LOVE ALTERS GENETIC EXPRESSION

Deeply Inspiring messages in

THE ATTENDING:

Poems by Matthew Mumber

BECOMING A HUMAN DOCTOR

Too close! Too distant! the scientists preached,
sheltered off in their crystalline towers,
presiding from much higher to lower.
An encyclopedic knowledge slowly leached
through charcoaled-cold caves, plasticized bright screens projected crystal-clear congruence

with complicated, chemical fluence,
convoluted microscopic routines.
Then you appeared—knee-high coat, starch-bright white— teacher, mentor, guide, priest, counselor-friend,
my heart skipped once, feelings, impressions
bound tight to DNA nucleotides,
organized new relation equations,
showed love alters genetic expression.

CONSULTATION

At the word cancer,
your hazel eyes darken
from the inside out.
You recede six feet
behind into a
fluorescent-lit corner,
where no shadows penetrate.
A fine dust layers
on top of the stale office end table, its origins, and destinations
remain unknown.
Your oldest son inquires
about superficial details,
logistics, though never once engages the crucial question:
How long?

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

Learn more about the inspiring work of Matt Mumber at https://drmattmumber.com/

MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT (MAT)

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is an addiction treatment that incorporates counseling, behavioral therapies, and medications to help people overcome substance use disorders. MAT is a practical and essential approach to addiction treatment. Let’s explore the benefits of MAT, the different types of medications used in MAT, and the challenges associated with this form of treatment.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is more practical when compared to nonmedical approaches in bringing about better outcomes. A MAT program may be the best option if your addiction is severe enough to warrant detox.

Medication-assisted treatment therapy has many advantages, including:

• Reduces withdrawal discomfort and appetite stimulation, making the withdrawal process more manageable.

• Decreases the potential for fatal overdose.

• Improves adherence to therapy with regulated, safer drugs.

• Reduces drug abuse and, by extension, the risks and penalties associated with that behavior.

• When combined with counseling conversations and behavioral therapy, it prevents recurrence.

Medications Used for Substance Abuse Disorders

Approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for multiple drugs to treat substance abuse is essential in medications for alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. These drugs correct the chemical imbalances brought on by withdrawal and psychological urges. The medications employed are not merely substitutes for one another. They include:

Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder(MAUD)

Medications such as acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone are widely used to help those who suffer from alcoholism. They are most helpful for people actively engaged in a treatment program but do not cure the disorder.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder(MOUD)

The most widely prescribed drugs for OUD treatment are buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. These drugs effectively restore balance to the brain's chemistry, blocking the effects of euphoria by alcohol and opioids and alleviating cravings to restore normal bodily functioning—eliminating the adverse impact or feeling of euphoria from the initially induced substance.

Medication to Reduce the Risk of Opioid Overdose

Preventing an opioid overdose is possible with naloxone, which works by blocking the drug's effects. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes naloxone as a necessary drug for a successful healthcare system.

Challenges of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Most drugs used in MAT are opiates, which are highly addictive. The medication can cause several problems, such as:

• Abusing the drugs by selling them to people who use them for fun. Patients should only use MAT during the first few weeks of detox and early withdrawal. 

• Physical dependence. People who use MAT tend to rely on medication as their primary treatment instead of working to heal the psychological and emotional problems that lead to addiction. 

• The drugs could also lead to different side effects depending on the user.

Takeaways

Medication-Assisted Treatment is a proven method for treating substance use disorders and improves outcomes for individuals wondering how to get treatment. We can not ignore the benefits of this treatment even though it is associated with stigma and limited access. 

All recovery processes should also include psychological treatment to help the person handle their addiction and learn alternative ways to deal with conflicts, past trauma, other contributing factors, and stress.

CALM, CONTENTMENT, AND LOVE UNITE US IN CREATION’S FLOW

Inspiring poems in I AM GOD: WISDOM AND REVELATION FROM MYSTICAL CONSCIOUSNESS: Becoming God and Heaven on Earth, and Final Revelations by John Robinson

THE DOER AND THE FLOW 

When I release the personal “me” as doer,

I join the flow of being.

I move slowly, consciously, lightly,

self-aware and aware of Self.

I am a mother gently rocking her baby,

a breeze rustling autumn leaves.

Things happen by themselves.

Supper gets fixed, the diaper changed, the leaves raked.

Calm, contentment, and love unite us in Creation’s flow, for

 action comes effortlessly when the “doer” is gone.

But in the moment of imagined threat,

unity cracks and crumbles,

fear shatters flow, and

I again become the doer.

Could we learn to live without fear

in sacred consciousness?

WAKING UP IN THE MOVIE 

We live in our own ongoing movie,

lost in its plot, characters, conflicts, emotions, and desires.

In awakened consciousness,

we step off the screen

and burst out laughing with amazement.

It was all imagined.

No longer owned by the movie’s drama,

how amazing to be so radically free.

COMING SOON!

Mystical Poetry from John Robinson: You are invited to visit and subscribe to https://www.iamgodnet.wordpress.com  and https://www.facebook.com/becomingspirit/ for a free, consciousness-changing poem, each week. The mystical world is just beyond your thoughts!

10 PROBLEMS THAT ARE DISTRACTING YOU FROM YOUR LIFE GOALS

10 Problems That Are Distracting You From Your Life Goals

You have life goals that you want to set and achieve. However, there might be problems that stand in your way. We have put together a list of 10 common problems that are considered distractions.

We all have something that we want to achieve in our lifetime. Even though there are setbacks that can occur, they can be easily overcome by disciplining yourself and staying on course. Now, let’s take a look at the following problems below:

1— DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE

It’s true that drug and alcohol abuse can lead to addiction. This can be a major distraction to achieving your life goals. Overcoming addiction can be a time-consuming challenge.

If you are dealing with substance abuse or addiction, visiting one of the many Gallus Detox Centers across the country will be a good starting point. It’s important that you make sure you get the help you need as soon as possible.

Because failure to do so can lead to your addiction worsening over time. That can lead to an overdose that can and will be fatal. Your life goals will be wasted away and unachieved.

2— OVERUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have become part of the norm. However, overuse can be unhealthy. Yes, it can be useful for connecting with friends or family.

But overuse can be distracting. This also includes mindlessly scrolling through news feeds for hours on end. This time that you waste should be re-invested in your life goals and aspirations.

Do your part to ensure that these goals come first above anything that may yield a negative return on investment in terms of your time.

3— LACK OF MOTIVATION

This is a common problem that can leave people not being able to achieve their life goals. Such a lack of motivation can be a challenge to overcome. That’s why it is important to get started on your tasks, even if you don’t feel like doing them.

Inaction can lead to feeling disappointed and frustrated. That alone can lead to a further reduction of motivation. You might also get the thoughts of ‘would have, should have, could have’ running through your head. Meaning you’ll be kicking yourself thinking ‘what would have happened if I started as promised’. You may be saying ‘I should have done this or that’. Or ‘I could have had that’ if I did this’. Get the idea?

4— PROCRASTINATION

You have something that you need to do. Yet, it’s so easy to put it off. Especially if the tasks are challenging or require a lot of effort. Delaying these important tasks can lead to missing out on valuable opportunities or even falling behind schedule.

You might feel stressed out having to get something done. Especially when it needs to be done within a certain period of time.

