What's Another Word For Positive?

Everything you do, makes a difference the key word here is DO. 

This little sentence is what I repeat to myself often as I go about my daily tasks – I wanted to focus my mind on being and feeling positive as I set up my market stall, make my ointments or even do the chores around the house. 

And I do subscribe to the thinking – that if you say it often enough, you start to believe it.

So why not say something positive? Especially to yourself, about yourself and when thinking of or referring to yourself. Make that mind shit special and eventually you start to see some magical results!

You start to believe and think in a more positive way when your mind is focused on words that are constructive, supportive and encouraging – of course then you are half way to getting your life moving (in any direction) because you are using some of that powerful mind energy to create something better for yourself.  

How many of us find ourselves hoping and wishing for outside affirmations to make us feel as if our lives are worthwhile? In the meantime we spend an awful lot of time allowing over-riding thoughts to inform us of just the opposite.

With all of this in mind, make today a day of action – focus on your goal (pick one), then taking a step in any direction is almost certainly bound to get energy moving in places and spaces where it was once stagnant. 

I have learned and experienced many times over these years how important it is just take a little step and either doors will open or close – and there will be movement.

Everything you do, makes a difference. Keep your goal in mind, make it happen. 

April

New Year's Revolution - Clearing the Dark

A revolution at this time of year, for me, is a promise to do something I’ve never done before….hmmm. Now that’s got me thinking and thinking…wondering what on earth can I do this year to set it apart from all other years. Can I do this year better, live more, experience more, feel more alive and grounded….

And what does any of this mean, or does it even matter these days? LOL

So, off to a flying start….I actually woke up this morning thinking I could exercise more, get out into nature more, and write more. There. That’s what I would propose for my 2014 New Year’s betterment of myself.

However, I spend 3 or 4 days of each week outside – foraging, walking, gardening, working the market stall and generally freezing my arse off (this time of year anyway) so actually being inside is a treat some days….

Then, on to the exercising bit of this revolution. Welllll, there is always room for more exercise and even during this holiday season I have managed to exercise every day at least once for 10 to 15 minutes brisk walking, weights or jogging. Yes, I can improve on this, I guess (of course I can!).

Lastly there is writing. Which is my passion (you are reading this aren’t you? LOL) and no, I never seem to have enough time to write or say all that’s floating around in my head.

I’ve often had a dream of a day when I have nothing more important to do then write. And to actually do this for a living – would be, as close to heaven for me as anything else I can imagine.

But, that day is not yet here – so finding time to organize my thoughts, write them down in some coherent fashion and then place them into a forum of some kind….well, you would think that should be easy for me at this stage.

But there is something (always some thing) that pulls my attention this way and that, takes the ideas right out of my head and generally infuses my brain with an endless stream of all the reasons why I don’t have the time/energy/inclination/motivation to write my thoughts down.

That to me seems like an energy vampire, a mind worm or could be referred to as dark supernatural energy in certain circles….either way it is interference energy and this is what I am going after in order to make every effort to clear the path for my New Year’s Revolution or just a complete shift into higher gear!

I recently formulated a new body cream with a magical blend of essential oils that I feel has started me on the road to clearing some of this stuff from my body, mind and soul (essential oils work in a multi-dimensional way)….I will keep you posted on my progress.

April

Ahhh the garden….can't wait till spring!

Activation of the DNA? Pineal Gland Adjustments? Initiation into what was that…?– Be Careful Out There

Something has taken over – diverted our attention away from what is important and real in life. Just observing all that has gone on these last weeks with the pomp and ceremony of a group of people who do not contribute all that much (read AT ALL) to our spiritual consciousness….

People appear to have such short memories – so many have died, been hurt, abused, destroyed on every level for centuries – yet this was all swept away, omitted and otherwise not brought up - for the sake of …. What?

A few carefully chosen words, clever marketing (very clever) and something else – taking place behind the scenes – initiation into the upper levels of power, along with the others in the ‘know’.

