Got Baggage?

Who likes to pack for a trip?   Not me.  I love to travel no matter what time of year to see knew places and to explore new adventures.....BUT, the packing part is for some reason a real drag for me.  I always leave it for the last minute - delaying the torturous task as long as I can, then staying up for hours deciding on what I think I may need to wear!! Silly....but ugh! 

Weighed down by emotional/mental"baggage"

Well, how about that other baggage?  The kind you would not be upset if lost, in fact, you would LOVE to have it lost.  You know, the baggage that is invisible to the eye, but weighs you down mentally and emotionally and ever so heavy on the soul.   The kind that puts a cramp in your style, keeps you pointing fingers at others, makes you stay in pain choosing the same patterns of behaviour so you can't move forward, endlessly stuck in the sludge of being the victim either knowingly or not.  Anyone out there know what I mean?

Well, I was a part of the "I Got Baggage Club" for a long time.  I didn't always realize that was what was holding me back or getting in my way of moving towards the things I wanted.  However, as time moved on and through consistent and persistent searching and seeking to understand the patterns, the source, the reasons, the awareness, and the help to heal and move myself forward, I let that baggage go!  It is lost, and I never want to claim it back.   Instead, I choose to fill my body, mind and spirit with compassion, love and understanding realizing that at every single moment, I have control over my own BEing.   I can't control what comes AT me, but I can control the way I choose to maneuver in my life and THIS is what is freeing and very powerful for any individual.  

I'm baggage free!!!!!

Once you get in tune and honor your self in all ways - taking responsibility as to how you nourish your body, mind and soul - then you are able to set the baggage burden free and truly live with much more happiness and joy and open yourself up more freely to contribute and enjoy the world we live in and share with others.   You can participate with and contribute to the world on another level - adding an element of positive value rather than contributing to more pain, anger and hurt and frustration.  You are important.

Is this a perfect practice?  What's perfect?   Do you slip and get that unwelcomed knock on the door with the airport security guard dropping off the baggage you thought they lost?  "Dag nabbit! (ha)", you say.  "I thought I was done with that."  Yes, baggage can come back a-knockin, but the more you become aware and take responsibility, learn the lessons you need to learn and heal within, the less time the baggage has a hold on you and the more quickly you are able to move forward.

Got baggage?  

Then I suggest get moving and start doing the work it takes to LET IT GO!  Shake it off, cut those strings, lose it some where and be done with it.  Life is meant to be lived fully - NO BAGGAGE REQUIRED (who needs those extra fees anyways!!!)

To the adventure,




Need help to get "baggage free"?   Sign up for a FREE coaching consultation and let's get the process started.    For more fun and mindful body, mind and spirit programs to let go of baggage and get "in tune" with YOU, visit www.SoulisticAdventures.com. 

  

Keep on Truckin

Remember this?

Love this old tag line '"Keep on Truckin".  Saw it everywhere in the 70s, but I still use it today.  Especially when I put myself out there - really stepping into some old personal fears.  For a long time, I would gather information, keep getting more education, create many wonderful ideas in my head for no one to see but myself, or take courses here and there, but would shy away from "stepping out" and sharing it or giving it... simply because, it was scary or I never felt I was good enough or knew enough yet..... yet....yet......but....but... but...  Ya get the picture?

Well, I'm stepping out now!  Is it uncomfortable at times? Do I feel vulnerable? Do I feel like I'm being judged?  Do I judge myself?  Do I not get the feedback I was hoping for?  Do I wonder if I did it right?  Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.  But ya know what.... I  keep on truckin.

There are days when I look like this

beat up & exhausted

            or this....

what did I do or how do I do this?

But I figure, there is a lesson in everything I do.  Basically, in every moment.   I struggle with my internal voices at times, doubting myself and my efforts.

hmmmm...doubting.....

pondering

I pause at moments, I re-think, ponder, brainstorm, and take note to assess and decipher feelings from reality.

contemplating

I contemplate.

asking for guidance

But honestly, I feel deep down that I believe in what I'm doing and that I truly want to make a living doing what I love and love what I do... and when I connect with "up above"....    

....I feel in my heart that the joy and purposeful living I strive for and want to pass on to others is the ultimate win/win.



So, to snap out of it, I make a few phone calls to get moving again.  This helps me get out of my head and reconnected - keeping the energy flowing.  Before you know it, I'm back in action with new ideas, new connections, new plans, new goals and new strategies. 

