What kind of body vehicle are you cruising with? No matter what conditions may burden and afflict our bodies, we can set intentions to care for and nourish whatever temple that we are in. We create this connection by bringing a deep awareness to our state of physical existence. When I did this many years ago, I realized that my body was a representation of a Southern style all-you-can-eat buffet, with an extensive dessert bar! I have always loved food and being raised in Alabama, eating was the most favorite past-time. I never thought that I would turn away from enjoying a multitude of fried foods, ham hocks, buttery cheese grits, and mounds of sugary snacks. It would be a travesty for a Black woman from the South to not eat fried chicken! Oh my…. However, when I began to deeply explore the feelings and sensations in my body, I found that many of these foods were not serving my body in a way that gave ease of digestion and increased vital energy. This attention and mindfulness began to transform the way that I saw food. I increasingly became able to identify if I was actually “starving” as opposed to when I was eating as a reaction to an emotional or mental charge or to fill a void in my soul. Through having a loving partnership with my body and learning to listen intently to its needs, I slowly moved into a vegetarian lifestyle with a healthy balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. I do not claim that vegetarianism is for everybody, but I do teach that deep listening is for all of us. Our bodies are mostly the same, though entirely unique at the same time. What works for us individually can be determined by the knowledge from research that we have on physical health in conjunction with the knowledge provided by our own inner wisdom. We will discover that the body craves to be treated right according to the needs that will give it the most effective functioning and balance. We will also understand that just as a computer sometimes requires a re-boot, our bodies may perform better with intermittent re-boots in the form of cleansing and detoxing. Eating in this manner along with workable exercise plans and activities, we realize a body that is vital, thriving, and flourishing. Now, at the age of 39, I am styling in a body that is exponentially more fit than it was in my 20’s. See for yourself how minding your body can enrich you with a temple to be proud of! Other reasons to eat mindfully – check out this article from the November 2011 issue of Scientific American Magazine. Food We Eat Might Control Our Genes Scientific American Magazine, November 2011 By Anne-Marie C. Hodge Scientists find rice microRNA inside human cells “You are what you eat.” The old adage has for decades weighed on the minds of consumers who fret over responsible food choices. Yet what if it was literally true? What if material from our food actually made its way into the innermost control centers of our cells, taking charge of fundamental gene expression? That is in fact what happens, according to a recent study of plant-animal microRNA transfer led by Chen-Yu Zhang of Nanjing University in China. MicroRNAs are short sequences of nucleotides—the building blocks of genetic material. Although microRNAs do not code for proteins, they prevent specific genes from giving rise to the proteins they encode. Blood samples from 21 volunteers were tested for the presence of microRNAs from crop plants, such as rice, wheat, potatoes and cabbage. The results, published in the journal Cell Research, showed that the subjects’ bloodstream contained approximately 30 different microRNAs from commonly eaten plants. It appears that they can also alter cell function: a specific rice microRNA was shown to bind to and inhibit the activity of receptors controlling the removal of LDL—“bad” cholesterol—from the bloodstream. Like vitamins and minerals, microRNA may represent a previously unrecognized type of functional molecule obtained from food. The revelation that plant microRNAs play a role in controlling human physiology highlights the fact that our bodies are highly integrated ecosystems. Zhang says the findings may also illuminate our understanding of co-evolution, a process in which genetic changes in one species trigger changes in another. For example, our ability to digest the lactose in milk after infancy arose after we domesticated cattle. Could the plants we cultivated have altered us as well? Zhang’s study is another reminder that nothing in nature exists in isolation. -- Testimonial “Melissa's ability to connect with me as an individual made me feel safe and comfortable. Her calm and soothing voice during the guided meditations really helped me to tap into a state of mindfulness. The mindful eating exercise that Melissa led was very eye-opening and made me evaluate what it is that I am putting into my body. The hike and meditation we went on was very powerful, as Melissa pointed out setting our intentions. Her ability to connect with the mind, body and spirit in Mother Nature was a very grounding experience.” M.Y., Business Accountant in San Francisco -- FREE gift!!! “Like” our Facebook page OR comment on our blog and receive a complimentary Mindful Eating session and consultation! (1 hour by phone or in person) -- Dragonfly Healing Center March Workshop: “Mind Your Body: Mindfulness for Exploring the Body, Mind, Heart and Spirit Connection” Saturday, March 31st from 1pm-5pm at Jikoji Zen Temple and Retreat Center This is a Co-Ed workshop (all genders welcome!) See details and RSVP HERE!!!
