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| The Wisdom of Fear |
Anything really worth doing in our lives will always have some fear attached to it.
Fear has a way of throwing us off balance, making us feel uncertain and insecure, but it is not meant to discourage us. Its purpose is to notify us that we are at the edge of our comfort zone, poised in between the old life and a new one. Whenever we face our fear, we overcome an inner obstacle and move into new and life-enhancing territory, both inside and out. The more we learn to respect and even welcome fear, the more we will be able to hear its wisdom, wisdom that will let us know that the time has come to move forward, or not. While comfort with fear is a contradiction in terms, we can learn to honor our fear, recognizing its arrival, listening to its intelligence, and respecting it as a harbinger of transformation. Indeed, it informs us that the change we are contemplating is significant, enabling us to approach it with the proper reverence. You might wish to converse with your fear, plumbing its depths for a greater understanding of the change you are making. You could do this by sitting quietly in meditation and listening or by journaling. Writing down whatever comes up--your worries, your sadness, your excitement, your hopes--is a great way to learn about yourself through the vehicle of fear and to remember that fear almost always comes alongside anything worth doing in your life. |
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| Letting Go of Perfection |
Life becomes much more interesting once we let go of our quest for perfection and aspire for imperfection instead.
This doesn't mean that we don't strive to be our best. We simply accept that there is no such thing as perfection--especially in life. All living things are in a ceaseless state of movement. Even as you read this, your hair is growing, your cells are dying and being reborn, and your blood is moving through your veins. Your life changes more than it stays the same. Perfection may happen in a moment, but it will not last because it is an impermanent state. Trying to hold on to perfection or forcing it to happen causes frustration and unhappiness. In spite of this, many of us are in the habit of trying to be perfect. One way to nudge ourselves out of this tendency is to look at our lives and notice that no one is judging us to see whether or not we are perfect. Sometimes, perfectionism is a holdover from our childhood--an ideal we inherited from a demanding parent. We are adults now, and we can choose to let go of the need to perform for someone else's approval. Similarly, we can choose to experience the universe as a loving place where we are free to be imperfect. Once we realize this, we can begin to take ourselves less seriously and have more fun. Imperfection is inherent to being human. By embracing your imperfections, you embrace yourself. |
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| Communication |
Expressing ourselves honestly in any relationship is essential to our well-being.
Sometimes problems arise in the process of expressing how we feel, but it is always worth it to do the work. Even in our less intimate relationships, expressing ourselves honestly is essential to our sense of well-being. Whether at home with family or in the outside world, successful communication requires some forethought; otherwise we risk blundering through our relationships like the proverbial bull in a china shop. However, too much forethought can stifle us or cause us to pad our words so extremely that we end up saying nothing at all or confusing the matter further. The good news is that there are many methods that can come to our rescue, from meditation to visualization to journaling. If the person we need to communicate with is open to sitting in meditation together for a set period of time before speaking, this can be invaluable. When we are calm and centered, we can count on ourselves to speak and respond truthfully. We can also meditate on our own time and then practice what we need to say. A visualization in which we sit with the person and lovingly exchange a few words can also be a great precedent to an actual conversation. If writing comes easily, we can write out what we need to say; it may take several drafts, but we will eventually find the words. The key is to find ways to center ourselves so that we communicate meaningfully, lovingly, and wisely. In this way, we honor our companions and create relationships in which there is a genuine sense of understanding and respect. |
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Deputy U.S. Marshal Josie Wells, 27, of Harleston, Mississippi, was killed in the line of duty on March 10, 2015. Wells began his career with the Marshals Service in January 2011 and was assigned to the Southern District of Mississippi in September 2014.
He enjoyed training CrossFit with his friends and colleagues, especially when the workouts involved running or power cleans.
He is survived by his wife, Channing, and son, Josie Jr.
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SUMMARYAshwagandha is a prominent herb in Indian Ayurvedic medicine and has become a popular supplement due to its health benefits.
SUMMARYAshwagandha may reduce blood sugar levels through its effects on insulin secretion and sensitivity.
SUMMARYAnimal and test-tube studies have shown that ashwagandha promotes the death of tumor cells and may be effective against several types of cancer.
SUMMARYAshwagandha supplements may help lower cortisol levels in chronically stressed individuals.
SUMMARYAshwagandha has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in both animal and human studies.
SUMMARYThe limited research available suggests that ashwagandha may help reduce depression.
SUMMARYAshwagandha helps increase testosterone levels and significantly boosts sperm quality and fertility in men.
SUMMARYAshwagandha has been shown to increase muscle mass, reduce body fat and increase strength in men.
SUMMARYAshwagandha has been shown to increase natural killer cell activity and decrease markers of inflammation.
SUMMARYAshwagandha may help reduce the risk of heart disease by decreasing cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
SUMMARYAshwagandha supplements may improve brain function, memory, reaction times and the ability to perform tasks.
SUMMARYAlthough ashwagandha is safe for most people, certain individuals shouldn't use it unless authorized by their doctor. Standardized root extract is commonly taken in 450–500 mg capsules once or twice per day.
