Sunday, April 29, 2012

6 Things You Can Do To Attract Positivity into Your Life: Part 1 of 3

photo courtesy of google pics

We could all use some extra positivity in our lives. I know I could. This list of six things to do is a great way to start attracting everything you want like a magnet. I'm breaking down the six things to do to attract more positivity into your life into three posts. I don't want you to get overwhelmed and I think it's important to practice a couple of things at a time for a few days before incorporating more. 

Without further ado...

1. Wake up and recite 10 things you are grateful for.
A lot of times we merely forget to be grateful. The hustle and bustle of life gets us caught up in everything that needs to be done or what we want to get done; we simply go through the motions taking for granted everything that enables us to do those things.

Starting off every morning with a grateful attitude is a surefire way to have a great day. It will open doors for you that otherwise would remain on lock. When you walk around with a piss poor attitude, complaining about what you wish you had but don’t, how horrible your boss is, how bratty your kids are, how inconsiderate your husband is, how crappy the weather is, what a POS car you have, how high the gas prices are, what little money you have, etc. you feel defeated so that’s exactly what you will be. 

Flip that daggum Debbie downer attitude right on its head! Do a complete 180 and start exclusively saying what you are grateful for. Sound hard? It’s actually not that hard IF you start your day off with a positive, grateful attitude. The positivity will flow much more naturally.

We can be grateful about the smallest things to even the greatest things. When’s the last time you stopped and thanked God for being able to walk or breathe without difficulty. Maybe you can’t walk or breathe without difficulty but you can talk, smile and enjoy a hot cup of coffee in the wee hours of the morning. You can read a good book or catch a great flick. Whatever it is that you enjoy or are blessed with, you can choose to be grateful and it helps to say it out loud. You can even write it down.

2. Speak out loud everyday what you want. Pause and pretend you already have it.
Okay, so if someone walks in on you and you’re talking to yourself there may be a small, awkward moment there but hey, we all talk to ourselves sometimes. Right? RIGHT?? Is anyone listening? Crap. Is this one of those moments? J But no, seriously, there is POWER in the tongue. Someone much wiser than me once said, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Yep, that’s a scripture out of Proverbs. That book is full of goodies!

It’s so true though. You can speak death and life with the power of your words. You can speak death or life over your finances, your marriage, your children’s attitudes and so on. You can literally even speak death over someone physically. How many people do you know or have you heard of that committed suicide because they were ridiculed for being gay, fat, ugly, different, or whatever it is that people choose to be cruel about. Ridiculing people is a form of speaking death over them? Even if it’s only speaking death over their self-esteem, it’s still death. Ick! Stop that! 

Alright, let me get back to the topic at hand. After you recite your daily gratitude, say out loud what you want. You can even call up a friend and discuss the things you want in life. Don’t bother talking about what you don’t want because then you’d be focusing on that and getting more of it. Say: I want to be financially secure. Pause, pretend you are, and let the feeling of being financially secure set in. Feel the security, comfort, whatever it is that feels positive. Then move on and say the next thing. I want a happy, connected relationship with my partner…yada yada. Do this for as many things as you want and for as long as you want or have time for.

Pay attention to what you feel down deep when you say what you want. It is important because these feelings will reveal the real you. When you say, I want a brand new, big house, how do you feel when you say it? Do you feel blessed, fortunate, comfortable, and lavish? Or do you feel greedy, materialistic, selfish, and petty? If you feel the first feelings, you are in sync with what you value and that is totally fine. If you feel the second list of feelings, it's time to ask yourself why you feel that way. Perhaps you don't really value a big, fancy house but you have let society pressure you into thinking you need that to be successful.

Whatever it might be, you will get whatever you want so long as your desires line up with what you truly value in your core. When your fantasies line up with your values, it gives you the ultimate “good feeling”. You'll know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are on the right path.
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Put these two tips into practice for a few days and notice the difference in your attitude. Stay tuned for the next two steps coming at you in about a week!

Get what you want,


In the words of a mother

Friday, April 20, 2012

Past, Present, Future - Part 3 of 3

 

 

Hope for the Future


Part 3

photo courtesy of google images

"Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” ~Alan Lakein. This quote pretty darn near nails it. The future is important but not as much as what you are doing in the present. In fact, you can’t have a future without the present. And you certainly can’t have the future you want without working towards it now.

