I am writing this blog on Thanksgiving Day. Quite naturally on this day many people stop to reflect on that for which they are grateful. Have you ever stopped to notice how you feel physically and emotionally when you are thinking in terms of gratitude? I know for myself I feel like I have a smile in my heart…my body feels light and content…and warm and fuzzy!!! Any tension that I might have been holding seems to dissipate when I am in a state of gratitude. I feel happy, content, and open to receiving that which supports my highest good. I have learned that in any moment I can choose to think in terms of gratitude and immediately change my experience of that moment.

For the next month I encourage you to challenge yourself to see the positive in all your life experiences, to see the lessons and opportunities for growth that comes through life’s most difficult moments, and to make it your intention to live in a state of gratitude. If you consciously choose to see the blessings in your life they will multiply for that to which you put your attention expands. Pay attention to what works well in your life, look for the positive in every person your meet, and choose to say only kind and respectful things to and about yourself and others. Focus on what you do want in your life not what you don’t; focus on what you are in favor of, not that to which you are opposed. For example are you against war or for peace??? Though someone who is against war my be for peace, if their focus is on opposing war their experience of life will be dramatically different than if their focus is on creating peace. They will essentially be at war with war (thus creating more war) instead of looking for opportunities to create more peace. This may take some practice. Often we have some negative scripts that we have been playing in our head for many, many years. Begin to notice them and consciously choose to turn them into positives. Every time you notice yourself thinking or speaking about something you don’t like or don’t want let that be a signal to turn you attention to what you do like or do want.

In terms of weight issues keep your focus on eating for good health and energy and eating and moving in a way that will support a light and fit body. Do not focus on excess weight, what you don’t like about your body or your need to lose weight. Envision yourself at your optimum weight… What are you wearing, how are you holding your body, how do you walk down the street, how to speak to other people, what are you eating, how does your body move and exercise? Really take the time to feel this, breathe the feeling in to your every cell… then begin to live your life from this vision. Start walking, talking, moving, and eating as if you were already at your ideal weight. It has been said that where the mind goes the body will follow. So,pay attention and consciously choose where your mind goes!!!!

You may want to keep an intention and gratitude journal. I have my clients write down their intention for their life every morning ( it can be “my intention is to feel peace today, or treat my body with respect today, or organize my closet today, or live in a state of gratitude today, etc…”). So, before they say or do anything they ask themselves if those particular words or actions will support their intention for the day. If the answer is no they change it to something that will be in line with their intention. Then before they go to sleep at night they write down 3 things for which they are grateful. It only takes a few moments to do this, but this simple exercise has been the catalyst for major positive life changes for many of my clients.

If you have any thoughts or questions about this blog or suggestions for other topics, I’d love to hear from you. You can  email me at info@louisalatela.com. You will soon be able to listen to the audio version of this blog at http://yourhighestgood.podomatic.com

Wishing you many blessings, much abundance, and peace in your heart!!!!

Louisa

Ok, so if you are going to maintain a healthy weight you really do need to change your lifestyle. Compassionate Self Nurture needs to become a way of life for you. As I’ve said before I do believe over eating is often an attempt to self nurture. You must put attention to creating new more positive self nurturing behaviors: below are some simple ways to consciously create a living style that is truly reflective of self love and respect:

