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The basic tests for maintaining health, Test #4

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The post “Monitoring Health” (https://energy-guidance-complete.com/2014/08/24/monitoring-health/) brings awareness of the seven tests that should be performed in order to evaluate health.

Here is Test #4.

Test #4: Rhythmic breathing

“The more varied the breathing, the less chance for illness to set in..” -from the post “Aging is manageable when done properly” (https://energy-guidance-complete.com/2014/05/12/aging-is-manageable-when-done-properly/).

The importance of breathing cannot be overstated. Not only does breathing sustain us in life, but it sustains us in good health. Breathing that is appropriate for the activities we do is necessary for the body to refresh itself.

For this test, use the following descriptive words to describe how you breathe during the activities presented in the list:

*tight    *quick     *neutral     *deep

1 working/concentrating at the computer or smartphone

2 singing/playing an instrument/talking

3 reading/cooking

4 moving briskly through exercise, sport, rhythmic movement, work, or walking

5 laughing/talking with friends/playing with grandchildren, children, young siblings, or young children in one’s charge

For each of the activities that you do, pay attention to your breathing.

  • In general, tight breathing is reserved for tense emotions. If your breathing feels tight at other times, you should consciously relax more often.
  • In general, quick breathing occurs during brisk movements. Out-of-breath during brisk movements can be a sign of too little water in the body, too much movement at the current time, or illness.
  • Neutral breathing is appropriate for most activities. It is not the right rhythm for brisk movements or moments of deep focus.
  • Deep breathing requires conscious effort until it becomes habitual. Deep breathing is the most cleansing and strengthening of all the types of breathing, but is not necessary during brisk movements. Deep breathing strengthens the organs, flows, and spirit.

Allowing your body to breathe deeply and variedly is good for your health!

Sequoia2

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Breathing, Well-being

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The basic tests for maintaining health, Test #3

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The post “Monitoring Health” (https://energy-guidance-complete.com/2014/08/24/monitoring-health/) brings awareness of the tests that should be performed in order to evaluate health.

Here is Test #3.

Test #3: Attention to self-needs

Ignoring one’s needs damages all the aspects of balanced health (physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual). This area does not mean self-centeredness. It means self-support.

When we fly, we are told to put on our oxygen mask before we put the mask on any dependent that is traveling with us. First we take care of ourselves so that we can help others. The same applies to our well-being. We must take care of ourselves so that we can help others.

Here are the questions for the basic test:

  1. Sleep: I schedule the appropriate amount of time for sleep each day. Yes/No
    (for people with young children, this can mean sleeping when they are napping)
  2. Relationships: I schedule time to be with people who are special to me. Yes/No
  3. Nutrition: I eat foods that satisfy my hunger for nutrition (eating to satisfy emotional issues is a No) Yes/No
  4. Movement: I schedule time for moving my body—exercise, dancing, walking, swimming, biking, team sport, etc. Yes/No

There are additional questions; however, these four are a good beginning. Consider your answers and then consider the meaning of each question.

Being sensitive to your needs is good for your health!

Hearts

 

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Well-being

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The basic tests for maintaining health, Test #2

 

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The post “Monitoring Health” (https://energy-guidance-complete.com/2014/08/24/monitoring-health/) brings awareness of the tests that should be performed in order to evaluate health.

Here is Test #2.

Test #2: Interactions with other people

“People were never meant to live alone. The idea that life is elevated by depending on no other person is incorrect. People are meant to depend on one another. They are designed to work in groups: to build together, to create communities, to help one another in times of difficulty, to find common purpose, and to help those entering and exiting life.” -from The Gift of Intuitive, Dedicated Comfort.

Connection to other people is the given. Avoidance of other people is the deviation.

For this test, use the following descriptive words to describe how you feel about the people presented in the list:

*kindness    *unkindness     *hurt     *admiration     *I don’t think about them

  1. spouse/current partner
  2. close friends, cousins, aunts and uncles
  3. children, grandchildren, step-relatives
  4. inhabitants in my city, inhabitants in my county/state
  5. people driving in cars or in other modes of transportation
  6. coworkers, shopkeepers, casual acquaintances, clients
  7. parents, siblings

There are other words to describe how you feel about these people; however, the words given are a measure of connection and caring.

