Nanci

I used to be the most horrible morning person, to the point where my oldest brother would avoid me in the morning cause I was so grumpy. And then I grew up. After moving abroad to Europe at the age of 18 and having to be up ready for work by 8:00 a.m. it was time to make a change and since that change, I love mornings.

It is important to give yourself time in the morning – to wake up slowly and listen to your body and mind. Try not to rush breakfast, your bathroom visit or forget to kiss your dog goodbye.

Most people follow some sort of routine in the morning, and if it works for you excellent. I ask of you to try my helpful tips to maximize your morning to nourish your body, mind and spirit and create a positive energy to start your day.

1. Make that first thought a positive one

I read an article on Elephant Journal about how the first thought that comes across your mind in the morning sets your day. So spare one minute and tell yourself that it’s going to be a good day and you are thankful for this day. We are strongest in the morning – keep it that way.

2. Warm lemon water

So simple and so beneficial. I could list a dozen reasons why this decade long practice works wonders for the body. Let this be the first fluid that enters your body (following teeth grooming). Lemon water flushes out toxins that have built up in the body. Lemon is an excellent source of Vitamin C, an essential nutrient that protects the body against immune system deficiences. Most importantly, having warm lemon water in the morning aids digestion and encourages the production of bile, a key factor in breaking down food throughout the day. Who knew lemons were so sweet.

3. Don’t rush your bathroom break

They say the most important meal of the day is breakfast, truth, but what you don’t hear often is the most important bowel movement of the day is the first. Giving yourself an extra 5-10 minutes to relax through this lovely process is extremely important! Do not rush! If you do not take a load off, your stool will have to wait for when you relax and can start to ferment and create toxins which are then absorbed by the mucus membrance and enter the bloodstream. Can we say no thank you? Take the time.

4. Eat breakfast!

Your awake, it’s morning time, time to get going. The same goes for your metabolism! If you skip this crucial meal, imagine how sluggish your GI tract becomes with no fuel = slow digestion and assimilation. Studies have proven over and over again that eating breakfast sparks your metabolism, giving you fuel to run the day, you become more alert and actually promote weight loss. Now – what you eat for breakfast is extremely important too. Having steel cut oats or quinoa with berries and raw-honey sprinkled with ground flax, hemp hearts and cinnamon is my go-to. Steel cut oats are slow-releasing carbs, giving you longer sustained energy and keep you more full for longer. Try a poached egg on toast with avocado, chia-seed pudding or a smoothie! Starting even with an apple works wonders.

5. Say ‘I love you’

Just say it, out loud. The most profound notion there is, love. Whisper it to your loved one, your dog, your fish, the breakfast you just ate, or yourself. We are all love. Regardless of what happened the night before, or what you may be going through, know you are loved and tell the one you love how much they mean to you.

Cheerful, calm, nutritious and grateful mornings are what it’s all about. We could all use a little more time to ourselves to appreciate this beautiful life we were given. Try these practices and see how they can change your day. Feel the full effects and embrace the serenity.

Wellness Wednesday Wisdom from Breathe in Life’s guide Meghan Trompetter

Photo by Mystic Mamma

Would you like to have a stronger connection to spirit, more positive thoughts, better emotional states and improved physical health? If so, then you need to raise your vibration.

Your ‘vibration’ is a fancy way of describing your overall state of being. Everything in the universe is made up of energy vibrating at different frequencies. Even things that look solid are made up of vibrational energy fields at the quantum level. This includes you.

Indeed. From a metaphysical perspective, you’re a ‘being’ composed of several different levels of energy: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Each of these levels have a vibrational frequency, which combine to create your overall vibration of being.

When it comes to vibrations, there are higher frequencies and lower frequencies. This is true for vibrations of being too. Lower vibrations of being are associated with disempowering thoughts, negative emotions, poor health and little or no spiritual awareness. A human being of an extremely low vibration would be someone like Hitler. Higher vibrations of being, on the other hand, are associated with empowering thoughts, positive emotions, good health and strong spiritual awareness. A human being of an extremely high vibration would be someone like the Dalai Lama.

What’s more, is that like attracts like. The lower your vibration of being is, the more likely you are to attract circumstances to you that mirror this. Frustrating situations…  difficult people… that sort of thing.

So what you want to do then, is raise your vibration. You’ll then start to attract more positive experiences, enjoy better health, experience more positive emotional states, think nicer thoughts and obtain a stronger sense of spiritual connection. This will all have a positive knock-on effect and it’s up the awakening ladder you go.

So, how do you raise your vibration? It all sounds well and good in theory, but how do we do it in practice? There are a multitude of ways and if you’re on the path of awakening and transformation, you’ll inevitably find the most effective methods for you. In the meantime, I’ve created a list of some of the things that work for me. Try them out for yourself, adapt them to suit your own needs and repeat over time. Happy awakening!

1. Find an exercise you enjoy and slot it into your everyday routine so it’s easy for you to do.

Exercise keeps you fit and toned and the movement gets chi circulating around your body. It also helps you to ground and gives you an opportunity to clear mind chatter. You don’t have to visit the gym five nights a week or train like an Olympic athlete, just find a physical activity you enjoy and build it into your routine in doable, repeatable ways.

