Making the Shift

Yes, I did get the Award

2011-07-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

It was my honor to receive the Woman of Worth Leader of the Year Award at the Fairmount Hotel in Vancouver in front of 450 Women of Worth. I loved every minute of being together with all of you!

Nominee for the Woman Of Worth 2011: Leader of the Year award!!

2011-04-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

WOW, I'm soo honored and excited to have received this nomination. Here is what the selection committee wrote:

Congratulations Elke!

After reviewing all the extraordinary nominations that flooded in for the

esteemed Woman Of Worth Awards 2011, the WOW selection committee

has named you as an official finalist in the following category:

Woman Of Worth 2011: Leader of the Year

All finalists will be acknowledged and honoured at the 7th annual Woman Of
Worth WOW Event on May 7th at the Fairmont Vancouver. And the recipient of
each award in each of the six categories will be announced and brought on
stage at the WOW Event on May 7th.

http://www.thewowevent.com/contactus/awardreg.php

Women and Words Conference

2011-03-31T20:45:00.000-07:00

You are invited to attend the Women & Words Conference April 29/30^th

I am on the leadership committee and will be presenting there.

Register and learn more HERE: www.womenandwordsconference.com

Over 32 workshops, 4 keynotes and several panels. Some topics you may be interested in:

ÿ How to Get Publicity for Your Book - Friday, April 29^th, 9:15am

ÿ How to Attract the Right Publisher - Friday, April 29th, 9:15am

ÿ GET SOCIALIZED! Literary Techniques for Social Media - Friday, April 29th, 10:30am

ÿ Flog Your Blog: How to Turn Your Blog Into a Book - Friday, April 29^th, 1:45pm

ÿ Power of Story: a System for Writing Your Non-Fiction Book - Friday, April 29^th, 1:45pm

ÿ Your Book is Your Marketing Tool: Utilize Uncertainty to Create Fresh Possibilities - Friday, April 29th, 3:00pm

ÿ Memoir Writing as Art and Therapy - Friday, April 29th, 3:00pm

ÿ Audiobooks: How to Get Published Without Writing a Word - Friday, April 29th, 3:00pm

ÿ PANEL: Writing Blocks

ÿ PANEL: Trad. Publishing vs Self Publishing & ePublishing:

ÿ OPEN PITCH:- Pitch to Publishers and Agents -

ÿ 10 Tips for Making Money Blogging - Saturday, April 30th, 9:15am

ÿ A 30-day Guide to Launching Your Book Without Losing Your Mind- Saturday, April 30th, 9:15am

ÿ Writing with Cold Feet - for Reluctant Writers - Saturday, April 30th, 10:30am

ÿ 30 Days to Results: Bestseller Book Marketing - Saturday, April 30th, 10:30am

ÿ KEYNOTE: Sharing Your Gifts as a Writer Saturday, April 30th, 12:30pm

ÿ Make Your Mark in the Travel Writing World - Saturday, April 30th, 1:45pm

ÿ How to Self Publish and Market Your Book to Big Companies - Saturday, April 30th, 1:45pm

ÿ CRAVING Success - A New Publishing Business Model - Saturday, April 30th, 1:45pm

ÿ How to Work with an Editor - Saturday, April 30th, 3:00pm

ÿ Writing Articles for Profit and Promotion - Saturday, April 30th, 3:00pm

ÿ How to Use Video to Market Your Book - Saturday, April 30th, 3:00pm

ÿ PANEL/ FORUM: Author Q & A - Open Questions – Saturday, April 30th

ÿ PANEL: Social Media vs. Trad. Media - Saturday, April 30th

ÿ PANEL: Do it Yourself vs. Professional Publicity - Saturday, April 30th

And much much more!!

United Girls of the World foundation.

2011-03-03T22:00:00.000-08:00

February 22, 2011

I have founded a new non-profit organization, United Girls of the World. Our focus is to aid girls locally and internationally with critical issues, including self-esteem related problems, violence, human trafficking and sexual abuse.

My partner and I recently produced a flash mob video at Park Royal with a team of volunteers, including Pro Arte dancers, Pandora's Vox women's choir and a team of talented musical directors, choreographers and sound engineers. Please take a look and help us get this video out to the world. Our website is being upgraded as we speak, but please visit us at http://www.unitedgirls.org/

Assembly at Collingwood school

2011-03-03T21:56:00.000-08:00

February 28, 2011

The flash mob video was shown on the big screen at the Collingwood Assembly. Everybody was wearing red and white to celebrate the first anniversary of the Olympic Games. I loved the whole experience! The photo includes Heidi, my foundation partner and Jon Borril, the music director of the flash mob video, me on the right
I just love all the feedback and comments for the flash mob http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4uyj11prB0 , many people are moved to tears.

