Uncategorized | Ascension Lifestyle

15 Aug 2020
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REMEMBER THIS When You’re Doing Your Life Review

You don’t necessarily have to wait for your life review to be aware of the following.

A life review is something we all do after we transition from this 3rd dimensional reality. During a life review, you literally see your life in a panoramic, 360 degree view of everything you did and all the people you touched. You see the good, the bad, and the ugly in every aspect of your life, including ways that you touched people without you ever knowing as well as ways you hurt others without realizing it.

Try looking back at your life RIGHT NOW. What do you see? Are you happy with your results? Are you being too hard on yourself? Have you forgiven yourself and others?

In this incredible age of technology, we are able to connect with so many people all around the world but what are we really connecting to? A computer screen that takes binary code and projects it into images and text?

Outside of work, did we even leave the house to do something… anything that involves real, human contact?

How many days have been, “Wash, rinse, repeat”?

When you look back at your life, will you be sitting in front of a computer or cell phone or will you actually be LIVING your life constructively?

I created In5D in 2009 and haven’t had a day off since. I often work a LOT of hours every day, anywhere between 8-15+ but I always try to find time to do something I truly love, which is going to the beach. It brings me serenity and keeps me grounded. Admittedly, while I’m there, I still work when I do my “Walk of Gratitude” and “Love Bubble Meditation” but most importantly, I find time to get away from sitting in front of my laptop working in exchange for being grounded in nature.

As an introvert, I may look back at my life and wish I were more extroverted. I may wish that I wasn’t so shy or reserved and was more open to creating conversations with people that I have never met before.

It really boils down to taking an honest look at yourself and facing the things you consider your (perceived) weaknesses. How have they held you back? How can they make you stronger?

We are all conscious cocreators in this illusion we call reality.

The Rosicrucian’s have a belief that your goal in life is NOT to be happy. Happiness is an emotion, not a goal. Your goal in life is to experience as much as you can, and within those experiences, you’ll find happiness.

Right now, you’re reading this article. What will you be doing 4 hours from now? 8 hours from now? Tomorrow? Next week? Next year?

Will it be “Wash, rinse, repeat” or will you be doing things that will make you smile during your life review.

As for me, I’m going to the beach as soon as I finish writing this article.

Don’t look back at your life with regrets of not living it FULLY. Every day otherwise is a lost opportunity. It’s never too late to create new beginnings.

Sending you all infinite LOVE & Light!

Gregg

About the Author:

Gregg Prescott, M.S. is the founder and editor of In5D and BodyMindSoulSpirit. You can find his In5D Radio shows on the In5D Youtube channel. He is a visionary, author, a transformational speaker, and promotes spiritual, metaphysical and esoteric conferences in the United States through In5dEvents. His love and faith for humanity motivates him to work in humanity’s best interests 12-15+ hours a day, 365 days a year. Please like and follow In5D on Facebook and Twitter!

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30 Mar 2020
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COVID-19 Or CORVID-20? Giving Us Something to Crow About

Since the term COVID-19 became synonymous with our lives, I’ve been hearing “COVID” as “CORVID”. It’s one added letter, and the sound of change: “R”. Say it aloud: arrrggh. That’s the caw of Crow Wisdom.

Crows became my companions the summer I had pneumonia, a major spiritual gateway for me. During this period I faced the idea of death, and understood that I hadn’t yet served; that is, given my gift to the world. Pneumonia is about accepting life, breathing it in; the root, pneuma-, from the Greek, literally means, “that which is breathed or blown.” Philosophically, pneuma refers to the vital spirit, soul, or creative force of a person.

Like pneumonia, COVID-19 lodges in the lungs, which in traditional Chinese medicine correspond to the emotion of grief. We’re being called to grieve our disconnection/duality, both from one another and from our 3D reality, in order to fully release into the profound possibilities of connection and higher dimensional living.

Shallow breathing thus correlates to a fear of taking in life fully. Most of us live this way, motivated by self-protection and pain avoidance. It’s only when the pain of remaining where we are overwhelms our fear of the unknown that we’re catalyzed to change.

We need to stop looking outside ourselves for guidance and learn to trust our inner knowing. The lungs in Chinese medicine also signify boundaries and renewal. We’re in the midst of learning about both, in the form of a worldwide spiritual initiation.

Aliens Among Us

What if an alien life form descended to Earth; how would we respond?

Guess what? COVID-19 is this alien: a microscopic messenger on a mission to awaken the masses. Fear only magnifies it, because fear is a low vibration emotional state that floods our bodies with stress hormones, weakening us, lowering our immunity and leaving us open to illness of all types. In this sense, the fear of coronavirus has itself gone viral.

While we don’t need to love the virus, we do need to expand our love for one another, beyond age, race, cultural origin, religion, gender identity, and other artificial boundaries, and come together to unify and co-create ingenious new solutions to a global challenge.

This is the year of clear vision: 2020. How can we open our spiritual eyes to greater possibility? Corvid can assist. Birds are augurs, and never has there been a more important time to become a birdbrain.

