Tag: Spirituality

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Health

The cornerstone of life and success. Often ignored and taken for granted, but at one’s peril.

Let’s talk health.

What naturally springs to mind is physical health. This comprises of eating well and getting enough physical exercise. For me, I ride my push bike to work and around town, and I eat a mostly vegetarian diet with a little bit of fish.

But there are other areas of life requiring a watchful eye and some sort of strategy.

Mental health is important, especially when there are mental illnesses and dementia lurking in the future if not handled correctly. One strategy is to do mental puzzles or a hobby such as writing.

Emotional health also is worthy of a mention. Making connections within family, friend networks, and the community can protect from isolation and loneliness. And it can be as simple as asking the person at the cash register how their day has been.

But the real area that ties all these together is our shared spiritual health. I’m not talking about what church or religion one belongs too. I’m talking morals, ethics and a vision for one’s own life.

Committing to a vision larger than I am is something that gets me out of bed and keeps me striving forward. Shared with my employer, my family and friends, and my community, this vision keeps me empowered.

What is your vision?

How are you looking after every facet of your health?

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Legacy and friendship

When considering what legacy to leave behind, it is sometimes useful to watch what legacy your friends and own family are leaving behind.

For a clue as to what is really valuable, think about the glue that holds these people in your life.

Is it your religion. Or that you all like to garden, or volunteer.

The themes that run through your closest relationships indicate what your values are.

They also point to what would be valuable to those you care the most about in your life.

And therefore these values can provide a foundation for determining what to centre your legacy around. And for who would benefit from it.

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Creation stories

Researching into different religions and cultures, makes it possible to draw parallels between each.

One parallel is the abundance of Creation Stories.

These are stories that hold a people together.

Christians know they’re Christian, because of the story of Adam and Eve. The Romans knew they were Roman because of the story of the twins being suckled by a wolf, and other peoples are not much different.

Now, I’d like to make this a little more personal.

Everyone has an individual Creation Story. This tells us who we are in society and the larger world. It often has information like who our parents are, where we grew up, and our history, told through our eyes.

This creates a filter of how we interpret everything in life.
So, by acknowledging our own Creation Story and its influence, and by understanding how it impacts upon our decisions and perception, we can set ourselves free.

Don’t ignore it, don’t deny it. Embrace it because it is important and unique…

But don’t let it shut down the imagination and the ability to write more stories.

This is my challenge also.

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Meaning of Christmas

Once a year, during the Silly Season, all my cousins descend upon a little house near Leichhardt.

We discuss topics of conversation that would make our respective Aunt and Uncle’s ears burn.
We bond, in ways that elude us outside this event, and we share all sorts of family memories, and tales.
Christmas, to me, is about these events. It’s about family and good company and good food.
Pork is a tradition, as are salads and soft drink. Although as the younger ones mature, we’re steadily adilyky turning to good wines and beer.
When Nanna passed away, it was decided that we had to remember that the extended family was important. Us cousins, being the next generation, were in a position, where we could take the lead.
And so we have.
It’s small. One event each year. But it’s big too. It keeps us all in contact and keeps the good memories rolling.
May you all enjoy family, in whatever way you can. And understand that, to those of you without cousins like mine, there are plenty of Churches and Charities that form temporary families, on Christmas Day.
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Winter Solstice Festival

For two weeks in a row, I posted Guest Posts by two Writer friends. One is even encouraged to start her own Blog. I’ll update you when she’s ready.

The reason behind this is that my laptop was in town being fixed, so I was using my Smartphone.

But…we’re now back on board.

But getting to the point:

Sunday, there was a Winter Solstice Festival on at the local Town Square.

It was very hippy, but interesting, and made me think of what this time of year is all about.

Winter is traditionally a time of rest. It’s when the garden is dormant, allowing me more time to write, and encouraging me into sleeping and hibernating.

It’s about going within and thinking seriously about priorities.

Since Winter is in the middle of the year for us Aussies, it’s also a time of thinking forward so that plans can be cooked up so that when the New Year officially happens in January, the important goals make it onto the New Year Resolution list.

It’s also the beginning of the financial new year and a good time to sort out budgets and how to pay for any expenses that may surface on the New Year Resolution list.

So the task I set you is this. Sort out what you’d like on your Resolution list for January and organise your budget NOW for it. That way, you’ll be ready and in a better position for success.

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The power of the mind

This piece is by my dear friend, Hilda Oakley. She’s given me permission to share it with you.

Please note that this is copyrighted.

“One of the most important organs of the body is the brain. The brain is where the mind is situated. It sends messages to the rest of the body.

I have learnt many lessons and I would like to share them with you.

Strategies:

When feeling anxious or depressed, it is good to use strategies.

It’s like rearranging one’s mind.

Reading

Listening to classical music

Listening to music on the iPod.

Listening to gentle music on the radio

Listening to talking books from the library

A healthy body leads to a healthy mind

It is good to repeat this ofyen: It’s a brand new wonderful day.

The environment

It is good to work in the garden, even if it’s only for 10 – 15 minutes a day.

Don’t forget to take time to smell the roses.

Look at all the beautiful flowers.

Be free from worry

Be careful what books you read

Be careful what you watch on telly

Listen to classical music

Replace negativity with positivity

When feeling anxious, take deep breaths.

Make love a part of your life

Add caring and kindness into your life

Mix with positive friends

Watch your daily caffeine intake. Watch your coffee and tea intake.

Have a proper dress code to lift your spirits.

Laughter is always the best medicine!

We have all been given a free Will, be careful how you use it.

Life is a challenge, but we have been given the equipment to overcome, just use it

For my spirituality I turn to my Christian beliefs and my faith in God.

Set your aims high.

Be proud of yourself and your achievements

Do regular exercise

Eat organic food”