1. Get Clean or your WHY.
Decide what it is you want and WHY. Do you want to lose weight and get in shape? Take 10 minutes to sit down and find out your WHY. Finding out your WHY is going to be the motivator that keeps you moving forward even when you may not feel like it. People who complete this important step are much more likely to succeed than those who don’t take the time to find out their WHY.
At first you’re why my may be that you want to lose weight but if you dig a little deeper, you may find other reasons such as: fitting into your favorite pair of jeans, or being able able to run around with your children and not get out of breath. Maybe it’s to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and without inflammation or joint pains. Becoming clear on your personal WHY will set you up for success.
2. Decide, commit and don’t give in to excuses.
Make the commitment to yourself that you are going to do what it takes to get hot and healthy. Life is always going to throw things in your way and try to knock you off track. It is the people who keep going and don’t stop that are successful.
Let me tell you a secret, there is no wagon to fall off of. Just keep going at your next meal or your next workout. Don’t be like the rest of the people who keep starting and stopping and never get anywhere. It may not be an easy journey, but what you will learn about yourself and what you are capable of are priceless.
3. Start your day with lemon water and drink up to half your weight in water every day.
Lemon water is a fabulous way to start the day. It helps to flush the body of toxins that have been accumulating while you are sleeping. It is refreshing and tastes great.
Hydration is extremely important for a healthy body. Most people do not drink enough of it. When you realize you are thirsty you are probably already dehydrated.
Water is a great metabolism booster and a natural weight loss aid. It can increase energy, relieve fatigue and can boost your immune system. Eating foods that are high in water content like fruits and vegetables will help you to have beautiful skin. So go drink some water!
4. Get rid of processed foods.
Your body does not know how to handle processed foods. It’s like a foreign invader in your body. Processed foods or as I call them “Franken Foods,” can cause hormone disruptions in the body, add to cellulite and slow down weight loss. Kick them to the curb and incorporate healthy proteins, fruits, veggies and of course lots of water!
Diet foods, low calorie, sugar-free, fat free, be careful of these types of foods. Read the labels and see what is in them. Can you pronounce the words? If not then I suggest you put it back on the shelf, your body does not need them.
5. Get more restful sleep.
I think the world seems to be lacking in sleep lately. Are you getting enough? Did you know that when you sleep your body has a chance to cleanse, repair and rebuild.
HGH or human growth hormone is secreted when you are in deep sleep. HGH is like the fountain of youth, so if you are not getting enough then you are shutting down your bodies’ own natural fountain of your pharmacy. Strive for 8 hours of interrupted sleep a night.
6. Schedule your workouts in your calendar and keep them no matter what.
I would hope that if you made an appointment with your doctor, hairdresser or accountant that you would keep it. The appointments you keep with yourself are even more important because you are worth it.
Make a plan of action pick 2-4 days a week that you are going to schedule in your fitness and keep it. Even if it is only 10 minutes, instead of 1 hour, that is fine. Keep the appointment and commitment you made to yourself. It takes 21 days to create a new habit. You can do it!
7. Plan out your meals for the week.
This is such a life -saver when you are getting in shape. If you take 30 minutes to 1 hour and plan out your meals for the week you are going to be so successful!
Most people fly by the seat of their pants when it comes to their nutrition. Successful people plan, implement and take action. Try new recipes, experiment with new flavors, spices and herbs. Eating hot and healthy can be a lot of fun if you PLAN.
8. Posture is the KEY to a strong core.
Who doesn’t want a strong core? Notice how you are sitting while you are reading this. Are you slouched over? Could you be sitting up straighter?
Most chairs and cars put your body in a position that pushes out your stomach muscles instead of holding them in. During the do posture checks and notice your bodies alignment. This one tip can help give you a stronger core without doing any push-ups. How great is that?!
Written by Laura London, contributing blogger for FIU Life Well LED’s
Summer of Wellbeing!
Laura is a lifestyle coach, holistic nutritionista and a fitness specialist. She is also the author of the Hot and Healthy Body. Since overcoming Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Epstein Barr Disease, and a chronic back issue, Laura has reinvented, not only her healthy, but also her life – in her 40’s. She is here to show you that you can do it too!
