by Cynthia Bischoff | Jun 8, 2013 | Heartliving
How often do you focus on the present moment? -How often on the past or the future? Did you know that all real power exists in the current moment because our lives are always unfolding in the present?
So being present is about bringing your body, mind, and spirit into full alignment with what is actually happening at this exact moment in time. While you may make visits to your past to remember events or ideas, your mind doesn’t live there. Equally, while you may consider and dream about the future, you don’t do so to avoid the present.
What role does your ego play in all this? Well, your ego is generally concerned with keeping the past alive since it holds your personal identity. It is also concerned with being sure the future will happen because the ego holds that you still have to “become” or somehow experience life fulfillment.
Each of us has a “story line” which is derived from our life events. Your story will tell you that you are not enough and usually perpetuates the need for striving while it most often lacks a view of yourself as divine consciousness. The story often separates you from the idea that you are a “whole” and worthy being. Your ego will not want you to give up your drama.
The key is not to let your story limit your life–not to let your perceptions about who and what you are based on your history to stifle your real living and personal growth.
One way to keep your “story” in check is to learn to hold a witness viewpoint and to be able to rise above your life circumstances and look at the bigger picture of it all. With this added view, you are then able to look at your reactionary behavioral patterns and make new choices about how you are being in your world. And most important, how you are being in this present moment.
The act of forgiving both yourself and others will also free you from the past while honoring your current life as “enough” will help you accept each moment as the gift that it truly is.
by Cynthia Bischoff | May 18, 2013 | Heartliving
Reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) is a Japanese word meaning “universal life force energy.” Reiki is a Japanese system of natural healing that involves the practitioner channeling energy through the palms of the hands as they are applied on the client to promote balance and improved health of body, mind, and spirit.
Reiki practitioners, who are trained in the specific 12 hand positions and method of delivery that are used in the treatment, also have received energetic attunements that have helped to clear their own energy systems so that they are able to be channels for the Reiki energy to flow through them.
Treatment is totally safe and non-invasive with no physical manipulation involved. It is an excellent adjunct to traditional treatment methods, particularly in the case of treating cancer, tumors, and chronic disease and anxiety. Reiki treats a person’s system in all areas:
- Mental: by easing stress and anxiety.
- Emotional: by promoting relaxation and calm.
- Physical: by relieving aches, pains, and symptoms of illness.
- Spiritual: by promoting peace and balance.
Reiki can also be used effectively on animals and plants!
I have the pleasure of teaching Reiki and Mind/Body methods in Japan as well as in the United States. Many hospitals now incorporate Reiki in their repertoire of alternative methods available to patients. If you google “Reiki research validity,” you may be surprised to find how much research supports the use of Reiki for healing!
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING A REIKI Level One WORKSHOP THAT WILL BE HELD IN NORFOLK, VA, AT MY OFFICE on May 30, Thursday, 8:30-3:30–please contact me (Cynthia Bischoff) immediately via e-mail at heartliving@cox.net. Maximum enrollment is 10 people and currently there are two open positions. More information will be provided to those interested.
by Cynthia Bischoff | May 4, 2013 | Heartliving
Is there an “elephant in your room”?
Apparently the phrase was first coined in the 1950’s, It caught on and was intended to mean, according to the “Phrase Finder,” — “an important and obvious topic, which everyone present is aware of, but which isn’t discussed, as such discussion is considered to be uncomfortable.”
Perhaps the elephant in the room refers to something we are in denial about, or something that would be too embarrassing to talk about, or maybe something we would prefer not to address.
So the elephant keeps taking up space, blocking our movement, and causing us to go around it. By not attending to it, we may also be neglecting real living.
Is there something in your life calling on you for your attention, something that would improve your life if addressed? And perhaps, it wouldn’t feel at the moment like it would improve your life, but in the long run, it would. Does this involve just you (perhaps a decision) or your relationship with another or both? Are you willing to explore the elephant in your room?
I heard once that DENIAL is an acronym for “Don’t Even Notice I Am Lying.” Most often, the elephant keeps growing and taking up space.
Why not take this blog as a directional arrow? Address an issue, decide to work through something, and improve your life. Be a little courageous!
by Cynthia Bischoff | Apr 20, 2013 | Heartliving
When the desire to eat becomes overwhelming, you can overcome emotional eating by staying conscious of your choices.
OPTIONS:
1. Talk to yourself. Tell yourself, “This feeling will pass whether I eat or not.” The discomfort will not last forever.
2. Take time out. For ten minutes, resist the urge to eat and ask yourself what is going on. Allow yourself to feel your feelings and even to write about them.
3. Call someone. A brief phone call to a friend or relative may provide the emotional connection that you need.
4. Create a list of alternative activities and post it on your refrigerator. When the eating mood strikes, refer to your list.
5. Plan to have healthy snacks available, already prepared. Remember to choose what you eat consciously and remain in control of your choices.
