A very disturbing statistic came to my attention a few months ago. The National Alzheimer’s Association released that fifty percent of caregiver’s die before the one they are giving care to. That probably applies to those caregivers of special needs people, but it is not something that any of us can take lightly.

We all want to have a positive impact. But how can we be effective when there is weakness and sickness in our bodies, emotions and minds? When we are in need of peace from the stress in our lives, how can we successfully help anyone else? It is not divine to suffer, neglecting ourselves for the sake of others. That is not what the Divine is asking of us.

We must be mentally prepared to accept balance and harmony in our lives, for no one else can truly relieve the stress we continually endure. Most of us know what we must do, but don’t take the time to even help ourselves. Acknowledgement and acceptance that a condition exists is the first step toward renewal and rejuvenation. This is a call for you to “claim your peace, health, and well-being now!”

The role of children taking care of parents and spouses taking care of spouses during the transition into older age is all around me. The importance of self-care is so vital to our being that I am still sometimes awe struck at how many people bypass their own needs to care for someone else.

Those of us who have been living more holistically for a large part of our adult life are getting the point, but even we are being hit in the gut and feel the need to escape for self-preservation. On the other hand, I believe the majority of our Baby Boomer population is in denial as to their vulnerability. We are struggling trying to take care of our work load as employer/employee, our primary household duties, take care of the aging parent, wherever they may be, take care of grandchildren and sometimes children. We believe we can do it all without paying any attention to our body signals. The more we put on our “plate” the less we pay attention to what it going on with our bodies.

Your body cries out for you to appreciate and take care of it. You may notice you are getting more headaches. You may not sleep through the night as you once did. You may be gaining weight. Your stomach may have begun to give you problems, because your digestive system is out of sync. You may lack energy where previously you were full of vim and vigor. You are eating and living on the run.

To make matters even worse you are now fast approaching the holiday season. The holidays in many cases compound the challenges and roles you are trying to juggle. You may have lost a loved one during this time of the year. You may have lost a loved one this year. You know getting together with family can cause dysfunction to your otherwise peaceful existence. To top it off, it’s your turn to prepare the holiday dinners, as you juggle shopping for presents and planning parties. Why are your nerves in an uproar … again?

That being said, it is even more important to get in the game of self-care. I do want to emphasize that self-care always has the same level of importance no matter what the season.

One easy and highly effective body relaxer you can utilize on the spot is BREATH WORK. Doing breathing exercises allows the heart to slow down to a more normal rate. The heart is the connector to the Creator and true essence of who you are. As the heart slows down the emotions come under the control of that true essence.

To begin, inhale to the count of eight, hold for four counts then exhale to the count of eight. As you exhale see the tension of the moment become a little less important. And feel your body become more relaxed. The tension between your shoulders releasing is a good indicator of the body relaxing. Do this four times. DO NOT rush this moment.

Another important and highly effective method is VISUALIZATION. If your imagination is very active you may be able do this on the spot. It may however be necessary for you to slip away for ten to fifteen minutes into a quiet place. Don’t forget to lock the door!

Think of something that is beautiful, brings you peace and puts an immediate smile on your face. For example, if you have been to an island and remember the beach with the sun setting over the water, you know what I am talking about. Use this point of reference. If you remember hearing the water lap onto the shore with a gentle touch, which is also relaxing, you may want to use this visual.

If you like the mountains and you remember the quiet as the day turns into night when you took a moment on the balcony or you hear the crickets singing in the background lulling you into relaxation, then use this reference.

If you have a photograph that conjures up relaxation and beauty for you, use it in your mind’s eye for your place of escape.

I believe you are beginning to get the idea of what I am talking about.

After completing one of these, take a moment to feel the power of your true essence. Embrace and honor that truth knowing that you are in control of your being and nothing outside of yourself has any power over you or the divine in you. At the end of this exercise you will feel totally relaxed and reconnected with your inner strength.

The purpose of course is to regain control over your emotions taking back your power. Only you are responsible for what you feel. Refuse to let anyone or anything steal your peace and comfort.