2. Meditate.

Meditation helps you become more conscious of your thoughts, which in turn helps you to break bad habits. It also creates space for inspiration and spiritual awareness to come through. Again, you don’t have to meditate like a yogi or a Zen monk, simply set aside five minutes (the length of a TV ad break) each day, sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and practice resting in the space between your thoughts.

3. Be aware of what you watch, listen to and read.

Every form of media has a vibration. Does what you watch, listen to and read dramatise or glamorise a lower vibrational way of life? How does it make you feel whilst you’re engaging with it? What kind of an impression does it give of human beings and the world we live in? Include more higher vibrational forms of media in your life with inspirational, educational or transformational messages. Remember that everything is energy, so be mindful of the frequencies you’re submerging yourself in.

4. Drink lots of water.

Water is a form of energetic life force. Drinking plenty of it throughout the day (filtered, preferably) will help your body flush out toxins and keep your energy levels and vibration nice and high.

5. Spend some time in nature every day.

It’s easy to get caught up in today’s world of information and forget the natural world. Whether it’s a bush walk, a stroll along the beach or a quick half hour walk through the local park on your way home, getting out into nature each day will help you clear your mind, ground, become more present and remember you are part of a beautiful, living, interconnected planet.

6. Eat fresh, healthy, wholesome food.

Along with containing nutrients, food has an energetic vibration to it. Choosing healthy, fresh, whole foods over processed, frozen, stored or chemically altered will help you raise your vibration. If you can’t afford organic, at least buy free range. Swap junk food snacks for healthier alternatives. Always read the labels and know what you’re putting into your body.

7. Get some form of energy healing and re-balancing every couple of months.

Reiki and shiatsu are both great modalities for healing, rebalancing and promoting vibrational change in your life. Find a good practitioner and commit to going every couple of months. You’ll always feel better afterwards and be glad you did.

8. Take at least one step towards your soul’s task every day.

Even if you just get some ideas down or do some planning. Working towards your soul’s task each day will help you feel happier, more fulfilled and content that you’re doing what you came here for. If you don’t know what your soul’s task is or want some direction and structure, find a good coach who can help you.

9. Create a higher vibrational home or sanctuary-like space for yourself.

It’s important to have a space where you can be peaceful and creative. If you live with others and can’t change the whole house, just focus on making one room your higher vibrational hangout. Buy some salt lamps, candles, plants or crystals and decorate your space so it feels peaceful, inspirational and supportive. You might even like to create an altar area that serves as a focal point for your spiritual awakening. Put some meaningful objects on it and light a candle now and then, setting an intention for what you want to create next upon your path.

10. Set goals and consciously plan your week ahead.

Take half an hour each week to consciously plan your week ahead. Set an overall intention and specific goals for each area of your life. Visualize yourself achieving your most important goals and play the images through your mind like a film. Then, break each goal down into doable steps and put the steps in your diary. Make sure you’re making the most of your life and doing the things that matter to you.

11. Actively develop your spiritual awareness.

Whether its learning how to communicate with your spirit guides, joining a spiritual development circle or simply taking time to reflect on the spiritual dimension more often, developing your spiritual awareness will remind you that you’re connected to an all-encompassing force and that there’s a much bigger reason as to why we’re all here.

12. Heal and let go of the past.

Most people go their whole lives without ever clearing out the cobwebs and as a consequence prevent themselves from living a happy and fulfilled life. If you feel you might have unresolved emotional patterns or negative belief systems from your past, find a good practitioner who can help you work through them over a number of sessions.

13. Practice forgiveness and compassion.

Before forgiving someone, make sure you’ve re-established any boundaries that were crossed and communicated this to them. Sometimes we also need to allow time and space before we’re ready to forgive someone. You don’t ever have to allow people back into your life that you don’t want in it, but by remembering that everyone is only acting from their current vibration, you can find a way to let go of resentments or anger you might be carrying towards others.

14. Don’t blame your circumstances for your vibrational shortcomings.

Sure, a home and job that supports and encourages a higher vibrational way of life is always preferable, but for a lot of people this just isn’t possible. You must therefore take full responsibility for your awakening and transformation in the face of lower vibrational energies and triggers, and put strategies in place that support you. If you can’t do this, what hope does the world have?

15. Remember that it’s all about balance.

You don’t have to turn vegan, give up alcohol or get dreadlocks to live a more higher vibrational way of life. Just take doable, regular steps and apply the 80/20 rule.

16. Keep going!

Transformation is a gradual process with a few intense shifts along the way. It’s inevitable there will be times when you slip back into your old ways and feel like you’re going two steps forwards and one step back. Go easy on yourself during these times, get the learnings, refocus and get back on your way again. Whether it’s in this lifetime or the next, you’ll get there eventually, and in the end it’s really about the journey anyway.

About the Author

Cassandra Sturdy is Conscious Living Editor for Conscious Life News. She is the author of The Twelve Attunements, an exciting new spiritual fantasy novel that explores spiritual awakening and the global shift in consciousness in a fun and playful way… open your third eye and raise your vibration while you’re being entertained! You can get a FREE copy of this book here and connect with Cassandra on facebook.

Photo by: Russ Seidel

“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration” – Nikola Tesla

We’re all made of energy. We’re interconnected and constantly giving and receiving energy. All energy vibrates at different frequencies. These frequencies resonate with similar frequencies, thus we’re attracting what we emanate. When we choose to beam out positive thoughts, energy, and actions, we also choose to be open to absorb the same. We get what we give. Let this remind us to always live with love, gratitude, and joy.

