The Science of GRATITUDE

Loyal readers of this blog are familiar with our beLOVEd Bruce Lipton. Just in time for the season of Gratitude, comes this brilliant explanation of how gratitude enhances your health, happiness and life! EnJOY!!!  :-)

"Whatever you're waiting for, be of peace of mind, contentment, health. It will surely come; but only when you're ready to receive it with openness and gratitude. Of all the characteristics needed for both a happy and morally decent life, none surpasses gratitude. Happiness and health are the just rewards for living in gratitude." ~ Ben Franklin

Planner for Chiro-Sis

"Puffins!"  my sister exclaimed. When she saw this bird watching notebook, I knew I would be making it her new planner! Loyal readers of this blog may remember the planner I made out of a potato chip bag for her for 2017. This was a bit easier!

Here's the front cover:

I put a blank label thingie over the title, so she can write whatever she wants.

Spine:

You'll notice I do the Travelers Notebook elastics.

Inside:

Loyal readers of this blog will remember the post I did on the Waterlogue app that transforms photographs into watercolour pictures. Now you can see all the finished puffin pictures incorporated.

First insert is an 8" X 11.5" picture with Tyvek backing, painted brown:

A coupla quotes from Joe Dispenza and Bruce Lipton:

Weekly spread on 2 pages:

Puffin pix from Pixabay:

I put a surprise Rowan pocket in her notebook:

I made a Gratitude journal for her with another photo from Pixabay, Waterlogued:

Mum loved penguins, so I thought she'd appreciate this wintery picture in lieu of  the usual Xmas graphics.
Scroll down to the end of this post for a free graphic to make your own December Daily Gratitude Journal.

One of my (many) favourite quotes from John Morgan:

"GRATITUDE IS A DECISION OF THE HEAD AND THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART."
This came to me in a meditation . . . on gratitude.  :-)

Monthly calendar from the Dollar Tree:

Another Waterlogued Pixabay puffin, turned into a pocket:

Back pocket, which I reinforced with Tyvek:

Back of book:

Here's the card I included:

Tea (of course)!

Here's a video flip-thru:

Here's the December Daily Gratitude graphic:

Just right-click to save.  :-)

Intro to Anti-Anxiety Meditation

As a massage therapist, I specialize in relaxation. I know from my own experience, that meditation is beneficial in helping the body to relax. If you get into the habit of practicing meditation, then when something stressful and unexpected arises, you will have an easier time dealing with it. 

The brain likes security. It needs to feel safe, above all. It also likes novelty and seeing something new and different; but only when it feels safe to explore. We are designed to survive, first and foremost. For many people, that is what they are doing, but they are not thriving or growing. 

According to Dr. Bruce Lipton, author of The Biology of Belief, you can be in a state of joy (growth, contentment, thriving) or in a state of fear and protection. You can't do both at the same time. In these post-9-11 times, and especially with the uncertain political climate, it is not hard to imagine that we might feel stressed.  

When you're in a state of stress, real or imagined, your body reacts in the same way: fight, flight or freeze. Blood flows to the legs for running (flight), to the arms to fight, and to the back of the brain (popularly called the "lizard" brain) for survival. What's running the show here is the amygdala, in the limbic system. It is the only part of the brain that is fully formed at birth; the rest of your brain continues to grow dendrites, throw down neural pathways, and make connections. The amygdala records your emotions connected to survival, especially fear. This is where phobias come in; a 2-year-old who nearly drowns could develop a water phobia. I was bitten by a dog and had a phobia of dogs for the next 20 years. The amygdala doesn't care about logic or reasoning; it cares about safety and survival. So the prefrontal cortex (behind your forehead) can have lofty plans and goals:

PFC: "I think I'll take up skydiving."

Amygdala: "Nope."

Anxiety is what happens when the amygdala is out of control. And it feels that way when it feels like it's out of control!  It also happens with unrelenting stress. The human body was not designed to experience chronic, long-term stress. 

Here's what Mayo Clinic says about anxiety. Basically, anxiety is a physiological fear response to a perceived threat. The focus is on a future "WHAT IF?"  loop in the mind. "What if  x happens?"  

CAUSES:

• Trauma: this can be from a one-time accident, incident or something that happened over time, including abuse. 
• Abuse; can be physical, which can be obvious, or emotional abuse which is less obvious.  
• Hormonal imbalances
• Thyroid imbalance; hypo (tends toward depression) or hyper, as well as Hashimoto's (both hypo & hyper, can get misdiagnosed as Bi-Polar)
• Environmental: people at home or at work (think Narcissism or Borderline Personality Disorder) 
• Environmental: Feeling unsafe in your home or neighborhood; violence, dodgy neighbors
• Environmental: Toxic mold in your home or workplace 
• Vitamin deficiencies  & mineral deficiencies, e.g. Magnesium, Vitamin B, etc. My thyroid doctor said, "You can't possibly feel good with low Vitamin D levels." And most people are deficient. Here's Dr. Brogan talking about the "psychotic woman" with Vitamin B deficiency.

