Blog Archives

Growth Happens From The Inside To the Outside

As you watch the trees, Growth Happens From the Inside To the Outside. Some of the bark peels off, but enough of it stays to add to the tree ring which scientists use to tell the age of the tree. Each ring represents a year of life for that tree. The tree draws sustenance from its root system, the sap, and the leaves, which use photosynthesis to feed the tree. No matter how little the tree is or how big, the above holds true.

So, if you were a tree, what would your ring look like? How is your root system? How do you nourish yourself? Would you be a healthy tree, or a spindly sapling?

Your root system is your beliefs. The Religion you espouse yourself to be is a belief system.  Do you live your beliefs? Or is it a Sunday only kind of thing? Is it a healthy one, or not?

The Aspen trees can become quite big. Yet, when you look at their root system, it is very shallow and small. A strong wind can blow it over.

When you look at a Maple tree, its root system is huge and can be up to 1-1/2 times its height.  Strong winds may break off a branch, but not the tree.

Cottonwoods can become rather large. Yet they rot and deteriorate from the inside. When the winds blow them over or break them, they are hollow inside.

Which tree would you want to be most like? Are your beliefs so strong that, though strong winds of life may blow, you are able to bend with the wind and not break? Or is it shallow and built on what others have told you for years? Have you put to use the words so they become part of your story? Or do they lie fallow, like a field that is not planted?

Do you sometimes feel hollow inside? Perhaps you are unsure of yourself and lack confidence in your decision-making capability. Perhaps you have low self esteem, established when others told you that you did not measure up. Believe it or not, these are repairable. You are not doomed to be that way forever.

The sap of the tree is likened to your mind chatter. How is it you are thinking? This is what feeds your tree. Are you sometimes poisoning your tree by condemning yourself for some shortcoming, either perceived or real? Self condemnation is the biggest inhibitor to growth and change that exists.

The leaves are your daily actions, which generate life-giving, spirit-lifting moments and experiences. Do you take action mindfully or do you just slop along, doing what you do without enthusiasm? What do your leaves look like? Are they vibrant and colorful or wilting and sad?

Together, all of these analogies speak to someone who is enjoying their life, whatever that looks like. The trees I speak of are whole beings, and so are you. One cannot take just one element of it and have it survive. It takes the entire system in order to be complete.

Jesus talked many times of ATONEMENT. What if you were to break it apart into AT-ONE-MENT? Would it mean something entirely new to you?

The winds of life come at us every day in varying force and velocity. How you tend to your tree (yourself) will determine how you can survive it, learn from it, and go forth with a happy heart.

Are you willing to look at the elements of your tree: Is your belief system firmly rooted, able to guide you come what may? Do you control your mind chatter, directing it wisely into good channels of thought,  or does it control you, dictating to you about every detail of your existence? Are your daily actions mindfully and thoughtfully directed or willy-nilly, being blown every which direction?

Take hope. You can use the power of CHOICE and begin to learn to change whatever you think you need to. Books, teachers, workshops, preachers, etc., can all play a part in your growth. Once you DECIDE to implement some new directions in your life, the LAW OF ATTRACTION will come into play. SERENDIPITY and SYNCHRONICITY will unleash their powers for you.

Are you willing to take a close look at your personal tree of life in order to determine if changes are needed? Is the Status Quo good enough for you? Are you willing to live the way you do for the rest of your life? Only you can answer that question.

Rest assured that growth does, indeed, happen from the inside to the outside of you!

God’s blessings upon your journey!

Colorful Trees

Colorful Trees

Colorful Leaves

Colorful Leaves

 

 

 

 

 

Inside vs. Outside

When you are looking for answers or you have questions that need responses, where do you start? That sounds like a silly question, but it is vital to your personal and spiritual growth.

The very beginning of wisdom begins with a personal relationship with your Creator. Every religion in the world begins here for every person.