Keeper of the Sacred Law

In Medicine Cards, Jamie Sams and David Carson write, “If you look deeply into Crow’s eye, you will have found the gateway to the supernatural. Crow knows the unknowable mysteries of creation and is the keeper of all sacred law.

“Human law is not the same as Sacred Law. Crow sees that the physical world and even the spiritual world, as humanity interprets them, are an illusion. There are billions of worlds. There is infinitude of creatures. Great Spirit is with all.

“Crow is an omen of change. Crow lives in the void and has no sense of time. The Ancient Chiefs tell us that Crow sees simultaneously the three fates — past, present, and future. Crow merges light and darkness, seeing both inner and outer reality.

“Crow medicine signifies a firsthand knowledge of a higher order of right and wrong than that indicated by the laws created in human culture. With Crow medicine, you speak in a powerful voice when addressing issues that for you seem out of harmony, out of balance, out of whack, or unjust.

“Remember that Crow looks at the world with first one eye, and then the other cross-eyed. In the Mayan culture, cross-eyed had the privilege and duty of looking into the future. You must put aside your fear of being a voice in the wilderness and ‘caw’ the shots as you see them.

“As you learn to allow your personal integrity to be your guide, your sense of feeling alone will vanish. Your personal will can then emerge so that you will stand in your truth. The prime path of true Crow people says to be mindful of your opinions and actions. Be willing to walk your talk, speak your truth, know your life’s mission, and balance past, present, and future in the now. Shape-shift that old reality and become your future self. Allow the bending of physical laws to aid in creating the shape-shifted world of peace.”

Isn’t this precisely where we are now?

Becoming Crow-Magnon Men and Women

In the summer of 1993, cawing to my crow messengers as I slowly regained my breath, I penned a poem/chant to these allies who enraptured my attention. Over the years we’ve sung it in rounds in drum circles, and the energy rises to a very high level. Choose your own audio accompaniment, and enjoy:

Talking To Crows © 7/30/93 Amara Rose

Black-winged wisdom on a wire

Cawing collect,

Caws and effect

A coded conversation

In guttural cries

Opens my eyes

And lifts me higher.

We are all becoming visionaries in this year of perfect (in)sight. The power and magic to heal are available to each of us. Step into the Great Mystery (and Mastery) and say a resounding “yes” to all you know and don’t yet know. Allow the unknown to be a gift rather than a fear. We must each traverse the corridor between the worlds of our own unfolding. You’ll come out the other side with wisdom gained, and compassion magnified a thousand-fold, in service to the collective.

CORVID-20. That’s something to crow about. Welcome Home!

Amara Rose is a metaphysical “midwife” for our global rebirth. She offers personal life crafting; business guidance; branding brilliance for your website, blog, or marketing campaign; signature storytelling, and a CD/mp3 to accelerate your evolutionary journey. Learn more at LiveYourLight.com, where you can subscribe to her inspirational e-newsletter, What Shines.

21 Mar 2020
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Thriving in the World with COVID-19

Our world has changed almost overnight. Those of us on a spiritual path have been waiting for a game changer, but we did not see THIS coming. So many people were worried that human activities are endangering life on the planet. And then the tiniest of life forms throws a wrench in the gears of our out-of-control consumer economy that brings it to a screeching halt.

Ironic, isn’t it? What a poignant reminder of our place in the biosphere. We are a part of an intricate web of life, even when we live in big cities with all the technical contraptions that seem to separate us from nature.

Humans have co-evolved with viruses since the dawn of our species. Viruses are the fastest life forms to mutate and evolve. Our immune system had to keep up with those mutations; otherwise we would have gone extinct very quickly. Rather than looking at our relationship with viruses as a war, we can regard it as a dance of mutual evolution.

The cheetah would not be the fastest animal on land without the need to run down the gazelle. The gazelle would not be such a graceful sprinter if it did not have to escape from the cheetah. Without carnivores, the herbivores would have multiplied unchecked, until they consumed every plant on the planet and become extinct through starvation. Life on Earth requires balance.

Over the next few months, it is probable that every one of us will be exposed to the Corona virus at one point or another. Our immune system is brilliant and adaptable. Nevertheless, many are dying, while others have very mild or no symptoms at all. Who lives and who dies is not a question of luck.

It is a question of soul intent.

For many souls on the planet right now, the New Energy is too much to accommodate. The change is too big. Some have had enough of it already and prefer to watch from the comfort of the non-physical realm. Some can do their work better from there. Others are complete now with their experience on Earth and their contribution to her ascension. A number of light workers are leaving to assist departed souls in their exit from the near-earth realms. They act like traffic directors in the evacuation of a large building. Many of us are staying to be the grounding rods for the New Energy in the physical Earth. Our dreams of the world-to-come require our physical presence. This happens to be the most demanding, but also the most exciting path.

None of those choices are better or worse than others. It is simply a question of our soul’s intent. The best we can do at this time is to get very quiet and listen to the still voice inside. What is my calling? What is my soul’s specialty?

The voice of Soul is always joyful and fearless. It does not judge right or wrong. When we are clear in our alignment with Soul, we can face our path with confidence. Our intuition will guide us every step of the way, moment by moment. We will be in the right place at the right time, and we will know what to do when we have to do it.

