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Love Your Whole (Aging) Self

6/16/2017

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Ignore the photos in the magazines and rejoice in the gift of aging. Your life has texture and you have increased wisdom. Take pleasure in who you are right now this very moment. Don't waste a moment in disappointment or negativity. Shine your beautiful light into the lives of those who love you and enjoy the reflection of love that returns to your beautiful self.
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Passover cleaning made easy? 

3/20/2015

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No, Passover cleaning made JOYFUL.

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I'm busy cleaning for Passover, the holiday that commemorates the exodus out of slavery of the Israelites. What that means is going through my whole house, cleaning as I go, searching and making sure there's not any little bit of food that will be forbidden during the upcoming holiday of Passover. It's kind of a spring cleaning, though that's not really the point.

It's a daunting job. Seriously.

The thing that irks me is that every year there are articles and lectures about making it an easy task. It's not. Let's get real. It's a lot of work and it's really smart to be organized and to start early.

BUT, what we can do--and this applies to any task that is daunting, time consuming, important, or difficult--you can choose to do the work with joy.

  1. Being joyful is a choice. It's a decision you make. Set your intention and use that to steer your attitude. Write a mission statement.
  2. Play the right music for the mood you want to set. Blast some lively music for cleaning. Soft music for catching up on writing. Lovely music can set the tone for spouse, family, or friendship.
  3. What are the power questions you can ask yourself to give yourself a boost? I actually have a small poster that I made for my fridge. When ever I find myself cutting veggies again, or washing dishes again, or doing laundry again, I look at my poster and ask myself those questions for a power boost. (photo of my power question poster below)
  4. What's your physiology? What are you doing with your body? Your posture, your breath, and the expression on your face all makes a difference. Sometimes I start dancing to change my mood on purpose.
  5. Dress to feel great. I have been known to clean with a really sparkly bracelet on, so that my eyes will have sparkle and beauty as I work. What can you wear while you work that would make you happy?
  6. Give yourself a limit and a break. So for me that is like putting on a CD of music, working through the CD, then stopping for a break. Some people set a timer. What ever works for you. Be sure you're giving yourself the space to rest. 
  7. Making lists is great because you get to check off the things you've done! I don't know why that's such a great feeling but it is. Plus, you'll actually see how much you've accomplished even if you have more ahead of you.

When my mother in law was dying, she said to me that she hoped that were ever she was going, that there would be work to do. She told me she sure liked working. It totally changed the way I looked at work. It made me feel so grateful that I have the strength to work and not to take that for granted.

So my dear, make the decision to enjoy the ride and you'll enjoy the results so much more.

Love and blessings,
Laya
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This is the poster I made for my fridge. Each of the stickers symbolizes something different to inspire my own joy and contentment.
A few power questions:
  • How can I transform and elevate the meaning that I am giving to this action?
  • How can I do what I'm about to do in an elevated way?
  • Who will this benefit?
  • What am I living for?
  • How am I going to get there?
Please "Like" and share :-)
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Handling Life

12/8/2014

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Our hands are such an important part of our daily life. We eat, clean, caress, and play using our hands. Our hands get us in through doors and out of messes. We can use our hands to communicate and our hands protect us. 


There are those that say a map of your body is in your hands. (I remember learning a technique years ago for getting rid of headaches by pressing points on the hands.) The hands can even be a metaphor for how you're "handling" issues or life. 

Your hands are a simple and profound place to be kind to yourself. Small actions can have profound effects. 

Janine Cheung of HealthyBalancedBody.com shares how holding fingers can bring balance:

  •  "You can hold your Thumb to balance Worry (so many babies suck their thumbs, showing that they are worried, or have tummy/digestive problems);
  •  Hold your Index Finger to balance Fear, or help a sore back; 
  • Hold your Middle Finger to balance Anger; 
  • Hold your Ring Finger to balance Grief or Sadness (and to help you breath;)
  • Hold your Little Finger when you're stuck in trying-too-hard mode (running around taking care of everyone else, but yourself) or Pretense (laughing on the outside, but crying on the inside.)"

One of my personal self nurturing techniques is to lovingly apply hand cream. I keep hand cream next to my bed, in my desk drawer, in the kitchen, and in my purse. You can use a lovely cold pressed coconut  or sesame oil as a hand softener. I use those (or olive oil) in the kitchen when I'm doing a lot of food preparation so that if it gets into any of the food, it's edible and clean.  



Having the "intention" of taking care of yourself as you take any small, nurturing action will deepen the peace it brings. 


May your path always be smooth and fragrant. May you handle things with grace and clarity. May you always have the strength to lend a hand, and to have the courage to take a hand. May you put your hands together in joy and appreciation. May you know when to let go, and when to open your hands to receive. May your heart help you to quietly hold someone's hand... or your own! 


