Transformation Coaching Magazine January 2021 by Transformation Coaching Magazine

INSPIRATION & GROWTH Onward, Upward & Forward! Define Your Creativity This Moment in Time Happiness: Could It Be This Easy? How to Hit the Reset Button 5 Paths to Health & Wellness in the New Year Healthy Thinking for Weight Loss Living In Gratitude Tar Pits, Dragons & Caves

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FEED YOUR SPIRIT Spiritual Connection Your Gift of a Little is More than Enough

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PUBLISHERS Natalie Rivera Joeel A. Rivera, M.Ed.

EDITOR Lisa Cedrone

CONTRIBUTORS Terez Hartmann, Kate Pennell, Mary Boutillier, Gregg Sanderson, Owen Waters, Jo Mooy, Mark Pitstick,Rena Greenberg, David Martin, Linda Commito, Natalie Rivera

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Onward, Upward & Forward!

It’s time to set yourself free to move toward the life that is calling you. By Terez Hartmann

EVERYTHING ALWAYS IN MOTION “When you look at the Universe, what do you see? Everything always in motion The galaxy’s spinning, somewhere the wind blows And there’s always a wave on the ocean Using this logic it’s fair to conclude To move is the nature of life So instead of fighting to stand in one place I’d rather get on and ride!”

of depleting your energy trying to make life, people, relationships or yourself stand still, perhaps your focus, attention and actions could be put to far better use by moving toward something bigger, better and even more fabulous, thereby harmonizing with the perpetual motion of life, the Universe and everything in it? What action can you take now that moves you and your life onward, upward and forward to groove with the natural rhythms of life itself?

FEARS OR DREAMS? PUSHED OR PULLED? “Onward, upward and forward To set a new course for my life I’m tired of waiting, I’m ready to live Instead of just merely survive

Whether you look outward through a telescope or inward via a microscope, everything that is alive and thriving is in motion. It is no wonder then, when your thoughts, ideas and physical body are moving toward Onward, upward and forward something life-giving, YOU also thrive. Yes, it most cerTo an upgraded version of me tainly can and will take energy to go from a non-moving Instead of my fears, I will follow my dreams to a moving state (whether in mind or body), but, once For I’d rather go where they lead” movement has begun, it is amazing to see that not only is it easier to keep moving, but this motion forward actually Do you think you’re more likely to discover greater gives you energy! health, abundance, love and happiness if you listen to the Life is dynamic. All things are meant to evolve, mutterings and ramblings of fear, or the clear, powerful expand and grow—very much including you—so instead voice of your dreams?

When it comes to change, most people wait until they are pushed into it by some form of extreme discomfort or pain, or simply deal with change once it’s been thrust upon them. Add to this global change (Covid-19, etc.), along with significant humans in your life having experiences that you would not have chosen for them, and boy, can this be one rough ride. If there is anything 2020 has taught us, it is this: We absolutely cannot control what the rest of the world does. We can take positive, practical and productive action, but instead of “waiting on the world to change,” for Covid-19 to be eradicated for all time, and for all people everywhere to love and respect each other all the time, why not turn your attention to what you can do and the changes you can make now? Instead of letting fear stop you from moving forward and ultimately getting pushed to change, what if you decided to take this opportunity to be pulled by possibility by asking yourself: • What life/self-upgrades am I open and willing to create and experience? • Why are these changes/upgrades really worth pursuing? • How can I allow these changes with grace and ease, so I can enjoy the process to the max? No matter what happens in the world, there are, have been and always will be people who thrive. What if YOU decided to be one of them?

WHAT COULD BE? “Some people think only what is or what was Is all our next chapter can be But I’d rather look to what could be instead To create a brand new legacy New dreams to be found and new questions to ask Like, “What more can I become?” With heart and mind open, I’m making the most Of my next trip around the sun! Onward, upward and forward To the answers I’m ready to find If I’m to become more than I’ve ever been It’s time to stop looking behind” What was, was. What is, is. But every new idea, invention, relationship, creation or life experience that has ever become a reality throughout the course of history happened because someone had the vision and courage to dream of what could be. Did you know that Walt Disney, one of the most celebrated visionaries of all time, made a very specific point of almost exclusively looking forward? Rather than simply recreate the same “proven” things over and over, he was adamant about creating something new that had never been done before, and if you know anything about Walt Disney or the massive international empire he created, I’d say there is definitely some merit to his approach! If you would like to propel yourself into possibility and forward motion, ask yourself: • “What NEW direction or decisions has my past helped me to discover?” • “What could be even BETTER than what has been?” Continually looking back to what was or fixating on the limitations of this (very temporary) moment in time, only keeps you very firmly planted in the very same patterns you are looking to transcend. If it is your intention to take your life beyond what has been, doesn’t it make sense to move and focus FORWARD—first and foremost?

FORWARD—TO EXPANSION, FREEDOM AND LIFE! Onward, upward and forward This is the direction of life I honor what’s been and I breathe here and now But forward is where I will find… …More. Onward, upward and forward To know what it’s like to be free Instead of my fears, I will follow my dreams For I’d rather go where they lead” Most humans certainly like having a sense of home base or safe place to land, no doubt, but thriving and feeling truly alive comes from taking a step toward the new and tasting the unknown! Every Monday, I allow myself the great joy and pleasure of a solo local adventure in nature and typically also take a solo multiday trip once a year. Even though I may begin my journey along familiar routes or trails, I really love discovering a new destination, path or point of interest along the way. I love tasting a new wine, cider, craft beer and/or food that sounds enticing. I love finding new treasures, hidden gems, or discovering the work of new artists. I love the feeling that happens when the idea for a new song, course, dance routine, article, retreat or other creative project hatches in my brain. I love how proud I feel when I catch myself consciously responding differently to a familiar situation. I love learning new things. I love reaching for more, setting out on a treasure hunt of sorts, and then finding the next clue along the way. I love trying new things and taking new chances, and either learning something new about myself/my subject, or watching a beloved vision blossom into

fruition. I love meeting high-vibe new people with brilliant ideas who expand my horizons, or getting to be a catalyst for expansion for them. I love beginnings. I love discoveries. I love fun. I love the next beautiful thing that may be around the next corner. And I love knowing that whenever it is my time to board the ship to the undying lands, I can truly say… I LIVED.