Fear and grief are natural responses of the human mind. Surf their waves and let them pass. I recommend getting out in nature, be it a park, a garden, or up a trail. Feel the joy of Earth at this time. As traffic is slowing, planes and tankers are sitting still, factories are shutting down, Mother Earth is taking a deep breath. Spring is here, and new life is growing everywhere in the Northern hemisphere.

“What seems like the end of the world to the caterpillar, is the beginning of life for the butterfly.” –Richard Bach

We don’t need to know how to go through this global transformation anymore than a caterpillar needs to think about becoming a butterfly. Our Inner Wisdom knows. The more we trust the process, the easier it gets. So take a deep breath – frequently! – Relax and allow it to take place naturally. In the Big Picture, all is well!

About the Author, Ascension Lifestyle Contributor:

Shana Dieterle, PT, CST-D, is a licensed physical therapist and diplomate certified craniosacral therapist with nearly 40 years of experience in the fields of healthcare, wellness and spiritual growth.

She is available for phone consultations to assist you in finding what is right with you.

Feel free to call at reasonable hours!

(406) 396 5788

www.ShanasHeartofHealing.com

shana@shanasheartofhealing.com

03 Jun 2019
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Meeting The Darkness: dealing with your feelings about climate change

The photographer Paul Nicklen said he wanted to show people what a starving polar bear really looked like. Sealegacy/Caters News

How do we be present to the suffering caused by climate change – and not let it overwhelm us, but rather move through it to a place of hope and empowerment?

It sometimes feels like an unrelenting onslaught. News story after news story about the horrors climate change is wreaking upon us. Floods, fires, cities filled with smoke, a melting Arctic and more and more new refugee crises. And of course most of these stories end with the virtual inevitability of worse times ahead.

What we don’t know is how much worse it will get, and when we will turn the corner towards sanity. These are the massive uncertainties that can weigh on us and cause us to disengage from that precious gift of this one life we have been given.

Uncertainty is one of the places we human beings are most uncomfortable. When faced with not knowing, we often settle on a negative outcome just to have a story to tell ourselves that will bring some comfort of certainty in our own minds. Like when your family member is late for dinner and you convince yourself they’ve had a car accident instead of the more obvious possibility that they were simply delayed. We detest uncertainty. It makes us uncomfortable. And yet learning to live with uncertainty is one of the life skills that is most called for at this time.

All of this challenging news about the state of our climate, our planet, and what it might mean for human civilization can indeed be overwhelming. Many people are now entering into a state of eco-grief. In psychological literature the term “solastalgia” has been coined to refer to the distress caused by environmental decline. It is derived from the notion of nostalgia for the comfort of home — the effects of witnessing the place you identify as home being threatened or destroyed. Therapists and clergy are now developing practices to help people cope with this new a new category of psychological stress.

And indeed there is much to grieve about. Luckily, grief is something we humans know quite a lot about. While the scale of ecological grief is new, grief itself is very well known terrain. And while climate grief is different in scale and focus than individual grief at a loss, they look quite similar in terms of process.

The key takeaway is that the difficult work of facing the reality cannot be avoided. Yes there will be denial, anger and forms of bargaining as outlined in the seminal work by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross on death and dying. But what we know most about grief is that it is a healthy, necessary and healing process to cope with loss. The extent to which one avoids or subverts grief is the extent to which one delays the potential for healing.

And so we must sit with it.

We must acknowledge our feelings about the reality of an increasingly unstable climate and the innumerable repercussions it will have on the human and nonhuman worlds. We must let ourselves meet this darkness face to face, so that we can move through it rather than be weighed down by it.

And, conversely, we must remember how much we also have to be joyful for. Those that move through grief often talk about coming out the other side to a new kind of aliveness. A deeper joy and appreciation of what is. Rooting in gratitude can create the safe container we need to let ourselves feel our grief without becoming mired in it. A daily practice of naming what you are grateful for can give us a reservoir of love and appreciation that both enhances the joy of life and gives us the strength to be present with the darkness.

So, how to deal with your feelings of climate grief?

First, offer gratitude for what you do have. The relationships in your life, the abundance around you, clean water and clean air. And we — each of us reading this on a computer or smartphone — we each have so much. We have more than most any other cohort of humans have ever had. Consider a daily gratitude practice or keeping a gratitude journal. Go for walk in nature and re-root your system by soaking in the outstanding beauty of the amazing world we now inhabit.

Second, feel your feelings. Let yourself be sad, or confused, or angry. Talk to a friend and share your feelings. Grief needs to be heard and witnessed. Watch a movie and cry your eyes out. Journal about it. Shout into the wind. Let it out. Let it come through you and be released. All of these things will help you along the difficult healing journey.

Third, get comfortable with uncertainty. Humanity is on a roller coaster the likes of which we have never seen. Change is the only certainty. Of course our wisest selves have always known that certainty and control are illusions. Now, we are invited to practice that eternal spiritual skill of living in the present and accepting the unknowable nature of the future. Surely there is a gift in that.

