Feel Good!

Welcoming Fall...

2011-09-25T00:42:00.002-04:00

~ Text written by a beautiful soul who is also a brilliant photographer: Madeleine Langlois.

To view more of her breathtaking photos visit :http://www.maddylane.com/photostore/new_photos.php

Autumn is a second spring where every leaf becomes as colourful as summer flowers. Such as our Souls, a new season brings new insights, as well as letting go in order to move forward, even if into the unknown. Life is in constant movement, like a river and fallen leaves we have to go with the flow, or we only hold ourselves back. Breathe in the crisp fresh air, as if for the first time, take the time to stop and look to appreciate the beauty that is all around, if only to find your own serenity and peace of mind. It's always so sad to see summer go, like the loss of a dear friend, but I know we will meet again. Thank you summer for all we shared and learned. Time for a new season; to welcome its new beginnings, in order to reap what we have sewed.

"A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye"!

Swimming with a beautiful dragonfly...

2011-07-22T13:37:00.002-04:00

Magical Moment...

Do you ever get caught up in a moment where you are filled with joy and beauty, not wanting it to end? Please allow me to share this precious moment with you:

July 12th:

It was the perfect start of the day when I laced up my running shoes and headed out for an early morning run. I just started to run about a month ago and I have to say that I have become addicted. I find it so very freeing and energizing (also very difficult but it's getting a little easier with time). I'm by far not a morning person but because it get's way too hot to run in the afternoon, I force myself to get out of bed earlier and what a treat it is once you get out there. The birds are singing so beautifully and there is that special morning light that is like no other. All is quiet and I feel like I'm getting a "preview" of the day before it really starts for everyone.

After my (still sweaty) run I immediately jumped into the pool as I felt my skin tingle with refreshment! The water was so good! As I splashed around, I noticed this beautiful and unique looking dragonfly. It was so pretty with it's blue and white patterned wings. It kept circling around me and teased me as it almost landed on me while I extended my arm. It kept me company the whole time I swam. I felt so much joy watching it fly around. It's amazing how just a small moment like that can bring so much joy.

During that day, I kept seeing dragonflies all over the place. I went shopping in Pointe-Claire Village with Mom and saw dragonfly chimes hanging from a store window. We then saw an awesome dragonfly paper weight (dark blue just like the dragonfly I swam with), which Mom bought for me as a memento of my dragonfly day. Later on, I researched the meaning of a dragonfly animal totem and this is what came up:

DRAGONFLY

	Illusion, the Power of Light Dragonfly is the power of light. The dragonfly inhabits two realms: air and water and the influence of both these elements will be felt by Dragonfly people. They will be emotional and passionate during their early years (the influence of water) and more balanced with greater mental clarity and control in as they mature (the influence of air).

Dragonfly is the essence of the winds of change, the messages of wisdom and enlightenment; and the communication from the elemental world. Dragonfly medicine beckons you to seek out the parts of your habits which need changing. Call on Dragonfly to guide you through the mists of illusion to the pathway of transformation. The number 2 is important to Dragonfly, so think in terms of two year periods when you begin a change. Dragonfly brings the light and color of transformation into your life.

Being in the midst of a change of career and lifestyle, this information made so much sense to me. Strangely I felt I had such a strong connection with this dragonfly and thinking back it's as if it was telling me that I made the right choice to follow my heart, leave the corporate world behind and bring peace to people by teaching them Yoga. I felt blessed and just as free as when I run!

Life's Little Lessons from a 90 year old!

2011-06-27T21:11:00.000-04:00

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good..
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree..
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15.. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple..
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words :'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life..
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Inspirational Quotes

2010-11-08T15:51:00.007-05:00

I’m too blessed too be stressed!

Remember to notice the treasures in your life!

We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.”

~Paulo Coelho

"You can't change the wind, you can however adjust your sails."

This morning my thoughts are on the ocean somewhere. SAILING.

I am the boat. The breeze, which is relatively strong today, is blowing me where it wants me to go.

I am the boat. I have no control of the wind. Its shifty nature. It's howling at times and blowing and lifting me right in the exact direction I wish to go. Then it suddenly changes and makes it very hard or impossible to maintain my heading.

I am the boat. I have a few passengers to carry safety along this journey. I hope that the direction I choose is the right direction for my passengers too.

I am the boat. Heading straight into the wind is impossible. There is no way to capture the wind and power my sails. I must adjust and sail slightly off course for a while and then tack again.

I am the boat. I cannot change wind. I cannot influence the wind. I cannot control the wind.

I am the boat. I can adjust my sails. I can change my course. I can embrace the way the wind blows me. I can keep safe my passengers. I can teach them how to feel the sun and breeze and ocean spray as we sail. I can teach them to hear the water and sing with the sea birds and look for ocean creatures. I can help them paint the colors of the sunrises and sunsets. I can anchor in safe harbors, now and again, and play with them in the sand.

I am the boat. I can smile, laugh, and enjoy the sail.

I am the boat.

May the Sun bring you new energy by Day...

May the Moon softly restore you by Night...

May the Rain wash away your Worries...

May the Breeze blow new Strength into your being...

May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life...

EACH DAY, CULTIVATE PEACEFULNESS AND REAP ITS BENEFITS

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

Be Impeccable with Your Word-- Use words that heal rather than destroy or harm.

Don't Take Anything Personally-- Recognize that everyone is going through their own stuff and that other people's reactions toward often have very little to do with you.

Don't Make Assumptions-- Instead of trying to mind read and guess what others are thinking, ask questions and get more clarity.

Always do Your Best-- Give as much as you can, no more, no less, and know that "your best" will change according to the condition you are in and/or what's already going on in your life.

“I promise myself…to be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind; to talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet; to make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them; to look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true; to think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best; to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own; to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future; to wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet; to give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others; to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble; to think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds; to live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.” By Vash

Anjali Mudra to head, heart and belly saying:

“Healthy thoughts, pure heart, right action

Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony. ~Mahatma Gandhi
Compassion is something really worthwhile. It is not just a religious or spiritual subject, not a matter of ideology. It is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

~Dalai Lama

‎"A smile is the lighting system of the face, the cooling system of the head and the heating system of the heart." ♥

"Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel the artistry moving through and be silent -- Rumi

There will never be a storm

That can wash the path from my feet,

The direction from my heart,

The light from my eyes,

Or the purpose from this life.

I know that I am untouchable to the force

As long as I have a direction, and aim, a goal:

To serve, to love and to give.

Strength lies in the magnification of the secret qualities

Of my own personality, my own character

And though I am only a messenger,

I am me.
~ Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Gratitude is the open door to abundance.

Be confident. Too many days are wasted comparing ourselves to others and wishing to be something we aren't. Everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses, and it's only when you accept everything you are -and aren't- that you will truly succeed. - Unknown

"Health is wealth. Peace of mind is happiness. Yoga shows the way."
- Swami Vishnu-devananda

Movement is the transition between dream and reality
~ Sensei Donato

‎"Instead of thinking outside the box, get rid of the box."~Deepak Chopra

" Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you. ~ Lao Tzu "

The way you do anything is the way you do everything

~Budokon saying

Going with the flow …

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward … you can only connect them looking backwards”

~Steve Jobs

In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.
~ Deepak Chopra

When you finally allow yourself to trust joy and embrace it,
you will find you dance with everything.
- Emanuel

"When we are unable to receive, we deny someone else the pleasure of giving."--~Paulo Coelho

Be crazy enough, brave enough, and cause enough trouble to be the change you wish to see.
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life ... don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking....and most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you want to become."... (STEVE JOBS)"...

happiness, freedom and peace of mind are always attained by giving them to someone else."
Simple flow of the universe: give out that which you wish to receive in life.
~ Peyton March

"And if there's something to fear, wait until it happens and be fearful then" ~Bryon Katie

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." ~Anthony J. D'Angelo

The most precious gift we can offer others
is our presence.
When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers

We are all stars and we deserve to twinkle.
~ Marilyn Monroe

Let your inner peace vibrate out to the community!

"Let's start with what we can be thankful for, and get our mind into that vibration, and then watch the good that starts to come, because one thought leads to another thought." ~Bob Proctor

The most important pieces of equipment you need for doing yoga are your body and your mind. ~ Rodney Yee

Right now - Smile. Soften your eyes and take a nice deep breath. Connect into the vibrations of love, peace and gratitude - those frequencies that always exist and always surround you. Breathe them in and radiate them out... Think of someone you care for - and send the love and positive vibrations on to them. You are love. You are peace. You are beautiful.

Today is a new day. What are you being today? Happy? Lovely? Graceful? Compassionate? Focus on one trait and strengthen it like a muscle until you embody that in all of your interactions, relationships and communication. This is a powerful yoga practice. ♥

~Dashama

This world is full of excitement - for those who have eyes to see it !

"The quieter you become, the more you can hear. — Ram Dass"

"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart. A smile, a hug, even just a soulful breath. Find warmth and joy in the simple things. Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience." (Victoria Holt)

"We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails." -Bertha Calloway
Yoga helps us become physically and mentally flexible, so we can sail through life's challenges.

Knowledge is learning something every day. Wisdom is letting go of something every day.

"Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions."

- Albert Einstein

Never compare yourself to others. Humans are all so different, even when we seem similar... Your path is unique and your divine life purpose is yours and yours alone. ♥

~Dashama

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths
~Etty Hillesum

If everybody loves you, something is wrong. Find one enemy to keep you alert.

--Paulo Coelho

An old man once said, "There comes a time in your life, when you'll walk away from all the drama and people who created it. You'll surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living."~

"Some people think that it's holding on that makes one strong; sometimes it's
letting go."

Live without regrets ~ Love without limits

~Paulo Coelho

Life offers us many opportunities to make our own picture.

“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.”

~ Pope John Paul XXIII

"Please take responsibility for the ENERGY you bring into your own space and life".....

~Oprah

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly
where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite
possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use
the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to
you.
May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this
knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

"Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and to endure what cannot be cured".

~B.K.S. Iyengar

"Yoga is greater than one path—many waves, one ocean”

A knife can chop up food to nourish you but a knife can also hurt you if you don’t know how to use it: What nourishes you can also hurt you.

