" Yin Yang ... "

“ … All Evergreen

No Histamine

All I, all I, all I

Really, really, really

Wanna do, is zag along with you

I got infinite ammunition

Coming out the Yin Yang

I got limitless stealth positions

Extract the champion

Extract the Champion

Coming out the Yin Yang … “

***

~ USS ~ Yin Yang ~ 

Thanks to a hot yoga practice, my affinity towards the idea of yin and yang and strengthened.  Generally speaking, Yin is defined by passiveness, reflectiveness, internally and softness while Yang is an expression, passion and energy.

Recognizing the symbol, Yin (mostly black) and Yang (mostly white) are two opposites.  When combined, their strengths and weaknesses balance each other.  And balance between Yin and Yang is how we create balance and harmony between ourselves and our surroundings … allowing us to co-exist. 

And I think it is safe to say that most people live a Yang lifestyle … personalities, philosophies, elemental preferences and aesthetic tastes.  However, there is a Yin side that exists in all of us, a form of our tendency towards personal reflection and introspective thought … a gentler side.  It is also important to note that yang and yin are not necessarily exclusively male or female.  We all have Yin or Yang “ish” at differing levels within us.  

According to TCM, each food has an energetic property of Yin or Yang.  Therefore, foods are thought of as complimentary pairs that are constantly shifting in relationship to one another.  Hence we absorb cold and hot energy from the foods we eat and medical conditions are manifestations of these Yin-Yang imbalances.  It is believed that we can heal ourselves by correcting our imbalances with the appropriate Yin-Yang foods.

Yin is to Yang 

Night is to Day

Quiet is to Busy

Cold is to Hot

***

The below is for information purposes ONLY … 

ALWAYS consult your health practitioner directly for Medical Advice.

Common health conditions and their imbalances include…

Conditions affected by too much heat (yang) in the body:

High blood pressure, skin rash, hot flashes.

Consume: Cool or cold foods that promote yin energy.

Conditions arising from too much cold (yin) in the body: 

Fatigue, depression, muscle ache, stuffy nose, cough with clear white phlegm, fluid retention.

Consume: Warm or hot foods that promote yang energy.

Conditions that alternatively arise from too much cold or heat in the body: 

Constipation, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, headache.

Consume: Some conditions are helped by either hot or cold foods. 

The treatment for the conditions mentioned here depends on your own symptoms. A holistic doctor can help you determine whether you will be helped by yin or yang foods.

Yang foods include … (hot) Cayenne pepper, dried ginger, soybean oil, cinnamon, black pepper, chili powder, horseradish, lamb, trout and whole green or red peppers … (warming) Cherries, coconut, lemons, raspberries, cauliflower, mustard greens, onion, coffee, garlic, fresh ginger, chestnuts, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, chicken, shrimp, mussels, lobster, turkey, yogurt, butter.

Yin foods include … (cooling) Apples, bananas, pears, strawberries, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, spinach, Swiss chard, celery, soybeans, buckwheat, sesame oil … (cold) Papaya, watermelon, grapefruit, tomatoes, asparagus, cucumbers, summer squash, romaine lettuce, seaweed, barley, tofu.

Neutral foods are believed to be nourishing to everyone—and don’t increase the yin or yang balance in the body. Neutral foods include apricots, figs, pineapple, beets, cabbage, carrots, olives, pumpkin, string beans, yams, eggs, oats, almonds, peas, peanuts, rice, beef, oysters, pork, whitefish, salmon, sardines, herring and saffron.

***

www.walkstrong.ca

" Creative ... "

“... Take that ride

On a magic carpet 

We can fly

They'll be nothing like it

Feels so right

Every night

Every time you're near

I get creative ... “

~ Leon Brown ~ Creative ~

***

There are different ways to express ourselves, creatively.  Some paint, others sculpt.  Some draw, others write.  Some play music, others recite poetry.  Whatever your outlet, it is important to nurture as it supports your spiritual growth.

 Study after study shows that creativity, in any form, is healthy.

Personally, the most interesting, creative people I know express themselves in a variety of ways.  They associate creative pursuits with other activities and fully silence their gnawing need to constantly make things.   

I love to write, random thoughts, blogs, short stories, poems.  

I always have.

Writing down my thoughts and feelings, helps me heal my life because it helps me change the way, the way I was and the way I am to be.  We have all heard that attitude is everything, and that phrase couldn’t be truer when presented with a life-changing experience.  Writing helps me to find a different perspective, a different way ... and how to live life as it is meant to be lived, FULLY.  

Expressive writing has been linked with improved mood, well-being, stress levels and depressive symptoms ... as well as more physical benefits of lower blood pressure, improved lung and liver functioning.  