Being connected to others is good for your health!

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People, Well-being

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Monitoring health

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People monitor their cholesterol levels, their blood pressure, their iron level, their blood sugar level, and their BMI. They monitor other physical issues based on family history, age, sex, race, and individual health concerns.

People are focusing on the wrong health issues. Here are the areas that people should monitor for optimal health (the order is not important):

  • Interactions with other people. (Too little interaction undermines emotional and spiritual health.)
  • Rhythmic breathing that is varied and appropriate for the body’s activities.
  • Consumption of nutritious and satisfying foods. (Focusing on foods that are bereft of nutritional value or are lacking in the aspects that naturally gratify [for example, fat-free foods] undermine physical, emotional, and intellectual health.)
  • Participation in physical activities that bring joy and challenge. (Participation in physical activities that are not enjoyed undermines emotional and spiritual health.)
  • Attention to self-needs. (Ignoring one’s needs damages all the aspects of balanced health. This area does not mean self-centeredness. It means self-support.)
  • Sensitivity to environmental concerns. (Disregard for plant life, water sources, and conditions for animal rearing undermines the grounding of the world and damages physical and intellectual health.)
  • Full engagement in life—filling life with attention to the possibilities and gifts available to grasp.

The tests and chases after physical symptoms are easier to do, but are not the real issues that should be followed. The real issues that should be monitored and cared for are the focuses of true living.

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Breathing, Well-being

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Perfection and certainty

No Certainty-Perfection

People want certainty in their lives, but certainty is unattainable because life is too fluid. People also want perfection, but that too is unattainable because life is too elastic. Certainty and perfection are elements of the universe, and even so, certainty is not always certain.

Certainty

“We all want certainty. And sometimes we get it. When we prepare for things, we often get the desired outcome. When we measure and work in an exacting manner, our cakes taste right, they look beautiful, they make the eaters happy. When we wash our hands, they are clean. When we allow enough time, we (usually) arrive at our destination on time. When we set our alarm clock, we wake up on time—usually. When we build buildings with strong foundations, they keep us secure—except in times of war or destructive natural disasters.” …from “The Gift of Intuitive, Dedicated Comfort”

Perfection

“Wanting perfection, and settling for nothing but, is mistaken behavior. Aiming for doing one’s best, working hard, giving it your all—these goals are worthwhile and worth pursuing. Great performance is admirable as long as the performer is pleased as well and not saying “Oh I should have done better.” Of course one can strive to improve, but disparaging a good job! well done! is fruitless waste of energy.” …from “Oneself—Living”

Perfection and certainty

Perfection and certainty reduce achievement. These words cause expectations and disappointment and injured relationships.

These words are troublemakers. Let them go!

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The forty contributors to ill health and to possible…

Forty

In modern societies, there are 40 reasons that a person becomes deceased too early or suffers too much. Here are the reasons in the order in which they contribute (accidents and disasters are not included):

  1. Overconsumption of alcoholic beverages
  2.  Sleep deprivation
  3.  Misuse of legal drugs
  4.  Depression
  5.  Insufficient regular movement of the body
  6.  Overuse of cigarettes
  7.  Insufficient protection from the elements (cold, heat, etc.)
  8.  Chronic insufficient consumption of water
  9.  Overconsumption of food
  10.  Insufficient exposure to the environment (nature)
  11.  Worry, fear, and anguish
  12.  Suppression of negative emotions (worry, fear, and anguish)
  13.  Hurt feelings
  14.  Blood pressure pressures
  15.  Isolation
  16.  Genetics
  17.  Misjudgment of self-boundaries (When relating to other people, not understanding how to bond. When relating to tangible items, not understanding limits and excess.)
  18.  Insufficient intake of vitamin-rich foods
  19.  Memory loss
  20.  Insufficient intake of mineral-rich foods
  21.  Digestive disturbances
  22.  Elimination issues, such as constipation
  23.  Too much dependence on approval from others
  24.  Inadvertent consumption of foods that cause allergic reactions
  25.  Overexposure to toxins
  26.  Sense of unworthiness
  27.  Misuse of illegal drugs
  28.  Purposelessness
  29.  Sadness
  30.  Misjudgments in sexual relations
  31.  Lack of trust in one’s intuition
  32.  Chronic under-usage of the thinking capabilities
  33.  Overemphasis on physicality
  34.  Anger
  35.  Jealousy
  36.  Eating too little
  37.  Indifference
  38.  Overusing the body physically
  39.  Feelings of devaluing others
  40.  Choice inundation

 You may have noticed that shallow breathing and other breathing issues are not on the list. Improper breathing results from many of these issues so that breathing, or rather, incorrect breathing, is often part of the causes.

