ARE YOU WILLING TO CHANGE?
Submitted by admin on March 29, 2012 - 4:52 pm
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HOLIDAY RELATIONSHIP TIPS
Submitted by admin on November 16, 2011 - 5:08 pm
Holidays highlight our relationships for better or worse. They can be joyous times or they can reveal our loneliness or family drama.
There is so much cultural programming about what the holidays “should” be, and we usually have our personal and family stories as well. What have your stories been?
Holidays are generally the domain of the feminine. The feminine thrives in relationship and wants to feel loved and connected.
A friend and I realized the other day that we had similar family stories. Then, I realized it wasn’t just us– it pertains to our entire generation.
Even though my friend and his siblings have all been out of the “nest” for over 20 years, their mother is still leaning on them. She was frustrated that, with Thanksgiving less than 2 weeks away, they hadn’t made plans with her yet. My friend understood her desire for family yet he felt pressured, smothered and manipulated.
It got me thinking that while in recent history the masculine has gotten a bad rap for being domineering, the feminine has been just as controlling in her own ways. As the distorted masculine power has expressed through aggression or imbalanced will, the un-healed feminine has used manipulation to get her needs met.
Even as recently as my Mother’s generation, these programs were hard-wired into both men and women. Not that they were bad people; it’s just been the survival game on the planet. And when it comes to survival, we can be very stubborn even in changing patterns that have long out-lived their usefulness.
In my childhood, my Mother had to have Christmas at our house, according to very specific rituals that started a month ahead. She cried if she didn’t get the gifts she wanted, or if the rest of us didn’t like our gifts.
Once my Dad decided we were all going skiing in Utah for Christmas.” Everyone else loved it but my mother obviously sulked.
After so many years of this, I grew older and moved away then didn’t want to go “home” for Christmas anymore. Not that I didn’t love my Mother; quite the contrary. I just wanted more breathing room for my own experience, my own joy.
The Mother energy is the energy of giving life as well as sustenance. When we share connection and nourishment– which we do over the holidays– we all tap into this energy.
So let’s be aware this holiday season of the original impuse for love and connection. We all have this and we all have a Mother.
Probably, we wanted this with our mothers and to the degree we did not experience it, we resisted and then became whatever we got instead. Are you laughing yet?
The control games that have run rampant on the planet are changing. This changing game is impacting our finances, our intimate relationships and more.
We can listen to the news or talk politics all day, but where this is really going to change is when we can look inside and at our close relationships and shift the game there.
Control kills the possiblity for life and creativity. As we become aware of where we have sought love and experienced control, we can see where we got hooked and breathe into our original desire for love.
In fact, our true nature is love. Control and security may look alike at first glance. Look again.
This holiday season, let’s realize our true natures and find security in our authenticity with each other. There, we can truly trust. There, we can truly, deeply connect.
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Want to use this article in your E-Zine or Web Site? You can, as long as you use this complete tag with it: Intuitive Healer Ann O’Brien publishes the “Flowering Sol” email newsletter to help you blossom into your light. If you’re ready to open up your intuition and creative power to fulfill your dream life, get your free gifts at www.FloweringSol.com.
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copyright 2011 Ann O’Brien- All Rights Reserved.
ARE YOU SETTLING?
Submitted by admin on May 18, 2011 - 4:55 pm
Have you ever said yes when you meant no? I know I have! Let me tell you a story about a scorpion…
On 9/9/09 I had agreed to go on a date. Did I really want to go on the date? No.
A friend had set me up and as soon as I saw the guy’s picture, I thought, “Not interested.” But then she explained: he was successful, creative, kind, not a player, and he practiced yoga. I decided I “should” go on this date and so told him yes.
The night before, I couldn’t sleep. I really didn’t want to go. Nothing felt “bad” about him, I just don’t like going against my truth and I didn’t want to waste his time and let him down later. So at about 2 am, I sent him an email and cancelled the date.
Immediately, I felt a rush of energy. It felt powerful, exciting and at the same time light and happy. I looked over at the funky stone wall of my Topanga canyon apartment and saw something black crawling out of a hole.