THE BOTTOM LINE: ONWARD, UPWARD & FORWARD This is YOUR moment, friends. You can choose to fight and struggle to keep the “status quo,” and live a life where fulfillment, joy and passion are nothing more than empty words, or set yourself free to venture onward, upward and forward to move toward the evolution and more that is calling you. No matter what the world around you may choose, it is my great wish and intention for you in this New Year, new day and new moment, that you choose to fully, madly, deeply LIVE… …For your joy, vision, courage and example of a bold, beautiful, life well-lived and filled with well-being, abundance and love can show any and all who are open and willing, that LIFE is happening NOW and… Onward. Upward. And Forward. Happy New NOW! Author’s Note: To be one of the first to hear the song, “Onward, Upward & Forward,” and truly start (and continue) your forward to realizing YOUR dreams and potential visit http://www.TerezFirewoman.com and click on “Subscribe” (for free!) to become a “Good Vibe Fire Tribe” VIP!

ALLOWING YOUR SUCCESS with Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann

Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann,“Your catalyst for all things Fab-YOU-lous,” is the author of Allowing Your Success!, a proud contributing author of Transform Your Life! book one and two, a professional Keynote Speaker/Workshop Facilitator, Singer-Songwriter/Recording Artist, “Allowing Adventures!” & “Savor Vacation” Facilitator, and true Renaissance Woman, and Visionary. She keeps her fire lit by embracing and promoting a lifestyle of “Allowing,” and by using creative expression to elevate and ignite the human spirit, a passion that she shares with her husband, soul-mate and creative partner of over 15 years, John Victor Hartmann. Together they share “Allowing TRUE LOVE” workshops and experiences designed to help others attract, allow, and maintain extraordinary relationships, and create custom jingles and voice-overs in their studio, THE Creativity Express. Visit: http://www.TerezFirewoman.com

Define Your Creativity

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”—Albert Einstein By Kate Maria Pennell How would you define creativity? Some may answer, “The ability to do something artistic like paint or make something.” The Oxford Dictionary states it as: The use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness. This is my definition: “Creativity is the ability to see the invisible; to lean into the adjacent possible, to see through the veil, and bring forth what is perceived into the physical realm, through creation.” Our superpower is perceiving the invisible and then creating it. We see through challenges and problems to solutions. We hear words or chords whispering to us. We watch plays on the stages of our minds. We capture light with a brush. We hold precious moments with the click of our cameras. We plant green legacies and serve culinary experiences. Then we do it all again. Take a moment to read this list slowly and to think about what creativity means to you. Which words resonate with you? Which words are you uncomfortable with?

Which draw you to them? What would you add? Understanding our creativity helps us to welcome this vital force into our lives. It helps us to more deeply connect with who we are and how we express it. The words that make us uncomfortable can be helpful indicators as to where we may need to do some inner work.

“To be an artist is to recognize the particular. To appreciate the peculiar. To allow a sense of play in your relationship to accepted standards. To ask the question ‘Why?’”—Julia Cameron, writer, speaker and author of The Artist’s Way

Permission to Launch with Kate Pennell

Kate Pennell, English and slightly geekish, is a coach and dream catalyst who lives in Spain with three kids, various furry creatures and a patient husband. She loves nature, creativity and seeing people discover what truly makes them come alive. Kate provides the people she works with permission to launch and helps them begin to fly as they were made to. She teaches, encourages and connects with fellow travellers across our global village. Find out more at https://www.permissiontolaunch.website/.

This Moment in Time

As we move through these darker winter months let us remember that we are stronger than we think. By Mary Boutieller Happy New Year to one and all, and a wish that 2021 is kinder and gentler than the last year! I find myself breathing a sigh of relief that we seem to be headed in the right direction once again. Some may wonder how much more they can take—with celebrations postponed, families unable to visit one another, smiles hidden behind masks, worry and fear as Covid-19 continues to spread...Truly, how much longer must this go on? The answer, of course, is that it will go on for as long as it will go on. And while it already seems like an eternity, if we are lucky, and we keep it in perspective, it is only a small blip on

the radar of life. So the question isn’t, “How much more can we take?” Instead, we might ask, “What shall we do with this moment in time and the situation as it presents itself?” I believe we are strong in a way that we rarely give ourselves credit for. Many of our parents or grandparents survived the Spanish Flu and the Great Depression, not to mention a couple of world wars. Some of our ancestors survived famines and plagues and dust bowls or crossed the country in wagons pulled by horses! Others left everything they knew in a land besieged by dictators to find peace and liberty and love somewhere new. Perhaps in your own lovely and amazing life, you’ve

had to overcome obstacles you never thought possible, and perhaps you are stronger for it. There is more to us than meets the eye. Beneath the surface dust and weary flesh, we find a solid foundation—even when we have to dig a little deeper to find the lesson, the truth, the where-with-all to overcome what we think we cannot do. Sometimes the lessons are easy and, at other times, they are not. Life is like that. I’m reminded of a simple lesson I relearned not too long ago. I was out hiking with my darling husband and, jumping across a small creek, got my boot, sock and foot wet on one side. For a good 10 minutes, I was

a crabby mess, complaining about my wet foot and what I should have done instead of what I did to cause the situation. Crabby, cranky, grumbling about a silly wet foot, when all around me was beauty. Crisp air, blue sky, huge trees, my sweetie-pie right in front of me... and here I was moaning and groaning. Luckily, I heard myself, thought about it, laughed, then got on with the business of being in the present moment awareness of my surroundings. I thought about how easy it can be to go down the rabbit hole of misery over the smaller things, taking offense where none was intended or rehashing old stuff. One of my friends told me that when something bothers her, she says to herself: “On a scale of 1 to 10, this isn’t a 10,” so she can let it go. Another friend reminded me that we can continue to express our gratitude—maybe even write it down, no matter what is happening in our lives because, as long as we are alive, there will always be something to be grateful for.

