Well, ladies (and gents), I’ve been loving my new apartment with a lake view. It has given me some true relaxing time, staring out at the reflection that somehow always looks more interesting than the real thing.  I’ve been paying attention to a group of ducks that lives by the lake.  They are out swimming, flying, and playing every day.  I’m thankful for the fact that I get on-the-spot epiphanies from nature’s performance quite often.  This week was no exception.

The ducks launch from the lake’s edge frequently. One day I noticed the white raised wake that follows them to their destination.  It’s point is always at their tale.  It then spreads into arrow formation that, as the duck swims, gets wider and wider.  The wake points touch both sides of the lake by the time the duck reaches the upper end (see photo for reference).  And, if the duck stops, it stops and fades away.  If the duck changes direction, it follows him…

My initial thought prompted a nugget: The ducks, doing what they are supposed to do, create an ever-spreading effect on the lake that is totally controlled by their movement.

Application:  YOU and I can live with purpose (doing what we were meant to do) and affect the world with an ever spreading message that we can control by our movements.  I thought it was cool!

So, today, think about what message you want to bring to the world; how you will spread it; how far you want it to reach; and whom you want to receive it.

Be well-be beautiful-be happy!

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One White Duck

Fortunate Friday: The Simple Things

Photo by Celtes

Here at Women’s Life Link we focus on being well, beautiful, and happy. Joining us today for Wellness Wednesday is our own Dr. Lamse.  Read on for a few of her marvelous tips and remedies.  I recommend that you save this post under favorites or just print it out for quick reference.  Be well-be beautiful-be happy!

˜Kellie

Home Remedies: Be Prepared

By Anca Lamse, MD

WELLNESS: being healthy physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually; feeling good, looking good, smelling good, BEING good!

The Flu

Try to keep at least some of  these things in the house, so you can act RIGHT AWAY when the situation arises. If you come down with the flu, for instance, and you feel like you’ve been hit by a truck, you will most likely NOT go to the pharmacy at that time to get oscillococcinum.  The remedy works best if you take it right away, when the symptoms first emerge.

Two weeks ago I came home from work, felt GREAT, took a walk. 10 minutes after the walk my muscles and my joints started hurting all of a sudden, and I felt feverish+ had chills. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I took the oscillococcinum, sweated it out that night, and went to work the next day and functioned normally (albeit a bit slower). I felt perfect the following day.  It DOESN’T ALWAYS work this way, but it’s worth a try; no side effects! Inexpensive, too!

Using Essential Oils

GLOSSARY: essential oils (EOs): volatile compounds extracted from plants by distillation; can be quite POWERFUL; talk to a professional, if you have not used them before, or if you don’t know much about them. Dilute with vegetable oil if too strong.

• Keep out of reach of children; don’t rub your eyes after touching them without first washing your hands with dish soap.

• Mandarin and other citrus oils (bergamot, orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime) sensitize skin to the sun; do not expose area to the sun for 12-24 hrs after application; that’s why the citrus oils are often more handy in the winter than in the summer.

• I personally love mint-based oils for the summer.

• If you develop a rash, stop using the oil and call your doctor, if rash persists.

Homeopathic Remedies

See Dr. Weil’s post below (and also keep in mind that homeopathic principles were recognized in the Indian medicine for thousands of years, and Dr. Hahnemann from Germany rediscovered it in the 1700s). In Europe homeopathy is very popular, and it is used alongside with conventional medicine. Some argue that the remedies are so diluted, that the beneficial effects are actually placebo effects (they work because the person is expecting them to work). However, homeopathy often works well with children and animals; where is the placebo effect there? Anyway, like all alternative remedies, some people respond better to homeopathy than others.

You may get them at the health food store, and I also carry the most popular ones in my office.

