If I Meditate, Will You Too?

24 Thursday Jul 2014

Posted by Linda Sayseng with Sayseng Media in Affiliations, Healthy Lifestyles, Linda Sayseng

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Yesterday morning on The Bert Show, a radio show stationed in Atlanta, GA, the host Bert expressed how his wife cannot stop smoking cigarettes and it’s a huge family issue. She wants to stop but it seems addiction has won more battles.

Addiction carries a strong definition. Addiction is broad because we can be addicted to so many things so easily; drinking, sex, pain, cigarettes, food, attention and the list goes on. The biggest understanding of addiction is that it provides an escape goat for the addicted. However, the greatest thing about human life is that we have the power to change most of its courses. If you want to help someone gain back control over their life, meditation would be a great counter escape goat.

I am not a specialist; I can only speak from my personal experience. In truth meditation is an individual practice, however, if its something you’re not accustom to, it is great to have someone to practice with you (at least in the beginning).

When you ask the love one in your life, “If I meditate, will you do it too?”, here’s a few points that could be mentioned…

1. Meditation has no time frame. It could be 1 hour or 1 minute. It’s up to you. So there’s a way you both can compromise on a timeslot and duration.

2. Meditation is no longer just a religious practice. It is a mind cultivation method. If we think of it in terms of mind over matter, it’ll work.

3. There are plenty of different meditation methods. You will have to find the one that works for the both you. You are not restricted to one way.

I’m not going to explain all the benefits and name the types of meditation. I’ll leave that research up to you.

This is how I practice and it’s a little non-traditional but it definitely works for me and I hope it will for you both…

1. In the beginning, you will be full of thoughts, that is common. Try to imagine those thoughts as clouds passing by in your mind. Now imagine gently pushing them to the side as if sliding a photo gallery and removing it from your path.

2. Another practice, is focusing on breathing. This is a great way to place yourself in the “now” moment. By imagining every breathe you take flowing through your body, you find what’s important, Life! You are alive! All your worries become obsolete.

3. Majority of life’s problems are our reactions to emotions. Emotions are like a ball bouncing up and down. One moment you are happy and next you are angry, one moment you are ambitious and next you are depressed. In meditation, imagine that ball bouncing up and down, now put all your focus on placing that ball in the middle. When you place the ball in the middle, you are balanced, harmonious, unbiased and free.

When practicing meditation to relieve addiction, know that it takes time. As much time as you put into creating that addiction, you will need time for your mind to gain back control, hence mind cultivation.

Everyone has lost control at least once but what I see truly important is the support along the way. Sometimes we just have to revise how we support each other.

(This topic was inspired by The Bert Show. There is no affiliation between the show and the author.)

P.S. If this seemed somehow inspirational to you, I apologize for the misconception.

Change Will Come: Nothing You Can Do About It

22 Tuesday Jul 2014

Posted by Linda Sayseng with Sayseng Media in College Lifestyles, Healthy Lifestyles, Linda Sayseng

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Change is always present and is part of life. Change can be scary in any given situation especially when you make the change to better yourself physically and professionally. Maybe you want to go back to college and start a new career. Maybe you decided those burgers are no longer meant for you and became a vegetarian. However, understanding change will clarify your goals and keep you moving on the right track. Here are a few common misunderstandings you tell yourself and how to grasp it:

1. “I fear failure and success”

You fear both, failure and success? Doesn’t make sense. No, the truth is you’re just scared of change. That’s what you really fear. It’s ok to admit it. It is only natural but not indefinite. Take a step, walk into the unknown and know that fear of change is a thought. That thought plays a small part to the great life you could lead.

2. “What if it doesn’t work?”

Great question! To bad for you, you can’t find the answer unless you make a change. So, what if it doesn’t? Will you fall into a pit of despair? Will you burn in eternal hell? Let’s think about this. What if it doesn’t work? Is it the end? I doubt it. In fact, you will most likely gain a little more wisdom from your adventure. Walter Mitty anybody?

3. “I have 1 more year left at this job, then I can pursue my goals.”

Excuses, excuses, excuses. The longer you wait, the more likely you won’t change for the better. If we depend on outside reactions to effect our own actions we let “the man” hold all the cards. And you my friend, should be the only one holding the cards to your life. If you were to leave tomorrow, the job or person, they won’t wait to fill your position to meet their goals. Why should you?

4. “I’m just big boned and it runs in the family.”

Ok, I know there are things called chemicals, genes, traits, etc. Here’s my perspective, if you think you will never change physically, there’s nothing wrong with changing mentally and habitually. Physicality does not only define health. Making healthy decisions and exercise is essential to health factors. Assuming that if you make these healthy decisions will not change you physically and find it pointless, maybe you need to readjust your point. Instead, look at the possible changes internally. Honestly, that is what truly defines health and a long life. And hey! you never know, maybe that physical change you didn’t think would come, had a changing point as well!

Sometimes even the most educated mind can find themselves rationalizing something that’s far from true. I know there are more excuses out there we make to justify our daily 9-5 boring life…..what excuses do you make?

5 Ways to Detox Naturally

17 Thursday Jul 2014

Posted by Linda Sayseng with Sayseng Media in Blog, Healthy Lifestyles, Linda Sayseng

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I found some great ways to detox my body. I lost 20lbs, I have more energy and I feel happier throughout my day. Here’s a few ways to detox and start pushing yourself towards a healthier lifestyle…

1. The Detox Mixture

Ingredients:

2 thinly sliced lemons
1 thinly sliced lime
1/2 thinly sliced cucumber
3 to 5 mint leaves
1 large water bottle

This drink works! Try to drink it twice daily, preferably before meals. Everyone has their own preference; however I love the taste when the drink mix is cold. Enjoy!

2. Drink Green Tea

Here’s a drink to fight about it in regards to taste (according to my sister). But honestly, it’s great! Green tea has wonderful health benefits such as antioxidants, lower cholesterol, natural stimulant (caffeine) and it can also increase metabolism. The Japanese are known to have morning tea and afternoon tea time. I do the same. You should too!

3. Drink Water

Of course, water is the essential compound for living. It is obvious that drinking water has many benefits. It helps control calorie intakes, it flushes out toxins, boost immune system and it moisturizes your skin.

4. Exercise

Physical activity can prevent a wide range of health problems and concerns. Physical activity is another great way to cleanse your body of unhealthy fats. Take a brisk walk in the morning, ride your bike with the kids or even go on a hike with friends. You don’t have to work like an Olympic athlete but just know you can have fun and obtain the benefits.

5. Meditate

Meditation is not just a religious practice or some serious practice of only the few and reasoning minds. Actually, more people are using meditation to help cope with their everyday lives. Meditating can be a moment of silence, a nice walk by the lake or sitting in a nice rocking chair on your porch. The key is to be in the moment, take deep breathes and control the “ball”. I was taught to imagine a ball bouncing, like how emotions flow up and down; now by meditating, focus on controlling the ball to the middle where everything is harmonious and emotions such as anger are obsolete.

Clean Mind, Clean Body