Last night I was laying in bed and I randomly had this vision of this old man laying in a hospital bed alone without any visitors. I automatically started to cry heavily and felt sad for whoever suffers in that way. So I began to calm myself by wondering if there are any programs out there where compassionate people can go to hospitals or rest homes to visit people who don’t have the support of visitors. I began to imagine that it was part of my calling. I saw myself reading to the old man and sharing random stories.

Since then I have asked where can I go to do this? I plan to contact a local hospital and/or an Asssisted Living Center where these programs are available. I also envision this same compassionate act for children. I believe there are plenty of sick children in the world who would love to have some warm fuzzy soul come visit them and read to them.

THE LIGHT IN ME SEE’S THE LIGHT IN THEM! (and you too!)

Today I was at my weekly chiropractor/acupuncture appointment and I had a quick conversation with him about staying well and balanced. I am definitely one to continuously focus on wellness and health, but I still have a lot to learn. In fact, I just recently discovered that I don’t eat enough of the right green veggies and have been really focused this month on juicing (will save that topic for another post, so check back!) Anyway, my chiropractor/acupuncturist has seriously hooked me up in the past 6 months by helping me regain the strength in my lower back that is believed to have manifested from trauma. Every week I feel like I leave his office with a greater understanding of wellness. Today was one of those days that he shared a new insight with me. After leaving, I knew that the 5 tips he gave me were fairly obvious to how I live my life, but it was good to hear it from a professional standpoint, which I could then share it with my friends and family.

 5 Wellness Tips For Living In Balance

If one of these things is missing in your life, then chances are you are a bit crooked somewhere.

1. Balance your chi. Ways to do this can either be through yoga, tai chi or other eastern based exercises.

2. Eat Well. Remember! You’re what you eat. How you feel is determined by what you put into  what my new favorite author Kris Carr calls your ‘GOD POD!’ If you eat crap, then chances are you feel like crap. Hydration fits in here too. Water is important! 8 glasses a day is the ideal!

3. Maintenance through massage, acupuncture, chiropractor, reflexology etc…This is important to me because it helps me remain balanced in my structure so that I can be stronger in my yoga and other fitness outlets. It helps keep the  ‘GOD POD’ in the right gear and can help heal or prevent any tension one might be holding. Basically, it’s just a good solid way to release!

4. Exercise. Yes, this is the same as yoga, but other forms of exercise such as walking, jumping, hiking etc.. help to keep your bones strong as well as free your mind up from any junkie thoughts that you may be holding or carrying around. Dr Oz says that 20 minutes of walking per day is the best thing you can do for your body. If you don’t have 20 minutes to do this then there is a serious problem! (you can stop stalking on facebook for that amount of time, he he!)

5. Rest. Sleep and meditation both fit into this category. Both of these are important for obvious reasons. 8 hrs of sleep per night is seriously the minimum that I can take. If I have less, well then I begin to feel a bit off kilter and can’t hold it together the way that I could if I had more. Meditation is important because it releases the junk that is stored in your mind. Here is my opinion “Meditation is like taking out the trash. You’ve got to get rid of the garbage or your space starts to stink!” All it takes is 5 min. Ideally, you want to sit on a cushion, but it you need to do it other ways it’s all good because no matter what the universe will still have your back!

I hope you will contemplate the benefits of the 5 important wellness tips that I just gave you on how to live a balanced life!

Big thanks to to my amazing chiropractor/acupuncturist Dr Doyle!

enjoy my daily quote: meditation is like taking out the trash. you’ve got to empty your mind or else your space starts to stink! ~me

Earth Day is on April 22 (just 1 day away!)  Here are ways that I plan to show our mama my appreciation for our beautiful green luscious playground (as I do often).

Mama Earth I plan to love you like this:

Spend time in nature. I am so thankful for the beautiful surroundings. I am surrounded by an abundant amount of trees. I love spring time when the flowering trees bloom. Sometimes I don’t even mind the tree pollen that is sprinkled all over my car, my porch and my parking lot. I know the AHHH CHOO’S will eventually pass!

Recycle! take the plastic, aluminum, cardboard and paper to the recycling bin! Don’t waste!

Compost! Even though I don’t have a pretty little garden I take my coffee grinds, my veggies from my juice pit and anything else that deserves to go home to their mama earth straight to the woods! That’s right! I don’t believe that it does any harm, but to soil up the earth and go straight back to where it first sprouted!

