" Respond/React … "

Bring it back to Respond/React

Then bring it back to Respond/React to this

Bustin thoughts that pierce your mental

The fierce rippin your sacks and

Simple as addition and subtraction ...

Bring the international charm, see a squad I harass

REACT, you best adapt when I sling this rap ...

~ The Roots ~ Respond/React ~

***

When something happens in our life, it is hard not to act in a conditioned way.  A way in which we react out of habit.  A way in which we give up our freedom because we are not making a conscious decision.  And just how do we do this ... by reacting rather than responding.

Now there may be a slight difference between the words yet in practice there is a massive difference.  Reactions are defensive in nature ... uncomfortable, emotional, and out of control.  And these very emotions without reason drive us forward unproductively.  Responding is full of thoughtfulness and reasoning.  Responding is guided less by emotion and more by logic.

So where is the difference ... mindfulness

The easiest way to be mindful is to focus on your breath.  Maintaining balanced breathing rhythm is essential as this allows us to regain our concentration.  This breath brings awareness of our body, how we feel, where we hold pain, discomfort, tension.  With focus on our breathing, we also bring our body into a steady state which calms our systems down.  With each breathe and raised awareness, we bring ourselves into control and release tensions. We let go and become more centered in who we really are and want to be. Releasing tension returns us to our principles and calmer ways of interacting.   

With self-awareness training, we can become aware of these automatic reactions that rule our lives and earn to put conscious effort into deciding for ourselves before we act.

Our goal is to take the time to think, make a rational decision, and respond with a purpose.  Personally, meditation has given me the ability to stop reacting automatically to things in my life.  To think things through.  To give the space I need.  By giving conscious awareness of this process, I can choose my response to situations as they arise … conscious awareness ~ conscious effort ~ conscious decision ...

Between stimulus and response there is a space.  

In that space is our power to choose our response.  

In our response lies our growth and our freedom 

~ Viktor E. Frankl

" Falling Out … "

Sometimes I feel like there's no getting through to you
like you don't appreciate all that I do.
you gotta show me that you want me to stay
don't turn & walk away

I don't know what to do,
how did we end up here this way?
what are we gonna do?
I'm slowly falling out.. 

don't let your pride get in the way,
don't throw it away
Slowly falling, slowly falling

How did we end up here this way?

~ Keyshia Cole ~ Falling Out ~

***

Oh look, another falling out ... how many does that make?  lost track?  can’t keep count?   ... The thoughts going through my head recently, as I heard about some “people” who we use to be in our friends circle, but you guessed it … had another falling out.  

And I can’t help the little smile on my face.  Judgement, most definitely.  You see when you have a “falling out with someone” you hope that after the oh so drama~ugliness, there is a lesson in the experience, and there always is.  But prior it is all about blame.  We blame others first and then if we are truthful, we take responsibility as well.  

Intentionally giving very little energy to them, I have to say that even hearing about yet another falling out with these folks, well, let's just say, there seems to be quite a few "victims".  And sure it was a trigger.  Life goes on, it is what is … and then a conversation stirs up old feelings, old emotions, old thoughts. old drama.  Almost wise to start a support group for all the people that have experienced their wrath ... I know there would be double digits in attendance.  Perhaps we can share the lessons, who knows the message may be the same.

Mental affirmation: reliving the past, not interested ... predicting the future, too boring ... staying present and accepting what is, freedom.

Sad really, because their “new” world supporters rave on soapboxes about their compassion, kindness, generosity, love, motivation ... blah blah blah ... judgement, most definitely ... warranted, I guess that is up for debate ... maybe just ask the potential support group I mentioned that have been messed around by their behaviour, I’m sure they would have some interesting insight.  You can call it what you want … I see it as just an observation on how life works itself out perfectly!  

ॐ Thank-you karma, thank-you ॐ

Another observation ... 

one common factor in all these “fall outs” are it involves the same people.  Again, you can blame others, say that they are jealous, envious, insecure, immature but if you have a record of these broken relationships, maybe just maybe, take a look in the mirror ... or not.  And really at the end, we are ultimately responsible as to how we let people treat us ... well at least how we react to it.  The tricky part is the manipulation.  And these folks are good, real good.  Actually could probably write a book about, or even host a workshop.  Haha, I wonder how many would register for the “how to be an opportunist” course starring ****.  

Stage names are great when you are “acting” out your life rather than living your truth

Le sigh ... honesty moment: you can visualize how the confrontation will go down, and it never ever works out that way ... you lose your nerve, you are unprepared, you are unsure or maybe, you just don’t give a damn, yeah that’s it, ask yourself does it really matter anymore ... no.  

