Turn Winter Blues into Colorful Hues

Early February, cold and blustery, is often a time of year I hear from people in a winter "funk".  While these individuals aren't suffering from Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD), they are none the less suffering.  And yes, suffering is part of the human experience.  But I'd like to investigate why these people are feeling this way and find some remedies.

Aside from the obvious, less day light, frigid temperatures, heck even the aftermath of a jubilant holiday season, it is not uncommon for people to find themselves unhappy in early winter.   A lack of physical activity, possibly the intake of heavier meals, and an overall feeling of being inhibited no doubt is frustrating.

To assist myself in not feeling this way, there are a couple of things that I do.

1. Walk the dog.  Dogs can handle the weather better than we can.  And in fact, they prefer to get the activity than to not.

2. Daily yoga.  OK, maybe daily is stretching it- no pun intended.  But having yoga on my to-do list every day means that I usually get to it a few times a week.  Great for flexibility, stress reduction, cardio, and self worth.

3. Open the shades!  The sun is out there even if it is winter.  I try to get the most of the daylight each day when I can.

4. Eat lighter foods that are whole!  Winters used to be meatballs and pasta weather.  In our new adventure, lentil vegetable stews and vegetable egg stratas are taking over.

5. Spend more time in the kitchen.  Because we can't go out all the time in the winter, my daughter and I often find fun "projects" to do in the kitchen.  It could be baking a cake with sugar alternatives or cutting a rainbow of vegetables for an evening meal.

6. Do an art project.  My husband likes to paint.  My daughter likes to draw.  I'll do anything with the colors of the rainbow.  The process and the accomplishment of art activities help us to feel good even when we can't be outside:)

Things aren't lost; they are misplaced.

Our days are so intense in the modern day with smart phones and emails and work and daily living, it's know wonder we seem to always be losing 'stuff': wallet, keys, the remote, a sweatshirt you know you have..

Imagine our ancestors’ lives, a bit simpler, perhaps slower, with less advancements in the ways of technology and communication.  To top if that, we have more stuff today then humans have had or processed in the past ever.

This is simply insight into the lifestyle we are currently enjoying.

Herein lies the reasons for our silly discombobulatedness .

Sometimes its simple, like, you can’t find your keys.  You start searching with a bit of panic.  You look in your coat, your purse, you sweep your eyes around the house and ..NO KEYS.  If we slow down our reaction….the keys are not in my sight.  And calm down our minds, we can be more clear about our intent to find them.  With intention, anything is possible.  With Reiki and distance Reiki, I can help you get to this slower pace.  If you lose something and are struggling to find it, contact me healingwithpeace@gmail.com and I may be able to help you location that missing item.

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It’s just another one of those times of in our lives where we become more aware of changes and more adept to be overwhelmed with graciousness. The occasional blustery wind, the cool air, darker nights – autumn is definitely coming out to play.    Summer, however  free and wonderful and warm, is saying her goodbyes.  Today we welcome the Fall Equinox; with season summer now behind us, fall has arrived.  Today is a special day, as it is the day of balance; a day completely balanced with 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night.  And as such, it is yet another opportunity for us to live our lives work in conjunction with our nature, our Gaia earth, our universe, ourselves.  Because…everything is connected.

Becoming conscious to what balance really looks like and feels like and figuring out how to integrate in your life today, is a thought-provoking and peaceful idea.  Because I see the earth and her position in our solar system with our sun and I realized that changes these signs bring me.   I am reminded that always in life our positions are changed, times are balanced and at those times, we can be balanced.

What exactly then does balance mean?  Feeling at home in your place.  Having energy but also calmness.  I planted 26 garlic cloves.  Working with the earth connects me so automatically.  I layered my planting area with compost I scrounged from my young compost pile.  As I used my hands to manipulate the dirt, my thoughts stopped and my body and mind connected to my soul-connection this place and time. 

I also did a little art project and I used the concept of balance as related to art  in my planning.  I found it interesting that I was able to bring balance into such a simple task.

