Sugar! Let's Get Free -- A Guest Post by Holistic Health Counselor Ali Brody

I'm excited to share a guest post written by Ali Brody, a Philadelphia-based, holistic health counselor. I met Ali in a club while working on a BBC.com/Travel story about the great city's music scene. We quickly figured out we're both into health and wellness but it wasn't until we Skyped that we also discovered a shared culinary Achilles heel...sugar.

For me, sugar can be a real trigger to overeat. My overactive sweet tooth is present all the time and at more sensitive times, it can be difficult to self-discipline with a strong No. I've given it up completely for periods (the longest was a year and a half without sugar, flour or wheat!) but now I go for moderation and balance. Specifically, I allow myself one dessert a week and the rest of the time do my best to abstain completely.

Ali's post gives some great advice on how to let go of the hard sugar (high fructose corn syrup) and find more natural alternatives to eat in its place. I added a few links in case you want to learn a bit more on a few related topics like mindfulness, ways to build successful habits and one of my favorite Janet Jackson videos. :)

Enjoy and I hope Ali's post helps motivate you like it's motivating me to eat MORE of what the body deserves and LESS of what it doesn't need...


SUGAR! LET'S GET FREE
BY: Ali Brody

I am someone whose daily water ice habit (water ice is a dessert concoction of water, ice, sugar, food coloring, artificial flavor and maybe a bit of real fruit or fruit juice) taught me sugar addiction is real. My days did not feel complete without this colorful, icy sweet treat! I finally decided to give it up and I am now water ice free for almost three years.

Letting go of that food helped me become entirely free, by which I mean I have no cravings. I can decide every now and then that I want something with sugar, like a delicious hot fudge sundae, and it is a peaceful, fun decision.

Like me, you can beat this beast and be better for it. LET’S GET FREE…

I am an integrative health coach, so I’m going to approach this from 3 levels. I used to love choose your own adventure books and my approach is to give you the power to choose how far you want to go!

Find a Healthier Sugar Source
Fruit, honey, maple syrup and agave are all better options than refined white sugar. Some of my current favorite healthy sweet options are:

*Home made applesauce

*Banana, cinnamon & almond butter smoothies

*Maple sweetened vegan chocolate mousse

*Dried white peaches

*Use leftover grains to make sweet porridge. Drizzle maple syrup and sprinkle cinnamon, or add hemp milk and bananas.

There are so many good, healthy, sweet options. Experiment and enjoy.

Be Proactive

There are natural sugars in many vegetables. By eating sweet vegetables you can eat really healthy foods and nip the sugar craving in the bud before it even happens. Sweet potatoes, corn, carrots, acorn and butternut squash are all foods that have a lot to offer while also being sweet. Mindfully check in with yourself to gauge how any of these foods affect your cravings througout the day.

Connect with the Source

Your sugar cravings are a form of inner communication. Often these pesky cravings are in response to stress or a yearning for comfort or more fun. When you get a sugar craving, ask yourself -- Is this craving connected my feeling low? Give some attention to that feeling and see if you can figure out what it's about. Give yourself some well deserved love and self care, which may be all you're really craving.

You can do this.

All my best,

Ali


Very helpful, right? Ali is here to support you in your attempts to let go of sugar! She can be reached at Ali@HealthyGlow.org for more info about integrative health coaching sessions and a free health consultation. Check out Ali's website at www.HealthyGlow.org.

I Was Reminded Today

I was reminded today
that I found bliss in the Tuscan hills and valleys one year ago this July
I was reminded today
that my mood is always affected by the weather
that the way to go with it
is to go WITH it
cozy sweats, fuzzy slippers
soft candle light
I was reminded today
to stand for what I desire
and dare I say deserve
next levels I've earned and am ready for
now
I was reminded today
of obstacle illusions
"barriers" outside myself
which are not barriers at all
you see
but reminders
I may be blocking myself
that flowing down a river of dreams
doesn't happen unless I jump in the boat
I was reminded today
how blessed I am
to be the daughter of self made parents
parents who were not privileged or lifted
but who gave me a good, good life
I was reminded today
I must continue to say
"No, thank you"
to certain temptations
which are distractions from myself and my dreams
I was reminded today
fewer distractions
brings greater peace
I was reminded today
my heart longs to soar and needs
music!
travel!
new questions to answer!
I was reminded today
that couples in love who I love make me feel sooo inspired I will find love, too
LOVE
I was reminded today
I need not work my body to bits
I can modify, modify, modify
I was reminded today
a firm, gentle hand is a gift
as is
a patient voice
as is
a space to dwell
I was reminded today
that the best way to deal with bullshit
yours
is to step over it and keep walking
mine
is to stop saying it
I was reminded today
a new life needs to be seen vividly
felt completely
believed wholeheartedly
first and foremost.
How else do doors fly open so fast
you fear they'll leave their hinges?