When I open my eyes  every morning, I say a prayer before my feet ever touch the floor: “Good morning, Lord! Thank you for this blessed day. I know that you will be with me every minute, unfolding my highest good before me. Take my hand, this day, and guide me. Amen!” Then I mentally take my Father’s hand, just like a trusting child, and begin my day. (By the way, if I ever turn loose of His hand during the day through negative emotions, I have to turn loose of them and reach for His hand again, trusting that all will turn out OK.)

You might ask why that is important. My answer? I know I am not alone, ever (that is, unless I choose to cling to negative emotions).

When I am seeking answers, need information, or just confused about some matter, I either write it down or ask the Universe to provide my needed responses. It comes in the form of a magazine article that I just happened to pick up, or someone sends me an email, or I become aware of just what I need to know, or a spiritual teacher comes into my life (in many forms, I might add).

Some religions call this: The Law of Attraction    OR What you think about, you bring about!

The difference between the INSIDE vs. OUTSIDE approach is that countless numbers of people seek answers from those outside, trusting them before one’s own insight is utilized. Many seek the advice of psychic readers, Tarot cards, talking with friends, teachers, preachers, Personal Growth Speakers and Workshops, gurus, Holy Men, Wise Men, Elders, etc. My point is that inside of you, you have a guitar string that resonates to your inner being and its growth. If you receive information from outside of you, give it the guitar string test: If it resonates, your highest good is being blessed.

This probably seems like an outer space idea, at first, if you have never resonated before. My example is that I was in Harper’s Ferry just wondering around on my own for a few minutes. I heard some notes of music coming from a store. I walked in, asked the sales clerk what the music was, she answered, “Danny Wright’s ‘Time Windows.’ ” I walked over to the rack, picked it up, and turned to go to the cash register. A lady stopped me by asking, “Excuse me, but you just walked in, found out what was playing, and now you are buying it. How did you do that? I have been here for two solid hours, listening to these. I still do not know which one to buy. How do you know you will like it?” I responded, “My inner Spirit just began waltzing the second I heard it. I know I will love it for always!” She, of course, looked at me like I was a lunatic. I smiled at her, turned to the cashier, bought it, and walked out. Of course, Danny Wright has many wonderful works out now, but that one was my first experience, and it was not being sold in Colorado for a long time. I still love his music.

If I did not resonate, I could never have done that.

Resonating comes in the form of words as well: Books, Preachers, Teachers, Wise Men, Gurus, etc. All of these are outside sources. My point is that, when I resonate to these words, I am forming a relationship with them, making them my own. They become part of who I am.

People can be seekers, going from a book, to a teacher, to a class, etc., accumulating knowledge all the while, but they never ask: How can I use this? How does this apply to me? What will I change because of this new piece of information? It never becomes part of their being, used, contemplated, and cherished.

It is like three blind men trying to describe an elephant: One has hold of its leg, saying, “It is like a tree trunk!”; one has hold of its tail, saying, “It is like a snake!”‘ one has hold of its trunk, saying, “It is like a rope!” They are all correct from their point of view, but the concept of an elephant has truly eluded them.

Some people accept words of an Authority Figure, which could be anyone that person holds in high regard or who they feel has power over them, and blindly follow whatever they dictate or whoever is interpreting their ideas. There have been many famous and infamous figures throughout history who prove this, including Jesus, the Pope, Dalai Lama, Buddha, Lao Tzu, Confucius, Mohammed,  John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Plato, Plotinus, Aristotle, Hitler, Stalin, David Koresh, Jim Jones of Jonestown, Billy the Kid, Geronimo,  etc. The list is endless. It can be anybody whom one places their trust in or who they feel subservient to. In inner cities where gangs rule, guess who is dictating to others? You know who it is. This idea can be applied to a manipulative Preacher as easily as it can be anyone you put ahead of your good common sense, your Inner Guide, and your resonator. Wars have been fought for thousands of years and continue today because people give up their personal power to someone else.

You might say: “I cannot control the world. All I can do is make decisions for me.” PRECISELY!

