Karen's Personal Growth Blog - BalanceBoost

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2008-06-10T22:36:00.002-04:00

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IT’S TIME FOR SPRING CLEANING!

2008-03-24T19:18:00.004-04:00

Have you ever thought of detoxing? A friend brought this idea to me in 2000 when I did it for the first time. I did it 3 years in a row after that. I understand there are a lot of different ways in which to achieve the overall goal, but what you will read in this post is about detoxing in the most natural way.

Its not about taking a bunch of capsules or supplements. I do not recommend that you perform this detox without the supervision of your health care provider. Not many “western docs” are going to endorse this alternative therapy, however a routine check-up before, during, and after is recommended to monitor important signs and symptoms that will tell your doc that something isn’t right.

Below are some of the detox guideline that I have written a long time ago. All of the objective information was taken from a book called “PRESCRIPTIONS FOR NUTRITIONAL HEALING.”

Improve Your Health

One of the most important things you can do to improve your health is to undergo a detoxification and cleansing program. We focus a lot on cleansing the outside of our bodies with little thought to what is going on inside. For most of us who have been eating dead and nutrient depleted foods for decades, you can bet there is need for detoxifying.

Problem: Toxic World

We live in a toxic world with chemicals from factories, trucks, pesticides and oral drugs. In 1989, a total of 5.7 billion pounds of pollutants were released into the environment in just 1 year in North America alone. More than 1 billion pounds of chemicals were released into the ground, contaminating soil and the water table. Over 188 million pounds of chemicals were discharged into waters, and more than 2.4 billion pounds of chemical emissions were pumped into the air.

What is detoxification and cleansing?

Detoxification is the natural process of filtering wastes and toxins from cells, organs, and the bloodstream. Cleansing is the process of eliminating toxins from the body. When these two processes function normally, optimal health is achieved.

Herbal cleansing programs use a combination of herbs and properties that support all the detoxification and elimination organs: the lungs, liver, lymphatic system, blood, colon, skin, and kidneys.

Most cleansing products today focus primarily on the colon. They contain strong laxative herbs that force elimination. Colon elimination is important, but it is only ONE part of the cleansing process. Herbal cleanse programs should support functions of ALL body systems, especially the liver.

What is Fasting?
Why is it effective?

Over time, toxins build up in the body as the result of the pollutants in the air we breathe, the chemicals in the food and water we consume, and other means. Periodically, the body seeks to rid itself of these toxins and releases them from the tissues. The toxins then enter the bloodstream, causing the body to experience a “low” or “down” cycle. During such a cycle, you may suffer from headaches, diarrhea, or depression.

Fasting is an effective and safe method of helping the body detoxify itself and move through this low cycle with greater speed and fewer symptoms. In fact, fasting is recommended for any illness, as it gives the body the rest it needs to recover. Acute illness, colon disorders, allergies, and respiratory diseases are most responsive to fasting, while chronic degenerative diseases are the least responsive.

By relieving the body of the work of digesting foods, fasting permits the system to rid itself of toxins while facilitating healing. But fasting is helpful not just in times of poor health or during the body’s low cycles. By fasting regularly, you give all of your organs a rest, and thus help reverse the aging process and live a longer, healthier life.

I have done this type of detox every year for 4 years. After the first time I did it, I really understood how I re-calibrated my sense of taste for healthier more wholesome foods. I did not require fatty, overly sugared foods to feel satisfied. I became much more aware and connected to my body and the signals it was sending me. I was iffy about when or if I would do the fast again. But low and behold, the next spring, my body told me it was ready for the detox again. It was just an intuition about its need for re-calibration.

With every fast I had a better year of health and positive food choices afterward. I became more conscious of everything that I chose to allow my body to interact with. I recommend trying it with another person, or a team. I do the fast with my friend who lives in California, and we support eachother throughout. If you are more interested in the comprehensive guide to doing this detox, let me know and I will email it to you. It will explain everything!

I challenge you to a Spring CleanSing!

Everyone has it...

2008-03-17T16:31:00.006-04:00

I am not talking about a cell phone or an Ego, which will be discussed in a future post, I'm referring to THE ABILITY FOR SPIRITUALITY.

