Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Pass The Salt
Acupuncture...East Meets West
Many of the concepts in TCM do not have any true counterpart in Western medicine. One of the key concepts is qi(pronounced “chi” or “chee”) which is considered a vital force or energy responsible for controlling the harmonious workings of the human mind and body. Qi flows through the body via channels called meridians. There are a total of 20 meridians, 12 of them primary and corresponding to specific organs and organ systems or functions and eight secondary meridians. It is imbalances in the flow of qi that cause illness. When the flow is corrected, the body is restored back to balance. Acupuncture is the most practiced way to restore this balance in Traditional Chinese Medicine, although techniques like acupressure, moxibustion and chi kung or tai chi are various other practices incorporated.
Although some people fear acupuncture because of it’s use of needles, modern acupuncture uses disposable needles, making the treatment safe. Made of stainless steel, the needles come in various lengths and gauges of widths. They are solid, not hollow, and have a finely tapered point. As I’m lying quietly on my back, my acupuncturist begins to insert the needles systematically, in points on my legs and feet then arms and hands, moving to points in my ears and the top of my head. Each treatment for me is different, although the all too familiar points on my stomach and spleen meridians on my leg, generally cause me to open my eyes and pay attention.
My respect for her proficiency continues to grow, as I understand that Chinese pulse diagnosis is an extremely complex and subtle skill, as is the art of needle placement. Acupuncture is essentially painless. Some people experience a slight pinch as the needle is inserted but most experience no discomfort at all. I understand that needling of acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain. The chemicals will either change the experience of pain or trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body’s own internal regulating system. Although acupuncture is most widely used for pain relief, it is effective in treating a wide range of ailments; from digestive problems to infertility and fibromyalgia to heart conditions.
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Cycle Of Beliefs And Expectations
Last week, one of my coaching clients had his grandmother pass away. She was age 97. She did not have much money. She did, however, have quite a collection of furniture. Despite his personal desires, my client was persuaded by the other members of the family to assume ownership of the furniture. He already had all the furniture he needed. Now, he was acquiring a truckload of out-of-style furniture. And, the unspoken contract he had with the rest of his family did not allow him to sell or dispose of grandma’s furniture. His parents, aunts and uncles did not want the furniture, but they wanted it to stay in the family, forever.
How often in our own lives do we assume ownership of the “family furniture”? “Family furniture” is akin to beliefs and expectations. Family beliefs and expectations are thrust on us like my client’s unwanted furniture. The desire not to disappoint makes the unspoken contracts binding. We are expected to abide by family beliefs and expectations, quietly and obediently. Perhaps we are expected to inherit and run the family business, or go to college, or vote democrat/republican. Failure to comply amounts to failure as an individual. Parents lay out the blueprint. We follow. The round peg gets pounded into the square hole crushing our spirits and preventing us from becoming the creative individuals God intended us to be. More important than doing what we think we should, is doing what our heart tells us to do. When we deny the desires of our hearts, we miss out on our greatest joy and the world misses out on the unique contribution we are here to make.
As another example, a 70-year-old woman I know always wanted to start an orphanage. Her dream remains unfilled because she is paralyzed by her father’s beliefs and expectations. “Women are teachers, nurses, or housewives/mothers.” She inherited the “family furniture”! Unfortunately, her orphanage is not built and the world is not benefiting from the fine citizens that might be.
Let’s get into my Mindset Mechanic Tool Kit and examine the origin of your beliefs and expectations. Reach into the tool kit for the metaphorical flashlight and level. Use the flashlight to illuminate who is in the room with you when you make decisions. When they speak, is your level in balance or not? If not, reach for the metaphorical hammer. Hammer in beliefs and expectations that bring your level back in balance.
So, if you are going to inherit your “family furniture”, do so with total awareness of what you are accepting. In times of constant change, what worked five years ago may not work today. Follow your dreams thoughtfully and with purpose. You will have a rich and fulfilling life being who you really are!
http://advancinglifenetwork.com/articlesxmby-categoryxm/self-help/189-family-furniture-or-the-cycle-of-beliefs-and-expectations.html
I invite you to follow my blogs at www.AmericasMindsetMechanic.com and www.MilitaryKidsSpeak.com.