Henry David Thoreau said, “I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.”

As we move through these darker winter months—as we heed the lessons of the year before, wrapping a warm blanket around our shoulders to keep out the cold—let us remember that we are stronger than we think. We have within us a wellspring of energy and spirit and, dare I say, moxie, to do whatever it is we have to do to get through all of this together—yes, together. Imagine if we started by laying down our guard and opening up our hearts. What if we began by listening, first to the stories we tell ourselves, and then to the earnest pleas of others? What if we forgave more often, let go of past hurts, laughed at ourselves and decided, once and for all, to just move on? The strange paradox of life is that we are both tender and strong. We resonate with others’ pain because we have experienced our own. We recognize our own need for love and acceptance because, as tough as we are—and really we are pretty tough— we are also human, just like everybody else. And the only way to get through any of this intact is by sharing the ragtag journey of our lives with other human beings who are also finding their way as best as they can. In 1942, author Muriel Rukeyser wrote, “Whatever has happened, whatever is going to happen in the

world, it is the living moment that contains the sum of the excitement, this moment in which we touch life and all the energy of the past and future. Here is all the developing greatness of the dream of the world, the pure flash of momentary imagination, the vision of life lived outside of triumph or defeat, in continual triumph and defeat, in the present, alive. All the crafts of subtlety, all the effort, all the loneliness and death, the thin and blazing threads of reason, the spill of blessing, the passion behind these silences—all the invention turns to one end: the fertilizing of the moment, so that there may be more life.” This quote makes me smile. It reminds me that anything is possible and it fills me with gratitude for yet another opportunity to experience it. No matter how many times I forget, as long as there is breath, I am given another chance. Maybe now, more than ever, we can see with new eyes in this ever-evolving moment, full of wonder and purpose and love. Maybe we can catch ourselves when we head down the rabbit hole of misery and instead move toward one another with kind words, kind deeds and empathy. It is possible and we are strong enough, especially together. May you be well, be happy, be hopeful!

The Yoga of Life with Mary Boutieller Mary Boutieller is a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. She has been teaching yoga since 2005. Her work experience includes 22 years as a firefighter/paramedic and 10 years as a Licensed Massage Therapist. Mary’s knowledge and experience give her a well-rounded understanding of anatomy, alignment, health and movement in the body. She is passionate about the benefits of yoga and the ability to heal at all levels through awareness, compassion, and a willingness to explore. She can be reached at: SimplyogaOm@gmail.com.

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Happiness: Could It Be This Easy?

Ultimately, for every person, happiness is the path and Love is the destination.—Dale Jukes By Gregg Sanderson

For still more, it requires the right spirituality— salvation, meditation or flagellation. What do you need to be happy? Sorry to tell you this, but you can have all that and For some it takes the right “stuff”—the right house, still be miserable. Judgment and Justification (the “Js”), keep the right wardrobe or the right laundry detergent. you from being happy. For others, it takes the right situation—a good job, a They put conditions on your love, and you clear the good family or a good one-night-stand. path only when you sweep them away. 14

Love is unconditional. It can’t be, “Don’t Catch yourself when you judge and justify. ever change,” “I’ll love you when you shape up,” or You might be so busy judging and justifying you “The world is a mess.” You keep happiness away as won’t notice, so here are a couple of examples: you try to change the world to fit your pictures of 1) A driver follows too closely, then swings how it must be. around to pass, cuts you off and speeds on, Seems to me it would be much easier to weaving through the traffic. change the pictures. Let’s do it. • What am I feeling?: Irritation. Anger. Fury. You travel the path of happiness, and • What is my judgment? He’s stupid, each step takes you closer to the destination— inconsiderate and dangerous. What an Unconditional Love. unenlightened jerk! • How am I justified?: I’m a safe driver. I’m only going 5 mph over the speed limit. • WHAT WOULD LOVE DO?: There he goes. 2) At a party, the person you love walks in from the patio with your best friend smiling and laughing. • What am I feeling?: Jealousy. Fear. Panic. • What is my judgment?: She shouldn’t have gone out there with him. What will people think? How can she hurt me like that? • How am I justified?: I have a right to be angry. She doesn’t deserve me. I don’t deserve her. • WHAT WOULD LOVE DO?: Ah, there they are. From a feeling standpoint, anything you You support the need with the “Js”. You perceive is either OK or not OK. If it’s not OK you wrap yourself in sanctimony and condescension as... don’t feel good. If it’s OK you don’t feel bad. • You judge any who are different as somehow You don’t feel good when you NEED a lesser beings. thing (person or situation) to be different from the • You must prove you’re right and get others way it is. Change the NEED to a preference and you to agree with you. feel OK. You can still want it to be different, but you • You respond with anger to opposing views. don’t suffer over it. • You justify your anger with righteousness. Start with, “What would Love do?” and • You justify your unhappiness with victimhood. picture yourself doing it. The “Js” are Band-Aids to cover a bruised For practice, think about your reaction to ego. They aren’t a cure for anything. They don’t the recent election. make you happy, and never will. If you want to be Happy New Year! happy, stop suffering.

Unsatisfied needs keep happiness away, and the father of them all is the need to be right.

Happiness is BS with Gregg Sanderson

Gregg Sanderson is author of Spirit With A Smile, The World According To BOB. He is a licensed practitioner in the Centers for Spiritual Living, and a Certified Trainer for Infinite Possibilities. His earlier books were, What Ever Happened To Happily Ever After? and Split Happens—Easing The Pain Of Divorce. His latest project is the New Thought Global Network, where subscribers can enjoy the best in New Thought presentations from anywhere at any time. You can see it at http://www.newthoughtglobal.org.

