Category: Care Of Self

A life of quality means different things to different people. It can’t be denied that people are very stressed, and can’t stop long enough to think about changing their life of stress. Let’s say “can’t” since if change as a possibility doesn’t even enter the mind, how is it possible to change? Feeling that things have to be a certain way, that this is how life is, and that’s that, is not freedom, is not independence-is living a low-energy life. Some people thrive on stress. They don’t need to take anything to calm down. That’s a whole different ballgame. Quality of life either way is what’s important.

Ah, the beginning of something wondrous is the minute someone gets an inkling that maybe, just maybe, there are other ways of living that are not stressful, other ways that can bring happiness. Mainstream anything generally writes the same old same old. You simply have to be aware of the possibilities.

“You were born with potential.
You were born with goodness and trust.
You were born with ideals and dreams.
You were born with greatness.
You were born with wings.
You were not meant for crawling- so don’t.
You have wings.
Learn to use them and fly.”
-Rumi

“The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. Unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no men could have dreamed would have come his way.”
-Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

What does it take to live a life of joy? I’ve met people who seem to come close to having this kind of special lifestyle. Special because it’s of their own doing and it works for them, flows for them. This kind of joy is also a life lived in loving kindness and in not hurting anyone. To be in touch with our gut and to listen to it is necessary in achieving this special lifestyle. It directs and guides us. If we don’t use it we lose it. This gut feeling – our intuition – helps us to trust in our decisions, and to not be swayed by someone telling us otherwise. And when someone doesn’t approve of our choices it helps us to stay firm. What else? Well, perhaps it’s about being bold and confident in stepping out, even when afraid, because it’s a fantastic-an energizing-way to live. We’re comfortable in our own skin because we trust who we are and know ourselves as no one else does.

It’s about living in the world according to our beliefs, creativity, talents, and skills cultivated. And periodically to assess what works and what doesn’t workm and to fine tune ourselves as if we’re a work of art in progress. Basically it’s us allowing ourselves to live as we want, with all the responsibility and freedom this implies.

“There is nobody else like you.
The more you can quiet
your own thoughts, fears,
doubts and suspicions,
the more will be revealed to you from
the highest realms
of imagination, intuition, and inspiration.”
-Kenneth Wydro, American lecturer

My heart goes out to anyone dealing with obesity. It can’t be easy. Could it be not easy because there’s too much information-too many books, too many “experts” with different opinions, too many magazine articles, too many family and friends giving advice, too many tv shows speaking about the big “problem” in America today. Too much junk food in the supermarkets. Too many chemicals added to foods.

How does one begin to shed pounds? Get information, perhaps at a bookstore or library. Prepare to stay until a book that feels right captures your attention. If one is suggested, be sure it feels right for you. It could take time to get the right information. Observe your body and be aware of the foods you eat. Are some foods causing allergies, e.g. soy, dairy, nuts, wheat? Feeling bloated or uncomfortable in any way after eating? What did you eat that’s causing it? Watch closely.

Let go of guilt. Let go of guilt. Let go of guilt. You need to put your energy into losing weight, not badgering yourself. No time frame needed either. It’s your life. It will take time to establish a new way of eating, and step-by-step learning is a way to be comfortable and confident and to understand how you want to go about losing the weight. Ask yourself how you became obese. Keep asking. The answers will come. Understanding will help keep the weight off. It’s a journey. People who are thin have no magic pill. For them, too, it’s a journey – eating the right foods and finding an exercise program that’s manageable. If one person has lost and maintained that weight loss, so can you. Once established in this new way there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy it.

Agree with yourself that carrying excess weight has been a burden, and you want to get rid of the burden. You can begin the weight loss while learning about the how of doing it, or learn and then proceed. Discover what the best way is for you. Talk only to people who support and uplift you in this endeavor, and people who make you laugh. Find ways to keep yourself laughing.

Begin a love affair with fruits and vegetables. You were hoping perhaps this sentence would take a different turn? Start experimenting with the many, simple, delicious ways there are of preparing fruits and vegetables. There’s a well-stocked health food store with friendly, knowledgeable employees, books, and a good selection of organic vegetables and fruits waiting for you. You just have to discover where it is.

No more embarrassment about having this excess weight. Simply learn what it will take for you to lose it. The old way of living needs to be abandoned until the new way takes root. That could mean spending time at the library or bookstore instead of watching TV, and, if taking courses is your style, do it to add to your knowledge. Learn what works for YOU.

Do it your way and be in control all the way. Others have succeeded. You can too. Don’t beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon. Get back on and keep getting back on until you don’t fall off anymore. No fuss. Understand that any new endeavor takes time to master. Some can do it more quickly than others. No comparing your progress with another. It’s not fair to you.

