D-Day, the day the Western Allied forces liberated mainland Europe from Nazi occupation during World War II was June 6, 1944. I understand that today's date is also considered Hunger Awareness Day.
How about changing the day to Full Stomach Awareness Day?
While we are at it, I want to change Stress Awareness Day to Peaceful Mind Day.
I learned at the Option Institute in Massachusetts that it is more effective to "Go toward what we want, instead of away from what we don't want." And I have found from experience that it works better that way.
And how about changing
Arthritis Month to Healthy Joint Month
Cholesterol Education Month to Healthy, Open Arteries Month
World Alzheimer's Day to Clear Thinking Day
Breast Cancer Awareness Month to Healthy Breast Month
American Diabetes Month to Healthy Pancreas Month
National Alzheimer's Disease Month to Healthy Brain Month
and finally
The Great American Smoke Out to Healthy Lung and Heart Day
What do you think? Do we have a chance of changing these?
Who makes these things up anyway?!
Wishing you a Happy, Present Moment Day.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
World Autism Day
Today is World Autism Day. Latest statistics show that one in 88 children in the United States are diagnosed with autism.
Overcoming and curing autism is the focus of the Son-Rise program at the Autism Treatment Center of America in Sheffield, Massachusetts. The staff and volunteers there are totally dedicated to the children and parents who take advantage of their teachings. Barry Neil Kaufman and Samaria Kaufman cured their son of autism in the 1980s and they have been helping children and their parents since then.
There are things that parents can do to facilitate changes in their children. But, it is important to accept the child as he or she is and love him or her unconditionally throughout the treatment. Acceptance and love don't mean the parents don't want the best for their children, it just means total acceptance makes it easier for the child to heal and join the world of others instead of staying locked in a world of emotional isolation.
I counsel parents of autistic children, as does the Autism Treatment Center of America and the Option Institute. There is hope and there is help. :)
Overcoming and curing autism is the focus of the Son-Rise program at the Autism Treatment Center of America in Sheffield, Massachusetts. The staff and volunteers there are totally dedicated to the children and parents who take advantage of their teachings. Barry Neil Kaufman and Samaria Kaufman cured their son of autism in the 1980s and they have been helping children and their parents since then.
There are things that parents can do to facilitate changes in their children. But, it is important to accept the child as he or she is and love him or her unconditionally throughout the treatment. Acceptance and love don't mean the parents don't want the best for their children, it just means total acceptance makes it easier for the child to heal and join the world of others instead of staying locked in a world of emotional isolation.
I counsel parents of autistic children, as does the Autism Treatment Center of America and the Option Institute. There is hope and there is help. :)
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Fearless
Last night at my meeting we discussed fear and becoming fearless. Several things were discussed.
What are we all afraid of? We are afraid of how we are going to feel. How we will feel if we loose our job. How we will feel if our relationship ends. How we will feel if we or someone we love is ill. How we will feel if someone we care about gets angry with us. And on and on.
Did you know that all fear is created in our own heads? No matter what is going on in our world (loss of job, relationship, etc.) the fear doesn't just happen. We feel afraid because of our beliefs, not because of the scenerio that is happening.
What do you believe would happen if you got ill and weren't afraid? Does fear facilitate healing? I don't believe it does.
Fear is a choice and one of the ways we discussed to live with less fear, is to accept whatever happens as it is, be present to ourselves and the situation, and then we will have more interior resources to change the situation.
Being present can help the fear to fall away on its own.
What are we all afraid of? We are afraid of how we are going to feel. How we will feel if we loose our job. How we will feel if our relationship ends. How we will feel if we or someone we love is ill. How we will feel if someone we care about gets angry with us. And on and on.
Did you know that all fear is created in our own heads? No matter what is going on in our world (loss of job, relationship, etc.) the fear doesn't just happen. We feel afraid because of our beliefs, not because of the scenerio that is happening.
What do you believe would happen if you got ill and weren't afraid? Does fear facilitate healing? I don't believe it does.
Fear is a choice and one of the ways we discussed to live with less fear, is to accept whatever happens as it is, be present to ourselves and the situation, and then we will have more interior resources to change the situation.
Being present can help the fear to fall away on its own.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Di-stress to De-stress
I was talking to a mother who said it was hard for her to think about her sixteen year old daughter graduating and going to college next year. She so loves her daughter and cherishes the moments they have together.
We all have feelings about all of the things that are happening in our lives. Instead of trying to push away, our thoughts and feelings about changes in our lives, we can enjoy the tug of deep love in our hearts, we can embrace it. Pushing our feelings away, makes them more bitter than sweet, but embracing these feelings makes them more sweet than bitter.
We all have feelings all day long. When we accept and embrace them, instead of trying to push them into the background (which causes stress) we are open and clear and emotionally available for whatever comes next.
