Free | March 2014
THE SEASON OF
RENEWAL
Spring’s
Growth & Abundance Issue
ARE YOU
GROWING OR DYING? THE ART OF
EATING MINDFULLY 2 SIMPLE STEPS TO
GROWTH & ABUNDANCE
March is a month known for Spring. Winter begins its slow retreat, and Mother Nature reopens her blooms for all of us to see and appreciate. Gray and cold skies begin reawakening to marvelous hues of blues, and flowers begin their demonstration of beautiful tantalizing colors. With this thought, I wanted our first Spring Issue to be one full of inspiration in matters that relate to Growth and Abundance. May you be inspired and reawakened in this renewal season,
Table of Contents 4
ReThink Growth and Abundance
8
Healthier Options are More Plentiful Than You Think
by Angie Romero
by Varouj Kachichian
11 The Art of Eating Mindfully by Katie Jeffrey
14 What GROWTH is to Me by Valeria Salazar
15 Essential Parenting Riddle by Wendy Witt
20 Moving Through the Storms of Life by Dolores Fazzino
23 Are You Growing or Are you Dying? by Dana D’Orsi
25 The Season of Renewal by Sharon Gordon
28 How to Inspire Change in Your Relationship by Gladys Diaz
30 2 Simple Steps for Growth and Abundance in Your Life by Stephanie Salameh
33 Abundance Lies Between Hope and Gratitude by Denise Banks-Grasedyck
36 It Began with Baby Steps by Dolores O’Neill
40 Growth and Abundance by Shagufta Khatri
Rethink
Grow th & Abundance By ANGIE ROMERO
This issue is about growth and abundance ‌ but just what does that mean?
For both, my personal definition has changed as time goes by. When I was younger growth was about thinking of my life in the future. When I became a mom, it was (and is still) watching my daughter grow from a baby, to a toddler, to an amazing girl presently 10-years-old who amazes me daily. Seeing her grow in and out of clothes so quickly symbolized to me her “growth.” And for many years, the definition of abundance meant always one thing and one thing along … finances; money. However, I’ve learned that both words “growth” and “abundance” have meanings so much more than I gave them credit for. There is more to it than just watching someone grow inches taller or counting how much money was in the account.
Growth is a symbol of life! Life without any type of growth isn’t life at all. For example, we know that a tree that doesn’t keep growing is dead. But, how do we know that for our own life?
Our Areas of Growth I was trained to look at life holistically in 5 different areas: Mental, Emotional, Physical, Intrapersonal and Spiritual. Just like the spokes of a wheel, when one area is unbalanced it usually affects the entire unity and forward motion of that wheel. Things get wobbly, uncertain and darn right messy.
“Personal growth is
a process of identifying the physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual changes we desire, and working in
each area to improve and reach our fullest potential.”
As a life and wellness coach, I help my clients discover, work through and overcome these unbalances so that they can keep growing and moving forward with life. Sometimes ~ Dr. Christina Hibbert it could just a mindset issue (a thought or belief) that is no longer serving them on their life purpose. Other times, it can be an emotional issue they haven’t been able to overcome on their own just yet. Whatever the area is, they seek help because they aren’t feeling any “growth” in their life.
2 Things That Help Measure Growth in Any Area of Life Your Current Thoughts About It 1. Journal First of all, its very therapeutic to write down what we are going through, our goals and/or
current emotions about something. By doing this, we acknowledge our present state and have the ability to really “look at it” with a better perspective. Journaling is a way of “letting go” all those thoughts, and allowing your mind to bring itself back to calm. Secondly, be having it written down you have an actual record you can go back to and read later on in the future. I will tell you that I have personally gone back into my old journals to read some of my own previous entries. I am astonished at the things I read, because (to be honest) there are many times that I had forgotten about X-situation written there. Hint: I had forgotten
about it because whatever obstacle was there that day is no longer in my life anymore. I overcame it. I grew in what ever that was. When I find entries that might still sound like I wrote them last night, then I realize I obviously still haven’t overcome that area of my life and I am still going through it. It shows me that I haven’t yet finished growing in that area.
2.
Don’t Forget About the Rest of the Letters
I’ll acknowledge to you here and now that I have learned that I am the kind of person that was to get from Point A to Point Z without considering the rest of the alphabet. And, when I don’t find myself at Point Z I lose myself from my happy-lovey thoughts, and find myself in pure worry and anxiety misery. Yeah, not a good place to be. Ok, I’m a coach. I get that you have to have a goal in mind. However, I also understand that I have to have patience with myself - - and patient with the Universe. And, I ask you to do the same. Sometimes we just want to get to the finish line as if with blinders, regardless of what it takes. Talk about disharmony. The Universe (God) is a master builder and has this great big and vase plan for each and everyone of us. It might just be that while we are beating ourselves up because we aren’t getting to Point Z on our timeline, He has something so much more beautiful at Point L maybe. Now, I’ll be honest, there are many times that I sarcastically complain that my timeline and God’s aren’t on the same schedule. My “mind” wants certain things to happen now! No, yesterday! But, all-in-all a little voice in my heart says … everything will come even better than you wish. Have patience. Just keep doing the best you can and keep moving forward. In the meantime, use all those other letters of the alphabet to keep track of your growth. If you begin at Point A, at which point do you find yourself at now?
Now, as for Abundance. Abundance is commonly seen as “how much money there is” as I believed before for a long time. However, it’s a false idea, and one that keeps many people chasing their own tails. Abundance is defined as “an extremely plentiful or over sufficient quantity or supply of something”. But to me, abundance is something that is all around us. Think about it. There is an abundance of people in this world who can help one another. There is an abundance of nature that is with us where ever we go - - be it in the trees, in the grass, in the animals, in the air…. There is an abundance of energy that surrounds us each and every day. You don’t have to be a believer in aura’s to know that. The sun gives us energy everyday. There is an abundance of Unconditional Divine love – whether you choose to accept it or not is individually up to you – but its there.
The point I am trying to make is that abundance is everywhere! Once we stop and see it for what it really is then we attract more abundance into our life in whichever area we need it. When we only look for money as a sign of abundance in our life, we are (in fact) short changing ourselves. I lovingly challenge you that with this new Spring Season already hugging us . . . ask yourself how you personally see your own growth in different areas of your life? What are your thoughts on abundance? Be open and honest with yourself. What a better time that spring (known for the time of “rebirth”) to create some new growth and abundance opportunities for you!
Angie Romero is a Life and Wellness Coach
for Women, a Holistic Practitioner, Editor/Publisher of HappierHealthierWomen.com, and Recipient of VIP Woman of the Year by The National Association of Women for 2013 for her service to women worldwide to live Happier and Healthier in all areas of their life. For more information on courses, seminars and transformational packages visit www.AngieRomero.com
Healthier Options
Are More Plentiful Than You Think By VAROUJ KACHICHIAN
Many people choose to suffer day after day continuing to eat foods that are affecting their health negatively. They focus on what they have to give up, instead of recognizing a new challenge, embracing that challenge, and learning what’s available to them. Trust me, once you accept the reality, it feels as though the whole world opens up to you and offers you unlimited options you had never thought existed before. You no longer think about giving up foods and focus on all the available new options you now have.
