Balancing & Breathing Amidst Life's Struggles & Juggles

Dear Friends,

So, often in life we find ourselves juggling many, different balls at once. Precariously and with tenacity, we must keep each ball up in the air, moving in rhythm and time with the others to make certain they all stay up. The faster the balls move, the more dizzying and the more we feel insistent upon keeping them up.

But what happens when life throws another ball or 2 or 3 into the mix and we just can't seem to keep them all up in the air anymore?

Do we drop the balls and run off, embarrassed by our failure?
Should we immediately, pick up the balls and start trying to force the juggle again, right away, pushing and struggling to look perfect? Might we hold anger towards the balls or toward life for forcing us to take on more than we feel we can handle?

Or--could we use the energetic release of the balls crashing to the ground as a moment to release ourselves from the burden of constantly, trying to keep everything together in our lives...take a breath...and then pick up the balls again, with new verve, vision, peace, reflection, commitment, joy and even humor (!) --ultimately, using the crash as an uplifting, teachable moment, a time to draw closer to ourselves, our bodies, our spirituality, our life paths?

One might consider-
Perhaps, we were trying to juggle too many balls in the first place.
Perhaps, one of the balls is no longer inflated and it was simply, time to lay that ball to rest. Or perhaps, we will not reach our potential, see how much we truly can balance-unless challenged beyond what we feel our capacity is.

This week, try slowing down, keeping yourself rooted in your tasks, and breathing while you are juggling life's chores and pleasures. Breathing helps us to stay connected to our bodies, maintain balance, focus, and integrity when performing a task. Breathing also, allows us to see when we are juggling too many aspects of life and must let go of one or more. Breathing helps us cultivate the mental clarity and openness to see when we truly, can add another ball into the mix with grace and ease, fulfilling our potential. Lastly, breathing allows us to let go of the struggle and enjoy the juggle!

Have a beautiful, relaxing week, balanced week amidst life's struggles & juggles!

Peace, Love & Healing,
~Jennifer

Jennifer A. Sachs
Holistic Health Coach & Consultant
Women's & Community Holistic Wellness Educator
jenniferasachs.blogspot.com

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Help Heal Haiti!

'Personhood' & The Divine Wholeness of Being

Dear Friends,

Take a moment to consider this thought...

'When I meet someone, I most connect with, value, and respect their:'

a. profession

b. religion

c. income

d. family

e. gender

f. native language

g. area of town they live in

h. color of their skin

i. style

j. personhood

While all of the above factors contribute to how we connect and empathize with others, only. j.-personhood provides for universal respect and appreciation toward another human being.

We each reach personal peaks in various, areas of our lives at unique times. To judge others--or ourselves--based on any single or even, combination of characteristics or events usually, means abandoning the 'whole' picture in lieu of a smaller, compartmentalized, and limiting frame.

While this can be a helpful, attribute for analysis or evaluation in circumstances like a 6 month job review, a meeting with a teacher, or even a self-help quiz in a magazine the only, assurance of treating others with dignity and equivalently, being treated with dignity by others, is to embrace the whole person as a unique, miraculous, divine being.

As we watch the frames captured by the media in Haiti, let's remember to look beyond the camera lens of tragedy and chaos in an effort to connect with the truest spirit and personhood of that divine being.

Similarly, next time you look in the mirror, try smiling and saying to yourself, 'I AM a unique, miraculous, divine, *WHOLE* being!'

Peace, Love & Healing,

~Jennifer

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Please, keep up the wonderful, sustainable giving to Haiti!

Many, incredible & diverse organizations and opportunities to give to!

List of Organizations to Help Heal Haiti

http://creolewoman.blogspot.com/2010/01/help-heal-haiti.htm

List of Organizations to Help Heal Haiti's Women

http://creolewoman.blogspot.com/2010/01/help-heal-haitis-women.html

Fundraisers & Benefits For Haiti-This Weekend-in/around Bmore & DC!

Dear Friends,

I thank you all for becoming part of this group and look forward to your ideas & contributions!

My mind & heart remain on Haiti this week and focusing on how we each can give, do, offer, empathize more with Haiti from within our own lives. Every dollar, every action, every prayer helps to relieve the cataclysm, tremendous heartache, and suffering Haitians are experiencing.