Homeopathic Medicine, by Dr. Weil

Help for Common Ailments

• FLU (sudden muscle and joint aches, +/- chills/fever): oscillococcinum homeopathic remedy, available at most regular pharmacies

• DIARRHEA/food poisoning: charcoal and psyllium pills; may get at the health food store or my office. Take one of each, 2-3 times a day as needed. Do NOT take at the same time with meds/supplements because the meds/supps will not be absorbed. Separate the meds from the charcoal/psyllium by 2-3 hrs or so. Your stool may turn black from the charcoal.

• TUMMY ACHES/INDIGESTION: chamomile tea +/- essential oils. Play music that feels good (usually slow music, but listen to your body). Massage oil on abdomen and take regular, comfortable breaths.  There are many choices of EOs for abdominal discomfort.  Ginger-based, if you like the smell. Great in the winter, as it’s a warming spice.  Peppermint-based, especially in the summer.  Sandalwood- or mandarin-based.

• BUG BITES: niaouli- and amni visnaga-based essential oils.

• SMALL BURNS: lavender essential oil, apply 2-3 times a day. Studies have shown that small wounds (such as the patients in the Intensive Care Unit, who had their blood sugar checked every 4 hrs or so) heal faster if lavender is applied. Do not rely on lavender if wound/burn is severe. Make sure your tetanus shot is up to date.

• RESPIRATORY AND SINUS ISSUES: peppermint and eucalyptus-based essential oils for steam inhalation (put 3-5 drops of EO in 1 teaspoon of sea salt; add to 2 cups of hot water); hover over the hot water for 5-10 min twice a day as needed.  Be careful NOT to burn your face. Close your eyes, as the EO steam may bother them.

• FEELING BLUE: (depression also needs to be treated by a physician, if severe): neroli EO; citrus (orange is perceived as a very bright, ,”happy” oil by a lot of people; bergamot EO (diffusion only, as bergamot is very PHOTOSENSITIZING and you may get SUNBURN IF YOU PUT IT ON YOUR SKIN and then go out in the sun).

• FEELING ANXIOUS: chamomile homeopathic (if you feel irritable, like the person next to you is breathing too loud, maybe? coffea homeopathic if you feel jittery and cannot turn off your mind.  EOs: marjoram, may chang, lavender, sandalwood, palo santo.

• GROUNDING: cedar wood-based; you can also hug a tree

• UPLIFTING SCENTS: citrus (orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime) mint- or basil-based.  Mandarin, though a citrus, calms you DOWN and is not considered uplifting.  I love putting a combo of peppermint/rosemary/spearmint/cardamom EO on a Kleenex in my car, and enjoy it while I’m driving.  Quite exhilarating!

• SUDDEN BAD NEWS/GRIEF/TRANSITIONS/BREAK-UPS: Ignatia homeopathic cypress-based EO.

• FEARS/ANXIETY/CLAUSTROPHOBIA: I call the homeopathic Aconite “natural Xanax, or Valium” without the side effects.  Again, some people respond better than others to homeopathics.

• MUSCLE ACHES: after physically working unusually hard: Arnica homeopathic.  Epsom salts (contain magnesium, don’t use if you have kidney problems)  Marjoram-based essential oil bath salts. Marjoram is a great muscle relaxant (skeletal and smooth muscle), so it’s good for uterine spasm during menses, and for the big muscles. Don’t drive while smelling this; it’s very relaxing!

Here’s a few PERFUMERY tidbits, because genuine, unadulterated EOs have therapeutic properties. EOs are also antibacterial to a certain degree; some more than others.  So: this is perfume that can be healthier than conventional fragrances.

• FEMININE SCENTS: these may help women feel more attractive: ylang-ylang, jasmine, gardenia.  If you like more musky scents, or for evening events: sandalwood, patchouli, ginger-based oils.

• MASCULINE SCENTS: cedar wood, patchouli, sandalwood (musky, spicy scents can be unisex, i.e. both women and men may use them).

I wish you all to feel good, look good, smell good, BE good! This  is a topic of great interest. Please don’t be offended if I don’t respond to all of your email questions.  If condition persists after you’ve used the remedy, or the condition is severe to begin with, or if you are in doubt AT ALL, please consult your doctor!  Respect natural remedies and be safe.

