Live Your Dream Like Martin Luther King – Find Your Inspiration!

In his famous speech, Martin Luther said “I have a dream”, which has inspired millions of people to change and act in a better way toward their fellow man. It continues to inspire many people today. As I re-read the transcript of this great speech, it stirs great passion and hope in my heart for a better world. It was clear to me that this speech was so moving because it was written to touch the soul of the audience; this is important because it is from the soul that we are naturally moved to action.

So in honor of Martin Luther King, how can we be inspired today to “have a dream” for ourselves?

The answer is to get quiet and listen to that still voice inside that speaks to us softly. It will never yell or force us to into a dream, but will coax and nurture and nudge us into our dream.

How does inspiration happen? What is the process in the human psyche that leads us to a dream for ourselves?

Inspiration happens from within; this unique place is our individual knowing that ignites our spark to allow our dream to be heard. This place within is not tangible and must be accessed through a special form of communication. This special communication happens as we remove the negative energy that interferes with this unique knowing. It does not come from action or doing anything; in fact, taking action interferes with the process.

What happens if I’m not inspired to have a dream or pursue my dream?

Our still voice speaks to us on its schedule, not necessarily when we want it to. Patience and self insight are necessary to know who we are authentically. Some level of self insight comes before knowing the dream or purpose. Authentic knowing of self simulates having a dream to fulfill that knowing. The message will come at the perfect time and when it’s ready.

For some, we may know the dream, but lack the confidence to move forward. Know that when you soft voice speaks to you, it will never give you a dream that is beyond you or out of your reach. There is a natural knowing that comes from your authentic self that sizes your dream automatically for you. If you don’t feel like you can achieve your dream, it is usually an illusion coming from negative energy that can be cleared and eliminated.

Dreams are the most important part of happiness and fulfillment in life. Today, in honor of Martin Luther King, it is fitting to think about your dream. As he looks down on us he would like that!

~by Jason Rohn

5 Little Known Factors that Affect Your New Year Resolutions

1) A resolution is a promise to yourself, and if you make a promise to yourself and can’t keep it, you will feel shame. That shame (whether it is conscious or not) will sabotage future promises to yourself.

2) If you use willpower or force to achieve a resolution, it takes away energy of willpower from some other part of your life. Willpower is not a sustainable behavior and can be toxic in your life. Many falsely believe that you can use willpower over and over again when the truth is you can only use so much before it starts to hurt you. Willpower is not a sustainable behavior.

3) Setting a resolution often carries the expectations of quick results; When these results are not attainable, the expectations become a reason to be judgmental and critical of yourself, which will undermine your original resolution and future resolutions.

4) A resolution puts pressure on yourself to change a behavior. If you are ready to make the behavior change, great! Your body understands what it is capable of naturally and it’s time schedule may be different than yours. So if your body is not ready to change the behavior, the pressure can put added stress into your life and make it difficult to perform in other areas, derailing your efforts.

5) If you make a resolution to please someone else, then you may be denying your own needs, and the resolution could hurt you and the other party more than it will help to bond in the moment.

So what is the answer?

Set an intention – instead of a resolution. Resolution is a specific goal with a deadline. I am going to lose 10 lbs. by March 15. Restated as an intention, I intend to lower my carbohydrate intake and increase my aerobic time per week from this many minutes to this many minutes, and intend to increase my walking time by 1 hour per week total. Listen to your body and let it set the schedule. If you are not able to maintain your intention, easily and without judgment go back to it and start over or renew your efforts. This is a natural and organic way to treat your body. Happy New Year!

~Connie Tommerdahl

 

 

 

 

 

How to Recover From The Holiday Hangover Today

The holidays have come and gone. It is totally normal to feel a letdown. After all the expended energy and excitement, stimulation and celebrating, it is natural to feel the void of energy as we settle back down into our ordinary routine. That routine might even feel rather boring and mundane after all the celebration.