Laura has become an inspiration to women across the globe with her down-to-earth personality and her simple, easy-to-follow healthy advice and workout routines.
You Are Just Not Healthy!
June 3, 2015
As you’ve heard me share over the last few weeks, during our Summer of Wellbeing— the next 11 weeks, I’ll be going back to my “Relaxed Book Club” blogging roots and reading and sharing the content from two wonderful books. Today I begin with Your Health is in Your Hands, by James D. Jordan, CNC, JD. 
Your Health is in Your Hands: Three Reasons You’re Not Well and What to Do About It
Jim was introduced to me by mother, Ellie, who was experiencing some very scary symptoms that most doctors just pushed away with a prescription pad. When she was close to her wits end, she found Jim and her path to healing began.
I, too, was experiencing symptoms of my own. I was exhausted all the time, and even fell asleep at the wheel one day and crashed into another vehicle. As a life-long dancer who always watched what she ate, I truly thought I was eating healthy. I also experienced severe allergies most of my teens and college years, but just stuck to the drugs that claimed to fix me. I even developed asthma at the age of 35, which took me by surprise.
Just as Jim did for my mother, he opened my eyes to a new way of living and eating, one that would help me put the power back in my hands and not in a prescription pad.
A sentence in Jim’s book caught my attention, as it also caught his attention when he was at his wits end, not understanding why he was feeling so sick. A Chinese doctor in Chicago told him the following:
“These are not your problems. You are just not healthy. When you are healthy you cannot be sick.”
Just like most of in the western world, Jim learned from this doctor that focusing on his health condition, or problem, wasn’t going to help him. What was going to begin his path to wellness—to true health—was to focus on the underlying causes of why he wasn’t feeling well. His focus now was away from the label of his illness and to the 100% attention on the nourishing and strengthening of his body, mind, and soul. Jim shares,
“I learned that whenever I felt less than optimal, I
should always look to the underlying cause of why I did not feel well.”
His road back to health followed three clear steps:
- Reject all things that were clearly not working for him.
- Become open to new therapies, diets and healing modalities that could increase his vitality and strength (with no toxic side effects).
- Find his purpose in life—to get well and help others get well too.
I love this book, because Jim keeps it really simple. The simplicity of getting healthy also helps those of us who are parents— to become detectives for our kids and figure out what small tweaks can help them be healthier.
In a nutshell, we need to ask three questions:
- Where are we deficient in nutrients?
- Are we toxic?
- What is causing us stress?
Personally, I can tell you that after experiencing what I did and learning my “Underlying Causation Paradigm,” as Jim refers to it, I now ask myself these questions every time I have a new symptom—no matter what it may be. I could begin sneezing a lot again or my asthma kicks into high gear, or perhaps I get more frequent head aches, or have unusual periods of fatigue. Instead of just heading to the pharmacy or doctor for a “fix me” prescription, I now try to take more personal responsibility and figure out what may be causing my symptoms. I also take a “spin” on the wellness wheel, which I shared in one of my videos and get curious about what’s going on. Guess what? I usually know what’s happening and I make minor tweaks that help me get better. Now, I’m not sharing this to encourage you to not visit a doctor. I have doctors and I do visit them, but mostly for prevention (vitals, and check-ups), and for emergencies that may need immediate attention. But, I have to say that it is quite empowering to be more knowledgeable about how I can help myself as a first step instead of running to find help and put the power in someone else’s hands. Next week I’ll begin to share some of Jim’s great knowledge that can help you be your own detective. Until then, think about these scary stats that Jim shares in the book:
- Today, more than 95% of all chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercises.
- More than 133 million Americans (45% of the population) have at least one chronic condition and 26% have multiple chronic conditions. Chronic disease is currently the leading cause of all death and disability in the U.S., responsible for 70% of all deaths.
- A large portion of the population consistently fails to meet even the minimal intakes recommended in the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for many key nutrients.
- ADHD diagnosis for children ages 4-17 years has risen 42% between 2003 and 2011.
- Childhood obesity has tripled in the U.S. Over the past two decades resulting in the quadrupling of childhood chronic deceases in the past four decades.