It’s totally fine to dream, plan, and hope for a brighter future. In fact, it’s healthy! It doesn’t mean that you’re not living in “the now”. Shoot, we all want good health, wealth, and happiness and who couldn’t use more of that, ya know. I have just started using more visualization techniques, picturing myself being at my book signing with a line out the door and touching thousands of people’s lives with what the good Lord has blessed me with. I love to use techniques now to boost my outcome for the future.

Now that being said…“Happy people plan actions, they don’t plan results.” ~Dennis Wholey. Okay, so we definitely need to plan for the future by doing things now. Ahhh, you can’t escape that fact. If you ever want to reach your highest potential, not a damn thing will happen until you are actually reaching for the stars, not just gazing at them from afar, admiring their beauty. For instance, I can dream all day long about writing a book that becomes a bestseller but it’ll never happen if I don’t WRITE it! Plan the actions, DO the actions, and sit back and enjoy the results.

We are responsible for everything we get and don’t get in our lives. Sure, life can throw some curveballs and a few surprises here and there but we are responsible for how we handle it. We can either rise above or play the victim.

“Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning.” ~Thomas Alva Edison. Well I’ll be darn. The good ones just keep on rolling. This post is quote city but I tell you what, they are remembered and mentioned for a reason. Chalk full of wisdom, we can live off this stuff! If you want good health, wealth, and happiness (which is my definition of good fortune) then you must plan for it and you absolutely, 100% WILL meet it!

I truly believe that the whole universe (cliché but oh well) is on your side! Similar to the following quote, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~Jeremiah 29:11. You have nothing to fear except giving up. So simply don’t!

All of that being said, let’s do what you all know I love to do; ask questions and really think about the answers. Really get down to the nitty gritty. What do you want to be in the future? How do you see yourself as an elderly person? Who would you like around you as you age? What do you see yourself having to offer in the future?

What do you want to be in the future?
I want to be a promoter of people. A lover of my fellow brothers and sisters. A loving, compassionate, powerful, inspiring, voice in the world. I want to make a difference in the lives of many. I want to be a successful writer and yes, make a great living at it but more so, affect the outcomes of people's lives. I want to be such a great writer that my words light the fire in the spirits of others and compel them to reach their potential. I want to reach my potential. I want to be a great wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, friend, acquaintance, gardener, etc. Doggonit I want to be an amazing me! J

How do you see yourself as an elderly person?
I see myself as the happiest old lady anyone has ever seen. I see myself with a smile always on my face, laughing, and telling silly jokes. I see myself as completely in acceptance with myself and others. I see silver hair and a serene core. I see myself as accomplished and fulfilled, alert and active, kind and full of endless love. Dang, I like that old lady!

Who would you like around you as you age?
Needless to say, I would love my beautiful little petunia, Cheyann around. My darling daughter who will always be just as perfect as the day she was born. I certainly want my family around. I want to spend plenty of time with my friends and of course my bestie, Steph (School of Rock-n-Raw, check her out. She's AHHH-mazing). And last but not least, I want all the people that have crossed my path and those whose paths I’ve crossed in a profound way to be near and dear to my heart.

What do you see yourself having to offer in the future?
I think this might be one of the most important questions on the subject. Life is about what you give more than what you get. I want to offer a vast legacy. I want to leave an imprint in the spirits and on the hearts of others. I want to offer so much love to others that they can’t contain it, which forces them to share it and spread it like a wild fire! I want to offer an ear in the world that listens, a mouth that only speaks positively, a touch that soothes, an eye that notices, a taste that appreciates, and a sniff that stops to smell the roses. I want to offer all the great things that God has blessed me with and called me to share. Again, I want to offer love. That’s what it all boils down to.
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Remember, you can and you will have darn near anything and everything you want in the future. Apply yourself now to get what you want later. Don’t worry about the future, simply plan for it. I am 100% rooting for you to reach your potential and beyond. The future will be great fun. See ya there.


You WILL have the future you want,

In the words of a mother

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Past, Present, Future - Part 2 of 3

 

Being Present in the Present

Part 2

photo courtesy of google images 

Living in the now has a lot of hype in the “enlightened” world. Basically we don’t want to live in the past. The past can represent a place that summons regret or even a place of wanting to go back because we think those were the good old days. We don’t want to live in the future either because we can’t know for sure what it holds and we aren’t promised tomorrow. 

