Contentment

A lot of my friends come to me asking for advice to change aspects of their life. One of the things I get them to look at is their personal magnetism. Personal magnetism is not something only attributed to people like movie stars or politicians. All of us possess our own brand of magnetism. On a very basic level, our bodies have own energy field, and, just like a magnet, we all can attract (or repel) people, situations or things either to or away from us.
    This is because our thoughts and emotions are forms of energy as well, and the thoughts and emotions that we “send out” have a great deal to do with how others perceive us and how we interact in the world.
    Changing our thoughts and getting clearer about our emotions has a direct affect on our energy,  The key here is for us to become aware of the types of thoughts and emotions that we generally have. Are they positive and open to possibilities, or negative and critical (of yourself or others)? A simple point to remember is that we attract what we focus on. Try to check in throughout the day to see how you are feeling.
    For example, if you catch yourself having a negative thought such as, “I'll never get ahead,” you're sending out a negative, or repelling, energy. But if you can turn it into a more positive statement, like “I am tackling the challenges along my chosen path,” you'll be sending out a positive, attracting energy.
    So, boost your personal magnetism with positive thoughts, and, like the old folk song, “let your little light shine.”

Travel Around the World!

I love to travel and have made a point to travel to some of the world's most famous energy centers, such as Sedona in the US, the Great Pyramids in Egypt, Lourdes in France, and many others. I feel very fortunate to have been able to visit such places and see for myself what these powerful spots on our planet are all about. Obviously, most of us are not able to just pick up and take a trip, but that doesn't mean we can't try to experience a faraway place in our own way. I have a friend, Bernard, who studies ancient civilizations and who showed me how easily this can be done, even if you're not psychic and you've never ever been to a power spot.

While visiting with a friend one day, I noticed a small cabinet in his living room that had some very interesting items in it. There was a crisp white doily on one shelf and on top of it was a small photograph of a beautiful mountain at sunrise. I immediately recognized the image as Mt. Shasta in Northern California. In front of the photo was a small piece of volcanic rock. But what was particularly interesting and surprising to me was that I have been to M. Shasta and am familiar with the energy there, and I could actually feel a similar power emanating from that corner in his living room.

As you can imagine, I was intrigued and asked him about this display. He told me that he had wanted to experience Mt. Shasta's energy, which by the way is often called the root chakra of the Earth. Since he couldn't travel there, he decided to bring the energy to him by creating a special place for it to reside in his home. He said that the doily represented the snowy cap of the mountain, the rock symbolized the fact that the mountain is a volcano, and the picture was to help focus on the actual place. After he had created his little display together with things that had meaning for him, he stood next to his arrangement and imagined creating a circle around it that extended about three feet out. Then he imagined the mountain in his mind and invited energy from Mt. Shasta to inhabit this area in his home.

I admit that it sounds farfetched, but I clearly felt the energy of Mt. Shasta every time I drew near! I was so impressed with his creative solution to recreate a sense of this place in his home that I tried it at my own home, and it worked beautifully! Obviously many people would love to visit places like Machu Pichu, Glastonbury, and/or other high-energy spots around the world, but not everyone is able to travel, for a variety of reasons, and that is why I am sharing his solution with you.

You don't have to be a psychic or world traveler to experience the energy of the world's most powerful places. Bring the power to you by creating your own energy center at home, just as he did, knowing that your intention makes it so.

Laughter is the best medicine

The old adage, “Laughter is the best medicine,” does have very strong merit and laughing has proven to provide many health benefits, mentally, physically and socially. Of course, while we can't reset a broken leg with laughter, apparently, we can help our body heal faster by finding as many reasons as possible to laugh. Laughter reduces our stress hormones and helps to relax our muscles. It can even help our body release endorphins that relieve pain. Laughter is also known to increase blood flow, which in turn brings more oxygen to all parts of our body and may even help protect our heart.