It’s time to get smart about our health and the health and vitality of our children. It’s time to reclaim some of our power and make smart choices that can change our lives. Are you with me? Join me next week as we dig a little deeper into the nutrients we need to sustain us. It’s your life, lead it well! Namaste,Monique
5 Tips to De-Stress and Energize, by Michelle Alva
August 28, 2014
SUMMER OF WELL-BEING WEEK 13
When being a little sideways is a good thing!
August 25, 2014
We did it! We made it to the final week of Summer of Well-Being! As I type these words, though, I’m reminded of one of my favorite song lyrics by Kenny Loggins (yes, I’m dating myself a bit!):
This is it! Make no mistake where you are! What’s left to provide?
You think that maybe it’s over .
Not if you don’t want it to be!
Here’s what I know for sure…our well-being is a daily, life-long process. And more than just a process, it’s a decision. A decision we make every moment of every day.
I’ve so enjoyed bringing you on this journey during our summer. Please know that the journey is not over! On Thursday, you’ll hear from our final guest blogger, Michelle Alva, who is an Energy Healer at Canyon Ranch Miami Beach. She’s going to wrap up our awareness program very nicely. And, I’m so excited to announce that on September 1st I’ll be sharing with you a way that you can continue on this journey with me and with many others, as I launch my new 6-Month Group Coaching Program: Journey to Well-Being! I can’t wait to share this opportunity with you, and I hope you will consider remaining in our community and growing in your well-being every day.
Today I want to write about one of my favorite things…creativity! One of my top 5 talent themes as defined by Gallup’s Strengths Finder is Ideation. I just LOVE ideating and getting new ideas going and growing! Because it’s one of my strengths, I know that leading with this strength each day, even if only a little bit, gives me so much energy! But even if it’s not a natural talent for you doesn’t mean that you can’t employ it to boost your well-being. They say that if we spend too much time nourishing our logical reasoning, we in fact starve our non-linear, right-brain functions. As a result, we only half live!! 
Research shows that stimulating our right-brain helps to relax us, lower our blood pressure, reduce migraine headaches, and generally increase our harmony. Of course, this can be attained via activities such as mindfulness, or guided visualizations, which we’ve covered during Summer of Well-Being. They help to quiet the rational “thinking” brain. However, there are other ways to spark the right-brain and transform the way we think, learn and operate.
As an example, just this month our team had a retreat that was based in ideation. We wanted to get outside of our boxes and come up with as many innovative ideas as possible (without being logical!), so we used Improv techniques to help us do this. Not only was it a lot of fun, but it truly helped us to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, which often is a requirement to operating in a right-brain kinda way! If you had a chance to view our Summer of Well-Being guest blogger last week, David Suarez, then you know what I’m talking about.
To take it one step further, I want to share five tips for thinking laterally, as Edward DeBono, Ph.D., calls it, or as I like to call it, “Sideways” thinking!
1. Get Random Input: Instead of relying only on what we think or know, we can take our question somewhere else for input, like a mall, or museum, or neighbor, or random book, etc. DeBono says that “A random input from outside can serve to disrupt the old pattern and allow it to reform in a new way.”
2. Quotas: By imagining that there is only one right answer, we limit ourselves. By using quotas, we challenge ourselves to come up with a minimum number of alternatives. We can take this deeper by setting a deadline.
3. Rotation of Attention: Sometimes when we try to solve a problem we focus on just one aspect of the problem, thereby limiting our solutions. One example is losing weight. Perhaps we only focus on the diet and the specific food item we need to reduce or eliminate. Another way to look at it, thereby sparking our right-brain, is to make each factor in the problem (or question) the focus of attention and learn as much as we can by examining it as if it were the only factor in the problem.
4. Reversals: Turn a situation completely upside down! By doing this we are changing our point of view. For example, sometimes it’s hard to figure out what it is we want, but it may be interesting to ask ourselves what it is we don’t want! To determine what well-being is for us, we may learn a lot by asking ourselves what we know for sure that it is not.