Spiritual Connection

One of the best things that you can develop today is your connection to the source of your own inner wisdom. By Owen K Waters The more you pay attention to your natural, intuitive perceptions, the more they develop. Intuitive insight also develops when you encourage it by spending time in regular meditation. The act of directing your attention within gives you a distinct edge when functioning in the everyday, outside world. As recently as the 1980s, intuitive development was still called “psychic” development, as in, “something strange and unusual.” Today, intuitive insight is becoming very mainstream, very normal, very practical. Today’s mushrooming awareness of intuitive development reminds me of the early days of the telephone. Back in the early 1930s, people used to lift the earphone part of the telephone, crank the bell-generating handle, then speak to the local operator, whom they probably knew by name. It went like, “Mary? Get me Bob, will you?” Bob, in that case, would have been the only Bob in town

who, so far, had his own telephone. Making calls outside of your local area required a lot of patience, not to mention a second mortgage on your house in order to pay the bill. Long distance calls were so special in those days that, in Hollywood movies, you’d see a glamorous starlet with a huge telephone earpiece held to her ear, leaning toward the microphone piece that jutted out from the wall-mounted box, excitedly yelling, “Hello; calling long distance! Hello; calling long distance!” Then, thanks perhaps to excited starlets, everyone in town wanted a telephone. In fact, the telephone industry expanded so fast that a leading economist declared that it was not possible for that rapid rate of expansion to continue because there was a natural limit to such growth. In great confidence, he declared that the growth in telephone usage could not continue simply because there were not enough telephone operators in existence. Telephone growth did continue, however, just as soon as it became

possible for people to dial their own numbers and bypass Mary, the local telephone operator. Basically, everyone became their own telephone operator.

Today, we face a very different growth phenomenon. People are becoming plugged in within. We are becoming our own psychic/intuitive “telephone operators.” One of the best things that you can develop today is your connection to the source of your own inner wisdom. Within each and every one of us is a source of universal and personal wisdom. Our inner beings—our souls or higher selves—have all the wisdom that we have accumulated ever since we came into existence. The best service that we can render to ourselves and the world in these critical days is to reconnect— loud and clear—to the source of our own inner wisdom.

Spiritual Dynamics with Owen K. Waters Owen is a cofounder of the Spiritual Dynamics Academy, where a where a free spiritual growth newsletter awaits you at: http://www.SpiritualDynamics.net. He is an international spiritual teacher who has helped hundreds of thousands of spiritual seekers to understand better the nature of their spiritual potential. Owen’s life has been focused upon gaining spiritual insights through extensive research and the development of his inner vision. For the past 12 years, he has written a spiritual metaphysics newsletter which empowers people to discover their own new vistas of inspiration, love and creativity. Spiritual seekers enjoy his writings for their insight and clarity.

How to Hit the Reset Button

When emotions are spiraling out of control, it’s time to go within and meditate.

By Jo Mooy The morning was routine. Go to the refrigerator for a glass of water. Open the freezer for a few cubes of ice. There’s no ice. “Did you turn off the ice maker?” I yelled. “No! Why?” my partner replies. A quick consultation ensued, followed by furrowed brows, and lots of digital buttons being pushed. Still nothing. No sound of a motor whirring, and no lights flashing error messages. When there’s a question, I always go online. Google suggested that the “reset” button be pushed. Manuals were dragged out to find the reset button. It wasn’t in the book. Back to Google and then YouTube to find out the location of the reset button and what to do. Frustration escalated by the minute as every test was tried. The filter was clean. The water line not kinked. Still no reset. Finally, a wise young man on YouTube suggested going to the electric box panel and resetting the entire refrigerator by switching off the power. Success and done! Patiently waiting for the familiar sound to come from the expected-to-be-healed ice maker, we are once again met with silence. My emotions go into overdrive. Frustration escalates to irritation, where it ungraciously meets panic because it’s Thanksgiving week and we need a working ice maker.

Our handyman says he can install a new ice maker, but we need to get the ice maker from the manufacturer. The manufacturer’s website replies, “We’re sorry, that part is no longer available!” (The refrigerator is only six years old and conveniently out of warranty by 11 months.) At this point panic has morphed into anger with a healthy dose of rage at the system, the manufacturer, and anybody living in a five-mile radius. In a brief moment of clarity, we attempt to stop the self-indulgent emotional carnage by going for a two mile walk to calm the senses. It works. Walking outside is a natural pain reliever. Returning home, I contact the manufacturer via Facebook and get Nina, who asks how she can help. In one last burst of outrage I tell her the story. She asks for my name, the model and serial number of the refrigerator, and then she disappears. Three times I type, “Nina, are you there?” No reply. I see a magazine open on the counter. My eyes are drawn to this paragraph which I highlighted in yellow a month ago. “What you do in the present moment can have an influence not only on the future, but also on what you are experiencing right now. Present actions can make all the difference between whether a past bad action leads to a lot of suffering right now or only a little.” The ice maker saga suddenly seems like a minor First World problem. “What’s the

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Ben White

worst case I ask?” The answer is quick, “Let’s buy a bag of ice from Publix before Thanksgiving and worry about it later.” Right! We decide to go meditate and deal with it another day. Ten minutes into the meditation, the routine of watching the breath go in and out the nostrils relaxes me. A noticeable calm falls over me. I continue the breathing practice when I “hear” a voice inside saying, “Do what you know how to do.” The voice continues, “Do you see how calm RESETS your being?” I intuitively understand the metaphor. Then I find myself in a genuine state of allowance. I no longer care about the ice maker or the results. I spend 40 minutes in a state of calm and peace disconnected from the previous conflict. When the meditation is over I write “bag of ice” on the grocery list. I hear a ping on my computer. I click Facebook Messenger and there’s Nina. She asks me for my phone number and address. I give it to her and ask her why she needs it. Nina replies, “Jo, you are a long-time customer. As a courtesy, we are sending you a new ice maker. Here is your

service call number.” I’m flabbergasted. After thanking her, I ask if I need to get a service guy to install it? She says, “No, we will schedule an authorized service technician to install it.” She ends with, “Happy Thanksgiving.” No matter the spiritual teachings or training, the first reaction we often have to an unpleasant situation is generally emotional. Every one of us is guilty of those emotions spiraling out of control. The trick is to recognize what’s happening and change the direction of the thoughts or behavior. That too takes incredible discipline. And part of that discipline is doing daily meditation. For years, the benefits of that practice have been written about and taught by thousands. The scientific and psychological advantages are well-known, though it’s often not enough to compel others to do it. But there are even more important reasons to do this practice above all others. A daily meditation routine causes the insightful or intuitive benefits that occur to be delivered and experienced personally. The only way to receive those messages is, “To Do What You Know To Do.”