At first glance I thought it was a spider, but it kept getting longer, and longer… until I saw the scorpion tail. I ran to get the almond butter jar I had set aside (labeled: “spider relocation project”) and tried to trap it so I could take it outside, but I accidentally killed it. Once I caught my breath I realized that was probably for the best.
I knew this Scorpion was a powerful omen about claiming my power and not settling. So I put it on my altar with the Buddha and angel.
I felt amazing and stayed up til 4 am, bagging up things to take to Goodwill. I slept until noon and was in a sort of altered-bliss state all the next day, too.
When I told my friend the story, she said immediately “Well that means a Scorpio is coming for you!”
Great, I thought! But where is he? Months went by and no sign of the promised Scorpion.
Nearly a year later, I met a new man and found out his sign. I tried not to jump to conclusions when he said, “Scorpio.” But when our 2nd date was on 9-9-10, I took note.
That night, he took me to Zozobra, an annual Santa Fe ritual where they burn a gigantic puppet representing “old man gloom and doom”. People send in divorce documents, family belongings, and other possessions symbolizing things they want to release to make room for the new– and these are burned as part of the puppet while the crowd screams and cheers.
The date, his sign, and the theme of cleansing and renewal was all just too synchronistic! So when I saw he was obviously really excited to get to know me, I said, “I don’t want to freak you out, but can I tell you a story?” And so I told him about the scorpion.
We shared a wonderful 9 months together, during which we both grew and expanded in such beautiful ways. I am very grateful.
So many times I have settled. Not only in relationships, but throughout my life.
And I’m told I am very committed to my path and my truth, but I feel in my heart the pain of having settled. I feel the pain for me and for those involved. Because I know now that settling doesn’t just hurt me, it hurts other people too.
One thing that pushes my buttons the most is an energy that says “Who do you think you are?” The fear that if I live my truth and own my power and value, that I’ll be punished and alone.
It’s been a wound since before this lifetime, and so at times when given the opportunity to stretch I’ve hung back, because it seemed like no one else was stretching and so I had to stop if I wanted love.
What I’ve realized is that serves no one. Not me, because I’ve felt stifled, not those I could serve by shining bright, not those I’ve tried to love or make comfortable– because that love and comfort was based on a lie.
And saying yes to a lie then saying no later can pose more problems than just saying no in the first place. Imagine saying yes to a job then realizing only after people were counting on you that the pay is not enough and you can’t do it. Or saying yes to a marriage then everyone going through the pain of divorce.
I have seen this in many, many people, especially women. I have seen it make their partners crazy when they know something is off, but because the women don’t think it’s ok to share “negative” emotions they torture them with their withholding. All the while thinking they’re being “nice.”
One of my clients had been ambivalent about her relationship for years, but didn’t want to leave because she didn’t want to hurt him. Now, he’s the one pulling away and she’s shocked. I pointed out how all these years she’s been half-out have hurt him. People feel our truth whether we’re willing to voice it or not.
I have seen this in some parents, thinking they need to sacrifice everything for their families, then have nothing left to give. Parents who are unable to model healthy self-care actually HURT their children, and make more stress for themselves when the children develop health (physical, mental or emotional) issues. Often, these children end up taking on adult responsibilities– and suffer for it for years– when their parents fearfully choose not to be responsible.
So an easier way, perhaps, is to just love ourselves from the beginning, all the time. To breathe deep, find our courage and trust that this is best for everyone.
I have seen that when we are really at peace with this, no one says “Who do you think you are?” Partners actually PREFER hearing what’s wrong in the moment; it builds trust and is much easier to fix.
Calm, happy and healthy parents naturally have calm, happy and healthy children.
And when we truly love ourselves, we aren’t greedy, so there’s no need to worry that we’re asking too much. I find that people who desire things they’ll never use, fixate on looking “perfect,” or need constant love and reassurance are actually trying to make up for deep insecurities.
But living an abundant life, being radiant, and sharing love are our birthrights. If you are not enjoying these things, what are you settling for and why? Let me know if I can help.