Simple Ways to Self Nurture

• When you wake up in the morning take a few moments to remember your dreams, meditate, think happy thoughts, set your intention for the day.
• Consciously nurture each of your senses every: (i.e. listen to a favorite cd, write in your journal, read a page of an inspirational book, moisturize your body with a great smelling lotion, look at/notice special pictures around your house, eat and savor the flavor of a piece of fresh fruit).
• Before leaving the house do a body scan and release any tension you might be holding in your body. Pay attention to your breathing.
• Be on time for all appointments.
• When you are driving in a car listen to a cd of some beautiful music, or an inspirational/motivational speaker, or ride in silence so you can listen to you/your higher power, your inner wisdom, etc.
• When you are stopped at a traffic light, pay attention to your breathing. Relax any tight muscles in your body and say an affirmation out loud (“I treat myself with love and respect every moment of every day”).
• Keep a fresh flower or plant on your desk at work, and in your bedroom at home.
• Throughout the day take a few moments to go outside to breathe in some fresh air to re-center and reconnect.
• Set boundaries.
• Acknowledge and celebrate what you accomplish during the day… no matter how small the task might be (i.e. I returned a phone call, I mailed some letters, I said a nice thing to myself, I said hello to a stranger, etc..)
• Create a transition ritual for yourself when you arrive home from work to release your work day (change your clothes, take a shower, do some exercise, etc.. )
• Don’t rush through meals, even if you have after meal obligations, Take the time to be present and enjoy your food. Keep the conversation positive at the dining table: (have everyone tell the best thing that happened to them that day!).
• Allow yourself to feel.
• Acknowledge and express gratitude for everything that goes well in your day (i.e. got a good parking spot, kept my word to myself, had a great conversation with a friend, etc.)
• Create a bedtime pampering ritual (take a bubble bath, spend some time meditating, read a book, write in your gratitude journal, listen to beautiful music, etc..)
• Sing, Dance, Play!
• Take an art class.
• Drink 8 glasses of water every day.
• Go outside and notice the miracles and beauty of nature.
• Get a massage.
• Paint your nails.
• Pluck your eyebrows.
• Go on a weekend retreat.
• Learn Yoga.
• Learn to play a musical instrument.
• Every time you look in the mirror say something loving to yourself.
• Plant a garden.
• Paint a room in your house a wild color!!
• Go to a town you’ve never been to before and window shop.
• Refute any unloving thoughts.
• Know that you are perfect in this moment!!!
• Lift weights.
• Say a silent prayer for yourself.
• Say a silent prayer for someone who drives you crazy!
• Count your blessings.
• Surround yourself with loving and supportive people.
• Watch a sunrise or a sunset.
• Hang inspirational and meaningful pictures in your house and at your work.
• Keep affirmation and inspirational books around your house and read at least one page every day.
• Spend some time near water.
• Learn to say “no”.

• KEEP YOUR WORD TO YOURSELF!!! 

I do believe in order to maintain a healthy weight loss one must make specific lifestyle and behavioral changes that are grounded in self love and respect. I have studied people who I believe to really live a life reflective of self love and respect. Below I’ve listed some of the behaviors I would describe as “common” among this population.

They:

speak only kind and loving words to and about themselves.

listen and respond appropriately to their body’s hunger and fullness signals.

spend a few moments before they eat in gratitude to the universe and all those involved in the preparation of their food.

nourish their body with fresh, life affirming foods.

eat slowly and consciously.

eat with passion and presence.

wear clothes that are comfortable and flatter the shape of their body.

take good care of their clothes: hang and fold their clothes with gratitude and reverence.

keep their living space neat and clean.

treat their home with respect.

keep up with the maintenance of their home both inside and out.

are responsible with and respectful of money.

pay their bills on time.

understand that money flows to them easily and effortlessly as they follow their heart’s passion.

keep positive affirmation and inspirational books around their house and read something positive every day.

keep live flowers and plants in their home.

watch only television shows and movies that are positive and life affirming.

consciously surround themselves with colors and textures that feel warm, comforting, and wonderful.

listen to beautiful and inspirational music.

drink 8 glasses of water every day.

eat at least 5 fruits and vegetables every day.

take their vitamins daily.

keep up with regularly scheduled health care appointments.

walk outside most days of the week.

appreciate the beauty of nature.

take time to re-center throughout the day.

surround themselves with people who love and celebrate them.

are powerful in a kind and loving way.

know that true power is grounded in love.

need not defend or explain themselves.

act and speak in accordance with their values and integrity system.

speak their truth with love and respect with the intention to support the highest good of all concerned.

take time to be of service to others.

understand that true peace comes from knowing that only love is real.

take time to check in with themselves throughout the day to reconnect with their center, and act from this place of inner knowing.

give themselves permission to say no.

are honest with themselves about who they are.

keep up with paperwork both at home and at work.

keep their car tidy and clean.

speak only kind, compassionate, loving and respectful words.

often do anonymous acts of kindness.

take time to laugh and play.

exercise regularly.

see the beauty in the soul of every person they meet.

create relationships that are supportive, loving, healthy, and empowering.

always find ways to nurture their spirit.

often journal their thoughts and feelings.

listen lovingly and respond respectfully to their body’s messages.

rest when they are tired.

speak their truth with love and respect.

are committed to being the best they can be.

keep their word to themselves.

consistently express gratitude for the many blessings in their lives.

So my challenge for you is to ask yourself before you say or do anything “Are these words or this behavior self loving and respectful?” If the answer is “No”, then stop, take a deep breath and listen to YOU!! When you stop and listen you will always know how to act in a way that supports your highest good!!

If you have any thoughts or questions about this blog I would love to hear from you!

You can email me at info@louisalatela.com,

or call me at 856.429.9799.

Wishing you many blessings and much peace!