The heart of the matter!

Image Credit - humanityhealing.net

On Monday I talked about promoting a healthy heart with physical exercise, I thought today's post should look at promoting a healthy heart with the spiritual exercise of meditation.  Here's an easy heart chakra meditation for energy clearing, followed by visualization for energy balancing and feeling love and compassion. This is a gentle relaxation tool to balance the heart chakra and to fill your entire being with a sense of self love and healing.

Meditating on the heart chakra can release stress, anger, and anxiety by removing blocks and allowing for a fresh, positive energy flow. It encourages joy and a feeling of being worthy and loved.

What is the Heart Chakra?

According to Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, there are energy centers inside each person which are called chakras. Some describe them as spinning wheels inside the body that are able to transform energy from one frequency to another. They act as a mediator between one's inner self and the outside world.

Sometimes chakras can become blocked. In the case of the heart chakra, this can bring about feelings of resentment and self-hatred, making it difficult to give and receive love. Meditating on the heart chakra can help remove a block and get rid of any negative energy.

Heart Chakra Healing

Begin by sitting down, keeping a straight posture. Bring the hands together and place the knuckles of both thumbs over the heart and feel it beating. With eyes closed, take a few minutes to concentrate only on your heartbeat. Feel the power and energy that each beat represents.

Next, place the right palm over the centre of the chest with the left palm on top of the right. Think about how warm your chest feels. Now, envision a radiant emerald light that is coming in and filling the body. See this light as entering through the heart and after it travels around the rest of the body, returning to the heart bringing a tingling refreshing feeling to the entire body.

Take a few minutes to experience the joy that love brings. Know that to truly love others, one must love themselves. Before ending the meditation, take the palms and place them towards the sky, outstretch the arms, and envision sending some of this wonderful positive energy into the universe.

Balancing the Heart Chakra

By keeping the heart chakra balanced, a person is able to experience love and self-esteem. By getting rid of any negative feelings and energy, a person can more readily give out love and show compassion. Chakra meditation isn't only limited to the heart chakra, but, different types can be done to any of the chakras in the body either individually or together.

The heart chakra is the fourth chakra of the seven energy centres located in the body. Long recognized by Hindu and Buddhist traditions, meditation on the heart chakra can get rid of adverse feelings and emotions, while allowing pure love and energy to flow through the body.

Love, Light and Blessings,

Jean Fisher-Taylor x

Great Love

Image Credit - psychologythings.blogspot.com

25 years ago today I married a wonderful man!  I was only 18 years old and even though I was young in years, I had the sense and maturity to know that I had found "great love" We had an incredibly happy and contented marriage until he was taken away from me with such suddenness that my life shattered in front of my eyes leaving a void and an ache where my heart was.  We were married for 19 beautiful years.  Martin left me the gift of two fabulous daughters, a home full of love and secured the future financially.  His passing led me to find a new life working and healing with Angels.

I grew up with him, saw the world through his eyes and became the person I am today because of him.  He showed me that relationships should be built on unwavering trust, warmth, love and protection.  Martin was the embodiment of "great love."

After a few years, lonely and in need of being loved again and desperately wanting to love someone, I wrote a letter to the Angels asking them to bring the perfect person into my life.  They certainly answered my prayers. I was also told by a clairvoyant that Martin had helped me to find love again with Mr. T.  (I like to think that the Angels and Martin worked together). There are many similarities in that they are the same age, both born in Glasgow yet brought up in Ayrshire.  Their football teams would have played against each other.  Mr. T also possesses all the attributes that I had experienced in my previous marriage, loving, gentle, kind, trustworthy, warm and protective.

Everyone deserves "big love", "great love" and more importantly "for a lifetime love."  No one should settle for anything less.  Out of heartbreaking sadness came happiness and so much more love than I could have believed possible.  Both of these wonderful men inspire me believe in the impossible.  I have one holding my hand in the here and now, encouraging me to reach out and achieve my dreams and the other's spirit protecting me and encouraging me to live a life that has meaning without him in it.