It is vital that we acknowledge what we are feeling whether it is that we are a bit tired, or even a little sad. Acknowledging those energies does not mean we have to stay in them. Once we recognize them, we can clear them, and then replace them with other, more satisfying energy.

We can clear the exhaustion, and the sadness, and the let down energy.
We can also clear the left over overwhelm and anxiety, and judgment about the holidays.

If we focus on the gratitude that we were able to sense during the holidays, and remember what was good during our time of celebrating, it makes this time period easier, allowing the authentic transition from a busy time into a quieter time.

Now would be the time to practice your meditation, engage in gentle exercise, see to your rest and foods that support your energy. Remember to use full spectrum light bulbs to receive the light you need during these short days.
This would also be the time to contemplate that blank slate piece we talked about on Christmas Eve where we can continue to write our new life in this transformational time. There is no better time than the present to really start to bring that Authentic Self into the forefront.

Be gentle with yourself. The darkness of this time will start to lift soon. Clearing will help allow your true authentic self to shine forth. That is your Light.

~ By Merrilee Town

The Gift

So often we hear the question: What do I do now? I don’t know the new way to be, yet. I do know that the old way isn’t working for me. But, I feel uncomfortable not knowing how to do things differently.

First, we see the old programming, the Ego, the ‘Virtual Self’, suspended in air. This false self hovers there, limiting our brilliance and yet, so familiar and easy to draw from.

Then, beneath that, at the very core of our being, is the ‘Authentic Self’, the ‘Natural Self’, the ‘Green Personality’, the ‘True Self’. This is our Essence. We know there is this energetic source of who we are, and yet, we are so programmed to live from the ‘Virtual Self’.

Going inward, with the UTUE Clearing Process, guided by the Enneagram and our UTUE practitioner who can help us “see” around our blind spots, we gradually clear a path towards that Essence.

Here’s the thing. In the image we described, the Virtual Self, hovering there, is suspended above the Authentic Self, and there is a SPACE between them. This space is like a no-man’s land, (or no-woman’s land …which is like a void, a space of unknowing. This space is where true learning can occur. It really is a place of having a “blank slate” on which to now author your new life.

However, it doesn’t necessarily feel good to be in this void space. This place is an inevitable part of Authentic Life Transformation. It can feel dark, lonely, confusing, anticipatory, and exciting.

This is not at all unlike waiting for something new to be born. This is not at all unlike this season’s promises of new life, new light in a dark world, something divine being born within.

Your Gift

I like to think of this place as a wrapped gift, waiting to be discovered. I like to remember that it’s fun to shake the present, listen to the mysterious sounds coming from inside, feel it’s heftiness and wonder …. WHAT…awaits? WHO…is emerging?HOW…will my life change?

I offer you this possibility: This treasure is worth the wait.

 

~by Amanda Zabel

The Secret to Getting into the Spirit of the Holidays

The other day someone was telling me that a relative was going to help the family get into the spirit of the holidays by having everyone exchange handmade gifts. I’ve heard stories of families going to soup kitchens to help feed the homeless or do some type of charitable work – to get into the spirit of the holidays. Many focus on church activities to get away from the commercialization of the holidays.

These are all good ideas but a key ingredient is still missing. We are taught that actions bring about feelings, but that is not necessarily true. We often try to program ourselves into the spirit of the holidays by doing certain things. It could be baking or trying to get family to connect, or making extra special decorations or even making sure everyone has really good gifts.

So what is the secret to getting into the spirit of the holidays?? In order to understand the answer you have to understand how the “spirit” of the holiday comes about.

The spirit of the holidays is a feeling or an energy. Programming or taking actions like the ones we just mentioned to overcome negative feelings connected with the holidays may work short term, but isn’t sustainable. Negative feelings build up over time, so as families come together for the holidays, this can become an opportune time for these negative energies to be the expressed.  So while we all want the ‘spirit of the holidays’ to be positive and joyful, past experiences and programming may be prohibiting us from experiencing this joy to its fullest potential.

