Standing Women

I received this from a dear friend of mine and thought I would pass it along to you all. ~j

In the midst of crisis, women, men, and children are standing for a better
world in countless ways...

Let us take a moment on Sunday May 10, Mother's Day in many countries, to make
this "movement" visible, to realize our unity... as the grandmothers did in
Sharon Mehdi's story... to stand together in silence to save the world.

Please read the story, register where you will be standing at www.StandingWomen.org,
and "... stand with us again for five minutes of silence at 1 p.m. your local time
on May 10, 2009, in your local park, school yard, gathering place, or any place
you deem appropriate, to signify your agreement with the statement below.

Please stand at a different hour with a different time zone if 1 p.m. is not your
preferred time. We ask you to invite the men who you care about to join you. We
ask that you bring bells to ring at 1 p.m. to signify the beginning of the five
minutes of silence and to ring again to signify the end of the period of
silence. During the silence, please think about what you individually and we
collectively can do to attain this world. If you need to sit rather than stand,
please feel free to do so. Afterward, hopefully you and your loved ones can
talk together about how we can bring about this world."

Blessings on us all as we come together through these times,
The Team at StandingWomen.org

P.S. Please pass on the invitation...
P.P.S And do let us all know about your experience...family always likes to
hear...

The Sun Is Always Shining
Remember the Sun

What a great OM for yet another day of fog in socal. It is sunny on the inside! ~j

There are times when gloom or darkness causes us to momentarily lose sight of the light. Although it is at these times when the thought of the sun can help us. Its warm, glowing rays brighten even our thoughts, and it’s good to remember that despite appearances the sun is shining right now. We may not be able to see it at this very moment, but if clouds block our view, they are only filtering the sun’s light temporarily. If darkness has fallen, we know that the sun is still shining at this very moment somewhere not too far away, and it’s only a matter of time before it will shine on us again.

When we remember that the sun is still shining, we know that things are still in motion in the universe. Even if life feels like it is at a standstill, sometimes all we need to do is have faith and wait for the time when everything is in its perfect place. Or we can we can choose to follow the cues of the sun and continue doing our work and shining our light, even when we can’t yet see results. In doing so we exercise our patience, making sure we are prepared when opportunity knocks and all other elements are in their right and perfect places.

The sun also reminds us that our own shining truth is never extinguished. Our light shines within us at all times, no matter what else occurs around us. Though the sun gives us daily proof of its existence, sometimes our belief in our own light requires more time. If we think back, however, we can find moments when it showed itself and trust that we will see it again. Like the sun, our light is the energy that connects us to the movements of the universe and the cycles of life and is present at all times, whether we feel its glow or not.

Is Your Brain Being Hijacked? Retrain it!

Great set of articles about former FDA chief Dr. David Kessler on the chemicals that are being put in our food (processed foods), that they know what they are doing and doing in with purpose and that it is in our court to retrain the brain so as not to get caught in the stress traps of unhealthy eating.Nice! Enjoy the read and stop to think...what are your stressors, what is your trap, what are your 'bad' food choices?

Hijacked Brain

"The food industry has figured out what works. They know what drives people to keep on eating," Kessler tells The Associated Press. "It's the next great public health campaign, of changing how we view food, and the food industry has to be part of it."

He calls the culprits foods "layered and loaded" with combinations of fat, sugar and salt — and often so processed that you don't even have to chew much.

Retrain Your Brain

At the crux of research on overeating is the question of how the brain is affected by different stimuli. There is increasing unanimity amongst neuroscientists in recent years regarding how the combination of fat and sugar excites dopamine receptors in the brain, releasing a pleasure-response (dopamine) similar to that initiated by alcohol or drugs.

check out the little video on this one. 5 ingredients or less, what would your grandma do? enjoy eating!

Enter a new form of training today! ~j

While Earth Day is a great way to celebrate our planet, it's important to remember that protecting our planet is more than just a once-a-year event. There are small steps we can all do every day at home to help preserve our resources. To provide some help on the dental side, here's a short list of "home dental" tips that can help you "go green":

1. Turn It Off! Don't leave the water running while you're brushing. Turn it only to rinse your mouth and your brush (you don't even really need to use water before you brush!)

2. Go Natural. Next time you buy toothpaste, pick a natural option like Tom's rather than your normal choice. Natural toothpaste breaks down easier and helps protect our water ways.

3. Compost! Yup... compost. Buy a composting (or biodegradable) toothbrush. Typically made of corn starch, these brushes won't clog our landfill (and some can even help your garden grow!)

