" Humble Me ... "

 " What do you say
When it's all gone away
Baby I didn't mean to hurt you
The truth spoke in whispers will tear you apart
No matter how hard you resist it
It never rains when you want it to
You humble me lord
Humble me lord
I'm on my knees empty "

~ Norah Jones ~ Humble Me ~

***

Yesterday I had an opportunity to visit a girlfriend of mine that is to me, my hero.  Her personal story of courage, strength and determination leave me in awe every time we connect.  Besides being a medical miracle, she was also one of the first people I shared my diagnosis with as I knew she would get it.  She has been one of my angels, guiding and supporting me during my journey this year.  I feel so blessed to have her in my life ... thanks Mary ♥

We had a good talk about humbleness and humility.  Mainly because these negative energies came up for me this year ... along with resentment and anger, and I wasn’t proud of it.  And I was trying to understand why.  Knowing that these were “stuck” and had to surface first and then I could deal with it.  I realized my ideas around immortality and invincibility were shattered when faced with an "incurable" dis-ease as stated by the medical profession.  I realized that anything can happen ... and it did.  I was immediately humbled.  I realized that I had to make the choice if I was going to let the cancer have power, have control.  Never ... as I have said before ... life goes on.  For some, smoother than others.  For some, no cares in the world, life is easy ... at least that was my perception.  I was trying to understand why I was angry watching some coast while I struggle.  Enter resentment and anger.  And I think their lack of gratitude, lack of humbleness were the triggers.  Because for me, I view life completely different.  I really try to appreciate all that life has to offer, initially from a place of fear as I thought that I wouldn’t be around much longer.  Now that I have a fighting chance, gratitude, gratitude, gratitude resonates with me.  There are endless outcomes, endless possibilities and we have very little control as to what happens ... just what we do with it.

So back to humbleness or maybe even humility ... question: when you visualize someone that is humble do you see them as meek, hunched over and barely noticeable?  Be honest.  The funny thing is that humility is not an inferiority complex or lack of self-esteem.  Humility means “living with the reality that nothing matters except doing the right thing.”  

The humble person is totally dedicated to the pursuit of truth.  And because his self-esteem is not dependent on approval from others, his choice may be the right, not popular one.  The arrogant person is concerned with his own ego, pride, money and power.  Preoccupied with what others think of him.  So even though his appearance is friendly and charming, he is really manipulating things to suit his selfish needs.  

Think of it this way ... humility thinks “what’s greater than me counts” and arrogance thinks “I’m all that counts.”  And the most humble person of all can also be charismatic.  Because humility is freedom ... concern about truth, living by it and being free to express yourself in the most authentic way.  A quiet confidence, not rattled by critics, earning genuine respect.  A humble person knows his place and helps others, as there is no threat to his ego.

So start by doing some soul searching.  Check in with your life goals ... is it truly meaningful or just some abstract notion.  Are you losing clarity on what is ultimiately important?  Doing the right thing may be difficult, because we don’t always perceive it as providing a great source of pleasure.  Material pleasures are necessary and nice, but they don’t compare to the higher pleasures of life and meaning.  True charisma comes when we disengage ourselves from the need for outside approval ... very powerful.  

Humility can open us up to wisdom because we don’t get stuck in our own subjective reality.  Humbleness can generate truth, objectivity, and pleasure.  Because until you know what you are willing to die for, you have not yet begun to live.

" Cry ... "

" Somebody shakes when the wind blows

Somebody's missing a friend, hold on

Somebody's lacking a hero

And they have not a clue

When it's all gonna end

You can change the world (I can't do it by myself)

You can touch the sky (Gonna take somebody's help)

You're the chosen one (I'm gonna need some kind of sign)

If we all cry at the same time tonight "

~ Michael Jackson ~ Cry ~

***

Somedays is it hard to stay positive, focused.  Somedays is it hard to stay strong, have faith and know your truth.  Somedays you just feel awful, question your path and just want to cry.  Yes, I have had those days ... and where do they come from, what were my triggers .... well, I have had someone tell me that my spirits are not as high as they use to be.  I have had someone tell me that I put on weight.  I have had someone tell me that I hope I finally decide to do the right thing.  I have had the realization that a close friendship of mine as changed.  Yes I have had a few of those days.  On the flip side, I have also had people tell me ... don’t be negative.  But sometimes it is just difficult.  And most of my blogs are about attitude, strength and courage.  Yet I have to realize that I am human, normal and I have the same fears and doubts that everyone else does.  And that is okay ... it is also okay to cry, and cry is exactly what I did ... 

