Have you ever considered The Wizard of Oz to be a tale of leadership?

Imagine this…

There you are minding your own business when a huge tornado comes along and turns your world upside-down. You are transported to a land where little people sing in shrill voices, a woman wearing a gown appears from the sky in a bubble, a witch with hideous green makeup tells you that she is going to make your life miserable, and your family is nowhere to be found. The only thing you have to hold onto (literally) is a small dog named Toto who got you into this trouble in the first place. If he just hadn’t tried to bite the Maxwell House lady…

You know the story. But did you ever stop to think what great leadership skills Dorothy used to get herself out of that mess and back home? Would you have been able to do the same?

Dorothy as a Natural Leader

First of all, she knew where she wanted to go. She had direction. Even if it did start out in tiny steps going in a circle of golden bricks, the plain and simple fact is that she never stopped thinking about her goal. She wanted to go home, and nothing would deter her from that. Circles or no circles, crossroads or no crossroads, witch or no witch, Dorothy was going home. Period.

Secondly, she told everyone she met what her goal was, and even intrigued a few of them into adventuring along with her. Now, granted, this was quite the rag-tag group. A Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion might not be anyone’s first pick of partners on the journey to success. But, didn’t they believe in her? Didn’t they encourage her? Didn’t they help her get where she wanted to go? And they stuck with her regardless of the challenges she encountered. Not such a bad group after all. I daresay it was Dorothy’s conviction and good heart that kept them by her side and believing in her.

More Challenges

Next, she overcame the many obstacles that she encountered, no matter how daunting. No menacing trees throwing apples would stop her. And certainly, no poppy fields with sleeping potion could keep her down. No big, intimidating door would keep her out. And no witch would keep her locked up. No sirree, nothing was going to stop Dorothy from moving forward toward her goal. She focused her efforts and determined to get home.

Finally, she realized that the biggest part of the journey she had made was within herself. Regardless of how many miles she had walked, the real journey was in recognizing what was truly important to her. She understood the importance of family, friends, values, and the roof over her head. Everything else was interesting and at times glamorous, but temporary. True wisdom starts from within, and Dorothy learned this lesson.

Final Thoughts on Dorothy and Leadership

“You don’t need to be helped any longer. You’ve always had the power.” ~ The Good Witch from the Wizard of Oz

So, what do you think of Dorothy’s leadership skills now? She had direction. Plus, she attracted the right people into her life to help her get there. She overcame obstacles, no matter how large or small. And she realized that the largest part of her journey had really happened within. Not bad for a little girl.

So, grab your basket and your best blue gingham frock and take a few steps along the yellow brick road with Dorothy. She has a few things she would like to share with you about leadership. What do you think?

Many blessings,

Katrina

Pregnancy and labor can be a very overwhelming time filled with many emotions such as excitement and fear. While pregnancy is generally reflected in a positive light, the same cannot be said about labor, and this is all before the potential for postpartum pajamas and depression and everything that comes after the labor. There is a general sense of negativity that surrounds the labor experience. That’s particularly true when we talk about natural birthing. We hear of very few positive examples of natural, drug-free childbirths.

“The truth is that with the right preparation one can achieve a successful drug-free childbirth…”

And, there is a lot of fear behind this type of experience and it is seen as un-normal.

With so little natural birth education passed along to mothers-to-be, it is no wonder that many women are not confident in their body’s innate ability to birth naturally without narcotics and why medical births are the new norm.

With C-sections up 53% since 1996, these procedures are being used on women with little or no complications. Common medical interventions include Pitocin, Epidurals and Cesarean section surgeries. The truth is that with the right preparation one can achieve successful drug-free childbirth. This article will discuss how to practice for childbirth and take control of the birthing experience.

“We have a secret in our culture, and it’s not that birth is painful; it’s that women are strong.” -Laura Stavoe Harm

How to prepare for natural labor:

Over the years there has become less and less of a focus on enhancing women’s confidence in the ability of the body during labor. Simply spending more time educating women on how to handle the birthing process, as well as fostering an environment to help make the mother as comfortable as possible, are healthier and less expensive alternatives to the interventions. These following methods may reduce labor pain naturally and help women to birth without interferences.

1. Surround yourself with a positive concept of birth

With so much negative energy regarding birth, it is not surprising that many women fear birthing the way it was originally intended. Hollywood has dramatized the event with depictions of women screaming at their husbands while begging the doctors to eliminate the pain. In addition to the negative portrayals, very few women themselves have positive birth stories to share and take it upon themselves to share these adverse encounters with other pregnant women.

“…many women who take a proactive role in their labor and make the effort to make it enjoyable have had very positive experiences…”

]One of the best things an expecting mother can do is create their own perception of the birthing experience by avoiding any and all negativity. Labor does not need to be a dreadful experience and in fact, many women who take a proactive role in their labor and make the effort to make it enjoyable have had very positive experiences. Seek out these women and listen to their empowering birth stories.