So what is the answer? First, clearing the negative energies from the past will help you connect to the spirit of the holidays. Those negative energies of grief over loved ones who are no longer present and bad memories of unpleasant holidays build up and create bad feelings that linger years longer than anyone should ever have to endure.

Second, go to that place within where the true spirit of the holidays exists and stay there for awhile. As you go to the place within, connect to Creator Energy to envision a holiday experience with gratitude. As you participate in the season hoopla, when you find yourself stressed or overwhelmed with emotions, take a few seconds or minutes to reconnect with this special time you spent preparing for the holidays.

Contributed by Jason Rohn

Secret to Creating Balance for the Holidays – A Green Personality

To have a green personality means to be natural and authentic from your essence. How is this possible when we have been trained to do the season of giving with competition, jealousy and go, go, go? Not to mention ‘to say all the right platitudes’ that have been taught from the past. And finally, the rules that say eating and drinking the traditions of the season without a thought of ‘is this in my highest and best interest?’

I want to tell you a story of my mother and how she taught me to be dysfunctional at Christmas. I remember as Christmas was approaching the frenzy energy would start to build. My Mother would have expectations that the rest of us would take on her idea of a good holiday. I see that she would whip herself into a frenzy trying to play the role of perfect mother and if my sisters and I didn’t do what she wanted she would be abusive, abrasive and mean. The message was, it was so important to be happy for the holidays, so that she could be a diva. Our job was to perform for her no matter what the emotional cost. As a child, I didn’t realize the contradiction in the training I was getting. On Christmas Eve, after sending us all to bed, I would find her sitting in the middle of the living room floor crying, wrapping presents. She would stay up all night, exhausted and emotionally spent, trying to be the perfect Mom and creating the perfect Christmas. Then after the holidays, She would always be tired and disappointed, because her expectations were impossible to achieve. I always felt that somehow it was my responsibility to make sure my mother was happy for the holidays; as a result, when I got older, I became a participant in this madness! I really thought that this was the way the holidays were supposed to be.

Since I have started clearing on a regular basis, I have been able to see the old patterns and games of the season from a different perspective. What a difference! I can see how my neediness for everyone else’s approval has held me hostage in the games and patterns that mostly belonged to my Mother. Truth; I am not my Mother nor am I willing to put myself into an early grave like she did trying to please everyone else. Today I choose to do what is right for me!

Today, since I have a different perspective of life and the season, I see that by using the essence of who I am, I am creating a green personality. This personality is natural and organic, so when the holidays arrive, I can enjoy them easily, without too much effort. This is my secret to creating balance. Be green with me and enjoy this season!!

Contribution by Patricia Rohn

Are holiday expectations stressing you out?

Look around, expectations of the holiday season are around us all. This is supposed to be a season of joy, happiness, celebration. But for many, before they can experience the joy, they experience increased stress. Here is a short list of holiday season todo’s that might have been added to your current stress:

Make travel plans and travel
Attend the obligatory holiday party(s)
Make cookies for the annual cookie exchange
Decorate the house
Send out the christmas cards
Buy gifts for holiday celebrations

If you find that these additional things add stress, such as expectations and increased demands, this may be making your season more of what others want, and less of what the true you desires to get into the spirit.

An antidote to this stress is to connect to your green personality, so you can embrace the seasonal energy of joy, happiness and celebration. Ask yourself, is it possible to fulfill my list using my green personality?

Here are some ideas I have been using to practice connecting to my green personality during my holiday season:

• Cookie exchange, while fun, is about exchanging lots of sugar. Do you have to bring cookies, or could you bring something else this year? How about doing an exchange of proteins, such as nuts or cheese?
• Instead of exchanging bottles of wine, think of other options for exchange, such as local cider, juice, or homemade soup stock.
• How about giving a gift of local crafts, meats, produce or honey?