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Want to use this article in your E-Zine or Web Site? You can, as long as you use this complete tag with it: Intuitive Healer Ann O’Brien publishes the “Flowering Sol” email newsletter to help you blossom into your light. If you’re ready to open up your intuition and creative power to fulfill your dream life, get your free gifts at www.FloweringSol.com.
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copyright 2011 Ann O’Brien- All Rights Reserved.
DO YOU HEAL MEN?
Submitted by admin on April 24, 2011 - 10:53 pm
If there were a 12-step program for this I could join. I can see it now… “Hi, I’m Ann O’Brien, and I heal men.”
For years I did it all the time, but didn’t know I was doing it. Then I figured it out, and I got pissed off.
It started with my Dad, then boyfriends, guy friends, guys I was interested in, guys I had subtle flirtations with, etc. I felt responsible for them and I took on their stuff unconsciously. I have always been a natural healer and entertainer, and that was my knee-jerk way of coping when the world around me didn’t feel good.
It was my story, and for a long time it was a “bad” story. Deep down, beneath my conscious awareness, I realized the power of this gift, but didn’t know what to do with it or if that would even be safe.
So I rejected it in myself and pushed away those who wanted it, but I didn’t even know I was rejecting something. I just felt frustrated a lot.
At the same time, I deep down wanted to give this gift and have it be received, but because I had pushed it down I didn’t even understand my own pain. I had no model for this.
At some point I figured out that I had been healing men all my life, and that I was unconsciously perpetuating and attracting these situations. It was uncomfortable but I was grateful for all my spiritual awareness finally, and I tried to stop doing it.
I learned techniques to help me. Even my spiritual teacher pointed out how this was happening, and suggested ways I could stop it.
Have you ever heard the saying that our greatest challenges in life are actually our greatest gifts? Or the suggestion to pay attention to our natural tendencies, because that is where our power is?
I have heard it but for so long didn’t connect the dots.
The problem was not what I was doing but the fact that I did it unconsciously, without acceptance, understanding, artistry and respect. And so it controlled me and caused problems for others– until I learned what I now understand.
Over the years I have been involved in many feminist or women’s groups, and I’m increasingly seeing a shift in power on the planet from men to women. And no one can argue that women have been historically wounded.
But guess what? Men have been wounded too.
When I look at the masculine structures on the planet that are crumbling, I see tremendous pain in those who are losing their long-held illusion of power and control. I listen to new-agey type conversations about empowering the Divine feminine and I feel sad to notice the masculine getting overlooked, blamed or judged.
When I help my female clients with relationships, I so often hear them complaining about men. They express things like “I’m fine; it’s my husband that needs to change.” Oh, if it were only that simple!
I hear women express superiority to men and then share how much they are yearning for a good man to come sweep them off their feet. Hmmm. And I SO want to help these women!
In reaction to the old model of being passive and helpless, many women have taken the feminist stance of feigning “independence” and embracing our power. Now of course we have power, but how are we using it?
Feminine power misused is no better than masculine power misused.
What will heal this whole thing is to co-create harmony, to open up a conversation so we can understand and support each other. For us all to recognize our unique gifts and power so we can stop projecting and start celebrating and sharing.
Just because masculine energy has dominated our politics, religions, economics and planet in general for so long does not mean this masculine energy has been healthy, happy and balanced. Far from it. If it were it would not have hurt so many and it would not be collapsing now.
So while I absolutely support the rise of the feminine, my vision is to see it rise in a balanced way, in harmony with the Divine masculine. Not just being ok with the more feminine men who don’t threaten us, but actually embracing masculine energy in men, in the world and in ourselves.
Now that we are starting to accept our feminine power, let’s use it to invite the masculine to step into his power too. Women, this is an art you can cultivate and if you don’t know how, I can help you.
It’s what most women– and men– deeply want. It’s a deep deep wound in the world.
This is not about sleeping around, not necessarily about sex at all. It is about being authentic in a way that brings out the best in men. Sometimes it helps him feel good, and even when it doesn’t do so immediately, it offers him space to choose and is ultimately a gift to all.