The emotional and social value of laughing is something I think most of us are aware of. If you've ever been in a tense situation when someone cracked a joke and the tension completely dissolved, you know what I mean. Laughing can reduce or dissolve anger and anxiety. People who laugh a lot are less likely to be overwhelmed by sadness or suffer from lengthy depressions. In groups or at work, laughter helps people to feel more bonded and work together better as a team.

Needless to say, my friend was home from the hospital in record time. The doctors and nurses all commented on how quickly she recovered and how energetic she seemed given the severity of the illness that brought her to the hospital. She is certain that it was her laugh therapy that made all the difference.

I hope this reminds you of the value of laughter in making life better. When you find lots of reasons to laugh, you develop a perspective that, even in the toughest of situations, can help you become more resilient and able to cope with whatever life brings.

Feeling stressed lately?

It's not surprising that so many of us suffer from stress and over-stimulation. In our technological world, as wonderful as it is, we are asked to move faster, think more quickly and multitask. Trying to fit everything into a 24-hour day, spend quality time with our families and also find time to relax and rest become more and more difficult. Many of us get so tied up in this race that we are unable to relax and enjoy anything at all. The end result is stress, anxiety, burnout and even depression.

I have three very simple rules that I'd like to share with you this week to bring joy back into your life. First, it means slowing things down. Slowing down probably means cutting a few things out of your routine. Maybe you could turn off the television a little earlier or spend less time in front of it. A homemade lunch in the sunshine instead of racing to the local fast food place is another great way to win back some of the nicer moments of the day.

Next, give some attention to mealtime and the foods you put into your body--that is my second rule of reclaiming joy. Are you zipping through the drive-through in the evenings because you are too tired to go home and cook? Eating well doesn't necessarily require hours of grueling food preparation. It can be as simple as cutting out foods with a high fat content and eating more salads and greens. The bookstores also have shelves of quick and easy health recipes. You can also find some good suggestions online. When your body is functioning well you will feel better mentally and emotionally, too.

The third point is to start having fun. Set aside time for a hobby or artistic endeavor that you enjoy. I hear so many people complain that they just aren't creative, and this couldn't be more untrue. Even if you can't paint like da Vinci or play like Itzhak Perlman, you can find enjoyment in the process of making art, playing music, crafting, repairing motorcycles or any other activity that intrigues and relaxes you. The key is to enjoy the moment of creating, however that unfolds.

Life is too short to spend our precious moments feeling stressed and frustrated. Being happy is the natural state of life. It is our birthright, and we can see it in the smiles and laughter of children.

Winter Sunshine!

Sometimes in the winter months, I find myself craving sunshine. We have many gray days where I live, so when the sun is out, you can be sure I will do my best to be out too, especially during the fall and winter. I may be bundled up, but I'll get a good dose of sunlight that can boost my immune system and help me to keep feeling positive and enthusiastic about life.

Sunlight is important to our overall health and offers many benefits. For one thing, getting 15 minutes of sunlight a day provides us with vitamin D, which boosts our calcium absorption and promotes better bone health. Healthy exposure to the sun actually improves our blood circulation, boosts your metabolism, and helps us to sweat, thereby eliminating toxins and waste from our body. Sun exposure is also known to help with liver issues, such as jaundice, and improve some skin conditions.

One of the best things about the sun is its positive effect on our mood. Natural sunlight stimulates the production of endorphins, which help us to feel good. And then of course there is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which commonly strikes in the winter and is a form of depression caused by too much time spent under artificial lighting and not enough exposure to natural sunlight. Exposure to sun or full spectrum lighting, especially if you work in a building where you don't see the outdoors, can actually help you avoid seasonal depression.

Sadly, many people are afraid of any sun exposure because of concerns about overexposure, sunburn and harm to your eyes. However these concerns can be addressed by using common sense when exposed to sunlight. When the sun is stronger, as it is in the spring and summer, you should be mindful of your exposure and take precautions against sunburn and dehydration. In the winter, the sun's rays are weaker and you can tolerate more exposure.