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Well-being

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Treatment for Hunger

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When you feel hungry—hungry for affection, hungry for purpose, hungry for notice—the treatment is involvement—involvement in the lives of family and friends, involvement in community, involvement in activities in nature, involvement in active pursuits.

When you feel “hungry” for foods that have taste appeal, but little nourishment, the treatment is also involvement—involvement in activities that nourish the desire for an interesting life. These activities also include being with family and friends, taking part in communal activities, bringing nature closer, and being physically active.

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When you feel hungry for purposeful living, the treatment is all the things mentioned above and also exploration of spiritual connection.

Hunger is a good thing when it leads to satiation that is appropriate for the hunger type. Nourishment through foods that are meant to be eaten, activities that are meant to uplift, and connections that are meant to bring security and well-being.

Hearts

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Food & drink, Well-being

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Clarification about the previous post: Unreleased energy leads to laziness

Post 110 clarification about 109-unreleased energy

A friend of mine read the previous post and took issue with how judgmental the tone was about people who are “lazy”.

My friend is one of the least lazy people I know, but sometimes she doesn’t have the energy to train for a 10k run that she thinks she should do. The reasons she doesn’t have the energy to train are far from laziness. She doesn’t train for three reasons: 1) Her life is so full with work, family, volunteering in her community, and volunteering outside her immediate community that she isn’t as focused on the run as she would like to be. 2) Her expectations of herself are too unrealistic. 3) She has more compassion for others than she does for herself.

The last post wasn’t about laziness; it was about unreleased energy. Laziness is a byproduct of unreleased energy. People need to release energy. Not releasing energy leads to many negative and unbalancing effects: physical pains, emotional turmoil, depression, turning inward, turning away from others, frustration, laziness, and self-dislike. Taking breaks from work and physical activity is normal rejuvenative activity. It is not laziness.

Releasing energy is an important way for achieving balance of body, mind, and spirit. Releasing energy is good for each individual and is good for society.

Releasing energy through physical, intellectual, and social pursuits is nourishing, balancing, and necessary.

Energize!

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Well-being

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Unreleased energy leads to laziness

Post 109-unreleased energy For those of you who have been reading my blog for a while, you know that Spiritual Presence has been pushing us all to spend more time in nature. Being in nature connects us to elements in life that balance and elevate us at the spiritual level. Being in nature stimulates our intellect, restores our emotional well-being, and strengthens our physical and concentration abilities. Being in nature also provides an opportunity to breathe more deeply, breathe less restrictively (letting go of restraining emotions like the need to control our life), and breathe with wonder. Spiritual Presence has also been pushing us to be more physically active –sounds like the advice that most good doctors give. People are meant to move A LOT, and not releasing our energetic and frenetic selves leads to all sorts of problems. One of which is laziness. Laziness is much more negative than it seems. A definition of laziness is “inactivity resulting from a dislike of work” (from TheFreeDictionary). People are meant to work so disliking it is very unbalancing.  Another definition is “apathy and inactivity”. These very negative states cause imbalance to the emotional and spiritual components of health and weakening of the physical component of health. Laziness is different from resting after a substantial output of energy. Taking breaks from work and physical activity is normal rejuvenative activity. Laziness simply wastes gifted talents and possible achievements. Releasing energy through physical, intellectual, and social pursuits is nourishing, balancing, and necessary. Energize!

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Well-being

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What does frustration feel like?

Frustration
in my
Amazing
Life is
Leading
Purpose wrong

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Purpose wrong
Leading
Life is
Amazing
in my
Frustration

Frustration—in my amazing life is leading, purpose wrong.
Purpose wrong leading? Life is amazing in my…frustration.

