January/February 2002
Feature Articles
What's Newz?
by Dee J. Findlay
Holistic Health Q & A
by John DeCosmo, D.O.
Of September 11, stress, getting back
to basics, and God is in the details.
What are... Sweeteners?
by Robert Roman
Not all sweeteners are "equal."
A healthfood store manager guides us through some of the options.
EnergyUpDate
by David Findlay
UNCOMMON SENSE ! - Who's next?
David Findlay
Minerals from Mother Earth
by Judy Power
Featured stones for January and February:
Onyx and Opal.
Your Astro Guide
by Janet Sciales
Articles on the theme "Freedom"
Freedom From Fear
by Kelly Menges
Freeing ourselves from limiting beliefs
to become connected with our true nature.
No Limits
by Yvette Monet
The freedom to live life as an expression
of love.
Spiritual Freedom
by Rev. Pat Cross
The inner freedom that comes with
the recognition of our divine nature.
Psychological Freedom
by Patrick Plaskett
Increasing our freedom by changing
the reality in our minds.
Hormonal Freedom
by Lela Lilyquist
Of the harmful effects of synthetic
hormone treatment for menopause and the growing awareness of more natural
approaches.
Free To Create
by Ken Sutton
The freedom to create our own lives...
both the good and the bad.
Freedom Within Bounds
by Rev. Stephanie Kubilius
How the boundaries of a relationship,
such as marriage, can actually provide greater freedom to grow.
Seven Basic Freedoms
by Rev. Linda Lou Kearns
Seven ways to exercise our freedom
to become what we really are.
A Free Mind
by Charles Larsen
How we as individuals may restrict
our inner freedom.
The Age of Freedom
by Jan Carter
Of plants and asteroids, gods and goddesses.
The Freedom Solution
by Constance Joy Angeles, Esq.
A nine-step approach to freedom
The Freedom Solution
by Constance Joy Angeles, Esq.
You can give and give to other people. Care for them, nurture them, support them. But it's the support and care and love that you give yourself that gives you the real strength to care for and love others. This has been a difficult lesson for me to learn, but I'm getting it. Oprah Winfrey
If I pay attention to how I really feel, I know, I'll lose it." Joanne's tone was direct, clear and almost impersonal. Her intense comment came after a few moments of inquiry. The question she answered was: "How does your body feel?" Joanne had been recounting her current personal situation. It seems that she has become the main breadwinner in her family. She owns a very successful small business where she provides trainers to mid-size and large corporations. Joanne employs a methodical, effective and precise demeanor. Although quite productive, she also is extremely creative, having authored the program that she sells to her corporate clients.
After her mother died, Joanne's father came to live with her. She says that she gets along with her dad pretty well. No real complaints, and no real exhilaration either. She's concerned that her sisters and brother contribute little or nothing to caring for their 84-year-old father. Although they visit on a regular basis, the full load of supervision, attention and responsibility lies with Joanne. Joanne is the oldest of her siblings and one of the more prosperous. She works 60 hours per week and is very giving of her free time to various networking and business organizations. Currently, she is the president of a dynamic business and professional woman's group, travels extensively and represents three other active not-for-profit companies. Joanne admits that she maintains this industrious and active lifestyle to avoid facing her anxiety and feelings of despair. It seems she has traded her desperation for stress.
Even though Joanne is an attractive and well-groomed woman, she is overweight, appearing so plump and round that she looks as if she could pop like a balloon! She deals with severe muscle tension, which she describes as "stress," suffers from slightly high blood pressure, and experiences heart palpitations on a regular basis. She has no problem conceding that she feels angry and somewhat resentful. But, why?
Starting when she was about 12 years old, dinner-table discussion centered on the fact that Joanne would care for her parents when they grew old. From that time forward, Joanne committed to the responsibility of her aging parents. Therefore, when father wanted assistance in daily living, it was a foregone conclusion that Joanne would provide it. She doesn't feel free to change her mind and believes that no matter how she feels now, she made a commitment and the agreement must be honored, no matter what. This commitment trap has kept her from attaining real strength. Her life has become one of distraction from her own freedom to choose. Like a dog chasing its tail, she keeps busy to avoid experiencing the circumstances. She has lost her freedom and created her own prison.
Even though she recognizes that she is in bondage through this now- inappropriate commitment, Joanne said, "I'd have to feel very safe in order to experience how I really feel." And, feeling "safe" is not an option. Therefore, freeing herself from her commitment ruse is not an option. It may be possible for Joanne to free herself from her suffering without making dramatic physical changes in her lifestyle. Then again, it might not happen that way. This is what she's afraid of. So, she stays trapped until she is willing to confront how she feels, take suitable action, and "be free."
So, what is the freedom solution?
This is the formula we designed.
1. Affirming: Daily affirmation: "I have a right to be free. I honor myself. I care for, nurture and support myself. I have the strength to care for and love others. I am free. I express my freedom in the perfect manner for me."
2. Exercising: Daily physical exercise (preferably in the morning).
3. Receiving massage or energy work: Weekly body work (massage or energy work)
4. Journaling: Daily writing in journal, even for just a few moments.
5. Practicing music: Daily music practice (piano playing/singing) or other creative, non-analysis-type activity.
6. Eating a nurturing diet fresh foods including vegetables (especially green, leafy), nuts and some fruit. Juicing is helpful.
7. Praying: Daily prayer
8. Meditating: Daily silent meditation (preferably two times per day for 20 minutes)
9. Retaining an attitude of kindness and forgiveness whether experiencing pleasant or unpleasant emotions.
For the next three weeks Joanne is committed to using this new nine-step approach. It will be fascinating to see the results.
Constance Joy Angeles is an attorney, LMT, and is available for speaking engagements. Dunedin (727) 738 4201. loveandlawonline@yahoo.com
Home Page
Display Advertisements
Category Index
Calendar of Events
Classifieds
Previous Issues
Copyright (c) 2002 Altnewtimes, Inc. All
rights reserved.
No part of this web site my be reproduced without written permission of Altnewtimes, Inc.
E-mail info@altnewtimes.com