by Cynthia Bischoff | Mar 10, 2012 | Heartliving
Whenever you feel really frazzled, it is helpful to take a 10-minute break in between stressful tasks in order to unwind. During this short break, perform the following activities to de-stress:
- Breathe: Pay attention to your breathing. Whether sitting or standing, focus on your breathing. How full is your breath and are you breathing deep down in the bottom of your abdomen?
- Tighten and Relax: First with your hands and then your arms, feet, and legs, tighten each part of our body and hold it tightly for about 10 seconds. Then release that area. Do this with each quadrant of your body—tighten and release.
- Visualize: Think about a place or situation in which you remember feeling completely relaxed. Close your eyes and take yourself back to the scene and take a deep breath, focusing on the relaxing feeling you had there. Next, envision a stream of energy pouring through your body, washing away the stress, allowing it to leave your body with every out-breath.
- Fresh Air: If you are working inside and it is possible to go outside, take a moment to breathe deeply some fresh air. If you are unable to do that or even in addition to fresh air, try smelling a few drops of naturally scented oil. It can rejuvenate you, particularly scents like peppermint and citrus.
Taking a break, even though short, can provide just the shift that you need to release tension and move into a more balanced state.
by Cynthia Bischoff | Mar 3, 2012 | Heartliving
Most people have at some point had a dream of flying. The more creative you are, the more likely you are to have flying dreams.
Flying dreams are considered “spiritual” and are seen as symbolic of several possibilities. They may indicate:
- your relationship to your ambition in the world—your spirit is soaring high;
- that you are trying to gain psychological freedom from everyday life;
- that you can triumph over obstacles.
A dream in which you fly would suggest that whatever the circumstances are in your life, that you are seeking to reach for greater heights. You can assess the dream by looking at basic factors: How high are you flying? How are you feeling about this experience?
Dreams are magical, and analyzing them is a fascinating process. When you dream, you are to some extent finding answers to problems that have carried over into sleep from your waking life. Using on-line resources for dream interpretation or a good dream dictionary can provide you with insight into the meaning of the dreams, and hence, the meaning of your life!
by Cynthia Bischoff | Feb 18, 2012 | Heartliving
On rare occasion, less often than perhaps I wish, I live in perfect harmony with the universe. I feel connected with all around me, paying attention to signs and synchronicities that show me that I am protected and guided for by universal flow. This, I believe, is a reflection of the presence of love in my life.
When we allow ourselves to stop resist
ing what is around us (our reality) and we move into a greater state of peace, we become more open to love’s power and to love’s potential. We are better able to respond rather than to react, especially with others, and to let go of rigid positions in our thinking, overall being less judgmental in our relationships and more generous with giving and receiving love.
Many people think of love as an ideal feeling that they wish to have more of in their lives. One way to have more love is to cultivate a feeling of generosity in your life, allowing you to give love more freely. Some people believe that generosity is something they would do only after having all that they need for themselves. Actually, it is the opposite of that. For example, in the words of St. John of the Cross: “If there is no love between you, pour in love and you shall draw out love.”
If you wish to be heard, you can listen generously. If you wish to be understood, you can seek to understand. If you wish to be noticed, you can extend yourself to be more present.
It is the love we give away that creates the love we keep.
by Cynthia Bischoff | Feb 11, 2012 | Heartliving
♥ “In her heart, she knew it was true.”
♥ “It broke my heart to see him so sad.”
♥ “His heart wasn’t into it.”
♥ “This comes from the bottom of my heart.”
♥ “He has a heart of gold.”
♥ “They are middle-aged but young at heart!”
In languages in all cultures, expressions place the heart as important and essential to our connection to life.
Interesting associations with the heart have been held throughout the history of the world. In Asian culture, it is believed that the body is one’s palace and the heart is the emperor. All organs are considered lieutenants to the heart, and the heart is considered the “home” of the person’s spirit.
The heart symbol itself can be traced to a time before the last Ice Age when Cro-Magnon hunters in Europe used the symbol, yet it is unclear what meaning it held for them. Egyptians believed that the heart was the center of morality and life. Ancient Greeks began to associate the heart with medical connections in approximately 400 BC, holding the heart to be the center of the soul and the source of heat within the body.
In cultures of ancient Mexico, it was believed that every human contained different spirit forces within them, and while some forces leave the body in the dream state, the heart’s spiritual force had to remain in the body at all times or the person would die. In Christian theology, the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, seen as emitting light and suffering, was a symbol of love.
May your heart be filled with love on this Valentine’s Day and wherever you go, may you go with all your heart!
by Cynthia Bischoff | Feb 4, 2012 | Heartliving
While a healthy diet and adequate rest are beneficial in building your immune system, a number of natural ingredients can help you heal a cold should you get one. Here are a few tips:
♥ Get plenty of zinc in your diet (most often found in whole grains).
♥ Pack your meals with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (for example, citrus fruits and vegetables).
♥ Remember that caffeine is dehydrating, so if you are losing body fluids as a result of a cold, choose herbal, caffeine-free teas.
♥ Drink fresh fruit juices. Grapefruit, orange, and lemon juices are antiseptic and cleansing.
♥ Eat soups, and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.
♥ Inhaling the smell of eucalyptus can soothe your respiratory system.
♥ Adding garlic to your diet increases antibacterial action and builds your immune system to fight infection.
♥ Honey can relieve sore throats and coughs.
♥ Ginger made into tea is considered both an antiseptic and expectorant.
♥ Echinacea and olive leaf can strengthen the immune system and shorten the bout of flu or cold.
Remember if at all possible to reduce your stress and to get enough sleep since it boosts your immune systems and allows you time to heal.
Here’s to your excellent health!