So much creativity and love get unleashed when the masculine and feminine unite in harmony and mutual respect. I realize many have feared this, and I have too.
But I see deeper now, and I am proud to say, “Hi, I’m Ann O’Brien, and I heal men.” In joy and gratitude for this opportunity and gift…
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Want to use this article in your E-Zine or Web Site? You can, as long as you use this complete tag with it: Intuitive Healer Ann O’Brien publishes the “Flowering Sol” email newsletter to help you blossom into your light. If you’re ready to open up your intuition and creative power to fulfill your dream life, get your free gifts at www.FloweringSol.com.
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copyright 2011 Ann O’Brien- All Rights Reserved.
SPRING HEALTH TIPS
Submitted by admin on March 31, 2011 - 7:57 am
| As spring approaches, we look forward to new beginnings and are reminded that before a birth happens, we need to cleanse and make space.
We may have a week of warmth and sun followed by another snowstorm, so along with our enthusiasm this is also a time to be gentle and patient! In Ayurveda, a mind-body health system from India, this time of year is considered to be “kapha” season. Kapha, one of the 3 primary mind-body types is associated with sweet, cool, moist energy. Kapha people tend to be solid and loving and they hold on to things– mentally, emotionally, & physically. Some of us are naturally more kapha-like than others, but to some degree for each of us we can balance the kapha-dominance in our environment using foods and lifestyle choices. As this is often a wet, cool time of year where we feel the stagnation before the blooms of spring, we can support ourselves with foods and activities that are dry, warm, light, and energizing. Some of the best foods at this time are bitter greens, and this is also a great time to undergo a cleanse. Greens (in food or supplement form) particularly support the liver, one of our primary organs of detoxification. See the “Ann Recommends” section below for supplement suggestions. Let the warmer weather inspire you to get out and exercise to burn off the toxins and sluggishness of winter! Active, vigorous exercise is great for most of us at this time! Along with physical cleansing, detox your emotions by searching your heart of any unforgiveness and let it go. Support your mind by writing down your fears and toxic beliefs, and turn each one into a positive affirmation which you can say, read &/ or listen to regularly! Just as the deeper we exhale, the more room we have to fill ourselves with breath, the deeper we let go now the greater the payoff! Emptiness and fullness are one dancing as two. Blessings on your release and rebirth! _______________________________________________________________ Want to use this article in your E-Zine or Web Site? You can, as long as you use this complete tag with it: Intuitive Healer Ann O’Brien publishes the “Flowering Sol” newsletter to help you blossom into your light. If you’re ready to open up your intuition and creative power to fulfil your dream life, get your free gifts at www.FloweringSol.com _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ copyright 2011 Ann O’Brien- All Rights Reserved. |
SPECIAL HEALING FOODS and EMOTIONAL REMEDIES
Submitted by admin on January 27, 2011 - 7:41 pm
I’m fascinated with the special healing properties of various foods and with the connection between health conditions and emotions, so I thought I’d write up some quick tips to assist you or your loved ones with any of these conditions.
Please trust your own intuition as you consider these suggestions, and know there are no one-size-fits all answers. I don’t diagnose or claim to cure anything and suggest consulting a professional for customized advice. To your radiance!!
Thyroid conditions- I see these so often in women and the #1 reason I see is that it’s time for women to speak up!! Not in some aggressive, trying-to-be-like-men way, but as our authentic, vulnerable and powerful selves. Create and express your feelings!
Special healing foods: sea vegetables (good to eat daily), seafood, eggs, coconut. And for many these foods disrupt the thyroid: all soy foods and cruciferous vegetables (especially raw).
Other notes: Often thyroid problems stem from adrenal exhaustion. You can balance your adrenals with good quality sea salt like celtic or himalayan, and by managing your stress!
Heavy metal toxicity- Many of us have or have had this, especially if you’ve had mercury dental fillings, or been exposed to cigarette smoke or lots of car exhaust (both contain lead).
