Time for Wellness: A Self-Healing Day

Human beings carry within themselves the seed of healing. Our choices affect us more than we realize, and it is because of this that we tend to place responsibility for our wellness in the hands of others. As beneficial as regular visits to a healer can be, we have the power to heal ourselves at will. When we dedicate a day to the pursuit of wellness, we can relax and renew ourselves in a nourishing and comfortable environment. A sincere desire to open ourselves to the highest realities of our physical and spiritual selves is the key to self-healing so that healing energy can flow into us unimpeded.

A self-healing day should address the vital needs of the self as a whole while directing healing energy where it is needed most. Solitude is an important part of the process as is the ability to take refuge in a space that is both beautiful and peaceful. Start your healing day by setting the intention that you are dedicating this time to healing yourself. Flowers, candlelight, incense, and music can guide our focus toward a more tranquil state. For a more intense session, try listening to music through headphones since tuning out can help you tune in. It is up to us to decide what we need to do to cultivate wellness in our lives. For some, it may be time spent in reflection. Others will turn to calming activities that help them remember their purpose, such as journal writing, being in nature, or studying. Our healing may even take a more direct form as we use color or sound to balance and ground ourselves.

Ultimately, your wholesome intentions transform what might otherwise be a simple day of rest into a day of healing. Grant yourself permission to relax and savor the stillness. If you attune yourself to the calm around you, worldly distractions will be minimized and the unadulterated flow of your consciousness will reestablish itself in the forefront of your mind. The needs of the body, the heart, and the soul will then be revealed to you, empowering you to tap into the essential healing energy of the universe. The mechanism you use to channel this energy will be dependent on your shifting requirements, so each day of healing you enjoy will be unique. All will replenish you, however, allowing you to recreate yourself in a perfect image of health.

~Reprinted with permission from DailyOM

Busting the Myth that Self-Care is Selfish: 10-Week Self-Care Challenge, Week # 10

Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9

This final week is about a topic that is very dear to my heart. CREATIVITY! It is true that we are all creative. I did a 90 day blog challenge once to prove it. I blogged everyday on something I did that was creative.  You can read about it here.

I was not artistic but I was fully me and I had fun!

What is creativity? According to Dictionary.com it is: the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination: the need for creativity in modern industry; creativity in the performing arts.

You do not need to be an artist, dancer, actor, or vocalist. You don’t even need to play an instrument to be creative. You only need to be you. Your thoughts are like no one else. Isn’t that an interesting idea? No two thoughts are exactly alike, yet we are always looking to others to validate our original ideas. It is a bit ironic, don’t you think? You judge your creativity by some other person’s standards.  Your unique self never gets a chance to express all it is. Today we are going to change all of that because starting now you are going to have the most creative week of your life. I give you permission to be all that you can be. Do you?

“Sometimes you’ve got to let everything go – purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything . . . whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll find that when you’re free, your true creativity, your true self comes out.” ~ Tina Turner

Exercise Week Ten:
Spend the entire week being creative. You can use any method that you enjoy. Write, cook, invent, or make a product such as; jewelry, crocheted scarf, knit some mittens with your unique color scheme, the possibilities are endless. You are a creative soul. Express it in your own unique way.

For those who are saying, “I have no idea where to start.” Here are a couple of ways to jump start your creativity.

• Set an intention to come up with an idea on how you want to create this week then go out for a meditative walk. Expect an answer by the time you return. See what wants to show up.

• Answer these questions in a journal:  What do I love to do that fills me with excitement? What did I love to do as a child? What is my soul longing to express?

The most important thing with this creativity exercise is; DO NOT JUDGE. Let it be a full expression of you.  You cannot do it wrong. Have Fun!

I want to congratulate you on finishing the 10-week challenge.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright 2010
Judith Geiger, ACC
Certified Life and Relationship Coach
Flying Change Coaching, LLC
All rights reserved.

