Have a Ho Ho Christmas - a Natural Energy Booster

Have a Ho Ho Ho Happy Christmas

I’ve decided that it is time I put more humour into my life, and that means seeing the funny side of frustrations.

Last night I went to a Christmas Party for our Toastmasters Club, and we had to each stand up and say what our best Christmas present was. One man said ‘a toy that had the batteries included’.

We live in a ‘wire-less’ age, where we are dispensing with cords left right and centre, and replacing them with ‘cordless’ or battery operated gadgets.

Two things I love are my cordless iron and my re-chargeable battery operated vacuum cleaner. No longer do I get a cord caught up on chair legs and bookcases, and I can easily do what my mother used to call ‘a quick whip around’ with the cleaning.

No so my cordless (wireless) mouse.

Because I spend so much time at the computer I am constantly changing batteries (re-chargable thank goodness, or it would cost me a fortune). I have exchanged the batteries so often that the little trapdoor has fallen off its hinges and I have to put it on with sticky tape. This is not as effective as it was, which means the mouse has to be manipulated to get it to work properly.

I can see what’s going on my Christmas list for Santa – a new mouse.

Back to the Toastmasters Christmas Party.

It was the most wonderful function, in a back yard of one of our members, though you could hardly call it a ‘yard’ in the best Aussie tradition. My pommie friend tells me that in England people don’t have ‘yards’, they have ‘gardens’. Our party venue was neither. It was a manicured lawn with one big tree, and it sloped down on each side to the canal that surrounded it. In the distance we could see the beautiful lights of Surfers Paradise, on a glorious balmy summer evening.

The patio area was decorated with Christmas lights and the tables lit up with sparkles. The food was fresh Queensland fruit, traditional turkey, ham and vegetables followed by plum pudding and custard with other delectable deserts, all served out of doors. Oh, the energizing qualities of the aromas, tastes and experiences of delicious food.

If I wasn’t to have another Christmas meal, I know I would be satisfied with what was spread before us.

The entertainment was something else. Our Table Topics master extraordinaire had hats and head-dresses for Santa and Mrs Santa, reindeer – male and female!!??, and Santa’s elves, who each made up a humourous story about their role. Rudolf got the most laughs with his geeing up, in more ways than one, of the other reindeer, and the crowd.

More humour by Paula made the night a winner.

If you haven’t enjoyed a Toastmasters activity, then consider coming along, particularly to a club that has a motto similar to ours – ‘Have Fun While you Learn’.

So, as I go into Christmas with a Ho, Ho, Ho I wish you also much fun and laughter. Remember - laughter is a Natural Energy Booster. The more you laugh the more energized you with feel.

Live with Energy
Joan

Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, Visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.comJoan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com/

Natural Energy Boosters and the Bottle-nosed Dolphin

Dolphins know how to generate energy.

I have been fascinated by dolphins since I read a book by Karen Pryor in which she described her unforgettable experiences of learning to work and play with them.

Much later, I had a closer encounter with these cetaceans. They are the ultimate example of how to use Natural Energy Boosters to remain forever young.

Dolphins are:

D aring, diving, dancing
O riginal
L oving and lovable
P layful
H ealing, helpful
I ntelligent and Imaginative
N urturing
S ensual, with sounds, singing and swimming.


Daring:
Dolphins have been known to attack sharks, and at least ward them off, particularly if one of their species is being attacked, but it is a myth that they are great enemies of the shark. They usually only take on sharks the same size or smaller.
Diving and Dancing: The antics of dolphins in diving, surfing, breaching, bow riding, twirling, leaping and more can make it appear that they are carrying out an incredible dance of their own creation.

Original:
Dolphins are the only animals which can continually create new games. I remember reading in Karen's book how she and other trainers wanted to determine how creative their charges were, so they only rewarded the dolphins when they created a new game.
Karen's recent account on her website of ‘What dolphins do at Christmas’ describes how they trained the dolphins to trim the Christmas tree. She says:
‘Now a little time is allowed for the animal to get used to swimming around dragging the garland—oh, say, 10 seconds, you don't want the animal to get too interested and start playing 101 Things to do with a Garland.’

