For as long as I can recall, I have been told that I was too sensitive. I suppose that description was not too far off. It turns out that I am Sensitive...Highly Sensitive.
Firstly, there is nothing wrong with being a sensitive person. Sure, in today's world, it may seem like a weak trait. Highly sensitive people are in fact, far from being weak.
Allow me to explain...
HSP's are not superior, nor are we inferior to the rest of the world. We are just wired differently. Everything we hear, see, smell etc. is heightened incredibly. We can only take in small bits of information, as we get over-whelmed easily.
Here is a more accurate, written description of what it means to be a HSP. http://ezinearticles.com/?Highly-Sensitive-People---Traits-and-Characteristics&id=81866
For many years, I thought that my suffering was a result of a mangled childhood. It took me many years to stumble across the idea of actually being a sensitive person.
For me, being an HSP goes deep to my core. I consider my heightened abilities to be "gifts". Why else would I be given these abilities?
When I refer to "abilities" I mean: My natural ability to be empathetic, sympathetic and caring. I love everybody and I don't hold grudges. I am creative, I have a natural "knack" for many things such as; healing, herbs, art, music and my heightened senses allow me to perceive things differently.
As mentioned earlier, I am by far not a Super Human. I have my faults, one being a wicked, short term temper. We all have our personal faults, I continue to try to improve on mine.
Going back to the "gifts"..
I have mixed blood, however I identify mostly with being Native American. Many things come to me so naturally, it almost seems to be a gift from my ancestors, or perhaps from the Great Spirit himself.
I use my gift of empathy and my knowledge of herbs, to heal. I use my experience from a dark, twisted past, to help others through their dark and twisted times. I am sort of a "wounded healer".
Highly sensitive people can be very useful in society. Here are a few ideas to elaborate further on the concept http://www.helium.com/items/270798-understanding-highly-sensitive-people
If you are a HSP, know that you are not alone. Don't become introverted because nobody understands you. If you are reading this, I understand you! Don't change who you are, just learn to work with what you have.
I am on a path to become a healer. I plan to merge Conventional medicine with Natural and Spiritual Healing. I believe that the answer to our health care needs, lay in the balance of Mind, Body and Soul. My ability to perceive things differently, leads to change.
Good luck to all of my fellow HSP'S! We are all unique in our own ways, even if we aren't Highly Sensitive. Everybody has a role in life, go seek out yours and make a difference! <3
Here are a couple of links to describe what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person:
http://denmarkguy.hubpages.com/hub/hsp
http://healing.about.com/od/empathic/a/HSP_hallowes.htm
Friday, 13 January 2012
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
How to Age Youthfully
Lets face it, we live in a world that focuses on beauty and youth. In the bigger picture, it truly doesn't matter. You can't be a beautiful person, without a beautiful heart and soul, and youth doesn't last forever. Regardless of all of that, our culture still manages to judge each other, based on looks and age. It can be very difficult at times, nobody likes to feel like an outcast. That being said, here's a few ideas on how to rejuvenate your youthful appearance.
I would also like to mention that I will be 30yrs old tomorrow, and I still get I.D'd! It's not completely due to good genes.
Lets start from the inside...
1- Have a positive attitude!
How we act/react weights heavily on our outward appearance. We have all heard it before, stress adds years and is the cause of weight gain and illness. This is absolutely true! We all get into a funk at times, but don't allow it to consume you. Take a walk, exercise, meditate or whatever you need to do to get rid of the negative energy build-up.
2- Smile!
Be happy from the inside out. Spread positive energy to the people around you. Smiling, will instantly add a glow to your face :)
3- Eat properly.
Not always easy, I would know! However, you can't give up. Not only will you be healthier, it will also show in your skin and body. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies and limit your meat intake. Avoid too many sugars and caffeine (guilty), these are unhealthy and can age you very easily. Of course, if you're a smoker, it's going to have the same effect only more rapidly.
4- Drink plenty of water!
I struggle with this one sometimes. Even though I know that I should be drinking more water, I don't like the feeling of being bloated. On the other hand, I drink too much caffeine and retain water, so the most obvious choice is to just drink the damn water! The adult human body is composed of approximately 55 to 60% water. The brain is composed of 70% water, as is skin. Blood is 82% water, and the lungs are nearly 90% water, these are just approximations. The point is, water is an important part of our make-up and we need it to replenish our bodies, and it keeps our skin clear and youthful. So many times, I see older women with dried out skin and hair, this could be reversed by drinking more water! In fact, I'm going to get a glass right now.......
And...I'm back!
5- Get plenty of rest.
Over exertion will cause you to crash and burn. You need your rest, so your body can replenish itself. Even as you sleep, your body is working to create a stable environment on the inside. Plenty of sleep, will give you more energy making you feel more youthful. When you feel youthful, you appear youthful.
Now that we got the big things out of the way, lets start discussing the little tricks that will help our bodies from the outside......
