A countdown to Phoenix, AZ.

I leave on Tuesday morning for a much needed change of pace. Warm weather – no more looking at dirty snow! for a week – swimming pools, shopping and new possibilities! I can hardly wait! And, as apposed to David’s resistance (someone has to hold the energy for that in the house, so thank you David!), I have been getting all kinds of things done and accomplished and checked off my list these past few days… it is crazy and almost miraculous what I can get done right before a holiday!

Have you ever noticed that?

It puts a whole new perspective on deadlines, time frames, and all of a sudden my willingness to “get ‘er done” seems super human! And I am even creating the space for quiet time, for a weekend of connection with my family, restorative energy, relaxation for my physical body and self care for my soul. It CAN be done!

James and I have SO MUCH excitement about the things that are unfolding in our lives and there is so much to do. Yet, interestingly enough, the to-do tasks wait and are still sitting there on Monday morning (like dirty dishes and laundry!), if I leave them alone for the weekend. I could be spending hours pouring through webinars, mp3s, websites and newsletters in the midst of my research project on out-sourcing right now, but I know that each one of those things leads to something else – the next great find! – and it can be a never ending rabbit hole of its own. It takes great presence and consciousness to recognize this in the moment, and even more to turn off the computer, roll my shoulders and stretch and go sit down for dinner with my boys. One day at a time.

Holidays. Deadlines. Self care. Balance. Ah yes, the journey continues!

Namaste. Shilo

©2012 Shilo Downie. All Rights Reserved.

He is allegedly downstairs in the basement studying. Next thing I know, there is this mysterious sound reverberating through the house.

It sounds familiar, but there is no possible explanation for what I think the sound must be… I must be imagining things – it couldn’t possibly be “the sound” that I think it is.

To my disbelief, I can actually hear the vacuum running in the basement! Yes, the vacuum!! My almost 18 year old is vacuuming – a rare occurrence indeed.

As soon as I confirm the sound and its location – and the user of the vacuum, I burst out laughing!

Oh, does that bring back memories! The things I did to avoid studying!

Knowing the space David’s in and the fact that his math exam is looming, I sense an entire basement re-arrangement coming on (like most teenagers, he resides in the basement)… after all, what else can be done when studying is looming… everything. Anything. Just not studying.

That painful place of resigned resistance and creative avoidance. Have you ever felt that way?!

It is human nature. And it gets even more interesting – in my own experience – when I am aware that I am in resistance… and still in resistance! Same goes for David… and still the clock ticks down to his Math exam… time is so unforgiving!! (Smiles) But the basement looks great!

Namaste. Shilo

©2012 Shilo Downie. All Rights Reserved.

“The highest form of Enlightenment is HAPPINESS!”

~ author unknown

So many people are striving just simply for some peace in their primary relationships, or for the return of their health. Others a little further down the path of personal development are striving for the elusive gift of “Enlightenment”.

I recently came across this quote and it delighted me.

Happiness – the simple act of choosing in this moment to see the good in the situation, to feel good feelings, to celebrate the Great Mystery and all of the abundant miracles around me, is choosing to be HAPPY right here, right now. Is it easy? Yes and no. Mostly it takes willingness (letting go of our “positions and the need to be right”) and PRACTICE.

In a society that is oriented to what is not working, and all of the pain and suffering in the world, we have had a lot more practice noticing turmoil and pain. AND we each have our own creative power to choose our own experience, to choose what we focus on and pay attention to…

A wise author and public speaker once said something to the effect of, “There are a lot of beliefs I have that I cannot prove in this lifetime, so I can choose to believe something that makes me feel bad/fearful/shameful or I can choose to believe something that makes me feel great/peaceful/joyous.I wont know what’s actually true until I die! So I would rather live a FABULOUS HAPPY life now and possibly be wrong upon death, then live a turbulent, painful, fear-based life and find out after I died that I was wrong. It’s all about quality of life now.”

So… let’s choose HAPPINESS!

Namaste.

©2012 Shilo Downie. All Rights Reserved.

