Do You Have a Harmonious Home?

Oct 27th, 2011

I used to dread having company because it meant chucking all the clutter into my spare bedroom, into closets, and under the bed. I learned how to do this from my mother … and my grandmother.

I now live a beautiful, harmonious life and people want to know how I made the transformation. Here’s an article recently posted at my expert page at selfgrowth.com.  It will help you bring more harmony into your life and your home: www.selfgrowth.com/articles/do-you-have-a-harmonious-home

SOME GOOD NEWS
I’ve been a wellness expert at SelfGrowth.com since 2006 and was recently “promoted” to be their Official Guide to Wellness.  This is a big honor and great way to spread the wellness word to one million visitors a month!  Visit my expert page here:   www.selfgrowth.com/experts/cheryl_miller.html  I would love it if you would “like” me

Small Potatoes Redefined

Oct 4th, 2011

While stirring and contemplating the soup I’m making (recipe below), I thought “I need more potatoes.”  I reached down into a sack without looking and grabbed one – a small one.  Perfect, I thought, a small potato.  That must be where the expression came from “oh that’s just small potatoes.”    One dictionary definition defines small potatoes as “someone or something of little significance or value, especially a small amount of money.”

But the small potato was perfect for my soup – sometimes it’s just that little bit extra, the small potato, the pinch of salt (or sugar), that rounds out the dish (life) perfectly.

In a bigger-is-better culture, the small potato might not seem worth much.  But in my soup, it’s perfect!

“Recipe” for the Soup I’m Making as I write – inspired by the beef-rice mixture wrapped in cabbage and cooked in tomatoes.  There’s a name for it–anybody know the name?

• Sauté diced onion, garlic, and ground beef in small amount of oil (ground beef is optional—I prefer grass fed)
• Box or can of beef or vegetable broth (I prefer organic)
• Large can of diced tomatoes (yes, organic) (28 ounces)
• Small can of Rotel (10 ounces–some like it hot!)
• 1/2 cabbage roughly chopped
• 3/4 cup of brown rice (I use a mixture of various brown rices and wild rice)
• Once it begins to bubble, turn the heat down and simmer for 50 minutes or so stirring occasionally
• As it cooks it will thicken slightly and look oh, so good!

Last step – Eat it!  Just in time for the cooler weather!

OOPS – just remembered I wanted to use up some mushrooms so I sautéed them (to help them catch up to the rest of the soup) and stirred them in.  It’s a tantalizing brothy stew and smells terrific! 

While I’m waiting for the mushrooms to integrate, I’m eating a small dish of peaches I froze during peach harvest this year.  A sweet, juicy appetizer that’s for sure.

Got a comment to share?  Post it at the comment link below.

Natural Medicine … The Big Blue Sky

Sep 30th, 2011

Am spending as much time outside today as I can because it’s the most beautiful fall day.  So far I’ve done these things outside (mostly on my deck):

• had coffee while writing my “to do” list and jotting down ideas for my business
• recorded my dreams in my dream journal
• walked Toby on the levee
• ate lunch
• did some writing
• took pictures in my yard (including the big blue sky to the right)
• watched the birds and butterflies
• made phone calls
• just sat and surveyed my little corner of the world

After a bit more lounging, I’m going to splice wires and hook speakers up to my “new” audio component set purchased at Goodwill a few days ago for $9.00.  I need to make sure it works and get it set up in my loft bedroom where I exercise, watch movies, and sit in peace.    Adding electrical outlets on my porch and deck was one of the smartest decisions I made when getting my house rewired.  I’ll be able to plug in the audio set and work outside soaking up this glorious fall energy. 

Why am I telling you all of this?  Good question.  Spending time in nature is some of the best medicine we all have access to, but we don’t often take the medicine because we’re busy, we forget how healing nature is, or we don’t  know that nature can be so enjoyable and healing.  I highly recommend that you start taking more of the natural medicine available when spending time in nature.

Comments Please – Do you spend time in nature?  Why, why not?  Have you experienced the healing effects of nature?  Share your comments at the link below.

Your Daily Routine: Shake It Up Baby!

Aug 28th, 2011

I have walked my dogs on the levee of the Kaw River most every day for years (and years).  This section of the levee is outside of town in the country, quiet, and quite lovely as you can see in the photo.  Trees flank the levee on one side and corn fields stretch to the horizon on the other.   Dragonflies, swallows, blue heron, night hawks, eagles, migrating birds, vultures, deer, toads, frogs, snakes, and other wildlife make it extra interesting.  Toby chases and hunts while I decompress, relax, and commune with all that is. 

