Daily Good...

Inspiration of the Day:In the '60s, perhaps the most remarkable change agents were the civil rights workers and antiwar protesters. Today the most remarkable young people are the social entrepreneurs, those who see a problem in society and roll up their sleeves to address it in new ways. Take Andrew Klaber, a 26-year-old playing hooky from Harvard Business School, who is an example of the social entrepreneur. He spent the summer after his sophomore year in college in Thailand and was aghast to see teenage girls being forced into prostitution after their parents had died of AIDS. So he started Orphans Against AIDS, which pays school-related expenses for hundreds of children who have been orphaned or otherwise affected by AIDS in poor countries. This NY Times article reflects on the growing numbers of young people finding creating ways to serve the world. [ more ]

Be The Change:Try applying "social entrepreneurship" to a problem you are aware of, no matter how small or large, transformative or minor.

Meditation...

Deep within me is a solid core of calm and peace. Don’t let people or outside events determine your peace of mind.


I fill myself with love, and my love overflows to others. Only in community, only in relationships, only in service…can we truly understand the all-encompassing energy of love.

Body and Spirit....for December

New this month: Body and Spirit

It is all to easy during the holiday season to get caught up in the whirl of parties, presents, and food. It is so important to keep in mind that the season of Christmas is divinely inspired. Do you feel like you have become spiritually disconnected? Are you focusing on wants and desires? On the other had have you become an all out Scrooge? Try to balance giving and receiving, think not only about materials possessions but food for your soul. It's easy to forget to keep it nourished. One way to keep in balance and reconnect spiritually is through Meditation, it can help you read you body's signals, and feel where you are out of whack. Give it a try. Click the picture for a 2 minute stress escape.

Audio Meditations for rejuvenating the body

AudioMeditations for Finding Inner Peace

Meditations for Finding Inner Peace

Mindfulness Meditation

December Ambitions: Earth Friendly Ideas

I often times save the comics to use as wrapping paper, but my sweetie can always come up with cool ways to wrap things that I would have never thought of. One of my last gifts was wrapped in aluminum foil, he explained that he didn’t know where I kept the stash of wrapping paper….it was really beautiful and thoughtful…melting my heart.
Top 10 Green Gift Wrap Ideas http://life.gaiam.com/gaiam/p/Top-10-Green-Gift-Wrap-Ideas.html

December Ambitions: Service of Others

Do you want to buy a gift that can help someone in need? Well at ksl.com they are selling these beautiful 2009 KSL Live 5 Weather /Pictureline Calendar’s. From the stunning snowcapped Wasatch Mountains to the Red Rocks of Southern Utah, you and your family will enjoy these remarkable photos captured by local photographers every day of the year. These magnificent photos were submitted to KSL for the Pictureline Photo Contest. Winners were selected by the viewers of KSL 5 and the users of KSL.com.(Dimensions: 12"x12" closed - 12"x24" open)
ALL Proceeds from the sale of this calendar go to Primary Children's Medical Center. They are 14.95 and the price includes shipping. Everyone needs a calendar and what a better way to help a child in need, and their families.

December Ambitions: Home

One thing I can’t stand during the holiday season is not having my gift wrapping supplies gathered, organized, and accessible. So this year I searched the web for tips and advice on how to keep it together.
One super tip I learned was to color coordinate gifts, that way when it’s time to visit a certain family you’ll know which presents to grab. Example: our family would be silver, my husbands green, and my family is red. Or just use a certain pattern for each group of people.
One site I found to be of use is found if you click to picture…you’ll find great advice on how to organize your wrapping paper needs.

December Ambitions: Couple

Be Friends… Love is perhaps our most powerful emotion, and the need to be in a loving relationship may be one of the strongest needs we have. Being in an intimate relationship makes us feel connected, not only to our partner, but also to the world at large. When our hearts are filled with love, we feel profoundly content and satisfied. We become more patient, more empathetic, kinder, gentler. To read the rest click the following link…. http://life.gaiam.com/gaiam/p/8WaystoStrengthenYourRelationship.html

This month focus on the first way… Be Friends...Any healthy relationship must be based on a solid underlying friendship. Remember to treat your partner with the same kindness, respect, and appreciation as you would a close friend. Support, listen to, and laugh with each other. Don't allow yourselves to be rude or disrespectful.