And lastly, know that your grief — reaching into the darkness and actually feeling it — is a natural and healthy response to life in these times. In fact is a valuable contribution to the collective emotional work that is needed now.

You are not alone with these feelings.

Part of the work of saving the world is grieving for the parts of it that we may lose or which we have already lost. Let yourself be transformed by your grief, the way compost enriches the soil, to make fertile ground for the new life — however that may look.

This is the first of a series of articles exploring Climate Hope. Please send me a message or email to let me know what you think. We’re all in this together.

About the Author: Karen Mahon in Opinion | April 18th 2019
karen@climatehope.earth

https://www.nationalobserver.com

03 Jun 2019
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Your Cells Are Listening: How Talking To Your Body Can Help You Heal

Your Cells are Listening

Every part of your body has its own consciousness or its own soul.

These transformative words, spoken by indigenous medicine women, began my journey within to discover the extraordinary healing capacity of the human body.

When this perspective was introduced to me, I was suffering from a severe chronic pain disorder. I suddenly imagined incorporating this concept into my meditation routine.

I thought, can my body hear me… can I talk to it to gain its cooperation in healing this condition?

The Path to Freedom

That night, after reaching a state of deep calm through meditation, I inwardly engaged my body in a heartfelt conversation, with hope, but having no idea what to expect. After about one hour of this focused communication, something amazing happened.

My tissues began to respond. Connective tissue pulled and stretched apart layers of scar tissue. Nerves fired and my calf muscles began to perform flexion and extension exercises independently of my conscious control.

As this response continued, one of my calf muscles that had become paralyzed by the neuropathic condition — diagnosed as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy — came back to life as electric-like jolts shot through the area.

My heart pounded as I realized that the path to my freedom from this condition had finally begun.

Guidelines for Dynamic Healing

With a background in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, I knew too well how prevalent chronic pain is in this country and I wondered what the implications of this phenomenon could mean to so many others who were suffering.

As I continued to make progress with my condition, I organized my approach into a system that I could teach to clients and shifted my professional focus to hypnotherapy.

When instructing my clients, I explain that a regular meditation practice is necessary to train the brain to enter alpha and theta brain wave states. While in these states, communication between the conscious mind and the physical body is dramatically enhanced.

I have found that when communicating, there are three key steps to gaining the cooperation of the body:

Approach your body with genuine compassion, understanding that it is made up of conscious cells who experience emotions.
Build trust by engaging your body in mental conversations about your desire for the two of you to cooperate and overcome the ailment.
Allow changes in the conversation by using different thoughts and words that elicit spontaneous elevated emotions.

From my experience, the above guidelines are necessary to achieve dynamic healing responses in the body.

The Force of human Intention

I recently came across a very similar set of factors that were discovered by researcher Cleve Backster, who spent 36 years studying biocommunication in plant, animal and human cells. He referred to these factors as real intent, attunement, and spontaneity.

Backster, formerly an interrogation specialist for the CIA, wrote about the defining moment which led him to his real work in this world, in his book Primary Perception.

This moment occurred one February morning in 1966 when he decided to monitor the Dracaena plant in his lab utilizing polygraph equipment.

He attached the electrodes to a leaf and began to think about ways that he might induce a surge in electrical activity in the plant. In humans this surge in electrical activity is associated with intense emotions.

He suddenly imagined burning the electroded leaf. The same instant this idea entered his mind, the polygraph pen shot to the top of the chart showing an extreme reaction on the part of the plant.Amazed, he walked to his secretary’s desk to retrieve a set of matches while pondering the possibility that this plant was somehow detecting the force of human intention.

Can Plants become Attuned to their Primary Care Takers?

When he returned with the matches, the plant was still showing the same high level reaction which would interfere with tracking additional changes on the chart. Backster decided to “remove the threat” by returning the matches to the desk.

At this point, the chart displayed a downward trend as the plant apparently began to calm down. When Backster attempted to repeat the same results by pretending that he was going to burn the plant, there was no reaction. The plant seemed to sense the difference between real and artificial intent.

He eventually discovered that plants become attuned to their primary care takers, responding to both their positive and negative emotions and to their return after being away for a time. Chart findings also showed that plants prioritize the emotions of their primary care takers over the emotions of others nearby.

Signs of Consciousness

Backster later expanded his research to include testing human cells for signs of consciousness.

He collected white blood cells from human donors, electroded them in a test tube and then recorded the cells’ reactions as the donors experienced different emotional states. He found that spontaneous emotions were necessary in order to elicit an electrical reaction in the cells.

For instance, if a donor forced herself to feel an emotion, the cells would not respond. However, when she received a distressing phone call from her daughter, the cells reacted significantly.

He noted that distance seemed to be irrelevant in these experiments. For example, a donor left his electroded cells behind in the lab, then kept a detailed log of any stressful emotions experienced on his trip home to another state, such as missing a turn on the freeway, standing in a long line at the airport, and the take-off of his plane.