Observe, accept, act

Inhale, hydrate – Exhale, drain

Inhale to nourish, energize the body – Exhale to purify, relax the body

Relax, Release, Stretch, Align, Strengthen, Apply, Release, Relax, Restore

PMS = Please make space!

Intention, action, reaction

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone!

The sun is always shining somewhere, as so inside of you.By finding and breathing into your inner smile, your true inner sun light, shines.

Make things happen and be "Proactive" - Otherwise, let things happen and be "Reactive".

Inspiration is unlimited power!

Look at yoga like a road trip, and the destination is peace," "Instead of just trying to be in the perfect pose, try to enjoy the journey."

Have a wonderful day, full of wellness in body and lightness in spirit.

Close your eyes.

Look inside.
Your treasure lies within.
When the breath calms,
Clarity comes.
Then You Know.
~ Julie Sauvé

Your true nature is as clear as the mirror of a peaceful lake...

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”

~Paulo Coelho

"Love comes when manipulation stops; when you think more about the other person than about his or her reactions to you. When you dare to reveal yourself fully. When you dare to be vulnerable."
-- Dr. Joyce Brothers

“You can become blind by seeing each day as a similar one. Each day is a different one, each day brings a miracle of its own. It's just a matter of paying attention to this miracle.”

~Paul Coelho

“You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it.”

~Paulo Coelho

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Decide to have an "attitude of gratitude".

“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.”

~Paulo Coelho

Love is the water of life

“You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.”

~Paulo Coelho

"Waking up this morning, I smile.
Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion."
~Thich Nhat Hanh

Let your light shine. Shine within you so that it can shine on someone else. – Oprah

‎"Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal."
— Mother Teresa

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give

~ Winston Churchillon Churchill

"Never make someone a priority when they just make you an option"

Drink Your Tea

Drink your tea slowly and reverently,
as if it is the axis
on which the world earth revolves
- slowly, evenly, without
rushing toward the future;
Live the actual moment.
Only this moment is life.

Thich Nhat Hahn

To Meditate

To meditate does not mean to fight with a problem.
To meditate means to observe.
Your smile proves it.
It proves that you are being gentle with yourself,
that the sun of awareness is shining in you,
that you have control of your situation.
You are yourself,
and you have acquired some peace.

Kiss The Earth

Walk and touch peace every moment.
Walk and touch happiness every moment.
Each step brings a fresh breeze.
Each step makes a flower bloom.
Kiss the Earth with your feet.
Bring the Earth your love and happiness.
The Earth will be safe
when we feel safe in ourselves.

Thich Nhat Hahn

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."~Anatole France

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -Abraham Lincoln

"Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." -Norman Waceman

Mind open, heart enlarged, soul receptive

A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home

« There is no way to peace, peace is the way.” Pacifist quote

Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success”

swami sivananda

Mind is elusive, you cannot hold it in your hand. You cannot force it into a test-tube. The only way to know it is to know it from within, from your witnessing self. The more you become aware, the more you can watch your mind -- its subtle functioning. The functioning is tremendously complex and beautiful. Mind is the most complex phenomenon on the earth, the most subtle flowering of consciousness. If you want to really understand what the mind is, then you will have to detach yourself from your mind, and you will have to learn how to be just a witness. That's what meditation is all about.

Happiness happens when you fit with your life, when you fit so harmoniously that whatsoever you are doing is your joy. Then suddenly you will come to know: meditation follows you. If you love the work that you are doing, if you love the way you are living, then you are meditative."

Every moment there is a possibility to be total. Whatsoever you are doing, be absorbed in it so utterly that the mind thinks nothing, is just there, is just a presence. And more and more totality will be coming. And the taste of totality will make you more and more capable of being total. And try to see when you are not total. Those are the moments which have to be dropped slowly, slowly. When you are not total, whenever you are in the head--thinking, brooding, calculating, cunning, clever--you are not total. Slowly, slowly slip out of those moments. It is just an old habit. Habits die hard. But they die certainly--if one persists, they die. Osho

~If you can become a mirror you have become a meditator. Meditation is nothing but skill in mirroring. And now, no word moves inside you so there is no distraction. ~ osho

Zen lives in the present. The Whole teaching is: how to be in the present; how to get out of the past which is no more and how not to get involved in the future which is not yet, and just to be rooted, centered, in that which is. ~

The thought manifests as the word, and word becomes the deed.

The deed develops into habit, and habit hardens into character.

So watch the thought and its ways with care...and let it spring from love, born out of concern for all beings............

-A Buddhist thought

You are not what happens; you are the space in which it happens. You are not your thoughts; they come and go. You are the vastness in which these thoughts appear and disappear because underneath all your thinking there is the stillness of pure being, pure consciousness, the timeless dimension of yourself.

-Eckhart Tolle

Live Well - Laugh Often - Love Much

"Love is a choice you make from moment to moment." -Barbara De Angelis

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW--What a Ride!"

The past is only alive in your memory
The future is only a projection
In this present moment, there is peace

'The pain that you create now is always some form of non-acceptance, some form of unconscious resistance to what is. On the level of thought, the resistance is some form of judgment. On the emotional level, it is some form of negativity. The intensity of the pain depends on the degree of resistance to the present moment, and this in turn depends on how strongly you are identified with your mind.'

- Ekhert Tole

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace

- Jimmy Hendrix

“Fear is simply excitement without the breath.” ~ Fritz Perls

All that we are is the result of what we have thought:

it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts.

If a man/woman speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him,

like a shadow that never leaves him.”

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” (by Mark Twain)

Rather than straining to quiet the mind in meditation, simply relax into the quiet that contains the mind.
- William Butler Yeats

You are today where your thoughts have brought you – You will be tomorrow where your thoughts will take you.

"Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within”.

~Ekhert Tole

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." -Mother Teresa

Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared

to what lies within us.

There are two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.
-- Albert Einstein

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny.

- Upanishads

'May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where

you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are

born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have

received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be

content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into

your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.'

“Instead of goals, make the commitment to love joyfully in the moment. Stop dreaming about the future and get back to the only thing you have now. Decide to live fully in the present.” (Wayne Dyer)

“Discipline is, to do the things you don't want to do, when you know you need to do them."

A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye

Don't just do something - sit there!
-inspirational Yoga quotes by Author Unknown

The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.

-B.K.S Iyengar

When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills (Chinese proverb)

You are never more essentially, more deeply, yourself than when you are still.

-Eckhart Tolle

If you're never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never

take any chances.

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.

The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you

lost all your money.

A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.

Instead of goals, make the commitment to love joyfully in the moment. Stop dreaming about the future and get back to the only thing you have now. Decide to live fully in the present.”

(Wayne Dyer)

"It’s not your job to make the world be different, but it is your job to find a way of feeling better." -Abraham-Hicks

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.

Be the change you wish to see in the world today

~Ghandi

Live Well Laugh Often Love Much

Confidence on the outside begins by living with integrity on the

inside.

One is loved because one is loved.

No reason is needed for loving.

- Paul Coelho

As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world, as in being able to remake ourselves."

- Ghandi

"Success is not knowing the difference when I'm working and when I'm playing"

A friend is one who sees through you and still enjoys the view.

"To share Chanting is to share an experience of silence through listening,

a process of healing, and a link with nature, the deeper self and the divine."

- TKV Desikachar

True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess.

Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, it is the quiet voice at the

end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow".

Yesterday is history, Tomorrow’s a mystery. Today is a gift; that's

why they call it "the present".

The most absurd and reckless aspirations have sometimes led to

extraordinary success.

Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional

glance towards the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful

scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point.

Many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step

would carry us clear through them.

HONOR AND LOVE YOUR BODY & SOUL!

Love the life you live - Live the life you love!

- Bob Marley

All I would tell people is to hold onto what was individual about

themselves, not to allow their ambition for success to cause them to

try to imitate the success of others. You've got to find it on your

own terms.

~Harrison Ford

Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself.

If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your

envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears.

Live your life, love what you live

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize

they were the big things.

Pain nourishes courage. You can't be brave if you've only had

wonderful things happen to you.

“Feel yourself drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.”

–RUMI

You cannot add to the peace and good will of the world if you fail to

create an atmosphere of harmony and love right where you live and

work.

Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am

thankful that thorns have roses.

La vie c'est comme un immense banquet, et nous avons la chance d'être celui qui en choisit le menu

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.

SEE IT, FEEL IT, EXPERIENCE IT, DO IT.

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

Courage to start and willingness to keep everlasting at it, are the requisites for success.

He who has health has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers

through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you'll never walk alone.

~Audrey Hepburn

Live Your Dreams - Let Reality Catch Up

Compromise:The art of dividing a cake in such a way that everybody believes he got the biggest piece.

The manner in which it is given is worth more than the gift.

Laughter is the language of the Gods.

"The Thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,

a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter. If your mind

isn't clouded by unnecessary things, this is the best

season of your life." ~WU-MEN

A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

· Invite in the good – and the good will bring its friends.

The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.

Worrying is like a rocking chair, it keeps you busy but doesn’t get you anywhere.

Un promeneur n’a pas

de destination particulière,

Il jouit simplement de la promenade.

Où qu’il arrive, il est heureux.

La terre entière lui appartient,

L’existence entière lui appartient.

Il ne va nulle part,

Il ne prévoit pas d’aller où que ce soit.

Où qu’il se trouve, il est toujours là

Osho

लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु।

* LOKAH SAMASTAH SUKHINO BHAVANTU *

May ALL beings everywhere be happy, at peace & free from suffering ~ no exceptions!

Everyone who has ever taken a shower has had an idea. It's the

person who gets out of the shower, dries off, and does something

about it that makes a difference.

I will make love my greatest weapon and none on who I call can defend

against its force....My love will melt all hearts liken to the sun

whose rays soften the coldest day.

Take time to laugh - it is the music of the soul.

It is a glorious achievement to master one's own temper

When we accept tough jobs as a challenge to our ability and wade into

them with joy and enthusiasm, miracles can happen.

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior

teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

"If you want to learn something, read about it.
If you want to understand something, write about it.
If you want to master something, teach it."
- Yogi Bhajan –

Accept that some days you are the pigeon and some days you are the statue.

