Bay & River Pilots for Everyday Life

It wasn’t until I moved to Lewes, DE that I learned about the fascinating profession of a Delaware Bay & River Pilot.  These pilots are responsible for guiding large ships (usually foreign vessels) from the mouth of the Delaware Bay to ports along the river in Delaware, New Jersey & Pennsylvania (130 miles to northernmost ports).  They also board outgoing ships in the northern ports and guide them back out to sea, as well as guide ships in and out of the eastern portion of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.

So, for example, as a large vessel prepares to come into the Delaware Bay, a pilot boat goes out to meet it.  A pilot boards the larger vessel, which is sometimes a very dangerous act, especially during bad weather.  The pilot, who knows the Bay & River very well, then directs the vessel safely to port. When guiding a ship back out to sea, getting off the ship in rough seas is also very dangerous and sometimes might not be possible.  So the pilot might go on a longer voyage than planned and even end up in a different country!

It reminds me of everyday life situations where we either need one of these “pilots” (who know the terrain better than we do) to help us find our way safely through a sticky situation OR perhaps we serve as a “pilot” to help guide a friend, relative, colleague, client or even a perfect stranger.

You never know when your kind words or a hug or sharing a personal experience might be just what someone needs.  Just making eye contact and sharing a smile could buoy someone through rough seas and make their voyage a little brighter.

Parents and grandparents can serve as excellent life “pilots” as they have gone before us on the path and have a lot of wisdom to share.  I find that life coaching also has its similarities to piloting.  Like pilots, we get to meet lots of different people from all backgrounds and accompany them on their voyage either to a specific destination or courageously back out into a sea of endless possibilities!  A parent or a creative coach can offer you mapping tools and insights, like the pilot who knows the bay and river shares his or her knowledge in order to make the voyage smooth, successful & enjoyable!

And even if no “pilots” are magically appearing to help you find your way… don’t forget to radio for help.  Who are some “pilots” in your life who you can call on to come & sail along with you…..at least until the waters smooth out?!

Sail On,

~ Cindi

What’s Personal Is Universal…

…and vice versa…. what’s universal is personal.  Boy have I been reminded of this truth lately.  If you have a problem you are trying to work through, it is amazing to discover how many people out there have had the exact same problem!  We often can feel like we are the only ones facing our particular challenges and issues.  But more likely than not, we are FAR from alone.

Hondas that occasionally don’t start & Macs with clicky hard-drives….? I am so grateful for people who take the time to share about their problems and how they went about addressing them.  For example, I wouldn’t have been able to fix my own car or my computer without people who shared their experiences and knowledge online!  In terms of life’s practical problems, you can find kindred souls to help you with everything from car issues to health concerns and even sewing dilemmas!

Sewing? Yes, my sister was working on a sewing project recently and was having trouble with one part of it.  Knowing nothing about sewing, I asked her to describe her problem to me.  I then went immediately to the Internet and put her issue into the search engines.  I got several hits, especially in sewing forums, where people had shared having had the same exact challenge as my sister’s.  They pointed out that they had been sewing for YEARS and yet, this problem made them want to pull their hair out.

Their advice ultimately helped my sister finish her project.  But perhaps more importantly, she immediately felt better just knowing that she was not alone and that she was also in the company of some very experienced people who sew a lot!

The Deeper Stuff….But it goes beyond life’s practical head-scratchers to deeper, more personal and emotional life challenges.  People share about how they have dealt with personal struggles like depression, anxiety, relationship issues, financial challenges, procrastination, dealing with their children or when children leave the nest, transitioning into retirement, losing a spouse or other family member, conquering a particular health issue and the list goes on.

How Can YOU share more? The Internet with its blogs and forums is just one super powerful way of sharing challenges, getting help, and helping others via our own experiences.  We can also do this with the people around us, by being more open and willing to share about our lives (not just the pretty stuff!).  Trust me, if you bring something up… someone else will be SO glad that you did and will most likely thank you for doing so.

It just takes having the COURAGE to share.  Remember, you are not alone!

Open Up & Share!

~ Cindi

S T R E T C H! or Snooze?

Many of us tend to get comfortable with our usual, more comfortable way of doing things. We are more confident about some of our abilities than others and thus, we might tend to stick with what has worked best or been most comfortable in the past. But just like doing the same type of physical exercise day after day after day will become less and less challenging for your body, staying in our comfort zones (snooze) similarly takes the challenge & growth out of our lives ~ mentally and physically.