Coach Judith inspires women starting over to let go of stress, to build self-esteem and be proactive in creating loving relationships by developing a strong sense of self. When you are ready to take on the adventure of finding the partner of your dreams, Judith has the tools and resources to allow you to move forward with confidence and ease.

Call or email Coach Judith for a free 30-minute coaching consultation. 315 497 3059

Busting the Myth that Self-Care is Selfish: 10-Week Self-Care Challenge, Week # 9

Get up this week and get out! You have spent over eight weeks looking inward and caring for your body, mind and spirit. Today we look out and find something we can offer to another that will fill us with pure delight! It is very possible that before your eight week journey (so far) of self-care you were drained and even resentful of doing so much for others. If you have been following the program it might feel by now that you have enough reserve to share. When your own cup is full, only then, can you share the extra with delight. I hope you are feeling this way now. If not go back and do more for yourself until you do. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8 For those who are ready let’s begin.

What organization could use your services, what rescue group needs a helping hand or what neighbor could use cheering up? I bet you do not have to think very long before you know just what act of service will fill you with delight this week. Could you babysit for a tired mom or one who wants to exercise but the toddlers are always in the way. What about going to the local animal shelter and walking a lonely dog? You could get your exercise at the same time.

“To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it.” ~ Mother Theresa

Exercise Week Nine:
This week please carry out at least one act of service. You can make it a single act by helping someone you know or call up and volunteer at a place of your choice. The other option is to join a service group for ongoing acts of service. What ever you choose remember to use your heart and make it a pure joy!

One of my favorite organizations is Zonta International for women. “Founded in 1919, Zonta International is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy.” [link]

The young woman in this video is a wonderful role model. She started her acts of service before leaving high school. She is an inspiration to me. What about you?

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright 2009
Judith Geiger, ACC
Certified Life and Relationship Coach
Flying Change Coaching, LLC
All rights reserved.

Coach Judith inspires women starting over to let go of stress, to build self-esteem and be proactive in creating loving relationships by developing a strong sense of self. When you are ready to take on the adventure of finding the partner of your dreams, Judith has the tools and resources to allow you to move forward with confidence and ease.

Call or email Coach Judith for a free 30-minute coaching consultation. 315 497 3059

Video: Dr. Rob on Self-Care from Dallas, Texas

Dr. Rob shares words on the importance of self-care, it’s up to you to make yourself a priority.

Hello, good morning it’s Dr. Rob. Another spectacular, awesome, and amazing day here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Sharing beauty each and every day, every day! Remember our thoughts create our lives. Love – connect with love and find something positive and uplifting to read and share with someone every day. There’s so many great books out there. Self-care and self-help – that’s what it is. If you’re not caring for yourself, don’t expect anyone else to. It starts with you, for you are amazing and you create the talent within. Check out MindBodySmile and share some positive thoughts in your day, every day. My love, enjoy every day, Dr. Rob

Busting the Myth that Self-Care is Selfish: 10-Week Self-Care Challenge, Week # 8

This is going to be a very exciting week because you are going on a Retreat at home. It is possible to carve out that precious quiet time needed to do this with a little, or in some cases a lot of planning. You may need to send the kids to grandmas or make other arrangements. It might be necessary to tell all the adults in your life that for at least 3 hours this week you will not be available.

You might be wondering how you retreat at home. It is very simple and I will show you how.  First you carve out your space of time. I suggest no less than 3 hours but a full day would be better. Decide what kind of retreat you want to take. You can retreat indoors, outdoors or a bit of both. Then you need to decide on some things that you love to do when you spend time in reflection. Do you like soft music, long strolls in the park, long long long hot bubble baths, or some inspirational reading? Who doesn’t love to make a vision board? I often teach about vision boards and there importance in my workshops and retreats but here you will find a simple explanation if you need one. Or contact me for more details. I will go over it with you.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Vision-Board

When deciding what to ‘DO’ on retreat just remember that LESS is MORE. You could simply rest and reflect if that is what you are longing to do. One rule is nothing electronic allowed. No computers, televisions, video games and absolutely NO phone. You are simply unplugged. If you want to play an acoustic instrument feel free. Especially if you have a native flute like the one you will hear in the video below. This is time for you to connect very deeply with your own inner knowing, to ask questions that are important in your life and to receive answers.