Diabetes: A Mother’s Story

Written by UTUE Director Patricia Rohn

It is difficult for me to write this story because of my feelings about my daughter with this disease. I have struggled with feelings of fear, hopelessness, shame and anger and I know that these overwhelming emotions can be almost as difficult as the disease itself. The mind-body connection is so evident to me. As I work with these emotions everyday, I confess that I have felt like somehow Jennifer’s diabetes is my fault and I know that Jennifer has felt that her disease is some type of punishment or label of unworthiness for her. I hope this story can help others as they struggle and to know that there is hope and possibilities for life that many may have not considered.

When my Daughter Jennifer was ten and a half she got the flu or so we thought. She had been sick for about two weeks, so I took her to the doctor. He ordered a standard blood test; it confirmed she had a virus of some kind, so it was agreed that it would have to run its course. Five days later she was close to death, and after a rush to the emergency room she was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1). Her blood sugars were well over 800. The average blood sugar levels (for a person without diabetes) are 80 to 120.

Jennifer is now in her 40’s. For the first 20 years she learned how to stay relatively healthy, even as she continued to live with diabetes. But she resisted going to the doctor and having regular checkups because she disliked and feared medical buildings and doctors. To her they represented the judgment and implied criticism that she felt from the disease: an evaluation of her as a person. She took the doctors and the results of their findings personally. This made my guilt even greater, because of my emotional approach to the world, and I felt that Jennifer learned her emotionality from me.

Jennifer and I began clearing together over ten years ago. I could see how her positive emotions helped her take care of herself and I even saw that when she was feeling hopeless and angry it affected her tests when she went to the doctor. We work together at least once a week doing the clearing, removing toxic emotions and energies, so that she can be happy and healthy. There have been times that this situation has been overwhelming for me and Jennifer, so she began to work with Merrilee, our UTUE Teacher who is has expertise with the physical body.

Recently, one of the major effects of Diabetes caught us by surprise. Jennifer developed Diabetic Retinopathy; as a result she is legally blind in her right eye. Emotionally, this was devastating for both of us. Our mutual fear of Jennifer becoming blind has been very difficult. As we struggled coping with doctors and the medical establishment, it was so clear the difference between doctors who have a “green personality” and those who don’t. We had a doctor tell her that it was inevitable that she would be blind and that she should just get used to it! Of course, that was just a judgment on his part that we refused to accept. There have been other doctors whose compassion and heart is truly an inspiration.  Without the clearing I’m not sure we would have coped with this situation as good as we have.

Many people ask me to rate the importance of nutritional support, exercise and clearing.  The reason we are working with Samantha is because these things cannot be separated and are part of a Green Personality. A true holistic approach is one that honors the mind body connection where the physical body and the emotions are considered. Many in the medical profession expect their patients to “just do it” without any emotional response or resistance. These medical professionals live in a world of denial and isolation. Contrast that with the many medical professionals who are heroes with great heart, compassion and familiarity with human emotions.

Diabetes is a difficult disease but it is not hopeless or insurmountable. I am so fortunate to have the clearing support as well as our other UTUE Teachers, Merrilee and Samantha to help. It is so clear that the mind body approach to diabetes or any disease has many benefits to everyone’s overall wellbeing.  Three key components accessible to all are: clearing the negative emotions, maintaining proper nutrition and exercise. This approach allows anyone to take their power and keeps them from becoming a victim to diabetes and other illnesses.

How to Practice Self-Care While Participating in Family Expectations

If the holidays have taken an emotional and physical toll on you in the past, now is the time to start preparing a plan of action so you can practice a new way of being with the holidays.

