YOUR VERY BEST DREAM IS WAITING FOR YOU

Grandma Susan sometimes writes about subjects that can best be labeled “New Age”. The description,  New Age, generally refers to that what was done by our ancient ancestors in the realm of the sacred. These practices can be revived and carried out by us in our times. Those principles still work. It shouldn’t be confused with witchcraft or magic. It’s a kind of self-care and reaching out in a positive way to the universe – carried out according to some ancient laws. Though only a few, comparatively, several of Grandma's most popular posts have been on New Age themes.

They say that most of the time we are using only a tiny fraction of our brains. New Age practices such as dreamwork, meditation and some other "altered" states often help heighten our mind/body capacities. The real question is whether we are prepared to let these experiences into our lives. Beyond that, we have to  be open to living better lives (expanded heart, greater service to others) on the basis of these practices.

 

Going for your dream

So, you want to remember more about your dreams?  And think, maybe, that your dreams might be useful to you, if  they didn’t slip away from you so fast after you wake up? Well, yes, they can. And there are some ways to go about dreaming with a purpose. And you (probably) don’t have to consult a dreamworker expert on how to do it.

I decided to keep a dream journal a while ago, then, put it down, now it's on my agenda again. It's all good. I write notes and draw rough sketches about these dreams and related topics in my journal. Reflections on these entries have many times have helped me make important decisions or changed how I feel about things, in general. So, keeping a dream journal is a good idea in my experience.

 

Here's an exercise that you can do to begin focusing on your dreams. It's one way to make that best dream – the one you’ve been wanting - happen to you.This is my own purposeful dream technique, based on New Age practice, that you might like to try.

Night time ritual to ask for the dream you want

Moon phases can have an influence on sleeping and dreaming patterns. Many people do this kind of exercise in the New Moon phase, which is a very good time for beginnings and changes in your life. On the other hand, thecloser we near the Full Moon phase, the more dreams tend to be more vivid and feel more consequential.

Take off everything on your night stand – except your lamp. Dust the stand with a sweet smelling, light oil on a cloth. A few fresh flowers in a small vase or petals in a bowl of water also then can be placed on your stand, if you like. 

Take out a piece of a nice note pad and a pen that you like. Sit down and reflect on something in your life that you wish to develop or change, something that, for you, would be a ‘dream come true.” Write it on the sheet of paper. Make it a short note, not an essay. Two or three sentences should be enough if you’ve been thinking about it. Be as specific as you can. Don’t be in a rush to get started. If you're not totally ready, tomorrow or the next day might be a better time to do this exercise. You don’t want to hurry through some part of the ritual or be interrupted.

 

Make sure you have mental clarity about what you’re aiming for before you look for your dream. If your request is imprecise, the answers you get can be fuzzy and disappointing. So, state your dream request as precisely as possible to ensure better results. Any intention that is mentally focused on, written down on paper, and spoken out loud carries power.

Read what you've written out loud. Place the note on the nightstand, face up. Lay some tiny thing that you treasure on top, if you think the note could be knocked off during the night.

Then, say a short prayer, out loud or silently, with words of your choice, asking for clarity on the matter. Clasping the hands together, vertically, is a good way to center your focus on prayer.

Go to sleep as quickly as possible - no TV or conversations - and wait for the dream you want. Your sleeping arrangements don't have to vary from the normal. If you have a customary bed partner, you'll maintain your regular sleeping and dreaming rhythms.

See what happens. If the dream doesn’t occur the first night, don’t think you had some kind of failure. Try variations on the same topic each night for a week or more - each night writing out a new version of your note on a fresh sheet of paper. You may have to go through a whole Moon cycle to get the result you’re looking for.

Sometimes, circumstances during our waking hours will change the importance that we attach to a topic, whether because our wishes were accomplished or because they turn out to be less important than we thought they were. Then, we could imagine that our dream-self has taken care of our needs without being remembered as a dream.

Remember, art, humor, and the future all arise from the unexpected. We can dream the unprecedented reality we want. Go for your best one, governed by love and light. Just be ready for the unanticipated twist that almost always comes with future events. It's almost impossible to imagine, beforehand, the particular ways in which good things come into our lives.

Related posts
THE NEW MOON CYCLE CAN HELP YOU MAKE LIFE
CHANGES PHASES OF THE MOON - MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU MAY THINK.
REDEFINE YOUR PRIORITIES, REMAKE YOUR LIFE
BENEFIT FROM NEW MOON FASTING
VISION BOARDS AND THE NEW MOON CYCLE.

2012 - A GOOD TIME FOR MAKING BUCKET LISTS

One year ago this month, I wrote about vision boards and how the new moon can be the inspiration for their creation. Never could I have imagined that that single post would get more hits than all the other 170 posts in this blog altogether. And the popularity of the vision board post continues in 2012 without showing any signs of slowing down. So, being impressed by this level of readership, I decided to write a sequel to that post. The idea behind the vision board is the creation of a means to focus on our goals and, in the process, find many unsuspected ways to achieve our objectives. Last year’s post apparently motivated a lot of people, and I’d like to celebrate by offering this post about another way to reach our most precious goals. It’s about making a life list, also called a bucket list, a sort of inventory of what each of us hold as priorities for our very existence.

The term, bucket list, signifies a series of things that someone wants to do on a most personal level. The principle of the life/bucket list is simple. You list all the important things you want to do in life and try to do each and every one of them before you die. And that was also the theme of a movie (2007) with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, who portrayed two terminally ill men, who set out together to make happen what was on their bucket lists and the humorous and dramatic escapades that resulted.

It’s about making a list that guides us to make step-by-step progress toward achieving our most intimate goals. For all ages, both young and old, it’s good to be thinking positively about our purposes in life and about how we can push ourselves toward their accomplishment. It’s all too easy to power down, forgetting that there’s a lot of personal work left to be done. And, deep down, we know that we can do a lot more to push ourselves forward to where we want to be in the future. Life changes happen to us for sure, and those unknown events can influence or change our direction. And unwanted changes are especially likely to occur if we’re not ready and willing to use our energy to be where we want to be with the results we aim for.

Some of the items that people often have on their life lists are: travel to a highly desirable, far-off place to live or vacation, establish a successful small business, gain fluency in a foreign language, become skilled as an artist or play a musical instrument. Most of us spend our lives repeating three verbs: to want, to have, and to do. The life list is not so much about wanting or having and certainly not about being a consumer or buying any particular thing. It's about what’s yet to be done in the realm of experiences, and about the corresponding process, where: “Getting there is half the fun.”

What’s on your list?
Your life/bucket list is whatever you want, and it’s completely up to you. What’s important is that each item has real, personal significance and is measurable. Make sure all the items are unmistakable events that can be checked off. You should be able to recognize a triumph and say “YES! I did it!” You’ll do better if you don’t link your goals with actions that are pegged too closely to the decisions of other people. And that goes even for your spouse and the same for your children, although you need to take them into consideration, of course, in as much as their needs should be considered in your timetable. For each accomplishment, ask yourself “Can I make this happen – almost entirely - on my own?” The more people it depends on, the less likely it is to come about.

