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How yoga poses will help motivate you to achieve your desires

Posted by Matt Welsh

· June 24, 2019

Defining desires

Since the central point of discussion is going to be ‘desire’, it is very important to understand what it actually means in the yogic vocabulary. Desire – it is defined as a strong feeling for having one’s heart on something. It is also about a strong wish for the desired result in your favor. Desire is a vast term that has no boundary. You can have a desire for anything and everything. It is related to the speed of your mind which is immeasurable. The more you apply your brain, the vaster your dreams are. You will experience a special kind of motivation when you take a soothing rest in the lap of Yoga. People get encouraged to take more challenging routes while enjoying Yoga.

If you have read somewhere that one’s desires should be limited and too much greed is dangerous, let me tell you one thing, there is nothing called limit in Yoga. The ancient science is limitless and sponsors unbounded wisdom. Yoga is about relishing life’s unearthed elements that are untouched by any other individual. When you are in the vicinity of a genuine and knowledgeable Yoga teacher, all you get is a set of wings, with which you can explore anything and everything. People attending a Yoga teacher training in Rishikesh are considered special due to this facet of Yoga. Since the city of Rishikesh is the birthplace of Yoga, one gets acquainted with the purest and most authentic Yoga knowledge. Also, one has numerous opportunities to embrace the yogic beauty at various spiritual sites.

Yoga poses and the motivation factor

We have just talked about how Yoga is a force to travel to infinity with. Let’s discuss the most important element of this hugely powerful force – Yoga poses. Since time immemorial, Yoga asanas have been transforming the mind, body, and soul of yogis. The spiritual science has been presenting the right way to lead your journey to the epitome of success. Take for account a few asanas such as Chakrasana, Sirsasana, Dhanurasana, etc. These are not just a few Yoga poses but a set of challenges that one needs to pass in order to become a proficient yogi. There is no doubt in the fact that these asanas are advanced in nature. Practicing them inspires you to embrace the beauty of life.

Without serenity and peace in the mind, there is no goal that you can achieve. Your bundle of desires will have little importance when the brain is filled with tension and stress. You just cannot survive without having supported by elements of peace. For that, Yoga poses are of immense importance. Imagine yourself practicing Trikonasana and enjoying the flow of blood in the brain. This is important for enlivening the knowledge-box. You would be able to take quick decisions that affect your progress as a human and as a fighter on the journey of life.

Yoga poses for achieving your desires

Bhujangasana: Bhujangasana is also known as the Cobra pose, which gives you an opportunity to imagine yourself as the serpent itself. The shoulder-opening pose is an awesome inspirational exercise. Let your desires flourish and dreams come true with Bhujangasana. Wake up early in the morning and take a moment to enjoy the delights of Cobra pose. The purity of early morning and the stimulating elements of Bhujangasana help you see yourself at the top of your dreams. Cobra pose also helps in boosting blood circulation throughout the body parts. Daily practice of this pose is good for inner confidence.
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana: If you have bigger dreams in life, enjoy the beauty of the Bridge pose. It is extremely beneficial in guiding you to the point of success. In various fields, this asana plays a vital role. It strengthens your thighs, hips, and shoulders so that you remain in the pool of energy all the time. In addition, Setu Bandha Sarvangasana is a great practice for sexual health. Make sure you enjoy this pose in the ideal way to get motivated in the correct fashion.
Natarajasana: Closely associated with Lord Shiva, Natarajasana is one of the most dynamic exercises. There cannot be a more productive Yoga asana than Natarajasana when it comes to motivating you. The yogic exercise is adorned with spiritual elements that not only heals the soul of a practitioner but also stimulates him/her in a fascinating way. The standing asana that is practiced on one foot is about balance, which is extremely important in achieving the goals. Delve into the beauty of the Lord of the Dance pose and witness complete blissfulness. Let the soul celebrate success in an interesting way with Lord Shiva’s own practice.
Chakrasana: Chakrasana is associated with the idea of challenging motivation. It inspires practitioners to cover the most difficult road with ease. During the practice of the asana, the palms and the soles are placed on the floor and the rest of the body makes a circle-like figure while the abdomen remains at the top. This exercise is, of course, arduous to perform but is filled with tremendous inspiration. It stretches almost all the body parts and promotes a regular flow of energy in the body. This energy helps you remain motivated throughout your lifetime, wherever you go and whatever journey you aim to travel on.

Author Bio :

Bipin Baloni is a passionate Yogi, Yoga Teacher and a Traveler in India. He organize 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in Nepal. Bipin Baloni conducts Yoga Teacher Training in India in different cities. He loves writing and reading books related to yoga, health, nature, Himalayas and Trekking in India.

Website: https://www.yogatrainingnepal.com/

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Categories : Guest Posts, Yoga

David Boland, an Irish musical yogi on his debut album, “Learning to Breath”

Posted by Matt Welsh

· June 21, 2019

· No Comments

By David Boland

I used to write about sad things more often than I do now. That’s what a lot of my musical influences were doing, so it seemed like a good idea. Anger, animosity & self pitying aren’t exactly things that I want to have in my life, so it made sense to start singing about stuff that I do care for and want in my life, such as love, kindness & compassion.