So ask yourself ... when was the last time you counted out everything you have to be thankful for in life?  This in itself is a great place to start.  You don’t need a website, blog, social media ... you need YOUR thoughts and a form to express.  

Whether it is a flash of insight, or solution to a longstanding problem, we all long to express ourselves creatively.  We admire the capacity to be original, it seems to be part of human nature.  

Personally speaking, immersion in a creative experience is hugely rewarding by itself.  As often during that immersion, that special state called "flow," a feeling outside of time, of effortlessness that is so extraordinarily satisfying, provides a sense that life is worth living.

www.walkstrong.ca

" Muladhara ... "

The Root or Base Chakra 

***

Zodiacal signs Capricorn, Virgo and Taurus 

Furnishes the energy used to create and maintain our foundation. 

This is the energy that keeps us on firm ground and provides us with the basic skills to uphold a place in the world

The 4th Ray of "Harmony through Conflict" governs the base chakra or root. 

This chakra symbol represents the most earth centered chakra. It stands for our inherited beliefs through our formative years. Self-preservation, personal survival and our identification with the physical world centers in this bottom most of the main seven chakras.

A healthy root chakra connects you with vitality to your family of origin, your immediate society and to the global community. If your 0-7 years were challenging and without love, then this damaged root chakra will function much differently. Issues of survival such as emotional dysfunction, stress, anxiousness, and restlessness will plague you.

Possible fears of letting go, scarcity, poor boundaries, and more. It’s during the 0-7 years that we learn about where we fall in our relationships with siblings, parents, our community, and how we relate to them.

Healthy issues

Joint pain, lower backache, elimination problems, obesity, constipation, anorexia, and poor immune system function.

Questions

What beliefs did you inherit or learn from your family?  

Is there unfinished business between you and your parents?

What limiting beliefs did you learn about personal survival and money?

Do you have personal boundaries that you maintain?

Is it difficult for you to bond with others?

Are you often sick or suffering from illness?

Transcendence of unloving imprints in this chakra

"Others show you yourself and what you need to work on within, by their reflection of your own rejected or denied emotions."

" Keep Your Word ... "

" ... and so you're talking to me today,

like everyday

for hours on

i think of when your first spoke to me

and how far our friendships gone

the texts, the winks, the subtle things you said,

confusing me

i'm glad we sorted out what's in your head, cause now i see

so keep your words and keep your problems

i've got enough of mine to solve them ... "

~ Bethan Mary Leadley ~ Keep Your Word ~ 

***

You keep your word and I’ll keep mine.  Sounds pretty easy but doesn’t seem to apply.  You say you’ll meet up and you don’t.  You say you’ll call and you don’t.  You say “we should really get together” and you don’t.  Not so easy anymore is it … So what is it with being a flake?  Now this definitely not a rant … not worth the energy to drum up anger and frustration because someone’s made you an option and not a priority.  Yeah, it may seem direct, and a bit harsh … but it’s the truth.  Because every time you make up an excuse to not do something without a reasonable explanation … you’re being a flake.  And don’t worry, we’ve all been there, thankfully some of us have not only worked on this issue, but weeded out the necessary flakes in our lives so that it doesn’t rub off.

Let this one sit with you for a while before you decide to react … be honest with yourself.  Because unless you are honest with you first, no one else with know the truth.  And maybe you’ve outgrown a connection and hoping for it to fade away, it happens.  But in the meantime, do not commit to what you cannot commit to.  Period.  Otherwise you’re lying.  Period.

I think we can all agree that it is a pretty good idea to keep our word.  And there are many benefits … you are instantly trusted, because sadly it is rare.  You see, keeping your word means you are reliable and is the foundation for others to take risks on your behalf in the name of change.  And with this trust brings comfort.  A genuine feeling … plus keeping your word is one behaviour that earns you respect, instantly, and your reputation.

if you can’t keep your word, 

you’re better off keeping your mouth shut.

So where does THIS all come from … a recent “lesson learned” … 

Without airing dirty laundry, it is about time to hold others accountable for their actions.  But remember, you may lose that connection in the process as it may be considered rude.  So you decide.  Are you willing to put up with being treated like plan B, or do you know your worth? 

The last few days I experienced some interesting interactions, insights and for lack of a better word, awakenings … as if epiphanies were popping up all over the place.  It is what you do NOW, matters with consequences to your actions.  