Spirituality is having the awareness and honoring the essence of who we are on a deeper level. It is connecting with this divine part of ourselves that is able to perceive the deeper essence of the world around us. On this level, we can interact and see our connection to all living things. When we lose ourselves in watching each wave roll in, or watch a sunset for its last 10 seconds in the sky, we perceive more than what we see with our eyes. I believe that having gratitude and going inside our intuition for answers is a vehicle by which we can interact with our spirituality.

I can recall a time in my life when I was in college, studying rigorously as a student of molecular and microbiology. The deeper I became educated in the sciences the further I was from any sentence containing the words God, spirituality, or religion. I was proclaimed Agnostic and idea of atheism was perfectly okay. This was quite a change from my 12 years of catholic school for which my parents payed good money.

One day, I decided I needed a space in my home to escape from all of the stress and monotony. I had been practicing yoga for exercise, but soon began seeking to set up my "space." I started with a pillow, a candle, and a clock. When I was not reading for my classes I took up reading a book on how to meditate. Clearing my mind of thoughts while sitting on a pillow in front of a lit candle was where it started. When faced with the decision of going to PA school or applying to medical school I was bound by my thoughts and internal conflict on which one was better and what I was going to do. I became so overwhelmed with my lack of a solution, that I just decided to stop thinking about it alltogether. After a week or so, I was laying in bed in the dark, and the awareness of the choice I had to soon make came into my mind. Without any effort at all- there was the answer... So clear, so calming. I have never regretted that decision, and believe that all of this was the beginning of my spiritual journey.

Unfortunately, the idea of spirituality is avoided by most after distasteful encounters with religion or people who claim to be religious. Many "religions" tend to emphasize a power outside of us, to some deity that we hope has mercy on us. There is a strong belief system about right vs. wrong. And there is punishment if you are wrong. This instills a sense of separation to our world, rather than a connection.

To me, spirituality, is focusing on inner transformation. Using this inner transformation to change what we experience in the external world. Its an emphasis that we are fully creative of the world in which we live. In this way, perhaps there would be more compassion for ourselves and others. Maybe wars waged in the name of religion would be an distant memory.
Spiritual people tend to score higher on tests that measure happiness. Why not try some of these practices and see if you seem happier.

• Get into Nature

• Take on Yoga regularly

• Try meditating, sitting quietly, without thought, or stopping thought to listen to your intuition, or internal wisdom

• Journal or give awareness to GRATITUDE, and what you are thankful for in your life

• Read a book that inspires a new way of thinking, that fosters growth in you

• Learn about Buddhism, or other Eastern philosophies

I hope you are inspired to begin a spiritual journey for yourself. I am open to any comments or questions on the topic. There is so much that is available to us on this deeper level I call spirituality, and it can take on so many forms. Don’t be discouraged if none of them seem like a fit to you. Find your own way- that feels right to you.

But I warn you, don’t make an identity out of it- Like “ok, now I am the spiritual person…” because that is just your Ego talking, and it is far from spirituality.

Tell me what you think- click the link to comments, and let’s discuss!

Appreciating the People in Your Life

2008-03-13T12:15:00.003-04:00

Letter to Readers,

Personal Growth is less of teaching and reporting information to you, and more about inspiring you by getting into your sensitive areas, your emotions, etc. I want to inspire all to accept the journey of life being open to learning about yourself and life on your own. In other words, I do not want to outline for you how to do something- I want to make you want to figure it out and enjoy doing it. The idea is to be open and appreciate challenges because without them, we would not grow and evolve. I will inspire you mainly through my own experiences in addition to material I have read in books. When citing or referring to objective material or material published in books, I do it to let you know there is some basis for my opinion and so you may be interested in learning more from the same source.
The light within me sees the light within you.

- Karen Safarik

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie.

She said, "I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you."

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my Mother, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie."What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news."I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," I responded "just the two of us." She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting."We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mother sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said "Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice, much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place Mother and I had dined. An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for
me.