Later, his logged incidents compared with the chart recording showed strong correlations between the timing of the stressful events and the electrical reactions in his cells. The chart became quiet again when he arrived home and went to sleep.

Raw Creative Healing Ability

These experiments were conducted while using equipment that screened out electromagnetic radiation — the usual energies used for information transmission. The cells behaved as if the screens weren’t there, suggesting that this communication is carried by a field still unidentified by conventional science.

Some scientists believe that the further development of quantum physics may help guide us to understand this field that communicates emotional intent between living things. Quantum Entanglement is a process where two particles of matter which have interacted with each other, still behave as if they are connected after being separated by many miles.

When an energetic change is made to the properties (position, momentum and rotational spin) of one of the particles, the properties of the other distant particle will change at the same instant.

This scientific phenomenon and the research of Cleve Backster, point to the Eastern concept of oneness — the view that all of nature is interdependent. Ancient cultures understood this interconnection as a living universal energy field that sustains life while guiding the evolution of consciousness throughout the universe.

The meditation techniques involved in my practice bring the mind into attunement with this field. Energy from this field is then focused into a physical healing event through clear intention — delivered by means of a conversation that evokes spontaneous emotions — and attunes the physical body to the conscious mind.

This method which I call Antara (Sanskrit for within), enables one to experience the raw creative healing ability generated by an alliance of the mind and body with this living universal energy field.

Source: antarahealingarts

07 Feb 2019
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What You Seek Is Right Outside Your Comfort Zone

Yep…..we know it. This is why so many stay comfortable. And this is also why so many are hungry for more! Somewhere along the line we were told we were a product of chance, insignificant, and we better stay in line. That mold is crumbling. People are aching for the magic! People are flocking into healing centers, therapy offices, even remote shamanic medicine circles, all to find the power to evolve from this mundane story we have been dished up. We each have our own path. But the thing we all have in common is that we are here to create!! We are not here to sit still, stay in line, listen up and keep quiet. Quite the contrary, we are here to be bold, creative, dynamic and downright magical! The thing is, we have grown so custom to playing small. It is uncomfortable for us to acknowledge our potential badassery. We have a hard time even receiving compliments yet alone embodying the fact that we are down right miraculous and powerful creatures.

So here is the thing…..if you want to grow….evolve……heal…..self empower……it’s going to take some discomfort. It is going to mean believing in yourself. Taking bigger chances for the sake of your sacred calling. It will mean shedding…… a lot! Letting go of every story line that has kept you inhibited in your creative force. And just so you know, every time you are about to evolve in your power, it is preceded by a wave of fear, doubt and second guessing. This is a major indicator that you are about to do something big! That wave of , “oh gosh….what the f#*% am I doing,” is just your ego’s societal story editor making sure you are following the script. Well……Scripts are for people playing a part! You my friend are the creator! You are a celestial miracle with a birth right to thrive! So when you get to your edges, and it starts to feel uncomfortable or scary, that’s the green light baby! Break your mold! Expand your vision and allow yourself to fill it out. What you seek is right outside of your comfort zone!

And many humble blessings on your ride!

About the Author: Ascension Lifestyle Contributor Sarah Vaughn Schaefgen

My journey as a healer began in 2001 with a deep curiosity in the realms of energy, this force that we can not see, yet it is life itself. My belief is that we are only as vibrant as the quality of this life force within our bodies. From this knowledge I developed a clear calling to study and be of service through various healing modalities including Massage, Thai Massage, Reiki, Shamanic Reiki, meditation and movement. Over the years I have come to have great respect and reverence for the process of healing. As an ally, it is my life’s purpose to be of service for those who have chosen this path. You can find Sarah at https://www.yoursacredally.com

23 Jan 2019
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2019 and the Law of Attraction

The year 2018 passed in a blur, and to be honest, I’m glad it’s over. I had many awesome experiences. And I was “sufficiently challenged”, as my friend Evy likes to put it. This is not necessarily a bad thing. We grow from challenges and become clearer about what we want and what we don’t want. Then all we need is focus and mindfulness to move forward. The much-cited Law of Attraction is rather simple: whatever you focus your attention on will get bigger in your experience. Happy or sad, pleasant or unpleasant, wanted or unwanted, the thoughts in your mind attract more of the same. So as we begin another journey around the sun with new — or repeated — resolutions, how do we focus our energy on what we desire, rather than on the things that make life unpleasant?

We are genetically predisposed to our mind’s negativity bias. For the evolution of our species it was beneficial to remember foremost the painful, damaging experiences. As a caveman, once you got burned by fire, you did not forget the experience. You were more careful around fire and avoided more physical damage. This is why we remember negative experiences better than the good stuff.

However, if cavemen avoided fire altogether after being burned, they would have frozen to death in a Northern winter. So while one part of the mind rings the alarm at the sight of fire, another says: “This is good, nice and warm.” Both aspects are right. Both deserve attention, and optimally they modify each other to create safe, prudent behavior. In an extremely oversimplified nutshell, this is mindfulness: paying non-judgmental attention to the different, often contradictory parts of your being. On the basis of such awareness and acceptance you can learn to navigate life with your personal inner GPS.

