tag:www.naturalawakenings.com,2005:/categories/inspirationInspiration Inspiration | Natural Awakenings Magazine Healthy Living Healthy Planet2024-03-11T13:50:53-04:00urn:uuid:0f5384c1-dd63-4fed-bb3e-8f46d1a0e0072024-02-25T19:38:40-05:002024-03-11T13:50:53-04:00Healthy Living as a Spiritual Discipline2024-02-29 09:27:00 -0500Marlaina Donato<p>The human body enables us to fulfill daily functions and perform unseen feats autonomically. Our hearts beat <a href="https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/how-a-healthy-heart-works">100,000 times</a> a day, and our <a href="https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/research/how-are-blood-vessels-made">60,000 miles of blood vessels</a> transport nutrition and oxygen to our tissues and organs so they can do their superhero jobs. Taking time to eat better, exercise and get more rest feels like a tall order when life keeps us busy, but when we see food, movement and intention as sacred choices instead of Herculean tasks to be postponed, investing in our health can become a joyous endeavor.</p><p> </p><p>Appreciating our arms, legs, eyesight, tastebuds and all of our other amazing physical assets can be a daily spiritual practice that incentivizes us to maintain our corporeal foundation. <a href="https://www.mindful.org/the-science-of-gratitude/">Research</a> shows that moments of gratitude are catalysts for improvements in the nervous system, including vagal nerve tone, which positively impacts heart rate and blood pressure. For those struggling with chronic pain or illness, gratitude for what they can do gives them a greater sense of control and uncovers blessings they might have overlooked while dwelling upon limitations.</p><p> </p><p>While millions of cells in the body die every day, millions more take their place. We are walking wonders of physiological orchestration, and this alone deserves our highest respect and commitment to our well-being. Here are a few inspirations for the journey.</p><p> </p><p>· With a daily prayer, thank the body for its wonders and efforts. Be specific by acknowledging distinct areas like the heart, brain and skin, as well as different functions such as breathing, hearing and seeing.</p><p>· Think of the gym, treadmill, yoga studio or hiking trail as sacred spaces.</p><p>· Consider better food choices as divine offerings to the body’s temple.</p><p>· Make the act of food shopping a mindful activity.</p><p>· Tune into the body for five-to-10-minute intervals to acknowledge its beauty and accomplishments.</p><p>· Please the senses with nontoxic aromas, soft organic fabrics and splashes of beauty.</p><p>· Befriend any body part that is disliked or has been ignored.</p><p> </p><p><i>Marlaina Donato is a body-mind-spirit author, visionary artist and composer. Connect at BluefireStudio.art.</i></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:e9b621bb-8783-4b71-955c-f563b45f74b92024-01-25T08:17:31-05:002024-03-02T09:25:27-05:00The Magic of Hugs2024-01-31 09:27:00 -0500Marlaina Donato<p>Through the ages, various substances and lifestyle changes have been touted as panaceas, but even in our modern world there is one unexpected soul-elixir that might rival the others—the human hug. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/progress-notes/201908/remembering-family-therapist-guru-virginia-satir">Virginia Satir</a>, a pioneer in family therapy, is famous for <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinecomaford/2020/08/22/are-you-getting-enough-hugs/?sh=78ee58e468da">saying</a>, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” Even hugging a pet or stuffed animal can <a href="https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/health/hug-it-out-why-experts-say-physical-touch-is-good-for-health/95-881ffa08-1762-41e5-bf2d-bc2d3f67228d">lower blood pressure, take the edge off pain and curb the effects of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines</a>.</p><p>During a hug, preferably the 20-second variety, we can experience a drop in anxiety, thanks to a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol and a friendly burst of the bonding hormone oxytocin. Hugging our spouse, a friend or someone after church can ward off the common cold while helping us feel less alone in a big world. </p><p>Hugging is a language unto itself, showing others that they matter. Too often, we postpone physical contact, rushing out the door on the way to work. Couples sometimes reserve embraces only as a prelude to intimacy. Children can be deprived of hugs because of generational and cultural reservation. In the end, most of us don’t have enough healthy, non-sexual touch, which can contribute to loneliness, depression and feelings of separateness. Whether we are born huggers or hug-phobic and warming up to the practice, lifting our arms to express affection or support another person can prove that there are safe places indeed.</p><p>Here are a few suggestions to add hugs to the day. </p><ul><li>Compose “hug certificates” and put them in someone’s birthday card to use throughout the year.</li><li>Hug a pillow when alone and surrender to the safe-place feeling.</li><li>Give a child a hug before and after school, after a job well done or just because.</li><li>Schedule two hugs a day with a partner and make sure they each are at least 20 seconds in duration.