Make a plan for success and enjoy the process of setting up and completing your objectives. Think big and write it all down. Don’t worry about including something that appears to be unattainable in this moment. Being a dreamer is good. Important things don’t happen without dreams. Embrace the two sides of yourself - the dreamer that can outline the future you want and the rational one who can make things happen, even those that are seemingly out of reach. Just be sure that the “dreams” are things you have every intention of doing and are willing to hard work for. One long lifetime consists of 80 years or more, and each decade should have new things to accomplish – whether you’re getting to be forty or seventy.

Remember you don’t have to share every one of your secret goals with other people. They may not agree with your vision or think that you’re incapable of obtaining those goals. Their opinions should not dampen your enthusiasm. It’s your life and finding meaning in what you do is the route to happiness. But don’t overdo it by thinking up too many life purposes. The smaller your list, the more likely you will respect it. You’ll need to consider the time and money required for each of your goals.

Let your dreams be a little bit bigger than life. The life list is a work in progress, and you won’t be a failure if you never reach one or more of your goals. It’s the effort and joy along the way that’s worth it - not the smug announcement that you’ve done it all. Hey, completing even a good number of items on your list would count for a satisfying and respectable life, assuring yourself with a wealth of fascinating stories.

But don’t let the list deteriorate into a quest for reasons to be admired. Rememberthat your list stands for how you’re going to spend a good part of your life. If you treat your list as things you hope to do to impress certain people, it probably won’t be worth the trouble.

What’s really valuable is the process of investing a good part of your time and money progressing toward one or more of your most intimate objectives - and that’s not for next year but for right now and tomorrow and the day after. You’ll have to make some adjustments in your career, family life, and lifestyle in order for these things to happen. Promise yourself to always be working on at least one item at any given time, and it’s even better if you can manage several at a time. Many failures come from the habit of making excuses. And don’t concentrate too much on completing your bucket list, only on doing the tasks that make it up.

Gearing up for bucket list action.
Find five or more good size buckets. Really, they can be any kind of open containers. The exact number of buckets depends on how many lifetime goals you can think up. The buckets can be round, rectangle or square containers and any colors or material you like – tin, plastic, wood, etc. Label each one according to your most important visions for the future. Be as specific about your goals as you can. (Remember these shouldn’t be consumer wish lists for those who have the $ - or hope to make the $ - to buy expensive things.) For example, my five buckets have these categories.

Relationships (family, friends, community) – objective(s)
Lifestyle and skills – objective(s)
Travel – objective(s)
Finances – objective(s)
Faith – objective(s)

Put 5 large envelopes in each bucket. Four envelopes are for activities or to-do lists. The fifth is a kind of journal for recording progress toward a goal. Write yourself notes and cut-out short texts and images – a running brainstorm collection - and stuff them in the appropriate envelopes. (You'll be making a different sort of clippings journal.)

Envelope 1: This month
Envelope 2: This year
Envelope 3: Within five years
Envelope 4: The indefinite future or “once in a lifetime”
Envelope 5: Notes along the way. A collection of brainstorms, comments, and grumbles about what it all means and why certain things are working out and others are not.

Keep your buckets on a shelf where you can see them everyday - nice, tidy looking containers are better because you'll be pleased to see them on display. When you accomplish a goal, you don’t necessarily remove the bucket. Date your success and put it in Envelope 5. The bucket list is not only about future goals, but also can be a reminder of the impressive things you’ve done, along with motivation to keep on track and do even more amazing things. And there’s no end of follow-up activities that can be done to record and enhance your accomplishments.

Every time you have an idea or a clipping related to one of your goals, be sure it gets to the proper envelope. Each month review the contents of the envelopes and make yourself a summary report of successes and setbacks. Do a more thorough evaluation every six months or yearly.

Related posts
VISION BOARDS AND THE NEW MOON CYCLE.
REDEFINE YOUR PRIORITIES, REMAKE YOUR LIFE
THE NEW MOON CYCLE CAN HELP YOU MAKE LIFE CHANGES
KEEP AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNAL
DON’T STASH YOUR CLIPPINGS, JOURNAL THEM.
STAY IN THE NOW

THE NEW MOON CYCLE CAN HELP YOU MAKE LIFE CHANGES

 A more fulfilling life is always a possibility for us. But, often, we hesitant and can't seem to turn our heads away from our well-worn routines and see a new path. We can always opt for change. All in all, we are responsible for our lives. Universal power is out there forever flowing around us. You can access new levels of awareness and power by using positive thinking. Begin by visualizing the way you want today - and tomorrow - to go. Then try to live your day the way you want. Everything happens for a reason - no coincidences allowed. So, don't wait. Start now to use the power of daily reflection and the energy of the lunar cycle to help you achieve new goals.

Well, you’ve heard a lot, I know, about those new products that are sent out to you for a-30-day trial. That’s a concept that let’s you try out something new to you on a risk-free basis for one month. Sales people know that if you get started with something useful for 30 days, the chances are high that you’ll be buying their product for a long time. The same idea can help us develop new habits that improve our lives. There's strength in your convictions and, in a short period of time (28 days, new moon to new moon), you can launch yourself into a healthier and more successful life.  

Let’s say you want to seriously cut back on fried foods or sweets or give up cigarettes. And, of course, you're aware that getting started and maintaining new habits are hard things to do. On the other hand, it makes sense that if you can get past the initial inertia, the going will get much easier.

So, if you’re not sure where to begin, here’s a list of positive changes that people sometimes make in their lives:

- Exercise daily

- Keep a personal journal.
- Read for an hour a day on a subject of interest.
- Take part in a charitable activity that’s helpful to others and fulfilling to you.
- Have time for prayer or meditation every day.
- Establish an earlier bedtime.
- Work to maintain healthy and deeper relationships with other people.
- Take a long walk every day with someone (or with your dog).

 Also, you might like to review a couple of my earlier posts where I’ve commented on the advantages of beginning new endeavors during the new moon, and how the earth, moon, and sun relate in the following 27 days to help you achieve your goals. By using the energy of the new moon cycle, you’ll increase the chances that your efforts will be productive.

So, here’s the deal. Make a pact with yourself to establish a positive change in your life on a temporary basis – just 28 days or one new moon cycle. And, of course, it makes sense to concentrate on just one new habit at a time. After those 28 days, you can evaluate your experience and decide if you want to continue with that change. Could you do it? Of course, you can. It requires a bit of effort and commitment, but, hey, it’s only a bit less than one month out of your life! So, go for it.