So the next time you wonder why you can’t seem to count on others … 

look within and answer if you can count on yourself, first.

www.walkstrong.ca

" Inside The Cynic ... "

“I hear my poisons in the multitude

Why was I damned a human deemed too rude

Somewhere between the madness and my mind

I live with legions called the human kind

I wander aimlessly amongst the herd

Infesting shadows, I am undeterred

I give opinion cuz you give no peace

They say we manifest the new dis-ease

See the lies you've given me

This is not what I should be

You say your truth isn't mine

Everything, everything, everything you says's a lie”

~ Stone Sour ~ Inside The Cynic ~

***

Cynic’s are often portrayed as pessimistic, but a healthy dose of skepticism does help, a dose of caution.  And the original definition of cynicism was’t about seeing the world in a pessimistic way as much as advocating a simpler lifestyle in the pursuit of virtue.  Today, cynic’s are thought of those who always believe the worst in humanity.

Do you believe with cynicism has it’s place or do you believe it is just a disgruntle view on a popular trend or maybe just a grumpy disposition?  Human conditioning almost always leads us to a negative outlook before a positive one.  

So where did all this cynicism come from?

Lack of trust ... spend an evening with a few cynical people and you will realize that they are a special breed of person.  You may even know the type if you are not one yourself.  Because a true cynic ... distrusts EVERYTHING new they see or hear ... they are intolerant of new ideas ... and they are pessimistic about EVERYTHING.  And all this usually occurs when we are emotionally vulnerable.  It is a coping mechanism, a way to protect themselves.  And sadly, the more negativity they see in the world, the more likely they are to share that disposition with others.

Reflecting on a previous post on being selective ... you will usually become like the 5 people you hang out with.  So choose wisely.  Cynical people tend to surround themselves with other cynical people.  It’s worth considering what impact these social relationships have on you.  

From personal experience, I have had many cynical friends over the years.  Those friends were funny in my younger years, but as life continued, that cynicism and negativity wore on the friendship.  It was hard to kick the habit, but I am SO grateful they are no longer in my life.

You may be thinking that this is not you, and not your social circle.  If so, bravo! ... just honestly ask yourself ... do you spend the bulk of your time complaining about things, do you whine about trivial mishaps from the day, or do you resent anything new.  Because cynicism is the easiest of all reactions, but also the most self-defeating one.

www.walkstrong.ca

" Selective Memory ... "

"If i lay my head down

I will see you in my dream

Wearing that polka dot dress

And sitting by the stream

Leaning in to hear you

You will whisper in my ear

And everything i need to know

I finally hear

I wish i could remember

But my selective memory

Won't let me"

~ Eels ~ Selective Memory ~

***

Recently, I was given some advice … I was told to be selective.  Selective in what I give my attention to, what I focus on and what I allow into my environment.  And that is easier said than done because we get swept away by others or even our own useless thoughts. 

So where to do you start … by asking about that thing you are giving attention to … how will it make you feel?  From my own experience, I have consumed information in the past without questioning not only whether it is true, but the source.  Hence, being selective can be a very, very good thing.

And being selective directly affects your perspective too.  How can it not?  We can be more selective of what we think about, how we think about it and whether or not it serves us.  It is not about being a snob either.  It is about self-care and self-love.  

It is about taking care of what you need.

Now, you may read this and feel this is unrealistic … sure, perhaps for some, yet again from my experience, every single relationship in my life has transformed … some strengthened, others faded .. but the most important one, with myself, is where I see miracles.

I decide what you read … I decide what you watch … I decide what you listen to … I decide what you talk to others about … I decide …

I am grateful for my life and now, I want the rest of my life to have some meaning, some purpose, some use.  And so, feeding my mind with toxic information is not an option.  I have let go of these things and people in my life.   

Being selective allows you to create your own version of reality … personally, I choose to create a more happier rest of my life ॐ

www.walkstrong.ca

" Don't Give Up ... "

Don't give up
'Cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not the only one
Don't give up
No reason to be ashamed
Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up now
We're proud of who you are
Don't give up
You know it's never been easy
Don't give up
'Cause I believe there's a place
There's a place where we belong

~ Kate Bush ~ Don’t Give Up ~

***

Don’t let love pass you by.  Don’t let fear win.  

Don’t give up on love, give in.  Put love into action.

Great sentiments but what about when they hurt you?  Are you able to give another chance or do you cut them out of your life for good?  Whatever your answers are, you can’t lie to your heart.  People hurt us in our life in completely different ways.  Love is a very bumpy road where grudges have an opportunity to find a home.  

And it is sometimes easier to give up ...  

But, loving and being loved are what make our lives worth living.  Sadly, many people experience times in their lives when they close off their hearts.  But love is the energy of life.  This is what motivates us, every day, to keep going.  It gives us meaning and purpose ...

By reaching out and loving others, we can find true fulfillment.  Because what we focus on, grows.  Everyone in the world wants to be loved and accepted.  But this starts from within.  Believe that you are worthy enough, good enough for love.  I grew up believing that I would find that special someone, that prince charming ... the “right” guy.  And although I’m blessed with a pretty awesome guy, I realized that it was not about finding the right person.  It is about being the right person. 