As humans, we love the safety of our “comfort zone.” We hold on to what’s familiar, stay in toxic relationships or work environments and knowingly maintain unhealthy eating habits. When our body can no longer deal with years of the constant stress it has been under, due to bad eating habits and the continuous barrage of foods that it can’t handle, it is likely to finally manifest itself in a serious disease that requires medical attention. When the simple solution requires you to eliminate a particular food group such as gluten, or sugary foods we automatically step into a denial mode.
I remember when I was first diagnosed with gluten sensitivity, which is an autoimmune reaction, not only did I not want to believe it, but I didn’t even want to talk about it. I didn’t want to give up my daily loaf of fresh levain (natural sourdough) bread, the croissants, pizza and many other gluten-full treats throughout the day. My absolute favorite comfort foods were bulgur pilaf with garbanzo beans and “chee-kofteh,“ a Mediterranean cracked wheat based dish with ground meat, and, of course, pasta was my go-to fast food. After all, I could have a filling meal for a few dollars in less than 10 minutes. Now, thinking back, I wish I had given up those foods that my body reacted to the moment I was told. The difference in my health, energy and mental clarity is tremendous and, of course, no more pain!
And the best part is, I didn’t give up anything. I just found alternative ingredients such as buckwheat, and, despite its name, has nothing to do with wheat. It is related to the rhubarb family. Other alternatives are quinoa, millet, and sorghum, to mention just a few, and I learned creative ways to use them and recreate my favorite foods. I have the best of both worlds. I eat what I like and I repair my body in the process. I lost the extra pounds I was carrying around and, best of all, I never once felt deprived. Was it hard to do? Maybe it was a little challenging at first. There is an adjustment period.
There are steps you need to take to make it easier on yourself such as:
1.
Depending on your situation, you may want to eliminate all the gluten, sugar or dairy foods from your kitchen. Make one decision.
if you must, replace gluten full foods with 2. Initially, gluten-free counterparts, then slowly eliminate or, at least, limit your consumption. This is especially true if you need to lose weight.
vigilant and read labels and ingredient lists 3. Be carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need while dining out. Remember, they want you to have a pleasant dining experience.
4.
Learn all the new and creative names that food marketers come up with for sugar and gluten.
It may sound like a lot of work, and it can get irritating, but that’s only if you let it get to you! However, once you start seeing and feeling the difference, you won’t give it a second thought.
The “out of sight, out of mind” rule applies! I know, I know, I can hear your thoughts… your family is fine, they don’t need to change what they’re eating! Your husband would never go gluten free! Your kids don’t have to do it, they are doing just fine! They don’t have to suffer because you have a little food sensitivity! It’s going to be frustrating to try to feed them something different. Who wants to cook several meals every day?
These are all valid concerns. However, I see it more as a self- inflicted burden than a reality. And, based on the science of nutrigenetics, if you are diagnosed with a “genetic” disease, such as an autoimmune related disease, chances are it is in your offspring’s genetic makeup as well. It just hasn’t manifested itself yet, and unless something changes, sooner or later they will receive the bad news as well.
I always like making things simple. To save time, I make larger portions and create different meals from it by adding other ingredients and flavors. The recipes I’ve included below are a great example. Try them both and use your creativity to make your own variations from it.
Buckwheat Pilaf Yield: 6 servings - Prep time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 35-45 minutes
Preparation: 1. In a medium pan, on medium heat cook the chopped onion with the olive oil until translucent. 2. Add buckwheat and cook for 1 minute stirring constantly. 3. Add stock and thyme (if using). Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ small onion, chopped 2 cups buckwheat, rinsed 2 ½ cups stock or water 2 sprigs thyme (optional)
Bring to a boil, lower heat to simmer, cover and cook for approximately 35 minutes. 4. Take off the heat, set aside for 5 minutes uncovered, enjoy.
Warm Buckwheat Salad
with fresh baby spinach, candied nuts, fresh pomegranates, and fresh herbs 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Prepared Buckwheat from recipe above Baby spinach to taste A handful of candied walnuts or pecans ½ cup pomegranate seeds or cranberries Fresh seasonal herbs of choice Olive oil, salt and pepper to taste
Chef Varouj Kachichian (chefV) has more than 20 years of
culinary experience and is a certified gluten practitioner. His mission is to help gluten sensitive individuals transition and live a gluten free lifestyle, inspire them to cook and eat healthy and delicious gluten-free meals in 30 minutes or less, so they have more energy, eliminate toxins and manage their weight, all without feeling deprived. He can be reached at chefv@culinarycreator.com
The Art of
Eating Mindfully By KATIE JEFFREY When I established my dietetic private practice in 2007, I began to learn about and practice mindful eating. As my knowledge increased, I incorporated mindful eating concepts into individual counseling sessions and into my daily life with wonderful success. On December 12, 2012, I became a licensed Facilitator of Am I Hungry?速, a comprehensive program that teaches participants to recognize and cope with their triggers for overeating and reconnect with their physical signals to guide when, what, and how much to eat without restrictive diet rules.
This approach helps individuals become more mindful about both their eating and living, helping them to learn how to create new, healthier habits. I feel that my life is richer for learning to be more mindful in how I eat and live. As with any new habit, it takes practice to eat mindfully (I am still experimenting with what works best for me to eat and live mindfully the majority of the time!).
One of the ultimate goals of mindful eating is to stop eating when you are comfortably full or satisfied.
To help you do this, try the following suggestions the next time you eat:
1.
Pause before beginning to eat and ask yourself, “How hungry am I on a scale of 1 to 10?” One signifies “ravenous” while 5 is “satisfied” and 10 is “sick” to your stomach.
2.
Ask yourself, “How much food will fit comfortably in my stomach?”
3.
Pay close attention to the appearance, aroma, taste and texture of the food; savor each bite. Place your utensil down and sit back in your chair between bites.
4.
When you take a break from eating, take a deep breath and check in with your body to determine how full you are.
5. Chew slowly and mindfully. 6.
Wait until you have finished chewing to put more food on your utensil. Do you currently do this? Or, are you multitasking by chewing while simultaneously thinking about the next bite of food and putting that bite on your utensil? Doing this does not allow you to truly taste and experience the food you have in your mouth because you cannot fully pay attention to two things at once.
7.
Sip your beverage.
8. 9.
Engage in conversation with others. Know that this will not be the last time you eat these foods because you can enjoy them again at another meal or snack especially if you have leftovers!
soon as you are comfortably full, put 10. As down your fork and stop eating. Sit back in your chair and enjoy the pleasant feeling of fullness.
What are you feeling?
Are you disappointed that you are full? Are you anxious or uncomfortable that you are not eating but others are? Is it better to continue eating with others leading you to overeat and feel guilty because you ate until you were uncomfortable? Or, is it more pleasurable and rewarding to eat until satisfied so that you feel content and proud for stopping at a comfortable level of fullness? Please think about and examine how you feel during this experiment. Stay curious about this experience and learn from it. It may help to journal about it.
