*.`~ Embracing Change ~`.*

“Embrace change, hold on to your values and let go of what’s bitter. Letting go can be a painful yet necessary part of life, but letting go can also result in feeling free.”

― Angie Karan

22 July 2009 at 19:03
  by Angie Karan

Opening yourself to change...

Sometimes we fear change because we are unsure of what may

come next. We become so fearful that we begin to hold on

tightly to what is about to change. For example: a job that we

really didn't care much for, but it still "was income" or a

partner/lover who we realized probably isn't the best for us but

we are comfortable and wonder

if we can go at it alone.

We have programmed and conditioned our Selves to fear that

which we do not know or understand. Those who break out

and embrace change are sometimes looked upon and judged as

reckless, risk takers, etc. As we begin to move forward into

the light we begin to take notice that the way we now look

upon things is changing.

We no longer live in fear of something we do not

understand. We begin to develop a sense of trust in our

intuition, a sense of knowing if you will, that whatever it is we

are currently experiencing is nothing more than an illusion. An

illusion, which was created within our thoughts, our own

beliefs.

Try for just one day, not to act on impulse, but to follow your

intuition. As you awaken each morning ask for guidance

throughout your day. Ask that your path becomes illuminated

and ask that all change which is necessary for your spiritual

growth be as painless as possible and the choice to welcome

Change with open arms!

You'll be glad you did...as change is truly a constant you can

count on through each and every day of your life.

That which does NOT change become Stagnant. What happens

to a stagnant pond?

Shine your light upon the world you see before you

and watch your world

as it begins to illuminate!

IS A MONKEY MIND ROBBING YOU OF YOUR PEACE AND SERENITY

Monkey mind is a Buddhist expression which refers to the incessant chatter that goes on in our heads. When unchecked, it can drive us nuts (excuse the pun!)
Like a restless monkey jumping from branch to branch, the mind is always on the move, producing up to 100,000 thoughts per day (astonishing, isn't it!)!
With the frantic pace of  life these days, the modern monkey mind is more like King Kong crashing through the jungle on amphetamines. It is little wonder that inner peace can seem difficult to find.

It is estimated that our brains are bombarded with seven times as much stimuli as our grandparents experienced.
Add to this the rising stress levels caused by increased working hours and longer traffic jams and it is a wonder that many people can cope at all.

The good news, however, is that, no matter how busy the mind is and how distant the prospect of finding inner peace seems, it is always there, right under our noses (actually above our noses). We just need to know where to look.

Finding happiness and inner peace is an uncovering process. They are not experiences to be gained anew. When we strip away that which is covering it up, (the main thing being our addiction to thinking) we discover that the peace we are seeking has been there all along.

____________________________________________________________________

My days used to go something like this. i would finish eating breakfast without noticing the food because monkey mind was already thinking about the day's schedule. I would then arrive at work with no recollection of getting there, having been lost in obsessive thinking. At work, I was busy planning the weekend. My mind was never where my body was.
I was rarely present in the here and now (which is the only place where peace and joy are to be found.)


I remember taking my daughter to the park when she was about three years old. She pointed to the sky and excitedly squealed "airplane". I hadn't even noticed the park - which is amusing in a way but also tragic at the same time.


This is why children experience so much joy. Being largely free of mental chatter, they are absolutely present in the here and now. Their monkey minds have not developed yet.
In truth, happiness never leaves us. We are simply unaware of the happiness which is always there, through being constantly distracted by our monkey minds. We can only notice the wonder and the beauty that surrounds us when we are present.
________________________________________________________________  

PEAK EXPERIENCES

At times, everyone has, what psychologist Abraham Maslow, calls peak experiences.

I will never forget a visit to The Shetland Islands many years ago. I was fortunate enough to witness what many of the locals described as the most spectacular display of the Northern Lights they had seen in years.

Just for a moment, as I gazed upon the spectacle, my mind was stunned into silence. A profound feeling of connection and well-being swept over me. In that perfect moment I felt utterly at peace - with no sense of anything missing.

A moment later, a thought appeared: "I must phone my partner and tell her. As I re-engaged with the mind, the experience was gone.

And that is how it works. In the absence of thinking, the bliss which is our true nature is experienced.

It is still there when we are lost in our monkey mind but we are simply too distracted to notice.

SO HOW TO TAME THE MONKEY MIND?

I'll answer with a story. There was a village in India which was infested with monkeys. They were a real problem. They were not afraid of the villagers and would go into the houses looking for for food and occasionally attack people.

All the villagers carried long sticks with them which they used to beat the monkeys and try to chase them away. This only annoyed the monkeys more. They tried everything.