What is the First Step?

Good morning!

Funny, as I wrote the title "What is the First Step?" I realized this could've been my higher self telling me I should look at the first of 12 steps in recovery, which is "We admitted we were powerless over (your substance here) and that our lives had become unmanageable". That's not what I wanted to blog about, however, so I'm going to let that go for now.

I wanted to give a plug and a push for taking 1 step, 1 micro mini nano step or a giant long jump leap (which is still a step) in the direction of a dream.

My parents always used to say "Hate is SUCH a strong word" and to an extent they're right, but if you HATE something and I do mean HATE it, that's information which you could apply to making a change. Your soul might be screaming because this is the only way to get your attention!! If you HATE your job, for example, and can hardly stomach doing it for another day, then ask yourself, "What is the first step?" Take a step towards liberation. In this case, I suggest:

1. Updating your resume.
2. Letting 10 people in your network know you are looking for a new job and letting them know a few ideas you have of what you'd love to do.
3. Writing a 5 line job description of your new job.
4. Attaching a dollar amount. Women earn 77 cents on the dollar compared to men. This will change through a number of factors but one is women standing in our power and continuing to ASK for what we're worth.
5. Breaking up your day at work by going out for a walk or something, so you don't feel like you're stuck in a rut without any control. Begin to tell yourself as you get into motion "I am walking confidently in the direction of my dream job and I can feel it here now! I LOVE MY WORK!" Something like that, you know.

So this does relate to the first recovery step after all! Powerlessness is a tricky thing and one that can be terribly hard to admit. An addict is often beaten to the ground and I do mean GROUND before recognizing and accepting that without help, without 12 step help, perhaps counseling help, maybe divine help, he or she is not kicking this addiction. When a person goes through a loss, perhaps a death or illness of a loved one, it can be excruciatingly difficult to accept how powerless one is over the situation. People say time and again how simply out of control it all feels.

Which is why it makes grand sense to celebrate and seize areas where YOU DO HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE! I'm surprised at how often I internalize a sense of powerlessness in situations where I really have quite a lot of it. A LOT.

People advise how to "Find the One" and "Meet your Soulmate" often by advising to clear out old relationships and ghosts of lovers past. Make space for the new and allow him or her into your heart and life. Not a flawless theory, since some people meet their true love while still in relationships, hanging onto old lovers, etc etc, but from what I've read and observed, when you do create the space for someone new by letting go of the old, you're more likely to call it in.

My trainer (who will be here in 11 minutes so I better jet) encourages me to take "penguin steps" and he's right. Just a little step can radically alter the course of your existence. :) It's true. A little here, one there, a simple conversation, one application, a chance meeting, a first date...It's exciting. Lots to come!!!!

Best, L

Building a Life on the Foundation of Love

Good morning!

We are made to give and receive love, right? Let's talk about the latter.

I thought I was a good receiver. I thought I was someone who can take in affection, help, positive praise, opportunities and that genuine sense of love you feel when you consciously connect to another human being and Source energy. But, on closer look, I definitely have room to learn how to let in a lot more.

Does this sound familiar --

Choosing relationships with people who don't really love you?

Hesitating to ask for the kind of help that can really make a difference in your career, healing and growth?

Having a tendency to disqualify positive praise in your head with a "Yeah, but..."?

Squandering opportunities because you couldn't receive them without questioning your worth?

Resisting just being still and connecting with people or Source, which is all about receiving energy and allowing connections to strengthen?

Are you letting in love?

I was reminded last night by my acting teacher that if you want to learn to receive more love then begin by giving more love to yourself. Oh yeah, I am deeply loving myself by taking a weekly acting class again with Tom Todoroff. I thought about discipline as love and how my intenSati teacher and mentor, Patricia Moreno, taught a series built around the idea that discipline is not punishment, it's love. So, for me, LOVE definitely means bringing in more discipline, particularly with how I rehearse, prepare and take care of my body.