Recently I was working through a book with various exercises for self-awareness and insight. There were certain exercises that I might normally pass over. For example, I do not consider myself to be very good at drawing and have never been much of a poet. There were exercises that required me to do both. I resisted my natural impulse to skip these exercises as they were outside of my comfort zone, and later realized that there were many potential benefits to STRETCHING.  Here are a few:

~ Uncover new ideas, insights, and twists that you may not have discovered if you had stayed in your comfort zone.  Sort of like seeing things through new lenses.
~ Gain confidence and courage so that it won’t seem nearly as daunting the next time around.
~ Discover a hidden talent or realize that you enjoy the activity after all!
~ Stimulate different areas of your brain with new, challenging activities.   Imagine sections of your brain lighting up!
~ Challenge your body and wake up your cells!

So I encourage you to take note of everyday opportunities to STRETCH. Perhaps you are working on a project that offers options of ways to present something. Instead of picking the method that would be most comfortable (snooze) and likely the easiest for you, try picking something outside of your comfort zone.  Or take something you do on a regular basis, such as writing in a journal or cooking or even prayer and find different, new approaches, like sketching your journal entries, cooking a dish with vegetables or grains you have never tried before, or making a painting or clay sculpture or writing song lyrics to reflect your prayers.  Let go of the outcome, play a little, & just enjoy the ride!

What is one small way that you could STRETCH outside of your comfort zone today?  Share yours here!

Happy S T r E T C h I n G!
~ Cindi

How Will You Celebrate National Dog Day???

It’s almost National Dog Day!

“Yay!” shout Stella & Evie (my pooch & my sister’s pooch).

NATIONAL DOG DAY ~ Wednesday, August 26, 2009

~ an opportunity to acknowledge the amazingly positive impact of DOGS on our lives
~ a time to recognize the need to LOVE & PROTECT the many homeless and abandoned companion animals in our country

So on to CELEBRATING and HONORING your pooch or pooches….

** How about a special outing or activity and/or a special treat for your furry pal?  (Stella & Evie suggest BOTH!)

* SWIMMING ANYONE? ~ If you’ve got “dog days of summer” weather and your dog loves to swim…..then how about a special trip to a nearby beach or lake so he or she can take a cool and refreshing dip!  Stella & Evie aren’t big fans of the water, but they love a good romp on the beach!

(**Pictured here:  Stella loves getting Evie to chase her! What fun!)

* PICNIC IN THE PARK? ~ Or maybe your dog has a favorite park with all of its familiar smells?  Take a little bag of treats with you and find a shady spot to have a treat picnic with your pal.  Or maybe a longer walk is what they are craving?

* BRING OUT THE TOYS! ~ Frisbee anyone?  Or how about a good game of tug with a favorite stuffed toy?  Maybe a fun game of chase?

* FEEL THE WIND IN MY HAIR! ~ Maybe a car ride ~ anywhere ~ is what your pooch would enjoy!  Let the breeze in & see where the road takes you!

* TREATS PLEASE! ~ A celebration would not be complete without treats, right?  (Stella & Evie are nodding vigorously) Of course, we want to keep the treats healthy…. so how about visiting a pet boutique and getting a (mostly) healthy, yet yummy “barkery” treat for your pal? Or maybe a new bone is the ticket? Or a special homemade dinner?

(**Pictured Here:  Stella’s special treat for National Dog Day is a cookie shaped like board shorts (beach bum that she is) with a pink & green yogurt-based icing!  Locals can find these at Critter Beach in Rehoboth Beach, DE!  Incidentally, the cookie matches her summer collar that is lime green with white and pink daisies!)

* JUST HANG OUT WITH ME! ~ No matter what, spending time together is probably what your friend enjoys most! I recently told my sister that I think her dog would be happy sitting in the closet with her.  Your pooch loves you! Cuddle up and grab some couch time together!

* TIME TO FLIP OVER! ~ a nice belly rub or a good doggie massage would make for a perfect ending to National Dog Day.  Don’t stop!

* HELP A LESS FORTUNATE CANINE ~ A perfect way to honor dogs on National Dog Day is to help a shelter or rescue.

