Food For The Soul

Friday’s Culture Casserole: Fun Dog Care Ideas

food for the soul — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:41:38 +0000

Contributed by Tanya S.

Having a dog brings a lot of joy to my life – from the way she greets me every time I come home to the games of tug and catch we play and everything in between. But, living in a city as I do, I often feel guilty that I don’t have a backyard for her to play in. I go to dog parks but sometimes we are all alone. Then recently, I found a couple of services that help me care for my best friend.

Match Puppy. You can set up dates for your dog – not romantic dates but play dates. You can register your dog and create a profile. Then you can choose your favorite dog runs and arrange a date with another dog. You can choose by size of dog or just browse through the pictures. Now you don’t have to worry about your dog playing alone again.

Dog sitting. I often go away for a weekend or some sort of vacation and I don’t like putting my dog in the dog care center. There are too many dogs and it costs too much to have her walked everyday in addition to the boarding services. My friends are not always available to watch her and I don’t feel comfortable having a stranger in my house. I found dog vacay which pairs you with people who will board your dog at their own home. The fees are reasonable and far less expensive than boarding at a kennel.

Do you know of any websites that help you manage the care of your dog?

Richard Bach, Running from Safety: An Adventure of the Spirit

food for the soul — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:11:41 +0000

“It must happen to us all … we pack up what we’ve learned so far and leave the familiar behind. No fun, that shearing separation, but somewhere within, we must dimly know that saying goodbye to safety brings the only security we’ll ever know.”

Thursday’s Nourishing Nibbles: What Happens When You Are Secure In Yourself?

food for the soul — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:13:52 +0000

Contributed by Noreen Sumpter, Personal Life Coach

When you are secure in yourself, your thoughts and ideas are great because you know intuitively that you don’t have to defend anything about yourself. You thoughts, ideas and dreams are yours and they will never be the same as anyone else’s. You know that no one has to agree with what you think as you are empowered. However, in those areas of your life where you are not empowered and lack confidence, your thoughts, beliefs and ideas are not your own. You seek validation or you get upset, angry and downright nasty, when you feel challenged.

Whenever you feel challenged and have to defend something about yourself, try this question on for size:

“If I were a man would I have to defend myself for my thoughts and ideas?”

Now, I am not saying become a man in any way shape or form. The question I am asking is “Why do I feel I have to defend my ideas or thoughts?” You never have to defend anything about yourself. Did I say “anything” about yourself? Yes! You are perfect just like a rose, thorns and all. So, when you feel your ‘thorns’ coming out (unless it is an emergency and someone is physically attacking you), you need to take a look at why they are coming out. You never have to make an excuse or be disgusted with the way your life is going or not going. When something is not working for you, change gears. Look it square in the face and say, “Fuck it, this will not do. I desire something different.” Stop doing what does not work and choose something else. Do not worry about anything else.

People can really say anything they want about you. They can ask you anything and you have the right to choose how you feel about what they do or say. If you’re upset, you have the right to let off steam in a responsible way. However, bear in mind that if things are going to change, you’re going to have to change them. What matters the most is what you say about yourself. Also, your occurring world is what is important and, if it is not supported by positive thoughts, will lead you to feel insecure and defensive. All this starts with being okay with you and realizing who you truly are. Next, understand that only you are responsible for how you respond to life and not be sorry for the choices you made in the past.

Remember that outside forces are irrelevant because you are not your circumstances. You have circumstances. We need circumstances in our lives. What you need to do is give yourself a goal. You must be specific and clear about your target, since without one, you will never feel secure and you will never get on the road.

What would you have to hear for you to accomplish your goal? Maybe it’s something like, “You have the job!” or “You have the deal!” or “Yes, ‘ll take that one!” Whatever it is that you have to hear, will be the point when you have reached your goal.

I remember when I finished my coaching training, all I wanted to hear as a coach (and what made me feel I had achieved my going of being a coach), was when someone said, “Yes I want to work with you. How much do I have to pay, and when can we start.” That sealed the deal for me.

No two people’s arrival point will be the same. However, they will have to be secure enough to keep going until they hear what they need to hear. So it is important to:

Make a choice
Set a goal
Start towards your goal

So when you are secure in yourself, anything can open up and that “anything” will be yours.

Do you have a question for Nourishing Nibbles, please send it to:

inspiration@foodforthesoul.us

Noreen Sumpter, Personal Life Coach: works with High Achievers who feel trapped in their private life. They lack personal confidence and self-esteem. By helping them clear mental clutter and dissolve limiting beliefs, they can take deliberate steps, own their voice, speak their truth and have the freedom to live life their way. “Live Life Your Way”

“Live Life Your Way” www.noreensumptercoach.com

To make an appointment with me, please call 718-834-9450 or e-mail noreen@noreensumptercoach.com

Subscribe to my weekly Newsletter, join me on Facebook and Twitter

Gary Zukav, Linda Francis

food for the soul — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:55:45 +0000

“Intimacy is natural for us. We are designed to be caring, sensitive, and loving toward one another.”

Wednesday’s Spicy Morsels: How To Initiate Sex

food for the soul — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:19:08 +0000

Contributed by Tanya S.

“Hey, you want to have sex?” is not exactly romantic, nor is it something you can say in front of your in-laws. While people enjoy sex, it is not always something they feel comfortable asking for, even with a long-term partner. But there are some creative and less intimidating ways to invite your partner to a sexual interlude.

