The Eden Magazine November 2019

EDEN T h e

November 2019

©

Magazine

DR.

MAC MORETZ Primary Focus with Mending Kids to Change Their Lives

CAN OWNING A PET MAKE YOU HEALTIER

By Stephen T. Sinatra Ph.D.

The Importance of Drinking Water

By Margaret Tomaszewic

11TH ANNUAL GOVERNORS AWARDS

THE HEALING POWER TO GRIEF & THE LOVING EMBRACE OF HORSES

By Angela Dunning

A Practical Introduction to Numerlogy

By Donia Ducie

MINDFUL AT WORK

By Maria Arpa

Did You Say

Sanskrit

By Sarah Mane

Table of Contents 6

MAC MORETZ

14

14

11TH ANNUAL GOVERNORS AWARDS

18

THE HEALING POWER TO GRIEF & THE LOVING EMBRACE OF HORSES

By Angela Dunning

30

PUSHING THE COURAGE BUTTON

By Alexia Melocchi

6

30

34

CAN OWNING A PET MAKE YOU HEALTHIER

By Stephen T. Sinatra Ph.D.,

38

A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION TO NUMEROLOGY

By Sonia Ducie

42

EXCUSE ME...

DID YOU SAY SANSKRIT?

By Sarah Mane

56

14 74

52

THE IMPORTANCE OF DRINKING WATER

By Margaret Tomaszewic

56

MINDFUL AT WORK

By Maria Arpa

74

TRUSTING YOUR GUT

By Sasha Gary

88

ONE MILLION LITTLE LIGHT BULBS

By Lavandaia & Marco Nunzio Alati

Cover Photo

by ROCHELLE BRODIN STUDIO

Please leave wool out of your wardrobe.

Photo: Michael Muller • Grooming: Saisha Beecham, with Cloutier Remix

Joaquin Phoenix

F OR

VEGAN WOOL SUIT BY BRAVE GENTLEMAN

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DINA MORRONE

Maryam Morrison

ALEXIA MELOCCHI

MARIA ELENA INFANTINO

EDWARD HAKOPIAN

NANCY E. YEAROUT

SHERI DETERMAN

GREG DOHERTY

TARA-JENELLE WALSCH

ISABELLE RUEN

MICHAEL WHITE RYAN

ANGELA DUNNING

JAYITA BHATTACHARJEE

SASHA GARY

MARCO NUNZIO ALATI

GLORIA KISEL-HOLLIS

MARGARET TOMASZEWIC

JOE SANTOS, JR.

PHYLLIS KING

MEET OUR TEAM

Photo by Artin Mardirosian

Spreading Compassion to all Sentient Beings and Living in healing and peaceful world

EDEN T

H

E

MAGAZINE

Since 2010

The Eden Magazine is a free Online magazine focuses on spreading compassion to all sentient beings Living in a healing and peaceful world FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MARYAM MORRISON EXECUTIVE EDITOR/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER DINA MORRONE COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER ALEXIA MELOCCHI BRAND AMBASSADOR MARIA ELENA INFANTINO COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST GLORIA KISEL-HOLLIS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SASHA GARY PHYLLIS KING JOE SANTOS, JR. ANGELA DUNNING NANCY E. YEAROUT MICHAEL WHITE RYAN MARCO NUNZIO ALATI JAYITA BHATTACHARJEE TARA-JENELLE WALSCH MARGARET TOMASZEWIC CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS + MAKEUP ARTIST EDWARD HAKOPIAN GRAPHICS & PHOTOGRAPHY GREG DOHERTY ISABELLE RUEN SHERI DETERMAN WEBSITE

www.theedenmagazine.com 325 N. Maple Dr. Po Box 5132 Beverly Hills, CA 90209 To purchase a copy visit us in www.theedenmagazine.com Eden Magazine is an non-profit & independent monthly online magazine.

Our aim is to create a better environment where we live among other living being in peace and harmony. We support artists that their work match our criteria. If you would like to submit your artwork, article or/and your Photography For our future issues please contact Maryam Morrison at; maryammorrison@theedenmagazine.com 5 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

M

MAC MORETZ F.A.C.E. of Beverly Hills

BY DINA MORRONE

Dr. Moretz, or Dr. Mac, as his patients and close friends endearingly call him, uses cutting edge technologies and state of the art techniques, to remove the signs of aging and environmental damage in the facial area. But it isn’t only Dr. Moretz’s advanced work in the field of aging that has made him a sought after doctor in Beverly Hills and around the world. He is a top international surgeon who has made it his mission to provide pro bono surgeries for the Mending Kids Foundation. An organization that provides life-changing surgical care to underprivileged children in 43 countries worldwide. These patients are grateful for his skill and immense generosity. The surgeries are transformational, and the results are life-changing, and not only for his patients, but also for Dr. Moretz, who regards what he does not as a job but rather a vocation. He truly loves what he does and recalls the doctors of yesteryear. The doctors who made house calls, and whose motto was quality, not quantity!

We are thrilled and honored to feature Dr. Moretz, the incredible doctor, surgeon, humanitarian, in this issue of The Eden Magazine.

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Photography: Rochelle Brodin Studio Makeup: Emily Issac

Hello, Dr. Moretz, thank you for your time and for sharing your story with The Eden Magazine.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Well, I like to consider myself an old country doctor who happens to be in this big city of Beverly Hills/ Los Angeles! But seriously, that is my mental attitude, which is to provide genuine, personal unrushed individualized care to each of my patients every day. Whether I am in a consultation or procedure, I want them to feel that there is no other place on earth at that moment where I would rather be than with them. I want them to feel that they have ample time for our process together and for whatever cosmetic concerns they have brought to me.

I grew up in a small Southern town in North Carolina, but from the young age of 12, I knew that medicine would be my career path. After High School, I enrolled in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating with a degree in Chemistry after three years while also being a Varsity letterman for two years in NCAA Division 1 Fencing and performing in the University’s marching band during football season.

I was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. After graduation, I began medical school at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, home of the famous Augusta National Masters Golf Tournament. I then completed my postgraduate studies in Atlanta, Georgia at Emory University Medical Center Hospitals in a five-year specialty surgery program in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery/Facial Plastic Surgery. Upon program completion in 1987, I opened my solo private practice in suburban Atlanta, GA, practicing there for 18 years before relocating to Beverly Hills, CA. I have always had a love for the outdoors, growing up in a rural setting .

traveling around the United States to regional and national jamboree events as well as internationally to Japan. I am an Eagle Award recipient. My family was strongly influenced by music, and early on, I learned to play piano and later the saxophone. Photography has been a hobby of mine from approximately the age of eight years. I was the school photographer for yearbook organizations from high school through medical school. I enjoyed cultivating the “eye” for the aesthetic beauty of all things in nature. My adult life was the problematic balance of career obligations between being a physician and my family being the father of 6 children (5 living). The mantra of “family first” was one that I always had to balance within medicine’s Hippocratic Oath obligations of being available to my patients 24/7. I can honestly say that there were frequent internal battles within myself trying to maintain this balance. Now they are all adults, and currently, all except one (my youngest son who also happens to share my birthday) reside in the Los Angeles basin. Now I divide my time amongst practices in three locations: Beverly Hills, CA, Hickory, NC, and Xi'an China.

At Guatemala with Jo Hilton

At Guatemala

The Boy Scouts were an influential part of my childhood, traveling around the United States to regional and national The Boy Scouts were an influential part of my childhood, 8 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

At Face of Beverly Hill's office

Besides being a plastic surgeon, you also inherited a family business Moretz Mills Hosiery, can you tell us about it. And how did you decide to become a surgeon?

Well, my "inheritance" as such was a generational legacy of hard work, maintenance of a life vision, and focus on the “prize” to achieve the desired goal ahead. My brothers are the family members that went into the family textile industry as my father, C. Hugh Moretz, and our ancestors before us. My brothers and our generation are 4th generation “lint-heads” as we affectionately call ourselves. Textile workers in case you didn’t guess! Even further back, our European ancestors have been identified as having been tailors to various families throughout Austria (the primary origin of the Moretz family) and were this occupation as well when immigrating to the United States. In grade 7, at the age, of 12, I decided then I wanted to become a physician. I prefer the word “physician” to that of “doctor," as a physician in Latin means “teacher” and I believe it is a physician’s duty to educate each patient regarding the condition for which they came into my office, whether it is aesthetic or about their physical health. I was influenced at age 12 during a civics class studying various occupations and reviewing the educational requirements of each type of job. I always had enjoyed school and the accumulation of new knowledge, even at 12. I believed that medicine would always be an expanding field of knowledge requiring continual study and learning. That excited me and led to my decision to direct my studies towards the field of medicine. My 12-year-old assumptions proved to be truer than I could have ever hoped.

Aside from your work, you also are involved in incredible charity work, the Mending Kid Foundation. Please tell us about it?

I was fortunate to be introduced to Mending Kids by my friend Mel Gibson. He was instrumental with his wife in supporting and fostering the organization in its early days. I attended several charity fundraising events, and during this time, identified how I, as a practicing surgeon, could contribute my abilities to help at-risk children.

When I first became involved, MK was only performing international surgical missions. My initial surgeries were in Guatemala City. I operated on children whose noses were deformed by cleft-lip sequelae as well as revision scar procedures and cleft palate closure, to name a few types of operations. Subsequently, MK is also now performing what are called Home-Town Missions (HTMs).

In the HTM, we perform surgeries on local LA basin at-need children whose surgeries have been considered n on-covered or cosmetic by their insurance companies and declined for service. These still are life-altering surgeries helping to raise these children's self-esteem and self-worth through improvement in physical appearance concerns. I also currently participate in fundraising both locally and at my surgery center in North Carolina.

At Guatemala

At Guatemala 9 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

Mending Kids is an organization that provides life-changing surgical care to children in 54 countries worldwide, how did you expand to so many countries, and how do you manage it with your busy schedule?

I don't travel to all these countries! Guatemala and the US are the only locations where I currently travel. MK has sought to provide surgeries to children whose medical conditions are those who typically fall through the cracks of other international surgical organizations, such as Operation Smile. MK has missions comprised of US doctors who travel the world, additionally performing cardiac, orthopedic, ENT, colorectal, and urologic surgery. Many of the teams come from major institutions such as UCLA and Duke Medical Schools besides us, the private practice doctors. When there is a child who can’t be treated in their own country with a mission team, then MK will bring them to the US for surgery at a center of excellence in the area of the medical condition with which the child is afflicted.

You are a medical ambassador for Kathy Ireland worldwide, Inc. What is involved in being an ambassador for Kathy Ireland "Beauty and Wellness Division"?

Kathy's relationship with the Moretz family goes back several decades. She was a past brand ambassador for Moretz Sports (my family’s business) during the 1980s. Through this connection, I became her medical ambassador. She was expanding her KI Brand into multiple arenas, and aesthetic therapies were one. I would review and evaluate the various medical devices and cosmeceuticals, which were in review for potential endorsement within her “brand” platform. I performed this function for several years. She subsequently redirected her business focus into business advertising, and as such, this medical ambassador position wasn’t further required. She is a very spiritual person with deep personal beliefs as I am, so we were very much on the same page in the demand of ethical oversight and review of those products to which she would consider attaching her name and her brand.

Please tell us about your facial stem cell treatment?

I prefer to use the terminology "biologic allograph therapy/ treatment” as opposed to the term “stem cell treatment." I say this in that only referring to stem cells is very limiting in terms of therapeutic options available today for patient treatment, and most definitely in the future as well. Biologic allograph covers the use of any variety and all types of human tissue sources, both cellular and acellular. Examples of these are umbilical cord blood/Wharton’s jelly derived, bone marrow-derived, amniotic fluid/tissue, platelet-rich plasma, and exosome fractions. So, stem cells are just one of these therapeutic resources and are a very misunderstood one at that, by both the lay public and FDA as well. I perform a variety of these therapies for both aesthetic as well as functional medical conditions. I am certified to perform various joint injections for regenerative 10 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

health in addition to the obvious cosmetic injection uses of these materials, which biologically stimulate collagen growth, improving wrinkles and fine lines. I enjoy treating my patients from the "inside out"!

What is a typical working day like for you?

That's an interesting concept of a “workday," as I don't consider my day to be divided into work and non-work.

My brain is always working on any one of a number of projects that I always have ongoing. I genuinely think the term serial entrepreneur is too over-used and over-rated a phrase. I am actively involved in at least seven businesses at present. But this is my norm. My physical self does need to take a break at times, as I do need to exercise or sleep a few hours each night. But to answer the general question, I rise around 6 am daily and check my emails while getting coffee.

I have emails from around the world, so my nighttime is someone else's daytime; thus, it's never a surprise to already be behind immediately upon waking for the day!

Depending on if it is a surgical day or not, I might be in the operating room by 7 am or so. If not, I likely have a conference call with an associate on the East Coast before my arrival at my office and start the patient day at 9 am.

I then see both new and previous patients (surgical or not) throughout the day and in between patients check on my emails or make a quick phone call. My medical practice is what I’d consider a “boutique” aesthetic practice, so I’m not striving to see large volumes of patients per day as when I was in general medicine. I like everyone to receive their needed amount of time with my shortest time slot being 30 minutes and the majority being at least an hour. No one is ever rushed through or out of my consultation room due to time constraints. I don’t eat lunch, unless it’s for a business purpose, as I typically maintain an 18:6 hour intermittent fasting nutritional regimen at least five days a week. This intermittent fasting is another entire discussion of its own regarding the numerous health benefits of this lifestyle, from decreased cancer risk to longevity and generalized healthy aging. That, along with the increased documentation regarding the health benefits of coffee intake over 6 cups a day, which are rarely negotiable in my daily routine. After work, I will have some form of dinner nutrition in the 6-hour time block, followed by usually getting back into reading a number of research papers I need to review or write for my team. On occasion I will enjoy a recreational activity with friends such as dinner out or an outing listening to music. I don't consider myself a workaholic as I am equally at "play" in my mind, whether listening to live jazz at my favorite place, Vibrato in Bel-Air, or reviewing an NIH clinical study or a patent on a drug therapy. I travel monthly for my work, to my surgery center in North Carolina. I consult within the United States in various locations, as well as onsite in China, with an international investment group based there.

I've made over 20 visits to China in the last five years.

While I’m there, I perform patient treatment with a variety of these biologic allograph therapies we discussed previously. There are a lot more true stem cell and autologous cellular therapies available there than at present in the US. I enjoy being at this forefront of new technologies. In addition, I consult on various funded ventures by the investment group into US corporations, which either they wholly own or subsidized in part by sponsored research.

If you had a way to go back in time, what would you change in your life?

I believe it is difficult to say what that would be for anyone. We each at any singular point in our lives are a sum of the prior parts of our past. Would I like not to have gone into medicine and instead have gone into the family business? Well then, I would not have likely met the mother of my children and had the same number of children or maybe even made it eventually to California.

As much as I would like to change the fact that my third child died, I have to say that which of the three children who came after her passing would ever have been born, as two boys and one girl where a very fulfilling family in my eyes at that time had Katy-Jane lived. Or maybe had I come to practice in California straight out of postgraduate training, as we did consider? Well then, I know the overall life I had up to this point would be very likely different than this has been. Thus, I feel that NO is my best answer. I live by believing in looking forward to opportunity not backward at what has now passed, as to those things you may have missed when you review your life with “20/20 hindsight”. I think that life should be looked at the same way as when we drive our cars. Think about it. You have a relatively large front windshield by which you scan the road ahead, looking from side to side for hazards that might come into your path. When looking out, you might also see something you have to slow down for, stop for, or you may even take advantage of exploring what's out there before continuing down the path that's ahead of you. You also have a relatively small rear-view mirror through which you can occasionally glance at to see if you've missed something.

Or you might need to glance at it again in the future if something is coming from your backside, which may be a danger. But if you spend all your time gazing into the rear-view mirror reminiscing over what you've just passed, you will most definitely run off the road or cross over into oncoming traffic. Both would be potentially harmful if not fatal to you and your journey towards your ultimate destination. Even if you don't know a destination for your life to lead to and you’re just on a journey to explore the adventures ahead, then the journey itself is the goal. We need to view life proportionately to the size of the windshield facing forward and the rear mirror reflecting behind.

The Boy Scouts as well taught me always to leave each place you’ve been a little cleaner than it was when you arrived! I like that idea too.

Photography: Rochelle Brodin Studio Makeup: Emily Issac

Mac Moretz with Jo Hilton Photography: Greg Doherty Jo Hilton Gown designed

by Sue Wong 11 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

What is your strength, and what is your weakness?

Strength, I'd say, is the desire to have an open mind for new opportunities and possibilities. To give each opportunity a chance to take root and become something that can blossom and bear fruit. Whether I get to enjoy that fruit myself or it's meant to be for another person. My greatest weakness is not being easily able to say, NO. Basically, my inner being desires to help others for no other reason than these three reasons, they either have asked for my assistance, I perceive their need and try to fill it, or they are simply a child of God and worth of aid. This has led me to, at times, waste my time and resources. But hopefully, these become learning, teachable moments to myself. So, I guess then that they aren't a total waste after all, are they?

