The Impossible

I'm sitting at my desk staring at my diploma that arrived today. I had just got out of the shower when my husband walked in and showed me the package. He opened it and we both sat there just looking at it. He laughed as he said "Master of Science. All I can picture is you in a white lab coat working with chemicals". I remember when I thought I would never even complete my Associates degree, no less a Masters degree. When I finally completed my Associates degree, I thought to myself "I could get my Bachelors degree. I don't want to waste my GI Bill". Through pregnancy and the birth of my son I completed my Bachelors degree. I will never forget sitting in the hospital doing college algebra online, after having my son who was very sick. You want to talk stressful- that was stressful, and I'm good with numbers. I would have paid someone to complete that class for me, but I pushed through and completed it.

My associates and bachelors degrees were both in business and I really wanted a degree in my first true love, fitness. I decided to go for my Masters so I could have a degree in the field I was working in. Not to mention, I love to learn. There is a never ending flow of information available to us, especially in my line of work. In July I completed my Masters program and I am so proud of myself for achieving my education goals while owning a business, being a military wife, and having a child.

There were so many weekends I stayed home while others went out, in order to complete homework assignments. I spent countless hours studying and trying to balance life in the process. The saying "do now what others won't, to live a lifetime as others can't" rings very true to me. I'm thankful for the sacrifices I made and I'm so thankful for the people who supported me a long the way, specifically my husband.

I am now starting my Doctorate program. This is something I never in a million years thought I could do, but I'm doing it. If you would have told me I would have a Doctorate degree 5 years ago, I probably would have gave up before I even started because the thought was to overwhelming and too far out of reach.

You have to take the first step in your journey no matter what it is. Set goals you feel are attainable and move in that direction. The more you accomplish, the more empowered you will feel. I feel that there is absolutely nothing I can't do now. If I want it, I know that I can make it happen. The same is true for you. Embrace your gifts and invest in yourself!

To you health,

Jessica Summerall: This is the motto I choose to practice to make sure that I am doing everything I possibly can to ensure someone is successful, long term. My job is to educate, support, train, teach, and encourage the people who come into my life. Their job is to use those tools to achieve the success they desire, whether it be financial or physical. Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

How to Boost Your Energy Levels in Just 5 Minutes

If you want more energy to remain active and enjoy your day, you can make use of the following tips to give you the extra boost that you need to conquer all the challenges that you will face during the day:

Tip 1-Make your bed

Even though this sounds small and insignificant, this 'small' ritual helps to create a calm atmosphere in your bedroom. This calm atmosphere causes a soothing feeling to permeate through your bedroom which helps you to relax and sleep better when you are in your room.

Therefore, if you are able to use this it will help you to sleep very well at night so that when you wake up in the morning, you would be highly refreshed and strong enough to face the challenges of the day.

Tip 2-Prepare and pack a snack before you leave the house

Prepare a healthy snack to take with you before you leave your house in the morning. You can make use of fruits, unsalted nuts, and vegetables to make healthy snacks. If you have your healthy snacks ready in the afternoon, you will not be tempted to eat junk foods when you start to feel hungry.

Tip 3-Tidy your desk

Remove all the stray papers, scattered coffee mugs and all other things that clutter up your desk. If you can tidy up your external environment, you will be more organised and focused.

Tip 4-Listen to music

Good music helps to lower your blood pressure and your stress levels; it also helps to elevate your moods and keep you upbeat more easily. Download as much music as you like into a playlist on your MP3 player which you can listen to when you are at work and when you are exercising.

However, make sure you don't set the volume of your earpiece to a very high volume so that you don't end up damaging your eardrums.

Tip 5-Sniff soothing natural scents

Some fruits like lemons, basils, junipers, and lavenders have natural stress relieving scents that you can sniff to calm down your nerves.

Tip 6-Gentle stretching

Engage in gentle stretching exercises. You can stretch your arms over your head, and you can also raise and lower your shoulders gently a couple of times. These stretching movements help to improve the circulation of blood in your body and they also help to relax muscular tightness that is caused by the effect of stress.

Tip 7-Meditation

You can take out time to ponder upon bible verses that talk about the goodness and the faithfulness of God; you can meditate on inspiring bible verses from the book of psalms.

Tip 8-Count your blessings

Count and keep a record of every good thing that has happened to you. If you keep your mind constantly thinking about the all the negative things that are happening in the world around you, you will be drained of all your energy.

However, if you (and you can) choose to deliberately keep your mind on only the good things that are happening to you, you would experience higher levels of inner energy as you give thanks for all the good things that has happened to you.

Tip 9-Turn off your gadgets

Take a break from your tablet, personal computer, flat screen television, and mobile phones from time to time. Just switch off everything and unwind especially at night before you go to bed.

Even though the world is on for 24 hours every day of the week, you should switch off from time to time.