Quite something to see, eh? An elevation, shift, a change and a handing over of power is taking place in the world.

So, when you are invited to come and participate in some of these courses, talks, workshops and ceremonies that use words such as those above to describe the expected activities --- it has you intrigued right?

And of course, once your attention is absorbed, well, then these words can then take on an almost mystical quality. Surely the words alone will somehow magic you into a new sphere of consciousness and then your life will change into all that you have ever dreamed of….

I digress here. I don’t know if your life will change or not. Perhaps, it was on the edge of something new anyway (aren’t we all on the edge these days?) and an activation, initiation, or adjustment may or may not have had any affect.

However, after years and years (I won’t tell you how many) of being in this field, in one way or another, there is one thing I have learned worth repeating to whomever will listen;

If someone is offering to adjust you or your body’s internal workings, to activate you or initiate you into anything to do with your own personal higher levels of consciousness – walk away (or run).

What is more….if anyone is offering, mentioning, itching to get their hands on your DNA (and I know they are, because this has been such a buzz phrase for a while) – do not under any circumstances allow the cells in your body to be hacked into.

By Anyone. Ever.

If you want to be adjusted, altered, shifted, changed, initiated, healed and otherwise moved onto higher ground – well, this is a condition of higher consciousness and takes place from the inside of our bodies, working it’s way out.

These are pure spiritual experiences, which are brought about through our own seeking, exercise, diet changes, detox, cleansing, clean water, life force enhancing herbs, nature Herself and spiritual pursuits.

Your body is more than capable of accomplishing each of these energetic shifts all on it’s own – without any outside interference from anyone. In actual fact, to have anyone else involved in your spiritual experience, would be like taking on an energetic imprint from them.

Or, wearing another energy field, that doesn’t belong to you, it won’t fit and it will pull you down.

April

Marigold

Exercise as Energy Medicine

For anyone who knows me, it's no secret how much I love exercise - my one complaint would be I never make the time to do more. I have always been active, even when my diet and my life were not great and certainly during the times I have been unwell.

Intuitively my body constantly relays to me how vital it is that I move each day - in fact my body has long been informing me of the need to be physically active at least twice if not three times a day. In keeping with the natural rhythms of the our bodies...

When we exercise we move muscles, tissues and organs - most of us know all the health benefits of activity as well as some of the mental or mind connections. Our bodies gradually grow stronger along with internal systems and functions.

But there is another side to exercise, one not talked about that much. I tend to look at and seek out the energetic relationship between movement and our physical awareness. When we move frequently enough and with purpose we can do far more for ourselves then perhaps we realize.

From an energy perspective, yes we gain an increase in stamina and perhaps vitality from consistent bouts of activity. However, what else might we change and what could our energy systems make from physical movement?

Perhaps it's so simple.... what if this movement created the framework around energetic boundaries, encouraged energy flow and helped keep energy centres open within the body? Of course it does. You cannot have a healthy energy field without a consistent exercise practice.

One exercise activity I particularly like is Yoga. And I enjoy it for several reasons - perhaps the most significant being that it works on practical levels which keep this energetic balance in mind. I find when I am doing short sessions of Yoga a couple times per day I slip easily into the natural flow of my own body and this connects with natural elements around me.

Another benefit of this type of exercise is the depth it can take you inwards in the muscles and tissues of the physical body. Anything that takes us further in, will encourage energy flow and thus a return to health - loosening up and removing what doesn't belong. 

Exercise - the ultimate Energy Medicine!

April

The Way to Exercise - Body, Mind & Soul

Writing from Home - You don't have to be an unhealthy Author

Part I

There are a lot of us writing or working from home – a job which requires far too much sitting around, leaving us in a bit of a tight spot when it comes to staying healthy. Sitting for long periods of time is not the best way to work, however, fortunately for us we can find ways to stay active.

Actually I love to exercise, but it’s not always easy when I am busy homeschooling, writing, looking after animals and maintaining a house and garden. I thought the best way to start this was to let you in on what I do and how I’ve organized my day.