That’s not to say I’ll never write a sad song again; sometimes I do, when it feels good.

I recently released an album called “Learning to Breathe”. It’s been largely inspired by my efforts to develop more peace and presence in my life. Running around and trying to do things all the time doesn’t feel good. So I’ve tried to tone it down. It’s not easy, but I’m getting better at it. The songs are written for myself mostly, and that also means they’re written for everybody; because we all share the characteristic of being human.

Some days, I feel like I’ve figured it out but then a second later I might feel stuck again. That’s part of the process. Everything’s changing constantly, and I don’t get so down on myself for being “stuck” anymore. Instead I’ll say something like “Oh David, you’re sad again. Good for you! Let’s see how long that lasts.”

With the writing and release of this album, I feel like I’ve got more clarity on my role in this life. A lot of people have found healing in my songs, which is the best outcome I could hope for.

Support the album on Bandcamp: https://davidboland1.bandcamp.com/album/learning-to-breathe

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5SrNxl04QEBsPZCQjivOC3?si=kb_n5Kd8TXW7h76znBXqAA

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKmUGcEfQNFsY9vERO1_MwA/

Official Website: www.davidbolandmusic.com

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Categories : Guest Posts, Music

6 Ways to Kindly Support Others on Their Wellness Journey

Posted by Matt Welsh

· June 18, 2019

· No Comments

It’s always nice to see someone make a positive change in their life with the goal of bettering themselves. If they’ve taken a step in the right direction, you probably want to show them your love and support in order to encourage them to continue bettering themselves.

How do you support someone in a way that will help them overcome their difficulties and show progress without interfering too much? A bit of empathy and cleverness would go a long way. Here are some ways you can be kind and supportive to your close ones when they decide to make big changes.

1. Give them a gift

The art of gift giving is an often-underestimated part of friendship. When you know someone well enough to give them a wonderful gift that they will cherish and adore, then you can truly say that you’re close to them. Knowing what kind of gift to get is just another part of knowing the person.

If you’re particularly close to someone that enjoys fitness and bettering themselves in a physical way, what better gift to give them than a free fitness class? Clubs and training centres that organize fitness classes often give out coupons to get people to try the class out. You might run into one during a sponsored event, or you could ask around the centre itself to find out how to get one. It’s a way to motivate someone to attend the class without outright paying for the opportunity.

What if they aren’t looking to lose weight or gain muscles? If their idea of fitness includes relaxation or a calming atmosphere, Yoga would be a great alternative. While they’re also visiting a Yoga class, why not join them and make it a social activity for both of you? It could be an interesting bonding experience to find yourselves in a quiet Yoga class and relax while doing the various exercises. Hardly anyone would object to at least trying Yoga, considering how popular it has become in the past couple of years. You can rest easy knowing that they’ll love the suggestion.

2. Partake in healthy things around them

Everyone likes to enjoy a snack or two while they binge-watch movies or TV shows. You probably wouldn’t say no to a candy bar after a good work out, right? However, if some of your close ones have decided to make some drastic changes to their diet, you might want to keep up appearances in front of them. That isn’t to say that you should fake your enthusiasm or distaste for certain types of food, but rather you should be understanding of their current situation and support them by showing solidarity.

If you decide to have coffee together, you might want to consider healthier snacks for the occasion. If you normally bring out a bag of chips or salted peanuts, reconsider and switch them out with something that they might like. For someone on a diet, well-seasoned celery sticks are considered a saving grace as a quick snack. They have no calories whatsoever and they’re crunchy enough to qualify for a comfortable snack. On the other hand, you could always go the more dedicated route and make a specific kind of salad that might appeal to both of you. There’s no reason to overdo it since it’s your coffee date as well.

If you decide to bring a little something to the office, take care in noticing those who might not be able to eat the food that you brought. For example, if you brought doughnuts and one person is a diabetic, there’s no reason you can’t specify to the baker that one should be sugar-free. It’s a small gesture that goes a really long way in people’s minds.

3. Explore the great outdoors

Going outside is a wholesome activity no matter how you look at it. It’s not called “nature’s gym” for no reason. Exploring the outdoors can be a wonderful bonding experience that can bring two or more people together like nothing else. If you like hiking, mountaineering, or even biking, you can be sure that your friend or friends would love to go on a trip along with you.

Being cooped up in a stuffy gym isn’t something that everyone is content with. Seeing the same exact environment every time you work out can get tiresome and boring. Sight isn’t the only sense that suffers there, either. The music that plays is often comically generic, and only includes dance or pop hits, which don’t really appeal to everyone. Let’s not forget about the smell of sweat in an enclosed space and how it can affect your perception of the workout space. Partaking in some physical activities in the outdoors is the preferable option for many of these reasons.

What you choose to do is up to you. Consult your friends and figure out what everyone’s favourite option is. Consider the fact that having a run or riding a bike means that you have limitless options. There’s no shortage of nature to make use of for outdoor activities. And it’s not exactly an environment that you can get bored of since there’s always a trail that you haven’t tried out.

