Too Busy, or Not Busy Enough??

Is it possible to feel as though you are too busy, but also not busy enough, at the same time?? This is what I am grappling with at the moment.

My soul craves stillness and silence - I want to retreat and hibernate, like a bear in a cave. To BE instead of DO! Perhaps it is the season's affect on me. But I am also feeling a hand in my back, encouraging me to do more! To experience more, achieve more, and share more!!

I strive to find the balance.

The Universe is showing me the way forward, creating opportunities for my personal growth, encouraging me to step into the fullness of who I am, and the life path that my soul has chosen. I feel this at a deep level and know that it is true.

I put a lot of pressure on myself to 'get it right', and I seem to feel an even greater sense of urgency now that I have reached 'a certain level of maturity' shall we say!

But time is just an illusion as we know.  I have to keep bringing my attention back to the here and now . . to this moment, the only moment that we really have! How am I feeling NOW? What do I need right NOW?? We must honour this. The turmoil arises when the mind runs away. The balance of course lies within.

When I tune back in to the heart, breathe deeply and listen . . I can access the wisdom of my eternal self. The part of me that knows it all, and will never lead me astray. All I have to do is connect my head with my heart, and my thoughts transform. They start to nurture my highest benefit and no longer cause me stress.

Time spent in contemplation, simply BEing, is never wasted. When we allow this, or indeed embrace it, the DOing side of life takes on more meaning and clarity, and flows with greater ease and grace.

Your Health and Happiness are in Your Hands

Your thoughts are the key to your health. Learn to monitor them and recognize when they are being counter-productive. Then you can switch them around, and choose thoughts that make you FEEL better. It is a process, but a logical one.

Your heart needs to feel nurtured and your soul wants to be calm. Do not create turmoil by dwelling on upsetting memories. As you replay them in your head, your body responds and will suffer. Find your way to 'better feeling' thoughts as often as you can. Choose words that shift you to a happier place - where your stress hormones will not set off a cascade of physiological responses that are adverse to your health.

Your health and happiness are in your hands. It's empowering to know this. When you don't like how you are feeling - anxious, worried or down, scan your thoughts. Where has your primary focus been? There is probably a direct link, and you can flip the situation by simply recognizing this and choosing a different focus. You don't have to go from miserable to elated in 5 deep breaths, but you can certainly step it up a notch by moving towards what you desire.

Be still and put on a fake smile. Fill your heart with love and compassion for just a moment. Visualize a time when you felt this deeply - maybe it was when you held a newborn baby or a tiny fluffy puppy. Find a memory like this that will trigger a higher vibration within you. Be gentle with your self, not frustrated or judgmental. Accept your humanness and laugh at your 'mistakes'. You can use this shift to move your health forward as well - find a memory or invent a scene that you can go to, see and feel when you need it.

When I was trapped in my Chronic fatigue phase, I learned to do this, and found it very beneficial. When I was having a 'poor me' moment, dwelling on how exhausted, weak and sad I felt, I would STOP, close my eyes, and go back to my water skiing days. I could really feel how strong I was as I skimmed across the water on my single ski, leaning back and cutting through the wake with a big smile. I could feel the sunshine and the spray of the water on my face. I felt happy and strong and very alive! And I was proud of my achievements.

I only needed to do this for a few moments at a time. It was my magic reset point - and it cut short my suffering, which was clearly happening in my mind. Find your own pivot point and don't overthink it. A helpful image may pop easily into your head and it will feel right. Store it away. Then when you recognize a moment that you need it - Stop, Close your eyes, Visualize, Feel it and Smile.

No Time to Eat Healthy? 5 Tricks

We all know there is an undeniable relationship between what we eat and the way our body performs, right? And yes, I am aware that in today's world, life is very full and we may feel too busy to make the best choices.

But I want you to know that healthy eating is not just about willpower and determination! So in this article I am going to share some tricks of the trade that I have learned along the way. Perhaps you will find that you can create some healthful new habits, rather than just trying to exercise restraint . . .

#1 Crowd out the bad stuff

• Make a list of all the healthy foods you like and stock your fridge and pantry with those. You won't eat the rubbish if it's not in front of you. Choose from whole foods (one ingredient, unadulterated) ie fruit and vegetables, raw nuts and seeds and quality animal protein (eggs, meat and seafood). Fill yourself up on foods that are tasty and nutritious, then you won't be hungry or feel deprived. Carry snacks everywhere so that you're not tempted to buy 'convenience' foods when out and about – vegetable sticks, a piece of fruit or nuts and seeds can save the day! I always do this on flights too, as airline meals tend to be heavy and highly processed.

#2 Drink adequate water

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Our bodies require a lot of water, and sometimes when you feel hungry, it may be partly due to dehydration. Try drinking a glass of lovely pure water first, and wait 20 minutes to see if the hunger subsides. Add a pinch of himalayan salt to the water for improved absorption. Aim to drink at least 30ml of water for every kilogram of your body weight, every day.  Drink between meals, not at the table (in order to not dilute the digestive enzymes that we need).