Recently, I found myself turning around to head back before my usual sign marker.  Granted it was during our “bake an egg on the pavement” heat wave, but still it was a sign that I’d gotten bored with the route and needed to shake it up.  How could I get bored with that beautiful stretch of nature?  It happens.

I know of many places to walk, but this one is convenient and efficient, and my busy life welcomes efficiency.  And so does Toby because he doesn’t have to be leashed and he’s sure of a walk, no matter what. 

But enough of a good thing.  Today we went to the off leash park near Lake Clinton.  It’s some distance across town, but I’m going to build it into my mix as a special treat.  Now that I’m thinking outside the box, I’ve got a short list of other ideal walking locations.  Feels good.

Before walking today I followed Qigong master Chunyi Lin’s recommendation to bring awareness to my movement with this statement:  “On my walk, all my channels are going to become clearer, I will open my heart to nature, and by the time I’m finished, my energy will be much stronger.”  I wrote this on an index card and will keep it in my car to reference until I no longer need the reminder.

What habitual routines are you growing tired of?  Same sack lunch?  Same evening prayer?  Same meditation routine?  What daily routine could you shake up a bit to make it more plump, like fluffing a feather pillow?  Please comment at the link below.

Blue Zones: Live Longer, Better

Aug 26th, 2011

I attended the Working Well Conference in Wichita, KS this week and was blown away by Dan Buettner’s presentation on Blue Zones.  Wikipedia defines blue zones as ”a region of the world where people commonly live active lives past the age of 100 years. Scientists and demographers have classified these longevity hot-spots by having common healthy traits and life practices that result in higher-than-normal longevity.”

Here’s how BlueZones.com describes what they’re up to:

Live Longer

The average American could live an extra 12 years and be 40% happier by optimizing their lifestyle and environment.

Backed by Research

Working with National Geographic, the National Institutes on Aging and AARP, we found parts of the world where people live the longest, happiest lives. Our three-step process helps you learn their secrets, measure your own happiness or longevity and get the tools to help you change your lifestyle and environment to live the longest, best life you can.

You can find out more about these longevity secrets in Dan Buettner’s book The Blue Zone: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. 

Wonderful things come to us when we’re grateful

Aug 15th, 2011

When I’m really grateful as I am tonight, I mentally go over all the things I’m grateful for.   Tonight on this cool summer evening, I’m grateful for Toby.  He’s fun to walk.

If you want to be more grateful, here are a handful of examples to prime the gratitude pump. 

Things you can be grateful for …

• the other driver saw you and didn’t smash into you!
• you were invited to the party and they had such excellent food and conversation
• you have a loving pet sleeping in your lap
• the 100+ degree heat wave is in the past…and you’re now feeling a cool breeze as you walk the dog
• the bat circling over your head didn’t swoop down and get tangled in your hair (I didn’t say gratitude always had to be based in logic)
• you didn’t wake up with a bat crawling on your chest (happened to a colleague of mine last week)
• you got a refund when you didn’t expect (or ask) for it
• you love fruits and veggies (many don’t)
• your aging parents are still around
• your kids are kind
• you have a ceiling fan
• your cool bedroom
• a good night’s sleep
• your new shoes
• you are able to think things through
• you’re practical (artistic, adventurous, smart, thoughtful, creative, musical….)
• you know how to experience peace and joy
• you were chosen
• personal and religious freedom
• movies and good books (and popcorn)
• your friends and family
• the rain, snow, sun, clouds, wind and stillness

You can see that opportunities for gratitude are infinite. 

The Special Sparrow

Aug 6th, 2011

I’m certain that birds are all over my spiritual totem.  I love birds and watch them everywhere I go.  I can often tell what kind of bird it is by the way it sits on a wire, the way it flies, or how it looks in the distance.  I’m no birder, but I care and that’s why I know things about them.

That said, it’s surprising to me that I’ve lived this long without noticing that hot birds keep their beaks open.  How could I miss that!  It helps them cool off – kind of like panting.  Again, no expert, but that’s the conventional wisdom I’ve tapped into  since Kansas is in an record breaking heat wave and wildlife and other creatures across the country are struggling to cool off.   Cattle in the feed lots, poultry and swine in the industrial farms….but that’s a story for another post….and an opportunity for prayers. 

Even though it’s hot hot hot, I sit on my deck sweating and tuning into the wildlife in my small section of land – a few hundred square feet.  I’m thrilled that the special sparrow shows up now and then to let me know that he/she is still around and OK.  