Natural environments also give you the opportunity to soak up the fresh air and warm sun. It’s an additional layer of healthy living that will motivate your friend and yourself to keep on fighting for wellness and health goals.

4. Root for them

Motivation is the biggest part of bettering yourself. Wanting to do things is great, but actually having the strength to get up and improve your current state is what really counts. Getting the drive to achieve things isn’t easy, and it depends on a multitude of factors.

A big part of motivation itself is how our environment treats us and our attempts to reach our goals. If you encounter indifference and boredom from your close ones whenever you talk about your hopes and dreams, it can affect you and your motivation significantly.

Try to be a shining beacon of hope and positive energy around your close ones whenever they decide to make big changes in their life. If the changes are positive, you could become a huge influence on how they view themselves and the decision they’ve made. You would be surprised at how much a simple smile or word of support could do in a situation like this.

5. Join in on the fun

If someone close to you enjoys certain activities and hanging out with you, why not combine both of these things and go do them together? Almost any activity is more fun when you have someone to share in the enjoyment with. Better yet, if your close one is interested in something that betters their health, you could take the opportunity to keep them company. Your presence and support will only motivate them further towards their goals.

Offer to join them when they go out for a run or bike ride. These activities can be painfully boring when you do them alone and having someone to talk to and share breaks with would improve them immensely. The most important factor is to create a routine for the shared activity as this can make the whole idea seem like an exciting adventure.

Don’t force yourself to do things that you don’t enjoy for the sake of your friend, because it’s pretty much certain that they’ll notice. Stick to things that you know you won’t mind. If you like riding a bike with your friend and they invite you on a ride through the park, get your bicycle off of the bike stand and go take it for a spin. If both of you are enthusiastic about a hike or ride through nature, you can be sure that you’ll enjoy it even more as a tandem team.

6. Avoid unhealthy temptations

There’s nothing wrong with partaking in the occasional “unhealthy” habit. Everyone’s human, you don’t need to be a robot that only strives for perfection. However, you need to keep in mind that some of those around you might be struggling with giving up some of those unhealthy habits. It’s easy to fall back in when you are exposed to them often.

Obviously, nobody likes a killjoy. You shouldn’t refrain from anything and everything that is fun simply because someone might not want to partake in every part of the activity. Just be a bit mindful of their choices and don’t pressure them to join in if they don’t want to. Peer pressure is a huge factor in certain unhealthy vices such as smoking, drinking, and eating unhealthy food.

Conclusion

People need a bit of encouragement and support when they make big changes in their life. Drastic changes take their toll on our mental state and getting a small push from our close ones can really improve the whole experience. If you find the time and energy to be supportive of your friends, you can be sure that you’ll contribute a lot more to their success than you might expect.

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Categories : Guest Posts, New Media

The Importance of Surrender and Guidance in Recovery

Posted by Matt Welsh

· June 17, 2019

· No Comments

In order to enter recovery successfully and really live a sober life, you need to be ready for a few things. One is, you need to absolutely let go of any control of your life at the moment. It has likely been chaotic at least recently and if you could of fixed it yourself you would have. It’s time to let other people, ones who have your best interest in mind, and whatever forces are in the universe to guide you in life. We call this surrender in recovery and it is the most vital part of getting sober. At the same time, it is also the hardest thing to do when getting sober.

In active addiction we are so locked into what our mind tells us to do that we will do things we never imagined possible. The slow down spiral of addiction (or fast sometimes) makes us slaves to the minds and the mind is exactly where our disease of addiction lies. When we promise others and ourselves that we are going to stop, because its getting out of control, our mind is the voice that tells us its okay to get high just one more time and then stop tomorrow. If you have ever dealt with or are currently dealing with addiction you know exactlywhat I am talking about.

So how do we counteract our sick minds from dominating us? We remove it from the equation. The main reason I personally have been able to stay sober for a few years is because in the beginning, I completely stopped listening to my own ideas about everything. I had relapsed too many times on my own ideas and I was so sick and tired of thinking that I knew what to do and that I was right. I went to treatment, did exactly as I was told, met some great people in an alumni program that was there, and when I left treatment I kept listening to others who had been where I had been before. My first year sober was so incredible because I had given up my will and fully accepted guidance in my life. Any other time I tried myself was such a failure compared to that.

It is also important to find someone in recovery who simply has what you want. Usually we spot this not by words but by actions and how someone carries themselves. After we have surrendered completely, we put it into the hands of whatever is out there to show us someone to now be our teacher. I know, it sounded crazy to me too. To let something out there people were calling ‘god’ or a ‘higher power’, something that I couldn’t see, and to trust it to introduce me to someone who can help save my life. Like I said I was all out of options at that time though, I had nothing to lose, so I trusted whatever is out there will introduce me to someone I need to meet and that’s exactly what happened not more than a day later.

Moments like that are what hooks us into recovery. The hardest part is first putting in the necessary work to get us to that first ‘aha!’ moment. Many people never get to it, go back out to addiction and don’t survive. If you are reading this and are just entering recovery, I beg you, leave the thinking up to somebody else for the time being and see how it goes. Worst case it doesn’t work and you can go back to whatever lifestyle you want. My first year sober was the best year of my life, finally living an honest and meaningful life is the greatest feeling you will ever experience. The hard part is getting there, let someone get you there.

