Personal Power to Heal, Lead, Grow, and Live Your Best Life

Ignite Your Personal Power

Articles

By

The Importance of Mindset

Do you have a “fixed mindset” or a “growth mindset”?  Since you’re on an Energy Healing website, which is a bit off the normal ‘health through better pharmaceuticals’ philosophy, chances are you are open to new ideas and processes.  So I’d say most readers have already started down the path of a growth mindset.

So what’s the difference between fixed and growth mindsets?

  • People with the fixed mindset tend to feel that their skills, potential and abilities are set, and can limit their potential.  People with a growth mentality are open to the idea that there is always room for improvement if they want it enough and are willing to put in the work. 
  • Those in the “fixed” category tend to feel powerless to manipulate their pre-ordained, possibly genetic skills and talents while those in the growth category are far more optimistic about who is calling the shots – and step out of their box to learn new things. 

Another significant difference is how a person views mistakes or obstacles and the attitude that they foster when the inevitable problems show up.  For example, those with a fixed mindset are apt to become easily discouraged and throw in the towel at the first setback, whereas those with a growth mindset are more optimistic in their outlook and adopt more of an opportunistic approach to problems.  They turn negativity into a chance to learn and grow from whatever hindrance they might encounter.

Given what is already understood about the two opposite approaches to mindset, the fixed mindset does not leave the same room for growth, learning, or personal prosperity, while the growth mindset is a more positive option that is more likely to maximize an individual’s success and happiness in life.

It is also important when discussing this particular topic to consider the ways in which our mindset can affect us other than in our ability to grow and prosper and be successful.

Mindset can have a major impact on health and physical well-being.  A person who tends to consistently be discouraged or depressed is more likely to have that negative mentality suppress their immune system, which in turn makes them more prone to illnesses and longer recovery periods. 

People with a growth mindset tend to feel more in control of their health, become sick less often, and tend to be happier and healthier.

But there is hopeful news for those who find themselves stuck in the pessimistic fixed mindset.  YOU control your future.  YOU control your thoughts.  YOU control your life.  YOU can choose a new path.  YOU can choose.

I love to work with people who are building a new future.  A new relationship, a new mindset, a new business.  Even new healers who are working on growing their craft.  If you’d like some support while you create your new future, I’m here for you.  We can work on beliefs that are holding you back, insecurities that are holding you in your current reality, memories of past failures that are keeping you from taking another risk, and negative thoughts that replay in your head that keep you stuck.  Get on my calendar so we can start moving your forward.

Move to that mindset of growth.  Find success in whatever venture you jump into next.  You can do it!    

By

GMOs And Your Food 101

There’s a lot of talk lately about the safety and labeling of food that’s been genetically modified.  GMOs – Genetically Modified Organisms – are animals and plants that have been genetically altered. They are modified so that our crops and more resistant to pests, weeds, and any other diseases that typically threaten them. They tend to have a longer life, travel well, can reduce the cost of the product.

It’s common for GMOs to feature in mass-produced products, and even though the US did pass a bill requiring some GMO ingredients to be listed on labeling, there are loopholes that allow manufacturers to get around it or skip certain ingredients.

It’s become a common method of farming because it is more cost efficient for both farmers and producers.

Is It Safe To Eat GMOs?

Dozens of countries across the planet have placed restrictions (or bans) on producing GMOs. Why?

Quite simply, these countries do not believe that GMOs have been proven to be safe. The consensus has simply been that in the studies so far, it doesn’t appear that GMOs are unsafe (https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/mark-lynas/gmo-safety-debate-over). It is hardly the win that GMO activists have claimed it to be.

The Widespread Use of GMOs

The majority of both soybeans and corn that are grown in the US have been genetically modified. In fact, The Center For Food Safety reports that it is believed that around 70% of American processed foods stocking the supermarket shelves now contain at least one ingredient that has been genetically modified. There are a number of crops that are unrestricted and while there have been court orders to prevent their planting, the USDA hasn’t enforced it.

How To Avoid GMOs

The simplest way to avoid consuming GMO products is to buy organic foods wherever possible. The processes that organic producers use ensure that your food hasn’t been genetically modified, it is not subjected to planting on land that has been treated or sprayed with chemicals. Separate machinery is used to prevent contamination and the ingredients are stored separately, too.