6- A lack of water and rest, usually results in bags under the eyes. Products with caffeine added, are available for purchase. The idea is that caffeine will stimulate blood circulation in the micro-capillaries around the eye. Thus lessening the appearance of under eye circles. Personally, I prefer to use products that are as natural as possible. Many of our average day beauty products, are filled with chemicals that we can't even pronounce! Not to mention, we most likely absorb some of these chemicals through our skin.
I like to use lemon juice after washing my face, 2 times a day. Be careful not to get too close to your eyes for obvious reasons. For a toner, I use witch hazel, which tones and softens my skin.
7- Wear less makeup.
I hate to leave the house without "putting my face on". It's more habitual than anything. When I'm at home, I try to wear no makeup as much as possible. I allow my skin time to breathe and to replenish itself with healthy, new cells. Try not to rub your face and eyes with your hands, you will be spreading the naturals oils around your face and potentially cause breakouts.
Always apply moisturizer, even if you have oily skin! Just find one that meets your skins needs. A moisturizer will act as a barrier between your skin and the elements, or your skin and your makeup.
8- Go natural.
I have touched on this in other the other points. I believe that it's safer to use items from their most natural state possible. This goes for foods (avoid processed), cosmetics etc. I would rather make my own cream, than purchase one full of chemicals. Who knows what we are applying to our skin?! I also enjoy using LUSH Products, they are very close to a natural state. If you're comfortable with your products, go for it! Perhaps I'm just too sensitive with chemicals.
9- Condition your hair/moisturize your skin.
Every so often, I like to use Extra Virgin Olive oil and some sort of essential oil, to condition my hair. It can be a little heavy, so only use 1-2 tbsp max depending on your hair. The olive oil will act as a moisturizer and carrier oil for the essential oil. Most essential oils like, peppermint, orange blossom etc. need to be diluted to use on the skin and hair. Lavender oil, is one of the few essential oils that doesn't need a carrier oil. The Ancient Egyptians used Olive oil in many of their beauty treatments, it works as an excellent moisturizer as well. A little bit, is often enough.
Well, this is all that I can think about off of the top of my head. I know that I have plenty more tips and tricks, but these are the main ones.
These things work for me, perhaps they won't work for you, but at least they are worth a try if you're experiencing these problems.
There are tons of naturally healing and beauty tips floating around, just be sure to research them well before attempting them.
Beauty and youth are really not that important. I loathe living in a society that bases it's judgement on your character, by looks alone. However, I understand that it can be a bit of a struggle at times. Some of these things are quick fixes. What truly matters, is what's on the inside. Stay true to who you are, be a good person and your beauty will shine through no matter what.
Much Love,
Sig.
I would also like to mention that I will be 30yrs old tomorrow, and I still get I.D'd! It's not completely due to good genes.
Lets start from the inside...
1- Have a positive attitude!
How we act/react weights heavily on our outward appearance. We have all heard it before, stress adds years and is the cause of weight gain and illness. This is absolutely true! We all get into a funk at times, but don't allow it to consume you. Take a walk, exercise, meditate or whatever you need to do to get rid of the negative energy build-up.
2- Smile!
Be happy from the inside out. Spread positive energy to the people around you. Smiling, will instantly add a glow to your face :)
3- Eat properly.
Not always easy, I would know! However, you can't give up. Not only will you be healthier, it will also show in your skin and body. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies and limit your meat intake. Avoid too many sugars and caffeine (guilty), these are unhealthy and can age you very easily. Of course, if you're a smoker, it's going to have the same effect only more rapidly.
4- Drink plenty of water!
I struggle with this one sometimes. Even though I know that I should be drinking more water, I don't like the feeling of being bloated. On the other hand, I drink too much caffeine and retain water, so the most obvious choice is to just drink the damn water! The adult human body is composed of approximately 55 to 60% water. The brain is composed of 70% water, as is skin. Blood is 82% water, and the lungs are nearly 90% water, these are just approximations. The point is, water is an important part of our make-up and we need it to replenish our bodies, and it keeps our skin clear and youthful. So many times, I see older women with dried out skin and hair, this could be reversed by drinking more water! In fact, I'm going to get a glass right now.......
And...I'm back!
5- Get plenty of rest.
Over exertion will cause you to crash and burn. You need your rest, so your body can replenish itself. Even as you sleep, your body is working to create a stable environment on the inside. Plenty of sleep, will give you more energy making you feel more youthful. When you feel youthful, you appear youthful.
Now that we got the big things out of the way, lets start discussing the little tricks that will help our bodies from the outside......
6- A lack of water and rest, usually results in bags under the eyes. Products with caffeine added, are available for purchase. The idea is that caffeine will stimulate blood circulation in the micro-capillaries around the eye. Thus lessening the appearance of under eye circles. Personally, I prefer to use products that are as natural as possible. Many of our average day beauty products, are filled with chemicals that we can't even pronounce! Not to mention, we most likely absorb some of these chemicals through our skin.
I like to use lemon juice after washing my face, 2 times a day. Be careful not to get too close to your eyes for obvious reasons. For a toner, I use witch hazel, which tones and softens my skin.
7- Wear less makeup.
