Message

If I had one message to all people I would say this: you can do whatever you want and you can be whoever you want. If there is anything in this world that you desire. You can have it: it can be yours. All that is required of you is to have faith. All that is required of you is to step out and be and do. Only when we are able to completely fully express ourselves and do what our heart desires, when we are able to walk the path that we choose and create our own destiny then we are able to love ourself fully and completely. There is no room for self judgement. There is no room for fear. The more of the fullness of yourself that you can be the greater your capacity for loving yourself and for loving others. When we recognize that we are all beings connected to the same source capable of the same powers and full of the same divine love then we can value each others self expression. We no longer hold attachment to desired outcomes. We no longer hold attachment to other peoples actions, emotions, choices, or lives. We are able to fully love another being for who they are are, as they are.

It is my aim to every day love myself in my fullest expression. It is my desire to love all beings in their full expression. It is my desire to be filled with divine love in all moments. It is my desire to break unwholesome attachments in all moments. I choose to be strong. I choose to be brave. I am powerful. I am capable. I am love.

 

*Transcript from live recording. Original recording available at Soundcloud

Yule

  
I remember learning about Yule as a child, being particularly interested in the tradition of burning a Yule log. My mother read to me stories of 17th century Europeans burning a massive log in honor of winter solstice and as a symbol of hope and celebration for the return of the sun. 

This year as I center my heart and ponder what this season means to me, the celebration of burning the Yule log strikes a cord. In the midst of the darkest day of the year we find a celebration. I honor the darkness that covers the earth just as I honor the darkness that touches my heart. How perfectly aligned this tradition is with my own personal practice of burning and renewing energy. In the midst of the darkest of days I celebrate life and the return to light. 

The sun holds a special place in my heart, as I am sure is somewhat of a universal sentiment. Still I consider my relationship with the sun to be quite passionate and firey. My love for the sun and its warmth has often led me to believe that on the flip side I disdain the darkness and the cold. In fact I think this has been faulty logic on my part. When I view this season as a time to find warmth in the burning flames of a Yule log, incense, candles, flower, sage, or burning of ones choice I find hope in the light of the flames. I experience the fullness of life in both the light and the dark. 

Hope remains: the sun will return again. The days will become longer. The light will be extended and this I am anticipating with joy. While I am here, in the Yule season, I focus on gratitude for all things. I am grateful for both the light and the dark. I am grateful for the balance that Earth maintains in order to sustain life. I am grateful for the light and the dark that resides in my heart, for in embracing the yin and the yang of experience I am able to fully embrace and love myself. ❤️

Progesterone

This is progesterone. It is different than progestin, its synthetic look alike, and today I am going to explain why that difference is so important to me. Both progesterone and progestin are critical hormones in the ovulation process, if there is no fertilization these hormones kick in and activate the period.

Progesterone has many health benefits that are worth mentioning. Some of the more notable affects are that progesterone is a feel good hormone, it improves sleep, it has antidepressant qualities and is mood enhancing. It keeps the brain healthy and alert and has been known to protect the brain from damage after traumatic brain injury or PTSD. Progesterone is known to have a sedative and hypnotic effect which eases anxiety and facilitates memory. It also can improve fat metabolism and bone formation, especially important for young women.

To summarize these benefits, progesterone is a powerful hormone that does more than regulate a womens monthly cycle, but contributes to mental and emotional stability. Progestin on the other hand does not have these amazing benefits. It merely prevents fertilization by creating hormonal imbalance. If anything the synthetic hormones have negative effects such as leading to higher cases of reproductive cancers. These synthetic hormones are found in more than just the birth control pill but also in tap water and plastic bottles and containers. It is also important to eat a balanced and nutritious diet to maintain healthy hormone levels such as avoiding foods with sugar and salt. Also by eating less meat and incorporating more fiber into the diet will help to maintain balance.

::This chart gives us an idea of the average hormone changes in a monthly cycle. ::
When a women takes birth control two things happen: estrogen is increased and progesterone is decreased (no need to produce it when taking a synthetic). This is a recipe for anxiety. Without progesterone, a constant flow of estrogen can irritate the nervous system creating a feeling of being in a constant state of drive. Estrogen can bring creativity and calm when balanced in a natural state, but when there is an imbalance problems may arise. It is also important to note that synthetic estrogen is four times stronger than naturally produced estrogen.

The passion behind my research lies in my choice to cease taking birth control.  Initially I didn’t know that birth control had any risks, but three years into taking it I realized that I knew it was not healthy and there was no reason to wait to quit. After I stopped taking the pill I began researching what transitioning off can be like when I learned how important progesterone is. As someone who has struggled with anxiety, depression, and PTSD I want all the happy and helpful hormones as possible! I didn’t know that in taking hormonal birth control that I was blocking the natural production of my much needed mood lifter. In my research I learned that right after ovulation is when progesterone levels rise dramatically, a time typically when women say they suffer from PMS. When hormone levels are natural and balanced, women actually have the potential to experience a natural high as a rush of positivity laced hormones enter our system. This is a magical time of our cycle when we can reap the benefits of mature my experiencing lifted moods and more energy and alertness. This is critical! With mood disorders and depression abounding in our society I want to educate uterus owners that taking synthetic hormonal birth control prevents you from ever experiencing the natural highs of progesterone!

Whatever reasons there are to take birth control there are counter points for why our body can naturally take care itself. Part of loving myself included letting my body sync to the natural rhythm of nature. Since quitting birth control I find myself more aware of my body and more in tune with my intuition. With the right awareness, unwanted pregnancy isn’t even a worry in my mind. I have taken back control of my body and it’s systems, and it feels wonderful. 💜
Related Links:

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9809/how-birth-control-pills-are-causing-your-stress.html

https://m.facebook.com/notes/guy-dasilva-md/progesterone-the-natural-anti-anxiety-and-anti-depressant/325548990827688/

Progesterone and the Nervous System/Brain

http://bedsider.org/features/317-all-about-hormones

Attachment 

  
Attachments truly do lead to suffering. What I have learned is that meditation and letting go brings me peace, unlike anything else I have tried. 

In letting go I find freedom. 

In realeasing myself of all expectations I am whole just as I am.