Leap and the Net Will Appear!

Dear Soul Sisters:

I am a self awareness coach and blogger. I am really interested in creating my own radio show. Any suggestions you may have to get me started would be greatly appreciated.

“…The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now. “ - Goethe

Dear Radio Star:

Thanks for your question! According to English New Wave band The Buggles, “Video killed the radio star,” but we say, “It ain't so!” Radio blogs, podcasts and teleseminars are hot right now; go for it! (One of us – Miss Get Glowing herself! - has already taken the radio plunge. Feel free to tune in and see how it's done.)

Before birthing your show, spend some time getting clear about your mission and audience. Ask yourself, “Why do I want a radio show?” Get very specific about the purpose of putting yourself out there in this way. Then ask, “Who do I most want to reach with my message?” The more focused you are on connecting with your audience, the more your audience will gravitate to you! Once you’ve clarified both of these, you can get your producing ducks in a row.

Here are some questions to consider as you create your show:

* How long would it be? 30 minutes? 60 minutes?

* What topics do you want to cover?

* Are you talking callers, interviewing experts or speaking authoritatively on a topic?

* How often do you want to be on the radio? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?

With your mission and framework in mind, do some research on what radio shows and podcasts are already out there. Hop on BlogTalk Radio, Transformation Talk Radio and Achieve Radio and listen to a few shows. Take notes on what works for you and what you’d like to do differently. Jot down any ideas that pop for you as you listen. Don’t get discouraged if you stumble upon something similar to “your show” in your search. There’s only one you and no one else can create what you have in your heart. The others are simply there to inspire you!

Once you’ve done some research, revamp your format. If you have very little experience in this area and want more information, you might consider taking a class at your local community college or university extension. This is a great way to get some “on air” experience and also perhaps find a mentor and other support people (producers, guests, maybe even a co-host) to help you along the way.

We’d also suggest scheduling a brainstorming session either with yourself or a good friend or two. We have found that a group of three women can often be very powerful for exploring and supporting each other in creative endeavors. (We call it oh-so-affectionately the “Six Tit” phenomena). If you don't already have two friends who would be great in this role, seek out a couple of creative women looking for mutual support and encouragement. Find or start a group by attending a creativity class or putting up an ad at your local New Age bookstore. We doubt you’ll be disappointed!

While brainstorming, let your heart and mind run free. ANYTHING goes in this session and no idea is too wild or “out there” to be considered. Write them all down and then put them away for at least 24 hours. Once they’ve had time to marinate, pull them out again and revamp your format once more, using the ideas from your brainstorming session(s) that still resonate.

Then test your idea. Write and produce a “pilot” of your show and ask your friends, family and other supporters to take a listen and give you some feedback. Accept their comments and suggestions (if there are any) with an open heart and an open mind. Use them to make your show better and more accessible, yet always remain true to yourself and your vision. If you’ve got a Mac, you can record on Garage Band and whip up a MP3. Click here for a video podcast on how to do it on a PC.

When you’re ready to hit the air, one easy and FREE service is BlogTalkRadio which allows anyone with internet access to host a live, Internet Talk Radio show. You can start and host your show simply by using a telephone and a computer. BlogTalk comes with easy to use functions and features as well as seamless Social Media (Twitter/Facebook) integration.

Another option is Transformation Talk Radio. Focused specifically on “transforming the world one listener at a time," they're looking for others interested in hosting. You can email for more information about launching yourself onto the airways!

As you start putting your show “out there,” continue to work hard, study, and increase your awareness and self-knowledge so that you have even more to share with your listeners. Use Social Media (we have found Twitter to be especially useful and fun) to connect with people whose interests align with your own and who may be interested in what you have to say. This can also be a great way to gather ideas for topics (what are people talking about RIGHT NOW? What do they want to know or learn about?) as well as “meet” potential interviewees.

