By Kristi on October 25, 2009
I don’t know about you, but I often find it easy to wake up, stick out my tongue, and give the raspberry to the day. “Nothing exciting is going to happen today. It’s just another boring day of the same old routine. I have so many chores to do, I don’t even want to get out of bed,” I say, cursing the day from the start.
The truth is, today and every day is special. There will never be another day exactly like today. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.” We don’t need a holiday or vacation or grand event to have an incredible day. All we need is a change of heart. What would happen if we started our day thinking, “I have no idea what wonders, encounters, and miracles await me today, but I eagerly anticipate their arrival. I can’t wait to see what today brings.” This different perspective sets up our day for the possibility of receiving blessings of all kinds. I’ve come to realize that some of the most life-changing and wonderful moments have happened to me on just another “normal” day.
Like the Seals the Crofts song says, “We may never pass this way again.” Don’t dismiss the treasures of today. They will never present themselves in exactly the same way.
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By Kristi on October 23, 2009
That’s right. The world needs you. Okay, maybe it’s daunting to think about single handedly trying to stop war, disease, global warming and all that good stuff. We might need a little help with that. But you have something to give which truly will help improve the world.
I’m not trying to give you one more thing to do. We are all over busy as it is. And some of you may even be living with some serious health issues–physical, emotional, or otherwise. I’m asking you to offer what you can, because IT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER. Helping others brings healing to YOU.
You don’t have to be any smarter, prettier, richer, healthier or more talented. At this very moment, you have something which could help the world in small and big ways. What might that be? Even if you are in a hospital bed right now, what do you have to offer? Could you ask your nurse how they are doing? Could you visit someone else on the same hospital floor and be a source of moral support? You may not be able to physically DO anything. Doesn’t matter. Your loving presence is all that is needed to make other people feel better.
No matter what your situation, you are valuable. Go share your love, talents, skills, resources, thoughts, and smiles with the world. By BEING LOVE and GIVING LOVE you RECEIVE LOVE. And love is the greatest healer of all.
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By Kristi on October 21, 2009
Grab your camera and take advantage of the splendor of fall. It’s time for some phototherapy. Your assignment, should you choose to take it, is to get out in nature and take pictures of things you find beautiful or interesting. You may be surprised at how much this simple assignment can improve your health and well-being. It’s benefits are threefold, at least:
1.) Nature can be a great healer. Notice how your body feels when you walk beside a lake or river or waterfall, when you gaze upon colorful and fragrant flowers, when you spot a baby bunny or a butterfly, when you witness a magnificent sunset or sunrise.
2.) The act of looking for beauty in the world is a practice that will bring you much joy. We get more of what we place our focus and attention on. If you want to see more beauty in your life, seek it out! One way to do this is with a camera. Not only will you be actively searching for beauty, but you will have pictures to remind you of the good things in the world when you may be having a bad day.
3.) Creativity is a healing force. It brings new life to the world and new life to the creator. When you take photos, you are creating through what you choose to photograph and how you choose to compose the picture. You could even print out all your photos and create a collage. Give a title to each photo or a title for the entire collage, if you make one. You may want to write a poem about your experience.
You’ll be amazed at what you find through the lense of a camera. Let it help you get the beauty of life in focus.
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By Kristi on October 20, 2009
It’s fall and the leaves here in Michigan are turning vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. The air is dryer and perhaps your skin feels dry as well. We have left behind the warm days of summer for the cooler days preceding winter. During this time of transition, it is important to remember that we are part of nature, and it does our bodies good to change along with natural changes that are occurring in our outside world. For thousands of years, the ancient Ayurvedic health care tradition of India has recommended changes in diet and activities based on the seasons.
These changes help to keep us in balance, and many of them are intuitive. Instead of cool, crisp, light summer salads and iced tea, many of us crave warmer, oilier, heavier, and sometimes even spicier foods in the cold weather. We want to drink hot tea and snuggle up with a good book. This is a good time to get out your crockpot and a create some soothing, slow-cooked soups, stews, and chilis. Visit your local farmer’s market for some locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables in season such as apples, plums, carrots, beets, potatoes, onions, squash, kale, and pumpkin. You may want to replace your morning bowl of cold cereal and milk with a steaming hot serving of steel cut oats topped with grade B maple syrup, chopped nuts, your favorite in-season chopped fruit, and even a teaspoon of coconut oil. Coconut oil is also wonderful to rub onto that dry skin that seems to go hand-in-hand with fall and winter.
So get in tune with the beauty and changes of fall, and watch your body respond with gratitude.
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By Kristi on October 2, 2009
Don’t underestimate the power of forgiveness, even in physical healing. Brandon Bays, founder of The Journey–a cellular healing process, healed herself of a basketball size tumor in her uterus mainly through forgiveness of a childhood trauma. Forgiveness does not condone the behavior of others, which may have been so horrific as to be “unforgiveable,” but it forgives the other on a spiritual level which frees YOU from the pain. Holding resentment and anger can predispose you to “dis-ease.” Not forgiving has been said to be like YOU drinking the poison and hoping the other person will die.
Of course, sometimes we are the ones that need to be forgiven. Asking for forgiveness and accepting it for ourselves is tremendously important as well. As the body releases old resentments and guilt, it releases blocks to healing as well. So forgive yourself and others and watch the healing begin.
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