If you have the love of your life in your life now, treasure them and tell them how special they are to you.  If you are looking for the love of your life, believe that you deserve "great love." and that is what you will attract.  Also, consider dropping a line to the Angels and give them your wish list!  Unlike lightening, "great love" does strike in the same place twice!

Love and Blessings to you all and especially to the two wonderful men in my life.

Jean Fisher-Taylor xxx

These boots are made for walking......!

Image Credit - theprisma.co.uk

Today's Monday Mantra is:

"I take positive steps everyday to maintain a healthy heart"

Mr T came home last week with a gift for me!  Flowers?, chocolates?, perfume?.........???  No a pedometer!  His workplace is doing a 10,000 step challenge.  You wear a pedometer on your waist band and aim to walk 10,000 steps everyday.  This encourages you to walk a little more every day to increase your health and well being, something I am a big fan of this year!

As you know from previous posts, I am a little bit competitive when it comes to a sporting challenge with Mr. T so I took the gift with good grace and five days on I am the daily challenge star winner!!!  That is the motivation I need to keep up the challenge.

I have included the information about this challenge from the NHS website http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/loseweight/Pages/10000stepschallenge.aspx

Research shows that walking 10,000 steps a day will significantly improve your health. Putting one foot in front of the other can build stamina, burn excess calories and give you a healthier heart. 

What's so great about walking?
Walking can be done almost anywhere, at any time, and in any weather. It's also a great way to get from A to B, which means you can fit walking into your daily routine.

How do I know how many steps I'm taking?The average person walks between 3,000 and 4,000 steps per day, and 1,000 steps is the equivalent of around 10 minutes of brisk walking. To find out how many steps you take each day, buy a pedometer similar to the one in the video at the bottom of this page. You can get a simple one that tracks steps for as little as £4. Clip it firmly to your belt or waistband, and it will measure every step you take: around the house, across the office, window shopping, to school or the park. You might find that you walk almost 10,000 steps a day, or that you walk less than you think. Whatever your results, knowing how far you can walk in a day will help motivate you.

How many calories will I burn if I walk 10,000 steps a day?You'll typically use between 300 and 400 calories by walking 10,000 steps. For sustainable weight loss, you should aim for a calorie deficit - that is, more calories used than consumed - of around 600 calories per day.

What if I don’t take any exercise at the moment?
If you aren’t used to being active, start slowly. No one expects 10,000 steps on the first day! If you're worried about your joints or any existing health condition, talk to your GP. If your joints are a problem, you can see if your local swimming pool holds exercise classes. The water helps to support your joints while you move, and once you lose a bit of weight that will reduce the pressure on your joints.

Do I need any special clothing?
We recommend a pair of cushioned trainers, which most people have already.

What’s the best way to start?
Using your pedometer, find out how many steps you take during a normal day. It could be as little as 900 or as much as 5,000 depending on what you do. Interestingly, city dwellers who use public transport tend to walk more than country dwellers. Aim to take your highest total number of steps daily for a week or so, remembering to log the numbers every night in a diary to keep track. As soon as you feel comfortable, try to increase your steps to 10,000 a day. 

 10,000 steps sounds like a huge amount. How do I fit all that walking into my busy day?
Try these tips for getting more steps into your life:

• Get off the bus early and walk the rest of the way home or to work.
• Walk to the station instead of taking the car or bus.
• Invest in a ‘sholley’ or shopping trolley and shop locally if you can.
• Walk the children to school, whatever the weather.
• Get fit with Fido - walk the dog. For more tips and advice see the link on the right of the page.

I find walking boring. How can I make it more fun?

• Find a walking partner so you have someone to chat to as you walk.
• Get an MP3 player and listen to your favourite tracks or pod casts as you go.
• Remember how much good you're doing for your health by walking, and enjoy the scenery, shops and people you see.

How long do I have to keep walking?
The rest of your life! It takes a while for a regular activity to become a healthy habit, so just keep going and it will become second nature. You’ll soon find yourself doing many more than 10,000 steps some days.

