Keep Your Resolutions on Track with a Healthy Spirit!

2013 is here and many of us have taken the wellness challenge whether it is to lose weight, reduce blood pressure or body fat or just tone up what gravity has slowly pulled down.  The fitness centers and gyms are over crowded, but how long will it last?  How long can YOU stay focused?  Can you take it into February or even June? 

The options are endless from prepackaged foods to gizmos and gadgets, but we need to think about what never changes...our spirit! Perhaps a healthy spirit is the answer to a life of wellness, not to mention happiness. 

Yes, I am a believer in CPTG essential oils, but they go so much farther than assisting our physical needs. We can use them three ways: topically, internally and aromatically.  I love exploring the senses especially with aromas that take us on journeys into our own hearts and minds.  Many of us are too busy to allow our minds to slow down so often we need a little assistance from our nose to stimulate the brain (limbic system) to control emotions and retrieve memories.    This causes chemicals to be released which make the person feel relaxed, calm, or even stimulated. 

Essential oils, phytoncides and other natural volatile organic compounds (VOCs) work differently. When targeting our sense of smell they activate the limbic system and emotional centers of the brain. When applied topically (onto the skin) they activate thermal receptors and destroy microbes and fungi. Internal application may stimulate the immune system (generally in prescribed form).

Once we have calmed the body and mind we can focus on our breath and allow ourselves the peace and tranquility that only comes through meditation.   Think of the Om symbol where the three lines of the "m" represent the awake state, the dream state and the sleep state.  The line above (like a crescent moon) is the blockage that prevents us from achieving our potential ultimate consciousness or awareness (the dot).

So, if you cannot get to this "place" on your own why not try a CPTG (certified pure therapeutic grade) essential oil from doTERRA to help you along your journey.  Only then can you move onto the rest of your life and body to bring total wellness full circle.  Try these obvious steps:
1.  Full Your Energy: get enough sleep, exercise and proper nutrition.
2.  Choose Goals Wisely: don't over commit.
3.  Be Specific (in your goals/resolutions): numbers are easy to follow.
4.  Start Small:  don't set yourself up for failure.
5.  Make a Plan: put it on a calendar and track your goal(s).
6.  Rewards: celebrate your successes!
7.  Be Accountable: share with someone and let them help you stay on task.
8.  Remove Temptation: but allow yourself a little wiggle room.
9.  Visualize it: make a dream board, post images, motivate yourself with inspirational quotes!
10.  Believe you can change: creating neural pathways to the brain can lead to change in habits!

If you would like to explore meditation through yoga as your solitary goal for 2013 or to compliment your current fitness program please contact me for a private appointment to begin your journey.  www.bhaktiwellness.com

Namaste ~ MJ

Beautiful Prayer for the Children of Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook Elementary School

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
When 20 beautiful children stormed through Heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy; they didn't know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven" declared a small boy. "We're spending Christmas at God's house".
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
But Jesus, their Savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only Heaven can bring
Those children all flew into the arms of their King.
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of Mom and Dad."
Then He looked down on Earth, at the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!
May this country be delivered from the hands of fools
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools! "
Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"Come now my children let me show you around. "
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

~ Author unknown 

Advent: A Time for New Beginnings

Advent is the opportunity to begin again.  As we prepare for a very holy event we prepare our minds and hearts to be renewed no matter what our beliefs.  We can change our attitudes and/or behaviors and at the same time, get rid of baggage (both emotional and physical).  We can make new friends and repair relationships with old ones. We can look to the New Year with hope and let our faith provide the underlying strength!
The holiday or Advent season can be somber for many, but we must recognize that fear and isolation are weapons Satan uses to try to destroy human community, and we must fight back! We cannot allow him to wipe out the hope and optimism left in our hearts.We can find strength from Isaiah 40:1-5 where he speaks of comfort not fear.There is peace in finality yet the journey can also be laden with love and comfort.  We must not let our enemies control us nor tempt us into sin and negativity.  This is the time to wash our hands clean of evil, narcissism, hypocrisy, and malice. 
Advent literally means "arrival".  The month is swiftly passing by and we need to take constant measures to enjoy the fruits of this beautiful season.  We miss this essence if we do not become mindful of our hearts and the gift that is offered on December 25.  Divinity is coming into our midst.  It is not a coming of just the past, but a recurring possibility of a future of peace.  Advent, according to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, might be compared to a prison cell "in which one waits and hopes and does various unessential things...but is completely dependant on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside." It is a fitting metaphor.  But dependency does not release us from responsibility.  If the essence of Advent is expectancy, it is also readiness for action: watchfulness for every opening, and willingness to risk everything for freedom and a new beginning.
I choose this new beginning.  What do you choose?
Many blessings to you and your family this Advent season.  Let us become humble enough to recognize the gift set before us. 

30 Days of Gratitude

As we move into a season of cool weather and special holidays perhaps we can take a moment each day to reflect on our abundance and the precious gifts we have been given.  With poverty, hardship and even the natural disasters that touch us each day we cannot ignore even the smallest blessings.  Challenge your children and coworkers to do the same.  Be a catalyst not for change, but for insight and wisdom.  For this wisdom will come to bring understanding.  With this understanding, we will find peace and infinite love.

 

gratitude: \ˈgra-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\

 : the state of being grateful : thankfulness

Consider these questions as you reflect each day:

• How many TV's do you have? How often to you throw out electronics for something new?
• Do you have a running vehicle?  Do you have more than one?
• Is your food pantry full?  How much food do you throw away each day? When is the last time you donated food?
• How many coats do you have?  Is your closet full?
• When is the last time you gazed up at the roof over your head each night?  
• Do you run the water when you brush your teeth?  Do you ever look at the clarity of the water that comes out of your faucet?
• How many times a week do you buy coffee?
• How many times a week do you eat out?
• How many blankets do you have in your residence?  
• Do you have access to medical care?

