Living Energy Blog

We forget in the stress of daily life that we can choose to shift our feelings away from the negative and toward the positive. Each time we decide to “practice happiness” we strengthen the soul muscle that will help us create more of what we do want and less of what we don’t want.

We may not be able to changes some of the difiicult things that emerge in life, but we can always choose how we want to feel and how we want to respond. As we do, things have a way of shifting in the outer world as well. BUT perhaps even more important, we strengthen and make our energy more coherent and increase the stability of our inner resources….which not only helps us to rise to challenges, but also helps to bring about more positive circumstances, people, places and things…the kind of circular thinking that is helpful instead of soul deadening.

Find, notice a moment where you can create or experience happiness. Make it a game to find as many times throughout the day as you can to focus on a happy feeling. Focus on it, flow with it, expand into it without grasping. See how many happy moments you can collect (seems more useful that some of the other stuff we collect!  )

Happy holiday weeknd to all!

This week we present special guest JANE ALLISON AUSTIN Attorney & Elder Care Advocate. She speaks nationwide about how to take care of aging parents. As the daughter of a father who died of Alzheimer’s and an only child who uprooted her life with her husband to care for her mother who was bedridden with dementia. Jane Allison knows first- hand what it’s like when the parent-child roles switch. She has made it her life-long passion to educate others on the importance of loving and taking care of your aging parents in the sunset of their lives. Some of the issues we’ll be addressing include: •What to do in case of an emergency with your elderly parents. •How to be certain your parents’ wills, living revocable trusts, powers of attorneys, and powers for health care are all in place and how to talk to your folks about doing them if they are hesitant to discuss these topics. • How to choose an affordable nursing facility and a home health care provider. • How to decide whether to take care of your parents in your own home or seek professional help. What’s in it for you? The joys and the pains you’ll go through emotionally when taking care of your parents, and so much more. This is a great opportunity to ask questions. Join us!

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

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

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.

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

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
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.
 
Click here to join our Facebook page and receive regular Blog posts.
 
Take some time to ground and balance your energy every day!
 
Karen Kallie, Peg Donahue and Tony Pace

Caregiver Corner Tips Summary from our July 26, 2010 show on how perception influences stress–these are usefull for everyone not just caregivers!

1. Know that there are other ways of looking at a situation than yours. Try brainstorming other options for opinions and opening your awareness to other viewpoints.

2. Ask questions of others regarding possible solutions rather than than direct “rescuing” with solutions, answers or problem solving…Ask,  “What might happen if ..?”

3. Ask of the person being cared for as well as others involved in care: “How can we help you?” Especially ask the caregiver this question if you are not the primary source of care!

4. As a caregiver talk to a friend, confidante …tell your story, how it is for you… having a witness to your story or experience can be powerful in its own right.

5. Take time to meditate and be quiet. You need to recharge your batteries to keep going effectively!

6. Be aware of good boundaries. Examine yours and others and take measures to make them healthy.

8. See the family story as drama. Take the perspective that you are watching a movie or play, it helps to take you out of strong emotions that are so compelling and drag you down.

9. Observe what is being mirrored. Ask what this person place or situation is teaching—or can teach you…helps to put a constructive spin on it. 

10. Allow ALL your feelings. Your feelings need to be honored. Have a process that lets you feel them and then release them. Feelings tend not to be easily released until they are felt and processed. 

11. Appreciate the caregiver. If you are a family member, friend or professional involved in family care, remember to appreciate the caregiver’s efforts. If you are a caregiver, acknowledge and appreciate yourself!  

If you are involved in caregiving, what are some of the ways you have found that help deal with the complex interpersonal dynamics and stress of this situation?