EAT YOUR BUTTER!

Monday Mindset - it is only as rough as you make it out to be.

Sorry for the late post.  It has been a whirlwind day.  Keys to the office left home and I'm standing on the porch as a client shows up.  Then I get a text and find out that I had ignored that little voice, you know the one, and I had not asked my son to leave the key to the car my wife needed this morning.  As my second morning client is coming in I am rushing out to get my son to school since I have the only keys.  And, as if that was not enough, a critical piece of equipment is in a town north of us in our second office and as I am rushing down the interstate there is this shudder, a stall, a very loud and jolting breaking of something, and I am on the shoulder.  Turns out the front drive in the All Wheel Drive Van had decided to end its life. 

Here is where the Monday lesson comes in.  This is the 4th one of these I will have replaced in this van in 5 years.  The van is getting on in years, but it still runs and I do not believe in getting an auto loan just because.  The cost to repair and to insure is less on this serviceable vehicle than to by a newer one.  But that is not the message.  Here it is.  You see, I could have gotten upset and been all bent out of shape by this.  I could have counted the dollars, the hours, the lost trip and the missing equipment and had a real come-apart right there, but why?  What would it have profited me?  

That question, What will it profit me is a powerful life mantra that can alter your very course of prosperity.  When asked in regards to every emotion and relationship or interaction, "What will it profit me? becomes a behavior changing phrase.  And profits no one and focusing on the lack only moves you to the lack.  What would it have profited me to have a fit there on the side of the road or stew on it as I limped it all home?  Nothing.

By staying focused and channeling the positive flow of energy allowed to us all, I stayed calm, realized that since I had changed this 3 times previously, I know the procedure well (I also still do some of the mechanic work, because I can) and saw that as it turned out i was stopped directly across from an emergency vehicle turnaround in the interstate median.  I know, "Emergency vehicles only". Well, I was in a vehicle and this was an emergency.  The traffic on the interstate broke and I was able to cross over to the southbound lanes.  Going 15 miles per hour, i made the 20 mile trip to my home, parked the van and then realized that the key to the only vehicle at the house was now with my wife, at the office.

Well, there is always an adventure when you let life be one.  Never let your focus be on the lack.  No one wants to be there.

By Brett M. Judd LMSW Follow him at Google + at Google

Wednesday Wellness - Stress Management

Stress is so common in the United States that it has become cliche.  Just look at the funny memes running through Facebook and Pinterest and you will see that we all connect on at least one or two levels with the constant insult of stress in our life.  The fact is, that we do not have to be this way and in fact, we'd be better offif we would just apply these 3 simple tools to break the pattern of stress.

1. Ask yourself these very simple questions. "Is this mine?"  Meaning, is the stress and worry that you are carrying yours or does it belong to someone else and you have picked it up.  "Why do I care?"  This question is a powerful assessment of your intention.  It is important to understand why it is that we feel we need to worry and stress over things.  "What can I do about it" Many of my clients come to counseling stressed and worried about issues that they either had no control over in the first place, or at this point they can do nothing about.  There comes a point in time when you just have to put it down.  If there is action that you can take to make a difference, than do it and do it today.  

2. Turn off the fire hose!  Really, shut it off.  When I stopped listening to the morning news and all the programs throught the day, it was amazing how great the world began to look.  Get off Facebook.  Close Twitter.  Listen to your favorite albums or AudioBooks instead of the news.  In this fast paced, over informed world we have forgotten that the news in the evening is just as good as the news every 10 minutes.  The wars will still be going on, the Government will still be at odds, and the issues will have not changed in the 12-15 hours since you last checked in.  There is a great quote that applies here. "We move toward and become like that which we think about most." Napolean Hill When you are stressed, start with the three questions above, and then turn off the fire hose of doom and gloom that is constantly force feeding us dispear. 

3. Smile.  Close your eyes. Breath in deep, and feel that calm rush over you as you smile.  The powerful Alpha waves of the brain that bring us so much joy and peace can easily be triggered by a simple long slow breath deep into your core, and a forced smile.  Sit up straight in the chair, let your arms relax, breath in deeply, and relax your face into a smaile and you will literally feel the tension and care lift as the Alpha rises.  In this state you will be more creative, more, positive, and more relaxed.

At An Open Mind we are thrilled to offer our 30 and 55 minute NeuroFit relaxation sessions that calm and soothe the brain sending you into a peaceful state of relaxation.  For our readers of this email, we will honor the prices we offered at our 3 Years of Balancing open house.  Just mention it when you call.  208-232-2263.  You will not regret that you did. 

By Brett M. Judd LMSW Follow him at Google + at Google

Wednesday Wellness - Using Nutrition to combat depression and possibly Alzheimer's. 