December Ambitions: Family

Celebrate Past and Future
Connections: Families; Schools (Language Arts).
What You Need: Notebook or scrapbook; pen/pencil; paper bag marked with each person's name and decorated; slips of paper; ribbon.
Doing It:
The first day of the calendar year, New Year's Day, has been celebrated since ancient times. Many different calendars are followed throughout the world. The one we generally use is based on the calendar in which Julius Caesar designated January 1 as the first day of the year. People celebrate with parties, parades, sporting events, family gatherings, a round of "Auld Lang Syne," food, and resolutions. New Year's is a time to remember the old year, and celebrate and make plans for the upcoming year. Janus (from which January comes) is a Roman god portrayed with two faces. One face looks backward at the old year, and the other face looks forward at the New Year.
To remember the old year, start a keepsake notebook or scrapbook that contains annual family highlights. On New Year's Day each year, each member of your family should write down the highlights of the past year for them. Include information like your age, what grade you're in or job you're doing, favorite song, favorite movie, favorite book, favorite TV show, best moment of the year, worst moment of the year, biggest surprise, most important thing learned. Read last year's highlights as you record this year's highlights.
Now think forward to the year ahead. What resolutions would you like to make? Resolutions are decisions to break bad habits or start good ones. Maybe you want to stop biting your fingernails or start reading for 20 minutes every day. Too many big resolutions all at once can be overwhelming. It's not likely you'll stick with them. Instead, try a month-by-month approach. On slips of paper, each person writes out twelve resolutions they would like to implement over the next year. Roll up each slip of paper and secure it with a piece of ribbon. Put the resolutions into a decorated bag with your name on it. Once a month, perhaps during a family meeting, put your hand into your bag to pull out a resolution. Then, for the next month, focus on making that resolution happen.
http://www.legacyproject.org/holidaykit/part2/hd2.2.html#anchor2.2cpaf
For a huge list of different activities visit…http://www.legacyproject.org/activities/activities.html#historyanchor

December Ambitions: Personal

Marelisa inspired me with 12 Superb Ways to Be Happier. I loved her suggestion to “let go of the idea that happiness equals consumption.” Amen! http://abundance-blog.marelisa-online.com/2008/10/22/12-superb-ways-to-be-happier/
This site will help to make goals for 2009…
http://www.avani-mehta.com/2008/10/30/2009-personal-goals/
This site helps leads you in the directions of focusing to achieve these goals…http://zenhabits.net/2008/10/laser-sharp-focus-get-more-done/#more-1607

Handprint Tree...

Here's a great idea for a Christmas tree from your child or grandchild's handprints.

Materials: colored paper or board,decorations,glue,scissors

Directions
Trace a child's hand on green paper. You will need 8 or 9 handprints for the tree branches.
Cut out a star for the top of the tree, and a trunk.
Glue the trunk on the bottom of the page. Then glue the hand prints to create the tree.
Add the star at the top of the tree.
Decorate the tree using anything you have on hand (paint, bits of colored paper, tinsel, ribbon sequins)
Hints:
Fold the paper so that you are cutting out 2 or four hand prints at one time.
Try arranging the prints to create the tree before you start gluing.

This is so easy and so fun. Enjoy!

http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_77.shtml

December Practice...

Healing Old Wounds: When your relationship with others is on the rocks your physical, emotional, and physical health are harmed. It is time to heal old wounds and amend imbalances. Make a list of anyone and everyone you have a beef with, for any reason- whether you hurt them or they hurt you. Then take a step back and acknowledge your part in it all, you can only be responsible for yourself. Ask for forgiveness, and be willing to forgive, even yourself.

December Project...

Come All Ye Faithful:

Spiritual beliefs don’t just show up, they must be called. Faith takes nurture and growth. If going to church isn’t what you like, shape your own form of worship, ritual or tradition to exercise your faith. Make it what you want it to be, it may not be what is right for everyone else. Use all your senses, with food, music, some candles or incense, and decorations of your choice. Celebrate your spirit, and invite any friends, family, or even pets to join in.

Motto...

“In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.” LEO TOLSTOY (1828-1910)

December Affirmation...

I listen to my body and take care of its needs. I cultivate a spiritual connection to honor the source of my blessings.

November for Kids...

Thanksgiving is a wonderful family time. It's great when children can be part of the preparations, and even better if their crafts can be part of the Thanksgiving table decorations.
Turkeys for Thanksgiving - Let the kids make these turkeys to decorate for Thanksgiving, or use them to hold place cards on your holiday table. For instructions and tons of other ideas visit… http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_11.shtml

Even if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving this is a great craft for kids, and a wonderful opportunity to interact with your children, as well as let them explore their creativity.

November Practice...Smart Planning

Are you a plan maker? If you struggle with this it’s very important to realize that the key to making plans is to not become attached to the outcome. If you hold huge expectations, and it doesn’t happen, you are likely to feel as though it wasn’t the plan that failed; rather the planner is a failure. This in turn causes double disappointment. When making your plans keep in mind…”This is the best I can do in the present circumstances, with the information at hand. Let the universe take care of the results.” I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.

November Project...Your Life As Art

We are so lucky to have the opportunities present today. We scrapbook, make our own home DVD’s, showcasing your life has never been so easy. If this is something you may consider doing make sure that you want to collect memories for you to create these things with. There is tons of room to be creative, like sewing a story quilt from raw material of the past, writing a poem using photos to illustrate it, or set your life to music with a slide show on the computer.