The first thing is this: each day I get up and I ‘owe’ the bike, the treadmill, the exercise mat and the weights 10 minutes or so, each.  This kind of takes the pressure off of me, because it doesn’t matter how I go about putting in these minutes, as long as they are in.

Throughout the day then, when I need a break or a stretch or just to move around, I go into the exercise room to burn off some of those minutes. The children usually go in there with me, crank the music up and we each do something physical for the next 5 or 10 minutes. 

It’s not a long period of time, sort of mini-sessions – I have many other things to do, and exercise tends to give me ideas I need to go and write down LOL. 

When the sun is shining or when it is not raining we might be found outside on the trampoline, walking, in the garden, moving bales of hay into the duck pen and so forth. But, even with these other activities, I still ‘owe’ time in the exercise room and work at paying it down throughout the day.

If you have been on your arse for a little while, already today, start to train yourself to become aware of the fact that you are sitting. About every ½ hour or so, get up and get moving – even if it’s housework, stretching, deep breathing or pacing the floor trying to get a sentence to work (smile).

As long as you’re moving, right? 

What I love about exercising at home is that it doesn’t take very much to get started and keep going – we started out with a skipping rope and a mini trampoline. Hubby is a personal trainer, so we have a little more serious gym then most, but only after years of collecting pieces. It takes only motivation, imagination and to be tired of stagnation to get going with this…. 

Here’s an outline:

Plan on moving about, stretching and taking mini breaks at least every hour – sitting for such long periods of time is unhealthy and has been known to contribute to many health problems. One of the most obvious would be weight gain, but there are some more serious ones too. 

Here are a few more ideas – 

• Get up and move around frequently, stretch, take deep breaths – this is absolutely vital for health and fitness

• Take short power walks outside – rain or shine, get out there and get some fresh air in your lungs, better yet, run, jog, skip and act like you enjoy it! 

• Exercise in the house on rainy (or any day) day! Exercise is not limited to outside – have a skipping rope or a mini rebounder near your desk, these can be used frequently to keep lymph flowing and you feeling great.

• Eat small meals and don’t scarf your food down all at once. Eat lighter, smaller meals of carefully prepared foods. Your digestion will be far more efficient  and you will feel better for it.

• Drink plenty of clean fresh water – try to find a source of well or spring water, your body requires water to cleanse on the inside as well as outside, it’s not 66% water for nothing. All body functions require this elixir of life.

• Practice fasting – if you are not sure how to proceed there are lots of blogs, books and information out there on healthy intermittent fasting and Master Cleanses (you can even read mine!) – these can be used to clear the mind and body, replenish and rejuvenate the system as well as boost ideas and creativity.

• It has long been mentioned how so many writers are such coffee addicts – caffeine being a stimulant can make you feel anxious, nervous or tired (yes!). Perhaps you might replace some of these with a herbal tea (peppermint, nettle, chamomile) or herbal coffee (dandelion coffee, Barley coffee, nut coffees), water or hot water and lemon for those who like something hot. Just to try something different…

I have long associated exercise, physical activity and movement with increased creativity. Not to mention blood flow to the brain, extremities and boosting health. If you want to feel better, write better and be more efficient with your time- incorporate exercise. 

You always have time to look after yourself - your time is your own. 

April

The Way to Exercise by April Danann

5 Spiritual Benefits of Exercise

At this day and age you would think the fact that our physical bodies require exercise is such as no brainer... however I keep coming across 'spiritual' people who feel they are on the journey of their lifetimes without getting off of their arse.

Well, that is simply not possible - you can get some of the way down that long road, however, without being physically active you are not going to get far. This trip simply requires all of you - body, mind and spirit to be fully present and in working order.

Exercise or physical activity has many benefits for the body and mind. Science has been studying some of them for well over a century and perhaps longer and there is much written on this subject. Sport psychology is newer science but nevertheless equally important with some well known axioms such as the part played by the mind in achievement.