“All energy vibrates at a certain frequency. Which means you’re vibrating at a certain frequency, and everything you desire and don’t desire, is also vibrating at a certain frequency.” – Jen Sincero

We are all connected to the limitless power of the Universe. The Universe knows what we are putting out there. You’ve probably heard of the idea of karma or the Law of Attraction. Maybe you’ve been told “what goes around, comes around,” or “you reap what you sow.” These are all different ways of expressing the same idea: the Law of Vibration. Remember, vibration attracts like vibration. This means that we must be conscious of the thoughts and feelings that we are transmitting to others as well as what kind of things we’re telling ourselves. We create our own reality.

Think about when you meet someone new and you instantaneously click. You immediately feel a connection. You may not be able to explain it, but you sure can feel it. This is an example of similar frequencies aligning. There’s so much wonder and magic in the Universe and we are capable of experiencing all of it. We have infinite power to create the life we want to live. Don’t limit yourself, manifest your wildest dreams.

Here are a few pointers to start attracting all the beautiful things you need and want into your life. Always remember to put out what you want to get back.

1. Morning Affirmations

When you wake up every morning smile, thank the Universe for another wonderful day, and decide on your affirmation for the day. Recite this affirmation both in your mind and out loud throughout the day. Before you know it you’ll begin to believe it.

Example: “I am happy, I am grateful and I am going to have a great day!”

2. Out with the Old, In with the New

Switch things up and develop a fresh way of thinking. When you start to feel yourself being negative or starting to doubt yourself, stop, breathe, and alter your thought process. Let go of this old way of thinking and begin to form new habits and rituals. There is no better time to start reinventing yourself than right now. We have the opportunity to become the best versions of ourselves in every moment. Let go of the old junk and fill yourself up with all the good energy of the Universe.

3. Believe in Yourself

Have faith that what you want/need will be given to you. Believe that you deserve all the amazing things that you want in life and before you know it, there they will be. It may be hard for us to believe that we can actually manifest our destiny and create the lives we want to live. I promise that it can be done and it doesn’t happen overnight. Good things don’t always come easy in this life. We must first believe and then we can receive.

I believe in you. Namaste.

Written by Zuzu Perkel

Photo Cred: Russ Seidel

Your wellness journey extends far beyond what you consume and how you move your body. Day in and day out we are exposed to hundreds of toxic chemicals that have been linked to many diseases, including cancer. According to the Environmental Defense Canada, before a women heads out the door, she has exposed herself to 126 different chemicals, many of which are toxic.

Yes, that’s terrifying. But how is this possible, isn’t the government regulating all of this? A cosmetic is labeled “safe for human use” by The U.S Food and Drug Administration if upon applying it, the individual didn’t experience a terrible rash. There are no tests done to determine the long-term health effects of the cosmetics we’re using daily.

Women aren’t the only one being exposed to these toxins. Every time a man shaves, he is exposing himself to harmful chemicals. Each baby bathed by her loving mother is exposed to toxins as well.

While the cosmetics are required to list their ingredients, not many people take the time to look at them or know the effects of said ingredients. The companies selling you these cosmetics won’t tell you, but I will. Below are a list of regularly used ingredients and their suspected

1. Parabens

Parabens are absorbed through the skin, blood, and the digestive track. They’re used to inhibit the growth of bacteria and have been found in biopsies from breast tumors. You can find parabens hiding in your shampoo, conditioner, lotions, and facial and shower cleansers. They are known to disrupt endocrine function, which examples the strong link between parabens and breast cancers. Parabens mimic estrogen by binding to estrogen receptor cells.

You can learn more through this link.

2. Phthalates

One billion tons of phthalates are produced worldwide. They’re food in fragranced lotions, body washes, hair care products and nail polish. On the label you’ll see them as phyhalate, DEP, DBP and fragrance. Phthalates are known endocrine disrupters, or harm reproductive functioning.

You can learn more through this link.

3. Ethanolamine Compounds (Mea, Dea, Tea And Others)

Ethanolamines are found in cosmetics, personal care products and household cleaning products. They have been linked to liver tumors. Ethanolamine is banned from cosmetics in Europe. NDEA, a type of Ethanolamine is a known carcinogen linking this substance to cancer.

You can learn more through this link.

4. Lead and Other Heavy Metals

Lead, arsenic, mercury, aluminum, and iron are found in a wide variety of personal care products. You can find them in your lipstick, whitening toothpaste, eyeliner and nail polish. Heavy metals have been linked to reproductive, immune and nervous system issues. While some metals such as iron play an important role in your body, metals such as lead and mercury do not.

You can learn more through this link.

You can learn about more of the toxic chemicals through this link. And you can find a list of companies that do not use these toxic chemicals by following this link.

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The purpose of this article is not to scare you from never leaving your house. Rather, I want it to encourage you to be mindful of the products you purchase.

Luckily for us, it is becoming more and more common to find products that do not contain these ingredients. The market is being flooded with natural alternatives, some excellent and some not so much. Thankfully, there are amazing resources that help you determine which natural product is truly natural, and which are not. This is a great resource to find out which “organic companies” are not all that they claim to be.

The same site also highlights truly organic companies that actually have their customer’s best interest in mind! You can visit it through this link!

I have also complied a list of the natural products I use and love! You can learn more through here!