Special healing foods: Sea vegetables, cilantro, chlorella, spirulina, greens powder supplements, purple cabbage (lead), green beans.
Other notes: Heavy metals seem to go hand-in-hand with “heavy” emotions. For example, I personally noticed that as I was clearing out mercury I was also facing fear, and while releasing lead I also released judgement. Who knows what causes what, but it’s helpful to see and shift things from multiple angles!
Parasites- My personal belief is that these are also much more common than we realize. Especially possible if you’ve traveled to 3rd world countries, eaten raw fish, or had diarrhea or digestive issues.
Special healing foods: Pumpkin seeds, figs, coconut, food-grade lemongrass oil, raw garlic, apple cider vinegar.
Other notes: Physical parasites can be indicators that your psychic boundaries are weak. Clearing them may provoke you to take a look at who may be “feeding off” your energy in ways that don’t serve you.
Candida/ fungus/ mold- Mass addiction to sugar is culturally condoned and can lead to many problems including fungal infections. Other causes include environmental exposure to mold, for instance if you’ve ever had water leaks in your home. Some say stored grains are an epidemic source of fungus, so for prevention it’s best to store them in the fridge if you do eat them!
Special healing foods, herbs and oils: Grapefruit seed extract, coconut, raw garlic, fermented foods/ probiotics, chamomile, frankincense (rub on belly!) Avoid sugar of all types (read labels), most or all fruits especially dried fruits, bread and all refined flours. Eat food as fresh as possible, minimizing or eliminating leftovers (best to freeze them if eating them at all).
Other notes: Fungus wants to stay alive and so will cause you to crave sugar and foods that feed it! Killing it off requires fortitude and willingness to go through the discomfort of something “dying” inside you. Something is dying, but YOU are becoming stronger.
Bonus tip for every kitchen: Pre-soak whole grains overnight before cooking (or sprouting) in an acidic medium such as apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, presoak beans overnight in kombu (seaweed), and presoak nuts 6-8 hours in filtered water with salt. This will increase the nutrients available in your foods and make them more digestible!
Wondering what emotions might be keeping you from radiant health, or what foods would most support you? Go here for a special deal on a customized health and nutrition reading– just until 1/31/11!
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Want to use this article in your E-Zine or Web Site? You can, as long as you use this complete tag with it:
Intuitive Healer Ann O’Brien publishes the “Flowering Sol” email newsletter to help you blossom into your light. If you’re ready to open up your intuition and creative power to fulfill your dream life, get your free gifts at www.FloweringSol.com.
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copyright 2011 Ann O’Brien- All Rights Reserved.
WHY YOUR HEALTH & RELATIONSHIPS ARE ONE
Submitted by admin on January 23, 2011 - 10:49 am
There’s a reason why my friend, raw foodist Chef BeLive calls his e-book “Orgasm of the Taste Buds”. When the food we eat is filled with light or life force, so are we! And our life force is the same as our sexual energy, or the creative energy we use to manifest anything in our lives!
Not that you have to eat all raw food (I don’t!) But there is something about living raw, which transcends diet to living fully and authentically and passionately, that really appeals to me.
And I see that most dis-ease in the body happens when our life force gets stopped. This, as I see, has to happen before something “happens to us” (i.e. before we catch a cold or get a disease.
Even scientists will say that there are bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc. all over the place, but they only thrive in certain conditions. And besides these usual suspects which “cause” health issues, today most people are also exposed to tons of chemicals, heavy metals, radiation, and other toxins– most of which are due to living a very un-natural life!
While most of us can’t live in today’s world without at least some exposure to these things, we absolutely CAN live with more vitality and authenticity. We can’t control external influences, or even our bodies, but we CAN control our relationship to them.
And as you may have noticed in your personal relationships or those of your loved ones, trying to control things never works, but changing yourself and your attitude can bring miracles! Ignoring those we’re in relationship to doesn’t work either.
But we can learn to dance. Beginning with listening to our feelings moment-by-moment and moving with them (whether literally dancing or not), we end up in a great place to dance with another, or simply to live peacefully in our bodies.
