What do you think?

So much of our lives are wrapped up by what we think, and how we react to those thoughts. We have evolved over many years from being a culture whose focus was the survival of the fittest, to one of the survival and dominance of the smartest. The advent of the internet and public access to more and more academic institutions has made ‘knowledge’ something that is more easily attainable than ever before. So what do you do with that knowledge, once you get it?
There is not one thought that can exist without some form of emotion attached to it. So while we are caught up in an interesting conversation or a boring lecture, our emotions are a stones throw away, waiting for attention. It is our emotions that help us learn more, remember more and search for more. What we think about and how we react to our thoughts are really governed by our emotions. What do you think about your emotions? Or, do you feel them, acknowledge them, and simply move on?
Thinking about emotions without understanding where they come from is like eating something from a foreign country. You may be encouraged by those around you that it is okay, but you are still unsure of what it is YOU are tasting or feeling. That lack of knowledge can be unnerving. So how do you gain more knowledge about feelings?
The answer is quite simple… using your curiosity to ask questions, having the courage to face the truth and the humbleness to listen to the feedback from your environment lead to a better and more intimate understanding of the knowledge YOU gained about YOURSELF.
Using these tools with health care providers you trust can help anyone achieve a better relationship with their mind so they can find a friendship with their heart.

“In all battles of the heart over the mind, go with your heart. It's a lot easier for your mind to catch up with your heart, than for your heart to catch up with your mind.”
- anonymous

Environmental Cues or Allergies ?

“I can’t stand being around her at work….she always brings me down.”, mumbles an unhappy co-worker.

Have you ever wondered why a yawn is so contagious or why you are singing a song you haven’t heard that day only to find out the person at the desk next to you is singing it as well.
Human beings are keen observers, even as infants, because it is necessary for our survival (after all, we are animals). Our senses must interpret everything in our immediate surroundings and determine if we are under attack or under a clear blue sky.
Ask yourself this…”why do we feel an “uncomfortable” silence when you are at a party and you and someone else are just staring at each other with nothing to say? “
The answer lies in the fact that, because of our sensual nature, we need an “exchange” of some kind, something that will give us information about who or what is in our environment. We have relied on verbal communication and our other senses to interpret our environment, therefore things can easily creep up on us. When we turn a deaf ear or a blind eye we can inevitably run into achy knees before a thunderstorm or runny noses amidst a bouquet of flowers.
At dinner, try to communicate (ask to pass the butter) without using any words for the entire meal….or don’t watch television for a week…what would you do in place of words?
We all use our senses differently….some are more touchy/feely, while others prefer to smell and/or taste. Our genetics and personality help to determine this.
The mind and body can only work with a finite amount of information. Therefore, if the mind is challenged in any way (like the stress of performing on the job) the body will create uncomfortable symptoms to communicate that to the mind and “bring a person down”. This is not to say that everything is in our heads, because there are a lot of physical things that break down that need physical fixing through proper medical intervention.
Your body is like a car but before you bring your car into the mechanic, chances are you already know if your car needs gas, an oil change or the fluids checked.
To know about yourself and your environment, not only helps you but your family and your health care providers.
It is in our nature to “be aware” of our environment but it should be in our hearts to want to know why we feel broken?.

“Our background & environment influence who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.” – E. Rosevelt

Saving Energy

“My life is out of control. My job, my kids and even my mind!”

Have you ever wondered why, when the elevator button is pushed and clearly lit up that, we all tend to keep pushing it again and again ? It is like we have this internal mechanism that thinks we actually have a say in how fast and for whom this machine should work.
This is our ego’s way of integrating and surviving in our modern world, through its false notion of control. The western world has a firm grasp over this and this is at the root of many health problems today; whether its indigestion, depression or headaches. We really surrender the simple and natural ways our body and minds store and use energy and we therefore give it up to these false notions.
In the past, our need for control has served us well. After all it brought us bigger stores, more clothes, computers and faster cars. But at what price?
What do we do when control is not something we possess?
Look away, take an aspirin, call in sick, outright lie and deceitfully say “I didn’t want to be in control anyway !” or get angry, depressed and moody.
The truth of the matter is that the only real thing all human beings have definite control over is their internal self. We still struggle for external control but like the weather, something gives and you find yourself frustrated, gassy, and inevitably developing a pounding migraine while waiting for the elevator. These times are the times we need to practice storing our energy with the use of gratitude, fulfillment, appreciation and bliss. Conserving our energy for things that matter, will always leave us in a more healthy state physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Fully loaded vehicles, all you can eat buffets, free education and even affordable housing makes us all very wealthy outside. But our social choices and focus keep us poor inside. If we listen to our bodies and our minds and develop internal resources, like confidence, self-love, courage and respect, we can invariably create a healthier life.
The bottom line is that in order to get to the top of where you are headed, it is going to require small and simple daily changes. After all, it takes one second to sincerely smile, two seconds to give a goodnight kiss and three seconds to say “I love you”, all of which can change your life. Make an honest effort…FORCE YOURSELF, to do something small and see how big the results will be. A healthy psychology creates a long lasting life of fulfillment and well-being with loads of energy so remember…….

“Sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck”
– Dhali Lama