~ Shelters are always looking for volunteers to come and help exercise  and socialize the dogs.
~ If you don’t have time or are afraid you will bring them all home… donations are always appreciated & NEEDED!
~ Adopt? Due to the difficult economic times, many animals have been surrendered to shelters.  Perhaps you have room for one more or know someone who is considering adding a dog to their family?  Before paying lots of money and going to a breeder, take a look at your local shelter and online too at www.petfinder.com.  There are so many animals in need of homes and many of them are even purebreds.  There is a rescue for nearly every kind of animal imaginable.  Take a look online.

I could never say enough about what DOGS mean to me.  They fill up my heart in the most heavenly & priceless ways!  The only thing is, they don’t stay with us long enough.  Still, I feel blessed beyond words to share their company for as long as they are here.  As Roger Caras said, “Our dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole!”

Happy National Dog Day & bring on the treats!

Wag More,
~ Cindi

Tips for Being Inspired vs. Intimidated

Have you ever fallen into the trap of comparing yourself or something you have created to someone else or to what they have created and ended up feeling intimidated, envious, discouraged or just ‘less than’?  Of course we know that the healthier place to be is INSPIRED.  But how can we stay away from feeling intimidated and instead feel energized, motivated and inspired?  Here are a few suggestions….

1) Self-Acknowledgment. Pause and take a moment to highlight your strengths, things you have accomplished and things that make you uniquely You!  Make self-acknowledgment a regular practice.  Keep a journal or start a doodle book or photo log to keep track of the positive, growing, strong things about YOU. What we focus on GROWS!

2) Try On A New Perspective. If you have created something…. a work of art, a new recipe, a dress, a garden landscape, a poem or essay….. pause and take time to look at it through the eyes of someone you consider a personal cheerleader or supporter.  Maybe it’s a family member who has passed on or a Muse you create to keep you inspired or even someone you admire but do not know who has experience creating the things you love.  What would they say stands out about your creation?  What do they like most?  What did they find surprising or unexpected?  What made them SMILE most about it?

What would Stella say made her SMILE the most about YOU                                     or something you created???

3)  “You Spot It, You Got It.” If you can recognize the beauty and creativity in someone else or in their creation, it is because that same beauty and creativity resides within you.  Rest in that.

4)  Pump Up The Volume! Consider the energetic advantage for All of Us if we are happy for someone else and CELEBRATE their creativity and accomplishments versus feeling intimidated and envious.  Putting more positive energy out into the world will improve things for everyone!

5)  Don’t Be Afraid To Talk To OZ. Reach out to someone who inspires you or whose creations thrill you and ask them some questions.  Most people enjoy sharing details about their journey and you may be surprised at what you find out.  They will appreciate the compliment of your asking and may also share resources to help you along your path.

6)  Pick An Area For STRETCHING. If you are really feeling discouraged…. take some time to do an honest inventory of areas where you really want to STRETCH & GROW.  Then consider doing #5 as one way of getting there!  Or challenge yourself to sign up for a class. Or simply commit to a regular “Stretching Date” with yourself to work on whatever area you have chosen.

7)  BE GENTLE. Put the words, ‘BE GENTLE,’ on sticky notes or make a colorful piece of art with these words running all through it or print off a photo that captures the essence of being gentle.  Place your reminder somewhere that you will see it OFTEN.  The message to ‘Be Gentle’ is intended to remind you that you are ‘in process‘ and your life is an organic, evolving, adventure!  Be gentle with yourself.  Being harsh will only hold you back!

Connect! Form or join a group of supportive, encouraging souls and help each other to pay attention to the positive.  If your tendency to compare and feel intimidated is based around something you create, join or form a group of people who enjoy creating things ~ anything.  Help each other to see the ‘You-niqueness’ in your creations and to grow and STRETCH into new places!

If you haven’t visited my new Web site yet, please drop by www.cindisaadi.com and take a look!  I hope you will find some Inspiration there!

Happy Stretching & ……Be Gentle!

~ Cindi

Celebrating Our Lives & Sharing Your Spark!

What would you like people to CELEBRATE about you when you are no longer here on this Earth?

Is there ONE thing you’d like to do with less fear and much more love, radiance, and carefree abandon?

This past weekend I attended a memorial Celebration for a truly original woman.  She was an amazing artist, as well as a dear friend who taught me art when I was a child.  Her name was Sybille Page, but everyone called her Billie.  Billie was larger than life.  Someone said it well when they used the word ‘Spark’ to describe what she brought to our lives. She was always full of life and love and ready to share it with anyone and everyone.  I can still see her smile and feel the bubbling, warm energy she radiated.