Remain flexible and open to what shows up as you broadcast. As with any new skill, being a radio host and producer comes with learning opportunities. Don't forget to ask The Universe for support and resources; you may be amazed at how easy it is once you’ve placed your trust in The Universe and taken the first steps to manifest your dreams. “Leap and the Net will appear!” is one of our favorite quotes of all time (it's from American naturalist John Burroughs) and we have always found it to be true. Give it a try and see for yourself!

Working in the world in this way, you may be pushed to your growing edge. Unlike writing - a more solitary, insulated activity - speaking on the radio can bring up some fears. There’s new technology to tackle but more than that, it’s giving voice to your truth in a much more extroverted manner. If fears arise, spend some time in quiet meditation to feel into them and see what surfaces for you. Was there a time in your life when you weren’t allowed to speak up? If so, take a look at what we wrote last week on Letting Your Light Shine.

And finally, we’d urge you simply to START. TODAY! Like your blog, a radio show is always a work in progress. As you go along, you’ll fine-tune your mission, message and delivery and that’s ok. Waiting until you are entirely “READY” might mean the world misses out on what you have to share!

Lots of love to you as you create your perfect radio persona. Let us know when you're on the air so we can listen in!

Peace, Oneness, Love and Light, 

Jennifer & Lara

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Let Your Light Shine!

Dear Soul Sisters,

My career is taking off and I am really excited! While this requires speaking engagements and radio appearances, I know in my heart I am ready. How do I keep my mid-west “don't shine too bright” roots from holding me back? There's a part of me that still feels afraid inside.

“We all agree that only a handful of people are allowed to be phenomenal, as if there was a scarcity of extraordinariness in the Universe. But all the wonders of nature are exceptional. Even a simple leaf displays splendor and noteworthiness. So why would we relegate the realm of the extraordinary to only a chosen few? Nobody is exempt from the challenge to uncover his/her remarkable essence. On our collective stage of human drama there's plenty of room to shine - to be amazing - to blow people away with who we really are and the world is only enhanced as a result....This platform of splendor holds everyone.” -Moriah Marston & the Tibetan from an article entitled “The Extraordinary Self”

Dear Shining Light:

Thanks for your question. First of all, we’d like to congratulate you! It sounds like you’ve been doing the work to realize your Divine dreams. While you may be feeling afraid inside, the strong, talented and capable woman that you are has been taking steps out there in the world. She knows you are ready to live BIG!

But first, you've got to take care of your inner child, who may need you to mother her a little bit. Somewhere along the line, she learned it’s safer not to shine and she’s scared of what happens when she does. Spend some time in meditation with your inner-child. Invite her to come talk to you and tell you how she is feeling. Ask her what she’s afraid of and what she needs from you to move forward with confidence and faith. Often times, a reminder that you cannot and will not leave her is so reassuring!

You may find that some deep hurt, pain, or anger emerges during this process. Make sure you are in a safe space and let it flow, get it all out! Each meditation session is an opportunity to heal and to shed something that no longer serves you. Healing this wound is like any other, it just takes time. Keep revisiting it in your practice until it doesn’t need any more attention. Then you'll know you're on your way!

We know first-hand that a Mid-West upbringing, though it has many advantages, also comes with some baggage. In fact, every family, culture, and environment has its own unique energy that imbues upon its members a wide variety of - often unspoken - rules and limitations. It sounds like perhaps you are struggling with some deserving issues. Many of us suffer from the same thing; it's part of our emotional and energetic heritage. We all have lineage baggage that we have been carrying around with us for years, sometimes lifetimes. Isn't it time we let go of it and set ourselves free?

Here are some things we believe might be helpful in this process: 

1) Pranic Healing - Pranic Healing is a healing modality that uses prana (life-force) to clear out negative energy and to balance, harmonize and transform the body's energy processes. One of the great things about Pranic Healing is that anyone can learn how do it and you can do it on yourself. To get started, check out Master Stephen Co's book Your Hands Can Heal You or try this basic exercise for cutting negative energy cords to release yourself from attachments to the past and to other people's ideas about what your life should look like.