“Sometimes it is like a tiny voice in the wilderness; at other times it is loud, clear, and direct. When we learn to stop, listen, and follow the guidance that it provides, we experience bliss, or at the very least, a deep sense of personal fulfillment.” ~ Hal Zina Bennett

Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7

Exercise Week Eight:
Go on a 3-hour retreat at home. Wear comfortable and loose clothing. Read more

Busting the Myth that Self-Care is Selfish: 10-Week Self-Care Challenge, Week # 7

Now that you have just spent a week being quiet in meditation I am going to ask you to add play to your day. Yes, I did say play! When was the last time you set an intention to simply play?

I opened the window here in Central NY yesterday and I could smell springtime. Here we always smell Spring long before it actually arrives. The air warms enough during the day to thaw the ground so the earth gives off this luxurious smell. It smells like a mixture between a clean laundry hung outdoors, and worms. Sorry, it is the only way I can describe it, but it takes me straight back to my childhood.

Strong Spring winds are perfect for kites. Have you ever held a kite string and felt it tug at your heart? It can take you into a magical state that allows joy to wash over you. As the wind whips and spins your kite a huge smile arises out of nowhere. The tail looks like it is dancing. It really is fun. Try it! Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

Exercise Week Seven:

PLAY!  Just play at least a little bit each day. It can be anything at all that you can imagine would be fun. Some people (me included) like board games and cards. Others might bike or fly a kite. Read more

Finding Friends

We have often heard something like; “you pick your friends, but family is picked for you”. Family is certainly something we are “gifted” with and it can sometimes be a struggle to understand if the stork was drunk or simply lost. Good or bad, we spend most of our lives trying to be part of our family and be accepted as equal. Some days and some people are certainly more difficult than others. Either way, because they are our family, we almost always keep trying.

However, do we really pick our friends either? True friendship, is shared, without jealousy, control and insecurity and is very rare indeed. I would suggest that those that profess to have a large circle of friends and several BFF’s as they are now referred, simply have many close acquaintances, with similar interest. Each of those acquaintances, having different needs, wants and limitations that are not always in your best interest.

It is probably safe to say that if you look at your circle of “friends”, it is not you that picked them, but maybe, they that picked you. Remember that if your light burns bright and your music is heard, people will look to you, to light THEIR path. Having acquaintances and people to interact with and spend time with, and sharing interests with, is a wonderful thing that should be encouraged. However, knowing each relationship for what it is and seeing its limitations and boundaries is critical for self-care.

FRIENDS, like family, we do not pick, we simply have to find where the Universe has put them. If you are truly blessed, you may find you have more than one FRIEND. You do not have to have a spouse, partner or lover to have a FRIEND, but your spouse, partner or ,lover should always be a FRIEND. Friends, like life partners, must be willing to accept your changes and growth. Without that willingness from each, the friendship can not endure. Look at each friendship closely and remember that they like you, have and will continue to grow and change.

As you look at all those changes ask yourself; “Have you been FRIENDS a long time, or a long time ago you were FRIENDS”? A FRIEND gives and shares without judgment or selfish motives and demands the same in return. Take the time to find where the Universe has put your FRIEND.

~David Ritter

Busting the Myth that Self-Care is Selfish: 10-Week Self-Care Challenge, Week # 6

I want to congratulate you for taking such good care of YOU. Although at this point you may only be reading about self-care. Even if you are not doing the exercises my intention is that you will be gaining insights into what is possible. For those who have not only read but applied the exercises I would love to hear from you. What has been your experience so far? Has anything shifted for you? Are you able to see how little time it actually does take to focus attention on your needs? Does it easily allow you to reap major benefits? Tell us about your experience in the comment section of this blog. Previous challenges: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5

I want to turn our focus to week six as I tell you about my new experience with meditation. If you have been with me for a long time you know that I have written about meditation before and confessed to struggle with it. That is until a few weeks ago when I learned Transcendental Meditation. It is a truly a passion of mine now. I feel like I did 30 years ago when I quit smoking. At that time, I told everyone I came into contact with how great I felt because I was not smoking anymore. Now I am telling them how great I feel because I have finally learned to meditate in a way that is joyful for me.