Where do you need to be more disciplined in your life?

I'm not a life coach and don't want to be, but I LOVE asking these little questions to help activate your thinking and if you take my intenSati classes, I hope this material supports your practice. Consider answering them. It can lead to deeper awareness.

I read a beautiful poem by Christian Wiman yesterday and want to share it. If you're not into 'the whole God thing' I suggesting subbing in LOVE where God is written:

Every Riven Thing

God goes, belonging to every riven thing he's made
sing his being simply by being
the thing it is:
stone and tree and sky,
man who sees and sings and wonders why

God goes. Belonging, to every riven thing he's made,
means a storm of peace.
Think of the atoms inside the stone.
Think of the man who sits alone
trying to will himself into the stillness where

God goes belonging. To every riven thing he's made
there is given one shade
shaped exactly to the thing itself:
under the tree a darker tree;
under the man the only man to see

God goes belonging to every riven thing. He's made
the things that bring him near,
made the mind that makes him go.
A part of what man knows,
apart from what man knows,

God goes belonging to every riven thing he's made.


I know now that by saying Yes to greater self love, No to people or habits that don't love me back and Yes to those who do, I am building a life on the foundation of love. Like a house with a strong foundation, with all that self love I will never shake, tatter or shatter under pressure. (Ok, "never" is a strong word but it will be few and far between!) I will withstand what life throws at me because of a sturdy foundation I BUILT. For a long time I was trying to build my life on the strength of success or the right relationship, but now I see it's as simple as deep self love and self care, from which stem peace, core strength and the ability to genuinely love and care for others.

Build your life on the foundation of love. That's all I'm sayin.



:0) Have a great day.

Lindsay

Et Tube, Brute?

You may have read the article "Bridal Hunger Games" in the Fashion section of the April 13th New York Times about dieting trends amongst women who are trying to lose weight for their wedding. 10-20 pounds is the average amount brides-to-be want to shed before donning a gown and saying 'I Do' to the man or woman who, hopefully, loves her as is (but that's besides the point).

What jumped, leapt, screamed off the page for me was one of the methods, which makes the Grapefruit Diet of years past seem like it belongs on a poster for good health recommendations. This one is the insertion of a feeding tube through which 800 calories of nutrition are administered to the client who is then expected to eat nothing else for the rest of the day.

My full reveal is not that I work for a competing diet organization whose interest it is to discourage such drastic measures to slim down in favor of something more modest. I am not engaged nor have I ever been married, so I don't know the kind of pressure one feels getting ready to walk down the aisle in front of a few hundred friends, family and colleagues. My reveal is that while struggling with a very serious, life threatening eating disorder 12 years ago, I was in a treatment facility amongst anorexic and bulimic patients, some of whom were at weights so low they could die from the stress on their bodies (and spirits). I saw girls for whom tubing become mandatory, a last ditch effort to put on weight. Some cried hysterically like lone wolves when Ensure was passed through into their systems. It was a terrifying scene for what you can imagine was a variety of reasons. The concentration of fear in that setting was like an audience at an old, 3D, sci-fi movie. Everybody on edge and waiting for the next reason to jump out of their seats and scream.

So when tubing is trending, I have reasons for concern. In this city, one where being thin is associated beauty and health, I live and work amongst women and men who play an edge with respect to calorie restriction and exercise. Juice cleansing (also mentioned in the Times article, this time for having the effects of a laxative, which is probably debatable) is popular and to a lesser extent, so is Master cleansing (water, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and agave). For me, I stay away from methods that eliminate food completely or reduce calories to well beneath what most doctors or nutritionists suggest is healthy for an active adult. If you're drinking 1200 calories and burning 600 calories in a workout, that leaves about 600 calories left to support all your functions -- thinking, moving, digesting, eliminating waste, etc.

What I learned throughout my years spent devoted to recovering from the eating disorder I developed in college, is diets DO trigger more destructive eating. I don't have the studies to back that up right now and I'm not a therapist or doctor, so you can take this all as anecdotal. Once you start taking drastic measures, it can set up something like a binge/restrict cycle, it can seem like the "easy solution" to dropping weight, it can throw your metabolism out of whack so that losing weight actually becomes harder than it needs to be, or it can actually create a high that is addictive, like drugs. You get high on starving, essentially. It also creates this illusion of control, as if controlling food intake to such a degree creates mastery that can be further applied to the rest of your life, including aspects which are not controllable, like life circumstances and other people, for starters.

