I hesitate to use the word meditation. To me, as well as many others, the word "meditation" conjures up the picture of a bearded man sitting cross-legged in front of an entrance to a cave or high on a mountain top. Climbing the mountain and reaching him is part of the arduous journey toward self-fulfillment, self-improvement. Once we find him we ask, "What is the meaning of life?" or "How do we achieve peace in ourselves and our lives?" This all-knowing man tells us the answers are "inside ourselves" and tells us to go and contemplate. I don't know if that answer was worth the journey!

Well, I am not a wise man on a mountain. I am just like you -- involved in life and work, seeking more serenity and calm in my life. I am still learning but I am finding that it is really helping me balance my life and greatly reduce my cortisol levels.

Research has shown that meditation can contribute to your physiological as well as your psychological and well-being. This is accomplished because meditation brings your brainwave pattern into an alpha state, which is the level at which healing begins.

Here are some of the benefits you can expect.

Physiological Benefits

• Deep rest-as measured by decreased metabolic rate, lower heart rate, and reduced work load of the heart.
• Lowered levels of cortisol and lactate-two chemicals associated with stress.
• Reduction of free radicals- unstable oxygen molecules that can cause tissue damage.
• Decreased high blood pressure.
• Higher skin resistance. Low skin resistance is correlated with higher stress and anxiety levels.
• Drop in cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular disease.
• Improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing. This has been very helpful to asthma patients.
• Decreases the ageing process.

Psychological Benefits

• Greater creativity.
• Decreased anxiety.
• Decreased depression
• Decreased irritability and moodiness
• Improved learning ability and memory.
• Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation.
• Increased happiness.
• Increased emotional stability.

Meditation is very easy. I suggest you start with a breathing meditation. Sit with your eyes partially closed and turn your attention to your breathing. Breath naturally, preferably through the nostrils, without attempting to control your breath, and try to become aware of the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. This sensation is your object of meditation. Concentrate on your breathing until everything else seems to fade way. Continue this for 20 minutes.

I think you will notice a big difference. Especially if you continue doing it daily.

Thank you for your patronage.

Have an excellent day.

Thom King
President
thom.king@steviva.com
Steviva Brands, Inc.

Fortune Favors The Brave
by: Brian Tracy

Boldness is a necessary part of courage but it must be a boldness based on an intelligent assessment of the potential risks and rewards. The wonderful nature of boldness is that, properly directed, it builds the habit of courage in the person who practices it.

Develop the Quality of Boldness
In my experience, any virtue translated into action leads almost invariably to positive results. This applies to integrity, persistence, courtesy, love and courage. I’ve always liked the advice of an old man to his grandson. “Act boldly and unseen forces will come to your aid.”

Face the Unknown
Perhaps the most obviously important part of courage is the courage to step out in the face of uncertainty. Every great venture in the history of man has begun with faith and a giant leap into the unknown.

General Douglas MacArthur said, “There is no security in life, only opportunity.” The creed of Frederick The Great, one of history’s most successful leaders was, “Audacity, audacity—always audacity.”

Dare to Go Forward.
Dare to go forward. Successful companies are invariably those that continue to research, develop, experiment and introduce new products and services — even during the deepest recessions. Successful executives are those who are continually stretching themselves to move out of the comfort zone, to face the twin fears of failure and rejection and to move forward in spite of them.

Action Exercises
Here are two ways to develop greater boldness in your work and personal life.

First, just do it! Step out in faith! If you think of some action you can take to improve your life, give it a try. You may be surprised.

Second, when in doubt, act with audacity. Audacity may get you into trouble but even more audacity will get you out. Go for it!

Click here for your Free CD of 21 Success Secrets of Self Made Millionaires

What's Your Fitness Level?
by Greg Landry, M.S.

Here's a quick and easy way to estimate your fitness level. This was developed by Kasari and is gives you a fitness score that is indicative of aerobic fitness.

Calculate your fitness score by multiplying your score for each category (score = intensity x duration x frequency). For example if you walked at a moderately heavy intensity for 40 minutes, five days per week, you would multiply 3 x 4 x 4. Your fitness score would be 48 and your fitness level would be "fair."

SCORE ACTIVITY

Intensity
5 Sustained heavy breathing and perspiration
4 Intermittent heavy breathing and perspiration
3 Moderately heavy
2 Moderate
1 Light (slow, easy walking)

Duration
4 Over 30 minutes
3 20 to 30 minutes
2 10 to 20 minutes
1 Under 10 minutes

Frequency
5 Daily or almost daily
4 3 to 5 times per week
3 1 to 2 times per week
2 A few times per month
1 Less than once per month

SCORE FITNESS LEVEL
80 to 100 High
60 to 79 Very good
40 to 59 Fair
20 to 39 Poor
Under 20 Very Poor

If your score is where you'd like it to be, great, keep up the good work. If your fitness level is not where you'd like it to be, get movin'!

When you are exercising don't forget to drink plenty of water! What I suggest is adding the juice of half a lemon or 4 tablespoons of unsweetened cranberry juice to 32 ounces of water with a sprinkle of Steviva Brand Stevia Powder . Aside from being less than 2 carbs, you will get the health benefits that the stevia provides along with the vitamin C and electrolytes that lemon have. You can substitute limes for lemons if you get bored. Click here to order stevia powder.

Stop The Battles

"When you fight something, you’re tied to it forever. As long as you’re fighting it, you’re giving it power."

-- Anthony de Mello

What are you fighting?

Resistance always brings pain. Examine your struggle. What does your personality want from the situation? What does your soul want? What can you learn from this?

Always strive to mend separation and achieve unity. Always choose love over fear. If you can embrace whatever you are struggling against, the struggle will disappear.

"What you resist persists. And only what you look at, and own, can disappear. You make it disappear by simply changing your mind about it."

-- Neale Donald Walsch

Amazing All Natural Sugar Free Almond Flour Pancakes
(makes 2 servings)
Skill Level: Easy

Ingredients:
1/4 cup almond flour
2 tbsp sour cream
2 tbsp water
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cooking oil
2 tsp Steviva Brand Stevia Blend
1 splash vanilla extract

Directions:
Mix all ingredients. Spray skillet with non-stick spray and heat. Spoon pancakes into pan. Cook on just under medium heat until one side bubbles. Turn, cook for few minutes until done.

Try All Natural Steviva Brand Stevia Blend and Steviva Brand Stevia Powder!

For More Great All Natural Sugar Free Recipes Go To Steviva Recipes!