You can be a seeker and travel the world, looking for completeness outside of yourself. Lots of luck with that one.

Or you can begin with the personal questions that you need answers to. Write them down. Ask your Creator to teach you what you need to know to understand how to RESONATE to an inner guitar string so you can hear it when it twangs, be it music, words, books, teachers, or friends. Make it your very own music. Create your very own symphony inside of you. This will guide you to the end of your days.

The only question is: Are you willing? God is the Potter, and you are the Clay. In order to change your reality, it must begin inside of you. It is your choices in action.

God’s blessing on your journey!

 

 

 

Harmony Traces In a Relationship

Harmony Traces is an example of a couple who is pulling together, focusing their energies, money, and goals so that synergy occurs, creating the desired end result. It is the quintessence of cooperation.  This happens in less time than it would take two individuals working alone.

Have you ever tried to pull a heavy wagon all by yourself? It doesn’t work too well, does it? If you have two horses trying to pull a load, they are yoked together so the effort expended achieves the goal. That is what Harmony Traces is…pulling together.

For those who are familiar with Charlton Heston in the movie, “Ben Hur,” he is talking to the sheik’s four horses, telling each one of them their strengths. He told the sheik that they were harnessed incorrectly so that they would not hold a turn as they should. He then told him how each one should be placed so that their combined effort would be successful.

Life is a lot like that. However, I have found over the years that there are not many couples out there who are concerned with this. Life itself helps us to pick at our partners, dividing us, creating enmity and hurt feelings. The end result gets lost in the details.

Communication fails so badly that some couples just stop talking to their partners, trying to avoid another confrontation. It is just too painful to endure.

If you are feeling a separation with your important other, you need to ask yourself if you want it to continue. Or…do you want to do something about it?

If you decide to change the situation, there are many counselors, books, communication classes, etc. out there. If you truly want it, you just need to seek it.

Harmony Traces is not something that happens by magic. It is an idea you have to work towards. If there is something you need to discuss with your partner that is unpleasant, you have to start somewhere. Deciding when and where may be a delicate issue. But you begin the conversation, peacefully, calmly, and with a recognition of just how much you care for this person, communicating that first. Respecting others opinions, active listening, and responding appropriately are key here for both of you.

I saw in this one movie with Steve Martin where they had 12 kids between them. During a family meeting, they passed around the talking stick. Only the person with the stick could say something, and the rest had to listen. I have often thought about how valuable this idea is: Simple, easy, and doable. But when emotions get involved, people stop listening, respecting, and communicating. Guess what happens next? You got it: A full-fledged battle is underway. You can rest assured that feelings, memories, and words occur that you cannot take back or change.

Honesty and trust are developed over time. It does not grow like a mushroom, which can blossom overnight. It is more like the oak tree, slow to develop, but the growth is worth any effort in the long run.

All you have to do is to think about the idea of Harmony Traces as a worthwhile goal to strive for. This journey of a thousand miles will begin with this step. Are you willing to take it?

God’s blessings on your journey!

Mushrooms Blossom Quickly

Mushrooms Blossom Quickly

Oak Tree in Autumn - Beautiful to Behold!

Oak Tree in Autumn – Beautiful to Behold!

 

 

What Will Your Lasting Legacy Be?

When we make our transition, all we now own will be passed on to loved ones,  strangers who come to the Estate Sale,  Good Will Stores for things that are donated, or into the trash (for our priorities are no longer  important). Anyone who has had to deal with an Estate or changed circumstances of an aging parent or relative who can no longer stay in their homes knows this as a simple truth.

So I ask you: What will your lasting legacy be?

The answer to that question lies in your priorities. Just take a look at how your day unfolded before you today. Your priorities become plainly, and perhaps painfully, evident.

Do you ask yourself about a situation: Will the outcome of this matter in 5 minutes, or an hour, or 6 months, or a year? Or will it be totally forgotten before dinnertime? Who will remember it?