                                                     

When I was in a store today, I had a question that no one who worked there knew the answer to.  I needed to get an answer if I was to buy the garlic and plant as I wished.  I noticed my pause with each road block and my inevitable response so gentle yet direct.  I finally was directed to another worker back in the kitchen to assist me.  Even In this situation, although I was kind, simple, gentle, the woman I was speaking with had an edge and even said, in the middle of our discussion over the organic garlic cloves: “ma’am step back, you’re not allowed in here.”  Even in that split second, as I felt the unnecessary indifference to me as a fellow human, I was in such a balanced place that I saw her disconnection  to me and the universe as reasoning for her edge and found that breathing into myself and being neutral, if not a bit kind, to follow through on my quest  for information from her.  I got it what I needed.

Simple things make us balanced.  Maybe for you its deep knee squats.  Or maybe its laying on the couch for a day to relax and watch movies.  Whatever it is – be within yourself and be happy.  Feel the cool air, let the wind through your hair, and enjoy the color changes all while enjoying yourself.

For an ancient connection to this sacred day follow this link

http://www.dailyom.com/library/000/000/000000242.html

Your SOLAR PLEXUS Chakra

Pictured above is a depiction of the symbol for our SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA.  Some also refer to this chakra as the Navel, based on location.  

  Our SOLAR PLEXUS chakra is your center for POWER and WILL.

This energy's color representation is YELLOW.

The SOLAR PLEXUS chakra is ruled by the element: FIRE.

It is typically developed between the ages of 18 months and 4 years old, but can still be strewngthened today.  

This energy center is located on your body, between the ribcage and the navel, below the diaphram.  Based on location, this chakra interacts with the upper abdomen, stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, intestine, and spleen. This is connected to the endocrine gland. 

Archetypes of those with strong SOLAR PLEXUS chakra energy are emitting self-esteem, self-confidence, self-respect, self-love and strong will with a sense of empowerment.  They intend to attain an achieved state of: Being. 

Some stones may bring strength, a balance, and a reminder of this chakra: amber, topaz, citrine.

Essential oils to use are: juniper, lavender, bergamot, and rosemary.

If you have a Balanced and Open SOLAR PLEXUS Chakra: You see yourself clearly and know who you are in this body and in this universe.

If your SOLAR PLEXUS Chakra is unbalanced: You perceive others, not how they are, but how you perceive them to be.  An unbalanced SOLAR PLEXUS chakra will have the ego in control.

REMEMBER it is important to care for all of your chakras or energy centers.  Your SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA has a number of ways for us to care for it.  First, know that the musical note of this energy center is the note E.

Use this note as an entrance and exit of your mediation.  Hum this note throughout your day to recenter your SOLAR PLEXUS energy.  

The mantra I suggest for your SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA is: 

I ACT

You may create your own mantras or find others that may suit you better.  Whatever you choose, allow it to reconnect the SOLAR PLEXUS as center of your will and power.  Make the spiritual connection to accept your place in this life stream.  This chakra's power is WILL.  

A chant may also be used to engage the energy center through vocal and auditory connections.  The chant for the NAVEL is: RAM and/or DA

As you chant, hold your hands in front of your stomach, slightly below your solar plexus.  Join your fingers at the tops and have them all pointing away from you (an outward prayer position).  Cross your thumbs and keep your fingers straight.  Concentrate on your navel.  Chant in the key of E three times while taking large breaths.

The SOLAR PLEXUS Chakra is needs foods to feed self-esteem and self-love.  These include 3 types:

granola and grains: pastas, breads, cereals, seeds, rice; DAIRY: milk, cheese, yogurt; SPICES; ginger, mints, chamomile, turmeric, cumin, fennel  

This last exercise is a physical grounding activity. 

A daily practice to love and honor this part of your being is to hug yourself as tightly as possible.  As you do this, INHALE puff you your chest as far as you can.  Twist to the right and hold for 5 counts.  Then, exhale as you come back to center.  Again, inhale and puff your chest.  This time twist to the left and hold for five counts.  Come back to center and slowly release your arms.  Repeat 3x.

Your Root Chakra

Root chakra

     

Meaning: “root support”, The Root chakra is the foundation of your chakra system.