 So, afraid I taught my Nia class too fast, too slow or forgot my moves? heard crickets when teaching a Laughter Yoga class as I realized I was the only one truly engaging in the exercises? gave a free health consultation and the person was not ready to commit to moving forward?  made a great alliance contact and then they don't follow through?.... DO I THROW UP MY ARMS AND SAY FUGHETTABOUTIT!

peace!

Naaawwww.   I remind myself to take a chill and peace out.  All is good.  Rome was not built over night, right?!   Perseverance, hard work and following my heart is my voyage.   So, yes, KEEP ON TRUCKIN....believe in yourself, your abilities, your heart and go for it!   (and invest in a good pair of shoes)

HAHAHA!

How about you?  What has your experience been with stepping out and building your dream?

on my way - being true to my heart

To the adventure,






Want to "Keep On Truckin"?  Then get your shoes and let's go!  Check out our body, mind and spirit programs at www.SoulisticAdventures.com and be on your way!

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On a Wing and a Prayer

Birds of Prey Event at Brewster, NY - June 3, 2012

Just what exactly does the phrase mean "on a wing and a prayer"?  It means that you’re in a desperate situation and you’re relying on hope to see you through.

Aha! And research has showed me that it actually comes from a famous American World War Two patriotic song, with words by Harold Adamson and music by Jimmy McHugh. It tells the tale of a plane struggling home after a bombing raid.

Well, I'm not here to write about war; I'd rather focus on hope and celebrate life.  That is why our many birds of prey come to mind - or shall we say "birds of pray".   For some time now, I have been a big fan of these fabulous winged creatures.  They are so magnificant.  They may be predators, but only to survive, taking what they need, not anything more, keeping the natural balance of life in harmony.

They are strategic, they are wise, they are strong and very observant before they attack.  They fly high in the sky with such freedom, gaining clarity with incredible vision.  They are full of mystery and they project a sense of confidence that is admirable.

I recently went to a Birds of Prey Day at Green Chimneys in Brewster, New York to learn more about these fabulous creatures and to see them up close. What a fantastic day that was.

Hawk - Brewster, NY

Not only do I admire their beauty and skill, but I am curious about their innate capabilities.  The fact that they also have spiritual symbolism attached to them is also intriguing and entices me even more to understand them or to take notice.  In fact, since ancient times, because of the Birds connection to the sky, they have been thought of as a supernatural link between the heavens and the earth. 

In my own life, I can say that birds have showed up on a couple of occasions during the passing of a soul.  When my first cat, Dexter, passed on, a group of birds (if I recall correctly they weren't pigeons but more like sparrows) showed up on my New York apartment window sill the morning he passed.  Never before or after, did a group of birds like that flutter at my window sill peering in - just a single bird or two only minding his or her own business.  On another occasion, when my father passed, I saw two large owls hooting high in the trees down in Florida just a day or two before and then afterwards, was astutely keen of birds (especially his favorites including the blue jay) and butterflies (many monarchs - I know not a bird of prey, but still symbolic) appearing everywhere for several months afterwards in abundance or in not so common places or situations.  Coincidence? Maybe - maybe not.  

Middle Eastern and Asian cultures often speak of birds as symbols of immortality. In East Indian myth, every bird in the world represents a departed soul, and in Christian art, birds often appear as saved souls.  I personally think it is a beautiful thought and tickled at the possibilities of this being true.  Some of my favorite birds of prey include eagles, falcons, hawks and owls.

Eagle - Birds of Prey
Event in Brewster, NY

EAGLES have always been connected to the sun and heaven; a powerful symbol, it signifies resurrection and rebirth.  The Eagle is said to have the ability to soar, until it is lost to the sun, and, according to Aristotle, it can gaze into the blazing midday sun, without going blind. For this reason, it has come to symbolize Christ and those who are just; or stand for the virtues of courage, faith, and contemplation. It is also from this symbolic interpretation, that the lectern, from which the Gospels are read, is often given the form of a Winged Eagle. 

The Bible identifies the Eagle as a sign of God's power over the wicked.  Eagles are associated with far-sighted vision, ambition realized and desire fulfilled. It is also associated with lightening storms and thunderbolts.  In Greek and Roman times, the Eagle was referred to as a God or "The King of Birds". In Roman art, the flight of the Eagle, was described as the soul ascending toward heaven.

Falcon @ Birds of Prey Day
Brewster, NY

FALCONS have always been a favorite companion of the hunter because it was thought never to close its eyes in sleep. Therefore, in some cultures, the Falcon became a protective guardian. 