5— DISTRACTIONS AT WORK

At work, such distractions can be a challenge. If you work in a busy or noisy environment, it may be tough to concentrate. These noises are variable between people chatting amongst themselves or phones ringing.

That’s why it is important to find ways to reduce the noise while you are working. It may be tough to block it out and concentrate. This can include finding a quieter space to work in (if possible).

6— RELATIONSHIP ISSUES

Relationship issues can also be a distraction for your life goals. You may have friends who may doubt you. They may also be affecting your mental health and emotional well-being.

Conflicts between yourself, family, friends, even significant others can be time-consuming and draining for your energy. That’s why you will need to find a certain balance in terms of your goals that reflect your professional and personal lives. Don’t be afraid to cut ties with toxic people who may hinder your mental health.

7— FINANCIAL STRESS

Financial stress can be a distraction for someone who may need to focus on life goals and aspirations. You may be struggling to make ends meet.

It can lead to mental and emotional distress. That’s why it is important to manage your money in the best way possible. Eliminate anything that won’t give you a positive return on investment.

Financial issues can lead to someone not being able to invest in the resources they need to achieve their goals. This means that they will either delay them or give up on them altogether.

8— POOR TIME MANAGEMENT

Time management is important for someone intending on achieving a goal. However, poor management can be a huge distraction. They will lose track of their progress.

Even worse, they may be stressed out by the feeling that they are running out of time. Or they may be missing deadlines. Poor time management and procrastination might go hand-in-hand.

Schedule your tasks and get them done by a certain time. It’s better to get it done with the help of a schedule than not planning to start something at a certain time.

9— NEGATIVE SELF-TALK

Self-talk needs to be positive. You don’t need to bring yourself down whenever you suffer a setback. Your negative self-talk can become actions if you are not careful.

If you believe negatively in yourself, you become that negative version. Don’t let this be you. It’s important that you correct yourself whenever you catch yourself talking negatively about yourself.

Think and speak positively of yourself. You will give yourself the motivation you need to achieve your goals and manifest your desires. To learn more about the power of positivity and how it can transform your life, visit Wicca Academy.

10— NEGATIVITY FROM OTHERS

There may be others that might openly doubt you when it comes to your life goals. It is important for you to ignore the noise. It won’t be a smart idea to get sucked into an argument.

There is no need to explain yourself or justify your life goals to anyone who doubts you. Actions speak louder than words. Let your accomplishments do the talking.

Don’t expect everyone to root for you. You’ll still have a strong enough support group, even if it consists of a small number of people. Just keep going and you will feel better knowing you’ve accomplished your goals. 

Written by: Mashum Mollah

THE HOLISTIC LIBERATION WAY: A PATH AND LIFESTYLE APPROACH TO FREEDOM ON EVERY LEVEL

Here is an inspiring and insightful book that has created some changes in my inner and outer worlds: “Into The Nothing: A Spiritual Autobiography” by Gabriel Cousens M.D.

 

—This book is an introduction to Holistic Liberation as a way of life. In brief, the Holistic Liberation Way is a path and lifestyle approach to freedom. In the bigger picture, it is everyone’s eventual destiny to know the ecstasy of the Divine, both internally and while dancing in all of creation. Why not begin now?

A key message of this spiritual autobiography is the reframing of the perception of the flow of our lives as a constant teaching and as an often-hidden awareness gift of the Divine. The early chapters address an appreciation of the paradox and mystery of birth, death, and all the moments in between as opportunities for spiritual growth and preparation for liberation. With this perspective, the challenges and everyday events of the course of our lives can be used for appreciating and understanding ourselves and expanding our consciousness from the multiple angles of our circumstances, including all the mundane happenings, from playing football to spiritual practices such as meditation.

I have discovered with a surprising sense of wonder and joy that in approaching my life in retrospect, I have found a new and expanded understanding that life is about the evolution of our consciousness toward God-merging/liberation. The rare experience of disappearing into the Nothing does not mean one is liberated. However, when one is sustained and established on a daily basis in this inner Nothing as one’s primary life experience, one evolves into the life of Self-Realization/Liberation. In the process of disappearing into the nothing one loses any identification with a separate ego-I awareness as we no longer exist as a separate identity from the One.

The teachings in this book are not the sharing of external teachings based on spiritual theory. They are the actual reality of my internal consciousness through ongoing pre-liberation and post-liberation awareness from meditation, football experiences, living by the Six Foundations and Sevenfold Peace (a non-sectarian natural living path), and the constant trial by fire of everyday life. All of these traditions and experiences have given rise to the Holistic Liberation Way.

Poetry is sprinkled throughout this book and the last chapter is composed entirely of my poetry. I feel verse can often express what our rational mind cannot understand. Poetry is the language of the heart and soul.

 

NOTHING TO WANT

Existing in the mind,

We want everything.

In the consciousness of Disappearing into the Nothing,

There is nothing to want.

All that is left is pure awareness prior to I-ness and I Am-ness.

Our lives are our teaching.

 

May you be blessed and may this sharing serve as teaching and inspiration for you to have the courage to regularly let go and keep Disappearing into the Nothing until there is no one left; and until eventually only awareness without an owner exists. As it says in the Torah (Exodus 33:20), “One cannot see God and live.” Are you ready?

Teaching: The Holistic Liberation Way is a path and lifestyle approach to freedom on every level. Ultimately, it is everyone’s destiny to know the ecstasy of the Divine, both internally and while dancing in all of creation.

AVAILABLE HERE!

PLAYING WITH YOUR MANY IDENTITIES FOR A GENUINE, AUTHENTIC, JOYFUL SELF!

Here is an inspiring and insightful book that has created some changes in my inner and outer worlds: “The Eagle That Drank Hummingbird Nectar: A Novel About Personal Transformation In Business Leaders” by Aneace Haddad

 

— Can you laugh and play with your many identities? Can you see that all of these are masks? Can you let go of outdated labels even if you still love them very much? That’s when your genuine, authentic, joyful self can shine through, more complex, and more beautiful, than any label could possibly capture.

The easier labels were at the top of my list, leaving tougher labels at the bottom, like tech founder, CEO, and chairman, father, and ex-husband. Instead of starting from the top, which I did last time, I decided to go straight to the labels that were holding me back.

I am not a “tech founder,” I am not a “tech founder,” I am not a “tech founder.”

The declaration, using air quotes exactly as described in the exercise, brought up memories and feelings of loss. The same effect that I had last time I did this.

I am not a “tech CEO,” I am not a “tech CEO,” I am not a “tech CEO.”

This produced sensations of loss, vulnerability, and loneliness. There was an aching in my chest, and a sense of numbness similar to how it felt when my marriage broke and I finally told my twenty-year-old Val that her mother and I were getting divorced and her response was, “It’s about time.”

We love holding onto the person we used to be through warm, nostalgic memories, even if they are sometimes painful. The neural ruts are familiar and comfortable. It takes no effort to fall into the well-traveled circuitry. Nostalgia feels good. Jumping out of the ruts takes conscious effort.

Then it hit me. I was experiencing grief. These labels were all dead and gone. I had already come to terms, somewhat, with no longer being that person, although there was still some grief involved. The problem popped into my head with an instant, simple solution — add the word “former” in front of the labels. That was how I actually described myself, a former tech CEO. I hadn’t been focusing on the right labels, the ones that were still alive.

