Meditation vs. Prayer. What's the difference?

Life comes at you hard.  Every day you have thousands of decisions to make, you are bombarded with distractions and everyone wants a piece of you. You have to know when to put the brakes on, back off and rejuvenate our minds and spirit.  It's an essential part of the healthy lifestyle we are all working to attain. 

Have you ever been folding a large load of laundry and the next thing you know you, you snap out of a daze and the clothes are folded and you have no idea what you had thought about?  This is actually a form of meditation!  

Ask around to your friends, you will be surprised at how many don't mind doing house chores because they find it calming.  This is why!

Meditation is a worldwide practice.  It is a huge component to spiritual and professional success!  When I first introduce my clients to meditation I like to be very clear on the difference between meditation and prayer.  

Meditation improves your clarity.  When you clarity improves, your life improves!  Prayer is a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship.

Prayer is gratitude and very important in your life and prayer comes in many different forms. Meditation is... nothing.  It is finding a moment of peace and nothingness for your mind.  

Meditation is giving up control and trusting your consciousness to reside free of thought, emotion or action.  

There are many forms of meditation!  Here is an article with some tips to get started.  It's not as intimidating as it may sound!

  http://stopandbreathe.com/2011/03/04/meditation-101-a-10-step-beginners-guide/

Keep in mind, losing some weight is great but the first step to a better life starts from within and you can start that NOW!  

Erika

PS:  Please note that my 5 Day Tummy Tuck will be coming out soon! If you are receiving this email, you will receive it when it's ready.   I'm getting some last minute professional touches put on it.  You guys deserve the best and by golly, I'll make sure you get it!  :) 

4 Resons to Drop a Friend IMMEDIATELY

 As I get older, I make less time for my friends.  I don't need to go out with the gals every month, I don't need to check in with them or have them check in with me for updates.  Does this mean that I value friends less?  On the contrary.  I place more value on the ones that meet my criteria.    

 I've learned to seek low maintenance friendships.  I've also learned the skill of dropping a friend in a second if she becomes too high maintenance.  I I seek friends that are in similar places in life as I.  My friends don't require a lot of attention and they know I do not either.  But we both know all is full of LOVE. 

A friendship isn't about the obligatory check-in once a month.  It's about being there for them in their time of need, even when it's not convenient.

Even from High School, I didn't tolerate drama. I am friends with a lot of wonderful women and upholding this philosophy has allowed me to attract great women into my life who uplift me and allow me to up lift them.  Not the ones that drag me down and feel they have to check in on me because it's their duty as a friend.  

I take this same thought into my online fitness family.  I've created a team of other fit enthusiast called Alpha Tribe.  We support each other in our fitness journey even when It's not convenient but we don't drag each other along.  We lead and uplift each other.  Our community is open to other women who love fitness but also love their family.  We welcome women to who seek support in their journey, women who want to make money helping other and women who desire to bring out their inner bad ass.  

Life is too short to spend with the people you kinda-like.  

Here are 5 Ways to quickly spot a High Maintenance friendship.

1.  They are constantly asking you to hang out

2.  They ask you if another one of your friends has said something about them.

3.  The moment you realize they are a taker.  In any relationship you must give and take

4.  If you have ever had to say the words, 'She flipped out' to your partner.  RUN!

My Dad taught me to release drama from my life and keep things fun and simple.  He used to tell me this all the time when I was having 'friend drama'.  He would start out really firm and serious but by the time he was done, we giggled and I felt so much better!  

Adventurous Salad Recipe w/ Sumac and All Spice!

SUMAC Mediteranean Salad

A go - to fresh Salad for Adventurous taste buds! My husband makes this unique but exciting salad for us when we have a Lebanese or Mediterranean main course.

Chopped Green Leaf Lettuce

Red Onion

Red Bell Pepper

Tomatoes

Radishes

Dressing:

Juice of 1.5 (juicy) limes

1/3 C. EVOO

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 Tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 Tsp ground all spice

1 Tsp. Sumac

I like to make double the dressing recipe. Normally I lightly dress my salad but not this bad boy! I soak it down, now!

Share with you friends!