5. Cross Fertilization: It’s natural to avoid those opinions that are not like ours. It’s often uncomfortable to think and feel in a way that’s not natural to us. However, by forcing ourselves to get input from those who often see and feel things differently than we do, we are allowing ourselves to expand the possibilities. This is especially useful when we are stuck and can’t see a way out. When it comes to our health and decisions that we may need to make, this can be a great solution and opportunity.
When it comes to our well-being, sometimes we just need to get a little sideways! For some of us, activating our creative side can juice us up with lots of energy that we can apply to various aspects of our lives, and it can transform our relationships and environments by allowing us to be more open. And for others, thinking laterally can really help us make some important life and health decisions.
Give it a try and let me know what it does for you!
It’s your life. Lead it well!
Monique
Unlocking Humor for Your Well-Being, by David Suarez
August 22, 2014
SUMMER OF WELL-BEING WEEK 12
The Transformational Power of the Breath, by Ellenit Serrano
August 13, 2014
SUMMER OF WELL-BEING WEEK 11
Welcome to Week 11 of Summer of Well-Being! Our guest blogger this week is Ellenit Serrano. Read her blog below to learn about the transformation effects of focused breathing, and don’t forget to share your thoughts!
“We must live fully before we die. We must generate sufficient energy to realize
ourfull potential. The journey to our core is arduous;
only pranic energy can take us there.” —B.K.S. Iyengar
Before you begin reading this blog, I want you to breathe.
REALLY BREATHE…..
Take a deep, slow inhale through the nose and envision breath and energy filling your body.
Feel the expansion in your chest and oxygen filling the lungs as you deepen the inhale.
Retain that breath for as long as you can then just as slowly – exhale and feel the release.
Notice how your belly hollows out and empties in the process.
Repeat this a few times before you continue reading.
How do how you feel? Do you notice a change from just a few moments ago? Were you able to calm SOMETHING down? Maybe you were able to calm your thoughts, your nerves, your physical pain or your stress just for a moment after taking a few short conscious breaths. The good news is that you have the ability to become conscious of your breath (as opposed to involuntarily just breathing) and control it during any and all activities of your life.
We often take it for granted when someone says “just breathe” but when you really think about it, your breath, in each moment, defines the span of your life. Once it’s gone your life on this earthly plane ceases. In yoga we speak about “prana”, the energy that permeates the universe at all levels many times referred to as our “Life Force”, or the “Breath of Life”.
Your next breath is the most powerful opportunity for transformation that exists.
In fact, in this moment your next breath is the beginning of the rest of your life!
At the beginning of my yoga classes I often tell my students that if they do nothing else but focus on their breath, with awareness, for the duration of the class they are getting the full benefit of the practice.
Of course it’s OK to just breathe unconsciously after all it means we are still alive! But magic happens when we slow down, become conscious and influence the flow of our breath. As we inhale, we breathe in fresh oxygen and energy into the body converting and merging it with our physical form. In essence, we breathe spirit into the flesh; we are in union (yoga) with the divine energy of the universe.
As we retain the breath we allow that energy to nourish every cell in our body allowing healing to occur. We use the exhale to get rid of toxins and to consciously let go of thoughts and energies that no longer serve us. We create space for the new.
For me, breath work started as part of my yoga practice years ago. I learned to become aware of my breathing; allowing it to keep me centered and to empty my mind. With practice this has become almost second nature. It’s easier to pick up on certain signs such as shortness of breath, lack of focus, or anxiety building up that reminds me I need to take a moment and come back to the breath. Sometimes that’s all it takes right before a big presentation, in preparing for a response to a child, or to get perspective on wandering thoughts.
There was a time in my life when I had to put a huge reminder on my office white-board to “BREATHE”. Now it’s just a technique I more often than not, use in my personal and professional life. When I do it has direct, positive outcomes and always makes a huge difference in the way I feel.
With practice we are able to calm the body and mind at will. We learn to create space in between our thoughts to allow new ideas and new opportunities to emerge. We learn to listen to our inner voice, turn the outside world on mute and be led by our Truth. What materializes is transformation and growth in ways unimagined.