You are the father of five children, and one of your children, is actress "Chloe Moretz." How do you feel about your daughter being an actress?

As I mentioned earlier, I'm actually the father of six children.

My first daughter, Katy-Jane, was my third child, and she died in our arms in the Neonatal ICU at just a little over one day of age. This isn't an oft talked about topic of conversation, but it does give me empathy for those who have lost a child. It’s a pain I wish no one would ever, ever again, have to bear. This experience also places a lot of perspective on one’s living children as well. So, to say that I have an “actress” child is relatively meaningless, as I look first at each of my children as number one being an “alive” child of mine!

After that, all of their career paths, attributes, and life choices come second, third, etc. Whether it is Ethan, Chloë, Colin, Brandon, or Trevor, I am referring to. They are, first and foremost, alive. I do not desire ever to bury another one of my children. Doing so is an exclusive club that you wish would never have another member added. I honestly am proud of each and every one of them equally for their individual accomplishments, which are just that, individual.

You have traveled all over the world to help with your charity, which place is closest to your heart?

My primary travels with Mending Kids have been in Guatemala, which was my first location and has remained closest to my heart. The children are so sweet, kind, and appreciative of our being there, as are their families. The types of surgeries we do there are so often taken for granted here in the US, as they are easily available. But for these chil- I do not look at anyone being more special than another dren with their significant lack of medical resources, it is a and to only look at each’s need at the moment as the most life-changing thing to have even the simplest of these sur- special thing about them. I like to think akin as that of the geries performed. It reinforces to me that this is what God’s mother of the great Christian preacher Charles Spurgeon. plan for my life was all about. Upon my return, I'm always She had 17 children, 9 of whom died in infancy. She was more centered and focused on what once asked being the mother of so many a blessing it is to have been born in I do not look at anyone being children did she have a favorite. Thinking the United States. Also, I feel that more special than another and she may name Charles, her son, the famous I have an obligation through these to only look at each’s need at the preacher, but also herself being a Chrisblessings bestowed upon me to seek moment as the most special thing tian, she shouldn’t have a favorite. She surways of trying to make the lives of about them. prisingly said “yes” she did and then went others a little better. on to explain that she did have a favorite, but that one was the child who had the greatest need at that moIn the fast-growing world of technology, what type ment! That is the attitude I aspire to emulate. To have the one of technology helps your practice the most? with the greatest need at this moment be receiving my upmost The best technology to help my practice is "all of them"! I say attention at this moment in time. I also aspire to look at others this in that I believe that another primary talent of mine is in my life in the same way and to see each individual’s greatto visualize how to integrate various technologies into a est need as the primary beneficiary of my attention at that unified whole for the best patient outcome. This is the same moment in time. in surgery or in business. I always say, “if you only have a hammer, then everything looks like a nail." In the course Special Thank you to of learning about many and varied practices or technologies Interview: Dina Morrone in businesses, I seem to have a knack for finding a way to Photography: Rochelle Brodin Studio integrate different ones into a more efficacious treatment Makeup: Emily Isaac methodology or business model than either is singular. I like to have many arrows in my quiver! That said, in medicine, To Visit Dr. Moretz; www.drmacmoretz.com I like the biologic allographic therapies, and in business, I like the genomic level new therapies being developed. We are dealing with drug therapies acting at the DNA level of changes to make life better by treating diseases, which is fascinating to me.

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Photography: Rochelle Brodin Studio Makeup: Emily Issac

11th Annual Governors Awards At Ray Dolby Ballroomat Hollywood & Highland Center

By Dina Morrone

It was an evening of firsts, a remarkable moment in Hollywood History that was witnessed by those in attendance at the 2019 Governors Awards.

The very first Native American actor to be awarded the golden statuette was Wes Studi, for his body of work and for his commitment to the authentic portrayal and steadfast support of the Native American Community. Actor Christian Bale introduced Studi, and handed him his Oscar. Studi stepped up to the microphone proudly, holding the Oscar in his hand, and in front of the cheering crowd, he said, "It's about time!" And it truly was about time!

Actress Gina Davis received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. It was a tribute to her pioneering advocacy of Gender Parity and its impact on women's representation on the screen.

Gender Parity is an issue she has been passionate about for thirty years. She is tirelessly trying to drive her message to all in the film industry, to educate them, and to demand change.

Director David Lynch received his Honorary Award for fearlessly breaking boundaries in pursuit of his singular cinematic vision. He seemed visibly moved to be accepting his very well deserved award, which was presented to him by Laura Dern and Kyle MacLachlan. Lynch only spoke for 15 seconds, as he humbly gave a quick thank you to the Academy.

The highlight of the evening was when iconic and legendary Italian filmmaker Lina Wertmuller stepped on to the stage to accept her award. She was introduced by another Italian leg-

end, Sophia Loren, and then was joined by the lovely Isabella Rossellini, who stood by to translate Wertmuller's acceptance speech. As Wertmuller took the Oscar in her hand, she looked at it and then asked the crowd, "Why does the Oscar have to be a man? Why can't it be a woman?" She went on to suggest that perhaps the Academy should change the name of the Oscar to Anna instead of Oscar. Wertmuller was awarded her Honorary Award for her provocative disruption of the political and social norms delivered with bravery through her weapon of choice: the camera lens. She was the very first female director ever to be nominated for an Academy Award back in 1977.

Photos courtesy by: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S. Phil McCarten / ©A.M.P.A.S. Michael Yada Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S..

Richard Harbaugh Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S. Mike Baker Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S.

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RECLAMING YOUR TRUE SELF

By Angela Dunning

The Healing Power of Grief & The Loving Embrace of Horses

A

number of years ago I had an experience with my herd of horses which remains crystal clear in my heart and memory to this day.

Stress, pressure and tension had been building steadily in me for weeks if not months. I was feeling physically isolated and the constant financial pressure involved with running a business single-handedly was getting to me. I was gradually finding the simple daily tasks of looking after the horses like giant mountains to climb, while simultaneously needing to be fully present and calm for my clients, no matter what I was feeling. On one particularly challenging day the wind was blowing hard up on the hillside where the horses lived, the electric fence was down, again, and I was once more alone trying to rectify everything around me. Then, suddenly, something in me gave-way; I had reached breaking point inside and I was done with trying to manage and keep things together.

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Photo by Clement Eastwood

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I walked away from the fencing and away from the horses to the other side of the hill. I lay down on the ground, curled up on my side in a fetal position and started to cry. Actually, what I mean is that I started to sob. Those gut-wrenching, deeply seated tears that come up from your belly, which are utterly uncontrollable and overtake your entire being. I began to lose some degree of consciousness of my surroundings as I let myself drop down into this deep and seemingly bottomless chasm of pain and grief. Aching with loneliness and pain, I held myself and also allowed the earth to hold me as I finally surrendered: no longer holding on, or holding back, no longer able to maintain this vice-like grip on my feelings, or maintain the hard armor wrapped carefully around me much of the time.

I completely lost track of time and even of my surroundings.

After this had gone on for some time, I started to slowly come-to and I became aware that I wasn’t alone. The next thing I felt was a warm soft breeze on my legs. Slowly I opened my sore, tear-filled eyes and was amazed to find that my entire herd had come over and had surrounded me.

My two beautiful chestnut mares, Connie and LP were standing very closely to me on either side of my legs. LP, the gentlest of all horses, was softly breathing on my bare legs. Each deep long breath was pouring out of her nostrils onto my skin and into my body. My other mare Connie, not always the calmest of horses, was standing the other side of me, her head hanging low and her breath deep and long too, as quiet and as gentle as she could possibly be. My beloved gelding North Star, the leader of the herd most of the time, was standing in front of us like a sentinel keeping watch and seemed to also be protecting us; he was literally holding the space for the healing that was taking place.

I allowed myself to rest, feeling utterly supported and loved within this beautiful space my horses had created all of their own volition. Simultaneously supporting me and holding the space for my grief to pour out of me unabated at last.

Without me asking anything from them, they had chosen to come over and stand beside me in my deepest pain. In this moment I was no longer their care-taker, they were instead taking care of me.

This letting go was an enormous thing for me to do at that time in my life. To surrender fully to my grief and to allow myself to be held in the metaphorical safety net they had enveloped me in was quite something, especially for someone who likes and needs to be so in control of myself and my surroundings most of the time, and, as my default position is to usually isolate myself when in emotional pain.

Gradually, the sobbing and involuntary jerks in my body started to slow down. I sat up and I wrapped my arms around my knees. As I sat there, breathing more slowly than I had in a long time, and allowing the horses to hold me in their total loving embrace, something unusual and strange began to happen in my body. I could feel myself start to sway and rock from side to side. I began to wonder: Was I doing this? Was I moving my body? But no, I realized my body was, in fact, moving itself. And, furthermore, I could not stop it. Able to trust now in the wisdom of the body and of the horses as powerful healers, I decided to just let go and let my body and nervous system do what it needed to.

As I sat there, I literally became aware of feeling my energy running through my veins. And then incredibly, that this energy was changing before my very awareness. I realized I was probably experiencing a major clearing out of old stuck emotions followed by a replenishment of a different kind of energy in my body. It was as if an energetic rebalancing or regulation was taking place. Something very big had shifted in me and it felt like an invisible force from within my body was taking over and doing something completely out of my conscious control. My body continued to rock back and forth, and side to side for about 20 minutes. Then, gradually it slowed down until eventually coming to a peaceful stop.

The horses stayed exactly standing still where they were the entire time. I began to yawn and focused on noticing what this new energy inside of me felt like. I felt calm. I felt at peace. I felt cleansed. I felt lighter and I felt so utterly, utterly loved by these animals. It felt to me like my horses had held me in their invisible equine arms, like a mother might hold her distressed baby, gently rocking it back and forth until the uncontrollable sobs dissipated and her baby once more was at peace.

North Star lifted his head a little and seemed to take in the change of energy surrounding all of us and then he lay down himself, followed soon after by each of the mares.

All four of us now lay on the ground and rested side by side, silently and peacefully. My eyes and awareness were much clearer now. I looked at the beautiful view of the hills opposite and enjoyed breathing deeply and slowly, which

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was such a change to my usual rushed and anxious state of my nervous system.

I left the field that day a changed person. I could tell that I had released some deep-seated grief that I had held onto since I was very young. My body and heart felt different.

I felt new somehow and I felt tired but simultaneously reinvigorated. I was also left with no uncertainty about the potential and power of horses to choose, of their own free will, to support people in their healing. To help old wounds be revealed and released, thereby allowing the powerful healing energy of total love to pour into us from their enormous, generous hearts. That day in the field with my horses I was healed of a particular part of my own pain. The source of my grief came closer to my awareness, rather than languishing in a deep, dark well underground, and my tears cleansed and revitalized my entire nervous system.

The beautiful and healing part of equine facilitated learning and therapy is that, unlike many people, horses don’t avoid very strong emotions like grief. In fact, the very opposite is always the case: Feel your real pain, especially your tears, and the horses will come closer to you than usual. They will wrap their big, loving hearts around you and tell you: Yes, it is perfectly OKAY to cry. To surrender. To stop holding on. In fact, it is essential to allow the healing you so desperately need to take place.

Angela Dunning is a regular contributor to The Eden Magazine. She is the author of ‘The Horse Leads the Way: Honoring the True Role of the Horse in Equine Facilitated Practice’, and she writes regularly on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehorsestruth/ and Patreon: www. patreon.com/angeladunning You can learn more about Angela and her work helping people and horses at: www.thehorsestruth.co.uk

Turtyle Paper Straw Company Celebrated it's Green Carpet Ribbon-Cutting Grand Opening With a Star-Stidded Soiree at Nickelodeon Studio, Honoring Actor Ed Begley Jr. with its Pinnacle Award

T

he environment plays a significant role in our world, and to live in the world that we could hurt another living being is something that we shall avoid.

It was a great honor for The Eden Magazine to be part of Turtyle Paper Straw Company Celebrated its Green Carpet Ribbon-Cutting. The grand opening event took a place in Nickelodeon Studio on October 3rd.

Turtyle paper straw company had its triumphant star-studded green carpet ribbon-cutting grand opening on Thursday, October 3rd, at Nickelodeon Studio. 150 elected officials, celebrities, dignitaries, business and community leaders were gathered for the soiree that honored actor Ed Begley Jr. with the company’s ‘Pinnacle Award’ for his environmental activism. Renowned Marine Conservation Biologist, Christine Figgener, came from Texas where she is finishing her Ph.D. and was honored for her work too. Figgener received international acclaim and applaud by a viral video she filmed and uploaded in 2015 that documents the removal of a plastic straw from an olive ridley turtle's nose. The video which started a movement was the inspiration for Turtyle.

Elected officials and dignitaries on hand were the city of Burbank Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy, Councilmember Bob Frutos, Assistant City Manager Chenin Dow, Vickere Murphy Representing Senator Anthony J. Portantino, LA County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, Jason Maruca Representing Supervisor Kathryn Barger, LA Department of Disability Executive Director Stephen Simon, LA 5th District Councilmember Paul Koretz, 43 District Assembly Member Laura Friedman, City of Lancaster Councilmember Angela Underwood-Jacobs, LA Area Chamber of Commerce Chief of Staff Brian Barry and Lancaster Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Hemstreet.

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Mayor Gabel-Luddy, Councilmember Underwood-Jacobs, Councilmember Koretz, Assessor Prang, and Assemblymember Friedman gave speeches praising Turtyle’s environmentally conscious paper straws, as well as Ed Begley Jr. and Christine’s Figgener for their significant contribution to the green movement.

In addition to Ed Begley Jr. and Christine Figgener, celebrities in attendance were Rachelle Carson-Begley, Elizabeth Small, Patrika Darbo, Miles Tagtmeyer, Lexy Kolker, Ava Kolker, Kat Kramer, Nicholas Guest, Charlene Tilton, Jillian Estell, and Craig Young.

“It feels surreal that my video has had such an impact, inspiring so many people to do better and find solutions for our plastic crisis, such as Turtyle's paper straws. I am incredibly honored to have been invited to Turtyle's grand opening” said Figgener.

Begley Jr. said, “I’m so honored to be part of the wonderful work that Turtyle is doing to reduce the scourge of single-use plastic. Most of us have seen the devastating video of the sea turtle with a plastic straw lodged in its nose but weren’t sure how to help.”

He added, “Thanks to Turtyle, we now have a choice.... paper straws. And they’re made in the US... another reason to like them!”

To complement the chef ’s hors d'oeuvres and canapés, several cocktails and specialty drinks will be served so the guests can try various types of Turtyle paper straws.

To mark the occasion of Turtyle’s grand opening and to salute Mr. Begley and Nickelodeon Studio, there were three signature cocktails, ‘Tipsy Turtyle’, ‘The Begley’ and ‘Nick.’ Award-winning comedian, Paul Green, emceed the event with live entertainment by music sensation, singer & songwriter Reina Mora.

Turtyle Inc. the first paper straw company with products made in the USA and with materials also made in the USA, is headquartered in Burbank, CA. Turtyle was launched after one of its founders watched Figgener’s viral YouTube video.

“At Turtyle, we hold the highest standards in paper straw manufacturing as well as environmental safety. For our premiere event, we wanted to honor the single most exemplary individual who has been a champion for the environment, Ed Begley Jr.” said Gagik Panosyan, one of the founders of Turtyle. He added, “Mr. Begley embodies green and eco-friendly living, values we take very seriously at Turtyle.

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“Turtyle’s grand opening could not have been more perfect.

It was apropos to launch an exceptional product that helps the environment as well as being the next-generation paper straw that is stronger and lasts longer, with a big celebration at the beautiful Nickelodeon Studio. To have so many elected officials, dignitaries, celebrities, business and community leaders join us, and honor two exceptional individuals was very gratifying,” said Vic Gerami, spokesperson for Turtyle.

Turtyle presented a check for $1,000 to Mr. Begley’s philanthropic organization, the Begley Family Foundation. The primary purpose of the Foundation is to promote environmental awareness and environmental justice through education in the arts.

ABOUT TURTYLE At Turtyle, we take pride in producing sustainable products that provide environmental, social and economic benefits while protecting public health and environment over their whole life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials until the final disposal.

Our company was inspired after the world watched the viral video of the struggling sea turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its nose. Witnessing the pain and agony of a helpless animal caused by a man-made product is how Turtyle was found.

Founders of Turtyle took note of eco-friendly European Union and Southeastern Asian countries and decided to create socio-ecological products in the United States. Since the state of knowledge, technologies and societal expectation keep on developing, so sustainable products should also be continuously improved regarding social and environmental variation.

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WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT

Carmen Milagro & Dr. Katerina Rozakis Born of Nature , made by artists

Why was Borbón Skincare created?

That seems to be the number one question asked. The truth is, while we believe everyone is entitled to natural, organic green skincare and we want to encourage, educate and empower humanity to live healthy clean lives…we didn’t start out with the idea “to build a company”.

That was the organic (pun intended) evolution and current outcome. The first intention came from my need to find healthy personal care alternatives that I was comfortable using on my mother’s skin as I helped to care for her during her terminal illness.