I am not a “FORMER tech founder, CEO, and chairman.”

This declaration was scary. It took effort to say these words.

I wasn’t a tech CEO anymore... so that would always make me a former tech CEO. That was a permanent label that could never be taken away.

Some of the thoughts and beliefs around your labels might feel fixed and permanent. Pushing too hard to contradict them can be frightening. The air quotes help you playfully approach labels with care and acceptance

The air quotes softened the declaration and invited me to go deeper.

What would it feel like to not have that title? No more “former tech CEO.” What would my professional life be based on if that label disappeared?

I am not a “tech CEO” ... I am just “Aidan.”

I was about to force my mind to stay focused and not go down a different rabbit hole, but then decided maybe that’s where the exercise would lead to. So, I let my mind wander.

Simply listen to your inner conversation without trying to guide it anywhere. You’re not trying to get to a conclusion or reach an objective. Simply become aware of the conversations within you that usually happen at a subconscious level. This awareness loosens up your belief system…

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EXPLORING KRATOM: WHAT IS IT, AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Kratom is a plant-based supplement that has taken the health and wellness world by storm in recent years. Originating from the evergreen coffee trees of Southeast Asia, kratom has long been used for ceremonial and medicinal purposes among indigenous cultures in its native region. Today, kratom continues to grow in popularity, but with newfound fame comes many questions about what it is, how it works, and if it’s safe.

In this article, we will unravel these mysteries by taking a closer look at what kratom is, how you can use it safely and effectively as part of your daily routine, and explore some popular applications of this versatile supplement.

What Is Kratom, And Where Does It Come From?

Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa, is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Rubiaceae family, which includes coffee and gardenia, among other plants. Kratom leaves contain alkaloids that act on various receptors in the brain to produce a range of different effects. The plant has been used for centuries by indigenous people in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea as part of traditional medicines and ceremonies.

Kratom leaves are dried and ground into powder or encapsulated for easy consumption. Many kratom strains are available today, ranging from mild stimulants to more sedative varieties such as Bali Red Vein and Maeng Da Thai White Vein. Users can order kratom online or in certain health food stores and head shops.

 

How Does Kratom Work?

Kratom targets a range of brain receptors, including those that respond to opiates like morphine and codeine. This action causes the pharmacological effect of kratom, which can be stimulating or sedating depending on the strain and dosage taken. At low doses, users may experience improved alertness, focus, and energy levels; at higher doses, sedation is more likely as the opioid-like effects become more pronounced.

The alkaloid content of different kratom strains also varies, with some providing milder than others. White veins are considered the most stimulating, while red veins are more sedating.

What Are The Benefits Of Kratom?

Kratom has many potential benefits for those who use it responsibly and appropriately. Its stimulant effects can help users focus and have improved energy levels throughout the day, which can benefit work or study. It can also give users an overall sense of well-being due to its effects on mood-enhancing hormones such as serotonin and dopamine.

For those seeking relief from chronic pain or muscle tension, kratom can provide an effective natural alternative or supplement to traditional pharmaceuticals; however, it should not be used as a standalone treatment for any medical condition. Many people with insomnia find that taking kratom in the evening can help them relax and fall asleep more easily.

 

Can I Order Kratom Online?

Yes, you can order kratom online from many reputable vendors. Before ordering, it’s essential to research the different strains available and decide which one is best for your individual needs. Be sure to also read customer reviews before purchasing to know it’s safe and reliable. It is also vital to purchase from a vendor who tests their products for quality and consistency to ensure that your kratom is safe and effective.

 

What Risks Are Associated With Kratom Use, And How Can They Be Minimized?

Kratom can be dangerous in excessive doses or without the proper guidance. It is essential to start with a low dose and gradually increase it over time to find the optimal level for you. It’s also important to note that kratom should not be combined with alcohol, prescription medications, or other drugs, as this can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening side effects. Additionally, long-term use of kratom may lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms, so caution should be taken when using it regularly.

 

Who Should Avoid Using Kratom, And Why?

Those with a history of addiction or mental health issues, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, should avoid using kratom as there is not enough research to determine the safety of its use in these populations. Additionally, users should be aware that kratom has the potential to cause drowsiness and impaired judgment, so it should not be used before driving or operating machinery.

 

How Can You Find The Correct Dose Of Kratom For You, And What Should You Watch Out For When Taking It?

To find the correct dose of kratom for you, it is essential to start with a low dose and gradually increase it. It’s important to pay attention to the effects that you experience to determine the optimal dose for your individual needs. When taking kratom, stay hydrated, as it can cause dehydration, and monitor your heart rate, as some strains can increase this. Additionally, it’s important not to combine kratom with alcohol or other drugs, as this can lead to serious side effects.

 

Conclusion

Kratom is an herbal supplement with many potential benefits; however, it is essential to use it responsibly and appropriately to ensure safety. Those interested in trying kratom should start with a low dose and gradually increase it over time to find their optimal level. It’s also important to order from reliable vendors who test their products for quality and consistency.

Additionally, users should be aware of the risks associated with its use, such as addiction, drowsiness, impaired judgment, and dehydration. By using kratom responsibly and appropriately, users can potentially experience the positive effects that this herbal supplement has to offer.

Written by Boris Dzhingarov

TRUST YOUR GUT AND BE KIND TO YOURSELF

These are some inspiring and insightful passages in “Gut Driven: Jump-Start Digestive Health to Nourish Body, Mind, and Spirit.” by Ellen Postolowski  

  

— Brené Brown defines vulnerability as “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. But vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our most accurate measure of courage.” In a healthy relationship, we must make ourselves vulnerable in order to trust, openly communicate, listen, be intimate, and work through disagreements. Having thriving relationships is also a big part of your circle of life because all these little pieces of well- being are essential for balance.

Strategic Decisions When Can You Trust Your Gut

In any relationship we welcome into our lives, we courageously hope for the best and make ourselves vulnerable for the most favorable outcome. We want supportive and sustainable friendships, marriages, and work relationships that thrive from the effort and compromise it takes to make them work.

Knowing when to show up is a supportive measure that gives value to any relationship, but if you are always the one who is present and you often feel as though you are on this path alone, it may be time to reevaluate the strength of that bond. Toxic bonds show a pattern of disrespect, controlling behaviors, resentment, jealousy, violence, un- pleasant communication, and lack of support. We cannot get along with everyone and must pick our battles and be aware of our own defensiveness in times of conflict. But if you feel drained, intimidated, exhausted, and afraid in any relationship, determine if that is supporting you or drowning your efforts.

A very dear friend of mine often says, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” As I get older, I look for quality above quantity when it comes to relationships. Trust your gut on this one and believe in yourself first. When you are a good friend, listener, and companion, you deserve to get what you give.

There are two kinds of clutter: physical and mental. Beginning with physical clutter, think about things you may have put on the back burner. That project may be starting a vegetable garden or flower bed, painting a room, or donating or getting rid of stuff you no longer need or are tired of looking at. Decluttering offers health related benefits. Chances are, when you clean your home, you will be removing potential environmental allergens, alleviating the stress and anxiety clutter causes, and hopefully sleeping better because you have physically and mentally accomplished something.