As a side note, please do not entertain guilt. You may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but you know within your heart of hearts you love those in your inner circle. And you show them that love whenever you can, but you must show yourself love first. If they truly love you, they will understand. If they don’t, they will one day, is the attitude you hopefully will take. You are as important as anyone else and that guilt feeling will go away eventually.

Always remember, Self-Care is health and life℠. Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

It’s Wednesday morning and this is the third week you have put off organizing your office files. I’ll work on them tomorrow you say, but as the old childhood saying goes, tomorrow never comes. This is just one of many excuses I could give you for putting something off.

Many of us procrastinate at some time or another. For a small minority of the time, that’s okay. But when our behavior becomes excessive for putting things off, it becomes detrimental to our well-being. It becomes a way for the saboteur to constantly exist in our space as a way of life.

Procrastination can create a stagnate environment. Your potential for growth ceases to exist because nothing gets done. It makes me wonder what the true reason is behind this toxic habit. The beginning is to do some self-reflecting. Could it be you are afraid of the success that could blossom in your life? Or are you afraid that your freedom will be taken away by making progress giving you the feeling that your time is not your own?

The self-saboteur is our greatest enemy. The ego wants to always get its way. The ego will undermine all of the things we know as success. It feeds on all of the negative statements that we have ever heard – you will never amount to anything, I told you, you couldn’t do it, you don’t know what you are doing, you are too stupid to do anything right, why are you wasting your time on something that idea. What is your saboteur telling you?

Caving in to these emotions allows whoever said them to you to keep you in victim mode. When you overcome procrastination you are charting your destiny in life. You become everything good you know yourself to be. What will you chose?

The solution is to eliminate one thing at a time. Focus on the present task at hand. Focus on the NOW while you are working on that project. Chip away at it bit by bit until it’s done.

2. Incomplete projects are comprised of lacking or unfinished parts and items not considered perfect.

Wow, I can’t seem to get anything done, you say. I start one thing then another pops up for my attention.

Incomplete projects can line up to include quite a long list of items. You started piling up ill-fitting clothes to give to the charity group that has been calling you for a couple of months. There’s more I want to add like those old T-shirts that remind me of places I’ve been that were so dear to me, you might say.

I have so many photos that need to be put into those albums. I’ll do that one evening real soon, comes another response.

We can justify the action to anything that is a task we just don’t want to think about. What is that doing to your mental anxiety? Out of sight, out of mind – I don’t think so.

When we accumulate clutter in our homes and offices, we create clutter in our lives. Incomplete projects are a form of clutter. Many times we want something to be perfect, when getting that “thing” to a point of “pretty good” is the place to be. Then later you can return to the item to make it even better. I followed this point myself for an appearance I was making because I needed a major promotional piece. I was proud however for the initial task had been completed. And it gave me momentum to stay focused.

Incomplete projects work on your stress level because you know nothing is done. If when you look around, you see parts of projects something is going on that you need to address. If an adjustment is not made you may begin to feel inadequate. For an entrepreneur it may be time to build a team of people to help you. I was faced with that too and when I began the implementation of team building, I felt much better. I was getting somewhere, not just spinning my wheels.

You don’t have to get everyone or everything into place at the same time, but put an action plan together with a timeline. To begin, ask yourself this question, “Where is the immediate need and who has the skills that can take care of that need?” Maybe it’s someone to clean the house for you or it’s someone to make telephone calls to help build your business. Move forward where you can to get projects completed.

3. Indecisiveness is being not conclusive, is lack of decision making or is vacillating.

Who has been caught up in the swirl of indecisiveness? Its allure pulls us in before we know it.

The two previous points could make indecisiveness raise its head while you are trying to decide where to begin to end procrastination in your life or what project you want to complete first.

Being born under the astrological sign of Cancer, which is a water sign, I’ve learned to just do it. Where have we heard that before? Water tends to slosh around from instability, so to be decisive is truly a stabilizing force for me. It took me all of my early adult years to learn that one.

When you are not stable your emotions can run amuck, just confusing the issue, and that is what indecisiveness creates. You, and everyone around you, become frustrated from your lack of decision making.

When you lack decision, nothing gets done. The best attack, make a decision stick to it. If it turns out to be a decision that was not so good, you have learned what not to do again. If it was good, then you know something you didn’t know before. Being passive doesn’t allow for anything positive to happen because when you make no decision you have learned nothing.

