Marge Hicke

What I have been “planting” is the Third Saturday Women’s Group: a place for women to connect and develop a deeper awareness of themselves in the creative process.  We use art, writing, movement, visualization, music, etc. Our first meeting was so much fun that none of us wanted to leave!!

The holidays are upon us.  Thanksgiving has  passed.   Christmas Carols are playing. It is the time of year filled with much activity, activities that we want to keep in balance so we avoid the overwhelmed and overpowered feelings that often accompany this time of year.

Here are some tips:
1. Take time to rest well and eat well;
2. Finish shopping as soon as possible;
3. Set realistic goals that balance work, family and leisure;
4. Decide for yourself what parties and gatherings you will attend.
5. Stay focused on the real purpose of the season according to your customs.

Now and then, no matter how we try, we do get tired, overwhelmed and angry with the whole season. Here as a few tips to help you return to balance.
1. Remember to breathe, deep relaxing breaths;
2. Count to ten or take a five minute time out;
3. Go for a walk, even a short walk will help restore peace;
4. Exercise your sense of humor (hang out with kids for awhile!);
5. Take a quiet moment to decide what you want to do, not what you think you should do.

Enjoy the present moment, remembering the most important people in your life and spend time being grateful for what they have brought to your life. Being grateful helps bring perspective to stressful moments.

Healthy self-esteem is not something that just happens. Work and practice are needed, especially practice.

Let’s begin with acceptance–and the most important person to accept is YOURSELF! The practice of today is to accept both your strengths and your weaknesses. Perfection is not the goal! You do not have to be perfect to be a good person or to be loveable.

Take action:
Make a list of strengthes and weaknesses
Take a deep breath in and out;
Breathe in acceptance of youself;
Breathe out the  gift you are to others

Practing self acceptance will:
Increase productivity
Decrease stress
Decrease depression
Open the door for possibilities

Breathe in acceptance; breathe out possibilities

The possibilities are the gift for the day.

Marge

Relaxation Meditation is a tool with multiple benefits

It focuses on breath and imagination. Breath and imagination are always with us–no remembering where we put them, no having to buy them. They are free gifts!

Relaxation Meditation provides an opportunity to learn progressive relaxation, which can be used alone for stress relief and calming or with the meditation for relaxation, quieting of mind and body, reduction of anxiety and enjoyment.

Studies have shown that stress kills and that relaxing and imagining reduce stress. Studies have also shown that relaxing increases performance, in the home, in the workplace, at school, on the stage, on the playing field, in the car, etc.

Enjoy Relaxation Meditation and enjoy life!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

To purchase your downloadable version of this meditation, please click on the buy now button below.  Thank You!

Humor will help you finish—

no matter what race you enter. (Dr. Siegel)

I have a friend who has run 100 marathons. I suspect it is my friend’s sense of humor that has enabled him to do that.

Humor heals!  Humor is a great stress buster!  Without it, life can be oppressive. 

   Humor is a wonderful parenting tool! 

Use humor to bring fun into your family.

 It can lighten up homework and ease boredom.

        Of course, you may have to listen to 101 Pickle Jokes!!!!!!!! 

 Do something out of character; surprise your children!    

Here is my suggestion for a winter project.  Create a list, or a fill a jar, with activities that will produce laughter or be fun.  Let the all the family contribute.

Some ideas:

• Hold a bubble blowing contest
• Make a fort out of spare blankets; eat lunch or take a nap in it
• Eat saltine crackers and hold a whistling contest
• New name day; everyone choose a silly or unusual name for the day.
•  

Now it’s up to you; run with it and have fun!

Transitioning from the heightened activity of the holidays often stresses our children. Their systems are out of balance; food and sleep have been disrupted.   Suddenly they are back to school. They have homework again.  As the activity level changes, our children can often use some help acclimating to “ordinary time.”  Sleep and nutrition are excellent remedies for restoring balance.

Happy New Year!

Marge

Today I was given a beautiful gift, wrapped in shiny paper and tied with bunches of ribbon—time with a friend.  We had a bite to eat and then began to wander down many paths — paths of thoughts and ideas, of memories and dreams.  We visited the garden of courage of conviction and solid beliefs.  Exploring what we held as firm beliefs in our own lives, we recognized that there could arise situations that would shake those beliefs in such a way that it was possible we would act against them. And we saw the plant of compassion in that garden and next to it a packet of seeds labeled “judgment” waiting to kill that plant if we could not have Empathy–that ability to walk in another’s shoes. We recalled historical moments in our lifetimes that had been carried out by people who stood in their beliefs against all odds and what was accomplished by doing so.  Some accomplishments were horrific, with lack of morals and ethics; others were monumental with compassion and moral strength.  The strength of the belief, however, was unwavering.

As we left the garden, we renewed our belief that when we are clear, honest and direct and act with good conscience and compassion, we will create monumental moments in our lives!

Take a step in your garden today! Give yourself a gift and take with you someone whom you cherish.

In the midst of the stillness of wintertime, we can develop our awareness and mindfulness. When we are mindful, we are better able to be aware of our body, mind and spirit,—thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. Refraining from judging them, we welcome these feelings as friends, with compassion. With empathy we can respond to our feelings and choose how we want to act in difficult situations because we are no longer reacting to these thoughts and emotions.

Take deep breaths and allow yourself to be aware of all that is around you. Delight in it!