SO then why the blog then if there is now concern ... observations, observations, observations .... just an example as to how the law of karmic balance works, here and now ... you get exactly what you deserve.  If you think you deserve better, then let others know ... and if they don’t agree, you may be just as lucky to experience an “enlightening” fall out too ॐ

" Circular … "

We are alive, to see the end of us 

Struggling to reach the finish line 

To designate our time to questionable lives 

So called meaningless, still there's no answer 

For this vulnerable reality comes 

Can't we break the cycle in which we reside? 

Objective achieved, the perfect machine 

We're drawing circles every day 

It takes only one step to be on your way 

Reflection, our time's up 

And over and over again 

Again, again 

~ Textures ~ Circular ~

***

Being human equates being emotional.  Experiences generate feelings & emotions that become excessive, or are repressed and turned inward.  This is when they can become pathological and cause dis-ease.  Once we understand this connection, we can begin to balance our bodies back to wellness … one modality,Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offers some insight.

We consider emotions of joy, sadness and anger to be normal, normal in every day experiences.  And, sometimes even an organ within our body can be out of balance and produce emotional imbalances.  TCM believes that balancing the organ associated with the emotion will balance the emotion.  The difference is important to the practitioner, as well as you, in preventing a recurrence of the problem.  The practitioner will ask many questions to evaluate all aspects, not just the physical, with the intention that once the imbalance is corrected, the environment that created that imbalance no longer exists.  Yet we do have free will, and if we choose to continue in the environment, the imbalance will likely return as we are creatures of habit.

... emotions that do not have avenues for expression and release can create dis-ease and dis-harmony in the body manifesting as physical symptoms ...

TCM relies on a circular rather than a liner approach ... cause and effect ... balance and flow.  Therefore stuck emotions can lead to a blockage of the flow or a stagnation resulting in dis-ease.  How the dis-ease manifests is completely individualized depending on many factors, and your practitioner will assist you in determining the how.  It is believed that releasing emotions can release dis-eases.

The following related organs show symptoms when imbalance occurs ...

	HEART	SPLEEN	LUNGS	KIDNEY	LIVER
emotion	joy	worry	sadness	fear	anger
emotion out of balance	Lack of enthusiasm and vitality, mental restlessness, depression, insomnia, despair, confusion, anxiety, fidgeting, easily startled	Dwelling or focusing too much on a particular topic, excessive mental work	Excessive sadness, grief, or detachment, uncontrolled crying	Fearful, no willpower, insecure, aloof, isolated	Explosive anger, resentment, frustration, irritability, bitterness, moodiness
function	Regulates the heart and blood vessels, responsible for even and regular pulse, influences vitality and spirit. Connected to the tongue, complexion and arteries	Food digestion and nutrient absorption, the first step in the formation of Blood and Qi, holds blood in the vessels, connected to the muscles, mouth and lips, involved in thinking, studying and memory	Respiration, controls sweat and body hair, creates energy (Qi) from air and redistributes it throughout the body, works with Kidney to regulate the water metabolism, important part of the immune system and helps protect the body from viruses and bacteria, provides moisture to skin	Responsible for reproduction, growth and development & maturation, connected with lungs in water metabolism and respiration, responsible for bones, teeth, hearing and head hair	Stores the blood, responsible for the smooth flow of Blood and Qi throughout the body, regulates the secretion of bile, connected with the tendons, nails and eyes
symptoms indicating imbalance	insomnia, heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, excessive dreaming, poor memory and concentration, dizziness, spontaneous sweating	Tired, loss of appetite, mucous discharge, poor digestion, abdominal distension, loose stools or diarrhea, weak muscles, pale lips, bruising easily, excessive menstrual blood flow, other bleeding disorders	Shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, catching colds easily, fever with chills, sore throat, runny nose, headache, asthma, chest oppression, pale complexion, dry skin	Frequent urination, urinary incontinence, vertigo, night sweats, dry mouth, poor short term memory, low back pain, sore or weak knees, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, hair that turns grey prematurely, hair loss and osteoporosis, lowered libido	chest distension, red face, bitter taste in the mouth dizziness, ringing in the ears, jaundice, menstrual problems (cramps, irregular or heavy periods), headaches, tendinitis, nausea, vomiting, sighing, breast tenderness, swelling and/or itching of the genitals, blurred vision, floaters, dry skin and hair

When we live in a fast paced world full of stresses on both our minds and our bodies.  Hence it is important to remember again that the cause of an imbalance may be occurring from events in your life and a practitioner cannot can’t remove the stress, only you can.  

Staying healthy isn’t easy but it is possible if you make it a priority.  Imbalance is everywhere.  Hence finding whatever brings you happiness and makes you feel good are the small things that are the keys to wellness.