About the Author: Julie Rahm :)
http://advancinglifenetwork.com/articlesxmby-categoryxm/self-help/189-family-furniture-or-the-cycle-of-beliefs-and-expectations.html
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Boiling Frogs
Friday, February 10, 2012
The Spellbound Effect
I am going to admit, I receive most of my thoughts and ideas while in the shower. Today I thought of this concept “The Spellbound Effect”, it goes as such. Do you notice when You are intrigued with some one such as a movie star, author, business owner, friend, etc… some one you look up to, it is cause there is some thing in them that you either wish to possess or detest.
What I mean is, have you noticed we are interested in what goes on in others lives both negative and positive. For example gossip magazines, media, news, etc… what ever is being presented, you are some what interested to know, and you end up over time following some one’s life when ever possible.
Now, why do We Do this? Why Do We Care what is going on in some one’s Life? I Believe it is because they are Resonating some thing You wish to possess or detest. This is Powerful, as it Can Help You Grow either way. Let’s say You Have a Mentor, some one You Can model to Be. They possess Qualities You Desire to Emanate. The Easiest way to get these Qualities is to associate Your Self with some one who Has what You Desire.
This also, works for the latter. If People around You possess lesser Qualities, things You detest, then this will propel You to search for the Qualities You wish to Have! Or You will continue to Be some one You dislike. Now, “Where are You going with this?” You may ask,¬† “We are all drawn to People that Aspire to Be Great!”. I Call this “The Spellbound Effect”!!!
We are Attracted to People who Achieve what they Desire! However, why are We interested in the negative things others Do? Well, that is because there is some thing within Us that detests that, and wishes to make it Better. So, instead of making things Better in Our Self, We continue to read, watch, and listen to the stuff out there that is negative, and will continue to Attract the stuff that You detest. The only way to change what You Do not Like out there, You must change what You are within! When You Do this, I Promise You will Enjoy the Experiences in Your Life!
Now, surround Your Self with Good Thoughts, and Great People! Use “The Spellbound Effect” to Your advantage!
Enjoy!
This Article is compliments of Umattr
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Your Cosmic Blueprint
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Courage To Quit
- Begin leveraging your WHAT—the one thing you were born to do. The successful understand that there is ONE thing they are compelled to do and pursue this with reckless abandon. Until you identify your WHAT, life will feel out of your control and lack meaning or purpose.
- The successful set deep anchors into their soul. They are crystal clear on who they are, why they do what they do and, most importantly, who they were born to be. Those who don’t set deep anchors operate like windsocks—their lives forever shifting based on outside influences. With these anchors, you’re clear on where you’re headed and life’s pity distractions won’t keep you from achieving your goals and objectives.
- The successful operate as smooth rocks, not craters. Like water off a duck’s back, if you operate as a smooth rock, the waterfall of life simply continues downstream. If you’re a crater, life puddles. You think about everything, hold on to it, and life is defined by what currently engulfs your mind. As life’s next challenge reaches you, it washes out the old concerns and replaces them with new ones. If your life reflects a smooth rock, you’ll maintain comfort and happiness by refusing to expend energy or additional thought on that which should have long since moved past you.
- The successful understand the power of patience. Some of the most recognized people of our time began just like you. Richard Branson began his Virgin empire selling one record at-a-time via mail-order catalog. Mother Teresa brought comfort to one person in need. Sam Zell convinced one landlord to let him manage his apartment building. In today’s instant gratification society, we are programmed to want everything… NOW. This is not realistic. Anything worthwhile takes time. Anyone who tells you differently is full of crap.
- Lastly, while it may seem appealing to quit the job you loathe today, the successful let others fund their transition. Having the courage to quit is enough to get you fired up to make an inordinate difference in our world, but doing so without the means to replace your current income is ludicrous. Become clear on where you’re headed, what you want to do, and then enter THE TRANSITION. It’s at this point where you’ll hone your skills, learn what others are doing that is of interest to you, and begin putting your plan of action in place to derive 100% of your income from what you love. Like a recipe mixture, right now your life is comprised of 0 parts living your WHAT and 100 parts not. As soon as you take that first step towards your destiny, your mixture has shifted to 1 part living your WHAT and 99 parts not. As more of your income is derived from what it is that you’re compelled to do, you’ll reach a point in time when you can cut the cord on what you abhor. There are a LOT of hours in the day. Invest them wisely.