They boarded up the doors and windows to keep the monkeys out. Sometimes they would catch one in a net and take it out of the village but they would always return looking for food. The villagers were at their wits end.

One day a holy man entered the village and observed what was going on. He laughed and said "I have another solution. Why don't you try planting a banana plantation on the outskirts of the village and see what happens."

The villagers followed his advice. And it worked. The monkeys were more interested in the delicious bananas and happily rested in the trees, leaving the villagers in peace.

_______________________________________________________________

WHAT YOU RESIST PERSISTS

You may have heard the expression "What you resist persists." As long as we fight against the monkey mind, we give it more energy and make it stronger. As long as we try to beat our thoughts away with sticks we make them bigger.

In my work as a coach, I have met so many people who have tried one therapy after another to find a solution to their depression, anxiety or unhappiness. Five years can pass with little change. This is because focusing on the problem only makes it bigger. It is a paradox that by trying to find happiness we only push it further away.

I have also seen people cured of lifelong depression in a one-hour session ...simply through seeing that the mind is not the problem, rather our relationship to it.


Awareness is the key. Through understanding how the mind works, our relationship with monkey mind changes and we become free of the influence of thinking.

You are not broken... you are merely distracted. There is nothing to change and nothing to fix ...only something to SEE!


 An excerpt from the book:
Kick the Thinking Habit 
http://www.find-happiness.com/

B R E A T H E ...

26 July 2009 at 10:00

I feel it welling up, rising from the dark

The light of change within me, and starting with my heart

The metamorphosis unfolds

When did I grow so bold?

Becoming something less, but something so much more

Can't label my identity, no definition is right for me

My future & my past, they're both worth fighting for

A purpose for the melody, and a reason for the harmony

And when all life feels faded from me

I've just got to remember to breathe…

My heart now beating faster, my blood now running cold

Welcoming this feeling, the thrill of change untold

Letting in this binding zeal

This time of Ascension will make me real

As my soul starts catching fire

As I balance on this wire

And the light becomes so bright that I can't see

I feel myself start to fall

I hear my own voice call

Don’t give up, All you have to do Is...

 Breathe

 ©Angie Karan

How to Cut the Etheric Cords With Another

When  some energetic connections
in your present life,
are NOT beneficial and no longer serve you,
they can be energetically draining,
without you even knowing it.

-AngieKaran -

 

The reason why people cut cords with others is to generally move on from a person and let them go energetically - this means on an energy level. People who we are close to form energetic bonds with us that resemble cords of energy that link one person to the other. These are etheric cords, so think of ether as a kind of energy. Those who have seen the cords (and often we can see them in meditation for example) describe them as dark in colour. The bonding itself can be light with just a slim cord, or you can be corded heavily with another through your chakras and can have multiple thick cording that literally shows your attachment, either mentally,emotionally, sexually, or all of the above.

Of course, when you care about another, the cording is not a problem. The cords act as a way we send and receive psychic energy between charkras, theirs and ours. The more energy we send, the bigger the cords, and this is normal in any relationship. Communication between chakras is how a lot of communication happens between people. However, when we want to let someone go because we aren't moving on, the cords and the continuing psychic/energy communication between them and us can hold us back. Luckily there are easy ways to remove the cords; no cord is meant to be forever. Whether cords reform again is entirely up to us, but when we are ready to let someone go, we probably won't go to the effort of reforming the psychic ties any longer.

Symptoms of heavy cording include:

Unable to move on
Unable to stop thinking or obsessing about a person
Frequent conversations in your mind with a person
Frequently remembering what they said in the past, feeling their ongoing judgment or criticism
Arguments, sometimes daily in your mind with someone (these can be actual psychic arguments)
Constant memories or emotions that arise - i.e. we used to watch that show together
Temptation to go back to a relationship that does not serve you
Stalking another online through social networking, watching them compulsively
Unable to sleep, or endless processing of the past
Deep feelings of sadness, anger, and depression around the past
Feelings of wanting to get revenge, or constantly aware of unfair treatment
Crying a whole lot, an emotional wreck
Turning down other offers and invitations, stuck in the past, feeling uninterested

What can you expect once the cords are cut?

In simple terms, you can expect to find your mind no longer dwells upon the person as the psychic attachment has been dissolved. Your mind is quieter, calmer and it is like cleaning out a closet - all those old emotions associated with that person dissolve as the communication between you ends. You now have extra space in your mind to fill with something better, and you will certainly be clearer in intent.

Imagine the freedom you can feel having that extra peace of mind, letting go of unwanted baggage, not to mention being free emotionally as well. If this sounds too good, you may be wondering why don't we all do this on a regular basis, why don't people know about this? The reason is simply we are never taught. In a world where we tend to believe in only what we see, such psychic cords of attachment go unnoticed and so we tend to carry unwanted energy and connections around with us many more years than we need to.