Egyptians associated the Falcon with the Eye of Horus. Horus himself was believed to appear in the form of Pharaoh's falcon or as a "falcon-headed god". He could see everything at once because one of his eyes was the sun and the other was the moon. As the embodiment of Horus, the falcon wears a double crown.

When he represents the Egyptian God, Ra, he wears a disk on his head. A human-headed falcon is a symbol of the human soul.  In Asia, the Eagle hunted and killed demons.  In Christianity, the Falcon came to symbolize the Holy Spirit and represented a pagan who was converted to Christianity.

Hawk - Redhawk Council Indian Pow Wow
Sep 2011

HAWKS are revered by many cultures around the globe for it skills and prowess as a bird of prey. Regarded by many as a sacred messenger, said to aid 'clarity of thought'. Hawk is said to offer powerful protection. This bird also has links to the belief systems of Ancient Egypt, Norse and Celtic Mythology.

Owls - Birds of Prey Day - Brewster, NY

OWLS are remarkable hunters.  These birds are said to offer us 'silent wisdom' and help us to connect with our "hidden talents and knowledge that is otherwise not obvious to us". Owl energy can offer us the ability to understand the signs and signals around us. Not all cultures regard this bird as a "good omen", some regard them as "harbingers of doom and symbols of death'"

COOL, RIGHT?!

So, next time you look up high in the sky and see a winged creature soaring gracefully in flow with the wind or camouflaged within the tree limbs, instead of panicking and relying on hope that it doesn't swoop down at you, take a moment to revel in their beauty, think of their innate wisdom and skill and how it parallels to you or decipher the meaning or lesson to learn from them.  Do I need to be more careful with how I am treating myself?  Do I need to look more carefully and change a bad habit that doesn't serve me?  Do I need to let go of emotional garbage to move on and soar to new heights?  Do I need more faith or a belief system to understand my purpose or to be happy?  Do I need NOT be afraid?

Maybe you did not cross paths by accident at all! 

Just notice.

YA GOT THAT!
(ha!  this is a teeny tiny screetch owl - as big as a large man's hand)
Birds of Prey Day, Brewster, NY

To all animals we share our world with and to the adventure, 

To discover more BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT ADVENTURE programs, visit:  www.SoulisticAdventures.com

For the Love of Artichokes

ARTICHOKES- a mindful choice, but what is it?

LOVE LOVE LOVE

In early Summer, spending more time in the outdoors when air is saturated with increased oxygen from recent plant growth, and the sun provides us with a healthy dose of Vitamin D, it does the body, mind and spirit good. So does eating foods that are in season.

Eating seasonal foods increases not only the highest nutritional value from food, but it also aligns with our bodies' seasonal needs to receive optimum health benefits. Mother Nature is no fool.... vending machines.?...another story!

In early Summer, there are several high quality seasonal foods, but one of my favorites is the (drum roll)...

Artichokes are funny looking things, and at first glance they certainly do not look edible; especially with those thorny leaves, but they are fun to eat and quite tastey.

ARTICHOKE!

Not only that, but they are loaded with many health benefits including:

FOLATE:   B vitamin, promotes new cell growth, supports and maintains healthy cell growth, boosts immune system, protects DNA

MAGNESIUM:   Mineral, boosts energy production, increases calcium absorption, supports healthy nerves, aids detoxification

FIBER:   Aids and supports healthy digestion and assimilation of nutrients

Is an artichoke a fruit or a vegetable? - Good question!
Per The Phytophactor, The artichoke is an immature (at the stage we eat it) thistle. It's name artichoke is derived from the Turkish word for thistle. When it flowers, it is a nice big purple thistle. However to call it a flower or flower bud is not correct either. Like all the other members of the Aster or Sunflower family, the artichoke clusters a lot of small flowers together into a head, an inflorescence, that has the appearance of a single flower, a nice way for small flowers to have a big visual impact and attract more pollinators.

You can see the ovaries (little oval-shaped things) of each flower lining the cup-like receptacle, and each of these will make a single-seeded fruit called an achene. The sunflower "seeds" are actually one-seeded fruits where we discard the dry fruit and eat the seed. But thistle "seeds" are too small for any human benefit.Fruits are flowers at the stage of seed dispersal, after pollination, and after development of the fruit (from the ovary) and the seeds. Some fruits are eaten at an immature stage (bush beans, okra, cucumbers) and others are eaten when the seeds are mature (tomato, apple).