Aside from all she did for her family, friends, and the community, Billie generously put her passionate, creative, and inspirational energy and creations out into the world.  A few years ago, I talked with Billie about her art and attended some of her shows.  I was so impressed with her fearless attitude.  She’d try anything!  And if she messed something up, she saw it as an exciting and fortuitous opportunity for something just as amazing or perhaps MORE amazing to emerge!  As zany and colorful as she and her art work could be, she also had a beautiful ability to honor and capture the simple priceless beauty of a single harvest leaf or a beautiful tiny flower petal or a dew drop.  She passed her love of nature on to her students and to people who fell in love with her work.

Billie’s bold and joyful approach to life and to art inspires me to strive for my own carefree, courageous, and risk-taking approach toward creating artistic works, as well as creating my life with love, trust, courage, and no fear.

Here is a photo I altered on the computer of flowers from my sister’s garden.  I had fun playing with the colors and the effects, much like I know Billie would have.  There were no mistakes!

Thank you, Billie!  Radiate on!

~ Cindi

Michael Jackson ~ honoring a music legend and creative genius

I am sure I am one of billions of people blogging about Michael Jackson’s death, but as someone who loves music and needs it like air, I wanted to pay my respects in some small way to the one-of-a-kind, King of Pop.

Like many people, I was in awe of Michael Jackson’s many staggering talents.  He is a music legend.  A singer, dancer, creator, and an ARTIST like no other.  Oddly, in the past several weeks, my sister and I had pulled out some of his old CDs and fell in love again with his music and his unique sound. Listen to his music and you can’t help but get up and DANCE!  Aside from the major hits, I found myself playing and replaying songs like Smooth Criminal, Dirty Diana, and Give In To Me.  Then there was a song I had forgotten about and soon became transfixed by…. Earth Song.  I listened to it over and over and paid attention to the words.  It’s really a very passionate song that evolves and builds through to the end.  And it remains timely as we continue our efforts to treat our Earth and all of her inhabitants with more compassion.  The song actually inspired a new idea in me that I hope to be able to carry out.  Now, with his death, the project takes on even deeper meaning.  Hearing Michael Jackson’s music again also prompted me to look at some of his old videos online and enjoy his amazing dance steps.  I can still remember when the Thriller video came out and I sat in front of the television and watched it over and over and over again.  When I read recently that he was performing this year in London, I was thrilled and anxious to see what he would create next.

So today’s news of his death shocked and saddened me to the core.  I got chills when I read the news on the Internet and probably shared a collective gasp with many people around the world.  I still find it hard to believe he is gone.  That we will never hear a new song from him or watch him smoothly slide across the stage and give his trademark, Yeeow!

We have lost a creative genius and it is as if you can actually feel that in the air.

There is some sort of void created by his death, especially being so young.  But what he created will live on.  I see creativity as somewhat of an obligation, especially when you are blessed with beautiful talents.  When you create something, anything, you have no idea how many people you may inspire or touch with your creation.  Then that person you inspired goes on to create something and so on.   It is like a chain that goes on and on, around the world.  Michael Jackson definitely played a powerful part in that chain.  He inspired, moved, and delighted SO many people with his stunning talent and his undeniable passion and he will continue to do so through his amazing creations.  So as we mourn his passing and think of his loved ones, we will also celebrate the many extraordinary gifts he shared with the entire world. We are so fortunate that he did!

Here’s to the King of Pop.  I will definitely miss you.

A fan, always…..
~ Cindi

I hope your trash is full!

Got lots of ideas scribbled on crumpled up pieces of paper in your recycle bin?
Or stuffed in the trashcan on your computer screen?
Maybe you keep a journal for ideas and have pages and pages crossed through.  That’s great!

But why would I want you to have a big pile of stinky ideas or mistakes?

Perhaps as a reminder of the UNIQUE ROAD that our mistakes take us on….. a road to something better.  A road to a destination we may not otherwise be able to reach.  Mistakes Road.…Perhaps the quickest route to…Stimulation. Growth. Innovation. Creativity!

Yes, the road to success may be paved with mistakes.  Our mistakes, mishaps, mis-starts, and just plain bad ideas can give birth to some truly awesome inspirations.  Artists discover this often when they end up with something far different than they set out to create.  And look at some of the inventions that came about thanks to someone trying to do one thing and failing…. things like Post-It notes, Scotchguard, and even the first implantable pacemaker!

