Monthly Archives

August 2011

Healthy Boundaries…. See you in September

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To honor the concept of healthy boundaries (and to enjoy the last few weeks of summer), this blog will take a vacation, returning after Labor Day. Thank you to all the readers who have been so kind with your positive feedback. There are many back issues to check out and revisit and I will have lots of new themes and topics (and photos) when Stressfully Speaking returns. See you in September!

Stress Tip for the Day:

Practice some healthy boundaries as well. Remember to take some time off for yourself.

Quote for the Day:

“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” —Sam Keen

“In summer, the song sings itself.” –William Carlos Williams

Photo for the Day:

A humpback whale waves its tail before it descends into the deep blue waters of Tahiti. Enjoy!

Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (7E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net

© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.

Clean Your Belly Button!

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Researchers, in trying to find the source of staph infections in hospitals, think they might have the answer; your belly button. Most people, when taking a shower or bath, kind of gloss over the naval area. Few people, if anybody, scrubs the navel really good. As it turns out, the belly button plays host to a lot of germs and bacteria, including staph. WHO KNEW? While most of us may never go under the knife, it’s good to know these things if you do. No need complicating any surgical procedure with a staph infection, as many of these bugs are now resistant to our best drugs. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Avoid one more kind of stress you never knew was out there…Clean your belly button!

Stress Tip for The Day:
While it might seem obvious to practice good hygiene with your belly button, the real stress tip for the day is this: Be sure to have a good patient advocate if you ever end up in the hospital. Hospital staff (particularly nurses, bless their hearts) are under a LOT of stress these days. Although it would be nice to think they can attend to every patient’s need, this isn’t always the case due to mounds of paperwork. A patient advocate (e.g. a close friend or relative) is someone who stays on top of things, like surgical procedures, (make sure they operate on the right body part), medications, and all the rest. Its disturbing to know that the 4th or 5th leading cause of death in the US is due to medical mistakes. So… start with cleaning your belly button, but don’t stop there.

Links/Books/Movies Worth Noting:
For those of you interested, here are a few links with more information on today’s topic:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110803174757.htm

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/75042.php

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/41088.php

Quote for the Day:
“Hygiene is two thirds of health.” – Lebanese Proverb

“The only equipment lack in the modern hospital? Somebody to meet you at the entrance with a handshake!” ~Martin H. Fischer

Photo of the Day:
Cusco, Peru is referred to by natives as the “navel of the world.” It was only fitting, therefore to have today’s photo be an image of the heart of Cusco (mixed metaphors not withstanding). Enjoy!

Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (7E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net

© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.

Vail Mountain Retreat Weekend this October

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Please join us in Vail, Colorado this Columbus Day weekend at the world renowned Sonnenalp hotel Oct 7-9 for a glorious mountain getaway. This retreat offers some wonderful relaxation and guided mental imagey sessions, some thought-provoking, soul-searching exercises and of course, plenty of free to time to enjoy Vail Village. Special guests include singer/songwriter Dan Sebranek for a Saturday night concert (including an I set of Irish tunes). The Sonnenalp resort has offered an incredible rate of $120/night. Each room has a gas fireplace and heated bathroom floors, not to mention a wonderful spa. The ambiance of the Sonnenalp, not to mention Vail, Colorado, is nothing less than magical this time of year and it’s the perfect spot to regain your center of gravity, and come back to a place of inner peace in these turbulent times. For more information please go to the Upcoming Events page of www.brianlukeseaward.net and download the pdf brochure with all the information. Come home to the Colorado Rockies!

Stress Tip for the Day:
Consider joining us in Vail this October…. It’s just what your spirit needs!

Quote for the Day:
“Sometimes the cure for restlessness is rest.” —Colleen Wainwright

“He enjoys true leisure who has time to improve his soul’s estate.” —Henry David Thoreau.

Photo of the Day:
A view of the Rocky Mountains that promises to take your breath away. Enjoy

Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (7E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net

© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.

Ascension 101: Health of the Human Spirit

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If you pursue the question of spiritual well-being with any kind ofpassion, at some point you will come face to face with the concept of the “ascension process.” Ascension means many things to many people, but wisdom keepers speak of this as a significant advancement up the spiritual spiral; an elevation of consciousness, a significant soul-growth process. Implicit, for some, in the concept of ascension is a fall, as in the fall from grace. Though there are many interpretations of “the fall,” simply stated, the fall occurs every time the shadow of the ego eclipses the light of the soul. For some people this is a pretty deep decent into darkness. Conversely, the ascent is described by some as the ascension of divine energy up the spine (also known as the Kundalini Energy). As this energy rises, from the root chakra to the crown chakra, the cleansing process in each chrakra region can be emotionally painful (as one learns to release old thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that no longer serve one’s wellbeing). Carl Jung addressed the concept of the ascension process, tacitly, as the union of the conscious and unconscious minds, where the wisdom of the unconscious and collective (divine) consciousness rises up to a conscious level. As consciousness rises, we evolve spiritually, acting less from a motivation of fear and more from love. The ascension process is a shift (upward) from the darkness of fear toward the light of love and compassion. In many ways, this is a small step up through the “doors of perception,” yet for many with ego attachment, the abyss is nothing short of a quantum leap up.

Stress Tip for The Day:
Step outside your “guarded self” today and observe how often your thoughts and actions are fear-based. As you do this, take inventory on what expectations weren’t met. What aspect of your life didn’t seem in control? Take inventory of the ego’s shadow. Then assess how to release these thoughts, feelings and perceptions so you can move toward a motivation of love and compassion. There are many colors of love’s rainbow (e.g., patience, forgiveness, optimism, courage, tolerance, persistence, faith, humor, creativity and of course, compassion). Rather than taking one step forward and two back (and losing ground), take two steps forward, one toward the doors of a new perception and the second through the door… toward the light. Go ahead. Take the leap!

Links/Books/Movies Worth Noting:
If you were to Google the ascension process you would find everything from the sublime to the ridiculous. So consider starting with some books: A couple of great books to read of this ilk included the following: Man and his Symbols by Carl Jung And a new collection of essays on the topic of Kundalini, called Kundalini Rising published by Sounds True.

Quote for the Day:
“Modern man is sick because he is not whole.” — Carl G. Jung

Photo of the Day:
Rainbows often serve as a symbol of divine love. Colorado has been blessed with many rainbows this summer (lots of early morning and late afternoon showers with ample sunlight.) I have been blessed to capture them with my camera. Enjoy!

Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (7E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net

© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.