Breathing Excitement into Life

You may yearn for freedom and adventure today. You might also feel restricted in what you can do, which could cause you to want to explore other pathways. Spending some quiet time alone might help you define what kinds of experiences you desire so that you can come up with ideas for making them happen. If you seek more excitement in your life, you might want to pursue activities that inspire you and bring an element of enthusiasm to your experiences. Activities like dance, artistic expression, and athletic games could get your blood flowing and breathe some excitement into your day. You could also consider taking a trip today to an exotic location or explore areas you’ve never been to that are close to home.

Engaging in new activities and exploring new locations can satisfy our desire for more adventure. Most of us tend to be creatures of habit and forget the benefits of having new kinds of experiences. When we begin to feel stifled or bored with our normal routine, we can simply make a decision to step outside of our comfort zones and try interesting activities. Our minds will be stimulated by the input of new sights, sounds, and experiences, and we will begin to feel interested in life again. Even our usual activities can then take on a new air of excitement because we are engaging in them with a fresh, positive attitude. By making an effort to stretch beyond your limiting activities and pursue some new experiences today, you will be calling in positive energy that will transform your life.

Breathe in, breathe out, begin again. ~j

This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal sunset, eternal dawn and glowing, on sea and continues and islands, each in its turn, as the round earth rolls.
~John Muir

Today, you might simply feel inspired by the beauty of the world around you.

If you want to enhance this focus, you might consider devoting a block of time to spend in a natural setting that fills you with awe and wonder. Oceans, rivers, canyons, and forests would be good places to visit because you can marvel at the power of nature and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds around you.

Wherever you choose to wander today, simply let go of worrisome thoughts and engage fully with beauty and wonder as they heighten your feelings of euphoria.Immersing ourselves completely in beautiful surroundings can lift our thoughts above boredom, petty concerns, and stressful circumstances. Seeking experiences of wonder and awe on a regular basis automatically helps us feel lighter and more carefree. As we spend time in beautiful surroundings, we feel removed from our limited focus and our problems seem to shrink when compared to the raw power and blissful serenity that nature offers. As a result, our mood and mind-set seem to lift and expand, creating a stronger sense of spiritual awareness, inner peace, and abundant joy in all of our experiences.

Embracing the wonder of nature can intensify your feelings of euphoria and make every moment deeper and more meaningful today.

A little Om ~j

Know Your Food
Eating Close to the Earth

Pertinent little OM today. As we continue to approach the holidays awareness will provide many pleasures of the palate. ~j

The food we eat is a multidimensional aspect of our lives. Food provides us with the energy that enables us to grow and prosper. Yet it can be, and frequently is, much, much more. Our food can be an experience in and of itself if we allow it to be. The dishes we remember from childhood offer unmatched comfort. The act of preparing meals can be an art form of the highest caliber. And the nourishment we derive from this fare promotes wellness within us. But many of us, distracted by daily affairs, forget that the profound pleasures of eating go beyond simple sustenance. We eat foods that are convenient or we eat unconsciously, snacking on whatever happens to be on hand. To understand the true value of food and the impact it can have on our lives, we should acknowledge and honor it by eating close to the earth.

If you have ever shelled and eaten garden-grown peas or bitten into a sun-warmed apple freshly plucked from its tree, you likely understand that there is a marked difference between these foods and those that are processed and stacked on supermarket shelves. Food recently picked contains more of its original life force and thus has a greater store of energy and nutrients. You can ensure you are eating close to the earth—and enjoying the many benefits of doing so—by shopping at a local farmers market and getting to know the individuals who grow your food. If you make the experience of shopping in this way enjoyable, you will be more apt to reject more convenient canned, packaged, and frozen foods in favor of the real delight you feel while browsing stalls of fresh foods nourished by the same soil you can find in your own backyard. You will soon learn what foods are in season in your area and how to prepare them.

As you savor the vivid flavors of juicy ripe fruits and the hearty crunch of unprocessed vegetables, you can also take pleasure in the fact that, by eating close to the earth, you are supporting farmers in your region, connecting with your local ecosystem, discouraging those who would waste precious fossil fuels by carting produce cross-country, and helping to preserve healthy culinary traditions that have existed for centuries.

On Self Knowledge ~Kahlil Gibran

And a man said, Speak to us of Self-Knowledge.

And he answered, saying:

Your hearts know in silence the secrets of the days and the nights.

But your ears thirst for the sound of your heart's knowledge.

You would know in words that which you have always known in thought.

You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams.

And it is well you should.

The hidden well-spring of your soul must needs

rise and run murmuring to the sea;

And the treasure of your infinite depths

would be revealed to your eyes.

But let there be no scales to weigh your unknown treasure;

And seek not the depths of your knowledge

with staff or sounding line.

For self is a sea boundless and measureless.

Say not, "I have found the truth"

but rather, "I have found a truth."

Say not, "I have found the path of the soul."

Say rather, "I have met the soul walking upon my path."

For the soul walks upon all paths.

The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed.

The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.

Thanks Jeff for reminding me that sometimes the message is not about me! We are all connected at a very deep level. Busy or not, there is always a little time for sharing. I value and enjoy that those of you who do drop in just might be on the same page that I am today. Thanks!

