If you are feeling a little insecure or down about yourself, try having a listen to Selena Gomez's song "Who Says" for some uplifting lyrics that will hopefully help you see how beautiful you really are, inside and out. Embrace yourself. Allow yourself to shine. We are all perfectly imperfect and gorgeous just as we are, right this very instant.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Sick? A clove a day keeps the doctor away
Several months ago, I started going through some major changes in my life. Although they were all ultimately good changes, they took a lot out of me emotionally and physically, so my immune system was compromised. I found myself getting sick....and then getting sick a second time....and then, yes, getting sick yet again. Not only were my defenses down in general, but I also work with children every day and am therefore exposed to a lot of germs! After a long time of feeling run down, someone recommended that I try garlic. I was skeptical, intrigued, and honestly somewhat desperate, so I did a little research.
Simply googling "garlic medicinal" will expose you to a wealth of information on the health benefits of taking garlic. Not only is it a natural antibiotic, but it is also said to prevent heart disease, cancer, and viral infections, such as the common cold. In fact, according to the New York Times, studies prove that garlic helps reduce instances of the common cold. I was sold. I mean, why not give it a go? After a bit more reading, I decided that I would try consuming fresh, raw garlic, as opposed to taking it in pill form, because apparently there's no easy way to decipher which supplements work and which don't.
The first day or so of taking the garlic, I was sweating and felt different in my body, like I could feel it coursing through my veins. However, after five days in a row of taking garlic once a day, I was no longer sweating, and I felt better than I had in months! I think that the garlic was really helping my body heal. It was like I had gained a new sense of energy. Since then, I have taken garlic about once a week for maintenance, and also whenever I feel run down or have been around people who are sick. I have not fallen ill at all in that time.
Now, hear me out. I know garlic is strong. It can upset one's stomach and also make you smell so that no one will want to speak with you (let alone kiss you). No one wants that. So, I figured out a way to circumvent those annoying side effects. Here's my routine:
1. In the morning, before eating, press about a tablespoon of organic garlic (a few raw, peeled cloves) into a spoon and let it sit for 14 minutes (makes the potency of allicin, one of the key components in garlic, stronger).
Simply googling "garlic medicinal" will expose you to a wealth of information on the health benefits of taking garlic. Not only is it a natural antibiotic, but it is also said to prevent heart disease, cancer, and viral infections, such as the common cold. In fact, according to the New York Times, studies prove that garlic helps reduce instances of the common cold. I was sold. I mean, why not give it a go? After a bit more reading, I decided that I would try consuming fresh, raw garlic, as opposed to taking it in pill form, because apparently there's no easy way to decipher which supplements work and which don't.
The first day or so of taking the garlic, I was sweating and felt different in my body, like I could feel it coursing through my veins. However, after five days in a row of taking garlic once a day, I was no longer sweating, and I felt better than I had in months! I think that the garlic was really helping my body heal. It was like I had gained a new sense of energy. Since then, I have taken garlic about once a week for maintenance, and also whenever I feel run down or have been around people who are sick. I have not fallen ill at all in that time.
Now, hear me out. I know garlic is strong. It can upset one's stomach and also make you smell so that no one will want to speak with you (let alone kiss you). No one wants that. So, I figured out a way to circumvent those annoying side effects. Here's my routine:
1. In the morning, before eating, press about a tablespoon of organic garlic (a few raw, peeled cloves) into a spoon and let it sit for 14 minutes (makes the potency of allicin, one of the key components in garlic, stronger).
2. Prepare a cup of ginger tea.
3. After the 14 minutes, take a few sips of almond milk (to reduce the acidity in the stomach, since I have a sensitive one), pour honey over the garlic (to coat it), and then swallow the spoonful whole - no chewing or tasting! Just one gulp! (This is key if you don't want to smell like garlic.)
4. Drink water and some more almond milk.
5. Drink the ginger tea and have a little breakfast shortly after. (Breakfast before ingesting the garlic is not as effective at keeping the garlic taste away.)
By following these five steps, my stomach doesn't hurt, and I find that I really don't smell of garlic at all. (Trust me, I've asked multiple people if they smell any garlic, and the answer is repeatedly a resounding, surprising, "No.")
