Thursday, September 17, 2015

Ingredients for a Sweet Life without Sugar


I’ve recently stopped eating sugar, again, because I like who I am when I don’t have sugar in my system and I’m not capable of occasionally just having a little. Sugar-free, I’m more patient, joyful, and kind, the person I really want to be. However, I’ve tried this many times since 1989, so I have to reframe “giving up” sugar into leaning into something better. How might I make every part of my day sweeter, which is what I wanted all along when I ate that third ice cream bar anyway, a sweet life.
1.       Wake up eager for the day. Be curious about who will cross my path. See everything as an opportunity to connect, all good, all the time. There are plenty of highlights to be had beyond food.

2.       Savor the food I prepare. Be it little or much, simple or complex, put it on a beautiful dish, clear the area, use a real napkin and enjoy.

3.       Move intentionally, stretch fully, breathe deeply, enjoy the emptiness, the fullness, flexibility or new awareness of some change. Celebrate my body's health and functionality rather than focus on appearance.

4.       Greet people with delight, true delight. Kick up my energy a notch, look them in the eye, stop moving when I greet them and really see them. Hug them if they’re open to that. Connection is food for the soul.

5.       Leave silence between words, activities, locations. Inhabiting a silence fully will help me transition seamlessly from one thing to another because I will be aware. Transitions are toughest when I’m not really there and I often used food to transition.

6.       Look at the sky, absorb sunshine, drink in natural beauty, appreciate architecture, look for some beauty in every scene to appreciate and the whole world brightens. These are the true treats of life.

7.       Act on a good idea as soon as possible. Trust the inspiration and take action, which widens the channel to perceive even more. Keeping forward momentum for a purpose makes eating a source of fuel rather than entertainment.

8.       Thank people for who they are, show them I appreciate them with a smile, light touch, laugh and encouragement. Coming from the best in me to the best in them is the tuneup I need.

9.       Give advice only when asked and only when it’s necessary (and most times it’s not needed for everyone has her own guidance).  I’ll be less tempted to give advice the more I’m following my own guidance.

10.   Take time each night to enjoy having a bed, sheets and a great mate.  Savor the times my heart was filled that day. That's a true dessert.



Thursday, September 3, 2015

12 Steps to Joyful Connection


12 Steps to Joyful Connection

1.      Don’t doubt the presence of the holy (guides, angels, teachers, higher power, God).

2.      Be wide open to what you will receive, no expectations or fears, no preconceived ideas or concerns.

3.       Be willing to be changed by the information. Knowing and not knowing are equally glorious states—enjoy it all.

4.      Be totally honest in your questions, your hurts, your desires, dreams and longings. Without that level of honesty with yourself, there is nowhere for us to land.

5.      Hold nothing back from us. Just because we already know doesn’t mean we can act on it without your revelation and request. Share it all with us, not just what you think we want to see.

6.      Love all of yourself, the good, the bad. Laugh at your mistakes and give up on perfection. You can’t do this wrong and stretching is how we all grow.

7.      Let us help you when things get hard.

8.      Stop worrying about past mistakes. People were hurt because that’s how they interpreted things. You were hurt because of your story and interpretation. Shift internally and it all goes away.

9.      Love the people in front of you, strangers in cars, the lover in your bed, the sister on the phone, the friend obsessed with his pain. Love them all and you will mend and heal all wounds.

10.  Be totally present. This is the only moment, so hold it gently and savor.

11.  Open to us often. We are always available, accessible and eager. Do not turn to us for answers only, but affirmation, assurance, and the pleasure of our company would be nice sometimes.

12.  Love and live fully. Be helpful and enjoy. Take care of your heart and your true desires will always be helpful to others. Share what you know now without waiting for it to be perfect, really.