Conscious Living with Jo Mooy

Jo Mooy has studied with many spiritual traditions over the past 40 years. The wide diversity of this training allows her to develop spiritual seminars and retreats that explore inspirational concepts, give purpose and guidance to students, and present esoteric teachings in an understandable manner. Along with Patricia Cockerill, she has guided the Women’s Meditation Circle since January 2006 where it has been honored for five years in a row as the “Favorite Meditation” group in Sarasota, FL, by Natural Awakenings Magazine. Teaching and using Sound as a retreat healing practice, Jo was certified as a Sound Healer through Jonathan Goldman’s Sound Healing Association. She writes and publishes a monthly internationally distributed e-newsletter called Spiritual Connections and is a staff writer for Spirit of Maat magazine in Sedona. For more information go to http://www.starsoundings.com or email jomooy@gmail.com.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Toa Heftiba

5 Paths to Health & Wellness in the New Year

The intrinsic healing abilities of the human body respond best to supportive natural care whenever possible. By Mark Pitstick, MA, DC After serving many thousands of patients in hospitals, mental health centers and holistic private practice over almost 50 years, I have strong opinions about how to get well and stay well. It can be a difficult journey, since each person is unique and requires different healing approaches—but the right combination of natural healing approaches can usually help you achieve optimal wellness. Here are my top five recommendations for feeling happy, healthy, and enlightened in 2021 so you can enjoy the life you deserve and brighten our world.

ACUPUNCTURE

This millennia-old healing approach uses very tiny needles inserted into specific points on the skin, meridian points that correspond to certain organs and muscles. Acupuncture helps strengthen and balance the flow of energy or Chi. In the Orient, acupuncture has long been used as a primary healing modality and for anesthesia during major surgery. The safety and effectiveness of this approach have been well documented. In the United States, acupuncture can be performed by specially trained health care providers, including: L.Ac. (licensed acupuncturist), D.O.M. (doctor of oriental medicine), D.C., M.D., and D.O. When I’m healthy, I get quarterly acupuncture sessions to ensure optimal levels of life force to all parts of my body. If I develop any early or mild symptoms of declining health, acupuncture is an important part of my therapeutic program. For example, during a time of extreme stress, I once developed a tremor in my right thumb. My alternative medical doctor administered several acupuncture treatments and the shaking went away. Who knows what that might have developed into had I not quickly and effectively gotten to the source of the problem.

medical approaches. Synonyms for alternative include complementary, integrative and functional. These doctors see the downsides of drug and surgical approaches and try to use more conservative measures whenever possible. I’ve learned much about this field from Andrew Weil, M.D.; Dean Ornish, M.D.; Julian Whitaker, M.D.; Joseph Mercola, D.O; Mark Hyman, M.D.; and Allan Magaziner, D.O. Alternative medical doctors may use acupuncture, cranial adjusting, spinal manipulation, chelation therapy, dietary modification, nutritional supplementation, hyperbaric oxygen, homeopathy, heavy metal removal, light therapy, nutritional IV therapy, lifestyle counseling and other more natural modalities. In general, they use pro-life methods that work with the wisdom of the body such as prescribing probiotics instead of or after antibiotics. Alternative medical approaches assist the body in regaining wellness instead of fighting a war against disease while viewing the body as a passive and ignorant battlefield. This is a crucial distinction. Select an alternatively oriented medical doctor who uses wellness principles and can identify severe health problems that require medication or surgery. Doctors who practice alternative therapies can be located via ACAM, the American College of Advanced Medicine; AHMA, the American Holistic Medical Association; and ABHM, the American Board of Holistic Medicine.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Specific spinal adjustments—not gross manipulations—given by a doctor of chiropractic (D.C.) ensure proper alignment and mobility of the vertebrae. This relieves pain, prevents arthritic degeneration and assists a healthy nervous system. The latter is required for the brain to clearly communicate with all body parts and vice-versa. Much research—by the chiropractic, allopathic (M.D.), and osteopathic professions—has verified that abnormal nerve function caused by subluxation An increasing number of allopathic (M.D.) (misaligned and fixated bones) can result in many comand osteopathic (D.O.) physicians are using alternative mon physical and emotional symptoms.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

c irculation, flexibility and relaxation; and a calm, creative state of mind. Different forms may be more effective for your needs than others. For example, Rolfing addresses myofascial tension, Swedish massage is for deeper muscle work, and hot stone and oil therapies provide profound relaxation. Reflexology is a massage system for the feet that addresses structural subluxations, reflex response and energy balancing. Photo Credit: Unsplash/Antonika Chanel

Most medical schools teach only four hours about the spine. Osteopaths receive more training but only a small percentage of D.O.s manipulate the spine, and their techniques are usually less specific. That’s understandable since a D.C. spends four years of graduate training emphasizing the spine, whereas a D.O. also learns about drug and surgical approaches. All babies should have their spinal and skeletal bones checked just after birth, and all people should be evaluated regularly throughout life, especially after any trauma and if there are any health problems.

MASSAGE

Various forms of massage assist emotional and physical well-being. In Europe, doctors are as likely to prescribe a series of massages for stress as they are tranquilizers—and for good reason. Bob Hope enjoyed a daily massage that no doubt contributed to his living 100 years while providing service and good humor to so many people. The many mind/body benefits of massage include: relief of stress, tension and pain; increased

NUTRITIONAL-BASED APPROACHES

Health care practitioners using these methods may recommend a healthy diet, supplements, herbs and specific regimens to restore wellness. The most well-trained health care professionals in this area are naturopathic doctors (N.D.s), licensed physicians (D.C., D.O., M.D.) with post-graduate nutritional training, and holistically oriented registered or licensed dieticians (R.D./L.D.). Knowing which nutrients are needed requires much training and knowledge of how a healthy body functions. In this regard, I highly recommend the technique called Nutrition Response Testing (NRT). Other good approaches include System Strength Analysis and Applied Kinesiology (AK). In other cultures, these five healing approaches are used 95 percent of the time, whereas drugs and surgery only 5 percent. In the United States, where big business overly influences what passes for health care, those figures are reversed. Many people have suffered from invasive procedures and now want more Safe, Affordable, Natural, and Effective (SANE) health care approaches whenever possible. Here’s to a happier, healthier you in the New Year.