One aspect of our humanness that often gets left out of this equation is how exercise has many positive benefits for our spiritual selves. We often think of this part of us as existing outside or separate in some manner from the rest of our denser attributes. However, it is not, we are not and physical exercise is critical to the health of our entire being.

Some of the ways that exercise can benefit those of us walking a spiritual path in particular are centered around our energy field, while other positive aspects are more grounded in this reality. The following are a few of my own observations about spirit and exercise.

1. Exercise helps build an energy bridge between body, mind and spirit. We can look at this in terms of newly formed synapses in the brain or to better development and function of glands such as the pineal gland involved in the awakening of higher consciousness. Of course, our minds are far clearer, insights and ideas often arrive through activity and we feel more connected within.

2. There is a large element of detox arising from exercise which has immediate and far reaching advantages for the entire body, but also for the spiritual aspects of our beings. When we are detoxing regularly some of the poisons we have been exposed to, every cellular process benefits from this. Not only are we brighter and lighter we are also able to experience our path more and perhaps enjoy it. Detoxing clears the spirit as much as the body and mind.

3. When we move physically our energy field responds by shifting and realignment - this is an important function of exercise, energy blocks, resistance and stagnant areas within the energy field will be forced to loosen up and will be easier to work on. It's like any other place where there has been little light for some time, once you give it a bit of a shake, the whole thing may unravel.

4. Building the body is not the least of these - perhaps it is the most overlooked aspect of exercising for spiritual reasons. Even for those of us walking this spiritual path, we often lose sight of the fact that 'god' or our divine light, resides inside of us. This means we are literally the 'house of god' and must take care accordingly. This is not complicated - take care of your body and it will reward you with wonderful health and a deeper connection to higher consciousness.

5. Another aspect to having a daily exercise regimen is the fact that nothing else on earth balances hormones as quickly or as easily as adequate exercise. Our endocrine function is a fundamental piece of communication for inner worlds in a multi-dimensional human being. When any part of our hormonal transmission and exchange is not working - we are not receiving inner guidance as we should. This can be a risky experience for those walking the path of higher consciousness.

There are many other positive benefits of exercise these are just a few listed here that I can say I notice on a daily basis. You must be in your body to walk this path, it is the only place where it all happens and the only space you can occupy.

Make the most of it, for your own benefit.

April

sunflower in my herb garden 

5 Things to Do Today - on Your Spiritual Path

Let's face it, there are many of us walking along on this path inwards as we reach for our own higher consciousness - and every day is different. However, for some it can seem as if each task, every day, to achieve anything significant takes an enormous amount of effort.

And it does - there is opposition, resistance, negativity and all sorts of fear to be overcome as we move along these shores. At times, it may appear as if we forget to live each day, we have been so focused on just following and listening.

There are times when you need to relax a little and re-ground your energies into each new level of reality as it is reached. Perhaps to take some time out for yourself every day, just to centre and remember who you are and why you are doing this.

I have listed a few things I have found to help me remain focused on the path, but also which remind me to allow this journey to be the life I am living. Completely.

1. Plan something fun or just do something you enjoy doing. If you have children, play with them or follow their lead, they always find something to do and make it entertaining. You can paint, draw, play a game, draw a hopscotch outside, swing, lie in the sun, colour a picture, read a funny book and laugh at yourself. 

2. I don't know about you, but being in the garden, planting and digging in the soil are some of my favourite past times. Today, get some seeds and plant a herb garden - if it's too late to do that outside, use pots or plant them inside. I like to plant seeds in stages - about a week or 10 days apart, so that I have a steady supply of some of my most used ones. I do this with coriander and basil especially. Parsley grows really well outside and is prolific, it will grow over the winter in a warmer spot (shelter from the wind) and you can get a good amount of herb from each plant for your cooking.

3. Why not plan a fast or better still, do not eat anything else today. Choose instead to sip on clean spring or well water, clear herbal teas with lemon and nothing else as you go about your day. For the next 24 hours or so, you can give your digestion a little break, flush out some toxins and revive your system. You will not only feel better, but will rehydrate your skin and have a clear, focused mind.

