree.

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Garden Season Officially Opened

2008-04-22T10:54:00.003-04:00

Photo of the Elemental Garden, Summer 2007

After much anticipation...waiting, and waiting for the weather to change and my blood to warm up...Spring Has Arrived in PA and I am now working almost full time outside. I started a few days ago, but my body went into major retaliation. After basically laying dormant the past few months, each muscle loudly protested the spring baptism into manual labor. But now, with 3 days under my belt, things are under better control.

So here's the scoop, we have 10 major beds surrounding our property that need to be cleaned out, spruced up, and worked. In addition to that there is my treasured Elemental Garden, started last year, two long stretches of what we call tiger country, and a golf green. All of this is nestled onto one acre of land.

My goal is to move away from the traditional lawn and into a naturescape...to work with the land to grow food, herbs, spices, flowers, fruits, and natural habitat for all the critters that reside in our neighborhood. So in the upcoming season most of this blog will be devoted to the adventures of planting these seeds for change. It is a daunting task, but a definite labor of love.

I will be adding photos of what is being done as well as commentary along the way. We work organically...to fertilize, to correct imbalances, to build a healthy soil. I also like to use sound environmental practices for the hardscape...using recycled materials as much as possible, and to keep the costs manageable.

Hope you will stop by and visit on occasion to see what is new and developing in the daily adventures of Gardening with Seeds for Change! Well off to work, see you in a bit!

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Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

2008-04-20T09:51:00.004-04:00

This is a poem by Portia Nelson that just nails it in regards to the way many of us do things in life. If you have a re-occuring life pattern that keeps popping up, creating a challenge for you, then I encouarge you to carefully read Portial Nelson's words. Reflect on them. And see what Chapter you currently are reading!

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

Chapter 1
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost.
I am hopeless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't beleive I am in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.

Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in; it is a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5
I walk down another street.

Isn't that just the most profound way of putting it? This hits me at a deep level. I found this poem several years ago, and it has helped me tremendously. It creates a reminder for me and helps me see what I am doing. I hope you find it useful as well.

10 Steps to Inner Peace

2008-04-11T11:15:00.003-04:00

Here are 10 Symptoms of Inner Peace, as described by Wayne Dyer's from a talk at a conference in Arizona,these were handed down to him, now they are being passed off to you.

These can be described as providing food for the soul, so take some time to reflect on each statement, examine each closely in relationship to your personal situations, and then pass them through the heart center, to notice what your are feeling. If you like, share a bit of your thoughts with the rest of us.

STEPS TO GAINING INNER PEACE
1. Displaying the tendency to act spontaneously, less planned.

2. Showing the ability to enjoy each moment.

3. A loss of interest in judging other people.

4. A disinterest in explaining the behavior of others.

5. A decision to give conflict a ‘pass’.

6. You’ll stop watching/reading the news — sources of negativity & conflict.

7. Loss of the ability to ‘worry’.

8. Frequent episodes of appreciation & connectedness with people & nature.

9. Frequent ‘attacks’ of smiling.

10. An increased susceptibility to the love provided by others & an uncontrollable urge to love others.

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Professional Perspectives: Fluoride in Tap Water

2008-04-10T19:21:00.003-04:00

Fluoride...What Do You Really Know About It?

Watch this interesting video and then if you want to read more information, read the post The History of Fluoride.

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Random Acts of Kindness

2008-04-04T10:22:00.006-04:00

SPREADING SEEDS FOR CHANGE
Join me in spreading Seeds for Change....simple ways to bring about balance and harmony to make ourselves and this world a little better each day. So for today's debut...let's give a warm round of applause for:

Random Acts of Kindness...This concept has been around for quite a long time. These are those sweet or lovely things we do for no reason except that, momentarily, the best of our humanity has sprung into full bloom. So as we head more fully into Spring, how about dedicating some time to Random Acts of Kindness.

Here Are Some Suggestions for Practicing Acts of Kindness:

Leave a kind note for someone close to you in their wallet, lunch, car...saying how much you appreciate them

When baking or making something yummy in your kitchen, do a double batch and share with someone else

Let the person behind you in the grocery store line go ahead of you, even if they have more than a few items.

Print up a few pages of business cards that say something like Thanks for The Great Service! I appreciate your hard work to make my (fill in the blank) enjoyable. Leave them behind for your waitress/waiter, housekeeper at the hotel, actually any service person you encounter.

Smile warmly, look at another clearly, and share some genuine words of thoughtfulness, it can be as simple as that.

We are only limited by our self imposed restrictions...go out and make it a great Day of Kindness. And, yes....do get back to us and share what you are doing to make other peoples days beautiful!

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Container Herb Gardening

2008-04-02T15:38:00.001-04:00

Container gardening is a great way to grow plants, vegetables and herbs without needing a lot of space. Herbs do especially well and can be grown right outside your kitchen door. In this video, you'll learn how to use an old farmer's market basket to make a great container garden. Fill it with your favorite herbs and your cooking will be full of flavor all summer long.(6 minutes)

A Very Important Question

2008-03-30T22:41:00.003-04:00

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?

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What Will Matter

2008-03-25T13:37:00.002-04:00

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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Dance Like Nobody's Watching

2008-03-24T12:08:00.001-04:00

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

2008-03-23T10:55:00.005-04:00

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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