Bring back memories. Think of a time in your past when you had a great time with your partner. Maybe it was that time on vacation or one day in the car on make-out lane? Whatever experience conjures up ‘hot’ memories, bring it up! Talking about a pleasurable past sexual encounter will put you both in the mood and before long …

Physical touch. What does your partner like? What puts them in the mood? A nibble on the ear? Rubbing their thigh? Snuggling up close and playing with their hair? Any sort of slow moving physical touch can help get the juices flowing, put your partner in the mood and heighten your desire.

Write it out. Sexting is one way, but can feel kind of silly to some. So, how about a little old- fashioned note? Write out your sexual fantasy or some erotica that stars you and your partner. You can leave it on the dinner plate or slip it into their pocket or read it to them imaginatively.

Establish a secret code. Take an ordinary statement such as, “Honey, can you help me write up the grocery list later?” or “Sweetie, remember we have to make a stop before we get home!” as code for “Baby, let’s get it on!” With the code, you can say it in the middle of dinner with the kids or when the in-laws are over or when you are with company at a dinner party or business event. Then both of you can go through the evening in anticipation of a happy ending!

Just say it. Being direct might not be natural for you, but give it a try. Make a loving, passionate demand for your partner to get into bed and chances are you won’t get much of a protest.

Anonymous

Donna Marie — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:14:47 +0000

“There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind. But keep in mind that letting go isn’t the end of the world; it’s the beginning of a new life.”

Tuesday’s Wellness Tonic: How To Handle Anxiety

food for the soul — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:48:40 +0000

Contributed by Tuppence H.

Most of us experience feelings of anxiety, panic, fear, even dread, from time to time. But sometimes these feelings can be overwhelming. So, the question is how can you deal with them? Here are a few ways to work through anxiety. You don’t have to try all of them, just choose which ones you feel most comfortable with.

Probability check. Go over the probability of whatever you fear actually coming true. Yes, there is a possibility of you becoming homeless or making someone angry or not getting out of some kind of bind but, how much of a possibility is there? Do you have other places to go? Have you ever angered someone and lived to talk about it? When you have felt this way in the past, how often did what you feared actually happen?

Proactivity. Do some forward problem solving. If your fear is really great, why not come up with possible solutions before ‘it’ happens. Where could you go for help? Who would be a good source of support? How might you address the problem?

Breathing practice. Taking deep breaths before you feel the anxiety building can help reduce your anxiety. If you practice deep breathing and clearing your mind on a regular basis (when you are already feeling good for example), it will be easier to do when you are feeling anxious.

Acceptance. Begin to learn that getting anxious is a part of life. So, if it does happen, you will become less likely to put pressure on yourself trying to deny or avoid those feelings.

Face your fears. If something makes you anxious, exposing yourself to the problem will help you accept it. Seeing it for what it is will help you see the reality of the situation and help all of the fears you create in your head go away.

Intervention. If your anxiety is consistently overwhelming and you’ve done everything within your power to handle it, ask for support from people you trust and, if necessary, get professional help. Remember, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Think of it as an opportunity to take care of you!

How do you handle your feelings of anxiety?

Joan Borysenko

food for the soul — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:33:31 +0000

“If we don’t forgive ourselves for our mistakes, and others for the wounds they have inflicted upon us, we end up crippled with guilt. And the soul cannot grow under a blanket of guilt, because guilt is isolating, while growth is a gradual process of reconnection to ourselves, to other people, and to a larger whole.”

Monday’s Financial Feast: How To Avoid Emotional Money Mistakes

food for the soul — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:07:45 +0000

Contributed by Destiny H.

We all make mistakes with our money, but some are not so obvious. Are you committing any of these money-wasting slip-ups?

Lack of responsibility. If you leave all of the financial planning to your partner, you could get stuck. I know plenty of people who did that and, when the relationship ended, they had no idea where they were financially. With credit cards, mortgages and car notes in their partners’ names, they were left with no credit history and had to start all over again. Pitch in and become involved with what is happening with your household financial matters.

Guilt. Guilt can override our way of thinking about money. We make many mistakes because we feel guilty. We stay in jobs that don’t pay us well because we feel guilty about leaving our colleagues. We lend people money that we might not have out of guilt and our need for their approval. Don’t sacrifice your financial future because you are worried that people might not like you or approve of your decision.

Empathy. Sometimes we help people because we feel sorry for what they are going through even though we know the money may just go down the drain. Remember, they got themselves into their bad situation by making bad decisions. I have done this in the past and it cost me my friendship when I never got my money back. Now, I listen to what they have to say, empathize with their situation and, if I think it might be helpful, I direct them to a good financial planner.

Fear of looking mean. After loaning money to others, often, we don’t ask for it back when we might need it ourselves. Why? Because we are afraid of looking mean, unkind or making people feel bad. To avoid this emotional trap, set up a contract ahead of time with a payment plan.

What emotions have contributed to your making poor financial decisions?

Sharon Salzberg

food for the soul — Mon, 14 May 2012 07:55:04 +0000

“Without the rigidity of concepts, the world becomes transparent and illuminated, as though lit from within. With this understanding, the interconnectedness of all that lives becomes very clear. Out of this sense of connection, love and compassion arise.”