2) Forgiveness work - We have talked about Colin Tipping and his work with Radical Forgiveness before and we really can't say enough about it. There are very few situations, in our opinion, that a healthy dose of forgiveness couldn't help. Try using Colin's free worksheets, “The Radical Forgiveness Worksheet,” “The Radical Self-Forgiveness/Acceptance Worksheet,” and “The Radical Manifestation Worksheet” to work through your shame/blame patterns around this issue.

3) Positive reinforcement - Spend some time thinking about what you really believe to be true about shining your light in the world and come up with an affirmation that reflects this. Post it somewhere you will see it often – on the bathroom mirror or your refrigerator – and repeat it to yourself whenever you see it or think of it. It could be something as simple as “I deserve to shine” or – to borrow a line from an old Sunday School song - “This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!"

You might have heard this famous quote from Marianne Williamson before but it bears repeating here,

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

If you can get to an ego-less place in your work, you’ll see that it’s not really about you. It’s about shining your light to inspire others to do the same. There are young men and women out there that need to see you doing what you do so they can say, “I wanna be like __________ when I grow up.” Think of your favorite mentors when you’re feeling afraid. What would your life like be if they hadn’t put their work into the world?

As you move forward and let your light shine, fear and thoughts of not deserving will continue to come up. Greet them warmly, saying something like, 'Oh, there's my fear again, Hello fear,' and then gently let them go. Move forward in spite of your fear. Most likely, you'll find that someday it gives up the ghost and just disappears, leaving you feeling free at last!

Before we sign off, we'd like to leave you with this little bit of flash mob inspiration:

Watch this and soon, we believe, you’ll be shaking and singing your way to the spotlight!

May your biggest dreams come true!

Peace, oneness, love and light,

Jennifer & Lara

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Overcoming Exhaustion

Dear Soul Sisters,

How do you know when you are extending yourself too much? Specifically, how do you flow with life's stresses and feelings of exhaustion from a spiritual perspective?

“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” - Etty Hillesum

Dear Exhausted: 

Thanks so much for your question. Since you’re asking, we have a feeling you’re officially over-extended. From deep inside the recesses of your soul, you are sending yourself a message: I need a rest! Give yourself a pat on the back for listening – that's not an easy thing to do when life is rushing past at lightning speed. 

First, we’d suggest stopping wherever you are to breathe deeply. Feel how just a pause in life’s action can reacquaint you with your soul. Slowing down enough to do this during the day is the best way we know to reduce stress and reconnect us to our hearts. Spiritual experts from Eckhart Tolle (who advises, in his book A New Earth, to “Take one breath”) to Maureen Moss (whose powerful affirmation, “I am willing to stop and breathe whenever I am out of peace,” we love and use often) suggest simply breathing as a way to get back to our peaceful, centered selves. 

In modern life, it’s so easy to get caught up in the “have-to” mindset. We race around from one activity to another and rarely schedule time to rest and replenish. As your advisers, we’d start by prescribing a weekly “Do nothing day!”  Write it in your book -  in PEN if necessary - and make sure you stick with it. Make NO plans other than to be with yourself in and around your home. Take a bath, light candles and play music that lifts your spirits. Stay in your pajamas all day and brew up some herbal tea. Journal, meditate and simply soak up the pleasure of you!

Next, take a look at your calendar. Consciousness is an eye-opening gift to your evolution in this area. Track all of your activities for one week and capture exactly how much time you spend doing what: Laundry, online, eating, sleeping, sex, socializing, shopping, worrying, working – it ALL counts. What can you realistically eliminate or reduce from this that would make you feel better? If you’ve gotten into the habit of doing something out of “should,” just say NO. (See our answer to "Feeling Guilty" for some tips & tools on this one.) Is there something you love doing but haven’t had time for in months? Start proactively managing your life TODAY to ensure that your activities mirror your interests.

If you are having trouble deciding which activities to eliminate and which to hold onto, try working through the above list using kinesiology, or muscle testing, to access your inner knowing. (Click HERE to learn more about muscle testing.) You may also use a pendulum to do the same thing. Another technique we like is to use your body as a pendulum. Stand up straight and tall. Assign one answer (YES) to forward movement and another answer (NO) to backward movement. Ask The Universe a question (such as, “Is it in my highest interest and the highest interest of all concerned that I continue to __________?”) Stand tall and wait. If your body shifts forward, the answer is YES; if backward, the answer is NO.

