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If you spend time in nature and observe the animals and the trees you will realise that unhappiness, and depression, do not exist in the natural world. Have you ever seen an animal in its natural habitat depressed? Have you ever seen a sombre bird, an anxious insect, or an unhappy tree?

Just like the animals in the natural world, we are essentially joyful. Just like animals in captivity some of us have become a little disconnected from this ‘inner’ joy. Even so, it doesn’t matter what our outside circumstances are, this inner joy is always present ! If only we could look within and realise this – we would be less dependent on outside stimulus to make us happy, we would be less concerned with ‘becoming’ something (healthy, thin, wealthy, wise – whatever it is we are not but think we should be) and more content with who we are right now and more willing to enjoy our lives just as they are.

The ancient art of yoga teaches us to accept ourselves in the present moment just as we are, to be centred, and grounded in our own wisdom and knowledge.
Complicated? Not at all. It’s just a matter of ‘letting go’ of inner obstacles (thoughts and worries) and not concerning ourselves with external obstacles (other people’s judgements and actions). ‘Letting go’ is an inward process – we sit quietly and let all the unhappy thoughts, fears, anxieties arise and then we choose – to let them go. Try this simple exercise: take a deep breath in and then as you breathe out imagine you release these stresses, thoughts, fears, anxieties. Continue to do this until you feel empty and then, eventually, you will glimpse it, you will realise it, you will become it – beyond all these things you are joy!

I realised early on that yoga suited me as a spiritual path and lifestyle. Yoga provides a positive and inspiring framework to live within, and provides many tools for self-healing. I know, from my own experience that when practiced diligently yoga has the power to heal.

Other people who do not have this degree of faith in yoga may find that yoga practices do not heal. That’s fine, they will of course choose a different path. It makes little difference what path you choose, what really counts is your faith, your firm belief in whatever it is you choose to do, and your resolve to live life fully, to be happy, to heal, and to make the world a better place through your involvement in it.
It is faith which will ultimately empower you, and lead you to succeed at your goals. Particularly in the context of health and healing – with complete faith in whatever course of action you take it is likely you will succeed.

With faith miracles are possible!

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past posts…

With an illness such as cancer comes uncertainty and fear. Faced with issues of mortality we may start to ask the big questions as we look for real meaning and purpose in our relationships, work, lifestyle and beliefs.

This can lead to both small and sweeping changes in all aspects of our lives as we focus on what is truly important and worthwhile and start to eliminate those things which don’t support our health and survival.

Navigating these changes can be difficult and initially stressful. In this issue of Wellness News we look at how to be courageous and proactive in an age where courage has been replaced with a more receptive and passive approach to life.

POEM; ENDINGS ARE NEW BEGINNINGS
BY SUSAN HAY

I can feel summer waning, a cooler dryness in the air.
Is another season ending, or is it going somewhere?
Has a summer that is over met an end that’s dead?
Or simply wafted elsewhere, its warmth there to spread?

As the sun leaves the horizon into the edge of night,
Has it met its end forever, forever dead and gone from sight?
Will there again be morning light now that the sun has gone?
Will darkness now engulf me, or will a new beginning come?

Will another pink-hued dawn give birth to yet another day?
Or do the ends of setting suns forever stay away?
Do these tears of grief I feel rolling down my face
Mean the death of joy has come? The death of happiness?

Or are all endings circles that forever go around?
Is there really such a thing as endings dead and bound?
Does the death of one end give birth to new beginning?
Do battles lost birth battles won and loss give birth to winning?

When dead ends seem to loom ahead and walls begin to rise;
When purpose and direction lie in shadow before your eyes,
Never stand there lost! Look right, look left, look up or down.
And then you’ll see the jewels adorning every ending’s crown.

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This month’s editorial column comes from the
inspirational Andrea Chervenak, author of the book
‘Heal with Hope: A Healing handbook & Journal’.
Andrea provides the inspiration and incentives to
set powerfulintentions and realise your dreams in
2010. Happy New Year!

It’s that time of year again...we begin to focus
on all of the things that need changing in our
lives, and ourselves. And most of the time by
the middle of the month, we have forgotten
all about our resolutions. But I would like to
suggest that instead of setting resolutions this
year, set intentions. What’s the difference?
Resolutions focus on change, intentions are
your vision for the future. It is not about
making instant change, but rather about
making a commitment to focus your energy
on what it is you want to attract and be.
For example, you want to improve your
financial situation. Write down on a piece of
paper, “It is my intention to attract abundance
and financial security to my life.” Or perhaps
you want to lose some weight, “It is my
intention to be at the perfect weight for my
body.” Or maybe it is love you are searching
for: “It is my intention to have true love and
happiness in my life.”