4. Soft as a baby's.... Don't brush so hard, slow down and be gentle on your gums. Not only will it save your gums, it will also make your toothbrush last a lot longer, saving you money and reducing waste.

5. Floss! You hear it all the time: "Flossing is the most important thing you can do for your teeth." But did you know flossing can also help the environment? By flossing regularly you'll help prevent major dental work, saving you money and reducing amount of chemicals most traditional dentists use when filling cavities.

It's that easy... five steps you can take at home that will make a difference for our planet. Give it a try the next time you brush!

Dr. Marvin
The Center for Natural Dentistry
317 N. El Camino Real Ste. 106
Encinitas, California 92024
(760) 536-6795
http://NaturalDentistry.us/GoGreen

A little Omega from Natural News~

These are tidbits here pack a pretty good punch. How well are you replenishing your Omega fats? Are you using a reputable source? Please visit the webpage linked for more details. This is just a sampling that caught my eye.

What do I use? I prefer the Arctic Omega by Nordic Naturals. I have also been checking in to Marine Plankton, which is pretty amazing.

Get informed. ~j

Omega-3 consumption in the Western diet has become so low that researchers can't find it in lab sample tissues. A study of men found higher concentrations of omega-3s in blood serum samples taken from healthy males, with lower concentrations taken from men with prostatitis. The lowest rates were found in men with prostate cancer. Fish oil has about 30% omega-3 oil while flaxseed oil has about 60% omega-3 oil. So flax is the only oil that can correct the imbalance in omega-3 & 6 oils in the Western diet.
- You Don't Have to be Afraid of Cancer Anymore by Bill Sardi


Evidence suggests that the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids should be no greater than 4:1, and 3:1 is even better. Most Americans have an omega-6 to omega-3 profile of 10:1 or greater. Evidence suggests that an imbalance of this type may increase the level of inflammation in the body and increase the risk of heart disease, arthritis, and certain types of cancer, including prostate cancer. For millions of years, humans evolved on a diet rich in natural omega-3 food sources, including free-range game, fish, marine mammals, nuts, and fresh seaweed.
- What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Diabetes: An Innovative Program to Prevent, Treat, and Beat This Controllable Disease by Steven V. Joyal

Omega-3 fish oils help the body in many ways. Omega-3 fish oil is an essential fatty acid. Some claim that it helps protect against a large number of diseases such as cancer, arthritis, heart disease, and many others. Of course, watch your diet and your weight. By all means, take a good multivitamin and mineral supplement every day. Be sure that you get vitamins and supplements from a trusted resource. There is no guarantee that following a healthy diet can prevent BPH or prostate cancer, but it will reduce the odds based on a plethora of published research data.
- Disease Prevention and Treatment by The Life Extension Editorial Staff

Enjoy this Mediterranean dish that provides an excellent source of vitamin K, C, A and manganese. The bulgur does not need to be cooked, just softened, because it has already been steamed, dried and cracked. Enjoy!

Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

* 1 cup wheat bulgur (dry) makes 2 cups after combining with liquid
* 3 cups parsley, minced
* 1/2 medium onion, minced
* 1 medium tomato, chopped
* 3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
* 1 TBS fresh lemon juice or wine vinegar
* 2 cloves garlic, press or chopped
* sea salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Mince onion and press or chop garlic and let sit for 5 minutes to bring out their hidden health properties.
2. Place 1 cup wheat bulgur and salt to taste in a bowl. Pour 2 cups boiling water or broth over the bulgur, stir once and let sit for 15-20 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
3. Combine all ingredients and mix well.

For added flavor you may want to add more olive oil and lemon juice.

Serves 4

Monday Musings! Perfect OM to begin the week. Appreciate! Accept! Enjoy!

Appreciating What Is
Enjoying Your Age

In each stage of life, there are wonderful experiences one can savor and valuable insights one can absorb. Every new decade and, in fact, every new year brings with it wisdom, transformation, and growth, as well as ends and beginnings. Many people, however, believe that there is one age that eclipses the others. They expend energy trying to reach it and, once it has passed, trying to retain it. But wishing to be younger or older is a denial of the joys that have been and the joys yet to be, as well as the beauty of your life in the present. Holding on to one age can make it difficult to appreciate each new milestone you reach. Taking pleasure in the delights of your age, whether you are in your 20s, 40s, 60s, or 80s, can help you see the magnificence and usefulness of the complex seasons of your life.