The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up

and see the beauty, believe in them and try

to follow where they lead.

It is never too late to be what you might have been.

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of

improving, and that's your own self.

Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.

The secret to happiness lies not in getting what you want, but in wanting what you have.

"La question n'est pas pourquoi sommes-nous si rarement la personne que nous voulons être, mais bien pourquoi voulons-nous si rarement être la personne que nous sommes vraiment?"
--Oriah

Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach

them, but I can look up and see the beauty, believe in them and try

to follow where they lead.

I wept because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.

"Nous sommes des êtres spirituels ayant des expériences humaines, et non des êtres humains ayant des expériences spirituelles"

~Deepak Chopra

You cannot add to the peace and good will of the world if you fail to create an atmosphere of harmony and love right where you live and work.

~Thomas Dreier

Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in the past.

Sometimes you meet people on your path that bring such nurturing goodness to your life

and even though they come and go they leave something that is with you always.

~ Lynn St.Pierre

Live in the present, because it is the only moment you have. Keep your attention on what is here and now, look for the fullness in every moment. Accept what comes to you totally and completely so that you can appreciate it, learn from it and then let it go. This moment is as it is because the universe is as it is. Don’t struggle against the infinite scheme of things, instead, be at one with it.

Everyone has the capacity to be a teacher if they are a student

Like a surfer on a wave, let the energy take you where it knows you’re meant to go!

-- Sally Kempton (Durgananda)

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to Dance in the Rain
Always give without remembering, and always receive without forgetting.
Brian Tracy

"Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."

A smile is the beginning of peace.
Mother Teresa

A rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.

"Dissolve complaining from the mind, appreciation instead i will find" Namaste

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it."

-Henry Ford

You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth.
- Shira Tehrani

Yoga is the fountain of youth. You're only as young as your spine is flexible.
-Bob Harper

Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind.
-Patanjali

Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.
-Jason Crandell

Plant the seed of meditation and reap the fruit of peace of mind.

Your mind is your instrument. Learn to be its master and not its slave.

Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart A smile, a hug, even just a soulful breath - find warmth and joy in the simple things today.
Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience.
~Victoria Holt

Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
-Christian D. Larson

Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us.

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
~ Anthony J. D'Angelo

Keep your face toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.
~ Walt Whitman

Breathe and take in some positive energy.

Fear is a great human curse. It is a negative thought. It is your worst enemy. If you are afraid of something, look at it in the face. Fear will vanish. What paralysis is to the physical body, so is fear to the mind. It paralyses the mind and makes you powerless. Half of your fear is baseless and imaginary..
- Swami Sivananda

Watch your thought, as "from right thought proceeds right speech".
-Buddha

May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.
-Swami Sivananda

Let your words agree with your thoughts. Let actions agree with your words. Let there be harmony between your thoughts, words and actions.

Recognize and honor the light within you. The love within you is a healing light that can transform yourself and your world. The more you can tap into this light the stronger and better you will feel. Take a moment to feel this light and to know that you are a radiant being full of love and light with much to offer. The more you can love yourself, the more you can shine your light brightly out into the world.

“I’m learning that enlightenment is not so much a destination but the way we live our lives every day; it’s about making good choices, being kind to others and yourself, existing comfortably in your own skin, letting the world touch you, and paying forward your awakened heart as best you can.”
- James Kullander

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." -Henry Ford

We have a choice to view life either as a challenge or as an opportunity to improve, excel, and rise.

Sometimes the smallest things can take up the most room in your heart.

If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up.
~ J.M. Power

Kind words can be short, and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.- Mother Teresa(With this one you can also mention to speak kindly to yourself and others, to speak from your heart)

LAUGH LOUDLY
PRAY OFTEN
FEEL DEEPLY
EXPRESS FEARLESSLY
PLAY HARD
WORK JOYOUSLY
COMMIT TOTALLY
TOUCH TENDERLY
LIVE CONSCIOUSLY

The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by simply changing his attitude.
~ Oprah Winfrey

Don't let the negativity given to you by the world disempower you. Instead give to yourself that which empowers you.
- Les Brown

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou

Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
— Harold Thurman Whitman

Yoga is not to be performed – Yoga is to be lived
- Aadil Palkhivala

Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours”

“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.”

At the most basis level, I am ONE with EveryONE

"No one, said, can make you feel inferior without your consent. Never give it." -Marian Wright Edelman
- Eleanor Roosevelt

To Meditate
To meditate does not mean to fight with a problem.To meditate means to observe.Your smile proves it.It proves that you are being gentle with yourself,that the sun of awareness is shining in you, that you have control of your situation.You are yourself,and you have acquired some peace.

Kiss The Earth
Walk and touch peace every moment.Walk and touch happiness every moment.Each step brings a fresh breeze.Each step makes a flower bloom.Kiss the Earth with your feet.Bring the Earth your love and happiness.The Earth will be safewhen we feel safe in ourselves.
-Thich Nhat Hahn

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."
~Anatole France

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
-Abraham Lincoln

"Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
-Norman Waceman

Mind open, heart enlarged, soul receptive

A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home

« There is no way to peace, peace is the way.”

Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success”
- Swami sivananda

~If you can become a mirror you have become a meditator. Meditation is nothing but skill in mirroring. And now, no word moves inside you so there is no distraction.
~Osho

You are not what happens; you are the space in which it happens. You are not your thoughts; they come and go. You are the vastness in which these thoughts appear and disappear because underneath all your thinking there is the stillness of pure being, pure consciousness, the timeless dimension of yourself.
-Eckhart Tolle

Live Well - Laugh Often - Love Much

"Love is a choice you make from moment to moment."
-Barbara De Angelis

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW--What a Ride!"

The past is only alive in your memory The future is only a projection In this present moment, there is peace

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace
-Jimmy Hendrix

“Fear is simply excitement without the breath.”
~ Fritz Perls

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
- Mark Twain

Rather than straining to quiet the mind in meditation, simply relax into the quiet that contains the mind.
- William Butler Yeats

You are today where your thoughts have brought you – You will be tomorrow where your thoughts will take you.

"Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within”.
-Ekhert Tole

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
-Mother Teresa

Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared
to what lies within us.

There are two ways to live your life.One is as though nothing is a miracle.The other is as though everything is a miracle.
- Albert Einstein

Watch your thoughts; they become words.Watch your words; they become actions.Watch your actions; they become habits.Watch your habits; they become character.Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny.
- Upanishads

'May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where
you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are
born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have
received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be
content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into
your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.'

“Instead of goals, make the commitment to love joyfully in the moment. Stop dreaming about the future and get back to the only thing you have now. Decide to live fully in the present.”
-Wayne Dyer

“Discipline is, to do the things you don't want to do, when you know you need to do them."

A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye

Don't just do something - sit there! -inspirational Yoga quotes by Author Unknown

The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.
-B.K.S Iyengar

When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills
(Chinese proverb)

You are never more essentially, more deeply, yourself than when you are still.
-Eckhart Tolle

If you're never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never
take any chances.

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.

The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you
lost all your money.

A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.

“Instead of goals, make the commitment to love joyfully in the moment. Stop dreaming about the future and get back to the only thing you have now. Decide to live fully in the present.”
-Wayne Dyer

"It’s not your job to make the world be different, but it is your job to find a way of feeling better."
-Abraham-Hicks

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of
improving, and that's your own self.

Be the change you wish to see in the world today
-Ghandi

Live Well Laugh Often Love Much

Confidence on the outside begins by living with integrity on the inside.

One is loved because one is loved.
No reason is needed for loving.
- Paul Coelho

As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world, as in being able to remake ourselves."
- Ghandi

"Success is not knowing the difference when I'm working and when I'm playing"

A friend is one who sees through you and still enjoys the view.

"To share Chanting is to share an experience of silence through listening,
a process of healing, and a link with nature, the deeper self and the divine."
- TKV Desikachar

True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess.

Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, it is the quiet voice at the
end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow".

Yesterday is history, Tomorrow’s a mystery. Today is a gift; that's
why they call it "the present".

The most absurd and reckless aspirations have sometimes led to
extraordinary success.

Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional
glance towards the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful
scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point.

Many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step
would carry us clear through them.

HONOR AND LOVE YOUR BODY & SOUL!

Love the life you live - Live the life you love!
- Bob Marley

All I would tell people is to hold onto what was individual about
themselves, not to allow their ambition for success to cause them to
try to imitate the success of others. You've got to find it on your
own terms.
-Harrison Ford

Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself.

If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your
envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears.

Live your life, love what you live

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize
they were the big things.

Pain nourishes courage. You can't be brave if you've only had
wonderful things happen to you.

“Feel yourself drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.”
–RUMI

You cannot add to the peace and good will of the world if you fail to
create an atmosphere of harmony and love right where you live and
work.

Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am
thankful that thorns have roses.

There is nothing noble in being superior to some other man. The true
nobility is in being superior to your previous self.

La vie c'est comme un immense banquet, et nous avons la chance d'être celui qui en choisit le menu

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.

SEE IT, FEEL IT, EXPERIENCE IT, DO IT.

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

Courage to start and willingness to keep everlasting at it, are the
requisites for success.

He who has health has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek
out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the
hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers
through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that
you'll never walk alone.
-Audrey Hepburn

Live Your Dreams - Let Reality Catch Up

Compromise: The art of dividing a cake in such a way that everybody
believes he got the biggest piece.

Happiness is good health and a bad memory.

The manner in which it is given is worth more than the gift.

Laughter is the language of the Gods.

"The Thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,
a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter. If your mind
isn't clouded by unnecessary things, this is the best
season of your life."

A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for
myself... and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part.
-Shirley MacLaine

Invite in the good – and the good will bring its friends.

The potential of the average person is like a huge ocean unsailed, a
new continent unexplored, a world of possibilites waiting to be
released and channeled toward some great good.

The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.

Worrying is like a rocking chair, it keeps you busy but doesn’t get you anywhere.”

Everyone who has ever taken a shower has had an idea. It's the
person who gets out of the shower, dries off, and does something
about it that makes a difference.

I will make love my greatest weapon and none on who I call can defend
against its force....My love will melt all hearts liken to the sun
whose rays soften the coldest day.

Take time to laugh - it is the music of the soul.