Tip 10-Set your priorities

You cannot do everything that you want to do every time. Make a list of all the things that you want to do and arrange them in their order of importance and then you can start doing them one after the other as you start from the top of the list.

If you do this, you will gradually do most of what you want to do after some time.

By the way, are you interested in knowing the healthy foods that you must eat to stay fit, trim and healthy?

If so, click here to sign up for a free 7 day fat loss and healthy diet e-course by the diet solution program. Also, visit weight loss solution to read an honest review of the Primal burn fat burner program natural diet program. Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

Sleep Is Necessary to Life

The importance of sleep cannot be overstated. According to a recent report, 70 million Americans are having trouble getting a good night's sleep. Research from Harvard Medical School's Division of Sleep Medicine has shown the critical importance of sleep in fortifying the body and keeping the mind clear. Modern science has also shown how necessary a good night of sleep is for maintaining healthy brain functions such as memory and learning skills.

Why So Many of Us Sleep Deprived

The reasons are not surprising. For many women, stress is the main reason for lack of sleep. When you're mentally stressed at night, the body increases its production of cortisol, the stress hormone that acts like a shot of adrenaline preventing restful sleep.

For others, it's the culture we live in with so many temptations to stay up late surfing the internet, texting friends, playing video games, checking emails, watching Netflix, etc.

Many Americans are also over-worked with longer hours and night shifts which leads to an over-indulgence in caffeine from coffee, soda, energy drinks and sugar.

The Important Benefits of Sleep

There are so many reasons to get enough sleep. Studies have linked sleep deprivation to a higher risk of stroke and insomniacs are more likely to suffer a heart attack than those individuals who sleep well at night.

Getting enough sleep at night will also make your mind sharper, your skin healthier and your body slimmer. You will even be nicer and may improve your marriage since lack of sleep can make us irritable and cranky.

Learn How to Sleep Again

Remember when you could fall asleep and stay asleep, waking up feeling rested and refreshed, ready to take on the day? When left untreated, trouble falling asleep can lead to chronic tension, anxiety and even weight gain.

If you are ready to check yourself into sleep rehab or need a sleep intervention, then consider the following sensible tips to help you reclaim your rest and get the type of deep sleep that will rejuvenate your mind and your body.

Tips to Sleeping Better at Night

- Turn off all electronics one hour before bedtime.

- Take time to unwind with a warm bath or good book.

- Set the thermostat to a cooler temperature at night to promote sleep.

- Ease up on the amount of caffeine you drink, especially after 3 PM.

- Maintain a consistent sleep-wake schedule including the weekends.

- Consider a sleep mask to block out all light that can disrupt your sleep.

There is no one single solution to improve sleep that works for everyone. Try doing a few things differently at night to find out what works for you. It will be worth the effort because sleep is a basic necessity just like eating and can have a significant impact on every aspect of your overall health and well being. Sweet dreams!

About The Author: Robyn M. Cooke is the editor of Quick-Weight-Loss-Tips-for-Women.com which has everything you will need to reach your weight loss goals, including great advice, great products and the inspiration to succeed! Remember, the best investment you can make is in yourself! Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

3 Reasons Why CrossFit and Farmers Markets Go Hand-In-Hand

I am sure no one will argue that the American local farmers markets are making a strong comeback due to various reasons affecting the majority of citizens. The American economic landscape has eroded over the last five years due to things that can be considered unnatural. The financial and agricultural industries have been injected with unnatural constructs and biological uncertainties. For this reason, the true long term effects have yet to be realized.

CrossFit, on the other hand, came from very humble beginnings with the purpose to bring fitness and overall improved physical health to the masses.

Greg Glassman introduced CrossFit to the world via the Internet by posting constantly varied, high intensity exercises. These exercises were functional in nature and performed at a level of intensity that very few individuals could handle, even seasoned athletes.

Strong communities like Law Enforcement, First Responders, and all branches of the Military embraced the CrossFit standards and rose to new levels of fitness. CrossFit participants (AKA: CrossFitters) began to standout in unit-level competitions.

The CrossFit standard began to catch on worldwide across cultures and industries alike. The CrossFit Community was formed by individuals helping individuals become more fit both mentally and physically.

So let us explore 3 reasons why the community effect of CrossFit and the local farmers markets are so closely related.

1. Eating and Drinking Clean Organic Foods and Beverages

The farm-to-market concept was how it all began before the technology of agri-business came into play. Big agri-business is more concerned with profits and shareholders not the quality of the products produced. Cutting corners and playing with God's genetic design has only led to decreased nutritional value for the earth and human being alike.

Part of the CrossFit fitness standard is nutritional health. So the most efficient way to get your nutrition is to eat as many high quality organic whole foods as possible. Which means foods that are not genetically modified (GMO) and foods that use minimal or no pesticides. The farmers that produce these foods use natural forms of composting for premium soil nutrients and, heirloom seeds that still retain high nutrient quantities from the pre-agribusiness timeframe.