“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” - Thích Nhât Hanh
11.
Save leftovers for when you are hungry and need to fuel your body again.
12.
Does food taste as good when you are full?
13.
Allow yourself about 10 to 15 minutes before going for seconds. This allows you to correctly determine your fullness level since it takes time for your stomach to signal your brain.
Practice is key to mastering the art of mindful eating and achieving your health goals. Eating mindfully takes the “power” away from food and gives it back to its rightful owner, YOU! Eating mindfully helps you to rediscover your internal signals enabling you to eat normally and reach your health goals.
Katie Jeffrey, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN,
CDN is a licensed dietitian, a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), a columnist, and a licensed Facilitator of the Am I Hungry? ® mindful eating program. She owns her own business, FitNutrition, LLC providing individual nutrition counseling, sports performance nutrition counseling for athletes and educational nutrition presentations on various topics for all age groups. Visit her website www.fitnutrition.net
First appeared in The Mystic, Stonington and Lyme Times, January 2013.
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By WENDY WITT By VALERIA SALAZAR
What GROWTH Is To Me I have grown up so much since I was a baby. I learned how to ride horses, weave, dance, sing, draw and so much more! These are only somethings that show growth for me.
Valeria Salazar is I want you to stop and think about things that show growth to you. How does it show growth? Think about all of the reasons of your growth. Growth is life.
ten-years-old and is in the fourth grade. In her spare time she enjoys to sing and dance.
Essential
Parenting Riddle By WENDY WITT
What Expands as it Unfolds?
I bet you are thinking diapers; and you’d be right. Pampers are downright amazing. If Joe and I could have used Pamper points to pay the bank, we’d be mortgage-free by now. In addition to diapers, likely everyone with children feels life (and your stuff) expand as it unfolds. Just think of all the stuff that filled your living room when your children were little. We’ve all had the bouncy seats, balls, basketball hoops, books, trucks, stuffed animals, puzzles, blocks, blankets, tents, and juice cups galore.
As parents’ lives expand when children join our families, so do two other things: our hearts and our estate plan. Your heart expands automatically and exponentially when you become a parent. In fact, I bet you were shocked at how much you could love your child. Likely unknowingly, your need for an estate plan expands at the same time.
Spring: The Season to Renew Spring is the natural time to recognize the renewal, abundance, and growth all around us. Your children are likely the best representation of abundance (even if your bank account isn’t.) This is the month to have your estate plan professionally reviewed and determine whether you’ve outgrown it. Yes, it may sound odd at first; but, your family can outgrow your estate plan and it can become as stale as the peanut butter and jelly sandwich you found under the couch last week.
3 Reasons Why Your Estate Plan Must Be Renewed Life truly does change as it unfolds. Every estate plan faces three types of changes:
finances, and goals.
life, family,
3. Changes in your attorney’s experience
With your peripheral vision, you may notice when Congress is debating the controversial “Death Tax” laws. But, if you’re like most parents, you don’t really understand how those new laws affect you. And, you’re likely unaware of new IRS regulations, case law, and less championed statutory changes that transpire all of the time on both a state and federal basis. All of these changes in the law are important and may make your current plan fail. For example, when the tax law changed, Matthew and Elaine came into the office for an update. Thank goodness they did; if they hadn’t, Elaine could have been completely disinherited. Here’s what happened: Matthew was an engineer and Elaine a stay-athome mom. They had enough money to both provide for Elaine and to give their children a significant gift when Matthew died. For tax purposes, they choose to let their three children share whatever the “coupon” amount was when Matthew died and the remainder would go to Elaine.
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1. Changes in the law. 2. Changes in your
Will Changes in the Law Cause Your Estate Plan to Fail?
If your plan is not updated on a regular basis, it won’t work.
The “coupon” is the applicable exclusion amount (e.g. the amount you can pass to anyone without paying federal estate taxes.)
A few years after they did their estate plan, the law changed, the coupon grew enormously. All of Matthew and Elaine’s assets were then destined to flow immediately to the children - and Elaine would have been completely disinherited had Matthew died before the plan was updated.
Upon review of their plan, we immediately redesigned and redrafted the estate plan, changing the formula for determining who got what and when they got it. Matthew and Elaine were happy and relieved to know their estate plan would do what they wanted it to do. Crisis diverted because of updating.
Will Your Estate Plan Fail Because of Changes in Your Life, Family, Finances and Goals? It’s amazing when I look back over the last 10 or 20 years and see the change in the world, as a whole, as well as the changes within my own personal world. We adopted a child, who is now a beautiful and responsible adult; we’ve had two other children, who are now likeable teenagers with bright futures; our careers and finances have changed significantly; we’ve been divorced and remarried; my father has died; and we’ve moved. Our views of the world and our goals for ourselves and for our children have changed. All of these normal life changes affected our estate plan. What’s changed in your life since you updated your estate plan? Here’s the story of Karen and Sam. Their life changed, but they didn’t get good advice on how those changes affected their estate plan. Serious, life-changing mistakes were made. Karen and Sam had been married 17 years and had four children when they divorced. Sam remarried and because he was used to owning everything in joint names with his spouse, he put all of his assets in joint names with his second spouse, Lisa. Unfortunately, Sam was killed in a car accident – and Lisa inherited everything. Matt’s four children were completely (and accidentally) disinherited. Here’s how it happened: As I mentioned above, when Sam married Lisa, he put his bank accounts, investment accounts, and house in joint names with her. He also listed her as the beneficiary of his life insurance and retirement account.
• When he died, Lisa inherited all jointly owned property by operation of law because of the innate survivorship feature (of joint tenants with right of survivorship.) By operation of law, Lisa inherited the bank accounts, investment accounts, and house. Sam’s children inherited nothing. • Lisa, who was listed as the beneficiary of retirement plans and life insurance, inherited both of those assets as well. Sam’s children inherited nothing. The kicker? Sam did update his will to remove Karen’s name. He even listed the children as beneficiaries of his estate; however, his estate had no assets. Sam’s Will didn’t control the bank account, the investment accounts, or the house because they were in joint names. His Will didn’t control the retirement plan or the life insurance because they had beneficiary designations. Sam’s estate plan failed because his life changed and his estate plan didn’t properly reflect those changes. The anger, resentment, guilt, and broken relationships that resulted from that failure are heartbreaking. I found out about his case when Karen came into the office to make sure she didn’t accidently disinherit her children like their father did. Since that moment, I have personally been on a mission to ensure that no child is ever accidentally disinherited again.
Will you accidentally disinherit your children? Do you have appropriate guardians and back-up guardians named for your minor children? Does your 18-year-old have her own estate plan, so you can make health care decisions in an emergency? Will your estate plan work in your new state? Will your Trust or Will control your assets? Are your spouse’s and children’s inheritances protected from predators and creditors?
Has Your Attorney Learned Something New? Many attorneys don’t like to admit that they learned something new since they last counseled their client and drafted their estate plan. That seems downright silly to me. Doesn’t it make sense that you’d want an attorney who was constantly learning new ways to better serve her clients? Wouldn’t you want an attorney who has learned from her experience with other clients and applied that experience to your estate plan? If your attorney is a good attorney, she will constantly be reading, thinking, consulting with colleagues, taking continuing legal education courses, and applying all that she learns.