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Daniel W is a writer in recovery from New Jersey who likes to share his experience with others to show that absolutely anyone can get sober provided they are ready to take action

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Categories : Addiction, Guest Posts

How Many Calories Should You Eat Per Day to Lose Weight

Posted by Matt Welsh

· June 11, 2019

· No Comments

Good question! Calories are the small units of energy that you consume and are arguably the most talked-about part of weight loss and healthy eating. In short, calories are the unit that measures the energy content of foods and beverages.

The Rule of Thumb:

Keep in mind that if you consume more calories than you use, as a result, you’ll obtain weight, if you consume fewer calories than you use, as a result, you’ll lose weight. And if these numbers are pretty much same, then you have an ideal weight. You have to consume fewer calories to get rid of excess flab.

No doubt, it is complicated if you don’t have an idea about your caloric counter. Well, give a read to this post to know how to figure out how many calories you have to need to consume to lose weight.

How to Figure Out Your Caloric Counter:

It is true that weight loss can be an intimidating challenge but it becomes easy when you start tracking your calorie needs. Calories also work as fuel energy that you going to use in your regular activities. Well, according to many experts you have to use a weight loss calculator to track your daily calorie needs, this weight calculator tells you about the actual calories demands you have to consume to accomplish weight objective. The legitimate source of calculator-online.net provided the simple and best gadget of weight loss planner to track your calorie counter.

What Are The Recommendations?

A normal woman should consume about 2000 calories a day to keep up, and 1500 calories to lose 1 pound of weight per week. Normal man needs 2500 calories to keep up, and 2,000 to reduce 1 pound of weight per week.

But this depends upon numerous factors. Included in these are height, age, current weight, activity levels, metabolic health and lots of others.

500 Calories a Day:

If you decided to lose a pound, then there is a need to burn an extra 3,500 calories. There you need a 500 calorie daily deficit to lose a pound within a week. So, for the ease of weight loss, you have to utilize a weight loss calculator to get rid of excess pounds.

Reaching Your Weight Goal:

The given ways might work for you in the objective of weight loss!

Consume 1,300 (100 extra) calories a day and add a walk in your daily routine – it is the best way to burn the extra 700 calories per week
Eat up 1400 (200 extra) calories every day. And you have to add HIIT exercise into a daily routine twice per week and 30 minute walks through the week since it will help you to burn off the Additional 1,400 calories per Week
Eat up 1500 (300 excess) calories. Now you must add 45 minutes of moderate to vigorous workout for your everyday schedule since it helps burn up the additional 2100 energy each week

So, utilize weight calculator to figure out your daily caloric counter and add exercise in your daily routine to get rid of extra pounds.

At The Beginning of Weight Loss Program:

Focus on your daily caloric counter with the ease of weight loss planner and adopt the following:

Set Practical Goals
Quick Rule of Thumb on Calories
Diet & Exercise
Do Exercise As a Fun
Beware of Sugar
Sleep Well
Don’t Skip Breakfast
Drink Plenty of Water

More About Calories:

Yes, your total calorie intake does matter for weight reduction, and there is no doubt that all calories are not created equal. The calories that you consume form nutritious food sources will help you to feel full longer, improve your well-being, and provide fuel for your daily activity.

So, What Are The Healthy Foods?

Many experts recommend that you’ll have to fill your plate with the following:

You have to consume a variety of colorful vegetables like leafy salad greens, bright peppers, crunchy carrots or radishes. Get flavors that you are more likely to eat
Consume lean meats like chicken and fish. There are only a few individuals who enjoy red meat in moderation.
You have to intake enough fiber through the sources of healthy whole grain sources like oatmeal, whole grain bread or crackers, whole rye, quinoa
It is most important to intake whole fruits rather than fruit juices or fruit flavored snacks
Consume small servings of nuts, seeds, and other sources of healthy fats to get rid of that excess flab
Water for thirst is best for weight reduction instead of sports drinks, sweetened tea, or sodas

Diet Chart:

Best Foods for Weight Loss:

Lean Meat
Fish
Dry Fruits and Nuts
Skimmed Milk
Fruits
Vegetables

Foods to Avoid for Weight Loss:

Frozen Foods
Sugary Drinks
White Bread
High-Calorie Drinks
Pasta
Sugar
Alcohol
Processed foods and drinks

Tips for Burning Energy & Losing Weight:

Follow these tips and lose weight more effectively:

There is no need to skip breakfast and consume protein & healthy fat breakfast to get rid of extra pounds
Eat regular meals “skip starving”
You ought to intake slow-burning calories and keep the focus on high-fiber carbohydrates and healthy fats
Exercise is imperatively important for weight reduction, add exercise on your daily schedule as it is the great approach that helps you to burn off extra calories
You ought to stay hydrated, drink enough amount of water as it is good for your overall health as well as for weight reduction”
Avoid alcohol, sodas, or sports drinks “as these are the rich sources of calories”
Eat up fiber “whole grain is the best source of fiber like whole wheat, whole oats/oatmeal, whole-grain corn, millet, buckwheat, brown rice, quinoa, sorghum ”
There is a need to get enough sleep
Avoid eating 2 hours before bed “you ought to consume your dinner maximum 3 hours before going to bed”