Color: red

Element: earth

Archetype: mother earth

Location: base of spine

Associated endocrine gland: adrenal medulla

Musical note: C

Mantra: I AM HERE

Chant: LAM

Power: gravity

Foods: proteins, root vegetables

Balanced root chakra: You feel grounded, centered, and able to live life NOW.

Unbalanced Root chakra: You may have a weak root chakra if:  you feel threatened or unsafe in this world, if you tend to be fearful or nervous, often feeling disconnected or alienated.

GROUNDING: Use this exercise to strengthen your root chakra and your connection to the ground.
Stand up straight and relaxed.
Put your feet shoulder width apart.
Slightly bend your knees.
Put your pelvis somewhat forward.
Keep your body balanced, so that your weight is evenly distributed over the soles of your feet.
Sink your weight downward.
Keep in this position for several minutes.

Your Sacral Chakra

Pictured above is a depiction of the symbol for our SACRAL CHAKRA.  They are many graphic varieties of the symbol.  However all variations represent the same idea:

  Our sacral chakra is where we harbor our feelings and sexuality energy.   We consider this space the "sacral home of self" and hub of creative potential.

This energy's color representation is ORANGE.

The sacral chakra is ruled by the element: WATER.  

This energy center is located in your sacrum and lower abdomen.  For obvious location reasons, this energy is involved with the testes and ovaries.  Additional involvement occurs with the adrenal glands, prostrate gland, reproductive system, spleen and bladder.

Archetypes of those with strong sacral chakra energy are those that represent or model an emperor/empress or sovereign personality.  

If you have a Balanced and Open Sacral Chakra: Your feelings flow freely.  You can express yourself without being overly emotional.  You are intimate and have passion and a zest for life.

If your Sacral Chakra is unbalanced: You may feel stiff and unemotional.  Some are considered to wear a "poker face".  You are typicalyl not very open to people.

REMEMBER it is important to care for all of your chakras or energy centers.  Your SACRAL CHAKRA has a number of ways for us to care for it.  First, know that the muscial note of this energy center is the note D.

Use this note as an entrance and exit of your mediation.  Hum this note throughout your day to recenter your sacral energy.  You can also engage this energy center using a mantra.  A mantra, as described by wikipdeia.com, can be a sound, syllable, word, or as in this case, a group of words that are capable of creating some sort of transformation.  The mantra is originated from the vedic tradition of India.  It is indeed a traditional practice in Hinduism, Buddhism, and other similar spiritual movements.  

The mantra I suggest for your SACRAL CHAKRA is: 

I FEEL

You may create your own mantras or find others that may suit you better.  Whatever you choose, allow it to reconnect the SACRAL as emotional center and grounding you to open your feelings and creativity.  This chakra's power is MAGNETISM and attraction to others.  

A chant may also be use to engage the energy center through vocal and auditory connections.  The chant for the ROOT is: VAM and/or MA

As you chant, place your hands on your lap, face up on top of each other, left hand below, with thumbs lightly touching.  Concentrate and make a connection to the area in your lower abdomen.

Some examples of the crystals and stones that hold similar energies to the sacral chakra are: amber, carnelian, moonstone, orange calcite, and turquoise.  Use them to strengthen the Sacral Chakra in your system.

The Sacral Chakra is well-balanced needs foods that nourish the sexual and creativity center of your body.  

orange fruits & vegetables: providing beta-carotene and other carotenoids.

seeds:  rich in healthy fats, especially flax seed because of its ability to influence estrogen activity in the body and thought to reduce certain cancers (breast, prostrate, and colon) (www.newconnexion.net, Dr. Deanna Minich. 2011)

spices: cinnamon, vanilla, carob, sweet paprika, sesame seeds, caraway seeds.

nuts: Cashews for excellent; they cashews great, rich in a buttery taste and shaped like the crescent moon.  Walnuts are important and are brain-shaped and ironically high in brain boasting omega-3 fatty acids.  Include other nuts like almonds too!

This last exercise is a physical grounding activity. 