Trauma

Unresolved trauma can get physically stuck in the body. Trauma Release Exercises, help to release it. 

Hormonal Imbalances:

Dr. Kelly Brogan is a psychiatrist who gets people feeling better and off anti-depressants. She is a functional medical doctor who looks at the whole body and how it functions; paying attention to hormonal levels, food sensitivities and many other things that affect health and well-being. Her book is A Mind of Your Own: The Truth About Depression and How Women Can Heal Their Bodies to Reclaim Their Lives.  It's not just about depression and it's not just for women.  Here's an interview with Marie Forleo.   She talks about anxiety & panic attacks in the first 10 minutes.  Her Huffington Post article, How to Resolve Anxiety and Depression Through Diet.  Here's her YT channel.  

I told my osteopath that my friend who came to see him thanked me for referring her and she said, "I knew I wasn't crazy." He said, "You know, I've had 3 patients tell me that this morning." 

Thyroid

Dr. Izabella Wentz  Her book: Hashimoto's Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back. Dr. Kelly Brogan also addresses thyroid function, as well. 

If you're told your blood tests are "normal", make sure you get the full panel. According to thyroid advocate Mary Shomon, you need:

• Thyroid (TSH)
• Free T4 (FT4)
• Free T3 (FT3)
• Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (TPO)
• Thyroid Antibody (Anti-thyroid AB)

Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? when My Lab Tests Are Normal: a Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Hashimoto's Disease and Hypothyroidism by Dr. Datis Kharrazian. 

Toxic Mold

In the last 30 years, anti-fungal paints have created a resistant strains of molds, much like antibiotics have done with bacteria. In addition, HVAC circulates that mold. Any buildings that have had leaks or floods, are at risk. There is a broad spectrum of health ramifications from behavioural (learning disabilities, ADD) to neurological (M.S., migraines, etc.) to emotional (depression, anxiety, etc.) to hormonal (Hashimoto's, etc.) I first became aware of the issue of toxic mold from Dave Asprey, Bulletproof Guy. His book, Headstrong: The Bulletproof Plan to Activate Untapped Brain Energy to Work Smarter and Think Fast-in Just Two Weeks, is a must-read for a happy, healthy brain.  For an eye-opening documentary, watch Moldy: The Movie.  It's a HUGE problem and cause for health issues. For more videos about mold, click HERE.

A Correlation

I'm not including this under "Causes" of anxiety, but there is a correlation. According to Dr. Peter Gray, in his book, Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life , research has show that as free play in children declines, anxiety is on the rise. In his book, he illustrates the value of free play. As schools cancel recess and focus more on test-taking, and as parents schedule children for adult-supervised play dates and team sports, children have less and less time or opportunities for free play. The skills they would learn; negotiating, getting along, kindness, innovation, risk-taking, are getting lost. But this isn't just about children, because children grow into adults. Dr. Stuart Brown, in his book,  Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, maintains that people have "play" deficits, just as they have sleep deficits. Play is critical to our well-being. However, PLAY is different for different people. 

What is "play" to YOU?  Team sports, board games, reading, arts and crafts, music festivals or gardening?  One person's play is another person's work. I was recently invited to go to a baseball game. "Come on, Hali. It'll be FUN!"  

Nope. Big bowl of NOPE. 

"Fun" to her meant time with friends and family. Baseball is a fun sport. It's summertime! Plus popcorn. To me, it's noisy,  I hate sports, and it's 90-something degrees. I wilt in the heat, there's nothing for me to eat and I'm stuck in a crowd. PLUS, baseball goes on for hours. HOURS! There's no end time; you never know when it's done. 

So here's the question:  Where's the FUN in your life?  What playing do you do?  It's critical to your emotional well-being and overall health.   

 Kyle Cease  is someone I think is FUNny & gets me thinking. Plus, he meditates! AND he shares a story about anxiety:

Another kind of physical exercise, the chi kung bounce:

John Morgan teaches a relaxation process, RELAX in 2 MINUTES:


Here's a blog post from John Morgan of a simple mindfulness technique: Heads Up.

MORE HEALING MODALITIES

HERBS are a whole-plant way to nourish your body and support it in times of stress. 

Susun Weed is a wealth of information on herbal medicine; specifically on the healing properties of common weeds. For adrenal support, try Stinging Nettle.  Here's a tutorial from Susun on how to make an infusion.   I make 2 quarts at a time and keep it in the fridge. I use it to make my protein shakes with. If you want something a bit more convenient and instant, nettle powder works well, too. There are many benefits of nettle; great for sinuses, allergies, and boosting your energy levels.