It is a glorious achievement to master one's own temper

When we accept tough jobs as a challenge to our ability and wade into
them with joy and enthusiasm, miracles can happen.

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior
teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
"If you want to learn something, read about it.If you want to understand something, write about it.If you want to master something, teach it."
- Yogi Bhajan

Accept that some days you are the pigeon and some days you are
the statue.

The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach
them, but I can look up and see the beauty, believe in them and try
to follow where they lead.

It is never too late to be what you might have been.

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of
improving, and that's your own self.

There is nothing noble in being superior to some other man. The true
nobility is in being superior to your previous self.

Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long
enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.

The secret to happiness lies not in getting what you want, but in wanting what you have.

The sages do not consider that making no mistakes is a blessing. They
believe, rather, that the great virtue of man lies in his ability to
correct his mistakes and continually make a new man of himself.

"La question n'est pas pourquoi sommes-nous si rarement la personne que nous voulons être, mais bien pourquoi voulons-nous si rarement être la personne que nous sommes vraiment?"
-Oriah

Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach
them, but I can look up and see the beauty, believe in them and try
to follow where they lead.

I wept because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.

"Nous sommes des êtres spirituels ayant des expériences humaines, et non des êtres humains ayant des expériences spirituelles"
-Deepak Chopra

You cannot add to the peace and good will of the world if you fail to
create an atmosphere of harmony and love right where you live and
work.
-Thomas Dreier

Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in the past.

Sometimes you meet people on your path that bring such nurturing goodness to your life and even though they come and go they leave something that is with you always.
- Lynn St.Pierre

Live in the present, because it is the only moment you have. Keep your attention on what is here and now, look for the fullness in every moment. Accept what comes to you totally and completely so that you can appreciate it, learn from it and then let it go. This moment is as it is because the universe is as it is. Don’t struggle against the infinite scheme of things, instead, be at one with it.
Everyone has the capacity to be a teacher if they are a student

Like a surfer on a wave, let the energy take you where it knows you’re meant to go!
- Sally Kempton (Durgananda)

All Things Pass
A sunrise does not lastall morning
A cloud does not lastall day
Nor a sunset last all night.
What always changes?
Earth, Sky, Thunder, MountainWater, Wind, Fire,
These change and if these do not last
Do man's visions, Do man's illusions?Take things as they come
All things pass.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to Dance in the Rain.

2010-10-14T11:51:00.004-04:00

Feel Good Soup!

2010-10-11T14:17:00.002-04:00

Curried Sweet Potato and Apple Soup
Serves: 8 Prep: 16min Cook: 30min Total: 46min

• 1 TABLESPOON OLIVE OIL
• 1 LARGE ONION, SLICED
• 2 CLOVES GARLIC, SLICED
• 1 TABLESPOON FINELY CHOPPED FRESH GINGER
• 1 TEASPOON CURRY POWDER
• 3/4 TEASPOON GROUND CUMIN
• 1/2 TEASPOON SALT
• 1/4 TEASPOON GROUND CINNAMON
• 4 CUPS WATER
• 1 1/4 POUNDS SWEET POTATOES, PEELED AND CUT INTO CHUNKS
• 3 LARGE GRANNY SMITH APPLES, PEELED, CORED, AND CUT INTO CHUNKS
• 1/2 CUP CHOPPED FRESH CILANTRO
Directions
1.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until tender.
2.
Add the ginger, curry powder, cumin, salt, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add the water, sweet potatoes, and apples and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring often, for 20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are very tender.
3.
In a food processor or blender, puree the soup in batches until very smooth, pouring each batch into a bowl. Reheat if necessary. Stir in the cilantro.
CALORIES 107.5 CAL

FAT 2 G

SATURATED FAT 0.3 G

CHOLESTEROL 0 MG

SODIUM 169.2 MG

CARBOHYDRATES 22.3 G

TOTAL SUGARS 10.6 G

DIETARY FIBER 3.1 G

PROTEIN 1.5 G

45 Ways to Live a More Joyful Life...

2010-08-05T12:59:00.004-04:00

This is a list of 45 simple ways to improve your life. Nothing drastic. Nothing requiring years of therapy or hard work. Just minor changes that have major effects. You can apply these tips now to immediately add more joy, positivity, and zest to your life.

Hug as many people as you can each day. Laugh until you cry.
Get plenty of sunshine. Too much time indoors is depressing.
Practice positive affirmations.
Do something childish—coloring, playing ball, making dirt patties.
Be nice to someone who’s being nasty.
Look for the value in everything and everyone.
Record yourself speaking thoughts of gratitude and appreciation—and listen to it often.
Practice the art of mindfulness.
Embrace your imperfections.
Release grudges and resentment.
Change the T.V. channel to something lighthearted, funny, or touching.
Take yourself less seriously.
Laugh at yourself.
Build a sandcastle with someone you love.
Fall in love with yourself.
Tell friends and family that you love them. Don’t assume they just know it.
Meditate to clear your mind and alleviate stress.
Surround yourself with positive people.
Appreciate the life lessons in your mistakes.
Take a chance on something that frightens you.
Venture away from your daily routine.
Eat until you’re satisfied rather than full.
Accept others fully—just as they are.
Take a spontaneous road trip.
Find a way to make a living doing what you love.
Listen to uplifting music.
Show respect for yourself and others.
Listen more. Talk less.
Let the tears flow when you feel them coming. Crying is okay.
Dedicate some time to a special cause.
Acknowledge what’s special about you.
Look in the mirror and say, “I love you. You are worthy.”
Accessorize every outfit with a smile.
Dress to impress yourself.
Get your anger out safely but completely.
Get moving. Remain as active as possible for as long as possible.
Never stop challenging yourself.
Remove the word failure from your vocabulary.
Reach out to help a stranger.
Keep your word.
Practice heightening your senses. Listen intently, smell everything, and touch with your eyes closed.
Think more about what you want than what you don’t want.
Express your emotions.

JUST DO IT!....

2010-08-03T15:02:00.016-04:00

Have you ever dreamed of snorkelling in Bora Bora, or soaking in the Dead Sea or maybe just watching the sunrise with your loved one? All these things are possible if you want them badly enough right?!!.....well yeah, but it's not always that easy.
We tend to get wrapped up in every-day-life-routine, wish are life away, not realizing most of our dreams.

The trick is to apparently write down our dreams and our goals as it gives us hope, perspective and makes it that much easier to achieve them. It also serves as a great source of inspiration, which helps us to get our butt outta bed in the morning so to speak!

So go ahead...write that list and before you know it, you'll be checking off many of your dreams/goals as they will now be amazing, lived-out memories forever planted in your mind!

Dreams do come true, sometimes you just have to persist.

MAKE THEM HAPPEN!

I'm including my 100-things-to-do-in-my-life list for ideas (it's also inspiring for me to share this with you..!).

The ones in bold have joyfully been achieved (yey!) and I must say, sometimes I still can't believe it!

1. Get married on a beach (Michael in Naples, Fla.)
2. Become a mother (Mattie)
3. Snorkle in Bora Bora
4. Ski in Colorado
5. Hike the Napali Coast
6. Walk around naked in my backyard
7. Eat pizza in Italy (Riva Del Garda)
8. Savor a Greek Salad in Greece (Mykonos)
9. Walk up 250 steps to Fira (Santorini, Greece)
10.Practice and teach something you love (Yoga)
11.Go for a hot-air balloon ride
12.Host a big party for all of my friends (Summer Annual Staroste Bash)
13.Own and drive a convertible sports car (Mustang)
14.Photograph a sunflower field (Renfrew)
15.Be a model at a fashion show (high school)
16.Be a character in a play (high school)
17.Try archery
18.Throw a surprise party for someone (my hubby)
19.Go to a rock concert (Van Halen, U2)
20.Roller blade in the warm rain (Florida)
21.Have a food fight (water melon with Carmen lol!)
22.Go jet skiing (Jamaica)
23.Be an extra in a movie
24.See fireworks on a beach on New Years Eve (Naples, Florida)
25.Vacation at a nudist resort (Hidden Beach – Riviera Maya)
26.Swim with dolphins (Bahamas)
27.Have a gourmet candle lit dinner under the stars (Riviera Maya)
28.Go for a stroll on the promenade deck of a cruise ship only wearing a robe under the stars in the middle of the night (Croatia)
29.Make an oil painting
30.Send a message in a bottle
31.Get a tattoo (2!)
32.Crash a party (Kevin's New Years party)
33.Watch an airplane land while lying right beneath it on the beach (Sint-Maarten)
34.Pole Dancing
35.Spend a weekend at an Ashram (Val David)
36.Go to Niagara Falls
37.Fly First Class (Germany)
38.Make love on a mountain (Sint-Maarten)
39.See the Golden Gate Bridge (2009)
40.See the Parthenon (2008)
41.Hold an Iguana
42.Tequila Tasting (2009 – Riviera Maya)
43.Wine Tasting (2009 – Napa Valley)
44.Give to Charity (World Vision)

45.Zip-lining on Catalina Island (California)
46. Spend a week on a yacht
47.Do some pottery
48. Go for reflexology
49. Read and learn about Buddhism
50. Teach a kid’s Yoga class
51. Sleep under the stars in nothing but my sleeping bag
52. Kayak at sunrise
53. Make love on a beach
54. Run through a field of lavenders
55. Climb the Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza, Mexico
56. Take Mom on a trip
57. Learn how to scuba dive
58. Go on a nowhere vacation (last minute standby flight)
59. Go on a nowhere by car
60. Go to NYC by train
61. Have a mud bath
62. Take part in a marathon
63. Try hand gliding
64. Adopt a dog from a shelter
65. Go whale watching
66. Attend a fashion show in NYC, Milan or Paris
67. Shoot a gun on a shooting range
68. Take tennis lessons
69. Go dog sledding
70. Have a pic nic in a field
71. Spend some time in the jungle
72. Meditate in Bali
73. See the Grand Canyon
74. Shower naked in a water fall
75. Make love on a train
76. Attend Mardi Gras
77. Own my own small business
78. Visit Australia
79. Dance and kiss in a rainstorm
80. Vacation on a house boat
81. Quit my job with no other job in mind
82. Ride an elephant or/and camel
83. Soak in the Dead Sea
84. Have my hands hennaed in India
85. Climb the 354 steps up to the crown of the Statue of Liberty
86. Spend a weekend at a spa retreat
87. Sleep in a haunted hotel
88. Travel to Fiji
89. See a volcano
90. Helicopter Ride
91. Ride a gondola in Venice
92. Attempt paddle boarding
93. Explore the Florida Keys
94. See Yosemite
95. Go for a walk in Central Park in the Fall
96. Ride in a glider plane
97. Visit a rain forest in South America
98. Sleep in a hammock on a tropical beach
99. Zip-lining in Costa Rica

What are YOUR dreams?