Below are some fun and easy, opportunities to give to Haiti in/around Baltimore & DC this weekend. There are links to the posts below on B'more Holistic wall! These will also, be posted at: http://bmoreholistic.blogspot.com with continued updates. Please, message me if you know of other fundraisers & benefits! And of course, please, share with others ;*)

Have a wonderful and safe weekend,
~Jen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

BMORE

*Vegan Bake Sale For Haiti (I don't see one in Bmore or DC, yet-You could be the first!)

*Whole Foods Mt. Washington Raised $11,000 In Haiti Relief-Make Donations Of Any Amt At Register!

*OriolesReach To Raise Funds For Haitian Relief Effort at 2010 FanFest This Saturday, 1/23

*Bad Decisions Bar is donating a $1.00 for every tropical fresh fruit drink purchased through January 23rd. 1928 Fleet Street.

*Hopkins-Affiliated Aid Group (Jhpiego) Heads To Haiti To Help Pregnant Women, Children / Jhpiego, A Hopkins Affiliate-Global Leader In Improving Health Care

*Indie Fixx Haiti Relief Fundraiser & Silent Auction - Place your
bid!

*Baltimore County Students Assist Earthquake Victims
INCREDIBLE LIST OF SCHOOLS/FUNDRAISERS!!
http://www.bcps.org/news/articles/article2123.html

DC

*Tonite! 1/22, Haiti Benefit Concert for the Red Cross Relief Effort: Brother Shamus, The Walkways, No Second Troy, Boxcar Collision, Bobby Thompson and more. IOTA Club & Cafe. Donations based., Arlington, VA

*CrisisCamp Haiti, Washington DC-Sat-1/23-Technology volunteers in 3 countries & 10 cities join together to assist Haiti Relief efforts

*Georgetown for Haiti
Lululemon (2nd Floor) - 3265 M St. N.W. - Washington
January 22 : 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Join some of Georgetown's most well-known spots to help make a difference in Haiti with free food, drinks and special donation packages.

*Friday for Haiti Happy Hour
Local 16 - 1602 U St. N.W. - Northwest
January 22 : 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Make a donation and get free food and free beer!

*Hands Together Haiti Happy Hour
Fly Lounge - 1802 Jefferson St. N.W. - Northwest
January 22 : 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Get "pre-flight" drink specials and help a Haitian non-profit group devastated by the earthquake.

*Haiti Earthquake Relief Yoga Classes
Circle Yoga - 3838 Northampton St. N.W. - Washington
January 23 : 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Yoga All Levels
If drinking and partying isn't your thing, try yoga for a good cause.

*Stars Bistro and Bar
2120 P St. N.W. - Washington
202-464-6464
Come out to this Mediterranean-American bistro on Sunday, January 24 and don't be stingy with your order! The restaurant will be donating 20% of their sales for the day to UNICEF. And as always, entertainment will be free courtesy of their singing servers!

*Taco Tuesdays For Haiti
Third Edition - 1218 Wisconsin Ave. - Northwest
January 26 : 8:30 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Show your support for Haiti with $2 tacos and margaritas and $3 beers!

*Rock and Roll Relief for Haiti
Rock and Roll Hotel - 1353 H St. N.E. - Northeast
January 27 : 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Enjoy some great live music for a great cause!
Restaurant Specials for Haiti
Various -
Daily (ends February 19)
Enjoy featured dishes from some of D.C.'s best restaurants and help support the Red Cross.

(Help Haiti and get great deals! Sign up for the What's The Deal D.C. newsletter and help a great cause.)

~Baltimore-Haiti Fundraising Events From The Last 10 Days:~

*Church, Cub Scout Pack Raises Funds For Haiti

*Picture of Health: Baltimore Medical Teams Provide Updates From Haiti

*Baltimore Restaurants & Bars Raising Money For Earthquake Victims

More great links, stories, ways to help on group wall!

B'more Holistic Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=199918243078&ref=ts

http://bmoreholistic.blogspot.com

Rising Up From The Rubble & The Power of Sustainable Giving

Dear Holistic Health & Natural Healing Friends,

Each one of us has experienced a time in life when we've felt our world was crashing down. Maybe, the loss of a loved one; an accident of some kind; a marriage falling apart; termination from job; a sick child. Some of us have lived through disasters-the Tsunami in Asia, Hurricane Katrina, or 9/11.