Go through your list and ask your higher self if each activity is currently serving your highest good right now. If the answer is YES, continue that activity. If the answer comes back NO, find a way to let go of that activity. In some cases, this may not be possible immediately as you want to move on in a way that honors the commitments you have made, while also honoring your self. Sometimes, however, this does mean stopping an activity abruptly, despite causing upset to others around you. If you feel this is the case, you may want to set an intention or say a prayer before leaving asking God, the Angels or The Universe to watch over all involved and usher in the highest possible outcome for all. Then move forward with confidence knowing that all is in Divine Order.

If the thing causing you stress is something you just can't let go of, like parenting or your job, find ways to mitigate its impact on your psyche. Many times we – women and mothers especially – do our jobs to 110% of our ability, when 90% would do. We are not suggesting that you give up or do shoddy work, but rather that you do an honest assessment of your input and see if everything you are doing is really necessary. Your kids would probably be just as happy – perhaps even more so – with pizza one night a week instead of a home-cooked meal; and your boss probably wouldn't even notice the difference if you started taking your lunch hour instead of sitting at your desk. Getting out and nourishing yourself, sneaking in a bit of time at the gym or at a park for a mid-day meditation session, may even make you more productive!

In case you're keeping it all inside, we'd suggest sharing openly and honestly how you are feeling with those around you. Direct communication about where we are is one of the greatest gifts we can give the people in our lives. Once our family, friends and co-workers know that we still care about them, about our work and our mutual activities, they can relax and allow us the time we need to re-energize. You can then feel more free to take the break you so deserve!

As you are working though taking space for yourself, tune into what feelings surface for you. Generally speaking, over-achieving and pushing ourselves so hard tends to be a deeply ingrained habit. What are you afraid will happen if you slow down? Is someone or something external keeping you running so fast and hard though life? Write down the emotions that surface for you. For example, “I am afraid of not being good enough.” Really sit with that. Give yourself love and compassion for facing your feelings. The deep truth is that simply being ourselves is enough and somewhere along the line we forgot this. We learned (erroneously) that we had to BE, DO and SHOW something to prove our worth. Start by learning to love yourself openly, authentically and unconditionally.

As you move forward into your “new” life, remember that you can only do one thing at a time while being fully present. Try and take things as they come, one by one. Stay in the here and now and try not to leap forward into next year, next week or even tomorrow.  This advice – Be Here Now - has become almost cliched in spirituality these days, having been offered up by so many. And, like most cliches, it holds a great nugget of truth. Eckhart Tolle's book “The Power of Now,” is a great one for relearning how to connect fully with the present moment.

Finally, we would recommend bookending your day with quiet meditation time. Commit to taking 20 minutes in the morning (get up early if you have to) to sit alone and connect within. At the end of the day, do the same. Turn off the TV, put down the computer and just tune into you! Not only will your sleep improve but your mind will relax. The monkey-mind feeds on more stress and by doing this, you’ll slowly starve it. Journal about your new practice if you would like to see how adding this exercise is affecting your overall exhaustion level.

And speaking of sleep....we can’t say enough about how important it is! (As the Dalai Lama says, “Sleep is the best meditation.”) Make sure you are getting a good seven to nine hours a night at least. If you have trouble sleeping, an earlier bedtime often helps. Try and tune into your body's natural clock. Go to bed when you start to feel tired, not when you are past the point of exhaustion. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugar and rigorous exercise too close to bedtime as these can perk you up right as you are trying to relax. If your exhaustion is chronic, or has gotten noticeably worse as of late, seeing your doctor for a quick checkup couldn't hurt either!

Blessings to you as you move forward. May you find peace and happiness in every moment.

Peace, Oneness, Love and Light,

Jennifer & Lara

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Working with the Law of Attraction

Dear Soul Sisters,  

When does the Law of Attraction start working for us? Is it when we think positively? Anything to add?