Loving:
Dolphins are loving in the care of other members of the pod, and they are also lovable creatures. Humans seem to be drawn to dolphins, almost as if we are members of the same species. It is a thrill to observe them, and a spiritual experience to swim with them.

Playful:
They love to play. To look at their smiling faces and see their boundless energy you would think they had not a care in the world. Unlike us, they don’t ever sleep – they take 30 minute naps with half their brain always alert.

Healing:
Swimming with dolphins has been shown to reduce depression, and dolphin sounds are used by some for meditation.

Intelligent: Dolphins seem to deliberately make their games difficult in order to learn from them.

Nurturing: Dolphins carry their young for 12 months and after the birth an ‘aunty’ dolphin will help to nurture them. If a baby is taken by a predator the mothers mourn for them. Dolphin pods are small but tight groups where they care for each other.

Sounds, Songs and Senses:
Dolphins communicate in many ways: with language, sound, chemical releases, bubble blowing, body posture, touch and splashing on the water’s surface. Each dolphin has a unique Signature Whistle – a high-pitched sound which emanates from the blow-hole on the top of the head. Clicking sounds help them identify the distance and size of objects.

What can we discover about using Natural Energy Boosters to energize us from studying Dolphin behaviour?

• Dare to Do – Dance Dive and enjoy
• Originality and Creativity will keep us alert, alive and youthful
• Love more, and be Lovable
• Play as much as we can every day
• Heal ourselves and heal others. Take advantage of natural healing, including deep breathing and lots of exercise.
• Intelligence is expanded by creative energy and Imagination
• Nurturing our young people, families, friends and other people will create energy throughout our long lives.
• Swim, and use Sounds, Song and Senses to be alive and enlivened.
  
  Live with Energy
  Joan

Joan Small is the author of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, and the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. She empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. See http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com/

Balancing Motion and Meditation – Natural Energy Boosters

I have been writing about Motion as a Natural Energy Booster for my monthly newsletter, and it made me realise the importance of balance.

For a set of scales to balance it has to have equal weights on opposite sides. Likewise, in our lives that we must have equal weight on opposite sides.

How do we balance Motion? With lack of motion.

The closest we can come to lack of motion with our 'perpetual motion machine' bodies and our constantly busy minds is to be still for at least some part of the day.

I read a book recently called 'Talk and Grow Rich' in which the author, Ron Holland, devotes the first two chapters to what he calls S.S.S. - Silence, Stillness and Solitude.

S.S.S. is a method of meditation - an answer to stress, a way to tap into our natural creativity and to hand over our problems to the subconscious mind - the master mind.

The technique is simple but not easy. According to Holland, you find a place where you won't be disturbed and you empty your mind. Try not to think of anything. If you do this for half an hour a day, you will find your life will change.

By using this technique, you will generate more good ideas, what Ron Holland calls 'Eurekas'. Your health will improve and you will have more peace of mind. You will also be more energized.
Great men such as Thomas Edison and Leonardo Da Vinci used techniques such as this to power their genius.

Meditation is a Natural Energy Booster.

'Clear Your Mind' is the first book in my series, 'Allow Yourself...You Deserve It'. In this volume, I talk about how, we pick up thoughts and opinions from others throughout our lives, and many of these thoughts are negative. The mind has a habit of replaying these as we go about our daily lives. The noisy mind interferes with our enjoyment of life and our creativity.

So while you are getting into action every day, and making sure you tap into the Natural Energy Booster of being in motion, also pay some attention to the other side of the balance by making time to be still and to clear your mind of any thoughts.

As the poet Cary said:

Strive not to banish pain and doubt,
In pleasure's noisy din.
The peace thou seekest from without
Is only found within.

Live with Energy
Joan

Subscribe to my newsletter here: http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com/#anc_subscribe

Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, Visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.comJoan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com/joansmallbooks.htm

Bindy Irwin's Speech, Peter Brock, Steve Irwin and Natural Energy

Steve Irwin’s Memorial Service at his beloved Crocoseum was a moving ceremony.
But nothing was more moving than his daughter Bindy’s speech.

With amazing composure, the eight-year-old read from a single page. This is what she read:

“My daddy was my hero. He was always there for me when I needed him. He listened to me and taught me so many things, but most of all he was fun.

I knew Daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so everyone would love wildlife like he did.