25. Be aware and accepting of your emotions - No matter your current emotions, you will profoundly help yourself if you are accepting of them. Going through life resisting your emotions and trapping them inside yourself makes life much more difficult. Trying to escape from our emotions lowers our awareness. When you accept what you feel and consciously understand why you feel a certain emotion, your level of consciousness rises.
26. Speak compassionately - When having conversation with others, do you choose your words wisely? Or are you the type of person who could care less what you say? The truth is, people who choose their words wisely and consciously think during conversation are the ones who show greater respect for themselves and more compassion for others. Make a conscious effort to speak compassionately and positive results will follow.
27. Think positive, act positive, be positive - Being a positive influence sets a good example for others and for yourself. Positivity and states of being positive are direct effects of raising your consciousness. I highly recommend trying to be a more positive person in all areas of life; you will notice and feel the beneficial changes in your awareness.
28. Have sex with your partner - Having sexual intercourse is a great way to spread and share your love with another person. The best way to have sexual intercourse is with another positive, healthy, person in which you fully love and trust. Having sexual intercourse is a loving way of transferring and sharing energy with another person. No matter who you have sexual intercourse with, there can be significant conscious benefits.
29. Identify with your soul - Realize that at your core, you are a spiritual being who is living in a physical body. In lower stages of consciousness, this concept may seem unrealistic and may be very difficult to grasp. As you become better at identifying with your soul, you become better at working your way up the mountain of consciousness.
30. See perceived faults as a “mirror image” - When you look at the faults of others and identify faults in other people, use them as a teaching tool for yourself. The people that are in your life weren’t put there by mistake, they were put there to teach you something about yourself. By being able to take personal responsibility for what is being displayed by others into your conscious focus, you can take the information and make very positive changes.
31. Expand your horizons - Trying something new can pertain to any area of your life. Maybe you want to try to add a new healthy habit to your daily routine, shop at an organic store, or even host a block party for the first time. Having courage raises your consciousness and by constantly trying new things, you boost your cognitive ability to adapt and push through any lower states of fear.
32. Face your deepest fears - Are there any fears that you’re holding inside that are prevent you from making conscious advancement? At certain stages along the ladder of consciousness, it can be extremely difficult to face your fears. With that said, facing your fears will equip your consciousness with more empowerment and energy. Healthy fears include: giving a speech, singing in front of others, or throwing a party; this would be a great list of fears to go out and conquer! The choice to face these will help you considerably in your ability to make conscious advances.
33. Use powerful incantations - Incantations are simply words or phrases repeated over and over with emotional intensity for personal or spiritual benefit. They have commonly been used in religious practices to praise certain Gods or deities, but they have also be used for personal development and in the process of becoming more conscious. No matter what way you choose to use incantations, they can be very helpful and a powerful catalyst for helping you become more conscious.
34. Practice positive affirmations - Affirmations are a bit different than using incantations, though the concepts are very similar. Affirmations are used to change beliefs and thinking patterns. Examples of positive affirmations include: “I am healthy,” “I am positive,” and “I am intelligent.” The primary goal of using affirmations should be to replace unhealthy beliefs and thought patterns with healthier ones; making it easier to scale the mountain of consciousness.
35. Be aware of your state of consciousness - Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of their current state of consciousness or what even defines consciousness. You may not even be consciously aware of the many diverse possible states of consciousness due to the fact that you may have only experienced one primary state of functioning throughout your lifetime. If you are a person who hasn’t experienced other states or most importantly cannot seem to understand your own state, you are definitely missing out some important aspects and understandings of conscious perception.