Just Breathe…
Ellenit Serrano
SBL LAC Strategy, Analytics and Integration
Global Products and Solutions of MasterCard Worldwide
Running my Internet marketing firm means I work very long, hard hours. I lead our sales efforts, drive our creative teams and oversee program quality. I work tirelessly on the processes we use and people we hire to become more efficient and less dependent upon me. My hope is to work myself out of a job over the next several years.
It’s easy to mistakenly say to yourself, “When I accomplish all these things and achieve all these goals, I’ll be happy.” That’s not the way happiness works.
A speaker at a men’s prayer breakfast I attend shared a quote that sheds some light on this. It says,
The ego says, “Once everything falls into place, I’ll feel peace.”
The spirit says, “Find your peace, and then everything will fall into place.”
I’d like to convince myself that once my business gets streamlined and funded and I become successful (whatever that means), I’ll be happy. I’ll be making more money. I’ll have more freedom to travel and more time to spend with my loved ones. “Of course I’ll be happy, right?”
The problem is this is it assumes you can control your way to happiness. In this make-believe world, happiness comes to those that achieve. You know what? I make an income today that in my twenties was far beyond my definition of filthy rich. I now run the business I could only dream of running when I was younger. I’ve accomplished a lot.
Yet my success to date hasn’t brought me happiness. What does make me happy is sharing tapas and dinner with my wife of thirty years, family and friends. It’s sitting down with my daughter to discuss a job offer she’s just received. (She actually confides in me and asks for my input.) It’s realizing my youngest daughter who’ll be off to college is well prepared and excited about leaving the nest and taking on this new challenge. It’s helping an employee with a paycheck advance she’ll be using to purchase her first home.
Notice it is NOT the accomplishments that bring me happiness. It’s the place my head is at that enables me to appreciate what happens in my life’s journey. It’s based on awareness and the nurturing of relationships with people I love.
Here’s a word picture for you. Happiness does 
NOT come from focusing on my mobile device GPS map thinking of the happiness I’ll feel when my car arrives at my destination.
- • Opening the car windows,
- • Feeling the rush of the wind,
- • Holding the hand of the lady next to me who’s been putting up with me all these years,
- • Appreciating the moon rise in front of us which I would typically miss and
- • Keeping my mind free from tomorrow’s to-do list and mental clutter so I don’t miss out on the happiness of my situation.
My Uncle Max passed away recently and I shared a few moments with his daughter Adriana after the burial. I don’t see her often because she is now a sister in the Mother Theresa order of nuns serving the poorest of the poor in Mexico.
My uncle had a sly sense of humor and really appreciated the ironies in life. My cousin lives a very basic life with zero in the way of worldly possessions. She explained to me the irony of riding in a black limousine to the cemetery. A friend of hers joked about taking a picture of her in full nun garb sitting in the driver’s seat of the Porche 911 parked next to the limo. We all smiled because we knew how this would all strike Uncle Max. “I’m sure Dad’s cracking up right now,” she said.
Happiness comes when you least expect it and from the least likely of things. Don’t miss out.
Jorge Lazaro Diaz
Founder/Chief Internet Marketing and Technology Officer of Larry Jacob Internet Marketing
Jorge Lazaro Diaz is the Founder and President of Larry Jacob Internet Marketing. His expertise comes with strong marketing, copy writing and technology skills delivering Internet Marketing, Infusionsoft Automation and Website Design solutions that deliver results to small and medium sized businesses.
Art & Soul Healing, by Ellie Kane
August 6, 2014
SUMMER OF WELL-BEING WEEK 10
Welcome to Week 10 of Summer of Well-Being! Today our focus is on Art for your Soul, brought to you by none other than my mother, Ellie Kane! Ellie is an artist, healer, and certified coach. I know you’ll love her as much as I do and find incredible value in what she has to share. Read her blog below and leave a comment with your thoughts!
Art and Soul Healing
“Creativity is a way to break through the conscious mind that is holding on very tightly. There’s only so much you can talk your way through. Art really does reach something in a very primal, unconscious level.” Martha Grant
Since the beginning of time, art’s most essential role has been to nurture the divine aspects of life; and for many ancient cultures, art is still practiced as a curative tool and as a form of awakening. Externalizing our perceptions and conflicts-even if we simply create a primitive and uncomplicated sketch-is highly beneficial for self-renewal and healing.