As they say: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” And if you actually complete your objective, you’ll have 28 days of success behind you. And that should give you the confidence that you need to continue. This approach lets you test new habits even when you have real doubts about whether this change will be a permanent feature in your life. It will probably work out better if it’s something that you'll be doing daily or almost every day of the week. But it should also work if you think about your resolve for change each day, even if you can’t apply it on a daily basis.

Don’t worry so much about what you’ll do beyond those 28 days. Consider this a trial period and give yourself a chance to grow as a person, even if it turns out to be something temporary. Just think about the benefits you’ll gain from your effort in the meantime, regardless of the long-term outcome.

Now, here’s your chance to embark on one of life's amazing adventures — to find more meaning in your own life and, in turn, be a better influence on others. Creating new habits takes focus and attention to the details. So, concentrate on where you’re headed and what the benefits are – both along the way and where you want to be when you get there. Take your motivation from a source of power, inspiration and peace - whether you call that God, Universal Love, Celestial Law, etc. And remember to stay humble - you're not doing all this good stuff by yourself. You have help and you should be thankful for it! 

Beyond that, do your best to keep on course with your new commitment. A part of your success can come from reflections on your experiences that you write down in a personal journal. So, for one entire new moon cycle - 28 days, use journaling to help you visualize your goal and find the strength that can guide your progress. Here’s a sample journal survey that you can fill out each and every day of the lunar cycle. It will only take about 15 minutes in the evening to fill in your reflections. And it's sure to make a big difference on your feelings and actions the next day.

 

28 DAYS TO A LIFE CHANGE Day __ Phase of the Moon ____________ Calendar date _____________________ My new habit/resolve is to:__________________________________________________ ·   What did I do today that helps me succeed in my objective? How can I do it even better tomorrow? ·   What, if anything, did I do (or someone else do) that might harm my eventual success? How can I minimize that negative influence? ·   What did I learn (read, see, feel, etc) that I didn’t know about before or wasn’t sure of? ·   What one happy, unexpected thing am I especially thankful/blessed for today? ·   What one thing could I do tomorrow to make my life (or someone else’s life) better?

Related posts
IN THIS FIRST FULL MOON OF SUMMER: TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES.

PHASES OF THE MOON - MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU MAY THINK.
VISION BOARDS AND THE NEW MOON CYCLE.
REDEFINE YOUR PRIORITIES, REMAKE YOUR LIFE
BENEFIT FROM NEW MOON FASTING
LOOK FOR WAYS TO BE MORE AWARE OF THE NATURAL WORLD.

HOW CONSUMERISM (STILL) TRIES TO FOOL US

What is consumerism?

From Wikipedia, we have this definition: “Consumerism is a social and economic order that is based on the systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods and services in ever greater amounts.” And that’s the same mass consumption lifestyle that the majority in the U.S. practices or, practiced in the second half of the 20th century.

The consumerist system offers us promises: Having more and "better" things will bring us happiness and others will regard us as successful - maybe even envy us. So, the gist of it is: If we buy things – even those things that we don’t mostly need - like designer clothes and furniture, shiny new cars, expensive beverages and foods, etc., we will  feel happy and fulfilled. It's a hard sell. And who was out there was telling us that the happiest people are those who buy more and better? It was our old “friends” - our own commercial, mercantile society aided by thousands of ads from local sources, the mass media, and sometimes even “preached” from the pulpits.

Experts report that the average U.S. person faces three thousands ads each day. Most of the ads come from the usual three to four hours of TV watching, but add to that, signs and billboards, the faces of our buildings, and even the sides of our city buses, all urging us to buy, buy, buy….

Unfortunately, we – you and I - once went along with some of those ideas and got into a lot of trouble doing so, including debts, staying in jobs we didn’t like, marriage break-ups, foreclosures, etc. We found that each time we reached out to grasp just a little more, what we wanted always receded just a bit further out of reach. And, if we began to doubt in these illusions, we could always befuddle ourselves into a kind of psychological conformity with a never-ending supply of addictions, including smoking, drinking, legal and illegal substances, overeating, video gaming, and other vices - these things converting us into another sort of "consumers" .

The powerful even created an ideology of consumerism to scare us into conformity. They told us that continued economic growth (including job creation, in its moment) would eventually benefit everyone, and that no constraints to growth would have to be considered, including our natural resources. With more opportunities and greater technology, we would be able to overcome any momentary limitations, and that corporate rights to profits (otherwise known as a pro-business climate) supersede human rights, labor rights, and environmental protections. Somehow, private enterprise would find ways to overcome all our technological and resource problems. (And, even if it didn't turn out that way, we could still be entertained by the super-rich in reality shows. Afterall, it was our grandchildren and other generations to come who could pay the consequences. Right?) Remember how G Bush told us that, in the face of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, his patriotic duty was to wage an international war and ours was to continue shopping – at all costs!

But what about our “real” needs?

Of course, all of us have real needs and they include agricultural products and some essential consumer goods and services. And throughout most of human history, the consuming rich were few and "regular" people fought hard to fulfill even their basic needs. But at the turn of the 20th century, what with growth of US and European industrialism, came the "conspicuous consumption" of a whole class of rich people along with the emergence of some other major-league consumers, called the middle class. After WWII the American (Consumers) Dream came to include almost everyone. There was even the “War On Poverty”, a plan for the entire population to have their essential needs met - that and even more. The backing for the economic system that would end poverty, once and for all, was based on ever more complex technology and consumerism. That seemed to be our overriding hope, and we held on to it until the past few years when globalization, challenges to the middle class, unemployment and increased poverty pointed to a new societal phase where many people would again have to confront long-term hardship and scarcity. Also, by that time, we had become sadly aware of man-created shortages of water, clean air, fertile land, timber, etc. and the need to deal with immense quantities of trash on land and in the oceans.

How can we do to reduce the effects of consumerism?

In the face of the political and corporate interests that exercise so much power, we ask ourselves: "What can I do?" Too many people tell us that the answer is a resigned: “Nothing at all”. But that can’t be so. Individuals and groups can always take steps to change their own behavior with the hope that others will follow, sooner or later. First of all, we have to consider are our attitudes toward consumerism. If we aren’t too sick or too confused by substance abuse and other addictions, we should be able to deal with our reality. In the face of every single potential purchase, we need to ask ourselves, "Do we really need this? What do we already have that would serve the same purpose?" We need to see our lives as complete without a lot of material add-ons. We don’t need to “have” the best, quickest, or the fanciest. When we stop seeing the the things in this world and each other as commodities, we can then start using our hearts and minds for more enlightened purposes.

- Change your spending habits

Live simply so that others – people, plants, and animals, and generations to come - may have a chance to live. That means acquiring fewer material things and consuming less energy. There are books, magazines, Internet sources, and classes that can help us discover better spending habits. Follow the three-R’s: Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle. Buy products with less processing, less packaging, and that don’t hurt the environment.  Share your careful spending efforts with your family and neighbors. Don't be fooled into buying a bunch of things that are supposed to be "green" - many of them are just a trendier sort of consumerism.