36. Set a positive example for others - Setting a positive example for others can pertain to any area of life and is highly encouraged. Setting a healthy, positive example for others to follow spreads a direct positive image into the lives and minds of others. Trying to consciously set a good example for others, will further raise your consciousness. Setting a bad example, or unconscious example, will slow, halt, or reverse your current conscious development.
This consciously aware list is compiled by Drew from4 Mind 4 Life
Cupid (aka Eros in Greek Mythology)
Cupid has always played a role in the celebrations of love and lovers. He is known as a mischievous, winged child, whose arrows who would pierce the hearts of his victims causing them to fall deeply in love. In ancient Greece he was known as Eros the young son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. To the Roman's he was Cupid, and his mother Venus. According to Roman mythology, Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Cupid was known to cause people to fall in love by shooting them with his magical arrows. But Cupid didn't just cause others to fall in love - he himself fell deeply in love. As legend has it, Cupid fell in love with a mortal maiden named Psyche. Cupid married Psyche, but Venus, jealous of Psyche's beauty, forbade her daughter-in-law to look at Cupid. Psyche, of course, couldn't resist temptation and sneaked a peek at her handsome husband. As punishment, Venus demanded that she perform three hard tasks, the last of which caused Psyche's death. Cupid brought Psyche back to life and the gods, moved by their love, granted Pysche immortality. Cupid thus represents the heart and Psyche the (struggles of the) human soul. http://www.care2.com/gates/holidays/valentines/valentines.html The beloved legend of Cupid & Psyche tells of how the female Psyche fell in love with her invisible lover Cupid. It is an age-old tale of love tested and regained. The tale, it's full name The Marriage of Cupid & Psyche, ends in rejoice, when the union of the two lovers gives birth to a beautiful daughter, known as Voluptas. She is recognized as one of three graces from Ancient Greece - Voluptas being the word meaning pleasure. http://www.voluptas.info/ History of Valentine’s Day
The origins of Valentine's Day trace back to the ancient Roman celebration of Lupercalia. Held on February 15, Lupercalia honored the gods Lupercus and Faunus, as well as the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. In addition to a bountiful feast, Lupercalia festivities are purported to have included the pairing of young women and men. Men would draw women's names from a box, and each couple would be paired until next year's celebration. While this pairing of couples set the tone for today's holiday, it wasn't called "Valentine's Day" until a priest named Valentine came along. Valentine, a romantic at heart, disobeyed Emperor Claudius II's decree that soldiers remain bachelors. Claudius handed down this decree believing that soldiers would be distracted and unable to concentrate on fighting if they were married or engaged. Valentine defied the emperor and secretly performed marriage ceremonies. As a result of his defiance, Valentine was put to death on February 14. After Valentine's death, he was named a saint. As Christianity spread through Rome, the priests moved Lupercalia from February 15 to February 14 and renamed it St. Valentine's Day to honor Saint Valentine. St. Valentine's Story
Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the third century. That was long, long ago! At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. I didn't like Emperor Claudius, and I wasn't the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings. Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened? He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn't going to support that law! Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favorite activities was to marry couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course. It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers. One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death. I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love. One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it, "Love from your Valentine." I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh -- because they know that love can't be beaten! http://www.pictureframes.co.uk/pages/saint_valentine.htm Valentine Traditions Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was: Good morning to you, valentine;
Curl your locks as I do mine ---
Two before and three behind.
