From our inbox to you from: DailyOm on Improving our overall physical well-being

July 5, 2016
Mind Over Matter
Culling Out The Weeds

by Madisyn Taylor

princessofwands

We can improve our overall physical well-being by first starting to notice our thoughts and our reactions to our thoughts.

The power of the mind is a curious thing, because it is so powerful yet so difficult to control sometimes. We find ourselves thinking a certain way, knowing that this thought may be creating trouble for us yet we find it difficult to stop. For example, many people have the experience of getting sick at the same time every year or every time they go on a plane. They may even be aware that their beliefs impact their experiences, so continue to think they will get sick and then they do.

Sometimes we need to get sick in order to process something or move something through our bodies. But often we get sick, or feel exhausted, because we don’t make the effort to galvanize the power of our minds in the service of our physical health, which is one of its most important functions. We really can use it to communicate to our bodies, yet we often regard the two as separate entities that have little to do with one another.

Knowing this, we have the power to create physical health and mental health, simply by paying attention to the tapes running in our minds. Once we hear ourselves, we have the option to let that tape keep running or to make a new recording. We harness the power of the mind in our defense when we choose supportive, healing words that foster good health and high spirits. All we need to do is remember to tend the field of our mind with the attentive and loving hand of a master gardener tending her flower beds, culling out the weeds so that the blossoms may come to fruition.

 

SGC: From our inbox to you; From: DailyOm “Enjoying Life”

 

Remembering the Moment, Enjoying Life: by Madisyn Taylor

It is only in the present moment that we experience being alive. 

Life, in all of its fullness, is happening right now. While our thoughts are sometimes elsewhere, beautiful opportunities and moments are being passed over and lost to the flow of time. And though we cannot possibly fully experience each leaf that falls to the ground, sometimes we get so attached to reaching our goals that we don’t pay attention to the wonder all around us. When we do that, we live in a world that exists only in our heads, while we miss life itself.

There is so much to be enjoyed and appreciated that we need to remember to pay attention to the present moment, because it is the only space in which we can experience being alive.We learn from our past, but dwelling on it keeps us from being fully present to life in the moment. We create our lives with our thoughts, but focusing so firmly on our imagined future keeps us from co-creating with the universe, so we might never allow ourselves to live our dreams as they manifest. It’s possible to be so happy and comfortable in our inner worlds that we lose touch with the business of life. We may enjoy spending large portions of time in meditation, or focused on our thoughts.

Life must be attended to, and if we are wise, we can enjoy it at the same time. We can awaken ourselves to the moment we are living right now by taking a deep breath and simply looking around. In doing so, we refocus our attention to our location in the real world. Then we can learn to appreciate the process of working toward our goals as much as their attainment. Balancing ourselves between the present moment and eternity, we can experience and enjoy the full range of reality available to us as spiritual beings living on earth.

 

From out inbox to you from DailyOm on: “Visiting Sacred Sites“

Visiting Sacred Sites
The Spirit of a Place

Stone Hedge - England Stock Photo - 182524
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright : Keith Levit

by Madisyn Taylor

 

Visiting a sacred site can be a useful tool to open something within you that has remained inaccessible.

From time immemorial, the hands of men and women have built sites guided by both the earth’s life force and benevolent beings of light. It is because of this guidance that the sites we deem sacred have long served as repositories of wisdom, energy, and illumination that can be accessed by all. The needs that inspire seekers to converge upon sites known to be sacred vary by individual. Some crave spiritual fulfillment above all else, while others hope to draw upon a site’s energy for the purpose of enlightenment, healing, or deep meditation, awareness and knowledge of information long gone.

Sacred sites can appear insignificant to those who close themselves off from the notion of a living earth. But sites can provide us with a link to a unified consciousness that involves the living and the dead, infinite cultures, the physical plane, and the spiritual world. When we look beyond well-known sites like Stonehenge, we discover energetically active sites such as the Iron Age fogou caves of Cornwall, England, or the pyramids of Meroe in the Sudan. Similarly, it is easy to imagine that hallowed places exist only in remote or exotic locales. Yet many of the most richly vital sites are easily accessible, and visiting these lesser-known sites can be a profoundly moving experience. One such site, Serpent Mound in Ohio, was thought to be created by the ancient Adena peoples nearly 1,000 years ago to align with the summer and winter solstices. Its precise purpose remains unclear, but many who visit the site conclude that it was meant to be a conduit through which cosmic en! ergy could flow into the earth.

The sacred sites that call to you from afar—capturing your imagination and resonating deep within your soul—will nearly always be those that can help you forge a deeper connection with the divine energy that sustains all life. During your pilgrimage, reaffirm your intention to accept whatever gifts are conveyed to you through the sites you visit. Your receptiveness will help you establish lasting relationships with these sites so that you can draw upon their peace and their power from wherever you are.

From our inbox to you from… News from Author and vibrational sound teacher Dawn James… check out the fabulous 3 day women’s conference in Mexico (2016)

SGC Admin: From our inbox to you From Dawn James… Check out the latest news from this lovely and talented lady… :)

heart or love icons and hand as tree - concept vector. This graphic also represents harmony & peace, spreading love, empathy and compassion Stock Vector - 30678275
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Hi There… :)


Lao Tzu is the author of– Tao Te Ching.  It contains many words of wisdom about life, introspection, reflection, personal discovery and natural laws.

