"Research has illuminated that the heart plays a particularly important role in our physical as well as emotional well-being." Janet Carol Ryan quoting research done by HeartMath Institute
The HeartMath Institute researches the effects of emotions on the heart, measures how positive emotions create coherent heart rhythm and how negative emotions create incoherent heart rhythms, and teaches people how to be aware of their emotions and resultant heart rhythms. What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than to consider how our emotions affect our hearts and our overall health. The research indicates that people practicing positive emotions with this HeartMath method can even affect the well being of other people and the whole planet. The HeartMath Institute has developed the Attitude Breathing Technique which is comprised of taking five minutes several times a day to::
1. Focus on your heart as you breathe in.
2. Concentrate on a positive feeling or attitude as you breathe out.
3. Lock in this new feeling as you continue to breathe it in and out through your heart.
More can be learned at: www.heartmath.org/
Feb 14, 2012
Feb 13, 2012
Greed
"The greedy one gathered all the cherries, while the simple one tasted all the cherries in one." Mark Nepo
I had a shift in perception in reading Mark Nepo's description of greed. There have been many times in my life where I have wanted to be in two places at the same time; sort of torn between attending two different events. Mark Nepo says that is greed. He explains that to want to be in two places at once is to want to experience more than is humanly possible. When we feel behind, left out, less than, he says that is a form of greed and lack. Better instead is to accept and be fully present for this moment. To stop "racing through life with one eye on what we have and one eye on what we don't (have)." How can we be satisfied with this one life we have? - which at the present time consists of providing caregiving. How can we feel that this is 'enough'?
I had a shift in perception in reading Mark Nepo's description of greed. There have been many times in my life where I have wanted to be in two places at the same time; sort of torn between attending two different events. Mark Nepo says that is greed. He explains that to want to be in two places at once is to want to experience more than is humanly possible. When we feel behind, left out, less than, he says that is a form of greed and lack. Better instead is to accept and be fully present for this moment. To stop "racing through life with one eye on what we have and one eye on what we don't (have)." How can we be satisfied with this one life we have? - which at the present time consists of providing caregiving. How can we feel that this is 'enough'?
Feb 12, 2012
Dealing with Fear
"Your greatest gift lies beyond the door named fear." Sufis saying.
Several teachers say there is only fear and love. Fear is the absence of love, and love is of God. Dr. Dyer says that there is only God; nothing else is real. So, does the above quote mean that we need to deal with illusions in order to have our greatest gift and to reach our own potential? I think that might be true. FDR said it as well, "The only thing to fear is fear itself." The lesson keeps repeating. We need to conquer our fear of fear, and that is the door through which the gifts of love and serenity abide. As caregivers for someone with dementia, it sometimes seems there is much to fear: how much longer do I have to do this? how much longer will he be mobile? how much longer before a facility is the answer? what about my own health and well being during this caregiving? will I survive this?
I suggest that such fears, while human, do not serve us. Let us look fear in the face, and claim the love that is rightfully ours. The love, that some say, is the only reality.
Several teachers say there is only fear and love. Fear is the absence of love, and love is of God. Dr. Dyer says that there is only God; nothing else is real. So, does the above quote mean that we need to deal with illusions in order to have our greatest gift and to reach our own potential? I think that might be true. FDR said it as well, "The only thing to fear is fear itself." The lesson keeps repeating. We need to conquer our fear of fear, and that is the door through which the gifts of love and serenity abide. As caregivers for someone with dementia, it sometimes seems there is much to fear: how much longer do I have to do this? how much longer will he be mobile? how much longer before a facility is the answer? what about my own health and well being during this caregiving? will I survive this?
I suggest that such fears, while human, do not serve us. Let us look fear in the face, and claim the love that is rightfully ours. The love, that some say, is the only reality.
Feb 11, 2012
Kindness
"Your field of energy is protected from contamination by kindness." Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
Dr. Dyer speaks of how important it is to keep our own energy in the higher vibration of love, joy, forgiveness; and he says the best way to do that is by practicing kindness. He is speaking of the people who are functioning at a lower vibration, perhaps like those we have all heard called 'energy vampires' - those people who seem to suck you dry in moments. He seems to say that this is a reality; people who are functioning at the low levels of jealousy, greed, anger can, indeed, affect the energy of others. In order to maintain the higher vibration of love and kindness, we either have to avoid those people or we can practice sending kindness their way. This is even true of us in caregiver situations. I live with someone who seems to be in almost perpetual complaint - a very low vibration. What I am doing that seems to be working, is to not engage in his complaints, but to treat him with kindness. What works for you with people who drain or negatively affect your energy?