When you do a cord cutting on the etheric cords that bind you, the above listed symptoms lift. Some people charge money to cut the cords for you, this is entirely unnecessary as it is only you who can do this for yourself, not another.

With Whom Should We Cut Cords?

You can cut the cords with any person who is bothersome to you psychically. This is to say anyone who sends you strong energy and who intrudes on your thoughts and emotions even when you are alone. If you are done with a person but find they always intrude on your thoughts and you can feel them around you or in your mind, you can cut the connection by cutting the etheric cords that attach the both of you.

Some people with strong sexual bonds can find relief here as well by disconnection your sexual chakra to theirs, if such a bond was once formed. If an old flame was harmful or hurtful to you in some way, being free on all levels is incomparable. You literally move on and a new space is formed around you. You can then proceed to fill that space with more amiable and pleasant thoughts and feelings.

You can also cut the cords with any person who has abused you, either physically or emotionally. Victims of any crime ( rape, beating, even bullying) can form bonds with the perpetrators that continue on energetically, even long after the crime. Cutting these bonds will help healing that much faster. This will help you to release the pain and clear out your energy field or aura of that trauma.

You can certainly continue to cut the cords until they no longer recur and you have completely moved on. If a cord cutting fails, this indicates you are not willing to really let someone go yet. This is okay; it just means you aren't truly ready to move on. There may be a lesson in this relationship you have yet to master and your current attachment is giving you the opportunity to learn the lesson for good.

We come now  to the actual cord cutting. As this website is all about Angels, they are the ones who can facilitate this process for us. Ask, and you shall receive dear ones.

The Process of Cord Cutting

Cord cutting is done in conjunction with our loving Angels and Spirit Guides, who surgically remove the etheric cords that bind, cutting them completely from our auric field. Whilst it is our angels who do the work for us of cutting and removing, our job is to ASK them to do so. We can't just assume our angels 'know' we want our cords cut. Angels cannot intervene unless we invite them to do so, therefore we must actually ask or invoke our angels and guides into action. Fortunately this is very easy to do and takes no time at all.

Simply say the following words or a version of them with intent.

I ask my angels and spirit guides to help me in this task. I wish to free myself for all eternity from ___(name)___ so that both of us may go free from ties that bind and all energy attachments from the past. It is time to move past the experiences we have shared. I am thankful for what I have learned and lessons given, but this attachment is no longer needed and is holding me back and affecting my 'now'.

With power I now ask for all cords to be cut, for all energetic cords physically connecting the two of us to be removed, dissolved, transmuted and cut free, and all energy to be returned to the original sender.

It is my intention that no more energy attachments hook onto me from ___(name)___.  With forgiveness and peace I release them to move away from me and move on whilst I do the same.

I now call upon Archangel Michael to use his mighty blue sword (or Sananda, Saint Germaine, Kwan Yin, Mother Mary) to surround me and cut away the cords and give me protection. I ask that this be complete and sealed NOW. Please cleanse my aura of negative energy and emotions, and seal it with love. Amen.


~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spend a few minutes after repeating these words just quietly sitting and breathing calmly whilst your angels work on your energy to remove the etheric cords and hooks. You may notice a shift in your energy at once or you may not, it does not matter. Know that any sensations or warmth you feel during this process is completely safe, please surrender to it and have faith, for this is being performed for you now. You might want to offer up any other prayers or invitations to the angels for help in your life.

A good time to use this invocation is just before going to sleep. You can use it as often as you wish, on as many people also that you wish to release from you. It will begin to work immediately as long as you do not reform an attachment to them again.

 This article is from

www.askingangels.com

Feeding the Sacral Chakra

 

• 5 November 2014 at 17:01

• Healing Food

The sacral chakra, nestled in the region of the lower belly, yokes us to the water element and its eternal state of movement and dynamic change. It is the hub of creative potential.

Chakra Foods for Optimum Health

Our sacral chakra assists us in wielding and manifesting our internal raw creativity into an external form involving visual arts, body expression and sound. Artists, painters, musicians and creators are examples of those in touch with their sacral chakra.
Food and eating represent a functional, survival-based activity, and one of the ways to ensure that we eat is to involve the sensory aspects of our physical body. When we eat, we eat with all of our senses: our sight, touch, taste, smell and sound. Our physiology and our sacral chakra are designed to ensure that we gain pleasure from our eating experience.
There are specific compounds (peptides) released in the gut when we eat a meal that communicate with our brain to help our body decipher that we are experiencing pleasure from the experience. Recently, it has come to light that we have taste receptors in our gut similar to those found on our tongue, so we taste food beyond the mouth, even in the territory of the sacral chakra.
Overall, this chakra is strongly and tightly woven into our eating experience at a deep, gut, sensory level. Rather than for pure survival, we look to the food for pleasure with the help of our sacral chakra.