Blessings,

Dr. Lamse

***The content of this article is strictly informational and is not meant to replace the advice of your health care provider.  Women’s Life Link, its authors, associates, linked sites, and commentators do not claim that any of the content will diagnose or lead to a cure or improvement of any disease or condition.

Photo by Maeve09

Photo 2 by Eviolinist

How many of are ready for your deepest desires and dreams to come true?  Now, how many of you don’t believe it can happen for you?

I’m Journey Coach, Kellie Stone, and I’m here to tell you that you can see your dreams manifest before your eyes. There is a saying that goes like this: You have not failed unless you stop trying.  Boy, have we all heard that one or others that tell us that we simply need to keep going, to hold vigil to our innermost dreams with each passing day; it gets a little redundant hearing the message.  Here’s the thing:  Why do so many give up, stop trying, even turn their backs on what it is they thought was SO important to them?  Quite an Introspection…

I’ve spent many days “pumped up” about the future, my desires, my hopes and dreams. On the contrary, there have been many that I’ve wallowed in the depths of despair due to the lack of motivation and faith to continue on the Journey to success.  You see, sometimes people whom you think have everything “together” are really struggling with many of the same things you are.  Life Coaches, Doctors, Counselors, Teachers, Ministers, and even Spiritual Gurus come to places of concern, challenge, and disappointment in the pursuit of life goals.  In fact, EVERYONE experiences this at one time or another!

What I’m going to tell you, anyone can do…anyone! That’s important considering too many women out there really believe that you have to posses some kind of X-Factor to get what you truly want and need.  Not so!  If you are teachable; you can accomplish anything you desire to! I’ve done these six steps and understand how they work. And, yes, doing all of them together DOES work!  My life is full of manifestations of dreams and goals.  Some I’ve had for years, and some are newborn babes.  OK, now for the keys to unlocking your dreams!

Step One:  Inception (origin: an event that is a beginning; a first part or stage of subsequent events)

You know how sometimes things are ugly at the beginning, ie., the pile of paint supplies before you paint; the mess of ingredients on the counter before the gourmet dinner; the wrinkled, red-faced newborn baby (still cute, but not pretty).  These examples are meant to help you see how “beginnings” are not always glorious, nor do they normally resemble the end result in any way, shape, or form.  The point is that you have start somewhere; it might as well be today, right?  The key is your intention: Are you making Lasagna or Spaghetti?  Do you want to write a book or a poem?  Clarify the what first.  And don’t worry about what it looks like.  Starting is a key to manifesting your dreams.

Step Two:  No Looking Back (Forward MARCH!)

You have now stepped onto a path…Your Journey. The length, breadth, and challenge level of that path is as unique as you and your dream.  As much as we all love to look back over our shoulders at what is behind us, this is not the time to do that.  Have you ever watched an Olympic track event?  Notice that the competitors don’t look around or back at who is near them.  They focus wholeheartedly on the finish line.  That is where the reward is.  If runners lose concentration for just one second, it could mean losing their position, falling, and eventually losing the race.  Sound familiar?  Forward focus is a key to manifesting your dreams.

Step Three:  Set Goals: (Goal Setting involves establishing specific, measurable and time-targeted objectives.)

This imperative step carries your “what” along the path with steadfast determination.  I’ve read and heard a lot about this step to success, and honestly, I think there is something that most people don’t understand: they don’t set obtainable goals.  Why aren’t they obtainable?  Because they don’t believe in their ability to obtain them.  You see, you can’t manifest anything you don’t believe…including the completion of a goal.  Setting believable goals is a key to manifesting your dreams.

Step Four: Invest Time, Emotion, and Effort Wisely:  (investment – the commitment of something other than money (time, energy, or effort) to a project with the expectation of some worthwhile result.)

A dream deserves your best, right?  It does if you want it to be a reality . You can’t just lay around and expect things to happen on their own (well, at least not everything).  Let me explain.  There is a thing called working smart that is WAY too often overlooked in leu of working harder.  Putting forth effort the right way and toward the right dream-enabling things will get you there far faster and with less stress than you can even imagine.  Your mind and emotions have more to do with your dreams than your toil and trouble do…really.  Keeping your mind, heart, and spirit focused on the positive outcome and how it will change your life is a key to manifesting your dreams.