4. Even if you exercise already, why not do something different today? Instead of your same old routine start a new one, or break your session up into 2 or 3 mini sessions throughout the day. This keeps your metabolism boosted, oxygenates your brain and helps with concentration and mindfulness. Try a run-walk-jog for about 10 minutes - sprinting for 30 seconds or so every couple of minutes...your body will thank you.

5. Write. Record your journey or your day. Write down your dreams, your ideas and thoughts, start a new journal or diary. Choose a beautiful journal (or better still make one) and keep it for yourself - make this a part of your own special time. Your time to reflect on who you are and all you are doing to get back to yourself. 

Today is a great day to get started on doing more for yourself, deepen and enrich your own life as you follow your path inwards. Have a healthy day,

April

Flowers in the garden

April's Five Minute Challenge

A number of years ago I wanted to find a way to get more out of my day and it got me thinking about the whole subject of energy. As some days I have so very much to do, how do I first of all stay focused and second of all keep the creative juices flowing? The third thing is how do I push it to the next level? These answers are always very simple and of course, right in front of me. EXERCISE

So I started thinking of all the things that I want to do, the goals, ambitions, even the smallest ones, and wondered what I could accomplish if I got my body moving for the next 24 hours.... could I move that mountain? Or climb it?

My goal was simple, I wanted to push myself into a higher level- but did not really know how that would play out. I just had a desire to feel like I was moving forward and perhaps see some results of it.

It quickly formulated into a plan to exercise very hard and very frequently- or just a bit of exertion and lots of it! I have done this over the years, but usually in conjunction with studying for an exam. So, I promised myself that for the next 24 hours or so I would exercise for at least 5 minutes each hour that I am awake--- NO EXCUSES.

Even when you exercise regularly, it is easy to treat this as a separate part of your day. The 45 minutes at the gym, or walking the dog or yoga class- neat and tidy, that is out of the way. I propose that when we incorporate it directly into our lifestyle no matter what it is, and remain active throughout the day- then not only are you more productive, you feel better too.

This changes the paradigm of how we think about physical activity and why we must move in order to stay healthy, but also that reaching these goals is often a matter of a little push in the right direction.

If you are at work, there is still no excuse - run up and down stairs, jog in the corridor, hop on one foot, or get outside, there is lots you can do; remember this is a CHALLENGE. One thing that I do is go outside without a coat and it forces me to move to stay warm. Sometimes I just run up and down in the driveway and around the house. For my last 5 minutes I was on my stationary bike, pedaling normally for all but each 30 second burst. Before that I did some weights, some rebounding, skipping and jogging.

This routine works particularly well if you are a student, as those brain cells require oxygen to process information. As I am all things to everybody at the moment, this is just the boost I need to improve my memory, focus and concentration. It really helps when writing, be it an essay, a letter or a book. Move it and use it.

Having babies or small children is no excuse, I have kids and you just have to be more creative. Be playful, turn up some music and dance for all you have in you! Better still, get them to join in with you, I have rarely seen little ones who do not want to move.

Even if I am in my pajamas, even if it is late at night, even if I need to pee, even if I (and we all have a reason ♥) any number of other things, just get up or stop what I am doing and move. But not any old move, it needs to be very physical exercise, with at least a couple of 30 second bursts of intensity or spurts.

Basic Rules to follow:

- it must be exercise

- if you sweat, this is best

- run, walk, jog, jump, hop, skip

- lift weights, push, pull, stretch

- do at least 2 spurts of 30 seconds each

- 5 minutes or more right up until bed time

So far I am nearly 5 years incorporating this way to exercise into my life and it really works to keep energy flowing and I must admit that I do feel some what more on top of things as long as I exercise.....

Exercise is the key to assisting your body in its’ removal of toxins like noxious chemicals, plastic or pollution before these become lodged in your tissues. Along with all the other benefits of activity we can now add more- brain-power, boosts in sales, a top grade on your exam, a promotion at work, being in a good mood with your family- or anything you want, you fill in the blanks.