In considering mental clutter, go back to your Circle of Life diagram and track your progress. Determine what needs work and commit to the growth process in every way that offers value. For example, if your spirituality needs work, figure out how that aspect of your life could use improvements. When we choose the path that holds the most faith, gratitude, and love, incorporating those practices into our daily lives is often hindered by events such as a global pandemic. Detours from those core values happen to the best of us. Getting back on track to enhance that part of your life could involve spiritual readings, going back to church, or attending synagogue. Spending time in nature, meditation, finding free networks of support, and even mindful breathing practices are other ways to invite spirituality back into your life for more balance.

Disorder affects everyone, and undue stress can strain relation- ships. Figure out a project that can cultivate a cleaner, clutter-free environment and strengthen your mind and spirit.

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SETTLING INTO A HEALTHY ROUTINE POST-HOLIDAYS

While everyone needs a holiday once in a while, for some people, settling back into the work routine after an extended break is almost not worth the time spent away. The good news is that there are things that people can do to help them get over this post-holiday hurdle and get back into their regular rhythm in no time.

Start with a Detox

Holidays are often a time of indulgence and excess, with sweet treats and exciting new foods often making their way into a person's everyday diet. However, while sweet foods may taste good at the time they are eaten, they are packed with refined sugars that can play havoc on a person’s blood-sugar levels and thus their energy levels. After a holiday filled with sweet treats and grandma’s special chocolate-chip cookies, one of the best ways a person can get back to their normal routine is with a detox.

This is because good hydration does not only rid the body of the toxins that may have built up during the holidays but it has also been shown to improve a person’s mood, which is especially important during the post-holiday period.” If you have difficulty drinking enough water to stay hydrated, consider booking an appointment for mobile IV therapy in Miami. A healthcare professional will come to your home and administer an IV treatment in the comfort and safety of your home. You can add vitamin formulas designed to boost your immune system to increase your immunity and reduce the likelihood of illness interfering with your holiday plans.

Additionally, you can also explore complementary therapies such as exosomes IV therapy, which field involves the use of exosomes, small vesicles containing cellular components, to potentially enhance cellular repair and regeneration.

A detox also called a cleanse, can help rid the body of any unhealthy toxins a person may have picked up during their time of excess, but they also have several other health benefits. The right detox can help give a person more energy, boost their immune system, and help them lose some of the weight gained during the holiday. However, just like there are hundreds of diet plans available online, with many catering to specific body types or needs, so is the internet packed with information about detox plans. So, when looking to cleanse the body after a holiday of overeating, be sure to follow some tips for detoxing from health experts so you can get the best out of the experience.

Ensure Adequate Hydration

While the importance of adequate hydration is a point that is often drilled into people, many people still struggle to get enough water each day, and this is especially true after the holidays. However, by making an effort to up their water intake and stay hydrated, people can shake off those return-to-work blues more effectively and get back to their normal routine fast. This is because good hydration does not only rid the body of the toxins that may have built-up during the holidays, but it has also been shown to improve a person’s mood, which is especially important during the post-holiday period.

Make Sleep a Priority

When it comes to fighting off those post-holiday blues, there are few things as important or effective as getting a good night’s sleep for a person’s physical and mental well-being. According to experts at the American Heart Association, a lack of sleep can result in impaired memory, the inability to focus, weight gain, and can even increase a person’s odds of having a stroke. One of the most noticeable impacts of a lack of sleep, which is especially relevant post-holiday, is increased moodiness and feelings of exhaustion. For these reasons, people should make getting back their regular sleep routine after the holidays a priority as it can help with the stress of going back to the office.

Exercise Patience

While most of the tips on this list offer practical ways to improve a person’s post-holiday period, one of the most important things a person can do for themself when heading back to work after a break is to show themselves some patience. Not everyone can bounce back into work mode after a few short days, and no one should beat themselves up for not being their normal, chipper self after returning to work following a break.

Holidays give people the chance to relax and unwind and getting back into the swing of work can be difficult. However, by following some of the tips on this list, most people will be able to find their work rhythm quickly and easily.

Written by Jessica Peters

7 STEPS TO START A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

When people talk about a spiritual journey, they usually mean connecting with their souls and finding the purpose of life.

There's no one right way to do this, but there are some things that can help you on your way whether you’re in the wilderness or memory care Mesa, AZ. First and foremost, it's important to find faith or a spiritual path that feels comfortable for you. This means that you shouldn't feel forced to adhere to any specific beliefs or dogma. Instead, adopt a philosophy or worldview that resonates with you on an emotional level.

Following are the 5 steps to start a personal spiritual journey:

1. Be open Minded

The first step on your spiritual healing journey is to be open-minded. This means that you have to be willing to accept new information and ideas, even if they seem strange or unfamiliar at first. If you're resistant to change, it will be difficult for you to make any progress on your journey.

2. Commit yourself Time and Again

The second step is committing yourself time and again. This means setting aside specific periods each day (or week) for reflection and contemplation. During these times, don't rush through anything – take the time necessary to fully understand what's happening in your life.

3. Find your role model

The third step is finding your role model. This person can be anyone that you admire – whether it's a public figure, a historical figure, or even a fictional character. It's important to find someone who has successfully navigated the spiritual journey that you're embarking on. imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

4. Set spiritual Goals

The fourth step is setting spiritual goals. These are the things that you want to achieve during your journey, both short-term and long-term. Be specific about your objectives and make sure that they're based on what you believe in – not just what you hope to achieve.

5. Stay positive

The fifth step is staying positive. This means constantly reminding yourself of why you're embarking on this spiritual journey in the first place: because it's important to connect with your soul. If you allow yourself to get bogged down by negative thoughts, it will be much more difficult for you to achieve your goals.

6. Attend spiritual Courses

The sixth step is attending spiritual courses. This can be anything from reading religious scriptures to taking specific meditation or yoga practices. If you're new to this type of thing, it's important to find a class that fits your needs and interests – otherwise, you may struggle to stick with it. You can also attend free spiritual healing courses online.

7. Make Connections

The seventh step is making connections. This means getting involved in as many different aspects of the spiritual journey as possible: spiritually oriented groups, community service projects, etc. Meeting other people who are also seeking guidance will help bolster your faith and encourage you along the way.

Conclusion

Hopefully, these steps will help you on your spiritual journey. Remember to stay positive and connect with your soul – it's the key to success!

Written by: Saboor Ahmad

5 THINGS THAT COULD BE AFFECTING YOUR HEARING

With today's busy schedules, many people struggle to keep up with their health needs. From annual checkups with your primary doctor to having your hearing tested, many fall behind in the things that really matter to their overall health.

Along with natural aging, there are many reasons why your hearing may be impaired. If it has been a gradual decline, it can often be a problem that goes unnoticed until it becomes a hassle. Asking people to repeat themselves and straining to hear are two of the most common signs of hearing impairment.

Hearing problems don’t always have to be permanent or require a hearing aid. In some cases, it may be allergies that make you lose hearing in one or both of your ears. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the things that could affect your ability to hear correctly.

Convertibles

The summer is a great time to take your convertible for a ride down country or city roads. While a trip like this might seem lovely, it has some hearing risks. The sound levels that drivers were exposed to in most cases were between 88 and 90 decibels. An average conversation usually occurs at 50 to 60 decibels. Exposure to 85 decibels for a prolonged period can cause hearing loss, so this riding with the top down should be enjoyed only occasionally.