</li><li>To respect possible past trauma around touch, ask someone if it’s okay to give them a hug. </li></ul><p><i>Marlaina Donato is</i><i> a visionary artist, </i><i>composer</i><i> and author of several books. Connect at </i><a href="http://www.BluefireStudio.art" target="_blank"><i>BluefireStudio.art.</i></a><i> </i></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:dd9acba2-68fb-4207-881c-f88c954280342023-12-19T18:43:17-05:002024-03-03T09:09:27-05:00Letting the Seasons Enrich Us2023-12-29 09:27:00 -0500Marlaina Donato<p>For most of us, the first half of our lives is spent tilling the soil of our careers, nourishing family and investing in our dreams. Before we know it, time engraves its signature onto our skin and weaves strands of silver into our hair, and we are presented with the unexpected but inevitable question of what comes next.<i></i></p><p> </p><p>The soil of Mother Earth is made fertile only by the debris of seasons. There would be no life without nature’s perpetual act of letting go and the sacred and inevitable growth that comes from decay. As we age, like trees in winter, our energy travels deep down into our roots—our bones. Only then can we stand sovereign, a stable foundation for others. Only when we are full of seasons can we offer the sweetest fruit in the form of shared knowledge, skills and hard-earned wisdom. Most of all, we become living examples of the Chinese proverb: “To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.”<i></i></p><p> </p><p>Accepting the aging process can be challenging and sometimes frightening, but if we lean closer and listen to what the wisdom years have to offer, our journey can become more joyful. The stories of our seasons can be a wellspring bubbling to the surface in conversations, filling empty cups with empathy, hope and humor. We sit at a table called humanity. Let us create a feast of shared experience.</p><p> </p><p>Here are a few ways to enjoy the riches of the journey:</p><ul><li>Instead of giving a loved one a store-bought gift to mark an important milestone, write a letter filled with practical and loving advice for the road ahead.</li></ul><ul><li>Mentor a younger person or peer. Teach them how to make bread, paint a canvas, start a garden, fix a sink or make a quilt. Pay your passions forward.</li></ul><ul><li>Visit a relative or a stranger at a retirement home and ask them to share their stories.</li></ul><br><i>Marlaina Donato is an author, wise-woman mentor and painter. Connect at </i><a href="http://www.JaguarFlower.art" target="_blank"><i>JaguarFlower.art</i></a><i>.</i><p></p><p></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:29287c20-aa7b-4bbe-8e08-125ea4e1263d2023-11-16T17:37:02-05:002024-01-01T09:39:01-05:00 Treating Ourselves2023-11-28 06:30:00 -0500Marlaina Donato<p>For many of us, this time of year is a whirlwind of well-meaning obligations, and we struggle to hold onto the intended joy of the season. Somewhere between the office holiday party and making a toast on New Year’s Eve, it is easy to lose sight of the magic because we lose sight of ourselves.<br></p><p>During this hour of stillness when nature slows down to restore life force in the very roots, we can make a conscious decision to give back to ourselves by honoring our energy reserves. Being more realistic with our finances and not seeking an escape from holiday stress through overindulgence are holy choices we can make. Deciding not to spread ourselves too thin swaps exhausting multitasking for authenticity and the pleasure of being in the present moment. Re-defining priorities without misplaced guilt allows us to give others our undiluted presence.<br></p><p>As the winter solstice nears and another chapter concludes, how much lighter might we feel if we bless ourselves with the soul-necessity of inner peace? How many beautiful memories might we store up as spiritual nourishment for the journey ahead? Just as the solstice kicks off a bit more daylight as we inch toward spring, tending to our own roots not only makes us stronger but also ensures a future harvest from which everyone around us can benefit. <br></p><p><br></p><h3><b>Ideas for a More Balanced Season</b></h3><ul><li>Host a fun, potluck gathering instead of doing all the cooking. </li><li>Say “No” to an event and spend that time with someone that doesn’t have family or holiday plans.</li><li>Instead of a tangible gift, write a heartfelt letter to a loved one and lavishly decorate the paper and envelope.</li><li>Choose a morning to sleep in late or make yourself a delicious breakfast.</li><li>Enjoy the unique beauty of winter, pausing to notice a sunset or deepening twilight.</li><li>Share treasured stories and memories with a gathering of friends.</li><li>Avoid rushing and risk running behind.</li><li>Decide to not harbor any regrets.</li><li>Abandon perfection.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><i>Marlaina Donato is an author, multimedia expressionist and cultivator of women’s wild well-being. Connect at </i><a href="http://jaguarflower.art/" target="_blank">JaguarFlower.art</a><i>.