Choices are made all of the time, good, bad or indifferent. The important thing is that you make the choice, don’t let someone or something else make it for you.

Begin detoxing your life for a healthier and happier existence. Send an email to schedule your FREE 30 minute Coaching Session for Self-Care or Effective Living.

Have you ever been in a place of being stuck? At one point in my life, I traveled the same road, continuing to repeat the same patterns of behavior getting the same results even though I wanted new ones. I didn’t know how to change and implement new habits. I needed help. I didn’t have the tools until I learned what they were and how to use them.

Becoming an adult with understanding and knowing is a wonderful thing. The tools I am sharing are what have helped me move to a road of my own making. I don’t like spinning my wheels and following a path that is not productive. That doesn’t feel good to me and it certainly doesn’t take me where I want to go.

Here are some steps to help you create a new road with new tracks to make your journey easier. As you go through these steps journal the process for your review later. This will also act as a motivator to keep up the good work you are doing.

1.     Recognize and acknowledge that you are stuck repeatedly traveling the same road in the same ruts.

There is a saying that goes something like this. “If you keep on doing the same thing expecting different results nothing will ever change. You must decide to change your behavior and do something different to get different results.”

2.     Reflect and investigate your patterns to find the behavior that is keeping you from making a change.

3.     Once you discover the non-productive behavior or habit that you keep repeating, review the harm it is doing to your life path.

Make two columns in your journal and title them “positive” and “negative.” Make a list of the behaviors you use concerning the area you want to change. This exercise should show you how out of balance you are from repeating these actions. What we want to see is a high number of positive results.

4.     After this exercise, you will realize and can see what that behavior is doing to hinder your growth and success in life.

5.     Ask yourself, “Is this where I really want to be?” Then ask yourself, “Do I want to stay here for the rest of my life or even an extended period of my life?”

6.     If your response is “NO” with a determined attitude, then you are ready to move on to a new path to make new tracks.

Only you can decide and implement what you want your life to look like.

1.     Determine what you want to change in your life. What can you do to take the first step? You are only taking baby steps here. One small step at a time.

2.     Make sure this step is manageable and can be worked into your schedule. You will have to be willing to make adjustments.

3.     Set a date for this behavior change to begin and another date for the change to be completed. Dependent on what it is you are working on, the “thing” may not have a completion date.

4.     Make sticky notes with affirmations, inspired sayings and encouraging words. Place them in your space to help you stay focused and on track. That means you can see them wherever you are – in the car, around your desk, on the refrigerator, on the bathroom mirror, by your bed, and so on.

5.     I strongly suggest that you not share what you are doing with non-supporters. These people will only try to sabotage your progress. You are not strong enough to handle this yet.

6.     Lastly, you will want a strong supporter. One who can help you maintain accountability for the direction you have chosen. Not a yes person, but someone who will be authentic with you. You want to stick with this new path on your journey reaching a measurable level of accomplishment and success.

All of these steps take discipline. I have learned that anything worth having is worth working for. Being consistent in your actions to achieve the outcomes you desire is critical. Your success ripples out to others who observe your behaviors giving them a sense of hope. People observe, therefore, you are an example of one sort or another. Through your adjustments in behavior, you will begin to feel more alive with each accomplishment made toward your ultimate goal.

Send an email to schedule your FREE 30 minute Coaching Session for Self-Care or Effective Living.

>  Heart Dis-ease                                            >  Diabetes

>  Hyper-Tension                                           > Weight Gain and Obesity

> Immune System Imbalances                >  Cancers

>  Emotional Breakdown

Statistics say that these are preventable, but we must do our part in taking care of us. There are many reasons why and how we can self-care, but we do not take the time to discover what they are. Most caretakers feel guilty when it comes to taking a break from their duty; not realizing that self-care is what keeps them going. They believe that no one can do the job the way they can or their “charge” may not be happy while they are absent.

Staying in touch with your spirit essence is one of the most important ways you can develop more respect for yourself and a deeper understanding of the Creator’s desires for you. In the space of self-care you are in balance with your divine-self and are able to acknowledge that your body is the Temple of the Divine. Here are some benefits for why you should implement self-care into your daily life and in doing so you can provide optimum peace and tranquility to your life.