Headphones

The act of listening to music through your smartphone or stereo is not harmful in itself. However, there is a risk of damage occurring due to long-term exposure to loud music. Typically, people are more likely to set their device to a louder volume setting when they use earbuds that don't block background noise. Experiencing loud music over a prolonged period of time was not meant to be healthy for our ears.

Urban Noise

The noise levels on a busy street in a big city can reach as high as 100 decibels at times. There is a high possibility that the noise level will be even higher if an ambulance passes by or a police siren starts wailing. Those who live in cities are exposed to these sounds daily and can prevent hearing loss by wearing earplugs and getting regular hearing testing to keep up to date with the problem.

Televisions

If you have to shout to be heard while the TV is on, it’s likely too loud. Hearing aids can improve your hearing, rather than having you resort to turning up the volume. This will benefit your neighbors as well as your ears.

Smoking

Smoking is unhealthy for your lungs, but it can affect your hearing as well. A good blood flow to the cochlea is essential for the proper functioning of our hearing system. As a result of smoking tobacco, blood flow is restricted. The cumulative damage caused by smoking cigarettes may not be permanent, but it can affect you over time. This is yet another reason to quit.

If you feel that your hearing is not what it used to be, the best advice is to see a doctor at ArabiaMD immediately. Before you worry about permanent hearing loss, remember that common hearing causes could be part of your problem.

MAGIC MOMENTS, ACCEPTANCE & FINDING WONDER WITHIN TRAGEDY

These are some inspiring and insightful passages in

“The Raven's Gift: A Scientist, a Shaman, and Their Remarkable Journey Through the Siberian Wilderness” by Jon Turk

 

—  I had spent four years teetering between the Real, the dream-, and the spirit worlds trying to explain life’s mysteries—my healing, the labyrinth, and now the bear and the raven. I no longer had any need to analyze or explain the wonders and tragedies that had embraced and buffeted me in their whirlwinds, like the storm clouds that danced across the heavens. Why would anyone want an explanation, anyway? Oleg had understood that the Real World and the Other World are the same, so he sent Misha and me into the tactile, tangible tundra to thank the transcendental spirit bird. Anytime I want to talk to Chris or need solace and support to find my own way, I can climb this mountain, or any other mountain, or go to sea in my kayak. Or I can sit by a quiet mountain stream as I had on the day of the memorial and sip some cool water from a tin cup hanging on a willow. I don’t need to be visited by a bear or a raven every time, because I’ve been honored enough to know that they have already visited me. They visited me on the day I carried Chris up the mountain to her final resting place and dusted her ashes into the storm.

— Moolynaut taught me to live inside a myth—not another person’s myth, or that of someone who lived thousands of years ago—but my own personal tapestry of Real World and Dream World, connected by magic that hovered on black outstretched wings. My first entry into myth, forty years ago, during that spring day with my dog, gave me the power and resolve to change my life. Barriers broke down and over the decades, new input rushed in, some wonderful and some scary. At one moment, a mysterious healing energy vaulted over the lowered barrier and mended my pelvis, and that changed my life again, guiding me toward new beginnings. 

— A bear and a raven. Magic moments integrated with the greatest sadness, preaching acceptance. My animal friends were teaching me to heal by finding wonder within tragedy.

— “You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the power of the World always works in circles … The sky is round and I have heard that the earth is round, like a ball … The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours … Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were.”

—Black Elk, Oglala Sioux holy man

ON AMAZON!

HOW A POKER STRATEGY CAN HELP YOU REACH YOUR LIFE GOALS

When we think of poker, we have myriad frames of reference to draw from. It's been part of the American landscape for generations; from the cowboys of the Old West shooting cards in a saloon, to the landscape being literally reimagined with Las Vegas turning from a sleepy staging post to the behemoth for all things entertainment it is today. When we think of smoky backroom bars or the lights and noise of the casinos of the Strip, though, we don't necessarily think of poker as being a game of strategy, mindfulness, and goal attainment.

However, the image of the hard-drinking, cigar-chomping poker player has now largely fallen by the wayside, and today's top professionals look after both body and soul. World Series of Poker bracelet holders Daniel Negreanu and Andrew Lichtenberger have both been vegan for over a decade, with the latter penning a book, The Yoga Of Poker covering topics such as joy, health, and love. On love, he muses that "Living and playing poker with an unconditionally loving attitude and outlook is a life-changing experience to uplift and expand consciousness of yourself and those around you". Can poker help frame our worldview in order to attain our goals?

Control

Poker, like life, is a scenario where we cannot choose the hand we're dealt. The best-laid plans to a goal can be cast adrift by circumstance, or as Mike Tyson put it, "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth". While our goals are under constant pressure from life sometimes getting in the way, not every path is linear. A good poker player will know how to roll with the punches, be mindful of where their hand may be going, and not have good money chase bad. As new scenarios crop up in life, we can control our reaction to them, and decide whether they're something to pursue or not.

Honest assessment

As we've looked at, it's very important to have the mindfulness to harness ‘The Power Of Listening To Yourself Without Judgement’. While it's easy (and sometimes tempting) to become one's own harshest critic, too much negativity can make goal attainment seem a forlorn and far-off task. However as a poker player will constantly countenance during a game, we need to be aware of our own strengths, alongside our own weaknesses. Everything in life involves some amount of risk. If our goal is to get a new job, that's going to open us up to the possibility of rejection. Poker.org carries a great bit of advice, namely 'check your ego at the door'. Weigh up the probabilities of success. If they're high, go for it. If they're a longer shot, consider folding, waiting for the next opportunity and re-strategizing.

Continuous maintenance

Motivation and willpower can only take us so far. We're human, we'll always have bad days and something that may have progressed us to a goal could slip by unnoticed. If thinking (from the psychological concept of conditional reasoning) has us be mindful to act that if X happens then I will do Y. A poker player will do this continually throughout a game and likely mostly unconsciously as they analyze the cards that are turned - 'I have a King and a two in my hand’. If the next card the dealer turns is a King then I will place a large stake. If it is a two, then I may place a smaller stake. If it is neither,then I will fold. At the poker table, these actions happen instantaneously, however when working towards a goal, events tend to be more drawn out. Forbes.com proposes using mindfulness and associative stimulus to help work towards where we want to be - e.g. if our goal is to be more active and perhaps lose some weight, then take the stairs instead of using the elevator. If we continuously refer back, then the sight of an elevator door, perhaps in a building new to us, should become a cue for the brain to look for the stairs.

Poker has a fairly simple goal. The player wants to win the pot, and draws on strategies, knowledge and techniques to (hopefully) get themselves to that point. At all times, awareness of self and external factors are key. The principles of overcoming problems to come to a solution in poker can be extended far beyond the card table.

Written by Louis Mills

TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR OWN WELL-BEING WITH THE WHOLE HEALTH JOURNALING CHALLENGE

 These are some inspiring and insightful passages in “Whole Health Journaling Challenge: A Journaling for the Health of It” by Mari L. McCarthy

 

—  Healing Humor —

If you have ever laughed so hard your stomach hurt, you know from personal experience the therapeutic benefits a little humor can have. There is a lot of truth to the old saying “laughter is the best medicine.” Research has found that laughing does a great deal to safeguard and enhance your health, reducing stress hormones and maybe even preventing heart disease.