Good morning to you, valentine. In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favorite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!" In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling. In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him. Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire. A love seat is a wide chair. It was first made to seat one woman and her wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections, often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together -- but not too closely! Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off. Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have. If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have. http://www.pictureframes.co.uk/pages/saint_valentine.htm
Patricia Love, M.D. and Jo Robinson, experts in the field of sex and couples therapy have found that unfortunately most couples enjoy high levels of passion and intimacy for a short time. “Approximately half of all men and 40% of all married women have had at least one affair.” However there is more help to the rescue! This dynamic team has developed a formula for lasting passion that they share in their steamy book, “Hot Monogamy”. “What is it that keeps more couples from experiencing passion? The answer is this: On the deepest levels of passion and intimacy, we are all fearful pilgrims.” Which ones apply to you: - The fear of getting what you long for
- A fear of engulfment
- A fear of triggering pain from the past
- A fear of being rejected
- A fear of relinquishing control
- The fear that the partner’s needs are insatiable
- The fear of challenging gender roles
- The fear of being sexual with people outside of the relationship
- The fear of losing control
- The fear of losing the partner
Bringing awareness to these fears can then create greater choice around the decisions you make when it comes to love.
According to legend, Cupid's arrows come in two varieties: the Golden Arrow, which generally signifies true love, and the Leaden Arrow, which represents wanton and sensual passion. He is also known to sometimes carry a torch with which to inflame desire between people. Let’s have it all!!! In this day we have high speed computers, infinite information on the internet, smart phones, smart notepads, smart watches, and smart TV…why not be smart about our love connections??? I believe that a majority of people would choose to have true love that came along with sensual passion and desire. Ooolala! Martin and Jeaneen Chapman-Wallis, dear supporters of Dragonfly Healing Center, offer their wisdom in achieving balance in the realm of love: - Frequent kisses
- Not going to bed angry – It’s true!
- The small things count! Take care of each other every day
- It’s ok if you don’t like the same things
- Be progressive with your growth and change
- Have joint goals – things and excitement in the moment and to look forward to
- Also have personal and individual goals for yourself
- LOTS of fondling!!!
- A plan for success!
Happy lasting love, romance and passion Jeaneen and Martin! Now we want to hear from you!!!Make a comment on our Blog below. WINNER receives HALF OFF a 50 minute couple’s massage!!!!($100 value; regular price $200, excludes gratuity)
The love of self creates space for a happy, healthy and thriving single life if that is a choice. “Getting the Love You Want” by Harville Hendrix, Ph.D. Until you love self, you cannot truly love another! Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., psychologist, creator of Imago Relationship Therapy, and author of “Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples” provides a guide that serves as therapy in itself, and not just for couples. - Why are we attracted to the people that we choose in our lives?
- How do we select our mates?
- Why do we want and need love and always seek it?
I will let you do the reading to discover the full details for yourself. The gained awareness may prove extremely beneficial in your quest for whatever kind of love you search for. In romantic love, Harville states that “many people have a hard time accepting the idea that they have searched for partners who resemble their caretakers.” Think on that one! As for the chemistry of love, Harville illuminates what psychopharmacologists have learned about the good feeling we call romantic love. They have learned that “lovers are literally high on drugs – natural hormones and chemicals that flood their bodies with a sense of well-being. During the attraction phase of a relationship, the brain releases dopamine and norepinephrine, two of the body’s many neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters help contribute to a rosy outlook on life, a rapid pulse, increased energy, and a sense of heightened perception. During this phase, when lovers want to be together every moment of the day, the brain increases its production of endorphins and enkephalins, natural narcotics, enhancing a person’s sense of security and comfort.” Imagine the world if LOVE was the only drug of choice!