</i></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:eb32c818-fccc-48ee-9dbc-d6173469f3082023-11-16T21:50:02-05:002024-03-03T09:54:34-05:00The Grace of Giving and Receiving: Healing Through Generosity2023-11-28 06:30:00 -0500Carrie Jackson<p>In today’s fast-paced world, where self-interest often takes precedence, the capacity for generosity can make a huge impact. Giving and supporting others fosters a more openhearted society, paving the way for greater connection and unity.<br></p><p>A study published in<i> </i><a href="https://iaap-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/17580854/homepage/forauthors.html" target="_blank">Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being </a>shows that gratitude can increase self-esteem and long-term well-being, leading to greater fulfillment in myriad areas of life. In this season of giving (and throughout the year), gratitude can help shift perspectives on everyday circumstances and remind us of what really matters. Stories of people supporting one another through their generosity can move and inspire us to make every day a little brighter.<br></p><p><br></p><p><b>Facilitating Health Care</b></p><p>Gratitude is often felt the most by those that have been helped through a loss or trauma. When her young adult son was afflicted with devastating ulcerative colitis, Phyllis Johnson remembers feeling desperate and frustrated by traditional medicine practitioners unable to help. “Watching a loved one suffer is the most helpless and isolating feeling,” she recalls. Her son finally found relief after introducing complementary and integrative therapies, and Johnson set out to help others that were not so fortunate.<br></p><p>“If I didn’t have the cash, I don’t know what we would have done,” Johnson remarks, acknowledging her privilege. In 2013, she founded <a href="http://www.eFundYourHealth.org" target="_blank">eFundYourHealth.org</a>, a South Carolina-based nonprofit, to encourage and support community giving when conventional health care and health insurance are inadequate. “We pull from a team of passionate experts in the integrative and alternative health community who want to change the world,” she explains.<br></p><p>Patients apply for grants for the care they need that is not covered by insurance. They are required to raise a minimum of $500 on their own, and <a href="http://www.eFundYourHealth.org" target="_blank">eFundYourHealth.org</a> connects with donors to meet the rest. According to Johnson, this model of people helping each other benefits everyone, including donors, patients and healthcare providers. “The patients are able to receive the often essential care they need and deserve to heal, and the donors and practitioners are making a vital difference in someone else’s life. The sense of gratitude connects everyone and heightens the healing process,” she says.<br></p><p>Johnson identifies with the desperation of family members that would do anything to help their loved ones and says that serving others is the only option for her. “When someone you care about is suffering, not being able to make them better is excruciating. Once you’ve been through a traumatic experience, it builds a fire within you. Turning that into empowerment becomes part of your calling, and you are driven to ensure that others don’t have to go through the same thing,” she asserts.<br></p><p><br></p><p><b>Feeding the Hungry</b></p><p>Generosity is often shared by the very people that have been on the receiving end. For Frieda Holly, experiencing homelessness changed her perspective and ignited a desire to help others. More than three decades ago, the Chicago resident was forced to move her family out of their apartment when her youngest son tested positive for lead poisoning. Unable to find housing on such short notice, Holly lived for six months with her children in a nearby shelter and was transformed by the experience.<br></p><p>“It was not what I expected,” she remembers. “They treated us with extreme kindness, and I had never felt so loved and taken care of, especially in such a down moment. When we moved out, I wanted to share that feeling and generosity with others.”<br></p><p>Holly began collecting food from nearby pantries and making soup for the community out of her new home. What started as providing a meal to a few people quickly grew into a bustling soup kitchen. Today, Frieda’s Place has been a cornerstone in the community for 35 years. “A soup kitchen is different from a pantry, because a warm meal touches people’s heart and soul. I put a little love into every meal and make my guests feel special,” she muses. Some of her guests are regulars, others come by once or twice, and everyone is welcome at her table.<br></p><p><br></p><p>While Holly runs the kitchen on her own, she is never alone. “Volunteers from the community stop by all the time to help out. Every day that we’re open, people drop off clothing, toiletries and other essential items,” she says. Much of the food is donated from nonprofits, such as the Chicago Greater Food Depository, and businesses, such as Trader Joe’s, and Holly makes do with whatever she’s given.</p><p><br></p><p>“Most days, I wake up not knowing what I’m serving that day, but it always works out and my guests are always grateful for a hot meal,” says Holly. “People come to <a href="https://www.friedasplacechicago.org/" target="_blank">Frieda’s Place</a> for more than just the food; they are craving emotional attention and connection. If I can give them more love or even just listen, it’s a spark in their day that may have ripple effects.”