The bright side is that there are a great deal of healing benefits of crying.  When we cry, we release negative emotions in a natural way for our bodies to cope with unwanted feelings of distress or fear.  Yet there are several other benefits to our mental and physical health.  

Crying can lower our stress levels by removing some chemicals and hormones that are built up, similar to sweating when exercising.  And the opposite can happen if we hold back tears ... we can increase our stress levels which as we know can lead to numerous other health issues.

Crying is an emotional response so when we shed tears, our endocrine system releases endorphins, or feel-good hormones, that stabilize the mood ... some may identify with “I just needed a good cry”.  When we cry, we give our bodies the ability to stabilize and become balanced again.  

“Tears are natural antibacterial and antiviral solutions that fight germs we get in our eyes.  The fluid lysozyme in tears is capable of killing up to 95% of all bacteria in a matter of minutes”.  So crying can help prevent you from getting sick.

Not all tears are the same.  Tears that are formed out of emotional distress or grief have more toxic byproducts in them than tears of irritation.  So emotional tears, made from stress, are capable of washing away wastes and toxins, therefore detoxifying our bodies.

Crying moisten our eyes and prevent dehydration of membranes surrounding our eyeballs.  We need tears as they enable us to see, they provide the lubrication we need for healthy eyesight.

Crying has calming effects such as slowing of breath.  During the cry, you may have increased heart rate and sweating, however the calming effects usually last longer afterwards ... therefore remembering the pleasant side of a “good cry”.  

So remember, it’s your party and you can cry if you want to .... as crying does open up our hearts ... providing a safe space for clarity and clearing ... giving allowance to practice forgiveness and self-forgiveness.  And an opportunity to bring our mind, body and soul back in balance.

“Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened “ Dr. Seuss

" Laughter ... "

A laugh for the way my life has gone

A laugh for the love of a friend

A laugh for the fools in the eyes of the world

The love that will never end

A laugh for the newsprint nightmare

A world that never was

Where the questions are all "why?"

And the answers are all "because."

~ Bruce Cockburn ~ Laughter

***

You may have read that laughter is good for the body ... laughter heals.  Recently I read that when you start laughing, your body chemistry changes, your physiology changes, and your chances to experience happiness are much greater.  If you watch children, they laugh more frequently, in a playful manner.  And they laugh with their bodies not their minds.  Most adults laugh with our minds, we use judgements and evaluations about what’s funny and what isn’t.  Maybe we put too much thought into our laughter, maybe we are too serious, maybe we just need to play again.

Laughter can aid many people with life-threatening illnesses.  Studies have shown that ten minutes a day of belly laughs have an anesthetic effect.  The healing power of laughter.  How is this possible?  Well laughter increases circulation, stimulates the immune system, exercises the muscles, and invigorates the brain.  As well, other researchers have found that laughter can reduce stress hormones ... prevention in most dis-eases.  And according to one of my doctors, fake laughter can have the same beneficial effects ... the body has a hard time distinguishing fake from real laughter. 

So how do you laugh when nothings funny?  Start by opening your mouth into a wide smile and force your breath out.  You may feel a bit silly at first, but that is okay, the make-believe version often transforms into the real thing and it becomes more natural.  A simple experiment you can try is when sitting in traffic or feeling upset, laugh yourself out of it ... start with a fake laugh and you will be surprised how quickly your laughter will turn genuine.  Maybe just the thought of sitting there by yourself, faking a laugh will make it real ... just another way to relieve tension.  After practicing this on a daily basis, eventually your belly will ache from exertions and if nothing else, you will probably end up making someone else genuinely laugh hopefully with and not at you.

