Faith: Following the ideas

I am stepping out on faith. It feels scary but yet also empowering. I feel more in control and less a helpless victim. There are currently two endeavors underway. I strongly believe that both of these ideas were planted in my mind by the Holy Spirit, but it is now my "job" to follow through, and make each of them a success.

The first is that I signed up last week to be an Avon representative. The opportunities & benefits in this case are obvious:

1. The necessary social contacts required to distribute brochures and collect orders. This will decrease my sense of isolation as I continue to adjust to a world that doesn't include full-time employment
2. The ability to make money within the framework & limitations of my illness

I have passed out several flyers and have received positive responses as well as comments about the possibility of orders. I know my Mom (go, Mom!) can be counted on for an order of the Anew aging products. Aren't Moms wonderful? Oh, and in a shameless bit of marketing and self-promotion, you may access my Avon website at www.youravon.com/cbrower (yes I know the "u" is missing; should be fixed soon!)

The second whisper in my ear was about selling my books on Amazon.com. This was a bit more difficult, because my books are so precious to me. However as I look at the shelves, I notice that there are some that it would relatively painless to part with. Those went first! And guess, what?!??! I made my first sale today and made $1.70! I am also going to be soliciting books to sell from people I know. I also accept donations - of books!

Stay tuned for more on the changing life of Christine, sponsored by God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I wonder what will happen next?

Life is changing and I must adapt

I don't think that any of us expect the things that happen to us. We just don't see it coming: the divorce, the lost friendship, the car accident, the hurricane, the illness that changes everything. I know I certainly didn't think "Oh yes, I expect I will be divorced one day" or "I believe that I will become too sick to do my job". We just don't think it will happen to us....

Well, guess what? It has happened. On a Friday night in November of 2007, I felt a strange pain developing on my neck near my left ear. There was a huge lump and I could barely turn my head. The next day I found out that, rather than the ear infection that I thought it was, I had extremely swollen lymph nodes. Nothing has been the same since that day. In the space of one day, I stopped being Christine, Senior Quality Assurance Analyst with a great paying job and became Christine, sick person with no job.

I know now what happened but it took many, many tests to figure it out and some doctors, even now, do not believe or understand what happened to me. The villian in this piece is the Epstein-Barr virus, a common but little understood virus. This nasty thing has completely turned my life upside down, inside out and back again. Some people get a little sick, recover and go about their lives. Other people get a bit sicker, take longer to recover and go about their lives. Then there are the ones like me: we get sick, stay sick and do not get better. The virus continues to do its dirty work and our immune system basically says, "Ok, do whatever you like, we will just be over here". Why some people react this way is the mystery that someone, someday will probably solve. But for now, for me, it is like having mono or the flu all the time.

So now I have to reinvent my life. I have to adjust, do things differently and figure things out as I go. And I will figure it out. I know this. And do you know why I know? Because I have FAITH. I believe that God has a plan for my life and that everything happens for good. Even this. I just have to adapt. And I will.

How to Reduce Anxiety and Worrying

If there is one thing that almost all parents have in common, it is that we worry. We worry about our kids, we worry about our finances, we worry about the future, and sometimes we even worry about the past. While some level of anxiety is good and can help us focus and take care of what is important, too much anxiety is bad for us and bad for our kids.

Just what is anxiety? Generally, anxiety is defined as sense of uneasiness about the future. These feelings affect both the body and the mind. When you become anxious, your body releases a hormone called adrenaline. It is nature's way of warning you that danger (both real and imagined) is imminent. As anxiety increases, you are likely to experience symptoms such as a pounding heart, quickened breathing and perspiration. The more you worry about something, the stronger these symptoms are likely to become.

Many people experience mild to moderate episodes of anxiety. For some, such nervousness may interfere with their ability to enjoy life fully. In some cases, the symptoms become severe and a panic atack results. Physical symptoms intensify the attack: sweating, racing heart, rapid pulse, feeling faint or as if one is choking. At this point, medical attention is usually required.

For most of us, there are steps you can take to reduce or even eliminate your anxious feelings.

• Keep a positive attitude. Try the Complaint-Free Challenge.
• Accept that there are events that you cannot control.
• Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.
• Learn and practice relaxation techniques; try meditation, yoga, or tai-chi.
• Exercise regularly. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit.
• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
• Learn to manage your time more effectively.
• Set limits appropriately and say no to requests that would create excessive stress in your life.
• Make time for hobbies and interests. Do what you enjoy doing!
• Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.
• Don't rely on alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviors to reduce stress.
• Seek out social support. Spend enough time with those you love. Plan a fun activity with your children.

It is very important to remember that if these techniques aren't effective or your anxiety interfers with your day-to-day activities, it is time to seek the advice of a medical professional.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Don Miguel Ruiz is known as a nagual, or shaman, of the Toltec tradition. The Toltecs were an ancient group of scientists and artists that was formed to explore and preserve the practices and spiritual knowledge of the ancient ones. It is not a religion, but a way of life that embraces spirit and honors all the spiritual masters who have taught on the earth. Toltec wisdom arises from the same essential unity of truth as other sacred esoteric traditions that are found all over the world.

The Four Agreements are very simple, yet very profound. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book is a beautiful instruction guide to achieve a life of freedom and happiness. Don Miguel Ruiz goes step-by-step, with practical advice and examples, to help us achieve these four agreements. Embracing and living the Four Agreements is a challenging yet amazing rewarding experience which will lead you on a road to personal freedom and enlightment.

The Four Agreements

Be Impeccable With Your Words - Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Don't Take Anything Personally - Nothing that others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

Don't Make Assumptions - Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

Always Do Your Best - Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

Ruiz has so much to offer in this brillantly written book. One thing to remember, however, is that Toltec wisdom, by definition, is an ancient wisdom. Is this some new, revolutionary technology for self-improvement? No, the fact is that in one way, shape or form, we've all heard these types of admonitions from other sources in our lives. What Ruiz does well is package them in a novel way and provide practical insights into how we can best apply them. The bottom line is that, even if you've heard something like this before, it never hurts to be reminded about good advice you've received in the past.

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Put on your own oxygen mask first

If you have ever flown on a plane, you have heard the flight attendant say something similar to "If you are traveling with anyone needing your assistance, please put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others". This statement can be viewed in a broader context as a a way to live a richer and more full life. We must take of ourselves before we can take care of others. Here
are some suggestions for refreshing your body and mind.

1. Read a short story that you can totally lose yourself in.
2. Meditate. Here's how: select a short statement of two or three words. "God is love" is a good one, but there are many others. Close your eyes and settle your body in your chair or on your bed. Breathe in deeply, saying the first word or two of your chosen phrase. Breathe out fully, saying the remainder of your chosen phrase. Repeat.
3. Call one of your greatest, most compassionate friends and do not talk about kids (yours or hers) for the entire conversation.
4. Get a babysitter and go to a movie. Alone.
5. Smile for no other reason than it feels great.
6. Sit outside and breathe fresh air. (Hint: may be combined with #2)
7. If it is possible where you live, sit by a body of water - a river, a stream, a lake - and enjoy the peacefulness of water.
8. Go to bed an hour early.
9. Aromatherapy really works. Light a candle of your favorite scent (lavendar is especially soothing) and breathe deeply.
10. Get up fifteen minutes early so you can linger over a cup of coffee or hot tea.