As you may know, this spring has been an unusual time for me. I was in for a replacement pacemaker surgery in mid-March (my pacemaker was put in for “preventative” reasons 9 years ago), which didn’t go as expected. My over-night procedure unexpectedly turned into a week’s hospital intensive experience! MANY miracles came of this time though, most excitedly the permanent removal of my pacemaker!

Definitely a heart-expanding shift… YEAH!!! It is a new day. THANK YOU for your cheering and support – I am continually humbled by your love.

In the face of forced time off, I was left with 2 things:

• Time on my hands; and
• Nothing to DO!!

Giving my physical body time to adjust after surgery was #1 on my priority list and everything else ~abruptly~ was placed on hold… for several months (not the 2 weeks I had planned to take)! All of a sudden, my routine looked radically different: lotsa sleep, some reflection, maybe a few minutes of light reading or watching an inspiring movie, more quiet… talk about a humble message “SLOW DOWN NOW” from the universe. After a couple of weeks of patient adjustment (ok & some slight resistance!), to my surprise I settled into a new space of acceptance – acceptance of ‘not doing’ anything – NOTHING – and not making myself wrong for it either (that’s HUGE for this internally-driven gal!). Can you imagine doing nothing? Giving yourself FULL Permission and feeling GREAT about it? No appts, no coffees/lunches, no seminars/trainings, no volunteering, no client sessions, no travel even! Despite my distressing thoughts of what “nothing” would look like (crazy hair, PJs, insanely muttering to myself… on and on), it felt… well… GREAT! Time passed, I sat in the sun, sipped water and watched the breeze blow. And healed at a profound rate. It was a first-hand reminder of 2 ancient healing principles:

1. time heals ~ physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally. TIME HEALS… even without additional “stuff”.
2. clear the deck: DO nothing ~ create space to relax. Just BE-ing HEALS and profoundly affects others too.

So, this summer I highly recommend the above recipe for self love and deep healing care. Don’t wait for the universe to create something to slow you down… make the space yourself to BE, to listen, to reflect, to love, to laugh. LIVE your life now in LOVE, PEACE, VITALITY and JOY!

Namaste,

Shilo

©2012 Shilo Downie. All Rights Reserved.

If you need some summer-time healing, please contact:

Kim Taylor @ 403-370-8853 or email her at Kim_Taylor_1@hotmail.com

Dee Berryhill @ 403-301-0961 or email her at Dee@replenishingshoppe.ca

With love, always

Shilo

©2012 Shilo Downie. All Rights Reserved.

What to Bring: any old journals, letter/notes, books/scribblers, a “Letting Go” List etc. Anything you want to put into the fire to be transformed.

Come, join us and please bring a friend!

It will be a powerful evening of releasing – letting go of energies, intentions, journals/writing, photos etc that no longer serve AND embracing and opening to allow greater PEACE, JOY, LOVE, FUN, EASE & GRACE and so much more into your life!!

This is not about abandoning the past – there is nothing wrong with the past!

This BURN Ceremony is about letting go of the things that no longer serve our highest and best good moving forward.

• Do you want to release or let go of things that no longer serve you?
• anything holding you back;
• psychological: limiting beliefs, destructive emotion etc;
• tangible: job, relationship or situation that isn’t serving you;
• un-supportive habits or low self esteem;

Do you want to SHIFT your ENERGY to attract and allow new and exciting opportunities in your life?

If you said Yes! to any of the above, then this Special Burn Ceremony is a MUST for you to attend.

Register ASAP, as the seating is limited to 12 people. Enrollment is based on a first come, first serve basis!

When: Tues May 11, 2010
Time: arrive 6:45pm, ceremony 7-9pm
Where: Calgary, TBA upon registration
Investment: $20
Contact Shilo for more information at info@ShiloDownie.com, or register now:

©2012 Shilo Downie. All Rights Reserved.

Lots of people are familiar with the fact that our body composition is 75% water and 25% mass. In fact, human brains are composed of 85% water, our lungs are 90% and our blood is 82% water. The body is like a sponge – it is structurely designed to soak up water which it requires for almost every bodily function, including (just to name a few):

• keeping organs hydrated,
• releasing toxins,
• regulating temperature,
• bringing oxygen to the cells,
• cushioning joints,
• increasing vitality of the skin,
• removing waste, and more.