This post wouldn’t have been possible without Gillian Deacon’s book “There’s Lead In Your Lipstick” It is a MUST read! Not only is it extremely informative, it’s well written and an easy read!

-Written by Sophie Gray, RHN Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Personal Trainer. Follow her journey about health and happiness on instagram: @wayofgray

Meet Sarah Zandbeek! Sarah is a dynamic and innovative Yoga facilitator, she watches the bodies in the room and nature around her and from these elements designs classes on the fly, so in the present moment what is needed is met. She uses her vast knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine and 7 years of embodied yoga practice and facilitation as her canvas to which she creates upon. Sarah has hosted many workshops based on a variety of topics from arm balances, learning to fly, cleansing, back bending, blind folded yoga, sound scape, elemental clearings among many others. She has also taught and co-taught Yoga Teacher Trainings and is deeply passionate about her work. Her main focus is on healing with the realization that healing doesn’t have to be a tumultuous endeavor, it can be quite exciting and fun if we let it be. Sarah is all about having fun from a place of deeply connected truth. You can find her dancing up a storm or deep in meditation, she plays both sides of life well.

We are extremely excited to be a part of numerous upcoming adventures with this lovely lady. She will be co-teaching with Jana Roemer this November in Thailand for a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training then in December running a retreat in Thailand and in March 2016 she will be slowing things down with a rejuvenation and raw food retreat in Nicaragua, co-taught with Kristin Fraser from Inner Glow Nutrition.

Learn more about Sarah in this interview:

How did you find yoga?

I was a dancer, so movement has always been in my life.  When I came home from a life changing trip to Thailand in 2007, I realized I needed to make some big shifts in my life if I was going to get down to the very Essence of what makes me happy.  Each time I had gone to yoga, I thought it would be a really cool job and it wasn’t until I went to Vancouver and knew I needed to live there for awhile, that I decided I would do my Teacher Training.  It has been an uncovering of sorts and I am still “finding” yoga.

What is yoga?

Yoga is everything.  Literally everything.  How are you eating, how are you sleeping, how are you in relationship, in chaos, in turmoil, in joy..  It is the way we walk the earth and the way we treat it for the earth mimics the Self.  It is how you are breathing into this world and how you are allowing the world to breathe into you.  It is the way in which you respond to all that is around you, while maintaining the essence in which you are, never form fitting “who you are” to fit in.  Yoga is movement infused with breath, for breath is the healing agent that purifies the body.  What is yoga….. it is this, it is that, it is the everything in the nothing and the nothing in the everything.  The paradox, the dichotomies, and ultimately it is the context in which everything happens.  This doesn’t make sense?  Yoga is the seed at the bottom of all of this, that is unchanging and ever growing.

What to you is the most essential quality in a teacher?

Momentary admittance and presence with what is.

As a teacher, what is the core of your message?

We can be Free.

What is the biggest challenges yoga has brought you?

The observation and awareness of the ripple of my every action.

What are the biggest benefits yoga has brought you?

The ability to obscure and be aware of the ripple of my every action; it is both a blessing and a curse.

If you could teach anywhere in the world where would it be?

I can teach anywhere… and it is awesome!

What is your favorite place on earth?

Wherever my Home is set up.  If I have a cozy place with all my teas and superfoods, I am pretty easy.

Who is God to you?

What a question.  God I hope one day sinks so deep into my heart that I can say from active truth that God is everything, everywhere, through all of time and space.  Right now, God is my guidance, my support system, my cheerleader, my elevator, my sustainer, my destroyer, and the one I devote my entire life to.

Other than people, what has taught you the most in your path?

The trees and the water.  Trees are steady and patient, always growing towards the light, not through dismissal of shadow, but rather through rooting so deep into the darkness of the soil they gain the deepest stability of all.  Water continuously moves with the forces surrounding it, never trying to force something to move in an unnatural direction or create something that is not.  It simply moves, cleansing and shifting it’s surroundings, yet powerful enough to create immense chaos, and permanent change.

What is love?

Love is allowance.  Love is freedom.  Love is space. Love is unconditional.  Love is maintaining your own sense of Self so you can stand steady in someone else’s truth, even when it hurts.  Love is consistency.  Love is sensual.  Love is ever learning.  Love is ever evolving.  Love is endless.  Love is selfless action.  Love is surrender.  Love is communication.  Love is deep honesty.  Love is the ability to listen with a steady, sweet heart.  Love is empathy.  Love is tragic.  Love is hardship.  Love is fight.  Love is perseverance.  Love is vitality. Love is clarity in action, direction, and word.  Love is showing up in all ways, always.

Even in following certain lineages, every teacher has their own delivery and style. How would you describe yours?

I see who has arrived and I teach to the common thread that binds that group together.  I look for what needs to be healed, what needs to be released, and what needs to be liberated and I do my very best to awaken the force that will aid in the purification and rebirth of what needs to move into fruition.

In which way has yoga most changed your life?

….that isn’t a real question… when one thing changes, every thing changes.  It has changed my life in every way and still is… and I have no idea about it.

What got you into yoga?

Wonderment.

Photo by theeventchronicle.com

1. Make it a formal practice.

We hear a lot about living more mindfully, and it’s true that we benefit from bringing more awareness to our daily activities but if you want to experience the real benefits of meditation, then you’ll also need to set aside a specific time to practice in stillness every single day.