2. Plan and Visualize

Many mothers feel like patients rather than participants in their labor, by having a strong understanding about how birth and the body work a woman can take an active role in making the right decisions for her body. Creating a birth plan can ensure that the birthing environment is a positive one. Imagery and visualization are other powerful tools for women to practice prior to labor. Envisioning successful labor can help build confidence in the woman’s ability to birth naturally without medical interventions coming into play. Tight and tense muscles can prevent the body from opening, which is essential in order for labor to progress. Practicing imagery and visualization towards the end of your pregnancy and during labor helps to condition the mind and reduce stress and anxiety.

3. Increase knowledge & trust intuition

Read books, attend classes and become as up to date as you can on birth in general. By learning as much as you can about the process and how the body works the woman can be inspired to let nature run its course while trusting in the wondrous ability of the human body to do what it was made to do. Birthing is a very natural experience. In fact, women birthed without medical interventions for millions of years before modern medicine brainwashed us. Now, we believe that medical involvements were a better alternative than letting the body act naturally. By educating oneself on the natural progression of labor you are reinforcing confidence in the body’s innate power.

4. Be mindful of fears and emotions

Birth is such a life-changing event it would be impossible to not have fears and emotions associated with the experience. Ignoring these fears does no service. You must encounter your fears and work on releasing them through meditation and visualization. By acknowledging worries the woman is able to work towards overcoming those reservations throughout pregnancy to ensure a blissful birth.

5. Connect with Body, Mind, and Spirit

Yoga is one of the most popular forms of exercise during pregnancy and combines gentle stretching, relaxation and breathing techniques. This ancient practice increases internal awareness and focus that helps create confidence and trust in your body while also bonding with your baby. It can lower blood pressure and prevents and relieves aches and pains that impinge on the body during pregnancy.

Yoga builds stamina, relaxes the pelvis, and helps the baby transition into an optimal birthing position. The relaxation response can significantly improve your overall health and well-being. Research shows that when people engage the relaxation response daily it can reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. And, it can also improve blood pressure, immunity, and self-esteem. Relaxation helps to create endorphins, which help to decrease pain during labor, whereas fear causes the release of stress hormones and catecholamine that can increase pain and duration of labor.

Meditation helps to create melatonin, which is released into the bloodstream during stress-inducing times. It also produces endorphins that have very powerful pain-relieving effects, similar to morphine. The more dedicated the woman is to her prenatal meditation, the less afraid she will be of preconceived pain prior to the onset of labor.

`This allows the woman to be less disturbed by any actual pain. Therefore, it creates feelings of joy. Frequent practice results in higher levels of endorphins during labor. Regular practice of yoga and meditation is essential to prepare the mind and body for labor.

6. Supportive Network

Making sure to have people around who support your decisions is extremely important.

Without health care providers, friends and family members to support your decision it can be very difficult. Create a strong support system for the positive birthing environment. This enables the mother to be the love and encouragement she needs.

Making the effort to practice regularly, becoming educated as much as possible and keeping a positive attitude are essential to empower the mother-to-be and ensure she can birth with freedom and joy. Just as one would prepare for a marathon, the same provision should apply to the biggest life-changing event that a woman will experience. In addition to helping make pregnancy and labor easier, these modalities also help the post-partum body recover quicker.

These techniques prevent and treat postpartum depression and anxiety by allowing the mother some time to herself to nurture her mind-body connection. With so many physical and hormonal changes going on during this time, it is beneficial for the mother to take some time to decompress and build awareness with her changing body to adapt to each new stage of motherhood.

Thoughts about life and personal growth welled up as I replaced our daughter’s car seat with one that would be more comfortable for her as she grew.  Our little girl was growing up fast and it seemed like only yesterday I had put that original car seat in.

As I completed the new installation, thoughts of the snake that sheds its old skin, or the butterfly that breaks free from its cocoon quickly bubbled to the surface. A reflection on life had been staring me right in the eyes the whole time.

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~ Viktor E. Frankl

How does a car seat connect with personal growth?

As children get older, many things (car seats included) need to grow right along with them in order to help facilitate that growth. To watch a child grow and expand (which happens very quickly, by the way), makes you think about your own personal growth as well.

As a parent, there are moments that give you a glimpse into the future or a memory from the past. Parenthood also gives you the ultimate perspective that our physical lives are absolutely limited, and we have to do what we can with the time we’ve got.  You see, the car seat was a perfect representation that growth happens, and sometimes it happens like it or not.

Maybe you’re comfortably nestled in and happy with where you are in life. You’ve released your full potential, but that’s ok, as long as you’re happy. True happiness is true wealth and the key to living the life YOU desire.

But what if you’re not comfortable?