I hate to leave the house without "putting my face on". It's more habitual than anything. When I'm at home, I try to wear no makeup as much as possible. I allow my skin time to breathe and to replenish itself with healthy, new cells. Try not to rub your face and eyes with your hands, you will be spreading the naturals oils around your face and potentially cause breakouts.
Always apply moisturizer, even if you have oily skin! Just find one that meets your skins needs. A moisturizer will act as a barrier between your skin and the elements, or your skin and your makeup.
8- Go natural.
I have touched on this in other the other points. I believe that it's safer to use items from their most natural state possible. This goes for foods (avoid processed), cosmetics etc. I would rather make my own cream, than purchase one full of chemicals. Who knows what we are applying to our skin?! I also enjoy using LUSH Products, they are very close to a natural state. If you're comfortable with your products, go for it! Perhaps I'm just too sensitive with chemicals.
9- Condition your hair/moisturize your skin.
Every so often, I like to use Extra Virgin Olive oil and some sort of essential oil, to condition my hair. It can be a little heavy, so only use 1-2 tbsp max depending on your hair. The olive oil will act as a moisturizer and carrier oil for the essential oil. Most essential oils like, peppermint, orange blossom etc. need to be diluted to use on the skin and hair. Lavender oil, is one of the few essential oils that doesn't need a carrier oil. The Ancient Egyptians used Olive oil in many of their beauty treatments, it works as an excellent moisturizer as well. A little bit, is often enough.
Well, this is all that I can think about off of the top of my head. I know that I have plenty more tips and tricks, but these are the main ones.
These things work for me, perhaps they won't work for you, but at least they are worth a try if you're experiencing these problems.
There are tons of naturally healing and beauty tips floating around, just be sure to research them well before attempting them.
Beauty and youth are really not that important. I loathe living in a society that bases it's judgement on your character, by looks alone. However, I understand that it can be a bit of a struggle at times. Some of these things are quick fixes. What truly matters, is what's on the inside. Stay true to who you are, be a good person and your beauty will shine through no matter what.
Much Love,
Sig.
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Dream World: Dream Analogy
I have always been a big dreamer. Not only do I have big goals in mind, I also have some fantastic journeys when sleeping. Now, before you read on, keep in mind that this is only an opinion. Not everybody will agree with my opinions and ideas and that's cool. I will be basing this opinion on experience, some psychology, symbolism and intuition.
Follow along if interested......
Supposedly, the Cree tribe is known to be blessed with dream analogy. Not sure if this is completely factual, but it would explain the intuition part. Recently, I have had the pleasure of assisting a few people with their dreams and dream analogy.
I believe that our dreams serve different purposes.....
Some are Symbolic: These types of dreams are a way for our sub conscience to communicate with us when we are in distress. Many of us have become skilled at suppressing information throughout our day that may be harmful to ourselves, or that may potentially cause us pain. We are completely unaware of this most of the time. Suddenly, you may find yourself having vivid, aggressive dreams. Your sub conscience is trying to reach out to you. Some of the information that you suppress, seeps out of your sub conscience into your dreams. It comes in bits of information and it's up to us to decode it.
The best way to analyze this type of dream: Dream recall is essential. In order to analyze any type of dream, you need to be able to recall the information. Practice dream recall nightly. Once you are able to recall most of the information from your dreams, pick out the things that stand out to you the most. For example, if you recall a certain color "blue" and your dream seem to be really focused on that color, it's likely that the color has some sort of symbolism or meaning to it. Pay attention to the things that stand out most to you. Once you have come up with a few things that stood out in the dream, research their meaning. I suggest: Using dream analogy books, online resources and symbolism. Symbols usually have different meanings than dream meanings. Once you've compiled a list of meanings for your items, see if you can figure out a common denominator.
For example, Dreaming about Fishing+ Water, lets say that both of these elements stood out on their own. A loose interpretation of dreaming about water: To see water in your dream, symbolizes your unconscious and your emotional state of mind. to dream of Fishing: To dream that you are fishing indicates that you are confronting and bringing your repressed emotions to the surface.
The common denominator of these two elements would be "Suppression". The unconscious mind is responsible for hiding and storing information, at the same time, you're fighting to bring your emotions to the surface. What information are you fighting with? what is it that you so badly don't want to confront? Perhaps, this dream is trying to tell you that you have some unresolved issues that need to be acknowledged. For these types of dreams, you need to reflect on the issues of your waking life. Have you been, or are you going through something traumatic? Are you stressed out?
Another type of dream is Religious/Spiritual: Whether you choose to believe in these or not, I believe that they do happen for a reason. The best way to identify these types of dreams, is again to pay attention to the specific elements that your dream allows you to recall. Find the meaning of these elements and again, find the common denominator. This is why I suggest finding the symbolic meaning of elements as well as the dream meaning, both can have two different meanings. Always cross reference your meanings with other sources. Use books, the internet and any other resources that you can get your hands on. Never assume that the first meaning you find, is the correct one.