Check out the following website for more inspiration:
http://www.my50.com/

Savor the bad weather?

2010-07-13T13:05:00.008-04:00

There has been a major heat wave in Montreal this week, temperatures in the high thirties with very little wind and much humidity. So many people have been complaining about the weather (nothing new in Montreal as the weather is way too often a major topic of conversation). I myself really enjoy the heat and humidity, so I guess it's easy for me to not complain about it, however, I am definitely not a big fan of those really cold winter days. I think that perhaps when the weather is bothering us, we should first notice how we are feeling - taking a few moments to REALLY FEEL IT...
What is it that bothers you about the way you are feeling in this weather? Can you find any comfort with the way you are feeling right now or is it totally unbearable? Are you dressed appropriately for this kind of weather? It so, would you be able to withstand it more?

After these small reflections, find your way to comfort. Notice how you feel now. Isn't this a beautiful moment, filled with gratitude of being able to find relief and comfort? Doesn't it almost make it worth while to be accepting of the weather we do not like so much, to then better appreciate the coziness of our new found well-being?!

Food for thought:
If we always had the perfect weather, would we truly appreciate it in the same way or would we perhaps take it for granted?

The Law of Attraction

2010-05-20T10:03:00.002-04:00

“You Get What You Believe In”
“Set it, Get it”
“Visualize it, it will manifest”
“If you do not attract what you want to be, you will be what you are, FOREVER”

ASK: Know what you want and ask the universe for it.
This is where you need to get clear on what it is you want to create and visualize what you want as being as 'real' as possible.

BELIEVE: Feel and behave as if the object of your desire is on its way.
Focus your thoughts and your language on what it is you want to attract. You want to feel the feeling of really 'knowing' that what you desire is on its way to you, even if you have to trick yourself into believing it – do it.

RECEIVE: Be open to receiving it.
Pay attention to your intuitive messages, synchronicities, and signs from the Universe to help you along the way as assurance you are on the 'right' path. As you align yourself with the Universe and open yourself up to receiving, the very thing you are wanting to manifest will show up.

Spring, the season where our senses awaken!

2010-05-06T09:13:00.006-04:00

As I walked into the office this morning, I suddenly felt it....THIS RENEWED ENERGY....it immediately put a smile on my face....it felt so good to feel the gentle breeze of the warm wind on my skin, as I heard the birds chirping away as if they were celebrating this beautiful spring morning with me! Flowers are also in bloom, showing-off their beautiful vibrant colors.

Days like these make me feel so grateful to be alive!

Feel Grateful!

2010-03-16T16:49:00.004-04:00

Practice this short meditation by no other than the greatest Deepak Chopra and feel grateful!

Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and bring your energy to your heart. Now think of everything you could be grateful for . . . all the people who care about you, the love you share, and the gifts of life.

Sit there quietly and come up with as many things you can think of to be grateful for. Experience the warmth, the love, the compassion, the understanding, the creativity and the sense of connection that gratitude brings into your heart.

Breathe in that thankfulness, then say to yourself, “Every decision I make is a choice between a grievance and a miracle. I let go of grievances and choose miracles.”

After a few minutes, slowly come back to the present and open your eyes.
SMILE and BREATHE!

I personnaly feel grateful that the geese are back - SPRING HAS SPRUNG! :-)

Childhood back in the day...

2010-02-18T12:41:00.003-05:00

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no child proof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day and we were OK.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms.......

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

2010-02-17T11:42:00.008-05:00

A wonderful Yoga instructor (Heleen) has given this very wise and insightful information to my amazing friend (Cynthia) who kindly shared this with me and which is very valuable when I get into my funky moods, feeling sorry for myself or just frustrated with life for whatever reason.

I in turn, would like to share this with you...

When ever you get into one of those head spaces:

FIND that peaceful place you have inside in every day life..
The peace is in us we just sometimes forget about it or it is being used as other forms of energy.

PRACTICE bringing this peace out and be conscious of it.

REMEMBER that things are just happening...they are not happening TO US!!

TRY not to transfer your current bad energy to others but rather turn it into good energy by taking-in anything and everything positive that comes your way.

SMILE and act happy even if it's forced, eventually it will become genuine (try it, it really works)!

After doing and feeling all of this, often the concerns or frustration you had will just seem so futile now and you will feel a certain lightness, and gratitude will again be present.

OM SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTI

62 WAYS TO MAKE 2010 YOUR BEST YEAR YET

2010-01-05T09:54:00.000-05:00

1. Remember that leadership isn't about your position. It's about your influence.

2. Get fit like a pro athlete.

3. Lift people up versus tearing people down.

4. Protect your good name. An impeccable reputation takes a lifetime to build. And 60 seconds to lose.

5. Surround yourself with positive, ethical people who are committed to excellence.

6. Remember that even a 1% daily innovation rate amounts to at least a 100% rate of innovation in 100 days.

7. Believe in your dreams (even when others laugh at them).

8. Measure your success, not by your net worth but by your self worth (and how happy you feel).

9. Take an intelligent risk every 24 hours. No try-No Win.

10. Read "Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist".

11. Watch "Man on Wire".

12. Regardless of your title at work, be a team builder.

13. Remember that business is all about relationships and human connections.

14. Say "please" more.

15. Say "thank you" more.

16. Know your Big 5: the five things that need to happen by the end of this year for you to feel its been your best year yet.

17. Read your Big 5 every morning while the rest of the world is asleep.

18. Read "As You Think". At least twice this year.

19. Be willing to fail. It's the price of greatness.

20. Focus less on making money and more on creating value.

21. Spend less, save more.

22. Leave everything you touch better than you found it.

23. Be the most positive person in every room you're in.

24. Run your own race.

24. Stay true to your deepest values and best ideals.

25. Write a handwritten thank you note to a customer/friend/loved one every day.

26. When you travel, send love letters to your kids on hotel stationary. In time, they'll have a rich collection to remember your travels by.

27. Read "Atlas Shrugged".

28. Be a problem solver versus a trouble maker.

29. Rather than doing many things at mediocrity do just a few things-but at mastery.

30. Honor your parents.

31. Commit to doing great work-whether anyone notices it or not. It's one of life's best sources of happiness.

32. Give more than you receive (another of the truths of happiness).

33. Have your 1/3/5/10/25 years goals recorded on paper and review them weekly.

34. Be patient. Slow and steady wins the race. The only reason businesses that went from zero to a billion in a year or two get featured in magazines is because 99% of businesses require a lot more time to win.

34. Underpromise and then overdeliver.

35. See part of your job as "a developer of people" (whether you work in the boardroom or the mailroom).

36. Wear your heart on your sleeve. When people see you're real, they'll fall in love with you.

37. Be authentic versus plastic.

38. Read "The Alchemist".

39. Remember that life wants you to win. So get out of your own way.

40. Consider that behind every fear lives your next level of growth (and power).

41. Eat less food.

42. Drink more water.

43. Rest when you need to.

44. Read "SUCCESS" magazine.

45. Write your eulogy and them live your life backwards.

46. Demand the best from yourself.

47. Remember that the more you go to your limits, the more your limits will expand.

48. See everything that happens to you as an opportunity to grow (and therefore, as a precious gift).

49. Be obsessed with learning and self-development.

50. Become comfortable alone (you are the only person you get to be with your whole life).

51. Smile. It's a stunningly effective way to win in business and life.

52. Reflect on the shortness of life.

53. Be bold when it comes to your dreams but gentle with those you love.

54. Remember that success is dangerous because it can kill drive/innovation/passion and going the extra mile. Be successful yet stay hungry.

55. Read "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin".

56. Be of deep value to this world.

57. Own beautiful things but don't let them own you.

58. Use excellent words.

59. Laugh more.

60. Don't complain, gossip or be negative.

61. Plan as if you'll live forever but live as if you'll die tomorrow.

62. Feel free to pass these lessons on to those you want to help.

Written by Robin Sharma, January 3, 2010. For more information visit robinsharma.com. Robin's new book "The Leader Who Had No Title: A Modern Fable On Real Success in Business and Life" will be published by Simon and Schuster in March. Many of the ideas above come from it.

2009-12-17T11:34:00.014-05:00

Mind open, heart enlarged, soul receptive
Namaste

10 Steps in Getting What You Want...

2009-12-06T15:33:00.004-05:00

Everything we need is already there. The challenge is letting go of all our stuff in the way.

Whether it is the perfect relationship, adorable family, successful career, financial stability, radiant health, all of the above, or something entirely different, getting what we want drives a lot of us. Even if we're not quite exactly certain what it is that we actually want (or think we want) we still spend our time doing all sorts of things that we think might get us there. How exhausting! All that wanting and doing can take us far away from ourselves, and out of the present moment where everything happens. The end result is often dissatisfaction no matter how much of the achieved "stuff" surrounds us.

Clearing out the clutter that we've built up in our lives is a good place to start. When we make space, good things can happen. We've all experienced it. A simple task like cleaning the house can leave us feeling calm, relaxed, and inspired. There is literally more room to think in a clean house. Whether it is through cleaning, practice, meditation, or thoughtful planning, when we make space, the good stuff has room to come our way.

I put up a whiteboard recently at home. I know, whiteboards are usually reserved for start up companies, but my life is my start up, and so I need a whiteboard too. The more work I take on, the more I find the need to simplify, and eliminate what is in the way. I need efficiency. From my whiteboard to yours. Enjoy.

10 Steps to Getting What You Want:

1. Be YOU. There is only one YOU on this planet. Take advantage of that. You are inspiring, creative, intelligent and capable. Spending any energy trying to be like someone else is foolish.