“The Transcendental Meditation technique has been shown to be the most effective health and wellness program there is. Nothing we know of is as effective for promoting good health and reducing health-care utilization and medical expenses.” ~ Kulrett Chaudry M.D. Neurologist

Exercise Week Six:

Meditation as a self-care practice: Spend a little time checking out meditation if you don’t already practice it. Read more

Busting the Myth that Self-Care is Selfish: 10-Week Self-Care Challenge, Week # 5

“I thought I knew all I needed to know about self-care yet following this challenge has been an inspiration to do ‘more’ for myself. I loved my mid-day bath, dancing in the kitchen and going on my ‘Self’ date. Reading this each week has given me permission to do more of what I love.” This is what I heard from a woman moments ago about the 10-week self-care challenge. Where are you on this journey? I often hear, “I would love to do it but I simply don’t have the time. I am running from sunrise to sunset.” The truth is if you are too busy for a little self-care then you probably need it the most! Start today and do not let anything stop you. You are worth it! Previous challenges: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4

This week I want to talk to you about the power of nature. Most people when given a chance to go outside find they are drawn to certain things in nature. Some people love trees and could spend all day sitting under one like Buddha did. Others find riding horse back over a field at death defining speeds is a pure delight that makes them feel alive. Two completely different experiences yet they are both connecting with nature.

Being in nature is something I need to do every day to feel at peace. If life starts getting over the top with daily pressure I go outside. If I only have a minute I still go out. When that is not possible I will open a window and let the outside in. Hearing a bird call or feeling the breeze puts an instant smile on my face. If I am working through what feels like an unsolvable problem I will put on my sneakers or hiking boots and go for a walk. I find answers to my most pressing questions in nature.

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” ~ John Muir, 1913

Exercise Week Five:

Simply go outside and STOP. Listen to the whisper from the wind. What do you hear, see or smell? What do you feel drawn to do? This week go outside as much as possible. You can go walking on the beach or visit the zoo. Read more

Busting the Myth that Self-Care is Selfish: 10-Week Self-Care Challenge, Week # 4

I hope you danced! I had a three way dance myself starting with my granddaughter, Athena, who is 4-years-old.  We were dancing, laughing and having a great time in the kitchen after lunch when Gretchen, my large standard poodle decided to join us. Have you ever danced with a hyper poodle with long toenails? It wasn’t pretty but it did make us laugh!!

Leaving the dance floor (for now) I want to offer a few words about why we are engaging in this self-care challenge. Often life gets so busy and stressed that women forget about themselves. When I ask women what they really need, it come down to feeling stronger about ‘who’ they are, in other words, having more self esteem and confidence.  I believe the corner stone to building a powerful and sustaining ‘Self’ starts with really good self-care.  Your joy and needs are easier to access when you are giving yourself permission to get in touch with your authentic ‘Self’.

Now in week four we are going to do just that. Tap into your joy and what nurtures you. The way you will accomplish this is by going on a ‘Self’ date. How many times have you gone out with someone either on a romantic date or just lunch with the girls, when you wished that you had chosen a different movie, a better restaurant or a different activity all together?  It started with them asking “what do you want to do?” and ended with doing what they wanted to do. No worries on a ‘self’ date you get to do exactly what you want because you are in charge and “NO” you cannot bring a friend. If you cannot decide what you want then you may want to hire a coach or other professional to help you tap into that part of yourself.

The most powerful thing I did many years ago (immediately after my mom’s funeral which was only one month after my husband and I separated) was to take myself on a weekend vacation. Read more