November Ambitions...becoming Earth Friendly

Earth Friendly Idea: This month’s earth friendly idea comes straight from a great site that I highly recommend you to subscribe to: http://www.idealbite.com/
“What drug habit do we all need to break?”
The Bite...The habit of chucking unused medication. When we flush meds down drains or send them to landfills, they can make their way into rivers and even drinking water. Safer disposal is just what the doc ordered.
The Benefits
· Not turning fish into addicts. The U.S. Geological Service found that more than 80% of sampled rivers tested positive for meds like antibiotics, birth control hormones, and antidepressants.
· Less drugged-out drinking water. Trace amounts of pharmaceuticals end up in our taps (and bottled water, since 40% of bottled is just repackaged tap water) because most treatment plants aren't designed to filter them out.
· Helping people who can't afford meds. More than 20 states have programs that'll take unused drugs and redistribute them.
Personally SpeakingWe take unused meds to our local pharmacies whenever we have to pick up a prescription (sadly, it doesn't mean we get a discount).
Wanna Try?
· Starfish Project - takes donations of certain meds by mail and distributes them to people in need.
· Earth 911 - enter your zip and the word medication to find nearby drop sites for unused pills.
· SMARxT Disposal - disposal options for those who don't have a nearby drop-spot.
· Green Pharmacy Program - join its campaign to push for proper disposal facilities in your area.
· Drug Repository Programs - check with your local Department of Health or Board of Pharmacy.
· Pharmacies - some pharmacies (such as many Rite Aids) offer safe drug disposal programs; check with yours.

November Ambitions...Service of Others

Service of Others: Many countries around the world have harvest celebrations this time every year, to give thanks for the crops. Be sure and take a few moments yourself to be thankful for the hard work, planning, and love that has borne the many foods and blessings brought into your life in the past year. Give honor to this abundance by donating time or money to help others in need. Two specific ideas, volunteer at a local food bank, or donate extra items within you home if your own cupboards are sparse.

November Ambitions...at Home

Home: Have you checked out the site http://www.flylady.net/ and start out with the "Beginner Babysteps" link on the left column? Sign up for the e-mails, if if there is nothing else that you get done at home today….SHINE YOUR SINK.

November Ambitions...Couple

Couple: “KEEP YOUR MATE AT THE TOP OF YOUR LIST…When one mate feels valued by the other it becomes natural to return the attention.” This ambition comes from Married For Better Not Worse, by Gary and Joy Lundberg. By putting your mate at the top of your priority list you will come to find that in turn you have more to give of yourself in the other important areas of your life. Consciously address your priorities often on a personal level and as a couple to keep your relationship in balance with your partner. Staying happy takes thought and effort, but when you feel valued and feel like you are your partner’s number one priority this allows for amazing things to happen. It will release the imaginary ropes we’ve constricted our energy and emotions with. Evaluate where it is your partner is in your life, and then do something to let them know they are at the top of our priority list. Feeling so valued will help you get through any rough patch in your relationship.

November Ambitions...Family

Family: “What happens in the family affects the community.” I want to introduce you to site that offers the TOP 5 TIPS FOR BUILDING FAMILY BONDS. This can be found at the site http://www.legacyproject.org/guides/familybonds.html . “Maybe world peace is a little out of your reach this year, but family peace isn't. There are five simple but powerful things you can do to reduce stress and conflict, and bring your family closer.Family relationships, especially relationships between generations -- parents and teens, grandparents and parents -- can be difficult to navigate, but the rewards are worth the effort. Most people think they need to do big things, but it's the small things you do on a regular basis that count most.”
Visit the site to find out more, there are great resources and info for families here. For the month of November focus on step one: LISTEN FIRST.

November Ambitions...Family

November Ambitions...Personal

Personal: Meditate on a mandala- a spiral sun in the center of a lotus flower. Begin by focusing on the lotus to awaken your spirit. Next turn your focus to the center sun and feel all of the powerful energy spiraling into your being. Allow this meditation to give you inner strength and warmth, especially as the days grow colder and darker.
So what is a mandala? Click here to find out… http://www.mandalaproject.org/What/Index.html
More about mandalas’s at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala

Affirmation for November...

I honor the past for its lessons and joys. I relish the future for its possibilities. Together they enrich the present moment.

November Motto...

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.”...Please note I am trying to find who this quote is from.

Key to our past and link to our Future…

Whatever came before us, and whatever it is that may follow helps give us meaning in our lives, and in the present. We will always be chasing after time or being chased by time, why not join it? Instead of trying to live in the past or trying to burying bad experiences, make it a point everyday to appreciate and learn from what those times have taught you. When you close your eyes each night, instead of screening what lies ahead of you, indulge in speculation and spontaneity-it’s vital for the existence of your future.

Willpower...

There is a sign that hangs in the Alumni building that reads

"I ate my Willpower." I am currently doing a cleanse and I'm on the second day of a 5-day fast!

Wikipedia defines Willpower in the following ways:

Willpower is the ability to exert one's will over one's actions.
Willpower manifests as inner firmness, decisiveness, determination, resolution and persistence.