If the cost of organic products makes your stomach turn there is a way to find a good balance. Fruits and vegetables with a hard or thick skin are the safest non-organic products for you to purchase as it’s more difficult for toxins to reach the fruit or vegetable itself. However, when it comes to those fruits and vegetables with soft skin (or skin that you eat) you should always buy organic.

What Do GMOs Do To The Environment

GMOs may be leading to the growth of superbugs and superweeds as these become more resistant to the pesticides and herbicides being used, thus increasing the need for more of it to be used or a stronger version to be created.

The Organic Center found that in the first 13 years of GMOs in commercial use, those crops increased herbicide use by over 350 million pounds.

It appears as though that the majority of GMO crops are being used to feed livestock in the richer nations, rather than putting food in the bellies of poor nations. South America produces large amounts of GMO soybeans, but they are going to feed Europe’s livestock. Additionally, there is a potential risk that poor farmers are being displaced, making locally consumed products more scarce.

What Will GMOs Do To My Health?

While there have been numerous studies on GMOs, the general consensus (only reached recently) is that they do not appear to be unsafe. However, because the products weren’t labeled or tracked for so long, it is challenging to get a true picture of what potential human health problems may stem from the consumption of GMOs. While we don’t know that GMOs actively harm human health, we also don’t truly know whether they are unsafe.

By

How Do You Talk to Yourself?

How critical are you when you carry on a conversation with yourself?  Are you positive?  Are you negative?  Are you compassionate?  Are you challenging?  Are you looking for fault and heaping on criticism?  Are you praising yourself when you accomplish a particularly challenging task?

If you’re like most people, you’re probably pretty harsh with yourself when you mess up.  And you don’t celebrate or even acknowledge the milestones that took so much effort to reach.  You’re not alone.  Expecting perfection is becoming the norm – people can be quick to jump on any imperfection and be vocal in their displeasure with anything that doesn’t live up to their expectation of perfection.

How have you decided to deal with the negativity when it burrows into your brain?  Negative self-talk is one of the most limiting behaviors you can pick up and it can quickly take over your thoughts and your idea of yourself and the value you provide to the world.

 If you’ve noticed that negative self-talk is becoming more and more ‘normal’ inside your head, here are some tips to consider.

1. Distinguish between negative thoughts and critical thinking.
We all need a mechanism to analyze and make quality decisions.  We may need to determine: our next course of action; whether our latest decision was the right one; whether we need to make a course correction; whether our actions or speech was appropriate or inappropriate.  A certain amount of self-critique is necessary. However, it’s importance to recognize when that self-critique becomes non-productive – or even destructive – negative self-talk. Are your thoughts leading your toward a better outcome, or down a path of blame and depression.

2. Accept failure.
If you’ve never failed, chances are you’ve never stretched yourself to attempt something new.  If you want to grow, if you want to change your life or business, get comfortable with failure.  Think of it as a new lesson learned, critique the failure, make a course correction, and attack it from a new angle.  Don’t attach emotion and self-worth judgments to whatever failed.  Think of yourself as a toddler learning to walk.  And falling down repeatedly.  If the toddler never tried again, he’d spend his life crawling or being carried everywhere – or staying in one spot forever.  But when he manages to actually take those steps, everyone celebrates!  You’re a toddler.  You will fail.  Deal with it.

3. Program your mind for positive thinking.
Do you have some affirmations that really resonates with you?  Do you remind yourself to use them daily?  Do your thoughts gravitate toward the worst-case scenario, or do you look for that small piece of good in a given situation?  Start noticing.  Then, when the negative creeps in, consciously redirect your thoughts to the positive outcome you desire.  The more you keep at it, the more natural it will become. Ideally, those negative things you tell yourself, will eventually be taken over by your positive affirmations and desired outcomes.

4. Limit your exposure to negative people.
Some people thrive on negativity and enjoy dragging others down with them. If you cannot avoid them altogether, spend as little time with them as possible. If you already struggle with negative self-talk, you certainly don’t need them adding more negativity. If you spend more time with positive people that build you up, your negative self-talk will naturally reduce.