When I observe people’s relationships, I see so many half-in half-out. There’s another body nearby but each person is in their own little world.
And the sad part to me is that our society accepts this. People think, “This is as good as it gets.”
All it would take for a couple, for instance, is to lie together and breathe for 5 minutes and BOOM- deep connection- but instead people rush around in preoccupation and complain later about the other.
When I read people’s bodies and health, I see something similar…
The liver is manic because it’s overloaded and no one is listening so it gets more manic. The brain is operating off old programs that lead nowhere and aren’t true, but the person confuses these patterns with real feelings and chases them attempting to survive. A woman’s hormones take over her entire being and she can’t make wise decisions about relationships.
It amazes me that our society thinks things like headaches, constipation, and PMS are normal. I am shocked to witness how many people are on prescription drugs– often many and at a young age.
While these symptoms are common in today’s world, they are not “normal” but are our bodies way of communicating a disharmony. While drugs have their place, I feel the mass reliance on them would not be necessary if we simply communicated with our bodies and chose a healthy diet, lifestyle and relationship with ourselves and others.
People say they don’t know how to do that but I believe we do know.
If we’ve only been exposed to processed food, of course, there may be some education needed to realize the benefits of other options. But in terms of what feels good and bad to our bodies and relationships, if we only pause and listen it’s pretty obvious what works and what doesn’t.
You don’t have to have the final answer to start a conversation. Your answer may not match up with anyone else’s, nor with anything you’ve been taught or shown, and there are no tests and no grades.
But you do know. Ask yourself…
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Want to use this article in your E-Zine or Web Site? You can, as long as you use this complete tag with it:
Intuitive Healer Ann O’Brien publishes the “Flowering Sol” email newsletter to help you blossom into your light. If you’re ready to open up your intuition and creative power to fulfill your dream life, get your free gifts at www.FloweringSol.com.
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copyright 2011 Ann O’Brien- All Rights Reserved.
Boost Your Psychic Immunity
Submitted by admin on November 10, 2010 - 10:16 pm
Do you feel weak, easily swayed by others, or run down for no apparent reason? Or do you feel too stiff, so reactive to every little annoyance so that you push people and love away?
Truthfully, many of us could say “yes” to all of the above. In either case, these are signs of an un-balanced psychic immune system.
Our physical and psychic immune systems are connected, so if you’re wanting better health, especially now as the seasons change and the holidays make us take stock of relationships, consider these suggestions:
1). When we’re happy or in love, we’re usually healthy! Have you noticed that on days like this you can stay up all night, or be around people you normally can’t stand, and none of it bothers you? Do what you can to be happy, share love with others and follow your own heart, and you’ll strengthen your tolerance for potential “energy bugs.”
2). If we’re hyper-vigilant, we fight love off without realizing it. Conditions like allergies or auto-immune conditions are signs that the immune system is hyper-active. Like a dog that barks just as loudly at your best friend, a squirrel or an actual threat, we can wear ourselves out this way, not to mention scare away true love.
3). In order to set a boundary, instead be the boundary. Fill your life so full of what you love, share your true self as all that you are… and then all that you aren’t will simply have no room to be around you! It’s like filling your gut so full of probiotics (good bacteria) so that the bad bacteria just gets crowded out!
4). What you resist, persists. Have you ever had an illness or injury and gotten mad at it, mad at your body, or mad at life because this “happened to you?” Have you ever wished you could just will a health condition, person or situation away? And then noticed it got worse?
Resistance is like glue; it will bind us to whatever we keep thinking about. So instead think “Love, ecstacy, bliss” or whatever words or images help you feel what you’d love to feel instead!
5). Forgive. From an emotional/ energetic standpoint, the key to all health is forgiveness. Your health reflects your relationships with self and other. Any time there is disharmony, your immune system has to work harder to figure out what to do about it.
When we forgive we are in a state of peace and unity, and from this space of self-love we of course would never let anything harmful in! From here “protection” becomes easy because, in general, the immune system has little to do and can easily and harmoniously recognize and handle a true “intruder”.