“ Life is the journey we all share, and if we live it with mindfulness and wisdom, that journey will always lead to balance and happiness ... “

" Magnesium … "

And didn't even know your own strength ...

We saw you ignite some reaction

Like magnesium put to a flame

And you never would guess what they're saying about you

Now that everyone knows your name

It's a hard road no one ever should have to know

But you make friends along the way

Never aware of when you would go ...

Seems you're the only one to make an artwork out of a life ...

Cause happiness is what you gave to me

~ Ether ~ Magnesium ~

***

With my keen interest and studies within nutritional healing, I’ve been reading about Magnesium.  Now when I first thought about this mineral, my mind quickly went the periodic table I had to memorize in grade school if I had any hopes to pass ... chemical element with the symbol Mg and an atomic number of 12 ...

Magnesium is the eighth most abundant mineral on earth, the third most abundant in sea water and the fourth most abundant in the human body.  More importantly, we need magnesium in every cell of our human body for our strong teeth & bones and healthy nervous & cardiovascular systems.  Specifically, our brain and hearts produce a large amount of electrical activity which can be especially vulnerable to magnesium deficiencies.  And these deficiencies can imbalance the use of calcium in our cells and lead to further serious issues … 

Plus, modern farming processes have depleted our soils of natural magnesium.  Even fluoridated water binds with magnesium creating a nearly insoluble mineral compound that ends up deposited on our bones and compromising them.  Oh and diets packed with caffeinated drinks, high sugar consumption, processed foods and an abundance of alcohol doesn’t help much either.  And sadly even pharmaceuticals such as birth control pills, hypertension medicine, diuretics, insulin, and certain antibiotics (among others) deplete magnesium levels. 

… some blood tests can be ineffective in gauging magnesium levels 

as less than 1% of it is in our blood … 

So how do you know if you are deficient ... symptoms such as insomnia, irritability, muscle soreness or spasms, premenstrual cramping, reoccurring migraines, heart flutters or palpitations, fatigue, coldness in extremities, fuzzy brain, lack of appetite, constipation, gut disorders, kidney stones, carbohydrate cravings ...

So how do you make sure you are getting enough … start with leafy green vegetables, sea vegetables, kelp, nettle (herb), almonds, wheat germ, cashews, oatmeal, peanuts, potatoes with skin, black eye peas and brown rice  because they are good dietary sources of magnesium.  As well, magnesium supplements can be found on the market.  

Be sure to ALWAYS consult with your practitioner first.

the aforementioned is for information purpose ONLY.

" Space … "

I'll give you space ...
Space in your phone where it said my name
Where I took my picture out your frame
And I won't be around when you figure out
You got exactly what you asked for, space

Space in your mind when you think of me
'Cause I'm about to be a memory
Now you've got your space ...

~ Pussycat Dolls ~ Space ~

***

Ever thought about giving yourself some space?  Space from a situation, a relationship, a job?  Probably not as many think that not having activity going on around them is uncomfortable.  They don’t know how to handle silence or having a little time with nothing specific to do.

confession ... in the past, if I had some free time, 
I didn’t know what to do with myself ...

So why the discomfort with empty pockets of time and space?  Because some feel free time is lonely time.  They can’t deal with their own company, and have feelings of nothing worthy of living.  Yes ... the root is self-worth.

Self-worth ... when you begin to truly love yourself, you learn that space is an amazing buffer against feeling stressed or overwhelmed.  It provides exactly what it implies ... room for exploration, growth, contemplation and rejuvenation ... the more quiet time alone, the more you get use to it.

Plus you begin to appreciate taking moments to just be, sit quietly and focus on your breathing.  You get to decide what works for you and drown out all the voices, opinions, expectations, responsibilities that go along with it.  This allows you to decompress and communicate with the most important relationship you’ll ever have ... with you.

Initially, it can take some getting use to, sitting by yourself or even with a loved one without having to say a word and appreciating it.  Your need to keep busy falls away.  And your soul scoops up the nourishment.  Your need to randomly fill up what seems like a void in your life will disappear and you will stop dodging yourself.  Because the busier you are, the less you have to pay attention to yourself, and you matter at this very moment.  Eventually, you will crave the space of timelessness & peacefulness as it is the best gift for your soul.