Here’s Stephanie’s story: When Stephanie came into the office for a professional review of her estate plan, her attorney told her of three things he was now doing differently in planning estates and drafting documents. • First, he now includes a Docubank membership with all estate plans to better ensure that the estate planning documents he drafted worked. After all, an estate plan is just a pile of papers if it doesn’t work and it won’t work unless trusted helpers have the authority to act and know what to do. Are your estate planning documents available 24/7 to your Trusted Helpers and to medical professionals in an emergency? Are you missing
out on important services that will better ensure your estate plan will work because you haven’t updated? • Second, Stephanie’s attorney now include language in Trust documents to provide the ability to deduct charitable donations of medical equipment and other tangible personal property to reduce tax liability and save families thousands of dollars. He also added language to protect Stephanie’s pets in the event she became ill or died and Trust Protector language to make sure that Stephanie’s intent is carried out even if the law changes she becomes incapacitated or has died.
Wendy Witt is The Mama Bear
Are your documents ancient, not reflecting current legal thinking and opportunities?
Attorney, has been a mama for 20 years and has been empowering moms (and grandmoms) to protect their cubs with
• Third, her attorney invited Stephanie’s Trusted Helpers to a free Trustee Training workshop so all those she named to manage finances, care for her minor children, and make health care and legal decisions know what to expect and what to do if they needed to act. It was also an opportunity for the Trusted Helpers to get to know the attorney and his team.
good estate planning for 15 years. If you’re a Mama Bear that wants to protect your cubs, and want hot legal tips to protect your family visit www.LawAha.com
Will your Trusted Helpers feel comfortable working with your attorney? Are you benefitting from ways your attorney has learned to be a better legal practitioner? If it’s been more than three years or you’ve experienced significant changes in your life, since you’ve had your estate plan professionally reviewed, it’s a good time to renew your estate plan. Spring, the time of universal (and estate planning) renewal. May your life and your children’s lives
“Mother is a verb. It’s something you do. Not just who you are.” - Cheryl Lacey
ug h Moving Thro
The Storms of Life
By Dr. DOLORES FAZZINO
How are you
riding the
Storms of Life?
Do you feel as if you are getting sucked in the drama in your life and really not knowing how to get out of it?
The unfortunate part is that much of the drama that is around us is not positive, but negative and elicits much fear and worry.
The problem today is that people are not leading fulfilling lives and are caught up in the life’s drama and storms.
People are more stressed out than ever before. This stress contributes negatively to our health, as well as our emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness. And this stress seems to be escalating in rapid sequence.
There is much happening on planet earth these days. And today we are being constantly bombarded with drama that is brought to us quicker due to the advances in technology, social media, and the news.
Our society is constantly bombarded with all kinds of news, mostly negative, including wars, tragedies, politics, and societal dilemmas.
“Please make it stop, I want to get off the ride”, you might say. Also, since 2008, when the economic bubble burst in the world, nothing in life has been stable. Up until 2008, you could bet your paycheck that things were status quo and everything in the world or external around us was predictable and stable. I believe that there are no accidents in the life and that everything happens for a reason. I believe the Universe wanted to get humanity’s attention to assist them to take on a different path than it was heading on. And how does one do that? but to hit them in the pocketbook.
The events of 2008 have been a spiritual “wake up call” for many. People have relied on the external to get our trust, happiness, and fulfillment, for prior to 2008 the external was constant. People were placing their trust in the external, “buying happiness” in material goods and products getting that temporary fix for happiness, and over extending themselves financially, and not going within and creating the stability that is humanity’s true essence.
And then in 2008 the sands shifted and the external was no longer constant, and now it was payback time. Many people lost jobs, lost their homes, their money and became spiritually bankrupt. The external world came to a screeching halt. Much chaos, drama, fear, and worry overshadowed the world. The external was no longer a constant, but was volatile and changing from day to day. Since 2008, nothing in the external has been constant. This has been my world, how has it been in yours?
I believe the message from the universe here was to get humanity to wake up to realize that the safety, security, and calmness that we so desire and crave are not in the external world or outside of ourselves, but in the internal, within us. For me anything in my life that was no built on a solid foundation, crumbled. What I realized was that the only place I could find stability, happiness, and fulfillment was to go within myself. And as I did, my world shifted and changed.
Challenges are what makes life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes them beautiful. - Unknown
I became happier, stable, and fulfilled. I felt as if I found the eye of the storm. I knew that no matter what was occurring around me, that I felt secure and safe within myself. This shift for me was like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, and allowed me to build a more stable foundation for myself and my life. Imagine what your life would look like if you were living in the eye of your storm. Yes, just like the eye of a hurricane. Have you ever had that experience or wondered what that would be like? At the eye of the storm, there is this surreal calmness, quiet, and blue sky, while in the distance surrounding you is dark grey storm clouds, where all the drama is happening, yet you are perfectly safe and secure.
3 Easy Tools I would like to share 3 easy tools to use when you are in the storms or drama in your life to allow you to get to eye of your storm.
1.
Give yourself permission to surrender. When we get
caught up in the external chaos and drama that surrounds you, just repeat “I am Surrender” as mantra. When you say “I am” you are claiming it for yourself.
Dr. Dolores Fazzino, DNP,
is a Nurse Practitioner and assistant surgeon practicing in 7 hospitals in San Diego County as well as an international featured media speaker and author. She practices and trains in two worlds: the physical and spiritual. With over 30 years experience Dolores is a leading authority on combining traditional medicine, energy healing, and spirituality to assist clients move through life challenges with grace and ease. Her first book “Spiritual Wellness for Life” will be published this May. Visit her Website: www.DoloresFazzino.com
Boundaries. Surround yourself white and pink light. Image that you are in a cocoon 2. Create with white and pink light surrounding yourself. The white light is protection and the pink light is love. This will assist you to differentiate between what it your stuff and someone else’s.
Usually much of the chaos that surrounds us is other people’s beliefs, ideas, which all are in the form of energy. For those who are empathic, or extra sensitive to others feeling and emotions, sometimes it is a challenge to differentiate when their energy field ends and another person’s energy field begins. This causes a meshing of the energy and can cause the sensitive person to take on other’s emotions and beliefs on an unconscious level.
3.
Keep your heart space open and focus on the word “LOVE”.
One of the quickest ways to change and release you from fear worry and anxiety is to focus on the word LOVE. Since everything is made of energy, even words carry an energetic charge as well. Focus on the word FEAR. How does it make you feel? Kind of heavy, sad, low vibrating, not very well at all, do you agree? Now focus on the word LOVE. Notice the energetic feeling, lighter, brighter, alive, and happy, would you agree?
When you feel anxious, sad, or worried, you too can change those feeling in an instant. Remember half the battle is to recognize that you are in your drama, and then you can choose to do something different about it. I invite you to focus on LOVE. Do not try to analyze or think the word, just the vibration of that word will raise you out of the lower vibrations of anxiety, sadness, fear, and worry. It really is that simple. These three simple steps will start you on your path to becoming the eye of your storm.