2. Start with the breath.

The breath is the intersection point for the mind and body. Breathing deeply and fully slows the heart rate, activates the parasympathetic nervous system and invites your mind to relax.

Give yourself a few minutes to transition from what you were doing before closing your eyes. If you’re finding it difficult to sit down and meditate, start slowing things down 15 minutes before you begin. Become aware of your breath, body and mind. The breath is also a wonderful anchor or focus point for your meditation practice.

3. Find a teacher.

Meditation is ultimately a very personal journey but it’s incredibly helpful to have the guidance of a teacher, especially when you’re starting out. Read a book (or two) on meditation and research teachers and courses in your area.

4. Think of meditation as “becoming aware” rather than “turning off the mind.”

We often hear that the purpose of meditation is to “quiet the mind,” but it’s perhaps better understood as a way of entering into the quiet that is already resides there. Similarly, beginner meditators often think that the goal of meditation is to focus without become distracted. A more useful goal of the practice is actually becoming aware of when your mind has drifted, or aim to be able to redirect your attention back to your point of focus without criticizing yourself.

5. Do not expect your mind to be quiet.

One of the biggest (and most unhelpful) meditation myths is that when you meditate, you should try to stop all of your thoughts. This one is simply not true, according to traditional texts of meditation and even modern science.

The goal of meditation is not to stop all thinking, but to change your relationship to your thoughts so that you’re not so caught up in them and swept away by them. We now have myriad studies that demonstrate the healing power of meditation — that people are less affected by negative and unhelpful thinking — but it’s never been the case that thinking actually stops.

If you begin meditation with the aim of stopping all thoughts, then you’re going to be very disappointed. You’re also going to have a pretty unpleasant time in doing so and you’ll likely give up.

6. Be comfortable.

The most important rule as it relates to posture is to be comfortable. Don’t punish yourself with an unpleasant posture that simply doesn’t work for your body. Mind and body are intertwined. If your body is well-balanced, your mind will also be in balance.

7. Rest your attention effortlessly.

While it takes effort to create the time and space to meditate, your practice should be completely effortless. Let go of trying and striving and allow whatever is happening to do so with the least resistance. By gently resting your attention on your breath or mantra, your brain and mind will naturally drop into the more expansive state of meditative awareness.

8. Smile.

A gentle smile will enhance your practice, a furrowed brow will not. Turn up the corners of your mouth and smooth out your brow. If you find yourself drifting off or focusing too sternly on your meditation, gently loosen your neck and shoulders, reset your posture and smile once again.

9. Start small.

When you’re starting out, even just a few minutes can feel like an incredibly long time. Meditation is not an endurance test, set a reasonable time frame for you and diligently follow it. It’s also important to banish all-or-nothing thinking — if you’d like to meditate for 20 minutes, but you only have 10 minutes available, then dive in and enjoy those 10 minutes to their fullest. Don’t avoid your practice altogether because you don’t have the “ideal” time frame or environment.

10. Be realistic in your expectations.

Meditation is a technique for training the mind, and this skill is developed over a lifetime. Sure, there are some immediate benefits to be found, but some take longer than others. If expectations are too high, then you may well feel disappointed and demotivated, causing you to give up. So just take one day at a time and focus on building a slow and steady practice.

Blog from MeghanTrompetterRHN.com

We have some interesting traits to work with in 2017, one being the mode of Perseverance/Aggression, and another, the theme of Flexibility. We have the challenge of Stubbornness, and the potential chaos of the obsessive, overactive mind as we move into a more intellectually centered time. This configuration gives us a tremendous opportunity this month to learn how to use what is available in a positive and constructive way.

January is always a month where we set our new resolutions, create new intentions and goals, and get inspired by what we can do differently. Change is welcome and there is a sense of another chance to reset our lives and manifest what we want. Even though we may be entering this new year from a place of resistance and disappointment, it is important to see the opportunity we have to reset our personal lives despite what is happening “out there”.

What is “Flexible Persistence?”

The mode of Aggression is a tough one to do well. It is paired with Perseverance which in the negative can easily go into Stubbornness. We have all witnessed negative expressions of both Aggression and Perseverance and this can create some resistance to embracing them as useful allies.

Aggression is a strong energy that is focused on a person, a goal or a task. If you throw a ball with aggression, it will go farther than if you don’t. There is a positive way to use the energy of aggression by putting it behind your intentions and tasks. It helps you focus and gives your task an extra boost.

Perseverance is being persistent and not giving up, but one needs to persist for the right reasons. It is not fruitful to persevere about something just to be right or to be stubborn or to try and force another to do something they don’t wish to do. Being persistent is sticking with a plan or an intention because you know it is the right thing. As you review your hearts desires and intentions this month, be aware of what is important to you and what you can put some perseverance and aggression behind.

Where does Flexibility fit in? Flexibility is a theme for 2017 and will affect just about everything. The discipline around flexibility is not getting attached to HOW things will manifest. If you are clear about what you want and put some positive persistence behind it without giving up, the flexibility piece is what will allow it to manifest in unpredictable and unexpected ways. Where one door closes another will open. Just make sure you have broad enough vision to see all doors so you don’t miss out on the one that is open.

Here is a little story to describe “flexible persistence”.