Some dreams are meant to guide us in the right direction. These dreams often include an animal or familiar face, who acts as our guides. These are very special dreams, they are meant to keep us on our path. Sometimes, we get warnings in our dreams, listen to them carefully. I'm not saying that a passed relative is necessarily trying to communicate a message. I'm saying that we are somehow being warned of things, perhaps by our own instinctive selves.
Other dreams are random. They are just a way for our complicated minds to de clutter. These types of dreams, are just random things with no specific acknowledgment to certain elements. If nothing stands out to you in this dream, it's not anything that needs to be addressed.
As stated previously, this as all completely based on my opinion alone. You don't have to agree with it, or think that it's an exact depiction of your dream world. Perhaps you don't care about your dreams, which is not likely since you have read this far....
Dreams can be quite complicated to decode. It takes practice to dream recall, find the common denominators and find their correct meanings. However, once you have figured things out, it will allow you to cope better with your issues in the waking life (your every day life).
Once you learn to separate dreams from reality, and listen to your sub conscience, you may even be able to understand "lucid dreaming". Some of us have done this without even realizing it, but it's something that can be done on demand with practice......
Lucid Dreaming: Lucid dreaming is defined as dreaming while knowing that you are dreaming. You are literally able to identify as dream as not being your true reality. You will have control over your actions and reactions in this type of dream. I don't know about you, but I love the power of being able to control my own actions, even in a dream state. I have some tips and experience, on the topic of lucid dreaming.
Some resources that I have mentioned for dream meanings: Dream Moods Dictionary: http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/a.htm , Signs and Symbols- an illustrated guide to their origins and meanings- Covent Garden Book (book), The element of Encyclopedia of secret signs and symbols- Adele Nozedar (book).
I hope that this information helps decode some of your crazy dreams. Remember, if you find this difficult to do on your own, I'm always happy to help!
Peace
Sig.
Follow along if interested......
Supposedly, the Cree tribe is known to be blessed with dream analogy. Not sure if this is completely factual, but it would explain the intuition part. Recently, I have had the pleasure of assisting a few people with their dreams and dream analogy.
I believe that our dreams serve different purposes.....
Some are Symbolic: These types of dreams are a way for our sub conscience to communicate with us when we are in distress. Many of us have become skilled at suppressing information throughout our day that may be harmful to ourselves, or that may potentially cause us pain. We are completely unaware of this most of the time. Suddenly, you may find yourself having vivid, aggressive dreams. Your sub conscience is trying to reach out to you. Some of the information that you suppress, seeps out of your sub conscience into your dreams. It comes in bits of information and it's up to us to decode it.
The best way to analyze this type of dream: Dream recall is essential. In order to analyze any type of dream, you need to be able to recall the information. Practice dream recall nightly. Once you are able to recall most of the information from your dreams, pick out the things that stand out to you the most. For example, if you recall a certain color "blue" and your dream seem to be really focused on that color, it's likely that the color has some sort of symbolism or meaning to it. Pay attention to the things that stand out most to you. Once you have come up with a few things that stood out in the dream, research their meaning. I suggest: Using dream analogy books, online resources and symbolism. Symbols usually have different meanings than dream meanings. Once you've compiled a list of meanings for your items, see if you can figure out a common denominator.
For example, Dreaming about Fishing+ Water, lets say that both of these elements stood out on their own. A loose interpretation of dreaming about water: To see water in your dream, symbolizes your unconscious and your emotional state of mind. to dream of Fishing: To dream that you are fishing indicates that you are confronting and bringing your repressed emotions to the surface.
The common denominator of these two elements would be "Suppression". The unconscious mind is responsible for hiding and storing information, at the same time, you're fighting to bring your emotions to the surface. What information are you fighting with? what is it that you so badly don't want to confront? Perhaps, this dream is trying to tell you that you have some unresolved issues that need to be acknowledged. For these types of dreams, you need to reflect on the issues of your waking life. Have you been, or are you going through something traumatic? Are you stressed out?
Another type of dream is Religious/Spiritual: Whether you choose to believe in these or not, I believe that they do happen for a reason. The best way to identify these types of dreams, is again to pay attention to the specific elements that your dream allows you to recall. Find the meaning of these elements and again, find the common denominator. This is why I suggest finding the symbolic meaning of elements as well as the dream meaning, both can have two different meanings. Always cross reference your meanings with other sources. Use books, the internet and any other resources that you can get your hands on. Never assume that the first meaning you find, is the correct one.
Some dreams are meant to guide us in the right direction. These dreams often include an animal or familiar face, who acts as our guides. These are very special dreams, they are meant to keep us on our path. Sometimes, we get warnings in our dreams, listen to them carefully. I'm not saying that a passed relative is necessarily trying to communicate a message. I'm saying that we are somehow being warned of things, perhaps by our own instinctive selves.
Other dreams are random. They are just a way for our complicated minds to de clutter. These types of dreams, are just random things with no specific acknowledgment to certain elements. If nothing stands out to you in this dream, it's not anything that needs to be addressed.
As stated previously, this as all completely based on my opinion alone. You don't have to agree with it, or think that it's an exact depiction of your dream world. Perhaps you don't care about your dreams, which is not likely since you have read this far....