Are You
Growing or Are You
Dying?
By DANA D’ORSI
Personal Development Guru Tony Robbins says, “If you’re not growing…you’re dying.” It’s just like everything in nature. Think about trees and plants. They’re either getting the water and nutrition they need to continue flourishing… or they’re withering.
So where does this leave you? Are you
Growing…
or are you dying?
?
Here’s one simple question to help you determine the answer: Are you regularly stepping out of your comfort zone to expand your horizons? It’s so easy to get to a point in our lives where we’re running on autopilot and we find ourselves in a rut. We fall into a routine that typically looks like this—wake up, rush around frantically to get the kids ready and everyone out of the house, go to work, come home, rush around getting dinner ready and the kids to bed, then collapse on the couch or bed watching mindless TV.
5 Tips For Shaking Things Up In Your Life
Idea #1 Attend an Event Check out your local paper or hop on the Internet to find an event to attend. This could be a play, a musical, a live music concert, a sports event or a local festival.
Idea #2 Explore New Restaurants If you’re like me, you probably tend to go to the same restaurants over and over—and order the same meals while you’re there. Make a list of all the restaurants you’ve heard great things about or have been meaning to eat at and start to check them out, one-by-one.
Idea #3 Meet New People When we’re in school, we get very used to making new friends on a regular basis, but once we’re adults we tend to get out of practice in this area. Research local networking groups or visit meetup.com to find groups of people who meet locally who may have similar interests as you. Then, pay one of these groups a visit.
Idea #4 Learn Something New Challenge yourself to learn a new skill. This could involve learning a foreign language, taking a cooking class or a new exercise class, or joining a local book club.
Idea #5 Travel Somewhere Different Try to visit a new spot a few times a year. It doesn’t have to be an expensive trip or a destination that’s far away; it could even be a day trip to somewhere nearby. Make a list of all the places you’ve been interested in visiting and get going!
Dana D’Orsi is is a small business
marketing and productivity expert on a mission is to help thousands of women entrepreneurs learn how to build sixfigure businesses doing what they love, while working 30 hours a week or less. To get immediate free access to Dana’s top 9 business building secrets, as well as free weekly marketing & productivity tips visit www.BuildYourSixFigureBusiness.com
Spring In Motion
The Season of Renewal
Spring is almost here and while winter is a time to conserve energy and reduce activity, Spring is a time for new beginnings and a renewal of spirit. New life abounds as seedlings bloom into flowers during the Spring equinox.
By SHARON GORDON
The wisdom of Chinese medicine is that it recognizes the whole person: body, mind and spirit. Symptoms are the body’s distress signals, clues to what’s going on inside. According to the principles of Chinese Medicine, all change – in the universe and in your body – occurs in five distinct stages. Each of these stages is associated with a particular time of year, a specific element in nature, and a pair of organs in the body. Change links together the seasons of the year, aspects of nature, and your body’s organs and bodily processes. A practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine uses this principle to diagnose and treat health problems, linking specific foods, herbs, and acupuncture points to the restoration of your vital energy.
Spring Into Action Spring corresponds to the “Wood” element, which relates to the liver and gallbladder organs. According to the philosophy of Chinese medicine, the liver is responsible for the smooth flowing of Qi (energy) throughout the body. When the liver functions smoothly, physical and emotional activity throughout the body also runs smoothly. Spring is the ideal time for cleansing and rejuvenating your overall health and well-being. STRETCH - The liver controls the tendons. According to Chinese medicine, the liver stores blood during periods of rest and then releases it to the tendons in times of activity, maintaining tendon health and flexibility. Incorporate a morning stretch into your routine. For optimum health this spring, move your Qi! Try yoga or tai chi. EYE EXERCISES - The liver opens into the eyes. Although all the organs have some connection to the health of the eyes, the liver is connected to proper eye function. Remember to take breaks when looking at a computer monitor for extended periods of time and do eye exercises.
EAT GREEN - Green is the color of the liver and of spring time. Eating young plants - fresh, leafy greens, sprouts, and immature cereal grasses can improve the liver’s overall functions and aid in the movement of qi. TASTE SOUR - Foods and drinks with sour tastes are thought to stimulate the liver’s qi. Put lemon slices in your drinking water, use vinegar and olive oil for your salad dressing. Garnish your sandwich with a slice of dill pickle. DO MORE OUTDOOR ACTIVITY - Outside air helps liver qi flow. If you have been feeling irritable, find an outdoor activity to smooth out that liver qi stagnation. Try hiking, walking briskly, jogging or golfing. DRINK MILK THISTLE TEA - Milk thistle helps protect liver cells from incoming toxins and encourages the liver to cleanse itself of damaging substances, such as alcohol, medications, pesticides, environmental toxins, and even heavy metals such as mercury. AN ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT can help improve the overall health of your liver as well as treat stress, anger and frustration, which are often associated with liver qi disharmony.
How To Tell if Your Liver Qi is Out of Balance • • • • • • • •
Mood swings Sighing Hiccups Frustration Constipation Inappropriate anger Sensation of a lump in throat Difficulty swallowing
• • • • • • • •
Bitter taste in mouth Churning sensation in stomach Abdominal pain and discomfort Stomach ache that improves after massage Stomach ache that worsens with ang PMS with irritability or swollen breasts Irregular or painful periods Poor appetite
• Pain or discomfort anywhere along the sides of the body
Seasonal acupuncture treatments just five times a year helps tonify the inner organ systems and can correct minor issues before they become serious problems. Call an acupuncturist near you to see how acupuncture can help you stay healthy this spring! An imbalance in one of the five elements of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth or Metal can cause a symptom that leads to further imbalance.
Identifying the elemental cause of imbalance and treating it will encourage healing and create a lasting foundation of health that is transformative. From Wood we experience the energy of creation and, like the Spring season, we are encouraged to give birth to new ideas or possibilities and find the attributes that permit growth.
Sharon Gordon, L.Ac., M.Ac.
specializes in chronic pain, immune imbalances as well as women’s health issues that include menstrual irregularities, fertility issues, & menopause. She has worked with an Osteopathic Physician in an integrative family practice since 1996 and incorporates Classical 5 Element Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Zero Balancing in her treatment sessions. Visit her at www.acusharon.com
How to Inspire
Change In Your
Relationship
“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer
By GLADYS DIAZ As often happens, when I’m thinking about things that take place in my life or the world around me, I try to see how I can relate it to relationships. One of the main reasons people reach out to work with Michelle and me is because they want to experience change. They either want to change their current relationship status from “single” to “in a committed relationship,” or they want to change and improve the experience they’re having in their current relationship. In both of these situations, like the leaves on the tree, there is a moment where the woman realizes that it’s time to change, let go of the past and
any of the things she’s been holding on to that are keeping her “stuck” where she is, in order to make room for something new to show up ! Recently, I was coaching a client who was struggling between absolutely loving her husband who is kind, loving, and generous with her, while also realizing that there were things about him that she didn’t really like or agree with. As I was coaching her, I saw myself and who I used to be in her. I’ll never forget the moment when I realized that, for a really long time I had been completely unaware of the fact that I saw myself as “superior”
to my husband. I was more positive, more spiritual, more even-tempered than he. I was more social, able to get along with people, and I didn’t hold grudges. As horrible as it sounds to me know, I really did have this better-than-thou perception of my husband. Unfortunately, as unaware as I was of this perception, my husband was completely tuned into it! He could sense that I was making judgments about him and his choices. Whether or not I was aware of it, this underlying belief and view that I had of him was coloring how I saw, spoke to and of him, and how I treated and responded to him. I didn’t have to come out and say it. All he needed to do was looks into my eyes and he could probably see it. For a long time, I thought it was my responsibility to let my husband know all of the ways he could improve and strive to be better than he was. I would tell him to calm down, to forgive and let go, and how he should approach people and situations.