“...[W]e are living in a dynamic, intelligent Field capable of instantaneous response to each one of us....Instead of living in a gigantic machine in which we are only a tiny cog, we have the opportunity to recognize and identify ourselves as something much more significant – something that the awesome and intelligent creative force that has created the plant kingdom, weather, human beings, this planet, and galaxies beyond, responds to.” -John Nicholl writing on www.newgreeneconomy.com

Dear Wondering:

Great question! Thanks for asking it. The Law of Attraction can be a tricky one and sometimes seem like a huge Catch-22 to those of us on the path. If you are trying to use it, but not much is happening it can bring up a lot of feelings – hopelessness, unworthiness, powerlessness, fear, scarcity and lack. That's a lot to deal with when what you were hoping for was peace, abundance and love.

We believe we are always attracting. Whether we are focused on prosperity or lack, love or loneliness, worry or peace, what we are thinking about most shows up in our lives. This is not, however, instantaneous so there’s no need to beat yourself up for having a worrisome thought or two. It’s like anything: the rule, not the exception, is what matters most.

As Abraham-Hicks puts it, “Noticing how things are turning out for you is one very clear way of understanding which Vibrational requests you are emanating, because you always get the essence of what you are thinking about, whether you want it or not.” Look around your life. Are there certain areas where things are flowing easily and effortlessly? Are your positive manifestations arriving in love but not finances? This evidence can clue you in on where your vibration lies and steer you to the area that might need a bit of work.

Also, keep in mind, that while the Law of Attraction is always working for us, it may not always be in ways that we can recognize. The Universe works to bring us whatever is for our highest good - and for the highest good of all concerned including those around us and the earth itself - although it may not always seem so to us at the time. The Dalai Lama reminds us, "....[N]ot getting what we want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."

John Nicholl says that it can often seem – to our linear minds – that we are manifesting the very OPPOSITE of what we wish for. That is why it is so important when working with the Law of Attraction to think in terms of the heart. If we ask for more peace in our life, what may arrive initially is more turbulence and upset, in order that we may learn peace. In order to see the gifts that are manifesting for us, we must look with the eyes of God and not the eyes of man.

In order to move forward with the Law of Attraction, we'd suggest that you let your past – perhaps less than successful – experiences with the Law of Attraction go and give yourself a do-over. The next time you have a few quiet minutes alone, focus in on your present feelings about the Law of Attraction and then take a few deep breaths. As you inhale, imagine inhaling trust in the Universe; as you exhale, release all your ideas about how it “should” work. Be still for a few minutes and feel yourself come back to center. From this clear place start once again to work with the Law of Attraction.

While you are still centered and grounded, tune into your heart and see what it is that you truly desire. Sometimes we try to use the Law of Attraction from our heads rather from our hearts, from our egos rather than from our spirits. Lauren C. Gorgo, a channel for the Pleiadians, reminds us, 

“More than anything...the heart is our guide now. Period. [The Pleiadians] say this so that we will realize the impact that our feelings now have on our creative potential and that our creative powers lie 'whole-heartedly' within our feeling-based center...which means that love is the only (positive) way forward. When we bypass, or rise above causality and enter into resonance creation, we are finally at a place in our evolutionary development where every 'reality' we co-create with is simply an indication of where we are putting our energy…and the material world, a rapid and vivid reflection of that. With this understanding, the physical dimensions become a powerful petri dish of potential, but that potential can only be nourished and brought to fruition with the proper balance of love.”

Woah! We couldn't have said it better ourselves. The Universe speaks to – and listens to – our hearts. What are the true desires of your heart? Get very specific and clear about what it is you want to attract in your life. Ask yourself what your ideal life looks like. Are you living at the beach with your hot man and kids or atop a mountain with Sherpas at your side? What are you wearing, eating, doing, and feeling? Take a mental snapshot and then put on your creativity cap. Here are several ways to capture your vision:

1. Create a Vision Map using photos, words, drawings, etc. to visualize your ideal life.
2. Write a Short Story about your ideal day including as much detail as possible.
3. Make a “Mind Movie” video using clips and photos to replay on your computer. Add your favorite music to jazz it up!
4. Start a Manifestation Notebook of all the things you would like to create in your life. Include both tangibles (a comfy home) and intangibles (a feeling of contentment).