What if you feel a tension inside that’s holding you back from where you want to be? If you feel it (and we’ve all felt it at some point), it’s time to grow, and release what’s prohibited you from reaching your peak. But you’ve got to be willing to get uncomfortable and start letting go of your current reality. If you’re really ready to grow, you’ve got to accept and look forward to what could be, not what is.

“…Even the mightiest of redwoods would be but a bonsai if never freed from its restrictive planter.”

When growth happens from the inside, the outside becomes unstable. Not because we’re acting in an unstable manner from our desire to change, but because the outside cannot stay as it is if the inside is changing. It will eventually change with us or be released from our experience, this is law. The world around us is simply a reflection of the world within us.

Sometimes, you’ve got to shed that old skin if you want growth to happen. You’ve got to break out of that comfortable cocoon that’s housed you all this time. Even the mightiest of redwoods would be but a bonsai if never freed from its restrictive planter.

So ask yourself, “Is there something still out there that calls me? What in the world do I still want to experience?” and if an answer comes to mind, congratulations! You’re still alive and have time to do it. Start today. Start now. You’ve got one go-around in this body and you might as well continue to grow until the sun stops shining!

I loved to read when I was a child. I would spend hours upon hours reading the Oz books, Dr. Dolittle books, Paddington books, Little House series, and Wrinkle in Time series, to name just a few. I got lost in the worlds that the authors created, and it was easy to imagine myself alongside the characters enjoying the happy stories and the journey with them.

“What’s fascinated me from the time I was a little kid was the way we construct our lives through stories.”
~ Henry Louis Gates

The best part was always the ending. Even though I usually didn’t want the books to end, it made me feel good to know that the characters resolved their differences, moved through their challenges, and came to a place of greater awareness and peace.

Did you ever notice that? In children’s books, the main characters are allowed to learn and mature through their adventures. They encounter obstacles and learn their lessons, then come to a place of resolution. They are “allowed” to be happy.

For some reason, as adults, we look for more complicated storylines. Adult books and movies are filled with infinite twists and turns, and lots of darkness. Often when movies are tested on audiences, it’s the ending with an unresolved situation that tests strongest. It’s almost as if we want characters to feel lost, hurt, sad, and alone.

Why do we like to make things more complicated as adults? Why are we attracted to drama?

Some of you may say that the books and movies merely reflect life the way it “really” is.

But is that true?

What if life is one big story and we are the authors? Or, what if life is far easier than we make it? What if life challenges really can be smoothed out quickly and with little effort? What if we are making it all far more complicated than it needs to be?

For me, it’s simple. I prefer living a happy story where people smile and treat each other kindly. Occasionally we even break out in a song and dance. There is little drama, and at night everyone sleeps safely and soundly. That may be boring to some, but it suits me just fine.

So, when we come to that fork in the road and one path has a character holding a hatchet and wearing a bloody hockey mask while the other path has a fun-loving group of characters laughing and skipping along the way, you know which one I’ll pick!

Happily ever after,

Katrina

Spring cleaning your home is a chore. Spring cleaning your life is a calling.

A new spring brings with it the beautiful song of nature’s awakening. Budding vegetation sprouts from the earth, the sun prolongs its daily visit, and nature shares a small preview of the infinite source of abundance available.

As the Earth begins a new cycle, we as humans also share this ritual of renewal. But to make room for new growth, the collection of seasons past must be released. “Spring cleaning”, as we’ve come to know it, can be a positive and truly cleansing experience – not only for the home but the soul.

“Keep your own house and its surroundings pure and clean. This hygiene will keep you healthy and benefit your worldly life.” – Sri Sathya Sai Baba

As we embrace the rejuvenating spirit of spring, the task of deep cleaning our homes can be transformative. It’s not just about tidying up physical spaces but also about creating an environment that nurtures our well-being and inner peace. To make this process easier, you can count on reliable home cleaning services Singapore to ensure your home is cleaned to perfection, allowing you to focus on personal renewal.

Hiring a professional house cleaner Perth, such as those from Clean4You, can amplify this experience by ensuring every nook and cranny receives meticulous attention. Their expertise in cleaning goes beyond surface-level dirt; it extends to fostering a sense of harmony within our living spaces. By entrusting them with the task, we open ourselves to a rejuvenated home that serves as a sanctuary for renewal and growth.

As spring ushers in a sense of renewal, residents of Salt Lake City, UT, have the opportunity to revitalize their homes through professional cleaning services. Just as in Perth, where Clean4You brings a meticulous touch to every corner, Salt Lake City residents can benefit from the exceptional service of Magic Castle Cleaning. Their dedicated team ensures that each room is not only cleaned but also rejuvenated, creating a serene environment that enhances overall well-being. Magic Castle Cleaning’s approach goes beyond conventional cleaning. They focus on the subtle details that contribute to a holistic sense of cleanliness and comfort. For Salt Lake City residents, this means a home that not only sparkles with cleanliness but also resonates with a calming, harmonious atmosphere.

