Attitude today, Calm tomorrow

What makes today a good day?

We wake up every morning with unlimited possible outcomes for our experience that day. I say our "experience" because the same event one day makes us smile with inner knowing and understanding about the mysteries in life, while the day before, or after, a similar event will bring out the demons within. I feel bad for those around me sometimes for the changes of my "mood" from day to day. What makes today's up-mood different from yesterdays bad-mood? How can I change it, and do I need to?

The Fundamentals

1. What are you thinking?

There are a slew of circumstances in our lives, and many of them are out of our control. But most are within our grasp for us to make of them what we desire. I'm saying that we have already made the choices for our daily agendas and we may not know it. Our thoughts. Please read this famous quote and think about today:

"If you want to see what your thoughts were like yesterday look at your body today. If you want to see what your body will be like tomorrow look at your thoughts today"

There is an entire section in the book store devoted to this topic. Some of the books and authors that talk about the importance of our thoughts are:

• Ask and It is Given by Jerry and Ester Hicks
• Excuse Me, Your life is Waiting by Lynn Grabhorn
• The Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
• Dr. Wayne Dyer
• Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain

The power of self help is not in the books we buy about the topics, but in how we implement the teachings in our lives. We must evaluate our selves, our paths and our progress on a daily basis. One of my spiritual teachers Paramahansa Yogananda makes a point of impressing self reflection as one of the most important tools to personal growth, and soul growth.

2. What are you saying?

Do you always say what you think? feel? know? It is common for those living in our society to ignore the inner wisdom we have speaking to us. Most of the time we can't even hear our inner wisdom past the inner turmoil of thoughts, barraging our consciousness in every moment. Is what your are saying the truth if you can't hear your own wisdom?

The most important rule to healthy speaking is Listening. We must listen to both our selves and just as important to those we are speaking to. For instance, I have a repeat violation for forgetting names. Five seconds or multiple years, the names just leave my memory. Honestly, they may never make it in and the reason is that I have a tendency toward self centered and egotistical thought patterns that keep me thinking about what I am going to say more than what I am hearing. Fear leads me to disconnect from the moment and lost becomes any opportunity for a REAL experience with another human being.

The quality of what we say is just as important to our health as to those around us. If we are speaking without integrity, gossiping, lying or spreading negativity through our words we are inviting those same thoughts toward us. We will think more negative and be more negative. Each time we laugh at another person making comments about others that are humorous but might be mean, we are giving our permission for that behavior. If we don't stop ourselves and we participate in slander, gossip and negative speech we become those comments. The truth is those behaviors are blind to our inner wisdom. 

So listen up, have integrity in your speech and only give permission for those things you value.

3. What are you doing?

4. What's in your Past?

5. What are you eating?

Make your Mood!!

There are many people out there that are facing challenges with their mood, health and wellbeing. I'd be surprised if everyone doesn't have a day here and there that makes them want some escape, relief and easy joy in their life. Well there are some supplements that can help, a little. Enough to make a difference.

Because of my experience working in the supplement section of a health foods store for 4 years, I'm going to share my basic ground level suggestions for emotional health supplements. Please don't take these suggestions as prescriptions, or treatments for conditions you may have which require a doctors analysis.

Amino Acids

5-HTP

D-Phenylalanine (DLPA)

GABA(gamma-aminobutyric acid)

L-Theanine

Phenibut(4-amino-3-phenylbutryc acid)

These amino acids are the top 4 for a health mood. Every person is unique and I suggest you try them all out if you want to try something natural and generally safe. Do not take these if you are already taking MAO inhibitors or anti-depressants. You must work with a professional.

5-HTP is a precursor to serotonin. We all know how great serotonin is for the mood. Good exercise is great for releasing serotonin and other great brain uplifting hormones, but providing the material for it to be build makes it that much easier to produce.

L-Theanine comes from green tea. There isn't any caffeine in it anymore as the amino acid is likened to an extract and is no longer green tea. This is an up and coming amino for ADHD and autism. It is relaxing and calming to the mind and body. Often it's included in weight loss programs because it is said to induce the same kind of satiation that a full belly produces.

Phenibut is a GABA derivative that easily crosses the blood/brain barrier, binds to GABA receptors and helps increase GABA levels.

Herbs for your mood:

Kava Kava

Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Rhodiola Rosea

Relora (magnolia bark extract)

St. Johns Wort

Kava Kava is an herb from the Pacific Islands. It is an excellent supplement for relaxation. I remember the first time I tried Kava, I was so excited to experience an immediate physical response I started telling everyone about it. It was traditionally used in ceremonies and as medicine, while today we use it to take the edge off. This root is available in liquid tincture, capsule and in the raw herb which you can make into a tea. I enjoy the tea a lot! Even with the strong taste. If you are planning on using this herb regularly please read the safety precautions on this page: http://www.minddisorders.com/Kau-Nu/Kava-kava.html

Meditation

Meditation is the number one tool to happiness. So many people have exclaimed the importance of practicing meditation that I will just make the suggestion. Please take a look around for a practice that suits your spiritual beliefs. Not all meditation is religious or counter religious. What happens when you practice peace? Better concentration, healthier emotional responses to life's challenges, more clarity and much more.