Stretching for Self Care and More Energy

 

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Have you ever watched a cat or a dog after they have awakened from a deep sleep, or even from a nap? The first thing they do is to stretch. And, it is not just a little stretch, it is a front paw, open jaw yawn, gut arranging, to the back paw stretch. The stretch energizes the muscles as fresh oxygen rushes through the blood and muscles.  Nature provides the animals with a natural solution to staying limber.  How may of us take time to stretch like this in the morning? 

• Do give yourself permission to stretch for energy and health each morning and when you need a break during the day.
• Start with your toes and stretch them wide apart. 
• Stretch your calves, knees, and thighs. 
• Stretch your abdomen and hips by sucking your gut in and out with a deep inhale and exhale. 
• Stretch your ribs and stomach by arching backwards and extending your arms over your head and backwards. 
• Then tilt your head back and yawn. 

The first couple of times that you stretch really hard, you may hear tendons creak, and you mighteven see stars! This is a good indicator that you really need this regular stretch. 

This type of stretching is so essential for self care.  Stretching energizes you.  It helps keep your back and hips flexible which helps you appear younger than your age.  The stretching helps you to remember that you are part of the natural world and that you need to remain in balance.

Many blessings.

Judy

The Value of Gratitude

                       

If you are a participant in many of the spiritual conferences and podcasts that are currently available online, you will notice that all of them mention the power of gratitude.  For the record, www.vocabulary.com has a great definition of gratitude.

Gratitude means thanks and appreciation. ... Gratitude, which rhymes with "attitude," comes from the Latin word gratus, which means "thankful, pleasing." When you feel gratitude, you're pleased by what someone did for you and also pleased by the results. Unlike indebtedness, you're not anxious about having to pay it back.

Knowing how to feel grateful and how to practice gratitude is a gift from Great Spirit.  Buddhists say that in order to feel compassion, one must know how to feel gratitude and to express gratitude.

One of my teachers explained to me that gratitude is a special wave of energy that spirals to the heart of the Universe.  The Universe feels the joyful news and grace within the gratitude.  This wave of energy is like a magic wand that waves abundance to the one that expresses gratitude.

May you have a ton of gratefulness today!

Many Blessings

Judy

Process To Release Things From Your Life

                         

Some folks have asked for help in releasing things.  Sometimes, we need to release work, or a person, or a situation, or even a habit that causes us distress from our lives.  Releasing is difficult because our body/mind sees this as “giving up” something that we have control over.  And, we humans hate to give up control.

This brilliant short prayer is about releasing from your life and asking to be released from other people's lives.  

It is a prayer of creativity and expansion that allows you to heal parts of your life that seemed beyond healing.  At the end of the prayer, you can add the phrase – With harm to no one – and know that this request is in the highest and best interest of all.

Many Blessings,

Judy

Self Needs Care!

                             

                            Picture comes from an email, therefore source is not known.

I have been quite busy with healing from surgery and with some family stuff.  The Angels have been telling me that I need to make sure that as well as taking care of others and other things, that I must take care of myself.  They say that I need more rest and more fun.  I am planning some fun things!  

As always, when I need something to spur me to action, a nifty article comes my way. Here is a fantastic meditation or mantra on self care from Louise Hay.

I love my body. 
My body is perfect for me at this time. My body weight is also perfect. I am exactly where I choose to be. I am beautiful, and every day I become more attractive. This concept used to be very hard for me to accept, yet things are changing now that I am treating myself as if I were someone who was deeply loved. I’m learning to reward myself with healthy little treats and pleasures now and again. Little acts of love nurture me, doing things that I really like, such as quiet time, a walk in nature, a hot soothing bath, or anything that really gives me pleasure. I enjoy caring for myself. I believe it is okay to like myself and to be my own best friend. I know my body is filled with star light and that I sparkle and glow everywhere I go.

-----Excerpt taken from Meditations to Heal Your Life by Louise Hay

Many blessings on your journey today.

Judy

Why Do I Compare Myself To Others?

                                

A big lesson that many of us have to learn is that we cannot keep comparing ourselves to other people.  If we were all exactly the same, then we could compare.  Since each of us is unique, comparison does not work.

In fact, the Angels say, that when we start comparing ourselves to others, we are really reacting to a mirror of a part of ourselves that we have not yet dealt with, and that we need to put to rest.  That is a huge idea!

In comparing to others, we are pulling out the parts of us that need to be worked on.  Whether it is physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual work, when a comparison pops up, now is the time to do the work.

Ask yourself:

Why is this comparison of "xxxx" so important to me?

• Why do I need to learn this at this time in my life?
• What is the bigger lesson here?
• Who else is affected by my lesson?

Many blessings 

Judy.

Wisdom From Nature

                                

                                  Picture by Judy Hirst - Beaver downed trees in Fish Creek Park 2021                          

A while ago, one of my friends sent me the amazing quote below.  She knew that I was working on mindfulness and on being more attuned to Nature and the signs and messages that Nature provides.

Enjoy the wonderful ideas in this quote from Angus Williams.

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Drink water from the spring where horses drink. The horse will never drink bad water. Lay your bed where the cat sleeps. Eat the fruit that has been touched by a worm. Boldly pick the mushroom on which the insects sit. Plant the tree where the mole digs. Build your house where the snake coils to warm itself. Dig your fountain where the birds hide from heat. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time with the birds – you will reap all of the days golden grains. Eat more green – you will have strong legs and a resistant heart, like the beings of the forest. Swim often and you will feel on earth like the fish in water. Look at the sky as often as possible and your thoughts will become light and clear. Be quiet a lot, speak little – and silence will come in your heart, and your spirit will be calm and full of peace.

Nature is talking to you, are you listening?

— Angus Williams

Many Blessings!

Judy

Irish Soda Bread as a Pick-Me-Up

                                   

Our family loves soda bread.  We use this recipe because it tastes good, and it feels like it lifts our spirits.  Soda bread seems to balance the digestive system and its soothing taste is a good antidote for the rich food consumed over the Christmas and New Year festivities.

If you feel down, try the soda bread as a pick-me-up.  Tear off a bit and spread it for the birds as they love soda bread!

IRISH SODA BREAD WITH ROSEMARY AND CHEESE

--Makes 16 servings thinly sliced

1 ½ cups of all purpose white flour 

1 cup whole wheat flour 

2 tablespoons of granulated sugar (I use brown sugar) 

1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder 

½ teaspoon of baking soda 

½ teaspoon of sea salt 

1/3 cup of grated cheddar cheese (for a different taste, use raisins or currents) 

1 tablespoon of rosemary flakes or crushed rosemary or fresh herb rosemary as in the picture 

1 egg 1 ¼ cups of buttermilk (I use regular milk with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar) 

3 tablespoons of vegetable oil 

In a large bowl, combine all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir together well. Stir in cheese and rosemary seeds into flour mixture.

In a separate bowl, combine egg, buttermilk and oil. Pour liquid ingredients over flour mixture and very lightly combine together into rough dough. 

Place dough in 9 inch by 2 ½ inch spring form pan lined with parchment paper. 

Bake in preheated 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 50 to 55 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on rack.

Happy baking,

Judy