My recent realization is that I need to TRY more and….

• Let go of whether or not something will turn out perfect.
  
• Not focus on if I will know how to get past step 1.
  
• Trust the process and whatever it is I am supposed to learn from the “doing.”
• Truly value Mistakes Road for the important role it plays in having a dynamic life experience.
  

So my new mantra to remember is, “I trust and try so I can learn.”

Remember, the bad ideas can lead us to some great stuff.  But doing nothing will generally lead nowhere!

Trust, Try, and Fill up that recycle bin!

Much Courage,

~ Saadi

10 Ideas for Getting More Courage

In continuing with our Courage theme, I wanted to share some practical ideas for getting more of this valuable commodity:

1 ~ Go beyond your comfort zone….. even just a little bit!  Do something you might not normally do.  Take a day trip by yourself, volunteer for a leadership position, talk to someone new, purchase something to help grow your business, or ask for what you really need.  Do this on a regular basis, daily if possible, to gradually increase your courage!  Visualize yourself doing something out of your comfort zone and succeeding.  No matter how things turn out, feel the internal reward for facing your fears.

2 ~ Take teeny tiny steps! This may seem like the opposite of #1.  Taking small steps toward something you want to do shouldn’t trigger fear and thus, won’t require much, if any, courage.  But I believe taking these small steps will indirectly help to increase courage by building your skills, momentum, and confidence.  You will get more accustomed to being in action and increase your muscle for “doing.”

3 ~ Seek enCOURAGEment from others. Create a support group to cheer you on when things are challenging or scary.  This group could include friends, family, a coach, a therapist, a minister, a mentor, and of course, your 4-legged friends. Some people also find it useful to have an imagined support group that includes people you admire or respect (alive or dead) that you may not personally know and loved ones and friends who give you strength, but have passed on.  Make it a point to regularly check-in with your support group.  Don’t try to do it all alone!

4 ~ Find courage in art of all kinds. Watch a movie that inspires you to similar brave action or determination.  Try to feel as if the feelings experienced in the movie are yours.  Or better yet, write your own story or screenplay where you are the courageous character.  Listen to music that energizes and emboldens you.  Read articles or books about characters (real or fictional) with true courage.  Use paintings or just colors to help give you more strength, inspiration, and courage.  If wearing red or black makes you feel bolder, then by all means… wear it!  Try placing some RED accent items in your environment as RED tends to promote courage, confidence, joy, and passion.

5 ~ Encourage someone else. Help someone else to be courageous (we get what we give!) or simply think about how you would help someone you know to gain courage to face their challenges.  What would you say to a good friend or loved one?  Could you give yourself those same enCOURAGing words?

6 ~ Personify courage. This will take a bit of imagination and creativity, but play with the concept of courage in order to get to know it better.  For example, if courage were a person or an animal or a color or a flower or a car or a golf club…. what would it be?  How would courage talk?  How would it act?  What would it say?  If courage were the character in a book or play, what would he/she be like?  What kinds of things would courage do?  Play with this a little and see if you can’t conjure up your own idea what courage looks like and then befriend him or her or it so you can call upon it more easily!

7 ~ Pray or seek spiritual support. This one reminds me of a line by Morgan Freeman as God in the movie, Evan Almighty.  In the scene, he is suggesting that if we pray for X, we may not get X, but rather an opportunity of sorts.  For example, we can pray for courage and what God may give us in response is opportunities to be more courageous!  God’s response to our prayer may require action on our part!

8 ~ Act as if. Yes, this is the old “Fake it ’til you make it.” Sometimes it can help for a while!

9 ~ Improve your physical health. Feeling stronger and more physically fit (especially in those core muscles) can increase confidence, thus contributing to your courage.

10 ~ Embrace the opposite. Sometimes it takes truly knowing something’s opposite to really appreciate its worth.  After several rainy, cold, bleak days…. we can appreciate the warmth of the sunshine in a way we would not be able to if we were never without it.  Really notice how it feels when you are too afraid or anxious to take action.  Understand what it means to live without courage.  Accept that there may be times when it is necessary for you to experience these feelings so that you can truly celebrate being courageous!

What do YOU think?  Please share your thoughts about these items or any other ideas you may have for increasing courage!

Much courage,

~ Cindi

Welcome to Courage (Heart) Life Coaching….