“I love you, son.” At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I love you." and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Someone said that person knows you love them, so you don't need to tell them... Or you have thought to yourself- “he knows I love him, I don’t have to show it by...”This is about appreciating the people in your lives while you have them....no matter who that person is. This is also about pushing past those emotionally challenging situations for the sake of the other person feeling your love and care. It’s about doing the right thing- like reaching out to your son or daughter (despite weird family circumstances) to really be a part of their lives. It’s not about doing it on your own terms, because that opportunity may never come.

I'll be there in....

2008-03-03T19:07:00.003-05:00

As I have been one day late in composing this blog- the topic I had chosen to write about became all the more appropriate.

PUNCTUALITY!

Now, here in Miami, its very easy to slip the old phrase in “I’m not late- its ‘Miami Time.'” But this time issue can really become annoying.

Do you typically run late? Because I know its annoying for you as a chronic “late-runner” as you have to swallow all those bad feelings you get because you look flaky and feel unprofessional. But once you swallow that pill you whole-heartedly explain that you were a victim of some circumstance. Ahh, there- you can continue lying to yourself that it’s not your fault.

I believe there are a lot of reasons for the chronic late runners… Although I have just about cured myself of this social affliction, I had to realize where I fall short so to bust myself and not do it anymore. Most of us are a combination of the following.

1. The Optimist

This could also be called the “Underestimator” because you always think you have more time than you actually do to get to where you are going, or to get dressed. You actually plan to leave at a time, that with a realistic look- will not be enough to get you where you need to be. If I had to leave my house for dinner at 7:45, I would just be getting in the shower at 7:00 and be perfectly calm that I was on schedule, even though I need a full hour.

Antidote: Be honest with yourself! You will always need a certain amount of time to do something- be real about it, and be on time!

2. The Scattered One

This is when you run late because you can’t find you keys, lipstick is in your other purse which is upstairs in the back of the closet, and just as you sit in your car to take off- you realize your cell phone is SOMEWHERE else.

Antidote: Get all of your stuff ready that is necessary to walk out the door. A small table near the door can keep all of those items so they are ready when you are. You can also allot an extra 15 minutes to retrieve all necessary items and move any furniture you may need to find that other earring.

3. Bad Planning

When you host a party or an event, you sit down and figure out all details from beginning to end- but most importantly, you will need to have a PLAN B for anything that may go wrong. Some people are not good planners when it comes to being on time. They don’t allow for traffic, or the phone to ring, or having the clothes they want to wear out and ready. For me, I found that I needed to decide if hair needed a fresh wash for the outfit I was wearing- if I thought I was wearing it up- then decided last minute that I needed to wash it- my ill-planning just cost me an extra 30 minutes.

Antidote: Give yourself an extra 15 minutes (30 for high maintenance dos) to allow for things not in the plan.

All in all, whether you are a scattered, poor planner, or are overly-optimistic- it all comes down to one thing- respect for those who are waiting on you. You may regard yourself as someone who really keeps their word, and has the ability to make commitments. But I can tell you this right now- if you are chronically late, you are NOT keeping your word on a time commitment.

I once heard the quote “watch your actions because they become habits, and watch your habits because they become your character…”

All the hard work you do to be consistent, professional, and dependable is questioned when you don’t show up on time. If you are late 8 out of 10 times, that is a chronic problem and will keep you stuck feeling crappy and void of the respect you deserve for all you do.

Just make the plan to be everywhere at least 15 minutes early. Get organized, plan ahead and not only will you be on time, but watch all the other areas of your life fall into place too.

So its not “Miami Time” that’s just a cop out.

Did I miss anything? What is it that makes you run late?

Make it a Priority

2008-02-25T22:29:00.004-05:00

I thought I would just be going to Birmingham, AL for the wedding on Saturday evening. After a long day of travel on Friday, it was nice to sleep in a little on Saturday morning. Asking the hotel front desk for a map of activities, by 11am I was on my way to Oak Mountain State Park. With several trails to choose from for walking, biking, or riding a horse- we decided to just make it simple and find a trail to walk. It was approximately 37 degrees- way colder than it was supposed to be and way too cold for a native Floridian who loves the sun and heat.