Foods for the Sacral Chakra

Seeds

Seeds like flax, poppy, psyllium, pumpkin, hemp, sesame and sunflower are therapeutic for the sacral chakra due to their rich source of healthy fats. Flaxseed deserves special mention because it is a healing food for the sacral chakra from a couple of perspectives. First of all, it contains oil rich in unsaturated essential fats. Although not as flexible and fluid as the fats found in fish, flaxseed oil can be used in the body to create flow.
The other aspect of flaxseed is that it is rich in plant compounds called lignans, which act like weak estrogens and are able to compete with estrogen in the body to sit on receptor sites on cells. If the body has too much or too little estrogen, having plant estrogens like flax in the diet could be beneficial. Because of their ability to influence estrogen activity in the body, they are thought to reduce the risk of breast, prostate and colon cancers. Thus, the energetic and physiological properties of flaxseed fit the needs of the sacral chakra, which oversees the reproductive organs in women and the colon. The benefits can extend into the territory of the neighboring root chakra by protecting against prostate cancer.

Tropical Fruits

When allowed to blossom, the sacral chakra fills and soothes us with delight, joy, relaxation, pleasure and freedom of choice. It resonates to fruits grown in tropical areas, as they embody these same qualities. Mangoes, pineapple, papaya, banana (also connects to the solar plexus), oranges, kiwi, figs and coconut are superb examples of nourishing sacral chakra tropical fruits.
Eating these fruits enables us to open our inner self to feeling free and relaxed. Coconut and its oil are particularly appropriate for this energetic vibration. Coconut can heal and strengthen the bridge between the two lower chakras. It’s a sturdy fruit with a strong protective layer, paralleling the root chakra’s boundaries. It is filled with nourishing milk and soft flesh, both which assist the sacral chakra in feeling comfort to open up. Raw coconut butter is a tasty, root-sacral chakra treat.

Fruits:

Apricots

Blood oranges

Cantaloupes

Kumquats

Mandarins

Mangoes

Nectarines

Oranges

Papayas

Passion fruit

Peaches

Persimmons

Tangerines

Vegetables:

Carrots

Orange bell peppers

Pumpkin

Sweet potatoes

Yams

Nuts

Similar to coconut, all nuts have qualities that strengthen the lower two chakras. The oils in the nuts combined with protein make for a perfect food for combining grounding (root chakra) and flowing (sacral chakra) qualities. Cashews are an excellent choice for the sacral chakra. Note their moonlike structure, resonating with the yin, or feminine quality, of the sacral chakra. Walnuts resemble the complicated brain structure and are, indeed, one of the richest nut sources of omega-3 fats, which are needed for the brain. Almonds, pecans, filberts, hazelnuts, pistachios, Brazil nuts, pine nuts and macadamia nuts are other fine nut choices to support the sacral and root chakras.

Orange-Colored Foods

The healthy sacral chakra vibrates at a frequency similar to the color orange. Viewing or eating orange-colored foods can help to restore the sacral chakra to its correct vibration.
On a nutritional level, most of these orange foods collectively provide beta-carotene (an orange pigment) and other plant carotenoids. They are absorbed into our bodies with the assistance of fat as a carrier and stored in the cell membranes, where they take on the job of protecting the cell.

Sacral Food and Eating Activities

Here are simple activities to create a healthy relationship between foods, eating and the sacral chakra.

• Combine food and creativity in any way you choose, ranging from meal preparation to a unique way to shop at the grocery store (for example, shopping only for orange foods) to a novel way to grow food (such as using hydroponics, or the water element, which is conducive to the sacral chakra). Write about your creation and share it with another.
• Invite someone over for dinner and create a meal together.
• Pick an emotion that plagues your daily life and journal on how you better express this emotion throughout your life in a healthy way. How do you “eat” this emotion rather than expressing it? What foods do you gravitate toward when you feel this emotion? What do these foods signify?

~by Dr Deanna Minich, author of Chakra Foods for Optimum Health
http://foodandspirit.com/

Heart-warming 'snapshots' of the NOW

Pause... and remember what is good in your life. Live in the NOW moment, and fully take in the little snapshots in life that make everything so worthwhile. This can be anything.  An awesome Autumn breeze coming through your window, brushing against your face. A beautiful sunset. A colourful blossom on a tree you met on your morning walk. The calm of a mountain lake. An image of a playful child, or a pet. 

