The Gratitude Project

 

Good Morning!

The Gratitude Project
by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

This is a self awareness exercise I started in my practice in New York City over
15 years ago. It has always been an offering to my patients who come in during
the week of Thanksgiving for treatment. I would ask them to take home this
handout and to fill it out in their private time. If they were interested in
doing a little self attunement exercise, this would be the ideal time, as we can
be more conscious of the benefits we receive in our lives.


At this time in my life, things maybe going great or they may not be the best.
Regardless, TODAY I am grateful for:

1. ___________________________________

My life is full of hidden blessings. I will name three of them I may have
forgotten:

1. ___________________________________

2. ___________________________________

3. ___________________________________

I was able to eat today. I am thankful to have food to eat today because:

1. ___________________________________

I woke up in good health today. I am so grateful for this because:

1. ___________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

I may not have woken up in the best state of health today, yet I cannot be more
thankful because:

1. ___________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

I am most grateful for three people in my life. Who are they and why?

1. ___________________________________

_____________________________________

2. ___________________________________

_____________________________________

3.____________________________________

_____________________________________

There has always been a song or piece of music in my life that I have been very
grateful for because:

Name of song: _________________________

1. ____________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________

I have command of my senses today. I am eternally grateful for each one of them,
as there are some who do not have the ability to use them. I am grateful for
each one of them in this way:

Sight: _________________________________

Hearing: _______________________________

Taste: _________________________________

Touch: _________________________________

Smell: _________________________________

My happiness depends on:



The path of my life depends on:



My choices determine my:



My final thought of gratitude is about:



I hope that this exercise in self awareness has been a helpful one and I thank
you for taking the time to be a part of it for yourself.

-----------------------------------

Recipes: Traditional Gingerbread Man Cookies

 

Good Morning!

Recipes: Traditional Gingerbread Man Cookies

Ingredients

3 cups flour
2 teaspoons Ginger, Ground
1 teaspoon Cinnamon, Ground
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg, Ground
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg

Directions

Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Beat
butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until
light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg; beat well. Gradually beat in flour
mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk.

Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly
floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter.

Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown.

Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Decorate cooled cookies as desired. Store cookies in airtight container up to 5
days.

Tips for Caregivers

 

Good Morning!

Tips for Caregivers

Whether you are in the health care profession or taking care of a loved one or friend, being a caregiver is a gift. It is a great opportunity to put someone else's needs before yours. We all need help at one time or another in our lives. We may also need to help others when the situation calls for our assistance. 

Caregiver burnout is a common problem. It is difficult to be around someone who is in pain or has a debilitating situation often because we love them so and find it difficult to see them like this. Also, when someone is ill, in pain or not well, their is a certain energy about them that is not the norm. 

Because of this energy deficit or imbalance, it can be a real challenge to be around them for periods of time.


The National Alliance for Caregivers make these suggestions:


1. Find someone you can talk to and discuss your feelings. All feelings are legitimate, even those that upset you (anger sadness,guilt).
2. Set realistic goals. Balancing work, family, and time for yourself is difficult. Determine your priorities, and turn to other people for help with some tasks.
3.Make time for yourself, even if it's just an hour or two. Go to a movie, have lunch with a friend, or just sit and read a book.


Preventing Burnout 

Caring for another person, especially over a long period of time, can be physically and emotionally draining. You may find yourself feeling listless, forced to do routine tasks, and wishing to be someplace else. If this sounds familiar, you are a candidate for caregiver burnout.

1. Joining a caregiver support group: Check the newspaper or local library to locate one in your area. Sharing experiences with others can help you manage stress, locate resources, and reduce feelings of isolation.

2. Talking to a professional: The clergy, social workers, psychologists, and nurses are often trained to provide counseling on caregiving issues. Help may also be available through your employee assistance program.

3. Taking advantage of respite care: Respite care is a service that provides temporary care for an older person. Respite care may mean help with a specific task or having health care providers care for your relative at home or in a extended care facility while you go on vacation.

4. Recognize signs of stress: Stress can take its toll on you in many ways. Be aware of changes in your thinking, in your physical health and in your behavior.


Signs of Stress 

Stress related symptoms can include a feeling that something undesirable is about to happen, dry mouth, swallowing difficulty, hoarseness, rapid breathing and heart palpitations, twitching or trembling, muscle tension, headaches, backaches sweating, difficulty in concentrating, dizziness or faintness. Nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, sleeplessness, irritability, fatigue, nightmares, memory problems, and sexual impotence. 

The single most important point you can make about stress is that in most cases it's not what's out there that's the problem, it's how you react to it. How you react is determined by how you perceive a particular stress. 


White Light Protection Exercise 

Attracting and retaining people's energies as a caregiver is a very common occurrence. In a metaphysical sense, the best way to protect yourself from negative energy is with White Light. 

Sit, or lay on the floor and close your eyes. Imagine White Light warming and engulfing first, your Crown Chakra and bathing your eyes in light. Let the White Light warm your mind and relax and release all thoughts....... 

Move the White Light down the Chakra centers and let it bath each one and allow the White Light to massage each Chakra Point. Finish at the Root Chakra. 

Then allow the White Light to engulf your entire being. This protects your aura from negative energies and allows your "psychic defense" to come into play. 

This can be done at any time, in any place. Just close your eyes and visualize this White Light Protector. 

Cleanse with the positive thought or affirmation as "energy follows thought."