Frustration, in my amazing life the frustration I feel is leading me towards a purpose that is wrong. This purpose is wrong because the way it is leading is to a life that is not amazing, and in my frustration, I am agitated.

The message

When feeling frustrated, remembering that life is amazing is not enough. The best antidote to frustration is making something:

  • Making a comforting food that is also nutritious
  • Making another person happy
  • Making a trip to a beautiful landscape
  • Making a phone call to a person who lifts your spirits

Making something and not not just fretting is the way to elevating the spirit when the spirit is unclear.

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Compassion

Blog 66-CompassionSome people say that people are not compassionate by nature. That is not true. People are compassionate; compassion is part of the design. Women and men, in varying degrees depending on their hormonal make-up, are compassionate.

Compassion can be displayed in the ways in which people interact with one another, with animals, with inanimate objects (such as knick knacks and clothing), and with gems. In general, compassion should be shown towards living and breathing creatures; the compassion towards the nonliving items is compassion misplaced.

When a person confuses the recipient of compassion—the nonliving item in place of the living creature—something has occurred in that person’s life that upset the natural order for compassion. People are meant to feel compassion for other people, and not feeling compassion is the incorrect response. No! Compassion is kindness presented internally which stimulates warm and caring feelings for the people, animals, and nature in one’s surroundings.

To truly feel compassion for another person, one simply has to live the design.

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People, Well-being

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When a young person dies

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Yesterday, I learned that the unthinkable happened. A young woman on a hiking/adventure holiday died. She and one of my sons were in high school together, and I know her and her mother. The funeral will take place when her body arrives back home.

I have written about death a few times in my books, and I turn to them and to Spiritual Presence to find understanding and comfort.

From the Gift of Intuitive, Dedicated Comfort:

“Each day brings an opportunity to move up or down, to build or waste, and to affect or be affected.”

The message: this young woman was a person who involved herself in life. Not only in her travels, but in her relationships and in her community.

From Pond a Connected Existence:

“The moments accumulate and produce the picture that is one’s life.”

The message: She spent her moments in uplifting and sustaining activities. The picture that is her life is one filled with vibrant colors and multiple dimensions. (See my earlier post “Finding one’s way” that explains life pictures.)

“An event occurs that requires action. The timing of the event influences possible actions. The action(s) taken are influenced by capabilities, preparation, presence of resources, and decisions. Overall attitude pervades the process. Many parts for an outcome.”

The message: Whatever happened, happened because of her capabilities, preparation, presence of resources, decisions, and attitude. And timing. “Many parts for an outcome.”

From the chapter “Concrete Living” in Oneself-Living:

“Natural death is painful for the survivors, but because it is “natural” is easier to accept. Deaths through accidents, disasters (natural or not), struggles such as wars and territorial conflicts, or other human-handed causes are harder to digest. These deaths cause more lingering effects…

Movement is always linear, from start to finish… The body is born, lives, and dies…

Concrete living: living with gusto and with verve, with awareness of an ending and with awareness of possibility, with thankfulness and with generosity. “

The message: Those left behind, the ones who remember and despair, must be comforted and supported. They must be allowed to mourn and feel overwhelming sadness. The comforters must be patient and open to the mourners’ grief. Slowly, as time passes, the mourners will be pulled back into the world of living, because that is the natural flow of life. Death is the natural ending to life. It can be the end and it can be the catalyst for living with gusto and verve, opportunity and hope, and purpose and determination.

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People, Sustaining activities, Well-being

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Clutter in my head

Clutter-in the head

The last post was about clutter in one’s abode. Today, the clutter is inside one’s head. Cluttered thoughts about weight or appearance or something negative that someone said or something negative that I said or something I should have done better or something someone else should have done differently or …

The clutter in one’s head is more difficult to handle than the clutter in one’s abode. Years of societal criticism (including from one’s parents and friends) clutter the mind and take over space that should be used for creative thought and supportive thinking.