So when we give up on love, do we give up on ourselves?  

Sometimes ... not able to make blanket statements about relationships, it really is about being okay with your decision to give up or give in.  You know what is right for you, but either way ... 

www.walkstrong.ca

" Perfect ... "

Made a wrong turn
Once or twice
Dug my way out
Blood and fire
Bad decisions
That's alright
Welcome to my silly life

Mistreated, Misplaced, Misunderstood
Miss no way it's all good
It didn't slow me down.

Mistaken, always second guessing
Underestimated, look I'm still around

Pretty, pretty please
Don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than
Less than perfect

~ Pink ~ Perfect ~
***

If we are honest with ourselves, we would admit that we all have suffered some form of PMS ... yes, including the male population.  PMS ... Perfect Moment Syndrome.

Not what you were expecting I imagine, but when you get angry because things don’t go your way and your regrets start to mount, you are well on your way to wishing, hoping and striving for that. one. perfect. moment ... and it never comes.

So we get disappointed, we may wish for solitude, and then we venture out and try again.  Hopefully wiser, but not always.  And so the cycle continues.

Experiencing PMS is habitual as well.  We have the odd assumption that we actual have control over anything in our lives.  We don’t.  Anything and Everything is impermanent.  Perhaps a depressing and/or liberating thought ... depending on where you are in your journey.  And we know that although our intentions “next time” will be different, we may get caught in the same silly cycle.  

we never step into the same river twice ... 

due to the impermanence of all that is life ...

So how do we make the moment more manageable?

Truly savour the moment as it is, accepting its impermanent nature.  Don’t cling, don’t grasp because your focus will be on the what will be lost rather than be in the moment.

Logically how do we define perfection?  One persons perfect moment could be another’s disaster.  It really is about changing your perspective.  Leaning towards how full our lives are, rather than how empty they are until.  A very easy concept to understand, but from experience, twice as hard to practice.

Choosing to wait for the perfect moment, or to give it all you have now is up to you.  Yet when we look at the fragility and unpredictability of life, we may ask ourselves ... do we really think we have time?

From imperfections comes learning's, insights, realizations, exploration and adventure.  Sure there will and are challenges ... but what you decide to do with those challenges is what matters.  Hopefully with less and less attachment to the outcome.

Perhaps this viewpoint will allow this practice to be ... well, almost perfect.

www.walkstrong.ca

" Temper Temper ... "

This time you'd better bite your tongue
Think twice before you open that mouth
Take a breath, hold it in your lungs
Being from rage, will it overcome?

I feel the tension rising high
I feel a hump down in my chest
Nothing is strange, I see in red
Can't hold it back
Here comes my...

Temper temper, time to explode
Feels good when I lose control
Temper temper, time to explode
Chamber's empty, time to reload

~ Bullet For My Valentine ~ Temper Temper ~

***

So you think that temper tantrums only apply to children?  Well I just proved otherwise ... today.  Yeah, not a proud moment I might add.  Downright embarrassing to be honest.  And I know that I am not alone ... 

You see as a child when I threw a tantrum, my Mother wouldn’t wait patiently until I calmed down.  She would confront me upfront and in a stern, no nonsense voice of imposing authority, inform me that there was no way she was going to up with my drama act.  I could scream, stomp and even body-slam fits of rage, she would have none of it.  And I love her for it.  Because she knew, as a toddler, I wasn’t a master in effectively communicating my feelings or solving problems.

Sure needed that no nonsense tone today ...

Okay, rather than beating myself up for the entire day, I get that anger manifests when the demands we place on ourselves, others or on the world are not being met to our expectations.  So the question is ... are my expectations realistic and fair?  

We are conditioned by society to believe that we should have what we want when we want it, that we deserve only the best and should not deny ourselves, and that we shouldn't have to work hard to obtain possessions, success, health, or love.  So we carry on with life, trying to find quick fixes for every possible need.  And when life doesn’t go as planned (almost always), our inner child may ... ahem, bloom.

So I check my ego and ask ... do I consider myself more important than others (no) ... do I feel my rights trump yours (no) ... are my needs greater than the other person at this moment (no) ... 

darn, sadly no excuse for bad behaviour ... i’m sorry

I am realizing that when we are denied what we are seeking, personal and spiritual growth have a chance, because it enables us to prioritize what is really important.

I know better ... I have better tools ... I know I can learn from this ...

Do no harm ...

Letting your raw emotions out is important so they won’t leak into the rest of your life ... as long as you project to an inanimate object.  Dealing with anger effectively, in the moment, is golden.  The key is finding a safer way to deal with it,  allowing a full release, without making an a$$ in the process.

www.walkstrong.ca