Mark Pitstick, MA, DC is an author, master’s clinical psychologist, holistic chiropractic physician, frequent media guest, and webinar/workshop facilitator. He directs The SoulPhone Foundation and founded Greater Reality Living Groups. Dr. Pitstick can help you know and show—no matter what is happening to or around you— that your earthly experience is a totally safe, meaningful, and magnificent adventure amidst forever. Visit http://www.SoulProof.com for free articles, newsletters and radio interviews with top consciousness experts.

Healthy Thinking for Weight Loss

The keys critical for long-term success in the New Year. By Rena Greenberg

wounded self take center stage. Later when we “come to” and realize what we have done by indulging in When people get serious about New Year’s foods that we swore we wouldn’t touch anymore, we resolutions and weight loss, the bottom line usually are filled with deep regret and remorse. becomes getting that excess fat off NOW! Yesterday is not soon enough! The problem with this type of impatience is that it often leads to very counterproductive Here’s the good news…when you fall into a thinking—the exact same thinking that caused the pothole often enough you get to a point where you overweight condition in the first place. see it coming in advance, and YOU CAN learn ways to When our No. 1 priority is dropping the fat, avoid it without a big emotional drama. our thinking becomes distorted at the most crucial Once toxic food is already on your tongue, it’s times, such as when we “accidentally” let ourselves a little late to try to talk yourself into not eating it. Debecome ravenously hungry, or when our neighbor pending on the amount of sugar (including all sugar or coworker decides to surprise us with a homesubstitutes), fat, sodium and chemicals in any particumade pie. In those moments, our intellect, along lar food, it can be like trying to stop a high-speed train with our stated goals, go on pause and the old, dein its tracks. fault thinking that has preprogrammed us for the The time to gain control over your life and same ineffective results we’ve had thus far regardyour eating habits is not when you are emotionally ing weight takes over. seduced by food, but rather when you can look at the That robotic, fear-filled voice can gain control food industry’s deceptive antics objectively and take of us in a heartbeat. Worst of all, this familiar dialogue steps not to succumb to the trap laid out for all of us, feels so right and true in the moment, but in reality it especially those who are the most susceptible: carb is nothing more than enemy thinking. Its convincing addicts and people with diabetic predispositions. strategy can cause us to doubt everything we know to These steps are simple: 1) plan ahead, 2) be true in that moment. It says things like: have healthy food with you at all times, 3) choose “You’ll always be fat. You might as well only healthy foods you enjoy, so you never feel deindulge today.” prived and 4) don’t treat yourself as if you are on “You’ll get back on the diet tomorrow.” “You’ve already lost five pounds so you can a diet and eat less food than your body needs. (In other words: Don’t let yourself get hungry.) Over and ‘cheat’ a little.” “You look pretty good for your age. So what over, I have found that these four keys are critical for long-term success. if you are fat?” One final step you can take is using self“It’s not fair that you don’t get to eat that hypnosis on a daily basis to program your mind for when everyone else does.” “How many calories/points could it be? I’ll victory by seeing yourself subconsciously as healthy, fit, happy, worthy, at your ideal weight, and in conjust skip lunch to make up for it.” trol of your life and your eating habits. Don’t men“I’m just a food addict. I can’t help myself.” All these lies feel like rational statements in tally replay your failures—instead, visualize your the moment, when we let our reactive, emotional, successes, with gratitude.

AVOID THE POTHOLES

STOP NEGATIVE SELF-TALK

You may ruminate over an insult for years to come when someone criticizes your appearance or your intelligence. However, if someone lashed out and said, “You’re a banana!” no matter how harsh the tone, it would mean nothing to you. Why? Because the statement has nothing to latch onto inside of you. It didn’t push any of your buttons because you knew in every cell of your body that it’s a lie. Why can’t we do the same with other degrading remarks? Because they trigger a place within ourselves that believes them to be true.

When you clear yourself of negativity, that negativity will no longer have a grip on you. This has everything to do with our food choices. The reason people continuously believe the manipulative marketing tactics of many companies in the food industry is because at some level they are still controlled by negative, unproductive subconscious programming of the past.

We want to believe the promises about how happy we will be when we eat something and that we have “the right” to eat whatever we want, whenever we want because nothing is going to control us. Even in the face of the living proof that our bodies are overweight and likely in an unhealthy condition, at some subconscious level we still want to believe that food—excess, processed, toxic food—can somehow fill the void that is part of our human condition. If you have turned to food as a mechanism to numb and suppress your emotions and distract yourself from life’s challenges, then you probably actually believe on a conscious level what people constantly tell me, “I’m just a food addict,” “I just love to eat,” and “Food is my greatest pleasure.” But the real truth is that you have been programmed to have an unhealthy and ultimately very unsatisfying relationship with food. Isn’t it time to cut your losses, let go of the past and realize that eating unhealthy food and obsessing about food daily is robbing you of your life force. It’s time to climb out of that pothole once and for all. When the old voice wants to tell you that, “You deserve to eat that,” speak up with your Wise, Inner Knowing and say, “I deserve to be happy. I eat only when I am physically hungry. I prefer real, whole, clean, unprocessed food from the earth. With conviction affirm to yourself, “I am in control of my life and my eating habits. My emotions move through me, like the weather, but they don’t control my choices. I am happy, healthy, strong and successful.” You can do it!