Re-Use old paper/plastic bags! Better yet! Bring your own bag to the store! Most places anymore give you 5cents off for bringing your own bag! <every penny counts!> Trader Joes allows you to enter to win free groceries! Yes!!! I won in December 2009!

Use Eco-Friendly Household Products! Seventh Generation is a hot one! Also, you can mix apple cider vinegar with water! Another goodie is tea tree oil and water!

Donate old clothes and shoes to charity! Last year after I did my spring cleaning I chose to donate the items on Earth day. I plan to do the same this year! There are ways to do this. Either call or write CRISIS ASSISTANCE or go to a clothing/shoe drop box and donate your goods! It’s the best feeling on Earth to give!

Turn off your lights or don’t turn them on at all!

Use less water! Yes, taking a 5 min shower still means I can wash my hair, my face and my body and still get a good scrubbing!

Speaking of the shower! I use NON TOXIC shampoo, conditioner and soaps, which means I will not be putting any polluted chemicals down the drain! http://www.avaandersonnontoxic.com/marybethbender

Eat organic!

Go Vegan for Earth Day! <via Kris Carr author of CRAZY SEXY DIET!>

Drive less or get your butt on the bus! Unfortunately, Charlotte’s Public Transportation System is poor, but I at least only have to drive a few miles to work. By the way, I drive past BP on my way to work everyday, which means I DON’T BUY GAS THERE SO REMEMBER TO DRIVE PAST BP EVEN IF YOUR ORANGE LIGHT IS ON!

In my opinion Earth Day should be everyday!  However, These are just a few ways that I plan to celebrate Earth day! How do you plan to celebrate?

Yesterday I was practicing yoga and this amazing idea came through me! As I was standing in tree pose I began to wrap my arms around my chest as a way to give myself some love. This inspiration moved through me so deeply that I began to imagine myself as a tree being hugged by a tree hugger! It felt so appropriate for the week of Earth Day. I EMBRACE that it channeled through me by the grace of nature.

I felt so strong about sharing this wisdom with you!

Practice:

Please take a moment to stand still, come into tree pose and wrap your arms around your chest. This is an amazing way to balance yourself as well as give yourself some self love!

jai!

The more I meditate, the wider my inner telescope becomes! ~me

I am on a new diet. It’s the LOVEdiet.

I was inspired to write this post after learning about The Loveataian Diet, which was orginally created by Gabrielle Bernstein the best selling author of “ADD MORE ~ing to your life: A Hip Guide To Happiness.” I was inspired by her motivation to change fearful thoughts into more loving thoughts lead by the voice of the ~ing, which translates as “inner guide.”

 Just in case you haven’t heard of this diet, it is the new chocolate! In fact, it’s better than chocolate because it lasts longer and it tastes sweeter. The sweetness is God’s way of nourishing the soul after digesting a milkshake filled with love. This diet contains NO FEAR and LOVE is the only ingredient. This tasty snack exists  inside your soul and by repeating in your mind ‘I choose love over fear, I expect a miracle’ you can vibrate LOVE all around you.

If you need to start with a recipe use these steps below:

1. Wake up in the morning and consciously tell yourself that you want to be happy and positive on this day. You want to be healthy through good thoughts, good food and activity to ignite your passions.

2. Sit up in your bed (or go to your meditation room). Start by noticing your breath and begin counting on each inhale and exhale. When your breath is settled, breathe in LOVE and breathe out FEAR.

3. Do this for at least 5 min

4. When you are finished bow to yourself with gratitude

5. Begin your day. <<At the end of the day set an intention to do this practice by choosing gratitude for the day. Remember to repeat steps 2, 3 & 4>>

It is important to remember this practice throughout the day. Everytime your ego starts playing tricks on you remember to out your ego and choose LOVE OVER FEAR. You should always expect a miracle! If you need to take a few moments to sit, do so and breathe in LOVE breathe out FEAR.

If you struggle with this diet at first, just remember it is only your body’s way of releasing old toxic ego thoughts by transforming and transmuting them into LOVE. Sitting in the heart center and listening to your inner guide and breathing is the best side meal you can have in maintaining this diet. You will notice a huge increase in your vibrational level and you will be able to tune in easier to the violet colors that naturally surround you.

Surrender to LOVE! Expect MIRACLES!

jai!

<this loveatarian diet was inspired by loveatarian, life coach, motivational speaker Gabrielle Bernstein. For more info: http://gabbyb.tv/   >

Also check out: http://crazysexylife.com/2009/the-lovetarian-diet/