- Organize and protest

Boycott services and products that harm our environment, society and people. Use your mouth, your letters, and your feet to march, when necessary, to protest wrongdoing. Tell others that you’re not being fooled again by a consumerist system based on unlimited financial gain, oppressive corporate law, and damage to the earth. Get together with others and talk about ways to be supportive of each others' efforts to make change.  Join political and charitable organizations that work for social harmony, resource conservation and a sustainable future. Oftentimes, the best place to start is in your local community. One project would be to make and distribute a phone directory of local small businesses that use and sell products based on quality and sustainability.

- Walk, bicycle or take public transportation

Cut back on your dependence on the car and on gasoline. Make use of public transportation whenever you can. There are a lot of short trips that could be made walking or bicycling. Staying in buildings, cars, and buses keeps us from contact with the natural world. Lower your carbon footprint by getting more exercise and experiencing nature whenever time and weather permit.

- Bake bread and eat simple, nourishing meals

Bake your own bread, using wholegrain flour (organic is best), and cook nourishing vegetarian or mostly vegetarian meals. It's a way of slowing down and celebrating life. When you can’t home-bake, then buy bread at a local bakery. When you eat out, choose 100% locally owned restaurants - not national operatives - that specialize in good, nourishing food at a reasonable price.

- Work less

In recent decades, the working poor and even better off groups, spend more time on the job. Most working people are overworked and exhausted. We don't need more things!  And we don't need to pay down all that debt we got ourselves into so fast. (Employers say they're waiting for the economy "uptick" to hire. We can wait for it, too, and pay the rest of our debts whenever it comes.) We've also got to save some money the best way we can for worse times that may appear down the road. Beyond that, we need to spend more time for our families and to do things more in line with creating a sustainable future. And every day, we should take some time for spiritual tranquility, meditation and prayer. This can be our motto: Let's work less, spend less, and be more alive, aware, and caring.

Related posts

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EMBRACE A SIMPLE HOME.

REDUCE YOUR CARBON-FOOTPRINT.

TAKE POSITIVE AND PEACEFUL ACTIONS TO CONFRONT FOOD SHORTAGES.

TRY SWAPPING TO SHRINK YOUR WASTEFUL HABITS (WITH OTHER BENEFITS, TOO.)

COLOR THERAPY CAN HELP YOU REJECT CONSUMERISM.

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GET OFF-GRID OR REDUCE YOUR DEPENDENCE ON IT

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BE A “USE-IT-ALL-UP” FOOD BUYER AND CONSUMER.

BREAD MAKING IS A HUGELY REWARDING ART.

Preparing vegetarian meals.

LEARN HOW TO BE HEALTHY THE "NATURAL WAY"

Naturalistic practice is a system of personal care that concentrates on maintaining the body in a healthy condition. It’s sometimes referred to as natural healing, and those who follow it have more energy and fewer illnesses. Eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet is, of course, a part of any program for health. But natural healing goes beyond this. This kind of preventive program represents a "vitalistic" tradition and, whenever the body has illnesses, these same practices support the person's own healing capacity. By working with a person's vital force and respecting the natural healing processes, all kinds of ailments can be overcome without the use of Western medicines and surgery.

So, what are the bases of natural healing? (You’ll be happy to hear that no commercial products are necessary for this program, and that only dedication to a healthy lifestyle is the key to natural healing.)

Get outdoors and enjoy some sunshine everyday.
Just 10 to 15 minutes of sitting or walking in the sunshine gives us a lot of energy and helps keep our spirits high. If you don't live in a zone with temperatures warm enough to be outdoors for part of the year, make yourself a sun room or sit in a window when the sun comes in. This is particularly good to do when you eat your meals. By exposing your skin to sunlight, you'll get the necessary Vitamin D that your body must have for good health. While your outside, touch your bare hands to a large tree, and just simply breathe. All these actions help to "ground" or stabilize the energy of the body. Mother Nature has many ways to cure her children, but you have to connect with her to receive all the benefits.

Feet were meant to be bare (at least part of the time).
Try to go barefoot for an hour or more a day. Walk barefoot on grass or sand whenever there is an opportunity.  When conditions aren't right for being totally barefoot, wear (preferably all leather) sandals without socks for some hours of the day. Wash your feet with warm water before going to bed and rub them with a light oil.  Sleep at night without socks if the room temperature permits.

Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.
The list is long, but here are some fruits and vegetables that are very nutritious. Raw foods are especially good for you, so plan to eat some raw fruit and a big salad everyday.
* Apples
* Asparagus
* Avocados
* Beets
* Broccoli
* Cabbage
* Carrots
* Cauliflower
* Celery
* Cilantro
* Cucumbers
* Garlic
* Green Beans
* Hot Peppers
* Kale (mustard greens, collards, dandelion greens, etc.)
* Lettuce
* Olives
* Radishes
* Sweet potatoes
* Wild or brown rice
(Don't eat a lot of tomatoes, white potatoes or mushrooms.)

Learn to enjoy simple meals.
Eat a whole grain cereal in the morning along with a fruit, and choose fruit that is grown locally or regionally. Eat a brothy vegetable soup for lunch, accompanied by a whole grain bread with a nut or bean topping. Eat whole grain rice with vegetables for dinner along with a green salad. Eggs, beans, nuts, and fresh (not aged) cheese, like farmers' and cottage cheese, can be added to the meals in small quantities. Try to eliminate all sugar from the diet except for honey and maple sugar (and use even those with moderation). Have a snack of fruit during the day. Apples, grapes and pears are great for vitamins and fiber.

Some other dietary tips.
Learn to add all kinds of herbs and spices to your meals to enhance what otherwise might make for bland and repetitious meals. Make sure you add some apple cider vinegar to all soups and salads. Drink a lot of water and other liquids during the day – especially when you get up in the morning and throughout the day. Too many liquids in the evening can disturb your nightime sleep with extra trips to the toilet. Eat your evening meal before 7 pm.

Say a blessing before your meals.
Take a minute and hold your hands over your plate to thank God for your food and ask that the food be used for your own good and for you to be able to help those around you. Ask for God's mercy on others who are hungry, sick, or afraid.

Practice gentle or moderate exercise for 30 minutes everyday.
All healthy exercise and fitness activities, including walking, yoga, dancing, running and other sports, help your heart rate, increase your oxygen intake, improve circulation, and pump up your lymph (infection-fighting) system. And, working up a sweat is one of the best ways to rid your body of toxins. The endorphins and other happy hormones that you feel after a good exercise session are guarantees that the energy is flowing through your whole system.