Other herbs specifically for stress:

Kava: Here's some information on kava, different kinds, what to avoid, etc. The main point is to avoid tudei.    BulaKavaHouse  which has instant  &  CactusKava   Here's how to make it.   It tastes like dirt and is a bit gritty. But it gives you a mellow sort of relaxed feeling. 

Another great herb to try is passion flower. However, it might make you sleepy. Here's a capsule version.  Here's a link a friend sent me in liquid form & says it helps really well and fast.

FLOWER ESSENCES are based on the frequency of the flower that gets infused into water, and is preserved with brandy or vinegar. It's kind of like homeopathy, only with flowers. Bach was the first, but there are others now, most notably Perelandra. 

Here's a great book:
Flower Essence Repertory: A Comprehensive Guide to North American and English Flower Essences for Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being by Patricia Kaminski & Richard Katz

Bach's Rescue Remedy: a combination of different flower essences designed to help soothe and calm down.

Perelandra ETS: ETS (Emergency Trauma Solution) Perelandra has a flower essence and combinations for everything and everyone, people, animals, plants. 

ESSENTIAL OILS 
I'm really sensitive to smells, so I stay away from essential oils. Even tho they're natural, they're very strong. It has been recommended that lavender is good for relaxation; which is an instant migraine for me. However, there is one oil I can do, created by Dr. Norm Shealy: Air Bliss. It was designed to be put on specific acupuncture points to alleviate anxiety and depression, and to raise oxcytocin levels. It smells divine! And whether it's the heavenly smell or the actual application, it does bring a sense of calm; almost bliss! His latest book, Living in Bliss. I tried some of the other ones he has, and I can't do them. But Air Bliss is WONDERFUL!  

BRAIN GYM
Official Brain Gym website
Here's a link demonstrating the basic 4 exercises, by someone who used them to quell panic attacks. 
Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head by Carla Hannaford; brainy stuff along with illustrations of Brain Gym exercises.

RESONANCE REPATTERNING Resonance Repatterning is a WONDERFUL healing system for addressing any issue; physical, mental, emotional, spiritual.  Founder Chloe Wordsworth has 2 books:

Spiral Up! 127 Energizing Options to be your best right now   Resource of quick and easy exercises; Brain Gym, breath exercises, chi kung, etc.
Quantum Change Made Easy; explains the science behind Resonance Repatterning.

New Meditation Series

Meditation is one of those things that I practice daily. It varies in length; every once in a while it's 10 minutes, sometimes it's 2 hours. Usually, it's somewhere in between. I also take 5 minute breaks throughout the day. It doesn't have to take a long time; you could start out with just sitting down for 10 minutes everyday. The key to getting in the habit is to get in the habit. Decide on a time and place and do it every day. The more you do it, the more you'll want to do it.

I do it first thing in the morning with my cup of coffee, in my Meditation Chair:

Usually with this guy.  :-)

Meditation shifts your brain waves from Beta waves to alpha waves. Alpha waves are what you are experiencing in between sleeping and waking. It's a very relaxing space. Meditation also activates your parasympathetic nervous system, so that you are relaxed. This is important because this is the place of rest, rejuvenation and healing. Cell biologist Dr. Bruce Lipton, grandfather of Epi-genetics, says that 98% of all diseases are related to stress. So if you can manage your stress, you can manage your health. Meditation is a simple and beneficial way of enhancing your health and well-being.

Favourite Resources

If you want to explore more . . .

Audio

• Recordings of guided visualizations. First up: Dave Dobson. I have fallen asleep to Dave's Beach Trip for 30 years. This isn't technically a meditation recording, but it is incredibly relaxing and great to fall asleep to!    

• John Morgan (who studied with Dave):  Accomplish Anything Take a relaxing walk along the beach and program yourself for whatever you want to accomplish.
• Improve Your Self Image. John did this with me over the phone shortly after I started working for him. The knot that I'd had in my stomach for months, melted away, and I drifted off into a deep sleep. 

• Dr. Joe Dispenza: Joe teaches meditations in his seminars. He also measures brain waves and before and after meditations in his more advanced courses. See more in Books section.  Changing Beliefs and Perceptions
• Morning & Evening Meditations  (also an app)  

• Doug O'Brien (who also studied with Dave): Imaginary Journey; Health & Healing Another walk along the beach with beachy wave sounds. Doug has a very soothing voice. 
•  and Shamanic Journeys   Guided visualizations.. AWESOME drummy music that Doug wrote.

