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WELLNESS WORKS |
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Spring-Cleaning...inside and outBy Jillian Hopkins
The wheel of life has turned on the island dramatically over the last several weeks. It's springtime in its fullest grandeur! Yet, the sunshine that feels renewing to our spirit is also the same sunshine that streams through our windows revealing, undeniably, what we've accumulated and neglected over the winter months. Only the mega-triple-grandee bucket of cleaning supplies will do! The good news is the light gives us a golden opportunity to examine and clean the dirty grime scenes with the precision of a CSI forensic specialist! As we sweep away the dust-bunnies, squeegee our windows, scrub bathrooms and throw away scary science projects growing in our refrigerators, remember we are producing a happy and healthy living environment - a place where we can stretch, breathe and grow. We add to that feeling all the more by consciously including emotional, mental and spiritual house cleaning, too. Here are some ways to spring clean from the inside out! 1). Think Water Drink it - Hydrate, oxygenate and purify your blood and skin by drinking those recommended eight glasses of filtered water daily. To entice you, find a beautiful goblet or tumbler, add fresh lemon and attach a decal or a piece of tape with a word or image that symbolizes wellness, vitality or balance. Steam it - Make yourself a hot steamy bath with mineral salts and lavender oil. Soak to your heart's content. Close your eyes and see and feel your body light, agile, healthy and strong. Or, treat yourself to a professional facial or steam bath. You will feel squeaky clean, replenished and pure! 2) Think Air Clear the air physically - Put on some rock'n'roll and sweep, mop, dust, polish and de-clutter a room, a closet…at least, one drawer. Give away a bag of clothing (items you haven't touched in a year) to a homeless shelter or goodwill-related organization. Make space literally and metaphorically for new ideas, creative expression and other wonderful surprises. Think more space...more grace! Clear the air emotionally - If you're feeling distant from someone you care about, invite them to tea, for a walk or send them a card or flowers. Tell them how you feel, truthfully. If the relationship is more difficult and you prefer to not make contact in person, clear the air (for you) by writing an unedited letter you will never send. Or, explore whatever unresolved issues you may be carrying physically, mentally or emotionally with a health-care practitioner, energy or body-worker, who is versed in the mind/body approach to wellness. Ask for concrete tools to help you connect with and clear issues that may be blocking your over-all health and well-being. 3) Think Fire Light a candle - Warm your mind, body and spirit with positive images and thoughts. Select a soy or beeswax aromatherapy candle that induces a desired effect such as clearing, cleansing and peace. Blaze a new trail - Rejuvenate your spirit and soul by daring yourself to try something new and fresh; take an art or exercise class, taste a new food, plan an adventure to somewhere far away, volunteer for an organization you support or launch a campaign for a cause you believe in passionately! 4)Think Earth Ground and anchor any of these actions by honoring yourself daily. Begin a gratitude journal. Enter one thing you're grateful for each day. Plant a tree, pot a plant, create an herb garden and, as you do so, think of something you wish to nurture to life. So, on these beautiful spring days, enjoy springing into action, but don't forget to spring into stillness, too. Make sure to allow for quiet time. For it's in the stillness you can fully hear, taste, touch and see all of the new and wonderful things expressing life all around you… Including you!
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SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 |
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