A person was in the process of buying a used car. After searching the internet, they narrowed it down to a vehicle in a different state and were negotiating with the dealership. Coming to an agreement, the person excitedly bought a plane ticket to go pick up the car with a driving adventure in mind. Finance papers were filled out, money was organized. Then a piece of information surfaced that was a deal breaker, a hidden cost that was unavoidable in that city. The plans fell apart, the airline ticket was cancelled and the purchaser came to terms with not buying that particular car. The “flexible persistence” was the willingness to give it up, not to go into stubbornness or disappointment, and to be persistent in starting the search over because getting the right car was the ultimate goal. However, the dealer had some “flexible persistence” of their own and came up with a creative solution that made it possible to complete the purchase even saving the purchaser some time and effort. Each side had to change plans and give up a little bit from the original negotiation but it all ended well and better than expected.

This month provides us a great opportunity to practice being clear, focused, persistent and aggressive while being flexible at the same time. It’s a tall order but it will build the resilience we need for being as adaptable and creative as we can for taking charge of our own future.

How the month shows up:

YOU PERSONALLY

Where have you been too weak in your persistence? Where have you been too rigid? Do you feel you know what you want or do you too easily get influenced by others? This month there is great opportunity to strengthen your own clarity, commitment and will. Begin the month by setting new resolutions for yourself that include lots of room for spontaneous and unexpected experiences. It is a good month to think outside the box and not to take anything at face value. Know what you don’t want, then know what you want, and be persistent but flexible about how it comes about.

The need for expansion (one of the needs of 2017) hits all of us in different areas of our lives this month. You may find that several of your containers for work or relationships or practices begin to feel small and you may be inspired to bring in some new energy. Personally this is a great month to reset your own priorities and discipline yourself against being influenced by others against your own desires. Watch for stubbornness as well as negative expressions of aggression both in yourself and in others. Don’t react, just keep your eyes on your own goals.

RELATIONSHIPS

A good month for courting new relationships that you know are worth putting time and energy into. Be flexible in what you allow in but watch for unwanted aggression. It’s OK to say no and to set your own boundaries. If you have dreams or goals that include relationships, be open and flexible around how and where something may manifest for you. Expect the unexpected.

The best way to persist in what you want is to identify what areas of your life you would like supported by your relationships. Your persistent intentions should come from a desire to fill that support. Never set expectations on a specific person but rather that your needs will be filled by the relationships you draw in.

One of the needs of the year is Exchange. You will be drawn to relationships where you feel there is a real exchange of energy to fit your needs and desires. Set your intentions to include fun, new experiences and an expanded sense of love and self-worth.

HEALTH AND THE PHYSICAL BODY

The very fabric of our foundational patterns is being rewoven into something new that we are not yet quite aware of. But our bodies are getting a sense of it. Some of us have been struggling with immune issues, back problems, and quirky joints as well as digestive problems. The body is as much challenged as the mind and emotions are during times of energetic turbulence.

It is very important this month that you find a discipline that supports your health on all levels and be persistent in your quest for improved wellness. A good exercise routine, good dietary practices, and paying attention to what your body needs will make a big difference this month between simply holding up and actually improving your overall health. The flexibility is in not being too rigid or stubborn about your schedule. Leave some room for spontaneity and for new ideas and influences.

ENVIRONMENT

As above so below. All the challenges that the environment faces out there in the world are also symbolic of the challenges that your own inner environment faces. Pay attention to what you react to and see its correlation to something in your own life. You will be able to relate to almost anything. For example, if it is pollution, what have you allowed to be polluted in your own environment? This can be literal or energetic. Does it bother you when others don’t recycle? How are you at recycling your own past lessons and experiences?

On a literal note, January is always a great month to take care of your own environment, cleaning, filing, eliminating, upgrading and recycling the old. Change it up by moving something around or getting rid of an old piece of furniture. Be flexible about what may want to come in to support you but persistent in your goals and disciplined to keep your environment at a certain standard.

DATES AND TIME FRAMES

January 1-7: We are in a time that bounces back and forth between being inspired, slightly overwhelmed, hopeful, discouraged, worried, resigned, impatient, cranky and content. One day we are feeling like everything will work out, the next we are hit with anxiety and frustration. This is a good time frame for working off practical task lists and eliminating unnecessary commitments. Scale down your social output of energy and take care of business at home. Find something every day to be inspired about and keep your enthusiasm up.

Even as we migrate towards a more calculating and mental influence, there will still be waves of sentimentality and emotion passing through us. Don’t dwell on what is lost but rather on what you can create, improve and love. Anchor something important during this time that you can practice flexible persistence around.  Mercury is still retrograde so be patient with the timing of things.

January 8-15: We feel like we are in transition and don’t really know if things are working out or not. It is challenging to have good points of reference when everything feels like a new experience. This is where flexibility can be an ally as long as you keep your eyes on the greater goals of your heart. Keep a don’t know mind whenever possible and focus on the bigger picture. Anything is possible, try not to be stubborn. It is only a reaction of fear. Be willing to change and adjust and modify and fine tune. Discernment is helpful when you are faced with decisions you don’t have enough information about. Use your intuition and make sure your persistence is well placed.

January 12: Full Moon is Thursday, January 12 at 4:34 AM Mountain Standard Time (MST). We recognize that home is important, security is important, creativity is important and community is important. We are yearning for something outrageous and wonderful and magical and eccentric to happen in our lives, something to lift us up and inspire us to be better, to take the next step and to leave anything of a lower frequency behind. Spend a little time contemplating magic and your ability to create miracles.