Each new year gifted to us by the universe is replete with exciting and unfamiliar experiences. In our 20s, we can embrace the energy of youth and the learning process, knowing it’s okay to not have all the answers. As we move through our third decade, we grow more self-assured as the confusion of our young adulthood melts away. We can honor these years by putting aside our fears of aging and concentrating instead on solidifying our values and enjoying our growing emotional maturity. In our 40s, we become conscious of the wisdom we have attained through life experience and are blessed with the ability to put it to good use. We are not afraid to explore unfamiliar territory or to change. In our 50s, we tend to have successfully navigated our midlife reevaluations and have prioritized our lives. In the decades beyond, we discover a greater sense of freedom than we have ever known and can truly enjoy the memory of all we’ve seen and done.

Try to enjoy the age you are at now, for each age presents its own unique wisdom to savor.

Relationships within...mercury, enzymes, hormones...plus my favorite new topic...neurotransmitters!



Vitamin D testing...www.directlabs.com
If you find you are deficient...favorite supplement transdermal Xymogen or APEX Energetics Ultra D liquid.

Get off of processed foods! Key point over what kind of diet.

Think about it ... if it comes in a box, can, bag or carton, it's processed. The fact that these foods are so readily available, and, often, of such poor quality, has led some, like associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard David Ludwig, to say that they're actually discouraging healthy eating and leading to a "toxic environment."

What to do, what to do...check in with a practitioner who can help assess your level of wellness annually. Stay informed, make the best choices you can for you! ~j

April 14, 2009

Dear Friend of Liberty,

Once again, Americans are turning to the calendars and dreading the coming of April 15th. This year, the federal government will reach into our pockets to pay for their unnecessary corporate bailouts, the so-called stimulus, and an escalation of unconstitutional wars overseas. But even with all this dangerous recklessness, we can have hope in knowing that each day our coalition of freedom-loving individuals grows by leaps and bounds.

In "honor" of April 15th, allow me to share with you excerpts from an article on taxes written by Ron Paul. It's called The Case Against the Income Tax.

Could America exist without an income tax? The idea seems radical, yet in truth America did just fine without a federal income tax for the first 126 years of its history. Prior to 1913, the government operated with revenues raised through tariffs, excise taxes, and property taxes, without ever touching a worker's paycheck....

The harmful effects of the income tax are obvious. First and foremost, it has enabled government to expand far beyond its proper constitutional limits, regulating virtually every aspect of our lives. It has given government a claim on our lives and work, destroying our privacy in the process. It takes billions of dollars out of the legitimate private economy, with most Americans giving more than a third of everything they make to the federal government. This economic drain destroys jobs and penalizes productive behavior. The ridiculous complexity of the tax laws makes compliance a nightmare for both individuals and businesses....

Is it impossible to end the income tax? I don't believe so. In fact, I believe a serious groundswell movement of disaffected taxpayers is growing in this country. Millions of Americans are fed up with the current tax system, and they will bring pressure on Congress....

And this pressure is building! Thousands of tea parties and protests will take place tomorrow in opposition to the dangerous policies being pursued by the federal government. If you are attending any of these activities, I encourage you to distribute our educational and action-oriented handouts to fellow citizens also disaffected with the current economic situation. Additionally, be sure to read some very helpful advice for effective grassroots activity at these events from our very own Adam de Angeli here.

It is critical to make those attending the tea parties aware of the culprit behind our country's economic woes - the Federal Reserve. While the elimination of the income tax is a noble and necessary goal, we must understand that our efforts will be in vain if we do not deal with the silent, destructive tax of monetary inflation. Dr. Paul's bill, HR 1207, requires a legitimate audit of the Federal Reserve System. Please sign our petition here to urge your congressman to co-sponsor the Federal Reserve Transparency Act.

Rest assured, with your continued efforts, we are building a coordinated grassroots-oriented network that is becoming more and more effective in standing up for freedom, individual liberty, and the Constitution as envisioned by our Founding Fathers. Together, we will accomplish the goal of making April 15th just another day on the calendar.

For Liberty,

John Tate

President, Campaign for Liberty

P.S. If you're attending an event tomorrow, don't forget to take along some Audit the Fed slimjims, petitions, fliers, and fact sheets to spread the word about HR 1207!

Water and Your Bod!

This is the number one issue that I see with my clients. Are you hydrated? It can alter your metabolism dramatically if you 'forget' to make this a health building priority. Not rocket science gang! Now, quality of water is important to so, get educated. Get hydrated. Get it?!

