sacrificing the urge to judge and surrendering instead to humble self-inquiry.

It is easy for those who are aware and 'enlightened' to look at the unaware and feel frustrated and judge them, instead of looking within to see what is being mirrored in our own dark recesses.

Every day and everyone we encounter is an opportunity for self reflection and self perfection or an even better word...self improvement.

Madisyn Taylor has the following to say about this subject....

People Who Don’t Get It

BY MADISYN TAYLOR When dealing with people who seem very unaware, remember that everyone must find their own way to awakening. You may be someone who understands the true nature of reality, perceiving deeply that we all emanate from the same source, that we are all essentially one, and that we are here on earth to love one another. To understand this is to be awakened to the true nature of the self, and it is a blessing. Nevertheless, people who just don't get it are seemingly everywhere and, often, in positions of power. It can be frustrating and painful to watch them behave unconsciously. We all encounter individuals of this bent in our families, at work, and in all areas of public life. It is easy to find ourselves feeling intolerant of these people, wishing we could be free of them even though we know that separation from them is an illusion. It helps sometimes to think of us all as different parts of one psyche. Just as within our own hearts and minds we have dark places that need healing, the heart and mind of the world has its dark places. The health of the whole organism depends upon the relative health of the individuals within it. We increase harmony when we hold onto the light, not allowing it to be darkened by judgment, anger, and fear about those who behave unconsciously. It's easier to accomplish this if we don't focus on the negative qualities of individuals and instead focus on how increasing our own light will increase the light of the overall picture. When dealing with people who seem very unconscious, it helps to remember that everyone must find their own way to awakening and that the experiences they are having are an essential part of their process. Holding them in the light of our own energy may be the best way to awaken theirs. At the same time, we are inspired by their example to look within and shed light on our own unconscious places, sacrificing the urge to judge and surrendering instead to humble self-inquiry.

The true art of giving...

The true art of giving is from the heart. We all start of from a pure space and then forget our original intent. I love this piece as it was a great reminder for me in all aspects of my life and for projects that I am currently working on. Give with a loving and open heart without expectation of a reward. Giving Without Expectations

BY MADISYN TAYLOR It is in the act of giving that we find joy, without the expectation of anything in return. Since giving and receiving are so intimately intertwined in our lives, we often expect that we can attract abundance by simply conducting ourselves in an openhanded fashion. Yet we find ourselves wallowing in disappointment when our ample generosity is not met with the expected results. The answer to this quandary lies in the expectations that, in part, initially prompted us to give. Though our intention is likely pure, we can unintentionally mar the beautiful experience of giving by focusing on what we will eventually receive in return. When we let go of the notion that we deserve to receive gifts based on giving gifts, bounty can once again flow freely in and out of our lives. When the gifts you give are laden down with expectations, they cease to be gifts and become units of exchange that you are, in effect, trading for some reward. Thus, the reciprocal laws of the universe err on the side of the giver who shares for the sake of sharing. You may have seen this simple truth at work in your own experience, perhaps when life's busyness prevented you from spending too much time contemplating the results your charitable actions would ultimately have on the lives of others. It was likely then that you received the greatest gifts in return for your kindness. If you have trouble divesting yourself of your expectations, you may need to reflect upon the root of your inability to act in the true spirit of giving. Each time you make a gift, whether spiritual or tangible, ask yourself if there is something you hope to receive in return. You may be surprised to discover that you expect to be repaid with an easy life, financial windfalls, or opportunities. To integrate this most selfless form of generosity into your life, you will have to let go of your need to be in control. Accepting that while like inevitably attracts like, it typically does so on an unobservable timetable. This can help you stop weighing the gifts you give against those you have received. Giving eventually becomes a profound joy that stands alone, separate from any and all conditions, and you will learn to appreciate the flow of reciprocal abundance as a gift in and of itself.

Is it true or not?

These wonderful nuggets from Louise Hay sure hits home for me and I really just have to share this....

"The question, “Is it true or real?” has two answers: “Yes” and “No.” It is true if you believe it to be true. It is not true if you believe it isn’t true. The glass is both half full and half empty, depending on how you look at it. There are literally billions of thoughts we can choose to think. 

Most of us choose to think the same kinds of thoughts our parents used to think, but we don’t have to continue to do this. There is no law written that says we can only think in one way. 

Whatever I choose to believe becomes true for me. Whatever you choose to believe becomes true for you. Our thoughts can be totally different. Our lives and experiences are totally different. 

Examine Your Thoughts 

Whatever we believe becomes true for us. If you have a sudden financial disaster, then on some level you may believe you are unworthy of being comfortable with money, or you believe in burdens and debt. Or if you believe that nothing good ever lasts, maybe you believe that life is out to get you, or, as I hear so often, “I just can’t win.” 

If you seem unable to attract a relationship, you may believe “Nobody loves me,” or “I am unlovable.” Perhaps you fear being dominated as your mother was, or maybe you think, “People just hurt me.” 