January 16-22: We are finally in a time this month where we can grab more inspiration and feel a bit more grounded. This is a social time where exchange with others in your community is really helpful. There is great learning that can be experienced from others and you may begin to see things in your life in a different light. Progress still seems to come in fits and starts but the inspiration is key to keeping your spirits high and your eye on the goal.

Don’t be afraid of being a little more aggressive with what you know is right and what you desire for yourself.

Because this time frame has a bit more energy to it, you may experience more aggression around you, some positive, some not so much. Stay away from the news if you can and don’t worry about what others are doing, just what you need to focus on to live your life the way you want.

January 23-31: This could be a very prickly time as we begin to work with the goal of discrimination for the year which can be very rejecting. Make sure you are not rejecting something out of a fear reaction but rather because you are being discerning about what works for you and what does not. As we approach the New Moon on the 27th think of being innovative, inventive and thinking outside the box. Whenever you are feeling like things are not moving the way you want them to, ask for some new guidance, a new view, a new vision or a new change. Be brave, be resourceful and take a risk.

January 27: New Moon is Friday, January 27 at 5:07 PM Mountain Standard Time (MST). A good time to revisit and refine some of what you have been persisting with to see if it needs more or less flexibility. What has been unexpected? What has been a surprise? Where have you been resistant? Where have you been stubborn? What do you need to let go of? How can you better support what is important to you?

Redefine and reset. Be flexible and persistent. It will pay off!

Have a great month!

Lena

Blog by thepowerpath.com

While providing tremendous experiences, personal growth and increased global awareness, travel can at times challenge the serenity of even the most seasoned trekker.

Security checks, line-ups, lost luggage, bad food, health challenges and cultural misunderstandings can all stoke feelings of frustration, anger and fear in spite of our best intentions to just take it all in stride.

It can be easy to become frustrated and although the ego may want to assert itself in some not so admirable ways it is important to remember that in this relative universe like energy attracts like energy. A negative response will usually illicit a negative result.

Remaining calm, centered and balanced takes practice and intention. Dealing with difficulties in life and travel is an art based on one’s experience for sure, but on a deeper level, our connection to a higher power (God/ Spirit/Soul) can help to clear obstacles from the path ahead.

When events and circumstances seem to flow, what may appear as coincidence is more often divine synchronicity, occurring as a result of an intuitive acceptance of direction through co-creation.

Maintaining spiritual fitness is not much different than maintaining physical fitness. It also requires regular effort and commitment and the results will be commensurate with our level of attention.

Scheduling some personal quiet time every morning regardless of where we are, to meditate, or at least contemplate the universe and our role in it, will help to set the tone for the day ahead.

Twenty to thirty minutes in connection with the higher self can enhance intuition, focus intention, sharpen our senses and help us to determine what is really important in our life. Practiced quiet time will also assist in developing conscious breathing, a useful tool in challenging circumstances.

Morning sessions are a great time to practice compassion toward ourselves and others. Recognizing our fears and releasing them, practicing love for mankind and all that we share on the planet will evolve into a true humility, contrasting the infinite complexity of the universe around us.

Taking a further step to consciously turn the day over to our higher power helps us to recognize that there is a bigger script detailing the play of life. We may not be the director but our role is still ours to perform.

Developing faith in the Divine allows us to relinquish directorial responsibility to our higher power so that we can do the best job possible in our role and focus on what is immediately in front of us in the here and now.

From that perspective it is much easier to live in the present keenly aware of what surrounds us. We can listen for direction through our powers of intuition, no longer needing to control people and events out of fear.

As our regular connection to our higher power improves, so will our intuition and we will realize that the unnamable is doing for us what we were unable to do for ourselves.

Throughout the day ahead, when necessary, we can reconnect to that infinite force to find our peaceful center and as time goes on, perhaps even that will no longer be required so frequently.

When challenged with a difficult situation that perhaps in the past might have baffled us, we will now move ahead with a new confidence, knowing how to handle circumstances in ways we could not conceive of previously.

The art of travel is the art of life, one in which our motto should be “preferences not expectations” all the while keeping in mind what Henry David Thoreau wrote, “What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us“

By Francis L. Ross: Pathways to Perception

If you think apple cider vinegar is only good for adding a tart flavour to your salad dressing, think again. This powerful and incredible product is popping up all over the holistic health field as its healing properties seem to be never ending. From weight loss to improved insulin levels, apple cider vinegar is a small addition I like to suggest everyone keep stocked in their pantry.

 Known to be used for thousands of years, this age-old home remedy is effective for pretty much anything – your skin, your hair, your gut, your house and even your pet’s can reap benefits! Raw, organic, unfiltered and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar is your new best friend.

 This elixir has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-septic and anti-viral properties to it. This means that any ailment you experience that can be traced from bacteria, a virus or a fungus due to low pH levels can also be treated with ACV. These include: allergies, acne, joint pain, sore throat, candida, sinus infections, ear infections, rashes, digestion, stomach ulcers and many more. Adding a shot of ACV into your daily supplement routine is guaranteed to do some good, now lets look a little deeper.

 1. Apple cider can detoxify your home. In lieu of using harmful, chemical fueled household products, try switching to diluted ACV and see for yourself just how powerful dem apples are.