If your priorities are totally set on the acquisition of material wealth, how much will you be able to enjoy and for how long? At what price? All things come with a price, be it time, loss of companionship time with your mate and families as you work to afford it all, etc. How is your health? Are you stressed out? How is your breathing? (By the way, the first sign of stress is breathing upward from the chest instead of deep belly breathing — which is the beginning curative.)

The Bible states it clearly in Matthew 6:19-21: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

For the sake of discussion, heaven is not some far off place with golden streets – – it takes on the meaning of what you value and your priorities in your daily living. Where is your treasure? Is your heaven inside of you? (Look at Luke 18:21: “Behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”)

Life goes by quickly, sometimes so fast it feels like a commuter train. Do you look back at the last week, month, or year, or wonder where it all disappeared to?

Everything we possess actually possesses us in some way. Vehicles need maintenance, as do houses. If you have a beautiful piece of jewelry, do you wear it proudly? Or does it live its life in a safe deposit box while you wear a paste imitation? Do you have elegant dishes that you actually use, or do they live in the hutch, where they need dusting? Remember, it is all about enjoying it.

You just need to look at your priorities carefully. Are you willing to continue the mad race, or would you rather take your children to the playground or go on a date with your important other? Time is one thing you can never spend twice. It can never be regained once spent.

Your choices are quintessential to the situation. Are you willing to examine them carefully on a daily basis so that you can, indeed, leave a legacy you can be proud of?

God’s blessings on your journey!

 

Are You A Human DOING Or Human BEING?

One good question: Do you consider yourself to be a HUMAN DOING or a HUMAN BEING?

A second question: Do you think you are a HUMAN BEING HAVING A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE?

Or are you a SPIRITUAL BEING HAVING A HUMAN EXPERIENCE?

What is the difference you might ask?

It is a matter of FOCUS, PRIORITIES, and how you actually spend your time each day.

We can have the most grand idea as we begin our day of who we are and what we plan to do, say our Prayers, Meditate maybe, and then get underway. Then the daily wear and tear (known as vicissitudes) begin. You make your to-do-lists and begin your day. The rest of the day passes as though it had wings. You look back on your day and wonder where it disappeared to. Things on your to-do-list are probably still sitting there, or it is partially done. You have to wonder: What happened?

Answer:  LIFE

One element here is the lack of FOCUS. There are so many distractions in our everyday world that it is a wonder we can get anything done. Noise levels can be astronomical. Quiet and stillness are rare. There are pressing priorities at every turn — everything from changing the baby’s diaper, to answering the phone, to dropping the kids off at school (and they are still half-dressed and dawdling), to getting ready for work, to a boss that changed his mind and added more work with tight deadlines on top of an already full load, etc.

How can one stay centered and calm in the face of the flurry of it all? Some say to get up at least five minutes earlier so you can have some quiet time where you can pray, meditate, do yoga or Thai Chi, read your Bible or Religious Instruction, or whatever you like, including a quiet cup of coffee on the back deck contemplating nature, birds, etc. God is there. But you must seek Him first in order to achieve that moment of rest that you will need to carry you through your daily activities.

In the Bible, Matthew 6:5-13, it states in v.6: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” It then goes into the Lord’s Prayer, which we are instructed to pray daily. I have wondered about that for years, but I have come to know that the whole story is to quiet the outer so that we can emphasize the innermost parts of us,  finding solace for our weary hearts and minds.

Another element that leads to Peacefulness of Spirit is Meekness. In the Bible in Psalms 37:11, it states: “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Again, in Matthew 5:5, it states: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” George Lamsa’s explanation is as follows: “It refers to the type of man who does not retaliate and who is free from that grasping temper which leads to disputes and quarrels…Such men believe in nonresistance…” The true meaning of meekness is the ability to bend with the wind or being teachable. This is far from the traditional meaning of becoming a rug so others can wipe their feet on you. Say “Nay!” to that! It is more like a river flowing around the rocks and obstructions in its way. This is the attitude essential to remaining quiet, calm, and peaceful in the face of adversity.