In her brilliant book “Loving What Is”, Byron Katie asks four questions regarding any thought that causes distress:

1. Is it true?

2. Can I know with absolute certainty that this is true?

3. How do I feel when I think this thought?

4. Who would I be in this moment without this thought?

“How do I feel when I think this thought?” is really important if I want to attract more positive experiences in my life. In many situations I am not able to immediately change the external circumstances. But if I don’t like how I feel under these circumstances, I can examine the story I am telling myself about the situation and determine if I get some satisfaction from my story. Am I the victim? Do I benefit from feeling like a victim? If it makes me more angry, what is the benefit?

Short bursts of anger are energizing, invigorating. They call us to action and help us survive dangerous situations. Anger is a necessary progression when we claw our way out of depression. Anger may arise as a signal that someone has crossed my boundaries. In that case, feeling my anger and acting appropriately helps me to reaffirm boundaries for my safety and comfort. That is satisfying and beneficial. However, if I am still angry about a transgression of my boundaries 5 hours or 50 years after the fact, the anger serves only this purpose: to raise my blood pressure and make life unpleasant. Why would I do that? Habit. I have repeated an angry thought pattern so many times, it has formed an 8 lane freeway in my brain. Once I’ve headed up the on-ramp, I am cruising.

In my childhood, people frequently transgressed my boundaries, and I was helpless to do anything about it. Expressing my anger had very unpleasant consequences, so I did not repeat the expression more than a few times. Therefore, anger did not lead to the satisfying resolution of reestablished boundaries, and it remained stuffed away, building and growing, attracting more of the same. Eventually my anger turned against me, because it had nowhere else to go. This caused dis-ease, and I got sick. I know I am not the only one with such an experience.

With a habit of thinking angry thoughts, it is very easy to find things to be angry about. The world is full of injustice, atrocities and sheer stupidity to get upset over. People LIKE being upset over such things. The Evening News proves that. TV stations need to sell ads, and bad news attracts more viewers than happy news. If our focus is on things that make us angry, the world will deliver plenty of justifications to be angry. That is the Law of Attraction.

However, it works the other way around, as well. When we come to the conclusion that we would like to feel better, physically and emotionally, we can turn off the TV and look around our neighborhood for evidence of goodness. There is plenty of evidence in our daily lives that kindness exists, and that it is natural to the human condition. Find kindness in yourself, and you will find it reflected in your environment. When I walk through town looking into people’s eyes with a smile and the intention to lift someone’s spirit, I am met with smiles in return. Not by everyone. Some people are just too caught up in their struggles with life, and they don’t notice me smiling at them. That’s okay. Smiling makes ME happier. It puts a bounce in MY step. And then good things can happen.

When I am feeling joyful and expanded, I am in greater alignment with the Goodness of Life, and it will present itself as delightful synchronicities. I end up in the right place at the right time. I meet a person with the solution to my problem just when I need it. I have an inspired thought and act on it, causing a cascade of beneficial effects for everyone involved. The right words come to me at the right moment. I need a little extra cash, and someone tips me for my services. I am in the zone and things are flowing.

How do I get into the zone when I am not? When I am on my mental freeway of anger, resentment or depression, how do I find an exit ramp? Fast, busy traffic may carry me miles down the road, and it takes a lot of backtracking to get to where I really want to go, which is to feel good. It is much easier to recognize the on-ramp to my anger freeway as I am approaching it and not take it, but that takes mindful practice. Sometimes I succeed, often I don’t.

Intentional distraction from my familiar thought patterns provides a diversion for me. I turn my mind to something totally unrelated that makes me feel better. Playing sudoku or a card game on my phone. Intensely listening to good music. Reading a good book or watching a movie. Taking a bath and being aware of my bodily sensations. Recalling things I find most pleasing, like memories of beautiful places I have been to, people and activities I really like. I hug trees and play with my dog or snuggle with the cat. I go for a ride. I meditate. Focus on my work. Do something nice for someone else. I go through my practice of gratitude. We all have much to be grateful for, starting with a roof over our heads, food on the table, and the ability to get out of bed most mornings. I can be grateful for my toothbrush and indoor plumbing. For the elevator in my office building when my hip is aching. For not getting hurt myself when I drove into a deer on Christmas eve.

Finding a silver lining in the clouds makes them dissipate. Above the clouds, the sun or stars are always shining. The essence of my being is the sky, not the weather. This too shall pass. All manifestations are impermanent. My soul always experiences contrast; what else is an eternal creator being supposed to do? There is nothing wrong with where I am at in this moment. I am simply having an experience. All these thoughts and mantras are exit ramps for me. Find or make up your own. Affirmations only work when they actually ring true to you.

If I can hold a positive feeling in my mind for just a minute or so, and if I can intentionally relax the muscles of my face, neck and shoulders and take a few deep breaths, I have found an exit ramp. Getting into the zone usually takes a little longer. Practice is good. It actually does not make perfect, because there is no such thing as “perfect” in a world that is constantly evolving. We are always in the process of becoming something else, new and different. Do your best to relax into that thought, and smile. At the end of an upper level CranioSacral Therapy class a student said to me with astonishment:

“You know, it feels GOOD to feel good!”