In my despair and disappointment in finding such un-healthy body lotions and moisturizers, I turned to my cultural heritage and my native roots and began blending items I found in my mother’s kitchen pantry to create massage oils, salves and balms. While Mami, slept at night, my mind was filled with hard-to-bearthoughts and my heart mourned the loss that was soon coming. Sleep was much too elusive for me. By keeping myself busy at one, two or three a.m. in my mother’s kitchen, while mixing, testing and creating kitchen-made remedies I found myself yearning for the wisdoms of my grandmother. Recipes and ideas came back to me from the stories my mother used to tell me when I was a little girl. At no time, during this period in my life was I thinking of creating a skincare much less starting a company. My only goal was to bring my mother some relief, even if only the tiniest bit of comfort. It was the only thing I could think of to do and I threw all of my tears, love and joy, in fact, my entire heart and soul in toeach batch. Some worked. Some didn’t turn out too well.

I worked all through the nights, many times until dawn when I would catch a few minutes of rest and then I would begin my day with her. Massaging her temples with a lavender-infused coconut oil, my coffee-based dry exfoliant to help remove some dry skin 28 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

Borbón Skincare’s Soothing Herbal Massage Serum features a premium blend of natural and organic non-carcinogenic ingredients infused with Natural Rose essential and pure Hemp CBD oils for a therapeutic aromatherapy twist in the Soothing Herbal Massage Serum, a "roll-on massage-in-abottle," created by Latina-owned and San Francisco- based Borbón Skincare, Inc. "Borbón wants to empower people everywhere to live clean, healthy and beautiful lives,” says Carmen Milagro, Founder of Borbón Skincare. around her ankles or my olive oil and mint massage serum became my lifeline to her comfort with an occasional mani-pedi or eye brow shaping session to help her feel more like herself. It was during the last few moments with my mother that I saw firsthand, how her mindset and her spirits were lifted by the gifts I made for her and I realized “self-care” is not a luxury but an absolute necessity.

After I lost my mother to her battle with cancer, I lost my way for a while. It wasn’t until the heavy fog of grief began to lift a little did I begin to start thinking about the future. How could I turn my grief into something positive? What could I do? One night, while sitting at the dinner table with a dear friend of mine she shared with me when she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer she had no idea so much scar tissue would be an end result of her treatments. She asked me I could make something “non-toxic” for her as she was afraid of all the chemicals, preservatives and synthetics in the department store and drug store brands. It was in THAT specific moment I knew what I had to do.

It was in that next tear-filled discussion that I decided to create the Divina Botanicals company including the Borbón Skincare brand to honor my mother, grandmother and all the wise women in my family. My mission would be to create products that were healthier; healthy enough for my benchmark clients ~ our Cancer Warriors and Survivors thus safe enough for all humans.

All of my formulations are made with ingredients sourced from all over the world but found in only two places, the kitchen pantry or the garden. This is the legacy we’re building at Divina Botanicals / Borbón Skincare, a premium integrative Hemp CBD and Lifestyle Personal Care Brand . This is the legacy of Angela and Valentina Escobar.

"The IFWC is dedicated to those who are ready to move their lives to a new direction. The IFWC vision aligns perfectly with our goals at Borbón Skincare!"

Borbón Skincare, Inc. is a personal care brand committed to delivering healthier, high-tech & organic formulations crafted from the world’s finest raw ingredients, while embracing the benefits of Hemp CBD oil and rich cultural homeopathic traditions.

Borbón has reinvented heritage formulations inspired by a mother's wisdom in the kitchen and an abuelita's knowledge of plant-based skincare solutions.

“We believe that skin care starts with the art of clean living and that while one should nurture their skin, it is equally important that one honors their body,” says Milagro.

“This is why we are such strong advocates for products developed with only the highest quality ingredients that are not only organic and sustainable but will never contain harmful synthetics, such as microbeads, talcum powder or petroleum-based components.

Visit: www.borbonskin.com http://www.insightforwellness.com 29 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

Nurture Your Skin Honor Your Body

Carmen Milagro

Dr. Katerina Rozakis an “entrepren-artist”. As 1st generation SF Native and daughter of Salvadorean immigrants she relishes her life as a visionary, CBD-educator, businesswoman, patent-holder, story-teller, mentor, advocate for women’s successes and writer. She’s also a public speaker, lead vocalist, spokesperson, philanthropist and podcast host for #FUConversations with Carmen Milagro and #WomenWhoReallyRock plus she has an upcoming show called “CBD with My Favorite PhD” and is also co-writing her first screenplay and musical production.

Her latest business endeavor finds her at the helm as Founder & Chief Creative at Divina Botanicals / Borbón Skincare a premium integrative personal care Hemp CBD and lifestyle brand. She’s also the lead formulator of all her products including her Soothing Herbal Massage Serum infused with 3rd party-tested, non-GMO organic hemp cbd oil that has intrigued her musical colleagues as well as the sports communities as she builds her CBD Skincare company. This industry has been estimated to grow to $194Billion by the year 2025 and some well-known legendary musicians have already begun collaborating with her as they see the writing on the wall. Ms. Milagro is also currently looking to partner with “the best-aligned” investment partner(s) who understand her vision as “more than just a CBD or skincare product” company. She plans to turn skincare shopping experience on its ear much like Starbucks has done for their customer’s coffee-drinking experience.

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"We are worthy, we are able and we deserve our place on Earth to fulfill our goals and live successful, loving, healthy, meaningful and powerful lives. I have the tools to do just that and I want to share them with others!” ~ Dr. Katerina Rozakis PhD & CEO of Insight Wellness Center Dr. Kat is a CBD Therapist , Cancer Warrior, an Integrative Medicines Doctor and Natural Health Educator, Psychotherapist, Motivational Speaker and Contributing Writer on Inner Beauty and Wellness.

She is a fearless woman who lives in the present, is unstoppable and passionate about life. She is a regular as Carmen Milagro's guest on #FUConversations and Women Who Really Rock podcast platforms and has over the course of her career presented hundreds of times to thousands of people. She inspires and creates awareness so that anyone can eliminate our negative thoughts that keep us from being the Warrior Goddesses we are born to be.

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An Interview on the Power of Live Video with Transformational Coach

Michelle Marie Sorro

PUSHING THE COURAGE BUTTON

By Alexia Melocchi

I

t's estimated that 2.1 Billion people use Facebook. The Social Media empire of Mark Zuckerberg has and continues to grow with the acquisition of Instagram. I have more than 2500 Facebook friends, a good percentage of them are real-life ones. It is through Facebook that nearly a decade ago, I met Michelle Marie Sorro. As we had many interests and friends in common, I reached out to meet in IRL (In Real Life). Today, I am not writing about a friend of mine, but a true game-changer who has used Facebook-live-videos to create a community of individuals who have leveled up their lives. Many of these coming out of struggle, loneliness, and darkness, by inciting them to push that little button on their Facebook page that says, "GO LIVE." Since our first meeting, Michelle has become a leading LIVE MEDIA STRATEGIST, and I had seen her blossom to become a very accomplished businesswoman.

It all started when Michelle's Live videos kept popping up on my feed page. She was documenting moments of her own life in full transparency, and she was doing it with a heart-centered attitude. She was bold enough to put herself out there while going on a journey to embrace her full self, as thousands witnessed.

Earlier this year, she added me to her Private Group that challenged me to do a Facebook live every day for 30 days straight, claiming it was going to transform my life. I was skeptical but did it anyway. Within the safety of a group of about 800 people (which has grown to over 2000), I went live for a few minutes daily and spoke about whatever came to my mind, sharing the simple moments and the complicated

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ones also. The first week or so, having to look at myself on camera, I was so busy noticing every perceived physical flaw, that I felt I was having an out of body experience. By week two, I was becoming more and more courageous and started getting likes and feedback from people that pushed me to not give a damn about how I looked. I was now the life of the party, and I realized I was as charming to strangers as I was to friends. And then came the addiction to the "Likes" phase, and I had to face a lot of my insecurities. By week three, I started seeing myself with accepting eyes and began to notice the impact that some of my videos were having on others.

As a result, I experienced more connection and gratefulness for my life as a whole.

My interviewing Michelle became a necessity to share with my readers the impact a live video can have on someone's life.

When did you decide to take your life to the next level, and why?

I watched a documentary on Netflix called, "I'm Not Your Guru" with Tony Robbins as he gave us a glimpse of what goes on inside his Date with Destiny retreat. I could see that the attendees were serious, maybe even desperate for their life to be different, yet didn't know how to get there.

In the eyes of others, my life looked pretty good. I was fit, had a new puppy, lived in my fave neighborhood in LA, and had landed my dream job on Extra. But, on the inside, I felt alone and miserable. So in December 2017, I attended, and all I can tell you is that I now refer to my life as “before” and “after” that experience. I went in crystal clear about what I wanted from the program -- to quit smoking (my on-again, off-again habit for thirty years), and to turn my part-time role on Extra into a full-time position. Those were my two big goals.

Halfway through the program, I had an epiphany that dropped me to my knees, and I started sobbing. I realized that what I was seeking was significance. I wanted to feel loved and worthy, and I believed that if I reached my goals, I'd finally be worthy of all the love and connection I was longing for. But, the realization was that the only way to feel all the love I was seeking was to give it. That was a problem because I had always been an isolator. I didn't know how to provide that kind of love but knew that the antidote to all suffering is in the loving and connecting one offers to others. In that realization, my heart burst open, and life hasn't been the same since.

While at Date with Destiny, I quit smoking, and I got a hint that I should be doing work along the lines of what Tony, Brene Brown, and Oprah does. I know, audacious, but when you wake up to the truth of who you really are, anything feels possible. Before that, I was intimidated by "imposter syndrome," so I was fearful ever to do anything other than talk about it. But after leaving Date with Destiny, I decided to walk my talk. I followed my heart and began taking baby steps toward my vision, and I built a very successful career speaking, leading and impacting lives around the world. I can honestly say that I experience more fulfillment than I ever dreamed possible.

obsessing for approval. I had listed "significance" as my top value, and I had set my life up to only know joy by external validation. I walked into Date with Destiny, convinced I was utterly alone in the world. I thought that if anybody knew the real me, they wouldn't love me. But it was me that didn't love myself. When I realized that all I had to do was flip it around, contribute, and make my life be of service, everything shifted. My health. My relationships. My income. My job on Extra changed. My purpose and mission.

Instead of wondering what others might think of me, I now ask myself, “How can I serve love, even more, right now?

How can I give? How can I contribute?”.

How did the Facebook Live Challenge come about?

After the Date with Destiny, I was on fire for life. I was fully aware of the call of making an impact but wasn't exactly sure "how" to yet. At the same time, one of my friends was doing Facebook Lives on her personal page every single day. I was the judgy eye-roller, thinking, "Who does she think she is? Does she think she has something so important to say that she's going to interrupt my feed with her little made-up TV show?" I'm embarrassed to admit how judgmental I was back then, yet at the same time, I also remember feeling equally envious of the freedom she had to be herself on live video. About a week later, I ran into her at a SoulCycle class, and I admitted I felt triggered by her Lives.

She shared that she'd built a multiple six-figure coaching business predominantly from Facebook Lives. She said, "If it triggers you so much, why don't you try it?" Then she added, "I challenge you to thirty days of Facebook Lives."

I was shaking but said yes. The next day, I did my very first Facebook Live. It was Valentine's Day, and I went live on my personal page in front of all my friends and family. I sucked but kept going. My day 30 was at Unleash the Power Within, another Tony Robbins event, where I went live in an arena filled with 10,000 people. It was ELECTRIC.

Did you have a specific moment that was your breakdown moment?

It was that fifth day at Date with Destiny. We were unpacking our values and beliefs, and the "rules" we created that were associated with these. For most humans, it is to be good enough and to be loved. Those are two basic universal needs, yet the universal fear is that we're not enough, and if we're not good enough, we'll never be loved. At that moment, I soul searched with an exhaustible hunger to grow and transform, which, by the way, requires an insane amount of radical and accurate honesty about yourself. The moment that broke me down was when I realized I was 33 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

Shortly after my 30 Day Challenge, I launched my first online mastermind. I didn't have a website, an invoice, or a framework for the three-month program. Still, I was able to attract 24 members. During those ninety days, I challenged each person to 30 days of Facebook Lives. At the end of those ninety days, I asked everybody what their most valuable takeaway was? Even more prominent than the epic results such as losing 50 pounds, writing and publishing a book, quitting drinking, the number one takeaway, across all members, was doing the inner transformation of Facebook Lives. They expressed an increased level of confidence, courage, connection, and community.

They LOVED the freedom to be seen without the perfectly produced, filtered, and photo-shopped smoke and mirrors on social media. It was real and authentic.

I realized I had to create a community where others could experience the same, a closed Facebook group for people to practice going live in private. I wanted to cultivate an engaged community of love, connection, and support. I launched the Facebook Live Challenge Group on the one year anniversary of my first Live, February 14, 2019. In less than six months, the group has grown to nearly 2000 members from six different continents. I always tell new members, "Don't get caught up in the comments, views, and likes. That's not what it's about. This is for you to condition your courage, increase your confidence, and ultimately, let it rip." We call the go-live button on your smartphone the "blue courage button."

I realized I had to create a community where others could experience the same, a closed Facebook group for people to practice going live in private. I wanted to cultivate an engaged community of love, connection and support.

Are there some people who have changed in front of your eyes?

Yes. Three, off the top of my head. One is an internal medicine physician who shared that he weighed 500 pounds.

When he first started doing Lives, he would only show himself from the eyes up, and the room would be dark. The more he kept on. He slowly began to reveal his face and turned on the lights. After ninety days, he started filming workout videos and launched a popular fitness podcast.

Another person lives in South Africa and was diagnosed with HIV. He had not shared that story publically to anyone. He carried his shameful secret for ten years. Then one day, after doing many Facebook Lives, he was walking on the beach and decided to share how he was cheating on his wife when he contracted the disease, how it’s impacted his family, and why he was freeing himself of that imprisonment by finally sharing out loud. That unforgettable 34 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

disclosure was our most engaged Live of all time. Hundreds of people pouring in their love and support. Now he’s healing hundreds of other lives, has started a non-profit, and is helping to heal his family.

The third is someone who suffered such extreme social anxiety that she never went to dinner with friends because she didn’t think she had anything to say at the table. After many Facebook Lives, she launched her own online coaching programs.

When did the podcast come into play?

The Fire and Soul podcast came out in June 2018 and immediately hit a top ten in self-development. I interview globally known entrepreneurs, thought-leaders, and high-performance experts. The podcast is a beautiful platform that gives listeners inspired stories and steps of action to apply to their life.

What makes Michelle happy?

8 ½ hours of sleep. Meditation. Exercise. Nature. Quality time with my pup. National Parks. Inspiring, conscious, and irreverent conversations. Knowing I’ve made a difference through love and contribution. Unlimited gratitude.

What’s next?

I want to inspire millions of people to be seen and share the message on their hearts. In addition to nurturing the Facebook Live Challenge group to 1 million members, running my podcast and masterminds, speaking gigs, and that same role on Extra, what's lighting me up right now is the Live Video Academy. I started this business to teach live digital courses to rise online experts and entrepreneurs who want to learn how to transform their sales and marketing strategies and create authentic communities.

Who inspires you the most?

My mother has been a deep inspiration for me my entire life. Byron Katie, Brene Brown, and Jack Canfield are up there. The person that continually inspires me is Oprah. I know, a trite answer, but I grew up to her show, and certain topics had an indelible imprint on my heart.

When we finished our interview, I shared with Michelle about a secret professional dream of mine, that has nothing to do with producing or selling movies. In two sentences, she was able to fully communicate my vision, looking me straight in the eyes, with her soft and confident voice, and at that moment, I knew I had to serve as she does, and continue to practice my videos. You will be surprised in the discovery that it's okay to be you, to be real, to be vulnerable, and let your light shine. In the familiar, the relatable, the raw that comes with the magic of Facebook live, it is not uncommon to realize that others do see you, and may actually see you better than you see yourself. Give it a try.

For more information go to FB Live Challenge with Michelle Sorro on Facebook or www.michelle-sorro.com

Alexia Melocchi is an accomplishedfilm producer and worldwidedistribution executive and thepartner of Beverly Hills based LITTLE STUDIO FILMS. Alexia Melocchi has an experience of more than twenty years in in Hollywood and has produced 11 award wining movies and3 documentaries that were shot bymerging film makers that she has personally discoveredand mentored.

She also acquires on behalf of her international distributor clients films and television shows from all over the world for release in the Middle East, Italy, Greece, Spain, Canada, South America and Germany. She attends all major film festivals in the USA and abroad and has been often invited as an expert panelist on the Film Business forhigh profile film and television conventions.

Alexia is fluent in five languages and is the proud mama to3 rescue cats. She supports environmental and animal causes , meditatesdaily, and is an avid reader of spiritual and self helps books.

IG @lexybella @LttleStudioFlms www.littlestudiofilms.com 35 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

Can Owning

a Pet

Photo by Alicia Jones

Make You Healthier?

By Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.N., C.N.S., C.B.T.

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W

e know instinctively that petting and playing with our pets is good for us. It relaxes us, gives us a sense of connection, and reminds us that we have a special place in this manic 24/7 world.

were better able to perform basic physical activities of daily living, such as climbing stairs; bending, kneeling, or stooping; taking medication; preparing meals; and bathing and getting dressed.

But beyond “the feels,” as my grand kids might say, it turns out that our four-legged friends can truly benefit our well-being. Research repeatedly confirms that having a pet – especially a dog – can support health in some important ways. It’s why, as an integrative doctor who believes in using the best of conventional and alternative medicine, I often recommended my patients consider adopting a pet, and why in my home I always cherished the presence of our own dogs.

But, as you might expect, I especially like the ways pets can benefit heart health – particularly dogs.

In a 2017 study of more than 3 million people in Sweden, ages 40 to 80, researchers found that owning a dog could be linked to a lower risk of developing heart disease. This was especially true among people who lived alone. For them, having a dog decreased heart attack risk by 11 percent and risk of cardiovascular-related death by 36 percent.

And if we take a closer look at the connection between dogs and individual heart risk factors, you can start to see why.

Pets Are Natural Healers For the majority of my life, I have always had at least one dog in the house. No matter what, they never failed to bring my family joy and laughter, not to mention unconditional love. I also used to bring “Chewie,” one of my beloved late Chow Chows, to work with me.

7 Ways Dogs Help Keep Your Heart Strong You stay more physically active.

If you’ve got a dog, you know they love to play and go for walks – which usually means you’re on the move with them.

In fact, one study found that dog owners who walk their dogs walk an average of 18.9 minutes more per week than One day, I saw a patient who’d recently lost her husband no owners. That may not seem like much, but like a lot and was feeling really down. Chewie of choices having to do with must have sensed it because she re- As an integrative doctor who believes in us- heart health, little things peatedly walked over to the woman ing the best of conventional and alternative add up big over time. That exand lovingly nuzzled her, as if to try medicine, I often recommended my pa- tra movement not only helps raising her spirits. At the end of the tients consider adopting a pet, and why in keep your heart strong, but it also office visit, I told this patient that I my home I always cherished the presence helps you manage your weight and thought Chewie was trying to give her of our own dogs. blood pressure - two things that a message. “Maybe you need to reconhave an enormous impact on carnect with a pet,” I said. The woman diovascular health. had once owned cats. As she went out the door, she turned and thanked me and said she would consider getting an- Your blood pressure is probably lower. other cat.

Several studies have found that interacting with a dog (or even just having a dog in the room with you) can actually As strange as it may seem, this was one of the more frequent lower your blood pressure. This is important because if your prescriptions I handed out over the years – to get a pet, if blood pressure is high, you’re at greater risk for developing a patient didn’t already have one. As I’ll talk more about in cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure damages arteries a few minutes, I believe pets are great healers. Their love is and forces the heart to work harder than normal. Down the very high-vibrational energy, and I’ve learned from patients road, that kind of wear and tear can evolve into blockages and how comforting their pets have been during recoveries from heart failure. Exercise and eating right will help keep blood surgery or hospital stays. pressure in check – and so, too, will spending time with your dog.

How Pets Benefit Our Health Pets are known to have many positive effects on their own- You handle stress better. ers, including reductions in the number of sick days taken, None of us can escape stress, which makes managing its doctor visits, and feelings of depression and loneliness, and effects all the more important. Pets can give us a boost increases in exercise, social interactions, and feelings of so- here. According to the science, pet owners tend to react to cial support. stress less strongly and recover from it more quickly. Interaction with dogs, specifically, may also reduce levels of cortisol Owning a pet can even help the elderly maintain their in- – a stress hormone that wreaks havoc on your arteries and dependence. In one study, older persons with a dog or cat metabolism when it’s high for too long.

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You have higher heart rate variability.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a term describing the subtle fluctuations in the amount of time between heart beats, and it’s one that I put a lot of stock in where cardiac risk is concerned. Having high HRV means your heart is more “flexible” and able to respond to changes in the environment. Low HRV, on the other hand, can be a sign that you’re stressed out and trending toward an event. Since low HRV is linked to our stress response – and pets help modulate how we respond to stress – it’s no surprise that ownership also translates into better HRV. You have better overall lifestyle habits.

I’ve already mentioned that having a dog can foster good exercise habits, but a study released this year suggests that pet owners in general – and dog owners in particular – are more likely to follow a heart-healthy diet, have higher levels of healthy HDL cholesterol, lower blood sugar levels, and lower incidence of diabetes.

You’re less likely to feel depressed or lonely.

The most important heart health benefit a pet can give, in my opinion, is the bond of unconditional love. No matter how badly your day may go, your pet will be there, ready and waiting to remind you that you – and no one else – are the best (and their most-favorite) person in the world. In return, we care for and love them – so much so, that they’re not just our pets, but our “best friends.”

These relationships give us feelings of social connection and purpose, and that no doubt is why studies show that people who own pets are less likely to report feeling lonely, and that pets can have a positive effect on our mental health.

I cannot overstate how important this is in the context of heart health. Social support helps people cope and heal. Depression can both contribute to the development if cardiovascular disease and be a result of it. The love of a pet can help in both cases.

If you have a cardiac event, you’ll probably recover better.

Remember how I said patients told me their pets helped them heal after hospital stays? One of the reasons I began paying attention to this was a study that looked at the effect of pets on heart attack recovery. The one-year survival rate for people with pets was 94 percent, compared to 72 percent among people without pets. What that tells me – and what I saw time and again with my own patients – is that when people go home to a supportive environment, they fare better. Pets, with their unconditional love, play a key role in that.

Adopt Responsibly, Live Well If reading this makes you believe you can benefit from

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having a pet, consider adopting a furry friend. And if you already have a pet, cuddle up with it tonight knowing that it’s giving not only joy and love, but good health as well.

References • Aiba N, et al. Usefulness of pet ownership as a modulator of cardiac autonomic imbalance in patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and/or hyperlipidemia. Am J Cardiol. 2012 Apr 15;109(8):1164-70.

• Allen K. Dog ownership and control of borderline hypertension: A controlled randomized trial. Presented at 22nd Annual Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. 24 Mar 2001. Seattle, WA. • Beetz A, et al. Psychosocial and Psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: The possible role of oxytocin. Front Psychol. 2012;3:234.

• Casciotti D and Zuckerman D. Pets and health: the impact of companion animals. Healthy Happy Human Beings. 20 Oct 2015. Accessed October 2, 2019.

• Friedmann E and Thomas SA. Pet ownership, social support, and oneyear survival after acute myocardial infarction in the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST). Am J Cardiol. 1995 Dec 15;76(17):1213-7.

• Friedmann E, Thomas SA, and Son H. Pets, depression and long term survival in community living patients following myocardial infarction. Anthrozoos. 2011 Sep 1;24(3):273-285.

• Handlin L, et al. Short-term interaction between dogs and their owners: effects on oxytocin, cortisol, insulin and heart rate—an exploratory study.

Anthrozoos. 2011;24(3):301-315.

• Levine GN, et al. Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular risk. A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation.

2013;127:2353–2363.

• Hughes MJ. Companion Animals and Health in Older Populations: A Systematic Review. Clin Gerontol. 2019 Aug 17:1-13.

• Maugeri A, et al. Dog Ownership and Cardiovascular Health: Results From the Kardiovize 2030 Project. Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes.

2019 Sep;3(3): 268–275.

• Mubanga M, et al. Dog ownership and the risk of cardiovascular disease and death – a nationwide cohort study. Sci Rep. 2017;7:15821.

• O’Keefe JH, O’Keefe EL, and Lavie CJ. The Human-Canine Bond: A Heart’s Best Friend. Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes. 2019 Sep;3(3):249–250.

• Petersson M, et al. Oxytocin and cortisol levels in dog owners and their dogs are associated with behavioral patterns: An exploratory study. Front Psychol. 2017;8:1796.

• Schreiner PJ. Emerging Cardiovascular Risk Research: Impact of Pets on Cardiovascular Risk Prevention. Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep. 2016 Feb;10(2):8.

• Stanley IH, et al. Pet ownership may attenuate loneliness among older adult primary care patients who live alone. Aging Mental Health, 2014.18(3):394-9.

Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra is a board-certified cardiologist, who has additional certifications in nutrition, bioenergetic psychotherapy and anti-aging medicine. He has written numerous books and is Founder of www.HeartMDInstitute.com, www.Vervana.com, and www.AgelessPaws.com.

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N A Practical Introduction to Numerology

By Sonia Ducie

A Practical Introduction to Numerology is a fresh, vibrant and accessible guide exploring the fascinating science of numerology, showing us the immense potential, they have to enhance our lives in all kinds of amazing way. This title is especially suitable for new explorers to the field of numerology; practical features enable readers to work out the main number related to their own lives, and will guide them in how best to use this information.

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Photo by Christopher Campbell

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Can Numerology help me to understand myself better?

Numerology is like having a best friend or guide who knows you inside out. There’s nowhere to hide because it brings to light more truth. Looking at yourself naked in the mirror through the power of numbers can sometimes be painful but the truth, once you see it, can also set you free. When you first open up to Numerology you may be stunned by just how much information it can offer you to help you become more self-aware, by bringing things to the surface to be recognized and transformed.

Can Numerology help me to make major life decisions?

Numerology can help you to make the best decisions possible as it can show you what’s going on in the outside world, as well as connecting you to your soul within.

Having this bird’s eye view helps you to depersonalize situations so you can see life for what it is, not what you want it to be. This is especially useful with big life decisions such as whether to get married, have a baby, buy a house, and so on. The General Date and Personal Year Numbers tell you more about why you might want to make decisions at certain times. They can help you ride the waves by informing you what each cycle is about so you can go with the natural flow of each number.

Can Numerology help me to choose the right career?

For some people choosing a career is obvious because if their parents were solicitors they simply follow suit (they share some of the same key numbers – genetic codes or genes). But it can be all too easy to rely on conditioning.

By taking a deeper look at your key numbers introduced above, you may well get clearer insight into what career or vocation you would actively prefer to follow rather than doing what others want you to do. Alternatively, your numbers may simply make you more aware of the reasons for your current attitude toward your career. You may therefore decide to do something to transform your soul from within rather than change your job! Either way, your numbers will be encouraging you to tap into your own inner potential. It’s all about using your gifts and skills and being yourself.

Can Numerology help to heal my relationships?

Although healing is taking place all the time spontaneously, you can also speed up the healing process by gaining a greater sense of self-awareness and connection to the world and those around you using Numerology. People get together for many different reasons: love, sex, friendship, companionship, work, having babies, emotional security, finding direction. Numerology can help to reveal the deeper purpose of all your relationships, understand the issues you are working on together, and shed light on why you

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were so attracted in the first place. By helping you see what lessons you are learning together it can really help you to relax, and enjoy and embrace your relationship more. It can also help to bring clarity and choice about whether to start, continue or end working, intimate, family or friendship relationships.

Can Numerology divine the future?

In certain parts of the world, such as India, Poland, Africa and China, predictive numerology or divination is very popular and it is generally very accurate because it is based upon statistics and thousands of years of observation. That is, if x happened previously, then y is likely to happen now, and z is likely to happen in the future. I have friends whose children, parents and all previous generations of their family have visited Numerologists to find out the overall ‘plan’ of their lives. Some of them tell me how they got married in the year that was predicted, moved countries when it was said, worked with certain skills as foretold, but they also tell me about things that didn’t happen because of changes in the movement of the heavens.

Esoteric Numerology – the system I use – provides an accurate ‘weather forecast’. That is to say it is correct at the time, but the conditions in the heavens may change. This makes you realize that you are responsible for your own journey. By connecting with soul, you can make the most of your qualities, gifts and skills and embrace change. To do the best you can be the best you can be within your set of circumstances is what you’re aiming for.

Sonia Ducie Dip CSN AIN, is a teacher at The Connaissance School of Numerology and a member of the Association Internationale De Numerologues.

She has been a professional Numerologist for over 23 years and has written 12 books. https://twitter.com/soniaducie

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Excuse Me...Did you Say Sanskrit?

The Surprising Relevance of Sanskrit for Today

By Sarah Mane

ß

ß

I

was recently on a long-haul flight from Sydney to Vancouver. In the row in front was a young mother with two little boys.

The flight attendant announced that no one was to use peanuts as these boys had a severe peanut allergy. All through the flight this mother provided her children with carefully pre-prepared food. Making sure the boys were occupied, answering their questions, resting when she could. It was very impressive. But what has this got to do with Sanskrit? I’ll get to that.

First, what is Sanskrit? It is an ancient language, some would say timeless. It is described as the language of the Universe, and a Mother of Languages. These are grand claims to be sure, so let’s look at Sanskrit on two levels.

First, Sanskrit is a spoken language with grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure and so on. As a Mother of Languages, Sanskrit is an etymological matriarch in the vast Indo-European family of languages, which includes Latin and Ancient Greek and the Germanic, Indian and Romance families of languages. English, of course, is an Indo-European language.

To get an insight into the care of that young mother taking her boys home to Canada let’s look at the power of ‘mātri’, the Sanskrit word for ‘mother’. Our English ‘mother’ is cognate with matri, so, when we’re speaking English every day, we’re connected with Sanskrit meanings whether we’re aware of it or not.

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The second, deeper level of Sanskrit is as the language of the Universe. But how is this so? And how did that universal language affect a young family on a trans-Pacific flight?

The word ‘Sanskrita’ means ‘purified and perfectly formed’.

When we are quiet, open and receptive, without mental distractions, we hear a still small voice within. That voice is always pure and perfectly formed— it is sanskrita. In that quiet state we just ‘know’ the truth of that voice.

This communication occurs in our heart. This perfectly formed language then needs to be interpreted into our vernacular language so that our mind and body can take action. This sense of ‘knowing’, a simple alignment and resonance with this Universal language, shapes itself into a form that our mind and body can use.

Sanskrit reflects that universal language. It uses a subtle system of verbal roots to establish a connection to that universal language Each simple verbal root, called a ‘dhātu’, gives rise to a myriad of words. The core meaning of all these words comes from the verbal root. This is the powerhouse of the meaning. These roots are verbal, that is the key to the system.

Verbs are ‘doing’ words, they are actions.

We generally think of ‘meaning’ as a concept or an object.

We think a ‘table’ is a thing, not as the ‘act of tabling’, the service that the table performs for us. Sanskrit, on the other hand, is based on the idea that the actual meaning of something is what it does, the action it performs. So if a table ceases to do the act of ‘tabling’, in other words provide us with a surface upon which to put our dinner, then it is no longer a table, it becomes something else.

Actions are a form of energy, so words in Sanskrit carry the core energy of meaning of their particular verbal root.

This is one of the astonishing and perhaps unique features of Sanskrit - that meaning is conveyed in experience not merely in concepts.

Now let’s go back to that flight to Canada. Consider the word ‘mother’ —mātri —written in the beautiful Devanāgarī script. It draws its meaning from the verbal root ‘mā’,Mā means ‘to measure’. So, the essential meaning behind ‘mother’ is the act of measuring.

Measuring what?

A mother cares for and nurtures the body, mind, heart

and spirit of a child. She provides everything just in the right measure, the perfect amount for the time and place.

The measures of what is needed change all the time, but a mother is perfectly designed to give the child what is needed when it is needed. The knowledge of this measuring is innate and comes in response to the child. It is known and expressed in the very act of mothering, it is not a theory or a concept. The true meaning of ‘mother’ is in the action and the experience.

Any woman, whether they have given birth to a child or not, has this natural and innate power of measuring or mothering in the presence of a child. Measuring love, encouragement, discipline, boundaries, knowledge, food, what to wear in the winter or summer, the list is endless.

The measures needed to care for a baby, a young child or a teenager are different, but the act of measuring is the constant. The greater the level of presence and awareness in the mother, the more precise the measure is. That was certainly in evidence on that plane.

Delving into the deeper meaning of words like this is very important. The meaning we give to things shapes our world. Things such as Values, Attitude, Truth, Being, Love, Mother and Father are not actually things. They are actions. What is your attitude doing to you and to the people around you, what are your values doing?

Through the timeless wisdom of Sanskrit, we can redefine, clarify and realize new meanings, which can have a powerful and positive impact in our life.

Sarah Mane has been studying Sanskrit since she was a teenager. Today she teaches practical self-awareness, philosophy, meditation and Sanskrit to both children and adults. She also coaches individual clients and business professionals all over t he world.

Conscious Confidence is her first book from Findhorn Press.

For more about Sarah go to www.sarahmane.com

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Closing Gala & Fashion Awards

Photography by Sheri Determan

A

nother successful fashion week presented by Metropolian Fashion Week in the heart of Los Angeles, At the iconic City Hall.