If you've ever sat in a sunny window or stood in sunlit patch on a cold day and enjoyed feeling those rays soak into your body, you know how wonderful the sun can feel. A bit of natural sunlight can go a long way, so find a way to get your daily dose of sunlight whenever possible.

Hope you can take advantage of the sunlight this week. And be sure to take note and give thanks to the increase in sunlight. We've passed the mid-point of winter now and the daily sunlight is increasing a little more every day!

Feeling tired?

How do you recharge during the day? I am talking about the times when you take a break from your usual routine to give yourself a breather and your mind a rest. It is important for us to break from the daily monotony to recharge ourselves. However, if we aren't careful, breathers can become monotonous and routine as well.

For example, if you are spending your break in a windowless room having the same snack and beverage, day in and day out, then you may want to rethink your break time habits. Or if you find yourself automatically nibbling during break time, regardless if you are hungry or not, you may not like what you see on the scale. There are lots of things you can do with your break time that don't include grazing at the snack machine or drinking a third cup of coffee for the day.

For example, try to change your scenery or atmosphere by slipping outside for a 10-minute walk. It will do wonders for your state of mind and boost your energy levels as well. If you can partake in healthy exercise and re-oxygenate your bloodstream, you will likely return to work more alert and enthusiastic about the tasks at hand. If you can't get outside, boost your oxygen levels and calm your mind and body with a few minutes of quiet breathing and relaxation exercises. Just close your eyes and envision that scattered energy you expend during your day all coming back to you, helping you to feel whole again. Or take a few minutes to do a few rounds of deep breathing, four breaths in and four out. Afterwards take notice how the affect it has on your body and mind. Hopefully, you will feel a little freer or a little more relaxed.

If walking or meditating doesn't seem like an ideal break time activity, try journaling, listening to your favorite music, or planning your next holiday in your head. The essential thing for you to do to break out of your normal routine and do something that makes you feel good.

Whether you work in an office or from home, it is important to take advantage of your breaks throughout the day. Try the tips I've shared or consider options of your own. The goal is to engage your mind, body and spirit in something new, different and pleasing.

Trapped?

A while back, I got a call from a friend who was struggling with a frustrating situation involving her workplace, and she felt helpless to do anything about it. Unfortunately, she was having panic attacks because she was so anxious and fearful about the situation, and needed some help. It was clear to me that this young woman, whom I'll call Sara, was unable to see her options, and as a result was trapped in an uncomfortable and unfortunate position.

In my experience, feeling trapped in a situation is a very common challenge we all face at various times. After all, we are creatures of habit, and even though we may claim we like change, when something threatens our status quo, it can feel more like the rug has been pulled out from under us rather than an opportunity for us to move ahead. I advised Sara to spend time thinking about what was most important to her in her current work position.

I also asked Sara to consider how much joy and comfort she was actually getting from her job in light of the current situation. Was it so important to her to remain in a situation that was causing her so much grief? Was it the only option she had? In asking these questions, I had a specific intention. I wanted to help Sara look at what her job meant to her and to see if she should consider other options. Sometimes, when we examine our motivations, we begin to realize that they aren't what we thought they were.

I am happy that soon after that meeting, Sara contacted me and confided that the work we had done together had given her a new perspective. She concluded that her job wasn't really the best thing for her, and had started exploring other options that she wouldn't have considered previously. She had decided to look for another job doing something she had always wanted to do. And interestingly enough, her panic attacks had completely disappeared!

As you can probably guess, Sara is now glad that the circumstances at her old job forced her to take stock of what she really wanted in life and to let go of a situation that was unhealthy for her. Letting go isn't always easy, but choosing to let go when you realize it is time can change your life for the better.

I hope this story prompts you to look at your own life to see if there are aspects of it that are no longer serving you as you need them to. Then you could see how to alter them to suit your best interests. Now that's a worthwhile goal for the New Year!