Art, when used as an instrument for wellness, can become a guide to finding presence, authenticity, and the place within where body, mind and soul have the potential to be made new and whole.
“In recent years, there is a growing movement to redefine the mission of art, transforming it from its position in Western culture as a commodity to a sacred and communal activity. This way of thinking has emerged simultaneously in the art world, psychotherapy and medicine. Many artists, therapists and others are seeking ways to use the collective wisdom of art and imagination, envisioning ways that it can become a healing practice…” C. A. Malchiodi
The healing power of art cannot be denied. Art can bring about the gift of inspiration, harmony, playfulness and transformation. When we create healing art, a restorative process is initiated for the ‘artist’, as well as for the viewer and/or recipient.
Frank Emmettsaid that, “Art has been known as a pathway to the soul…it unlocks feelings, those deep-seated things that we are reluctant to express even to ourselves sometimes, in a manner that is safe.”
Art propels us to bring to light those moments and challenges which are too difficult to talk about. We may be stressed, and be scratched and bruised internally; and at times we keep these wounds hidden…our little secrets. Allowing these feelings to surface would lift a massive spiritual burden. The world of imagery is limitless when searching for ways to communicate mixed and sensitive emotions; and expressing in creative ways begets well-being. Through the use of artful methods and interpretations, the road to healing is inescapable.
I have created a technique which has proven effective in mending the connection between our physical, intellectual and non-material selves. I call it the Art and Soul Work-Energy Healing through Art program, and here are some familiar forms of art, taken from this workshop, which serve us as therapeutic channels:
- Visual Designs – Compositions or Imagery
- Sketching, painting, sculpture, photography
- Lyrical Vibrancy – Movement
- Dance, yoga, wu-tao
- Written Word – Inner Voice
- Poetry, journaling, essays
- Unity – Essence
- Nature, breath, meditation, visualization, Mandalas
I am convinced that there is a little bit of an ‘artist’ in each of us. And I believe that we do not have to consider ourselves artistic in order to use vision and imagination when seeking a path to health. So, in keeping with the Art and Soul Work, I would like to offer a couple of tips which may help you get started on your way to healing. Keep in mind there is no right/no wrong way to go about this exercise. It is very personal and in time you will find your own comfort pattern.
- Use visualization – close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Become aware of your physical and/or emotional condition (that which must be restored). Then imagine what this feeling would look like. If you do not see an image, then just give it a color, a shape or a word. Observe but stay detached; do not judge what you perceive. Breathe, open your eyes;
- Journal – choose your favorite notebook (one you will keep for creating and healing). Draw the image (if there was one through visualizing) or the colors and shapes you sensed, and use them on your notebook. Journal about this sketch – you have just expressed an emotion or struggle you needed to bring outward. Be present with it, acknowledge and release it.
This two-step process is simple, yet very powerful, and will transmit awareness, relief and a freeing response. Get some art supplies, those which call to you most, a journal and some neat pens/pencils…and unearth the concealed treasure in you.
Remember that practicing art, in any format or modality, can be a way of entering into a meditative and reflective state, as much as it is an avenue to expression. It releases fears and may trigger a new outlook and direction of habits and behaviors. Additionally, as we enter this unique and original concept, and discover our innate and holistic medicine, we will:
- Get to know ourselves under a different, truer light
- Learn to pacify and soften emotional hurt and grief
- Naturally access intuitive healing methods, and
- Enter an unimaginable journey to wholeness
May you find your secret self through art and soul healing…
Ellie
A Personal Note:
Art has always been a part of my life, even in those instances long ago when I did not know I was artistic and creative. I believe I was born to use all of my senses in whatever I choose to do. Art allows me to experience touch, vision, sound and even smell through my paintings. And dance encircles me inside a bubble of movement and delight.
Yes, I paint and dance because they are my passions, but I also discovered that these two personal approaches have at times healed me physically, emotionally and at the level of my soul.