A Whale kept me company today

2010-08-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

Today a whale came within a hundred feet of where I was standing at the ocean!!! These perfect summer days in Vancouver are magical, but this wonderful experience today topped it all. I certainly got the best personal show there could possibly be. The whale kept swimming back and forth in front of me for over half an hour, showing his head, his tail, his fin and of course his long and powerful body kept emerging as he spouted the water. What an amazing sight!

Elke's Meditation made simple

2010-05-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Meditation made simple
Most common questions about meditation

What about my thoughts during meditation?
Observe that they are happening, no need to resolve them or try and stop them. They are a part of human nature and happen during meditation. Gently bring yourself back to the breath, the affirmations or the mantra. Simply observe your thoughts and don’t judge yourself or your thoughts. You will find the still gaps between the thoughts becoming longer and your mind getting calmer.

How should I be breathing?
The technique is not as important as the awareness of breath. When we feel stressed our breathing is generally too shallow. Count your breath as you gently inhale through your nose, 1, 2, 3, 4 and exhale slow, smooth and long . Fill your lungs with air, your rib cage expand and your stomach rise as you breathe in. Exhale just as thoroughly and let your rib cage and stomach push out all the air. Do this gently, no need to strain.

With each exhalation allow your thoughts to be released - all worries and concerns flow out of your body. Let your mind being exhaled. After a few sets, you can let go of counting. Whenever you feel like your mind has taken over, bring yourself back to your breath . This is a type of meditation in itself.

What if I am interrupted?
Resolve to return phone calls after and if you have to attend to an interruption simply go back to the meditation, or at least lie still for a few more minutes.

Where should I meditate?
Our meditations are best done in a quiet place at home. You can use some of the relaxation techniques like focusing on breath at the office, or while nature walking. This helps you come back to feeling centred during the day.

Should I lie down or sit up during the meditation?
The important part is that you are comfortable. Your body needs to be able to relax. Many people don’t lie down, since they don’t want to fall asleep and miss out on the meditation experience. So if you lie down, make it different from what you do when you go to sleep. Prop up some pillows in your bed, or lie down on a mat on the floor and on a folded towel under your sternum. Or raise your legs with a pillow, if that is something that gives you comfort.

If you are sitting, settle into a comfortable posture. Keep your alignment: torso aligned with hips and head aligned with spine. Let your shoulders relax and your arms rest gently. Feel your sitting bones supported by the chair or the pillow you are on. Let your legs be rooted to the floor.

Conversation with Elke Babicki about audio book/CD’s

2010-05-29T17:21:00.000-07:00

What made you decide to produce these CD’s/ Audio Books?

I have been a consultant to businesses and a psychotherapist for over 25 years. My clients often remarked how nice it would be to have something to turn to in the privacy of their own home. With the Cd or download, you can do just that, any time you want you can listen to what you need most. I am solution focused, and really enjoy getting people on back their feet in as short a time as possible. So I thought the best solution for helping others is to facilitate helping themselves. Nothing is more wonderful than people coming back and saying how well they are doing.

What are the Cd’s/ Audio books about?

The first four address different kinds of Loss;Loss of a relationship, loss of a loved one, loss of a pet and loss of a job. The CD explains what you may be experiencing when your world feels like it has been shattered. We lead you through some easy relaxation and get you to breathe properly. We then move into what your consciousness needs to heal.

Why does the CD/ Audio Book help a person experiencing those kinds of losses?

During my Masters I studied cognitive therapy and guided imagery and post graduate I completed training in EMDR. EMDR is a much researched trauma reduction method that has produced some remarkable results. From those trainings I’ve come away with a method that has effects the way the brain functions. An optimal brain state engages healthy frontal lobes with alpha brain waves that help healing. Visualizing color is one way to relax your mind and tap into healing brain waves. The music we carefully selected, the sound frequencies we chose and the alternating of affirmations to left and right hemispheres all help you create more relaxing brain waves and a more optimal brain state. Trauma ,like loss, creates stuck patterns, like flash cards with upsetting images being held up repeatedly. The CD’s are a way for people to free themselves of these destructive memories and create more healthy brain activity.

Does listening to the Cd’s / AudioBooks replace therapy?

It does not replace therapy, however it does empower a person with what they need to create to rewire their brain in a productive way. It creates brain waves that are conducive to peak performance. Olympic athletes for example know all about this and train their minds in this way as well as their bodies.