After pondering these questions, perhaps your pen will flow with great ease.  And perhaps your list will continue past 30 days...

May we humbly pray for continued peace, health, happiness and prosperity for all mankind. 

Namaste ~ MJ

Salutations for the Full Hunter's Moon ~ October 2012

October is the month of the Full Hunter's Moon (September 2012 was the Harvest Moon).
This was the time to hunt in preparation for winter. This full Moon is also called the Travel Moon and the Dying Grass Moon.
Moon Salutations offset the common and powerful Sun Salutations. During a full moon, the lunar energy is most strong, but the benefits from Moon Salutations can be felt at any point in the cycle. The sacral chakra, Swadhisthana, is balanced through this series of asanas as the feminine side of our energy or yin is honored. In Sun Salutations, the masculine side of our energy, or yang, is honored. Moon Salutations are good for either sex, however, as we need that balance of both sides of energy.
October 29 the moon will be most full. Let the lunar energy fill you with peace and calm. The moon is cooling and luminous and these Salutations work to celebrate and promote all the magical gifts that the moon has to give.

Enjoy moon salutations to mirror this energy, calm the mind, relax the body, promote healing, feel empowered, uncover wisdom and creativity and grow in peace and balance.

 These are the asanas for the Yoga Moon Salutation:
Prayer Pose - palms together overhead
Crescent Moon Pose - arching to the left
Goddess Pose - squat, arms at sides in an L-shape, palms forward
Transition Pose - star pose, the body is like a 5-pointed star
Triangle Pose - extending to the left, right arm up Head to knee - left leg Lunge to the left
Forward Facing Lunge - right leg extended
Squat Pose - Malasana, hands in prayer position
Forward Facing Lunge - left leg extended
Lunge to the right
Head to Knee - right leg
Triangle Pose - extending to the right, left arm up
Transition Pose - star pose
Goddess Pose
Crescent Moon Pose - arching to the right
Return to Prayer Pose - palms together overhead.

Moon Facts & Folklore

• The crescent Moon hovers to the right of Venus on the 12th
• On Halloween, the Moon's in its spooky football-shape gibbous phase, floating above Jupiter.
• Corn planted under a waning Moon grows slower but yields larger ears.
• Babies born a day after the full Moon enjoy success and endurance.
• A new Moon in your dreams promises increased wealth or a happy marriage.

Cruel and Unusual Punishment: Falling on Grace

               There comes a time in life that you begin to see things differently, and this new insight is not always considered an attribute.  Consider it as a form of enlightenment from the vast experiences you have acquired throughout the years.  Our journey often takes different paths, unexpected paths, and it is this acquired insight that allows us to manage each new experience with more ease and Grace than before.

                It brings a heavy heart to mind, however, to use this new found grace when the path becomes dark and cold once again.  Somehow the pain and affliction build upon each other at the same moment and any hope for a life of light seems distant and almost obsolete.  Everywhere you turn negative energy and karma are directing spears of ice at your innermost being (the spirit of your beautiful beating heart) chiseling away at the surface, while slowing eroding your protective barrier. 

                How can those who you have loved most suddenly turn into harsh, bitter souls with vengeance as the only path left in their core?  Where they wronged so profoundly that they cannot see beyond hope? Or perhaps the present reality and the option of admitting fault is a burden just too large to carry?  Is loving another so cumbersome that choosing an anxiety laden life and regression to infantile actions  more appealing? Love cannot be turned on and off like a switch.  It evolved through positive actions and words forming a foundation to share throughout time.  If it truly ever existed it cannot be abandoned nor forgotten. 

                Falling on Grace  is the only solution that deems worthy in any circumstance, especially paths of cruel and unusual punishment.  The role of the servant and practicing submission is an arduous role, but one that proves rewarding at the end (I keep telling myself).  As we reflect on the past and the myriad of poor choices made is it possible to consider present day challenges as continued punishment? Absolutely not!  This is when you come back to Grace and understand in our hearts that if we are truly remorseful we can justly walk on paths of peace.  The speed bumps along the way are merely reminders that all energy is being attracted and repelled at the same time and it is our choice to choose love, gratitude and humility vs. vengeance, deceit and pain.

                A life without love is not the intention of this earthly world.  With this in mind, do we actively seek this love out or allow it to gently fill our lives in divine timing?  How long do we live without this innate quality, this love?  To watch selfishness vs. selflessness is heartbreaking and often a lonely road for many.  Where do we find strength to walk our walk of Grace each day when those that mean the most are on a self destructing path?  We can walk with open hearts through prayer. 

                Solace can come through formal prayers, breath prayers, and in the comfort of nature.  Let the soothing sound of the leaves gently falling bring peace as they drift through the branches onto the crisp, frosty grass only to be met by the glistening sun.  Allow the bursts of color warm your heart and bring a sense of comfort as thoughts of this new path of darkness attempt to taint your soul.  What lies ahead is unforetold, but the power of Grace will take you past the pain and into a sea of light.     

                      

Reality or Fantasy?

Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot,

Who calls you back when you hang up on him,

Who will stay awake just to watch you sleep.

Wait for the guy who kisses your forehead,

Who wants to show you off to the world when you are in your sweats,

Who holds your hand in front of his friends.

Wait for the one who is constantly reminding you of

How much he cares about you and lucky he is to have you.

Wait for the one who turns to his friends and says, “…that’s her.”