I am so very grateful to Monique Catoggio and Summer of Well-Being for giving me the opportunity to share my insights with you…and these two paintings which had such immense healing force at two very painful events in my life…when I lost my parents. Thank You.
Ramona, 2003
Don Mario, 2005
Bringing Your Well-Being Full Circle, by Ivette Agusti
July 31, 2014
SUMMER OF WELL-BEING WEEK 9
Are you looking to find some inner insight on your well-being? Have you ever stopped to think that maybe there is more to life than the physical? Sure, staying fit is wonderful and all, but do you ever think about the nitty-gritty of things, through soul searching, or even trying to find that balance in life to make you feel “whole”? Holistic practices have been used for hundreds of years. A holistic practice not only focuses on the body, but the entire body-mind-soul connection to help achieve a greater satisfaction of oneself. Wholeness is just right around the corner, folks.
Bringing Your Well-Being Full Circle
How we can heal our lives through holistic practices.
Holism means that we are all connected somehow to the world and everything around us. We humans spend so much time bettering ourselves via money and indulges that we forget to thank ourselves in personal and natural ways. We need to allow ourselves to access peace and harmony to better help our spirit remain in the state of bliss and tranquility that we deserve. We can do this through holistic practices.
Caring for the mind and soul are equally as important as taking care of the body. The metaphysical components of wellness should be taken into account and not be set aside. We can all benefit from getting that ol’ yoga mat out more often instead of waiting for that rainy day Yoga, one of the more practiced types of holism, not only helps to stretch the muscles, it decreases stress, eases depression, and even helps keep blood pressure in check.
Meditation is also a spiritual awakening practice that can put us in a relaxed state of mind. When meditating, we clear our minds and focus solely on slow, balanced breathing. For a beginner, it may take a few meditations before he/she can fully relax and forget those pesky daily woes that trouble us all. Meditating, even if for 5 minutes, can benefit us in the long run. So, the next time you find yourself thinking there aren’t enough hours in the day, believe that there are, take a seat, relax, and ‘om’ your way to a better, happier you.
These are merely two well-known types of holistic practices. There are many other ones that you can easily try at home, or at a studio with a teacher or professional. And, they can also support any illness you may be working through. Sometimes, medication is not enough. Holistic exercises and rituals can help heal your soul and awaken you to your true self and true needs.
The forces of our minds and our transcendental connection to the universe can make miracles! I believe holism can help anyone, if they’re willing to open themselves up to the universe—mind-body-and-soul.
I created I AM Equilibrium because holism has been in my life as long as I can remember! My grandmother taught me to always to look at the root of a situation or illness for the blockage or obstacle, and try to find the “why.” The surface of anything tells a different story than its root. Looking for the answers within helps you evolve spiritually.
My tip for you is to try and do the same. This week, when you feel stress or pain, instead of masking it with pain killers, cocktails, or other quick fixes, take a few minutes to breathe deeply and ask yourself questions that can help you find the root—the spiritual cause of the stress or pain.
And, I invite you to consider expanding your well-being horizon and trying out a new and unique holistic method. Regardless of the method or practice you try, be patient and be in the moment with it, releasing any judgment for the activity and for yourself.
The art of allowing is never easy! When I began my holistic journey I decided to take it slow. I realized that to develop the habit I needed to take baby steps. First, I set a time, even if I wasn’t going to do yoga or meditate, I’d have the alarm sound ‘meditation time’ and I would be ready with some affirmations or thoughts that I wanted to manifest as detailed as possible. For one week, it was just that! The following week I wanted more, so I would actually sit up and meditate for 5 minutes and put on some yoga clothes, never pressuring myself to do more. These small baby steps helped me incorporate these and other practices into my life, all while running two companies! I also realized that how I thought about my time was critical. Did I feel I had no time at all, or all the time in the world? Believe you have the time and you will find it.
I wish you much success on your well-being journey, and a lifetime of mind-body-soul practices that bring you into the wholeness you deserve.
Thank you!
5-Minute Miracle: An Invitation.
July 28, 2014
I looked a hundred times and all I saw was dust.
The sun broke through and flecks of gold filled the air.