Love Life, Live Happy, Live Healthy with Rena Greenberg Rena Greenberg, a Hay House author, can be reached at http://www.EasyWillpower.com. Her weight loss and gastric bypass hypnosis success has been featured in 150-plus news stories including USA Today, Woman’s World, The Doctor’s, CNN, Good Morning America and Nightline. PBS stations nationally aired Rena’s show, “Easy Willpower,” in August 2015. Her wellness program is sponsored in 75 hospitals and 100-plus corporations. She conducts hypnotherapy sessions with people all over the world on Skype.

Your Gift of a Little is More than Enough

It is possible to change the course of someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life with a small gesture of kindness. 30

By David Martin It was a Sunday in late summer, and my wife and I were on our way to church. I was having a debate in my head on whether or not I was going to give the last two dollars I had in my pocket during the offering that day. “Yes, just give it! No, it is so little, it’s embarrassing, don’t give it. Just give it…” The drive to church lasted about 15 minutes, and I argued with myself all the way there. Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’m not going to give them this. It’s such a small amount. it’s not going to matter.”? I am not simply talking about giving money to someone either. I am talking about time, energy and effort. Don’t second guess yourself: You literally can change the direction of someone’s life because you gave even a small amount! As you may remember from my September 2020 article in Transformation Coaching, my mother moved to Canada with her soon-to-be third husband and her some of her kids, and she dropped me and one of my sisters off at our biological father’s house. I was 14 years old, and between the ages of 14 and 17, I lived in six different houses in two different states.

You want to hear something ironic? As my mother was dropping me off at my father’s, she tried to ground me from hanging out with my best friend, David Lissy. The irony is that when I was 17 years old, it was Dave’s family that literally saved my life; they pulled a sofa open in their basement, threw a mattress on it, and let me call their basement my home for the next three years. There have been multiple times I have thanked Dave’s mom and dad for everything they did, and they always responded the same way, “Murf, we really didn’t do anything.” In their minds, they let me use a pullout couch in the basement with a mattress on it. But in my view, they gave me a warm bed to sleep in, and a safe place to grow and eventually THRIVE! Back to the two-dollar conversation…I gave the two dollars and did not think about it again, until the next Sunday when I went to a discipleship class. While I was in the class, the teacher taught on the “holy handshake.” Here’s how it works: You pray about someone God wants you to bless with a small financial gift and, when He gives you that name, the next time you see that person, you place that gift

in your hand and shake their hand and give it to them. The class teacher told me that when he prayed a few weeks earlier my name is the name that came to mind. He had no idea that my wife and I were having financial issues because I had not told anyone! And I still hadn’t told him. When the church service was over that same day, I stood at the exit to thank people for coming. When the teacher came out, he asked me if I was going to be there for a few minutes. I told him I would be. He left and returned a few minutes later and shook my hand, leaned in and said, “I apologize for being so late with this, and I wish it could have been more.” This was the holy handshake he taught about. I gratefully put the gift in my pocket. I don’t think I was debating with just myself on our way to church that morning over the two dollars. I believe God was saying, “Test Me.” I gave the two dollars, and that teacher blessed me with $219.00. Trust me, $219.00 did not put a dent in what we needed but it did affirm my trust in God. So remember in these trying times, your gift of a little is more than enough! May you bless someone in the New Year.

David J. Martin is an accomplished teacher, preacher, counselor, mentor, and master life coach with 35 years of experience. He joined the United States Air Force in 1986, served for 30 years, and ended his career as the Functional Manager of Occupational Safety and Health for the United States Air Forces in Europe and Africa, ascending to the highest attainable enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt). After retirement, he went on to Pastor a non-denominational church in Somersworth, NH, and then moved to North Carolina. Dave is the owner of a Life Strategy/Coaching Company called Too Stupid To Fail. He has helped thousands of people transform their lives and create success in their relationships, careers, families, education, health and fitness through the various roles and responsibilities he has had throughout his adult life, both on and off the job. Contact Dave at tostupidtofail@gmail.com.

Living In Gratitude

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Hannah Olinger

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”—William Arthur Ward By Linda Commito Over 15 years ago, I started a daily gratitude journal. First thing most mornings, I write three things for which I am grateful. One lesson that I’ve learned is that the more I’ve focused on and expressed the blessings in my life, the more reasons I have to be thankful. But strange as this may sound, last year, despite the pandemic and the craziness of our political situation, I was abundantly grateful in ways that I had not appreciated as much before. And perhaps, you too have experienced a year that was so difficult that it could only get better from there. That’s how it was for me in 2019—the most challenging year of my life due to a cancer diagnosis. And even then, I managed

to express my gratitude most days: (i.e. I am grateful to be uplifted by the prayers and support of so many people, to have a loving partner, to be able to hold my dad’s hand during his passing, to enjoy the peace and quiet of my home, and I am grateful for feeling better today and trusting that the chemo is doing its positive job of eradicating any remaining cancer cells from my body…) And now, at one year of being cancer-free and feeling healthy and well, I decided to spend a morning with what my friend Arlene had created and called, “Linda’s Love Box”, that was filled with a year’s worth of the cards, letters and messages of encouragement from friends, family and even strangers. I was moved to tears of gratitude for every single card, prayer and thought that kept

me strong, hopeful and feeling supported. And I have deep gratitude for those who walked with me on this healing journey. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. We now have stepped out of 2020—a year that was for most of us one of the toughest on record. Altogether, we have lost loved ones, jobs, health, homes, and, at times, hope. Others have lost freedoms. Now the question is: How can we use our collective gratitude to lift up our own lives and the people around us as we appreciate what we do have, who is in our life, the free time that we have had to be creative and to discover what is most important? We are still here and can take a deep breath of gratitude for the gift of life and the opportunity to welcome a new day.

Love is the New Currency with Linda Commito Linda Commito, author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant and teacher, is passionate about her vision to leave this world a kinder, more loving, and interconnected place. Linda’s award-winning book of inspirational stories, Love Is the New Currency, demonstrates how we can each make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others through simple acts of love and kindness. Her latest project, the card game Just Ask 1 2 3, was inspired by a desire to connect people of all different ages, beliefs and lifestyles to share our individuality and find commonality. Linda also created “Kindness Starts with Me,” a program, book and website for children. For more information visit http://www.LoveistheNewCurrency.com or visit the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Justask123game.

