Banish The Blahs And Be Happy, by Joan and Betty
Joan Adams and her sister wrote a book over five years ago
called Banish The Blahs and Be Happy. I will ask
Joan whatever happened to the book, but in the meantime,
here is my interview with both Joan and sister Betty about
how to lift our spirits when we feel we need a lift.
I am proud to say that I wrote a chapter for their book
called: “Thoughts Are Alive!!”
Each chapter gives direction on Banishing The Blahs, lifting
your mood and boosting your spirit! In fact, the act of
reading these chapters immediately rises your mood,
whatever it is
you are experiencing!
I thought I’d make a list of my own personal favorite mood
enhancers to add to the treasure chest:
1) Turn off the Television.
I like to be up on what is happening in the world, but
watching the news is a downer I no longer wish to
participate in. The pundits tell people how to think based
on their own
prejudice, they tell people how to vote, and in essence,
no longer
objectively report the news.
2) Sit in your favorite chair and bask in a sun beam.
3) Meditate with your favorite cat resting on your knee.
4) Seek out periods of silence every day.
5) Concentrate on the Life Force present behind each in
and out breath, all day long. These are private and joyous
three dimensional moments you share only with yourself and
can
be done no matter what is going on around you.
6) Prevent depression–avoid Crazymakers.
7) Do not participate in gossip or join others when they
are complaining. You will feel much better by avoiding the
negativity.
8) Start your own blog and write several posts a week. Do
this only if you love to write. This will help you because
you are sharing your talents with the world.
9) Encourage people to comment on your blog. That way an
open discussion ensues and you feel connected to your
audience.
10) Sit, walk and sleep with your dogs.
11) Create a “dream board” as Joan describes in her
electronic book called “10 X 10.” This is a free Electronic
Book and you can have it by going here:
12) Amanda Goldston recommends an “Ideal Day Fun Card” in
Joan and Betty’s book. This involves first of all writing
down
everything you can think of that you would BE, DO, or Have
every day that brings you joy and also is Fun!!
Then you find pictures that represent these things and
paste and laminate these pictures on a 3X5 card and carry
it around
with you.
Everything on this card should make you smile! Touch the
card in your pocket several times a day. The power of this
visualization tool
is evidenced by your dreams and visions manifesting faster
into your
life.
13) Go out at night and gaze into the starry sky. Learn
the constellations and pick them out. Identify the so-
called ecliptic and
recognize the Astrological constellations there: Aries,
Pisces, Gemini,
Cancer, Leo etc.
Star gazing is even more fun with a telescope. Naturally
you will want to do this at a location removed from the
bright lights
of the city.
14) Figure out when a lunar eclipse is going to happen.
Then make sure you are available to in-joy it. This
celestial event is
soothing, calming and meditative. My husband and
I recently watched an eclipse together and we agreed that
that this was wonderful quality time.
Time slowed down, we held hands, and watched the moon in
all of her phases until she was dark, except for a faint
outline of the
moon’s circumference.
I read that this particular eclipse saved Christopher
Columbus and his
crew so many moons ago.
He read in his Almanac that an eclipse was going to occur
the following night. He and his crew were held captive by
the Indians who
threatened to kill them.
Columbus said: The moon will disappear then will return
because you allowed us to live.
And the rest is his-story.
15) Stroke your dog and/or cat and kiss them. Throw balls
for your dog. Massage her back.
Clip her nails. Brush her coat. Watch for the look of
gratitude which beams from her joyful face.
16) Learn to fully embrace life. Allow resistance to What
Is to simply melt away. Be in the moment where you find
yourself. Allow that
moment to expand and realize that this is the only moment,
not a series of
moments on a linear time belt.
It all is right Now. Learn to experience this and allow it
to grow.
The Indigenous Tree Guy, Pat Hicks
My Audello iPhone App crashed and I am waiting for help to fix it.
In the meantime, I am running re-runs of my radio show. This one in particular addresses old growth pine trees, and old growth trees, in general.
For instance, what fascinated me was this: my house is 1792, by the meandering Conestoga River. The wood in the old part of the house was built with 250 year old trees.
So my house–parts of it, anyway, dates back to the 1540’s!
They don’t build them like they used to!
Listen in!!
Writing, Walking, Silence, Listen, Awaken
I am re-reading the Natalie Goldberg book called, The True Secret Of Writing: Connecting Life With Language. She holds silent meditation retreats where the participants meditate, do walking meditation and writing practice. The only time they speak is when they read what they’ve written to each other, at which time the act of listening is fostered with great awareness.
Natalie Goldberg suggests that we practice in this way during the course of a given day. Meditate, walk, write. Awaken. Anchor awareness with each simple conscious breath.
Practice silence. In reality, no one will notice because we live in a chatty culture. We can practice listening, breathing, smiling instead of talking. We can put pen to paper and write about our reflections as they weave in and out of the focused intention to live as if everything matters, even in the greater scheme of things.
Living life with a three-pronged practice, meditation/prayer, walking, and writing and also practicing the beauty that we are enough in the here and now, helps to reign in the fear of death. The impermanence of life is always with us. Even this breath will end as a new one begins.
And when the breathing ceases to be, we drop the body.
For now, I have gratitude for this act of breathing, the words as they form upon the page, the sounds of a laboring patient in the next room.
It’s been 24 hours since the 26th anniversary of my mothers death. It rose up and it fell away.
I am writing, again, throughout the day. This is the energy I needed to integrate my spiritual practice.
Life plays tricks on us. My lifeline is back.
-/-/
Kate’s Prayer Prescription Series, her PRAYER Podcast and radio show has as its mission and foundation, the intent to relieve suffering through the spiritual practice and the remedies brought about through the healing power of Prayer, Love and Compassion.
Give Money Away
The Secret Dollar Man joined Joan Adams and I way back 6 years ago. on Moon, Moo and You: The Collective Wisdom.
The Secret Dollar Man is Todd Silva, although I am not sure if he is still doing this wonderful act of generosity every day. I really enjoyed this show. Todd Silva is a gentle and kind man.
I hope you enjoy listening!!
Mind Control-Podcast 222
Prayer practice and every other other spiritual practice, propels you into a higher vibrational field. Consequently, you become less in a state of denial about where you need to be in this world today. You are better able to own up to what it is you are here to do in this world.
Denial no longer is an option.
If you’re being bullied or abused, you can see it immediately for what it is. If there are alcoholics in your life, codependency is no longer an option.
I have been a nurse for 30 years. The problem with the nursing profession is what I call unconscious, unquestioned codependency.
Because I intend to continue practicing nursing, I will call it whenever I see it.
What are the unquestioned conditions that surround you today?
The deeper you get into a prayer practice, it’ll be easier to just walk away.
Loving vs Virginia-Podcast 200
Loving versus Virginia was a landmark civil rights decision of the United States Supreme Court, which invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage. It was argued on April 10, 1967 and decided on June 12 1967.
Loving vs Virginia is seen as a precedent in the Marriage Equality Act.
The Marriage Equality Act was decided yesterday. The Constitution now guarantees the right to same sex marriage.
These two Supreme Court decisions have been cited in many articles I’ve read in the past 24 hours. They are both seen as equal on the human rights playing field.
This is what this podcast is about.
Prayer Prescriptions For Nurse Healers
(The Prayer Prescription Series)
365 Prayer Prescriptions For Dog And Cat Lovers
(The Prayer Prescription Series)