They are impressions you can draw on when the dark clouds of despair begin to creep in around you. There is wonder all around you that will take your breath away if you just sit still and long enough to let it happen. Breathe in deeply and let the images burn into your mind making them available whenever you need them.
 It is good to savour the simple wonders that the world has to offer. Heart-warming 'snapshots' that are emblazoned in your soul, help keep you positive in the now and letting you embrace a more positive future ...those little 'snapshots of the heart' are what make life a priceless treasure...
 When you stay completely in the moment, the simple moment of right now, the breeze through your window, the sunrise you stand in your back yard and watch each dawn, the sound of laughter from the child next door and so forth, you find that time slows way down until there is time within time. The world can go swirling past you if it needs, but  you can remain so still you are moved to tears by the beauty  you live in.

~Swan In To Abyss~

After wandering in the abyss
Deep murky abyss
Consuming my delicate soul
Heart beat racing
Thoughts and me alone
Glorious in this rapture
It's what lies beneath
All laced in white
As it flows in the deep
A shroud of mystery
Plunging deeper
Touch of uncertainty
Drifted in restlessness
Deep
Deep
Deeper
Twisting and turning
The Sirens of the deep calling
The windows of my soul
Searching for the light
Drifted further into oblivion
Thoughts of hazard becomes me
This endless abyss
Has no end, or it just might
Light does exist in the deep
Must be present to reach it
A metamorphosis happening
In this deep water
The quencher of souls
Ever flowing
Everlasting
Ever dousing
A shade of white so pure
Reminiscing it once more
Life can sprout Sunshine glints again
You have to let it come up from within
Give it wings to fly and rise above
Just like a pure white swan or a dove
I prefer the swan, as white as an angel's wings
Wading through the waters of life as it sings...
© Beauty In Everything + Poetry

`~MEDITATION calms the mind~`

Beauty In Everything + Poetry 

Some people think that the purpose of meditation is to stop the mind. They sit, and they try. Soon they get into a fight with their mind, a fight that they lose. Frustrated, they give up. Do you recognize yourself in this scenario?
Calming the mind is a more appropriate goal, and a good way to do it is by paying attention to the breath. When we are daydreaming, the breath follows the rhythm of our thoughts. That rhythm can be irregular, because we are going from thought to thought, from one thing to another. As we continue to follow the breath instead of our thoughts, the breath gets into a steady, regular rhythm.
Usually we follow our thoughts without any attention to the breath. Here, we reverse that— we follow our breath. At the beginning, we treat our thoughts a little bit like the way we treat the radio in the background. As we do other things, we are aware that the radio is playing, but we do not follow it actively. For example, when the announcer says, “Go and buy that car right now, because it is so amazing,” we do not drop everything and rush out to buy it. We have learned to take an attitude of sophisticated detachment with regard to the radio. Now we cultivate the same detached attitude toward our thoughts.
Our work in meditation right now is concentrating on the breath. This means staying with the breath and the sensations of the breath continuously. I don’t know if you have ever followed a single breath from end to end and paid attention to all the sensations that occur. One single breath can make you aware of your posture, of how tight your belt is, and of any tension in your abdominal muscles.
The breath is like a swing on the playground. As you breathe in, first it accelerates. Then it slows down near the end. Then it comes to an unstable stop and starts going again in the other direction. The speed is always changing. To notice all this, you need not only awareness, but also concentration. You need to concentrate so that you are not only aware during brief moments of this cycle, but you are continuously aware of it during the whole cycle, cycle after cycle.
I Can Feel My Breath in a Number of Ways:

• I can feel it in my diaphragm.
• I can feel my clothes adjusting as my diaphragm changes shape.
• I can feel the rush of air in my nostrils.
• I can also feel a coolness around my nostrils as I breathe in.

If you have trouble noticing that last item, put your finger horizontally against your nostrils for a few seconds. You will feel the change of temperature as you breathe in and out.

By concentrating on the breath, we are offering the mind something other than thoughts to chew on. This works better than fighting with it to get it to slow down.

Within a few minutes, something different starts to happen: the breath finds its natural rhythm. In normal wakefulness, thoughts are zipping through the mind, and the breath is irregular and staccato. Now the breath follows a more regular rhythm, like that of the waves on the beach. Like the waves, the breath comes from somewhere we don’t know. Then it goes inside, and gets lost, like the waves that get absorbed into the sand. Some of the water gets returned back to the ocean, but it is not exactly the same. Now it has cleaned the beach and is carrying back some debris and also the warmth of the sand with it. The breath has also just cleaned the body, and the out breath is warm and full of carbon dioxide. You can let yourself be guided by this mental imagery. Involve all your senses and now bask in the sunshine on that beach for a few minutes and enjoy the whishsh of the waves.