Dreams can be quite complicated to decode. It takes practice to dream recall, find the common denominators and find their correct meanings. However, once you have figured things out, it will allow you to cope better with your issues in the waking life (your every day life).
Once you learn to separate dreams from reality, and listen to your sub conscience, you may even be able to understand "lucid dreaming". Some of us have done this without even realizing it, but it's something that can be done on demand with practice......
Lucid Dreaming: Lucid dreaming is defined as dreaming while knowing that you are dreaming. You are literally able to identify as dream as not being your true reality. You will have control over your actions and reactions in this type of dream. I don't know about you, but I love the power of being able to control my own actions, even in a dream state. I have some tips and experience, on the topic of lucid dreaming.
Some resources that I have mentioned for dream meanings: Dream Moods Dictionary: http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/a.htm , Signs and Symbols- an illustrated guide to their origins and meanings- Covent Garden Book (book), The element of Encyclopedia of secret signs and symbols- Adele Nozedar (book).
I hope that this information helps decode some of your crazy dreams. Remember, if you find this difficult to do on your own, I'm always happy to help!
Peace
Sig.
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
I'm on my Way!
I have been looking for "Equilibrium" for years now. I could never seem to put my finger on what exactly, it was that I needed. I had an idea, but it was not clear.
Until now,
I believe that I figured it out, at least a part of it. In the grand scheme of things, it's likely a very small part of "it".
I have realized that, balance has to start with me. I needed to focus on bringing my mind, body and soul together, before I could connect with everything else.
I went through a brief moment of depression while I tried to sort out my thoughts. I drifted back and forth between past, present and future. I dug deep and brought all of my "issues" to the surface, so that I could acknowledge them and understand them. Now, I have accepted them and I can move on without being bound by them.
Now, I'm not perfect. I'm not striving for perfection anymore. I continue to make mistakes in life and that's ok. I'm not claiming to over-haul my entire life, to a strict regime that is oh so perfect. I still enjoy my fatty coffees, random fast food indulgances and chocolate! Sometimes, I just don't want to work out. I love to sleep...lots!
In order to find my "Equilibrium", I had to start with my mind first. A strong mind, can get you through anything! As I said earlier, I started by facing my issues. Next, I changed my perspective (even more so than usual). I continue to practice meditation daily and I remind myself to "slow down" so that my body has a chance to keep up with my strung-out thoughts. The more I relax, the more balanced I feel.
Next, I had to make a decision. I grew up very Religiously. In fact, at times it was quite strict. I come from an extended family that is highly Religious in their views. That's ok, but it's not me. I also come from a family who has some very Spiritually minded people. This is the side of my family that I'm still exploring, my Native side. This feels right for me. I have made the choice to be Spiritual instead of Religious. Actually, they both have much of the same elements, only applied a bit differently. I prefer to see things from a different angle, and I'm always coming back to Nature for answers.
Lastly, I needed to concentrate on my body. As stated in a previous blog, I suspect that I may be a binge eater. I don't like to eat and I like to eat for comfort food all at once. I needed to figure out a way to break that chain. I did some research and came up with a few things to try.
I started by figuring out my primary dosha. Which is your Ayurveda body type. There are three types of Dosha's: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. I discovered which one I was, and researched the proper diet that needed to be applied to my dosha. I'm fairly new to this idea, but I'm starting to see and feel changes already. Next, it was only natural for me to stumble across "Raw Diets". This is not a diet or fad, it's a way of living. Raw diets incorporate foods that can be eaten raw for their full nutritional value such as: Apples, seeds, beans veggies and fruits...you get the idea.
As for exercise, I do a minimum of 30 min/day (just started in the past wk and a half). I use "Your Shape- Fitness Evolved" on the xbox kinect to do kick boxing, Tai-Chi and other kick butt activities. I go for walks, and jump on the elliptical trainer when it's too cold outside. I am starting to lose inches, but this is more to bring my body back into balance.
This has been a huge over-haul! It takes a tremendous amount of dedication. The results, are worth it. I just started making these changes, and I already feel fantastic!
I look forward to some more results and I'm finally beginning to feel at peace with myself. Everybody has their own journey, but I hope that by hearing mine, you are able to find some guidance for yours.
Peace,
Sig.
Until now,
I believe that I figured it out, at least a part of it. In the grand scheme of things, it's likely a very small part of "it".
I have realized that, balance has to start with me. I needed to focus on bringing my mind, body and soul together, before I could connect with everything else.
I went through a brief moment of depression while I tried to sort out my thoughts. I drifted back and forth between past, present and future. I dug deep and brought all of my "issues" to the surface, so that I could acknowledge them and understand them. Now, I have accepted them and I can move on without being bound by them.
Now, I'm not perfect. I'm not striving for perfection anymore. I continue to make mistakes in life and that's ok. I'm not claiming to over-haul my entire life, to a strict regime that is oh so perfect. I still enjoy my fatty coffees, random fast food indulgances and chocolate! Sometimes, I just don't want to work out. I love to sleep...lots!