Because I began to change the way I chose to see and relate to him, my husband began to change! But not really. I began to see what had been in front of me all along, but I couldn’t see because I had been too busy looking for what was “wrong” and needed to be “fixed.” I’ve learned that, since you cannot make your date, boyfriend, or husband be more or less of anything he does not choose to be, the only thing you can do is to begin to believe that he can be those things. You can affirm the good qualities you see evidence of in him and in your relationship. You can shed light on the things you want to experience and see more of, and create a space of unconditional love and acceptance that may very well inspire him to become the man he was created to be. And, in the meantime, you can focus on becoming the woman you were created to be — the very best version of yourself!
And for a long time, my husband resisted every suggestion, piece of advice, recommended book or video, and comment I made — which only made me want to “help” him even more.
I ended the email to my client by sharing my version of Gandhi’s famous quote, where he called on us to “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
It was a vicious cycle and I was left wondering why he couldn’t just listen to me and change. It wasn’t until I took the spotlight off of him and everything I felt he needed to do, say, and think differently and flashed it on myself that things really began to change. And things only changed because I began to change myself and the way I was choosing to see him.
For those of us looking to create and experience extraordinary love, the message is:
I began to look at all of the ways I was sending the message that I didn’t love and accept him, where I felt I was superior to him. Then I began to look for evidence that supported what a great man he was – a man of integrity who was smart, strong, loyal and loving. I began to recognize just how capable he was at work and in the things he enjoyed doing. And something amazing began to happen.
BE the love you want to see in your relationship!
Gladys Diaz is sought-after
a dating and relationship coach, author, and speaker who believes that it is every woman’s birthright to experience the joy of being loved, cherished, and adored by the man who is perfect for her. Co-founder of Heart’s Desire International with Michelle Roza, her business partner and the other half of “The Love Twins,” she provides women around the globe with coaching, webinars, programs, and services that help empower them to create the life and love their hearts desire! To learn more and to schedule a Ready for Love Breakthrough Session, visit http://www.heartsdesireintl.com
2 Simple Steps
Grow th & Abundance in Your Life After Divorce
So if you find yourself struggling inside and have no idea why you’re in such a transitional phase…
By STEPHANIE SALAMEH
that right there explains it. Here’s one thing I know for sure…in every
I can’t believe we are in the third month of the New Year we just started. I’m not sure if you like astrology and mystics and all that moon and
dark circumstance there is a light. It might be a small flicker or you might have to squint a little bit, but it’s there.
stars stuff. I do! I find it so interesting and fun.
I felt so broken and lost during my divorce. I
2014 is the Chinese year of the Horse. Known for
just couldn’t see how anything good was going to
a time of fast victories, unexpected adventures,
come from that situation. It was easier for me to
luck and good things to come.
stay fixated on all the things that went wrong and
Did you read that… GOOD THINGS TO COME!
the things that I no longer had. I wish someone
It is also known to the mystics as the year of the “inner voyage”. Wow! Need I say more?
had told me about the flicker. I sat in the dark for quite some time. When life pulls the floor right from under you,
you can choose to do one of two things. You can either choose to live life feeling like a victim or you can make a conscious decision to grow personally. If the first choice sounds like you then I encourage you to keep reading. Life is not perfect and you’re going to have setback.
Does personal growth and abundance sound like something you need to have more of in your life? If so, here are two simple steps you can start doing today to bring more of what you want and love into your life.
With that in mind, know that you, sweet divine
1.
one, and only you are responsible for your own happiness. If you want more of the “good things” in your life you simply need to change the things you focus
Change Your Mindset
Stop looking at the negative in every situation and resist the feeling to feel like the world is out
on. When I say more, I’m actually referring to
to get you. Take a deep breath…and exhale.
abundance. I don’t just mean more money. (Money
You may not like your current situation but it’s
is what most people think about first.) However,
important for you to acknowledge it and accept
abundance comes in many forms. You can have
it. Now take a look at where you are and ask
abundance in health, wealth and relationships.
yourself, “How can I use this as an opportunity
Abundance is just an energy that you draw to you.
to learn and grow?”
I’m sure you’ve heard about the Law of Attraction. Guess what? The Universe is an infinite source of energy. You can tap into that energy and draw as much from it as your heart desires.
God, the Universe, whatever higher power you believe in does not mess around. You are exactly where you are for a reason. So be still, dig deep and listen to your heart for what that reason is. If it’s not clear then just keep your heart and mind open. Accept the change as a positive force in your life.
Know that your current situation is
only temporary and life is setting you up for something bigger and more amazing down the road. Maybe your marriage is over or you’ve just lost your job and you’re wondering what life could possibly have in store for you now. Well my dear one, you can create your own reality. This is your time! Have faith and stay positive. Take
your new insight and keep moving forward on your
With that feeling in your heart think of just
journey. There are no mistakes. Only lessons. This
ONE thing in your life right now that you can
is the perfect opportunity for you to spread your
be thankful for.
beautiful wings and take flight.
2.
It can be something as simple as, “I’m thankful I was able to get
Appreciate the Small Stuff
Gratitude is the key to bringing more abundance into your life. You must be thankful for what you
out of bed today.” “I’m thankful I’m alive.” “I’m thankful for my two beautiful children.”
already have in your life before bigger and better
Whatever it is, no matter how small you might
things can be sent your way.
think it is, just be thankful for that ONE thing.
I know the future can be scary when you are
I’m willing to bet you can think of more than
struggling with a major life challenge or when you
just one! Try to do this exercise once a day or
feel lost and completely alone. Stop focusing on the
as often as you can.
things you lost and don’t have anymore. Instead,
If you like to write, keep a journal and add
focus on bringing more than you ever had or could
something new to your list each day. Once you
possibly imagine into your life.
start seeing how you are already blessed you
Quick exercise: Are you with me? Close your eyes and visualize the life you want. Your heart is healed, maybe you start a new career, or you’re on a magical vacation with your children. Whatever your dreams are for your new life think of them now. Forget about your current situation. This is your dream so dream BIG! How do you feel looking at your dream life?
open your heart and mind to receiving more. Plus you’ve been throwing out to the Universe your hearts desires! Let gratitude be your daily prayer. If you can only say a simply “thank you”. That will be enough.