Cleansing the home

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with material items in your home?

If so, it’s time to cleanse. The release of clutter at home will also relieve clutter in the mind. Possessions are nice to have, but if they’re not being used functionally, they have the power to possess you and ultimately, control your life. Less is more; renewal in the home rejuvenates the mind and brings a new, clearer visualization into view.

While spring cleaning the home – declare that you’re not only cleaning your home, but also clearing your mind. Think of each area of the home being cleaned as a step toward fresh beginnings – one step closer to attaining a laser-sharp focus that creates unhindered success. You can raise your own level of positive energy when cleaning as well; turn on your favorite music, sing, smile, and dance around to make these tasks far more tolerable. Chances are, you won’t even realize how much you’ve completed while doing your own cleaning cha-cha! If you notice that your floors need deep cleaning, you click the link to learn more about professional floor cleaning services.

What if clutter isn’t ready for the trash?

There’s surely no need to add to the landfills – to follow the adage of “One person’s trash is another’s treasure” is a valuable mantra to memorize while spring cleaning. Pack up items you’d like to keep but aren’t using. If you haven’t used them in 6 months, get rid of it. Give to people you know, The Salvation Army, Goodwill, or even Freecycle. You may not realize it, but the possessions you’re giving away will come back to you as a blessing in some form. Clean the mess to surely be blessed.

Cleansing the mind

“The state of your home is a reflection of the state of your mind.”

The home isn’t the only thing that could use a good spring cleaning. There’s plenty of thoughts taking up precious real estate in the thriving metropolis of your mind. Think about how you can create that laser sharp focus to achieve your dreams. What negative relationships are hindering you from being your best self? What negative thoughts and beliefs could be replaced with more enlightening, positive ones? Make a declaration for positivity to fill your life and reaffirm that declaration daily. Your willpower will prove to be the judge, jury and executioner of the negative energy cluttering that cortex of yours.

Once finished, celebrate and pamper the new YOU! You’re lighter in the home as well as the mind (and probably a few dollars richer from the things you didn’t need.), so why not turn that clutter into comfort? Celebrate who you are, how far you’ve come, and where you are going. Treat yourself to a pedicure, massage, or whatever else makes you feel good – you deserve it!

New home, new habits, new YOU!

From here on out, continue to love yourself fully – keep the dust bunnies of negativity at bay and get ready for new beginnings and opportunities to come. Give yourself the time YOU need to clear your mind, whether it be through yoga, taking a walk, exercising, painting, or just reading a book – you deserve to take as much care of yourself as everything and everyone around you. Without serving yourself, you can not truly serve others.

Shine on!

Have you ever really thought about the power of the words “I am”? Even deeper, do you consciously realize the subconscious “I am” statements that you are holding about yourself? Think about this affirmation a moment and, hey, be honest with yourself. What do YOU think of YOURSELF? What are you saying about who you are on a daily basis?

“You have unlimited power and creativity. Your inner spirit knows this.”

You are your own biggest critic and the co-creator of your own life.  With that freedom, you have the immense power to decide who you are and who you’d like to become.  The current truth however, is that most of us are very critical and don’t have the most positive beliefs about ourselves.  At the same time, many of our own beliefs have actually stemmed from the beliefs of others.  We have allowed others’ thoughts about us to have so much power over our own influence that we believe that is who we are.

“Success is a process, a quality of mind and way of being, an outgoing affirmation of life.” ~ Alex Noble

Our thoughts and words have crafted our present and are currently crafting our future – they are not in a  secret lock box hidden from the world, they affect us and others directly and publicly.  If we’d like to see real change in our life as well as success in our endeavors, we must learn to re-program our thoughts and keep them positive – especially the thoughts about ourselves!

“I am” is one of the most powerful statements we can make. Whatever follows “I am” starts the creation of it. Yes it’s true – “I am” is a 100% pure statement of creation.

The Power of Choice

The good news is that we have the power of choice. Once aware of this power, we can take action to break the cycle and replace those limiting beliefs once and for all.

We get to choose what to think about ourselves.  Naturally, we all want to improve our current situation, achieve our dream and have more freedom. One of the single most important aspects in individuals that have achieved their goal is their positive attitude and strong “I am” statements.  Yes, action matters; but action is not enough.

As the co-creator of your reality, you’ve got to believe it to see it – that’s why an “I am” statement is so important. If we put our attention to it, we’ll find that our society can be overflowing with negative energy. At the same time, when we direct our attention to the positive we will find that it too is overflowing and growing!  It simply depends on the direction of our attention.

As a person who has ventured “down the rabbit hole” of negativity and transformed my life in all areas, I speak from experience.  Hey, I’ve been there and I know it can be tough if you let it.  As Aristotle said, “Excellence is a habit.” Change is about implementing daily habits. Sure, I went over speed bumps and hit roadblocks but, I’ve also consciously trained myself through HABIT to redirect my thoughts to the positive and find solutions. I also created very POWERFUL “I AM” statements for myself and my future.

