Nothing happens unless first we dream

—Carl Sandberg—

Photo credit: Cosmic Care

Spring has sprung! Spring is here! Spring is a time for renewal, growth, planting seeds, setting new goals, renewal.

As I walked around my yard, snapping photos of Spring blooms, I felt a sense of emotional renewal; a sense of new growth in my personal life. 

As I began pulling some weeds out of my flower beds, I knew I was making room for new growth, eliminating the dead, the garden “clutter”  that would eventually overrun my flowers if I did not clean them out.

Spring has always been associated with Spring Cleaning. We open our windows, let the fresh air circulate, clear out the space for the new birth. We clean our houses—emptying closets, cabinets, and refreshing everything. We decide what to keep, what to toss away, what to donate. We clear the clutter—the material clutter.

We become so refreshed and excited to Spring clean the “things” we have lying around. The simple process of reorganizing your house can give such a sense of newness and put a new persepctive on your living space. The same holds true for reorganizing your mind.

Shouldn’t we be as just as excited to Spring clean the thinking, emotions and negative patterns we’ve developed over time? Shouldn’t we take as much time and create a process for Emotional Spring cleaning as well?

What about the Emotional Clutter?

I think it is more difficult to Emotional Spring clean, for some reason, unknown to me. Perhaps it is because we have to face old habits that no longer work for us, unproductive thinking, negative self-talk, and the clutter of past experiences. The “Emotional Cleansing” can clear out all the past behaviors and patterns that keep us in a constant state of drama—these, too can be sorted—what to keep, what to toss and what to donate!

Tips For “Weeding” Your Mind

Know Your Limitations

Don’t Make Excuses

Don’t Say “I Can’t“

Forgive

Tell Yourself The Truth

Clear The Clutter

Stop Procrastinating—Do It Now!!

Eliminate the “If Only’s…”

Take All The Time You Need——Slow Down!!!!

Photo Credit: Great Wall of China

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.

–Dale Carnegie–

I came across this most interesting post, on Cirklasphere, during my daily blog reading. I related so deeply, from my own experience; so very much, that I wanted to share it with everyone!!

Making Peace With Cancer

This article was written at the request of a reader. Peace with cancer is an oxymoron. In that one can not make peace with something that is a foreign entity within the system [mind, body, spirit]. Cancer or any dis-ease of the body is sorely misunderstood in Western Medicine ideology. Cancer is a message that the system, [mind,body, spirit] is in distress, therefore, dis-ease is in full force.

The mental cause of cancer is deep hurt. and longstanding resentment.; a deep secret or grief eating away at the self. Deep hatreds. Often with a belief, ‘What’s the use?’

The key to eliminating the dis-ease called ‘cancer’ or any other diagnosed or undiagnosed illness is emotional and spiritual healing, nutrition and supplements. What is emotional and spiritual healing? The body by design is capable of healing itself provided it has the proper support to do its job. The support the body needs is best described as Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM based on a concept of balanced qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy. Qi believed to flow throughout the body to regulate a person’s spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin (negative energy) and yang (positive energy). Disease is proposed to result from the flow of qi being disrupted and yin and yang becoming imbalanced. Among the components of TCM are herbal and nutritional therapy, restorative physical exercises, meditation, acupuncture, and remedial massage. Holistic, Metaphysical, Energy or Mind, Body, Spirit healing has existed since humans inhabited this planet; amid religious beliefs and practices, along with the mystery, superstition, fear, and misunderstanding. Holistic Healing is now becoming recognized regardless of what anyone chooses to believe or think. Ask almost anyone about their spiritual well-being and they will probably tell you, “I go to church regularly.” Therein, confusion arises out of the association of healing with religion. The majority of people, including medical doctors and religious leaders, do not understand the difference.

Definition:

“HEAL” 1. To restore health or soundness, 2. To set right, to repair, 3. To restore a person to spiritual wholeness, 4. To create wholeness and sound, to return to health.

“SPIRIT” 1. The vital principle or animating force within living beings, Incorporeal consciousness. There are about twelve more elaborations mostly to do with various religious implications.

“RELIGION” 1. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe, 2. A set of beliefs, values and practices based on the teachings of a religious doctrine.

Carl Jung and many others have carefully worded their writing:

Every Thing in the universe is Energy and Consciousness. What anyone thinks or feels about that Fact cannot change it. The purpose of All religions is the recognition that humans have a part of themselves that is not physical and there is a need to explore and experience this aspect of themselves. Part of the intent is to discover one’s purpose and to live in the best way possible. Another part of that goal also includes the attainment of Truth and Spiritual Wellness. However, the result of religious teachings with regard to our Spiritual health has been an abysmal failure. If the most important aspect of our being is our Spiritual self, and it has been neglected, it is a miracle we have existed this long. Many churches are in a state of extreme confusion in an attempt to avoid accepting the “Truth.” The greatest struggle is how to incorporate all the now known knowledge and assimilate it into the religious dogma and theology. The problem is the impossibility of reconciling the obvious flaws in most theology and doctrine. The obvious shortcomings and how political and nationalistic and other special interests and agendas have resulted in a history filled with disappointment, tragedy, confusion and religious wars. In many cultures it has always been thought and/or known that we are spiritual beings, the biggest exception is in western industrialized cultures that we believe we are people who happen to have a soul. Eastern philosophy believes we are a soul first, housed in this thing called a ‘body.’