</p><p><br></p><p><b>Leveraging Art for Positive Outcomes</b><br></p><p><a href="https://ruthwestreichtheartist.com/" target="_blank">Ruth Westreich</a> never thought she would become a philanthropist. The California native grew up in poverty as a young caregiver for her ill mother. When a generous employer from a teenage job funded her college tuition, she was inspired to pay it forward. Westreich set out to help anyone she could by sharing her time, attention and financial resources.</p><p>A passion for the arts set the groundwork for The Westreich Foundation, primarily funded by her affluent husband, who saw how impactful her work could be with the right support. Now in its 20th year, the organization funds programs and individuals at the intersection of art and healing, focusing on the welfare and education of youth, restorative farming and organic agriculture, scientific research and independent investigative journalism.<br></p><p>“Art, science and intergenerational dialogue are inextricably linked, and harnessing them helps move beyond the societal and political entanglements that interfere with overall health,” Westreich explains. “We fund a lot of early adopters with big ideas that need investigating. We are especially interested in highlighting the dangers that need to be exposed in things like PFAS [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances] and other chemicals that are harmful to the overall health of the planet.” The Westreich Foundation helped fund the nonprofits, scientific research and journalists that eventually uncovered the dangers of Monsanto’s weedkiller RoundUp.<br></p><p>A painter herself, Westreich is deeply moved by the power of the arts in healing, and the foundation combines thought-provoking art, activism and philanthropy to engage and unite people. “By supporting and elevating these passionate groups, we are encouraged that their work will result in an exponential impact that can be scaled for dramatic changes in human and planetary health,” she asserts. “Gratitude emanates between our donors and our recipients. They are incredibly grateful for the support, and I am equally grateful to be able to give. More than the money, it’s the relationships that make us all feel the richest. I believe in the law of attraction and know in my heart that the more you give, the more you get back.”<br></p><p><br></p><p><b>Spreading Holistic Hope and Gratitude</b></p><p>When Suzan Walter co-founded the <a href="https://ahha.org/" target="_blank">American Holistic Health Association</a> (AHHA), her knowledge and understanding of holistic health was limited. The businesswoman and parent of two children had no intention of entering the health world, but her life changed course when a close friend was diagnosed with cancer and given two weeks to live.<br></p><p>“During my grief, I read Bernie Siegel’s book<i> Love, Medicine & Miracles</i> and learned about terminally ill patients who took control of their illnesses and extended their lives beyond medical predictions,” she recalls, adding that her friend with cancer came to believe that he would recover. He accepted treatment and lived another two months. According to Walter, when he stopped believing, the treatments stopped working, and he died.<br></p><p>Seeing firsthand the power that positivity could have in healing, Walter committed to learning more about holistic wellness and eventually founded AHHA, a free, online clearinghouse of resources and articles to support active self-care and healthy lifestyle changes.<br></p><p>“We encourage the powerful, whole-person approach to health care that integrates physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. We are connecting and empowering holistic warriors with the resources to help them heal and a community to help support them,” Walter explains. “I am humbled and blessed that by being willing to serve, these opportunities to leave the world a little better have emerged. My friend was asked at the end of his life if there was any meaning he could take away from his suffering, to which he responded, ‘It allowed me to let others in and receive their love.’ Gratitude enabled him to find a gift, even under the most dire circumstances, and that is a beautiful lesson.”<br></p><p>In this hectic season, slowing down and helping others can make a world of difference. By nurturing a culture of giving, we can help create a grateful, united community that reflects the values we want to instill.<br></p><p><br></p><p><i>Carrie Jackson is a Chicago-based freelance writer. Connect at </i><a href="http://www.CarrieJacksonWrites.com" target="_blank">CarrieJacksonWrites.com</a><i>.</i></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:8cd0e6dc-7e83-4826-a31d-d3dcd64d68062023-10-15T19:18:06-04:002024-01-01T17:46:57-05:00A Pebble of Kindness in the Stagnant Pond2023-10-31 09:30:00 -0400Marlaina Donato<p>From kindergarten classrooms to inspired blogs, kindness is a practice that is encouraged throughout society. Compassion—the bedrock of goodwill—is a spark that can easily be snuffed out on the wheel of survival. Spiritual practice is usually associated with attending a house of worship, getting on a yoga mat or keeping a gratitude journal, but one of the most beautiful faces of mindfulness reveals itself when we embody kindness. With the expression of compassion, we become joy in motion.