Welcome back everyone! After taking a long break from posting, it is time to get back to it!  I have been making changes to my site lately and welcome your feedback.

You will notice the word COURAGE mentioned on my site.  Courage takes a prominent role in my mission, and for good reason.  After all, without the courage to press on…. where would we be?

WHAT IS COURAGE?

Although one dictionary definition of courage is…. a quality of our minds or spirits that enables us to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc. without fear, I would like to suggest a few modifications.

First, I believe an essential element is missing, specifically…the HEART.  The root of the word courage is cour, French for heart.  If you trace its etymology back even further, the word courage, at its root, always means HEART.

Second, I do not believe that courage means you have no fear, rather, it means you go forth in spite of that fear.  And fear can sometimes be a very GOOD sign.  It can indicate that you are venturing out of your comfort zone, taking a risk, or trying something new.  Courage allows you to go forward.

So my modified definition might read as follows:  a quality of the heart, mind, & spirit that enables us to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc. in spite of our fears.

THE AMAZING BRAIN IN OUR HEARTS

We tend to put a lot of emphasis on the power of the mind and often forget to acknowledge and access the power within our hearts.  However, since ancient eras, the heart was regarded as the source for love AND intelligence.  It was seen as the organ responsible for influencing and governing our emotions and our decision-making!!!  WOW!  And it is interesting to ponder that the heart begins to beat in an unborn fetus, BEFORE the brain has formed!

The truth is that the heart has thousands of neurons of its own, the “brain in the heart.“  And the heart is always “talking” to our brain and to the systems in our body, sending vital messages that keep our bodies functioning harmoniously. More than just a pump to send blood through our bodies, the heart has a significant influence on the brain and on all of our body systems via its many “messages.”  According to scientists, the heart sends the brain emotional and intuitive signals and may be the “intelligent force” behind the intuitive thoughts and feelings we experience, thus sparking the term, “heart intelligence.” The heart communicates via nerve impulses, hormones, and pressure waves, and also energetically, by electromagnetic fields.  In fact, the electromagnetic field of the heart encompasses the body AND up to 8 to 12 feet away from the body and an electrocardiogram can be taken up to 3 feet away!

There are many fascinating articles about the “brain in our heart” and about the concept of “heart intelligence.”  I encourage you to Google “brain in the heart” and see what you find, but below are links to a few I found and have used excerpts from in the information above.

http://www.therealessentials.com/followyourheart.html

http://www.ratical.org/many_worlds/JCP99.html

YOUR HEART:  Listening to it and taking care of it.

What does YOUR HEART want to say to you?   How can you get more accustomed to connecting with the intuitive treasures your heart holds within?  How can we take care of our hearts so as to increase our courage?

1.  Reduce stress ~ even for just a moment. Even if you just stop for a minute, close your eyes, and observe your breath through a few cycles, thinking of nothing else….. you just reduced your stress, which is always good for the heart.  The first article above suggests imagining you are breathing “through your heart.”  And when possible ~ aim for more than just a moment…. try to work regular activities into your days that are nourishing & de-stressing for you.

2. Listen to your heart intelligence. Certainly our brains are great for figuring out problems in linear and logical ways.  But we may often need more than logic, especially for emotionally packed issues!  Your heart can provide you with an intuitive awareness that goes far beyond logic to a more creative and flexible viewpoint.

3.  Meditate. Meditation does not have to be hours of sitting on the floor with an empty mind.  Just give yourself some noise & distraction-free time to just BE.  Again, as the first article above suggests….imagine you are breathing through your HEART.  See what messages you receive from your heart.

4.  Physical Care. Of course taking care of our hearts also involves what we put into our bodies ~ food, drinks, chemicals, supplements, and also, how much we exercise.  Keeping the heart physically healthy will help it perform its many tasks to keep our systems running.  Again, it is about reducing things (i.e. caffeine or extra weight) that put stress on your heart.

5.  Music, etc. Find what works for you in terms of getting more in tune with your heart and listening to its messages.  Perhaps music is a gateway for you.  Or maybe it is smells, such as in aromatherapy.  Maybe it is sitting quietly in nature and using a sketch pad to capture the messages you receive.

So breathe on – through your heart ~ and hear what it has to say!

Lots of courage to you,

~ Cindi

What do you think? Share your thoughts about courage and the heart on the Sea & Sand blog!