One reason for being mindful of living in the present is because focusing too much on the past or future distracts us from what we could be experiencing right here, right now. The biggest reason for living in the now, present time, is because this is what time we have been given and we get to do whatever we want with it. This is where the power is! This is actually where you can choose to heal from the past, move on, and work for a brighter future. Again, this is where YOU have the power.

In terms of growth and awareness I always love to ask myself questions and really spend the time answering them truthfully. A couple questions spring to mind when focusing on the present. Ask yourself these questions. What is great about life now? What makes you happy now? What areas can you work on now to be a better you?

What is great about life now?
For me, a lot of things are great right now. I have an amazing, loving, devoted, handsome, hardworking, hilarious, sexy, smart, caring, passionate husband! I have such a sweet, beautiful, fun, silly little daughter. I have one the best jobs on the planet i.e. stay at home mama. I love my home, my garden, my chickens, my friends, and my family. I look great. I feel pretty good. I’m drinking more water. ;) I had to put that in there. This is a big deal for me!

Life is pretty darn good from where I sit. What’s fantastic about that is I made it that way. I choose to be grateful in the present. No one does that for you. No, not even God. It’s up to you to have a good life. This is a perfect example of how you have the power right now!

What makes you happy now?
Of course the things I’ve listed above make me happy but true happiness comes from within. I’ll tell ya what, I’ve been working on that! At the beginning of this year I started on my Journey to Improved Health and it has paid off. I feel better than I have in a long time. I weigh less than my pre pregnancy weight. I’m healthier. I’m doing more things that I love like writing, gardening, educating myself, getting involved in more activities, and making strides in my personal development quest.  

My understanding of God also makes me very happy. Being connected to something so much bigger than myself but really, so small it’s on the cellular level as well. Ahhh, that’s too deep to get into now. :) Perhaps I'll go there in a future post!

What areas can you work on now to be a better you?
I constantly work on being more conscientious of others needs/desires. For instance, I am a roll with the wind, tumbleweed type of personality. I am so type B that I have had issues with committing to events or plans causing me to be very unreliable. This is just unbalanced and nonsensical to me now. My personality is never an excuse to be less than thoughtful. I’ve realized the importance of being flexible yet maintaining a sense of, “you can count on me” sort of thing. 

I also need to allow myself to make mistakes. I’m a good mother but not a perfect one. It’s okay to mess up. I’m not the perfect wife, friend, daughter, sister, or the perfect anything. I’m just me, pressing on, trying to get better little by little. 

Lastly and it’s a biggie, I need to work on not letting fear hold me back. No more making excuses for myself to not reach certain goals. I can do whatever I set my mind to. Even moving a mountain is attainable and I am dead serious about that! 
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In the present, we are all a work in progress. Right now I am working on being the friend others respect, the family member that can be counted on, and the type of person that inspires. I am working on becoming highly fit, healthy all around, and doggonit I’m working on being an evolved person. That's what I love about the present. I can do all of that now. I definitely can't go back into the past and I don't have to wait for the future!

Be present in the present. Live in the now. Feel what you feel. Think what you think. And go from there. Remember, you are not guaranteed the future. Right NOW is all you’ve got and this is wherein the power lies to reach your potential!


Gratefully and blissfully present,

In the words of a mother

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Past, Present, Future - Part 1 of 3


A Reflection of the Past

Part 1

photo courtesy of google images

Sometimes to get where you want to go you have to pay homage to where you’ve been. That is one reason I’m writing this teeny tiny, short, 3 part series. Basically I want us to honor where we've been and what we've done in part 1. In part 2 we'll discuss present life. Part 3 we will focus our eyes toward the horizon for what’s to come. Sometimes little exercises like these are helpful to be aware of ourselves which in turn serves us to be mindful of others.

That being said, looking back on your life, ask yourself a few questions. How have I grown? What are the things I have done that amaze myself? What have I overcome and how have I experienced victory in my life? As I sit here, with my 10 year high school reunion nearing, I contemplate these things. Many things have happened since leaving my childhood behind and strolling along on the well beaten path into adulthood.