Revisit it often. Your vision will shift as you grow and change so re-do your visioning tool often to keep it current. Then keep track of your manifestations. You’ll be so excited when you have a record of your successes! The more you do it, the stronger your LOA muscles will become!

Once you have done your dreaming, ASK the Universe (or God or your Higher Self) directly for what you want. Do this through prayer, affirmation, setting an intention or whatever works best for you. Asking for something directly can be incredibly difficult for some of us, bringing up issues of deserving, self-love and selfishness, but it is a necessary step in the Manifestation process. And remember, the more you have the more you can share. As A Course in Miracles reminds us, "When you refuse to ask it is because you believe it is taking rather than sharing."

Next, get to work. There are two parts to the Law of Attraction – the wish and the work. The first comes from your heart, the second from your hands. Once you have put your manifestation out there to the Universe look around and see what tools you have to create your desires and then take the first step. Make a phone call, send an email, ask a friend for help. Whatever the next step is, take it. And then the next one and the next one and the next one after that.

As you go along, watch for signs and opening doors. If you are manifesting a new job and a stranger at a party just happens to mention their company is hiring, inquire further. This may be your opportunity or may lead to your right and perfect position. You never know what is part of the path so follow all leads and be open to all possibilities. Before you know it, you'll be celebrating your success!

If things are still not manifesting, ask yourself honestly – am I saying one thing and doing another? In other words, are your thoughts, words and actions reflecting your manifestations or are they contradicting them? If you are trying to attract new love, but are still not loving yourself, the law of attraction is probably not going to work for you, at least not in the way you might hope. In order to attract what you really want you have to be absolutely clear in thought, word and deed. To attract love, be love; to attract peace, be peace.

Working with the Law of Attraction can be a great opportunity to work on letting go. When manifesting, try this: put your heart's desire out there to the Universe in whatever way you choose (prayer, a manifestation board or journal, etc.), then let go of the specifics. Let the Universe surprise you with the exact WHATs and HOWs. Instead of making manifesting an exercise in will, make it an exercise in trust and wonder. Now that I have asked the Universe for X, I wonder what is going to happen...

While waiting for something to happen, be patient. It’s easy to get into an "Are we there YET?" mindset and assume the LOA is simply not working. When we argue with what is, we’re only lowering our vibration. If this happens (and it’s usually a case of “when” and not “if” for us!) be gentle with yourself.

Finally, to keep yourself on the right track, practice the power of positive prayer. Remind yourself of what you're attracting and give thanks for it IN ADVANCE. For example, if you’re manifesting a soul mate, try saying, “Thank you, Dear Universe, for my amazing partner and friend. We are so in love and fit perfectly into each others lives.” By expressing gratitude and putting your prayer in the future, you’re confirming your trust in the Universe. You are thanking it for the delivery in advance because you trust that it is DONE!

We'd like to leave you with this affirmation from Mary A. Hall, “Today is a divine, blessed, infinitely abundant day.” And so it is! We wish you much happiness, success and love as you continue to work with the Law of Attraction. It's warrior's work, but well worth the effort.

Peace, Oneness, Love and Light,

Jennifer & Lara

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Oh My Aching Body!

Dear Soul Sisters,

As I age I feel like there is always something "wrong" with my body. Some pain, some weakness, some obstacle to overcome. Am I ever going to feel completely healthy again?

Dear Aching Body:

Thanks so much for your question. We’re sorry you are having aches and pains. Even if it doesn’t feel like it, your body - today, now and always - is a beautiful temple for your soul. We’d like to remind you that what you think about you create and a healthy mind = a healthy body. Keep your thoughts positive and focused on health, not illness. While you may experience hurt, discomfort and symptoms of disharmony, calling these "wrong" and attaching terms like "weakness" and "obstacles" might not be the best thing for you and your healing. It sounds like you are frustrated with your Earth-suit and therefore, being a bit hard on it as a result.