To unclutter the mind, the first step is to take a step—physically! Stand up, say “I am going to clean the clutter in my head”, and then take a step forward. Now, take another step forward, say “I am the person I am because of others, but also because of myself”, and then shake your whole body—head to feet—shake up everything. Next, take five deep breaths and then say “I can release the junk that is old and unhelpful.”  Finally, think about a tree that grows near where you live and resolve that every time you pass this tree, you will throw off some unnecessary thought that belittles you. When you get to the tree, take a deep breath, let the thought move out from the top of your head to one of the higher branches, and then move on.

Cluttered thinking can be tidied. Each time you release a cluttered thought, allow yourself to consider a positive aspect of yourself. Let this positive aspect take your concentration and really focus on it. Be sure to smile while you do this.

Balance comes from balanced thinking and balanced living. The more one’s thoughts are supportive, the more one’s life can be balanced.

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Well-being

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Guidance

I’ve recently been working with a woman who has let herself lose her way. We are using Energy Guidance Complete to help her see her choices–choices that will bring her satisfaction and purpose.

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Her choices are her choices–she doesn’t absolve herself of making the choices. EGC helps her see the wisdom of each choice, but does not make the choices for her.

EGC is not like a psychotherapy session. It is a presentation of the truth for each and every person who is open to its wisdom. EGC is guidance that comes through me from Spiritual Presence. Might sound unbelievable,  but it is not. It is simple truth presented in a very direct way.

Each person’s journey is his or her own, and the journey can be illuminated through Energy Guidance Complete.

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Spiritual connection, Well-being

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Gathering in times of…

Post 12 Screen beans mom and kids

Soon, I will be attending several family gatherings. In honor of these special occasions, here is an essay—well, part of an essay—from book #2:

“A wedding. A funeral. A baby naming. Coming of age ceremonies. Important anniversaries. Unimportant occasions. Unimportant? All occasions that bring people together are important. Gathering together forges ties and friendships, support and community. Whether the occasion is happy or sad or tension filled or relaxed, gathering together leads to emotional release, emotional awareness, or emotional expression, even if the emotions are repressed or explosive. The importance of gathering in small groups or in larger arrangements is often overlooked.

…

People are meant to gather. People are meant to intertwine. People are meant to do for one another, support one another, receive from one another. People have the ability to enrich and entertain and inform one another. Gathering and intertwining, supporting and participating, empathizing and sympathizing are natural aspects of humankind. People who shun human contact, gatherings, or other human interactions have been damaged; they are not the natural beings they were born to be. Their natural inclinations should be to join in, not opt out. Ill treatment by others usually causes these deviations. Some see self-sufficiency and the creation of imaginary barriers to keep people out as positive things. They are wrong. …People are meant to connect.

Attending an event is not enough. Being there physically is not enough. Mouthing nice words without meaning them is not enough. Criticism is best left at home. Envy, too. But, heartfelt joy can stay! As can supportive thoughts! And feelings of comfort or pride or respect—depending on the occasion and the circumstances. Focusing on the people, whether we are tired or busy or have attended “too many” events. Enjoying each one for its own merits, its own purpose, its own celebration.”

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All this, and more!

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Energy Guidance Complete is not just about the writing. It’s about changing my own eating habits and strengthening my body. It’s about understanding the importance of self-care and other-care. It’s about listening to my intuition and understanding its importance. It’s about opening to the reality of spirituality. It’s about opening to the wisdom of beyond. It’s about sharing these discoveries with others.

All this, and more!

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Well-being

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Is what I feel real?

My knee hurts. Just started hurting. Did I do something to cause the pain? Is the pain real?

Pain is multi-dimensioned. The physical dimension. The awareness dimension (acknowledging and noticing the pain). The action (taking steps to relieve, ignore, or reduce the pain) and observant (more than awareness–“seeing” the pain and connecting it to possible causes) dimensions. And if the person is conscious of Spiritual Presence, then the spiritual dimension.

Ignoring pain is mistaken behavior. As written in The Gift of Intuitive, Dedicated Comfort:

“People should be aware that their body needs nourishment, sleep, etc., but many people see ignoring the body signals (hunger, tiredness, urges to eliminate, thirst, pain) as marks of control. They think that by ignoring these “annoying” feelings, they become better, stronger people. They err in their judgment.”

Caring for the body is a personal obligation on all. Caring for the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual components.

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