How have I grown?
I see that I have grown leaps and bounds in my understanding of others, my ideas about God, and my enthusiasm for learning and gaining wisdom. I adore growth in every form that life provides me the opportunity to do such. I have grown mentally, emotionally, and well…physically, I’m glad I haven’t grown too much! ;) I have grown by letting go of the expectations I’ve put on others. In turn, I have allowed myself to be free from the expectations others put on me.

How have I amazed myself?
A few things pop into mind when asking that question. First and foremost is becoming a mother. Wow! I had great fears about being a mother before it happened but God has blessed me with everything I need to get through and get through extremely well.
One other thing that amazes me is that my whole perception of the world got flipped upside down and around as far as my lifestyle is concerned and I’m okay with that. The work that is involved in making lifestyle changes may be daunting and quite a challenge but little by little I’m healthier and happier. It happened after I gave birth to Cheyann. That little princess threw me for a loop and completely transformed my awareness of the world. Thank you daughter. Muah!

What have I overcome?
After 10 years of a very rocky and at times hard relationship with my husband, we are still together and still love one another deeply. We live by this motto, “Love is the food that nourishes a marriage; commitment is the glue that holds it.” This is a big deal for me. After seeing virtually every marriage around me deteriorate and/or end in divorce, I still have hope for mine.

I have overcome heartache, the loss of loved ones, set-backs, fears, lies, let downs, and much more. Life has a way of shelling out obstacles to overcome. But that is just the point, to overcome! No matter what happens, I trust that I can come out with the victory. That’s huge! Thank you God!
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You’ve heard the quote, “Those who live in the past are sad and those who live in the future are anxious.” I agree. But go ahead, reflect on your past. You certainly don’t need to live there to give it a healthy reflection from time to time. It may be a good way to realize where you are now and where you would like to go in the future.
Casually acknowledge the negative only as a means of self-awareness and personal development. Never beat yourself up. And always focus on the positive! These are just a couple little tips to help you create for yourself the life you have always wanted.
Now then, please share how you've grown, amazed yourself, and what you have overcome!


Joyful Reflections,
In the words of a mother

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Coffee Enema: Why, What, and How

photo curtesy of google images
When I mention coffee enemas I usually get a similar response from people. They sort of tilt their head to the side with a quizzical/disgusted expression on their face. I mostly get made fun of in my group of friends for advocating such a thing, but I don’t mind. My liver and the rest of me sure are enjoying the benefits of this rather unconventional means of detoxification.

The Why:

As I mentioned, it’s a detox, more specifically a liver, gall bladder, and bloodstream detox. You use caffeinated coffee. The caffeine is the crux that stimulates the liver to produce bile and dilate the bile ducts for faster and easier flushing out of toxins.

You cannot get this same effect by drinking coffee. This is because the caffeine is absorbed much more quickly by the hemorrhoidal vein and carried up to the liver via the portal vein. There are also enzymes in coffee that bind to toxins and stimulate the colon to evacuate.
It is a bloodstream cleanser because all the blood in your body passes through the liver for a cleaning about every 3 minutes or so. This is due to the complex enzyme systems at work in the body. But simply put, clean liver = clean blood. We all know that blood is life. It carries oxygen and all the goodies to every cell in the body. You want to have a healthy liver so that it is possible to have healthy blood!
The What:
1.     Purchase an enema bucket. They are cheap. I ordered mine here. Buckets are best because you can see how much coffee has entered the colon and it makes for easy cleaning.
2.     Purchase some good caffeinated, medium to light roast, organic coffee. I purchased mine from a local health foods store but you can order the best coffee for enemas here.
3.     Make sure you have a means to filter water or purchase some. I use water out of my Brita filter.
4.     Lubricant (I use olive oil)
5.     Towel and pillow (pillow optional)
The How:
1.     Add 1 quart (4 cups or 32 oz.) of filtered water and 2-3 Tbsp. of coffee into a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer with lid on for 15 minutes. Take off burner, remove lid, and let sit until cooled to about 105 degrees.

You want it to be warm but not too hot because this could burn you inside. AHH! I stick by this rule: If your lips can handle it, your colon can. Warm water is best because cold water will make your muscles contract and you won’t be able to retain coffee for the desired length of time. Another test: Stick your hand all the way to the bottom of liquid once you think it is correct temperature. If it doesn’t burn your hand, you’re good to go.