<br></p><p><br></p><p>We do not need to break the bank or give our last drop of energy to consider others, only a willingness to nourish generosity of spirit. Whether we share that last piece of dark chocolate with our significant other or uphold a common courtesy, such as giving someone a well-deserved compliment, a heartfelt gesture can go a long way. One thoughtful word or deed can be a single pebble thrown into a stagnant pond. Kindness from pure intentions rather than superficial investment in “good karma” is a form of energy that begets more of the same. Perhaps the greatest advantage of goodwill is the reminder that the world is not such a harsh place after all. This aha moment, at the very least, can change someone’s day. At the most, it might save a life. Living in the heart means maintaining a higher frequency, which is needed now more than ever.</p><p><br></p><p>Here are a few ideas to drop a pebble in the pond:</p><p><br></p><p><b>In the Household</b></p><ul><li>Help someone with their chores: Put out the garbage, empty the dishwasher or set the dinner table.</li><li>Run a hot bath or heat up a bowl of soup for a loved one after a long day.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><b>In the Workplace</b></p><ul><li>Bring a coworker a cup of coffee or a hard-working boss a surprise dessert.</li><li>Take the early shift for someone else.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><b>In the Community</b></p><p><b></b></p><ul><li>Offer a free class or service.</li><li>Pick up groceries for a neighboring senior.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><i>Marlaina Donato is an author, multimedia expressionist and cultivator of women’s wild well-being. Connect at </i><a href="http://www.JaguarFlower.art" target="_blank">JaguarFlower.art</a><i>.</i></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:28d94b34-4ef7-4322-83df-f22d2caa19532023-09-15T19:58:29-04:002023-10-31T10:40:04-04:00Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day2023-09-29 09:30:00 -0400Kiki Powers<p>October 9 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Its origin traces back to 1977, during the United Nations International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas, but it was not proclaimed an official U.S. holiday until 2021. During this national holiday, we celebrate the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognize their inherent sovereignty and commit to our treaty obligations with tribal nations.<br></p><p> </p><p>The federal government recognizes 574 American Indian tribes and Alaska Native entities in the U.S. According to the United Nations, there are more than 476 million Indigenous peoples living in 90 countries worldwide, accounting for 6.2 percent of the global population.</p><p><br></p><h3>Here are a few ways to celebrate: </h3><p><br></p><p><b>Honor the land. </b>Visit Native Land Digital (<a href="http://www.native-land.ca" target="_blank">native-land.ca</a>) to learn the location and history of lands inhabited by Indigenous peoples around the world. The website, which includes an interactive map, identifies territories, languages and treaties. </p><p><br></p><p><span><b>Learn the history. </b>Winner of the 2015 American Book Award, </span><i>An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States</i> by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz offers a compelling history of the United States told from the perspective of Indigenous peoples. </p><p><br></p><p><b>Connect with nature. </b>Indigenous peoples are exemplary stewards of the land that they inhabit, and we can take their lead by spending time in nature, acknowledging our dependence on the land and becoming good stewards of the local ecosystem. </p><p><br></p><p><b>Build a garden.</b> There is much to learn from Indigenous gardening techniques. Companion planting, for example, is the idea that certain plants grown together improve each other’s health and yield. Choose native plants as much as possible to support the local ecosystem. Grow healing herbs and flowers. At the end of a season, save the seeds of plants that thrived for future use. </p><p><br></p><p><b>Support Indigenous businesses.</b> On this day and every day, consider supporting Indigenous businesses for handmade jewelry and clothing, body care products, home decor and artwork. </p><p><br></p><p><b>Visit a museum. </b>The National Museum of the American Indian is part of the <a href="https://www.si.edu/" target="_blank">Smithsonian Institution</a>, with locations in Washington, D.C., New York City and Suitland, Maryland. It curates one of the world’s largest collections of native artifacts.</p><p><br></p><p><span><b>Take up storytelling.</b> </span>Historically, Indigenous peoples have used storytelling to educate, inform, entertain and preserve their distinct legacy for future generations. Gather with friends and family to learn about and practice this life-affirming art.</p><p><br></p><p><b>Explore Indigenous art forms.