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With the busy-ness of the season upon us, it is an incredible time hear that you would know in words that which you have always known in thought. How often do you find yourself completely wrapped up in your head. For me it is usually while I am driving and then, once the destination has been reached, poof. I feel like Chicken Little, 'what were we talking about again?'!

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Roaming unencumbered in the place inside that is free, fearless, creative and soulful, honestly I find it magical. This time of year often brings emotions and memories from years gone by, or reflection upon our dreams and aspirations of the future. Don't let them slip back into the depths! Allow those petals to unfold even if just a little. Reveal a little more of your soul today, if not to the world, to yourself!

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And smile, you are on your path! ~j

Another one from the archives~

Perspective!

"Autobiography in Five Chapters"
From the "Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" by Sogyal Rinpoche. *

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. *

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 believe I'm in the same place.....But it isn't my fault.....It still takes a long time to get out *

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's a habit....My eyes are open....I know where I am....It is MY fault.....I get out immediately. *

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

5) I walk down another street.

Be who you are and say what you feel

because those who mind don't matter and

those who matter don't mind.

~Dr. Seuss

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Taking a new step can be challenging. Changing your eating habits while your friends and family aren't can seem impossible. BUT...be gracious. Respect their choices as you ask them to respect yours. You never, know, they just might want to come along for the ride!

Challenge: One quart of green smoothie a day for 30 days.
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Being prepared by eating before a get together, holiday event or outing will help reduce cravings for foods that you could be tempted by. The Holidays are here! Don't be intimidated.

JUST SAY NO! to overdoing your intake, to excess sweets and unhealthy plates. Delicious healthy real foods are available and quite a treat.

It's true, food is often like a drug. It is up to you whether you want to be addicted or not. Sugar, caffeine, carbs, they can all produce this chemical effect. Test out the theory. Don't take my word for it. There is no better time to test things out like the holidays :-)

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Each step you take toward changing your lifestyle is a step toward quality LIFE!

Enjoy a healthy balance.

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HOW MANY LIVING FOODS HAVE YOU EATEN TODAY?

Salad

Smoothie

Fresh juice

Whole fruit

Raw nuts

Veggie nibbles

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In health! ~j

"The definition of success--
To laugh much;
to win respect of intelligent persons and the affections of children;
to earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others; to give one's self;
to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition.;
to have played and laughed with enthusiasm, and sung with exultation;
to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived--
this is to have succeeded."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Now many people will define success in many ways, but this one kind of sums it up. Really it is about being your true self. Take a little time for yourself today, or tomorrow if you are already scheduled to the nines today. But give yourself permission to breathe, deeply, with intention; permission to nourish yourself with healthy foods and with rest.

Pray, meditate, or just stop for a moment and look at where you are. Can you define happiness enough so say that you are happy? Are you fulfilled enough to spill over on your family, friends and those that come across your path?

Taking just that moment (or more) that you fully deserve to find your giggle, your smile, your joy, will go far in helping you see clearly those choices that are right for you!

Action for today:

Find your theme song. What is the song out there, new or old, popular or obscure that describes you today or inspires you toward tomorrow?

Namaste ~j

The Role of Diet in Mental Health

Use your imagination not to scare yourself to death

but to inspire yourself to life.

~Adele Brookman

Hello gang! Yes, behind as usual. Looking forward to some fresh perspective, however, in preparation for new content, I realized that there is a whole bunch of great posts buried in the back!

So, please enjoy a few oldies but goodies as I get back into the habit of posting daily!

This one is inspired by a new client call and concern about Vitamin D levels that were just tested for her. Vitamin D is important for our immune health and some people can't get out in the sun during these cooler months. Also, if they can get out in the sun...they can't convert Vitamin D in the body properly. This does not mean run right out and eat enriched processed products. That is not the solution. The solution is to get educated and then make a decision. ~j

Sunlight and Vitamin D are little known healers that are often overlooked. We have been so afraid to get any natural sunlight on our bodies over the last 20 years that we are really missing out. Mike Adams, The Health Ranger, says, "Seeking out sunlight in safe, reasonable doses, does wonders for your health and may, in fact, render all sorts of conventional medical therapies irrelevant." Now, Mike is an interesting guy and he is doing a very "good work" in this world. Basically he investingates and publishes, truths from a natural perspective.

Oh, and I agree. The amounts of mis-information that we have been fed...it's just astonishing! In our family, we no longer use sunscreen on a regular basis and we are in the sun a lot down here in Southern California. When we do feel that we will be overexposed, we use a natural based sunscreen that does not include many chemicals and carcinogens.

For many many more details, I highly encourage you to dowload and view the FREE truthpublishing ebook "The Healing Power of Sunshine and Vitamin D." http://www.truthpublishing.com/healingsunlight_p/pdf-cat21258.htm

This special report contains information you probably won't hear from your doctor or dermatologist, because it goes against everything they believe about sunlight. But recent research is proving that not getting enough sunlight is extremely dangerous to your health because it causes vitamin D deficiencies that promote chronic disease.

Now...how long has it been since you've watched the sunrise or set? Those moments will not necessarily provide you with extra Vitamin D, but will provide great enjoyment :-)

In light! ~j