Another metaphor: What is happening in the mind at this point is also a little bit like the difference between city driving and long- distance driving. In city driving, there is much stopping and starting and emotions like impatience or irritation. When you settle into long-distance driving, all those calm down. The rhythm changes.

During this breathing exercise, you may find that, after a while, concentration comes naturally. At the beginning, concentration required effort. Now this natural rhythm of the breath takes over. Thoughts lose their urgency at this stage.

Meditation exercise to calm the mind

Read this and other meditation texts slowly, with a short pause between instructions.

The past has already gone and the future is yet to come.
I am concentrating on being peaceful, happy, and free in this present moment.

Now I’m concentrating on being aware of each breath.
My attention on the breath is continuous.
I follow the breath as it begins, and my abdomen starts to expand.
I continue to pay attention as my abdomen rises and falls with each breath,
like a child going high and low on a swing.

Like a swing, my breath slows down at each end.
I follow it all the way as it slows down, and starts again.

I embrace my breath with all my care and attention,
like a mother holds her baby.
I do not drop the baby.
Thoughts stay in the background.

I enjoy the rhythmic rise and fall of my abdomen;
I enjoy staying in the here and the now.
I have stopped running forward and backward.

My mind keeps producing thoughts; that is its nature.
I do not follow the thoughts.
I concentrate on my breath.

I’m comfortable and at ease.
With each breath, I let go of tension somewhere in my body and mind.

I’m aware that thoughts can bring tension to my face.
With each breath, I relax my face muscles and smile.

There are sensations in my body, I accept them. I am aware of my posture.
I am aware of the rush of air around my nostrils as I breathe in.

If there are sounds, I do not react to them.
I just notice them and let them go.
I continue to enjoy my breathing peacefully.

A river of feelings and thoughts is flowing, but I am not drowning in it.
The concentration on the breath is like the anchor that
prevents the boat from drift ing.

Focusing on my breath keeps me from getting lost in thought.
I notice sounds and skin sensations without reacting to them.

I smile at disturbances such as memories, little itches, and noises.
Smiling relaxes me. I feel content.

With each breath I arrive in the here and the now—
I’m sitting upright, breathing comfortably.

My mind is peaceful, my body free of tension.
I am calm and rested.
I feel free. I feel at home.

 An excerpt from Buddha's Book of Sleep by Joseph Emet

Art & Creativity

Art and creativity is a potent medicine that speaks to our soul. It brings BEAUTY into our lives. It nourishes us on a deeper level. A meditative process. A potion for healing. Be inspired! HEAL your self! Create something. Make a piece of Art with what you're good at and comfortable with. Know that Art comes in so many forms. Your life IS your Art. Create it well. When we do creative things, and things we LOVE to do, we expand our mind, and express and feed our soul. It is in the gift of creative expression, that we find solace and that magical and powerful enhancement to healing our beautiful selves.      ―©Angie Karan2015

Inner Candle Glow

See the light of a candle glow

Let your inner warm shine flow

Feel and see the light it makes

With fire it burns and heat it creates

Dwindling in time as it goes out

A savoured evocation throughout

Will it still glitter and burn within;

Illuminate high, not flicker or dim;

As it did, the flame still beckons...

©2015 Inner Candle Glow

Beauty In Everything + Poetry

Inner Beauty Captivates

~~ L o v e ~~

29 October 2014 · Edited · ·

 

Outer beauty attracts, but inner beauty captivates.
― Kate Angell

For more uplifting quotes and art please visit
http://www.pinterest.com/angkaran/~~-l-o-v-e-~~/
… and feel free to comment, like or share what you find!

~`Healing with HERBS`~

`~ Isn’t it amazing the amount of natural healing nature provides us through herbs and other plants...The powers of nature! She knows what we need ~`

The healing and regenerative properties of herbs are well documented and for many people and already have a place on the spice rack, such as oregano, basil, sage, and garlic may be a current staple in your kitchen. But peppermint, rosemary, thyme and fennel are equally rich in healing and regenerative properties for your medicinal garden. Preparation for a potential long-term emergency isn’t complete until your spice and herb medicine cabinet is full.