This has been a tough week for me; perhaps for you as well. You can’t turn on the TV or radio, check-in with Facebook or Twitter, or read the paper without learning about yet another tragedy occurring in our world. In fact, with the instantaneous updates our world operates on, you don’t have to look for it, it simply pops up and let’s you know, “Look what’s on CNN now!”
My heart aches.
Even though some of these incidents seem so far away, they are, indeed, very close to us all… it may be a young student murdered from our community, a man on the downed plane went to a local high school, or a friend who travels frequently to a troubled part of the world. We are connected through degrees of separation.
Maybe you’ve read the research as I have, or perhaps you just feel it in your bones. Here’s the TRUTH…we are all connected. When someone hurts a world away, we all hurt–seen or unseen; felt or not.
It’s very easy to not see or feel. For me, it becomes routine to acknowledge the disaster, feel it in my whole body, cry, perhaps, and then I tuck it away quickly and move on with my life. I wish there was more that I could do. I wish I could fly over the scene and scoop up the hurt bodies and souls and fly them away to safety.
A part of our path to well-being is understanding this energetic connection that we have with others and with the world at large. Connecting with other people and places in meaningful ways can significantly spike our wellness. But, what do we do; what can we do when we don’t have any control, are affected by the sadness, and don’t necessarily want to ignore it and keep living as usual?
I certainly don’t have all the answers, and I imagine there are many small ways that we can reach out to those who are affected by these horrific disasters. Almost daily I see many examples of people making a huge difference through small actions…writing letters, making care packages, donating money to relief funds, etc. My heart is compelled to also do something very small. In fact it will only take you 5 minutes. But, because I know the power that doing things in numbers can provide, especially in the world of energy, I invite you–all of you–to join me in this exercise. And, truly hope you will invite others so we can create a massive movement in just five minutes.
More on the 5-Minute Miracle in just a few moments…
The inspiration for this came to me as I was reading one of my older blogs. This one was about self-love, but also about how our prayers, goodwill, and positive words heal us humans—as well as the universe as a whole—through water. Specifically, the book documented amazing research about the changes to water crystals (whether you are with the water, or whether you are sending thoughts to far-off bodies of water!) when you speak to them, pray to them, or send them good and/or bad thoughts. The results were hair raising.
Watch this short video to get the summarized version!
Emoto shares in his book,
…”vibrations will be sent out into the world and the cosmos, and the great symphony of that harmonic vibration will wrap our planet in waves of love that serve to cherish our Heaven-granted lives. This is the message from the water.”
So, this week, for our Summer of Well-Being, I hope that you will join me to intend for a 5-Minute Miracle… a brief exercise that not only will serve to benefit you through quiet, compassionate mindfulness, but also will serve to heal the world.
Mark Your Calendar NOW! On Friday of this week, August 1st, at 8:45 am, I am asking you to join me in 5 minutes of prayer, intention, healing light… whatever speaks to you…for the healing of our world and for peace.
Will you join me? I’d love for you to commit and comment below by typing “YES!”
Please share and let’s expand these circle of healing and peace. I want to see LOTS OF YES’S BELOW!!
To close today’s blog, in preparation for the 5-Minute Miracle on Friday, I’d love to share portions of a beautiful prayer for our world, created by Marianne Williamson from her book, Illuminata. Feel free to use this one on Friday:
Dear God,
There is so much danger in the world today. There is so much insanity, so much darkness and fear. Our human resources are not enough…please send a miracle! Into every country and every home, into every mind and every heart, may the power of your spirit now trigger the light, activate our holiness, remind us of the truth within. May a great love now encompass us, a deep peace give us solace. May the world be reborn. Thank you. Amen.
If you prefer a powerful visualization/intentions, Marianne shares this one in her book, Everyday Grace:
See luminous energy emerging from your heart, extending outward to touch all things. Cast the light over warring nations. Cast it over the entire planet. Cast it over the people you love. Cast it over the people you judge. Feel now a bolt of energy coming over you as you extend this light. Avoid the temptation to invalidate this image. It’s not an idle fantasy, for the light is real.
Thank you, and Namaste,
Monique
Illumined Life Leadership 