Do a "Chinese pat-down" in the morning.
First thing in morning, before or after a shower, pat-down all your body with the flat of your hand or with a loose fist. Start at the feet and pat all the parts that you can reach all the way up to you head. This will stimulate all your vital points, giving you extra energy and better immunity. This can take several minutes. If you don’t have time to do a full pat-down, try a shorter version. Do a pat-down with one hand, from waist to wrist and back on the outer part of the body.  Do this on both sides of the body for a couple of minutes. Then, take another minute or two for a pat-down with both hands (fists) around the lower back and sacrum area.

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REDEFINE YOUR PRIORITIES, REMAKE YOUR LIFE

Why aren't you doing all the things you've dreamed of?
I often hear friends and relatives saying: "I don't have time for any of my own priorities. I'm too busy doing things for other people." I always try to answer with something useful but not too strong, like: "Plan your days to include some relax time and do something that you really want to do." Whenever this happens, I'd always like to say more. But I usually don't. I feel that I'd be intruding on their comfort zone by asking them to explain the details of their problems, along with the possibility of bothering them even more by being too "preachy".

So, now I'm dedicating this page to add something more to the very general remarks I usually make in these situations. Here, I'm being more specific about what you can do to redefine your priorities and do more of the things that you really want to do. With a lot of resolve and a little effort you can set new priorities better suited to your own needs and stop repeating the same tiring efforts that don't satisfy your inner desires and hopes for the future.

First of all, and here comes the part you probably don't want to hear. You already are living out your priorities - right now. Your priorities are what you do every day of the week. The problem is that they aren't necessarily very useful priorities for you.

Think about what you do in your average day. Like it or not, what you spend time on are your priorities. So, take a look at your average day - the usual during the work week (that includes the "Mom sending the kids to school and Dad off to work week"). We get up, we spend our best hours working, we find ourselves tired at the end of the workday, and when that's over, we only find time enough to prepare for the next day. We've learned the routine and we go through the same motions without thinking about if or when we could do anything else in line with our own personal goals.

So, if all this looks like what's happening to you, then stop letting your life be controlled by a set of overwhelming or boring routines. Consider just what are your own lifestyle priorities and make some necessary adjustments.

Ask yourself: What would you like to be doing if you weren't in the same rut day after day? Would you have more time for yourself? Or spend time doing enjoyable things with friends or family? Or read a good book or reconnect with nature in a long walk through the woods. Or try out new recipes that can be the basis for more wholesome and budget-wise meals? Or get involved in a charitable or faith-based organization? Or whatever occurs to you? Don't let yourself get so caught up in the day-to-day rush that you don't even have time to consider what you want to do with rest of your life. Make a short list of what you really want to do - this week or this month - and then take steps to achieve it.

My story
Let me tell you something about my own story of setting priorities. One of my lifelong dreams was to be the great homemaker that I never had time to be during all my working years and the kind of helpful, loving wife I felt I should be to my husband. Another priority was to write and publish my writing. When I was younger I thought that meant writing books or a column in the newspaper. Well, time passed, I worked at different jobs, raised children, and then realized that probably I would never have the opportuntity to publish books or work for a newspaper. But, with the growth of the Internet, I saw another way to reach one of my life's goals. I could have a blog site or a web site (or both).

But while I was working at what seemed to be an endless string of jobs, I just didn't have the energy to begin writing. So, when I reached what I considered retirement age (early retirement by most standards), I told my husband and other family members: " I'm retiring. I'm no longer going to spend my best hours of the week, toiling for a paycheck." Here was my rationale. My kids are now grown. My health, while generally good, has always been less than it should because of constant work-related stress. My husband was (still is) working. I can now be more helpful and loving to my husband and become the homemaker that I've dreamed about being. We can do O.K. with less money. And I'm going to be a blogger.

That's my story. What's yours?

Get started redefining your priorities.
Where do you want to begin? Your health? Your relationships? Spiritual well being? Work or service to others? Leisure or relaxing activities? Your homelife? Your financial concerns?

What needs immediate attention? What are you doing well now that you can do even better? Is there a secret dream that you’d like to devote more time to? If so, what is it? To get started on this process, you have to free up some time - first, just the time to consider what you want to do. And then, time enough to actually advance in whatever you choose to do.

So, think about a typical week in your life. Make a list of all the activities that make up your usual week. Write down the number of hours you spend in each activity during the week. Then add a qualifier to each one.

1. - LIKE DOING THIS BECAUSE IT'S MY PRIORITY.
2. - LIKE DOING THIS BECAUSE IT'S USEFUL FOR OTHERS.
3. - DISLIKE IT (EVEN IF IT'S SUPPOSEDLY HELPFUL TO ME OR OTHERS)
4. - NOT SURE ABOUT IT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER

Once you've sorted out all your everyday activities, total up the hours in each category and then make a grand total. The fraction of the total hours in each category per week gives you an overview of your situation. Obviously, if the hours in Groups 1 and 2 are low and those in 3 and 4 are high, you've got a real imbalance in your life. But you know you can do better with some effort.

So, now that you have a picture of your current priorities, you can make a plan for the following week. Write down some things that can give you additional hours for doing activities that fit in Groups 1 and 2. Write some things that can help you minimixe the hours for things in Group 3. And don't try to do much about Group 4 right now (because your opinion of these particular items may change groups as you go through the process described here).

Here's a kind of goal-setting guide that shows you how to begin making changes in your life and continue with any changes once you understand the game-plan. Start small. Think of positive things that improve your situation and that can be done in about a half hour. Now on each and every day of the week, schedule at least two priority activities. Above all, choose things that are completely DO-ABLE for you. For example:

MONDAY
Catch-up on emails or phone a family member or good friend
Go for a walk.
TUESDAY
Write an entry in my personal journal.
Try out a new recipe or adapt an old-favorite.
WEDNESDAY
Attend a class (could be yoga, needlework, cooking, art, other hobby, etc.)
Clean out or organize a drawer or closet.
THURSDAY
Go to the library and find an interesting magazine or book.
Go to a thrift store and just browse around for a real bargain.
FRIDAY
Write a blog or comment on one.
Rest quietly and listen to some of my favorite music (without doing anything else and with no interruptions.)
WEEKEND
Some longer activity could go here. (You've got the idea, now fill in the blanks as you like.)

Look at some time-management blogs
If you're unsure about how to free-up time for your priority items, you can find a lot on time management in a search on the Internet. Read some on the general topic and then decide what suggestions could be helpful to you. After one week of effort, review your progress. Were you able to increase the time spent on Groups 1 and 2 and reduce the number of hours you spent on Group 3? If you were, that's great. Make a plan for the second week that continues adding time for things that are satisfying to you.

If you find you weren't successful, think about the reasons why this happened? Can some of this be changed in the second week of the new plan? Here are some areas that can lead to failure in time management.

- Being overwhelmed by some evolving crisis - usually involved with family and friends.
- Lack of concentration and focus, causing you to spend too much time doing even simple things.
- Your own emotional blocks - guilt, anger and frustration that cause procrastination.
- Illness

In any of these situations has happened, your first step is to recognize the problem. Some situations will disappear on their own. Others will need real work. Browse the Internet for ways to overcome some of your failures or brainstorm for yourself ways that you can minimize those problems that continue to keep you from doing what you set out to do.