I know it sounds intense, but I can honestly say that I am hooked and will never turn back. A little while after I started my garlic routine, my sister came down with a bug and was sick for a while. Out of sheer longing for health, she decided to give garlic a try. The next day I got a message from her saying, "Well, I guess we'll never know what really made me feel better, but I'll be taking the garlic again today." And, she's been taking it ever since. So, if you are daring, intrigued, or are ever in a desperate moment, definitely give garlic a try. I'm certainly convinced that the saying should be, "A clove a day keeps the doctor away!"
By following these five steps, my stomach doesn't hurt, and I find that I really don't smell of garlic at all. (Trust me, I've asked multiple people if they smell any garlic, and the answer is repeatedly a resounding, surprising, "No.")
I know it sounds intense, but I can honestly say that I am hooked and will never turn back. A little while after I started my garlic routine, my sister came down with a bug and was sick for a while. Out of sheer longing for health, she decided to give garlic a try. The next day I got a message from her saying, "Well, I guess we'll never know what really made me feel better, but I'll be taking the garlic again today." And, she's been taking it ever since. So, if you are daring, intrigued, or are ever in a desperate moment, definitely give garlic a try. I'm certainly convinced that the saying should be, "A clove a day keeps the doctor away!"
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Emotional growth
Ever have one of those moments when you can feel an emotional growth spurt within you so strongly that it's as though something is actually coursing through your bones and forcing you to expand? It's painful, sometimes excruciatingly so, but afterwards there's just exhaustion and, of course, tearful gratitude. Then, things are never the same again. Okay, life, what's next? I'm ready.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Longing for fearlessness
Recently, I have been challenging myself to face some deeper fears that I possess. I have felt such determination to conquer them, yet I am finding that, as always, it is not easy. Time and again, I go back to the questions, "Why not live fearlessly? What am I really risking if I walk through these fears? What is the worst that could happen?"
Indeed, in pondering these questions, what is the worst that could happen? Would I find myself alone? No, I don't think so. Death? Well, as my father has reminded me at various times, "No one gets out of here alive." Will people not like me? Will people be upset with me? Perhaps, but then what does that mean? Maybe those people shouldn't be in my life anyway. Will I fail or make a mistake? Possibly, but then what does that mean? At least I tried and had an experience. Will I feel pain? It is painful to be hindered by the fear anyway, so better that the pain come from courage than from hiding out in safety.
Indeed, in pondering these questions, what is the worst that could happen? Would I find myself alone? No, I don't think so. Death? Well, as my father has reminded me at various times, "No one gets out of here alive." Will people not like me? Will people be upset with me? Perhaps, but then what does that mean? Maybe those people shouldn't be in my life anyway. Will I fail or make a mistake? Possibly, but then what does that mean? At least I tried and had an experience. Will I feel pain? It is painful to be hindered by the fear anyway, so better that the pain come from courage than from hiding out in safety.
In all of the ways there is to look at fear, what always comes to the surface is that it is better to walk through it than to succumb to it. May I be a bit braver with each passing day. May I remember that there really is nothing to fear.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
1000 Oceans
Sometimes over the years, when I have been sad about something, I have gone back to listen to the unbelievable song by Tori Amos called "1000 Oceans." It allows me to feel my grief, while still keeping in touch with the love underneath it all. Recently, when searching for it on You Tube, I came across a cover of it being sung by the 2009 Chorus of PS22 - a school in Staten Island, NY. The song itself is incredible, but to hear it sung by the voices of these children touches my heart in an even deeper place.
Turns out that this wonderful chorus has performed amazing versions of many different songs over the years. Bless their music teacher, Gregg Breinberg, whose passion, talent, and care has helped them blossom. You can find out more about them and listen to their other songs by visiting the PS22 Chorus Blog.
Turns out that this wonderful chorus has performed amazing versions of many different songs over the years. Bless their music teacher, Gregg Breinberg, whose passion, talent, and care has helped them blossom. You can find out more about them and listen to their other songs by visiting the PS22 Chorus Blog.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
"The world's mine oyster..."