#3 Shop the perimeter of the supermarket

• Avoid the packaged 'food-like substances' that are highly processed and have a long list of ingredients (usually in the more central aisles). Better still, seek out farmers markets so that you are buying fresh, local and seasonal produce, and hopefully organic too. Involve your children/grandchildren in this, so that they learn the origin of what they eat and develop a fun relationship with food. If at all possible, plant a few things yourself. Herbs and leafy greens  are so easy to grow, and highly beneficial.

#4 Maximize your nutrition

• I have had to change my thinking about this. There was a time where we could get everything we need from our food, but not today. Farming practices mean soils are depleted of nutrients, fruit and vegetables can be sprayed many times, picked before ripe, and stored for long periods of time. Sadly we are all overfed and undernourished. Feeling hungry is the body craving nutrition – vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Our mind unfortunately goes to coffee, chocolate or ice cream!! The body can make most of what it needs when it is getting adequate mineral intake, but as this is unlikely to come from today's food, you might consider a quality nutritional supplement. You won't be so hungry when you have enough minerals on board.

#5 Love yourself more

• This may involve changing your thoughts about whether you deserve to be happy and healthy. Sometimes long held beliefs are not serving us well. Work on loving and fully accepting yourself. You are always doing the best you can with what you know. When you put your own needs first, everyone around you will also benefit. It is not a selfish act, as we may have been led to believe. When you care more about yourself, you automatically nurture your real needs, and move towards what you really want. This is a powerful tool to have. When I first started to eat cleanly, if I was eating out I would look at the menu and get really disappointed that there was only one thing I could it and it wasn't what I felt like! Now when I eat out, if there is one thing on the menu that is a good choice for me, I am ecstatic and grateful :) It's all about re-framing things in the mind.

So I hope you will try to implement some of my tips, and I would love to hear how you go.

Please visit and like my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Carols-Healing-from-Within-619509098115390/?ref=hl for further health tips and inspirations.

If you would like a copy of my own Healthy Eating plan, or a link to the nutritional supplements that I use, please email and include your phone number, and I'll get those to you ASAP

HELP IS ALWAYS AT HAND

    Every day we encounter situations that are challenging. Sometimes we don't know which way to turn. My advice is to always turn inward. Every piece of sound advice that you could ever wish for, is already there for you.

    But you will only hear it when you quiet the busy mind and connect to your heart space, your soul chamber.

    As humans, we are inclined to turn to others for advice, believing that they know better than us. We figure that they are older, wiser or more experienced. But no one else can ever know what you truly need. Only YOU know!

    At a deep level, that you can learn to access, you always know. The answers are there. This is your truth, your purpose, your integrity.

    Nothing can feel better than tapping into this, hearing your own wisdom, and then pursuing a path that feels so right. For our feelings, our emotions are indeed our compass in this life. And feelings, unlike thoughts, will never lead us astray.

    Do not be afraid to feel. In fact, allow yourself to FEEL fully, and let this guide you forward, as you trust your inner wisdom and embrace your future with ease and grace.

                                                                                                    - Carol Kretschmer -

My Life, Your Life

                                            MY LIFE, your life. We are all in the same boat!

    Sometimes I feel very 'alone', as if I'm the only one going through whatever is happening in my life. I know in essence that this is never true, but it is a disturbing feeling of isolation - that it's not worth discussing with anyone else, because it's just ME!



    This raises two issues:

    Firstly, that it is always a good idea to discuss your worries and emotions with others. Did you know that all emotions we experience are universal, and any thought you ever have, has been thought by others as well?

    The sense of community when you know someone cares - when they are prepared to listen, or offer a shoulder to cry on, is uplifting and invaluable to our self worth. We can feel quite vulnerable when we reach out and show our true self to others, but it is always worthwhile, and we often find that they have felt this way too. They may not have solutions, but they understand what you are going through, and they do not judge you - even though you thought that they might see you as weak, or your issues trivial!

    Being able to voice your concerns, even write them down if you don't have someone to confide in, will remove that heavy energy that you have been carrying around inside you. 'Thinking out loud' can make you feel lighter and happier.

                                                                          

    Secondly, the most important relationship we have, is the one with ourselves. So if we are feeling lost, overwhelmed or stuck, we need to get out of our heads - quiet the mind and the ego thoughts, and connect with our true self, that resides in the heart, our wise old soul.

    To facilitate this, I like to be in nature or play soothing music, close my eyes, breathe deeply and feel the connection. Just allowing myself to BE. Letting go for a short while, of any busyness. No doing or trying, just stillness.

    Often insights will come forth. Answers to unspoken questions, that help me to move forward. Sometimes I sense colours, that I allow myself to absorb and enjoy. At times like this, I can feel like I am ONE with my soul - the inner me who does not judge, and loves unconditionally.

    And if I am lucky, I may also feel my team in spirit around me, supporting and guiding. Ancestors, angels and spirit guides - I have deep love and gratitude for them all.