William Fry, a psychiatrist at Stanford University, conducted long-term studies on the health benefits of laughter and found that it increases circulation, exercises the muscles, stimulates the immune system, and invigorates the brain. Other researchers have found that laughter reduces stress hormones and may even help prevent heart disease. That’s certainly a reason to be happy!

— Play Date —

We can all learn a thing or two from children at play. They know how to enjoy the moment fully and lose themselves in what they are doing, whether it’s inventing a game of make-believe or climbing the highest tree they can find.

As an adult, it’s more difficult to make room for play and unscheduled leisure time. You may think, “How can I goof off when I have so many other important things I need to be doing?” You might feel that you can’t spare the time or even that you don’t deserve to have fun when you have a lot going on. But play isn’t just important for little kids. It’s a necessary part of healthy adult life and can help reduce stress and increase happiness.

According to Dr. Stuart Brown, founder, the National Institute of Play: Play is particularly important during periods that are sustainedly stressful... If we’re going to adapt to changing economic and personal circumstances the way that nature armed us to do, then we have to find ourselves having some play time virtually every day.

 

Far too often, we become distanced from our own health in our busy modern lives. We neglect not only our physical needs but also our mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. Each of these elements is vital, and optimal health is achieved when we’re able to keep them in balance in a holistic way.

To put it in simple terms, imagine that your well-being is a plant. For it to thrive, it needs the right care: plenty of water and sunlight, nutrient-rich soil, room to grow. If you take away one of those essential ingredients, the plant will suffer and begin to wither.

Have you experienced that kind of effect in your own life when you are deprived of something important – wholesome food or adequate sleep or leisure time? In those situations, it is often an easy short-term solution to treat the symptom instead of addressing the root of the problem. Perhaps you take a pill or drink a cup of coffee or push yourself harder to overcome feeling sick, tired, or anxious. But this approach doesn’t consider your wellness in the long term.

The good news is that you don’t have to keep feeling this way. You have the power to take ownership of your own wellness and change your life for the better, with your journal as your guide.

ON AMAZON!

THE POETRY LAB AND THE HEALING POWER OF BELONGING TO A SAFE COMMUNITY

These are some inspiring and insightful passages in “The Poetry LAB: A Curriculum Guide for Facilitators - Employing the Use of Groupwork, Writing Circles & The Therapeutic Use of Poetry with Youth” by Mary Tinucci – LICSW, DSW

 

—  WHAT MATTERS TO ME —

What matters to me is the way you look at me

The way I see the world

What matters to me is the love that comes from above

Getting a kiss, or a rose, or just a hug on Valentine’s Day

What matters to me is the breath I breathe every day –

Because without it I couldn’t say

What matters to me is you, the way you see yourself

Asking for help when you need it

What matters to me is my family

Because without them you wouldn’t see me

What matters to me is my friends

Who loves me like a friend should

What matters to me is everything

Because it is what it is

That’s what matters to me

But most important - What matters to you?

 

While The Poetry LAB provides a clear community of hope for individual participants, its very existence holds macro-level and social justice implications for the broader culture as well. The impact of having such a group available to marginalized youth, a place where they can share the truth of their lives, challenges the broader culture to work towards a more equitable society.

The Poetry LAB model provides a place where students can discover and see that there is more to who they are than the "at-risk" labels that others have placed on them. Too often, the educational, correctional, and mental health systems reduce these beautiful spirits to something far less than their full capacity.

By participating in The Poetry LAB, students begin to see the power inside themselves, individually and collectively. They are empowered to tell their stories in ways that others can hear.

Our students have stories to tell. Part of these stories is our shameful history, of how we as a society have failed. Part of the story is the competence and insight that each of our students carries. We need to let them tell it in their own way, in their own voice, and in their own language, even if it makes us uncomfortable. If we allow youth to speak from their hearts, from the truth of their lives, they find success.

There are urgent circumstances in the lives of these youth, and educators and mental health providers know this. It is critical that we find ways to engage these youth in the work of education and emotional health. Social workers and educators who work in urban school settings have a great opportunity to try something new in their practice.

It is not necessary to be a spoken word poet or to know a lot about the world of hip-hop or rap, but it is essential to understand and respect that youth are influenced by these genres of expression. It is not necessary to see yourself as a writer or a poet or a spoken word artist. It is necessary to understand the healing power of the pen and the healing power of belonging to a safe community like The Poetry LAB.

Using The Poetry LAB model, school social workers and educators can begin building their own tool kit for using spoken word poetry in group work with youth. In fact, ask the youth themselves, and you will find out just how hungry they are to tell you what they know. They will welcome you into their world…

— UPCOMING EVENT —

Mary is hosting a live zoom training on the Poetry LAB curriculum on August 4th, 2022.

To register, please visit: https://thinkinpossibilities.thinkific.com/courses/the-poetry-lab-curriculum-and-training.

ON AMAZON!

THE LAW OF ATTRACTION & BEING CONSCIOUS OF YOUR FEELINGS, EMOTIONS, AND REACTIONS

These are some inspiring and insightful passages in “Start With Me! Who Am I?: Discovering Yourself With The Law Of Attraction.” by Mina Vo

 

— Knowing how the Law of Attraction works helped me comprehend how to live the life that I want to have and who I want to be. Before deciding on what I want and who I want to be, I have to know my purpose. Once I know my purpose, which is to influence and inspire others, it makes me conscious about who I am and what attitude I can take to become the person I want to be.

This takes time and consciousness (awareness) about my thinking, my attitude, or my mistakes. I function by default when I am not aware of my feelings. I go with my paradigm, with what has been programmed in me from zero to seven years old and beyond—what I have learned from my parents and my environment until now. I express it in my thoughts, feelings, and reactions. Since I think and react in a certain way, I attract the same thinking and reactions from others around me in that way. It’s the Law of Attraction. Since my thought is vibrational energy, it attracts the same energy that it finds in its environment regardless of the distance and pulls to me that same emotion.

If your purpose is to be one of the best accountants in your firm in order to serve your clients well, then it is to your advantage to put yourself in a high vibrational energy frequency of loving what you do and appreciating what you have, including people around you, right? If your thoughts always stay at that high frequency, it vibrates around you and attracts more of the same vibrational energy frequency (thought) in your environment, thus creating momentum or synergy.

But if your thought is in a lower vibrational energy frequency on the emotional scale, which is hate, frustration, doubt, sadness, and so on, then the Law of Attraction would bring to you more and more of those feelings from your environment, thus creating momentum and synergy with the same thought.

That’s why when you change your environment and are not conscious about changing yourself, you create the same situation as the previous one that you don’t like, and the cycle goes on. So, ask yourself, which one is easier to change? Changing your thinking and attitude? Or wanting your environment to change in order to cope with your thinking and attitude?

It is much easier to change yourself than to ask someone else to change for you. But how to change yourself? By being conscious of your feelings, emotions, and reactions.

You can change the world by changing yourself one step at a time. The easiest way to change yourself is by changing your perception rather than expecting people to change their perception of you.

ON AMAZON!

HOW CAN WOMEN FEEL INNER PEACE BY PRACTICING HEALING AND YOGA

Yoga is a group of mental, spiritual, and physical practices that promote physical and psychological well-being. As practiced in the United States, yoga emphasizes meditation (dyana), breathing techniques (pranayama), and physical postures (asanas).