2. Do What You Love. When doing something you love, no matter what you'd be getting paid, or think the outcome might be, not only will you enjoy yourself more, but you have a better chance of actually creating a sustainable life. Happiness is contagious.

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." Milton Berle
3. Trust your instincts. "I feel there are two people inside of me -- me and my intuition. If I go against her, she'll screw me every time, and if I follow her, we get along quite nicely." Kim Basinger

4. Work hard. No one is going to do the work for you.
"Hard work has made it easy. That is my secret. That is why I win. If it were easy everyone would be a champion." Nadia Comaneci

5. Be nice to people. "Your Karma is a continuum, part of the process that is happening to you now, not something far away in future life." - OSHO

6. Don't listen to your critics. "If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business." Abraham Lincoln's words: via Ed and Deb (love this one!)

7. Be Patient. Things might not (and usually don't) happen in the timing that you want. Patience can be your biggest asset. Cultivate it.
"If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent." Isaac Newton

8. Take Care of Yourself. Your health is a responsibility that is completely in your control.
"Every human being is the author of his own health or disease." Buddha

9. Stop Complaining. If you don't like how something is, change it. We can't change everything, but we can do quite a bit about our circumstances when we drop the complaints.
"Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses." Proverb

10. Have Fun. If you're not having fun then what's the point?

"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun." Katharine Hepburn

By Tara Stiles

A note of gratitude...

2009-11-23T09:20:00.005-05:00

American Thanksgiving as well as Christmas is approaching: a time when we give thanks for food, friends, family and health. Have you noticed that we normally only give thanks for all the things that are going “right” in our lives? But, how often do we give thanks for absolutely EVERYTHING in our lives, even the situations that we deem “negative” or “bad?”

I want to acknowledge that for some, the "holidays" can be painful and lonely. I also want to acknowledge that there is a center of peace beyond any pain.
Thus, I am entering into this Thanksgiving with an attitude of gratitude not only for my successes, my friendships, my relationships, my health and the “things” in my life, but with thanks for those difficulties, those challenges that ended up being opportunities for new growth. A thanks for those failed relationships that taught me true love. A thanks for those financial challenges that forced me to analyze my priorities.

A thanks for those “brick walls” that I felt up against, that taught me how to climb. A thanks for those broken hearts, that opened me up inside. A thanks for those set-backs, that showed me that I was headed in the wrong direction. A thanks for those rejections that taught me self-worth. A thanks for those tears that showed how deeply I cared.

A thanks for the stress that told me to slow down. A thanks for that fear of the unknown, that taught me how to live in the moment. A thanks for the doubt, that brought me closer to my beliefs. A thanks for the “dark night of the soul” that showed me the truth of who I am beyond my experiences. A thanks for the pain, that cracked me open.

I am reminded of a quote that says, “What is death to the acorn is birth to the Oak Tree.” I know that beyond anything that we deem “negative,” “bad,” or “painful,” that there is a “peace,” an “opportunity,” or a “blessing.”

I give thanks for all the “experiences” of life that are a natural part of being in this human body, for they continue to show me the truth of who I am beyond name and form. I give thanks for endings, because I know that the ending of one thing, is the beginning of something else. I give thanks for all the “experiences” or “difficulties” in life that connect me with that unalterable, unshakable peace within. I give thanks for absolutely EVERYTHING!

Take time to give thanks for Everything this holiday season. Take time to give thanks for the very breath that sustains your body. Also take time to really acknowledge those people in your life. Give thanks for this VERY MOMENT!

Peace and Love

Written by Lisa Hepner – Peaceful Earth

Simple and Effective - Netti Pot way to keep the sniffles at bay

2009-11-01T21:48:00.002-05:00

Most of us have had to deal with a runny nose, or worse, the debilitative and sometimes painful nasal congestion that makes us wish for a miracle cure. Many of us have chronic blocked sinuses or asthmatic conditions, where, every day is a battle to breathe properly - something that we should be able to take for granted.

The air we breathe has all kind of things that we may be susceptible to; pollen in the air, dust and dust mites, pollutants and chemicals or other particulates that have become so much a part of our lives.

All of this passes through our nasal passages and usually we are no worse for it. There are times, however, when our bodies are overwhelmed and we get either a runny nose or a blocked one.

We load up on medicines that keep us functional but which, inevitably, have their own side-effects. All contributing to a very low quality of life.

Does this have to be so?

Jal Neti or nasal irrigation is an ancient Ayurvedic method of keeping the nasal passages clean and healthy. It comes from India where, as in other South Asian countries, it is practiced regularly. It involves the passing of saline warm water through the nasal passages to clear them of dirt, sometimes old and infected mucous and bacteria. Many studies have found that this simple practice is an effective way to keep infections of the nasal passages at bay.

It has been proved to make significant difference to patients suffering from chronic sinusitis and certain kinds of asthma.

Hay fever, facial pain, headaches, all benefit, as do cough and cold.

A Netti Pot or Neti Pot is a container with a specially designed spout that is used for nasal irrigation. It is usually made of stainless steel, ceramic, plastic or copper.

If you have never used the Netti Pot, you may find the idea of pouring saline water through the nostril strange and getting used to. Those who have used it know it to be a life saver. Three minutes every day is all that it takes to maintain a healthy and bacteria free nasal environment. No discomfort of clogged nasal passages, blocked sinuses and multiplying bacteria. The water should be comfortably warm and the salt (non-iodised, preferably sea salt) should be such that the solution tastes like tears. If this is right, you will not even feel the saline water as it passes through the nasal passages doing its good work.

Yoga practitioners take the procedure much further, they know that ‘breath’ and the way we breathe is the foundation on which our physical and mental health is built. For them, Neti or the process of nasal cleansing is an integral part of their lives and is often used to assist in advanced meditative techniques.

For you and I, a simple nasal wash with the Netti Pot can make all the difference between feeling miserable and easy breathing.

2009-11-01T12:06:00.004-05:00

By Theresa Cheung

Did you know the Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and drinking lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of poisons, and that recent research has confirmed this belief?

There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity and fight infection.

These are well-known health facts about lemons. But there’s so much more to this little yellow fruit. Here are 15 that I’ll bet you didn’t know. Whether you use them in the form of juice, teas, drinks, dressing, poultices or in the bath, take advantage of lemons’ natural healing power.
Learn the first health secret of lemons.

Lemon contains citric acid, which can be effective in treating acne. The vitamin C found in citrus fruits is vital for that healthy glowing skin while its alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne. In addition to drinking lemon juice with water first thing in the morning, here are some suggestions on how to prepare a homemade acne treatment using lemon:

• With your finger or a cotton ball, apply fresh lemon juice on acne and leave it overnight. Wash with water the following morning. There may be an uncomfortable sensation of burning at first, but it will soon disappear.
• Mix one part of freshly squeezed lemon juice with an equal part of rose or honey water. Put the mixture on affected areas for at least half an hour. Wash it afterwards with water. This application should be repeated twice daily, ideally in the morning and the evening.
Note: these remedies are safe and natural, but if acne is severe or there are open wounds, consult your doctor first.

Research has shown that lemon balm has a calming effect and therefore may be able to help remove fatigue, exhaustion, dizziness, anxiety, nervousness, and tension. It is also believed that inhaling lemon oil helps in increasing concentration and alertness. It can therefore be used as a room freshener in offices to increase the efficiency of the employees. If you’re feeling tense sprinkle a few drops of lemon balm essential oil (Melissa officinalis) on a handkerchief to inhale.

The proven antibacterial and antiviral properties of lemons can accelerate the healing process in the case of cankers. Mix the juice of freshly squeezed lemon into a glass of lukewarm water and rinse your mouth with this solution; do this three times a day. There may be a burning sensation when the lemon juice comes into contact with the canker, however, the more frequently you use it, the less burning there will be.

Chills and fevers may be due to a variety of causes, but the lemon is always a helpful remedy. Here is a method that can ease symptoms: add the juice of 1 lemon to a cup of hot water with honey and drink at once, then every 2 hours until the fever or chill subsides.

When you have a cold, the healing power of lemons works both internally, by supplying urgently required vitamin C to your defense cells, and externally, through the application of its antiviral properties to the virus on the mucous membranes in the nose and throat.
At the first indication of a cold – a runny nose or sore throat –try to give your body as much immune-boosting vitamin C as you can so that the virus is eliminated before it gets a chance to take hold. Drink the freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon in a glass of lukewarm water every 2 hours.
If you have a sore throat, add the juice of 1 lemon and 1 teaspoon (5ml) of sea salt to 1 cup (250ml) lukewarm water. Gargle three times a day for 1 minute to diminish the burning sensation. If it’s a case of tonsillitis, gargle every 2 hours for at least 30 seconds with the freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon. Tilt the head back to allow the antibacterial and antiviral properties of the juice to flow into the back of the throat. You can swallow the juice when you have finished gargling thereby benefiting from an immune-boosting vitamin C shot.

Lemon poultices applied overnight are a good home remedy for corns and calluses. Place a slice of lemon approx 5 mm thick on to the corn, bandage and fasten. Dabbing the affected area with lemon essential oil also helps accelerate the healing process. Take care to only use the undiluted oil on the callused area using a cotton ball or Q- tip, as it is too strong for un-callused skin.

If you suffer from skin infection such as eczema, a lemon wrap may offer relief. Add 8 drops of lemon essential oil to 1 cup (250ml) lukewarm water and 1 tablespoon (15ml) of liquid honey. Honey also has anti-inflammatory effect and strengthens the healing power of lemon.
Soak a linen cloth in the liquid, squeeze out the excess, and gently place the cloth on the affected area for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day. Not only will this ease the infection, it will counter the overwhelming urge to scratch.

Long distance walkers, world travelers, and explorers look upon the lemon as a Godsend. When fatigue sets in, they might suck lemon juice by piercing the top of the fruit with a straw, giving themselves a quick-acting medicine and a lovely refreshment.

Explorers also use lemon for protection against many infections of the tropics. A small amount of lemon juice will quench thirst more effectively than many times the amount of water. Experienced travelers declare that when they add lemon juice to ordinary drinking water, in various localities, it acts as an antiseptic and prevents illness due to allergy to different water supplies.