Continue with your time-management plan
As you see, being successful in reaching personal goals is often a matter of paying attention to your daily routine and figuring out what's the best use of your time. Now, let's go over the method.

1. Use the weekly list of daily activities as your basic time budgeting guide.
2. Each week, re-evaluate your success and come up with a new game-plan. Try to
increase - even if it's only by a half hour - what you do in priority areas.
3. After one month, hopefully you've made some headway. Then it's time to fry even
bigger fish. Make a longer term list - a monthly, seasonal or yearly list. Include those personal goals that are on your secret list of dreams. What do you want to accomplish over the next month or year? What do you need to to do, to research, to find or buy?

If you use this method and are faithful to your plan, you are likely to have a successful "remake" of your life over a period of months. Not only will you have a more fulfilling life, but those around you will benefit, too, in the long-run. People who know their inner needs not only discover ways to reach their own goals, they also are very capable of helping others. So, stick with your plan. Your new life is (and always has been) within your reach.

Related posts
PHASES OF THE MOON - MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU MAY THINK.

VISION BOARDS AND THE NEW MOON CYCLE.
BENEFIT FROM NEW MOON FASTING
STAY IN THE NOW
KEEP AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNAL
FIND A PLACE FOR YOUR BIBLE

 



 

VISION BOARDS AND THE NEW MOON CYCLE.

You could really use a vision board.
Most everyone desires for a better future for themselves and for their families. We spend a lot of time and energy on actions that we hope will bring about that future. Here’s an activity that you may not know about that can help you achieve the better life that you wish for. It’s called a vision board, and it’s a collage of visual images of what you value and what you want to see as part of your life. The purpose of a vision board is to create a focus on specific things that will enable you to realize your dreams. By selecting and putting together a set of very significant pictures and writing, you’ll begin to reveal those things in a very positive way. Physically, it is a poster or corkboard with cut out pictures, drawings and writing about things that you want in your life. Like many other endeavors that involve heart and spirit, new moon energy can help you with your vision board. (More about this later.)

The vision board is also called a manifestation board, an intention board or treasure map because it provides us with a road map of the intentions/hopes/goals that we want to attract in our lives. By frequent reviewing of our creation, we can focus our energy in a way that helps us move closer towards our goals.

Consider the things that you dream about or think about when you are alone. What do you imagine yourself doing or having? These questions are the ones that can help you reach the objectives you’re searching for. It’s our own sense of positivism or courage that needs to be activated so we can obtain our most cherished dreams. There is universal energy (part of the Universal Mind) available to all of us that can help us find the strength and wisdom that we need to succeed.

The theory for the vision board comes from the Law of Attraction. The basic idea behind this law is that we attract things to us by focusing on or giving our attention to them. And this happens whether or not we are aware of this principle. If you think negative thoughts about yourself, that attracts bad things to you – things like lack of money, loneliness, worries. If we focus on things that are positive for us, then we can attract the brighter, better future that we long for.

What do you want on your vision board?
Consider your priority areas for the next year. The items on your vision board may involve things, beliefs and/or environments. Do you want a nicer or more organized home? Better health? A stronger marriage? Do you want to connect or reconnect with some person or a group of people? Do you want to live in a safer and more loving community? Do you want your lifestyle to be simpler and more eco-friendly? Do you want to keep a journal or write a book? Do you want to eat more nutritious and less fattening meals?

Do you even really know what you want? If you are like many of us, you've been so busy with everyday activities that you haven’t had time to fully consider your own needs. Don’t worry if you don’t have any clear goals when you begin this process. That’s what you’re going to find out once you sit down and figure it out. Choosing what to include in the board may take a number of hours or even a few days. Give yourself the gift of time to dream and be guided by your visualizations.

Ways to put your board together.
Collect a lot of magazines, Internet clipart, drawings, and/or photos. Go through the pictures, cutting out any images that appeal to you. Whether they're words or pictures – if it’s what attracts you, separate it, and put in your "keeper" pile.  Consider including some things in these areas: health, wealth, family, friends, personal growth, home and environment.

Pick out your favorite images from all the cutouts. Lay these on your board and begin to arrange them into the places that you want. Glue your images to the board.

Draw some lines under each image. The spaces under each item can be used later to write in just when and how those dreams make themselves apparent in your life. You can also decorate the board with paints, shapes, and hand drawn pictures. If you like, you can write words or short phrases beside the pictures. Make your board as attractive as possible. If you like, you can even do the whole board as pin-ups on a bulletin board. Or use computer software to collect all kinds of photos and digital images and put them in a single vision board file (as in my drawing). It can, then, be a computer print-out or the image on the background of your computer desktop.

It’s good to leave a space in the center of the board for a photo or drawing of yourself. This makes your vision board personal to you. You can also draw lines or place ribbons (like rays out from the sun) to emphasize your connection to each item.

Affirmations are part of the vision board process.
State your affirmations (desires) for each item in the present tense and in very positive terms. For example: I am healthy. My children are strong and doing well. I have the money that I need. I help my family and friends and they help me. I pray often and my prayers comfort me.

Put your vision board somewhere in your home where you can see it several times a day – in the kitchen, in your bedroom, in the hallway. Every day spend a few minutes in front of your vision board and imagine all these wishes happening in your life. Repeat your affirmations out loud in the morning when you get out of bed, and then again in the evening – perhaps before going to bed. As you make the affirmations part of your everyday life, you’ll begin to notice some changes happening around you. These changes will point to new possibilities, and you’ll find the steps you need to take to accomplish your dreams.

In the following weeks and months, you’ll see many of the items on your board actually appearing in your life. Also, if after a time, something that you have on your board doesn’t feel “right”, then remove it and replace it with something else. Changes are O.K.

Begin your vision board with the new moon.

The best time to create your board is during the first four days of the lunar cycle (day of the new moon and the three following days). Some experts recommend that the board be made in conjunction with the yearly astrological cycle - that's Aries in April. But you don’t have to wait for an annual cycle. Any lunar cycle during the year will do. Ideally, you should complete your board within the first four days of the new moon. Don’t worry if you don’t finish all the work in four days. Get the bulk of it done in those days, and if necessary, you can add some details later. Be ready before the new moon cycle by buying supplies, collecting pictures, and bringing together all the materials that you’ll use in your board. But don’t begin it early. The energy of the new moon will help you create your board faster and in a more positive frame of mind.

Related Posts
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THE NEW MOON CYCLE CAN HELP YOU MAKE LIFE CHANGES
PHASES OF THE MOON - MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU MAY THINK
REDEFINE YOUR PRIORITIES, REMAKE YOUR LIFE
BENEFIT FROM NEW MOON FASTING
COLOR THERAPY CAN HELP YOU REJECT CONSUMERISM
STAY IN THE NOW
KEEP AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNAL


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DON’T STASH YOUR CLIPPINGS, JOURNAL THEM.