It’s not going to be easy. It does get easier as you go along. There are lots of things in this world that are not easy. People are diving right in and learning the how of whatever it is they’re trying to accomplish. All you need is a good enough reason for wanting to do this.

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” – Goethe

“Make Life What You Want It To Be” – on a poster at the library in Beacon

I wasn’t looking for any information on magnesium when first it came in the form of an article in Vol.9 Issue 1 of Namaste Magazine called “The Miracle of Magnesium” written by Dr. Carolyn Dean (www.carolyndean.com). And then in “Naked Chocolate” written by David Wolfe and Shazzie. The pages of this book simply opened to the chapter on magnesium after I lifted it from the bookstore’s shelf. This twice in a short span of time means it’s time to listen. www.namastepublishing.co.uk www.carolyndean.com

Dr. Carolyn Dean states, “The only contraindications to magnesium are caused in people with outright kidney failure, bowel obstruction, Myasthenia gravis, or heart block.” She went on to write, “Magnesium deficiency triggers or causes the following conditions Anxiety and Panic attacks, Asthma, Blood clots, Bowel disease, Cystitis, Depression, Detoxification, Diabetes, Fatigue, Heart disease, Hypertension, Hypoglycemia, Insomnia, Kidney disease, Liver disease, Migraine, Masculoskeletal conditions, Nerve problems, Osteoporosis, Raynaud’s syndroms, Tooth decay, Obstetrics and Gynecology.” And she explained, in a little more detail, magnesium’s role in the the above-mentioned.

“Naked Chocolate” -so nice to read-will impress you with the amount of research that went into its writing, and, it could be, that all chocoholics will agree that the recipes are to die for. (Not that I particularly like that expression, but it works). The importance of magnesium, can’t forget about magnesium, is carefully explained in this book. www.sunfood.com

Got to do more research because this vitamin, mineral, nutrition stuff-can get complicated. And if those tablets in the bottle are not up to snuff, then not only are they worthless, they can be harmful, too.

If you want to know all about chocolate, “Naked Chocolate” is a wonderful surprise and a great way to rev up your nutrition. Don’t believe me? You’ll understand when you read it.

I’ve been trying to get a handle on all the artificial sweeteners being used by consumers who think they’re merely using sugar substitutes. After reading ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS by Janet Starr Hull, Ph.D., C.N. Total Health Magazine www.totalhealthmagazine.com Volume 27, No. 1, and INDUSTRY DESPERATE TO PUT OUT THE ASPARTAME FIRE New Mexico, USA Could be First to BAN ASPARTAME by Dr Betty Martini, D. Hum Namaste Magazine www.namastepublishing.co.uk Vol. 8 Issue 3, and Dr. William Douglass’ Real Health Breakthroughs Newsletters, I understand what’s going on, and what’s going on doesn’t look pretty. If you value your health, you’ll want to know the complete story of artificial sweeteners .

Total Health Magazine gives a breakdown of “Which Artificial Sweeteners Should You Avoid?” and “What Are Safe Natural Sweeteners?” The Namaste article is excellent. Perhaps you’ll pick up an issue. Oftentimes we have to look outside the box to get the facts and understand what’s really going on. It’s been written, over and over, that artificial sweeteners are causing a big list of health problems, and that the list of victim complaints, (about Aspartame) “named 92 symptoms including seizures and death.” The EIB, Environment Improvement Board has been out there telling the whole fascinating Aspartame story, and doing something about it. It reads like a novel – politics, power, greed. It’s our life and it’s our amazing world, too. Let’s be responsible and enjoy it to the fullest. To read list of complaints: www.wnho.net/eibturner.htm

The holidays are over and 2006 is here. What are we going to do now? Are we capable of leaving the old behind, of not hauling one burdensome past experience or thought into 2006? I’m reading a book called, A NEW EARTH by Eckhart Tolle www.eckharttolle.com . I won’t try to describe the book. Perhaps you have it, perhaps not. If you haven’t read it, the next time you’re in a bookshop, maybe you’ll pick it up and glance at it. We all come away with different viewpoints after reading a good book. A book reaches different parts of us, depending where we are in consciousness. In any event, a good book can show us a new way of looking at ourselves, others, our world. It can teach us a wiser way to be in our world. Something can shift within, and suddenly we see things in a way that can leave us almost breathless.

In Manhattan yesterday the day was delightful. It was a good day to walk without feeling cold. The city’s lights against the light sky at night looked playful. The energy seemed fairly low-keyed and it was easy to see that many of us thoroughly enjoyed the day. “They” said this week would be warm. Maybe they’re right as today is another beautiful day. I’m grateful for this mild, sunny weather in January. And I’m grateful to Eckhart Tolle for writing A NEW EARTH.