Redefining your “I AM”

When you begin to consciously utilize the power of “I AM” statements, your life will transform. This isn’t something that works for some and won’t work for you; it works when you WORK IT! But, you have to consistently work it. The good news is, once you make this a conscious habit for some time, it becomes an unconscious habit – you have re-trained your brain. You must make it a habit, everyday, to repeat your affirmation.

Your goal must be to dig deep and find those nasty, icky, yucky negative words you may hold over yourself – words that no longer serve you – and transform them.  The negative words are usually those statements that you think “define” who you are; also known as the “you are what you think people think you are” mentality. You are who you create yourself to be. You are who you WANT to be. There is nothing holding you back because of the society you live in, genetics, family, past experiences, childhood, etc.

As Joel Osteen said, “What follows the “I am” will always come looking for you… .  Many times, we are using the power of ‘I am’ against us.” What are you looking to create in your life?  You get a free preview of that creation by discovering your current “I am” beliefs.

So, let’s figure this out together, right now, and make some changes. Take a few minutes out of your day to write down some limiting beliefs of yourself that come to mind.  It’s time to replace them with the beliefs that you would like to have about yourself.

Example “I am” transformations:

• “I AM STUPID” becomes “I AM SMART”.
• “I AM NOT ABLE” becomes “I AM FULLY ABLE”.
• “I AM TOO OLD” becomes “I AM YOUNG.”
• “I AM NOT GOOD ENOUGH” becomes “I AM ALWAYS GOOD ENOUGH”.
• “I AM LAZY” becomes “I AM RESPONSIBLE”.
• “I AM FAT” becomes “I AM FIT”.
• “I AM ALWAYS LATE” becomes “I AM ALWAYS ON TIME”.

You can take these affirmative statements, write them down on sticky notes and place them around your house. You can also get affirmation cards from Louise Hay or other Hay House authors and place the ones that MOST resonate with you throughout your home.  You can put them anywhere – on your mirror, refrigerator, at your desk, etc. It’s time to write the ending to your own story!

Our family refrigerator is loaded with inspiring thoughts and affirmations from our favorite leading-thought teachers.

Your ultimate goal is to retrain your brain and subconscious, re-programming your mind to accept better, more positive beliefs. You have unlimited power and creativity – your inner spirit knows this. “I am” statements just affirm the truth of your nature. We are all truly powerful beings at heart. Remember that you are capable of doing anything – just try it!

My Challenge to You!

If you’ve done exercises like these, I’d love to hear about it. Have you had success from it? If so, I’d love to feature your story in an upcoming article.

If this is your first trying this, please tell me how it went. I’d love to answer any questions for you or help you create better, more powerful “I AM” affirmation statements that will transform your life and propel you to the life that was once just in your imagination.

All is well. Love and Light!

Asking me to choose my favorite style of yoga is like trying to pick out my favorite ice cream. It depends on the day, season, and what kind of mood I’m in. I’ve tried my fair share of yoga “flavors”; Iyengar, Para, Ashtanga, Restorative, Vinyasa, Aerial, Kundalini, Yin, Nidra, and even Stand up Paddle Board yoga.

“The most important purpose of Yoga is to bring about a deep transformation of the individual–an awakening of intelligence that is free of dependencies and romantic beliefs and ready to meet the accelerating challanges of the 21st century.” ~ Ganga White

I continue to research different styles to expand my yoga encyclopedia and keep my practice fresh. But there is one style that had my heart from the beginning. Vinyasa gets the prize for my “go-to” flavor, and it never disappoints.

Whether I’m engaging in a vigorous practice or a slow flow, I feel like I’m in a graceful dance with my body and breathe. I can become fully absorbed in my inhale and exhale, and let the breath take over and guide my movements. It is one of the rare moments where I am so firmly rooted in the present that outside thoughts stand little chance of distracting me. The practice allows me to get creative and find my own “flow.” I am able to explore different asanas and really feel into my own body.

ABOUT VINYASA YOGA

Before diving into my yoga teacher training, I would have simply defined vinyasa as a flow class, a good workout where you’re in constant motion. It wasn’t until I started deepening my studies that I learned vinyasa means, “to place in a special way.” (Vi- in a special way, Nyasa- to place) It’s not just about coming up with a wonderful sequence that will leave you glowing with sweat and prana pulsing in your veins.

Vinyasa is the step by step approach, that systematically takes you from one point, and transitions you to the next. It is a dynamic and ever-developing sequence that unfolds with an internal harmony and intelligence when we honor where we are.