5. Learn to see the good in people.
If you are always thinking negatively of others, it makes sense that you will more naturally think negatively about yourself. Being more open minded towards others will help you be more accepting of your own flaws as well.

6. Negative thinking is a choice.
Even though you have been bombarded with it since you were a child, thinking negatively is something you choose to do. Conversely, positive thinking is just as much a choice as negative thinking. Choose positive thinking. This isn’t an easy quick fix, it takes a lot of work and practice. …so start now!

7. Strengthen your feelings of self-worth and know the value you provide.
Negative thinking often occurs due to a lack of belief in yourself, or negative feelings of self-worth. Strengthening your confidence and feelings of self-worth and becoming more aware of the value you provide to the world will help you get through those times that may make you feel inadequate.  No one is perfect, but we all have talents we bring to the table.  Remember yours.  You are unique.  Celebrate the value you bring to your friends and family.  And value yourself as the wonderful individual you are.

8. Work with an Energy Healer.

Set up time with your favorite Energy Healer to address the limiting beliefs underneath your negative self-talk. You might be surprised what statements are running through your head, keeping you stuck in the past.

By

Spirit, Mind, and Soul Self-Care

Does something on this list speak to you?  One simple change can create unexpected and amazing results.

  1. Begin to develop tolerance and patience. The first step to finding peace with society and improving your state of being is to practice tolerance for people and things around you that create anxiety inside your body.  When you begin to feel the stress or anxiety, take a step back and explore WHY the situation triggered the reaction.  Does it remind you of a past event?
  2. Meditate.  Schedule 5-15 minutes into your day for meditation. If you don’t like the idea of meditating, practice taking deep breaths once a day as you become conscious of your body. This can help with circulation and ease your level of stress.
  3. Volunteer.  Volunteering for a good cause helps your soul, but also provides benefit for others – a win-win situation! Find something you are passionate about volunteer your time (or money). There are thousands of charities and organizations that would love your help.  Spend a few hours at your local SPCA.  Go to a hospital and volunteer to hold the babies.  Donate time to the Salvation Army.  Collect day-old bread from grocery stores and deliver it to local food banks or soup kitchens.
  4. Write down your Thoughts.  Writing not only stimulates your brain – it also acts as a great de-stressor. Keep a journal and record your thoughts at the beginning or ending of each day. Find a journal that feels good in your hand, one that is a pleasure to see on the shelf, and that inspires you.  Invest in a well-made journal to stimulate your creative juices.
  5. Read.  Curl up on the couch or window seat with a good book. This simple pleasure can be relaxing, informative, or stimulating.
  6. Think positive thoughts.  You create your reality.  The thoughts you carry every day lead you toward your expectations.  Positive thoughts lead to positive results, just as negative thoughts attract more negativity. Surround yourself with positive energy and this energetic vibe will be infused into your lifestyle and daily habits.
  7. Plan ahead.  Life happens. Unexpected delays and obstacles can create frustration and anxiety. If you have created alternative options by thinking ahead to create a back-up plan, it will be easier to handle these annoying situations. Maybe leave the house earlier than strictly necessary to give yourself a cushion to allow for rush hour traffic – it might be nice to sit in traffic thinking “good thing I planned ahead”, rather than honking the horn and contributing to the road rage crowd.
  8. Adopt a pet.  A dog or cat can provide unconditional love and support. They will lift your spirits in more ways than can be expressed. Dogs can motivate you to exercise and are always around for a cuddle. However, before you consider a pet, make sure you have the financial security and freedom to look after the financial, physical, and emotional demands of the animal.  And if you decide they need more commitment than you can afford right now, you can always foster or volunteer with rescue group or the local animal shelter.   
  9. Be generous.  Share your knowledge, time, and wealth.  You might be surprised at the satisfaction you feel inside.  And the gratitude of the recipient of your generosity.
  10. Stimulate your brain.  Grab a crossword puzzle or enjoy the Sudoku in your morning newspaper on the commute to work. These fun little games are quick and help stimulate your brain to keep your mind sharp.
  11. Find daily alone time.  Between work, the kids, your spouse, and your friends, it might seem like you don’t get a single moment to yourself. Find that moment. This could just be shutting the doors and taking a 20 minute bath. You need to find time to reflect and relax and this is best done by yourself. If you don’t make yourself a priority, don’t be surprised if you eventually find out that you’ve lost yourself.  Or you find yourself so overwhelmed or fragile you feel like you might break.
  12. Pamper yourself.  Self-care includes getting rid of those daily kinks. A great way to melt your stress away is to pamper yourself with a deep therapeutic massage. If you cannot afford a monthly massage, then look to your spouse or partner and swap massages. Buy oil, light candles, and turn your living room into your own private spa.
  13. Drink tea.  Tea has calming powers that can do wonders for your spirit. Try chamomile or green tea and indulge in the tantalizing tastes and natural goodness.
  14. Smile and make eye contact.  Let your facial expressions do the talking. A smile and eye contact with a stranger can release a spark within you and can brighten up someone else’s day.
  15. Catch up with friends and family.  Sometimes our schedules get so busy that we simply cannot fit in time to reconnect with family and friends. It can be difficult to find a balance between between work and play. Maybe make a lunch date to catch up with your friends. It can be hard to stay in touch sometimes, but it’s important to try.
  16. Forgive.  Forgiveness starts deep within, and is one of the most important steps of self-care. It is important to find a way to forgive others, but it is even more important to forgive yourself.  Know that you did the best you could on any given day, and be gentle with yourself and your past choices.  You can create a better tomorrow from your new perspective.  Step away from that heavy burden and look toward the new future you’ve decided to create.