Please "Like" and share. 
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Don't Burst My Bubble

10/14/2013

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Some people just want to live in their own bubbles. They feel safe that way, or at lease they think they do. They don't want their bubbles burst. But, a "burst bubble" can be a breaking free from illusion. Breaking free from illusion, as painful as it can be, is actually a wonderful thing!
In "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman, the main character tells his spiritual teacher about his disappointment because he was disillusioned about something. The teacher's response? It was time to celebrate! What a wonderful thing to live free of the illusions.



Sometimes we need to pop those bubbles that we're living in. They are not serving us. At the same time, there are bubbles we can create, bubbles that set boundaries of energy or of thought, in a way like a prayer. What does that look like? Visualize in your mind's eye that you are surrounded by a bubble of color. No harmful thoughts can enter that place. You can imagine the people you love in protective bubbles as well. There is great power in visualization. If you haven't tapped into the power of imagination in creating reality, this is a great place to begin. If you have done this before, take a minute now to tap into this power once more.

Beautiful women, experiment with the imagery of bubbles, use this idea to your advantage. Let the bubbles that are outdated and that do not serve you "pop". When judgments or old thoughts and beliefs are released, you are free to build yourself a reality that serves, builds, and even protects you.



What area of your life would a protective bubble make safer?
What thoughts or judgments can you let go of now? How can you use the imagery of popping those bubbles in your mind's eye to set yourself free?


In the events and retreats that I give, I talk about "Beyond the Bubble Bath". We look for ways to self nurture. How about you actually allow yourself to dip right into a bubble bath for a change, but really give it to yourself, candle lights and all? Treat your inner child to the adventure and magic of bubbles as you release what needs to be released. Give yourself the gift of loving yourself though the proces. 
Please "Like" and share this with your friends
Comments, questions or ideas? I love to hear from you! <3
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There's a Hole in My Sidewalk

3/14/2013

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This is one of my all time favorite stories of waking up. I got permission to use this in my book: You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way. When my book was finally in print, I called the publisher to find out where to mail the author a copy of my book in gratitude. The woman at the publishing house was silent for a short moment. Then she told me that Portia Nelson, the author of this amazing piece had died years ago. I cried. 

I had never met Ms Nelson. But her words touched me so deeply, and still do. I hope they touch you, too. And that if you should find yourself falling into a hole in the sidewalk, maybe this story will help you wake up quickly so you can right climb out.
An Autobiography in Five Short Chapters, by Portia Nelson
  1. I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost... I am helpless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.
  2. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in this same place. But it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.
  3. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in--it's a habit. But, my eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.
  4. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
  5. I walk down another street.
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Laugh, yes, laugh, yes, laugh

1/7/2013

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Laughter is good medicine. Books have been written about how laughter can heal. Laughter can heal. If "you see what you look for" how about looking for things that make you smile and even laugh? 

What makes you laugh? Are you open to new possibilities?
If this made you smile, or even think that smiling is a good idea,
please "like" and share! <3
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Unfolding in Time (...or Stop Comparing Yourself to Others)

11/20/2012

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I planted flower seeds in my garden one spring. I watered them every day. They all got t he same sun, and were in the same small patch of soil. And what I saw should not have surprised me, but it did. Each seedling grew at its own pace. Some flowers bloomed much earlier, some much later. Each one had its own timing and I never thought less of the flowers that bloomed last. I enjoyed every single flower! 

I know it won't surprise you to say that people don't grow and blossom at the same time either. Nothing does. But did you remember that about yourself? Each of us grows at the rate we grow at. That's perfect. You're exactly where you're supposed to be, right now! What's not fine is when we judge ourselves (or others) for not being where we thing we should be. Does this sound familiar?

The unfolding of you is a precious process. And it's a beautiful process too. OK, so we don't always feel so precious and beautiful but we are! And we're heading in the right direction! The main thing is to be a s conscious as you can with the information you have. And to be kind to yourself along the way. 

You'll grow happier and more fully in a nurturing environment. Pul the weeds (negative thoughts), give yourself the right sun (love), nourishing soil (rest, healthy food), and water as needed (forgiveness). The compassionate unfolding of you is magnificently perfect.
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How Full is Your Cup?

7/26/2012

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Is it half full or half empty? Or, is it overflowing?

It's a natural thing for women to give and give. The thing is, it's really important to give from a place of fullness and not a place of depletion. Giving when you feel depleted is a recipe for heartache and feeling used. 

So it's about balance. You must eat in order to have the energy to serve others. Remember when you travel by plane that each and every time you're reminded that if there's a need for oxygen masks, you need to put yours on first. If you pass out from no oxygen, you can't help anyone and you're just left hurting. So, here's the place to put on your oxygen mask. Here's the place to remember who you are. Here's the place to remember your feminine power and all the beauty that entails.

Start with a deep, oxygen rich, joy filled breath. Here we go!
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    Your host:
    Laya Saul

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    Photo credit: Rebecca Sigala
    Laya is best known for her award winning self help book called "You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way." Laya believes that women can change the world with their feminine perspectives and strengths. But many women feel depleted, so Laya created Nurturing Women to give women a place to come to feel a sense of community to replenish emotional and mental stores, find comfort, and gather strength to bless the world in ways that only women can. Be in touch!

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