Even 70% of the planet is covered in water. It is all around us.

As we get busier and busier though, staying on top of drinking water throughout the day tends to fall by the wayside, while “quick fixes” like caffeinated coffee, sugary drinks and sodas only toxify our body more.

Many scientists and researchers believe that most of the world’s physical symptoms actually stem from dehydration. In his book, “Your Body’s Many Cries For Water”, Dr. Batmanghelidj  outlines his extensive research on dehydration and the complications that can arise from not drinking enough water. He attributes many common ailments to this, including:

• allergic sensitivities
• heartburn
• back pain
• colitis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• migraines and other headaches
• depression
• obesity
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol, and more.***

As my mentor Bijan reminds me, “When you choose water over sugary or caffeinated drinks, you help to keep your body running smoothly.”*

You might remember the feature of Dr Masaru Emoto’s work in the ever-popular movie /documentary “What the Bleep Do We Know” based on his work outlined in his book “Messages from Water“**** – Dr Emoto studies the consciousness properities of water, among other life-giving qualities. He discovered that the nature of the crystals of water passing from liquid into freezing states depended on the source of the water. He went even further to study the impact that the energy frequency of words has on the crystals – the transformation was stunning, and confirmed just how much power thought has on water.

“Visualize a constantly flowing stream. Notice how the water is moving, pushing any obstructions out of the way.

“Now think about a retention pond filled with stagnant water. Observe the debris, scum, and mold rising to the surface…

“The more water you drink, the stronger the flow of your internal stream, making it difficult for harmful organisms to take root in your system…”** ~ Dr Darren Weissman.

It is time to focus our intention and awareness on the simple things – not flashy or sexy, very simple things – that have a much greater impact on our entire wellbeing. There is so much talk these days about “being in the flow”… proper hydration of our physical body is a PRIORITY in making that happen.

How much water is enough? A quick formula is this: take your weight (in pounds) and divide it by 2. That is the amount of ounces to drink in a day, consistently. 160 pounds / 2 = 80 ounces = 10 glasses of water (8oz per glass). Keep a reusable water bottle on your desk, in your car, in your purse – generally keep it with you, keep it topped up with filtered water, and drink often where ever you go. A couple of swallows a couple of times an hour is a great rate.

Try it on! What if the solution to your problem was as simple as drinking more water? Would you let it be that easy? And would you invest in drinking more water simply to feel better? We’ll see! Bottoms up!

Namaste. Shilo

If you enjoyed this article, the greatest compliment you can offer me is to share it with your network – please pass this along. (I’m expanding my mailing list so if you know of anyone who may enjoy tips on a conscious, higher vibration, peaceful & joyous life, please have them sign up on the right hand corner at www.shilodownie.com)

Sources:
* “The Common Sense Guide to Effortless Health” by Bijan Anjomi
** “The Power of Infinite Love & Gratitude” by Dr. Darren Weissman
***“Your Body’s Many Cries For Water”, Dr. Batmanghelidj
****”Messages from Water” by Dr. Masaru Emoto

©2012 Shilo Downie. All Rights Reserved.

Sorry, guys this is a very girl-y example!

On rare special occasions, to indulge my feminine playful essence, I adorn myself with false eyelashes. This came up as a topic of conversation on a break at the training amongst a couple of my goddess sisters and my dear friend Sunny from Taiwan had the supplies and skills to apply false eyelashes that would last a week! This was a marvel for us, so I volunteered to receive her tutelage and that evening she glued these lashes on me. They were thick and lush and looked FABULOUS… there was only one condition: I needed to be careful sleeping so I wouldn’t distort their shape. These lashes were super fun and I received so many compliments! My ego was in heaven.

However, at night, I found myself waking up every hour or so, re-positioning myself so I wouldn’t flatten these crazy eye lashes (did I mention I have the habit of sleeping with my face partially turned into the pillow? not so good for lashes.).