He built a hospital to help animals and he bought lots of land to give animals a safe place to live.

He took me and my brother and my mum with him all the time. We swam, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together.

I don’t want Daddy’s passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did.

I have the best Daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day.

When I see a crocodile I will always think of him, and I know that Daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals.

Daddy made this place his whole life.

Now it’s our turn to help Daddy.

Thankyou.”

Bindy is showing herself to be a 'chip off the old block', but with her mother's composure and confidence. She is energised and strengthened by her love of animals and her conviction that she will continue the work her daddy did for conservation. She is calling 'Australia Zoo' my zoo.

In typical Aussie fashion, jokes about the most serious of subjects do the rounds.

One joke is about Steve Irwin arriving at the Pearly Gates after a four day journey. He says to St Peter, 'Crikey mate, I don't think I'm going to like it here without my family, my friends or my animals.'
St Peter said, 'Well, as you've done so much in your short time on earth I will allow you to wish for one thing to bring inside with you.'
The Crocodile Hunter closes his eyes and wishes, and when he opens them he sees Peter Brock standing beside him.
'Crikey, Saint,' he says. 'I didn't say Brock. I said Croc!'

Both Steve Irwin and Peter Brock demonstrated incredible energy, passion and enthusiasm for life on a daily basis. With birthdays 4 days apart, and dying 4 days apart, they had many other things in common also. Both of them lived life to the full until their lives were over.

In Peter Brock's state funeral little-known facts about his private life were revealed. Peter is said to have had a 'glowing quality' and an insatiable curiosity, which helped him establish links with the indigenous people. He was dedicated to conservation, and one of his dreams was to clean up the Yarra River by enlisting the support of communities along the way.

He had a warped, self-deprecating sense of humour and an amazing laugh and, as the Hon. Fran Bailey MP said, his philosophy was:

• to live life to the full
• to grab every opportunity
• whatever skill you have, use it, and
• make it happen.

Peter Daicos, former Collingwood Football Champion, said whenever he saw Brocky he got an amazing adrenalin rush. But Peter was also a good host, making people feel at home as if he was an instant friend, and he was never too busy to spend time with a fan. He was a very real person.

Peter Brock has his handprints in an Avenue of the Stars. Not in Hollywood, but in a footpath in Tennant Creek - a small town in the heart of the Northern Territory. He is there beside other great Australian names such as John Farnham, Daryl Somers, Ted Egan, ironmen Guy Andrews and Trevor Hendy and more.

Peter Brock never wore a watch because he didn't want to be constrained by time. He believed life doesn't end when you pass away, so now, as the poem below says, he has moved into a different dimension where he will never age.

Live with Energy
Joan

Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, Visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.comJoan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com

A Tribute to Steve Irwin and Peter Brock

Croc and Brock’s Farewell

They stood inside the garden in Australia Zoo that day
The most beautiful of gardens where the crocodiles all play.
They had come in many thousands, looking on with tears in eye.
As the heroes of the moment both descended from the sky.

In the clouds they saw the image of Steve Irwin with his croc,
And beside him in his race car was a youthful Peter Brock.
Dressed in racing gear resplendent, Peter Perfect to a T.
And they heard Steve blurt out ‘Crikey, have you come to visit me?’

‘I remember I was swimming with the fish upon the reef.
My surroundings were amazing, such a scene defied belief.
We had cameras and were filming for my gorgeous Bindi child.
For her show, she wanted images of creatures swimming wild.’

‘Then a sting ray flew towards me with his wings outspread and wide.
I was mesmerized with magic as I came up to his side.
Then I swam above him slowly just to get a better view.
But he must have been quite startled. That was the last I knew.’

‘Though I’m the brave Croc Hunter, I am jelly fish inside.
I am Bob and Bindy’s daddy, and the day I died I cried.
For the parting took more courage than my wrestling with the crocs,
Catching snakes and spiders hiding in the crevasses and rocks.’

‘Now I’m here with Peter Perfect, not with Terri and the kids,
And I sure will miss them badly – they’re the greatest “billy lids”.
I will stay beside them always, though they won’t know I am there.
As they grow up and they prosper, they will know that I still care.’