This does not apply to everybody and I'm certainly not here to judge, but I've seen it in myself and I've seen it in others, which at this point is enough for me to open my mouth and share. I come from a place of concern and deep compassion, having witnessed the hellatious effects of eating disorders and wanting to be part of a collective voice which helps PREVENT and treat them.

Et tu, Brute? Even you, Brutus? Ceasar felt betrayed by his confidante, his friend, his compadre. When I see a diet trend like this, I feel shocked and betrayed by people who SUPPORT this methodology. Didn't someone along the way consider that maybe this is not such a great idea? That maybe there is a deeper cultural concern to be felt if women are feeling so pressured to be thin that they would go to such lengths? Will women go on betraying themselves by forcing conditions which border on the inhumane? Does that lovely looking woman in the Times article photo feel any sense that this was if not dangerous than at the very least, ridiculous?

By the way, the procedure costs about $1500 for 10 days.

I could go on but it's 7:20AM and I am taking a walk outside before I go to work today. All I can say is that I hope this little fashion trend that popped up in the Fashion section falls away, much like I hope and pray women will stop hating on a little body fat and idealizing sizes 0-2 bridal gowns at the expense of their own happiness. What is really more important, being healthy and HAPPY or being thin?

Thank you for reading!

Best,
Lindsay

Be Present to your Reality

Most of you who read this blog regularly know me as a writer, actress and fitness instructor. All of that is true and wonderful, but at this point in my life what is also true and for years felt a lot less than wonderful, is I have what some like to call "a day job". For me, it is in fact during the day and it is definitely a JOB. I am the Executive Assistant to the General Manager of a cable channel. I've been in this role for a little less than 2 years and for 2 years prior, I was the EA to a different group of executives at the same channel, including the former COO and heads of Programming, Affiliate Sales and Ad Sales.

Before this EA gig in media, I was the Executive Assistant to the head of Mayor Rudy Giuliani's now defunct security consulting firm. My boss was the former Assistant Director of the FBI's NY Office with a resume that included head of Counterterrorism, national security advisor to President George W. Bush, lead investigator of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and CNN analyst. I landed that job -- which was quite the learning experience, to say the least! -- after doing administrative assistant and temp work while pursuing the acting, writing and fitness. Essentially, I wasn't making enough money to take care of myself and live in the city and the temp agencies explained I could do EA work for a little more (this was about 7 years ago). I said, Yes.

Now that I've written what anybody can see on my LinkedIn profile, I want to get to the good stuff, which is why I'm convinced I am still an EA as opposed to acting on a sitcom, reporting on camera from events around the globe or working on a film in a writer/producer capacity. I don't think it's about luck. I don't even think it's entirely about my ability or lacking some confidence in my skills, although I would say that's a portion of it overall and I'm finally getting over a few hurdles, yahoo. What I DO think it's about is an unwillingness to choose to COMMIT fully to my "day job", be present to my reality and work at my utmost potential.

Are you fully committed to your commitments?

Resenting my circumstances, worrying they will last forever, judging myself, and using them to construct a story in my head along the lines of "If it hasn't happened by now, it never will, it must not be meant to be. I'm an overqualified, under-achieving Ivy Leaguer and I'll be an EA forever!" or choosing not to fully embrace my work with gratitude, all of these choices kept me from saying YES to my present circumstances with my entire being. I'm sure this affected my momentum in other areas as well.

You see, what I've done is keep one foot out the door, mentally, out of a fear that if I commit to THIS reality, moment, and set of circumstances, I am somehow warding off THAT reality, THAT moment, THAT set of circumstances I am reallllly desiring. The lucky thing for me, if you want to call it lucky (maybe that's not the right word), is that even by not committing fully, 100%, even by keeping a mental foot outside the door and a self concept "This is not really what I do!" while DOING it 45-50 hours/week, I still perform at a high level because I'm smart and I'm experienced. The catch is that I know in my heart of hearts I can do a lot better.

How does it feel to do something and know you did not give your all?