As we enter this holiday season, there are a few things that are vital to our self-care:

1. First is the acknowledgement that we truly are worthy of listening to that deep part of ourselves that helps show us how to recognize and meet our own needs, both emotional and physical, during this time. Often we put off meeting our needs because of the fear that we are being selfish. The truth is that taking care of ourselves always puts us in a better place and makes daily life more sustainable, especially during the holidays.
2. Be present with your needs. Know that the better you are taking care of yourself, the easier it will be to spend time with those you love.
3. Breath. There is nothing easier and more immediate than breathing to re-center and rejuvenate. Take breaks from family gatherings to reconnect with nature, there is energy and power in nature to rejuvenate yourself.
4. Be sure to get plenty of sleep, healthy foods, and exercise to turn the tide on stress. Keep the focus on yourself in order to stay balanced. Find creative ways to work these three vital components into the days of celebrating. These are the ways to insure enough rejuvenation in order to be able to function better and have a healthy attitude.
5. Keep the focus on gratitude. The attitude of gratitude changes the energy of any gathering. Gratitude lends a special vitality to everyone and every experience during this time. Find something to focus on that reawakens a sense of gratitude.

There are a few general toxic emotions that can be cleared using the UTUE process during the holidays. Taking a few moments and clearing these emotions will help put the celebration back in your step.

1. Clear the rules and regulations about putting ourselves last when it is time for family and friends to gather.
2. Clear unrealistic expectations of the holidays meeting everyone’s needs.
3. Clear taking the sometimes volatile emotions of the holidays personally.
4. Clear comparing your family to other families, judgment and a sense of competition. Good old fashion acceptance works magic here.

Let’s look at Mary and how she participated in the holidays five years ago. Mary used to spend tons of time making lists, shopping, and agonizing over the meals as she believed that this year she would be creating a gathering that would be totally “perfect”.  Starting the process, she would always have the highest hopes and goal to finally get it right. And to all appearances, she would, and yet she would end up not feeling satisfied or happy at all.

As time went on, frustrations mounted and nerves would grow thin. She would cut back on sleep, start stress eating just to feel good for a few moments, adding in chocolate and caffeine as a way of getting that extra boost of energy that seemed necessary at the moment. Staying up late to finish that last appetizer, trying to get the house cleaned, and spending extra time in traffic took its toll on Mary’s energy and her attitude.

When the day rolled around, Mary tried to regain that sense of holiday celebration and gratitude. Deep within her though, was a sense of let down. Something was wrong, and worse, she felt like she was “wrong” and she just kept trying harder to make the day happen.

Today Mary has an entirely new approach to the holiday season. She has been able to acknowledge that the old stressful way of preparing for the holidays no longer works for her. She had started clearing with her UTUE teacher, and has been able to clear the rules that she hadn’t questioned around how holidays are supposed to happen. She also has been able to stop trying to make up for all the times she lost her temper during these family gatherings as she cleared old guilt and shame that kept tainting her ability to be in the present moment.

Today she is able to know that seeing to her needs for ample sleep, simple planning, exercise and wholesome foods makes the holidays a lot more manageable and enjoyable for her, and therefore everyone else involved. She is also seeing that her need for the perfect holiday celebration was an obstacle to having a real holiday celebration. Things are much more laid back and simple these holidays at Mary’s home. And they can be at yours too!

Written by Merrilee Town, Certified UTUE Practitioner

Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving

By Samantha Gilbert, BA, CHNP

1. Know true hunger. Teach your body the difference between physical hunger and social or psychological hunger. This takes some time to master, especially when your brother keeps bringing up your old high school boyfriend who wore sweatbands all the time and thought he was Eddie Van Halen in front of your new boyfriend, whom you’ve only been dating for a few months. Meditation and Clearing are amazing tools to have at your disposal during these times. Simply slip away to the bathroom or take a walk outside and ask yourself “what are the feelings that are provoking my anxiety and frustration?” Then clear them or meditate for a moment to see if you are truly physically hungry, or just full of anxiety that is triggering your desire to eat. The answer may surprise you. Trust me, this works.
2. Eat slowly. Practice keeping your fork down until you have finished your last bite of food and take at least 15 minutes to finish your meal. Many digestive problems can be eliminated by slowing down because your brain needs time to tell your body you are, in fact, full. If you eat slowly and mindfully, conscious of every bite, you’ll probably eat less but enjoy your food more. Think the French Paradox is a load of crap? Think again. Every time I am in France I always lose weight, and I attribute this to the greater positive energy generated in the kitchen and at the dinner table with people I love. Savor what you are eating. Make love to it, and enjoy the process.
   