The benefits of your actions –

will help eliminate stress,

will decrease dis-ease and imbalance,

will increase your lifespan;

will bring peace of mind,

will help you enjoy life and live more abundantly,

will operate in an attitude of joy when you care for others.

Nurturing Your Soul happens when you -

1.         Spend time with your Divine Creator God through some form of prayer and meditation

or meditative movement.

2.         Take a walk in the Creator’s beautiful world either alone or with a friend.

3.         Think and speak lovingly about yourself.

4.         Read an inspiring good book.

5.         Spend the day doing what YOU want to do that uplifts your Spirit, Mind and Body.

6.         Start a gratitude journal daily expressing thanks.

7.         Learn something new.

8.         Go fishing.

“Happiness happens when your consciousness is not

dominated by addictions and demands – and you

experience life as a parade of preferences.” Ken Keyes

This is just a sampling of what you can do to usher harmony and balance into your life.

If you want to learn more, I am available to give an in depth presentation on this topic to your organization or group. Contact me at bookings@theresacloudeagle.com also visit my website http://www.TheresaCloudEagle.com. For a more personal experience send an email to schedule your FREE 30 minute Coaching Session for Self-Care or Effective Living.

Dreams are what make life so interesting. We begin having them when we are children. They may come as motivation to overcome hard times or as the result of having someone in our lives that we admire. Dreams are something that does not die if your desire is strong enough. By the time you read this, her dream has taken her a step closer to reaching her goal.

Our dreams, which are cherished desires, are also the Creator’s desires for us. Our desires are driven by our faith to achieve, using our thoughts and using action to propel them into existence. I am going to focus on a few tips to help you attract your desires into your life. Some of us really need to understand the process for it to work the way we want it too.

1.  The idea precedes the thought.

The idea may come as an “I wonder if” or as a spark of inspiration. But as with anything, the more thought we put to an idea, the more the energy builds around that idea. The attention we give our idea varies with the depth of our desire. If we are not real sure about what we want, the focus may eventually fade and our attention will move on to something else. On the other hand if the idea turns into real desire, our faith kicks in and we move to the space of “if I can believe it, I can receive it.”

2.  Our thoughts do create.

Once a desire is heart-felt, we go to the next step in our process. We begin to add detail to the desire. Our imagination is activated for this step. We start to picture what we want. For this exercise we will call it a chair. We will decide what color it’s going to be. How comfortable we want it for the use we have in mind. We focus on the shape, whether it will have armrests, or no arms for a more contemporary look. We imagine where it is going to be placed in the room. We concentrate on the fabric, leather or cloth, plaid, patterned or solid, dark or light. We think about if it will have a high back or low back. The details become more focused the more thought we put to the desire. We are telling the Creator, more specifically, what it is we desire to manifest.

An important note, at this point, I must bring light to this fact — some people begin to vacillate in their thought process as to whether they can have, are worthy of or can pull it off. If we cannot firmly hold onto the success of our dream, the wavering thought creates doubt the biggest eraser of dreams. With doubt we risk the dream not being manifested. Our little ego voice, the “saboteur,” rises from feeling threatened. Throughout this visioning process, we are exercising our true power. The saboteur wants to prohibit our authentic power from taking its rightful place. Don’t allow that to happen!!

3.  Action attracts the desire.

Once we have a clear picture for our desire, we next go out looking for it. As you can see, our desire, up to this point, did not have any action to it. Action creates movement of energy. The energy or movement is what will truly help manifest our desire. We must do some work. Our faith that we will find what we have imagined is what also motivates us into movement.

We will now begin to search for the chair we have pictured. We will look in all the stores and even on the Internet for the chair we have imagined. We may log miles or months on our actions. We know we will find it because of the work we have put into our efforts. One thing I will say at this point is that you must let go of the outcome. The chair may not look exactly as you imagine, but I guarantee it will be better and be just what you need. Key is to now let the Divine do the work. Listen to your inner promptings. You will know when you have found “the one.”