Lemon oil also seems to be able to stimulate brain activity so whenever you feel tired for no reason or are finding it hard to focus or concentrate, add 4 drops of lemon oil to a water-filled aromatherapy lamp. Alternatively, drink a glass of lemon water every few hours.

Lemons can help freshen breath that has gone sour after consuming certain spices, alcohol, cigarettes, or that is caused by insufficient salivation. To keep breath fresh, thoroughly rinse your mouth several times a day with the freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon in a glass of lukewarm water. Chewing on a lemon slice after every meal will also help.

Top 10 Positive Emotions - Feel them....live them!

2009-10-01T15:59:00.007-04:00

Dr. Barbara Fredrickson's, author of "Positivity and a true genius and pioneer in the field, has been studying positive emotions in her lab. Her data reveals that negative emotions, like fear, can close down our ability to function, while positive emotions open us up to possibility, and an inreased ability to move forward.

She came up with a top 10 list of positive emotions, in order of most frequent to least. Allow yourself an opportunity to scroll through the list and ask yourself, "When did I last fully experience this emotion?" The answers may surprise you.

Joy
Joy happens in an instant -- a perfect moment captured when all is just exactly as it should be. Think of a wonderful holiday morning with the family, an unexpected present that delights you, or seeing the first smile on your infant's face. What brings you Joy?

Gratitude
Gratitude is a moment of realizing someone has gone out of their way for you, or simply feeling overwhelmed with your heart opening, after being moved in some way. With gratitude comes a desire to give in return or 'pay it forward' in some way. When did you last experienced deep Gratitude?

Serenity
Serenity is like a mellow, relaxed, or sustained version of Joy. Serenity is a peacefulness that comes on a cloudless day, when you realize there's nothing you have to do. Serenity is indulging in a favorite luxury, and being mindful enough to take it in. Serenity is the moment on vacation when you finally let go. Has Serenity crossed your door lately?

Interest
Interest is a heightened state that calls your attention to something new that inspires fascination, and curiosity. Like a shiny new toy to capture your imagination, interest is alive and invigorating. Interest wakes you up, and leaves you wanting more. What Interests you these days?

Hope
Dr. Fredrickson describes it best: "Unlike other emotions that arise out of comfort and safety, hope springs out of dire circumstances, as a beacon of light. Deep within the core of hope is the belief that things can change, turn out better. Possibilities exist. Hope sustains you and motivates you to turn things around." The inauguration of President Obama brought me Hope. What brings you Hope?

Pride
Ever done something really well that took a little time and effort? Maybe you reached a goal you never thought was attainable? Then pat yourself on the back with unadulterated Pride. Stand back, take that deep breath and let it in -- you earned it. What have you done that made your proud?

Amusement
Think of amusement as those delightful surprises that make you laugh. It's those unexpected moments that interrupt your focus and crack you up. It's a great feeling to have amusement sparkle out of the doldrums and instantly change your perspective. Have you had any amusement in your life recently?

Inspiration
Inspiration is a moment that touches your heart and nearly takes your breath away -- or takes in your breath, as the word literally translates. Inspiration whispers between the strands of your hair, as you watch a perfect sunset, witness academic or athletic excellence, or observe unexpected triumphs over adversity. What brings Inspiration in your life?

Awe
Awe happens when you come across goodness on a grand scale, and you feel overwhelmed by greatness. Awe is triggered when we are faced with the vastness of Nature, or the cosmos. Gazing at the Milky Way and counting the stars, or standing at the top of the Grand Canyon triggers awe. Have you had a moment of awe lately?

Love
Guess what? The list is rigged. Actually, the #1 most frequent positive emotion is here at the bottom. Love encompasses all of the above: joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration and even awe. Love is all that and more. When we experience love, our bodies are flooded with the "feel good" hormones that reduce stress and even lengthen our lives.How did you make out on your list? Are you experiencing these emotions on a regular basis, occasionally, or hardly any at all? Most importantly, how can we experience them more often?

Let's try an experiment together. All you need are some sticky notes. Put each of the ten positive words above on a sticky note. For the next ten days, peel off one at a time, and take that word with you, wherever you go, as your daily "flourishing mission." Put your daily sticky note on your dashboard, in your pocket or on the bathroom mirror. Take in the essence of each word, and try to bring it out in others.

-article from http://www.intent.com/

Épidémie du bonheur - Propagez-la...!

2009-09-22T11:19:00.003-04:00

Une épidémie mondiale est en train de se propager à une allure vertigineuse.
l'OMB (Organisation Mondiale du Bien-Etre) prévoit que des milliards d'individus seront contaminés dans les dix ans à venir.

Voici les symptômes de cette terrible maladie :

1 - Tendance à se laisser guider par son intuition personnelle plutôt que d'agir sous la pression des peurs, idées reçues et conditionnements du passé.
2 - Manque total d'intérêt pour juger les autres, se juger soi-même et s'intéresser à tout ce qui engendre des conflits.
3 - Perte complète de la capacité à se faire du souci (ceci représente l'un des symptômes les plus graves)
4 - Plaisir constant à apprécier les choses et les êtres tels qu'ils sont, ce qui entraîne la disparition de l'habitude de vouloir changer les autres.
5 - Désir intense de se transformer soi-même pour gérer positivement ses pensées, ses émotions, son corps physique, sa vie matérielle et son environnement afin de développer sans cesse ses potentiels de santé, de créativité et d'amour.
6 - Attaques répétées de sourire, ce sourire qui dit « merci » et donne un sentiment d'unité et d'harmonie avec tout ce qui vit.
7 - Ouverture sans cesse croissante à l'esprit d'enfance, à la simplicité, au rire et à la gaieté.
8 - Moments de plus en plus fréquents de communication consciente avec son Ame, Non-duelle… Ëtre, ce qui donne un sentiment très agréable de plénitude et de bonheur.
9 - Plaisir de se comporter en guérisseur qui apporte joie et lumière plutôt qu'en critique ou en indifférent
10 - Capacité à vivre seul, en couple, en famille et en société dans la fluidité et l'égalité, sans jouer ni les victimes, ni les bourreaux, ni les sauveurs.
11 - Sentiment de se sentir responsable et heureux d'offrir au monde ses rêves d'un futur abondant, harmonieux et pacifique.
12 - Acceptation totale de sa présence sur terre et volonté de choisir à chaque instant, le beau, le bon, le vrai et le vivant.

Si vous voulez continuer à vivre dans la peur, la dépendance, les conflits, la maladie et le conformisme, évitez tout contact avec des personnes présentant ces symptômes.
Cette maladie est extrêmement contagieuse !

Si vous présentez déjà des symptômes, sachez que votre état est probablement irréversible.
Les traitements médicaux peuvent faire disparaître momentanément quelques symptômes mais ne peuvent s'opposer à la progression inéluctable du mal..
Aucun vaccin anti-bonheur n'existe.

Comme cette maladie du bonheur provoque une perte de la peur de mourir, qui est l'un des piliers centraux des croyances de la société matérialiste moderne, des troubles sociaux risquent de se produire, tels des grèves de l'esprit belliqueux et du besoin d'avoir raison, rassemblements de gens heureux pour chanter, danser et célébrer la vie, des cercles de partage et de guérison, des crises de fou-rire et des séances de défoulement émotionnel collectives.

Bonne épidémie!

Do you meditate?

2009-09-03T12:35:00.006-04:00

I was in the office the other day, e-mailing with a very good friend of mine, when suddenly this question appeared: black on white, right in front of me: Do you ever meditate?
I paused for a few seconds, and then went on to writing: "I don't really, but if I had more time, I probably would"...
Before I even finished writing this sentence, I began to ponder: "Is the world so crazy-busy that we can't find time to meditate"? But then again, shouldn't we just take the time?...I mean how long can it take to just close your eyes, center yourself and think of nothing?....

Later that day, I went to my usual picnic table in back of the building, by the field to have a spot of lunch. I mechanically reached over to grab a magazine from my bag when I thought.... : "Why must we continuously feed our brains with information"? Can we not just sit and do one thing instead of always multitasking? Then I thought..."I'm just going to sit here and eat my lunch". It was the best lunch hour ever! Suddenly I was savoring each delicious bite, feeling the sun on my back, the gentle breeze on my shoulders. It was so calming to listen to the birds, the cicadas, and the wind through the leaves. As I closed my eyes, I suddenly heard the sound of the cars zooming by on the autoroute and the planes descending as they prepared for landing....Here I was sitting and observing nature coexisting with humanity....pretty awesome!

I then opened my eyes and noticed a seagull flying around in circles providing me with such an intense feeling of how free we could really be if we just let go of the hustle and bustle of life, escaping from being on auto-pilot and just taking time to breathe and be...

I went on with my day and as I drove home in my convertible after having taught a Yoga class, Zen music playing, the sun going down...I begun to experience that feeling of well-being that I had earlier and I then realized that meditation is not only about sitting in a cross-legged position, with your eyes closed - it's about quieting the chatter of the mind...feeling...being. There is even meditation in motion, where you move but only focus on your breathing, not attaching to anything. So when I'm driving my car, listening to Zen music, trying my best to be patient and considerate towards other drivers and being as relaxed as can be, I am meditating. When I'm sitting outside on my lunch hour, tapping into all my senses as I truly take the time to savor the food I'm eating, appreciating the sounds of nature surrounding me...I am meditating. When I'm sitting in the office, taking a deep breath as I listen to customer's concerns...I am in a way meditating. Whenever I work on improving my life and myself, it is without a doubt a form of meditation. So yes....to answer my friends question and to my own delight, I DO MEDITATE! As those thaughts came to mind, a flock of birds flew over me as I gazed up to them and laughed!

Is each individual on Earth responsible for their own life experience?

2009-08-22T22:21:00.006-04:00

Is each individual on Earth responsible for their own life experience? Or are other people to blame when they are angry, tired, tedious, envious, rude, selfish and just down right mean? How do you make space for other people’s roll through the rollercoaster ride of life when it bumps right up against your happy day at the park?