Step Five: Track Your Progress (observe or plot the moving path of something).

It’s somewhat like following a map to your destination. If you don’t know how to do that, get a navigator or a Journey Coach.  Just make sure you know where you are with your goals at all times.  This is where you facilitate changes for an efficient passage to the end.  You also will see your finish line more clearly and with emotional gratitude.  Tracking your progress is a key to manifesting your dreams.

Step Six: Enjoy (derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in)

I highly recommend that you start step six from the beginning, carry it through the whole process, and lavish it at the finish line. You must find a way to love this path you’ve chosen or you WON’T get too far. Joy is a key to manifesting your dreams.

Now, if you notice, the six steps are actually an acronym for the word IN-SITE.  Inception-No looking back-Set Goals-Invest-Track-Enjoy

IN-SITE is also a coaching package that I will be offering on the new Women’s Life Link and corresponding sites that are under construction.  I will talk more about it in the coming weeks as I’m in the depths of my own IN-SITE process for my dream.  But if you can’t wait to hear about this opportunity to make your dreams come true, email me at womenslifelink@gmail.com.

Be well-be beautiful-be happy

Photo one by 6-58

Photo two by Obliwen-kenobi

Photo three by Padawan71

Photo four by ARA1985

Confidence: assurance: freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

Since I can remember, I have been a confident girl/woman. Now let me tell you exactly what that means, at least to me.  It means that I don’t freak out when asked to speak in front of people; I don’t mind walking into a crowded room; I’m not afraid to try new things (most of the time); and it doesn’t take much persuasion for me to talk about myself to others.

Now, let me tell you about a time when I crossed the line into the world of vanity. It went something like this:  I would not leave the house unless I had on full make-up, hair done, every article of clothing in place, and I knew I looked good.  Nothing wrong with looking good, but it was a little extreme when it caused me to be late, miss out on opportunities, and even hinder relationships.  I also would not shut up long enough to let anyone else talk.  I couldn’t because it was all about me.  I now know how much I missed by not listening to others.

Vanity: extreme love of self : feelings of excessive pride

The line (the really thin one) is almost invisible to those of us who are confident. We even use the “I’m a confident woman” as an excuse for our behavior.  When every thought, action, and plan we have becomes about ourselves, it’s time to take an inventory.  I did.  Vanity is something that can capture you, wrap you up, and render you as helpless as being without confidence.  It repels people and opportunities.

What is Confidence, Really?

Confidence is not a trait that many are just born with. Though some seem to possess it from a very young age…the preschooler who always starts the games and activities; the first-grader who always raises her hand; the middle school girl who tries out for the cheer team “just because” and actually makes it.  You know those types, don’t you?  Usually confidence is gained over a period of time by being yourself and having positive results come from your thoughts and actions.  Others notice you for being genuinely caring and interested in them and the world around you.  Confidence.  Then you have the ones who fly quickly past confidence and go straight to vanity.  Here’s some insight into how they might act:

What is Vanity, Really?

The vain woman is a delicate creature who needs to have praise, attention, and be as perfect as possible at all times. They think that everything and everyone around them is focused on them; therefore, they have to obtain perfection.  The funny thing is that though perfection is the goal, the woman may be clueless to what is expected or even wanted by those around her.  For example: a businesswoman- a vain one- gets a new position at a prestigious company.  She is determined to show off her goods in beauty and in talent.  Barely passing the office door, she is already flirting with the men, making the women uncomfortable, and assuming that the boss is putting all of his or her eggs in her basket.  She has inadvertently shot herself in the foot with her inappropriate behavior.