3 days came and went: during the day, I enjoyed the flattery of compliments and at night I would restlessly toss and turn, waking up with a start all throughout the night, attempting to protect these lashes. By the afternoon of that third day, I was beyond exhausted, my energy vibration was down through the floor and I was a mess! On a break, I went back to our room, had a good cry and removed the lashes. For as much pleasure as they brought, the sacrifice of my quality of sleep was too great. I laid down and slept soundly for over 2 hours! That night, I slept soundly again for almost 10 hours! All of a sudden, sleeping right through the night never felt so good!

This is a silly example, but the consequences were very real for me. Sleep deprivation commonly leads to:

• over-sensitivity,
• unrealistic expectations and perceptions of self and others,
• over-reaction,
• slower reflexes,
• tumultuous decision making,
• physical exhaustion, and
• more.

From my own experience, there are several factors that ensure I sleep restfully:

• when I sleep,
• how I sleep, and
• what my state of mind and emotions are before I go to sleep.

For me, I know that the amount of sleep I need fluctuates from time to time, based on what I am experiencing and what my physical body needs to support me. Right now, I am doing a lot of deep inner releasing, so my physical body needs 9 to 10 hours of sleep a night. This won’t last forever, but it is the clear direction I am receiving at the moment. I also know that, for me, I feel better when I go to sleep earlier and wake up earlier, rather then going to bed late and sleeping in until late. When I do that, I don’t wake feeling as rested and often that groggy feeling lingers into my day, taking away from the clarity and vitality that are so important to me. I personally listen to a mediation CD or meditative instrumental pieces before sleep, so that I fall asleep in a peaceful state of being, mentally and emotionally. I know that when I go to sleep agitated from inner mental gymnastics or emotional upset, I rarely sleep through the night, waking up often and not getting the deep rest and rejuvenation my body requires.

You will know what is best for you body. When you have the BEST night’s sleep, what conditions are present?

• what do you need to do to quiet your mind/emotions before going to bed? how can you ‘complete’ for the day?
• what time of night serves you best to go to sleep?
• how many hours of sleep does your body actually need right now? our bodies needs can sometimes be different then our preferences… take a moment and tune into your body – what does it actually need right now?
• what kinds of activities serve you best after dinner, before you go to bed to create a successful night’s sleep? *schedule that into your daily calendar to make sure you look after yourself.
• what kind of ritual can you do for yourself to create the most positive, peaceful and still environment – inside and out – for you to go to sleep in? Take a look at your room and your nightly routine – what can be tweaked to create an optimal environment for restful sleep?

One thing is true for us all: getting enough rest consistently is a crucial element in living a positive life.

~Namaste. Shilo

*If you enjoyed this article, the greatest compliment you can offer me is to share it with your network – please pass this along. (I’m expanding my mailing list so if you know of anyone who may enjoy tips on a conscious, higher vibration, peaceful & joyous life, please have them sign up on the right hand corner at www.shilodownie.com)

(*Source: The Common Sense Guide to Effortless Health, by Bijan)

©2012 Shilo Downie. All Rights Reserved.

Here is a link to some of my favorite meditations to fall asleep to ~ available from the www.effortlessprosperity.com site.

CLICK HERE for the meditations.

©2012 Shilo Downie. All Rights Reserved.

Something for you to reflect and journal upon…

You know what is best for you body. Take a moment, center yourself, ask your wise self, you higher self, to come into your awareness and reflect on these questions within that divine connection. Jot down the answers to your questions in your journal gently: When you have the BEST night’s sleep, what conditions/factors are present?

• what do you need to do to quiet your mind/emotions before going to bed? how can you ‘complete’ for the day?
• what time of night serves you best to go to sleep?
• how many hours of sleep does your body actually need right now? our bodies needs can sometimes be different then our preferences… take a moment and tune into your body -
• what kinds of activities serve you best after dinner, before you go to bed to create a successful night’s sleep? *schedule that into your daily calendar to make sure you look after yourself.
• what kind of ritual can you do for yourself to create the most positive, peaceful and still environment – inside and out – for you to go to sleep in? Take a look at your room and your nightly routine – what can be tweaked to create an optimal environment for restful sleep?
• How can I implement this guidance on a consistent basis?

Namaste and sweet dreams to you! ~ Shilo

©2012 Shilo Downie. All Rights Reserved.