Beating Depression and Alzheimer's - With Butter

Did you know that there is a very strong corelation between depression, Alzheimer's, and your diet?  It is true.  As well all jump on the bandwagon that saturated fats are evil, depression and mental issues have skyrocketed.  The truth is that by shunning these macro nutrients, we are starving the brain of vital resources for adequate functioning.

The brain is made of 66% saturated fats and the sheith that covers the neuron (like the insulation on electric wires) is made of cholestoral and fats.  By depriving the brain the fats it needs to rebuild it begins to misfire and malfuntion.  In some cases, it has been shown to actually shrink. (http://www.healthupwardlymobile.net/tag/brain/)  In the article, Dr. Joseph Mercola discusses why the these nutrients are so vital for optimal health.  

If you are felling a little foggy today, or just feel that darkening cloud of depression coming in do yourself a favor and eat a little fat with lunch today.  Your brain will thank you. 

The Bottom Line Dr. Joseph Mercola

You don’t need to be concerned with the quantity of fat in your diet, you need to be concerned with the type--and saturated fat is not the enemy.

Your body cannot function properly without adequate amounts of fat--it influences everything from blood clotting to vitamin absorption to brain function--but it is important to pay attention to the type of fat you are eating. Different types of fat will affect your body in different ways. Additionally, every person requires a different amount--anywhere from 15 percent to 50 percent of your diet--of fat depending on their Metabolic Type.

Saturated fats, found in animal products like butter, cheese and fatty meats, are not as dangerous as you may think. Saturated fats offer a host of health benefits and play many important roles in the body. Some vegetable oils (coconut, palm and palm kernel) also contain saturated fat. Coconut oil is a particularly healthy choice.

Trans-fatty acids, formed through a process called hydrogenation, are found in fried foods and processed foods such as cookies, crackers and pastries. Trans-fatty acids are much worse for you than saturated fats. Not only can they raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and lower HDL (good) cholesterol, but they have also been linked to heart disease.

A third type of fat is monounsaturated fat, found in oils such as olive and canola. Olive oil is a healthy choice, however I do not recommend canola oil.

It’s also important to make a distinction between omega-3 and omega-6 fats. In cell membranes, omega-3 fats improve your cell's response to insulin, neurotransmitters and other messengers. They also help the repair process when your cells are damaged. On the other hand, omega-6 fats contribute to insulin and membrane resistance, altering your mood, and impairing learning and cell repair. To avoid high levels of omega-6, it is important to avoid all vegetable seed oils.

Most Americans consume too many omega-6 fats and not enough omega-3 fats, leading to a distorted omega-6 to 3 ratio. To reach the ideal ratio of 1:1, it is necessary to not only consciously consume more omega-3 fats, but also to decrease the amount of omega-6 fats in your diet.

Omega-3 fats, DHA and EPA, are essential for brain and nerve function. An excellent source of omega-3 fats DHA and EPA is fish oil and cod liver oil. Benefits of omega-3 in fish oil and cod liver oil include a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, depression, Alzheimer's, arthritis and many other degenerative illnesses.

I highly recommend regularly consuming high-quality fish oil or cod liver oil. A high-quality brand is necessary to ensure that the oil has been purified of all contaminants--Carlson fish oil and cod liver oil is superior to all other brands I have tried in both quality and freshness. Please review my guidelines for proper dosage of fish oil and cod liver oil as well as for information on the difference between the two.

http://www.nograindiet.com/bottomline/fats.htm

When I was 15, my dad had received his pilots license and bought a Cessna 210 4 place airplane.  I loved to go fly with him and was quite confident in my skills at the controls. That summer, Dad and I flew my grandparents to Seattle to visit their daughter. By this time, my dad had been flying for some time and this was to have been a normal easy trip to see family.  It turned out to be anything but normal.  

The flight through Oregon met us with one of the worst thunderstorms I had ever seen.  We were forced to fly down into the Columbia River Gorge in order to avoid the high winds and lightning above.  This proved equally difficult.  The winds blasting up the canyon seemed to dance the plane where ever they wanted.  We also lost all visual landmarks to find an airstrip to land at.

Lightning struck the wall of the canyon as my dad and grandfather worked together up front navigating and flying the plane. My grandmother and I were in the backseat, watching and praying that all would be well.  My dad realized that we were close to The Dales, a small Oregon town, and we climbed out of the gorge and landed.  Frazzled and tired, we thankfully climbed into bed at a hotel and rested before we resumed our trip in the morning.  

The morning met us with blue skies and no wind.  The remaining flight into Seattle was beautiful.  The panic and fear from the night before easily dispersed into the recesses of memory as we landed safely in Seattle and met my aunt and her family.

The next morning, Dad and I prepared to leave.  Upon arriving at the airport, we learned that the storm we had just endured was slow-moving, and it was actually only a portion of a greater system coming in.  We could not leave.  Watching radar and frequently checking the tower, we were finally given the okay to leave, with the instructions to climb striaght up to 14,000 feet and then level off to move away from the coming storm as quickly as we could. 