The most wasted of days is one without laughter ~ E.E. Cummings

" Helping Hand ... "

" Everybody needs a helping hand
Take a look at your fellow man
And tell me what can I do today
Everybody needs a helping out
If that ain't what it's all about
Tell me what
What can I do
What can I do today"

~ Amy Grant ~ Helping Hand ~

***

I find it really interested when I share the types of medications that I am currently taking on the Gerson Therapy with my Mommy girlfriends ... in particular, their ears perk up when they hear Colostrum.  Yes that is right, Colostrum, naturally produced by the mammary gland of a mother prior to the production of milk.  The difference being that the form we ingest during treatment is defatted.  


Why?  Well, whole Colostrum contains the natural fat, which includes fat-soluble vitamins.  When this is filtered or defatted, elements are removed that could cause allergic reactions.  The result is a Colostrum that is rich in protein and high levels of immunoglobulins.  Filtered Colostrum products can be very potent (40% or higher immunoglobulins) and are intended for the treatment of flu-type symptoms, severe colds, inflammation, and immune system disorder such as cancer.  They are quickly absorbed through the intestinal tract into the blood stream.


Jogging our memories, many of us have been told about how good mothers milk is for a newborn.  The reason being that  Colostrum provides life-supporting immune and growth factors that insures the health and vitality of the baby.  Therefore the connection being that Colostrum can aid in cancer treatment because in particular the Gerson Therapy focuses on the body's ability to heal itself.  Detoxifying the body and then flooding the body with nutrients, will help the body to rebuild.  And since Colostrum strengthens the immune system, many people who have trouble healing after surgery or are undergoing toxic treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, choose to support their healing.  Hence, as a means to strengthen the weakened immune system, oral consumption of Colostrum is simple, inexpensive and free of harmful side effects.  And since I am on a natural, alternative treatment for cancer, I can use all the help I can get to rebuild my immune system.  


So given the increasing incidence of cancer and our ongoing exposure to many carcinogens in our environment, it may be wise for many to incorporate an anti-cancer diet and lifestyle for prevention and maybe with a little help if you desire.  Of course, first consult your health practitioner when considering any form of medication, synthetic or herbal.  I for one am not in favour of self-medicating, yet am in favour of understanding your health.  Always, always, always do your research and know what you are ingesting in your body ... and know the benefits and side effects to determine if it is right for you. 

" Beautiful Day ... "

" You're on the road but you've got no destination

You're in the mud, in the maze of her imagination

You love this town even if that doesn't ring true

You've been all over and it's been all over you

It's a beautiful day 

Don't let it get away

It's a beautiful day

Don't let it get away"

~ U2 ~ Beautiful Day ~

***

In with a mighty roar, 2012, Year of the Dragon has the potential to breathe life-shaping fire, to be magical, even mythical ... and a mighty roar it was.  Once again we were fortunate for the opportunity to gig and "bling" in the New Year.  It was a fun night  ~ full of energy, joy and celebration.  Also a night for Russell and I to reflect upon 2011, and quite a reflection it was.  With reflections come realizations as well for which I am grateful for.   

Since we ventured home in the wee hours of new years day, we made sure that it remained a quiet one for us ... a chance to rest and rejuvenate, although still working the programme, yet made sure we napped in between juices, etc ... no days off from Gerson!   

So where do we go from here ... well some get on with their resolutions straight away, hitting the gym, detoxing, getting on the health kick band wagon ... others gracefully transition into a new life style.  Whatever you choice, the new year is like the setting of the sun on another day.  Because another year has passed and we will ask ourselves ~ did I do enough last year, could I have helped more, could I have loved more, did I lose more than I gained ... but really most questions point to if we lived out our purpose in the past year by growing, learning and teaching.  

So again we have another chance being offered to us with no strings attached, endless possibilities, new thoughts, new ideas and new adventures.  And although I still have trouble wrapping my head around some happenings of 2011, I realize that some things are still works in progress ... my superstitions make me want to keep them near to my heart for fear of jinxing them.  Yet I will take all those questions I have pondered over the last few days as a new starting point, a new marker.  One which has granted me the gift of life once more, freely.  

Let your past make you better not bitter ♥