On October 5, 2019, the ceremony was to recognize outstanding contributions in costume design, and fashion, . The award categories included Costume Designer of the Year (Motion Pictures), Costume Designer of the Year (TV), Fashion Designer of the Year; Outstanding Ensemble for Make-Up Artist and Hair Stylists - TV or Motion Picture and the Metropolitan Fashion Excellence Award. In addition the Awards ceremony, included a one-of-a-kind fashion show featured masterpieces inspired by Greek Mythology and designed by over 30 National and International Fashion Designers. hosted by Eduardo Khawam, President and Christine Devine, 16 -time EmmyŽ Award winning television news anchor for KTTV’s Fox 11 News. The evening opened with a special dance number featured Dancing With the Stars & Emmy nominated choreographer Dmitry Chaplin.

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Fashion Designer of the Year Sue Wong - Los Angeles Dmitry Sholokhev- New York Ezra Santos-Philippines Christos Costarellos -Greece Benito Santos - Mexico

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I

Understanding

ntuition

By Jo ChunYan

I

ntuition is your innate inner knowing. As a trained intuition coach, I like to think of it as the wise, guiding voice within that tells us to chase after our wildest dreams – whether to move halfway around the world, start that creative business you’ve been drawn toward for so long, or just live each day with more simplicity.

You have probably felt that inner nudge or spark that accompanies a stroke of intuition. It may be experienced as a feeling, an energy or a moment of inspired insight. But at its core, tuning into your intuition is simply the act of listening to your body and the whispers of your heart, which is what this journal is designed to help you do.

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Photo by Aliyah Jamous

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The benefits of tuning into your intuitive abilities Your intuition connects you back to what is often described as your higher self – the part of yourself that innately knows what is best for you in the most holistic sense. When you can move through each day from this space, you will feel a deep sense of alignment, and life will become a reflection of your true essence. When you listen to your intuition, you will be able to hold space for the things that support your inner growth, whether that be sitting under a tree to ground yourself, taking an acting class to build inner confidence, or speaking out about an issue for the greater good. Your intuition becomes your life compass, guiding you toward living your truest intention in every moment.

The ability to listen to your intuition is invaluable for many aspects of life – from relationships, communication and problem-solving, to creativity, leadership and business. When you learn to act from a place that feels deeply aligned with your core values, you will move through life with clarity, meaning and purpose, enabling you to make a more positive impact on the world around you. Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, Pablo Picasso, Oprah Winfrey and Nicolas Tesla are among the many inspiring figures who have recognized that it was intuition that guided them to do their life-changing work.

How do you know when your intuition is speaking to you?

People sense and experience their intuition in different ways. For some, it might come through as a gentle guiding voice; for others, an inspiring vision. Use the exercise on the following page to get to know how best to recognize intuitive insights in your own life. Learning to listen to a healthy balance of both your heart (intuition) and your head (rationality and logic) will serve you well.

Instinct versus intuition The ability to listen to your intuition is invaluable for The words “instinct” and “intuition” are often used interchangeably. So what is the difference many aspects of life – from relationships, communication between them? A moment of instinct is likely to and problem-solving, to creativity, leadership and business. feel like a physiological reaction that has to be When you learn to act from a place that feels deeply aligned actioned quickly to keep us safe. As with ego, with your core values, you will move through life with clari- instinct can often lead us to avoid experiences ty, meaning and purpose, enabling you to make a more pos- that feel uncomfortable. Intuition, on the other hand, tends to channel through with less urgenitive impact on the world around you. cy, feeling more fluid and open for exploration.

Below is a reminder of the main qualities of each trait. Look at them now and again to strengthen your ability to tell the difference between the two.

4 Qualities of Instinct • Ensures that your basic needs and comforts are met • Encourages you to choose the safest option • Has a sense of urgency • Focuses on the outcome 52 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

4 Qualities of Intuition • Nudges you to expand beyond your comfort zone in order to grow • Asks you to explore what feels most in alignment to you • Allows things to unravel fluidly, in their own time • Focuses on the experience This week it’s time to allow some space for your feelings and insights to settle, and for further clarity to channel through.

Reflect on how you have been able to identify and move through limiting beliefs and ego-based fears over the past weeks, allowing more inner space to tune into your intuition.

Then use the space below for free journaling, drawing and dreaming in anyway you feel drawn to.

Finding joy in simplicity Let’s start this week by exploring the many ways you can bring more joy and pleasure into your day through your senses. This will anchor you back into your body and the childlike bliss of being fully in the present, inspiring you to live with greater connection to your intuition.

Ways to Connect With Joy Through Sensory Exploration Sight Watch the sun rise - Read some poetry - Visit a museum

Step One Sit quietly in a comfortable position. Close your eyes. Take full, deep breaths in and long, slow breaths out.

Step Two Visualize yourself as a young child – in a place and time when you feel happy, joyful, curious, safe and soothed. Use your imagination to create a world in which you feel completely loved and nurtured. Spend as much time as you need filling in the details of this world of your inner child.

Step Three What feelings come with experiencing the world as this inner child version of yourself? Focus in on one of the feelings, intensify it and allow it to move deeper into your body so you can really feel it.

Step Four When you get the sense that the meditation is complete, open your eyes, bring yourself gently back into the room, then write down your thoughts on the page opposite.

How did it feel to reconnect with your inner child? Did you feel loved, whole and complete?

Sound Sing -Listen to nature -Enjoy silence Touch Make fresh pasta -Eat with your hands - Work with clay Taste Eat cake fresh from the oven - Indulge in summer fruit direct from the trees -Try a new dish or ingredient Scent Smell earth after rain -Pick vine tomatoes - Gather fresh flowers Connecting to your inner child Let’s start this week by contemplating how naturally intuitive we all were as children,before our inner wisdom became clouded by the trappings of the world around us.

A wonderful way to develop your intuition is to reconnect with your inner childat a time when you felt loved and nurtured, even if this was not a true reflection of your actual childhood. This creates a sacred container in which your wise inner child can emerge and flourish, knowing that they are whole and complete.

Connecting to Your Inner Child – A Guided Meditation

Author/designer Jo ChunYan, author of The Intuition Journal is a trained intuition coach, who is dedicated to helping people explore the art of listening to their inner wisdom, setting powerfully aligned goals and taking transformative action.

Following her own intuition has changed everything for her – it ignited her spirit. Since then, she has carved out invaluable space to embrace intuition in her everyday life.

She consciously weaves it into every aspect of her work so that it connects to people on an energetic level. Jo has cultivated a loyal, engaged social media following. For more info, go to www.jochunyan.com. Jo is based in Melbourne, Australia. The Intuition Journal is out on 12th November priced £12.99/$16.95

53 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

LOOKING GOOD & FEELING GREAT

By Margaret Tomaszewicz

The Importance

of Drinking Water

T

Focus When it's time to wake up in the morning and be alert, too many people make the mistake of reaching for a cup of coffee to start the day. If you want to alert your brain to wake up and focus, the best beverage to consume is water. Because the brain is made of 73% water, it thrives when water is flowing. Whenever you have a headache or feel sluggish, it's not uncommon for people to recommend an increase in water intake. Headaches, fatigue and poor concentration are often associated with dehydration. Unfortunately, some people prefer a quick fix by taking a painkiller first. In reality, the painkiller is only putting a temporary bandage over a chronic issue. If you're currently struggling to focus at work or with different tasks throughout the day, change the tide by increasing your water consumption. If you consistently focus on drinking water throughout the day, you'll feel a lot better. If you must have your caffeine fix in the morning, drink two glasses of water to offset the way caffeine dehydrates your system.

Digestive Issues Water is directly linked to digestive issues like constipation. When you're not drinking enough water, you'll experience the discomfort involved with poor bowel movements and constipation. Plus, it's so important for your body to get rid of the waste in your digestive system. If your body doesn't get rid of the waste, it shows up in other places like your gut, your breath, and your skin. In addition to consuming more fiber, always make sure water is pushing everything through your digestive system to maintain a healthy and clean internal system.

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Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels

here are so many healthcare professionals who talk a lot about developing a consistent habit of drinking water. It might seem redundant and simple.

However, it is one of the best habits you could ever develop for optimal health and beauty purposes. If you're not convinced, consider the following reasons why consistent water consumption is so essential and important.

Energy When you're sluggish and tired, you're unable to perform at your best levels. Instead of reaching for a protein bar or a bowl of oatmeal in the morning, start by drinking a glass of water.

When you're consuming fewer calories through food, you'll give your body a better chance of burning more fat. When you burn more fat, you're carrying less fat on your body. This gives your body more energy to exert in other ways. When you have more energy, you'll be more productive, intentional and successful with the tasks in front of you.

tive, it's also good to address the skin's issues from a topical perspective. Using hydrating products like Hydrate: Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Serum will allow your skin to thrive. Hyaluronic acid is the star player. It hydrates and helps the skin hold moisture. This serum also contains power players like Vitamin C for cell turnover.

While you're addressing your skin from an internal perspec-

Weight Loss There are so many people who make the terrible assumption that they're hungry when in reality, they're thirsty. As a result, they consume calories that they don't need. The final result is that they're not satisfied, and they end up eating more. This leads to unnecessary weight gain. If you'd like to experience that svelte figure, the gym might not be the first visit you need to make. Before heading to the gym, head to your kitchen to consume a glass of water. When you drink water regularly, you'll feel satiated for a longer period of time. When you feel full, you'll tend to eat less. When you do eat, you don't need as much food to feel satisfied. If you want your waistline to go down, it is important to watch what you consume more than the amount of time you spend in the gym. However, it is even more important to make sure you're drinking lots of water. If you're feeling really hungry before or after a meal, get a cup of hot water. Add a lemon slice to that hot water. It will help you feel satisfied faster or curb a temporary craving.

Hangover Impact Though alcohol really isn't great for your body, it's understood that an occasional glass of wine or a cocktail will happen. As you get older, it becomes harder for your body to process alcohol without experiencing a terrible hangover. Some people try to eat bread to absorb the alcohol. Others try to consume greasy foods like fried chicken. However, one of the best

ways to avoid an intense hangover is by drinking lots of water with your alcoholic beverage of choice. If you're going to have two glasses of wine, try your best to drink two to four glasses of water on the same night. This isn't to say you won't still have a hangover the next day. However, this is a great trick to help your body recover from a night of alcohol in a way that's bearable.

Glowing Skin If you dream of leaving the house without pounds of makeup on your face, know that this is a dream that can become a reality with the consumption of more water. One of the reasons why so many people experience premature wrinkling is because the skin is dehydrated. Instead of drinking lots of coffee and alcohol, start consuming more water. If you struggle with acne and clogged pores, water can help with moving the toxins out of your body at a quicker pace. Even if you naturally have oily skin, dehydrated skin will trigger an increase in oil production. An increase in water consumption will decrease the chances of your skin's desire to overcompensate with more oil.

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Kidney Function Think of your kidneys as your own personal filtration system.

When you consume tons of sugar-filled drinks, your kidneys have to work so much harder to push the waste out of your system. When you drink more water, it gives your kidneys a break and makes you less likely to develop painful health issues like kidney stones. When your kidneys do their job, you'll be able to look at your urine to see how much water you still need to consume. If your urine is dark yellow, you are extremely dehydrated and need to drink a lot more water. However, if your water is clear, this is a sign that you've been vigilant about drinking water. Do your best to maintain a consistent flow of water throughout the day. You don't want to overwhelm your kidneys with too much water at once.

It's also wise to know how much water your body needs. In order for your kidneys to function at optimal levels, it's best to consume half of your body weight in ounces. If you're 200 pounds, drink 100 ounces of water each day.

Joint Lubrication When a door squeaks and creaks, it's important to use a good lubricant to avoid further damage. If you've ever tried to hop out of bed and felt like it took a long time to fully stretch your body, this isn't just an aging issue. There are plenty of older people who can hop out of bed without major issues because they're intentional about drinking water. When your joints seem stiff and inflexible, this is a critical sign of dehydration. Your joints are made of cartilage. Cartilage is known to be 80% water. This means that water is the perfect lubricant for your joints. In addition to consistent stretching, exercise, and movement, you'll want to lubricate your joints with water consumption. If you don't, you'll experience dry, brittle bones that are easily susceptible to injury and bone issues.

Brain Function Your brain is your epicenter for thinking and reasoning.

Your endocrine system houses your hormones, receptors and more. When you're unable to properly exercise your ability to think clearly and make sound decisions, you're in trouble. You'd be surprised how much you can damage your brain's ability to function by avoiding water. Because of the conversation within the culture, more people are aware of the importance of mental health. When a person experiences brain fog, it's often associated with depression or anxiety. However, it is important to include water consumption within the conversation. In many cases, people can eliminate the issues associated with brain fog by drinking more water and getting more rest. When studies are suggesting that dehydration can damage the brain's structure and ability to function, it's worth talking about.

Blood Pressure So many people talk about how terrible it is to have high

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blood pressure, but they don't know why. High blood pressure is dangerous because it forces your heart and blood vessels to work harder than they should. When this happens, it can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other life-threatening illnesses. Just by drinking more water consistently, you can naturally lower your blood pressure. When water flows throughout the body, it will thin the blood in a way that relieves pressure. An interesting study highlights the importance of watching the rate at which you consume water. Don't chug it randomly and rapidly because the body is only able to absorb water at a slower pace. If you want to experience the benefits at a cellular level, it's best to focus on slow, consistency throughout the entire day. Think of your body as a sponge that's trying to absorb as much water as possible.

The quest to drink more water isn't necessarily the easiest one. If you're not used to drinking a lot of water, the act can feel cumbersome. In order to adjust, consider purchasing one of those really large jugs that you can drink throughout the day. Add some citrus fruits to your water to make it more flavorful. It's also okay to eat your water in the form of watermelon, cucumbers and other water-rich foods. As you get into the habit of drinking more water, you'll crave it more. Before long, it'll be a lifestyle that you'll desire to maintain forever.

To Your Heath!

Margaret Tomaszewicz is a licensed esthetician with over 25 years of experience.

She is the owner of European Skin and Massage Studio in Santa Monica, California and has developed the Organic WODA European Natural Skin Care Line.

Her products are available on wodaskincare.com and on Amazon.com For every product sold WODA Skin Care plants a tree.

Margaret can be reached at 424-279-9771 or europeanskinandmassagestudio@gmail.com wodaskincare.com

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Mindfulness at Work

By Maria Arpa

M

ost of us believe we have no choice but to work and many people have little choice about what work they do. Education, wealth and environment can dictate the options available – yet we have all heard of people who are ‘self-made’, who rejected the limitations and broke through the barriers. But finding fulfilment at work doesn’t always require a drastic change; sometimes addressing conflicts and relationships in the workplace can make all the difference. Mindfulness at Work is filled with exercises, meditations and a personal two-week plan so you can learn to be mindful about work.

WORKING WITHOUT FULFILMENT In an ideal world, your work would be a source of fulfilment, providing you with meaning and purpose. Too often, though, this isn’t the case. When the world around you isn’t performing how you would like, your choices are either a change of attitude or a change of direction. Mindfulness will help you choose.

My son, Sam, is home from university and hoping to find work for the summer. It’s tough. Unemployment is high right now. In his words, ‘I’m determined to find a job or I’ll end up spending the whole summer on the PlayStation.’ His first priority is to earn some cash; but that’s not all of it. He wants to do something meaningful, which is not always possible because it depends on what work is available. This creates a dilemma for many young people at the start of their working lives – whether to take any job to earn money, even if the work is joyless or meaningless, or to hold out for meaning and purpose, even if it means being broke. This choice, which most of us have faced, can set a blueprint for how our working life will turn out. Many take whatever work they can get and while they are grateful for having employment, the workplace is a source of a great deal of unhappiness.

While pondering this, I came across the latest Happiness at Work Index findings that stated that one out of four people in the UK is unhappy at work. Even if this is an exaggeration, something must be wrong with our workplaces if even 10 percent of the workforce is unhappy. For that much unhappiness to exist, we must be telling ourselves

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that we are powerless to change things. I know I thought that once upon a time. Many reasons were given for dissatisfaction – including poor management, low pay and lack of opportunity – but 48 per cent of respondents said their job held no significant meaning for them. Clearly there is a problem that needs confronting.

So What Can Be Done?

If you are one of the many people who are dissatisfied with their lot at work and feel powerless to change it, this book is for you. If you can understand what it is that drives your unhappiness at work, you can address it and plan for change. If you see yourself as powerless, then you are powerless – but that doesn’t mean you have to remain powerless. Spending many hours a day with a group of people you didn’t choose to share this much of your life with, in a job you are not satisfied with, will create a pressure cooker of tension. Left unresolved, it will fester under the surface, creating stress and taking its toll on your emotional and physical well-being.

However, by using the mindfulness techniques explained in the book, you can reduce stress, develop contentment, influence your working environment and make better choices. My aim is to share what I have learned through my passionate desire to turn work into productive play.

Maria Arpa is a London-based mediator and counsellor who works with couples to help heal and mend troubled relationships.

She is the founder of the Centre for Peaceful Solutions, and is a former chair of Mediation UK. Maria has a master's degree in mediation and conflict resolution, a diploma in counselling theory and practice, and is a Reiki Master. She has also trained with the pioneer of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Dr Marshall Rosenberg.