Grieving After Divorce

2010-05-29T17:08:00.000-07:00

“ I refuse to let what happened to me make me bitter. I still completely believe in love and I'm open to anything that will happen to me.” - Nicole Kidman

Allow yourself to Grieve: It is entirely normal to experience mixed emotions. Mixed emotions may consist of fear, anger, resentment, frustration, sorrow, relief and, of course, confusion. It is crucial, while grieving, to acknowledge these feelings. While these emotions can be agonizing to express, when ignored they will lengthen the grieving process.

Discuss your feelings: It is important to express and discuss your feelings with other people. This may seem difficult, but in reality is crucial to grieving healthily. By expressing your feelings you will feel less alone with the pain you are experiencing and will commence the healing process. Another outlet that can aid you to express your grief is a diary.

Keep in mind the goal is to move forward with your life: While expressing your feelings can provide a sense of liberation, it is also crucial not to linger on negative thoughts or feelings. By holding on to these feelings you are unconsciously using valuable energy which inhibits you from moving on.

Make Plans for the Future: Once you have committed to another person, most of you hopes and dreams include that person. It is difficult to let them go, however as you grieve the loss of the future you once dreamed of , be inspired by idea that new hopes and dreams will replace them.

CHILDREN OF DIVORCE

A child’s list of needs:

A child needs the involvement of both parents in their lives. In order to accomplish this letters, phone calls, and interest in a child’s life are important.
Work hard to stop fighting with your spouse, and try to agree on matters related to the child.
Work out any jealous feelings you may be experiencing due to your child’s involvement with the other parent. It forces the child to take sides and therefore resent both of you.
Try to directly communicate with the other parent when discussing the child’s well being.
When referring to the other parent in front of the child remain kind. If you say un-kind things on front of the child it insinuates that you want them to pick a side.
Keep in mind the child loves both of you.

THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOUR CHILD EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS:

Listen- often children of divorce feel a sense of sorrow, failure and frustration. It is crucial that they acknowledge these feelings.

Encourage honesty – encourage your children to say what they need to say even if it could hurt you.

Recognize their feelings – You may not be able to turn their distress into happiness, but by acknowledging their feelings you establish a sense of trust.

Recommended online resources:

http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=3043&channel_id=11&relation_id=26257 (Recommended because it stresses moving forward and not dwelling in what has already passed. Also provides helpful tips on how to achieve moving forward.)
http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=2-70-72 (Recommended because it deals specifically with the emotions associated with divorce.)
http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=4391 (Recommended because it provides helpful steps to emotionally coping with divorce.)
http://divorcesupport.about.com/od/copingduringdivorce/u/coping_divorce1.htm (Recommended because it provides links to specific areas of coping such as coping with financial issues, as well as dating and rebuilding your life after divorce.)

Pet Loss

2010-05-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

Commonly Asked Questions and Answers

Famous Quote:

Her life was a gift to me, her death a greater one. - Oprah

Q.) I'm O.K. about Winston's passing, but my daughter is very upset, even to the point of not eating.

A.) The degree of attachment to a pet determines the extent of which you feel grief. Your daughter must have been deeply attached. Children feel particularly sad and empty, without a real ability to express themselves. Eating too little or too much is often a way of dealing with emotion. This is an adjustment period.

Q.) Do children and adults experience the same stages of grief?

A.)Yes, these stages are the same for children. Not everyone goes through all stages or in that order. Kids may feel misdirected anger at the parent or the Vet. For example, younger children may refuse to believe that the pet was so sick it had to die. Depending on their age group, they may not realize death is inevitable. A four year old may not yet anticipate death, and be in a state of shock. Their sense of security is shattered. The best thing you can do for them is to provide a safe environment and assure them of your love. A family commemorative service is a good idea where everyone can grieve.

Q.) I feel like I've been hit by a truck, what can make me feel better?

A.) My favourite thing to do each day before going to bed is to remember three good things that happened that day. Even when you feel sad, good things do happen.

During intense emotions of insecurity you may want to hold off on any major decisions and pay extra attention to nurturing yourself.- Listen to uplifting music. Classical music such as Mozart, Beethoven and Pachelbel Canon in general contain healing properties. Listen to your favourite personal theme songs that fill you with hope, serenity and inspiration.

Pick out a pure essential oil that is most appealing to you, and enjoy the positive feeling it gives off in your home.
Pleasant objects of art or flowers placed strategically where you will notice them can lift your spirits.
Be good to yourself, treat yourself to a massage, take as many walks in the fresh air as you can, get proper amounts of sleep, and eat properly.
Do things that give you nice feelings, perhaps just renting a favourite movie, dancing or attending cultural events.
Love and appreciate yourself, focus on appreciative thoughts. Focus, also, on the gentle touch and kind deeds towards yourself and others. The more you tune into love everyday, the easier every day gets.
Listen to meditation tapes. The tapes enable your subconscious to be open to receiving loving spirit energy. You can then rid yourself of fear and stress.
It is very healing to express your feelings with others, so communicate with those you love

Q.) I've been crying for three days now over Mimi, it feels like this will never end.