You can call me crazy if you want to, but I did this cleanse about 6 months ago, and I seriously could not believe the crap that came out of me, and without eating!

I found an awesome article on "How to Boost Your Willpower" at this link: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/how-to-boost-your-willpower/

As I read it I found something I really needed to hear:

"What researchers are finding is that willpower is essentially a mental muscle, and certain physical and mental forces can weaken or strengthen our self-control."

So many of the cravings I am having are because, yeah, I'm freakin' hungry, but a lot of it is all in my head. Remembering this and the fact of how much money the products used cost is what motivates me to keep going!

I also learned today there is someone, I'm sure more than one person, who's name is actually Will Power! Go figure...I wonder if he lives up to it?

October Practice...

Banishing Fear… how do you overcome a fear? It’s a struggle especially if it concerns financial worries or new situations. Best advice is to ground yourself. A great method to do so is a Tibetan practice that is used to activate the root chakra. This chakra is located at the base of your spine, and by inhaling, and then touching the roof of your mouth, sound the syllable “lang.” Continue to repeat this for 11 minutes. This chant will set up the vibrations that supposedly increases your inner strength and helps to eliminate insecurity.

October Monthly Project...

Unleash your Imagination…
let’s makeover our imaginations! Your new ideas will need some fresh air and space to grow. You may remember as a kid things like computer games which are diverting, so to free our creativity lets pick up a pencil and paper and …. DRAW, or maybe pick up that dusty instrument and …. PLAY, better yet make up your own DANCE routine. The point is follow your imagination, even if it’s simply picking up a children’s BOOK and indulging yourself in it!

October Affirmation...

I set my sights high and at the same time stay grounded. I make sure that my feet touch the earth every day.

Septmeber Motto of the Month

Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?-Mary Oliver

September...

OK ...so you are probably wondering why I'm posting about Septembers in October, when it's almost November right? Well I just learned about labels on posts and wanted to keep the September info for any of you-who's out there that may want them to refer to! So now on to October! I better hurry it's almost over!

Ambitions for September...

Personal:This month focus on setting a Lifetime Goal. Think of your life in overall perspective of things or something you may want to acheive in even 10 or 25 years form now. Think about differetn aspects you may want to include such as: Artistic, Attitude, Career, Education, Family, Financial, Physical, Pleasure, and Public Service. Brainstorm some idead then narrow them down focusing on what ones are significant to you.

Family:"If you really want to teach your kids something worthwhile that will help with every aspect of their lives as long as they live, teach them how to set goals. " Visit the following site where this info was found, and make a goal with your family. http://www.solveyourproblem.com/setting-goals/setting_family_goals.shtml

Couple: On of the secrets mapped out in the book "Married For Better, Not Worse," written by Gary and Joy Lundberg, invloves the idea of returning to the beginning of you r realtionship. This book includes the following:"You can rekindke the early romantic feelings you had for each other if you refocus your thoughts about your mate and start to change by doing the three simmple steps in this chapter:
1. Return to the beginning and remember those early feelings.
2. Take time to get better acquainted with each other.
3. Show each other common courtesy and respect." (p. 15)

Home:Pick up the book "Spiritual Housecleaning" by Kathryn L. Robyn, and begin with me theis journey of "Healing the Space Within By Beautifying the Space Around You."Visit the site http://www.flylady.net/ and start out withthe "Beginner Babysteps" link on the left column.

Service of Others: Visit this link and subscribe to the weekly newsletter http://www.helpothers.org/ideas.php

Earth Friendly Idea:Having plants at work not only makes your desk more attractive but, it can allow you to add some personality. Whether it be one or many, plants can be good for you, not only do they add oxygen to the air but certain types of plants can absorb toxins and harmful energy from different electronic devices, like computers. So consider spider plants or peace lillies, these are great indoor plants, and easy to maintain.

September Monthly Project...

Be Serious, Have Fun"Convinced you lack the time or strength for anything but work? Truth is, taking a break actually gives you more energy, and may even trigger ideas you can apply to your job. This month, devote time to something extracurricular, whether it biking, cooking, or playing soccer. Keep track of what you do for play and how it makes you feel. Write down any inspiration that strikes while you're having fun."One Spirit: Book of Days 2008...September

September Practice...

Being Playful "Even a routine task can be satisfying if approached in a spirit of play. Pick something you hate- cleaning the bathroom, doing the laundry, preparing the monthly sales report- and challenge yourself to make it entertaining. Compose a song about swabbing the toilet, pretend you're Martha Stewart folding towels, write up the sales report as if it were a page-one news story."One Spirit: Book of Days 2008...September

Forgive me...

Please forgiv eme ...I know I haven't done much updating for October yet this month and it's going to be over before I know it! I'll get on ASAP! as well as with November...yeah!!!

Be the Change...

Find an opportunity for kindness today.

Daily Good...Suprise Helper!!