Glug, glug, glug ~j

Pure Water

Like the battery in your car, your cells are responsible for charging you up with energy and vitality. When you feel lifeless, you are suffering from a lack of vital energy, much like a stalled car. Since every body is in essence a rechargeable vehicle, it can be reinvigorated to run smoothly and efficiently; it takes the right fuel and constant care. The second most important element of life itself, after oxygen, is pure water.

Water is the primary conductor of the body’s electric current, and our cells require pure water on a regular basis. Water that is full of impurities and biological incompatible chemicals prevents the constructive interaction of bodily systems and encouraged cancer causing activity.

Pure water is an unrestricted highway on which all intercellular activity moves freely. This unrestricted flow allows the meridian system, the body’s electrical roadway, to stay fully charged at all times, creating a powerful, protective shield that prevents free radicals (reactive atoms that are produced in the body and can damage cells, proteins, and DNA by altering their chemical structure) from destroying healthy cells. Free radical damage is the cause of disease, premature aging, and all the body’s internal plagues.

The natural metabolic process of the body-including digestion and elimination-create toxic by-products. Because the production of these by-products is a perfectly normal function, they occur even in those who follow the Hippocrates Lifeforce Program. Exercise encourages perspiration and the flow of blood, which cleanse the respiratory and circulatory system of particulates that stifle systemic electrical functioning. Eliminating positions from the body allows greater absorption of nutrients and accelerates all healthy body function.

Hormones, the chemical messengers of the body, flourish in a clean bloodstream, because the communication between cells, tissues, and organs requires a constantly clear channel. Many kinds of brain disorders and body malfunctions occur because of a hormonal imbalance often caused by the absence of clear cell-to-cell directives. Thyroid dysfunction, which is increasing worldwide at alarming rates, has a profound impact on our minds and metabolism. In many people, the pituitary gland, at the center of the brain, is apparently dysfunctional. This core of hormonal generation empowers other glands, so when it produces either too few or too many hormones, all other glands and their anatomical connections malfunction and degenerate-sometimes permanently. Electrochemical charge, the foundation of functional life, must be constantly renewed-with the assistance of abundant pure water-otherwise, our health, emotions, thoughts, spirit, rest, functioning, and movement all suffer.

Here are three steps for success in keeping the water that enters your body pure:

1. Do not drink tap water provided by local governments. Not only does most of it contain harmful levels of chlorine and fluoride, it is also contaminated with a wide range of synthetic chemical toxins that water purification plants cannot remove.


2. Do not drink most bottles water. Many brands, such as Aquafina and Dasani, the two best selling brands in the United States, are just municipal tap water that has been crudely filtered.


3. Do your homework! Purchase your own high quality water filter that is right for your lifestyle and health. Use BPA free bottles, stainless steel or glass for trips to the gym, to work or away from the house. If you don't look into a house filter, consider shower or bath filters (whole new topic!). They are very inexpensive and very helpful at taking out the crud. Especially if you use organic soaps, lotions and other hygiene products.

"The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefoe the physician must start from nature, with an open mind."

Philipus Aureolus Paracelsus

You will enjoy the extra flavor and nutrition in this easy-to-prepare recipe for asparagus.

Warm Asparagus Salad

Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• ½ small onion cut in half and sliced thin
• 2 TBS vinegar, (rice, apple cider, or white wine)
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 bunch asparagus
• 3 TBS chicken or vegetable broth - homemade is best!
  
• 7½ oz jar of roasted red bell peppers, drained and slivered or 2 medium red bell peppers sliced thin
• 1 TBS balsamic vinegar
• 1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
• salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Slice onion and place in a small bowl with vinegar and hot water while preparing rest of the ingredients.
2. Heat 3 TBS broth over medium heat in a stainless steel skillet.
3. While broth is heating, snap off the woody bottom of asparagus stems, then cut the spears into 2-inch lengths. Cutting them into short pieces of equal length ensures quick, even cooking.
4. When broth begins to steam, add asparagus. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. The outside will be tender and the inside will be crisp. Thinner spears will take about 3 minutes.
5. After about 10 minutes remove onion from hot water and squeeze dry.
6. Mix together roasted peppers with marinated onion, asparagus, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Marinate for 4-5 minutes and serve warm.