A.) Yes it will end ,everyone goes through different stages of grief. When a situation of loss arises, the security as you have known it is shattered. It literally feels like the carpet has been pulled from underneath you. When you find a way to accept this uncertainty as a natural state of being, you will feel okay again. But when you are in the middle of trauma and loss, you can find yourself on a roller coaster of emotions with many ups and downs.

Since many people find relief from knowing the stages of loss by Dr. Kuebler-Ross, a renowned grief specialist, I summarize them here.

First you may go into denial, telling yourself “I don’t believe this.”

From there you may move angry thoughts and feelings. At this stage you tend to blame somebody for what you are experiencing.

In stage three you try to strike a bargain, maybe with God, “If you change this for me, I will never ask for anything again.”

Since this is a losing proposition, you become sad,” I’m too depressed to do anything.”

While moving through all these stages, sometimes in no particular order, you are on a bit of a roller coaster of tough feelings. But all these ups and downs level out when you move into stage five, “acceptance” and you are at peace with what happened". Like many roller coasters the ride is tougher in the beginning, becoming less and less intense.

Even years after trauma, something may trigger your old emotions. Trauma and loss are similar in that they make the person feel unsettled, the security is gone. The frontal lobes of your brain are not functioning at their full capacity at the time of trauma. Meditation is important since it helps access relaxed brain waves, and build healthier frontal lobes. Positively Up’s loss series C.D.s are an excellent way to practise meditation and to cope with stress during trauma.

Q.) Do I tell my children our cat died or refer to her as having run away?

A.) Death should be looked as a normal process of life. If we speak of it openly, it will be less of a shock. The lack of comfort in communicating about death causes our children to fear and deny the dying process.

Losing a Loved One

2010-05-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

Commonly Asked Questions and Answers

Famous Quote:

"Death ends a life, not a relationship" - Robert Benchley

Q.) My husband died 2 years ago and I still don't have the energy to go out and do any activities my friends invite me to. I get tired of hearing myself talk so negatively to my friends

A.) It is clear that you have allowed yourself time to experience your grief. Even in the midst of grief it is possible to think positive. Our downloads will help you let go of grief and regrets. However, grief counselling with a compassionate counsellor may be helpful at this time to assist you with some of the questions on "what will I do now?". The downloads will help on a daily basis, and give you the positive support you need.

Q.) People say the stupidest things and I wish they would not say anything. "I know how you feel" does not help when you are upset.

A.) Yes, people feel very awkward when it comes to knowing what to say to somebody who has lost a loved one. Very early on we are taught not to express painful and sad feelings. The truth is everyone experiences feelings of loss differently, every relationship is unique. Therefore, hearing someone say "I know how you feel" may not mean anything to you. If people intellectualize, they say things like "She led a full life", this is not going to ease your pain though. Or when people change the subject before you may start to cry, it is all experienced as insensitivity to your feelings. Be patient with yourself, you are feeling raw right now. The responses of others, don't encourage the expression of your feelings. In the privacy of your home, you can let yourself experience your painful thoughts and feelings. Listening to our download will help you with visualizing yourself in peace.

Q.) My mother was a good friend and confidante, I don't know how I'm going to get along without her. I have great pangs of loneliness, is this normal and for how long?

A.) When a situation of loss arises, the security as you have known it is shattered. It literally feels like the carpet has been pulled from underneath you. When you find a way to accept this uncertainty as a natural state of being, you will feel okay again. But when you are in the middle of trauma and loss, you can find yourself on a roller coaster of emotions with many ups and downs.

Since many people find relief from knowing the stages of loss by Dr. Kuebler-Ross, a renowned grief specialist, I summarize them here.

First you may go into denial, telling yourself “I don’t believe this.”

From there you may move angry thoughts and feelings. At this stage you tend to blame somebody for what you are experiencing.

In stage three you try to strike a bargain, maybe with God, “If you change this for me, I will never ask for anything again.”

Since this is a losing proposition, you become sad,” I’m too depressed to do anything.”

Q.) I'm feeling lethargic and down but trying to move through the loss of my sister, we were very close. How can I boost my spirits?

A.) Above all, grief is a spiritual journey. It demands you to consider why people live, die and the meaning they bring to life. Make and effort to embrace your spirituality and it will embrace you back. Here are some helpful hints to consider during this time in your life.