As I read the daily good in my inbox today, a lot of times I'll read but I won't click on the "more" to read the rest, today I did as I was wrapped in the story being told. Read on to find out who the stranger offering kindness was...

"Mary Menth Andersen had just married Norwegian Dag Andersen. She was looking forward to starting a new life with him. But first she had to get all of her belongings across to Norway. The date was November 2nd, 1988. At the airport she got the message that would crush her bubbling feeling of happiness: "You'll have to pay a 103 dollar surcharge if you want to bring both those suitcases to Norway, the man behind the counter said." Mary had no money. Her new husband had travelled ahead of her to Norway, and she had no one else to call. Although she explained the situation to the man behind the counter, he showed no signs of mercy. "I started to cry, tears were pouring down my face and I had no idea what to do." What followed was an ordinary act of kindness from a stranger -- who as it turns out, would not remain anonymous... [ more ]

Resentment...

The following link will lead you to an exceptional article written on a blog that I love called http://thinksimplenow.com/~ The article is about over coming resentment~

http://thinksimplenow.com/happiness/how-to-overcome-resentment/

I'm sure anyone reading this has experienced resentment and some of us deal with it, and others (like myself) just aren't sure how to. I have needed to read this for quite sometime and I think it will come in handy. Bad stuff happens to everyone, the two key points of understanding and forgiving are mapped out in a step by step process that makes me feel like, "Wow! This is something I can do!' I won't need to harbor any bad feelings, and will grow from tough situations.

Let me know what you think!

Be The Change:

This site offers 10 tips to help reduce your own carbon footprint. [ more ]

Daily Good...

There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story. --Linda Hogan

Fact of the Day:Japan is planning to label consumer goods to show their carbon footprints in a bid to raise public awareness about global warming, an official said Tuesday. Under the plan, a select range of products from beverages to detergent will carry markings on the carbon footprint -- or how much gas responsible for global warming has been emitted through production and delivery. The ministry's research shows one example of carbon footprint using potato crisps. [ more ]

October Motto...

I am done with great things and big plans, great institutions and big success. I am for those tiny, invisible, loving, human forces that work from individual to individual, creeping through the crannies of the world like so many rootlets, or like the capillary oozing of water, which, if given time, will rend the hardest monuments of pride. --William James

Vicky Johnson - UPDATED

Click to read an amazing entry from an amazing site!

http://www.writeinmyjournal.com/2008/07/18/vicky-johnson/

Be The Change:

Take the time to truly listen to someone today.

Knowing When to Improvise...

Knowing When to Improvise
by Patricia Ryan Madson[Listen to Audio! ]

A successful life involves both planning and improvising. Sometimes we actually do need a script. Those scripts that are working well for us (positive habits, for example) should be preserved and treasured. Spontaneity for its own sake is never the key. Knowing which strategy to use involves examining things clearly. Our moment-to-moment experience is improvisational, even though it exists within a structure or plan. That is, life brings us opportunities, question, and problems to solve, and we respond in real time, trying to make sense out of each challenge or offer.  How we live our lives within the structure of our day is an eternal improvisation.

The invitation to improvise is not a prescription for a careless approach to life. True improvisation is always an act of responsibility; it implies a conscious morality. We may know individuals who flaunt spontaneity as the supreme virtue and excuse thoughtless or selfish behavior in the name of "going with the flow."  I am reminded of an inscription on a gold-lettered plaque over an oak bar in a Welsh bar: Pisces Mortui Solum Cum Flumine Natant. ("Only dead fish go with the flow.") Failure to plan can have real consequences. Scheduling medical checkups is important. It is important to buy airline tickets in advance, fill up the gas tank before the fuel gauge signals empty, and pay a parking ticket the day you receive it. [...]

You are always the one steering the canoe, however. Sometimes on the white-water-rapids course it is both relaxing and exhilarating to be swept along by the swells, oars at rest, watching the scenery and marveling at the ease of it all. And sometimes we must paddle [...] against the current in order to take a fork in the river.

In 1982 I took a year off from teaching to circumnavigate the globe. I bought a one-way around-the-world airline ticket. I was allowed to make as many stops as I liked, in the line of direction, but couldn't backtrack or go too far north or south of my last stop, and I had to complete my journey within twelve months. Buying the ticket gave me a sense of stability (planning); experiencing all the places was the great adventure. Planning provided a platform for me to improvise. Taking an improvised step always leads you somewhere.

Notice where you are going.

--Patricia Ryan Madson, From "Improv Wisdom"

Be the Change...

Do something "little" today to make a positive difference.

Inspiration of the Day:

"When I was about four of five, I was walking down the street with my Mum one day. Ahead of us, an elderly lady was walking slowly when suddenly she tripped and fell off the curb and couldn't get up. My Mum made a call to an ambulance to come help her and we waited with the old lady until they arrived. She thanked my Mum and we continued walking. I turned to my mother and asked, "Will that lady be on the news? Will you be on the news for helping her?"" So begins this charming real-life reflection on life's unsung, humble heroes. [ more ]

Daily Good...

Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things -- a chance word, a tap on the shoulder, or a penny dropped on a newsstand -- I am tempted to think...there are no little things. --Bruce Barton

Ideal Bite...

Food for a sexier brain. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids protect the connections between your nerve cells, enhance memory, and help you think quickly.

Wanna Try?
All these contain plenty of omega-3s (some have extra benefits):

• Egg Yolks - also contain choline (a precursor to neurotransmitters that enhances memory and reaction time).
• Fish
• Flax
• Pepitas/pumpkin seeds
• Soy - also has natural choline.
• Walnuts - pack lotsa arginine (a blood-flow inducer).

Stolen from the Ideal Bite Daily Tip...

Be the Change...

Next time you feel despair, remind yourself of the choice between feeding your heart, and feeding your fears.

Dose of Daily Good

Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that. --Norman Vincent Peale

Meditation...

We have many compartments in our lives. When we practice sitting meditation and when we do not practice sitting, these two periods of time are so different from each other. While sitting, we practice intensively and while we are not sitting, we do not practice intensively. In fact, we practice non-practice intensively. There is a wall which separates the two, practicing and non-practicing. Practicing is only for the practice period and non-practicing is only for the non-practicing period. How can we mix the two together? How can we bring meditation out of the meditation hall and into the kitchen, and the office? How can the sitting influence the non-sitting time? If a doctor gives you an injection, not only your arm but your whole body benefits from it. If you practice one hour of sitting a day, that hour should be all twenty-four hours, and not just for that hour. One smile, one breath should be for the benefit of the whole day, not just for that moment. We must practice in a way that removes the barrier between practice and non-practice.
When we walk in the meditation hall, we make careful steps, very slowly. But when we go to the airport, we are quite another person. We walk very differently, less mindfully. How can we practice at the airport and in the market? [.] I have a friend who breathes between telephone calls and it helps her very much. Another friend does walking meditation between business appointments, walking mindfully between buildings in downtown Denver. Passersby smile at him, and his meetings, even with difficult persons, often turns out to be very pleasant, and very successful.
We should be able to bring the practice from the meditation hall into our daily lives. How can we practice to penetrate our feelings, our perceptions during our daily lives? We don't deal with our perceptions and our feelings only during sitting practice. We have to deal with them all the time. We need to discuss among ourselves how to do it. Do you practice breathing between phone calls? Do you practice smiling while cutting carrots? Do you practice relaxation?

Bridging Practice and Non-Practice

I thoroughly believe in the healing power of meditation. During last Spring Semester I did my research project on the benefits and healing powers that meditation holds for us. I wasn't just shocked on the research or my findings, I was inspired. When I received this email today I wanted to share...meditation can seem so useless or even very difficult to quiet the chatter in your mind, but after practice the connection you make to your inner consciousness and the awareness you gain leaves you limitless.


"We have many compartments in our lives. When we practice sitting meditation and when we do not practice sitting, these two periods of time are so different from each other. While sitting, we practice intensively and while we are not sitting, we do not practice intensively. In fact, we practice non-practice intensively. There is a wall which separates the two, practicing and non-practicing. Practicing is only for the practice period and non-practicing is only for the non-practicing period. How can we mix the two together? How can we bring meditation out of the meditation hall and into the kitchen, and the office? How can the sitting influence the non-sitting time? If a doctor gives you an injection, not only your arm but your whole body benefits from it. If you practice one hour of sitting a day, that hour should be all twenty-four hours, and not just for that hour. One smile, one breath should be for the benefit of the whole day, not just for that moment. We must practice in a way that removes the barrier between practice and non-practice.



When we walk in the meditation hall, we make careful steps, very slowly. But when we go to the airport, we are quite another person. We walk very differently, less mindfully. How can we practice at the airport and in the market? [.] I have a friend who breathes between telephone calls and it helps her very much. Another friend does walking meditation between business appointments, walking mindfully between buildings in downtown Denver. Passersby smile at him, and his meetings, even with difficult persons, often turns out to be very pleasant, and very successful.



We should be able to bring the practice from the meditation hall into our daily lives. How can we practice to penetrate our feelings, our perceptions during our daily lives? We don't deal with our perceptions and our feelings only during sitting practice. We have to deal with them all the time. We need to discuss among ourselves how to do it. Do you practice breathing between phone calls? Do you practice smiling while cutting carrots? Do you practice relaxation after hours of hard work? These questions are very practical."



-- Thich Nhat Hanh, from "Being Peace"

Slumber My Darling

From Peace: 12 Reflections On The Path

I highly recommend checking this link...it's inspiring.

http://www.ijourney.org/index.php

While you are there subscribe to iJourney.org, and be the Change!

Swing-set

Do you think you are just too old to swing? Well they aren't just for kids you know... rushing thought the air can bring you back to the fun in your life. That's not the only plus, the movement inhibits relaxation in your mind and body. Joining in the rhythm of the movement can help to open you up to new thoughts or realize feelings you may experience. So I say go with the flow!