‘I was born near Brocky’s birthday, February 22,
Four days before his big day, quite coincidental too,
As I died four days before him in a freak of fate quite strange.
If I’d wanted a companion no-one better I’d arrange.’

‘For Brock’s a national hero. Always striving for the best,
He was called “King of the Mountain”; he was faster than the rest.
With ten victories at Bathurst, his Brock Special was his brand,
And his name will be remembered through our great Australian land.’

‘And like me, the King was having fun the day he left the earth,
At a rally in his coupe, somewhere not too far from Perth.
When he slid across the wet road, and he failed to miss a tree.
I was watching from my cloud and saw him drifting up to me.’

‘Oh Crikey Brock, and welcome. It is not so bad up here.
You’ll be pleased to know we’ll never age, and I’ve brought Aussie beer.
We can keep an eye on all so that they do just what they ought,
Looking after all the animals and racing motor sport.’

‘It was time to draw our number on September 4 and 8.
Now St Peter is awaiting at the shining pearly gate.
And I bet we’re both admitted to the heavenly realm above
As there’s thousands in this garden who are showing us their love.’

© Joan Small Sept 2006
http://www.joansmall.com/joansmallpoetry.htm

Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com
Joan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com

Natural Energy Boosters and Responsibility

Taking responsibility for our actions is a
powerful Natural Energy Booster.

I was enjoying the afternoon at our 'Poetry in Paradise' on the deck of the Treehouse Gallery, listening to poets presenting their original work. The variety was amazing, but Brian Crelley's poem stood out as a wonderful story to illustrate how taking responsibility at an early age can shape our lives.

Brian has given me permission to publish his poem on my blog. If you wish to share it, please acknowledge the author.

THE SMARTEST DAD OF ALL

They caught us in the school tuck shop, my hands in a lolly jar.
Rick was sipping on a can of coke, Al munching on a chocolate bar.
Our pockets stuffed with goodies, as a copper walked in the door.
He knew us all by our first names, and we knew him from before.

We had busted the door off its hinges; the noise must have been too loud,
Cause as they loaded us into the van there was a gathering crowd.
The month would have been April. The year was fifty nine.
I was going on to twelve years of age, and it was Easter time.

They charged us with break and enter, and stealing from the school.
Dad was mad when they took me home, and called me ‘a bloody fool’.
Mum was terribly upset, but said she would take me to court on the day.
But she had to assure Dad she’d be fine, and it would be okay.

This was our first court appearance, but we had all been in trouble before.
We were all very sure we’d get out of it, but nobody knew for sure.
I could see that Mum was worrying. I saw a tear start up in her eye.
I could see the other parents watching. I whispered, ‘Mum, please don’t cry’.

She said, ‘I’ll ring your father. I’ll get him to come from work.
I’ll ask that man if I can use his phone, the sign says he’s the County Clerk’.
Our case was to be heard after lunch, and their lunch was two hours long.
By now Mum’s tears were plentiful. I whispered, ‘Come on Mum, be strong’.

Dad arrived, and Mum went home, and I could see the man was pissed.
I felt like running away right then, but I knew that I’d be missed.
We went into court at 2.15, the room painted a sombre grey,
And our judge, we heard, was in a foul mood, he’d already sent two boys away.

The charges were read out by the clerk, and I stared at the judge’s face.
He said, ‘What you four boys have done, was a bloody disgrace.’
Then he turned and asked all of us there to reflect on it for a while.
Then starting at one end, each parent got up to say something about their child.

Alan’s Mum got up to speak. She said that we made Al go along.
And Alan was such a very nice boy, but he was never very strong.
The other parents said their sons were good, just the company they were in,
And if he was to let us other boys go free, it will be a bloody sin.

Next it was Dad’s turn to speak, and we stood up side by side.
He said, ‘I won’t blame these other boys, and say my son went along for the ride.
He has a loving family, and he’s known right from wrong from the start,
But if you feel he should be sent away, it might break his mother’s heart.

But I’ll explain to her your reasons, and say you did what you thought best.
And to keep her head held up high, and stand up to the test.’
Well, I just stood there staring. I couldn’t believe what I heard him say.
Was he telling the judge it was all right by him if they sent his son away?