Music

• From Bruce Lipton: Translational Music BEAUTIFUL piano music based on Bruce Lipton's work.
• Michael Zampi; BEAUTIFUL guitar music. I use Chesapeake Bay: Reflections of Beauty when I give a massage; and Michael also let me use it in Virtual Massage. 
• Deva Premal has a beautiful voice and sings chants from different traditions. Here's the Gayatri mantra in Sanskrit.
• Elaine Silver, Allelujah Canon.  Breathe Deeply. Elaine has the voice of an angel!  Her music opens the heart and expands the mind.  www.elainesilver.com 
• Drone Zone by Kay Gardner   Really great background music to drown out background noise.

Books

• You Are The Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter  & Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza
• If you find yourself lacking discipline, motivation or strategy:
• The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins.  Watch her TED Talk.
• Master The Day: Eat, Move and Live Better With The Power of Daily Habits by Alexander Heyne
• Meditation: A Simple Eight-Point Program for Translating Spiritual Ideals into Daily Life  by Eknath Easwaran.  I'm throwing in at least one book on meditation!  :-)

HAPPY Birthday, Bruce!!!

Today we celebrate the celebrating biologist, Dr. Bruce Lipton. He is one of the most joyful people you will ever meet. Here's a summary I wrote a few a years ago called Bruce Lipton 101.

Some favourite quotes:

I woke up one morning and decided to live my life in nothing less than joy.

People are beginning to wake up: [they're saying] "I'm not separate from my community. I am my community!"

Mother Nature doesn't like a smart ass. 

"Cancer is a lifestyle consequence."

"Change your perception and you change the function of your cells."

"You control the genes by the way you live your life."

"You're not a victim, you're a MASTER of your biology."

"You get sick not from what you caught but from what you already have." (Re: opportunistic microorganisms).

"Your life matches your beliefs."

"Kids learn without you teaching them." (Re: subconscious programming).

"How can you find love if you can't love yourself?"

Here are some of my favourite photos that I've taken over the years:

At the 2012 I Can Do It! Conference

With Chiro-sis Ruthie. :-)

Gregg Braden, Bruce, & Joe Dispenza for the first
time together on stage at the ICPA Conference, 2014.

We were at I Can Do It! Conference in Baltimore in 2014. We were walking up the street and Wayne Dyer was coming toward us. Luckily I had my camera!

With Danni, Anita Moorjani's husband.

Here's the last time I saw Bruce, last November:

Bruce Lipton's Website

Bruce on Twitter

 

Books: 

Biology of Belief 

Spontaneous Evolution

The Honeymoon Effect  

I'll leave you with a great summary from Bruce about his work. It's especially relevant now:

HAPPY Birthday, Bruce!!!

Jammie Chat, Day 12

Quotes:
"The gift that's trying to come out of you is not for you; it's for everyone." ~Kyle Cease

"Doing diffuses fear." ~John Morgan

xxx

Links to everything I mentioned in the video:
Bruce Lipton
Bruce Lipton 101 blog post
Tony Robbins
John Morgan

Mint Car / Vanilla Smiles Traveler's Notebook

AquaChigger

Grace's Bible-dori

I have been waiting to post this because I didn't want to spoil it for Grace, my YouTube friend in Oz. We had a back 'n' forth on my Tea Time Traveler's Notebook video about my Bible-dori. I had gotten 4 purple pocket bibles (USED--I draw the line at defiling a new bible!) but this one had this on it:

So it was meant to be!  Here are some photos:

Charm on side:

I made a pocket on the inside cover with coordinating scrapbook paper: 

A card for Grace tucked in the pocket. On the right I made a pocket
folder, which I think I laminated so it could be used as a dashboard. 

Inside of folder:

A little envelope with a coupla packets of tea, because who doesn't like a cuppa?

I included some little notebooks that I'd gotten from Office Max, & put some quotes on them:

That's my favourite gratitude quote. I'm also reminded of Tony Robbins saying that you can't feel angry or afraid when you're feeling grateful. Kind of like how Bruce Lipton says that you can't be in a state of love or fear at the same time, either. 

Another quote & a coordinating purple pen. :-) 

Other side of pocket: 

With some goodies:

4-Leaf clovers because who doesn't need some luck?

I also made some quote cards for her:

Look! There's John Morgan. :-) Mum used to say, The world
would be a better place if everyone would just read John's blog!"

 The last insert, with the butterfly, is a 2-year calendar. A bit too long for the Bible-dori & the paper quality is not great. I won't be getting those again, but good to have as a reference. For Americans, tho. Not as handy for the international crowd!

And here's the back:

I didn't put a pocket on the back since I did the folder. Also,
from now on I'm going to do the enclosure elastics in the spine.

Here it is without the inserts:

The maps on the inside cover were actually part of the Bible and I glued them on as the background.

Here's all the stuff I put in there:

I was so excited to see Grace's video this morning to see how she's using it!


AWESOME!  And doesn't she have the CUTEST dog?!  :-)