Tar Pits, Dragons & Caves

The Only Way is Through By Natalie Rivera The hero goes about her adventure with gusto, reaching high and seeking next-level experiences. But she finds she often takes wrong turns or gets caught up with too much responsibility or overworking or being distracted or trying too hard to please others, and so she ends up stuck in a tar pit. Sense of commitment to an unfulfilling relationship—tar pit. Over-working—tar pit. Avoiding problems and pain—tar pit. Over-helping others—tar pit. Overindulging food and drink—tar pit.

Pushing through pain and exhaustion—tar pit. Repressing fear—tar pit. Her heart longs for adventure and freedom from limitation and so she continues to reach for greatness, to seek adventure and to find new pathways, yet in her zest for forward movement she inevitably finds herself once again surprised to find herself wading through tar. Eventually she awakens one day in the middle of an entire field of tar, so big the end cannot be seen. As she exhausts herself through a long journey, grasping and straining to claw her way out of the muck, she finds a

clearing that is on high ground. She is pretty badly wounded, so she stays put for a while. From there she can look back and see the zigzag of the paths she has taken and the tar pits where she almost lost herself. From this vantage point, she can see that her path led her back to the same pits more than once. She sees also that she was lucky because had she diverged from her path she could have fallen into a patch of deadly brambles or a lava field or become lost in the Forest of Lost Souls. It could have been worse. She must have had an invisible guide watching out for her.

She has made it to a safe place. But this new plateau clearly has no way forward. It runs into a large mountain, too steep to climb. There is no way around it either. The only potential way forward is through a dark cave, the entrance of which is at the end of the clearing where she set up camp. From this safe place, she can see any dangers coming. She feels above it all. There is no way back either because she does not want to make the same mistakes and trudge through more tar. Just the thought of it causes her body to shudder and her mind to shut down. Part of her feels called to enter the cave and continue forward, but she can hear cries of a dragon off in the distance and the heaviness of the darkness seeping from within. Fear lurking in both directions, she contorts her desires to accept the most logical plan; to make this plateau a permanent home. From what she can see as she surveys the lands from above, there is nothing out there worth the risk. Her hard work and struggles got her to this elevated place, an insulated bubble. It has many of the features she once dreamed of, including the view. Isn’t this enough? As she perfects her perch, she tries to drown out the aching cries of the dragon, who seems closer now to the mouth of the cave. The more she tries to be content with this new normal, the closer and closer the dragon feels. The longer she rests on the plateau, the more comfortable and placated she feels. Her mind hones more and more on the present moment, the immediacy of her surroundings, and the apathy of safety. The longer she remains there, the foggier her memories become of the struggles and the joys of her journey, the farther away her dreams feel and the

more she feels them fading. She becomes more content with isolation and more cut off from her soul’s longings. They threaten her peace. The last thing she wants is to venture into the darkness of that cave and face that monster—the one she senses has been stalking her throughout her journey. But she starts to fear the dragon will never go away. It’s coming for her. She’ll be forced to face it if she doesn’t do so willingly, on her terms. She races to block the mouth of the cave, but she cannot stifle the calls. She knows she is not strong enough to keep that thing caged forever. Not only does she fear the conflict of the battle and the vulnerability and unknown of the darkness, she fears the pain of seeing how grotesque the dragon has become due to years of neglect and abuse. She fears she is not strong enough, that she will fail, or worst of all she fears that if she does make it through the cave victorious that on the other side of the mountain she’ll find only more paths through fields of lava and brambles, more tar pits and lost souls. Then she would really be trapped; no way out of this torturous life. And so, she throws another log on the fire, turns up the sound in her ear pods, and adds new re-reinforcements to the wall that blocks the cave. She adorns her fortress with another object of beauty. She stays busy and puts all visions beyond this moment of relative contentment and safety out of her mind, until a rare moment of quiet and stillness quiets her mind enough that a vision of her forgotten dreams comes to life. She sees a vision of the other side of the mountain pass. She sees herself emerging with a new sense of clarity and confidence, an aliveness she has long since forgotten. Indeed, she sees

the same type of landscape before her, but with some new features and possibilities. More than anything, the difference lies in her new perspective. From her new vantage point, she can clearly see the pathways that do not lead close to traps and pitfalls. She wonders why she had never seen this truth before. Then she remembers the dragon and wonders what came of it during her passageway through the cave—the journey she must have completed in order to arrive on the other side. A warm snout touches her hand, and she looks down to see an adorable baby dragon looking up at her eagerly. The dragon’s eyes tell her the answer—she had not the ability to see her true path before because her eyes were clouded by the fog of that which she refused to see. Only by facing her fear and taming her dragon could the fog be lifted. She suddenly awakens to the sound of the dragon calling to her from the cave. For the first time she recognizes the voice—it is her own. Her hands shake as she gets up, stokes the fire, and begins her plans for dismantling the wall. She knows what she needs to do. She knows that the vision she saw was real, although now that she is awake the fogginess has mostly returned. But deep within herself she can feel the spark that was re-ignited by the vision. She feels the fear of vulnerability and pain and failure in her gut, but her heart aches for fulfillment of the life it knows is possible for her—on the other side of the mountain. And now when she thinks about the dragon she fears, she feels a deep compassion for it. She feels its pain. And she knows deeply she will never be at peace or fulfilled until she faces it— faces herself—and enters the cave with the resolve to never, ever turn back.

Ignite Life with Natalie Rivera

Natalie Rivera is a firestarter, speaker and entrepreneur. She is passionate about empowering others to GET REAL and live authentically. After a decade of living a life that wasn’t hers and developing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Natalie let go of everything and completely transformed. Through her journey to healing she rediscovered her true self and greater purpose—to inspire others to transform their lives. Natalie “retired” from the rat race at 24, put herself through school as a freelance designer, created a non-profit teen center, and later created Transformation Services, Inc., which offers motivational speaking, curriculum development, life coaching, event management, and publishing. She is also the Publisher of Transformation Magazine. Visit http://www.transformationacademy.com.