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FINDING JOY IN THE COMING SEASON
We all know that summer was cool. Quick, wet and is almost gone, but do we have to fade away to the fall and hibernate? No we can get up, get out, and get active. The best way to beat the fall and winter blues is to get involved. I love the fall, the cool air, the fresh smells, the quiet evenings and the falling leaves. So don’t let the season get you down. many of us dread this season change as we know the cold winter follows. Perhaps this is the year to prepare with new hobbies, a gym. membership, a plan to visit with friends at the local bowling alley, or spiritual retreat classes. Yoga, Tai Chi, or other regular classes run year round.
I love the winter, although I don’t like to drive in the snow! I love knowing that we face the most severe changes and survive each year to be refreshed and new in spring. I have found some interesting information about our more than familiar North American disorder, SAD, if you are one who feels this pain, please join me this year in making wonderful changes that will get you off the down path and on the happy path to winter!
Seasonal Depression, Jet Lag and Light Therapy
As many as 10 per cent of Canadians may suffer from some sort of seasonal depression caused by sunlight changes. Commonly called the "winter blues", symptoms can include low energy, excessive sleep, over-eating, weight gain and even severe depression. These effects are usually caused by what is commonly referred to as a malfunction of the body's clock. Light therapy may help these people as well as those who work shifts and those who suffer from jet lag.
As well as sending images to the brain, the eyes also tell our pineal gland, a small pea-sized gland located in the brain, when the day is over. The gland then induces drowsiness by secreting melatonin. This gland also influences moods, hunger and metabolism. (It has been determined that melatonin is used as a marker for the body's internal clock.)
Doctors have learned to treat this seasonal depression and jet lag by using a simple device called a light box. Because the timing, intensity and duration of the light all play a role in the treatment of each individual case, it is important to stress that the light by a therapist or monitored by a person who understands that you can burn under this intensity of light.
I love the freedom from the mind meditation during this time of year. I quiet my mind and still my thoughts, I breath into my inner self and free all anxiety, fear, emotional connections to negative thoughts and accept that the darker, colder days are only a prelude to a wonderful rebirth in spring. I ask my mind to be free of thoughts that are harmful, self defeating or depressive. I purge all emotions that are not self loving, giving and kind. I free my mind from anything that can create depression. Give it a try, you will find that this is a technique that can lead to a happier state of awareness free from the seasonal onset of SAD.
We must remember that the Season that brings us the negative also brings us one of our favourite times of year - Christmas This year I am planning to share my holiday with friends and family as usual, but I am going to give myself a new gift this year. My mother passed in May and this will be the first Christmas without her, so in respect to her I am going to carry her Christmas tradition forward, keeping her in the holiday with me in spirit.
Each year, mom would bake up a storm, preparing gift baskets for her friends, some of the most yummy treats are shared during this giving time. This year I will do the same, a time honoured tradition of Eastern favorites will adorn my friends and families tables this coming year. I have learned that with her passing, I received a gift of knowledge, that her love will be with me forever, teaching me, guiding me, and mothering me, as the one that was born to me. Oh how we are silly when those that we love are close. Embrace your parents, your sisters, and your brothers, as theirs is a love you will never find again, unconditional.
I see Christmas as a time of year to share with the ones you love - an emotional gift of harmony, laughter, love, singing and spirit. We all have our own beliefs through our religion and teaching, but can we not all come together to share at this time of year? This year, a new thought, that Christmas is a gift without giving, the time spent loving is all the gift we really need
I want to ask the universe this year to give to me the opportunity to put together the money, the people, the heath and the knowledge to prepare for a healing centre near by. Most of you know that it is my life long dream to do this. I am simply asking now that spirit hear me and assist me in creating this divine place. A place where we can learn, grow, heal, share and become awakened to the natural gifts the world has to offer in medicines of the earth.
I ask that we all together begin asking for this wonderous gift, as it is an opportunity for us all to share.