Wishing you much peace, a happy heart and a life of abundance!
Now hold that feeling in your heart.
Stephanie Salameh
is a Divorce Recovery Life Coach. She specializes in working with women to help heal their heart and recover their life after a divorce. Stephanie’s intuitive ability allows her to connect with her clients and focus on the area’s that are holding them back from moving forward. Life after divorce can be amazing, sometimes we just need a little inspiration along the way. Visit her at www.simplyyoulivingforward.com
Abundance Lies Between Hope &
Gratitude
PowerFraming
TM
By DENISE BANKS-GRASEDYCK
Two Simple Steps to Uncover the Abundance in Your Life and Get Rid of “Bad Days” Forever
“After all that has happened, I don’t know how she keeps going. I would be devastated.” Have you ever wondered why some people seem to get everything they want and yet they complain about their unhappiness and always seem to be in the middle of a “bad day”? And then there are those, who seem to hit challenge after challenge and yet, they continue to be optimistic and seem to have some secret source of joy that keeps them going through the roughest times?
There are two essential components of your mindset that virtually guarantee that every day turns out to be a good one; hope and gratitude. There are other ways to express these two concepts, so choose one that most resonates with your
personal preferences and beliefs. Here are some options: optimism and appreciation, positive expectation and non-judgmental acceptance. Choose whatever speaks to you most and apply that to the simple exercise described below. Hope and gratitude are words that reflect my core values, so I have used this language to describe two simple steps that will help you uncover and embrace the abundance that is already in your life- and attract even more abundance to you.
Start Your Day With Hope!
1
Give yourself a few minutes to really focus on what you want today to be like and how you want to show up in the world. This is important, because no matter what happens “to you”, you always have a choice in how you respond.
2 Take a piece of paper and write at least one sentence 3 that captures your hope for what will happen today. See it in your mind, allow yourself to think that it can happen.
Write as if this hope is already in the process of being fulfilled; “Today, I am so happy that good things are happening for me. I am happy that _____ will be realized.”
Carry this documented hope with you throughout the day. Read it at the top of every hour.
4
Set your expectation and immediately be thankful for this moment of hope. Suspend any disbelief and dwell in the thought that this good thing has ALREADY been prepared for you. It exists. It is already true and waiting for you.
5
Commit yourself to being thankful and giving gratitude at the end of the day – no matter what happens.
6
On the same paper that you have written your hope, now write the words, “I am grateful for this day. I am grateful for…” You will need this paper again at the end of your day.
Definitions
Hope is commonly defined as the feeling of wanting something to happen and thinking that it could happen; a feeling that something good will happen or be true; someone or something that may be able to provide help; someone or something that gives you a reason for hoping. Gratitude is commonly defined as a feeling of appreciation or thanks; the state of being grateful.
End your day with gratitude.
1 Take out your paper and read aloud your sentences. Fill in the second sentence with at least three 2 things for which you are grateful. Of course, there are some days on which it may seem impossible to find something for which to be grateful. You can still do it. If nothing else, you can choose to be Give yourself a few minutes to review your day and to give thanks to our Creator for all that has been and all that is.
grateful for the relief of having reached the end of a really trying day.
3
Allow yourself to believe that there is a valuable lesson, a strengthening exercise in everything that we experience. Even if you are not quite convinced yet, suspend disbelief in favor of a more empowering position. When we choose to really examine our experiences and extract the empowering essence of life as it happens, then it all has value. When we do this, it becomes more natural and easier to give gratitude for the painful things that happen as well as for the happy, joyous occurrences.
4 We are hard-wired to survive, so when thriving seems temporarily out of reach, be grateful that You and every living thing was created to survive and to thrive. you have survived. You have a new chance to create the life you want, to be more of who you are meant to be.
5
When you give gratitude, you gain hope. And very soon the sun will rise and shine down upon you. And when you live with hope, you always have sunshine in your heart and a reason to give gratitude.
Living between hope and gratitude can seem like walking on a tight-rope over the rushing waterfall of life, especially in turbulent times.
But once you make a conscious decision to live in this space, to practice hope and gratitude until it becomes an unbreakable habit*, you begin to realize that it is a place of absolute empowerment. You no longer fear falling; you know that your waterfall flows into a peaceful lagoon at the end of every day.
Denise Banks-Grasedyck
is a certified professional coach, specializing in personal and professional development. An entrepreneur known as the Freedom Fighter for the overcommitted professional helping them regain control of their lives, avoid burnout or recover from it. Visit her website at www.banks-grasedyck.com
Start your day with hope. End your day with gratitude. That’s it! How does it feel knowing you are only two steps away from fully experiencing the joy and abundance that is already in your life? * Habits: Empirical research indicates that habits may be formed or broken in as little as 21 consecutive days of exposure to a specific activity or action. Try setting this as your initial goal for this PowerFramingTM exercise.
It Began With
Baby Steps
sending you to the ER!” She heard the horror in my voice and reassured me that if I didn’t like it I
By DeeDee O’NEILL
would be reassigned to the units I wanted. On my first day in the ER this easily nauseated
Baby steps, just baby steps that’s how I got started in Medicine. I signed up to volunteer in a small hospital in Brooklyn NY. I was a 23 year old mother of two and wanted some time out of the house. The Director called me and told me I was assigned to the ER. I said “The ER? What am I going to do in the ER?” My dreams of wearing
young woman who practically fainted at the site of blood, guts and what have you was hooked! I helped transport the patients into the exam rooms, comforted them while they were waiting for the nurse or doctor, and assisted the doctors with anything they would allow me to do.
one of those cute little red and white outfits
For five years I did this until one day I found
handing out books to the elderly and listening to
myself with my GED in hand at the registrar’s
their stories about their grandchild were flying
office at the local community college. This young
out the window as this woman said “Yes, we are
woman who had never taken a science class in
her life signed up for Biology, Chemistry and
I stepped into the room and sat down while all
Pre Calculus all in the same semester to work
these eyes were watching me. Okay, I thought,
towards my associates in Biology in for Pre-
here we go!
Physician Assistant Program. What gave me the guts to attempt this I will never know. I just knew I must have lost my mind.
Questions and possible scenarios were given to me one after the other. I stayed calm and answered what I thought I would do in each of
With only about 6 months to go towards my
these situations. When the interview was over
Associates I learned of a scholarship program
they told me they would let the candidates know
that would give $30K towards the Physician
in a couple of months. The head of the program
Assistant Program in return for working in a
stood up and walked me to the door. She looked
needs area upon graduation.
straight in my face and said these words that I
I quickly filled out the application along with my
will never forget, “I don’t know who is coming in
essay of why I should be chosen to receive one of the scholarships. Soon thereafter I was called in for an interview. I figured there would be at the
here after you but I hope they are all just like you”! WHAT? Did I really just hear that? Oh my GOD! I think I got it! That thought was confirmed two
most two people doing the interview. When the
months later via the US postal service!
door opened there was a room filled with people
I entered the Physician Assistant program shortly
greeting me. I lost count at 10!
after my 30th birthday. While some people panic
This was one of those do or die moments in life.
at turning thirty I was in heaven. This was the
I asked myself “how bad do you want this”?
start of a whole new life!