" Yet …"

All attempts have failed
All my heads are tails
She's got teary eyes
I've got reasons why

I'm losing ground and gaining speed
I've lost myself or most of me
I'm headed for the final precipice

But you haven't lost me yet
No, you haven't lost me yet
I'll sing until my heart caves in
No, you haven't lost me yet, yet

~ Switchfoot ~ Yet ~

***

It is  funny what some people focus on ... funny in a not so funny way.  Recently I was having conversations with someones and as most topics gravitate towards health, I was asked about what my lifestyle is like.  So I explained ... I eat organic food, I prefer raw foods, I practice hot yoga, I work for myself ... and as I was continuing to answer them, they question ... yeah, but what about the cancer?  is it gone yet?

And this made me think … 

why do we tend to focus on results more than the “journey” ?  

we are a society of instant gratification …

We want something different but don't really want to change.  

We want to be enlightened but don’t want to be uncomfortable.  

We do things as they are convenient, not as they are necessary.  

And if we don’t get the results immediately, 

it is a bust, failure and doesn't work ...

So if I had answered ... yes the cancer is gone?  am I a success?

So if I answer ... no the cancer is still present?  am I a failure?

I guess it depends on who you ask.  

And it made me really think about my own thinking, writing and even living patterns.  In the past, I have found myself romanticizing the “end” of the journey.  Sometimes thinking there may be a prize awaiting my arrival.  Do I place too much emphasis on the end result as well?  Have I been implying that in my words, in my actions?  A finale of some sort? ... and has this been translated in my writing?

Oddly enough, I have found that the ending place one arrives at is another pathway to a new experience.  I mean isn’t there always another climb or another great distance to cross?  The path I have taken leads to a hundred more, as the process of discovery is not a short one.

So, it seems we are always on the cycle of road that never ends.  Which may explain the painful monotony we all come up against because we like to have a point, an exact location where we can set our minds up for expectations.  It is a closed minded way of living ... it is a way of living that no longer serves me.

I have found that when I rush life, I deprive my soul of exploration, discovery, mistakes, lessons, rewards and blessings. I have found that it is not about getting there or how quickly one can arrive.  I have found that it is about what you take away from your experience on the way there because I have learned my growth and learning is limitless …

" Sugar … "

I play Russian roulette everyday, a man's sport, 

With a bullet called life, yeah mama called life, (sugar) 

You know that every time I try to go 

Where I really want to be, 

It's already where I am, 

Cause I'm already there, sugar 

The kombucha mushroom people, 

Sitting around all day, 

Who can believe you, 

Who can believe you, 

Let your mother pray, sugar

How do I feel, what do I say, 

In the end it all goes away, 

~ System Of A Down ~ Sugar ~

***

Removing refined sugar from your diet can be one of the toughest things to do because it is so highly addictive.  These craving can come on very strong and often hard to ignore.

Each day, people consume on average more than their share of sugar.  Not only does this makes us fat, it rots our teeth, contributes to type 2 diabetes and contributes to cancer.  

... the World Cancer Research Fund says that when it comes to preventing cancer, being as lean as possible without being underweight is at the top of the list. At number three, even ahead of eating more vegetables, is advice to limit consumption of energy-dense foods – foods high in fat or added sugars – and sugary drinks … 

Sugar has no nutrients that offer protection from disease.  If we understand that the fuel that we put in our bodies is the ONLY fuel and nutrients that it can perform better, we would rethink those high-energy, dense, nutrient-poor, high-fat, high-sugar foods.

So when you think of cutting back or even quitting sugar do you believe it is even possible?  And do you have the desire to change?  Personally speaking, I think I was a caffeine & sugar addict.  Looking back, I am pretty sure I was coasting on these fumes to get through my day ... depriving my body of nutrient rich foods.

And yes, from experience, eliminating sugar from you diet can be done.  I recommend the following steps ... 

• eat less salt ... you body naturally craves sugar to balance out flavours, hence once you no longer crave sugar, you can gradually add saltier foods back into your diet
• eat sweet vegetables ... beets and sweet potatoes are great replacements for refined sugar
• get more exercise ... working up a sweat helps take your mind off sugar and balance out your body to a more alkaline state (I love my hot yoga!)
• cut out processed foods ... read the label as almost all processed foods are packed full of secret sugars that fuel your addiction
• share ... your new healthy recipes and sugar-free lifestyle with your partner and friends 

In the past, I would find I was “stuck” in the sugar cycle ... emotional food baggage and eating habits to match.  Once I got serious about improving my health, life improved.  Oh and for the record ... this is NOT A DIET.  it is a LIFESTYLE change.  And that’s not to say sugar is not in my diet ... it is the type of sweet that differs.  Our preference is maple syrup which is packed with loads of good stuff ... anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory.  

When we move and eat the way our bodies were designed for, health and happiness follows.  We can still enjoy life and have control over our choices.  And once we do, we can have that cake knowing we are healthy and in control.