What if I can’t walk for a few days due to illness or a holiday?Just start again when you can, and build up slowly if you've been ill. The sooner you get back into the exercise groove, the better. When going on a holiday, choose one where you'll have plenty of opportunities to walk, for instance along the beach or in the countryside.

Is walking enough? Or should I think about other exercise as well?
It's recommended that adults get at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, at least five days a week. That could all come from brisk walking, or it can come from a mixture of physical activities.

Once you're feeling the benefits of 10,000 steps a day, you're bound to start thinking about other forms of activity. You could visit your local fitness centre and see what's on offer. Some people enjoy competitive sports, others prefer sociable physical activity such as dancing.

I challenge you to join me and keep me posted on how well you are doing!

Much love and Blessings,

Jean Fisher-Taylor x

A dose of Inspiration!

Image Credit - hawaiimagazine.com

Quite often on my blogs I have talked about inspirational people who have touched the world with their writing, teachings, spirit and courage.

Opportunities to be inspired are all around us and different things, people or events inspire each of us in very special and unique ways.

I want to ask you these questions to encourage you to think about the inspiration in your life.

Who inspires you?
What inspires you?
Where inspires you?
When are you inspired?
Why are you inspired?
How do YOU inspire others?

For me the answers would be:
Who - My two daughters.  They were touched by grief at such tender ages and yet they remain beautiful souls who have not let sadness and loss ruin their lives.  The oldest is a natural earth mother who brings up her son with love and gentleness. She is creative, productive and carries a workload that would daunt many.  The youngest is a free spirit who has followed her lifetime passion about animals into a career.  She has found love at a young age and is to be married.  My husband Mr T, he came into my life and brought more happiness than I could have ever hoped for.  He encourages me, coaches me and makes me want to reach for my hopes and dreams.  Louise Hay, encouraging people to love and heal themselves.
What - seeing courage, determination and strength in others.  Other people's compassionate nature.
Where - Being near water always awakens inspiration within me.  Overlooking the ocean in Hawaii is one of the most inspirational and spiritual moments in my life.
When - Inspiration comes when I need it most, when I am low, frightened, stuck or lost. But...also when I am happy and feeling positive.
Why - without inspiration, without belief in yourself or others, life would be difficult to bear
Who - I hope I inspire my family, my friends and my clients who come for treatments, healing, readings and coaching. 

When we are inspired by another it is usually because we possess the traits that we recognise and appreciate in others.

Love and Blessings,

Jean Fisher-Taylor

I hope you dance!

Image Credit - georgianfemaleartists.blogspot.com

"Stifling an urge to dance is bad for your health - it rusts your spirit and your hips."  ~Terri Guillemets

I heard this song by Ronan Keating on the radio the other day and as I really listened to the words, I stopped to really listen and it made me think.  Do I always make the right choices? Do I make the most of the opportunities that come my way in life?, Do I walk through the doors that open for me?.  A simple song and yet the words hold a wealth of meaning.

Its a reminder not to sit on the sidelines of life, lets all get up and when we are given the chance, I hope we dance! It is my wish for us all that we experience life as a joyous dance.

Ronan Keating - I Hope You Dance!

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leaves you empty handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances but they’re worth taking
Loving might be a mistake but it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance (time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance (rolling us along)
I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on the years and wonder)
I hope you dance (where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance (time is wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance (rolling us along)
I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on the years and wonder)
I hope you dance (where those years have gone)

I hope you dance
I hope your dancing
I hope your dancing
I pray your dancing
I hope you dance

Love and Blessings,

Jean Fisher-Taylor x

Perfect timing!

Image Credit - amazingdata.com

The bank holiday has thrown me off course a little and I did not post a Monday Mantra....however, as nothing is cast in stone, I am posting to you today a Tuesday Mantra instead!

"I am in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing, right now!"

This mantra can really bring about the changes that may be required to shift us from where we are currently to where we need to be.  If we believe in our own innate ability to manifest and create the perfect blueprint of our life's dreams and desires, then we are only a thought away from changes.

