Yikes!!! Yesterday it was a nice warm day and I played golf before work, this morning there is 3 inches of snow and it is cold out there.  Lately I have been thinking about the long bout with the cold and flu I had for over three week.  Normally I am totally healthy and do not get sick so I began to wonder about the circumstances that created and maintained this long lasting cold and sore throat.  When I get stuck for answers I tend to go in search of ideas from other people, the web, books and articles.  

In my search I came upon these ideas and wanted to share them with you in the hopes that we could all benefit from an expanded level of consciousness about what makes us healthy and what my cause us to get ill:

•    First idea was that our body responds very directly to our thoughts.  If we are focused on what is not ok in our life, on what is wrong, who is to blame etc. that focus has a disturbing affect on our health.  So a negative mindset can be a cause of illness.  The thoughts we have may cause us to get sick.  
•    Second idea is that when we get sick we tend to focus on what feels bad, what hurts, how tired we are, how low energy we feel and that focus makes getting well more difficult.   So a focus on the challenging symptoms may cause the illness to continue or even get worse.  The body is responding to our thoughts.   
•    Third idea is that when we are ill it is best to focus on well-being; when wanting health we need to focus on what is hopeful, positive and makes us feel good.  As stated in the first idea, the body responds very directly to our thoughts.  Thought focus on well being, gratitude, appreciation, uplifting emotions and positive outcomes create health, well-being and great results.
•    Fourth idea is that to get ill is not an indictment on you but rather points out that your mind is working in a way that is not health producing.  This is another reminder of the importance of being aware of and questioning our thoughts.  The attention of the mind shapes your health and well-being.  

I hope you found these ideas helpful.  They seemed insightful to me and will make it easier for me to keep aware of my own well-being in ways that assure my health and happiness.  Please feel free to share these ideas if you know someone would benefit from them.  
 


 Peace Letter #65

Dear President Obama,

Postponing your trip to push the Healthcare bill is a wise move and part of making your important agenda happen.  Now would you postpone any further buildup of the war in Afghanistan for the good of our country and the welfare of our citizens in need?

In our state of Colorado, which is already last of the 50 states in providing services to those with mental health issues, the budget mess this country is in is even further crippling us.  This mess is because of war and the other disasters of the past administration.     

Joseph Bernard, Ph.D.

Join me and send President Obama emails of support and encourage the end of war and the other dysfunctional ways of government at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

A few years ago I read Intention by Wayne Dyer.  The book was powerful for me but time passed and I forgot about the book and the importance of having intentions.  In a recent conversation with a co-worker the subject of having intentions was brought up and it reminded me to return to setting intentions daily.  Now I have a notebook next to my computer and each morning I write my intentions.

I have decided to daily set my intentions for several reasons: 

•    First, it is great to get clear about what we want to make happen this day and in our lives.  If we understand our intention for today, for the week, for the year we have a chance of making it happen.  If we don’t know where we want to go we won’t know if we get there.
•    Second, if we have some idea of the results we want to create then our mind and intuition go to work to help us get there.  It is as if with clarity of intention we activate the parts of us that help reach the goals we desire.
•    Third, intentions create energy that has the capability of drawing into our lives what we want.  This energy is a very attractive force and things seem to fall into place when we know what we want.
•    Fourth, with intention we can move past any stuck places or any sense of helplessly.  We set a course with intention and that motivates us to think past what isn’t working toward what we want to make happen.  Leaving what isn’t working behind is a positive thing.

The plan is to write the intentions (as many as you want) everyday and then be open to the ideas, inspiration, and higher forces that are waiting to guide us.  Then when we are guided it is important, and a key to success, that we do our best to follow the guidance.  These directing force are what clear and consistent intentions activate.  Great clarity and persistence will bring about great results.  

 

Tip – Make sure your intentions are written with positive language and are focused in the now.  Think big and go for the best in you.  

Here are two of my intentions written as affirmations to give you examples:
1.    I Am guided by my Higher Self to be an ever expanding force for peace, compassion and consciousness on the planet
2.    I open to new and amazing opportunities coming to me now in wonderful ways



Peace Letter #65

Dear President Obama,

Intention is a powerful force.  When you get clear about positive changes in this country and set the course through your leadership the intentions will gather the energy of the people to bring about the best results.

Three intentions most people share with you:  Peace, Healthcare for all, and taking care of our planet.  Lead us please by example and clarity of intention.  Ask us to rise up and be the possibilities in us.  