The judge went back to the first boy, and said, ‘I’m putting you in a home,
Where you will spend the next ninety days, with little space to roam.’
The next two boys got the same, then he turned and faced my dad,
‘I believe your son has learned a lesson, he knew what he did was bad.

So I’ll place him on a good behaviour bond, it will be harder in a way.
I’ll make it a year, and if he faces me again, I’ll send him away that day.’
Dad and I couldn’t believe what we heard, we had a grin from ear to ear.
Dad went over and thanked the judge, then said, ‘Let’s get out of here.’

I remember the look on one parent’s face, a look of shock as I recall.
As I walked away holding the hand of the smartest Dad of all.

© Brian Crelley 2006 Tugun Queensland (Reprinted with permission.)

Live with Energy
Joan

Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, Visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com
Joan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com

Natural Energy Boosters and Australian Idol

It's that time of year again - the time when the team of three - Mark, Marsha and Kyle, travel around Australia to audition young people for 'Australian Idol'.

I watched much of the previous two years of 'Idol' - the excitement, the hype, the tears and the ecstasy, and it made me proud to be Australian. Our amazing young people. – Guy, Shannon, Casey and Anthony, and the rest of the top twelve who performed at the spectacular final night at Sydney's beautiful Opera House.

The Sydney Opera House is, to me, a symbol of the fact that, like with the aspiring Idols, what we see on the outside does not always reflect what is inside.

The story of the Opera House is this:

John Utzon, a relatively unknown Danish architect, entered an anonymous competition to design the Opera House. He was audacious in his design, breaking all architectural rules, and he was energised by his passion for the project. This is how he described it:

"... I saw the roof, like sails, white in the strong day, the whole thing slowly coming to life as the sun shone from the east and lifted overhead. In the hot sun of the day it will be a beautiful white shimmering thing - as alive to the eyes as architecture can make anything, set in the blue-green waters of the harbour. At night the flood-lit shells will be equally vibrant, but in a softer, more majestic way."

However, 'flat earth thinkers' stepped in, and sent him packing back to Denmark. The interior was completed by someone else. But John Utzon's dream for the outside of the Opera House did come true. The white sails gleam in the sunlight, and it has become as much an icon as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, affectionately known as ‘The Coat-hanger'.

The Opera House creates beautiful shells on the outside, just as some of the aspiring Idols are just shells without the pearl inside. They lack the star quality the judges are seeking.
Thousands of hopefuls from around Australia have been put to the test in order to come up with the initial top 100.

The three'Australian Idol' judges are now ‘seasoned’. For Marsha and Mark this is their third time round, and they are looking at 'the whole package'.

They've travelled all around Australia - to all the capital cities and then some. Places like Alice Springs and Albury have been included this year.

Many young people have presented with passion - full of energy , but they can't sing. Others have good singing voices but their dress is slovenly or their personality and energy level is bland. Others have false confidence and enthusiasm, but like the Opera House, what is inside just doesn't reach the standard.

Many were called and responded, but few were chosen, and next week their number will be cut in half. Thousands have walked away disappointed, deflated and discouraged, but some still have their dreams intact and are determined to pursue them.

For some it was a brief moment of fame, for others just a bit of fun. Some didn't even want to show their faces, preferring to hide inside costumes, an egg, Spiderman, monsters and clowns.

What did it show us about the youth and spirit of Australia, and what does it tell us about Natural Energy Boosters?

It showed that in the true Aussie Spirit our young people are still willing to 'have a go', and it shows that there is still a lot of incredible musical talent in our vast country.

Whether the contestants got a buzz or a Natural Energy high, from performing, competing or winning, it doesn't matter.

Australian Idol is an event that gets the youth of today singing across the nation.

Despite the cutting remarks of some of the judges, the musical energy waves, as well as the laughter energy, that has been released in the last few weeks will have swept away much of the negative energy from news broadcasts and political agendas. After all, isn’t having fun and giving it a go what life is all about?

And hopefully, like the Sydney Opera House, the participants who are like the shell - more beautiful on the outside than the inside, will respond to the music inside to discover the real person.

Australian Idol’s larrikin attitude is epitomised in the saying by James Kannis, who was the first wildcard to be put through to the final twelve in 2005:

"Music is food for the soul, the world is hungry and I'm a giant kebab with everything on it".