If you haven't had a recent bowel movement you may want to do a cleansing 48 oz. warm water enema before the coffee enema. This way you can cleanse the colon of fecal matter and be able to retain the coffee enema for the recommended 15 minutes.

2.     Close clamp on tube that is attached to enema bucket. When the temperature is good, pour it into enema bucket. Then, to allow coffee to reach the end of the tube, open clamp and when coffee reaches the end of tube, close clamp. This will keep air from entering colon.
3.     Lubricate tip to be inserted in rectum with olive oil.
4.     Place towel in the bottom of bathtub and a pillow as well if you wish.
5.     Lie on your right side and gently insert tube tip about 2 inches into rectum. This should not hurt at all. If you feel even the slightest pain, stop, remove, re-lubricate, and try again.
6.     Once tip is successfully inserted, slowly open clamp to allow coffee to enter rectum and fill the colon. If you feel cramping you can close clamp and wait until cramps subside. Then open clamp and repeat. You may not be able to hold the entire quart at first but that’s okay. Simply evacuate when you feel you must and then administer remaining coffee. You should try and retain coffee for 15 minutes or longer. This is ideal for cleansing the liver, gallbladder, and bloodstream.
7.     Clean up.
     
That’s it! There’s really not much to it. Perhaps I’m a weirdo but I find coffee enemas to be relaxing. I’m sure it’s because I visualize my body cleaner and healthier during the process and this is a great stress relieving technique for me. Sometimes I even read a book while waiting for the coffee goodies to go to work and give my liver a well deserved break!

If you have any questions at all please feel free to ask in the comment section, email me, or you can also find me on my Facebook page.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is it messy?
- Not really. Any mess is usually contained in bathtub which you can easily rinse down the drain. Typically when you remove the tube from rectum the left over coffee from the very bottom of the tube that didn’t make it into the rectum will spill out a bit. It’s only a few drops and it’s not contaminated with feces. You will not likely lose your bowels. You can make it to the toilet to evacuate. Pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you feel spasms, count to 10 and if you can’t make it to 10, it’s time to get to the toilet, but most spasms subside after 10 seconds.
What does it feel like?
- It feels like warmth entering the rectum. It feels like you have to go to the bathroom at times. This is when you close clamp, count to ten, and then open clamp again. It feels relaxing.
Can I get dehydrated?
- Not likely. If fact it may aid in hydration. You just want to be sure that you are drinking plenty of fluids along with using coffee enemas and preferably fresh fruit and vegetable juices to keep electrolytes in balance.
Does it hurt?
- Absolutely not. If you have any pain you are not doing it correctly. Most likely you are trying to force nozzle into the rectum. Tearing the anus is serious and you must take precaution not to do this. Be sure you have a well lubricated nozzle before attempting insertion.
How often can I do coffee enemas?
- Many experienced people take 2 or 3 coffee enemas a day. I don’t see where people have the time to do this nor do I think it’s necessary for a healthy person just looking for a good colon clean and liver cleanse. People with severe illness that follow the Gerson Therapy take coffee enemas every 3-4 hours or 6 times a day. I recommend starting off slowly with 1 or 2 per week. If you are drinking fresh fruit and vegetable juices you can take more coffee enemas, perhaps 1 a day or 1 every other day. I typically do an enema once weekly as that is all I have time for.
Will this help me lose weight?
- If you have impacted feces in your colon you will lose that weight for sure. Also, a high functioning liver that quickly and effectively eliminates toxins can help in losing weight. I believe that as we get older our bodies become so laden with toxins that we can’t lose weight because these toxins discourage all of our body's systems from working properly. Digestion and metabolism especially get out of whack when we are toxic. So yes, I think it can aid you in losing weight.
Will it rid my colon of good gut flora?
- Coffee enemas shouldn’t interfere with your gut’s good bacteria. It is beneficial in removing parasites and toxins but the good flora should remain. To be on the safe side you can be sure to eat a healthy diet, perhaps take probiotic capsules orally each day, or do a probiotic enema with 3-5 capsules dissolved in 2 cups of water and retain as long as possible. Ideally, you’ll want to absorb all of this without evacuating. This is called an implant enema.


Be good to your liver,

In the words of a mother