The same thing can be applied to being single. It's the illusion that if you step into it with 2 feet in and just grab it by the horns -- this is it for today, YES! -- you're signing up for a life of something you don't want and letting go of what you do want (i.e. to get married to a hot soulmate w/ a great sense of humor, have babies and adopt a teacup Boston Terrier). The opposite is true. Hunker down, embrace your circumstances, stop thinking about the future and you will be way more freed up to actually transform your circumstances. It's all energy and it can't be constipated. Sorry. :)

There is more ego constructed fear, which is something like, "What if I enjoy this?" The funny thing is, I actually DO enjoy begin the Executive Assistant to a C suite executive in some respects. Does it bring me the same kind of pleasure as acting, writing a play or article, teaching an intenSati class or singing a song? No, no/no, no and no. But, there are some very rewarding aspects to the work that actually do suit me really well! We don't live in the era of Mad Men anymore, thank god, and an assistant working in my capacity is doing a lot more than answering phones, getting lunch and scheduling appointments. There is that function as well which can feel tedious at times (humility/ego dilemma, what?), but there is much, much more and for me as an entertainment professional, being the "right arm" of a cable channel GM has given me a deep knowledge base. It's not an accident that I got to this particular place in my work. It is a benefit to me and when I am in a good place, connected to Source, I truly feel it is all for GOOD.

Do you believe things are happening for your benefit and growth? Relax.

All this to say, for years and I mean years, I would have days where I just slogged through work (again, slogging being relative in my world bc at this point, I rarely truly slogged but I was just not up to my 'personal best' level) and while I could get by, I just don't like just getting by. There's the saying "How you do anything is how you do everything" and of course one of THE FOUR AGREEMENTS by Don Miguel Ruiz, which is "Always Do Your Best". That means in everything. The work ethic you apply to one aspect of your life DOES carry over into others and you will only be as strong as your weakest link.

What do you need to strengthen in your life? Where are you denying yourself the pleasure of peak performance?

I had to shatter the illusion that committing fully to my current circumstances will somehow lead to complacency. I also had to abandon the idea that complaining about the physical reality would manifest change. I don't want to deny myself feeling really good, confident and accomplished each day. At the end (and beginning, like right now) of the day, I am NOT my job, I am not my circumstances, and I am not even what I am striving for -- I am simply a traveler who is here to grow closer to Source, in love, each and every day. I am here to manifest the greatness in me and help others do the same. I am what I desire (Love, Freedom, Creativity...)and I am here to enjoy the gifts of being alive, which are everywhere, even in the secretarial responsibilities of running an office, lest I forget that

Source is in the small details.

I'll close with an excerpt from one of Tara Brach's recent podcasts. The last 3 or 4 have been SO amazing. This one is about practicing presence, which is sort of funny to me -- can you really practice presence? You just are presence. Like, right now. You are always presence. I guess you can practice it the same way you practice breathing. You're always breathing but when you practice it, your experience and awareness of the breath just changes.

In the moment
you
commit yourself
to
practicing presence
and letting go
into what is,
you are aligning
yourself
with
the truth.

True
being.

Set your intention
to cherish these moments
and
offer
your presence.

~Tara Brach

Have a beautiful day.

Lindsay

Accelerating, Committed and In Love

Good morning! I hope you're springing into April and really enjoying the energy of the new month. The intenSati series I wrote for April starts off with the following affirmation:

I am accelerating and it is liberating!

I am enjoying growth, movement and expansion in my body and in my circumstances. I am procrastinating less and doing more, but most importantly I am doing what is aligned with my heart's deepest desires. There is a speed at which things are happening and I seem to be discovering answers to questions I've been considering for a while. I feel the freedom from new growth, most obviously in the area of my devotion to acting. I'm back in class working on scenes and monologues. I'm in rehearsals for a short film that shoots end of the month. I'm writing a play for me to act in -- this will be my second for production -- and my heart is completely in it.

With less distractions, I am able to focus more and really live another affirmation in my series, which is:

I choose my commitments and give 'em all I've got!

It is my goal to no longer over-extend myself. My plate used to get too full at the expense of what I was heaping onto it and I am done with that way of living. I can't say yes to everything and everyone. I don't want to anymore. I am also looking at the thoughts to which I'm choosing to commit. The stories. I am committed to a love story. I fall in love with life. I fall in love with myself, with all my imperfections. I fall in love with my history, my past, my trials and my recoveries from a few falls.

I am in love!

It is a beautiful thing to be "single" and in love at the same time. In many ways, it's the best of both worlds since I am living to unlock the door to love before someone else is even required as the object of my affection. To go so deep into the depths of myself means releasing many old fears. Many doubts. Many old stories.

I surrender
my doubt
I am love
inside and out.