Everything is Not About You…or Me

Time to get a clue, ladies and gentlemen (I know you men read WLL, too). You know who you are.  At this point in our existence and the crucial time in our history, we need to start thinking about the greater good of mankind as opposed to “what can I get out of  this?”.  Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for give and take and getting something in exchange for your hard work.  But here’s the thing:  keep in mind that there are 6 billion other people on the planet who are just as valuable as you are.  Furthermore, they are not all alive to serve you, to love you, to praise you, or to even look at you for that matter.  So, start thinking about your actions and thoughts in terms of how you can bring a little more focus on others and get it off of yourself.  Vanity is nothing more than a tool of self-destruction.

For the sake of creating a short book on the issues of vanity, I will end this post here. However, if this is a topic that you’d like to hear more about, leave a comment or feel free to email me directly at womenslifelink@gmail.com.

Be well-be beautiful-be happy!

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Photo by NeBulepTiK

Women’s Life Link  is participating in one of the Web’s premiere blog giveaway events this coming September called Blogmania.  To be exact, it’s September 15th and 16th.  Trust me; you want to join in on the fun and generous giveaways we and our fellow bloggers are bestowing on our readers!  We will be highlighting our vendors and their fabulous prizes over the next couple of months, so hang with us for more details.  I also wanted to tell you about an upcoming Twitter party that is coming up in a month that includes prizes!  Thanks for visiting! 

Be well-be beautiful-be happy!

Blogmania bloggers are all about building relationships – between our blogs, our cherished readers, the online community and business owners. We value each other’s opinion as we all are endeavoring to make the best choices for our home life. So it seemed natural to partner up with The Lane Real Estate Team and Breebee’s blog to bring you our first ever twitter and blog blast party.

The Lane Real Estate Team is all about building relationships through communities – specializing inKennewick Homes for Sale. And Bree is a blogger – and a mom – trying to think outside of the box and help build community ties in NW Columbus OH via her Kid event website! Our other twitter party sponsors also offer items to help strengthen and maintain relationships – from stationary to hand stamped sentiments.

Our Party Theme: “Building toward Blogmania with The Lane Real Estate Team” [http://www.joelane.com/]

Info on the Blog Blast:

If you post on your blog(s) our announcement between now and the twitter party you will be entered to win $100 cash. If we reach 500 blogs there will be two additional $50 drawings, totaling 3 winners! You can email me,breejanderson@gmail.com or blogmaniapr@gmail.com for the HTML code for blog(s) links and some posting specific OR ask the post owner for info and that blog owner will provide you an HTML code.

Please return with your specific blog post links on Bree’s Blog, under her Twitter Party PAGE tab.

Info on the Twitter Party:

9:30-10:30pm, Sunday, EST we will party!

There is a custom tweet grid and a linky for early RSVP. RSVP’ing early also enters you into special drawings. You do not have to RSVP to tweet and win but the ‘extra’ will not be available.

You can win both the blog blast and at the twitter party!

RSVP at BreeBee’s:

Photo by Ady-MUM

As a writer and Journey Coach, I will always advocate journaling as a way to express your innermost feelings and thoughts without fear of judgement or comments from others.  There is more to it than that though.  Because of our nature, we forget things…even important things that we should remember.  Profound moments happen all the time.  When we listen to our hearts and our ideas, we have the opportunity to take a souvenir from our Journey and continue on with it until it’s time to let it go.  Here are the top reasons I tell my coaching clients to journal on a regular basis.

1.  Journaling allows us continual access to thoughts and feelings from past moments that are significant.

2.  When you look back at what was important to you then, you can compare to the changes or similarities you are experiencing today.  I believe that true passion and purpose is revealed in seeing what doesn’t leave you over time.  Those driving forces have always been there and will continue to be there until your dreams and/or purpose shifts (more on that later).

3.  Journaling is a way to be accountable to yourself.  Writing down your vision and goals will increase your chances of accomplishing them.

4.  It is a true measure of self-growth.  You will reveal your authentic self in your writing if you’re honest and journal without inhibition…that’s the point, really.  Try it; it’s liberating!

5.  The information you put to paper or hard drive will be invaluable to you when you decide to write a book, a song, help someone else, teach, tell your grand-kids about your life, or simply revisit your life. 