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Categories : Guest Posts

5 Ways To Distinguish Toxic Relationships From Healthy Ones

Posted by Matt Welsh

· June 7, 2019

· No Comments

You cannot concentrate on your work when you have family problems in your mind. Living in a toxic relationship not only makes you frustrated, but it can lead you to some serious problems in the future. Especially, when you love that person and experience extreme bitterness from her. Are you really having a toxic relationship with your loved one? Or is it just a misunderstanding? You need to go for marital counseling before leaving your relationship because a qualified can identify the problems that arise between you and your loved ones. But you should not tolerate any physically and mentally abuse because abusing the partner physically is a criminal and you should take sufficient legal steps against your partner in this regard.

What is a toxic relationship?

Toxic relationship is an unhealthy bonding and you can find several problems in a toxic relationship. Somehow, such relationships get started with a sweet note but end with a bitter experience. In the case of a toxic relationship, you can find some physical, sexual and emotional abuses such as lying, cheating, gaslighting, distrust and dislike. Misunderstandings can happen in a healthy relationship, but you can resolve such issues through discussion. But you cannot resolve all existing problems in a toxic relationship because your partner will become more rigid and argumentative, and he or she will be unable to tolerate you more. Even you can also avail online counselling for your toxic relationship and professional counsellors can help you to remove all misunderstandings from your existing relationship.

5 Ways To Distinguish Toxic Relationships From Healthy Ones

Emotional abuse: in a healthy relationship, you should support your partner and you should not tear down your loved one for every little thing. But in a toxic relationship, your partner always tries to put you down and give evidence that you are guilty. If you want to remove all harshness from your relationship, then you must talk with your partner without any fear or harassment. Emotional abuses can make your partner isolated. Lack of communication, humiliation, shaming, manipulation of words and jealousy are the main reasons fora toxic relationship. Emotional stress not only makes your relationship toxic, but your professional field also tends to get affected due to such emotional stress. In this case, you must avoid such emotional stress and leave your toxic relationship.
Physical abuse: both of you are a human being and you should feel the pain of your partner. In a healthy relationship, there is no room for physical and sexual abuses. You may hurt your partner to prove your statement during an argument, but this is not the way to treat a human being. Your partner may use some weapons to hit you, kick you or choke you, and he can try to control you by showing his power and strength. This is a dangerous sign of nothing but the toxic relationship and physical abuse is a final call for you to leave the relationship. In a healthy relationship, your partner will always support you and he or she will feel the pain that you have. Your partner would not hurt you physically and it can happen only if she or he has psychological problems.
Cheating your partner: cheating or lying in a relationship is very harmful and you cannot stay with a partner who constantly cheats you in a healthy relationship. You may think about your children and cannot leave out from your existing relationship. But mentally or physically cheating from your partner can make you lonely and isolated. In this regard, you need to talktoyour partner and try to resolve such matters. Apart from that, you can go for the proper counselling and your partner will confess his or her faults in front of a counsellor. Else, you can ask for a complete break your toxic relationship. Cheating in a healthy relationship can turn your dream into a scare, and you cannot tolerate such things from your partner.
Gaslighting: Gaslighting is a type of emotional abuse that can destroy your healthy relationship. Your partner will try to cover up his or her wrongdoings by raising some question, and your partner will always try to make you fool. For example, if your partner is caught by the illicit messages on her mobile phone that proved her extramarital affair, then she might accuse you as a paranoid person. She will repeat her same statements again and again whenever you raise the same issue. Lying and manipulation in a relationship can increase your mental stress, and you should find away to leave out of your toxic relationship. In the case of a healthy relationship, both partners are committed and they never lie or manipulate their loved one.
Dislike: sometimes after spending many years, partners might feel bored, and they can dislike or ignore each other. As results, they can use some abusing words and spread negativity in their home. But there are several reasons behind this problem and your partner might be frustrated with his or her stressful life. So you need to spend some time with your partner and try to understand his or her problems. Accusing or disliking is different from cheating, and you can easily remove such problems from your healthy relationship through proper counselling. At least you can plan a trip with your partner to resolve these problems. But if your partner has the negative feelings about you and constantly accuses you ofeverything, then you must know that it is the time to say the final goodbye.

If you are in a toxic relationship then you can talk to the counsellor and find out the reasons behind your toxic relationship. Isolation and loneliness are the main problems of a toxic relationship, and you can spend some time with your family and friends to overcome your mental stress. Your relationship started with a good note, but now you might feel isolated due to the negligence of your partner. You deserve to be happy and healthy, and you should get rid of your toxic relationship, especially if you cannot resolve the problems with the help of a professional counsellor.