Seasons
We are never really satisfied
Too hot or much too cold
What is the perfect temperature
Impossible I'm told
We must embrace each day that comes
And see the beauty there
The makeup of the season brings
Much joy that we can share
The fall brings vibrant colours
A blazing work of art
The air turns cooler gradually
The beauty warms our heart
The animals all seem to know
That winter soon arrives
And so they gather fervently
And store their food inside
This time of preparation brings
A change through winter's hand
And growth will take a needed rest
To rejuvenate its land
JUDGEMENTS
We are all judgmental. Yes, even you. I certainly am, many times. I think it is human nature.
And yet, while it is in our nature to be judgmental, I don’t think it’s always useful to us. We look down on others, as if we are so much better … and that creates division between people.
Think about it for a second: we see someone, and based on their looks or actions, we pass judgment on them. Not good judgment, either. Usually without even knowing the person. And that’s it — that’s usually the extent of our interaction with that person. We don’t make an effort to get to know the person, or understand them, or see whether our judgment was right or not.
And let’s consider what happens when we pass judgment on people we do know. We see something they do, and get angry at it, or disappointed in the person, or think worse of them. We judge, without understanding. And that’s the end of it — we don’t try to find out more, and through communication begin to understand, and through understanding begin to build a bridge between two human beings.
Can you build a bridge with every single person you meet? Probably not. That takes time and effort, two things we’re usually short on. But I’ve found that taking that extra time, even just once a day, can make a huge difference. You need only believe in yourself, and you can be the better person you are wanting to be, if you are being judged, perhaps you can send the judgmental person in your life this note.
Avoid passing judgment and instead build a bridge between two human beings.
If you’re interested in that, let’s take a look at one method I’ve been using.
Here’s the information, now use it in your life the best way you can. We are all so different, alter the method to suit you, but the basics are here to start you off in the right direction to clearing that nagging judgmental side of you.
Remember once you learn something, you cannot unlearn it, so as you read on, you need to know that you are now taking responsibility of the knowledge and making yourself capable of change. I have been judged by many, as my life is not quite the norm. I am sure you can understand why people cast their judgments without even knowing me, I judge myself based on what I feel, see, hear, and know from within. If I am doing good, helping, loving and sharing my gift, I am content to give myself a positive self-judgement. Are you?
Let's begin the journey of knowledge, into letting judgement go
Don’t pass judgment. If you find yourself being judgmental, stop yourself. This takes a greater awareness than we usually have, so the first step (and an important one) is to observe your thoughts for a few days, trying to notice when you’re being judgmental. This can be a difficult step. Remind yourself to observe.
Once you’re more aware, you can then stop yourself when you feel yourself being judgmental. Then move to the next step
Understand. Instead of judging someone for what he’s done or how he looks, try instead to understand the person. Put yourself in their shoes. Try to imagine their background. If possible, talk to them. Find out their back story. Everyone has one. If not, try to imagine the circumstances that might have led to the person acting or looking like they do.
Accept. Once you begin to understand, or at least think you kind of understand, try to accept. Accept that person for who he is, without trying to change him. Accept that he will act the way he does, without wanting him to change. The world is what it is, and as much as you try, you can only change a little bit of it. It will continue to be as it is long after you’re gone. Accept that, because otherwise, you’re in for a world of frustration.
Love. Once you’ve accepted someone for who he is, try to love him. Even if you don’t know him. Even if you’ve hated him in the past. Love him as a brother, or love her as a sister, no matter who they are, old or young, light skinned or dark, male or female, rich or poor.
What good will loving someone do? Your love will likely only be limited. But it could have an affect on two people: yourself, and possibly on the person you’ve found love for. Loving others will serve to make yourself happier. Trust me on this one. And loving others can change the lives of others, if you choose to express that love and take action on it. I can’t guarantee what will happen, but it can be life-changing.
This information can help you become the self loving and non-judgmental person you see in many of your friends around, if you know someone that can use this, please pass it on.