We are feeling the love at Dragonfly Healing Center! The month of amor is here and we have nothing but love for all beings on this journey, with an extra sprinkle of heartfullness for those who dearly support us in our purpose. Much gratitude! We speak so much of the heart, and the heart has many answers… Definitions – MacMillan Dictionary - organ in the body
- area of chest with heart
- your feelings
- central part
- most important part
- shape representing love
- suit of playing cards
When someone asks, “Can you feel where I’m coming from?” or just “do you feel me?” they are inquiring about a heart connection. One that goes straight to the soul, from one human being to another. I have an affinity towards hearts, for I am a Valentine Cupid – born on February 14th that is. Down in the heart of Dixie, I was delivered at our home by a skilled midwife. She bonded with my mother as they worked to welcome me into this world. A few years ago, my mother took me and my sister to visit our elderly midwife. I was grateful for this act of love from my mother. And I felt so much love for this woman whose hands first touched me as I gasped my first breath of air. How wonderful and heartfelt to touch those hands. As humans we experience many kinds of love – after all, LOVE is what we all want and is what we all are – it just gets a bit closed off and buried at times. How do we open our hearts? How do we cultivate more love in our lives, to give and receive? A way that I know works for sure is through the practice of lovingkindness. Lovingkindness is also known as Metta practice and is the act of cultivating love and care for all beings. The meditations and teachings enhance our ability to send love and compassion to ourselves and others, including strangers and those that we may not even particularly like. Lovingkindness is a heart-centered component of mindfulness practice. Mindfulness, being in the present moment with an attitude of non-judgment, grows more awareness of loving the self and seeing clearly how we can best care for self. The heart pumps blood to itself first and then to the rest of the body. The heart is wise! We must care for self before we can effectively help and serve others. In showing our love and care for the future of this planet, Dragonfly Healing Center is supporting the upcoming Mindful Schools fundraising event through volunteer assistance. This event features Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program, who will be speaking on the role of mindfulness in education. See complete details!!! http://www.mindfulschools.org/home/jkz-benefit/
13. Cultivate a “high-performance mind” - Cultivating a high-performance mind is a very fun, invigorating process that involves consciously accessing the brainwave state that you consciously choose, whenever you feel it is appropriate for a certain situation. Since their is no single best brainwave state to live life in, it helps to train our mind to consciously be able to “switch” states upon command. For those who want to understand more about developing a high-performance mind, I recommend that you go check out the book The High Performance Mind by Anna Wise.
14. Connect through prayer – The act of simply closing your eyes, folding your hands and saying a prayer will raise your level of consciousness. There are many different ways to practice prayer and there are many different practices, that when combined with prayer, enhance the power of your conscious message. Overall, prayer is a great experience that has potential to aid in your conscious awareness.
15. Challenge your belief system - This one can be difficult for many individuals due to the influence of imprinted beliefs by their parents or guardians during childhood. Some examples of beliefs that you could change include: dietary (changing to a vegetarian), spiritual (from Christianity to Atheism – or vice versa), emotional (from sadness to happiness), etc. By changing your belief system and experimenting with new beliefs, you make yourself more conscious of life’s endless possibilities.
16. Befriend like-minded individuals - On your journey towards becoming a more conscious individual, befriending like-minded people can be extremely helpful. If you are going through many spiritual, emotional, and mental changes without the company of others, the process can be much more difficult and confusing than when you have a guide, guru, or some friends that are traveling at a similar pace to you. Not only is being around like-minded individuals healthy, and optimal for your consciousness, it will ultimately give you more joy in life!
17. Pursue a path of spirituality - Pursuing a path of spirituality and becoming more spiritual will aid you considerably in the process of becoming a more conscious human being. Never be afraid to add a new spiritual practice to your arsenal – you never know what may be most effective or a life changing experience.
18. Express gratitude - Expressing gratitude on a daily basis is a very positive, fulfilling exercise to practice. Ways to express gratitude on a daily basis include: giving thanks for your food, expressing gratitude for yourself and others through prayer (as discussed earlier), complimenting others, and letting another person know that you are thankful for having them in your life. By sharing and expressing gratitude, you feel extremely satisfied and will become more consciously aware of the things that you truly appreciate in life.
19. Make yourself happy - What sort of things make you happy? The answer is usually different for everyone. You can do yourself a favor right now by making a long list of everything that makes you happy in life andacting on your listed items. Feeling and experiencing happiness in your life also will give you the powerful drive that it takes to make yourself more conscious.
20. Act on your desires - Simply having any form of desire will raise your consciousness. Desire encourages us to take action to advance consciously. The state of apathy, or not caring about your consciousness, will naturally lower your consciousness. Desire is a powerful way to raise your consciousness.