*Helpful hints: My favourite thing to do each day before going to bed is to remember three good things that happened that day. Even when you feel sad, good things do happen. During intense emotions of insecurity you may want to hold off on any major decisions and pay extra attention to nurturing yourself.- Listen to uplifting music. Classical music such as Mozart, Beethoven and Pachelbel Canon in general contain healing properties. Listen to your favourite personal theme songs that fill you with hope, serenity and inspiration.

Pick out a pure essential oil that is most appealing to you, and enjoy the positive feeling it gives off in your home.
Pleasant objects of art or flowers placed strategically where you will notice them can lift your spirits.
Be good to yourself, treat yourself to a massage, take as many walks in the fresh air as you can, get proper amounts of sleep, and eat properly.
Do things that give you nice feelings, perhaps just renting a favourite movie, dancing or attending cultural events.
Love and appreciate yourself, focus on appreciative thoughts. Focus, also, on the gentle touch and kind deeds towards yourself and others. The more you tune into love everyday, the easier every day gets.
Listen to meditation tapes. The tapes enable your subconscious to be open to receiving loving spirit energy. You can then rid yourself of fear and stress.
It is very healing to express your feelings with others, so communicate with those you love.

Q.) My brother and a freind died in a fatal car accident and it was my brother's fault for drinking and driving. I feel guilty for having had let him borrow my car.

A.) It's the old "if I hadn't... this wouldn't have happened", nobody else is responsible for anybody else's choices. You don't know the reason for his choices, so don't blame yourself for his decision! You may have to write down a conversation with your brother in your mind. Write down your questions and his answers. There are others who have experienced similar situations, you can go online to find support from websites like MADD.

Break Up

2010-05-29T15:14:00.000-07:00

Commonly Asked Questions and Answers

Famous Quote:

“The loss of the most important relationship of my life, was the price I paid for coming to know myself”- Claire Bloom

Q.) I feel so lonely right now after this last break up, I just want to isolate myself

A.) After a break up you experience a loss, and just like in any loss you go through stages of grieving. Isolation is a result of the sad, depressed and angry feelings you are experiencing. This too shall pass. When a situation of loss arises, the security as you have known it is shattered.It literally feels like the carpet has been pulled from underneath you. When you find a way to accept this uncertainty as a natural state of being, you will feel okay again. But when you are in the middle of trauma and loss, you can find yourself on a roller coaster of emotions with many ups and downs.

Since many people find relief from knowing the stages of loss by Dr. Kuebler-Ross, a renowned grief specialist, I summarize them here.

First you may go into denial, telling yourself “I don’t believe this.”

From there you may move angry thoughts and feelings. At this stage you tend to blame somebody for what you are experiencing.

In stage three you try to strike a bargain, maybe with God, “If you change this for me, I will never ask for anything again.”

Since this is a losing proposition, you become sad,” I’m too depressed to do anything.”

Q.) After 25 years of marriage, I've found out my husband was having an affair, and he has since left. How can I rebuild my life?

A.) No doubt this was the most important relationship in your life, and you feel devastated. But this is a new opportunity to define yourself. The Break Up cd/download can certainly help with getting you on a more positve wave-

length, which provides you with the energy to deal with how to rebuild your life. Finding a good counsellor who is solution focused and will give you some support if you are confused on some issues, may be a good idea as well.

Q.) We are breaking up after 15 years, my children are 8 and 13, I feel one is blaming herself, and the other is acting out.

A.) As you probably already did, reassuring them that it is not their fault is the first step. Make your children as comfortable as possible in both homes. Surround them with familiar things, photo's of all family members. Think of putting a sense of control back into your children's lives. One way to do that is to allow them to make decisions whenever possible.

Resist the desire for revenge, find win-win solutions with your spouse, choose solutions that best meet the needs of your children. Your children are a part of both of you. Do something to renew your spirit. Learn to ask for what you need and teach your children to do the same. If the children see you are okay with it, they will be okay.

Q.) Every time I break up I feel so devastated that it puts me off dating altogether

A.) It's a good time right now to take care of yourself (see helpful hints)Next get out there again and do some networking, once you have found someone who meets your criteria (be selective) then you can start dating again. Dates are like buses, miss one, the next one comes along soon, when you get on, find a comfortable and secure position.

*Helpful hints: My favourite thing to do each day before going to bed is to remember three good things that happened that day. Even when you feel sad, good things do happen.