After 2 hours of hiking through creeks, fallen trees, and large rocks I was in love. I hadn’t been in nature like this in quite some time. I felt so happy, like I had found a secret treasure that was long forgotten from the scene of Miami Beach. It was meditative to concentrate on which rock I would step on next. I felt small looking at the wide, roaring waterfall.

I have sought out nature through visits to the beach just before the sun goes down with normal street clothes and a blanket and a book. But it isn’t the same. I really believe one major aspect is getting away from people, technology, civilization. Without hearing honking horns, distant music, or having the distractions of left over beach bums, one can focus on the minutest details of our most beautiful earth. I had no idea that such a small amount of water rushing over small rocks in a certain way could make such a strong sound. I was thrusted into the experience of my senses and curiosity. Before I knew it, I was in the moment of no thinking, no mind, no judgment- just pure presence.

As human beings, we need this connection to nature. There is something about it that feels so good. It brings back the child in us as we touch and fall, get dirty or wet. We are brought back to our true selves, our naked Being. That is, the person we are without all the “things” that make an identity for us. Along with the cell phone, I leave my career, my fashion style, my favorite drink, and all the roles in play in different relationships- in the car. I am just me. That was one of the best days I have had in a long time- and I forgot about the cold temperature…

Is there something in the air? Scientifically, exposure to negative ions (also called happy ions) can lift your spirit, boost your energy, and improve your mood. In many European offices and hospitals, negative air ionization is required and research has shown that negative ions can have a positive effect on allergies and asthma, cognitive function, and athletic performance. Ancient yoga texts suggested that students wishing to perfect breathing exercises do so near waterfalls or mountain caves.

In our world of confined and crowded spaces, electronics, and filtered air, making a trip out to nature may be just what you need.

I say: make it a priority!

Is there a place to “get lost in nature” near where you live?
If something other than nature- what kinds of environments take you away from time and identity and allow peaceful presence to reside?

Intimate Love with Yourself?

2008-02-18T21:19:00.002-05:00

So I went in to this Valentine’s Day with a plan to make my boyfriend feel loved and special. I started with offering a menu of different breakfast ideas I could cook up. I had already shopped for the much desired lasagna dinner I would make later. And had thought of making a cool CD of music for him.

The idea was to show him that its not about fire-works or big money-based gift giving. Despite this initiative, I still had fear that there would be nothing for me. I wanted a flower or a card. I tried really hard not to have any expectations. The idea of this whole holiday, in my opinion, is for each half of the relationship to assume the position as a co-creator of love and friendship. Its an exchange. As much as you want to feel loved, it also feels as good to have your love received. Its bad enough when one person is giving and the other just sits back to receive. But its worse when the other is not open to receive the love. Not opening the card that was written, or listening to the disc that was made. But the highest version of all of this- is when both parties are in exchange of love at the same time.

What does this all represent anyway?

In a city like Miami, it is easy to constantly measure oneself by what shortcomings exist as compared with other people. We see ourselves as “less than” or “not as good as” in different aspects of our life. Then, those flowers, or dinner reservations, good wine and chocolate, or love cards become the fulcrum by which we decide how much we love ourselves. When we don’t receive these things, our sense of entitlement speaks on behalf of our fear that we aren’t worth it to our loved ones. But if we had been showing ourselves love the whole time, rather than waiting to receive it from someone else- we wouldn’t be so attached to these “expressions.”

Despite the fact that I headed in to the holiday without expectations, it was 3pm and nothing. I was convinced that there were no flowers, no card- I was totally disappointed. It didn’t take me long to decide that I would buy myself the most beautiful flowers I could find- or my favorite, Oriental Lillies. I was so excited when I came upon this idea- I couldn’t wait to go pick from the array of beauty at the florist. This was a new choice that opened up that I never even realized was there. I couldn’t wait to show him the best flowers I could find for myself, they were this symbol that I could look at for days.

I knew that this day was about me- and how much I loved myself. Not for a second is this as hokey as it sounds- for as soon as this became my plan- not only did the clouds of disappointment clear but the sun came out twice as strong. When we do these acts of self-love and really mean it sincerely to ourselves, the universe will bring more than what you ever expected. I returned home with my new purple, orange, and red orchids to find a dozen and a half purple roses! They had arrived while I was gone.