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Categories : Guest Posts, Relationships

Cultivating Gratitude in Sobriety

Posted by Matt Welsh

· June 7, 2019

· No Comments

Living in a state of constant gratitude can have a profound impact on a person’s emotions, state of mind, and overall outlook on life. Gratitude is an emotion characterized by thankfulness and appreciation of what one has or what one has experienced. In order to feel grateful, a person must acknowledge the blessings that they have in life, which can be a beneficial aspect in pointing individuals in recovery in the right direction.

During times of turmoil and distress, it is easy to become consumed by the struggles you may face in sobriety. Between making amends for past mistakes, dealing with medical issues, facing the consequences of addiction, and possibly experiencing the loss of a loved one, it can be difficult to ruminate on the positive things in life. However, taking a moment during difficult times to identify your blessings and gratitude can help you endure any struggles you may face in sobriety. For more information on drug and alcohol addiction and treatment you can visit https://www.addictions.com/drug-alcohol-addiction/.

The Importance of Gratitude

Maintaining a gracious heart and soul in sobriety is an extremely important aspect of recovery. First and foremost, gratitude helps remind oneself of the positive things in life rather than becoming enveloped in the negatives. When facing great tribulation, try focusing on the friends and family you have who are there to love and support you. Focus on the little things in life that make you happy, whether it be sports, art, nature, or something as simple as laughter. Maintaining gratitude can transform struggles and difficult things into opportunities for strength and growth.

Gratitude is a key to happiness. A person who focuses on the negatives, or the things they don’t have, is bound to live an unsatisfied, unfulfilled life. However, a person who is grateful will have a more positive outlook on life as a whole. Having a negative outlook on life can make you more susceptible to relapse and misery, however, being grateful can help you attain happiness and stay sober.

Fostering a Grateful Heart

Gratitude is more than just a feeling – it involves action. When you are sad, sitting in a dark room alone doesn’t change the way you feel. It only makes it worse. On the other hand, if you reach out to your support group, talk about your feelings, and cope with your emotions in healthy ways, you have taken action to change the way you feel. Gratitude works in the same way.

Keep a Gratitude Journal

There is a variety of ways you can foster a grateful heart in sobriety through your actions. One method is by keeping a gratitude journal. Try keeping a small journal by your bedside table. Each night before going to sleep, make a list of things you are grateful for. These can be small tidbits or grandiose gestures – there is no right or wrong way to make a gratitude list. The next morning when you wake up, begin your day on a positive note by reading over your gratitude list from the night before. This will help remind you of your blessings and start your day off with a positive mindset.

Give Thanks

Another effective way of demonstrating action behind gratitude is by giving thanks. When somebody does something nice for you, be sure to thank them and express how much that person means to you. Regardless of how small a gesture may seem, showing appreciation and giving thanks clearly demonstrates your gratitude towards even the smallest situations in life.

On the contrary, give thanks to troublesome situations as well. Situations are not always what they appear to be and you never know what benefits may come from a negative situation. If you are a spiritual person, remind yourself that God puts you in the exact place you need to be during each moment of every day. Give thanks for the experience you have encountered, and wait to see what you can learn from it.

Help Others

Helping others is not only the foundation stone of recovery, but it is also a way to show appreciation for the sober life you have been given. Think of when you first embarked on your journey of recovery. Remember all of the people that helped you, requiring nothing in return. Maybe a stranger sat and talked with you over a cup of coffee, or maybe somebody gave you advice on a situation you were experiencing. Showing gratitude for the people who have helped you can be done by passing these gestures along to the next sick and suffering alcoholic or addict. Whether helping others is done directly or indirectly, it is bound to promote a sense of self-worth and purpose. Helping others gives you an opportunity to find gratitude in your purpose and in the fact that you have something to give to others.

A Grateful Recovery

Living in a constant state of gratitude in sobriety can provide you with a path to happiness, help you avoid becoming enveloped in negative thinking, and help you maintain sobriety in the long term. Having and practicing gratitude will help you stay connected to your emotions, your support group, and your own personal recovery.

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Cassidy Webb is an avid writer who works with JourneyPure to spread awareness around the disease of addiction. Her passion in life is to help others by sharing her experience, strength, and hope.

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Categories : Addiction, Guest Posts

Five Steps to Happy Money

Posted by Matt Welsh

· June 5, 2019

· No Comments

By Ken Honda, Author of Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money

Originally published on Psych Central

Here is a list of five steps you can take, starting today, that will get you into the flow of Happy Money:

Shift out of the scarcity mind-set.

Each person has the ability to choose what kind of money mind-set they want to live with. That is why the first step to Happy Money is to get yourself into an abundant mind-set. Until now we have been taught to believe that money is scarce and that we have to get it before someone else does. We have become a culture that is obsessed with money. We are so focused on the amount of money that we do or don’t have that it cuts off our potential for a great life.

Why? Because we automatically assume that we won’t be able to make a living if we take a risk and go for what we really want. The concept that there is not enough in the world makes us feel small and less generous. Don’t let your mind-set limit your life’s potential. If you have an abundant mind-set, you start seeing new possibilities, you become more creative, and you become more capable of responding to difficulties in life. You free yourself to create your own destiny.

Forgive and heal your money wounds.