Dr. Dyer speaks of how important it is to keep our own energy in the higher vibration of love, joy, forgiveness; and he says the best way to do that is by practicing kindness. He is speaking of the people who are functioning at a lower vibration, perhaps like those we have all heard called 'energy vampires' - those people who seem to suck you dry in moments. He seems to say that this is a reality; people who are functioning at the low levels of jealousy, greed, anger can, indeed, affect the energy of others. In order to maintain the higher vibration of love and kindness, we either have to avoid those people or we can practice sending kindness their way. This is even true of us in caregiver situations. I live with someone who seems to be in almost perpetual complaint - a very low vibration. What I am doing that seems to be working, is to not engage in his complaints, but to treat him with kindness. What works for you with people who drain or negatively affect your energy?
Feb 10, 2012
Thoughts
"As you think, so shall you be." Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
It all begins with, and seems to end with, our thoughts. We are what we think. Numbers of people have done work on the energetic levels of various thoughts (Dr. Dyer, Dr. David Hawkins -- to name two). Thoughts of anger, jealousy, competition are low frequency thoughts. Thoughts of love, joy, connectedness are higher frequency. There are some who believe that having lower frequency thoughts is what allows disease to enter our bodies. Perhaps it is time to start noticing our thoughts and choosing the thoughts that will create the lives we want.
"I began to understand that the promises of the world are for the most part vain phantoms, and that to have faith in oneself and become something of worth and value is the best and safest course." Michelangelo.
It all begins with, and seems to end with, our thoughts. We are what we think. Numbers of people have done work on the energetic levels of various thoughts (Dr. Dyer, Dr. David Hawkins -- to name two). Thoughts of anger, jealousy, competition are low frequency thoughts. Thoughts of love, joy, connectedness are higher frequency. There are some who believe that having lower frequency thoughts is what allows disease to enter our bodies. Perhaps it is time to start noticing our thoughts and choosing the thoughts that will create the lives we want.
"I began to understand that the promises of the world are for the most part vain phantoms, and that to have faith in oneself and become something of worth and value is the best and safest course." Michelangelo.
Feb 9, 2012
Being at peace
"God cannot express God's self in you when you are not at peace." Patanjali
There are many benefits from being at peace; perhaps one of the most important ones is Patajali's quote. Sounds good, but how does one remain at peace? For me, it has always worked to clear my schedule and spend time in meditation. My daughter lent me a cd by Edgar Cayce which leads one in self hypnosis, which - in my opinion, is like meditation. It seems that if I am not at peace, what I need to do is return to my true self; and meditation helps me to do this. Being at peace means thinking peaceful and positive thoughts, breathing deeply and evenly, moving serenely, feeling relaxed and unrushed. How do you regather yourself and return to the natural state of peace?
There are many benefits from being at peace; perhaps one of the most important ones is Patajali's quote. Sounds good, but how does one remain at peace? For me, it has always worked to clear my schedule and spend time in meditation. My daughter lent me a cd by Edgar Cayce which leads one in self hypnosis, which - in my opinion, is like meditation. It seems that if I am not at peace, what I need to do is return to my true self; and meditation helps me to do this. Being at peace means thinking peaceful and positive thoughts, breathing deeply and evenly, moving serenely, feeling relaxed and unrushed. How do you regather yourself and return to the natural state of peace?
Feb 8, 2012
Maintaining mobility
"Although the neurological damage due to Parkinson's Disease cannot be reversed, maintaining muscle tone and function is a very important aspect in the treatment of the disease in order for someone to maintain independence and quality of life," Rachel Arnold, Doctor of Physical Therapy
A notable symptom of Lewy Bodies Dementia (LBD) is parkinsonian aspects. Dwane has fairly significant parkinsonian symptoms, which include tremors, slowness of movement, stiffness of the limbs and trunk, and impaired balance and coordination. A new exercise program, NeuroFit's Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR), is supported by research showing it improves motor, cognitive and emotional aspects of Parkinson's Disease. I think this would be worth checking into. Apparently one needs to contact physical therapists in order to access this program. I did an online search and found information about the program, but it seems to be available only through physical therapists trained in PWR.
A notable symptom of Lewy Bodies Dementia (LBD) is parkinsonian aspects. Dwane has fairly significant parkinsonian symptoms, which include tremors, slowness of movement, stiffness of the limbs and trunk, and impaired balance and coordination. A new exercise program, NeuroFit's Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR), is supported by research showing it improves motor, cognitive and emotional aspects of Parkinson's Disease. I think this would be worth checking into. Apparently one needs to contact physical therapists in order to access this program. I did an online search and found information about the program, but it seems to be available only through physical therapists trained in PWR.
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