" Hypocrite … "

Who's to blame

Tell me who's to blame

Tell me who, you

You're not responsible

I'm responsible ...

I don't wanna do that again

I've been all over the place

I watched the strawberry fields

Dry up and wither away

And if you ask me to stay

You know that's where I will be

Don't wanna do that again

I'll never do that again

~ Cage The Elephant ~ Hypocrite ~ 

***

Human beings can be intelligent, rational and hypocritical.  Yes, it seems we humans are wired to be hypocrites as well.  And if we are truly honesty with ourselves, we can find some level of hypocrisy in our own lives.

Now we may believe we are living our values of being trustworthy, good, hard working, ecologically-minded, fair and responsible citizens.  But what if we have been falling short of living these?

... hypocrite pretends to be better than he really is or to be pious, virtuous without really being so ...

One of the main reasons is people desire to have the best of both worlds.  I believe within us we are fully aware that something is morally wrong with our actions, but we do it anyway because it feels good or is convenient.  And when we use rationalization, we can even justify our actions.  

... hypocrisy intentionally covers-up, it conceals, it hides by actions and words which misleads others ... hypocrisy is living a lie …

Being on the receiving end of hypocrisy is tough.  Really tough ... betrayal, malice, deception.  Yet you learn not to be dismayed by the spite of others, and for that matter even your own inconsistencies.  Thankfully we are also wired to be imperfect as well.  As our lives are all dynamic spiritual journeys ...

We all have moments where our lives are double standards.  Where we don one mask to cover another.  Therefore, accepting that hypocrisy will creep into our lives can make us more aware and cautious about our certainty.  It can allow us to approach topics with a more balanced approach and engage in conversations or thought processes with a more open-minded attitude.

ॐ never try to mess up someones life with a lie when yours can be destroyed with the truth ॐ

" More … "

More than the greatest love the world has known,

This is the love I give to you alone,

More than the simple words I try to say,

I only live to love you more each day.

More than you'll ever know, 

Longer than always is a long long time, 

I know I've never lived before and my heart is very sure,

No one else could love you more ...

~ Frank Sinatra ~ More ~

***

It has been quite fun to introduce more foods in our diet, specifically super foods.  So what is a “superfood”?  It is a marketing term used to describe foods with great health benefits.  Interestingly, the term is not in common use by dietitians and nutritionist, as many dispute the claimed benefits by advocates.

… Spirulina is a simple, one-celled organism that got its name from the 

Latin word for 'helix' or 'spiral' because of its spring-like physical characteristic. Its scientific name is Arthrospira platensis, and it belongs to the cyanobacteria family … 

Nevertheless, we’ve been enjoying the benefits of goji berries, cacao & Spirulina.

Spirulina, technically is not a herb, as this cyan bacteria boasts is fair share of health promoting properties.  Incredibly high nutrients, Spirulina is a natural “algae” harvested from non-contaminated ponds and bodies of spring water.  Vegetarians looking for high natural iron content gravitate towards this food.  And like anything else, it comes with its controversy ... regarding its high B-12 content and if this particular form is a complete and absorbable form.

So how can pond scum be good for you?  It is hard to imagine a plant that can nourish your body by reinforcing your immune system with an abundance of good stuff ... 

• Spirulina is 65% protein and amino acids including the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which supports anti-inflammatory properties
• Spirulina contains Omega 3, 6 & 9s
• Spirulina is extremely high in Chlorophyll which helps remove toxins from the blood and boost the immune system
• Spirulina has a high concentration of bio-avail iron which helps with anemia 
• Spirulina is a great source of B-1(thiamine), B-2 (riboflavin), B-3(nicotinamide), B-6 (pyridoxine), B-9 (folic acid), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A and vitamin E
• Spirulina has over 26 times the calcium in milk
• Spirulina is a great source of potassium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, selenium, sodium and zinc

When choosing a type of Spirulina, make sure to choose one that is organic, as others can have nitrate compounds as additives.  We simply add it, and the other super foods, to our veggie juices and smoothies every day.  The phosphorous makes for a nasty taste so it is great to disguise it within.  

Although there are no known side effects, our bodies react differently based on our current state of health.  Some of the most prominent reactions include slight fever due to elevation in metabolism and body temperature, dark green waste matter, rash and itchy skin due to temporary colon cleanse, and sleeplessness due to detoxification process and a sign to rest and heal.

Disclaimer: Spirulina is a powerhouse of essential vitamins and minerals ... and a potent detoxifier.  People with severe seafood or iodine allergies should be aware as well as those who are pregnant, nursing or have hyperthyroidism.  Always consult with your doctor regarding contradictions prior to taking Spirulina.