Live with Energy
Joan

Joan Small is the author of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, and the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. She empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. See http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com/ 'Allow Yourself...You Deserve It' four-book series http://www.joansmall.com/

Natural Energy Boosters, Sophie Delezio & Natural Energy

What Energizes You? What De-energizes You?

When I asked people in my energy survey ‘What de-energizes you?’ some said poor health - things like migraines, chronic pain and feeling unwell.

One of the most successful energizers is good health, and one of the best natural energy boosters is to tap into the natural resources we have in body, mind and spirit to generate and maintain a healthy state.

I believe in the body’s immune system and the body’s natural ability to heal itself, and yet every day new names for new so-called incurable diseases are being invented.

Have you ever looked up a medical dictionary on the Internet? There you will see hundreds of illnesses and ailments for every letter of the alphabet. If you don’t believe me, search 'medical dictionary diseases' and see for yourself.

It’s my belief that there is really only one cause of disease, where ‘dis-ease’ means the body not at ease. That cause is a bodily imbalance.

When the body is out of balance it becomes diseased, and it is quite simple to put the body back into balance, depending on how out of balance it is, though it may take time. I have written about this in my book, ‘The Energy Book for Life' the Guide to Energetic Living.

Everybody knows the body heals itself. You just have to see a cut, graze or bruise repairing tissue over time to know this. Everyone takes it for granted that, on the outside, our cells are replaced with new healthy ones with little or no assistance from doctors or medications.

Why is it then that many people, medical professionals and scientists, don’t believe we can be healed inside without drugs or surgery? Is it simply ‘Doubting Thomas’ syndrome, or ‘I’ll believe it when I see it’?

I had one of these ‘incurable’ ailments in the early 1990’s; osteo-arthritis. It was all through my body, neck, back, knees, ankles, wrists and worst in my hips. I was advised to have hip replacements. However, I discovered a herbal nutritional program which eliminated the symptoms in three months. Not only has the arthritis gone but these natural energy boosters provide me with energy every day.

Unfortunately, when miraculous recoveries occur as the result of nutritional products, hypnotherapy or other alternative healing methods, the medical profession seldom admits to it, and records it as ‘spontaneous remission’ or some such thing.

The saying, ‘Mind over Matter’ is an old one. There’s nothing new about mind power. In recent years we saw this demonstrated by a brave little girl called Sophie Delezio.

Sophie is one person who did need medical science to save her because of her extreme physical injuries. At only three years of age she lost both feet, some fingers and suffered third-degree burns to 85 per cent of her body when a car crashed into her kindergarten centre and she was trapped under the burning vehicle.

The wonderful care Sophie received and the courage displayed by this little girl and all who helped and supported her are almost too much to fathom.

Sophie has the face of an angel. Almost every part of her body was damaged, except for her beautiful face. I watched her on television bestowing the sunshine of her smile on those who were with her.

Sophie was welcomed back to school in January this year, and the children were delighted to be with her. There was no hint of self pity, though I cannot imagine the pain and trauma she has suffered. She is truly a spirit who can rise above the body and tap into natural energy resources, including the love and support of her family and others. This has enabled her to continue to enjoy life and aid her own recovery despite enormous obstacles.

The tragedy is that in May this year, Sophie was again run down by a car, and ended up back in hospital with a broken jaw and shoulder bone and multiple rib fractures. Her courageous spirit has allowed her to fight back once more.

On July 20th she again returned to school. Sophie is a very real example of the power of the mind, body and spirit to work with the miracle of modern science to heal itself.

This is the place of modern medicine - to work with natural healing, not to suppress it.

Live with Energy,
Joan

Joan Small is the author of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, and the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. She empowers people to make positive changes in their lives.
http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com
http://www.joansmall.com

Natural Energy Boosters and Gold Coast Hospital World

I recently came home from a stay in ' Gold Coast Hospital World',

an 'Energizing' experience

As you probably know, Australia's Gold Coast is a Mecca for theme parks. there's Seaworld, Dreamworld, Wet and Wild, Movie World and more. But my visit to Gold Coast Hospital World was not a choice, but a necessity. My ticket of entry was a fall on my bottom (tripped myself up on my laptop strap - unbelievable but true!!)

