Stretch, continued...

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I think many of us actually complicate our lives with a mindset that basic or simple concepts are too good to be true; over looking little things like a good stretch and the fact that it is so beneficial both mentally and physically.

I love when Deepak and Oprah come together to offer a space where we can take twenty minutes a day to go within, embrace stillness and absorb a calming positive message. Have you tried any of their meditations? I believe it is a worthwhile experience to try so if you haven’t, why not give the meditation a shot? You still have a week or so before this one ends and it is free so stretch your mind and embrace the opportunity.

I’m always running behind in the series, for example, I think they are on day 12 or 13 of the event while I’m am on day 9. They will keep the mediation up, per day, for five days in order to give people like me (late comers) more time for the experience. Many times I find myself falling to sleep during the first go around and if this happens I just re-do that day’s meditation if possible later on or the next day.

Like I said in the article, I am going to make an effort to incorporate more physical stretching in my life. I’m pretty good at the mental stretch but not so much physically anymore.

Leave me your thoughts; do you actively stretch physically and/or mentally? What does the process do for you?

Positive thoughts shape you, continued...

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Todays article was inspired by Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday’s interview with spiritual speaker, Russell Simmons. They discussed his success and how much he attributes this to his spiritual endeavors. Russell devotes much of his time to meditation and yoga. In his work he creates music as an offering to world. He feels once you find your own bliss within, you do not see the world as a void but as a vast place for your offering to manifest.

He spoke of happiness coming from inside out instead of the outside in; once you realize this, you’ll define and find your own success apart from the world’s view.

I have let meditation slip off of my priority list; I’ll be putting it on the top again in order to calm my world. As Russell has realized, this place that can be reached once we still ourselves is pure and serene. It is a little piece of heaven that exists within each of us. Why wouldn’t we want to visit this realm as often as possible?

Do you meditate? Have you ever tried it? It will help cleanse your thoughts; it soothes and aligns you with your natural rhythm.

Have you had any self-discoveries while in this mode? If so, share them with me.

  

Life navigational tools, continued...

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At first thought, I didn’t really consider there to be a difference between instinct and intuition, I thought of them as synonymous to one another. After I considered each they really are unique. Wikipedia.com helped me to clarify. I believe these tools are both gifts from God.

Wikipedia explains the difference between the two, “For example, if you sense a big object suddenly approaching your head, the instinctive action is to duck and possibly raise you hand to protect yourself. This is all done in an instant. You didn't even have to think about it. The action was instinctive. Instinct refers to natural reaction or behaviour, such as a mother's instinct to care for her offspring, or an animal's instinct to migrate to warmer/colder climes or to habitual spawning places.

On the other hand, you may find that, somehow, you are able to perceive something that is not plainly evident, having some insight of mind that can see beyond the obvious, such as what may be troubling someone who seems disturbed. Intuition relates to thoughts and feelings you have about a matter, but which you cannot explain or justify by rational logic.”

I believe these thoughts are more manifested from our 6^th sense; they are celestial.

Do you think I’m crazy?

Happiness and humanity, continued...

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Deepak Chopra’s Day 22, Happiness and Humanity session was a nice ending to 22 days of meditation. I enjoyed his offering to the world. There was an essence of spirit surrounding this process just knowing that millions of people were quieting their minds and stepping into this celestial space guided by Deepak.

I must admit I drifted into peaceful naps a handful of times. I’m sure this was because, many days, I was burning the candle at both ends trying to accomplish holiday tasks. The blend of Deepak’s soft words and serene music was enticing in manifesting rest.

Most of the time as I shifted into an altered state, I felt an ease of mind as my spirit opened to the universe. I felt connected to something magnificent, a universal love.

And, ultimately, I’m in the mist of the holiday season and for the 1^st time, I’m not stressing over expenses. This validates that the process of 3 weeks of meditation on abundance has gifted me with feelings of wealth (both tangible and intangible).

Of course my bank account isn’t bulging at the seams but it’s not doing too bad either.

May each of you feel abundant this season and prosper in the New Year. Namaste!

21 Day meditation challenge, continued...

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I was introduced to Deepak’s 21-day Meditation Challenge on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday. Unfortunately I had DVR’d the program so I joined the challenge a few days late. I’m thankful for the timing of this gift.

It has been a tough week and this has helped me stay the course. If you follow my column, you know that Monday I put my cat to sleep. She was approximately 15 years old and suffering early kidney failure, congestive heart failure and the latest illness, Pneumonia.

It felt like my spirit was broken. It is cold and rainy here in Michigan. Between the weather and my emotional state, I coped through a 3-day migraine and now I have a horrible cold in the aftermath of her death. I pushed myself to meet my obligations this week but otherwise I’ve been struggling.

I usually meditate but with my health and mental state, focus has been tough. Deepak’s guided meditation has helped me quiet my mind and enable needed destress/relaxation.

I also think it is helping me connect with Charcoal, my cat, spiritually. When I went to my drawing class yesterday, one of my students told me about a cat she once had that was named Gray. It looked like my Charcoal. Last night, while on Facebook, I looked down at the list of “Friends I might know” offered up to me and Gray Cat was the first name on the list. Of course, I sent a friend invite; pretty amazing, huh?

Try the Deepak Chopra 21-Day Meditation challenge and let me know how it helped you.

A place you call your own, continued...

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The message I'm trying to convey in this article is that you have the power to retreat and renew without having to exert a lot of energy to escape your everyday stress. Some people meditate for hours a day but most of us do not have the luxury of excess time for this exercise. If you do, I'm sure you are feeling aligned and in tune with yourself and your world. I'm lucky to meditate an hour within a whole week. The longest my session might be, on a good day, is twenty minutes. In the article, I communicate that just a few seconds of going within is worthwhile and I truly believe this.

It is about shutting out all of the crazy stimuli and calming yourself down to mesh with the peace within. This is possible and changes everything within a moment of time.

Give it a shot and leave your feedback. I'm interested in your thoughts!

Discover meditation, continued...

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I've tried to sit and meditate many, many times in the past but I didn't feel very successful as I usually fell to sleep! I think I was just too exhausted to reach that "in between" state that I'm aware of now. It wasn't until a few months ago when I finally found this new place in my head that feels really peaceful. It is so hard to put into words but when I get there, I'm able to see this very vibrant purple/pink color. Once I see it, my focus switches from my breathing to this swirling, peaceful show going on inside of my head! It is funny because the last time I received a deep tissue massage, this same color came floating into my mind. It is obvious to me that both meditation and massage offer physical and mental benefits. Have you tried to meditate? If so, what do you see or feel?