Regular healing and yoga practice bring about physical benefits such as increased flexibility, improved respiration, and increased muscle strength, and psychological benefits such as reduced stress, improved sleep, and relief from depression and anxiety. But that is not all; yoga also helps individuals feel inner peace a. Many women find that with these benefits also comes the unexpected benefit of improved sexual health. 

Below, we discuss how practicing healing and yoga can help women feel inner peace and improve their sexual health. 

How Practicing Healing and Yoga Improves Women’s Sexual Health

If your time in bed with your significant other is a little lackluster, practicing healing and yoga may be what you need to breathe new life into your sex life. Here is how healing and yoga help improve women’s sexual health.

Reduce Stress and Fatigue

Feeling stressed and tired can put you “out of the mood” like nothing else can. Practicing healing and yoga reduces stress and, like other forms of exercise, gives you more energy.

Be in the Present

Healing through a Yoga practice can help improve a women’s sexual health by keeping you mindful. Mindfulness keeps you in the present. You are more fully engaged in sexual activity when your mind is present, obviously not thinking about the kids, the laundry, and the world.  This is not always easy to achieve. If your thoughts do drift to other things during sex, yoga can teach you techniques to help keep you present.

Improve Your Body Image

Feeling good about and being comfortable in your body is one of the main contributors to healthy sex life. 

When you practice healing and yoga, you familiarize yourself with your body on an intimate level. At the same time, you develop strength and muscle tone, so you will look better and feel better about yourself.

Increase Your Body Awareness

Yoga poses such as the child’s pose, cat pose, and happy baby require you to move your body in specific ways and teach you how to move certain parts of your body while others remain still. With time, you become more in tune with your body.

Increase Your Control, Sensitivity, and Flexibility

Most yoga poses can increase your flexibility, especially yoga poses like the happy baby.  The Happy Baby pose is an excellent beginner pose. This pose can stretch the inner thighs, hamstrings, and groin.  It can also release the tightness in the hips and back. These poses can help you gain more motion and, improve blood flow and circulation through the pelvis. Increased blood flow is so important to pelvic health.

Let me say this another way…

Increased blood flow to the pelvic region may help reduce sexual pain.

Some common problems that Women may experience as sexual dysfunctions include

●      Pain during intercourse;

●      A lack of desire for sex;

A Healing and yoga practice may significantly improve your arousal level and thus your level of lubrication.  Incorporating healing and yoga into your daily routine also increase your desire for sex as you might feel more energized, and feel better about your body. 

May Relieve Sexual Difficulties

Practicing more advanced specific yoga poses like the moola bandha may help relieve sexual difficulties in women and thus may improve a  women’s sexual health. Moola bandha can be likened to Kegel exercises, which can help strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Actually, many sex therapy centers recommend the moola bandha pose to help women become more self-aware, thus improving sexual desire and sexual experience.  

— How Practicing Healing and Yoga Helps Women Feel Inner Peace 

If you are looking to find inner peace, here is how practicing healing and yoga can help you:

Helps Relieve Daily Stress

A Healing and Yoga practice teaches you to pause, be honest with your body and yourself, and live in the moment. Once you start practicing healing and yoga, you do not stop encountering stressful situations, but your perception of stress changes completely. 

You become more aware of how you react to stressful situations, and you begin to accept things as they are. The inner peace that healing and yoga bring helps rid the exhaustion, chaos, and frustration that commonly flood the mind. 

Ridding the mind and body of stress will help you achieve inner peace and prevent you from spreading negativity to those around you.

Heightens Intuition

Yoga allows you to find answers to daily problems from within. Not only does this enhance the development of internal intuition, but it also helps you make decisions that unite your mind and heart. 

In modern society, our voices and opinions can be drowned out by others’ voices and opinions. By practicing healing and yoga, you can achieve heightened intuition that can help you make decisions that are reflective of who you are, helping you achieve inner peace. 

Enhances Circulation

The circulatory system is one of the most important body systems, as it helps keep your heart and blood vessels strong. Healing and yoga stretch your muscles and get your blood flowing to all parts of the body. 

The more you practice healing and yoga, the more you will be able to hold poses longer (a sign of improved circulation) and feel more at peace when doing the different poses. 

Provides Discipline

Most people have a negative perception of the word “discipline” and associate it with a type of punishment. Healing and yoga give the word “discipline” a new meaning. 

Practicing healing and yoga naturally teaches you about commitment and enables a sort of discipline. You get a newfound will to improve on the progress you made during practice, which can only be achieved through discipline. 

Discipline in healing and yoga is not forced. Instead, discipline is something that is cultivated with practice and trickles into other areas of your life, helping you become well-rounded. As a well-rounded individual, you will make better decisions that will give you inner peace. 

Regulates Breathing and Attention

Healing and yoga regulate breathing and attention, lowers anxiety and stress, and regulate parasympathetic nervous activity by activating the part of the nervous system that tells your body to pause, relax, and rest. 

These effects are associated with improvements in breathing and attention, and when you can breathe better and give all your attention to the tasks you want to complete, you are more likely to feel inner peace since your mind will be in a relaxed state. 

Healing and yoga are practices that can be traced back to 1,500 B.C. Since then, it has been used to help people with different types of mental conditions such as depression and physical conditions such as arthritis. 

But that is not all. Healing and yoga also improve women’s sexual health by countering stress and fatigue, improving body image, and heightening body awareness.

Adopt Regular Healing and Yoga Practices for a Better Life

If you are looking to feel inner peace, you can achieve this goal through regular healing and yoga practice. At the same time, if you are looking to breathe new life into your sex life, yoga may also be helpful.

Written by Jane Silverstein. Jane is the owner of Soul Source Therapeutic Devices located in Los Angeles. She is committed to women’s health issues and to helping women worldwide regain and/ or maintain their sexual health. She is passionate about helping others and has always been involved in a multitude of charitable causes.

Written by Jane Silverstein. Jane is the owner of Soul Source Therapeutic Devices located in Los Angeles. She is committed to women’s health issues and to helping women worldwide regain and/ or maintain their sexual health. She is passionate about helping others and has always been involved in a multitude of charitable causes.

BE THE GARDENER OF YOUR LIFE: SUSTAINING GROWTH IN HEALTHY WAYS

These are some inspiring and insightful passages in “Shifting Bravely: A Path to Growth, Healing, and Transformation” by Holli Kenley

 

— I believe that when we are truly grounded in our growth and its strength, we are at peace with ourselves and with others. Battles or arguments we had within ourselves and with others in proving our truths or substantiating our growth are no longer important. They are no longer necessary. In our peace, we are choosing to silence past representations such as anger, resentment, and blame. Because of our growth, we are choosing to honor it in healthy ways. In doing so, we find ourselves once again taking on the posture of a gardener: being still, listening, staying open, and giving ourselves time for further internal strengthening.

When we remain open to new discoveries and insights regarding our experiences, our defensive posture takes a back seat to welcoming in an understanding of them. It is with deeper insight we find ourselves remaining silent within, settling into our peace and calm.