14,000 was a high ceiling for our little plane and we knew that ice would be an issue.  My job was to watch the front edge of the wing to see if any ice was forming that would hamper our ability to fly.  Dad took off and spiraled straight up to 14,000 to get over the storm, and then flew out of the airport's airspace as quickly as he could.  It was tense, and our ears had a hard time clearing as we climbed that fast in our non-pressurized cabin .  The thrill and the fear were both competing for mental space as we leveled out without incident.

My dad was exhausted, and as soon as we were away from the Seattle tower and on our own, he said "You up to flying? I need to sleep."  I took the controls and we headed home.  But we never made it--not that day, at least.

As I flew the plane through beautiful clear blue skies thinking back on the adventure I had had, I quickly realized that the chaos was far from over, because I soon saw that, not far ahead of us, was a massive black wall of a cloud that seemed to block the entire sky.  I could see lightening shooting through the stormcloud, as if to warn me off from entering into its space.  My abilities as a young untrained pilot had quickly run out.  Not knowing what else to do, I woke my dad from his sleep and he sat up in time to see the storm we had fought the night before welcoming us back for a second try.

He took the controls and brought the plane down below the clouds so that we could stay in  visual communication with the ground.  Not long after entering the storm, we were able to find safe landing in Pendleton, Oregon.  The rain was so heavy that by the time we had the plane tied down, we were as soaked as though we had been standing infront of a firehose.  We dripped buckets of water.  Regardless of the rain, we were glad to be on the ground and thankful for a warm and welcoming speghetti dinner at a local restaurant before going to bed.

Years later, I look at this story with excitement.  The memory of the Gorge is fresh, but the lesson is even fresher.  In the Gorge, my dad had my grandfather to help him navigate.  On the ascent towards home, I was the watchful eye to see that we did not ice over.  When I was flying into the storm, my dad was there to take control and bring us safely to the ground. Today, I realize more than ever that I still need a team and assistants to be successful.  From my wife--who works in the practice with me, to my personal coaches who help me learn how to best hone and focus my skills, I regularly seek assistance and guidance from others around me, who can be my guides who have gone before and know the road.

Who are your active and frequently utilized guides?  Are they giving you the advice you need to increase your success and safety?  Besure you have trusted and knowlegeable guides on your team as you move to through the storms of life. When you need assistance, do not forget that at An Open Mind and at SteadyTIDE, we have the skills and resources you need to make the most of what life throws at you. Whether you need the best in personal coaching and mental wellness, or clear, focused, coaching and mentoring for your business, we are here to help.

An Open Mind is the clear leader in personal develoment.  From focused one on one coaching and mental health counseling to state-of-the-art NeuroBalancing to bring focus and clarity to your mind, An Open Mind has what you need to succeed. Learn more at AnOpenMindNB.com  You can also call 208-232-2263 to request a personal wellness package to be sent with no obligation.

SteadyTIDE is quickly becoming THE powerhouse tool and training resource for small business.  With focused personal training, coaching, and tools to enhance your business mind and productivity, SteadyTIDE can propel your business into what you dreamed it to be. Free up your time and resources with the only tool to manage and market your entire operation and hone your mental edge through coaching to open your vision of what you can really achaive.  See all SteadyTIDE can do at SteadyTIDE.com or call 208-881-5131 for a free recorded message and to request your person success book.

What if there was a way that your child could excel in sports and academics with the mental power and flexibility to do both expertly?  The endless capabilities on the human brain are capable of such a youth, unfortunately for many young athletes, find themselves hampered by the damage done through repeated "closed head trauma's" a.k.a.. concussions.  Though hidden from view, these damaging and lasting effects of concussions are quickly becoming known. Working with a young athlete and driven student has again reminded me of the importance of a balance and harmonized brain.  Concussions have left this student Recent tragedies in the news highlighting the deaths of professional athletes only underscore the serious precautions and care that must be exercised when a young developing brain is injured.

In the New York Times article below, the writer brings out the dangers and impact on learning from these early head trauma's.  The impact is real and can have very detrimental results in the child's academic abilities.  These issues are:

1. difficulty focusing on studies
2. poor test taking
3. difficulty listening in classrooms
4. memory problems
5. mental sluggishness  
6. inability to focus affecting grades, SAT scores and placement test results.
   from Concussions on the Field, Repercussions in School http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324108204579022770562136360.html
    

These effects on the childs academic development can alter the course of their entire life.  When dealt with effectively, the ramifications of concussion are greatly minimized. Rest and time to heal are the best options for dealing with concussions according to this post on the Mayo Clinics Website (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/concussion/DS00320/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs)

Thankfully there is abetter option than just waiting it out. NeuroBalancing powered by Brainwave Optimization has the ability to assit the brain in overcoming the effectsof the trauma through the use of harmonic resonance and reading the actual brain activity.