If you have poor health, you may believe, “Illness runs in our family.” Or that you are a victim of the weather. Or perhaps it’s: “I was born to suffer,” or “It’s just one thing after another.” 

Or you may have a different belief. Perhaps you’re not even aware of your belief. Most people really aren’t. They just see the outer circumstances as being the way the cookie crumbles. Until someone can show you the connection between the outer experiences and the inner thoughts, you remain a victim in life. 

PROBLEM Financial disaster. No friends. Problems with work. Always pleasing others.

BELIEF I am not worthy of having money. Nobody loves me. I’m not good enough. I never get my way.

Whatever the problem is, it comes from a thought pattern, and thought patterns can be changed! 

It may feel true, it may seem true — all these problems we’re wrestling with and juggling in our lives. However, no matter how difficult an issue we are dealing with, it is only an outer result or the effect of an inner thought pattern. 

Look at the problems in your life. Ask yourself, “What kinds of thoughts am I having that create this?” 

If you allow yourself to sit quietly and ask this question, your inner intelligence will show you the answer."

~ Louise Hay

Active lifestyles from childhood creates a healthier adult life...

Active Lifestyle from Childhood to Adulthood Lowers Risk of Impaired Glucose Metabolism

by Bianca Garilli, ND

Physical inactivity prevalence among adolescents aged 11-17 years was estimated to be 81% globally in 2010, where insufficient physical activity (PA) was measured as < 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA daily per WHO guidelines.1 As part of the 60 minute/day exercise recommendation, the US Department of Health and Human Services recommends that aerobic activity should be incorporated at least 3 days/week, muscle-strengthening at least 3 days/week, and bone-strengthening activities at least 3 days/week.2

It is well known that physical inactivity increases the risk of various chronic diseases including heart disease and type 2 diabetes (T2D),3 so much so that a new phrase has emerged – “Sitting is the new smoking” – referencing the harmful nature of too little PA. There is no shortage of data linking inactivity to the global burden of chronic disease, due to the relationship between sedentary behavior and overweight and obesity, as well as impaired glucose metabolism and insulin resistance.4-5

Not as well studied, however, is the connection between physical inactivity from youth to adulthood and the risk of adult onset chronic disease. A study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise aimed to learn more about the association between persistent physical inactivity vs. activity during the childhood-to-adulthood transition and impaired glucose metabolism in adulthood.6 Longitudinal data from 2,000 individuals in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study with baseline ages of 3-18 years were separated into 4 groups based on leisure-time PA habits during childhood/adolescence: persistently low PA, decreasingly active, increasingly active, or persistently active.6

Repeated follow-ups occurred between 1980-2011; researchers examined associations between PA levels in youth and impaired fasting glucose (110-124 mg/dL) or T2D in adulthood. Results showed the following prevalence of impaired glucose metabolism as adults according to PA level as youth:6

• Persistently low PA: 16.1% with impaired glucose metabolism as adults
• Decreasingly active: 14.5% with impaired glucose metabolism as adults
• Increasingly active: 6.8% with impaired glucose metabolism as adults
• Persistently active: 11.1% with impaired glucose metabolism as adults

Additionally, when compared to the persistently low PA group, there were 53% and 30% reduced risks for impaired glucose metabolism in the increased PA and persistently active groups, respectively.6 No such risk reduction was seen in the decreasingly active group.

The study’s authors concluded that persistently low PA from youth to adulthood is associated with an increased risk of experiencing impaired glucose metabolism in adulthood and thus increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and T2D.6 Even a moderate increase in PA can lower the risk of adult onset metabolic abnormabilites.6 Therefore, maintaining a regularly active lifestyle beginning in childhood and maintained into adulthood is an important lifestyle habit that should start young and be encouraged at all ages.

Why is this Clinically Relevant?

• Physical activity starting in childhood is an important step in promoting health later in life
• Physical inactivity during childhood increases the risk of impaired glucose metabolism in adults6
• Daily, habitual physical activity should be encouraged for all youth, with inclusion of aerobic and bone- and muscle-strengthening activities

Citations

1. WHO. Prevalence of insufficient physical activity. http://www.who.int/gho/ncd/risk_factors/physical_activity_text/en/. Accessed August 10, 2018.
2. CDC. Physical Activity Facts. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/facts.htm. Accessed August 10, 2018.
3. Gonzalez K, Fuentes J, Marquez JL. Physical inactivity, sedentary behavior and chronic diseases. Korean J Fam Med. 2017;38(3):111–115.
4. Amati F, Dube J, Coen P, et al. Physical inactivity and obesity underlie the insulin resistance of aging. Diabetes Care. 2009;32(8):1547-1549.
5. Hamburg N, McMackin C, Huang A, et al. Physical inactivity rapidly induces resistance and microvascular dysfunction in healthy volunteers. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol.2007;27(12):2650–2656.
6. Kallio P, Pahkala K, Heinonen O. Physical inactivity from youth to adulthood and risk of impaired glucose metabolism. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2018;50(6):1192-1198.