The truth is that you really are responsible for your own experience and that you cannot control the way other people treat you no matter how hard you try. It is easier to sit back and judge reality by saying that people should treat you a certain way and that they are wrong whenever they don’t. However as long as you sing the tune of should or should not you set yourself up on a righteous path towards the vain attempt to change other people. When you want someone in your life to act differently than they are, you create resistance to them and the way they are acting. The old statement that the more you try to change it, the more it stays the same hits you square in the face. The more you tell yourself that your friend shouldn’t speak to in that way and get angry and frustrated about it, the more your friend continues to speak to you in exactly that way. You could in fact spend the rest of your life issuing moral dictums about the way other people should or shouldn’t treat you. That would be an awful waste of the rest of your life, especially since you have absolutely no control over the way other people act.

The only thing you have any control over is yourself. You have the power to change your actions, reactions, thoughts and emotions. In fact the only real source of transformation lies in the ability to manage your inner world. Much as you would manage your choice of food at a deli counter by scanning the possible choices and choosing what suits you based on your likes and dislikes, you can manage the full scope of your thoughts by choosing consistently better feeling thoughts about yourself, your life and all the beings in your life. It is how you think, feel and act on a moment to moment and day to day basis that amounts to what’s often called your vibration. What you think right now shapes your experience of reality.

What’s often called the “Law of Attraction” is the organizational rule of the universe and it’s what orders your experience of reality in response to your vibration. It works in a similar manner as when you’re asked not to think about the pink elephant and all you see in your mind is that very pink elephant. Dealing and interacting with family, friends and coworkers is just the same. When you stand in front of a loved one and think that they should not be so selfish, hurtful and ignorant all you see in them is evidence of their egocentric, stupid, heartbreaking behavior. Now you might say that it is really true that they are acting in this way. Yet another person standing in the exact same situation might not be bothered at all. At some moment the finger that points at other people has to turn and point back an its owner.

The teaching of Abraham which comes through Esther and Jerry Hicks states that “you cannot restore someone to their Connection with Source by belittling them or by punishing them, or by being disgusted with them. It is only through love that you can return anyone to love.”

As long as you remain committed to complaining about other people, fighting with politicians or reacting in outrage at a traffic jams, you remain committed to a helpless struggle of trying to change other people and outside situations.

Setting the tone of your thoughts, feelings and actions to the tune of what is wrong with the world simply gets you more of what’s wrong. Just as you sort through the junk mail in your inbox to search for the good news from colleagues and friends so too must you manage your inner vibrational world to search for better feeling thoughts and emotions about your friends, colleagues and family members. No thought is absolutely, incontrovertibly true and no emotion is permanent. Every person on Earth has the power to bring you immense joy and immense pain and you hold the key to deciding which it will be.

About Kino MacGregorKino MacGregor is a small business owner (www.miamilifecenter.com), yoga teacher and freelance journalist who has produced two yoga DVDs and is currently working on her first book, Inner Peace, Irresistible Beauty to be released late April 2009. For complete details please see www.ashtanga-awareness.com.

Cute story of a sweet dog...

2009-08-10T21:31:00.005-04:00

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard.
I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.
He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head;
he then followed me into my house,

slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.
An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.
The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour.
This continued off and on for several weeks.
Curious I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is
and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'
The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar:
'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep.
Can I come with him tomorrow?'

2009-07-30T14:28:00.002-04:00

BEING & BREATHING.

BENEFITS OF DEEP BREATHING...

Prana (breath) ... Life Force!

1. Resistance against diseases increases
2. Lungs performance improves
3. Digestive system improves
4. Immunity against diseases improves
5. Thinking becomes positive
6. Toxins are reduced from the body
7. Helps in reducing depression
8. Able to think more constructively
9. Brain functions improves
10. Reduce anger
11. Helps in meditation
12. Feel satisfied, happy, enthusiastic, stable, relaxed
13. Skin condition improves
14. Face brightens
15. Helps in reducing wrinkles
16. Helps in improving hair quality
17. Diseases like Diabetes, Obesity, Allergy, Migraine, Respiratory problems, High blood pressure, Asthma can be avoided and controlled
18. Heart performance and condition improves

Food for thought...!

2009-07-29T11:23:00.003-04:00

It's been said that the Universe first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish... All before making a human. It made and provided what we'd need before we were born. These are best & more powerful when eaten raw. We're such slow learners...

The Universe left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body!
The Universe's Pharmacy! Amazing!

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... And YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.

A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

Life's little lessons....

2009-07-27T10:14:00.001-04:00

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH.

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 40 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:"

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
14. Everything can change in the blink of an eye – don’t take anything for granted.
15. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
16. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
17. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
18. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
19. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
20. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
21. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
22. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
23. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
25. Always choose life.
26. Forgive everyone everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
31. Believe in miracles.
32. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
33. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
34. Your children get only one childhood.
35. All that truly matters in the end is that you love and are loved.
36. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
37. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd
grab ours back.
38. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
39. The best is yet to come.
40. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Positive Emotions - FEEL THEM!

2009-07-09T16:24:00.009-04:00

Ever notice how good you feel when you are in a positive head space? It's almost as if you are on top of the world, ready to take on anything and everything.

I recently read this inspiring text on behalf of Kari Henley from the Intent web page and I am suddenly feeling very positive!

Read on.....

Dr. Fredrickson's came up with a top 10 list of positive emotions, in order of most frequent to least. Allow yourself an opportunity to scroll through the list and ask yourself, "When did I last fully experience this emotion?" The answers may surprise you.

Joy
Joy happens in an instant -- a perfect moment captured when all is just exactly as it should be. Think of a wonderful holiday morning with the family, an unexpected present that delights you, or seeing the first smile on your infant's face. What brings you Joy?

Gratitude
Gratitude is a moment of realizing someone has gone out of their way for you, or simply feeling overwhelmed with your heart opening, after being moved in some way. With gratitude comes a desire to give in return or 'pay it forward' in some way. When did you last experienced deep Gratitude?

Serenity
Serenity is like a mellow, relaxed, or sustained version of Joy. Serenity is a peacefulness that comes on a cloudless day, when you realize there's nothing you have to do. Serenity is indulging in a favorite luxury, and being mindful enough to take it in. Serenity is the moment on vacation when you finally let go. Has Serenity crossed your door lately?

Interest
Interest is a heightened state that calls your attention to something new that inspires fascination, and curiosity. Like a shiny new toy to capture your imagination, interest is alive and invigorating. Interest wakes you up, and leaves you wanting more. What Interests you these days?

Hope
Dr. Fredrickson describes it best: "Unlike other emotions that arise out of comfort and safety, hope springs out of dire circumstances, as a beacon of light. Deep within the core of hope is the belief that things can change, turn out better. Possibilities exist. Hope sustains you and motivates you to turn things around." The inauguration of President Obama brought me Hope. What brings you Hope?

Pride
Ever done something really well that took a little time and effort? Maybe you reached a goal you never thought was attainable? Then pat yourself on the back with unadulterated Pride. Stand back, take that deep breath and let it in -- you earned it. What have you done that made your proud?

Amusement
Think of amusement as those delightful surprises that make you laugh. It's those unexpected moments that interrupt your focus and crack you up. It's a great feeling to have amusement sparkle out of the doldrums and instantly change your perspective. Have you had any amusement in your life recently?

Inspiration
Inspiration is a moment that touches your heart and nearly takes your breath away -- or takes in your breath, as the word literally translates. Inspiration whispers between the strands of your hair, as you watch a perfect sunset, witness academic or athletic excellence, or observe unexpected triumphs over adversity. What brings Inspiration in your life?

Awe
Awe happens when you come across goodness on a grand scale, and you feel overwhelmed by greatness. Awe is triggered when we are faced with the vastness of Nature, or the cosmos. Gazing at the Milky Way and counting the stars, or standing at the top of the Grand Canyon triggers awe. Have you had a moment of awe lately?

Love
Guess what? The list is rigged. Actually, the #1 most frequent positive emotion is here at the bottom. Love encompasses all of the above: joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration and even awe. Love is all that and more. When we experience love, our bodies are flooded with the "feel good" hormones that reduce stress and even lengthen our lives.

How did you make out on your list? Are you experiencing these emotions on a regular basis, occasionally, or hardly any at all? Most importantly, how can we experience them more often?

Let's try an experiment together. All you need are some sticky notes. Put each of the ten positive words above on a sticky note. For the next ten days, peel off one at a time, and take that word with you, wherever you go, as your daily "flourishing mission." Put your daily sticky note on your dashboard, in your pocket or on the bathroom mirror. Take in the essence of each word, and try to bring it out in others.

Let's see what happens! If you like, share your thoughts with me....I would love to hear from you!

SUMMER IS HERE....!

2009-06-21T21:14:00.002-04:00

There's no doubt that Summer is my ultimate favorite season. What's not to like?... Beautiful sunny and long bright days, warm tropical-like wind blowing through the leaves and through our hair, colorful flowers in full bloom everywhere, dips in the pool, margaritas on the terrace, everyone is just bursting with amazing energy, smiling, laughing....celebrating the season we have been waiting for all year round!

I'm not quite sure what it is but there seems to be a certain mystical magic on those Summer evenings.

As I sit on the back patio with my gorgeous hubby and sip my chilled Chardonnay, I look at the life we are living, shake my head and say: "Can it possibly get better than this....?! ...Not a chance!

2009-05-31T15:23:00.018-04:00

This morning I taught a class outside in our beautiful and peaceful backyard. Six people were supposed to join, but finally, because the weather was a little cool and overcast, many canceled and only one person (my friend Cynthia) showed up.

I was a little disapointed at first, as I was excited to introduce Yoga to a couple of friends that had never practiced before and I enjoy the energy of a larger class, but it turned out that the practice was SOOO amazing! As Cynthia & I practiced to the soothing background music from Todd Norian and Anugama, the sun came out to warm our backs, the wind gave us a sense of freedom, in a way... cleansing.

We practiced many flowing poses, while listening to our blissful Cardinal and to the lovely chimes that my hubby so thoughtfully hung for us to enjoy.

It was one of the best practices I had in a while. It was beautiful to look up at Cynthia and to see how much she was, as well enjoying her Yoga as she closed her eyes taking everything in.

Sometimes it’s not about how many people there are, or how challenging the class is, etc...it’s just being there in the moment, enjoying your being, your surroundings...your life!

Namaste