Sit comfortably with your legs criss-crossed in front of you.  Inhale  deeply and push the tip of your spine backward.  This is assist in opening the front of your sacrum while expanding and filling your lower belly.  Imagine that the air you inhale expand the area between your hips and makes that space wide.  Exhale and move your sacrum in the opposite directions, this time pushing your navel back toward your spine.  Repeat this inhale and exhale exercise and continue to expand and contract the space between your hips; you can increase the speed as you go.  Connect with the fluidity of your pelvic area and let that flow up your spine.

Writing Feels Right

For some of us, writing is an excellent form of healing.  It is the opportunity to have the conversation, to let the thoughts that seem trapped within – escape onto the paper.  I use several forms of writing therapy to move me through various experiences.

The medical journal

When you suffer physically it is a stress on your life, especially when you have weird symptoms and no one in the allopathic world can name your problem.  I started journaling 2 years ago, mostly in an effort to have something to show my doctors when some medical issue would come up again with no apparent warning.  What I discovered was really a gift.  My own journaling tells me a story of my life.  It helps me to know how I am treating myself, how better to treat myself, and even gives light to what I can expect.

Things to include in a medical journal:

-        Wellness Gauge (How are you feeing? physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually)

-        Daily symptoms

-        Repetitive symptoms

-        Current medications and supplements

-        Hours/quality of sleep

-        Drawings (to depict where it hurts)

-        Doctor’s appointment notes

Each of these will help form a matrix of understanding about how, why, what you are feeling and can be used to engage in a healing relationship with yourself.

The feelings journal

This one is my FAVORITE.  I’ve been journaling, basically, since I knew how to write.  This past weekend with my family we discussed a journal I got for Christmas when I was 4 years old!  So you see, journaling is my life.  I’m proud to report that my dautgher now practices this healing writing technique.  It is always amazing to me- when she’s pouty and agitated and runs to her room- that I often find her there calm and content about ½ hour later.  She retreats to her room and writes in a composition book labeled PRIVATE. 

As I’ve discussed with her, a feelings journal is a great way to release, record, and remember moments of NOW.  But I am always so clear to state:  you must write not only of the bad, but mostly of the good.  When Athena hears this, she always smiles; it’s the smile that says "who are you reminding of this mom?"  I have to admit, for years (especially the teenage ones) I wrote of the tragic, sad experiences.  A boyfriend no longer, a best friend at bay, whatever the script for the teenage drama queen, I recorded. 

Somewhere along the way, probably after a semester abroad in Italy, I realized that I was missing out on the other side of my experiences- the good!  I began journaling about the positive side of my experiences.  My journaling morphed into drawings, poems, songs, doodles.  Words now could be strewn together by vines or rays of sunlight, branches on a tree or crests of waves.  The connection between thoughts, art and nature helped me grow in my ability to journal and feel good.  It is here I would like to stop for one moment and suggest: start a good feelings journal.  It’s a great way to embrace yourself for a moment each day and a fun way to recollect times passed.

The psychic journal

I do understand that everyone isn’t a writer, so maybe journaling will never be your thing.  My point here is to simply share my techniques and maybe one or none of these can be shared by you.

I’m reading a great book called, “Psychic Pathway” by Sonia Choquette, PhD.  http://www.soniachoquette.com/excerpt_path.htm  In her book, Sonia suggests a different kind of journaling: psychic.  This is real simple and fun.  Your task is to journal instances of what would normally be brushed off as - coincidences. 

The phone rings, you pause, breath, and see your friend’s face, then you answer the phone and it is that friend.  Or you get a chill one evening while sitting on the couch, only to find out later that night that a storm is brewing in your vicinity.  Maybe you record bigger ideas; your sister is having a baby that you believe will be a boy.  Write it down and go back to it months later.  For each or any of these instances, you are simply connecting yourself to the present.  What you know at this moment.  It is fun to go back and see that we actually know much more than we think we do (wink).

The novel

This form of journaling is a great place for realistic fiction to live out its dreams.  I like writing so for me, writing a story about a young woman in Tuscany, experiencing life, is an excellent way to break out of negative thinking patterns and exercise breath and freedom of the mind.