“I tell you , deep inside you is a fountain of bliss, a fountain of joy. Deep inside your center core is truth, light, love, there is no guilt there, there is no fear there.”
Sri Ravi Shankar
The new year for me is not about creating a new persona as the NEW YEAR-NEW YOU slogan implies. Instead I am starting 2020 off loving all parts of myself even the parts that feel uncomfortable, my fears, worries, and old patterns. I believe the things we hide away and deny will only be healed by accepting and loving them. This past year has shown me that these parts of myself when acknowledged are taking me on the perfect journey of self discovery and depth that is necessary for my growth. They are the building blocks on my journey and I am excited to see the deeper gifts they bring. This last year in 2019 I felt like the caterpillar trying to push and struggle to get out of the skin I am in wanting to fly and be free.
So I challenge you you to go back and look at your new years resolution list and ask yourself what would happen if instead of looking at the parts of yourself you want to change, ask yourself what would happen if you loved and accepted those parts instead. Knowing you are already perfect this doesn’t mean you don’t strive to live a healthy beautiful life it means you do so without self judgement.
I have always said vibrant health is like a puzzle. You have to balance all the pieces to make a happy healthy whole. Here are some pieces I like to focus on. Love yourself enough to…
-Express your emotions and watch your thoughts. Pent up anger or holding in emotions is one of the root causes of imbalance in Chinese medicine. Remember most anxiety is repressed emotions so let it out. As Michael Bernard Beckwith says “You attract to you the predominant thoughts that you’re holding in your awareness, whether those thoughts are conscious or unconscious.” Watch your thoughts and take part in manifesting your reality. Also making sure to have an attitude of gratitude.
-Live in accordance with nature. In the colder months eat more warming foods (ginger, garlic, cayenne pepper, warm teas, soups, raspberries, pineapple). Get more rest and focus on what you want to create in the warmer months when the seeds of change are ready to grow. Conversely in the warmer months eat more cooling foods like watermelon, cucumber, salads, apples, lemons and romaine. The spring is a perfect time to do a liver cleanse and get active putting all your new ideas in motion.
-Stress reduction: Massage, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, hiking, walking, and reading. whatever it is that helps you stay centered and revitalizes you. Think positive thoughts and try and catch the fearful ones and stop them in their tracks. Fear breeds’ negativity and as the saying goes the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
-Get 30 mins of sun exposure daily or in the winter months supplement with Vitamin D3. Vit D3 supports a healthy immune system and studies have shown that taking Vit D can cut your chances of getting the flu by 50%.
–Eat a diet rich in antioxidants to fight free radicals and have a healthy immune system. Think bright colored foods like raspberries, blueberries, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, purple potatoes, red cabbage, red apples, lemons, collard greens and superfoods like acai, spirulina, cacao, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and bee pollen.
-Exercise boosts the immune system. Even if it’s just a brisk walk get moving. Not moving enough can create stagnation, which can create more heat and phlegm in the body.
-Get your sleep. Make sure you get a minimum of 8 hours nightly. Lack of sleep weakens the immune system. Getting in bed before 10pm will help keep your adrenals healthy.
-Drink at least 8 glasses of clean filtered or spring water daily to flush toxins. Room temp or warm water is best.
-Don’t worry, be happy