Drinking clean filtered water is key to maintain proper hydration. The reverse osmosis method of filtration is the most trusted and reliable. Any beverage being produced should us filtered water of the same standard. Fermented beverages like Kefir and Kombucha contain life giving enzymes that help provide the harmony and balance your digestive system needs.

Last but not least, the consumption of pasture-raised animals that are grass feed and are allowed to feed off of their natural habitat. Feedlot animals are raised in harsh conditions which require artificial means to help them fight off infections (i.e. multiple vaccinations) and are fed the cheapest of food that is counterproductive to the animal's health and well being.

2. Supporting Locally-Owned Businesses

Strong communities are built on supporting local business. People-helping-people is where true community health and wealth is built. Building a tribal effect of truly caring for your neighbor and their family can only lead to prosperity. I always say, "you can truly see where someone stands when you take money or the pursuit of money out of the equation".

The CrossFit affiliate is a community entity that has a passion for helping people in their local community. Its members are a special group of people that believe in charitable giving that support local causes.

3. Growing Community Relationships

Knowing the name or names of the individuals who produce your food strengthens your bond with those folks and it gives them an incentive to continue to produce food at very high standard. As individuals benefit from the local produce, they spread the word. The local farmers market is usually a family affair with several generations that come out and visit.

CrossFitters, in the same way, receive such a great benefit from the workouts and members work hard to involve their entire family and close friends. Similar recommendations from CrossFit members show the strength of the movement which show no signs of slowing down.

The Bottom Line

For total health and wellness, support your local farmers market to fulfill your nutritional needs and visit your local CrossFit affiliate to fulfill your physical fitness needs.

Either way, you can't go wrong.

Duane Waits Owner/Head Trainer of CrossFit Revealed serving the North Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Leander, Texas area crossfitrevealed.com "Get Physically Fit For God, Health, and Wellness"

Sign-Up for the; 1 Double Under Training Program In the World. EE Chapters and Videos available at: oubleundertraining.com

Good Nutrition from quality organic foods from your local farmers markets and good quality functional physical fitness will provide you with long lasting health.

Find and join your local CrossFit Affiliate. Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.

Three Costly Mistakes Preventing Your Peace of Mind

Mistake #1 - Your body and mind are separate. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

It's been said that "You may fool yourself some of the time. You may fool others some of the time. But, you can never fool your body. It is the most sensitive barometer of your inner world." And, both are inter-connected. "What tones and calms one, soothes and improves the other."

Your behaviour is actually creating worldly and psychic frameworks that future humanity and your descendants will inhabit.

Solution - Choose your acts and thoughts very wisely. Life responds to wise attention in remarkable ways! A body scan is a good way to begin to live mindfully. Your mind has a direct impact on your body. What inhabits your body? Your mind. If the mind is tense, and disconnected, the body will match. Doing a body scan is a simple technique that helps you to energetically wake up your body-mind connection.

Mistake #2 - Your Thinking Mind. I know it sounds silly but most people's thinking is automatic, repetitive and involuntary. You don't think. Thinking happens to you. The voice in the head has a mind of its own, and unfortunately most people are at the mercy of that voice. Your mind picks up all kinds of things from earlier in the day and "replays" it endlessly, or it's restless and can't stop running around. These are all very powerful internal states and your mind gets attached to this conditioned way of thinking. Your mind wants attention right now!

Solution: Get out of your head! Let go of the stories. Free your mind by sitting quietly. Try paying attention to your breathing. This not only changes the direction of your focus, but it also helps in not strengthening your wayward thoughts.

Mistake #3 - Your Ego. Yikes! This is a big one. For thousands of years humanity has become mind-possessed. Because we have become so identified through our mind, a false sense of ourself came into being - the ego. And there's even more to this.

Another dimension of the ego is emotion. Emotion turns into ego when you identify with them; that is to say when they become "I" takes over.

Explained a different way, let's say that you see two of your friends over in the corner having a quiet conversation. Your mind observes this and then begins to chatter away. Saying things like "I bet they're over there talking about me." Or, "I just know that they're talking about what happened today at the gym." You have not only become emotional, but the situation becomes about you.

Solution - How do you get a handle on this? You need to let go of the story and return to the only place of power. The Present Moment. You hang onto your stories because it strengthens your identity. But, nothing ever happened in the past that can prevent you from being Present Now. And, if the past can't prevent you from being Present Now, what power does it have? Again, become quiet in your body and allow your mind to become still so it can see what is really there. This is called having a mindful experience.

Here's what I have for you. Visit me at calmtoday.com. You can catch the free online webcast to see for yourself how easy this can be. (Come on, you know you can do this!) Invest in yourself. You're worth it! Providing quality counselling articles, hynotherapy writings and other mind help resources online.