By

Create Your Wellness Sanctuary

How can you create a home that feels like “home”? A place that you want to come back to every evening after a long day at work… Where you truly feel safe and comfortable, and can really relax and unwind… A place and a space that makes you feel peaceful, calm, and well.

There are a number of simple and cost-effective changes you can make to your home that will really help enhance your experience of your home as a wellness sanctuary.

  • One of the biggest health enhancers is to clear out all the junk.  Get rid of that stuff you no longer use, and de-clutter your living space. This will automatically give you a sense of spaciousness and relief, and will immediately help you feel more peaceful within.  You can donate your old items to a family that is in need.  You could sell some of that stuff online and make a bit of extra cash, thus increasing the wellness of your wallet as well as your home!
  • Stay organized.  Nothing ruins peace, harmony, and calm more than a cluttered house where you cannot find anything. This includes that pile of bills, and mail that is sitting unorganized in plain sight, and the piles of unread magazines that inspire guilt, stress, and helplessness.
  • Keep a clean floor. Floors that are dirty or cluttered with papers, towels, clothes, and miscellaneous junk make the whole room look unkempt, disorganized, and unsanitary.
  • Have comfortable furniture. This is key in if you want to truly relax when you get home. Furniture that looks good is great, but you will quickly regret a purchase made for looks alone when you can’t relax in your own home.
  • Remember the old adage “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”? Well, you don’t necessarily have to feel holy about it, but having a clean living space is healthy for more than just the reduction in germs and harmful bacteria.  It will smell good, look good, and feel fresh, all of which will help you to feel good when you are in it!
  • Talking of scents and smells, essential oils are a natural and health-giving way of enhancing the comfort of your home.  The scent of citrus oils adds a fresh, invigorating feeling while lavender helps you feel calm. Frankincense and myrrh are wonderful for promoting a meditative air. You can use a simple oil burner or make an air freshener with just a few drops of essential oil in a spritzer bottle filled with distilled water.
  • Another way to increase your comfort level, and therefore your capacity to relax, unwind and de-stress in your home, is to add “ambience”.  Soft music, soft lighting, candles, and beautiful art pieces can all add to a feeling of calm and tranquility.
  • Color schemes affect our mood.  Blues and greens are calming.  Reds, corals, and maroons make a room seem cozy and warm. Something to think about when you decide to redecorate.
  • Can you find one area, or room, to devote to your spiritual self? A small space, even an unused corner can be converted into a sanctuary reserved for prayer, contemplation, and connection with the Divine Source (whatever that means for you).
  • Growing living plants in the home will help keep the air oxygenated, and will introduce the presence of nature. Just remember to feed and water them!
  • Use a water filter for quality drinking water.
  • Opening some windows will help the circulation of fresh air.  It will keep your home from feeling stuffy, oppressive, and claustrophobic.
  • Growing herbs in the kitchen will bring a little bit of nature in from the outside and will help you connect to the earth in an immediate and practical way. It will also bring some wholesome nutrition to your kitchen table.
  • Natural light in your home, as much as possible, can enhance your mood and provide some vitamin D (although there is no substitute for getting outside every day).
  • Remember to laugh, spend time with, and hug those you live with, to increase the good vibes in your home.
  • If you live alone, invite family and friends over to share a meal.