When I practice vinyasa, I begin where I am, modify when I need, and remember that today is not like yesterday. Maybe I don’t take chaturanga this practice. Maybe I choose childs pose instead. Perhaps I skip a vinyasa all together and reconnect to my breath in down dog.[quote_right]”Vinyasa gets the prize for my “go-to” flavor, and it never disappoints.”[/quote_right]

The approach is the same for life off the mat. I can self reflect and see where I am and ask where I want to be. What are my goals? How am I going to get there? Sometimes I have to modify my path. Some days I get frustrated, am forced to practice self-compassion, and remind myself to simply breathe. There are moments when I can charge full speed ahead, and others when I need to step back and restore.

Life on and off the mat is truly about going with the flow, and honoring your own personal journey. All life is yoga, its styles merely flavor to choose from. Vinyasa is still my favorite flavor and always leaves me wanting more.

“I am sure of nothing so little as my own intentions.” ~ George Byron

Do you have good instincts? Are you a good judge of character?

Can you tell if someone is genuinely sincere versus doing or saying anything at that time to appease you?

Wherever there is human interaction, arguments don’t seem to be that far away. There are situations which cause one to be mad, angry and upset with the other person. And, that all stems from whatever was said or done directly or indirectly to them. It matters not if it’s from your family members, friends, co-workers or complete strangers. I am sure that this is something that everyone can relate to.

When we feel like we are the victims in such a situation inflicted by another person, we feel justified for feeling the way we want to. However, in the midst of the heated discussions or lack of communication for that matter, we often lose sight of one important key factor. And that is the actual underlying intent of the person upsetting us.

We Don’t Learn Intentions in School

It’s funny because I don’t remember having a class in school to learn about such things. Yet we can be faced in situations that cause us to get upset and angry on a daily basis. I wonder why this subject is not mandatory. I know a lot of people’s blood pressure would be in a better state today if they had assistance on dealing with their emotions – I know at times mine would.

If we had a class on this it could help people see where to spend their energy and what is ultimately causing them more harm than good by harboring such feelings of anger, resentment towards someone.

This is not to belittle in no way shape or form any inexplicable actions or words that someone says to you. Intstead, it is more to understand the intent behind why it was said or done. I am sure at times that even though someone said or did something to us where we didn’t like or it caused us to be upset at the time, once we were no longer hot tempered we could begin to understand where they were coming from. Separate their intention and decide for ourselves if we want to believe that they purposely wanted to cause us pain and anger – or was their intent coming from a place of love, a place of purity and not stemmed from any malice?

People’s intentions need to be examined at all times; whether it is your intentions towards someone or vice versa. Not everything is cut and dry and we need to trust ourselves more to follow what feels right and work with others to get passed confrontations that were upsetting to us only if there is something to build on.

“This is the class of life and no matter what you learn; you are ultimately your best teacher.”

It’s a new semester and classes have just begun. It’s now time for you to register for your class. The teacher is someone familiar and you know this person very well because it is YOU. This is the class of life and no matter what you learn; you are ultimately your best teacher. You have the choice to teach yourself what the best for you is.

So, understand and pay attention to the people in your life. If they constantly bring you down and you feel that their intention is not of someone that wishes you well, teach yourself to want better. Because you should expect better. I have often felt that after a bad argument in which nasty words or comments were said, the people saying the hurtful words most often show you their true self. Although they may apologize afterward, don’t completely ignore what they have shown you.

Learn from it and build your character to rise above their actions. Try not to engage in the way they act. Easier said than done, I know. But we need to learn from our mistakes.

Class of life begins now so make sure to be present.

There’s one simple, natural product that can help us maintain that balance easily and baking soda is it:

Baking soda is, was, and always will be a product that everyone should have in their home. It’s not only completely natural, but it’s eco-friendly and has as many uses as you can handle.

Life on earth lives within a certain level along the pH (power of Hydrogen) scale. Maintaining that pH in your environment and in your body is vital to its continuation.

“Baking Soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, helps regulate pH—keeping a substance neither too acidic nor too alkaline. When baking soda comes in contact with either an acidic or an alkaline substance, it’s natural effect is to neutralize that pH. It has the ability to retard further changes in the pH balance, known as buffering ( You can drink 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda with a cup of water for Your Body’s pH Balance ). We can also protect ourselves from the array of toxins in household cleaning products (Conventional cleansers can expose us to multiple chemicals linked to asthma, cancer, and other documented health issues.).

This natural product also makes a perfect stand-in for many personal care products, which are adding their own twist to the toxic tangle of pollutants and personal health (mainly in the form of synthetic fragrance, sodium laurel sulfate, and parabens).

51 amazing uses for baking soda

Personal Care

1. Make Toothpaste

A paste made from baking soda and a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as an alternative to commercial non-fluoride toothpaste. You can also just dip your toothbrush with toothpaste into baking soda for an extra boost.

2. Freshen Your Mouth

Put one teaspoon in half a glass of water, swish, spit and rinse. Odors are neutralized, not just covered up.