In order to find my "Equilibrium", I had to start with my mind first. A strong mind, can get you through anything! As I said earlier, I started by facing my issues. Next, I changed my perspective (even more so than usual). I continue to practice meditation daily and I remind myself to "slow down" so that my body has a chance to keep up with my strung-out thoughts. The more I relax, the more balanced I feel.
Next, I had to make a decision. I grew up very Religiously. In fact, at times it was quite strict. I come from an extended family that is highly Religious in their views. That's ok, but it's not me. I also come from a family who has some very Spiritually minded people. This is the side of my family that I'm still exploring, my Native side. This feels right for me. I have made the choice to be Spiritual instead of Religious. Actually, they both have much of the same elements, only applied a bit differently. I prefer to see things from a different angle, and I'm always coming back to Nature for answers.
Lastly, I needed to concentrate on my body. As stated in a previous blog, I suspect that I may be a binge eater. I don't like to eat and I like to eat for comfort food all at once. I needed to figure out a way to break that chain. I did some research and came up with a few things to try.
I started by figuring out my primary dosha. Which is your Ayurveda body type. There are three types of Dosha's: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. I discovered which one I was, and researched the proper diet that needed to be applied to my dosha. I'm fairly new to this idea, but I'm starting to see and feel changes already. Next, it was only natural for me to stumble across "Raw Diets". This is not a diet or fad, it's a way of living. Raw diets incorporate foods that can be eaten raw for their full nutritional value such as: Apples, seeds, beans veggies and fruits...you get the idea.
As for exercise, I do a minimum of 30 min/day (just started in the past wk and a half). I use "Your Shape- Fitness Evolved" on the xbox kinect to do kick boxing, Tai-Chi and other kick butt activities. I go for walks, and jump on the elliptical trainer when it's too cold outside. I am starting to lose inches, but this is more to bring my body back into balance.
This has been a huge over-haul! It takes a tremendous amount of dedication. The results, are worth it. I just started making these changes, and I already feel fantastic!
I look forward to some more results and I'm finally beginning to feel at peace with myself. Everybody has their own journey, but I hope that by hearing mine, you are able to find some guidance for yours.
Peace,
Sig.
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Just another Day
I head into town to get my morning coffee. It's not Starbucks, but it will do and it won't add an extra dimple on my behind....at least, not as fast.
I pull up to Tim Hortons with the car and as soon as I pick a parking space, it begins. Yeah, my brakes chirp. Chirping brakes brings the unwanted attention that I loathe. Heads swing round every time to see the culprit of the chirping brakes...which is me. For Pete's Sakes! They are new brakes, leave me alone.
I park the car and go inside to order my regular hit of joe. And it starts again with the guy in front of me. Hey, I know who that is! I'm sure we went to school together, ugh school.....please don't let me relive that. Not so much for the people I went to school with (the odd torment here and there), I'm talking about remembering the torment I put myself through.
Don't look back! Don't look......crap! My mind goes to a million places at once.... I'm almost 30, I haven't accomplished everything I want to do yet, I've gained weight since high school. Please don't judge me...Please don't judge me.
I walk up to the counter and order a Large coffee with half hot chocolate and one cream- hey, don't knock it til you try it. My confidence is on fire! I mean, it's fake...but who can tell?
And it hits me like a brick!
Why am I doing this to myself? Why do have to try to be so perfect? Why do I hate being judged so much? More importantly, why do I still allow others to have power over my emotions.
I begin to breathe.....
I become less tense...
I am me and that's all I can be. It will take time to achieve the things I want in life. And, maybe people aren't always trying to judge me. Maybe...just maybe, it's all in my own head!
And I let go....
Happy that I avoided a potentially, self-destructive episode, I get back in the car and crank the tunes.
Everything is ok. I'm beginning to accept myself.
On to the next challenge.......
I pull up to Tim Hortons with the car and as soon as I pick a parking space, it begins. Yeah, my brakes chirp. Chirping brakes brings the unwanted attention that I loathe. Heads swing round every time to see the culprit of the chirping brakes...which is me. For Pete's Sakes! They are new brakes, leave me alone.
I park the car and go inside to order my regular hit of joe. And it starts again with the guy in front of me. Hey, I know who that is! I'm sure we went to school together, ugh school.....please don't let me relive that. Not so much for the people I went to school with (the odd torment here and there), I'm talking about remembering the torment I put myself through.
Don't look back! Don't look......crap! My mind goes to a million places at once.... I'm almost 30, I haven't accomplished everything I want to do yet, I've gained weight since high school. Please don't judge me...Please don't judge me.
I walk up to the counter and order a Large coffee with half hot chocolate and one cream- hey, don't knock it til you try it. My confidence is on fire! I mean, it's fake...but who can tell?
And it hits me like a brick!
Why am I doing this to myself? Why do have to try to be so perfect? Why do I hate being judged so much? More importantly, why do I still allow others to have power over my emotions.
I begin to breathe.....
I become less tense...
I am me and that's all I can be. It will take time to achieve the things I want in life. And, maybe people aren't always trying to judge me. Maybe...just maybe, it's all in my own head!