“Life is all memory except for the one present moment that goes by so quick you hardly catch it going.” – Tennessee Williams

Some time ago, I wrote about the advantages of personal journaling. And, now – the same as a few months ago – I suggest that you keep a journal to capture some of those moments that go flying by so quickly. Your journal will help you hold onto the tiniest part of what happens or what you see or think about from day to day.

Most of the time when we speak of journaling, we are thinking about something that’s written – like a diary. But not all journals are a collection of written pages. The kind that I’m talking about here is a binder for clippings – a place to collect all kinds of printed, hand-written, and/or sketched material that can serve to motivate you to carry out new projects.

A clippings journal can save you time and effort.
If you’re like me, you consider yourself a creative person. Creation is everything you do that involves art and dedication. It’s when you make something, cook a special recipe, draw a picture, day dream, sing a song, sew, knit, build, etc. That said, unfortunately, you and I don’t have 12 or more hours a day to be creative. Sometimes we have no more than a half hour or even only a few minutes in a whole day to dedicate to our creative urges. So, we have to make the best use of those few hours or minutes and make sure to jot down any great ideas we come across.

Your clippings journal will be a filing system that allows you to categorize and store ideas for projects in the form of pieces of paper of different types and sizes. And your clippings binder won’t take up any appreciable space in your (probably) already crowded bedroom, dining room or whatever place in the house where you keep your creative materials. And things you want to review will take only minutes to find instead of hours of searching.

What’s in a clippings journal?
A clippings journal can contain prints of all sorts, cut outs, written notes and sketches – anything that can inspire you for your creative projects in the near or distant future. It’s not everything that you come across, of course. It’s just what captures your fancy as you leaf through printed material or surf the Internet. These bits of info and pictures are your “gems.” It’s whatever makes you say: “I think I can make use of this sometime later."

Sometimes useful ideas arrive to our doorstep in the form of cards or mail. Put all those great notes or greeting cards into your binder. Parts of them – their words, pictures, etc., -- can later be reviewed to produce new projects. Other things that can go in the binder include labels, stickers, fabric swatches, yarn samples, stamps – almost any kind of materials that are flat enough to be pressed onto the pages. Don’t worry about if and when these new projects may get done. Your clippings and notes are only another page or section of your journal, and not any kind of commitment.

So, find some kind of binder and make the clippings journal that you think will be most helpful to you. The materials arranged in your journal are some of your favorite things at a certain moment. Those hundreds of bits of media and added comments will surely jog your memory and serve to inspire future creations. Once placed in your binder, you’ll have them for as long as you want. It goes without saying that you’re going to collect a whole lot more stuff in your journal than you can ever use. That’s really not so important. And it’s great entertainment just to leaf through what you collected some months or years later.

You may want more than one.
After doing months of handicrafts and other domestic arts (and blogging about them), I’ve found that it’s handy to have a number of different clipping journals – for recipes, for decorating, for eco-friendly projects, and for handicrafts. I’ve put together two for handicrafts, one related to things for my own home and another for gift-making. (I use large photo album binders for my clippings. Before assembling these binders, I had a collection of all kinds of papers in shoeboxes. I found that the boxes took up a lot of space and weren’t a good way to store or find things later. Binders are much more accessible. When I consider it useful, I also write my own notes beside or under the clippings.)

You can even share your clippings journals with other people from time to time. When friends want ideas for projects, you can tell them: “I have something that you might like to work on.” Then, you can let them see some clippings in your binder. Your friends may not be inspired by whatever you show them. It doesn’t really matter so much. You’ll be sharing your inspirational treasures with them, and that kind of collaboration and the discussion that follows can be a great creative motivation to the both of you.

Related posts
KEEPING AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNAL.
HANDICRAFT SKILLS - AN INTRODUCTION.
REDEFINE YOUR PRIORITIES, REMAKE YOUR LIFE
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HAS HAVING GRAY HAIR BECOME CHIC? SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT IT.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have more than a touch of gray and I don’t dye my hair – haven’t for more than 4 years. Well, I’m happy with my choice, and here are my two cents in the dialog about going gray.

First of all, it’s clear that not all women would agree with me that going gray is O.K. I think that everyone has a right to an opinion about the subject. And, as to my reading of the different viewpoints out there, I see that they run a range from:
-- Going gray is fabulous and chic
-- Maybe acceptable in some circles (if somewhat grim).
-- God forbid! You’ll look like your own grandmother.
-- It may be your choice, but don’t expect everyone to like or respect you for it.

A bit of gray history
In all fairness on the subject, I decided to do a little researching about the process of graying. This is what I found out for sure:
1) Going gray is a natural part of aging. Everyone who lives long enough will go gray.
2) More than 40 percent of the U.S. population has a little gray hair by age 40, and almost 100% of people have some gray hair at 50.
3) Women in the U.S. have progressively adopted hair coloring to cover gray since the 1950’s. (Back then – the fifties --, the meager choices of hair coloring for gray created a generation of pink- and blue-haired, little old ladies. (So, it’s no wonder that only a minority of older women dyed their hair at that time!)
4) Today, hair dye products have improved and 50%+ of the U.S. women, ages 13-69, color their hair as a part of their beauty routine, and the percentage of users go up in the older age groups -- presumably because they hope to cover up their gray.

Some reasons cited for not going gray
For a majority of women, the train of thought seems to go mostly like this: We live in a culture that applauds youth and belittles old people, so why put up with that? Though aging is unquestionably natural, we don't have to like it and don’t want to appear as old as our years. We’ve heard from a multitude of sources that hair color can make us look better, and since we aren’t sure if the men in our life want a “mother, mistress or caretaker", we don’t want to take any chances. And just as we look for medicines to combat our worst menopausal symptoms, we consider wrinkles, waist-line expansion, and graying hair as morbid annoyances that need to be taken care of. With frantic hopes of looking younger, we take up diets, exercise at the gym, and buy scads of products advertised to help us slim down and shrink the ravages of time. Unfortunately, most of these efforts don’t lead to our longed-for results. But hair color is chemical, and if all your hair doesn’t fall out because of it, then you can have gray-free hair (at least most of the time, depending on your diligence).

Now, until quite recently, U. S. men didn’t seem to mind going gray, but today a growing fraction of them have started using hair color products. We have to presume that men are dyeing their hair for similar reasons that women do -- to feel younger, to have a more pleasing appearance, to not look like the oldest guy in the office, and, for those who are married, to remain on par with a younger appearing wife, or, for single men, as aid in the hunt for an attractive partner.