It all comes down to what you think in your head versus how you react to what is going on around you. Are the kids fighting again? Is the husband or wife unhappy about some inconsequential detail (which is not important to you at all)? How are your stress levels — probably through the roof? Is a loved one ill? Is there too much month left and not enough money? Did someone cut you off in traffic and almost cause you to have an accident? Are your allergies causing you discomfort?

The world has a way of impinging on our presence of mind in a million different ways, both large and small. The only way to make a change in it is to alter yourself and how you are thinking and responding. The outside circumstances do not care a lick about how miserable you are.

So I ask you again:

Do you consider yourself to be a HUMAN DOING or a HUMAN BEING?

Do you think you are a HUMAN BEING HAVING A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE?

Or are you a SPIRITUAL BEING HAVING A HUMAN EXPERIENCE?

The difference lies at the center of you. Are you willing to be driven by external circumstances forever, or are you willing to do whatever it takes to put your hands on the wheel  and take command of your ship? It is all up to you as to where and how it sails.

Saying a few words in prayer in the morning is not enough to keep your hands on the helm and in control of your destiny. You have to do something differently in order to achieve some level of calmness in the heart of you, no matter how hard the external winds  are blowing — and they can get pretty strong. Where is your attention focused? It is your priority system that got you where you are today. Are you happy with that? If not, are you willing to look for another answer? Take the personal time for yourself, whatever amount that is, so you can quiet the storm, seek guidance, and proceed with a knowing that all is OK, regardless of the circumstances. Take the step you see, and proceed as best you can.

Are you willing to give it a try? It is, after all, your journey.

God’s blessings upon you!

Tree Showing Weathering by Wind & Elements

Tree Showing Weathering by Wind & Elements

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret in Flight

Be Careful What You Pray For

Years ago, I was economically challenged, or as some people would say, “Poor as church mice.”

I was pumping gas into my car, and forgot to replace my gas cap as I drove off. I realized it after a few hours. Of course, I went back to the gas station, with negative results as my gas cap was gone.

Well, I prayed, “Lord, you know I don’t have much money. Please help me find a gas cap.”

Please note, I did not specify anything, including whether it would fit or not, work or not.

As the day progressed, I found four gas caps, all crushed beyond recognition.

After the fourth one, I prayed as I laughed, “Lord, help me find a gas cap that will work.”

I was prompted to go to K-Mart, where I did, indeed, find a gas cap that fit my car for only $3.57, which I could afford.

My gas cap story has always reminded me that I need to be more careful with my words as I pray.

It can be open-ended, but you need to be aware that feelings also pray.

One example is a girlfriend of mine who prayed for a relationship, ending up with a not-so-desirable man in the local area and another guy in California who was long distance  and a perfect match. So if you pray one way but actually feel like Dr. Dolittle’s Pushmi-Pullyu, you will get mixed results, much to your chagrin. Word to the wise, make certain that your feelings support your prayers.

Another example is praying for more money to come in, yet feeling anxious because it is not happening. Since the feelings drive the engine of your prayers, guess what you get? More need multiplied by the lack feelings that creates a loop, with more angst, etc.

I liken prayers and feelings to a loaded gun: Be careful where you point it.

If you are getting mixed results, examine your words and your feelings: Are they supporting one another, or not?

If not, oooooooops! Not a good thing.

You have to be willing to examine yourself carefully in these situations. Are you?

God’s Blessing upon your journey!

Eeyore, Tigger, or Pooh?

Yes, it is life lessons taught by Eeyore, Tigger, and Pooh. You see, it is all a matter of choices, ones that we exercise every day, every minute that we live. We choose how we react to each incident in every day.

Eeyore is depressed. Let’s face it. No matter what happens, he chooses the negative perspective. Things go downhill from there.