We know that our attitudes about money are mostly inherited. And the people whom we inherited those ideas from also inherited theirs. But you won’t get to Happy Money if you let this become cause for resentment. The people who went before you were young, inexperienced, and prone to all sorts of mistakes. You know this because you have been there too. Imagine the situation that your parents were in. They acted out of fear because they didn’t know any other way. They did what they had to do. If you can sympathize with their situation and their humanity, you can begin to understand why they made the mistakes they did. Then you can forgive them, and when you do, your heart will feel lighter. You can break the cycle of Unhappy Money by forgiving others and, just as importantly, by forgiving yourself for the mistakes you’ve made.

You can set the tone for a new era of Happy Money when you forgive and begin the process of healing. When we make peace with the past, those wounds cease to be an obstacle to our present happiness, and money stops feeling like a mysterious, uncontrollable force. That is what gives us the freedom to find the Happy Money flow that works for us.

Discover your gifts and get into the flow of Happy Money.

Everyone is born with certain gifts. Some people find them when they are young; others may need time to search. Uncovering your talents, and finding what brings you joy, is one of the most important things in life. If you are no longer burdened by the past, you will be surprised at how quickly your talents will be revealed to you. When you take an inventory of your life, all the dots begin to connect. Getting into a state of flow will become second nature. Difficulty and struggles will transform into fun and adventure right before your eyes. When you start sharing your gifts with the world, you kick-start the flow of Happy Money. Knowing who you are and where you feel most alive is what creates the groundwork for trust, because you have nothing to hide from.

The more you develop your gifts and the more you share your gifts, the more Happy Money you will attract. People who are successful in all kinds of fields credit their success to a love for what they do.

Trust Life

Trust is a major part of a happy state of being. Once you can truly trust in yourself and in those around you, life gets so much easier. Those everyday anxieties about the future begin to fade away. When everyone is looking out for each other with hearts and minds of abundance, we all become free to share and receive all the great things that money can do. There is no fear of what might happen in the future, because we know that we can count on people, and they can count on us.

Trust and fear cannot coexist. It is one or the other. Trust makes us more active, creative, and free, whereas fear stifles our actions, counters our intentions, and creates resentment. When we trust, we are free from expectations. Risk no longer feels like risk. Almost all the things that we worried would turn out terribly actually turn out to be some of the most positive things in our lives. The “bad” things that have happened to us end up working in our favor.

We know that everything that happens, positive or negative, will end up working out to support our lives in its own unique way. This is what frees us from the paralyzing anxiety of judging things in our lives as “good” and “bad.” That is why trusting people are more passionate and successful.

When we trust, we are able to become our authentic selves.

Say arigato all the time.

A world of Happy Money looks like a world in which everyone is continually expressing a deep appreciation for the energy that flows through their lives. A willingness to give and receive, rather than keep a tight clutch on what we have, is what creates the conditions for Happy Money. The positive energy of gratitude works for us and invites more money into our lives.

There are two kinds of people: those who are outwardly appreciative and those who always find something to blame or complain about. Which do you think is a more magnetic personality?

People who appreciate life are more liked, more approachable, and more attractive. As a result, they invite all kinds of opportunities into their lives.

We know that there will be times when things don’t go exactly as we planned. But a heart that says arigato in the face of it all gives us an inner resolve that navigates us right through all kinds of rough waters.

So take every chance you get to show your gratitude. Show appreciation for yourself. If you live in the flow of gratitude, your life will be full of unexpected miracles. When we are in this kind of flow with our inner self, and with those around us, we live with Happy Money!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ken Honda is the author of Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money. He is a bestselling author of self-development books in Japan, where he has sold more than seven million books since 2001. While his financial expertise comes from owning and managing several businesses, his writings bridge the topics of finance and self-help, focusing on creating and generating personal wealth and happiness through deeper self-honesty. He is the first person from Japan to be voted into the Transformational Leadership Council. Fluent in Japanese and English, he has lived in Boston and currently resides in Tokyo. For more information, please visit https://kenhonda.com

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Categories : Books, Guest Posts

Tags : Money

The Power of Beliefs: Anything is Possible

Posted by Matt Welsh

· June 4, 2019

· No Comments

By Janet Swartz, author of The Power of Beliefs. For more information on Janet, please visit her website at: https://empowermentprocess.com

By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired. ~ Franz Kafka

I would be kidding you if I didn’t confess that I believe anything is possible, all healing is possible. What makes me believe this? It partly has to do with my personality. In addition to my many personal experiences of healing, I’ve witnessed it so many times with my clients and the clients of others. And I have been and continue to be inspired by many books on the subject.

I strongly believe that healing is about communication, communication between our hearts, minds and souls, on the microscopic, macroscopic and divine levels. Yes, the cells, organs, and organ systems are involved; yes, our creative imagination and beliefs are involved; and yes, God and the divine helpers are involved. We, you and I, and all our helpers work together to create energetic healing space for all possibilities.

ALL HEALING COMES FROM WITHIN

There are an infinite number of techniques and practices which have wonderful benefits for improving and sustaining good health. Cures may come from the outside, but all healing comes from within.