Love for someone else is only an extension of our own love for ourself. It is really true, that the relationship with yourself must come first. I think most of us have it twisted and we wait around and make others do things to bring us the love. Now, when you are enacting in self-love and those around you aren’t giving any love away? Eventually the way they are treating you won’t be consistent with how you treat yourself. They may fall off the map and another shows up loving you the way you love yourself.

I always make the analogy: If you are driving your car with your friend inside- and you are driving like complete crap- what do you think is going to happen when that friend drives your car? They too will drive it like complete crap. If we set the standard for how we receive love by really understanding how to manifest self-love, others can only be that or more. The other person in the relationship will have to take responsibility for showing you love.

What a great holiday- to revive the love you have for yourself! Perhaps if this were the essence of the holiday, there would be a lot more happy people and couples out there!

TELL ME, TELL ME- How do you show yourself love? Do you ever catch yourself withholding love for yourself waiting for others to provide it to you?

What is Personal Growth?

2008-02-11T12:22:00.000-05:00

Why personal growth?

What is it anyway?

I have started this blog as the next step in my own personal growth. It started as I found a lot of interest in reading psychology and philosophy. The desire to learn more about why we have the stress that we have and how to understand it has lead me through many books, retreats, seminars, my course work in life coaching and even my Buddhist practice.

With the introduction of such movies as What the Bleep do we Know and The Secret I found this area to be all the more intriguing. All of this became my practice of personal growth. As a healthcare provider and one who experiences stress, I am determined to find other ways for people to be happy and cope with their stressors without medication. Stress, anxiety, depression is like physical pain - it is there to get our attention. Our body is speaking to us and we can't ignore our own lives by suppressing these feelings.

I believe that personal growth begins with taking full responsibility for all areas of your life. Without blaming and making others wrong and responsible for our lives- we can live in pure freedom. To realize and live this is a big task- but it pays off in big ways. We make ourselves responsible for others happiness which is stressful- and we make others
responsible for our happiness- which is usually a let down.

It requires one to unwrap all the layers of people-pleasing that they have incorporated into their identity. You say, "but I am not the people-pleasing type." But I assure you, if you play your greatest talents down to make others more comfortable, you are playing small and are not being your true self. If you fulfill expectations of others that go against your needs or value-system because you think its necessary to earn a friendship- you are denying who you really are and can never be truly happy living this way. To know what you need you must step aside from the Ego-based self and get down to who you really are on the inside.

Responsibility is at the heart of pushing past perceived limitations and admit that you can be better in your relationships, with fitness, career, financial goals, etc. Saying you can't is only an excuse for past failures and fear that you may fail once more before succeeding. It resigns you to your own self-doubt and keeps you stuck in the same patterns of living. It is easy to blame it on something external- but only look within.

What is personal growth to you? Can you be the watcher of yourself for one week and see where you make others responsible for your happiness?

Valentine's Day is coming up:

How will you feel that day if your loved one doesn't do what you "expected" them to do?

Will you allow it to actually affect your state of happiness?

How can you take responsibility for making that day special rather than do something only to expect something in return?

I challenge you to think of this - and I want to hear about it!

Hello Personal Growth Bloggers.

2008-02-04T13:52:00.000-05:00

Hi there. I am committed to making wellness cool, hip, and more contagious than the common cold.

I have been a practicing Physician Assistant for 3 years- working in Surgery, Urgent Care, and most recently Aesthetics such as laser hair removal and injectables. In my spare time, I have been studying to become a Life Coach and have been practicing Nichiren Buddhism.

Ultimately, my wish is for our current healthcare (“disease-care”) to change its paradigm toward being more pro-active to prevent disease states and incorporate happiness into its goal. I have had the desire to inspire through starting a book club focusing on personal growth- and that is when Tiffany from BalanceBoost asked me to participate in a personal growth blog!

I have taken this opportunity to share the journey of a wellness lifestyle with all of you! Through personal growth, we can move forward toward our highest version of ourselves in every way.

Join me in discovering a new way of thinking and doing- because to grow we must learn- and “...when we stop learning, we stop living.” (MY OWN QUOTE)