Pick out a pure essential oil that is most appealing to you, and enjoy the positive feeling it gives off in your home.
Pleasant objects of art or flowers placed strategically where you will notice them can lift your spirits.
Be good to yourself, treat yourself to a massage, take as many walks in the fresh air as you can, get proper amounts of sleep, and eat properly.
Do things that give you nice feelings, perhaps just renting a favourite movie, dancing or attending cultural events.
Love and appreciate yourself, focus on appreciative thoughts. Focus, also, on the gentle touch and kind deeds towards yourself and others. The more you tune into love everyday, the easier every day gets.
Listen to meditation tapes. The tapes enable your subconscious to be open to receiving loving spirit energy. You can then rid yourself of fear and stress.
It is very healing to express your feelings with others, so communicate with those you love.

What I know for sure

2010-05-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

I have learnt that there is a universal intelligence and that we can tap into it if we use our mind differently. The ACCESS acronym on our Revitalizing Meditation helps you tune into a much more powerful vast consciousness than our logical mind.

Theta and Alpha waves are powerful conduits to the universal intelligence.
It is possible to access much more than the usual 10 percent of our brains we use in linear, logical functioning. Every day, bring yourself back to making the shift into a connected universe by using ACCESS. At night play the Positively Up audio books to tune into theta and alpha healing.

Stilling your mind

I enter an alpha and theta state through quieting my mind.
Thoughts are just that, thoughts. When I try and still my mind, as a thought enters, I think “that’s a thought” and attach no meaning to it at all. For an instant there is a tiny gap, before a new thought comes in. Again I observe it and let it be. As the silences between the thoughts become longer, the thoughts become insignificant.

Breathing and relaxation

Is the preparation for meditation. When I breathe I observe if the inhale and the exhale are about the same length of time. When we are anxious the inhale is often much longer. This creates a state of hyperventilation and shallow breathing pattern. That state makes us feel light headed and afraid. We are in an “alert to fight of flight” brain pattern that pumps adrenalin through our body. An optimal state is “relaxed and alert”. Breathing in and out about the same length of time, not forced, but easily is where we begin feeling whole again.

Our Revitalizing Meditation

2010-05-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

It is scientifically proven that binaural beats can influence your brain state. For example they can be used to...

Increase motivation and energy
Enhance creativity and learning
Create happiness
Produce relaxation and stress relief

Our Revitalizing Meditation’s carefully selected binaural beat sound frequencies allow you to quickly and easily enter states of relaxation and creative positive energy. With this audio book you can sit back and let these frequencies take you to a deep level of meditation that brings about inner peace.

Helpful Suggestions For Dealing With Loss

2010-05-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

My favourite thing to do each day before going to bed is to remember three good things that happened that day. Even when you feel sad, good things do happen.

During intense emotions of insecurity you may want to hold off on any major decisions and pay extra attention to nurturing yourself.- Listen to uplifting music. Classical music such as Mozart, Beethoven and Pachelbel Canon in general contain healing properties. Listen to your favourite personal theme songs that fill you with hope, serenity and inspiration.

Pick out a pure essential oil that is most appealing to you, and enjoy the positive feeling it gives off in your home.
Pleasant objects of art or flowers placed strategically where you will notice them can lift your spirits.
Be good to yourself, treat yourself to a massage, take as many walks in the fresh air as you can, get proper amounts of sleep, and eat properly.
Do things that give you nice feelings, perhaps just renting a favourite movie, dancing or attending cultural events.
Love and appreciate yourself, focus on appreciative thoughts. Focus, also, on the gentle touch and kind deeds towards yourself and others. The more you tune into love everyday, the easier every day gets.
Listen to meditation tapes. The tapes enable your subconscious to be open to receiving loving spirit energy. You can then rid yourself of fear and stress.
It is very healing to express your feelings with others, so communicate with those you love.

Process of Grief

2010-05-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

When a situation of loss arises, the security as you have known it is shattered.

It literally feels like the carpet has been pulled from underneath you. When you find a way to accept this uncertainty as a natural state of being, you will feel okay again. But when you are in the middle of trauma and loss, you can find yourself on a roller coaster of emotions with many ups and downs.

Since many people find relief from knowing the stages of loss by Dr. Kuebler-Ross, a renowned grief specialist, I summarize them here.

First you may go into denial, telling yourself “I don’t believe this.”

From there you may move angry thoughts and feelings. At this stage you tend to blame somebody for what you are experiencing.

In stage three you try to strike a bargain, maybe with God, “If you change this for me, I will never ask for anything again.”

Since this is a losing proposition, you become sad,” I’m too depressed to do anything.”

While moving through all these stages, sometimes in no particular order, you are on a bit of a roller coaster of tough feelings. But all these ups and downs level out when you move into stage five, “acceptance” and you are at peace with what happened". Like many roller coasters the ride is tougher in the beginning, becoming less and less intense.