Nature is perfect and imperfect all in the same moment.  Again, I’ve never seen this….a bird with a gnarled foot – shriveled and only useful to keep the bird from falling to the right when landing.  Useless when gripping the bowl I provide for water on the deck railing.  He just drank and got his fill, handicap and all.  A fantastically lovely site for me to witness.  In fact, observing this scene I acknowledge that we’re all wounded – not always visible and apparent to the naked eye.  The blessed wounds that provide us with opportunities to rise and shine, adapt, and inspire.

I am inspired.  That sparrow probably wasn’t chosen in mating, probably lives marginally, but that sparrow still sings and plays and prospers to the delight of ….. me.

Unleash the Magic Around Time

Jun 6th, 2011

Last Wednesday we launched the 8-week program Unleash the Magic (live in Lawrence) and the first topic was Time.  So this week I was thinking about time and how I use it. I woke up Saturday morning feeling overwhelmed by the many things I had to do and the lack of interest and energy I had for starting on my mental list. Ugh was my total body feeling. My arms even hung limp at my sides like that of a teenager who has been asked to clean the kitty litter.

Turning to my journal for inspiration, I got excited and started sweeping my deck, then clipping the spent roses from my knockout bush (100 or so), cleaning the gutters, putting in two window air conditioners, brushing my shedding dog, clipping his toe nails, taking us on a walk, cleaning under the kitchen sink (oh man it was needing it), mopping the kitchen floor, and that’s just for starters.  I went like that for two days like a house afire.

As I cleaned and moved through my list, I thought about why my energy and enthusiasm was working so well for me….after it had felt so heavy and unappealing when I woke up Saturday morning.

Now this is what I want to share……In the midst of my struggle, I went to my journal for clarity and inspiration—for help. When I took the first step to take action, I was rewarded by a feeling of relief that I actually could trust myself to take care of business, to do what I said I was going to do, to manage the affairs of my life. I felt better and better about myself as the weekend progressed.

What I also noticed is that I said only positive things to myself about myself and about my tasks. I looked just at what I was working on instead of wringing my hands  over all that I had to do. It was magical really and not something I always do – that’s why I paid so much attention to what was working and why.  I wanted to repeat my success and share it with you. Positive self talk, taking action (baby steps when that’s all you can do), and writing in your journal – that’s a combo that will help to unleash the magic that’s already in you….and in me. 

What do you do for inspiration when you’re feeling overwhelmed and stuck?  Share at the comment link below.

If you live in Lawrence, KS and this program sounds of interest to you, it’s not too late to join the series.  This coming Wednesday we start session 2 with discussion, journaling, EFT, and energy healing around MONEY.  Don’t you love to talk about money!  Here a link for more information.

Use Active Journaling Techniques to Unleash the Magic in Your Life!

May 4th, 2011

LIVE IN LAWRENCE, KANSAS!

UNLEASH THE MAGIC IN YOUR LIFE

June 1 – July 20, 2011
8 Consecutive Wednesdays

7:00 – 8:30 pm
Unity Church of Lawrence (sanctuary)
900 Madeline, Lawrence

A Transformational Workshop

Are you ready to discard old stories about who you are, what you do, and what you believe in?  Find out how you can replace old, worn out ideas, beliefs, and habits through magical, mini transformations. 

Unleash the Magic is an interactive workshop led by Cheryl Miller, Wellness Strategist, Life Coach & Mayor of CherylMillerVille (a thriving, online community of 6,000 subscribers).

Using Cheryl’s unique “LIFE in your LAP” Active Journaling Process, you will be guided through a series of self-reflective, inner exercises to help you Unleash the Magic in these 8 areas of your life:

1. Money

2. Time

3. Spirit

4. Food

5. Fitness

6. Space (car, home, office)

7. Personal Growth

8. Self-Care

Learn how to design your own magical life and experience opportunities for removing blocks through music, dreams, belief exploration, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), energy healing, guided meditation and visualization, Haiku, and more!

PLUS! Special guests will lend their magical gifts to our journey every week

· Carla Mumma, EFT practitioner

· Vi Hamilton, Energy Healer

To learn more about this unique program and to register, visit: www.CherylMillerVille.com/magic

We hope you’ll join us!

-Cheryl

Celebrating Earth Day

Apr 22nd, 2011

In Lawrence, KS the earth is enjoying a gentle rain.  And I’m enjoying relaxing into the day with a slower pace than usual–expanding into the delight of a day off.

What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day today? 

For a peek into how you can have sustainable Earth-friendly habits, check out an interview Christine Metz from the Lawrence Journal World did with me last night.  Find out why these red coffee mugs are in this picture.