Perspective

     There is this fabulous inspiration I receive five days a week from www.tut.com called Notes from the Universe.  Today I received this one: "If you can fall in love with just one thing about him, her, them, it, or you,  just once a day, and speak it aloud, you'll be surprised at how quickly this will transform your entire life."  I love this and here's why; we are programed to notice the things that trigger negative emotions inside of us and when we start giving more attention to the things we love, we change our triggers.  I'll use the example of someone you live with leaving their stuff all over the house.  Do you notice you make a huge deal out of this, but when they don't leave a mess, or do remember to clean up, it's barely a blip in your day?  Since we expect them to take care of their own mess, when they do it's a non-event.  So why are we giving most of our energy to negative things that make us feel crappy?  Why don't we turn it around, make the mess a blip and make the clean-up a big deal?  I'm not saying you have to do anything outwardly besides a thank you, but inside you can well-up with as much happiness at the clean house as you would anger at the messy one.  How would you rather feel?
      Along the same lines, I came across this quote months ago, "Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others."  I believe the only things I have any kind of control over are my actions, reactions, beliefs, and thoughts and every time I can shift my perspective my life gets better.  I search for tools to help me open my mind, break down my walls and limiting beliefs, and shift my perspective.  I'm now using this blog to share those tools with you, I hope you find them helpful and empowering.

Move it or lose it!

No matter how much (or how little) exercise you currently do, I highly suggest you start using Intu-flow exercises.  I especially recommend these if you have trouble moving or are in pain.  It is a gentle way to wake up your joints and muscles and move toward a pain-free body.  Sound good?
Intu-flow is a series of exercises I was introduced to by a fellow massage therapist a few years ago.  It's one of the things that helped me manage the arthritis in my hips before getting them replaced.  The exercises are range-of-motion (ROM) movements for each joint in your body and the full body can be done in about ten minutes once you get the hang of it and remember them.  I have been recommending these exercises to my clients since I found them because of the positive effects I experience when using them.  The link above provides access to five free video lessons.  The first two are an introduction to the instructor, Scott, and his method and the last three provide the beginner ROM techniques for the whole body.  ROM exercises help our joints remain flexible and are often a better choice than stretching.  As with any exercise make sure you take it slow in the beginning and don't push yourself past what feels comfortable.  I hope they help you as much as they help me!