</b> From traditional masks that narrate origin stories to handmade jewelry, crafts and dreamcatchers that memorialize healing dreams, there are so many wonderful art projects that we can appreciate and learn. </p><p><br></p><p><i>Kiki Powers is a health writer, blogger and national speaker specializing in plant-based nutrition and healthy green living. Learn more at </i><a href="http://www.RawKiki.com" target="_blank">RawKiki.com</a><i>.</i></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:92d1fe02-6677-4cd0-89af-6c08271b840f2023-08-15T17:53:26-04:002023-10-01T14:24:21-04:00Embracing the Winding Road2023-08-31 09:30:00 -0400Marlaina Donato<p>Life’s transitions can feel like a broken bead necklace, with scattered pieces of ourselves waiting to be restrung. When we pack up our lives to move into a new home or organize neglected drawers, we may stir up clouds of bittersweet memories. Watching our kids leave the nest, we might wonder where the time has gone. As a new self struggles to emerge from the chrysalis, our hormones might take us on a rollercoaster ride before unveiling breathtaking wings.<br></p><p><br></p><p>At times, we have one foot on shifting sands and the other in midair, waiting to connect to solid ground. Inspirational author Neale Donald Walsch says, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”—wise words for those of us that are halfway across the rickety swinging bridge of change.</p><p><br></p><p>Breaking our own rules can gift us with a brand of freedom that we’ve only imagined. Seasoned travelers and weekend adventurers might agree that setting aside plans and maps invites unforeseen magic. Ordering something we cannot pronounce on the menu, turning left instead of right or revisiting an old dream might be a wonderful decision.</p><p><br></p><p>When we take our hands off the wheel and float into possibility, the universe smiles and nudges our secret longing for something new, something more harmonically aligned with our own unique frequency. Meeting life in the moment, wherever we happen to be, can be a challenging but rewarding spiritual discipline.</p><p><br></p><p>When we take a deep breath and turn the page, life deepens in color and gets more interesting. When we resist the well-meaning way that has been carved out for us and choose to go off the beaten path despite the uncertainty ahead, we will meet ourselves more deeply, no matter what happens. Perhaps this is the meaning behind it all—the magical door we seek. Honoring the sanctity of change is the key to fulfillment.</p><p><br></p><p><i>Marlaina Donato is an author, visionary painter and composer. Connect at </i><a href="http://www.JaguarFlower.art" target="_blank">JaguarFlower.art</a><i>.</i></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:43314791-6fc8-4ec5-8135-fccc59467bb52023-07-15T16:35:22-04:002023-08-31T10:49:51-04:00Walking in Wonder2023-07-31 09:30:00 -0400Marlaina Donato<p>Before life snagged us in its insidious net of obligations, our child selves discovered awe around every bend. We poked our noses into fluffy, new dandelions and saw faces in passing clouds. “Why?” was a perpetual mantra we lived by, no doubt testing the patience of loved ones. Somewhere along the way, our eagerness to jump into the lap of the world and be held by magic gave way to a new way of being.<br></p><p><br></p><p>In 1942, Albert Einstein wrote to his old friend, German psychiatrist Otto Juliusburger, “People like you and I, though mortal of course like everyone else, do not grow old no matter how long we live. What I mean is we never cease to stand like curious children before the great Mystery into which we were born.” This quote reminds us to stop wading in the daily grind and dive into the deep end of everyday magic. </p><p><br></p><p>Discovering a new musical artist, learning about a country we never heard of and touching emerald moss during a Sunday hike wakes up the child in us, the self that is impervious to pessimism. Observing a flower at ground level with the bees or reacquainting ourselves with the changing wheel of constellations not only re-sparks our ability to respond to life but also reinforces our connection to the infinite. </p><p><br></p><p>Courting curiosity is the domain of cats, as well as the most contented humans. Rekindling our wonderment is even better when shared with kindred souls, and the ripple effect can travel further than we might expect. Here are some inspirations:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Without a set plan, get in the car with a friend and see where the day takes you. Pack a picnic and stop for lunch somewhere off the beaten path.</li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li>Regardless of artistic ability, begin a nature journal and record small bits of the seasons throughout the year.</li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li>Check out a book or two from the children’s section at the library and be young again.</li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li>Create a daily practice of daydreaming about something delightful that has nothing to do with the past or the future.</li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li>Start a local meet-up with others that share a common passion: books, healthy baking, trains or thrifting.</li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li>Revisit a childhood or teenage interest and don’t explain why.