Do you have a service or product that would improve the lives of women worldwide ? If you do, we would love to hear from you! Email us your name, company and website address, and we will look it over and reach out to you if we feel it’s a good fit.
Studying medicine is a whole different world.
first PA. I ran the Primary Health clinic for
We started first by learning a new language. The
the women and we had a Special Maternity
language of medicine, medical terminology. The
Clinic with an OB/GYN that was formed to
first time I opened the book I nearly ran out of the
help women get off and stay off drugs while
door. “I can NEVER remember all those words”!
pregnant. We were also a part of the AZT
Oh yes you can and you will”! That was the fight
clinical trials to see if AZT would lessen or
going on inside of me. From there we studied
stop vertical transmission of the HIV virus
gross anatomy, pediatrics, geriatrics, cardiology,
from mother to child. This turned out to be an
hematology and so forth. Nonstop action was what
invaluable study.
Physician Assistant school was.
After three years I transitioned to Nephrology
My days started at 4AM and ended at 11PM. From
as one of two PA’s covering the Dialysis units.
September 1990 until February 1993 this was my
I learned and experienced so much during my
life. In between all of this I managed to raise two
time there and even spent some quality time
kids and spend some time with my family although
with the inventor of the dialysis machine Dr.
it is all a blur now except for one instance. I had a
Willem Kolff and coincidentally it was during
year to go in PA school.
that time that I went over to England to speak
I was burnt beyond recognition emotionally. I was ready to quit!! My
kids
needed
their
mother,
my husband needed his wife and I needed a good night’s sleep.
We were driving in New Jersey and my nine-yearold daughter was sitting next to me. I told her of my plans to give up. She looked at me with that gorgeous face and said “You can’t quit mommy. You only have one year to go! You can do it! We’ll
with the NHS (National Health Service) and was one of only two PA’s invited to lecture on bringing a PA type model over to the UK. This was a fantastic honor for me. It was successful and we now have US PA’s working over there as well as Physician Assistant Education Programs that have been developed. My life took another turn in 2003 when I fell at work and suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury. This caused many problems, but my intellect remained intact.
be okay.” Out of the mouths of babes right? I figured
However, the fast pace of NYC living became
if she could tolerate it then so could I! I completed
too much for me and I moved South to work
my last clinical rotation just before Valentine’s Day
with the VETS. I loved it but when I reached my
1993. I was officially a Physician Assistant.
20th year a series of events caused me to take
After a short time in Cardiology I began to pay my service obligation back by working in a special women’s clinic for substance abusers. I was their
stock of my life and reevaluate my direction. Practicing Medicine is fantastic but there are so many modalities of healthcare I still wanted
to explore. I started questioning alternatives to pain relief and stress relief and the like. Mind body medicine and holistic care just kept coming up over and over in my mind. How food affects the body, mood, sleep and a host of other issues. Foods effects on high blood Pressure and Diabetes are well known, but what about our minds? I made the decision that this was the right time in my life to explore other options. I resigned from my job and entered Massage School. There I learned about Lymphedema Treatments and went on to become Certified as a Lymphedema Therapist. Just today I met with a woman who wants to start a Wellness Program right here where I am living. We found each other through the Massage School. Coincidence, I think not.
You see life is like that. A series of coincidences that can’t be coincidental at all when one really thinks about it. With each step in my education my vision grows wider and so does my circle. I realize that the steps we take are like dots that grow into pixels and soon take form. I want to take my pixels and create a Masterpiece in Wellness Medicine. I start a Master’s In Nutrition and Functional Medicine this year. I can’t wait to share all I learn as I learn it with my patients/clients! Mind, Body and Spirit has captured my soul.
Dolores O’Neill, PA-C CLT
ia a Physician Assistant for the past 21 years, questioning alternatives to pain and stress relief entered the Mind-Body-Spirit Medicine to better assist her patients. She has added Massage, Reflexology and Lymphedema treatment to her repertoire, and will be working towards a Masters in Nutrition and Functional Medicine. To learn more of her experience and services visit http://massagebodywork.massageplanet.com
Grow th & Abundance By SHAGUFTA KHATRI
Let me take this opportunity and platform to humbly apologize to the Universe and my creator, God. If you are wondering for what I am apologizing, I don’t even know where to begin… All these years, I had it all wrong! Where do I even begin? Let me summarize it with this quote:
Ego says, “Once everything falls into place, I will find peace.” Spirit says, “Find peace and everything will fall into place.” I was a control freak!! Then I embarked on my personal growth journey and have not stopped since then (over 5 years now). Do I look back, yes, only to see how far I have come from who and where I was :) That is a story; you will learn when I release my book ShiftThatMatters.
Being a Money Coach, one would assume that when I coach my clients, it must be all and only about Money and hence it has to do with Growth (financial) and Abundance (money again). But let me tell you from the perspective of a woman who has been there and done that: Money is just one aspect of Growth & Abundance. There is too much emphasis on money. Maybe the outside world sees only your progress and success in terms of your finances. But to me, true growth is Internal. Growth of your thinking; growth of your vision; growth in your spirit. It has been seen that when you grow in one area internally, you will begin to see shifts in other areas of your life too. All those shifts may not seem progressive at first, and things will go wonky. It is because the Universe is rearranging itself to the new improved You! But do not stop or waiver. Keep faith and keep growing. Growth attracts Abundance! How did I know I was growing? It can be similar for you too! I became less judgmental. I put myself in others shoes. I reached new levels of empathy. I was more forgiving. I did not live in my past anymore. I was more open to other’s ideas and opinions. I was less controlling and hence freaking out lesser than before. I was less harsh on myself, did not selfcriticize myself and was more accepting of who I was. I was not fearful of what people will say. Their opinion was not that important. What I thought of myself was more important to me. I could go on and on. But you get the point.
Let your growth flow freely. Do not force it. Let it take its own course and its own time, there might be a lot of healing to do, a lot of letting go too. If you have been on a mission to find abundance; your internal growth will lead you to there. And while you are working on your internal growth, do not forget about your best friend Gratitude! If you are in a hopeless, dark place and abundance seems far-fetched, start with gratitude for what you have. I am a firm believer in the saying that why the universe will give you more if you do not appreciate and show gratitude for what you already have. It is easy to forget, but what you or I take for granted; someone else is praying fervently for that! Wishing, hoping and praying alone will not get you the elusive Abundance…you must Grow and reach for it :) #To Your Peace, Progress & Prosperity #WorkSmart
Shagufta Khatri is a Mentor/Coach to
Entrepreneurs who struggle with Consistent Cashflow and want to “Keep more of the Money they Make and Make as much Money as they Want.” She works with clients in 3 strategic areas that impact their business’s bottom-line achieving a 40% increase in their net profits, within 3 months of taking her 5 week signature program “Make your Biz Your A.T.M”. Visit http://Facebook.com/ShitThatMatters