   Optional: If you use fresh red bell peppers, Healthy Sauté them for 7 minutes and toss with rest of ingredients in place of roasted peppers. Serves 4

A wonderful OM today. ~j

A Virtuous Cycle
The Ripple Effect

In a world of six billion people, it’s easy to believe that the only way to initiate profound transformation is to take extreme action. Each of us, however, carries within us the capacity to change the world in small ways for better or worse. Everything we do and think affects the people in our lives, and their reactions in turn affect others. As the effect of a seemingly insignificant word passes from person to person, its impact grows and can become a source of great joy, inspiration, anxiety, or pain. Your thoughts and actions are like stones dropped into still waters, causing ripples to spread and expand as they move outward. The impact you have on the world is greater than you could ever imagine, and the choices you make can have far-reaching consequences. You can use the ripple effect to make a positive difference and spread waves of kindness that will wash over the world.

Should the opportunity arise, the recipient of a good deed will likely feel compelled to do a good deed for someone else. Someone feeling the effects of negative energy will be more likely to pass on that negative energy. One act of charity, one thoughtful deed, or even one positive thought can pass from individual to individual, snowballing until it becomes a group movement or the ray of hope that saves someone’s life. Every transformation, just like every ripple, has a point of origin. You must believe in your ability to be that point of origin if you want to use the ripples you create to spread goodness. Consider the effect of your thoughts and actions, and try to act graciously as much as possible.

A smile directed at a stranger, a compliment given to a friend, an attitude of laughter, or a thoughtful gesture can send ripples that spread among your loved ones and associates, out into your community, and finally throughout the world. You have the power to touch the lives of everyone you come into contact with and everyone those people come into contact with. The momentum of your influence will grow as your ripples moves onward and outward. One of those ripples could become a tidal wave of love and kindness.

It is time...if you have not heard of or seen The Beautiful Truth...it is a must-see. Information that is good to consider if you or a loved one has any concern about their health and quality of life and aging.

A stunning documentary.

A teen embarks on a cross-country trip to investigate the merits of a natural therapy for cancer (and almost all disease!) based upon a diet. He learns that this cure, which boldly contradicts the treatments promoted by the medical establishment, has existed for over half a century.



Stunning I tell you. Open your mind and find the truth for yourself, make your own choices when it comes to these topics.

~j

Where the will of God leads you,

the grace of God will keep you.
~Unknown

Now spring is upon us, the time when the Earth blooms again, a time of renewal, rebirth and rejuvenation.

So, what, exactly, does personal renewal involve?

First it involves recognizing that your individual life is your supreme value, that it is too precious to waste or sacrifice to the unsound opinions or whims of others.

Second, renewal is about reflection, as calmly and honestly and rationally as you can, on your own life, to take stock of yourself.

Third, consider that your values and actions serve your life and your well being. What are your priorities? Do the things you desire and spend time on truly give you the deepest, long-term satisfaction? Are you living up to your full potential or even coming close?

Perhaps your values, virtues and actions do serve you well. In that case reflection gives you a renewed appreciation for the joys and achievements of your life in the same way that an artist receives renewed joy by reflecting on the beauty of one of his own paintings.

Perhaps you’ll identify weaknesses in your life. Perhaps you are distracted by short-term, less-important pleasures or even self-destructive indulgences that keep you from actions and goals that are in your long-term interest. Perhaps you’ve formed bad habits - you’ve grown lazy or unfocused. All opportunities to consider your next step.

The fourth aspect of renewal involves recognizing that you have free will to make choices. Renewal may require action, to change your path, to recondition your habits, to re-focus your priorities.

Now spring is upon us... ~j

Enjoy the zing that the ginger gives to the pineapple in this easy-to-prepare recipe.

5-Minute Ginger Pineapple

Prep and Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 medium organic pineapple
• 1 tsp finely minced fresh ginger

Directions:

1. Cut pineapple into 1-inch chunks.
2. Combine pineapple and minced ginger in a bowl and refrigerate for 1/2 hour.

Delicious, refreshing, snack or dessert. Enjoy~

Serves 2

Do or do not. There is no try.

~Yoda,

'The Empire Strikes Back'

Okay gang! This completely applies to your nutrition as well. When you decide to make healthier food choices, just do it! You will be so glad that you did.

Now, I am not saying to do it all at once. But take it one step at a time and take each step with confidence and completely. You may need a little supplementation to give you a boost, a little direction on how to choose clean, nutrient dense foods or just a basic plan of action to get started.

Doing it! ~j

Enjoy this recipe as a great side dish or make it into a complete meal by steaming salmon or chicken on top of the vegetables.