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><i>Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at </i><a href="http://www.JaguarFlower.art" target="_blank">JaguarFlower.art</a><i>.</i></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:ceb6a68d-28dc-49f8-bddb-18a1efc43ec62023-07-17T20:21:10-04:002023-09-05T12:11:45-04:00Lifelong Learning: Benefits of Being the Forever Student2023-07-31 09:30:00 -0400Linda Sechrist<p>It’s never too late to take an evening drawing class at the local high school, learn a language with the help of an app or get one-on-one tutoring from a piano instructor. Adults of any age can find personal and professional benefits when they engage in what is termed “lifelong learning”. It is a great way to spice up retirement, acquire skills for a coveted promotion, master new technology, express creativity or simply keep the mind sharp. Lifelong learners are generally curious, self-motivated and passionate individuals. Their continuing educational pursuits can lead to mental and emotional benefits, including healthier, more fulfilling lives. <br></p><p><br></p><p><b>Brain Benefits</b></p><p><br></p><p>In a study published in the journal <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/home/pss" target="_blank">Psychological Science</a> involving 200 seniors, neuroscientists at the Center for Vital Longevity at The University of Texas at Dallas found that sustained engagement in cognitively demanding, novel activities—such as learning digital photography or quilting—significantly enhanced memory function in older adults. The researchers were surprised to discover that the control group, which engaged in fun, social activities without learning a new skill, did not perform as well in memory tests.</p><p><br></p><p>In a report published in the journal <i>Neurology, </i>Dr. Keith Johnson from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that people engaged in higher levels of intellectual stimulation throughout their lives can delay the onset of memory problems and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, although it does not represent a cure for the illness.</p><p><br></p><p>The mind is a use-it-or-lose-it tool, says <a href="https://www.lisevansusteren.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Lise Van Susteren</a>, a general and forensic psychiatrist in Washington, D.C. “What better way to use our short-term and long-term memory than to engage in lifelong learning? The older we get, the less likely we are to exercise short-term memory. We program our phones with numbers we call regularly. We store passwords and usernames in our computers and never attempt to memorize credit card numbers,” she explains. “We’re not using our brains enough, leaving us open to being replaced by AI [artificial intelligence]. The brain is a muscle to be exercised regularly or like a car that you must keep tuned up.”</p><p><br></p><p>Susteren points to a five-year study of London taxi drivers, which found that the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is crucial for long-term memory and spatial navigation, was larger than average in the brains of these cabbies. What's more, the neuroscientists at University College London were able to show through magnetic resonance imaging that this gray-matter growth occurred over a four-year period after the drivers had memorized an intricate network of 25,000 streets and thousands of routes to tourist attractions and city hotspots. According to Van Susteren, this study suggests that intensive learning can spur the brain to grow over time.</p><p><br></p><p><b>Making Every Day Count</b><br></p><p>Ingrid Bianca Byerly, a Duke University educator and world traveler, describes lifelong learners as audacious, curious and fun-loving people that passionately seize the day. In a TEDx StGeorge talk entitled “The New Fountain of Youth: Lifelong Learning”, she recounts the invigorating experience of being on the faculty of three Semester at Sea voyages, where she taught adults world music and global advocacy for humanitarian causes while visiting exotic ports of call. </p><p><br></p><p>“Entering college, you’re asking yourself, ‘What am I going to do for a job and a paycheck,’ and at retirement, you’re asking, ‘What is my purpose, and what am I going to do with the rest of my life for my personal fulfillment and enrichment?’” Byerly admires lifelong learners for pursuing life goals, learning to play musical instruments, taking art classes, climbing mountains and writing memoirs, and surmises that the secret to staying young and keeping the mind vibrantly alive is adult education.</p><p><br></p><p><b>Life-Altering Pursuits</b></p><p><br></p><p>For some lifelong learners, seeking new opportunities and embracing change are compelling motivators. Take Maia Toll, for example. In 2006, she followed a whim to study herbalism with a traditional healer in Ireland. For the elementary school teacher living in Beacon, New York, botanical herbs had only been a hobby up to that point.</p><p><br></p><p>“Apprenticing with Eleanor changed everything,” she says of her experience with her Irish-based mentor. “I had the space in my life and money from selling my house. Three months turned into nearly a year, and upon returning home, I continued studying for four more years.”