                                                 

    Today's message/mantra is this:

    Today I tune in to the flow of life. I surrender and allow myself to step into what is needed. I release any urge to  push or force, I let go of 'shoulds' and 'musts' and move forward with hope in my heart. I am patient with myself and trust that healing will occur on all levels.

Getting Back to Good Habits

Today I am starting a reset! For the past few weeks I have been feeling frustrated with myself, as my usual commitment to looking after myself and leading by example had taken a big hit.

It was all very logical really - for many months my own life was largely taken over by caring for my elderly parents. And I didn't mind, but my own needs slid well down the list of priorities and it eventually took it's toll.

There were many aspects to this. Food was a big one. I was having to stay away from home a lot, so I no longer had such tight control of what went on my plate. There were lots of cafe stops while visiting dad in hospital, and eating on the run. I thought I was making the best choices I could, but the menus weren't  always geared to healthy choices.

The mental strain was also exhausting. So even when I had the time and means to choose well, I didn't always have the energy or resolve.

While dad was in hospital, and fighting so hard to stay with us, nothing actually felt too difficult. I surprised myself with how well I coped with the grueling schedule and emotional roller coaster. I was grateful for the skills I had acquired, that served me so well, and I just kept putting one foot in front of the other.

But when dad passed away, it was a big game changer, and suddenly everything felt too hard. I held it together long enough to honour him with a fitting farewell, but after the funeral I felt completely adrift. I was unable to tackle my every day tasks - in fact, I didn't even want to!

I knew what I needed in order to get back on track - meditation, walks on the beach and clean eating. But I know that grieving doesn't wait for anyone, so I have tried to just allow it to unfold. It's only been 6 weeks after all.

However I have been beating myself up about what wasn't getting done. And of course that was making me feel worse! So I have let all of that go now, and started to be more kind to myself. And with the support of wonderful family and friends, I am gradually regaining the strength to embrace again the life that I want for myself.

Having recently witnessed a lot of hospital procedures and medical interventions, has made me even more determined to spread the word about taking responsibility for our own health, and getting back to basics. And today feels like a new start for me :)

I have been out for an early walk, and started the day with a delicious green juice. I need to restock the fridge but this one is just what I had - spinach, parsley and mint from our garden, with an apple, cucumber and small piece of young ginger. I was craving a juice and it really hit the spot.

I have also been aware how caffeinated tea has crept right back into my repertoire. Often this was all that was available during our long stints at the hospital, but now I intend to get back to mostly herbal teas, which luckily, I do enjoy . . .

Fortunately, I have kept up my nutritional supplements, so I have been able to remain well, but I have certainly lost my equilibrium. So now I will endeavor to put all of the pieces back together. I will carry raw nuts and vegetable sticks with me everywhere, so that I am not tempted by gluten or sugar filled snacks. And I will continue to drink adequate clean (spring) water every day, between meals. I will nourish my body and soul with what I know that I need, and not what my head may be telling me is an 'easier' option. It is of course not worth it, if it makes you feel poorly.

LIFE is GOOD

I LOVE my life! I haven't always been able to say this but it is certainly true now.

Life is never dull. Change is inevitable and welcome. There is so much to experience, to learn and grow from. Relationships teach us a lot about ourselves. How you react to people is always about what is going on inside of YOU! What a fascinating concept.

It is very empowering to know that we have complete control over ourselves (and of course NONE over anyone else!). I don't mean control in any manipulative, OCD/control freak sort of way. I mean that we are responsible for our own thoughts, words and actions. There is no-one else to blame, it is all up to you.

If that sounds scary, don't let it be. It is actually a very good thing. Once you realize that your health and happiness is not in anyone else's hands, you begin to step into your authentic life. There is no point in judgement or blame or excuses. There is only you and your CHOICES. You choose what to think, what to say and how to behave.

There may be deep seated beliefs and patterns of behaviour that you have inherited or absorbed, but it is still your choice whether you activate them. How cool is that? You really are the creator of your own destiny, a master manifester! You can choose to steer your life in a more positive direction, by focusing on what you truly desire, and using your emotions as a barometer.

Now, there are many and varied emotions of course, but they really fall into one of two categories. Either they make you feel GOOD or they make you feel BAD. Choose to engage with 'good feeling' thoughts as often as possible.

There are interesting similarities with Epigenetics - a topic within the field of health that intrigues me. People with health challenges are often diagnosed with 'damaged genes' and told that this predisposes them to a myriad of symptoms and disease. But most modern day disease is metabolic - related to our diet and lifestyle choices, so this is very good news.

Research has shown that our diet and lifestyle choices actually regulate our genes ie activate (switch on) or de-activate (switch off). So, it is possible to have 'damaged genes' but choose not to switch them on! You have the power to be well.

Similarly,we don't have to erase old memories or beliefs. We can simply learn how to not have them active. Try to remember the best of things from your life, and not give too much attention to things that may not be going well. This takes practice but is worth the effort, as it aligns your energy in a very beneficial way.

Keep track of how you are feeling and trust your emotions to guide you. Work at feeling GOOD about the things that really matter to you, as much as you possibly can, and watch as your dreams unfold and you step into the life that YOU love.