"To a young heart everything is fun."
-CHARLES DICKENS

Mothering Magazine Gem...

As I searched through my latest issue of Mothering Magazine I came across this beautiful poem. I related so much to this, as I have always had issues with my weight and body image...I'm sure there aren't many women out there who haven't. The beauty of this urged me to share it with you all...

antithesis

I am large in my skin

I make no apology

This belly grew three babies

Why should it be flat?

It curves with the memory of the womb.

These breasts fed three babies

Why should they be pert?

They swell with the memory of milk.

These hips carried three children

Why should they be slim?

They are full with the memory of this life.

My bones are secret under flesh

My skin plump and white and fine

Mine is the face of Botticelli

Mine is the water of the Nile

Mine is the shape on things forbidden

Daughter of Gaia, grown beautiful and wild.

-Lorri Barrier

The Highest Spiritual Path

This was written by... Michael Singer. I recieved it in the email I get from Chartyfocus.org... join me in reading these words of wisdom...they can change your life. I know they will mine.

"The highest spiritual path is life itself. If you know how to live daily life, it all becomes a liberating experience. But first you have to approach life properly, or it can be very confusing. To begin with, you have to realize that you really only have one choice in this life, and it's not about your career, whom you want to marry, or whether you want to seek God. People tend to burden themselves with so many choices. But, in the end, you can throw it all away and just make one basic, underlying decision: Do you want to be happy, or do you not want to be happy? It's really that simple. Once you make that choice, your path through life becomes totally clear.Most people don't dare give themselves that choice because they think it's not under their control. Someone might say, "Well, of course I want to be happy, but my wife left me." In other words, they want to be happy, but not if their wife leaves them. But that wasn't the question. The question was, very simply, "Do you want to be happy or not?" If you keep it that simple, you will see that it really is under your control. It's just that you have a deep-seated set of preferences that gets in the way. [.]It's not a question of whether your happiness is under your control. Of course it's under your control. It's just that you don't really mean it when you say you're willing to stay happy. You want to qualify it. You want to say that as long as this doesn't happen, or as long as that does happen, then you're willing to be happy. That's why it seems like it is out of your control. Any condition you create will limit your happiness. You simply aren't going to be able to control things and keep them the way you want them.You have to give an unconditional answer. If you decide that you're going to be happy from now on for the rest of your life, you will not only be happy, you will become enlightened. Unconditional happiness is the highest technique there is. You don't have to learn Sanskrit or read any scriptures. You don't have to renounce the world. You just have to really mean it when you say that you choose to be happy. And you have to mean it regardless of what happens. This is truly a spiritual path, and it is as direct and sure a path to Awakening as could possibly exist."

--Michael Singer from "The Untethered Soul"

Defusing Conflict...

I'm going to give you all a challenge...not sure that there are any of "you" so I will at least challenge myself.

In different discussions at home and at work, attempt to respond positively to different ideas and opinions. Even if you don't agree with them, put forth an effort to understand their views. Before you point out things you don't like, or that you may be discouraged with, praise a few things you do like or agree on. In doing so this will help you create an ambiance in your home or workplace of harmony and acceptance, everyone will feel secure and open to different ideas and views.

Be the Change...

I opened my "daily Good" today, and it was great...

"In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich. -- Henry Ward Beecher"
and it closed with...
"Be The Change:Enrich your life by giving something up this week."

Now I'm just trying to convince my husband that he should give up smoking...haha...I even reminded him how great it would be for the environment.

Check out the following Karmatube...another great something to subscribe to...

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=1310

Inspiring...

In frustration with my life, being overwhelmed, and sometimes just wanting to give up... my mom opened up a book that was given her . She read to me a passage that brought light to my darkness, and inspired me to move on. I want to share it with whoever is listening out there.

“We who fight for our dream suffer far more when it doesn't work out, because we cannot fall back on the old excuse: “Oh, Well, I didn’t really want it anyway.” We do want it and know that we have staked everything on it and that the path of the personal calling is no easier than any other path, except that our whole heart is in this journey. Then, we warriors of light must be prepared to have patience in difficult times and to know that the Universe is conspiring in our favor, even though we may not understand how.

I ask myself: are defeats necessary?

Well, necessary or not, they happen. When we first begin fighting for our dream, we have no experience and make many mistakes. The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”

“Paulo Coelho”
Rio de Janeiro
November 2002
Translated by Margaret Jull Costa
From the book “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

Celebrating Life...