The most beautiful and simple interpretation of how everything ‘IS’ can be found in the Native American tradition. “Everything in the universe is Spirit, each thing in it is of the same Spirit and it is all Connected.” This is exactly what we are beginning to understand in science and quantum physics, that everything in the universe is made of the same thing and has a consciousness about it. The two things that frustrate scientists the most is the fact that all these things operate across time, space and dimensions they do not yet understand, and the ability of things to operate on inter-dimensional and multi-dimensional levels. A high degree of new understanding about the science and physics of what spiritual really means is now mostly coming from independent researchers. High-tech and aerospace research physicists and scientists, all seem to have a more concise and accurate understanding of Spirit and the Spiritual than those from a theological background. The Reality and The Truth of Spirit-In plain language, there is only One God or Universal Energy that Is Everything. There is only One Consciousness. We are only one individuated expression of The One. All the dogma, theology and religious beliefs anyone chooses to pile on this truth is commonly referred to as Bunk. It is the lack of true knowledge and the application of these distortions, which have been the source of all emotional, physical and spiritual problems. Spirit is alive, it is something that is lived and experienced, the surest way to destroy or suppress it is to organize it and institutionalize it.

Spiritual Experiences teach us:

Everything we think or feel affects oneself and others. We need to realize every feeling-anger, fear, hate, sadness, judgment-are mind generated emotions and need to be modified or eliminated. Left to fester-anger, fear, hate, sadness, judgment, creates physical reactions. For every physical reaction, a.k.a. symptoms-i.e. colds, cancer, MS, and everything from A to Z, there is a direct link to mind generated emotions. When these mind generated emotions are eliminated and the wounds created from long term and dysfunctional expressions are healed, the physical manifestation labeled as illness by Western Medicine is eliminated. The bottom line is Health and Well-Being is affected by two factions-Doctors and Ministers. Doctors are trained as mechanics who work on the physical mechanism. They are in the Business of “Treatment.” They are Not Trained in the “Art of Healing”. Most doctors do not even understand the most rudimentary concepts of Healing. Most do not realize how they can produce damage and even induce death sentences on their patients. There is little difference in the effects produced by an intentional damaging curse or a prayer prayed improperly, bad advice or simply some random negative thought. Ministers are trained in traditional theosophical dogmatic perceptions specific to the cultural religious views they ascribe to. Most people have little concept about True Spirituality or how the universe really operates. As a consequence they convey misinformation, half-truths, superstitions and fears along with a multitude of associated damaging information into a person’s consciousness. The result of which is Confusion and Paradox-which leads to distress, disease and un-wellness. “Our experiences, both the good in our lives and the dis-eases are the result of conditioning and beliefs. It is the experiences, conditioning and beliefs that are counter to our true nature that causes the damage. No matter how dire a client’s predicament seems to be, I Know if they are ‘Willing’ to do the emotional and spiritual work of releasing old habits, beliefs and forgiving, and changing their eating habits everything can be healed.

The word ‘incurable’ used by Western Medicine really only means that the person can not be ‘cured’ by ‘outer’ methods. They need to Go Within to effect their healing. The condition was created as a way to cope-it came from within and can be healed from within.”

 Reference: Heal Your Body, Louise L. Hay Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, Author, “101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life.” Dr. Dorothy has the unique gift of connecting people with a broad range of profound principles that resonate in the deepest part of their being. She brings awareness to concepts not typically obvious to one’s daily thoughts and feelings. http://www.drdorothy.net

Photo credit: maynooth

“Easter is the demonstration of God that life is essentially spiritual and timeless.”

–Charles M. Crowe–

As I look back over the years, I can’t help but notice the flow of people who come in and out of my life. The timing certainly has some value, whether they are here for the moment or have been here for years.

The importance of good friends, to me, is invaluable. They are always there for me, regardless of what I’m going through, where I am, and what I am doing. They are not harsh, judgemental, disloyal, or erratic. They will simply always be.

These most interesting people, that I have chosen, will not give up on me, forget about me, or even acknowledge the fact that I can live a fairly unconventional life. It just doesn’t matter to them, because, very simply, they are my friends.

Over the years, we have all watched each other grow, stumble, fall, pick back up, and make necessary changes and choices in our lives. The most wonderful surprise is that we can always pick up right where we left off. The most wonderful thing is the bond, whether it is 30 years old or 3 days new, which will always leave an imprint in my life.