So if we use pollination as the dividing line, then pre-pollination flowers (broccoli) would be vegetables. But even then the flowers of artichokes aren't eaten. The part of the artichoke that is consumed is the fleshy receptacle and the fleshy bases (both sort of cream colored) of the bracts (modified leaves) that surround the flowers. And like broccoli, most of what is eaten in the artichoke are these vegetative parts associated with the flowers.

So basically, the answer is......an artichokes is a vegetable.

 For a quick and easy basic recipe, click here.

ENJOY!!

To the adventure,

For more adventures for the body, mind and spirit, visit www.SoulisticAdventures.com
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GET YOUR BUNS OUTSIDE!

Get Your Buns Outdoors - And Off that Grill!

Lakeside areas great for swimming, frisbee, canoeing, jogging.

On June 20, Summer officially begins, but don't wait till then to get your buns outdoors, enjoying nature and moving that body!

June is designated as the Great Outdoors Month!   In 1988, then-President Clinton began the recognition of Great Outdoors Week. Since 2004, Presidential proclamation of Great Outdoors Month has been recognized annually, celebrating a variety of important events and actions that occur during the month. Great Outdoors Month highlights the benefits of active fun outdoors and our magnificent shared resources of forests, parks, refuges, and other public lands and waters. For more information, check out: www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org.

Personally, I love the outdoors and especially exercising outside. It is so enjoyable and rewarding for so many reasons such as (and these are just a few):

1. Fresh air (at least more fresh than recirculated air inside a building)
2. Invigorating scenery - lots of sights, sounds, smells - it's "sense"-ational
3. Sustainable workouts - workouts can be sustained longer since it is a more enjoyable & pleasurable experience
4. Unexpected surprises - you may run into an old friend, meet someone new, or find a new trail to explore
5. Promotes creativity - allows your mind to wander; maybe resolve some lingering problem or get stimulated to start a project you've been delaying, all the while doing something really great for your body
6. Sense of Freedom - with so much space to move around, it is quite freeing

In the near future, Soulistic Adventures will be offering outdoor programs for the body, mind and spirit which you can read more about under Soul Play & Soul Excursion Adventures.  In the meantime, I encourage you to be adventurous now!  Seek out and "explore" what outdoor resources are available to you - in your local area and start incorporating fun outdoor activities that engage your body, mind and spirit!

Inhale and breath in the great outdoors!!!  aaaahhhhhh!!!

Oh! If you haven't figured out what to do yet for Summer vacation, you may want to consider visiting one of our great National Parks located throughout the United States. My husband and I have gone to many over the years, and they have been some of our greatest vacations. Being in nature and seeing the great outdoors brings a new appreciation to our lives; a sense of balance, value, purpose, happiness, respect, awe and a reminder that we are connected to our world, a higher source and to each other. To explore our National Parks, go to: http://www.nps.gov/index.htm.

Enjoy dear friends and get your buns outdoors - and leave those bread buns behind unless you want a bigger behind!!!   ha ha!

To the adventure,





For more body, mind & spirit adventures, visit:  www.SoulisticAdventures.com.

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Organic Foods Gotcha Running Scared?

Exposing Fruits & Veggies

Aaaaaahhhh!!!!  It's organic!!!

Okay - so I think you know I have a sense of humor.... and that is why this photo cracks me up every time I look at it.  I hope it doesn't offend anyone, as it is harmless - I just think the expressions are hilarious!

Now, let's get down to business! 

I just wanted to "expose" a few basic helpful hints surrounding organic foods - specifically fruits and vegetables (meat and dairy next time).

Don't be scared and confused by all the organic "labels" out there - simply gather the information you need in order to make an educated decision to support your lifestyle, health and well-being.

There is a lot of valuable and available information out there, so I encourage you to explore the information and take responsibility for your health.  However, first, let's look quickly at the basic differences between Organic vs. Non-Organic in the chart below:

Organic  vs.  Non-Organic Produce - Fruits & Vegetables
Organic produce:	Non-Organic Produce:
No Pesticides	Pesticides Used
·         Grown with natural fertilizers (manure, compost)	·         Grown with synthetic or chemical fertilizers
·         Weeds are controlled naturally (crop rotation, hand weeding, mulching and tilling)	·         Weeds are controlled with chemical herbicides
·         Insects are controlled using natural methods (birds, good insects, traps)	·         Insecticides are used to manage pests and disease.