6). Move energy through your spine. From a physical & energetic standpoint, the spine is the key to health. When the nervous system is balanced, energy flows up and down the spine and out from there into all our organs, glands and entire body.
When there is a physical or energetic trauma (sounds dramatic, but most of us have them!) along the spine, our energy can’t flow as freely in our own bodies and so they don’t function as well. So, yoga, chiropractic, massage, or any exercise or treatment that helps the spine will help your overall health and immune system!
Given what I know about the physical nervous system’s role in immunity, I find it fascinating that many of the systems of energy clearing that I practice and teach involve visualizing energy flowing up and down the spine. As we imagine energy flowing through the chakras (energy centers), I believe we’re also subtly yet powerfully affecting our physical spine and nervous system, which in turn reaches our entire physical body!
If you’re looking for a chiropractor, yoga teacher or studio, check out the resources on my website. And if you’d like help on the energy side of things, pick up some audio mp3s!
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Want to use this article in your E-Zine or Web Site? You can, as long as you use this complete tag with it:
Intuitive Healer Ann O’Brien publishes the “Flowering Sol” email newsletter to help you blossom into your light. If you’re ready to open up your intuition and creative power to fulfill your dream life, get your free gifts at www.FloweringSol.com.
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copyright 2010 Ann O’Brien- All Rights Reserved.
10 WAYS TO STAY GROUNDED THIS FALL
Submitted by admin on October 11, 2010 - 10:08 pm
Feeling the rush of fall or just busy managing your life? Try these 10 Tips to stay grounded this season:
1). Consider your priorities. Write them down, or draw a picture of them, and choose consciously what to focus on first each day.
2). Reduce stimulation. Do you eat breakfast while texting, emailing, talking on the phone and feeding your dog all at the same time? Try even a short period every day of doing just one thing at a time, and see how you feel.
3). Dive in to whatever you ARE doing. If you’re eating, become the taste. If you’re walking or driving, look at the sights around you as if you’ve never seen them before. If you’re talking to someone, feel their heart and your own.
4). Align with the earth. Many people deeply relax when in nature. If it’s an option, get out on the earth regularly. Walk places and get plenty of sun. If you’re in a city, at least surround yourself with plants, rocks, or a fountain to remind yourself of the elements.
5). Tell the truth. The more we tell the truth the simpler things become; this includes telling the truth to yourself about your feelings. An added bonus is that the more we tell the truth, the more our words become true!
6). Get plenty of rest. Have you ever taken a power nap, or stopped to have some fun, and found yourself more productive and inspired later? Pushing yourself around is the surest way to un-ground yourself, and it’s a downward spiral, so just rest!
7). Ground for you only. Do you feel like your survival is dependent on someone else? You may be grounding through them and limiting your ability to get grounded for yourself. Do you sense that someone, or perhaps many people, want YOUR help in grounding? It can be a complement, but it doesn’t make for healthy relationships and fundamentally doesn’t serve each individual. We can love each other in many ways, but ground for you and let others do the same.
8). Eat healthy, grounding foods. Donuts may comfort you if you ate them as a kid, but consider what foods make you feel healthy AND comfortable today. It may change from day to day, so ask your body and be willing to feel the truth in the moment.
9). Maintain your life and belongings. Do you feel un-grounded if your car needs repairs, the kitchen’s a mess and you have 10 voicemails to return? Give yourself space to manage your daily life and free up your time and energy.
10). Love. You may have experienced that when you’re in love, or feeling close with friends and family, nothing can get to you. Or, after a breakup, arguement or loss of a loved one, how the whole world feels upside down. So prioritize love, whether that’s with others or simply by following your heart and living a life you love– and your increased sense of calm may just feel like icing on the cake!
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Want to use this article in your E-Zine or Web Site? You can, as long as you use this complete tag with it:
Intuitive Healer Ann O’Brien publishes the “Flowering Sol” email newsletter to help you blossom into your light. If you’re ready to open up your intuition and creative power to fulfill your dream life, get your free gifts at www.FloweringSol.com.
