Living Energy Blog

Archive for August, 2010

Smile to Strengthen Your Brain!

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

Did you know that smiling even when you do not feel like it or have a reason will help to interrupt negative moods and strengthen your brain’s neural network that helps to maintain a positive outlook on life?
At the very least you will have a postive effect on others and they will in turn respond to you with greater kindness.
We can all use this one but it may be particularly helpful to caregivers when there is so much NOT to smile about!

Don’t forget our show tomorrow with Jane Allison Austin. Even if you are not in a cargiving role with elderly parents now, the information she will be discussing is all great information that we need to know about for the future!

Caregiver Corner, Monday, August 30 @ 10 A.M. EDT

Listen to internet radio with CAREGIVER CORNER on Blog Talk Radio

Lighten Up!”Defy Gravity” with Carolyn Myss

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

A great take-away message from Carolyn Myss re: not only how to heal but also for how we all can bring more good into our lives:

http://www.thebalancingact.com/story/?id=2075

Stressed? The Newest Self Care Tool–Yawning!

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

New research in neuroscience has shown yawning to:

  1. Stimulate alertness and concentration
  2. Optimize brain activity and metabolism
  3. Improve intellectual function
  4. Enhance memory–recall
  5. Improve consciousness and introspection
  6. Decrease stress
  7. Relax entire body
  8. Enhance muscle control
  9. Improve athletic performance
  10. Helps with sense of time
  11. Increases empathy
  12. Enhances pleasure and sensuality

Who knew!? Take a yawn break…try it before public speaking, when you have a challenge to rise to, when you are angry, before a test, as you prepare for sleep….trigger real yawns by taking 6-7 purposeful yawns. Of course you will have to dismantle all your social inhibitions, conditioning  and beliefs but the positive effect will be worth it! Would love to hear how it works out for you after you give it a fair trial!   

For studies related to yawning go to: www.pubmed.gov

Synchronicity and Caregiving?

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

What does synchronicity got to do with caregiving? Join us tomorrow, Monday, August 23, 2010 and find out!

Listen to internet radio with CAREGIVER CORNER on Blog Talk Radio

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Excerpt from EnlighteNext Magazine

A fascinating interview with Dr. Beatrice Bruteau

Here’s what Elizabeth Debold has to say about Dr. Bruteau–

“This interview reveals a next step for humanity that no developmental psychologist would dream of. Perhaps it has to do with Bruteau’s intellectual grasp of a range of disciplines—she holds advanced degrees in mathematics, philosophy, and religion. Drawing on the deepest mystical teachings and the best of science, her vision places human development within the context of cosmic development. And that vantage point gives us a glimpse far beyond the present into an unimaginable future.”

 

WIE: The great evolutionary thinkers have all also made the point that the human ability to choose, to intelligently exercise free will or volition, is what sets us apart from other creatures. Can you say a little more about the significance of choice?

BB: You see, evolution up to this point has gone by happenstance and natural selection. The individual animal doesn’t get to choose how it’s going to evolve. But the individual human being can, and we, by our concerted intention, can make something that hasn’t existed before. If we are to make this change in favor of forming a New Being, we will have to redirect our energy currents. And it will take energy even to make that option. You see, our energy currents are egocentric—the currents flow out from the ego, grasp what’s good for the ego, and flow back to the ego. This energy pattern cannot form a creative union because it tries to assimilate all other beings to the being of the ego. And because of that, it’s important that we make a big effort to realize the True Self—otherwise we’re running entirely on the motives to exploit and dominate—the motives that are endangering the world.

To read the entire interview click here:

http://www.enlightennext.org/magazine/j34/bruteau.asp

Would love to hear your thoughts on the information!

Surrender the Mind—Open The Heart to Love

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

 Great commentary on the working of the mind–and finding the heartbeat of the universe…the God within> 

 

 

Bedes Griffith was a Catholic monk who adopted the trappings of Hindu monastic life and entered into dialogue with Hinduism. Griffiths wrote twelve books on Hindu-Christian dialogue. Griffiths’s form of Vedanta-inspired Christianity is called Wisdom Christianity.[citation needed]

Griffiths was a proponent of integral thought, which attempts to harmonize scientific and spiritual world views. In a 1983 interview he stated,

We’re now being challenged to create a theology which would use the findings of modern science and eastern mysticism which, as you know, coincide so much, and to evolve from that a new theology which would be much more adequate.”[1]

Griffiths died at Shantivanam in 1993, aged 86. The archives of the Bede Griffiths Trust are located at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. ( From Wikipedia)

How can Mindfulness Help Caregivers?

Monday, August 16th, 2010

What is mindfulness? How does a mindful approach help with stress? How do you learn to adopt this method to your circumstances in order to decrease stress and avoid burnout? Living Energy Works presents the Caregiver Corner Radio Show featuring Karen Kallie, Peg Donahue and Tony Pace in an in-depth discussion on aspects concerning the Caregiver and their well being. Join us as we explore the topic of Mindfulness and it’s value in caregiving.

 

Listen to internet radio with CAREGIVER CORNER on Blog Talk Radio

Cultivating Creative Power Part II

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

You can make room for The Creative to develop within you by letting go of inferior habits and thoughts … anything that doesn’t serve you or benefit your highest good.  Such habits would include judgments about other people, careless words and thoughts, lack of compassion, intolerance, frantic actions and more.  Cultivate integrity, goodness, patience and humbleness.  Open yourself to help from others.  Allow your High Powers to guide your actions.  Change what you can about yourself and accept what “is.” 