3. Eat to 80% fullness. What does this mean? It means eat until you are just satisfied. Remember points #1 and #2 above and you’ll master this one in no time.
4. Get active. Just because it’s the holidays and your gym suddenly becomes a ghost town or you’re traveling doesn’t mean you can’t work up a sweat. Staying active will help keep your mind clear and your metabolism up. It can also help you cope with Aunt Martha’s annoying comments about your new hairdo. Besides, who doesn’t love a nice, long walk after dinner snuggled next to your sweetheart?
5. Get plenty of sleep. Yes, I know you are in charge of your family’s dessert committee (heck, you probably are the committee), plus you’re not thrilled about seeing your in-laws, but trust me, adequate sleep will do you wonders. Not only does sleep change your hormone balance and ability to recover from stress, but the more sleep you get the leaner you are. The less sleep you get, the fatter, weaker and sicker you’re likely to be. And you definitely don’t need to be dealing with that. Quick tip, turn off your computer and TV at least two hours before hitting the sheets.
   
6. Ditch the white stuff. You can still make wonderful desserts without the use of refined sugar. Coconut palm sugar is a great 1 to 1 replacement to white sugar and is loaded with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Other great options include date sugar, maple syrup (grade B and organic), molasses and raw honey (not for infants). Keep in mind that these sweeteners are still sugar and regardless of marketing tactics, are still highly glycemic. Therefore, I recommend keeping them to a minimum.
   
7. Enjoy proteins and fats first. I know Aunt Martha will have platefuls of sugary finger foods, and little crystal bowls from the 1960’s scattered throughout the house full of peanut M & M’s to entice you, but trust me, you’ll enjoy Thanksgiving dinner so much more if your blood sugar is on even keel. Instead, go check out the deviled eggs, or better yet, eat a healthy snack before leaving the house such as an apple with a handful of sprouted almonds or a protein shake with coconut oil. Your adrenal glands will thank you.
8. Eliminate vegetable oils. This really is a biggie. All vegetable oils (canola, soy, corn, safflower, etc.) use solvents, usually hexane, during the extraction process that still remain in the finished product. No amount of refining will remove these harmful substances. So called “heart healthy” canola oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which easily become rancid and foul-smelling when subjected to oxygen and high temperatures. The standard deodorization process removes a large portion of the omega-3 fatty acids by turning them into trans fatty acids. Don’t buy into industry marketing tactics. These oils are very toxic. Think nut and seeds oils are better? Nope. These oils are so delicate they go rancid very quickly, long before they hit the shelf. Instead, opt for raw coconut oil and raw or organic butter for cooking and baking. Use olive oil sparingly and only after cooking. Click here to read my complete article about oil processing.
9. Replace white flour with sprouted options. The abuse of grains through today’s present processing methods renders them devoid of nutrients. Sprouting breaks down hard to digest starches and anti-nutrients leaving you with healthier (and tastier) pies, cakes and breads. Check out To Your Health Sprouted Flour Company for more information.
   
10. Support your local farmer. In 1992, the USDA approved a rule to permit irradiation of raw, fresh or frozen packaged poultry and produce. Irradiation depletes foods of their valuable vitamin and mineral content. Conventional animals are also subjected to deplorable living conditions, and injected with a wide variety of hormones, antibiotics, and flavor enhancers. In other words, you are throwing your health and money down the toilet. Buying from your local farmer supports healthier animals, a better environment, and better health for you and your family. And I almost forgot, your food will taste better too! How’s that for a Rock Star Thanksgiving? Check out the Organic Consumers Association for more details.