21. Boost your brain power and functioning - There are many helpful exercises that you can do to boost your brain power and overall level of functioning. One of my most popular articles, 50 Ways To Boost Your Brain Power, should get you on the right track if you are currently confused about the topic. Raising your level of consciousness will naturally boost your overall brain power, and boosting your brain power will raise your level of consciousness; both affect each other in equal proportion.
22. Take full control of your lifestyle - Are you living the lifestyle that you feel is most beneficial for your mental and physical wellbeing? Maybe there are certain bad habits that you need to get rid of or certain good habits that you’d like to implement in your daily routine. Don’t be afraid to act now and make necessary positive changes in your lifestyle to help you take full conscious control.
23. Choose empowering beliefs - In the process of changing beliefs, choose beliefs that are empowering to your soul. A good way to know what belief will be empowering is to simply ask yourself how you feel about adding the new belief. If you feel a strong connection with a new belief, such as feelings of excitement, it will probably be a very good choice of a belief to implement. Make a conscious effort to purge all beliefs that areless than satisfying. Understand also that as you become a more conscious human being, changing your beliefs will become a much easier, more natural process.
24. Avoid physical fighting and abuse - Physical fighting stems from emotional misunderstandings, hatred, and negative emotional expressions. Fighting can be described as the opposite of peace. Physical fighting and other forms of abuse can really do a great job at distracting us from becoming more conscious human beings. Anything that you can do to stop physical fighting and abuse will ultimately make you and the individuals involved more consciously aware.
This consciously aware list is compiled by Drew from4 Mind 4 Life
“What are you doing for others?” --MLK If you participated in community service/volunteer work for MLK day, email info@dragonflycenter.org and receive a GIFT from Dragonfly Healing Center - $20 gift certificate towards a daylong workshop or retreat OR $10 gift certificate towards a holistic hike or meditation session – please specify which gift you choose.
Thank you for giving of yourself!!!
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. challenged us as a society and as individuals. His legacy continues to ask us this question and inspires us to act in service. All great leaders ask us to think not only of what we can do for ourselves but also what we can do for others. We are not islands separated by the mighty waters; we are all interconnected social beings. Helping you, helps me and we are all the better for it! We can all be leaders in our homes, schools, workplaces, churches, spiritual groups, organizations and social circles. Being a leader does not always mean taking charge – great leadership means knowing how to empower others. We do this by example. Gandhi stated, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” In our human condition, it can be so easy to sit back and complain. This negativity can weigh us down and lower our spirits. Even though, we sure can whip up a storm of all the things that “should” be different. Great leaders, however, challenge us to step on up and BE the difference. Here is an exercise in how to convert a complaint into positive action:
*Cultivating greater awareness will help you to notice subtle changes in your mind, body and emotions. *Instead of acting unconsciously to the way you are feeling, you can choose more skillful reactions – how you need to respond instead of how you automatically react. *Sitting and paying attention to the breath for just a few minutes every day can bring noticeable differences to your awareness. *You will be more able to identify your thoughts and recognize when you are complaining. *Bring attention to thoughts that begin with “why is it that…”, “how come…”, “I can’t stand it when…”, and so on. *Investigate your complaints. See if you can determine what may be hurtful or fearful about the situation. *What would make those feelings subside? How would the bothersome situation then be ideal? *Note at least 3 things that would need to be done to move towards this ideal. *Close your eyes and imagine how the situation would be if only these 3 things changed. *Now choose only 1 of these 3 changes. *What can you do at some level to affect this 1 item of change? *Open your heart and be creative! To work with a life coach on further exploring this exercise, please visit our website at www.dragonflycenter.org and complete our Contact Us form.
“It is better to light a candle than curse the dark” --Eleanor Roosevelt Melissa Green, MS, MA is Co-Founder of Dragonfly Healing Center and is an integrative health counselor and meditation teacher. Dragonfly Healing Center holds space for people of all walks of life to heal holistically. Currently the center holds workshops, retreats, holistic hikes, meditation groups and wellness sessions to help people reconnect with their inner light and find their soul’s purpose.