Tigger, on the other hand, is the ultimate optimist. He is full of life and yes, bounce. He is like a freshly-opened bottle of champagne. He approaches it all from a cup-overflowing attitude, ready to enthusiastically go forward, no matter where it leads him. He is not guilty of thinking too much or planning ahead. That sometimes gets him into bad situations.

Pooh is a true example of balanced living. When he is hungry, he hunts up his honey jar and eats till he is full. He thinks about things, but not overmuch. He is just where he is. He is actually living in the NOW.

These are characters from the children’s stories of Winnie the Pooh. Yet you will meet them in some form every day of your life. Perhaps one of them is you. You just get to choose which one.

I like to think that I am Pooh with a pinch of Tigger: That is, choosing balanced living in the NOW, but with great enthusiasm. I am definitely a glass hall-full kind of gal. Yes, I have lived through my Eeyore times, including the missing tail incident, feeling a sense of loss about people and things that were not part of my existence any more. I am certainly familiar with Tigger, just bouncing into life without regard to consequences. As I have aged, I now choose to be Pooh/pinch of Tigger, which is the best of all.

How about you? Which character type are you at present, and which would you most like to become? It is your choice with every incident that occurs to you daily. Are you willing to make a different choice?

God’s blessings upon your journey!

 

Dealing With Sickness

Sometimes, out of the middle of nowhere, a health issue pops up. Sometimes it is serious, sometimes not. But whether it is serious or not, it always messes with your mind, attitudes, and emotions. How do you get through it?

It is not an issue of wimping out, having a pity party, or giving up. As long as you are alive, you have to deal with it. How you do that is up to you and nobody else. What does your mind say? What attitudes do you choose to encourage? What emotions do you endure?

Common attitudes vary from looking on the bright side, taking your courage in hand, and do what you have to do to get better, whatever that consists of…be it physical therapy – doing it with a good effort, knowing that what you put in will determine how well it works – take your prescribed medication as you should – change of diet, either temporarily or permanently – asking for help when needed, even if you are independent-minded and do not want to ask – make a list of questions for your physicians – listening to their answers – in short: Doing whatever it takes to achieve your goal of improving and getting better.

Looking on the other side of attitudes, you see an unwillingness to go through the pain of it all, be it exercises from physical therapists,  uncomfortable tests for evaluation, unwillingness to trust your physicians or their advice, inability to cope with it all so you withdraw and do nothing (which is an option, though not a very wise one), just hoping that somebody out there has a magic pill to make it all go away.

So far, I have not found any magic pills. Have you?

I cannot wave a magic wand and make the problems disappear, never to return.

The emotions you deal with can exacerbate an already tough situation, as can your brain. Fear immobilizes – always! Anger is debilitating. (Yes, anger is a component, more than we like to admit.) It can even be a generic anger that this has happened to you.  It is all inside of you, bubbling away like a witch’s brew.

Knowing the cause – be it an accident, exposure to a sickness, or just a problem with your body – rarely helps.

Somehow, you need to find a way that works for you personally. You must seek help to resolve the thoughts, emotions, and attitudes. Books can aid you. Counseling can, too. Venting with a good friend can come to your assistance. Prayers for me are a vital part of it all, requesting them from caring family and friends I know.

When it is a loved one who is ill, it becomes a lot more complicated. Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness come unbidden as you watch them suffer. You might be able to paste on that smile while you are in their presence, trying to help where you can, but when you are alone, it can fill your heart with angst and fear. You are not in control of anything. That is when you have to do the same thing as listed above: Get yourself under control. You cannot be of assistance to anybody if you don’t calm yourself first.

I know dear people who are caught in the horns of this dilemma. Denial causes inappropriate reactions, delaying resolution – sometimes permanently – as the condition continues to deteriorate.

It has been said: “The way out is the way through!”

I believe this from the very bottom of my heart. There is no avoiding it. You just have to ask yourself: How am I going to respond to this situation? Examine your thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and emotions. They are as important as the symptoms of the illness. You are a whole person, not just an arm, leg, heart, head, or other body part.