"There is nothing that you cannot be, or do, or have." (Hicks)
In my life, I have had a few spiritual experiences. Okay, that's a lie, I have had a ton of spiritual experiences (most of which I didn't notice, but that's what life is - one big spiritual experience). What I am referring to, though, are those knock you down, in the moment realizations that you are inarguably, absolutely, unequivocally part of the spirit of the universe and that all has always been, is, and always will be alright. In those moments, I feel so calm and serene, and wish that I could live all my hours in that state. However, in general, I spend the bulk of my existence engaged in this activity or that and forget that I am joined with that great spirit. Although, the amount of time that I live within the consciousness of it is growing. It's far more common to find me taking a mindful approach to something now than it ever was in the past.
As the days go by, I can see just how much of my experience depends on my beliefs about the universe and that great undercurrent of all there is. When I choose to think in small, negative, fear-based ways and am detached from that consciousness, my experience is never helped. Regardless of the outcome and whether it is what I originally wanted, thinking positively about it and cradling myself with the faith that things are forever perfect and just as they should be allows me to flow through life the way I know I am supposed to.
The more I do this, the more I realize that I am only limited by myself. I have finally boiled down what I want out of life to things that are entirely emotional in nature. For example, I want to experience the constant undercurrent of the joy in life. Or, I want to learn how to love myself and others as purely as possible in order to experience love in its truest form. Or, yet another, I want to live life like it is a safe adventure, with nothing to fear. I may want to express these longings in certain ways, but ultimately the goal is emotional.
The limits come when I expect my dreams to be realized and pan out in scenarios of my own choosing. When I think they are manifesting, I get the itch to try and make them happen, instead of just letting them unfold. The limits also come when I choose fear over faith. This is the big one, right? Fear - it's such a crippling power. I would be more free to experience life as it should be experienced, and all my dreams could be realized in an instant with the smashing of these two hindrances. What an ultimate goal. As Shakespeare wrote, "The world's mine oyster, which I with sword will open." Today, it's all of ours for the taking. The "it" being anything you could possibly want.
The limits come when I expect my dreams to be realized and pan out in scenarios of my own choosing. When I think they are manifesting, I get the itch to try and make them happen, instead of just letting them unfold. The limits also come when I choose fear over faith. This is the big one, right? Fear - it's such a crippling power. I would be more free to experience life as it should be experienced, and all my dreams could be realized in an instant with the smashing of these two hindrances. What an ultimate goal. As Shakespeare wrote, "The world's mine oyster, which I with sword will open." Today, it's all of ours for the taking. The "it" being anything you could possibly want.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, the official start of the holiday season, and I absolutely love the holiday season. My favorite, hands down, is Christmas. I'm a sucker for glitter, and lights, and, most of all, love. Unfortunately, for the last six weeks I have been sick. First it was an inflamed larynx, and now a sinus infection. I am not at all fibbing when I tell you that I have never in my thirty years of existence been sick for this length of time. However, I am also not fibbing when I tell you that I believe everything happens for a reason. At this particular moment in my life, I am sure, for several reasons, that I am supposed to be seriously slowing down and taking care of myself first, and I have to confess that even with being sick, I haven't been fully doing this. So, the Universe has a funny way of making things happen sometimes.
As a result of being run-down and ill, I will not be traveling to visit my family tomorrow, nor will I be going to anyone else's festivities; I'm simply not able to really function and am in dire need of rest. I admit I am nervous to be alone tomorrow. However, I have to remind myself that there are places nearby I can go if I so desire, and families I can join if I suddenly feel well. More importantly though, I need to remind myself that simply because I may be physically alone on Thanksgiving, that doesn't mean that I will be emotionally alone, it doesn't mean I am not loved, and it especially doesn't mean that I will be spiritually alone. If you are celebrating your gratitude in solitude as well, I believe this is the same for all of us.
Therefore, on this Thanksgiving, I am choosing to remind myself of how grateful I am that love exists as a guidepost in my life. I'm forever trying to stay guided by it ("trying" being the key word as I'm only human!) It is this that has allowed me to have amazing relationships with people and to continue to grow and have even better relationships as a result. Loving connections and relationships are what it's all about anyway.
Have a beautiful holiday, and let us all remember what we are grateful for.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)