A short story — knowing that we were going to South Africa the “Gold Capitol of the World,” I wanted to get a bracelet. The bangle bracelet that I had imagined was nowhere to be found in Cape Town. When we went to Johannesburg, I looked at all the jewelry stores opened that night for my bangle bracelet. We were only going to be there for a short time so I was on a mission. I found something close but I would be settling. Then my Divine guidance told me to let the specific look go. This was big! In the midst of the time constraints I had forgotten an important step! I had to let go of the ultimate outcome. Once I did that and we went back to the jewelry store that was closed the night before, there was the bracelet I was supposed to have and it was way better than the one I was going to settle for and extremely unique. Just the way I like my things – different.

The Law of Attraction is not just about getting what you want; it also takes faith-a divine action, correct thought, our action movements and letting go of the outcome. This process applies to everything, but a couple of things to add to this, the timing has to be right, you must not have hardship concerning it and it is something you are ready to receive, being the proper steward over it.

I am available to help you with more specifics on manifesting or establishing and working through action steps for achieving your goals. Send an email to schedule your FREE 30 minute Coaching Session for Self-Care or Effective Living.

December of 2009, I did a form of visioning depicting items that were of higher importance for clarity and what I wanted to appear in my ministry. Knowing that a New Year was approaching I began in November reflecting on what I had accomplished on that year’s list. A few of the items I had on my list came to fruition thrusting me into a higher gear. This year’s “Vision List™” will continue to propel me forward as I act upon my dreams and exercise my faith knowing it shall be given.

Are you ready to implement some changes in your life? I have three tips to get you started.

1)    Pull out and reflect on your list from last year if you made one. If you did not, think back on the things you mentally noted to accomplish and write that down. What can you check off? What is left? Out of those items, what are the ones you want to try again to complete? Are they reachable or are they too lofty. Make sure you are not setting yourself up for sabotage, a self-defeating habit, which your reasoning or ego tells you “I told you so” when you give up. Disregard the ones that will take a more strategic approach for now. Focus on those that you know can be completed.

If this is your first year thinking about creating a list to become more effective in your “day-to-day,” still follow the guideline above. You really have a head start and should be better at completing your tasks.

If your thoughts are in the area of nutrition, please, just eat smaller portions, drink more healthy liquids and become a little more active in your movements. Three times a week doing at least 30 minutes of something that increases your heart rate does wonders for your body temple. Don’t focus so much on the weight loss it puts too much pressure on your behaviors. It’s about developing new habits that will ultimately help you win the battle.

2)    Number the items in order of importance. What would really be a “weight-off” of your shoulders if it was done? Make that the first item. What is next that would take a little more weight-off your shoulders and relieve your mind? Make that Number Two. What have you been putting off because of procrastination? You know one of those menial tasks. Maybe that can be next. Those items that are of least importance that can be addressed a couple of months out should be at or near the bottom of the list. Continue until your numbering is complete.

3)    Work on one item at a time. Begin work on the tasks you have identified as most important. Do a little at a time if it is something like cleaning and organizing an office, closet or a basement. Designate 20 to 30 minutes at a time until you get it completely done. Don’t start the next item until the first one is completed. When you eliminate something from your list/life you automatically create a void that can be filled with choices that are more positive and productive. Don’t just leave it vacant to be filled with negativity not of your choosing.

You load yourself with enough baggage to carry around without adding unnecessary pounds. Elimination is one of your “Mind Powers” which helps you maintain a clearer path toward your goals. It really can be easy to let things go when you realize that you have outgrown them and they are of no use to you any longer. These tips are a way you can give yourself permission to let go clearing the way for you to accomplish some overdue goals. Life can be so much easier when you do your part!

Stay encouraged. When that “little” mind tells you it can’t be done or you can do it later. Don’t listen to it! You have the power!! Schedule it into your day or your weekend as you would any other appointment. A simple affirmation you can say or write down to keep in front of your eyes is –

I AM CONSCIOUSLY MAKING TIME TO COMPLETE THIS TASK. I AM SUCCESSFUL IN STAYING ON SCHEDULE. MY LOAD IS LIGHTER AND MY SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT IS A RELIEF TO MY MIND.

Send an email to schedule your FREE 30 minute Coaching Session for Self-Care or Effective Living.