I recieved my first "Meditation Reminder" that I signed up to get from the link http://www.dailygood.org/ and it was great. I clicked on a link to the side which lead me to the following info....
"21 Ways To Celebrate Life
--posted by JZ on May 21, 2008
After Nancy Rothstein's son, Josh, passed away unexpectedly, she was seeking a way to offer a tribute for family and friends to honor his birthday. With each passing birthday, she adds one more item to the list.
Last April 16 would've been Josh's 21st birthday, and true to her tradition, Nancy shared these 21 ways to celebrate life:
1. Smile. Smiling makes you and those around you feel good. If you don’t feel good, a smile can trick your brain into feeling better.
2. Eat ice cream.
3. Run on the beach. If you can’t physically do this, use your imagination.
4. Call someone who is ill or lonely. Listen to their story. Take the time. Tell them your story, if they ask.
5. Listen to music that touches your heart and soul.
6. Sing in the shower, or out loud if you are comfortable.
7. Visit the grave of a loved one and celebrate your continued BREATH.
8. And tell your loved one what’s on your mind.
9. Play with a dog.
10. Thank yourself for putting up with all the things about yourself that drive you nuts! Activate your sense of humor!
11. Apologize to someone you have wronged in any way.
12. Take a day, or even a few hours, “off” to do something you always want to do but never take the time to do.
13. Eat something you never indulge in (unless allergic!) and savor every bite….slowly. No guilt permitted!
14. Re-watch your favorite funny or happy movie in your most comfortable clothes.
15. Make plans with 2 friends that you are crazy about but never see…near or far away.
16. Go outdoors to a natural setting. Sit. Close your eyes. Listen to the world. It’s all an extension of you! Your breath connects you intrinsically to the world.
17. Laugh. Do something fun or silly that evokes laughter. It has been said that laughter is God’s sunshine.
18. Place this list in an envelope and revisit it periodically to see how you are celebrating YOURSELF! If you are good to yourself, you can be much better to those around you.
19. Go to your heart and make all your decisions from there; and all will be well.
20. Follow the path that matters.
21. Believe and feel the change you want to see and you will BE the change you envision.
....Yet you must know that in the end, it is LOVE’s garden you must tend.
If you had to add one more to this list, what would it be?"
http://www.helpothers.org/story.php?sid=9148
Simple Ideas, that make such huge impacts.

Thoughts on Work...the 4 letter word.

While study in an online class tonight I came across this section in a chapter, and thought what great insight. In a country of consumers the word work can seem dirty and unwanted, but seeing it as making a contribution may change your perspective.

"As a result of industrialization, the inception of increased information and technology, and the propaganda of the modern media, contemporary parents and children are being inundated with the message of consumption. Choosing to be a contributor to work, marriage, and family and not to be merely a consumer of their collective rewards is a major decision each individual marriage partner and family member must be willing to make for a healthy balance to occur. So, ask yourself the questions, "In what ways am I contributing to the balance of my work, family, and/or marriage relationships? Are there things that need to change? What things am I doing well?"

This came from my text book "Balancing Work and Family in the Real World" by V.William Harris, Alena Johnson, and Kaelin Olsen

INDESPENSABLE...

"But my family needs me."
-Anonymous housewife

I needed to read this today from my book "Meditations For Women Who do to Much" by Anne Wilson Shaef. I accidentally read the page for September 28Th rather than August 28Th, well I shouldn't say accidentally...it was something divine!

Anne explains...
"There is nothing as secure as being needed...or is there?
There is nothing as draining as being needed. We have often made ourselves indispensable at work and at home so that we would feel secure and wanted. Deep down it was inconceivable that people in our lives could love us for who we are. Even if they might, could we afford to take the risk and let their love come to us?
Of course our children need us, but often much less than we wish. Unfortunately, trying to make ourselves indispensable is not relegated to the home and women who work in the home. Often we equate being indispensable with being secure. On fact, we confuse the two."

I feel that allowing myself to be indespensable is driven by my insecurity, my guilt that I am not a good enough mother, my yearning to be what my parents were not for me.

Anne's meditation for that day reads...
"WHEN I AM TRYING TO MAKE MYSELF INDESPENSABLE, I KNOW THAT I NEED TO LOOK INSIDE MYSELF TO SEE WHAT I AM FEELING." and I must add "and who I am."

The gift of a book...

Last night I was given a divine book by the the name "The Prophet" written by Kahlil Gibran it's copyright is from 1923. My dear friend and neighbor gave to my husband and I, her inscription she writes just inside reads:
"Dear P & S,
It is a long standing tradition of mine to give
this book to special people I love.
Enjoy these words-thay are filled with Beauty
and Wisdom.
I turn to favorite passages all teh time since first
I discovered this book over forty years ago.
Love always,
N.B."

She asked if she may read to me from it before she gave it to me and I was delighted, for she used to be a librarian and in theatre so her readings are exquisite. From the book she read...

"And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children.
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
And though they are with you , yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinte, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable."

Chills streamed through my body, as I conncted to the passage which she had read.

In context to religion and spirituality, this blog is in no way affiliated with any certain religion, but rather with all. I do not label myself as one religion or another but rather, I am. However, the spiritual context of this site is meant to be rich, loving and fun. As I journey through this life, in this human form, it's definatley not an easy ride for me, it never has been, I just want to be their for others as they find their way through it all as well.