March 2010

 T H R I V E  !

Thrive (verb):  (1) to prosper; be fortunate or successful; (2) to grow or develop vigorously; flourish

How often do you use the word “try?” When you say you’re trying to do something, what do you mean?  I’ve discovered that most of the time we say we’re trying to do something we mean we’re “thinking” about doing it.

I frequently hear people say “I’m trying to eat healthier” or “I’m trying to exercise 30 minutes every day.”  After asking a few questions, I usually learn that they’re either thinking about taking action or they are taking action.   Using the word try is typically not specific or clear enough which means we’re probably not specific or clear about our goals and/or plan of action.

Try – verb (used with object):  to attempt to do or accomplish.

When we think about making a change or doing something, or creating something, we must be clear about our thoughts and actions.  Are you thinking about exercising 30 minutes daily?  Or have you already begun your daily workout?  When we take action, we can acknowledge our effort and give ourselves credit for doing what we set out to do.

Again, semantics are important:  how we frame concepts in our mind ultimately creates our reality.  What you think and do today creates your tomorrow. Consider your resolutions or goals for 2010.  Take a reality check – be clear and specific with yourself:  are you trying or doing?

Warmest regards,

Rena

CHALLENGE (noun):  difficulty in a job or undertaking that is stimulating to one engaged in it

How did you do with last month's challenge:  to minimize distractions while driving by not using your cell phone?  Hopefully you and many others are now safer drivers because you’re not using your cell phone when you’re behind the wheel.

This month’s challenge is to declutter one (small) space.  The goal is to free up stagnant energy in your home or other living space (car, office, etc.).  You might choose the kitchen drawer where everything is dumped.  How about the back seat or trunk of your car?  We all have at least one living area that feels uncomfortable - stagnant, disorganized or crowded with stuff you no longer use/need/enjoy. 

We are naturally affected by everything in our environment.  When material possessions no longer fit our life and have piled up, or if we’ve allowed our space to become jumbled and crammed, we have an immediate negative experience each time we see or think of those areas.  When that space is decluttered, you won’t have that negative response.  You’ll feel an increase in positive energy in your life.

You’ve got 30 days to handle one small space.  Make an appointment with yourself and put it in your calendar.  Think of how much lighter and freer you’ll feel when you’re done!   Ì

EXERCISE OF THE MONTH

Forward Bend

This simple movement has many immediate benefits including more flexibility in the shoulders, spine, hips and hamstrings.

Begin by standing with your feet hip-width apart.

1. Loop your thumbs together in front of you and inhale as you extend both arms forward and above your head. 

2. Exhale as you hinge at the hips, reaching forward and down toward the floor.  Keep your ears between your arms.

3. Inhale and come up the same way you went down, with your ears between your arms.

4. Exhale as you release the thumbs and extend your arms out to your sides, expanding your chest, and floating the arms downward until they’re at your sides.  Relax your neck.

5. Perform 8 to 12 in smooth, steady succession.

Forward bends can be done slowly or quickly depending upon what you need at that moment.  If you feel lethargic, perform the forward bends more quickly for a pick-me-up.  Do them slower if you feel keyed up.

Other benefits:  increased oxygen supply and blood flow to organs and muscles, improved mood, increased energy, a reduction in stress-related symptoms, and increased feelings of well-being.  Ì

FYI

Many of us enjoy much material abundance, and I’ll admit I sometimes take it for granted.  Right here in our own communities, however, there are many families who can’t make ends meet.  I recently learned how easy it is to contribute to the welfare of others through two local organizations that serve families in need.  The information below has been copied directly from their websites.

Manna on Main Street

Manna on Main Street was founded in 1981 and has grown to be a place where those seeking help and those willing to help have gathered to work together. Manna provides a soup kitchen and food cupboard and a variety of other programs to help individuals in need.  The following donations are especially appreciated:

- healthy snacks

- bottled juices

- instant coffee

- fresh produce

- cereal

- milk (half gallons)

- 18 gallon plastic bins (with lids)

For more details, call Manna on Main Street at 215-855-5454 or go to the website at www.mannaonmain.org.

Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard 

Donations in the form of money, food, clothing and household items are always welcome. We are a 501C organization and provide Tax receipts upon request.  We have adequate space to store canned and non-perishable foods, as well as refrigerated food items.  Volunteers are always needed:

- offer your talent as a volunteer board member

- help with the STARS program (after school elementary program)

- sort and organize donated items

- pick up / delivery of donated items

- filling food orders and help with distribution

- health care services

- work with the clothing room and furniture

You can call the Cupboard at 215-628-3002 or go to the website at www.community-cupboard.org.

I hope you’ll consider donating materials, money or time to these or other similar organizations.   Ì

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION

If you suffer an injury such as a sprain, strain, muscle pull or tear, immediate first aid can prevent complications and help you heal faster.  RICE will help! RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Using these immediate first aid measures can relieve pain, limit swelling and protect the injured tissues, all of which help speed healing.

Rest:   Rest is critical to the healing process - it protects the injury from further damage and allows the body to direct energy to healing. 

Ice:  Use an ice pack on the affected body part for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day for the first 24 to 48 hours.

 Compression:  Swelling slows the healing process, so wrapping the injured area helps promote healing by reducing swelling.  Use an elastic bandage (ACE) and wrap fairly tightly but not so tightly that you feel throbbing or discomfort. 

Elevation:  If you are able to raise the injured body part to a level higher than your heart, swelling will be reduced and therefore speed healing.  For example, if you’ve injured your ankle, you can lay in bed with your foot propped on a couple of pillows.

After a day or two of RICE many sprains, strains or other injuries will begin to heal, but if your pain or swelling does not decrease after 48 hours, make an appointment to see your physician or go to the emergency room, depending upon the severity of your symptoms.  Ì

INSPIRATION

From www.dailyom.com on April 20, 2009:

Appreciating What Is

Enjoying Your Age

In each stage of life, there are wonderful experiences one can savor and valuable insights one can absorb. Every new decade and, in fact, every new year brings with it wisdom, transformation, and growth, as well as ends and beginnings. Many people, however, believe that there is one age that eclipses the others. They expend energy trying to reach it and, once it has passed, trying to retain it. But wishing to be younger or older is a denial of the joys that have been and the joys yet to be, as well as the beauty of your life in the present. Holding on to one age can make it difficult to appreciate each new milestone you reach. Taking pleasure in the delights of your age, whether you are in your 20s, 40s, 60s, or 80s, can help you see the magnificence and usefulness of the complex seasons of your life.

Each new year gifted to us by the universe is replete with exciting and unfamiliar experiences. In our 20s, we can embrace the energy of youth and the learning process, knowing it’s okay to not have all the answers. As we move through our third decade, we grow more self-assured as the confusion of our young adulthood melts away. We can honor these years by putting aside our fears of aging and concentrating instead on solidifying our values and enjoying our growing emotional maturity. In our 40s, we become conscious of the wisdom we have attained through life experience and are blessed with the ability to put it to good use. We are not afraid to explore unfamiliar territory or to change. In our 50s, we tend to have successfully navigated our midlife reevaluations and have prioritized our lives. In the decades beyond, we discover a greater sense of freedom than we have ever known and can truly enjoy the memory of all we’ve seen and done.

Enjoy the age you are at now, for each age presents its own unique wisdom to savor.  Ì

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Do you have a question or a suggestion for a topic to be covered?  Please send me an email and I will address it in a future issue of THRIVE!

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Rena Raso
Certified Personal Trainer

Certified Yoga Instructor
145 Medinah Drive
Blue Bell, PA 19422
610-275-0307
www.renaraso.com