When we transport ourselves back to that time and remember the pain, struggle, fear, and emptiness-we generally, choose not to linger too, long revisiting those feelings. Who wants to spend one extra minute suffering in life?

However, at this time, I feel we are being asked to reconnect with our own personal struggles in order to become more compassionate, empathetic, liberated, united individuals. While no gift is too small, for many of us, it is quite, a simple task to make a small, one-time donation, even in challenging economic times, and get back to our daily, routines. While, giving of any kind is a great deed, challenging ourselves to give sustainably is another story, altogether.

Sustainable giving requires commitment, tenacity, focus, determination, fortitude, deep generosity, open-heartedness, and self-sacrifice. However, the reward is not only, that we receive the privelege of helping others in long-term and meaningful ways but we also palpably, get to see the benefit of our change over time. We receive innumerable blessings, growth, and fulfillment from even the smallest of regular giving to those in need. We remold and sculpt the world to become a better place--and in the process, we too, become better for our outreach in body, mind, heart, spirit and soul.

Aren't we all "in need" in some way? Don't we all rely on each other for help? Who, in this world, can survive without interdependence from friends, family, community, and the Earth?

Here are some suggestions for sustainable giving to Haiti:

-Donate $5 once a week in 2010 via text message

-Donate $1 every day in 2010 via text message

-Give a small donation to a collection box each time you see one (could even be $.50)

-Set up a blog and post a prayer, photo, song, or link for Haiti each morning when you turn on your computer

-Change your email signature to include your favorite not-for-profit that works in Haiti with a line inviting friends to give

-Host a round-robin fundraiser dinner with friends once/month for a year where you each make contributions to a kitty and send to a Haiti Orphanage

-Clean out your house each season, hold a yard sale, and donate proceeds to local Missions to Haiti

-Etc.

I have posted and will continue to post many, resources for ways to give to Haiti on our group wall. I invite and encourage you to post your own ideas, as well. Who knows? Maybe, someone else will see your post and be inspired to give. Then your giving will be multiplied by 2 or 10 or 100.

Here is a wonderful list of charitable organizations to donate to Haiti:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34834553/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show

To this list I add:

U.N. World Food Programme

https://www.wfp.org/donate/haiti

Carma Foundation

http://carmafoundation.org

Women For A Change

http://womenforachange.org

Google List of Haiti Orphanage Organizations:

http://bit.ly/5adD3A

There are so, many more incredible, options for sustainable, giving. I look forward to reading about your ideas and links!

With love & respect for the fragility and blessings of human life,

~Jennifer

Jennifer A. Sachs

Holistic Health Coach & Consultant

Women's & Community Holistic Wellness Educator

jenniferasachs@gmail.com

Self-Empowerment As Healer

Dear Holistic Health & Natural Healing Friends,

I hope this message finds you well, enjoying Winter sports, eating and drinking warming foods, herbs, and liquids, and embracing the cozy moments that cool seasons have to offer. Remember, immunity, strength, and relaxation we cultivate in Winter months will support us in Summer months, too!

For those in the group who are from warmer climates or perhaps, even, where it is Summer right now, I hope you are staying cool and reading along to be prepared for colder weather, rains, or shifting temperatures as they may come your way.

In my last newsletter, I discussed gentle, transitions into the New Year with embrace of change in simple, enjoyable, fulfilling ways. Does this mean we shouldn't set goals? Look thoroughly, at our actions, lives, homes for improvement? Make dietary, exercise, relationship, financial shifts where needed? Of course not!

It simply, means that the most successful, sustainable changes are those we embrace at our own pace; incorporate into our lives in a meaningful fashion; and connect with in ways that uniquely, suit our individual needs and lifestyles.

In so doing, we empower self to take charge of our own, wellness. We regain belief and trust in our instincts. We value the wisdom, kindness, and suggestions of those around us. However, we stay our course as to what works best for us, as individuals, and know this to be the best path to long-term happiness and health.

When it comes to a life-time of prevention, maintenance, and treating illness, we each are responsible for ourselves and therefore are our own, best healers!