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copyright 2010 Ann O’Brien- All Rights Reserved.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT
Submitted by admin on August 13, 2010 - 6:27 pm
At the retreat I attended recently at the Tree of Life I heard Gabriel Cousens talk many times about moving from the Culture of Death (where much of society is) to the Culture of Life (his vision for a healthier possibility). This seemed to so clearly describe something I’ve seen throughout my life, and especially as I’ve traveled this summer.
For almost 20 years I’ve chosen to live in places like Santa Cruz, Boulder, and Topanga (LA) where organic food and spiritual seekers are commonplace. So whenever I leave these spots I admit I have some culture shock!
Since leaving LA 2 1/2 months ago, the thing I miss most are all the bright and shiny, radiant people. I know LA gets criticized for being superficial and materialistic but since living there I am convinced that being beautiful and radiant is the NORMAL way to be.
I’m not talking about fake boobs and plastic surgery.
I have also heard the term “spiritual materialism,” usually used as a criticism, but I am coming to feel like a proponent of spiritual materialism… perhaps in a new way!
I think those who use that phrase critically are talking about those who pretend to be spiritual out of greed, or who are all talk and no action, as an ego-boost rather than a deep soul calling. I’m not a fan of that.
But as I’ve been traveling, I am so yearning to see more light shining through people’s bodies! We are light and so often I’ve wanted to scream, “Let it out!” I love to see people with their lights turned on who are also grounded in their bodies.
Seeing so many people and places, I’ve realized unfortunately how uncommon that is. I’ve witnessed what a mass agreement there is to, to use Gabriel’s words, “the Culture of Death.”
For example, visiting beautiful places like Yellowstone I was saddened to see the cafeterias serving Cokes, chips and sandwiches (white bread and processed meat and cheese), and how grumpy lots of the tourists were. I’d be grumpy too if I ate that! And I’ve seen how having money and opportunity does not always mean enjoying or really HAVING what one has.
We are what we eat and when we eat foods filled with light (living, raw foods) we shine more radiantly. When we eat grounding foods (which may include proteins, root vegetables or whole grains), we tend to be more grounded.
For the record, I have also seen many raw foodists and spiritually-oriented people who seem so far “out there”, in denial or rejection of the body and I’m not a fan of that either!
Every food has energetic qualities which, when ingested, enhance that same energy within you and your body. For example, this is why root vegetables help us root, or why bee pollen and seeds are said to increase fertility.
When one eats mostly processed food with little life force, one has little life force and a feeling of numbness. There is no blame in this. Most of our culture agrees to do this, and so in addition to the vulnerability that comes with feeling, there is also a fear of being alone and disconnected if we don’t go along with everyone else.
The truth is though that once we feel, we connect so fully with ourselves that the world begins to mirror this connection. We may need to make new friends, but those friends are out there!
I’ve realized that most people haven’t even experienced other options. Never mind Yellowstone, go into the typical grocery store across the country and there is very little organic, chemical-free, unprocessed food!
Go into a typical gathering and people are bonding over suffering, complaining together as a means of connecting (if the TV is off and they’re even talking)! When I notice this happening, with my clients or in my life, I tend to redirect the energy because I see so many more life-enhancing ways of connecting and expressing our precious energy.
So perhaps today, ask yourself what type of feeling would make you feel good (for instance: grounding, cleansing, or stimulating?) and then ask what foods seem to match that feeling. Try them and see how you feel.
Ask yourself what patterns you feel stuck in and see if you can cut back on foods you’ve been choosing that seem to match those patterns. For instance, the term “couch potato” is quite telling!
Food or otherwise, are there choices you’ve been making that have been bringing you down? Perhaps today, ask yourself what new choices you could make to enhance your life?
If you don’t know, or need support, I love this stuff and I can help.
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Intuitive Healer Ann O’Brien publishes the “Flowering Sol” email newsletter to help you blossom into your light. If you’re ready to open up your intuition and creative power to fulfill your dream life, get your free gifts at www.FloweringSol.com.
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copyright 2010 Ann O’Brien- All Rights Reserved.
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