How to deal with distractions

Each day I wake up and move into my meditation practice. Why? Because if I don't do it first thing, it might not happen. Even after years of practice, I can still be distracted--it's embarrassing to admit.

Make a list of your distractions:
FB, family, friends, calls, texts, email, cleaning, TV, anything that interferes with you getting your stuff done.

Once you know what you want to do, which is a very big first step, then you have to create the environment for it to happen.

1. Attach your new habit to an existing on. (I wake up; I meditate.)
2. When you catch yourself off task, immediately let it go and go back to the task. (Alert beeps on phone and pulls me out of my meditation, I come back to the meditation.)
3. Set yourself up for success. (Next time I turn off my alerts or my phone before I begin.)
4. Continue you doing what you set out to do until you achieve the desired results. (Know that this may be a long, long time.)
5. Evaluate and decide whether or not to continue. (Do I feel better when I meditate? Is my life calmer? Am I more focused? Yes.)

I realize that for so of us the task may be too great--being distracted while driving, at work, while spending time with our kids--yet, it's worth it to train our mind.

Can we train our minds? Absolutely. 

How long does it take? It varies from habit to habit and person to person.

One of the most important parts of working with individuals is helping them to figure out and follow through with changing their habits. Interested in learning more about how I can help you, schedule a complimentary wellness chat.

I'd love to hear about your challenges and successes! Comment below.

Burdock: Another Healing Weed from Nature

Burdock, pictured left, is something that by many is considered a weed. For 1000's of years, though, it has been known as a powerful herb used for a variety of maladies. It is used in Asian cooking and has been used by those Native to the Americas for it's healing and nutritive value.

You can use the root as you would ginger, although be sure to taste it beforehand and make sure the flavor works with what you are making. My favorite way to use burdock is to cut it into thin slices. Fry it in a cast iron skillet without oil. My Asian friends suggest frying it 9 times for the fullest effect. I have done this and it's a lot of work. I don't know that it makes the affects more potent and I have found no research suggesting this.

Filtering impurities from the blood is one of the main uses of burdock today. It is also used for skin irritations, as a diuretic and as a mild laxative. It is also considered an antioxidant and is an anti-inflammatory. Burdock root contains polyacetylenes that give it its antibacterial and antifungal properties. I recommend burdock tea during my Spring and Fall Cleanse. Join my in my Fall Whole Foods Cleanse. 

I don't purchase burdock because in Utah, burdock is plentiful and it's the perfect time of year to harvest it. To harvest burdock, wait until the plant has died and the flowers have withered. The root is the part of the plant that is used. Digging in moist soil is easiest. The root grows deep. Be prepared to use some muscle and get a little dirty. 

For more information or to purchase dried burdock root click here. I am not an affiliate and receive no monetary benefits if you buy from them. Burdock is considered safe for children and pregnant or lactating women. If you have questions, comment below. 
#burdock #cleanse #tea

What is Dharma?

Lately I've heard a lot of talk about Dharma. Most of the people I encounter talk about dharma as our life's purpose or even our primary profession. Patanjali gives us the yamas and niyamas as a guide for living well, which is dharma. 

According to Google, in Hinduism, dharma is the cosmic principle, virtue, righteousness, and duty, especially social and caste duty in accord with the cosmic order, and in Buddhism, dharma is the teaching or religion of the Buddha, one of the fundamental elements of which the world is composed.

Have you ever thought about:

•  why you're here on Earth

•  why you have your unique set of skills

•  your family and the circumstances you grew up in

•  why particular types of people or relationships keep showing up in your life?

I've worked through many practices, read lots of books and articles, participated in workshops and hired various helpers to find these answers.

Truly, though, no one knows about you or me. Our answers are found within each of us if we become still enough to hear the answers.

Take some time to be quiet each day--maybe in the morning before things become to busy or take a few moments around your mid-day break and then again, some time before you sleep.
Ponder the answers to these questions. The answers are within. 

Most humans do think about these things often. Some of us think about them more than others. Some of our religions or spiritual teachings discuss aspects or give us directives regarding these questions. There are also people, teachers, guides, mentors, coaches who are available to help us gain clarity. The answers are within. Guides are just that.

What is your dharma? What is the cosmic reason for your existence? If we are headed on a positive path, is that enough? 

This discussion barely scratches the surface; I'd love to continue this conversation below.