 How do you make room for The Creative to accomplish this acceptance, or the letting go of that which no longer serves you whether it be old patterns of behavior, difficult emotions or repetitive thoughts?

East is meeting West once again as current research demonstrates the biology behind wise ancient advice! Scientists have studied the process that successful people use in this regard and   have discovered that we can learn to set the stage for letting go through some fairly simple steps. The steps are simple however the changes that occur in the brain and throughout the body involve complex biochemistry. These changes not only involve a letting go and arrival at acceptance, they also improve health, enhance mood, open the door to creativity, increased learning, ‘out of the box’ thinking and boost productivity.  

The beginning of this process involves stress! The stress may be imposed from outside or it may come about as you seek to solve a problem or resolve a situation. The stress may be useful in the beginning in some ways, but if left unaddressed it typically builds as resolution of your dilemma is not forthcoming. If this continues your physical and psychological well being are impaired.

You can intervene in the stress cycle in a healthy way by taking a break and engaging in an activity that will trigger more beneficial and helpful biochemistry that will lead to the solution to your problem as well as the aforementioned other positive changes.

What types of activities are helpful now? Something that takes you completely away from your habitual and familiar thoughts, feelings and ways of reacting is essential. It can be helpful to consciously be aware of all the information and facts etc regarding your stress but it is also helpful to engage another level of wisdom to enter and help you. This is done by shifting your state of mind and not continuing to actively resist or fight with the cause of your stress.

Repetitive activities that help to quiet the mind and body are the key. You may choose meditation, yoga, prayer, knitting, singing, housework, gardening, contemplating nature, conscious breathing, walking, biking or hiking. The important component is that these are changes that break the pattern you were in and focus your attention elsewhere.

What happens then is a series of intricate shifts within your biochemistry and neurology that sets the stage for an ‘AHA Experience’…. the resolution of your problem. The next step is a return to normal life with a heightened sense of well being.

 The first time you practice this approach may not feel exactly like an enlightenment experience! Be assured however that with practice you will be strengthening pathways and laying the groundwork for new abilities to grow within you.  Spiritual energy and great creative forces surround us at all times but we must do our part to become worthy partners in the co-creative dance.

 Emotional Freedom Techniques is another great tool for removing the stress from your system and allowing greater states of relaxation, intuition and resolution to enter your awareness. In addition, imagery or inner child work focused on releasing past core issues are enormously helpful to open and release the fundamental roots of stress so that your inner space can be free and clear to allow more creative flow within you.

 Remember, the fundamental creative power of the universe is unrestricted and available to all of us.  We must have a way of connecting, aligning with it for it to benefit us. When we have a process to let go of the old and welcome the new creative flow can move more gracefully beyond stress and into a whole new way of being that is enlivening and life enhancing. 

“ We can also awaken ourselves with the intention to be more aware of the unconditional generosity of the life force that flows through us regardless of our circumstances.” From The Daily Om

Manage Stress by Cultivating Creative Power

Friday, August 13th, 2010

There are many ways to reduce and manage stress. I find it gets exhausting if I am always focused on trying to fight it, or conquor it.  A very powerful approach that has really helped me to have a healthier attitude and approach to stress is to side step the idea of combating it and rather learn ways to open to a fundamental flow of creative energy and develop it. This provides a deep well spring from which to engage and build on practices that are more life enhancing and revitalizing.

The I Ching, the oldest book of China, of the Book of Change gives us some guidance regarding this approach.  The I Ching is an observation of human behavior and the constantly changing structure of the universe.  It is about the way things are at the moment and the way that they tend to change and transform themselves.  A basic premise is that there are no isolated actions.  Every action has a reaction and every thing affects every other thingin a synchronistic manner.  The observation of patterns in nature can help us adopt an attitude of flow in order to move more gracefully, consciously and purposefully through change and challenging times.

 Sixty-four different life situations (also called hexagrams) are highlighted in the I Ching.  The first of these is called The Creative.  It is about how worthwhile goals will meet with success.  When you use your inspiration, energy, will and personal strength — your Creative Power —  you can catapult yourself into new situations and use your opportunities to your best advantage.  The Creative is a time when personal growth is accelerated.  You focus and become aware of the situations around you. You learn when to act and when not to act.  It is a time when people may look to you for leadership.  You act for your highest good and you meet with success.

 You can make room for the energy referred to as The Creativeto develop within you and learn to live more from this place rather than being in a combative relationship with life and its stress.

 How? More on this tomorrow!

Self Care for Caregivers: Free Preview Teleclass …

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Self Care for Caregivers
Energy Tools to Release Stress and Prevent Burnout
Free Preview Teleclass …
Date: Monday August 16, 2010
Time: 8:00pm – 9:00pm EDT

Caregiver stress is a major factor for individuals, families and society. The complexity of the role, the magnitude of competing needs, the conflicting emotions and the sheer physical drains of caregiving put caregivers at high risk for stress-related issues and burnout. If you are a caregiver, this teleclass, led by Karen Kallie and Peg Donahue, is for you!

Learn how to:
Discover an oasis of inner peace
Develop balance in your day
Renew, rebuild and restore your energy.

This class is a preview of an 8 week teleclass program that begins September 27th, 2010
 
To register for this call, click  here http://www.livingenergyworks.com/caregiver.htm . You’ll receive the phone number when you register and we will email you a reminder the day of the call.
 
Please pass this information along to anyone who may benefit from it.
 
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Take some time to ground and balance your energy every day!
 
Karen Kallie, Peg Donahue and Tony Pace