Photo by Štefan Štefančík

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LANGUAGE OF SPACE

Photo by Icons8 team

By Michael White Ryan

60 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

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the Real "AI" ould

Please Remain Standing

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ne has to sustain a life with self, to embody the unforgettable when pushing through the hard ingrained expectations while dwelling, fitting in among the masses. Functioning as a singular, alone, while seeking awareness, allows for unrestricted expressions, of one’s creative dormant forces, to birth into the unbroken connection, of one’s deepest existence.

What is it that allows/restricts mankind to comprehend his/ her creature existence via a thinking ability? The world has given answers to the “who am I” for centuries and yet, we are no closer to a discovery, with any of these intellectual explanations. If anything our explorations have moved us further towards accepted deadened cul-de-sacs of rationalism. Bound by time honored discoveries, encapsulated by logical definitions in past-now, followed for centuries, defined by so called scientists and leaders of all types, regarded as scholars.

Fortunately within pockets of small-collectives, mankind has continued to rise above the mass-collective, who continue to maintain the comforts of habitual-regenerative-insaneness.

History has shown a continuous projection from change to plateau-comforts, onwards from change to plateau-comforts, for as long as time has existed. The noticeable difference we see today, change is happening at a much quicker pace, and those who stay within their comfortable plateaus of doing-beingness, become suspicious of change, hence the belief in avoiding risk! As proof, we see the revival/repetition of past traditions in every area of life, thus engaging in an existence based on the false beliefs, purpose empowers the “I am”. Ask ye which “I am”?

Yes, you are the living tree spawned from the seed of a parent’s gift.

It’s difficult to argue with logic, and yet if we were to push aside our past beliefs, facts and reason, the world would unleash, offer up beauties unconfined. If we are, standing here today, a collection of all that has become before, then is it not the same for all that exists within this material dimension. We unknowingly have given permission to the “I am,” to predetermine our personal futures into existence, from habits and patterns constantly repeated for years on end. The question to ask, are you capable of embracing natures constant revolution of world changing events? What is your integral approach?

We refer to Energy in words like vibration and frequency as if we know something, and yet who amongst us humans understands, knows, communicates with the “Soul of Energy”?

It seems we humans bypass, take a lot for granted in our innocent ignorance. Where and how an individual produces/ receives energy differs according to the portals open beyond the internal and external multifaceted construct and structure of said individuals body-mind. Thus so far, as a species, as individuals, we have failed to grasp the order, the sequences, the magnitude of our existence, and how to function in this vast pool of Energy, which allows, graces us with life.

Energy has complete control over our “whole of life” in every area of experience you have, will ever manifest every second you breathe, from birth to pass over.

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When that sequence is “out-of-whack”, disorder prevails, or question, does such a thing (disorder) even exist? Stand still for just a wee moment, be silent, look outward beyond the self, what you see and feel is “perfect order”, tis a master manifestation. Constructed from multiple conceptions, now birthing through this educated 21st century portal, a unified field of you me we! Are we still sleep-walking into tomorrow’s dreams? Learn how to grasp the idea of maximizing your body’s experiences, thus allowing other portals to open for self-discoveries sake! This is only 1 of the infinite games one has invested in.

The Buddhist regard, refer to the 5 senses as the five-minds.

We commonly refer to the thinking-mind as ego. As an exercise, let’s play alchemist, fully knowing as above so below. Therefore in this material dimension, consider an emergence of Heaven (the mental-thinking mind) with Earth (the physical-feeling body) while fully acknowledging that our ego-mind protects us via its many survival techniques. Moving onto the next step, our 5 minds/senses will follow in tandem. Hence all forms of reception via these 5 minds/ senses are also like ego, they function from specific predeveloped programs to keep us survival-safe! Who said our life-path is not predetermined?

A question, often purposefully asked of strangers, which do you prefer Happiness or Freedom. Surprisingly 90plus%, answered Happiness! As an observation, Needs Wants Desires are the “masters of distraction” for the many humans suspended in what life has to offer outside of ones-self. It appears over time, we may have become, via our comfortable habitual functions, cognizant in our capacities, of being completely unable to selectively choose what’s necessary in nurturing one’s evolutionary existence! It begs another question, did we give up, forsaken our internal peace?

Revosolution is the essence driving one’s continued emergence of the collective nonhuman’s journey, beyond the mindfulness of his/her creature existence. How it all plays out, is in the lap of tomorrows questionings. Which one of man’s consciousness’s will stand above all, and lead humans out of his/her ever-present time-travel, is at this moment, anyone’s guess? Will it happen, absolutely yes! We have spent time immortal “in becoming” the “I am”. In this now is presence’s gift, contemplate for a moment to begin “the unbecoming”, and step into the vast-beauty of one’s immense existence. The “I am that I am” refers to omnipresence, it never referred to, was never connected to, ego’s self-confessed claim to a mortals “I- self-am”.

Life is undefined, life has no definition never ever, all definitions confine,

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as life is full of meanings and meaning is beyond language for meaning is as wide as infinity is long.

Prepare thy tool kit friend, made up of your special strengths and special weaknesses, gather them all, be courageous. Hear this truth, there is no just thing as strengths and weaknesses, these are totally misunderstood personal qualities. We have moved into an aware time-space, when down-loading the self will be necessary for personal growth to occur within this external construct. For when and if you choose your road less traveled, you will be ready-armed in self-reliance. Now, fully prepared, one is capable of facing any challenges, specifically chosen to elevate your energetic-existence, beyond an earthly mind’s conception.

The biggest question now, facing human evolution during this coming decade, is not how humans will work alongside Artificial Intelligence. Rather it is, how will humans deal with discovering, we are fully functioning AI’s in the flesh?

Will the REAL “AI” please remain standing?

Much blessings friend on your quest into shadows-light of personal-discovery… “this-one” referred to as Michael

Michael White Ryan is a co-founder with his wife Pamela Edwards of Language of Space.

They are leaders in sustainable business growth via Performance Design and Performance Code.

Sustainable design encompasses both Western and Easternphilosophies including advanced Feng Shui principles, Environmental Design, Buildings, Alternative Health, Business Advisory Consultants and 20 plus years as entrepreneurs.

Recognized in the top 100 globally and are Americas Leading Feng Shui Business Consultants.

They are on faculty at CEO Space International one of the oldest business organizations in America today, currently operate in 7 countries and reside in Carlsbad CA.. www.languageofspace.com

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Flying Without A Net 4 Ways to Thrive in the Energy of a Major Life Cycle

By Phyllis King

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e all are in the midst of an unprecedent major life cycle.

Robust and tumultuous energy is upon us. It’s not just in our politics. Our politics reflect the consciousness driving outcomes in our country and around world. Beyond politics, with rare exception we are all facing major life choices and change. In this energy people are urgently facing major life questions. Should we become parents? Is it time to get married? Is it time to divorce? Others are seriously considering whether to move out of their homes of double decades residency. Some are in the midst of making major career shifts. These energetic changes are forcing self-awareness and alliance with core values.

These moments of life changing considerations are dominating our thoughts. Although tumultuous, these moments are ripe for rebirth.

There is an urgency and an authenticity to our soul-searching. It is connected and potent. This energy can best be described as once in a lifetime or certainly once in a generation. If we use this energy to catapult ourselves into a fuller version of the life we envision we will emerge from this cycle with wisdom and joy.

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What follows are four ways to thrive in this energy, and to reach the other side victorious.

comfort is not a signal to stop or turn around. It is a signal that progress is underway.

Find your Courage We never know how courageous we are until we reach for courage. That is how we become brave by turning in the direction of courage. We become “on purpose” receivers of abundant energy in the moment. We expand our view, our reach and our requirement for something more real and true.

Embrace the Unknown Most people would rather live with the pain of the uncomfortable known than the fear that comes with an unknown quantity. With the energy that is upon us "flying without a net" is the way to the other side of this potent cycle.

Embrace this cycle with optimism and readiness to receive. If you choose to stand still in this energy you will not preserve the status quo. Rather the status quo will leave you empty handed or stagnant.

This is a time to go beyond the comfort zone on purpose.

Push the envelope. Risk. If you want change in your life don't wait for someone to bring it to you. Rather initiate it yourself. Trust that life will organize benevolently around the courageous vision you hold. You are not wrong if you are feeling a sense of urgency to shift. It is your inner call to action.

Remember just as an athlete takes on an injury as they compete, you may take one on as well. Be willing to do battle on behalf of yourself. Sometimes this is required in advocacy against outside forces that would hold you back and deny abundance in your life. Align with courage.

This is your surest defense against whatever arises in route to your new destination.

Do Something Different If you have been considering a job change, relocation, ending or getting into a new relationship, this is the time to think carefully and then choose. Don’t wait. What you choose or don't choose during this period of time will be with you for the remainder of your life, or the generation, whichever comes first. In these times, there are not multiple choices, just two. Yes or no. Stay or go. Begin or end.

Trust or Fear.

Understand the Value of Discomfort Whenever we make a big decision it is human nature to immediately second guess the decision. Fear arises. However, we must learn to tolerate some measure of discomfort/fear if we are to become greater than what we are.

Discomfort is part of expansion. It’s a signal you are doing something different. If you want a new result in your life you have to do something different. You may not know all the steps when you begin. You have to locate the steps one by one.

When you stay in right relationship to the truth you always find your way and land on your feet. Recognize that dis-

Move into the unknown with love, courage and determination. In that new energy is created, new outcomes are created, and we will progress ourselves individually and as a culture.

Today and in the months that follow breathe, smile and embody the phrase “flying without a net.” This is where your freedom lives. It is also where your abundance grows mostly readily.

Remember, you were born for this. You were born with dignity, purpose, power and intention. Your time is now.

Known as the Common Sense Psychic (tm), Phyllis King has worked with tens of thousands of people in 25 countries.

She is known for her practical and down to earth approach. She has been featured on, ABC, CBS and NBC TV, radio programs across the country, and has been published in over 70 print and online publications.

She has four books, including Bouncing Back, Thriving in Changing Times, with Dr. Wayne Dyer. Her latest book The Energy of Abundance is available in bookstores now. Phyllis holds a B.A. in Sociology. www.phyllisking.com

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Photo by João Victor Xavier

Can’t Adopt?

Your Local Animal Shelter/Rescue Group Still Needs You

By Debra J. White Want to help homeless animals but can’t adopt a dog or a cat? There’s plenty you can do. Every year, according to the ASPCA, at least 6.5 million dogs and cats end up in shelters as strays or owner surrenders. Some are taken from abusive owners. Why so many owner surrenders? The reasons are varied, including moving, cost, landlord, too many and no time. That’s a lot of animals to care for and place into responsible homes. Some dogs and cats are re-united with their owners but sadly others are euthanized. Most animal shelters squeeze by on private donations or foundation grants. Municipal shelters are often low budget priorities. Homeless animals need you and here’s what you can do. Financial contributions in any amount are always welcomed. Shelters have expenses like staff salaries, utilities, pet food, cat litter, insurance, veterinary care, etc. Heather Allen, president and CEO of HALO, a private, no-kill shelter in Phoenix, AZ, encourages interested volunteers to first talk to a shelter and ask what their specific needs are. “You can volunteer in a shelter’s thrift shop if you don’t want to work with animals,” Allen says. “You can wash dishes, do laundry, walk dogs and socialize animals. There’s so many opportunities at a shelter.

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Photos by Daniel Park

Some shelters offer estate planning workshops for those interested in leaving part or all of their estates to a shelter. The Arizona Humane Society, as do other shelters such as the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast in Palm City, FL, offers a Continuing Care program for interested donors. According to Bretta Nelson, a spokesperson for the Arizona Humane Society, donors can set up a charitable remainder trust (CRT) or part of their insurance policy or retirement account and designate the shelter as the beneficiary. Information about estate planning is available on the shelter’s website. Employees are also available to assist interested donors with the process.

The hardest part is choosing how to spend your time.”

Donations of pet food, cat litter, bedding, leashes, toys and detergent leaves them more money for veterinary care. All dogs and cats are spayed/neutered before adoption. Some animals, especially those that have been abused, need specialty care. In addition to donations of pet food and supplies, you can also donate your skills. If you are a computer programmer, a shelter can use your expertise to keep their systems up to date with photos of pets available for adoption or special events they may be holding. Shelters need your skills to keep their systems modernized and free from scammers. Dogs that enter shelters may need extra training to make them adoptable. If you are a behavior trainer, volunteer a few extra hours each week to help that nervous dog have a chance at adoption. Are you a dog groomer? The shelter has a place for you. At times, a badly matted dog or cat is in desperate need of a makeover before going up for adoption. As a groomer, you can make a difference in that pet’s future. Need exercise? Volunteer to walk dogs at your local shelter. Not only will you get in extra steps but the dogs will benefit from the walk too.

Fostering dogs and cats is also a huge asset for animal shelters and rescue groups. Rescue groups, by the way, are small privately funded groups of volunteers that rescue dogs, cats, rabbits, horses or other domestic animals and place them for adoption. They often take animals from over-crowded shelters. There are thousands of rescue groups across the USA and around the world. A dog or cat that gives birth in a shelter needs placement in a foster home until the puppies or kittens can be spayed/neutered and put up for adoption. Rescue groups rely on volunteers like Julie Brown of Mesa, AZ who has fostered dogs for Happy Tails Dachshund Rescue and AZ Basset Hound Rescue. “In 2000, when my beloved Dachshund Maggie died, I started volunteering for the Basset Hound group by checking the county shelter for Bassets.

I found an old frosty faced Dachshund that I adopted and placed into a good home,” says Brown. “I then started to volunteer for Happy Tails Dachshund Rescue. I’m what’s known as a foster failure because I adopted some of the dogs I fostered. I find the experience very rewarding. Sometimes I pray not to cry when I see one of my fosters go to a new home. I eventually take in another one because I know I’m saving a life.”

Shelters develop many creative fundraisers. Examples of fundraisers you can support are: • Cutest pet photo contests • Dog wash • Annual pet calendar • Annual walk/run • Behavior classes Other ways to help your shelter: • Transport animals • Leave donation boxes at stores you patronize • Buy bleach, paper towels, dish soap • Read to dogs/cats • Use your social media accounts to spread word about pets needing homes

Animal shelters and rescue groups need you. If you cannot adopt or donate money, donate your time. The rewards are many. Check out the shelter’s webpage and get on their mailing list. You’ll help save lives.

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THE WAY I SEE IT

Pushing

60 Photography by Simon Wijers

By Joe Santos, Jr.

68 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e October 2019

They say if we don't die young...

But who says 60 is old? Twenty-year-olds?

I recently was at a dinner party seated next to a woman in her mid-eighties. She asked, "how old are you?"

I replied, "I'm pushing 60".

"Oh, you're still young." It made me think age is all relative. It’s we that make it, "Our Rose or Our Thorn."

I have decided to embrace the inevitable, to treat it as a gift. A blessing. My Rose.

To be honest, it's only when faced with my own immortality that I begin to ponder death.

"It is indeed impossible to imagine our own death," Sigmund Freud wrote in 1915," and whenever we attempt to do so, we can perceive that we are in fact still present as spectators. Hence the psychoanalytic school could venture on the assertion that, at bottom, no one believes in his own death, or to put the same thing another way, that, in the unconscious, every one of us is convinced of his own immortality."

something I encourage everyone to do. It makes us so much healthier as humans. Quiet is a beautiful place I visit often. Music is another place. It brings memories and allows us to journey simply by moving our limbs in place. Fills our soul and mind. Something else I took for granted when I was soaring through the early decades was reading. I love to read now. Absorbing information, learning, growing finding parts of myself through other peoples' journeys, life experiences, successes, disappointments. It's all so interesting. What else is interesting is how little I take for granted. How often I stop to think, smile, appreciate, and love. Yeah, the concept of getting old "sucks." Especially when we think about whoever, whatever designed and implemented the master plan, If he, she, it could have rethought it as everyone just age to 35. But live to 305! While soaking up life, love, laughter, and sunshine until it's time to transcend into the Universe and rearrange the stars for eternity.

So, since that is not happening, let's all enjoy every day with as much energy and zeal as we can muster.

And, remember to moisturize!

What's interesting to me (in retrospect) is how seldom in my youth did I ever contemplate getting older each day, each way. And then that certain decade begins. For some, 30 is an eye-opener. Others 40, maybe 50. For me, it's now. Don't get me wrong, not in a bad way, just in the thought of how quickly I need to pedal. Pedal while I can still "ride the bike"!

Pedal for health, pedal for my wealth, pedal for the goals I still want to achieve, and set! The responsibilities shift. I think in the best way, at least it has for me.

I have finally learned patience. That was always my "thorn." It cost me a lot: relationships (romantic and professional) friends, even jobs. But the lessons I've learned looking back over the years is worth every bit of hindsight. We are living now in a world where "we are as old as we look and as young as we feel."

Every day we discover treatments and exercise to keep us healthy and interested. That alone is key. Staying interested, it makes us interesting. My mother would often say, "only boring people are bored."

I can honestly say, boredom is something I've never exercised. I always find something to do and with the utmost glee. Even doing nothing is interesting to me. Spending alone time with ones' thoughts is

Joe Santos, Jr. is a Celebrity Chef and Life-Stylist.