I often wonder what my life would be like without those who have contributed so much to me. I cannot imagine the void without them. I would not be me without them. 

We grow apart, only to return to each other, again and again. Life’s little responsibilities take over:  we go away to school, work on careers,  get married,  have kids, sometimes divorce, sometimes remarry, we move away to other parts of the country, we move away to other parts of the world, we make career changes…..AND deep down inside we are all still connected from the initial bond.

As the years go by I find myself returning to those who I’ve held near and dear in the past. It never ceases to amaze me, regardless of the time that’s past, they always seem to be there. They never cease to amaze me, in that, no matter how many times I pull in to constructively isolate, wish to be alone, make changes and choices for a better me, re-evaluate my life, re-vamp my appearance, lifestyle and desires….they do not judge. They remain there, totally, entirely loyal…..because they are my friends.

Photo credit: Alisa Ryan

One can barely get through a day without seeing the current economic situation. The media seems to be reporting updates every second regarding the financial crisis, the unemployment situation and all the toxic information that can bring anyone down. This all leads me to examine the current state of those closest to me.

I have a friend who works in a very aggressive, cut throat industry. The frantic pace and schedules are impossible, the behaviors are irrational, the demands are relentless. The money she makes allows her a decent lifestyle, so she feels the job is expendable. She feels expendable.

Although she is superb at what she does, she spends most of her downtime talking about her passions. She goes on endlessly about fitness, wellness, cycling, running, diet, nutrition, and taking care of the body and mind. The knowledge she has and the lessons she has learned are valuable…to the point where we even take from her experience and use it to our advantage, improving our own lives.

She uses her downtime to nurture her body and mind with healthy concoctions, rigorous exercise routines, reading about health and wellness; filling each second with “food for the body and mind.”

Photo credit: ifsguild

She spends most of her uptime, at work, stressed, struggling, bored, complaining, “playing the game”, and anticipating the moment she can enjoy her downtime. She travels far and wide with horrendous schedules, delayed flights, road raged drivers, and protocols that no longer work.

This causes me to think….

What if she got paid for what she’s passionate about. What if she left the high pressure job…the job that keeps her pacing the floor at night because of the stress and face pace. The same job, with it’s fast pace, is the same job that causes stress, anxiety and, at times, some health issues. (Yes, some health issues, that are a result of the daily grind in that fast paced environment, regardless of her incredible attention to caring for her body and mind.) The same job, is the job that affords the lifestyle; the job that she knows how to function in, even though it can be dysfunctional.

How many people are sincerely happy with their jobs?

The JOB.

The job is where we spend more time than we do with your family.

The job is where we make our living and identify ourselves.

The job is where we should be utilizing our talents and passions.

The job is where we should be doing what we do best.

What’s your real job?

Which brings me to The Wellness Wheel….

The Wellness Wheel is a valuable tool to maintain a balanced life.

The Wellness Wheel has seven spokes:

 Spiritual

Emotional

Intellectual

Social

Environmental

Financial

Physical

If any one of the seven spokes are “off balance“, underdeveloped, or neglected, it will be the cause of an unbalanced life. The imbalance will manifest itself in many different ways.

Total wellness is when there is a degree of balance in all areas. The perception of “wellness” is based on each of our individual experiences and circumstances; and is always based on our needs. As life goes on, we all  experience challenges and happiness. As we experience these different aspects of life, the wellness wheel falls in and out of balance, and different areas may need more attention.

How do you adjust The Wellness Wheel?

Photo credit: momentary awe

Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something; and sometimes one creates as significant impression by remaining silent.

—Dalai Lama—

When I created Shaken and Stirred, I commited myself, to this blog, with new posts weekly. I find myself, already, struggling with the time to write. I seem to be bombarded with that “Life” stuff that gets in the way:

The dreaded Flu

“Relationship” work-outs

Work that pays the bills

My own physical fitness schedule

After my little lapse….here goes….

We all have personal power that allows us the respect and worthiness that we deserve. Tapping into personal power can allow us to achieve our dreams and desires. We all deserve to be heard.

By owning our individual personal power, we can remain undaunted to achieve goals and dreams, without any interference from outside forces. 

Perseverance enables us to push ourselves to the limit, both personally and professionally, even when the odds appear to be against us. Plans will go wrong, sometimes, however, it must not disillusion or dissuade us from pursuing the path we have chosen.

Concrete plans, that we make, allow these dreams to manifest in the world. The most important thing is to make a list of what you want; and remember, nothing is too big. Think big!

Photo credit: Michael Hyatt

Chose, from your list, one goal and make a commitment to yourself to make it happen! Commit to making it come to fruition. Don’t lose sight of the dream. Break down that one goal, into achievable tasks to bring it to reality. Work on it little by little, each and every day. You do deserve to have your dreams, you have the power to make it happen!

Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.

–Robert Frost–