There are those of us who have had to feel our di-stress in order to de-stress, so we could heal and thrive in life. And I believe everyone benefits by allowing and feeling their present moment feelings.
When we live in the moment, we welcome all of our feelings and it is a very joyful way to live!
We all have feelings about all of the things that are happening in our lives. Instead of trying to push away, our thoughts and feelings about changes in our lives, we can enjoy the tug of deep love in our hearts, we can embrace it. Pushing our feelings away, makes them more bitter than sweet, but embracing these feelings makes them more sweet than bitter.
We all have feelings all day long. When we accept and embrace them, instead of trying to push them into the background (which causes stress) we are open and clear and emotionally available for whatever comes next.
There are those of us who have had to feel our di-stress in order to de-stress, so we could heal and thrive in life. And I believe everyone benefits by allowing and feeling their present moment feelings.
When we live in the moment, we welcome all of our feelings and it is a very joyful way to live!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Follow the Path of No Resistance?
Questions to myself about an uncomfortable relationship.
If I don't resist what is happening, will the Universe (God) know what I want? If I accept the uncomfortable relationship with someone I care about, will the Universe believe I don't want more (a better relationship)? If I say I am perfectly okay, even though what is happening isn't what I want, will the Universe take that as the way I want it?
If I stop resisting the way it is now, will I be telling the Universe that is what I want?
How can I still want the relationship different, and be perfectly content with the way it is now? So often, we believe that "the squeaky wheel gets the most oil." I don't think it works that way with God; whining and complaining about circumstances won't change them for the better.
Being unhappy about the relationship won't make it better, it will just make me unhappy. So I will try not resisting the way it is and just send love and caring to the other person in this relationship and see what happens.
If I don't resist what is happening, will the Universe (God) know what I want? If I accept the uncomfortable relationship with someone I care about, will the Universe believe I don't want more (a better relationship)? If I say I am perfectly okay, even though what is happening isn't what I want, will the Universe take that as the way I want it?
If I stop resisting the way it is now, will I be telling the Universe that is what I want?
How can I still want the relationship different, and be perfectly content with the way it is now? So often, we believe that "the squeaky wheel gets the most oil." I don't think it works that way with God; whining and complaining about circumstances won't change them for the better.
Being unhappy about the relationship won't make it better, it will just make me unhappy. So I will try not resisting the way it is and just send love and caring to the other person in this relationship and see what happens.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
HAPPY NEW CHANGE
Because New Year's day fell on Sunday this year, I went to church this morning (Christ Church Unity, Rochester, NY). As I was getting dressed, I remembered that it was the day of the Tournament of Roses Parade. I look forward all year to seeing the Rose Parade. I couldn't really skip church, because I had committed to two volunteer jobs there this morning.
I have the belief that the best thing that can happen is happening right now. So I decided that making a change this year must be the best thing for me. What if missing the parade would give me the opportunity for something new (and better)?
So, rather than judging missing the parade as bad for me, I dropped any feeling of regret about missing it, and was very present to my friends at church and my tasks; and really enjoyed myself at church.
It isn't what happens that effects how we feel, it is what we believe about what happens.
My intention for this new year is to be present and loving and continue to grow closer to my Source (God).
I wish you many present moments in 2012.
I have the belief that the best thing that can happen is happening right now. So I decided that making a change this year must be the best thing for me. What if missing the parade would give me the opportunity for something new (and better)?
So, rather than judging missing the parade as bad for me, I dropped any feeling of regret about missing it, and was very present to my friends at church and my tasks; and really enjoyed myself at church.
It isn't what happens that effects how we feel, it is what we believe about what happens.
My intention for this new year is to be present and loving and continue to grow closer to my Source (God).
I wish you many present moments in 2012.
Monday, December 26, 2011
The Best Time
As you look back over holidays, do any times stand out over others? Perhaps as you think of them, you will realize, those were the times you were the most present. Maybe a loved one visited from out of town and you spent quality time with him or her. While you were conversing with this person you probably weren't ruminating over past mistakes or mind-racing about future problems or concerns. You were enjoying the moment instead.
When we put our attention in the moment, we enjoy our lives more and have more energy for the future. (Which we can live happy moment to happy moment then.)
I used to spend so much of my time worrying about the past and fearing the future, that I couldn't enjoy the present. So notice when you have been the happiest, and perhaps it has been when you were the most present.
Find something to focus on in the "now" and enjoy all of your moments.
When we put our attention in the moment, we enjoy our lives more and have more energy for the future. (Which we can live happy moment to happy moment then.)
I used to spend so much of my time worrying about the past and fearing the future, that I couldn't enjoy the present. So notice when you have been the happiest, and perhaps it has been when you were the most present.
Find something to focus on in the "now" and enjoy all of your moments.
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