Even years after trauma, something may trigger your old emotions. Trauma and loss are similar in that they make the person feel unsettled, the security is gone. The frontal lobes of your brain are not functioning at their full capacity at the time of trauma. Meditation is important since it helps access relaxed brain waves, and build healthier frontal lobes. Positively Up’s loss series C.D.s are an excellent way to practise meditation and to cope with stress during trauma.

Shifting consciousness –> Into the New Paradigm

2010-05-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

This six step approach to embracing a peaceful consciousness is spelled out in the word A.C.C.E.S.S.

The acronym spells out key actions that help us transition from a state of loss or sense of limitation to one of heightened insight and a feeling of gratitude.

A – Appreciation – appreciative words, thoughts, and actions on a daily basis
C – Compassion – understanding others
C - Choice – choosing appreciative thoughts and compassion for others
E - Energy – knowing that everything is energy and is always shifting; we can attract in to our lives what we want to create
S – Shift – being self disciplined to stay on track with paving a positive pathway for ourselves
S - Spirit – spirit is our interconnection with everything else

For me, these words represent a way of being in the world that is conscious, and rewards me with a lighter state of being. They act as keystones that bring me back, again and again, to a more positive experience of my life.

I choose appreciation for all the wonderful things in my life and i am calmed by focusing on these positives.

I choose compassion and I am able to see things from another’s perspective; I let go of my tight grip on my own perspective and try to understand another’s. This process relaxes my mind and opens my awareness, I feel as though I were in meditation: letting go of judgement, embracing understanding, and experiencing compassion.

Seduction of Spirit Retreat

2009-09-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

I’m back from the event in Whistler with the Chopra team. Every day was full - we meditated, did yoga, discussed cosmic principles and how to live in accordance with them. The experience was awesome!!!

I recommend it highly, the Chopra team impressed me with their integrity, teaching methods and care for the people attending. Deepak Chopra is very “chill” in his presentation, full of harmony and brilliance, Dr. Simon has also a relaxed way of teaching profound knowledge and Davidji is the most charming and energetic teacher you’d ever want to have.

The event coordination was carried out with great attention to detail by Amanda and a team of very adept consultants who already knew you before you even got there. There is more in store for me in connection to them, that much I know for sure. www.chopra.com

Dr. Chopra and Elke

Dr. Simon and Amanda

Group photo with Davidji

Living in Harmony

2009-07-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

I open myself only to what is good and pure. Only then am I truly all I can be. Living my life this way aligns my energies with what is good and positive in this world.

Though we may not always get what we want, we do get what we need. In a spiritually meaningful universe we get feedback and direction so we can really orient ourselves to what we need to learn. Synchronicities make us aware that we live in a participatory universe. As I've embraced my clinical mind together with my mystical experiences I've come to recognize that what really counts is living every moment with compassion.

Nervous energy, anxiety, negative thoughts are all part of a fear driven pessimistic outlook. It is a way of interfering with guidance and mindfulness. No doubt, when I'm filled with love towards another, truly filled with that energy, I have no room for negative thoughts. Then why don’t we just always love, why do we get so nervous? Fear of things we are unable to control and a distorted view of the social self (I’m not good enough) trigger fear and anxiety symptoms. As we re-program our cognitions and brain we need to re-orient with kindness and curiosity, instead of self-depreciation. As we become mindful through meditation by focusing on breath, and at the same time reframe our negative cognitions into positive cognitions our self-view changes.

New visions of oneself can arise as we make conscious choices towards appreciation and compassion. Usually then we get in touch with a a source of power greater than our bodily self and it is then that we can choose to be truly open to all that is pure and good. Only then am I in harmony, with all I can be.

Interspirituality

2009-07-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

Life is a journey which starts at home.
- Charles Handy

Interspirituality is a growing movement, which is concerned with looking at similarities in global faiths and spiritual practices instead of their differences. How I perceive the world is profoundly affected by the lessons I learned as a child. My mother a German Catholic met my father a Jewish Holocaust survivor after the war. I was not as much intrigued by examining the practices of other religions as I was interested in the presence of something greater than myself. When I enter a Christian Church, a Jewish Synagogue, or a Muslim Temple I only seen one altar. The presence that connects us all is there inside me, no matter what church I pray in. Any of the world’s faiths see the alignment with a larger source worth striving for. Every loving thought heightens our capacity to be connected to this source greater than our individual selves.