My pick-up vehicle was the spacious, smooth white van with orange checked decoration and a light on the roof, equipped with a bed and instant room service.

I toured the Gold Coast Hospital Theme Park from bottom to top, wending my way through the excitement and frenetic activity of Casualty land, before lobbing into the Observation Resting Post.

I went on all the rides, the X-ray ride, the MRI Ride, the CT Scan ride, the A to B: B to A bed ride (I liked that one) reminiscent of dodgem cars as we wove in amongst other adventurers in Emergency City.

I moved up to a luxury suite on the 7th floor with a 5 star view of Surfers Paradise, the Nerang River and the ocean. There I experienced a variation on the bed ride, which was the tilt and lift bed ride. I learned to operate this myself but I didn't quite advance to obtaining my own license.

I got a little 'high' on Panadeine forte , which sent me off to 'Dreamworld' at no extra cost. The lady in the bed opposite told me she had been on the Wet 'n' Wild Ride during the night, but I wasn't envious - that one sounded a bit out of my league.

I had lots of laughs with other adventurers in this theme park, and we enjoyed room-service meals served with a smile.

One of the best things about Gold Coast Hospital World was the cheerful friendly manner of the attendants. They have obviously done their customer service courses.

Before I left, my friends in the luxury suite and I were upgraded to a room with an easterly view. My room-mates were to be treated to a view of the sun rising in the morning, but my visit had ended and I had to check out. But before I left I had one more ride - the wheel-chair ride.

I had been given practice in operating the crutches ride by myself, and I must have passed the test as they gave me my own set to take home as a souvenir and to use as often as I wished.

I was happy to be collected in my limo and brought to my door at home.
The Gold Coast has many theme parks, even unexpected ones. and I shall certainly recommend the Gold Coast Hospital World Theme Park to anyone who wishes to 'enjoy' this experience.

Seriously though, I found the experience was an energizing one, because I chose to make it so. It made me very grateful for our Lucky Country, where we are so fortunate to be cared for in this way.

What were the Natural Energy Boosters? A positive attitude, smiles and laughter, good company, attractive surroundings (and a view) loving care and attention, and a determination not to let the circumstances steal my energy. How does it get better than this?

Live with Energy
Joan

Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, Visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com
Joan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com

Natural Energy Boosters and Guinness World Records

People are energized by the strangest things.

I was watching a program on Guinness World Records and was amazed to see two men competing to attach the most pegs to their face. No word of a lie, here were two very ordinary, sensible looking men, with a bowl full of clothes pegs, systematically pinning them to various parts of their facial anatomy until they looked like lions with their manes on backwards.

Not one member of the audience laughed. It was serious business.

This is something I have never considered a natural energy booster, but the winner looked elated with his result: more than 120 clothes pegs attached.

Two more contestants competed to eat a raw onion in a certain amount of time. The man who won this looked like he was going to spew onion over everyone. Insult was added to injury, however, when he was told he had failed to beat the existing world record.

Where have we come to, when people are prepared to go to these lengths to be recognised in a book?

One record I could understand was that of the ‘Oldest Windsurfer’. When he retired in 1986, Australia's Otto Comanos, then 66 years old, took up windsurfing and until recently regularly windsurfed two to three times a week in and around the lakes of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Because of arthritic pain he has had to switch to canoeing.

Otto obtained obvious pleasure from windsurfing and canoeing, and was not just doing it to get into the Guinness Book. To him water sports were a natural energy booster.

In 'The Energy Book for Life' I talk about Anthony Kelly, 'The Arrow Catcher', who has 7 black belts in Martial Arts and holds 8 Guinness World Records in arrow catching, paintball catching and the most punches in a minute. In the book, Anthony explains what energizes him and how he contributes to the energy of others, especially young people.

I won’t knock the Guinness Book of Records because it creates for many people much pleasure and passion which are natural energy boosters. It inspires others to go for a goal, and it is not only the competitors who benefit but the people who buy the book and those who watch the show.

When I watched the show it gave me a good laugh – another excellent natural energy booster.

What thrills you? What gives your heart a lift?

It is not only a pleasure to find things you enjoy doing, but it is your job, your duty, your responsibility.

As the Dalai Llama says:

‘The purpose of life is to be happy.’

