positive energy

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'New Year - New You' Messaging Has It Wrong

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5 women standing on a beach, in a yoga pose on yoga mats, water and waves in the background

It's EVERYWHERE! I mean haven't you noticed that every January (well actually it starts in December) the NEW YEAR-NEW YOU messaging begins to tell us that life will be better when... when we lose the weight, exercise harder, start juicing and organize our closets ...?

There's a lot of pressure to hit those goals and they're always set in the future.

I know what you're going to say, " But Michele all those things are good, they support us."

Well, you're right BUT that underlying message implies that life is not good NOW, so it's not really serving us in this moment.
!!!We need to feel good now, not at some time in the future.!!!

What to do?
Build a foundation that supports whatever you do, everyday.
How? With a powerful mind shift!

Your hands actually carry the energy of your thoughts too!

While you're preparing tonight's dinner I invite you to try to shift your awareness into your hands.

  • Before you start, shake off any energy you don't need - that argument with your spouse, distressing phone call, work email, grumpy kids... don't cook angry, stressed or upset!

  • Next, do the MIND SHIFT-- shift your awareness to acknowledge nature's gift of food in front of you, and yes take-out counts! Let gratitude and appreciation for the nourishment you are about to receive flow into your hands.

  • Use your senses to prep and serve your meal-notice the smell of the parsley or garlic as you chop and sounds like veggies sizzling in you pan or pasta boiling.

  • Listen to music or sing, interact with anyone who may be helping you.

  • Turn off the news because it is generally negative and you don't want that affecting your energy.

AND THERE YOU ARE, back in the present moment, the moment that reminds you that you are nourishing yourself, you're whole, perfect and loved!

And one last thing…

Family Tip:

For the first few minutes of every meal, s-l-o-w down.

  • Notice the colour, shape and texture of your food.

  • Spend more time chewing and tasting.

  • Recognize that your body is receiving nourishment.

Thank Mother Earth and the farmers, pickers, packers, transporters, grocers, the cook (your family can list more)... for getting this food to your table.

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Sage Smudging for Beginners

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top down view of a sage bundle smouldering in a glass bowl filled with shells.

Spring cleaning usually entails the bigger jobs, like windows and walls and deep cleaning the refrigerator and of course de-cluttering is important too BUT do you every take one extra step to clear the old, stale and perhaps negative energy of your room?

Physical cleaning can definitely help give the energy of your space a boost but when you smudge and your positive intentions you will raise the energy even more.

Notice if you feel tense, fearful, a little lethargic, unmotivated, down or unbalanced then your space may be holding negative energy.

say goodbye to LOW LEVEL EMOTIONS

Arguments, Fear, Anger and Worry carry low level emotions and it's a good idea to let them flow out, transform them to higher vibes like excitement, hope, inspiration, love and joy to name a few.

In this video you will learn how to smudge and clear old or negative energy from your space by first clearing yourself. It's a simple and timeless technique that even beginners can try. And be sure to check in with how you feel in your home before and after you do it.

You can use incense, dried sage, palo santo wood, cedar rope or smudge spray. Always use caution and be sure to fully extinguish any burning embers when you are finished.

HERE’S HOW TO DO IT

Get still, breathe deeply and slowly and set a clear, positive intention before you start and move around the room using a figure eight motion (the infinity symbol) if you like. Experiment with what feels right for you and you will open up to your intuition and check to see how your space feels after using this cleaning tool.

I hope you have fun using this beautiful practise inspired from many traditional cultures around the world.

Please visit my website for more calm-down tools and downloadable freebies: SmoothRockMeditation.com

Visit Glenda for mind/body support and recipes at: GlendaBritton.com