One of my favorite books that illustrates the immense possibility of healing and the changes that it brings to our thinking and energy systems is Dying to Be Me, by Anita Moorjani. In the book she observes: “I discovered that when my life seems directionless and I feel lost, what it really means is that I’ve lost my sense of self. I’m not connected with who I truly am and what I’ve come here to be. This happens when I give my power away to external sources…including cultural and social beliefs.”

DRAWING YOUR ANSWERS FROM THE QUESTION

Whenever you have a question, there is a way to draw the answer to you.Otherwise, you wouldn’t have had the awareness to have even asked the question. Whenever you have pain, the pain is communicating something to you. You can be thankful for the message and begin to look deeply within to understand what is being said.

Western Medicine has many diagnostic tools. However, labeling an illness or disease may do a disfavor if you limit yourself to looking for an outside cure. That is not to say that if there is a life-saving protocol it should be ignored. By all means, go for it. My daughter’s life was saved from advanced cancer, a Wilhm’s tumor, by following a western protocol, and a heavy-duty one it was. The blessing of life was granted, and beyond that blessing was an opening for energetic healing knowledge that is serving a lifetime purpose for our entire family, and for those with whom we share our knowledge.

TRUSTING YOUR INNER GUIDANCE

How do we know where to start? Where does healing come from? My answer is always this– start from where you are now. Listen to your body, listen to your thoughts and feelings. And listen to your inner guidance, your inner knowing and your intuition. This is what the Empowerment Process accesses for transformation. And, a wonderful by-product of transformational healing is that you get to know yourself and trust the inner guidance that is yours alone.

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Categories : Guest Posts

How Meditation Can Heal Your Body Pain

Posted by Matt Welsh

· May 30, 2019

· No Comments

By Johny Kershaws

Millions of people across the world experience chronic pain and it lowers the individual’s resistance making it harder for them to stay positive and to cope daily. The effects are far-reaching. Pain may reduce mobility, lead to feelings of isolation and impact sleep. Where pain is extensive and long-term, this can impact work too. Living with pain can be costly in many ways. People often turn to medication relying on it to give them some respite day after day, but this is not the solution. Fortunately, meditation can help.

What is meditation?

Think of meditation as a way of transforming the mind. It affords so many benefits and everyone can practice it. Some people may find it easier than others but with perseverance, all can benefit from a regular practice. The mind opens and it is possible to create space between thoughts. This helps to create clarity of mind which can be difficult if pain is overwhelming. Meditation enables the individual to train their mind to respond differently and this helps with quality of life.

Stress, meditation and pain

Meditation improves the stress response and with less stress hormones flooding the body, the negative impact on the adrenal glands is reduced. This is good news as it reduces the potential for health conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or tension headaches. While the stress response is quite natural, once the stress hormones are released, inflammation is caused, and this can increase pain. When meditating, the brain starts to release endorphins, the ‘feel good’ chemicals and they act as a natural pain reliever. Once the brain is calmer, the muscles and tissues of the body begin to relax. There is less pain as a result.

How meditation reduces pain

There have been many studies on meditation and pain and the results are favorable. Meditating regularly can reduce pain significantly. There are various types of meditation to try – a guided meditation with visual imagery can help to distract from the sensations of pain and mindfulness meditation has also been proven to help too.

Mindfulness meditation is incredibly powerful. A body scan can be used so to direct focus on all areas of the body and to release tension that may be stored. Tight muscles – often as a result of pain will magnify the feelings experienced and so, a body scan helps to reduce these aspects. As an example, back pain can be reduced when utilizing a body scan along with meditation to promote inner healing. In mindfulness meditation, it is possible to tune into the sensation of pain and to comprehend fully what is happening in the body at that time. Much can be gleaned through this quiet observation. The technique involves focusing on alternate parts of the body, so, observing what is seen through the mind’s eye enabling the mind and body to be observed and to identify any painful sensations as they occur. Then, it’s important to stop struggling against pain and it does lessen. Mindfulness makes positive changes to brain patterns, even altering the structure of the brain in a positive way. This will reduce the intensity of pain experienced.

The mind and pain

The mind processes the information assimilated through pain and instinctively tries to identify any underlying cause. As a result, this focus magnifies and intensifies pain felt. The mind constantly seeks patterns and searches through any memories that may indicate the pain has been felt before and what happened. This is to find a solution. However, this can lead to the mind being overwhelmed with unsettling and painful memories leading to increased stress and anxiousness as well as to intensify any physical pain experienced. It becomes a vicious cycle.

Meditation works because it helps to relieve feelings of anxiety and helps to offset exhaustion or irritability and it increases mental and physical stamina. There is a greater sense of wellbeing and of contentment rather than being embroiled in psychological distress. There is no doubt that acute or chronic pain can take its toll on an individual and so, it is important to try to create an environment conducive for healing. Meditation provides that environment for change. It boosts immune function, releases tension and stress and helps to create equilibrium of mind and body. This is so important for quality of life. Think of meditation as a way of soothing the circuits that create secondary pain and it can aid quality of life.

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Categories : Guest Posts

Tags : meditation and pain