2. Natural apple cider vinegar regulates the pH of your skin. Big time bonus. By diluting a small capful of ACV and replacing it with toner or using just before your moisturizer will have you’re skin singing.

 3. It can make your hair shine! I recommend diluting some in an old shampoo bottle and applying after shampooing a few days/week. No – you will not smell of the stuff!

 4. It can aid in weight loss. Due to acetic acid compounds, a main component of apple cider vinegar, has thus been studied in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, proving this tangy addition has been linked to weight loss and maintenance. Add 2 teaspoons to your water bottle and sip throughout the day.

 5. The vinegar bears a positive effect on insulin levels. This makes a great tool for anyone with diabetes, particularly type-2.

 6. It can soothe sunburnt skin. Add a cup of ACV to your bath and soak for 10 minutes to relieve discomfort from the sun.

 7. Apple cider vinegar can balance your pH levels. The body constantly strives to stay at a constant state of equilibrium. ACV helps the body maintain a healthy alkaline pH level. Low pH levels leads to lack of energy, thus taking a shot when energy is low can be the best natural health booster!

 8. It can help detox. All hail ACV. This powerful stuff can help stimulate cardiovascular circulation and help detoxify the liver.

 9. Say bye-bye to fleas on your furry friend! One part vinegar and one part water can be sprayed onto your pet and rubbed generously to cover coat. Continue this everyday for a few days up to a week, any infestation surely shall be gone.

 10. It can help rid your body of candida. Rich in natural enzymes that can help rid your body of candida – excellent for decreasing symptoms of fatigue, poor memory, sugar cravings and yeast infections.

 There you have it people! A quick list of 10 ways to incorporate this lovely product into your daily lives. The list could go on – and I recommend doing your own research to seek the never-ending benefits of the stuff! May I also suggest my favourite brand – BRAGG – they offer a wonderful product trusted and reliable!

Written by Breathe in Life guide and holistic nutritionist Meghan Trompetter

Most people view Karma as a punishment. The phrase, “karma is a b$&@!” comes quickly to mind. However, this is a misconception about karma that is drawn from the media and the misunderstanding of culture and religion.

Karma is the Sanskrit word for action. One can think of karma as the spiritual equivalent of Newton’s Law of Motion. “For every action there is an equal but opposite reaction.” Basically, when we exhibit a negative force in thought, word, or action, that negative energy will come back to us.

However, karma is not meant to be a punishment. It is present for the sake of education. How else is someone to learn how to be a good person if they are never taught that harmful action is wrong. A person only suffers if they have created the conditions for suffering.

Here are the 12 laws of Karma everyone should know!

1. The Great Law

-“As you sow, so shall you reap.” Also known as the “Law of Cause and Effect.”
-To receive happiness, peace, love, and friendship, one must BE happy, peaceful, loving, and a true friend.
-Whatever one puts out into the Universe will come back to them.

2. The Law of Creation

-Life requires our participation to happen. It does not happen by itself.
-We are one with the Universe, both inside and out.
-Whatever surrounds us gives us clues to our inner state.
-Surround yourself with what you want to have in your life and be yourself.

3. The Law of Humility

-One must accept something in order to change it.
-If all one sees is an enemy or a negative character trait, then they are not and cannot be focused on a higher level of existence.

4. The Law of Growth

-“Wherever you go, there you are.”
-It is we who must change and not the people, places or things around us if we want to grow spiritually.
-All we are given is ourselves. That is the only thing we have control over.
-When we change who and what we are within our hearts, our lives follow suit and change too.

5. The Law of Responsibility

-If there is something wrong in one’s life, there is something wrong in them.
-We mirror what surrounds us, and what surrounds us mirrors us; this is a Universal Truth.
-One must take responsibility for what is in one’s life.

6. The Law of Connection

-The smallest or seemingly least important of things must be done because everything in the Universe is connected.
-Each step leads to the next step, and so forth and so on.
-Someone must do the initial work to get a job done.
-Neither the first step nor the last are of greater significance. They are both needed to accomplish the task.

7. The Law of Focus

-One cannot think of two things at the same time.
-If our focus is on Spiritual Values, it is not possible for us to have lower thoughts like greed or anger.

8. The Law of Giving and Hospitality

-If one believes something to be true, then sometime in their life they will be called upon to demonstrate that truth.
-Here is where one puts what they CLAIM to have learned into PRACTICE.

9. The Law of Here and Now

-One cannot be in the here and now if they are looking backward to examine what was or forward to worry about the future.
-Old thoughts, old patterns of behavior, and old dreams prevent us from having new ones.

10. The Law of Change

-History repeats itself until we learn the lessons that we need to change our path.

11. The Law of Patience and Reward

-All Rewards require initial toil.
-Rewards of lasting value require patient and persistent toil.
-True joy comes from doing what one is supposed to be doing, and knowing that the reward will come in its own time.

12. The Law of Significance and Inspiration

-One gets back from something whatever they put into it.
-The true value of something is a direct result of the energy and intent that is put into it.
-Every personal contribution is also a contribution to the Whole.
-Lesser contributions have no impact on the Whole, nor do they work to diminish it.
-Loving contributions bring life to and inspire the Whole.

Karma is a lifestyle that promotes positive thinking and actions. It also employs self-reflection to fix the problems in one’s life.

Blog from DavidWolfe.com