When A SHIFT Is Sustained, we are anchored in our truths. And when the waters around us are unpredictable or choppy, our knowing of our truths secures us. We do not react to our unsafe environments or adversaries. Where we “once battled and argued,” we are now “choosing to remain silent.” We now choose a peaceful response. And, when we maintain the posture of a gardener by sustaining our growth in healthy ways, we affirm “we are rooted in our truth and our truth is allowed to shift and transform” (Unknown). We have come to understand that when A SHIFT Is Sustained, there will be evidence of it. We will not be the persons we used to be, things once tolerated will no longer be tolerable, and when and how we speak about ourselves and our truths will mirror an internal representation of lasting strength.

In honoring our voices and affirming ourselves, we have learned the importance of speaking our truths and of presenting them in ways representative of sustainable growth. As we begin to understand the value of our voice, we begin to embrace a deeply insightful and intentional posture of a gardener. It is one that requires quiet perseverance, a steady stream of resilience, and endless patience. With continual growth and increased internalization of our truths, it is a posture that displays an inner core of self-compassion, discernment, and self-empowerment.

In our understanding and application of it, empowerment means valuing our voice by voicing our value . In other words, self-empowerment shows up as clear, confident, authentic representations of our truths and our growth. When we are valuing our voice, we do not seek to dominate or demand. And when we are voicing our value , we do so by representing our strong beliefs in who we are as we thoughtfully and respectfully conduct our lives.

ON AMAZON!

IT'S NOT ABOUT REACHING GOALS — IT'S ABOUT REALIZING YOURSELF ALONG THE WAY

Here is an inspiring and insightful passage in “Be You: The Journey of Self-Realization” by Chris Cirak

 

— In the outer world, there are places you're familiar with, places you're not familiar with, and places you don't even know exist. The more familiar you are with a specific place, the more it feels like home.

Your inner world is no different. It consists of parts you're more familiar with, parts you're less familiar with, and parts you don't even know exist. The journey of self-realization is to feel at home in all your parts.

You can't be yourself if you don't know yourself.

It’s both ironic and beautiful that not knowing yourself is what propels you forward. Ironic because your mind is all about knowing. Beautiful because you get to experience the freshness of each new moment. Every part of you that you haven't yet realized contains both the anguish of not being you and the longing to be more of you.

Self-realization is the process of realizing who you are. You are never not experiencing this process. Every moment of every day, life is pushing you to know yourself better. More specifically, you are the one doing the pushing. Life is just a mirror. Stuck feelings are the fuel of your evolution.

If it feels like you’re taking detours instead of the direct route to your happiness, that’s your headspace talking. That’s when you criticize yourself for making mistakes, thinking you should know better. You forget that you’re a more realized person now, precisely because of how you've responded to things in the past. Ultimately, there’s no reason to fault yourself for anything, ever. In fact, it's the experience of not being you that has prompted you to become more of you. You haven't failed. You haven't taken a wrong turn. You’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing.

You're always you, doing the best you can. There is no other way.

Resist the urge to plan out your life for fear you might go down the wrong road. Right and wrong only exist when you’re in your headspace, focused on outcomes. But in the great unfolding of your life, veering off your path is what accelerates you forward. Each time you veer, you grow in clarity, resilience, and determination. You become more of you. Your journey is meant to take you through a field of experiences. Detours and excursions aren't just part of your journey, they are your journey.

Everything you experience teaches you something new about yourself and puts you in touch with your feelings. How you respond to them directly impacts how much you participate in - and contribute to - the flow of life. When you keep your feelings stuck, you generate friction within yourself and with the environment. But by releasing them, you contribute free-flowing energy to the world.

As you become more realized, so does the world.

Less realized energy, longing to become more realized energy, is the engine behind life's continuous expansion. Everything you do is motivated by this pull. You buy things to experience abundance. You fall in love to experience unity. You set goals to experience fulfillment. You're always replacing what you think an experience is like with the actual experience of it.

That's why you're supposed to buy shiny things and be enamored by them. You're supposed to fall in love and promise each other foreverness. You're supposed to climb to the highest peaks and fall to the lowest lows. You're supposed to experience all those things because it's not about the things. It's not about reaching goals or achieving outcomes. It's about realizing yourself along the way…

P.S.: You will love Chris’ book and his work! He is one of the most genuine and open-hearted human beings I have ever met!

ON AMAZON!

LOVE CAN NEVER HURT US

These are some inspiring and insightful passages in “Creating Real Happiness A to Z: A Mindful Guide to Discovering, Loving, and Accepting Your True Self” by Stephani Grace

 — I endured a difficult childhood, but I wouldn’t change any of it. I believe that as humans we learn best through contrast. I needed to be born into a family that couldn’t love me so that I could learn to love myself and in return teach others to love. I have a belief that everything is intended to help us grow into our best, highest selves. In this way of thinking, nothing is trying to harm or punish us. I believe this is the truth because I have learned complete contentment, and I’m not sure I would have understood this love had I not experienced the opposite.

When I am working with people to help them find happiness, I am coming from a place of knowing. I know absolutely that it is possible for anyone to be truly happy, regardless of his or her circumstances or origin. The amazing thing about this is that it is all within our own control. It is all about our conditioning and our beliefs about ourselves and what we think we deserve. When we learn to shift these beliefs, we shift everything.

My clients are on a journey with me. As I am learning and discovering things in my own life, I weave these teachings into my counseling practice. Anything that I am utilizing in my practice comes from what has worked for me. I have deep empathy for those who suffer, and because I have learned how to create happiness out of struggle, I know that no one should settle for suffering. Therefore, I am tenacious in my patience with others in their search for happiness. I know it’s possible to create happiness, and I also know that it’s not difficult, although it seems impossible at times. Happiness is always available to us, always within our reach.

I want to help as many people as possible understand this process and to help them learn how to love themselves. I have been in practice for 20 years and have helped hundreds of people find happiness and live a more authentic life. With this book, I hope to reach a wider audience and share the tools that have helped not only me but also my clients. We all deserve to be happy. This is our birthright. Just think how things would shift in our world if we were all coming from a place of absolute self-love.

ON OPENNESS

— Openness is being open to what life has to offer. If we pay attention, we will notice that we open and close throughout the day. We also have ways of thinking or have had experiences that close us down to certain aspects of life, or sometimes everything. We close down to protect ourselves. We believe we are keeping ourselves safe, but the problem with being closed is that we are also closed to the positive things we want to experience as well. For example, if we believe we have been hurt by love and we decide to shut ourselves off from love in order to keep from being hurt again then when love comes along we won’t be open to receive it. Remember, love actually never hurt us in the first place. It was anything other than love that hurt us. Love can never hurt us.

We are always safe with love. Sometimes we might be closed to love because we are reserving it for the “right” person, or maybe we are afraid to be loving to everyone because we don’t want to give people the “wrong” idea. Any of these ways we are closing only keep us from love because we are not open to receive it. We can love freely, knowing we can trust ourselves to manage any situation that presents itself. Remember, love cannot hurt you, so when anything arises other than love, you will know what you need to do in that moment. We always have everything we need to manage any situation in the present moment.

Practice: Throughout the day practice being aware of whether you are open or closed to love. Another way to say this is: Is your heart open or closed? What do you notice that helps your heart open? What do you notice that makes it close? See if you can practice remaining open when you feel inclined to close. Please be gentle with the part of you that wants to close. Let this part of you know that she is safe—that love can’t hurt her, that she has everything she needs to keep herself safe.

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