My day focuses on my ‘To Do’ list…how much can be completed before I tuck myself into bed.   Can you relate to this?    I’ve decided there will always be too much to do.  The question is “what am I doing?”  

What I realized today is that I do need to make a living.  Yet I don’t need to give up my precious time and energy worrying about work when I’m home?  Where did they say ‘worrying’ makes me a better person?   Nay, it just makes me anxious.  It’s all about how I want to live my life.  I want to smile more, laugh at another person’s silly jokes, listen with my heart and enjoy the simple pleasures in my life. 

I’m always looking for a simple formula to guide me in self-care.  There is so much information on health and spiritual wellbeing that it can become overwhelming.  How do I best care for myself?   I’ve learn that what is basic to my wellbeing comes from me and not others.

So how do each of us support what is essential to living a loving and joyful life? I believe my essence is a composite of mind, body and spirit.  

When was the last time you forgave someone? It’s not a common word in our vocabulary. I wonder why! I ask myself, how often have I forgiven another or myself and let go of the negative thoughts. As I grow older, I see the value of forgiveness. In my emotional suitcase are many past hurts, misunderstandings, and archaic beliefs that are just weighing me down.

I have to put myself on an emotional diet and weigh in with forgiveness as my tool.

In 2004, I was exposed to Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) at a retreat in Santa Fe.   What fascinated me about this technique was that I could use it on any negative thought, at any time and it didn’t cost me money. That’s empowering!  

What’s Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)?  
EFT is based on acupuncture, without the needles.   A self-help technique that works on bringing relief to the intensity of our emotions, as well as increasing our physical wellbeing.    When using this technique you tap on different areas of your face and upper body.

I don’t usually embark on the official spring-cleaning effort, but there are times when I have an urge to clean.  Lately I’ve been thinking about the clutter in my home, how it is blocking my energy and wellbeing.  I believe that things have energy to them and if I’m not interacting in a positive manner with my things, I am creating negative energy. 

I decided to create a laundry list of things to go:

• get rid of the clothes that were never right, or were right at one time, but no longer fit

Today is an important day in the US – September 11th.  I remembered seven years ago being on Broadway and 21st Street in New York City standing in one place watching the bellowing smoke coming from the Towers.   Everyone around me was so quiet!   When I looked around, I saw the dazed looks on everyone’s faces.  No one knew just how historic this moment would be in each of our lives and the lives of those directly impacted by this horrific act. 

My health is the #1 priority in my life.  I don’t always treat it so, but my intention is to keep myself focused on my number one priority.  It’s a learning curve for me, and every day I wake up reminding myself that  “today my health is the most important focus for me.”  When I go to bed, I ask how did I treat my physical being today.  Was I neglectful, a little respectful or did I center my energies in treating my body as a priceless gift.

How often I have said to myself “let it go Pat” when I was agitated or upset about something.  I’ve also said “let go” to others when they were holding on to a negative thought.    How does one “let go?”   We are attached to our emotional stuff and don’t always know how to release the emotions and free ourselves.

What do you think about change?    We all have our reactions to change…some things we are ready to let go, others we hold on to dear life.   All around us change is occurring without our permission.   As the seasons change, so does our lives.   How do you handle change from the outside?  Even more important how do you initiate change in your life?