It is a quieter time for me, now, my happiness so much less contingent upon outside factors and more about just being lovingly attentive to myself. It's taken a long time to get to this place but I am grateful to be here now, even though the unfamiliarity and simplicity of it all can be daunting. Or, humbling. It could've been this easy all along?

Best,
Lindsay

April intenSati Series -- You Are What You Desire

Good morning!

Yesterday was my mom and dad's 41st wedding anniversary. I honestly didn't have them in mind when I wrote my intenSati series for the month of April but without a doubt COMMITMENT is one of the cornerstones of this series, so I feel inspired and glad it coincides with such a milestone in my family.

Commitments are a choice. Sometimes it's easy to fall into a mode of thinking like "I have to go to work" or "I have to go to that bridal shower", "I have to learn my lines" or "I'm just anxious so my thoughts are all over the place", when the reality is I AM choosing to go to work, choosing to attend someone's shower, choosing to learn my lines and I am choosing to COMMIT to an anxiety self concept. If I want to live a life I love, I need to commit to thoughts, feelings and actions that are inspiring, creating more love inside me and changing conditions in my life for the better!

A few months ago I quit gum. It's nothing short of a miracle that I no longer swish around chewy sorbitol in my mouth by the pack on a daily basis. (I tried quitting diet coke but wasn't ready. There's been progress, though, and I only drink about 1 or 2 cans or glasses at most a week. It used to be daily.) It took a while for a new commitment to become habit and feel normal but it happened and I love the result.

What COMMITMENTS are you CHOOSING this month?

Last month saw a lot of personal growth in the career space. I performed in a 5-day comedy showcase as a lead in a short play and supporting player in a second sketch. Then I went to the South By Southwest music festival to do on camera reporting for BBC America. It was new, it was challenging and it was exhilarating. My acting teacher used to say "The Universe likes speed!" and I have to admit, the feeling of acceleration was amazing. I loved the growth spurts, I loved being in passionate motion, I loved that things felt like they were really moving! So, the first affirmation I wrote for this month's series is "I am accelerating and it is liberating!" which I paired with INTENTION and FREEDOM. I'm not asking for us all to achieve high flying, Ferrari-esque action. Too fast and you'll feel dizzy. I intend a steady stride that gains more and more speed with practice -- I'm talking swift, efficient and powerful YOU.

I have a really strong sense of what makes me happy and it boils down to self care, practicing my passions so that my skills improve, and thinking thoughts which keep me uplifted and feeling the LOVE. Criticism feels like injecting something toxic into my system and I do my best each day to abstain from my own self critical mind and attract compassionate people into my world.

What makes you feel HAPPY, light and bright?

The intenSati book of the month is by Wayne Dyer and it's called WISHES FULFILLED. I've been listening to the audio version for the last few days and it's built around the concept of manifesting what you desire by way of imagining and FEELING you already HAVE what you desire. (Seriously, the man needs to take intenSati. I think he will one day.) Practicing and teaching intenSati is my gateway into feeling and seeing desires in my imagination and owning them even before they appear in reality. We say things like "It is done!" and take leaps of faith in our lives, standing powerfully in the knowing that "What you think about you bring about!"

Affirmations and powerful I AM statements matched with emotion and movement literally change the composition of mind, body and soul. I've seen such amazing changes in my life and my students' lives by doing this work and now it feels like it's all going even deeper.

My commitments this month are varied -- I am teaching more intenSati classes at Equinox and in Central Park (YEAAAH!) and continuing to train my body to be in the best shape of my life. On the acting front, I'm in a short film which shoots end of the month and I am back in classes with Tom Todoroff. Excited! I am bringing some guest posts and interviews to LINDSPIRATION. It is my deepest intention to get my passion work out into the world. I am ready for more people to read my writing and see what I do in front of the camera and on stage! #networking

What do you REALLY WANT?

Doing all this while already inhabiting an inspired inner landscape with feelings of strength, excellence, love, confidence and self respect (all in this month's series) will bring greater results than ever before -- I am sure of that! Imagining the result I desire and acting from that place of ALREADY having the success, the result, the BREAKTHROUGH is sure to bring about some incredible changes and I'm ready to ALLOW whatever the Universe has in store for me.

Are you ready for a BREAKTHROUGH?

So, without further ado, here is my series for the month. I can't wait to see you in action in class because I know practicing it together will bring about some incredible results for us all!