He joins The Eden Magazine as a writer sharing his unique view on life, death, love, and the avoidance of mediocrity.Follow Joey on Instagram @jojoboy13

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F

Photography by Darius Bashar

rom Retrospection to Creativity

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By Jayita Bhattacharjee

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ur deepest joy unfolds like a flower, petal by petal.

We can always take a temporary retreat in the home of yesterdays’ memories, but we can never ever let the past get heavy on us. No present can be gifted with a light, if the past still casts a shadow on us. There is an immense fulfillment in the communion with the memories. Control of consciousness, how far to look within yesterday that has already left us, comes with an eternal awareness. Life is a flow and it flows best while we stay unattached. Learning to live life in a completely unattached manner, so the coming and going leaves us unperturbed, unaffected, which is the art of finding happiness as we dance with the wilder waves of life. This is the dance that brings our body, mind and soul in alignment, in harmony, in peace without any conflict. While we all live in an ecstasy of life, yet the ultimate ecstasy is with the divine. In retrospection, do we discover ourselves. In this discovery, do we learn and relearn, how to dance to the beat of life, how to rise with the best of beauty from the worst of circumstances.

One long continuous being attuned with the beat, brings something, gives something. We replay every moment, that we could ever remember. Life comes with the moments beautifully packed with smiles and tears, sweet or sad. As that is the natural course of life and flows in the simplest way. But still we feel the need for intimacy with life at its deepest, we feel the need for security, while encountering the phases of life. Yet we feel the silent fear grabbing us, grasping us as insecurity sits on our minds. How do you give in to the call of life, while you yourself are living in a shell of fear? Don’t you think, its time you release that which holds you back? In this releasing lies your freedom, in this releasing, can you find the breath of life again. As one thing departs in life, it will be the time for something to arrive, as in this departing and arriving, does life flow at its very best.

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While meeting people whose path crosses ours, always opens something new in our lives, that can make us so intensely alive.

Too often, we get entangled in the web of attachment, that we seem to lose control of ourselves. We lose our foresight, our hindsight in the pull of attachment. Living life richly can only happen in the light of awakening. The awakening helps you to be fully alive emotionally yet guides you to be present in every moment, in a very unattached manner. Loss comes in our lives, but our attachment to pain, and our resistance to a new beginning, can be the standing block on our ways. We become used to living in the grip of pain, that it becomes our shell.

The very shell that we make it our home, the home of suffering for what happened and did not happen in the past. By being unattached to the rushing and receding of the waves of life, do we learn how to truly take their coming and going. This is the heart of accepting life, as it comes. This is the pearl of your wisdom, that gives you the light that lives forever, the undying light. It is by this light, that you will let go of all that arrives and leaves your life, so you can dance in still solitude, not desiring for externality. The storms that break us down, build us again in a way. As once we emerge from the storm, we are never ever the same. That chaos changes us forever, as somewhere, deep down, it speaks to us, shakes us, and throws us on the hardest lands, to make us cry in the most helpless manner possible. But no hitting goes in vain, no weeping goes in vain either. Something comes out of all that. Something beautiful emerges, and that is you, you who can see the light of your soul again.

For so long, you ran from yourself. Don’t you think it’s time, you face yourself again? Somewhere, amongst all this, you lost yourself. When you come back to your light again, you would feel the madness of life, once again. Life, how tremendously it can be passionate in its calling. Rather than ignoring your passion, ignite it in ways that can keep your music alive. Isn’t this the deepest passion that you have ever felt, to live for the sheer joy of living in every moment? How beautiful it is, to live in this madness, to feel so alive, and not to feel the fear of losing someone or something, and yes, it can only come by living in so unattached way, that your worst fears do not get the best of you.. Your sadness never gets a hold of your happiness. You can sail away all the times with fleeting beauties, so the temporal mirages of life go hazy with the introspective view of life, the way it means with all the richness. Diving in this introspection, will the storms of life still in the eyes of our souls, and all that was frozen can melt again in the sea of bliss. The broken pieces, the shattered dreams seem to give us that missing light again. So, we can be that beauty again.

That is softer than the petals, yet stronger than the storms.

Walking down the memory lanes, old sorrow shapes in a renewed joy. By tearing down the pages of our book, we do not create anything, rather we rip off the pages of our souls, as on every page, is written a chapter of our lives. It is the beauty of what we created from what is left behind, that will live like the freshness of a dew kissed morn. The sky opens again and there you see the delights falling from the lips of heaven. Life

still breathes its meaning in us, even after loss has hit us hard.

As you evolve, your own myth will unfold with time, with the tides of events as they come and go in your life. As inside you there is a creator, an artist who is learning time and time again how to paint the soul more wisely, how to add more beauty to the landscape of one’s own soul. The mine of rubies lies within you, it is up to you to discover your own mine of wisdom. It is in this discovery, that your life begins, and you know that nothing in life that you encounter is by coincidence. Behind every event, behind every encounter there is a greater purpose, a greater mission, that we fail to see. You become a stargazer, a dream chaser, a story teller, a painter, an artist who creates art of the heart.

Life itself, is the weaver of the myriad stories of our lives. In despair or wonder, faith is trusting the unseen hands that spin the wheels of life, believing that there is more than the condition of our understanding, the way the universe whirls beyond the light of the star that shines in you. Sorrow may seem to seep through the cracks in the walls of your mind like a distant memory of some unforgettable past, but out of every sorrow breaks a wisdom that takes you to the shores of your soul again.

Jayita Bhattacharjee was born n Calcutta, India and later on pursued education from University of Houston in Economics, she had chosen her career as a trustee and teacher.

Her Indian residence is in the vicinity of the famous Belurmath.

Currently, she is settled in Tampa, Florida.

Her love for writing on a journey of heart and soul was hidden all within. Looking at the moments captured in love and pain, joy and grief, the hidden tragedies of life... it was a calling of her soul to write with the ink that kept flowing from her heart. This is what gave her the fulfillment, the richness in her soul.

Her books "The Ecstatic Dance of Life', " Sacred Sanctuary", " Light of Consciousness", "Dewdrops of Compassion" are meant to shed light on what guides a person to respond to the mystical voice hidden inside, to soar in a boundless expansion with the limitless freedom of spirit.

"It is in the deepest joy that I write with every breath of mine."

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Trusting

Your Gut

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By Sasha Gary

Have you ever had the feeling in the pit of your stomach that something wasn’t quite right? It’s your sixth sense or gut instinct trying to tell you something.

Your gut instinct is your body reacting to something that is an immediate response or feeling. It’s a primal response from your subconscious mind.

In a day and age where we are flooded with stimulation by phone, computer, busy lives do we tend to neglect listening to our inner knowing? Is your primal response being ignored because you are not present.

You are moving forward, moving fast, not being able to standstill and listen to yourself?

I thought I was completely in tune with my gut as I have felt it resonate though my body by giving me goosebumps or a sick feeling when I was in danger.

Once I walked past a man on the street and his dark energy was so heavy I could feel his anger. Now, as an empath, a true empath as I am a Cancer and we are HSP’s highly sensitive people, I feel people’s energy as if it is in my own body. I felt his dark energy so low on the vibration scale, it felt like he could have hurt me right there unexpectedly on the street. I got goosebumps and my body temperature went up. That is your gut instinct warning you. Luckily I listened and walked away very quickly before something bad happened.

and hormones, so when the gut is literally telling you something is off, it goes straight to your brain. We are the ones who choose to listen to it or ignore it. Sometimes we have mere seconds to feel the warning signs, listen to ourself and take quick decisive action to keep yourself out of harms way. Other times we can take our time, listen to our gut and feelings that show up and review the situation before committing to it, and taking action. Taking time to meditate can allow you to begin to quiet the mind, and listen to your inner knowing. Start to become aware of body sensations like goosebumps, body temperature, your hair rising on your arms.

Just like an animal in the wild that we tune into on the television the majestic gazelle is by the stream of water hydrating herself and she quickly perches her head because she feels as if she is in danger. We see the large lion about to attack but she A. quickly gets away or B. life ends that very moment in a blink of an eye.

Let’s all strive to be the first gazelle!

That is a strong example of what it may feel like for you. Most recently my gut instinct was trying to tell me something in a work situation that something wasn’t quite right. This time it was more like a question mark? A pause. A second thought of, is this too good to be true? I noticed it, and I ignored it. As I let the question pass by, it popped back up quite a few times. I still ignored it. When I finally decided to listen to it, it was too late. I was right. The work situation was not good and ultimately it came back to almost hurt me. I took every precaution to remedy the situation which I did, but it would never have happened if I listened to my gut instinct that was trying to tell me something from the beginning.

Sasha Gary is an actress, writer, and Transformation Life Coachat www.balancedbellasonline.com a 16 week online health program for women that shows you how to implement small sustainable changes one by one to help you with whole food nutrition, self-love and a conscious movement.

You don’t have to be an empath like myself, you just need to listen very carefully when it comes up. Our gut and brain are connected with neurons, chemicals

Sasha is a yogi of 25 years, a crystal healer, and an avid sound bowl meditation participant and lives in Venice California!

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A Lesson for All Ages

By Nancy Yearout

This story is told by Zoie an upbeat lady who lives her life to the fullest. Although her husband passed away a few years back she said that she gets along well. She let me know that she is of sound mind and in good health for a woman who recently turned seventy-two.

As Zoie began to tell her story, she lowered her head and almost spoke almost in a whisper. She started by saying, my husband and I had one child together, we named her Rita.

She brought us such joy as a child. Rita did not give us any trouble until she entered her teen years and became a bit snotty. We have seen this side of our daughter but chose to ignore it. We brushed off her attitude like she would grow out if it or something.

It was not until she was married with a family of her own that we noticed such a difference in her. I understand that children grow and become adults and have their own ideas, but my daughter was not nice. She has grown quite arrogant and displayed this behavior to her father and me. She is of the mindset that we owned her certain things. I am not sure where this mindset came from originally, it may be the result of us compensating for her being an only child.

We did spoil her more that we should have but I did not realize what an affect our spoiling ways would have on her as an adult.

My husband and I ignored the change in her behavior as she grew older. We knew Rita thought she was better than others, but we never said a word. We should have spoken up and said something to her about her attitude towards people and her arrogance. We remained silent as neither my husband nor I wanted to cause bad feelings, as she is our only child.

My husband passed away a couple years ago, she explained.

My daughter, son-in-law and grandkids are the only family I have left now.

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The trouble began when my daughter and son-in-law were having financial problems. Apparently, they had overextended themselves. This was occurring about the time my granddaughter Kelsey was graduating from high school and was preparing for college. Therefore, I was not surprised when I received a call from my daughter asking if I could cosign for Kelsey’s student loan. Apparently, their credit scores had dropped with their financial issues. My daughter assured me that they could easily make the payments, so I agreed to help them out. My daughter and son-in-law were both working fulltime so I assumed they would make the payments on the loan. Kelsey was in her first few months of college and I called my daughter to check in to see how Kelsey was doing in school. Her mother confessed that she did not like going to school and had dropped out. I was shocked by the news. And by how this did not seem to bother Rita. It did not seem like Kelsey had given college a chance it had only been a few months since she started school. I did not say too much to Rita, again I did not want to make waves with my daughter. I thought it may be better as they say,” to leave well enough alone.”

Not to say something about the loan to my daughter, her husband or Kelsey was a huge mistake on my part. It was not long after I spoke with my daughter that I began receiving letters from the financial institution who held Kelsey’s student loan. After reviewing their paperwork, I realized that Kelsey’s student loan check was for the entire first semester of school. The check was enough to pay for her classes, books and her living expenses. If that was the case where had the rest of the money gone? When I realized that her tuition check was quite large, I called my daughter. I did not reach her but left her a short message and ask her to call me regarding Kelsey’s student loan. I attempted to reach my daughter, granddaughter and son in law for weeks but no returned call. “What a mess I have gotten myself into.” she said. Here I am a widow on a fixed income, it would be difficult for me to pay back her loan.

Photo by Caroline Hernandez

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I needed to find out what was going on here and why was my family not returning my phone calls. I am a grandmother, she told me, but I do know how to access Facebook. I opened the app on my phone and went to my granddaughter’s page, and I found my answer. There was Kelsey grinning from ear to ear holding her new iphone on vacation with her parents and siblings in Florida. They had driven to Disneyland in their new car! If one picture could tell you a story, this one said it all. It took all day for me to wrap my head around what my own family had done to me. I had to come to terms with the fact that I knew she was becoming a of the entitlement mindset! “I as her mother had an opportunity to do something about it and I never did. “Zoie said.

Here’s what Zoie shared with me. “When you bring a child into the world and care for them it is devastating to your heart and soul for them to not respect you as their parent and care about you. The lack of feelings for others has been the biggest let down for me. I guess the saying that “you reap what you sew” is true. This was a very difficult life lesson for a mother to learn so late in her life, I should have spoken up! I am sad because now my grandchild is learning wrong from Rita and this mind set will continue to the next generation and on it goes. The positive for me is that I have been true to myself. Maybe the will learn from my example she said. The choice is theirs.

Zoie appeared tearful as she said, “I have hired an attorney and I am finding out what my rights are as a senior citizen in this situation.” I am also finding out what can be done to help new students to make it through the first couple semesters. Many students receiving these loans have never handled a large amount of money before. Opened a checking account and managing college funds may be new to many students. Without proper guidance in handing of these funds could result in not completing their education.

I am sure my granddaughter is not the first and will not be the last child that receives a student loan check and spends the money on something other than tuition and books.

Zoie said.

The reason I am sharing my story with you today is to give others the courage to stand up and teach their children what is right. Do not be afraid that they won’t like you. It’s called tough love! When you teach people to do what is right it is benefiting to them in many ways. We become a better people as these lessons are passed on from one generation to the next. We are paying it forward. Please participate!

A new mindset: There are times throughout life when we have to say no to our kids. It’s healthy for us and for them as a mutual respect is created. When you say no it delays the need for immediate gratification. We

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have become a generation of people who craves instant gratification. Learn to say no when its appropriate to.

Your kids will respect you when you stick to your word and they in turn develop their charterer. Be kind, don’t choose money and things over people. You can make more money, but you cannot replace a person.

“What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude.” ~Brené Brown Then he said to them, “watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” ~Luke 12:15

Nancy Yearout is an Psychic Reader, Intuitive Life Coach, Author and Inspirational Speaker. Her religious and spiritual work has enabled her to help many people to live the life they desire!

Her motivation and drive come from Source/God. Nancy feels inspired to share the wisdom and the messages she receives with others. Her real-life experiences are shared each week on her Radio Show/ Podcast, High Road to Humanity where insightful, spiritual guests share their story. This is Nancy’s way of each sharing new insight about raising the vibration and consciousness for all of us to create a healthy, Loving and kinder people as well as a safe harmonious place to live.

My Credentials: Sales Coordinator for General Motors Corporation, Sales Manager for multiple, Owner and Qualifying Broker of The Harville Estates Real Estate & Development LLC, Owner of Energy Girl Publishing LLC., Author of, Wake Up! The Universe Is Speaking to You, Author of Monthly Contributor to Eden Magazine, Motivational/Inspirational Speaker, Intuitive Personal Coach Intuitive card reader, Energy Healer, Radio Host/ Podcast High Road to Humanity.

Today she is happily married to the love of her life.

Nancy Yearout Hosts a Radio Show/ Podcast every week on Toginet radio and iTunes called High Road to Humanity. Visit her website www.NancyYearout.com or her Podcast www.Highroadtohumanity.com

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MESSAGE FROM THE GODDESS MOTHER With Jan Diana

LIFE’S JOURNEY My Beloved Children of Heart, “As I ponder upon you on this glorious day, I am reminded of your sweet commitment to our sacred plan. I celebrate in gratitude your participation in the story we share together in the many journeys of life.

Your choice to live and experience offers you and us so many treasures. The blessings are becoming so grand there is no way to fully take measure of them for they are perpetually expanding into the ever more of us.

As I speak to your many hearts on this topic, the message comes to mind of what is most important to share with you at this point in the journey. There is so much to share and yet this is the piece that your heart calls out to hear, to feel, and to receive a validation of.

You desire most of all to know if you are fulfilling your plan you made in our council before your journey began. And of course the answer is a resounding yes.

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steps and many experiences. Each leads to the next and the next. Each is fulfilling in and of itself, and yet each one fits into the bigger picture, creating the greater vision which we share together.

You might feel as if you are missing the connection.

You may feel a bit disconnected from the awareness of truth that you desire that feels so close, yet perhaps just out of reach.

This feeling is an indication of your growing awareness that something more for yourself exists. Even if it feels out of reach at this time, you know it.

Your heart knows your plan. You know your plan.

You know it on many levels of awareness.

And thus here you are, on a grand journey of remembering your truth. What you felt you forgot is making itself known to you in ever expanding ways and means.

This is very exciting for all of us. Each spark of awareness leads to another and then another and another. It continues on until that glorious moment when the fullness of self is remembered.

Photo by Mantas Hesthaven

What a glorious journey of self-discovery! To experience yourself in this way opens up for advancements you will experience that are even beyond your imagination at this time.