To get the self-love flowing, we'd suggest spending some quiet, gentle time alone with your body. Draw a hot bath. Sprinkle in sea-salt crystals and drops of lavender oil. Rub the oil across your skin, thank your body for carrying you around, day in and day out, and notice its beauty. Tell those parts of your body that aren't feeling 100% that you love and appreciate them as they are. While you might have to fake it ‘til you make it at first, eventually you will feel it. Healing expert Louise Hay says it best, "Love is always the answer to healing of any sort."

For specific ailments, we always turn to Louise’s book, You Can Heal Your Life. It explores the possible metaphysical causes of physical symptoms and provides a corresponding affirmation to help you overcome the mental block and subsequently the physical condition that accompanies it. As you work with your body in this way, you may become more aware of its cues and messages. Listening to your body is a powerful tool. Are you pushing it beyond its limits? Are you giving it what it needs to be strong and healthy?

Notice what foods make your body come alive and which foods make you feel heavy, nauseous and lethargic and avoid them. Are you getting enough sleep? Do you wake up feeling rested and energetic or like you need a few hours more sleep? If the latter, try going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night until you find you are waking up feeling great. This is your natural bedtime. Shoot for going to bed at this time more often than not.

Start drinking lots of water. Water flushes out toxins and provides the basic stuff of which our bodies are made. Experts recommend drinking at least eight to nine 8-oz. glasses of water per day. Get a portable water bottle to keep hydrated on the go!

If you haven’t had one recently, we’d suggest booking an appointment for your annual checkup. It’s always a great idea to ensure everything is in good working order. Once you get the clean bill of health, you’re ready to start working towards YOUR optimal health.

Sometimes an injury or pain comes to alert us to an issue that is "clearing" from our lives: an old way of being, an identity that no longer serves us. Sometimes it arises to slow us down, to stop us what we are doing. If an activity is causing you pain and injury, take a break from it. Otherwise, as Dr. Dean Ornish says, "It's like mopping up the floor without shutting off the water."

On that note, we’d recommend a visit to a naturopathic doctor for a holistic approach to your healing. Unlike an MD, a naturopath will look not just at what is wrong with you, but what is right and what could be made better by some fine-tuning. We'd suggest you ask for a full blood work-up including allergy testing and vitamin counts to make sure you're getting all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs. You would be surprised how many of us are not getting the basics for optimal health. Your naturopath can recommend the right diet for you and come up with a supplement plan that meets your body’s needs right now.

Next up is exercise. As long as you’ve been cleared by your doctors, it’s a great idea to get moving! If you are not currently exercising at all, get started yesterday! Begin slowly, with 10 minutes a day of walking or light yoga, and increase as you feel able and motivated. But do something everyday to get your body moving and yourself in the habit. Soon you’ll love the way you feel and miss it if you skip a day! Getting blood pumping through your system, fluid lubricating your joints and fresh air in your lungs, moves the toxins out and the good stuff in.

If you already have a strong exercise program, maybe now is the time to mix it up a bit, try something new, expand your horizons. We find we feel best when we incorporate exercises from all three categories: strength, cardio and flexibility. Been a long time runner? Try biking. Hooked on lifting weights? Incorporate yoga into your routine. If you have specific injuries that are healing, ask your doctor about swimming. It’s the one exercise that is great for most bodies regardless of fitness and limitations. Look for an aqua-aerobics class to take it up a notch and make it social and fun! 

And finally, on aging. Getting older is indeed a time when we need to remember to go with the flow, embrace the changes that are happening in our bodies and yes, even the new ways in which we are able to be strong. You might not feel like you did at 16 ever again but focusing on that is only giving energy to what’s wrong with what is. Accepting and LOVING the perfection of the process is the express lane to peace! We like how Mark Twain put it, “Age is an issue of mind over matter.  If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.”

Be still and know you are perfect just as you are!

Peace, oneness, love and light to you,

Jennifer & Lara

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