APRIL 2012 intenSati Series
You Are What You Desire

I am accelerating (INTENTION)
and it is liberating (FREE)
I'm feeling lighter (HAPPY)
I'm being brighter (EXCITED)
I choose my commitments (COMMITMENT)
and give them all I've got (PLAY FULL OUT)
I am already enough (CONFIDENCE)
I love myself a lot (SELF RESPECT)
Old habits are gone (NO REGRET)
I'm on fire (FIRED UP)
I am in love (LOVE)
I am what I desire (DESIRE)
Strong, I AM (STRONG)
Excellent, I am (EXCELLENT)
Disciplined, I AM (DISCIPLINED)
Having a breakthrough now (NOW)!!
Cool down:
I surrender (SURRENDER)
release my doubt (LOTUS with balance)
love is everywhere (LOVE)
inside and out (COMPASSION with balance)

Email me at Lindspiration@Gmail.com to let me know about your breakthroughs, challenges, just to say Hi :) or to request a guest pass for any of my classes.

Let's do this!!!

Best,
LD

Mad Men's Betty's Intervention with Vogue's Diet Mom

A fictional scene between Mad Men's Betty Draper and Vogue's Diet Mom Dara Lynn-Weiss, who recently had an article in Vogue's April issue about how she helped her 7 year old daughter go on a diet and lose weight. ~LD


Betty is in the kitchen following snack time with her daughter. Ice cream sundaes. After her daughter stopped eating (leaving about 2/3 of the dessert untouched) and left the room, Betty finished it off herself. It didn't stop there for Betty, though, who proceeded to get up in a 2 sundae stupor, open the fridge and make a cheese sandwich on plain Wonder Bread. She returns to the kitchen table and starts dozing in and out of awareness.

Enter Vogue's Diet Mom, Dara Lynn-Weiss.

DLW: Betty? Betty! WAKE UP!

Betty: What. Hello. Who are you?

DLW: I'm just a mom from the future who recently saved her daughter from a life of obesity-induced misery and landed on the cover of Vogue. That's all. Betty, I know you aren't aware of all the health issues associated with obesity. But I do know one thing you understand is pretty. And, at your current weight, you're just not pretty. You're not hot, you're not fashionable, you're not worthy of your wardrobe, nothing. It's time to wake up. I know things haven't been easy for you. Your husband is banging a breathtaking brunette --

Betty: They're married now.

DLW: Yes.

Betty: She speaks French.

DLW: (sigh) The worst.

Betty: Thank you.

DLW: So are you going to let that be an excuse to go gaga over French toast? Look. I successfully engineered and facilitated my 7 year old daughter's weight loss. Ugh, between you and me, she was revolting. I couldn't look at her anymore. After a few months of some policing, haha, you know what I mean, she looks ravishing. We made the cover of Vogue!!!!!!! I can do that for you?

Betty: Vogue. Oh, that's very kind of you. Well, it would be wonderful. My daughter doesn't have the appetite that I do now. I'm so worried about setting a poor example for her --

DLW: I know. You can turn this right around. I would start by eliminating all food.

Betty: All food?

DLW: Yes. You're not 7. You're - how old are you?

Betty: I prefer not to reveal my age.

DLW: Ok, well. You have a few years on you now and your body's been through some stress. Now, I am from the future. So, rather than suggest you devise some concoction of lemon and water, I brought you a case of liquid juices. You can start a cleanse.

Betty: Oh, that's kind of you but I don't think it will hel--

DLW: Oh, come on now, Betty! Wake up and smell the zoo bee zoo bee dooooo...

Betty: Huh?

DLW: Oh, right. You weren't at the party.

Betty: No.

DLW: Don's new wife performed a very sultry...sexy...French...song.

Betty stands to make herself another cheese sandwich on Wonder Bread.

DLW: RED! LIGHT!

Betty eats.

DLW: REDDDDD! That's a RED LIGHT FOOD, Betty, STOP!! STOP RIGHT NOW! WALK AWAY FROM THE WONDER BREAD!

Betty looks at DLW with what could've been an icy stare but her eyes are more like two little puddles of rain water, glassy from the concentration of carbohydrates in her system.

Betty: I'm going to sleep now.

DLW: But -- Vogue -- the cover. I can get you there, Betty.

Betty: Perhaps. Tomorrow is another day. Please come back.

Betty turns to leave.

Betty: Oh, and please leave the juice. Good night.

