Thinking About...
Light Up the Holidays
this time of year that always seems to inspire me and put me in a good mood. Whether it is the cool light of a winter sunrise or the warm glow of a fireplace, light seems to take on many facets during this time of year.And so many of the holiday traditions that we carry forward each year are filled with the glow and inspiration of light. In celebrating Chanukah the Menorah brings light to this holiday commemorating the miracle of the oil, while the Kinara, part of Kwanza, is lit to represent the seven guiding principals. In South India they light clay lamps on the rooftops and walls of their houses, the same way as Hindus decorate their homes during the Diwali Festival.
The Best Gift You Can Give Yourself
year it is amazing the number of things that can turn from joyous to stressful in just the blink of an eye. Money, or the lack of it, is often a source of stress and anxiety as the holidays approach. It can lead to arguments between couples, stress in families, and a sense of anxiety for those making it on their own. It is a facet of modern living that greatly influences our relationship with ourselves and others and yet it is a subject that very few people are comfortable speaking about openly.In many cases, our associations with money have become such a negative influence and our expectations of the holidays so high that it becomes impossible to balance the two. There is also a huge amount of pressure from friends, family and society to buy the "perfect gift", or at least display the material symbols of success.
The Root Of All Evil?
It can lead to arguments between couples, stress in families, and a sense of anxiety for those making it on their own. It is a facet of modern living that greatly influences our relationship with ourselves and others and yet it is a subject that very few people are comfortable speaking about openly.In many cases, our associations with money have become such a negative influence in our lives that it can be challenging to shift our negative beliefs into healthy ones. There is also a huge amount of pressure from friends, family and society to succeed, or at least display the material symbols of success. Thus, for many of us, success doesn't exist without money.
Anger: Fast and Furious!
power of paying attention to the challenges that present themselves in our daily lives. I was on my way to the store, going over my grocery list in my mind as I drove. As I pulled into the busy parking lot, I saw a space and pulled in to park. I opened my car door and a man started barking obscenities, ranting furiously that I had taken his parking space. At this point, as in any moment that involves the presence of intense emotion, I had a choice...
Growing Things
growth and change are everywhere. From tomotoes ripening on the vine to marigolds bursting forth in brilliant orange, change is in the air and new growth is all around us.Growth and change are intertwined in our lives. Though it is often uncomfortable and sometimes frightening, the changes that confront us in our lives are integral to our ability to grow and develop as people. Change is one thing that is constant in our lives, so fighting against it is not only futile, but it also inhibits our ability to shed our fears and insecurities.
Ripening Your Dreams
helps us to grow and develop as human beings. In therapy, we often uncover those big dreams and they become a goal, a beacon that provides inspiration for action and movement.It is a vital part of personal development to have a dream that keeps us involved in our own life experience. Yet sometimes blocks, barricades, and hurdles slow our progress and make us question if our dream is even attainable. Rather than interpreting this energy as the universe saying NO!, to your dream perhaps the message is a more subtle, Not Yet.
Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall
Who Is My Mirror?
An Apple a Day...
find yourself running from appointment to appointment, hurrying around trying to accomplish it all, and somehow in the course of that day forget to eat? By the end of the day you're running on empty, you may feel shaky, irritable, unfocused, and unable to give your best to the projects and relationships at hand.Many people find themselves doing this on a regular basis or trying to cram in a hurried meal on the run, fueling up on overly-processed foods and quick fixes of candy, soda and energy drinks.
Over time, this lack of proper nutrition can take a toll not only on the body but also on the brain, which in turn influences mood. Just like the rest of the body, the brain is an organ that is very sensitive to the nourishment we provide for it. The foods we eat can have a lasting influence on mood, mental functioning, and emotional well-being.
Valentines Day, A Different Look
"To love oneself is the beginning
of a life long affair" Oscar Wilde.
And no truer words could be spoken on Valentines Day where there is so much pressure to prove one's love to others and the world. Do we have it wrong trying to make love an external process rather than focusing on the inner process of self love?
Intuition: Finding the Wisdom Within
we can easily become overly busy doing the things we need to do to survive the daily grind like cleaning up, getting the kids to school, getting to work, staying in contact with friends and family. This constant busyness can create a buzzing, overwhelmed exterior that takes us out of contact with our deeper, quieter, often wiser, interior voice known as intuition.
Finding the Spirit of Adventure
"I'm bored" " There's nothing to do" 
" We just don't seem to have as much fun as we used to" Is this what the beginning of your weekend sounds like, with family and friends all feeling a lack of excitement at the prospect of free time?
Quieting Anxiety
While running around during your day today
did you find a frenetic voice screaming at you "You're Late! You'll Never Get There On Time!" Or maybe " You Are So Far Behind, You Will Never Finish!" Or even the more subtle " I'm Starving, I Didn't Eat All Day!"
This screaming voice can dominate your life make you feel unworthy and out of touch. But there is a way to quiet that voice long before it has a chance to utter it's siren cry.
Creating Ourselves
Is it all of the wonderful experiences we have had in ours lives? Is it the love of our friends and family? Is it the laughter and joy we have found along the way?The answer is yes; it is these positive experiences that make us who we are today. And... it is also how we have lived through and survived the tougher times.
Stress Free Holidays, Part 7
Turkey, and stuffing, and cookies, and candy,
and latkes, and eggnog. All the holiday treats that make us feel like kids again.
Too many of these treats can also be a major factor in holiday stress. For most people, the holidays go hand in hand with too much fat, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, and not nearly enough sleep and exercise.
As the final step in reducing holiday stress it is important to try and eat as healthy as you can.
Stress Free Holidays, Part 6
It's really hard to be on time during the busy holiday season. There seem to be long lines everywhere, at the checkout, at the gas station, at the post office. And traffic gets more challenging as Christmas gets closer.
Knowing how busy everything is during the holiday rush, the best way to not get stressed out is to be early.
