Change Yourself

Apparently the following words were inscribed on the tomb of an Anglican bishop in Westminster Abby (1100 A.D.)

“When I was young and free and my imagination had not limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But, it, too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.“

That Easy, Peaceful Feeling

From The HeartMath Institute

“You feel a deep sense of peace and internal balance—you are at harmony with yourself, with others, and with your larger environment. You experience increased buoyancy and vitality. Your senses are enlivened—every aspect of your perceptual experience seems richer, more textured. Surprisingly, you feel invigorated even when you would usually have felt tired and drained. Things that usually would have irked you don’t ‘get to you’ as much. Your body feels regenerated—your mind clear. At least for a period of time, decisions become obvious as priorities clarify and inner conflict dissolves. Intuitive insight suddenly provides convenient solutions to problems that had previously consumed weeks of restless thought. Your creativity flows freely. You may experience a sense of greater connectedness with others and feelings of deep fulfillment.“1

Want some? More than a decade of research at the Institute of HeartMath has shown the relationship between this state, commonly referred to as flow, and positive emotions. They call what happens to the human system during these states physiological coherence. And it’s the underlying principle behind the HeartMath® system of tools and techniques.

At first, most can’t believe achieving flow is as easy as flipping a switch. Perhaps it’s because we’ve grown accustomed to expecting that if something isn’t complicated and/or expensive it has no value. Yet all it takes to get into the flow is a little bit of practice.

For those of you new to the HeartMath System, here’s an easy way to get started. Heart focus. Heart breathing. Heart feeling.

We call this the Quick Coherence® technique and here’s how you do it: Imagine your breath coming in and going out through the area around your heart in the center of your chest. Do this slow, deep breathing for about 20 seconds. Then recall a fun or positive time in your life: A favorite vacation; a special time with a loved one; a perfect run down the slopes. And attempt to re-experience it. Hold this feeling for about 30 seconds or more. Then notice the emotional, mental and physical shift. That’s it. Three easy steps that can be done free of charge, any time, any place, and no batteries are required.

Take care, Kim Allen

1 Excerpt taken from The Appreciative Heart: The Psychophysiology of Positive Emotions and Optimal Functioning, Rollin McCraty and Doc Childre, Institute of HeartMath, 2003. You can find out more about this and other IHM research at http://www.heartmath.org/research/index.html

Brain and Heart

From The HeartMath Institute

Timely: As I am faced with situations in my life today I find that my mind can (and will) eagerly take a problem and run with it through every scenario until it finds one it can latch on to. It will play that scenario over and over again incessantly. For once, I specifically looked at the situation from my heart and man is it ever wise! Everything is good!

“The brain gives the heart its sight. The heart gives the brain its vision.” - Kall

Moi Unlimited

Today’s Card of the Day is the Page of Wands - Angel Paths

The person represented by the Prince of Wands will be an active, energetic person, with a warm and generous heart, and a good sense of humour. He will have a natural and infectious optimism about him, tackling every aspect of his life with enthusiasm and vigour.

He will be friendly, gregarious and open in his attitudes, possessed with a very healthy sense of his own value, but also supportive and encouraging to others. You’ll often come across him in working areas where healing, encouragement and development are involved.

The apparently easy-going happy-go lucky exterior conceals a deeply rooted moral sense. At his best he typifies the ’shining white knight’ principle - always ready to stand up for what is right, and good; willing to fight to protect those who are more vulnerable than himself.

If the card comes up to indicate an inner response, rather than an actual person, it will signify rising confidence levels, and a positive attitude to life. This card is often the result of overcoming fears and surmounting obstacles which have previously hindered us, or held us back.

Today’s Affirmation is: My life has no limits. It is filled with boundless energy. 

Flow With It

From The HeartMath Institute

“Flow with whatever is happening and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.” - Chuang Tzu