And I let go....
Happy that I avoided a potentially, self-destructive episode, I get back in the car and crank the tunes.
Everything is ok. I'm beginning to accept myself.
On to the next challenge.......
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Diva On a Dime- You too can be Cheap!
I Love to be cheap!
Not just because funds are a bit tighter these days. It's more for the challenge and the rewards of being tight with my money. That, and I have Scottish blood in me, on both sides! Haha....
Ok, so there are literally tons of ways to be cheap. These are just a few ideas off the top of my head.
1-
I highly recommend watching "Til Debt do us Part" if you don't already. Gail Vaz-Oxlade, is a financial genius and knows how to stretch a buck! It was her "Jar Method" that I have implemented into my own household. This method uses Mason Jars to budget a weeks/months worth of physical cash to groceries, car payments, entertainment etc. This way you can track where you spend your cash. Using debit/credit cards can be a bit convenient, sometimes we lose sight of what we are spending.
2-
Pay for everything in cash! This way, you won't have to make monthly payments on an item. Places that offer you a product at a low monthly cost, usually end up getting up to 3X's the products worth, as opposed to paying for the product all at once. Don't be tempted to purchase an item because the monthly payments are low and you want it on the spot. Take your time, save the money (a bit each month) and pay for the product in cash. Trust me, short term loss, long-term gain...for your pocket!
3-
Purchase items out of season. I always wanted a little, electric fireplace. Just something for heat and comfort. Winter came around and it was tempting to purchase one as they were being advertised in the stores. Instead, I waited until March when the Winter season started to slow down. The cost of the fireplace went from $500.00 to $150.00! All I had to do was wait.
4-
Back yourself up. You never know when something may happen to affect your finances. Perhaps you have to move, or you lose your job. In this case, back yourself up and don't get into a cell phone contract! If you needed to scale back on your cell phone, or move out of the companies range of service, you'll be stuck with a contract or a hefty termination fee. The solution is, save your money and purchase a phone outright. Cancellation fees range from 400-700$ depending on the carrier. This applies especially to phones that are being offered for 0$ and are worth approx. 100$ if purchased outright. If you were bound by contract, you could spend up to 400$ in fees to cancel out early. More than the phone is worth.
5-
Only use credit cards for emergencies or a paper trail. This applies to the above suggestion: paying for everything possible in cash. It's easier to track your money and you won't have high interest rates to pay monthly. Now, I'm not saying "Don't use you credit card!" by all means, you should use your card here and there to build on your credit. That way, if you ever needed to get a loan, you have built up a good credit rapport and would be less of a risk.
6-
Buy Second Hand. For example, if you're in need of new furniture, check out the local flea markets, yard sales or even Kijiji for local ads. Make sure the item is in good shape before purchasing. One of my favorite things to do, is to buy a cheap piece of furniture and customize it to suit me. Sand it down, add some fresh paint and purchase some new hardware, it will look just like new!
7-
If you are Canadian, shop in the USA! Not everything is cheaper in the States, but many things are! Our friends across the border are super nice and welcome Canadians looking to save a buck...or two. Times are tough, we need to do what's necessary for survival, even if that means not buying locally. 2 Loaves of bread in the US costs approx 1.60$ (Price Choppers), one loaf of bread in Ontario (Local Grocery Store) can cost up to 3.00$! If you can't make it across the border, shop at Giant Tiger or Walmart for groceries! The prices are often lower than local grocery stores.
8-
Always search out the best deal, before purchasing a big item. Nothing worse than buying an item and realizing that it would have been cheaper to purchase elsewhere. Check out fliers for deals or go online to compare prices.
9-
Eat at home. Every once and a while it's nice to get out of the house for a meal, that you didn't have to cook. Doing it too often, can be very costly. If you like a certain dish that a restaurant makes, look online for a recipe that matches. For example, I love going to Starbucks! A Venti, Pumpkin Spice Latte can cost up to 6.00$ for one cup! So, I looked up the recipe myself and now I can enjoy it from home! Check out http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/pumpkin-spice-latte/detail.aspx I add Real Whip cream on top with a pinch of salt, sugar and pumkin spice- Trust me!
10-
Look for items on sale. There's nothing wrong with purchasing No Name brands every so often, unless you don't like them. People get stuck in the idea, that brand name products offer the best quality products. That's not always the case. Try a few no name things here and there, you may find that you'll prefer some No Name products over Branded products and they are often cheaper.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to stretch your hard-earned cash. It doesn't mean that you are poor, it means that you are smart with your money! All of this advice comes from experience. At one time in my life, I was young and stupid with my own money. Don't be ashamed to be cheap, embrace it!
Good Luck,
Live Cheap and Prosper!
Sig.
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Growing Up
How the Heck are you?! I'm doing GREAT! Just Peachy! Are you buying this? I know I'm not.
Truth is, I've been a bit lost. Trying to figure out my niche in life. I don't just want to survive life, I want to live it! And, I've been doing a bit of pouting, ok a TON of pouting about my past. Gosh, I could dwell on my past for the rest of my life, but that wouldn't be living.