Don’t aim at success- the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued: it must ensue....as the unintended side-effect of one’s personal dedication to a course greater than oneself.
- Victor E. Frankl

A message of hope

2008-02-18T23:48:00.000-08:00

A friend sent me this Obama speech, since it resonated so much with her and my message…

YES WE CAN…
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.
Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.
Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
Yes we can.
It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes we can to justice and equality.
Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation.
Yes we can repair this world.
Yes we can.

It gives me hope to have a presidential candidate speak such words! With that intention religions and races can interface to combine their faith, rather than fighting each other.

Deepak Chopra on his blog site speaks about Obama’s "audacity of hope" slogan and calls for our waking up to see clearly who we are and what needs to be done. I’m not a person who tends to enjoy politics, but I certainly found myself interested when I saw his entry today and ended up responding.

Concert at my daughter's school

2007-12-12T22:22:00.000-08:00

December 12, 2007

What an amazing performance! I forgot how much I like these concerts when they are as well done and inspiring as tonight. Many of my daughter's friends were singing and playing and I was very impressed with their talent and dedication. I would love to see her up there, too (she really does have a good voice), but last year she decided to concentrate on visual art instead. She is enjoying that greatly and we'll see if her interests will stay the same.

Great Radio Interview!

2007-12-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

December 4, 2007

I was interviewed by Jesse Dylan of sirius satellite radio on the Good Life Show and it went extremely well. Jesse and I talked for 15 minutes and we explored several topics relating to my book. Jesse loved my book, and I'd encourage you to listen to the show. Simply go to the press room on my web site.

Book Launch Speech

2007-12-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

I gave this speech to a room full of great friends at my book launch.

Life - it has become so hectic, we plan and we think. But we think too much and feel too little. We have become so knowledgeable, with any kind of information at our fingertips. But our knowledge has made us cynical.

More than machinery and the information we can perceive during the day, in the light, we need the lantern that lights the way in the dark, to the vast knowledge of our inner wisdom.
The belief we are only what our five senses tell us, what we can literally see, touch and own has succeeded only to make us into a greedy human race.

The way of life can be beautiful and free of greed and menace. We all know it is entirely possible to live life by each other’s happiness and not by each other’s misery.
By now you probably know what started me writing this book.

Navin's message is carried on throughout the book: hate crimes must stop. The earth is rich and can provide for everyone. We are meant to be there for each other.

With my experiences during writing this book I learnt that there is one thing I want more than anything else in life: That is to be part of the crowd who wants to help each other.
This way we can make do with the worst people in the world and somehow we must. We can stand to the side, while people in the world are destroying themselves, and we can have the lantern ready for those that want to follow another path, the path that connects us to each other.

In this room here are gathered some of the finest people I know. You have all influenced my life in many good ways. I cannot thank you enough - all of you - for being there for me in different ways, when it really counts.

To Matt I dedicate a song written by Lowry Olafson, who is here to perform it for us.
It is called "It feels like forever". He has another song for us called "The ship of dreams" a very befitting title for this event. It is dedicated to father and son, but I see it applying to all parents and children.
Thank you for joining me tonight and I love you all.

Day of the Book Launch

2007-12-12T11:20:00.000-08:00

November 30th 2007

In perfect crisp and clear weather we drove up to our friends' place just when the sun was casting its last orange and golden glow for the day over the water. One day those friends offered to host a launch party for me at their home and very touched by their generous offer, I accepted.

I was very happy and excited all day, since my "baby" was being held for the first time many times over. More than ninety of my favourite people came to see the new arrival and celebrate with me. What an event it was! Everything flowed wonderfully, all guests were positively glowing and it was lovely seeing them there together in one place, enjoying themselves.

Sasha and her group of friends were doing a fantastic job taking coats and passing along appetizers. Even the host's grade five son was a remarkable help and his enthusiasm infectious. The evening could not have been more perfect!

Visit my website:

We live in a time of remarkable change...

2007-11-27T13:22:00.000-08:00

...we are beginning to realize that our thoughts have the power to affect our reality. Books like The Secret are making us aware of the law of attraction and how it creates our experience, and many people are discovering the extraordinary transformation that results from opening ourselves to this revolutionary shift. I am certainly one of them.

When I started researching new-paradigm possibilities and how they differed from the old world views of science and religion, I made a discovery that changed my life: I tapped into an underlying network that connects all things. This network is so much vaster than the current ways of believing, and simply becoming aware of it moves us to a new level of consciousness that is infinitely more adaptive and powerful. When I let this spark of consciousness ignite in me and began living my life from a new perspective, from a place of heart, I experienced abundant passion and energy, my writing became inspired, I began dreaming powerful predictive dreams and intuition guided me effortlessly to where I needed to be. The key to my own transformation was so simple...

...To continue reading...order the book now from my website or go there and read additional excerpts.