ECHINACEA

Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a medicinal plant that has been used for centuries to help keep the immune system active and healthy. Echinacea contains a compound known as echinacein which protects healthy cells from viruses and bacteria that are trying to invade them. Echinacea is particularly beneficial in helping the body heal quickly from colds, flu, sore throat, sinus infections, sinusitis, hay fever, bronchitis, canker sores, enlarged lymph glands, ear infections, gingivitis, enlarged prostate, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections. Echinacea is also a blood purifier and has anti-inflammatory properties. As a topical disinfectant and analgesic, Echinacea can be used as an ointment or salve to help heal reduce the pain and swelling associated with psoriasis, eczema, skin irritations, boils, scrapes, wounds, bug bites, bee stings, sunburn, and hemorrhoids. As an herbal supplement, echinacea can be taken as a capsule, tablet, extract, tincture, or tea. Due to its powerful immune boosting abilities, its best to only take echinacea for a short period of time, usually from a few days to a few weeks, depending on your illness. This short duration will activate your immune system, but also protect it from becoming over-stimulated. If you are fortunate enough to have an echinacea plant growing near where you live, the plant and roots can be dried and used as a medicinal tea. Echinacea can be found online by clicking here http://amzn.to/1yvDsv3 or at your local health food store.

SAGE

Sage is a legendary herb well known for its phenomenal health promoting and disease preventing properties. It is one of the top antioxidants herbs and can provide powerful protection from degenerative diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer, heart disease, macular degeneration, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoporosis, prostatitis, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Sage contains rosmarinic acid which is a potent anti-inflammatory compound that can help reduce swelling and inflammation and considered highly beneficial for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, bursitis, asthma, and atherosclerosis. Sage has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties and is an excellent natural remedy for fungal, viral, and bacterial infections. It also has the ability to provide relief from acidity and aid in digestion of fatty and hard to digest foods. Sage is known as the “thinker’s herb” as has an outstanding ability to enhance attention span, support concentration, and improve the senses as well as provide support when dealing with grief and depression. It can also help regulate the menstrual cycle and help to prevent excessive sweating in woman after menopause. Sage has the ability to neutralize free radicals and offer significant anti-aging and longevity benefits. It also contains antiseptic properties and is widely found in natural creams, lotions, and salves to speed the healing of cuts and wounds and clear up most skin diseases and infections. On a spiritual level, sage has long been used to aid in cleansing one’s spirit and surroundings. Sage has a peppery flavor and can be added to soups, potatoes, squash, tomato sauce, salads, guacamole, and even works well with some fruits like strawberries and banana smoothies. It can also be taken as a tea, capsule, or tincture for additional benefits. Sage is a wise, healing, and powerful herb that is a true gift and should not be missed.

RED ROOT

Healing Food

1 February

Red Root (Ceanothus Americanus) is a herb that has effective antibiotic, antispasmodic, antiviral, and expectorant properties. Red root is great for helping to prevent or shorten the duration of colds, flu, and respiratory infections. It has the ability to help remove phlegm and mucus from the respiratory tract and sinus passages. Red root also works well for digestive ailments such as constipation, gas, bloating, indigestion, and abdominal pain. It also is highly beneficial for urinary tract infections, liver problems, mononucleosis, chicken pox, sinusitis, bronchitis, fever, nosebleeds, headaches, and asthma. Red root’s anti-spasmodic properties are incredible at helping to relieve muscle spasms, leg cramps, and painful menstruation cramps. It also is very effective at eliminating ovarian and breast cysts in from the body. Red root has mild sedative properties which can help alleviate depression and tendencies for insomnia. Red root is commonly used to treat epstein-barr virus, shingles, Hodgkin’s disease and hepatitis. It has also been used in the treatment of STDs such as syphilis and gonorrhea. Red root is particularly beneficial for oral health and has been shown to help prevent canker sores, tooth decay, dental plaque, and gum and tooth infections. As a gargle, it can help to prevent or stop strep throat, sore throat, or tonsillitis. Topically, red root can be applied as a salve, poultice, or cream to help naturally treat skin cancers, lesions, hemorrhoids, sores, and acne. Red root makes a delicious tea and was actually used as a substitute for black tea during the Revolutionary War due to its similar flavor profile. To make a tea, use 2 tsp of dried herb to 1 cup of boiling water and allow to steep for at least 15 minutes, sweeten with raw honey if desired.

 ROSEMARY

 Rosemary has had the reputation for miracles for thousands of years. It has been used as an antiseptic, antidepressant, analgesic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, aphrodisiac, and expectorant. Rosemary has earned praise for alleviating nerve-related conditions, boosting the immune system, fighting off bacterial and viral infections, aiding respiratory ailments, strengthening digestion and improving circulation. Rosemary contains both caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid which act as a powerful anti-inflammatory making it ideal for those who suffer with auto-immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. It also contains properties and volatile oils that work similarly to anti-histamines and make it very useful to treat conditions such as asthma and chronic migraines. Rosemary’s diuretic properties have been known to help relieve gout, edema, and kidney stones. Rosemary has the ability to stimulate memory, improve concentration, and help overcome mental fatigue by increasing the blood flow to the head and brain. It is also known to alleviate depression and sadness and can decrease anxiety brought on by stress. Rosemary oil is often added to hair and skin care products due to its ability to cleanse and nourish the scalp and heal and repair the skin. Essential oil of rosemary can also be used through a steam vaporizer to disinfect the air in your home &/or office which is especially beneficial during cold and flu season. A high quality premium essential oil of rosemary can be found by clicking here http://amzn.to/1DqGPEH. Fresh or dried rosemary can also be taken as a tea, supplement, or simply added to fresh guacamole, salads, soups, or any of your home cooked meals. It is a potent and effective herb that can provide a myriad of health benefits.