So here I am, trying to figure out what comes next.
I have always been goal oriented. I think BIG and Dream BIG! The problem is, if things don't work out when and how I want them to, I FREAK OUT! Why do I freak out?! Geez, I put so much energy into the idea and follow through of the goal, and when it doesn't happen, it's such a let down. Poor Me......
So, what do I do about it?
Well, I can stop complaining for starters. The thing is, my goals do come true, just not on my watch. They ultimately happen but in their own time. By some strange force, something is trying to teach me to stop being so Arrogant. And, I'm starting to listen.
I'm trying to learn to become more Humble. I'm not sure why, I just feel like it's something that is necessary for my development, for my evolution. So I did a bit of research....
It turns out Shin Buddhism, or the teachings of Shinran, teaches the practice of Humilty for further development. Now, I'm not an expert in Buddhism, but certain aspects of it just make sense to me. In fact, I like to take a bit of knowledge from all beliefs either Spritually or Religiously. We can all learn from each other!
Shin Buddhism teaches two stages of development:
1-The growing stage
2-The maturing stage
In a nutshell, the Growing Stage, is literally just growing up. In this stage, we are usually arrogant and don't acccept or acknowledge our boundaries.
In the Maturing Stage, we can admit our arrogance and recognize our bounderies so that we can develop into better beings. It also teaches us that act of humility. A good person learns to become a humble person.
I remember, just a few months ago, a facebook post that I made: "I literally don't know what I'm capable of, I don't know my limits or boundaries"....Or, something to that extent. In that moment, I was arrogant. I truly felt like I had no boundaries. That I could achieve anything! This is not entirelly true, I do have boundaries.
Firstly, I'm not Superwoman! I can't do everything by myself, I will crash and burn. Next, I CAN achieve whatever I put my mind to with one exception...I have to put my entire energy into the task. I can't divide it to other tasks at the same time. I can multi-task, I can't multi-achieve. In other words, regular tasks aren't an issue. Working towards BIG ideas, takes a bit of energy. I can only work towards one big thing at a time. Also, I'm a bit impatient.
Now that I know and acknowledge my boundaries, I can continue to grow. It doesn't mean that things will ever become "perfect", it just means that I'm ready for the next stage of my life.
I don't have all the answers, I only have my own answers. To figure out what you need in life, you need to look inwards. Listen to your heart, and your dreams!
Keep Growing!
<3 Sig.
Truth is, I've been a bit lost. Trying to figure out my niche in life. I don't just want to survive life, I want to live it! And, I've been doing a bit of pouting, ok a TON of pouting about my past. Gosh, I could dwell on my past for the rest of my life, but that wouldn't be living.
So here I am, trying to figure out what comes next.
I have always been goal oriented. I think BIG and Dream BIG! The problem is, if things don't work out when and how I want them to, I FREAK OUT! Why do I freak out?! Geez, I put so much energy into the idea and follow through of the goal, and when it doesn't happen, it's such a let down. Poor Me......
So, what do I do about it?
Well, I can stop complaining for starters. The thing is, my goals do come true, just not on my watch. They ultimately happen but in their own time. By some strange force, something is trying to teach me to stop being so Arrogant. And, I'm starting to listen.
I'm trying to learn to become more Humble. I'm not sure why, I just feel like it's something that is necessary for my development, for my evolution. So I did a bit of research....
It turns out Shin Buddhism, or the teachings of Shinran, teaches the practice of Humilty for further development. Now, I'm not an expert in Buddhism, but certain aspects of it just make sense to me. In fact, I like to take a bit of knowledge from all beliefs either Spritually or Religiously. We can all learn from each other!
Shin Buddhism teaches two stages of development:
1-The growing stage
2-The maturing stage
In a nutshell, the Growing Stage, is literally just growing up. In this stage, we are usually arrogant and don't acccept or acknowledge our boundaries.
In the Maturing Stage, we can admit our arrogance and recognize our bounderies so that we can develop into better beings. It also teaches us that act of humility. A good person learns to become a humble person.
I remember, just a few months ago, a facebook post that I made: "I literally don't know what I'm capable of, I don't know my limits or boundaries"....Or, something to that extent. In that moment, I was arrogant. I truly felt like I had no boundaries. That I could achieve anything! This is not entirelly true, I do have boundaries.
Firstly, I'm not Superwoman! I can't do everything by myself, I will crash and burn. Next, I CAN achieve whatever I put my mind to with one exception...I have to put my entire energy into the task. I can't divide it to other tasks at the same time. I can multi-task, I can't multi-achieve. In other words, regular tasks aren't an issue. Working towards BIG ideas, takes a bit of energy. I can only work towards one big thing at a time. Also, I'm a bit impatient.
Now that I know and acknowledge my boundaries, I can continue to grow. It doesn't mean that things will ever become "perfect", it just means that I'm ready for the next stage of my life.
I don't have all the answers, I only have my own answers. To figure out what you need in life, you need to look inwards. Listen to your heart, and your dreams!
Keep Growing!
<3 Sig.
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