Here are just 7 of my favorite life changing lessons expressed by Lao Tzu- along with my personal insights/reflections on each of them.

1. The world is won by those who let it go. 

“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.” ~ Lao Tzu
“Therefore the Master acts without doing anything and teaches without saying anything. Things arise and she lets them come; things disappear and she lets them go. She has but doesn’t possess, acts but doesn’t expect. When her work is done, she forgets it. That is why it lasts forever.” ~ Lao Tzu
“He who clings to his work will create nothing that endures.” ~ Lao Tzu

To me this means compassionate detachment. When you give without expecting anything in return, then you are able to freely give – from the heart.

2. Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” ~ Lao Tzu

One of the most profound statements is : Know Thyself .
I think it takes great courage to look at yourself with honesty and great awareness to see the many characteristics we possess.

3. At the center of your being you have the answer to all life’s questions.

“At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” ~ Lao Tzu

This statement really resonates with my motto: All you need is within you

4. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
“If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.” ~ Lao Tzu
“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” ~ Lao Tzu

Being/Feeling rich or poor is a state of mind. I have seen kids playing in the streets with a ball – full of joy and having fun, and I have also seen children with rooms full of gidgets and gadgets complaining to their parents ‘‘I am bored”. It’s all a state of mind. You are as rich as you feel.

5. Non-being is the greatest joy.

“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.” ~ Lao Tzu

I read this a few times and reflected on how we are socialized to give ourselves ‘labels’ – such as mother, husband, writer, sister, son, poet, and practitioner. But have you ever stopped and asked yourself – who are you without the ‘labels’? Who are you without your name (which you were given by the way).  Non being to me means to remember your true essence , without the ‘labels’, hats  you wear or roles that you play.  Just be.

6. If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.

“If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.” ~ Lao Tzu

This statement reminds me of a Native saying: ” when you live in the natural giving and receiving of life, stress does not exist. “ When we allow things to unfold and flow freely, without resistance, without strife- knowing that nothing lasts forever, we reduce inner turmoil, anxiety and suffering.

7. Be good to all.

“Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.” ~ Lao Tzu

Kindness can be contagious! By choosing to be good, and speak and think positively, we can create a ripple affect (laws of vibration) to influence others to do the same. Try it and see the results!
 

What’s new with Dawn

Enjoying my first grand child who turns one year old next month.  It’s a joy and blessing to see the world through his eyes. Thanks to my daughter and son in law – here is my NEW NICK NAME  
 

Live your Best Life – are you ready?

Live Your Best Life!
3-Day Women’s Conference & Retreat March 2016 (Isla Mujeres)

Be inspired, feed your mind, nurture your body, uplift your soul and Live Your Best Life! You will experience all of this and more during the 3+ day Women’s conference and retreat. Daily keynote addresses, interactive workshops, choice of movement sessions, and fun socials make-up this “crazy amazing” and “life-affirming experience.”

Save your seat today and be among us March 3 – 6, 2016.

Here’s where event takes place ( Mia Reef Resort)

CONTACT ME for more information on this 3-Day Women’s conference & retreat

Location: Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) Mexico

Most of you know I LOVE to hibernate or write during the winter, and this year is no exception.  I look forward to speaking and hopefully seeing you again in 2016.

SGC Admin: From our inbox to you from DailyOm… Creating Connections While Apart by Madisyn Taylor

SGC Admin: From our inbox to you: From DailyOm on Creating Connections While Apart

People heart connections icon vector Stock Vector - 21756354
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright : Gloria Rosazza

July 28, 2015
Creating Connections While Apart
Family Ceremonies

by Madisyn Taylor

If you are apart from your family you can decide upon a reminder together, and create a simple ceremony of connection that defies any distance.

Life’s journeys may sometimes take us away from our families and friends, but there are many ways to stay connected. Aside from making use of the technology available—speaking on the phone or seeing each other from across cyberspace—we can create simple ceremonies using nature and our own thoughts to connect our hearts across the miles.

The first step in creating your ceremony is to look to nature for similarities in the different surroundings. The second step is agreeing upon something that is meaningful to all involved. If your mother loves birds, then perhaps each time you hear a bird chirp, you can think of her and mentally send love. You may choose the sight of a butterfly, the feel of a breeze or raindrops, or the scent of flowers to remind you of a special someone. The pink glow of sunset might be your favorite time to send a thought, or perhaps the warming oranges of sunrise. We can all see the sun, the moon, and an array of twinkling stars when we look to the skies. The monthly full moon may be your time to connect with your loved ones, or the first star you see each night, knowing that they, too, are gazing into the night sky and sending love. You could choose a day that you would usually celebrate together, such as a holiday or a solstice. If you once shared Sunday brunches in the garden, you can! each seek out a garden on Sundays. Or you can choose a specific time and account for the time difference in order to connect by heart and mind at exactly the same moment.

With practice, we may learn to recognize the feeling that comes when a loved one sends energy our way, and the feeling of soul-to-soul communication. In this case, distance may indeed make our connections stronger. There is certainly much to make us think of our close friends and loved ones often, but when we decide upon a reminder together, we create a simple ceremony of connection that defies any distance.