Each day use Gratitude Prayer and Visualization
to continue to reinforce to the Universe what
it is you want to attract to your life. As often
as possible – or at the very least each morning
before you get out of bed, and in the evening
before falling asleep – give thanks for the
knowing that the Universe (God) wants you
to be happy, and to have all the things that
will bring you happiness...because setting
an intention is also about believing that
there is a Divine Power at work to help you
achieve greatness, and all the goodness that
you wish for your life. So you might pray:
“Thank you God for the great abundance and
financial security in my life.” Or, “Thank
you God for enabling me to be the perfect
weight – for looking and feeling great.” Or,
“Thank you God fo guiding me to true love
and happiness.”

As you give thanks, be sure to create a picture
in your mind of what it is you want to attract
– see yourself having achieved it, try to feel
what it is going to feel like to have it. Most
importantly have Faith, and trust in the
knowing that all you need and want is on its
way to you.

It is my intention that your life is blessed with
all good and wonderful things in the New
Year!

~ Andrea Chervenak

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In a few short weeks Christmas will be here and with it 2009 draws to a close. The end of one year and dawn of the next presents us with a unique opportunity for both reflection and forward planning.

We can look back over the year and reflect on our achievements and also our regrets. We can smile inwardly as we graciously accept life just as it is in this moment. And we can set positive intentions for the new year – to feel better, live better and make our world the best it can possibly be.

The Christmas edition of Wellness News contains articles, news and information to inspire, uplift and support you through the holiday season. I hope you enjoy the balance of articles.

I will leave you with a quote by Agnes M. Pharo which reminds us of the deeper, spiritual significance of Christmas.
“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.” Agnes M. Pharo

~Mandy

POEM: MAKE A WISH

As often as possible, I make a wish and I dedicate it to something or someone else. I spend a spare moment sending out wishes to bring about healing, solutions, joy and love ... whatever is needed, no matter where in the world.
Every time I make a wish, I feel as though I’m sending out a bubble of good intention ... something positive and filled with hope and love. It may not seem like much ... it may not seem very practical. Often, it seems that there’s not a lot we can do to help where help is needed – perhaps because the situation is too far away or our own circumstances prevent us from being able to do more.
Yet, sending out a wish ... a bubble of positive intention, love and joy ... sets an intent in your life that has more power than it originally seems. A heart-felt wish can make a difference. Try it!
But be careful what you wish for.
It might just come true!
Karl Moore

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Late Spring is a delightful time of year to be outdoors enjoying nature. It is a time of harvest and healing with abundant fruits and beautiful scented flowers blooming.

It is essential for our physical health and peace of mind to regularly spend time in a beautiful natural environment working, exercising, observing, or just sitting still and absorbing the serenity of the moment.

More and more we are becoming an indoor oriented culture and this has a profoundly negative impact on our wellbeing. Nature provides everything we need for healing – sunshine, plants, medicines, fresh water – but we are increasingly disconnected from these things in their natural form and dependent on artificial supplements.

In this edition of Wellness News we feature two articles by health writer Tony Isaacs. The first article looks at the increasing prevalence of cancer as symptomatic of the modern lifestyle and health practices. The second article is an incredibly in-depth analysis of how to heal cancer (or any other illness for that matter) using the many tools provided by nature. He suggests a natural cancer healing protocol, which if adopted, could literally save your life!

Also featured in this edition are articles on organic gardening and organic food as a cancer healing strategy. You will also be inspired by the stories of two amazing ladies who are both longterm cancer survivors and CSA members. With the warmer weather here we have included some cooling salad and soup recipes to inspire your summer cooking.

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When I was a small child I was badly scalded with boiling water and spent six weeks in hospital undergoing surgery and treatment.

I don't remember anything of the event, but what I do remember were the hands of the people that held me and cared for me during this time. I remember being alone and crying at times (my mother had just given birth to my sister), and being comforted by some invisible, formless presence and being cupped within the giant, invisible hands of this presence. The world became quiet and I felt peaceful.

This experience largely shaped my unshakable faith and belief in the protective and healing power of 'God'. Over the years it is this faith that has seen me through the difficult times and given me a broadly spiritual perspective on life.

This foundation of faith arose from extreme suffering at a very early age. Without this experience I may have floundered, doubted, searched, lost hope, or worse, spent my life despairing, wondering what it is all for!

I realised early on that yoga suited me as a spiritual path and I consciously chose to live according to yogic principles. Yoga provides a positive and inspiring framework to live within, and I am dedicated to practising, teaching and sharing the blessings I have received with others. And I know, from my own experience, that yoga has the power to heal.

Other people who do not have this degree of faith in yoga may find that yoga practices do not heal. That's fine, they will of course choose a different path. It makes little difference what path you choose, what really counts is your faith, your firm belief in whatever it is you choose to do, and your resolve to live life fully, to be happy, to heal, and to make the world a better place through your involvement in it.

It is faith which will ultimately empower you, and lead you to succeed at your goals. Particularly in the context of health and healing -- with complete faith in whatever course of action you take it is likely you will succeed. With faith miracles are possible!

~ Mandy

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