Category: Getting Older

Learning from Their Life Choices

Learning from their life choices is a great way to avoid some pitfalls. In this instance I’m referring to my mother. I have cared for her the last five years. In spite of my age (67), this past week I’ve seen clearly how my own choices can be improved.

Choose Your Viewpoint

Learning from their life choices, is influenced by the viewpoint we select.

  1. Looking downward in judgement
  2. From a place below them, feeling defensive
  3. Stretching out with care and curiosity

#3 is a viewpoint that enriches our lives and the lives of others. We are equal on this earthly plane. In fact, the equality is based on our sameness. Furthermore, we are all on this earth to learn, grow, and find our uniqueness, our special way we can help each other.

You Don’t Need to Feel Apologetic

If you feel a burden to others, remember “It’s okay.” You are teaching them something valuable.

If you feel you are or have been burdened by others, remember, “It’s okay.” Their difficulty is a window into your internal struggles. This is even true when they are no longer in your life.

We can bring memories into the present moment, activate our curiosity about what we can learn from it and transform the memory into a peaceful, heart-filled new reality.

Add a Dose of Gratefulness

I find meditation is a beautiful way to start the day. The Ten Percent Happier app is my go to place each morning. For instance, today Anushka Fernandopulle led me through a ten minute Grateful for Your Body meditation. It was exactly what I needed.

I invite you to download the Ten Percent app and try it. If it resonates, keep it and pay for it. Yes, I know there are tons of free meditations on YouTube. If you are happy with that and use it everyday, you need look no farther. For me, I find the helpful words of the meditation experts on Ten Percent Happier app are exactly right for me.

When the Soul Speaks – Listen

When the Soul Speaks – listen. Our souls speak to us everyday, but most of us don’t hear it. We dismiss all the information we receive, even if it’s screaming at us.

The photo above is three of us ‘girls’ at the 50th high school reunion check-in table. Certainly, it is common to wear black to any function. It is instantly elegant, most people look good in it, and it makes us appear thinner, right?

Usually, I opt for bright colors, but this time I chose black and white. Although the pattern is certainly flame-like. This is a hint of my Sagittarius self, one of the fire signs. Did my soul know this perfect picture was coming later when I plucked this blouse from the hanger? I think, “Yes!”

Likewise, my soul was adamant that I stay out with the name tags until there were no more arrivals.  This time, when the soul speaks – listen was heeded. Eventually, I had to go into the crowded, noisy room full of people I thought I needed to see.

All the energy of the room felt like I was walking through a curtain of kelp on the ocean floor, intent on finding a safe spot where I could observe rather than feel boxed in.

You can see in this picture, I found that safe spot at the back of the room. Furthermore, two people I didn’t know were at the table. Perfect!

Now, step back, squint your eyes a little. What do you notice?

Yes, it’s the perfect yin yang symbol setup behind me with my blouse a sort of portable yin  yang statement, anchoring the photo.  Here’s a funny ‘behind-the-scenes’ fact. I had just finished eating a fabulous healthy green salad, southern green beans, and the best tenderloin steak ever from The Catering Company of Central Florida . As my friend, Larry, snapped the photo, I could just imagine all the green stuff in my teeth and gums. Therefore, my smile is very much subdued… for me.

Each of Us is Unique

A few weeks ago, I posted about a 10-day detox. This post is a follow up of sorts. Certainly, it is an example that each of us is unique.

My hopes were high that I would feel much better following Dr. Hyman’s Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox. At the end of 10 days, I was ecstatic.

  • My joint pain was gone or greatly diminished
  • Sugar no longer held me in an addictive grip
  • My sleep improved
  • I was all in for a life long change

Suddenly I Felt Awful

Nausea started to ruin my days as I added back my first food, legumes. Logic would suggest it was the legumes. Well, logic, you were wrong. Nevertheless, I cut out legumes.

The nausea kept up and my adherence to the Blood Sugar Solution faltered and then crashed. I happily started back my morning coffee with half and half. It was like meeting an old friend. Soon wheat returned to a lesser degree. Via my 23andMe health DNA test, I knew I have one of the two markers for celiac disease. As a result, I dropped the wheat again. It was so disappointing when the joint pain shot up once more.

Hope on the Horizon

My thoughts returned to the knowledge that each of us is unique. Therein lay my hope.

Part of the reason I returned to my previous diet was I expected results from a finger prick IgG 184 Food Panel in a matter of days. I’m fortunate to have found a chiropractor who offers this lab test when her patients need it.

And the Results Are In

Let’s start with what I can’t eat:

  1. Wheat, bran, buckwheat, millet
  2. Pineapple
  3. All cow and goat dairy, all eggs, all cheese except one
  4. Almonds, cashews, pine nuts, and pistachios

What can I eat?

  1. The 164 other foods listed
  2. All meat and poultry
  3. Any fish or shellfish
  4. All vegetables
  5. Any legume, including peanuts and soybeans
  6. Blue cheese and sheep’s milk
  7. All other fruits
  8. All beverages, honey, and yeast
  9. The remaining 15 nuts, seeds and oils
  10. Any herb, spice, or flavoring

What’s the Best Thing?

Now I’m on an elimination diet that is specific for me. The snacks of almonds and cashews on the Blood Sugar Solution diet were making me sick. In contrast, most people have no problem with almonds.

How Does an Elimination Diet Work?

I’ve eliminated the foods I have a reaction to. This will last for twelve weeks until February 1, 2021. Then I will pick the food I most want and eat it 3 times in 1 day, in it’s purest form.

Then comes the fun part. I wait 72 hours and record all the effects:

  • Fatigue
  • Bloating
  • Constipation
  • Foggy brain
  • Diarrhea
  • Any other undesirable symptom

I’m hoping none of these effects show up. Then I can add that food back into my diet. If I do have an undesirable effect, I eliminate it again.

How Do I Feel About This?

Above all, I am relieved to know my food problems. I relish using my creative side to find new ways of enjoying breakfast.

Yes, it is the most challenging meal. However, my saving grace is morning coffee with Silk Soy Creamer.

Final Thoughts

Each of us is unique, our bodies amazing creations. I believe it is our responsibility to move toward understanding ourselves, one step at a time.

Sending you love and caring,
Dawn