Joseph Bernard, Ph.D.

Join me and send President Obama emails of support and encourage the end of war and the other dysfunctional ways of government at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact


I have to admit to growing impatient with the whole fight against healthcare reform.  Why are people not seeing through all the rhetoric and reading between the lines?  This being run like sheople by political views is nonsense and plays completely into the hands of the corporations who profit hugely at a giant cost to all of us.  The insurance industry does not provide health care, medicine, hospitals, research or anything else except costs.  All the needed services come through other business entities, corporations, and organizations.  We do need their gate keeping their limits to our services, nor their controlling requirements.  This seems so clear at so many levels that real change is needed and a public option is essential or even better we can all have medicare. 

It is time that people look beyond their closed minded ideas and instead look to how we can make healthcare affordable to everyone.  Excellent healthcare is a right for all Americans not just those who can afford it.  It is fundamental right much more than large profits for share holders and CEO’s.  How come people are arguing for the continued benefit of corporations rather than their own needs? 

Government is not bad but it is certainly not working as well as it could.  The financial influences in DC are corrupting the process.  However without government we would be in one heck of a mess.  If corporations were the governing body we would be even more of a mess.  Government has elections and built in safeguards like the executive, the judicial and the legislative.  Corporations exist only to make profits with little concern for the people or the planet. 

Taxes are part of every successful democracy on the planet.  We cannot have healthcare, fire department, police, schools, national security and so much more without taxes.  Fair taxes are needed not tax cuts mostly for the wealthy. We cannot wage and cut taxes.  Let’s instead end the wars and be willing to pay reasonable taxes for what serves us all. 

These are not some political ideas offered here but the reality of the imperfect world we live in.  Next time someone is bashing the government and healthcare reform ask them what ideas do they have to make the system work better.  If they say lets keep it the same then I would ask how will that work for the many people who have little or no coverage?  This seems like a matter of compassion and the realization that we are all connected to each other.  Whenever any of us suffers because of greedy systems then the whole planet is burdened by the lack of heart. 

Please write, email or call your elected officials today in Washington DC and tell them to support the healthcare reform that you believe will make a positive difference. 




Peace Letter #64

Dear President Obama,

Please end the war and provide us with good healthcare instead.  If all people on the planet have a home, food, healthcare and an opportunity for a meaningful life then there is no need for war.

Yes it is that simple.  We prefer the peaceful simple way because that is what is best for the most of us.   

Joseph Bernard, Ph.D.

Join me and send President Obama emails of support and encourage the end of war and the other dysfunctional ways of government at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact



Here are the second 15 points I wanted to share with you to invite you to consider being more fully who you are capable of becoming for the good of us all: 

16.    Accept yourself without question – To set yourself completely free to live an amazing life you must learn to fully accept yourself.  All self-doubt originates from your formative years and none of it is true.  Begin today to fully and completely accept yourself just as you are.
17.    Explore your potential – The human potential is limitless.  How have you explored what is possible within you?  What desires inside are calling you clearly toward your higher expression?  Who do you want to become?
18.    Be in the moment – Of course where else could you live except in the now.  Unfortunately your mind too often slips back into the past or wanders off into the future.  The present is where all the action is and the only real place you can be. 
19.    Live your truth – You know what is truth for you and what is not.  When you live in truth your life feels right and energizing; when you ignore truth then you feel at a loss and unable to have a real passion for living.
20.    Seek and be open to inspiration – Inspiration is all around you in the song of a bird, in a walk in nature, through an intuitive moment, through the writings of another, by way of a great piece of music and on and on.  All you have to do is be open.
21.    Practice never ending improvement – Each day if you do one thing to get smarter, be more tuned in, live healthier or spread more compassion then soon you will be a much better version of yourself and happier.
22.    Treat all life as sacred – All life forms are sacred because they all have the same source or creative force of the universe.  You are part of this sacred web and remembering that will empower your life in an infinite number of ways.
23.    Explore unity consciousness – If you realize your connectedness to everyone and everything on the planet, you also realize that what you do does matter.  In the silence of deep awakening is the realization of the divine nature in all of us.  Live the way of Namaste.
24.    Take action on your dreams and desires – Dreams and desires reside in you for the purpose of encouraging your growth.  As you take the path towards what you want you will discover energy and support from the universe to help you realize your dreams. 