In 2019, give yourself permission to embrace feeling GOOD as a mindfulness practice even for just a few minutes per day. Over time you will pave a new freeway of positive thought habits, which will take you to the zone quickly and easily. May the New Year bring you many genuine smiles!

About the Author: Ascension Lifestyle Contributor Shana Dieterle

Shana Dieterle, PT, CST, is a CranioSacral Therapist practicing in Missoula, MT. She has trained with the Upledger Institute International and is presently working on her Diplomate certification. It is her pleasure to explore the amazing health benefits of light touch therapy to optimize brain function and self-healing.

For further information and contact information, go to www.ShanasHeartofHealing.com

18 Jan 2019
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Start Your New Year Right With These Simple Self-Improvement Tips

A new year could mean a whole new you. If you’re like most people, you may already be thinking of ways to help yourself thrive in 2019. Health and happiness should be a top priority, so here are simple changes you can make to achieve just that.

Attend to Any Overlooked Health Needs

When it comes to making resolutions about your health, you’re likely ready to start exercising and watching what you eat. However, have you given any thought to your dental health? Caring for our teeth tends to get put on the backburner when it comes to our health, but this could be a serious mistake. Inadequate dental care has been linked to several severe health problems, including heart disease, so taking care of your teeth should be a top 2019 focus. Plus, dental pain can hold you back in other ways, so make sure you stay on top of your dental cleanings.

If you are seeing your dentist on the regular and still are not receiving the care you need, it may be time for a dental care swap. A new dentist may also have more convenient hours, a closer location, or more affordable prices, so shopping around for a new dentist can make proper dental care more attainable in the new year. This is also a perfect time to start thinking about other health issues you need to address, such as a lack of sleep or chronic pain. There are several natural ways to treat chronic pain, so don’t live in agony if you can help it.

Makeover Your Self-Care Routines in 2019

The past year was pretty rough for everyone, but you can’t let any leftover stress keep you down in the new year. Chronic high stress does much more than make you worry, and it takes some serious self-care to prevent permanent damage to your physical and mental health. That self-care may include finding more time to relax, getting into new hobbies, or even adopting a new pet. Aside from being our best friends, pets are also beneficial for mental health. Researchers are increasingly turning to pet therapy as a way to provide crucial social support that can enable people to better manage their mental health. Adding a pet to your life can also provide a daily dose of stress relief you need to calm feelings of anxiety.

If you’re looking for less conventional ways to keep stress and anxiety under control, you can try using CBD oil to elevate your self-care and stress-relieving practices. According to research, CBD oil has the potential to lessen feelings of anxiety in those who use it on a regular basis. Make sure you research CBD details and usage guidelines before picking some up so that you can figure out if this is the best self-care solution for you.

Grow Your Positive Social Connections

Self-improvement typically requires a lot of inward reflection. This doesn’t mean, however, that your resolutions shouldn’t include nurturing positive relationships. As humans, we crave social connections and acceptance in our lives. Without it, feelings of depression and anxiety tend to worsen. Leave some time in your schedule to connect with the people you love. Pencil in a weekly brunch with your friends or set aside a few days each month to connect with family.

Do your 2019 plans include moving to a totally new city? If so, you will need some fun ways to make new friends. Work always tends to yield new connections, but you may also want to explore local meetups or exercise classes to find your new crew. Another surefire way to surround yourself with positive people is to volunteer in your community. Fostering strong friendships and a sense of community are just two of the ways volunteer work benefits your overall well-being, so find meaningful ways to make a difference in your world this year.

The new year is all about discovering ways to be the best version of yourself. This year, stick to resolutions that will make a difference for your health and the world around you.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Author Ascension Lifestyle Contributor: Stephanie Haywood of mylifeboost.com.

07 Jan 2019
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Ordinary Moments That Can Bring You Joy

Finding joy may seem like an impossible task when you place too much focus on the act of “finding” it. Take the mystique out of joy by focusing on what is already in front of you. Did you know that you may be able to find joy in even the simplest of items around your own home?

Before you set out to splurge on the latest set of singing bowls and gongs in your search for joy and inner peace, take a look at some of these everyday moments around your home that could bring you joy.
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Tending to Your Garden Many start a garden to try and find a sense of peace in their home, then that beautiful piece of heaven seems to pivot into a burden. Shift back to why you started your garden in the first place. Clean eating? Saving money of fruits and vegetables? Or is it simply because you enjoy the feeling of getting your hands dirty, the fresh smell of grass and your growing bounty. Cling to living in the present and enjoy those moments outdoors with your garden shears.

Seeing Your Reflection on Newly Cleaned Counters
Nothing beats a clean home, especially clean countertops. The practice of spritzing a cleaning mist over your counters to work out the grime of last night’s delectable dinner of raviolis and freshly shaved parmesan. Enjoy your time cleaning those tried and true countertops, then smile at your reflection when the job is done. Take note of your facial features and how they’re obscured in the marbled pattern of your counters. Then, take a deep breath and smile.