I trust in a universal law of attraction that responds to my thoughts and feelings.  I use mantras to focus my thinking.  I use meditation to quieten the chatter in my mind long enough to really feel the changes I want to make.

The book The Key, is a workbook for The Secret.  In my workbook, I have written a list of things that I want to experience in this lifetime. Within a short time, I am ticking many of these things off the list as achieved!  I have also written mantras to help me focus on the key areas that are most important to me.  It's the belief that I am in the right place, at the right time that brings forth new opportunities.  When I am focused life works wonderfully well.  I achieve, I see and feel positive energies around me.  When I stray from that focus, life looks darker, worries seep in, fears erupt and I attract negative annoyances. (Especially when I am hormonal!)

However, this is only a human trait and I am happy that when I remember, I am only a thought away from banishing these fears and getting my focus back on track to a much more happier place where fears don't exist! I am back in the zone of being in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. right now!

Love and Blessings,

Jean Fisher-Taylor x

"Those were the days my friend....!"

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I have just been reminiscing with an old friend about days gone by!  It made me look at the friendship groups I have in my life and how each and every one of them has played a huge part in my life.  My oldest friend Antoinette (and I say this as it annoys her immensely as she is one month older than me!) has been in my life for 39 years.  We started school at the age of four.  She was a fiesty redhead and we made life long friends on the first day.  We were each other's bridesmaids.  She is only a phone call away! When I went to senior school, I met two rocks, Jane and Vicky who have given me the most laughter and fun in my life.

When life hit an all time low after losing my husband, these two girls were there helping me to move from the depths of despair to happier days.  My first job brought me my lovely friend Sally who took me under her wing and protected me.  My Civil Service years produced some of the happiest times of my life (work apart of course).  I met a friendship circle like no other, Liz (who passed away but left a legacy of laughter and ridiculous fun), Jenny and Margaret (two of the most glamourous women in the world who fail to age), Anne,(princess pashley, can burp louder than anyone I know) Jackie, Carole, Joy, Kevin and above all Cathy, a women of wisdom, genuine kindness and someone I admire so much.

Along the way, there have been many others, my sisters friends who adopted me, Carol, Kim, Ann and Val (the sisterhood who all bared their breasts on a drunken night in Spain).  My lovely friends Suzanne and Marion who have made me laugh until I have cried and have ached for days after our get togethers.  Mandy (An angel who appeared in my life, I wish I could take away the pain she has at this moment).  Sally, a neighbour who lost her husband six months after I lost mine.  We went through the worst times together and have seen happier days shine for us both.  Pasqua and Liz, a time of wind ups and incredible sillyness. My sister in-laws Tracy and Catherine and Gail.

Jan, Judith, Lin, Mandy, Linzi, Sammie, Angela, Maureen, Sharon (All met through my late husbands job as a police officer), rocks of support and kindness.

The friends who came along to help me on a new path and journey - Kim (adorable), Susan (my teacher and guru), Debbie (an Angel), Amanda (beautiful), Lucy (A wise one) and her lovely mum Karen. Kathleen (illuminated).

There have been so many new friends of late Jackie (from Happiness Coaching) Ros, Shirley, Sharon, Claire, Sue, Emma, Clare, Kirstie, Lorraine, Gabriella, Brenda, Heather,  Julie, Jane, from workshops and Reiki.  My newest friend a Twitter soul sister Carrie!

Finally, my sister Ann who I love with all my heart.  She knows me inside out, she listens to all my moans and groans, makes me laugh, believes in me and is there for me always as I am for her and all my friends if they need me.

This hasn't been an exercise on "look how many friends I have" but one on looking back at the young years, the good times, the sad times,the worst times and seeing a tapestery of love, laughter and tears woven in as the people we call friends share every one of those times with us. Friends stand by you, they provide you with unconditional love and support and above all they wish the best of everything for you!

I hope you take the time to look back at the friendships in your life and treasure each and everyone of them!

Love and Blessings,

Jean Fisher-Taylor

Along the way