Scene

Real Talk w/ Brain and Heart (Feat. Lung)

"Real Talk w/ Brain and Heart (Feat. Lung)"

Brain: I LOVE doing this BUT I am not good enough yet. DAMMIT!

Beat

Brain: I LOVE DOING THIS and I AM good enough now. WOOHOO!

Brain goes up against itself like two very large, dramatic men in a WWF match.

Brain gets tired. It is tired and board of arguing with itself. Heart rings the door bell.

Brain: Who is it?

Heart: Heart.

Brain: What do you want?

Heart: I want to help you with your anxiety by taking some of the energy from you, you know, the energy going into over thinking and self referencing. I want to take that energy and use it to juice myself up. I feel deprived.

Brain: You can't have that energy from me. I need it. What will be the result? I need to figure this out before I let anything go to you! The truth is...very important.

Heart: Love.

Brain: That's it.

Heart: Yes, it's simple. Let go of that energy, let me have some and I promise you'll feel better. That's the truth.

Doorbell rings.

Brain/Heart: Who is it?

Lungs: Lungs.

Brain: Uh oh.

Heart: Come in!

Lungs: Hellooooo --

Heart: It's been forever -- Oh, I've missed you!

Lungs: Shhhhhh...woooooshhhhh...ahhhhhh...pfeeeewwwwww...

Brain: Huh?

Heart: YAY!!

Lungs: Breath of life, baby.

Brain: Who are you calling baby? I am nobody's baby. You know, I was trying to concentrate and figure a few things out here on my own. Who invited you anyway?

Heart: What's the difference?

Brain: I want to know. I want to know who brought you both upstairs. Was it Pituitary!? He's obsessed with my growth.

Lungs: Ahhhhhh...oooooohh...woooosshhhhh

Heart: Come here.

Brain takes two steps towards Heart.

Brain: Yesssssss?

Heart: YOU MUST CHILL.

Brain: Say Anything. 1989. Best movie ever made.

Heart: Great, I'm glad we agree on something.

Brain: I am scared because I don't KNOW where everything is going. There are so many choices! There are so many players and it's hard to tell who you can trust. I can't assess things because I don't know all the pieces to the puzzle, so I feel like I did when I was in middle school and you get a one lone puzzle piece to carry with you to the carnival where the giant gig zaw puzzle is displayed next to the cotton candy. You show it to them and they slide it in, which is a relief, but you still can't see the whole thing. I like cotton candy.

Heart: Cotton candy is really good.

Brain: Yes but it's very bad for your teeth. Sugar, in general. Cotton candy, in particular.

Heart: Where ya going? You're distracted. Come on back.

Brain: Okay.

Lungs: Woooooooooshhhhh....ahhhhhhhhh...

Brain: Can someone ask him to leave, please?

Heart: Hey, lungs, could you please just take it down a notch?

Lungs: No worries.

Heart: Thank you, sweets.

Brain coughs

Heart: As I was saying. Your chilling out would be reallllly, really good at this point for a number of reasons, but let's just start with how nice it feels to have love and air as opposed to stress coursing through your entire body. Think less. Just know you can't do it without me, you can't do it without Lungs and you can't do it unless you ADMIT your way isn't working.

Lungs has an urge to grab for the white flag on a pole prop but this is a low-no budget production and there isn't one.

Lungs: It's about surrender! Word.

Heart: That's right.

Brain: Surrender?

Heart: And, letting go. Wheeeeee!!!!!

Lungs: Woooshh ---

Heart: Lungs, I've got this!

Lungs: Sorry.

Heart: Who knew he can be such a scene stealer?! AH, I'm so sorry. Lungs, I LOVE YOU. I really love you.

Brain: I am beginning to understand. I wonder what the best split is -- maybe 60/40 Heart to Lung or perhaps the inverse, a little more Lung and a little less Heart.

Heart: No split, just balance. Look, I've got to get going here but the bottom line is there is nothing to figure out and I want you to just trust ME

Lungs: And meeeee, ahhhhh!!!

Heart: and Lungs

Brain: Yes

Heart: which will allow US to lead YOU into a life that makes ME sing, LUNGS breathe freely and YOU

Brain: Yes

Heart: into great and powerful USE since your energy will be on the work that you are so wonderfully good at -- do you understand?

Brain: Yes

Heart: Really?

Brain: YES. :)

Heart: That's what I like. Now boogie!!