To achieve that now is within your reach.

However, you will grow into it in your readiness. Thus the journey unfolds to lead you to the greatest discovery of all, your truth, your divine nature and your sacred destiny.

It is now easier than perhaps you thought possible. Flow in the streams of lightness that is dancing upon the Earth now, relaxing into that sweetness. It will uplift and inspire you.

How wonderful it is to know, that whatever step you are on, whatever you are experiencing now, whether it is one bringing you joy or one with some challenges, it is leading you to that ultimate awareness of yourself. You can take this truth in and allow it to bring you encouragement. You can accept the peace that comes with this understanding.

Recognizing that each choice has the power to take you to that place you have been dreaming about, brings great excitement to your heart. It can also free you from any judgments of self of lesser value for having some bumps along the road.

All experiences of all choices, all journeys, will lead to that same wonderful destination at some point in our glorious future. All of us reaching the completion of our journey of love, returning fully into our oneness, and yet with all we have experienced adding into our flavor as we prepare for the next step in our grand adventure together with our ever more loving selves.

The wonder of it all. The wonder of each of you fills my heart with great joy. You simply are magnificent.

Nothing of lesser value in your experience can alter you truth, your divinity. You are who you are, living and experiencing the journey of lives.

May you open your heart and allow yourself to feel the witness to this truth. May you begin to have more kindness and patience with yourself and with others. May you begin to feel the connection to truth in the greatest of openness, with ease and grace.

You are fulfilling your destiny. You are rising up to dance to the song of your heart.

As you continue going forward, let it be known to you that you are living your dream. Yes you have many dreams and desires of your heart to live and experience. And yet the fullness of all of these is held within the wholeness of your life journey.

You can move forward now and always with a greater awareness of your purpose as it begins to make itself known to you consciously. To know your purpose is delightful. To purposefully walk in that awareness is your birthright.

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Open up your heart to receive the greater awareness. Let yourself be guided in the lightness of heart.

Accept each joy that comes your way, knowing you deserve it. You are worthy to receive all you are being blessed with.

Choose joy. Choose the abundance of all that brings you joy and know it is yours to claim.

You are ready for the next steps leading into the greater awareness, into the lightness of heart.

I celebrate you as you reach for the stars, for truly you are reaching for your own lightness. Be accepting of the love, for as you do you will feel the sweetness of your heart song as it calls to you, guiding you to that place of home. Shamon.”

FREE CLASS: As a Gift I am offering you a Free Tele- Class, “Remember Who you are”.

-Restore pathways to remembering the truth of yourself using the tools of SVH, a prayer modality that can shift the old stories, old beliefs and perceptions that are not relevant to your truth.

-Receive tools that you can utilize in your life to further free yourself from the veils of forgetting -Take a journey to meet your true self and receive a priceless gift You will leave this class filled a greater vision of yourself and what is now possible for you. This class is a great joy bringer!

Register by subscribing by email at: www.jandiana.com

Jan Diana is an intuitive healer, spiritual teacher, and master practitioner.

Her mission is to assist clients & students in creating harmony, balance, heightened levels of clarity, develop innate gifts & abilities, empowering them on their personal evolution to create the dreams of their heart. She utilizes several modalities including SVH L4, Animal healing, GHM, Language of love, Reiki Master, and more.

Free meditation journeys, articles, & classes. http://www.jandiana.com

Have you seen Gretchen?!

Missing since 11/11/2016 Please contact us

info@theedenmagazine.com

SOUL COURAGE

By Tara-jenelle Walsch

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Gratitude's Greatest Secret

W

e have forgotten. We trudge through most of the year preoccupied on a path of linear doingness, often pulled into the whirlwind of work, politics and world issues; letting the energy take us where it may.

Time is left starving from the endless effort spent slicing thickets out of the way, while fullness of creation sits on the back burner.

Then one day we turn our wrist and find that hours have grown into months.

Months of physically, emotionally and mentally fighting off obstacles, rather than applying that same energy towards building our dreams and giving life to what matters most.

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We simply must upgrade our metaphysical Practice. Instead of simply being grateful for that which has already happened, let’s also extend our gratitude for that which has not yet occurred. The ability to project feelings of gratitude for joy that awaits us gradually brings that joy toward us.

No one’s to blame, really. I mean, we’re taught to work hard, watch our back and keep moving forward. We’re encouraged to keep our eyes on the prize and routinely check interference along the way.

This is the power of Gratitude in Advance, an elevated form of prayer. Frankly, it may even be the highest form of prayer, because the very act of it is a declaration of trust in Source (“Source” being the God of your choice, the Universe, energy, or Life).

It’s tiring, but everyone’s doing it, so this must be how life runs. – A common rationalization that unknowingly hands over the direction of our life to the powers that be.

And since a declaration of trust is a presentation of expression, it then becomes a demonstration of trust, the demonstration of which activates trust into an awakened state, energetically opening opportunities; ripe for creation.

Is this it? we wonder privately as we lay our head down to sleep. Then shame for the inquiry has us sifting through our past, creating a mental gratitude list. We drift off with swollen hearts of genuine appreciation for all that we’ve been given and now have.

Most of us figure if we’re conscious enough to conduct a busy work life as well as appropriate the allotted time toward gratitude and prayer…well, we must be on the right track.

It’s no secret that being grateful for our past is quite beneficial to our well-being. Reviewing our blessings can bring peace to an otherwise restless mind that searches for answers. And certainly, remembrance of our good fortune uplifts the heart with joy.

Yet, the magic of gratitude is largely under-used.

It’s easy to be grateful for what’s already happened.

To look back with gratitude at all the love and wonderous opportunities we’ve been blessed with through the years.

It’s even easy to feel thanks for the hardships we’ve endured, now that we’re safely on the other side of them and behold their gifts.

But there is more. We have forgotten. For years, we’ve cozied up with nomadic thoughts of appreciation for the days of yore and left no room for tomorrow. Our fastidious loyalty to using gratitude for all that we have has slighted what awaits us in the future.

We simply must upgrade our metaphysical practice. Instead of simply being grateful for that which has already happened, let’s also extend our gratitude for that which has not yet occurred. The ability to project feelings of gratitude for joy that awaits us gradually brings that joy toward us.

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Simply put, when we make way in our emotional body to feel gratitude for that which has not yet transpired, we’re essentially making way for those things to come into being.

Contrary to prayer, which says, “Please”, Gratitude in Advance says, “Thank you.”

And while prayer asks, “Please make this happen.”

Gratitude in Advance appreciates with, “Thank you for making this happen.”

The word “appreciate” carries a double-meaning of both thankfulness and the means to make bigger or an increase in worth, as in an antique that “appreciates in value.” This gives Gratitude in Advance the added benefit of “making bigger” that for which we’re grateful.

By also stretching our gratitude muscles forward rather than just backwards, we’re streaming possibility into all that we project. This is because the very act of appreciating our desires before they happen, gives birth to them.

Feeling gratitude for something that is not yet existent actually manifests its existence. The outcome for which your heart is so grateful begins to materialize; starting first within your thoughts, reverberating into your body and then vibrating out into the ethers.

If we believe in a universe that’s affected by energetics, then we understand that the energy we send in advance does indeed create outcomes.

And that’s how Gratitude in Advance operates. It sets up and creates an energetic projection that permeates universal energy being co-created by the lot of humanity. This infuses unprecedented positive energy in the vortex of creative forces that produce one’s reality.

The only question then becomes, what outcome do you wish to create? The world is your oyster. Think it, feel it, and see it all ahead of time. Pray with joyful celebration of your dream’s pre-existence.

And if you want raise the vibration of your desired vision even higher, accompany your feeling of Gratitude in Advance with a corresponding action. Applying action to your highest thoughts is an added demonstration of trust to the Universe that you’re awaiting this outcome. Physical action toward your desired outcome puts the energy of your thoughts, feelings and visions in motion.

When you create an unwavering practice of Gratitude in Advance, it empowers you with a vision on which to focus, giving your thoughts a respite from roaming in uncertainty, and keeping you from sliding into overwhelm or despair. This, in itself, almost immediately puts you in a place of peace.

RoadMap to Gratitude’s Greatest Secret 1. Universal energy can unknowingly run our lives 2. Despair arise if we see this & sometimes guilt for the despair 3. Our minds often ward off these feelings with gratitude for the past 4. Gratitude is largely under-used 5 It’s easy to be grateful for what’s already happened 6 It’s time to upgrade to Gratitude in Advance; an elevated form of prayer 7. Prayer says, “Please”, Gratitude in Advance says, “Thank you” 8. Feeling gratitude for something that’s not existent manifests its existence 9. Raise the vibration of your vision by adding action to Gratitude in Advance 10.The time has come to engage with the energy of life & create what matters most

Here’s where many get challenged, though. We must practice Gratitude in Advance especially so, when the going gets tough. It’s more difficult to trust in times of great stress and great strain, yet that’s often when it’s needed it most.

Not only for personal desires of direction, but just as importantly for the much-anticipated unity and peace of our world. This level of prayer calls on us to collectively project our gratitude in advance for worldwide harmony and align our energy accordingly, even as the roof is caving in.

Yes, it’s going to take Soul Courage to muster up advance gratitude for these visions of grandeur in the face of the all-consuming fury and frenzy, but the alternative is no longer an option. We can no longer allow the energy to lead us by the nose. Our lives are deprived of increased joy and creation if we live at the mercy of what may come our way.

The time has come to proactively engage with the energy of life. To feel those swollen hearts when we’re wide awake, imbuing possibility with our intention and calling forth what truly matters most.

Tara-jenelle Walsch is a monthly columnist for the Eden Magazine. She is the author of the book, Soul Courage, and the founder and spirit behindthe Soulebrate greeting card company. You will also find her speaking publicly about emotional and energetic awareness, and a sacred formula which she believes has the ability to enrich the world at large. Tara-jenelle was raised in Annapolis, Maryland and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Towson University in Baltimore. She currently lives in the beautiful hills of Ashland, Oregon. www.soulcourage.com

When you create an unwavering practice of Gratitude in Advance, it empowers you with a vision on which to focus, giving your thoughts a respite from roaming in uncertainty, and keeping you from sliding into overwhelm or despair. This, in itself, almost immediately puts you in a place of peace.

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Photo by sergey Svechnikov 88 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e November 2019

T

he chill had set in and Winter’s voice was here. Lavandaia made her way to work. The cold was so intense that she could see each exhale, a frozen white mist that lead her way as she picked up her pace. In the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a homeless man standing outside the entrance to the metro. He was not asking for donations, instead, he was smiling at each person passing by. He looked as if he had seen better times, his clothes, face, and hands were covered with the soot of the city. He was coatless and his sweater was riddled with holes. She noticed that not a single soul smiled back. They all had their head down hypnotized by the 1 million little light bulbs in the palm of their hands. It was as if he was invisible, a ghost, no one seemed to see him at all. That simple scene broke her heart and made her reflect on how separated and distant human beings can be from each other. She continued to walk, made a point to make eye contact and then smile at him. It was in that exact instant, Mother Nature started to speak.

Don’t look so surprised, these people are becoming more and more unaware of THE OTHER. They have forgotten the sense of oneness with other people, with the universe and also with Me. What do you think most Humans consider Me, if at all? Am I simply a place to move, to inhabit, and to litter me cement? I am a Sentient Being, an intelligent being not just a place.

One Million little light bulbs

By Lavandaia & Marco Nunzio Alati

I give you this “space” freely, to do with it what you will, as I am a living being with feelings of pure love and pure giving. Indeed, what I am, is only the mirror of what you are. We are all one, we are truly interconnected and the destruction you are creating in me is the same destruction which you are inflicting upon yourself.

At this moment in time, the people who walk facing down are experiencing a phase of self-destruction by the wrong utilization of what you call technology. Technology is becoming their source for immediate satisfaction. Pressing a button is enough to get all kind of information, contacts and images leaving them void of the joy of discovery. There is no discovery, no exploration, no journey, only selfish goals and desires.

Each day the goal becomes converting work into financial gain, regardless of true purpose and passion. Then at days end, instead of retiring home to take care of their spouse, children or pets, they run and stare for hours at the screen of their TV or their phone. They forget they are only digital platforms, electronic reproductions of lives they wish they were living.

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They are attached to “screens”, the phone screen, the computer screen, the television screen, and they are increasingly programmed to see violence, fighting and suffering as a "natural" behavior. As a result of this collective manipulation you look forward to your Sunday football game, where inside the stadium anger and violence is vented. They watch television shows where often the only goals of the talk show guests are to insult each other. They then use their learned behavior to act out on the people around them.

Poor humans, they have lost the taste of life. They don't go home to dance, celebrate, laugh and make love. They go home only to contemplate and dream in an illusionary state as they passively absorb what a sterile screen offers. In turn, this leads them to be isolated and separated from the others, from Mother Earth and eventually from their true self. But we are all one, you cannot escape from this truth, and as you become more aware of the lack of the connection with the other, frustration and anger begin to raise.

So, what are you choosing every instant? Are you choosing to disrupt life or to honor life?

Let me repeat again, WE ARE ALL ONE. I am a sentient being who is giving you my space, and instead of creating beauty and love, you often use the space for pure madness and continue to be unaware of it.

Therefore, in this very moment, here is my invitation.

Instead of thinking only of oneself, try thinking of the entire globe as One, as cells of the same organism, as different colors forming the same painting. Rejoice and celebrate life with each other. Try smiling at the homeless person you see every day on the corner, hug your dad if you haven’t in years, make love with your partner with the passion of teenagers and a timeless complicity, play with your children as it was the most important business you could ever take care of. By feeling and being one, you will be part of the orchestra of the most spectacular melody in the universe, the music of life.

The cold was relentless, making its way through Lavandaia’s flannel shirt, heavy sweater and wool jacket. Without hesitation, she removed her wool coat and handed it to the homeless man. No words were exchanged, he responded by smiling and true love and warmth were felt. His eyes, the color of the sky, lit up, as it was the most beautiful light bulb she saw that day. Lavandaia turned around and sneezed, and in that split second, as she looked back, he was already

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gone. In that moment, her heart mended. Maybe he was just an angel reminding her of the power and beauty of One. Lavandaia then moved forward, with a new sense of wonder, off to the metro, off to her day.

After graduation in Industrial Biotechnology, Marco played a key role in international research projects in Canada, Austria and Spain. He stumbled upon the Reconnection by mere chance and it enlightened him in ways he hadn't realized he needed.

Three months after that unique experience, he left his job in biotechnology and embarked on his journey to become a full time Reconnective Healing Practitioner, and one of the two Italian Mentors and Teaching Assistants of Eric Pearl’s \ direct Team.

He is currently living in Los Angeles and collaborating with a number of independent scientific studies that are exploring Reconnective Healing and its extraordinary benefits.

For info contact marco.alati@gmail.com 323-617-2289 “Description” is all in the eyes of that who is experiencing, thus “description” of “who” becomes irrelevant. And the truth is, that describing Lavandaia using “words” is like trying to catch a fragrance.

Scent cannot be caught, it can only be enjoyed and discovered through the experience itself. Who Lavandaia “is” is her mission, Giving clarity and divine knowledge to those who are willing to move forward in life and explore how to express their highest self.

For more information visit www.lavandaia.org, or contact us at paola.seed@gmail.com

Celebrity influencers and guests walked the red carpet including actress Laurel Holloman (The L Word), actor Gregory Montel (Call My Agent), actor Alex Lange (Code Black, Red Ruby), actor & influencer Matthieu Lange (The Dead Girls Detective Agency, Foursome) film producer, Actor and director Matthieu Lange, director Eric Metayer (The Suicide Shop, Little Tickles), actor Jimmy Jean-Louis (Joy, The Bourne Identity), actress Doria Tillier (Mr. & Mrs. Adelman, Nothing to Hide), director Ludovic Bernard (Taken, Mesrine, Lucy), actress Anais Tellene (Camping, It Happened in Saint-Tropez), actress Christine Sclafani (Black Monday, The Other Wife), actor Raphael Thierry (Close Enemies, Les deguns), Actress Rayna Campbell (Lapes of Honor, Layla Fourie), Cat Simmons (The Bill, Family Affairs...) producer Martine Meloul (Breaking and Exiting, Beyond the Sky) and French Vice-Consul, Nathalie Soirat among many others.

The BARNES at COLCOA French Film Festival 23rd Edition Official Closing Festival Party at Heritage Fine Wines

by SpLAshPR Agency Photography by Isabelle Ruen

Thanks to all the Sponsors: Coachella Party, Le Salon de Thé, Savage Executive Protection, Vatel Hotel & Tourism Business School, Boiron USA, Watson Headquarters, 2 French Chicks, and Atmosphere Mar Vista.

Le Café de la Plage, French District, MissApple LA, Aurelia Belliti Paris, Teuscher Chocolate, Champagne Codan-Remy, Le Grand Courtage & Très Chic rose, red wine Hourtin-Ducasse, Badoit/Evian, Claire Degérin Immigration, Law & visas and Maison Privée

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Sacred Souls by Mark Barone

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