3. Soak Oral Appliance

Soak oral appliances, like retainers, mouthpieces, and dentures, in a solution of 2 teaspoons dissolved in a glass or small bowl of warm water. The mixture loosens food particles and neutralizes odors to keep appliances fresh. You can also brush appliances clean using soda.

4. Use as a Facial Scrub and Body Exfoliant

Give yourself an invigorating facial and body scrub. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean. This is gentle enough for daily use. (For a stronger exfoliant, mix some into your organic sugar scrub.)

5. Skip Harsh Deodorant

Pat directly onto your underarms to neutralize body odor.

6. Use as an Antacid

Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach and/or acid indigestion. Refer to product package for complete instructions.

7. Treat Insect Bites & Itchy Skin

For insect bites, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply as a salve onto the affected skin. To ease the itch, shake some baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after bath or shower.

8. Make a Hand Cleanser and Softener

Skip harsh soaps and gently scrub away ground-in dirt and neutralize odors on hands with a paste of 3 parts of soda to 1 part water, or 3 parts baking soda to gentle liquid hand soap. Then rinse clean. You can try this honey and cornmeal scrub for hands too.

9. Help Your Hair

Vinegar is amazing for your hair, but baking soda has its place in the shower too. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly–this product helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your hair is cleaner and more manageable.

10. Clean Brushes and Combs

For lustrous hair with more shine, keep brushes and combs clean. Remove natural oil build-up and hair product residue by soaking combs and brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small basin of warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.

11. Make a Bath Soak

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath to neutralize acids on the skin and help wash away oil and perspiration, it also makes your skin feel very soft. Epsom salts are pretty miraculous for the bath too, read about the health benefits of Epsom salt baths.

12. Soothe Your Feet

Dissolve 3 tablespoons in a tub of warm water and soak feet. Gently scrub. You can also make a spa soak for your feet.

Cleaning

13. Make a Surface Soft Scrub

For safe, effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile, and sinks–even fiberglass and glossy tiles–sprinkle this lightly on a clean damp sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. For extra cleaning power, make a paste with baking soda, coarse salt, and liquid dish soap—let it sit then scour off.

14. Handwash Dishes and Pots & Pans

Add 2 heaping tablespoons of soda (along with your regular dish detergent) to the dishwater to help cut grease and foods left on dishes, pots, and pans. For cooked-on foods, let them soak in the baking soda and detergent with water first, then use dry powdered soda on a clean damp sponge or cloth as a scratchless scouring powder. Using a dishwasher? Try these energy-saving tips.

15. Freshen Sponges

Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong  solution to get rid of the mess. Dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. For more thorough disinfecting, use the microwave.

16. Clean the Microwave

Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with water.

17. Polish Silver Flatware

Create a paste made from 3 parts of soda to 1 part water. Rub onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry for shining sterling and silver-plate serving pieces.

18. Clean Coffee and Tea Pots

Remove coffee and tea stains and eliminate bitter off-tastes by washing mugs and coffee makers in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight in a soda solution and detergent, then scrubbing in the morning with a damp sponge.

19. Clean the Oven

Sprinkle directly onto the bottom of the oven. Spray with water to dampen the baking soda. Let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub, scoop the baking soda and grime out with a sponge, or vacuum, and rinse.

20. Clean Floors

Remove dirt and grime (without unwanted scratch marks) from no wax and tile floors using 1/2 cup in a bucket of warm water–mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor. For scuff marks, use baking soda on a clean damp sponge, then rinse.

21. Clean Furniture

You can make a homemade lemon furniture polish, or you can clean and remove marks (even crayon) from walls and painted furniture by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.

22. Clean Shower Curtains

Clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinkling some directly on a clean damp sponge or brush. Scrub the shower curtain and rinse clean. Hang it up to dry.

23. Boost Your Liquid Laundry Detergent

Give your laundry a boost by adding ½ cup of baking soda to your laundry to make liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash gets clothes cleaner, fresher, and brighter.

24. Gently Clean Baby Clothes

Baby skin requires the most gentle of cleansers, which are increasingly available, but odor and stain fighters are often harsh. For tough stains add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your liquid laundry detergent, or a 1/2 cup in the rinse cycle for deodorization.

25. Clean Cloth Diapers

Dissolve ½ cup of baking soda in 2 quarts of water and soak diapers thoroughly.

26. Clean and Freshen Sports Gear

Make a solution (4 tablespoons Baking soda in 1-quart warm water) to clean and deodorize smelly sports equipment. Sprinkle baking soda into golf bags and gym bags to deodorize, clean golf irons (without scratching them!) with a baking soda paste (3 parts of baking soda to 1 part water) and a brush. Rinse thoroughly.

27. Remove Oil and Grease Stains

Use a sprinkle to clean up light-duty oil and grease spills on your garage floor or in your driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.