25.    Find your courage and live with determination – Courage resides in the heart and determination is the soles of your feet.  Move forward with clarity, step past the fear, and keep going to the finish line.  Only the courageous live life fully.
26.    Follow through with your commitments – Commitments are promises to self and others that mean something to you and those who matter.  Your word is powerful so give it when you mean it.  Do what it takes to fulfill your commitments and you will sleep peacefully at night.
27.    Learn to be centered – When centered you move about your life with power, determination and fluidity.  Always meet the world from your center and you will achieve great things in a relaxed way.
28.    Live big, let your light shine – There is within you the most incredible light and the world needs you to let it shine.  Play big, express yourself fully and be a beacon of inspiration, purpose and passion.
29.    Take charge with humility - You and everyone else has a powerful ego.  Please contain the ego for the good of all and instead be humble enough to live impeccably within your own quiet higher nature.
30.    Walk on the earth with respect and be peaceful – Walking respectfully and peacefully through every aspect of your life will be a blessing that will return to you in endless ways.  There will be many who will be glad to call you a friend.



Peace Letter #63

Dear President Obama,

Yes it is time to be courageous and pass the healthcare bill but it is weak without a public option and frankly feels like a sell out by Congress if it is not included. 

The other courage needed is to get us out of the mess in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The people do not support either of these wars so please listen to us and do what is right.

Joseph Bernard, Ph.D.

Please Join me and send President Obama emails of support and encourage the end of war and the other dysfunctional ways of government at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Expanding your mind of ideas will greatly enrich how you go about life.  The following are fifteen different ways of being worth fully exploring as you go about your life each day:

1.    Meditation - is a practice of quiet contemplation and taking back your mind from the chaos of thoughts.  There are many forms of meditation.  Most communities offer classes and there are vast resources online and around the world
2.    Spirit as guide, higher self, higher power – there are much greater forces within you beyond the workings of your ego and personality.  These forces are worth exploring and when you want to learn more about your higher nature opportunities will present themselves. 
3.    Live with purpose – you are here on the planet like the rest of us with a specific purpose that only you can realize.  The rest of us are counting on you to be you as fully as you can. 
4.    Open your heart – The heart is your contact with the world.  If your heart is open you build meaningful relationships and experience life as fulfilling.  Compassion is a key ingredient in transforming the planet from struggle to peace.
5.    Take control of your mind – Your choice is to either be mindful and shape your experience of life or let your conditioned ego-mind run your life.  One is running your mind and the other is being run by your mind.
6.    Pay attention to your feelings – Feelings bring color and depth to your life and if they are pay attention to, they are the best guide as to what is best for you and what will bring you the most happiness.  Focused feeling can power you to success.
7.    Keep the body fit and eat right – The body is more than a your transporting unit, it is the feeling and action center.  A healthy body makes you feel more alive and good food keeps that aliveness energized. 
8.    Learn to listen to others and self – Listening is true gift to others and essential to your for a rewarding life.  Listening means hearing with your heart and have compassion for the journey of each being.
9.    Express your creativity – There has never been found a limit to creativity in any human being.  You are creativity waiting to be expressed in your own unique way. Express yourself for the good of all.
10.    Let the Child play – Inside of you is a child, mostly that child wants to remind you that being playful is important to how you experience life.  Sometimes the child was pushed away too early and it lies inside in a ball hoping you will invite it out to play to help make you whole.
11.    Ask questions, explore beliefs - You were given a mind to question all your thoughts and beliefs.  The world is really in need of questioning minds who can see through the blinders of limiting beliefs and closed minds
12.    Develop Impartiality – Your ability to move beyond the judging mind and simply be a witness to your own process is transformative.  If you can watch and be accepting of yourself, you can do the same for others.
13.    Explore Higher Consciousness – The goal of the game of life is to become more awake and aware and thereby free yourself to make healthy and vibrant life choices.  The more you are conscious, the more you can help others be awake and aware.
14.    Be positive about money – Money is energy, you can view money any way you want.  You can be open to having all the money you want and use money for the good of humanity or you can judge other who have money and keep it from flowing through your life.   
15.   Trust is a powerful practice – if you can learn to trust yourself and those around you, you then liberate yourself to be more fully the potential that resides in you.  Trust the universe and things will flow in abundance.

Part two tomorrow will add 15 more to this list.  Have a good Monday and live as fully as you can.