12. Practice forgiveness - Forgiving yourself can be very difficult sometimes: especially if you are operating in a lower state of consciousness. Realize that in order to rise up, advance, and become a more conscious person, you must be compassionate and forgiving towards yourself. Any hateful thoughts or pent up negative emotions that you may be holding towards yourself need to be released. Negative thoughts and emotions can easily lower our level of consciousness if we do not practice compassion and forgiveness.
13. Cultivate a “high-performance mind” - Cultivating a high-performance mind is a very fun, invigorating process that involves consciously accessing the brainwave state that you consciously choose, whenever you feel it is appropriate for a certain situation. Since their is no single best brainwave state to live life in, it helps to train our mind to consciously be able to “switch” states upon command. For those who want to understand more about developing a high-performance mind, I recommend that you go check out the book The High Performance Mind by Anna Wise.
14. Connect through prayer – The act of simply closing your eyes, folding your hands and saying a prayer will raise your level of consciousness. There are many different ways to practice prayer and there are many different practices, that when combined with prayer, enhance the power of your conscious message. Overall, prayer is a great experience that has potential to aid in your conscious awareness.
15. Challenge your belief system - This one can be difficult for many individuals due to the influence of imprinted beliefs by their parents or guardians during childhood. Some examples of beliefs that you could change include: dietary (changing to a vegetarian), spiritual (from Christianity to Atheism – or vice versa), emotional (from sadness to happiness), etc. By changing your belief system and experimenting with new beliefs, you make yourself more conscious of life’s endless possibilities.
16. Befriend like-minded individuals - On your journey towards becoming a more conscious individual, befriending like-minded people can be extremely helpful. If you are going through many spiritual, emotional, and mental changes without the company of others, the process can be much more difficult and confusing than when you have a guide, guru, or some friends that are traveling at a similar pace to you. Not only is being around like-minded individuals healthy, and optimal for your consciousness, it will ultimately give you more joy in life!
17. Pursue a path of spirituality - Pursuing a path of spirituality and becoming more spiritual will aid you considerably in the process of becoming a more conscious human being. Never be afraid to add a new spiritual practice to your arsenal – you never know what may be most effective or a life changing experience.
18. Express gratitude - Expressing gratitude on a daily basis is a very positive, fulfilling exercise to practice. Ways to express gratitude on a daily basis include: giving thanks for your food, expressing gratitude for yourself and others through prayer (as discussed earlier), complimenting others, and letting another person know that you are thankful for having them in your life. By sharing and expressing gratitude, you feel extremely satisfied and will become more consciously aware of the things that you truly appreciate in life.
19. Make yourself happy - What sort of things make you happy? The answer is usually different for everyone. You can do yourself a favor right now by making a long list of everything that makes you happy in life andacting on your listed items. Feeling and experiencing happiness in your life also will give you the powerful drive that it takes to make yourself more conscious.
20. Act on your desires - Simply having any form of desire will raise your consciousness. Desire encourages us to take action to advance consciously. The state of apathy, or not caring about your consciousness, will naturally lower your consciousness. Desire is a powerful way to raise your consciousness.
21. Boost your brain power and functioning - There are many helpful exercises that you can do to boost your brain power and overall level of functioning. One of my most popular articles, 50 Ways To Boost Your Brain Power, should get you on the right track if you are currently confused about the topic. Raising your level of consciousness will naturally boost your overall brain power, and boosting your brain power will raise your level of consciousness; both affect each other in equal proportion.
22. Take full control of your lifestyle - Are you living the lifestyle that you feel is most beneficial for your mental and physical wellbeing? Maybe there are certain bad habits that you need to get rid of or certain good habits that you’d like to implement in your daily routine. Don’t be afraid to act now and make necessary positive changes in your lifestyle to help you take full conscious control.
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