28. Clean Batteries

This product can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers, etc. because its a mild alkali. Be sure to disconnect the battery terminals before cleaning. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply with a damp cloth to scrub corrosion from the battery terminal. After cleaning and re-connecting the terminals, wipe them with petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Please be careful when working around a battery–they contain a strong acid.

29. Clean Cars

Use baking soda to clean your car lights, chrome, windows, tires, vinyl seats and floor mats without worrying about unwanted scratch marks. Use a baking soda solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. Apply with a sponge or soft cloth to remove road grime, tree sap, bugs, and tar. For stubborn stains use baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge or soft brush.

Deodorizing

30. Deodorize Your Refrigerator

Place an open box in the back of the fridge to neutralize odors.

31. Deodorize the Cutting Board

Sprinkle the cutting board with baking soda, scrub, rinse.

32. Deodorize Trashcans

Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your trashcan to keep stinky trash smells at bay.

33. Deodorize Recyclables

Sprinkle baking soda on top as you add to the container. Also, clean your recyclable container periodically by sprinkling baking soda on a damp sponge. Wipe clean and rinse. Learn about how to recycle everything.

34. Deodorize Drains

To deodorize your sink and tub drains, and keep lingering odors from resurfacing, pour 1/2 cup  down the drain while running warm tap water–it will neutralize both acid and basic odors for a fresh drain. (This a good way to dispose of baking soda that is being retired from your refrigerator.) Do you know what you’re not supposed to put down your drains?

35. Deodorize and Clean Dishwashers

Use Baking soda to deodorize before you run the dishwasher and then as a gentle cleanser in the wash cycle.

36. Deodorize Garbage Disposals

To deodorize your disposal, and keep lingering odors from resurfacing, pour baking soda down the drain while running warm tap water. Baking Soda will neutralize both acid and basic odors for a fresh drain.

37. Deodorize Lunch Boxes

Between uses, place a spill-proof box  in everyone’s lunch box to absorb lingering odors. Read bout safe lunch boxes here.

38. Remove Odor from Carpets

liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let set overnight, or as long as possible (the longer it sits the better it works). Sweep up the larger amounts of baking soda, and vacuum up the rest. (Note that your vacuum cleaner bag will get full and heavy.)

39. Remove Odor from Vacuum Cleaners

By using the method above for carpets, you will also deodorize your vacuum cleaner.

40. Freshen Closets

Place a box on the shelf to keep the closet smelling fresh, then follow these tips to organize your closet in an eco-friendly way.

41. Deodorizing Cars

Odors settle into car upholstery and carpet, so each time you step in and sit down, they are released into the air all over again. Eliminate these odors by sprinkling baking soda directly on fabric car seats and carpets. Wait 15 minutes (or longer for strong odors) and vacuum up the baking soda.

42. Deodorize the Cat Box

Cover the bottom of the pan with baking soda, then fill as usual with litter. To freshen between changes, sprinkle baking soda on top of the litter after a thorough cleaning. You can also use green tea for this purpose!

43. Deodorize Pet Bedding

Eliminate odors from your pets bedding by sprinkling liberally with baking soda, wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odors), then vacuum up.

44. Deodorize Sneakers

Keep odors from spreading in smelly sneakers by shaking a little bit of this into them when not in use. Shake out before wearing. When they’re no longer wearable, make sure to donate your old sneakers.

45. Freshen Linens

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle for fresher sheets and towels. You can also make homemade lavender linen water with this formula.

46. Deodorize Your Wash

Gym clothes of other odoriferous clothing can be neutralized with a ½ cup of baking soda in the rinse cycle.

47. Freshen Stuffed Animals

Keep favorite cuddly toys fresh with a dry shower of baking soda. Sprinkle this powder on and let it sit for 15 minutes before brushing off.

Miscellaneous

48. Camping Cure-all

This product is a must-have for your next camping trip. Its a dish washer, pot scrubber, hand cleanser, deodorant, toothpaste, fire extinguisher and has many other uses.

49. Extinguish Fires

Baking soda can help in the initial handling of minor grease or electrical kitchen fires, because when the soda is heated, it gives off carbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For small cooking fires (frying pans, broilers, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or electricity if you can safely do so. Stand back and throw handfuls of soda at the base of the flame to help put out the fire–and call the Fire Department just to be safe. (And, you should have a fire extinguisher on hand anyway)

50. Septic Care

Regular use  in your drains can help keep your septic system flowing freely. 1 cup of baking soda per week will help maintain a favorable pH in your septic tank.

51. Fruit and Vegetable Scrub

This product is the food safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge, scrub and rinse.

Share what natural products you use in your home in the comments below. We’d love to hear!

If you loved this article, but still aren’t sure where Baking Soda comes from or how it’s made, check out this article we found on The Grist!