We all know that summer was cool. Quick, wet and is almost gone, but do we have to fade away to the fall and hibernate? No we can get up, get out, and get active. The best way to beat the fall and winter blues is to get involved. I love the fall, the cool air, the fresh smells, the quiet evenings and the falling leaves. So don’t let the season get you down. many of us dread this season change as we know the cold winter follows. Perhaps this is the year to prepare with new hobbies, a gym. membership, a plan to visit with friends at the local bowling alley, or spiritual retreat classes. Yoga, Tai Chi, or other regular classes run year round.
I love the winter, although I don’t like to drive in the snow! I love knowing that we face the most severe changes and survive each year to be refreshed and new in spring. I have found some interesting information about our more than familiar North American disorder, SAD, if you are one who feels this pain, please join me this year in making wonderful changes that will get you off the down path and on the happy path to winter!
Seasonal Depression, Jet Lag and Light Therapy
As many as 10 per cent of Canadians may suffer from some sort of seasonal depression caused by sunlight changes. Commonly called the "winter blues", symptoms can include low energy, excessive sleep, over-eating, weight gain and even severe depression. These effects are usually caused by what is commonly referred to as a malfunction of the body's clock. Light therapy may help these people as well as those who work shifts and those who suffer from jet lag.
As well as sending images to the brain, the eyes also tell our pineal gland, a small pea-sized gland located in the brain, when the day is over. The gland then induces drowsiness by secreting melatonin. This gland also influences moods, hunger and metabolism. (It has been determined that melatonin is used as a marker for the body's internal clock.)
Doctors have learned to treat this seasonal depression and jet lag by using a simple device called a light box. Because the timing, intensity and duration of the light all play a role in the treatment of each individual case, it is important to stress that the light by a therapist or monitored by a person who understands that you can burn under this intensity of light.
I love the freedom from the mind meditation during this time of year. I quiet my mind and still my thoughts, I breath into my inner self and free all anxiety, fear, emotional connections to negative thoughts and accept that the darker, colder days are only a prelude to a wonderful rebirth in spring. I ask my mind to be free of thoughts that are harmful, self defeating or depressive. I purge all emotions that are not self loving, giving and kind. I free my mind from anything that can create depression. Give it a try, you will find that this is a technique that can lead to a happier state of awareness free from the seasonal onset of SAD.
We must remember that the Season that brings us the negative also brings us one of our favourite times of year - Christmas This year I am planning to share my holiday with friends and family as usual, but I am going to give myself a new gift this year. My mother passed in May and this will be the first Christmas without her, so in respect to her I am going to carry her Christmas tradition forward, keeping her in the holiday with me in spirit.
Each year, mom would bake up a storm, preparing gift baskets for her friends, some of the most yummy treats are shared during this giving time. This year I will do the same, a time honoured tradition of Eastern favorites will adorn my friends and families tables this coming year. I have learned that with her passing, I received a gift of knowledge, that her love will be with me forever, teaching me, guiding me, and mothering me, as the one that was born to me. Oh how we are silly when those that we love are close. Embrace your parents, your sisters, and your brothers, as theirs is a love you will never find again, unconditional.
I see Christmas as a time of year to share with the ones you love - an emotional gift of harmony, laughter, love, singing and spirit. We all have our own beliefs through our religion and teaching, but can we not all come together to share at this time of year? This year, a new thought, that Christmas is a gift without giving, the time spent loving is all the gift we really need
I want to ask the universe this year to give to me the opportunity to put together the money, the people, the heath and the knowledge to prepare for a healing centre near by. Most of you know that it is my life long dream to do this. I am simply asking now that spirit hear me and assist me in creating this divine place. A place where we can learn, grow, heal, share and become awakened to the natural gifts the world has to offer in medicines of the earth.
I ask that we all together begin asking for this wonderous gift, as it is an opportunity for us all to share.