Happy Journaling!

Be well-be beautiful-be happy!

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Photo by CadyElle

I wanted to help a fellow blogger celebrate the birthday-anniversary of a man who has touched and inspired many around the world.

 ”Words do not lose their truth by time or misinterpretation, but stand unscathed longer than he who spoke them.”

 ˜Henry David Thoreau

Happy birthday, Henry David Thoreau!  Thank you for your contribution to the world.

Be well-be beautiful-be happy.

Do you ever just see yourself, your life, and your future as being a part of one big scene of camouflaged wilderness?  You know…it all seems to blend in without uniqueness or boldness.  I had an experience as I was looking out on the lake last night, and I valued it so much, I thought it worthy of posting.  It’s extremely dark in the area where I live.  If it weren’t for the lights around the pool and clubhouse, you would barely be able to see anything.  However, lights from the apartment buildings reflect on the water just enough to enable you to see an occasional hungry fish jump for a bug or the young family of ducks wander the gamet of the lake until their mom calls them back.  Last night was especially dark, so I was a little bummed that I couldn’t see any of the usual wildlife in action. 

And then, I saw him…or her.

A beautiful white duck swimming toward me.  I had not seen it before.  It wasn’t of the brown duck family.  It was the proverbial “sign” that suddenly gave me inspiration where there was none. 

He continued to swim around for awhile, just long enough for me to “get it”.  I realized that I want to be the white duck in a pond of brown ones; that I want to stand out in contrast to the dark, muddy lake; that I CAN create a life that is extraordinary!  Yeah, all that from the appearance of…One White Duck.

It’s our responsibility to bring our uniqueness to the forefront; to allow others to glean from our brilliance and gifts; to make a statement loud enough to be heard from a distance; to shine in our darkness and that of others. 

So, I ask you today: Are you living a “white duck” life?  Are you fulfilling the purpose of your special “contrast” to the world?

Tell us your “white duck” dream. 

Be well-be beautiful-be happy

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Photo by Webworm

I recently visited Dr.Terri Hawkins-Fox for a Bio-Communication assessment.  Though I understand the results are not to replace traditional diagnosis, I put great faith in the programs ability to pin-point the body’s weaknesses and determine what it needs in order to be balanced.  My first time experience with Terri’s new equipment was nothing less than amazing.  After placing my right hand on the metal reader, it was in less than five minutes the printer spit out a lengthy clinical report that included diagrams, explanations of body weaknesses, and details of what products I needed to begin peeling away the layers of imbalance in my body.

Because it’s so important to know where you are when starting a campaign to better health, the program first locates weaknessnes in all areas by giving you a Baseline reading.  This crucial data tells your health care provider what she/he needs to know in order to assess you correctly.  The report concluded that my body needed to first work on my lungs and something called a miasm, specifically an inflammation miasm.  The fact that these two areas popped up did not surprise me as I had spent years in a moldy environment without protection from its affects.  The second thing proved that I have been dealing with a genetic weakness in the inflammation department for a LONG time.  The miasm has likely caused much of the muscle and joint pain that I’ve suffered with for much of my life. 

For 2 months, I have been taking two homeopathic supplements that the program recommended to put over 30 stressors into balance in my body.  With much elation, I have noticed an improvement in my lungs, with my vocal range coming back and less pain when I breathe.  A success that I needed!  With the miasm supplement, I have been feeling a tad sore and achy, “a normal reaction,” says the doc.  I am on my way to being free of that burden very soon.

I just had my second appointment with Dr. Hawkins-Fox recently and have been set up with my next 4 areas to work on.  I will keep you updated on my progress and the amazing information that the bio-communication technology can give us.

Be well-be beautiful-be happy

Photo by Stevekrh19

***The content of this post is not intended to replace professional advice from your health care provider.  Women’s Life Link, it’s authors, associates, commentators, or linked sites do not claim that any information will diagnose, treat, improve, or cure any disease or condition.

Stop Pretending To Heal Your Life

Photo by Sortvind