 ALOE VERA

 Aloe vera leaf is a miraculous healing food that is one of the oldest healing remedies and natural antibiotics in the world. Taken internally, aloe works wonders for assimilation, circulation, and elimination. It is known to purify the blood, reduce inflammation, ease arthritis pain, prevent kidney stones, lower high cholesterol, prevent Candida, boost physical endurance, benefit cardiovascular health, and protect the body from oxidative stress. It also soothes ulcers, hemorrhoids, gastritis, diverticulitis, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other digestive disorders. Aloe provides recovery from fatigue and aids in muscle function as well as optimal utilization of several vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. It’s alkaline nature, helps to soothe acidosis and alkalinize the whole body. Aloe’s clear gel can be applied externally to soothe and relieve pain from sun burn, rashes, bug bites, scratches, and wounds as well as deeply hydrate the skin to prevent wrinkles and aging. It can also be massaged into the hair and scalp to stimulate hair growth and can be used as a toothpaste or mouthwash to keep the mouth healthy, clean, and free from plaque producing bacteria. For best results, purchase whole Aloe leaves in the produce section of the grocery store. Cut a 2 inch piece off the leaf and scoop out the clear gel inside. This gel can be blended in water, juice, or smoothies to be taken internally or used externally and applied directly to the skin for quick relief and healing. When fresh aloe leaf is not available, then raw aloe juice is another excellent option, which can be purchased online by clicking here http://amzn.to/183cL5e or at your local health food store.

SARSAPARILLA

 Sarsaparilla is a medicinal herb that is known to be an excellent detoxifier and blood purifier. Sarsaparilla is rich in vitamins A, C, D, and B-complex as well as minerals such as chromium, cobalt, zinc, and silicon. It also contains anti-microbial compounds such as falcarinol and panaxydol which makes it great for helping to protect the body from bacteria, viral, and fungal infections. Sarsaparilla is often used as a diuretic and as has a strong affinity for helping the kidneys flush toxic material out of the body. It is also known to be a good sweat inducer and fever reducer which can come in handy during cold and flu season. Sarsaparilla contains potent anti-cancer compounds and has been shown to be particularly helpful for liver, breast, and lung cancer. It is also known to be beneficial for diabetes, cold sores, shingles, genital herpes, dermatitis, and seizures. Sarsaparilla also contains anti-inflammatory properties and is effective for autoimmune disorders such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, and irritable bowel syndrome. It has also shown to be very good at reducing psoriasis symptoms due to the fact that the saponins in sarsaparilla help to clear endotoxins from the bloodstream that cause the painful and itchy skin patches. Sarsaparilla was traditionally used as an original ingredient in old-fashioned root beer for its flavor and medicinal benefits, but it also makes a wonderful tea and can be made by adding 2 teaspoons of dried root to 2 cups of water and simmered for at least 30 minutes. Allow to cool, strain and sweeten with raw honey if desired. Sarsaparilla can be found in tea, tincture, capsule, extract, or cream form online or at your local health food store.

 BASIL

Basil is an herbal antibiotic, antiseptic, carminative, and appetizer that has an special affinity for the stomach. Basil significantly benefits the stomach during digestion and can provide immediate relief from gas, stomach cramps, and nausea. It also contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties and can provide relief for inflamed bowel conditions such as colitis, IBS, crohn’s and celiac disease. It is also highly antibacterial and antiviral making it effective against bacterial infections, intestinal parasites, colds, flu, mono, shingles, and herpes. Basil is a rich source of magnesium which relaxes muscles and blood vessels and supports cardiovascular health by lowering the risk of irregular heart rhythms and spasms. The essential oil of basil contains eugenol which works similarly to aspirin and ibuprofen in decreasing the swelling in joints and tissues to provide relief from arthritis and fibromyalgia. Basil’s fungicidal properties also aid in healing wounds, skin rashes, warts, and insect bites. You can purchase creams and salves or crush fresh leaves in a small amount of coconut oil, apply to the skin, and wrap with a fresh bandage daily. Consider making fresh basil a staple in your diet and regularly add to salads, homemade pesto, guacamole, green smoothies, and even fruits like strawberries and bananas, the health properties are not to be missed.