Steamed Vegetable Medley

Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup thinly sliced carrot
• 2 cups chopped collard greens, stems removed
• 1 medium onion sliced thick
• 1 cup cubed zucchini (quarter lengthwise and slice about ½ inch thick)

• 
  
• Dressing
• extra virgin olive oil to taste
• 1 medium clove garlic pressed
• 1 TBS fresh lemon juice
• salt and cracked black pepper to taste
• balsamic vinegar to taste
  

Directions:

1. Chop onion and press garlic
   
2. Bring lightly salted water to a boil in a steamer with a tight fitting lid. Add carrots and onions cover, and steam for 3 minutes. Add collard greens, and steam for another 3 minutes. Then add zucchini and steam for another 3 minutes.
3. Remove from steamer and place in bowl. Toss with dressing ingredients.

   You can top with sliced chicken breast (3/4" thick) or fish (1" thick) on the top of the carrots and onions. Serves 2

When you look into the eyes of another,
any other,
and you see your own soul looking back at you,
then you will know you have reached another level of consciousness.

Our relationships need nurturing and attention. Relationships are living. It is important to devote your time and energy to the other person, bringing your full attention to them when you spend time together. Remember, these relationships are more important than tv, newspaper or the computer.

How often are we all in the same room, kids, husband, wife, significant other...and yet we are disconnected. Eat in front of the mega sized tube, standing up rather than sharing meals together in gratitude and community.

Don't take those people in your inner circle for granted. Renew these relationships through loving actions. Reach out with love and compassion to help others without concern for what you may gain.

Come from the heart, not always from the head. This doesn't mean to deny your learned experiences. Trust yourself to integrate intuition and experience.

Get in the game, appreciate your inner circle, let them know you appreciate them being a part of your life. Pay attention to those closest to you, those that have just come into you life, those who come in and out over time! Enjoy them and let them enjoy the wonderful person that you are.

Cheers to you peeps! ~j

Run your fingers through my soul.

For once, just once, feel exactly what I feel,

believe what I believe,

perceive as I perceive, look, experience, examine, and for once;

just once, understand.

~Unknown

*

It is nearly impossible to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Our lives are all very different. So, when I ask you to consider trying new things or open your mind and heart to new ideas, it is with the understanding that for some of you, these concepts may be either familiar or very very new.

*

I ask for you to step outside the norm and contemplate topics with the understanding that everyone is in a place on their path, exploring at their own pace and making changes that are best for their lives and circumstances.

Enjoy the journey!

*

Blessings :-) ~j

I was reminded today about this little gem.
Kick back for these three minutes, put your feet up, watch and contemplate your extra degree!

Turning up the heat! :-) ~j

Three Inspiring Minutes - Enjoy! ~j

http://www.212movie.com/

When you visualize a great dream of yours coming true, what do you imagine?

Do you see yourself jumping up and down, doing the happy dance, looking to the sky, and shrieking, "THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!"?

• Can you feel the skin on your face stretch as you smile from ear to ear, or the palm of your hands sting as you slap more high-fives?
• Can you feel the phone in your hand as you dial your best friends?

Yeah, I think you should.

"Very should,"

The Universe

• a little treat from tut.com ~thank you! thank you! ~j
  

Complementary Energies
Balancing Self with Family Life

Many of us have a hard time balancing taking care of ourselves with taking care of our family responsibilities. For people with young children, this can be especially challenging, but even people without children have obligations to care for extended family, partners, pets, and the home in which they live. It’s easy to lose track of our own needs as we give ourselves to the people, pets, and places we love. However, it is essential to their well-being that we take care of ourselves, filling our own wells with water so that we have something to offer when we return home each day.

It is easy to get caught up in the demands of home life because they never stop. There is always one more thing you can do, another dish in the sink, a counter that needs wiping, or a person who needs a ride somewhere. If you don’t set some boundaries, you will find yourself on an endless journey of housework and doing for others. Eventually, you will probably feel drained and out of touch with your inner life force. Instead of waiting for this to happen, integrate self-care into your daily schedule. Even Buddha insisted that he have one hour completely to himself every day. There are times when even that will not be possible—for example, with a new baby or a sick relative. At times like this, retreating inward energetically can be a lifesaver. You can always find five minutes to close your eyes and breathe consciously. You may even be able to meditate.

Most of the time, though, it is possible to set aside a full hour for yourself each day. In addition, scheduling a longer interval of time, perhaps on a weekly basis, can really help to restore your energy. Get a massage or go to a movie or out with a friend. Taking time to experience the world outside of your home makes returning home all the more wonderful. In the same way, taking care of yourself is a natural complement to taking care of your home and family.