Thursday, March 26, 2009
Happy Birthday 2009
This was originally posted in March 2008:


This is such a special time of year - spring, my favorite season, has arrived...and my daughter and I celebrate our birthdays within days of each other. It has become a family tradition for me to write a poem to celebrate our special events...especially birthdays. Because this last year has been such an amazing period of spiritual growth and enlightenment for both of us, I decided that instead of the traditional poem, I wanted to write something special for her... and I know she wouldn't mind if I shared it with you:


If I Knew Then What I Know Now…


I would live a life without regrets. I would know the past is just that…
it is over and done, and can’t be changed –no matter how hard I try.

I would see worry and fear for what they really are: a waste of energy…
because the only power I have is over this moment, right here, right now.

I would recognize the power of choice that is mine in every situation in my life…
and would use it to focus on the positive,the lessons, the possibilities.

I would live in acceptance of my limitations and faults, as well as those of others.
And I would always remember that I may not be perfect, but that’s ok.

I would allow myself to only count the blessings and live in gratitude...
and I would know that wanting and needing are definitely not the same thing.
I would see difficulties and challenges for what they really are:
opportunities to learn, change and grow.

I would love myself for who and what I am...
in spite of my flaws and imperfections, and I would always
embrace the fact that I am a work in progress.
I would know that caring, sharing and giving are really the
greatest gift I can give to myself, and others.

I would make the most of each and every moment,
because I know how precious they really are.

Most of all, I would live my best life...
because I know that is the only way
to honor myself, and God.

Happy Birthday Laura...
with love always & forever,
Mom xoxo
Written at 11:20 PM by Andrea.
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Saturday, March 14, 2009
Clear the Clutter, Clear your Mind!
Things have been a bit overwhelming the last few months...I've discovered that if you take on too much - even if it's doing things you love - you can pay a price both physically and mentally. You would think that by now I would have learned this lesson, but evidently I am a slow-learner, and I recently found myself back in that endless cycle of pushing myself way too hard. And with that came the need to put off my usual habits of keeping things in my life organized.

Yes, I am one of "those" as a friend likes to say - I like things to be in their proper place. My motto has always been if you put things where they belong, you know where to find them, making life less stressful. Years ago I managed an advertising company and used to hound my staff to keep their desks neat, as I've always believed that it's impossible to have a clear mind when you have a cluttered workspace.

So when I tell you that I hadn't filed any papers - personal or business - for over 3 months, you might better understand how little time I had been devoting to things that are usually important to me. About two weeks ago things had become really stressful - I was continually finding myself in situations that required lots of clear-thinking and decison-making - and I found myself struggling to find my way.

Things finally got to the point where I realized I was getting nowhere fast and decided I needed to just to let it all go and take a break. I took a look at the desk in front of me, and the mounds of unfiled paperwork, and began filing and organzing. An hour later I found myself at my personal desk and began doing the same thing - cleaning out the old receipts and paid bills files...filing and organizing all the paperwork that had accumulated. I eventually found myself in my closet - pulling out clothes that I hadn't worn all winter - I figured if I haven't worn them this winter, I surely wasn't going to be wearing them in the spring or summer...

A few hours later I was tired, but feeling much more peaceful. It felt so good to finally have things organized - and I realized that spending hours doing seemingly mindless work had created an opportunity for my ever-working mind to take a break. That night I had a restful night's sleep (I think cleaning out a closet is a great work-out...lots of stretching and lifting!!) as I felt mentally and physically at peace.

The next morning I found myself with a clear mind, ready to tackle the projects I felt so overwhelmed by the night before. And once again I stand reminded that it is imperative to find a way to take a break from the cycle of always doing, and to sometimes just "be." To honor the things that are important to us - no matter how small they may seem. Because when we do, we are creating an environment in which we can find peace no matter how hectic life becomes!
~ Andrea :-)
Written at 8:33 AM by Andrea.
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Sunday, March 1, 2009
Add self-refelction to the list...
When you know better, you do better.
~ Oprah

Life is full of second chances...we make mistakes, hopefully we learn from them, and make better choices the next time we are in a similar situation.

I have made a lot of mistakes in my lifetime...have learned lots of lessons, and made better choices because of it. But I've recently learned one of the most valuable lessons of all: just because you know better, doesn't always mean you will do better.

Having uncovered many "secrets" to health and healing after a very long journey searching for answers to my own challenges, I wanted to share my discoveries with others in the hope that perhaps I could ease their burden. I created a website and later wrote a book, and suppose that over time I came to see myself as somewhat of an "authority"on living a more enlightened life. I don't view myself as an expert, but rather a graduate of the "School of Hard Knocks,"and having made lots of mistakes and learned from them, I began to see myself as an example of what works for a life of better health, harmony and balance.

So I must confess that I was surprised and disappointed to recently find myself back in a place that I vowed to never be again. I discovered that it is easy to fall back into old habits and behaviors, without even realizing you have done so. How quickly I moved from my new lifestyle that included honoring my body, mind, and spirit through self-awareness and self-reflection...back to the push, push, push, do, do , do, persona that created the environment of stress and disconnection that caused my health issues in the first place.

Although disappointed that I so easily slipped back to my old patterns of putting work obligations ahead of my personal needs and respect for other people's time and attention, I was able to recognize and reverse this before it began to create negative implications to my health and well beging.

I love that I am able to see this experience for what it is - a reminder that living an enlightened, spiritual life requires continued effort and vigilance. That anything worth having, doing, or being is hard work. That though one's heart may be pure, it is still easy to be led by the ego and stray from our good intentions. I am reminded that life truly is a journey, not a destination...that every fall, every misstep, every disappointment and challenge brings with it an opportunity to grow stronger...and be better. ~ Andrea :-)
Written at 8:29 AM by Andrea.
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