The more happiness you enjoy, the more energy you will generate, and you will radiate this to those around you. Happiness, laughter and enjoyment are infectious. You will be more likely to stay healthy and well, to contribute to others and society.

So be like the Guiness World Record holders and go for your passion. Find and enjoy your own natural energy boosters, every day.

Live with Energy
Joan

Joan Small is the author of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, and the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. She empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. See http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com

Natural Energy Boosters and Broken Bones

Broken bones and energy may appear to be opposing concepts.
You may well ask, 'How can you be energized with a broken bone?'
This is the question I have had to ask myself. Twice!
Two years ago I slipped on the wet tiles and landed heavily on my right hand. Snap! Crackle and pop! Two bones in my wrist were broken and the arm twisted.
Ouch! Very big ouch I might say. I discovered that nothing hurts as badly as broken bones - not even childbirth.

I pride myself on being an energetic person, easily able to energize myself under any circumstance, but this one was a challenge.

If you want to read about the follow-up to this accident and what I learned from it, you can obtain my book, 'The Energy Book for Life'.

You'd think I would have learned my lesson from this, but no.
A few weeks ago I tripped myself up with the strap of my laptop computer case, flung myself on the floor and did some more bone damage - this time to my lower back. I ended up spending a few days in luxury accommodation in hospital.

Enough to de-energize any person. But in fact it didn't.
Why not?
Because I didn't allow it to.

Over many years I have strengthened up my energy muscles. My previous experience with broken bones has enabled me to handle pain without letting it change my attitude.
I am fortunate to have many good friends who rallied around to help me, even when I emerged from hospital walking with crutches.

I was able to tap into natural energy boosters to renew my spirit and not to worry about consequences. In fact I never worry about consequences. What's the point?
People used to say to me, 'Don't worry. It might never happen.'
Now I know it might never happen and I don't allow myself to worry.
Earl Nightingale said that over 85% of what we worry about never happens.

So what did I do when I was landed in hospital for an enforced rest.
I enjoyed being pampered. I joked and laughed with my fellow patients - a bunch of interesting characters, and the nurses glowed when they received expressed gratitude and compliments.
I had a friend bring to me the manuscript I was editing and I productively used the time to edit the document un-interrupted.
I didn't watch TV. I find a lot of TV de-energizing and time-wasting.
Friends came to visit and we had a lovely time catching up.
When I went home, I gratefully accepted any help that was offered. Friends and family shopped, cleaned my floors, and as soon as I was able to sit in a car they took me to places.
I weaned myself off pain-killers by doing meditation before sleep and taking my energy boosting nutritional supplements.

It wasn't 'me' that was disabled or incapacitated - only a part of my body. I was still in control of my attitude.
So even though I couldn't walk, or train for the walking race I'd intended to participate in, I could still use natural energy boosters to keep on track and enjoy every moment

What were the natural energy boosters I used?
Mind control; refusing to worry about consequences, and living completely in the moment.
Tapping into the resources of others: conversation, laughter, friendship and caring.
Keeping my mind occupied and doing what I could do - being productive with my book editing.
Expressing gratitude.
Good nutrition.
Maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude.

Now I am almost mended.

Healing was helped by a positive mental attitude, good nutrition and laughing at myself. Laugher is the best medicine after all. There's jokes about everything - here's one about broken bones:

A conversation between one little girl and an x-ray technician. "Have you ever broken a bone?" he asked."Yes," the girl replied."Did it hurt?""No.""Really? Which bone did you break?""My sister's arm."

After only 5 weeks I was walking again, driving my car and leading a normal life. By being tied to my home business I was able to complete several incomplete projects; websites and books.
How lucky I am that the body heals itself, and that my fall didn't result in anything permanent.
Another energizing experience.

The natural energy boosters I have mentioned here are just a few of the many listed in 'The Energy Book for Life'.
Visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com/ to read more about how to obtain natural vitality with natural energy boosters.

Leo Buscaglia said:
‘Don't hold to anger, hurt or pain. They steal your energy and keep you from love.’
If you wish to experience energy every day, let go of negative feelings that come from unwanted incidents, for it's not what happens to us but how we respond to what happens that makes the difference.

Live with Energy
Joan

Joan Small is the author of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, and the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. She empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. See http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com/