So get going with what ever you can do and take up this challenge and from now on incorporate exercise into your day, everyday - you will make inroads into your body and this will help you on your path towards higher consciousness. 

Have a lovely day,

April

Top 5 Ways to Unblock Energy

Top 5 Ways to Unblock Energy

My mission over these past few days that I have been following my July Master Cleanse has been to focus on areas of blocked and resistant energy. I have been listening, talking to and working with my body but focused on mainly my heart area as that feels to be the key to all of this.

Today is only day 3 of the 10 days but it appears to have hit me like a brick wall or perhaps I am the one who has hit the wall. And I think that this just might be the wall that I have to break down or get over somehow.

Tonight I am feeling tired, but not tired (like it comes from some other place), heavy in my heart and just now as I was tuning in to exactly what I was experiencing, it is as if there is an echo or an emptiness. I have found the block that I was after – so now what to do about it?

Of course, a cleanse is all about cleaning out areas, tissues, organs and cells at the deepest levels to remove toxins, reduce inflammation and generally restore harmony to the body. I know that this cleanse will do the work that needs to be done here – I am only required to support it.

I have been doing a few things to encourage the energy to move as I am an old hand at this (smile), however, this is deeper than I have ever gone before and I guess each successive Master Cleanse will be like this from now on. I have days, weeks and months of fasting under my belt and no two times have been alike.

This time around I am doing the following 5 things mainly to open up this blocked energy and get at the underlying pattern;

Cleanse

The physical act of cleansing on its own pushes the toxins to the surface creating movement in any area of stagnant energy. Sort of like an osmosis – water flows and pulls out embedded poisons and clears the debris. Any time spent cleaning the body inside and out is worthwhile leaving you feeling refreshed and renewed afterwards.

Music

I love music and all kinds of music –  this is often the first thing that I do with my day – listen to some music, usually loud and upbeat. These past few days I have been listening for all sorts of tunes from country to rock to classical –  and I have found that this has helped to open something that was tightly closed. Perhaps that is the magic of music, the notes and harmonies work with our body on several levels at the same time; it can penetrate where other things cannot.

Movement/Dance

Any form of physical activity, movement, exercise and especially dance takes us into and connects us with our innate energy flow. Energy can become erratic, spiked, congested and many other things – movement works to re-align the energy field, smoothing out the configuration and allowing structure or shape to be more defined. This should be a gentle process when necessary and dance can be a great way to encourage re-patterning within the energy matrix. Dancing brings us back to self – to put it simply, where there is more self arriving, there is little room for blocks. I always feel better when dancing or exercising and I try to do this often, having small children helps as they love to dance!

Nature

Nature is all about grounding, connecting and feeling apart of something grander, bigger than ourselves. When we are out in nature with the intention of making these connections, repair can take place to reverse the damage of blocked and resistant energy. When we are blocked in any way, we have interrupted these energetic ties to our own world and can lose our bearings quite easily. Using nature as part of our overall healing process brings us back into this level of awareness which then serves to help dislodge the block.  These past few days I have been walking, working in the garden and taking pictures when possible, spending time outside.

Creative Work (writing, art)

I do many things that might be considered creative, I write, I love to cook, bake and create with food,  we grow herbs for my teas and keep a large garden. And even though it would not be something that I would show to others, I enjoy painting, colouring or using pastels. When I am working on an art piece I approach it in the exact same way I would a reading on someone – my body, mind and spirit go into a new realm and something just flows. In this instance it would be colours, textures and shapes giving voice to feelings and thoughts.

~~~

These are some of the ways and means that I have been using to find these blocks in my system and then to uproot them and hopefully begin the process of removal. I am not naïve enough to think that this will happen all in a day or even during this cleanse. Often these energy blocks have existed for lifetimes and will take careful effort to dissolve, however, this is all part of the journey that I am on and I am pleased to have come so far. 

Let's see what tomorrow brings,

April