Seasons
We are never really satisfied
Too hot or much too cold
What is the perfect temperature
Impossible I'm told
We must embrace each day that comes
And see the beauty there
The makeup of the season brings
Much joy that we can share
The fall brings vibrant colours
A blazing work of art
The air turns cooler gradually
The beauty warms our heart
The animals all seem to know
That winter soon arrives
And so they gather fervently
And store their food inside
This time of preparation brings
A change through winter's hand
And growth will take a needed rest
To rejuvenate its land
JUDGEMENTS
We are all judgmental. Yes, even you. I certainly am, many times. I think it is human nature.
And yet, while it is in our nature to be judgmental, I don’t think it’s always useful to us. We look down on others, as if we are so much better … and that creates division between people.
Think about it for a second: we see someone, and based on their looks or actions, we pass judgment on them. Not good judgment, either. Usually without even knowing the person. And that’s it — that’s usually the extent of our interaction with that person. We don’t make an effort to get to know the person, or understand them, or see whether our judgment was right or not.
And let’s consider what happens when we pass judgment on people we do know. We see something they do, and get angry at it, or disappointed in the person, or think worse of them. We judge, without understanding. And that’s the end of it — we don’t try to find out more, and through communication begin to understand, and through understanding begin to build a bridge between two human beings.
Can you build a bridge with every single person you meet? Probably not. That takes time and effort, two things we’re usually short on. But I’ve found that taking that extra time, even just once a day, can make a huge difference. You need only believe in yourself, and you can be the better person you are wanting to be, if you are being judged, perhaps you can send the judgmental person in your life this note.
Avoid passing judgment and instead build a bridge between two human beings.
If you’re interested in that, let’s take a look at one method I’ve been using.
Here’s the information, now use it in your life the best way you can. We are all so different, alter the method to suit you, but the basics are here to start you off in the right direction to clearing that nagging judgmental side of you.
Remember once you learn something, you cannot unlearn it, so as you read on, you need to know that you are now taking responsibility of the knowledge and making yourself capable of change. I have been judged by many, as my life is not quite the norm. I am sure you can understand why people cast their judgments without even knowing me, I judge myself based on what I feel, see, hear, and know from within. If I am doing good, helping, loving and sharing my gift, I am content to give myself a positive self-judgement. Are you?
Let's begin the journey of knowledge, into letting judgement go
Don’t pass judgment. If you find yourself being judgmental, stop yourself. This takes a greater awareness than we usually have, so the first step (and an important one) is to observe your thoughts for a few days, trying to notice when you’re being judgmental. This can be a difficult step. Remind yourself to observe.
Once you’re more aware, you can then stop yourself when you feel yourself being judgmental. Then move to the next step
Understand. Instead of judging someone for what he’s done or how he looks, try instead to understand the person. Put yourself in their shoes. Try to imagine their background. If possible, talk to them. Find out their back story. Everyone has one. If not, try to imagine the circumstances that might have led to the person acting or looking like they do.
Accept. Once you begin to understand, or at least think you kind of understand, try to accept. Accept that person for who he is, without trying to change him. Accept that he will act the way he does, without wanting him to change. The world is what it is, and as much as you try, you can only change a little bit of it. It will continue to be as it is long after you’re gone. Accept that, because otherwise, you’re in for a world of frustration.
Love. Once you’ve accepted someone for who he is, try to love him. Even if you don’t know him. Even if you’ve hated him in the past. Love him as a brother, or love her as a sister, no matter who they are, old or young, light skinned or dark, male or female, rich or poor.
What good will loving someone do? Your love will likely only be limited. But it could have an affect on two people: yourself, and possibly on the person you’ve found love for. Loving others will serve to make yourself happier. Trust me on this one. And loving others can change the lives of others, if you choose to express that love and take action on it. I can’t guarantee what will happen, but it can be life-changing.
This information can help you become the self loving and non-judgmental person you see in many of your friends around, if you know someone that can use this, please pass it on.