There’s a New Year IN FRONT of You (not behind you!)

For some of you, the New Year brings a certain amount of anxiety.  Anxiety about what you didn’t accomplish, what you didn’t have time for, what you should have done more of, and what you could have had.   If you always experience feelings such as this, then there is one thing for certain; you may be losing sight of all of the possibilities that are right in front of you by always looking back at what could’ve been.

So how do you end up at this point?  Why does the path of least resistance become the road most followed?  Why not look ahead to what you know is out there for you and go for it?

In the book The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, he writes, “Fearing the pain involved, almost all of us, to a greater or lesser degree, attempt to avoid problems.  You procrastinate, hoping that they will go away.  You ignore them, forget them, pretend they do not exist.”  Now there’s an answer that we can all relate to on some level.  We all have those things that hang over our head, that we put off until it’s too hard to do something about, or those things that we hope will just go away on its own, but never do.  Whether big or small, these things ALL add up!  And guess what?  Looking back at them all the time will not get you any closer to what’s ahead of you.  In fact, it may very well keep you in place or going backward.

Either way, some very important decisions need to be made before proceeding and the beginning of a New Year is a great time to set yourself up to receive the support you need.

So what’s the first step?  As with any problem, we need to first determine if it is wiser to let go and keep moving forward or to go back and take care of the deeper cause once and for all.  This is probably the hardest step because making a decision means you are ready for change.  To move forward means that you are ready to let go of what’s behind you and to truly let go means that it will not consume you any longer.  To go back and address a deeper issue means you are ready to heal this wound once and for all.  Either way, it takes honesty and courage and it is an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and make the best of things.

M. Scott Peck further writes, “…let us teach ourselves and our children the necessity for [legitimate] suffering and the value thereof, the need to face problems directly and to experience the pain involved.”  It is only when all of life’s experiences are felt, embraced and acknowledged wholeheartedly (instead of avoided) that you can truly work through life’s ups and downs successfully.  You not only teach yourself to be solution oriented, but you teach yourself and your children the value of growing forward!

Cravings = Your Intuition?

What do you c-c-c-crave? Coffee?  Chips? Chocolate?   Whatever it is, did you know that most people associate cravings with GUILT?  Think about it.  What is your craving?  The indulgent, “so good yet so bad for you” food that you Must. Have. Right. Now., right?  While many times it is an addiction to foods (yes, that’s right), this article will help you to rethink what that really means and hopefully educate you to look at (and tackle) cravings in a new light.

The Terrible Two

Let’s start with the most common craves that we can all relate to.  Caffeine and Sugar.  These two are known as the terrible two only when they have overcome your life and rid you of all common sense when it comes to your health and well being.  Without thinking, you automatically NEED to start your day with coffee or you “won’t be able to function.”  You HAVE to drink at least an entire pot or you “will not be able to make it through the day.”  Oh, and don’t forget the sugar rush that helps you to feel happy in the morning and stay awake as you head to the home stretch of your workday.  (You know, right around 3PM or so?)

These days, sugary, caffeinated drinks and snacks come in all shapes and sizes that include loads of chemicals on top of the addictive stimulants.  It has even become commonplace to practically live on them!  The cool can or packs are a sign of fitting in and acceptance for the kids while the adults and their magical hot cup with the ribbed cardboard around it signify POWAH…the power to make it through the day, to think, and for some, to be able to get their bodies moving!

Re-Thinking Your Cravings:  Can cravings be good for you?  You bet.  Cravings are your body’s way of triggering your brain to respond to a need.   For instance, if you are craving crunchy, salty, foods (like chips, for instance) your body may really be asking you for some much needed minerals.  If you NEED to have your morning coffee in order to function, your body may be asking for proper rest or time to de-stress.  When you can’t live without sweets, your body could be longing for the joy (or sweetness) in life.

It is important to understand your health from the inside out and to confront those things that you feel are out of control or that have a stronger hold on you than you’d like or even realize.  Balancing meals and lifestyle choices are a key factor in curbing craves.  A need for sugar can sometimes be easily curbed with the addition of more sweet root vegetables, beans and legumes and some time to stop and smell the flowers in life.  It may also be a longing for some alone time to be creative, dream, and live life to the fullest or scheduling time with your spouse, children, family, and friends. Bringing about moments of pleasure that feed the deepest part of you instead of instantly gratifying the need for outside stimulation.  After awhile, you reconnect with your innate intelligence and become aware of how your cravings are actually on your side.  Telling you everything you need to know and certainly supporting you in living more happy, healthy, and whole!