Thanks, to so, many new group members with the new year and to loyal members-as always ;*)

Peace, Love and Healing,
~Jen

Jennifer A. Sachs
Holistic Health Coach & Consultant
Women's & Community Holistic Wellness Educator
jenniferasachs.blogspot.com
jenniferasachs@gmail.com
504.400.2171

~~~~~

Link Highlights

Soothing Ayurvedic Foot Massage
PBS: This Emotional Life
Garden & The Good Life: Best Green Blogs Directory
Albany Times Union Blog: Strength In Numbers
Reducing Indoor Air Pollution
Nicholas Kristof: Religion & Women
Washington Couple To Pay For Wedding With Recycling
Brasil Jumps On Organic Bandwagon
FreeChair.net
Treating Psychological Abuse Key To Healing
Native American Quotes
Essentialoil.com
Why Random Acts Of Kindness Are So Important
Foods That Prevent Memory Loss
Healthy Eating On The Road
Chakras
Petition To Save Cretan Palm & Flowers

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Holistic Health & Natural Healing

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Holistic Health & Natural Healing -- KIDS

Diets! Resolutions! Reality! Oh My! Or...??

Dear Holistic Health & Natural Healing Friends,

Well, it's that time of the year, again. The beginning of a whole, new chapter. A new you, a new life, a new chance to start over. Thinking about what we should have, could have, would have done and how to make huge changes to live life differently.

Or...Not?

What if this year, this brand new year and new decade, of 2010 is just an extension of the last one? What if you already, have what you need to be successful, you just need to continue cultivating and manifesting it? What if you are an incredible, beautiful, compassionate, divine creature, as you are? What if, instead of focusing on all that we don't have and all that we need to do, we actively, choose to focus on strategized, manageable, enjoyable steps to positive change in the new year...and always!

What if, rather than signing on for the latest shtick or gimmick you look inside yourself and trust that you will find a different way to do things? A way of self-love, personal empowerment, celebration? No more yo-yo dieting, no more on-again off-again with exercise, no more anger that the world isn't making things go the way YOU want them to happen. What if, instead, you take charge of your own life? You set up healthy, happy, sustainable ways of eating, exercising, resting, enjoying, loving, healing?

It is possible!
It is worthwhile!
It is fulfilling!

Living healthfully, on a consistent basis takes time, commitment, energy and tenacity. However, both true intellect and deep wisdom teach us that creating lasting, sustainable change in our lives is worthwhile and is also, the best way to prevent disease, as well as to heal faster from sicknesses we may develop. Prevention is key. Self-empowerment is essential. Affordability is central to maintenance.

So, this New Year 2010, when you look in the mirror or think about how you want to live, instead of the shoulda woulda coulda camp...try the I CAN! I DO! I AM! camp. And check out our group links to learn how to take manageable steps to truly, be healthy, happy, relaxed and delighted by your own life this year. When we feel better about ourselves, keep a positive attitude, stay connected to nature and 'whole' living, even through life's trials and errors, we always come out on top.

Just look for the silver lining!

Peace, Love & Healing,
~Jennifer

Jennifer A. Sachs
Holistic Health Coach & Consultant
Women's & Community Holistic Wellness Educator
jenniferasachs.blogspot.com
jenniferasachs@gmail.com
504.400.2171

Link Highlights
~~~~~

Be sure to join our new, Holistic Health & Natural Healing groups!

Holistic Health & Natural Healing - KIDS
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=189052083207&ref=ts

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January ~ National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month!
Year-Round Sustainable Giving
Baby Boomer Health & Wellness
Green Sex
Music Therapy
Mother Nature Network
Healing Wounds of War Through Yoga
Men's Coaching & Personal Development Tools
LGBT Rights
Empowering Your Intentions Workshop 1/9, Pacific Palisades
Natural Insomnia Cures
Alternative Medicine For Treating Cancer
New Therapy For Impotence
Yoga Becoming Popular Among Athletes
Green Housing
Ayurveda
Maine Considering Cell Phone Cancer Warning
Steve Jobs: How To Live Before You Die (video)
Tealand.com
What Is Cupping?
Best Eco-Friendly Wines
Sample of Green For Clean Facial Toner

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