Tune Into the Soundtrack of Your Home
Open your ears to the natural sounds around your house. You might hear birds chirping through an open window and kids playing upstairs. The white noise of your appliances, such as the hum of your dishwasher or the gentle swishing of clothes being dried and warmed in your clothes dryer, can prove to be a peaceful experience too. However, be sure to listen carefully to these appliances. A clunking or wobbling machine can be annoying and even distract you from your meditation practice. If this is the case, take the time to remedy the nuisance with a quick call to your local repairman or home warranty provider. Sometimes, something as simple as a phone call can bring joy in knowing everything is running smoothly in your home.

Feeling the Warmth of the Sun Shining From Your Windows
On those beautiful sunny days where you get to enjoy opening up the blinds and curtains to brighten up your home, take a moment to enjoy the sun. Stand in front of the window with your eyes closed and feel the heat of the sun warming your face. Little moments like these to enjoy life helps us appreciate all that we’ve been given over the years.

Inhaling Freshly Cleaned Linens
Not much beats the smell of freshly cleaned linens. The experience of taking your bed sheets and blankets out of the warm dryer and placing the cloth against your face and inhaling deeply allows us to take a moment and simply be. Don’t think, just feel. Enjoy the warmth of the cloth, the smell of cotton and detergent, and cleanliness.

About the Author: Ascension Lifestyle Guest Contributor

Paige A. Mitchell is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about making homes healthier and more functional.

05 Nov 2018
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Better Sleep, Improved Mental Health: Three Tips for Both

Getting enough sleep every night is an essential part of maintaining one’s mental health. When sleep disorders come into play, they can lead to problems such as anxiety, moodiness, and feelings of depression. Of course, mental health issues themselves can cause sleep disruption. For instance, people experiencing depression may experience symptoms such as hypersomnia or insomnia. When a person experiences sleep disturbances alongside mental health issues, it can end up being a vicious cycle from which they have difficulty breaking. That’s why it’s so important to maintain sleep hygiene to facilitate uninterrupted rest and better mental health.

Upgrade Your Mattress

If you’re tossing and turning all night and waking up feeling unrested, it may be time to upgrade your mattress. Mattresses should be replaced at least every seven to 10 years (though this number depends greatly on the type), but even if yours is relatively new, it’s worthwhile to consider a different model. Our bodies and their needs change with time, so it is very possible the soft mattresses you loved when you were younger are not giving your spine the support it needs. This can lead to pressure, pain, and inflammation, which makes it difficult for the body to rest properly at night. You wake up with aches and pains while feeling like those eight hours were no more than two. Look into new models of mattresses on the market today and narrow down your search by finding ones that fit your particular sleep needs.

Exercise Every Day

Next time you have difficulty falling asleep at night, ask yourself what you did during the day to use up energy. If you spend the majority of your hours sedentary, it’s likely you didn’t do enough to wear yourself out in order to fall asleep. Humans need activity, but the conveniences and responsibilities of modern life have most of us sitting down all day. Adding exercise to your daily routine may not sound fun, but it could help with insomnia. You may not see immediate payoffs, but with consistency, you will sleep better, deeper, and longer at night.

Avoid exercising right before it is time to sleep; instead, aim for morning or early afternoon. Among the many benefits of regular exercise is the sudden surge of feel-good endorphins as well as the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. However, there are ways to beat post-workout insomnia, so you can’t use “it’s too late” as an excuse not to exercise.

Reduce the Blue

Perhaps the single biggest contributor to sleep problems is the use of artificial lighting and blue light-emitting electronics at night. Blue light is natural — the sun emits blue waves along with the red, orange, yellow, green, indigo, and violet wavelengths that make up our color spectrum. When we are exposed to sunlight, it makes us feel more alert and energetic so we can get through the day. What’s not natural is how often we are exposed to artificial blue light through fluorescent bulbs, LED electronics, televisions, computer monitors, smartphones, and tablet screens. Overexposure to this light tricks the brain into thinking it isn’t night and thus makes it more difficult to fall asleep. Blue light even suppresses the brain’s production of melatonin, the hormone that helps signal to the body that it’s time for bed.

Reduce your exposure to blue light before bed to ensure your body has enough time to wind down and feel sleepy. Instead of scrolling through Instagram or binge-watching shows, try reading before bed to reduce stress, increase empathy, and even improve dreams.

When you don’t sleep well, you don’t feel well. If you are trying to improve your mental health, practicing good sleep hygiene is a must. Consider upgrading your mattress to something that supports your sleep style to prevent aches and pains the next morning. Daily exercise allows the body to expel energy so there’s none left to keep you up at night. Finally, most of us are making it harder to sleep by staring at blue light-emitting screens at night. Turn of the tablets, smartphones, and televisions, and pick up a book for better sleep and mental health.

About the Author: Ascension Lifestyle Contributor Julie Morris

Ms. Morris is a life and career coach who strives to help others live the best lives that they can. She believes she can relate to clients who feel run over by life because of her own experiences. She spent years in an unfulfilling career in finance before deciding to help people in other ways.