With that in mind, perhaps you could start by making a list of them. Then you can look for ways to resolve each one. There is no evading this issue, so deal with it.

The question is: Are you willing? Do you want to look for a resolution? It is within your purview to do it – and you are the only one who can. The problem is well defined. Now look for the answer.

God’s blessings on your journey!

 

 

 

Nothing is Forever

In Latin, it is expressed “Infinitum Nihil:” Nothing is Forever.

A powerful sheik ordered his wise men to give him a saying to be carved into his signet ring that covers all the events of his life, good and bad…upon pain of death, I might add. The saying they came up with? “This, too, shall pass!

Change is the order of the day.

My personal favorite is Ecclesiastes 3:1, which states: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Actually, it goes on through verse 8, stating that there really is a time for all things. As I age, I find this to be true in so many ways.   This is true for the good things in our lives, as well as the bad stuff. It comforts me endlessly to know that, just like a seed in the ground breaks its hull to send up a shoot through the earth to the sunlight, becoming a plant, then a bud, a blossom, a seed of new life, and then withers away, only to be replaced in its time by new plants. Some days I would like to hang onto some occurrence forever. Other days I wish it would pass quickly and take its garbage with it. That is life on this planet, which is the third rock from the sun. Sometimes things happen because we are human, living among humans who have frailties and make mistakes. We have to learn how to survive it all and not let it crush our spirits. We have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start all over again. And yes, that is a song. But it is also true.

Each of us has an inner strength to be able to do that, day in and day out. Some days, we might want to throw in the towel and call it good. But life never gives us that chance.

How do we go on? Step by step. We take the step we see, which gives us the vision of another step to take. We do what we can, and keep looking for more information to help us on our way. Just the seeking is enough to create a Synergy for Change, drawing to us that which we need, when we need it.  It has been said that, “From a different height, you get a different view.” That means that Life is like climbing a ladder. We put our foot on the step we can reach, go up, and suddenly another step manifests itself.

Just like Lao Tzu’s: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” you just have to be willing to take the one step you see. Are you willing? Take courage, and begin it!

God’s blessings on your journey!

Colorado Columbines

Colorado Columbines

Peony in Full Blossom

Peony in Full Blossom

 

 

 

 

Lower Your Blood Pressure – SA TA NA MA

Do you get “White Coat Fever” every time you go to see the doctor, a hospital, or  a Dentist Office? Or perhaps before you go into an important meeting? Or maybe before your first date with someone new? There are lots of instances out there which actually cause a raise in your blood pressure, even if your are perfectly normal most of the time.

Is it possible to do a simple movement with your hands to Lower Your  Blood Pressure?

The answer is YES!

It is a hand mudra which is used in yoga. Some get very fancy with it, but here is a simple way to do it:

Sit with a straight spine and close your eyes. Breathe in deeply, and as you slowly let your breath out, you say the words, either out loud or silently to yourself: SA TA NA MA as you alternately press the thumb against all four fingers individually of both hands, starting with using the thumb to press the first finger: Say SA (soft a sound); the TA as you use your thumb to press the middle finger; The NA as you press the ring finger; and MA as you press the little finger. You are always moving from the first finger towards the little finger as you say the sounds…never in reverse order.

There are meditations out there suggesting that you can do this for 11 minutes, sitting quietly, or 31 minutes. Personally, I feel that whatever you can do will benefit you, calm you down, and lower your Blood Pressure.

It does not need to be a religious act or complicated. You can keep it simple and benefit from it. If, however, you want the philosophy, more information, or total picture of it, all you have to do is key in the words: SA TA NA MA into your search engine. It has a potential to be a powerful thing to do if you want to go down that path.

It can help you to make changes in your life, if you choose. It can even assist you to relax before you go to sleep and let go of the problems/issues/emotions of your day.

If you choose to do this, you can do it subtly no matter where you are. Are you willing to give it a try? It could benefit you whenever you need to Lower Your Blood Pressure for any reason so you can take life a little easier.

God’s blessings upon your journey!