Here is a great clip to show you how you can both enjoy a massage at the same time. This way both partners share it giving and receiving the pleasure of a nice foot massage. You can do this while watching a movie or as you listen to music. Another great idea would be to have a great conversation while you both experience this massage. I am a huge advocate on the importance of touch in relationships and I feel this is a great starting point for any couple that might have trouble getting touch back into their life.
Here is a quick and easy tip for saving money! Eat the stuff that is perishable first! This is as simple as it gets. I hate to think about how much food is wasted by us because it just rots. How many times a year do you clean out your refrigerator and throw away food you just didn't eat. Well, with a little planning you can avoid this practice and start eating more and wasting less of the food you buy. Start by planning out your meals and not leaving them to chance. Because if you leave them to chance you will come home and fix the easiest thing which is usually the non-perishable goods.
Don't go overboard buying produce at the store either. You can always make another trip to pick up things you need. Lastly, check your perishables often. By doing this you will get in the mindset of knowing what their status is and you will be more likely to eat them. You can freeze much of your produce without losing much of it's healthy power. So, if need be, cut it up and freeze it for later.
Do you believe death is the end? Once you die it is just lights out...kaput? Or do you believe that you go to heaven and have a perfectly beautiful and happy eternity? Or do you believe that you will incarnate again and live another life? Your reaction to an upcoming death and the actual death itself is greatly affected by your beliefs of what happens afterwards. For some believing that there is nothing after physical death this may instill fear or just the opposite because if there is nothing afterward then you had better live it up while you can! If you are trying to get into Heaven then, you probably believe you had better behave and "get saved". If you believe in reincarnation, you may also believe in karma, which brings about a whole different discussion. Personally, I don't care what you believe in. Instead, what matters to me is that you live a fulfilling life with as much love and joy as you can. Love yourself, love others. Trust yourself, trust others. Care for yourself, care for others! Photo by Przemyslaw Koroza
Want a great way to connect with your partner and help animals at the same time? Why not go out today and feed some of the animals that frequent the area you live in. The birds should be returning and the other animals should be coming out of hiding by now from their winter homes. Why not take the time to throw some birdseed out or take your left overs and place them out to help feed a hungry animal (beware and use caution though - some of you may attract bears, cougars, etc - so it really depends on your area). *I would also caution you to not feed unhealthy foods to wild animals either! *
Now here is the part that can really boost your relationship. After setting this food out sit together and watch and see how quickly these animals come to enjoy it. Watch as the birds swoop down to carry off the food or as the animals gentle come out of hiding to snatch the prize. This is the thank you the two of you will share, witnessing the beauty of these creatures and the knowing that you are helping them be safe and fed. You might even get to hear a wonderful song by a bird or the romantic howl of the wolf at the moon as a return of your favor.
This is one of the hardest concepts for me personally to get a grasp of - when the words, "I need some space" come up. Sure we all need some time for ourselves now and then. However, I am talking about when this comes up during a heated discussion. Only within the last few years have I grown to understand this. It is not that the other person wants to get away from his/her partner (well, maybe), but it is that he/she needs to step away from the situation or discussion. He/she needs time to run things through his/her head without outside forces trying to explain it. The so-called space needed isn't about negativity - it is about understanding. You or your partner may need time to sort out the situation and come up with the best solution.
Next time you get into a heated discussion maybe you both could just grab some space and then reconvene and calmly discuss it with cooler heads. Space might be the final frontier, but it can also be a nice place to get yourself back into rational thinking.
Okay, today I am going to share with you some of my views as to whether or not we come into this life with a sacred contract (a plan) or if we are simply dealt a hand of cards and we get what we get. I do not find it necessary for others to agree with my views. What is important is what resonates with you and what feels right to you. Well all different paths to follow. With that being said, here goes:
I have sensed somewhere inside of me that we do come here with a purpose - a blueprint, if you will, that can be altered as we live this life. I don't believe that it is set in stone per se, but I believe it is devised as a guideline to the lessons and experiences that may appear in this life. Whether or not we choose to learn from the lessons is another matter completely -- the ego may well lead us in a different direction than our Soul.
But, isn't that part of the lesson on this journey - learning how to integrate the ego self and the authentic self to a point that we can trust in the authentic self and listen to our inner voices and the call of our Soul and of Spirit?
My perception is that it is possible (ah, the anything is possible question again) that we "meet" with members of our spiritual family and with members of a "council" and go over the things we experienced in previous lives and what we need to achieve or experience in the next incarnation so that we "pass" the class.
If we fail a required class in school, we must retake it before we can take other courses or move onto a higher level. For me, it feels similar to our incarnations. When we sign up for a course in school, we most likely only have a brief summary and overview of what that class is about - unless we have taken the class before. We may be surprised by what we learn or are supposed to learn in the class.
And, in fact, we may find ourselves in class thinking, "What the hell am I doing here? This isn't what I signed up for! Who are these people? They aren't my friends!" Then maybe we switch classes or we somehow get through that one and take a different one where we think, "Thank God! All of my friends are here! This is the stuff I like to study and I understand it."
I certainly don't believe that the slate is wiped clean and we get a fresh start each time. And, I don't think that we can just blissfully write up a new sacred contract or new blueprint during this life. Human life is not a joy ride and by choosing to take it on we choose to go through deep spiritual work - whether or not we know it.
Love to all of you,
Janelle
Photo from Creative Commons - Darrell Lew
Rob and I don't agree on all aspects :) We talk about this in a 15 minute radio episode.
A number of years ago, parents selected who their children would marry. This actually still happens in some cultures. Also, in years past marriages were not focused on love and emotional intimacy. They were comprised of convenience, financial gain, proposed security, and creating a relationship that would ultimately support the overall family and community. It didn't matter if the marriage was a happy one or not. The husband and wife would stay together because that was what was expected of them.
In American culture, as well as a number of other cultures, this had begun to change over the past few generations. Married couples do not necessarily live just over the hill from their parents and other family members. Nowadays, many couples live thousands of miles from other family members. And, blissful love has become the goal of couples. Another factor for some relationships that has only recently begun to be acceptable in some communities is same-sex committed relationships.
No matter whether it is a heterosexual relationship or a same-sex relationship the ultimate goal is unconditional love, close emotional intimacy, passion, trust, and the fairy-tale happily-ever-after concept.
Sorry - but there are no fairy tale endings. Relationships are work. They are in fact an opportunity to grow expansively emotionally and spiritually. The key is to recognize this fact and come to understand that relationships are a spiritual path. For your growth and your partner's growth to happen though you must be conscious of this possibility.
This is a huge topic and not one I can do justice in a short post, but I hope in a few paragraphs that I have given you something to think about. :) And, of course we will share more about this in our short radio show that you will be able to listen to (after the show airs and we place it below).
Marie Forleo is so very funny :) She really lets her true self shine through. And, in this video she shares some great steps to help your relationship when one or both of you work All the Freaking Time.
We often share these same tips (though in different words :)) .... so we wanted to share this clip with you today!