</p><p><br></p><p>Toll left her teaching career to become a full-time herbalist and is now the co-owner of a shop called Herbiary, with locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Asheville, North Carolina, where she lives. She has taught herbalism at West Chester University in their School of Public Health, led a study program in the Amazon rainforest and written several books, including her latest, <i>Letting Magic In. </i>As she explains it,<i> “</i>Lifelong learning can change your life at any age.”</p><p><br></p><p><b>A Greater Commitment to Learning</b></p><p><br></p><p>For more than 40 years, Jim Walker was a college educator and administrator for schools in Los Angeles before retiring in 2003. He recalls teaching a labor law class as an adjunct instructor for Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, and estimates that about 80 percent of his students were lifelong learners, which he defines as adults between the ages of 30 and 45 that were interested in the subject matter for personal or professional reasons rather than satisfying a requirement for a college degree. </p><p><br></p><p>“It was obvious to me that these lifelong learners were more dedicated students than college students. They were like sponges and wanted to absorb everything. Occasionally during classes, it was the lifelong learners that were on their phones googling the subject and updating my facts,” says Walker, who admits that when he had more free time in retirement, he enrolled in meteorology and astrology courses to satisfy longstanding interests of his own.</p><p><br></p><p><b>The Joy of Achieving Milestones</b></p><p><br></p><p>In love with learning and the sense of accomplishment she feels whenever she masters a subject, Doreen DeStefano, of Root Causes Holistic Health & Medicine, in Fort Myers, Florida, has been earning degrees since 1987. She holds bachelor’s degrees in nursing and exercise physiology, master's degrees in criminology and public business administration, and a doctorate in natural health. “In medicine there is always something new to learn,” she says. “I think that’s why I chose this field. It's fun to learn the latest thing.” </p><p><br></p><h2><b>Resources</b></h2><p>There are numerous opportunities for learning, in person and online.<br></p><p><br></p><p><b>In-Person Classes</b></p><p><b></b></p><ul><li>For people that work full time, many cities offer evening classes at a high school, college or civic center on a wide range of subjects. </li><li>Museums and art institutions commonly host demonstrations and in-depth instruction by local artists. </li><li>A neighborhood music store can lead to connections with musicians that tutor burgeoning rock stars. </li><li>For those harboring thespian aspirations, a hometown improv group or regional theater may be holding auditions or offering acting classes. </li><li>Dance studios help people step up their ballroom dance skills. </li><li>Contact a chef or visit a kitchen supply store for cooking lessons. </li><li>A nearby botanical garden or gardening shop may offer how-to classes for growing native or pollinator plants. </li><li>Pick up sewing tips at the fabric store. </li><li>If a class is not offered, create a study group that meets at a cafe or park to learn together. </li></ul><p><br></p><p><b>Online Lessons</b></p><ul><li>To become proficient in a new language, check out apps like <a href="http://www.RosettaStone.com" target="_blank">RosettaStone.com</a> and <a href="http://www.Duolingo.com" target="_blank">Duolingo.com</a>.<b> </b></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.YouTube.com" target="_blank">YouTube.com</a> is an endless source for instructional videos of every variety. </li></ul><ul><li>Visit <a href="http://www.Ted.com" target="_blank">Ted.com</a> for informative and inspiring TED talks by global experts in their respective fields. </li></ul><ul><li>For students that wish to learn while taking nature walks, a vast world of podcasts awaits. </li></ul><ul><li>For transformational learning, try <i><a href="http://www.MindValley.com" target="_blank">MindValley.com</a>,</i> <i><a href="http://www.UbiquityUniversity.org" target="_blank">UbiquityUniversity.org</a>,</i> and <i><a href="http://www.Gaia.org" target="_blank">Gaia.org</a>.</i></li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.Coursera.org" target="_blank">Coursera.org</a> offers many streaming courses, documentaries and films.</li></ul><ul><li>Auditing university classes at prestigious, world-class schools is just a click away. Visit these popular sites, many of which offer courses for free: Harvard University (<i><a href="http://www.pll.harvard.edu/catalog/free" target="_blank">pll.harvard.edu/catalog/free</a>), </i>Stanford University<i> (<a href="http://www.Online.Stanford.edu/free-courses" target="_blank">Online.Stanford.edu/free-courses</a>), EdX (<a href="http://www.EdX.org" target="_blank">EdX.org</a>) </i>and<i> </i>The Open University<i> (<a href="http://www.Open.edu" target="_blank">Open.edu</a>). </i></li></ul><p><br><i></i></p><p><br></p><p><i>Linda Sechrist has been a contributing writer to </i>Natural Awakenings<i> publications for 20 years.</i></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>