Balance and harmony are key in making your home a healthy sanctuary and a beloved place to decompress.

By

Musical Instruments that Calm and Heal

Did you know that there are sounds that can heal you, both mentally and physically?

These instruments will take you on a journey through different cultures. Allow yourself to be calmed and healed by the thought of their sounds.

  1. Hammered dulcimer. This is an ethereal instrument that will calm and heal your mind. It was popular during the Middle Ages in Europe. The hammered dulcimer is a folk instrument that provides you with a calming and charming melody. 
  2. Gong.  The ong is an influential therapeutic instrument believed to resolve spiritual, emotional, and physical conflict. It was used as early as 3,500 BC. The gong is often used in meditation, yoga, and for other energy practices such as Chakra balancing.
  3. Harp. This instrument is well known for its beautiful melodies. It has been used throughout the world, going back to 3000 BC. The sweet and soft melodies it creates  are therapeutic to the spirit, mind, and body, and therefore often used in modern sound healing therapies.
  4. Wind chimes. We often think of wind chimes as beautiful ornaments just hanging in the garden, but they actually go back to Ancient China, India, and Rome. It is commonly utilized in Feng Shui to increase the flow of life energy (Qi, Chi). Wind chimes have the capability of transmitting beautiful timbres and celestial sounds.
  5. Pan flute. This is commonly made from bamboo, ivory, and wood. Pan flutes date back more than 6000 years, and are commonly played in South American countries such as Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. Pan flutes are common in folk music and have calming, mellow tones.
  6. Singing bowl. Dating back to the 12th century AD, singing bowls were commonly used throughout all of Asia and were commonly used in temples for meditation and Tibetan monasteries. In today’s time, singing bowls are used in sound healing therapy, traditional meditation practices, and in yoga sessions. 
  7. Hang. This was first developed in 2000 by two investors from Switzerland. The hang is a spherical, harmonic instrument that possesses 8 different harmonic notes. Depending on how you use the hang, it resonates a sound that is similar to the singing bowl or the steel pan.
  8. Tuning fork. The tuning fork was first invented in 1711. The tuning fork is a unique harmonic instrument that was first designed as a method to tune instruments. Today, they are often used in healing sound therapy to help promote wellbeing, promote harmony, and to help balance the human energy field. 
  9. Didgeridoo. This first originated in Austria more than a thousand years ago. The didgeridoo is a native instrument that is usually made from wood and is painted with traditional paintings. Its beautiful sound is played by blowing through one end and is often used in music therapy to clear energy stagnation and emotional distress. It also helps in assisting mind body healing and meditation. 
  10. Kalimba. This instrument originated in Africa. Kalimbas are also called thumb pianos or Mbiras. They span back many thousands of years ago. They are often made with metal keys. The sound of the Kalimba is similar to the sound of a hang or a harp. It is very easy to play. The Kalimba has been utilized in Zimbabwe to treat mental and physical illnesses. 
  11. Djembe. This instrument is a drum that comes from West Africa and is made from rope, wood, and the hide of a goat. It is used commonly to produce trances (states of altered consciousness), and can calm the spirit of anxiety and stress.
  12. Rainstick. This instrument is believed to have been invented by the Aztecs. Rainsticks are usually made from the inside body of dried cactuses that have objects like tiny pebbles placed inside them. As the name shows, Rainsticks make a type of sound that is similar to that of falling rain, and are used for inducing states of calm and peace.
  13. Native American Flute. As the name implies, this instrument was first used by the Native American Indians and is usually used in modern-day healing sound therapy. Native American flutes are generally used to promote psychological harmony, increase one’s resilience to stress, and to decrease the heart rate. 
  14. Monochord. The monochord is said to have been invented by Pythagoras and is a prehistoric instrument whose vibrations are used to re-energize the mind, calm the spirit, and heal the body.