6. Feed your heart. How are you doing? Indulge in a massage, a walk in nature, a group event, or some other satisfying way to stay in touch with your heart and to celebrate yourself!
by Cynthia Bischoff | Mar 30, 2013 | Heartliving
In the years that I have studied alternative energy care, I have learned much about foods and what is helpful and healing. What follows is a list that you might find interesting and that I have prepared from former notes in the hope that you will be inspired to eat a healthy diet.
Almonds: high in protein.
Reduce inflammation, used to treat bronchitis.
Rich in protein, fat, zinc, potassium, iron, B vitamins, and magnesium.
Apple: Cleans teeth and strengthens gums.
Lowers cholesterol levels; detoxifies body.
Antiviral action; protects from pollution by binding toxins and carrying them out of body.
Asparagus: Encourages the flow of urine, useful as diuretic.
Acts as a tonic to the liver.
Aids digestion.
May help control symptoms of PMS.
Helps treat tumors and cysts.
Cabbage: An excellent anti-inflammatory.
Contains lactic acid, which acts to disinfect the colon.
Reduces the pain of headaches and rheumatic disorders.
Anti-cancer, draws out infections.
Soothes eczema and other itching skin conditions.
Red cabbage leaves are the basic ingredient of a good cough syrup.
Carrot: has energizing and cleansing properties.
Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.
Contains calcium to encourage health of skin, hair, and bones.
Helps treat eye problems.
Helps respiratory conditions and glandular disorders.
Taken daily said to help regulate the menstrual cycle.
Celery: helps to reduce high blood pressure.
Purifies the blood. Helps arthritis and rheumatic disorders.
Celery seeds have anti-inflammatory properties.
Celery clears uric acid from painful joints.
Acts on kidneys as a mild diuretic.
Corn: is stimulating and cooling to the body.
Used in Chinese medicine for treating urinary and kidney problems.
Helps with prostate and cystitis issues.
Cucumber: has diuretic, cooling, cleansing properties.
Anti-inflammatory; helps with lung and chest disorders.
Soothes heartburn and acid stomach.
Cucumber juice acts as a kidney tonic.
Cranberry: is a natural antiseptic for the urinary system.
Improves health of circulatory system and aids in treatment of kidney stones. Used to treat and control asthma.
Crushed cranberries, boiled in distilled water and skinned, can be added to a cup of warm water to overcome an asthma attack.
Figs: contain a powerful healing agent.
Soothes mucous membranes, esp. in respiratory system.
Anticancer, contains a bactericide. Eases constipation.
Garlic: cleanses the blood and helps to create and maintain healthy bacteria population.
Helps reduce fever, acts as antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-fungal, decongestant.
Tones the heart and circulatory system. Boosts the immune system.
May help reduce high blood pressure.
Grapefruit: cleanses digestive and urinary systems.
Reduces appetite and breaks down fats in body.
Aids respiratory system. Helps to balance the nervous system.
Lowers cholesterol.
Honey: soothes inflammation. Helps retain calcium in the body.
Helps to balance acid accumulations in the body because of potassium it contains. Antifungal, natural remedy for hay fever symptoms.
Mix with apple cider vinegar to relieve arthritis.
Lemon: is a blood purifier, improves body’s ability to expel toxins.
Antifungal, antacid, antiseptic, aids digestion. Excellent for treating infections. Drink lemon juice in hot or warm water first thing in the morning as a liver tonic. Strengthens the immune system.
Olive: is an antioxidant, anticancer.
Olive oil can lower cholesterol levels and slow down aging process.
Olive oil can treat constipation.
Use to treat patches of eczema, dandruff, and psoriasis to reduce itching and encourage healing. Olive leaf is natural antibiotic.
Onions: cause the body to “weep” which releases toxins.
Increases blood circulation and relaxes muscles.
Helps to reduce serum cholesterol. Works as an antibiotic, draw out infection. Strengthens the lungs.
Potato: helps detox the body; relieve inflammation and pain.
Potato skin contains chlorogenic acid, which can help to prevent cell mutation causing cancer. Encourages healthy blood circulation.
Eaten daily, potatoes can help to prevent premature aging and heart disease.
Can help ease irritable bowel syndrome.
Vinegar: helps to make more efficient use of calcium in the body and to encourage strong bones, hair and nails.
Antiseptic, astringent, antibacterial, antifungal.
Apply apple cider vinegar to skin to treat athlete’s foot, ringworm, and eczema.
Walnuts: are soothing and a natural digestive aid.
Walnut bark is astringent and cleansing.
Strengthens the gums and acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Fresh walnuts and walnut oil can encourage circulation, and because they are rich in potassium, help keep the heart healthy.
Walnut oil added to salads is said to help irritable bowel syndrome.
NOTE: This information about varying foods is provided to encourage you to research what is important to you. It is not medical advice and is NOT considered to be a substitute for seeking medical attention.