My take on going gray
Even though it’s been a while since I stopped coloring my hair, I do remember the reasons I did it. It was getting to be costly to buy the product at the store every 5 weeks (the time it took for me to clearly see the gray roots coming in), and there was no way that I could afford the $80 or more that it was going to cost me at (even a cheap) beauty salon.
Also, although I tried a number of hair colors brands at the supermarket in succession, I was unable to find even one that didn’t leave my hair feeling droopy and brittle. In time, I also became aware that a lot of my hair was falling out, and I developed an itchy, peeling scalp. So, it seemed to me that I had 2 choices: go gray, in a dignified way - or not, or go bald within a short time. My husband told me he actually liked gray hair and thought it would look good on me. I’m not sure whether that was his honest opinion or not, but he was sweet and supportive at the time I was making the decision.

My Mom, past this world and gone to her glory by two decades, had let her hair go gray after age 60, and I always admired her for it. Also, she had the great luck to have lovely and almost purely white hair some years before reaching age 70. In my vain wishes, I hoped that I could also have gorgeous silver locks and would rather quickly jump from what I considered the awkward salt and pepper stage to all beautiful white. (Five years later, I am reminded that the awkward stage can last a very long time for some women. Oh, well, I guess I can continue to wait and hope…)

On the downbeat side of affairs, some of my female friends and family members weren’t at all supportive. They made comments about it most likely being a mistake – that going gray makes you look older – “beyond your years.” They whispered of the specters that haunt older women about husbands leaving wives for younger gals or not looking professional (a damaging image) in the workplace. Their suggestions were for combining better dyes with a myriad of costly hair softening and strengthening products or for returning to the salon at any cost – something like it would be better to cut back on food and utilities than to cut out those trips to the hair stylist.

But, as you might imagine, I have my own opinion and I think I can back it up. So, here are my reasons for saying that gray is to way to go. (I’ll leave it up to you as to whether or not you think going gray is chic.)
-- Gray saves time and money – having a natural gray is effortless and doesn’t involve expensive products and services, thereby helping to save us from unnecessary consumerism.
--Gray celebrates our wisdom and maturity. Embracing our gray is our starting point to say that women over 50 can be attractive, strong, and happy. Most of us remember our own grannies (or, at least, if we don’t - somebody else’s grannies) as elegant old ladies. And at this time, many, if not most, female lawyers and doctors go naturally gray as they age. Hey, even Hollywood is changing somewhat on this question - what with Jamie Lee Curtis and Meryl Streep!
--Gray is healthy and eco-friendly. Hair dye box labels show a wide variety of unpronounceable chemical substances. When these are applied to the head, some of it permeates the scalp, and there are realistic fears that this may be a cause of cancer. Even if we think that not all hair color products are extraordinarily dangerous for users, few can deny that we surely harm the earth by throwing all those dyes down the drain where they concentrate in our groundwater.(We're talking about more than 100 million users, here.)
-- And finally, going gray is what you make of it. When you reach retirement, you’re undoubtedly of the age to have some very special people calling you grandma or grandpa, as the case may be. (I, for one, would like all my friends and relatives and particularly my grand daughters to see me as a healthy, mature person, who has most, if not all, of her faculties, and is prepared to grow old naturally without fear and loathing.)

BENEFIT FROM NEW MOON FASTING

Inspired by Farmers' Almanacs
When I began writing this blog, I decided to call it an almanac instead of a referring to it as a diary or journal. The term almanac seemed to me more appropriate for what I wanted to say. The Farmers’ Almanacs are a source of folk wisdom that has been published in the U.S. continually for about two centuries. Many people, over the years, strongly believed in and have been helped by following the recommendations of farmers’ almanacs. So, that was part of my inspiration. While I never imagined that what I had to say would become widely popular, I hoped that the pages of my blog would reflect traditional wisdom and be helpful to a small group of people including, of course, my family and friends.

There is a lot to be learned in the Farmers’ Almanacs. One of the main points in these publications is detailed weather prediction that is printed for at least a year in advance. The sun and planetary movements, as well as phases of the moon guide these predictions. The almanacs also tell people the dates when to plant crops and when to harvest, as well as the best timing for starting up many other human activities. (See note below.)

The new moon offers opportunities
The lunar month is one of the most important aspects of our planet because it represents a regular cycle of greater and lesser gravitational attraction between the earth and the moon. The lunar cycle is 29.3 days long, and the lunar calendar has thirteen "moonths", plus one extra day to harmonize with the 365-day solar calendar.  Besides having a daily rythym of high and low tides, the lunar cycles also affect the tides. We have highest tides on new moon and full moon days and lowest tides when the moon is in the 1st quarter and last quarter.

According to the farmers’ almanacs, the new moon offers opportunities for making changes and initiating new projects. The new moon is a time for promoting all forms of growth, including planting crops, business opportunities, relationships, as well as creative and spiritual endeavors.

We become more attuned with our own aims and possibilities, when we are aware of the geo-magnetic and psychic energy available to us in different moments according to the lunar cycle. For the same reason, many spiritual traditions, including that of Native Americans, yogis and others, have special practices during the new moon. Their traditions point to these days as very favorable times to carry out certain spiritual rituals and other intentions.

Fasting and the new moon
Short periods of not eating offer a way of cleansing the body and preparing the mind for greater focus. When you fast, your body takes a rest and healing occurs. A lot of people who regularly fast say that their days of fasting help them see things more clearly and with a new perspective.

The Christian tradition also calls for fasting, and is rooted in the words of Jesus: “All things will be possible for you. That kind of spirit comes out only if you use prayer and fasting.” (Matthew:17:20-21)

Fasting gives you an opportunity to live your day in a different way – with greater reflection -- a time for peace of body and spirit, and a closer connection to your Creator. Your fast will be even more pleasant if you spend at least part of your day outdoors, walking in nature, creating art, writing in your personal journal, listening to inspiring music, or doing devotional reading.

When you fast during the new moon, you receive important benefits. Fasting on that day greatly increases your energy and boosts your health. Yogis don’t do their regular yoga practice during the new moon, but instead maintain a fast and use the day for quiet walks, meditation, and prayer. This is a wonderful way they have of connecting with the Divine.

So, my recommendation to you is to try new moon fasting and feel its benefits for yourself. This fast is usually for 24 hours. Start your fast in the morning and end it with a light breakfast on the following morning. If you’re new to fasting, try to plan as calm a day as possible. Be sure to allow yourself some quiet time or a leisurely nap in the afternoon -- if you can manage it.

You may fast in different ways. The usual ways are by drinking water with lemon juice or drinking vegetable and fruit juices, diluted with about 50% water. You may drink as much as you like. The important thing is to not chew anything during the day and don’t drink any coffee or black tea. If -- and only if -- there is a lot of hunger in the late afternoon or evening, you can drink a fruit smoothie with a little yogurt.

Note: You can see the date of the new moon in the coming "moonth" and other info from Farmers' Almanac in GrandmaS' Almanac Calendar.


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