Just given those few differences above, it is clear why Organic is better than Non-Organic, right?  No need to be a rocket scientist to understand this.   Why would you want to put anything unnatural into your body?  

Given that the reality for most of us is having to rely on "others" to provide us with the food we eat, it is important that we all become as educated and responsible to understanding this food chain - the trail of how it gets to our mouths - as much as possible in order to make the best personal choices for our own health, and if so moved, to take it even further and play an active role in contributing to healthier solutions to provide the best possible sources of nutrition in our local communities and our world at large.

Why is Organic Food Often More Expensive if it is the Healthier Way to Go for Society?
Organic food is more labor intensive since the farmers do not use pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or drugs.  Organic certification and maintaining this status is expensive - sadly.  Organic feed for animals can cost twice as much.  Organic farms tend to be smaller than conventional farms, which means fixed costs and overhead must be disturbed across smaller produce volumes.  Most organic farms are too small to receive government subsidies.  In other words - MONEY is king here, not the health and well-being of our world citizens.   I seriously doubt that with the brilliant minds we have in this world, that a solution could not be found where there is a win/win situation.  Feel free to comment below with some ideas/solutions.

What Can You Do Right Now to Take Responsibility for Yourself?

• When at the grocery store, purchase organic versions of the foods you eat the most of and that are known as being highest in pesticides when conventionally grown.  In other words, if you eat a lot of bell peppers or strawberries, they are both produced using high amounts of pesticides.  So, you would want to buy organic in this case. (see Organic Consumers Association for a more detailed list)


• Shop at Farmer's Markets - a great and enjoyable way to buy fresh produce direct from producer to consumer


• Join a food co-op - they typically offer lower prices to members, however you do not have to be a member to shop there


• Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm - where individuals and families join up to purchase "shares" of produce in bulk directly from a local farm.


• Buy produce that is in season - the more "real" it is since it is being grown in natural time with the seasons

So, don't be scared.  Just educate yourself and then make the right choices for you.  Don't settle for less than the best for you especially when it comes to your health.  Your body will love you for it.

To the adventure,

Visit www.SoulisticAdventures.com for inner self adventures that support your path to well-being in body, mind & spirit.

WORLD LAUGHTER DAY - MAY 6

Mark your calendars and start laughing!!!!!

World Laughter Day is this Sunday, May 6.  


World Laughter Day was created in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement. The celebration of World Laughter Day is a positive manifestation for world peace and is intended to build up a global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship through laughter. Its popularity has grown exponentially with that of the Laughter Yoga movement now counting over 6000 Laughter Clubs in more than 65 countries.


For more information about World Laughter Day and to find some local events in your area, check out  www.worldlaughterday.org .  If you can't find an event nearby, don't let that stop you.   Find a local laughter club in your area and/or check into becoming a certified laughter leader at www.laughteryoga.org  or www.laughteryogaamerica.com.  The world could use more laughing and we need everyone!

I took my Laughter Yoga Leader training a couple years ago, and I never felt so awesome after that weekend.  I was so elated and energized yet, interestingly at the same time, at peace and very calm.  It was such a "feel good" experience and beautiful how it brought the whole group together in a such a joyful and loving way - a real sense of community and lots of genuine sharing.   I have since led several Laughter Yoga classes and every single one was a joy and filled with so much positivity.  Only smiles, clarity and feel good faces.  That is why WORLD PEACE THROUGH LAUGHTER is such a wonderful initiative, and I highly recommend integrating laughter in your life - daily if possible - creating a laughter practice of your own - or even start your own laughter club - why not?!!

Benefits of Laughter include:

L aughter releases endorphines, giving a "feel good factor"
A cts like aerobic exercise - as "internal jogging"
U nleashes inhibitions, breaks down barriers
G reat team building tool encouraging better communication
H elps boost our immune system which helps resist disease
T ones muscles, improve respiration and circulation
E ncourages positive thinking and creativity
R elaxes the whole body by reducing stress and tension

WOW!  Can't go wrong here!!!

Keep an eye out for my future Laughter Yoga programs under Soul Play Adventures.  Laughter is a big part of my life and so you will find laughter sprinkled into many of my programs - not to mention, I giggle often throughout my day.

If you have not already joined my mailing list and want to be kept informed about future Laughter Programs, please visit my website at www.SoulisticAdventures.com and Join the Adventure!!

Together, let's uplift our world - can't think of a more joyous way than through laughter!

Hope to laugh with you soon!

To the adventure,





For adventures with Laughter, click here!